Soapbox

A Question of Simple DEcency

David D. Smith
Frederick G. Smith
Julian Duncan Smith
Sinclair Broadcast Group

Dear Sirs,

Today I learned of a special edition of “Nightline” scheduled for tomorrow night. (3/30) I learned that the show will feature simply a reading of the names of the US servicemen and women fallen in Iraq, along with their photographs.

As someone with family members who have served and been wounded in the armed forces, I was touched by this idea. It is high time someone put a human face and a name to these brave souls who, up until now, have merely been numbers reported on the evening news. Although I normally do not watch “Nightline”, I planned to stay up to see this special broadcast. I feel I owe that much to the armed forces.

Imagine my surprise when I called my local ABC affiliate (WSYX) and was told that they will not be airing this edition. When I asked why in the world not, I was told that they had a corporate edict forbidding it.

I find this very disturbing. My understanding of the format is that it will not feature any commentary for or against the war, no flag-draped coffins; it will not be about the war at all, but merely a salute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for you and me. Now your company has taken what should be a soldiers memorial and turned it into an opportunity to advance a political agenda.

Shame on you! How will the soldiers in Iraq feel when they hear that, if they die, you won’t even allow their names to be read?

I don’t know what political statement you think you are making with this position, but you are showing yourself to be extremely unpatriotic.

When I tried to contact Sinclair Broadcast group, I was quite disturbed to find that my call was not accepted, and I was quickly disconnected. So you not only don’t care about the troops but you also don’t care about the opinion of the viewing public. When there is a program on television that some find offensive, stupid or simply boring, we are told that there are different shows for different people and if we don’t like it, we should simply turn the channel. Tomorrow night that choice will be taken away from us.

This is not a liberal or conservative issue. This is not about being for or against the war in Iraq. You have turned this into an issue of censorship, and that is doubly offensive to me. Be assured that I have contacted everyone I know and made them aware of your unpatriotic decision in this matter. You may not care to hear my opinion, but others will listen.

I lot of lip service is given these days to supporting the troops. People put stickers about it on their cars and signs in their lawns, and when I see them I wonder what “support” means to them. Apparently to Sinclair Broadcasting, it means nothing. You can wrap yourself in the American flag all you like; it won’t disguise your true lack of patriotism.