Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Unemployment rate falls, but growth lags, wages drop
Posted in:
* Former Congressman Joe Walsh tweeted last night that he’d been “kicked off the air until further notice”…
The Elk Grove Village-based station’s general manager didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Walsh was interrupted by commercials a few times in the 6 p.m. hour after saying racial and ethnic slurs on the air.
Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh says he was pulled off his 560-AM radio show Thursday evening for using racially charged language in a discussion about the controversial nickname of the Washington, D.C., NFL football team. […]
Reached by phone shortly after, Walsh said he wouldn’t direct offensive terms at people but said he was making a point that the NFL team name isn’t treated by the media as being as offensive as other offensive language.
In a podcast of a portion of the radio show, Walsh is heard questioning why a CNN anchor could use the team name but wouldn’t say an outdated term for black people.
Walsh said the word, and the station abruptly went to a commercial.
Walsh tweeted some of what he said. I’m not gonna quote that nonsense here, but if you truly want to you can click here and see what he wrote.
Keep in mind that WIND is not some liberal radio station, by any means. It’s about as conservative as you can get.
As far as I’m concerned, he has the constitutional right to say whatever he wants anywhere he wants. But with rights come responsibilities and consequences, so the station clearly has the righ
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:24 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today’s edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
Next Post: Unemployment rate falls, but growth lags, wages drop
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Walsh uses the N word on the air, Ives thanks confederate soldiers from the house floor and yet they wonder why people think the tea party is racist. dopes.
Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:28 am
I’m not familiar enough with broadcast rules, but does the FCC police things like this? Can there be FCC consequences for using this language on the public airways?
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:29 am
===But with rights come responsibilities and consequences,…===
Yes.
I am amazed every time someone says something, claims it’s their right (which I agree, absolutely) but then can’t understand that what they say can have a backlash and/or consequences.
You can say it, people don’t have to like what you say, and they have the right to tell you so, and even in the media, if you you “answer to” feels your words are inappropriate, you will face the consequences.
Oh, you can say it. Go right ahead. Be ready for any/all fallout that your protected words may bring on you.
BTW, what was Walsh’s point, “watch me get suspended!”?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:31 am
Jeez . . . airwaves not airways.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:31 am
Willy
Well said took the words right of my keyboard.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:33 am
of=off
Comment by Mason born Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:33 am
I read some of what Walsh said, and I don’t buy his false equivalence argument that the “N” word is the same as the slurs used to describe whites–not in the context of American history, and not said by someone like him.
That dude goes out of his way to offend people.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:34 am
Only censorship if the government restricted his rights to say what he wanted. A private radio station can decide what is appropriate and what isn’t. Bye Joe. Don’t come back.
Comment by phocion Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:35 am
“…if the people you “answer to” feel your words are inappropriate, you will face the consequences.”
Apologies.
(Tips cap to - Mason Born -)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:36 am
I must say I am surprised it took this long for him to self-immolate.
Comment by Knome Sane Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:38 am
WIND for a conservative talk radio station. Such an appropriate name. Laugh every time I see it!
Comment by train111 Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:39 am
Not surprised, his departure was inevitable. Walsh deliberately pushes buttons so he can gain publicity off the backlash. What’s your next stunt, Joe?
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:50 am
Meh, he’ll be back.
It’s the oldest gag in the book to try to drum up ratings and publicity by “getting suspended.”
Remember the “Duck Dynasty” crew? Right around Christmas they “get suspended” and sales of their junk went through the roof.
The willful ignorance and parroting of the daily Rush line by the likes of Walsh and Kass is pathetic but to be expected.
Here’s a good rundown on the facts of the matter.
http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2014/jun/19/rush-limbaugh/rush-limbaugh-reaches-claim-obama-blame-washington/
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:51 am
It is ironic Society grants certain segments of the population the “right” to use specific slangs or words not considered acceptable in day-to-day use. For example in rap songs, etc. But when others use the “prohibited” word or words, people jump all over them. It’s a double standard.
Comment by Mr. Irony Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:54 am
Between initially running for office as a pro-abortion, pro-gay rights Republican, the unpaid child support, the naked name-changing, the business bankruptcies, the unpaid bills, the multiple moves, the suspended driving privileges, the abrupt change to Tea Party poster boy, the squandering of his accidental U.S. House seat, and the esteemed radio career, I can see why the Tea Party folks hang on his every word and hold him up as a fine example.
It’s a mystery why they don’t win.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:55 am
How much of a future does this one note character have in talk radio? It is like listening to someone pound on the same piano key over and over for hours on end. I remember when Walsh first tried his hand at politics on the North Shore and he was singing from a different song book then. His 180 degree turn has puzzled me. I think it is all an act.
Comment by Upon Further Review Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 9:56 am
Robert Byrd is in office for 40 years while Harry Reid and Joe Biden marvel that there is finally a mainstream well spoken African-American and wonder why people think Democrats are racist.
