Powerful words from Howard Stern

[rumguy]

Howard's Response To The FCC's Actions:

This is not a surprise. This is a follow up to the McCarthy type "witch hunt" of the administration and the activities of this group of presidential appointees in the FCC, led by "Colin Powell Jr." and his band of players. They and others (a senator from Kansas City to a congresswoman from New Mexico) are expressing and imposing their opinions and rights to tell us all who and what we may listen to and watch and how we should think about our lives. So this is not a surprise. It is pretty shocking that governmental interference into our rights and free speech takes place in the U.S. It's hard to reconcile this with the "land of the free" and the "home of the brave". I'm sure what's next is the removal of "dirty pictures" like the 20th century German exhibit in a New York City Museum and the erotic literature in our libraries; they too will fall into their category of "evil" as well.

Howard Stern, April 8th 2004

www.howardstern.com

[wndycty]

1. I wonder if he is going to finish his vacation a day early?

:kick:

[kalian]

2. Just remember....those "terrorists".....

hate us because of our "freedoms". I guess shrub believes that if
these freedoms are removed...then the terrorists will leave us alone.
:eyes:

[Coventina]

3. 4th Reich cracks down on "Decadent Art"

Looks like Howard has seen it for what it is.

Good for him.

I've never enjoyed his show, but censorship is unAmerican.

[progressiveBadger]

4. And I'm hoping that more people start to see it in that light.

You don't have to agree with Stern's show to be angry about this. Where does this stop?

[ExWife]

5. When he apologizes for his demeaning women I'll listen

He is a sexist pig and I can't believe he even gets a listen on a progressive board like this. He is disgusting.

[rumguy]

9. Actually he is one-hundred percent in favor of women's rights

Equal rights, pro-choice, you name it...

He has been speaking out on behalf of gay rights for years and years...

Many of his interviews are penetrating and insightful...you do him an injustice when you smear him like that.

[ExWife]

15. His making women inhuman objects smears me.

Sorry that you just don't get it.

[rumguy]

17. uh..he satirzes everything

including his "small penis"

but satire aside

there are real flashes of brilliance on his show...

[ExWife]

22. Satire is no excuse. Would he do blackface if he was video?

My bet is he would and far worse.

[rumguy]

25. he is on TV

and the answer is no

lots of african-americans listen to him

his co-host, robin, is african-american

you need to lighten up

sorry

[TXDemGal]

53. If you never saw Stern's Clarence Thomas skit

back when HS had his old t.v. show, you really missed something. Priceless satire! And "Pee Wee's Play-With-Yourself-House" (skit after the first Pee Wee Herman brouhaha) wasn't bad, either.

[Bake]

60. How utter typical.

A single-issue person gets "offended" over satire and cannot see anything beyond that. And misses the truth that is in there. "Howard's a sexist, so I'M NOT GONNA LISTEN!"

Is Howard "junior high" in terms of bathroom/bedroom/sexist humor? Sure. He also has something to say about what is going on in America the Beautiful.

I suggest you listen.

Bake

[jobycom]

24. And Rush was a decent football commentator

So what? The dark side is still there, and for many it overshadows any positives.

[rumguy]

26. the dark side? uh..no..you are over-reacting

big time

[jobycom]

37. To my mind, you are rationalizing

But if you want to listen to him, that's your right, so far. He disgusts me as much as Rush does. He may support the right causes, but his show results in the opposite of what I believe in. That's not over-reacting. Feel free to form your own opinion of him, but that's mine.

[thatgemguy]

30. He did ...

blackface on his old WOR - TV show.

Stern was at his best during that period, classic TV.

[adriennui]

38. the women

are adults, they can make teir own choices. if you ever listened to the show you'd find him remarkably intelligent and sensitive (in addition to being laugh out loud funny).
the show has gotten me through some depressing days.

[ExWife]

43. Good for you

Too many "adult" women are making less money than men because they allow the male to abuse them. I don't have to like it but you are free to if you so desire.

