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.
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