My best friend is a vice president at ClearChannel

[WilliamPitt]

I asked him why Stern was fired. He said it was because a caller said some incredibly foul and racist things, that it got passed the beepers, and that it went unchallenged by Stern and the crew.

I didn't ask him, but assume, that it has more to do with the fact that Stern has been happily pissing in the face of management for years, that doing this has been his calling card and his street cred, and that he finally came under a set of managers willing to jerk the chain right back.

Stern will come out of this more famous than ever, but maybe when a caller starts talking about "niggers tasting like watermelon," his tech guy will be more on the ball, or Stern will at least, call the person who says things like this an ass.

Now, John Kerry said ClearChannel had the right to fire Stern. I assume Stern knew he was under contract. I further assume that Stern got the memo about CCs new no-tolerance policy, a policy that I'd bet was aimed at Stern to begin with (The lesson here being Bill Clinton: When you know they are hunting you, keep your fly zipped).

Finally, and most personally, if I work a nationally syndicated and hugely populated radio show, and a caller comes on talking about "Niggers tasting like watermelon," and I say nothing at all to challenge this foulness, I deserve not only to be fired under my contract and my employer's policies, but I further deserve to be punched in the face.

Stern is no free speech martyr, and he sure as hell wasn't fired for bad-mouthing Bush. The guy has a decade-long reputation for being a swine. An often amusing swine, to be sure, but a swine nonetheless. Dick jokes, strippers and whores, and Stern's long unfulfilled boner for anything that comes into the studio with breasts are the fan favorites, and he provides.

Through all this, he has gleefully stuck it to management, something I have always appreciated. Does it surprise me they stuck him back after he allowed someone to talk about "niggers tasting like watermelon" on his program, given that decade-long history of management antagonism? No.

I agree with John Kerry on this one. I hope Stern gets his job back, so he can continue his born-again Bush-bashing...but he deserved th get sacked. Hate ClearChannel for the 50,000 other things they suck for, but on this one, they're well within the lines.

[Skittles]

1. Stern said he hung up immediately on that caller

didn't he?

[WilliamPitt]

5. He disconnected the guy and moved on?

Said nothing? The tech guy didn't beep it?

Personally, not nearly good enough. Ignoring racism has caused as many problems as racism itself.

[Eric J in MN]

35. In the total context of the show, which includes

In the total context of the show, which includes a black, female newscaster and frequent black guests, Howard Stern may not have thought that a lecture against racism was needed.

If he hung up, that says something, and Howard Stern was trying to focus on the topic at hand.

[wyldwolf]

38. from what I understand from a friend in the business...

...Stern has a delay of at least 7 seconds... meaning the producer/board op had at least 7 seconds to decide if the the remark was offensive.

[funky_bug]

44. No, he didn't

I was listening to Stern that morning, and he let that call go on way way too long. The guy got out SEVERAL racially repulsive comments before he was hung up on... and the crew just snickered in the background.

[Turkw]

79. I used to listen to Stern, but he got pro war and I stopped, but never

wanted him off the air. I took control of my radio and shut him off. I think this is Clearchanel playing "ball" especially since Clearchannel got a nice present and can own more media outlets.

[diamondsoul]

93. "the crew just snickered in the background."

Errr....

Not to be argumentative, but I've heard some really extreme things that I snickered or chuckled at, too. It's like it's so extreme, so clearly ignorant and so utterly ridiculous you either laugh or cry. Some of us laugh and then get pissed instead.

I'm in Indiana, and after the incident of the obese man being killed in Ohio by the police, a supposed local policeman called into a radio station here that airs programming designed for our "black" listening market. This guy started right in with the racist spew, and at first I just laughed because it felt like it had to be a spoof. Then he started cussing and called the show host a "n*gger". That's when I went nuts, and so did the host. I felt bad for him because he had to go to an unplanned commercial to get himself under control.

The thing is, initial reactions sometimes don't accurately reflect the feelings of the person displaying them.

[funky_bug]

99. Initial reactions sometimes don't accurately reflect...

but a 7 second delay says a helluva lot. They had one, and they deemed it appropriate.

Clear Channel is a corporation. They can do as they please. Anyone who wants to hear Stern can pick him up on the 'net or satellite radio. I can't stand him - I only listened because I wanted to see if he would tame it down after Bubba got canned. If you ask me, knowing Bubba got canned, Stern purposely let that call go through for publicity reasons.

[wryter2000]

2. I agree with you

I have to say that what I find disgusting is that Clear Channel doesn't seem to be concerned about the racism that actually got Stern in trouble. They seem to want to define "decency" in Puritanical ways; i.e., sexual. I'd rather hear them complaining about racism.

[LARED]

3. Reminds me of something

I heard a while back. Freedom of speech is not the same as freedom from consequences.

