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CNN Live At Daybreak
'Talk of CNN': Interview With Neal Boortz
Aired September 03, 2002 - 06:31 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Time for the "Talk of CNN." Iraq attack, golf and homeschooling -- they're all on the mind of our next guest, nationally-syndicated radio talk show host, Neal Boortz. Neal is actually on vacation in Arizona, but was nice enough to get up early and join us on the phone.
Good morning, Neal.
NEAL BOORTZ, RADIO TALK SHOW HOST: Hi, there. There are coyotes outside.
COSTELLO: I've heard they're making quite a comeback in Arizona actually.
BOORTZ: They are. They are everywhere.
COSTELLO: Can you hear them?
BOORTZ: No. No, no, but they followed me all the way over here to the clubhouse, where I'm on the telephone right now.
COSTELLO: Oh, no. Well, you be careful, Neal.
BOORTZ: I'm bigger.
COSTELLO: I know, yes.
BOORTZ: Don't you feel so bad for Lance Bass?
COSTELLO: You know...
BOORTZ: Replaced by a cargo container.
COSTELLO: That's really sad. How do you...
BOORTZ: It couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
COSTELLO: How do you feel about this whole issue of celebrities going up into space to the International Space Station?
BOORTZ: Well, I mean, if they pay the tab, fine. If you pay the money, take the ride. That's absolutely OK. But I have a lot of things I'd rather spend $20 million on, if I had it, but going into space.
COSTELLO: Oh, isn't that right. Hey, do you want to talk about Iraq? Because I know that you were very upset about the comments that Nelson Mandela has made about the United States.
BOORTZ: Oh, yes. I mean, who -- look, OK, he's a great hero in South Africa, and he spent a lot of years in jail, because of his fight against apartheid. But now, all of a sudden, he comes up with this idea that the United States isn't entitled to go after Saddam Hussein unless we have the approval of the Security Council, like the Security Council is the real board of directors of the United States.
And what's this about saying that it is the United States that has introduced chaos into the world? I'm sorry, we're not the ones that flew those airplanes into those buildings and killed innocent people. We didn't introduce it. We're responding to it, Mr. Mandela.
COSTELLO: Well, that may be true, Neal, but Nelson Mandela also went on to say that the United States is the only superpower in the world today, and it must be exemplary in everything it does. Isn't that reasonable?
BOORTZ: Oh, listen, I think -- I don't think there is anything un-exemplary about taking care of Saddam Hussein. Yes, we are the only superpower out there, and sometimes people -- when somebody who is very strong defends themselves, a lot of people are, oh, you know, tisk, tisk, tisk. Look, they're being such big bullies. But I'm sorry.
COSTELLO: Oh, but, listen...
BOORTZ: This man absolutely intends to attack us with some sort of a weapon. We need to stop him.
COSTELLO: Well, that may be true, Neal, but critics would say that unless we get some international support for this, it could be a disaster for the United States and really destabilize that part of the world.
BOORTZ: So could a low-yield nuclear device in Chicago.
COSTELLO: Oh, and I tell you, again, there is no proof of that.
BOORTZ: I know.
COSTELLO: All right. Let's move onto...
BOORTZ: Are you willing to make the best?
COSTELLO: I can't say that. I'm a journalist, and I am remaining neutral.
Hey, let's talk about the Augusta National...
BOORTZ: Oh!
COSTELLO: ... and the National Council of Women's Organizations. They are still going at it over the Masters Golf Tournament, and this women's organization wants Augusta to admit women to the club. What's wrong with that?
BOORTZ: I want them to admit me to the club.
COSTELLO: You'll never get in.
BOORTZ: I am boycotting until I am a member of Augusta National.
COSTELLO: What's wrong with admitting women to Augusta, though?
BOORTZ: It's a private club.
COSTELLO: Yes?
BOORTZ: It is a 300-member private club.
COSTELLO: But it also puts on...
BOORTZ: It takes no tax money. It pays taxes.
COSTELLO: But it also puts on a very public golf tournament that's seen by 40 million people.
BOORTZ: No, ma'am, it is not a public golf tournament. It is an invitation-only, private golf tournament that is of such interest to the general public that CBS decides that they would like to pay money to televise it. But it -- when is the last time you were able to go out and just buy a badge or get an invitation to play in that thing? It's private!
COSTELLO: Well, I can't. I'm a woman. I can't do a lot of things at golf clubs around the country, not just Augusta. Some clubs...
BOORTZ: Yes, and I can't play in the LPGA either.
COSTELLO: Well, it has become such a big deal. Why do you think this has become such a major issue?
BOORTZ: Because the media loves it. It is a fight between some poor, helpless women out there and a big, powerful, nationally or internationally-known golf club. And the media loves it, and it is the media that is making this thing into a fight, not Martha Burk, not Augusta National. It is the nation's media.
COSTELLO: Oh, come on, Neal!
BOORTZ: You know, Carol...
COSTELLO: Hootie Johnson -- Hootie Johnson said some what some would call outrageous comments about radically changing the membership if they were to admit women. They won't be controlled, so he pulled all of the sponsors from the Masters Golf Tournament. He has made this a bigger thing than maybe it ought to be.
BOORTZ: No. The media has made it a bigger thing. He's just trying to react and put out the fires wherever he finds them.
Look, this women's organization is after two things. Most of the people in this country have never heard of the National Council of Women's Organizations until Augusta National came up.
COSTELLO: Hey, it has six million members, Neal.
BOORTZ: Oh, come on! Some of those members are quilting groups.
COSTELLO: Oh!
BOORTZ: No, look at it. Some of the members are quilting groups and cooking clubs and bridge clubs.
COSTELLO: I find that difficult to believe, Neal.
BOORTZ: Well, it's true. Take a look at the membership, and it's a membership of organizations. They are after two things. Publicity, they are getting it. And it's a...
COSTELLO: Well, what's wrong with that?
BOORTZ: It's a Jesse Jackson shakedown.
COSTELLO: If you want to evoke change, what better way to do that than to get media attention?
BOORTZ: Well, hey...
COSTELLO: That's just the way of the world, Neal.
BOORTZ: It's working very well for the NCWO, but it is the media that is driving this mess.
COSTELLO: OK. Hey, we're going to end on this note. McDonald's is changing the amount of saturated fat in its french fries, and it may change the taste. Are you for that?
BOORTZ: Hey, whatever works for McDonald's. I'm not a fat food fan. But do you know that french fries are their highest profit item?
COSTELLO: Exactly. That's why it's just so surprising to us.
Hey, Neal, we're going to let you go and talk to Chad about this, because it is an issue close to Chad's heart. He thinks it's awful.
BOORTZ: Have a great day.
COSTELLO: You, too, Neal. Bye.
BOORTZ: Bye-bye.
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