OPINION & EDITORIAL
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Also by Mark A. Baumgardner:
- Wisconsin election ripe with voter irregularities (January 24, 2005)
- As absurd as March snow (December 1, 2004)
- Good morning, Milwaukee (November 17, 2004)
- ASM resolution wasteful (November 10, 2004)
- Re-elect George Bush to the presidency (October 27, 2004)
Related Stories:
- No room for racism (November 23, 2004)
- New
votersfraud project (October 6, 2004) - Madison: Tune your dial to blog radio (December 6, 2007)
- Progressive talk radio deserves better (September 9, 2005)
- Doyle's stance on marriage contrary to popular opinion (October 27, 2003)
by Mark A. Baumgardner
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
For over 15 years, radio talk show host Mark Belling has provided a strong voice for anyone concerned about the wide-ranging issues discussed on his program airing weekday afternoons on WISN-AM (1130) in Milwaukee, particularly conservatives in southeastern Wisconsin. Enjoying phenomenal ratings, including one of the highest rated afternoon drive talk shows in America, Belling has also become a regular substitute host for Rush Limbaugh.
As the most influential talk radio personality in Wisconsin, Belling carries a strong following and, also, several critics seeking opportunities to silence him. Over the past several days, those critics apparently found their occasion.
Belling commented, Oct. 27, on prevalent voter fraud in Milwaukee and non-citizens illegally casting ballots saying, “You watch the voter turnout on the near south side, heavily Hispanic, and compare it to the voter turnout in any other election, and you’re going to see every wetback and every other non-citizen out there voting.”
This goes without saying, but I will say it anyway: Belling was wrong in using the word “wetback.” Belling himself said it best in formally apologizing Nov. 6 for both his language and initial handling of the reaction, stating, “I apologize to my listeners and I extend a specific apology to the tens of thousands of Hispanic and Latin Americans in the metropolitan Milwaukee area for my terrible choice of words. Additionally, I apologize for the manner in which I have handled the legitimate, negative reaction to my ill-advised language. That was the wrong thing to do.”
Two days after Belling’s formal seven-paragraph written apology and 12 days after his unfortunate comment, parent company Clear Channel Communications and station management removed Belling from the air Monday, delighting those seeking to silence him after his mistake. Among others, gay and lesbian, educational and labor organizations sought full removal of Belling, regardless of any apology or subsequent actions taken by station management. Some even worked to challenge WISN’s license with the Federal Communications Commission.
In removing Belling from the air, Clear Channel and management did not commit censorship (a commonly misused word in the English language), as no governmental agency intervened. However, they made a business decision pandering to liberal interest groups, rather than their customers — listeners of Belling’s program. In doing so, they could have set a dangerous precedent: wait until the radio host you dislike trips up and then organize a mob demanding his removal.
Fortunately, Belling returned to his program Monday, and made several observations about the controversy, above all clearly noting the difference between those strongly criticizing his mistake and liberal interests simply seeking to remove dissenting opinions, “Many people were sincerely offended by what I said and how I dealt with the situation. Many others had agendas separate from that and were actually gleeful that they saw an opportunity to silence me.”
In March 2003, Clear Channel found themselves inside another controversy over free speech issues after Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made a remark in London about President George W. Bush and his foreign policy. Several Clear Channel-owned stations temporarily suspended their music based on audience research. Clear Channel issued no sweeping ban, and many Clear Channel-owned stations, including Madison’s Z104-FM and Q106-FM, continued to play their songs; some even increased their airplay after Maines’s comments.
The decisions by a few radio stations based on market forces received far more scrutiny by those in public forums than the decision to suspend Belling based on outside interests. In Madison, 10 of 20 City Council members co-sponsored a resolution to adopt the Dixie Chicks as the city’s country band after Maines’ comments. Eventually, City Council changed the resolution to proclaim Madison the “City of Tolerance” — a resolution they should probably repeal after all the hostility throughout the last election.
Although the Milwaukee city and county governments generally conduct themselves with slightly more professionalism, the same sense of political correctness abounds. Not one elected official publicly denounced attempts to remove Belling. Fortunately, thousands of listeners supported Belling, helping to prompt his reinstatement.
As Mark Belling returned to his show, he preceded his theme music by playing the familiar cut from Chumbawamba’s hit song “Tubthumping”: “I get knocked down. But I get up again. You’re never going to keep me down.” Belling’s resolute and determined return to the airwaves is a victory not only for conservatives in Wisconsin, but also for free speech throughout America.
Mark A. Baumgardner (mbaumgardner@wisc.edu) is a senior majoring in electrical engineering.
