Got an email from Listener Joe- posting it here (with his permission)... great thoughts on the Rajib Mitra discussion (and the caller was named "Plebe")...
Hey Pete, I caught last week's show and just wanted to comment on a few things.
First, I don't actively debate with creationists. Like The Sconz said, it's just a waste of time and energy. I've learned from my few encounters with creationists on the subject is that they will generally repeat talking points or pseudo-science ad nauseum. Moreover, I have been taking active steps to avoid those hot button debates, for the very reason that even if I "win" 100% of them, the topic itself won't just go away. Life will still go on the way it always has, except now I'll just be more agitated. Suggestion that topic for last weeks show contradicts that feeling, so I would like to apologize :(
You had a great show, and in particular I liked your bit about prisons (with respect to the situation with Mitra). The caller (admittedly, I can't recall his name) made some good points but I feel like he missed a few key points of yours. I don't think you were pleading for Mitra's innocence or attempting to argue that he should have just been let go. Causing the police, fire, and rescue private radio band to be, essentially, shut down is a major crime and one which he should have been held accountable for. However, it seems like a lot of "answers" to crimes is to simply throw people in jail for extended periods of time and saying "done." Tut (I believe it was) hit the nail on the head when he said that simply having someone sit by themselves isn't going to prevent them from not doing a crime again. Sort of how like the death penalty isn't really a deterrent for violent crimes because they are still happening. I'm of the mindset that first offenders should be given a chance at rehabilitation of some kind, as opposed to treating everyone like pedophiles in unmarked cargo vans. Clearly, I am not advocating for lighter treatment for multiple offenders, but if we can help them after the first offense, it seems feasible that we can stop them from doing it again in the future.
Anyways, sorry for the long (and week late) email. As always, I enjoy the show.
-Joseph
Monday, May 21, 2012 at 4:29 PM 
Very pleasant weekly meeting in King Tut's backyard this afternoon. Looking forward to Thursday's Ass-Jammery, when the topic will be 'Brown'.