"For Blogging Minds Who Need To Know" ...
First off I want to thank you for agreeing to do this interview, as we have had a few feuds over politics, here on BlogStream.
I know you have had a few career stumbles this past year or so, as well as some tragedy, and I was wondering how the new job has been going?
Very well. I saw myself as a serious journalist for so many years.
It's hard to change my self-image.
But now, I'm helping to feed hungry people in 16 counties, and serving as a public advocate for them.
It's really neat to get ready to go to work and think...
It is good to know that people still give and have a 'pay it forward' mentality which is so rare these days.
I commend you for your new found vocation.
My father owned his own music store for 35 years.
It was his dream, and at nights, he played organ and sang at several fancy nightclubs.
He was popular enough that when he retired, an Indianapolis TV station actually did a three-minute story on him.
He's a sweet guy -- a great inspiration -- and, believe it or not, a die-hard Republican!!!
How curious, since I worked in a music store for a few years and now build pianos.
I was deeply moved by your story about your father.
That story you shared with your brother was a tear jerker, to say the least.
Where did that story come from?
I am exactly like my father -- only I'm not a die-hard Republican.
In contrast, my brother is very much like my Mom.
He's got a no-nonsense, no-sentimental style about him.
If it doesn't pertain to his concept of reality, it's "Mickey Mouse".
I was just so touched when he shared that story with me.
He's obviously more complex than I gave him credit for.
I know you have two sisters and a brother.
Are there any other siblings?
I actually have three sisters - including the lovely "
SHARECHER" on Blogstream.
She's the one who got me hooked on blogging last October.
I'm the youngest of five.
There's nine years -- and an entire universe - between me and my brother. I'm very close to my sisters.
I grew up with them mothering me all the time, and it was a wonderful environment.
Except when I was very young and cruising with them.
I spent a lot of time cramped down on the floor of the car, so none of their friends could see me.
Now that makes me laugh and kind of dates you.
Of the three sisters, who do you think you are closest to and why?
I love them all, but I'm probably closest to my sister, Jan.
We look an awful lot alike.
And when my parents divorced in 1970, we were the only ones left at home.
We went through a lot of tough times together, and that has created a unique bond that I don't think will ever be broken.
But when it comes to just someone that I want to hug and protect all the time....it's Cher.
She is such a sweet and loving person.
Do you mind if we change topic and go back to your career as a radio journalist?
Sure.
I have always, I mean always, wanted to do radio.
It has fallen only second to being a writer.
I think this is why, beyond your writing style, that you have intrigued me from the get-go.
How tough was it to get the radio gig and how much did you really enjoy it?
When I was in college, I wanted to be an 'actor-writer-director'.
But a three-week trip to New York changed my mind.
A year after I graduated, I got a part-time DJ job in radio.
It was fun, but it wasn't professionally fulfilling.
As time went on, I found myself falling more in love with journalism then being an announcer.
Two years after getting in radio, I was splitting my time in half between announcing and news work.
A few years later, I was hired as a full time news director and anchor.
Did you have any sit-in news positions on programs or were you the top and bottom of the hour guy?
When I began, it was 'top' and 'bottom' of the hour.
But after a while, I got a partner that I had great chemistry with.
Together, our Arbitron ratings soared.
I began doing brief newscasts every 20 minutes, and becoming part of the morning show.
And do you know who my partner was?
I am quite curious, now that you mention it.
Who was it?
The ever-loving
T-CON -- who writes "Overlooking Orlando" on Blogstream.
Very nice, very nice indeed!
While I was more satisfied with journalism, doing radio comedy was more fun.
Especially with T-Con.
I bet.
Radio humour was top notch.
Do you listen to Phil Hendrie at all?
I live 50 miles north of Indianapolis -- the home of Bob and Tom.
If you listen to radio comedy in these parts other than Bob and Tom, you must be a commie.
You are quite the card!
You had mentioned that you did not like the DJ, record spinning format that got your taste for radio to be acquired.
On BlogStream I write politics on Mon - Wed - Fri and offer up my 'bonus' pieces of prose and social commentary.
How did you come up with your Blog format, which is impeccably informational, entertaining, and elaborate?
I was really bothered in the newsroom when news became less about policy and it's effect on our society -- and more about "freak of the week" stuff.
Michael Jackson. Jon Benet Ramsey.
This tabloid garbage has no impact on anyone's life.
And the more I thought about it, the more I realized that what we are told by our media is what we 'want' to hear -- not what we 'need' to know.
I began thinking about media corruption, corporate corruption and all those other things that we should understand.
