Meredith and Sons responds about Sinclair

[alexisfree]

From: [e-mail]
To: XXXXXXXX
Subject: Re: What Sinclair is doing is wrong
Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 07:09:49 -0500

Over 50 years ago my grandparents started Meredith and Sons Lumber
company. My Grandfather was a minimum wage construction worker with a 6th gradeveducation. My Grandmother worked in the bag plant at St. Regis Paper mill. With only determination, they started in the late evening and night hours and built a company that has since grown into a multi-million dollar building supply business that has supported hundreds of families throughout our local area.

This was all accomplished in part because we live in the greatest free
society the world has ever seen. This is the same free society that
allows Sinclair Broadcasting to broadcast what they feel is appropriate. It allows everyone to state their opinion and patronize the establishments of their choice. This same freedom also allows us to advertise in the venues and on the stations we deem most beneficial for the continued growth of our business.

We have been advertising on WEAR 3 for over 30 years and have found it
to be a valuable benefit to our advertising campaign. Although we do not always agree with their policies or choices, we make our decisions based on what we feel is in the best interest of our business and employees.

I am saddened that it has come to a point in this country that
political parties or individuals feel they have the right to demand that another conform to their way of thinking by way of intimidations or coercion. Without much of a stretch, it could be likened to terrorists threatening the American people because they do not like our governments actions, or policies. It does not work.

I am truly concerned that this bipartisan vitriol and rhetoric from
many involved is creating a society of intolerance and contempt, now and in our children's future. Tolerance for differing opinion and political views unfortunately is quite scarce. I hope and pray for the day we can disagree not only respectfully, sincerely, but with civility.

If you truly feel it will help your cause by boycotting our company and it is worth it, then I am the first to recommend you do what you feel is right.
I would also ask that you understand that we will do what we feel is
best for our company and its employees, instead of playing a part in some political power play.

Most respectfully,


Dean Meredith
President, Meredith and Sons
8701 N. Palafox
Pensacola FL 32534
850-476-3626
Meredithonline.com

[Proud2BAmurkin]

1. What a dumbshit. He says we're free to boycott and he's free to

"do what's best for our company," but he doesn't link a boycott will bring harm to his company, and tries to imply a boycott is both "freedom" and "forcing conformity" DUMB SHIT.

[goodboy]

2. I guess you're a terrorist....nt

[glitch]

3. How very sanctimonious. Poor guy doesn't get that responsibilities go

along with the right to free speech. And cable networks have responsibilities that are required along with their license to broadcast on publicly owned airwaves, whether the current head of the FCC knows it or not.

Well, I don't live in Florida but if I did this company would go on my permanent boycott list. Like Exxon, etc (actually the list is getting long, but somehow my qualilty of life has not declined).

Just me, exercising in the free market.

[Justice]

4. Wrong About Sinclair

This is the same free society that
allows Sinclair Broadcasting to broadcast what they feel is appropriate.

Sinclair is allowed to use the airwaves, but they cannot broadcast what ever THEY feel is appropriate.

If that were true, why did CBS get fined for Janet's breast?

[BUSHOUT]

5. So if Sinclair was showing child porn.....he'd be OK with THAT?

Sinclair shouldn't be free to engage in ILLEGAL ELECTIONEERING...that's the point.

Send him this topic, let him see what we think of his heartfelt pile of horseshit.

[MADem]

6. I URGE EVERYONE TO USE THIS STYLE OF RESPONSE

...anytime you get one of these mealy-mouthed replies from any of these companies that refuse, out of cowardice or expediency, to do the right thing. Here's mine:

I would like you to comment on how you would feel if YOUR ADVERTISING, that you pay for, was countered by a one hour 'documentary' in praise of another building supply company that SINCLAIR Broadcasting aired, free of charge.

You are supporting a company, with your advertising dollars, that is PERVERTING the democratic process. This is not about left versus right, this is about a steward of the PUBLIC airways (they do belong to us, the people) interfering in the election process.

It is wrong--you can spin it however you would like, but it is wrong.

[emulatorloo]

8. I sent a similar email to IAMS, Gen Mills, Capital One, etc.

Went like this:

____________________________________

Subject: What if Sinclair was lying about (Your Company)? Would that be ok?

What if Sinclair Broadcasting did a "news show" on (Company Name) where
you were:

1. Quoted out of context and edited to make it appear you said things
you never said
2. Lied About by people with close financial ties to your competitors.

and it had all been disproved ahead of time by responsible news
organizations like MSNBC and Nigthline?

Would that be "freedom of the press" or "diverse opinions?"

I want you to understand the seriousness of what Sinclair is doing.

I would be just as upset if Sinclair was airing proven lies about
President Bush. This is an abuse of the public airwaves, and {Your Company}
needs to stand up to it by withdrawing your support.

________________________________________________________

However, they aren't reading these things - just sending back boilerplate. . .

[calmblueocean]

7. ugh.

By advertising, you ARE "playing a part in some political power play"! Duh!