Talk Radio Host Silenced by CAIR?
On Thursday, ABC affiliate WMAL in Washington, D.C. suspended mid-morning talk show host Michael Graham for his July 25 on-air statement, "Islam is a terrorist organization." An employer has the right to discipline an employee for actions committed while on company time or when acting as a company representative. However, it appears that WMAL or its owner, Disney, took the action because of intimidation from the Washington, D.C. based Council on American Islamic Relations, (CAIR).
It was clear to any actually paying attention that Graham was not condemning Muslims as individuals, but criticizing the religious leadership. Just as criticism of the Vatican is not a condemnation of all Catholics, this was not a condemnation of all Muslims. The views expressed by Graham on that morning’s show are in his Usual Suspects column, "The Tragedy of Islam." There he writes, "And the reason Islam itself has become a terrorist organization is that it cannot address its own role in the violence." Graham continues with, "I have great sympathy for those Muslims of good will who want their faith to be a true ‘religion of peace.’ I believe that terrorism and murder do violate the sensibilities and inherent decency of the vast majority of the world’s Muslims." Clearly, he is not inciting hatred of or violence to Muslims.
Graham is right. There have been few denouncements of terrorism and no large scale protests of it by Muslim clerics and leaders since 911. The purpose of Graham’s column and on-air statements was to inspire American Muslims to take a stand against terrorism. While, in many Arab nations, Muslims who speak out are killed; that is unlikely to happen in the U.S.
Since Graham expressed those views, the Fiqh Council of North America, (FCNA), issued a fatwa condemning terrorism that was supported by CAIR and other Islamic organizations: The first fatwa against terrorism issued by Islamic leaders of North America as a group since 911. CAIR has also issued a PSA entitled "Not in the Name of Islam." Could the reason for the PR campaign be that most of Graham’s callers agreed with him?
The timing is fortuitous and the sincerity questionable. Sherrie Gossett’s www.cnsnews.com article, "Group Authoring Fatwa Has Links to Bin Laden Ally," states FCNA evolved from the Religious Affairs Committee of the Muslim Students’ Association of the United States and Canada, which was an outreach project of Jama’at-i-Islami, a group that considers Osama bin Laden a hero. According to Neil Boortz’s website, FCNA chairman, Taha Jaber Al-Alwani, was "named in court papers as being associated with Islamic Jihad." In his www.worldnetdaily.com article, "CAIR founded by ‘Islamic terrorists’?" Daniel Pipes writes that CAIR receives funding from groups that give money to families of "martyrs." According to Pipes, CAIR’s civil rights coordinator and Texas chapter founder both have convictions for terrorism related charges, a fundraiser and a community relations director have both been deported and that community relations director was also convicted on fraud charges.
Some believe Graham’s comments may incite more anti-American hatred in the middle- east. It is possible, but those remarks are no more inflammatory than the media coverage of abuses at Abu Graib and the alleged desecration of the Qu’aran at Guantanamo Bay.
Graham is not the first radio personality to face disciplinary action for on-air comments. Howard Stern was fired for using the n-word and Doug, "the Greaseman", Tracht was fired for saying, "No wonder they drag them behind trucks," after playing a Lauryn Hill song. This is different: Stern and Tracht were expressing racism devoid of other content. Graham was trying to start a dialogue on his call-in discussion program and urge to Muslims to denounce terrorism. Additionally, Graham’s statements were about the religious leadership, not Muslims themselves.
Talk radio provides a forum for views that are controversial, unpopular or "politically incorrect." In Paul Farhi’s July 26 Washington Post article, "Muslims Call Comments by WMAL Host Hate-Filled," WMAL executive Randall Bloomquist said Graham’s comments were justified in the context of the program and the station had no plans to reprimand him. Two days later, Graham was given an indefinite suspension without pay. In his July 29 Washington Post piece, "WMAL Suspends Talk-Show Host for Comment on Islam," Farhi quoted WMAL President and General Manager, Chris Berry, saying of Graham, "We do not condone his position and believe his statements were irresponsible." Quite an about-face! Did the station or its parent company cave under pressure from CAIR? Since Graham made his remarks, CAIR’s website has urged visitors to ask WMAL’s management to reprimand Graham and to contact advertisers to "express your concerns about their support for a station that promotes anti-Muslim bigotry."
