Tonight on Larry King Live!

No I no longer text while driving, I use an Application called SMSReplier, has saved my butt more then one time from a ticket and possibly from a life endangering accident. GREAT APPLICATION, should really talk about it

I think it is a tradgedy the number of people that die daily from this event. Texting has become our primary means of communication in this country. I send my wife a text before I call her, she same for me. Its more convenient, more familier, less intrusive. Throw kids in the mix (tweenagers and teenagers) and you have a whole new society. Addicted to a new social epidemic.

Go to any high school at lunch time, the entire room is looking down at their phones. We have to do something.

No, I do not text while driving. Even when I had a texting plan on my phone, I did not text while driving. Why? Because there are too many people talking and texting while shaving, or applying makeup as they drink coffee behind the wheel for me to ever consider texting while driving. Frankly, I really don't care to talk on the phone while driving for the same reasons, even with the Sync system in the car. Why? Because I've found it interferes with my enjoyment of channels 64 and 74 on Sirius satellite radio. 🙂

Texting while in a moving car is not only dangerous... but down right foolish!

Where do we draw the line on crossing the line when and who desinated the -N- word as a felony to destroy a persons life its just a word not an attack .

Dear Larry,
What do people expect from a long-time, racist, homophobic person? Dr. Laura makes no bones about being extremely racist and "traditional..." read comfortable being racist, homophobic and sexist. People should stop listening to "Doctor" Laura and supporting her show.

I wouldnt appolagize lady .

every nationally has a slang term, why are african-americans any different than the other groups of people?

Exactly, Jade. I agree. Dr. Laura wasn't sorry.

This women just wants to sue Dr Laura She is after the money.

my 15 year old sister was killed, november 17, 2009 by an 18 yr old driver whom was texting while driving in hesperia, california, at which time she hit my sister and her 2 friends from behind as they were walking on the street. my sister pushed her friend out of the way, as she was killed–the other friend was treated and released.
i DID used to talk on my phone when i drove..BEFORE this happened–however..since this happened..i have NOT done so, nor do i text at all while driving. it is such an avoidable thing to do, and there is NOTHING more important than driving, a phone call or text.. is NOT!! period~~~!!!!! this is my thought. it is NOT AT ALL a *teenage thing* or young person thing.. its something that SOOOOO many people do..young or old. lets face it.
*help save a life–dont text or talk while you drive**

Dr. Laura's first amendment was not violated in anyway. Her career was not destroyed by anyone but herself. Earlier she said derogatory staaement about gays. America does not ugly statements going across the radio waves concerning race, religion, or gender.

I heard the recording of Dr. Laura's phone conversation on Comedy Centrals Daily Show and her reference to the N word. What she was saying is what black men call each other N all the time,
Nita Hanson must not have been listening and I think she just did this for her 15 minutes of fame.
Contact Jon Stewart at the Daily Show and get the recording because they have it why doesn't CNN?

I have two statements here. Firstly Dr. Laura apologized the VERY NEXT DAY publicly on her website, on her twitter, and you denied her apology. Now you just said that she waited 9 or 10 days to apologize, you are ignorant....

Secondly, Texting while driving is a epidemic that we need to put a stop to. People need to realize that something that seems so simple as picking your phone up and sending a text message or making a phone call (tweeting, posting on facebook whatever) can change your life forever. We see cases of people crashing, and taking innocent drivers or pedestrians lives because they are too enthralled in their digital world. Put it down or get that application that the first poster was talking about. I haven't heard of it but I'm not too tech savvy maybe my son has I don't know. Anyways seriously kids and adults even, can't it wait?

Dr. Laura's leaving radio so she can "say what's in her heart". I think she's already done that. If she believes she can exercise her first amendment rights *anywhere* without making *somebody* mad, then she would make the all-time top 10 list of the stupidest people with advanced degrees.

On the plus side, everyone knows with 100% certainty what's really "in her heart" now. If only everyone were so open and honest with how they really feel!

Nita Jade or whatever she's calling herself today is just WRONG! Dr Laura was simply SAYING that its OKAY for BLACK (OMG) PEOPLE to say IT!

Nita is a phony OPPORTUNIST who see's the CA$H COW grazing on her front lawn!

Get lost, Nita.

I work in law enforcement and if I counted the number of times I heard the "N" word per day at my job, by folks in the city I work, by people of Afican decent, I would loose count. I think saying it bothers people is getting old... serious....

I get so sick of black people whining and crying and playing the "black card".....the white men are the ones who are discriminated against and ignored because everyone is trying to appease black people. People, white and black, refer to white people as "crackers" but you don't see a white man on CNN whining about it!!!!!! Get over it!

I agree with Dr laura..... why is it okay for the blacks to call whites names but if white people call blacks n***** all hell breaks loose.

Regarding Dr. Laura. I did not even realize Dr Laura was still on the radio. It is my very honest opinion that Dr Laura is a very, prejudiced person. She is against gay people and now appears to be a racist. Don't listen to this woman's show and don't give this issue a platform, it just breeds copy cats.

It also seems like Dr Laura planned to do something like to stir up news and possibly get her contract re-newed. With folks like Rush and Glenn Beck being popular she thought there might be room for one more Hitler like racist in the news/media outlets.

Larry, If black people wants the N WORD not used, then please tell them to stop using it . Practice what you preach people!!!

i think that she over reacted im Mexican our people are being attacked on a day to day basis and to have someone say something like that and then take it way farther then they should have is just wrong she apologized and is quitting radio so i think that people should just drop the subject and move on i mean no one has apologized to us yet so i dont think this is a big issue and im 17 by the way...really love the show larry keep doing what your doing

I think that anyone who takes the time to call Dr. Laura has to know her style and directness. Dr. Laura is human and makes mistakes like anyone else. She's already apologized and for the caller to not accept the apology after everything that's happened, I would have to say has more deep insecure issues than that of Dr. Laura's language. Dr. Laura has already decided to leave her show after many many years because of what she said. Where is the caller's sense of strength to forgive?

Dr. Laura was not using the "n" word. She was simply repeating what she and the rest of us hear from black comedians and some other African-Americans. She was saying that she didn't understand why it's okay for them to say the word. Jade has twisted Dr. Laura's answer to make herself a victim. She wouldn't let Dr. Laura explain herself...Jade was the one attacking Dr. Laura – not the other way around.

Let me begin by saying I don't care for Dr. Laura's views on many, many things. Personally I hate the 'n' word and feel no one should use it.
However, though she said the 'n' word it was not something she said "at" someone or to address or describe an individual. I think this entire occurence has been blown out of attention and people have become too sensitive.
Dr. Laura seemed to merely be trying to illustrate that some black people use the word constantly and it seems ok. The only time I ever hear a black person say its not ok for anyone to use the word is when someone confronts them about black people using the word vs a white person, such as the Dr Laura situation.

ok that lady needs to get over herself, it looks like a lawsuit to me.
Dr. Laura you are a good person, stand tall! People are way too sensitive. That BLACK lady needs to get a life!

where was Nita or Sharpton when black people spew this haterd in music or comedy?Blacks need to realize they dont own this word, which is exactly what they say in private

I am very impressed with the guest on the show. She is angry and has every right to be, but responded calmly and professionally to Larry's questions. Dr. Laura was wrong and the first amendment does not allow you to yell FIRE in a crowded theatre or to use racial epithets against another person.

Listen to the rap crap that goes out on the air ways! The black people have issues that need the be addressed!

Dr. Laura has always been a hot potato to handle. Young women who call with problems about their children are always asked if they have been married or had them out of wedlock and if they admit to not being married they are told they must say they are not legitamate. I can't remember the words she used because I don't listen anymore. She is "The kettle calling the pot black." She always has to be right and never criticised. Its too bad her head has gotten so large. I'm sure she can be a fun person but DON'T CROSS HER.

I think Dr Laura's initial comments were valid statement of fact. It perhaps could have been less repetitive, but her comments were valid.. There does seem to be a double standard. Many Blacks at work and in public have no problem dissing each other with the N word, and many other derogative things, but do not tolerate Whites who may use the same, or less demeaning words, often with a much less derogatory manner. Enough! Let the Black Lady also let it go.

