[tal8d]

I guess c-span got a lot more interesting since I stopped watching tv, not only allowing racist rants on air - but doing it to a degree that develops a level notoriety supporting cultural shorthand. Like Emily Post. Either that or... nah, I don't wanna put words in your mouth.

[Rebelgecko]

Yeah, I think things escalated around ~2010. It's definitely not an everyday thing, but I think every year or two someone manages to scream the N word on Washington Journal. Around 2012 they added a short delay to calls and every once in a while they make the delay even longer. There was also a period around the 2012 election when people kept calling in and asking about the size of Mitt Romney's penis.

[tal8d]

Sounds like classic trolling fare, as in: Mitt Romney's penis is only discussed in places where mention of his penis is frowned on. Given how many Americans think "hate speech" is a legally defined thing, I'd expect offensive language in any environment where there is a chance to remotely provoke a reaction. That is, unless Romney's penis is commonly discussed on amateur radio - in that case there is something much more interesting happening.