On Monday's Jeff Farias program on KPHX Farias discussed Senator McCain and his ongoing campaign for the Presidency.  Instead of keeping the conversation on a mature level discussing issues, Farias chose to hurl some fairly startling personal attacks aimed at Senator McCain and his wife Cindy.  That is certainly his right!

Farias repeated a vile rumor based on only anonymous sources that Senator McCain called his wife the C-word.  Farias also agreed with a caller who suggested McCain may have a traumatic brain injury and repeatedly implied Senator McCain was mentally ill by referencing "straight jackets" and encouraging and agreeing with callers who did the same.

Farias then repeated a really scurilous rumor that associated Senator McCain and his wife to a notorious organized crime figure.  Farias repeatedly allowed callers to repeat several damning, unverified rumors including one rumor that said McCain was shot down in Vietnam because he violated proper military procedures.  Not one shred of evidence.  Classic character assassination!  Faris even allowed a caller to tell a story of how the caller personally demanded Sheriff Arpaio arrest Cindy McCain!  I'll just bet that actually happened.  Right!

Farias has every right to engage in this type of conduct and to engage in these tactics, in fact it's expected.  It's his program, he can take the topics and conversations and calls and lead them in whatever direction he chooses.  Farias is in control of the calls, if the caller goes too far or says something Farias disagrees with Farias can and does make his position known.  If Farias disagrees with you he says it.  If he agrees, he says that also. Farias can also hang up on callers whose message he doesn't want disseminated.  He's done that many times.  The 1st amendment is alive and well at KPHX.

Here is my point.  Farias is clearly comfortable personally attacking Senator McCain and his wife Cindy.  Rumors, anonymous sources, conjecture, guilt by association,  obviously nothing is out of bounds when Farias attacks an opponent.  But, is Farias prepared for supporters of John McCain engaging in the identical type of conduct?  Using the same tactics?  Excercising their 1st amendment rights?  If past is prologue I'm not sure Farias can handle the mental strain of people treating him the way he treats them.   We'll find out. 

I hope Farias realizes that when he engages in personal, petty, vindictive, dishonest attacks against Senator McCain's wife that there's a good chance people will take great offense to his vile conduct and turn around and apply his own tactics to him.   We'll see if Farias respects both sides of the 1st amendment. 

Good luck Jeff.  And remember, you opened the door!