Monday Air America Scandal Updates
Diversionary Tactics
Why AAR Loves Cindy, Randi Wants Private Jet
Why have so few on the left been willing to admit Air America Radio might be an ideological liability?
So far, the Radio Equalizer has been wrong in predicting New York Times and AP scandal coverage would force liberals to try new ways to defend the network. Instead, it's still about insults and claims of a made-up story.
Air America's own strategy is now about diversionary tactics, with Cindy Sheehan's rabid supporters in Crawford and one of the network's hosts providing needed cover. If enough people can be convinced AAR's programming is responsible for the activity around the Bush family ranch, it might be a sign the network is in fact viable.
Misleading the Flock
For others, however, it continues to be a strategy of misleading the flock about the sleazy scandal, which saw $875,000 diverted from a Bronx-based community nonprofit, to Air America's coffers. Read the comments section below, if you must.
Is this simply another phase in the left's ongoing public meltdown?
In two weeks of covering this scandal, I've received only one email from a liberal worried about its impact and saw just a single Daily Kos post taking the same approach.
Meanwhile, Franken's playing Pied Piper, leading overly trusting supporters to believe it's really a Republican plot to ruin liberal talk radio, cooked up from the network's first days by Evan Cohen of Guam.
Privately, there must be a number of concerned Democrats and liberals, wondering just how this is going to ultimately play out. Sadly for them, it's not likely to fade soon.
Randi Rhodes Pushes Posh "Woodstock" Strategy
In the last few days, Air America staffers have felt they could divert attention away from the scandal, by playing up their supposed role in the Crawford/Cindy Sheehan ruckus.
Host Randi Rhodes, previously investigated for alleged Presidential threats made on her show, is said to be leading the charge.
Rhodes has her own strategy: boost her personal standing with the company, through an offer to help deflect attention.
Minor consideration requested: one of the private jets owned by AAR executives.
The Radio Equalizer has obtained a memo outlining her demands (names of staffers have been changed here to initials):
From: Randi Rhodes
To: D G , G K
Sent: Sun Aug 14 12:04:19 2005
Hi D/G
D
There are two to three thousand people currently in Crawford!!. It started with 12 people! B estimates 90% are Randi listeners from all over the country!
Steve Earle is very popular in Crawford! I want to go and do my show live next Friday from Camp Casey. It's a hard remote but I can try to figure it out with G. I'm thinking about the details now...
D, Do you think Steve Earle would perform next Friday night or Saturday?
Also, transporation is an issue, because it will take me a whole day to travel. I don't want to miss a day on the air, and lose momentum. Flight to Dallas, on to Waco and then to Craford by car. So I was hoping that someone in the company would let me use their jet? I could take Steve with me and leave after Thursday's show.
B needs an extra cell phone asap. He's giving out his personal number to strangers.
A sleepy summer has turned into Woodstock!!
Need lot's of help now.
Love ALLways,
Randi
Rhodes was cashing in on a Sunday Washington Post story, which appeared to give Air America credit for at least some of the crowd currently camped out in Crawford.
Air America's management was said to be thrilled by the positive Post coverage, especially since the paper has avoided covering the Gloria Wise scandal, even though Washington has an Air America station.
Michelle Malkin has an update on the Sheehan/ Air America tie-in here.
Hopes Story Will Fade
Beyond positive press coverage, Air America's hope appears to be that the story will fade away, without a significant investigation into many unexplored areas of their business practices.
While it was likely a disappointment to see New York Times and AP coverage over the weekend, the good news for AAR was the lazy approach taken, where new information wasn't uncovered.
Meanwhile, some additional, noteworthy coverage today:
--- (Washington) PostWatch notes that while many newspapers ran David Caruso's AP story on their websites, few actually added it to their national print coverage.
--- Professor Bainbridge wonders if New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer would really risk his liberal donor base by going after Air America. After all, he's running for governor. Could this inaction be what saves the company?
