Censorship is alive and well on XM Radio

[Funkmasterr]

wow, look. americans throwing around out-of-context phrases from their constitution without fully understanding the implementation or actual meaning of it on an internet messageboard. amazing!

In all honesty I pity you. The level of misery you must endure every day causing you to be such a whiny little bitch in every single statement you make must be painful. I can't imagine the disappointment you feel every time you realize that nobody actually gives a fuck.

I would probably be a bit pissy most of the time too if I was Canadian.

[Sylvus]

Dude, you live in Minnesota.

[Aslanna]

Ya!

[Boogahz]

Minnesota is like little Canada, eh?

[miir]

Minnesota is like little Canada, eh?

Take the worst parts of Canada and make them shittier... that's Minnesota.

[Sylvus]

I'll never understand people on this board making fun of Canada. I've spent time in Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver and all of them were really cool cities that I would go back to in a heartbeat. Windsor is mediocre, but all the non-city places I've been to (Manitoulin Island, others I don't remember) all had nice people, beautiful landscapes, etc.

[Funkmasterr]

People on this board? Isn't it pretty much people period that make fun of Canada?

And Minnesota (at least not from the Twin Cities south) is nothing like Canada (yes, I have been to Canada a few times) just to clear that up.

[Nick]

Isn't it pretty much people period that make fun of Canada?

No, that would only be a "retarded american" trait.

[miir]

And Minnesota (at least not from the Twin Cities south) is nothing like Canada (yes, I have been to Canada a few times) just to clear that up.

Much of Minnesota is very similar to rural Canada. The only real difference that I could notice is that Canadians are (for the most part) more friendly and polite. That's not to say that Minnesotans are unfriendly and rude... they just don't quite measure up to Canadians.

The closest Canadian comparison to Minnesota would be one of the prarie cities, like Edmonton, Calgary or Winnipeg.

There's nothing in Minnesota that would compare to Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.

[Leonaerd]

Dude, you live in Minnesota.

His town name even sounds Canadian when spoken from my mid-westerner mouth.

[Funkmasterr]

I spend almost all of my time in Minneapolis or within 10 minutes of it, so I don't see too much of these parts you speak of dregor. Fact of the matter is once you get out a ways from the city people get scary in a hurry - but that is not the majority of people here (not a SINGLE time have I heard someone in MN talk like in the movie Fargo like people seem to think.) But yeah, fuck canadia.

[Sylvus]

But yeah, fuck canadia.

For what reason? What's bad about Canada?

[Leonaerd]

(not a SINGLE time have I heard someone in MN talk like in the movie Fargo like people seem to think.)

I don't even live in MN and I've heard the accent several times. It's almost a different language.

[miir]

I don't see too much of these parts you speak of dregor.

Are you drunk or just retarded?

[Sylvus]

Don't forget the third option, miir. Those two aren't mutually exclusive. And one of them is always true in his case.

Oh wait, I read that wrong, you were already accounting for that.

[Niffoni]

I cautiously approve this derail based on entertainment value, and the potential for further self-humiliation. Carry on!

[Boogahz]

Isn't Fargo in North Dakota (a.k.a. Littler Canada)?

[kyoukan]

I am happy the farther worthless fuckbag wiggers like "Funkmasterr" (seriously, what the christ?) stay away from Canada. Please don't pollute our country with your homo.

[Truant]

I met plenty of people in Minnesota (even in the twin cities) that had the accent. That said, I don't think it's retarded. I really enjoy accents for some reason, always have.

Furthermore, the week I spent in rural? Canada (Regina) I loved. I met some absolutely fabulous people there, and really want to spend some more time visiting the rest of Canada.

[Tyek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjIuPSuYSOY

Patrice O'Neal discusses the O&A issue with New York NOW Chapter president. It is pretty funny actually.

[kyoukan]

I love how the crew off camera keeps snickering.

[Siji]

I am happy the farther worthless fuckbag wiggers like "Funkmasterr" (seriously, what the christ?) stay away from Canada. Please don't pollute our country with your homo.

Isn't that like saying not to pollute your septic system?

[Funkmasterr]

I am happy the farther worthless fuckbag wiggers like "Funkmasterr" (seriously, what the christ?) stay away from Canada. Please don't pollute our country with your homo.

