Don't Say That! (On Talk Radio)

I listen to "talk radio" (no, not Dr. Laura and not Rush Limbaugh!), and after years of simply rolling my eyes, grimacing, and shaking my head at the opening words of the average caller, I now present examples of What Not to Say:

Hello, thank you for taking my call! Long time listener, first time caller! Oh, I need to turn my radio off? Hold on for just a minute then; sorry! I'm back now. You don't want me on speakerphone? Okay; there. Can you hear me? Hello, how are you? Beautiful weather here; yesterday it was spitting rain and grey, and my weatherman Carl on Channel 4 says tomorrow it will be 90 degrees and humid -- it's not the heat, it's the humidity! I was telling the girl who answers your phone -- she's really very sweet, you should pay her more! -- how much I love your show! You are my favorite host since Merv Griffin! Remember that show you did two and a half years ago on another subject? By the way, are you related to the Smithtown Joneses by any chance? Well, my mother said to say hi and that she just loves you! I know I'm supposed to make this brief, so I just have three quick questions, and then after that I'll have a little followup. I forget your guest's name -- what was her name again? No, that other lady! How do you spell that? Is that a Russian name? Small world, my neighbors down the block came from Russia! Anyway, first I have to give you a bit of background information. Back in 1982 -- or was it '83? I know it was the year of the awful flood in the dinky town to the south. . . What? You have to move on? But I didn't get to ask my questions!

Bear in mind that on radio talk shows you may be allowed only a few seconds to voice your question or comment. But at least that means less time for all this inanity!

Burqas Not Welcome in France

President Sarkozy of France addressed Parliament on June 22nd and spoke out boldly in favor of banning the burqa there. The black or blue, tent-like garment is frequently worn by Muslim women in Islamic countries to maintain modesty and prevent triggering sexual desire in men.

The burqa covers the wearer so completely that surely she is unrecognizable. With the most extreme forms of this attire only the woman's eyes and the bridge of her nose may be visible, as well as her hands and shoes. Such a covering can be hazardous when crossing a busy street because it restricts the field of vision. All individuality is forfeited, and the women so dressed put me in mind of the unfortunate "Elephant Man," the Englishman Joseph Merrick, who sometimes resorted to covering his face in public to avoid frightening or offending others during the latter 1800s.

I agree with Sarkozy that the burqa is not religious expression, it is the subjugation of women who should be liberated from this ugly imposition that can't help but erode their spirits and sense of worth.

Here are some of President Sarkozy's words --

It is a question of freedom and of women’s dignity.

We cannot accept in our country women imprisoned behind bars, cut off from social life, deprived of identity.

The burqa is not a religious sign, it's a sign of subservience, a sign of debasement -- I want to say it solemnly. It will not be welcome on the territory of the French Republic.