Truth Wins Out launches campaign to keep Daddy D out of the Radio Hall of Fame
Filed by: Pam Spaulding
July 11, 2008 11:00 AM
I'm also up for nominating James Dobson for the fundie fraud Hall of Shame, but this will do for now.
Wayne Besen of Truth Wins Out has kicked off a drive to ensure that the mastermind behind Focus on the Anus will not being honored with a place in the Radio Hall of Fame by the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications nominated the anti-gay leader even though Dobson has been accused of distorting research and smearing gay and lesbian people for political gain. For example, Dobson told The Daily Oklahoman on Oct. 23, 2004, "Homosexuals are not monogamous. They want to destroy the institution of marriage. It will destroy marriage. It will destroy the Earth."
"It is outrageous and insulting that James Dobson would be nominated for the Radio Hall of Fame," said Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne Besen. "We believe that character counts and nominees should have careers based on honesty and integrity - not discrimination, distorting research and outright lying."
"Incredibly, the Museum of Broadcast Communications has also nominated Dr. Laura Schlessinger to its Radio Hall of Fame and Rush Limbaugh was inducted in 1993. The pattern is clear."
To fight back against this offensive decision, TWO strongly urges fair-minded people to take three actions. First, sign TWO's formal request to have James Dobson removed from consideration. Second, contact Museum of Broadcast Communications CEO Bruce DuMont directly, brucedumont@museum.tv, to express your displeasure. Third, as an option, vote for nominees other than James Dobson or Laura Schlessinger (the general public may vote, and the other nominees are Bob Costas and Howard Stern). It is urgent to act now, as voting comes to a close on July 15.
Wayne also notes that anti-gay organizations are Dobson's cash cow; in addition to Focus satellite organizations around the country, he founded a pray-away-the-gay ministry, Love Won Out, and promotes therapies and theories thoroughly rejected by every respected medical and mental health association in America.
Share
Like what you read? Subscribe to The Bilerico Project by Email.
Want others to read it too? Use the buttons and links here to share this entry with others. (Move your cursor over a button or link to learn more about it.)
4 Comments
« Charlie Crist sex tape | Home | The biggest prize package yet! »
Done. Gladly.
Bil Browning | July 11, 2008 11:23 AM
Reply to this comment
I just signed the petition. I asked if they were planning to induct famed WWll propagandist Tokyo Rose in as well and also asked that if David Duke had a radio show if they would induct him?
John R. Selig | July 11, 2008 11:56 AM
Reply to this comment
Signed.
I just want to point something out though: The Museum of Broadcasting and similar professional radio organizations which induct honorees and issue awards do so based on quality of work, not on a show or host's politics.
Rush Limbaugh is a right-wing racist, homophobe, etc., etc., yadda, yadda, all true, but he's also the undisputed master of the political talk radio genre. He has the listenership he does because he's a master radio entertainer and that's what he's being honored for. Same with the equally politically misguided Dr. Laura.
Don't confuse politics with quality of performance, especially in this case where the two are so closely intertwined.
Rebecca Juro | July 11, 2008 5:53 PM
Reply to this comment
I signed it as well. I've listened to Dobson's crepe before, and don't think he belongs in anything but a hall of shame - and absent his politics, he's boring and unentertaining.
Limbaugh, I can see, not for the quality of his analysis or political outlook, but for the fact that he did revolutionize radio. Talk radio was mainly local, with some notable exceptions (Art Bell comes to mind).
As for Schlessinger, on behalf of my fellow German-ancenstral Americans, I hereby apologize for her bigotry and ignorance, and hope that others do not feel that all German=Americans share her outlook.
My vote was for Howard Stern, not that I like Howard's misogyny or obsession with porn, either. However, one has to agree that he, more than the others listed, made a huge difference in radio listening.
Polar | July 11, 2008 11:53 PM
Reply to this comment