This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
Fred Keller and Joel McNally
A few years ago, when the controversy exploded about an ethnic slur Mark Belling said on his radio show, it was a topic of discussion on the Channel 10 roundtable discussion program that I serve as a regular panelist, InterCHANGE.I mentioned on the air that I’m often asked, “How in the world can you put up with Joel McNally?”
I joked that I had respect for Joel, having read his columns since I was a kid. And that I now read his stuff for comic relief.
Then on a serious note, I said that even though I rarely side with Joel’s far-left views, I would never want his column to be silenced. The more voices, the more views, the better. And so I considered calls to terminate Belling’s program as inappropriate and unfair.
The same holds true for Fred Keller’s blog. Those who disagreed with Fred, those who disliked him, those who are now making fun of him are having a field day, rejoicing in his departure. They have no idea how wrong they are. No one wins from Fred Keller’s disappearance. No one wins from Jon Zawacki’s abrupt absence. No one would win if Greg Kowalski suddenly decided to stop blogging.
Was Fred Keller edgy, provocative, compelling, controversial? Yes on all counts. I submit those are great qualities for a community blogger.
Is everyone always going to agree?
Of course not, and it would be wrong if they did and pretty dull, too.
When people disagreed or were angry or upset, what did they do? They challenged Fred.
That was the ideal scenario: blogger writes something interesting and thought-provoking enough to cause reader reaction.
The ensuing give and take wasn’t always courteous, but my goodness, we’re all adults here. Everyone should have been able to handle it.
Now the ideal set-up has disintegrated. You have one less voice, one less round of ideas, one less person to challenge you and make you think, one less person you can spar with.
That’s not good.
Those of you who weren’t fans of Fred’s are happy.
You shouldn’t be.
Everybody lost, including you.
WILL YOU MAKE A STAND TO SAVE LAWS TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEX OFFENDERS?
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