This morning I was listening to the Diane Rehm show on National Public Radio. There was the normal Friday morning show when Ms Rehm and her guests were discussing the news of the week. There was a little discussion on the economy and so at that point I took my shower. When I returned they had begun to discuss the Democratic primaries.
The discussion turned inevitably to the hateful racist comments of Geraldine Ferraro and her subsequent resignation from the Clinton campaign. I have to add that those words are my description of events. From the discussion that took place on the radio you would hardly detect that Ferraro had said any thing wrong.
I'll let the letter that I sent to Ms Rehm tell what happened.
Dear Ms Rehm,
I have been a great fan and a very regular listener to your show. But not any more; this morning I had to turn off the radio and will never tune in again.
I was thoroughly disgusted by a remark you made this morning. Your guests were discussing the racist remarks made by Geraldine Ferraro about Senator Obama. One of your guests was commenting on the matter when you interrupted him, saying " but she's an unpaid member of the Clinton finance team."
So that makes it OK, does it? Because Ms Ferraro was not a paid member of the Clinton campaign she has every right to make racist comments. By the words you used you implied that you were satisfied that this matter was of less import, and certainly did not reflect on Senator Clinton.
I believe that at the next opportunity you should unreservedly apologise for the remark you made, and condemn and disassociate your self from Ferraro's brand of racism.
I have always considered you a transparent and unbiased journalist. Not after this morning. You showed considerable bias towards Senator Clinton and an unspoken contempt of Senator Obama.
I was really angry that a public radio presenter should make such a snide remark regarding obvious racism. I contrast Ms Rehm's view of matters with that of Keith Olbermann.
Senator, as it has reached its apex in their tone-deaf, arrogant and insensitive reaction to the remarks of Geraldine Ferraro, your own advisers are slowly killing your chances to become president.
Senator, their words, and your own, are now slowly killing the chances for any Democrat to become president.
In your tepid response to this Ferraro disaster, you may sincerely think you are disenthralling an enchanted media and righting an unfair advance bestowed on Sen. Obama.
You may think the matter has closed with Rep. Ferraro’s bitter, almost threatening resignation.
But in fact, Senator, you are now campaigning as if Barack Obama were the Democrat and you were the Republican.
As Shakespeare wrote, Senator, that way madness lies.
Perhaps Kossacks might wish to complain to Ms Rehm.
The show can be contacted at:
drshow@wamu.org
Malcolm
Update.
I love the replies from you all-knowing bunch of egg-heads; your superiority amazes me. Thought you'd like to know that my 40 years in politics included being Board Chairman of a University. Now I feel so humbled by the Kossacks whose weak-kneed responses and gentle tut-tutting have wounded me so. It's a pity that my laughter at your trivia has drowned out the delightful Mozart that I'm listening to. Keep up the good work, love your mock outrage at my outrage. Incidentally, I shall continue to post when I feel like it and don't give a fiddler's fcuk for you opinions.