Air America. Where are the lies?

[devilgrrl]

Howdy. Just a challenge to those who think Air America is such a major disappointment. I keep hearing people whining that they don't like Al Franken, or find Randi Rhodes to be too brash, that Ed Schultz isn't far enough to the left, Mike Malloy is too emotional, etc...

That very well may be true but I beg for those critics to point out any outright lies and distortions brought forth by AAR personalities, especially in comparison to Limbaugh, Hannity, Igraham, fuckin' Dr. Laura and the rest of the miscreants on the right. Come on naysayers! Let's hear about all the lies!

[Teaser]

1. The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good

and always has been for the left.

[trotsky]

5. Amen to that. n/t

[undeterred]

2. I don't hear AAR being criticized for lies so much as for hyperbole

and references to Nazism.

[Vyan]

8. Fascist - is what they usually say...

but when it comes to true "Nazi" hypocrisy - I have to go with Sen Rick Santorum (R)

Despite having previously condemned Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) for invoking Adolf Hitler and asserting that a Republican could never get away with such rhetoric, Fox News host Sean Hannity chose to ignore Sen. Rick Santorum's (R-PA) comparison of Senate Democrats to Hitler, though Byrd's Hitler reference occurred in a statement about the very same topic.

Santorum said on the Senate floor May 19 that Democratic complaints about the "nuclear option" to ban judicial filibusters are "the equivalent of Adolf Hitler in 1942 saying: I'm in Paris, how dare you invade me, how dare you bomb my city. It's mine." Even after co-host Alan Colmes quoted the remark on the May 19 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes and former Reagan Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork, who appeared as a guest on the show, called it inappropriate, Hannity declined to condemn it.

Vyan
http://vyan.blogspot.com

[FreedomAngel82]

19. Of course

Go figure. :eyes: "But those mean old democrats did it too!" :eyes:

[devilgrrl]

10. Well founded hyperbole and references!

:-|

[undeterred]

13. I agree

I imagine most people who are on the right and listen to AAR don't stay long enough to listen to the whole context of what someone is saying.

Comparing the Bush administration to the Hitler regime or to a mafia family isn't simply name calling. There are real legitimate parallels.

[Mr Rabble]

3. Ed Schultz isnt on Air America.

But your point is well taken.

[devilgrrl]

9. Ed Schultz is broadcast on several AAR affiliates...

I don't know what else to tell you.

[Vyan]

11. Ed Schultz

as well as Stephanie Miller, is a member of the Jones Radio Network, not Air America. Jones and AAR share some affiliates, but they are independant of each other.

Vyan
http://vyan.blogspot.com

[tavalon]

45. Bless you Devilgrrl

I just bought one of your t-shirts. Cafe Press rocks! You rock!

[Eric J in MN]

58. Ed Schultz is produced/syndicated by Jones, but he's broadcast

on Air America Minnesota.

[Fleshdancer]

4. I love Air America

I didn't know people here were complaining about it. You're right about the lack of lies. Perhaps it's because the personalities on AAR don't act as if their opinion trumps fact. Even the "brash" Randi Rhodes (my favorite by the way) always cites sources and will tell people where to go to read the articles she's discussing. I can't say I've ever heard Hannity/Limbaugh etc do that.

[FreedomAngel82]

20. That's what I like

I like them doing that and Malloy does it too. That way I can check it out myself and share it with other people. I can also read along with them too. ;)

[LaPera]

31. I love AAR...I despise people trying to tear it down and destroy it...

The usual slime that hangs around, lingers, always trying to subvert for the right-wing cause. Moles!

[peacetalksforall]

6. I think we need a new Forum = LATEST BREAKING LIES - LBL

I think a fitting name for this administration could be TBL - THE BIG LIE Administration.

Reading about Deepthroat, I am beginning to think that my country is SICK. We always think that our problems are with the current President and the people surrounding him and that it will get better if we just vote one out and another in.

We have been sick for decades.

What is so superior about our country.

The little people and a handful of their leaders.

Thanks to AAR. We should support it more with each passing day. Let's hope that there are youth who know about it who want to go there and beyond.

[SteppingRazor]

7. To be fair, there are some distortions...

Randi comes to mind immediately. She has a tendency to hear the basics about a story, then go off on it and start throwing out numbers and facts not supported by the story itself.

For the record, though, you won't find me among the AAR naysayers. Love the station.

