Living in the red side of a blue state is tough. When Air America came to town, life became a little easier. However, as in some other radio markets, the midday broadcast slot was given to non-Air America Big Ed Schultz, whose earthy, common-man style gave a novel and refreshing flavor to seemingly progressive views. That was before I realized that Big Ed is a right-wing plant.
It's really quite simple. Big Ed lulls the unsuspecting liberal listener with both rhetoric and symbolism. His trumpeted "Where America comes to talk" implies openness and discourse, debate and discussion, but it's really just talk. If you are progressive and agree with him, he thanks you and slaps you on the back. If you are progressive and disagree with him, he thanks you, agrees to disagree, and tolerates you. If you get too intellectual, his eyes glaze over, he thanks you and moves on. If you bring up something he hasn't heard about - and there's a ton he hasn't heard about - he say's he'll look into it but rarely does. And, oh yes, if you're a right-wing caller, he gives you maximum air time, even carrying you over to the next segment, all to show that he is not afraid to engage the enemy, although much of the time, the right-wing lies go unchallenged by Big Ed.
This is the forum Big Ed provides, a forum where a progressive is mollified by an outlet, an rare opportunity to "talk." Affirmation and confirmation with a big, bear hug. Big Ed dutifully criticizes the "Bushies," and the grateful listener thanks him. His is a progressive voice from the Midwest, and we are soothed into believing that there is hope, that this "common man" is as angry as we are. At the same time, however, right wing nut cases are provided a platform on our air.
That's Big Ed's symbolism, and we buy it. He packages his product, says the right things, throws in a touch of American authenticity, and an obliging conglomerate media (Clear Channel here) fits it neatly into our broadcast day, keeping us from talking live to Randi Rhodes. We are lulled, soothed, placated, bolstered, and silenced. Cajoled into moderation.
Lately, however, Big Ed has revealed his true self.
Start with his incessant promotion of Hillary Clinton for president. It is hard to imagine a candidate who would unite the right and divide the left more than Clinton. Nominate Clinton in `08 and kiss the election and our asses goodbye. Yet, Big Ed persists.
Then there's Big Ed's unwavering support for the Republicans' friend Joe Lieberman, punctuated with his disdain for and fear of bloggers. He refuses to see the opposition for Lieberman as an expression of how angry the people are with this administration's policies, no matter what the party stripe. Yet, Big Ed holds firm.
Next there are Big Ed's concerns about Murtha, and Dean, and Kerry.
Then there's Big Ed's blinders on Israel. This gets me to one of the reasons I quit listening to his show. On July 21st, when Israel was calling up reserves preparing to cross the border into Lebanon, Lebanon vowed to fight back. Big Ed said that by fighting, Lebanon was siding with the terrorists. How about protecting their land and people against an invading army, Big Ed? How about that, huh? Sounds a lot like "you're either with us or against us." Big Ed, unwavering, strong. Right to a fault.
The final reason I quit listening went by very fast but, to me, revealed the man. During the same broadcast, Big Ed was having fun with Bush's groping Chancellor Merkel of Germany. Big Ed thought it was quite a laugh. Pretty funny stuff. Belly laugh stuff. And before going to a commercial, he quipped, "She's a good girl." Scheiße, Big Ed, she's not a girl. SHE'S THE CHANCELLOR OF GERMANY! Four words and Big Ed shows himself as the overbearing, paternalistic, chauvinistic, patronizing jerk he really is.
Big Ed is neither liberal nor progressive. He is the voice of the very moderation that will doom the left to stay off message and compromise its principles. The right has no moderate radio voice because there is no market for one, there is no upside to one, there is no need for one, there is no profit in one. Big Ed makes noises that we yearn to hear but the substance holds a subtle message of negotiation, of reeeeeeasonableness that will weaken us. He tells us not to be angry, but we need to be angry.
This is a war.
The other side is not reasonable and does not negotiate.
The other side wants to take away our country forever.
Big Ed Schultz aids and abets.
