Candidate Ducks Ducky; Drake Falls On Floor, Pounds Fists, Screams

Throwing a tantrum isn't the best way to open up a dialogue with someone.

That's the impression that media "personality" Ducky Drake gave in his last "Is It Just Me Commentary?," broadcast Tuesday, 9/28/10 on WIRY Radio, 1340 AM.

During his commentary entitled "The Name Game" Ducky states that not many people have heard of Working Families Party candidate Kathi McCleery who is running against Mayor Donald Kasprzak. To prove his point Ducky poses a quiz, asking his listeners to name the lady candidate running for mayor in Plattsburgh from a list that includes McCleery, Nancy Drew, and Sarah Palin.

Such childish behavior for a professional commentator. What provoked this? Ducky is upset that McCleery won't respond to questions he has submitted to her via email. He portrays McCleery as someone who can't be bothered to acknowledge his inquiries.

I'm not going to get into a "he said, she said" debate. Maybe McCleery has taken the wrong tack with Ducky.

But if someone is reluctant to speak with me, the last thing that will work is attacking that person, trying to provoke them to respond. I know I don't like intimidation.

It could be McCleery is wary of Ducky and the way he conducts his "journalism." Maybe she doesn't trust him.

Then again, it's hard to trust someone when they sneer at you for allegedly getting your information from Googling, implying that you're both lazy and unknowledgeable. Ducky claims that's how McCleery got her answers regarding the issue of restarting the compost plant.

So what if someone uses Google? It's a research tool. It does take some intelligence to use it.

Do you know how to use a search engine, Ducky? Maybe you should go Google yourself.

Ducky comes across as an egotist who expects everyone to play his game. And if someone doesn't want to play, he attacks.

In his commentary -- you can hear it at this link -- Ducky wraps up his tirade by saying to McCleery:

"I'll clean this up just a bit. It's time for you to do it or get off the pot. So I'll ask you one more time. Will you answer my questions? Your reply..."

Long pause. Silence.

"I thought so."

Yup, that creates a suitable atmosphere for McCleery to reply, Ducky acting up like a spoiled little boy sprawled on the floor, throwing a tantrum, daring someone to do what he wants.

Ducky deserves a time out. WIRY should make him stand in the corner.



ADDENDUM: Yes, this post is another example of how not to diplomatically open up dialogue with a difficult person. But Ducky has established a track record; his past actions prove that he prefers ad hominem attacks and controversy over reasoned dialogue. It's a waste of time to try to engage in meaningful debate with someone so egocentric, someone who thinks only he dispenses the truth. There are many people like that in the world, too many. For example, Osama bin Laden.

In this case what's good for the goose is good for the Drake.