[salin]

4. Question for you Will

from time to time I have heard Rush - and his callers - make some very over the edge comments. If folks were monitoring this - and when an equivalent statement gets made - were to make the same kind of concerted protest (of course there wouldn't be the timing of the congressional hearing that help stack the impact of the event/response)... would they likely respond in the same way?

Not asking for a gotcha... but because I think this is why Rush is particularly loud in criticizing this move - that he KNOWS that he could easily be caught in the same sort of trap.

Ask your friend this question.

Then - depending on the answer - perhaps someone would be inspired...

[WilliamPitt]

8. Rush has said some vile crap

Asked one black caller if he had a bone in his nose at one point, if I recall.

Did his bosses at the time have a no-tolerance policy for this kind of thing? Had he been warned a dozen times?

I don't know the answers to these, but that's the context.

[salin]

12. So perhaps it is time

to make it an issue - to moniter and take action at the multiple issues and force a warning (or demonstrate that there is no warning, be that the case) - and put that ball into motion.

[LTR]

40. The bone-in-nose thing was a while ago

Before CC bought Premiere (Rush's syndicator). He toes the line now.

I'm not defending CC, just stating facts.

CC VP??? How can you have such friends? ;)

[WilliamPitt]

75. We went to high school together

He started working for Katz media. They got bought, and bought again, and bought again. Each time, he got a promotion, and he is very good at what he does (selling air time for commercials). So it goes.

[mountainvue]

78. Clear Channel has more

VP's than an ant farm has ants. No slight to your friend, WP.

[bigtree]

6. This is not a tough call to support Kerry on this.

But some will try to knock him for this one. Thanks for the elucidation.

[ScrewyRabbit]

7. What I would like to ask ClearChannel then

is: When will you fire Michael Savage for the blatantly racist things he says about muslims and hispanics?

This isn't a defense of Stern, I don't really care what happens to him. But if you're going to decide to sanitize someone's program, do it for all of them.

[WilliamPitt]

10. Agreed

and agreed.

[salin]

13. is Savage carried by Clear Channel?

n/t

[ScrewyRabbit]

16. Here in the SF Bay Area

he's on KNEW 91, which is owned by CC. Don't know about the rest of the nation...

[salin]

18. very interesting.... Will... can you ask about this?

certainly savage has complaints and crosses the line (heck he got kicked off of tv in no time flat).

What do WE need to do to get the same rules applied? Moniter the show and call in with complaints?

[otohara]

100. Clear Channel Lies and Lies, and Lies and Lies, and Lies

I have friends too who work for CCU. The lengths they go to just to fire someone would make Richard Nixon and GEORGE BUSH proud.

CC is not called the evil empire for nothing.

[Kagemusha]

9. "Went unchallenged"???

So hanging up on the bastard wasn't good enough, Stern was supposed to defend the solemnity of the public airwaves from the forces of Sin as well?

Definitely not a complete answer. I wouldn't accept this from a presidential press secretary.

Not that I have any love of Stern, but credulity is not always an asset in this world.

[WilliamPitt]

11. "defend the solemnity of the public airwaves from the forces of Sin"

Erm...I'd settle for "Don't say 'nigger' on my radio show."

[xultar]

14. Down here in ATL on the Clear Channel FM and AM stations

they talk about the nastiest shit and allow the callers to say the racist shit.

Some guy called Atlanta The city of the APES. Because of the high Black population.
They aren't kicking those guys off the air. What about Bob & Tom they had a Valentines show on sex toys. They are conservative white boys. Why didn't they pull them off the air?

[WilliamPitt]

15. By 'they' you mean ClearChannel?

[Auntie Bush]

17. Because they weren't bad mouthing Bush

Edited to adjust avatar

[LTR]

37. If CC dropped Bob and Tom...

...they'd wipe out half the morning shows on their stations!

Nuking Stern and Bubba is easier, since it only affects a handful.

I get B&T in my market (Milwaukee) and I've rarely heard any political content on the show. I think they stay away from it.

Dropping Stern and Bubba makes a statement. I'm sure B&T got a slap on the wrist. CC has too much at stake in that show.

[Eric J in MN]

19. Unless someone has an audio clip, those of us

Unless someone has an audio clip, those of us who didn't hear it originally can't judge.

Howard Stern isn't a racist.

He's entertained millions of people for decades.
I'm not going to hold against him something said by a caller or his supposedly insufficient repudiation of what the caller said until I hear an audio clip of the whole thing.

[WilliamPitt]

20. I never said Stern was a racist

but he allowed his show to be used, however inadvertantly, as a platform for racism...failed to beep out the crap when it came, and then failed to address it after it happened. He's not a racist, but that wasn't a smart move by any geometry.

As for hearing it, well, the text of the call was enough for me.

[Eric J in MN]

28. Howard Stern doesn't personally beep out people, as far as I know.

Howard Stern doesn't personally beep out people, as far as I know. There are engineers for that.

If Howard Stern hung up on the guy and went to the next caller, maybe Howard Stern figured that was enough to signal he doesn't like that kind of language.

