Butterfly Rewards - earn free credits and redeem for good causes - learn more!
Those

"NASTY BAD PAGANS?" Protesting hate speech on NBC

Target:
NBC, the TODAY Show, Kathy Lee Gifford & sponsor Samsung
Sponsored by: 

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, during a live broadcast of a wedding reception on the TODAY Show, Kathy Lee Gifford gratuitously referred to Pagans as "nasty, bad Pagans." Ms. Gifford's hate speech has done harm to American Pagans' ability to live in peace with our neighbors of other faiths. By allowing her hate speech to be broadcast, her direct employer the TODAY Show, and their network, NBC, participate in that hate speech.

This is a petition calling for, at the very least, an on-air apology. A TODAY Show program devoted to dispelling misconceptions about Pagans and Paganism would go a long ways toward undoing the damage.

Signers of this petition are also putting the sponsor of that TODAY Show segment, Samsung, on notice that we are conducting a BOYCOTT against them until such time as we receive justice.

On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, during a live broadcast of a wedding reception on the TODAY Show, Kathy Lee Gifford gratuitously referred to Pagans as "nasty, bad Pagans." Ms. Gifford's hate speech has done harm to American Pagans' ability to live in peace with our neighbors of other faiths. By allowing her hate speech to be broadcast, her direct employer the TODAY Show, and their network, NBC, participate in that hate speech.

This is a petition calling for, at the very least, an on-air apology. A TODAY Show program devoted to dispelling misconceptions about Pagans and Paganism would go a long ways toward undoing the damage.

Signers of this petition are also putting the sponsor of that TODAY Show segment, Samsung, on notice that we are conducting a BOYCOTT against them until such time as we receive justice.
On Wednesday, June 25, 2008, during a live broadcast of a wedding reception on the TODAY Show, Kathy Lee Gifford gratuitously referred to Pagans as "nasty, bad Pagans." This is, by every definition, hate speech.

Many Americans think Ms. Gifford is charming. These same viewers are likeliest to believe what they hear on television and/or from the mouths of celebrities. Ms. Gifford's hate speech has done harm to American Pagans' ability to live in peace with our neighbors of other faiths. By allowing her hate speech to be broadcast, her direct employer the TODAY Show, and their network, NBC, participate in that hate speech.

We the undersigned call upon Kathy Lee Gifford, the TODAY Show and NBC to rectify the damage they have done to the Pagan faith community. At the very least, an on-air apology is required. A TODAY Show program devoted to dispelling misconceptions about Pagans and Paganism would go a long ways toward undoing the damage.

Furthermore, we the undersigned are conducting a BOYCOTT against the sponsor of that TODAY Show segment, Samsung, until such time as we receive justice.
signature
goal: 15,000
 
5,667
signatures!
sign petition!
50
50 log in or sign up to start earning Butterfly Credits today!
Already a Care2 member? log in
Name

