Reality Check With Dave Webb
SNIPPET #138
“If you’re going to believe in something, believe in it – but understand why you do so.”
That statement pretty much sums up the core of all David Webb is. The acclaimed radio and broadcast host is also a political activist who has appeared on news shows around the globe. Today he’s most often seen on Fox Nation, where he hosts reality Check, and heard on Sirius XM Patriot, where he hosts The David Webb Show.
Regardless of what network or what platform he’s on David freely shares his insight and commentary on all aspects of the political world.
His outspokenness has earned him plenty of critics. Those with opposing beliefs and political views often angrily take to their keyboards with outrage or mockery as they condemn David and everyone who agrees with him. Occasionally, even someone on air with him will do so.
One particular incident swept the nation, but not in the manner which the challenger intended. CNN legal analyst Areva Martin accused him of ‘white privilege’ during a debate on his radio show.
“David,” Areva said, “by virtue of being a white male you have white privilege.”
Anyone who knows or follows David Webb knows these two things about him: (1) He doesn’t believe in white privilege and (2) He is black.
David just offers a cynical smile and a shake of his head when he’s asked about such moments. To him they provide more evidence that he needs to continue his work. At the core of all he does is his belief that we all have the right to stand by our beliefs – we just need to respect each other’s rights in the process.
David Webb’s beliefs are built on a foundation built decades ago.
From the time he was a young teenager, he was fascinated by the parties his parents – both Wall Street professionals – held in their home. “I was the nerd who wanted to know more,” he says.
He was never invited to the parties but he’d go downstairs anyway. The more conversations he heard the more intrigued he became. He began analyzing the parties and the things he heard at them, digging into the beliefs expressed to understand them and himself better. He began reading books by authors like French sociologist and political theorist Alexis de Tocqueville and Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli ( often referred to as the father of modern political philosophy and political science) to broaden his knowledge and provide more context to the subject matters.
Ultimately, David developed his own independent belief system based on his diligent research and exploration of the topics. He knew just enough to understand which way he leaned, but to also understand there was much he would still need to learn.
David Webb is also a music lover. His family’s network extended to the point that he grew up meeting musicians and artists, and grew to appreciate music more. When he overheard an argument in a bar, David was able to settle the dispute based on firsthand information on the artist being disputed. A man in the broadcasting industry also overheard the argument, and David’s reply, and quickly drew David over to learn more about the young man in the JROTC uniform, who was considering following his family’s history of military service but who also had a sharp mind and a depth of knowledge.
That night, David Webb’s path into the world of broadcasting began.
He started in Boston, having a great time getting paid to attend concerts and be a goofball, he laughs. From there his path led to New York, Houston, and Dallas, always in the top 10 markets, before he decided to switch to talk radio.
The move wasn’t one he actively pursued. Rather, it was a cold call from a friend of a friend. David had maintained an interest in political commentary and activism throughout the years. The caller that night had been following David’s work in that area and invited David to host a political talk show.
There was nothing easy about that, says David.”I never claimed to be the best, but I did the work,” he says. Hosting a 4 hour show is demanding. He spent twice that time preparing. That hasn’t changed since his success has grown.
The hours he spends on air represent only a fraction of the time he’s working. Whether he is in a meeting for any of the non-profits he is a Board Member or supporter of, on calls with government officials as a consultant, working on the Tea Party 365 he co-founded, researching a cause or mingling with some of the country’s most powerful or influential people, his mind is always engaged and absorbing information. He is always thinking about how one conversation impacts another, or whom to connect with whom. Ideas flood his mind all the time – in the shower, on the train, driving, anywhere.
“If you see somebody driving down the road talking to themself” he laughs, “they are probably a talk show host.”
Patriotism is something David advocates for, regardless of political affiliations. At the center of it all, he says, we are all Americans, and that should take precedence over anything else.
As for the people who insist patriotism equates to racism? “They’re idiots.”
When, he wonders, has it been wrong to be proud of this country? This country innovated and became industrial giants after fighting and winning wars. Yes, he agrees, there are dark parts to our history or bad times now, but the good Americans have done outweighs the bad. Those who insist on disparaging patriotism are only interested in selling a lie, he says. More rational people want to work together. They want to see the country come out of the current crisis and back to our daily lives.
The problem, he says, is that many Americans have divided into separate corners and refuse to work together. He’s got his own strong beliefs but insists he can separate those from the Party line. He doesn’t randomly advocate for or against any proposal or movement. Rather he thoughtfully researches the matter and applies his own years of experience into forming a belief he backs with reason.
He knows he’s controversial. He knows he’s not universally appreciated, and he accepts that as an unavoidable ripple effect of his work.
[clickToTweet tweet=”If you’re over the target you’re taking fire, and I’m okay with that. – David Webb” quote=”If you’re over the target you’re taking fire, and I’m okay with that. – David Webb” theme=”style5″]
Left, Right, Center Middle – wherever you fall along Party Lines, says David, what matters most is what unites us. When we focus on what we can do for our families, our businesses, and our communities, we see what America is truly made of.
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