Air America callers

[gekeeley]

Ok, so after listening to Air America (online, NH hasn't yet taken the step to carry them) for a few hours yesterday, I came to this conclusion:

95% of the callers are ridiculous. They all seem to be radio-retarded, all with the same redundant message: Bush is baaaaaaaaaaah-d (yes, more than one made goat sounds).

This is a little disheartening. When I heard about the formation of a liberal talk radio network, I was overwhelmed with excitement; finally a counterstrike to the long days pats of Limbaugh and Imus and Novak and O'Reilly. And even though the message is targeted to the base, not meant to sway conservative minds, I'm saddened that instead of being a forum for intelligent thoughts, its denigrated into a liberal version of Limbaugh. Bashing the president is fun, but conservatives live on after Bush, being so near-minded is dangerous.

Maybe its just me, but I really would like to see the liberal stations do their jounalistic duties with integrity while at the same time broadcasting their liberal message. Oh well, that's all I've got.

Viva liberals!

[NMDemDist2]

1. I have two words for you-- Al Franken n/t

[joeunderdog]

56. I have 2 words for Al Franken...

Election Fraud.

[Blue Belle]

76. No kidding...

I stopped listening to him after he swept the possibilty of election fraud under the rug (After he campaigned for donotions to "Ohio Dems" too!!). It was te final straw for me. I know it was probably a political decision on his part (him wanting Norm Coleman's SEnate seat and all), but a) how does he expect to win an election if the voting is rigged, and b) how does he expect anyone to vote for him if he refuses to take a stand on our most basic right as a United States Citizen?

We don't need more Dems like that in th Senate if you ask me.

[mirandapriestly]

87. me too. don't trust him.nt

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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

[redqueen]

6. Hah!

:D

[AsinineAutumn]

13. I think....

that it is the whacked out repub's calling in and pretty much making a mockery out of the station, I listened in yesterday

and I agree it was retarded. Screen the callers please, these people are making us look bad!

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

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

[AsinineAutumn]

55. I have an Idea!!!

I am going to go through all the posts and anyone that strays from the "norm" i'm going to flame them!! I'm sure to get lots of posts!!

[SeveneightyWhoa]

62. Okay, that's great for you..

..but what does it have to do with what I said?

You're setting up a straw-man argument. I never claimed that anyone who diverges from the "norm" is a disruptor. Read my post again. I was pretty clear and specific as to the reason for my allegation.

EDIT: And if I'm wrong, then I apologize. It's just my experience that whenever someone barges in here talking about how someone is making Democrats "look bad", its usually not out of actual concern for the Democratic Party. Perhaps I'm wrong since you're talking about apparently-Republican callers..

[movonne]

37. I was listening to Sam (taking Randi's place) and about 3 calls came

in, in a row and all the same message (like it was scripted) about how AA sounds like it is against America (but pretending that they were Dems)..I really think these people are paid for by either faux news or the RNC...and now it sounds like they have moved over here...

[tridim]

46. Or maybe the same people that have apparently paid off Tweety?

[AsinineAutumn]

53. EXACTLY

exactly the point I was trying to make, that some of these callers sound sketchy.

[Zinfandel]

65. Yo Gek said 95%...what the fuck has he been smokin?

Listen to Malloy, have you heard of Malloy, have you listened?

As our good friend Limbaugh would say, and Randi reiterates it...Talk radio is entertainment, nothing more...they are NOT journalist...pay fucking attention!!!

[stepnw1f]

73. Ding, ding, ding

new RNC talking point: "Attack AAR as a radio station that just complains".

[gekeeley]

74. Riiiiiiight...

If I was working for the RNC, I would've done a better job than that. Besides, if you actually READ what was written, you would've realized that I was actually talking about the callers, not the network.

[stepnw1f]

77. whatever... get lost

[gekeeley]

78. Strong argument

But I don't back down from my opinion just because some people don't agree with it.

[SeveneightyWhoa]

85. Nah, I think he does have a strong argument.

Funny that two new posters came out of the woodwork, simply to bash Air America.

