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| {{Infobox Biography | |||
| | subject_name = Neal Boortz | |||
| | image_name = Neal-boortz-751876.jpg | |||
| | image_size = | |||
| | image_caption = Neal Boortz | |||
| | date_of_birth = {{birth date and age|1945|04|06}} | |||
| | place_of_birth = {{flagicon|USA}} ], ] | |||
| | date_of_death = | |||
| | place_of_death = | |||
| | occupation = Syndicated ] host, ] & Inactive Attorney | |||
| | spouse = Donna Boortz | |||
| | children = Laura | |||
| | Religion = Episcopalian | |||
| | website = | |||
| }} | |||
| '''Neal Boortz''' (born ], ]), is a ] ] host. His radio show is based in ] and is nationally syndicated by ] and the ]. Boortz is also a ] and best-selling ]. He considers himself to be a ], and supports eliminating the ], lowering ]es, and shrinking the size of ], while disagreeing with the ] platform by firmly supporting incremental ], the ], and opposing unrestricted ]. Boortz has sided with ] on some social issues such as ], ], and ], while siding with ] on advocating less government spending and decreasing corporate regulation. On ''The Neal Boortz Show'', he has criticized politicians, ], the ], "]", liberals, smokers, the obese, cats, and ] recipients, but considers himself an "equal opportunity" offender. | |||
| His self-given ]s include: "The Talkmaster", "Mighty Whitey", "The Mouth of the South", "America's Rude Awakening", and the "High Priest of the Church of the Painful Truth". Boortz's first book was ''The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear'' in 1997, followed by ''The Terrible Truth About Liberals,'' in 1998. In 2005, he co-wrote '']'', proposing to implement a national retail sales tax in lieu of federal income taxes, payroll taxes, estate tax, etc., and the hardcover version debuted at #1 on the '']'' bestseller list and held that spot for two weeks. His latest book is ''Somebody's Gotta Say It'', which is a compilation from his radio show and his life. Boortz lives with his second wife, Donna,<ref>He refers to her as "She Who Must Be Obeyed", "The Queen", and "My Bride"</ref> and they have a daughter, Laura. He is an avid ], a ]er, and more recently a ] enthusiast. | |||
| ==Biography== | |||
| === Early life === | |||
| Neal Boortz was born in ], which was his mother's home. Describing himself as a "]", Neal's father was a World War II pilot in the ]. As a military family, Neal lived in many locations throughout the country (most notably, in the small community of ]).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200503/03232005.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Thrall Volunteer Fire Department|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-03-23|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref> Boortz spent his first first two years of High School at Tustin Union High School in ]. The family then transferred to ] where he attended the Pensacola, Fl. High School for his Junior and Senior years. He graduated from high school in 1963 with a C- average and went back to the state of Texas to attend ] from 1963 to 1967. Boortz states "I was in the Corps of Cadets. Fighting Seagram's Seven, to be exact, Ed Zatopek, C.O."<ref name="faq">{{cite web|title=More Boortz FAQ|url=http://boortz.com/more/faq.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|publisher=Cox Radio|work=More Boortz|accessdate=2006-03-08}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | |||
| |title=Biography for Neal Boortz | |||
| |url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095593/bio | |||
| |last= | |||
| |first= | |||
| |publisher=Internet Movie Database Inc. | |||
| |work= | |||
| |accessdate=2007-05-17}}</ref> Boortz then attended ], in ].<ref name="PMSB">{{cite web | |||
| |title=Neal Boortz Bio | |||
| |url=http://premierespeakers.com/neal_boortz/bio | |||
| |last= | |||
| |first= | |||
| |publisher=Premiere Speakers Bureau | |||
| |work= | |||
| |accessdate=2007-05-17}}</ref> | |||
| === Career === | |||
| ] ] in ] on ], ]]] | |||