[aquart]

22. But he HAS been criticizing Bush lately, yes?

[Eric J in MN]

27. Howard Stern recently read Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars" and has

Howard Stern recently read Al Franken's "Lies and the Lying Liars" and has been criticizing Bush since then.

[Bombtrack]

21. You didn't hear what happened, I did

The guy got on the phone, and he asked Joe Solomon if he'd ever banged and niggers or spics? Howard instantly did what he always does when people say words or describe things that they are not allowed to on the air, he let out an annoyed awwwwww(which basically mean's come on?) and he hung up on him.

The word "watermelon" was never said, not that what the CALLER said was any better. But howard never promoted it. The words nigger and spic are not against FCC rules, and therefor he did not break them.

You have no way of knowing if Clear Channel canned him because of his NEW ABB stance which he officially anounced THAT DAY. Although he had said that he read Lies and the lying lyars... the day before. I believe that that is the reason they canned him that day. They said themselves that Stern had not done anything worse than usual.

[WilliamPitt]

25. So my friend lied to me?

It would be a first in all the years I've known him.

[Bombtrack]

30. either that or he/she's believing what they heard

You're "watermelon" comment makes no sense. After Howard hung up on the guy, he restated it/asked Joe in more polite terms if he'd ever dated any ethnic chicks. Joe replied that he'd dated Devon Aoki who's Asian.

I understand that you're trying to defend Kerry because that's what you seem to do more often than not, when you're not planting seeds of distrust about Edwards, but I believe it's idiotic for Kerry to undo what would be a huge help to him in the general election and turn off Stern from him. You didn't hear the praise Howard was giving Kerry. He was talking about how Kerry could have just done nothing after fighting in Vietnam, but that he started doing whatever he could so that more of his fellow soldiers didn't have to die.

But Imus ass-kiss Kerry has to just go along with the anti-Stern establishment.

[littlejoe]

45. How did Sen. Kerry get thrown into this equation?

[Bombtrack]

57. He said Clearchannel was justified

.

[nolabels]

119. legally justified, said things to the effect the legal ownership of ......

the stations precludes freedom of speech. They have the right to take the microphone away because they own it (even though the radio station is leasing the air waves from the people through their pseudo-government). Howard stern might be hard to defend for some, but freedom of speech is not.

If them other trash talkers are allowed on the air to swill out all them other invectives to people the Reich doesn't concur with, then what is going on here is censorship because of a political bent, not any moral hand washing. Which Howard probably will have grounds to litigate on through his contract. Could be fun, stay tuned folks

[Forkboy]

36. how do you know?

:)

[LTR]

34. Stern's been bashing the Bush family since the 80s

This is nothing new, and is not why he was dropped by CC stations.

If it was because of Bush, why does Randi Rhodes, who is employed by CC, still have her show?

Stern was suspended on CC-owned stations because CC is kissing up to the FCC and is nervous about on-air content. That is why they fired Bubba The Love Sponge. And he sure as hell isn't anti-Bush.

This is not about Bush. This is a nervous CC that wants to make a statement on indecency, and keep the FCC from meddling in their little monopoly.

[Bombtrack]

39. He had never said that he was going to whatever it takes to get rid of one

It had to do with alot. It had to do with Stern playing and replaying over and over again Heather Wilson sounding like an idiot and using her as a sound effect.

But I believe that's just myopic to say that Howard proclaiming unequivocly that his listeners had to get rid of Bush, couldn't have had to do with it.

Just google clearchannel+Bush

[LTR]

42. I realize that CC is the biggest Bush ass-kisser in the media, but

Stern wasn't dropped because of it. I'm sure of that.

Stern made the same call to arms to get rid of Bush I back in '92. He has often badmouthed Bush II, but not as much after 9/11, I imagine, due to outrage over the attacks (Stern's in New York).

When it comes right down to it, CC usually won't remove anything if it's making money and getting them ratings. They will do something with minimal risk (getting rid of a show syndicated by a chief rival that only runs on a few of their stations) to keep the FCC from harassing them.

Not to defend CC, but this has nothing to do with Bush, and everything to do with the FCC threatening to undo their radio empire. Nuking a radio show that runs on five or six stations is nothing compared to being forced to sell off over a thousand stations.

[NashVegas]

43. Give That Rat a Piece O' Cheese

Stern was suspended on CC-owned stations because CC is kissing up to the FCC and is nervous about on-air content. That is why they fired Bubba The Love Sponge. And he sure as hell isn't anti-Bush.

This is not about Bush. This is a nervous CC that wants to make a statement on indecency, and keep the FCC from meddling in their little monopoly.

And as far as "pissing on management" goes, jocks who don't make management nervous, in any way, go nowhere in the long run. It's a weird dichotomy. They'd love to fire him for not viewing their philosophy as the 10 Commandments, but they like the bucks he brings in even more.

