Melanie Morgan
Encyclopedia
Melanie Morgan is an American radio personality. She was formerly a host at KSFO (560 kHz AM) in San Francisco where her husband, Jack Swanson, was the General Manager. She was recently laid off due to budget cutbacks and declining ad revenue. She has also previously worked as a reporter for KGO-TV
in San Francisco. She is the Chairman of Move America Forward
, a neoconservative advocacy group that supports the ongoing engagement of the U.S. armed forces in the War on Terrorism
. She is known for her advocacy on behalf of the American military, defense of the War on Terror and criticism of American liberals.
.
Her addiction to gambling was the subject of the TV-movie
High Stakes: The Melanie Morgan Story. In 2006, she told the San Francisco Chronicle
that she had not placed a bet in 13 years, and has served as president of the California Council on Problem Gambling.
Morgan is married to Jack Swanson, a senior manager at KSFO. They live in Marin County, north of San Francisco, and have several children.
Morgan serves on the boards of a number of other nonprofit organizations, including the Bruin Alumni Association
.
On February 15, 2010 she revealed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer but the cancer has not spread.
, Mexico
and Iraq
.
In 2006, Morgan's report on U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq: "Voices of Soldiers" earned was recognized by the Associated Press
Mark Twain Awards for Best Special Program.
In October 2006, Morgan and reporter Catherine Moy published American Mourning, which criticized anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan
, and her reaction to her son's death. The book contains allegations from Sheehan's sister-in-law that Sheehan engaged in sexual misbehavior, and contrasts her behavior with the Johnson family, who also lost a son in the war. The book suggests that Johnson family reacted appropriately by supporting the war.
Melanie Morgan co-hosted a highly-rated Morning Show with Lee Rodgers and traffic reporter "Officer Vic" on San Francisco Bay Area radio station KSFO. Her tenure on the KSFO morning show ended in March 2008 when the station "decided not to renew her contract as part of the company’s announced across-the-board financial cost cutting".
Talk Radio Network
tapped Morgan to be the host of the network's new morning show, America's Morning News. It debuted June 15, 2009, co-hosted by John McCaslin
and managed by the Washington Times, who contributes reporters to the program. Morgan left the show January 5, 2010, citing health issues.
organized a pro-troop "webathon" on June 26, 2008. Neoconservative talk-show talent Rush Limbaugh
, Sean Hannity
, and Mark Levin
participated. MAF members raised an aggregate of $1.055 million in gifts for U.S. soldiers and Iraqi children.
She is currently Chair of Move America Forward
(MAF), a nonprofit neoconservative, political advocacy group promoting a neoconservative agenda as well as providing gifts to U.S. soldiers in Iraq. She was honored by Move America Forward (MAF) members on May 10, 2008. Morgan stated in the USA Today
"I don't like third parties" and has been working with the Tea Party movement
in California.
As the chairman of Move America Forward
, Morgan lead a 40-city campaign Heroes for the Holidays Tour to "rally support for the troops and their mission." During her last trip to the Middle East, Melanie Morgan and one of the Gold Star Mothers, Debbie Lee, brought over 100,000 Christmas cards to troops throughout the area of operations.
published a story regarding U.S. government tracking of terrorist funding, Morgan said that editor Bill Keller
should be tried for treason
and "If he were to be tried and convicted of treason, yes, I would have no problem with him being sent to the gas chamber
."
Melanie Morgan's comments about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
have drawn criticism from media watchdogs and liberal blog
gers. Morgan commented "We've got a bull's-eye painted on her big, wide laughing eyes." Morgan said the statement was a political metaphor that had been distorted by critics in order to appear violent.
