cbs radio has decided that it would be a good idea to change the identity of its rock/alternative music station in the phoenix metro (phx) area to an fm version of talk radio. i've got to tell you… as much as i love the garrulous rants of pious shock jockeys, i've had enough.

a program caught my ear as i was driving home from work. i listened for a few minutes as the host of the show persistently berated an individual that had dared to question his authority on a topic. this caller was succeeded by a barrage of sycophants offering up verbal adulation as if there were a prize for best ass-kisser – all the while trying to avoid the fate of the previous caller.

if this weren't bad enough, the topic of the show was pregnancy among the young or impoverished. the host – and callers – were determined that women choosing to have a baby out of wedlock or without proper preparation should have their motives questioned. callers recommended that the women use all forms of birth control to avoid getting pregnant. i can't argue with that advice; it would be better to abstain for sex. after the following statement i could no longer listen, in fact i was almost driven to call in to the show if i didn't fear a malevolent reaction on the part of the host. the host suggested that if a woman became pregnant and didn't meet his criteria by which he considered them “worthy” of carrying a baby, they should have an abortion. he stated this so matter-of-factly that it made it seem like that was the only viable solution to the “problem”. when in fact, there are thousands of couples that are unable to have children and would love to adopt a child. the host suggested that bringing up a child without the proper preparation is equivalent to child abuse because of the strain put on the child, but then he had the audacity to suggest that the child be exterminated.

there are two problems that i see with this. first… i agree that in some instances, a child is raised in a poor environment as a result of the parents lack of planning. this may in some instances equate to neglect or even abuse, but since when is death a better option?! especially since there are loving families willing to adopt or foster a child…

second, abortion leaves a feeling of inconsequence with the former mother-to-be. if a mother learns that she can kill her baby rather than go through the gestation and birthing process, why would she change her lifestyle to avoid pregnancy? it's ridiculous to expect that she would…

so i've decided to boycott the cbs radio affiliate in the phx area. however, it's more than just the fact that they don't play good music, or really any music at all anymore.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 16th, 2006 at 11:56 am and is filed under Rants. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.