I felt it was time to start explaining what I knew from 25 years in the media -- especially since I was no longer any part of it, and had nothing to fear.
Did you model your format on any publication?
It came over time.
I just thought about what I'd like it to look like.
I got some formatting help from LaLePop.
I've asked Lucy to share some of her secrets with me, but -- dog gone it -- she's too smart to spill the beans!!!!!
Maybe I can bribe Cuban Husband....
Good luck with that.
I am sure he will help you.
I'm just amazed with some of the technical things Lucy is doing on her blog, as well as some other Blogstreamers.
I want to know!!!!
I want to do it!!!
Can we go down the political road for a minute, since we are both very political?
You bet.
Ok.
We have had our disagreements in the past.
We are both VERY passionate about what we believe.
Was there ever a point in our comment exchange that you wanted to block me or tell me to ‘piss off‘?
There was a point when you inferred that I was anti-Semitic.
I've actually spent a lot of time trying to figure out why some
“Mel Gibson’s” don't like the Jews.
They've always been very warm to me with self-deprecating humor.
I truly enjoy being around the few Jewish people I've met in Indiana.
So that one bothered me.
Anti-Semitism is anti-tolerance -- and I hate that...
Over all though?
It was only the anti-Semite reference?
Well...you did make a slam at my journalism credentials.
Right?
I did sir and it was a dirty and foul card to be played.
For that I apologize.
I forgave you quite some time ago for both comments.
That's why I never blocked you.
And you know what?
I've been a butthole myself to a few nice Blogstreamers, and it's something I'm very sorry I did.
I did not want anyone to take your words as 'truth', as I do not want anyone to take mine as that.
Having a journalism career allows that to happen easier for your readers.
I think we both want to just inspire people to think and question what they believe.
I never want to imply that I'm right all the time.
I'm simply thinking these things, based on my knowledge, experience,
gut-instincts and research.
However, I hope I'm the first person to say "Hey.. I was wrong" -- if I am indeed wrong.
The day we stop learning is the day we stop breathing.
A shocker for most of our readers, we agree!
The death of learning is such a decrepit road that NONE of us should take.
So is the emergence of pride over knowledge.
I don't like implications that if I keep an open mind, I'm a man without convictions.
I've heard that quite a few times.
And I completely disagree.
No, it is more being able to accept the premise that everyone, at the moment of their thought, is 'right'.
If you were 'wrong' then you would change your mind.
"But what is truth?
Not easy to define.
We both have truths....are yours the same as mine?"
Pontius Pilate - Jesus Christ, Superstar
Do you get the idea that I like quotes?
As I like song lyrics that apply.
I'd like to say that the song lyric that applies to my life is...
"I’m...too sexy for my shirt....too sexy for my shirt..."
But I'm not in the mood for ridiculous comedy tonight.
I am a registered Republican but in the political sphere-spectrum I am a Right Leaning Libertarian.
Where do you stand?
I am a Fiscal Conservative, and a Social Liberal.
I have great respect for the core beliefs of both Republicans and Democrats.
And I like the Libertarian idea of "Americans should be free to do as they please with their property...as long as they don't hurt anyone else..
My anger is directed at those who couldn’t care less about Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians or Martians.
I'm referring to the corporate money-grubbers who are truly hurting this country.
Right now, they are masquerading as Republicans.
Next year...who knows?
Again we agree!
Shock hushes the room.
Who is your Presidential hopeful for 2008?
Its a bit early for me to think about that now, but I'll tell you one thing.
It's not Hillary.
It's like the Senator from New York is being wheeled out on command to get the conservatives nervous.
I'm more worried now about restoring balance of power between the executive, judicial and legislative branches.
What is your opinion of my favourite Democrat
(who I think is in the savings account to be up in 2012)
Barrack Obama?
I think the Senator from Illinois may be an excellent candidate...in 2012. But I do have to wonder why he's being touted by the press so much. Because he might alienate conservatives...like Hillary?
Do you see what I mean about corporate media control?
I understand it very much so, but I view Obama as an "African American Kennedy" that could bring the party back to where it needs to be, but due to his freshman level he is considered inexperienced.
I like what he says and what he is doing.
So do I.
But what if you don't know anything about any of the candidate’s positions?
What if all you know is that another "Clinton" might run...or a black man with a funny name is the leading Democratic candidate?
For many American conservatives, that's all they need to get them to rally around the white guy who looks good on TV with a real American name.
I feel that's what this country did in 2000.
They rallied around the friendly white guy from Texas who seemed to be just one of them.
Lord...let us learn from our mistakes!
