http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1075553889180581.xml"It was a match worthy of World Wrestling Entertainment. In this corner, one mild-mannered, wordy academic; in the other, Kevin Mannix's minister of information, the pistol-packing Godzilla of Portland talk radio, Lars Larson.
It was the fall of 2001. I was a visiting professor at Duke University. A Portland radio show wanted someone to explain the new policy of trying foreign terrorists in front of military commissions. I boned up on the topic and called in at the appointed time.
"You're on the air with Lars Larson," said a voice. Then another -- it sounded like God on steroids -- boomed, "So Professor Epps, what do you think of the Portland Police Department refusing to cooperate in the war on terror?" At least, I think that's what he said. My life, to coin a phrase, passed in front of my eyes. "I don't know anything about it," I managed to croak. "Oh, that's no problem," said the Voice. "See, what happened was -- " -- "I really can't comment," I said. "We can talk about military commissions, or I can hang up."
The next day, the producer called again. "Lars wants you back," she said. OK, I answered -- but this time I really do need to know what he wants to talk about. I've never heard from him again. Since then, whenever I hear some high-testosterone right-wing radio host thrashing a tongue-tied liberal, I wonder whether the match was fixed from the start. Did they even tell the victim what the show would be about?"
by GARRETT EPPS
http://www.oregonlive.com/commentary/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/editorial/1075553889180581.xml
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
