Mutiny aboard Air America Radio Cruise!
Reports are just now coming in about a mutiny aboard the first Air America Radio Cruise (airamericacruise.com). While many people thought that site was just an elaborate hoax, it was an actual cruise featuring famous Air America personalities such as Randi Rhodes and, ... er, well it also featured Cenk Uygur, Jon Elliott, Lionel, Rachel Maddow, Thom Hartmann, Paul Krugman, Richard Greene, and Mark Green.
The foreshadows of doom began to fall when the 53 people who signed up for the cruise realized that others on the ship were... normals. In fact, due to underbooking Holland America Line was forced to run advertisements on the Rush Limbaugh show, offering cabins at a steep discount.
Then, on the night of February 24, while still steaming in international waters towards Cabo San Lucas, Randi Rhodes - who "hadn't eaten all day" - stumbled onto deck and realized that now was her moment to push for the people's revolution. While a feckless Mark Green tried to dissuade her, she soon began a chant demanding verandahs for all passengers, not just those lucky few who'd paid thousands of dollars. When the Captain was unable to meet her demands, she hit him with a nearby bottle of Guiness Stout (which she hadn't been drinking but was just lying nearby for some reason) and seized control of the vessel. They are now reportedly steaming towards either Cuba, Venezuela, or Albania. OK, now you do better.
Air America: news for week ending August 18, 2007
Air America: news for week ending August 11, 2007
Here's a round-up of this week in Air America Radio news:
* Jerry Springer will be coming back to Air America with a floating, 3 minute segment entitled "Jerry's Progressive Thoughts" in which he'll offer brief commentaries on the news of the day and the week. He is no longer on Dancing with the Stars. To the best of our knowledge, he is not under indictment or running for office anywhere at the present time.
* Al Franken's fundraiser in East Saskawatchaholee Lake, Minnesota was a rousing success, with visits from Michael Moore, Bernie Sanders, and Bob Avakian. Moore presented Franken with a total of $50,000 raised from various Hollywood celebrities like Barbra Streisand, Martin Sheen, and Laurie David.
* Janeane Garofalo - who disappeared from public view after Ratatouille flopped - has been selected for a supporting role in the adolescent sex romp "Double Dumplin's". It will be directed by Delbert Simkin, formerly 2nd unit director on some of Jim Varney's movies. Gilbert Gottfried and Paulie Shore make cameo appearances, and Jim Axelrod of CBS News will play himself. For her role, Garofalo will be "re-augmented"; fans may remember that, in an early and brilliant career move she had herself "reduced". Production will begin in September, with the movie available as early as November in either DVD format or as a direct web download.
* Mike Malloy has released a statement apologizing for his earlier comments and emphasizing that he was only joking about taking hostages.
Like bits of string, we will collect this week's news and have them for you next week in this same digest format.
BoreAmerica web traffic surpasses Air America Radio!
I was shocked and surprised to learn that - if Alexa.com is to be believed - AirAmericaRadio.com has a "Traffic Rank" of 1,401,303, meaning that there are over 1 million sites that get more visitors that the left-leaning radio network. By contrast, there are only nearly one third as many sites that are more popular than our main site. Even a barely-visited site I've had since 1996 gets more traffic.
Intrigued, I decided to graph my traffic against that of Air America's, and I discovered this extremely interesting graph. Their traffic is in brown, and this site's is in blue... and in April I surpassed them! (I've already sent both Matt Drudge and Sheldon Drobny messages and they inform me that they're investigating and will report).
Bear in mind, I'm not that familiar with Alexa, so I might have pressed the wrong button or put something in the wrong way round, so I don't know whether that's accurate or not. But, it is at least a little heartening, now that the Janeane Garofalo micro-boomlet is over and there's absolutely nothing left to talk about.
Q: Is Air America Radio still around?
A: Yes, as of approximately 12:18PM Pacific time on July 5, 2007, Air America Radio is still broadcasting. This post will be updated when that changes.
Michael Smerconish to replace Don Imus?
This is an URGENT ALERT to all Truth Squad, Anti-Hate Brigade, Hate Monitors Network, and other Peace and Freedom questers.
