WAKE UP CALL

Starting with a reminder to Senator John Edwards, who recently claimed that the "global war on terrorism" is just a nice "bumper sticker slogan". The world was reminded about the goals of terrorists with the thwarted attacks in London yesterday... and now this in Scotland today:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,287472,00.html

LARSON ON REAGAN SHOW TODAY

Guest-hosting again for Mike Reagan on his national radio talk show (200+ stations)today . Listen live 3-6PM Pacific on www.reagan.com (also check there for stations in your area) and on XM Radio and Sirius satellite channel 144.

IT MAKES ME WANT TO BARF...

...the way that my friends in talk radio often go too far and trip all over themselves, trying to take full credit for things. The latest: The demise (thank God) of the ill-advised immigration bill in the Senate. Yes, talk radio played a role. But it didn't swing the whole thing. No one media person caused Senators to come to their senses. The American people are smart enough to learn what's right and wrong and do the correct thing, lobbying elected officials (much to the irritation of those bureaucrats) without being "told" what to do. But there's too much broadcast stunting, too much "I did this" stuff spewing from normally reasonable personalities. And some have gone from leading a prinicipled discussion to sounding like borderline racists. Still, many have done a fine job and informed their listeners so they could influence politicians. But an increasing number of fellow radio hosts care only about their own PR and have reached a new level of chest-thumping.... and a new low. Such antics only empower politicos who will use this behavior as an excuse to try to clamp down on free speech through a return to the "fairness doctrine". That's the next battle: the attempt of the left to curb free speech... and talk radio may have complicated things by too often going beyond what was necessary into a "all about me" mode. If there's one thing that makes me sick about radio is the current crop of hosts who don't really care about core issues. They only care about ratings and personal promotion and will adjust their "beliefs" anytime. Here's to people who stick to what they really believe.

WEBB EVEN FIGURED IT OUT

The Democrat from Virginia and others from his party voted wisely in knocking down the immigration bill: http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=127501&ran=243412 Too many Republicans choose the other (though losing) side... and hastened the assessment that President Bush is fast becoming "our Jimmy Carter".

LOOKING FOR BACKBONE

The Senate gets loopier on immigraton(http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20670001&refer=&sid=a3MLP26VTFMU), the President is obsessed with creating amnesty and some Republicans are now starting to sound like defeatists on the Iraq war. Lovely. The quest for spines on Capitol Hill continues.

THE FIGHT IS ON

Let's see if anyone in the Senate gets a spine in the debate over illegal immigration. Meanwhile, President Bush calls the bill "amnesty": http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/06/bush-calls-immi.html Oops.

IS OUR CHILDREN LEARNING?

So asked the President at one time. Well, is they? Apparently some are only absorbing the swill from the left. At a White House meet-and-greet today, several visiting student "scholars" signed a letter to Mr. Bush demanding that the United States stop torturing people. GWB pointed out that the U.S. does not do such things. Duh. What a clear picture of America education gone berserk... and of the way media saturation (show those Abu Ghraib pix again!) skews thinking.

PAPER OR PLASTIC? The union thugs are busy trying to get San Diego area grocery workers to again strike against local chains. In 2003 they did the same thing and when the dust settled stores closed, there were fewer jobs and only the union bosses seemed to survive without a financial hit. The lowest moment: Strikers picketing stores in the near-zero visibility of the horrible brush fires that destroyed over 2,000 homes, forcing people who were racing to stores to get survival supplies to cross grumpy (wheezing) picket lines. Good grief.

LARSON ON REAGAN SHOW

Among the expanded things I'm doing: Prime guest-host duties on The Michael Reagan Show, heard on 200 stations across the USA and on XM and Sirius satellite channels. I'll be sitting in again for Mike next Friday June 29th, 3-6PM Pacific. Check your local listings for time in your area, or go to: www.reagan.com

HEATING UP AT CITY HALL

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders gets tough on Sunroad: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2007/06/23/government/709
At the same time, there's no love lost between Sanders and City Attorney Mike Aguirre.
I think it's time to break out the "Twister" game and let the best man win.

SPEAKING OF HEAT: Speculation continues regarding what yours truly is up to with Congress, other projects, you name it. I am really enjoying the time off-air to examine all options, and there are new possibilities that have appeared in the last couple of days. I'm also working on replying to all listener email... it's taking time, but I'll do it. I really appreciate all of the wonderful support since I elected to leave KOGO on June 15. More coming sooon, here on the Blog. I may also be doing some San Diego television morning shows next week. Stay tuned!

