What did they think would happen? Really…
The red-hot rhetoric over Social Security on liberal talkradio network AIR AMERICA has caught the attention of the Secret Service, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.
Government officials are reviewing a skit which aired on the network Monday evening — a skit featuring an apparent gunshot warning to the president!
The announcer: “A spoiled child is telling us our Social Security isn’t safe anymore, so he is going to fix it for us. Well, here’s your answer, you ungrateful whelp: [audio sound of 4 gunshots being fired.] Just try it, you little bastard. [audio of gun being cocked].�
The audio production at the center of the controversy aired during opening minutes of The Randi Rhodes Show.
“What is with all the killing?� Rhodes said, laughing, after the clip aired.
“Even joking about shooting the president is a crime, let alone doing it on national radio… we are taking this very seriously,â€? a government source explained.
Popularity: 2% [?]
How stupid, but, then again, they are apparently in need of some publicity. There must not be enough substance to what they air, so the only way to attract listeners is to pull stunts like this. How sad, really.
Um, I agree with everything, other than the fact they are “retarded,” not “retarted.”
Unless you are making a pastry reference that I don’t get…
oopsie.
“To those who scare peace-loving people with phantoms of lost liberty, my message is this: Your tactics only aid terrorists, for they erode our national unity and diminish our resolve. They give ammunition to America’s enemies and pause to America’s friends.” - Donald Rumsfeld
The litmus test for the protection of virtually any other type of speech is whether a reasonable person might believe that the statement constituted a threat. Does anyone believe that Randi Rhodes means to incite an assassination of the President, or that she herself or a representative from her show might take it upon themselves? I hope not. Foolish? Absolutely. Immature? Yes. Worthy of Secret Service scrutiny? Certainly not.
Ah yes, also I meant to ask the question, why are only elected officials protected against jokes regarding violent action? If we’re saying that a threat of violence is serious regardless of context, then extend that protection to everyone, or no one.
I’m just saying that there’d be way less hip-hop music available for my consumption, which would upset me.