News about Air America

[Joseph Pappalardo]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna Halper" <dlh@donnahalper.com>
To: "Joseph Pappalardo" <joepappalardo2001@yahoo.com>; "A. Joseph Ross"
<lawyer@attorneyross.com>; "radiotony" <radiotony@comcast.net>;
<boston-radio-interest@rolinin.BostonRadio.org>
Sent: Saturday, July 30, 2005 1:34 PM
Subject: Re: News about Air America


>
> >Joe P. said--
> >Using the word 'lies' is simply lobbing a verbal bomb into the
> >discussion...and not accurate.
> >
> >Unless, of course, Mr. Franken is clairvoyant and knows everyone else's
> >intent.
>
> I had the pleasure of hearing a very emotional and honest assessment of
Air
> America and his own career as a radio talk host from Franken himself at a
> talk he gave last Saturday.  The impression I got from him was that he
> sincerely believes that liberals have been mis-represented by the media, a
> charge conservatives also make about their ideology. Franken talked about
> his life, talked about how his love for his father influenced him (his
> father died several years ago and Franken had to pause as he tried to tell
> a joke about his dad's personality and foibles-- but he ended up in
tears-- 
> clearly he still misses his dad a lot-- it was a surprising and not
> scripted moment in an otherwise very well-prepared and often funny speech)
> and of course he talked  about the use of political humour, and about his
> faith in the mission of liberal and progressive radio. He also told some
> jokes, using some of the character-voices he is known for. But everyone in
> the room-- and there were attendees from both sides of the talk show
wars-- 
> agreed that too much rhetoric and too many "verbal bombs" are being
> thrown.  It makes good radio, perhaps, but it's not helping the country
> clarify issues or move forward.
>
> I'd prefer NOT to get into a discussion on this list of which side is
right
> or wrong.  And yes, the word "liar" is thrown around too much, like kids
in
> a school yard fight.  O'Reilly calls names and uses insults as much as
> anyone, and yes he does twist and distort facts.  So do lots of talk show
> hosts, and that has not changed in several decades.  Now, is Franken right
> to call O'Reilly (or anyone else on the right) a liar?  He sincerely
> believes the right is manipulating facts to score political points, and by
> that definition, he feels that yes they are lying.

Aside from the right/wrong...left/right discussion...

If I say today was Partly Cloudy...and you say it's "Overcast"....Would one
of us be "Lying"?  No, each is speaking from his/her own perspective,
understanding and inherant bias.

I suppose, if I sincerely believe you are manipulating the facts to, say,
support your "sunny disposition" ;-), then, like Franken, I could say you
are/were "Lying".

When Franken attempts to justify using the word "Lie", he cites
'facts'....as he sees them, no less.

As I said in an earlier post....incorrect facts do not make for a lie.  (He
should alknowledge that #1.)

Second, be you liberal or conservative, mature discussion alknowledges that
some people see things differently.  Some people see facts differently, some
people see half full, some see half empty  (If you said the glass was half
full, would you be "Lying"?)

There are all different kinds of people in the world. If we are all to get
along, no matter what your ideology, we have to accept that people are
different, without shouting accusations at them...and questioning there
motivation.

Civility.

Back to radio....most people said they were tired of radio rants.  Accepting
differing opinions without being disrespectful or
accusatory....name-calling, etc....would do a lot to make talk radio much
more pleasant.

Finally, like I said in my original note, yes, both sides are guilty of
this.

At least I see it, and don't claim that "my guy" is the only one who speaks
with purity of intenttion.