First of all, let me start by stating that I live in Vermont, first state in the union to legalize civil unions, which is right-wing speak for gay marriages. While I am proud of my supreme court for making this decision, it has apparently caused a counter-reaction, allowing every homophobic ass to proudly declare how much, while he has nothing against “those people” personally, and while it doesn’t matter what they do “behind closed doors,” the whole idea makes him sick. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve heard this speach from (ex)coworkers, politicians, and your average Joe who feels the need to discuss this with me in a coffee shop. So far, I have withheld from hitting anyone, but this morning, that almost changed.
I’m happily relishing the life of a lazy college student, waking up at 9 and watching Regis, when my local NBC (WPTZ) affiliate comes on with an “editorial.” Apparently, they’ve been getting flack for “Dr.” Laura’s upcoming television version of her hate-filled-unqualified-mental-health-advice show. The gist of the editorial went something like this:
We’ve been getting a lot of mail about Dr. Laura’s soon to be televised talk show. Apparently, some people feel her views toward homosexuality are wrong, and want us to cancel the show before they even see it. Well, we here at WPTZ just want to give equal time toward this issue. We air NBC’s hit comedy Will and Grace [shot of Jack leaping into Will’s arms. The word HOMOSEXUALITY is mock-stamped in rd ink over the image], a show centering around two gay men.
He then mentioned another show, as “Evidence” of how open minded thier station was, which for the life of me, I can’t remember. And thier website doesn’t have the editorial I am talking about listed yet. He ended his schpiel with “We’re just trying to give equal air time to this issue” or something along those lines. (the morons can’t even post an editoral after it airs?)
So, Dopers, because I know what avid Dr. Laura fans you all are, I ask your help in drafting a letter back to the station. Here is my start:
To whom it may concern:
I was dismayed and disappointed to view your editorial which aired August 30th, regarding “Dr.” Laura’s upcoming television show. While I understand your motives in writing and airing this editiorial were to give yourselves a proverbial pat on your backs for being so liberal in airing Will and Grace and other “gay-friendly” shows, the fact of the matter is that you as an NBC affiliate, you would be more then foolish to refuse to air a hit comedy because two of the characters are gay. I watch Will and Grace because it is a well written show with a solid cast, not because it promotes HOMOSEXUALITY, as you implied by superimposing the word in block-stamped font over the image of the show. I watch the show because it’s funny.
To imply that WPTZ is providing a service by airing Dr. Laura’s show, by giving equal airtime to the homosexuality issue is ridiculous. “Dr.” Laura is not a psychiatrist. Indeed, she has no psychiatric or psychological training at all. She is a judgmental shrew who takes a perverse joy in destroying the delicate egos of those callers who are fool enough to enter into her realm. As a psychology student, I am personally offended that she claims a title which I, God willing, will some day possess. She is NOT capible of giving psychological advice.
And then there is her stance on the homosexuality issue. People may have a problem with other people being gay. That’s fine. That’s they’re opinion, and they are welcome to it. But when someone who is claiming a title she has no right to claim sits in front of a mic and says with a degree of certanty that homosexuals are deviants and biological mistakes, that gives an air of crediance to that claim, as the average viewer/listener is not aware that she has no training or education to make such hateful claims. She is NOT making these statements as personal opionions, by claiming the title of Doctor, she is giving them professional crediance. It is this that I find so objectionable.
You may personally believe what you wish. And I have no doubt that you will air her show. I am well aware that there is no such thing as bad publicity. And I am sure that the first episode will get you and your sponsors ratings numbers. But don’t try to justify those ratings as “equal airtime” for the issue. Equal airtime would be to air a show hosted by a homosexual psychotherepist that would discuss the detrimental effects of repression of homosexual orientation. Air the show, collect your sponsor’s dollars. But don’t attempt to justify that as something that is noble.
And I will be staging a ban on any products or services aired as commercials during the Dr. Laura show. As a University of Vermont student, I plan to encourage other students to do the same, especially the local sponsors. And for the record, I am a heterosexual who finds hate mongering speech offensive in any form.
Jane Doe (I’m going to use my real name in the final letter)
Burington, VT
spelling and grammatical errors will be corrected when I type this up in Word. I have emailed them asking for a transcript and will post that here so you guys can write a letter if you find the editorial as offensive as I did. I support their right to have an editorial, and I champion my right to tell them that they’re editorial is full of bat guano. What say ye, Dopers? Suggestions?
Anyone know if there’s a site like this for Rush?