Moral Side

"Moral Side" Topics for the Program Airing Sunday, March 11, 2012

"The Moral Side of the News" may be seen on WHAS-TV - Sundays at 5:30am - and on the FAITH CHANNEL in Lousville, Kentucky - Sundays at 12:00nn.  The program may be heard on WHAS 840AM - Sundays at 9:30pm (also streamed via the Internet) - and on several Louisville radio stations - Sundays at 7:00am or 7:30am.

TOPIC 1: 11 Advertisers Flee Rush Limbaugh; Pro-Gingrich Super PAC Stays 

Advertisers are rushing to the exits of Rush Limbaugh's radio show after customers inundated the Internet with outrage over the conservative commentator's widely criticized "slut" comments about Sandra Fluke.

Online media giant AOL, tax attorney group Tax Resolution Services, weight loss program Sensa and vitamin supplier Vitacost announced Monday that they were pulling their commercials from Limbaugh's program, bringing the total number of companies withdrawing their ads to eleven.

Two radio stations -- KPUA AM 670 in Hilo, Hawaii and WBEC 1420 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts -- announced they will no longer broadcast the show because of Limbaugh's comments. According to Limbaugh's web site, more than 600 stations air his show.

"It has never been our goal to allow our station to be used for personal attacks and intolerance," Chris Leonard, President and General Manager of New West Broadcasting, KPUA's parent company, said Monday in a statement. "The most recent incident has crossed a line of decency and a standard that we expect of programming on KPUA whether it is locally produced or a syndicated program like the Rush Limbaugh show."

WBEC Vice President Peter Barry said his decision to cut Limbaugh has been met with overwhelming support from the station's listeners.

"We have been inundated with calls and emails of support," Barry told ABC News. "There have been probably 50 calls of support for every one call disagreeing with the decision."

On his show last week Limbaugh dubbed Georgetown University law school student Sandra Fluke a "slut" and a "prostitute" for testifying before a congressional committee that birth control should be covered under employee health insurance plans.

Limbaugh has been widely criticized by many Democrats and women's rights groups, but the Republican response has been measurably more muted. The GOP presidential candidates have stopped short of all-out condemning Limbaugh's statements. And the pro-Newt Gingrich Super Pac Winning Our Future is running a national radio ad during Limbaugh show.

The Super Pac's spokesman Rick Tyler said the group had no intention of pulling its pro-Gingrich ads, which attack Mitt Romney, from Limbaugh's show.

Gingrich has steered clear of criticizing Limbaugh, instead re-focusing the issue on President Obama, whom he says "opportunistically" interjected himself into the issue by calling Fluke on Friday.

All of the former advertisers cited a conflict of values as the reason for dropping their ads.

"Mr. Limbaugh's recent comments went beyond political discourse to a personal attack and do not reflect our values as a company," ProFlowers said Sunday in a statement on its Facebook page. "As such, ProFlowers has suspended advertising on the Rush Limbaugh radio program."

The companies' often short statements posted to Twitter, Facebook and corporate blogs have already received an outpouring of comments. More than 1,100 people "liked" AOL's decision within three hours of it being posted on Facebook. And while Carbonite has less than one-tenth as many Facebook fans as AOL, more than 4,600 people have "liked" or commented on its decision to withdraw their ads since it was posted on Saturday.

CONTINUE READING: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/advertisers-flee-rush-limbaugh-pro-gingrich-super-pac/story?id=15852538

 

Text of Rush Limbaugh Apology to Law Student

The text of radio show host Rush Limbaugh's apology to Georgetown University law student Sandra Fluke for calling her insulting names. It was posted on his website Saturday.

"For over 20 years, I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity, three hours a day, five days a week. In this instance, I chose the wrong words in my analogy of the situation. I did not mean a personal attack on Ms. Fluke.

I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress. I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities. What happened to personal responsibility and accountability? Where do we draw the line? If this is accepted as the norm, what will follow? Will we be debating if taxpayers should pay for new sneakers for all students that are interested in running to keep fit? In my monologue, I posited that it is not our business whatsoever to know what is going on in anyone's bedroom nor do I think it is a topic that should reach a Presidential level.

My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

 

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on Rush Limbaugh’s comments and the national stir that he has caused?

 

TOPIC 2: Colts release Peyton Manning

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts owner Jim Irsay announced Wednesday that his team will release quarterback Peyton Manning, making the four-time MVP perhaps the most-coveted free agent in NFL history -- if he's healthy enough to play in 2012.

