Whack-a-Wingnut

UPDATE II, 11/15/06: Read this first.

UPDATE, 11/10/06: Includes revised cut-and-paste FCC letter.

We’re all euphoric over the Dem victory (and Rummy’s departure), but let’s not forget some of the voter-suppression outrages committed on election day.

One of the most egregious was right-wing lunatic radio host Laura Ingraham inciting her listeners to sabotage a Dem hotline for reporting incidents of voter-suppression. Ingraham used public airwaves to orchestrate a crank-call attack on a legitimate effort to insure that citizens could exercise their basic right to vote. I know it’s not curse words or boobs, but the FCC should be notified, conduct an investigation, and punish Ingraham.

I encourage everyone to complain to the FCC about Ingraham’s outrageous and likely illegal behavior. My complaint, e-mailed as per FCC instructions to fccinfo@fcc.gov ,  after the flip. Feel free to copy and paste, or compose your own.

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau (CGB)

Re:  Laura Ingraham radio comment, Nov. 7


I ask the FCC to investigate the irresponsible and possibly illegal behavior of Talk Radio Network ( http://www.talkradionetwork.com/  ) host Laura Ingraham  ( http://www.lauraingraham.com/  ) on Nov. 7, election day.

I also request that a copy of this correspondence be placed in Talk Radio Network’s licensing file and in the licensing file of [local affiliate], the local affiliate that broadcasts Ingraham’s program in my area.

During her election-day program, Ingraham urged listeners to call a hotline established by the Democratic Party to help citizens gain access to polling places and exercise their constitutional right to vote. “This is what I’m thinking,” she said. “I think we all need to call 1 888 DEM VOTE all at the same time.”  (You can listen to her comments here: http://websrvr80il.audiovideoweb.com/il80web20037/ThinkProgress/2006/ingraham.mp4 , and here:  http://mediamatters.org/items/200611070019 .)

It is my understanding that crank callers, incited by Ingraham, overwhelmed the hotline at a critical time on election day. (You can listen to an example here: http://a9.g.akamai.net/7/9/8082/v001/democratic1.download.akamai.com/8082/audio/prank2.wav )

Ingraham used public airwaves to deliberately undermine a legal and legitimate effort to help citizens exercise their most basic constitutional right. Such behavior is irresponsible, possibly illegal, and damages our democracy. It cannot be ignored.

I request that you investigate Ingraham’s on-air behavior Nov. 7 and take whatever disciplinary action is warranted.

 

Comments

[Warrior Girl]

As an outraged voter, I applaud your efforts and have forwarded a letter to the FCC. Thanks.