KFI Host, Clear Channel Apologize To Muslims

Billboard Radio Monitor ^ | 2/8/06

[iPod Shuffle]

KFI Host, Clear Channel Apologize To Muslims

Feb. 08, 2006

By Ken Tucker

After attracting world-wide attention, Clear Channel talk KFI Los Angeles morning man Bill Handel and Clear Channel have apologized to Muslims for comments Handel made on his Jan. 12 show.

The Southern California office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) announced that Handel and the station have apologized for mocking the deaths of Muslims on Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. Handel has also been reprimanded in writing by the station for his "insensitive remarks."

As previously reported, CAIR had demanded that Handel apologize and be disciplined.

At issue is a parody that Handel did on the same day of the stampede in which 350 people were killed. Handel imitated people screaming and then joked that the Muslims at the pilgrimage should use a helicopter to monitor pilgrimage traffic.

“KFI AM 640 does not condone making light of the deaths of people engaged in religious observances,” regional VP Greg Ashlock wrote in a letter to CAIR. "On this particular program, we crossed the line in reporting the Hajj incident in an insensitive manner. We have discussed the content and timing of this 'bit' extensively with Mr. Bill Handel and his crew and are confident that everyone now understands the gravity of the situation. Mr. Handel expresses his sincere apology for the insensitive remarks."

Handel also apologized on his show, saying while he regularly lampoons many different nationalities and religions, he realized that the parody was poorly timed. “The wound was very fresh for a lot of Muslims and the comments were out of line and for that I am sorry,” he said.

Handel had previously announced that he would only apologize if CAIR, which he says has ties to terrorist organizations, would denounce all terrorist attacks, recognize Israel as a sovereign nation and declare that it had no ties of any sort, financially or otherwise, to any terror organizations or individuals.

[JennysCool]

KFI folds. Sheesh.

Bet Handel went along under protest.

For those who came in late, after the usual trampling-of-the-pilgrims at the march to Mecca, Handel commented that they really should get a traffic helicopter.

[iPod Shuffle]

update.

[JennysCool]

Pingoroonie!

[Publius6961]

A sad day.
Fortunately, for most of us, our livelihood does not depend on mollifying the sandmaggots...

[Publius6961]

... he would only apologize if CAIR, which he says has ties to terrorist organizations, would denounce all terrorist attacks, recognize Israel as a sovereign nation and declare [under oath] that it had no ties of any sort, financially or otherwise, to any terror organizations or individuals.

Addition mine...
What sounded to me like a reasonable quid pro quo, and bears repeating!

[Conservative4Ever]

Handel say it ain't so. His biting humor is one good thing about morning radio here in SoCal.

[RonF]

Actually, I agree with this. Handle is free to mock these deaths if he chooses. But KFI is free to refuse to pay him to do so. I don't see where KFI profits either financially or, more importantly, morally by mocking the death of religious pilgrims engaged in non-violent activities. Since KFI is paying for his microphone, Handle can either shut up, apologize, or quit.

[edpc]

“The wound was very fresh for a lot of Muslims and the comments were out of line and for that I am sorry [there were only 350 killed],” he [should have] said.

[sheik yerbouty]

I apologize for the neglect America has shown in not making Mecca a smoldering ruin on 9/12/01..

[Redcloak]

I knew they'd cave. They caved to Bill Cosby when Tammy Bruce called attention to his wife's loony remarks, so why wouldn't they cave to CAIR?

[Dr.Zoidberg]

See those? Yeah, those were once Bill Handels nuts. Now they belong to mohammed.

They make a nice decoration hanging right there beside the moon rock, don't they?

[MadeInAmerica]

Hahahaha.....Here I thought there was 1 public figure in LA that still had nads.....


Wrong again

[Fiji Hill]

... he would only apologize if CAIR, which he says has ties to terrorist organizations, would denounce all terrorist attacks, recognize Israel as a sovereign nation and declare [under oath] that it had no ties of any sort, financially or otherwise, to any terror organizations or individuals.

Handel should have stuck to his guns.

[Fiji Hill]

You erstwhile Handel fans to surf over to KRLA or KTIE, at 870 and 590 kilocycles, respectively, on the AM dial, and listen to Laura Ingraham--a true, patriotic conservative who would never give up so easily.

[Fiji Hill]

Hahahaha.....Here I thought there was 1 public figure in LA that still had nads.....
Wrong again

Try Larry Elder, The Sage of South-Central LA (KABC) or John & Ken (KFI), who broadcast opposite one another in the afternoon.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Hahahaha.....Here I thought there was 1 public figure in LA that still had nads.....

HAD is the operative word there. And it's a shame too. I really liked his show and thought his shtick was quite amusing.

[doug from upland]

Handel shot off his mouth, then he turned girlyman.

[dmz]

While what you say may be true, I have difficulty imagining Laura Ingraham making comments such as that.

I've yet to be convinced she's wired for humor.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I'm sorry, too... I'm sorry Handel apologized.

I guess KFI was afraid of being burnt to the ground by the religion of peace.