CCs decision was most likely formed by the idea they finally think they'd make more money (or get hit with less fines) than someone else.

No one who goes on the air was ever told it was a good job if they were looking for financial security. You can get fired for virtually any reason. You can get fired for looking at the PD funny.

What's even wimpier on CCs part is that broadcasters generally employ lawyers for fighting indecency complaints. Apparently CC no longer sees that as a good use of their revenue stream.

Three years ago, Michael Powell came into the top FCC gig saying he didn't want the FCC to be anyone's nanny and that he's all for deregulation.

Ain't it funny how he changed his tune for the John Ashcroft crowd?

As for Stern's Bush tirade, chances are 50/50 he knew what was coming down the pike and decided to go out of CC swinging.

[Bombtrack]

69. They aren't going to make more money with ANYONE other than Stern

Not in that timeslot

He generates more than any other person for Viacom much less Infinity or Clear Channel.

[Killarney]

65. I agree

I read a transcript online and the watermelon comment never happened. A caller asked Solomon if he ever had sex with a "n" (I refuse to even type the word).

This was a horrible comment by a CALLER, but it is no worse than some comments by Bob & Tom and by Michael Savage.

So, what is the difference between the three shows? Only Stern is anti-Bush. THAT is why he's gone.

This is the same company that wouldn't allow the Dixie Chicks played on their stations. I mean come on... common sense here. It's obvious why they did it.

[zulchzulu]

76. You miss the point

If a business decides to not want to work with or have the services of another company, they have every right to do whatever they want, especially if they are not satisfied with the services.

Should a business have to go through a thinktank, a government agency, a group of people not involved with their business or ANYONE when they decide to make a decision on paying for services rendered from a vendor?

Clear Channel didn't like Stern's antics and can decide not to use his services if they want.

If you had a business and was not happy with a vendor, should someone else decide whether you can break ties with that vendor?

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

23. I don't get it?

When people say stuff you find offensive, they should get fired.

What about when you say stuff other people find offensive? Should you get fired?

I don't like the consequences of what you are proposing.

It's exactly the same thing Clear Channel did with the Dixie Chicks. They said something that offended some of their audience, so they banned them from being played. It wasn't right then, and it isn't right now.

The true reason Stern got dumped by Clear Channel the day before their CEO testified in front of congress is that the CEO had to censor himself before the government censored him (plus a huge fine) Wake up and smell the coffee.

[Eric J in MN]

31. Good point. Free speech isn't consistent with a one-strike

Good point. Free speech isn't consistent with a one-strike and you're fired policy.

People's words should be judged in context, and Howard Stern has been entertaining millions of people since the 1970s.

[Ready4Change]

49. Look closer

"It's exactly the same thing Clear Channel did with the Dixie Chicks. They said something that offended some of their audience, so they banned them from being played. It wasn't right then, and it isn't right now. "

Dixie Chicks banned after saying things that offended Bush.

Stern banned after saying things that offended Bush.

You're right. It IS exactly the same thing.

Howard Sterns show has been DEFINED by it's offensive content since it's creation. The only thing that has changed is the political willingness to censor opposing voices.

[Democat]

71. Anyone who says anything offensive to anyone should be fired?

Fucking stupid.

[rudeboy666]

24. disagree

I actually heard that show. And there was nothing that was out of the ordinary(assuming a Sternian context).

In fact, I have actualy heard worse things! And yes, it is done within the context of the Stern show. Still, there are times when some caller or guest seriously spews racist epithets. However, Stern has consistently berated callers or guests who didn't understand the humor.

As Stern predicted the previous week before this new controversy, the whole Janet Jackson fiasco was ultimatelly going to be pinned on him. The government(in line with our more conservative citizens)is strong arming the media executives(just witness the histrionics of that congresswoman berating media executives in that hearing).

No FCC complaint.
Nothing out of the ordinary for a Stern show.

All of a sudden we have 'outrage' on the part of CC executives?

[gristy]

26. Stern was fired?

I thought that just the CC stations (6 of 46 total) chose to not carry his show anymore. :shrug: I don't think he was fired.

[LTR]

29. Not fired, CC just dropped him from their stations

Only the CC stations that run his syndicated show. Bubba The Love Sponge was a CC-employed jock that was fired by CC.

Stern is officially employed by Viacom. CC just runs his show on some stations.

[gristy]

32. That's what I thought.

[betweenwars]

33. distillation

Hi All,

I think Stern's behavior in and of itself is a bit of a red herring for many of us. It's horrible, and I don't stand for it myself.

The real issue for me right now, however, the one to ask your friend about, is whether there is a double standard regarding Stern and, say, Savage, or other Clear Channel supported hosts. If there is persistent indecency on all their parts (if, I say) and it is comparable in kind (Have their hosts been "decent," even to the point where they challenge racist remarks of others?), then the question to ask is what OTHER differences are there that lead to the CC's different standards.

