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
Didn’t the impeached *Crinton declare that the ‘politics of personal destruction’ should end? Looks like the RATS have perfected it - eh?
What amazes me, but doesn’t surprise me, is that none of the signers ever listen to Rush, nor did any of them listen to the audio or read the whole transcript. Cowards and sheep of Soros, all!
It’s a shame this man had to waste company time to teach a bunch of Senators about the Constitution.
I agree, they are getting hysterical. The cliff is in sight and they don’t know where the brake pedal is. Hence the 11% approval.
Meanwhile, we have to get our Conservative act together and get a real standard bearer and not another false hope compassionate conservative. We should throw in with Fred by decree and roll. The other candidates are just conservative losers. Need proof, look no further than Florida’s Crist, see the reflection, that’s Rudy-Mitt-Schwarzenegger all roled in one, any one.
He should have responded that “Clear Channel does not get involved in Democrat Party political campaigns”.
Hmmm...a really hard choice for the CEO: Rush, the most successful on-air personality in the history of radio with millions of listeners, vs. Dingy Harry, the biggest flop ever to sit in the Senate Majority Leader’s seat whose wife probably doesn’t even listen to him.
Most Certainly should have been ! i wonder if he listened to the show before writting the letter it sure is a weak stance for someone who should know that rush was in the right on all accounts !
Reid, however, is a coward. Some of them, e.g. Harkin, Biden, maybe Clinton, are stupid enough they'll be speaking in public on the matter within a few days, so Rush can sue them.
Too bad for the Rat- But Ha Ha Ha to the kos klown reading this, an F ..u
I listen to Rush, but Mike Savage is my favorite. Hopefully Savage will be around for a while, but no doubt he will be missed by many millions when he is no longer on air.
The Clinton Goon Squad/Slime Machine would be an excellent topic for another Ann Coulter Expose....
HINT HINT!
That's about the same amount of diplomacy that I would exercise too.
Having taken the Senate floor in support of the ENEMY in wartime certainly smacks of treason in my book.
The head of the Senate "Ethics Committee" is Barbara Boxer. Ain't no way that she would allow it to reach the light of day.
Look at how the Jefferson $90K in the refrigerator has been handled by the Democrat-controlled House......
BUMP
I wonder if Rush can take legal action against Reid and his fellow scumbags?
Seems to me there is a case here.
Hey GRRRRR good ta see ya i miss talkin freepmail me sometime we’ll chat !
What is it then?
ESAD REID
Thanks for the ping, CC!
The way I heard it today, Senators speeches on the floor are exempt from any libel suits.
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