Sam Wilsons War
July 27th, 2008 by Bill Colley
I grew up with people like Sam Wilson. Hardworking and straight shooters. Maybe shooters would be a poor choice of words? Let me explain. Saturday evening Mark Lowry performed at Eagle’s Nest. It was uplifting and fun and if you weren’t there it was one of the top experiences of the summer here at the shore.
Going out the door I stopped and chatted with the promoters and Mr. Wilson came by to say hello. We’ve met before. At Calvary Baptist in Georgetown. Saturday night we talked about last week’s political events. Hey, it’s just business, right? Then things started getting creepy.
He tells me his friends suggest that he sue me for calling him a Nazi. For the record I said his actions were reminiscent of the Nazis. It’s an opinion offered by an over-the-air opinion columnist. These followed the very public comments he made last week. Then he asked me if I really believed he would show up at the studios with a gun. Memory strikes me last week I expressed concern he owns firearms. You know, folks, it’s a radio “show”. You get it, right?
Apparently Mr. Wilson doesn’t. He then asked me how I would react if he showed up with a wooden gun. As this conversation was taking place on church property I just smiled and laughed it off. At this point a woman, apparently his daughter, was insisting it was time he went home.
So exactly how steep is this fellow’s learning curve?
An emailer yesterday said I was exaggerating the worries. Last week there was a shooing at a Christian radio station in State College, Pennsylvania. At my last radio station there were nicks in the windows from pellets. An old co-worker of mine, George Kilpatrick, hosted what was for the most part, a mild mannered “urban” talk show. One day a fellow arrived at the door threatening to shoot George. A few years ago an employee of a Chicago TV station was killed by a gunman. Are you familiar with a talk show host named Berg? Killed by a warped listener.
It’s a radio show, for crying out loud! What part of this isn’t sinking into the craniums of some people? At my last radio station a fellow telephoned after a show and said he was coming over to the studios to thrash me. I was standing in the booth talking with a friend who worked as police chief in a local town and handed the telephone over to the policeman, however. We don’t have police officers with us everyday.
Yet the leadership of the Republican Party wants Mr. Wilson serving on County Council. Are they nuts? Do I dare start my car as I leave work? Will I find a burning cross at my house? Will they shoot my dog?
While I’ve got the floor let me as well mention this “Williamsville” character. His real name is Charley. He calls our office line several times daily and harasses the two sweet ladies working the telephones. They work at the radio station because they need to meet their obligations. Just like the rest of us. Then he claims he should be granted a free pass because of a disability. If he called Wal-Mart, the bank or Food Lion everyday with his hostility he’d have been charged long ago.
And some of you people think I lack civility?
July 28th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Sounds like you should ask Dan for “combat pay” . I think you are dealing with a cuckoo and should not worry about it, in fact. If however, someone were to shoot or harm you in any way, Mr. Wilson will surely be blamed. It would never be thought that anybody else would wish you harm!!
July 28th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Bill -
We haven’t had the opportunity to meet, and I look forward to that one day. I have, however, known Sam Wilson since the mid’70’s when I worked at an AM radio station in Georgetown, DE and Sam called in to debate Ed Marzoa…host of The Hotline.
Yes, the line would get hot sometimes. Ed & Sam were fun to listen to, and Ed could count on Sam to chime in with his unique brand of Sussex County wisdom regularly.
Sam has done that to virtually every radio talk show host in this area for the past 4 decades. Sometimes I agree with him. Sometimes I don’t.
But this I know: Sam Wilson is an honorable man, and you are totally taking him wrong. Your sense of humor and his apparently don’t mesh - but PLEASE….just shake your head at him and move on…don’t accuse him of wanting to shoot you.
Ben Franklin once advised: ‘don’t argue with people who buy ink by the barrel’. You have the microphone and the blog, so Sam is ill advised to get continue this dialog with you. And I’m not looking for a fight either.
But I do feel I need to stand up and defend Sam Wilson for your unjustified attack on his personal character. Trust me, you are safe.
July 28th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Sam is a harmless antagonistic ole curmudgeon, and Williamsville has had 999 different occupations, and holds the secret to energy independence; but won’t share it. Keep on keeping on Bill. Sam needs to learn how to take a joke too. Go Greg Hastings and John McCain!!!
July 30th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Well Bill, let me paraphase lyrics from a song: “there’s no good guys, there’s no bad guys - we just disagree”.
July 30th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
P.S - Bill Colley, the moral of this fable; “If you can’t take it, don’t dish it”. A conservative talkshow radio host isn’t easy job. You can say things that either inspire or tick people off. If you perceive the whole world is out to get you because they made threat or being “creepy” then quit.
August 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 am
i honestly hope u all do not think that sam wilson is a harm to anyone because i personally know him better than any of you out there so none of you should be saying anything about him unless you truly know him. and by what you guys have been saying NONE of you know the true sam wilson. he is a wonderful person who at times just says what is on his mind and if you dont agree with what he says just let it go. but i know that he would never hurt a soul. he cares too much to do that so what you guys say is just ridiculous and it seriously needs to stop. noone has the right to call anyone cuckoo or nuts or anything of that nature. it is truly rude and immature. so u people need to just grow up and live your own lives
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm
A private comment in a church yard, and a comment broadcast to thousands over the airwaves are two different matters. Your indirect “Nazi” reference would, I believe, be offensive to most people, especially when transmitted over a radio show. I take it, from the context of your blog, that you also suggested he would take a gun to you.
Calling it a “show” doesn’t relieve a host of his or her responsibility. The broadcast studio and the blog are two powerful platforms that Mr. Wilson does not have other than as an occasional guest. My guess, Bill, is that you are ticked off over your dispute with Mr. Wilson and are using this blog to vindicate yourself. I don’t think it was right to publicize Mr. Wilson’s calls to the “sweet ladies” at your studio. Whatever his quirks are, they should remain between your office and him. I hasten to add that I don’t know Mr. Wilson so I’m not just taking up for him.
You have shown that you have experience with people making threats and taking action against broadcasters. Surely, then, you understand the position you put yourself in when some take offense; it goes with the territory. So why are you complaining about it in this blog?
I take it that you are a Christian, based on your mention of Calvary Baptist church and Eagle’s Nest ministry. Jesus tells us to be “as wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” I don’t see those qualities in your radio show and blog. Inferring that a person is like a Nazi and might shoot you, is neither wise nor harmless.
August 3rd, 2008 at 12:28 pm
I see I am in error over my statement about Mr. Williams calling the “sweet ladies” in your studio. Nevertheless, the point still remains.