Dennis Prager

4-1-98

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.