---Patterico wants to get to the bottom of how the New York Times got taken by an inaccurate Franken quote. Who supplied it to the paper? They've since run a retraction, but who's behind the trick?
Update: Welcome Captain's Quarters readers! Captain Ed takes this piece and runs with it: "How Many Bronx Kids Does It Take To Pay For A Private Jet?" Ed also has news of a major shakeup in Canada's Conservative Party.
Update: Welcome Powerline and Orbusmax readers. Another Radio Equalizer update coming later today.
Welcome Instapundit readers. There's a Tuesday evening follow-up post here.
AAR/Franken Scandal by Darleen Click, City Kid$ by George Adair, Only $875k by AgentTimOnline.
Thanks for your Amazon orders, they're helping to defray my site upgrade costs. Buy a book or DVD, tick off my increasingly angry enemies.
Why AAR Loves Cindy, Randi Wants Private Jet
Why have so few on the left been willing to admit Air America Radio might be an ideological liability?So far, the Radio Equalizer has been wrong in predicting New York Times and AP scandal coverage would force liberals to try new ways to defend the network. Instead, it's still about insults and claims of a made-up story.
Air America's own strategy is now about diversionary tactics, with Cindy Sheehan's rabid supporters in Crawford and one of the network's hosts providing needed cover. If enough people can be convinced AAR's programming is responsible for the activity around the Bush family ranch, it might be a sign the network is in fact viable.
Misleading the Flock
For others, however, it continues to be a strategy of misleading the flock about the sleazy scandal, which saw $875,000 diverted from a Bronx-based community nonprofit, to Air America's coffers. Read the comments section below, if you must.
Is this simply another phase in the left's ongoing public meltdown?
In two weeks of covering this scandal, I've received only one email from a liberal worried about its impact and saw just a single Daily Kos post taking the same approach.
Meanwhile, Franken's playing Pied Piper, leading overly trusting supporters to believe it's really a Republican plot to ruin liberal talk radio, cooked up from the network's first days by Evan Cohen of Guam.
Privately, there must be a number of concerned Democrats and liberals, wondering just how this is going to ultimately play out. Sadly for them, it's not likely to fade soon.
Randi Rhodes Pushes Posh "Woodstock" Strategy
In the last few days, Air America staffers have felt they could divert attention away from the scandal, by playing up their supposed role in the Crawford/Cindy Sheehan ruckus.
Host Randi Rhodes, previously investigated for alleged Presidential threats made on her show, is said to be leading the charge.Rhodes has her own strategy: boost her personal standing with the company, through an offer to help deflect attention.
Minor consideration requested: one of the private jets owned by AAR executives.
The Radio Equalizer has obtained a memo outlining her demands (names of staffers have been changed here to initials):
From: Randi Rhodes
To: D G , G K
Sent: Sun Aug 14 12:04:19 2005
Hi D/G
D
There are two to three thousand people currently in Crawford!!. It started with 12 people! B estimates 90% are Randi listeners from all over the country!
Steve Earle is very popular in Crawford! I want to go and do my show live next Friday from Camp Casey. It's a hard remote but I can try to figure it out with G. I'm thinking about the details now...
D, Do you think Steve Earle would perform next Friday night or Saturday?
Also, transporation is an issue, because it will take me a whole day to travel. I don't want to miss a day on the air, and lose momentum. Flight to Dallas, on to Waco and then to Craford by car. So I was hoping that someone in the company would let me use their jet? I could take Steve with me and leave after Thursday's show.
B needs an extra cell phone asap. He's giving out his personal number to strangers.
A sleepy summer has turned into Woodstock!!
Need lot's of help now.
Love ALLways,
Randi
Rhodes was cashing in on a Sunday Washington Post story, which appeared to give Air America credit for at least some of the crowd currently camped out in Crawford.
Air America's management was said to be thrilled by the positive Post coverage, especially since the paper has avoided covering the Gloria Wise scandal, even though Washington has an Air America station.
Michelle Malkin has an update on the Sheehan/ Air America tie-in here.
