RADIO TALK SHOWS
THEIR IMPACT ON OUR BRAINS

Once upon a time, not too long ago, people used to listen to the news on radio and TV. They used to read it in the news papers, and discuss the events of the time among themselves.

They used to take what they heard, and examine it for themselves, and decide what, if anything, needed to be done. A lot of times, they would listen to those that disagreed with them, just to see where the other person was coming from. It is all part of making decisions. Each of us, thanks to God, has the ability to think for themselves. We live in a nation, that provides mountains of information on just about every subject we may ever want to know about. We have, other than the two sources mentioned earlier, the library, computer databases, the Internet, where we can literally tap in to any, and I mean any source of information, in the world.

The only drawback is, that it takes work.

This is what is known as the information age. And while it is out there for us to tap in to, many of us just don't have the time to do it. So, what do we do??? We allow someone else to do it for us, and then we listen to them.

The newest source of information for this society, can be tuned in to, on the radio. It is called 'Talk Radio.' Through it, we can just sit back, relax and listen. No effort on our part at all. Ahhhhh, this is the life. It doesn't get any better than this.

Hello!!!!! Is any body in there????

Now while talk shows, can be a source of information, that does not mean that all of their information is correct.

The very name talk show, means that its format, is conversation. And conversation, hopefully, means dialog between two or more individuals. The type of talk shows out there, fall in to several categories. The type I want to focus on, are the ones, that bring you information, on which to base your decisions on when dealing with your future, and that of the rest of us. These shows, usually deal with current events, politics, and other things, that we need to know, in our ever changing society. You can listen, and you can call in, and state your views. It's like having a conversation with the entire nation, if the show, has a nationwide audience. Some of these shows, are local, and only deal with local issues.

In any case, there seems to be a growing problem that is surfacing, that disturbs me, and that is, there are individuals, who tend to take whatever they hear on these shows, and without researching it, go out and follow the things they have heard.

Now, using my own experience as an example, I know of two nationally known talk show hosts, that have good reputations, and I will use them as examples. They are Rush Limbaugh, and Tom Pope.

Rush Limbaugh, is a talk show host, that is, what you would call a right wing conservative Republican. While Tom Pope, is, what you might say is a Democrat. I wouldn't call him a liberal, but for this example, I would say he supports a lot of liberals.

These two men, are opposites of each other. Rush is white, Tom is black. And therefore, we can look at both sides of the coin.

Rush, whose show airs in Detroit, three hours daily at 12 noon - 3pm on 1270 AM, and again during the early morning hours on that same station, usually appeals to those of us, that feel we need to move in the direction of less government, less taxes, more control of our lives, and all around self responsibility. This, is the basic agenda of the Republican party.

Tom, on the other hand, tends to be liked by those that feel we need to have more taxes, to fund programs for those that need help making it in life. More laws, that control people, in that the only way certain groups can achieve their goals, is if restraints are put on others. Responsibility for one's actions, can be blamed, not on the individual necessarily, but on outside forces. This, in its basic form, is the agenda of the Democratic party. His show, comes on daily on Channel 68 WHPR and on 88.1 FM from 10AM to 12 noon or so. I very seldom get to listen to him, because of the weakness of the signals from these stations. However, he used to be on for at least 3 hours daily, on another station, this is why I am familiar with him.

Any way, though I respect both, and listen to both, I disagree with much of what I hear on Tom's show. Tom, who seems to be well educated, and knowledgeable in a variety of areas, due to experience and acquaintances, too many times, comes across as a person that knows it all. He very seldom, will allow anyone that disagrees with him, to have any time to express their views in full, before he cuts in, and tries to put the person on the defensive. He seems to have no tolerance for them, and will usually have to go in to a commercial break, and cut the person off.