Are you kidding me? This has to be a joke. Just pay the woman off just like they do the rest. Why should it be ok for a black man or woman to say the "N" word but not ok for a white person? If it is not ok for one race it should not be ok for any. This is what is what is wrong. Just pay her please before Al Sharpton starts running his mouth and then turn around and say "N" himself.

it is apparent that someone has been calling her husband a n – lover. and thats what she called about.. the so called n word should never be used for discrimination anymore. it is used by everyone for everything. and for someone to be offended by it is because they are looking for a dollar. that is her purpose. it is all a bunch of hog wash. it is people like that that keeps racial problems going. its an old excuse. and should not be allowed to be used for a discrimatory remark. anymore. like laura said. id=s it fair for one to use a word and not get into trouble and another cant. it is a legal double standard.

@Nan McLain
@joe
You are so right. Why is "Jade" saying Dr. L was calling people the "n" word. Thankfully, it's on tape.

Referring to Dr. Laura's issue , my opinion is that its bad to use N word in any context or by anybody. But when we are talking specifically abt Dr. Laura's conversation.( i just go by the clipping which is being shown all the time), i see Dr. Laura using N word only by quoting abt it being used in HBO.All the while she is using this word by telling the caller that how can it be an issue if a white guy uses it but how it becomes a joke when a black person uses the same word on HBO channel.

What i am hearing in this is..she is using N word but only to refer what is being shown on HBO..its not like she is using that word on the caller or to say for anybody as such..it was all abt reffering to how this word is being used so often in HBO.

How this issue has become such an issue and even media is kind of sidelining Dr. laura..it really feels that basically N word has become too hypersensititive if it comes from some non-black person.

This lady needs to get a grip. Dr. Laura has apologized and quit her talk show what more does she want. What does this say about her if she can't accept an apology and forgive. I think she needs to take a look in the mirror. Get over it!! We all make mistakes!!

I do use cell phone sometimes while driving. But only to answer calls. Texting is not an option. It's a suicide.

I have never texted while driving. But, I have been using phone while driving to talk, although I have a bluetooth.

But, it is one of the things I am working on and it is already become better and I use bluetooth most of the time now

I have never texted while driving and rarely use my cell phone while driving. I never make calls, but receive them via my children. The other day one of my kids called me just before a big turn at an intersection and the second I realized nothing was wrong–I hung up. I simply said "I'm driving. Are you o.k.?" He was fine. I dropped the phone and made my turn. I think my kids would rather be hurt by my hang up and I return home safely rather than not come home at all.

Jade or whatever her real name is has a double standard, its OK for rappers and kids in school to call each other the N word but if a white person says it were in trouble. When I went to Fredrick Douglas Jr.Sr. high School in Maryland which is 90% black the black kids could say the N word but if we did we would get beat up. I'm tired of it too as is most of America.

I would also like to weigh in on the Mosque in New York City. It's rude, crude and socially unacceptable. It is a slap the face for one to be built so near the Trade Centers Location. The members would feel the sam way If circumstances were reversed. Build your Mosque, but be considerate in choosing a more appropriate site.

I live in Nova Scotia, Canada, and texting and using cell phones while driving is actually illegal unless hands free as of April 1, 2008. I personally think this significantly reduces accidents related to mobile devices.

I am white from the South and have been married for 21 years to a fantastic woman who is both black and from another country. Never once in all our years together has anyone – not family members, not friends – EVER made any such narrow-minded, insensitive comments as those to which "Jade" refers in her call to Dr. Laura and in her remarks on tonight's show. Nor would they be laughed off or tolerated, period. Jade's concerns were completely valid and right on target. Dr. Laura leapt to a combative conclusion reflective of her own positions regarding race, completely ignoring the essence of the caller's concerns. Perhaps Dr. Laura should reconsider which party is hypersensitive. I see no reason to allow Dr. Laura to exit on her own terms when her contract expires. Don Imus was rightfully taken off the air for less.

Texting while driving is a epidemic that we need to put a stop to. People need to realize that something that seems so simple as picking your phone up and sending a text message or making a phone call (tweeting, posting on facebook whatever) can change your life forever. We see cases of people crashing, and taking innocent drivers or pedestrians lives because they are too enthralled in their digital world. Put it down or get that application that the first poster was talking about. I haven't heard of it but I'm not too tech savvy maybe my son has I don't know. Anyways seriously kids and adults even, can't it wait?

Guys! TextKills! We been saying this for years. How many more deaths? How many more must die? Wha?

@joe,
@Nan McLain,
I agree with your comments.

I am a defensive driving teacher in Brooklyn NY. Most adults do not know the dangers of texting while driving, they think it only applies to teenagers. There should be continuing ed for all driviers, your guest is saying she texts. All adults should be required to attend a continuing ed course on distractions. Why does everyone get concerned after the accident?

Nan All African American men donot use that word. You generalize that all Afican American are alike. Are all Caucasians, Hispanics, or Asians alike? I would not like to be called a derogatory name because of my race. African Americans, Caucasian, Hispanics, or Asians–all donot like such names. Those type of derogatory words are not used by educated people of any race or toward people of the same race.

I wonder how Dr. Laura Schlessinger would've felt if another radio host repeated the derogatory K-Word against the Jews that rhymes with kite, since she's Jewish. I bet you the American Jewish community would've come down so hard on that radio host, and would've been off the air within the hour, like how CNN fired Octavia Nasr for praising a Hezbollah spiritual leader, or how Helen Thomas was let go for saying the Jews in Israel must leave Palestine and go back to where they came from. I bet you Sarah Palin wouldn't have even dared to say to a radio host to "reload" if the host used the K-Word against the Jews. It's really sad how whites have always looked down at other races other than their own, specially African Americans.

One more comment... Arizona has every right to protect its borders. Our country has open arms for immigrants, when entering our country properly, and legaly. If you want to come here, do it legally. Illegal immigrants are costly to our country and should not be privvy to the perks that citizens and legal immigrants receive. It is akin to robbery, and should not be condoned. Thank you for a place to have my say.

Dr. Laura's radioshow should be silenced now, and her blogs should be put on time out. No excuse for blatant racist chatter EVER!

As for the Sarah Palin comments... please consider the source.

My son Chance Wilcox, 25 was killed by a distracted driver on a cell phone and wherein the person that caused the accident was found guilty of Crimnal Negligent Homicide. Thank you for bringing this impertant subject to your show. Talking and Texting while driving KILLS.

SAD Mom

chance-wilcox.last-memories.com

Driving is not the place for texting. If one does not value their own safety, then be conscious of one's actions... Driving requires Focus & Awareness.

I am terribly bothered by Ms. Hanson crying foul after SHE was the one who brought up the "N" word. Dr. Laura was offering advice about having a thicker skin and not taking offense when friends/family members/neighbours make comments or ask questions. She said that the neighbour's inquiry about "how black people" do things was not racist and I'm inclined to agree. Ms. Hanson may not have liked the way it was phrased, but it sounds as though her neighbour wanted to know how NOT to offend her. When she didn't get a sympathetic ear from Dr. Laura, she asked, "What about the "N" word?" and Dr. Laura was not offside in how she answered. Either the word is acceptable, or it is not. I think it is not. There is too much negative history associated with it and I think it should not be uttered by anyone, black or white.
I also find it quite interesting that Ms. Hanson was "Jade" when she called in, but now that she has such a controversial topic to debate, she can stand front and centre with her real name on any program that will listen. I'm not even a listener of Dr. Laura's but I think Ms. Hanson should be ashamed for being the catalyst that ended her career – and for lying about how long it took for Dr. Laura to offer an apology when she did so the very next day. I think this is all about the 15 minutes of fame, and not one bit about the alleged racism word she's bandying about.

Laura Schlessinger's "don't NAACP me" comment demonstrates her latent, implicit (as opposed to explicit) dismissal of racial issues, and I say that as a person who recognizes that almost everyone (including myself) has unconsciously-recognized biases and prejudices. While it may be best if NO ONE uses "the 'N' word" or other derogatory epithets, I can understand why it could be acceptable among the people against whom it was historically used as an insult: they "take control of" the word to disarm it when using it playfully among themselves, just as "self-deprecating humor" is easier to take than if someone else puts us down.

Its to bad that people are allowed to text when can drunk drivers have the same right .

I am a Mexican married to a black man. I have heard every racial slurr you could imagine from "wetbacks", "spicks" to "beaners" come from the mouths of friends and family. It has never offended me. Maybe I am not hyper-sensitive as one might be. I personally use the "N" word many times I aslo use "wetbacks", "cracker" and many more but as a joke or just talking to friends. I am very proud of my race and have respect for them but let's be serious Dr. Laura was answering a question. I heard what she said to her caller and honestly that women needs to get over it. Don't call and ask a question if your not going to like the answer.

