Editing Neal Boortz

{{Short description|American author, journalist, radio host (born 1945)}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Neal Boortz
| image              = Neal Boortz by Gage Skidmore (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Boortz in 2014
| birth_name         = Neal A Boortz Jr.
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1945|04|06}}
| birth_place        = [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date         =
| death_place        =
| education          = [[Pensacola High School]]<br />[[Texas A&M University]]<br />[[John Marshall Law School (Atlanta)|John Marshall Law School]]
| occupation         = [[Radio personality|Radio host]], author, attorney
| nickname           = The Talkmaster
| spouse             = Donna Boortz
| children           = 1
| website            = {{URL|boortz.com}}
}}

'''Neal A Boortz Jr.''' (born April 6, 1945) is an American author, former attorney, and former libertarian [[radio personality|radio host]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://townhall.com/columnists/nealboortz/|work=Townhall.com|title=Neal Boortz}}</ref> His [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] [[talk radio|talk show]], ''The Neal Boortz Show'', which ended in 2013, was carried throughout the United States. The content of the show included politics, current events, social issues, and topics of interest, which Boortz discussed with callers, correspondents, and guests. Boortz touched on many controversial topics.

Boortz's first involvement with radio was in the 1960s, while he was a student at [[Texas A&M University]], working as a local on-air personality at [[WTAW (AM)|WTAW]]. After moving to Georgia, he became an avid listener of Atlanta's first talk radio station. Boortz became a regular caller to the morning talk show. When the show's host died, it created a job opening, which Boortz actively pursued. He was initially hired on a two-week "trial run", and later offered the permanent position. Boortz attended law school, earning a law degree in 1977. For some years he worked as both an attorney and as a talk show host. He eventually closed his law practice after 17 years to concentrate on his work in radio.

Boortz has received many industry accolades. He was named as one of the "25 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America" by ''Talkers'' magazine, and one of "Georgia's 100 Most Influential People" by ''Georgia Trend''. In 2009, Boortz was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame.

Boortz's first book was ''The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear'' in 1997,<ref name="tcsynth">{{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=1997|title=The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Longstreet Press|isbn=978-1-56352-434-9|url=https://archive.org/details/commencementspee0000boor}}</ref> followed by ''[[The Terrible Truth About Liberals]]'', in 1998.<ref name="ttal">{{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=1998| title=The Terrible Truth About Liberals|url=https://archive.org/details/terribletruthabo0000boor|url-access=registration|edition=Paperback|publisher=Longstreet Press|isbn=1-56352-685-9}}</ref> In 2005, he co-wrote ''[[The FairTax Book]]'' with Congressman [[John Linder]], proposing to implement a variant of a national retail sales tax in lieu of other federal taxes. Boortz's involvement with the FairTax is covered in the documentary film ''[[An Inconvenient Tax]]''.

== Biography ==

=== Early life and education ===
Boortz was born in [[Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania]], his mother's home. His father was a [[U.S. Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] pilot, who served in World War II, the [[Korean War]] and [[Vietnam War]]. Describing himself as a "[[military brat]]", Boortz lived in many locations throughout the country (including the small community of [[Thrall, Texas]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200503/03232005.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Thrall Volunteer Fire Department|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-03-23|access-date=2006-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206112713/http://boortz.com/nuze/200503/03232005.html|archive-date=2006-12-06}}</ref> He spent his first two years of high school at Tustin Union High School in [[Tustin, California]]. The family then moved to [[Florida]]. Boortz graduated from [[Pensacola High School]], in 1963. He attended [[Texas A&M University]], but did not graduate.<ref name="faq">{{cite web|title=More Boortz FAQ|url=http://boortz.com/more/faq.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|publisher=Cox Radio|work=More Boortz|access-date=2006-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302002315/http://boortz.com/more/faq.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2006-03-02}}</ref> Boortz later attended [[John Marshall Law School (Atlanta)|John Marshall Law School]], in [[Atlanta, Georgia]], graduating in 1977 and passing the [[Bar examination|Georgia bar]].<ref name="PMSB">{{cite web|title=Neal Boortz Bio|url=http://premierespeakers.com/neal_boortz/bio|publisher=Premiere Speakers Bureau|access-date=2007-05-17}}</ref>

