Talking the Talk

By Glen Gardner

Madison, WI (YourNews) - The national debate that is raging concerning what influenced the Arizona shooter to go on a rampage that left death and sorrow in its wake is putting new focus on talk radio and the “temperature” of the national political debate.

Having been a talk show host, radio program director, general manager and radio station owner for the better part of 30 years, I have a unique perspective on this debate. So, did the right-wing nut-bags who spew their radicalized entertainment “cause” that young man to gun down a congresswoman and all those other people at that shopping center? As usual, if you ask the wrong question you will get the wrong answer.

There is no way anyone will ever know the answer to that question. I think the better question is, could the steady drumbeat of twisted logic and hate motivate someone to act in that fashion? There is no doubt in my mind.

Simple fact of the matter folks is radio (and television) works. If you repeat a message enough times to the right people, it will motivate them to act. I find it more than amusing that these talk show hosts and the companies that profit from their brand of free speech claim that they don’t wield that kind of power and influence.
In the next breath they send their sales departments out to tell potential clients that they most certainly can motivate behavior. Their entire business model is based on the fact that these people can motivate others to act in great numbers. I’m surprised that no one is calling them out on this point.

When I listen to these folks spew their crazy conspiracy theories and outright hatred for people like President Obama and Nancy Pelosi, I have a hard time accepting the fact that anyone buys what they are saying. Obama wasn’t born here, he’s not a Christian, and on and on it goes. I’m sure similar malarkey comes from the other side too, but the voices on the right are louder and more numerous.

Then I listen to the commercials that are in these shows and realize that the brand of hate these people are peddling without a doubt could motivate someone to act. People selling special seeds that you can plant after the world falls apart, magic crème to make your “petzel” bigger and instructions on how to hoard gold to better survive the impending collapse of world order that is right around the corner.

Boys and girls let me tell you, people do act on these messages. People buy this junk in great numbers. I know it for a fact. I have seen it from the inside. People call those 800 numbers and go to web pages and spend lots of money on stuff most of us would call crazy.

So, to these hosts and their companies that want you to believe that someone couldn’t be motivated to do something crazy by simply listening to a repeated message, over and over, think again. They really can’t have it both ways. To hear them talk you’d think that their message is “radio doesn’t work.” The ability of radio to motivate behavior provided me with a very comfortable living for many years.

Just because the First Amendment gives you the right to do something, doesn’t make it right. The flipside of freedom is responsibility.

Old Friends

Can you imagine us years from today
Sharing a park bench quietly? …
Memory brushes the same years
Silently sharing the same fear...
Time it was, and what a time it was, it was…
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; they're all that's left you

P. Simon 1968

Worcester, MA (YN) – I couldn’t help but think of the lyrics of that song as I was immersed in the past this weekend at my 35th high school reunion.

Back in my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts with the people that I grew up with 35 years after the fact was an emotional rollercoaster. I suppose when you live in the place that you grew up in, all those symbols of your youth are present every day. Having moved from New England nearly 30 years ago, it’s a bit like an emotional tsunami when you are faced with all of that in one fell-swoop.

There’s the house you grew up in, the cemetery where most of the family is buried, the grammar school, junior high and high school you attended. The place where you got your first job, and the place where you kissed your first girl.

It’s also the place where I forged friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Strange thing about those kinds of friendships is you may not see a person for months or years, but pick up right where you left off. There’s that cement of common experience that formed you. It’s a strong pull and something that can’t be replicated with people you meet later in life.

We gathered at a restaurant and relived the “old days” for several hours, but more importantly we continued that shared experience of growing up together. I don’t think that common experience stops when you go out into the world and get a job, start a family and in some cases move away. I don’t even believe that death can halt that process, as those who are no longer with us still had a presence and impact on those in the room.

For me reunions aren’t about going backward, but about going forward knowing that those bonds you forged all those years ago are intact. I know when it gets really thick; there is still a “home.” That home isn’t so much a place, but an emotional center that is populated with the people that played an important role in making you who you are.

So, as I get ready to head back to Madison, Wisconsin, Worcester will never be very far in the rear-view mirror. It occupies an important space on my emotional map.

“Time it was, and what a time it was, it was… A time of innocence, a time of confidences. “

Here’s to the future.

gg

Talent on Loan From God?

What's more important, getting it right or getting rich? When it comes to what's put out over the public airwaves these days, it seems making money is most important and responsible broadcasting takes a backseat.

Two recent talk radio incidents point up how this once noble industry has lost its way. One involves radio talk show host Jerry Bader in Green Bay. The other involves El Rushbo.

Bader went on the air and broadcast false and defamatory information concerning Lt. Governor Barbara Lawton. His report was so vile, that I'll spare you and her the details. It also turned out to be untrue. Bader issued a lukewarm apology.

