Jim Neugent's Headnote:

"I wrote to ABC concerning a program called "THE PRACTICE." One of the lawyer's mothers decided she was gay and wanted her son to go to court to help her get a marriage license to marry her 'partner.' I sent the following letter to ABC yesterday and really did not expect a reply... but I did get one. My original message was:" [April 5, 1999, Number 1 below]

The following e-mail exchange between Arkansas resident, Jim Neugent and 1) ABC Online Webmaster, 2) Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network, and 3) Little Rock, KATV.

1. E-mail by Jim Neugent to ABC network: Dated April 5, 1999
2. Reply e-mail by ABC Onelin Webmaster to Jim Neugent: April 6, 1999
3. Reply e-mail by Jim Neugent to ABC network: April 6, 1999 check listing
4. Reply e-mail back to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 12, 1999
5. Reply e-mail from Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network, to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 14, 1999
6. Reply e-mail from Jim Neugent to Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network: April 15, 1999
7. Reply e-mail from Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network, to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 15, 1999

1. E-mail by Jim Neugent to ABC network: Dated April 5, 1999
   "problem: ABC is obsessed (or should I say abcessed) with the subject of homosexuality. I will no longer watch any of your attempts to convince the world that homosexuality is OK. THE PRACTICE can be a fairly good show but last night's program was so typical of your agenda. You picked the 'dufus' of the office to be the one who was against the idea of his mother being gay and made him look like a whiner because he had convictions.

   This type of mentality calls people like me a "gay basher." Read the first chapter of Romans (that's in the Bible) and see what the apostle Paul had to say about it... He and God and Jesus were all 'gay bashers.'

   What if she'd fallen in love with her cocker spaniel... is that an alternative lifestyle? (By the way, the Bible speaks against that, too.)

   Jim Neugent"

2. Reply e-mail by ABC Online Webmaster to Jim Neugent: April 6, 1999
   Subject: RE: technical help
   Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 11:08:58 -0400
   From: ABC Online Webmaster <ABC.Online.Webmaster@abc.com>
   To: "ubjim@arkansas.net" <ubjim@arkansas.net>

   "How about getting your nose out of the Bible (which is ONLY a book of stories compiled by MANY different writers hundreds of years ago) and read the Declaration of Independence (what our nation is built on) where it says "All Men are Created Equal"-and try treating them that way for a change!?

   Or better yet, try thinking for yourself and stop using an archaic book of stories as your crutch for your existence."

3. Reply e-mail by Jim Neugent to ABC network: April 6, 1999
   "Thanks for your reply. Evidently, I hit a nerve from your harsh reply. I will share it with all with whom I come in contact. Hopefully, the Arkansas Democrat Newspaper will include it in one of their columns. And... I will be praying for you.

   Jim Neugent
   Mena, Arkansas

4. Reply e-mail back to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 12, 1999
   Subject: RE: email reply regarding the Practice program
   Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 18:03:28 -0400
   From: ABC Online Webmaster <ABC.Online.Webmaster@abc.com>

   Once Webmaster found out that such a mail was sent out against policy, we did our best to put together a list of those emailed in order to get this apology sent ASAP.

   I would like to send out this apology on behalf of one of our ex-freelancers that worked with us in the Webmaster Department. An email was sent out in response to Jim Neugent's mail regarding his feeling offense towards an episode of "The Practice." This person's response was by no means the views shared by this organization, but of a personal opinion, and should not have been sent out.

   The sole purpose of Webmaster is to fix any problems that occur on the website and to help our users with any technical difficulties that they may run into while using the site. It is, by no means, to be used as a medium to express one's own personal opinions.

   Again, our Webmaster Division wishes to apologize for any misgivings that this ex-freelancer may have caused and thanks you for bringing this concern to our attention.

   - ABC Webmaster Division

5. Reply e-mail from Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network, to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 14, 1999
   Subject: ABC Television
   Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 17:57:48 -0400
   From: "Benzi, Daren A." <Daren.A.Benzi@abc.com>
   To: "ubjim@arkansas.net" <ubjim@arkansas.net>
   CC: "rfarrester@katv.com" <rfarrester@katv.com>

   Dear Mr. Neugent:

   We apologize for the e-mail message that was sent to you with comments that reflect neither the view of ABC nor of its executives. Viewer mail is traditionally handled by our Audience Information department for response. Your message was inappropriately handled by a programmer from ABC.com. I want to assure you that the response that you received does not in any way reflect the views of ABC Television, and most importantly is not at all consistent with the manner in which KATV, our valued partner in Little Rock, would ever treat their audience/community members.

