If you're ever feeling dumb, just listen to the people who call into CSPAN

[Poll_Blind]

I would regale you with examples but, really, you have to try it for yourself.

PB

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. No kidding.

I sometimes hear the most vile crap on Washington Journal.

Here's a verbatim example I heard one day: "George Bush is protecting us... from the niggers and the queers!"

Yes, that was an actual quote. Sometimes I wish I could punch people through the television set.

[baron j]

2. Ha, ha! I know what you mean.

I always thought the hosts have the patience of saints, wearing bland, neutral expressions, while letting those jackanape callers prattle on as they do.

[cpa]

8. Moderators

I wish that Ray Taliafero was a moderator. The callers need to be told how stupid they are. The Bush callers constantly threaten people, engage in name calling, use bad factual reasoning and are guilty of other forms of irrationality. The moderators are forced to maintain neutrality and thus do not call them on this.

[ComerPerro]

11. That's how Republicans spread their lies and talking points

The news organizations host "debate shows". The Republicans usually come on spouting lie after lie after lie. The Dem's can't get their own points out because, before they can even do so, they have to refute the lies and BS introduced by the Republican. By that time, they have already been shouted down.

Meanwhile, the "moderators" do nothing. Seems to me that it should be their job to call these people on their bullshit. Even something passive, like "Well, that's not entirely true" would be something. But they don't even do that.

The news networks seem to be convinced that calling out bullshit will make them seem "biased".

[Guaranteed]

3. 10-4. Was thinking this to myself yesterday morning.

They get smart people every once in awhile, but the majority are total idiots. I can't stand to watch more than a few minutes.

[izzie]

4. I find it interesting for what VOTERS think.

I will take bets on all those calls are from people who vote. Do recall that Rush has a few million people who tune in because they think he is right.

[Neil Lisst]

5. CSPAN

I love CSPAN, and I hate it.

I love the pure news coverage, the uninterrupted speeches, the raw look at news coverage.

But then the callers! The right has learned to have callers ready to spiel the party line daily, no matter the topic. Usually it's someone 90 years old who still can't get over the Bay of Pigs.

-------
Here's my progressive comic
http://www.webcomicsnation.com/neillisst/

[Vinca]

6. My favorites are the ones who want the death penalty for

women who have abortions and doctors who perform them. Somethin' just ain't right thay-uh.

[EST]

7. Yeah, and it's especially bad when you notice you've become

too addicted, that is, when you hear someone call in and you scream at the TV, "wait a minnit! That rascal called in last Wednesday, spewing the same bs-shut 'im off!"

Also, maybe I'm a little gunshy, but I detect a right-wing lean to most of the hosts, fairly well concealed, mind you, except for Brian, a pulsing red stater.

[zanne]

10. When you can identify the hosts by their voices...

You realize you might have a C-Span problem! I used to have C-Span on for most of the day. One day, my husband was near the TV and I was in the kitchen. I heard a voice coming from the set and said "What is Grassley saying"? He was dumbfounded that I knew a senator by his voice! Lately, I've been limiting myself to the Washington Journal. My heart can't handle it anymore!

[qanda]

12. That's hilarious

I guess I knew I watched to much Washington Journal when my children started singing the music during their playtime.

[GR]

9. I Call In....And I'm Not Dumb....And I Salute The Dumb Ones...

for taking some kind of action...It's a lot easier to criticize than make the call and try to sound intelligent in 15 seconds...

But you're right, there are some real beauties who call in from time to time...some regularly...

[Poll_Blind]

13. I didn't mean to insult you or any other intelligent callers...I was...

...watching some Christopher Hitchens (he, I think, was sober or at least only one airline vodka to the wind) at something like 2am PST this morning and a caller called in, a gentleman, and he started rattling off the most obscure dates and battles(up to something like 800 years ago). Hitchens and the host look back and forth at each other and the host earnestly says "Caller, where are you going with this?"

"9/11, of course!" came the reply.

Normally if something is really really bad it's enjoyable (bulldada if you're a Subgenius), like a bad Kung-Fu movie can be enjoyable. However, this was so bad it was just uncomfortable to listen to. The worst part was the gentleman on the line actually sounded somewhat intelligent- he just seemed incredibly obsessed with obscure battle dates and their relation to 9/11. Got me to thinking about the majority of the callers...

Anyway, no offense meant!

PB