# Anthony Cumia of "Opie and Anthony" fired **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 5, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407 "2014-07-05T14:05:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/41 "2014-07-11T18:32:57Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I have no problem with declaring it publicly if that’s your thing. But at that point, why do you care if I keep listening to it? I don’t mean that rhetorically. > > I don’t understand the motivation behind my making any effort to limit an audience other than myself. I think Glenn Beck was a clown of epic proportions, but I had no problem with him having his show air every day. Some people liked it. I didn’t. That’s all fine – but why is the different approach “cowardly”? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/42 "2014-07-11T18:38:45Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > (Bolding relevant part) > > I have no problem with people feeling that this guy is a racist and they don’t want to listen to his show anymore and canceling their subscriptions. I have no problem with Focus on the Family not liking whatever the hell they decide not to like on a daily basis and turning that off as well. > > Once it is turned off, that is the end of it. My part in this is now done. Why the hell would I care if this show is still on and other people want to still listen to it? Maybe they get something out of it that I don’t. It’s none of my business. Why would I work toward removing it from the airwaves by threatening advertisers? How arrogant is it for me to decide that not only that I don’t want to watch something (which is obviously fine), but I don’t want other people to watch it either? > > “This guy is racist and I don’t want to support him” = fine > > “This guy is racist and I don’t want to support him and I’m going to call the company and their advertisers and threaten to stop supporting the surrounding businesses unless he is removed from the airwaves” = cowardly If companies whose products you buy are sponsoring the show, then you’re still supporting it. That’s why the boycott. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/43 "2014-07-11T18:58:25Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > That’s all fine – but why is the different approach “cowardly”? I have the same question. How is taking a public stand on an issue cowardly in comparison to taking a private stand? ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/44 "2014-07-11T19:01:00Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > But at that point, why do you care if I keep listening to it? I don’t mean that rhetorically. Because if I think something is wrong I want to fix it. And I know that my individual action is unlikely to be noticed much less cause change. So I’m going to make my views known in the hope that they will convince other people to act in the same way and our collective action will change things. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/45 "2014-07-11T19:03:51Z")
Let’s say some TV pundit announces they support segregation. They don’t advocate violence, but they support bringing back racial segregation. Well I don’t want to give any money or support to someone who supports segregation, so I don’t watch that show any more. And I don’t watch the network that pays him. And I don’t buy any products that advertise on that show. And I tell other people that I think this is a good idea and other people who oppose segregation might want to join me. How is this cowardly, or wrong, in any way at all? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/46 "2014-07-11T19:23:01Z")
This is how people go about changing society. If you want to live in a world I which blatant racism is not acceptable, then you have to take steps to do so. People used to have to go out and face German shepherds and water cannons. We have the luxury of boycotting sponsors. But the thing is, if you don’t take action, then things don’t get better of they slide back to the way things were. I don’t see that as cowardly. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/47 "2014-07-11T19:51:34Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Because if I think something is wrong I want to fix it. And I know that my individual action is unlikely to be noticed much less cause change. So I’m going to make my views known in the hope that they will convince other people to act in the same way and our collective action will change things. Focus on the Family tries to inflict their version of change too. How about you just let me decide for myself? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/48 "2014-07-11T20:01:18Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Let’s say some TV pundit announces they support segregation. They don’t advocate violence, but they support bringing back racial segregation. Well I don’t want to give any money or support to someone who supports segregation, so I don’t watch that show any more. And I don’t watch the network that pays him. And I don’t buy any products that advertise on that show. And I tell other people that I think this is a good idea and other people who oppose segregation might want to join me. > > How is this cowardly, or wrong, in any way at all? Maybe there are people other than you, who for their own reasons, want to hear what he has to say. It’s wrong because you are deciding for them that their reasons subservient to your own. You get to decide that you don’t want to watch them, but it’s wrong when you don’t think that the rest of society can’t handle hearing a dissenting view. Again, in this case, I have no doubt that this dude is a racist. I don’t listen to him. But, I don’t care if you do. Maybe by having him heard, more people will listen and realize how ridiculous he sounds. Glenn Beck became a caricature, and I wish like hell he still had the platform he did a few years ago so everyone could see how silly his views were. Maybe cowardly is the wrong word. Arrogant? Like I said, I don’t remotely understand the motivation, so it’s hard for me to put a word behind what it is. I’m ok with being angry and uncomfortable with the things I hear, and prefer this to the milquetoast stuff that remains once every small group of people chimes in to decide that I shouldn’t get to hear any of it. ---
