EMAILS OF THE WEEK

I am going to post some of the best/worst emails of the week as sort of a week wrap up. Enjoy:

From CHERI:

My husband & I have been long time listeners of WMT early morning radio…I find myself looking for a new morning voice as I grow weary of your morning growl. I wonder if you ever have a good day? I have heard you complain of your child being sick in the middle of the night, calling people associated with certain beliefs "Morons", complaining to the city of Cedar Rapids about their payment processes because you were late on utilities and about cameras on red lights. Clever topics-hardly! To start my mornings with such complaining, criticizing and name calling is my fault for continuing to tune in. That will change. I wonder if the management at WMT will gather enough of a concensus to warrant a change at some point, too? Thank you for the opportunity for me to unload at the appropriate doorstep.

Greg REPLIES: Don't be so hard on yourself. Thank you for the complaint, though. Ironic, isn’t it?

From LORI:

…just wanted to drop a note to say that it is quite refreshing to hear a WAY DIFFERENT FORMAT on WMT. We turn it on around 5:30 a.m. (I am not up yet, but I can hear it), but it is just nice to hear a different personality from what we were used to. I am 41, so I ain't no fogey (hee hee)…I was screaming in my car this morning during your trivia contest: What team does Pierre Pierce play for!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I about lost it, I laughed so hard. Keep up the good work. Don't follow the Gazette news so closely, just my opinion. When the last "radio personality" was at WMT, he basically read the news out of the Gazette, I do subscribe, pleeeaaase.

Greg REPLIES: Sometimes the answers are better than the questions. Thanks for the nice note. I’ll put it on the pile with the other one. Keep your hands at 10 and 2 and your eyes on the road…drive carefully. I don’t want our law enforcement people to think that I may be a danger to others and pass some law or something.

From ALICE:

My husband and myself both agree that you are a GREAT improvement over the person you replaced. The radio would be on just long enough to hear the farm reports then would be turned off. Not any more. We enjoy listening to you every morning. WMT needs more like you. Keep up the good work.

Greg REPLIES: They found me under a rock (according to some), so I doubt they’d be able to find more like me. Thanks for the nice note…tell your friends…I need more like YOU.

From UNKNOWN:

hey dipshit...iowa doesn't have any diseased and skinny deer. know what your saying before opening your mouth.

Greg REPLIES: I know you are, but what am I...

From MARLI:

Who do I complain to about the trivia contest that was held for the tickets. I think it was quite unfair to have a rigged contest for the tickets. Your questions were misleading and downright wrong at best. I suspect you did this to allow only certain people to win. Pierre Pearce doesn't play for any team. Asking the question in such a way as to suggest he does is unfair. There were others too, like what is Iowa's state fish...we don't have one. And Micheal Jackson is the king of POP and not NAMBLA. There's no such country, so that's an obvious false question. You gave out other wrong answers too. I think there are probably laws against holding a dishonest contest on the public airwaves.

Greg REPLIES: You sent your complaint to the right person...trust me. I'm sorry your phone wasn't working that morning, otherwise I think the public could have benefitted from hearing your answers.

A DAY AT FENWAY PARK, IOWA

I get accused of "stirring" things up (mostly by those who disagree with my viewpoint), but when city government serves up a big fat issue for me, I'm going to discuss it. Now, who would be responsible in a baseball game when the pitcher tosses up a hanging curve and the hitter knocks it out of the park? Is the hitter to blame? Should we shun him for being so mean to the pitcher? Does the home run still count if it was a bad pitch?

This morning, the Commissioner of Public Safety (used to be known as "police chief") said they're looking at the possibility of installing red light cameras at various intersections in Cedar Rapids.

Now, without telling you what I think about the issue, I'll throw you a hanging curve. Here are some very good websites with all sorts of information...on both sides:

First, How Stuff Works has a site to help you understand the technology

The Insurance Institute has some background and a Q&A on the danger of red light accidents

Here's a study from the DOT about red light running in Iowa (PDF file, requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view)

Davenport is the most recent Iowa city to install red light cameras - an article from the River Cities Reader

A class action lawsuit has been filed in Maryland, saying the cameras are fraudulent - an article from the Baltimore Sun

The National Motorists Association thinks they have a better idea than red light cameras

A judge in (just this week!) North Carolina ruled that the school district is entitled to the money generated by red light camera fines

Matt Labash of the Weekly Standard has done an extraordinary job with this article (it's in 5 parts)

It's 3 and 2 with the score tied in the bottom of the ninth. I expect you'll be able to hit this one at least 440-ft over the Green Monster. Go ahead...you're a talk show host. What would you do?Take the walk?