Bader was suspended for a couple of weeks as a result. Now Midwest Communications in Green Bay has a decision to make. Do they bring him back or fire him? The comments from Duke Wright, the general manager of the station are telling.

Wright says he hasn't made up his mind yet, but he's been hearing from fans of Bader's show that want him back. In my mind that is the setup for Bader's return to the airwaves. Who cares about broadcasting in the public interest anymore? If people want to listen to this guy weave fairy tales, why should management get in the way? Hey, it's the will of the people. It's all good for ratings and revenue, right?

And what does that say about the listening public? A guy that gets on the air and viciously attacks a public servant with a bunch of made-up hooey has fans. And station management is depending on the opinion of these "fans" to make a decision on Bader's return to our airwaves.

The other situation that defies logic has to do with recent statements made by Rush Limbaugh. He got on the air the other day and broadcast a report concerning President Obama (shocking) that charged he made comments in a thesis about having disdain for the Constitution. El Rushbo had a field day with this. The only problem is, it turned out to be a fake.

But the story doesn't stop there. When Limbaugh learns it's made up, he gets on the air and rather than retracting the error says, "I have had this happen to me," Limbaugh says he doesn't care if thesis quotes are fake, "I know Obama thinks it." It appears Rush now believes his own brand of BS and really does think he has "talent on loan from God." He can now broadcast fake information because he knows that despite the fact it can be proven to be untrue, the person is thinking it. Wow.

The airwaves that Bader and Limbuagh are using don't belong to them. They belong to the public. The broadcasters are licensed to use those airwaves in the public interest. Is it in the public interest to broadcast false information?

After spending 35 years in the radio industry, I can tell you that most broadcasters don't give a hoot about the public interest. What they care about is money and ratings. Money and ratings are important, but being a good steward of the public's airwaves is more important and codified.

I know all about the First Amendment and the need to generate profits. But for the life of me, I don't know how these people sleep at night.

The Incredible Shrinking Man Part Two

The Incredible Shrinking Man Part Two

By Glen Gardner

As we age we expand in many different ways. It’s said we become wiser, we expand our horizons and we hopefully grow as human beings. Unfortunately, in my case I had also substantially expanded my waistline as the years have passed. I have always meant to do something about it, but in the blur of everyday life it always seemed to take a backseat to the crisis of the moment. I could always take care of “that” when I’m ready. The only problem was I never felt quite ready.

Weight for me is a lot like birthdays. They both seem to stack up like cord wood and then you look in the mirror one day and say “who is that old fat guy?” If I didn’t know better, the answer to that question may have been “my grandfather.” I guess the apple never rolls far from the tree and of course the real answer was “me.”

During a trip to the doctor about three years ago I got the usual boomer warnings. “If you don’t start shedding some girth you are heading to diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.” He also warned me about a bevy of other ailments that I can’t spell if I failed to change my sloth-like ways. He also said “at 51 you are running out of time.” That was a real shocker. We are the generation that will live for ever, fat or not!

Of course the doc looked to me to be about 13-years-old. That little sarcastic boomer voice in my head quickly said to the doc “hey Spanky, why don’t you go get me a donut while I think about it.” What came out of my mouth was “what kind of a diet do you suggest?” Thoughts of Atkins, South Beach, pills, Weight Watchers, Nutri-Systems and suits made out of rubber that sweat the pounds off danced through my imagination.

At that point Spanky, I mean the doctor, turns to me and lets loose with something truly shocking. “Have you ever considered eating less and exercising more?” That little sarcastic boomer voice in my head quickly shot back, “Well of course I’ve considered it, but that sounds pretty freaking boring. Can’t you just write me a prescription Spanky?” What came out of my mouth was, “I’ll give it a try.” That was the start of my metamorphosis.

It’s not very sexy, but it was the best diet advise I ever got, even if it did come from Doogie Houser. The physics are very simple. Burn more calories than you consume and you will lose weight. I cut my caloric consumption to 1500 a day. I joined a health club and committed to visit there at least four times a week to burn a minimum of 2500 calories. A funny thing started to happen. For the first time in years I was subtracting from the wood pile and not adding to it.

I had some very bad habits I had to break in the process. Being a pretty busy person, one of my favorite tricks was eating over the sink. Over the years I have perfected the art. No plate is needed, no silverware required and whatever misses your mouth simply goes down the drain. Cleanup is a snap, but over-the-sink food tends not to be the most nutritional or low-calorie offerings. In a Ralph Cramden moment I was even thinking about writing a cookbook of things that one could eat over the sink. In an Alice Cramden moment my wife talked me out of that million-dollar idea.

