Deseret News | Don Gale wrote truth

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Readers' forum: Don Gale wrote truth

lol | 6:49 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Tom Barberi calling others a gas-bag? Pot meet kettle. barberi is nothing more than a left-wing local radio version of Limbaugh. This letter could not possibly have any less credibility.

@ Tom | 6:52 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I think it's safe to say that you are venting your anger because of the huge success of the number of listeners of their radio shows. Did they put you out of a job Tom?

ws | 6:55 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Good to hear your voice of reason again Tom!!

Comments continue below

Ralph West Jordan | 8:08 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I am an old man, a conservative and life-long resident of Utah. For years I listened to both the Right leaning radio as well as the left. I didn't miss to many Hannity or Limbaugh gigs and started my day with Barberi on the way to work. While I didn't agree with Tom all to often, he was entertaining and always seemed willing to listen to the opposite view. Over the years I learned to dissagree but at the same time leared to respect him. As for the the others it was a gradual decline in professionalism and anything that resembled news. As the decline of the GOP and conservative movement became apparent during the last Presidential campaign the panic set in and the high shrill sound of desparation became the norm. Now the three stooges have only the floundering, desparate radical right to pander too. I am convinced that in the future the GOP will come up with some leadership, but until then I will support the POTUS that we have. At least he is doing something as opposed to the last 8 years.

New Yorker | 8:08 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

When I was going to college in the mid 70s I really enjoyed listening to Barberi. However, for the last 25 years he has become boring and any sense of humor he had has been lost to his total disregard for those of differing views. Why he continues to live in a state that he has such disdain for ceases to amaze me. Tommy, after living in Utah for all these years, does it come as a surprise to you that conservative views and personalities remain popular in Utah? Get a clue.

Cowboy | 9:01 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Why in the world should anyone pummel you for having a different point of view than they have. On the other hand why should you pummel anyone for differing from you. Neither Limbaugh, Olbermann, etc --or Gale for that matter-- purport to offer us "truth", they offer us mere opinions with all the faults that go with the human condition. Opinions upon which people may honestly differ. If it bothers you so much that there are other views in the world why do you listen--and you must listen frequently-- or, it is assumed,you wouldn't proffer such a detailed critique. Personally I am little interested in anyone who purports to be completely right and those with differing views completely wrong. That's why I selectively use the off button, hardly ever talk radio whoever if pontifciating and read punditry, even mr. Gale's with a large degree of skepticism. I refuse to pummel anyone with a different point of view, even you.

steve | 9:45 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Name calling seems to be the depth of the debate for some. Please at least give a couple of examples of all these untruths that you speak of to give some substance to your comments.

Koker | 9:49 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Oops he did it again. Barberi opens mouth, removes all doubt.

Former Fan | 10:07 a.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Dear Tom, I used to listen to your radio show - I was a big fan. When did you become a bleeding liberal who is afraid to question your government or disagree with it? How disappointing you have become...

desert rat | 12:40 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Good grief Tom! What are you doing reading the Deseret Morning News? The paper that has consistently opposed your efforts to "legalize adulthood [vice]" in Utah. The paper owned by the 900 pound gorilla you blame for all the evils in Salt Lake City.

Why do you and Don Gale think the audiences of those you excoriate are as big as they are? Could it be that a majority of their listeners agree with them?

As I think about it, I guess that doesn't matter to liberal elitists who know in their hearts how superior they are to the great unwashed. How sad for you that your superiority is ignored by so many.

Anonymous | 12:57 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Love ya, Tom. You are so right.

Barberi, infamous pioneer | 1:32 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

My introduction to Talk Radio in Utah was Barberi and his nasty intolerant rants.

When I first heard Talk Radio (KTKK) on the other hand I became excited about the various points of view being aired.

Though Debaccus was virtually Communist in his political agenda, like Joe Redwood, you might occasionally offer alternate views. Yet there was Kirkwood, conservative but gradually abandoning his Republican loyalties. We had Libertarian views and hosts who actually were tolerant of a whole range of beliefs. Then there came Mills Crenshaw and conservative political activism which I liked best of all.

We heard different opinions; that was in the heyday of Talk Radio.

KTKK has lost its spark to put it mildly, and
what I have heard recently on local talk radio has not been exhilirating: KSL's Doug Wright lets you get a sentence out, then resumes the teaching of his own personal views.

National Talk Radio is better now. There is less opportunity for participation but good investigative reporting and political activism from Glenn Beck, entertaining conservative satire from Limbaugh, deep, dark truthful from Michael Savage - until he gets into his rah rah support of current unconstitutional wars in the Middle East.

wake up time | 2:03 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

To summarize your innane comment: Conservative talk show hosts are gas-bags, flamethrowers, train wrecks, addicts, and liars who only rarely stumble upon truth. Their listeners are fools who can’t recognize truth. Their critics are accurate, concise, and truthful.

