> Update, 2:14pmET: From CNN, “Roland Martin’s tweets were regrettable and offensive. Language that demeans is inconsistent with the values and culture of our organization, and is not tolerated. We have been giving careful consideration to this matter, and Roland will not be appearing on our air for the time being.”
> Original Story: It was business as usual last night for CNN political analyst Roland Martin. He was first chair on the panel discussing the voting in Missouri, Colorado and Minnesota. Meanwhile, there continues to be calls for CNN to remove him from the line-up over some Tweets he sent during the Super Bowl. Those calls remain the loudest from the group that started them, GLAAD, which says the Tweets constituted gay bashing.
Glenn Beck, no stranger to criticism for things he’s said, called Martin “a dope,” and an “idiot.” E!, owned by CNN competitor NBCUniversal, is asking readers in an online poll whether CNN should fire Martin.
CNN has yet to comment on the matter, and, at this point, probably won’t.
For his part, Martin wrote what he hoped would be the “final thoughts” on the issue Monday night.
To those who construed my comment as being anti-gay or homophobic or advancing violence, I’m truly sorry. I can certainly understand how someone could come to a different conclusion than the one I meant.
> More: GLAAD spokesperson Rich Ferraro responds to the suspension:
“CNN today took a strong stand against anti-LGBT violence and language that demeans any community. Yesterday, Martin also spoke out against anti-LGBT violence. We look forward to hearing from CNN and Roland Martin to discuss how we can work together as allies and achieve our common goal of reducing anti-LGBT violence as well as the language that contributes to it.”