Tuesday, October 2, 2012

The Unbearable Darkness Of Talk Radio

You never know when they'll hit a new low - - could be this, could be that - -  but WTMJ's afternoon talker Jeff Wagner opened his program today defending Milwaukee Sheriff David Clarke, a conservative favorite, from what Wagner oddly portrayed as "victimization" at the hands of Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

The backstory is a continuing budget fight Clarke will lose to the more institutionally-powerful Abele, as County park patrolling is being moved to city officers.

Then Wagner uttered a line that is weird enough to have rattling around in his head, but truly stupifying to utter.

I'm paraphrasing because I was driving at the time, but a close approximation is 'if Tom Barrett came to a sudden stop he would have to remove Chris Abele's head from his backside.'

Nice image, Jeff.

And thanks to Jeff and program managers at AM 620 WTMJ for elevating the debate.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

and of sykes,belling and wagner, the latter is considered the most genteel.

James Rowen said...

@ Anon - - I don't know. I think that's what he wants you to believe, but this from his blog today suggests that's the myth:


On Thursday, the free phone and food stamp President is bringing his cult-of-personality, "you didn't build it tour" to Madison, the People's Republic Of ....

Unquestionably, we have an obligation to provide a temporary safety net for the most economically disadvantaged among us. Still, there's a difference between a safety net and a permanent hammock.

jpk said...

Kudos on the creative headline. Kundera would be proud.