READER COMMENTS ON
"Air America Off the Air in Phoenix..."
(185 Responses so far...)
COMMENT #1 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/1/2006 @ 11:42 am PT...
Were they getting good ratings and making money, and they were still pulled?
COMMENT #2 [Permalink]
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Sandy D.
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:04 pm PT...
Thom Hartmann, in his local Portland am slot on KPOJ this morning, commented about this situation. He said that if that progressive programming was a moneymaker, that some other station will take the programming. That makes sense to me. If you were the radio station which was # 25 in that market, wouldn't you jump at the chance to jettison the "lite" rock and instantly move up to #3?
COMMENT #3 [Permalink]
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azfrnick
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:11 pm PT...
Of course they were pulled off the air by the Christian right, who think their own interpretation of the bible should take over freedom of speech.
It's just a different type of terrorism.
COMMENT #4 [Permalink]
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123abc
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:17 pm PT...
The right wing wants everyone to hear nothing but their brand of radio. My recommendation is the solution I found: XM Radio.
COMMENT #5 [Permalink]
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bluebear 2
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:28 pm PT...
Although it didn't involve politics, this reminds of a number of years ago when a local rock station turned into a mexican station.
They were the only station around not playing what arbitron (sp) specified. The only place to get new stuff that you didn't otherwise hear.
When they went out they did a 24hr commercial free marathon. The last song?
"I'm on a mexican radio" of course!
COMMENT #6 [Permalink]
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Justjudy
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:43 pm PT...
This is definitely out of control! What is wrong with hearing the other side! Air American kept me sane during the elections. They are my "fair and balanced" alternative. Thankfully, we can go to our computers. Wake up Phoenix you are being taken over............
COMMENT #7 [Permalink]
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clueless
said on 3/1/2006 @ 12:43 pm PT...
I talked to the station manager there and told him I was ready to invest "$100,000 - $200,000 or more" in a new Phoenix radio station just to keep Air America on the air. We had a nice, long phone conversation. I asked him to send me info on some plans to acquire new station(s) and I would invest. I never heard from him again despite repeated phone messages and email.
COMMENT #8 [Permalink]
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mamameow
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:21 pm PT...
as a arizona resident, i think it was bought due to the difficulty the gop is going to have in 11/06. i think they hope this will give an edge to them in the elections. another radio station needs to be bought. or why not securing some low cost xm receivers and boxes and sell them at cost. the programming could be a problem but not impossible.
i think the right christjerks are running scared.
COMMENT #9 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:29 pm PT...
The Religious Wrong make up 12% of our population. But they are well-organized radicals, who are good at "appearing" that there's more of them than there are. Corporate Christ, is what they are. A bunch of hypocrites who do not follow the teaching of Christ. Corporate Christ is not to be confused with the real bible.
COMMENT #10 [Permalink]
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mitch
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:33 pm PT...
I live here in phoenix and although we had been told that the station had been sold to a Christian-programming group we were NOT told when the last day for Air America on the air would be. So this morning instead of Charles Goyette I got some preacher............
But justjudy, fyi Phoenix is awake, alive and kicking. And having lived here for the past 5 years or so i have found that the radio stations here in town change formats more often than some people change their underwear. Air America will be back sooner than later.
COMMENT #11 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:34 pm PT...
On LINK TV & FSTV, I saw "Weapons of Mass Deception", anti-war rallies, a show about Corporate Christ...important things.
On ANBCNNX, I saw Lou Dobbs interviewing a bunch of Republicans.
I noticed there's no politicians on LINK TV & FSTV, did anyone notice that?
Turn your dial away from Corporate news. People of Phoenix, turn your dials away from Corporate Christ. Fight back!
COMMENT #12 [Permalink]
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mitch
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:36 pm PT...
Settle down there Big Dan before your heart explodes. Phoenix is doin' just fine.
COMMENT #13 [Permalink]
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"The Turk"
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:41 pm PT...
Achtung Furcht -
(Attention,... Be alert/in fear of real danger.........)
Fascism -
gift wrapped in the Bible,... Praise the Lord !
SIEG - HEIL.
(Practicing up on that German - a second language
you don't want to find yourself without.)
COMMENT #14 [Permalink]
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DJ-M
said on 3/1/2006 @ 1:47 pm PT...
Mitch - great comment; you summed up the reason I started DJ Moves. Right or Left, stations never let their listeners know what the heck is going on.
Even if you're not #1 in the market, you must realize that some people rely on listening to you and deserve to know if their favorite program is disappearing - and when!
COMMENT #15 [Permalink]
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smedge
said on 3/1/2006 @ 2:12 pm PT...
Unfortunately, AM radio these days runs a lot like Bialystock and Bloom in "The Producers." You can make more money with a flop than a hit. There's a station in Phoenix that makes money renting out its studios by the hour (sort of like a brothel) to vitamin peddlers, neo-Nazis and the like. You pay, you play.
Something that would help progressive talk get more outlets around the country would be to outlaw brokered radio formats (where the station sells blocks of time for what amount to infomercials). Barring that, a drive to choke off support for brokered formats by boycotting companies that use the infomercial model to promote their products.
Force the AM's to compete for listeners rather than scrounge for vanity radio money from anyone who'll pay, no matter how unlistenable they might be.
COMMENT #16 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/1/2006 @ 2:35 pm PT...
Mitch, I'm sure Phoenix is doin' just fine!
COMMENT #17 [Permalink]
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BK
said on 3/1/2006 @ 2:41 pm PT...
Phoenix is a sewer, anyway you slice it.
The voters continue to support the local
Tent City Concentration Camp, with facist
devotion, seeing nothing wrong with a
jail that Amnesty International condemed
years ago. Any self respecting american
would not even live in that sewer of a city.
I lived there for 2 years, and sold the house
at a loss, just to get back to California to
civilization. Have never regreted it.
To hell with Phoenix. Let it rot, and don't
lift a finger to change it. Its a total waste
of time and effort. Remember, you can lead
a whore to culture, but you can't make it think.
COMMENT #18 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/1/2006 @ 3:24 pm PT...
I think we're thinking about this all wrong. 8 Christian channels is "balance"...offering 8 slightly different religious views. It' slike when Meet the Press has a: liberal Republican, a middle of the road Republican, and a conservative Republican! For Balance!!!
I git it!
COMMENT #19 [Permalink]
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John Evans
said on 3/1/2006 @ 3:41 pm PT...
We are living in a facist controlled state. When the people turn off their news and stop listening to the lies and propaganda maybe they will get the message. There will always be some morans who will believe anything they are told by false prophets but there is an awakening in the country happening. I just hope it isn't too late. I havent walked into a church and wont since they showed their ass during the 1rst bush presidential runnup to the stolen election. They do not have a place in God's army. They will feel the wrath soon enough. I would refuse to turn the stations on. Also I would call the advertisers and tell them how I felt and proceed to boycott them!!!!
COMMENT #20 [Permalink]
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Bluestocking
said on 3/1/2006 @ 4:03 pm PT...
Anyone who has trouble getting Air America in their area can download a very useful and free program called Yahoo! Widgets (a must-have in my opinion) and find a plug-in for the Air America stream.
And no, I'm not getting paid to advertise Yahoo! Widgets --- I just happen to think it's a terrific program. All the free plug-ins which are available have almost literally turned it into (to paraphrase the words of the late Douglas Adams) an all-singing, all-dancing program...
COMMENT #21 [Permalink]
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warsux
said on 3/1/2006 @ 4:19 pm PT...
Who owned the station before the Christofacsists bought it?
COMMENT #22 [Permalink]
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Disgusted
said on 3/1/2006 @ 4:28 pm PT...
The same situation exists thruout Kentucky. Illiteracy here in Hal Rogers\Jim Bunning Country (Somerset KY) is epidemic and these people get 15 hours a day of hate radio on Clear Channel and 2 local stations. (TV comes in from Lexington. ) The rest is that old time religion, country music and screaming guitars. Political discussion is impossible; if you tell these people anything they don't already know, they look at you as if you just grew horns and a tail. Then they run off and tell all their friends how arrogant you are. Even those who can think their way out of a paper bag and are Democrats have to be careful. The K Street project is alive and well here. You can't get a good job without a reference from the right wing nut churches here in town. Displaying a Dem bumper sticker will get you a traffic ticket every day until you remove it, and will get you fired from your job. No employer will permit a Dem bumpersticker in the parking lot. Might give people ideas! I an afraid to protest to my congressman for fear of losing what little security we do have. The vote here is cast on old Diebold touch screens and no one here ever heard of a problem with them. What to do?? Take back our airwaves and PBS, reinstitute the fairmess doctrine, and support Link TV.
