Jackson Free Press

"Last week the Jackson Free Press had an interesting article in there where the editor was lamenting the fact that 'hey, you know Lefties are religious, too,' and she was going on and on, and this is Donna Ladd was going on and on about how she was religious and how she respects Buddha and all these other folks, well that's fine and good—and we as Christians, we respect those other religions, too, that's how they were able to flourish here in America.

"The founding fathers allowed them to flourish here with the documents that were created, and so if anybody has extended the hand of religious tolerance to the people of the world, it's been Christians, and it's been Christians here in America. And so when we hear all this about Christians being intolerant, these people just don't know their history, and they're actually drilling holes in the boat that brought them over. And so I would just encourage Donna Ladd—I mean, you guys, you can say what you want but at the end of the day there was only one entity threw up the sun, moon and stars, it wasn't Buddha and it wasn't all of these other folks, it was our Lord and savior. Now we can sit back and quibble about it, but we'll see on the day of judgment."
— WJNT radio talker Kim Wade,
Dec. 20, 2004
(taped transcript)

Mr. Wade is referring to the editor's note, "The Great American Experiment" (Dec. 9-15, 2004) that calls to task people who say that Democrats and other non-conservatives are "anti-religious." The column, in fact, praises the founding fathers for creating a tolerant America where the government does not promote one religion and, thus, squelch freedom of religion for all. The JFP invited Mr. Wade to clarify his comments, but he refused, stating that the Free Press would "misrepresent him," even though we offered to print the dialogue in strict question-and-answer format with no commentary whatsoever. The invitation still stands; we urge Mr. Wade to call 362-6121 ext. 2 to set up an interview.

Previous Commentsshow

Amusing, really, considering that Wade reaches two or three times the listeners in one afternoon that the JFP reaches in one weekly press run of readers. I've heard him extend you an invitation on the air numerous times since you blew into town to be a guest on his program. There is no burning need for him to go down market. An interview in the JFP doesn't buy him anything. Kim Wade is certainly not the one ducking.

TC Stein

Jan 6 2005

Actually, Mr. Wade is a whole lot more obsessed with the JFP than the other way around. After I was asked the first time to be on the show, I listened for about 10 minutes, and it was so nonsensical that I wouldn't waste my time on it. I don't care how many listeners he has.

DonnaLadd

Jan 6 2005

Who said anything about being obsessed? Sounds like this is a touchy subject for the JFP. Since you launched in 2002 Kim Wade has spent less than .1% of his air time grinding any JFP grist. Some might find it odd that you claim to not care, and he's the one obsessed, but yet you're running a story about not getting respect. Of course, I don't find it odd at all. ;-)

TC Stein

Jan 6 2005

It's not touchy at all; the level of obsession with us over there tickles me. I don't listen to the show, but I do know how many times he or someone who works with him has tried to get me on the show, even though I expressely said I wasn't interested after listening to it. Move on, guys. We don't care. ;-) We simply quoted the dude because he made some rather circular-argument comments about us and judgment day. We think it's friggin' hilarious, and suspect others will, too!

DonnaLadd

Jan 6 2005

I was listening that night. And I guess it's the way he dumped all us JFP'ers together in a "those people" manner. I also remember him stating that the JFP supports "queers and homosexuals" using such contempt in his voice. It was just the snideness of the conversation I found hilarious. Yes Kim. I'll see you on judgement day. No worries there. When I relayed what I had heard (and you had to really hear the whole segment to get truly understand the trash) to a friend of mine he simply said, "If you've got radio trashing you, keep up the good work!"

emilyb

Jan 6 2005

Kim Wade is a buffoon. His view of the world, and this state, and especially this city, is so small-minded that it makes the hour that he's on the air almost as enjoyable for me as This American Life. For completely different reasons, of course. He makes continual claims that those of us who didn't support George W. Bush must hate America and our troops and especially God. Sure, whatever. I know what I know and I don't care if small-minded people want to parrot that line over and over. I voted for Kerry, but I don't go around talking about how much I hate this country. I will say this, though: Kim Wade, based on what he says on the air every afternoon from 5-6pm, must surely HATE JACKSON. I've never heard anyone with such a public platform actually thrive on bashing the city where he lives. Wait, does he even LIVE in Jackson? Hmmmm.... Ok. I've wasted enough time at work discussing this silly little man. I just realized I might have just posted my very first ad hominem attack!!! take it down if need be. he deserves it, though, for slinging so much mud and hate on people like me every day.

