For immediate release.
Statement Provided to Fox News – 08.09.2020
It is unfortunate that the owner of the company in question chose to frame this issue as if Texasliving disapproves of her political stance or doesn’t support law enforcement. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It is worth noting that the husband of Texasliving’s Editor-in-Chief was a law enforcement officer for 10 years, and no one on our executive team has anything but respect for law enforcement. However, our “no politics” policy for advertising is clear, and for good reason.
Political views have become incredibly divisive in this current climate, and we want Texasliving to be a force for unity, not division. Further, our readers and advertisers have consistently said that they look to Texasliving to provide a break from the political strife which has become such a negative part of our culture, infecting not just the news and social media, but also sports and entertainment.
If we were to allow political views which we agree with, that would not be fair to those of differing views, and it would inevitably alienate people and potentially subject our other advertisers to attacks from the “cancel culture” internet mob.
We made it clear to the owner of the company in question that it was not the content of her political views which was objectionable, but rather that expressing any political view in an ad is against our clear policy. It is also worth noting that the owner of the company in question has consistently failed to mention that there was also a picture of merchandise which supports a particular political candidate in the rejected ad.
Mike Padgett
President/CEO of Texasliving
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To be clear, I fully support our Law Enforcement and I have nothing but the utmost respect for the men and women that have sworn an oath, “To Serve and To Protect” our community and its citizens. As citizens it is our responsibility to adhere to the laws created by our government. Without law enforcement, there would be no peace, there would be no freedom, and we would not be able recognize the country as we know it today. I personally take offense to the very notion that; I, Texasliving, or any of our employees or writers would vary from this stance.
Furthermore, I am thankful for the freedoms that we all enjoy as Americans. Those freedoms are worth protecting! — Mike Padgett