| In his pre-radio life, Boortz was, among other things, a speech writer for then ] ]. He began his radio career in ] in the 1960s at WTAW-AM under the name of Randy Neal while attending ].<ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=More Boortz Bio|work=More Boortz|publisher=Cox Radio|last=Boortz|first=Neal|url=http://boortz.com/more/bio.html|accessdate=2006-03-08}}</ref> After attending A&M, Boortz went to Atlanta in 1967 to visit his parents and because he liked the area, he decided to stay. He immediately began his job searching in the broadcasting industry. However, the rejections were plentiful so he, for the next two years, took a job working at Rich’s Department Store as an assistant buyer in fine jewelry, and then another job in carpeting. Boortz went on to write speeches for the Governor of Georgia. He has often mentioned that even after he started doing talk radio, it was still necessary for him to work two jobs to support his family. At other times, he held odd jobs to pay the bills. Boortz loaded trucks for the East Texas Motor Freight, worked as night auditor at a motel, worked at the Postal Service Bulk Mail facility, sold life insurance and among other things, worked for an employment agency. In 1974, Boortz started attending ] in his spare time. | |||
| When Boortz moved to Atlanta, a new radio station named WRNG-AM came into existence. WRNG, which called itself "Ring Radio," was Atlanta’s first talk radio station. Boortz was an avid listener and would call their morning talk show host, Herb Elfman. Boortz was a regular caller that stirred a friendship between himself and the host. One evening while watching the news, he heard that Elfman had committed suicide. The next morning Boortz showed up at the front door of WRNG and announced that he was ready to take Elfman's place. Even though the management told him that "they were going to search for a 'qualified' host to take his place", Boortz was offered to be a temporary two-week replacement. In the interim, the evening host was moved to mornings and Boortz hosted the evening. Two weeks later, Boortz was moved to the morning show and has been doing talk radio in Atlanta ever since.<ref name="PMSB" /> | |||
| ==== Radio personality ==== | |||
| After graduating from ] in Atlanta in 1977, Boortz practiced law in a solo law firm from ] through ].<ref name="faq"/> Because of the recognition he garnished from his radio gigs, his practice began to flourish. Boortz continued the position of radio personality and attorney until 1993, when he signed a full contract with ] to do a daily radio show. In 1999, his show became nationally syndicated through WSB's owner ]. His syndicated show originates from ] 750 in Atlanta. ''The Neal Boortz Show'' features Boortz, co-producers ] and ], interviewees, and callers. On the air and on his website (boortz.com) Boortz admonishes, "Don't believe anything you read on this web page or, for that matter, anything you hear on The Neal Boortz Show unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your own satisfaction." On numerous occasions, Boortz has cautioned his listeners to take no heed nor place any credence in anything he says, as he is merely an "entertainer." <ref name="PMSB" /> | |||
| In the February 1995 issue of Talkers Magazine, Neal Boortz was named one of the "25 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America" and one of the "100 Most Powerful & Influential People in Georgia" in the January 1995 issue of Georgia Trend magazine.<!--this link needs fixing--><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lp.org/lpn/9807-conv-1998-speakers.html|title=www.lp.org/lpn/9807-conv-1998-speakers.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/11/chirac_appeals_for_calm_as_par.php|title=www.amren.com/mtnews/archives/2005/11/chirac_appeals_for_calm_as_par.php<!--INSERT TITLE-->|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref> As an entertainer, Neal was a 2002 ] finalist and ] NewsTalk Personality of the Year for 2002.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://coxradiosyndication.com/shows/boortz1.html| publisher=Cox Radio Interactive & Cox Radio| title=Neal Boortz| date=| accessdate=2006-08-16}}</ref> ] Magazine's "Top 25 Talk Radio Host" list selected Boortz as the ninth most influential host in the nation.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.newsmax.com/talkradio/| publisher=NewsMax| title=25 Most Influential Talk Radio Hosts (2006)| date= 2006| accessdate=2006-08-16}}</ref> The forbidden topics on his talk show are abortion and, as of January 3, 2007, the Creation/Evolution debates. Neal also will not discuss any topic compelling callers to utter the phrase "long time listener, first time caller" at the beginning of their short conversation.<ref name="PMSB" /> | |||
| ==== Author ==== | |||
| ]'', co-authored by Neal Boortz and ], was published on August 2, 2005.]] | |||
