Page - August 4, 2005
July 29, 2005
Mr. Neal Shapiro
President
MSNBC/Microsoft NBC
30 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY 10112-0002
Via fax: 212.664.2264
Via email:neal.shapiro@nbc.com
Dear Mr. Shapiro:
It has come to my attention that during the June 22, 2005
edition of The Situation with Tucker Carlson, Mr. Carlson
stated that he has always respected France for blowing up the
Greenpeace ship, the Rainbow
Warrior in Auckland Harbor. The Rainbow Warrior was
blown up by French agents on July 10, 1985. The vessel was
destroyed and one of the crewmembers, Fernando Pereira, the ship's
photographer, drowned below deck, leaving behind two young
children. I can only conclude that you must have missed Mr.
Carlson's remarks. Nobody would allow this to stand.
Mr. Carlson's comments came within days of the 20th anniversary
of the bombing. I find it unconscionable that Mr. Carlson would
publicly support an act of terrorism against a peaceful
organization. President Bush asserts that we must fight
terrorism. We see the horrible effects of terrorism daily on the
news. And yet Mr. Carlson says that he respects France for blowing
up the Rainbow Warrior. Is this how MSNBC wants to be
represented?
For 34 years Greenpeace has promoted a safer and greener world
through peaceful action. In contrast, Mr. Carlson admires a
violent action simply because he disagrees with Greenpeace's
goals.
Unless you want to argue that MSNBC has a very different policy
regarding the acceptance of terrorism, Mr. Carlson must be fired
from the show. In the event that you choose to defend Mr. Carlson's
right to promote terrorism, whether as an ideology or as an attempt
to boost ratings, we will make sure that people are aware that
there were no consequences for Mr. Carlson's irresponsible
statements.
Mr. Carlson may have the right to support terrorism; the
question is whether you will continue to give him the platform.
Sincerely,
John Passacantando
Executive Director
Greenpeace USA
Cc: Bill Wolff, Executive Producer "The Situation with Tucker
Carlson,"
Tucker Carlson, Anchor, "The Situation with Tucker Carlson"