Beech Tree News Network

Antagonists can be found all over this world. From Bill Maher calling Sarah Palin’s special needs son “retarded” to any local bullying.  I’ve done a column on online bullying in the past.  Maher’s, among others, has another wide media audience: television.  I recall Maher’s former show on ABC, called Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher.  For some crazy reason, I sometimes watched the show.  I know about freedom of speech.  That’s one of the great things about this country.
Rush Limbaugh got fired three days after saying we were desirous of a black quarterback.  He’s said numerous derogatory statements on his ABC radio show.  I guess he figures, “I have the outlet and people are listening, I’ll just say what I please and never mind the consequences.  This isn’t the case these days, as consequences can be rough for some who choose to disparage others.
Case in point, three Atlanta radio hosts were fired for mocking former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason, who is battling ALS.  The segment aired Monday morning Nick Cellini tweeted his apologies for the stupid humor that backfired.  It was a stupid attempt at humor? Let me tell you something: there is absolutely nothing funny about ALS.  I read this story and was livid! I hope you never have a family member with the disease.  My grandmother had it.  I never found it funny. These guys didn’t apologize.  There was an apology press release because they were forced to do so.  The remark was not off the cuff either.  It was premeditated.  If you’re going to lower yourself to that standard, that’s desperation.  In fact, I can’t write any more about that subject.
You can call it antagonism or cheap entertainment. One thing’s for sure; there will eventually be consequences, as there should be.  Ask Don Imus. Also, nobody wants to hear that stuff.  That’s why I don’t write like that.  I don’t go on or participate in those chat rooms where the sole purpose is taking others down.  There’s simply no point in living like that, in my opinion. 

Hello.  My name is Andy Sullivan.  I received my bachelor’s degree in business from Mid-Continent University in June 2009.  I began writing for beechtree in July 2009.  I enjoy writing, photography, watching basketball and football, and playing guitar.  I also write a blog that encompasses sports and entertainment, called Sports and More, at http://andyuk79.tumblr.com If you have any comments, please leave them in the space below.  Thanks for reading!