One of the things that really helped me was a web site called Sparkpeople.com (www.sparkpeople.com). This free site helps you track what you’re eating and how much exercise you are doing. I have never been very good about really knowing what I toss into my pie-hole on a daily basis. This site made it very easy to track and plan what I eat. I was surprised at how much food you can eat at 1500 calories a day. I was also surprised at how many calories you can burn in the course of a week with just moderate exercise.

“Back in the day” I was a pretty good cyclist, but gave it up in a serious way when my boomer-belly made it impossible. As I shed pounds and toned at the health club over the winter I started training indoors on a stationary bike. When spring rolled around a couple of years ago I dusted off

You're Fired!

Listening to conservative talk radio today was a real treat. Hearing them carp about President Obama giving GM CEO Rick Wagoner his walking papers was rich. They were talking about that "slippery slope" we hear so much about. Should the government become that involved in the affairs of a company?

By the way, these are the same people that are all for the government telling a welfare mother she must work and raise her kids at the same time to get a paltry check and food stamps. These conservatives are outraged when Wagoner is sent packing by Uncle Sam with $23-Million in exit goodies. No outrage when the government tells the "welfare queen" she must get a job to get some government cheese. Now I may not be as smart as some of these folks, but it seems like the same issue to me.

A couple of things to remember about GM and Wagoner. They invited Obama and the government to the party. As many a dad has said through the history of handouts; "As long as you live under my roof and take my money, you will live under my rules." You know the Golden Rule. Them that got the money rule. In this case it's the government.

Just like those who require personal welfare, GM has surrendered some rights in its excepting billions in government handouts. For anyone to be complaining about that now I find hard to believe. Wagoner has presided over the largest slide in GM's value in history. Last I checked the company stock sat near two bucks a share.

I think Obama probably did Wagoner a huge favor. I'm surprised the shareholders weren't massing outside that spiffy building in Detroit with torches and pitchforks. What's better, getting sacked with a $23-Million dollar parachute or facing a barrel of tar and a bag of feathers?

I have often heard these narrow-minded Rush clones spout their venom about getting tough on welfare recipients who abuse the system. They say that a clear message must be sent. That examples must be set. That lessons must be learned.

In this case I guess I agree with them. I believe that President Obama has decided to get tough on a welfare recipient. A clear message has been sent. An example has been set. We'll find out soon if a lesson has been learned.

Peace and Quiet

The snow was like a field of untouched diamonds this morning as I headed off to Cross Plains, snow shoes in tow. It snowed about six inches last night and the conditions were near-perfect for a winter hike.

I decided to head to Festge County Park for a hike in the fresh snow. As I was putting on the shoes, a red tailed hawk soared overhead. That focused my attention on the sky, which was a deep and clear blue without a cloud in the sky.

I took off down the trail that heads to the valley floor where the Black Earth Creek winds through the drumlins in that area. It was a great hike down to the valley and some great exercise coming back up. The park features one of the best lookouts in the county with a great view of surrounding countryside.

What I like about snow shoe hiking is the quiet. Rarely do you see another person on the trails this time of year. Today I was all by myself other than the hawk and some other wildlife I encountered. The trail hadn't been cut yet, so it was a fair amount of work but it was great to be "going where no man had gone before." There is something special about blazing the trail after a fresh powdery snow fall.

The temperature hoovered around 15 degrees for most of the hike, but once you get your legs cranking it feels warm enough. It certainly beats going to the gym!

It looks like the snow goes away soon as the temperatures will warm as the week goes on. As much as I'm looking forward to spring, I'll miss the quiet of the trail in winter.

The Shuffle

Turn on your IPOD and put it on shuffle. Write down the next 25 song titles and artist. Don't be a cheater.

1. In the Beginning/Average White Band
2. Tangled Up In Blue/Dylan
3.Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning/ Vassar Clements
4. Society's Child/Janis Ian
5. Don't Do It/ Penguins
6. What Am I Going To Do With You/Barry White
7. Baby Blue Eyes/Joan Armatrading
8. Dark Star/ CS&N
9. Sail On Sailor/Beach Boys
10. Sweet Seasons/ Carole King
11. I Don't Believe I'll Stay Here Anymore/ Jonathan Edwards
12. Be Free/ Loggins and Messina
13. Candy/Dr. John
14. Better Days/ Janet Jackson
15. Street Corner/ Ashford and Simpson
16. It Might Be You/Stephen Bishop
17. Sweetest Somebody I know/Stevie Wonder
18. How Much I Feel/Ambrosia
19. Run Baby Run/ Sheryl Crow
20. Fountains/Starcastle
21. Walkin the Streets Alone/ The Marshall Tucker Band
22. Pink/ Aerosmith
23. I Say A Little Prayer/ Dionne Warwick
24. Ballroom In The Sky/ Carlos Santana and Wayne Shorter
25. All Together Now/ The Beatles