Oh, no...

I have a problem. I can't stop myself from calling into radio talk shows and giving my opinion. They ask and I call...if it is something I feel passionate about. Anyway, about a month ago, I called into a national radio program on XM satellite radio. The topic was on a "study" (a term this talk show host uses frequently when it is clearly NOT a "study" but a poll) taken from patrons of an online dating service. The question asked was "Have you, as a single woman, ever thought of becoming a Mother on your own?" 80% of the women said "yes". The host took this to mean (she really said this) that 80% of women would rather do parenting on their own because in most cases the husbands aren't helpful and are more like children themselves. I thought this was not only a mighty stretch as a conclusion of the "study" but I thought it was irresponsible to put out into the world that men are insignificant in the raising of children. The host asked anyone to call if they felt differently. I called. I thought I was thoughtful and considerate in my call. I had listened to this host many times before and I knew she was an ultra-feminist with considerable prejudices against certain people. She listened as I stated that, in my experience, most men are up to the task of raising their children. I stated that most men I know help around the house and have loving relationships with their wives and children. I told her that I thought it was wrong to perpetuate the idea that men are mere babysitters of their children or inconsequential to the lives of their children. (I hit on topics the host had brought up during the show previous to my call) The host talks regularly about the daughter she is raising on her own (by choice) and how she thinks most women can do a better job of everything when a man is not getting in her way. She says that as long as you have male role models in a child's life that her way of doing things is preferable. The host responded to me. "I think most men take themselves out of the equation. They don't step up to the plate!" I said that they may be so with some men but that I hadn't seen that with most men. She said, "Where are you from again? Oh, yeah, Utah." She left it that. I have NEVER in all the times I have listened to her show heard her ask where anyone is from (the producer had asked before I went on.) The next caller after me was a man named "Mike". He proceeded to very rudely tell this woman that she was a hag for thinking this about men and no wonder she didn't have a man. Who would have her, he said. He was not nice at all. That call ended badly for him as he got hung up on. The next caller was a single mother from NYC. Her opening statement was "That guy Mike and that woman from Utah should get married! They make a perfect match!" The host and her new friend laughed and laughed. My jaw dropped open. "What?!" I said loudly to the radio. It bothered me that people were talking about me behind my back, right in front of me! And I was so polite when I called. It bothered me that they just assumed that I was naive because I was from Utah. The NYC woman even called me "near-sighted" (meaning I hadn't seen much outside of Utah.) I then wished I could call back and explain that I was raised by a single Mom. I had a pretty crappy Dad. But that didn't change what I said about men being important. It has always bothered me when a woman calls her husband one of her children. I knew that what I had said was unpopular with some and it didn't bother me that they disagreed. Part of me just chuckled at being lumped in with ol' mean Mike. But part of me was bothered that they were making fun of me.

So, it has been a month, and I had all but forgotten about the infamous "call" when yesterday, while driving and listening to XM I heard a promo for the above named host's show. It was a strategically edited version of what I said and the host saying "where are you from...oh, yeah, Utah!" and then "Mike's" mean comments and then the NYC woman making that joke about me and "Mike" being the perfect couple and then everyone laughing! They are playing this promo multiple times a day! I couldn't believe it! If this doesn't teach me a lesson I don't know what will?!?!?