{Political_Views} Tell MSNBC To Sanction Pat Buchanan

	October 25, 2011

Dear Friend, MSNBC has a Pat Buchanan problem and it's time they stop ignoring it. This week Buchanan, a paid MSNBC analyst, has appeared across the media promoting a new book. Here are just a few examples of his conduct during this publicity tour: Buchanan appeared on a "pro-white" radio program, where he attacked America's increasing diversity and warned that the country would face numerous problems when whites become a minority.[1] When pressed by a radio host to explain his warning that test scores will decline "as more and more of the children taking those tests will be African-American and Hispanic," Buchanan refused to disavow the idea that non-whites have inferior genes.[2] Buchanan argued that blacks and whites were more unified during segregation than they are today. [3] The bigotry on display isn't all that surprising when you consider the book being promoted. Buchanan's thesis is that America is "disintegrating" because "white America is an endangered species." MSNBC has the power to send a message that it will not tolerate bigotry by its employees, on its airwaves or off. Tell MSNBC it's time to sanction Buchanan. In 2009, the Anti-Defamation League called Buchanan an "unrepentant bigot" and noted that he "increasingly demonizes Jews, blacks, and non-white immigrants." The ADL expressed concern over "national media outlets legitimiz[ing] Buchanan's decades-long history of anti-Semitism and bigotry by presenting him as a respectable source of political commentary and ignoring his publicly hateful statements and open affiliations with anti-Semites and racists." [4] Indeed. And, Buchanan's recent tour has only reinforced the ADL's concerns. Tell MSNBC it's stop ignoring Buchanan's bigotry and sanctioning him. MSNBC has a record of holding its employees accountable. Several years ago, the network dropped the simulcast of Don Imus' radio program citing "a very long list of inappropriate comments." [5] And Buchanan has a long history of bigoted and inappropriate remarks. During the Nixon administration he reportedly informed the president that "Dr. King is one of the most divisive men in contemporary history." [6] In a 1989 column he implored the GOP to "take a hard look" at former KKK leader David Duke's "portfolio of winning issues." [7] Over the years, he has called gays and lesbians "sodomites" and said they are "literally hell-bent on Satanism and suicide"; called homosexuality a "disorder" that can be handled with therapy; and said that in a "healthy society, it will be contained, segregated, controlled, and stigmatized."[8] These are just a few among the many examples of Pat Buchanan's bigotry. Enough is enough. Tell MSNBC it's time to sanction Buchanan. You can help hold Pat Buchanan accountable by signing a letter to MSNBC's management and by spreading the word about this action. Your participation matters. Thanks, Matt Butler President and CEO Media Matters for America Notes: 1: "Pat Buchanan Appears On "Pro-White" Radio Show Show." Media Matters, 10/13/11 2: "Pat Buchanan Won't Disavow Idea That Minorities Have Inferior Genes." Media Matters, 10/21/11 3: "Pat Buchanan: Blacks Have Lost The American Identity They Had During Segregation." Media Matters, 10/19/11 4: "Patrick Buchanan: Unrepentant Bigot." Anti-Defamation League, 5/21/09 5: "MSNBC drops simulcast of Don Imus show." MSNBC.com, 4/13/07 6: "Pat Buchanan in His Own Words." Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, 2/26/96 7: "Pat Buchanan in His Own Words." Fairness & Accuracy In Reporting, 2/26/96 8: "Pat Buchanan's History Of Anti-LGBT Bigotry." Media Matters , 10/24/11

© 2011 Media Matters for America 455 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001

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