Both men paused frequently to fight tears, with their voices shaking, when they appeared together at a news conference at the Colts' team complex to announce the end of Manning's 14-year tenure in Indianapolis. The team had a deadline of Thursday to pay Manning a $28 million bonus and exercise the four remaining years on the five-year, $90 million contract he signed before last season, or release him outright.

"This is difficult because of the things Peyton has done for our city, our state and our franchise," Irsay said. "There will be no other Peyton Manning."

Irsay said Manning's No. 18 "will never be worn again by a Colt on the field."

"We all know that nothing lasts forever," Manning said. "Times change, circumstances change, and that's the reality of playing in the NFL."

Manning said no matter where he ends up playing next season, "I'll always be a Colt. That'll never change."

It was a sentiment shared by Irsay, who said Manning will "always (be) part of the horseshoe."

Manning officially will be a free agent once the Colts submit his release to the NFL, the league processes it and places his name on the waiver wire. That could happen as soon as Wednesday afternoon, as the league typically distributes that list at about 4 p.m. ET each weekday. Free agency begins Tuesday, but Manning can sign with another NFL team immediately after the Colts formally release him.

Both men said money was not a factor. Manning missed all of last season after having his third neck surgery in 19 months, a fusion of two vertebrae. Without him, the Colts were an NFL-worst 2-14, which comes with the No. 1 overall draft pick in April.

"I haven't thought about yet where I'll play but I have throught about where I've been," Manning said. "I've been blessed."

Irsay said he'll be rooting for Manning to succeed, wherever his next NFL home might be.

"I want to see him come back and play great, no question about it. Here, just like in 2001, we didn't have everything to surround him. I want him to succeed at the end of his career," he said.

As for the Colts, Irsay repeatedly used the word "rebuilding" and acknowledged "we're definitely a few years away."

Manning preferred to remain with the Colts, one source told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen, but a source close to Irsay said the owner concluded that the major restructuring of the organization would include a change at the position, likely either former Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck or former Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

CONTINUE READING: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/7656028/indianapolis-colts-peyton-manning-part-ways-14-seasons

RELATED STORY: http://www.whas11.com/sports/Colts-announce-end-of-Peyton-Mannings-career-with-club-141762773.html

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this?

TOPIC 3: Kentuckiana Tornadoes, March 2, 2012

http://www.whas11.com/weather/march-tornado-coverage

QUESTION: Do you have any words of inspiration to share with those who were impacted by the tornadoes last week?

Topics for "The Moral Side of the News" Broadcast on Sunday, December 4, 2011

Below are the topics for "The Moral Side of the News" program broadcast on WHAS-TV at 5:30am and FAITH CHANNEL at 12:00nn on Sunday, December 4, 2011.  The program also airs on various Clear Channel radio station in Louisville on Sundays at 7:00am or 7:30am.  The program airs on WHAS 840AM radio at 9:30pm on Sundays.

TOPIC 1:

Jefferson County Attorney to sue U of L over hospital merger information

LOUISVILLE, Ky., (WHAS11)— The Jefferson County Attorney is suing the University of Louisville to get additional information about the possible hospital merger.  The merger proposed is between UofL, Jewish, Saint Mary's and Saint Joseph's of Lexington.  County Attorney Mike O'Connell says he plans to sue U of L because they didn't provide documents related to the proposed merger.  He says there are too many questions about the proposed deal.  The proposed merger has been controversial because of beliefs in the Catholic health care system about reproductive and end of life issues.  The governor has to officially sign off on the merger and that hasn't happened yet.

WATCH STORY: http://www.whas11.com/news/health/Jefferson-County-Attorney-to-su-U-of-L-over--134676363.html

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on this? Should the public be concerned about this merger?

TOPIC 2:

Syracuse Chancellor: Boeheim's Our Coach

Syracuse University Chancellor Nancy Cantor gave men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim a vote of confidence Tuesday amid an investigation of child molestation allegations against his former longtime assistant coach.  Cantor emerged from an economic development conference with state officials and said: "Coach Boeheim is our coach."  Some commentators and sex abuse victims' advocates had said Boeheim should resign or be fired after three men, including two former Syracuse ballboys, accused former assistant coach Bernie Fine of molesting them and Boeheim verbally attacked the accusers.  "Coach Boeheim is our coach; he's getting the team ready tonight," Cantor said. "We're very pleased with what he said Sunday night, and we stand by it."  After initially saying Fine's first two accusers were lying to make money in the wake of the Penn State University sexual abuse scandal, Boeheim backed off those comments in a statement Sunday.

