........... I was refused by the call screener to be allowed to talk on the air about child abuse !!
This happened on Sports Talk radio 680 AM out of San Fransisco ( the S.F. Giants / 49ers station ) . While driving to work early a couple mornings ago , the 2 sports talk show hosts were going on about how awful it was that Joe Paterno let this go on and didn't report his assistants child abuse to police authorities - that it was inconceivable that a man of that alleged " character " would unjustly not report it. So I thought to myself that this goes on ALL the time in the United States & everywhere in religions , Catholics, Jehovahs Witnesses . So I thought I would call this show to inform them of that fact. You know - inform the public about HOW dangerous and COMMON child abuse is in our culture and why children should be protected !
So- I stated to the Call screener , " I want to talk about the Joe Paterno child abuse scandal regarding the cover up . I didn't know if you are aware of it but covering up of child abuse happens way too much in our culture. In mainstream religions , whether Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses , and others - many times elders in congregations will not inform police authorities and allow pedophiles to remain in good standing in their congregations. So children are put in danger because police aren't notified AND these religions try to cover child abuse over. " The Call screener said to me, " Flipper , I can't let you come on the talk show and say that some religions are allowing child abuse . I don't feel comfortable letting you do that. " I asked him, " Why not ? " The screener said, " You are mentioning religions by name and that's not good. " I asked , " What if I leave out ANY names of religions and just mention that several religions try to cover over child abuse within their organizations ? " The Screener said, " No. I don't feel comfortable with that, I can't allow that. " Now I was getting annoyed. I told him, " So YOU are keeping information from the general public that might protect potential victims of child abuse ? What gives you the right to prevent public access to information that might protect children ? " He replied, " Well- I'm the call screener so it's my call . " ( Obviously a power tripping call screener ) So I finished by saying, " I think it's really sad and ridiculous that freedom of speech can't get out to the public to inform them of child abuse problems within some religious organizations. So YOU are exercising INFORMATION CONTROL over what the public hears ! " Then I said goodbye and hung up on him not letting him speak.
So- My question to you folks - What do you think caused this guy to shut me down , not letting me on the air ?? Financial liability for the radio station ? Perhaps fearing repercussions from callers getting angry about religions hiding child molesters ? Or - Perhaps KNBR Radio's sponsors may be religously tied or something ?? I'm really curious to get all of your opinions on this. WHAT on earth would stop a public access radio station who is aLREADY talking about a Sports coach child abuse scandal - refuse a caller to talk about nationwide child abuse problems ?? As always I look forward to your takes and observations ! Thanks ! Peace out to all of you. Lets all protect the children as much as we can within our power. Mr. Flipper