This Is Obscene

A novice weekend anchor at a small-market North Dakota TV station got instantly and infamously canned when he let out a couple of swear words when he didn't realize his microphone was live.   This was obviously a very dumbass thing to do, but a post today on rock station WPLR's Facebook page brought my attention to something much more obscene.   It mentioned an outrageous rant KTCN/Minneapolis morning co-host Bob Davis made about families of Newtown victims getting involved in the national gun control debate   According to All Access, the original comment, directed at the victims of Newtown "or any other shooting," aired on the April 12th show, went this way: 

 

"Just because a bad thing happened to you doesn’t mean that you get to put a king in charge of my life. I’m sorry that you suffered a tragedy, but you know what? Deal with it, and don’t force me to lose my liberty, which is a greater tragedy than your loss.  I’m sick and tired of seeing these victims trotted out, given rides on Air Force One, hauled into the Senate well, and everyone is … terrified of these victims. I would stand in front of them and tell them, ‘Go to hell.’ ”

 

One Connecticut resident invited Davis to visit Newtown himself.   Maybe then he can see how "exploited" they have been.   He never responded and even continued his warped talking points for days after.   It took Davis an entire week to issue a brief apology.   How sincere could the apology have been if he is allowed to continue his show uninterrupted with the loss of only one sponsor?    To my disgust, some posters on WPLR's Facebook actually said, "but he does have a point."    No, he has a deal breaker.   You've lost any legitimate argument when you have to stoop to that level.   Davis needs to visit Newtown himself or leave talk radio.  It's just the latest shameful tale in a diminished industry.