Antmeister
04-18-2008, 11:46 AM
1. Do you cringe when you hear your own voice on the radio, or do you sound the same way in your ears that you sound inside your head?
I used to cringe, but now I reserve that for listening to other talk show hosts. After ten years of working in radio I’m okay with the sound of my voice, though I still don’t like the way I look on camera. Gimme another 20 pound weight loss and I’ll feel better about that as well.
2. Is bald really beautiful?
Of course! I used to have great thick blond hair, which started falling out when I was 20. So I’ve been shaving my head off and on for the past 13 years. The last time I actually went to a barber was four years ago. Now it’s a matter of shaving my head every other day. And yes, every now and then strange drunken women WILL ask if they can rub your head.
3. Do you ever shave the carpet to match the drapes? Er, no.
4. Do you have podcasts of your radio show, and if so, where can we get them?
Er, no. Podcasts for the show are not available right now, but should be available at some point later this year. We do have a robust archive at NRAnews.com, and clips from the show are added regularly at Townhall.com and YouTube.
5. If you were scheduling Camapalooza 2008, what bands would be on the lineup card?
It varies. I have something like 10,000 songs on my iPod, but only listen to a few bands at a time. Most of the bands I really like have broken up, so I’ll have to come up with two lists. Bands that I’d like to see that are still together would be: Fountains of Wayne, Bob Schneider, Foo Fighters, Band of Horses, Mike Doughty, R.E.M. (as long as they only played songs from New Adventures in Hi-Fi and before), and Tally Hall. Bands that have broken up that I’d like to see would include Ben Folds Five, Lotion, Jellyfish, Nickel Creek, and the Replacements.
6. Are all your best callers on your radio show truck drivers?
Many of them, yes. We actually had one call into the show the other night when We were talking about risk versus reward in terms of committing crimes. He was a former burglar who turned away from a life of crime after getting arrested and serving four years behind bars. Now he’s a trucker who listens to the show.
7. Tell us about your family.
I’ve got five kids in all. My oldest daughter is 21 and a junior in college. She’s a very talented artist who’s hoping to move to NYC after she graduates. She’s also a very responsible kid. We’ve had to send her a grand total of $50 since she started college in 2005. I also have a 16-year old son who’s just as talented an artist, but isn’t nearly as responsible as his older sister. The two older kids are my step-kids, but they call me dad and don’t have any contact with their biological father (he’s basically abandoned them). They’re also bi-racial, which has made for some strange looks when we’re all out together, but I’ve learned to ignore them.
I also have a 7-year old son, who’s incredibly smart but a bit of a follower. I’d really like him to develop more leadership skills, but right now all of his friends are older than he is, and I think that gets in the way. I also have boy/girl twins who just turned three and are a complete trip to be around. My three year old daughter is the reincarnation of Lucille Ball, right down to the bright red hair. My three year old son reminds me a lot of Dexter from the old cartoon “Dexter’s Lab”.
8. Tell us the story of how your met your wife.
I actually met my wife online. Back in 1996, I found a company called iChat, which had an open beta for their chat application. There was a chat room on their website called “Moe’s Bar” (yes, a Simpson’s reference). Every night there’d be the same 20-30 people there, and people would actually converse with one another. I started talking to a couple from Vancouver, BC and they in turn introduced me to this woman who lived in Camden, NJ. We hit it off and eventually started talking more and more. After a few months, we progressed to talking on the phone, and in February of 1997 Elaine came to Oklahoma for a visit. It was love at first sight. She came back three weeks after her first visit and I proposed. She and her kids moved to Oklahoma in April of 1997 and we were married August 1st, 1997. The couple from Vancouver drove down to attend the wedding, but we’ve since lost touch with them.
9. When are you coming back to Dallas?
Good question. My desire for good Tex-Mex makes me want to go back NOW, but honestly the next Texas city I’ll visit will be Houston. My mother moved there at the end of December to be closer to her doctors and I need to get down there to see her. I love Dallas though, and at one point we entertained the idea of moving down there.
10. Boxers, briefs or boxer-briefs? (Note that "commando" is NOT an option.)
No, commando is never an option. I stopped wearing briefs when I was 11 or so and switched to boxers until I got married. I’ve been wearing boxer-briefs for at least a decade (but not the same pair, naturally).
11. Give me your Top 5 "Desert Island" books.
Oh goodness. I have a ton of books and I’m an avid reader, so this will be hard.
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. I picked this up on a family trip my senior year of high school because it seemed thick enough to last me the entire trip. I’ve re-read it about once a year ever since. I now realize that as far as novels go, it’s not really all that great, but there’s something about the protagonist that makes this one of my favorite books.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman. One of the funniest essayists out there. I would pay good money to drink with this man.
Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. I know it’s new, but it’s by far my favorite book right now. Far from the Ann Coulter/Michael Savage “conservative” book, this to me reads more like forgotten American history. Goldberg takes great pains to be fair and not simply use the book as an excuse to call people names, and in fact by the end of the book you realize “we are all Liberal Fascists now”. It’s good stuff, especially for a libertarian-minded person like myself.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton. Why oh why does the best baseball book ever written have to be authored by a Yankee?
An Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. I’m a sucker for trivia, and I love these books. I think I own every one ever written. No, they don’t reside in my bathroom… at least not all the time.
12. Of your 5 children, do you have a favorite? If so, which one and why?
Not really. I’m probably most proud of Mallory, my 21-year old daughter. But that’s largely because she’s the oldest and has accomplished the most. I think my 16-year old Harrison is the most talented, but he’s also the least responsible. My 7-year old Andrew is the quiet kid and I love to spend time with him. He loves the Air and Space Museum in D.C. and we’ll go there quite a bit. Catherine, my 3-year old daughter is a complete ham (for example, she’ll fart very loudly and then hold a finger to the side of her mouth and say “Oooh, did you hear something?”), but she’s also really clingy. James, my 3-year old son is very independent but is also the kid with a temper. I love them all in different ways, and they each have their personality quirks that drive me crazy.
13. (Dangarion) should I ask why you feel were are a lot alike?
Similar taste in music, for one. In re-reading your answers I wanted to go back and add Death Cab for Cutie, Gin Blossoms, Glen Phillips, and Counting Crows to the Camapalooza.
I too get really bothered by undependable people. I remember my first job in television… the news director told every new employee that it was important to be at work on time. Since this was Oklahoma City, she would always reference the fact that the Murrah building was bombed at 9:02 a.m., and that if we were supposed to be at work at 9 a.m., we’d better damn well be there. Jackass drivers also annoy the crap out of me, and D.C. has more than its fair share.
Obviously we both met our wives online as well. I think that about covers it, though I’m sure we could find some other similarities over a beer or three.
14. Which sounds better, President Clinton or President Obama?
Well, this is sure to piss off the Obama supporters, but while neither one of them sounds great, President Obama actually worries me. I look at the three candidates and see no reason for exuberance. So the one candidate that actually has exuberant supporters bothers me. My belief that their exuberance is irrational magnifies my unease. And Hillary has enough baggage that I don’t think she’d be a particularly effective president. Obama may be able to push enough of his agenda through (especially with a willing Congress) that I really worry about the long term effects of his presidency. Americans aren’t great at dismantling government programs, and I see government growing much larger under Obama.
By the way, this should not be mistaken for an endorsement of Hillary. My dream scenario is the two keep fighting until Denver, a bloody floor fight gives Obama the nomination, his wacky supporters commence to driving everyone nuts between then and November, and McCain wins in a landslide after promising to serve one term before handing over the reins to his vice-president, Ramesh Ponnuru.
