I LOVE RFK Jr, but I'm afraid his voice is a problem

[GCP]

I don't know whether he has had throat surgery or what, but his voice is very difficult to listen to and I fear the average Joe Schmoe will just tune out.
I wish it weren't so, and I know it sounds horribly shallow, but I have no false hopes about the abilities of the afore-mentioned Joe to bother to listen to RFK, "because it's too darn hard and he sounds funny".

[eleny]

1. He does have a conditon that affects his voice

I'm glad that he never let's it get in his way of spreading truth and justice.

[faithnotgreed]

7. well said eleny

he is a strong voice for truth and all kinds of justice (esp for environmental issues)
i greatly admire that he is out there taking this lead - knowing that those whose ears are closed wont want to hear him anyway

at least someone is (aside from john conyers of course)

[lady lib]

65. Me too!! n/t

[dogday]

79. Absolutely, I love to listen

to him actually.. He knows his stuff...

[OzarkDem]

2. IIRC he has asthma

one of the reasons he's an environmental activist.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. He has a condition called spasmodic dysphonia.

I think he has a child with severe asthma.

[OzarkDem]

38. Thanks

I heard him talking about it in an interview once. Isn't that the same thing Diane Rehm has?

[Salviati]

48. Yeah, it's the same condition that Diane Rehm has...

[lady lib]

51. Diane Rehm does have spasmodic dysphonia

(also called spastic dysphonia). I believe she gets hers treated with botulinum injections.

[leftchick]

88. I was thinking that is what he had

Diane Rheam has it and did a segment of her show covering it.

[LSparkle]

3. Sadly I agree -- he sounds weak

even if his words and passion are strong. I don't know what causes it -- is/was he asthmatic?

[CatWoman]

4. I don't believe this fucking thread

we get what the fuck we deserve.

[eleny]

11. I wish I had said that instead!

[GCP]

13. Wow

Nice.

[CatWoman]

15. isn't it fucking nice, tho?

like this thread: nice and fucking stupid.

[GCP]

23. Like I said - I love the guy

But if you think the average guy in the street is going to give him more than a minute of hearing his voice before changing the channel, then fine. Think it.
I don't. And thanks for the gratuitous nasty language.

[Jigarotta]

26. what are u suggesting? that rfk jr. just shut the hell up?

I don't see your point.

I heard him as well and didn't have any trouble understanding him.

I don't get it.

[GCP]

32. I'm suggesting that the average American is too shallow to give him credit

I'm sorry I even brought the subject up.
Obviously some people here don't live in the same world I live in, where American Idol brings in almost as many votes as the general election - if not more.

[Swamp Rat]

37. You assume too much about the "average American."

After all, the average American watches Rita Cosby... and she has no redeeming qualities like the great statesman mentioned in the OP.

[JeffR]

87. Godamighty, Swamp Rat

You know I love your work, but this graphic just freaks me out and leaves me, um, speechless.

[Octafish]

95. Yeah. Me too.

Do ya mean "incubus"?

The Little Turd
from Crawford

[Raksha]

96. Nah, Swamp Rat is right. Incubus is the male ghoul

that preys on women, succubus is the opposite. Need any more useless information? I just might have it lying around here somewhere!

[Octafish]

104. Manne Coulter might be both.

Any way, he or she's a whole lot a fascist scum.



"Moof moof mife fwife fwiff fwaff?"

Kinky and zany, in an anthropomorphous way.

[upi402]

112. Is that really her... him...

Photoshop is good for America in hard times!

[Pastiche423]

55. I disagree

In no way is this thread nice.

But I do agree that it is fucking stupid. And I'll raise you a fucking shallow.

[GCP]

60. Shallow it may be

But if I, a life-long leftie RN have trouble listening to his voice, then you can take it to the bank that people with no empathy and no interest in politics anyway, are not going to bother listening to what he says.
I'm glad he put it in writing in RS, he's hard to listen to, is all I'm trying to say.

[Pastiche423]

67. So...

All you're saying is that a person w/a disability should not be a public servant?

All I'm saying is you are a sad and cruel little person.

[GCP]

70. Oh, for pity's sake, get a grip

n/t

[Pastiche423]

71. I have a grip

You apparently do not.

