WMUB Listener Feedback

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]