Letter to Neal Shapiro

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”