Hate on the Radio

[FUNdamental]

Bill Moyers on PBS last Friday night noted the regrettable coarsening of speech and action in our daily lives, hastened by "entertainers" like Bill O'Reilly." Unfortunately, O'Reilly represents just a small part of the problem. As noted in the segment, the lineup of Michael Savage, Fred Thompson, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, Michael Reagan, Neal Boortz, Bernard Goldberg, Mark Levin, Andy Parks & Fred Grandy, Michael Graham, Anne Coulter, "The Great American Panel," Chris Plante, Randall Terry, Laura Ingram, Dick Morris, and many others, spew their hatred and bile over the public airwaves, unhindered. Whenever anyone voices a call for rational, moderate dialogue, these radio crazy misinformers play to the paranoia of their audience by pulling the "fairness doctrine" card. All along, they feign ignorance or innocence, saying "it's just words". They try to dismiss their program content as "merely entertainment" that has no real effect on the masses. Can anyone honestly believe that the intent of these programs is for listeners to be susceptible to "calls for action" ONLY during the commercials? Also, these same numnuts claimed victory in calling to action the "Stop Hillary Express," Operation Kaos," Immigration reform's death," and the "Ban the Dixie Chicks" movements. It is important to understand and put this level of hate and fear communication in its proper place in order try and understand the motives behind Glenn Beck’s racist comment and the current harsh words said on AM talk radio about the healthcare debate. Remember, Fox News doesn’t call Hannity or O’Reilly “reporters” or newsmen; they call them “entertainers.” Here's a link to the segment in question; [Only registered and activated users can see links. Either login above or Register Now]