Posted on 09/25/2001 7:53:36 PM PDT by BubbaLaw
Edited on 09/03/2002 4:49:20 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Here's some good news for embattled "Politically Incorrect" host Bill Maher, whose late-night talk show lost advertisers and was taken off the air last week by WJLA and two other ABC affiliates over his Sept. 17 on-air comment that, unlike the suicide terrorists, "we have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away." Bicoastal pundit Arianna Huffington, a frequent Maher guest, is spearheading a drive to keep the show on the air, urging fans to call Walt Disney Co. and sign an online petition (www4.PetitionOnline.com/promaher/petition.html) decrying "blatant attempts to silence Mr. Maher." At press time, more than 1,500 people, including writers Digby Diehl and Todd Gitlin, and comedian Elayne Boosler, had offered their names.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The petition has a comment field that lets you express yourself.
In a related story, O.J. Simpson has started a petition to keep Bill Maher on the air.
"I think he's the sharpest guy on television," the former NFL star said yesterday, "He's a real cutthroat kind of host, and really slices through all the bullsh!t."
/sarcasm off/
Who?
I recognize the Clintons, and the Gores, on the list, however.
I had no idea Arianna was bicoastal. Does her (ex)husband know?
I've signed the petition a couple of times now. The last time I signed under the name "Bye, Bye Maher, you ignorant dickhead." I don't think they are getting the kind of responses that they wanted. See http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?promaher&1
Thank you for the opportunity to clarify my comments made on Monday's "Politically Incorrect" which should have been expressed differently. In no way was I intending to say, nor have I ever thought, that the men and women who defend our nation in uniform are anything but courageous and valiant, and I offer my apologies to anyone who took it wrong. My criticism was meant for politicians who, fearing public reaction, have not allowed our military to do the job they are obviously ready, willing and able to do, and who now will, I'm certain, as they always have, get it done.
For some strange reason I don't find his apology sincere....
: P
It's the business of ABC/Disney and it's shareholders if Maher keeps his job or gets fired. I read some of the posts on the "petition". It's amazing how many people don't understand what censorship is. Or is not. What free speech is, or is not. What property is, or is not.
Mr Maher can say anything he wants, anytime he wants, just not anywhere he wants. But he can continue to say whatever he wants on ABC. As long as he wants. If he can figure out a way to buy ABC.
The SOB shot himself in the foot. Tough!
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