Boortz continues mocking learning disabled boy--he wants publicity at any cost (let him have it...)

[civildisoBDence]

Pressure is building on Neal Boortz to stop mocking and ridiculing a learning disabled nine year old boy. You'd think Boortz would want to sweep this under the rug. But no...

This morning, Boortz called the child a "little future worm farmer" and said he'd play the audiotape that began this fiasco on the air again. He also calls the boy out of his name: "Little Buford" (a reference to the boy's rural accent.) And, he scoffed at the thousands of emails (many from DU) calling for his suspension or firing.

Boortz says he's "not afraid of these people" (that would be us and many others who are outraged at this behavior.) I think he's mentally ill, in all seriousness, and he's clearly without conscience.

This started on Friday. The back story: last week a piece of green ice fell from a passing airliner and through the roof of a tire shop in Lula, Georgia. Reporters came to cover the story, including someone from WSB in Atlanta, who recorded audio of the shop's owner and his son.

Boortz, who broadcasts from WSB 750AM in Atlanta, played the audio of father and son over and over again, mocking their country accents and the apparent speech impediment of the child. He said the boy sounded "dumb as a stump" and would never amount to anything more than a "tire changer" or "worm farmer."

I was furious and have spent much of the last five days trying to bring this atrocity to the attention of the media. I was worried that Boortz would shut up (as if) and avoid the repercussions he so richly deserves.

Over the weekend, Boortz put a poll on his web site asking if listeners thought he'd been too hard on the boy. On Monday, he posted four pieces of "Hate Mail!" (which he solicits openly) criticizing him.

Then this morning, he started all over again. He thinks this kind of stunt will improve his ratings.

You can let his employers know what you think:

David Grabert
Director of Media Relations, Cox Communications
[phone]
[e-mail]

And here’s who to call or email at WSB Radio:

Dan Kearney
Vice President/General Manager, WSB 750AM
[phone]
[e-mail]

More on the story http://newsprism.wordpress.com/2008/03/07/breaking-news-boortz-ridicules-9-year-old-with-learning-disability">here and http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php?t=27061">here

Boortz shouldn't be allowed to profit from abusing an already challenged child.

Media Matters? Franken? Randi? Arianna? Is anybody out there????

[sharp_stick]

1. Neil Boortz is a prick

I can't believe anyone listens to him or worse finds him informative or funny. I wouldn't cross the street to piss on him if he was on fire. I would however kick him in the nuts if he was right in front of me. ;-)

[civildisoBDence]

2. I wouldn't even kick him in the nuts

That would probably be the most sexual contact he'd had in years.

[rateyes]

3. Let's start a boycott of his advertisers...

that's how they got rid of IMUS.

[civildisoBDence]

4. I don't think Boortz is "big" enough for a boycott to get any traction

His ego is HUGE, but he sure is small-minded.

[rateyes]

5. Well, I'm writing letters to AAMCO, makers of Claritin, and Nestle

and letting them know why I won't be buying anymore of their products.

[civildisoBDence]

8. You may be onto something, especially with Nestle

Nestle advertises primarily to children and their parents, and that market would be very sympathetic to a case like this.

Plus, the only place you can hit Boortz where it will hurt is in the wallet.

[TBUSA]

6. Reply from Dan Kearney recieved last Friday.

I wrote to Dan Kearney Friday.I asked if anyone he knwew had disabilities? Would he support someone mockinmg them. I titled my email "moking 9 year old with disabilities = shitty ethics".

Dan replied. He said he did not know what I was talaking about. Could I send him more details.
I sent him an email about what boortz was doing and I told him that his staff should have given him a heads up.

He has not replied...

[civildisoBDence]

7. He probably won't reply, for two reasons

1. He's getting flooded with emails
2. His job is to maximize profits, and if that means minimizing ethics, he will.