That you mention Stern's "pissing in the face of management" and their possible "hunting" of him suggests at least that there are other motivations and that CC is using their "decency" claim as pretext. Likewise, Stern's anti-Bush stance, which is at odds with much of CC's management's leanings (and those of many of their hosts) also suggests itself.

If the ifs follow, then these are the issues that your friend has not addressed. The remedy has little to do with whether Stern continues; it's whether the same actions are taken against the rest. Racism will still be racism, no matter the leanings of its mouthpiece.

Cheers,
Mitch

[dae]

58. Welcome to DU Mitch.

[betweenwars]

62. Oh Thanks

I've been lurking since post-election theft, and I chime in only once in a while. So thanks for your welcome and thanks for letting me in on stuff.

Cheers,
Mitch

[kaitykaity]

41. Nice defense of Kerry's typical duck-and-cover position.

This explanation might be more credible if ClearChannel hadn't been willing to go completely postal on the Dixie Chicks last year. Also, Stern has been a jackass jokester for years and years. ClearChannel was perfectly aware of who they were buying for those stations.

I'm more inclined to believe the suspension wouldn't be quite so severe if Howard hadn't been on such an anti-Bush rampage at the same time the caller made the offensive remark. Without the one, the other makes a minimal impact at best.

[slinkerwink]

46. first Kerry says he refuses to go after Bush's AWOL records,

and then backs a MA amendment ban on gay marriage only if civil unions are allowed, and then he thinks that Clear Channel wasn't in the wrong for firing Howard Stern-------Kerry's a total spineless dem!

[littlejoe]

47. Just can't pass up a chance to to draw Kerry into a trashfest, huh?

[slinkerwink]

48. funny how you did that on the Howie Kurtz thread, and

not even a peep out of you on the other thread where Dean said it was utter bullshit.

[littlejoe]

50. I'm a counterpuncher. Don't start something and then

expect us to sit still for it.

[slinkerwink]

51. lol.......

[littlejoe]

52. Yeah. I thought so.

[Name removed]

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[Name removed]

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[maxanne]

68. you're lettin me down

littlejoe - I don't see an ABB thread. :cry:

[Scott Lee]

54. a reactionary?

That 'splains alot.

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

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[Scott Lee]

53. Why wouldnt Kerry gravitate to his center?

as in the trash heap. His entire run is trash and so are his positions. Like draws like.

[LTR]

60. Yeah!

Maybe he should run as a labor-bashing Communist!

That'll give him cred!

[Name removed]

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[Mixxster]

61. I'm not a Howard Stern fan but...

if C/C's action was not based on Howard's recent Bush bashing what about this guy?:

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

[Killarney]

64. Even more proof!

This is about being anti-Bush!

Great article.

[Name removed]

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[F.Gordon]

67. Ask your friend how much $$ Dobson brings in......

....to Clear Channel affiliates. I'll let you play "connect the dots" here. Oh, and the Parents Television Council has "loose" (wink-wink) connections to Focus on the Family.
============================================================

“We feared that ruling would open the floodgates to a further coarsening and degradation of the nation’s airwaves, and what happened Wednesday confirms those fears,” Minnery said. “It’s clear that the FCC is completely ignoring its mandate to protect Americans from broadcast indecency. There is a total breakdown in standards. Congress needs to clean house at the FCC and remove those responsible immediately.”

Minnery recommended that Americans flood the FCC with calls and e-mails to demand the reversal of the October ruling and an investigation of the "Billboard Music Awards" broadcast. He also encouraged Americans to call their U.S. senators and ask them to initiate hearings on the FCC’s lack of indecency enforcement.

http://www.family.org/welcome/press/a0029369.cfm

As a threshold matter, the material aired during the ``Golden Globe Awards'' program does not describe or depict sexual and excretory activities and organs. The word ``fucking'' may be crude and offensive, but, in the context presented here, did not describe sexual or excretory organs or activities. Rather, the performer used the word ``fucking'' as an adjective or expletive to emphasize an exclamation. Indeed, in similar circumstances, we have found that offensive language used as an insult rather than as a description of sexual or excretory activity or organs is not within the scope of the Commission's prohibition of indecent program content.15 6. Moreover, we have previously found that fleeting and isolated remarks of this nature do not warrant Commission action.16 Thus, because the complained-of material does not fall within the scope of the Commission's indecency prohibition, we reject the claims that this program content is indecent, and we need not reach the second element of the indecency analysis.

