WMUB Listener Feedback

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WMUB has excellent programming. It is diverse and relavant. It offers news,jazz that IS jazz, not the constant monotone sound of the alto sax like another area station. I like the wide variety of locally produced programs as well as the regular NPR daily offerings. I appreciale the fact that you are trying to update your technology. I only wish that you could have a stronger signal to the north. I generally have to listen in my car because I live about a mile from 95.7's 50,000 watt tower. Most radios in my house get only that across the dial. More recently the new Catholic radio station broadcasting from Anna, Ohio comes in on your frequency especially early in the morning. Keep up the fine programming. Your station is an asset to southwestern Ohio and Miami University.

--Ann in Shelby County

I have noticed over the last several month that the Tuesday editions of Mama Jazz's Traditional Night seem to be recordings of past shows, not live as in the past. I know she was ill early last year and wasn't on for quite a while. Has she ever come back to live shows or if not yet, will she?

--Norman Elser

[Program Director John Hingsbergen replies: "You are correct that Mama's shows have been recorded lately. Her health has not been great but we have high hopes that she'll be doing some "live" shows in the near future. In the past year, there have been very few weeks when she was able to come in for all four nights of her normally-"live" show but I think the last time she was at the station was in early or mid-December. I'll pass your inquiry along to Mama. I know she'll be glad to know that you, and others, are wondering."]

I have to go back to my email in the past about Simply Money [a program formerly on WVXU - ed.]. They do major fund raising for their station. Why couldn't they be inserted in a 6:00 hour or put them on live at 7:00? It's also a big issue when you travel south at all. Your signal drops off quite a bit. It is really bad around Sharonville.

I also think there was backlash at WVXU when they were bought out. Maybe you need to let those old listeners know about WMUB and perhaps pick up some new users, even if the internet users only. That is the only way I listen. I live in Fairfield township and reception is not good here either.

Your local programming is usually very good except for Monday. It's way too religious for me - but considering this area, maybe it works for you. I almost never listen. I used to not like the noon show(s) but I have learned to enjoy them for a different perspective. I do get a little tired of them feeling like they are the only minority who faces discrimination.

Keep up the good work.

--David Allen

WMUB used to have a good signal in Dayton. However, over the last several months the signal has been quite poor and at times it makes it impossible to listen to your programing. I understand that the poor signal in Dayton is due to interference from another station. I sent a complaint to the FCC and received [a] reply. I am not sure what this reply means except that it does not appear that the FCC thinks there is a problem.

--Rudy in Dayton

I enjoy all of your programming and you are the prime button on all of my radios. However, in the past few months I find that I can only receive the station on my car radio. Up ‘til then I had good reception in my home (Yellow Springs) but now you are swamped by a religious station that is too blurry to be identified. I am certainly not an expert on FCC regulation of frequencies but something bad has happened here and I hope that there might be a way to set it right.

--Roger in Yellow Springs

Program Director John Hingsbergen replies:

Thanks for writing with this concern. This is a comment we have heard before since a new station went on the air earlier this year out of South Vienna, Ohio. We assume that they are operating legally and that the interference you (and others) are experiencing is allowable within federal laws.

I am including below contact information for the Federal Communications Commission. All complaints about interference should be directed to them.

We hope you are able to resolve these reception issues and continue to enjoy WMUB's programming. I will remind you that we also provide out programming via audio streams from our website. There are some things you can try to possibly improve reception at your home. Please let me know.


FCC Contact Information

How to Contact the FCC

To Contact the Commissioners via E-mail

Chairman Kevin J. Martin: KJMWEB-AT-fcc.gov
Commissioner Michael J. Copps: Michael.Copps-AT-fcc.gov
Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein: Jonathan.Adelstein-AT-fcc.gov
Commissioner Deborah Taylor Tate: dtaylortateweb-AT-fcc.gov
Commissioner Robert McDowell: Robert.McDowell-AT-fcc.gov

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Internet Address

http://www.fcc.gov

My concern is that I am now in Key West and can no longer enjoy your programming. In fact, I don't think they even have a public radio station down here. But I listened to as many p.r. as I could find on the way down, and I did not find any programming that I enjoyed as much as yours. I miss Sound Health, and Free Advice and of course Mama Jazz. Have a great holiday and stay warm. ( Like me!)