I would like to see John McCain as a GOP presidential candidate in 2008. I think he's earned it after what he had to put up with in 2000
by a fellow Republican.
We have that to disagree about, as I can not stand McCain.
But, I still hold hopes that a better candidate will sunshine his visage before the big '07 lead up.
I have about a half dozen questions left, three obligatory and three of my own desire.
Do you still have time and passion for six more?
If you are up for it, so am I.
This has gone extraordinarily supreme.
I have enjoyed this so much and would like to thank you before we get to the final six.
I've enjoyed it, as well.
Ok, the BlogStream Inquirer required three.
Ready?
Hit it!
What is playing in your tape deck, CD player, i-Pod, or on the
ol' record player?
Light rock...
(favorites include Kansas, ELO and the Moody Blues).
I also like classical and big band.
Very nice!
We could listen to music together over a cup 'o' Joe, no pun intended!
I'll bring the Harry Connick.
You bring the Maxwell House.
You say potato and I say potato, I get it better than I ever have.
Obligatory two ...
What five bloggers would you care to meet in person?
I know you want to meet Whit!
Yeah...big surprise, huh? But after
WHIT... RENEGADE - A feisty Southern Belle from Tennessee, which is where I went to college.
COLOCONNECT - Lord, does that lady have an incredible spiritual side.
SOULSEARCHER - Another beautiful spirit that has suffered enough that I'd just like to comfort her.
SHERRY'S CHERRIES - Because while she may be a lady, she sounds like she'd just be a blast to hang around.
- And as of tonight --
My wise and thoughtful interviewer.
You know, we may not always agree...but I think we could party our butts off at the local bar and grill.
I thank you deeply and emotionally so, I actual (no screwing around) almost cried after reading that last one.
Thank you so much.
It means more to me than you will ever know.
I meant it.
It really is nice when two people have different political persuasions.
But that doesn't mean they can't get along or appreciate the other's
point of view.
Thank you Sir and to you the same.
One last question, which is always for Lucy.
Boxers, briefs, or the banana hammock?
I'm a briefs man, but if Lucy would just share her frickin’ technical secrets with me...man, I'd run around naked for her.
I'd wear the boxers or banana hammock to church...and nothing else. C'MON, LUCY!!!!! SPILL THE BEANS!!!!!!!!!!
You are the MAN!
Ok ready for my last three?
Go!
Do you actually read my essays?
They are quite selfish questions ...
It has been an unfortunate choice on my part that I promise I will
remedy this weekend.
My posts recently have been of a non-political manner,
one’s that float the prose of my day and I think you would enjoy,
so I thank you for taking a gander.
My latest post is on my dogs.
Numbre Dos...
You made the comment that Iran is the best Democracy in the
Middle East.
You made that comment to me before the current situation.
I have talked to many Iranians that scoff at this comment.
I was wondering what you now think of your statement?
Actually, I don't ever remember writing that or even thinking it.
I do remember that I wrote about all the different groups emerging in Iran that will challenge the theocracy they hold now, and those groups are being clamped down on.
Is it possible that I may have written something so unclearly,
it was misunderstood?
It wouldn't be the first time. ...I'm sorry to say.
It is in your 56 point outline presentation that rebuts my comment response to your ‘Bush is Hitler’ post.
But it is good to know that we both can be wrong!
It is where I respond that your are 'insane', which I apologize for.
To be honest...I never wrote most of that.
I just picked it quickly off another website, and threw it into my comments. I was amazed that you answered something that I just tossed on
my comments.
Now, my posts are original.
But I'll rip off anyone on the comments.
Posts...I have morals.
Comments...I'm a complete whore.
You are an amazing individual.
You had me up to the crack of dawn's ass refuting your comment to me! Damn it!
I could have slept that night.
Ready for number thrice?
If you'll still talk to me after that embarrassing admission on my part.
Of course I will.
I have known, that given the time to talk, you and I would not be
that arguable.
It is the biggest thing that I regret about Whit blocking my comments.
Each party, pick two from each, best and worst?
OK...
Presidential that is ...
REPUBLICAN:
Best: Richard Lugar
Worst: Dick Cheney
DEMOCRAT:
Best: Evan Bayh
Worst: William Jefferson
Presidential though?
Oh...you mean past presidents?
Or the current one ...yes.
OK....
The best Republican president was the first one: Abraham Lincoln.
The worst -- is what we have right now.
The best Democrat in office was Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
The worst was one of those 19th century guys who's name you always forget.
I won't say Clinton, Johnson or Truman.
And you know what?
We just haven't had too many Democrats in the White House in the last
50 years.
Good answer.
