A Public Service Announcement?

When Jacob and I are in the car together, we usually listen to recorded books, Bible songs, hymns, music by the composer we’re studying, maybe the baseball game on occasion, or a mix of songs we both enjoy, from William Byrd’s Haec Dies to the Muppets’ rendition of Put the Lime in the Coconut.

But, when I’m alone, I listen to ESPN radio.

Yeah. Go ahead. You can say it.

Today, I’m heading to the literature class I teach, and I’m enjoying highlights from Sunday’s NFL lineup (okay, fine, San Diego got a bad break – it happens), considering one of the great college football debates (who can seriously argue there’s a conference better than the SEC?), and getting up-to-the-minute baseball news (the Milwaulkee Brewers fired their manager with two weeks left in the regular season after dropping four in a row). Then, a woman’s voice comes on with a public service announcement: “Do you know you can get free forms to file for divorce in New York State?”

I have to admit, it disturbed me, the state advertising to men (yes, the vast majority of ESPN listeners are men) a way to make divorcing their wives easier. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. I took a few minutes after my class to write an email to the radio station and the state of New York, voicing my displeasure. Then I resolved not to listen to 1230 AM anymore.

Fortunately, ESPN is also on the FM dial. I have yet to hear any public service announcements on that station.