A short message to one of my favorite (former) radio hosts.

[mav]

For a long time I have been a fan of Mark Levin. I would listen to him for at least an hour every evening M - F as I drove home from work. I've read his books and I considered him my favorite talk radio guy. All of that has changed. As I was listening to Levin on my way home this evening he went into one of his diatribes on Ron Paul and those who support him. Listening to Levin criticize Paul doesn't nor has it ever bothered me. However, calling Ron Paul and those who support him unpatriotic and/or anti-american (along with a half-hearted charge of antisemitism) is way over the top.

Now, I totally understand how people can criticize Paul's foreign policy. To be honest with you, I am a little iffy on some of his viewpoints and sometimes he makes statements that are cringe-worthy. Nonetheless, I feel that our domestic issues trump anything foreign. On the domestic side, I feel that Paul is the only one with a plan (or ideas) serious enough to tackle some of the problems we are facing. All of the others, outside of maybe Bachmann, come across to me as big spenders with no real intent on shrinking the size of the federal government. Reducing the spending and shrinking the federal government is of the utmost importance. That is the primary reason I am voting for Paul in the primary.

As long as this remains a free country and there are at least two people present, there will be disagreements. However, when those disagreements evolve into slanderous attacks on an individual's love of country, a line has been crossed. How dare you sir? We are entering uncharted waters in this country and a lot of people are scared. We have high unemployment, the underemployment rate keeps flirting with 20%, we have an exponentially increasing federal government who is continually granting itself new powers, our money is becoming worth less, we have $15 trillion in debt growing by almost a trillion a year, our unfunded liabilities are almost $120 trillion, we have spent over a trillion dollars on these wars with no definable end, etc... The list can go on and on.

Does Paul have the answers? Will his policies work and are they correct? To be totally honest, I don't know. I do know however, that if we keep doing the same thing over and over every election cycle voting for politicians who say one thing and do another, there is only one possible outcome. Ruination. To answer your charge, Mr. Levin, of being unpatriotic and unamerican for supporting Paul I will keep it brief. Unless you want to pubically apologize for making grossly generalized accusations, go **** yourself. Not all Paul supporters agree with everything he espouses, but they still believe he is better than the other candidates running.

I don't know about you folks, but this whole you are either with us or against us (you are either a patriot or you are not) mentality is really a bunch of crap. Unfortunately, it happens on both sides of the aisle.

Rant over.

[Guest 6.8 AR]

I didn't hear him today but I would be angry, too. I

haven't heard him being critical of Paul before.

It's all or nothing with Levin, kind of like the way

Paul supporters are, to be fair.

This is an unusual election cycle, Mav. All

kinds of schizophrenia has infected a lot of

talkies and pundits. I think it will get worse

before it gets better.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Guest Lester Weevils]

I enjoy Levin and have heard him criticize Ron Paul on many occasions. I still enjoy him, but nobody's perfect. Didn't hear the show tonight.

He has been habitually critical of Ronulans, a habit shared by some other right-wing talk show hosts. He says they are single-minded and almost as fanatic as obanoids. He says they are truthers and conspiracy nuts. Perhaps some of the most vocal Ronulans deserve the description, dunno.

A day or two ago, Levin revealed his favorite candidates. Said he wasn't trying to make anyone else agree with him but his favorites were Santorum and Bachman. That is a clear difference in judgement. I have rather strong dislike for Santorum and Bachman might be a nice enough lady but she ain't presidential materal. Maybe Levin's judgement is strongly influenced by their strongly pro-Israel stance? I don't have anything against Israel and generally admire the nation, but wouldn't be surprised if a Pres Santorum or Bachman would have USA troops in Israel before they were done. I figger Israel can take care of Israel a lot better than the USA can.

[mav]

He has been habitually critical of Ronulans, a habit shared by some other right-wing talk show hosts. He says they are single-minded and almost as fanatic as obanoids. He says they are truthers and conspiracy nuts. Perhaps some of the most vocal Ronulans deserve the description, dunno.

To be honest with you Lester, I don't really care for Ronulans either. Some of them are pushy and their only response to anything is Ron Paul. I know a few of them and I will not discuss politics with them. I would like to make note that there is a difference between those who support Paul and those that are fanatical about Paul, i.e. Ronulans.

[Guest HvyMtl]

Ok, talk radio hosts are there to make $. Remember this. They are there to sometimes "shock" so people will listen, and companies will buy ad time. Perhaps even get syndicated.