**Author:** ![babygoat666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2acd7d/32.png) [@babygoat666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/babygoat666)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/49 "2014-07-11T21:51:35Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Maybe there are people other than you, who for their own reasons, want to hear what he has to say. It’s wrong because you are deciding for them that their reasons subservient to your own. You get to decide that you don’t want to watch them, but it’s wrong when you don’t think that the rest of society can’t handle hearing a dissenting view. > > Again, in this case, I have no doubt that this dude is a racist. I don’t listen to him. But, I don’t care if you do. Maybe by having him heard, more people will listen and realize how ridiculous he sounds. Glenn Beck became a caricature, and I wish like hell he still had the platform he did a few years ago so everyone could see how silly his views were. > > Maybe cowardly is the wrong word. Arrogant? Like I said, I don’t remotely understand the motivation, so it’s hard for me to put a word behind what it is. > > I’m ok with being angry and uncomfortable with the things I hear, and prefer this to the milquetoast stuff that remains once every small group of people chimes in to decide that I shouldn’t get to hear any of it. So pay his salary and broadcast his racist shit then. Why should someone else be forced to do it just because you want him on the air? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/50 "2014-07-11T22:15:15Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Maybe cowardly is the wrong word. Arrogant? Like I said, I don’t remotely understand the motivation, so it’s hard for me to put a word behind what it is. If you still don’t understand then you’re ignoring what people are telling you or you’re failing to think hard enough about it. There are still people alive today who remember living in an America where open flagrant racism was everywhere. Nobody thought twice about calling people “nigger” to their faces or denying black people service or warning them to be out of town by sunset. Sometime even murdering them just to keep them in their place. How do you think they changed? It changed because people stood up to it and boycotted business that put up with it. If we don’t keep up that commitment to making people understand that racism is unacceptable then we will lose what we have gained. Now do you at least begin to understand the motivation? Or is your head still firmly stuck in the sand? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/51 "2014-07-11T22:19:44Z")
> [@babygoat666](#): > > So pay his salary and broadcast his racist shit then. Why should someone else be forced to do it just because you want him on the air? They shouldn’t. Where did I say that they should? What a weird comment. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/52 "2014-07-11T22:31:54Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > How do you think they changed? It changed because people stood up to it and boycotted business that put up with it. > > If we don’t keep up that commitment to making people understand that racism is unacceptable then we will lose what we have gained. > > Now do you at least begin to understand the motivation? Or is your head still firmly stuck in the sand? So, you’re absolutely fine with the other side doing the same thing? I should be fine with the boycotts by the American Family Association or one of those other groups with “family” in the name successfully does the same move to curb what they consider unacceptable for me to watch? Because I’m not fine with that. So, yes, I see the motivation now. It’s “I want my views to supersede the views of others and only have them reflected. I can win the marketplace of ideas by only having my ideas be the ones that have an audience.” I have a better view of humanity as a whole. I think the majority of people look at the nonsense and see it as nonsense. They don’t need you to shield them from it. > [@Acsenray](#): > > Nobody thought twice about calling people “nigger” to their faces or denying black people service or warning them to be out of town by sunset. Sometime even murdering them just to keep them in their place. This is a dishonest statement to attempt to attach to me with regard to what I think I’ve been pretty clear about: > [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > I also don’t want to see him, or anyone, removed from their respective shows for their beliefs or comments about anything **provided their comments are not inciting violence or harmful illegal activities.** ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/53 "2014-07-11T22:39:37Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > Maybe there are people other than you, who for their own reasons, want to hear what he has to say. Of course there are – and they’re certainly entitled to their views. I don’t see anything wrong with publicly saying to companies “I won’t be your customer if you give money to racists”. > [@](#): > > It’s wrong because you are deciding for them that their reasons subservient to your own. No I’m not. I’m simply making my views known publicly. Trying to persuade people is not even close to “deciding that their reasons are subservient”. > [@](#): > > You get to decide that you don’t want to watch them, but it’s wrong when you don’t think that the rest of society can’t handle hearing a dissenting view. This is not my view. My view, which I might choose to make public, is that I won’t give any money to companies who pay openly racist broadcasters. And I might encourage others to make their views public, too. In fact, I’d be happy if the supporters of Cumia (or whomever) made their views public. I’m all for everyone making their views public. Then the companies will decide what’s best for their business. > [@](#): > > Again, in this case, I have no doubt that this dude is a racist. I don’t listen to him. But, I don’t care if you do. Maybe by having him heard, more people will listen and realize how ridiculous he sounds. Glenn Beck became a caricature, and I wish like hell he still had the platform he did a few years ago so everyone could see how silly his views were. Your view is fine. I hope you continue to make your views known. This is a good thing! Way to go! > [@](#): > > Maybe cowardly is the wrong word. Arrogant? Like I said, I don’t remotely understand the motivation, so it’s hard for me to put a word behind what it is. The motivation is “I don’t want to give money that helps openly racist broadcasters”. Saying that publicly is not wrong in any way – do you really think it’s “arrogant” to make my view public, or even try to persuade people that they might like to make their views public as well? > [@](#): > > I’m ok with being angry and uncomfortable with the things I hear, and prefer this to the milquetoast stuff that remains once every small group of people chimes in to decide that I shouldn’t get to hear any of it. I’m fine with this too – and I’m not deciding anyone else “shouldn’t get to hear” anything. Sometimes I’ll make my displeasure public, if I feel it’s warranted. I encourage others to do the same, even when they disagree. Thank you for making your views known publicly. You are a great American. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/54 "2014-07-11T22:43:08Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > So, you’re absolutely fine with the other side doing the same thing? I should be fine with the boycotts by the American Family Association or one of those other groups with “family” in the name successfully does the same move to curb what they consider unacceptable for me to watch? Because I’m not fine with that. Of course! I’m absolutely fine with others, even those who are on the opposite side ideologically, making their views known publicly. I’m absolutely fine with them saying they don’t want to support companies that pay someone they disapprove of for various reasons. What a great country, isn’t it? > [@](#): > > So, yes, I see the motivation now. It’s “I want my views to supersede the views of others and only have them reflected. I can win the marketplace of ideas by only having my ideas be the ones that have an audience.” This is pretty much the complete opposite of our view. > [@](#): > > I have a better view of humanity as a whole. I think the majority of people look at the nonsense and see it as nonsense. They don’t need you to shield them from it. Absolutely right. I don’t want to shield anyone from any views. I’m absolutely for free speech, including the freedom to voice one’s disapproval for various actions of corporations and other organizations and individuals. I am absolutely opposed to the government outlawing racist speech, or forcing companies to fire people for saying racist things. Boy, what a great country this is. Thanks for being a part of this open discussion! ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/55 "2014-07-11T23:03:18Z")
> [@Fiveyearlurker](#): > > So, you’re absolutely fine with the other side doing the same thing? I should be fine with the boycotts by the American Family Association or one of those other groups with “family” in the name successfully does the same move to curb what they consider unacceptable for me to watch? Because I’m not fine with that. > … > > I have a better view of humanity as a whole. I think the majority of people look at the nonsense and see it as nonsense. They don’t need you to shield them from it. It seems that you use the phrase “marketplace of ideas” without understanding what it is. > [@](#): > > This is a dishonest statement to attempt to attach to me with regard to what I think I’ve been pretty clear about: This is a dishonest statement to attempt to etc. … How do you think any of those things became illegal? ---
**Author:** ![Rucksinator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@Rucksinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rucksinator)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2014, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407/56 "2014-07-11T23:09:30Z")
Hey guys, there’s a thread over in GD where we’re discussing all of the “was it racist” and “should he be fired”, etc. kind of stuff. This thread was supposed to be in Cafe Society, but got demoted over to MPSIMS because Anthony is now a _persona non grata_ and was retroactively deemed not important enough to belong in CS. My OP: > [@Rucksinator](#): > > I started another thread in CS about this, but it turned into mostly a discussion about what is racist. If you want to debate whether or not his tweets were racist, or what “racist” means, you can discuss that here: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...php?p=17521289](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...php?p=17521289) > > If you want to discuss free speech vs. an employers right to fire their employees, feel free to start your own thread. I didn’t even mention that in the original thread because I felt that discussion has been done to death. > > Here, I would like to discuss the specifics of Anthony Cumia’s story. [This discussion kind of morphed over into what’s going to happen next.] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/anthony-cumia-of-opie-and-anthony-fired/692407.md?page=2)