Or maybe people of all walks of life say stupid things and we shouldnt indict large groups of people for the statements of a few
Comment by Generation X Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:00 am
It is an act. He is a political minstrel.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:00 am
Joe is just looking for clues at the scene of the crime. Life’s been good to him so far.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:03 am
Generation X:
Thanks for the Hello Kitty moment.
YDD
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:12 am
@LincolnLounger:
In your summary, you left out that he dropped his first wife for a trophy model. LOL.
Comment by Upon Further Review Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:12 am
The “N” word was bleeped and never made it over the airwaves, just like all the other ethnic slurs Walsh said. He has a valid point that deserves discussion (which words are considered offensive and who decides), but it can be conducted in a less confrontational manner. Of course, that’s not Walsh’s style.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:20 am
@Mr. Irony: It’s neither irony nor a double standard. It’s context. I’m a white person, so it would be inappropriate for me to use the word in question except perhaps when quoting or reporting on someone else’s usage. And you know what? I’m 100% OK with that. Why wouldn’t I be? I don’t want to call anyone that. I’m not in a position to be reclaiming it or using it ironically or any of that; I’m part of the group that made it a slur to begin with, not part of the group the slur was aimed at.
Comment by TooManyJens Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:28 am
I wondered when Joe would hang himself with all that rope…
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:32 am
Why does anybody deal with that dope? It’s like playing with a snake. Eventually…
Comment by Befuddled Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:43 am
Growing up, that word was considered as bad as the “F” one. I didn’t begin to hearing either one until I began listening to urban rap and hip-hop music. Then it seemed to be OK to use if you weren’t white.
I don’t think it should be used, except in Huckleberry Finn, which is specifically about the dehumanization of a fellow human being. Jim is not a slave - he is seen by whites as worse than that. Slavery was his job. Being an “n-word” was why he could not be better than a slave.
Mr. Walsh is politicizing a filthy word. As are those who are playing along by smearing him, his political party, and his political supporters.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 10:56 am
–As are those who are playing along by smearing him, his political party, and his political supporters.–
How in the world is Walsh being “smeared?”
And the GOP is not “his political party.” He’s just a blowhard conman trying to make an easy buck wherever he can.
If he could get a paying gig with no heavy lifting as a Bolshevik commissar he’d take it in a heartbeat.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:03 am
“He’s just a blowhard conman”
As are many other pols. Rahm and PQ for a start.
Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:07 am
Been there….done that… http://youtu.be/JkWGs2R5p6w
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:13 am
Only a matter of time before he implodes - again.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:21 am
You have the right to say whatever stupid stuff you want to say.
I have the right to call you stupid.
Freedom of speech only means the government can’t throw you in prison for saying stupid things.
It doesn’t mean you can say any stupid thing you want to say without consequences.
I read through Walsh’s tweets and he seemed to be claiming that the name of the Washington Football team isn’t offensive because the media doesn’t censor it, unlike other racial slurs. Ummm…
No, Joe. It is offensive. The real question is when the media is going to start recognizing the inherent offensiveness of the name of the Washington football club and start censoring that word’s use, just as the media censors other racial slurs.
At the end of the day, Joe Walsh is a grifter. Seems like his long con might finally be running out.
Comment by jerry 101 Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:22 am
–Only a matter of time before he implodes - again.–
That’s the business model.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:22 am
===“He’s just a blowhard conman”
As are many other pols. Rahm and PQ for a start.===
You could add a Carhartt wearin’ Harley ridin’, “see-gar” chompin’ candidate too, be he’s authentic…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 11:45 am
@TooManyJens
The Government cannot, and should not, control stupid people, bigotry and other social ills. If people want to be bigots or racists or close-minded, our country was built on the foundation that they have a right to say whatever they choose. In other countries, the government controls what people can say. I am perfectly fine with your desire not to use certain words. That is wonderful. I am also fine with people saying whatever they please, regardless of whether others agree with the word or words, or condone the words. That is the great thing about America. If Walsh want to say something stupid, that is his right, I suppose. What is the purpose of publicizing stupidity? I do not get that part? Why give him a soapbox? Why the attention? It only feeds the fire.
Comment by Mr. Irony Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:05 pm
–The Government cannot, and should not, control stupid people, bigotry and other social ills–
Where’s the government involved with Walsh?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:09 pm
What the what? Why was my comment deleted?
Comment by Nonplussed Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:23 pm
Sorry, I can’t scroll.
Comment by Nonplussed Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:24 pm
@wordslinger
The FCC prohibits speech and language that is offensive to the public, and restricts such speech between the hours of 6am and 10pm. Walsh was talking on the radio. And the radio station did not wish to get fined. Yet we sell Call of Duty games, we allow offensive video lyrics in music videos, etc. It is a double standard. And the FCC defines the words that are offensive.
Comment by money ball Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:43 pm
How this guy ever got the opportunity to pollute the airwaves is beyond me. He is a loose cannon on the front line, it was just a matter of time, longer than I though it would be, but inevitable none-the-less.