Am I really supposed to care what The Biggest Cunt In Canada(tm) thinks about my name on a video game forum. Secondly, I would like to answer your question "seriously, what the christ" but unfortunately I don't see what some stupid wandering jew has to do with my name?

[Funkmasterr]

I cautiously approve this derail based on entertainment value, and the potential for further self-humiliation. Carry on!

If you think I am humiliating myself you have something else coming. I started jokingly poking fun at Canadians, and because most of them that do post here are so fucking miserably shallow they took it seriously and started throwing their usual tired insults at me.

[Tyek]

Better verify that cancellation Midnyte

http://consumerist.com/consumer/state-o ... 261566.php

Some XM Radio subscribers protesting the Opie and Anthony suspension hang up the phone thinking they've canceled, but after calling back to verify, it turns out they've only been given a 1-6 month credit, writes reader Justin:

On Wednesday I called and canceled my XM subscription after finding out Opie and Anthony were suspended. This afternoon (Thursday) I read on a message board that subscribers who also called to cancel were finding out their accounts were not canceled. Instead some were given the 1-6 month credit they turned down and others found out their accounts were not flagged for cancellation until May 26 (XM's shareholder meeting is May 25th, coincidence?).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure enough, when I called XM customer support to verify my cancellation I was told my account was granted a 3 month credit on Wednesday instead of the cancellation I demanded. After being transferred to the cancellation department I was hung up while on hold waiting for them to pick up. It took one more call to find out my account had been canceled around the time I was on hold (hung up on) waiting for the cancellation department.
So if any readers canceled their XM service they need to call XM again and verify. Otherwise they may be in for a surprise in a few months when XM monthly charges start back up.


It's almost as if XM hired AOL's old retention specialists. — BEN POPKEN

[Tyek]

LOL now Fox is apologizing for the video segment I just posted last night.

Funny how they never apologize about showing dead bodies or gun fights. Jesus we are some uptight motherfuckers in this country right now.

Viewers Force Gibson To Apologize For Airing Joke About ‘Ejaculating In A Woman’s Eye’
Radio shock jocks Opie and Anthony were recently suspended from XM Satellite Radio “when they broadcast May 9 the rantings of a character they call Homeless Charlie, who fantasized about having violent sex with Laura Bush, Condoleezza Rice and Queen Elizabeth II.”

On Monday, “stand-up comic” Patrice O’Neal appeared as a guest on John Gibson’s Fox News show, The Big Story, and defended Opie and Anthony. He said they were just “trying to be funny,” adding that he has a “couple” of “pretty good” rape jokes in his HBO special. As an example, he cited a “donkey punch” joke: “t’s ejaculate in her eye and kick her in the shin and she walks around like arrgh, it’s the angry pirate.”

When Gibson argued that “you can’t say just anything on the air” (even though he aired the “joke”), O’Neal claimed, “You can say anything you want.” Watch it:


O’Neal also criticized Gibson’s other guest, Sonia Ossorio, and her organization, the National Organization of Women, for “not representing the nappy ho part, she’s representing just the ho. The nappy headed part, she has nothing to do with, just the ho.”

Viewers, understandably, were outraged that Gibson’s show, which is on at 5:00 PM ET, aired O’Neal’s remarks. One viewer wrote in and said that Gibson “blew it yesterday,” and that women need to “raise all sorts of heck against this man and others who degrade women of any race.” To his credit, Gibson apologized:

Patrice said something which should never have been aired and for those of you who heard it, I apologize. There are rules governing this business and what he said violated those rules. It’s my show and it’s my fault, and I apologize sincerely to all and any who were offended. And that is your word.

(HT: News Hounds)

Digg It!

Transcript:

GIBSON: More CBS radio firings, they’ve been on a terror lately. Are they cleaning house, or is this the PC cops run amok?

O’NEAL: You know what it is John. You know what it is while you’re reading that paper. It’s the PC cops run amok.

GIBSON: Who do you think (INAUDIBLE) a PC cop.

O’NEAL: She’s a PC cop, of course she is. She has an entire encyclopedia of her stance on it, but it’s no passion involved. It’s not a real — this is just what she has to say. We are outraged and fired and fired and fired.

OSSORIO: He’s a fool, he’s an absolute fool.

