The decision of several ABC affiliate stations not to air “Saving Private Ryan” because of fears of repercussions from the Federal Communications Commission shows that the stations have missed the point of the film.

Raymond Cole, president of WOI-TV in Des Moines, Iowa, had the audacity to question whether the war film had “sufficient social, artistic, literary, historical or other kinds of value” that would prevent the station from breaking the law. In a statement on the WOI-TV Web site, he concluded, “With the current FCC, we just don’t know.”

It’s true that the FCC’s regulations have gotten tougher after Janet Jackson’s infamous halftime performance at last year’s Super Bowl. But violence and profanity continue to make their way onto television screens on all the networks – and in most cases, the programs with such content don’t even have the historical value that “Saving Private Ryan” does.

The FCC already ruled that airing “Schindler’s List” on television was not indecent. With this precedent set, there is no reason for the affiliate stations to think that the Academy Award-winning film would incur fines either. In both cases, the content and language of the films – while sometimes harsh – is not intended to shock nor is it used gratuitously.

Instead, the film aims to portray the realities of war. At a time when the U.S. casualties in Iraq continue to increase, showing the reality of war might not be such a bad thing.

The film does justice to the soldiers, showing how they band together to rescue one man.

For those at home who have lost loved ones, the message of the film may be a comfort. The soldiers fight for their country but also remember what is most important – the home front.

The men and women killed in combat in Iraq have died for their country, and “Saving Private Ryan” helps to show the nobility of that sacrifice.

If the affiliate stations could look past the language and violence, they would see a film that may help Americans to realize the reality of the war in Iraq and of all war. If that isn’t sufficient value, then what is?