Is that a good way to introduce yourself to DU? I doubt it.

Do you think the folks at FreeRepublic would be accomodating if a brand new poster came in denouncing Rush Limbaugh, saying he "makes us look bad"? I doubt it.

[skylarmae]

3. I take umbridge with your post, gekeeley!

two words come to mind for you, my friend, get real!!!!!!!

[redqueen]

4. A liberal version of Limbaugh? WTF?

So you're saying they're lying? Trashing people who don't deserve it?

I call shenanigans.

[antonialee839]

5. Have a nice stay.

[oc2002]

7. AA is doing a great job. And entertaining at the same time.

AA is not a place for journalistic integrity, its not about news, or such, but about politics and entertainment good enough to fire up the base and trash the right wing gassbags.

[LaPera]

88. I do agree!!

[tridim]

8. I've listened to AAR for more than "a few hours"

Probably a few thousand hours and disagree with you. AAR callers are the most informed and intelligent people in the entire history of talk radio.

What program did you listen to for a few hours?

[sam sarrha]

9. wale up and smell the Fascism..Bush is a puppet and needs the strings cut

then start carving out the cancer from the top down...

[Skidmore]

10. There is no such thing as a liberal version of Limbaugh.

He's a purely RW creation and we don't want a version of him. I have my favorites on AAR, but they all are doing their jobs and putting forward the diversity of ideas and opinions in the left. The one thing we all do generally agree on is we don't like * and those who have forwarded his policies for the past several years deserve to be stained with that nastiness. Yeah, I plan on mentioning * and every poltical operative and conservative who cozied up to him in the same sentence for some time to come.

[gekeeley]

11. I'm not complaining about AIr America

I guess I didnt get my point across fully. Air America is doing a fantastic job... their reporting and their shows are entertaining as well as informative and they really get my blood boiling... I'm complaining about the callers... they see it as a forum to only bash Bush. I was hoping that it'd be a common place for us liberals to share our voice OVER THE AIR... not just a place to all say the same thing. ONe thing I love about the Democratic party is that we don't feel the need to follow what everyone else believes in, and I was hoping that the callers would reflect that.

I'm not a hypocrite though, so thanks for saying that.

[Kerrytravelers]

18. we don't feel the need to follow what everyone else believes in

A wide majority of the country supports reproductive rights. So, the Dems are, in fact, aligned with everyone else's beliefs.

What exactly is "what everyone else believe in"?

[gekeeley]

22. I mean within the party...

Unlike most Republicans (but less now than before)... us Democrats don't feel the need to follow the official Democrat stance on an issue. We think for ourselves.

[papau]

21. Take Back America callers are as you note into bashing Bush -

but then that is the idea behind Stefanie's show. Use the tape machine to prove how nuts the RW and the media that supports the RW are - show how they lie and/or ignore truth - and note the Bush bashing that Bush deserves but never gets from our brave mainstream media.

And to do all that that with a smile and some good comedy.

I agree Stef's call in types are one note - but I need a laugh in the AM -- later shows in the day have the policy discussion call in types that might be of more interest to you.

Good Luck!

:-)

[msongs]

38. uh oh diversity of opinion raising its ugly head...must squelch :-) nt

[gekeeley]

45. Hahaha, I know, right? Jeez

[Hobarticus]

61. Welcome to DU, gekeeley...

Some folks get all suspicious when they see that tiny little number next to your name. Don't take offense.

:hi:

[gekeeley]

70. Thank you.

Lack of experience hasn't stopped me before. I'm not backing down because of it either.

[JackBeck]

12. We must be listening to two different Air America's.

I deplore the constant comparisons to Limbaugh. Air America always broadcasts the truth and if a mistake is made, apologies and clarifications abound. As for the callers, when I got through to Randi, I never once mentioned Bush's name.

[bluethruandthru]

26. Unfortunately, I think one of the reasons Air America

will never get the kind of ratings that RW radio gets is because our hosts do not lie to and inflame their listeners. Issues are presented factually and fairly. Rush and Sean and their ilk get a huge number of mouth-breathers listening and they bring in the ratings.

