My concerns about Air America Radio (the liberal talk station)

[mot78]

I'm glad they're launching soon, and I'll listen to them religiously when they do, but I'm concerned about a few things on their network.

I'm afraid that we'll get, for the majority of the programs, mealy-mouthed, milquetoast hosts who will try more to explain things intellectually and sort issues out in a more complex manner. Because of this, I'm afraid we might wind up with more Donahues and Cuomos. However, Al Franken and Randi Rhodes will still be the most successful irregardless, since we already know they're funny as hell.

Another problem is the stations they bought up. My of them don't have signals that go nearly as far as the Conservative stations (WLIB, the NYC affiliate won't go very far into Jersey, but will go out far across the LI Sound.) Also, many of the stations being bought up a minority-centered (WLIB is a Caribbean station, while the LA station is Korean. I heard the Chicago station is Hispanic) I'm wondering if this will cause some problems, since some will say we're screwing over minorities by buying their stations.

[bluestateguy]

1. There lies the problem

Liberal ideas tend to not soundbite as well as conservative ideas do. Liberals tend to want to nuance everything, while conservatives are capable of bumper stickering every issue. That style is more conducive to talk radio.

[mot78]

4. Yes and only Franken and Rhodes could deliver on that issue

Rhodes moreso than Franken. I'm pissed that this lineup seems to fill that "Liberals are a bunch of intellectuals who have positions too complicated to explain to an anti-intellectual public" theory.

[tinanator]

14. Not hardly

Listening to Hard Knock Radio this afternoon I was struck by what a perfect opportunity for this sort of broadcasting that show is.
Dont shortchange the talent that is already out there doing it without and literally against big money backers.

[roguevalley]

2. listen for me. it won't reach alaska. But we do have the iraqi spy girl

so we're getting on the map anyway.

[metisnation]

3. Stern Stern hey there!!!

I want to ask all the extremely progressive people in here to please let this guy in because he can move those swing votes. Tune into him he has seen the light!! Ask any Republican turned Democrat in here.

:kick:

[Lindsey]

5. We MUST be strong and Jesus Christ guys...

as my sis says, "all we have to do it TELL THE TRUTH!!!!!!

[PassingFair]

15. Yeck, Howard Stern makes me want to puke

I say, give us HOWARD DEAN! I would listen everyday!
He would be in a position to expose the corruption of the bushies, whilst holding corporatist dems' feet to the fire to do the right thing.

[Pax Argent]

6. My feeling is that unless it is really funny or informative it won't work

The Right needs to constantly be told that they are just, right, and true and that they are the victims in this piece, or else guilt and doubt may creep in. Liberals don't have the need for constant affirmation of their beliefs that the right does. If it isn't funny or informative, it likely won't work, as libs will just go back to the internet or wherever in the wilderness they currently reside.

For the record, Howard Stern is doing great right now. We couldn't have asked for a more funny yet provocative voice on the air. I'll be writing a letter to the local station playing his show this weekend lauding them on their bravery and supporting his continued broadcasting.

[WitchWay]

7. the kind of media the country needs

Is definitely NOT liberal radio or right wing radio.

This "liberal radio" thing makes me really angry and concerned.

It is a quick bandaid solution to a much bigger problem and that is the issue of media monopolies in this country. The democrats should fight tooth and nail to put an end to the problem of media monopolies and media control.

There should be MANY more independent outlets of media (not just one liberal station) that are not dominated by corporte interests or finances, or any sort of big money.

The media giants have to be broken down into size, and there needs to be more public media and more people insistent that the rest of the media really does provide news that is for the public (not the corporate) interest. Remember, those airwaves and radiowaves are things we, as citizens, own.

Besides, is this just going to be a left version of right wing radio? That would really stink, because it would be stooping to their level. The way things stand, I feel this sort of programming would only further marginalize progressive voices, and ultimately cenoor out anti-corporate discussion. It's not going to stop the democratic party from taking corporate money, that's for certain.