O’NEAL: Name calling. I’m outraged. I am outraged.

OSSORIO: You should be, you should be outraged.

O’NEAL: I am a fool. Now if I called you a fool — ah!

OSSORIO: You know what, people are feeling a new sense of entitlement to decency in this country.

O’NEAL: Who are these people? Who are the people?

OSSORIO: A new sense of entitlement.

GIBSON: How can you — Patrice so here is my question — how can you justify a bad joke, a joke that isn’t funny — wait a minute, that isn’t funny, doesn’t get any laughs, and is about raping the first black woman to ever become the secretary of state of the United States?

O’NEAL: Don’t throw that at me.

GIBSON: Well why not?

O’NEAL: The attempt is what I’m trying to fight for. The joke may or may — funny jokes and unfunny jokes come out of the same birth. You don’t know if anything is going to be funny. You should attempt to be able to make anything funny.

GIBSON: Don’t you think a joke about rape is doomed to be not funny?

O’NEAL: It’s possible, but I’ve heard them. I’ve heard them –

GIBSON: You’ve heard a funny rape joke?

O’NEAL: I’d say a couple. Watch my HBO special, I’m pretty good at it.

OSSORIO: Yes, Patrice says that if you’re having sex with a woman doggy style and if you hit her in the head at just the right time –

O’NEAL: No, its ejaculate in her eye and kick her in the shin and she walks around like arrgh, it’s the angry pirate. That’s what she was trying to say.

OSSORIO: No, no. He said a violent act of hitting her in the back of her head, her body freezes up, which will then –

O’NEAL: It’s called the donkey punch.

OSSORIO: Which will then –

O’NEAL: Why are you laughing? She’s outraged. It’s called the donkey punch, its called humor that she has no clue what it is.

GIBSON: We have the same problem that Opie and Anthony does. You can’t say just anything on the air.

O’NEAL: You can say anything you want. It might not be funny, you might get in trouble for it, but you should be able to be attempting — and plus, when is a crazy bum going to get an opportunity to rape the president’s wife John? It was trying to be funny.

GIBSON: All right Patrice, why aren’t I hearing Al Sharpton complain about this thing involving –

O’NEAL: Because it wasn’t involving young black women.

GIBSON: Well, it’s involving a very prominent black woman.

O’NEAL: Well where was she during young black — everybody has their agenda.

OSSORIO: I was there, I was there.

O’NEAL: Oh I’m sorry. All right, excuse me.

OSSORIO: Well why am I not hearing from Sharpton?

O’NEAL: Because this doesn’t concern him. It does not concern him. You know, come on now, you know Al Sharpton has his agenda and it was perfect for Al, young black women. And now she’s representing just women in general. She’s not representing the nappy ho part, she’s representing just the ho. The nappy headed part, she has nothing to do with, just the ho.

[kyoukan]

I cautiously approve this derail based on entertainment value, and the potential for further self-humiliation. Carry on!

If you think I am humiliating myself you have something else coming. I started jokingly poking fun at Canadians, and because most of them that do post here are so fucking miserably shallow they took it seriously and started throwing their usual tired insults at me.

did you just call someone else shallow? my fucking toilet bowl has more depth than you. christ are you so fucking clueless that you don't even realize what a chimpanzee you are?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

Better verify that cancellation Midnyte

http://consumerist.com/consumer/state-o ... 261566.php

Some XM Radio subscribers protesting the Opie and Anthony suspension hang up the phone thinking they've canceled, but after calling back to verify, it turns out they've only been given a 1-6 month credit, writes reader Justin:

On Wednesday I called and canceled my XM subscription after finding out Opie and Anthony were suspended. This afternoon (Thursday) I read on a message board that subscribers who also called to cancel were finding out their accounts were not canceled. Instead some were given the 1-6 month credit they turned down and others found out their accounts were not flagged for cancellation until May 26 (XM's shareholder meeting is May 25th, coincidence?).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure enough, when I called XM customer support to verify my cancellation I was told my account was granted a 3 month credit on Wednesday instead of the cancellation I demanded. After being transferred to the cancellation department I was hung up while on hold waiting for them to pick up. It took one more call to find out my account had been canceled around the time I was on hold (hung up on) waiting for the cancellation department.
So if any readers canceled their XM service they need to call XM again and verify. Otherwise they may be in for a surprise in a few months when XM monthly charges start back up.


