It's that time of year, again. The Marine Corps collects toys for the many needy children in our area. The concept is pretty simple. Well, the Marines need some help in doing what they do. Our dealership lends them a truck. We've done this for years. They get free publicity from the local media - or do they? This is what bothers me! It's not the program! Certainly not! These Marines are heroes. It humbles me to hear the horrible and dangerous things that these guys have gone through. The guy in charge of the local program is a combat veteran with a purple heart. The problem is not with the program at all. It is with a local TV station that partners with the Marines. Yes, they partner with the Marines insisting on excluding the other local TV stations from participating in publicising this event! Does this sound right? Yes friends, in Terre Haute, Indiana we have a TV station that actually bullies the competition out of public service announcements! It's more than that! The Marines are forbidden to be interviewed by the non partner stations! Is this the exploitation of a charitable event?
Tacky, guys. Real tacky.
This is just another reason why I'm glad that I said goodbye to broadcasting in this town!
