WRKO: A crass act

[TowerBuzz]

Let’s play “Blame the listeners”

If the program stinks, it’s their fault for not turning the dial.
If the content is rude and sophomoric and unsuitable for children, it’s their fault for letting their kids get near the radio.

We’re not talking about the Howard Stern show. That would not be on when the kids are in the car. We’re talking about the only source of morning political discussion. I don’t want potty talk mixed in, nor has it typically been up until now. How is it my fault that I object to potty talk mixed in with political discussion? Is it ever the station’s fault?

To be fair each of our definitions of "potty talk" differ from person to person but "balls" is hardly the level of Howard Stern you'll hear that word on top 40 too. To answer your questions; yes if YOU think the program stinks than it is your fault for not turning the dial. It is your fault if you know now how they present themselves " wrko we've got balls" blah blah and you go back to the station with your kids in the car. Is it ever the station's fault? yes; when they actually do something wrong, You're the parent be the parent meaning rko targets men ages 25-54 to whom "balls" saying "we've got balls" is hardly potty talk in fact it's pretty tame. If you're in the car with your kids listening to RKO for "political talk" even when they stick to political issues it's almost always very partisaned (which is fine) but very hard line and failry mean spirited including the callers which most really good parents wouldnt think is apprpriate to expose young kids to either.. If you think "balls" is more detrimental to your children than the vitriol of angry suburban callers (and their callers are usually of the angry variety ) you think that will not eventuually have some effect on your kids?. Just wait until they get older and start taking drugs and having sex, you'll probably blame their favorite bands for influencing them negatively when the truth is kids grow up, the media doesn't make that happen. Then "balls" will sounds like a term of endearment. But if you want action write a letter to Jason Wolfe who will dismiss it because they're not targeting kids and when you're in the car maybe you should listen to radio disney, that's what being a parent is, sacrifice.

 

[pdwips]

Well, while "balls" is by no means obscene, it's certainly crass.

I think most people would avoid using the word in that context in mixed company, and while it's one thing for a host to use such language, I think it's jarring when it is "institutionalized" into a station's imaging.

Just one man's opinion, and I'm expecting change...

 

[pdwips]

Darn. That's what I get for posting while on air. That should read, "Just my two cents and I'm expecting change." D-OH!!

 

[Lucylu]

It's nice that pdwips can define 'obscene' while the FCC is hasn't been able to.

 

[TowerBuzz]

Well, while "balls" is by no means obscene, it's certainly crass.

I think most people would avoid using the word in that context in mixed company, and while it's one thing for a host to use such language, I think it's jarring when it is "institutionalized" into a station's imaging.

Just one man's opinion, and I'm expecting change...

I dont say it was obscene and I am not saying it is a good thing that they imaged themselves that way. Im just saying "balls" wont warp her/his kids as much as the constant stream of blue collar, white suburban anger. spewing from the radio will and she/he has not even thought about that. That to me is worse parenting than worrying that your kid may have heard one "potty mouth" word, children have the attention span of a gnat if you make a big deal about the word THEN they remember and fixate on it, otherwise it's gone from their little heads unless Spongbob says it then it's burned into their brains.

 

[pdwips]

Only definingit for myself. That's all I'm qualified to do. To paraphrase the supreme court, I know it when I see it.

 

[Lucylu]

To paraphrase Justice Thomas, "Is that your public hair on my coke?"