Clear Channel Bans Ads For Harry Shearer's CD Over Anti-Bush Image

Clear Channel, the radio station and billboard powerhouse, has banned an ad for Harry Shearer's new CD "Songs of Bushmen" because it depicts George Bush with a bone through his nose, the New York Post's Page Six reports:

The outdoor advertising arm of notoriously conservative Clear Channel has banned signs for "Songs of the Bushmen" because the cover depicts the president with a bone through his nose. "Their tone turned from genial salesperson to angry schoolmarm - 'This is unacceptable,' " Shearer, the voice of Mr. Burns and Flanders on "The Simpsons," told Page Six. "And it's not like this is a dangerous time to criticize George Bush."

Last October, Clear Channel's Palm Beach arm refused to air an ad for VoteVets during Rush Limbaugh's show because the ad "would conflict with the listeners who have chosen to listen to Rush Limbaugh."

Disclosure: The ad is running on the Huffington Post, and Harry Shearer is a regular contributor to the site.

Comments

[GoodDay]

I asked my brothers if they watched Keith Olberman. They said they didn't get it on their cable systems. Both their cable systems were Clear Channel. Pathetic. One thing Clear Channel apparently doesn't believe in is free speech.

[gage]

Clear Channel doesn't operate any cable systems.

I only WISH I could get a cable package that didn't include MSNBC.

[TripperDay]

Parental lock feature too complicated, huh? Don't feel bad, it happens to a lot of people not used to that high falutin' technology.

[johnnyjust]

A better title for his CD, in light of the picture:

"I've Got A Bone To Pick With You."

But I'm sure it will tank, no matter the title.

[ElvisLives666]

There's never been a better example of how corporations are in bed with the government. Between The Onion and DigitalFuntown.com news, I'd never be able to figure out the real story nowadays.

[in4success]

time for a serious clear channel boycott campaign.

[in4success]

on second thought ... we should just go with the revolution thing.

[Ramirez]

Progs don't own guns.

[nirak]

A Bone through his nose and Loserman up his butt

[provgrays]

Clear Channel never did believe in the first Amendment. Why start now?

[Nathan1960]

Indeed! They bought every AM talk station in houston, now it's all conservative/hate shows, I finally purchases XM radio, best thing I ever did.

[Ramirez]

Congress shall make no law...

[bookon]

Remember thought is dangerous. Ask anyone on the far left or far right... But mostly far right.

[psgoodguy]

hey huffpo: how about an MP3 link of one of the songs?

[Kozan]

George Bush with a bone through his nose is an insult to Bushmen.

[mike53]

When I first saw the picture I thought it had to be a mistake. Thought for sure it was supposed to be BHO with the bone in his nose.

[in4success]

no -- BHO is civilized.

[haleywins]

Conflicting with Limbaugh listeners is a problem?

[americanwhocares]

I long ago stopped listening to anything from unClear Channel on the radio (main reason I pay for XM radio). They are the Rupert Murdoch of radio. Biased and terrible in content (think Fox Noise on TV). I just hope when the Dem's sweep into office in Jan 2009, they take appropriate action against these biased idiots. (And have Joe Lieberman sweeping the floor of the Senate, that suits his very limited abilities)

[wutzhappn]

Unfortunately, this ad contributes to the continual decline of the Huffington Post as a credible source of news. Not to mention, I hate looking at it.

[99hockeyman]

I am sure Drudge is waiting for you .

[JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin]

Clear Channel....proud part of the ever diminishing 23 percent who adore George W. Bush.

Memo to Clear Channel...Bush is hated even by Republicans now. Stop pretending that the public adores him. He's a joke now. Your making yourselves look like fools.

[eugenegerard]

BRING THE SHERMAN ACT TO BEAR. It is time to dismantle these mega-corporate monsters.

[doug108]

Almost completely fascist, now. Just a little more to go.

[gage]

It would be fascist if a private company could be forced by law to place a billboard ad it considered distasteful.