The latest news is that Rethuglican Michael Smerconish might take the place of the disgraced, hyper-conservative, racist, misogynist, xenophobic, anti-human hater Don Imus.
Standing in solidarity with our comrades from Media Matters (mediamatters.org/items/200704200003), we urge you to keep Smerconish's brand of hatred and obscenity off the airwaves. They highlight some of his misdeeds against The Truth:
Substituting for host Bill O'Reilly on the April 4, 2006, broadcast of The Radio Factor, Smerconish repeatedly discussed "the sissification of America," claiming that political correctness has made the United States "a nation of sissies." Smerconish also claimed, several times, that this "sissification" and "limp-wristedness" is "compromising our ability to win the war on terror."
Although MMFA doesn't provide any analysis (that will presumably be forthcoming after they receive yet more indirect funds from George Soros) presumably they're pointing out that this is an anti-gay remark, since presumably they believe that "gay" and "sissy" are synonyms. And, of course, this is also a slap against the only ideology that keeps the U.S. moving forward: political correctness. Any slap against PC is a slap against us all.
And:
On the April 10, 2006, edition of Scarborough Country, Smerconish suggested that "maybe law enforcement ought to step in" at pro-immigration demonstrations and consider "gathering ... up" illegal immigrants. Smerconish wondered why there was "zero discussion" of "gathering them up" at the demonstrations, when "[a]ll I keep hearing is how would we ever find them?" He then suggested that law enforcement officials are being hypocritical by refusing to "gather[] ... up" illegal immigrants because they would "step in and do something about" a rally of "pot smokers," who "wanted decriminalization" of marijuana, or "scofflaws" with unpaid parking tickets.
Some have said that those marching were foreign citizens who had no right to be here and who were making a show of force in our streets and demanding that we change our laws to suit them. That sort of talk is racist poppycock. No person is illegal, and our liberal beliefs lead us to support full legalization for all. True liberals do not believe in racist "borders". True liberals believe that anyone can come to the U.S. at any time, and to prevent them from doing that is just xenophobia.
Not only that, but Smerconish moderated a debate for the Republicans. And, not only that, but he's appeared on Chris Matthews' show on four dates this Spring (March 1, March 8, March 21, and April 5, and perhaps more; MMFA's monitor was on a field trip for a few days and might have missed one). In startling news, Matthews said, "all my family listens to you."
Smerconish must be stopped! Contact your Squad Leader immediately and Help Stop the Hate!
Media Matters lists other thought criminals besides Don Imus
Comrades Robert Dietz and Dan Mayer from Media Matters for America inform us that "It's not just Imus", presenting a list of talk radio stars who've engaged in anti-human, bigoted, racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, mean-spirited hate speech and other thought crimes: mediamatters.org/items/200704120010
The "Hate Hosts" include: Glenn Beck, Neal Boortz, Rush Limbaugh, Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, Michael Smerconish, and John Gibson.
Although MMFA does not recommend specific punishment - perhaps preferring to allow those to be discussed at their trials - I strongly encourage all right-thinking persons to help drive these haters off the airwaves. Some of these haters might be able to be rehabilitated, but only after a lengthy period in Nome.
Our public airwaves must be purified of all forms of hate!
Accordingly, I've contacted MMFA, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson for their assistance, and I will soon be organizing Hate Monitors to listen to the radio and report the Haters to the FCC and perhaps even the World Court. In order to help you identify other Hate Monitors, I'll be printing up buttons and T-shirts with our logo on them. We'll also be conducting rallies in the streets demanding an end to the hate, including smashing radios and burning tape recordings of the hate jocks.
Hate has no place in our community or on our airwaves, and I strongly urge you to join my Hate Monitors group.
Thousands celebrate Air America Radio anniversary
Across the U.S., thousands of Air America Radio fans, well-wishers, progressives, liberals, and others joined together today in a massive display of collective and joyous celebration to wish AAR a magnificent third birthday.