COMMENT #23 [Permalink]
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warsux
said on 3/1/2006 @ 4:30 pm PT...
i don't have link or FSTV unfortunitley, but i know they carry democracy now, and Amy Goodman does have politicans on from time to time, Cynthia McKinney, Kucinich, etc, but also Journalists and academics, which is way better then what the MSM gives us. In fact how often do you see a college professor as a talking head save for when it's an ex-politican or the ocasional Ken Burns documentary?
COMMENT #24 [Permalink]
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byronius
said on 3/1/2006 @ 4:36 pm PT...
Hope to hell Phoenix can get back. There's plenty of good souls there --- I'm not surprised that the station hit #3 at all. Wherever AAR starts up, everyone listens, including the right wingers --- and then the fun starts, as everyone slowly wakes up. Just can't not happen. Too much fun.
BK's poem hit home. I'm a McClintock HS grad, ASU, worked all over downtown. I watched one night from high up in a tree in Solano Park as the police trained dogs to attack a man dressed up as a homeless person. I remember Evan Mecham, for Randi's Sake. And Joe Arpaio is going to burn in hell for the pain and misery he's brought to this planet, and the state of Arizona. Rapes and murders and torture, Oh My! And all in the name of Justice. That's Joe Arpaio, Christian NOT.
COMMENT #25 [Permalink]
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Todd
said on 3/1/2006 @ 5:24 pm PT...
Can someone link to a copy of the comments from the GM? The new owners have a "coming soon" splash page on all of KXXT's domains.
COMMENT #26 [Permalink]
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John R Brakey
said on 3/1/2006 @ 6:00 pm PT...
The Christian Right Republican Gubernatorial Candidate in Arizona is Len Munsil, former President Center for Arizona “Whacko’s” Policy. His political consultant is the notorious trickster
“Nathan Sproul.” Sproul was the 8th largest expense the RNC had in the 2004 election cycle at $8.3 million.
The only truth they want us to hear is theirs.
These are the say people who think that only righteous people can elect righteous people. So stealing our vote is no problem. After all they think they’re saving our souls.
A real Arizona Republican, the late Barry Goldwater said:
“Now those who seek absolute power, even though they seek it to do what they regard as good, are simply demanding the right to enforce their own version of heaven on earth, and let me remind you they are the very ones who always create the most hellish tyranny.”
I will miss AIR AMERICA RADIO PHOENIX, and most of all I enjoyed the humorous truth telling of the McChesney Brothers “Fred & Steve.” The M & M show was the BEST!!!
COMMENT #27 [Permalink]
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frannie
said on 3/1/2006 @ 6:29 pm PT...
Hook up on the internet and listen; screw those other people and their holy stations. ED SCHULTZ IS THE MAN. He is the truth teller.
Unfortunately, these holy rollers have the money to buy anything they want and the original owner got $40 million for this station and a couple of others. who wouldn't sell.
COMMENT #28 [Permalink]
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V Wood
said on 3/1/2006 @ 6:32 pm PT...
We need a rich progressive or liberal person/company to start buy some radio stations so they can control what is put on the airwaves. That is whats happening here, just ask Randi Rhodes what happened in Florida.
The Right Wing own all the media. Until that changes Air America doesn't have a chance except for satellite radio.
COMMENT #29 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/1/2006 @ 6:52 pm PT...
...Todd said on 3/1/2006 @ 5:24pm PT...
"Can someone link to a copy of the comments from the GM? The new owners have a "coming soon" splash page on all of KXXT's domains."
Here ya go.
COMMENT #30 [Permalink]
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Bush Bites
said on 3/1/2006 @ 7:27 pm PT...
WELL, STATIONS DO CHANGE HANDS AND SUCCESSFUL FORMATS ARE OFTEN TRASHED BY NEW OWNERS.
HOPE AIR AMERICAN CAN GET ANOTHER FREQUENCY IN PHEONIX WITH A MORE SYMPATHETIC OWNER.
WE NEED A RICH GUY TO START BUYING STATIONS AND SETTING UP A NETWORK LIKE RUPERT MURDOCH DID FOR THE CONSERVATIVES.
COMMENT #31 [Permalink]
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Lyle
said on 3/1/2006 @ 7:58 pm PT...
I was listening to Stephanie at midnight when they went ot the news. After the news, some Fristian, bible-babble facist was wanting money from pensioners and destitute listeners in exchange for him relieveing them of their toubles. We knew it was coming, we wrote letters and made numerous phone calls. It ws to no avail. People were tuning in to find out what the Unindicted Disgrace Bush was up to and were wondering why Kyl and McCain thought 20500 was an Arizona Zip Code. Air America Will Be Back In Phoenix before the main bout for the election starts after Labor Day. I'm an optimist.
COMMENT #32 [Permalink]
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Genna
said on 3/1/2006 @ 8:16 pm PT...
Since it apears that a lot of people need to be 'saved' in phoenix, maybe they can tell their listeners why male prostitute Jeff Gannon has visited the White House over 200 times - after hours - who is he 'servicing' - then they can 'pray' for them!
COMMENT #33 [Permalink]
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Joefreedom
said on 3/1/2006 @ 9:16 pm PT...
Why is that the far right get it and everyone else just gives up. If you want a free press and openess - the dems need to buy radio and tv stations like the republicans have for years. Until the democrats start buying stations and sharing the truth, liers like Bush will continue to .....
COMMENT #34 [Permalink]
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Bob Kincaid
said on 3/1/2006 @ 10:27 pm PT...
Talk of "freedom" and "censorship" is mostly out of place in this discussion.
AM commercial radio is strictly "business." As such, it becomes a matter of the listening audience trying to actively support the businesses that advertise. It's an absolute MUST in this dynamic, because you can bet the Wrong-wingers are doing it in reverse.
For every advertiser on lib/prog talk, there is a guaranteed phalanx of Wingnuts who are calling, e-mailing and stopping in saying "I'll never do business with you as long as you advertise on that Air America station." They've been doing it for years and they're very, very good at it. And it overcomes ratings, because business men are, by definition, extremely timid where their clientele is concerned.
Thus, the listening audience who wants AAR must make its voice heard with local businesses.
Ancillarily, some folks must also take it upon themselves to letter that Religion Industry station with concrete examples of how the licensee is failing to serve the greater Phoenix audience, as well as papering the FCC with complaints. Hard work, but ultimately very much necessary.
COMMENT #35 [Permalink]
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JUDGE OF JUDGES
said on 3/1/2006 @ 10:39 pm PT...
Air America Off the Air in Phoenix is a SIN !
COMMENT #36 [Permalink]
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bg1
said on 3/1/2006 @ 11:03 pm PT...
The most useful advice I've read here:
1. Call the advertisers and say you'll never do business with them as long as they advertise on that hate mongering/facist station
2. Liberal/Progressives with money should pool their resources and buy stations.
$ MONEY TALKS - PEOPLE WALK $
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
COMMENT #37 [Permalink]
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HDBiker
said on 3/2/2006 @ 3:50 am PT...
Well now, isn't that a real christian thing to do. I'm sure I remember hearing somewhere that jesus said, "If you don't like what the truth is, just buy it out." Yea, I think that one of the nuns at catholic scool said that.
COMMENT #38 [Permalink]
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HDBiker
said on 3/2/2006 @ 3:53 am PT...
.I just had an idea. Satellite radio. Blast Air America from satellite radio outside their studios
COMMENT #39 [Permalink]
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Lee Hirz
said on 3/2/2006 @ 4:10 am PT...
There is an option to form micro-broadcasting stations that are relatively unregulated by the FCC. My idea would be to establish a few of these throughout the Phoenix downtown area, link them together with a VPN and co-broadcast Air America on all simultaneously on the same wavelength. Since each would be at a power too low to be regulated, they would not be. But because together they could span a much larger area than a single licensed "regular" station, it might be a better solution. After all, it would require multiple separate actions because they could be multiple separate stations to try to close down the whole thing. And in the meantime new micro stations could be created while someone is in the process of trying to close down the ones that are operating.