== Careers ==
===Law school and radio===
[[File:Neal Boortz and Sean Hannity at Hannity - Boortz event.jpg|thumb|right|Boortz and [[Sean Hannity]] in 2008]]
[[File:NealBoortz.jpg|right|thumb|Neal Boortz at a [[FairTax]] [[Demonstration (people)|Rally]] in February 2008]]
Boortz began his radio career in [[College Station, Texas]] in the 1960s at [[WTAW (AM)|WTAW]], under the name of Randy Neal, while attending [[Texas A&M University]].<ref name="bio">{{cite web|title=More Boortz Bio|work=More Boortz|publisher=Cox Radio|last=Boortz|first=Neal|url=http://boortz.com/more/bio.html|access-date=2006-03-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302002305/http://boortz.com/more/bio.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2006-03-02}}</ref><ref name="bio2">{{cite web|title=Neal Boortz Bio|publisher=Soylent Communications/nndb.com|url=http://www.nndb.com/people/531/000121168/|access-date=2007-09-06}}</ref>  In 1967, after leaving Texas, Boortz moved to Atlanta and landed a sales job. For two years he worked at [[Rich's (department store)|Rich's Department Store]], where he sold jewelry and carpeting. He later recollected that one of his customers was [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]<ref>https://www.everand.com/book/250299984/Maybe-I-Should-Just-Shut-Up-and-Go-Away-The-last-no-holds-barred-literary-gasp-part-memoir-and-part-commentary-of-a-42-year-veteran-talk-radio-A. Retrieved Nov.5, 2024.</ref> During that time, Boortz was an avid listener of [[AM 680]] WRNG (now [[WCNN]]).  The station called itself "Ring Radio," as in the ring of a telephone.  It was Atlanta's first [[talk radio]] station.  Boortz listened to morning talk show host, Herb Elfman, and soon became a [[Fan (person)|devotee]]. "Boortz bombarded Elfman with calls, reading him little scripts he'd scribbled."<ref name="devotee">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.atlantamagazine.com/features/1998/07/01/neal-boortz-have-mouth-will-talk |title=Neal Boortz: Have Mouth Will Talk |magazine=[[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta]] |date=July 1, 1998 |access-date=October 9, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304093700/http://www.atlantamagazine.com/features/1998/07/01/neal-boortz-have-mouth-will-talk |archive-date=March 4, 2014}}</ref>

While watching the news one evening, he heard that Elfman had committed suicide. The next morning, Boortz showed up at the front door of WRNG and announced that he was ready to take Elfman's place. Even though the management told him that "they were going to search for a 'qualified' host to take his place," Boortz was offered the role of temporary two-week replacement. In the interim, the evening host was moved to mornings and Boortz hosted the evening time slot. Two weeks later, Boortz was moved to the morning show, embarking on an Atlanta talk radio career that spanned more than forty years.<ref name="PMSB" /> Boortz honed his skills at the [[List of North American broadcast station classes#AM|tiny 1,000-watt station]], and even wrote a few speeches for then [[Governor of Georgia|Georgia Governor]] [[Lester Maddox]]. He continued working at the station until 1974, when WRNG "[[Termination of employment|dumped him]]." He was offered a job at radio station [[WGY (AM)|WGY]] in [[Schenectady, New York]], but turned the offer down to return to Atlanta and enroll in law school.
In 1974, Boortz enrolled in then-unaccredited [[John Marshall Law School (Atlanta)]] going to class in his spare time, while he and his wife Donna worked full-time loading mail trucks. Boortz credits his wife with providing "the money to keep me in law school."<ref name="devotee" /> After graduating from law school in 1977, Boortz practiced law in a solo law firm from 1977 through 1993.<ref name="faq"/> During that period, he divided his time between his law practice and work in radio. One of Boortz's clients was boxer [[Evander Holyfield]]. Holyfield later sued Boortz and other members of his management team in the aftermath of a failed [[Subaru]] [[car dealership]] investment. Boortz told [[Atlanta (magazine)|Atlanta Magazine]] "It had nothing to do with representing him as a boxer. It was settled and disappeared."<ref name="devotee" /> Some time later, in a heated on-air exchange between [[Atlanta mayor]] [[Bill Campbell (mayor)|Bill Campbell]] and Boortz, Campbell remarked on the Holyfield relationship: ''Campbell (sarcastically): By the way, Neal, Evander Holyfield sends his regards ... We talked a little about how good he's doing now and the fact he's getting ready to open up his 57,000 square-foot, $20 million home. How he's fighting for $35 million a fight. I was sorta thinking about when you were representing him. He was living in an apartment over on Lenox Road. He was fighting for about $20,000 a fight. It's sort of interesting how your great legal skills have transferred into financial well-being for Evander . ... ''<ref name="devotee" /> Boortz responded by calling mayor Campbell an "unethical [[son of a bitch]]." Boortz later remarked "It's the only time I've ever been on the air that I lost control."<ref name="devotee" /> In 1993, Boortz closed his law practice and devoted his full-time to his radio career.

