Others here also have expressed similar opinions. Let me assure you that the people who program TV would never do such a thing. It would get them fired and TV is a land of trying to survive.
To be fair, I'm sure you're right. My tongue was half planted in cheek when I made that comment.
The problem is, if "gotcha" isn't the explanation, then the only remaining ones are sheer stupidity and/or incompetence. Because like I said, it was completely and totally predictable (even people who like Savage would admit this!) that Savage would eventually make a comment like this one. And if MSNBC knew that, and deems such comments to be against their standards and fire-worthy, why did they hire him? Incompetence. Or if they didn't know that, why not? Stupidity. Why didn't they uh investigate Savage a little (listen to his radio show) before giving him the forum? Incompetence.
Incompetence and stupidity, or "gotcha" conspiracy.. take your pick. ;-)