The title of this piece by Jamison Foser (eNews Park Forest) says it all. Foser writes that what happens to "prominent white men who make racist, sexist, and homophobic comments (is that) MSNBC, among others, puts them on the payroll and trots them out to opine on matters of race and gender." He list Don Imus, Michael Savage, and Chris Matthews as examples of such behavior, but at least these three were fired or otherwised reined in--Buchanan, for no reason Foser (or I) can see has not experienced the same fate. While Buchanan's latest attacks have focused on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, he has a long history of diatribes against homosexuals ("AIDS is nature's retribution for violating the laws of nature."), of African Americans he said, "Who speaks for the Euro-Americans, who founded the USA?...Is it not time to take America back?" and that slavery worked out well for "black folks." He defends men-only golf courses, called Hitler an "individual of great courage" and blamed Churchill for the Holocaust. These are just a few examples of Buchanan's views. He has been denounced by both Republicans and Democrats, yet MSNBC continues to let him voice his dangerous, viscious, and patently stupid comments. He must generate ratings and revenue, or he would be fired. But what infuriates me is that I must support this loathsome creature's right to say whatever offensive bit of rubbish he wants to--it seems supporting intellectual freedom is not for the faint of heart.
Tammy
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Great and interesting posting,
ReplyDeleteI too agree that its very hard and sad that we as Americans have to stand by and watch and possibly support the rules of intellectual freedom which allow Pat Buchanan to make vicious and ignorant remarks whenever he desires. I know he is entitled to his opinion and beliefs but where and when do we draw the line?? Also, I wonder if he is required to make such rude and hurtful remarks since this station is clearly focused on ratings. With that being said, I think it's 50% Pat's personal remarks and 50% MSCBN possible requiring him to make such offensive comments.
For example, because I was so intrigued with your posting I decided to locate more remarks presented by the infamous Pat Buchanan.
Check-out the link
-- he even tells the young lady to shut up!!!
His day is coming...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/13/pat-buchanan-loses-his-co_n_91276.html
ReplyDeleteSorry, I forgot to add the link -- check it out!!!
Tammy, what an excellent example of "reverse" intellectual freedom :-). I commend you for taking the time to look into this. I so much cannot stand this man that I won't listen to anything by or about him. But what happens is exactly this. By keeping my head buried I leave myself unaware of the atrocities that come out of his mouth.
ReplyDeleteI also become incensed at the press time given to Rush Limbaugh and Dick Cheney. Not trying to get into a political debate or anything, I just do not understand why their opinions are suddenly so sought after. I DO NOT CARE what they think! Or what Pat Buchanan thinks. So I cover my ears and go "la la la" during those portions of the programming.
As Kimberly said above, methinks ratings play some part in this and the networks want ratings. Since at home my husband and I just started the digital TV route, I won't be giving anybody any ratings so I'll be doing my part. Thumbs down for DTV signal access :(
Ah, let the man speak. The more he speaks, the more people see him for the idiotic baboon that he really is. Moreover, he makes people, like you and me, really mad-- mad enough to want to take action to stop such ignorance. If only middle of the road, bland, non-confrontational people were allowed to speak, the world would be boring and we all would become really complacent. Then some crazy like Hitler could come in. Sounds crazy, but true. In the end, our world is safer if we all stay opinionated and interested.
ReplyDeleteI think our last election shows how if you get people mad enough, they can work together for real change. So let the man speak.
But now, Ann Coulter... I think she should never be allowed to open her mouth again. :)
So true, Donna. I'll try to stop tuning them out. But I heartily agree re: Ann Coulter.
ReplyDeleteDonna,
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about people getting mad enough to take action, what a great perspective. We may not like what he says, but it does spark debates and that's a good thing.
I think that it's important to have people like Pat Buchanan and even Ann Coulter (though I constantly just want to strangle the woman) not because I agree with the things they say, but because the things they say cause people to jump up and take a stand. While I'd love nothing better than to take them off the air, I could never justify it to myself. Can't protect freedom if we snatch it away when someone does something we don't like.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments from all of you, and I agree: everyone has the right to speak, we must fight to protect that right, and having conflicting viewpoints out there keeps us from becoming too complacent.
ReplyDeleteTammy
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. ~Noam Chomsky
ReplyDeleteNearly every year here at IU Southeast, we get at least one ultra-conservative religious group (though sometimes it's just a single individual) who are granted the right to demonstrate/protest things they find reprehensible in the public square. They will carry signs saying "God hates fags" and publicly condemn passers-by (such as calling skimpily-clothed women "whores").
ReplyDeleteI personally love it when this happens, because I think it's a great way for students to see the First Amendment in action.
Unfortunately, I have the feeling that were any students to publicly engage in such unpopular speech, the university would seek to punish them for utilizing their rights.
I loathe Anne Coulter too. Whats great is that even though these people have the right to say what they want, other people have the right to stop listening, stop buying their products, write letters, and rally to let them know that they won't support them. I get news from several advocacy groups, and I'll take the time to write letters and sign petitions when someone crosses the line. Usually if enough people get outraged and threaten to stop their monetary support, its interesting how quickly these windbags lose their forums.
ReplyDelete