I love the organization Focus Driven, I also heard of TextKills. We should make it $1000 fine if caught texting and driving. This is rediculous, innocent people are dieing. Please stop texting and driving!

Texting and driving is no worst then a drunk passing out for 5 seconds .

I have listened to the recording. I am not a fan of Dr. Laura, but I have to say the caller said "what about the N word?" so she got an answer!
and did not like it,
Dr. Laura was not calling her a n*&^% she was "quoting" comedians and other black people who use that word with each other and that it is confusing! well it is! I wonder the same thing!

My son Chance Wilcox, 25 was killed by a distracted driver on a cell phone and wherein the person that caused the accident was found guilty of Crimnal Negligent Homicide. Thank you for bringing this impertant subject to your show. Talking and Texting while driving KILLS.

SAD Mom

chance-wilcox.last-memories

A scrambler can be added to state inspections .

@Karen. Relisten to the tape. The caller repeated what people said to her. The listen to Dr Laura's statement. I have read various blogs about this situation. Most of us Americans beleive it was totally over the line. So America is getting better racially speaking. Our nation IS growing stronger and more united as we, Americans, leave those type of words out of our vocabulary.

Equip all cell phones and text messaging devices with GPS sensors. When a device is in motion, have the GPS link shut down the device for phoning or texting.

Larry,
Do you think the lobbyists for the Cell phone industry will let a text ban go through? Utah just passed an impotent law, like most of the lawmakers,
and I believe the lobbyist wrote it like most of our legislation.
Stop the madness and hippocracy.
Please! Ban the Texting homicide!

I gave up my cell phone 2 years ago. I find that I don't need it when I'm out and about. I don't even miss it. I tell people and they look at me funny. Why do we need to be chatting or texting all the time? Throw them away folks you will be happier without.

Equip all cell phones and text messaging devices with GPS sensors. When a device is in motion as in a vehicle, have the GPS link shut down the device for phoning or texting.

Texting can be tradgeic, and seems to be on the rise on the roads. I live in Ontario Canada–the Province has passed a law requiring hands free devices passed on October 26 2009. This is helping but time will tell. More people should watch 7 Pounds. Save texting for later. Respecfully, Ryan.

I am in agreement with a 'cell-free' driving. So many times I've used the blue tooth ear piece, however, I could not recall my actions during the conversation.

Also, it's not just texting, but there are so many applications on phones (social networking sites, news updates) that people look at on their smart phones while driving.

I think that each state should follow Arizona and make there laws fit there state .

Pledging is all good, but how about you DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT? Every time you send a SMS or you reply to someones tweet with your own "hey i'm going to the movies" tweet you are endanger YOURSELF and every other driver driving near you's lives.... txtkills up there has a good point, just visited textkills.com and wow, tons of stories about this same exact happenings.. Why do people think they have the ability to drive and text or whatever... Look at the studies done by many colleges, organizations, and research groups it is a VERY limited amount of people that posses the motor skill abilities to multitask in that matter. Just because you can walk and chew gum doesnt mean you can text and drive... Put it down save a life guys and gals..

I definitely understand the ban on testing, however talking hands free seems to me to be no different than conversing with who is in the car, or correcting the kids. Are we supposed to drive alone, period?

Are there any studies showing the difference between having a conversation using a hands-free wireless device vs. holding a conversation with a passenger in your car?

It is great to promote not texting and driving. But is angers me when celebrities that RARELY drive themselves anywhere try to tel me what to do. Seriously, has oprah or Larry king ever driven somewhere not by a driver?!?! Must be nice to tell others what to do!

I text and drive everyday.
I believe if texting while driving is banned we ought to ban the use of radios in cars also. horrible distraction. i can not understand how this insane problem of listening to music AND DRIVING has not been addressed earlier, the ability for any human to multi-task is impossible.

I bought a stick shift car so that I can't use my phone while driving.. it works ! Less comfortable than a regular automatic, but that's my contribution to help saving lives..DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE !!!

no i do not period !!! i don't talk on the phone while i'm driving... you are in the car to "DRIVE" not talk. there is no call THAT important thay you can't pull over and call back ! you may be saving your own life, and someone elses.

re: texting and driving

Why cannot the phone companies, set up a special button on the cell phones so that when people are driving and receive a text they can push that button and a recording states that they are driving and will return the text message when they have stopped the car.

Good night Mr King may the gods light your path .

Accidents happen, sometimes with tragic results. This is unpleasant to face, but it's a fact. If someone dies, regardless of the circumstances, it was merely that person's time.

I completely understand why talking/texting on the phone can impair the drivers sense of paying attention, however what is the difference between hands free driving while talking on the cell phone versus listening to the car radio and singing along to the music or listening to talk radio? Many drivers listen to the radio, whether it be talk radio or music, and get way into the topics or the songs. Your mind is still distracted. So are they going to say that radios should be taken out of cars because of the distraction?

I would like to add, I almost hit a bicyclist who was talking on a cell phone. Moblie phone does not me use while you are mobile in any fashion.

Cell phones are just the sexy new thing now to target when it comes to distractions while driving. But I guess it's okay for me to shuffle through the tracks on my iPod while driving, punching in a new address on my TomTom GPS unit, changing CDs in my CD changer (which I do all the time), lighting a cigarette, opening a soda bottle, unwrapping my burger......do I really need to go on about all the other distractions I have while driving my car? I have also seen people reading maps and newspapers while driving and turned completely around to yell at the kids in the back seat! There will ALWAYS be distractions. Unless you are going to ban EVERYTHING while driving, focusing on texting is irrelevant.

I agree texting while driving and walking is dangerous. As a person who works outdoors I've seen many cases. However, many law enforcement officers drive while staring at the screen of their in car laptops and in some cases type. A crime could be happening just right behind their car but they'd never see it staring at the computer screen in their cars. This is dangerous also.

Larry,

It's not Okay! Any handheld device being manipulated while driving. I was almost killed texting while walking in Los Angeles just last month. I thought nothing about.

Its not hip, its our Primary Means of Communication now. We use texting first now for everything. It's a side-effect of technology advancement of our modern world. 1.6 Trillion texts are sent per day. 23 times more likely to be in an accident if texting while driving.

Texting Additions is a disease. A new disease. A social disease. Unfortunately, its seat belts all over again. It took 30 years to get people to wear seat belts, how many years will it take to get us to stop sms-ing while driving? Seriously? 2009's death toll is coming, we have to stop losing these innocent lives.

Wake up! Please stop.

-Wayne

i don't agree wit text and drive but hands free is still safe. If talking and driving is unsafe then you have to go as far as remove the radio from the vehicles and drivers can not talk to passengers while driving.

I think it's critical that people realize that technology can be dangerous. Any screen time in excess is a bad idea, and people need to learn where to draw the line. When a driver is texting or talking on the phone in the car it is compromising not only the safety of the driver, but passengers and other people around the car as well. I'd rather stay safe than send a text message. Parents need to set good examples for their children by not texting or talking on the phone in the car, so that their children can grow up with safe habits. I'm fourteen and the other mom in my carpool group starting texting and talking on the phone as well reading the newspaper while driving. When this happened I told her it made me feel unsafe and after school I talked to my mom about finding an alternate way to get to school in the morning. Again, texting in the car is dangerous and it's important for people to realize that the lives of themselves and the people around them are more important than sending a text.

Larry,
All the auto makers is to install a device that would jam the cel phone freq. thus preventing cel phone use or texting! We have the technology why not make it work to save lives.

Thanks

We are in a state of self reliance and we must act as if so .

If talking on a cell phone vie hands free devices in the is a distraction then talking in the car with your passengers could be considered distraction as well. So we should all shut up in the car. I think we are taking it too far.

Max

Thank you Priscilla,
Freedom of speech....ones opinion.... dont like it ...dont call....This woman is getting to much coverage...GET OVER IT!!!

While I agree that there are dangers involved in cell phone use the same dangers existwith changing radio stations or cd's. Do we ban these? No. There are distractions caused by babies and children. Do we say no kids in the car? No.

