Ted Koppel read aloud the 721 names of U.S. soldiers who died in Iraq. The Nightline tribute was not aired on seven local affiliated stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group, causing an outcry of protest from left and right including former Vietnam prisoner of war Sen. John McCain. The controversy is reminiscent of when last month media conglomerate and Bush supporter Clear Channel pulled Howard Stern of their stations after his commentary turned critical of Bush.