"What is most important is that this matter be fully investigated and that anyone with information be supported to come forward so that the truth can be found," Boeheim said after Fine's firing. "I deeply regret any statements I made that might have inhibited that from occurring or been insensitive to victims of abuse."  Bobby Davis first contacted Syracuse police in 2002 about Fine, but there was no investigation because the statute of limitations had passed.  On Nov. 17, his allegations resurfaced.  Davis, now 39, told ESPN that Fine molested him beginning in 1984 and that the sexual contact continued until he was around 27. A ball boy for six years, Davis said the abuse occurred at Fine's home, at Syracuse basketball facilities and on team road trips, including the 1987 Final Four. Davis' stepbrother, Mike Lang, 45, who also was a ball boy, also told ESPN that Fine began molesting him while he was in fifth or sixth grade.

On Sunday, a third man, Zach Tomaselli, who faces sexual assault charges in Maine involving a 14-year-old boy, said he told police last week that Fine molested him in 2002 in a Pittsburgh hotel room.  Fine has denied the allegations.

CONTINUE READING: http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/syracuse-chancellor-boeheims-coach-15049434

RELATED STORY:

Syracuse Chancellor Sends Email About Firing

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/syracuse-chancellor-sends-email-firing-15037879

Video: http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/syracuse-scandal-coach-accused-15043887

QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the latest developments at Syracuse? What are your thoughts on how the University police handled the allegations in 2002?

Tiger Woods' Apology

Tebow Superbowl Ad: What Exactly Is the Problem?

Tim Tebow's Super Bowl Ad Isn't Intolerant; Its Critics Are

By Sally Jenkins, Sports Writer, The Washington Post

I'll spit this out quick, before the armies of feminism try to gag me and strap electrodes to my forehead: Tim Tebow is one of the better things to happen to young women in some time. I realize this stance won't endear me to the "Dwindling Organizations of Ladies in Lockstep," otherwise known as DOLL, but I'll try to pick up the shards of my shattered feminist credentials and go on.

As statements at Super Bowls go, I prefer the idea of Tebow's pro-life ad to, say, Jim McMahon dropping his pants, as the former Chicago Bears quarterback once did in response to a question. We're always harping on athletes to be more responsible and engaged in the issues of their day, and less concerned with just cashing checks. It therefore seems more than a little hypocritical to insist on it only if it means criticizing sneaker companies, and to stifle them when they take a stance that might make us uncomfortable.

I'm pro-choice, and Tebow clearly is not. But based on what I've heard in the past week, I'll take his side against the group-think, elitism and condescension of the "National Organization of Fewer and Fewer Women All The Time." For one thing, Tebow seems smarter than they do.

Tebow's 30-second ad hasn't even run yet, but it already has provoked "The National Organization for Women Who Only Think Like Us" to reveal something important about themselves: They aren't actually "pro-choice" so much as they are pro-abortion. Pam Tebow has a genuine pro-choice story to tell. She got pregnant in 1987, post-Roe v. Wade, and while on a Christian mission in the Philippines, she contracted a tropical ailment. Doctors advised her the pregnancy could be dangerous, but she exercised her freedom of choice and now, 20-some years later, the outcome of that choice is her beauteous Heisman Trophy winner son, a chaste, proselytizing evangelical.

Pam Tebow and her son feel good enough about that choice to want to tell people about it. Only, NOW says they shouldn't be allowed to. Apparently NOW feels this commercial is an inappropriate message for America to see for 30 seconds, but women in bikinis selling beer is the right one. I would like to meet the genius at NOW who made that decision. On second thought, no, I wouldn't.

There's not enough space in the sports pages for the serious weighing of values that constitutes this debate, but surely everyone in both camps, pro-choice or pro-life, wishes the "need" for abortions wasn't so great. Which is precisely why NOW is so wrong to take aim at Tebow's ad.

Here's what we do need a lot more of: Tebows. Collegians who are selfless enough to choose not to spend summers poolside, but travel to impoverished countries to dispense medical care to children, as Tebow has every summer of his career. Athletes who believe in something other than themselves, and are willing to put their backbone where their mouth is. Celebrities who are self-possessed and self-controlled enough to use their wattage to advertise commitment over decadence.