Other media actions have been influenced by "political correctness." CBS/Infinity radio affiliate WTIC cancelled commercials for a symposium about terrorism on the grounds that the subject was "too controversial" and "too many people might be emotionally affected." By ignoring the current terrorism situation and its connection to Islam, the media does the public no favors. Regardless of whether one agrees with a show’s content or a host’s opinions, one should support freedom to express views other than those of corporate management or special interest groups. The next "off limits" topic or opinion could be one that matters to you.
Copyright Eva Ellsworth, 07/30/05, all rights reserved
Note: To disclose any possible conflicts of interest, last fall Michael Graham gave me a free copy of his book Clinton and Me because I made a donation to Fisher House.
Note: If anyone wishes to counter CAIR’s writing campaign, here is the list of WMAL advertisers: testad@tcicomm.com, routhierd@tcicomm.com, tcimail@tcicomm.com, sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com, mandelle@pepperlaw.com, bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com, jcreech@melwood.com, fedgov@1igsi.com, info@fairoakschurch.org, admissions@regent.edu, emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu, combsa@fmmc.army.mil, redelman@ricedelman.com, rmalone@fbw.com, cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com, trock@erols.com, crricchi@aol.com, chef47@msn.com, fodebbie@aol.com, midatlantic@basements.com, Roofdog@aol.com, sales@solatubeskylight.com, sales@sjroof.com, info@heartcheck.com, tony1winkler@yahoo.com, pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com, sfrazier@bgf.org, bill@1031.us, StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com, info@annhand.com, cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com, pottenritter@jordankitts.com, jmack@gutterhelmetsystems.com, vabeach@procraftcoatings.com, info@thompsoncreek.com, smiles@bethesdasedationdentistry.com, info@theeyecenter.com, jay@rosenbergmedia.com, customerservice@tni.com, info@tonyandjoes.com, pr@1800gotjunk.com, gloriag@manorworks.com, fodebbie@aol.com, suggestions@merrifieldgardencenter.com, schapman@offenbachers.com, info@regionalpestmanagement.com, info@cabinetdiscounters.com, info@getstyle.com, etessel@croppmetcalfe.com, out2dry@nomorewater.com, jwingert@alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com, mcarroll@brownscar.com, ernie@smithgifford.com, ehill@cherner.com, gsm@cowlesford.com, jeffdoughty@moorecadillac.com, elliot@roiadvertising.com, wanda@radialtire.com
It was clear to any actually paying attention that Graham was not condemning Muslims as individuals, but criticizing the religious leadership. Just as criticism of the Vatican is not a condemnation of all Catholics, this was not a condemnation of all Muslims. The views expressed by Graham on that morning’s show are in his Usual Suspects column, "The Tragedy of Islam." There he writes, "And the reason Islam itself has become a terrorist organization is that it cannot address its own role in the violence." Graham continues with, "I have great sympathy for those Muslims of good will who want their faith to be a true ‘religion of peace.’ I believe that terrorism and murder do violate the sensibilities and inherent decency of the vast majority of the world’s Muslims." Clearly, he is not inciting hatred of or violence to Muslims.
Graham is right. There have been few denouncements of terrorism and no large scale protests of it by Muslim clerics and leaders since 911. The purpose of Graham’s column and on-air statements was to inspire American Muslims to take a stand against terrorism. While, in many Arab nations, Muslims who speak out are killed; that is unlikely to happen in the U.S.
Since Graham expressed those views, the Fiqh Council of North America, (FCNA), issued a fatwa condemning terrorism that was supported by CAIR and other Islamic organizations: The first fatwa against terrorism issued by Islamic leaders of North America as a group since 911. CAIR has also issued a PSA entitled "Not in the Name of Islam." Could the reason for the PR campaign be that most of Graham’s callers agreed with him?
The timing is fortuitous and the sincerity questionable. Sherrie Gossett’s www.cnsnews.com article, "Group Authoring Fatwa Has Links to Bin Laden Ally," states FCNA evolved from the Religious Affairs Committee of the Muslim Students’ Association of the United States and Canada, which was an outreach project of Jama’at-i-Islami, a group that considers Osama bin Laden a hero. According to Neil Boortz’s website, FCNA chairman, Taha Jaber Al-Alwani, was "named in court papers as being associated with Islamic Jihad." In his www.worldnetdaily.com article, "CAIR founded by ‘Islamic terrorists’?" Daniel Pipes writes that CAIR receives funding from groups that give money to families of "martyrs." According to Pipes, CAIR’s civil rights coordinator and Texas chapter founder both have convictions for terrorism related charges, a fundraiser and a community relations director have both been deported and that community relations director was also convicted on fraud charges.