15. How many people have you accidently shot while cleaning a gun?
None. Nor have I ever shot anyone on purpose.
16. (Farrah Whitworth-Rahn) If FOFC was going to explode and cease to exist and you could only save one poster's posts, who would it be?
Yours, of course! Seriously, I have no idea. Mine, perhaps? But still, without any additional context from other posters, I don’t think any one person’s posts would be worth saving. How socialist of me.
17. What type of gun would you recommend for basic home and personal protection?
It depends, and the real answer is whatever you feel comfortable with. Lots of people own shotguns because they’re a good defensive firearm at close quarters, and the “chu-chunk” of the pump tends to scare the crap out of someone who may be breaking into your home. But if you’re just wanting a single firearm for both personal and home protection, shotguns probably aren’t the way to go.
The sheer number of different types of handguns can be intimidating to someone just starting out, but a good way to get started is to go down to your local range and take a firearms safety course. You’ll learn about safe gun handling, as well as have an opportunity to actually take a few shots. Many ranges have firearms that you can rent while you’re there, so you can take a gun for a test drive, so to speak.
18. Do you hunt at all, and if so what type of game/season?
I don’t hunt, but it’s because of my short attention span and the fact that I don’t get much free time rather than any anti-hunting mentality. Earlier this year I was talking with an outfitter about hunting in the Kalahari, which sounds like it would be incredible, but is a little out of my price range at the moment.
19. What's your favorite movie you've seen in the past year or so?
I really loved “300”. I thought it was a visually stunning movie and was chock full of great action. Usually though, when I sit down to watch a movie I’ll watch a dumb comedy. I’m a huge fan of Judd Apatow, and I could watch “40 Year Old Virgin”, “Knocked Up”, and “Superbad” on continual rotation and be completely happy.
20. Do you have any long term transitional aspirations from radio to something else?
I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.
Outside of channeling my inner Lloyd Dobler, I have a vague idea of a book that I’d like to write, but I’m still fleshing out what I’d like to say. I love doing radio and really have no desire to give it up in favor of anything else though. Writing a book would just be a sideline venture.
21. Do you actually play FOF or are you here for the ladies?
I found FOFC after buying TCY. I don’t play much text-sim stuff anymore. I’ll fire up OOTP every now and then, or Bowl Bound if I want to play college football. I try to limit my game playing to once or twice a month… otherwise I get into a routine of playing games when I could be reading or writing or doing something more productive. The ladies though… they’re a lovely addition to FOFC. Especially Pumpy. She’s hawt.
22. All time favorite game - be it sim, video or board?
Trivial Pursuit. I never lose. Never. Favorite sim would probably be OOTP 6.5, and favorite video game of all time would be Baldur’s Gate II.
23. I love you, do you love me?
Love’s a strong word, and after the whole children’s lit thread, I don’t feel comfortable using that word. I like you though, and if you could actually pull a rabbit out of my ear my feelings could grow stronger.
24. How did you come to be "CamEdwards"?
Well, my parents already had two kids, but apparently one night when my mom was 40 and my dad was 48 they got a little drunk and didn’t use protection. Or did you mean my screen name? I have no idea why I didn’t pick something like “PistolPeteFan1455”. Probably because I didn’t think I’d remember it.
25. Are you from Virginia? What brought you to Burke?
Nope. I was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Oklahoma, with a year and a half in New Jersey when I was 7 and 8. When I was hired to start NRAnews.com it required a move to the D.C. area. For some reason I got it in my head that the Springfield area would be the best place to live, but the real estate agent started showing me homes in the Burke area. Back in 2004, the housing market was crazy, so we’re actually living in our third choice for a home. By the time the agent got back to the office, the first two choices had already been grabbed by someone else. It’s all worked out well though. We love most of our neighbors and actually have neighborhood parties once every couple of months.
26. How did you get into radio? Ever consider working in satellite radio?
A combination of dumb luck and persistence brought me to radio. I actually started out in television, on the production side. I was a videographer, director, and producer for the NBC affiliate in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The family that owned that station also owned the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, and I was able to get an entry-level job as an assistant producer there. After a couple of years I was burned out on the egos, knew I wasn’t going to become a television reporter, and had no desire to be a television producer. I started looking around and stumbled across a reporting opportunity at KTOK radio in Oklahoma City. I hounded the news director almost every day (he was convinced that because I had started in television, I would be worthless as a reporter) until he hired me. I even made more money in radio than in television… a whopping 22k a year to start!
I actually went back to television for a couple of years right after my son Andrew was born. I worked for the state PBS affliliate producing and reporting in documentaries and won some awards, including a regional Emmy. Eventually I was hired away to do the morning show at KTOK, which led to me being hired away for my current job.
I’m assuming your satellite radio comment was in jest, but if not, my show airs on Sirius Satellite Radio (Channel 144) 9-midnight Eastern time. I love satellite radio and rarely listen to terrestrial radio these days.
27. Are people who vote for Republicans accessories to their crimes?
Sure, but you get to be the one to tell my dad that he’s an accessory to interring Japanese and German Americans during WWII since he voted for Roosevelt.
Seriously though, one of the biggest changes that I’ve undergone since moving here is the fact that I really don’t like rooting for the Republican or Democrat party as if they’re sports teams. There are more than 300 million Americans in this country… it seems kind of stupid to say you have to mesh with one of two parties. Ideologically speaking, I’m far more conservative than I am liberal, but I think both parties could use some ideological housecleaning. I’m not a Libertarian, because they offer little or no practical answers. One thing I’ve learned from immersing myself in the gun issue is that sweeping changes are not the norm in politics. It’s a series of baby steps. I would really like to see one party (hell, ideally I’d like to see BOTH parties) take baby steps away from the Nanny State and embrace the importance of individual responsibility and achievement.
28. Where did you get your awesome taste in music?
My appreciation for heavy metal came from my older brother, who’s six years older than I am. He was into all kinds of metal growing up, which meant I was listening to Led Zeppelin, Quiet Riot, Metallica, Ozzy, etc. from about the age of 8. But I’ve always had an eclectic taste. I found a mix tape I made when I was 12 or 13, so that would have been 1986 or 1987. It had (just going on memory here) R.E.M., Boston, Bobby Brown, Tiffany, Steve Miller Band, and Poison, plus a few others.
My metal phase continued until my junior year of high school, when R.E.M.’s “Out of Time” came out. I immediately (and looking back, embarrassingly) became an obnoxious alternative music freak. The funny thing is, I HATED grunge. I’ve never purchased a Nirvana album, and I think the only Pearl Jam I ever owned was Vs. I was much more into geek rock like They Might Be Giants, Too Much Joy, R.E.M., Billy Bragg, etc.
I think Billy Bragg is my most surprising musical enjoyment, btw. I’ve loved his music since high school, socialism be damned. His new album is coming out, and folks should really try and find the acoustic version of the single “I Keep Faith”. The full band version is kind of middle of the road, but the acoustic version gives me chills.
29. It would be good to put a voice, maybe even a face, to the text. Are your radio programs available on the web?
We air live 9 p.m. to midnight on NRAnews.com, with clips from the show popping up on Townhall.com and YouTube.com on a regular basis. We actually have a few Australian listeners… mostly former gun owners who had to turn in their firearms during the buyback a few years ago.
30. Why don't you ever interview anyone from FOFC?
There’s never been a reason to? Actually, the real answer is “I have”. Back when I was hosting a morning sports talk show I interviewed Arlie about “Coaching a Dynasty”. But now, with doing a show that’s 2nd Amendment specific, there really isn’t much of a reason to have someone on the show.
