MP3: Laura Ingraham can have profanity on HER show but Howard Stern can't?

[scottxyz]

Listen to this short (20-second) audio clip (about Britney Spears and Tucker Carlson) from Laura Ingraham's show!

http://66.230.230.110/mp3/li-tucker.mp3
- If you want to SAVE the audio clip and then play it, right-click and do "Save...".
- To just play the audio clip, just click on it.

Warning - explicit content - do not play at work with the volume up!

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If you want to be allowed to use profanity on your radio talk-show
looks like all you have to do is become a knee-jerk Bush-worshipping
Republican - such as Laura Ingraham.

Then you can let people say WHATEVER they want on your talk-show and
neither the station heads nor the FCC will go after you.

To see what people get away with saying on Laura Ingraham's
talk-show, just download and play the attached short (20-second) MP3
file from a recent broadcast (above).

(Warning - you might NOT want to play this clip at your job with the volume turned up.)

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This is actually they way Howard has played it for years - sucking up
to any Republican he can find, from Schwarzenegger to Whitman, so that he can get away with using a bit of profanity.

But last week, when Howard finally turned on Bush after 2-1/2 years
of supporting him, CEO John Hogan of Clear Channel decided to ban
Howard and then run to Congress like a good little bootlicker to get
a little gold star on his forehead.

I guess freedom of speech belongs to Republicans only.

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Here's the contact info for Michael Powell and the rest of the FCC commissioners:

[e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

http://www.fcc.gov/contacts.html

= = =

via:
http://atrios.blogspot.com/2004_02_29_atrios_archive.html#107850188430041815

[Dookus]

1. And when did that happen?

it was BEFORE the crackdown by the FCC. Not saying it's right, just saying that this is a lost cause.

[scottxyz]

2. Also BEFORE Laura Ingraham started opposing Bush (she hasn't YET)

Once she turns against Bush, this sort of thing WOULD of course then be cause to fire her.

[Dookus]

3. I'm in the minority here

who doesn't think Stern is being singled out for opposing Bush.

He's a vulgarian who let something truly awful go out over the air on his show. He has not been charged with a crime. He has not, as far as I know, yet had the FCC do anything to him.

He was taken off the air in a few markets by the company that aired his show. They have every right to do that. I hate Clear Channel as much as anyone, but if *I* owned a radio station and that comment on the Stern show went out, I would fire him. They haven't even done that. They've suspended him.

If Clear Channel doesn't want Howard Stern, they can simply not carry his program. There are PLENTY of radio DJ's who attack Bush every day, and have done so for years. They continue to broadcast with no interference from the government.

Stern is playing up the martyrdom because it's good for publicity.

[scottxyz]

4. Depends what you mean by "that" comment

There were a lot of comments Howard made the day before Clear Channel pulled him. Whether it's "legal" or not (it probably IS) is really a straw horse. We still have the right to point out the motives and actions of Clear Channel's CEO, John Hogan - a top Bush donor and FCC bootlicker.

The day before Clear Channel pulled him Howard was vulgar as per usual - AND on that same day Howard became Bush-bashing for the FIRST TIME EVER.

Apply Occam's Razor here. What is the SIMPLEST explanation for why he got pulled?

- Someone used vulgarity on his show for the umpteenth time (Clear Channel's STATED reason)

- Howard turned against Bush for the first time in 2-1/2 years.

The fact that OTHER talk-shows get to use profanity with no reprimand from the FCC indicates that Howard was pulled for his politics, not his profanity. And that is NOT legal - Clear Channel can arguably be sued for that. (Another Clear Channel employee - this one on staff - who was fired after expressing anti-Republican opinions has filed a lawsuit against his employeer.)

= = =

Here's the transcript that probably is the REAL reason Clear Channel CEO John Hogan pulled Howard the next day:

Howard: ...over the vacation I read Al Franken's book, Lying liars who... it's great.

Robin: Yeah?

Howard: It's a great... He is phenomenal.

Artie: He's a funny guy.

Robin: That's the one that Bill O'Reilly was upset about.

Howard: I can see why.

Robin: Yeah?

Howard: He does a thing. It's really funny... I bought the book, and I said on my vacation I'm going to read Al Franken's book. Lying liars who lie... I don't even know the title. And uh... the first page he insults me.

Robin: Really?

