October 12, 1998: Open Lines | Art's Retirement Announcement
Art reflects on his recent trip to South Africa, discussing the serious crime problem there and how the experience deepened his appreciation for the United States. He takes calls about Father Malachi Martin's health and fields a thoughtful debate from a self-described atheist who argues that belief in God and atheism are not mutually exclusive. The conversation ranges from the philosophical to the political as callers discuss everything from the nature of divinity to the tragedy of the Clinton scandal.
The broadcast ends with a sudden and shocking announcement. Art tells his audience that what they are listening to is his final broadcast and that he will not return. He references a threatening and terrible event involving his family that he cannot discuss publicly, promising that when the time comes, he will explain everything through the press. He thanks his audience and says goodbye, leaving listeners stunned.
Key Moments
Art announces this is his final broadcast: After taking a routine open-lines call about hyperdimensional physics and Arts Parts, Art segues into a personal announcement: roughly a year earlier he had referenced a threatening event involving his family that he could not discuss, and because of that event and a succession of others he is going off the air permanently and will not return.
Family protection: I won't discuss it: Art explains he cannot reveal what happened because his family must be protected, but promises that when the time comes he will tell the entire story through the press or media. He says anyone in his position would do exactly the same.
End of this man's broadcast career: Art thanks his audience, calls the show an absolutely incredible forum, expresses hope the forum will continue without him, and signs off with a final thank you and goodbye to close his broadcast career as of that night.