It was an unbelievable three years ago that Al Franken, Janeane Garofalo, Mike Malloy, Randi Rhodes and others began their righteous struggle for progressive radio. In Los Angeles alone, hundreds clogged "beautiful downtown Burbank" to wish them the best, and our reporter was there with this shot of the party in front of KTLK headquarters:
(Note: our cameraman asked all the celebrants to cross to the other side of the street, that's why you can't see anyone)
The thronging multitudes then presented AAR executives with copies of the Official Third Anniversay Flyer, together with a donut with three candles:
(Note: the executives from AAR are on the other side of the locked gate, and as they explained they would have come out to meet us except the guy with the key had gone out for lattes.)
And, here's the Official Flyer:
NonStopRadio.com needs your help to keep progressive radio growing!
This site has recently learned of another site called www.nonstopradio.com, and we fully support their efforts to keep progressive radio - including Air America - on the air in "endangered" markets. All you need to do is go there and sign up by giving them your name and email address. Don't worry! They are all committed leftists just like us, and there could be no harm in letting them put you on a list. Don't worry so much! This site has looked in to them, and can assure you that they aren't a massive COINTELPRO-style outfit designed to identify fellow travelers so they can be surveilled and even rounded up when the time comes. It's not like that at all! I assure you, it's OK.
And, sign up even if you don't live in one of these markets that have or are about to flip:
Little Rock, AR
Quad Cities, IA/IL
New Orleans, LA
Bufallo/Niagara Falls, NY
San Antonio, TX
Santa Cruz, CA
Baton Rouge, LA
Binghamton, NY
Albany, OR
Huntington, WV
Don't worry, they're one of us!
Posted at 10:55 PM | Comments (0)
Venezuela: A new market for Air America?
After reading about misunderstood leftist hero and Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez' plan to shut down the opposition's TV (and presumable radio) station, a thought occured to me: instead of moving to France, could Air America move to Venezuela and offer their services?
Now, hear me out. Without competition, anyone who wanted to listen to the radio would have only one choice. AAR wouldn't have to worry about NPR, Rush, Michael Savage, the local farm report, polka-only programming, and all their other current competition.
Venezuela could even get China to build special radios pre-tuned to the only station in the country. A special transmitter feature could be even built into each radio which would allow government forces to make sure the radio was being played several hours each day and thereby ensuring that AAR would have ratings! And, of course, Chavez would have no fear that they would criticize him. It sounds to me like a win-win for all concerned.
If anyone has a way to get a message to Air America, please suggest this plan to them.
Posted at 03:50 PM | Comments (1)
Au revoir Air America, Bienvenue Aire Liberalisme!
Bienvenue a toutes les francaises! Bienvenue a cette "site" de l'Internet! Cette "site" a couvert "Air America Radio", lequel - comme toutes sait maintenant - est devenu "Aire Liberalisme" et est mouvee a France. Specificament, ils airent trois "stations" de le radio: Marseilles, Aulnay-sous-Bois (Paris), et Toulouse. Apres avoir achete le "network", nouveau dirigeur Alec Baldwin a dit, "Maintenant, je vive ma reve!" Defense de penser que vous etes presentee avec un "rejet" Americain! Non, c'est seulement une "new beginning".
En les moins ensuite, j'espere couvir le nouveau "network", et j'espere avoir "fun" pendant que Randy Rhodes apprend parler francais. Joinez, s'il vous plait!
Posted at 05:00 AM | Comments (3)
Larry Ellison to buy Air America Radio?
Will Oracle CEO/President/Owner/Chairman/Guiding Light Larry Ellison buy Air America Radio? That is the latest speculation that various highly-placed media watchers have divulged to this blogger. Under the planned scheme, much of Air America's programming will remain in place, with some minor changes. The name will be changed to "Lawrence Ellison's Air America Radio Global Media Network", and in order to make centralized control easier all operations will be moved to East Newark, in the Frisco Bay Area of California. A special headline-grabbing move will be a "pirate radio" broadcast from one of the billionaire's two luxury yachts which will be anchored in international waters - one off each U.S. coast.
Other possible buyers include:
Bill Gates: After having solved African poverty and after having destroyed thousands of would-be competitors, turning Air America around shouldn't be impossible.
Barbra Streisand/Martin Sheen/Ed Asner/Darryl Hannah (consortium): These four Hollywood actors intend to do for radio what United Artists did for movies, brining a professionalism to the medium heretofore lacking. Even more "progressive" than most AAR hosts, they pledge to bring the Democratic Party back to its populist, collaborationist roots.
