Paglia:“Arrogant Elitists” Are Lib Talk Radio’s Problems

Readers Note: As first published this post didn't include links to my previous posts calling attention to Sen. Stabenow's conflict of interest. A commenter alerted me. The links have been added. I thank the commenter.

John
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Camille Paglia in her latest Salon.com column - - -

. . . Speaking of talk radio (which I listen to constantly), I remain incredulous that any Democrat who professes liberal values would give a moment's thought to supporting a return of the Fairness Doctrine to muzzle conservative shows. (My latest manifesto on this subject appeared in my last column.)

The failure of liberals to master the vibrant medium of talk radio remains puzzling. To reach the radio audience (whether the topic is sports, politics or car repair), a host must have populist instincts and use the robust common voice.

Too many Democrats have become arrogant elitists, speaking down in snide, condescending tones toward tradition-minded middle Americans whom they stereotype as rubes and buffoons.

But the bottom line is that government surveillance of the ideological content of talk radio is a shocking first step toward totalitarianism.

One of the nuggets I've gleaned from several radio sources is that Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, who has been in the aggressive forefront of the campaign to reinstate the Fairness Doctrine, is married to Tom Athans, who works extensively with left-wing radio organizations and was once the executive vice-president of Air America, the liberal radio syndicate that, despite massive publicity from major media, has failed miserably to win a national audience.

Stabenow's outrageous conflict of interest has of course been largely ignored by the prestige press, which should have been demanding that she recuse herself from all political involvement with this issue. . . .

Paglia’s entire column’s here.
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My comments:

Paglia’ right: Stabenow has gross conflict of interest. I’ve recently posted about it in (Updated) Dem Sen.: Talk Radio Informs “Incorrectly;” Supports Hearings and Dem Sen. Stabenow’s conflict of interest.

IMO the most important and worrisome sentence in her column excerpt here is:

But the bottom line is that government surveillance of the ideological content of talk radio is a shocking first step toward totalitarianism.

What Paglia calls “the prestige press” won’t demand Stabenow recuse herself for three reasons.

For one, most of “the prestige” newspapers tank for the Dems either because they share the Dems’ ideology or because they’re afraid to challenge it.

Second, most newspapers see conservative talk radio shows as competitors who drain off readers.

Third, newspaper publishers and editors don’t like conservative talk radio hosts pointing out all the mistakes and liberal bias in their papers.