31. If you could only invade one country, which one would it be: Afghanistan, Iraq or France?
If I’m going it alone, I’m picking someplace small and peaceful. Luxembourg or Lichtenstein come to mind. Maybe some place in the Caribbean?
32. Why do you hate "liberal moonbats" so much?
I really don’t hate them. Hell, I married a woman who for most of our marriage was completely opposite me in most of her political views. Both of my parents are die-hard liberals, as are most of my siblings. But it’s true that “liberal moonbats” annoy the crap out of me, though it might be hard to articulate in a paragraph why that’s so.
I believe, generally speaking, that the free market works. I believe individual responsibility is not onlyparamount to helping us achieve our fullest potential, but that it’s a unique factor in the American experiment. I believe that big government programs get in the way. I also think many “liberal moonbats” really are socialists at heart, though they might not realize it (and most would probably think I’m just lobbing a rhetorical volley at them, rather than being completely serious). So while I don’t hate them, I think in many ways think they want to change the United States from a place rooted in individualism to a place where the “common good” reigns supreme. And I can’t get behind that.
33. What's the next step for you, career-wise? On a less serious note, when can we expect world (or half-world) domination?
Beats me. I’m pretty happy where I am career-wise, and even if I wasn’t, I’m not really in the kind of business where I could telegraph my next move on the internet. At this point, honestly, I’m not interested in trying to be the next Sean Hannity. I look at his travel and work schedule and automatically think “when do you see your kids?” I love the fact that I’m home during the day right now, though when the twins start school in a couple of years I’ll try to find a way to tweak my work schedule so I can be home in the early evenings at least.
34. You can cause one team from one professional league (any sport) in the world to cease to exist. Which one is it and why?
I suppose the easy answer would be the Yankees, but then who would I hate? I’ll have to go with the Tampa Bay Rays. They never should have come into existence to begin with, and they play in what looks like a converted parking garage. That’s not baseball.
35. "A well regulated Moderator Group, being necessary to the security of a free FOFC, the right of the people to keep and bear Edit Buttons, shall not be infringed." - Discuss.
Oh boy. A 2nd Amendment parody question. I should have known. To continue the parody, I’ll approach this from a collective rights standpoint, rather than an individual right. Clearly the founders of FOFC did not mean for everyone to have the ability to edit their own posts, or else there would be no need for moderators to begin with. Therefore, the right to edit is reserved to those “people” who meet the definition of “moderator”.
36. Favorite hobby?
I don’t really have hobbies anymore, though I like to read and I enjoy writing when I have time. Mostly I enjoy my wife’s hobby of bellydancing. Seriously… what’s not to love?
37. Why Burke, of all places (you should note that when I think I was "near" Burke, I saw signs for townhomes "starting in the mid 700's" and that made me nearly drive off the road)?
We just kind of stumbled onto Burke when we were looking for a home. I wanted some place that wouldn’t be too far from work (Old Town Alexandria), good schools (the elementary school the kids go to is one of the best in Fairfax County), and a nice neighborhood. Burke fits the bill.
It’s definitely overpriced, but what isn’t around here? I live in a neighborhood built in the 1970’s, so the homes are less than the 700k townhomes, but it’s still crazy expensive. Then again, it’s also still more affordable than Alexandria or Tyson’s, and it’s far closer than living out in Loudon County.
38. I believe you mentioned at the DC meet-up that your wife has tattoos. I don't recall, however, seeing anything overly obvious (or that stood out) on you. Do you have any? How many? Favorite shop?
I have one tattoo… a Red Sox logo on my left ankle that I got back in 2002 or 2003. I know it was before I moved here, because it was done in Dallas, Texas on a roadtrip to watch the Red Sox play the Rangers. My wife has one on her right shoulder, one on her left upper arm, and one on the small of her back. It’s a constant struggle to keep her from getting another. I forget the name of the shop she really likes in Manassas, but I’ll ask her and let you know the name.
39. How do you think the TSA should have handled that case of the passenger with the nipple rings?
I thought this is why we had that weird body-imaging scanning technology… to tell the nipple-ring wearers from the terrorists. If we have to start taking pliers to our nipples in the name of national security, I say we’ve got a weird definition of national security. But again, you expect competence from government bureaucracy?
40. When will we do another DC meet-up, and how can we guarantee that Todd doesn't get bombarded with real-life crapola so he can come, too?
I’m up for a DC meet up whenever. Hell, Elaine loves to throw parties… maybe we can have a drinkfest at my place one Saturday night. Fire up the 360, get the grill going, etc. I think we’ll have to kidnap Todd to ensure his attendance though.
41. Do you watch much TV? Any shows you try to catch "regularly"?
I get home about 12:30 a.m. every night, and on the nights that my wife is already asleep when I get home I’ll watch a couple of hours. It may be an hour playing College Hoops 2k8 and an hour of shows, two hours of shows, or two hours of playing 260, but that’s my tv time. The only shows I watch regularly are “Chuck”, “The Office”, “House”, and “Mythbusters”, though I try to remember to watch South Park every week. I’ll actually make South Park references on the radio show. I think the last one was an Underpants Gnome reference.
42. What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it to others here?
I finished “Liberal Fascism” by Jonah Goldberg a couple of weeks ago and cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s an oddly subversive book, though of course most of the progressives who’ve reviewed it can’t get past the title and premise that while European socialism splintered off into fascism, in American politics socialism splintered off into progressivism, which has led to what Goldberg calls “liberal fascism”. The book is, I think, primarily written for conservatives/libertarians, but towards the end of the book he points out that Republicans are no strangers to the ideology of liberal fascism when it suits their need. It’s far less partisan than it may seem from the book and I really would recommend it to everyone. In fact, I’d be very interested to hear what folks like JPhillips, JohnGalt, and you think about it.
43. What is your favorite food to cook? What is your favorite food to have cooked for you?
I’m not much of a cook, but I won’t eat scrambled eggs unless I make them. A little bit of cheese and fresh pico de gallo on them taste wonderful. Elaine’s an amazing cook, and her lasagna is the best I’ve ever had. She also makes the best stuffing I’ve ever had.
44. Favorite athlete? Is there any athlete whose career path works as a metaphor for your own life?
True story: when I was 13 years old, I traded a rookie Michael Jordan basketball card (The Fleer 85-86 set) for a 1957 Topps Jackie Robinson card. I still think the adult that made that trade took incredible advantage of a know-nothing kid, but I also still have the Jackie Robinson card. I read “The Boys of Summer” when I was 12 and became a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, believe it or not. Robinson, Snider, Campanella, Preacher Roe, Don Zimmer, Pee Wee Reese… I loved reading about all those guys. I actually have most of the 1957 Dodgers set. I’d love to collect the ’55 set, but I also have to send five people to college.
As far as an athlete who could serve as a metaphor… I’m gonna go with someone like a Steve Kerr. I’m never the smartest guy on my show, but it’s my role to bring smart people to the table and at least ask intelligent questions to best serve my audience. I’m a role player and I’m happy with that. I’ve always said that (despite my wife’s protests to the contrary) I really am the least egotistical person I’ve ever met in radio or television.
Personally, I think a much better metaphorical person in sports would be Bill or Mike Veeck. I love absurdity, I love people who treat the game as if it’s a game, and I’m a big believer that life should be fun. When I’m feeling especially worn out or run down I’ll often wear a St. Paul Saints hat on the air to remind myself that “Fun is Good”.
45. What, exactly, is a Moonbat? I mean, aren't bats nocturnal anyway?
Good point. Like asshat, moonbat should not be taken literally.
46. You have mentioned that you would include more libertarian thinking into your shows, is this mostly out of 2nd Amendment or would you apply to other areas as well?