Hopes Story Will Fade
Beyond positive press coverage, Air America's hope appears to be that the story will fade away, without a significant investigation into many unexplored areas of their business practices.
While it was likely a disappointment to see New York Times and AP coverage over the weekend, the good news for AAR was the lazy approach taken, where new information wasn't uncovered.
Meanwhile, some additional, noteworthy coverage today:
--- (Washington) PostWatch notes that while many newspapers ran David Caruso's AP story on their websites, few actually added it to their national print coverage.
--- Professor Bainbridge wonders if New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer would really risk his liberal donor base by going after Air America. After all, he's running for governor. Could this inaction be what saves the company?---Patterico wants to get to the bottom of how the New York Times got taken by an inaccurate Franken quote. Who supplied it to the paper? They've since run a retraction, but who's behind the trick?
Update: Welcome Captain's Quarters readers! Captain Ed takes this piece and runs with it: "How Many Bronx Kids Does It Take To Pay For A Private Jet?" Ed also has news of a major shakeup in Canada's Conservative Party.
Update: Welcome Powerline and Orbusmax readers. Another Radio Equalizer update coming later today.
Welcome Instapundit readers. There's a Tuesday evening follow-up post here.
AAR/Franken Scandal by Darleen Click, City Kid$ by George Adair, Only $875k by AgentTimOnline.
Thanks for your Amazon orders, they're helping to defray my site upgrade costs. Buy a book or DVD, tick off my increasingly angry enemies.
published by Brian Maloney at
23:59
61 Comments:
Who supplied it to the paper? They've since run a retraction, but who's behind the trick?
I suppose the audio archivers at http://airamericaplace.com cleverly spliced in phony Franken into the mp3's so the NYT would get duped.
By
@whut, at 15 August, 2005 19:52
My impression--based on the total lack of new info on the scandal and your declining comment rate/# of hits per day--is that the true headline of this post ought to be "Wingnuts Fear 'Scandal' Will Be Soon Forgotten."
Keep tending that precious fire of righteous rightwing indignation, Bri! I know there's precious new tinder to be found but if you're really resourceful you should be able to keep finding tiny embers among the ashes for awhile....
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 20:08
AAR I will admit is a liability for the cause of humanity.... they do not represent the left, the middle, or non of the above....they should just go away. There is no chance of coming together with them around. we all have more in common then aar pushes. we just want the world to be better. aar just wants their profits to be better...
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 20:18
We'll keep an eye on AAR's ratings to see if they are impacted by the scandal. I have feeling that crappy content, compounded with the scandal, should scare off the remaining 15 listeners.
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 20:54
...what the looney left posters here don't seem to understand is that Brian isn't trying to personally bring about the demise of AAR by keeping an ember alive.
The larger issues here are -
When AAR launched, we couldn't listen to a newscast or read a mainstream paper without hearing about the launch of this revolution in liberal radio. Yet, when a hint of scandal happens, nary a peep from those same sources. As has been documented in other blogs and other sources just do a search for the weeks around the launch of AAR and a search recently and compare the results.
Next, at AAR's conception, every new ratings that came out that showed AAR making any ratings inroads in any market were heavily chronicled, touted and yes, even exaggerated.
Bill Bennetts Morning in America launched at about the same time and without any MSM attention claimed far higher ratings than anything AAR subjects it's listeners to. And in more markets.
Last, I think what I object to the most is the fact that the money that was stolen/loaned/diverted from GWBGC to AAR was grant money from the state and federal government. Our tax money. We already subsidize one liberal radio network (NPR) we don't want to be forced to subsidize AAR. If it floats on it's own, then fine...but, it can't. At least not without huge infusions of private money. It won't make it on it's own merit like most enterprises have to make it.
OBTW - Ruffini has a great blog entry comparing the libbers' rush to catch up on infrastructure-
http://www.patrickruffini.com/
tomcatt
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 21:03
Much thanks to Brian for the link. A quick note: At my blog, PostWatch, I'm not saying that most newspapers (listed in a Saturday item by Michelle Malkin) didn't run David Caruso's AP story in their print edition. I'm saying that the Washington Post didn't. Still nothing by the way.
