Miles of Radio
2 10 2008
Spending much of my day on the road, I love the opportunity it gives me to listen to my favorite radio station 600AM WREC. I can’t go without my daily dose of Rush Limbaugh, Ben Ferguson, Sean Hannity, and Mike Fleming. I’m always amazed at their abilities to debate/discuss the issues at hand. Notice I did not say "argue". These guys don’t need to argue to get their points across. They prove it on a daily basis with a constant barrage of callers spewing so much liberal nonsense that it boggles the mind. Yet each of these men stay focused on their issues and always maintain their professionalism (a sign, I might add, of a true Republican)!
I love the occassional caller who is bound and determined to convert one of these guys. That really gets them going on all burners (pun intended). These guys are masters at their game, discussing each issue with such depth and eloquence that long before the conversation is over, many callers are left in such a stuttering stupor they surely make a secret vow to take a conversational hiatus for at least a month. Sometimes, I almost feel sorry for the callers. I imagine their fists clenched and faces bloating red as they hang up the phone in frustation and anger knowing the entire listening area just heard their, "The Sky is Falling / Give Peace a Chance / Oh Poor Us" claptrap (including their stuttering) shot full of holes. But then again… I did say "almost".
As I drive down the long, country roads admiring the scenery, my attention will be raised to the radio when I hear some simpleton call in and make a really stupid point. I find myself drawn into the conversation as I make an attempt to see how well I can respond to it, just to see if I am at all close to how well the current man behind that microphone will do it. Needless to say, I fail miserably at it.. but it’s a fun way to burn the miles.
Each one of these men just have their own unique style in which they work over a conversation. For example, take Rush Limbaugh. There’s just something about him that you could make one of those "E F Hutton" commercials from… "When Rush talks, people listen" (all the way to the top). I don’t know what kind of style that is, but it works! Throughout the show, his voice commands attention all the way to the end when he wraps it up by saying, "Ok and thanks for your calls".
Then there’s Ben Ferguson. Is this kid just a natural at this or did he actually study in his debate classes? I think he’s just got a gift. Some may think that due to his age, he doesn’t have the experience to debate effectively. A feeble point in Ben’s case. This kid’s got joie d’vive! And, as you hear the youthful passion in his voice as the discussion heats up, you know he loves this stuff and he won’t let you take that from him. If Ben has made his point, but the caller won’t listen to reason, Ben will snap that conversation around and finish the call with something like, "Yeah, right whatever. Now you’re grumpy and I don’t like you anymore, but thanks for calling. NEXT Caller"!
Next is Sean Hannity with his ever-smooth and savvy voice. I think his is the ol’ "Water off a ducks back" style because no one can ruffle his feathers. Though I don’t ever recall hearing him brag about it, you can just tell the way Sean handles his discussions that he’s nobody’s fool and you’d be a smart caller to not even try to go there! To me, Sean seems to have this incredible knack to take a conversation up, down, and then back around before a caller even realizes he’s left the deck! Like I said.. he’s just smooth.
And, finally there’s Mike Fleming. Good strong name… goes along with his good strong abilities to carry on a conversation. This man doesn’t just handle a conversation, nor does he manipulate it. Rather Mr. Mike seems to have an uncanny ability to maneuver a conversation in such a manner that many callers almost sound as though they are ready to jump their own ships, but wouldn’t dare say that on the air. Instead, a caller ends up responding, almost sheepishly with, "Yeah, Ok. I see your point".
Hehehe… what else can Mr. Mike say other than, "Thanks for calling".
At the end of work I get out of my vehicle, bones creeking from the long day. I make my way into the house, unload my gear and settle in for the evening. I turn on the TV news broadcast, all the while chuckling at myself knowing that particular media is laden with liberal points of view. Sitting in my chair, watching and listening, I’m soon bored with all the twisted, one-sided stories of the evening and all I can think of is… "Where are the "guys" when you need ‘em"! Soon my attention is turned to a chore, or perhaps a project of some sort as I remind myself that tomorrow is another day of a lot of miles, and a lot of radio… thanks for calling!
Contributor’s Note:
After reading this post, you might ask what makes me an expert at commentating on debates and discussions of these radio hosts. And, to that I would only say… absolutely nothing other than I am a listener. And in my lifetime I have learned that sometimes listening is enough.
Categories : Grass Roots Opinions
So, now on to the issues of the Debate. I think now, I am more confused on where Obama stands on issues than I was before the debate. He didn’t admit that previously he was against the war in Iraq (typical of a Dem) and against sending more troops to Iraq. But, during the debate, he sure did whip around and tout that as President, he will send even more troops overseas and put them in Afghanistan. I just have to address this issue: First of all, Senator McCain hit the nail on the head when he said Obama doesn’t know the difference between tactics and strategy. In spite of Obama saying that now he thinks the war in Iraq has been a success, he snaps forward during the debate and says there’s no reason to be in Iraq and we should start war all over again in to Afghanistan. Hello Obama… you’re lack of experience (military or otherwise) is showing… and you want to be "Commander in Chief"?! Has Obama even looked at a topo of Afghanistan? Has he even read a book on strategic troop placement? Has he even considered the thought that the quickest and most accessible route IN TO Afghanistan is through Iraq (and don’t even get on the subject that Iraq has been central point of access for the enemy to purchase weapons). Oh, and now he wants to INCREASE the amount of troops so he can send them in to Afghanistan, that leads me to my next point. Second: How in the world does he think the military ended up in the "hole" that they’re in now and have been trying to recover from for decades?? Ah! That’s right… QMP of the 90’s (if you don’t know what that is, contact your local service member). So, let’s go back and thank THAT Democratic President for drawing down our military. That was a brilliant move. So, lemme see here. In summary Obama will cut taxes for millions of middle-income Americans, but he will make more programs (gotta love the Dems and their "programs") for healthcare, cut back on Medicare Benefits, all at the same time by increasing the size of the military. You know, in spite of his lack of experience, I will give Obama one thing: He is the epitome of a Dem as in, "Run from your enemies and spend more money", and that’s only thing I have found him to be completely clear on. Hey, at least during the debate he was smart enough to agree and simply emulate everything Senator McCain said. The sad thing for Obama is the myriads amount of speech coaching he was given showed right through the entire debate. While most people were watching and listening to the debate responses, I was more engrossed in the actual functions of the debate and it gave me an opportunity to do some reflecting. As for Senator McCain, some said he didn’t have the passion or "fresh" responses they were hoping for. One debate commentator even stated it made him seem "old". Well of course it did! He IS old. But, what everyone missed, was the very subtle and most eloquent manner in which McCain actually controlled the debate by NOT letting Obama get under his skin. McCain did not, for one minute allow Obama drag him into any heated arguement (for those of you who need clarification, the Dems seem to believe that a debate should be an arguement). McCain maintained professionalism and leadership over his answers, in spite of the fact that towards the end, it was killing Obama that he couldn’t interject (interrupt) McCains statements. Now that this first debate is over, I’ve come away with some very distinct thoughts on Obama. First and foremost I have come to realize that no matter what he says, I still cannot respect any man who bad-mouths his country and lies to the country (but that’s another subject for another posting). And overall, it has made me glad I’m nothing like Obama… right down to the DNA. And, I can’t wait to listen to Rush Limbaugh and Ben Ferguson during audio clips as they breaks down all the crap that came out of Obama’s mouth. It’ll be grand! 
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