Well, the show itself deals almost exclusively with 2nd Amendment issues (though I do have a semi-regular segment called “News from the Nanny State”). And there’s already a strong libertarian theme that runs through pro-2nd Amendment arguments. There are days when I’d like to do a full-service talk show that dealt with a variety of subjects so I could expound on libertarian themes in other issues, but it’s not a big enough desire that I’m looking for another show. Besides, that’s why I have my irregularly updated blogs.
I also wouldn’t describe myself as a libertarian, but more of a classic liberal. I’m also not sure the libertarians have any idea how to actually get to where they’d like to be. Maybe one day I’ll be known as the father of Practical Libertarianism.
47. I never grew up with guns and never lived in house that had a gun. Never have nor do I ever plan on ever touching a gun. Does that make me a moonbat?
Nope. Moonbats are more about ideology than practical experiences. As long as you don’t believe that the State is somehow responsible for my personal safety we’re good.
48. So far, a nation of gun-owners have not prevented the ever-increasing powers and encroachments of the federal govt in our lives and properties. Aren't there much more effective ways for the federal govt to take what it wants regardless if we all had guns or not?
Of course, as we’ve learned. We’re the frog in the slowly warming pot. But that doesn’t mean at some point it doesn’t become an option (though I think that’s incredibly unlikely). And oppression from tyranny is only one purpose of the 2nd Amendment, and the non-exercise of that action doesn’t nullify the exercise of your rights for other purposes.
49. While Quiksand is our main celebrity at FOFC, you are actually more famous. Do you feel we should treat you better instead of some of the moonbat thinking you are nothing more than an extremist gun nut?
Treat me better? Like actually getting a stripper for my 5,000th post? Absolutely. But I’m far from a celebrity, real or imagined. And frankly, given what society does to celebrities, I’m happy to remain an anonymous figure to the vast majority of Americans.
50. (From Yellow5): Cam, I'm a liberal moonbat with a CCW permit, does that make me even more dangerous than a normal liberal moonbat?
Actually, considering the studies that show those with a CCW are arrested at far lower rates for violent and non-violent crimes as compared to the general population, you’re actually less dangerous than a normal liberal moonbat.
51. On the serious side... How did you get into radio, was it something you wanted to do all along?
I was working for a television station at the time and was also about to be married. Making a whopping $6.65 an hour wasn’t going to cut it, and so I talked my way into a reporter position at the local news/talk station, with a salary of $22,000 a year. I thought I was in heaven.
I didn’t always want to be a broadcast journalist, but I’ve wanted to be a journalist since I was 14 or so and read a biography of Edward R. Murrow.
52. What would you have done if you had not gone into radio?
I don’t know what the job description would be, but I’d like to think I’d be calling myself a smutmonkey. Actually I have no idea. Teaching maybe? Journalism WAS my back up plan (rock star didn’t pan out).
53. Anything earth-shattering ever occur at your house?
On a regular basis, my friend. And not only at the house. ;)
54. I appreciated your interest last year in Will's memorial softball tournament. Do you have some sort of interest in softball?
Not really, though I do like baseball. Basically I wanted to support you and Will’s family. I need to send a contribution this year, even though the IRS is making sure my charitable donations won’t be what they were last year.
55. Favorite movie genre? Top 3 movies from that genre.
Definitely comedy, but since you asked about that specifically I’ll give you my Top 3 action movies, which would be my second choice.
300. Great fantastical take on history, chock full of insane action. Bonus points because Elaine will watch it over and over again (something about nearly naked Gerard Butler and his band of merry men).
Empire Strikes Back. Have to pick one of the Star Wars movies or else I get drummed out of the cult of geekhood.
Saving Private Ryan. I mentioned it earlier, but it’s such an incredible movie.As far as my three favorite comedies, these are probably only reflective of my mood today. Tomorrow I could pick three different movies.
This is Spinal Tap. A classic.
40 Year Old Virgin. The best of the Apatow movies, IMO.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The best of the Monty Python movies, IMO.
56. What better: Scrubs or Seinfeld?
I’ve never seen Scrubs, believe it or not. I’ve also never seen “Fight Club”. I have these fairly large gaps in my pop culture knowledge. So I’ll go with Seinfeld, even though I think “The Office” is the best comedy on television in years, and will stand up to Seinfeld any day of the week.
57. How honest are you? If you went to the grocery store and noticed they accidently put something that's not yours in the bag (but it's something you'd buy on a semi-regular basis), would you return it?
Probably not, considering the last time I went to the store they forgot to give me a bag of items I HAD purchased. And of course I didn’t notice it right away. Normally I’m a very honest person. I’ve handed back change to the cashier when he counted it out incorrectly before.
58. Best way to deal with stress.
For me it’s usually sneaking away to read a book for a half hour, or playing a game on the 360, or even having a cigarette (yes, I still haven’t quit). If those aren’t an option I’ll try and go to my car, put on “Detlef Schrempf” from Band of Horses on my stereo, and close my eyes for five minutes. That usually works wonders.
59. What do you consider the stupidest thing you've ever done in your life? The smartest?
Stupidest thing ever??? I try not to dwell on my stupidity, but I got really hung up on a girl my freshman year of college… to the point that I was a total dickhead to her and most of my friends. Smartest thing I’ve ever done would be asking you to co-blog with me.
60. Who is your favorite rock violinist and why?
She’s not rock, but I have to go with Sara Watkins from the late great Nickel Creek. Why? Because she’s really good and she makes my pants feel funny.
61. How about flutist?
Yeah, don’t have a favorite rock flutist. Not even the guy from Jethro Tull.
62. What are your three favorite rock genres, and who epitomizes each?
I don’t even know what “emo” is, so I’m not sure I’m going to do a great job of answering this question. But I’ll give it a go.
Power Pop- Fountains of Wayne. They’re latest album was kind of “meh”, but Utopia Parkway and Welcome Interstate Managers are classics.
Alt-country. Wilco circa Summerteeth. One of my top 5 albums of all time.
Dork Rock- They Might Be Giants. Celebrating geekdom since the early 80’s. I’ve seen them live 5 times now, and each time was at least “really good”.
63. What is a typical day in the life of Cam Edwards? (leave out the bathroom trips)
With two toddlers who just became pottytrained, leaving out the bathroom trips is going to make my day seem awfully relaxed.
10 a.m.- wake up to “Daddy! Daddy!” as the twins invade the bedroom. Lay in bed while my wife gets dressed for the day (there are benefits to being a stay at home mom).
10:15-11:15 a.m.- stumble downstairs, walk the dog, fire up my laptop, start searching for news stories to cover on the show that night. At 11 a.m. we have an editorial meeting where we discuss items for the show. After that, I’m done for a few hours.
11:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. – hang out at the house. Play Xbox, read, chill with the twins, run errands, etc. That’s basically my “evening” free time.
2:45 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. – work stuff. The commute takes me about 45 minutes on the way in, and about half an hour on the way home. When I’m at work I’m usually trying to catch up on emails from listeners and guests, as well as doing research for the show, writing articles or blog stuff, and actually hosting the show. I try to get together with Jim Geraghty for dinner once a week, and have a couple of other friends who work or live in Old Town Alexandria that I’ll see for dinner or a drink around 6 p.m.
12:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. My only real down time. I’ll get home and if my wife is up, we’ll hang out til 1 a.m. or so (she has to get up at 6 to get the kids ready for school). If she’s asleep I’ll usually play a game of College Hoops 2k8 and have a glass of wine (Pinot Noir usually) before heading off to bed. And then up in the morning to do it all again.
Thanks very much for all the questions… they were a lot of fun!
