GM draws the line over Limbaugh’s recent controversial comments

HILO, Hawaii:  A Hilo based talk radio station has apparently drawn the line over a recent comments made by a big name in talk radio.

New West Broadcasting announced today that it is discontinuing the Rush Limbaugh program on KPUA AM 670 effective immediately.

Limbaugh – the conservative talk radio icon and influential Republican booster – has come under fire in recent days for calling a female Georgetown University law student a “slut” and a “prostitute,” after she called for contraception to be covered by health insurance.

Chris Leonard, President and General Manager of New West issued the following statement on Monday morning:

“We have always encouraged spirited discussion about national and local issues on KPUA and from time to time those discussions may be deemed by some to be objectionable. We are strong believers in the first amendment and have recognized Mr. Limbaugh’s right to express opinions that often times differ from our own, but it has never been our goal to allow our station to be used for personal attacks and intolerance. The most recent incident has crossed a line of decency and a standard that we expect of programming on KPUA whether it is locally produced or a syndicated program like the Rush Limbaugh show.

While much of the national debate regarding this issue is now being framed in political terms, the decision for us is one of decency and responsibility. Regardless of one’s political views on the issue being discussed, we feel the delivery was degrading and the continued comments over several days to be egregious. As a result, we are discontinuing the Rush Limbaugh program on KPUA effective immediately.”