Double-standard Ends? Racist Radio Host 'Indefinitely Suspended'

May 8th, 2007 11:01 AM

I wouldn't call this the ideal outcome but it's definitely progress. Michael McGee, the racist liberal talk show host who said he wished a local conservative talker had burned to death along with his mother has been suspended "indefinitely" from his program:

Radio station owner Jerrel Jones said Saturday that he's indefinitely suspending Mike McGee from his radio show on WNOV-AM (860) for remarks he made about the death of Katherine Sykes, the mother of radio talker Charlie Sykes.

Jones would not say how long "indefinitely" might be.

"Forever is a long time, and I don't want to say something that I may not be able to deal with," he said Saturday. "But I do want to make it clear that he won't be on anytime soon."

The show will stay in the family, with McGee's son, Milwaukee Ald. Michael McGee, taking over as host of the "Word Warriors" program. [...]

The moves came after a meeting Saturday between Jones and Mike McGee.

Jones said that while there has to be room for expression, the elder McGee's comments were "outrageous and we won't entertain anything like that."

After meeting with McGee on Saturday, Jones said: "He's not apologetic, but does realize his timing was not the best. It was a pleasant meeting. He understands what needs to happen."

For more than 12 years, the elder McGee has purchased his airtime on the radio station. Jones took McGee off the air for a short period in 2004 when he used an obscenity on the air.

Jones said Mike McGee has a contract for "Word Warriors" that runs until January and will continue the contract for the show.