Surround Sound
10:30 a.m. : Here at the studio in Bothell, listening to the pre-show banter and talking about whether I identify myself as "Republican" or "Conservative". I said "Conservative", but I think that's more because I come from a cultural generation that prides itself on independence and eschews labels. "Conservative" is less a label than an identification of core social and economic values, but I think I'm just splitting hairs at this point.
10:40 a.m. : Talking about how Sean Hannity gets on our nerves when he asks a question and then spends the rest of the time answering it himself, instead of letting his guests speak.
10:43 a.m. : Monty Python and "The Gods Must Be Crazy"
10:47 a.m. : It's the 30th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. And now we're talking about podcasting. Scott is saying that MTV VJ Adam Curry came up with the whole Podcasting idea. Adam Curry? Really?
11:00 a.m. : We're a go!
11:06 a.m. : The co-hosts are a riot. Lots of energy. Bush radio address -- social security again. I believe it was Ann Althouse that was blogging the other day about how tired she is of hearing about filibusters, judicial nominees and social security. She said, "Where are the big topics?" I concur.
11:11 a.m. : "Thank you, George."
11:14 a.m. : The social security system is not a retirement system. "There is nothing about the social security system we have that's worth saving . . . wean people off the dependence on government."
11:15 a.m. : Audi driving left-wing nut-jobs? But Scott, I drive an Audi . . .
11:20 a.m. : Fellow blogger Ambra Nykol and I are quietly waiting our turn, tapping away at our laptops.
11:24 a.m. : Repeal the new gas tax increase.
11:29 a.m. : Big Tent! The drama begins. Next we'll have a telephone interview with the founder of Muslims for Bush, Muhammad Ali Hasan.
11:35 a.m. : "We get paid back in tax cuts," and we laugh. "President Bush really is the most pro-muslim American politician we've ever had." Wow. How come I never hear any other Muslim's say that? "Saddam Hussein has killed more Muslims than any other world leader."
11:39 a.m. : Cracking up about the Michael Moore reference. "That kid with the kite was probably the only happy person in Iraq." Oh, he just said "Iraq is a lot like America was in the 1930's," . . . wow.
11:44 a.m. : I like this guy.
11:49 a.m. : What sets Muslims for America apart from CAIR? "The problem with CAIR . . . creating a negative environment for Muslims in America. It's very partisan, Muslims are becoming divided." Ha! "A one bloc voting group that's ready to become marginalized by the Democrats."
12 noon : We're on, both Ambra Nykol and I, as representatives of the "diverse" blogosphere. She, a black female conservative, and me, a white gay conservative. Should prove interesting, as we're both chatty, and have a lot to say.
5:40 p.m. : The show has been over for several hours. I had a great time. The co-hosts were terrific, and my fellow blogger, Ambra, was great. I was sitting next to her the whole time thinking, "Damn, she's really good at this. How did she get so good at thinking on her feet?" It took me a bit to find my own pace, but once that happened, I, uhm, tended to take the ball and run. But it was good fun. I enjoyed the experience of hanging out for a couple of hours with like-minded individuals, though I think I was the only non-Christian in the room (funny, though, how I get along better with a roomful of Christians than a roomful of lefties), and I was, of course, the only gay male there. But hey -- Ambra was the only black female there, so we both got to be "tokens". I suppose that's only to be expected when you're not straight and white in America.
But that's why I appreciate the Republican Party so much -- I can be gay and an atheist and still have a great discussion about politics and philosophy with other Republicans. There's still a place for me at the table. With the Gay Left, once you say you think gay marriage is a crock, they don't even want to hear another word from you. So much for the alleged tolerance and diversity.
I'll download the MP3 of the show tomorrow and post segments of it on the site. Hope some of you were able to catch the lively discussion.
DOWNLOAD ALERT:
Actually, here's the audio now.
OFF TOPIC:
Oh my god! This is frickin' hee-larious (and so true!).
Comments
Dude, you were a great guest! You need your own show...
Posted by: Scott | May 1, 2005 5:26 AM
what i love about this site is that the commenters pretty much disagree with the blogger on nearly everything! brilliant stuff.
wiz.
Posted by: wiz | May 1, 2005 9:29 PM
AWESOME site...you definitely have a new reader:)
Posted by: Noelle | May 2, 2005 4:19 PM
For all the Homocon fans wanting to hear the whole show, you may download the MP3s at:
http://www.republicanradio.com/sounds/30APR05Hour1.mp3
http://www.republicanradio.com/sounds/30APR05Hour2.mp3 (HOUR 2 IS HOMOCON HOUR!)
iPod owners can get these files as a podcast at:
http://www.republicanradio.com/sounds/apr30.xml
Posted by: Scott | May 4, 2005 5:25 AM
“There's still a place for me at the table.”
So true-so long as it’s the guy who made the centerpiece or serves the wine.
You know I have to laugh (because otherwise I’d just hurt my head from banging it on the table). In one breath you mention, quite rightly, how the Dems have done damn near nothing for gay Americans, and in the next breath you praise the Republicans for being so inclusive simply because you had a swell time on the radio.
The Republican Party has used the civil liberties of Americans who happen to be gay as a stick with which to beat us. They are no better-indeed I think a pretty straightforward argument can be made that they are worse-for us than the Dems. They have tutored Americans in backwards civics, and enforced long-held misunderstandings of the Constitution and basic American political philosophy.
Political conservatism must at the bare minimum include the idea of personal liberty (and it’s counterpart personal responsibility). The Republican party has abandoned this idea, as they’ve abandoned small government and free market economics. They pander to whatever group they think will get them elected, and for the past 20+ years this has included to a large extent conservative Christians. Conservative Christians don’t tend to grasp the concept of personal liberty. The “big tent” is a big myth. It’s time to realize you’re in dysfunctional relationship and bail (ditto to gay Dems).
Posted by: Nathan | May 4, 2005 4:09 PM
Yes, Republicans are so backward, theocratic, and violently opposed to gays that they actively sought out and freely gave a gay man an hour to candidly express his views to over 3.5 million terrestrial radio listeners across two states and untold more listeners worldwide on the Internet.
Damn those evil Republican cads!
Posted by: Scott | May 5, 2005 7:22 AM
“Damn those evil Republican cads!”
I guess it’s rather telling that the best response you could muster to my post was a sarcastic and whiney one.
Posted by: Nathan | May 9, 2005 5:33 PM
No, what's "telling" is that you think your post deserves anything more than that as a response. "Conservative Christians don’t tend to grasp the concept of personal liberty" . . . ? I'd say that conservative Christians have a terrific grasp of personal liberty, coupled with a belief in taking responsibility for the social consequences of pursuing those very same personal liberties -- something you don't seem to grasp in your "I can't help it that I'm this way I'm a victim now give me whatever I want or I'll throw a tantrum" worldview.
Posted by: homocon | May 17, 2005 3:36 PM