That said, there are a few "overly staunch" Ron Paul supporters. This can be said for many political figures. Including Palin, and Obama. I lump all of the "overly staunch" supporters of politicians into one social box and generally ignore them. the candidate could do unspeakable things, and they still would support them. Blindness of another kind.

[kieefer]

Here, you can hear for yourself. 12/09 The Mark Levin Show

Matter of fact you can hear any of his shows for free at his web site. Mark Levin

[Guest lostpass]

That's an old trick of talk radio, if you don't agree you're evil. It's a false dichotomy they use to impassion those that do agree and inflame those that don't.

But here's the thing to really remember when listening to talk radio: They aren't there to inform, be correct or accurate. This is their livelihood, they are there to get ratings and advertisers. I've produced shows where hosts made something sound like the most important thing in the world and, simultaneously, didn't give a crap about the subject. It's a little like wrestling, love or hate is good, indifference means you need to find a new line of work.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

That's an old trick of talk radio, if you don't agree you're evil. It's a false dichotomy they use to impassion those that do agree and inflame those that don't.

But here's the thing to really remember when listening to talk radio: They aren't there to inform, be correct or accurate. This is their livelihood, they are there to get ratings and advertisers. I've produced shows where hosts made something sound like the most important thing in the world and, simultaneously, didn't give a crap about the subject. It's a little like wrestling, love or hate is good, indifference means you need to find a new line of work.

That may be generally true, but I suspect Levin is a true believer. He has other career options, and most likely at his location on the life cycle he wouldn't have to do any work at all if he did not want to.

I tend to like grumpy curmudgeons, a role which Levin nails.

[Guest lostpass]

That may be generally true, but I suspect Levin is a true believer. He has other career options, and most likely at his location on the life cycle he wouldn't have to do any work at all if he did not want to.

I tend to like grumpy curmudgeons, a role which Levin nails.

Perhaps. That said, I doubt it. Clay Travis is a lawyer and he trolls the radio stations like a pro. Plus Levin worked hard to get his radio show.

Don't underestimate money. Albert Pujols just turned down 200 million to make 250 million, what is plenty for some isn't enough to others because they see it as validation or something.

Levin might well be a true believer, and it is true enough that playing a part is a lot harder when you aren't being true to yourself, but that noted he is a show host first and an honest commentator later.

[Guest mikedwood]

Haven't heard Levin in a long time, but I like him. Love Paul. I think I stop short of being a Ronulan though, not short enough for some I'm sure.

Like Rush though Levin is first and foremost and entertainer. I can't imagine them buying into half the crap they peddle.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

Haven't heard Levin in a long time, but I like him. Love Paul. I think I stop short of being a Ronulan though, not short enough for some I'm sure.

Like Rush though Levin is first and foremost and entertainer. I can't imagine them buying into half the crap they peddle.

You are being too cynical. Next thing you will be claiming that live wrestling ain't real!

[Guest mikedwood]

You are being too cynical. Next thing you will be claiming that live wrestling ain't real!

No, I am to cynical! Way to cynical, but they have earned it don't ya think?

Are you talking Smoky Mountain Wrestling? Or WWF or is it E now? I can't keep up.

[Guest lostpass]

[Guest mikedwood]

I had no idea Glenn Beck was such a huge wrestling fan!

[Guest Lester Weevils]

That feller looks like an even more handsomer version of me! In the Western Hemisphere, most often found in central AL and south GA! Perhaps a distant relative.

Edited December 10, 2011 by Lester Weevils

[Moped]

That's an old trick of talk radio, if you don't agree you're evil. It's a false dichotomy they use to impassion those that do agree and inflame those that don't.

But here's the thing to really remember when listening to talk radio: They aren't there to inform, be correct or accurate. This is their livelihood, they are there to get ratings and advertisers. I've produced shows where hosts made something sound like the most important thing in the world and, simultaneously, didn't give a crap about the subject. It's a little like wrestling, love or hate is good, indifference means you need to find a new line of work.

+11111 etc ad nauseum!!! I can't stand any of them. I need no one to tell me how to think or vote. Most are absolute morons anyway. I do listen to Neal Bortz, but simply for the entertainment factor; he's hilarious! The rest are idiots. George Noory on AM Coast to Coast gives out better information and much cooler too!