[GCP]

72. Fine - whatever

n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

74. The fact is that his voice is hard on the ears.

I noticed it too. Yes this is entirely shallow and superficial, but in case you all haven't noticed: the american people are generally shallow and superficial. Godlesscommieprevert has made a simple observation, and his observation is correct: RFKjr will not play well on TV, regardless of his message. Oh well..

I guess other folks are going to have to speak with him.

[Karenina]

93. Maybe if he dyed his hair REAL BLOND

dressed up in drag and went missing, sending communiques from an undisclosed location EXCLUSIVELY to American Idol...

[Cetacea]

115. Agreed. Perhaps better on TV, where it counts

No doubt, on TV, the Kennedy charm would kick in. I hope he runs with Gore or Clark. This country deserves at bare minumum one full term of a good Kennedy.

[burythehatchet]

14. one can only look on with amazement.

[jonnyblitz]

16. people on here can't seem to get past rita cosby's voice

so why would it be any different for him? sometimes reality sucks. :shrug:

[devilgrrl]

50. Oh, I know...

as if :eyes:

[Cetacea]

114. It's not stupid. Voters are shallow

I greatly admire RFK Jr. but his voice is hard to take, at least on the radio. That doesn't lessen his message , but it does diminish his election prospects in this shallow "who would you rather have a beer with" country. (if he should decide to run)
I firmly believe that it was Jimmy Carter's southern drawl, and not the hostage crises, that deprived him of re-election. Though Reagan was a friggin moron who destroyed the country, he spoke clearly and carried himself much better than the serious and all too competent Carter.
So , this thread raises some valid points about the possible ramifications a speech impediment(?) might raise if he were to run. (and I hope he does.)
He may come across better on TV than on the radio. Plus he does have the Kennedy charisma. Gore/Kennedy in 2008. Yeah, I like it!

[CountAllVotes]

5. it is not important how he sounds

What is important are the words that he speaks! :grr:

:kick:

[amitten]

24. It is important how he sounds...in the arena of public opinion.

On television, no matter the message, it is important how you sound and how you look.

Otherwise, the vast majority of dimwits out there instantly discount anything you say. Sad, but true. We can live in denial of it or use it to our advantage--by promoting Democratic speakers that look and sound just as good as the message they bear.

In other words, someone like Dean should be the one bringing this meassage to the public.

[Gabi Hayes]

30. it's only important if.....

you're a freaking demoncrat

jesus.....lookit who's PRESident!

the media has not only downplayed the obvious fact that he's a HALFwit for seven years, they've woven his imbecility into a charming POSitive: he's so folksy, so charming, so comfortable in his own skin.

it's so obvious...do I need to go on?

[amitten]

35. You're right. But a 'weak' voice is the worst voice a male

political protester can possibly have. It is just unfortunate, is all.

That's part of why Randi Rhodes and Ed Schultz can rope in the occasional conservative listener. They sound 'tough', and that's pretty much all the right-wing ever responds to.

Have you seen proof to the contrary?

[rucky]

94. I don't think the "conservative listener" is his target.

And how's your radio show coming along?

[amitten]

109. If the conservative listener is not a target, than why have the show

at all? All the liberals who give a damn are already on board, and don't need a radio show for information.

Liberal radio should of course serve to open the eyes of conservatives.

[saltpoint]

6. Lincoln was said to have a high-pitched, hard-to-listen-to,

deep-Appalachian voice, but emerged as his party's presidential candidate and did ok in historians' accounts.

I know what you're saying, and appreciate the point, especially in our cable news age, where everybody is supposed to be "mediagenic."

But I'm from the old school, and I'm listening to RFK Jr.'s words, and I'm likin' what I'm hearin'.

[Warren Stupidity]

75. Lincoln didn't have broadcast media, obviously. nt.

[ecstatic]

8. sad, but true... His name is a problem too nt

[uppityperson]

10. Not as bad as Mr.bush's voice.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

12. Best description of Bush's voice was something Garrison Keillor wrote --

he said Bush has a voice like a dial tone.

[uppityperson]

20. a whiney inarticulate dial tone

:rofl:

[Webster Green]

17. Joe Schmoe sucks!

Who cares what that asshole thinks?

