Hilarity Ensues

NPR, stand, marriage, gay, same sex, maine, bigotry,
In an amusing development, Stand for Marriage Maine misused National Public Radio content and is now in trouble.

Bigots acting badly? I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked!

National Public Radio is demanding that the Stand for Marriage Maine group stop using its content in television ads supporting a people’s veto of a new same-sex marriage law.

Content from an NPR story was used in Stand for Marriage Maine’s latest television ad, which began airing Oct. 16 and suggests that gay relationships and gay sex may be discussed in schools if the law isn’t overturned.

The Sept. 13, 2004 story, titled “Massachsuetts Schools Grapple with Including Gay & Lesbian Relationships in Sex Education,” was part of an All Things Considered program, according to Dana Davis Rehm, NPR’s senior vice president for marketing, communications, and external relations.

“NPR did not license use of this story or its content, and would certainly not have licensed or permitted it if we had been asked,” Rehm said in a statement. “NPR is a highly respected news organization and does not allow its content to be used by political or advocacy groups. Such use is harmful to the integrity and independence of NPR. NPR does allow – even encourage -- personal, non-commercial use of our content, so long as it is not modified, and not used in a manner that suggests NPR promotes or endorses a cause, idea, Web site, product or service. The use made by Stand for Marriage Maine violated all of these terms.”

Stand for Marriage Maine spokesman Scott Fish said today the group has requested the specific complaint from NPR.

“Once we’ve had a chance to digest it, we will issue a response,” said Fish.

Clue to the bigots: god can't testify for you in Court. You need to obey the laws just like the rest of us. Oh, and you might want to hire someone who can read, because NPR's terms of use are clearly stated on its website.