OH, YEAH...IT'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH

I watched a lot of television this weekend. The wife took the kids to her parents for the weekend, so I rented a couple of movies and basically veged on the couch between doing a few things around the house.

Reading National Review Online today, I should have paid more attention to those commercials for the Starz movie package on cable. Apparently, the Starz channels are "celebrating Black History Month" by airing Catwoman, starring Halle Berry. First, Halle is a babe...no question about it. My wife saw the movie one day when she had some spare time, but I never saw it. I considered renting it this weekend, but I turned away at the last minute to get the last copy of Friday Night Lights instead. It does strike me as an odd choice to "celebrate Black History Month" with, though. Am I missing something?

I have noticed several other channels with various specials about Black History. Of course, the History Channel has a whole mess of specials, obviously BET does as well. So do our local TV channels and radio, newspaper...everyone is getting into the act.

Am I to be considered a racist for questioning why we need a Black History Month? I'm not aware of a month devoted to Asians (who pretty much built the railroads in the US), Hispanics (who kicked our ass at the Alamo), or any other race/creed for that matter? Heck, there isn't even a White History Month.

I suppose there will be those who think of me a racist, but I'll answer with the following: I thought we ended segregation.

To me, it's nothing more than a marketing campaign. That is, unless you can point out to me the racial significance of Catwoman.

SHOW PREP TODAY

Aha! The real reason they want to force you to recycle is so they can write you a ton of paper(!) tickets when you don't! Seattle Mandatory Recycling Law in Effect

Howard Dean for DNC Chairman, Harkin for Governor? Oh, please, please, please, please let this happen: DesMoinesRegister.com

If you read this story as I do, you'll notice that the rules in Cuba sound very similar to the rules being proposed here in Iowa: Yahoo! News - Cigar lovers to escape Cuban smoking ban

911 EMERGENCY, HOW CAN I HELP YOU?

This is the phone call that led to the charges against Pierre Pierce

SHOW PREP TODAY

WTF, this is really helpful, TY...ROFLMHO: MSNBC Interactive: Know the lingo

Behold, the power of Wal-Mart: Wal-Mart to Close Union-Targeted Store -- Report

PHOTO OF THE DAY

The search for a jury of his peers will have to go a lot further than they're currently thinking in the Micheal Jackson case...

Oh, Micheal Moore/Ted Kennedy/et.al. take note:

SHOW PREP TODAY

I love this headline, "Gunshot to stomach kills fetus"...they just can't bring themselves to say, "baby" can they? - DesMoinesRegister.com

Singing lawyer described as "nuts"...grounds for a lawsuit? - DesMoinesRegister.com

Hollywood finally makes Iraq movies - USATODAY.com - With America at war, Hollywood follows

Whoops, I think I put some of these on my forms - MSN Money - The 9 weirdest tax write-offs


Cheap and effective Valentine's Day "gifts"...don't read this, honey - Chicago Tribune Kiss money worries goodbye this Valentine's Day

JUST HAD TO POST THIS EMAIL

It came in the mailbag following the discussion about Mercedes-Benz announcing they would offer cloth interiors in all new models following threats of protest by PETA. I've never owned a Benz, so I didn't know that leather was the only option available. PETA people are thrilled. What a bunch of morons. So, here's the email and reply:

Dear Greg,
Are you the one that called PETA
members " insane morons" this morning?
Harold

Yep. You and your other member can protest any time you want. We'll grill hot dogs.

Show prep today:

Ya gotta admit, it sounds like fun: New York Daily News - Home - Out of control at Camp Crazy!
Iowa makes the national news in LA: Exodus of Its Restless Young Makes Iowa Fear for Future
LA makes the news in Iowa: NBC 4 - Family - W. Hollywood Debates Ban On Pet Cosmetic Procedures
Cedar Rapids, Iowa company makes good...er, maybe bad: MSNBC - Ad for GoDaddy too hot to handle
Would love to see the commercials for this company next year: Bottom line means more to this firm

ELECTION COMPLAINTS EMERGE

That's the headline in this mornings Cedar Rapids Gazette (the print version). When I read it, I thought it was a little late since the inauguration was held a couple of weeks ago...but these are complaints about the Iraq election.

Then, I thought these were complaints by Democrats that they held the election and it was successful.

All wrong. Apparently, there are some problems with missing ballots and things...WELL HOLY SCANDAL, BATMAN!!

Somehow, I knew these were coming. The media (and Dems) have moved the goalposts at virtually every sign of success in Iraq. It makes me wonder seriously what side they're on...or if their cynicism really needs to be worked on by a qualified professional mental health therapist. You'd think having 45 people die in bombings would be the source of a complaint or two...but no, now the goalposts have been moved again by the media. Let's get this straight...

