I don’t have any illusions about the state of American media. I know they cater to the lowest common demoninator, and I know ratings are more important than any other consideration. And I am not a fan of politically correct speech. I don’t want to limit the free expression of ideas. But, I am still shocked at what you can get away with saying on America’s airwaves and still maintain your job. If I had a radio program, I would expect to get fired for any of the following:
1. stating that I hated the families of people that died on 9/11.
2. referring to the mainly African-American people that were stranded in the flood waters of New Orleans as ‘scumbags’.
3. stating a desire to murder Michael Moore.
4. applauding the torture of another human being.
5. calling the father of a recently decapitated American citizen a ‘scumbag’.
Even if I didn’t lose my job as a radio personality for saying these hateful things, I would expect that uttering them would preclude me from getting a job in the mainstream media. If I had any shot at all of landing a plum job on the cable news, I would expect it to be FOX News that would give the offer. But CNN?
But according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, CNN has hired a man that has made all of the aforementioned statements. His name is Glenn Beck, and I have never heard of him. However, when I read his quotes at Media Matters, I recognized them. I just hadn’t realized they had all originated from the same source.
After you get done reading the quotes in full (below the fold), please contact CNN and let them know that you think it is unacceptable to air the views of someone as overtly racist as Glenn Beck.
* On families of the victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks: “[T]his is horrible to say, and I wonder if I’m alone in this — you know, it took me about a year to start hating the 9-11 victims’ families? Took me about a year.”
* On Hurricane Katrina survivors who remained in New Orleans: “And that’s all we’re hearing about, are the people in New Orleans. Those are the only ones that we’re seeing on television are the scumbags — and again, it’s not all the people in New Orleans. Most of the people in New Orleans got out! It’s just a small percentage of those who were left in New Orleans, or who decided to stay in New Orleans, and they’re getting all the attention.”
* Discussing disclosures from a caller who claimed to have tortured prisoners in U.S. custody: “I’ve got to tell you, I appreciate your service. … Good for you. Good for — I mean, good for you. Is it because you did it for the country? … I have to tell you, when all is said and done, I’m glad people like you are on our side.”
* On filmmaker Michael Moore: “Hang on, let me just tell you what I’m thinking. I’m thinking about killing Michael Moore, and I’m wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it. No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out — is this wrong?”
* On the father of Nick Berg, American civilian executed in Iraq: “The want to be a better person today than I was yesterday says he’s a dad, he’s grieving, but I don’t buy that. I’m sorry, I don’t buy it. I think he is grieving, but I think he’s a scumbag as well. I don’t like this guy at all.”
