OMG! I just heard on CNN Howard Stern is suspended

[Gothic Sponge]

He works for clear channel and he was suspended today. I'll bet it's because he went after Bush! I'm trying to find the story...anyone?

[CatWoman]

1. link

http://www.forbes.com/business/newswire/2004/02/25/rtr1276210.html

[OneTwentyoNine]

10. Bawhahah,talk about CC shooting themselves in the foot....

Lets see...is their any other radio show higher in ratings than Stern?? No...and yet they pulled his ass off the air? Fuckem Howard,jump ship and never go back to their candy asses.

No one forces ANYONE to listen to Stern,is his show any worse than someone like Pigboy calling the First Lady a murderer??

David

[Cleita]

13. He did something to offend women and African-Americans?

Or was this just an excuse? But they have let Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage offend women, gays and other minorities for years? I don't get it. What exactly did he do that's worse than what the other two do?

[Dookus]

44. according to Drudge

he said
'Ever bang a famous nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?'

But yes, I'm sure people here will be convinced he was suspended for dissing Bush

On edit: Not clear if Stern said it himself or a caller said it

[wndycty]

I heard it, Stern did not say it a caller did

:kick:

[Dookus]

55. thanks wndy

[knight_of_the_star]

70. That's different

A DJ shouldn't get in trouble for what a caller says.

[Cleita]

82. It's an excuse and obfuscating of the fact they have

probably waiting for him to trip up on something they could nail him on because even they couldn't shut him up about criticizing the President. Then they would really look like the propaganda facists they probably are. Look at the quote on my signature by Teddy Roosevelt.

[Dookus]

89. omg

you really believe that comment would've been acceptable if he hadn't dissed Bush today?

You really believe he's being suspended for dissing Bush instead of letting a caller ask if "nigger chicks" smell like watermelon?

Good God, the way people can so easily twist their minds to make assholes heros and heros assholes around here is stunning.

[Sterling]

93. He "let" the caller ay that?

I don't see how that is possible?

[Dookus]

95. it's his show

he's responsible for what goes out on it. I'd be very surprised to learn he doesn't operate on a tape delay.

[Cleita]

97. I think it is Robin who would work that and she's an

African American woman. If the caller said that, it seems that Howard and Robin were letting him make an ass out of himself coast to coast. I've heard it done before. Jay Leno does it all the time when he lets people on the street show how dumb and uninformed they are. I mean I don't like Howard's show so I don't listen to it, but I believe his outrageousness is what his show is about and he's been doing it for years, so why just now?? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Dookus]

100. If you can demonstrate

that in the past he has let callers ask whether "nigger chicks smell like watermelon" and gotten away with it, you'll have a point.

Until then, you're overlooking a horrible abuse of the public airwaves simply because he dissed Bush today.

Sometimes the enemy of your enemy is still an asshole.

[Cleita]

107. Oh, he's an asshole all right. But so are a lot of other dicks on the

radio and they spread their asses all over the place. How about some of the women like Dr. Laura Schlessinger and (?) Ingraham as well. Didn't Dr. Laura say that women liked to be raped or something like that? And have you ever listened to Michael Savage. I have a couple of times and I find him way more offensive that Howard ever was. As a matter of fact I only listen to the Spanish language stations in my area anymore, because they are either right wing talk radio or Christian stations. I can't even get NPR anymore because the signal got too weak in the last couple of years. I think it's because of the building up of this area, but I may be wrong.

[alfredo]

121. You can get NPR streamed over the internet.

[Cleita]

123. Streaming doesn't work for me because I'm on dialup and

I can't get cable out here.

[alfredo]

129. I'm on dialup and it works for me.

Try this

http://wuky.uky.edu/

[Cleita]

132. Thanks for the link. I'll have to try it tomorrow.

eom

[Cat Atomic]

157. Here are a few, Dookus.

There's some KKK wacko that Stern has on regularly to do movie reviews. Here a re a few things he's said:

"...you just got that nigger (Robin) sittin there so you can tell nigger jokes and get away with it..."

"no one likes black people, they just pretend to."

"I (Daniel) moved to the mountains to flee the niggers."

"Blacks are animals."

Stern's had the man on his show regularly for years now. I don't think it's so crazy to think that Clear Channel would like to keep criticism of Bush silenced during the election year.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

159. Disregard

Duckie

[Cleita]

94. I've heard worse out of Howard Stern especially his sexist

and degrading remarks that all the boys laugh at while the women cringe and up until now no one has worried about it. Nice try but this is censorship about any criticism of the President. Howard just didn't become an obnoxious ass overnight and as long as the men in the RNC weren't offended by him who cared about a bunch of whiney women. The fact that his long time assistant is an African American woman should tell people something as well.

[Dookus]

96. then we'll have to simply

disagree.

I think anybody should be suspended for letting a comment like that get out on the air, no matter who they are. It was disgusting, and I think people defending it today simply because Stern dissed Bush are... well, I shouldn't say it.

[Cleita]

98. You may disagree and it is a free country, but

like I said, he's been doing this for years and no one ever objected before.

[Dookus]

101. You are wrong

he has gotten in trouble on numerous occasions in the past for being offensive.

[Cleita]

108. If you say so.

Have a nice day.

[Dookus]

111. it's not just my say-so

it's a fact that Howard Stern has been in hot water before for being offensive. You can look it up.

But you won't - you'd rather defend the outrageously insulting comment made today simply because he dissed Bush during the same show.

That's the worst kind of intellectual sloppiness.

[Cleita]

119. Honey, I'm not an intellectual like you or many DU'ers.

I'm an old woman struggling to get by and keep her husband alive one month at a time. I just smell a rat that says the First Ammendment is being violated and worse than that we are being propagandized. When you have time read Hitler's "Mein Kampf" especially the parts on propaganda. Strangely enough Hitler claims to take his propaganda techniques from the British and the Americans. He felt the Germans were too fair and honest and therefore not effective.

[Dookus]

126. believe me

I wasn't calling you an intellectual.

