It's a lazy Thursday afternoon here in Houston, so of course I'm at home watching the Astros game (we're currently winning, by the way, which will make it 8 in a row). But I digress. I just saw the most despicable, classless, tasteless commercial for a local talk radio station here in Houston - 740 KTRH.
I can't find a video of it, so here is my description. I won't comment on each aspect, so take from it what you choose. I will, however, include my email to 740 KTRH telling them what I thought about it.
The commercial starts with that famous image of Obama, Richardson and Clinton in front of an American flag where Obama doesn't have his hand over his heart.
It then plays a clip of Obama saying "Si se puede" with the text on screen "Obama may be our next President. Does that thrill you? Or offend you?"
Then a voiceover says "Wanna talk about it? Meet your therapists."
It then proceeds to play clips of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and 2 other local talk radio hosts saying disparaging things about Obama, which I've written below:
Limbaugh: "Obama? Hahahahaha. Not good, folks."
Hannity: "He is an extremely left-wing orthodox liberal."
Joe Paggs: "Si se puede? You running for the US presidency?"
Michael: "His charisma is covering up terrible policies."
Then the announcer cuts in again and says, "Need to talk about it? News Radio 740 KTRH." While the screen shows three images side-by-side:
- An image of Louis Farrakhan
- An image of Obama with Rev. Wright
- An image of Obama in the traditional Somalian garb
The final screen shows the 740 KTRH logo.
If you want to leave them a piece of your mind, even if you're not from Houston, please visit their website and do so. Here is my response below. It was very quick and I could do much better, but I was so frustrated I had to get it out!
"I am absolutely disgusted by a commercial I just saw on FSN for 740 KTRH regarding Barack Obama. Having the images of Obama dressed in traditional Somalian garb during an overseas visit as part of the senate is absolutely, 100% racist and completely tasteless. The commercial reeked of racism as well when you put up pictures of Rev. Wright and Louis Farrakhan, and also suggested Obama was not patriotic when you showed the picture of him without his hand over his heart, which isn't required when the National Anthem is being played (it was NOT the pledge). If you want to advertise for your smear and hate-spreading shows, do so with a little more class. There are millions in Texas, hundreds of thousands in Houston, and many more millions in this country who are fully supportive of Senator Obama and find your commercials incredibly insulting. I'm sorry if your chosen candidate isn't anything special and has a relatively small chance of winning, but there's no need to tear Barack Obama down and insult those who believe in him. You should be ashamed."