You know what we really need more of? Famous guys who aren't embarrassed to practice sexual restraint, and to say it out loud. If we had more of those, women might have fewer abortions. See, the best way to deal with unwanted pregnancy is to not get the sperm in the egg and the egg implanted to begin with, and that is an issue for men, too -- and they should step up to that.

"Are you saving yourself for marriage?" Tebow was asked last summer during an SEC media day.

"Yes, I am," he replied.

The room fell into a hush, followed by tittering: The best college football player in the country had just announced he was a virgin. As Tebow gauged the reaction from the reporters in the room, he burst out laughing. They were a lot more embarrassed than he was.

"I think y'all are stunned right now!" he said. "You can't even ask a question!"

That's how far we've come from any kind of sane viewpoint about star athletes and sex. Promiscuity is so the norm that if a stud isn't shagging everything in sight, we feel faintly ashamed for him.

Obviously Tebow can make people uncomfortable, whether it's for advertising his chastity, or for wearing his faith on his face via biblical citations painted in his eye-black. Hebrews 12:12, his cheekbones read during the Florida State game: "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees." His critics find this intrusive, and say the Super Bowl is no place for an argument of this nature. "Pull the ad," NOW President Terry O'Neill said. "Let's focus on the game."

Trouble is, you can't focus on the game without focusing on the individuals who play it -- and that is the genius of Tebow's ad. The Super Bowl is not some reality-free escape zone. Tebow himself is an inescapable fact: Abortion doesn't just involve serious issues of life, but of potential lives, Heisman trophy winners, scientists, doctors, artists, inventors, Little Leaguers -- who would never come to be if their birth mothers had not wrestled with the stakes and chosen to carry those lives to term. And their stories are every bit as real and valid as the stories preferred by NOW.

Let me be clear again: I couldn't disagree with Tebow more. It's my own belief that the state has no business putting its hand under skirts. But I don't care that we differ. Some people will care that the ad is paid for by Focus on the Family, a group whose former spokesman, James Dobson, says loathsome things about gays. Some will care that Tebow is a creationist. Some will care that CBS has rejected a gay dating service ad. None of this is the point. CBS owns its broadcast and can run whatever advertising it wants, and Tebow has a right to express his beliefs publicly. Just as I have the right to reject or accept them after listening -- or think a little more deeply about the issues. If the pro-choice stance is so precarious that a story about someone who chose to carry a risky pregnancy to term undermines it, then CBS is not the problem.

Tebow's ad, by the way, never mentions abortion; like the player himself, it's apparently soft-spoken. It simply has the theme "Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life." This is what NOW has labeled "extraordinarily offensive and demeaning." But if there is any demeaning here, it's coming from NOW, via the suggestion that these aren't real questions, and that we as a Super Bowl audience are too stupid or too disinterested to handle them on game day.

Brit Hume of FOX News Gives Advice to Tiger Woods

Brit Hume of FOX News provided Tiger Woods with some personal and religious advice.  From what I have seen and heard, Mr. Hume is the only commentator who has offered Mr. Woods public advice on healing himself and his relationships.

The reaction in the downstream media and liberal blogs has been intense, but predictable.

Mr. Hume offered his opinion and commentary.  I appreciate his witness.

Moral Side of the News (September 27, 2009) - Coach Jason Stinson, Former PRP Football Coach, Speaks about His Trial and Returns to the Classroom

Jason Stinson, the former football coach of Pleasure Ridge Park High School is telling his side of the story in the death of one of his players, Max Gilpin.  First on WHAS11 throughout the day, he appeared with ABC with Diane Sawyer live in New York on Good Morning America.  Although a civil suit filed by Max's parents is still pending, Jefferson County Public Schools has placed “no limitations” on Stinson's employment as a result of Thursday's verdict, according to a letter sent to him Monday by the district's employee-relations director, Carolyn Meredith

Question:  What do you think about Stinson being allowed back in the classroom?  Do you think he should be allowed to coach again? Why or why not? What should schools and/or coaches do to prevent something like this from happening in the future? Should any changes be made?

Mr. Stinson has been found not guilty and should be allowed to return to the classroom.  He is eligible to coach, but coaching positions are one year contracts that are arranged between the hiring school and the individual coach.

I am not certain that there is much more that a school or coach could do to prevent such a tragic accident.  There were apparently so many variables in this situation that were beyond the control of the coach.  A coach should assume that an athlete under his supervision who has attended class on a particular day, is in good enough health to practice.  The coach cannot control what medications an athlete has taken prior to coming to school.  Parents must take responsibility for their children.  If a child is sick, he or she should not be in school.  If a child is absent from school on a particular day, he or she is not allowed to practice on that day.