--Linda in Key West

Editor's note: this message refers to Forum 2 of the WMUB/Dayton Daily News Election Issues Forums, broadcast live from Dayton on Tuesday, October 3, 2006.
You can hear this Forum as a podcast -- paste http://www.wmub.org/rss/ElecForum06.xml in your podcast aggregator.
The group that did participant in the Forum in opposition to Issue 3 is Citizens for Community Values. The Ohio Roundtable, affiliated with the American Policy Roundtable, describes themselves as sponsoring Vote No Casinos, the official organization in opposition to Issue 3. Here's a link to the American Policy/Ohio Roundtable Issue 3 web page.

We appreciate the coverage your station is dedicating to Ohio Ballot Issue #3. We are more than surprised to discover that no effort was made by your station to contact the Vote No Casinos Committee, which is leading the opposition to Issue #3 and has written the official opposition argument distributed by the state of Ohio. Please be advised that your program tonight, while it may appear balanced, in fact does not have representation from the Ohio campaign committee opposing Mr. Clark's Learn and Earn Committee. While we mean no disrespect in any way to Mr. Miller or his organization, he does not speak for the Vote No Casinos Committee co-chaired by Auditor Betty Montgomery and David Zanotti, President of the Ohio Roundtable. We hope you will make it clear to your listeners that the Committee is not being represented on your panel discussion this evening. We hope in the future you will contact the Committee and give us a fair opportunity to present the formal case against Learn and Earn.

--Vote No Casinos Committee

WMUB Forum's topic on 7/21/06 was "Uses (and Misuses) of English". We received a number of calls and emails about pet peeves, in fact too many to get on the air. Here's a sample of some emails:

Two primarily verbal tics that at one point I didn't even notice-- even in my own speech-- but that now drive me crazy whenever I hear them: 1. Contraction of "another" when referring to some kind of difference, e.g., "That's a totally 'nother thing", which essentially creates a nonsense word; 2. The imprecision of "the reason is *because*"; "because" is completely unnecessary.
--Brian from Richmond

The use of "I" vs. "me" drives me crazy. Many broadcasters/talking heads get it wrong most of the time. "Just between you and I" may sound correct, but it is pretentious and
gramatically incorrect. Please remind us of the gramatical rule.
--Dr. Tim from Arden, NC

"Severe storm." This is everywhere, from television to weather writing on the Web. Whatever happened to "strong," "significant," to anything less than "severe?" To me, "severe" weather is, maybe, a tornado, or a Category 5 hurricane. What can we expect next, "severe clouds"? "severe sunshine"? Here's another: The word "spokesperson" is generic, for use when the gender is unknown. To say "Jim is the spokesperson" is WRONG. To say "The committee will elect a new spokesperson" is CORRECT, presuming that the committee has both male and female members. And, don't even get me started on using "impact" as a verb. In my working life as a writer and editor I quickly learned that people write and speak just like they think. Hence, sloppy speech, sloppy thinking. There is no hope for them, short of rewiring their brains.
P.S. Read H.L.Mencken. He taught me so much; for example, someone is "in hospital," not "in the hospital."
--Jim from Liberty

During the news break your reader said: "one thousand new jobs will be created." This is redundant.
--followup from Jim from Liberty

I teach writing to honors and college-bound high school students. We strive to use language correctly and concisely. Public radio should be a model of American English, but more and more passive voice (ex. Oxford was his by a thunderstorm, rather than, A thunderstorm hit Oxford.) and some bulky verb expression (He plans on writing another novel, rather than, He plans to write another novel) seem to make it past editiors for news casts. Are these verb uses becoming accepted as the language changes?
--Tina from Tipp City

If "vicious" means "prone to vice" as opposed to virtuous... can animals truly be referred to as vicious?
--Chris from Richmond

How about when people say "real good" or "real pretty" instead of using the -ly adverb!
--Dana from Dayton

I find the conversation on pet peeves in relation to language interesting, but unrealistic. Languages are constantly changing and over time rules of a language change. I find it hard to say that something in a language is wrong or right when the rules of right or wrong change over the years. Obviously there is a standard of language that should be observed if one wishes to excel in today's society, but today's society is changing. What seems wrong today may be the standard, even the business standard, in years to come.
--Matt

