*** Why would you dismiss radio as a way to get information about what’s going on in a community? ***

Ian, if you re-read my post you'll notice I said nothing about "dismissing radio". I was dismissing the use of rap to obtain information within my community. You'll also see that I agree with what your buddy Russ is trying to accomplish. I listen to the radio 45 minutes every morning. The station I listen to (WTOS) is owned by Clear Channel and the morning guys (Tom O. and Mr. Mike) can't stand them either. But, I don't listen to this station for the news. I get that elsewhere. I listen to these guys because they are funny. I need that in the morning.

*** Of course you hate it, and of course you never listen to  it. *** I don't hate it, I just find it unlistenable and therefore I don't listen to it. As you do Nora Jones.

*** You really can’t get anything out of lyrics like these? *** Nope. That's because I have no idea what they're saying. And because the "music" makes me dizzy and nauseous I don't bother hunting down the lyric sheets.

I have nothing against rap as a genre. I DO have a problem when the message contained within condones things that hurt people; cop killing, woman hating, drug using, yadda yadda yadda. And I'm NOT narrow minded enough to think ALL rap is heinous and detremental to society. I hear Will Smith has some good stuff out there.  ;*)

Lighten up Ian.