Posted on 06/19/2011 3:23:35 PM PDT by Brandonmark
NBC golf commentators just apologized for a big oops that has people fired up all over the Internet.
In a patriotic, rah-rah-America video that opened NBC's coverage Sunday of the U.S. Open Golf Championship, the reading of the Pledge of Allegiance by a group of children in a classroom setting ommitted the phrase "under God."
This was the abbreviated version: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, with liberty and justice for all."
The kids can actually be heard reciting the pledge twice; the second version leaves out "under God" and "one nation," too.
Immediately, viewers cried foul, taking to Twitter and comment boards, calling NBC "scumbugs" and pledging to boycott the network.
Later, NBC commentators apologized to viewers who had been offended.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/19/2960837/nbc-dumps-god-from-pledge-of-allegiance.html#ixzz1PlJYW3QU
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Blasphemy! 2007
82%
Simple mistake, take a mulligan! 451
18%
Total Votes: 2458
Unfortunately, I didn’t get all of it recorded. Those sponsors mentioned in the part that I have are:
BMW, Mastercard, FedEx, Scottrade, MetLife, Lexus, Bayer, Mazda and Covergirl.
Also, there is a lot of talk on the internet of boycotting NBC and its sponsors. I'm hoping someone else has a list they will share that is more comprehensive than mine. I’ll let you know if and when I find it.
Either way…don't you just love the large amount of negative attention the story hath wrought on NBC? :-)
Either way…don't you just love the large amount of negative attention the story hath wrought on NBC? :-)
Yes, I must admit to engaging in a little schadenfreude here. :)
Today I received a response from Chris McCloskey, Vice President, Communications, NBCUniversal Sports & Olympics Here is what hew wrote and my response to it.
Thank you for writing regarding your concern over the beginning of our U.S. Open coverage on Sunday.
We are aware of the distress this has caused many of our viewers and are taking the issue very seriously.
Unfortunately, when producing the piece – which was intended to capitalize on the patriotism of having our national championship played in our nation’s capital – a decision was made by a to edit portions of the Pledge of Allegiance.
This was a bad decision.
As soon as management became aware of this decision and the controversy it justifiably created, it immediately took steps to correct it resulting in an on-air apology provided by NBC Sports’ lead golf commentator Dan Hicks.
It was not the intent of NBC to upset anyone and we sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended.
Thank you again for taking the time to voice your concerns.
Sincerely,
Chris McCloskey
Vice President, Communications
NBCUniversal Sports & Olympics
______________________________________________________________________
Mr. McCloskey,
Thank you for your response.
As I am sure you are aware, the 'apology' offered by NBC rang hollow with many, myself included, and it did so for two reasons.
1) The word 'God' was omitted from the apology also confirming in my mind that NBC just refuses to use the word 'God', be it in the Pledge or otherwise. Why is that? What does NBC find so offensive in the use of that word? You do realize, do you not, that recent polls have shown that 85% of Americans identify themselves as Christians. Additionally, Jews, Muslims and many others of varying beliefs use the word 'God' so they were possibly offended as well.
2) The apology was not an apology for omitting the word 'God', it was rendered, it seems, only because NBC realized it had offended so many. This leads me to believe, and I know I am not alone in my beliefs, that NBC is not sincere in its apology for attempting to usurp an act of congress ('God' was added to the Pledge by congress in 1954) but NBC only regrets having offended and alienated so many.
You said NBC has taken this issue seriously. Could you please share with me what punishment, if any, the 'small group of people' will face for having deliberately offended millions of NBC viewers? I own a company --- if anyone within the ranks of my company made a decision that was so adversative to company policy and in the process offended millions, resignations would be due. So what actions will NBC be taking? Will the 'small group of people' have committed this egregious error with impunity?
Again, I thank you for your response but am sorry to say that I still believe, as do many, that NBC's apology was intended as damage control only and not as an atonement for the intended and deliberate affront to the majority of Americans who watch TV sports. Real actions, in the form of firings or resignations, are due. Please impress me, Mr. McCloskey; please convince me NBC is sincere.
Regards,
South40
We need to keep the pressure up on these people who would so casually malign what our country should represent and I applaud you for setting such a fine example here.
Please let me know if and when you hear back from them.
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