It's almost as if XM hired AOL's old retention specialists. — BEN POPKEN

I did. I've also filed a complaint with the BBB.

[noel]

I did. I've also filed a complaint with the BBB.

Interestingly... While it's not a freedom of speech issue, and it is potentially false advertising. I don't give a shit about O&A. Never heard them before and have no interest in doing so but...

As I understand it, XM subscribers were told that they were getting 'raw and uncensored radio' as part of the advertising. If however, that 'raw and uncensored radio' is being neutered and censored when it's convenient for XM and Sirius it sounds like there's a case for false advertising. It also sounds like if XM is attempting to ignore the requests for cancelling subs, it might be in your interest to consult a lawyer about the potential of a class-action lawsuit.

[Sylvus]

As I understand it, XM subscribers were told that they were getting 'raw and uncensored radio' as part of the advertising. If however, that 'raw and uncensored radio' is being neutered and censored when it's convenient for XM and Sirius it sounds like there's a case for false advertising. It also sounds like if XM is attempting to ignore the requests for cancelling subs, it might be in your interest to consult a lawyer about the potential of a class-action lawsuit.

I don't think the false advertising would have any merit. The broadcast is still "raw and uncensored". They didn't censor anything that anyone said, they just put some people on suspension. That's entirely within their rights as an employer.

Not allowing people to cancel their subs, or leading them to believe they had and then not actually cancelling them is pretty much bullshit though. Hopefully that would stand up in court.

[Vaemas]

The "not cancelling" part is bullshit. That would seriously piss me off.

[Boogahz]

I cautiously approve this derail based on entertainment value, and the potential for further self-humiliation. Carry on!

If you think I am humiliating myself you have something else coming. I started jokingly poking fun at Canadians, and because most of them that do post here are so fucking miserably shallow they took it seriously and started throwing their usual tired insults at me.

did you just call someone else shallow? my fucking toilet bowl has more depth than you. christ are you so fucking clueless that you don't even realize what a chimpanzee you are?

Maybe someday you will get indoor plumbing and not have to crap in such a deep* hole.


*Not that I am claiming that Funkmasterr is deep

[Voronwë]

this isnt a free speech issue

there is no law enforcement action

this is a media corporation making a decision about what content it is willing to have associated with its brand.

pretty big difference.

[Aslanna]

Voronwë hates freedom

[Boogahz]

Voronwë hates freedom

damn commies

[Siji]

Voronwë hates freedom

Voronwë is a terrorist?

[Chidoro]

this isnt a free speech issue

there is no law enforcement action

this is a media corporation making a decision about what content it is willing to have associated with its brand.

pretty big difference.

That's pretty much it.

XM is guilty of being hypocritical and they are going to take a financial hit as a result. I think it's great that the advertisers are backing the talent and doing it on the channel that, far and away, has more listeners than any other on XM. My two subs are now cancelled.

[Boogahz]

Just curious, do those of you mentioning multiple subscriptions actually have 2+, or do you have one subscription with multiple receivers?

[Chidoro]

I have two subscriptions and two recievers under one account. The first receiver is ~$13 per month while my second receiver is ~$6 per. It's actually a pretty good deal but this is obvoiusly not a money issue for me personally.

[Tyek]

I have 2 receivers and three cars with the cradle. We also have the cradle for the home stereo.

While they may not be guilty of free speech violations, they are trying to dupe stockholders by holding off cancelations until the day after the investors meetings. I am pretty sure the SEC and the shareholders would frown on that.

[Tyek]

"Remember that controversial Olympic logo for the 2012 Olympics in London? Some folks have complained that the campaign actually sent them into epileptic seizures."

"Well, we asked you to weigh in on our Web site in an informal poll; those of you who could get up off the floor after shaking around were able to actually log in . . . "

That was Al Roker, who on his own blog says about Imus.....

"I, for one, am really tired of the diatribes, the “humor” at others’ expense, the cruelty that passes for “funny”. The “I’m a good person who said a bad thing” apology doesn’t cut it. The general manager of Cartoon Network resigned after a publicity stunt went wrong and caused a panic in Boston. He did the right thing. Don Imus should do the right thing and resign."

