http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/11/us/11radio.html?_r=1&hp
There is a perfectly sound reason why "controversial" radio hosts are so outrageously defending themselves: because being reasonable would put them out of work. If a host started weeping in an honest, guilty, blubbering tirade, the show's base would be turned off...and tune out. Before you judge the individuals here, remember: yes, they go WAY too far in their outrage and hate-mongering. But there are many individuals behind them authorizing, and in most case dictating the action, a puppeteer handling the marionette, and an even greater number of listeners demanding that their wildest fears and prejudices be incited. An outpouring of outrage, which is NOT what is happening in Arizona (quite the contrary, people are denouncing the sheriff for comments denouncing the culture of hatred) would possibly make station execs do some soul-searching. Maybe they would adjust the programming...
Sadly that's not gonna happen, because that's not what people want to happen. They like the program. Otherwise, would Glenn Beck have a job? Would anybody have shown up in D.C. to support him?
We're doomed. I'm gonna go reread Eric Bogosian's Talk Radio before work. I'd tell you to watch it, but it would depress you.
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