   Unfortunately, as in any organization, there are bound to be a few individuals that step out of line. To that end, we completed a comprehensive investigation into the matter earlier this afternoon. While the individual was deeply contrite and wanted to apologize to you, we felt that his actions were reprehensible and terminated him immediately.

   Specifically in response to your original concerns regarding the subject of homosexuality in our programming, the ABC programming department has tried to treat such subjects in a sensitive manner. We recognize that we are serving a large, diverse audience with a wide range of attitudes towards all types of entertainment programming. We believe that programs thoughtfully reflecting social issues existing in our present society constitute proper television faire. We appreciate your original comments and take serious note of your thoughts on the potential direction of future story lines.

   We are glad that you brought the e-mail incident to our attention. We truly regret that this happened, and we hope you understand by our actions that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior from any member of our staff.

   Finally, I would like to once again add that the response that you received should in no way be attributed to our partner in Little Rock, KATV. As you well know, KATV has been the news and public affairs leader in Little Rock for years, and will be for many more. A finer, more committed television station does not exist. I would not want their reputation to suffer in any way due to our mishap.

   Please accept our apologies and regrets.

   Sincerely,

   Daren Benzi
   ABC Television Network

6. Reply e-mail from Jim Neugent to Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network: April 15, 1999
   To: Benzi, Daren A.
   To: "Benzi, Daren A." <Daren.A.Benzi@abc.com>
   From: "ubjim@arkansas.net" <ubjim@arkansas.net> Sent: Thursday, April 15, 1999 12:32 PM
   

   Subject: ABC Television
   

   Mr. Benzi:

   My intentions were NOT to get anyone fired. I do feel that ABC must share the writers views. If you had any belief in the Bible you would know that homosexuality is condemned as are all other sins.

   Your programming, as well as the other networks, is filled with much that is not decent for 'entertainment' purposes. My problem is that ABC seems to have an agenda to promote homosexuality in all your programming including 20/20.

   Jim Neugent

7. Reply e-mail from Daren A. Benzi, ABC Television Network, to Jim Newgent from ABC network: April 15, 1999

   Subject: RE: ABC Television
   Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 12:43:35 -0400
   From: "Benzi, Daren A." <Daren.A.Benzi@abc.com>
   To: "ubjim@arkansas.net" <ubjim@arkansas.net>

   Mr. Neugent:

   I don't know anything about any agenda to promote anything. We carry a wide variety of programs. There is bound to be something that you don't like or agree with. I would hope that you find a lot of good things that you do like.

   I am writing to you directly and want you to know that when I do this my views are my own and do not represent ABC. In my opinion, we have a good programming record overall. Look at our children's programming on Saturday morning, look at the Wonderful World of Disney, look at our news programs like WNT, and Nightline. We work hard to do our best and we take seriously the comments from our viewers - I think that the action that was taken on this end proves that point..

   I hope that the response you received made you aware of that and also made you aware of the fact that KATV cares about you as a viewer as well. I was just at KATV a couple of weeks ago and I know firsthand how hard they work to serve their community. Overall, I personally think that we do a lot of things that you and others like. That does not mean that we will ever be able to reach a point where everyone is completely happy.

   I hope that you continue to stay with us as a viewer.

   Take care.

Editor's Footnote:

On April 12, 1999, Jim Neugent, a member of Dallas Avenue Baptist Church in Mena, Arkansas, received an apology from ABC for the e-mail remarks by an ABC employee. According to Neugent, the employee has been terminated. The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette published these e-mails on Monday April 26 and an editoral about them on April 27, 1999.

Jim Neugent has since been interviewed by American Family Radio, a radio station in Pensacola, Florida, and Dr. James Dobson Organization. Jim Neugent can be contacted by e-mail at ubjim@arkansas.net. Over 99% of the mail received by him has been supportive.