=== Full-time radio career ===
While in law school, Boortz returned to work at WRNG. In 1983 he moved to the larger news-talk radio station [[WGKA|WGST]]. He later recounted how he would often go into work at his law office at 5 a.m., work there for several hours, then go to WGST, and finally back to the law office until 11:00&nbsp;p.m.<ref name="devotee" /> In 1992, Boortz asked [[WBIN (AM)|WGST]] for a raise; a salary equal to his combined income as an attorney and a radio host. When WGST refused, Boortz left. He got his raise when he signed an exclusive contract with [[AM 750]] [[WSB (AM)|WSB]] to host a weekday radio show. Shortly after that, he closed his law office. In 1995, [[Talkers Magazine]] named Boortz one of the "25 Most Important Radio Talk Show Hosts in America". That same year, ''Georgia Trend'' magazine added Boortz to its list of the "100 Most Powerful & Influential People in Georgia"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lp.org/lpn/9807-conv-1998-speakers.html|title=Elder, Boortz, and McWilliams round out Convention '98 line-up|access-date=2007-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703074051/http://www.lp.org/lpn/9807-conv-1998-speakers.html|archive-date=July 3, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{{Quote box
|quote = "Don't believe anything you read on [the Neal Boortz] web page or, for that matter, anything you hear on ''The Neal Boortz Show'' unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your own satisfaction."<ref name="PMSB" />
|source = Neal Boortz
|width = 45%
|align = right
|bgcolor= #c6dbf7
}}
In 1999, his show became [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] through WSB's owner [[Cox Radio]]. The show continued to be based in Atlanta. ''The Neal Boortz Show'' featured Boortz, producers Belinda Skelton and Royal Marshall, interviews, and callers. On the air and on his website, Boortz admonished his listeners to take no heed nor place any credence in anything he said, presenting himself as merely an "entertainer."<ref name="PMSB" /> As an entertainer, Boortz was a 2002 [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards]] finalist and [[Radio & Records]] NewsTalk Personality of the Year for 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coxradiosyndication.com/shows/boortz1.html|publisher=Cox Radio Interactive & Cox Radio|title=Neal Boortz|access-date=2006-08-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810074513/http://coxradiosyndication.com/shows/boortz1.html|archive-date=2006-08-10}}</ref>

