11/19/2004
IT’S 68 MILES FROM MILWAUKEE TO MADISON
. . . but somehow, what’s transpired recently on talk radio in the former hasn’t had much impact on the latter:
A radio talk show host drew criticism Thursday after calling Condoleezza Rice an “Aunt Jemima” and saying she isn’t competent to be secretary of state.
John Sylvester, the program director and morning personality on WTDY-AM in Madison, said in a phone interview Thursday that he used the term on Wednesday’s show to describe Rice and other blacks as having only a subservient role in the Bush administration.
I think the phrase is Yeah, right. But hey, at least he’s doing something about it:
[Sylvester] said he was planning a giveaway on Friday’s show of Aunt Jemima pancake mix and syrup. “I will apologize to Aunt Jemima,” he said.
There’s nothing like apologizing to a fictional character whom you could not possibly have offended because, well, they’re fictional.
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What amazes me about both of these incidents is that Mark Belling and John Sylvester (aka “Sly”), have been around forever. Honestly, I think they were both on Madison radio at one point 20 years ago! Why would someone be so willing to trash a couple decades of work and reputation by attempting to make a point through such insensitive means?
Comment by Jon — 11/19/2004 @ 12:51 pm
I don’t get that either, Jon. How could either Belling or Sylvester not have known what they said was going to be taken so poorly? About all I can figure is that the whole enterprise of political talk radio depends upon manufactured outrage . . . which is the main thing that drove me to sports talk.
Comment by Mark Hasty — 11/19/2004 @ 3:19 pm
Jon Stewart was completely right during his comments on Crossfire. The lack of dialouge, and incessant shouting, that exists in American politics is preventing us from solving real problems. Most talk radio is now just an extension of that. Angry people yelling at an angry audience that mostly agrees with them anyway. They label the various sides versus trying to understand their point of view. How do we expect to have serious discussions about immigration if Belling calls all Hispanics “wetbacks?” About foreign policy if Sly calls the soon to be Sec of State nothing but an Aunt Jemima? The popularity of these shows isn’t a sign that people are getting smarter about issues or want to solve problems…just that people want to be on the winning side and will listen only to what appeals to them.
Comment by Jon — 11/19/2004 @ 4:13 pm
I think that’s what drives the “scorched earth” politics too . . . it isn’t enough for me to have better ideas than you; you also must be proved to be a duplicitous, puppy-kicking Communist.
Forget health care reform; in a couple years, we’ll be lucky to get National Sugar Beet Appreciation Week through Congress.
Comment by Mark Hasty — 11/19/2004 @ 4:53 pm
When Will the Protest Start?
Madison radio yapper John “Sly” Sylvester’s racial insults to Condi Rice and Colin Powell have made national news. While Mark…
Trackback by The American Mind — 11/19/2004 @ 9:25 pm