The dangers of cell phones use are, to a degree, restricted to the dialing process. I use an ear piece. For your guests to argue that the mere conversation is dangerous is absurd. Isn't it more distracting to be talking to people IN THE CAR. Let's say "no passengers". Where does it stop? These advocates of banning all cell phone use should get real.

I agree that texting, while driving, should be banned altogether

I decided to stop trying to text and drive or use my cellphone at all while driving after I rear ended a COP!! while getting into a turn lane. Worst Decision anyone could ever make!

Cell phones dont kill people, unresponcible people kill people. If it is a distraction, then seporation of driver from the rest of the passangers, and you got to remove all destracting electronics. No radio. No tv's. No phones. No active On-star. Or switches of any kind in the vehicle because it is too dangerous.

I also agree that you should not drive while texting... but what about listening to music and singing along as you drive? Are they going to remove radios in cars?

I agree that texting and having a conversation on a cell phone put lives at risk and have contributed towards deaths. First, why are automobile manufacturers allowed to have Bluetooth capability in some of their vehicle models. Second, law enforcement officials use radios and phones while on patrol. What is being done on this issue? Law enforcement officials have caused many accidents while texting or talking on the radios or cell phones.

How is talking with hands free cellphone different than talking to someone in the passenger seat or back seat? Are we going to push for pledges not to talk to anyone else in the car while driving too?

I live in Central Florida, originally from Vermont.
I see drivers on phone all the time and also when I was visiting up North.
Couldnt the states pass a law that if people are caught on phones, or texting while driving- "their licenses will be automatically be suspended- I think this would deter drivers.

all yo drivers who think
your fancy well you need know you are putting lives in danger!

20% of Americans think President Obama is a 'Muslim' and we wonder why our country is in trouble?

Technology has given people the ability to communicate while driving. I agree distracted driving is a tremendous problem in the US and abroad. Programs that ask people to pledge have a minimum affect at best. Technology has also offered a viable solution to distracted driving. FDI has a product that allows two-way texting, emailing, and phone calling all hands free. Simple verbal commands allow the users to communicate with hands on the wheel. As simple as communicating with a passenger in the car. This product works with any existing phone irrespective of the carrier.

I believe that the responsibility shoud be placed on the cell phone companies and the manufacturers of these phone to make them so that they do not operate when the car is in motion, More pressure and attenion on them will make things happen because it is going to effect there profits.

My brother was a pedestrian who was killed early one morning this past June by a young woman who admitted to texting while driving. And yet, his death has been classified as a misdeameanor because there is no law on the books in Ohio that ban texting and use of hand-held communication devices while driving. We have got to step up efforts to raise public awareness of the dangers of all types of distracted driving. Our law enforcement officers and legal system need the right tools to help reinforce the message that the privilege of driving carries an associate responsibilty to operate your vehicle safely. We have to drive home the message that you can always return a call or retrieve a message but you cannot retrieve a life that was lost due to a momentary lack of attention to driving.

I do text and drive, but I am not proud of it.

When will the government allow parents to install cell phone blocking devices in automobiles to stop this lethal practice?????
The technology already exists but it's against current law...

Focus Driven comment -
I wish media shows like Larry King Live would put some more open emphasis on this fact - EVERYONE who gets a license to drive a vehicle has a "CIVIL DUTY to Keep Others from Harm". This means putting down the damn toys and showing concern for LIFE. My husband and I and allot of our friends ride motorcycles. You cannot believe the stupidity of the drivers out there. I have seen allot and had many close calls with people not using devices. So using one and driving in my opinion is no different than pointing a gun at someone. But in this subject it's a 3 ton vehicle. Bikers have a rule to "SHARE THE ROAD". Those who use electronic devices while driving are being nothing but self centered and selfish - their actions make a statement - they think they are the only ones on the road. It needs to STOP. If I was to hit someone, disable someone or kill someone, not only would my act CRUSH their families but I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT the rest of my life. The penalties of a dumb ass fine for taking someone's mother, father, brother, daughter and babies while playing with a TOY is NOT ENOUGH! Kudos and best wishes to the Focus Driven organization. WAKE UP AMERICANS!

Larry, talking about cell phone use, I've seen cops using cell phones all the time on patrol in our county .

i am in the same boat as oprah and some of you are too , but alot of you need to ge on board. i mean seriosly have any of you even heard of oprah . get with the picture.

Let's double the effectiveness of pledging that we will not talk/text while driving. Don't talk to people who call you from their cell while driving. "Friends won't let their friends text/talk while driving".

Re: the Dr. Laura rant... I have never cared for her ideas on a lot of issues. That having been said, however, the fact is we *do* have freedom of speech in this country. There is no debate about *that*. Nor is there a middle ground; we either have freedom of speech, or we do not. We may not like what a person says, or what words they choose to use, but we cannot and must not deny them their right to say what they please. Otherwise we risk losing our freedoms, and doing the very thing we condemn other countries for doing, imposing censorship on their populations. If that happens, our enemies win. Is that what we want? I don't think so.

After all these years, FINALLY something has come up that is drawing the attention to the real danger of DRIVING BUT NOT PAYING ATTENTION due to WHATEVER THE DISTRACTION. According to a gentleman I met last year, an employee of Montana's DOT, the number one distraction that has caused the most accidents over the years is "fiddling with the radio".
Sure, driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous, but so is driving after taking a double dose of pain relief for your knee, or after smoking a joint, or after working a 24 hour shift, or while you are eating, reading, checking your makeup, or sending a text. After all the years of focused dedication on drinking drivers, maybe states will open up their narrow minded efforts to all dangerous driving on our roads.

I think Dr. Laura was extremely insensitive when "Jade" called her, and "Jade" handled it very well on tv.
I am a white person myself, and I am confused about the use of the n-word. I would never use it because I have been taught that it is an extremely offensive word and believe that it is as well. I understand that some african-american people despise the word like I do. That makes sense to me, because it's supposed to be an insulting word. But what doesn't make sense to me is how some african americans use the word in a joking, affectionate, or passive way. Some african-american rappers also use the word.
If we want this word to not be used anymore, no one of any race should use it now.
I'm so confused...

I'm so tired of preventable tragedies. Consequences should be stronger. If people are given three chances to kill someone before they get in real trouble, what's the point?
Some of these responses have great information. Why don't resolutions happen? Because we have to make the legislation and the companies listen. We need to speak out and be loud!

Obama is a muslim because he put HIS RIGHT HAND on the Kuran which is THE MUSLIM "BIBLE".

It has taken years for us to get used to using the F word, and now it is used in everyday conversations, tv, movies, books, & news print and no one gets all big-eyed or surprised anymore.

Within a year or two (maybe more) the N word will be used just as often and without blinking an eye or getting all hyper-offended. It's just a word, not an opinion or vote for or against anyone.

Give it a break, everyone.

I have never understood why anyone in their right mind would seriously call Dr. Laura with a problem, and expect to be counseled in 5 minutes or less. Whatever happened to a good friend, sister or clergy person? As far as I could see, Dr. Laura has always been angry, ranting, and opinionated. I used to listen to her in my car for a good laugh, and always sympathized with the callers, as she screamed and hollered, never letting them get a word in. Dr. Laura is all about Dr. Laura, and, for goodness sakes, this is a radio show!! This lady needs to get real and get a life and some real friends to talk to. This whole thing is not newsworthy, but just as absurd as reality TV and the American Media Circus. If this women was a long time fan, didn't she expect this??

@Joan, The f word does not refer to race. The N word does. They are different by the very nature of there historical reference.

In Ontario, Canada, accidents have occurred with injuries and fatalities due to drivers talking on their cell phones and texting. The government has legislated a new law that drivers who are caught speaking on their cell phones and texting will be fined. I believe the amount may be $500.00.
I have seen some drivers defy this law but if caught they will pay a price and/or serve time.
Drivers are advised that if they want to talk on their cell phones and text to drive to a save location to do so.
This law and advice are for drivers' benefit to avoid injuries and save lives.