[Donkeyboy75]

10. But he still has the right to free speech.

[mike1963]

23. Nobody is asking you to listen to him (if you don't, how do you know what

sort of pig he is?)...just to recognize that progressive values embrace the First Amendment. I may disagree with you but I accept your right to say what you wish.
Welcome to DU.

[0007]

40. 17 million folks can't be all wrong, how did he offend you other

than being Howard Stearn. Not my cup of tea, but can't put him down either.

[ExWife]

45. 17 million sexist pigs or apologetic females don't make it right

That's just 17 million morons I have no need for.

[BillZBubb]

48. Logic error! Any number of people can be all wrong.

17 million folks can be dead wrong, 37 million folks can be dead wrong, 57 million folks can be dead wrong. How many people still support Shrub? It's at least 40 million--and they are ALL WRONG.

Still, I support Stern's right to free speech and I support the right of anyone to listen to him--whether they are right or wrong. I don't, but hey, that's just me.

[sangha]

50. 50 million voted for Bush*

Check your math

[jobycom]

6. I despise Howard Stern. I can't stand agreeing with him so completely. nt

[noahmijo]

7. How does he demean women?

Cause he has them strip on his show? if you're a woman and you voluntarily accept an invite from Stern you should know what you're in for. He doesn't force them to do anything they could walk out anytime they want.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

12. yeah right and running that machine gun while playing a Selina song

following her death was in good taste too...that said..he is free to be distasteful..I am free to despise him, but he does NOT deserve to be silenced.

[rumguy]

13. ever hear his Mia Farrow interview?

[noahmijo]

14. Hey I am a big Selena fan

And a Hispanic I remember the uproar it caused and it pissed me off too.

But here's the truth: he goes after EVERYONE NOBODY is safe, you gotta take the good with the bad or don't take at all true it's your freedom to love or hate the guy, but I just don't get this whole "he demeans women" not to sound too conservative but if you're a woman who agrees to appear on Stern's show in nothing but a bikini you're putting yourself in a position to be "demeaned" It's like stepping outside in a New York winter and wondering why your teeth are chattering.

[jobycom]

21. I don't have to take the good with the bad, I can leave him altogether

And the issue isn't that he only demeans the women on his show, he demeans anyone who thinks with any part of the body above the waistline.

Wasn't he the one who called the airline after their plane crashed in DC into the bridge, and on the air asked how much a one way ticket to that bridge cost?

It's sad to me that someone would bury their compassion and humanity for a laugh.

[soothsayer]

56. he never got credit for apologizing in Spanish

I thought all he had said was that he didn't like her music, but I know it upset everyone. But I do think he deserved some credit for learning some appropriate phrases and apologizing nicely.

[jobycom]

59. That's not close to all he said

He played one of her songs, then interrupted it with gunfire sounds. He then insulted all Tejano music, not just hers.

The joke about her death was what got the arrest warrant in Texas for him. (Has that ever been settled, or is he a fugitive from Texas?) Selena's murder hit central and south Texas hard. It's a measure of what kind of person he is that he found it funny in the first place, and that he found it the appropriate catalyst for a discussion of how soulless tejano music was.

The apology was to save his ass. Maybe literally, there were people swearing they would kill him.

[jobycom]

16. I guess you replied to the post above mine, but since you asked

He's degrading to everyone. And you explained why yourself. If women who don't want to be asked to strip shouldn't be on his show, then only women who are willing to strip for his male enjoyment will be on the show, and thus his show will only portray one type of woman and for one reason only.

And like the post below said, his mocking of Selina was horrible.

He can do what he wants, and anyone tasteless enough to listen can do so. That's where I agree with him. But you can't make me like him, and you can't tell me he's not what he is.

