Flibbertigibbet

"Ass" is not indecent language, but "asshole" is. The relevant distinction is that "asshole," to quote the FCC, "depicts or describes sexual or excretory organs or activities in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium." Emphasis added.

Isn't censorship fun?

If you call someone an ass then you are comparing them to a jackass, mule, or donkey... if you call some one as asshole then you are comparing them to a poop-chute.

If we use the "contemporary community standard" they mention, then both 'ass' and 'asshole' are references to the 'poop-chute' although 'ass' arguably subsumes the gluteal muscles as well as the anus. In any case, it's still an "excretory organ."

Given that skin is an excretory organ, I think these FCC rules could be used to keep ugly people off of television because they are offensive according to contemporary community standards.