Steve Ballmer: More "excitable" than Gates, the Microsoft CEO is also a billionaire. While he looks like the type of person that Democrats demonize, he is actually a committed leftist who created a secret museum in one of his properties dedicated to V.I. Lenin.
Eventually, AAR will be sold or go out of business, and there's a good chance it will be one of those above who buys it, or perhaps someone else entirely.
Posted at 09:13 PM | Comments (0)
When will Air America shut down?
Take the poll:
UPDATE: Hola amigos! Que tal? Blogpoll seems to be having some problemas because that's not the poll I made, but let's roll with it! Pretend the first choice is November 8, the second is November 9, the third is "never", and the fourth is a mystery choice.
Posted at 04:29 PM | Comments (0)
ABC Disney anti-Democratic scheme discovered!
The reports on the Path to 9/11 ABC miniseries are coming in and I'm disgusted, sickened, and I feel physically ill. What would drive people to do something like this?
As I was sitting in the dark wondering what to do and slowly chanting "Haters! Haters! Haters!" to myself, I suddenly - like a key falling into a lock - discovered the whole scheme that ABC Disney is up to.
Frantically running to my iMac, I soon located ABC's schedule and I realized I had all the evidence I needed to bring back the Fairness Doctrine and even pull their broadcast license.
But, first, let's look at the programs featured on that network to get an idea where "they're coming from":
- Desperate Housewifes
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
- Supernanny
- Ugly Betty
- Wife Swap
All shows that objectify, downgrade, and belittle women. Now, who else has that same philosophy? Yes, that's right, George W. Bush. But, that is not the clearest evidence yet of their evil conspiracy.
No, the evidence of ABC's true agenda is obtained from looking at their schedule:
- Sunday 9/10: Path to 9/11
- Monday 9/11: Path to 9/11
- Tuesday 9/12: Dancing with the Stars featuring Air America host Jerry Springer.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have uncovered the ABC/Disney/Bush conspiracy designed to make we Democrats, liberals, progressives, and socialists look bad. Stay tuned to DailyKos for Part 2 of my investigative report.
Posted at 07:26 PM | Comments (0)
Top ten Janeane Garofalo mistakes
Here's my entry in the contest:
10. Quitting Air America just as it was on the imminent verge of massive ratings success.
9. Getting tattoed, something better reserved for sailors, strippers, and drug-addicts.
8. Joining Air America Radio.
7. Not getting help when she could.
6. Not getting anywhere near as much money out of George Soros AAR as Al Franken and Randi Rhodes did.
5. Featuring a Sc|ent0l0gist-linked organization on AAR... twice!
4. Going to blonde.
3. Dressing funny.
2. Not dressing more preppy with the glasses and the plaid skirt and maybe some books or something.
1. Getting a breast reduction.
Posted at 11:37 AM | Comments (8)
Which Communist Party is Mike Malloy affiliated with?
I don't usually do this, but this site has received a hit from a search for 'AAR's Mike Malloy affiliated with communist party'.
Obviously, that person was looking for which version of the Commies Malloy is associated with. Frankly, I don't know, so I'm turning to my loyal readers for help. Is he with the American Communist Party? Or is he with the RCP, the "Revolutionary" version thereof? Perhaps the good ol' CPUSA? The WWP? The PLP?
There are so many to choose from, and I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I don't know which one it is. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.
Posted at 04:18 PM | Comments (0)
The "Help Save Air America Radio Contest"
Air America Radio is in trouble, and needs your help. They're caught in what I might refer to as a "shame spiral", as they reel from scandal to scandal, from depressing ratings to even more depressing ratings, and from disastrous decisions to even more disastrous decisions.
But, you can help.
What I need you to do is come up with common-sense, practical ways that AAR could turn itself around. Sometimes people on the outside can see things that those on the inside cannot see, and you probably have insights that AAR can put to good use.
And, the best thing about this is... it's a contest! The top five best ideas will win something to be determined by our judges who also remain to be determined.
Please leave your idea(s) in the comments. To get the ball rolling, here are a few of my tips. But, bear in mind, these are not eligible to win the contest, and you can probably do better anyway:
IDEA: Jerry Springer gets an additional hour.
