Neal Boortz

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Neal Boortz
Neal Boortz
Born April 06, 1945 (age 61)
Flag of United States Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Occupation Syndicated Talk radio host, Author & Inactive Attorney
Spouse Donna Boortz
Children Laura

Neal Boortz (born April 6, 1945), is a U.S. talk radio host. His radio show is based in Atlanta, Georgia and is nationally syndicated by Cox Radio and the Jones Radio Networks. Boortz is also a lawyer and best-selling author. He considers himself to be a libertarian, and supports eliminating the war on drugs, lowering taxes, and shrinking the size of government, while disagreeing with the Libertarian Party (of the United States) platform by firmly supporting incremental tax reform, the war in Iraq, and opposing unrestricted immigration. Boortz has sided with liberals on some social issues such as abortion, same-sex marriage, and civil liberties, while siding with fiscal conservatives on advocating less government spending and decreasing corporate regulation. On The Neal Boortz Show, he has criticized politicians, muslim extremism, the homeless, "government schools", liberals, smokers, the obese, cats, and welfare recipients, but considers himself an "equal opportunity" offender.

His self-given nicknames include: "The Talkmaster", "Mighty Whitey", "The Mouth of the South", "America's Rude Awakening" and the "High Priest of the Church of the Painful Truth". Boortz's first book was The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear in 1997, followed by The Terrible Truth About Liberals, in 1998. In 2005, he co-wrote The FairTax Book, proposing to implement a national retail sales tax in lieu of federal income taxes, payroll taxes, estate tax, etc., and the hardcover version debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and held that spot for two weeks. His latest book is Somebody's Gotta Say It, a compilation from his radio show and his life (coming February 20, 2007). Boortz lives with his second wife, Donna,[1] and they have a daughter, Laura. He is an avid pilot, a golfer, and more recently a motorcycle enthusiast.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Neal Boortz was born in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, which was his mother's home. Describing himself as a "military brat", Neal's father was a World War II pilot in the Marine Corps. As a military family, Neal lived in many locations throughout the country (most notably, in the small community of Thrall, Texas).[2] Boortz spent his first first two years of High School at Tustin Union High School in Tustin, California. The family then transferred to Florida where he attended the Pensacola, Fl. High School for his Junior and Senior years. He graduated from high school in 1963 with a C- average and went back to the state of Texas to attend Texas A&M University from 1963 to 1967. Boortz states "I was in the Corps of Cadets. Fighting Seagram's Seven, to be exact, Ed Zatopek, C.O."[3] Boortz then attended John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, Georgia.

[edit] Career

Neal Boortz speaks at a FairTax Rally in Orlando, Florida on July 28, 2006
Neal Boortz speaks at a FairTax Rally in Orlando, Florida on July 28, 2006

In his pre-radio life, Boortz was, among other things, a speech writer for then Georgia Governor Lester Maddox. He began his radio career in College Station, Texas in the 1960s at WTAW-AM under the name of Randy Neal while attending Texas A&M University.[4] After attending A&M, Boortz went to Atlanta in 1967 to visit his parents and because he liked the area, he decided to stay. He immediately began his job searching in the broadcasting industry. However, the rejections were plentiful so he, for the next two years, took a job working at Rich’s Department Store as an assistant buyer in fine jewelry, and then another job in carpeting. Boortz went onto write speeches for the Governor of Georgia. He has often mentioned that even after he started doing talk radio, it was still necessary for him to work two jobs to support his family. At other times, he held odd jobs to pay the bills. Boortz loaded trucks for the East Texas Motor Freight, worked as night auditor at a motel, worked at the Postal Service Bulk Mail facility, sold life insurance and among other things, worked for an employment agency. In 1974, Boortz started attending law school in his spare time.