The use of the word, " absolutely " when all the speaker really means is "yes" drives me up the wall. It is heard frequently in interviews.
--Stefi from Springfield

This is an impressive show. I try to teach composition and rarely have I heard such clear explanation of the rhetorical impetus of news-reporting in the popular media. I especially impressed with the level of rhetorical awareness your listeners are displaying--the guy who talked about the break-in, car-jacking, etc. "gone bad" was very intriguing. I don't have a peeve with what I hear on NPR usually; although I can see where, in the Israel/Hezbollah (sp?) conflict, folk may get their dander up over the even-handed nature of the reporting. You just mentioned good English in today's language, I may be crucified for this, but doesn't President Bush in his misuse of the language display a rhetorical awaredness that others don't? If his audience is people who may or may not use the language "correctly" doesn't he do a good job of pandering to this audience?
--David from Oxford

"Hopefully" has changed meanings, I have never heard hopefully used in the "proper way", only in the improper, nor have I seen birds with scales and teeth. Things evolve.
--John from Oxford

I have heard "you-ins, we-ins and they-ins" for a long time in this area. I've been told that you-ins is two more than Ya'll. I'm used to hearing these slang terms but it is "you guysez" that rakes me the wrong way and it is even used by the media but never in print. Also, the use of the word license is often used as if it is a plural word. As in a driver's license, people ask, "When are you going to get them"? Good show, thanks.
--Ron from Connersville

Sorry, I just don't find this show of "repeats" at all fulfilling. I tune in to WMUB to hear things that are new and different, and therefore, engaging. I've already heard Fresh Air throughout the week, and don't want to listen again. I'd welcome another choice in this time slot.

--Donna in Dayton

Professor Peter Williams of Miami gave a synopsis . . . regarding his take on the politics of the our current State Government leaders' push to have the State motto more readily available to all of our elementary and high school students. The State's motto (With God, all things are possible) would be printed and donated by someone, we don't know exactly who, and distributed to all of our schools. I have one thing to say to Professor Williams' comments: "AMEN". To our State Legislators: Is this an election year, or what?? To WMUB: You and NPR provide us with broad coverage, each day, of what's happening locally, in our Country, and in our World. We thank you for your fine efforts to inform. With appreciation,

--Betty

"Richard" wrote to us May 5, 2006:

"Hurray for the People's Republic of China and the Vatican! They're giving us a history lesson in the 11th-century or so "Investiture Controversy" between the Papacy and the Emperor and (directly or indirectly) some assorted European kings.

The Papacy won a major round at Canossa and the Concordat of Worms, but the reverberations helped keep the times interesting right through what Protestants call the Reformation. , , Another reminder of why Americans really, really, *really* should keep Church and State strongly separated!"

Your story about the bald eagles in Brown County caught my ear this morning. …. I'd be interested in driving … to observe these magnificent creatures with 7 foot wing spans, if I had the proper directions to the gravel pull off located beside the road, as your story stated this morning. Thanks!

--Dickie Wilson

--[Reporter Andrea Chalfin replies: The nest in Brown County is located on US Route 52. Take 52 East through many small towns--you will be on this route for quite a while. The last town you pass through is Higginsport, and immediately to your right is the gravel pull-off. If you drive past it, immediately following the gravel pull-off on your right is the Brown County Rural Water Association office. You might want to consult a map, however, as there may be a quicker and/or easier way to get there from where you are.

In addition, you might find this Ohio DNR website helpful. On the right side of the page, there is a list of clickable links, one of which is "Find Nests in Ohio." While the nest in Brown County is quite easy to see, there are also nests in Mercer County and Highland County.

Finally, to make the most of your experience, I recommend a decent pair of binoculars. You will still be able to see the eagles and their nest without them; however, they are still a good distance away from the pull-off. Recommended viewing time is early morning (9am) or in the evening, when the greatest chance of seeing an eagle in flight occurs.]