IDEA: A daily, one-hour show from former Labor Secretary Robert Reich (hat tip: Stuart Smalley)
IDEA: Introduce an AAR "Super Affiliate" program. For a donation of $1000 or more, affiliates receive: 5 bumper stickers (1 for you, 4 for your friends to help with that viral marketing thing), 2 - yes, two! - totebags (in case you buy in bulk at the co-op), and an autographed photo of Randi Rhodes with the AAR Christmas tree
Please, help Air America and leave your ideas in the comments.
Posted at 05:31 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
Air America's move to Canada: what really happened
It's been over a week now since Air America Radio announced the shocking news that their entire operation - including hosts and support staff - was moving to Canada to restart business "up north" in Napanee, Ontario, Canada. They will sell the remaining time that they purchased on stations in the U.S., and use that revenue to purchase time on cheaper stations in Canada. "Plus/touts, with/avec, the exchange rate/la rate d'echanger, we will save money/nous allons sauver l'argent", AAR CEO Danny Goldberg said.
But, what's behind the move?
According to Goldberg, him and all of the hosts renouncing their American citizenships was one of the harder decisions they've made, but they realize the payoff could be better than if they'd stayed in the U.S.
Firstly, they realized that their brand of liberalism stands a better chance of being heard and fully appreciated in a more civilized country like Canada.
Secondly, Al Franken realized that his becoming a Senator from Minnesota was nothing more than a sad joke, and he's now set his sights on becoming a Senator ("or whatever they have up here") from one of the Maritime Provinces ("the sunny one", Franken jokes).
And, thirdly, they all had a sudden epiphany that it was just the right thing to do after reading the review of
"The Truth (With Jokes)"
Posted at 08:11 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Air America: Robbin' da Hood since 2004
(From "petefrt"'s photostream)
Posted at 05:24 AM | Comments (0)
"Air America still recovering from disastrous beginnings"
As part of my goal to keep Air America on the radio - and thus keep this site on the web - the current scandal is forcing me to take drastic action. I've contacted the NYT, LAT, WaPo, and other MSM outlets and started shopping around a way to nip this issue in the bud. All they need to do is give the OK, and get the quoted hosts to sign off on the comments I've attributed to them:"We all believed in Evan Cohen," a contrite Al Franken said, tears welling in his eyes. "But, he let us down."(For examples of this growing meme, see this comment and Elderta's comment here. Note that in "Left of the Dial", their former chairman was "depicted as a complete fraud.")
The comic - one of America's leading funnymen - was referring to the centrist/liberal network's original chairman. Unconfirmed Internet websites - known as "blogs" - have stated the completely unverified claim that the previous owners of the network are involved in a small loan issue of some kind. The current owners and managers have absolutely no affiliation with the previous owners or managers.
Evan Cohen resigned in May, 2004 under a cloud of suspicion as to his financial and political motives.
"I never knew much about him, but I trusted in his business judgement. Now, I know he let us down. I think I know why: he was a Republican!" an angry Randi Rhodes says.
Cohen was not just a Republican from Guam. He was also a political operative for that party and the former chief of staff for Republican Governor Tommy Tanaka. Tanaka pleaded guilty to corruption charges in 2003. [Note to LAT/NYT/WaPo editor: That Wikipedia AAR entry is a great resource, especially since it has all the facts you want to know.]
According to a clearly agitated Mike Malloy: "This was obviously all part of the Flying Monkey Right's secret plan to undermine our network! Those Nazi fascist brownshirt bastards - they stole that money and now they're trying to blame it on us! Damn them! Damn them to hell!"
Current AAR CEO Danny Goldberg stated, "Obviously, this so-called 'scandal' is part of the right-wing's plan to muffle our growing voice. It's no surprise that this started shortly after the Spring '05 ratings were released, showing us surging ahead in key markets. Have they no shame?"
Evan Cohen could not be reached for comment.
Examples of AAR's early problems can be found here, here and here.
Posted at 11:50 AM | Comments (4)
Gift baskets for the poor
Today's Al Franken Show was a repeat, but it was interesting nonetheless. One of their guests was Cork's Maggie O'Leary, who's started a site called gift-baskets-for-the-poor-of-the-world.com. She appeared on the show together with socialite and socialist publisher Bettina von der Hoovel to promote her plan.
