Clear Channel DJ Responds to Boycott (Long email thread)

[Lunatic Fringe]

This is an email response from Jagger, a DJ for Dallas 102.1 radio station. He was responding to my email which stated I was organizing a boycott of Clear Channel and its sponsors for playing the Beastie Boys anti-American, anti-Bush song.

[Lunatic Fringe]

-----Original Message-----
From: *******
Sent: Thu 3/13/03 9:46 PM
To: Jagger "Jagger@kdge.com"
Cc: Palmer, Randy B.; diannedwarren@clearchannel.com; Hogan, John
Subject: Beastie Boys Song

I am emailing to inform you that I am starting a protest campaign until ClearChannel pulls the Beastie Boys song critical of President Bush. In the middle of our war on terrorism, mass media should not be spreading propaganda that is hateful and untrue. I believe it is un-American and gives ammunition to the enemies of our country.

It's funny how popular culture was supportive of the troops and our leaders in the days after 9-11, but it seems you have forgotten the 3,000 people who died that day. Are you only patriotic when it is convenient and popular? Well, the war with Iraq is part of our war on terrorism, and the latest poll shows that 71% of Americans support removing Saddam Hussein.

This campaign will encourage Americans to boycott all Clear Channel stations and their sponsors. I believe in freedom of expression and speech, but when that speech crosses the line of anti-American propaganda then it is a citizen's duty to respond in an appropriate way.

----- Original Message -----
From: Jagger
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 10:49 AM
Subject: RE: Beastie Boys Song

You are such a hypocrite. You say you believe in freedom of speech, but when it crosses the line and you consider it anti-American propaganda, then you no longer believe in free speech. You either do or you don't. And obviously you can't handle true freedoms.

I though the whole point of the war was to free the people of Iraq. Look up the word freedom. The Beastie Boys can say anything they want, as can you. This is not Iraq where they shoot and torture you for discenting against the leader. We don't have to agree, but you have to respect their right to say whatever they want. Clear Channel is free to do what they want as well. So why don't you spend some time worrying about real issues and write to your Congressman or Senator on something important instead of worrying about others expressing their freedom of speech.

Jagger

--------------
From: *****
Sent: Fri 3/14/03 4:50 PM
To: Jagger
Subject: Re: Beastie Boys Song

Jagger,

You are correct... the Beastie Boys and Clear Channel both have the freedom to express themselves. So do Americans who support the liberation of Iraq. Funny how the anti-Bush crowd will stake claim to their freedom of speech when expressing their views, but when those who disagree make known their intention to express THEIR point of view, we are labeled hypocrites.

I disagree with your assertion that when free speech crosses the line, that I am against freedom of speech... on the contrary, I (and many other Americans) are expressing our freedom of speech by refusing to patron your sponsors.

What a country!

From: Jagger
To: *****
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 4:51 PM
Subject: RE: Beastie Boys Song

If you are so interested in the freeing of Iraq why are you not in the U.S. military and over there holding a gun?
---------------
----- Original Message ----- From:*****
To: Jagger
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2003 9:10 PM
Subject: Re: Beastie Boys Song
I've done my time in the service, U.S. Navy, as did my father and both of my younger brothers. One of my brothers is still in the military, 1st Cavalry Division, Ft. Hood, and is being deployed this week.

Just remember that the freedom of speech, which we obviously both hold very dear, is provided by those men and women. It is also a freedom the people of Iraq do not possess. Secretary Powell proved at the UN that Iraq provides financial and logistical support to Al-Qaeda, and that makes the war against Iraq part of the War on Terrorism.

I did not intend to start a e-mail war with you, I just wanted to express my views to the executives of Clear Channel and the sponsors of your station, that as long as that song is played I will express my freedom to turn the dial to a non-Clear Channel station. I applaud the Beastie Boys for exercising their rights, that is what this country is about. However I will not support their careers, nor will I support any radio station that plays their song during a time of crisis.

Freedom of speech, especially against the government, is appropriately the FIRST Amendment of the Constitution. However, intellectual dishonesty like the kind expressed in the Beastie Boys song IS propaganda. I used to respect the Boys for their "Free Tibet" campaign. I wonder why they don't support a "Free Iraq" campaign. As far as the issue of oil, which was an issue brought up during the buildup of Desert Storm and seems to be the fallback position of most people opposed to the war, I ask this: After we beat Iraq in the 1991 war and controlled the southern half of the country, how many oil wells did we keep?

[kcvl]

WHY ISN'T HE OVER THERE HOLDING A GUN?! They like their free speech but they NEVER want to fight for it. Let everyone else and their family do it for them!!! GAG!

[Grampa Dave]

Good job!

Tell him no more Iraqi oil for French and German WMD's.