I said it's intellectual dishonesty to defend an abhorrent comment you would OTHERWISE condemn simply because the person involved also insulted a politician you dislike.

The two should be separated, because one has nothing to do with the other. The comment was abhorrent, and I firmly believe ANY radio host would be in hot water over it.

[Cleita]

134. Dupe

Sorry.

[Cleita]

135. I agree and Howard has made many abhorrent comments

for decades and yet no one has ever pulled his socks up until now when he knocks el Presidente Generalismo George Bush. I am not a fan of Sterns, but I smell a rat. I also think Jerry Springer is the most tasteless and mean show on TV other than cops, but I like Jerry when he speaks as a politician, yet I think that his show is awful, but as long as people will watch it, it will be on. OR, if he starts dissing Bush on his show. So far he has confined his anti-Bush rhetoric to talk shows like Crossfire.

[AgadorSparticus]

154. no one is defending the comment. they are saying, why the hoopla NOW?

since he's been so offensive in the past...get it?

[ant]

161. How quickly we forget

Uh, Janet Jackson, anyone? The Superbowl fiasco?

Everyone's hyper sensitive about this stuff now. The FCC is cracking down on all sorts of obsene or offensive material. It is not at all surprising that Stern and others (did the Sponge guy talk shit about Bush, too?) are getting in trouble.

[drdigi420]

175. wow, how did he 'let' them?

we should demand that radio hacks be psychic too?

[OneTwentyoNine]

61. And you wouldn't consider it possible?

That CC would drop him over Bush remarks? AFAIK,his show is the highest rated radio show in the US. He comes out and doesn't just make fun of Chimp but tells his listeners Anyone but Bush.

You don't think CC would drop him over that? Wanaa bet?? Sure,they can drum up some crap about what a caller said as the reason but we all know what the real reason is.

This isn't America anymore,this is pretty damn close to Nazi Germany.

David

[Dookus]

64. I have no love for Clear Channel

but I believe anybody would be suspended for letting "have you ever fucked a nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?" go out over the air.

And rightly so.

[OneTwentyoNine]

72. Stern is the host,not the engineer....

I can agree with how outrageous the statment is but WTF,it was from a caller and not Stern?

Maybe shit canning the engineer for not bleeping out cutting it out is in order,not firing the guy who is sitting behind the mike.

David

[Dookus]

And if somebody called into Rush

and said the same thing, I think we'd all be clamoring for his head.

Yes, a radio host is responsible for his show. A 10 second tape delay is quite easy, and I'd be surprised if Stern didn't already have one.

Sorry, I'm not giving him a pass on letting something as abhorrent as that comment go out simply because he dissed Bush the same day.

[ThePittsburghKid]

113. I'm not a fan of Stern, but I've talked to people who listen to him

after this happend and apparently, he has no control over censorship. There's a separate engineer who censors the show, PLUS, some markets have their own censors in additon to the censorship at his lead station--it's been an issue he's discussed on air.

Stern may be a jackass, but I think someone screwed up here. And, given the evidence, I don't think that it was Stern.

And I would be saying this regardless if he pissed on Bush today or not.

[Sterling]

148. Unless Rush agreed with the racist remark I got no beef with Rush

At least on this issue. I have plenty of problems with his ideas but smearing someone as a racist over something like this does a disservice to people who are truely oppressed racialy.

[Ksec]

143. Maybe we can get CC to dump alot of these extremist shows like Rushnt

[proud patriot]

2. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I heard he went after bush today .

I hope his listeners put the pressure
on Clear Channel .

[Nlighten1]

8. It is funny that CC doesn't mention exactly "why" the show was indecent.

assholes

[prolesunited]

14. What was the incident?

"It was vulgar, offensive and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency," Clear Channel Radio Chief Executive John Hogan said in a statement.

I see this quote, but he's like that every day. Do they have some trumped up thing that happened Tuesday?

[Sandpiper]

3. Today on the Stern show

Howard said it was time for Bush to go.

Coincidence? I think not.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

9. coincidence? almost certainly not

Personally, I think whats his face is just plain NOT FUNNY and a tedious bore. But I doubt this is a coincidence - ClearChannel is one of Bush's major backers.

[Kamika]

4. ehm

just what does this mean?

[IronLionZion]

6. it means Clear Channel is a whore

[AgadorSparticus]

138. this is not the first offensive thing to come out of his show. why now?

it smells like rotten eggs. radio is controlled by conservatives. notice there are NO liberal radio show hosts? they're all conservative limbo clones. it's no surprise that his blatant bush bashing is met with swift reprimand. yes, the comment is offensive, but no more than any other offensive comments to come out of his show. that's why i avoid his show...

[wndycty]

5. Actually Stern works for Infinity (CBS)

In some markets his show is syndicated on Clear Channel stations. He is still on Infinity (CBS).

[yankeeinlouisiana]

7. The article says

he insulted women and African Americans??? Does anyone know what he said? And I thought he always insulted people; this doesn't sound like it was any different from his other shows. I think it's because he bashed bush* and Clear Channel is using this as an excuse.

[KittyWampus]

15. Really, He Insults EVERYONE. That's His Schtick.

Can't stand him but I'd defend his right to say what he wants.

[ignatius]

20. That's pretty lame considering he has been insulting women for

years. Clear channel does the Nazis proud once again. What's next, dragging out the Dixie Chicks cd's again and running over them with tractors? Free speech in this country ain't what it used to be.

[DUreader]

11. This is good news, Howard gets away with everything until now

I see some publicity

[OneTwentyoNine]

22. This is good news?? Huh?.............nt

[DUreader]

27. good news because of the publicity it will generate, obviously political.

[anti-NAFTA]

36. What the hell did he say?!!

I can't imagine him going after Bush. A friend of mine told me he made fun of the French a few months ago. Since then I've thought of Stern as part of the ClearChannel radio media.

[Rationality]

63. Actually he's a Libertarian

Had a bogus campaign for NY Governor back in I think 1994. Promised to restore the death penalty and then resign if elected.

