# Do you think that TV ad over Iran is appropriate? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [July 29, 2015, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455 "2015-07-29T06:47:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/41 "2015-07-31T00:24:43Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > . . . Statements of fact verses opinion is one of those distinctions they teach you in grade school. If we can distinguish them, then so can the law. . . . I’m discussing a politically biased regulatory board that doesn’t care to distinguish them, but which uses the power to censor for its own partisan purposes. Look at recent behavior by the FCC to see what might happen. The “non-partisan” commission has highly partisan members. ETA: > [@](#): > > The idea that we can’t determine what is and is not factual is ridiculous. We already have a court system that specifically exists to do this If every advertisement has to go through a trial before being allowed to be published, no publication can ever be secure. Do you trust juries always to make the proper decision? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/42 "2015-07-31T00:56:47Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Yes, by using facts, which do not change depending on who speaks them or who judges them. In this instance, it is a fact that this image is fake. So what? Was there some statement in the ad that said the image was unaltered? Images are altered all the time. If a candidate has a scar on his face, and that scar gets photoshopped out, is that going to be a crime? The idea that a picture must be unaltered to be acceptable is laughable, especially in this day and age. Where are you even getting this idea from in the first place? > [@](#): > > whether it is defamatory, but I think it is. Can you cite some similar situation where the person\* in the photo won a libel case in court? \*And the person being a prominent politician. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/43 "2015-07-31T01:01:31Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > The idea that we can’t determine what is and is not factual is ridiculous. We already have a court system that specifically exists to do this. And this is not a debatable case. The image definitely is fake. We know it is not factual. The only question is whether it was presented as factual. > > Edit: Well, and whether it is defamatory, but I think it is. In addition, there has to be proof of actual damages. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/44 "2015-07-31T01:19:16Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I wonder if the image has popped up in Iran yet. You know, the intertubes and stuff. Like, if they believed it and were happily spreading it around. Might have more real effect in Iran than here. > > Might promote the cause of peace or maybe just show how popular a notion that is in Iran. So, the producers and distributors of this would be a force for peace in the world. That’s what their money did. > > Biting irony and good karma. Love it when that happens. Well we already know [how Iran’s leader feels about Obama](http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/07/25/iranian-leader-tweets-graphic-obama-gun-head/30667081/). Not sure why they didn’t use this image instead. Doesn’t need a lot of commentary. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/45 "2015-07-31T02:09:31Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > A law against lying would not be able to be limited to that kind of interpretation. Some political activist would file the lawsuit, and a biased commission might easily rule that the claim is “fact-based” and “untrue.” No political advertising would be safe any longer. I’m not in favor of policing political ads, but this statement is pretty ridiculous. It makes it out like a court would be unable to distinguish a factual assertion from an opinion under any circumstances. If that were true, then I would think we’d see wanton abuse of perjury charges. “Oh, you think the defendant didn’t do it, huh? Well, you’re under arrest for perjury!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/46 "2015-07-31T05:06:27Z")
I guess we can kiss _Weekend Update_ on _SNL_ good-bye. Doctoring photographs is a mainstay for that program. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/47 "2015-07-31T05:18:50Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > I’m not in favor of policing political ads, but this statement is pretty ridiculous. It makes it out like a court would be unable to distinguish a factual assertion from an opinion under any circumstances. If that were true, then I would think we’d see wanton abuse of perjury charges. “Oh, you think the defendant didn’t do it, huh? Well, you’re under arrest for perjury!” If you’re not in favor, why are you arguing in favor? If advertisements had to be factual, then courts would have to try every ad. They would have to hold a trial to determine whether the ad was factual. All the opponent has to do is lodge the lawsuit claiming untruth. Either a “commision” or a judge-and-jury would be required to render judgement on every single political ad, every time, always. Perjury is hard to prove. But so is “truth.” A law requiring ads to be “true” would require some procedure to prove them true. It’s a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/48 "2015-07-31T13:46:57Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I guess we can kiss _Weekend Update_ on _SNL_ good-bye. Doctoring photographs is a mainstay for that program. There is an obvious difference between SNL and a campaign ad. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/49 "2015-07-31T14:06:12Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > There is an obvious difference between SNL and a campaign ad. Yeah. One is funny and the other isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/50 "2015-07-31T14:08:01Z")
Not all campaign ads are funny, you know. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/51 "2015-07-31T14:16:54Z")
Haven’t seen SNL in quite a long time, did it become funny? ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/52 "2015-07-31T15:00:09Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Haven’t seen SNL in quite a long time, did it become funny? No. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/53 "2015-07-31T20:06:56Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Haven’t seen SNL in quite a long time, did it become funny? I feel like they’re in a transition period with the recent leaving of their talent. I do think Kate McKinon is hilarious and does great impressions, and Leslie Jones is a refreshing perspective from some of the waiflike “average” woman stereotypes that populate the background of many skits. Taran Killam is great but doesn’t have as much memorable characters yet, and I really miss Bill Hader and Jason Sudekis. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/54 "2015-07-31T23:59:26Z")
And the OCD owl says “Who?” about nine times in rapid succession. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/55 "2015-08-01T00:09:41Z")
I’m going way out on a limb here, but I’m guessing they’re all performers on Saturday Night Live. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455/56 "2015-08-03T15:53:10Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > And the OCD owl says “Who?” about nine times in rapid succession. Back in your day it was better, like Araros son of Aristophones and Hegelochus? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-that-tv-ad-over-iran-is-appropriate/726455.md?page=2)