[Tempest]

18. He's also too tall

Any other mundane personal characteristic you'd like to complain about?

[CatWoman]

19. ROFL!!

:rofl:

[gkhouston]

22. his teeth are alarming

have they been registered as potential weapons? ;-)

[MelissaB]

27. Yeah, those big feet.

You know what they say about men with big feet..

[Gabi Hayes]

33. just so you'll know....

I have enormous feet

[MelissaB]

34. Well, hi friend!

:hi:

:evilgrin:

[Gabi Hayes]

69. hey! think I'm "kitt'n?"

[Pastiche423]

63. Yeah, but...

Are your feet long and slender or are they big and fat?

Just askin'...

O8)

[Gabi Hayes]

84. both!

and in all the right places...

didn't you see the picture above?

[diamondsndust]

82. my favorite part was when he just shut little Tucker up when

when Tucker was trying to interrupt him. He said "let me finish! I let you talk!" ... That was ballsy!


BTW... I'm 6'3 and wear a size 13EEE shoe... :evilgrin:

[quiet.american]

21. He has a permanent condition called "spasmodic dysphonia."

I listen to his Ring of Fire radio show every week, where lots of Joe Schmoes (some of them even Republicans) call in and are thrilled to engage in dialogue with him.

I've also been to one of his lectures that was sold out, standing room only, and believe me, everyone in the room was listening.

He travels extensively giving lectures to Republican and Democratic audiences alike, who give him standing ovations.

Relax, your fears of no one listening are completely unfounded.

[GCP]

25. Thank you for a voice of reason

I suddenly felt like I was the turd in the punchbowl here.

[quiet.american]

28. :) Well, you know we love us some RFK, Jr. around here! :) n/t

[Swamp Rat]

43. LOL! You ARE!

:D Just kidding! ;)

Here's a REAL turd for ya:

[amitten]

31. Not true. My centrist friends that I have talked into listening to Air

America have been put off by Kennedy's voice. They thus avoid his show for that particular reason, in their own words.

The messenger these days is every bit as important as the message. And I love the guy...but I'm a realist.

Kennedy, unfortunately due to his voice, sounds like the 'wimpy latte-gulping liberal' that the right-wing banks on the Average Joe hating. We need messengers that sound strong. Period.

[Gabi Hayes]

36. well, they're very shallow aholes, then....just today, I was listening

to a clip of him on with Tuckhead Carlson, and somebody came in. they said, ''what's the deal with that guy's voice?"

I explained his affliction with dysphonia, and said that I didn't even notice it anymore. I was a bit put off by how he sounds when I first started listening to Ring of Fire, but, after a few shows, I DON'T EVEN NOTICE HIS VOICE anymore

so tell your friends to stop being such assholes and get over it. Ask them to be honest and tell you if they listened for more than a few moments.

If they gave him more than the most cursory listening, I'll apologize, but they're definitely bigger aholes than I am, cause I went passed my initial annoyance to the point of not even noticing

bet your friends have lots of pals with MS, don't they?

[amitten]

45. And you just proved my point.

If you think the average right-winger is NOT an asshole, and will give more than a cursory listen to a man that sounds like an old lady, then you have given them way too much credit. We are trying to get them to listen...trying to educate them and change their point of view.

So, by your opinion of the average ADD-type listener, we really do need a messenger with a voice that makes people want to KEEP LISTENING.

Or would you rather try to find a way to magically make everyone less shallow? Hmm....which is the easier fix???

[Gabi Hayes]

49. those people are beyond reach, if that's all they respond to.

I was talking about your MOR friends. that's all

ask them how much time they spent listening to him

go ahead

[amitten]

111. Well, one of them said he listened for roughly three weeks and

"couldn't take that guy's voice anymore". (His words, not mine.)

Oh, and actually that friend is left-of-center compared to the others. So, I'm just saying that if he can't stand it, we can't expect the average low-tolerance right-winger to, right?

[blogslut]

85. Tell any right-wing ADD

...victim that Bobby Jr. has spasmodic dysphonia. It's a condition that makes the voice sound shakey. Katherine Hepburn had it. Tell them he speaks out and runs a radio program in spite of his affliction.

