From: ae642@yfn.ysu.edu (Kelley Miller)
Subject: Re: A Comment on A Local Talk Show
Reply-To: ae642@yfn.ysu.edu (Kelley Miller)
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 17:09:41 GMT


In a previous article, bing@jazz.concert.net (Carter E. Bing) says:

>
>
>
>	Greetings,
>
>	When I was heading home this past Friday I was listening to a
>talk show that comes on a local AM and of course they were discussing the
>election results. Since Clinton`s election there have been a number of
>republicans crying "doom and gloom". The republican power brokers can be
>held to fault for installing such a mind numbing fear in their
>supporters. 
>
>	Normally I laugh at such callers but one that called upset me
>slightly. This caller, who called himself Major X, launched into the
>current diatribe concerning having a pot smoking, draft dodging
>president in the White House. After going on for about three minutes or
>so he then concluded his "speech" by saying that he hoped that Clinton
>lived up to the Kennedy Legend to the fullest. In other words by being
>assassinated.

Sad.  But, many people have been calling for the impeachment of Clinton
(the man hasn't even taken office yet, and already there are desenters...)


> This caller claimed to be in the special forces and stated
>that he planed to resign his commission because of the election results.

I hope he does.  We certianly don't need loose cannons like that in our
elete services...

>The announcer, instead of chastising this caller because of this radical
>stance, said nothing. I was shocked that the caller was allowed to
>express such a radical and dangerous opinion without be "called" on it.
>To me it showed how irresponsible the host of this show was. 
>	
Here, though, I have to disagree.  Is it not possible that the host was left
speechless by such a violent and unexp[ected diatribe?  It's not everyday
someone is faced with responding to a call for the assassination of a major
government figure, and while I could have responded (in a most negative
fashon) to such a call, not everyone could.


>	I intend to write a letter to the management of the station and
>the FCC concerning this incident. I think that this also points to a
>larger problem that is taking place in this country when talk show host
>are allowed to play to the fears of their listeners in order to do well in
>the ratings. I would think that somewhere in this process that these
>people should be held responsible for the actions of those people who
>fears they play to. Often times these fears are based in racist
>stereotypes that are completely unfounded. I have no problem with
>political differences being expressed but not to the point where it may
>result in violence.

Unfortunatly, the media have been doing so for years.  Remember the "future 
shock" movies and books?  Sadly, such things are likely to continue.


>
>	I thought that I would share this. I remember the assassinations of
>X, Dr. King, the Kennedys, and Sadat all to well and this latest comment
>and attitudes should not allowed to go unchecked or we will see a repeat
>of the turbulent 60s.

I remember some major figure (I don't recall if it was a politician or a media
figure, or what), made a startling statement in the late 80's:

	"The 90's will make the 60's look like the 50's in comparison..."

-- 
*...your Friendly Neighborhood Atheist  //   No God, Know Peace   /\     * 
*                    Kelley L. Miller  //  Know God, No Peace    /P \    *    
*                  ae642@yfn.ysu.edu  //                        /____\   *
*****************  James Trafficant for US Senate, 1998  *****************
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