optional
Email
Address
City
State
Province
Zip code Postal code

Increase your signature's impact by personalizing your letter


 I agree to Care2's terms of service. We respect your privacy. Your email address is used to confirm your signature and is NOT displayed publicly.  
We signed the ""NASTY BAD PAGANS?" Protesting hate speech on NBC" petition!
# 5,667:
4:00 am PST, Nov 9, Michelle Sharkey, Massachusetts
# 5,666:
3:12 pm PST, Nov 8, Melissa Ray, Kentucky
She definatly needs to learn more about pagans
# 5,665:
3:52 pm PST, Nov 5, Rev Zak Zennii, Pennsylvania
# 5,664:
6:42 pm PST, Nov 1, Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 5,663:
6:04 pm PDT, Oct 2, Gabriel Forl, Canada
INCREDIBLY DISGUSTING!!! I DO NOT BELIEVE SOMEONE WOULD HAVE THE AUDACITY TO COMMIT SUCH AN ACT, LET ALONE ON NATIONAL TELEVISION. THE PUTTING DOWN OF PAGANS, AS IF THEY WERE DOGS. THIS IS ONE STATEMENT THAT IF SHE ADMITS AND APOLOGIZES ON NATIONAL TELEVISION IT SHOULD BE FORGIVIN BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN.
# 5,662:
12:50 pm PDT, Sep 29, Nicole Chaidas, Greece
How disgusting! Pagans rarely if ever, say anything against people of other faiths.
# 5,661:
12:50 am PDT, Sep 21, Mitchell Malek, Michigan
# 5,660:
6:59 pm PDT, Sep 9, Melissa Tuma, Connecticut
# 5,659:
8:50 pm PDT, Sep 7, Taylor Johannson, Mississippi
# 5,658:
5:22 am PDT, Aug 28, Kirk Barrett, United Kingdom
# 5,657:
8:24 am PDT, Aug 25, Donald Baumgartner, Montana
terminate Kathie lee's Contract,NBC> NOW!
# 5,656:
3:15 pm PDT, Aug 24, Markus Vernon, United Kingdom
i find this disgraceful
# 5,655:
6:34 pm PDT, Aug 23, Name not displayed, Minnesota
# 5,654:
12:29 am PDT, Aug 19, Ashley Collins, Colorado
# 5,653:
7:43 pm PDT, Aug 18, Elizabeth Hall, Florida
This beyond insluting, when Pagans have tried to live in peace for centuries, yet have been burned for being who we are, not forcing ourselves on others. Yet, Christians have forced us to conform to their beliefs on pane of death. How are we the nasty bad ones, if we do not force others to chose our faith or die?
# 5,652:
5:15 pm PDT, Aug 15, Kathy Bergant, Wisconsin
This was a blatantly bigoted and ignorant statement for her to make and it distracted from the program.She should be forced to apoligize.I would rather have her replaced by an unbiased host but I understand she has a contract.Mores the pity.
# 5,651:
8:48 am PDT, Aug 13, Roberta Squiers, Florida
hate is rampad enough as it is . Do we really need the media doing their best to promote more ignorance.
# 5,650:
10:54 am PDT, Jul 28, Name not displayed, New Mexico
# 5,649:
9:41 am PDT, Jul 22, Matthew Tripp, South Carolina
The wheel of Buddhist terms poster tinyurl.com/5atfhh Velcro modular wall mural game. Doctoral dissertation for philosophy, title: The Interpenetration of Buddhist Practice and Classroom Teaching. Technocracy Ethics USA censorship Chinese military intelligence genius clones tinyurl.com/l6pfac PARASITIC SPECIES INFESTATION alien robot telescope spaceship: audiobook getting things done (GTD is the tag), the first few tracks of PALE BLUE DOT are good, as we transition 2 a knowledge based global society outdoor living spaces with education automation like home automation; 5 or 10 soundproof sleep chambers in one bedroom; with temperature control and touch screen web interphase, alarm brings up the lights slowly to simulate sunrise before softly audible sounds slowly increase volume to wake you up gently inspiring quotes as computing power increases exponentially and ubiquitous web enabled sensors allow 4 immersion in context relevant buddhist or ethics perspective, national broadband plan dharmaprinting.com augmented reality sociology subject index and table of contents Chinese military intelligence genius clones life energy word abacus sustainability transmission measurement context mapping twitter.com/globalcide is me Google for EXTINCTCULTURE please let me know what you think about this topic computer.org/pervasive (FOLDING@HOME + BIONIC software, engineering 450 million new species to make deserts habitable or telepathic ecosystem maintenance) autodesk inventor prototyping software for genetics use the audio book list on audibles.com to build course of life coaching training young orphan people to be CIA certified ethical hackers download free at nowtorrents.com {free antivirus/malware + reviews @ download.com} because if the current post world war 2 education system was meant to produce factory workers (not critical thinking curriculum video from best teacher nationally then teachers answer questions and do research while the kids watch, pause for Q+A, the videos