Patrick M. Byrne, CEO of Overstock.com, writes:
Dear Customer,
Because Overstock advertises on Fox channels, Overstock has been receiving calls and email messages about Fox News decision to exclude Dr. Ron Paul from the upcoming January 6 forum in New Hampshire, a decision that seems especially rank given the fact that in yesterdays Iowa Caucus Dr. Paul out-polled Mayor Giuliani by a factor of 2.5:1. I always enjoy hearing from our customers, particularly those who display political commitment of any flavor, and I thank them for their calls and emails.
In October Dr. Paul came to Utah, and he and I visited for an hour in my office. After that meeting, I gave him the largest donation I could under federal law: it is rare to meet a politician who understands the Constitution, and rarer still to meet one who thinks it binds the government meaningfully (I would give Dr. Paul more were there not now a federal blackout on free speech known as “McCain-Feingold”). In a television interview last week I stated that, while for the first time in my life I felt there are several candidates qualified to be president, my #1 choice would be Dr. Paul.
That said, I believe that pulling Overstocks advertising from Fox would represent an inappropriate conflation of my personal politics with my corporate responsibilities: thus, fellow supporters of Dr. Paul, my answer to you is, “no.” However, I have contacted Fox and told them that, as a major advertiser, I believe it is unconscionable of them to exclude Dr. Paul from participating in this forum on January 6, thus denying our polity the opportunity to make an informed choice.
Respectfully,
Patrick M. Byrne, Ph.D.
CEO, Overstock.com
PS If you wish to join me in asking Fox to refrain from trying to warp the public discourse, email Fox Senior Political Producer Marty Ryan
PPS If you wish to learn more about (or support!) Dr. Paul, click here
PPPS There is no particular reason you should be interested, but in case you are, in the last several weeks I gave PBS and NPR interviews where I discussed these political views.
(You can also find and comment upon these on my blog, www.deepcapture.com)
Well, that is a respectable start. It is a shame he doesn’t have the balls to pull all advertising from Faux News though.
More info here.
THANK YOU for supporting Dr Paul…
I respect your decision and thank you for contacting fauxnews………
Earl
Whitesburg, GA
You know, I can actually sympathize with the business CEOs in this instance. They have an obligation to their stockholders to make money, and while Ron Paul supporters may boycott them for a time, there will be millions who aren’t even paying attention, and for whom the ads on Fox may be their best exposure to the company. Now, if there sales actually drop significantly as a result of a boycott, I’d expect to see them take action.
My email message to marty ryan;
Marty -In excluding Ron Paul from your debate, once again Fox news shows why it clearly why it has the reputation of being the bogus conservative alternative and more of a mouthpiece for neo-conservatives who have done so much harm to this country. I will continue to boycott Fox news, not just because of the Ron Paul exclusion, but I choose to seek information from true news sources, rather than the propaganda that comes from Fox. Enjoy your day in the sun. The sun will eventually set on Fox when Americans finally wake up, and then Fox news will be out of business.
Were it a private business I have no doubt Dr. Byrne would have given Faux the finger. Yet, much as Dr. Paul needed to bring money back to his constituents, (and got chided for it by monkey Tim) so in this case must a CEO watch out for his share holders.
Thanks for your support Dr. Byrne, and best wishes for the new year. Lynus O’Brien
CHAMELEONMONARCHY.COM
See Video to better understand Faux News Corp. Good thing we still have PBS – who did this piece on Fox News Corp/ Rupert Murdoch.
Thanks Overstock.com for the endorsement and your participation -
You can donate to the Blimp fund sir:)
- it is understood Fox owners do not care about a billion emails – they spam filtered most of them to the trash anyway, never read – and people are wasting their time emailing Fox. Deaf ears. Fox only cares about the message they want you to hear. It is NOT a Debate unless you have opposing candidates…. Oh well we are getting better “airtime” with the Ron Paul Blimp then Fox could ever give us. I just hope the people buying TV spots with campaign contributions, steer away from spending money advertising on Fox.
And that is my commentary…. Godspeed>>>
I can not believe Fox News would still turn a deaf ear to all the angry Americans that Fox News needs to stay #1. I truly believe Fox will look back and regret the decision they are making now.
Laura
thanks a lot over consume dot com ceo. means the world to me. If not for Family Guy I would never watch FAUX again.