Howard: yeah, he talks about how I'm, like me and uhh Ann Coulter are McCarthyites or something... like ya know it's was just really insulting. And I And I And I And I just said, ya know...

Robin: You, and Ann Coulter, that's interesting.

Howard: I can get past this if Al doesn't like me. But, I'm not even sure why I'm like McCarthy, but, evidently I am, according to AL and ya know what, if Al says it it must be true because

Robin: because you loved this book and he was right on about everything...

Howard: I loved the book, and he seems to be right on about everything. If you read this book you will never vote for George W Bush.

Robin: Yeah?

Howard: Because, what he does is, he takes everything that you've seen in the newspaper, and goes back and he get 12 Harvard kids...

Artie: (Laughing)

Howard: ...to research everything and to find out what really happened...

Robin: uh huh?

Howard: and when you find out the truth about stuff, it is just frightening and he does a chapter on uhh on Hannity and Colmes from the Fox news network that is so funny... I mean I can't even tell you how funny it is.

Robin: Really? I've got to get this book.

Howard: Somebody outta fund him some money then let him make a movie like what's his name does, Micheal Moore.

Robin: Yeah.

Howard: Yeah. He is he is really good.

Robin: Well he's going to be on that radio, the liberal radio network.

Howard: I'll listen to him. I'll listen to him if it's as good as that book.

Robin; that's what he's planning to do

Howard: Lying liars who lie or something like that

Robin; I know it's all about lies that lying liars tell.

Howard: Yeah, and it's really funny.

Artie: Well he's one of those guys even if you disagree with his politics you think he's funny...

Howard: Yeah!

Artie: ...because he's such a funny guy

Robin: But he convinced you it sounds.

Howard: Oh oh... he was so it was awesome, the book is awesome. I'm going to give tone...

Robin: All right, I'm going to get it.

Howard: ...to Scott Depace who's like one of those guys who the republicans can do no wrong.

Fred: (Southern Accent) No thank you!

Howard: (Southern Accent) I'm not readin' that!

Fred: (Southern Accent) I'm not readin' nun uh dat der bull...

Robin: (Southern Accent) I don't want my mind opened.

Howard: (Southern Accent) Don't open up my mind.

Robin: (Southern Accent) I like it closed.

Howard: Well I've been feeling really horrible about George W Bush since what's going on with the FCC and what's going on in this country with stem cell research. What's going on now

Robin: the abortion thing

Howard: the abortion thing. I feel that there's way too much government in our lives, and I can't believe G W Bush is behind it. I think this guy is a religious fanatic and a Jesus freak.

Robin: Uh huh.

Howard: and he is just on a hell bent on getting some sort bizarro agenda through, like a country club agenda that his father will be finally proud of him. And uhh I I umm I don't know much about Kerry but I think that I'm one of them anybody but Bush guys now, ever since the FCC stuff went down and it directly effects me and even some of the things with the economy.

Baba Booey: Don't you think that it's weird...

Robin: Well, the economy is a big a huge issue.

Howard: I don't think G W is going to win. What do you think of that?

So, suddenly John Hogan, Bush Ranger and CEO of Clear Channel discovers that Howards Stern talks about pornography on his show and is offended.

The day after Stern made the above remarks.

Coincidence, I'm sure.

via:
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2004_02_22_digbysblog_archive.html#107782056102584609

[Dookus]

6. and I hear

Bernie Ward and Ray Taliaferro on my local station say stuff like that every evening. They have never been in trouble for it.

Personally, I think "Have you ever fucked a nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?" was the more likely reason he was suspended by CC.

[L.A.dweller]

9. Funny thing is Stern didn't say that...

a caller did.

I bet if the producers on Howard's show were to trace that call it would lead to the White House.

[Dookus]

11. I would doubt that very much...

there are enough stupid racists in the world who would say something like that.

Did Stern operate on a tape delay? I'd be really surprised if he didn't. The fact is, that comment went out during his show, and he's responsible for it.

[scottxyz]

12. Reasonable people may think so.

Can you PROVE that that's the reason Howard was suspended?

Can you PROVE that the caller who said that wasn't a plant?

Again - use Occam's Razor. What is the SIMPLEST explanation?