podshifter software for iTunesU ) how much worse is this continuation of using the bible koran instead of critical mass ecosystem dynamics physics logistics? google for flashcard database subliminal education psychological profiling HDTV prenhall.com/dabbagh MIT OCW designing your life. The art of war flashcard deck, wikipedia article audiobook the 48 laws of power... RAW stem cells movies: Eagle EYE, Minority Report, (gps and audio recording + all video survelance to DVR on web for all probation and parole ankle monitors, put more people on them and use software to monitor them, the probation or parolee pays for the ankle monitor and then gives it back to the probation office then the next probation pays for it again, thus buying another one) broadcom is makeing new version of these chips every two months now GPS + Bluetooth + WiFi + FM combo chip) audio + video security DVR in juvinile prisons with audiobooks streaming leave the headphones you buy behind for the next inmate lifehack.org/articles/productivity/the-ultimate-student-resource-list.html selfmadescholar.com/b/self-education-resource-list GET A GENERIC MP4 PLAYER FROM PRICEWATCH.COM OR SHOPZILLA.COM OR GOOGLE PRODUCT SEARCH oedb.org/library/beginning-online-learning/100-ways-to-use-your-ipod-to-learn-and-study-better lifehack.org/articles/productivity/the-80-best-lifehacks-of-2008.html lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/in-uncertain-times-prepare-yourself-for-new-opportunities.html Interactive Video Object Manipulation: vimeo.com/2345579 web 2.0 directories: ziipa.com and go2web20.net USE THE TAGS cloud, also lifehacker.com and lifehack.org SHARE 99ebooks.blogspot.com via: care2.com/click2donate + thehungersite.com and gizmodo.com/tag/ecomodo click every tab every day with iMacro, smarterfox, delicious, colorful tabs, TOOMANYTABS, WebMynd extensions for the new firefox 3.5 browser Ccleaner youtube.com/homeproject Block Posters Makes a Large Poster from Any Image, send this to every school and buddhist center in the world but translate message first. bbb zzz aaa qqq
# 5,648:
7:10 am PDT, Jul 21, Name not displayed, New York
I was very surprised that this type of behaviour from a "so-called" professional was allowed to air. And for this NBC is as guilty as Kathyl Lee Gifford. We are all free to choose who we are (pagans, christians, jewish, etc.)
# 5,647:
8:52 am PDT, Jul 15, Azazel Ashheart, Washington
# 5,646:
2:43 pm PDT, Jun 25, K Skilling, United Kingdom
I am shocked and hurt that this was aired and allowed to be said with no apology. Given today's constant Political Correctness, it only singles Pagans out more that this hate speech aired without objection or intervention.
# 5,645:
9:46 am PDT, Jun 24, Amanda Boone, North Carolina
# 5,644:
3:17 pm PDT, Jun 9, Tiffany Kaur, Kentucky
Centuries of propaganda have led to this hatred and dislike of pagans. This is so sad, because it clearly shows ignorance and intolerance. Only by understanding others who look, believe, and think differently than we do can hatred be eliminated. I, as a pagan, am neither "nasty" nor "bad" and I would appreciate an apology on the part of NBC so that this misinformation is not continued for this generation or beyond. Please think about the consequences of what you say before you say it.
# 5,643:
5:17 am PDT, Jun 6, Melanie Short, Alabama
not all people are to be put in one group . look at priest with small boys and doctors and all mundan people not the same . we pagans have a code .
# 5,642:
4:22 pm PDT, May 26, Name not displayed, Canada
# 5,641:
11:03 am PDT, May 26, Carly Curry, Texas
# 5,640:
5:34 am PDT, May 26, L B, Israel
# 5,639:
3:16 am PDT, May 24, Thor Greenhammer Almada, Florida
there are kind thoughtful pagans all around you but you don't know it becasue it's safer to be hidden.
# 5,638:
11:05 am PDT, May 20, Kayla Rose, Canada
# 5,637:
9:28 pm PDT, May 16, Name not displayed, Oregon
# 5,636:
4:19 pm PDT, May 12, Johnathon Scinta, Armed Forces Europe
Thanks a lot there Kathy Lee Gifford. Note the sarcasm. Just so you can know this particular "nasty bad pagan" has been defending this country you love to live in for the past 5yrs. I've been to many places and met with many people of different religions. And you know what tolerance is much more widely accepted than you might like to believe. We as pagans are people who live next to you, work with you, eat where you eat, and defend your country alongside the countless christian, jewish, muslim, and many other religious people. I don't appreciate your remark and genuinely don't expect an apology from you or your producers. I do want you to know that i don't appreciate your short sightedness and ignorance. please for everyone's sake before you wind up offending another group whether religious or personnel educate yourself on the topic. Ignorance may be bliss but it is bliss through blind stupidity, knowledge is the true power of this world. -HM3 Scinta
