Do you ever listen to the Diane Rehm show on NPR?

[Cant trust em]

I just like listening to smart people talk. I learn a lot from this show.

[Luciferous]

1. Yep, she has some interesting discussions

[Recursion]

2. She's awesome. Hard to listen to if you aren't used to her, though

I've been listening for over a decade now so I was kind of gradually introduced to it as her throat condition deteriorated. Some people I've introduced to her show recently can't get over the "what the hell is that woman doing on the radio?" puzzlement.

[Cant trust em]

3. She sounds older than she is.

Wikipedia says she's 73 years old. She sounds like a really old woman.

Very attractive though.

[DrDan]

5. I've wondered about that - and you are right - she sounds much older

[csziggy]

8. She's had a lot of problem with her voice - had to take time off before

I am not sure what the medical problem is but I can remember at least twice when she took extended leave for treatment or recovery. Her voice has gotten progressively weaker over the years even with whatever treatment she has gotten.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. She has the same throat problem tha RFK Jr has...

[DrDan]

4. yes - I like the show - just a sane discussion of issues

(or authors like today)

[upi402]

6. I quit NPR after they canned Bob Edwards

when he was second in listeners. Limbaugh was #1.

they became too anti-worker and had too many pundits supporting Bush by pretending to be reasonable. I went to Air America and stopped donating, just like I did with PBS before it.

[Lochloosa]

7. She has Spasmodic Dysphonia. I give her credit for doing a radio show.

Spasmodic dysphonia (or laryngeal dystonia) is a voice disorder characterized by involuntary movements of one or more muscles of the larynx (vocal folds or voice box) during speech

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spasmodic_dysphonia

[madinmaryland]

9. I enjoy listening to her also. Been listening for a couple of years here.

[riderinthestorm]

11. Friday news round up is a weekly staple for me.

I catch the rest of the weeks shows as often as I can but I make a deliberate point of listening to this program every week. She's so smart and open-minded, asking some of the most excellent questions. She doesn't let the convo get too disorganized. She's probably the best radio show on right now. Maybe Thom Hartmann gives her a run for your money but she's so much more neutral (although clearly a Dem) which I appreciate as it seems to bring out a more level conversation.

[joanski0]

12. I know Diane personally.

I worked with her husband, John, for many, many years. She had a beautiful voice before this disease hit her. I used to tell her all the time how great her voice was. We're all retired now, but she just loves that job so much, she won't quit. And yes, she's a Democrat.

[riderinthestorm]

13. I am soooo jealous of you! I love Diane.

Knowing her personally must be a real treat. What a gift. When Susan Page or someone else fills in for her, it's just not the same as Diane. I know she's getting older and perhaps contemplating leaving the show but there isn't anyone else who does it like her.

[joanski0]

14. Would you believe that when she first

went on the radio, she would call her husband at the office and ask him to give her questions for the guests. She's come a long, long way. She once told me that her bedroom was stacked with books all over the floor. She's done a lot of reading and keeps informed. I got to see her interview with Bill Clinton on C-Span. She was very good. Diane also told me about an interview she had with Hillary Clinton. Hillary was so nice, she said. I've known the Rehm's since before they were married, so that's a long, long time. Their kids, David and Jenny, and the dogs and cats, too. Ahhh, the good old days!

[yellowwood]

15. Love Diane Rehm

I listen to her almost every day and always mention her when I send my annual check to NPR. She is fantastic. It would be silly to let her voice problem keep a person from listening to her. I hardly notice it anymore.

NPR is our best great hope for quality. Neocons don't like it. That should tell you something.