Get Rush off Armed Forces Network, and he's gone for good

[maxrandb]

What is the demographic that is most prized in the media? It's the same demographic that makes up almost 90% of the armed forces.

This is not censorship, this is common decency. Below is the mission statement and contact link for the Defense Media Activity...a staff position under the Secretary of Defense. Rush simply must not be able to continue to spew his hatred and misogyny to our troops and their families.

Defense Media Activity Mission: DMA is the Department of Defense's direct line of communication for news and information to U.S. forces worldwide. The agency presents news, information and entertainment on a variety of media platforms, including radio, television, internet, print media and emerging media technologies. DMA informs millions of active, Guard and Reserve service members, civilian employees, contractors, military retirees and their families in the U.S. and abroad

Contact us
http://www.dma.mil/dma_contact.html

[movonne]

1. Yes....more than anywhere else he should be off Armed Forces Network..young

women in the service do not need this kind talk radio..making their jobs even harder...

[JSnuffy]

2. Why don't you let the troops decide what they want...

... instead of deciding that it is just too much for their sensitive souls.

[frylock]

6. because we're assholes, that's why..

why not allow tom metzger a forum on AFRN? surely there are plenty of bigoted troops that love to listen hate groups like that preach their garbage.

[JSnuffy]

10. I'm sure there are some troops...

... who would like to hear South American pipe music. That doesn't mean that they are going to get it.

The limited options are the reason that the troops, and only the troops, should have the say about what they hear.

The most popular shows give you the most bang for your buck.

[frylock]

13. rush's popularity is vastly overestimated

[Demonaut]

7. since when do the troops make decisions concerning what they are provided?

as a vet and one deployed for at times months away from the US I sought out anything from "home"
His opinions and the negative influence he spews does not help impressionable young minds, especially ones that have such responsibility in their hands
not to say that liberal views should be the only source of info but limbaugh is in a class of his own

[RZM]

8. What?

'Impressionable young minds?'

Isn't that a bit patronizing? Military personnel can make up their own minds about what they watch and listen to. If there is a demand for Rush, then I have no problem with them listening to Rush.

[eridani]

48. Neither do I. They can do it on their own dime, not mine, though n/t

[JSnuffy]

9. Got it...

A little bit of patronization and censorship is okay.

Maybe we should block their internet access too? Much of it, especially in the junior ranks, is provided via military housing.

You could start a list of pre-approved messages and speakers that are acceptable for them to listen to. You know, ones that are in the right "class."

[shcrane71]

11. The US military and AFN is provided by the American taxpayers. The American national bully

has dished out hatred over US airwaves paid for by the military's boss... the US people. That's how it works in a democracy.

[JSnuffy]

12. No no.. great idea...

I'm sure you'll be thrilled until someone on the right yells out against something you think is worthy.

The best example from my time over there was Olbermann. He was a far left guy with far left views and he was on every day.

If you remove one you have to remove the other and you end up with bland uninformative nothingness. No news, no commentary, no politics and nothing inflammatory from either side of the spectrum.

Maybe you think that's better than to have service members listen to something you don't agree with but I have more faith in them. They will choose what they want and that is what they should get.

[shcrane71]

14. I've seen the affects of Rush's hate speech... it spreads. Olbermann is nowhere near as uncivil

Limbaugh uses the airwaves to bully people -- mostly women. The military is made up of all types of people, including women. The number of US service members recovering from rape is at epidemic proportions. His hate speech shouldn't be supported by tax dollars.

Please allow me to thank you for your service.

[JSnuffy]

20. It's absolutely subjective...

Whatever you think is uncivil and hate speech is informative and educating political commentary to someone else.

You can't just say "yeah, but they're wrong."

It's just your opinion and so in the end the decision has to stay with the intended audience.

[shcrane71]

26. Yeah right... Asking that someone post sex tapes on the Internet for his viewing pleasure is civil

discourse. You're making the case more and more that Rush needs to be off AFN. Good job!

[JSnuffy]

27. No...

... but feel free to keep claiming it if it makes you happy. I don't care if he stays or goes as I am no longer listening.

The real question is why do you think you know better than the Soldiers who listen to the program? Are you worried that they won't make the choice that you approve of?

[Kingofalldems]

15. How is Olbermann far left?

So illuminating though.

[shcrane71]

16. Olbermann's far left because he doesn't manufacture his own facts.

[sarcasmo]

35. +1

[HangOnKids]

17. Illuminating Indeed

Almost as if the curtains were opened. BTW You guys are gonna love Gio, I am so sorry he left Oakland. He was my daughters FAV!

[Kingofalldems]

19. Thanks. Gio was filthy in his first start yesterday.

Nasty curve and hitting 95. And good luck to my boy Tommy Milone.

[eShirl]

18. Information doesn't have to mean inflammation; it didn't used to.

Oh and get off my lawn, all you whippersnappers...

[TBF]

23. Olbermann is hardly far left - that guy is a liberal.

"Far left" is nearly absent in this country at present time.

[JSnuffy]

25. Subjective..

but ok.

The point still stands.

[gulliver]

44. Um, Tricare pays for contraception.

Limbaugh insulted women who take contraception on the American taxpayer's nickel. But the female members of the military do get Tricare, and Tricare pays for contraception. Limbaugh insulted female soldiers, repeatedly, vulgarly, and yes creepily. Limbaugh should be removed from AFN for this. Not because of his far right wing views. For this.