COMMENT #40 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 3/2/2006 @ 4:58 am PT...
Big Dan #9
The "appearance" of being big is a phenomenon that attracts the deceitful.
In nature we can notice the puffer fish that sucks in air to inflate its body to several times its actual size.
It seems strange for any entity claiming to follow Jesus to try to get their way by visual intimidation.
We want Air America back in Phoenix!!!!
COMMENT #41 [Permalink]
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bejammin075
said on 3/2/2006 @ 7:14 am PT...
No biggie. There's always Serius & XM radio.
COMMENT #42 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/2/2006 @ 7:29 am PT...
Dredd: MSM can give the "appearance" with other things, too, like when Tim Russert has 3 Republicans on his show, and zero non-Republicans. It's the "appearance" that this country is for the Republican agenda. It's time to just turn it off, and watch LINK TV & FSTV. MSM's TV news is way off the charts of what American's are really thinking. It's just that there is nothing to turn to, until now. DISH 9410 & 9415.
COMMENT #43 [Permalink]
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big dan
said on 3/2/2006 @ 7:33 am PT...
Everyone on BradBlog is aware of the rightwing takeover of the MSM.
COMMENT #44 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:11 am PT...
On our Air America Phoenix show (The M and M Show) we described the Democratic Party of Arizona (as well as the national party) as "Professional Election Losers" who do two things: 1. Take donations. 2. Lose elections.
That no liberals stood up at any time to try to help this station succeed before, during, or after this sale is very illustrative of why we'd all better get ready for a loooooooooonng Republican rule. If there are any elite liberals in his country, they are certainly not helping the cause of taking it back from the right-wing crazies. We are getting our asses royally kicked in the media, in talk radio particularly, and this, like stolen elections and the destruction of our civil rights, seems to be met by the liberal leadership with either yawns or requests for money.
It is a sin not that this happened, but that it was allowed to happen. For the life of me, I can not understand why liberals are allowing this and many other things to happen.
Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the country, and Arizona is a red state but very divided, with huge opportunity for Democratic gains.
And, it appears no one outside the station lifted a finger to keep liberal radio on the air here.
As one who hosted a show on this station for 13 months, I am disgusted with the lack of action on the part of liberals. Rome's pretty much burned to the ground, and no one's even picked up a fiddle…
A generation from now, I think one question will be asked more than any other: "Where the hell were the liberals while this was happening?"
I wish I had an answer.
COMMENT #45 [Permalink]
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Soul Rebel
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:11 am PT...
Hey y'all, I'm moving to Cairo (yes, Egypt) this summer for a couple of years. Anyone have experience with radio in that part of the world? I think that streaming is the only way I'll get Air America unless they go to satellite.
COMMENT #46 [Permalink]
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BoreAmerica
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:30 am PT...
I have an idea: a reality TV/radio show just like Big Brother, except called "Peace House". It would feature AAR's local talent living in a big peace house. Al Sharpton could make the occasional visit.
COMMENT #47 [Permalink]
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DRA
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:31 am PT...
Yes, but WHY is AAR off the air? Is it possible to pinpoint who made the decision? It's not enough to say that some unseen, powerful entity associated with the Christian Right is responsible. What are the facts?
COMMENT #48 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:53 am PT...
Big Dan #43
I have been watching the Freedom of Speech (FSTV) network since you mentioned it.
Good stuff.
COMMENT #49 [Permalink]
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Jim-bob billy-jo-jack (from Texas)
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:56 am PT...
Hillary says that God told her "Christian" right wingers are terrorists. Thank God for the Patriot Act and Halliburton's detention camps.
And let's not forget, torture is now legal in the fight against terrorists. So is "sneak and peak" searches of terrorist churches. "Waco" was soooo old school!
"Hillary '08"
That'll teach 'em some respect for American values.
Have a nice day. xxoo
COMMENT #50 [Permalink]
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T. Barr
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:02 am PT...
I live in Phoenix and am devastated that Air America has vanished!
Yesterday, I could listen to: Hannity, O'Reilly and Limbaugh!
But NO left point of view! Just more fire and brimstone from idot zealots or the right's propaganda machine!
No wonder this country is so f------up!
A travesty has befallen Phoenix!
COMMENT #51 [Permalink]
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Dredd
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:09 am PT...
FredM #45
You said "I wish I had an answer". Ok you get one for free.
A lot of banks are being robbed. Are the police liberals because "they allow it"?
I guess it depends on how we define "allow it". In one sense of the word the police do allow robbers to rob banks in the sense that they do not stop bank robberies.
But the more mature discussion of this issue requires a better understanding of American social concepts. We know the police do not want bank robberies to happen, and they are not on the side of the robbers, and therefore we do not prosecute the police when a bank is robbed.
We prosecute the robbers not the police.
The republican talking points over the past years, have distanced themselves from American culture, and have gone off into a very strange place where the victims are blamed instead of the perpetraitors.
For instance, the white house, the senate, the house, the cabinet, and the DOJ are republican controlled. Republicans control the chair and the majority votes in all categories, all committees, all departments.
Republicans call meetings of the senate and house committees and decide and draft legislation. They make the law because they are the majority party and that gives them supreme power in the white house and in the congress.
They, then, are the robbers in the sense that they got hold of America's money. They control 100% of the committees that handle the money.
The robbers control the bank during a robbery, and everyone in the bank is told to be quiet, freeze, or face serious and deadly consequences.
The democrats and other minority parties are the police. They must identify the robbers and charge the robbers with wrongdoing.
I do not think we should blame the police because the robbers are robbing us.
There is your answer.
COMMENT #52 [Permalink]
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Steven
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:14 am PT...
It is really clear there is a desparate need for a 'voice of truth' network. It is not enough to produce content and hope it can somehow find its way to the public. Democracy in the US urgently requires a network that owns or controls the physical infrastructure at least to local distribution points.
There is, of course, the huge problem of getting cities and counties currently gourging themselves on 'cost-plus' cable rate monopoly contract. But if this can be addressed no other way, perhaps it can be circumvented by emerging wireless technologies.
COMMENT #53 [Permalink]
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gilbert_sundevil
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:21 am PT...
Look, I'm a registered Independent, so I've got no real dog in this fight.
Phoenix is a very large market. While Arizona has voted for Bush the last two elections, it's not a far-right state. It voted for Bill Clinton in '96 and voted in a Dem governor the last time around and will likely keep her in office in '06. In other words, there are plenty of Liberals/Progressives/Democrats.
According to RadioAndRecords.com, Air America was the 5th place AM station in the Valley in the Fall'05 ratings. While this may seem impressive on its face, the difference between 1st and 5th is huge. The AM market leader, KFYI, has ratings that are 5-times that of Air America. Of all radio stations (AM & FM), Air America was consistently around 25 out of 30, while KFYI was in the top 2 or 3. In other words, Air America was not very good in Phoenix. From what I've read, they hold similar positions in most markets.
There are some questions that fans of Air America should be asking themselves.
With so many potential listeners, why hasn't Air America done better? Is it the message? Are all these people that vote Dem in the elections a little too centrist for what comes out of Air America?
Is it the messengers? Look, you can be a hater of Rush Limbaugh, but he's good at what he does. Franken is just not very good at radio. Ms. Rhodes gets rolling on these incoherent rants that touch on 30 different subjects. Her thoughts seem so disorganized. She has a bad habit of steamrolling right over her callers, even the ones that agree with her. Have any of you guys ever listened to Hugh Hewitt? I don't agree with everything he says, but man, that guy is smart. His interviews are very thoughtful and calm.
The repubs have been doing talk radio for over a decade. Maybe the dems will get better. But I've listened to both the local and national offerings from the left side of the dial and they simply aren't going to compete with the right-wingers with anybody that's on the air now.
Just my $0.02
COMMENT #54 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:27 am PT...
Re #52
I have no idea what your meandering post was, but it was not an answer to my question. The current frequency (1010AM) was available for sale to Air America, and the station could have continued on as it was. No one stepped forward, and the station’s GM, Bob Christy spoke publicly about “screwing around with liberals who were full of s***” until it was too late.
Your post doesn’t even somewhat address this, and does not clarify, it confuses.