How could anyone possibly be surprised?
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 12:46 pm
@Mr. Irony, I’m not talking about the government controlling people. People have speculated that WIND pulled Walsh because they didn’t want to run afoul of the FCC, but as far as I know that’s only speculation. Maybe they just didn’t want him saying that on their station. Do you think they should be OK with it?
Comment by TooManyJens Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:07 pm
Money ball: The FCC has some control over radio because the bandwidth belongs to the people but is very limited–there are only a finite number of radio stations that can exist over the air. It is also accessible by all.
Call of Duty has an MA rating. A child could mistakenly tune in to Joe Walsh, but couldn’t buy Call of Duty.
Comment by Nonplussed Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:11 pm
Also, @moneyball: Video games, cable stations that play music videos, etc. are not under the jurisdiction of the FCC. Only the public TV and radio airwaves are. Lots of lyrics get bleeped on terrestrial radio, or left out of “radio cuts”. So I’m not seeing the double standard.
Comment by TooManyJens Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:13 pm
@TooManyJens
Speculation. Hardly. Maybe anything happened. The radio stations don’t want a $50k fine. That is what happened.
Comment by Mr. Irony Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:17 pm
– Maybe they just didn’t want him saying that on their station. –
Maybe it’s a publicity stunt. Happens in radio all the time.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:17 pm
Granted, I tend to think that if you’ve made the decision to put Joe Walsh on your airwaves, you shouldn’t be surprised when he starts saying offensive crap. The man’s got a body of work, after all.
Comment by TooManyJens Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 1:24 pm
HA HA, Jeanne Ives denounces!!! She is turning on one of her tea party own, but why? Shamelessly trying to coverup her own racial issues with her own past statements, while thinking about Peter Roskam’s district possibly coming open in 2016 or sooner.
This lady is about as obvious as Mr. Willy’s hatred for Rauner.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 2:36 pm
Generation X-your deflection shield is worthy of the U.S.S. Enterprise.
Comment by efudd Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 2:48 pm
===Shamelessly trying to coverup her own racial issues with her own past statements, while thinking about Peter Roskam’s district possibly coming open in 2016 or sooner.===
Jeanne Ives is about Jeanne Ives, anything to make the stain of her recent remarks Jeanne Ives would say it or do it.
I would enjoy her running for Congress.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:07 pm
“Jeanne Ives is about Jeanne Ives, anything to take the stain away of her recent remarks Jeanne Ives would say it or do it.”
Stupid phone
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:09 pm
Jeanne is going to Breen Roskam
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:10 pm
Undoubtedly a stunt.
However, the overall topic is certainly worth of a real discussion in a serious matter. Too bad he did not conduct himself in that matter which is why I think it was a way of gathering publicity.
Maybe he plans to go to use this as stepping stone for people to give money to his ’cause.’
Comment by Federalist Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:18 pm
- DuPage Rep -,
She better expect the same back. Her legislative career has been less than stellar, and her quotes are damaging enough on their own…
But, she is well- liked in Springfield …
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:20 pm
Only way this story gets better is if Proft does something similarly as stupid. What a Friday this would be!
Comment by Big Muddy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:32 pm
I think we need some words of wisdom on this subject from Evelyn Sanguinetti.
Walsh and Proft are soon to appear together at a Plainfield Twp. GOP event. It will be interesting to see if there’s any fall-out.
Comment by LincolnLounger Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:36 pm
Willy,
Only on Capitolfax can we unite in our of Jeanne, while still hating each other.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:46 pm
The scariest thing I ever heard Walsh say, was that he used to teach American History to our children.
Comment by walker Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 3:54 pm
Update: (looks to be DH by Riopell),
“Walsh says he will be back on the air tonight.”
Maybe Wordslinger was correct all along.
[Having trouble linking, so I could be mistaken.]
Comment by walker Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:06 pm
- DuPage Rep -,
That us what the Reagan Rule of 80% is all about.
I don’t hate you, even jokingly. Our love of Jeanne Ives only makes that 80% stronger…
Who knows, we could split a precinct someday(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:07 pm
Sorry, meant to say “hatred of Jeanne”
Stupid fingers
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:08 pm
The Reagan Rule or the Rauner Rule? I get confused sometimes.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:10 pm
Rauner is not a Republican, especially a Reagan Rule Republican.
It’s seems - wordslinger - is probably right on the stunt thingy. Ratings should most definitely surge now for Walsh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:21 pm
Being political correct is difficult. I can remember when prime time television dropped racial epithets and religious slurs regularly. Many of these shows were produced by Norman Lear including “Sanford and Son.” I never saw Lear as a visionary television producer since his biggest hits were recycled British sitcoms (”Sanford” and “All in the Family” were revised from Brit programs). It does not change the fact that Walsh talks before engaging his brain fully.
Comment by Upon Further Review Friday, Jun 20, 14 @ 4:41 pm