A soldier who called his fellow female soldiers sluts for taking contraception paid for by the taxpayers (in the national media) would be drummed out of the military. There would be no discussion of his rights. Even Limbaugh's most orcish, snorting, deodorant-challenging fan knows that.

[JSnuffy]

50. Ok.......

... so the takeaway from your post seems to be that Limbaugh insulted all women and therefore insulted women in the service as well.

Got it.

The point still stands. Let them decide what they are offended by, what they want to hear and what the ramifications will be instead of you dictating their appropriate level of outrage.

[Demonaut]

21. censorship? I think I heard from the right about the left " criticizing the POTUS in a time of war"

but rush never does that...right?
never demeans women...right?
never uses humor to show his racist side...right?
never makes fun of the disabled...right?

never served....right?

JS, you have a bar as your avatar...you served right?

[JSnuffy]

28. Indeed...

I don't care what he does. He is just a dude on the radio. Everyone here gives him power by having a spasm every time he says something shocking.

I care about the government dictating that a program that millions of American's listen to and that the troops themselves have decided they want is too much for their delicate sensibilities. Especially when that decision came from outside sources who disagree with his message.

The censorship comment came directly from the post I replied to as certain programs were deemed ok but Limbaugh is in a separate class that should be restricted.

In summary I could give a s@#$ if he stays or goes. I just want the decision to stay with the Soldier and not outsiders who think they know best one way or another. It opens too many doors and I think Joe is smart enough to figure it out for himself.

Last thought - as to the never served comment. For me service is a plus but if I dismissed everyone who hadn't that would wipe out POTUS, most of congress and most other elected officials and the vast vast majority of the American public.

[Kingofalldems]

30. Funny, when I was a soldier I had no input

as to what was on the radio. Since when do soldiers make these decisions?

[JSnuffy]

31. Since now...

I filled out various surveys about what I liked on AFN radio and TV.

Maybe you should have checked your e-mail?

[Kingofalldems]

32. Didn't have email in 1967 kid

To be blunt for a second, who do you think you are kidding here?

[JSnuffy]

33. Maybe you missed your telegram then...

If you want to be condescending about it.

I'm telling you how it is now. If you'd stop and think for a sec you'd probably realize that you would have appreciated the chance back in the day. I also doubt that you would have appreciated "older and wiser heads" who know whats best for you deciding your entertainment options.

So can the attitude...

[HangOnKids]

37. You talking about condescending and attitude?

Really? That is rich.

[LiberalFighter]

40. There isn't censorship in the military? Really?

The military is not entitled to get anything and everything they want.

[JSnuffy]

49. Ok and neither are you...

... but they are entitled to choose their own entertainment options.

What's your point?

[cherokeeprogressive]

41. "You vill listen to vaht VE vant you to listen to."

Yup Yup.

[Cerridwen]

36. They did. Back in 1993. rush & the republicans forced

themselves on them anyway.

Why do you think rush gives two fucks about the troops? Or the republicans?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002377930

[LiberalFighter]

39. Why is it necessary for the troops to have Rush or anyone else like him?

There are enough alternative news sources without including him that provide both sides.

[cherokeeprogressive]

42. As a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, NECESSITY isn't what governs what I can listen

to.

Why do people think they can decide what "troops" listen to in the context of what's acceptable to ME, and not acceptable to ME?

Simple solution... Put Ed Schultz on AFRN.

[JSnuffy]

51. Like I said before...

.... maybe you can get an approved list of appropriate news sources and those that are deemed "unacceptable."

Good luck with that...

[quakerboy]

53. Do the troops decide what will be on armed forces radio?

When I've read up on this previously, it sounded like the choices were made by higher ups, often under heavy political influence, without any solid feedback from the soldiers who listen to it.

[CJCRANE]

3. I thought he'd be gone that time he agreed with the Taliban.

That wasn't a very patriotic thing to say IMO.

[MineralMan]

4. I'd settle for getting him off DU. nt

[JohnnyLib2]

5. !!

[racaulk]

22. Nice!

[TBF]

24. Yes!

[HopeHoops]

29. I've owned RushOffAFN.com for a while now but haven't done anything with it.

I'll try to have it live in some form by the end of the weekend.

[calimary]

34. Let's help that at the local level too!

I wanna make sure EVERYBODY sees this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002374653

How to fight back at the local radio, with insights from a former radio person. As one of those, myself, I can vouch for the good ideas in it. I have personally personally witnessed how effective these strategies can be.


Also - for Armed Forces Radio, here's a petition:

http://www.dma.mil/dma_contact.html

[Great Caesars Ghost]

38. Then if he makes the transition over to Sirius-XM

It'll still go to the troops. Hell, Howard Stern (I know it sounds like a bad example) gave away thousands to them with free subscriptions when he made the move.

[cherokeeprogressive]

43. So we'll just take away their XM radios if they refuse to stop listening to things we don't approve

of.

"If Uncle Sam wanted you to have a wife, he'd have ISSUED you one."

That reality isn't too far off, if some here have their way.

[ProSense]

45. Fine

"Then if he makes the transition over to Sirius-XM"

...he'll be off the public airwaves and people can pay Sirius to listen to his vile screeds.

Maybe HBO can give him a program.

[Rex]

46. +1

nt

[Great Caesars Ghost]

52. Soon, satilite radio will become the new public airwaves

and terrestrial will be obsolete. With basic subscriptions dropping (their right wing channel is part of the package), we need to be vigilant and be watchful on this.

[Major Hogwash]

47. We're working on it.

Senator Carl Levin agrees.
He made a statement about removing that pariah from AFRN just today.

Ed Schultz covered the story on his program.