COMMENT #55 [Permalink]
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Jim
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:43 am PT...
I don't understand how a profitable station can have the plug pulled...
COMMENT #56 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:07 am PT...
Re #55
FredM, you said " Bob Christy spoke publicly about “screwing around with liberals who were full of s***” until it was too late. "
Did you mean to imply that Christy thinks ALL liberals are full of s*** or that the ones that he approached to buy the station are full of s***? In his letter, Christy says:
"Over the past 4 months I have tried to raise the money to buy a new station for Air America Phoenix...I have talked to more BS artists and rich guys who pretend they want to get “involved” and “progressive” venture firms that live in the world of “new media” and think that good old terrestrial radio, the kind that everyone has access to and is free 24/7, is so “over”! When I finally put together the right banker and the right investors, we were out of time! I’m mad at myself for wasting time with the charlatans, the BS artists and the dreamers."
I'm asking: Was Christy sincere in his attempts to keep liberal radio going in Phoenix, or, was this just another business deal for him?
A lot of the buzz was that even though 1010 was being bought, that Phoenix would still have AAR on another frequency. I think that more grassroots liberals would have gotten/would get involved if we had known that our link to reality would just disappear completely.
So what do we do now? Do we get behind Christy to try to find a new home, or do we have to start from ground zero to rebuild? What do we do?
COMMENT #57 [Permalink]
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HOBOJO
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:35 am PT...
The repugs. right wing hipacrite's must control every tv and radio outlet to keep the peope brain washed.they are holding on by their finger nails with all the power they can muster.Their grip is slowly slipping,it canno't be soon enough for us all. THEY ARE COWARDS THEY MUST HAVE UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO SURVIVE THEIR CORRUPT AGENDA ****
COMMENT #58 [Permalink]
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hope2endure
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:39 am PT...
BK I understand your frustration but some of us can't afford to move. I did not even know that Air America got bought out so when I turned the station on the all I heard was false religion alternating with info on bowel movement regularity. I kept checking the radio switching channels thinking it had moved or something. I finally went on the web and found their site with the goodbye letter. Needless to say this is a bummer. No more good news analysis on the radio for us I guess... :plain:
COMMENT #59 [Permalink]
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HOBOJO
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:47 am PT...
SHOULD BE HYPOCRITE WRONG KEY CORRECT DESCRIPTION OF KING GEORGIE AND HIS CRONIES.
COMMENT #60 [Permalink]
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glassa
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:49 am PT...
Hmm, just reading many of the posts, I can't help but say that I just LOVE the tolerance for other points of view on this site! (sarcasm intended)....
Celebrate diversity....of thought.
COMMENT #61 [Permalink]
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Charlene
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:58 am PT...
I empathize with #22, agree with #45, & want #54 to know that not all conservative talk hosts are good.
Michael Medved sucks.
He's rude, changes the subject, cuts people off, 'plants' certain callers that will agree with him, & tries to intimidate & bully callers--whenever someone makes a valid point that he can't refute.
The callers should all assume the toe-touch position before they call because that's all they'll get from him.
When will this rip job on America from the corporate world end you ask?
"The answer, my friend, is blowin in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind..."
COMMENT #62 [Permalink]
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Randy
said on 3/2/2006 @ 11:16 am PT...
I think progressive radio could make it if the show's were more like the Ed Schultz show. His show is fair and balanced and is entertaining. I've read quite a few responses talking about right wing hate show's. What do you call the Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy show's? Randi's 4 hour rant each day is enough to wear anyone out, and Mike's show is no better. Model your programming after Ed and I think you may have a chance!
COMMENT #63 [Permalink]
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Peggy
said on 3/2/2006 @ 11:34 am PT...
I was in shock yesterday when Al Franken was not on. This is a travesty. Who wants to hear about vitamins and those hypocritacal preachers??
I pray that Air America is on soon. Thank God I spend the summer on Cape Cod where I can listen to Al and company.
COMMENT #64 [Permalink]
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Grammie
said on 3/2/2006 @ 11:41 am PT...
To answer two questions posed:
James Crystal Radio in Fort Lauderdale FL sold KXXT to Communicom Corp in Denver CO. Communicom chose to change the format. (Their number is 303-759-8481 and the owner is Carl D'Maria)
COMMENT #65 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/2/2006 @ 11:41 am PT...
Re: #63
Randy, I think you may be missing the point. Progressive radio is making profits. The programming is a winning formula for making money already. The problem is not in losing money.
The problem is that most of the money in business is being put behind the right wing agenda. For media outlets, it isn't profit on the media side, it is profit on the agenda side.
In other words, corporate america can afford to lose money on its media outlets, as long as it gains on corporate welfare (such as arms contracts, oil drilling, and port deals).
At least that's the way that I see it.
COMMENT #66 [Permalink]
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Angie
said on 3/2/2006 @ 12:32 pm PT...
They took it off of Phila. a couple of months ago.
We have stream, but it's not like going into
another room and turning on the radio.
But I'm not an ingrate, at least we have stream.
They would not give a reason why they took it off.
I feel it's a power play by the neocons.
While Limbaugh, Hannity, etc. have lost listeners
AIR AMERICA picked up listeners.
COMMENT #67 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/2/2006 @ 12:34 pm PT...
It is a sad sad sad sad sad sad day in Phoenix today.
(However, I was amused to start my car and hear the new religious stuff. At first I thought it was one of Al's satires --- it was so cliche that I had to laugh! Callers were interpreting the bible in such weird ways that the host could only reply "er, um, okay". Reminded me of an episode of Newhart.)
COMMENT #68 [Permalink]
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Soul Rebel
said on 3/2/2006 @ 12:49 pm PT...
#63
Ed Shultz is OK, but I get awfully tired of the "heh heh heh let's do some fishin' and how's the weather?" I think he shoots for a more lowbrow audience, and I don't mean that disrespectfully.
Randi and Mike are way on top of facts, they do their research, and because of this they are extremely pissed off. Like me. Give me these two over Ed any day.
COMMENT #69 [Permalink]
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Paul
said on 3/2/2006 @ 12:56 pm PT...
It's a business. Perhaps a business makes money, but a new business may make more money. If it doesn't, then something else will come along and take its place. It has nothing to do with Bushco.
The Burger King next to my house was dirty and had no business. It is now a Williams Chicken. It may not make it, but it is a cleaner restaurant.
I am surprised Air America is still on the air at all.
Al Franken is just a comedian. There are funnier comedians.
COMMENT #70 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/2/2006 @ 1:08 pm PT...
Beware right-wingers lurking and peddling two falsehoods: 1. Air America is failing to win audiences. 2. The solution, like the (fake) solution for the Democrats, is to move to the center, thereby giving people a choice of Republicans and Republicans lite. Some may use tactics like #52, which puts AM and FM stations together to make AA look worse. For the record, FM's hold 18 of the top 20 spots in Phoenix, and AA built its audience with no promotion at all.
The solution is for liberals to understand what we are up against, and to know that right-wing propaganda radio will lose millions building an audience, like the local KFYI FOX affiliate did. We need media, and we need a long-term view.
The right wing BUYS market share, probably using defense money and God money. They can afford to lose money on media, as they get it back from the American people in other ways, some of which may even be legal...
COMMENT #71 [Permalink]
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Sander Bellman
said on 3/2/2006 @ 1:29 pm PT...
:(WWAA-AM/1690, Atlanta's Air America affiliate, has been sold to the owner of WMLB-AM/1160. 1160-AM is a music format, and rumor has it that the new owner may not be a big fan of the progressive talk programming we presently enjoy at 1690-AM. We've also heard that Clear Channel (which carries Air America in some other parts of the country) will get Air America for our Atlanta market, where they have 24 affiliates. Whatever happens, 1690-AM will remain the same until sometime in April.
In a conversation I just had with the station, they still do not know if 1160 AM will keep the Air America format. They are all in the dark over there as to what is happening.
COMMENT #72 [Permalink]
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Ray Thompson
said on 3/2/2006 @ 1:52 pm PT...
I'm not the least bit surprised. One need only read what passes for an op-ed page in the Arizona Republic newspaper, essentially the only one in town, to understand what a stranglehold the nut jobs have on politics in this state. Last year, when senators McCain and Lyl were running around the country telling lies about social security, the Arizona Repulsive said nothing. I had to read articles in the LA Times and St Petersburg Times to get any critical commentary about their obvious dissembling. HOORAY FOR BROADBAND!!!