This Order denies 234 complaints that the Commission received concerning broadcasts of this program. Of these, 217 were from individuals associated with Parents Television Council. See, e.g., postcard complaint against Multimedia Entertainment, Inc., licensee of Station WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, New York, from Marsha A. Ashton to Chief, Investigations and Hearings Division, Enforcement Bureau. The Commission received multiple complaints concerning some of the stations that aired the material at issue. A list of the stations and licensees that are the subject of the complaints is provided as an appendix to this Order.

http://www.fcc.gov/eb/Orders/2003/DA-03-3045A1.html

Howard Stern Should Clean up His Act or be Dumped

Los Angeles, CA - Within hours of a press release issued by the Parents Television Council citing violations of both Viacom's and Clear Channel Communications' self-imposed "zero tolerance" decency policies, Clear Channel Communications announced that it will suspend the broadcast of the Howard Stern radio show from its affiliate stations.

http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2004/0226.asp

Recent figures released by Arbitron (an international media and marketing firm that gauges radio listenership), coupled with estimates of the audience to my television and commentaries, reveal that Focus on the Family is heard and seen by roughly 25.6 million viewers and listeners in the U.S. each week! While comparisons with other "talk show hosts" are difficult to obtain, this may make us the most listened-to and watched organization in the country. In addition, estimates of our worldwide audience, (though not made by Arbitron), total 220 million per day! That is also estimated by some to exceed all other electronic "voices" in the world, including those whose names will quickly come to mind. Clearly, the Lord is using our efforts to bring biblically based, family-strengthening assistance to a huge, and growing, audience around the globe.

http://www.family.org/docstudy/newsletters/a0025678.html

Sorry Will, don't buy it. I'm no fan of Howard, but I think he just used by Clear Channel to throw a bone to the religious right wing nutcases. The same religious right wing nutcases that are pushing for "religious freedom of speech"....which will allow them to discuss politics without losing their tax exempt status.

I know he's your friend and all, but how's that saying go.."can't see the forest..."

[Name removed]

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[Paragon]

73. You're smarter than this, Will.

Stern said nothing on that day that he hadn't said numerous times before. Having been called in front of the FCC in the wake of Boobgate, Clear Channel was already going to make a mea culpa -- suspending Stern was a way to grease the palms of Michael Powell and everyone else who has influence over how many stations they can own.

[Name removed]

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[slinkerwink]

80. good questions, DannyRed....

[Name removed]

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[slinkerwink]

83. it's okay, I've been called names before for being deaf

such as "retard" "cripple" "faggot" and so forth. Discrimination and bigotry is nothing new to me. I've got a very thick skin as a result of that.

[madfloridian]

86. I am sorry for those who do that to you.

You don't deserve it. You are skilled and accomplished, and no one should treat you that way.

[slinkerwink]

87. I'm not hurt by it, but they'll reap what they sow in terms of karma

[Name removed]

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[edzontar]

106. Without getting over my head here...May I suggest re-Mr. Pitt

That by using his real name and posting here as a hired representative of Cong. Kucinch, he opens himself up to discussion and criticism of his performance in that role.

Joe Trippi gets lost of criticism here, for example, and since he is a public figure who asociated himself with a national campaign, I think it is safe to say that no-one feels he should be immune to this kind of discussion.

I say that what is good enough for Trippi should be good enough for Pitt, and if someone criticizes his activities as a DK spokesman--as i have done--we should all understand that this goes with the territory.

[VelmaD]

107. Back up the truck...

critiquing the job Will did as Dennis K's press secretary is one thing. Stating that he got fired without knowing the facts is something completely different.

[Name removed]

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[WilliamPitt]

128. How about "Ask Pitt if he was fired"

Call:

Kevin Spidel, National Campaign Coordinator
Nate Wilkes, Deputy Press Secretary
Matt Harris, Deputy Press Secretary

at: 206-889-2004

and find yourself some facts.

[VelmaD]

129. Why would they do something sensible like that...

I mean, why let inconvenient facts get in the way of a good slander? :eyes:

[WilliamPitt]

130. They could also read this:

Posted in a thread that got locked just now:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x415664

This accusation has been leveled by one of our happy band here. If you are interested in some fact, instead of snide innuendo, I invite you to do the following:

1. Call Kevin Spidel, National Campaign Coordinator for the Kucinich campaign, or call Nate Wilkes, Deputy Press Secretary, or call Matt Harris, Deputy Press Secretary, at 206-889-2004 and find yourself some facts.

2. Read the press release on the matter:

For Immediate Release: February 18, 2004

Kucinich Campaign Thanks William Rivers Pitt

The Dennis Kucinich for President campaign extends its thanks to William Rivers Pitt for his work with the campaign in the last several weeks. Mr. Pitt will be returning to his duties at truthout.org after joining the campaign temporarily to assist in preparing the media staff for the push towards the Super Tuesday primaries.

"It was a whirlwind tour," said Mr. Pitt, "and one I am grateful for having been a part of. I knew coming in that I would only be with the campaign for a short while, but now that my work for Congressman Kucinich is over, I'm going to miss being a part of all this. You can't imagine what a privilege it was to assist with this movement. You can't imagine what a privilege it was to work with the extraordinary people who make up this campaign."

