Dear Tom, U’ve been aggravating the life out of me for the last 9 months or so (I’m trying to figure out why.) and this pre-pledge season I’ve been reluctant to pony up.  But yesterday’s program “Why Nations Fail” reminded me that you still provide an enormous service even when you aggravate. I pledged this morning. Keep doing what you do so well. Thanks.

Congratulations on the soaring listenership, absolutely deserved! I’m encouraged to know how many people are discovering your rigorous, energetic coverage of the topical, the singular and the just plain way out there. 

Carry on, Tom, and keep it real: 

(A.) Scarcely anyone on my NPR station in New York still gives a whole hour to one topic. 

(B.) Your curiosity dignifies any subject with thorough reading, thoughtfully framed questions and infectious enthusiasm. 

(C.) You have equal time for all manner of guests, whether celebrities up close or technicians who can speak candidly because they don’t have a public image to worry about. 

(D.) You treat every call and message with respect, mobilizing them into a spectrum of firsthand experience, criticism, crankery and common sense. 

(E.) Please never lose the inimitable quirks, the effervescence: “Paint the picture for us!” “I wish you would . . . .” “What do you see?” “There you hear it: . . . !” The eclectic, unpredictably injected audio tape. 

Welcome to all the new listeners!

obama approved new pippeline Oklahoma to Texas and new Nuc in Georga

I have been an ardent listener of this show for more than 6+ years – more importantly I live outside of US listening from the other end of the continent. What is the draw for me – It is Tom Ashbrook’s style. His eclectic knowledge and the range of subjects he handles is absolutely amazing and he does it effortlessly. His delicate poise on most controversial issues is commendable. I mostly listen to BBC for their quality of journalism but this is the only US based radio program I listen to and would rate on par with most of BBC World Service. If Tom is not the host, I never bother to tune in. So I doff my hat to you sir! Keep it going….

Grats from a long-time listener in Silver Spring, MD

It’s because you Tom, are simply the best I’ve ever heard on the radio when it comes to conducting a show….with a solid number two to ray suarez

Monday night:

I’ve heard it said, “Good Riddance.”  The situation may be that for this soldier.

I am grateful for your program.

So many people, civilians, civilians who live with this illness.

Screening is a joke.  Its all about the manpower.  They need it!

Is the war for profit for businesses in the future between these countries or is it being fought for the United States security?

America’s government is not being honest enough.

And what does America want to do with people it can’t use.

Doesn’t suprize me.  Congratulations Tom and staff, you’re doing a great job.

RE: Health Care at the High Court.
We are all concerned about the direct cost of providing insurance coverage for ourselves. Good health is the answer to reducing this financial burden.  Eating right will cut the cost of health care.  Just eliminating or at least controlling our addition to sugar, salt, and fat will make an major improvement in our health.  Nutrition should be part of our curriculum starting at the elementary school level and continue through HS and college. Doctors and insurance companies hate good health because there is no money in healthy people. Suggest you listen to:  Mark Hyman, MD; Joel Fuhrman, MD both were on WTTW TV in Chicago.  Videos:  “Food, Inc.”, “Enough”; “Ingredients”; “Forks over Knives” to name a few.  These will change your life style.

I do not understand the mild tenor of the arguments being
made in favor of the healthcare reform before the Supreme Court.  Healthcare is not broccoli or cash for
clunkers, and to describe it as such should be considered insulting. 

Health care is a matter of life and death, nothing
less.  Virtually all families will face
healthcare life and death issues at one or more times, and not just for
elderly.  Young people also face these
issues, just  statistically less
frequency.  Healthcare is not just a
“market”, it is literally life and death.

The founding fathers addressed healthcare, albeit
unknowingly, when they wrote the declaration of independence-  Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness.  Short of the national mandate to protect us from
foreign invaders, no issue today more directly affects life, and ask anyone
suffering chronic health problems what is the affect on happiness.    They also further addressed it (repeatedly)
in the constitution (preamble and section 8) under the federal duty and goal to
“promote the general welfare”.  Once
again, if healthcare is not fundamental to our general welfare, what is? 

Allowing the argument to degrade to Broccoli, used car
and cell phones and just a commerce item, threatens the safety and wellbeing of
all US citizens.

Guy Whitmer

Omaha NE

I pray for breakthroughs is human cloning so that someday a multitude of Tom Ashbrooks will fill our airways 24 hours a day. Sure wish you were in the Midwest Tom. I would also like to thank all of your staff as I am sure that they contribute to your great show.

PS. I hope the boss reads this and gives you that big fat raise he keeps denying you : )

Thank you for everything you do with such intelligence, insight, energy, and with such a breadth of knowledge in so many diverse topics.

Congratulations Tom, I’ve always found your show so well done, so relevant, and so good at satisfying our craving for smart, fascinating discussions on very much everything, that make me think and wonder and ask questions, and read and talk with friends…  A listener since 2007 from Salt Lake City.