As soon as I saw the name American Forces Network as a sponsor of Rush Limbaugh, I wondered if this was the same AFN I listened to while our family was stationed in Germany. We more commonly referred to it as the Armed Forces Network but, nevertheless, it is the one and the same:
The American Forces Network (AFN) is the brand name used by the United States Armed Forces American Forces Radio and Television Service[1]... for its entertainment and command internal information networks worldwide. The AFN worldwide radio and television broadcast network serves American service men and women, Department of Defense and other US government civilians and their families stationed at bases overseas, as well as U.S. Navy ships at sea. AFN broadcasts popular American radio and television programs from the major U.S. networks. It is sometimes referred to as the Armed Forces Network. AFRTS, American Forces Network and AFN are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Defense.
I knew that Rush Limbaugh was on military airwaves. And Dr. Laura was as well when we were there... I often listened to her for comic relief. It shouldn't surprise us that AFN provides a broad spectrum of shows for the military community. After all, the military community is diverse in itself and it makes sense to provide both liberal and conservative programming. But I had always thought these shows were donated... I never realized that the government might actually have to exchange money to receive them.
Well, it seems that money must be exchanging hands somewhere otherwise why would the American Armed Forces be listed as a sponsor? I am not sure if AFN is buying advertising or just buying the show but either way, they are spending taxpayer money to do so. And while I don't mind it being spent on political commentary in the name of equal time to both sides, I draw the line at what Limbaugh is doing. It isn't political commentary.
Guess what that means for us? It means if we want AFN to stop spending money on the Rush Limbaugh show, our voices need to be heard. Contacting AFN might help, but it could be limited. Contacting the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs via the DoD might help, but it would probably be limited. The best people to contact are those with direct connections to high offices in the DoD, your Congressman and your Senators.
So, how about it? Ready to send a note and ask your Congressman why our taxpayer dollars are supporting a racist misogynist?
Here are the links to find your Congressman and to your Senators.
2:07 PM PT: In replying to a comment in earcicles' diary, I realized I left out an essential piece of information!
When a military office receives a question from a Congressman or a Senator, it triggers a special reaction... it's like the biggest, squeakiest wheel in the entire USA... it's called a Congressional Inquiry. Military folks don't like those. The more Congressman that call the DoD, the better!