You know, by the time I became aware of the Caruso story--Saturday evening around 7-7:30--it was gone from the Post's homepage and the only way you could discover it was through a search. I have no idea how long, if at all, it was featured on the homepage.
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 21:45
This will fall to the wayside, not enough coverage will be produced, and the liberals will say it is just unfounded neo-conservative accusations. The mainstream media will not touch it and it will whither on the vine. However if a conservative radio organization were to even be accused of something like this there would be several Senators (Schumer, Lahey, Boxer ) calling for an investigation and while the investigation was in progress the organization should be shut down until a decision is made on the validity of the accusation.
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 22:06
It's the same deception that AAR uses when claiming a new station, like this one in San Antonio:
http://www.925krpt.com/main.html
They fail to mention that it only carries ONE AAR program: Jerry Springer!
No one wants to carry that windbag Rhodes, if you've heard one of Randi's shows (that is if you can stand her voice and uneducated rants long enough) you've heard them all.
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 22:09
I actually listened to AAR.
Until the first lie.
Longest 5 seconds I ever spent.
By
Anonymous, at 15 August, 2005 23:08
It's the same deception that AAR uses when claiming a new station, like this one in San Antonio:
http://www.925krpt.com/main.html
They fail to mention that it only carries ONE AAR program: Jerry Springer!
A most interesting lie.
It actually looks like AAR is broadcasting from KTXX which is a 30KW station southeast of San Antonio. License granted August 10.
Hey this stuff isn't hard to look up you know.
By
@whut, at 15 August, 2005 23:55
The line up of the new station in San Antonio. Not all AAR, but progressive none the less:
6a-8a Doug Stephan’s Good Day USA
8a-11a Jerry Springer
11a-2p Stephanie Miller
2p-5p Ed Schultz
5p-9p Phil Hendrie
9-12a Lionel
12a-3a Alan Colmes
3a-6a Ed Schultz “reloaded” (re-play)
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 00:00
Isn't Bill Bennet the guy who preaches mmoral values, yet squanders his money on the one-armed bandits?
Why would one want to listen to him in particular?
I guess he's kind of cool cuz he used to play the "rock 'n roll" in his yute, and can regale us of his stories of dating Janis Joplin.
By
@whut, at 16 August, 2005 00:02
The line up of the new station in San Antonio. Not all AAR, but progressive none the less:
6a-8a Doug Stephan’s Good Day USA
8a-11a Jerry Springer
11a-2p Stephanie Miller
2p-5p Ed Schultz
5p-9p Phil Hendrie
9-12a Lionel
12a-3a Alan Colmes
3a-6a Ed Schultz “reloaded” (re-play)
Another lie by a different anon. Or the same lie by the same anon.
Oh well, in any case, it looks like the greater San Antonio area now has TWO liberal talk stations. And with Springer on both, it has TWO AAR affiliates.
By
@whut, at 16 August, 2005 00:19
"...sleepy summer has turned into Woodstock!!..."
OH, yippee!! A grieving military mother to exploit!!
Cruella De'vil needs a Cesna pronto. Gotta get down to Crawford to P A R T A Y'.
Disgusting.
By
peapies, at 16 August, 2005 00:25
Hey WHT,
There are more AAR hosts on that San Antonio station than WMDs found in Iraq.
Ever since Maloney started this AAR Crusade haven't they added about 5 stations? Keep it up Brian!
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 00:27
WHT - Bill Bennett is exactly that guy. And of course we heard all about his foible, unlike the AAR scandal.
The main point being of course, that he did what he did, with his own money, and nothing illegal. He didn't take it from a foundation.
And if you would look up his curriculum vitae, you would see that he has written many other books besides Moral Compass. In addition, he is a doctor of philosophy, a Harvard Law School Grad, former Secretary of Education and Drug Czar. In short, I listen to him because there is some intelligent, thoughtful discourse on his show. Along with some entertaining moments. And I've been listening for several months and have not heard a story about him dating Janis Joplin. Which doesn't matter to me one way or the other.
