During my commute to work and school everyday I tune into a local talk radio station (News Talk 100, "The Big Talker"). This morning a situation erupted on the air and had the entire station under lockdown, the hosts calling to check on their families, and the authorities were contacted as a result of seven words.

The topic this morning was dangerous drivers, and which generation posed the greatest threat to motorists. Dave (the co-host) expressed his opinion that senior citizens are a great threat to fellow drivers because of impaired vision, hearing, and delayed reaction time. During his argument he regarded to senior citizens (jokingly) as "Q-Tips". The statement was widely overlooked by most and nobody gave it a second glance, or so was thought. After a commercial break a man called in IRATE as a result of Dave's comment, saying that is was very disrespectful of the elderly and he took it as an offensive remark toward his own mother. The conversation became hostile and the guest was quoted; "I oughtta put a bullet in ya". This was followed by the caller being cut off, police, warrants, rants on the air about threats, and just a general up-roar of opinions from many different callers and radio station employees.

I know in a post 9-11 society threats need to be taken very seriously, but I don't know if I would have reacted in the same way to the situation. Dave called his wife and then got police to go to her place of work and stand outside the doors to protect her. I understand being scared for her safety, but I think if they would have dropped it from the beginning and went on about their business, everything would have continued as normal. What do you think??

May The Force Be With You All!!
CJ Woliver
(There...my first non-Star Wars entry!)