Radio host Bill Nojay and station executive Bob Savage of WYSL 1040 AM in New York, made racist attacks toward Democratic Congressional candidate and third-generation Japanese American Nate Shinagawa on Friday’s The Bill Nojay Show. The pair made fun of Shinagawa's name, claiming he comes from the "People's Republic," and played more than 60 seconds of a popular Japanese song from the 1960's commonly known as "Sukiyaki." In response to the offensive segment, Mee Moua, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, issued the following statement.



It is appalling that the WYSL radio hosts would make such racist and offensive remarks against a qualified candidate for U.S. Congress. When xenophobia and racism permeate the political sphere, there can be far-reaching consequences. This year, we have an unprecedented number of Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates running for federal office for both political parties. Xenophobic rhetoric made by public figures can foster and perpetuate negative stereotypes. It influences support for policies and practices that target people of color and immigrants and it creates an environment that tolerates violence and discrimination. This rhetoric is irresponsible, destructive and un-American.

Do you think racism is only something you find in rural parts of Georgia and Texas? Think again. WYSL (1040 AM) is in the Rochester, NY area and owned by Bob Savage and Judith Day. They run a Hate Talk format featuring reactionary GOP propagandists, sociopaths like Laura Ingraham, Rust Humphries, Dennis Miller, Jerry Doyle and Bill O'Reilly. Their local hate talk host is Bill Nojay, a Republican running for New York State Assembly. Radio sure has changed from the days when I got my broadcaster's license. Back then candidates had to resign when they declared for office-- and they were fired when they incited racial hatred the way Nojay does. Listen to his screed against progressive Democrat Nate Shinagawa, a third-generation Japanese American.Nojay's vicious racism is usually reserved for his nasty comments about African-Americans and Latinos, but he's asserting that American-born Nate is "from the People's Republic." The People's Republic? You mean where so much of the money comes from to fund conservative corporate whores who vote for the "free trade" agenda that sends American jobs there?People's Republic? And who knew that Japanese-Americans come from the People's Republic? Amazing what you learn on Hate Talk Radio! Nojay's pal Tom Reed (on the right), who's running against Nate, consistently backs sending U.S. jobs to China and other low-wage hellholes. And Reed refuses to disavow Nojay and his blatant racism. Please listen to the Republican propaganda above and then think about what it means to have these people-- human garbage like Nojay, Savage and Reed-- controlling Congress. And even if it's just $3 or $5, consider helping Blue America's newest candidate , Nate Shinagawa. We covered his inspiring biographical story a week or two ago after his big primary victory and Thursday we compared his views on education to Nojay's pal Tom Reed's. There's a gap wide enough... well almost wide enough, for Reed to fit through.How about that music too? These are really sick people. Too sick to own broadcast licenses, even one that's all about dog whistles for the GOP.Although in typical right-wing style, GOP racists Bill Nojay and Bob Savage (an owner of the station), have been whining that it's all a left-wing conspiracy against them, the Asian American Justice Center is asking for an apology. I don't go for fake apologies. Nojay should be thrown off the air immediately and WYSL's license renewal should be looked at more closely. Voters might want to ask themselves if that tub of lard, Tom Reed, who slipped into office in 2010 and is backing his pals at the station, is really fit to represent them in Washington. Here's the statement from the Asian American Justice Center:

Labels: GOP racism, Nate Shinagawa, New York State, Tom Reed