COMMENT #73 [Permalink]
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alice kelly
said on 3/2/2006 @ 4:05 pm PT...
I am so bummed out that Air America Phoenix is gone. I know, I know I can get satellite, but I am going to miss the local,alternative voices the most. I also think I'm actually going to miss honing my attention skills from listening to the programming over the crackling static.
The KXXT call letters are dead to me now, my radio will never be tuned to there again. I also hope the new station tanks.
COMMENT #74 [Permalink]
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punque
said on 3/2/2006 @ 5:33 pm PT...
No, it's not a business in the sense of "we'll put on whatever makes money."
Salem Communications puts only conservative talk and Christian formats on all of its stations. Even though Air America often tied or beat its hosts in the ratings, Salem will continue doing conservative talk on KKNT. Why? Because its ideology is more important than profits or ratings.
I am surprised no one has brought up that Communicom, the new owners of KXXT, kept its New Orleans station WLNO-1060 on with paid preacher tapes during the time Katrina was blowing the city to pieces. No hurricane info, no news, just those damned preacher tapes. There's a factoid that should get some exposure. Although, given the attitude of Communicom's fellow Republican occupant of the White House toward New Orleans' misery, it's no surprise.
COMMENT #75 [Permalink]
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bjainaz
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:00 pm PT...
this was the letter from the AAP website on the day off and until this morning before the website was tainted:
Posted on the Air America Phoenix's website this evening:
------------------------------------------------------------------
a message from air america phoenix
February 28th, 2006
Dear Friends of Air America Phoenix,
Thank you to the staff, the listeners and the clients for all you’ve done in the past 17 months.
You helped take an unrated, unprofitable AM radio station and pushed it to a tie for 3rd place out of 25 AM stations in Phoenix. You took that same AM station and made it profitable in less than a year and even after the sale was announced you stood by Air America Phoenix and we kept on making money even when our future was in doubt and we didn’t know when our “plug” was going to be pulled. In fact, the last month we were on the air was the 3rd best month we’ve had financially!
Air America Phoenix has now disappeared into the ether and Phoenix is left with multiple Christian formats, some in English and others in Spanish, several “brokered’ time stations (you know the radio stations selling you vitamins, good bowel movements and financial advice) a bagful of right wing “Conservative Talk stations” featuring Rush, Sean, Laura, Bill Bennett, Savage, Medved and all of their local imitators, three “Sports Talk” stations that live off the largess of their sister stations in the big corporate clusters that dominate the dial in Phoenix. Is anyone enjoying Tony Snow on KTAR…did anyone ask for him? And there are 3 “nostalgia” stations on AM and another on the FM dial. (The inside radio joke on nostalgia is that listeners are “dying” for it!) CBS’ new “Free” FM is another station loaded with sophomoric chatter, but without the interruption of overplayed songs! Free FM is a continuous loop of bad FM morning show humor 24 hours a day! CBS should have stood by Howard Stern and they will regret the day they didn’t!
Phoenix has 60 odd radio signals on the AM and FM dial and the best of those signals are owned by four companies; CBS, Clear Channel, Bonneville and Sandusky, they play it safe and considering the level of investment, it is certainly understandable. Innovation and change has to come from the smaller clusters and the one and two station owners. Will they innovate? Take a chance like we did with KXXT? Probably not, they never have and they never will, like the classic definition of insanity they “continue to do the same thing over and over expecting different results”! Only a special company like James Crystal would let me take the chance, Thanks, Jim!
Over the past 4 months I have tried to raise the money to buy a new station for Air America Phoenix. We made offers on 2 stations; one didn’t have an adequate signal to insure success and the other was laughably over priced. I have talked to more BS artists and rich guys who pretend they want to get “involved” and “progressive” venture firms that live in the world of “new media” and think that good old terrestrial radio, the kind that everyone has access to and is free 24/7, is so “over”! When I finally put together the right banker and the right investors, we were out of time! I’m mad at myself for wasting time with the charlatans, the BS artists and the dreamers. I’m also worn out and I have to publicly apologize to the love of my life, Jan, for being so damn grumpy and short since last fall. Baby, you have been just great, thank you!
I need to thank all the great network people; Al, Mike, Stephanie, Sam and Jeanine. And of course my friend Ed Schultz who was the first on and signed! And Randi…I always love you more!
This has been the single best experience I’ve had in broadcasting, better than being number one in Boston! KXXT has simply been the best. The people I’ve worked with at AA Phoenix have been the most dedicated, hard working and they wouldn’t leave when I tried (twice) to throw them out of the building. I love you all and as Jan says we are a family!
Thank you for all you’ve done!
Robert J Christy
General Manager,
Air America Phoenix, 1010 Talk KXXT
COMMENT #76 [Permalink]
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bjainaz
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:03 pm PT...
i see there is a link to this at the top of the page...sorry =/
COMMENT #77 [Permalink]
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Ed Thomas
said on 3/2/2006 @ 8:18 pm PT...
There has to be a solution for Air America in Phoenix. Start a fund to buy a station. I would willing to install a low power station mentioned in a previous post. I have a feeling that this attack will continue on progressive talk radio. We should get together and brainstorm a solution. I can't believe the way things have changed with basically no notice. Now is the time for action.
COMMENT #78 [Permalink]
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warren darne
said on 3/2/2006 @ 9:04 pm PT...
we just lost air america here in missoula, montana
COMMENT #79 [Permalink]
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Randy
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:36 pm PT...
Re #63
Ram,
If progressive radio is a winning formula, how come they are not signing up stations everywhere?
Reading through these responses I've read that 3-4 more stations have dropped AAR recently. Radio is just like any other business. It's driven by profit's and if your ratings are low you'll never get quality advertising to by in. I recently heard that AAR has to pay some markets (San Fransico being one) just to air their programs. I thought it was suppose to be the other way around. The radio stations paying AAR for the right to air their programming. I wonder how many stations Limbaugh or O'Reily pay, so we can have the pleasure of hearing them?
I was listening to AAR out of Spokane, Washington a couple of weeks ago and every other commercial was a public service anouncement. I find it hard to believe that a station can make it on government ad's. Maybe that'sthe reason when you get 20 miles out of Spokane the signal is gone.
I think until AAR moderates it view's a little, it will fail. I think show's like Ed Shultz will work. A couple of day's of Randi Rhodes rants and and Mike Malloy talking about the "Bush crime family"people turn off.
.... my two cents!
COMMENT #80 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/2/2006 @ 10:53 pm PT...
Randy:
Re: #79
Gee, I'm just basing my assumptions on hearsay that liberal radio can make a buck. From people like the general manager of KXXT:
"You helped take an unrated, unprofitable AM radio station and pushed it to a tie for 3rd place out of 25 AM stations in Phoenix. You took that same AM station and made it profitable in less than a year and even after the sale was announced you stood by Air America Phoenix and we kept on making money even when our future was in doubt and we didn’t know when our “plug” was going to be pulled. In fact, the last month we were on the air was the 3rd best month we’ve had financially!"
(Read post #75 above)
You said: "Radio is just like any other business. It's driven by profit's and if your ratings are low you'll never get quality advertising to by in. "
Radio is not just like any other business. That is the whole point. The media is owned and operated by people who want to limit the information that gets to the masses--who want to control US. If profits were the only consideration, we would still have AAR on KXXT in Phoenix.
COMMENT #81 [Permalink]
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Independent Voter
said on 3/2/2006 @ 11:04 pm PT...
I hope the American public doesn't get brainwashed by the Christian Right-Wing Hypocrites who use God for political gain. Conservatives aren't true Conservatives. The Christian Right preaches hate and doesn't preach the teachings of Jesus.
COMMENT #82 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 3/3/2006 @ 7:32 am PT...
I've been listening in on the new Christian programming, and it's not even good for a Christian station. You'd think if you're going to start a brand new Christian station, you'd at least do something innovative with the format.
Whoever is behind this had no intention of improving the ratings OR spreading the Gospel, OR saving souls. Someone just wanted a way to shut up AA Phoenix, and they did so.
COMMENT #83 [Permalink]
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Skip R
said on 3/3/2006 @ 7:49 am PT...