[tridim]

63. AAR is beating the crap out of every RW show except Rush

They're even beating Rush in several cities. What are you talking about?

[bluethruandthru]

66. I work in radio and I only know about my market.

Unfortunately the ratings aren't great here...but, of course, Rush and Sean and the other hate talkers have been around alot longer. Don't get me wrong, I'm not giving up... I just don't have alot of faith in the intelligence of the population as a whole. The lower the IQ..the more they love Rush foaming at the mouth 'bout libruls.

[Zinfandel]

68. The pigman Rush is also getting his ass handed to him in several markets!

[JackBeck]

67. AAR, which is ONLY coming up upon its Second Anniversary, is

making amazing headway into the RW market. While I can see you point about the truth being less compelling as the lies the RW-ers present, Randi and Mike surer get the wingers blood boiling!

[hlthe2b]

14. without saying WHICH AAR show you were listening to...

I'm not sure how you think anyone could interpret your post? There is an incredible variety of shows and different hosts seem to attract/tolerate different types of callers--including some who coddle RW idiots (Springer come to mind? :eyes:)

[gekeeley]

16. It was the Majority Report...

and Springer.

You're right "Air America" wasn't the best choice of words, but it seems that everytime I listen to these shows, and they go to the phones, someone uses their time to say "Bush is bad, he needs to go"... oftentimes out of the context of the topic of conversation. I hate Bush like the next person, but I tune in to hear about what's going on in the news with a liberal slant and some humor...

[Name removed]

40. Deleted message

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

[gekeeley]

48. Read what I wrote, don't just assume...

I'm not bashing liberals, first off, I'm probably one of the most liberal people you'll talk to... secondly... I'm providing a commentary on CALLERS into Air America... not the whole group of people who share a common political belief... just this ridiculous bunch of callers who provide nothing to the show they are responding to... much like this comment you made.

[hlthe2b]

43. Springer drives me nuts, but Thom Hartman subbed for MR

yesterday, I think? I didn't get to hear much of it, but he is usually excellent.... No telling what kind of callers he got, though

[EST]

64. Welcome to DU!

:toast: The average progressive, if there could be said to be any such thing, is now well and truly angry. There is a much bigger audience, now, than there was and a lot of them are listening because they, too, are disgusted and angry with their president.

A large proportion of the new listeners are looking for their "hate brace" because it is a very emotional issue. When a relationship dissolves, especially through such treachery as has been perpetrated on the erstwhile 'conservatives,' anger and harshness is often a valid way to handle and adjust to the previously ignored deceptions. It will get better.

The further to the right one gets, the more plain, unvarnished truth looks like left wing propaganda. The current crop of neo-expletives is so far out that even a conversation about real, measurable scientific fact becomes about political opinion: such is the mental blindness that grips a sizable public percentage.

Intellectual exchange on media has been available for many years but was powerless to stop an idealogical, hypnotic attack from power mad, ethically challenged bigots.
The prime directive that most of us became democrats, progressives, liberals, whatever the label, for is a devotion to truth telling, ethical behavior and respect for others. There will be no liberal "Rush Limbaughs:" they cannot exist and should they try, we will destroy them, ourselves.

[AsinineAutumn]

17. I listened to

the Majority Report yesterday and I could barely make out what some guy was trying to say....

GURRBLE GURBLE DUBAI GURBLE BUSH GURRBLE BAD.......

*I don't think Gekeeley meant every caller that calls in to AAR is incompetent, but I think some people are calling in and making issues sound like a joke.

[gekeeley]

19. *Exactly

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

35. I understand what you're saying

and I think some of the callers to the various talk shows are a bit lame-I put it down to stage fright. BTW, welcome to DU! :hi:

[AsinineAutumn]

20. But what do I know???

I only have 7 posts....

[papau]

24. You are wise beyond your post count!

:toast:

:-)

[Kerrytravelers]

25. Oh, did someone question your low post count?

Why would you think this?

[EST]

41. Welcome to DU!

:toast: We knew you'd get here but had almost given up!

