Speaking Freely About Stern

Re “Peril in the Air for Bush: Howard Stern,” by Jody Rosen, Commentary, April 28: Howard Stern is much more than a juvenile blowhard with a penchant for scatological humor. Rosen nailed it on the head when he stated that Stern “punctures the phoniness of so much media chatter.” The fact that Stern does so with a brand of humor that offends a few people is much of his appeal to educated, white man-children like me.

Like Stern, I can vote Republican just as easily as Democrat, but the religious tenor of the Bush administration is alarming. And though I care a great deal about the welfare of our troops, I can’t help but be frightened of President Bush getting a second term if the war in Iraq were to suddenly go well, as unlikely as that seems right now. How many more wars will Bush start under false pretenses? How many more statues will Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft cover up in the name of decency? How many more secret energy cabals will Vice President Dick Cheney assemble? Just don’t take away our Howard! Be afraid ... be very afraid.

Todd Koerner

Hermosa Beach

*

Rosen relates that Stern is convinced that he is the victim of a witch hunt originated by fundamental Christians. Oh, gag me. And as one continues to read the whole article, it seems that Rosen agrees with him. To this day, Stern has yet to provide evidence of the so-called witch hunt.

What Stern and Rosen fail to see is that besides the possible fines by the Federal Communications Commission, the other major reason Clear Channel dropped him was because of the large number of complaints from his own listeners. Mr. Rosen, people who don’t agree with Stern have just as much right to voice their views as Stern does.

It is true that if you don’t like what you’re hearing on the radio or watching on TV you should just change stations. But what happens when every station starts being raunchy because no one speaks up and it’s good for revenue? Sorry, Mr. Rosen, if Stern really wants to see who’s responsible for his troubles with Clear Channel, let him look in the mirror.

Frank Dayton

Hesperia