Jay

Jan 7 2005

I can only add I have never heard of the guy and will be happy to avoid that opportunity! meanwhile, does anyone know, is Amy Goodman's Democracy Now played on any local station? thank Goddess for the internet.

sunshine

Jan 7 2005

p.s. speaking of Democracy Now, (not relevant to the thread but forgive me), you can go there and get a great streaming video of yesterday's Rep. Jones/Sen. Boxer brave effort . didn't know where else to say this!

sunshine

Jan 7 2005

is there a place online to get the transcrpit? i'd love to read what he had to say

Philip

Jan 7 2005

Philip, I'm sorry I didn't answer this sooner. Didn't see it. I don't think there's a written transcript; my intern Kit got a tape of the show from the station and transcribed this part. The tape certainly was a sort of amusement among the interns emeritus! ;-) They should publish transcripts, though. I think these talk folks think they can say anything they want, and it goes down the memory holeóand it usually does. Unlike actual journalists, they're not held accountable for errors in fact or logic; they just think everyone forgets what they say immediately and just remembers the vitriol -- which is probably true. When's the last time you heard one of them make a correction? While doing research on various issues, I've run into transcripts of Bill O'Reilly's show, and Rush's, on Nexis and such. When you read them in print, you realize that they are both truly buffoons, to use Jay's favorite ad hominem descriptor. I mean, just read the comments above about us and try to follow the logic in it. It *must* be a joke. Nothing this silly could be meant to be taken seriously. I'm still trying to figure out just what boat I was drilling holes in! But, instead of pondering that too long, I think I'll go have another Sam Adams.

DonnaLadd

Jan 11 2005

Ladd wrote: Unlike actual journalists, they're not held accountable for errors in fact or logic __________________________________ Wait. Are journalists being held accountable for that these days? Maybe I should start reading the newspaper again. In all seriousness... I've lived in Jackson for many years, and I've never heard of Kim Wade. His commentary is one of the funniest things I've read in a long time, though.

original sinema

Jan 12 2005

Giggle, sinema. OK, good point. However, print journalists are held *more* accountable because there's a record of what we write. And, frankly, I tend to realize our errors that we run corrections on (like an editing error we correct his week that TC Stein pointed out), because someone e-mails us or posts it on the Web site. I love that, if it's actually an error. We're more credible if we correct our errors. However, talk radio isn't about that. It tends to be about angry rhetoric, sound and fury, signifying nothing. Yeah, we ran his commentary because it was so funny. Glad you enjoyed it.

DonnaLadd

Jan 12 2005

Donna, I most certainly was not referring to you and the JFP. You're one of the good guys. I was thinking more of that circulars-with-a-few-crime-stories rag downtown or even the Grey Lady with its unchallenged "facts" reported by Judith Miller and the like. I've been surprised at the amount of reality-challenged rhetoric that has flowed directly from the mouths of politicians onto the pages of the so-called mainstream newspapers. The run up to the Iraq War and the current (misleading) stories about Bush's Social Security Phase-Out Plan are two prime examples. And don't EVEN get me started on television news...

original sinema

Jan 12 2005

i had almost forgotten about this thread. re-reading my post from the other day, i want to clarify what i was saying. yes, mr. wade attacks those who don't tow his ultra-religious conservative-republican views. but, in doing so, he makes so many strange, circular, and cliched slams that the end product is pure comedy. anyone who listens and nods in affirmation at the gibberish that comes out of this man's mouth could be deemed a menace to society. or, at best, another buffoon. i'll take All Things Considered any day, thank you very much. (which reminds me... if these slash-and-burn senators start hollerin' about cutting the budget for MPB this go-around, my daggers will be drawn. find something else to cut, guys. or start a damn lottery, for crying out loud!) ok. off the soapbox and back to work.

Jay

Jan 12 2005

I didn't think you were, sinema. But thanks for the clarification and the plug anyway. ;-) I'm with you all the way.

DonnaLadd

Jan 12 2005

or start a damn lottery, for crying out loud! Hopefully you are just frustrated because more gambling isn't going to solve a cotton pickin' thing. The state level mismatch between expenses and revenues is major and systemic. A lottery would only be more of the same short term thinking that got us into the pickle we're facing today. If my choice is a lottery or watching a few less hours of Gene Edwards interview his 417th author I'll vote to live without the interviews. Lotteries nationwide are failures never delivering to the advance billing nor for the supposed beneficiaries. That is a 'Me To' idea our state would be wise to avoid.

Proud To Be Right

Jan 12 2005