[AmandaRuth]

8. liberal radio

will do fine if it can feel and portray the same justifiable anger we all feel. The middle class matters.


question is, will it come to the Sea/Tac area anytime soon?

[pleft]

9. Yes I'm worried about this line up

There is nobody on there that can talk to middle, working class America...(with the exception, perhaps, of Rhodes). They need somebody that can talk to the truck driver and the auto worker. The current line up will get the urban hip crowd as well as some graduate students, but no one in that line up can speak to meat and potatoes Democratic voters (IMHOP). What about getting that guy from North Dakota (I've forgotten his name) who is apparently very popular in that part of the country and whose claim to fame is that he can attract "alpha males" to Liberalism. I'm afraid this channel will further alienate the exact type of voters we need to attract. We need the white working class families who suffer from under conservative economic programs, but view Liberals puny yuppies.

[mot78]

10. I think you're right bout that

Some of the hosts (no offense Garafalo) are the kind of "Hollywood elites" that serve as RW bunching bags.

[newyawker99]

18. Hi pleft!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[messiah]

11. Moderate and right of center liberal talk radio

Moderates trying to counter right-wing radicals is very a funny and dangerous idea.

[WillyBrandt]

13. Yeah, only fruits can counter nuts

:eyes:

[messiah]

16. At least give me a Mike Malloy and a Thom Hartmann

but hey if they are fruits then so be it.

[caledesi]

12. Jeanie Garafaolo is no lightweight! nt

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

21. amen!

"With apologies to Robert Byrd, I have to say it is pretty embarrassing to live in a country where a five-foot- one comedian has more guts than most politicians."
--Tim Robbins


shameless plug here

my interview w/ her in which she unloads on bush, hannity, coulter, miller, and the rest of the rw propaganda machine is still available
www.bejeezuszine.com

[arewethereyet]

17. I think the idea is to go for comedy and entertainment

leave the droning to NPR

[flaminbats]

19. I would listen to Cuomo over Rogers any day!

I'm afraid that we'll get, for the majority of the programs, mealy-mouthed, milquetoast hosts who will try more to explain things intellectually and sort issues out in a more complex manner. Because of this, I'm afraid we might wind up with more Donahues and Cuomos. However, Al Franken and Randi Rhodes will still be the most successful irregardless, since we already know they're funny as hell.

I get sick of hearing this kind of National Enquirer stuff, subjects like Bigfoot, debates over sayings we hate most..whether or not they are joking this is what gives liberal talk radio a bad name! I prefer the Mike Malloy style..in which the radio host picks a political subject of interest to the audience, and tosses the ball into the callers' court.

The last thing liberals need to be associated with if they want to be taken seriously on the issues are more freak shows with flying saucers and Elvis! :crazy:

It's great being funny, as long as liberalism doesn't become the joke..

[9119495]

20. I think Chuck D will be interesting.

I think laborers will respond to what will likely be a populist message. He will bring up many issues of corporate maleficence. He is great on ideas of "the common good" (community reinvestment for example).

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

22. where is hightower?

he's one of the best communicators on our side and has proven to be successful in radio

contrary to what coulter says he didn't 'fail on the air'. he was the fastest growing talk show in radio history and was overtaking rush in some markets. he was only canned for criticizing the disney merger on abc's airwaves

ratings had nothing to do with it

[ronnykmarshall]

23. KBLA - 1580 Los Angeles

Interesting to note, the web page for that station currently is for a Korean language station. But yesterday I was setting my radio for and it's SPANISH???

Must be a station that has changed owners over and over.

Can't wait for it to start. My dial will be stuck there for now on.

[sugarcookie]

24. Ed Schultz?

I have not listened to him but my father saw him on some talk shows awhile back and really liked him.

Also, I live in the Texas coastal area, south of Houston, will they have anything in my area?