WMAL Suspends Talker Michael Graham

[Mark E. Smith]

Billboard Radio Monitor 7/29

Personality Michael Graham is off the air and on vacation next week, pending an "internal investigation" about statements he made during his July 25 show on ABC Radio's news/talk WMAL Washington, DC.

Never shy of stirring up controversy, Graham's suspension appears to come from his repeatedly calling Islam a "terrorist organization" and for not distinguishing between the practices and beliefs of Islam and the acts of terrorists and radicals.

It's not a stunt, but it's also not a firing, yet, says WMAL president/GM Chris Berry: "It's a bit premature to get into that right now," he told BillboardRadioMonitor.com this morning (July29). Berry said that the vacation time was already available to Graham and that no decisions have been made yet as to what will happen with him after his return.

A Washington Post report quotes Graham as saying on his July 25 show, "The problem is not extremism," but "the problem is Islam" and of also saying, "We are at war with a terrorist organization called Islam."

http://www.billboardradiomonitor.com/radiomonitor/news/format/talk/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001000399

[shawn703]

1. Knowing WMAL

They'll replace this idiot with another one.

[meganmonkey]

2. What a prick

he should be fired. I am all for free speech, he should get a blog if he wants to spout that shit. No media company or advertisers should affiliate with that garbage.

[ovidsen]

3. Just doing it for the publicity and the ratings.

That's all it is. WMAL and Graham are just whores for attention, and they're getting more than they could ever buy.

Please note that WMAL is an ABC O&O station, which is wholly owned by those wonderful, family friendly folks at Disney.

[Mr.Green93]

4. Finally

a way to shut down RW radio.

[blm]

5. The pathetic thing about Graham is that his own personal beliefs are

actually more rational, but he gets carried away when he does his shows out of sheer exhilaration about feeding his wingnut audiences red meat.

I hope he gets fired. That's what he deserves....he's immensely dishonest, and even to his audiences. He mocks them for being wingnuts behind their backs.

[rocktivity]

6. And does he hold other religions to the same standard?

...Graham (is quoted)...as saying ..."The problem is not extremism," but "the problem is Islam" and of also saying, "We are at war with a terrorist organization called Islam."
And when is the last time he chewed out the religious right for forcing their views down all America's throats? Religous extremism IS the problem, Mr. Graham--regardless of the religion or the weapon of choice.

:eyes:
rocknation

[High Plains]

7. Let's hope this isn't a stunt

Graham is an obnoxious asshole venting all sorts of hyper-rightist crap. He's like a Michael Savage mini-me, polluting the air waves with very nasty and hateful ranting.

While I certainly uphold Graham's right to spout his crap, I did call WMAL and inform them that I would be boycotting their advertisers because they allow Graham to mouth off like that. I guess I wasn't the only one. As the conservatives love to tell us, actions have consequences.

I would like to regard this as a victory, but I guess it's too early to start cheering yet.