Update, 3:26pm: Download a .mov file of the exchange here.
Original post: KPOJ host Carl Wolfson hung up on me this morning as we were discussing my Hall Monitor column this week. And that’s okay, Carl, because I forgive you, too.
Wolfson disagrees with the tenor of my column, which is that I’ve forgiven Sam Adams, and feel a lot better for it. I didn’t realize I was going to touch such a raw nerve, and Wolfson—a progressive talk show host—sounded pretty angry. I said that’s okay, but that I wasn’t angry any more, and tried to move us on to talk about Adams’ new initiative attempting to improve the high school dropout rate in Portland. Wolfson didn’t want to do that, though. “I’m sure that’s great for those students,” he said. But…but…
Apparently Wolfson apologized on the air for hanging up on me, afterward. But all I heard was the sound of my cellphone cutting off as I was trying to talk about Senator Avel Gordly’s support of the recall. The whole controversy re-makes my point: Let’s stop focusing on the arguments around Sam Adams, which seem so divisive, and let’s move forward to work on some of the very real problems being faced by Portland.
To do that, we have to take responsibility for our anger, we have to own it, and we have to forgive.
I’m looking forward to next week’s show, 8am Thursday as usual, 620 AM.
Wolfson is an egotistical, arrogant jerk. Sometime, just listen to how many of his sentences have “I,” “me,” or “my” in them, and how all of his conversations end up being about himself. Such a waste of air time!
Nothing like our Matty…
Do you realize how stupid you sound when you want to talk about Sam Adams trying to improve the high school drop out rate? He hung up on you to prevent you from embarrassing yourself further. I believe a thank you is in order.
Can’t wait to read Davis’ next three posts… “the moon landing was really all about me,” “the big bang happened because of me,” and “the invention of the wheel… you’re welcome.”
Wolfson is an idiot. Yes, someone else could have come up with this program, or even a better one, but they didn’t. It wasn’t like the graduation rate was alright when Potter was mayor or anything, in fact, the 57% is from when Potter was mayor. And I certainly don’t see Wolfson coming up with any suggestions himself. All he has is his anger.
And it looks like Potter is jealous because instead of just standing around “visioning,” Adams is actually doing something as mayor.
“Adams is actually doing something as mayor.”
Right – trying to save his political skin by voting against the will of the people for special interest projects that do nothing at all to help solve the real problems that Portland currently faces.
Sam’s ‘vision’ consists of saving his ass, and nothing more, as demonstrated by the last six months of his self-serving leadership.
Matt,
CW here. First, you are a valued guest on our show. Second, let’s be clear about the hang-up. It was not in the middle of the interview (in which, by the way, you got more time to speak than I did). It was at the very end, as the music came up and we were out of time. “Forgiveness” is one thing, but that doesn’t mean we have to “move on” politically and give Sam a pass. And my issue began with your opening statement — that Tom Potter, Mark Zusman, and those who back a recall ARE THE PROBLEM now. My e-mail runs 10 to 1 from PROGRESSIVES who may forgive Sam, but are not willing to “move on.” Anger can work very well in moving forward political movements, large and small. Despite some petty comments by some bloggers, “Carl and Christine in the Morning” on KPOJ is the most successful local progressive show in the nation. Christine, Paul and I work hard to deliver three hours of great discussion, interviews, information and entertainment. You included.
Being a college dropout himself, this should be an area where Adams can offer particular insight.
Matt, regarding your decision to forgive and forget, it appears that:
1. You’re taking the easy way out,
2. You’re playing devils’ advocate,
3. You want to be contrary to WW, O, etc.
Forgiveness is one thing. But forgetting this matter in order to avoid the unpleasantness of a recall is a cop-out. It’s our job to hold our leaders accountable for their ethical transgressions; otherwise they will continue to believe they can get away with corrupt behavior.
Sam will forever be tainted by his handling of this situation. No one is to blame for his lies, cover-up and smears but he himself.
Although we may forgive him as a person, we will not so easily forget his unethical behavior and will always question his character and veracity as a political leader.
Please rethink your reasoning and your decision. This is an opportunity to stand up to politics as usual and hold our elected officials accountable.