| Boortz's first foray into authorship was in 1997 with ''The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear'', in which he delivers his opinions on various topics in the form of a commencement speech he would give to new college graduates, if ever invited to do so. His second book, entitled ''The Terrible Truth About Liberals'', was published in 1998, and contains reprinted material from his first book, along with a significant amount of new material. | |||
| His third book (co-authored by Georgia Congressman ]) entitled '']'', explains the proposal to implement a national retail sales tax in lieu of the federal income taxes, payroll taxes, estate tax, etc. The hardcover version held the #1 spot on the '']'' bestseller list for the last two weeks of August 2005 and remained in the top ten for seven weeks. The paperback released in May 2006 contains additional information and an afterword. It also spent several weeks on the '']'' bestseller list. Neal states that he donates 100% of his royalities from the FairTax book to charity and has commented on his radio show that he has not made one cent from the book. As of July 2006, it is rumored his charitable donatations from book proceeds exceeded one million US dollars.<ref name="boortzbook">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200509/09202005.html| last=Boortz| first=Neal| title=Nealz Nuze|work=| publisher=Cox Radio| date=2005-09-07| accessdate=2006-08-07}}</ref> The book is one of his most frequent topics of discussion and is a common free gift to callers. | |||
| His latest book entitled ''Somebody's Gotta Say It'' was released on February 20, 2007, and debuts at #2 spot on the '']'' bestseller list, beat only by Barack Obama ("Audacity of Hope").<ref name="boortzbook2">{{cite web| url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2007/02/28/31_boortz_debut.html| last=Ho| first=Rodney| title=3/1: Boortz debuts at No. 2 (UPDATED)|work=| publisher=Atlanta Journal Constitution| date=2005-09-07| accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref> He occasionally writes columns on the Internet news/commentary site '']'' and other online magazines. His next book is titled ''The FairTax, Answering the Critics''.<ref name="boortzbook3">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200704/04262007.html| last=Boortz| first=Neal| title=Nealz Nuze|work=| publisher=Cox Radio| date=2007-04-26| accessdate=2007-26-07}}</ref> | |||
| === Politics === | |||
| Neal Boortz has stated that he is a ],<ref>{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200610/10042006.html |first=Neal| last=Boortz| publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze| title=Following Up On Yesterday's Tirade| date=2006-10-04| accessdate=2006-10-05}}</ref> however, some feel his views are more in line with ] philosophy (sometimes referred to as a "republitarian") that embraces ] domestically, and a generally interventionist foreign policy based on self-interest, national defense and the expansion of ]. Neal disagrees with the Libertarian platform on several key issues including his firm support of the ], incremental tax reform, and his opposition to the unrestricted immigration policy advocated by the Libertarian Party. He sides with ] on some social issues such as ] , ], and civil liberties. He agrees with fiscal conservatives in advocating less government spending, decreasing corporate regulation, and he voted for President George W. Bush in 2004. He is an advocate for ]. In line with the traditional views of the ], Boortz supports eliminating the ], lowering ]es, shrinking the size of ], and emphasizing personal responsibility. He has repeatedly stated his belief that ] is not man-made. For his stances on many of these issues, he is popular among conservative ], who due to their larger numbers in comparison to Libertarians, make up the majority of his listeners and callers. Boortz is perhaps most widely known for his enthusiastic support of the ] plan. <ref name="PMSB" /> | |||
| Boortz tends to advocate Conservative platforms. Boortz's post-] politics include support for the US-led ], a more aggressive foreign policy, and the ]. Boortz is also strongly in favor of a crackdown on ], including harsh penalties for businesses who employ illegals. These views occasionally put him in conflict with the Libertarian Party. For instance, ] of ] has called Boortz a "statist, not a libertarian" and a "liberventionist" and has urged the Libertarian Party to "Boot Boortz".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.antiwar.com/justin/jspecial112603.html| first=Justin| last=Raimondo| publisher=Antiwar.com| title=Boot Boortz!| date=2003-11-26| accessdate=2006-08-16}}</ref> Boortz counters that the issues of the greatest importance after the 9/11 attacks are those in which terrorism has dominated. | |||