If Air America intends to stay in Arizona, set it up in Tucson. It's a liberal stronghold in a red state and its population is nearing a million. I think that Tucson was even the first place to broadcast Democracy Now outside NYC. Let the mini LA (aka Phx) rot.
COMMENT #84 [Permalink]
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Archicemalist Jr.
said on 3/3/2006 @ 7:56 am PT...
Air America, come on down to Tucson! The "Right," has always substituted guns (or the equivalent) for ideas. Brutality for subtlety. War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Logically, Christian Right is an oxymoron. Politically, it's a way to exploit morons. Rush, etc., are so heavily subsidized, through "advertising," maybe, the fix is in though, the deal is done. To undo the current setup is going to take something drastic.
COMMENT #85 [Permalink]
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Archicembalist Jr.
said on 3/3/2006 @ 7:59 am PT...
I left out the "b".
DRASTIC!
COMMENT #86 [Permalink]
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Dennis
said on 3/3/2006 @ 8:35 am PT...
Wow...they couldnt win out and become profitable over Christian radio?
What does that tell everyone?
Hmm?
Buehler?
Buehler?
COMMENT #87 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/3/2006 @ 8:40 am PT...
Right-wing propaganda radio is HEAVILY subsidized, and stations have been paid to carry Rush and O'Really for many years.
This business is NOT like others. If, for example, a defense contractor loses $100M on its media/propaganda outlets, yet gets $15 billion in defense contracts, it is WAY ahead of the game. Media is used/abused by many media ownership (Murdoch, Moon, Scaife) groups to fit their larger agenda.
Right-wing radio is an infomercial for the ultra-wealthy, and, as such, is supported and paid for by the ultra-wealthy.
COMMENT #88 [Permalink]
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Dennis
said on 3/3/2006 @ 11:41 am PT...
Re #87 --- Saying right wing radio is successful because of large financing is like saying left wing radical groups like moveon.org and answer are successful because of their money heavy behinds.....you do the math and it doesnt add up.
Neither is successful based on finances, they are successful based on ideals.
So...anyone want to answer why air america is off the air in several radio markets?
Anyone?
Buehler?
Buehler?
COMMENT #89 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/3/2006 @ 1:51 pm PT...
Does this make good business sense?
...Dennis said:
"So...anyone want to answer why air america is off the air in several radio markets?"
I think I know why Air America is off the air in the Phoenix market. The Religious Right was willing to pay a premium price to silence it.
COMMENT #90 [Permalink]
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Dennis
said on 3/3/2006 @ 2:07 pm PT...
RE: #89
Seems to me like the owner of the station didnt want to be in the business if he sold out.....he showed true Democrat and liberal colors by cutting and running
Typical
COMMENT #91 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/3/2006 @ 2:24 pm PT...
James Crystal Enterprises was the the owner. JCE was ALSO a religious broadcasting corporation, albeit one that was willing to carry Air America for a time to make a buck. They sold for double the market price to another religious broadcasting corporation, Communicom. Bob Christy, the station manager, got none of the loot, as far as I know.
The lesson to be learned for Air America is to find stations owners that are committed to your product for the long haul. I think the problem here is that JCE was NOT run by Democrats. The station put exactly zero money into promotion and really succeeded in spite of the owners. Image what could happen if you had an owner who was willing to spend some money on promotion.
COMMENT #92 [Permalink]
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Dennis
said on 3/3/2006 @ 2:27 pm PT...
"They sold for double the market price to another religious broadcasting corporation, Communicom. Bob Christy, the station manager, got none of the loot, as far as I know."
Say what you will...they cut and ran
Now stop complaining about it, its over, and it had nothing to do with the christian crush that you perceive is happening...admit it and move on with your life.
COMMENT #93 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/3/2006 @ 2:34 pm PT...
Dennis, I see that like most Right Wing Kool Aid drinkers, you don't allow the facts to interfer with your preconceptions. Find some other place to troll and get on with your life.
Air America Phx will be back soon and better than ever and their will be much weeping and gnashing of teeth from the Kooky Kristian Kons. C'Ya.
COMMENT #94 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/3/2006 @ 8:54 pm PT...
Turned on 1010 to hear Charles Goyette on 3/1/06 and was shocked when I heard "Sinner Repent and send in your love gifts".
I am depressed and feel empty now. KXXT was the only sane voice in a terrible and backwards thinking hick town of Phoenix..
Something must be done, this is a nightmare...
I listen to Air America on XM, but it is so full of comercials and no local stuff, it is just a dissapointing substitute for AAPhoenix...
I "pray" that the Christian station goes belly up and fast!
COMMENT #95 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/3/2006 @ 10:08 pm PT...
An update from Dr. Mike Newcomb's producer, Jeff Farias:
Mar 03, 2006
"Dr Mike is on KRXA in Monterrey CA. He will be on in Little Rock, AR in Apr. We are working on a weekend show that will be on in lots of other markets. We should be back on locally in a few weeks."
Don't know if this means AAR Phx will be back though. I suspect that it means that Newcomb's show will be picked up by another local station in Phoenix.
COMMENT #96 [Permalink]
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JH
said on 3/3/2006 @ 10:55 pm PT...
STOP THE RUMOR MILL, PLEASE...
THIS IS THE TRUTH FROM AN INSIDER, JAMES CRYSTAL ENTERPRISES SOLD TO COMMUNICOM BECAUSE HE WAS DESPERATE FOR CASH, NO ONE SILENCED AIR AMERICA PHOENIX, IT WAS NOT A CONSPIRACY, HE IS SELLING ALL OF HIS STATIONS AND NO HE IS NOT A CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER, HE OWNED 2 JESUS STATIONS OUT OF 10 THAT HE HAD.
AIR AMERICA WILL RETURN SOON TO PHOENIX, BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER.....
STOP THE BS, OR YOU'RE NO BETTER THAN THE CHRISTIAN WACKOS.
COMMENT #97 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/3/2006 @ 11:51 pm PT...
That is great please let us know when Dr. Mike will be back, what about my favorite Charles Goyette, what will he do, will we hear him again, I really hope so and miss him very much on the radio.
COMMENT #98 [Permalink]
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bily
said on 3/4/2006 @ 2:00 am PT...
You can skip the front page and see the old site you can get there via http://www.airamericaphoenix.com/home2.php we are still waiting for the domain transfer to complete. A new website is coming soon and hopefully there will be an announcement monday.
bily
webmaster
AirAmericaPhoenix.com :satisfied:
COMMENT #99 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/4/2006 @ 4:10 am PT...
Update: Charles Goyette has issued a thank you statement and update on his website, I feel hopeful that somehow somewhere we will get progressive radio back in Phoenix.
Charlesgoyette.com
COMMENT #100 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/4/2006 @ 7:52 am PT...
We never HAD progressive talk radio in Phoenix. KXXT was owned by a conservative, run by a libertarian, and the main host was a libertarian (libertarians are in many ways to the right of conservatives). The programming had Ed Schultz, a mid-righty on the air in the middle of the day, while tape-delaying all the true liberals. It was run as a business, NOT a movement, and was run for the benefit of the owners, not the listeners or the talent.
Imagine George Soros owning and Dennis Kucinich managing KFYI, with Ralph Nader as the morning drive-time host. Add in zero dollars for promotion, and make sure all the conservative local hosts can’t make a dime, no matter what they do; and see how well that model would work.
I hope one day that REAL progressive talk radio comes to Phoenix; with true progressives who believe in the movement, and a long-term view. This model just made money for the (conservative) owner.
COMMENT #101 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/4/2006 @ 12:40 pm PT...
Who would pick up Newcomb here>
No way not in this right wing strangelhold...
I wish but it is not going to happen here...
COMMENT #102 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/4/2006 @ 12:56 pm PT...
JH:
Re #96:
You're giving us info that you say is from an "insider" --- how do we know that what you say is any more true than what we are piecing together from other sources?
Has a press release to that affect been given to the media? Could someone from the "inside" go on Brad's show and talk to us?
And it isn't so much upsetting that the owner of KXXT sold the station as it is upsetting that the "right" seem to be deliberately buying up liberal media to silence us. Why would a "christian" station buy this particular station? It's not like the station had a ready-made audience for their programming --- it is the exact opposite in terms of demographics.
