LTTE: Conservative radio is overbearing.

[NightTrain]

From Tuesday’s Journal Inquirer (Manchester, CT):

It is very disturbing to listen during the day to talk radio and be indoctrinated, unrelentingly, with conservative, right-wing Republican values. Stations WDRC and WTIC are the only stations that come in clearly on AM for me. Unless I wish to turn off the radio altogether, I am stuck with the stations’ line-ups.

At work or in my car, I choose to listen to talk shows to be informed. However, there is no opportunity for choice in this area. Not one program from early morning until at least 3:00 p.m. allows or respects opposing viewpoints. It’s almost like brainwashing, in a free society, and certainly gives Bush supporters an unopposed platform.

The worst part is that when you do offer up an opposing opinion, you’re labeled anti-American, unpatriotic, and not behind our troops.

On WDRC, Laura Ingraham likes to denigrate Democrats with her nasty remarks and when callers don’t agree with her Republican agenda, she is crude and debasing to them. Michael Savage is totally offensive. He uses foul language, curses Democrats, ridiculed Al Gore for his environmental statements calling them 1980 rhetoric, yet Whoopi Goldberg was supposed to apologize for her statements against Bush. Bill O’Reilly is at least fairly open-minded and willing to listen to opposition. In general, the entire line-up just beats away on any Democratic or liberal statements. If anything, there should be equal time given for rebuttals that will be respected.

On WTIC, Rush Limbaugh is probably the most biased, bigoted person I’ve heard. He is really not that well-informed, yet totally conceited, and rarely allows for opposing opinions. He criticizes everything that Democrats do or say and praises the same actions when done by Republicans. It’s laughable. Jim Vicevich has become more and more of a rabble-rouser for Bush than ever expected.

What happened to the Bill of Rights and freedom of speech? If you disagree with these conservatives, you are now not an American? Disgraceful.

The only breath of fresh air and liberal voice all day are Colin McEnroe and Bruce Stevens. They have an awesome battle against the entire day’s line-up of religious-right conservatives. In my opinion, Colin McEnroe is the brightest, most intelligent, well-versed individual on the radio.

Connecticut has consistently voted Democratic, including the 2000 election when Al Gore won the popular vote of this state and the country. So why are we subjected to this brainwashing from the conservative right all day on the radio? At a minimum, there should be a program that is open-minded and respects the opinions of all people.

People should not be made to feel less of a citizen because of their views and opposition to the war.

--Elaine Vinick

[cthrumatrix]

1. there is MORE to this...It has been this way for years...what have the dem

been doing...sitting on their butts.

No media..no TV...letting RW media brainwash people. You have to have a damn plan.

[Booster]

2. The RW's own the media.

[K-W]

6. You also need private individuals to fund that plan.

The republican party doesnt fund this, the wealthy do.

[Cat Atomic]

3. That is an interesting point at the end of the letter.

The writer lives in a state that always goes Democratic, and yet the only political messages on the radio are hardline Republican. You'd think that infallible "free market" system would've corrected that, wouldn't you? I mean, you'd think the radio would reflect the population's voting habits, wouldn't you?

Uh-huh.

[NightTrain]

4. I keep hoping that Air America will come to Hartford.

You don't know how badly I want that to happen!

[ElectroPrincess]

5. Hate is hot these daze ...

many intellectually challenged or uncurious-type Americans are "turned on" by authoritarian figures who tout *their* class of people as better than all the rest.

People are frustrated and those easily led can be snagged by the radical right wing by giving them the impression that it's all one big Fraternity of the enlightened capitalists.

Truth is that those who memorize RushBo's talking points to be phoned into CSPAN the next day are merely lemmings for the powerful. What's sad is that those who manipulate the sheeple respect "their flock" less than the enemy (the damn liberals). And all the while, the Right Wing Radicals in the Working and Middle Classes cry out as their jobs dissolve and taxes rise, "Thank you Sir, may I have another?!?"

Poor misguided souls. :(

[kohodog]

7. I'm a nutmegger too. Try Sirius.

It's satellite and doesn't have any local flavor, but there is Sirius Left,Air America, CSPAN two NPR channels, BBC, World News and more (not to mention the music). The problem with the left shows is that they feel good but are still mostly opinion and therefore refreshing but still tough to listen to for long periods. CSPAN and BBC may be the most objective as far as news.

Colin and Bruce are great...I'd love to see them expand to a national forum.