1. 8-million people exercised a right they haven't had for more than 60-years.
2. Most walked to the polls amid threats of murder, bombings, and general fear for their lives.
3. There was a larger percentage turnout than the average turnout of voters in the US.

I mean, really...let's see the forest instead of the trees, people. I submit the following as an example:

Kite Festival Claims 13-lives - from Pakistan

They held a freakin' KITE festival in the Middle East. 50-to-60 thousand people participated...and 13 died, 500 injured! From KITE injuries! Yes, the same kites you fly on windy days here in Iowa.

Based on those statistics, people in the Middle East had a higher risk of death and injury from KITES in Pakistan, than they did from participating in the election in Iraq.

That's why I expect tomorrow's headline to read:

MIDDLE EAST INCREASINGLY VIOLENT, EVEN AFFECTS KITE FLYING

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BLOG Users Note:

I have been experimenting with a few new features over the weekend and I think I have all the various bugs worked out. I have a couple more experiments to perform (double blind study) before I make it a regular feature, but things will be very slick...

AUDIO Commentary - Once in a while, I'll include audio versions of a daily post. I'm doing these by phone for now, but in the future I'll be doing these from a studio so the audio quality will improve dramatically. I'll also have an opportunity to post bits and segments of the actual radio show.

PHOTO Captures - Not only personal photos, but some interesting photos people may send along. Some are copywrite, so I'll make sure to note that whenever possible.

EMAIL Posts - Available now, you can mail any post you like to your friends, even your enemies. There's a small envelope icon in the lower right of each daily post that you can click on and send the information to anyone you like.

PROFILE Area - My goofy photo and a few words about me. Click on the photo to see everything on one page.

RECENT Posts - On the lower right hand portion of the site, below the Profile of yours truly, there are highlighted previous posts that you can look at again and again in case you miss something. In addition, the complete archive is available for you to look through...everything since 2003!

CLEANER Look - I'll be re-arranging a few things within the blog itself, listing only a few of the posts each day. For the rest, you'll have to do use the archives or the RECENT Posts area. It just makes it simpler to look through instead of having to scroll through everything to get what you want.

SEARCH Capability - From Google and Blogger, you can now search for posts containing certain information. I'm not entirely done testing this area, but give it a try.

DONATION - There won't be many hard sells for donations, but I've put that segment on the main Welcome page for your convenience. Give if you want...I do this mostly out of my own pocket and for my own entertainment as well as yours. Thank you if you have.

COMMENT On Posts - Go ahead...I don't care. It would be nice to have people use their names, but I understand. It's just not very effective in reaching me if there are 5 or 6 comments all from "anonymous" at the end of one particular posting. Just be clean and try not to be so mean. I don't edit these at all and you can say whatever you want...but if worse comes to worse, I'll have it removed if it gets out of hand. By that, I mean...it takes up server space.

Special thanks to the folks at BLOGGER, and Google for helping make this so much easier for me. I hope you like the changes and updates.

BRAND NEW FEATURE! Now you can hear segments of the show, interesting audio, and some audio commentary.

Enjoy!

STICK IT TO EM

This is a damn funny idea. I wish I had thought of it...and had the money to implement it. I usually don't care for the Academy Awards much...but it would be worth suffering through all the "campaign" speeches by the Hollywood types just to see the looks on their faces from the red carpet when they spot these billboards:

Citizens United - Thank Hollywood for George W. Bush's Re-election!

Oh, by the way. I've changed the site a little bit. I hope you like it. I haven't yet made the debut of the site here in Cedar Rapids listeners. Some might have found the site already, others will begin hearing about it from the radio program soon.

There will be some new features and the entire Greg Alan website will have a new look, new features, and a bunch of other things. It'll take me a while to get everything the way I want it, but in the meantime, enjoy.

SHOW PREP TODAY...

Here's a new little feature I'm going to try out for the next few days. I'll post all of the major articles and news items I'll be using on the program. Of course, you'll have to listen to see what I say about them...and what others say, but at least you'll have some proof when someone challenges you on their authenticity.

FOXNews.com - Eleven Face Charges in Girls' Hoops Riot

Yahoo! News - Bill would draw newbead on graffiti

Urban Legends Reference Pages: Sports (Super Bowl Legends)

DesMoinesRegister.com - Pierre Pierce stuff

Colorado unplugs guide for illegal immigrants - The Washington Times: Nation/Politics - February 02, 2005

CAN'T WAIT FOR TOMORROW...

Just giving you a heads up...

