I would like to ask Jared Strong to take a walk with me in the “No Spin Zone.” On March 31, he wrote a column titled “O’Reilly’s campaign simply ludicrous” in which he spun a few facts to fit his view.

First, Jared spun that “O’Reilly doesn’t want to be objective, giving people the other side of the story.”

You are right — O’Reilly doesn’t want to be objective, that is his job!

He does not report the news, he comments on the news, so why place blame on O’Reilly for being subjective?

Finishing off this first statement, saying that O’Reilly didn’t present the other side of the story is just plain wrong in this instance.

O’Reilly had Shawn Tully of Fortune Magazine rebutting O’Reilly’s view on the March 1 show.

“We’re talking about a marketing campaign. We’re talking about an entertainer here.” He asked Anheuser-Busch to appear on the program multiple times, but they refused.

Furthermore, O’Reilly has had rappers on his program in the past, such as Joseph Simmons from Run-DMC, not to mention an hour long special on Fox network television with guests Russell Simmons, Chairman DEF Jam Records, rap group Insane Clown Posse and rocker Marilyn Manson.

Jared also stated that “O’Reilly obviously has a problem with the hip-hop community.” Being a routine watcher of “The O’Reilly Factor,” I know this is not the case. He has a problem with explicit lyrics in general and the sect of hip-hop music that Ludacris represents, “gangsta” rap.

Jared also cited that Anheuser-Busch makes products intended for adults, and therefore they can hire an entertainer for adults. This is just incorrect.

Anheuser-Busch owns the Busch Gardens, the Sea Worlds, Discovery Cove, Sesame Place and the St. Louis Cardinals. All are family products advertised to families.

Last, it seems that you undermine anyone who can read, saying that because O’Reilly and his viewers do not listen to Ludacris, they cannot understand what his songs say. Does that mean that all deaf people cannot comprehend rap lyrics?

No, but that is not the point O’Reilly is making. This all has to do with who is looking out for the kids.

Is corporate America by rewarding bad behavior, like some of Ludacris’ lyrics?

That is for the consumers to decide in our free market economy, and it appears that they have spoken loud and clear.

Scott Siepker

Junior

Psychology