So I posted an article on CapInsider today about something I saw on the website of "The John and Ken Show." John and Ken are two very conservative radio hosts who have developed such a following that pretty much every Republican elected official in California is afraid of them. They had a post up today on their website that was really offensive and mean-spirited and I called them out on it:
John Kobylt and Ken Chiampu are despicable. The duo, known as "John and Ken" to their legions of radio listeners, have been identified as two of the most influential talking heads in California -- especially noted for holding sway over Republican elected officials.
As it turns out, they're arrogant and unimaginative bullies who don't deserve to have a single listener, let alone thousands.
Why do I say that? Today they've posted a blog post on their webpage calling L.A. County Supervisor Gloria Molina a "fat bag" among other things. Their whole ugly comment is as follows:
Fat Supervisor Gloria Molina thinks it’s okay to spend $7 million of her discretionary funds on a Latino Cultural Center, but not okay to spend some money to keep beach restrooms open! She thinks “cranky morning joggers“ don’t deserve to have the bathrooms open. While blowing all this gas, she was arrogantly stuffing her fat mug with popcorn.
Send this fat bag a bag of popcorn! Call her and tell her to stuff it!
As far as I'm concerned, this kind of name-calling has no place in serious political discussions and these two should be ostracized for spewing trash like this. Someone's body type is a purely personal thing, and has nothing to do with their political views or career. Furthermore, this follows a terrible trend in our society of demonizing people who are considered overweight. Such rhetoric can have corrosive effects on people's outlook and self-confidence -- especially children's.
The fact that John and Ken, two apparent cowards who hide behind their big radio station and their microphones, would stoop to this kind of personal insult shows that they should not be taken seriously by anyone in the California politics. I don't want to see one more elected official go on their show or legitimize them in any way unless and until they apologize for this.
If you want to tell them how wrong they are, feel free to e-mail them at johnandkenshow@kfi640.com, but I wouldn't expect a civil response.
I thought that was the end of it and figured that only my loyal readers would see what I had written. But I posted a link on Twitter and included the hashtag @johnandkenshow just for fun.
Within 15 minutes, comments started popping up like crazy on my blog post and most of them were from people who were obviously indignant that I had dared to criticize their beloved John and Ken. As I read through the comments, I realized that they had mentioned my blog post on their show, and so I quickly searched for the link on their website to listen to the show live.
Sure enough, I heard them mention my blog post for a second time and even mention my name very clearly, adding:
"There is a contact button on his website... If you want to tell him what you think about his views, go ahead."
The comments, needless to say, kept rolling in. Here is one:
Your Gayness
Permalink Submitted by Your Mom (not verified) on June 7, 2011 - 6:15pm
Son, I've always forgiven you for your sissified, effete nature, but now you're making a spectacle of it on the internet, and embarrassing your father and I. We'd prefer you spend your time with your time tested favorites - your black Barbie collection, your love of summer dresses, and lip syncing to old Liza Minelli torch songs.
Please stop embarrassing us!
Way to go, buddy! Your homophobia has really changed my mind... NOT.
Here's another:
I Heart John & Ken
Permalink Submitted by RetroHousewife (not verified) on June 7, 2011 - 5:50pm
I bought a radio just so I could listen to John and Ken's show. They are the only ones who are exposing the corruption in California government. They have no need to apologize, I can assure you. They are not only not cowards, they are the only ones in the media who have any courage. How much courage does it take to spew forth the same politically correct crap as every other so-called journalist day after day? Sometimes the truth is ugly. The media is not there to pretend that it isn't. I hope nobody is wasting their money paying you to write this baloney. At least no trees are dying. BTW, I make sure I patronize KFI/John and Ken sponsors as much as I can. I don't even live in LA. I go out of my way to give them my business. On the other hand, I will make sure I boycott your sponsors.
Wow, I'm sure John and Ken appreciate your blind obedience to them... they must be making huge profits off it.
Gloria Molina Is Fat
Permalink Submitted by RetroHousewife (not verified) on June 7, 2011 - 6:18pm
Gloria Molina IS fat. In this case, her girth is relevant since she is making disparaging comments about joggers who object to using public restroom smeared in feces. While she is making these comments, she is stuffing her face full of popcorn. She may not appreciate good health, but others do. Therefore, it is entirely relevant that she is FAT because it provides the listener a context and helps explain why Ms. Molina dismisses such an obvious threat to public health with such contempt in her voice.
http://t1.gstatic.com/...
And finally, this one:
your FAILED entry...
Permalink Submitted by Joey (not verified) on June 7, 2011 - 9:13pm
Wow another Jew with a blog, how original. Your entry is so silly. John and Ken are highly regarded radio talk show hosts who speak the truth. If you don't like the way they deliver the truth that's your problem. I have no problem with they way they speak about things or of others on the air. I'm more offended by all the political correctness crap you just spewed out on here. Gloria Molina IS a fat bag racist pig who only cares about Latinos and illegal alien Latinos. She's not a kid, she's a very old lady who has let herself go. This is a perfect opportunity for someone to teach her how to eat better and lose some of that embarrassing weight. She also has some kind of oral fixation. Something's always in her mouth. Creepy.
Stay classy, folks!
I guess this shows quite a bit about the quality of John and Ken's listeners. Now I know how the Republican elected officials probably feel -- they're afraid of having these people come after them. Our democracy is certainly the worse for it.
Let me know if you think I should call into their show tomorrow and try to make my point directly to them on the air!
(And yes, I know the poll question is rigged, but what the heck...)