[Zinfandel]

164. They all say their Libertarian or Republican, they can't admit to being

a Democrat...if you do your gone...that's where our country is now.

Fascism!!!!

[bobbyboucher]

12. It's starting.

The Don and Mike Show just got through their overhaul and have changed a bunch of stuff after they came back. They are Infinity, not Clear Channel. Looks like this crackdown is industry wide. This will not help Bush I am glad to say. You know the old saying, don't pick a fight with someone who buys ink by the barrel, well don't pick a fight with people who have millions and millions of listeners who want their old show back, are entertained by it.

[OneTwentyoNine]

16. Yeah,have to look and see who owns Bob and Tom,they won't go down easy..nt

[Imajika]

40. Wow....

I had always read how horrible Stern was whenever his name came up on DU, now it seems he is almost a hero for many here because he bashed Bush today.

It really is amazing. Dobbs is a great champion of truth one minute and a media whore the next. Tweety has turned on Bush and is the best thing on television one week, and candidate for media whore of the year the next.

So basically, if a given TV personality says what we like to hear, he is one of the good guys/girls - if same media personality says something we generally don't agree with the following week, he should be prosecuted for being in league with Bush and a traitor to the USA.

Doesn't anyone find this a wee bit hypocritical?

In my opinion, Stern is a jackass. The things he says routinely demean and degrade minority groups of every stripe. Stern is not less of a jackass because he beat up on Bush one day. Stern will not be less of a jackass if he beats up on Bush all next week.

You watch, Stern will come out and change his mind about Bush, or start blasting Kerry for something or other - and suddenly everyone will be back to hating ole' Howard.

I see the same goofy back and forth with that idiot Anus in the morning.

Neither of these guys are our allies, we can be pleased on days they knock Bush and the GOP, but they are not our allies and are not people worthy of celebration.

Just my opinion anyway,

Imajika

*sorry bobbyboucher, my post wasn't necessarily aimed at you. I meant to just respond in general to the thread.

[bobbyboucher]

69. No worries and you're probably right.

Don and Mike, sophomoic knuckleheads, rolled over like punks. They were giving it a "positive spin" when basically, their entire show had to be changed. I've caught a couple of minutes of it since and it sucks. They are through unless they can come up with something clean and funny.

Back to my point, they like the money more than the lump some of their integrity. I bet you're right and Stern will tow the line, as will all the rest of the top paid talent. Punks all.

[scottxyz]

80. I've always thought Stern is one of the best voices in the media

Kinda the way I like Larry Flynt.

Kinda the way I like the Internet.

Howard is one of the FEW voices in the media that doesn't just do all puff pieces and garbage. He asks real questions and gets real answers from people. He was doing person-to-person media way before the Internet showed us how much better this is than corporate media.

This week, Howard attacked Bush for over an hour. That's the REAL reason why Commie Channel pulled his show. The n**gger remark was just a dodge.

I'm gay and my boyfriend's black and we've TAPED Howard for many years. We LOVE all the times he makes fun of homos and colored people. Why? Because he does such a bad job of it. Because he does it in a transparently third-grade-level kind of way. Because his so-called bigotry so obviously stems from his own sense of inadequacy. He is insanely jealous of the "homos" (he thinks they get to have more fun) and he constantly wishes he were better endowed (the way he imagines black men are).

This is called satire. Too subtle for a lot of people - even for a lot of his fans - but we get it.

Rush and Stern could both very well be closet homos with small dicks. The amusing part is that Howard lets you think this - whereas Rush desperately tries anything to cover up his sense of inadequacy.

This is a major turning point in American history, when Howard gets banned from the radio.

Just remember - it was because of his Bush-bashing - not because some caller used the "N" word.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

174. I've always looked on it in a similar way as a woman

Some of my friends think he objectifies women and that it's offensive. But to me it appears he is satirizing the whole thing. The women that go on his show choose to objectify themselves and I figure it's their right to do whatever they want. I think he's funny and he does ask really honest questions and he exposes the whole celebrity thing for what it is, which is so much better than all the stupid shows with the shallow celebrity-worship.

[Dookus]

81. I couldn't agree more

because he bashed Bush today, he's now a hero, despite the abhorrent comment that went out on his show.

He SHOULD be suspended for it. End of story.

[LibertyorDeath]

137. If Stern told his audience bush has gotta go then I respect that

It does not mean I respect him. Were playing for keeps this is no regular GE we need all the help we can get to defeat the Criminal fucks that currently occupy the WH. So thanks Howard for stating the obvious and fuck the Right wing propaganda machine aka clear channel.

[Mountainman]

17. "It was vulgar, offensive and insulting" what was it he said?

He is always vulgar, offensive and insulting. That's why I don't listen to him. Clear Channel must have known that before they put him on!

[thinkingwoman]

18. actually...

clear channel canned a florida shock jock yesterday or the day before--somebody called Bubba the Love Sponge I think?

I'm not saying that clear channel doesn't have political motives...I'm just adding in this piece of info for consideration.

[Maddy McCall]

19. Link: Clear Channel to show zero tolerance to any talk radio employee

who crosses the line on FCC rules. They said that any employee who crosses the line will no longer be employed by CCR.

link: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/index.jsp?epi-content=GENERIC&newsId=20040225005148&newsLang=en&beanID=202776713&viewID=news_view

[OneTwentyoNine]

28. LOL,they don't care unless its an employee??

How bout Pigboy? Wonder where the crap he spews on a daily basis fits into their "zero Tolerance"?? Call the First Lady and murderer,call the Presidents daughter a dog,Womens Lib is only about fat and or ugly women who wouldn't get noticed otherwise,etc.. etc...

I'm betting that considerations can be made for any CC station that Limbaugh ends up on...

David

[Maddy McCall]

56. read the article

snip/

In addition, the company announced that all of its contracts with on-air performers are being modified to ensure that DJs share financial responsibility if they utter indecent material on the air.