Tomcatt
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 01:11
What it'll take for Air America to get investigated
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 01:46
> $875,000 diverted from a Bronx-based community nonprofit, to Air America's coffers.
You neglect to mention the sleaziest part of this atrocity -- it's a nonprofit for children.
Air America is still on the air because it ripped off a bunch of children!!
Yeah, just see what would happen to any right-supporting organization which was found to be involved in anything like that.
Even a hint of such a thing would result in them being hounded out of business, even if the allegations proved later totally and indisputably false.
The Left would just say it had all been whitewashed...
By
OBloodyHell, at 16 August, 2005 03:14
Diversionary tactics, indeed.
Okay, does _anyone_ who read the Rhodes memo find it at all similar to Maloney's description of it?
Demands? What demands? Embers, embers, fan those embers into ashes
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 05:25
WOODSTOCK? I think that even Cindy would be offended---what is aar doing putting together a concert? Why does Randi sound so happy and excited? "A sleepy Summer has turned into Woodstock"
Sorry Randi, our troops are dying--this is not fun and games time. That could not be more offensive.
Brian, did you hear from aar about this? They need to apologize immediately.
...fyi
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 10:22
Brian continues to make mountains out of less than molehills. Randi Rhodes wants to do a remote from "Camp Casey" in Crawford. So what? Every other media outlet is already there. What is the difference between this and Sean Hannity doing his show from the Mexican border when the "Minuteman project' began? Nothing.
Ratings grabs are ratings grabs. Maybe this lack of understanding is why Brian can no longer hold down a radio job.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 11:53
The line up of the new station in San Antonio. Not all AAR, but progressive none the less:
Here is 3 stations in one town carrying Rush. That town should change its name.
Goreville, IL 1340 WJPF 30/30
Goreville, IL 1020 WCIL 45/--
Goreville, IL 1120 KMOX 165/165
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 12:20
AA ratings up from a 0.5 to a 1.3 in Spokane.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 12:57
Spokane! Woooo! Congrats to AAR and their 17 new listeners!
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:01
First, Spokane is a Top 100 radio market.
Second, the headline of the post -- "Diversionary Tactics" -- is misleading at best. Are AA talkshow hosts not supposed to cover the issues of the day? Or maybe you'd prefer they only discuss the Gloria Wise issue (funny, i remember rush talking about things other than his drug problem, and bill bennett not just disucssing gambling, or o'reilly not talking much about his sex harassment case). It seems Randi Rhodes is doing her job.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:10
Woo....Skokane ranks #92 in markets and the station remains #20! Wow...what a success!
I can hear you liberal clods now: "We're number 20! We're number 20!"
By
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Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:13
Spokane: It's a question of growth. AA doubled its ratings, while Rush's station dropped 0.3 points. No one is claiming it's a massive success, but it also puts the lie to notions that AA is neither growing nor viable. Also see Q2 ratings gains in Miami, Austin and many more major markets.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:16
What's with all the America-haters slagging off good, hard-working, patriotic towns like Spokane and San Antonio?
By
Shipping / Receiving, at 16 August, 2005 13:26
Stephanie Lessing, author...
She hasn't landed her ideal job as "shoe editor," but rather assists her extra-mean boss Ruth while navigating all sorts of footwear, professional and personal crises.
Hey, you have a great blog here! I'm definitely going to bookmark you!
I have a Satellite TV South Carolina site. It pretty much covers Satellite TV South Carolina related stuff.
Come and check it out if you get time :-)
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:43
They pay stations to carry their content, they have a single show on (Springer no less), they're on low wattage stations taken from minority groups, they are founded with money meant for underpriviledged kids, they have the worst hosts in the business, their ratings only go UP when they REMOVE AAR talent. Yes that's a recipe for success if ever I heard one.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 13:59
No, moron, its not a matter of "growth". Its a matter of changing radio stations and not having a consistant book of ratings to compare it against....
