You Like Dr. Laura?!?

7 minute speech given to Titan Toastmasters on 3 June 2002 for Competant Toastmaster (Speech #5) from Communication and Leadership Manual (Vocal Variety)

Sometimes comes up that listen to and enjoy Dr. Laura's talk radio show. People who know me, who share philosophical and political background, are shocked. Big into religion and self-sacrifice and regulating the internet and whatnot. Not like me at all. So how could stand listen to her and like her? Feeling that people wonder whether something wrong with me that just never detected before.

So let me defend myself for a moment. You be the jury. Tell me whether these five reasons for liking the show are reasonable.

1. Very psychologically astute. Identify hidden motives that us ordinary folk would miss. And usually right. Callers agree with her, even if initially reluctant. Insight gained from thousands of people spoken to on shows year after year. More than usual therapist. Not just seen it all. But seen it all over and over again. Appreciate that psychological insight.

2. Helps me inject realism into own work. Real-life examples. Knowledge of problems people commonly face, that struggle with everyday. Read Dear Abby and Ann Landers for same reason, for realistic moral scenarios. Lots on honesty in past few months. Things would never think of sitting in armchair. Since want my philosophical work to be of use to people in daily life, need to hear about the problems and dilemmas that people struggle everyday. Examples in Dr. Laura.

3. Integrates moral and psychological issues. Best of both worlds. Self-understanding from psychology and issues of moral character from ethics. Ethics without psychology often unrealistic. Psychology without ethics often childishly immoral. But integrate well and can offer realistic moral advice to people. Approach that hope to use in own work. Great to see in action.

4. Doesn't tolerate nonsense. Doesn't allow people to prattle on about problems or ask useless "even if..." questions. Makes people get to the point. Not boring. Show moves along quickly. Appreciate because so many talk radio hosts allow people to talk incoherently for too long. Also because in Q&A after philosophy lectures, people often ramble on with long questions – if question at all. Takes great skill to cut people off at just right moment without being rude. Dr. Laura does that pretty damn well. Runs a tight ship.

5. Committed to moral principles. Not wishy-washy. But clear sense of right and wrong. Wants people to think about choices. To do the right thing, even when difficult. To own up to mistakes and fix them. Need more of that in today's culture of psychobabble and moral relativism.

So those are five reasons why enjoy Dr. Laura's radio show: her psychological insight, the useful examples, the integration of moral and psychological issues, the intolerance for nonsense, and the commitment to moral principles.

Of course, don't always agree. Often disagree. Think too harsh on people. Or gives bad advice. Or good advice but for wrong reasons. But disagreements useful too. Clarify my own thinking on these complex moral issues. Must pinpoint exactly where disagreements lie. Helps me become better philosopher.

So while might not be typical Dr. Laura listener, definitely count me as a fan.

Mr Toastmaster.