"From now on, every contract that Clear Channel enters into with on-air talent will include this provision," said Hogan. "While that won't relieve Clear Channel from our responsibility as a broadcast licensee, we believe it will have a significant deterrent effect on indecent content."

Reiterating its call for a "Decency Task Force," Clear Channel also has volunteered to fully participate with other representatives of the broadcast, cable and satellite industries to develop an industry-wide response to indecency and violence in the media.

"In our view, industry-developed guidelines should be as effective as government-imposed regulations without running afoul of the First Amendment protections that we all respect," said Hogan.

[knight_of_the_star]

35. So?

Howard Stern openly flouts those rules on his show EVERY MORNING, and he hasn't been banned yet.

[Maddy McCall]

52. D'ja read the article?

Should answer that question for you.

[knight_of_the_star]

83. I repeat

He has done that kind of thing for a WHILE, and it seems KINDA convienient that they announce their policy TODAY, when Howard was going off on Bush.

[Dookus]

88. please

tell me the dates of the other times he broadcast references to "nigger chicks" smelling like watermelons.

[w4rma]

99. Are you working for Clear Channel, Dookus? (n/t)

[Dookus]

102. No... why do you ask?

I'm just one of the evidently very few people here who think asking if "nigger chicks smell like watermelon" is offensive.

Maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

[w4rma]

110. Because you are defending Clear Channel as if you had a stake with them.

Why? The corporation is extremely right-wing and owned by extremely right-wing folks. They control about 50% of United States radio time/frequencies. They have zero syndicated liberal hosts. All the right-wing political hosts you can think of are with this buisness.

And on the same day that Stern announces on his show that Bush needs to be replaced, they decide that something (public excuse being something that *he* didn't even say) warrents his suspention.

If this had happened yesterday, I'd say fire the SOB, but today is too much of a coincidence and there are allready too few left-leaning viewpoints on the radio already.

[Dookus]

118. well

the comment is as offensive today as it was yesterday. I know all about Clear Channel and I hate them as much as you. That doesn't mean I'm going to give a pass to a comment as abhorrent as that one just because he also dissed Bush.

I don't care who the host is, or who the owner is: when comments like that go out over the public airwaves, it is proper to take action.

You're confusing having principles with shilling for Clear Channel. They are not the same.

[w4rma]

125. And, what if the reason that Clear Channel is publically giving isn't the

real one?

I think they are making an excuse to censor Stern, because of what he said about Bush today. The guy has been on the air for many many years, and they choose the only day that he goes totally off on Bush to suspend him.

IMHO, all the evidence points to this being over Sterns political tirade and not some statement made by a random caller into his show.

[Dookus]

128. what evidence?

Can you give me any example of a person allowing "Did you ever fuck a nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?" going out over the public airwaves with no repercussions. Anything even along those lines.

How bout just people using "fuck" in that sense? Or just using "nigger chick"? Or implying that black people smell like watermelons?

It is BULLSHIT to argue that this is everyday stuff on the radio. It is not. It was a horrible comment, and if he didn't diss Bush today, nobody here would be defending it. that's what I call a lack of principles.

[w4rma]

139. Guess what?

And nobody here IS defending that remark from a caller, including myself. But, IMHO, that's not why he was suspended. I have sited, above, a whole bunch of circumstantial evidence from this company's history and their pattern of operation.

[maveric]

112. Howard didnt say it Dookus!

It was a caller that said it.

[Dookus]

114. Yes, I know that

Howard Stern is responsible for what goes out on his show, just as any radio host is. The statement was abhorrent, and if Stern didn't use a tape delay after all the trouble he's had in the past, then he's too fucking to be on the air anyway.

[LifeDuringWartime]

149. howard doesnt control the show

a sound engineer does, as with every radio show. its probably the engineers fault, if indeed they do use a tape delay. i believe somebody said this in a post farther up.

[Sterling]

141. Unless Howard agreed with the caller I don't see the problem.

I have a hard time believeing HS is a racist and was favorable to that callers viewpoint. If you can so me he was I would agree he is at fault otherwise it's not his fault.

[ariellyn]

131. Why would you repeatedly cite such anoffensive remark?

You seem to be taking some sort of perverted satisfaction from it. You also seem to be trying to hijack this thread and divert attention from the real issue of censorship by using race baiting. Too bad DU can't suspend you.

[Dookus]

146. Hrmm...

why would I repeatedly cite such an offensive remark?

Maybe because THIS FUCKING THREAD IS ABOUT THE REMARK THAT GOT STERN SUSPENDED! It seemed reasonable to reference it.

How can I hijack a thread about Howard Stern getting suspended for the remark by mentioning the remark? That doesn't make much sense to me. Too bad DU can't ban stupidity, but c'est la vie.

[Zinfandel]

39. Does that include Limbaugh buying illegal street drugs?

I don't think the FCC approves of that..."Zero Tolerance" BULLSHIT!!!

[knight_of_the_star]

84. Naaaaah, don't apply

The article was dated for today. Mighty convienient though.

[LiviaOlivia]

21. Florida DJ fired yesterday by Clear Channel

NEW YORK (Reuters) - One day after saying it fired popular Florida radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge, Clear Channel Communications Inc. said Wednesday it adopted new ``decency'' standards to make sure that material its radio stations air conforms to local community standards.

<snip>

http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/arts/entertainment-media-clearchannel-bubba.html


edit: The station here in Portland, Or. that carries Stern is not
owned by Clear Channel and the jocks on air now say tomorrow's
Stern show should be something. Well if Viacom's lawyers don't
talk him into staying mum on the issue, it should be interesting.
These same DJ's estimated that Stern's show was carried by 30-40
Clear Channel stations. I know Howard is crude but his political
change of heart is just too coincidental in the wake of todays story.
5:32PST
P.S. Does Check Spelling not work on edit or is it me?

[Rationality]

120. This is how Bubba got nailed

Thank the fundys from Jacksonville...