MSNBC
talk show host Keith Olbermann
twice named Morgan "Worst Radio Host in America", stating that (KSFO should) 'admit that the station "regrets" that everything Melanie Morgan has ever said... is "not accurate."'
co-founder and chairman Jon Soltz
on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Morgan accused the veteran of "political games" and undermining the U.S. troops serving in Iraq
. Executive Producer Linda Winslow responded to complaints by saying, "Since neither guest was in the studio with Judy Woodruff
, there wasn't much she could do to prevent them from interrupting one another, short of saying — as she did at least three times — 'please let him/her finish his/her point'. The NewsHour style is to ask pointed questions politely; we expect our guests to subscribe to the same rules. Since the program is produced live, we can't do much to eliminate rude guests from your television screen once the segment has begun; what we can do is guarantee you will never see Morgan on our program again." Rather than considering her own actions, and the need to know enough about what one is talking about in the first place, in order to refute a discussion-combatant in a civilized manner, without continued resort to butting into their time-slot, Morgan subsequently blamed Media Matters for America
for her persona non grata status, accusing the organization of "call(ing) their people and ask(ing) them to call PBS."
, the two stated that in 1944, Soros "hid the fact that he's a Jew" and "apparently very cheerfully and willingly, went to work for the Nazis" and "ran around Hungary with Nazi officials, serving eviction notices to people who were going to be shipped out on the death trains." This statement prompted the following on-air retraction and apology from KSFO Program Director Ken Berry: "During our February 8 broadcast, the hosts of this program mistakenly stated that financier George Soros 'cheerfully' and 'willingly' went to work for the Nazis after his native Hungary was occupied during World War II, when Mr. Soros was 13 years old. The hosts also mistakenly stated that Mr. Soros 'ran around Hungary with Nazi officials, serving eviction notices to people who were going to be shipped out on the death trains,' and that he did so 'to further his own career.' These statements are not accurate, and KSFO regrets that they were broadcast."
KGO-TV
KGO-TV, channel 7, is an owned-and-operated television station of the Walt Disney Company-owned American Broadcasting Company, based in San Francisco, California...
in San Francisco. She is the Chairman of Move America Forward
Move America Forward
Move America Forward is a conservative political action group based in California that grew out of the campaign to recall California Governor Gray Davis. Move America Forward seeks to advance many conservative causes by lobbying of politicians at the local, state, and federal levels, through media...
, a neoconservative advocacy group that supports the ongoing engagement of the U.S. armed forces in the War on Terrorism
War on Terrorism
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
. She is known for her advocacy on behalf of the American military, defense of the War on Terror and criticism of American liberals.
Personal life
Melanie Morgan attended the Lindenwood UniversityLindenwood University
Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
.
Her addiction to gambling was the subject of the TV-movie
Television movie
A television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
High Stakes: The Melanie Morgan Story. In 2006, she told the San Francisco Chronicle
San Francisco Chronicle
thumb|right|upright|The Chronicle Building following the [[1906 San Francisco earthquake|1906 earthquake]] and fireThe San Francisco Chronicle is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California, but distributed throughout Northern and Central California,...
that she had not placed a bet in 13 years, and has served as president of the California Council on Problem Gambling.
Morgan is married to Jack Swanson, a senior manager at KSFO. They live in Marin County, north of San Francisco, and have several children.
Morgan serves on the boards of a number of other nonprofit organizations, including the Bruin Alumni Association
Bruin Alumni Association
The Bruin Alumni Association is a conservative group for alumni of University of California, Los Angeles. It has no official affiliation with the University of California or the official UCLA Alumni Association...
.
On February 15, 2010 she revealed she had been diagnosed with thyroid cancer but the cancer has not spread.
Professional career
Morgan began her career reporting on the 1983 Beirut Marine Barracks Bombing, Lebanon, where 241 Marines lost their lives. While she focuses on San Francisco Bay Area regional issues, she has covered events in ChinaChina
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
In 2006, Morgan's report on U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq: "Voices of Soldiers" earned was recognized by the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
Mark Twain Awards for Best Special Program.
In October 2006, Morgan and reporter Catherine Moy published American Mourning, which criticized anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Sheehan
Cindy Lee Miller Sheehan is an American anti-war activist whose son, U.S. Army Specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed by enemy action during the Iraq War. She attracted national and international media attention in August 2005 for her extended anti-war protest at a makeshift camp outside President...
