Curious Denial: Michel Martin, The Disappointing Interviewer

Michel Martin from Tell Me More interviewed me at 2 AM my time yesterday. I was not alone. The Founder of Student Loan Justice was also a part of this so-called conversation on student loan debt. While I had no illusions about the nature of this talk, I was aghast at Ms. Martin's tone - to say it was disdainful is putting it lightly.

I received 3 questions about 20 minutes before the talk. They seemed like fair enough questions, and I took the time to respond to them with 3-4 key points. Then the call took place. Here were the three questions that I was more than prepared to answer:

1. What are the changes that came with the health care bill?

2. Why is this a widespread problem as opposed to just a blip with the bad economy?

3. What is realistic to do? Congress is going to take years to fix the problem... What can parents and students do today?

Those were not the questions asked, and I'm not sure why. I'd like to know who she thinks is an expert, and if she was a nasty with Mr. Kantrowitz as she was with the two of us. 

First, she lit into Mr. Collinge about being in default, and then she demanded that I tell her the exact amount of money I owed on my student loans. I let her know that I wasn't entirely sure, but also made it clear that I'd received some scholarships for the degrees I've pursued (Ms. Martin and I, as it turns out, both attended the same school). She then shot back, "well, what's the status of your loans?" Wow. Aggressive. Fine. She's a radio personality, and that's understandable, I thought. I said, "sorry, do you mean am I in default?"

"Well, yes!" she exclaimed.
 
I replied, "I've never been in default, and I pay my loans on a regular basis."

Ms. Martin seemed satisfied with that answer, but then she began to delve further into this idea of personal responsibility. Mr. Collinge and I had similar answers. Sadly, she had little interest in talking to us about the people for whom we advocate, and that is precisely why I thought I'd been asked to be a part of her show.

I thought we were both invited onto her show to discuss the actual systemic problems relating to the student lending crisis. It was shocking to be grilled in this manner, and she did the same to the other guest. Oh, well, I guess I'm prepared to be interviewed next by Fox News. Who knows? Perhaps Ms. Martin works for them, and I was mistaken by thinking she cares about social issues and is employed by the so-called liberal radio station NPR. 

What's the most tragic? She is doing a disservice to millions of people who are drowning in debt. Shame on you, Ms. Martin. "If nothing is assumed," Ms. Martin, you sure sounded presumptuous as ever.


Next up, why Michelle Singletary at the Washington Post is lame and doesn't have a clue . . .