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/02/01/State/Listener_has_no_love_.shtml

[RebelOne]

172. I am glad Bubba got nailed.

When he pulled that stunt of killing the pig, I wanted to see his fat ass fired. And I wrote letters of protest to Clear Channel.

[Rationality]

177. One minor detail about that trial though...

The reason Bubba was acquitted of animal cruelty was that it was considered proper slaughtering practice for one to castrate the pig first before bleeding it. The participant Bubba got for this "stunt" followed what was actually common practice for killing consumable pigs.

In other words, that was a ritual activity that Bubba decided to glorify.

[FlashHarry]

23. Just watched 'Private Parts' last night on HBO.

I used to loathe Howard, but, I gotta admit, it's a pretty good movie. They've tried to rein HS in before, and it only made him stronger. This too shall pass...

[fleetus]

24. Interesting timing.

Howard is ALWAYS offensive. If Clear Channel was trying to avoid political bias accusations, they picked the wrong moment to fire him.

But Howard's popularity must be a big money maker. I thought I read an article in Mother Jones (or was it Harpers) saying that Clear Channel was interested in the _bottom line_ much more than pushing a moral or political agenda. It even addressed the Dixie Chick issue as well as the infamous 9/11 ban. Anyone read the same article?

[Cleita]

25. Okay this is WAR.

If Howard Stern was suspended for offending women, then we should demand that all offensive references to women by radio and TV personalities be suspended. I am writing to CNN now to suspend Bob Novak. He made a specific reference to feminazis only a week ago and I was very offended by it as I am everytime I hear this awful word coined by Rush Limbaugh.

[wndycty]

30. Technically Rush is on Clear Channel. . .

. . .talk about offending women and African Americans. I think they look no further than Rush.

[knight_of_the_star]

87. If they ACTUALLY enforce their policy

They SHOULD ban Rush, but I bet they won't.

[Cleita]

115. You betcha.

Maybe a letter is in order.

Dear CC:

I'm so happy that you have banned that obnoxious Stern character. Is this a policy change and can I look forward to bans of far more obnoxious talk show hosts like Rush Limbaugh, Michael Savage and Dr. Laura? It's about time. I may start listening to you again. I haven't for years you know.

[Gothic Sponge]

33. Didn't Clear Channel fire

Some right-wing talk show host recently for turning on Bush?

[Sandpiper]

26. Do Not Be Fooled! Howard Attacked Bush Today!!!

Clear Channel is RNC state radio. Not too many dots to connect.

[shance]

145. Exactly. Take a look at how much money CC has donated to Bushs reelection

Somebody posted a thread somewhere.

[littlejoe]

29. Who's next? Imus?

[tigereye]

37. really despise Howard Stern

think he is gross and sexist, well obviously. Weird that this follows the anti-Bush remark. Also despise CLear Channel and all it represents. Will someone please take back the airwaves? "The last DJ playing what he wants to play.."

[0007]

117. I don't think Imus has the balls that Howard does.

[LTR]

173. Imus would get fired for being boring and depressing

long before being indecent.

His show is pretty tame. Too bad they don't show the old CSPAN feeds, where he's screaming and cursing and berating his staff during breaks. Funnier than anything ever on his show.

[Jack_Dawson]

31. GREAT news actually

Stern isn't going to keep his trap shut about being censored. Didn't you see Private Parts? Dude can't help himself. Talking is his lifeblood.

[Dookus]

32. Does ANYBODY know what he said?

I know he bashed Bush. But evidently there's something else he said. Does anybody know what it is?

[ThePittsburghKid]

43. Apparently he said that he read Al Franken's "Lying Liars"

and he was officially for Anybody But Bush. He said that the FCC crackdown started to sour him on Dubya, but the book pushed him over.

[OneTwentyoNine]

50. Wow,I can almost see the SS yanking his ass out from behind the mike...

This isn't like Nazi Germany?? BULL FUCKING SHIT it isn't........


David

[Bunny]

45. Here's another discussion on this:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1162303

[Roon]

51. He said....

Ever bang a famous nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?
http://www.drudgereport.com

[wndycty]

65. No he did not. . .a caller did

:kick:

[Roon]

76. Got it..

Thanks

[Protagoras]

34. I was never a Stern listener BEFORE

But now I might make a point of tuning him in.

[OneTwentyoNine]

38. Bob and Tom on our local CC station....

Bob and Tom might not have quite the vulgarities of Stern but it gets pretty raunchy. I don't think CC owns them but they are on 96.3 in Wichita which is a CC owned station.

This will be interesting....


David

[wndycty]

41. I am sure Clear Channel would like to hear from all of you.

Jean Gonsoulin
VP of Corporate Communications
2000 West Loop South Suite 1300
Houston, Texas 77027

Public Relations Assistant
Crystal Fischnar
[e-mail]

[Dookus]

42. LISTEN UP!!

Here's what was said, according to Drudge:

'Ever bang a famous nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?'

edited: it's not clear to me whether Stern himself said it or a caller did.

On super secret double-edit: It was a caller who said it, not Stern.

[Protagoras]

48. I don't know all the facts..but going to Drudge for them

is never my first, second, or third choice.

[Dookus]

53. on news reports

that Drudge isn't reporting himself, he's usually quite accurate. It's just a copy/paste job from real news sources.

[Woodstock]

127. Yes, Drudge is usually quite accurate - NOT!

Dookus, give it a rest. Nobody likes Stern or the n word. They are just saying he's always done sleazy nasty stuff on his show, and the day he criticized Bush he gets yanked. If you don't get it, fine.

[Dookus]

130. I know what they're saying

and I think they're idiots. I won't give it a rest.

Nobody here would be defending this comment if it occurred on any other day. But it didn't occur on any other day, it occurred today. That doesn't make it any more excusable or any less offensive.

Personally, I don't see how ANYBODY can look at that comment and not say "Hrmm.. good. He should be suspended."

As I said above, the enemy of your enemy can still be an asshole.

[distortionmarshall]

54. are you serious?

