Talk Host Fired Over Controversial Comments About Islam

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.radioandrecords.com/Newsroom/2005_08_22/talkhost.asp

Michael Graham's suspension by management at ABC Radio's WMAL/Washington for recent on-air comments in which he characterized Islam as a terrorist organization has turned into a permanent furlough for the controversial midday talker. The Council on American-Islamic Relations have continued to denounce Graham's comments as "hate-filled" and have called for the talk host's ouster ever since he made the comments on his program in late July.

In a statement released by Graham regarding his firing, the talk host said, "The First Amendment and I have been evicted from ABC Radio in Washington, DC. It appears that ABC Radio has caved to an organization that condemns Talk radio hosts like me but has never condemned Hamas, Hezbollah and wouldn't specifically condemn Al Qaeda for three months after 9/11. As a fan of Talk radio, I find it absolutely outrageous that pressure from a special interest group like CAIR can result in the abandonment of free speech and open discourse on a talk radio show."

[ironman202]

1. can we fire some more?

[jayctravis]

24. The test is: Would he be fired for making similar statements...

about Christianity?

[Mr.Green93]

2. One down........

[Sandpiper]

3. The First Amendment guarantees his right to Hateful Spew

But it doesn't saying anything about being insulated from the consequences of it.

Whatever happened to that good old right wing "personal responsibility" claptrap.

[mondo joe]

4. Since when did the 1st Amendment guarantee you a radio job?

Doesn't idiot even know the 1st Amendment protects him from the GOVERNMENT infringing on his right to free speech?

[Bmongilly]

8. That is correct.

The 1st Amendment guarantees free speech without Government retribution. It does not guarantee that your boss at work cannot take adverse measures.

[AlGore-08.com]

20. Kewl! I want my Constitutionally guaranteed prime time radio program!

I'm pretty sure the Founding Fathers wrote the First Amendment just so they could blast Sinatra tunes out the window during their morning commute!

[bluestateguy]

5. First Amendment?

I notice that he is not being put in jail or facing a criminal sanction. That is what the 1st Amendment protects him from, as it should. However, having a talk show on a privately owned TV network is not a First Amendment right. He can say whatever he wants, and a media organization is free to choose whether or not to give him a microphone. Bill Maher lost his show for remarks that were far less offensive.

Time for him to send out his resume to Fox News.

[IndianaGreen]

10. Judith Miller also claims to be defending the First Amendment

Like you said, time for this a-hole to be sending his resume to Faux News.

[Dover]

6. Maybe Bill Maher will write him a note to the teacher...n/t

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. I feel bad, Mike. I feel bad all of you hatemongers don't get the axe

But we've got to begin somewhere. And you were first.

Think of yourself as a martyr. Or maybe just an asshole that pushed your luck.

[Career Prole]

9. Lots of people lost their jobs under shrub, Graham!

Might I suggest a visit to a recruiter?

"Some of Michael's statements about Islam went over the line — and this isn't the first time that he has been reprimanded for insensitive language and comments. I asked Michael for an on-air acknowledgement that some of his remarks were overly broad and inexplicably he refused. Michael has also tried to position this by saying that we were pressured into taking disciplinary action against him. For the record, we make our decisions independent of external pressures or third parties. We will not permit an employee to willfully violate our policies or disregard management direction."

:rofl:

Enjoy the * economy, dork!

[struggle4progress]

11. They didn't chop off his tongue? eom

[wli]

12. he deserves Julius Streicher -like criminal charges n/t

[DUgosh]

13. But Robertson is still on TV??? After encouraging murder??????

[Robeson]

15. Yeah, but he's a good Christian...

...:sarcasm:

[AngryOldDem]

31. My thoughts 'xackly.... n/t

[Robeson]

14. Mikey doesn't like it.....Tough shit Mikey...

...and I can't wait to see you go for that next job interview, after being stupid enough to go on record as being insubordinate to management. Don't look for any good job references from them, dumb-fuck. Hey, maybe some weather station in Barrow Alaska will need a new announcer...:D

[alarcojon]

16. Shit, I was hoping it was Michael Weiner (Savage)

or Limbaugh, or Hannity, or O'Shithead, or Glenn Beck, or......

[Chocolatebison]

17. Hey a radio station can fire anyone they like

n/t

[Bluzmann57]

18. If he had a Union backing him

he may not have gotten fired. Don't know much about this guy, but I'd be willing to bet that he's hammered Organized Labor at some point during his career. So too bad asshole. Enjoy living on the Public's dime, just don't do it too long. You may be a welfare moocher otherwise.

[jobycom]

19. Nobody's stopping you from SAYING it, Michael...

They just won't let you say it on their station anymore. See the difference, asshole?

[neuvocat]

21. How about if I call my boss a terrorist and they fire me?

Does that mean they violated my freedom of speech? No.

[jobycom]

22. Conservatives think the right of expression

means that they are gauranteed an audience, too. Typical Republicans, expecting everything to be done for them.

[DesEtoiles]

23. maybe Graham should take it to the nearest "Free Speech Zone". ass

[Stinky The Clown]

25. Fuck you, you right wing hate monger.

They can spew any hatred they want and we're supposed to sit back and take it.

Well fuck that. Let's hope this is just the start of firings. The hate spew in this country is horrible .... and in many ways the direct cause of the climate which allowed idiot son to crawl out of his slimey hidey hole and have his little coup d'etat in 2000.

[johnny_yuma]

26. he must of had low ratings

talk radio is show bidness...if the ratings were good,he could get away with murder

[newyawker99]

27. Hi johnny_yuma!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[johnny_yuma]

29. Hello

Thanks for the welcome


Drudge is reporting this guy has been hired by KFI in LA

[Archae]

28. He's been canned before for running his mouth off.

In 1999, Graham was fired from a Charlotte station for saying that the killing of athletes was a "minor benefit" of the Columbine shootings.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/22/AR2005082201255.html

[Supersedeas]

30. I didn't realize ABC was a state actor; maybe Graham should review the

1st Amendment one more time (apparently that in-depth discussion of Media and the Law that Mr. Graham took in Neo-Conservative Journalism 'school' failed to clarify how the First Amendment doesn't now give an Employee blanket protection from comments which embarrass one's Employer -- ESPECIALLY when those comments are made as a spokesman for one's Employer).

But, that Employment at Will rule applies only to Liberals who embarrass their Employer, I suppose.

So much for Conservative integrity and Laissez Faire Employment rules.

Maybe, Robertson, Coulter, Gannon, Hannity, and O'Reilly can get together to start their own Radio organization. Good luck, job hunting, Mr. Graham.