Mark Baumgardner (November 17, 2004 @ 7:25am):
Correction on my wording: Both Z-104 FM and Q-106 FM are Madison radio stations, but only Z-104 FM is owned by Clear Channel, not Q-106 FM which is owned by Mid-West Management.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 7:41am):
I'll hold my breath for you to also defend Howard Stern, who CC dumped, or Bill Maher, who lost his position on Political Incorrect because he said that the 9/11 terrorists were evil, but not cowardly.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 8:13am):
Good to know that this racist is gonna be able to get his hate-speak out to the masses. Good for you for standing up for him. Always looking out for the little guy, aren't ya?
Trent Steele (November 17, 2004 @ 8:29am):
I agree that there are people using this incident to remove Belling from the radio, and I don't agree with that (and neither does Eugene Kane, columnist for the Milwaukee Journal, and one of Belling's most despised targets). However, I am glad that they suspended him for a brief amount of time (even though WISN declined to call it a "suspension"). The reason is that if you will notice, he made the comment on October 27th, yet the apology comes on November 6th. In the meantime, Belling was giving insincere, half-assed apologies while simultaneously trying to defend his use of the word (which I hope that we can agree is indefensible).
As insensitive as this was, it was even more stupid politically. The Republicans have made strong in-roads into the Hispanic vote (Bush garnered 44% of the Hispanic vote in this last election), and say what you will about their pandering for votes, at least they back it up with minority appointments in key positions (e.g. Condi, Alberto Gonzales, et al). If it weren't for these occasional forays into rascism, conservatives would probably have a significantly stronger showing amongst minority groups. However, everytime that the Republicans build some political cache with a minority group, some idiot has to make some dumb-ass comment (Belling, T. Lott, etc) which re-enforces the negative stereotypes that the Republicans cannot seem to shake.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 9:47am):
Let's also look at the comment he made. He accused non-citizens of voting, and of legitmiate Hispanic voters having the gall to exercise their right to vote. Belling not only threw in a racial epithet, he was insulting Hispanics in general for just voting!
Of course, that's the real problem here. Belling merely tipped his hand as a closet racist, but the roots are far more dangerous. What Belling was commenting on, and what the Republican party in general has to straighten out, is that he believes that Hispanics shouldn't vote because they vote for the wrong party!
It's the same refrain every election....those inner city voters....they're cheating! Why are the cheating? Without proof...and notice there was no post-election outcry or even evidence of voter fraud...the Republicans decry the inner city and their liberal ways.
Well, maybe that's because the Republican party doesn't do a goddamn thing for voters in the inner city.
What Belling needs to wrap his mind around, and Baumgardner while he's at it....is that Hispanics and blacks won't for Republicans as long as they merely pander to their interests.
Belling just showed the ugly side of what is a long standing Republican party stance of favoring your side...which happens to be rural, white, suburban, and affluent...or poor and misguided.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:10pm):
"Belling merely tipped his hand as a closet racist"
On the contrary, this is just the latest in a long line of racist comments by Belling. He's as scummy as people get.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:52pm):
This whole issue with Belling has been ridulous and I don't has gotten blown completely out of proportion. First of all, the man clearly said that his comment was directed to illegal immigrants, not those who are legally living in Milwaukee. Now if we are going to think about firing a man because of a comment he makes about people who shouldn't be in this country, then our country is headed for the shitter. Second, what about the comments that a hispanic man made about Belling in one of Milwaukee's hispanic papers. He called Belling a Nazi because Belling is German. Funny how the media didn't report on that and how that seems to be okay. Even though I'm German, I don't take offense to that because I actually have skin that is thicker than a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, what this hispanic man said was wrong and should be made to give an apology to Belling. It just shows another double standard in society. If you are white and make any comment about a minority that could possibly be taken derogatorily, then watch out because you will have every civil rights group crawling up your ass. If you are a minority and make those same comments about a white person, you can sleep tight because no one will dare hold you accountable for your words. It's just like how Marvin Pratt's wife referred to the white voters of Milwaukke who didn't vote for her husband as a bunch of red-neck hicks. There was no outrage whatsoever. can you imagine if Pratt had won and Tom Barret's wife called the black voters of Milwaukee a bunch of dumb niggers. It would have made national news. For all of you with a brain, I think you get the point.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:53pm):