When Boortz moved to Atlanta, a new radio station named WRNG-AM came into existence. WRNG, which called itself "Ring Radio," was Atlanta’s first talk radio station. Boortz was an avid listener and would call their morning talk show host, Herb Elfman. Boortz was a regular caller that stirred a friendship between himself and the host. One evening while watching the news, he heard that Elfman had committed suicide. The next morning Boortz showed up at the front door of WRNG and announced that he was ready to take Elfman's place. Even though the management told him that "they were going to search for a 'qualified' host to take his place", Boortz was offered to be a temporary two-week replacement. In the interim, the evening host was moved to mornings and Boortz hosted the evening. Two weeks later, Boortz was moved to the morning show and has been doing talk radio in Atlanta ever since.

[edit] Radio personality

After graduating from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta in 1977, Boortz practiced law in a solo law firm from 1977 through 1993.[3] Because of the recognition he garnished from his radio gigs, his practice began to flourish. Boortz continued the position of radio personality and attorney until 1993, when he signed a full contract with WSB to do a daily radio show. In 1999, his show became nationally syndicated through WSB's owner Cox Radio. His syndicated show originates from WSB-AM 750 in Atlanta. The Neal Boortz Show features Boortz, co-producers Royal Marshall and Belinda Skelton, interviewees, and callers. On the air and on his website (boortz.com) Boortz admonishes, "Don't believe anything you read on this web page or, for that matter, anything you hear on The Neal Boortz Show unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your own satisfaction." On numerous occasions, Boortz has cautioned his listeners to take no heed nor place any credence in anything he says, as he is merely an "entertainer."

In the February 1995 issue of Talkers Magazine, Neal Boortz was named one of the "25 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America" and one of the "100 Most Powerful & Influential People in Georgia" in the January 1995 issue of Georgia Trend magazine.[5][6] As an entertainer, Neal was a 2002 NAB Marconi Radio Awards finalist and Radio & Records NewsTalk Personality of the Year for 2002.[7] NewsMax.com Magazine's "Top 25 Talk Radio Host" list selected Boortz as the ninth most influential host in the nation.[8]

[edit] Author

The FairTax Book, co-authored by Neal Boortz and John Linder, was published on August 2, 2005.
The FairTax Book, co-authored by Neal Boortz and John Linder, was published on August 2, 2005.

Boortz's first foray into authorship was in 1997 with The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear, in which he delivers his opinions on various topics in the form of a commencement speech he would give to new college graduates, if ever invited to do so. His second book, entitled The Terrible Truth About Liberals, was published in 1998, and contains reprinted material from his first book, along with a significant amount of new material.

His third book (co-authored by Georgia Congressman John Linder) entitled The FairTax Book, explains the proposal to implement a national retail sales tax in lieu of the federal income taxes, payroll taxes, estate tax, etc. The hardcover version held the #1 spot on the New York Times bestseller list for the last two weeks of August 2005 and remained in the top ten for seven weeks. The paperback released in May 2006 contains additional information and an afterword. It also spent several weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Neal states that he donates 100% of his royalities from the FairTax book to charity and has commented on his radio show that he has not made one cent from the book. As of July 2006, it is rumored his charitable donatations from book proceeds exceeded one million US dollars.[9] The book is one of his most frequent topics of discussion and is a common free gift to callers.

His latest book entitled Somebody's Gotta Say It was released on February 20, 2007, and debuts at #2 spot on the New York Times bestseller list, beat only by Barack Obama ("Audacity of Hope").[10] He occasionally writes columns on the Internet news/commentary site Townhall.com and other online magazines.

[edit] Politics

Neal Boortz has stated that he is a Libertarian,[11] however, some feel his views are more in line with neolibertarianism philosophy (sometimes referred to as a "republitarian") that embraces incrementalism domestically, and a generally interventionist foreign policy based on self-interest, national defense and the expansion of freedom. Neal disagrees with the Libertarian platform on several key issues including his firm support of the war in Iraq, incremental tax reform, and his opposition to the unrestricted immigration policy advocated by the Libertarian Party. He sides with liberals on some social issues such as abortion (about which Boortz will not allow phone calls), same-sex marriage, and civil liberties. He agrees with fiscal conservatives in advocating less government spending, decreasing corporate regulation, and he voted for President George W. Bush in 2004. He is an advocate for freedom of speech. In line with the traditional views of the Libertarian Party, Boortz supports eliminating the war on drugs, lowering taxes, shrinking the size of government, and emphasizing personal responsibility. For his stances on many of these issues, he is popular among conservative Republicans, who due to their larger numbers in comparison to Libertarians, make up the majority of his listeners and callers. Boortz is perhaps most widely known for his enthusiastic support of the FairTax plan.