(seems like i find myself asking that a lot... :)

according to DRUDGE?

nuff said - rofl

[Dookus]

58. well

since somebody else has already said here in this thread that they heard the comment (from a caller, not from Stern) I have no reason to think Drudge is making this up.

Yes, I'm perfectly fucking serious. How do you people not understand the difference between a "Drudge Exclusive" and his regular copy/paste job from REAL news services?

[Protagoras]

62. Guess I was just going by your

"Here's what was said, according to Drudge:" which didn't really make it sound like some sort of ABC/CNN report that he was just linking to.

But thanks for clearing it up. I'll remember to look for the "Drudge Exclusive" Label on the next hot internet rumor :D

[Dookus]

66. heheh

that's actually a very good way to parse Drudge. If HE'S reporting it, it's quite often not true. Everything else is just a news clipping service.

[distortionmarshall]

71. lol - my bad, partly...

i didn't read the whole thread before shooting my damn fingers off... i took wut you said as the inference (drudge said it)->(it's true).....

hmmmm - so a caller said it, not howard?

that's a bit different... obviously neither howard nor anyone else at the show have control over what callers say... otoh, at least one person there can simply cut off the caller at the first bad word or whatever....

..... and then howard went along with it, answering on the same level....

<edit: christ - i'm just gonna stay outta the issue..... not at my best today.... please disregard the sentence immediately above this one.... lol>

[wndycty]

57. He did not say it a caller did

:kick:

[Gothic Sponge]

60. The problem is

Stern has been talking crap like that for the last 20 years! Why is it now vulgar? I'm no Stern fan, but after hearing that he went after Bush today this is amazingly coincidental.

[Dookus]

85. sigh

do you really think comments like "Have you ever fucked a nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?" has been a staple of Stern's show for the last 20 years?

I don't.

[Sterling]

150. He did not say that.

Stop putting words in his mouth. Your arguement is extremely dishonest and shrill.

[knight_of_the_star]

67. OK

Stern wouldn't go THAT far. Considering this is coming from Drudge, I think it would be wise to second-guess it heavily.

[Dookus]

74. It was said by a caller to his show

and I think it was totally inappropriate for it to go out. If Stern, of all people, is not on a 10 second tape delay, then he should be.

[Sterling]

153. Man you really have an axe to grind, lol.

Calm down and think for a while.

[bobbyboucher]

75. Sounds like a set-up.

Did the caller say that before or after he dissed the monkey? What happened to the delays? The Don and Mike show has installed one that is like ridiculously long, minutes, two maybe. What about Stern, no delay?

[scottxyz]

86. Setup - this is a very good possibility

Howard is a verbal virtuoso and it is a pleasure to hear how he can glibly censor himself on-air in real-time, seamlessly working in euphemisms for the "7 dirty words" you can't say on radio which the FCC used to be suing him over.

Howard is a brilliant DJ and he would never cross the line and do something to lose listenership like this. When he wants to make fun of idiots, he SUPPORTS them but in a really juvenile tone of voice, so that most people can grasp the satire and realize he's really making fun of the idiots.

It makes a LOT of sense that someone would try to take him down by setting up a caller and then having Commie Channel ban him.

[Dookus]

91. there is a very simple technological solution

to such problems. The tape delay. I'd be very surprised if Stern hasn't been using it for years.

[sendero]

136. and in fact...

... the more I think about it the more convinced that this is about the Bush* comments. Because several stations already bleep out (using tape delay or other means) phrases that they think will violate their community standards. This is not particularly difficult to do, and they (CC) could have just done that if they wanted.

No, this is about pressuring Stern to not speak badly of the Chimp. I don't think it will work, I certainly hope not.

[bobbyboucher]

142. All the "shock" shows have delay, hence

my wondering how that "n-word" thing managed to get through. What's up?

[sendero]

46. I wish I knew....

... how many CC stations run his show.

This could get interesting. Think whatever you want of Stern, but I don't think he will back down. I don't believe for a second this is about what they say it is. His show is consistently insulting to folks with a stick up their ass.

I only caught the tail end of the rant this morning. But if history is any guide, any attempts to silence him will backfire.

[tobius]

47. sounds like he would have been suspended even if he endorsed bush. nt

[Rationality]

49. (Deleted by poster)

LiviaOlivia (post 21) beat me to the news on Bubba.

[The Blue Knight]

59. From Sludge...

<snip>
The nation's top morning-drive radio jock will not air on his CLEAR CHANNEL-owned affiliates Thursday morning. INFINITY's Howard Stern Show has been found in violation of CC's new indecency standards. The action comes after CC executives reviewed comment made on Stern's Tuesday broadcast, including on on-air caller's comments: 'Ever bang a famous nigger chick? What do they smell like? Watermelons?'... Just as, CC's President/CEO John Hogan will appear as a witness at tomorrow morning's House Telecommunications Subcommittee hearing on the Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act of 2004...
</snip>

www.drudgereport.com

[Piperay]

68. I can't stand Howard Stern

I'm not going to :cry: about him getting in trouble, no matter what.

[Gothic Sponge]

73. Okay i found this story

How to Lose Your Job in Talk Radio

Clear Channel gags an antiwar conservative.

http://www.amconmag.com/1_19_04/article3.html

[Dookus]

77. gagged?

is that the guy they moved from the 4-7 drivetime slot to the 7-10 evening slot?

That's not gagging someone.

[AgadorSparticus]

152. no, it just took his AUDIENCE away. most people listen in commute.

in essence, it took his voice away.

[OneBlueSky]

78. HA! . . . I beat 'em by almost an hour! . . .

can I call 'em, or can I call 'em? . . .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=384860#384930

[_Jumper_]

79. Good riddance to that racist and sexist

n/t

[scottxyz]

90. Because he bashed Bush all morning

Here's the link:

"Howard Stern bashed Bush* all morning"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1159313

Commie Channel CLAIMS it's because a caller used the "N" word and talked about watermelon. They're lying. It was probably a setup.

Nice try, Commie Channel.

