Stern Threatens To Quit If Bush Signs Indecency Bill

FMQB ^ | March 11, 2004

[GulliverSwift]

The Howard Stern saga continues. Although Infinity is saying they will stand by their man, Stern is threatening to quit anyway if President Bush signs new indecency legislation into law. On this morning's show, Congressman Gary Ackerman called in to discuss the bill and assure Stern that he would not sign it. Ackerman said the vote on the bill is happening today, and that he feels it will easily pass through the right wing-controlled House but that the Senate may veto it. (The bill passed in the House this afternoon, see separate story.) Stern replied by saying that if Bush signs the bill, he will resign as soon as it becomes a law. In fact, he went as far as to say that he's so tired of getting censored every morning that he may resign anyway, even if the bill isn't signed by Bush. Stern lamented that he just wants to do comedy his way, and radio has become too much of a battle.

While he could just be saying that out of anger and frustration, Stern reiterated that FCC sources have told him that Chairman Michael Powell wants him off the air, whether it be now or after the next presidential election, and he dared Powell to issue his indecency fines now instead of waiting until after the election. He also made the point that he believes his suspension by Clear Channel was directly related to him denouncing President Bush in the past few months, rather than specific incidents of indecency.

While Infinity is insisting that Stern won't be gone anytime soon, he said on the air today he has not ruled out the idea of going to satellite radio. However, he feels that satellite companies are not prepared to quickly manufacture the number of radios that would be needed to accommodate all of his fans that would want to buy them, should he decide to make that move. Stern believes that only about 50,000 receivers are ready to go and the demand could be up to 5 million, and that they don't have the technology to roll out the equipment fast enough.

However, an Infinity source told Radio Business Report that the satellite move won't happen. "He's not going to satellite," said the source. "First of all, he can't. He's under contract with us for two more years. So it's not even an issue... we're going to defend him."

[oceanview]

not with Janet Reno as atty general.

[dinok]

"What could be in an "indecency bill" that would impact Rush?"

The question is not what you and I think is indecency. Its that we give the government the power to decide what it is. To democrats, dogs having sex with my dead grandmother is not half as bad as Rush's monologue every day at noon.

In liberal canada...the bibble is hate speach. Don't you get it? You and I talking here is offensive to the liberals.

[Keeper of the Turf]

If parents spent more time teaching their children right and wrong, instead of trying to control everybody else's life, then the kids would simply turn it off themselves.

Oh, if life were so easy. Maybe it is for a simpleton like yourself.

[KosmicKitty]

Is there any way we can legally hold him to this??

I'm really tired of the "I'm taking my toys and moving to France" line without the speaker being held to their statement!!

[isthisnickcool]

I was flipping the cable channels a few weeks back and ran across Howard Stern on E!

He had two nekkid women with sticks stuck up their back ends. The women were "positioned" such that the sticks were sticking "up". The purpose for this was so that others could toss rings around the sticks for "points". A "ring toss" game.

Now that's real good TV, eh? I'm sure the people that do the Emmys are totally agreed that awards are in order.

I'd hope that the market would see this kind of garbage and Stern would wither away from lack of people listening. But alas (no pun from above story, really) that's not the case. The question is do we really want the gov't involved in such things when the radios and TV's have on/off switches? I'm not too sure the problem is Stern. It seems the problem is with the people that like Sterns garbage and that parents who are responsible for the on/off switch are not watching the siwtch and/or their children.

I'm not sure what we do with Stern if anything since this kind of thing opens up a can of worms. Maybe we could make Stern stick a stick up his bottom and then have FCC Chairman Powell toss rings at it? Nah!

[Blue Scourge]

Alright Howard...I'm calling your bluff.

[SheLion]

Howard used to speak highly of President Bush.

Then, he started dating that bimbo model, Beth, and his views completely changed.

I blame Bimbo Model BETH!

[whereasandsoforth]

Stern was fun, but his time has past. It happens to all those that try to live their lives inside a snowglobe.

Stern was funny, now he's not. Stern was daring, now he's not. Stern has stayed too long at the fair. He doesn't even have himself to blame. He is a victim of The Closing Time Blues.

We all had a great time. We laughed a little, drank too much, got dirty just to be dirty. But now we have to go to work in the morning.

The Clinton Years, and Howard Stern's, was fun and raunchy, but we really have to be grown-ups in the morning. This is not The Clinton Years. We HAVE to grow up.

I'm sorry Howard is the last to hear that people are just a bit different today. If Howard REALLY had any talent in the first place he could put his penis back in his pants and entertain the masses without smut. That avenue seems beyond him.

Howard Stern's day started with a full sunrise, a bright morning, and a lazy afternoon. The sunset has some clouds, maybe some rain.

But you got stinky rich, Howard. Take that and run.

[Mulder]

not with Janet Reno as atty general.

Did the statute of limitations expire when he left office?

[winker]

Go Ahead Make My Day!

[the tongue]

I've been saying screw these big radio companies.They used the government to build their empires and now they whine like stuck pigs when the government goes after them. They're so stupid. They fail to recognize that the same hammer you use to build your house can be used to destroy it as well.

[mtg]

Don't go away mad Howard - just go away!

[Keeper of the Turf]

Wow...nicely stated.

[ArmstedFragg]

Stern is threatening to quit anyway if President Bush signs new indecency legislation into law

"Drop your bill or the Stern gets it!"

Didn't I see this bit in Blazing Saddles?

[rwfromkansas]

This Christian conservative thinks South Park is a riot. Yeah, sometimes it is a bit over the top and I wish they would not use so many bad words, but it is just non-stop laughter. I just started watching it, but am honestly shocked at how mild it is compared to what critics said it was like. It really is not that bad.

Stern, on the other hand, is non-stop vile.

[Robert_Paulson2]

The bush administration is said to be telegraphing this one will NOT be signed into law.

Dead in the Senate is very very likely.

and you are exactomundo dittos on the actual use of this law, should it ever see the light of day...

I remember the dems twisted rico laws to go after christian groups over the freedom of speech to protest abortion. and did it successfully... problem is, RICO was an anti organized crime statute designed specificially for the mafiosa and drug cartels.

[NYCVirago]

The Howard Stern saga continues. Although Infinity is saying they will stand by their man, Stern is threatening to quit anyway if President Bush signs new indecency legislation into law.

Quit? He said last week that his show would already be pulled off the air by now, due to eeeevil President Bush. Since that hasn't happened, he's trying to save face.

[Ruth A.]

Either he a) is seeking his name in the headlines or b) he is really tired and wants to quit--but with a bang. As for me, they couldn't pull the plug on him fast enough.

[Prince Charles]

While Infinity is insisting that Stern won't be gone anytime soon, he said on the air today he has not ruled out the idea of going to satellite radio.

Awesome! He'll now have to convince his audience of mouth-breathing morons to $hell out big bucks for satellite radio! LOL!

[Robert_Paulson2]

what could be in the rico statute, used to prosecute christian abortion protestors?

it was.
and somewhat successfully too.