Radio Host Fired for Opposing Illegal Aliens
by Jeff Davis
A radio talk show host Art Cronk of News-Talk 1530 WENG in Englewood has resigned from the station rather than obey an order from management to “balance” his coverage on the issue of illegal immigration. A recent news article reports “Art Cronk, a 20-year veteran of News-Talk 1530 WENG, fought in the Vietnam War for his beliefs in freedom of speech. Last week, those beliefs led to his resignation from the Englewood radio station. Cronk, a former Marine, quit WENG Thursday after management told him to give both views of the illegal immigration story, Cronk said Thursday. Cronk said he opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants and has voiced his opinions many times on his hour-long ‘Front and Center’ program, which aired at 2:09 p.m. Monday through Thursday. During the program, Cronk recently asked his listeners to boycott any businesses that supported this month’s immigrant boycott. ‘You’re here legally or you’re here illegally,’ Cronk said. ‘I’ve always said if you’re here legally, God bless you, I hope your American Dream comes true.’ But after station management told him to provide pro-illegal immigrant views, Cronk said he had enough and walked away from radio for good. Cronk said he believed station management received ‘outside pressure’ to have him provide both views.”
Art Cronk enraged the local Mexican community and also big business by asking his listeners to boycott any businesses that supported the May 1st illegal alien rallies. It is clear now: Mexican nationals who have violated the law and crossed the border illegally can use protest or boycott as a political weapon, but native-born Americans cannot. In any case, apparently strong pressure was brought on the radio station. It’s not clear if businesses that hire illegals or the Bush administration applied the pressure to fire the patriotic talk show host. (more…)