[Dookus]

92. bullshit

ANYBODY on radio would be suspended for that, if not by their company, by the FCC.

Just because he bashed Bush doesn't make him a hero. Christ, now I know this place is nuts when Howard Stern and Lou Dobbs are heros and John Kerry and John Edwards are right-wing corporate stooges.

[OneTwentyoNine]

105. Calling Hillary a murderer didn't faze CC though did it??

As usual its the hypocrisy of the whole thing. Stern shouldn't have let the statement on the air but HELL Limbaugh actually said the statement about Hillary,not some caller.

Did CC immediately put out the notice that Limbaugh would not be on any CC stations? Was Limbaugh put on some kind of probation?

Hell no he wasn't,thats because he's the biggest corporate tool on radio.

David

[shance]

140. Oh Dookus take a flying leap -

with your defending in indefensible.

Alert me, do whatever you always do to those who confront your needless badgering. If you want to defend Bush or any in the Bush Administration, just go to another forum that supports George Bush and all that he stands for.

The facts are the facts.

Howard Stern went on for an hour today about George Bush. He and others have used the N word more than a million times on the show before today.
The Clear Channel folks dont seem to mind when he humiliates and degrades women and minorities every day (I wonder why - could it be that they all are white males?),

but you mess with Bush and you get the hook yankin you off the stage.

He got suspended for taking on Bush. GET OVER IT.

[Dookus]

147. Nonsense

people attack Bush on the radio every day of the year, and none of them get suspended for it.

How can YOU defend the indefensible?

[ant]

163. I agree with you

Just wanted to shout out some support because it does seem incredibly absurd in here. ;)

I posted this earlier but it's worth repeating: Janet Jackson. That's what this is about - nothing more, nothing less. Stern wasn't the only DJ to get into trouble, after all, and CC's new policy makes perfect sense in light of what's been happening since the superbowl.

[Sterling]

144. I am not a fan either but be objective

Your hate for HS is blinding you to the specific incident at hand. He's he is a pig but you are projecting the callers remark onto HS as if he were a bigot.

[Dookus]

151. No no no no no

not at all. I'm actually rather neutral about Howard Stern. I don't like him, but I don't hate him, either. I mostly just don't ever think about him. I've never even listened to his radio show. He really is a non-issue to me.

I'm not saying he said it. I'm saying he is responsible for what goes out on his show. I believe with all my heart that if a right-wing radio host allowed something like this to go out, everybody here would be up in arms about it. I think it's sad that because it occurred on a day when Stern insulted Bush, everybody rushes to his defense.

The remark is outrageous, and ANYBODY of ANY political stripe would be in trouble if it went out on his or her show.

[w4rma]

155. Again, not one single DUer

has defended that callers remark. Please adjust your rhetoric to prevent occasional lurkers from getting the idea that someone here has.

[Dookus]

162. I have to disagree

a number of people here have stated the remark is typical of stern's show, that such things are said all the time, and worst of all, that he's REALLY being suspended for dissing Bush.

That is nonsense. I listen to Bernie Ward and Ray Taliaferro on my local radio station, and they have NEVER been suspended, despite attacking Bush nonstop for 3 years.

I think it's very logical to presume he's being suspended for letting that remark go out. I also believe that if it was any other radio host, people here would agree with me.

You're right, though, nobody is saying they agree with that abhorrent remark. But that is small comfort. I don't see anybody condemning it, OR condemning Stern for letting it go out. It's a despicable double-standard.

[Sterling]

156. Well at least wait ubtil you understand the context and what was said.

If Stern humored the caller and played into the remark then it is offensive. If he mocked ridiculed or blew off the caller then I commend him.

I doubt he was sympathetic to the remark but I may be wrong. Just wait until you know the whole truth before you call for his head.

[scottxyz]

169. Stern has been my hero for the last 10 years

He's been the ONLY thing I've listened to on the radio in that time.

And I tape him.

And I'm gay.

And I LOVE it when he puts on his third-grader voice and complains about the "homos".

If I had been able to hear a guy doing a moron act dishing homos while I was in the closet in high school, I would have come out five years earlier.

LOTS of minorities and thinking people have loved Howard all along. Because he's been the only voice of freedom in the corporate media.

Yeah, he's vulgar, like people we know in real-life. I'll take vulgarity over antiseptic lies any day.

[seabeyond]

103. sssh*tttttt

boobs butts as disrespectful and degrading to woman as can be but by gosh, dont mess with bush...........a huge wow

[mdmc]

104. I would never listen to Stern

He is an untalented dirtbag. That being said, I hope he tears the corporate pResident a new ass.
How can anyone listen to Clear Channel?

I work with at risk teens, and I won't let them listen to our local hip hop station, because it is owned by cc. One of my kids met one of their DJ's and told them that. The DJ responded, "Listen to that dude (meaning me). He knows his shit."

Stern is a dirtbag, worked for dirtbags, jocked dirtbags forever. I'm glad he hates Bush now, but I still won't watch / listen to him.

Fuck Dennis Miller, while I'm at it.

[LiviaOlivia]

106. LOL

Agreed. Thank you.

[gristy]

124. Thank you for your work with teens

That is very cool. And what a cool thing to learn of one of your kid's conversation with a local DJ. That must have been very satisfying.

[mdmc]

176. That kid can also name all the candidates for President!

He is in special ed., and he amazed his teacher (Dean used to be a Doctor. Kerry and Clark served in Vietnam. Kucinich is from Ohio) with his knowledge of politics.

On a lighter note, he supports "Cinich" cause he thinks it bothers me (as a Dean supporter). lol.

[maveric]

109. Did Robin get suspended too? Was she offended by Howard?

After spending 20 years at his side listening to his offensive remarks.
She african american and a woman.
This is total bullshit. Krystalnacht<sp> has begun and the purge will follow.

[Cleita]

122. I agree. Howard is about offending everyone.

I could put some really offensive stuff up that I find cruising the internet and yet no one objects even here at DU.