[Swamp Rat]

44. Well, my centrist friends LOVE Kennedy's voice of reason but hate rw

bloviators like Rash Limpballs, who's voice sounds like someone stepping on gelatinous cow manure.

[quiet.american]

103. Your friends may not like him, but they're in the minority.

It's not hard to prove, just Google his name, and it's easy to see how popular and respected he is.

[BringEmOn]

106. Your "centrist" friends must really love Lieberman's voice.

[BrklynLiberal]

41. I was going to mention that all his lectures are sold out SRO!

People that truly care about his message are not really bothered by his voice.
I watched/listened to him give a speech about the environment on FSTV and by the 3rd minute, I was totaly unaware of any problem with his voice since I was so caught up with his passion and the words he was speaking.

EDIT: BTW. It was in front of a sold out crowd of several thousand people.

[helderheid]

29. 2 words for you: Dianne Rehm

She has the same voice disorder and has been a succesful radio host for 25 years.

[OzarkDem]

40. Agree, she's very good as is RFK, Jr.

It doesn't bother me at all.

[Gabi Hayes]

46. sorry, but she doesn't stand up to all the RW liars she has on her show

sometimes she'll show some minor skepticism, but she's mostly a Brian Lamb-school interviewer

I've been listening to her show for over 25 years, and she's changed a LOT from when she started out (pretty right wing), so I'll give her the fact that she's wised up, but she rarely seriously challenges her wingnut guests (check archives for the Mary Cheney interview), and relies on callers to do the heavy lifting

her Friday newsbag lineup is annoying, with tbe usual lineup of somebody like Susan Page, EJ Dionne, and Tony Blankely (ALWAYS a right wing lunatic shill...always), during which equal credence is given to the rabid sputa of the crazed wingnuts

hard to take

[helderheid]

58. not my point. My point is she is successful despite her voice problems. em

[Gabi Hayes]

59. successful, how? in that she has her own syndicated show?

sure

successful, in that she's a strong progressive voice, that debunks the wingnut bullshitters she has on her show?

no way

did you hear Mary Cheney? that was awful

and sadly typical

she does OK with 'liberal' guest, in that she lets them get their points across, but she doesn't challenge them any more than she does the huge liars she has on. sauce for the goose and all.....

[helderheid]

98. I never said she was a successful progressive. I just said she's been

successful as a radio host despite her voice condition. I'm not debating whether or not her show is worth listening to - just that it does get listened to.

[SharonRB]

78. I didn't see this post before I posted the same thing way down below.

[NJ_Lib]

39. Well you know how we are in America...

today, looking good is more important than substance, just like most of our women in this country...


... As long as the delivery is pleasing, who gives a fluck what the message is...? :eyes:

[I_Make_Mistakes]

53. I disagree completely with the assumption that Americans can't

get past personal situations. The thing is to come out and acknowledge his condition, and that would be the end of it period. The problem would be to let the amoral RW megaphones quietly use a coded message to frame his condition as a sign of weakness not merely a medical condition that effects his ability to speak not function normally.

I urge you to look at your own family and friends and not find one incident of a condition that requires us to be sympathetic to our own human condition.

The truth is we are all human with human afflictions, look at how many RW'ers were quick to come to, gasp, an affront on Dick's daughter, even though, by their stds. homosexuality is a grave sin, scourge on our society and not deserving of equal rights, their sentiments not mine.

The RW is really, really good at spinning everything and anything, and until we figure how to just confront the issues head on with the truth (unlike their ability to properly frame really gross assaults on sensibilities), it will just seem like we are making excuses.

I have watched RFK on several interviews, yes, I noticed the voice at first, once I understood his condition, I only heard his message, which by the way, was a good one!

[Gregorian]

42. No. The true message always trumps the messenger.

When someone is intelligent, it's unimportant. Take Stephen Hawking as an example. He doesn't even have a voice. It's a machine.

LBJ had the same accent as Bush. Actually, even "worse". When I hear a drawl, I usually cringe from the dreaded Bush experience.

[David__77]

47. Admittedly, it does make me cringe.

I've listened to it, but am relieved somewhat when the co-host takes over.

[Gabi Hayes]

54. I used to be the same way, exactly, but I really don't even notice it

anymore

you just have to get past it

I'm a VERY shallow, irritable person, btw, so if I can ignore it, I promise you can

[grasswire]

105. hahaha -- you're crackin' me up tonight!!

Shallow and irritable? Like this?

[zippy890]

52. His good looks more than make up for

his voice problem.

Since we're discussing the form rather than the substance here.
:-)

[cry baby]

56. Get over the sound of his voice and listen to the words and message.

That is like saying a person cannot be elected unless they are good looking. Pish-posh.

[Bouncy Ball]

57. I saw him give a speech once.

He had a hair out of place. So I decided not to listen to him anymore.

:eyes:

[Gabi Hayes]

61. which one?

I'm as shallow as it gets, believe me (ask my skinny GF), and I got past the voice.

[Bouncy Ball]

89. I was being sarcastic.

Thus the rolling eyes.

[Gabi Hayes]

90. I know...I couldn't figure out a very good way to convey

my sarcasm awareness quotient

you made me LOL, by the way....that's why I said "which one?"....trying to continue on your vein...not so successful, I see

metahumor=non-humor, mostly

[Bouncy Ball]

92. LOL, sorry!

[GCP]

62. Thanks for the input

:eyes:

[Jeffersons Ghost]

64. yeah, they had to kill John Jr in a fake plane crash, he was so dangerous

Like dad, he had the right stuff.

[Bluzmann57]

73. Here's another thought about JFK Jr.

Maybe he was a lousy pilot. Just a thought.

[Humor_In_Cuneiform]

66. He does a lot of talking to folks in industry and I've heard him say

that he has often received a very positive reception.

I'm so glad he is out there working for justice.

[KharmaTrain]

68. Teddy Roosevelt Had A High, Scratchy Voice, Too

Should we dismiss what he said and did?

Let me join those who say this is a stupid thread and serves no good purpose. Yes, I've heard RFK Jr. on radio and alone he's not very impressive sounding, but on television his image (I get chills thinking i'm seeing his father) adds whatever credibility or expertise his voice loses.

[NJ Democrats]

101. But TR didn't have to speak on TV or on the Radio

[devilgrrl]

76. I hate that his ass looks big on TV

:sarcasm:

[SharonRB]

77. He has the same afflicton as Diane Rehm on NPR.

[stepnw1f]

80. What a Shallow Thing to Say

Lol... Oh my... I hope he keeps speaking the way he does.

[SharonAnn]

81. Yes, I love him but it's hard to listen to. Like he's got laryngitis.

[Catchawave]

83. I'm watching him now with Wolfie....

...and doing a fine job :hi:

[devilgrrl]

86. It's too bad Cindy Sheehan isn't hotter...

she'd be taken a lot more seriously! :sarcasm:

[Gabi Hayes]

91. really...now here's HOT....beautiful mind and all

[eleny]

97. Yeah, and she's sells a shitload of oatmeal

[bloom]

99. I think RFK Jr. has the best voice out there. nt

[undeterred]

100. You're right, it sounds horribly shallow.

It hasn't kept me from clearing a space in my weekend to make sure I never miss his show on Air America.

[Octafish]

102. It's what he SAYS that counts.

And by that measure, RFK Jr. is TOPS.

Hear for yourself:

http://www.ringoffireradio.com/default1.asp

[wisteria]

107. Could be you have to listen closer to what he is saying. This could

be, good. Frankly, I don't care what his voice sounds like. I respect him for having the guts to do what others should have done and should be doing now- that is speaking about fair elections and making every vote count.

[osaMABUSh]

108. We all agree that RFK Jr makes a great argument

but in American Idol land of the USA image is important. The middle 30% who aren't lefties or righties won't bother to listen to RFK or read the Rolling Stone article. I personally thought the same of his voice as I do Diane Rheam's: they are hard to listen too. Face reality folks - we live in the most superficial country in the world and middle America will turn the channel if they're even on a channel that RFK might speak.

[mdmc]

110. i like his voice

and will elaborate when sober.

[upi402]

113. RFK is AOK

I mean the President of the United States of America is a dry drunk dumass who never reads cuz his lips get tired.