Dave Congalton on News Talk 920 KVEC The Angie and Andy Show

Holy Talk Radio! What a show today! Tom and I both stumbled out of the studio at 7 p.m. with major headaches after listening to the constant yelling in our headphones. Well, that's what you get when you invite provocative and opinionated guests like Angie King from NOW and Bible-thumping Arroyo Grande Andy to come on and discuss hot-button issues like gay rights and abortion (and it's not even a ratings period!). Wisely, though, we had Andy and Angie appear separately.

Angie wanted to remind people that Sunday is the 33rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade and to invite folks to attend the screening of "Vera Drake" at the Palm Sunday morning at 10 a.m. Angie understandably is concerned about this "new" Supreme Court and the direction that Alito/Roberts will taker us, especially in the area of abortion. Like most of you, I'm torn on the issue -- I defend completely a woman's right to choose, but I'm also troubled by the high amount of abortions performed in this country every year, an estimated 1.5 million. But I don't believe the answer lies in restricting abortion; the emphasis has to be on sex education, family planning and a host of other issues. Of course, the vast majority of callers tonight were MEN, trying to argue why women can't control their bodies. Angie has heard it all before, but good calls and GREAT segment.

Not to be outdone, A.G. Andy stepped in and used abortion and gay rights as signs of the end of culture as we know it. Andy's a good guy, but he sees the world strictly through the Bible. Sadly, he can't discriminate between a gay man and a murderer -- they're both sinners. He's upset that his tax dollars go to educate children that homosexuality is an acceptable behavior. And Andy tried his best to perpetuate the myth that men and women choose their lifestyle and rejected any notion of scientific studies showing people are born gay.

With all due respect to my friend Andy, it's this kind of attitude that explains why I'm an agnostic and not a member of any organized religion. Gays and lesbians are our friends and neighbors, they are our equals and it's time to put these silly stereotypes away.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: religion belongs in your home and your heart and your church. But it does not belong as an instrument of public policy.

This guy is a local jerk in San Luis Obispo county that defends his ideas by inviting local conservatives on his radio program then burning them with leftist propaganda. He presents himself as a moderate, but he is always on the side agianst common sense. He is full of hate and shouts down guest with opposing views. It wouldn't be so bad but he is the only local radio personality. Our county is 60% conservative, yet this local loud mouth ridicules conservative values.

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