I got a good chuckle from Allan Winkler's opinion piece. The problem with what he says is that it's straight rhetoric from the pessimistic left's play book. Words like 'quagmire' and 'Vietnam' were obviously going to show up, and they did. Views and comments meant to discredit and pollute the history of the United States were sure to be voiced, and sure enough, they were. The thing that discredits him the most, though, is when he tries to convince us that nothing is going well and Iraq is about to collapse into civil war.

The fact remains, stories from soliders coming back from Iraq and stories from people still over there, except those coming from the major news agencies, paint a very different picture. While things aren't great over there, they are hopeful. There is hope and a light shining brightly at the end of the tunnel. Iraqis don't want a civil war, the American left wants a civil war over there to prove they were right.

I refuse to give into this defeatist, pessimistic attitude and I want to challenge other listeners to do the same. So, in the future, when I hear that Alan is about to give his opinion on something that is going on halfway around the world from him, I'll respectfully choose to turn the radio down for a few minutes and not partake in the desparate Bush bashing, spiteful view of the world that will inevitably take place. And I'll go about my day knowing that a liberal professor's depressing view of the world, a world that I want to choose to have hope for, hasn't affected my day.

--Jeff via email

I was interested in the [Rodney Coates commentary] concerning the national debt and the four horsemen. . . I found [it] to be particularly interesting as I have a belief that what will bring this country down would most likely be from something of its own doing, over living in luxury, demand for everything convenient at the cost of our future in exchange for now, much like the over cultivation scientists believe maay have destroyed the Incas and the Mayas. Thank you very much and keep up the good work. I love your style of radio.

--John from Fairfield

I'm a member paying $10/month via credit card that started about a year ago. I'd like to continue this for a very long time (until I cancel it). Must I renew or is it done automatuically? 2ndly, I've found the MemberCard to be quite useful. Will a new one also be sent out automatically? Thanks.

--Kevin via email

--[Yes, we can set up a continuing (annual) credit card pledge. And we're glad you enjoy the MemberCard. We'll send it out automatically as well. Thank you for supporting WMUB! -- Cleve Callison, general manager]

I love to listen to NPR but I have a real difficult time with the reception. I live in Ross where it is fine but even as close at Rout 27 and 275 in Colerain, it will sometimes get static. Then near route 747 in Springdale it gets bad again. Yet I often hear it clear going north on 75 up into Dayton. I don't think it's my radio. All other stations I listen to do not have the same problem.

--Wally Quaider, Ross

NPR commentator Daniel Schorr recently summarized ongoing administration attempts to effect regime change in various Middle Eastern countries. We have seen how military force is used to depose foreign despots when they no longer serve our purposes. Short of military action, when things aren't going to Washington's liking, we apply various tactics to persuade the local populations to reject their current governments, even those resulting from 'free and fair' elections.

While one may wonder what gives our leaders the right to engineer these changes around the globe, the fact is, we've been doing it off and on for much of our nation's history. Now, however, it seems we've become uncomfortably conspicuous in continuing this practice. We have heard the word "unilateral" used over and over for describing the current administration's pursuit of controversial foreign policy objectives.

There are many who no doubt would welcome widespread international involvement in bringing about regime change, not necessarily in some distant land, but right here in the United States. After all, the present regime took power and consolidated it in two highly contested elections. The regime insists on overturning America's sacred allegiance to democratic principles in the name of spreading democracy, of human rights in the name of national defense, of civil liberties in the name of homeland security, And we continue to endanger the global environment in the name of corporate profit. These hallowed words are repeated as a mantra, but their meanings have been perverted and debased, so that our country, once respected and admired by many, is now largely distrusted by its former friends and reviled by many who might have been.

We need help in re-establishing our basic principles, in restoring the shining beacon of what America, however deservedly, used to stand for around the world. Even if it were possible, it isn't necessary to have foreign troops invade our country, toppling the regime and occupying our land as long as it takes to build the nation anew. Rather, we need thousands of international volunteers to come and monitor our elections, watching out for voting irregularities and outright fraud. We need foreign well-wishers to use whatever means they have at their disposal to undermine the regime and encourage the opposition. We need overseas governments to initiate sanctions and boycotts against us to shake the confidence of our invested power élite. Does this sound extreme? The U.S. routinely resorts to this kind of meddling in the affairs of foreign countries--in the name of democracy--any time our leaders deem our interests to be at stake. Why would it be wrong to encourage a reversal of this dynamic, when we discover that democracy is being dismantled from the top down, right here at home?

