Steve's* Talk Radio News of the Day
*An extreme far-centrist foundation!

Spinning Bennett
by Steve Young

May 8, 2003 -- LOS ANGELES (apj.us) -- May 8, 2003 -- LOS ANGELES (apj.us) -- The Lords of AM Loud have snapped into protective mode, spewing truths as only infotainers can as they defend the actions of William "Book of Virtues" Bennett.

"He never talked about gambling being a sin!" said Sean.

I wonder if he promotes that as part of his "Book of Virtues For Kids" tour.

"Gambling isn't an addiction, it's a hobby," said Bill O'Factor.

No spin?

"Everyone who doesn't buy what I say defending Bennett is an ignorant bowl of flaming pus!" I assume Michael Savage said.

Bennett says he's broken even.

Was there a "Book of Virtues" chapter on lying?

He said that gambling isn't a problem for him.

That's probably never been heard that at a Gamblers Anonymous meeting.

"I never gambled on baseball."

Oops, sorry.

That's Pete Rose, who also never felt gambling was a problem. I'm assuming that Bennett now joins Rose and Tim Robbins as persona non grata on the Baseball Hall of Fame guest list.

Now, while the slightest hint of negative news about a Democrat, substantiated or not, that comes down the Drudge Turnpike is reported as gospel (and rarely corrected when it's shown to be false), this is not meant to be a condemnation of Bennett.

That should be left to the people who are virtuous enough to know what right and wrong are for other people. This is meant to be a condemnation of the supposition that Talk Radio is a vehicle for truth or facts.

Now, I know the knee jerk reaction to this kind of this thesis is to jump on the "It's always the same with you liberals" bandwagon.

For argument's sake, let's say that it's true that Liberals and Democrats always think anything the Right says or believes is wrong, especially with the Liberal Media thingy, et al.

Let's just look at Talk Radio's advertised truth-telling.

Now, is it possible that Talk Radio chooses to tell only the truth that supports their side?

Will a Talk Show host present anything that makes the Right wrong or the Left right?

Or can we admit that it is all political and meant to sway the listener to their side of an issue? Same as any politician would, Right or Left.

This is certainly not a sin -- at least Bennett didn't list it as so. What might be considered a sin falls under the righteous cloak of honesty as we know it should be. If not outright misleading of the listener, it's political at best. I have no problem with a listener listening to what they choose. What is the problem is that they purport, as do their ditto'd leaders do, their word is the truth.

As if it had to be said, but I'll say it anyway, Talk Radio is meant to be a political tool and if "political" is the adjective used to describe any particular noun, then the truth will forever reside wherever those missing socks end up.

Steve Young is an award-winning television writer, director / writer of "My Dinner With Ovitz," contributing editor for the WGA's "Written By" magazine, and author of "Great Failures of the Extremely Successful" (Tallfellow Press) www.greatfailure.com , and writes assorted gems at JewishWorldReview.com