| 4-1-98
By Luke Ford
On AM 790, KABC radio, Dennis Prager opened up with the weather.
It's been raining frequently in Southern California this winter.
DP remembers the water conservation movement. Now there is hysteria
over global warming. Prager remembers the worries over global freezing.
Then P switched to the topic of government funding for the arts.
DP says that he has probably done more for classical music than
almost anyone funded by the NEA. DP conducts orchestras, thus bringing
people to a classical concert who would not otherwise come. Prager's
bumpers used to be classical music, and introduced hundreds of people
to great music.
Prager loves religion but he does not want the government funding
religion. There is no government money. It is money from hardworking
men and women.
Not funding does not equal censorship. Censorship means banning,
prohibiting, burning, jailing…
At 12:24PM, Prager discussed the last call on yesterday's show
which said that Prager spoke so much against secondary smoke hysteria,
that people changed channels.
DP spent two hours yesterday on the new attack on cigar smoke.
Four years ago, Prager devoted two months to nothing but the Baby
Richard case.
Prager devoted the last 90 minutes of his show discussing the judge's
decision to throw out Paula Jones' lawsuit against the President.
DP recommended this column in today's Washington Post.
Why Clinton Hangs On
By Robert J. Samuelson
Wednesday, April 1, 1998; Page A19
We in the press constantly construct dubious theories to explain
what we don't understand. Our latest frenzy is to solve the mystery
of how Bill Clinton's high approval ratings defy scandal. Last week,
the Wall Street Journal advanced a new theory: America loves a stud.
"Look, Clinton's a handsome guy, the most powerful man in the
world," said one lady. "Women are throwing themselves
at him." Before that, we were told that people credit Clinton
for the economy and separate his public policies from his private
behavior. Or we're more tolerant. "We still feel uncomfortable,"
writes Newsweek's Jonathan Alter, "passing judgment on . .
. adultery and promiscuity."
Maybe. But all these theories miss, I think, the more obvious truth:
Most Americans simply can't be bothered. The thriving economy has
sent consumer confidence sky-high. By and large, Americans don't
want to jeopardize their own well-being -- or the country's -- with
a full-blown political crisis. They don't trust Clinton or the Republican
Congress; but they like the power balance between them. Would the
country be healthier with President Gore? Would we be happier if
impeachment preempted prime-time TV for hours of blathering from
Peter Jennings? The prospect appalls most Americans.
The only solid conclusion that can be drawn from Clinton's high
approval ratings (66 percent in late March) is that most Americans
are in a generous mood toward almost anyone.
© Copyright 1998 The Washington Post Company
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