usatoday.com: There's a lot not to love about Howard Stern. Janet Jackson and U2's lead singer, Bono, may not be your favorites, either.

But because the government has decided to target them in a new, censorious war on live broadcasting, all three deserve enthusiastic support. If we let the government win, a dreary world of bleeped, canned and punch-pulling television and radio awaits.

The FCC found that Bono's spontaneous use of a single expletive during the live broadcast of last year's Golden Globes Awards was indecent and profane. "This is really, really, f——— brilliant!" is the exclamation by Bono that ultimately upset the FCC.

The Bono edict may be the most troubling of the post-Super Bowl developments. Previously, the FCC's indecency rules — dubious to start with — were enforced only in cases of "deliberate and repetitive" uses of expletives.

Now, the commission says that the isolated or fleeting use of taboo words can lead to the revocation of licenses. And it has broadened the definition of forbidden words to include those that are "as highly offensive as the 'F-word.' " Blasphemy, as well as "personally reviling epithets," terms that are vulgar, irreverent and "grossly offensive" will also raise red flags now. [ more]