2nd Amendment 'too controversial' for radio More stations shut down criticism of Obama

February 10, 2013


More stations shut down criticism of Obama

Officials with the radio industry powerhouse Clear Channel have followed in the footsteps of a conservative Washington talk station in concluding that a message regarding the Second Amendment is “too controversial” for people in the Washington area to hear.

“How ironic and maddening that the president is flying around the country, on our dime, trying to sell gun control but I can’t BUY air time to respond,” said Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Steve Vaus, creator of the Buck Howdy character.

WND had reported earlier when officials with WMAL News/Talk refused to sell him airtime for his one-minute message.

Vaus had recorded a song that defies those advocating gun confiscation with one of the slogans of the Texas Revolution, “Come and take it.”

But an email last week from WMAL General Sales Manager Todd Freundlich, forwarded by Vaus to WND, said, “After reviewing the spot with my program director we have determined that it is too controversial for us to air.”

His email continued, “Sorry that we can’t help you with this but if I can answer any additional questions please let me know.”

Today, Vaus said his request to buy airtime also had been rejected by Clear Channel, which operates stations WASH, WBIG, WWDC, WITH and WMZQ in the Washington-Baltimore area.

The email from Ivan Blank, key account director, said, “Steve, unfortunately the spot in its present form is not acceptable to air on our stations. If you care to, we can write a spot for your approval that gets your point out there to our audiences. If that is an option please send us a set of ‘talking points’ and we can give it a go. Thanks, Ivan”

When contacted by WND, he declined to comment, referring a reporter to a vice president of the company, who did not respond to an email inquiry.

But Vaus said, “I am shocked and angry at the rejection. I shudder to think how they would have rewritten the spot.”

He confirmed to WND he would not have the stations rewrite his message for him.

Vaus also has promised that he’ll get his message out somehow.

“”Nothing will stop me from getting this message heard in Washington, D.C. If I have to stand in front of the White House and the Capitol Building with a boom box so be it,” Vaus said.

Steve Vaus

WND previously had reported the song, “Come and Take It,” was written to rally gun owners with its remember-the-Alamo-like message.

A music video also was produced with a special message for Barack Obama and members of Congress.

Though the song itself is more vague, the video leaves no doubt who Vaus is talking to in the lyrics.

“Mr. President, members of Congress,” Vaus says in the opening to the video, “you’ve been making a lot of noise about taking our guns away. But you might want to review history.

“1835. Gonzales, Texas Territory,” Vaus continues. “The authorities wanted to confiscate the big gun that protected that colony. You know what the people said? ‘Come and take it.’ Because they were willing to fight for their freedom and their guns. So are we.”

The video then launches into the pointed chorus: “Come and take it if you want it. Come and take it if you think you can. Come and take it, but we’ll warn you, you’ll have to pry it from our cold, dead hands.”

The lyrics continue, “We want the freedom that God gave us, so you best not cross that line. If you want this gun you gotta to come through us and take it, one shot at a time.”

The slogan, “Come and take it,” became the battle cry and banner of the Texas Revolution after the 1835 Battle of Gonzalez, in which the people defied the Mexican government’s demand to return a cannon that had been given them for self-defense. Rather than surrender the cannon to Mexican dragoons, the people stormed the Mexican camp and drove the soldiers away.

As Vaus’ song sings, “You just don’t mess with Texas, especially when it comes to guns.”

Listen to the song “Come and Take It” here.

In the video, Vaus concludes, “Just like Gonzales, we’re keeping our guns.”

The video itself can be seen below:





Vaus’ song proves particularly timely, as President Obama recently announced 23 new “executive actions” aimed at restricting gun use and availability in the U.S. and called for Congress to pass further gun-control legislation.

Several states are mulling ways to counter the president’s agenda, and many individuals fear the president is putting the U.S. on a path toward confiscating guns.

Vaus’ song, however, warns that gun ownership is a God-given right and violators of that right had best beware.

Vaus has performed, produced and recorded with Billy Ray Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, Willie Nelson, Kenny Loggins, Leann Rimes, Randy Travis and Kenny Rogers; he’s a four-time Grammy nominee (with a win in 2010) and has performed with the Billy Graham Crusades, at the Grand Ole Opry and at the White House.

A previous song by Vaus, “We Must Take America Back,” drew massive attention when it was released in the 1990s.

“There’s an unspoken fear, We’re on our way down,” he penned. “We must take America back, Main Street to Wall Street, cities and states. Washington, D.C., before it’s too late:”





Last year, Vaus stirred controversy with his satirical look at the government’s decision to impose invasive body-scans and full-body patdowns on airline travelers. Millions have viewed his work online.

The song was a parody of “Help Me Make It Through the Night”:





Vaus also, in the period after 9/11, created “There Is an Eagle,” which zoomed to the top of the country charts.


source: Bob Unruh @ WND.com