Mike Rowe Buries Critics Attacking Him Over Appearing on New Show
Any public display is a trigger for liberals. This is nearly a universal thing, particularly when it comes to Christianity. (Islam typically gets a special dispensation, it must be noted.)
So, when “Dirty Jobs” host Mike Rowe decided to air his show “Somebody’s Gotta Do It” — which was previously on CNN — on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, there was collective outrage online. Unfortunately, those who struck out at Rowe apparently aren’t familiar with how the host tends to dismantle his critics, which he definitely did when he was criticized for the network on which his show is airing.
The show is hardly controversial, at least according to TBN‘s website, which says it features Rowe “on a mission to find people from all walks of life on a unique mission … people with a passion and a calling to making our world a little bit brighter, a little bit bigger, a little bit better.” It also aired on CNN previously, which kind of makes the point about it being religious propaganda moot.
In a post on Facebook Sunday, Rowe took three of his critics to task over what they had said.
Take Jeff Parks, who said, “Mike, you’re being used as a pawn to sell this current administration. These Christian networks are QVC for Trump. You know this is true.”
“Hi Jeff. Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate it. Couple points,” Rowe began. “You sound very certain about your beliefs. I get it. It’s good to feel certain. But just because you sound certain or feel certain doesn’t make you right.”
“I have no idea what percentage of the TBN audience supports the current president. I think it’s fair to say a majority are conservative, but that doesn’t mean they carry water for Trump. But regardless — even if they did — why should I care? The country is clearly divided, but does that mean I’m only allowed to talk to half? I run a foundation that awards work ethic scholarships, and I produce TV shows that I want people to watch. All people. Consequently, I’ll put the programs I produce on any channel that wants them.
“While I value your opinion, you overreach when you tell me what ‘I know to be true,’ versus what you believe to be true. You have no way of knowing what I know and what I don’t know. Asserting otherwise is unpersuasive.”
Meanwhile, Mike Ferguson said, “You have lost me, sorry. I am not interested in your or anyone’s religion. I always appreciated your views and posts on the need to provide workable and valuable skills to our populace. Now you have sold your soul to a religious establishment.”
After the typical greeting, Rowe took Ferguson to task.
“If you’re not interested in the opinions of others, why do you suppose anyone would be interested in yours?” Rowe wrote. “I’m not saying I don’t care what you think — I’m just saying it’s a curious strategy to announce your general indifference to the beliefs of others, and then proclaim to the world how you feel.
“When have I ever publicly discussed my religion, and how exactly have I ‘sold my soul?’ Do you really believe that people who watch TBN should not have access to the same show that aired for years on CNN? If so, why? I’m happy to respond to an actual argument, but you’ll need to make one first.”
And then there were those who were saying that being on a religious network “excluded” her.
“You’ve chosen your audience, Mike and it excludes and offends me,” Jane Lew wrote. “Ultimately, it has to be about money which contradicts your content. Your choice of network contradicts the inclusiveness of your content as well. I hope your short-sighted decision has a huge payout. If not, you are just moronic.”
“If appearing on TBN means I’ve ‘chosen my audience,’ so be it,” Rowe responded. “But you should know that I’ve also appeared on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, History, Discovery, National Geographic, Science Channel, Animal Planet, Destination America, PBS, NPR, ABC, CBS, NBC, and over a hundred different radio stations. In other words, if I have ‘chosen my audience,’ I’ve picked a much larger one than you’ve given me credit for.
“I understand that my presence on TBN has left you feeling excluded and offended,” he continued. “I’m sorry to hear that. Obviously, if my appearance there leaves you feeling excluded, I’d encourage you watch something else. But I’d also encourage you to consider the possibility that the decision to be offended is exactly that — a decision. Obviously, there are many people on this page who don’t care to watch all of the various networks I’ve appeared on. But only a few of them seem determined to announce their displeasure publicly. Why do you suppose that is?”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand how TBN contradicts the ‘inclusiveness’ of (‘Somebody’s Got to Do It’),” he added. “A networks identity is a reflection of the programs it chooses to air. If TBN had an issue with the kinds of people included on (‘Somebody’s Got to Do It’), they wouldn’t put the show on the air. And if I demanded every network I do business with comport with my personal view of the world, I’d be broadcasting only to myself. Or as they say in the chapel, preaching to the choir…
“And really — where’s the fun in that?” he concluded.
This is what happens when you try to peddle your outrage with Mike Rowe, folks. When will people learn?
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