Laura Schlessinger

Laura Schlessinger is an American radio talk show host best known for her show "Dr. Laura." Listeners can call in and ask her for advice on a variety of topics.

In August of 2010, Schlessinger issued a public apology on her website after she repeatedly used a racial slur during an on-air discussion with a caller. According to reports, Schlessinger used the "N-word" several times during an August 10, 2010, discussion with a caller identified only as "Jade." Jade identified herself as an African-American woman with a white husband. She called to complain that she was "getting fed up" with her husband allowing his family and friends "to say things that she felt were racist." "Jade" then asked Schlessinger if the N-word was offensive. According to the Associated Press, Schlessinger said "black guys say it all the time." She then repeated the slur several times.http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iJKZX7gSqN-vNY8BLBVf5tY0jmtAD9HIATF80

In her apology, which was posted on her website on August 11, 2010, Schlessinger said she "did the wrong thing," adding that she was so upset by her "horrible mistake" that she couldn't finish the show, and pulled herself "off the air at the end of the hour."http://www.drlaurablog.com/2010/08/11/my-apology/

During an August 17, 2010, appearance on CNN's Larry King Live show, Schlessinger announced that she would not be renewing her radio contract when it expires at the end of the year. Schlessinger said she wanted "to be able to say what's on my mind and in my heart and what I think is helpful and useful without somebody getting angry..." Schlessinger did say she was "not retiring."http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dr-laura-schlessinger-vows-back-quitting-radio-show/story?id=11426277

Sarah Palin came out in support of Schlessinger after the incident telling her "Don't retreat...reload!". She also posted a similar sentiment on Twitter saying, "Dr. Laura = even more powerful & effective w/out the shackles, so watch out Constitutional obstructionists." Schlessinger herself had made a reference to her rights during her interview with Larry King. She said that the reason she was quitting her talk show was that she wanted to "regain (her) First Amendment rights."http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/19/AR2010081906491.html

Radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger has issued an apology saying she "did the wrong thing" after repeatedly using a racial slur during an August 10, 2010, on-air discussion with a caller.

This is an audio file of the call in which Dr. Schlessinger used the n-word.

Schlessinger began her career as a radio host in the 1980s. As of 2007, Schlessinger's radio show was ranked #3 in the country. In 2000, she singed a deal with Paramount Television for a day-time talk show which was later canceled on March 30, 2001. Over her career, Schlessinger has been an outspoken critic of activities that she feels are immoral, such as sex outside of marriage, premarital cohabitation, intentional single parenthood and pornography.

• 1994: Ten Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives
• 1996: How Could You Do That?! The Abdication of Character, Courage, and Conscience
• 1997: Ten Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives
• 2007: The Proper Care and Feeding of Marriage
• 2008: Stop Whining, Start Living