I used to cringe, but now I reserve that for listening to other talk show hosts. After ten years of working in radio I’m okay with the sound of my voice, though I still don’t like the way I look on camera. Gimme another 20 pound weight loss and I’ll feel better about that as well.
2. Is bald really beautiful?
Of course! I used to have great thick blond hair, which started falling out when I was 20. So I’ve been shaving my head off and on for the past 13 years. The last time I actually went to a barber was four years ago. Now it’s a matter of shaving my head every other day. And yes, every now and then strange drunken women WILL ask if they can rub your head.
3. Do you ever shave the carpet to match the drapes? Er, no.
4. Do you have podcasts of your radio show, and if so, where can we get them?
Er, no. Podcasts for the show are not available right now, but should be available at some point later this year. We do have a robust archive at NRAnews.com, and clips from the show are added regularly at Townhall.com and YouTube.
5. If you were scheduling Camapalooza 2008, what bands would be on the lineup card?
It varies. I have something like 10,000 songs on my iPod, but only listen to a few bands at a time. Most of the bands I really like have broken up, so I’ll have to come up with two lists. Bands that I’d like to see that are still together would be: Fountains of Wayne, Bob Schneider, Foo Fighters, Band of Horses, Mike Doughty, R.E.M. (as long as they only played songs from New Adventures in Hi-Fi and before), and Tally Hall. Bands that have broken up that I’d like to see would include Ben Folds Five, Lotion, Jellyfish, Nickel Creek, and the Replacements.
6. Are all your best callers on your radio show truck drivers?
Many of them, yes. We actually had one call into the show the other night when We were talking about risk versus reward in terms of committing crimes. He was a former burglar who turned away from a life of crime after getting arrested and serving four years behind bars. Now he’s a trucker who listens to the show.
7. Tell us about your family.
I’ve got five kids in all. My oldest daughter is 21 and a junior in college. She’s a very talented artist who’s hoping to move to NYC after she graduates. She’s also a very responsible kid. We’ve had to send her a grand total of $50 since she started college in 2005. I also have a 16-year old son who’s just as talented an artist, but isn’t nearly as responsible as his older sister. The two older kids are my step-kids, but they call me dad and don’t have any contact with their biological father (he’s basically abandoned them). They’re also bi-racial, which has made for some strange looks when we’re all out together, but I’ve learned to ignore them.
I also have a 7-year old son, who’s incredibly smart but a bit of a follower. I’d really like him to develop more leadership skills, but right now all of his friends are older than he is, and I think that gets in the way. I also have boy/girl twins who just turned three and are a complete trip to be around. My three year old daughter is the reincarnation of Lucille Ball, right down to the bright red hair. My three year old son reminds me a lot of Dexter from the old cartoon “Dexter’s Lab”.
8. Tell us the story of how your met your wife.
I actually met my wife online. Back in 1996, I found a company called iChat, which had an open beta for their chat application. There was a chat room on their website called “Moe’s Bar” (yes, a Simpson’s reference). Every night there’d be the same 20-30 people there, and people would actually converse with one another. I started talking to a couple from Vancouver, BC and they in turn introduced me to this woman who lived in Camden, NJ. We hit it off and eventually started talking more and more. After a few months, we progressed to talking on the phone, and in February of 1997 Elaine came to Oklahoma for a visit. It was love at first sight. She came back three weeks after her first visit and I proposed. She and her kids moved to Oklahoma in April of 1997 and we were married August 1st, 1997. The couple from Vancouver drove down to attend the wedding, but we’ve since lost touch with them.
9. When are you coming back to Dallas?
Good question. My desire for good Tex-Mex makes me want to go back NOW, but honestly the next Texas city I’ll visit will be Houston. My mother moved there at the end of December to be closer to her doctors and I need to get down there to see her. I love Dallas though, and at one point we entertained the idea of moving down there.
10. Boxers, briefs or boxer-briefs? (Note that "commando" is NOT an option.)
No, commando is never an option. I stopped wearing briefs when I was 11 or so and switched to boxers until I got married. I’ve been wearing boxer-briefs for at least a decade (but not the same pair, naturally).
11. Give me your Top 5 "Desert Island" books.
Oh goodness. I have a ton of books and I’m an avid reader, so this will be hard.
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham. I picked this up on a family trip my senior year of high school because it seemed thick enough to last me the entire trip. I’ve re-read it about once a year ever since. I now realize that as far as novels go, it’s not really all that great, but there’s something about the protagonist that makes this one of my favorite books.
Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs by Chuck Klosterman. One of the funniest essayists out there. I would pay good money to drink with this man.
Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg. I know it’s new, but it’s by far my favorite book right now. Far from the Ann Coulter/Michael Savage “conservative” book, this to me reads more like forgotten American history. Goldberg takes great pains to be fair and not simply use the book as an excuse to call people names, and in fact by the end of the book you realize “we are all Liberal Fascists now”. It’s good stuff, especially for a libertarian-minded person like myself.
Ball Four by Jim Bouton. Why oh why does the best baseball book ever written have to be authored by a Yankee?
An Uncle John’s Bathroom Reader. I’m a sucker for trivia, and I love these books. I think I own every one ever written. No, they don’t reside in my bathroom… at least not all the time.
12. Of your 5 children, do you have a favorite? If so, which one and why?
Not really. I’m probably most proud of Mallory, my 21-year old daughter. But that’s largely because she’s the oldest and has accomplished the most. I think my 16-year old Harrison is the most talented, but he’s also the least responsible. My 7-year old Andrew is the quiet kid and I love to spend time with him. He loves the Air and Space Museum in D.C. and we’ll go there quite a bit. Catherine, my 3-year old daughter is a complete ham (for example, she’ll fart very loudly and then hold a finger to the side of her mouth and say “Oooh, did you hear something?”), but she’s also really clingy. James, my 3-year old son is very independent but is also the kid with a temper. I love them all in different ways, and they each have their personality quirks that drive me crazy.
13. (Dangarion) should I ask why you feel were are a lot alike?
Similar taste in music, for one. In re-reading your answers I wanted to go back and add Death Cab for Cutie, Gin Blossoms, Glen Phillips, and Counting Crows to the Camapalooza.
I too get really bothered by undependable people. I remember my first job in television… the news director told every new employee that it was important to be at work on time. Since this was Oklahoma City, she would always reference the fact that the Murrah building was bombed at 9:02 a.m., and that if we were supposed to be at work at 9 a.m., we’d better damn well be there. Jackass drivers also annoy the crap out of me, and D.C. has more than its fair share.
Obviously we both met our wives online as well. I think that about covers it, though I’m sure we could find some other similarities over a beer or three.
14. Which sounds better, President Clinton or President Obama?
Well, this is sure to piss off the Obama supporters, but while neither one of them sounds great, President Obama actually worries me. I look at the three candidates and see no reason for exuberance. So the one candidate that actually has exuberant supporters bothers me. My belief that their exuberance is irrational magnifies my unease. And Hillary has enough baggage that I don’t think she’d be a particularly effective president. Obama may be able to push enough of his agenda through (especially with a willing Congress) that I really worry about the long term effects of his presidency. Americans aren’t great at dismantling government programs, and I see government growing much larger under Obama.
By the way, this should not be mistaken for an endorsement of Hillary. My dream scenario is the two keep fighting until Denver, a bloody floor fight gives Obama the nomination, his wacky supporters commence to driving everyone nuts between then and November, and McCain wins in a landslide after promising to serve one term before handing over the reins to his vice-president, Ramesh Ponnuru.
15. How many people have you accidently shot while cleaning a gun?
None. Nor have I ever shot anyone on purpose.
16. (Farrah Whitworth-Rahn) If FOFC was going to explode and cease to exist and you could only save one poster's posts, who would it be?
