Dan,
Mega-dittos on that Rush comment. Rush is not afraid to debate his positions to callers who disagree--perhaps it is because he knows he is right and is confident that he can articulate his opinions in a convincing manner. That's why they don't get screened out, like you said, more often than not, Rush (thru Mr. Snerdly) puts them at the front of the line. On the other hand, while Bob frequently slams brokers, I would be willing to bet if a broker called in wanting to debate Bob's anti-broker sentiments, he'd get dumped as soon as he told the screener "I'm a broker..." In fact, I'd bet that no matter what the broker said he wanted to ask Bob, even if it was a really soft question, the screener would turn him away, for fear that, once on the air, the broker could start calling Brinker on the carpet for his views. Makes you wonder if Bob is afraid to debate his views with someone who may be able to put up a decent argument.
If I were Brinker, and I really felt adamant about my position on issues, I wouldn't screen callers who disagree. Some of the most entertaining times on Rush are when a real liberal calls in--the debates are hilarious. Makes you wonder if Brinker's trying to hide something...
I will admit that some degree of screening is necessary for talk shows. I sometimes listen to Don McDonald, he has a syndicated financial advice show like Brinkers. He needs a screener really bad. McDonald is a big advocate of no-loads (that's OK, I'm not knocking that). There are probably 8 or 9 funds that he constantly recommends to listeners (again, no problem). However, it seems like 80% of his callers ask questions like, "Don, I have my IRA in American Century Ultra Fund. What do you think about that?" McDonald has given his approval on this fund COUNTLESS times on the same show, yet here is some moron calling in, in a shameless attempt to get the host to pat the caller on the back. I mean, the guy has already said he loves the fund, SO WHAT IS THE CALLER'S POINT? I swear, 80% of the show consists of stupid callers looking for a pat on the back, like "Oh yes Mr. Caller, you're really smart...that's a great move on your part..." I'd love it if for once, he'd respond with, "Hey you idiot--are you braindead? Do you listen to the show? Haven't you heard me endorse this fund already 100 times in the last hour?", or even better, if McDonald would say, "Nope, no-load funds are not for you. What a moron like you needs is to load up on a bunch of worthless limited partnerships and a bunch of garbage stocks like Bre-X--anyone stupid enough to waste my time on the air with a goofy question like that DESERVES to lose money!" A good screener would do wonders for McDonald's show--it would weed out all of the morons looking for a pat on the back, so callers who had legit questions could get through.
That scenario reminds me of when callers to Brinker's show open the conversation with, "Bob, I got a cold call from a broker yesterday who wanted me to buy some stock I had never heard of. So you know what I did, Bob? I got out my shark repellant and told him I listen to Bob Brinker and I know all about Shark Attacks..." SO, what is the point of the call? Do these callers really feel a sense of enrichment from Brinker telling them, "Ooooh, you're so smart--I guess you put that broker in his place!" I'd love it if someone called in with that same scenario, "Bob, I got a call from a broker who wanted me to buy this stock about 8 years ago. And I followed your advice to the "T." I broke out my shark repellant and hung up on him. Well Bob, you know what? The stock he wanted me to buy 8 years ago was Microsoft! Thanks for nothing, Bob--so much for your shark repellant!"
Dan, I also see we have something else in common--our opinion of the Clintons Re: their ability to manipulate the media and the legal system to elude their mistakes and shortcomings.
Gary |