Personally, I have no issue with the bad joke, just like O&A and Imus, you have the right to say stupid, bad jokes. When you get on your high horse and brag that you were one of the leaders in getting Imus fired, then I think you should be held to the same standards you expect from others. Somehow I don't see his resignation happening though.

edit- Here is the apology.

AL Roker apologized yesterday for joking about epileptic seizures on Thursday's "Today" show.

Yesterday, Roker said he was sorry.

"I started joking about it. I want to make this clear - I was not joking about epilepsy or anyone who suffers from epilepsy," he said at around 8:04 a.m. while he was delivering a weather report from Milwaukee.

"We understand and know that this is a serious affliction and would never joke about that.

"We were joking about the logo - not about epilepsy. If anybody was offended, I heartily and really humbly apologize."

"Today's" poll showed that 80 percent of viewers thought the logo was inappropriate.

[Xyun]

Censorship is alive and well on VV.

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

The Al Roker thing was no different than the Imus thing. Al Roker should be held to his own standard and fired for his insensitivity.

[Aslanna]

No it's not the same thing at all.

[noel]

What ended up happening with O&A on XM?

[Midnyte_Ragebringer]

They had to serve a 30 day suspension which ends on the 15th.

[Tyek]

Imus settled his wrongful termination lawsuit and their are rumors of his returning to the air soon. What is funny is that hours after the settlement a Rutgers player sued him for defamation of character. She claims her reputation was damaged. Honestly if she walked down virtually any street in America she would go un-noticed. I hope they don't give her a dime.

A radio comeback for Don Imus seemed unthinkable at the height of the uproar caused by his sexist and racist comments on-air about the Rutgers women's basketball team.

The veteran talk show host was skewered by politicians and advocacy groups and flayed in the media for referring to the players as "nappy-headed hos" on his nationally syndicated CBS Radio program. He became the target of protests led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and was eventually fired.

But industry experts say broadcast executives can have a very short memory if it means boosting ratings — which Imus can still deliver.

"We are in a society where celebrity is the most important part of fame. Whether it's for good or for bad — that doesn't seem to translate in corporate America's unending quest for ratings," said Michael Harrison, founder of the trade publication Talkers magazine. "He's more valuable now than before the controversy. ... He's in a position to sort of reinvent himself — to make himself more pertinent and even more interesting."

Imus reached a settlement Tuesday with CBS Radio that pre-empts his threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS, the company and Imus' attorney said in a statement Tuesday.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Just before his dismissal, Imus had signed a five-year, $40 million contract with CBS.

The announcement essentially makes Imus a free agent, and broadcast industry experts say he will be back on the air soon enough.

"I've been comparing this to a divorce, now both parties are able to move on," said Tom Taylor of radio-info.com, a soundboard for news and information about the radio industry.

And, it's possible he will be a different broadcaster now.

"He's been on the air for decades and he's always been outrageous, and has sort of made fun of groups of people and individuals, but it's possible he's going to be a little wiser, maybe think twice before speaking," Taylor said.

Sharpton issued a statement Tuesday saying the settlement is a "a legal matter between a former employer and employee."

But he added that it is "also a testimony to the movement of people that raised their voices to fire Imus that CBS would rather pay him off than keep him on. ... To the rumors that Imus may resurface, wherever he resurfaces we at National Action Network and other groups will be watching and monitoring him."

Other critics weren't so forgiving.

Rutgers player Kia Vaughn filed suit against Imus, CBS and others on Tuesday for an undisclosed sum — claiming the offensive comments had damaged her reputation. A spokeswoman for CBS Radio declined to comment, and a lawyer for Imus did not return a call about the suit.

Vaughn's attorney, Richard Ancowitz, said, "The full effect of the damage remains to be seen."

"This is about Kia Vaughn's good name," Ancowitz said. "She would do anything to return to her life as a student and respected basketball player — a more simple life before Imus opened his mouth."

Rutgers spokeswoman Stacey Brann said basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer was on vacation and not available to comment.

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason and New Jersey radio personality Craig Carton were named Tuesday to take over Imus' former morning time slot on WFAN, the CBS-owned New York radio station that was Imus' flagship.

___

[Sueven]

While I had no problem with Imus losing his show, this lawsuit is beyond retarded.