--Peter Carels, Oxford

I just listened via audio streaming to the re-broadcast of Sound Health on the topic of headaches. The interaction with guests and callers was excellent, and I learned a few important points. In case my headaches become more painful &/or frequent, I now have insight to discuss with my family doctor. Many thanks for another great program.

--Brian Butcher

I moved to Dayton a year and a half ago and I have been a member of WMUB practically from the day I arrived. I live in Kettering and drive to and from work every day along Dixie Drive and Patterson Boulevard along the river. The reception for WMUB has been getting worse and worse. I used to lose the signal around Rt. 35 and then pick it up again below 3rd street, but now it is poor for almost the whole route. What has happened? . . . I am quite frustrated and do not want to keep switching to WYSO. I have used 4 different cars on the route and the poor reception doesn't change.

--name withheld by request

--[I am not aware of anything that has changed that could affect you reception...at least nothing we have done. There are sometimes environmental/weather factors that affect FM reception but that is not likely over a long period of time.

It is possible that another station is interfering in some fashion. For example, WPDR on 88.1 FM has added a new digital HD Radio signal in the last year or so but, if they were the cause of your problems, that would have happened all at once.

The only other thing I can think of would be a problem with your car radio or even some of the wiring such as spark plug cables. If you're not having trouble with other stations, that is also probably not the cause....and even if it were...it may not be easily solved.

I will pass your e-mail along to our Chief Engineer for his review but I'm pretty sure he won't have much to add. If he does, you may hear from him.

Please let us know if you notice any further change. We do want to track situations like this so we can see if there is a pattern.

Thank you for doing all you can to stick with us. We're committed to doing all we can to make sure you get a strong signal.

-- John Hingsbergen, program director]

I do not enjoy the Ed Gordon show. I have started switching to WVXU at noon. I find Mr. Gordon's show to be too racial in its subject matter. I feel many of the issues do not pertain to me. Although I find some of the interviews interesting, for the most part I take offense to any program that is so racially biased. One day I was particularly turned off when there was a woman "expert" on whose main explanation for any question was, essentially, that it was God's will. That kind of programming does not provide the intellectual stimulus that I turn to public radio for.

I never thought I'd see the day that I would prefer the Tavis Smiley to any show, but I could tolerate his frequent "white folk" "black folk" comments better than the Ed Gordon show.

I am not a racist. I just prefer programming that targets a more diverse audience.

WVXU has changed their programming, and they are carrying a lot of the same programs WMUB does. I will continue to switch my dial until Ed Gordon goes away.

This is difficult for me, seeing that I am a day sponsor on WMUB. This year I am considering spliting my public radio funds between the two stations, since once I change the dial, I often stay on WVXU for the rest of the day.

However, I continue to love my Saturdays with "Car talk" and "What do you know?". Your staff is wonderful; I especially like Tana during fund raising, and Debbie Ramsey is always a pleasure to deal with. I appreciate that you cover Dayton and Cinci traffic in the morning, as my husband drives from Dayton to Cinci and back every day.

--name withheld by request

I just downloaded your 2/14 [Help Desk] program. I like the idea of having the entire program as a single file. However, at 34'30" into the show the audio became gargled and continued that way during the remainder of the show.

--Mike in Millville

--[We are now beginning to distribute podcasts in two flavors -- at the individual show addresses in 10-12 minute segments, and at the Talk Shows address as a single file. So you can decide which you prefer. See our Podcasting page for details. The problem with the 2/14 show has us baffled; it's there, but we don't know why and can't fix it since it's embedded in our source file. -- Cleve Callison, general manager]

I enjoy listening to your student interns and admire their efforts toward the achievement of on-air professionalism. My affection is also a part of this appreciation as my daughter held a similar position in another college. , The occasional gaffes made by your interns can only be understood as reasonable aspects of their early efforts., HOWEVER (and, of course, you knew this was coming) this evening's weather report in which below zero temperatures are expressed as "negative" numbers goes beyond mild irritation. The conventional reporting of such numbers has been:, "below zero" and/or "minus".

