Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Clear Channel CEO Responds to Reid (Letter Hand Delivered to Senate)
The Politico ^ | Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | Carrie Budoff Brown

Posted on 10/02/2007 6:43:31 PM PDT by kristinn

Edited on 10/02/2007 7:29:10 PM PDT by Sidebar Moderator. [history]

Clear Channel CEO Mark P. Mays responded to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in a letter hand-delivered to his office this evening.

Take a look at the letter here.

Full text:

October 2, 2007

The Honorable Harry Reid

S-221 United States Capitol

Washington, D.C. 20501

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

I want to thank you and your Senate Democratic colleagues for sharing your concern over recent comments made by Rush Limbaugh on his daily radio program. First, let me say that the men and women who wear the uniform in defense of our country deserve the utmost respect and gratitude from each and every one of us whom they serve to protect. I assure you that I fully agree with your statement that “not a single one of our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends serving overseas is a phony soldier.” As a grateful American citizen, I would reject anyone’s contention to the contrary.

Mr. Limbaugh’s comments last week have stirred a lot of emotion, and I have carefully read the transcript from the episode in question. I hope you will appreciate that I cannot speak with authority as to whom exactly Mr. Limbaugh’s comments were directed, or what was his intent. Only Mr. Limbaugh can speak to those issues, which he has done.

I can say, however, that over the years Mr. Limbaugh has repeatedly praised the dedication and valor of our brave men and women in uniform. Given Mr. Limbaugh’s history of support for our soldiers, it would be unfair for me to assume his statements were intended to personally indict combat soldiers simply because they didn’t share his own beliefs regarding the war in Iraq. However, if Mr. Limbaugh’s intention was to classify any soldier opposed to the war in Iraq as a “phony soldier,” which he denies, then I, along with most Americans, would be deeply offended by such a statement.

While I do not agree with everything Mr. Limbaugh says on every topic, I do believe that he, along with every American, has the right to voice his or her opinion in the manner they choose. The First Amendment gives every American the right to voice his or her opinion, no matter how unpopular. That right is one that I am sure you agree must be cherished and protected.

As the Chief Executive Officer of Clear Channel, I support each of our on-air talent’s right to express his or herself freely, as long as they do it within the confines of the laws set forth by Congress. For this reason, I have not and will not impose my own views upon any of our on-air talent. Doing so would, quite frankly, undermine the integrity of the broadcast, undercut the trust with our listeners that they are receiving the true and honest opinions of the radio host, and more importantly fly directly in the face the right to free speech that we hold so dear.

Each and every day, Clear Channel airs a broad diversity of viewpoints from Rush Limbaugh on the right to Air America on the left of the political spectrum. It is inevitable, with so many different perspectives, than an on-air personality will challenge or even offend another segment of the public. I too am sometimes offended by words that are directed at me or a particular belief I hold. However, as a broadcaster and leader of this company, I will always defend the right of our employees and contracted talent to voice their opinions under the protections provided by the First Amendment.

I want to thank you and your colleagues for writing me regarding this matter. Again, I regret that you were offended by Mr. Limbaugh’s statement, regardless of what its intended meaning may have been. I hope that you understand and support my position that while I certainly do not agree with all views that are voiced on our stations, I will not condemn our talent for exercising their right to voice them.

Sincerely,
Mark P. Mays
Chief Executive Officer


TOPICS: Cuba; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: clearchannel; mediamatters; reid; rushlimbaugh
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 381-387 next last
To: kristinn

That’s about the most honey covered “Go To Hell” I’ve ever read.


21 posted on 10/02/2007 6:54:22 PM PDT by oldenuff2no (My dad ldft for Europe in)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Bushbacker1

Having read it several times … I agree.


22 posted on 10/02/2007 6:54:29 PM PDT by doc1019 (Fred Thompson '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Dan(9698)
An ethics complaint should be filed and acted upon.

I agree...too bad there isn't any Repuglican Senators with any testicular fortitude to do just that.
23 posted on 10/02/2007 6:54:34 PM PDT by rottndog (Government is a necessary evil, but as with all evils, the less of it the better.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

I wrote him this morning and gave him a script to use. While he didn’t use it, I am glad he responded. I also asked all of my co-workers to do the same. The stupid attack from Reid and Harkin should be addressed by people who love this Country and will not accept stupid actions from the Senate.


24 posted on 10/02/2007 6:54:40 PM PDT by eyedigress
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
We'd be a lot better off if the soft talkers would say nothing at all.

25 posted on 10/02/2007 6:55:27 PM PDT by I see my hands (_8(|)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

The letter is masterful verbal Aikido. I’m impressed as all get out. I’m also a new big fan of Clear Channel leadership. So many corporate suits have caved in recent months and years, it’s quite refreshing.


26 posted on 10/02/2007 6:55:28 PM PDT by jimfree (Freep and ye shall find.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oh Brother

from drudge

Senator Harry Reid, Majority Leader
Senator Richard Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader
Senator Charles Schumer, Vice Chairman, Democratic Conference
Senator Patty Murray, Secretary, Democratic Conference
Senator Daniel Akaka
Senator Max Baucus
Senator Joseph Biden
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Sherrod Brown
Senator Robert Byrd
Senator Benjamin Cardin
Senator Tom Carper
Senator Bob Casey
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton
Senator Kent Conrad
Senator Christopher Dodd
Senator Byron Dorgan
Senator Dianne Feinstein
Senator Tom Harkin
Senator Daniel Inouye
Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Senator John Kerry
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Senator Mary Landrieu
Senator Frank Lautenberg
Senator Patrick Leahy
Senator Carl Levin
Senator Blanche Lincoln
Senator Bob Menendez
Senator Barbara Mikulski
Senator Bill Nelson
Senator Barack Obama
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Jay Rockefeller
Senator Ken Salazar
Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Debbie Stabenow
Senator Jon Tester
Senator Jim Webb
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse
Senator Ron Wyden


27 posted on 10/02/2007 6:55:46 PM PDT by edzo4
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: doug from upland
It should have been a stronger statement.