In 2007, Boortz and his radio show were awarded "Best Radio On-Air Personality" and "Best Radio Program, Any Type" by The [[Georgia Association of Broadcasters]]. He was also a recipient of the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame 2007 Career Achievement Award.<ref>[http://www.grhof.com/07%20CAI%20NEAL%20BOORTZ.htm "Neal Boortz accepts his award from Pete Spriggs, WSB Program Director", www.grhof.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150610221253/http://www.grhof.com/07%20CAI%20NEAL%20BOORTZ.htm |date=June 10, 2015 }}. Retrieved 2008-12-28.</ref> The ''Neal Boortz Show'' originated from the nation's ninth largest radio market<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/$rol.exe/headline_id=b10238 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070802224028/http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/$rol.exe/headline_id=b10238 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-08-02 |title=Atlanta Moves Ahead of DC in Fall 2007 Market Rankings|publisher=RADIO ONLINE and Arbitron|date=2007-09-20|access-date=2007-09-21}}</ref> and was ranked the sixth overall most listened to radio program in the country.<ref name="rank">{{cite web|url=http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34 |title=The Top Talk Radio Audiences |publisher=Talkers Magazine |date=2008-10-15 |access-date=2008-10-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324045418/http://www.talkers.com/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=34 |archive-date=2008-03-24 }}</ref> In 2008, Boortz was a finalist for the [[NAB Marconi Radio Awards|National Association of Broadcasters "Marconi Award"]] as the nation's best syndicated radio personality.  (The award went to [[Glenn Beck]]).<ref>[http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/RS2008/Marconis/08_Marconi_Network_Personality.htm "Glenn Beck Named Network/Syndicated Personality Of The Year", www.nab.org]. Retrieved 2008-12-28.  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081107203612/http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/RS2008/Marconis/08_Marconi_Network_Personality.htm |date=November 7, 2008 }}</ref>

Boortz was inducted in the [[National Radio Hall of Fame]] in 2009.<ref>[http://www.radiohof.org/talkshowhost/nealboortz.html "Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Neal Boortz"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110712011206/http://www.radiohof.org/talkshowhost/nealboortz.html |date=July 12, 2011 }}, www.radiohof.org/</ref>

Boortz retired from full-time radio work in 2013.
<ref name="Ho">{{cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/life/radiotvtalk-blog/neal-boortz-to-provide-daily-commentaries-on-xtra-10631230/MJLJMI2GZ5CDDMLGANH43LW77U/|title=Neal Boortz to provide daily commentaries on Xtra 106.3/1230|last=Ho|first=Rodney|date=January 24, 2022|work=[[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]]|access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref>

=== Author ===
[[Image:Neal Boortz.jpg|thumb|left|Boortz on a book tour for ''Somebody's Gotta Say It'']]
Boortz's first foray into authorship was in 1997 with ''The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear'', in which he delivers his opinions on various topics in the form of a commencement speech he would give to new college graduates, if ever invited to do so.<ref name="tcsynth"/> His second book, entitled ''The Terrible Truth About Liberals'', was published in 1998, and contains reprinted material from his first book, along with a significant amount of new material.<ref name="ttal"/>

His third book (co-authored by Georgia Congressman [[John Linder]]) entitled ''[[The FairTax Book]]'', explains the proposal to implement a national retail sales tax in lieu of the federal income taxes, payroll taxes, estate tax, etc.<ref name="ftb">{{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|author2=Linder, John|year=2006|title=[[The FairTax Book|The FairTax Book: Saying Goodbye to the Income Tax and the IRS]]|edition=Paperback|publisher=[[Regan Books]]|isbn=0-06-087549-6 }}</ref> The hardcover version held the #1 non-fiction spot on the ''[[New York Times]]'' bestseller list for the last two weeks of August 2005 and remained in the top ten for seven weeks.<ref name="bookvol">Matt Kempner, "''The FairTax Book'' author from Atlanta is pumping up volume on sales of book." ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'', August 20, 2005.</ref> The paperback released in May 2006 contains additional information, an afterword and several revisions of misstatements made in the hardcover edition. It also spent several weeks on the ''[[New York Times]]'' bestseller list.<ref name="bookvol"/> Boortz claims to have donated 100% of his royalties from the FairTax book to charity and has commented on his radio show that he has not made one cent from the book.<ref name="boortzbook"/> As of July 2006, Boortz claims his charitable donations from book proceeds exceed one hundred thousand US dollars.<ref name="boortzbook">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200509/09202005.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Nealz Nuze|publisher=Cox Radio|date=2005-09-07|access-date=2006-08-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060831050128/http://boortz.com/nuze/200509/09202005.html|archive-date=2006-08-31}}</ref> 