"Will Pitt is a professional of the highest caliber," said Congressman Kucinich. "His time on my campaign helped prepare our team for the work ahead. Now he’ll return to his post at truthout.org, where he’ll continue to help all of us in the progressive movement by speaking out about issues of critical importance such as the madness of the illegal Iraqi war and the deepening crisis we face due to jobs being shipped overseas and a lack of health care for so many Americans."

Mr. Pitt, who took a leave of absence from truthout.org to assist with the campaign, will be returning to his duties as Managing Editor and Lead writer for that publication. As a result of his work with the campaign, press duties will now be divided between Matt Harris and Terre Lundy.

"These people are pros," said Pitt. "This campaign is in great shape for the upcoming primaries. I wish everyone involved all the luck in the world, and I am thankful for having been given the opportunity to do a small part to bring Congressman Kucinich's message to the American people."

If I had been fired, do you think I'd have left such happy, praise-filled words for the campaign and candidate who sacked me? Would you?

This accusation was made by one person with an agenda. The only reason I am paying it any mind whatsoever is because it a) calls into question my reputation, and b) essentially calls Dennis Kucinich a liar. Neither will happen within reach of my arm.

[VelmaD]

131. I don't know about you...

but I'm confused about why they can post the accusation (repeatedly) but your thread gets locked when you try to refute it. Go figure. :eyes:

So, wanta put any bets on how long this post lasts? ;)

[Forkboy]

135. I'm glad you're sticking up for yourself Will

I think you did good work for DK.

But what do you mean by this?
Neither will happen within reach of my arm.

[WilliamPitt]

136. It means I am sticking up for myself

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[edzontar]

117. Nyuck Nyuck. Seriously, though, the misogyny is some of these posts

Is pretty scary.

[littlejoe]

125. Smells like teen spirit around here.

[Forkboy]

137. When did you last brush your teeth?

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[Snivi Yllom]

127. Nothing to do with Clear Channel

It's about protecting Kerry.

[Zomby Woof]

82. very sound

Silence is assent.

[slinkerwink]

84. where do you see silence in this thread? There are other DUers

speaking out against Pitt's view on this.

[littlejoe]

105. Maybe so, but most all of them aren't slandering him.

[DannyRed]

85. Maybe so,

But you still fail to address the basic problem, whether it be a problem with Dr. Laura directly spouting anti-semitic trash (last week, I think), or Rush, daily spouting all sorts of vile, racist trash, or Savage, spouting his "special trash" every day...or their callers doing the same and the "anchor" doing the old "wink and nod" bullshit...

See, by those criteria, Stern, Rush, Dr. Laura, Savage, and a bunch more, are objectively nearly the same. Period. Actually, Stern comes off a bit better than the others.

So why was Stern banned, and not the others.

Simple process of elimination gives us an easy answer, contained in the transcript of the show.

Regardless of whether ClearChannel has the "right" to muzzle or take shows of the air...which they probably do...Regardless of whether Kerry is right or wrong, Pitt's analysis of the situation is flawed and biased.

But that is nothing new.

[edzontar]

96. Agreed. Pitt's anaysis is flawed, and dodges the political context.

nt.

[edzontar]

94. Frank Zappa would have defended Stern against this censorship.

He devoted his public life to this cause.

I'll side with Zappa on this.

[zulchzulu]

97. Zappa would let a business decide what they wanted to do

The fact that Clear Channel dropped Stern from some stations is not an example of censorship.

It was a a business decision made by a business.

Perhaps you forget that Zappa dropped Warner Brothers from distributing his music. It was a business decision. Maybe you'd side with Warner Brothers that Zappa can't pull the plug on their services.

[edzontar]

98. Not true. Zappa opposed labeling records, for example.

And he fought bitterly against companies like MGM-Verve and Warners that censored his material without permission.

Zappa considered the artist to be the best judge of material.

Check your facts.

[zulchzulu]

121. You don't understand the free market then

If Frank wanted to fire a musician because he thought they sucked or were showing up drunk, you would demand that he keep the musician because they are a shining example of some demographic or political flavor.

I say Frank gets to fire the musician if he wants to. Clear Channel gets to fire Stern if they want to. Period.

Pulling out the "censorship" card is tiresome and childish.

[Name removed]

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[jsw_81]

89. I think this is much ado about nothing

Isn't Stern on like 500 non-CC stations?

[LincolnMcGrath]

90. Does this zero tolerance apply to the PORN

on the CC websites?

He was jammin MY Niggas on his show when it was released a few years back.

[Cheswick2.0]

101. anyone working for Clear Channel lacks integrity

Anyone who isn't a right winger that is. So why the hell should I care what someone like that thinks?

[F.Gordon]

102. Brutal thread

Even though I question the "truth" outlined in original post (see my post above), I can't believe how brutal people here at DU have been. Attacking Will.....attacking someone (his friend) that they don't even know. Very "liberal".:crazy:

If I recall, Will's friend is or was involved in National Sales. My contention is that is very possible for a corporate VP to be completely unaware of what is going on in the offices above them. I have some personal experience in this regards back when I had a "real job" and was a corporate VP myself.