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:00
"No, moron, its not a matter of "growth". Its a matter of changing radio stations and not having a consistant book of ratings to compare it against...."
Good to see that you've fallen back on the tried-and-true schoolboy tact of name-calling. In Spokane, they've had multiple books on the same radio station, and the comparison from one quarter to the next shows growth. These are the same ratings Brian uses when he cites declining AA #'s in other cities. Is he also a "moron?"
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:09
I listen to Randi Rhodes just to get an idea of how psychotic AAR and it's listeners are on a daily basis. I was listening to her show last night 8/15. She was speaking to a woman that of course is supporting Sheehan. Rhodes was saying how much she really wants to go to Crawford, but (IMO) made implied statements that something at work was stopping her. If anyone can get a hold of that transcript of that phone call - maybe I'm wrong, but she seemed a little ticked of at her job.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:13
I define "moron" as any human being who crows about a radio station in the #92 radio market in the country moving from dead last in the ratings to #20. I define "moron" as any idiot who thinks that this proves anything, other than Err Amerika remains an utter failure after nearly 2 years of existance.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:25
What were Rush Pimplebutt's ratings like after 2 years on the air?
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:43
That's RASH Pimplebutt.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:45
You mean chickenhawk hillbilly heroin pumping Limbaugh? I laugh everytime I see Brian Maloney's blurb "Brian Maloney was compared to Rush Limbaugh in Time Magazine" - how embarrassing for Brian.
http://www.snopes.com/military/limbaugh.htm
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 14:58
"I define "moron" as any human being who crows about a radio station in the #92 radio market in the country moving from dead last in the ratings to #20. I define "moron" as any idiot who thinks that this proves anything, other than Err Amerika remains an utter failure after nearly 2 years of existance."
I don't recall any "crowing." I simply was pointing out a factual piece of news. Or is that not allowed in the blogosphere?
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 15:33
Freedom of speech...Ain't it a bummer for you people on the right?
You own the presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court. But a woman on a radio network with a tiny share of the market and the mother of a dead soldier who has chosen to protest the war have you frothing at the mouth like the apocalyse is at hand.
What's the matter? Do you actually think the 66 percent of Americans who believe Bush has flopped in Iraq were convince of their position by Randi Rhodes and Cindy Sheehan?
Grow up. Your president's ratings (over everything from Social Security to the economy) are in the toilet because of his actions -- not because of two noisy women.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 16:27
And in Seattle they've gone from 1.5 to 1.4, a sure sign they are collapsing, or at least as certain as an increase in Spo-Vegas makes them a success.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 17:05
Why don't you tell the whole story?
1)Gloria Wise is under investigation by the city's Department of Investigation for matters that include transferring $875,000 to Progress Media, former parent company of the Air America radio network, and to the club's director of development, Evan Montvel Cohen, who headed Progress Media.
2)Piquant LLC, which acquired Air America from Mr. Cohen's Progress Media in May 2004, has agreed to pay $875,000 to Gloria Wise, without interest, in installments over the next two years.
http://www.nysun.com/article/18148
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 17:19
There is no scandal here.
Just another attempt by the right to stifle free speech.
I wonder why they are so threatened by differing views?
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 17:23
The right wing echo chamber is on full volume again. Mr. Maloney is rapidly becoming the Tucker Carlson of the blogging world - lightweight, usually wrong, and utterly irrelevant. Let's take a peek:
You can't get father away from "fair and balanced" with:
"Why have so few on the left been willing to admit Air America Radio might be an ideological liability?" Perhaps because only people on the right believe it.
"Air America's own strategy is now about diversionary tactics, with Cindy Sheehan's rabid supporters in Crawford and one of the network's hosts providing needed cover." What is a "rabid supporter." AAR management doesn't need cover - there is no investigation into AAR/Piquant by the NYC DOI. Their investigation stops at Evan Cohen, a guy who was out the door within a month of AAR's start.
