Hello Daniel: 

I'm a fifty-year-old Canadian broadcast journalism lecturer living in the Middle East who is not normally given to writing fan mail. However, in your case I thought that I'd make an exception. 

I've enjoyed The Edge Broadcast for about a year or so, downloading the archived files because I know I can count on a lot of amusing kookiness from your guests. 

I don't believe in the New World Order, Nehalem, Alien Invasions or Satanic Covens on the edge world domination. I doubt if you do either, although you rightly give the fringe a platform to make their arguments. I also don't believe in a proscribed God, which is where we probably part company. 

There are two things that I truly admire about your show. The first thing is the access you provide to voices in the wilderness. The second thing is you. 

I appreciate the respect and dignity that you afford your guests. Even the "Zeta Talking" lady, whom you seemed to have a good deal of fun taking the piss out of, was extended the courtesy and decency that any guest deserves. I applaud you for that. I suspect that you're a really nice guy and that comes through loud and clear in your broadcasts. Your guests like you because you like your guests. Life's really that simple. If you like somebody, they're going to find it awfully hard to hate you back. You of course understand that. 

I've just listened to your interview with Hannah Billups. It was a joy to listen to two lovely charming people conversing in such a mutually respectful way. Aside from her delightful Southern accent, Ms Billups seemed to be a genuinely sympathetic, humble and charitable person. You obviously recognized that and responded with your typical warmth and charm. 

Living in an Arab society it is sometimes hard to maintain faith in the good will and decency of America. I've found in previous broadcasts that you occasionally teeter on the edge of condemning the Arab people. It is your innate decency that prevents you from toppling into the smelly sewer of racism. 

Although not an American myself, I've long been forced into the sometimes uncomfortable position of being an apologist for America. Your interview with Hannah Billups reminded me that while they might often be misguided, Americans by and large are warm and caring individuals who believe in personal equality and dignity. 

I think that Hannah's a little deluded believing that the bogeyman is coming to get us. But I also think that she's a delightful woman who is a shining example of the American capacity to unselfishly care and act. She has just got to stop listening to the weary groundless rants of people like Pam Schuffert. I hope that Hannah can reestablish a loving connection with her son. 

I like your show and I thank you for making it available free of charge. You're a decent bloke and I encourage you to keep up the good work.