C-SPAN: 25 YEARS VIEWER CALL-IN CONTEST

	111th Congress
	Obama Administration
	Supreme Court
	Energy
	Iraq
	Response to Terrorism
	Politics


C-SPAN SERIES

	America & the Courts
	American Perspectives
	Booknotes
	Book TV \| Schedule
	The Communicators
	Newsmakers
	Prime Minister's Questions
	Q&A
	Road to the White House
	Washington Journal


C-SPAN RADIO >>

	Radio \| Schedule
	C-SPAN Radio Specials
	LBJ White House Tapes


OTHER C-SPAN SITES

	American Presidents
	American Writers
	Book TV
	Booknotes
	C-SPAN Classroom
	C-SPAN's Civics Bus
	C-SPAN Video Library
	The Capitol
	Capitol Hearings
	Lincoln 200 Years
	Must Carry
	Politics
	Presidential Libraries
	Q&A
	Students & Leaders
	Tocqueville


NEED HELP?

	Download RealPlayer
	Download Windows Player
	Problems With Video?
	C-SPAN Copyright Policy
	Contact Us

Mary McGinnis
Rupert, ID
Cable Company: Project Mutual Telephone

Rupert, Idaho is a small rural town of mostly unpretentious "salt of the earth" type people. Perhaps Rupert's greatest national claim to fame may be that it is the hometown of CNN Moneyline's Lou Dobbs.

But on one fine Sunday, this resident of Rupert- not famous, rich, or well-connected- was equal to anyone in America with a phone in accessing and talking to the renowned historian and author Howard Zinn. I do not travel in the famous author's circle and as far as I know, Mr. Zinn was blissfully unaware of my or Rupert's existence. So how did this unlikely conversation happen?

We all have the freedom of thought but until C-SPAN we could only have our news and public affairs recited and regurgitated through the voices of a selected few while we sat passively listening. With C-SPAN our guaranteed freedom of speech has an avenue for expression. And boy do we express ourselves! I have learned as much or more from my "ordinary" fellow citizens, and citizens of the world, as from elected or non-elected leaders of our country and others. I believe we are all at heart "truth-seekers." The "feedback loop" that C-SPAN offers is not only an example of the fundamental underpinnings of our democracy but a way for people to release their emotions and feel "heard." It is therapeutic!

I felt compelled to write and share my experience. Profound thanks to Brian Lamb and staff and those that enabled this public service.

Back to Home^

Robert Meehan
Houston, TX
Cable Company: Time Warner Cable

By any standard, I was a high school nerd - Model UN delegate, Close-Up participant and History Bowl team member. My classmates nicknamed me "Alex P. Keaton" and "Senator Bob". C-SPAN validated my life. While MTV rocked my friends, C-SPAN inspired me. I worshipped Senators and Congressmen while my classmates worshipped rock stars. America's leaders were my rock stars and C-SPAN bought me a front row ticket.

C-SPAN offers pure news and facts without sensationalism, video game-like graphics or cool sound effects. Washington Journal exposes me to opinions not my own and reinforces my camaraderie with like-minded callers. I meet authors and personalities on In Depth and attend lectures from the comfort of my living room. Call-ins allow me to interact even when I'm not on the phone. I debate, yell at and sometimes curse my fellow callers. C-SPAN is my Reality TV, my refuge from Hollywood when Hollywood-slick program directors dictate the day's headlines.

During a memorable call-in segment, Brian Lamb asked, "Who are your heroes and why?" I called, but was unable to get through to tell America about my hero.

America has a voice that demands attention. C-SPAN unites America in one forum and provides the soapbox on which to proclaim and exclaim. Regardless of how thought-provoking or imbecilic the opinions expressed may seem, C-SPAN encourages viewers to participate in Democracy in action and change Democracy inaction. Thank you to the people who created C-SPAN. You are my heroes.

Back to Home^

Cesar Muedas
Brentwood, TN
Cable Company: Comcast

In our democracy every vote counts; that goes without saying. But democracy without dialog is like action without planning. In our democracy ALSO every VOICE must count.

