Here I thought the conservative fraternity worked together in unison; boy, what a naive twit I am. At least when it comes to commercial talk-radio, and in that venue, the mighty right run the industry front and center.
You'd think then, logically, when one of its brethren would be systematically silenced, censured, and placed on a ban-list because of his political views, they'd at least mention it. Most haven't, and probably because the individual is Michael Savage.
To further muddy the situation and make the matter more disturbing is the latest revalations coming out of London. A secret set of memos and e-mails reveal that Savage was intentionally placed on the list as a means to "balance" it out, since Savage, (real name: Michael Weiner) is Jewish and the bulk of the UK ban-list is comprised of Muslims.
Savage is not the issue here and never has been. The issue is "free-speech" and clamping down on the first amendment. Savage isn't even heard in the UK, but his voice and controversial positions led him to the top of the British Government, who saw a convenient target and seized upon it.
Where's the Limbaughs, Hannitys and Levins of the vast radio-right? Nowhere to be seen or heard. Utter silence. Oh, to be fair, Bill O'Reilly begrudgingly voiced support for Savage and offered scant criticism of the UK, but O'Reilly is one of the few.
Which only makes the matter more sinister and onerous since there's a good chance that Savage isn't the only media figure on the list. There's others. Big names too.
Where's the outrage? Savage acknowledged that much of the silence from the lambs deals with him being a competitor, but that's no excuse. None whatsoever. As some famous character once said, "what we have here is a 'failure to communicate'."Indeed. You think if Limbaugh was on that list, we'd be hearing about it? Please. And imagine Mr. Hannity's reaction to this mess if he were pursued. They're wouldn't be enough room on the "All-American" panel.
People have questioned if Savage is milking this? Bolstering the ratings? As if he had to. He's the third most-listened-to radio host in the country. He didn't need any of this and has said as much. The numbers were pretty strong for Savage before this three-month affair, and besides, that's not the matter.
The matter at hand is much bigger and sinister than Michael Savage. He didn't tell me to say that--I just find it completely bogus and incredibly outrageous that the mainstream news media has essentially shunned this story. Why? Oh, is it Savage? So, presumably, we need, what, a more "comfortable", "soothing" person we can all agree with?
I don't agree with over half of Savage's politics and some of his notorious rants, while entertaining and creative, often make me squirm. I've said as much, and have been labeled his 'mouthpiece all of a sudden. No, really, I'm more of the folks who listen that don't necessarily agree, but always are fascinated by what's said. Simple enough?
So, yes, Savage does entertain, and yes I enjoy listening to his monologues quite a bit even though most of the time we disagree. But I listen.
I find it puzzling that, with the exception of a few, his conservative contemporaries have decided to go down the silence road. Until it happens to one of them.
Hypocrites, plain and simple.
Posted By: Rich "Big Vinny" LiebermanRead more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/lieberman/index#ixzz0MfNkjRR4
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