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BENZ OUT OVER GUN CONTROL DEBATE?

It doesn't sound like he got fired. Sounds more like he walked away, which, if that is the case is a terrible career move.

To quote him in today's Post-Gazette: "One thing I didn't get into radio for is to kick up controversy over gun ownership. . .I guess I did that by accident." Excuse me, Dude, YOU'RE A RADIO TALK SHOW HOST! Well, at least you were. Controversy is part of the game. That's what talk show hosts do. If that is the case, don't let the glass doors at the Gold Cube of Death smack you on the way out.

To me it sounds like someone is looking for a little attention.
 
I was in broadcasting during the rough-and-rowdy era of The Civil Rights Movement. During that era there was some (often behind the scenes) separating of the sheep from the goats in the broadcasting industry and the newspaper industry.

I suspect we are going to see a number of push-come-to-shove circumstances in the broadcast industry in the next year or two as individuals and stations have to come to terms with the "Guns Issue".

We with some regularity read obits today about people who "made their careers" as young reporters during the 1960s.

I cannot guess how history and the obit pages will deal with broadcasters 40 and 50 years from now who will be remembered for which side they took on the guns issues, and what the eventual outcome is on guns.

I gather this next week or two may be colorful as Mr. Benz and the station work their way through the ashes of last week.
 
If he got fired for it then I now have even less respect for Clear Channel than ever before, if that is even possible. I honestly don't like his show and I'm definitely on the other side of the gun issue compared to him, but firing him for stating his opinion is reprehensible. Clear Channel has an entire station dedicated to right-wing talk, so I don't see how having the sports guy take a leftist stand on one issue is the end of the world. Was the company he criticized a sponsor? If so then I can at least see why CC would be angry. I would love to see station ownership limits put back in place. CC has too much power in virtually ever market in the country.
 
pman44 said:
I smell a publicity stunt. If so, it's worked.
Click to expand...

It could be. If he's out and Joe Bendel is gone, could Clear Channel have something up their sleeve? Stir up some controversy, get people to start talking about things like this, and voila; out rolls a new format. Maybe on 104.7?
 
All wrong.
Benz didn't get fired, he "quit" on the air and stormed off like a child when he didn't get his way.
He wrote on Facebook that people who adhere to the 2nd Amendment are [homophobic slur] and should get killed in an Obama ordered drone strike.
How very open minded and tolerant of him...

So yeah, Benz probably should get fired, but he won't and he won't really quit either.
I'll be shocked if he is not on the air Monday morning.

He spent a week ranting against the 49er's player and against the 2nd Amendment.
Typical two-faced hypocrite. Maybe he can get a job at the "new progressive" talker some of you guys dream of.
 
Great post, Stearns!

I realize he quit, and that is the position of both he and Clear Channel, but for a second it just makes you wonder. To say it again, this was a terrible career move, and probably won't help him in his efforts of looking for work.

He does come across as a "child who doesn't get his way." Also, very hypocritical. If he does lean to the left and the side that claims to be "all inclusive" as those who support that side of the political spectrum do, then why would he want people to be killed who have a different view than he does? Last time I checked the 1st Admendment is alive and well.
 
F.M.Hertz said:
I realize he quit, and that is the position of both he and Clear Channel, but for a second it just makes you wonder. To say it again, this was a terrible career move, and probably won't help him in his efforts of looking for work.
Click to expand...

In the folklore of The Old West, a gunman was recognized (and respected?) for the number of notches carved in the grip of his six-shooter. (I know that for a fact. I learned it at the movie theater on Saturday afternoons.) ::)

So the question is: If you want to further your career as a Talk Radio person and make yourself a desirable candidate for the next gig... wouldn't being able to carve a notch like this in your resume just make you a better product in that market? I can't see that a degree leading to a career as a social worker being a valued line in a resume.
 
All wrong.
Benz didn't get fired, he "quit" on the air and stormed off like a child when he didn't get his way.
He wrote on Facebook that people who adhere to the 2nd Amendment are [homophobic slur] and should get killed in an Obama ordered drone strike.
How very open minded and tolerant of him...

So yeah, Benz probably should get fired, but he won't and he won't really quit either.
I'll be shocked if he is not on the air Monday morning.

He spent a week ranting against the 49er's player and against the 2nd Amendment.
Typical two-faced hypocrite. Maybe he can get a job at the "new progressive" talker some of you guys dream of.
Click to expand...

Stearns you are most accurate. I hear he'll be back on Wednesday.

Benz should've been fired. CC has rules to adhere to regarding their social networking. He should've been fired as he violated those rules.

Benz is a little man. Not just in stature, but mind also. No real talent. Then again, those who are managing him have little talent, also. Great mix.
 
CC needs to worry about learning how to properly run radio stations, instead of giving a host a hard time on their political, gun and religious views.
 
Bob ran the show himself this morning, and said that Tim was taking a vacation day. I would imagine there would be no mention of him at all if he were gone for good.
 
Knisha1 said:
Bob ran the show himself this morning, and said that Tim was taking a vacation day. I would imagine there would be no mention of him at all if he were gone for good.
Click to expand...

That, and he is still listed on the X's website. Clear Channel's MO is to erase the person from existence the minute they're let go. So if he was already gone then he would be gone.
 
If you're going to be a talk show host and have an opinion, then you've gotta be able to stand the
heat in the kitchen IMO.

Pennsyltucky has a TON of very devoted gun owners. Benz has been here long enough that he should know that.
It's perfectly fine for him to hold and express a contrary opinion, but he can't be surprised when large numbers
of people who disagree make their feelings known. And he certainly should not quit as a result.

Sort of reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer gets fired from his department store Santa
gig for spreading Communist propaganda.

"You didn't realize that Communism was a sensitive issue??!! Whadya think has been going on in the world
for the past seventy years!!"
 
1250WTAE said:
How pathetic that he was fired over this. When is this stupid country going to learn?
Click to expand...

That the second amendment SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED UPON?

Stupid country my rear end, little boy....


G
 
F.M.Hertz said:
Great post, Stearns!

I realize he quit, and that is the position of both he and Clear Channel, but for a second it just makes you wonder. To say it again, this was a terrible career move, and probably won't help him in his efforts of looking for work.

He does come across as a "child who doesn't get his way." Also, very hypocritical. If he does lean to the left and the side that claims to be "all inclusive" as those who support that side of the political spectrum do, then why would he want people to be killed who have a different view than he does? Last time I checked the 1st Admendment is alive and well.
Click to expand...

Sounds like he hasn't changed since his on-air days here in Columbus. Maybe he's not like that in person, but that's how he came across during his show.
 
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