I've come to the conclusion that the so-called "gun-control" debate has become the radio talk-show equivalent of the abortion debate. Both sides on each subject are dug in and there's really no in-between. It's black and white and absolutely no gray area.
So, like other hosts, I hate talking about guns. It's lazy. Now do I believe there needs to be some sort of legislation, maybe longer background checks, more oversight, perhaps strengthening our mental health curriculum? Yes and then some. Something. Anything is better than the status quo but talking about it on the radio I wanted nothing to do with it--like I said, it's become wasteful and I'm sick of it. Gimmick radio.
Then shortly before I went on the air, another campus shooting took place in Houston. Just another day in America. Fortunately, no fatalities, just a few wounded.
I immediately ditched my idea not to talk about the "gun issue" because at the time I went on the air, the situation in Houston was still fluid and was being carried by all the cable outlets. I thought it would be foolish to ignore what was happening, again, at a campus in America, although nowhere near the magnitude of Newtown, fortunately; nevertheless, another gun-related incident that seems to be a near -weekly/monthly phenomenon.
So I opened the show and the lines were jammed. I explained to the audience my predicament, gave updates to what was transpiring in Houston and got to the callers. As usual, the same old tired talking points resurfaced. Dumb, stupid and inane analogies that have existed, it seems, forever, reappeared.
One caller went to the old-reliable: "well, you know, car accidents kill a lot of people--'should we outlaw cars?" I went ballistic. Then the "banning guns ain't gonna work--then only the criminals will have the guns." Yada, yada, yada and old dummy me fell for it. Like I had a choice? One female yahoo then went to the Hitler/tyrant card by piously stating when the GOVERNMENT starts confiscating the guns, the tyrants will then invade our homes and the world will end. Again, I fell for it and proceeded to tell some of these people how goofy they are--just like the topic itself has become and talking about it on radio, (and in other mediums for that matter), is like having a psychic on the air. It's now firmly gimmick radio. There's no use to discuss it.
I got sucked in Tuesday but at least I had an excuse. No more. I'm done. And just another day in America.
*Follow me on Twitter
wow, i just wrote it down: 1/22/13. i agreed with rich lieberman about something.
ReplyDeleteyou're so right on about the gun debate and how entrenched both sides are. you're on the right side of the issue too.
i didn't listen to your show, but if someone used that car analogy to me, i'd point out that it's way harder to get a drivers license than to get a gun. everyone knows cars are dangerous if mis-used, ergo all the tests, driving instruction, traffic regulations, highway patrol, money put into roads, ever-increasing industry attention to safety, PSAs on tv and radio about not texting behind the wheel, etc.
the fact that there's no bend whatsoever in some of these gun nuts shows that they are... well... nuts. and it undermines whatever good points they might have in the debate.
Yeah Rich, I agree about folks being dug in...beating a dead horse.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the media, statistically, 95 folks died today, every day(35k a year) but it goes undiscussed on the radio. ZZZZZZZ.
It's all about ratings and sensational topics and not really about saving lives, lets be truthful.
Edit 5:36 post~ 95 died today from the FLU.
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ReplyDeleteIf anyone cared about true gun crime, they would clean up high gun crime rate areas like Chicago where Obama came from. It looks like they would call the state militia in for a while to get rid of the gangs. Gun control is not the answer, but criminal control. Government probably supplies guns to the criminals there via program similar to fast & furious. It is things like the article on the Examiner that said Obama would not accept any military leaders unless they would be willing to fire upon civilians. I skipped the gun show this weekend, too crowded. I skipped the over-crowded gun range due to a 3 hour wait. I figured it would take at least a couple of hours to set my rifle scopes and test a couple of new pistols. Not one of my weapons have ever been pointed at a human, but one of them has saved my life when the idiot saw the bulge and figured out I may be armed. We do need the 2nd Amendment. It protects the 1st Amendment.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OnpkDWbeJs
DeleteLighten up Francis, not enough votes/support for BHO to take your guns and if he does ask for them, tell him eff off.
Kudos to, Rich, for confessing what so many of us go through! I try to hold my tongue when I see formerly rational friends go Gun Shit Crazy through social media, and have had to bite down really really HARD on that tongue when spending time with relatives in Alabama!
ReplyDeleteAnd despite all best intentions, I'll snap like a dead twig once in a while when it all gets too much.
It's cool you are actually HUMAN and have real emotions. Good for you (especially since our politics, on this one anyway, match)!
We need to have guns in ghettos. How in the hell else are we going to thin out the population? Crack.
