In a “Breaking Praise Report” sent via e-mail today, Exodus says:
Greetings!
During this historic season of gay rights legal victories, Exodus has been called upon by the world to add its redemptive voice to the heated debate concerning homosexuality
New friendship emerges on the air waves
While the Lord has seen fit to offer Exodus unprecedented media opportunities one of our favorites is the growing friendship we are enjoying with Janet Parshall of Janet Parshall’s America; a nationally syndicated radio program that reaches millions each day. Since early summer Alan Chambers has been delighted to join Janet on 6 occasions to address various aspects of homosexuality. He has grown to appreciate Janet’s courage, honesty and willingness to do the hard work of finding the balance between public policy and biblical compassion.
The praise report proceeds to advertise an appearance Oct. 22 by Mr. Chambers on Ms. Parshall’s radio program.
The “praise report” says Exodus “has been called upon by the world” — no doubt an attempt at humor.
Ms. Parshall’s show is syndicated by the for-profit Salem Radio Network on only 109 low-rated (but profitable) conservative talk-radio stations. Exodus appears unable or unwilling to appear on politically non-partisan radio shows that would appeal to a diverse or balanced audience — Christian or otherwise. Instead, Exodus has established a solid broadcasting alliance with a longtime spokeswoman of the Family Research Council.
Exodus concludes:
In media it is hard to find a message that represents both the heart and mind of Christ clearly. Janet Parshall does so not only with eloquence but with balance.
But Ms. Parshall does not claim to represent balance in public policy, and in terms of balancing policy and “Biblical compassion,” even conservatives find her culture-war rhetoric uncompassionate.
Google finds numerous examples of Ms. Parshall, her guests, and her hosts engaging in namecalling against “liberals” (non-conservatives), who are presumed to be anti-Christian. Indeed, her reactionary and inflammatory rhetoric helped earn FRC disfavor among mainstream conservatives. Subsequently, during Kenneth Connor’s brief tenure at FRC, the organization sought to broaden and soften its image.
Exodus is unlikely to find the “heart and mind of Christ,” or credibility among the public, in partisan affirmations of political venom. It will, of course, find allies — but limited financial support — among reactionary groups that are determined to destroy the Big Tent of the GOP.
Janet Parshall isn’t the only one to claim things about herself that are clearly not true. As a talk-show junkie, there are actually a couple of hosts on the Salem-run KTLA that I enjoy listening to, and during the recent California recall, I had the opportunity to hear James Dobson shilling for Tom McClintock. One of his comments made me laugh out loud: “I very rarely get involved in partisan politics…” Yeah, right. And I’m the Queen of England. I also noticed the very sly disclaimer in the ad: “Please know that I am speaking as a private citizen, and not for any organization.” Yeah, don’t want to endanger any your non-profit status, even though the intent is clear. Talk about following the letter of the law. Hmm… how appropriate.
How to lie with statistics.
The radio stations on which Parshall is syndicated reach millions of listeners. Oh, yeah, right. Their signal coverage might reach millions of potential listeners, if more than a few of them want to put up with the interference that usually comes from being on the far fringes of the signal’s reach.
I’m sure that these stations are profitable. The economics of syndicated talk radio are as follows. Except for wildly popular shows like “Rush” Limbaugh, the syndicators give the product away to the stations for free. At no cost to the stations. Zero, zilch, nada. The local stations have various ad slots that they sell, and keep the money for themselves. The syndicators–if they expect to make money off the show–make their money by reserving ad slots that they sell. If your “cost of goods sold” is virtually zero, it doesn’t take much in ad revenue to become profitable.
Quite frankly, I would not be surprised if Parshall’s show is syndicated as an ad for her organization.
BTW, it is far from clear, but these “millions” also is something of a fraud. From what I have read, the numbers are generally accumulated on a quarterly hour basis. So Limbaugh, for example, who claims 20 million listeners a week–the 20 million is accumulated on a quarterly hour basis. The actual number of individuals who tuned in to his program was far less.
Is there any right wing crazy this side of Fred Phelps that Exodus has not tied itself to?
What exactly are the inflammatory remarks Mrs. Parshall have made that are not true Christopher?
I’m curious, I’ve listened to this lady for about two years consistently, and haven’t heard her say anything I understand not to be true. Please enlighten me with the facts.
Thanks!