Pop superstar Janet Jackson lost her chest plate during her Super Bowl XXXVIII half time performance, giving football fans an unexpected peep show. It appeared as though singer Justin Timberlake ripped it off as part of the show, revealing Jackson's right breast with a silver star on it. Did someone go too far?

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In an atmosphere of *champions* where accolades for quality, superior ability, sportsmanship and integrity are regularly attributed to this outstanding team, the tawdry display by Janet Jackson didn't fit.

Those displays, like those of her brother's outside an LA courtroom, show total disrespect for the fans and the spirit of the game.

katharine, boston

When MoveOn.com wanted to buy an ad during the superbowl to question the Presidents budget deficits, CBS wouldn't sell, saying it never permitted controversial spots during the Superbowl.

Wow is that boloney!

Crotch-grabbing, fairly explicit sexual lyrics, and partial nudity seem more controversial in puritan American than questioning a trillion dollar albatross around our children's necks. What a crock!

mark, newton

I saw the show very clearly. I think it was by no means an accidental incident and appeared very choreographed. I believe we are all afforded the freedom of expression but I also feel we are afforded the freedom of choice. My choice along with many others would have been not to watch that garbage. However, that was taken from those who found it to be offensive as it was thrown in our faces. The American people on a whole are not foolish and it is an insult to our intelligence to chaulk this up to an "accident" to cover it up as to what it really was, a cheap and tasteless publicity stunt to cause a buzz for an artist with a new album coming out.

Bridget, Medford

First off I didn't see it - I was too busy boycotting the half time show and watching the www.moveon.org ad on CNN - having watched it online this morning - I'm just relieved that CBS protected my kids from info on the deficit by censoring the paid moveon ad in order to uphold family values in this manner.

In truth though - anyone who needs JJs breast to be bared to alert them to the fact that your kids shouldn't be watching todays pop stars market sex really ought to head down to DSS and sign the tykes over anyhow, cause if this is your first clue that we're all romans just before the fall then you aint been paying attention. (cue fiddle music)

Alan, MA

The entire half time show was an embarrasment. Janet Jackson is almost as offensive as her brother. And Kid Rock? P Diddy? The organizers GOT what they asked for------an new LOW in sports entertainment. The game was so GOOD-----what were they thinking??? Next time: The Boss!

Kate, Waltham

Im not upset about the breast, I honestly dont think its a big deal. But i think performance wise the whole half time show produced by MTV was horrible, I think that the "malfunction" was not with wardrobe but with the creativity. The show could have been better and should have been. I think the exposed breast was intentional and I believe that saying its not now that is has caused a fuss is making MTV look worse. but hey it was a good game, Pats won, in the end thats really all that matters!!!

Janna, Brockton

I am appalled and angry. To think that they now claim this event occured by chance is to demean our intelligence. I have 3 children who were watching their football team go on to win the Superbowl ...Thankfully, I had sent them out of the room when the half time vulgarity began. The lyrics to the songs being sung were reason enough for them to leave. I understand that there are times I will have to shut off the television or change the channeldue to certain adult matter , however, I did not think the Superbowl was going to be one of those times. For those simpletons who believe that we all have the right to do whatever we want, I say go ahead and make an imbecile out of yourself...just give me fair warning so that I and anyone else with morals can CHOOSE not to watch.

That is what it is all bout ... isn't it? CHOICE? And if you want to sit there and say that those involved with the decision to put on such a vulgar show have morals, let me remind you what morals are. Morals relate to the principals of RIGHT AND WRONG. Having morals means conforming to a standard of RIGHT BEHAVIOR. If what happened during the Superbowl was an example of our societies/Nation's morals, then G** help us! (We all know that saying the G** word is almost against the law! I wouldn't want to upset any Liberal feebleminded fool by actually using such language.)

Actually I've changed my mind. If the word GOD upsets you ...... Stop reading this.

God help us!

Lori I, Prospect, KY

I was shocked and appauled at Janet Jackson allowing Justin Timberlake to rape her before 100 million viewers, including young children. Those children may believe that because these icons did it on the Super Bowl, that that kind of behavior is acceptable. And, I don't believe it was not planned because Janet's breast plate was velcroed, and because why would she wear a pastie if she were not going to expose her breast? We should boycott them both. There must be some social responsibility in art . What I saw at half-time was NOT art. It was legalized soft porn.

Kathy Crowley-Gardner, Lexington, MA

Janet Who? But I guess it is OK to have cheerleaders shaking their booties and other appendages for the family. Hmm, are those values any different?

VP, Holland (born and bred in MA)

I am really not troubled by this. I think a lot of people are over-reacting, given that its just another part of the human body. It's a breast: no big deal. Having said that, it's a pretty tragic, shmaless piece of self-promotion, intended to get people talking about Janet just in time for the release of her new CD (next month). Must be a lousy record if she's already that desperate for some media attention. Maybe the Jacksons should have had some family counseling back in the day, hmmm?

Christian Le Fort, Cambridge, MA