Okay, let's see if I'm following you this time. Are you assuming that all talk radio is intended to raise blood pressure?

No. I was assuming we were talking about Rush and Rush-like programming. I had to do this because this is the only right-wing radio programming that I have ever sampled. If I am mistaken about what you mean, then I apologize and urge you to set me straight on this point.

If, on the other hand, you are willing to let me go on and use Rush as a model for the sort of programming we are talking about, then I stand by every word I said. The Rush that I have sampled was mainly devoted to severe criticism of Rush's opponents. It had a gleeful, gloating tone. [I could be mislead by a statistical fluke, here. I haven't listened to Rush more than two handfuls of times, over the years.]

Whether as you say this sort of programming was deliberately designed to raise bloodpressure or not, I can't say and don't really care. It's not what we were talking about. What is pertinent is that folks on the right who tune in can be assured that several times during the show they will have the urge to shake their fist and shout "Right on!".

But then according to your theory, wouldn't a nice, quiet, progressive program appeal to the kinder, gentler liberals and thus be successful?

I think most of us are listening to music and to NPR. I'm perfectly happy with what I listen to. I'm not on a quest for "liberal" programming.

You missed the point. What I was pointing out is that the left-wing commentator, protesters, etc. have been conducting themselves in a hostile and aggressive manner at least as likely to raise the blood pressure of their target audience as the most abrasive conservative talk show host.

I don't dispute it.

Are they mistaken in doing this? Maybe they're missing their nice, quiet target liberal audience this way? Maybe you should let them know.

I don't know, Tom. Two possibilities:

1) These folks really are pulling in significant audiences. If so, then your initial premise was invalid. And this is one of the silliest debates I've ever had.

2) These folks are not read or listened to by significant numbers (except for you and the right wing commentators, of course). If so, who cares what they do or say (except for you and the right wing commentators, of course)????