My heart goes to the family of everyone that is been killed or hurt in anyway or form by someone text message while driving. I know the pain!
Taunton MASS. 12-27-2007 Earman Machado , 13 years old, Tiger
football player,big dreams, killed by a 33 year old man with multiple driving offenses, suspend license. What's so sad about is the fact he hit and run. He was ridding a bike and he crash 16 feet from where
he was hit and left on the side of the road dying like a skunk. HIT and RUN is MURDER! find out about the story at New England and Rhode Island News Chanel or search google.
2 1/2 year in jail, 3 year Probation and no apology.
Thank you MASS. for a slap on the wrist. To Representative Fagan
use cell phone to him is compare to pick your nose while you drive.
Choose: while he save you money on your insurance, he might save your life or your kids life.
VOTE for him because Massachusetts Text message bill is put money on insurance company pocket oh, I remember this is a free Country and I guess their are taken your freedom away since that comes first.
SAFETY. Hit and run is murder. Don't be silent that you might make a
difference. No more slap on the wrist .Change the Law now.
Earman "EZ " Machado. 04-25-1994 / 12-27-2007
Love Dad.

@Dodie You hit the nail on the head. Many Americans that call themselves "Christian" sure donot behave as one. Also, those that call themselves Christians seem to have more problems accepting others.

I cannot believe that 20% of Americans think President Obama is a Muslim. How can this be? What is wrong with us?

Dear Larry,

I am disgusted by what Nita Hanson said about Dr. Laura. She went on national television and made a complete fool out of herself. I am black, and I found nothing wrong with what Dr. Laura was saying, because she was making a point. If the ignorant call would have objectively listened to the Doctor she would have understood why she was saying what she was saying. The caller called for advice and she got it. I respect Dr. Laura for her remarks. She was bringing a conversation to light that we as African-Americans cannot face. Never in the history of man has a word been owned by a certain race, class, creed, etc. Ms. Hanson needs to get over herself. This is not like the Don Imus situation. Now although I am in support of Dr. Laura, toward the end of the conversation she did get carried away with her comments. I understand that Ms. Hanson made her upset; however, as a host of a national show and professional, she must remain conscious and sensitive to her callers.

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SAY THESE WORDS–I AGREE WITH DR LAURA. SHE DID NOT MAKE A RACIAL SLUR RANT. SHE COMMENTED ON AN ISSUE AND MAKE A POINT I THINK SHE DID THAT. WHEN I READ A TRANSCRIPT AND LISTENED TO"JADE" IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT SHE MAYBE SET UP DR LAURA. WITH ALL OF THE RACISM IN TODAY'S WORLD IT CERTAINLY WOULD STIR THINGS UP AND IT HAS..

I use my cell phone while driving all the time while I know it isn't safe I have never had a single problem. I also text while driving but the onlytime I check or reply to my text messages is while Iam stopped at a stop sign or stoplight.

Can we assume the black woman, that was sooo offended by Dr Laura's comments and use of the word only white people are not allowed to say in this country gone politically correct crazy, now thinks she's entitled to some cash from the bad white lady?

Hello, I live in a Hispanic Domanated part of a city and must here the nnnnn word at least 20 times aday and is taken as a complment by the hispanic and black youths in the hood, but have a white youth use it the term and they wood beat him to the other end of the city in a heartbeat. Tim G.

This is a terrible phase for our society! I lost my beautiful 15 year old cousin, Angelina Bandino, on Nov 17, 2009, she was like a daughter to me, as she lived with me in La Verne CA for her 8th grade year–she was artistic, beautiful, and dreamed of being a model. Her dreams were taken away when a 20 yr old girl driving on Angelinas Street in Hesperia, CA, ran her over as she veered off the road into the bike lane. My cousin pushed her friend out of the way, and it saved her life, but my cousin died from the impact, it broke her neck. The sad thing too, that street they live on has no sidewalks, its a 45 mph speed limit on a residential street, and the pedestrians have to walk in the bike lane, so thats another subject in itself. She was only a couple houses from home, and my cousin should never have been killed, the girl who did it had made several calls and texts prior to hitting my cousin....its bittersweet for both families. The news didnt even do a big story on this, and they should, I constantly see people texting while driving, if I say anything, they flip me off, or cus at me :/ Please dont text and drive.....Angelina....RIP

It is amazing how on the radio, "Jade' wants to maintain her privacy; however, now that the major media stations want to re-hash and over analyze this incident Nita Hanson steps into the oh so bright 15 minute spot light. Shameful. Ms. Hanson you are an opportunistic hypocrite.

I am a 45 year-old caucasian man who, in my youth, threw the N-word around quite often. my friends and I, being young and stupid, did not quite understand the hurt that such language can inflict on another person. It was just the way it was. But, as I grew older, two things happened which made me change my thinking. The first was in high school. A friend and I were talking and I, without thinking, used the phrase " just like a N ". As my friend and I laughed. A very small voice behind me said "excuse Me? " I turned to see a young lady named Yvette looking at me with such a pained expression that I was instantly ashamed of myself. I apologized to her, but I don't think she believed my apology. I think that is what bothered me the most. Because I don't think I deserved her forgiveness, and I did not get it. That made me think. The second thing that finally changed me for good was the friendship of another young African-American woman named Dede. This young lady always has a smile on her face, no matter what the situation, and came to be considered part of my family. My third sister, who I love dearly, and still hear from to this day. So, to "Doctor" Laura I can only say get your head out of your . . . . well, you know what I mean. I would like to apologize to Jade on behalf of all Caucasians.

I would like to know why Mr King's interview with Ms Hansen regarding the comments made by Dr. Schlesinger ended with his remark "well you made the call". It appeared to insinuate that she deserved what Dr. Schlesinger had to say. I don't get the fact that a majority of whites still feel that they can do and say anything offensive or disrespectful and claim the 1st admendment when discussing minorities. I believe that the hatred that exudes daily through media, politics, religion and even the day to day mere disrespect for each other is the result of always claiming the right to the 1st admendment.

It is apparent to me that there would not be such a big problem if Dr. Laura used the words cracker. It would not offend most white people either. On the other hand it is obvious to me that when white people use the "N" word it is offensive to black people. OK so lets get this straight, just for the record. If a black person says the "N" word to another black person, they think it is funny, or a colloquialism. If a white person says it then it is considered offensive. I think it would be wise for black people and white people to just stop using the word, so we can all have a happy planet together.
Frankly I believe all black people would be setting a better example for their own people if they stopped using this word with each other. They only serve to bring each other down when they talk this way. Freedom of speech is merely the right to speak what you think so long as it doesn't interfere with the rights of others. Therefore using words that are offensive to you in reference to what someone said to you is an open discussion of how a person feels, and not an opportunity to use them in slight of conversation against the person you have shared your feelings with. If words are brought up in a conversation about what another person said, those words are usually repeated in a conversation when feelings are talked about. So discuss your feelings with Dr. Laura. But if you use words that offended you, and you think they might offend other people listening on the air, then why would you use the words in the first place. By saying the words first aren't you actually the one who used the offensive words in the first place. I think Dr. Laura did the right thing apologizing, she took the high road, correcting herself for unintentionally offending black people. Furthermore she is now out of a job because someone else used the "N" word first.

If we should not be distracted by driving, we should not..
– listen to loud music (although car audio companies want you to buy better car stereos and amplifiers with high volume)
– eat in the car. Drivers go through drive-thrus and sometimes eat while driving
– drink coffee while driving. Should certain "green-logo" coffee companies should have drive-thrus

What's the difference between speaking hands free on the telephone and having a conversation with your passenger in the car.

This whole cell phone thing bothers me! In the morning when I leave for work, one of my neighbors leaves at the same time. As soon as he gets in his car, the cell phone comes out! Come on! He JUST left the house! Couldn't he have made his call before he left? Is his life really so important that he must put lives in danger to make his call? I asked him about it once, and he just got an annoyed expression on his face and said " don't worry about it! " I swear, I almost hit him!

Excellent idea to follow up with Nita Hanson. Dr. Laura used to have some good contributions; however, in the last few years she has been very insulting, demeaning, rude, crude, just mean to her callers. A lot of the times her advice doesn't make sense. She raises her voice and talks over the callers. In the last few weeks her advice has been something like, "Gees you've made such a mess out of your life that I don't have any advice for you. I don't have anthing I can tell you today." and she hangs up on the caller. Dr.L constantly talks about her special self, the activities she's involved in, and her affluent affairs & people. She talks about how beautiful, dynamic and virile she is at 63 over and over and over again at every show. The image I have of her is that she's full of herself, self-consumed, feels she's superior to others and is a narcissist. What kind of advice is "...if you don't like it, don't marry out of your race" ? It's like Kathy Griffin honestly said, "It's time." Dr. L shouldn't be interacting with other human beings. She is destructive, harmful and scary. I hope you send this on to her so that she gets a clue that this is not about right to free speech but something that was bound to happen because of her sense of superiority, insensitivity towards others, and her narcissism.

