Mr. Scott Grogin
Senior VP of Communications
Fox Network Group
Dear Mr. Grogin:
On behalf of more than 1 million participants in the recently held “Tea Parties”, I would like to express our profound disappointment in the recent remarks of your 24 cast member, Janeane Garofalo. While it would be easy and somewhat expected for me to “fight fire with fire” in a rhetorical sense, I would like to elevate the conversation from guttural epithets to that of reason and intelligence. While neither of us could speak to the exact demographics of the million plus so-called ” Racist Rednecks,” I believe we could agree that some percentage of these attendees watch 24 and support 24’s sponsors.
While I respect Ms.Garofalos 1st Amendment rights relevant to her personal beliefs, I trust that no one would equivocate over our voicing dissent through our programming viewing selections or our support of advertisers. While Ms. Garofalo may view this response to her vitriol as our ” synapses misfiring” or our having” neurological problems ” or perhaps the rantings of ” a white power movement “, we view it as a reasonable method of expressing our outrage for her publicly stated beliefs. Thankfully, that ability is” currently “allowed in this country.
Mr. Grogin, words and actions have meaning and consequences. Ms. Garofalo said what she meant and meant what she said. At this point, based on her history, an apology or explanation would only be a lie told as part of damage control. This bell cannot be unrung. To paraphrase Laura Ingraham , she should ” Shut-up and Sing (Act)”.
While Fox may wish to believe that the comments of their on-air talent does not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of the network, we believe in the age old bromide ” You are judged by the company you keep” correctly applies. I can assure you that as long as Ms. Garofalo is part of the 24 cast, we will boycott the show.
Additionally, we will contact all the shows sponsors and explain our concerns and our desire to support companies who do not condone behavior such as that of Ms. Garofalo. We are Patriotic Americans who are lawfully expressing our disagreement with our current federal government.
Please consider our viewpoints as Fox makes certain programming decisions.
Thank You
David T. Gardella
Destin, FL