Did you hear the news? Selectman Adam Bond will be hosting his own radio talk show entitled Coffee Shop Talk on WXBR 1460 AM talk radio. His show will be aired every Thursday from 11 – noon and will focus on local politics, news and events. This sounds like it could be a radio show to discuss casino politics. Seriously, with this proposed monstrosity looming over the entire region, how can local politics, news and events not come back to being about the casino? Here is what Mr. Bond has to say about his new show. “I have been accused of not listening by quite a few people over the past several months. I believe that some of those people are confusing “listening” with “agreeing.” I think we are all capable of intelligent, respectful debate and I look forward to hearing from a variety of view points, on a variety of topics,” Mr. Bond said of the controversial hour.
Wow…great statement….but notice how the “Casino” word is never mentioned, but that is exactly what he is talking about when he says those people are confusing listening with agreeing. I mean, his first guest will be none other than Sean Hendricks, current leader of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. What I find to be ironic in this statement is that Mr. Bond has yet to grasp the idea that listening is an art unto itself and in regards to hosting a talk radio talk show he will need to try active listening instead of selective hearing….the type of hearing of which he has proven to do throughout this entire casino fiasco.
Don’t get me wrong here, I think this talk show is an interesting idea and I hope he proves successful in his endeavor….I also hope he has turned over this new leaf we seem to be witnessing lately….the kinder, gentler Adam Bond…one who will be able to actively listen instead of selectively hearing what he wants to hear and then attack or discredit the opposing point of view.
It worries me though, that he thinks some people are confusing listening with agreeing….I hope he is including himself in this group, because selective hearing is not really listening to understand another person’s point of view, but is more about hearing a point of view specifically for the purpose of discrediting it. The goal is selfish – it is about what is wanted by one person, regardless of what is wanted by another….. From day one, those opposed to a casino in Middleboro were dismissed, ignored or gaveled to silence….their opinion, or their desires for their Town and quality of life didn’t matter because it didn’t agree with the casino agenda. Nobody listened to them….certainly not their own BOS. Mr. Bond has proven himself time and time again to be quite guilty himself of selective hearing, so I find myself wondering if perhaps he is the one who has confused listening with agreeing.
I have listened to this casino debate for a long time…I have taken into consideration both sides, pro and con and offered up my two-cents....I do not see the pros as actual pros for those of us who live in this region…I see the cons as just that…cons. In my opinion, it seems that the cons have continually been dismissed as irrelevant or as outright lies…not listened to, never mind agreed or disagreed with. There is a huge difference between disagreeing with something and dismissing something and it is my hopes that Mr. Bond will do a bit more listening and a lot less talking on his show, especially when he has an anti-casino guest on to speak. I think Bellicose Bumpkin did a great blog regarding the benefits of a casino in Middleboro and has been fair in his assessment of the pros and how the cons far outweigh them. He is a perfect example of an active listener and may well be appearing on the show in the near future. I hope he does because I think Mr. Bond could learn a lot from actively listening to what he has to say.
Mr. Bond says he hopes to have a respectful debate on local politics – is this the new leaf or just another pipe dream?….please don’t get me wrong, I too think that people are capable of intelligent and respectful debate, but in light of how SRPEDD was treated at a recent BOS meeting, and some of the unprofessional and disrespectful comments aimed at CFO, The Regional Task Force and Representative Calter for not agreeing with the Middleboro casino plan, one has to wonder if this is really a new leaf, or an attempt to re-write the past actions of a BOS that did everything but listen…..
In a recent conversation I had, a friend of mine said something that pretty much sums up what I am trying to say here ….this person said that listening is one thing, selective hearing is another. Listening presumes you are engaging another human beings perspective and actively thinking about it and not summarily dismissing it…which is exactly what happened leading up from the TMFH last July, the BOS/Adam bought everything that was being sold by Glenn Marshall and the Casino investors, and discounted everything from CFO. God gave Adam two ears and one mouth, so as an elected official he should listen twice as much as he speaks.
Touche my friend…..
Having said that, I really do wish Mr. Bond the best of luck with his new radio show and I sincerely hope that he wants to and succeeds at listening to and participating in intelligent, respectful debate and will himself try not to confuse listening with agreeing.
- be the change you want to see in the world -
10 comments:
Point heard and taken. I hope that I do not disappoint. But, if I do disappoint, I am sure that there will be people out there to let me know I did.
But really. Thanks. And Mark will be on the show on Feb 28.
www.coffeeshoptalkam.com
Would you be willing to go on with FactFinder if that could be arranged--and civilized??
I am glad that you have heard the point...and I do think you can be successful with the show. I look forward to the show with Mark...he has so much to offer. I on the otherhand, though flattered that you would like me on the show with my nemesis, must respectfully decline. Radio is so not my medium...I will leave that to Rich and Mark. I will stick with the blogging, it works for me. But I will tune in, and if you disappoint, I'll let you know(insert wink here).
Good Luck!!
You know... radio might be Adam's forte! Goodness knows he's got the gift of gab, attracts controversy and enjoys the sound of his own grating voice.
Howard Stern - look out!
Pardon me for disbelieving and thinking the charade is self-serving.
Sometimes the worm can only turn so far. With far too many, Mr. Bond burned his bridges, demeaned others and deliberately insulted them. Neither he or his wife have been happy in the town surrounded by their inferiors. Their problem goes beyond 'listening.'
Paleeeeze! Kinder? Gentler? We get the BOS meetings on cable. What a sham! Mr. Bond only knows how to be respectful to his reflection in the mirror. He's insulted EVERYONE including surrounding towns and anyone who disagreed with him. Someone told me he paid for the air time. Not a surprise.
Mr. Bond is obligated to defend the 'tribe' translated as wealthy international casino investors, not to listen to trivial details like he negotiated a deal that sticks. He could have played the scenario differently, but chose instead to divide the town, insult surrounding communities and create enemies. Some people when cast in the role of leadership can actually lead. What you are witnessing with Mr. Bond is the implosion of a puffed up ego.
I understand that people are still upset by the poor behavior of the BOS regarding the casino, I am one of them. But, let's give Adam a chance to mend some fences...we may not like what has happened, but perhaps he has turned over that new leaf and will listen instead of selectively hear. I do believe most people deserve a chance to right past wrongs, and I also believe we should do our best to practice what we preach, so let us listen and see how it goes, because we all know that listening is not necessarily agreeing....
carverchick, the attempts are appreciated, but when one man chooses to insult at every single opportunity, one single self-serving apology before his radio debut doesn't work.
You don't insult people and think a bland apology is acceptable.
Past behavior has proven his character.
If it hadn't been for the casino we wouldnt be paying atention to town goverment and what there doing.
Selectman Bond was unprepared for his show and it was pretty poor.
If hes going to talk about politics why doesnt he manage Middleboro?
All he talks about is the casino.
Is that his next job? He doesnt care.
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