Hi Larry I just want to say that I'm 23 from Toronto,Canada and they already have a ban on using your cell while driving and if your caught with the phone in your hand or being on the phone you get a fine from $500-$1000. I would never text or use my phone at all while I drive.

I'm a woman who is 54 yes old. At one time I did talk on my cell phone, but, i've never text while driving. In Louisiana yesterday texting
became against the law.

Larry,

I would like to see all the people, who have either, dismembered or killed someone while texting or driving without a wireless headset, be punished according to what they have done...if they kill someone...an eye for an eye..if they dismember someone....take a limb from them !

On the subject of being inpaired while driving and talking on the phone. If we are to band cell phone completley, then what about CB radio's and two way radio's that police and othe emergancy respondes use. They must inpair and distaract driving also? Thank you! Sencerley, MudFlap.

I used to use a cell phone while driving. Not anymore! I have noticed it really is true, just as the CHP claims: you take that phone into your hands and they can see how your driving gets worse and worse.

I have also noticed that way to many people are still talking on their cells w/o a hands-free kit. And I can see how their driving is really bad while that phone is in their hands. So I hope that law enforcement across the country, not just the CHP, cracks down on this seriously.

Come on, you guys. Wake up and smell the coffee! I know it is weird, but it is true: it is rude for a white person to use the infamous N word, but perfectly acceptable for blacks to use it with each other, to refer to each other.

Yes, like I said, it is weird. Most of the time, if a word is rude for the one group to use, it is rude for the others. But this IS an exception.

I remember seeing another similar such exception, but I forget what it was. It might not have even been in English;)

In my home state, NJ, we were not permitted to use a cell phone while driving. It was indeed the safe way to drive...no distraction.

I relocated to Az. and was astonished that people, here, were behind the wheel chatting away.

What has also happened as a result of many people using cell phones while driving,are more cell towers which have proliferated to accomodate the many more drivers. Not so obvious, is the impact on homeowners nationwide. Cell towers are erected near their homes/community, resulting in significant health risks the strongest of which is cancer.

Please consider having cell phone use while driving illegal. This will keep both the other drivers on the road safe as well as the communities forced to host toxic cell towers by the telecommunication industry a thing of the past.

Larry,
I just caught the end of your segment on texting while driving, I do strongly agree with the panel that spoke of the deaths and destruction brought on by people who do this practice! In December 2008 I was in a seriously injuried by a young lady who was texting. She was so deeply intnt on her conversation, that she crossed 3 lanes hitting and sending my vechicle airborne! She had only $25,000.00 worth of insurance coverages, Iam left with over a half a million in surgeries, lose of work and such severe pain on a 24 hour a day basis sometimes I almost wished that I had not survived the crash! (I know that sounds dramatic but half of my spine had to replaced with titanium and my neck had to have artificial discs and fusions, not to mention lose of bodily functions, and mild strokes! Had this young lady had to spend 1 hr in the severe pain that I suffer or a day living the way I have to in order to survive, she might be thoughtful as to how to answer that next text that comes in while at the wheel.
I guess what makes it so terrible and unresolved to me is that in our state and county (district) we have no traffic court judge, on the day that I was suppeoned to appear as a victum, all of my witnesses appeared and the policemen appeared to see that justice was done, the judge who traveled in from another county, seeing all the cases before him in traffic court, (40 citations) did a mass pleading for all at one time and she took a plea for negligent driving, got a $174.00 fine and lost 6 points off of her license!!! Meanwhile I pay a high price while she's left with not repercussions to keep her from harming someone again!!!

The Race Relations Is Most Of The Black's,Pull The Race Card.
I Agree With Dr.Laura.
Look How Many RAP TRASH The Black's Make Millions Of Dollars
Using That "N" Word.In Their So Called Music.
Dr.Laura Is Right. The Blacks Can Call Each Other The "N" Word.
But You Hear A White Person Use That "N" Word.Oh Its Racial.
Listen To The Rap Trash How Many Times The "N" Word Is Used.In One Rap Song,And People Want To Complain About Dr.Laura,
Lot More Then Dr.Laura Used,So What 11 Times.
Dr.Laura You Did Not Have To Apologize For Nothing.
It's The Truth.About Time Someone Speaks Up.Thank-You Dr.Laura.
No Need To Quit For Saying What Is True.

The danger of driving while texting seems quite clear; the behavior simply MUST stop. However, what I do not as clearly understand is the supposed problem with driving while talking on a hands-free phone. How does this differ from talking with passengers riding in the vehicle?

Again, I fully accept, respect, and adhere to the ban on texting while driving. I do not understand how talking on a hands-free call differs from shRing a conversation with someone sitting next to them.

I saw you had Dr.Laura on your show. There has ben more than the "N" word on her show. She said that as an observant Orthodox Jew, homosexuality is an abomination according to Leviticus 18:22 and cannot be condoned in any circumstance. I just would like to point out 2 things to you and her. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev.24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14). Watch your self Dr.Laura. 2 strikes 1 more and your out.

Same ole story. A person of African American decent blaming a white person for something.
Last time I checked, isnt Pro-Football, Pro Basketball and Major League Baseball filled with more people other than Caucassions on their teams.
Bottom Line, the reason there will always be race problems is because Blacks will not be happy until they are the Masters and the Whites are the SLAVES.
Always complaining anfd taking things out of context.
Dr Laura was just making a Point. And a VALID POINT at that.
How come Blacks use the N word, but when a white person does it there automatically a racist.
This is a case of woman taking something out of context because she was unable to understand what Dr. Laura was saying,

I do not see how what Dr.Laura said was wrong she said black comedians use it on t.v. she was not using the word to be offensive. And to be honest, shes right and everyone is blowing this up just because shes WHITE! It seems to me thats predjudiced as well. I am half black and I did not find it offensive. I use the word at least 10 times a day and no one says a word to me about it. However if i was white someone would throw a fit! To Nita Hanson: YOURE BEING A BABY THE WORLD IS NOT ALWAYS NICE AND YOU SHOULDNT GET OFFENDED SO EASILY NOT TRYING TO BE RUDE IM SORRY IF I COME OFF THAT WAY WHATS DONE IS DONE PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES AND DEAL WITH IT!!! SHE APPOLOGIZED BE GREATFUL MOST PEOPLE DONT EVEN GET AN APPOLOGY.

There are so many double standards and so much hypocrisy associated with this Dr. Laura situation that it is astounding. As a "white" person, I have regularly been insulted by people of color all of my life. I have endured countless inferences and ridicule about "white" people. People have said all manner of insensitive things to me, like "well, that's YOUR people," as if I am responsible for every irresponsible or bone-headed thing a white person does. I don't go around whining about it. I ignore it. I refuse to let anyone's language affect me in negative ways.

First, this woman apparently a long time listener. If that was the case, she should be familiar with the opinionated nature of Dr. Laura. Expecting a warm and fuzzy experience from Dr. Laura is like expecting anything other than an emotional beating from Dr. Phil.

Dr. Laura is a female shock jock masquerading as a harmless conservative. She has been flogged in the town square in similar fashion as Don Imus was, when in fact, she herself was NOT using the N-word.

Have we really become such a nation of idiots that no one can see this? I am not, and never was a fan of Dr. Laura, but even I can see this.

Dr. Laura already apologized several times – for something she didn't even do. She said a word in context to describe how it is used regularly by the very people it was intended to offend. That doesn't mean she condones it, as this caller is now claiming. How hypocritical is that? She was merely stating a fact. Are we really becoming that ignorant that we can't make that distinction?

I think it is really pathetic that this caller refuses to accept the apology. Dr. Laura has already given up her talk show. What else does this idiotic woman want? Oh, I know! FAME!

As a licensed therapist,Dr.Laura should have known better than to attack the lady who called in.In classic terms,the way Dr.Laura treated the caller would have been labeled verbal abusive,if not confrontational and demeaning. A really good therapist would have used more tact and compassion.Dr.Laura needs to be banned from TV,radio,and the profession she's supposed to represent. Good for her that she's quitting!

Good for Dr. Laura..she should speak her mind. im so sick of the bs with the blacks always making a big deal about being called the N word when they themselves call each other that.