Howard's show has been vulgar and potty-mouthed and politically incorrect for YEARS. (Also note that many Black people who are more upset about lying censored corporate media than they are about the use of the "N" word do NOT think Howard is a racist.)

Howard has been a major Republican ass-kisser all the time - even loved Bush for years - and then the DAY after Howard turns against Bush, Howard's show gets dropped by Clear Channel CEO John Hogan - a big Republican donor.

Yeah - it's legal. We're just pointing out how PARTISAN and INCONSISTENT it is.

[Dookus]

13. No, of course I can't prove my point

and neither can you. We can just draw conclusions from the facts we know.

I honestly believe somebody would get in trouble for letting the "nigger chick" comment go out on the air, regardless of their political views. You evidently don't.

I don't think your explanation is any simpler than mine. In fact, I think Occam's Razor would defend my position - horribly racist comments on the radio get punished regularly. Political speech does not get punished regularly.

[scottxyz]

16. Look, I agree the phrase "nigger chick" is pretty scandalous for radio

So we can agree that Howard is vulnerable because his show is known as a place where such scandalous words can be used.

You say that "political speech does NOT get punished regularly". I think that point is anything but proven. Might be more accurate to say that "liberal speech gets punished" while "conservative speech doesn't get punished."

Howard made himself vulnerable by having a format in which racist-sounding comments could surface.

Let's argue now about who is more racist and who is more sexist: Laura Ingraham or George Bush.

[Dookus]

17. Nah, let's not

because that's not the issue. The FCC is not authorized to decide that sexism or racism is or isn't tolerable. They're very narrowly, and (I agree) stupidly, charged with making sure certain bad words or extremely offensive comments go out.

but, so far the FCC hasn't decided on this case yet. As I said, if *I* owned the station, I would fire any DJ who let a comment like that go out over the air.

[scottxyz]

5. Ever listen to Natasha on Clear Channel?

I found this comment about her:

Anyone ever listen to Natashia on Clear Channel? On Saturday night.
Dispenses sex therapy. Gives tips on blow jobs, anal sex, how to use the vibrator, finding the G-spot, fingering the clitoris. Not kidding you. Much worse than stuff Stern talks about. All the kiddies are learning via the Godly Clear Channel how to get it on. Also gives ole wingers a woody.

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via the Comments link at:
http://atrios.blogspot.com/2004_02_29_atrios_archive.html#107850188430041815

[Dookus]

8. legitimate discussions of human sexuality

are fine.

Asking whether "nigger chicks smell like watermelon" is not a legitimate discussion of human sexuality.

Yes, I know Stern didn't say it himself. A caller did. I don't care. Stern is responsible for what goes out over the air during his show.

[scottxyz]

7. What Fox news does may be "legal" also

That doesn't mean we shouldn't point out that it's BIASED - that opposing voices have been silenced.

You really can't argue this Clear Channel - Howard thing in terms of legality. We never argue Fox that way - why should we argue Clear Channel?

There are plenty of people who can't get their opinions heard on Fox - yes that's legal for Rupert Murdoch to do, because it's his channel. (There might be something about the fact that he's leasing the PUBLIC'S airwaves that would have some bearing on whether he has the right to suppress alternative viewpoints - but that's another story.)

We never argue whether it's "legal" for Fox to be slanted - we just point out that it's highly partisan.

Dookus - Maybe we can find some middle ground. You DO agree that what Clear Channel is doing is highly partisan, don't you? That's the question here. Not whether it's "legal".

[Dookus]

10. I can't agree to that

because, unfortunately, the issue is muddied by the coincidence of Stern bashing Bush at the same time a really offensive racist comment went out over the air.

There's no way to be sure one way or the other. However, I know OTHER people criticize Bush regularly on the radio with no ill-effects.

[scottxyz]

14. But there has always been something unique about Howard

He's often operating at a sort of "meta" level where he not only exposes particular issues or politicians - with his irreverent interview style he often exposes the phoniness iteslf of most corporate media.

This is why I've always found him to be the most subversive broadcaster in the US commercial media.

This is also why I think the FCC and corporations like Clear Channel really have their eye on him.

[Dookus]

15. The FCC, yes

because Stern has always walked the edge of the rules governing the public airwaves. This is not his first strike.

Clear Channel, however, could simply never have signed him in the first place if they didn't like him.

If they hate him, why not fire him now instead of suspend him?