Hope that Michael Graham gets a national show and soon.
The First Amendment and I have been evicted...
Nonsense. The government is not involved, and private employers are not required to air every view. They have the right to broadcast whatever opinions they wish, and if a host doesn't air those opinions they have the right to pull him off the air (pursuant to whatever contract he has).
This is not a First Amendment issue. As sympathetic as I am to him, his silly hyperbole doesn't help.
As a private business, ABC had the right to fire the man. But it was craven and foolish and (let us hope) it may not come out quite the way they planned.
Sorry, CAIR, gotta be honest. Does this mean if I say something critical of Islam, I lose my job, too? Curious how Muslims can say all kinds of bizarre crap about Christianity and Judaism, and nothing happens to them.
I'm sure CAIR would not object if a Muslim radio personaity called the Jews monkeys and Christians infidels and crusaders.
Anyone for trying an illegal termination lawsuit ?
The station does run a disclaimer that "opinions voiced are not necessarily the opinions of the station".
MG's ratings were not impacted. Further, MG was performing his job as discussing his opinions and this listeners opinions.
A lawsuit might be a good idea and even if it loses, it at least serves notice that firing someone for viewpoints that are unrelated to job performance (ratings) might not wash.
Graham should simply compile a list of Islamic sources (including the Koran and Hadith, as well as contemporary sources from prominent imams and mullahs) that explicitly condone violence against "infidels." It wouldn't be hard to do. Then he should send that list to CAIR and to ABC and demand that CAIR publicly repudiate those sources. If they refuse, Graham is vindicated.
The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. It has nothing to do with an employee on a radio station saying things the owners of the station don't like.
This fellow might be smart in his commentary about CAIR but he shows he's a dunce when it comes to the first amendment. And, by the way, it seems to me that Michael Graham now has a WIDER audience and is more well known today he ever has been before. In his "business" that's a good thing. And, he has been "speaking freely" about his firing and his commentary on CAIR all over the place. he has hardly been silenced and appears to have actually found a bigger voice. A voice that has no "right" to be heard, just the right to speak.
CAIR is one of 100's of thousands of tax exempt entities that in my view should not be tax exempt at all. CAIR is a 501 (c)(4) and donations to them are not tax deductible but I wonder why we allow a tax exempt status to such a group. We need to rethink the laws governing so-called nonprofits in America and kill off a lot of these groups that are in business to push their own political agendas, enrich their handlers or just outright launder money. A charity should be a charity, not PETA or CAIR or even Juducial Watch for that matter. Makes these people operate these businesses and tax them unless they are actually doing charitable work.
I waonder how many people in the MSM will rally behind Graham? Apart from Fox, probably very few.
And by the way, CAIR, how many Islamics knew about 9/11 in advance, and said nothing to prevent it? And how many Islamics suddenly got the urge to leave the United States in a big hurry on September 12th? And how many of your brother Islamics in the U.S. are still actively supporting Al Qaeda?
Tell the gutless weasels at WMAL and ABC Radio what you think about their actions here:
http://www.abcradio.com/index.cfm?bay=comm.vpcontact
http://www.630wmal.com/contactus.asp
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TUESDAY, AUGUST 23, 2005
IT'S NICE TO KNOW ABC RADIO MADE SOMEBODY HAPPY: "CAIR applauded WMAL's decision [to fire Graham]. The organization had asked the station for a retraction or an apology, but 'we didn't get specific on what [Graham] should say,' said Rabiah Ahmed, a spokeswoman. 'We were looking for an acknowledgment that his statements were anti-Muslim and hateful, and harmful to our community and our country's image.'
DOES ANYONE REALLY "CAIR?" Some of the CYA spin now coming from the folks who caved into CAIR's demands is that CAIR's pressure had nothing to do with my firing. Instead, I was fired because...and then the story breaks down. Because I wouldn't apologize (would you be asking for an apology if CAIR weren't protesting?), or because the station found my comments offensive (then why did you let me spend FOUR DAYS IN A ROW saying them on the air without objection?).
Well, let's check the record. After four days of happily broadcasting my "controversial comments" on 630 WMAL, CAIR mounts a campaign of complaint. Listeners support my comments on loaded phone lines. Result: I'm suspended without pay.
After I'm suspended, CAIR issues a press release (July 29th) complaining that suspension isn't enough and I should be fire. Listeners swamp the station to support me and oppose my suspension. Result: I'm fired.
Now, it could be that ignoring your own listeners and making decisions to outrage them is a new business model for successful talk radio. It could be a mere coincidence that the station happened to give CAIR what it wanted.
Hey--I report, you decide.
This guy needs to write a book and go on the lecture circuit and bring the light of day to the activities and motives of CAIR!
ABC/Disney is one of the most pathetic, craven anti-American corporations on the planet. One does well to avoid them, whether working for them or making use of their "entertainment" services. Mr. Graham is better off shaking the mouse-droppings from his shoes. Guys like him and Bob Grant know all too well the kind of feckless vermin that run Disney.
ABC radio isn't interested in presenting two sides of any story, only the left wing cloying stance of here we are, lovers of Muslim killers and killers of truth tellers.
If he doesn't sue ABC and CAIR for at least a billion dollars then he is just a whiner.
I would love to see ABC make the case that Islam isn't related to terrorism before a citizen jury.
I wonder if he'll be a guest on any talk show?
Has the ACLU offered their 1st Amendment support to
Graham? (sarcasm)