Posted on 09/19/2001 9:35:35 AM PDT by jern
Sept. 19, 2001, 9:00AM
Federal Express ordered its ads removed from the ABC late-night series Politically Incorrect on Tuesday after the show's host referred to recent U.S. military actions as "cowardly."
After receiving complaints from around the country, including Houston, Federal Express reviewed Monday's edition of the show and decided to act, company spokesperson Carla Richards said.
Richards said she did not know how many complaints the company received, but that they were of sufficient quantity to merit the actions the company took.
"The (30-second) ad that runs during that show has been pulled for the indefinite future," Richards said.
Dinesh D'Souza, a panelist on Monday's show, quibbled with a reference made by President George W. Bush that the suicide bombers were cowards, noting that they gave up their lives for whatever may be their cause.
"These are warriors," D'Souza said, "and we have to realize that the principles of our way of life are in conflict with people in the world."
"We have been the cowards lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away," said Bill Maher, the host of Politically Incorrect. "That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building, say what you want about it, it's not cowardly."
"I was just appalled," said Dan Patrick, general manager of KSEV (700 AM) and host of a radio talk show. "When you call our men in the (armed forces) cowards and our military policy cowardly, and when you call these hijackers `warriors,' that should not be tolerated."
Patrick urged listeners to call KTRK and urge the station to stop carrying the "irresponsible" program. Other hosts of KSEV talk shows made the same request.
"The First Amendment gives us the freedom of speech, but it does not guarantee anyone a TV show or a TV camera or a radio show, for that matter," Patrick said. "If Bill Maher believes that Americans are cowards and hijackers are warriors, let him go out on the street corner and shout that. But Disney does not have to give him a TV show and Channel 13 does not have to air that show."
KTRK said it received a number of calls -- "in the low hundreds," the station said. The station said it receives triple that amount when it pre-empts a soap opera. It had no further comment.
ABC issued a statement saying, in part, that Politically Incorrect "celebrates freedom of speech and encourages the animated exchange of ideas and opinions. Understandably, this forum can oftentimes arouse intense emotions, especially during such a sensitive time.
"While we remain sensitive to the current climate following last week's tragedy, and continue to do our part to help viewers cope with unfolding events, we have an obligation to offer a forum for the expression of our nation's diverse opinions."
Folks, this is some of that indirect *feedback* I alluded was crucial some months back; when we were speculating on the exact effectiveness of boycotts, mail campaigns et al?
It was said that in all but the most extreme of circumstance, would the media's stone-wall be breached enough so we could take an accurate measurement of angry consummer's impact on a corporation.
Well my compatriots?
Here's just such a breach.
We need to discuss this matter in greater detail.
Thanks.
Does that make your comments half-truish?
I hate the guy too.
Can't wait till he's through.
Who watches his show,
I really don't know,
Bye-bye now I've got to go.
Burma Shave.
And smart, if you believe in killing innocent people, because your own fighters live to be able to kill more innocent people. I wonder why Bin Laden didn't do it that way?
Wouldn't you rather have a little friendly disruption on FR than NO MORE Freedom to complain on these threads? Someone has to pay the bills.
How much have YOU contributed???
To play the verbal game, though, it is COWARDLY to lob a 'million dollar missile into an empty $10 tent and hit a camel in the butt."
What Maher will never confornt is the fact that his hero and role model, x42 xill xlinton, enabled the terrorists while jerking off in the Oval Office for 8 years. He'll never understand that only a real man, a grown-up, a Texas Ranger, has the stuff to nail these bastards.
Brokaw/Rather/Jennings, the entire crew will NEVER GRASP THAT FACT.
ARRRRGHHHHH!!!! They piss me off.
It is NOT courageous for armed men to bully, slash, and intimidate, and kill unarmed, inoffensive persons without the slightest justification or excuse. It is despicable, snivelling cowardice.
Let these terrorists try the same tactics with plane load of armed Special Forces soldiers and I will call them courageous.
How true!!
Instead of using his millions of dollars to build a better life for his brothers (venture capitalism, opening factories to employ them, etc), he is using his millions to have them kill themselves.
That's right...Houston.
Boy-oh-boy; the FedEx'rs know-not what they've bought into now.
Not until they recieve the CaseR-tizing of their lives.
There's not many around with the fire & sting of your righteous rage!! >>>> POWWWWW!!!! <<<<
Give 'em a what-for from Indiana, my friend.
Let's get this straight: war from any distance, when waged against EVIL, is always courageous. On the other hand, it may take cojones to commit suicide and slaughter the innocent in the process, but IT DOES NOT INVOLVE COURAGE. Courage is not a word that EVER applies to terrorists.
'Nuff said.
Then close your eyes and shutup.
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