Radio's Michael Savage Sues Websites

About Radio ^ | 6/13/03

[GrandMoM]

Radio and TV talk-show host, Michael Savage, has filed a $500,000 lawsuit against three websites who are critical of his program and views: savagestupidity.com, michaelsavagesucks.com, and takebackthemedia.com.

Savage, whose highly popular Radio show prompted MSNBC to hire him in March for a weekend television version, was subsequently targeted by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation with an advertiser boycott.

MSNBC lost a handful of sponsors because of it and Savage's Radio sponsors have also felt the heat.

Savage and Talk Radio Network, the company that distributes his Radio show, have filed the lawsuit against the three websites alleging they have interfered with his business relationships by endorsing the boycott.

In a nutshell, that's the situation.

Now a comment. Even though he's extremely conservative, I think Michael Savage is interesting to listen to. But, I'm surprised at his seemingly low level of tolerance. The old saying goes, "If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen." If you want to be controversial, don't expect everyone to like you or want you to succeed. Get my point?

Boycotting sponsors is nothing new. It's almost the American way!

Dictionary.com defines "boycott" this way: "To abstain from or act together in abstaining from using, buying, or dealing with as an expression of protest or disfavor or as a means of coercion."

Boycotts have been challenged in court before and there is substantial case law on the subject. Granted, there can be illegal aspects to them but, more often than not, they are proven perfectly constitutional.

If Michael Savage's lawsuit is not settled before going to court, the burden of proof will be on him and personally - from what I've read so far - I think it will be a big burden.

- Corey Deitz

[GrandMoM]

GO GET'TEM MICHAEL!!!!!

[Dianna]

have interfered with his business relationships by endorsing the boycott.

Is this against the law?

[Drango]

Uh, half the FReepers here have boycotted one thing or another...It's the American way.

[Normal4me]

This doesn't have a chance,imo. And we are hypocrites if we endorse it. How many FR threads were about boycotting France, dixie sluts, Danny Glover, etc...

[IYAS9YAS]

It may be less about boycotts and more about content on the sites. Don't know about the sites, but you'd think he'd understand how boycotts work. My guess is he's suing over slander/libel type stuff.

[KarlInOhio]

You are prohibited from taking place in any boycotts and are required to buy all the Dixie Chicks CDs and 5 pounds of stinky French cheese.

Unless a lot was left out of the story, Savage is out of line in the lawsuit.

[Hodar]

In America, you are free to boycott at will, you are also free to sue at will. It's now a contest of 'deep pockets'. Michael can sue anyone, for any reason; and for every dollar he spends suing, the recipent must spend some amount on defense. Michael has deep pockets, and if you want to fight with him, he'll be delighted to throw enough money at making your life miserable, that you will either cease and desist .... or go bankrupt. Either way, he wins. If they want to fight dirty, Savage will accomodate them.

[GrandMoM]

. If they want to fight dirty, Savage will accomodate them.....my thoughts exactly!!!

[steve50]

Sounds like his ego can't take criticism to me. I've gotten emails from conservative web publications asking me to boycott France, Dixie Chicks, ect. I you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen. Sounds like he's more of a whiner than a savage.

[GrandMoM]

Savage is out of line in the lawsuit.I thought so too!, I think Savage has a lot good ideas, but lately he is getting on my nerves. He is just to crude!

[HighWheeler]

I have been boycotting Savage's show for about a 1/2 year. I hope I don't get sued. He is pretty much of a jerk, loud, and he doesn't understand strategy nor political concessions.

I got very tired of him while he was bashing Bush because Bush wasn't making the immediate move into Iraq. Again, Savage doesn't understand simple things like setting up the RATS and UN, setting up the troops, and planning a strategy against an adversary to minimize losses against the gains.

I'll bet he can't play chess to save his ass, either.

[DPB101]

Exactly correct. The left does this all the time. The ACLU gets schools to do what it wants just by threatening a lawsuit. The victim crowd has checks handed to it by suggesting someone has been slighted.

[Digger]

Sounds like he's more of a "whiner" than a savage.

Do you mean "Weiner"? His original name was Michael Alan Weiner.

[HarryDunne]

Ah, the Michael Savage "have you read my book?" info-mercial. I can only take him in small doses.

[Hodar]

Sounds like his ego can't take criticism to me.

Savage has said something to the effect of 'if people disagree with me ... fine. But when they go after my sponsors, affecting my earnings, I'll fight them head-on. I'll go after their money." And that is exactly what he is doing. Will he win in a court of law? Probably not. Will he cost his attackers some cold, hard cash .... I'd say the odds are roughly 'absolutely'.

[duckbutt]

I like Michael, but somehow, the "Weiner Nation" just doesn't have the same "panache"..... :-)

[Stew Padasso]

What a jerk.

[onedoug]

About a year ago, Savage claimed the Dow would soon level-off at about 5000, where some market-type told him was it's "natural level". Maybe that's where Martha Stewart really got her information.

Maybe she should sue the bastard.

[Jorge]

And we are hypocrites if we endorse it. How many FR threads were about boycotting France, dixie sluts, Danny Glover, etc...

Supporting boycotts when they are right and opposing them when they are wrong doesn't make one a hypocrite...it just makes one, right. :)