| Prior to the 2006 midterm elections, Boortz opined that perhaps it would be a good thing to have the Republicans lose power in Congress, forcing them to wake up and stop taking their base for granted. Boortz told one disgruntled caller: | |||
| <blockquote>I am happy about it (the defeat). It's the only way to get these Republicans to wake themselves up and say, 'You have abandoned what you were put in office for.'<ref>{{cite web| | |||
| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900064.html| first=Matthew | last=Bigg| publisher=Reuters| title=Talk radio hosts lick election wounds| date=2006-11-09| accessdate=2006-11-09}}</ref></blockquote> | |||
| Boortz can frequently be heard criticizing what he terms "]," liberals, smokers, the obese, cats, ] recipients, and many other programs and ideas traditionally supported by Democrats. He also creates controversy among conservatives for his refusal to condemn homosexuality or gay marriage (though he only supports gay adoption as a last resort) and for his negative comments regarding ]s and the biblical story of creation. Additionally, he causes a stir among some Southerners for his frequent jabs at them and at ] issues (such as governmental support of the ]). | |||
| == Controversies == | |||
| {{main|Neal Boortz controversies}} | |||
| Boortz, as a self-proclaimed radical and independent "entertainer", has dealt with many controversial issues over the years. For example, Boortz believes that ] are "medical frauds" and a scam that teachers, parents, and drug companies use.<ref name="fraud">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200305/05292003.html |last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=For Those Of You Who Are Drugging Your Kids|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-05-29|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref name="fraud2">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200307/07182003.html |last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Ask Your Doctor About Stratteras |publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-07-18|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref> Boortz has also received criticism because he refers to homeless people as "urban outdoorsmen".<ref name="CS">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/more/commencement.html |last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=The Neal Boortz Commencement Speech |publisher=Cox Radio|work=More Boortz|date= |accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref name="urban">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200310/10062003.html |title=California Hasn't Been Punished Enough |publisher=Cox Radio| work=Nealz Nuze| last=Boortz|first=Neal|date=2003-10-06 |accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref name="boortztionary">{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html |title=Boortztionary: A Glossary of Terms Neal Uses|publisher=Cox Radio|last=Boortz|first=Neal|work=More Boortz|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref> Boortz controversially refers to public education as "tax payer funded child abuse" and accuses parents of child abuse for sending their children off to "government schools".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html|title=boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html<!--INSERT TITLE-->|accessdate=2007-03-04}}</ref>Boortz expresses that he is an equal opportunity offender and has made controversial statements about Senator ], Senator ], former Senator ], former Representative ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200604010003|title=Boortz claimed McKinney "looked like a welfare drag queen"; predicted "Media Matters will pick up on that"|publisher=Media Matters|last=|first=|work=|date=2006-03-31|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200603310005|title=Boortz: Rep. McKinney "looks like a ghetto slut"|publisher=Media Matters|last=|first=|work=|date=2006-03-31|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://mediamatters.org/static/pdf/clyburn_boortz.pdf|title=Clyburn: Mr. Boortz Must Retract Comments, Cox Radio Must Apologize|publisher=Media Matters|last=|first=|work=|date=2006-03-31|accessdate=2006-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200604/04032006.html| last=Boortz| first=Neal| title=An Apology|work=Nealz Nuze| publisher=Cox Radio| date=2006-04-03| accessdate=2006-08-16}}</ref> He has also expressed a negative opinion about the lack of Muslim outrage at terrorism by Muslims and the riots that erupted in response to the ].