[adriennui]

42. shouldn't you reserve your outrage

for the woman who murdered her? sometimes he may go over the line but he's on point %98 of the time.

there are lots of male celebs who come across as "enlightened feminists" but they treat women like shit.

howard is in a monogamous relationship and is friendly with his ex-wife. he also adores his three daughters and decries the hypocrisy in our society.

maybe if you listened to the show, you'd change your mind.

[sangha]

51. If Bush* has taught me anything

it's that I need not budget my outrage.

[jobycom]

58. Oh, well said. nt

[ExWife]

20. Please take an AA refresher if you think Stern respects women

Sure, he can say whatever he wants in my book but I also have the right to call him on his sexism. For that alone he deserves zero respect form me. He and too many people here just don't get it.

[noahmijo]

27. I didn't say he respects women

I just said to scream that he demeans women is wrong, The women he demeans on his show know what's coming they're virtually asking for it. So he says all women should be skinny with big hooters, yes let's all take him seriously and organize a massive boycott, I mean NO other men could possibly think or fantasize like this.

Ah well end of argument you don't like him turn it off don't listen stick to Dr Laura (sic)

[rumguy]

28. he has tons of female fans

smart, intelligent female fans

take that as you will

[adriennui]

46. and i'm a perfect example

if i must say so myself. i "get" howard and am secure enough in my femaleness to know what he's about.

[opiate69]

29. No one is asking you to...

No one is asking you to like, respect or listen to him. But, by the same token, no one should be telling those who do like to listen to him that they can't. The ideals of free speech do not aply solely to "safe" or "acceptable" speech.

[ExWife]

31. I said he can say what he wants and anyone can listen

My point is he is a sexist dirt bag and I think he is trash. As a woman I resent his sexist and hat towards women and don't apologize for my disgust towards him.

[opiate69]

32. Well..

I know your opinion.. now, can you provide me specific examples of his "hat" towards women?

[ExWife]

34. You know I meant "hate"

I hate wasting bandwidth correcting obvious typos.

Since you focused on my typo I have nothing to offer you either.

[opiate69]

35. ok then..

specific example?

[ExWife]

36. Using boobs, ass and other anal descriptions to make females objects

He is a sexist pig. I rest my case.

[opiate69]

39. You haven't proven hate..

you've only proven objectification....

[ExWife]

41. Whatever

You go ahead and listen and watch his objectification of women if that gets you off. I have no need or desire to listen to his trash.

[opiate69]

44. Then Dont!!!!!

But, if you're at all a fan of the First Amendment, and our right to free speech, you should be chilled to the bone that the government has succeeded in forcing him off the air, even if it is only 6 markets.

[ExWife]

47. I want him off the public air

My aughter don't need to be subjected to his hatred of women and spreading sexism. I feel the same about the Dr. Laura trash that we got tossed off the air.

[opiate69]

49. Then be a parent

and don't let your daughter be exposed to it... and, if she does get exposed to it, then you can do your job and educate her as to why you think it's wrong.

[ExWife]

54. So you approve of rightwing hate radio

I don't.

[opiate69]

55. I don't approve of it, no..

but, to borrow a phrase: "I don't agree with what you're saying, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it". You see, when it comes to right-wing hate radio, I respect their right to broadcast what they do, and at the same time excercise my right to choose not to listen.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. There's my little brother posting FOR me again.

[MrSlayer]

11. Stern rules, plain and simple.

Been listening for 18 years.

[soothsayer]

57. agreed (n/t)

[BattyDem]

18. I think his site is down

I can't get it to work. More censorship?

[rumguy]

19. working for me

[rumguy]

33. Check out who's all hot and bothered about the FCC fines

A conservative advocacy group, the Parents Television Council, applauded the FCC's decision.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040408/D81QSFQ80.html

[Kat45]

52. Several years ago, he interviewed female cojoined twins

I forget their names, but I've seen shows about them before. It was just the kind of thing folks might expect him to make fun of, but he conducted a totally sensitive and respectful interview. He was genuinely interested in learning about them and how they lived. (They shared an apartment, one had a job and they supported themselves; the other wants to be a country singer.)