[Kerrytravelers]

23. GURRBLE GURBLE DUBAI GURBLE BUSH GURRBLE BAD

Is that an exact quote? :shrug:

[AsinineAutumn]

27. On second thought

now that I think of it ....I think this is EXACTLY what the caller said, I might have skewed it a little bit to get my point across

but pretty much what it sounded like.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

34. Hi and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[The_Casual_Observer]

28. Bush is baaaaaaaaaaah-d

The message is good no matter how it's delivered.

[AsinineAutumn]

29. agreed

done and done, thank you everyone for coming out and playing!!

[dweller]

30. AAR and Jones Radio Network is broadcast 9am-6pm in my area

on a local am station, and it's wonderful. A full day of entertaining and informative news.

Except today, of course, since they have pre-empted with some basketball tourney. Now, you wanta talk radio-retards??
give a listen to that crap.

dp

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

31. Don't forget the Jones Radio Network

I don't like Jerry Springer and have been listening to Stephanie Miller on the Jones Network for several months now. Her callers seem to be rational. I also like Ed Schulz, also on the Jones Network-he will take on callers of all stripes, and isn't afraid of explaining his views. I loved it how one time he got a freeper to admit to racsim. Ed's liberal callers are informed and don't tend to bleat. Funny, but many folks think both of these are on AAR, which they are not. It's important to remember.

[Frank Cannon]

42. God, I wish we had Stephanie Miller...

instead of Jerry Springer in the morning.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

44. I listen online

there's no radio station around here that carries liberal talk radio.

[Armstead]

32. Assuming you're being sincere, you have a point

I like Air America, but it sometimes seems too narrowly focused on fighting Bush.

One reason I liked Morning Sedition was that Marc Maron talked about a lot of things. He can bash Bush with the best of them, but he goes beyond that to talk about daily life, showbiz and the substance of issues......Rachael Maddow is great too, in terms of going deeper issues beyond partisanship.

[gekeeley]

36. Thank you

That is exactly what I was saying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hfojvt]

47. Yet it has never hurt the conservatives

to spend so much time bashing Clinton. They are still doing it, five years later. It's like a meme that says "remember what happened the last time we elected a Republican President. Let's make sure we never do that again."
Plus, Bush is such an easy target.

[tridim]

33. First they ignore AAR, then they ridicule AAR...

then they fight AAR, then AAR wins.

Phase 3 is certainly a 'go' on multiple fronts.

[AsinineAutumn]

39. What's that Batman??

People are attacking Liberal media?? TO THE BATMOBILE!!!

[SofaKingLiberal]

58. Welcome to DU.

Enjoy your stay. :D

[RagingInMiami]

49. That's the beauty of our country

If you don't like what's being said on the radio, turn the dial or turn it off.

[IChing]

50. I think businesses should fire all AAR listeners

Businesses know that "radio retarded" employees who listen to AAR are members of Al Quida.
Besides, we don't want to do the "blame game" on
Katrina,
the Iraqi War,
the Federal Deficit,
the lack of national health care,
the number of homeless,
the lost of our constitutional rights,
the corruption,
the rape of our environment,
the poisoning of our food,
destruction of our military,
the selling of country's to terrorist nations
the fascism

etc.. etc.

We need to play this card



Sarcasm off.

[gekeeley]

57. Good one...

what I'm saying is that... instead of presenting sound arguments against Bush, the callers are just blatantly saying Bush is bad. Though it may be true, which it is, it doesn't back it up. All they have to do is mention any number of the issues you did and their point would be backed up.

[Sparkman]

51. We need an AAR, it's BOTH informative & fun. BUT...Pacifica Radio rules!

It's much more informative, a must for learning things the corporate media and the RW blogs don't say.

[dogday]

54. During the 2004 elections, AAR was a lifesaver for me

I could actually go to a radio station and hear someone talking about issues that I was agreeing with and it was a good realease...

[Mythsaje]

59. Try listening to Thom Hartmann's show

He gets high-quality callers.

[gekeeley]

60. Will do.

Thanks for being sane.