Some believe Graham’s comments may incite more anti-American hatred in the middle- east. It is possible, but those remarks are no more inflammatory than the media coverage of abuses at Abu Graib and the alleged desecration of the Qu’aran at Guantanamo Bay.
Graham is not the first radio personality to face disciplinary action for on-air comments. Howard Stern was fired for using the n-word and Doug, "the Greaseman", Tracht was fired for saying, "No wonder they drag them behind trucks," after playing a Lauryn Hill song. This is different: Stern and Tracht were expressing racism devoid of other content. Graham was trying to start a dialogue on his call-in discussion program and urge to Muslims to denounce terrorism. Additionally, Graham’s statements were about the religious leadership, not Muslims themselves.
Talk radio provides a forum for views that are controversial, unpopular or "politically incorrect." In Paul Farhi’s July 26 Washington Post article, "Muslims Call Comments by WMAL Host Hate-Filled," WMAL executive Randall Bloomquist said Graham’s comments were justified in the context of the program and the station had no plans to reprimand him. Two days later, Graham was given an indefinite suspension without pay. In his July 29 Washington Post piece, "WMAL Suspends Talk-Show Host for Comment on Islam," Farhi quoted WMAL President and General Manager, Chris Berry, saying of Graham, "We do not condone his position and believe his statements were irresponsible." Quite an about-face! Did the station or its parent company cave under pressure from CAIR? Since Graham made his remarks, CAIR’s website has urged visitors to ask WMAL’s management to reprimand Graham and to contact advertisers to "express your concerns about their support for a station that promotes anti-Muslim bigotry."
Other media actions have been influenced by "political correctness." CBS/Infinity radio affiliate WTIC cancelled commercials for a symposium about terrorism on the grounds that the subject was "too controversial" and "too many people might be emotionally affected." By ignoring the current terrorism situation and its connection to Islam, the media does the public no favors. Regardless of whether one agrees with a show’s content or a host’s opinions, one should support freedom to express views other than those of corporate management or special interest groups. The next "off limits" topic or opinion could be one that matters to you.
Copyright Eva Ellsworth, 07/30/05, all rights reserved
Note: To disclose any possible conflicts of interest, last fall Michael Graham gave me a free copy of his book Clinton and Me because I made a donation to Fisher House.
Note: If anyone wishes to counter CAIR’s writing campaign, here is the list of WMAL advertisers: testad@tcicomm.com, routhierd@tcicomm.com, tcimail@tcicomm.com, sales@pohankalexus.dealerspace.com, mandelle@pepperlaw.com, bbroullire@comcastsportsnet.com, jcreech@melwood.com, fedgov@1igsi.com, info@fairoakschurch.org, admissions@regent.edu, emba.coordinator@business.wm.edu, combsa@fmmc.army.mil, redelman@ricedelman.com, rmalone@fbw.com, cbraudis@mutualfundstore.com, trock@erols.com, crricchi@aol.com, chef47@msn.com, fodebbie@aol.com, midatlantic@basements.com, Roofdog@aol.com, sales@solatubeskylight.com, sales@sjroof.com, info@heartcheck.com, tony1winkler@yahoo.com, pumphrey@pumphreyfh.com, sfrazier@bgf.org, bill@1031.us, StewartTeam@PointingYouHome.com, info@annhand.com, cuttingedgekiosks@yahoo.com, pottenritter@jordankitts.com, jmack@gutterhelmetsystems.com, vabeach@procraftcoatings.com, info@thompsoncreek.com, smiles@bethesdasedationdentistry.com, info@theeyecenter.com, jay@rosenbergmedia.com, customerservice@tni.com, info@tonyandjoes.com, pr@1800gotjunk.com, gloriag@manorworks.com, fodebbie@aol.com, suggestions@merrifieldgardencenter.com, schapman@offenbachers.com, info@regionalpestmanagement.com, info@cabinetdiscounters.com, info@getstyle.com, etessel@croppmetcalfe.com, out2dry@nomorewater.com, jwingert@alexandriabuickpontiacgmc.com, mcarroll@brownscar.com, ernie@smithgifford.com, ehill@cherner.com, gsm@cowlesford.com, jeffdoughty@moorecadillac.com, elliot@roiadvertising.com, wanda@radialtire.com
1 Comments:
Eva, was Christianity a terrorist organization when the Ku Klux Klan (a Christian organization) was performing many many terrorist acts against people they hated? There were no widespread denouncements of these acts by the church or its members, and no one went around saying "Not in the Name of Jesus."
What do you think? Is there a distinguishment to be made?
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