Maggie discussed how much of the poverty in the world is due to low self-esteem and depression, and how her organization is working to combat that. Apparently many of the world's poor think no one in the first world cares about them. After complimenting her on her British accent, Franken disclosed how O'Leary intends to help poverty-stricken nations lift their spirits: distributing small gift baskets in poor neighborhoods throughout Africa.
Each tiny gift basket will contain items such as a walnut, a dried apricot, and a small bottle of grape juice. And, each basket will also contain a world map, so the recipient will feel part of a greater whole.
The only fly in the ointment is that reciprocal agreements mandate that gift baskets contain 70% American walnuts and apricots, and those could not be purchased from, for instance, a Chinese cooperative farm and work center. O'Leary - together with Franken and von der Hoovel - are working to get these restrictions lifted.
While I "dis" Air America Radio frequently on this site, it was good to hear liberals returning to their original mandate of caring for the world's most vulnerable people, and I only wish they would do more of it.
Posted at 12:45 PM | Comments (0)
Clear Channel's secret plan for Air America
OPCEN has given me the go-ahead to describe what Clear Channel ("CC") is planning regarding Air America Radio. According to #7, the cat's already out of the sack regarding this operation, so there's no harm and only upside to disclosing the truth.
Yes, of course, CC is basically an arm of the VRWC. Yes, it's about the money for CC, but it's also about the ideology. Many on the other side cheered as CC converted stations to AAR, without knowing what that really meant. The goal was to set up AAR to fall, and fall big.
#7, #45, and various other operators have been working on a new CC format entitled "Progressive Talk." (Planted report here.) It's already in San Antonio at KRPT-FM 92.5, and a similar format will be coming soon to Ohio's WARF 1350 AM (aka Radio Free Ohio).
For instance, look at the lineup for KRPT:
Doug Stephan's Good Day USA
Jerry Springer
Stephanie Miller
Ed Schultz
Phil Hendrie
Lionel
Alan Colmes
"Good Day USA"? Doesn't sound too "liberal" to me. Springer is basically an embarrassment, and Miller is a comedienne. Phil Hendrie a "liberal"? He basically converted his show into one long ad for #3 last year. As for Big Ed, well, let's just say that he's already used to converting and future surprises just might be in store...
And, of course, one notes the lack of AAR stalwarts Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo from that list...
Hoorays are in store for #7 for this classic pincers move, and we'll watch as this plays itself out.
Posted at 11:41 AM | Comments (1)
Sproing
Posted at 04:31 PM | Comments (0)
Petro Truck Stops to acquire Air America
From the AP:
BLOOMINGTON-NORMAL, ILLINOIS (AP) -- In a surprise announcement, Petro Truck Stops announced its intent to acquire the troubled radio network. Petro - which operates over 2000 truck stops across the U.S. - will continue the format as-is. Any areas that are currently not covered by AM radio will be covered using Citizen's Band repeaters located at Petro's locations.
"Breaker, breaker, good buddy. Looks like we've got some comedy radio comin' your way!" announced Petro CEO Buford Schmitterling. "This will provide a good forum for Petro advertising, as well as giving our customers a steady source of comedy," he continued.
Air America interim CEO Carrot Top could not be reached for comment.
Wait, this just in, see the next post for breaking news...
Posted at 10:49 AM | Comments (1)
EXCLUSIVE: Air America Paycheck Discovered
Our sources have surreptitiously xeroxed Al Franken's payroll check.
Posted at 10:58 AM | Comments (0)
Breaking: NPR Launches Hostile Takeover of Lib Radio Network
Details of the offer here.
Posted at 10:17 PM | Comments (0)
The Bore America challenge
OK, so by now we all know that Chuck D and Sam Seder will be the first Air America "talents" to be so consumed with outside projects that they must immediately discontinue their illustrious and highly-valued by their coworkers contributions to the Great Cause.
The only question is, when?
The person with the closest guess for either, left in the comments before April 15, 2004, will win a Michael Savage tape or book or something of similar fairly low cost.
Posted at 01:17 AM | Comments (5)
