Talk Radio
I am a supporter of the local Air America station in Minneapolis, AM950. I like my outrage left-leaning, aimed at appropriately large targets, rather than the usual right-wing target of, well, people like me.
There is only so much sympathy I can muster for downtrodden oil company executives and airline managers.
I've even given AM950 money. That's right - like public radio. It's worth it, to hear at least one voice of left-wing sanity amongst the vast AM wasteland of fundamentalist hate-shouters and Republican talking point cue-card readers. Even hearing some left-wing in-sanity is a relief. Why should the left not be allowed a little "extremism"? The right-wing version is everywhere. That's why Mike Malloy is so refreshing, even though the station is obviously a little afraid of him. I'm sure they find Mike too "hot" and that he scares some fence-sitters, so they put him on after midnight, a time where I admit I have unfortunately seldom caught up with him since being moved there.
I listen to talk radio like a drug. I admit to listening to right-wing radio even, at least to some of them that I can tolerate in measured doses. But not Rush. He's pure pompous bullshit. He must be incredibly well paid, he lies and makes facts up so well, so enthusiastically, one almost could think he believes them. That's what makes him so valuable to his masters, I'm sure. He sells their rancid soap with conviction.
Then there is the "intellectual" Rush - Dennis Prager. He speaks with a thoughtful, respectful tone - but his views are about the same as Rush's. Same garbage, different packaging. His true-believer listeners must say to themselves: "Oh, I prefer to have my misinformation in a more thoughtful package, thank you." Well, Dennis is your man, then.
What I find liberating about right-wing radio is their absolute dedication to saying anything - making up anything to get their point across. Not that I endorse this, and I honestly don't see this trait on left-wing radio (such as it is). But these guys barrel their way forcefully into the world of untruth, confident that no one will ever call them on it. They can slander, insult, lie - doesn't matter. No consequences. (Except for Don Imus - and who cares about him?)
Their sterling examples inspire me to speak my mind more. I do not try to lie and exaggerate like them, but they inspire me to be more bold. Their lesson is that there are NO repercussions. You can say anything, even the truth.
If they can say the crap they do and get away with it, based on zero expertise beyond sportscasting, then I sure as hell can too.
K. A. Webster
There is only so much sympathy I can muster for downtrodden oil company executives and airline managers.
I've even given AM950 money. That's right - like public radio. It's worth it, to hear at least one voice of left-wing sanity amongst the vast AM wasteland of fundamentalist hate-shouters and Republican talking point cue-card readers. Even hearing some left-wing in-sanity is a relief. Why should the left not be allowed a little "extremism"? The right-wing version is everywhere. That's why Mike Malloy is so refreshing, even though the station is obviously a little afraid of him. I'm sure they find Mike too "hot" and that he scares some fence-sitters, so they put him on after midnight, a time where I admit I have unfortunately seldom caught up with him since being moved there.
I listen to talk radio like a drug. I admit to listening to right-wing radio even, at least to some of them that I can tolerate in measured doses. But not Rush. He's pure pompous bullshit. He must be incredibly well paid, he lies and makes facts up so well, so enthusiastically, one almost could think he believes them. That's what makes him so valuable to his masters, I'm sure. He sells their rancid soap with conviction.
Then there is the "intellectual" Rush - Dennis Prager. He speaks with a thoughtful, respectful tone - but his views are about the same as Rush's. Same garbage, different packaging. His true-believer listeners must say to themselves: "Oh, I prefer to have my misinformation in a more thoughtful package, thank you." Well, Dennis is your man, then.
What I find liberating about right-wing radio is their absolute dedication to saying anything - making up anything to get their point across. Not that I endorse this, and I honestly don't see this trait on left-wing radio (such as it is). But these guys barrel their way forcefully into the world of untruth, confident that no one will ever call them on it. They can slander, insult, lie - doesn't matter. No consequences. (Except for Don Imus - and who cares about him?)
Their sterling examples inspire me to speak my mind more. I do not try to lie and exaggerate like them, but they inspire me to be more bold. Their lesson is that there are NO repercussions. You can say anything, even the truth.
If they can say the crap they do and get away with it, based on zero expertise beyond sportscasting, then I sure as hell can too.
K. A. Webster
posted by K.Webster at 7:50 PM
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