You say that Air America will return soon to Phoenix, yet you give no link, no information, no substance to this assertion. While the christian right may have blind faith in empty statements, liberals are not that gullible --especially from someone called "jh". So, we ARE better than "christian wackos".
And when you demand that we stop the "BS", you give no indication of your authority to give such orders to the rest of us, so I would like to say, most respectfully, back off!
COMMENT #103 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/4/2006 @ 12:58 pm PT...
Remember that Newcomb was on another local station before KXXT. He did it before and he can do it again. So can Goyette. Goyette told me that his career is like Wack-A-Mole. He just keeps popping up again.
There's an interest commentary from Doren Fronterhouse, a former KXXT employee here.
COMMENT #104 [Permalink]
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East Valley Left
said on 3/4/2006 @ 4:14 pm PT...
FM 101.9 in CHANDLER ?
There just might be a very low power FM signal coming soon to North Chandler with a Left minded audio stream.
25mW is legal, and gets surprisingly good range if done properly. Many milliwatt FM transmitters can legally be placed all over the whole metro area operating on Phoenix FM 101.9 MHz. 100 mW AM transmitters can do the same but with much less range. AM needs a long antenna. Every neighborhood in the Valley can have one of these flea powered FM or AM stations and it's perfectly legal.
It's a cheap and easy hobby.
COMMENT #105 [Permalink]
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Wally Paton
said on 3/4/2006 @ 8:46 pm PT...
For me, Air America Phoenix was the only station I had found to counter the propaganda machines of the "right-wing wacko's." During mid-day, I was able to listen to the station from the northwest side of Tucson, and I looked forward to receiving the broadcasts for the couple of hours that the reception was "just right." Losing Air America Phoenix is a very sad situation for someone like myself who wants to kniow the truth about what is going on in the country.
COMMENT #106 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/4/2006 @ 10:42 pm PT...
Since AAR went dark here in Phoenix, I've been streaming from AAR and using my C. Crane FM transmitter to broadcast the signal around the house from the PC. C. Crane says its output is 25 Micro Volts ... is that the same as milliW?
Anyway, count me in for joining the "Matrix". If I have to buy something else, I'll do it. Someone will need to coordinate this, probably via a website depicting coverage. I will keep watching here for developments.
COMMENT #107 [Permalink]
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don sjulstad
said on 3/4/2006 @ 11:12 pm PT...
Did this have something to do with that NY charity deal? Did they have to pay back those inner city kids and the Alzheimer patients?
COMMENT #108 [Permalink]
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PHXLIB
said on 3/5/2006 @ 8:12 am PT...
Re: #107
What the hell kind of question is this? Given that there is no POSSIBLE tie between the two, is this just another pathetic right-wing attempt to smear Air America? Of course it is.
Now, if you'd have asked if the right-wing is buying up stations so word of Republicans running pedophilia rings of young boys, as reported in "The Franklin Cover-up" will be quashed, that would make sense; as liberal talkers are the only ones with the courage to actually take on these Republican predators.
Liberals didn't buy or sell this station; conservatives did both.
COMMENT #109 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/5/2006 @ 8:58 am PT...
FredM - or someone - can you explain a couple things for us?
1. How the hell does this AM radio ownership thing work? I mean, how much does it really cost to buy your average AM station and how do some of these guys like the Mexican and the infomercial broadcasters pull it off?
2. What stands in the way of starting a station on a previously unused frequency? Are there only a set number of stations in an area allowed by the Feds? Is the electronics frightfully expensive?
Thanks.
COMMENT #110 [Permalink]
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bily
said on 3/5/2006 @ 1:07 pm PT...
1 To Quote Ed "Ownership has it's priviledges" Communicom bought two stations to do with as they pleased. It could have been the top two highest rated stations and they can do whatever they want with it. How much does it cost, well that's the tricky part lets just say it depends
2. If I understand correctly it cost more to start up a station than it does to buy a station and I don't think there are any available frequencies for new stations in phx but I could be wrong I'm not the expert on that
Does that help any?
COMMENT #111 [Permalink]
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j
said on 3/5/2006 @ 1:25 pm PT...
Stations are based on earnings, typically for am's, it is 10X cash flow per year, so if you are billing 1 million a year, times 10, 10 million is the value of the station, plus tower site, transmitter, real estate.
8-10 million for a low-medium powered station is about average.
ONE station in LA, an FM with 3 tower sites is currently on the market for 150 million, so you can see the spread is wide ranging.
It costs about 50-80k a month to run a decent powered am, it is ALL about the billing, you can get into the red ink very quickly if you have an inexperienced manager at the helm.
COMMENT #112 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/5/2006 @ 2:05 pm PT...
OK, that's good info ... but how do the Mexicans get that kind of money to take over so many signals here? Also, KXXT is frequently cited as having made money. In its case, how much would that perhaps have been in revenues per mon.? One thing I noticed was that Goyette seemed to attract a variety of subscribers, but the rest of the day and night seemed to be PSAs, miracle medical cures, fat pills, and seemingly endless promos for KXXT. If they made money, it must have required a lot less than $50K a month to stay in te black.
But what do I know ... I'm just a disappointed listener who thinks thinks this al desn't make sense.
COMMENT #113 [Permalink]
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flip
said on 3/5/2006 @ 5:05 pm PT...
The small Spanish-language AMs work because they target an audience with not as many media choices as English-speakers. But they're finding more competition now that the "big boys" are doing radio en espanol.
As for the infomercial stations, sometimes they seem to survive by outright fraud...
http://www.wingtv.net/jackbloodbusted.html
...and sometimes their customers use their airtime to promote products that are downright fraudulent.
COMMENT #114 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/5/2006 @ 7:14 pm PT...
You can hear some old shows of Goyette on his website, pretty cool and a bummer too!
I hate Christian raido! Time to pray: "let a thousand Locus inflict the eye and ears of the new 1010KXXT all Christian all the time.
Send in your love gifts so we can rip you all off!!
Why could they have bought the boring 1100KFNX instead, it is so boring and dull and so uninspired...surely that could have been bought up instead...
AM radio, why hast thou forsaken me?
COMMENT #115 [Permalink]
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hopeful
said on 3/6/2006 @ 8:31 am PT...
COMMENT #116 [Permalink]
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molly
said on 3/6/2006 @ 9:25 am PT...
This whole discussion reminds me of Phil Donahue being taken off MSNBC for low ratings. Time has a way of shedding light. Turned out his ratings were the highest. Randi Rhodes is going out front of Rush whether you like her style or not. That's why Air America was pulled. We live in a fascist country which doesn't allow dissent.
COMMENT #117 [Permalink]
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Jeff Y
said on 3/6/2006 @ 10:04 am PT...
I came to know Charles Goyette thru KXXT, and belive that he is the best talk show host in the country. If talent was the determinant he would be national. The truth HAS been silenced in Phoenix, at least for now. What does that say about America? As a Christian I see the need for someone who will speak for the tens of thousands of Iraqis who were slaughtered by us and continue to die needlessly. Charles spoke for them as well as our soldiers. Often you hear 'liberals' talk only about the dead Americans - Charles was different.
COMMENT #118 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/6/2006 @ 10:13 am PT...
A Reprieve for Air America Phoenix?!?!
Dr. Mike, Jeff, and others from the station have put together an offer that will allow Air America to be back on the air in Phoenix on April 3! We need donations, and your help. Please, tell anyone and everyone about:
http://www.saveairamericaphoenix.com/
This time, LIBERALS will run the station.
You know how much it sucks not having Air America on? Help change it, and TELL A FRIEND!
COMMENT #119 [Permalink]
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Jay Traver
said on 3/6/2006 @ 12:54 pm PT...
Miss the station but there is a lot of bad info out there attached is the arbitron rating, most recent I could find. Was worried this would happen as they were practically giving away advertising spots. As you can see Kxxt ranked next to last in the Phoenix market.