No facts to back up your string of foundationless tripe? It is childish, baseless, babblings like this that make it so easy for thinking people to brush yappy dogs like you off to the side. You have nothing of substance to add to the conversation. You have no facts to back you up. You merely hope that slandering and maligning the messengers will make the message go away.

You fantasize, in your willful blindness, that all their information comes from false statistics, false polls, and false quotes while your happy world of the left dances in sunny mountains of chocolaty truth.

I hate to rain on your fantasy world Tom, but its time to wake up. Your not fooling anybody but yourself and your cohorts.

Voice of reason | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Barberi can't possibly believe any of the bologna he wrote here. Don’t be fooled, conservatives. He is old hat at the talk radio business. He does not even read the Deseret News. This is just a desperate attempt to provoke conservatives into calling him on his show - to give him a desperately needed boost in ratings. Don’t fall for it. The only ‘voice of reason’ on his show is the voice of everyone that argues with him.

Re: Wake up time 2;03 pm | 3:11 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Take a deep breath! In out, In out, thats it, now gather up all your Hannity, Limbaugh and Beck tapes, head for the bomb shelter and hang out for the next 7 years. Then Maybe just maybe by then you and your ilk will have something to live for, but do yurself a favor and save the drama for your mama, that third paragraph was a little much!

Steve | 4:42 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Spoken like a bitter man who has realized the insignificance of his career. I wonder if any of the big three have even heard of you? Doubt it. "Lies, made-up statistics, false quotes and polls." List them. Do a show on it... do you even have a show anymore? I would love to hear specific examples from these "flamethrowers."

Then there is the cheap shot about two of them being "druggies and alcoholics." I would love to dig into your past Barberi. My guess is that you have a nice collection of skeletons. Do you have any friends or family members who have had struggles with drugs or alcohol? If you do I assume you no longer associate with them. Interesting cheap shot from someone who is so non judgmental (living in a community that is very judgmental)

Go back to talking about how surprised you are that LDS views exist in Utah politics. Or there is the old crusade to make alcohol more readily available. These two topics have made your stellar "local" career such a hit.

Janana | 10:01 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

I am a Utah Valley Republican (truth be told I am now unaffiliated-but have always considered myself Republican-just no longer have any desire to be grouped with the ilks of Oldroyd and other Republicans in Utah Valley) and agree whole heartedly with Barberri and Gale. I'm pretty typical housewife who agrees that the Republican party needs work. Even my retired Col husband commented tonight that he no longer feels like calling himself a Republican. Something needs to change!

janana | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 15, 2009

Why-why-why is religion attached to every letter to the editor?

Anonymous | 10:50 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

There was not a single word written by Barberi that was about an issue. Everything was name-calling and slander. Don't fancy yourself as a martyr, Tom, to gain sympathy. You're not. When you get game, come back to the table.

Utahn | 11:17 a.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Tom, is that you? Where have you been? I only hear you doing an infomercial described as a car show on weekends? How the mighty have fallen. Lonsberry kicked your butt to the curb. You are a bitter old man who has seen his greatness fade and clinging to the old days. You are a has-been. I listened to you every now and then, but haven't missed you at all. Thanks for insulting the millions of listeners who listen to talk radio. No one cares what you think anymore.

What is the "truth"? | 2:22 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

Don Gail spoke truth. Glen Beck also speaks truth (in some people's minds).

BOTH of these guys were sharing their "Opinions" Tom. Surely you of all people should understand that.

Neither claims to be the source of all truth... so we can stop debating who speaks the truth (especially in this case where they were just sharing their opinions) at any time.

Did TOM speak the truth? | 3:50 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

When TOM was on the air did HE speak the truth? Or was it his opinion?

I sort of understood that it was his "Opinion"... just like with Don Gail, Glen Bech and many many other talk show jocks.

I don't know how you hear one man's opinion and jump up and proclaim that, "HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH"!!!

It was just his opinion!

the truth | 5:42 p.m. Nov. 16, 2009

DOn Gale's piece was OP-ED piece,

by your own words an OPINION piece,

that means it is NOT TRUTH but OPINION.

LIBERALS will continue to HATE ON and ATTACK conservative talk,

but then again they HATE anything that disagrees with their NEO-LIBERAL world view or shines a light on their LIBERAL antics and LIBERAL idiocacy.

Good Grief! | 6:47 a.m. Nov. 17, 2009

I used to listen to you, Tom. Found you mildly amusing until January 17, 1977.

Remember that morning? I was listening in my car when you cracked jokes about the impending execution of Gary Gilmore. He deserved to die, IMO, but solemn reflection would have been much more appropriate than tacky, not so funny, cheap shots.

Maybe you didn't believe the execution would happen, but even so your "jokes" weren't funny. I switched to KSL that morning. Oddly, I never missed you at all.

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