Just a brief update on this story. I know there is bigger news out there but that isn't a good reason to drop this matter before achieving victory. Read my diary from the last few days for background. I just saw a report on Democratic Underground from one of Senator Norm Coleman's constituents who had written him to protest Ed Schultz getting yanked from the Armed Forces Radio Programming list. Here is Coleman's reply:
Thank you for taking the time to contact me concerning the inclusion of Mr. Ed Schultz's program on radio broadcasts to our armed forces.
I have contacted the Department of Defense (DOD) with your concerns. I was informed that while Mr. Manny Levy, Chief of the Radio Division of the American Forces Network, had offered Mr. Schultz an hour of programming on American Forces Radio, he did not have the authority to do so. Therefore, Mr. Schultz's radio show was cancelled. This does not mean that Mr. Schultz's radio show will not be offering programming on American Forces Radio at a later date.
The DOD is committed to providing the same variety of radio programming that soldiers would receive at home. However, DOD policy also requires that shows have a minimum of one million listeners per week to be eligible for broadcast over American Forces Radio. According to the DOD, Mr. Schultz's program currently does not meet this requirement.
I will continue to follow this important issue. I appreciate hearing from you and hope you will not hesitate to contact me on any issue of concern to you.
Sincerely,
Norm Coleman
United States Senate