Letters for Preview

By: - North County Times | Wednesday, September 22, 2004 11:31 AM PDT ∞

Radio listener challenges "Static" columnist

In reference to Randy Dotinga's "Cry for help gets wrong number" column on Sept. 16, in which he criticized KGB disc jockeys for their on-air handling of a suicidal caller, here are my personal thoughts.

Mr. Dotinga based his opinion solely on what he heard from his end of the radio. He did no due diligence to investigate how this incident came about. Anybody who listens to "Dave, Shelly and Chainsaw" regularly knows if Dave Rickards isn't there for the beginning of the show, something is up. And then when this unusual "cry for help" came into play on the show, a careful thinker might suspect there may be more to this incident that "meets the ear." He based his opinions solely on his assumptions, and we all know what happens when we assume.

Also, I am curious about why Mr. Dotinga thinks his judgment and qualifications are superior to anyone else's on the subject of aiding someone on the brink of suicide. Does he have some special education or training in this area?

Above and beyond all other issues, opinions or considerations, the important outcome of this "cry for help" was that this man did receive help. A group of individuals found themselves in the midst of a situation that they neither asked for nor dreamed would present itself, and they handled it with care, concern, feelings, intelligence, compassion and common sense, the result of which was positive for all concerned, except Mr. Dotinga.

Lastly, I would ask Mr. Dotinga if he is capable of admitting when his "personal opinions" are wrong. Can he be as critical of himself as he is of others?

DEBBI TAYLOR

San Diego

Radio writer defended

I'm writing this letter in support of the "cry for help" column written by Randy Dotinga on Sept. 15. Mr. Dotinga reported on the actions of local KGB morning radio show "Dave, Shelly, and Chainsaw" when an obviously distraught man called, off-the-air, with thoughts of suicide. "Greg" was not seeking publicity and in fact was not pleased when he discovered that his phone call was being aired. Mr. Dotinga's article simply pointed out that Dave (Rickards) should not have attempted to solve this situation himself. Mr. Dotinga should be commended for his writing.

Nearly a week later, KGB continues to criticize not only Mr. Dotinga's views, but also your paper for printing them. Perhaps a mental health professional should weigh in on this matter. It could be a very informative read.

MICHAEL C. TAYLOR

El Cajon

Radio executive decries 'cry for help'

The recent piece of "journalism" Randy Dotinga wrote regarding the possible suicide and how it was handled was full of inaccuracies. Perhaps, next time, before he decides to write something he will check out the facts before he adds such a condescending opinion and judgment.

AJ and Dave did their very best to handle a bad situation and did so with success. Obviously, with that outcome, the call was not a "wrong number." How dare Dotinga accuse them of manipulating the situation for broadcast? The entire article implied that that was what they did.

It's pop quiz time, Randy: You hear about two radio personalities who help a listener who wants to commit suicide, or, maybe you even catch bits and pieces of it on the air. What do you do? 1) Write a scathing, uninformed, opinionated article without first checking the facts; 2) Call people who weren't involved for their opinion and then write a scathing, uninformed, opinionated article without first checking the facts; 3) Actually take the time to speak with the people involved and check all the facts before writing the article. If you answered No. 3, you are obviously not Randy Dotinga.

DIANA LAIRD

Program director

KHTS/XHTV

Listener was moved by radio rescue

Randy Dotinga ...shame on you! I'm not quite sure where Randy got the information for his article on Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw's recent phone-call in crisis, but it was sorely misconstrued.

As a longtime listener of DSC, I was surprised when I got in my car on Monday morning and heard what the current topic was, Greg, a young man, clearly in a world of hurt, was seeking help from the crews of KGB and 93.3.

As we listened to the story unfold and the amount of pain this young man was going through, my heart went out to him, his family and friends. I found myself praying for him at the first stop light I came to. True, Dave, Shelly, Chainsaw, Boyer and Ruthie are not Ph.D.'s, nor do they claim to be. I don't recall seeing those initials behind Mr. Dotinga's name either.

To berate someone publicly for their efforts to help a fellow human being in a time of crisis is shameful. I'm not sure where Mr. Dotinga got his facts for this story, I wasn't at the studios myself, but just listening that morning, I could tell certain things were inaccurate from the start. It is really quite sad that instead of encouraging people to put themselves out there to help someone in need ---- we tell them when they do, they did it wrong.

BETHANY CRANDALL

La Jolla