This guy is your typical elite left wing fascist. His people can say or sing anything, you in his view can't criticize them.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

My question for anyone who says "if you want war, why aren't you in the military" is "if you don't want war, why aren't YOU a human shield?"

The blank looks on their faces as they struggle for a comeback is priceless.

That being said, if "jagger" is such a proponent of free speech, why wouldn't he put on, for example, Daryl Worley's "Have you forgotten"? Sure, it's country, but isn't clear Channel violating Daryl's free speech by not playing country music?

Obviously, the answer is "no," but it's just another example of how the left always says "free speech for me, not for thee."

[dennisw]

Jagger? What a phoney name.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I think we should Freepmail Jagger and Clear Channel.

[gg188]

Jagger? What a phoney name.

Indeed. And the left's latest method of attacking MSNBC's Mike Savage show is to make an issue of the fact that the man changed his name from "Weiner" to his professional name of "Savage."

[RedWhiteBlue]

While Freedom of Speech is indeed a fundamental right of every individual in the US, it DOES NOT include the right to force ANYONE to listen. They can talk all they want, and if you want to encourage others to ignore them, that doesn't do anything that negates their freedom of speech.

[visualops]

"Sure, it's country, but isn't clear Channel violating Daryl's free speech by not playing country music?"

ClearChannel is a communications corporation that owns hundreds of radio stations of all sorts. For example, they own WSSL and WESC here in Greenville, SC, which are both country stations. ClearChannel has several divisions, of which ClearChannel Radio is just one.

I don't know who controls playlists, but I know they work with record labels and others regarding promotions. The company I work for creates promotional and image products (everything from screenprinted T's & embroidered garments to pens and keychains) and the local radio stations are among our clients.

If it makes you feel better, the shirt I designed for the local New Faces Concert (sponsored by the local ClearChannel country station, which approved and paid for the shirts), I did in a red, white and blue theme with the American Flag running thru the lettering ;^)

So we all do our part.

[max_rpf]

Print out your e-mail, then forward it on.

Send it to their investor relations dept.

CC: FCC, Fox News, CNN, CNBC, ABC, (Enter more media org here), Media Research Center Etc... (Include the ACLU ;))

Forward it to Drudge -- he loves this kind of stuff.

Get this little prick, use his words -- haunt his career.

[BubbaJunebug]

The chicks are getting neg publicity...but most stations are still playing the song...all of the Atlanta stations are still playing the chicks music

[TXLady]

I didn't hear them say this myself but my daughter and my husband both heard it said on KSCS, a Dallas CW station, that they would not be playing any of the chicks songs.

They also have a note on their website that you can send your comments on the Dixie Chicks to them and they will forward them as a group to them.

This is a very popular CW station around here.

[cake_crumb]

"I though the whole point of the war was to free the people of Iraq."

Did he skip the latter half of 2001 and first half of 2002? We went to Afghanistan after the WTC/Pentagon attacks at teh beginning of the war on terrorism in order to get the masterminds. Now we are going after a MAJOR financier of terrorism, who needs to be gone for 1: funding, promoting and exporting terrorism to other countries, 2: starving, torturing, gassing and otherwise mass murdering his people while the UN stood complacently by, chanting 'peace at all costs, peace at all costs' 3: amassing WMD in violation of 16 UN resolutions...which makes a minimum of 16 times he's broken international law as per the conditions of his surrender. 4: conceiving, ammassing and/or setting up, and being willing to use environmental (well heads), biological (anthrax) and chemical (VX) weapons on any perceived threat. To Saddam, anyone who doesn't suck up to him is a perceived that that needs to be eliminated.

[cake_crumb]

"After we beat Iraq in the 1991 war and controlled the southern half of the country, how many oil wells did we keep?"

I would VERY much like to know his A.S.W.E.R. to that question.

[txradioguy]

As a recovering ex-CC employee, it's not hundreds of stations they own, it's close to 1600 nationwide! Plus they own Premiere Radio Networks a couple of industry magazines, a concert promotions business, outdoor advertising and several concert sites (i.e. Smirnoff Center, Coca Cola Amphitheater etc.) And that's just in the U.S. They have world wide holdings as well. Those of us that worked for them (and some that still do) refer to them as The Borg.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I would VERY much like to know his A.S.W.E.R. to that question.

Hehehe- I'm waiting for the answer myself....

[txradioguy]

It's not just KSCS, KPLX, a couple of country stations in Houston have dropped them plus others across the country as well. I'm VERY embarassed to say that the Dixie Chicks are from MY home state of Texas.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Interesting... according to Clear Channel's website, JC Watts has joined their Board of Directors...

[dennisw]

About "Wiener". A few of his herbal books are listed on Amazon.

[mhking]

As a recovering ex-CC employee...Those of us that worked for them (and some that still do) refer to them as The Borg.

You too? [g]