Having said that, I'll add to my previous post.....

Mays said the company will institute a zero tolerance policy for indecent content which will include company-wide training and automatic suspensions for anyone that the FCC alleges has violated indecency rules on the air.

“If the FCC accuses us of wrongdoing by issuing a proposed fine, we will take immediate action,” Mays said. “We will suspend the DJ in question, and perform a swift investigation. If we or the government ultimately determine the offending broadcast is indecent, the DJ will be terminated without delay,” Mays said.

http://www.clearchannel.com/documents/press_releases/2004_02_25_CC_Decency_Initiative.pdf

Clear Channel Radio has suspended the broadcast of Viacom’s Howard Stern show, consistent with its Responsible Broadcasting
Initiative announced earlier today. After assessing the content of yesterday’s Howard Stern show, Clear Channel worked with local market managers to take swift and decisive action.

“Clear Channel drew a line in the sand today with regard to protecting our listeners from indecent content and Howard Stern’s show blew right through it,” said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “It was vulgar, offensive, and insulting, not just to women and African Americans but to anyone with a sense of common decency. We will not air Howard Stern on Clear Channel stations until we are assured that his show will conform to acceptable standards of responsible broadcasting,” Hogan said.

http://www.clearchannel.com/documents/press_releases/20040226_Rad_Stern.pdf

Will, do you see now how this really went down? Read these press releases very carefully. Did the FCC allege that Howard violated indecency regs? No. And, if I'm reading this correctly, Howard's "indecent" broadcast occurred BEFORE Clear Channel set down its new self-imposed guidelines. Also, Clear Channel made sure they referred to Howard's show as being Viacom.

BTW: I've been a Kerry supporter since day one, but I don't think even Kerry had a clear understanding at(edit: OF) the forces in play here, nor does your friend.

[salin]

109. Is it just me - or is this potentially worrisome:

“If the FCC accuses us of wrongdoing by issuing a proposed fine, we will take immediate action,” Mays said. “We will suspend the DJ in question, and perform a swift investigation. If we or the government ultimately determine the offending broadcast is indecent, the DJ will be terminated without delay,” Mays said.

Sort of invites witch hunts by members of the public to go after and complain strenuously to the FCC... as it the reprecussions by even a mention from the FCC will result in quick suspension and (hasty) investigation.

The policy isn't necessarily bad - but somehow the way it is phrased sounds like an invitation to all ... but whose complaints might be heard only one-sidedly (unless we are to believe there are no decency complaints coming in about Savage) in terms of the FCC making an accusation...

Oh... but wait...the "swift action" wasn't spurred by the FCC... guess the well deliniated policy... is still subject to being arbitrary.

They are private and can do as they will...

Reading the first memo, though, just makes me feel like I am watching a volleyball and CC just gave a perfect set...

[F.Gordon]

112. VERY worrisome......

The FCC was very clear in its October 2003 decision. But, my GOD!!...someone said "fuck" on TV. Rally the crusaders.

And notice how Reverend Limbaugh played this? It had NOTHING to do with the Government controlling the airwaves. Rush used this as spin to back his "anti-Fairness Doctrine" campaign.

[salin]

120. almost have to appreciate Rush

for his lack of shame... touts things like "anti-fairness"... and folks lap it up. scary.

[nolabels]

132. "anti-fairness" is that a code word for people having a beef with.........

the folks with less dark skin tones :think:

Pass the oxycotin :nopity:

[salin]

133. to Rush

anti-fairness is the ability to accuse anyone of anything but cry discrimination and police state when caught breaking multiple laws for offenses that send other folks (particularly those of groups he tends to deride) straight to jail.

[F.Gordon]

123. If this damn thread wasn't so long already

With the little hijacking going on above.......

I'd add another tidbit or two for you Will. Another "dot" or two. I'd add some links regarding the National Religious Broadcasters. And yes, Bush* has some "ties" to this.

But since it seems that everytime I "kick" this thread the kiddies above start going at it....I'll defer this to another thread. Another day.

[salin]

124. That is a shame

I would be very interested in reading that to which you refer.

[SeattleRob]

108. I agree

First, I will not defend Stern. I cannot say for certain whether he is racist, sexist, or homophobic, but I am certain he tries to appeal to those traits in his audience members.

I agree with what some of the other folks said. If Stern was a pro-Bush conservative, they wouldn't have taken him off the air.

I've heard first hand reports from family who work for Clear Channel and I doubt very much they would be doing "the right thing" on any issue. To them, money is the bottom line. Because it's in their interest to kiss up to Bush, they took this action against Stern.

[GreenPartyVoter]

118. Since you've got an in, can you talk to them about

getting some liberal talk shows going? *l*

[redqueen]

126. This is an 'issue'?

WTF?!