On Sports Radio

As some of you know, I am a political animal.  This aspect of my nature was on full display during the recent Presidential contest, but readers got only a glimpse into the sickness with which I was aflicted.

I am also a defense consultant, with my clients located mostly 75 miles (at least) away.  I spend a good deal of time in my car, with the radio or (some of you) on my cell phone as my company.  For the vast majority of the past six months, I listened to two radio stations on Satellite Radio--Politics of the US (POTUS) and Patriot (Conservative).  I would switch between the two, when POTUS (which tries to go down the middle but often fails) veered too far left, and when the red meat guys on Patriot went over the edge.

This practice left me exhausted.  I find it difficult to listen to either now.  My sense of dread and fatalism tells me we made our bed, now it is time to lie in it.

So I've changed my listening habits (note to self:  buy new Teaching Company Courses, pass old ones to Mudge) and I've become a great fan of ESPN radio.  The thing I love about it is that there is the same KIND of conflict found in politics (for instance, whether Kobe Bryant's 30K points makes him one of the top 5 players of all time, or even the best Laker--or whether the Jets should start Sanchez, McElroy or Tebow)--accompanied by analysis of guys who really know their stuff.  What is MISSING from this equation is even an ounce of give a damn on my part.  I have no dog in these fights, and so I listen to them in bemusement, sometimes take a position based on whatever vestigial knowledge I have, but rarely, if ever, CARE.  It is delightful.  I am renewed. 

I find myself thinking that there must be a great number of Americans who look at politics the same exact way.  What lucky people they are.