AIR AMERICA RADIO...TURN ON, TUNE IN, DROP A BRICK ON BUSH

Yeah, I know that, but I'm tellin' ya, people are going to be turned off if there's no dissenting opinion. I think you need some give and take. I could be wrong though. I'll definitely give it a chance.

Maybe yes, maybe no, re needing a give-and-take. There are different ways to do it. The Fox way is to let a blowhard like O'Reilly control the debate and shout down his opponent. I think it would be cool to have some debate done fairly--if nothing else, it would be a contrast with O'Reilly and Limbaugh.

D'artagnan, I totally agree. There aren't very many shows where the real issues get discussed in a fair and rational debate. No matter what side you're on, in the media it is almost always a finger-pointing, meaningless sniping contest. Fair debate! What a concept.

I'm not sure your thesis is correct, as it doesn't hold true for rightwing radio. Unless you are assuming that the audience for rightwing radio is qualitatively different (less educated, less familiar with reasoned debate, more comfortable accepting authoritative claims, etc), which is an assumption I'd have little problem with.

Chris Hitchens has been, or will soon be on.

Bill O'Reilly trahes Al Franken's new radio show
Bill O'Reilly trashes Al Franken's new radio show---BBB

New York Daily News - http://www.nydailynews.com
Don't touch that dial

Monday, April 5th, 2004
Bill O'Reilly:

We are living in desperate times, and the radio industry in America proves it.

Now we have an all-liberal network. Just what we need. It isn't enough that conservative bloviators sling radio propaganda all day long. It's apparently imperative that we have constant left-wing bleating as well, even though National Public Radio is heard on more than 700 stations. Here's what we can expect on the left side of the dial.

"Lou in Seattle, you're on the air."

"Bush is a liar."

"Good call, Lou."

"Halliburton owns Cheney, and Laura Bush has hair extensions."

"What about Rumsfeld?"

"He has hair extensions, too, and lies about them."

Can't get enough of that, can you? Let's turn the dial to the right.

"Lorraine in Orlando, what's on your mind?"

"Ditto."

"Ditto what, Lorraine?"

"Kerry is a Communist. He has Botox."

"And the government probably paid for it, right, Lorraine?"

"No doubt. And Hillary dated Osama Bin Laden at Yale."

But it's not all politics on the radio; there's other talk as well.

"Moon Man, how's it hangin', bro? You're the best, except for Howard Stern."

"Yo, dude, I am your freedom-of-speech guy."

"Excellent, Moon. What up with Janet Jackson?"

"I had sex with her, dude. That's a fact."

How about music? Didn't we used to have music on the radio? Let's dial up some rap:

"My glock is nice,

I shot her twice.

The ho no mo'

I got ta go ..."

No. 1 with a bullet on Felony 97 FM.

If you think I'm exaggerating, you're wrong. These days, radio will put you in a daze. The bilge is unbelievable. Let's go to NPR for some relief.

"Time for 'All Things Considered,' except for competing in the marketplace without public funding. Here's a report from our NPR correspondent in the Middle East."

"There was sadness over a mentally challenged Palestinian boy wired up as a suicide bomber, but by no means is this PLO policy, say reliable Hamas sources who spoke to NPR on the condition that we make them look sympathetic."

Well, maybe NPR isn't the answer. As I mentioned, some believe that network provides plenty of liberal commentary. It sure sounds that way. Maybe it's the soothing tone they use in explaining that anyone opposing gay marriage is a cousin of George Wallace. Perhaps it's the way they frame the debate: "Joining us now from Washington is the senior senator from Massachusetts, Edward Kennedy, whose policies have enlightened this country for decades. Senator, can we send you an NPR tote bag?"

Anyway, there's little relief on the radio dial. It's worse than TV. The ghost of Joseph Goebbels haunts most radio talk stations, and the music people should all be in jail. One last chance for the new liberal network.

"Shirley in Aspen, what's on your mind?"

"Bush hates cats!"

"How do you know that, Shirl?"

"Read it on Barbra Streisand's Web site."

"Shirley?"

"Yes."

"What do you think about Bush's lies?"

"Think? Isn't this talk radio?"

What a mind! Almost genius level, I'm certain. And witty too. Wouldn't you love to have him over each night for dinner?

Blatham writes:


Like in this forum? Some of the pro-Kerry and/or 'anybody but Bush' crowd seem to be attempting to crowd out everybody else with a plethora of posts all condemning the current administration for one infraction or another. I just sigh at those who are so obsessed by their hatred of the current administration they cannot look objectively at anything and generally insult the opinions of any who try to be objective.

And conversely I give no right-wing columnists, talk show hosts, or talking heads much credibility if they are unable to find anything right with the opposition and refuse to ever criticize the 'right' side (pun intended.)

So if the new 'left wing' commentators/talk show hosts/whatever at least attempt to be fair, I'll listen. But if it is just another 'let's bash and demonize the opposition' effort, they won't get to count me in their ratings.

Foxfyre
Foxfyre, do you apply the same fairness to right wing radio commentary?

BBB

foxfyre

I'd love to convince you to read "Lying Liars...". Franken IS different from Coulter, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, et al in a number of very important ways.