KUDOS TO ZORRO: We had the honor of attending the U.S. Navy Change of Command Ceremony yesterday at North Island, San Diego, honoring outgoing Vice Admiral Jim Zortman and incoming Commander of Naval Air Forces Vice Admiral Tom Kilcline, Jr. Jim and Kathie Zortman have become good friends of ours over the last few years, and they've done a wonderful job. The nation owes them a debt of gratitude. He's been an innovator in Naval operations, with responsibility for all U.S. aircraft carriers and air wings. She has done amazing work in the community and supporting miltary spouses and families... truly an "ambassadorial" job well done. They will be missed, and we'll look forward to continuing our friendship. Congratulations to all, and welcome to VADM Kilcline, who arrives with a tremendous record of his own (and the endorsement of Zorro).

OBSESSION

Senators Clinton and Boxer overheard trying to find a legislative fix for talk radio: http://newsbusters.org/node/13661 Uh oh.

SPEAKING OF RADIO: Media "experts" continue to report on my decision to leave KOGO as if I'm "hanging up my microphone". I continue to say this (and it's often ignored, due to their singular focus on the Congress part of the story): I only decided to hang up my KOGO microphone. Since my departure, a couple of new proposals have come in, making things even more interesting. Lots of exciting things to consider now. I'm sticking to my plan to announce my decision on the Congressional race on or before July 4. Stay tuned!

LEGACY CHECK

The President is busy (now) fighting wild spending: www.cnsnews.com/ViewPolitics.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200706/POL20070621a.html Better late than never? Now if he'd just get more sensible on the immigration issue... soon. Reminder to GWB: Don't worry about your legacy. Do the right thing and the legacy will find you.

MEDIA MADNESS: The left is cranking up the fight against talk radio. Be afraid. Be very afraid. But there's a temptation in "information fatigued America" to assume it's no big deal. It is. More to come...

THEY STILL DON'T GET IT

Left-wing think tankers try to figure out why conservative talk wins on radio: http://thinkprogress.org/2007/06/20/radio-report They still don't understand how the marketplace decides what works... and that the left still controls the rest of the media.
I'll have more observations on the current "media mood" soon... check back to this Blog often.

WHAT'S NEXT? Here's the latest article about yours truly "after KOGO", courtesy of the North County Times' Randy Dotinga:
http://nctimes.com/articles/2007/06/21/entertainment/radio/

THE AMAZING THING...

... about opting out of a high-profile job is how quickly you know who your friends really are. And aren't. The media business is a little bit like vultures workin' the roadkill. In this case, though, I've chosen not to become roadkill. That is a real blessing. And I'm greatly enjoying all the possibilities. That statement drives the vultures crazy, by the way. But it's a wonderful thing to get rid of the stress and let God lead decisions. Wow, what a concept. I was interviewed by Randy Dotinga of the North County Times today... that article will run later this week. Watch for it at http://www.nctimes.com/

YOUR EMAILS: Thanks so much to all who have sent me an overwhelming amount of email since I announced my decision to leave KOGO. I will try to reply to every message, one at a time.... and that takes time, so thanks for your patience!

MILITARY SALUTE:Tomorrow I'll be spending some time on my favorite Navy ship, the USS Ronald Reagan, thanking the men and women who give their all for America every day.

THE ONLY THING: About being off a daily radio show for now is having no outlet to vent about the daily news. I guess that's another good reason to have a Blog. And a webcam, coming soon. Thanks for checking back often. I'll keep you posted.

IT'S VERY INTERESTING

The less I talk about "mulling" the congressional race, the more people assume they know what I'm thinking. At this point, I don't know what I'm thinking. What I do know is this: It's one of several opportunities in the current mix. Once I announced I was leaving KOGO, the phone began to ring and the emails came in. Seems that other people have additional ideas on what I ought to consider in new areas. We'll see. In the meantime, getting over the death of one of our beloved dogs and getting ready for the visit of some cousins from Sweden. Really looking forward to that. Lots to consider... and I am.. and will. Check back soon for more updates.