# 5,635:
9:12 pm PDT, May 6, Bonnie Jones, Virginia
If Ms. Gifford had said the same about any christian or Jew, an apology would've already been out there. Make no mistake the number of Pagan Americans is growing every day and we have money to spend and we will boycott when necessary. I will spread the word about this to my pagan and non-pagan friends. We have a voice, i suggest you listen !!
# 5,634:
12:16 am PDT, May 3, Name not displayed, United Kingdom
Only in America is hate speech allowed under the constitution. Freedom of speech IS NOT carte blanche to say what you like when you like and to hell with everyone else. Anyone with more than half a brain cell would recognise the need for tolerance and respect. But I guess that rules out Ms Lee Gifford as she is clearly sub par in the IQ department. People like her are the reason why the international community thinks Americans are dumb, crass, ignorant, loud mouthed trailer trash. The view of Americans is somewhat dim at the present time, as not only can the current economic climate be attributed to their lack of common sense and ethics when it comes to managing your finances, but we still have yet to find any WMDs in Iraq. WMDs your "President" (because let's face it - we all know that he only got in because the votes of 20,000 black people in Florida went missing) swore blind were there. People would hate America less if you didn't have bigots like her spouting ill-informed crap like this.
# 5,633:
5:18 pm PDT, Apr 22, Amber Hill, Oregon
Paganism is not black magic! Black magic is black magic, there is a difference. People should not have to hid who they are or be ridiculed for a belief, especially if they are not hurting anyone. They are people too and deserve our respect just like everyone else. If you are afraid look at it from another's point of view, would you like your rights taken away just because someone doesn't understand it? or would you want them to find out more about it a you before making a uninformed decision? Even if you think you already know it all, do what the teachers and parents tell me, "look it up and double check your facts!"
# 5,632:
2:44 pm PDT, Apr 11, Trisha Dhabolt, Hawaii
# 5,631:
12:25 pm PDT, Apr 6, Christian Zambrana, California
# 5,630:
8:10 am PDT, Mar 22, Andrew Lauderbaugh, California
# 5,629:
10:21 pm PDT, Mar 15, Brittany Henderson, Texas
...
# 5,628:
2:10 pm PDT, Mar 12, Nicole Lidman, Minnesota
# 5,627:
3:46 pm PDT, Mar 10, Sarah-Rochelle Fisher, California
# 5,626:
1:14 am PST, Mar 8, Jennifer Orr, North Carolina
This really baffles me... I thought we were beyond prejudice and discrimination... I guess not.
# 5,625:
10:46 am PST, Mar 4, Michele Caitlyn-Strout, Maine
# 5,624:
9:13 pm PST, Mar 3, Aljanas Magion, California
I hope you douchebags know that: A. Christianity has taken A LOT of beliefs from paganism B. Christmas is pagan C. Easter is also pagan.
# 5,623:
10:45 am PST, Mar 2, Danielle Poores, Mississippi
Danielle Poores
# 5,622:
9:04 am PST, Mar 1, Rachel DeVore, Washington
# 5,621:
3:52 pm PST, Feb 28, Jameson Knopp, Washington
UUUUgh...I HATE this sort of intolrence among non-pagans. I am a pagan and we id nothing to disurve this.
# 5,620:
6:51 am PST, Feb 23, Name not displayed, Tennessee
# 5,619:
8:39 pm PST, Feb 18, Heather Britton, Illinois
To me this is no different than a racial Slurr...I know your shows will no longer be watched in my home and I will advice the 100's of Pagans that I know to also stop watching you Network. You should be ashamed, what you allowed was horrible...and HURTFUL to Many Pagan Americans.
# 5,618:
7:58 am PST, Feb 18, Stephanie Lindhe, Nevada
Pagans are involved in a natural and peaceful religion. We are having our kindnesses mistaken for weaknesses. We are not just some joke that other religions can make fun of because it is not as widely speread as "Christianity," (even though our practices are far older and much of the "Christian" religion has roots in pagan and celtic beliefs), or "Judaism." I hope that this issue is resolved soon and that it will open the eyes of the public as to where religious persecution really comes from and who is responsible. Tolerance and understanding are demanded by every other belief system in the world, Pagans, Wiccans, Druids, and all other people who have to hide their worship should not be made to feel ashamed of our beautiful religions by ignorant and hypocritical members of teh entertainment (or any other) community. I feel that we absolutely deserve an apology. That is the least that she can do. Sincerely, Stephanie Lindhe
