Texas DJ Suspended Over Obama Remark

EurWeb ^ | 3/6/2007 | EurWeb

[P-40]

*A disc jockey in Austin, Texas was suspended Thursday after he attempted to joke about the recent politically incorrect comments made by Sen. Joe Biden about Sen. Barack Obama.

In January, Biden, D-Del., said that one of Obama's political attributes is that he is "clean." Host Bob Cole of KVET’s “Sam and Bob in the Morning” show reminded listeners Thursday that Biden had used the racially-insensitive word to describe Obama.

"He's clean is what what's-his-name said. Joe Biden told us that," Cole said.

"Clean darky," quipped host Sam Allred.

Cole immediately exclaimed, "Sammy!" The show then cut to commercial. After the break Allred said: "See, I was making fun of politicians who say things like that."

The local NAACP chapter didn’t see it that way. They plan to file a complaint over the remark, and are calling for Allred to apologize publicly.

"That kind of ignorance has no place in this country in 2007," Nelson Linder of the NAACP told KXAN TV. "When a black man runs for president, we ought to be proud of that."

Allred told KXAN that he will not apologize because he was within his rights.

"It's called the First Amendment," he said, "and you get the right to say anything." KVET issued a statement saying it is not the station's "intention to be offensive. ...We do not discriminate against individuals regardless of race, religion, gender age or sexual orientation."

[P-40]

You may know the host from this song. :)

http://www.geezinslaws.com/sounds/white2.wav

[BigTex5]

Uh, I don't see the problem from the article. Simply saying "clean darkly" and he gets suspended? That's nowhere near racist.

[avacado]

Nelson Linder of the NAACP told KXAN TV. "When a black man runs for president, we ought to be proud of that."

But you are not proud of Condi, are you!

[NutmegDevil]

"Sammy" is a demeaning term used by Limeys when speaking of Indians - not the native American sort.

[ClearCase_guy]

You can't say the N-word.
Or the D-word.
Or the F-word.
(both of them)

Also, it's OK for HS students to read from "The Vagina Monologues" in public as long as they don't say the V-word.

These are the latest. More coming, I'm sure.

[dfwgator]

"It's called the First Amendment," he said, "and you get the right to say anything."

Although while I agree that the suspension is ridiculous. It is also equally ridiculous to bring up the "First Amendment" card. The First Amendment does not protect you from non-government sanctions for your speech.

[P-40]

Simply saying "clean darkly" and he gets suspended?

He said 'darky'. Slang for negro from long ago.

[BigTex5]

D-word and F-word? I'm just curious.....

[GoldCountryRedneck]

"It's called the First Amendment," he said, "and you get the right to say anything."

Only if your a MSM-annoited Democrat, Allred...

[conservative in nyc]

Allred told KXAN that he will not apologize because he was within his rights.

"It's called the First Amendment," he said, "and you get the right to say anything."

It's called the First Amendment, and it generally only applies to the government not retaliating against you for speaking your mind. It does not stop your employer from firing you or your advertisers from deserting you when you say something that some find offensive.

[Ole Okie]

The First Amendment does not protect you from non-government sanctions for your speech.

It's amazing how large a fraction of the population doesn't realize that it's Congress that is prohibited, not your employer.

[massgopguy]

Someone will take spray paint to their billboards and change the call letters to KLAN.

[ABG(anybody but Gore)]

I'm merely guessing, but I'd say the D-word is the alternate word for lesbian, and the F-word is the alternate word for engaging in the act of sex...

[kjam22]

It is government that is prohibited. Of course the NAACP will file a complaint with some governing agency. Or file a lawsuit in the court system. That's the only reason the employer cares at all what he said. Because the government may cause financial distress to the company.

[conservative in nyc]

You can say the N-word, the D-word and both F-words all you want (Well, maybe not the N-word in NYC under their symbolically unconstitutional "symbolic" ban). You just can't say them at work (especially if you're a disk jockey) and not expect consequences from your employer. The First Amendment doesn't say KVET shall fire no disk jockey for speaking his mind on air.

[MEGoody]

Well, it was a dumb remark, but I've heard worse come out of Democrat's mouths and no one 'suspended' them.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

"It's called the First Amendment,"
wrong
It was called the First Amendment, but it no longer applies.
Regardless, the DJ works for someone and that person has a right to suspend him
over his remark.
Besides
Didn't he know that democrat politicians get a free pass for whatever they say?
Biden got no flack over his racist remarks. Biden will get no flack over his remarks.
Anyway, he should know that that remark will get him in trouble.

[Bigg Red]

...It is also equally ridiculous to bring up the "First Amendment" card. The First Amendment does not protect you from non-government sanctions for your speech.

&&&
That drives me crazy, as well. Typically, it is liberals who do not understand the First Amendmen.

[Republicus2001]

OMG he said the D word!!!

