Talk-show host fired for linking Islam, terror

WorldNetDaily ^ | August 21, 2005 | None Listed

[TBP]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,166484,00.html

D.C. Radio Host Fired for Anti-Islam Remarks
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

WASHINGTON — Conservative radio host Michael Graham (search) was fired Monday by a Washington station after he refused to apologize for calling Islam "a terrorist organization."

WMAL-AM (search) had suspended Graham after his July 25 broadcast drew protests from the Council on American-Islam Relations (search). Graham, who had a daily three-hour talk on WMAL, had said, "We are at war with a terrorist organization named Islam," according to CAIR.

On his Web site Monday, Graham said WMAL had asked him to retract his comments about Islam and deliver an on-air apology.

"I refused," he said. "And for that refusal, I was fired."

WMAL president and general manager Chris Berry told the industry publication Radio & Records: "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."

CAIR executive director Nihad Awad said Monday, "Although we are saddened that Michael Graham would not take responsibility for his hate-filled words, we do welcome WMAL's action as a step toward removing some of the harmful anti-Muslim rhetoric that fill our nation's airwaves."

Graham blamed the Muslim group for his firing. "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," he said.

[swarthyguy]

BUMP.

Who protects CAIR?

[blackie]

[sitetest]

Dear TBP,

Thanks!

I don't know when you sent it. However, as of 11:16 am, Mr. Oxley told me that my complaint was the only one he'd received to-date about Mr. Bartel.

Hey, folks, if you want to take another jab at the MSM for the unjust firing of Michael Graham, read post #186 about how WGMS in Washington has excoriated Mr. Graham on the air, two days' running.

Yesterday, James Bartel, the morning drive time on-air personality at WGMS (Washington's classical music station) referred to WMAL as a "right wing radio station," found Mr. Graham's remarks "vile" and hateful, that he deserved to be fired, and said that Mr. Graham gives radio a bad name.

As well, James Bartel again took a potshot at Mr. Graham this morning.

I am informed via e-mail by Joel Oxley, a senior VP for WGMS, that "I listened to what he said and felt it was not out of line especially compared to things I hear on other morning shows."

Write to Joel Oxley and tell him how you feel about it:

joxley@wtopnews.com

WGMS is owned by the same company as WTOP, the all-"news" liberal propaganda radio station in Washington, DC.

I've also pinged the Classical Music Ping List, in case any of you want to address this. WGMS is considered by many to be the nation's best classical music broadcast radio station. It's a shame that these folks are letting partisan politics ruin our enjoyment of 24/7 classical music.

Thanks!


sitetest

[Pyro7480]

Sitetest,

I listen to WGMS in the morning while I get ready for work. I heard Mr. Bartel's comments yesterday. I thought to myself, "C'mon! Keep your political comments to yourself" I didn't hear his comments today. WGMS has listeners from both sides of the political spectrum, and he didn't need to insert his comments into the news break.

[TBP]

WGMS is considered by many to be the nation's best classical music broadcast radio station.

And rightly so, along with their excellent web affiliate for vocal music, www.vivalavoce.com

But this PC snottiness is going to cost them listeners, just as it is costing WMAL listeners.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Thanks for the ping...and the station reference!

[TBP]

I don't know when you sent it. However, as of 11:16 am, Mr. Oxley told me that my complaint was the only one he'd received to-date about Mr. Bartel.

I sent it after noon, so Mr. Oxley MAY be telling the truth. I'm going to call him later to complain and see if he tells me the same thing.

[TBP]

Larry Elder was on to something when he called his book The Ten Things You Can't Say in America. Except, there are vastly mor ethan 10.

[Pyro7480]

James Bartel

[sitetest]

Dear Pyro7480,

Thanks. It was ugly, wasn't it? I found his remarks cutting and cruel, as well as biased and distorted.

I urge you and anyone else who can take the time, to let Mr. Oxley know that we don't appreciate the on-air talking heads taking political potshots at folks, especially ON A CLASSICAL MUSIC RADIO STATION!! I mean, my gosh, what could be a place that is less appropriate for partisanship than a CLASSICAL MUSIC RADIO STATION!!

For those of you not in the Washington, DC area, you have reason to write as well. WGMS broadcasts over the Internet, too, and has a world-wide audience. You can let Mr. Oxley know that you will not be joining his Internet listener audience, since he seems unable to rein in the loathsome Mr. Bartel from making snide remarks about "right wing radio" and the "vile" and hateful Mr. Graham.

joxley@wtopnews.com

Thanks,


sitetest

[sitetest]

Thanks!

[sitetest]

Dear Pyro7480,

Yup, there he is, in all his snotty liberal glory.

Ass.


sitetest

[TBP]

He's no Dennis Owens.

[sitetest]

Dear TBP,

Dennis was showing his liberal colors near the end, too.

It was getting tiresome in the last few months of his "reign," but, I figured, heck, he's a short-timer. Give him his due. At least, when he wasn't making dopey liberal snide remarks, he was pretty humorous.


sitetest

[Pyro7480]

What did Bartel say today?

[TBP]

Glad to do it. Let's keep up the pressure.

[sitetest]

Dear Pyro7480,

Yesterday (Tuesday), I was still half asleep when he started in. Somebody did something nasty in one of the headlines that Hillary Howard read, and Mr. Bartel's comment was something like, well, he and Michael Graham are a pair, or should get together, or something like that.

Another snide, snarky remark.

This morning, he didn't return to the subject of Mr. Graham, but made a couple of comments about the news headlines that revealed his all-too-liberal bias.


sitetest