We were proud of our homie, Ron Reagan for giving it as good as he got when he was attacked on the radio last month on a Tampa morning show.
On tour with his controversial new book, "My Father at 100." erstwhile KIRO talk host Reagan was jumped right out of the box by co-host Tedd Webb on WFLA-AM's top-rated AM Tampa Bay.
Blasting Reagan for what he and other right-wing worshipers of the Gipper Cult take as blaspheming The Almighty, Webb took particular offense at Reagan's assertion that his father had early signs of Alzheimer’s before he left office.
The book thoughtfully and carefully explains how that despite having the fatal disease, the elder Reagan, according to his son, didn't get the dementia symptoms until years after he left the White House.
Webb, naturally, hadn't read the book.
He seemed proud of that, (so many wingers are so studiedn and self-righteous about their ignorance) even offering to buy it to use as toilet paper. Reagan told him, "Had you read the book, I think you would have gotten a different impression."
Facts be damned to such as Webb (or Ron's half-witted, half-brother Michael Reagan) or a legion of wingers who saw blood on the moon when the book was published.
With that famous Southern hospitality, Webb called Reagan “an asshole” and threatened to kick his ass.
Reagan laughed in Webb's face, and invited him to New York so Webb could fulfill his ass-kicking threat. Webb demurred, saying he could never get his ass kicked by a "ballerina," referring, of course to Reagan's one-time career dancing with the Joffrey Ballet.
Such was the "discussion." The other co-host refereed while Webb and Reagan went at it. Reagan refused to be bullied and deflected Webb's ignorant spewage with ease.
We've got to agree with those who say this was some great radio.
Listen to the whole thing here.
so why is Ron Reagan so touchy about being a ballerina?
Posted by: Sam Sonite | February 25, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Reagan the prez was demented and diminished during his 2nd term. He let others do the work and make decisions while he napped. The scandal which ensued, Iran Contra, marred his presidency. He really couldn't be blamed, he was asleep.
Posted by: Dick T. | February 25, 2011 at 12:55 PM
That's what made Ron so good at hosting talk radio. He was by far the best at decently telling the rightwingers who called his show to go f themselves. He did it so civilly. And Ron was an intelligent talker. Such patience must have come from his agreeable dad - Reagan the elder's politics of destruction notwithstanding.
I wonder if Ron would consider coming back to radio now that the great book is done.
Posted by: joanie | February 25, 2011 at 01:25 PM
I just listened to that. KS, PB&J, chux (RLR,barf,barff) - do you hear yourselves? Queen? Bastard? Dori is small potatoes to this guy. This is what the right listens to? What arrogant know-nothings. When will all these brains-in-their-biceps old white men finally die off?
Posted by: joanie | February 25, 2011 at 01:35 PM
I have to agree Joanie, Ron did a good job of deflecting the insults from Webb. I posted just as much on another blog a month ago when this first happened. I cant believe it is being re-hashed now over here.
Posted by: Progressive Blog Junkie | February 25, 2011 at 01:46 PM
"Ted" is a masculine impersonator.
Posted by: Mike D | February 25, 2011 at 05:01 PM
Michael is frequently referred to as Ron Jr's half brother. That is not correct. They are step brothers, cue to the fact that Michael was adopted.
Posted by: greg | February 25, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Jeez, Joanie...do you hear yourself? Put your damn paintbrush down long enough to consider that not all conservatives condone that kind of crap. It's radio at its worst. It's also old news, as PBJ pointed out. Hood keeps holding out old, rotten bait and you keep grabbing at it like a mad dog.
Posted by: Radio Queen | February 26, 2011 at 02:31 AM
Well said, RQ. Joanie and the rest of the shills of the left love to paint the right with a broad brush just because there's one guy like Webb who acts like an a-hole.
The underlying issue of angst by the left is the threat they perceive of the powerful unions being diminished in power (for the good of the nation). Seems like the Democratics have become the party of NO. They want status quo and don't want to cut spending at the Federal level either. They have played favorites for way too long.