THE REST OF THE STORY

I'm surprised (though not entirely) about the level of buzz created by my departure from KOGO. Here's the latest from the political world regarding Congressional speculation:
http://www.redcountysandiego.com/
The GOP race in Duncan Hunter's district is just one reason why I opted out now (read more here: http://www.sdradio.net/) It was no secret that I disliked the 6-8PM slot, though I gave it my best. The local KOGO/Clear Channel people have been great but the out of town "experts" made decisions that didn't make sense to me. There's a point where you have to say, "Hey, I didn't just fall off a turnip truck and get into radio". Well, I know a thing or two about the media biz, and it was clear that I could have stuck in with my new contract for another one and two-thirds years and been miserable, working under the whims of VP's in the company. I'm a big believer in local radio, local control.... and that's changing along with much of the industry.
So it is what it is. I needed to make a dramatic change to be true to myself, and get my health and family time (and other business interests) back in line.

CHECK BACK OFTEN: Doing regular updates here on http://www.larsonblog.com/
As I explore all the post-KOGO possibilities, I'll post the latest here.

MY ANNOUNCEMENT

As I said on KOGO this morning, I have decided to leave the station effective immediately. This is fully my decision, based on many factors. It's no secret that the programming change a couple of months ago (from 12-3PM to 6-8PM for my show) has been a difficult transition, and something that was increasingly difficult to do with all of my other business interests. The day felt like it was two days long. Later today I'll be updating this Blog with additional thoughts and info on all of this. As a strange capper, this morning after doing my announcement on KOGO's morning news, my wife and I found one of our two dogs had run out in the yard and died of an aneurysm. Trinka was a 7 year old Yorkie, and a real joy in our lives, along with our big black lab-mix, Eddie. Sort of reminds me on the old joke about life not really getting into gear in "empty nest time" until the kids move out and the dog dies. Well, we're there, I guess (smile).
Thank you for your continued support... hope you'll check back as I move myself into "free agent" mode and explore the future... I'll update this Blog regularly. And I'll be on at 6:05 this evening with Cliff Albert to talk more about my decision --- on AM 600 KOGO and www.kogo.com

SO MUCH FOR GETTING ALONG

After it seemed President Bush managed to get the Russians cooled off a bit (at last week's G-8 Summit) now this: http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=3281714&page=1
Let's see --- I think I'd put American space technology up against Russian "stuff" anytime.

THE GOVERNATOR IS RIGHT: On this one, anyway. Speaking to Hispanic journalists he said if you want to learn English, turn off the Spanish television: www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2007/06/14/national/a162328D73.DTL

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

On Friday at 7:55AM Pacific on AM 600 KOGO and www.kogo.com

NICE TIMING

Watching CBS News tonight (I'm a glutton for punishment) and there was a report on how the "surge" is just now reaching full strength. So of course it's an excellent time for Slots Reid to claim "it's not working": http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070613203802.7yla5iav&show_article=1 But he and his ilk "support the troops". Right.

RATHER VS. CBS

Hey, at least it's entertaining! Here's the latest round, after Rather suggested that Katie Couric is part of CBS's "tarting up" the news broadcast: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070612/D8PNI37O0.html

TEAR DOWN THIS WALL

Here's the full text of President Reagan's speech delivered on this day in 1987. The rest, as they say, is history: www.reaganfoundation.org/reagan/speeches/wall.asp

LARSON ON REAGAN TODAY

I'll be guest-hosting for Michael Reagan on his national radio talk show today, 3-6PM Pacific. Here it live on www.Reagan.com (also check the website for station and broadcast times in your area. You can also hear the show on Sirius satellite radio's "Patriot" channel. Among my guests today: former CIA director George Tenet and Peter Robinson, write of Ronald Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech (delivered in Berlin twenty years ago today). I'll also be doing my regular Southern California show today from 6-8PM Pacific on AM 600 KOGO and www.kogo.com

I AGREE ON THIS

When the President says the "status quo" on immigration is "unacceptable", he's right:
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070612/D8PNFCM81.html
The question is: What's the best way to secure our borders and fix the problem? The American people made it very clear that the current immigration BILL is unacceptable. So why the rush?
Why is GWB pressing this issue again, just days after the bill ran out of gas?

CRANKING IT UP AGAIN

The immigration bill isn't dead...just slumbering a bit. President Bush plans to start twisting some arms again soon, and we'll see more stories like this: news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070611/ts_nm/usa_immigration_

LEARNING THE HARD WAY?

