American Morning
We Listen – Your comments 10/19/2009
Editor's Note: Carol Costello’s series on talk radio sparked Monday’s American Morning audience to angrily dispute aspects of today’s segment. Some believed the only people who listen to talk radio are other media. Others suggested that talk radio was so popular because broadcast media slanted left before Fox News became the alternative, and that liberal radio was failing due to lack of demand. Those opposed to conservative talk radio believed “What these people have to say is trash… because they cannot think further than their nose.” Another contingent rebuked the “liberal” label for PBS, calling it a moniker from “talk radio,” and not a true reflection of the network.
- Joshua: You just reported that Rush Limbaugh is the 'king' of talk radio with 15 million listeners. My guess is that 14,999,995 of those listeners are people like you in the media and the other five are his wife and children. Why would anyone spend their time listening to talk shows like his when they can get the Cliff Notes version of what they say from CNN?
- Anita: The vast majority of cable and TV news reporters are liberals. The vast majority of news is presented w/ a liberal slant, editorializing is liberal... liberal viewpoints are thrust down the collective American throat. I don't think some of these reporters realize their reporting is so opinionated-but viewers of other persuasions do. Why did talk radio become so popular w/ conservatives, or moderates, for that matter, who are willing to consider both sides? Because when it began, and hooked listeners, FOX wasn't big news & talk radio was the only alternative. ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, most print media, etc. weren't reporting news objectively. If talk radio is too conservative, take it as a backlash to the lack of objectivity in the media preceding it. If liberals don't like it, they should compete. Let the viewers decide. Conservatives are bullies? That's a little insincere. The only bully on the playground for the past few decades has been the liberal media.
- BT: Re: American Morning Show and comments by Carol Costello re "Talk Radio" wherein she stated that the reason people listen to talk radio is b/c it's entertaining. I can't speak for everyone but I wholeheartedly believe that those people would find her statement insulting. I believe most people (like myself) listen b/c it's the only place other than Fox News that we can get the truth. I don't mean to imply CNN lies – but b/c you don't report the entire picture (both sides) it's the same thing. I used to watch CNN most of the time until the year of the presidential election and lost faith in CNN b/ it was so terribly slanted towards Obama thus you did not report all on both sides. CNN almost never presents both sides and by your omissions, I quit watching. I have learned more about our gov't and politicians and the full picture of what's going on – from Fox news and talk radio than I ever did on CNN and your comments that people listen to talk radio b/c it is entertaining was very offensive and insults my intelligence. Just like the "tea parties" – and your comments that they are just a bunch of rebel rousers, etc. No they are people like myself, who happen not to agree with the current political agenda. We want health care reform but w/o government interference. Thank you for the opportunity to send this.
- Eliot: On the show today you stated that NPR is liberal. What […] is wrong with you? Have you heard it, or were you repeating the talk radio line unchallenged? Randi Rhodes is liberal, fine. Only a fool would think NPR is. Please make an on-air correction. Some people believe this stuff.
- Rick: Thank God I do not have to listen to these narrow minded radio talk show hosts. I do listen to PBS and there I get intellectual and intelligent talk. What these people have to say is trash anyhow because they cannot think further than their nose.
- Joy: With regard to liberal radio- only 9% listen but if people enjoyed it there would be greater demand – people listen to what they like – personally I can't stand the negative talk show-liberal or conservative!
How do you feel about “conservative” radio versus “liberal” radio?
Balloon family feels 'under siege,' lawyer says
FORT COLLINS, Colorado (CNN) - The Colorado couple accused of carrying out a bizarre hoax involving their son and a huge balloon is "not running from the law" and deserves the presumption of innocence, their attorney said Monday.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/US/10/19/balloon.boy.investigation/art.heene.sheriff.kdvr.jpg caption="Richard Heene has told reporters that a runaway balloon incident involving his son was "absolutely no hoax.""]
"The sheriff having a press conference saying that they're guilty does not make them so," David Lane told CNN's "American Morning."
Authorities say the event - in which the tearful couple claimed their 6-year-old may have been trapped in the flying-saucer-like contraption floating through the air - was staged. Richard and Mayumi Heene had met in a Hollywood acting school and pursued fame for their family in the world of reality TV, Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden said.
Lane, asked Monday by CNN about his client's state of mind, said it was "what you would expect someone's state of mind to be after law enforcement searched your house, seized your property, held a press conference announcing you're about to be charged with felony criminal charges. Your state of mind would be rather upset and you would feel somewhat under siege, which is exactly how the family feels at this point."
Interracial couple refused marriage wants justice fired
A justice of the peace in Louisiana who has drawn widespread criticism for refusing to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple says he has no regrets about his decision.
"It's kind of hard to apologize for something that you really and truly feel down in your heart you haven't done wrong," Keith Bardwell told CNN affiliate WAFB on Saturday.
The couple at the center of the controversy, Terence McKay and Beth Humphrey-McKay, are now married and fighting to get the justice’s license revoked. They spoke to Kiran Chetry on CNN’s “American Morning” Monday. Below is an edited transcript of the interview.
Kiran Chetry: What’s the latest with this justice of the peace who refused to marry you?
Terence McKay: I’m completely still in shock. I’m thankful for the justice of the peace that did marry us.
Beth McKay: I guess he just won't resign, won’t stand down, and he won't apologize. So that's his stance right now.
Chetry: Beth, you were the one that experienced this firsthand, because you spoke to his wife and you were going through the whole rigmarole. You had to say who you were, when you wanted to go there, what your plans were, and then she asked you, “Are you an interracial couple?” How did that happen?
Beth: That's exactly how it happened. At the end of the conversation, she said, “I have a question to ask you. Is this an interracial marriage?” I was shocked, and I said, “Excuse me?” She said, “Is this an interracial marriage?” And I said, “Yes, ma'am.” And she said, “Well, what's the deal? Is he black, are you black?” So I answered her questions and she just said, “Well, we don't do interracial marriages.”
Health care reform talks too secret?
This week, Senate Democratic leaders are expected to be back behind closed doors, putting together a compromise bill on health care reform.
That process has raised a key question: Why is the debate over the public option not open to the public?
About this Show
Welcome to the American Morning blog where you can get daily news updates from American Morning's reporters and producers. Join us for "the most news in the morning," weekdays from 6-9 a.m. ET, only on CNN.
On Twitter
