Ron & Jen’s Great Escape, July 5, 2023 – Ron St. Pierre and Jen Brien

MADE IN THE USA

When I was in high school, 9th or 10th grade, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the USA” was a massive hit. Most of the teen guys wore bandanas around their heads, wrists, necks… they had faded Levi’s on with white t-shirts and blasted the song from their parents cars. Or if rich and spoiled enough, they had their own rides and blasted the song from their Camaros or Dodge Dart cassette players. What most people don’t know is that it’s really an anti-war song as opposed to a PRO AMERICA song. It’s an anti-war song that highlights how America failed Vietnam veterans. I mention this, this week, because yesterday was July 4^th, and so many people who think they KNOW what this country’s song is about (ANALOGY) are just dead wrong. The haters of America have no idea what it is to live in a true oppressive country like North Korea where starving families toss their 5 and 6 year olds out into the streets to fend for themselves because they cannot feed them any longer. They don’t know what women face in Afghanistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia for simply looking provocative or having an opinion… and they simply have no idea what it’s like to have to go underground and worship the God they believe in, risking not only their own execution, but their entire family and extended family as well. This happens to Christians in China. 

We are a very, very, young nation. We have come a very long way and yet, have a million mountains to climb. We are not perfect, never will be, and not everyone will always be happy or satisfied. 

What I know for sure is that we can gather, talk, laugh, worship, argue, debate, play, drink, become anything we want to in this nation. The possibilities are limitless. There are countless examples of people with a never give up attitude in this country who have done and become amazing things. 

To the people who say this country is a pile of S@#t! Remember, you can say that here. To the people who say nothing is possible if you start at the bottom… remember Oprah, Michael Jordan, Col. Sanders and the Wright Brothers. To the people who claim they are victims of everything, I submit our lives are currently a culmination of our life choices, good and bad. We cannot change our History, but we can learn from it. Living in the past and debating it is useless if we stay there. We must move forward – as a people and as a nation. The rear view mirror is tiny as opposed to the windshield. Where we are going is bigger than where we came from.

We are imperfect. We are a work in progress, and many before us have shown us the way up, out and into our dreams. 

I am so grateful that I was born in this great nation. I am grateful my life has purpose and I really do have a chance in America to be all that I can be. This country is amazing. 

That’s the way I see things anyway.

Just my 3 cents.

God bless America, my friends. 

In him I sure do trust.

Jen

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LET THEM EAT CAKE

United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, apologized to his own employees and customers after taking a private jet during the week his airline was cancelling thousands of flights. Kirby flew from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey to Denver last week. Teterboro is about 17 miles from that Newark hell hole where United’s largest hub is located, and which was the center of the airline’s meltdown last week. In a statement, Kirby said he regrets that his actions distracted from the professionalism of United employees. Many passengers at Newark International Airport couldn’t get to their destinations because there were no flights available. United’s been plagued by flight delays, cancellations, and lost luggage. 

MOVING IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION

Local radio lost another long time on-air talent a couple of weeks ago when 92 PRO-FM cut ties with Kim Zandy after 24 years. Awhile back, WCTK axed Brian Mulhern after 12 years of morning show duties. I know both of them, personally and professionally, and can tell you both are top notch individuals. I’ve always felt radio personalities are like major league baseball managers… they’re hired to get fired. It’s the nature of the beast. I’d just like these mega companies to come up with something better than “we’re moving in a different direction”. Oh, I know why such innocuous pablum is chosen. It’s not harmful or offensive, meaning it won’t lead to a lawsuit. Moving in a different direction means younger and cheaper… and we all know it. It’s why “management couldn’t be reached for comment.”

“The trick, they say, is never play the Game too long.”- Bob Seger

-Ron

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Read all of Ron & Jen’s columns, here: https://rinewstoday.com/ron-jens-great-escape-may-10-2023-ron-st-pierre-and-jen-brien/

Ron St. Pierre is a veteran broadcaster whose career has spanned over four decades. Ron has programmed, performed on and managed WHJJ, WPRO, WWRX, 790 The Score in Providence, as well as WBZT and WKGR in West Palm Beach and WABC in New York City. Ron also anchored Sports on WPRI Ch 12 in Providence. He is a member of both the Rhode Island Radio and Television and the City of Pawtucket Halls of Fame. He was born and raised in Pawtucket.

Jen Brien has over 20 years of radio broadcast experience having hosted shows on WPRO and WHJJ with Ron as well as her own shows on WRKO and WBZ in Boston, WXTK on Cape Cod and WHAM in Rochester, New York. Jen was born and raised in Woonsocket and served six years in the Army MP Canine Unit.

Hazel, Ron’s dog, makes regular appearances.

“Ron and Jen’s Great Escape” podcast, a more lighthearted look at the events happening around us, can be found on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, with new episodes premiering each Wednesday and listen to Ron and Jen’s Great Escape on NewsRadio 920 and 104-7 FM, Saturday morning, 7am!