I am a naturalized US citizen, born and raised in Lima, Peru in the 60s. I grew up in a chaotic but vibrant political environment. One of my earliest memories is joining my mother and her three sisters on a huge day-long demonstration organized by the main teachers' unions of the country. I was perplexed by the crowds, their fervor and passion to do something political by coming out and being actively political. The chanting of the congregated masses still resonates in my head: voz y voto! voz y voto! (voice and vote! voice and vote!).

We have entered the 21st century fully equipped with the most amazing array of information technology and multimedia tools, and undoubtedly our country leads the world in the effective use of science and technology for the advancement of humanity. But at the end of the day - or should I say at the beginning of every day - it boils down to a simple telephone call for a viewer to connect with a guest or moderator on CSPAN. And so, as often as I can, I tune in and listen attentively to the contribution of EVERY VOICE, which added to the weight of EVERY VOTE - I hope - will secure a long life for this unique and amazing experiment called the United States of America. Thank you!

Back to Home^

Andrew Ohmer
Indianapolis, IN
Cable Company: Comcast

Why do I listen to Washington Journal and other viewer call-ins?

To hear my wife groan. Occasionally to hear one of my three teenage son's remark, "Man that guy is upset."

Mostly though, to listen to America. To hear the diverse viewpoints from the callers. To appreciate the depth and breadth of varying opinions across this country and sometimes the world. To better understand current events in order I can stay informed. As an eighth grade United States History teacher, I have Washington Journal on every morning as other teachers and students arrive. Any student or adult that I think shares an interest for current political events I recommend Washington Journal. Lastly, I enjoy the differences in conversation styles of all the hosts, but I especially like when Brian Lamb gets that twinkle in his eyes while he listens to someone in his beloved state of Indiana talking common sense!

Back to Home^

Kathleen O'Donnell
Keene, NH
Cable Company: Time Warner

My first C-SPAN memory was back in 1988, when I was stuck in my apartment over Thanksgiving weekend without a car. For some reason, the cable was only getting wrestling and C-SPAN, which was showing some god-awful agriculture committee hearings. My second shot at C-SPAN was in 1996, as an over-exhausted mom, trapped in my house with a fussy newborn daughter. It was just before Election Day, and there was little I could do but listen to a discussion of the ideas. Overtime, I began to seek the Washington Journal out - not because of boredom or confinement. My favorite callers are viewers opposite from me politically - they help me shore up and defend my own positions. Not the bigots, but those with whom I could have a decent discussion. I have gotten through a few times myself, but mainly listening to WJ spurred me to call in to my local radio shows. I have learned more in successfully framing arguments from Washington Journal than I did in 3 years of law school. My fussy baby is almost 9, and is better versed in politics than many adults I know. My six year old affixed his C-SPAN school bus pen to his kindergarten poster last year. They know the theme and the hosts by name. When so much of the media seems pacified, sanitized and neutralized, I love Washington Journal as the ONLY place where all can hear and be heard, popular or not, uncensored.

Back to Home^

Dain Pascocello
Hopewell Juncion, NY
Cable Company: Cablevision

It's 8:45 a.m., Eastern Standard Time, January 11, 2005, just outside the town of East Fishkill, New York, and my knee is broken. Maybe "broken" is inexact; my knee is immobile, the result of two reconstructive surgeries in six years, a product of one too many rugby matches, and it rests, stubbornly useless, in its metal cradle, a weird physical-therapy contraption which gently twists and bends my knee for hours at a time, kneading it like dough. There isn't much to do during these daily "exercise" sessions. I can't sleep: the constant whirring of the bending machine sounds like a giant gnat in my ear. I can't read, either. All the painkillers in the world couldn't turn my bruised copy of Last of the Mohicans into a better book. So I lie there, alone, in my parents' upstate New York house, at 8:45 a.m. on a bleak winter's day, feeling withdrawn.

But it doesn't last. I've been watching C-SPAN's Washington Journal call-in program since my convalescence began. It's the fifth straight week, and I haven't missed a call yet. Who are these people? Mostly concerned Americans, actually. Where do they come from? All over. What do they want? To speak their minds, and an audience wouldn't hurt. No commercials; no shrill commentators piercing the morning's calm; no expertise required. I watch C-SPAN because it's very good television. I listen to its viewers, alone in this house, winter all around me. It's the best medicine I can think of.

Back to Home^