It's time for a real change, not that hopey, changey bilge that was bought into back in 2008 that helped President Zero get elected.
Posted by: South King County | February 26, 2011 at 09:05 AM
The left has played favorites for way to long with the goal of transforming the USA into a welfare state - a la France. A majority of Americans do not want this. The GOP also plays favorites - with certain larger corporations and the subsidies need to be cut.
I agree with David Brooks' op-ed in the NYT, who said, it there is to be austerity, to do it correctly - it needs to impact everyone - no playing favorites.
Posted by: South King County | February 26, 2011 at 09:11 AM
Yes, Wall Street and Kock Bros should be included in austerity.
Posted by: Coiler | February 26, 2011 at 09:45 AM
Joanie and the rest of the shills of the left...
No partisanship here. No "paintbrush" here. Idiots. All of you.
The GOP also plays favorites - with certain larger corporations and the subsidies need to be cut.
We agree.
Let those tax cuts expire! Oh, it's too late . . . Too late, SKC. Sorry.
Wonder how much RV salesman get paid these days?
Oh, Queen, just when you think you've made a relevant comment, someone on your side comes along and blows it over. Too bad.
Posted by: joanie | February 26, 2011 at 10:27 AM
@Joanie, loved your "Idiots. All of you." response. You never fail to prove my points.
Posted by: Radio Queen | February 26, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Coiler, for the love of all things that are good on Blatherwatch, answer Joanie's question already. My god, her constant nagging of how much you make is getting irritating. Answer her please. PLEASE.
Posted by: Progessive Blog Junkie | February 26, 2011 at 11:30 AM
If the shoe fits . . . glad you liked it, Queen.
PB&J, where joanie leads, you follow . . . You haven't earned your stripes yet; otherwise, you'd know. Why do you show your ignorance so? Trying hard to fit in? Must be so.
Posted by: joanie | February 26, 2011 at 12:11 PM
Alright, finally. I am glad now you see me as no threat to your status as the "ALPHA" here on Blatherwatch. Now that we got that hurdle out of the way, whats with the riddle and rhymes?
"...You haven't earned your stripes yet; otherwise, you'd know.
...Why do you show your ignorance so?
...Trying hard to fit in? Must be so."
Posted by: Progressive Blog Junkie | February 26, 2011 at 12:35 PM
"Joanie and the rest of the shills of the left love to paint the right with a broad brush just because there's one guy like Webb who acts like an a-hole. "
One guy.
ONE GUY.
Ha ha ha ha aha
Hey South King County, name one example of how the wealthy/corporate class are "sharing the pain" with the rest of us.
Posted by: Mike D | February 26, 2011 at 01:11 PM
Anybody have a link to the interview that works, or know how to make this one work?
Posted by: Bob | February 26, 2011 at 07:56 PM
It works for me, Bob. Here's the address: http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/23391/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/23391/1139/richmedia/Ron_Reagan.mp3?utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=8761b48d8a-News_Talk_Edge_02_24_2011&utm_medium=email
Hope you get it.
Posted by: joanie | February 27, 2011 at 06:19 AM
Nope, just get a blank screen, no error message. Guess it's incompatible with whatever software it requires function, and my system. Has anyone found it posted elsewhere?
Posted by: Bob | February 27, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Try this link:
click
Posted by: Mike D | February 27, 2011 at 05:45 PM
I used to work at the Eastlake building when Ron Reagan was there and I'd be hard-pressed to meet a nicer person. He is shockingly modest, considering who he is...unlike some of the blowhard, self-satisfied children in that building. He is kind, funny and tougher than he looks. Most of all, he is an intelligent, thoughtful GROWN MAN unlike many of the radio types with which he has to contend. And if Ted thinks "ballerina" is an insult, he ought to try ballet, it's freaking hard work...furthermore, I'd take Baryshnikov over "Ted" any day! I'm guessing Ted has a beer gut the size of Alaska and certainly the intellect of a gnat.
Posted by: mytwocents | March 01, 2011 at 03:03 PM