, and her reaction to her son's death. The book contains allegations from Sheehan's sister-in-law that Sheehan engaged in sexual misbehavior, and contrasts her behavior with the Johnson family, who also lost a son in the war. The book suggests that Johnson family reacted appropriately by supporting the war.
Melanie Morgan co-hosted a highly-rated Morning Show with Lee Rodgers and traffic reporter "Officer Vic" on San Francisco Bay Area radio station KSFO. Her tenure on the KSFO morning show ended in March 2008 when the station "decided not to renew her contract as part of the company’s announced across-the-board financial cost cutting".
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network
Talk Radio Network is an American radio network providing talk radio programming, with an emphasis on conservative talk on weekdays and variety/general interest talk radio on weekends. Some of the most recognizable personalities in American radio, such as Laura Ingraham and Michael Savage, are...
tapped Morgan to be the host of the network's new morning show, America's Morning News. It debuted June 15, 2009, co-hosted by John McCaslin
John McCaslin
John McCaslin is a broadcaster, author, and public speaker. He currently is co-anchor of America’s Morning News, produced by Talk Radio Network Entertainment...
and managed by the Washington Times, who contributes reporters to the program. Morgan left the show January 5, 2010, citing health issues.
Political activism
Morgan and Michelle MalkinMichelle Malkin
Michelle Malkin is an American conservative blogger, political commentator, and author. Her weekly syndicated column appears in a number of newspapers and websites. She is a Fox News Channel contributor and has been a guest on MSNBC, C-SPAN, and national radio programs...
organized a pro-troop "webathon" on June 26, 2008. Neoconservative talk-show talent Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III is an American radio talk show host, conservative political commentator, and an opinion leader in American conservatism. He hosts The Rush Limbaugh Show which is aired throughout the U.S. on Premiere Radio Networks and is the highest-rated talk-radio program in the United...
, Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, and Mark Levin
Mark Levin
Mark Reed Levin is a lawyer, author and the host of American syndicated radio show The Mark Levin Show. Levin served in the cabinet of President Ronald Reagan and was a chief of staff for Attorney General Edwin Meese...
participated. MAF members raised an aggregate of $1.055 million in gifts for U.S. soldiers and Iraqi children.
She is currently Chair of Move America Forward
Move America Forward
Move America Forward is a conservative political action group based in California that grew out of the campaign to recall California Governor Gray Davis. Move America Forward seeks to advance many conservative causes by lobbying of politicians at the local, state, and federal levels, through media...
(MAF), a nonprofit neoconservative, political advocacy group promoting a neoconservative agenda as well as providing gifts to U.S. soldiers in Iraq. She was honored by Move America Forward (MAF) members on May 10, 2008. Morgan stated in the USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
"I don't like third parties" and has been working with the Tea Party movement
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
in California.
Move America Forward
Move America Forward is a conservative political action group based in California that grew out of the campaign to recall California Governor Gray Davis. Move America Forward seeks to advance many conservative causes by lobbying of politicians at the local, state, and federal levels, through media...
, Morgan lead a 40-city campaign Heroes for the Holidays Tour to "rally support for the troops and their mission." During her last trip to the Middle East, Melanie Morgan and one of the Gold Star Mothers, Debbie Lee, brought over 100,000 Christmas cards to troops throughout the area of operations.
Controversial statements and criticism
After The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
published a story regarding U.S. government tracking of terrorist funding, Morgan said that editor Bill Keller
Bill Keller
Bill Keller is a writer for the The New York Times, of which Keller was the executive editor from July 2003 until September 2011. On June 2, 2011, Keller announced that he would step down from the position to become a full-time writer...
should be tried for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
and "If he were to be tried and convicted of treason, yes, I would have no problem with him being sent to the gas chamber
Gas chamber
A gas chamber is an apparatus for killing humans or animals with gas, consisting of a sealed chamber into which a poisonous or asphyxiant gas is introduced. The most commonly used poisonous agent is hydrogen cyanide; carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide have also been used...