# 5,617:
4:38 pm PST, Feb 16, Angelina Guzman, North Carolina
# 5,616:
7:57 am PST, Feb 16, Sarah Maxwell, Arkansas
Compare the histories of the number of times pagans have gone on Christian killing sprees to the times Christians have killed pagans. Think the facts speak for themselves.
# 5,614:
3:53 pm PST, Feb 4, Cindy Barrale, Hawaii
Mrs. Gifford's statement is yet another attempt to alienate those of us who live differently than the Christian norm. We are constantly fighting against the widespread misconceptions of the populace, and unfortunately one misinformed opinion spoken on national television can influence many who watch. If she had said anything against Judaism or Islam it would have made widespread headlines and Mrs. Gifford would be held accountable for her actions. Paganism is a nationally recognized religion and as such is entitled to the same benefits and freedom of religion as recognized under the constitution. Shame on you, Kathy Lee.
# 5,613:
11:23 am PST, Feb 2, Ken Hurley, Oregon
# 5,612:
5:48 am PST, Feb 2, Karen Brooks, Massachusetts
I am not Pagan but several of my friends and family members are and I take personal offense when I found out about this. I would have thought that in today's enlightenments and the Unity that the USA is supposed to project to others that this sort of hate speech would be forbidden. This has obviously upset many people and an apology should be issued by Kathie Lee Gifford herself. She should also sit down with people of the Pagan faith and learn that they are NOT nasty as she thinks.
# 5,611:
1:13 pm PST, Jan 31, Sara Goessel, Illinois
Comments like that are what fuel religious intolerance and discrimination. That is not acceptable. As a Wiccan I will forever look at the Today show in a different way. I don't think they understand how many of us there truly are and how many viewers they just lost.
# 5,610:
8:58 am PST, Jan 27, Edward Baker, Pennsylvania
I believe the network should apologize or at least apologize for the Christian Atrocities done throughout the years .Christian Crusades ,The Killing of Ottoman Turks and so forth .I`ve never heard of Pagans doing anything other than not believing in a Sky -Fairy .
# 5,609:
11:22 am PST, Jan 26, Kimberly Dobson-nesti, Michigan
This would never have been allowed to air had it been directed towards christians, jews, muslims..... Why is it acceptable for a minority faith??? Ignorance is not an excuse for slander. An apology cannot correct the wrong-doing, but it will at the very least acknowledge that the pagan faith WAS wronged.
# 5,608:
5:41 pm PST, Jan 20, Kiera Khameneh, Montana
How dare anyone belittle anyone's beliefs! We do not live in a theocracy, but in America where we have the freedom of religion. And I have the freedom to proudly say I am a neo-pagan. This comment is outright slander, it's offensive and sickening. And just because I don't agree with another person's beliefs doesn't mean I can, or even have the right to, say publicly that they are bad. I am both shocked and insulted by Gifford's staement. An apology is definetly in order for all pagan.
# 5,607:
10:56 am PST, Jan 18, Whitney Seabrooks, New York
Pagans are just as good of people as anyone else. I'M PROUD TO SAY I'M NEO-PAGAN! These people are wrong to call Pagans that. NOT EVERYONE WANTS TO BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO DOESN'T HELP THE WORLD!
# 5,606:
7:44 am PST, Jan 17, Rose Payne, Tennessee
Her comment shows her ignorance. If you are going to comment on something, you should at least have knowledege of what you are commenting on. And obvously she doesn't. I am a Pagan and Proud of it. Comments like that breed religous intolerance, and definately do not come from the mouth of a person who walks the walk of their faith.
# 5,605:
3:54 pm PST, Jan 16, Sarah Fyfe, Massachusetts
I am wiccan and i find it VERY offensive that this is what our America is turning into. I've been rejected from jobs, hurt and pushed around and schools and called mean and embressing names not only in school but out in public because i wear wiccan appeal
# 5,604:
2:37 pm PST, Jan 2, Katrina Trainor, Illinois
# 5,603:
8:06 am PST, Jan 2, Jennifer Gardner, Florida
# 5,602:
7:53 pm PST, Dec 31, Anne Jernigan, North Carolina
# 5,601:
7:16 pm PST, Dec 29, Patricia Stevens, California
Copyright © 2009 Care2.com, inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved