Stern Gestures

By Sora Song

In one of the biggest now-you-tell-us moments of the year, Clear Channel Communications, the largest U.S. radio chain, last week deemed disc jockey HOWARD STERN "vulgar, offensive and insulting" and dropped his syndicated show from the six stations that aired it. (It can still be heard on dozens of stations on the Infinity network.) Coincidentally, Clear Channel CEO John Hogan testified the next day before a congressional committee on media indecency. As for Stern, his show will be suspended until Clear Channel is assured that he will meet decency standards. (Should be real soon.) Even conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh took Stern's side. Stern and Limbaugh in agreement? O.K., now we're offended.