Yours, of course! Seriously, I have no idea. Mine, perhaps? But still, without any additional context from other posters, I don’t think any one person’s posts would be worth saving. How socialist of me.
17. What type of gun would you recommend for basic home and personal protection?
It depends, and the real answer is whatever you feel comfortable with. Lots of people own shotguns because they’re a good defensive firearm at close quarters, and the “chu-chunk” of the pump tends to scare the crap out of someone who may be breaking into your home. But if you’re just wanting a single firearm for both personal and home protection, shotguns probably aren’t the way to go.
The sheer number of different types of handguns can be intimidating to someone just starting out, but a good way to get started is to go down to your local range and take a firearms safety course. You’ll learn about safe gun handling, as well as have an opportunity to actually take a few shots. Many ranges have firearms that you can rent while you’re there, so you can take a gun for a test drive, so to speak.
18. Do you hunt at all, and if so what type of game/season?
I don’t hunt, but it’s because of my short attention span and the fact that I don’t get much free time rather than any anti-hunting mentality. Earlier this year I was talking with an outfitter about hunting in the Kalahari, which sounds like it would be incredible, but is a little out of my price range at the moment.
19. What's your favorite movie you've seen in the past year or so?
I really loved “300”. I thought it was a visually stunning movie and was chock full of great action. Usually though, when I sit down to watch a movie I’ll watch a dumb comedy. I’m a huge fan of Judd Apatow, and I could watch “40 Year Old Virgin”, “Knocked Up”, and “Superbad” on continual rotation and be completely happy.
20. Do you have any long term transitional aspirations from radio to something else?
I don't want to sell anything, buy anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold, bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know, as a career, I don't want to do that.
Outside of channeling my inner Lloyd Dobler, I have a vague idea of a book that I’d like to write, but I’m still fleshing out what I’d like to say. I love doing radio and really have no desire to give it up in favor of anything else though. Writing a book would just be a sideline venture.
21. Do you actually play FOF or are you here for the ladies?
I found FOFC after buying TCY. I don’t play much text-sim stuff anymore. I’ll fire up OOTP every now and then, or Bowl Bound if I want to play college football. I try to limit my game playing to once or twice a month… otherwise I get into a routine of playing games when I could be reading or writing or doing something more productive. The ladies though… they’re a lovely addition to FOFC. Especially Pumpy. She’s hawt.
22. All time favorite game - be it sim, video or board?
Trivial Pursuit. I never lose. Never. Favorite sim would probably be OOTP 6.5, and favorite video game of all time would be Baldur’s Gate II.
23. I love you, do you love me?
Love’s a strong word, and after the whole children’s lit thread, I don’t feel comfortable using that word. I like you though, and if you could actually pull a rabbit out of my ear my feelings could grow stronger.
24. How did you come to be "CamEdwards"?
Well, my parents already had two kids, but apparently one night when my mom was 40 and my dad was 48 they got a little drunk and didn’t use protection. Or did you mean my screen name? I have no idea why I didn’t pick something like “PistolPeteFan1455”. Probably because I didn’t think I’d remember it.
25. Are you from Virginia? What brought you to Burke?
Nope. I was born in Massachusetts and grew up in Oklahoma, with a year and a half in New Jersey when I was 7 and 8. When I was hired to start NRAnews.com it required a move to the D.C. area. For some reason I got it in my head that the Springfield area would be the best place to live, but the real estate agent started showing me homes in the Burke area. Back in 2004, the housing market was crazy, so we’re actually living in our third choice for a home. By the time the agent got back to the office, the first two choices had already been grabbed by someone else. It’s all worked out well though. We love most of our neighbors and actually have neighborhood parties once every couple of months.
26. How did you get into radio? Ever consider working in satellite radio?
A combination of dumb luck and persistence brought me to radio. I actually started out in television, on the production side. I was a videographer, director, and producer for the NBC affiliate in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. The family that owned that station also owned the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City, and I was able to get an entry-level job as an assistant producer there. After a couple of years I was burned out on the egos, knew I wasn’t going to become a television reporter, and had no desire to be a television producer. I started looking around and stumbled across a reporting opportunity at KTOK radio in Oklahoma City. I hounded the news director almost every day (he was convinced that because I had started in television, I would be worthless as a reporter) until he hired me. I even made more money in radio than in television… a whopping 22k a year to start!
I actually went back to television for a couple of years right after my son Andrew was born. I worked for the state PBS affliliate producing and reporting in documentaries and won some awards, including a regional Emmy. Eventually I was hired away to do the morning show at KTOK, which led to me being hired away for my current job.
I’m assuming your satellite radio comment was in jest, but if not, my show airs on Sirius Satellite Radio (Channel 144) 9-midnight Eastern time. I love satellite radio and rarely listen to terrestrial radio these days.
27. Are people who vote for Republicans accessories to their crimes?
Sure, but you get to be the one to tell my dad that he’s an accessory to interring Japanese and German Americans during WWII since he voted for Roosevelt.
Seriously though, one of the biggest changes that I’ve undergone since moving here is the fact that I really don’t like rooting for the Republican or Democrat party as if they’re sports teams. There are more than 300 million Americans in this country… it seems kind of stupid to say you have to mesh with one of two parties. Ideologically speaking, I’m far more conservative than I am liberal, but I think both parties could use some ideological housecleaning. I’m not a Libertarian, because they offer little or no practical answers. One thing I’ve learned from immersing myself in the gun issue is that sweeping changes are not the norm in politics. It’s a series of baby steps. I would really like to see one party (hell, ideally I’d like to see BOTH parties) take baby steps away from the Nanny State and embrace the importance of individual responsibility and achievement.
28. Where did you get your awesome taste in music?
My appreciation for heavy metal came from my older brother, who’s six years older than I am. He was into all kinds of metal growing up, which meant I was listening to Led Zeppelin, Quiet Riot, Metallica, Ozzy, etc. from about the age of 8. But I’ve always had an eclectic taste. I found a mix tape I made when I was 12 or 13, so that would have been 1986 or 1987. It had (just going on memory here) R.E.M., Boston, Bobby Brown, Tiffany, Steve Miller Band, and Poison, plus a few others.
My metal phase continued until my junior year of high school, when R.E.M.’s “Out of Time” came out. I immediately (and looking back, embarrassingly) became an obnoxious alternative music freak. The funny thing is, I HATED grunge. I’ve never purchased a Nirvana album, and I think the only Pearl Jam I ever owned was Vs. I was much more into geek rock like They Might Be Giants, Too Much Joy, R.E.M., Billy Bragg, etc.
I think Billy Bragg is my most surprising musical enjoyment, btw. I’ve loved his music since high school, socialism be damned. His new album is coming out, and folks should really try and find the acoustic version of the single “I Keep Faith”. The full band version is kind of middle of the road, but the acoustic version gives me chills.
29. It would be good to put a voice, maybe even a face, to the text. Are your radio programs available on the web?
We air live 9 p.m. to midnight on NRAnews.com, with clips from the show popping up on Townhall.com and YouTube.com on a regular basis. We actually have a few Australian listeners… mostly former gun owners who had to turn in their firearms during the buyback a few years ago.
30. Why don't you ever interview anyone from FOFC?
There’s never been a reason to? Actually, the real answer is “I have”. Back when I was hosting a morning sports talk show I interviewed Arlie about “Coaching a Dynasty”. But now, with doing a show that’s 2nd Amendment specific, there really isn’t much of a reason to have someone on the show.
31. If you could only invade one country, which one would it be: Afghanistan, Iraq or France?
If I’m going it alone, I’m picking someplace small and peaceful. Luxembourg or Lichtenstein come to mind. Maybe some place in the Caribbean?
