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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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7

Supreme Court Reopens Nipple-Gate

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(Newser) – The Supreme Court today ordered a federal appeals court to consider reinstating a fine against CBS for Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl wardrobe malfunction, the AP reports. The appeals court had ruled that the glimpse of Jackson’s breast, which lasted nine-sixteenths of a second, should have been considered “fleeting,” and hence not eligible for a fine.

The high court’s decision to re-open the matter comes on the heels of last week’s narrow decision to allow the FCC to fine networks for even one utterance of a naughty word on live television.

In this Sunday Feb. 1, 2004 file photo, entertainer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during the half time performance with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII.
In this Sunday Feb. 1, 2004 file photo, entertainer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during the half time performance with Justin Timberlake at Super Bowl XXXVIII.   (AP Photo/David Phillip, File)
Singer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during a number with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Singer Janet Jackson, left, covers her breast after her outfit came undone during a number with Justin Timberlake during the halftime show of Super Bowl XXXVIII.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola, File)
In this Sunday Feb. 1, 2004 file picture, Justin Timberlake reaches across Janet Jackson during their performance just before he pulled off the covering to her right breast.
In this Sunday Feb. 1, 2004 file picture, Justin Timberlake reaches across Janet Jackson during their performance just before he pulled off the covering to her right breast.   (AP Photo/David Phillip, File)
Host Justin Timberlake stands onstage in front of a video of himself and Janet Jackson from Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Host Justin Timberlake stands onstage in front of a video of himself and Janet Jackson from Super Bowl XXXVIII.   (Getty Images)
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7 comments
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atomick
May 4, 09 11:31 AM CDT
The Supreme Court has nothing better to do than worry about a half second nipple flash that happened five years ago? Come on people, it's a woman's breast. Half the population has them and the other half want to see them. Reply
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+9
IN RESPONSE:
AnnieChrist
May 4, 09 12:21 PM CDT
It's an excuse for scalia and thomas to watch the video over and over, keeping their hands under their robes of course.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
Reader68188988
May 4, 09 5:13 PM CDT
I would say that 99.9% of the population have them, its just we think that half are naughty, and unfit for civil viewing.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
AnnieChrist
May 4, 09 5:38 PM CDT
"we think that half are naughty...." "We" being the 20-30% of the population comprising the christian taliban in the US, who would impose their narrow world view on the other 70-80% of us. God forbid taht any sort of realism seep into our entertainment, the children must be made to believe that America is a "Pleasantville" country, where "naughty persons" are rightfully ostrasized.
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+1
Mad
May 4, 09 11:53 AM CDT
And yet, we can try to divert our 6 year old's attention everytime one of those very rude enzyte commercials come on, with Bob, and his 'sackful of pride; or those lubrication jelly ads, where they clearly make the point the man is reaching climax with the symbolism of his woman screaming beside a spouting geyser . What ridiculousness! Those commercials are far more profane than 1/2 second of a paisely covered middle aged Black woman's breast. C'mon! Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+6

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