Talk Host Resigns From Blog Over Posting Controversial Photo Of Obama

Servatius

NEXTMEDIA Talk WRNN-A-F/MYRTLE BEACH, SC morning co-host TARA SERVATIUS has resigned as a blogger for the JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION after posting a Photoshopped picture of President OBAMA in chains, high heels, and with a bucket of KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN.

ABC affiliate WPDE-TV/FLORENCE-MYRTLE BEACH reports that SERVATIUS, a former afternoon host at GREATER MEDIA Talk WBT-A-F/CHARLOTTE, posted the photo with an article she posted on MONDAY.  She told the TV station, "I am genuinely sorry my inclusion of the photo along with my blog post has caused controversy for the JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION.  If it has offended anyone, I sincerely regret that. That was certainly not my intention. It was meant to illustrate OBAMA's southern political strategy, nothing more. An honest reading of the piece itself shows there is nothing offensive in it.  If you read the piece that goes with it, you will see that I actually think that holding the marriage ban vote this year is a bad political move in NORTH CAROLINA because it could distract voters from the economy, which should be the main issue.  I was searching for a picture of the president in drag to illustrate his southern political strategy of courting young voters, 70% of whom support gay marriage. It was one of the first photos to come up on GOOGLE Images. Regrettably, I didn't think about the racial implications of the picture when I posted it. I simply don't think in those terms. Unfortunately some people do.  To me, fried chicken is simply a southern cuisine."

WRNN GM BARRY BROWN said, "We really don't think TARA's personal blog reflects the view of NEXTMEDIA.  She said nothing wrong on the radio. It was on a personal blog. If it offended people, we are sorry."  He said SERVATIUS would not be suspended for the incident.

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