The Air America Cruise: BIAS & a Kick in the Pants for only 4200.00 a Couple!

LulaMay

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Thu Mar-13-08 04:07 AM
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The Air America Cruise: BIAS & a Kick in the Pants for only 4200.00 a Couple!

My husband and I went on the Air America cruise. We were so excited, being faithful fans since the early days. We'd paid in November to go, a lot of money for us, before the primary got so heated up. When we first considered going, we hadn't a thought, or reason to think our favorite 'liberal' radio show and hosts would be biased for one candidate or another.

By the time February swung around, I was nervous about going. Randi, Rachel, and pal KO, had all been showing bias for Obama in their commentary, and against Hillary. Only Thom Hartmann seemed above the fray.

Our worst fears were realized in short order.

Here's what we got for our 4200.00 from Air America: a poolside cocktail followed by a great big kick in the pants, ie: You're not really welcome here!

In the very 1st meeting, station mgr. Mark Green made it extremely clear that this was going to be a trip for Obama supporters, Hillary people need not apply. After praising Obama, he commanded everyone to raise their hands if they were for Obama, and then for Hillary. The Hillary supporters were made to feel like minority outcasts.

Some people didn't go to another event. My husband did, to try and speak up, keep some fairness in the discussions, but got pretty disgusted. I'd had it after two experiences.

The kicker was a panel where the topic was how the media was affecting politics, the primary. Nobody even mentioned sexism and the Hillary bashing/bias by Matthew's, Shuster, Olbermann, Russert, etc....

Of course not! Why would they do that? That would mean they'd have to talk about their own bias on Air America, how they rarely discuss sexism or how it's been used to bash Hillary, while showcasing ridiculously biased Obama fever.

It was the most disingenuous 'political' forum I've ever been to.

At one point, another couple got together with us to approach the meeting organizers and ask for a Hillary supporters meeting, like a casual sidebar discussion afterwards. My husband did most of the talking when we asked. They seemed incredulous, but said 'okay', they'd announce it.

As we were walking into the meeting, I saw out of the corner of my eye that Mark Green and Randi had been standing behind us and heard what was said.

The first thing Mark Green did in the meeting was to say "I was told there was A WOMAN who was UNHAPPY about Hillary supporters feeling left out, unrepresented. There was a request for a meeting, so if THAT PERSON WILL GIVE ME HER NAME, I'll address it." I laughed out loud, and Sharon, a brilliant LMFT who was THE WOMAN in Mark Greens doctored versions of events, just turned and rolled her eyes at me.

It was like Mark Green thought he was the CIA! His tone was tinged with anger and intimidation. Randi was sitting next to him and said not a word. I guess it was okay by her, even though she'd seen what happened and that at least FOUR people, men AND women, had asked for the meeting.

I didn't go to another event, except the last meet and greet to talk to Hartmann and Paul Krugman, who looked like he did not want to be there.

It was the most ridiculously biased, closed minded, divisive liberal political event I'd ever been to. AND IT WAS OUR VACATION! They didn't even have the common courtesy to recognize that everybody had paid a lot of money to come, extra money to be part of the Air America meetings, and that they should keep things unbiased, open, welcoming to all, so everyone could enjoy it! No, they had not a care.

We simply could not believe it, and were entirely disappointed as 'fans'. I haven't listened much at all since we got back, and I hear from my husband it's only become worse.

In the end, I didn't mind missing meetings and drinking a cocktail while sunlit waves rolled by.

I realized it was really a pretty dumb way to spend one's vacation anyway,

but the nerve!