Keep up your good work which includes the encouragement and training you give to your interns.

--Jean via email

--[You are absolutely correct. . . I have this evening sent an e-mail to all our student board operators and other staff, about this issue.

-- John Hingsbergen, program director]

Get off the Cheney [shooting] story already! Al Gore is the real story of the moment. The Cheney story is all about the media temper tantrum. While you have covered the story in more depth than most, there is nothing there Maybe you can do an in-depth interview with David Gregory, so he can explain his outrage once more. As for Gore, I think his story is not covered because it can't be spun. There is nothing uglier than an ex- goverment official criticizing the present administration from a foreign land. Why can't they just quietly go away. I don't recall hearing anything from Bush 41 for quite some time. He has something we can all admire. Dignity.

--Dan Dickey via email

I am curious why WMUB and WVXU both broadcast "live" programs such as Prairie Home Companion, but they are not synchorinized. There is a fractional difference in time between the two stations. Which one os operating with a delay, and why? Or are both operating with a delay?

--Gene Willeke, Oxford

--[You are very observant. Actually the time difference between WVXU and WMUB on many programs is about 8 seconds. This is a result of the fact that WMUB is operating with the new "HD Radio" digital system. The issue is that the digital signal takes that long to be decoded by the radios that can hear it. The system involves a blend between the digital and analog for the fringe areas where the digital will drop out. In order for that blend to work correctly, the analog signal needs to be delayed by the same amount as the digital.

In the very near future, we expect WVXU to turn on a digital signal as well as many stations are doing.

So, the bottom line is: The time discrepancy you are hearing is because WMUB is more technologically advanced (for now) than WVXU and some of the other area stations.

-- John Hingsberben, program director]

In Support of News and Notes and Tavis Smiley: I would like to give my thanks for WMUB's choice of airing News and Notes and the Tavis Smiley Show. As a lifetime listener to NPR and a member of WMUB, I am aware that in spite of the fine journalism that NPR brings to its listeners, there exists a white media-bias, not only with NPR, but in most mainstream media. Recent criticism of News and Notes and Tavis Smiley, and the accusation that they take up time proporting “African American points of view” has left me frustated. Do we assume that NPR does and SHOULD only cater to one demographic and that African-American views need not have air time? We hear White perspectives the majority of the time, in news and other programing, and I am happy and willing and DESIRE to hear another perspective daily. I only wish there were more! Thank you for airing these programs.

--Carrie via email

I admit I ocassionally listen during the noon hour, but usually find myself switching to Paul Harvey on WLW rifght after the news at noon on WMUB. Paul's Harvey is not my great choice, but I am looking for breadth, not "what my world would be like if I was African-American" during the lunch hour.

--name withheld by request, Oxford

I am so grateful for Peter Williams's commentary on Morning Edition in the past few weeks. His clear sight and incisive wit are right on the mark, seems to me. Thank you!

--Mary Fahnestock-Thomas, Oxford

Aileen LeBlanc's article this morning about Longtown (I think I have that right) was just a superb piece of radio storytelling. I wasn't sure I was hearing correctly: "Aileen LeBlanc for WMUB radio," since I was used to catching her on YSO when I visit the Dayton/Springfield area. What a treat, MUB. Thank you.

--Bruce via email

I want to thank Mama Jazz especially for her show on Tuesday, Jan. 31. I had been having a rough day, and hearing her come on the radio at 8:00 just brightened my day right up. I'm a senior at Earlham College and have been listening to Mama for four years now, at least three nights a week. She puts on the best Jazz show anywhere, guaranteed! Thanks Mama!

--Steven Melamed, Richmond

Just wanted to drop WMUB a line to say how much I appreciate the recent changes to local news programming. The inaugural edition of the business news segment with the editor from the Dayton Business Journal was excellent, and it seems like the depth and quality of coverage of local Cincinnati and Dayton news has really improved, too.

--Doug via email

I have been listening to the Helpdesk for the past 6 months. At first I thought, "this is going to be above my scope of experience and possibly, my interest." But, I have been pleasantly suprised! You guys have given me to confidence to tackle my own computer problem...and it worked!