Rush, who I believe is just as educated and knowledgeable, with friends in high places, who, I agree with most of the time, sets aside portions of his show, several times a month, to have 'only those that disagree with 'him' to call in. If a person calls in that is a supporter of him, he will ask them to call back later. He gives those that disagree, all the time they need to express their views, and then enters in to a dialog with them, that is not antagonistic, or designed to make them look stupid. If a commercial break comes up, he will usually ask the person to hold on, and will finish with them, then. Sometimes he will talk to them for as much as ten minutes.

Now, right here, is a major difference. A person, that is truly knowledgeable, doesn't mind having a conversation with someone with a different view, as long as the person, doesn't disrespect them. Tom, doesn't seem to have that type of thinking. It appears to be the type of thinking, that says, 'I know what I am talking about, and I'm not going to allow you to get on the air, with that nonsense.'

Now, if we couple that with the fact that many of Tom's listeners, claim that he is the only one they listen to, we can see a big problem. That problem is, that Tom, being their only source of information on the issues, is effectively controlling what these people think. Seeing that they only hear what he allows them to hear, he is sort of like a parent protecting their child from all the bad people out there by keeping minds free from any thing they (the parents) don't like.

Rush, on the other hand, takes this approach. If the people are intelligent enough, let them hear both sides, or all sides of an issue, and they will make the right decision. He tells you where to get the information that he gives out, so you can read it, and examine it for yourselves.

Many times, when it comes to people being quoted, Tom Pope, or one of his guests, will tell you what somebody said. That, is nothing more than second, or third hand information.

Rush will, if possible, have an audio tape, where you can hear what the person said, out of their own mouth. And in far too many instances, what Tom, or his guests say a person said, and what they actually did say, is a difference like night and day.

Both Tom, and Rush, will give you their take on an issue, but, Rush will give you all the information you need, to judge for yourself. Tom, even though he may not mean it that way, comes across as, even the Democratic party thinks, and that is, you are too ignorant to make the right decision. Therefore, they will do your thinking for you.

If we look at everything that is wrong in this nation, as far as its policies are concerned, it can usually be traced to the Democratic party, and its solutions to fix a problem. Rather than admit that they have made mistakes, they try to blame others for things going wrong, and then come up with a new disaster, to remedy the old one.

While Rush, goes in to great detail to explain what is wrong, Tom, just blames the Republicans, and those that listen to him, agree. Tom, never seems to admit when he is wrong, or even apologize for it, on the air. Rush, has on occasion, done just that. He usually has a little saying that says, 'guaranteed to be 87-92 % right.' Meaning that he misses it sometimes. Tom, doesn't relay the fact that he is wrong, about anything. In fact, if you try to point out where he has missed it, you will get cut off.

People that can admit they are wrong sometimes, are more trustworthy, than those, that evade the issue, and try to blame someone else for it.

One day, I heard a caller on Tom's show, saying that he, and some other people were going to picket the mayor's office, and hold a prayer vigil, concerning casino gambling. I called in, approximately three calls later, and told Tom, I was sick and tired of hearing people trying to put God in to the casino problem. Now, mind you, this was about five minutes after the caller that said they were going to have prayer. Tom, barely let me get the statement out of my mouth, and began to say 'the caller didn't say anything about prayer, I got the tape, and I know what he said.' Now, about two or three calls later, another caller, called in and said, the caller did say 'prayer.' Tom said something to the affect of, 'well, I'll have to listen to it myself.' I never heard him apologize for being wrong. I guess we can put him, right up there with God.

Rush, as I mentioned earlier, has gotten things mixed up, and had to apologize on the air. He is not too big, to be corrected, as long as you can give him the facts. Or he will tell you, he will check them out and get back to you.

Now, people, what are you going to do about getting your information??? Listen to one side, or listen to all sides??? Are you going to investigate the issues, and see if it is firsthand information, or someone's opinion about what someone else said???

Talk shows are good, but they don't replace that gray matter you have in your head called a brain. Before making a decision on a politician, law, government program, or any other thing that affects your life, and the lives of your family, listen to all sides, and then research the issues. Then you can make an informed choice.


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APRIL1999


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