His fourth book entitled ''Somebody's Gotta Say It'' was released on February 20, 2007,<ref name="sgsi">{{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=2007|title=Somebody's Gotta Say It|edition=Paperback|publisher=Regan Books|isbn=978-0-06-087820-7|url=https://archive.org/details/somebodysgottasa0000boor_a0x2}}</ref> and debuted at #2 spot on the ''[[New York Times]]'' bestseller list, second only to Barack Obama's ''[[Audacity of Hope]]''.<ref name="boortzbook2">{{cite web|url=http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2007/02/28/31_boortz_debut.html|last=Ho|first=Rodney|title=3/1: Boortz debuts at No. 2 (UPDATED)|publisher=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=2005-09-07|access-date=2007-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070302141311/http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/radiotalk/entries/2007/02/28/31_boortz_debut.html |archive-date=March 2, 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref> He occasionally writes columns on the Internet news/commentary site ''[[Townhall.com]]'' and other online magazines.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

His 2008 book is titled ''[[FairTax: The Truth]]''.<ref name="tftt">{{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|author2=Linder, John|year=2008|title=The FairTax: The Truth|edition=Paperback|publisher=[[Regan Books]]|isbn=978-0-06-154046-2|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061540462}}</ref> This book attempts to answer the critics of the Fair Tax proposal and claims to correct some of its myths and misrepresentations. It achieved #4 on the ''New York Times'' Best Seller list for the week of March 2, 2008 for paperback nonfiction.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

After Boortz retired from talk radio in January 21, 2013, ''Maybe I Should Just Shut Up and Go Away!'' was published in hardcover by Carpenter's Son Publishing in Franklin Tennessee.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

===Retirement===
After Boortz retired from full-time radio work in 2013, he hosted commentaries for WSB for six more years, until they were discontinued by station.<ref name="Ho"/> 

In January 2022, Boortz returned to radio part-time on [[WFOM]] (1230 AM, "Xtra 106.3" FM) in Atlanta, Georgia. Boortz pre-records "The Boortz Report", a commentary that is aired several times each weekday, and appears on the station at least once a week for live segments with the local morning hosts.<ref name="Ho"/><ref name="Radio-Online">{{cite web|url=https://news.radio-online.com/articles/c41407/Neal-Boortz-Returns-to-Atlanta-Airwaves-on-XTRA-1063|title=Neal Boortz Returns to Atlanta Airwaves on XTRA 106.3|date=January 24, 2022|work=Radio-Online.com|access-date=September 18, 2022}}</ref>

== Political beliefs ==

Boortz is a self-described [[Libertarianism|libertarian]].<ref name="profile">{{cite web|url=http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/nealboortz.htm |first=Joy |last=Johnston |publisher=About.com |title=Neal Boortz Atlanta Celebrity Profile |access-date=2007-09-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060521193735/http://atlanta.about.com/od/celebrityprofiles/p/nealboortz.htm |archive-date=May 21, 2006 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200610/10042006.html|first=Neal|last=Boortz|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|title=Following Up On Yesterday's Tirade|date=2006-10-04|access-date=2006-10-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111015507/http://boortz.com/nuze/200610/10042006.html|archive-date=2006-11-11}}</ref> He advocates a complete overhaul of the U.S. tax system and the release of all non-violent drug offenders who are currently in prison. He has supported [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] candidates and Republican tax policy, though he occasionally clashes with Republicans on social issues.<ref name="profile" /> Others describe his political views as being more in line with "[[Libertarian Republican|republitarian]]" philosophy that embraces [[incrementalism]] domestically, and a generally [[interventionism (politics)|interventionist foreign policy]] based on self-interest, national defense and the expansion of [[liberty|freedom]].<ref name="ftb"/><ref name="preempt">{{cite web|title=Just What Is The Problem With Pre-Emptive Warfare|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200311/11242003.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|date=2003-11-24|access-date=2007-10-07|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118134446/http://boortz.com/nuze/200311/11242003.html|archive-date=2007-11-18}}</ref> Boortz disagrees with the [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian Party]] platform on several key issues including his firm support of the [[war in Iraq]],<ref name="preempt"/> incremental tax reform,<ref name="ftb"/> and his opposition to the unrestricted immigration policy advocated by the Libertarian Party.

