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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Fringe Callers, Hosts Detract From Talk Radio

Talk radio is starting to eat its own: KXLY-AM’s Jim Bickel quit this week after a female caller accused him of impregnating her. The accusation was nonsense, but some of Bickel’s listeners believed her! Talk radio attracts loony tunes such as Bickel’s tormenter because it allows anonymous callers to say anything they want. In fact, fringe hosts encourage such rhetoric. Ex-Watergate felon G. Gordon Liddy, for example, has discussed his genitalia size and recommends that youngsters in dangerous inner-city schools pack firearms. Talk radio often is entertaining, therapeutic (for disenfranchised conservatives) and informative. But the industry must do more to screen out crazies - on both ends of the phone line.

Sandpoint council: Let them eat cake!

Marie Antoinette would have served cake. But the Sandpoint City Council offered only a dial tone and Little Orphan Annie eyes to residents who showed up en masse to support the acclaimed Festival at Sandpoint. Instead, the council voted 5-1 to evict the festival from its traditional waterfront setting in three years. Said Councilman Ray Miller: “When you find a compromise nobody likes, it’s probably the right one.” Not this time, Ray. By caving in to an unhappy minority, the council could chase off the community’s biggest annual attraction. That doesn’t make sense. But Marie Antoinette arrogantly ignored the rabble, too - until she saw the guillotine. For Mayor Ron Chaney and three council members, the day of reckoning comes this November.

‘The Tool Man’ for president?

Apparently, Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor is more relevant than President Clinton. ABC and NBC opted for their own programming instead of Clinton’s declaration of relevancy Tuesday night. ABC’s “Home Improvement” won the ratings game with a rerun that involves Tim belching, breaking wind and dousing a romantic mood with wife Jill. After talking to neighbor Wilson, however, Tim bounced back to win Jill’s affection before the credits began to roll. Too bad the president doesn’t have a neighbor like Wilson.

I am relevant, I am relevant, I am …

But who am I to say President Clinton is irrelevant? A national poll shows only 19 percent of Americans have faith in the media, compared with 15 percent for federal government. The military (57 percent) and organized religion (56 percent) led the parade of six national institutions. But I’m not worried. The media will place higher when pollsters include lawyers. And snake-oil salesmen.