The discussion will be I'm sure very interesting. A quiz, sort of. To see the answer, click the link. Who said the following (key points in bold italics)?:

"...At this time, I recommend the following types of legislation looking to economic security...old-age benefits, including compulsory and voluntary annuities...In the important field of security for our old people, it seems necessary to adopt three principles: First, non-contributory old-age pensions for those who are now too old to build up their own insurance. It is, of course, clear that for perhaps thirty years to come funds will have to be provided by the States and the Federal Government to meet these pensions. Second, compulsory contributory annuities which in time will establish a self-supporting system for those now young and for future generations. Third, voluntary contributory annuities by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age. It is proposed that the Federal Government assume one-half of the cost of the old-age pension plan, which ought ultimately to be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans..."

Want a hint? It will drive liberals wild with rage when they find out.

THE CHATTERING CLASS...or

OPINIONS ARE LIKE A-HOLES...

I have been receiving some very interesting emails...and collectively, I have come to a conclusion. I think I know why the media is biased. It's because they try not to be.

My inspiration today is from LINDA, who sent me the following:

I am a long time listener of WMT Radio in the morning on my way to work and always looked forward to chatter from (the previous host) and his many guests. He always made me smile and I might learn something from his call in contests,etc.

HOWEVER, now I am NOT happy with the Rush Limbaugh want-to-be. Leave the politics at home. You are entitled to your political opinions but please do not push them off on your radio listeners. If we want Rush we can tune in in the afternoon. (Which I do not) Please make the morning drive a happy time and make your listeners smile on the way to work, so they can be in a good mood when they get to where they are headed.

Just my opinion, and probably a lot of others in the Cedar Rapids area. Linda.

There are many things that I dispute. First, the reference to the most popular radio host of all time is flattering, but I don't think it was meant that way. It's more of an easy defense of a difficult position to be in...the minority of viewpoints. Or, it's a way of deflecting a political viewpoint that Linda has that she knows to be incorrect. Those with facts, defend...those with none, attack. Second, the previous host was a well known Democrat and/or progressive...I know, because he told me so. That doesn't immediately destroy her argument, but it certainly causes me to be suspect. In further correspondence with Linda, I have since learned that he "never expressed his opinion over the air" - which I will deal with later in today's post. It's not the opinion she's concerned about...it's the KIND of opinion. Third, note the concern she has for other listeners...and the implied threat of a mass of people I am not making happy in the morning. While it's a topic for another day, it's interesting how protective she is in her belief that others need to be happy. It's the same cradle-to-grave condescending attitude we get from our liberal politicians. They need to be protected from opinion because it might cause them to get an upset tummy, I guess. Balderdash. It reinforces my view that Linda is a little unsure of her own opinion being popular...the threat of something else causes so many problems! Eee gads!

Now, to my conclusion. She mentioned to me in a follow-up email that the previous host had an opinion, but didn't express it over the air. Of course, I know for a fact that this isn't true because I've spoken to him. He also wrote a column for the local paper. What was that other than opinion? How does someone not express an opinion? More specifically to Linda...how do you know he had an opinion without him expressing it? What was it?

Opinions are like **sholes, everyone has one. I'm not going to hide or suppress my opinion. It's not natural to most people...I'd rather be honest about what I think than attempt some silly, produced, and micromanaged balance. I don't pretend to be a journalist...never have. I do a radio show. That's it. People can listen or not...my success is determined by how many do...not how many agree or disagree with me. Any journalist that tells you they don't have an opinion and they can keep it out of their news coverage is telling you a bunch of crap. Don't pee on my leg and tell me it's raining. If the professional journalists are so un-biased, then how come the complaints? From both sides. That doesn't indicate fairness, by the way. If you hold up a colored card in the room and half of the people tell you it's black, and half tell you it's white...it still doesn't tell me what color the card is.

The other day, I was repulsed by a person who stole a tip off of a table at a restaurant I was at...I said so. That was my opinion and I made my anger at this jerk well known. I had some emails in support of the person...and many more against (many of them waitresses who couldn't thank me enough for replacing the tip that was stolen). A few more people thought it was bad enough behavior to cause them to leave an extra tip, or pay special attention to their waitress next time they eat out. In Linda's world, all of them would have been treated the same and with the same balance. Equal time, and understanding of everyone's viewpoint...blech. Or is it only political views that should be censored?

So, the media is biased because they have the same kind of attitude Linda does. In their efforts to protect the public from being too angry (or being too angry at them), they attempt balance. But balance being impossible, they think they can overcome the natural urge to express themselves and they become elitists. The arbiters of the truth, they say. And anyone that questions their skills had better look at their diploma on the wall from XYZ University, dammit!

Little 'ole me comes along...and blows the whole thing up by being honest about their views. I came out of the closet, so to speak. And they can't afford to come out...and after a while, the four walls of the closet become all they know.

But that's my opinion.