Boycott Greater Media for intolerable remarks against bicyclists
CLICK GRAPHIC TO SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
Today, LMB posted the following open letter boycotting Greater Media radio for their intolerable remarks against bicyclists. Sign the letter and add your personal comments here.
Greater Media’s radio station, WCSX, aired deplorable remarks the morning of August 6, 2009 that encouraged violence against bicyclists.
These reprehensible comments not only belittled cyclists for enjoying a healthy legitimate form of transportation, they made reference to Grand Theft Auto, an intensely violent video game where players run over and maim people.
Greater Media has failed to take appropriate corrective measures to date. I request that Greater Media immediately publicly retract these statements, as well as publicly censure the employees involved in these appalling comments.
Until they do so, I will not listen to any Greater Media radio station, including Detroit-based WCSX, WRIF, and WMGC.
Additionally, I encourage businesses not to support these unacceptable and intolerant views by declining to advertise on any Greater Media station. I also pledge to personally not patronize businesses who advertise with Greater Media until corrective action is taken.
The on air diatribe went on for over eight minutes and at one point even ridicules the use of bike helmets. A sampling of the intolerable comments made by radio hosts Jeff Deminiski and Bill Doyle are:
“How many of us drivers are disgusted with how bicyclists take to the road. … I’m sorry, they’re jerks. I doubt very much that any cyclist would have the gumption to call us, but how many of them have seen a bicyclist and would just LOVE to lob something at their heads? … God forbid we try to get by them! The guy on the bike is doing 19 m.p.h., they won’t get over, … and it is just flat-out arrogance. … OH GOD, you just want to go Grand Theft Auto on them. … Just move over. That’s all I’m saying. … I don’t see why they are so arrogant. They are riding something which against your 4,000 pound vehicle could launch them like an acorn.“
I encourage you to take a listen for yourself:
http://tinyurl.com/lffvvs and http://dd.wcsx.com/?p=4324
SIGN THE PETITION HERE!
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August 13, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I will not support this radio station, nor their advertisers. If anyone has a list of companies who advertise on these stations, I will be happy to avoid their products as well.
August 14, 2009 at 12:24 am
I emailed the general mgr at WCSX (Doug Podell) with my thoughts and concerns regarding the statements that D&D made about cyclists. I was astounded by the response I received back…almost more inflaming than the original comments!! Basically, its radio and its ratings.
I will no longer listen to any of the stations run by Greater Media and advertisers, beware..their are many cyclists out there who are spending consumers.
August 14, 2009 at 1:32 am
If the DJ’s and their horrible audience would quit complaining ABOUT the cyclist and instead complain WITH the cyclist, then maybe the state would begin to make bike trails.
The DJ’s were saying that cyclist aren’t tax payers because the gas tax goes to the roads – I don’t know any cyclist that don’t also own a motor vehicle.
I will not be listening to WCSX ever again
August 14, 2009 at 1:46 am
WRIF Drew and Mike are also making fun of cyclists. They cater to the SUV driving hotheads of the world. I’m surprised CSX is in the same boat. Oh well. They suck
August 14, 2009 at 2:42 am
The commentaries of radio or TV hosts go beyond just expressing opinions. They know that and that is why they have a show. For Mr. Gallagher to downplay the bias, derogatory and sometime inflammatory comments towards bicyclists by the hosts Deminski and Doyle as mere opinions, shows a serious lack of understanding of the cycling community and the responsibility of media towards the public good. I suggest that Messrs. Deminski and Doyle do a show on the positive impact of bicyclists on the community and invite bicyclists to talk about what they are doing to that end.
August 14, 2009 at 10:17 am
This is horrible
August 14, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Taking CSX and Magic off my presets this afternoon. Sucks to lose good radio, but there’s always Doug and 96.3… and CD’s!
August 14, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Ann Arbor 107.1 FM
Acoustic Brunch
Fine Tuning
Homegrown
Under The Radar Radio
Sonic Bliss
August 14, 2009 at 2:43 pm
If we’re in the middle of the road, then it’s probably unsafe for us to be on the shoulder. We wear spandex and padded shorts because everything else chafes on long rides. We’re not mean, but our helmets and sunglasses cover our face and make us look intimidating. We raise millions for charity, we lower gas prices, and we inspire people to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
Yet we are defaced by two ignorant people who lead their audience on a slanderous witchhunt aimed at compromising the safety of people on the road. WCSX, WRIF, WMGC, No thank you.
August 14, 2009 at 9:10 pm
I urge all cyclists, to research & boycott buisnesses that advertise on this station, take the time to contact them, let them know we will not buy their products as along as they advertise on this station! hit them in the wallet!!
August 17, 2009 at 1:18 am
The actions that Deminski and Doyle advocated on their radio program appalled both of us. What they advocate borders on assault. Since we already know which radio station not to listen to, WCXS, the only other thing that we want to know is the routes that they take to and from the radio station. You see, with our riding a tandem bicycle, they would get excited about getting a, “two for one”, payoff with us!
Good Riding, from the tandem team of,
Pat & Mary Margaret Flinn, who say, “A good ride with friends like you is a better ride!”
August 24, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I am outraged and can hardly believe anyone with a brain cell could make these comments. Which proves they do not have a brain cell. We lost a very good friend Aug.21,2008, one of the safest riders I ever rode with. He was hit from behind by a truck who rides the fog line. If you are riding a road bike it is very unsafe to move over onto gravel, you most likely will lose control of your bike. Bikers have a right to ride the road.
August 27, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Peter H. Smyth is the Chairman and CEo of Greater Media. You can send email comments to his attention at the address below. If enough of us raise this issue in his email box often enough he will have to take action. Write often friends.
AskPeter@greatermedia.com
August 27, 2009 at 8:03 pm
Here is a link to an article describing Peter H. Smyth’s role in the company. FYI….
http://www.greatermedia.com/corner/index.html
August 27, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I would love to make some commets about certain drivers I see on our roads. However, I will not lower myself to the level of the ones who made the comments about bicyclists. If they have a beef, I am sure there are proper channels. I do not support that station or anything it is associated with. Jeff and Bill – Jerk and Arrogant, OMG what a match
August 28, 2009 at 11:37 am
These people are deplorable. They better study up on the law, because people like us can read license plates, report them, and believe it or not it’s hard for them to remove it from their record. Money talks, don’t listen to them, send one email, or call one of their advertisers and complain. It works, really fast. Tom Behan