LA Times Columnist Joel "I Don't Support Our Troops" Stein Grilled By Hugh Hewitt

Conservative Los Angeles radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt says he received a bundle of mail this morning about Joel Stein's Los Angeles Times op-ed (Tuesday, January 24, 2006), the one in which he declared, "I don't support our troops." After reading Stein's column, Hugh understood his listeners' anger. So he did what a good journalist should do. He booked Stein for an interview.

If you really want an inside look into a sheltered, out-of-touch, Hollywood mindset, Hugh's interview is a must-listen / must-read. A full transcript with audio is available at Radio Blogger. (Thanks, Duane! You rock!) A highlight:

HUGH HEWITT: All right. Now who is your...this is a column about the troops that begins, "I don't support our troops." ... But who is your closest family member or friend who is on active duty?

JOEL STEIN: That's an excellent question. I wouldn't say I have a very close friend. I would say only acquaintances. No family at all.

HH: Who are your acquaintances?

JS: There was a guy who works at Time, that's where I worked last, who quit to serve in the military.

HH: What's his name?

JS (a looong, six-second pause): You know, I'm blanking on his name. But your point is well taken that I don't have many people that I even know who are in the military.

Ouch.

Check this interview out.