[Kurovski]

46. I'll admit to sometimes being a bit dense,

but don't facts and numbers support a story and not so much the other way around?

Do you mean you've heard her make up facts?

Could you please give one example of which you speak, for the sake of clarity?

I have heard AAR broadcasters correct themselves in the past. As we all do occasionally make mistakes, this is commendable and a pleasant change of pace from the usual in our media.

My understanding and experience is that Ms. Rhodes in particular checks out the facts of a story before expounding on it. But I don't tune in every day. Perhaps you caught something I missed?

"Distortions" are more of a conscious choice than an error. If you could give an example of what you are saying, I'd appreciate it as I'm personally unclear as to what exactly you are attempting to convey in your post. Thanks! :-)

[ElkHunter]

12. No Air America basher here...

...count me in among the networks biggest fans. We've suffered for more than a dozen years of an AM radio dial dominated by the likes of Rush Limbaugh and his clones. Why in the hell, then, would I want to bash Air America??? My work allows employees to wear radio headsets on the job so I am able to listen to the local AAR affiliate from the time I get in the car each morning until I arrive back home. Whatever AAR's shortcomings, it is certainly better than the alternative...which happens to be rightwing hatemongering.

[Protagoras]

14. pointing out brashness or providing a critique

of a delivery or approach of an AAR personality is not equivalent to implying they are lying.

The question appears to be based on some sort of confused non-equivalence. If someone is actually saying AAR lies then that's legitimate...but you set up the question to in effect discourage anyone from holding anything other than a 100% positive opinion of the personalities on AAR.

Someone can dislike the deliveray of ANYONE on AAR without believing they are lying. Someone can see a flaw in their message without holding that they are = Dr. Laura.

And someone can see all of the flaws in the Hosts on AAR and still not believe AAR is a disappointment.

I love AAR. And I think many of the Hosts could deliver their messages better. I think my feedback is important. And I think I'm entitled to think Randi is both brilliant and overly brash in her delivery. But that has nothing to do with lies.

[Coastie for Truth]

15. San Francisco - Oakland - San Jose Market, I went from KGO to AAR

I am in the San Francisco - Oakland - San Jose market. And I have switched from KGO (including Bernie Ward and Ray Taliafero) to KQKE (Air America and Jones).

That's my vote.

(Karel is the only KGO personality that I still listen to)

[napi21]

25. I listen to a lot of AAR, but I also stream KGO.

I like Bernie Ward, and the guy who comes on after him in the wee hours of the AM. I have KGO on all night!

[Coastie for Truth]

26. Ray Taliafero

"the guy who comes on after him in the wee hours of the AM" - Ray Taliafero

[enigmatic]

33. Ray T was a godsend to me..

When I was living in Spokane in the late 80's; I used to get the skip most nights of KGO and was hooked..

[ailsagirl]

36. Same here, Coastie. I listen to KQKE almost exclusively.

(When I'm not listening to Dylan, that is)

:evilgrin:

[ailsagirl]

37. You know what's interesting? I don't think I have ever heard

anyone here speak of Sam and Jeanne (I know I'm misspelling her name)

And what about Jerry Springer?

[Kurovski]

47. There's a veritable Garafolo fan club here at DU

and newbie Mr. Springer has been discussed a good deal.

It's hard work to keep up with all the AAR discussion here at DU. It would make Mr. Bush's head throb.

[GiovanniC]

16. They Should START LYING

It works for Rush and Hannity and Savage.

If it takes ten seconds to tell a lie and two minutes to explain the truth... the people want the lie. Call me cynical, but that's what I see.

[dxstone]

17. IMO, Air America is our very best hope...

When the truth is on your side, lies are more than pointless; they are antithetical to your aim, which is simply to provide that unvarnished truth... no need to dissemble (or disassemble, as * says) when there's a plethora of actual facts to support your argument...
Those who have issues with the styles of the various hosts on AA seem to be missing the important point that most Americans are utterly illiterate, and even the majority of those who are not still prefer to get their news in the most passive way possible, i.e., having it read to them while they recline in a Barcalounger...
Which is why I think that Air America is our VERY best hope for awakening the slumbering masses to the truth of what's happened to their country...
Personally, I can't understand having any problem with it at all; there's a wide variety of personalities there, all triangulating their fire (so to speak) at the same targets, and all doing a fine job of it...
After all those years stuck in Limbaugh Limbo, I don't see how anyone of genuine progressive spirit could have any real argument with Air America, except that it's still not everywhere yet... but I'm in Cleveland, fer chrissakes, and it's even here now, on regular radio!... makes me so happy, I don't even mind the tons of commercials!...
We should all be more supportive of this groundbreaking and vital new forum, the VERY FIRST OF ITS KIND!... AND of those hosts, who are truly brave souls all...
...I'm just surprised the Butch Machine hasn't managed to shut 'er down yet...
Great post, devilgrrl! You GO!
D
ps: Kicked & nominated!

