Kathy Lee Gifford slams Paganism

[crowdog66]

EDITED: To fix the broken link to the video.

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Yesterday on the Today Show, Kathy Lee Gifford (that font of wisdom and sweet reason) called Pagans "nasty" and "bad".

Heh. Just imagine if she'd called Jews or Muslims the same thing.

You can find the offensive remarks in question here at about 4:25 in the video.



With that in mind, some folks are writing to NBC at today@nbc.com with the following email:

Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

I understand Kathy Lee Gifford made disparaging remarks about Pagans recently on the Today Show. This is unacceptable, and certainly leaves a black mark in my mind when I think of the Today Show.

Paganism is a religion like any other, and it deserves the same respect given to other religions in this country. Ms. Gifford should apologize for her remarks, just as she would be expected to apologize for remarks against any other group in our society.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Or another variant:

To Whom it may concern,

Kathy Lee Gifford made disparaging remarks about Pagans recently on the Today Show during a "wedding quiz", calling pagans filthy, nasty and bad.

Paganism is an umbrella of many ancient and indigenous religions, and it deserves the same respect given to faiths such as Christiany, the religion to which Ms. Gifford so vocally adheres.

This kind of behavior is a black mark on an otherwise wonderful news magazine show and to a network for which I have the utmost respect.

As a loyal viewer of NBC and the Today show, I expect Ms. Gifford to publicly apologize for her remarks, just as she would be expected to apologize for remarks against any other group in our society.

Thank you for your kind and prompt attention to this matter.

My own suggested addendum to either of those letters is:

If no apology is forthcoming within one week, I will boycott products advertised on the Today show, and will advise everyone I know to do the same.

That's not an action that everyone would feel comfortable taking, but it's certainly an option.

Those who want to make their opinion known in person can call and complain to the producer of the Today Show. Dial (212) 664-4249, press 1, then request to speak with Jim Bell from the person who answers. (With thanks to the "Cats, Jax, and the Plastic Princess" blog.)

Please spread the word, if you're so inclined.

Comments

[elaryn.livejournal.com]

Charming. Why did she say those things, anyway? Has she been hitting the stupid pills, or was it a momentary lapse of reason?

*le sigh* It's a pity we cannot run cars on ignorance, as the world seems to have a never-ending supply of it.

ETA: I called and left a message, requesting a retraction, for whatever good that will do. Imbeciles!

ETA, the Second: Mind if I post this in my journal, too?

[crowdog66.livejournal.com]

If you're willing to post it in your journal, by all means do so. Thank you. :-)

[cockatiel-art.livejournal.com]

Complaint fired off via email. Oy vey.... like you said, would she say something about Jews or Muslims so boldly on TV?

Le Sigh.

[monnialexis.livejournal.com]

I prefer the second one as it is informative and it also shows that you do indeed enjoy their programming. Knowing that you are a loyal watcher, rather than someone who just "happened to hear it from someone else" will let them know that their viewing base is vast culturally and religiously - keep from letting such a slip up from happening again.

Not too crazy on the boycott part. I never boycott cause people will still buy whatever products they want. Besides, such things should not matter and will only hurt the manufacturer and employees. Why punish working individuals for some one else's stupid mouth? An informative letter is good enough.

[curiosity.livejournal.com]

You know . . . I checked the video out and didn't think it was that big of a deal. Who gives a shit about some daytime T.V. bimbo? I think Pagans have more important things to worry about than this sort of thing. I know I do, but then I'm up to my ears in flood water, out here in Iowa.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

Mmmm. Narrow minded, bigoted ignorance in a public figure, what a surprise... Actually, I should confess here that I have no idea who the woman is, and can't get the link to work for me. However, someone should discuss her opinions with her in an informed manner.

Pagan = non Judeo Christian, therefore:

filthy

Ancient pagan cultures (and non-Western ones) often practiced a great deal of personal and civic hygiene. Alas, the same can not be said of a variety of Christian zealots of various stripes, who immured themselves in "holy" filth.

nasty

Many Buddhists would be surprised by this assertion, and strive to learn to be better people because of it.

bad

... Because the various pagan groups supporting causes such as feminism, and environmentalism, and embracing nonviolence are clearly a threat to her little world-bubble.

:D While I hope someone takes the opportunity to rub her nose in the unpleasant aroma of her simplistic egocentric world view, I also wouldn't be particularly concerned about it. Ignorance can be fixed, after all, but stupid is a permanent condition.