I recently contacted American TV Channel ESPN:
Hi,
It appears that Dana Jacobson has been accused on several occasions for ‘hate speech’ against religious groups. Whilst I do not advocate some kind of radical action, I think it is your duty to look seriously into such issues.
As a Muslim I am offended that it is okay for presenters on mainstream television to be slandering any faith or belief. If claims are untrue, make that abundantly clear, otherwise you should take appropriate action.
They responded:
Thank you for writing,
Ms. Jacobson’s inappropriate comments were delivered during a roast for her friends Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg and were in the context of Notre Dame football and its Touchdown Jesus icon. They were wrong and inexcusable, and she was suspended from her duties.
Ms. Jacobson returned to work on January 28 and again offered an apology and asked for forgiveness:
Apology from Dana Jacobson on ESPN’s First Take - 1/28/08:
“Before we do start First Take, there is something that I want to address. There has been a lot of attention surrounding my inappropriate behavior and comments at a roast earlier this month of my friends Mike (Greenberg) and Mike (Golic). I want to once again say how truly sorry I am for my poor choices and bad judgment that night. I have taken responsibility for what I did say and do and realize why it was wrong.
“There are no do-overs in life, so all I can do is what we all do when we make mistakes - learn from them. As a person, and even a broadcaster, I can tell you I have already learned a lot from mine. Several people told me last week mistakes do not define us. It is how we respond to those mistakes that does. I believe that. I hope you can forgive me and allow my future to define me.
“Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, and viewers who have shown me support during this difficult time. Most importantly, ESPN, for its unwavering support and the opportunity to return to this job. The job that I love. Now it is time to get back to that job.”
ESPN met with Christian leaders who, as a result, are now applauding the network for its commitment toward building religious tolerance in the workplace. You can read about the results of those meetings here.
Sincerely,
ESPN Viewer Response
Just thought I’d post it…
Is anyone innocent? I really wonder.
I look at my friends… and ponder
Are you truly genuine or fake like plastic
To melt with heat and dissolve in acid
Then whose to say innocence is needed
If the experience is to be well heeded
Learn lessons where due - lifes’ purpose
Make the same mistake again, in surplus
Just so there’s enough to go round
I’ll end the day without a sound.
It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for:
When the sky is drawn and the sun falls
When the wingless bird takes flight
And the morning echoes through the night.
I don’t know if I can make it to the end
I thought the beginning was painful
Yet I haven’t seen a glimpse of amend.
Will I even continue without distraction
Perhaps I’ll fall for the main attraction
Changing from within - false reaction?
Miss the point until it is sharp enough to hurt
Regretting spoken words never rehearsed
Then pierce with an edge that wounds reality
Feeling faint as the blade kills humanity.
when am i gonna learn..tell me when am i gonna learn
its taking its toll..the fact that i dont burn.
i can feel it when im silent and looking up at the sky
and those sighs that take me over,
eyes closed, those sighs..
or when im finishing off my deathly stick stubbing it out
closing the window with a click,
the heavyness bears upon me
and although its gone within an instance, the feeling is intense,
they think im positive..and nothing gets me down,sometimes i wish it did,
so i could feel human just for a bit
the pain or anger never stays..never give it time to sink…im already on my way, busy with new kicks.
the question in my mind is could it have been love if it dont sting and
make my eyes water, our moments were deep,
and as the days got shorter
the distance between us grew and in a way thats nothing new..but the circle im in is beginning to wear thin..trying to break free, but going back to the darkness im entrapped in.
im told never change my ways,
and if the person cant understand leave them lost in their haze..
‘never compromise lest lose yourself and face your demise’
the ice i project envelopes the sadness in my eyes,
theres no rest for the wicked,the pitt im in is full of scorpians & snakes,
i lay still, some nights are the same as days
fighting and struggling in my sleep,
me leaving pushes the dagger deep
into the minds of those that try n f**k with me,
mind f**ks dont effect me, they’re a one way street
so i turn my back,got no time for souls that play dead at my feet.
turning the corners of my life, breathing in noxious fumes of fears
the sun rose when i was born, and its been setting for many years,
hands have been placed on my face..but non have wiped away my tears.
sleeping peace, dead to the world im protected
wake up and i can scarcely remember what i saw,
yet im subconsciencly affected,
i prefer not to look into his eyes these past few weeks,
but somehow im certain he knows
ignoring calls, but i gave in coz i was bored,
you say somethings up, but here i am
cant u see i dont give a F***.
