John Block Reports from Washington

I hope you are watching the Presidential debates. George W. Bush versus AI Gore -- head to head. I am surprised that Governor Bush has not spent more time hammering Gore on his cynical acceptance of millions of dollars from the Hollywood elite while they continue to poison the television, movies and music with filthy, trashy programming filled with violence. The intensity of violence makes the old cowboy and Indian shoot outs look like a Sunday picnic.

The Clinton-Gore Administration has looked the other way while Hollywood has continued to pollute the airways. We all know that the medium has enormous influence on our children. While ignoring Hollywood the Administration has heaped moral outrage on the tobacco companies for the harm they do to our youth. Is it okay to pollute the minds but not the lungs?

Hollywood hides behind the shield of artistic freedom, First Amendments rights, freedom of speech. Okay -- but Joe Camel bit the dust. What happened to the Marlboro man?

We have witnessed too much hypocrisy. There is a hunger in our country for straight forward answers. We want consistency. We are fed up with the vulgar excuses that become more common place every day. Of course we should protect our children from as many of life's hazards as we can, but let's not let one slime ball bunch buy their industry a free pass.