Driving home from the office tonight I engaged in a familiar form of self-flagellation: listening to conservative talk radio for as long as I can stand it.
I do this for reasons both profound (Know thy Enemy) and profane (local music radio sucks). Throw in a brief commute in a late model car which makes setting up digital alternatives simply not worth the bother and there you go.
That said, I’m a firm believer in listening to the other side because sitting in the same room waving the same signs is the coward’s activism; howling in the bubble of what amounts to little more than a social club. And we all do too much of it (your writer included).
But tonight I heard a common right-wing complaint that irritated me enough to actually call the show’s local (but-in-a-sizable-mid-market) host. He is very popular. I was measured and respectful, because if we are to engage the other side with any hope of a meaningful exchange them’s the ground rules. Here is a transcript of that conversation, admittedly from memory but it occurred only minutes ago:
HOST: Go ahead Jim you’re on the air!
ME: Hey man, we’ve spoken before but that was a long way back. The gentleman who called-in about ten minutes ago, who said his wife was organizing next week’s pro-Trump rally?
HOST: Yes yes…
ME: He said that with pride. He gave the event Facebook page and phone numbers for more information for those who want to participate. Then he went on to complain about how liberal rallies and protests, the Women’s March the recent town hall stuff, is all “organized”, as if “organized” was a dirty word.
HOST: Ok I see where you’re going here but the liberals are nationally organized.
ME: In not all but in many cases yes. But what’s wrong with that? Whether it’s the ACLU or moveOn.org or Organizing For Action they’re national in interest and scope but when they act they act locally. The left is well organized and has been for a long time. By the way I go back to when we wore beads and fringed jackets at our protests. Back to the 70s man, and I’ve never seen Check One from George Soros, either.
HOST: [laughs] Well yeah. And I wondered that. Why even hide that these groups are national?
ME: Who hides it?
HOST: It just the media I guess, they make it seem like it’s always local citizens spontaneously acting on their own. The left has always been better organized than the right and there’s no shame in it! We could learn a thing or two from you guys I guess.
ME: The man who called in earlier is the perfect example. He seemed upset and even suspicious that the city is charging them a permit fee for their rally. There’s pretty much always such a permitting cost to cover increased police/EMT presence and DPW cleanup afterwards.
HOST: Yes that’s right and I agree with that practice. Do you know if last week’s [liberal] rally had to pay one?
ME: I wasn’t on the committee, or even there, but I’m willing to bet they did and it’s a matter of public record. Just ask the city. And tell the guy who called earlier if he and his wife need help with stuff like this, they should call a liberal.
HOST: [laughs again] That’s right they should! And you know you ‘say’ you’re a liberal but you seem like a really reasonable guy.
ME: Weird what happens when we actually talk to one another huh?
HOST: Another good point! Thanks for calling.