Boortz criticizes the major parties saying "I believe that the principal difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is that the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] just want to grow our Imperial Federal Government a bit faster than the Republicans do."<ref name="wdbo2">{{cite web|url=http://580wdbo.com/about_us/nealboortz2.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010629045336/http://580wdbo.com/about_us/nealboortz2.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2001-06-29 |publisher=580wdbo.com |title=Neal Boortz |access-date=2007-09-14 }}</ref> He sides with [[Modern liberalism in the United States|liberals]] on some social issues such as [[abortion]], [[same-sex marriage]], and civil liberties.<ref name="sgsi"/> He agrees with [[Fiscal conservatism|fiscal conservatives]] in advocating less government spending and decreasing corporate regulation. He is an advocate for [[freedom of speech]]. In line with the traditional views of the Libertarian Party, Boortz supports eliminating the [[War on Drugs]], and emphasizing personal responsibility.<ref name="sgsi"/> He has repeatedly stated his belief that [[global climate change]] is not man-made. His stances on many of these issues make him popular among conservative Republicans, who, due to their larger numbers in comparison to [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]], make up the majority of his listeners and callers.{{Citation needed|date=April 2012}}

Boortz's post-[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] platforms include support for the US-led [[War on Terror]], a more aggressive foreign policy,<ref name="preempt"/> and the [[USA Patriot Act]]. He is also strongly in favor of a crackdown on [[illegal immigration]], including harsh penalties for businesses who employ persons here illegally.  These views occasionally put him in conflict with the Libertarian Party. [[Justin Raimondo]] of [[Antiwar.com]] has called Boortz a "[[Statism|statist]], not a libertarian" and a "liberventionist" and has urged the Libertarian Party to "Boot Boortz".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiwar.com/justin/jspecial112603.html|first=Justin|last=Raimondo|publisher=Antiwar.com|title=Boot Boortz!|date=2003-11-26|access-date=2006-08-16}}</ref>

Prior to the 2006 midterm elections, Boortz opined that perhaps it would be a good thing to have the Republicans lose power in Congress, forcing them to wake up and stop taking their base for granted. Boortz told one disgruntled caller:
<blockquote>I am happy about it [the defeat]. It's the only way to get these Republicans to wake themselves up and say, 'You have abandoned what you were put in office for.'<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900064.html|first=Matthew|last=Bigg|publisher=Reuters|title=Talk radio hosts lick election wounds|date=2006-11-09|access-date=2006-11-09}}{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref></blockquote>

Boortz creates controversy among conservatives for his support of [[Abortion-rights movements|abortion rights]] (on which Boortz does not allow calls), for his refusal to condemn [[homosexuality]] or [[Same-sex marriage|gay marriage]],<ref name="sgsi"/><ref name="gay">{{cite web|title=That Bush .. He's Really In Touch, Isn't He?|last=Boortz|first=Neal|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200606/06052006.html|publisher=Cox Radio|date=2006-06-05|access-date=2007-10-06|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118143935/http://boortz.com/nuze/200606/06052006.html|archive-date=2007-11-18}}</ref> and for his negative comments regarding [[Baptists]] and the [[Young Earth creationism|biblical story of creation]]. Although he calls himself a Christian, he keeps his religious views private.<ref name="sgsi"/> He has also caused a stir among some Southerners, by coining the term "Flaggots" during his frequent jabs at them and at [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] issues (such as governmental support of the [[Confederate flag]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://georgiaheritagecouncil.org/site2/commentary/scroggins-ACLU-boortz-cobb.phtml|title=Strange bedfellows:the ACLU, Neal Boortz & Cobb County police|access-date=2007-10-07|last=Scroggins|first=Steve|publisher=GeorgiaHeritageCouncil.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822124008/http://georgiaheritagecouncil.org/site2/commentary/scroggins-ACLU-boortz-cobb.phtml|archive-date=2007-08-22}}</ref>