[Williams]

How dumb is it, if they were joking and essentially mocking what Biden said, by attributing a racist motive to it? Which is the whole point of the reaction to Biden's comment.

[P-40]

Well, it was a dumb remark

Yes...but he did put Biden's words in 'bumper sticker' form though. :)

[Texagirl4W]

Now BigTex, you know the D word is Dallas.

[vetvetdoug]

Sirius satellite can get away with it all....Mojo Nixon is as off the wall as they come and PC be damned....

[P-40]

you know the D word is Dallas.

I thought it was Divorce. :)

[weef]

How long before the phrase "N-word" is banned? I'm thinking that after many years of not hearing the real N-word, the phrase "N-word" will become offensive. I think George Orwell had this language banning thing correct.

[vetvetdoug]

I guess this Austin station won't play Bob Will's Take Me Back to Tulsa...

[highlander_UW]

We do not discriminate against individuals regardless of race, religion, gender age or sexual orientation."

Unless they are Christians, and then they are fair game.

[P-40]

Little bee sucks the blossom, big bee gets the honey,
Dark man picks the cotton, White man gets the money.

[Old Professer]

How about we call them N-beings?

[ikka]

The NAACP is certainly being niggardly in their conduct towards the radio station hosts, while refusing to place the proper blame on Joe Biden.

[Old Professer]

We could probably get in trouble for N-lovers.

[Domandred]

Who was the sports radio host that was fired when talking about Condi Rice moving to NFL Administration after she was done in politics. He mean to say "It would be a coup for the NFL" but said "coon" instead.

He was fired that day as well, even though what he said on accident didn't grammatically or vocabularically(is that a word) make sence so it was obvious it was supposed to be "coup".

Point being, we are so politically correct that even misspoken words are being used against people to claim they are racist.

[D-fendr]

It was a botched joke. Move along..

[atomic conspiracy]

How dishonest has this society become? It's obvious from context that Allread was sarcastically projecting his idea of Biden's thoughts, not his own. This is presumptuous, that is what DJs do, but it is not bigoted.

[P-40]

even misspoken words are being used against people to claim they are racist.

If they are on the conservative side, yes. If not, they are given a pass.

I suspect that KVET's ratings will be way up tomorrow morning. And if the NAACP wants to get all hot and bothered about it, let them.

[Arrowhead1952]

Sam Allred is one reason I quit listening to KVET some time ago. He is a flaming lib and I couldn't stand his backing ronnie earle during the early stages of the DeLay grand jury proceedings.

[Brad from Tennessee]

I think the "Sammy" is a reference to an Al Jolson black-face character.

I think the liberal "political correctness" fad will be replaced by a new fad of publicly defying "political correctness."

[conservative in nyc]

I'd like to symbolically ban any of my elected officials from symbolically banning any word.

[LtdGovt]

Joking about (alleged) racism is off limits?

[brytlea]

Why do so few people realize that?
susie

[brytlea]

Besides, shouldn't they change their name to NAAPoC? The other is clearly offensive...
susie

[Joe 6-pack]

"Sammy" is a demeaning term used by Limeys when speaking of Indians - not the native American sort.

"Sammy" and/or "Skinny" were (are?) also slang for indigenous Somalians.

[BobS]

"Mojo Nixon is as off the wall as they come and PC be damned...."

I get a kick out of that song he's got:

'You Can Dress 'em Up, But you Can't Take 'em Out' HO!

[BobS]

"Simply saying "clean darkly" and he gets suspended?"

He can make up with the NAACP without saying anything. Just spin:

2 LIVE CREW - 'Me So Horny'

Those are 'dirty' Black dudes and women. Let's see how those old NAACPers get worked up about that one:)

[Dianna]

How dishonest has this society become? It's obvious from context that Allread was sarcastically projecting his idea of Biden's thoughts, not his own. This is presumptuous, that is what DJs do, but it is not bigoted.

I absolutely agree. Eventually, we will lack the vocabulary to make a strong point.

[Tall_Texan]

I thought for sure this was going to be about "Sergeant Sam" on that other station.

[Arrowhead1952]

"Sammy" is a demeaning term used by Limeys when speaking of Indians - not the native American sort.

I think ya'll may have missed the point here. Sammy - Sam Allred was the one who got the timeout. He and DJ Bob Cole were discussing the Biden remark about B. Obama being a clean and articulate black candidate.

Sammy used the phrase "Clean Darky" and Bob Cole chastised him with the word "SAMMY" as a way of fussing at him for his comment. That is not the first time Bob has had to chastise Sammy. He gets obnoxious so often, I quit listening to them.

[mad_as_he$$]

Oh so it has to do with holding back water! Now I get it! /s off

[wideminded]

He said 'darky'. Slang for negro from long ago.

I once heard my own father use this word, back in the 1960's. Even then it seemed to be unearthed from the distant past.