Dr. Laura Schlessinger is the author of the new book “SURVIVING A SHARK ATTACK (ON LAND): Overcoming Betrayal and Dealing with Revenge.”
Schlessinger, one of the most popular talk-show hosts in radio and the only female winner of the Marconi Award for syndicated radio, recently moved her show to Sirius/XM satellite radio. The decision to make the move came after a summer incident where she used the ‘n-word’ on-air. Amid the media firestorm, Schlessinger initially decided to quit radio altogether at the end of her contract, before deciding instead to move her show to Sirius/XM.
Besides radio, Schlessinger has authored twelve New York Times bestselling books and is a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Schlessinger recently agreed to answer 10 questions from The Daily Caller about her new book, the summer imbroglio and other topics of interest:
1. Why did you decide to write the book?
Generally, the inspiration for the subject matter of a book comes from a ground swell from the national audience for my radio program (Sirius 102, XM 155 11AM-2PM PST). It is curious how that works; each time it just seems like more and more people are dealing with a common issue. This time, the “ground swell” of dealing with betrayal and revenge coincided with my personal experiences and I decided that the coalescence of the two required attention. Hence: “SURVIVING A SHARK ATTACK (ON LAND): Overcoming Betrayal and Dealing with Revenge.”
I finished it before Spring of 2010 — well in advance of the last media and liberal activist group attack of the late Summer.
2. You write that this book is different from you others because its “genesis” is “personal rage” and betrayal. Why the rage and how exactly were you betrayed?
This book is threaded with stories from my own personal and professional life. While I don’t “name names”, the “points” to help the reader were more important to me than the desire to embarrass anybody in print.
3. Do you view yourself as a victim?
Hell NO! While it is absolutely true that many have tried to victimize me, I am the most appropriate to write this book because I have survived and thrived after every attack!
4. If there is one thing you want readers to take away from this book, what would it be?
That everyone will be wronged, hurt, and betrayed regardless of their best efforts and sincere goodness. How we deal with that betrayal and our ferocious drive for revenge, decides the quality of our lives much more than the betrayer’s actions do.
5. When you initially announced that you would quit your radio show at the end of your contract, you suggested that you were doing so to reclaim your free speech rights, implying that you were somehow being denied them. How can someone who has a nationally syndicated radio show complain about being denied their free speech rights?
Free speech in our society is being threatened even at the Congressional level with types like [West Virginia Democratic] Senator Jay Rockefeller joining up with the mentality of Al Sharpton to call for government censorship – even in advance of a broadcast – of what people can say. All the way through our society, folks use “I’m Offended” as battle cry to silence someone’s opinion which threatens their point of view. Special interest groups use threats – THREATS – to sponsors and affiliates (TV and Radio) in order to silence speech which challenges their positions. Free Speech may soon become a memory as aggressive activists gain more power to silence opposition. SiriusXM, with its unbelievable range of shows/opinions, is the last bastion of media free speech. The innocent articulation of “a word” can get people maligned and destroyed. Make no mistake – this country is at the brink of losing the most precious quality of democracy: free speech.
6. You recently began your new show on Sirius XM Radio. You told the New York Times when you signed the deal that you were “overjoyed to be in an arena where I can expand my format, where it’s uncensored, where they reward true free speech.” What were you prevented from saying on your previous radio show that you will now be able to say on Sirius XM radio?
At the time I had a syndicated column and suggested that having a party for the upcoming birth of a child to a marriage-less woman, intentionally depriving a child of a father and intact two-parent, married, stable home was wrong. Various feminist groups vowed to get all newspapers to drop my column. That sort of response happens all the time on radio. There is a diminishing level of debate — just efforts to defame and eliminate.
7. Where do you stand politically? Are there any potential 2012 GOP candidates you like?
I’m looking for candidates who don’t want to be a politician for a living, but truly want to use the power of the office to do the right thing for American safety and prosperity. I’m looking for a candidate with the guts to not compromise principles. I’m looking for a candidate who isn’t just getting off on the power and some un-American agenda. I’m looking for a candidate that would make America respect the presidency once more. I have no idea who that is.
8. What do you think of the announcement that a new version of Huck Finn will be released without the use of the ‘N-word’?
That is another demonstration of how free speech is being limited. That is a classic piece of anti-slavery and anti-discrimination. Classic literature is not keeping “that word” alive; black culture is with its pervasive usage in everyday discourse, music, etc. That is an example of hypocrisy at work.
9. What are the three books that most shaped your worldview?
There aren’t “three books” that shaped my world view. That has been shaped by 64 years of experience.
10. Any plans to write another book? If so, about what?
Oh yes. I already have another book planned – it will be a shocker!