In general, I oppose the Internet trend of demanding people be fired from media positions just because they say something that upsets someone. Nevertheless, I’m sincerely confused about why CNN continues to employ Macon conservative “personality” Erick Erickson.
Last night Erickson Tweeted the following about the Democratic convention:
First night of the Vagina Monologues in Charlotte going as expected.
Get it? Disabled veteran and Congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth, activist and icon of equal pay for women Lilly Ledbetter, and First Lady Michelle Obama are womenladies with vaginas and such, therefore when they stand near a microphone and speak words, it’s the Vagina Monologues! Hahaha! Comedy gold. Read my lips! Get it!?!? Lips! Hahahahaha!
As a fan and loyal-ish viewer of CNN, I would like to understand two things about Erickson’s continued association with my hometown news network.
1. What does Erick contribute to the CNN political lineup? Ratings? Clearly not. A conservative viewpoint? What’s conservative about a pundit mocking a veteran who lost both her legs in a war Erickson supported but didn’t volunteer for? Do conservatives benefit from Erickson’s presence on CNN? Are conservative political views more palatable when expressed on television by a smirking dinner roll in a blue jacket?
2. What exactly is CNN’s social media policy for its on-air personalities and how has Erickson not violated it?
Recall, in 2010 CNN dumped long-time employee Octavia Nasr for this Tweet about a Lebanese Shi’ite cleric:
“Sad to hear of the passing of Sayyed Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah. One of Hezbollah’s giants I respect a lot.
Ms. Nasr is no one’s idea of a radical or even a mild Hezbollah sympathizer. But apparently being knowledgeable enough about Lebanese politics to understand that not all turbans are cut from the same muslin was somehow deemed offensive and inappropriate for CNN.
And earlier this year, CNN’s Roland Martin was suspended for this Tweet:
If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the ish out of him! #superbowl
A dickish comment in more ways than one, but strictly speaking it had nothing to do with Martin’s work. Martin is a political pundit. Still, he was suspended.
Erickson mocked the First Lady and a veteran running for Congress by calling them talking vaginas. If Martin’s comment disqualified him from speaking about politics on-air, why doesn’t Erick’s?