This whole issue with Belling has been ridulous and I don't has gotten blown completely out of proportion. First of all, the man clearly said that his comment was directed to illegal immigrants, not those who are legally living in Milwaukee. Now if we are going to think about firing a man because of a comment he makes about people who shouldn't be in this country, then our country is headed for the shitter. Second, what about the comments that a hispanic man made about Belling in one of Milwaukee's hispanic papers. He called Belling a Nazi because Belling is German. Funny how the media didn't report on that and how that seems to be okay. Even though I'm German, I don't take offense to that because I actually have skin that is thicker than a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, what this hispanic man said was wrong and should be made to give an apology to Belling. It just shows another double standard in society. If you are white and make any comment about a minority that could possibly be taken derogatorily, then watch out because you will have every civil rights group crawling up your ass. If you are a minority and make those same comments about a white person, you can sleep tight because no one will dare hold you accountable for your words. It's just like how Marvin Pratt's wife referred to the white voters of Milwaukke who didn't vote for her husband as a bunch of red-neck hicks. There was no outrage whatsoever. can you imagine if Pratt had won and Tom Barret's wife called the black voters of Milwaukee a bunch of dumb niggers. It would have made national news. For all of you with a brain, I think you get the point.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:53pm):
This whole issue with Belling has been ridulous and I don't has gotten blown completely out of proportion. First of all, the man clearly said that his comment was directed to illegal immigrants, not those who are legally living in Milwaukee. Now if we are going to think about firing a man because of a comment he makes about people who shouldn't be in this country, then our country is headed for the shitter. Second, what about the comments that a hispanic man made about Belling in one of Milwaukee's hispanic papers. He called Belling a Nazi because Belling is German. Funny how the media didn't report on that and how that seems to be okay. Even though I'm German, I don't take offense to that because I actually have skin that is thicker than a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, what this hispanic man said was wrong and should be made to give an apology to Belling. It just shows another double standard in society. If you are white and make any comment about a minority that could possibly be taken derogatorily, then watch out because you will have every civil rights group crawling up your ass. If you are a minority and make those same comments about a white person, you can sleep tight because no one will dare hold you accountable for your words. It's just like how Marvin Pratt's wife referred to the white voters of Milwaukke who didn't vote for her husband as a bunch of red-neck hicks. There was no outrage whatsoever. can you imagine if Pratt had won and Tom Barret's wife called the black voters of Milwaukee a bunch of dumb niggers. It would have made national news. For all of you with a brain, I think you get the point.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:54pm):
This whole issue with Belling has been ridulous and it has gotten blown completely out of proportion. First of all, the man clearly said that his comment was directed to illegal immigrants, not those who are legally living in Milwaukee. Now if we are going to think about firing a man because of a comment he makes about people who shouldn't be in this country, then our country is headed for the shitter. Second, what about the comments that a hispanic man made about Belling in one of Milwaukee's hispanic papers. He called Belling a Nazi because Belling is German. Funny how the media didn't report on that and how that seems to be okay. Even though I'm German, I don't take offense to that because I actually have skin that is thicker than a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, what this hispanic man said was wrong and should be made to give an apology to Belling. It just shows another double standard in society. If you are white and make any comment about a minority that could possibly be taken derogatorily, then watch out because you will have every civil rights group crawling up your ass. If you are a minority and make those same comments about a white person, you can sleep tight because no one will dare hold you accountable for your words. It's just like how Marvin Pratt's wife referred to the white voters of Milwaukke who didn't vote for her husband as a bunch of red-neck hicks. There was no outrage whatsoever. can you imagine if Pratt had won and Tom Barret's wife called the black voters of Milwaukee a bunch of dumb niggers. It would have made national news. For all of you with a brain, I think you get the point.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 12:54pm):
This whole issue with Belling has been ridulous and it has gotten blown completely out of proportion. First of all, the man clearly said that his comment was directed to illegal immigrants, not those who are legally living in Milwaukee. Now if we are going to think about firing a man because of a comment he makes about people who shouldn't be in this country, then our country is headed for the shitter. Second, what about the comments that a hispanic man made about Belling in one of Milwaukee's hispanic papers. He called Belling a Nazi because Belling is German. Funny how the media didn't report on that and how that seems to be okay. Even though I'm German, I don't take offense to that because I actually have skin that is thicker than a sheet of paper. Nevertheless, what this hispanic man said was wrong and should be made to give an apology to Belling. It just shows another double standard in society. If you are white and make any comment about a minority that could possibly be taken derogatorily, then watch out because you will have every civil rights group crawling up your ass. If you are a minority and make those same comments about a white person, you can sleep tight because no one will dare hold you accountable for your words. It's just like how Marvin Pratt's wife referred to the white voters of Milwaukke who didn't vote for her husband as a bunch of red-neck hicks. There was no outrage whatsoever. can you imagine if Pratt had won and Tom Barret's wife called the black voters of Milwaukee a bunch of dumb niggers. It would have made national news. For all of you with a brain, I think you get the point.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 1:11pm):
Learn how to use a computer.