32. Why do you hate "liberal moonbats" so much?
I really don’t hate them. Hell, I married a woman who for most of our marriage was completely opposite me in most of her political views. Both of my parents are die-hard liberals, as are most of my siblings. But it’s true that “liberal moonbats” annoy the crap out of me, though it might be hard to articulate in a paragraph why that’s so.
I believe, generally speaking, that the free market works. I believe individual responsibility is not onlyparamount to helping us achieve our fullest potential, but that it’s a unique factor in the American experiment. I believe that big government programs get in the way. I also think many “liberal moonbats” really are socialists at heart, though they might not realize it (and most would probably think I’m just lobbing a rhetorical volley at them, rather than being completely serious). So while I don’t hate them, I think in many ways think they want to change the United States from a place rooted in individualism to a place where the “common good” reigns supreme. And I can’t get behind that.
33. What's the next step for you, career-wise? On a less serious note, when can we expect world (or half-world) domination?
Beats me. I’m pretty happy where I am career-wise, and even if I wasn’t, I’m not really in the kind of business where I could telegraph my next move on the internet. At this point, honestly, I’m not interested in trying to be the next Sean Hannity. I look at his travel and work schedule and automatically think “when do you see your kids?” I love the fact that I’m home during the day right now, though when the twins start school in a couple of years I’ll try to find a way to tweak my work schedule so I can be home in the early evenings at least.
34. You can cause one team from one professional league (any sport) in the world to cease to exist. Which one is it and why?
I suppose the easy answer would be the Yankees, but then who would I hate? I’ll have to go with the Tampa Bay Rays. They never should have come into existence to begin with, and they play in what looks like a converted parking garage. That’s not baseball.
35. "A well regulated Moderator Group, being necessary to the security of a free FOFC, the right of the people to keep and bear Edit Buttons, shall not be infringed." - Discuss.
Oh boy. A 2nd Amendment parody question. I should have known. To continue the parody, I’ll approach this from a collective rights standpoint, rather than an individual right. Clearly the founders of FOFC did not mean for everyone to have the ability to edit their own posts, or else there would be no need for moderators to begin with. Therefore, the right to edit is reserved to those “people” who meet the definition of “moderator”.
36. Favorite hobby?
I don’t really have hobbies anymore, though I like to read and I enjoy writing when I have time. Mostly I enjoy my wife’s hobby of bellydancing. Seriously… what’s not to love?
37. Why Burke, of all places (you should note that when I think I was "near" Burke, I saw signs for townhomes "starting in the mid 700's" and that made me nearly drive off the road)?
We just kind of stumbled onto Burke when we were looking for a home. I wanted some place that wouldn’t be too far from work (Old Town Alexandria), good schools (the elementary school the kids go to is one of the best in Fairfax County), and a nice neighborhood. Burke fits the bill.
It’s definitely overpriced, but what isn’t around here? I live in a neighborhood built in the 1970’s, so the homes are less than the 700k townhomes, but it’s still crazy expensive. Then again, it’s also still more affordable than Alexandria or Tyson’s, and it’s far closer than living out in Loudon County.
38. I believe you mentioned at the DC meet-up that your wife has tattoos. I don't recall, however, seeing anything overly obvious (or that stood out) on you. Do you have any? How many? Favorite shop?
I have one tattoo… a Red Sox logo on my left ankle that I got back in 2002 or 2003. I know it was before I moved here, because it was done in Dallas, Texas on a roadtrip to watch the Red Sox play the Rangers. My wife has one on her right shoulder, one on her left upper arm, and one on the small of her back. It’s a constant struggle to keep her from getting another. I forget the name of the shop she really likes in Manassas, but I’ll ask her and let you know the name.
39. How do you think the TSA should have handled that case of the passenger with the nipple rings?
I thought this is why we had that weird body-imaging scanning technology… to tell the nipple-ring wearers from the terrorists. If we have to start taking pliers to our nipples in the name of national security, I say we’ve got a weird definition of national security. But again, you expect competence from government bureaucracy?
40. When will we do another DC meet-up, and how can we guarantee that Todd doesn't get bombarded with real-life crapola so he can come, too?
I’m up for a DC meet up whenever. Hell, Elaine loves to throw parties… maybe we can have a drinkfest at my place one Saturday night. Fire up the 360, get the grill going, etc. I think we’ll have to kidnap Todd to ensure his attendance though.
41. Do you watch much TV? Any shows you try to catch "regularly"?
I get home about 12:30 a.m. every night, and on the nights that my wife is already asleep when I get home I’ll watch a couple of hours. It may be an hour playing College Hoops 2k8 and an hour of shows, two hours of shows, or two hours of playing 260, but that’s my tv time. The only shows I watch regularly are “Chuck”, “The Office”, “House”, and “Mythbusters”, though I try to remember to watch South Park every week. I’ll actually make South Park references on the radio show. I think the last one was an Underpants Gnome reference.
42. What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it to others here?
I finished “Liberal Fascism” by Jonah Goldberg a couple of weeks ago and cannot recommend it highly enough. It’s an oddly subversive book, though of course most of the progressives who’ve reviewed it can’t get past the title and premise that while European socialism splintered off into fascism, in American politics socialism splintered off into progressivism, which has led to what Goldberg calls “liberal fascism”. The book is, I think, primarily written for conservatives/libertarians, but towards the end of the book he points out that Republicans are no strangers to the ideology of liberal fascism when it suits their need. It’s far less partisan than it may seem from the book and I really would recommend it to everyone. In fact, I’d be very interested to hear what folks like JPhillips, JohnGalt, and you think about it.
43. What is your favorite food to cook? What is your favorite food to have cooked for you?
I’m not much of a cook, but I won’t eat scrambled eggs unless I make them. A little bit of cheese and fresh pico de gallo on them taste wonderful. Elaine’s an amazing cook, and her lasagna is the best I’ve ever had. She also makes the best stuffing I’ve ever had.
44. Favorite athlete? Is there any athlete whose career path works as a metaphor for your own life?
True story: when I was 13 years old, I traded a rookie Michael Jordan basketball card (The Fleer 85-86 set) for a 1957 Topps Jackie Robinson card. I still think the adult that made that trade took incredible advantage of a know-nothing kid, but I also still have the Jackie Robinson card. I read “The Boys of Summer” when I was 12 and became a fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers, believe it or not. Robinson, Snider, Campanella, Preacher Roe, Don Zimmer, Pee Wee Reese… I loved reading about all those guys. I actually have most of the 1957 Dodgers set. I’d love to collect the ’55 set, but I also have to send five people to college.
As far as an athlete who could serve as a metaphor… I’m gonna go with someone like a Steve Kerr. I’m never the smartest guy on my show, but it’s my role to bring smart people to the table and at least ask intelligent questions to best serve my audience. I’m a role player and I’m happy with that. I’ve always said that (despite my wife’s protests to the contrary) I really am the least egotistical person I’ve ever met in radio or television.
Personally, I think a much better metaphorical person in sports would be Bill or Mike Veeck. I love absurdity, I love people who treat the game as if it’s a game, and I’m a big believer that life should be fun. When I’m feeling especially worn out or run down I’ll often wear a St. Paul Saints hat on the air to remind myself that “Fun is Good”.
45. What, exactly, is a Moonbat? I mean, aren't bats nocturnal anyway?
Good point. Like asshat, moonbat should not be taken literally.
46. You have mentioned that you would include more libertarian thinking into your shows, is this mostly out of 2nd Amendment or would you apply to other areas as well?
