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Revision as of 06:13, 29 May 2005 by 71.112.1.234 (talk) (→The Hal Turner Show)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Harold "Hal" Turner is a former shortwave radio talk show host from North Bergen, New Jersey, USA known for his outspoken racism and anti-Semitism. His program, The Hal Turner Show, was carried on WBCQ from Monticello, Maine. The station's owner, Allan Weiner, who is Jewish and a pacifist responded to widespread criticism by stating that he aired Turner's show in the spirit of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
"Hal from North Bergen"
Turner is a real estate agent and occasional candidate in various state elections. He describes himself as being a Roman Catholic. Before launching his own talk show, Turner was a regular caller (known simply as "Hal from North Bergen") to Sean Hannity's and Bob Grant's talk shows on WABC radio in New York City. Though his comments on those men's shows were highly provocative and calculated in their offensiveness, they were rarely outright racist.
In 2000, Turner sought the local Republican nomination for election in his local assembly district but lost to a Hispanic, Theresa de Leon. (Election results) Afterward, Turner had a reported "epiphany," deciding the political system was rigged against white men and abandoning all ties to the mainstream.
That same year, he started "The Hal Turner Show" by renting time on WBCQ and the "Hal Turner Radio Network" to distribute programming by other white supremacists via satellite.
The Hal Turner Show
His radio show originated from a studio in his home. Widely criticized for his racist views, he was also criticized by some factions among the extreme right wing including some skinheads for openly advocating violence and lawlessness - though Turner himself was never alleged to have taken part in violent acts. Others dismissed Turner and his show as an elaborate joke, due to Turner's frequent on-air begging for financial support, his deliberately vulgar humor, and his sale of trinkets such as coffee mugs and T-shirts imprinted with racist slogans and cartoons.
Turner's show and website both shut down temporarily in 2004 due to what Turner claimed was health and financial problems he and his wife suffered. His website returned on-line in 2005, and he is currently soliciting donations to re-start his radio show.
The Lefkow murders
Turner was interviewed by a number of news outlets in 2005 after expressing apparent congratulations at the murders of members of the family of Federal Court Judge Joan Lefkow, including printing "GOTCHA!" accross her photo displayed at his website. Turner had previously published that Lefkow was "worthy of being killed" and listed hers and other judges home addresses on his website.
External links
- Article on Turner and other shortwave personalities by the Southern Poverty Law Center
- Orcinus blog entry on Turner, comapring him to Ward Churchill
- Article at MSNBC detailing Turner's stormy relationship with other White supremacists in the wake of the Lefkow killings