[FreedomAngel82]

18. Just wanted to make a correction

Ed Shultz isn't part of AAR. He may be on the same station in some area's but he isn't on their rooster.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Batgirl]

23. at first I though I must be seeing things

This incoherent word chowder actually blames the Dems for, among other evils, the "new math"???

It's funny in a pitiable kind of way...

[LynnTheDem]

56. Yeah, the new math. You know.

Where 1 + 1 must be made to = 2.

It's that damned librul REALITY-BASED shit. *sneer*

[funkybutt]

22. I'd kill for an AAR affilliate down here in New Orleans

I don't know what to do about it. How can Orleans Parish, who went almost 80% for Kerry STILL be without AAR on the air. The people down here NEED to be educated and given some REAL news....using the airwaves that belong to us all. This is a poor city, so most can't afford to stream it through the web.

You won't hear me complaining about AAR. I don't think it's perfect, but what is?

[La Coliniere]

30. Same here....

in Buffalo. Very democratic city has only right-wing wackos 24/7. Limpballs, Dr. Laura, Laura Ingraham etc. Even the loudmouth local talk DJs are repug idiots. We get Democracy Now and a few progressive talk shows from a Niagara Falls AM station. That amounts to a mere 1-3 hours of progressive programming Mon-Fri. Oh yeah, we also get fair and balanced NPR.
Glad we have the Internets.

[Vyan]

50. They'll get there...

just be patient, they've added 50 affliates in a year and that's saying something.

What I find interesting is what I'm seeing in LA. They have several AAR broadcasts on Progressive Talk 1150 AM, intercut with Stephanie and Ed from the Jones Network (so that's TWO National Progressive Networks), plus on the weekends they now have local LA progressives Steve Wendell and Dr. Firpo Carr. Are other cities starting to generate their own local programming? If so, it means we building a farm team system of progressive personalities and that in a few years there might be two or more progressives stations in many major markets. Wouldn't that be something, eh?

Vyan
http://vyan.blogspot.com

[welshTerrier2]

24. AAR isn't perfect; but it's great ...

i don't ALWAYS like Al Franken ... and at times i've liked Sergeant Schultz more than Ed Schultz ... and at times some of the dialog resorts more to name calling than reasoned arguments ...

but it just doesn't matter ... finally we have a voice ... finally there is news that tells what the MSM doesn't tell ...

we need to support AAR and understand that it's still in its infancy ... it's OK to criticize AAR and highlight its shortcomings ... constructive criticism should always be tolerated ... but it's important to recognize that AAR is on our side ...

[Batgirl]

29. you got that right

My hat is off to any and all public figures who speak out, especially the ones who did so back when there was a real risk of being "Dixie Chick'd". I doubt I'll ever get over what it felt like when the Bush admin. was whipping up public support for the invasion of Iraq. The public condemnation of anyone who stepped out of line to even question the lies we were being told. The way each and every person who expressed any doubts or criticism, was tied to the media whipping post so all of the overpaid pundits/whitehouse mouthpieces could take turns bravely stepping up to take part in the public canings.

The people who spoke up at that time showed real courage, not the false, paper thin bluster/bravado of O'Reilly etc.

I so admire the efforts of Air America. They have guts and gallantry, plus, since many of them were radio newcomers, embarking on something that's never been done before, they had to realize they were going to be involved in a very visible learning curve. It takes genuine inner strength and power to be willing to expose imperfection and vulnerability on a public stage.

[Kurovski]

53. That is correct welshTerrier2, "it doesn't matter."

The message, not the personalities or squabbles is what is most important.

And that is how The RW will try to knock down AAR. With nit-picking bad-mouthing on picayune points. They really don't want any part of the political discussion that AAR opens up, so they will attack the personalities and attempt to paint them as "mis-informed."