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200602/02032006.html| last=Boortz| first=Neal| title=Outraged Muslims! Oh My!|work=Nealz Nuze| publisher=Cox Radio| date=2006-02-03| accessdate=2006-08-16}}</ref> Boortz has even sparred with ], compelling O'Reilly to call him a "vicious SOB" on '']''.<ref name="ViciousSOB">{{cite web | url=http://www.oreilly-sucks.com/transcripts/boortzvoreilly.htm| title=Neal Boortz vs Bill O'Reilly |accessdate 2006-9-27| publisher=oreilly-sucks.com| date=2003-05-07}}</ref> Boortz has made controversial statements about ], leading to thought and discussions of the alleged silence of the Muslim community over the alleged hijacking of their religion.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200408040002|title=Boortz: Say the creed of Islam|publisher=Media Matters|date=2004-08-04|accessdate=2006-09-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.msunderestimated.com/2006/08/03/where-is-the-muslim-outrage-by-neal-boortz-video/ |title=Boortz: Say the creed of Islam|publisher=MsUnderestimated|date=2006-08-10|accessdate=2006-10-02}}</ref> At the height of the ] controversy, Boortz strongly criticized groups that fought against the removal of Schiavo's feeding tube.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200506/06162005.html| last=Boortz| first=Neal| title=The Schiavo Matter |work=Nealz Nuze| publisher=Cox Radio| date=2006-06-16| accessdate=2005-12-15}}</ref> | |||
| ==Boortzisms (Boortz dictionary)== | |||
| ] | |||
| *'''AMF:''' Adios my friend, or, the grittier original version, adios mother-fucker | |||
| *'''Alabamastan:''' ] | |||
| *'''The Antichrist:''' ] | |||
| *'''The Baby Jesus:''' ], also known as Cutie Pie | |||
| *'''Discussing the Big Bang Theory:''' ] | |||
| *'''Cruella de Ville:''' ] | |||
| *'''DRT:''' dead right there | |||
| *'''The Ex-Wife:''' ], the radio station Neal worked for prior to his current place at ] | |||
| *'''Firing the Surgeon General:''' masturbating. Former Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders was fired by President Clinton after she said that masturbation "is something that is part of human sexuality and its part of something that perhaps should be taught." | |||
| *'''The Godfather:''' ] | |||
| *'''The Hildabeast:''' Hillary Clinton. Also known as Shrillary | |||
| *'''The Poodle:''' ], referring to him as ] lap dog. Also sKerry or the ] | |||
| *'''She Who Must Be Obeyed:''' his wife, Donna | |||
| *'''Mip and mup:''' OK, here's a little inside radio for you folks. Mipping and mupping is slang for someone on the air not speaking any legible or understandable manner. The term comes from the sound a broadcast tape cart that has been improperly erased. Using a monotone voice just say "mip mup mip mup mip mup mip mup" quickly .... you'll see what I'm talking about. | |||
| Other ''Boortzisms'' can be found on Boortz's website.<ref name="boortztionary"/> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| ==Notes== | |||
| <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> | |||
| <references/> | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| * {{cite book | first=Neal | last=Boortz | year=1998| title=The Terrible Truth About Liberals| edition=Paperback| publisher=Longstreet Press| id=ISBN 1-56352-685-9 }} | |||
| * {{cite book | first=Neal | last=Boortz | coauthors=Linder, John | year=2006 | title=The Fair Tax Book | edition=Paperback | publisher=Regan Books | id=ISBN 0-06-087549-6 }} | |||
| * {{cite book | first=Neal | last=Boortz | year=2007 | title=Somebody's Gotta Say It | edition=Paperback | publisher=Regan Books | id=ISBN 0060878207 }} | |||
| == External links == | |||
| {{wikiquote}} | |||
| {{Wikisource author}} | |||
| * | |||
| *{{imdb name|id=0095593|name=Neal Boortz}} | |||
| *{{nndb name|id=531/000121168|name=Neal Boortz}} | |||
| * - Boortz's "home" station | |||
| * | |||
| * - Biography at Publisher's website | |||
| * - More Biography | |||
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| * | |||
| '''Articles''' | |||
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| {{DEFAULTSORT:Boortz, Neal}} | |||
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