Both got good points, but is it really that serious
http://www.urbaninsite.co...tomjay.mp3

I listen to the show online at work when I can. What I gather from Tom is that he feels that we need a voice like Tavis on air to give information and provoke thought amongst the masses where politics is concerned.

What I feel on a subjective level though, is that he is deeply hurt by the departure and that's why he's reacting as he is. I can't tell you how many times he's reached out to the most powerful media, celebrity, and political figures ON-AIR in the last few days to BEG Tavis to stay with the show (it's been pretty pitiful). He makes it no secret that he's taking it pretty hard. Joyner's a softie, and losing one of his long-term team members appears to be clouding his ability to respond rationally and he's caught up in emoting instead .

I wonder if it might also be a generation gap issue, though? I have seen people of the baby boomer generation and before tend to work in pact-like, word-is-bond on a handshake fashion...whereas folks Tavis's age and younger seem to work in today's world in a more fast-paced, "grab your opportunities and make your move while you can" kind of way....

Ottensen said:

I listened to this yesterday (or was it Monday?)

I agree with Ottensen here on both counts: Tom's taking this emotionally; and the generation-gap issue is a valid point, too.

Tom sounded like a heartbroken brother who lost his lover to outside forces. Lamenting because his state don't allow gay marriage.

shit is a shame

Marrysharronsluvchild said:

Yeah he is taking it pretty personally.

But after hearing Tavis's radio address concerning this, it basically just sounds like the brotha is 42, has a lot of bigtime stuff coming up, and is tired of waking up at 3am to do these shows while his energy and focus is clearly going to be needed elsewhere in the future. Originally I thought it was stank that he was going to walk out on the show, but he has decided to honor his contract and stay until summer. Now it's pretty much just time for Tom Joyner to face the music and concentrate on finding a successor to be political commentator. Like Sybyl (Wilkes) kept trying to point out to him, just because Tavis has chosen to move on does NOT mean the death of TJMS's mission to empower black people with information about politics and the political process.

But yeah, it has gotten to the point where all that moping and begging and acting like your best friend or dog has died is getting really pitiful
[Edited 4/17/08 2:41am]