Carl is one of the few talk show hosts on the radio who actually makes himself vulnerable by demonstrating his humanity. His anger is genuine rather than manufactured to stir up hatred and bigotry. I suspect he does not have a radio persona as do so many, but he is who he is. I completely understand Carl’s outrage at Adams’s role in fulfilling the stereotype about gay men preying on young people. I know many gay people who have expressed the same disgust and outrage and have said much worse about Adams than has Carl. As a practicing Christian I feel the same outrage at Christians who fulfill the stereotype of anal retentive hypocrites and judge others while they are doing the same or worse. Some of those who disagree with Carl would sound more genuine if they did not personalize this and turn it into ugly name calling. It only reflects badly on those who call the names. This is a distraction from so many important issues.
Carl was trying yesterday to focus on the political issues associated with Sam Adam’s persistent lying and counter attaching those who first raised the story. As Carl pointed out Sam’s leadership has been greatly compromised and his credibility is almost nil. Yes, I think Adams has suffered some and I am all for forgiving him but that does not equate to not holding him accountable. Carl was trying to make that point yesterday. Second, his emotional reaction was totally understandable to me. He, and many activists, have been working to correct nasty gay stereotypes for years and present ofther models of gay members of community. To have the first gay mayor of a large city act in the way Adams has acted breaks the hearts of those working so hard to change the community’s perception of its gay and lesbian citizens. We need to express our passion these days for issues that touch our lives and threaten community values of honest government.
the exchange between Matt Davis and Carl Wolfson yesterday motivated me to look up the “Recall Sam Adams” web site, and locate the nearest public location to sign the petition. I found it on S.E. Division, and signed.
I do not agree with Satchel’s name calling description of Carl. I listen to him regularly and find him passionate about the things that are important to many of us who care about our community but I always find him respectful. He does not engage in name calling like Satchel. I heard the discussion yesterday and I found Carl’s point about forgiving not equating with holding accountability very reasonable. I am trying to forgive the Bush crime family but that does not mean I do not want them held accountable for their violation of our constitution. I can forgive Sam Adams but I do believe the community needs to hold him accountable for his relentless lying and resultant lack of credibility. Carl’s passion about this issue is very understandable to me. For activists who have been struggling to rid the community stereotypes of gay men and offer healthy models of citizens to then experience the lies of the first gay mayor of a large city around one of the very stereotypes is a heart breaker. We need community activists like Carl and our politicians to express a little passion about the issues important to building a healthy inclusive community. If Satchel listens to political commentators he will notice they often use “I” in sentences because they are acknowledging that they are expressing their opinions. That is what commentators do. Carl stands up for and speaks out about many liberal causes that do not directly affect him and does so because it is the right thing to do.
I do not agree with Satchel’s name calling description of Carl. I heard the show yesterday and I thought Carl’s opinion that “forgiving Sam Adams” does not equate with not holding him accountable was a reasonable one. I am trying to forgive the Bush crime family for the havoc they have wreaked on this country but that does not equate with not holding them accountable for violating our constitution. Those are two seperate issues – one is personal and the other political which is what Carl was saying yesterday. Carl’s passion about this issue is totally understandable to me. Community activists who have worked long and hard to dispel myths about gay men and instead present other models of gay citizenship have had their hearts broken by Adams’ persistent lying about an issue having to do with stereotypes about gay men pursuing adolescent boys. I believe Adams has suffered but his leadership has also suffered and his credibility is almost nil. The community deserves an opportunity to comment again on his leadership. I think political commentators and politicians too need to be passionate about things that they and their constituents care about. Harry Reid could use a little of Carl’s passion. Finally, I have heard Carl become passionate (and remain respectful) about a number of issues which do not affect him directly simply because he cares about the health of our democracy. This is hardly egotistical. Nor is using “I” in sentences egotistical. This is what political commentators do given their role is to own and express their opinions.
am’s supporters often resort to name-calling because they can’t offer a legitimate defense of his unethical actions. Even Matt Davis resorts to cheap shots at Potter, Breedlove, WW, Gordly and Zusman in his rationalization of why Adam’s should be forgiven.
Sorry, but not liking the messengers doesn’t change the message: Sam needs to be held accountable to his constituents for violating the city code of ethics and the public trust. You can’t give him a pass just because you like him and/or dislike his detractors.
