I grew up spending every other weekend with my dad. He lived about an hour away, so my brother and I would be force fed Conservative talk radio for 60 straight minutes of the drive to my dad’s apartment. Unless Dad bought a new bagpipe tape for us to listen to, Rush Limbaugh was my first taste of horror, hysteria, hate, and straight up hypocrisy. Even at 14, I remember finding it oh-so-ironic that my dad, who jumped the family ship to hit it with a red head 14 years his junior, was clinging to political stance that contradicted HIS lifestyle choices.
I think my dad found great amusement in my rage against conservatism, as long as it wasn’t personally directed towards him. He’d chuckle at Rush’s stupid one-liners, while I would sit in the back seat steaming. This arrangement went on up until I went away to college and suddenly realized that the values my MOM had instilled in me where clearly…liberal, bordering on socialist. She wasn’t as outspoken about her politics as my father was, but I learned early on that it was not only a virtue to expect equality for all, but a duty. I learned early on that, no, poverty and welfarism wasn’t something to scorn or berate, but rather something to pity.
The point: I haven’t listened to shock jock radio is years, but was a little shocked to hear what they’re REALLY saying. I mean, I’m all for the First Amendment, but this shit has got to stop. Check out the Bill Moyers Journal.
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