It happens again and again; a politician, celebrity or TV anchor wearing a microphone says something embarrassing, followed shortly by, “Oh, is this thing on?” Well, the hot mic has struck again!
“What is a hot mic” you ask? Someone described it as “a loaded gun, without a safety. When mishandled, it shoots you in the foot, after that foot has been put in your mouth. Can it kill? No, despite the victim feeling better off dead.”
California Assemblyman Michael Duvall found out this week after he was caught over an open mic describing the details of an affair with a female lobbyist. Duvall, speaking to a colleague seated next to him, apparently had no idea his microphone became live about a minute before the start of a cable-televised committee hearing (which was also caught on video). He was captured in the middle of recounting portions of the affair. This revelation has caused him to resign his legislative position.
Of course this is not the first “hot mic” event and I’m sure it won’t be the last one. Most of us remember last year after John McCain named Sarah Palin to be his running mate, Peggy Noonan, columnist for the Wall Street Journal was caught saying a derogatory comment about the choice.
In July 2008, Jesse Jackson was captured by his mic using an offensive phrase referring to his would be intentions to then President-elect Barack Obama.
In 2006, President George Bush was caught by a hot mic on a couple occasions: once speaking to British PM Tony Blair about the Syrians and the Middle East situation and another time speaking to VP Dick Cheney. In both instances, the conversation caused a flurry of explanations for the colorful language.
Probably one of the most memorable moments involved President Ronald Reagan, Aug. 11, 1984, on an NPR weekly broadcast. During a break he jokingly stated into a hot mic, “My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.”
Of course, hot mics are not limited to politicians. The infamous quote by Pat Robertson during a break on a Larry King show concerning Al Gore’s sexual persuasion caused an uproar. Speaking of Larry King, during the 2008 Democratic debate, he was caught by a “hot mic” while waiting to go on air and he gets upset that Anderson Cooper gets more time on his segment than his and wanted to know “why?”
And unless you think that only high profile people can become victims of the “hot mic”—think again. It can happen to anyone, anytime “if” there is a microphone available. I’ve even known a few pastors that made huge blunders not realizing their mics were turned on and later had to face those that heard their comments.
I’ve said all of this as these public events should be a reminder to each of us of what Jesus taught. “For all that is secret will eventually be brought into the open, and everything that is concealed will be brought to light and made known to all.” Luke 8:17
Moral of the story: Live every moment as if you are wearing a “hot mic”.
Comments