David Letterman, Rachel Maddow talk current events at Ball State event

Ball State's most famous alumnus stopped by the Muncie campus Friday.  David Letterman brought his Distinguished Professional Lecture and Workshop series back to campus.

Friday's debate and talk was on the biggest stories making news right now. To talk about the biggest stories, Letterman welcomed MSNBC host Rachel Maddow.

True to form, she started with some of her own questions. When asked about his drinking, Letterman said he stopped in ‘83 not only for his health and but to save his own life.

"Thank God I stopped because I think I would be dead now. I loved every minute i was drunk, though," Letterman said.


On the more serious topic of the current Republican presidential hopefuls, he didn't hold back.

"Many of these people seem, pathetic to me and laughable but they have the courage to stand up and get in the game because they think maybe they can make a difference. By God, that's more courage than I have," he said.

On the economy and the drop in unemployment announced just today, Maddow was Maddow breaking it down to the bare reality.

"This is not theoretical. This is people's lives and it's about what it means to be an American, and whether or not it's a good idea to have a kid, and where to live and how to live and whether or not to go to college and it's whether or not you get to stop working before you die," she said.

Students said the conversation related to a lot of the issues they are dealing with and the more global issues their generation is inheriting.
Of course Dave sprinkled the heavier topics like UC Davis student protesters sprayed with pepper spray with a few lighter Letterman moments.

"I know for a fact that pepper spray is excellent on salads."