You only need to hit "Post Comment" once.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 1:25pm):
How about this- if you don't like Belling, CHANGE the station! Radio personalities can't hack it if they don't have any listeners...
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 1:28pm):
You're an idiot. It's okay to call Mexican immigrants wetbacks as long as they're illegal, because "they shouldn't be in this country"? If you actually did research, you would know that the vast majority (95%+) of illegal immigrants are illegal because they overstay work visas. You would also know that the vast majority of illegal immigrants are actively recruited by American companies to work here (for less pay and benefits). You would know that your anger at illegal immigrants is wholly misplaced, and that the blame rests in large part on American companies that are looking to avoid paying fair wages. You would know that without the labor of these people "that shouldn't be in the country", you would be paying far more for all sorts of goods and services.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 3:12pm):
Why is there an opinion column about a Milwaukee radio personality? We live in Madison. Why do we care about Milwaukee? Mark, are you from Milwaukee? Are you living there now? Say it with me: "Mmmmmmmadison!"
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 4:14pm):
Things do occur outside of Madison dumbass.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 5:51pm):
This editorial, along with several of the following comments illustrate a troubling amount of ignorance and stupidity. It is simply not acceptable for a public personality to use a racial slur, on air, with no consideration of the consequences. This fundamental principal does merit exception, despite how you may feel about the issue that was being discussed. The fact that this is a commentator who is paid to stir up controversy does not make his actions more acceptable, and in fact makes the line that was crossed a more egrigious offense. In using the public airwaves radio (and tv) stations are expected to serve the public interest. Alienating a large group of people is certainly not accompishing this. I also felt it a serious omission that the author of this editorial failed to mention that Belling's intial on-air apology made light of the comment, calling his audience 'wet'. For several days afterwards Belling refused to apologize, showing his lack of understanding of the offensiveness of the matter. Only after companies started to pull their advertising did Belling offer an apology. Also, a previous comment indicated that he felt that a double standard was at work in the media coverage of this event. In actuality, the reason for the uproar is because Mr. Belling is in the public eye and as such, is held to a higher standard then others. Furthermore, there was a backlash against Mrs. Pratt's comments and she later apologized. The point of the matter, Mark Belling, as an on-air personality is allowed a certain amount of freedom, Belling overstepped his bounds and when given the opportunity to apologize he decided he was above accountablity. As a result, Belling should be removed from the air.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 6:12pm):
If you think Belling should be removed from the air, do your part and stop listening to him. If you have enough people joining you, he will be removed from the air. (He is not on public radio like you seem to think he is, so he does have to have an audience to stay on.) Until then, stop deciding for the rest of us who we can and can't listen to.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 6:22pm):
ABC alieniated a lot of people in their opening to Monday Night Football a few days ago. I suppose that also did not serve the public interest either, did it? That's it... time to pull the plug on Monday Night Football too!!
Seriously, where does this stop? Commercial TV and radio exists to entertain and make money. Like anything else, if you don't like it, don't patronize it.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 8:23pm):
"ABC alieniated a lot of people in their opening to Monday Night Football a few days ago. I suppose that also did not serve the public interest either, did it? That's it... time to pull the plug on Monday Night Football too!!"
No, but how about some accountability? When Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake had their so-called "wardrobe malfunction" at the Super Bowl, the FCC went nuts and levied a record fine against the network. This time, what happened was definitely intentional and planned and it violated federal standards of decency. Some people, like Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, found it racially offensive. At the very least, ABC should apologize.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 9:23pm):
To claim that market forces determine acceptable content is wrong. Even if he has the highest ratings in the nation, calling somebody a 'wetback' and then taking over a week to figure out that sarcastic and insincere apologies are out of line is still wrong.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 9:52pm):
"Until then, stop deciding for the rest of us who we can and can't listen to."
"Seriously, where does this stop? Commercial TV and radio exists to entertain and make money. Like anything else, if you don't like it, don't patronize it."
It is certainly easy to say things like the above when you arent the group the slur is aimed at. You clearly don't know what it feels like to be discriminated against, and until you have experienced how a racial slur feels when it is used against you, please dont tell me anyone else what to do...I doubt hispanics were 'entertained' by being called this name.
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 11:39pm):
Wow! So somebody in this city of tolerance and open-mindedness does believe in censorship! Yes, let's have the government decide what's appropriate and what isn't because we're too stupid to do it ourselves!
Oh no! I need sensitivity training. Someone please come disable my computer until I go!
Anonymous (November 17, 2004 @ 11:56pm):
From some of these comments, i would say people are too stupid to do it themselves