Well, the show itself deals almost exclusively with 2nd Amendment issues (though I do have a semi-regular segment called “News from the Nanny State”). And there’s already a strong libertarian theme that runs through pro-2nd Amendment arguments. There are days when I’d like to do a full-service talk show that dealt with a variety of subjects so I could expound on libertarian themes in other issues, but it’s not a big enough desire that I’m looking for another show. Besides, that’s why I have my irregularly updated blogs.
I also wouldn’t describe myself as a libertarian, but more of a classic liberal. I’m also not sure the libertarians have any idea how to actually get to where they’d like to be. Maybe one day I’ll be known as the father of Practical Libertarianism.
47. I never grew up with guns and never lived in house that had a gun. Never have nor do I ever plan on ever touching a gun. Does that make me a moonbat?
Nope. Moonbats are more about ideology than practical experiences. As long as you don’t believe that the State is somehow responsible for my personal safety we’re good.
48. So far, a nation of gun-owners have not prevented the ever-increasing powers and encroachments of the federal govt in our lives and properties. Aren't there much more effective ways for the federal govt to take what it wants regardless if we all had guns or not?
Of course, as we’ve learned. We’re the frog in the slowly warming pot. But that doesn’t mean at some point it doesn’t become an option (though I think that’s incredibly unlikely). And oppression from tyranny is only one purpose of the 2nd Amendment, and the non-exercise of that action doesn’t nullify the exercise of your rights for other purposes.
49. While Quiksand is our main celebrity at FOFC, you are actually more famous. Do you feel we should treat you better instead of some of the moonbat thinking you are nothing more than an extremist gun nut?
Treat me better? Like actually getting a stripper for my 5,000th post? Absolutely. But I’m far from a celebrity, real or imagined. And frankly, given what society does to celebrities, I’m happy to remain an anonymous figure to the vast majority of Americans.
50. (From Yellow5): Cam, I'm a liberal moonbat with a CCW permit, does that make me even more dangerous than a normal liberal moonbat?
Actually, considering the studies that show those with a CCW are arrested at far lower rates for violent and non-violent crimes as compared to the general population, you’re actually less dangerous than a normal liberal moonbat.
51. On the serious side... How did you get into radio, was it something you wanted to do all along?
I was working for a television station at the time and was also about to be married. Making a whopping $6.65 an hour wasn’t going to cut it, and so I talked my way into a reporter position at the local news/talk station, with a salary of $22,000 a year. I thought I was in heaven.
I didn’t always want to be a broadcast journalist, but I’ve wanted to be a journalist since I was 14 or so and read a biography of Edward R. Murrow.
52. What would you have done if you had not gone into radio?
I don’t know what the job description would be, but I’d like to think I’d be calling myself a smutmonkey. Actually I have no idea. Teaching maybe? Journalism WAS my back up plan (rock star didn’t pan out).
53. Anything earth-shattering ever occur at your house?
On a regular basis, my friend. And not only at the house. ;)
54. I appreciated your interest last year in Will's memorial softball tournament. Do you have some sort of interest in softball?
Not really, though I do like baseball. Basically I wanted to support you and Will’s family. I need to send a contribution this year, even though the IRS is making sure my charitable donations won’t be what they were last year.
55. Favorite movie genre? Top 3 movies from that genre.
Definitely comedy, but since you asked about that specifically I’ll give you my Top 3 action movies, which would be my second choice.
300. Great fantastical take on history, chock full of insane action. Bonus points because Elaine will watch it over and over again (something about nearly naked Gerard Butler and his band of merry men).
Empire Strikes Back. Have to pick one of the Star Wars movies or else I get drummed out of the cult of geekhood.
Saving Private Ryan. I mentioned it earlier, but it’s such an incredible movie.As far as my three favorite comedies, these are probably only reflective of my mood today. Tomorrow I could pick three different movies.
This is Spinal Tap. A classic.
40 Year Old Virgin. The best of the Apatow movies, IMO.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian. The best of the Monty Python movies, IMO.
56. What better: Scrubs or Seinfeld?
I’ve never seen Scrubs, believe it or not. I’ve also never seen “Fight Club”. I have these fairly large gaps in my pop culture knowledge. So I’ll go with Seinfeld, even though I think “The Office” is the best comedy on television in years, and will stand up to Seinfeld any day of the week.
57. How honest are you? If you went to the grocery store and noticed they accidently put something that's not yours in the bag (but it's something you'd buy on a semi-regular basis), would you return it?
Probably not, considering the last time I went to the store they forgot to give me a bag of items I HAD purchased. And of course I didn’t notice it right away. Normally I’m a very honest person. I’ve handed back change to the cashier when he counted it out incorrectly before.
58. Best way to deal with stress.
For me it’s usually sneaking away to read a book for a half hour, or playing a game on the 360, or even having a cigarette (yes, I still haven’t quit). If those aren’t an option I’ll try and go to my car, put on “Detlef Schrempf” from Band of Horses on my stereo, and close my eyes for five minutes. That usually works wonders.
59. What do you consider the stupidest thing you've ever done in your life? The smartest?
Stupidest thing ever??? I try not to dwell on my stupidity, but I got really hung up on a girl my freshman year of college… to the point that I was a total dickhead to her and most of my friends. Smartest thing I’ve ever done would be asking you to co-blog with me.
60. Who is your favorite rock violinist and why?
She’s not rock, but I have to go with Sara Watkins from the late great Nickel Creek. Why? Because she’s really good and she makes my pants feel funny.
61. How about flutist?
Yeah, don’t have a favorite rock flutist. Not even the guy from Jethro Tull.
62. What are your three favorite rock genres, and who epitomizes each?
I don’t even know what “emo” is, so I’m not sure I’m going to do a great job of answering this question. But I’ll give it a go.
Power Pop- Fountains of Wayne. They’re latest album was kind of “meh”, but Utopia Parkway and Welcome Interstate Managers are classics.
Alt-country. Wilco circa Summerteeth. One of my top 5 albums of all time.
Dork Rock- They Might Be Giants. Celebrating geekdom since the early 80’s. I’ve seen them live 5 times now, and each time was at least “really good”.
63. What is a typical day in the life of Cam Edwards? (leave out the bathroom trips)
With two toddlers who just became pottytrained, leaving out the bathroom trips is going to make my day seem awfully relaxed.
10 a.m.- wake up to “Daddy! Daddy!” as the twins invade the bedroom. Lay in bed while my wife gets dressed for the day (there are benefits to being a stay at home mom).
10:15-11:15 a.m.- stumble downstairs, walk the dog, fire up my laptop, start searching for news stories to cover on the show that night. At 11 a.m. we have an editorial meeting where we discuss items for the show. After that, I’m done for a few hours.
11:15 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. – hang out at the house. Play Xbox, read, chill with the twins, run errands, etc. That’s basically my “evening” free time.
2:45 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. – work stuff. The commute takes me about 45 minutes on the way in, and about half an hour on the way home. When I’m at work I’m usually trying to catch up on emails from listeners and guests, as well as doing research for the show, writing articles or blog stuff, and actually hosting the show. I try to get together with Jim Geraghty for dinner once a week, and have a couple of other friends who work or live in Old Town Alexandria that I’ll see for dinner or a drink around 6 p.m.
12:30 a.m. – 2:30 a.m. My only real down time. I’ll get home and if my wife is up, we’ll hang out til 1 a.m. or so (she has to get up at 6 to get the kids ready for school). If she’s asleep I’ll usually play a game of College Hoops 2k8 and have a glass of wine (Pinot Noir usually) before heading off to bed. And then up in the morning to do it all again.
Thanks very much for all the questions… they were a lot of fun!