The Bush Administration isn't giving up on the immigration plan, despite the defeat last week. Democrats want Republicans to "adjust" as well. Lessons learned so far... anyone? Here's today's update: http://breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PM2HAG0&show_article=1&catnum=3

CINDY SHEEHAN REAL ESTATE UPDATE: She was going to sell it on EBay --- the "prace ranch" near the President's place in Crawford. Our friend Bree Walker decided to keep that free-for-all sale from happening by buying the ranch herself: http://newsbusters.org/node/13335
Bree will gives us an update on her plans on Monday's Show, 6 to 8PM Pacific on AM 600 KOGO and www.kogo.com
Gee, maybe they'd like me to come speak at a retreat (don't hold your breath).

ON MY WAY BACK FROM FLORIDA: After an amazing weekend at the Kennedy Space Center, Cape Canaveral and the annual Astronauts Foundation Dinner. Special thanks to Steve Hankow and Sims-Hankow auctions (more info: www.farthestreaches.com) for inviting me to also be on hand for the annual UACC autograph convention, and for the honor of doing some emcee work at the event. All of that AND seeing the Space Shuttle launch made it a weekend to remember. More info and behind the scenes stories involving my meetings with many of America's space heroes on Monday's show on KOGO.

SUCCESS!

The Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off for its delayed mission... and I was on-site to witness the event! Quite an opportunity, to say the least. Here's the report and photos:http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070609/D8PL1RC00.html

NOT IN ORBIT YET, BUT...

I'm off on a "working vacation" today through Sunday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. I'll have more on what this is all about on my Friday morning commentary... 7:55AM on KOGO.
Emceeing some events and supporting the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation through the week, as well as being on hand for the Space Shuttle Atlantis launch, scheduled for 4:38PM San Diego time on Friday. Stay tuned for updates! Joe Crummey sits in for me on Wed-Thurs; Mark Williams on Fri on AM 600 KOGO and www.kogo.com

I CAN HEAR IT NOW

The Dems will try to demonize the GOP for nasty attacks on Rep. Jefferson, he of "cool (ok, FROZEN) cash" and corruption fame: http://breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8PITBGG0&show_article=1&catnum=0 This on a day when the left is obsessed with Scooter Libby's sentence. Double standard? Oh nooooo....

WHAT FANS?

Paris Hilton checks into the pokey early: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070604/D8PI24O01.html
And she keeps saying "my fans know what I'm really like". Oh. Judging from the chorus of boo's at last night MTV awards, just who ARE those fans, anyway? Sure seems like she needed a good spanking (in a traditional values sort of way) years ago.

THE LATEST THREAT

The warning signs are there: http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=NmZjOGU4N2Q3MmYzM2ZkNzE0NjMxNGVhMzU5ODgxODA=

HELP! MOM! THERE ARE LIBERALS UNDER MY BED! Now our friend Katharine DeBrecht (occasional guest on our show) is seen as scary by Chris Matthews. Wow. He directs more venom toward her than, say, Iran's Ahmadinejad... who wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth. Here's what happened: http://newsbusters.org/node/13176

NOW WE KNOW MORE

The foiled JFK terror plot was worse than we thought: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070602/D8PGTE5G0.html

THWARTED...THIS TIME

The left will poo-poo this case as one of "home grown" terror wanna-be's... and try to make it seem that Bush's War is just like John Edwards' "bumpersticker slogan" charge. We'll see. Here's what we know now: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,277337,00.html

TB UPDATE: The more we know about Andrew Speaker's decision to fly all over the place, while knowing he had/has a nasty strain of TB, the more it looks like a major "rules aren't for me" case of Mr. Selfish. Stand by for the rest of the story... and lawsuits.

AND THEN THERE'S THIS...

...a lesbian is suing EHarmony.com for discrimination: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/2007-06-01-eharmony-suit-discrimination_N.htm?csp=34 Sounds like when suits were filed to get girls into the boy scouts. What's next?

EMBRACING DEATH

At his age, doesn't hugging Dr. Jack Kevorkian seem just a little more creepy? Here's the story:
http://www.wxyz.com/news/story.aspx?content_id=72c0b0ba-5b3e-4d6e-a6aa-3f1664e555b5