I agree.

28 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:16 PM PDT by processing please hold (Duncan Hunter '08) (ROP and Open Borders-a terrorist marriage and hell's coming with them)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

Dear Harry:

Stuff it.

More to follow...


29 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:21 PM PDT by Rocky (Dan Rather and the NYT: Fake but accurate)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
The Clintoon machine is back in high gear aided and abetted by McCain Feingold.
30 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:31 PM PDT by vetsvette (Bring Him Back)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jimfree

Clear Channel Leadership knows who butters their bread...


31 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:35 PM PDT by rottndog (Government is a necessary evil, but as with all evils, the less of it the better.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

P.S. By the way, Harry, Dixie Chicks still aren’t gonna be played. Plbbbbttt!!!!


32 posted on 10/02/2007 6:56:50 PM PDT by RabidBartender (Al-Qaeda doesn't need an intelligence network. They have the U.S. media.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
"The Honorable Harry Reid"

*Snort*

33 posted on 10/02/2007 6:57:10 PM PDT by Enterprise (Those who "betray us" also "Betray U.S." They're called DEMOCRATS!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

This is the kind of nonsense misguided Democrats think is doing the “people’s business”.

Rush’s audience must have doubled today. This is really going to back fire.


34 posted on 10/02/2007 6:57:22 PM PDT by Keflavik76 (Castro may be dead, but he's still the life of the party!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kristinn

I’m more convinced than ever that the left, ordained by the Clinton machine, is coordinating a down and dirty, slash and burn attack on their political enemies in the media. This is a part of their 2008 presidential strategy to get Hillary in the White House.

Imus, FOX NEWS, O’Reilly, now Rush.

They are going after our big boys, they want payback...big time....but most of all they want the Clintons back in power.


35 posted on 10/02/2007 6:57:39 PM PDT by YaYa123
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bill1952
How is the Reid letter not a de facto Bill of Attainder?

It's not a bill. If Congress passed and Bush signed a law censuring Limbaugh, then it would be a Bill of Attainder and therefore unconstitutional.

36 posted on 10/02/2007 6:57:57 PM PDT by edsheppa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
NUTS!!
37 posted on 10/02/2007 6:58:22 PM PDT by GRRRRR (The Libtards are spoiling for a big fight!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bill1952
How is the Reid letter not a de facto Bill of Attainder?

That's what I've been asking, he should be taken to task for it.

38 posted on 10/02/2007 6:58:35 PM PDT by JPJones
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: kristinn
Had dinner tonight with best friend and his wife and she mentioned that she heard Rush Limbaugh was in big trouble. I asked her to explain and she just heard that he said something bad about the soldiers and was being called on it. I then explained to her what the real situation was and she said “oh, I guess the folks at work are wrong". I then explained the media bias and how something like this happens all the time with the media and the next thing she said was “I doubt that”. It was a long night at the dinner table after that as I tried to explain to my friends the bias happening and they just wouldn't’t buy it. They think I’m a little nuts. Aaaaaauuuuuuggggghhhhh!!!! This is so frustrating. I’ll tell you the media is really affecting people's views that don’t know better like we do. We have a tough battle folks.
39 posted on 10/02/2007 6:58:54 PM PDT by In God I trust
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Oh Brother

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashsr.htm

the text of the letter as well

October 2, 2007

Mr. Mark P. Mays
CEO, Clear Channel Communications Inc.
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209

Dear Mr. Mays,

At the time we sign this letter, 3,808 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, and another 28,009 have been wounded. 160,000 others awoke this morning on foreign sand, far from home, to face the danger and uncertainty of another day at war.

Although Americans of goodwill debate the merits of this war, we can all agree that those who serve with such great courage deserve our deepest respect and gratitude. That is why Rush Limbaugh’s recent characterization of troops who oppose the war as “phony soldiers” is such an outrage.

Our troops are fighting and dying to bring to others the freedoms that many take for granted. It is unconscionable that Mr. Limbaugh would criticize them for exercising the fundamentally American right to free speech. Mr. Limbaugh has made outrageous remarks before, but this affront to our soldiers is beyond the pale.

The military, like any community within the United States, includes members both for and against the war. Senior generals, such as General John Batiste and Paul Eaton, have come out against the war while others have publicly supported it. A December 2006 poll conducted by the Military Times found just 35 percent of service members approved of President Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq, compared to 42 percent who disapproved. From this figure alone, it is clear that Mr. Limbaugh’s insult is directed at thousands of American service members.

Active and retired members of our armed forces have a unique perspective on the war and offer a valuable contribution to our national debate. In August, seven soldiers wrote an op-ed expressing their concern with the current strategy in Iraq. Tragically, since then, two of those seven soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.

Thousands of active troops and veterans were subjected to Mr. Limbaugh’s unpatriotic and indefensible comments on your broadcast. We trust you will agree that not a single one of our sons, daughters, neighbors and friends serving overseas is a “phony soldier.” We call on you to publicly repudiate these comments that call into question their service and sacrifice and to ask Mr. Limbaugh to apologize for his comments.


40 posted on 10/02/2007 6:59:01 PM PDT by edzo4
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 381-387 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson