Forgetting that he himself is a third-rate talk show host (and not, say, a rocket scientist, or a law professor, or a medical doctor, etc), conservative radio personality Mike Gallagher joins Ted Rall in branding bloggers “geeky losers in their basements cranking out crap on a computer,” confiding to his audience that he is “worried about this trend of legitimizing bloggers.” Chief among blogging’s faults? “Anybody can do it.”
Whereas for a conservative radio talk show host like Mr Gallagher—even though he’s essentially delivering the same material covered by blogs (albeit in truncated form, and in a less timely fashion)—he has to do it aloud. Which, that’s where the professionalism comes in.
As Blogworthy notes:
I take it that Mike Gallagher is not much of a free market individualist, nor does he trust the restraining effect of competition in the marketplace.
Well, that and he seems to think that a polished speaking voice and the ability to hit a kill switch while wearing headphones and eating Little Caesar’s Crazy bread is a prerequisite to have your opinions considered in the public square.
AS A CITIZEN JOURNALIST I FART IN MIKE GALLAGHER’S GENERAL DIRECTION!
And another thing: JUST WAIT UNTIL CONSERVATIVE RADIO TALK SHOW HOST HUGH HEWITT HEARS ABOUT THIS!
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via Jeff Blogworthy; h/t Hundredpercenter.
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update: More here, from Slant Point. And for what it’s worth? I could care less what Mike Gallagher thinks. I have no doubt he was making a calculated—and possibly even orchestrated—play for controversy. But as I’ve noted before, I’m a giver. Enjoy, Mike!
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update 2: Jeff Blogworthy has posted the AUDIO on his site.
Meanwhile, more reaction from Smarter Cop and Basil’s Blog.
I love Gallagher’s watermelon smashing standup bit. He’s got a radio show now?
JW – heh.
Jeff, Gallagher has long been a complete moron. His show is about as listenable as Al Franken’s. Before the local conservative radio swapped him out to its retarded cousin sister frequency, I had to turn on the business report in the morning to avoid having my blood pressure peak on my morning commute.
He’s upped the ante, Robin.
Uri Geller is the one who smashes watermelons. With bent spoons. Remember?
All these “real journalists” sure have their panties in a wad over blogs. Perhaps if they are looking for someone to give a rip about their approval they should try Sally Field.
”…local conservative radio swapped him out to its retarded cousin sister frequency,”
Try telling that to Mr. Rather.
Lol! Yes, and his mother was a hamster and his father smelt of elderberries!
How about we initiate a scalp-swap with the leftwingers. We’ll trade them the low-profile scalp of Gannon, for the high profile scalp of Gallagher. That way, we all win.
As I’m wondering if the recent circle-jerk criticism meme didn’t start from someone reading one of my comments here at pw and the title of this post is my old nom de plume, I just gotta comment here.
At some point, talented bloggers are going to have to start with a preface like, “Yes, the vast majority of bloggers aren’t particularly talented. Just like any field.”
What it comes down to for me is that when I’m thinking about the three or four blogs I really like, there just isn’t anyone in the print or radio community that compares favorably.
So, are the majority of bloggers crappy navel-gaving circle-jerkers? Sure. But, big deal, you just described the majority of human beings as well.
But tell me who they have in their line-up that compares to someone like you? The closest they had just shot himself and hadn’t been particularly prolific or insightful for years anyway.
Personally, I don’t judge a baseball organization by the performance of their farm team. I judge it on the performance of the top team they can field for the majors. When you look at it like that, the blogs look pretty damn good.
Wasn’t Gallagher’s 15 minutes of fame related to his filling in a couple of times for Sean Hannity on H&C? I just know when Colmes is pimpslapping you, maybe you need a new line of work.
You’re right, Jeff. Somebody needs to give Hugh some pie and a 4 pack of Red Bull. CHARGE!
Jeff – don’t waste your money on a computer; computers are for “geeky losers in their basements.” What you need is a Teleprompter. All the cool citizen journalists are getting them.
Oh, and you’ll also need a broadcast network, a gaggle of minions, and an 8-figure salary. Be sure to get those too. Then and only then will you be allowed to share your thoughts with the world. (I think it’s the 8-figure salary that legitimizes your viewpoints, the rest are just perks)
one time i heard gallagher talking about “gallagher’s army,” which made me think it was probably 6 or 7 overweight, middle-aged, white guys without wives or girlfriends…
I’m still amazed that a semi-popular talk show host from Greenville, SC could get a national syndication like Gallagher. As a citizen of Greenville, I apoligize for foisting this guy into your car radios. (On the bright side, he’s not from here).
He is by far, the most unintelligent and least informed talk show host in national synidication today (and that includes Randy Rhodes and other AirAmerica hosts).
Mike Gallagher is by far my favorite talk show host.
Listening to him is a boon to mental health and self-esteem. After hearing him spout for a while I easily feel as smart as Albert freaking Einstein.
I think the blog critics are missing the point.
Yes, 99% of blogs are one or more of (1) erraticly posted (2) badly written (3) irresponsibly speculative (4) crap.
But there are 5,000,000 blogs, which means if you just take the top 1%, you’ve got 50,000. Take the top 1% of those, and you’ve got 500. Those blogs are the cream of the crop, and filter the interesting stuff up from the blogs the rest of us don’t have time to read.
Free speech, anybody can do it. There otta be a law.
I think Gallagher has his own blog but you have to pay to view it. He’s just jealous.
He’s right, though. Anyone can start a blog. I don’t crank out stuff from the basement, though. I have my own office to do it in.
Thanks for the link!
I don’t think Hewitt will be taking Gallagher to task over this—they’re stablemates with Salem radio.