Boortz tends to advocate Conservative platforms. Boortz's post-9/11 politics include support for the US-led War on Terror, a more aggressive foreign policy, and the USA Patriot Act. Boortz is also strongly in favor of a crackdown on illegal immigration, including harsh penalties for businesses who employ illegals. These views occasionally put him in conflict with the Libertarian Party. For instance, Justin Raimondo of Antiwar.com has called Boortz a "statist, not a libertarian" and a "liberventionist" and has urged the Libertarian Party to "Boot Boortz".[12] Boortz counters that the issues of the greatest importance after the 9/11 attacks are those in which terrorism has dominated.

Prior to the 2006 midterm elections, Boortz opined that perhaps it would be a good thing to have the Republicans lose power in Congress, forcing them to wake up and stop taking their base for granted. Boortz told one disgruntled caller:

I am happy about it (the defeat). It's the only way to get these Republicans to wake themselves up and say, 'You have abandoned what you were put in office for.'[13]

Boortz can frequently be heard criticizing what he terms "government schools", liberals, smokers, the obese, cats, welfare recipients, and many other programs and ideas traditionally supported by Democrats. He also creates controversy among conservatives for his refusal to condemn homosexuality or gay marriage (though he only supports gay adoption as a last resort) and for his negative comments regarding Baptists and the biblical story of creation. Additionally, he causes a stir among some Southerners for his frequent jabs at them and at Confederate issues (such as governmental support of the Confederate flag).

[edit] Controversies

Main article: Neal Boortz controversies

Boortz, as a self-proclaimed radical and independent "entertainer", has dealt with many controversial issues over the years. For example, Boortz believes that ADD and ADHD are "medical frauds" and a scam that teachers, parents, and drug companies use.[14][15] Boortz has also received criticism because he refers to homeless people as "urban outdoorsmen".[16][17][18] Boortz controversially refers to public education as "tax payer funded child abuse" and accuses parents of child abuse for sending their children off to government schools.[19]Boortz expresses that he is an equal opportunity offender and has made controversial statements about Senator Hillary Clinton, Senator Ted Kennedy, former Senator Max Cleland, former Representative Cynthia McKinney.[20][21][22][23] He has also expressed a negative opinion about the lack of Muslim outrage at terrorism by Muslims and the riots that erupted in response to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy.[24] Boortz has even sparred with Bill O'Reilly, compelling O'Reilly to call him a "vicious SOB" on The O'Reilly Factor.[25] Boortz has made controversial statements about Muslim extremists, leading to thought and discussions of the alleged silence of the Muslim community over the alleged hijacking of their religion.[26][27] At the height of the Terri Schiavo controversy, Boortz strongly criticized groups that fought against the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube.[28]

[edit] Forbidden Topics

The forbidden topics on his talk show are abortion and, as of January 3, 2007, the Creation/Evolution debates. Neal also will not discuss any topic compelling callers to utter the phrase "long time listener, first time caller" at the beginning of their short conversation. Boortz sides with advocates for evolution and for abortion rights.