I started having problems with secure sites. . . you guys gave me the confidence and thought processes necessary to do it myself! I did some searching on google and the Symantec website. Low and behold, I found an executable on the Symantec site that would uninstall pesky old versions of Norton. Viola! It worked! My computer finally realizes that I am connected, my access to secure sites is functioning again, and my new Norton SystemWorks is protecting me. I would have probably let Geek Squad fix my situation had it not been for stumbling upon you.....THANK YOU!

--Julie via email

I am sitting here in my office grading quizzes and listening to your presentation of the listener's comments that professors should nurture all viewpoints...so I guess that means that I must support a student who is a neo-Nazi, who denies the holocaust, who supports the battering women and children, endorses slavery, etc., etc., etc. I cannot accept the notion that all ideas are equal.

Good for you for even repeating the comments, but I suspect I'm not the only one whose blood pressure rose significantly as a result.

--Judith in Oxford

I [recently] heard the report about a group of UCLA Alum monitoring left wing professors at their former school. I just want to praise their practices and encourge more to do the same. Conservative ideology has long been left out and repressed by many professors in universities throughout the country. I believe, at the very least, professors need to be upheld to a standard of nurturing all ideologies, not just that of the far, far left.

--Jeff via email

I was listening to your show [recently] when the question of NPR being liberal came up. I came to Dayton Ohio in 1969 and I remember the song An Okie from Muskogee being very popular and that tune pretty well sums up most of the attitude in this part of Ohio. If you aren't a NAZI you are a liberal. So what was wrong with FDR who helped save the free world or Harry Truman who did a little of the same plus intergrated the Military. If doing the right thing is being liberal then I guess I'm a liberal and proud of it but it is very difficult in this part of the country to be to the left of Rush Limbaugh and not be looked down upon. As to WMUB and NPR, neither is liberal. Both permit both sides to view an opinion and in this country today that in of itself is a liberal postion.

Fortunately the pendulum will swing in America and things will at least change. I thank you for being there. My only complaint about NPR is that you tend to dwell on the same subject too long. The war in whereever is important but too much of it makes one change stations, literally.

--Sam via email

I wish your traffic reports would do a better job of covering Butler County, especially the region nearest MU. [recently] SR 73 at SR503 had a major delay for at least an hour, apparently due to a wreck. It was not reported at the 7:48 a.m. traffic report, although the incident had started more than 3/4 of an hour earlier.

I presume you obtain the traffic reports from some service provider. Sometimes Butler County events are reported, so it is not impossible. Like many other MU employees, your station is not the one I listen to most, but I do tune in for information relevant to MU and getting to and from work.

--Lynn in Oxford

Would you please be good enough to tell me of the 2:00 pm. hour of Talk of the Nation is live? I was trying to get on to make a comment both by phone and then by email. By phone I got a constant busy signal and my email seemed to go through but the program did not read even one email that day. So, I began to think that this hour of the program might not actually be live. If it is live, how do I get through to make a comment?
--Robert in Richmond

--[Both hours of Talk of the Nation are live on WMUB. You are doing the right thing by calling the number they give on the air and/or writing to their e-mail address. The fact is that, as a program that is broadcast nationwide (and around the world on the Armed Forces Radio Network,) the show can never respond to all the calls and e-mails they receive. I do find it curious that they didn't use any e-mails they day you wrote but that was probably a choice of the host. --John Hingsbergen, program director]

I was listening to [WMUB Forum] this AM when the question of NPR being liberal came up. I came to Dayton Ohio in 1969 and I remember the song An Okie from Muskogee being very popular and that tune pretty well sums up most of the attitude in this part of Ohio. If you aren't a NAZI you are a liberal. So what was wrong with FDR who helped save the free world or Harry Truman who did a little of the same plus intergrated the Military. If doing the right thing is being liberal then I guess I'm a liberal and proud of it but it is very difficult in this part of the country to be to the left of Rush Limbaugh and not be looked down upon. As to WMUB and NPR, neither is liberal. Both permit both sides to view an opinion and in this country today that in of itself is a liberal postion., Fortunately the pendulum will swing in America and things will at least change. I thank you for being there. My only complaint about NPR is that you tend to dwell on the same subject too long. The war in where ever is important but too much of it makes one change stations, literally.

--Sam, aol.com