Least important of these, yet still notable, is that he counts a large number of Republicans (in office and not) among his friends. When you read or listen to him, you do not hear generalizations about 'conservatives'...that they are unethical, or brainwashed, or intellectually weak, etc. To put this another way, he doesn't speak as do the folks above when they speak about 'liberals'...the quality of one's character or intelligence is not, for him, established by party membership. It is established by integrity and honesty.

Most importantly, he understands that his credibility (to himself as well as to his readers/listeners) depends upon his integrity in getting the facts right.

He does attack this administration, and those folks noted above, and he is fierce about it. But he attacks not because they are Republicans or because might be sympathetic to classical Republican concerns. He attacks them because they are deceitful (and he gives the specifics).

Where he is shown to be incorrect, he admits it readily, and apologizes - a laudable characteristic not found in the names above, nor in this administration.

BBB....if you read my post, you would see that I absolutely do.

best thing since sliced bread

Have you been listening to it, dys? I've been entranced.

well, at the risk of become fodder for the "we must all be clinton lovers/bush bashers" diatribe yeah I like to get as many different opinions and POV as I can.

Blatham writes:


Sorry but there are plenty of fierce attacks out there in the media, in this forum, in chatrooms, and on the evening news. I have read, heard, and know every argument or point the opposition can put out there and I don't have to read another one to have a pretty good idea about what your suggested author will say. Even without reading his particular point of view, I am reasonably certain I can argue his side every bit as well as I can argue mine. (I'm not opposed to reading your author, but I have only so much time to read anything these days and select what I will read carefully.)

My problem is not with criticism or opposing opinions or views. My problem is with those who seem to have nothing but criticism and opposing views, who hold the president and his administration in utter contempt, and especially those who hold in contempt any who support the president and his administration. There is special venom reserved for those those who defend the president and his administration as passionately as the left condemns it. What manner of person refuses to see or acknowledge any good whatsoever? I think only the ignorant or those consumed with blind prejudice and hate.

The constant oneupmanship and insult slinging does not contribute to constructive or civil discourse. Until cooler heads and more objective insights prevail, there can be no reasoning together to find solutions for real problems.

I still think you're pretty cool though, Blatham

but honestly Blatham, it seems apparent that if I continue to read and listen to all the information I can get, I will soon be lost to the hell of becoming a "Bush Basher" and acquire more venom than is treatable at my local no-longer funded clinic unless I re-up my dues at the local young republicans club and this time they may check my ID for age appropriate admission (although I did buy a new pair of Dockers and a stipped shirt with solid colour collar-I may have to get a regimental stripe tie to match) so what do you think B, should I trade the Porsche in for a Beemer?

Sounds like they're only broadcasting in places that are pretty much reliably Democratic anyway ... not much impact on affecting public opinion in places relevant for the elections?

I like it and agree with blatham that Al Franken is funny and doing a good job.

On the other hand why do they have to copy what's his name. I get tired of all the yelling and screaming talk stuff.

ALREADY MAKING EXCUSES FOR LIB RADIO

Years ago the Richard B. Russell Federal Office Building was built in Atlanta. The taxpayers, of course, were forced to spend millions of dollars on ugly artwork for the building. One work of "art" consisted of a large torn piece of canvas with paint splattered all over it. When contractors were doing the final cleanup they came upon this work of art. Mistaking it for an old painter's drop cloth they threw it in a dumpster. When the artist discovered his precious piece of work in a dumpster he threw what only could be described as a "hissy fit." He told anyone who cared to listen that the people in charge of the post-construction cleanup, and most of the ordinary citizens out there, just weren't sophisticated enough to appreciate such an artistic masterpiece. To this day that piece of dog squeeze hanging on the wall of the Russell office building is referred to as the "drop cloth."

So .. how does this apply to the new effort to create a liberal talk radio network? Last week Carl Quintanilla claimed that talk host Michael Reagan said that liberals are "too nuanced" in their views to be entertaining to listeners. That's not what Reagan said. Michael Reagan said that liberals were too boring. It was Quintanilla who came up with the "too-nuanced" line.

What they're saying here is that most people just can't understand the subtle thoughts being expressed by the likes of Al Franken and the liberal talk lineup. We're just not smart enough ... or, as the artist said, we just aren't sophisticated enough to appreciate liberal thought.

Yeah ... that works. Those stupid conservatives just need to be taken care of by people who are a lot smarter than they are .. people who know what America really needs. More government.

Franken should invite Dennis Miller as a guest. Now THAT would be entertaining.

dys

I could not presume to advise you on life-path. However, I hold the following truths to be self-evident:

a) citizens should go to clinics weekly. But if without medical coverage, they should at least get naked and walk through the car-wash paying the extra one dollar for "Raid House and Garden Now Being Applied". (As a side note, I personally recommend, if one can afford it, the "Front and Rear Bumper-Buff" option...you'll come out the nether end debugged AND delighted).

b) Bush-Bashingness is not hellish. Rather, it is like unto a soothing balm. It is, all in all, the best of balms, better by magnitudes than even the Balm of Gilead. When the fates conspire, and like some highwayman rip from your very bosom e'ent the last red beating pulse of hope, turning all to naught but grey and empty slander, and apparitions dost appear as Ashcroft and Rumsfeldstern in bare bodkin looming frighteningly out of the cold fog, and to tup it all off, maid Dianne has hastened to a faith-based nunnery e'r the pale has risen o'er barren day, then all that is rotten needs bashing exceedingly.

c) dockers and regimental tie...remember those words when you wait my arrival in San Francico