[bullwinkle428]

82. Hartmann is great! He speaks with RW guests all of the time - he uses

his considerable intellect to show how full of crap their arguments are, and the wingnuts are so taken aback by his general good nature that they don't realize they've been skewered...

I'm listening to him right now:

http://www.airamericaradio.com/thomhartmannpage

[JackBeck]

71. Thom Hartmann is my afternoon choice as well. His Friday's with

Bernie Sanders are a treat every week.

[jillan]

69. I have felt that way at times

I have even emailed AAR hosts asking them to be more positive about the dems and to shut up about the repugs. To talk more about the good things that dems are doing, etc.

Then I woke up. My favorite radio show - a local program here in Az - and I am in mourning at the loss of our AAR station... they were talking about this very thing. They did a rant on how they were there to do the dirty work for the democratic party. They were there to make sure people knew just how
f'd-up the republicans are and how no one in their right mind should ever vote for a republican again.
They said they were there so democratic candidates can go out and campaign and spread their message, and that candidates shouldn't have to deal with swift-boats and other bs smear tactics. That was the job of the left talking heads.

And listening to that, I changed my mind. I am thankful for all of the liberal screaming on AAR. They are there for a purpose. Let them rant about repugs. Let them be an outlet for the people that need a place to go and scream about what is going on in this country.

M & M - thank you for putting it all in perspective. Dam - I miss those guys.

We NEED AAR. And, if you want journalistic integrity - listen to Rachel Maddow.
She's as professional as they come, imho.

[stepnw1f]

72. Funny... You Sound Just Like That Guy Who Called Sam

last night. Same bullshit rhetoric.

"jounalistic duties with integrity"

Really? No integrity? Bullshit buddy. How can people not bash Bush, and no it's not all AAR does. I listen EVERYDAY....

:nopity:

[gekeeley]

75. Didn't you already say that?

Hollow accusations get you nowhere... maybe... MAYBE... I actually care about the Democratic party and any of its allies, that I want to see it be the best it possibly can be without anyone denigrating its INTEGRITY.

and since when is integrity a Republican word? Because if it is... that a bit ironic.

[stepnw1f]

79. Actually This Was My First Response to Your Thread

the other was a response to another responder.

[CornField]

80. The problem with the callers is

that you have a lot of non-liberals phoning in and pretending to be liberals. The same can also be said of handful of posters on DU...

[gekeeley]

81. I completely agree...

and that was pretty much the point I was trying to make.

and if you think that I'm one of them, then you are sorely mistaken.

[Zinfandel]

83. You don't seem to know the difference between entertainment and

journalism! Talk radio is puff radio, liberal or not, take away what you want from it or nothing at all...if you can't read between the lines as you obviously can not, then you'll find nothing of value as most who listen do find...So criticize it and go find something better, perhaps Rush's brand of entertainment might be more to your liking...

These are not journalist they are talk radio entertainers...Limbaugh, Franken, Janeane, etc...each with a particular brand of ideology.

[gekeeley]

84. Just because..

I didn't find the show I listened to very informative or... particularly good... doesn't mean I should go jump ship and start listening to Limbaugh. Great logic.

[Zinfandel]

86. Well gek, many liberal-progressives here do listen to Limbaugh...

They aren't "jumping ship"...they listen for a variety of reasons, the pigman's bullshit makes them laugh, disgust them, or they are intrigued by the ditto-head sheep callers...That's entertainment...

When the great Mike Malloy goes on a rant, most love it, but some can't handle it...still, it's entertainment. What Malloy says happens to be my ideology exactly, (I'm a bit more liberal than he is but he's as close as I can find) and I also find Malloy extremely informative and entertaining...Mike always has very sharp callers on and I admire the fact that if the callers are not informed, they don't last long on Malloy's show...

Malloy would be the first to tell you he's not a journalist and you better do your own fucking homework...and I would say to all...enjoy liberal entertainment and support it!!!

http://saveairamericaphoenix.com /

[AsinineAutumn]

89. Exactly

Point Made.