My letter from the CEO of Carbonite about Rush:

[Are_grits_groceries]

Over the past two days we have received a tremendous amount of feedback on Rush Limbaugh’s recent comments. I too am offended and very concerned about his comments. Limbaugh’s remarks have us rethinking our future use of talk radio.

We use more than 40 talk show hosts to help get the Carbonite message out to the public. The nature of talk radio is that from time to time listeners are offended by a host and ask that we pull our advertising. This goes for conservatives like Limbaugh and progressives like Stephanie Miller and Ed Shultz. We even get customers who demand that we pull the plug on NPR. As an advertiser, we do not have control over a show’s editorial content or what they say on air. Carbonite does not endorse the opinions of the shows or their hosts.

However, the outcry over Limbaugh is the worst we’ve ever seen. I have scheduled a face-to-face meeting next week with Limbaugh during which I will impress upon him that his comments were offensive to many of our customers and employees alike.

Please know your voice has been heard and that we are taking this matter very seriously.

MEH!
I basically told them that Rush had long been a noxious person who went well beyond the political realm. I didn't agree with his political views, but at least when he was nattering in that area, he was just a modern version of a recurring figure in our history.

Then I said that he had gone well beyond any bounds of decency by attacking a graduate student who wanted to express her views. Limbaugh called her a slut and a prostitute. Then he demanded that she send videos of sexual activities because of her use of birth control. His logic is warped along with his mind.

I told him that this was who he was supporting with their ad dollars. It didn't reflect well on Carbonite, and they no longer would get any of my money or recommendations. They were supporting someone engaged in vile personal attacks.
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I am going to write him back. I will tell him not to waste time trying to teach a pig to sing. Rush believes in 2 things: money and power. The second derives from the first. Nobody has ever been able to tell Rush what to do.

Your meeting is going to be PR designed to assure your clients that you are doing all you can, and actually you are. In some cases, it would be effective. This isn't one of them because Rush has powerful backers. In my opinion, you have 2 choices. You and Carbonite can stay on the very low, dirty road with Rush or you can find a better way to use your money to advertise your services.

The choice you make will be telling about you and the direction Carbonite is headed.

Grits


Edit: I am also going to add that if any media person whose views I agreed with engaged in the same type of personal attacks, they and their sponsors would be getting the same type of email you are.

[appleannie1]

1. You are totally right and I commend you. I too have contacted sponsors. Hopefully the voices of

offended people will be heard. No parent would want their daughter so wrongfully attacked.

[calimary]

2. And a face-to-face meeting with him to tell him he did bad - is NOT ENOUGH.

They need to yank their sponsorship. Strolling him over to the woodshed for a few minutes of lecturing IS NOT ENOUGH. Yeah, like he'll really listen to you, Mr. Naive CEO.

Better yet, HE needs to be yanked off the air. Needed it years ago. Even moreso now.

[unionworks]

3. Way to go!

You tell 'em, Grits!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

4. Wow, grits! The CEO actually replied to you?

WOW! Good work.
I like your follow up letter, too.

The CEO's plan to have a "man-to-man" talk with pigbag is nothing more than HEDGING BETS!!!! Playing to both sides. Trying to have his cake and eat it too.

You are absolutely and eloquently right. I hope he understands what integrity is.