8-1-13
From time to time you'll hear about advertisers pulling commercials over content they're unhappy with. It's rare you hear about PSAs being pulled. That's exactly what the Minnesota Department of Education has done at Clear Channel's KDWB after tweets made by morning man Dave Ryan, according to Channel 11 in Minneapolis. Is this a case of being overly sensitive? Too much political correctness? You be the judge.
Ryan asked listeners to send him cities and high schools for him to make fun of. They did and he did and the PSAs were pulled. The TV station reports that Ryan's tweets resulted in "references to specific schools and phrases referring to drug abuse, teen pregnancy, intelligence and socioeconomic status." This is one of the Tweets reported by Channel 11. "Blaine High School. Where the valedictorian brings her baby up on stage during her speech."
This is what Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius told Channel 11. "We can never underestimate the power of words and their impact on others, especially children. As a parent, an educator and the state's education commissioner, I find it troubling that anyone -- especially an adult -- would use social media or any platform to make light of serious issues facing young people or to perpetuate stereotypes. While the Department of Education appreciates the work we have done collaboratively with Clear Channel Communications to promote literacy, we have asked them to pull all Department of Education-sponsored public service announcements from their stations."
Cassellius referred to Ryan as a cyber-bully. To be fair, Dave Ryan, a 20-year popular radio star in Minnesota is a big supporter of kids and often speaks to kids in schools on his own time.
Did Dave go too far with this one or is Cassellius making a mountain out of a mole hill?
(8/2/2013 11:35:42 AM)
There are way too many people who are ready to yell "I'm offended!" at the drop of a hat these days. Jeez, people, get a grip!
(8/2/2013 10:34:47 AM)
Dear God, he did nothing wrong... just making light-hearted fun of a government institution. Chill people.
(8/2/2013 9:53:33 AM)
Ryan went too far. Not that it was the best idea for the valedictorian to bring her baby on stage at graduation. She could have just mentioned the child in the speech. Maybe Ryan would rather she had gotten an abortion instead. At least the woman accepted her responsibility for her actions. Teenagers in high school have been getting pregnant for many decades. Its just talked about more now. In the 40's and 50's there was shame. Should teenagers seek the back alley abortion Drs again Ryan?
(8/2/2013 8:52:19 AM)
The real underlying problem is the state of affairs the public school systems are in due to the liberality being exercised by the schools and by the parents. We read in the media about baby care centers in the schools, handing out condoms to teenagers and the like. We've eliminated any form of corporal punishment and engendered a generation that makes gum-chewing and talking in class seem inconsequential and even laughable. When parents first and schools second accept their responsibilities to train and educate the kids in morality and ethics,then morning show hosts will have to focus on other issues to frame their comedy. But then arises another problem, that of leading by example. If parents, teachers, politicians, law enforcement officers and religious leaders are setting a poor example when it comes to morals, drug and alcohol abuse, what can you expect from their offspring?
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