[Sterling]

158. That is why I will wait to know the context before freaking out.

I have a feeling it was clear Howard did not sympathize with the callers racism.

[GreenPartyVoter]

116. He's not my fave, but still.. that's extreme

[gristy]

133. Here's a link to a list of stations Howard is on

http://www.koam.com/list.html

I believe Stern works for Infinity Broadcasting. His show is broadcast by stations owned by Infinity, Viacom, Clear Channel, and maybe others. Clear Channel can't suspend Howard since he doesn't work for them. All they can do his yank him off the CC stations his show is on. I checked to see who owned the stations in 6 of the larger markets on the list above:

Boston: WBCN 104.1 FM (infinity)
Los Angeles: KLSX 97.1 FM (infinity)
New York: WXRK 92.3 FM (viacom)
Washington: WJFK 106.7 FM (infinity)
San Francisco: KITS 105.3 FM (infinity)
Chicago: WCKG 105.9 FM (infinity) www.wckg.com (link to this station on list above is wrong)

So, in the 6 (large) markets I checked, not one of the stations Howard is on is a Clear Channel station. That is very interesting. I think I am going to check him out tomorrow morning.

p.s. Just for the record, I don't normally listen to Howard. He's too offensive for me. But tomorrow should be verrrrryyy interestingggg.

on edit:
I found one owned by CC - Ft. Lauderdale/Miami: WBGG 105.9 FM

[LifeDuringWartime]

160. hmm

do any of the non-clear channel stations broadcast online? i wanna hear what he has to say

[Armand]

165. Good. He's a racist son of a bitch anyways.

The world of radio will be much better off without him.

[BlueStateGirl]

166. He's on a 60 second delay. I am surprised he let that through

although he was complaining about the new "rules" on air yesterday. Wondering what it would take to get him canned. And saying he was ready to go, and joking that his GM would be fired if he (Howard) were fined.
Perhaps he was testing the limits?

[MrSlayer]

167. Stern Rules! I haven't heard about this though. Knowing Him.....

he's challenging the new rules. Fuck em Howard! Fuck the FCC! Where's Grandpa Al when you need him?

[MrSlayer]

168. Here's the scoop.

From http://www.Marksfriggin.com

<snip>

Unbelievable. ''This is gettin to be re-goddamn-diculous.'' One fucking breast shot during the Super-Friggin Bowl lit the fuse that has blown up into this fucking mess. Howard has been removed from all Clear Channel radio stations that carried his show. According to a Reuters report there are six Clear Channel stations that removed the show. They are located in Pittsburgh, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Rochester, Louisville and San Diego.

<Snip>

Howard's Comments on the Chimp.

<Snip>

Howard started off the show talking about George W. Bush's ''hoopla'' over the gay marriage thing. He said that he's hell bent on stopping gay marriages. Howard and Robin both said that they think it's a big waste of time. Howard went on to talk about some other news about how the CIA had information about the 9/11 hijackers before it happened and they didn't do anything about it. Howard said they were given the information by Germany and were warned that they might be hijacking a plane. Howard said that Bush shouldn't be worrying about the gay marriage thing, he should be trying to save the country. People are more worried about that than about even the World Trade Center attacks. Howard said the whole thing is just crazy. He also said that he thinks George W. is just out to impress his father. He said all he's really managed to do is have Clear Channel get rid of Bubba the Love Sponge.

<snip>

More on the Chimp

<snip>

Crazy Cabbie called in and told Howard that he's a hypocrite. He ended up arguing with Howard about John Kerry and his stance on the military and all of that. Howard wanted to put a stop to the whole political debate thing on his show. He went on to tell Cabbie about what he knew about Kerry and George W. He and Cabbie argued about that stuff for a short time. Cabbie was backing Bush so Howard told him that he might want to wake up and smell the coffee because it's Bush's government that is causing all of the problems with indecent broadcasting standards and all of that. Howard also pointed out that Bush is wasting his time on the whole gay marriage thing.

Howard pointed out to Cabbie some of the other things that Bush has done over the past few years that show he's just as much of a hypocrite as anyone else. He told Cabbie that Bush could just call up Michael Powell (of the FCC) and tell him to lay off of all of this crap with the indecency but he's not going to do that. Howard told Cabbie that they have to say to Bush that they don't agree with his religious right agenda of his.
<snip>

Howard has always been for gay marriage and he's finally coming around on Bush. He's been backing Kerry the past few weeks.

[scottxyz]

170. Why was this moved to the Lounge

Howard Stern, admittedly very foul-mouthed but also one of the few free and independent voices in corporate media, bad-mouths Bush for an our, a caller (a possible plant) calls in using the "N" word, and media conglomerate pulls his show.

This sounds like it should be either in the Media forum or the Latest Breaking News forum or General Discussion - since it involves corporate censorship of one of our most controversial broadcasters.

[LTR]

171. Stern's been bashing Repugs for years

He's an equal opportunity basher. Not conservative, and certainly not liberal. He beleives what he believes, and that's that. His opinions are all over the board.

He has always been pro choice. Favored the death penalty until he realized how unfair and racist it was (according to his book, Miss America. Always anti-FCC. Pro-Iraq war, for some reason.

He was not banned from CC stations for being anti-Bush. Hell, he's been tearing into the Bush family for years. He was suspended from the CC stations because the major broadcast monoliths are feeling the heat about this whole indecency thing. Howard was told by Infinity CEO Mel Karmazin the other day to clean up his show, and Mel knows more than anyone who his meal ticket is.

CC, Infinity's main competitor, is the most paranoid, since the FCC can easily break up their little monopoly party. They just got rid of their own up-and-coming syndicated guy, Bubba The Love Sponge, a few days ago, for being a bit too raw. And this is their own guy! CC likes to pimp their own people. Tht's why someone as bad as Glen Beck is on so many stations. He's CC raised and bred.

This is not about Howard bashing Bush. CC's just running scared, and realizes that they better kiss the FCC's collective asses. Not everything is a conspiracy against Bush bashers. Just some of it is. ;)