As I write this, the nation is mourning the six people killed last Saturday in Tucson, Arizona, and is praying for the recovery of those wounded, including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.
The nation is also debating the motives of Jared Lee Loughner, who is technically the suspect in the massacre, but he had an awful lot of witnesses, including those who wrestled him to the ground, subdued him, and removed the extra ammo from his weapon.
Jared Lee Loughner didn’t get his marching orders from conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly or even Sarah Palin. In fact, he didn’t get them from liberal talkers Keith Olbermann, Ed Schultz, Chris Matthews or Rachel Maddow. His marching orders came from the voices in his head. All indications are that this young man was a total wack job. I’m sorry if you don’t like the term “wack job,” but this individual was beyond “mentally ill.” It’s very likely his mental state will play into his ultimate fate for his crimes.
Loughner’s actions have fueled days of debate over two things. Gun rights, and hate speech.
Let me get the gun rights issue out of the way first. Loughner could have obtained his weapon in a number of ways, even if there weren’t a convenient firearms dealer down the way. Gun rights are not the issue here.
I don’t think hate speech is the issue either. The problem to me, is not what is being said, but rather the perception of what is being said on the airwaves and on cable.
What you hear on most talk shows on TV and radio is nothing more than the opinions of the hosts and the guests. Most people realize that. Some do not. A good example was the guy who, at least 10 years ago, e-mailed our newsroom – and Rush Limbaugh – to complain that I was interrupting the Rush Limbaugh show with things he didn’t care to hear. In other words, I was doing the news at the top and bottom of the hour.
A handful of people take as fact what they hear on talk shows, both liberal and conservative. Those people would rather listen to the talk shows than the news. After all, to them, the “mainstream media” is biased.
It makes me wish that there could be some kind of disclaimer on these shows. You know how TV shows and movies are rated? Why can’t opinion programs on TV and radio be labeled as such?
If you’re going to scream about the whole concept of the First Amendment, I’m not suggesting any kind of censorship. Just a label or a disclaimer.
Newspapers label their editorials and columns as opinion. Why can’t radio and TV do it?
I know that some people are so dense they still won’t get it, but at least the record will be set straight.
That being said, radio and TV pundits are entitled to their opinion. Those opinions make for good, compelling programming. That’s why WTAM 1100 carries the Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck programs. That’s why Mike Trivisonno and Bob Frantz are told to express their opinions on their shows. There’s no conspiracy involved, other than the desire of Clear Channel to make money by getting listeners.
That being said, it would just be nice if everyone – I mean EVERYONE – would just remember that these programs are nothing more than opinions. Please, take those opinions with a grain of salt.
To be honest, they're nothing more than entertainment, pure and simple.
My final comment? Listen to Limbaugh. Also watch Olbermann. Watch both Fox News and MSNBC. Read The Plain Dealer. Read The American Conservative. Read The Huffington Post. Read The Drudge Report. Listen to WTAM 1100. Listen to NPR. Read, listen to and watch each and every thing you can get your hands on. Absorb it all, and you will be well-informed.
Then, and ONLY then, make up your mind.
(Note: Gee, did I just express my opinion?? OMG! I’ll be blamed for the downfall of society!!!)
The nation is also debating the motives of Jared Lee Loughner, who is technically the suspect in the massacre, but he had an awful lot of witnesses, including those who wrestled him to the ground, subdued him, and removed the extra ammo from his weapon.
Jared Lee Loughner didn’t get his marching orders from conservative talkers Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, Bill O’Reilly or even Sarah Palin. In fact, he didn’t get them from liberal talkers Keith Olbermann, Ed Schultz, Chris Matthews or Rachel Maddow. His marching orders came from the voices in his head. All indications are that this young man was a total wack job. I’m sorry if you don’t like the term “wack job,” but this individual was beyond “mentally ill.” It’s very likely his mental state will play into his ultimate fate for his crimes.
Loughner’s actions have fueled days of debate over two things. Gun rights, and hate speech.
Let me get the gun rights issue out of the way first. Loughner could have obtained his weapon in a number of ways, even if there weren’t a convenient firearms dealer down the way. Gun rights are not the issue here.
I don’t think hate speech is the issue either. The problem to me, is not what is being said, but rather the perception of what is being said on the airwaves and on cable.
What you hear on most talk shows on TV and radio is nothing more than the opinions of the hosts and the guests. Most people realize that. Some do not. A good example was the guy who, at least 10 years ago, e-mailed our newsroom – and Rush Limbaugh – to complain that I was interrupting the Rush Limbaugh show with things he didn’t care to hear. In other words, I was doing the news at the top and bottom of the hour.
A handful of people take as fact what they hear on talk shows, both liberal and conservative. Those people would rather listen to the talk shows than the news. After all, to them, the “mainstream media” is biased.
It makes me wish that there could be some kind of disclaimer on these shows. You know how TV shows and movies are rated? Why can’t opinion programs on TV and radio be labeled as such?
If you’re going to scream about the whole concept of the First Amendment, I’m not suggesting any kind of censorship. Just a label or a disclaimer.
Newspapers label their editorials and columns as opinion. Why can’t radio and TV do it?
I know that some people are so dense they still won’t get it, but at least the record will be set straight.
That being said, radio and TV pundits are entitled to their opinion. Those opinions make for good, compelling programming. That’s why WTAM 1100 carries the Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck programs. That’s why Mike Trivisonno and Bob Frantz are told to express their opinions on their shows. There’s no conspiracy involved, other than the desire of Clear Channel to make money by getting listeners.
That being said, it would just be nice if everyone – I mean EVERYONE – would just remember that these programs are nothing more than opinions. Please, take those opinions with a grain of salt.
To be honest, they're nothing more than entertainment, pure and simple.
My final comment? Listen to Limbaugh. Also watch Olbermann. Watch both Fox News and MSNBC. Read The Plain Dealer. Read The American Conservative. Read The Huffington Post. Read The Drudge Report. Listen to WTAM 1100. Listen to NPR. Read, listen to and watch each and every thing you can get your hands on. Absorb it all, and you will be well-informed.
Then, and ONLY then, make up your mind.
(Note: Gee, did I just express my opinion?? OMG! I’ll be blamed for the downfall of society!!!)