ReplyDeleteYou gave it your best on the radio today, but the audience that the stations involved (it seemed that at least for one hour you were on both KSCO and KOMY) draw tend to be whackadoodle and you told those people not to call so most of them didn't. Hang in there, the rational people who in the past have thrown up their hands with the crazy callers and stopped listening will gradually get to know that someone normal and rational is on an they will start to call in. You are doing a good job.
ReplyDeleteRich, most of the time I think your a complete asshole and wimpy, but today on the radio, YOU ROCKED. Don't fret it. And don't back down.
ReplyDeleteRich, sorry I missed the show, but your comments here are right on. Gun control, abortion, the Mid-east... it will be an argument until the end of time. Some people are immune to logic.
ReplyDeleteI've tried to find out how the average person can tell the difference between a good guy with a gun and a bad guy with a gun before a shot is fired when no uniforms are involved, and I've yet to get an answer. I agree with LaPierre when he says President Obama doesn't understand the NRA, but the NRA doesn't understand why non-gun people are concerned either. And the NRA's opposition to those measures which would have no impact on their membership is equally hard to understand.
ReplyDeletethis might help your analysis
Deletewww.assaultweapon.info
it's short and explains some of the key terms in the current flap
Its a fact,if white men didn't love guns,they would be illegal. White men run every large gun manufacturing company,white men are all the gun lobbyists in Washington who fight every gun law,and If you ever watch TLC or Discovery channel's gun shows (since put on hiatus I noticed) Its white men who peel out thick wads of cash on $100 bills and commission custom weapons for 10's of thousands of dollars.And every gun shop I've gone into has been owned by a white man.
ReplyDeleteIts also the white men who write of having those fantasy shootouts with "the bad guys"..the bad guys turn out to be anybody who doesn't agree with them. Hence the dead relative or ex wife,or ex husband...VERY ex.
Yes, its a cultural thang..a white culture thang.
And one very influential white man, Michael Moore has been ranting, much like yourself, about all the evil white men and their guns. Mr. Moore, a white man, also has an armed bodyguard, popped at JFK for illegally carrying a semi-automatic firearm, without a permit. How white is that?
Deletehttp://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/homicide/race.cfm
DeleteDon't leave out the blacks 8:56am. Statistically, not exactly a peace lovin' folk. Murder rates 6 times as high? Last time I checked, there aren't 6 times as many blacks as whites. Perhaps a white conspiracy?
No law abiding White, Black, Brown, Polka dotted gun owner wants the Gov't infringing on their 2nd amendment rights and there's a name for them, their called CONSTITUENTS and there's a shit load of them. Besides, the criminals, regardless of skin color, could care less about the legality of guns, they'll always have more than they'll need.
You could apply your "It's a fact" mentality to snow skiing, ice hockey, bow hunting, scuba diving somehow I'm sure.
1022..And? You know of Hockey and Scuba reaching out the barrio and ghetto or Chinatown's?
ReplyDeleteYour culture cant have it both ways..rip the lower income for using guns for crime...while its white America who arms them. Those are real,meaningful, facts.
Another fact? Only when white people- who are the only ones who seem to matter I see in the media- are killed by guns does America even think of restricting them. Fact.
Funny how you call perspectives facts.
DeleteI could have said "cultural majority" and that would have included all the Dockers wearing well off Indians,Asians and Tiger woods types,as gun lovers..but we all know that well off and loving guns types are probably 85% Caucasian in this country.
ReplyDeleteSo now ya know.
Fact: Americans love their guns, I know I do.
DeleteFact: Deranged killing spree types are the issue that makes the headlines, not the well to do you claim. The mental health system is partially to blame for not managing them.
Fact: The pacifists, which really aren't red blooded americans, hate guns, they like regulations, they like nanny governments, they like to get college degrees that offer society nothing(philosophy, poetry,stuff like that), they want the winners to pay the way for the losers. They're pussies and whiners.
FACT: The vast majority of guns in circulation or their owners won't be affected by any new legislation. They're within their constitutional rights and the politicians aren't going to vote for a policy that alienates most voters. They'll just make a few window dressing speeches to pacify folks like yourself.
Fact: Don't piss off the Caucasians, we're the ones doing most of the heavy lifting in this country.
You love your guns? Since you proclaimed this affection online, you must be proud that you stroke their barrels, fondle the triggers, and
Deleteclimax when fired.
I am so happy for you. Have you discovered women?
Doesn't your radio program follow Limbaugh? You might have carryover nutjobs who couldn't get through to Limbaugh clogging your phone lines.
ReplyDeleteGang members in Oakland own guns. Enough said.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Lieberman will post this comment. No guts!
Your show is carried on an RWNJ station and the audience is almost 100% RWNJs. After all, you follow hustler/kook/dangerous sicko #1 Alex Jones. Maybe, you can educate 1 or 2 of 'em. It's your duty to your country.
ReplyDelete