Published:  August 18th, 2009 19:50 EST
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My Response To Critics Of My "Advertisers Ditch Glenn Beck" Article
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My article "Advertisers pulling their ads from Fox News` Glenn Beck" elicited an avalanche of comments and emails. Quite a few of them were ad hominem attacks, and they don`t deserve any reply. I`ve been called every name in the book, and I`ve developed quite a thick skin.
 A lot of the comments accused me of attempting to stifle free speech, nothing could be more off the mark. As a controversial newspaper columnist and blogger, I`m the last person in the world who would try to censor free speech.
In my much-commented on editorial I wrote:
"Companies have a right, and indeed a responsibility to their stockholders, to pull their advertisements from controversial TV programs that damage their brand. I commend Geico, Proctor & Gamble and Progressive Insurance for pulling their ads, had they not done so it would have been a tacit approval of Glenn`s hateful and divisive rhetoric."
This is not a call for censorship, it`s a plea to responsible corporations to stop subsidizing hate speech. I respect Geico, Proctor & Gamble and Progressive for having the courage to do the right thing. If they lose a few right-wing customers, it will be more than made up by the legions of ordinary American consumers who will reward them for just saying "NO" to inflammatory rhetoric.
I`m not demanding that Big Brother shut down the Glenn Beck show, I am appealing to advertisers to pull their ads from Beck`s program. Conservatives should agree with my approach of letting the marketplace decide what goes on the air.
A few critics attacked me for recommending the fine news-oriented programs on MSNBC. How can you not respect and watch a cable news outlet with a sterling lineup that includes Rachel Maddow, Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, David Shuster, Andrea Mitchell, and Ed Schultz?
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