"Is this simply another phase in the left's ongoing public meltdown?" No, just an education into the right wing echo chamber where up is down and right is wrong.
"Privately, there must be a number of concerned Democrats and liberals, wondering just how this is going to ultimately play out. Sadly for them, it's not likely to fade soon." -- At least he hopes not.
From the "Complete Fabrication" Department:
"Host Randi Rhodes, previously investigated for alleged Presidential threats made on her show, is said to be leading the charge." - This is a complete lie first reported on The Drudge Report and quickly debunked by the NY office of the Secret Service who said there was no investigation into Randi Rhodes or AAR. Truth doesn't matter in the right wing echo chamber.
The Al Franken cartoon implying "it was only $875,000." Franken has never said anything like this. In fact, Franken believes that AAR has a moral obligation over this matter.
It's extra fun when you can witness the lie right before you:
"The Radio Equalizer has obtained a memo outlining her demands." He then reprints the alleged memo. Anyone care to let us know where in it she DEMANDS anything?
Whose the source?
When you want to insert your own opinion and try to give it credibility, you simply attribute it to someone else anonymously. Brian doesn't even bother with that:
"Air America's management was said to be thrilled by the positive Post coverage, especially since the paper has avoided covering the Gloria Wise scandal, even though Washington has an Air America station." Who said AAR management was thrilled?
It continues to amuse me that the right wing absolutely cannot stand AAR. If Maloney isn't writing leading question articles along the lines of "why is AAR failing," we get utter naked hit pieces like this little gem.
It's a sign of a true journalist to actually go and check things out before writing about them. Relying on The Drudge Report and right wing blogs and then supposedly trying to enhance your credibility by simply posting more links to right wing blogs does not a journalist make.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 17:31
"First, Spokane is a Top 100 radio market."
Okay, okay. Congrats to AAR and their 117 new listeners!
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 17:47
The whole sqalid bunch was caught stealing from inner city kids.
If anordinary working stiff took a pile of money from a charity and offered to pay it back over 2 years after he was caught, he would be serving hard tiime.
So much for the left's compassion for the children.
As for free speech being stifled, well..I find that charge ridiculous on its face, especially when made in such a public forum. Its a tragedy when the charge is made in front of a bunch of major network microphones.
Had this been a conservative network it would be "scandalgate" 24/7. I believe that is the real issue.
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 18:03
Look, look, he's oppressing me!!!!
The left is now ripping off Python.
What a tragic waste of human life...
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 18:06
Thanks for paying attention to the Air America financial scandal, which is a true disgrace.
It's a disgrace similar to the 8 BILLION DOLLARS of TAXPAYER FUNDS that have simply been misplaced at the disposition of Halliburton in Iraq.
Again, thanks for covering Air America's problems. Now hop to it on the Halliburton tip and the Enronization of Iraq.
Thanks,
- Neither Left nor Right
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 18:15
The whole sqalid bunch was caught stealing from inner city kids.
BZZZZZT! Oh, no, wrong, sorry!
Johnny, get him the fuck out of here...
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 20:07
You moronic brownshirt fucks can go back to your regularly scheduled circle jerk now...
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 20:08
You moronic brownshirt fucks can go back to your regularly scheduled circle jerk now...
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 20:08
dave is, thankfully, representative of the heart, soul and brain of the left and the modern Democrat Party. Thanks, dave, for validating our opinion of progressive "thinkers."
By
Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 21:14
What is the difference between this and Sean Hannity doing his show from the Mexican border when the "Minuteman project' began?
Sean, unlike AAR, the MSM et al., isn't an America-hater. And Sean was covering people who, unlike Sheehan and her band of old hippies, aren't America-haters. George Orwell himself would have marveled at how the America-haters claim to be the "true patriots."
Spokane is a Top 100 radio market.
Houston is a top 7 market. No trace of AAR here. Hell, even Howard Stern doesn't make a blip, and the MSM gave him front-page coverage when he came to town a year ago.
