The longtime AM radio fixture says that she will pull the plug on The Dr. Laura Program at the end of the year, a week after repeatedly using the N-word while taking a call on the air from a black woman who wanted to discuss her interracial marriage.
She made the announcement during an appearance on Larry King Live.
Here's her rationale:
"My contract is up for my radio show at the end of the year and I've made the decision not to do radio anymore," Schlessinger told King, who also happens to be on his way out this year (for less incendiary reasons).
"The reason is I want to regain my First Amendment rights. I want to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates, attack sponsors. I'm sort of done with that."
She's not retiring or quitting, she added, but rather, hopes to be "stronger and freer to say the things that I believe need to be said for people in this country."
Schlessinger apologized for her verbal gaffe the day after it happened, admitting that she did "the wrong thing."
"I didn't intend to hurt people, but I did. And that makes it the wrong thing to have done...I was attempting to make a philosophical point, and I articulated the N-word all the way out—more than one time. And that was wrong. I'll say it again—that was wrong." Source
She made the announcement during an appearance on Larry King Live.
Here's her rationale:
"My contract is up for my radio show at the end of the year and I've made the decision not to do radio anymore," Schlessinger told King, who also happens to be on his way out this year (for less incendiary reasons).
"The reason is I want to regain my First Amendment rights. I want to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry, some special interest group deciding this is the time to silence a voice of dissent and attack affiliates, attack sponsors. I'm sort of done with that."
She's not retiring or quitting, she added, but rather, hopes to be "stronger and freer to say the things that I believe need to be said for people in this country."
Schlessinger apologized for her verbal gaffe the day after it happened, admitting that she did "the wrong thing."
"I didn't intend to hurt people, but I did. And that makes it the wrong thing to have done...I was attempting to make a philosophical point, and I articulated the N-word all the way out—more than one time. And that was wrong. I'll say it again—that was wrong." Source
6 comments:
Why would anyone want to hear any more of her heart and mind?--I'm not sure I understand the license she wants to be free to exercise her First Amendment rights. Of course, I never was a Dr. Laura fan, so I have very little sympathy for any problems she has created for her media affliates and sponsors.
I do not know what incident you are speaking about but I do not understand why she would need to use the N word in order to articulate any point to her audience. I won't miss her.
Surprise! Sarah Palin is supporting Dr. Laura. I assume you all know that I don't consider it a surprise.
I am not a huge fan of Laura S. never have been. But after reading about this in the paper I found a website that posted the whole disscussion which is under fire. After listening I do not think it is that bad. And I agree with the point she is trying to make. I personally would never use the word nigger, but having said that I would also never call someone a faggot, a queer, dyke, a whore or a cunt. These are all inflamitory words that make people cringe. They are just dirty words. However, being an American I have the right to use them in a sentence and not be punished. Lets teach our children that "words will never hurt me"! If you are interested in hearing the whole segment here is the link.
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201008120045
I heard her whole argument--but I, also, heard a good explanation or refuting of her argument. She may have first amendment rights, as you do, to use these words in certain places. But our employers have a right to tell us that we cannot use those words. As a teacher, I wouldn't be teaching very long (and rightfully so) if I used any of the words which you just saw fit to put in print. Dr. Laura's employers and sponsors have every right to tell her that the use of those words are against their policies (thankfully). I hope you don't believe the old adage that words can never hurt you--of course, they can. If you were writing for the PJS instead of on Emerge's blog you would not be able to use those words unless quoting someone. That's what Dr. Laura plans to do--take to the Internet or to some media source that has no such standards of common decency. She will be using the same media as will Sarah Palin. Ironically, Dr. Laura earlier during the election used her freedom of speech to say some very negative things about Sarah.
whitebch I take it that was a hard lesson to learn. Some words hurt worst than sticks and stones. Being a teenager in the late sixties early seventies I have was called the N word more times than I would like to remember. Freedom of speech? *#@" *## :*%!
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