I would like to make it clear that not only is Carl a magnificent human being (he consistently demonstrates compassion for everyone he encounters and ultimately it seems wishes the best for everyone), but as a long time listener to the Morning Show, I find inspiration in his insights and typically have a wonderful morning thanks to his easy going style. What a very intelligent and funny man he is. While it might have been shocking to hear the events that transpired, I never once felt Carl had hung up on Matt – instead it felt more to me like the end of the segment, and it had just ended abruptly. I’m disappointed that Carl is being made to look bad by some when in fact he was demonstrating his passion for the people of Portland who he believes aren’t being serviced well by the current Mayor. Let’s lighten up a little – the world would be a better place if Carl were the Mayor 🙂
Yes, some of Sam’s supporters have resorted to name calling. But some of Sam’s opponents have also resorted to name calling, of a much worse variety – calling him a pedophile, for starters. Less with the double standards please.
How does is make sense that Matt can be rude in print and rude on the show (ie. calling the show’s other regular guest “boring” and hoping for his professional downfall), as well as the Merc in all its glory being crass, rude, and crude on a consistent basis, but Carl ends a segment slightly abruptly and he needs forgiveness? really??
The level of professionalism on Carl and Christine’s morning show is so far beyond what one finds in the Mercury, that Matt should just be thankful that he gets to come on the show at all.
I only heard the very end of the interview between Carl Wolfsohn and Matt Davis, but it sounded to me like Wolfsohn hung up on Davis more out of sorrow and frustration than anger. I can’t speak for Carl Wolfsohn, of course, but like him I have to wonder why supporters of Sam Adams can’t see the point of demanding accountability for his conduct on city time and with city employees. Even by the old-fashioned standard of “don’t frighten the children or scare the horses,” Sam Adams fails the test.
But then, I live in Vancouver, where our mayor is better hiding his secrets.
MD
Well I missed the entire incident, but it appears that two good people with different views had a spat. I like both Carl and Matt and cannot speak about their call. I personally agree with Carl and have more problems with Adama aside from the Breedlove episode. I had problems with him when he was transportation commissioner. As far as Carl is concerned and some of the criticism I’ve heard, well they appear to be from very narrow minded people. Yes, there are plenty of anal retentive, stick up their asses, snarcastic progressives. Carl is one of the most heartfelt, upfront radio hosts I have ever heard. He knows his mind and is not afraid to go on a limb if he feel justification from within his own conscience.
Let me get this straight. Mayor Sam Adams prevaricates, not just about his personal peccadilloes, but also about important city issues, he railroads through special interest projects that are nonresponsive to important city issues, and he ignores the will of the people regarding important city issues. But Carl’s the bad guy, right?
Tony The Tiger, With A Typo:
I personally agree with Carl and have more problems with Adama aside from the Breedlove episode
And then I realized that, yeah, it would kinda be neat if we could reminagine the current Mayoral term.
That’d be sweet.
STFU, Samuel
We don’t want anyone picking on Carl or Matt. They are both great progressives. We have real political enemies. We need to save our energy for fighting those fights.
We are so fortunate to have both Carl’s KPOJ morning show and Matt’s reporting in this paper.
I wanted to call in during one of Matt’s reports on KPOJ when he described attending a right wing conference. I had just done the same thing and wondered if we were at the same function. It is good for some of us with the stomach for it to attend those things. The info at those conferences/meetings are littered with misinformation. I cried after attending one of them.
Carl’s show is a life saver. He and his team are witty, smart, honest, and caring. I learn something new from his show every day.
Please, people, let’s stick together.
Aileen
a bit of Matt Davis calling the kettle black on the arrogance score. his “forgiveness” of Sam Adams may not be his to deliver, and certainly does not absolve Sam Adams of his lying and abuse of political power. we in Portland are not impressed with Sam, and see his credibility and respect as our leader in shreds.
Carl Wolfson does an excellent job of analyzing the issues and weighing in with informed, intelligent, and not prejudiced insights. he is also funny, compassionate, and actually listens to the persons he interviews on air. Matt Davis is also a likable, entertaining commentator, but he’s not got a corner on Sam Adam’s absolution.