its all making sense..but im practical.
you F*** snake, iv been on to you
slither away go, but dont leave a trail
you let yourself down..left too many clues
these months and im so used to you,
its funny..funny till the last day
dont need to step back to understand your game.
sweetness and light..disguises intentions and knifes
you aint drawn blood from me yet, you’ve
licked ass but now thers no motive
so the taste has gone, so get the F*** outta my life
and move the hell on..but realise what you think you stopped,
what you think you’ve won..is still burning alive,
is still carrying on,
up to me to go, when iv had my fun.
im slipping away,back to destruction
that i once took for something that fuelled me.
im not giving a F***,following my own instruction,
dancing those steps that the devil traced,
going back to my hedonistic state..
iv had enough of being this,
giving into myself, but still its hit and miss,
shedding my skin im wrigling away
the darkness shines and its guiding my way
enticing me away from you and all that you do.
one step forward and two steps back,
you cant save me, im loving this track
that im walking,
if you could see me
the fire in my eyes would make your love bleed,
i dont know where these thoughts are coming from,
but im breathing and i dont want you,
i wana tick you off, and move onto something new,
lust is something i keep giving into,
this love is binding me in,
you’ve got under my skin
n i dont want it no more
you cant save me, you cant love me,
how can you try n reach me
if i wont let you near me,
its like an inward promise,
i wont let you tame my writhing soul
let me drift let me go,
let this chapter we have,
come to a close.
trying to stay in control of this spinning world
that sucked me into the game of emotional goals,
i get told not to lock myself away,
but to be loved is to step into a new world,
and give into a never ending day.
im a paradox im a contradiction,
doing nothing & anythin to fullfill evryones prediction
living life my own way,surrounded by many that are fake,
u snake im onto your game…
seeing through you is something so easy to do,
im getting bored, your lines are nothing but lies,
not my beef your guna be walking your own streets,
what goes around comes around ,whats hidden
is always found, time to shake you off and shed my skin,
now i wana sink into my fear n be sucked into
sweet forbidden sin, thinking of you makes me smile like im
being tickled,
my icy heart n mind melts and the years of hurt trickle,
its like im someone new when its just me and you,
im fighting and battling to give into myself,
falling for you is heavenly hell.
he said the worst mistake he made
was picking up a cigarette
i see no problem,we wana slowly die,
the needs being met.
my head kills and im falling apart
the way i turn away
is what F*** me up from the start,
this is a mixture of everything
difrent pains difrent matters
laid out..nothing missing
my bodys in pain and i can barely think
chains around my ankles
this time no fight as i slowly sink,
heaven around me and my hearts yearning
hell beside me and im slowly burning
F*** knows anymore, in Him i place my trust
yet im downing poison, it keeps my soul hushed,
God just please wont you quicken the dusk
for each day for me,wont you come back to me,
wont you be so clear like you was when i was a kid
not doing no wrong,Lord forbid..
so what happened , the world it seeped into me
so what happened..the devil, he danced with me,
so what happened..i took his hand..twirled and sang
now everytime we move together..he has the upper hand.
just a mumble of thoughts..
i wana know what keeps me awake at night,
maybe im in some unknown plight
snake twisting my body, the fangs in my face..
i smile but she dont know it,she thinks she’s initiating the race.
if only she knew what i knew..yet she still in the same place
F*** knows if she’s blind or just stupid.. lost her mind
over the arrow of cupid..dont you know they whisper
..yet you’re still dizzy from it all
the world is waiting, wanting to see you fall
to realise that deceit and lies will catch up with you
the madness the tears will ensare you over the years..
i guess religion cannot cure those that do not fear.
its like not knowing your own face.
strangers in my home that kill me
yet are my saving grace.
prefering the distant and unpersonal ones
that held me in their arms now letting me
run..so i look back and i do not cry,
i sheild my mind and i realise
nothing stays, even forever is
only a day..coz it starts with light shedding
and the hope it brings..ending with
darkness that engulfs everything.
The sun was shining today, a beautiful start
Rays brighten dull room, burn away the dark
I took a stroll outside but to my demise -
It was truly depressing for not a soul in sight.
Bought an ice cream from overpriced ‘Costcutter’
Dirty, empty shelves - this place is the gutter.
Made my way back home in a sad state of being,
Wondered how long left before I end up fleeing.
Inner city ghetto with nowhere to go?
This is suburbia I’ll have you know…