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Message Board Provides Insight, Plus: LA Observations



While the real value of an Internet message board is usually quite limited beyond personal venting, the broadcast industry's version is providing key insight into the Air America Radio mindset.

Though Radio-Info.com is open to anyone, posters primarily come from the ranks of air staffers, management, salespeople and a few listeners. Its news-talk board has been ground zero for nonstop Air America spinmeistering, regardless of the latest flap's severity.

Why bother with message board postings? Our best guess: it's free and there's always a chance top executives and programmers might see it. While it's unclear from exactly where they originate, a few participants immediately pounce on the slightest shred of critical Air America news.

When it comes to defending the liberal radio network, no response is too outrageous. When the (distinctly non-conservative) Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently criticized Randi Rhodes's comparison of hurricane evacuations to the Holocaust, it was spun by a particularly notorious poster as a right-wing Free Republic-led misinformation campaign:

What is "convenient" about the Free Republic blog campaign against Randi (nothing new with this at all - they also suggest talking points to hostile callers to libtalk hosts) includes:

1) A carefully edited version of the ADL letter which leaves out their acknowledgment of the absolute mismanagement of the Katrina relief effort (something that could have been negative to the Free Republic's joined-at-the-hip defense of the current Administration on just about every issue).

2) The fact that Randi, herself, IS JEWISH. The Free Republic wants conservatives to equate Bill Bennett's comments on black babies being aborted with Randi Rhodes remarks. Bill Bennett, the white guy, claims to be able to speak authoritatively on black social and crime issues and openly ponders mass abortions of black babies to keep crime down while Randi Rhodes, a Jew, compares government officials lining people up and pointing moms and dads to one train or bus, kids to another.

The ADL has a consistent policy of responding to anyone trivializing or even comparing the Holocaust to other world events. To them, this tragedy has to stand on its own as a singular event in our history. The atrocities themselves, the absolute anti-semitism that permitted it to happen, and the indifference that many world leaders (including our own) had towards stopping it. I can understand the ADL's concerns about it, and Randi probably will as well.

Conservatives and Republicans that seek to make hay out of this should be extremely careful lest a review of the past 40 years' history of the party on race and Jewish issues be examined. The boll weavil Democrats went somewhere when the 64 Civil Rights Act was passed.

There is definitely a credibility gap at play should the likes of Pat Buchanan, Trent Lott, or David Duke, all Republicans, start telling us that Randi Rhodes is an anti-semite or tell us Strom Thurmond's policies back in 1948 would have been the best choice for America.

Writer "Dampier" stands out from other relentless Air America boosters, with over 700 posts, in support of every network action.

Whether the company's being sued again, or has created some other new mess, this person can be counted on to create a fresh batch of excuses. It's impossible to think Randi could have mouthed off yet again, instead, it's somehow David Duke's fault.

Outright dishonesty aside, these posts provide insight into the delusional state of Air America's remaining defenders, whether inside or outside the company's plush new studios.



Speaking of Randi Rhodes, it is true she's being sued over the content of her program. Thanks for the emails, the Radio Equalizer will have all of the details here, a bit later.



Ned Rice, writer for "The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson" (a very funny show seen weeknights on CBS) checks in with personal observations from Los Angeles:

I was wondering if you ever listen to the promos they air on the Air America affiliate in Los Angeles (KTLK).

I’ve noticed how they started out being pretty generic (“LA’s progressive talk”, “We’re all that’s left”, etc.) to the point now where they’ve become EXTREMELY aggressive in recent months.

The guy reading them is now openly badgering, if not hectoring, listeners to listen to Air America Radio more often, to make lists of places where they tune in, to tell their friends to listen, to have it on in the office, etc.

The segments have also taken on an increasingly desperate, angry tone, as if Janeanne Garofalo herself were writing them. They also seem to be running these promos with increasing frequency. Thought you might want to know.

And thanks for the invaluable daily coverage of Air America Radio’s death spiral. You’re the first blog I go to every morning.

Thanks Ned, appreciate the report from the field.


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