A comment on Dr. Laura's alleged usage of the N-word. There is a very basic distinction in philosophy/logic between using a word and mentioning a word so as to talk about that word. Sometimes we use words to talk about non-semantic aspects of the world and sometimes we want to talk about words themselves. This is the kind of thing every college educated person should have learned in an introduction to logic or critical reasoning course and ideally, it is something you learn in high school. Dr. Laura was very clearly mentioning the N-word ( though be it rudely and repeatedly), not using it. The allegedly well-educated members of the media should have recognized that immediately. You misreport the story when you fail to point that out. I heard about a minute of her show years ago before I changed the channel because she was very rude to a caller. I think rudeness is just part of her schtick.

ATT; Larry King ,My daughter & I just got back from a 21 day road trip ,from up State NY.down the east central us ending up at Disney,We returned up the eastern seaboard.WE saw maybe 1 in 1,000 would pul over and stop.All the ones that didn't boy oh boy it was scary the way the drive while talking or texting,you could tell by their driving how the conversation was going,there driving habbits,would go from ok to look out I AM COMING.We even found loud music is just as bad.So we had nothing on at all and I showed my daughter who is 11yrs. old to watch the cars but not just the ones traveling the same direction but on the other side of the Interstate.We counted 1in every 3 or 4 drivers were doing something,The accidents we saw incredible.IT has to stop NOW.The police should be able to give them a fine AND take all the eqipment away.Their are alot of rest stop were they can do this stuff to me it is worse than drinking & deiving. THANK YOU LARRY KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK GG

That was such a poor interview Larry King did with the lady that was insulted by Dr. Laura. The poor lady obviously wasnt paying attention to what Dr. Laura was saying. And why has that lady not got with Media Matters and tried to boycott all those Rappers that use the N word and the cable channels that use the N word. The poor lady claims not to want to make this a political statement. That is dishonest on her part just involving herself with Media Matters is stepping into the political arena cause Media Matters is one of the the Biggest liberal organizations along with Move on.org. Why has Media Matters not gone after Rappers and the Record Labels that promote that kind of language. Answer is cause they are hypocrits

On "Texting (or using any handheld device) while driving", I propose that all hand-held communications, GPS, or like devices should only be allowed to be in the trunk or rear-most section of a vehicle when driving. Anyone caught with a handheld device on their person on or under the seat, should be fined, and the fine should go up on each offense until the fourth time it happens, then that person's driving privileges should be revoked for a year! and for each time after that!
It's time to get tough. We have too many lives being taken already by diseases, other legitimate accidents(not caused by distraction) to have to deal with nitwits who can't see the serious harm they can do and stop it! I think if a lot of them even closely knew someone who'd lost their mobility due to this, their selfishness would still win out and they'd still do it. It's "technology", the "in" thing, so they feel entitled. Go play with your own life and leave the rest of us out of it!

I totally understand Dr. Laura's point being made on the N. word. I do not use that word for the simple fact that it is offensive however, what gives black people the right to use the word as loosely as many do but it becomes offensive when white people or people of races other than black use it?

That is the prime example of racial double standards. We can't use the word but then it offends us when someone else uses it. That is the prime example of ignorance on the behalf of many who use that word.

when I hear the Dr Lauras, the tea party lunatics, polls which show that a growing part of the population think that President Obama is a muslim or was not born on US soil, I totally have to agree with Bill Maher, who some time ago stated on that show that he thinks that 30% of the people in the US are NOT crazy...

TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS WORSE THAN DRUNK DRIVING.SERIOUSLY THIS BEHAVOIUR CAN BE FOUND WITH THE YOUTH. WE CAN KEEP ON LOOSING TALENTS THROUGH SUPIDITY.JUST SEE HOW PASSIONATE JENNIFER SMITH SPEAKS ON ISSUE.

Just watched "Dr. Laura" on CNN. How old is this lady? Looks very old! May be the repeated "N" word is coming out due to early DEMENTIA!

As a black american I have been the victim of racism more times than I can remember. From being stop by the police on the way to school (junior high and high school) in Los Angeles, Ca to being pulled out of my car handcuffed and my car searched because I resemble a known drug dealer in Fayetteville, NC to being confronted with conferedate flags and bumper stickers with the wording "Slavery was not all that bad" at a truck stop in Virginia. Still I carry no ill will to people of other ethnic groups. My wife of 17 years is white. She too has felt the effects of racism.

After hearing the exchang between Dr. Laura and the caller I think it rose to the point of possible racism after Dr Laura came back from the break and the caller stated she could not believe someone like Dr. laura would use the N word and that she hoped every one heard it and in response Dr. Laura immediately said the N word three times.
It was clear the caller was offended.

There is no excuse for Dr. Lauras behavior. We hold those in the public eye to a standard of decency and respect. Dr. Laura has a right to say what she want just as everyone of us does but what she does not has is the right to be disrespectful and inconsiderate of others without consequences.

It is not acceptable for People of Color, to use the n-word. This racist word is offensive, regardless of who uses it. Shame on caucasians, asians, hispanics, native americans, and negroid people, who use this blasphemous word in any context.

We've become a nation of idiots.

Well Larry you and CNN gave Nita Hansen her hour of fame today. I agreed with you why didn't the woman just hang up. Its sad people don't except apologies anymore and good people have to lose their jobs over it. This black woman has issues and you can tell she has been coached to the nines. She can't even get her story straight as in the tape she is the one that wouldn't let Dr. Laura get a word in edge wise. I agree with some of the posters she is just looking to sue.

Concerning the Islam in america situation. I'm black, studied islam for years. America is not ready to deal with this silent jihad in it's midst. What Americans don't realize is that the passive Muslims are always pawns for the aggressive ones who are the radicals. There is no separation between church and state in Islam, thats why Islam don't and will never mix with american government That's why there is a slow break down of everything america. You can't have two masters in the same house. There is an attitude of forced tolerance among many Muslims. They must slowly convert or they will stir up a mess. Americans are not ignorant of Islam, we know about it's different sects, the both red and black Muslim movements who are still declaring jihad on america. If you want to know the truth about why the fears of Islam in america. It's the last 1500 years of Muslim and Christian fighting. Who says these two are ready to live under the same roof now. There are only a few Muslim groups who can truly leave and accept other religions, and these are rejected by the dominant intolerant sects who eventual conversion. The knights templar history gives a fresh perpective on these pass relations.

Message for Nita Hanson

Dear Mrs. Hanson,

Your and your husband are pioneers. My mother told me more than 50 years ago that the ultimate solution to the race problem was inter marriage. I had ask her a hypothetical question. Mother, what would you say if I brought home a black man with the intension of marrying him? That's when she made her declaration. However, she advised me not to marry a black man because society was not yet ready to accept inter racial marriages. I married 50 years ago within my own race. You would have been a pioneer then as now.

Everyone should support you and your husband.

Sincerely yours,

Charlotte from Charlotte

I was born 73 years ago in Indiana.

PS: In more recent years I have heard Billy Graham opine that intermarriage would be the solution to racial problems. (My mother said it first.)

Dr. Laura has Miracle Worker Reverie; a major symptom of Second-Hand Shock syndrome. The helping professional sees themselves as above reproach and wields a false sense of power. Her unethical behavior and poor professional judgment are the result of internalizing trauma content stories day after day while trying to control her empathic response. Dr. Laura needs help.

I know for a fact that not all blacks support obama, but this is the least unheard group of people in america. All you hear from the white and blacks who favor obama, and the whites who don't, but you can count on one hand the attention that have been given to the blacks who don't support Obama. That would be very interesting.
Do you wont to know why a lot of blacks who don't support Obama wont speak out openly about him.FEAR! This is a good one to bring toi the table. Where are the blacks who don't agree obama, and why they don't.

@Wayne Irving I can't believe how nonchalant you are. You say that it's oh SO convenient to text while driving. You are a DEATH waiting to happen pal!
What's more important to you? Texting or your life?

Dr. Laura confessed to have made a mistake. She publically admitted it. So there is no debate on whether she screwed up! A Personality Radio spokesperson made mistake that the Listeners deemed egregious enough that her public apology can’t repair- than all of you have to grasp that her damage control didn’t work.

After some inquiry there is confirmation that this wasn’t Dr. Laura’s first time screwing up. Dr. Laura was already a problem to her Sponsors. They kept her on because they made enough money to counter the liability she brought. This sensitive event caught the general public’s attention in such a controversial negative way that the Sponsors wanted to cut their losses.

