talk show to Concordia

By JESSICA WALDON

The Natchez Democrat

VIDALIA &045; Louisiana politics &045; some people take it very seriously, some don’t pay attention and some talk about it all the time and even laugh about it on occasion.

Talk radio host Moon Griffon fits into that last category. Griffon, who has the only state-syndicated talk show, made the trip down from Monroe to Vidalia Tuesday.

Griffon broadcast Tuesday morning from the Riverview RV Park, &uot;spotlighting&uot; Vidalia in his statewide broadcast, interviewing elected and community leaders. Griffon’s show is broadcast locally on 1450 AM from 9 to 11 a.m.

After his broadcast from a small corner of the building at the RV park, Griffon brought politics and laughter to the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce meeting.

Griffon began his broadcast once a week and from there it grew to a daily program and state-syndicated at that.

&uot;What we decided to do was connect the state,&uot; Griffon said. &uot;And what better way than politics.&uot;

The one thing he does not like about talk radio &045; everyone thinking he is controversial and likes to stir things up.

&uot;It is an entertaining business and you have to have fun,&uot; Griffon said.

Griffon filled the room with laughter many times over with his stories of people he has talked about and made mad at him on his show.

But Griffon also expressed his passion about Louisiana and its politics &045; &uot;I’m tired of being last,&uot; he said, referring to Louisiana making the bottom of most lists and the top of the bad ones.

Griffon said many elected officials in the state &uot;let us down.&uot;

Griffon referred to one time when the state politicians were asking for a pay raise. That makes him mad, he said.

&uot;When you’re in last place, what do they do?&uot; Griffon asked.

Don’t forget this man comes on the air just before Rush Limbaugh.

But through his quick wit and talk came a real passion for the betterment of Louisiana surfaced, especially the business climate.

Griffon made no secret of the fact it needs help. He said he wants his children to stay in state and not have to leave for jobs. And with Monroe losing many jobs from the closing of State Farm, the reality of a poor business climate is at his backdoor.

&uot;Migration is really hurting us&uot; and that’s about jobs, Griffon said.

What else can the state do? Show off all the good things, Griffon said, especially those that make Louisiana unique &045; the culture, the food, the music, etc.

At the end of his talke, Griffon told a joke about Louisiana.

The joke goes: the state was taking bids to repair the stairs of the state capital. A guy from Carencro said it would be $9,000. A Monroe man bid $7,000. And without looking, a Breaux Bridge man bid $27,000 &045; $10,000 for himself, $10,000 for the person taking the bids and $7,000 to pay the man from Monroe.

&uot;It wouldn’t be funny if it wouldn’t be true,&uot; Griffon said.