My rule always as a coach was "Mom trumps the Coach - always."  If parents decide their child should not practice, then the child does not practice.

I would make two suggestions in this situation.  To coach Stinson I would suggest that he stay out of the news.  I know he believes he needs to defend himself, but he probably makes matters worse for himself by becoming a "news celebrity."

Two the family of Max Gilpin I would suggest that if they want an apology, they should drop the civil suit.  Apologies are offered when reconciliation can occur.  Civil actions are not designed to reconcile.

My sympathy is extended to both families, the team, the school, and the community.

 

 

The Moral Side of the News (August 16, 2009) - U of L Coach Rick Pitino denies rape, admits to consensual sex and paying for abortion

University of Louisville men's basketball coach Rick Pitino told police that he had consensual sex with Karen Cunagin Sypher at a Louisville restaurant where he'd been drinking on Aug. 1, 2003.  He also told police that he later gave Sypher $3,000 to have an abortion, according to Louisville Metro Police reports The Courier-Journal obtained under the Kentucky Open Records Act.  But Pitino denied Sypher's allegations that he raped her at Porcini, after the restaurant closed, and again a few weeks later at a different location, police records show. And prosecutors who have reviewed Sypher's claims say Pitino won't be charged.  Sypher has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of conspiring to extort money from Pitino in exchange for her silence about the alleged crimes, and with lying to the FBI. She has pleaded not guilty.  She reported the alleged rapes to Metro Police on July 9, about two months after she was indicted.  The University of Louisville's contract with men's basketball coach Rick Pitino allows him to be fired for cause for acts of “moral depravity” or for being dishonest with the university.  It also allows him to be terminated for generating disparaging media publicity, if it is caused by his “willful conduct that could objectively be determined to bring (the) employee into public dispute or scandal, or which tends to greatly offend the public.”  A conservative lobbyist says the University of Louisville should fire Rick Pitino for having paid the cost for an abortion to a woman with whom he had sex in 2003.

It's a matter of "moral leadership, being a model to students," said Martin Cothran, a lobbyist for the Family Foundation of Kentucky who has in the past advocated for restrictions on abortion and on other issues, often in cooperation with religious conservatives.   Pitino's lawyer, Steve Pence, said in an email that Pitino gave Karen Sypher $3,000 to pay for medical insurance, not for an abortion.

 

The latest developments in this case raises issues about public figures and the standards of conduct to which they should be held. Do you think Pitino’s conduct should cost him his job? Should he resign? If U of L does not discipline him in some way, what message does that send? What crosses the line for you – the adultery or the payment of money that, apparently, led to an abortion? What about the argument that this is a private matter and has nothing to do with his being a basketball coach? What about those who say that all of us have skeletons in our closets, so this is no big deal? Was Pitino’s apology enough? What are your thoughts about the actions of Karen Sypher?

My short response is that this issue is none of my business.

My long response is that this specific (micro) issue is none of my business.  There are so many aspects to this particular event about which I should not make a public comment. 

There is a legal aspect that is being handled by the federal prosecutors.  I do not have all the facts that pertain to the legal process, nor do I have any knowledge about that process.  My comments on this aspect of the event would be made from ignorance.

There is an employment aspect to this situation.  The University of Louisville and Coach Pitino have an employer/employee relationship.  I have no business inserting myself into that relationship.  The leadership of the University of Louisville will determine whether or not to exercise the "morals clause" in Mr. Pitino's contract.  I support the University of Louisville.

Most importantly there is a personal aspect to this situation.  Two families and many people have been hurt by these events.  I do not know any of the people or many of the facts.  To comment would add hurt to those who have already been hurt.

I am very disappointed that some have used this instance to make a statement about an issue for which they advocate.  This is not the time for such posturing.  Too many people are making assumptions about the facts and the individuals involved.

The general (macro) issues that this situation raises are my business.  Rape, adultery, and abortion are immoral; so is extortion, as well as lying.  These behaviors which may or may not have occured in this specific instances are wrong morally for all persons.  We should not condone any of these actions in any persons.

Still, how do we respond?  As in any situation we allow for the legal process to work deliberately and calmly.  We also allow persons who have been hurt by the sinful actions of others to heal and seek help privately.  As we hold others to high standards, let us also hold ourselves.

Our God is a forgiving God.  We must, however, desire and seek His forgiveness for ourselves and for others.