== ''The Neal Boortz Show'' ==
''The Neal Boortz Show'' was a [[radio syndication|nationally syndicated]] [[talk radio|talk show]], which ended in January 2013. It aired live from 8:30am to noon, weekdays.<ref name="bio"/>

Boortz marketed his talk radio show as "insensitivity training", creating controversy which increased ratings. His stated "beliefs" included a claim that [[Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder|ADD and ADHD]] are "medical frauds" and a scam that teachers, parents, and drug companies use.<ref name="fraud">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200305/05292003.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=For Those Of You Who Are Drugging Your Kids|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-05-29|access-date=2006-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111015500/http://boortz.com/nuze/200305/05292003.html|archive-date=2006-11-11}}</ref><ref name="fraud2">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200307/07182003.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Ask Your Doctor About Stratteras|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|date=2003-07-18|access-date=2006-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111022916/http://boortz.com/nuze/200307/07182003.html|archive-date=2006-11-11}}</ref> His attempts at controversy included referring to homeless people as "urban outdoorsmen" on air,<ref name="CS">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/more/commencement.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=The Neal Boortz Commencement Speech|publisher=Cox Radio|work=More Boortz|access-date=2006-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111011842/http://boortz.com/more/commencement.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2006-11-11}}</ref><ref name="urban">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200310/10062003.html|title=California Hasn't Been Punished Enough|publisher=Cox Radio|work=Nealz Nuze|last=Boortz|first=Neal|date=2003-10-06|access-date=2006-12-15|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111020436/http://boortz.com/nuze/200310/10062003.html|archive-date=2006-11-11}}</ref><ref name="boortztionary">{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html|title=Boortztionary: A Glossary of Terms Neal Uses|publisher=Cox Radio|last=Boortz|first=Neal|work=More Boortz|access-date=2006-12-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061206112945/http://boortz.com/more/boortztionary.html <!--Added by H3llBot-->|archive-date=2006-12-06}}</ref> and called public education "taxpayer-funded child abuse".<ref name="boortztionary" /> Specific targets of criticism included [[Christian fundamentalism|Christian conservatives]], [[Hillary Clinton]], [[Ted Kennedy]], [[Max Cleland]], and [[Cynthia McKinney]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200604/04032006.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=An Apology|work=Nealz Nuze|publisher=Cox Radio|date=2006-04-03|access-date=2006-08-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827173841/http://boortz.com/nuze/200604/04032006.html|archive-date=2006-08-27}}</ref> He also expressed a negative opinion about the lack of Muslim outrage for the actions of Muslim terrorists and the riots that erupted in response to the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boortz.com/nuze/200602/02032006.html|last=Boortz|first=Neal|title=Outraged Muslims! Oh My!|work=Nealz Nuze|publisher=Cox Radio|date=2006-02-03|access-date=2006-08-16|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813171557/http://boortz.com/nuze/200602/02032006.html|archive-date=2006-08-13}}</ref> [[Islamic extremism]] was a favorite topic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.msunderestimated.com/2006/08/03/where-is-the-muslim-outrage-by-neal-boortz-video/|title=Boortz: Say the creed of Islam|publisher=MsUnderestimated|date=2006-08-10|access-date=2006-10-02|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019211157/http://www.msunderestimated.com/2006/08/03/where-is-the-muslim-outrage-by-neal-boortz-video/|archive-date=2006-10-19}}</ref>

