Saturday, August 19, 2006

KTRH radio - no longer Houston's news source


Someone had commented to me the other day that KTRH had switched to a news-talk host in the early afternoon who was pretty awful. It was also mentioned on the BAND blog. I finally was in my car when he was on and it was awful. Not only loud and opinionated, not only abysmally stupid, Joe seemed to love being rude and insulting to callers.

In the first short time I listened, Joe Pags discussed the controversy over the definition of a planet. Could be a good topic - right? He had a fundamentalist Evangelist he gave the most time to who said planets proved God made the universe and evolution is wrong because when rocks collide together they don't form in the shape of balls. At the conclusion Joe praised the caller and said, "I agree completely with everything you said."

Is Houston's information source now to be represented by someone who must have flunked science, not even high school science but the lower grades? Someone who has no ideas how planets form? Is this going to be a voice on the premier news radio station for the NASA area?

I messed with my radio awhile and switched stations. The volume control has gone out and it often loses the sound and it takes a bit of twisting and pulling to get it back.

When I switched back it was on to history. Topic was now displaying the 10 Commandments in and by courthouses. Joe was for it because to do otherwise is to deny our nation's early history. We were settled by Christians fleeing persecution in Europe. There was no mention of the early American history of fighting for religious freedom, of the early state-supported religions being replaced by the doctrine of the separation of church and state. No mention of the religious matyrs and the statesmen who expanded freedom. There is an entire chapter of expanding religious freedom covered in high school American history books he seemed to have never heard of. Joe's intolerance toward callers went on full display toward callers asking for tolerance and respect for other people's religions. He hung up on the calls, "you're outa here," while insulting them.

KTRH has been one of the moderate voices in Houston even with the conservative Chris Baker who follows Joe's show. Other liberals may disagree but I don't mind Paul Harvey's often mistaken folksy history. I don't mind stations showcasing people with whom I disagree. KTRH even broadcasts the liberal Ed Schultz show in the evenings, when it is not preempted by sports.

I think the ignorance and insults and rudeness to callers displayed on Joe Pags' show is not in keeping with the fine tradition of the radio station I turn to for facts.

Contact info for the station is here.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Amen Brothr!!!!!

Keep The Rightwingers Here! KTRH.

The station is an insult to anyone listening with a brain.

Kevin Whited said...

Ya'll are certainly entitled to criticize the station for its political orientation if you want, but I think it's more insulting to Houston listeners that a powerhouse HOUSTON news station like KTRH is putting out Joe Pags to talk about "local" issues, when the guy lives in the San Antonio area and does a talk radio show on San Antonio news in the mornings on that city's Clear Channel blowtorch.

Whatever the guy's politics, it seems to me that Houston listeners are getting shortchanged on this deal (and are being played for fools, since there's never any indication on KTRH that Joe Pags splits time talking "local" issues in two distinct markets). I wasn't a Duncan fan, but at least she genuinely knew Houston and could talk about our city knowledgeably.

Gary said...

So a member of the Houston conservative blogverse doesn't mind his tone and his ignorance but objects he's not from Houston.

Way to keep those priorities straight.

I also said this was not a particularly political objection - they already have conservative hosts. Joe Pigs is just extremely ignorant and rude.

Kevin Whited said...

So a member of the Houston conservative blogverse doesn't mind his tone and his ignorance but objects he's not from Houston.

Way to keep those priorities straight.


No, friend, I offered up a reason that *I* don't think he's a great addition to KTRH. I didn't say your reason sucks, or that I agree or disagree with the reason(s) expressed in the post and in the comments. Why assume I'm attacking you, and automatically go into Rottweiler mode?

I wasn't attacking you. I didn't hear the segments you are referencing, so I'm afraid I really can't comment on them or your perspective on them one way or the other. Sorry!

Gary said...

I don't think pointing out priorities is an attack. Sorry you took it that way.

I am glad we have something we can agree on - getting Joe Pags was a mistake.