Oregon-Washington groups calls for end to 'hate radio' (Michael Savage)

AP, via OregonLive ^ | 24 April 2002 | JOHN ENDERS

[Vigilant1]

By JOHN ENDERS
The Associated Press
4/24/02 3:23 AM

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Church, community and political groups in Oregon and Washington are demanding an end to what they call 'hate radio' and have called on a station owned by billionaire Paul Allen to drop talk show host Michael Savage.

Savage, whose home base is KSFO in San Francisco, is syndicated on more than 350 radio stations nationwide. He is featured on KXL radio in Portland during the key afternoon drive-time slot, 4-7 p.m.

"The content is an unbroken stream of hate and chauvinism directed against women, people of color, liberals, immigrants and in particular people of Middle Eastern heritage and people of the Muslim faith. We condemn this message of hate..." said Tom Nelson, spokesman for the Coalition Against Hate Radio.

The coalition consists of the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, the Interfaith Councils of Greater Seattle and Greater Portland, the Islamic Societies of Southwest Washington and Portland, the Multnomah County Democratic Party, the Muslim Educational Trust, Oregon Friends of the Middle East, Jews for Global Justice, the Catholic Archdiocese of Portland, Centro Cultural and several other churches and groups.

It planned a 10 a.m. Wednesday news conference in Portland. KXL broadcasts news, talk, weather and traffic 24 hours a day to an audience from northern Oregon to southern Washington.

Tim McNamara, the station's general manager, said he had received seven letters of complaint about Savage's show, five of them identically worded. By contrast, he said, he received "hundreds" of letters supporting the station's decision to air the show.

"I have absolutely zero advertiser resistance," he said.

McNamara also said he offered Savage's critics airtime on his station, but they declined.

KXL, founded in 1926, is among billionaire Paul Allen's holdings. Allen also owns the Portland Trail Blazers basketball team, the Seattle Seahawks and the Rose Garden in Portland.

"The message that KXL is sending to communities of color, immigrants, and in particular to all people of Middle Eastern ancestry and to Muslims, is that you are not wanted in this country, that you have no value and that you should not expect any respect here," said Mona Goode, spokeswoman for the newly formed Coalition Against Hate Radio.

"That is a message that we must actively and vocally oppose," Goode said.

Members of the coalition said they will ask corporate advertisers to withhold their support from KXL until the station drops Savage.

"We're going to engage with the corporations that advertise on the radio station and appeal to their sense of corporate responsibility," Goode said.

"In a sense, Michael Savage has done us a favor. He's kind of united the coalition in and of himself," she said.

Michael Nank, a spokesman for Vulcan Inc., Allen's Seattle-based holding company, said Tuesday that Savage's views are his alone, and do not represent the station or its corporate owners.

Other than that, he said, "KXL is the broadcaster, and any day-to-day decisions are addressed by the station there."

[Musket]

Didn't Michael get picked up just last week by WABC in NYC? Maybe that was the straw that broke the Leftist Gestapos back and they sent out the nationwide call? Perhaps. These may be interesting times ahead for Michael. He's gonna need our support. I know the Gestapo Left reads these threads and lemme tell you morons this: Michael Savage is NO Dr. Laura and you just picked the wrong fight!

If you don't like Michael Savage CHANGE THE F--IN CHANNEL!!!

OH YES, THIS WILL BE FUN!!!

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

you can call me "doesn't have a pot to piss in itsareligionofpeace"

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Could you explain why Savage is a "blowhard" and give an example of someone who is not a "blowhard"? Thanks.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Yes, it is untrue. Savage simply says it how it is. He believes in Borders, Language and Culture. He says a country will collapse without these. BTW, he is the biggest show in San Francisco if that tells you anything.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

97.3 FM Ocala/Gainesville, Florida. 50k watts I think.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

Could you please tell me someone who you don't consider a "blowhard"? Thanks.

[ItisaReligionofPeace]

If Savage doesn't have substance, who do you listen to that has substance? Thanks for sharing.

[Dan from Michigan]

Savage is now on in Lansing, MI. I heard him a little bit today(He's on I think from 7-10PM on 1240AM).

I don't always agree with him(probably 65-35 agree), but that guy is COOL!

[Nogbad]

Savage is however, tedious, unoriginal and boring.

Harley - Mississippi, on the other hand, is fascinating, original and interesting.

[Musket]

If he were "tedious, unoriginal and boring" do you think the Leftist Gestapo would be behaving as they are? Don't fool yourself my friend, Michael Savage is a threat. And a damned entertaining one too!

And btw, turn your font down. We can hear you.

[Salvation]

Our state board (Oregon) said that the DNC had something to do with squelching the free speech of Michael Savage. If this is really true, I would say they are in for a freeping. Need some corrobaration..............Anybody??????

[scan58]

Looks like the extreme enviornmental left-wing radicals are lining up against free speech again.

Of course, unless it is one of their own doing the talking, they don't want to hear it and they don't want anyone else to, either.

[ladyinred]

You took the words right out of my mouth! I was going to comment on the left who are the most hate filled group of dictators on the planet!
Of course the guy complaining is a democrat, and he is lying of course as they usually do! What on earth has Savage said against women? I listen to him daily, and he has never offended me!
As for the Muslim complaint? He is rightfully against the fact that so many sleeper cells are hidden in open sight in this nation waiting for the opportunity to strike, as we all should be!

[ladyinred]

Forgot to add this.

Democrats are for Free Speech........as long as it is their Speech! Any other opinions are "Hate speech" to them! Savage has every right to voice his opinion, as we all do!

[Dengar01]

I support Michael Savage 100%. I am a donater to Free Republic and I am a Paul Revere Society member and donater. I urge all FReepers to become members of the Paul Revere Society. These radical leftwingers will move from Michael Savage to Free Republic.

[RobbyS]

It would be nice to know whether they sort out those who strictly observe their faith and those who occasionally practice it and those who almost never do.

[Libertina]

Looks like the extreme enviornmental left-wing radicals are lining up against free speech again
Looks like Michael Savage has succeeded in getting his show aired just where it is needed, and that he is making inroads. The leftists hate it and are having a hissy. Unfortunately for them, the "hate speech" accusation isn't working as well as it used to, and American patriots aren't going to be intimidated anymore.
Now just sit back and grin at the sight of their horror stricken faces as The Savage Nation booms all across New York! hehehe Priceless!

[Draco]

As a Catholic, I can only speculate that the sad answer to your question is that the same folks who let child abusers into parish after parish share a mindset with these other groups. I am more and more disheartened with what I see from the supposed leaders of my religion. Sheesh.