I think one of the great mistakes of those of us today who call ourselves liberals (I used to consider myself a mainstream Democrat) was allowing Rush Limbaugh, et al, to peddle hate radio unanswered for so many years starting in the 80s. I remember the rise of Rush and right wing talk well as a high school student who loved sports and listened to tons of AM talk radio. I saw the gradual change in the mood of the country as a young adult amazed that even folks in my own chosen profession of public education were faithful listeners, even buying all sorts of trinkets like giant "Rush is Right" coffee mugs. I was disheartened as people I went to church with became adherents to right wing social policy. As I still am a sucker for sports, to this day my radio stations are all tuned to the AM dial in my car. My job requires me to be in my car for hours during the week during Rush's show and those who copy him (Beck, Hannity, local right wingers), so every now and then I listen to a little tidbit. I guess I'm a little masochistic. I dialed in Rush this Friday for a mere five minutes and found out a little bit about myself from the cigar lover...
↧