Radio spokesperson have rights and the Listeners have rights and the Sponsors have rights. In this event each of them utilized those rights and the result was not well received by Dr. Laura. She was arrogant enough to think she was above it all and brash enough to retaliate in a way that will serve her poorly.

A warranted consequent for Dr. Laura suffering from Tourette syndrome!

I don't text while driving and never will. I have my son in the car most of the time with me and I would never be able to forgive myself if something happened to him because I was distracted while driving. Life is to precious. Let's keep our eyes and hands on the wheel.

The cell phone and mobile phone companies are making big profits selling phones to people of every age in every country. Why is it that the law can not prevent them from making our raods dangerous. THEY SHOULD BE TAXED HEAVILY JUST LIKE CIGARETTES AND ALCOHOL AND MADE TO PUT WARNING LABELS THAT ARE VISIBLE AND BOLD. People think it's bad here, but in other countries it's even worse. The trends, good and bad America sets, is followed blindly else where.

Also the trend of modern bussiness makes it compulsory for people to talk on cells while driving
A LAW PREVENTING THE USE A CELL PHONES OR TEXTING BEHIND THE WHEEL SHOULD BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT AND PASSED BY BOTH HOUSES........THEN THINGS WILL CHANGE AND OUR ROADS WILL BE SAFER

this crack down is a waste of tax dollars. if the grant money was used to better TEACH people how to drive in the first place, we wouldnt have people b distracted period. so ppl who Are o so sad plz don't lie n say Ur a perfect driver now that you've lost a loved one to their own ignorance (im aiming at ppl that have lost people because a "distracted" driver killed them, because that's what defensive driving methods are used for. paying attention to the mass of idiots more likely changing the music on an iphone another mp3 enabled device, NOT txting) i say don't b a hypocrite. you know u speed, read books, fiddle wit cds for Ur favorite ONE song, and you KNOW u text still at least once. list goes on. eating, make up. if the cops werent doing half the things themselves mabey it would make sense. so if u don't want to die, plz tell people to LEARN how to drive. because more cops not letting me drive a respectable 80mph so i can get somewhere in California in a timely maner is ridiculous. i know how to drive. people who don't please chp write tickets for ppl who Create the traffic. so recap, learn to drive efficiently AND defensively, and you won't b distracted enough to kill anyone or b text fodder for some other moron. won't even get in to drunk drivers, but u can get my hint. stay alert, stay alive ppl.

When will people get it–texting and driving is potentially fatal. Today on the way to Milwaukee, WI a semi truck driver was weaving between two lanes and the emergency lane on the road nearly sideswiping us! He was fiddling with his cell phone behind the wheel of his truck! He would speed up then slow down which only made things evn more dangerous. We were not the only vehicle in his path. We took the name of his trucking company, truck number and turned him in to the company–the company had no reply to their driver's dangerous behavior. Pretty scary!

"Fatal" comes from "fate" and that's the only thing that controls whether someone lives or dies. And fate is not something any of us have any control over. We have to accept that, as difficult as it may be to do so.
Several of the guests spoke of how "senseless" these accidents were. Well, who ever said life–or death–had to make sense?

I AM REF: Dr. LAURA, USE OF THE N WORD, I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AT ALL YOU HAVE THE MOST POWERFUL BLACK LEARDS IN OWER COUNTRY COMING OUT AND TOTALLY TRASHING Dr. LAURA, AND AUG. 20 AT 10PM ON DIRECT-TV CHANNEL 334 PROGRAM NAMED THE WIRE CAME ON THE BLACK MEN USED THE "N" WORD 14 TIMES. WITH NO HOLDS BARRED.
PLEASE HEPL ME TO UNDERSTAND.

Fatal-has to do with death, not fate or destiny ( in ref to Melissa's comment)

I agree with Carol George's earlier comment. If you are using the phone while driving for a conversation that can wait or is not urgent because you are in imminent danger, THEN SUCH PEOPLE DON'T DESERVE THE LICENSE TO DRIVE AND THE LAW SHOULD TAKE THAT RIGHT AWAY. THE RIGHT TO DRIVE IS NOT A PREVILEDGE IT IS EARNED BY GOOD BEHAVIOR AND SHOULD BE TAKEN AWAY IF ABUSED. PERIOD.

SPEEDING AT 80 MPH IS SPEEDING if the speed limit is lower AND SHOULD BE TICKETED EVEN IF ONE CAN DRIVE DEFENSIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY because roads, tunnels and bends are designed for safe speed limits. Again, if you do not want to obey the rules of the road then you don't deserve the previledge to drive ON THEM.

BOTTOM LINE- when you take your driving test, you learn and agree to certain things, they should make people sign a contract and if this contrat is brocken by doing silly or arrogant things, then people should be held liable to pay the penalty, fines, loss of license or jail...........Driving is an erned previledge.......our society thinks everyone has a right to everything without earning it !!!!......look at teenagers nowdays......

In other words people want to do whatever they please and are lying just to get their license, they are not being truthful and their driving habits prove it !! It took years for safer cars and seat belts only to die from this modern habit of letting technology dictate who we are and what we want to be.....people and society will learn the hard way and then or it is already too late

THE WORLD NEEDS JUST ONE STRONG LEADER TO HELP WITH THIS LIKE Fmr Pres. CLINTON. People are dying IN LARGE NUMBERS HERE on US soil and the value of life is being likened to road kill....come on !!

There is indeed a double standard where the N word is concerned, as A black woman i have yet to understand why those who share the same race as myself would want to take one of the worst words in history and use it as a form. of endearment. The word does not, will not, and never will mean anything good.
It is high time for the black community to clean up their acts, we talk every day about equal rights, and justice, and at the same time, say it is ok for us blacks to use the word with each other, but no one else should use it? WE can't have one set of rules for ourselves and another set of rule for everybody else.
I fully understand why some of "WHITE AMERICA" will never change their racist feelings towards "BLACK AMERICA", we constantly use the excuses of slavery to continue to blame WHITE AMERICA, slavery is over and gone, how can we as a race muddy the legacy of People such as MARTIN LUTHER KING, ROSA PARKES, and all those who fought for our freedom, with the N Word?
The word should not be used by ANYONE, and if the black community wishes to continue using it with each other, then by GOD do not cry racism when someone outside of the race does. we need to clean up our own back yards.

In the piece about texting and driving, Larry asked how his guests felt about talking on a cell phone 'hands free', and with both hands on the wheel. Everyone of them was against it. I am unable to see the difference between this and talking to other passengers in the vehicle while keeping both hands on the wheel. I must confess that I have, very occassionally, conversed with other persons in my vehicle while driving. I did not pull over to talk. I apologize for that. Let us hope that legislation will soon be passed to ban talking to other passengers while driving – indeed, perhaps all conversation in a moving vehicle should be outlawed. To many of us who are husbands and parents, that would indeed be 'a good thing'.

Dr. Laura is a racist. Her whole manner in talking at , not to, this caller was one of a person who just couldn't be bothered with what Dr. Laura thought was trivial. Her subsequent comment about having a sense of humor and marrying within your own race was totally insensitive and indicative of her lack of knowledge of understanding of the dificulties that black folks face every day in this country. I am glad she's leavigt he airwaves, which she said that she is doing so because she wants to be able to say whatever she wants to say. Given what she did to thus poor caller, I dread to think what she might say when there are no more controls. What was the philoshiical point the Dr. Laura was trying to make?. All during her segment on your show, she never once stated what type of philosophical point she was making. Good Cover, Dr Laura. There was no "point" other than trying to put this lady down,

I have Dr. Laura's book in my home. Tomorrow it is going in the trash.

I will say this only because I have been there done that, my has the years really been a teacher. Those that have lived it will never make an assumption (asume, make an ass of you and me)bye.

Hey Larry, How about you do a show on this " text speak " That seems so popular! Come on people, is it so hard to spell a full word? To pay attention to proper grammer? No wonder we are the laughing stock of the world when it comes to education!

SD - etymologically both words derive from the same root. My point is that we have to learn to accept things as they are. Life is stressful enough as it is, without making it harder on yourself by trying to change things.

Whne accidents are reported they always say " it will be determined if alchohol or speed were factors"..they should at least include cellphone use in that statement...make it stand out too !

They always say "alchohol and speed may be factors" when an accident is reported. They should include cellphone use in all public accident reports too.