Some of his remarks caused controversy. After the Virginia Tech shootings, Boortz criticized the media, saying, "When the history of this event is written, we will have 25 students standing meekly waiting for this guy to execute them."<ref>Steinberg, Jacques. ''The New York Times''. 2007/04/20. [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/us/20radio.html?_r=1&oref=slogin Talk Radio Tries for Humor and a Political Advantage] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017004201/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/us/20radio.html?_r=1&oref=slogin |date=October 17, 2015 }} Retrieved 2008/08/06</ref> When public outrage resulted from his comments, members of the Virginia Legislature tried to have Boortz's show removed from local radio stations.<ref>Gangloff, Mike. ''The Roanoke Times''. 2007/05/02. [https://archive.today/20120910032238/http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/wb/xp-115400 Radio stations report little outcry about Boortz] Retrieved 2008/08/06.</ref> In March 2008, Boortz attracted controversy by playing an audiotape of a nine-year-old where he repeatedly ridiculed the child's speech,<ref>Burnett, Daniel. The Voice, Gainesville State College. {{cite web|url=http://media.www.gscvoice.com/media/storage/paper1222/news/2008/03/28/News/Boortzs.Morals.Challenged.By.Gsc.Professor-3305483.shtml |title=Boortz's Morals Challenged by GSC Professor - News |access-date=2008-08-08 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081102032326/http://media.www.gscvoice.com/media/storage/paper1222/news/2008/03/28/News/Boortzs.Morals.Challenged.By.Gsc.Professor-3305483.shtml |archive-date=2008-11-02 }} Boortz's Morals Challenged by GSC Professor. Retrieved 2008/08/04</ref> leading to an unsuccessful FCC petition to deny Boortz's employer the right to purchase five local radio stations.<ref>Nelson, Don. Athens Banner-Herald. 2008/06/12 {{cite web |url=http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/061308/news_20080613054.shtml |title=Feds sign off on sale of stations &#124; Online Athens |access-date=2008-08-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173958/http://onlineathens.com/stories/061308/news_20080613054.shtml |archive-date=2016-03-03 }} Feds sign off on sale of stations Retrieved 2008/08/06</ref><ref>Federal Communications Commission. [https://archive.today/20130406045358/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1372A1.txt 2008/06/10. Daily Report.] Retrieved 2008/08/04</ref><ref>Federal Communications Commission. [https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160229032150/http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-08-1372A1.doc 2008/06/10. Complaint letter.] Retrieved 2008/08/04</ref>

On June 4, 2012, Boortz announced that he would retire from radio by the end of the year. His last live show aired on January 18, 2013. Boortz's regular fill-in host, [[Herman Cain]], replaced him on January 21, 2013, in what amounted to a swap of seats, as Boortz became Cain's fill-in host.{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} Boortz hosted commentaries for WSB for six more years, until they were discontinued by station.
<ref name="Ho"/><ref name="Radio-Online"/>

== Notes ==
{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|
{{reflist}}
}}

== Further reading ==
* {{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=1997|title=The Commencement Speech You Need To Hear|edition=Hardcover|publisher=Longstreet Press|isbn=978-1-56352-434-9|url=https://archive.org/details/commencementspee0000boor}}
* {{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=1998| title=The Terrible Truth About Liberals|url=https://archive.org/details/terribletruthabo0000boor|url-access=registration| edition=Paperback| publisher=Longstreet Press| isbn=1-56352-685-9}}
* {{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|author2=Linder, John|year=2006|title=[[The FairTax Book|The FairTax Book: Saying Goodbye to the Income Tax and the IRS]]|edition=Paperback|publisher=[[Regan Books]]|isbn=0-06-087549-6}}
* {{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|year=2007|title=Somebody's Gotta Say It|edition=Paperback|publisher=Regan Books|isbn=978-0-06-087820-7|url=https://archive.org/details/somebodysgottasa0000boor_a0x2}}
* {{cite book|first=Neal|last=Boortz|author2=Linder, John|year=2008|title=The FairTax: The Truth|edition=Paperback|publisher=[[Regan Books]]|isbn=978-0-06-154046-2|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780061540462}}

== External links ==
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130520221245/http://www.boortz.com/ Neal Boortz website]
* {{IMDb name|id=0095593|name=Neal Boortz}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160924003354/https://twitter.com/Talkmaster Neal Boortz on Twitter]
* {{C-SPAN|9353}}
* [https://www.xtra1063.com/boortz/ XTRA 106.3]

{{Authority control}}

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