You mean chickenhawk hillbilly heroin pumping Limbaugh?
At last liberals find a drug addict they aren't in passionate love with! Rush had a problem with a prescription painkiller. Heroin is available by prescription in the US... where, exactly?...
...the mother of a dead soldier who has chosen to protest the war ...
And whose anti-Americanism was evident since before her son was killed. And who's being used like a puppet by MoveOn.org and others who fund her "vigil." And who's already met with President Bush, last year, and had good things to say about the encounter at the time, but conveniently changed her story later. And whose family has publicly distanced themselves from her, whose husband has divorced her, and whose son is spinning in his grave.
Just another attempt by the right to stifle free speech.
I wonder why they are so threatened by differing views?
Projection on your part. It wasn't the right who invented speech codes or the thought police or political correctness. AAR doesn't threaten Us, as you flatter yourself to think. It amuses Us.
You moronic brownshirt fucks can go back to your regularly scheduled circle jerk now...
Sooner or later (usually sooner), disagreements with libbies devolve to this level of discourse. When people run out of facts, they reach for their insults; and since the fact market was cornered by the right so very long ago, insults are all that remain to lefties like Davey. And what will Davey do if he ever encounters an actual Nazi? By crying wolf, he can no longer use that epithet.
Here endeth the lesson.
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Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 21:24
Bush lied us into war. you right wing idiots have people running over crosses that represent out dead soldier and you accause us of being unamerican. You call yourselfs folowers of jesus yet you fire guns in the air while people with cindy are holding a silent prayer. The only enemy is your coward bush who lied us into war and has the nerve to joke about looking for wmds in iraq
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Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 22:52
I agree... you people are just absolutely criminal. Your delusion is apparent to every decent person in this country. You inspire violence and are proud of your insanity.
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Anonymous, at 16 August, 2005 23:01
TO Metro Man, who posted this little gem about Hannity:
"Sean, unlike AAR, the MSM et al., isn't an America-hater. And Sean was covering people who, unlike Sheehan and her band of old hippies, aren't America-haters. George Orwell himself would have marveled at how the America-haters claim to be the "true patriots."
Randi Rhodes actually served this country which you claim she hates. She was in the Air Force.
Remind me again, where did Hannity or O'Reilly or Rush or any of the right wing chickenhawks serve?
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Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 00:28
R Rhodes says "Love Always" in her email to her obvious bosses. Where's the ACLU? This is obviously inappropriate behavior and the thought of LOVE and Randi Rhodes in the same sentence has to be seen as a hostile work environment. Every employee at AAR can now be included in a class action suit stating that it is a hostile work environment.
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Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 01:28
Thanks for paying attention to the Air America financial scandal, which is a true disgrace.
It's a disgrace similar to the 8 BILLION DOLLARS of TAXPAYER FUNDS that have simply been misplaced at the disposition of Halliburton in Iraq.
Again, thanks for covering Air America's problems. Now hop to it on the Halliburton tip and the Enronization of Iraq.
Thanks,
- Neither Left nor Right
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Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 09:02
Thanks for paying attention to the Air America financial scandal, which is a true disgrace.
It's a disgrace similar to the 8 BILLION DOLLARS of TAXPAYER FUNDS that have simply been misplaced at the disposition of Halliburton in Iraq.
Again, thanks for covering Air America's problems. Now hop to it on the Halliburton tip and the Enronization of Iraq.
Thanks,
- Neither Left nor Right
By
Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 09:03
Yeah, so true... of course we could talk about Bushies little insider trading issue back in '90, or the other Brother's Bush (Neil and Bob, I mean Jeb) S&L & Medicare scandals that left good American Taxpayers on the hook for God really knows how much... but you neo's have somehow made okay with that. Funny.
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Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 11:24
"What's with all the America-haters slagging off good, hard-working, patriotic towns like Spokane and San Antonio?"
Nobody's "slagging off" those towns; they're mocking the idea that a tiny ratings bump in those markets really means anything. Just relax.
By
Anonymous, at 17 August, 2005 14:15
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