."
Melanie Morgan's comments about House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Pelosi
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro Pelosi is the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives and served as the 60th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011...
have drawn criticism from media watchdogs and liberal blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
gers. Morgan commented "We've got a bull's-eye painted on her big, wide laughing eyes." Morgan said the statement was a political metaphor that had been distorted by critics in order to appear violent.
MSNBC
MSNBC
MSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
talk show host Keith Olbermann
Keith Olbermann
Keith Theodore Olbermann is an American political commentator and writer. He has been the chief news officer of the Current TV network and the host of Current TV's weeknight political commentary program, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, since June 20, 2011...
twice named Morgan "Worst Radio Host in America", stating that (KSFO should) 'admit that the station "regrets" that everything Melanie Morgan has ever said... is "not accurate."'
The News Hour with Jim Lehrer
On May 9, 2007, Morgan appeared with VoteVets.orgVoteVets.org
VoteVets.org is organized as a non-partisan political action committee and non-profit 501 status in the United States. It was co-founded in 2006 by Jon Soltz and Jeremy Broussard....
co-founder and chairman Jon Soltz
Jon Soltz
Jon Soltz served as a United States Army Captain in the Iraq War and served as the chairman and co-founder of VoteVets.org, before taking a leave of absence for a year beginning in 2011, while deployed as part of Operation New Dawn . As a member of the army, he served in both the Kosovo Campaign ...
on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. Morgan accused the veteran of "political games" and undermining the U.S. troops serving in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Executive Producer Linda Winslow responded to complaints by saying, "Since neither guest was in the studio with Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff
Judy Woodruff is an American television news anchor and journalist.Woodruff is a Board Member at the IWMF .-Broadcast journalism career:...
, there wasn't much she could do to prevent them from interrupting one another, short of saying — as she did at least three times — 'please let him/her finish his/her point'. The NewsHour style is to ask pointed questions politely; we expect our guests to subscribe to the same rules. Since the program is produced live, we can't do much to eliminate rude guests from your television screen once the segment has begun; what we can do is guarantee you will never see Morgan on our program again." Rather than considering her own actions, and the need to know enough about what one is talking about in the first place, in order to refute a discussion-combatant in a civilized manner, without continued resort to butting into their time-slot, Morgan subsequently blamed Media Matters for America
Media Matters for America
Media Matters for America is a politically progressive media watchdog group which says it is "dedicated to comprehensively monitoring, analyzing, and correcting conservative misinformation in the U.S. media." Set up as a 501 non-profit organization, MMfA was founded in 2004 by journalist and...
for her persona non grata status, accusing the organization of "call(ing) their people and ask(ing) them to call PBS."
George Soros
On February 8, 2007, while Morgan and her KSFO co-host Lee Rodgers were discussing philanthropist and political activist George SorosGeorge Soros
George Soros is a Hungarian-American business magnate, investor, philosopher, and philanthropist. He is the chairman of Soros Fund Management. Soros supports progressive-liberal causes...
, the two stated that in 1944, Soros "hid the fact that he's a Jew" and "apparently very cheerfully and willingly, went to work for the Nazis" and "ran around Hungary with Nazi officials, serving eviction notices to people who were going to be shipped out on the death trains." This statement prompted the following on-air retraction and apology from KSFO Program Director Ken Berry: "During our February 8 broadcast, the hosts of this program mistakenly stated that financier George Soros 'cheerfully' and 'willingly' went to work for the Nazis after his native Hungary was occupied during World War II, when Mr. Soros was 13 years old. The hosts also mistakenly stated that Mr. Soros 'ran around Hungary with Nazi officials, serving eviction notices to people who were going to be shipped out on the death trains,' and that he did so 'to further his own career.' These statements are not accurate, and KSFO regrets that they were broadcast."