There is someone for everyone at AAR, it's easy to just plain not tune in if someone rubs you the wrong way. Me? I love 'em all.

But then, I'm what you call a "people person." ;-)

[FredStembottom]

64. It seems to be a Liberal tendency....

to be upset by strong political speech. I can't get any Liberals I know to listen to AAR! They take one 2 minute listen and shudder. I'll admit to being a little stunned by AAR at first, too.
I think for Liberals of my approximate age (48), who grew up with Liberalism as the default values system in most of America, it is unpleasant to think that we must now fight like hell for these values. The loud voices on AAR just drive that unpleasant reality home.

In addition, I think many of us survived the last 20 years by consigning Talk Radio to about the same level of sophistication as Pro Wrestling. With good reason - conservative Talk resembles Pro Wrestling's adolescent morality vignette's in many ways!

And so the shorthand for Liberals became too simple: Impassioned radio voice = stupid, deceptive speech. (There is more than a little class consciousness involved in that calculation!)

But to not recognize the vast and stunning improvement in content behind the impassioned voices at AAR is just wrong. I have hosts I don't like as much as others - Al gets too sleepy for me at times - Malloy doing angry baby-talk will never be my cup o' tea - but I still like them all for simply speaking! Speaking for us, dammit! And speaking up as accurately as possible against the totally unhinged fantasies of Right-wing radio.

We must all stick together as never before. Let the diversity of voice stylings on AAR be a little practice run for all Liberals as we learn to hear the _content_ of the speech no matter who the speaker is. We all get to talk. Truck drivers like me as well as college professors - and we're going to sound noticeably different to each other.

As we Liberals band together as never before, everyone will have to meet everyone else. And my Blue-collar life just might make me louder and angrier in my Liberal speech than someone else's. But Liberal speech it still is.

[Zinfandel]

27. Liberals eat their own, stupid fucks- AAR is excellent-Thom Hartmann

is the best show on the air, anywhere, and he's not on AAR...HE SHOULD BE! But Hartmann's show is on the same time as Franken's.

Thom Hartmann is amazing, informative, very sharp, handles freepers like no one else, is really as great as one could hope...NO ONE is better.

Hartmann ALWAYS has answers to problems...not just pontificating as some others, constantly do, hmmmm...

Ed Schultz sucks the big one.

I also love AAR's passionate Mike Malloy, and Randi Rhodes is always wonderful & entertaining.

AAR is the ONLY national liberal voice we have...of course, the right and moderates want to destroy it.

People who stomp on AAR are not liberals or progressives, they are republican supporters or worse, middle of the road fucking moderates.

I suggest we ALL support Air America Radio.

www.airamericaradio.com

[Kurovski]

49. Maybe Thom Hartmann can replace

Al Franken when he embarks upon his political career?

I'd vote for that move.

[ElectroPrincess]

28. I quit listening to AAR since they fired LiZZ Winstead ... corporate BS

[Protagoras]

38. what do you listen to now?

found a radio or TV station that advances any causes you do like that are free of BS?

[zann725]

59. Yeah, I miss Liz too. And they moved "Morning Sedition" to 3:00am in LA!

While I appreciate AAR, some of their corporate decisions lately are disgruntling, to say the least.

And they NEVER respond to "input" emails from listeners. Not even a "form" reply.

[dxstone]

32. No third nomination to put this on the Greatest page?

There are like NINE stories there on what a doofus Butch is, but THIS subject ain't gonna make the cut?
Sad...
PLEASE, SOMEONE OUT THERE NOMINATE THIS, WILL YA?
It needs to be seen by more people...
d

[Singular73]

34. Look, I'm a moderate....

Rhandi Rhodes is pure gold.

Franken? Meh.

Giorofolloaomg? Meh.

Springer? Not bad. Little repetative, and too forgiving, but not bad.

And this is coming from a moderate (fiscal conservative, social liberal, hater of corruption and pork)

[ailsagirl]

40. I think that each host has done much to further the cause

Naturally, we all have our favorites, but I have listened to every show at one time or another and can vouch for each of them because they really do help the cause. There are a lot of good ol' boys who would NEVER listen to Franken, yet they're comfortable listening/talking to Shultz (sp?). Each host has a special audience within the liberal community.