[edit] Boortzisms

Neal Boortz Bobblehead
Neal Boortz Bobblehead
  • AMF: Adios my friend, or, the grittier original version, adios mother-fucker
  • Alabamastan: Alabama
  • The Antichrist: Michael Savage
  • The Baby Jesus: Sean Hannity, also known as Cutie Pie
  • Discussing the Big Bang Theory: two people having sex
  • Cruella de Ville: Dr. Laura
  • DRT: dead right there
  • The Ex-Wife: WGST, the radio station Neal worked for prior to his current place at WSB
  • Firing the Surgeon General: masturbating. Former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elder was fired by President Clinton after she said that masturbation "is something that is part of human sexuality and its part of something that perhaps should be taught."
  • The Godfather: Rush Limbaugh
  • The Hildabeast: Hillary Clinton. Also known as Shrillary
  • The Poodle: John Kerry, referring to him as Teresa's lap dog. Also sKerry or the Souffle
  • She Who Must Be Obeyed: his wife, Donna

Other Boortzisms can be found on Boortz's website.[18]

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ He refers to her as "She Who Must Be Obeyed", "The Queen", and "My Bride"
  2. ^ Boortz, Neal (2003-03-23). Thrall Volunteer Fire Department. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  3. ^ a b Boortz, Neal. More Boortz FAQ. More Boortz. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-03-08.
  4. ^ Boortz, Neal. More Boortz Bio. More Boortz. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-03-08.
  5. ^ www.lp.org/lpn/9807-conv-1998-speakers.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  6. ^ www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/11/chirac_appeals_for_calm_as_par.php. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  7. ^ Neal Boortz. Cox Radio Interactive & Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  8. ^ 25 Most Influential Talk Radio Hosts (2006). NewsMax (2006). Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  9. ^ Boortz, Neal (2005-09-07). Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-08-07.
  10. ^ Ho, Rodney (2005-09-07). 3/1: Boortz debuts at No. 2 (UPDATED). Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved on 2007-02-28.
  11. ^ Boortz, Neal (2006-10-04). Following Up On Yesterday's Tirade. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-10-05.
  12. ^ Raimondo, Justin (2003-11-26). Boot Boortz!. Antiwar.com. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  13. ^ Bigg, Matthew (2006-11-09). Talk radio hosts lick election wounds. Reuters. Retrieved on 2006-11-09.
  14. ^ Boortz, Neal (2003-05-29). For Those Of You Who Are Drugging Your Kids. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  15. ^ Boortz, Neal (2003-07-18). Ask Your Doctor About Stratteras. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  16. ^ Boortz, Neal. The Neal Boortz Commencement Speech. More Boortz. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  17. ^ Boortz, Neal (2003-10-06). California Hasn't Been Punished Enough. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  18. ^ a b Boortz, Neal. Boortztionary: A Glossary of Terms Neal Uses. More Boortz. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  19. ^ boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html. Retrieved on 2007-03-04.
  20. ^ Boortz claimed McKinney "looked like a welfare drag queen"; predicted "Media Matters will pick up on that". Media Matters (2006-03-31). Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  21. ^ Boortz: Rep. McKinney "looks like a ghetto slut". Media Matters (2006-03-31). Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  22. ^ Clyburn: Mr. Boortz Must Retract Comments, Cox Radio Must Apologize. Media Matters (2006-03-31). Retrieved on 2006-12-15.
  23. ^ Boortz, Neal (2006-04-03). An Apology. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  24. ^ Boortz, Neal (2006-02-03). Outraged Muslims! Oh My!. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2006-08-16.
  25. ^ Neal Boortz vs Bill O'Reilly. oreilly-sucks.com (2003-05-07).
  26. ^ Boortz: Say the creed of Islam. Media Matters (2004-08-04). Retrieved on 2006-09-28.
  27. ^ Boortz: Say the creed of Islam. MsUnderestimated (2006-08-10). Retrieved on 2006-10-02.
  28. ^ Boortz, Neal (2006-06-16). The Schiavo Matter. Nealz Nuze. Cox Radio. Retrieved on 2005-12-15.

[edit] References

  • Boortz, Neal; Linder, John (2006). The Fair Tax Book, Paperback, Regan Books. ISBN 0-06-087549-6. 
  • Boortz, Neal (2001). The Terrible Truth About Liberals, Paperback, Longstreet Press. ISBN 1-56352-685-9. 

[edit] External links

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