[Kurovski]

52. And you know, singular73,

that's the great thing about Randi Rhodes, even a true conservative can listen to her and find some agreement. She would rather bring the opposition into some agreement as Americans than trample and bury them out of partisanship.

I sense her enormous respect for all thinking Americans.

[Pirate Smile]

35. I love AAR and Stephanie Miller and Ed Shultz.

Who's bitching?

Thankfully they are around now. What a difference a year makes.

[nolabels]

65. Some of it could use a little more polish

But if the audience grows even more they could get bigger budgets and hire more consultants (hopefully left leaning) to make it better.

Some would prefer them to be this or that, but they have to sell it to the largest audience possible, so give em a break, at least something gets out there a little bit now.

[lonestarnot]

39. Love AAR but not paying to listen to it!

[ailsagirl]

41. No AAR in your neck of the woods?? Bummer

Are you in Texas? Your name makes me think you are, but the "not" makes me think you're not.
:shrug: :smoke:

[lonestarnot]

43. No in AZ, but I read, maybe misread that not sirus but the other pay radio

crap had bought them out or made a deal...I just keep listening until it's gone.

[Vyan]

48. Listen on the net via the stream!

[lonestarnot]

51. Yes will

[Roxy66]

42. Please..... Air America is a God-Send!!!!!

Hey everyone.....need some inspiration? Read this....


http://68.178.151.30/amstreet/archives/2005/05/29/if-pe... /

"Their arguments will grow tired as a new and fresher voice will emerge. Be patient where we are now because the preparation has just begun. Air America is flying high in the twilight summer air, like a magnificent dove, its white feathered wings spread across the majestic skies. They try to extinguish it but the match has been lit. The tremors have begun; a rippling effect is in motion. Even Pat Robertson’s God cannot stop the coming storm."

[arikara]

44. I've listened to it online

and I like Al Franken and Randi Rhodes and the others. My problem is with all their advertising. I don't know if its as bad listening to it live; but it seems like there's only one minute of program for every 5 minutes of repetitious ads.

I shut off the TV for that reason too.

[womanofthehills]

54. I love Randi Rhodes & have heard no whining about AA

She is really up on her information and the most entertaining of all for me. I am bummed because I listen to her on Sirius so i guess I'll switch over to XM but I hear they don't carry her whole show.

[Kurovski]

55. From one Randi fan to another,

Welcome to Du, womanofthehills! :hi:

[cry baby]

57. I LOVE THEM ALL!

Any patriot brave, strong, and smart enough to take on the right wing hate radio is aces in my book!

[patricia92243]

60. Unfortunatly, we Democrats have a tendacy to "eat our own" or "circular

firing squad" etc. That's one of the main reasons we aren't winning elections. :(

[mandyky]

61. Not only AAR doesn't lie but they don't project

Rush especially takes an article or whatever and then talks about how liberals think. (like he knows how we think) AAR talk about what actually happens or has been done by politicians. We _ARE_ kind of hard on the Rapturite fundies but because they are DING THINGS like trying to have teaching of evolution banned, discriminate against gays, etc.

Because of the projection of the right the word liberal is dirty, people believe Dems are anti-American, we are closet bigots because we don't confirm "minortity" judges, etc. All those things are projections, assigning emotions and motives on us.

At AAR the shows are REALLY well researched and delivered. I still think Unfiltered was one of the best shows they had on, and I like the day shows better than the evening / night shows. I don't dislike Mike, Randi, or Janeane, but they just screech too much for my taste.
One thing that AAR does need to do though is have at least one hour of call-ins. Randi and Mike are the only shows that do this regularly.

[Pacifist Patriot]

62. Wah! I want them to be picked up in Orlando.

Key West and West Palm aren't powerful enough to reach me.

Perfection is overrated.

[melissinha]

63. How about Morning Sedition

My AM station had a BAD signal today.... I so missed my Marc and Mark... I mean.... MArron and Riley??MArron is a crazy brilliant man.... and he's got his straight man Riley... its wonderful.
"alright neocons, its MArk the Shark Marron!..... back to Toby Keith"

And although Springer is a little too forgiving and diplomatic... he is diplomatic and handles dissenters VERY WELL... He manages to create themes for his entire show and does a good job supporting them.

I miss Unfiltered though... when I get an Ipod,I am so going to Podcast Rachel.....

No lies, thats what they do to divert attention frow their own.