Phoenix, AZ (15)
STATION FORMAT OWNER SPR 05 SUM 05 FALL 05 RNK
KESZ-FM AC CLEAR CHANNEL 3.5 3.7 5.9 1
KOOL-FM OLDIES CBS RADIO 6.7 5.2 5.2 2
KHOT-FM @ REG.MEXICAN HISPANIC 5.6 4.7 5.1 3
KFYI-AM TALK CLEAR CHANNEL 5.2 5.3 5.0 4
KNIX-FM COUNTRY CLEAR CHANNEL 4.3 4.3 4.1 5
KMLE-FM COUNTRY CBS RADIO 5.1 3.2 3.8 6
KKFR-FM URBAN BONNEVILLE 4.6 4.6 3.6 7t
KZZP-FM CHR/RHYTHMIC CLEAR CHANNEL 3.9 4.4 3.6 7t
KTAR-AM NEWS/TALK BONNEVILLE 3.9 4.6 3.5 9
KYOT-FM SMOOTH JAZZ CLEAR CHANNEL 4.8 4.7 3.4 10t
KPKX-FM ADULT HITS BONNEVILLE 3.8 4.0 3.4 10t
KUPD-FM ROCK SANDUSKY 3.3 3.8 3.2 12
KMXP-FM HOT AC CLEAR CHANNEL 3.4 3.7 2.8 13
KSLX-FM CLASSIC ROCK SANDUSKY 2.2 2.6 2.6 14
KLNZ-FM REG.MEXICAN ENTRAVISION 2.2 2.1 2.5 15t
KOMR-FM @ ROMANTICA HISPANIC 1.2 1.2 2.5 15t
KZON-FM MODERN ROCK CBS RADIO 3.0 3.0 2.2 17
KVIB-FM SPANISH URBAN SUN CITY 0.4 1.8 2.1 18
KDKB-FM ROCK SANDUSKY 2.1 3.1 1.8 19t
KEDJ-FM MODERN ROCK NEW PLANET 2.3 2.6 1.8 19t
KQMR-FM @ SPANISH VARIETY UNIVISION ** ** 1.8 19t
KOY-AM STANDARDS CLEAR CHANNEL 1.6 2.0 1.7 22
KRZS-FM ADULT STANDARDS TRUMPER ** ** 1.4 23
KKNT-AM NEWS/TALK SALEM 1.2 0.7 1.3 24
KXXT-AM TALK JAMES CRYSTAL 1.1 1.5 1.2 25
KAJM-FM OLDIES SIERRA BROADCASTING 1.0 0.9 1.0 26
COMMENT #120 [Permalink]
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Jeff Y
said on 3/6/2006 @ 12:58 pm PT...
FREDM,
Please divest yourself of the labels. They serve absolutely no purpose whatsoever. Liberal in what sense? I had a long running verbal battle with a 'Libertarian' on the AOL message boards regarding this very issue. Charles is just ball-out truthful and possessed of a great deal of intelligence and wisdom. I really don't care WHAT you call him, and it serves no pupose to try and say that he is 'right' of Conservative.
COMMENT #121 [Permalink]
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David V. Allgeier
said on 3/6/2006 @ 1:09 pm PT...
I get it!
This is one of those joke webistes!
Funny stuff.
COMMENT #122 [Permalink]
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SANDRA HESS
said on 3/6/2006 @ 2:27 pm PT...
WHAT CAN WE DO TO SAVE AIRAMERICA RADIO IN PHOENIX?
COMMENT #123 [Permalink]
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Randy
said on 3/6/2006 @ 3:16 pm PT...
Re: 119, 116
So progressive radio is 2nd from last in the fall ratings. I do not live in Phoenix so do not know the market. What station is Rush and other right wingers on, for comparison? Molly tells us AAR was removed because Randi Rhodes was going out ahead of Rush. Could this be true.......?
COMMENT #124 [Permalink]
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Joe
said on 3/6/2006 @ 4:25 pm PT...
I personally don't care what the ratings are. After hunting all over the Phoenix AM band, there's nothing that sounds even 5% as intelligent as KXXT did. I'm just not stupid enough to listen to Right Wing Propaganda or about some meaningless, mind-cluttering audio brain-turds.
I'm going to be sending $300 and my small business logo to http://www.saveairamericaphoenix.com/
because the future of our country is too important to allow it to be stolen from honest Americans by phony Christians and common thieves any longer.
Send your money in too. Git-R-Done!
COMMENT #125 [Permalink]
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kevkev
said on 3/6/2006 @ 5:35 pm PT...
SAVE AIR AMERICA PHOENIX
On March 1, 2006 our Air America Phoenix station was bought by a Christian Broadcasting company who immediately took us off the air. This was a “dark” day for progressive talk radio in America. You have flooded us with emails pleading to get Air America back on the radio and asking how you can help. We have heard your cries and we can get us back on the air by April 3, 2006 !
The former staff of Air America Phoenix has negotiated a deal to resurrect operations at a new home effective April 3, 2006 but we need your help! We must immediately raise money to cover our operating expenses out of the gate. Our goal of $500,000 will guarantee us a home for years to come.
http://saveairamericaphoenix.com/
COMMENT #126 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 3/6/2006 @ 5:56 pm PT...
I fear those of us in the Fresno market (790KFPT.com) will suffer the same fate as AAR/KXXT. Owned by CBS Radio and operated by the same hacks that operate the Giga-watt conservative station in the same building, I get this sinking feeling because of dismal local ad sales (I really doubt the staff even tries to sell ads), the endless promos and waaaaay too much dead air. Or sometimes we hear 3 or 4 voices at once! At most, they may have two live bodies seriously trying to make it work. Meanwhile, the conservative sister station (KMJ) is an institution in the market - since like 1924. It's all a joke to them, I bet. It seems to me, that if we want liberal talk in God-forsaken red zones, we have to create and support our own media, such as NPR, Pacifica and screw corporate media altogether. I'd much rather pay a monthly pledge than listen to mindless ads for vitamins and vacuum cleaners - and the ownership, quality, signal strength - all those elements are in control of us - not them.. Just a thought.
COMMENT #127 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/6/2006 @ 6:08 pm PT...
Is this pixel thing for real?
I'm tempted to donate, but need some evidence this is on the up and up, not just a scam.
I think the radio personalities (Charles, Dr. Mike)need to endorse this on their web sites, so we know it's legit.
COMMENT #128 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/6/2006 @ 6:14 pm PT...
Just went to Goyette's site, and he's disavowing it.
Dr. Mike's site has a reference to it under "News", but not sure that's an endorsement from Dr. Mike.
I feel lots of folks might be supportive, but we're going to need some transparency here on this; who's behind this, which personalities are endorsing, what is the mysterious "April 3rd" about?
C'mon guys, work with us.
COMMENT #129 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/6/2006 @ 6:29 pm PT...
OK, I see on Dr. Mike's blog that his producer is instrumental. Why is Goyette holding back?
COMMENT #130 [Permalink]
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Joe
said on 3/6/2006 @ 7:14 pm PT...
Dear Mr. Ol Hipy,
I think it's real and I just used my credit card to send in $300.00. You know, some people go to gambling houses a lot. I never do that. I just like to work late and listen to Mike Malloy talk. I mean I really like his show a lot so I'm not afraid. I think it's a legit site because some rightie creep has been making rude comments on the site's blog and the owner removed my grumpy response to the guy. That seems real to me. Just send in your money so we can get the truth on the air again.
Thanks.
COMMENT #131 [Permalink]
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iain1028
said on 3/6/2006 @ 8:03 pm PT...
Wow is that for real, what is April 3rd and where if it happens will they be...
Maybe there is hope after all?
What is Dr. Mike's website please?
COMMENT #132 [Permalink]
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IAin
said on 3/6/2006 @ 8:18 pm PT...
Could Air America help with this??
COMMENT #133 [Permalink]
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bily
said on 3/7/2006 @ 12:20 pm PT...
COMMENT #134 [Permalink]
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Matt
said on 3/7/2006 @ 12:37 pm PT...
Just curious, if as the former general manager states AAR in Phoenix was #3 in the market and profitable to boot, and we who believe in capitalism are corporate right wing whores only out for a buck, then why would the approximately 22 other AM stations (most owned by the repugnant capitalists) with lower ratings not be clamoring to sign up AAR? Doesn't the Almighty Dollar talk?From reading these postings I might have figured it out: 1) The ratings and profitability are extremely suspect and 2) The venom spewed by the demographic tuning in is not fun to read or listen to. It is as bad or worse than what we conservatives are accused of on a daily basis. Really, read some of these postings. Starting the day miserable and ending the day miserable is miserable and that doesn't sell. If you are that worked up about it, do something about it, though the apathy the liberals and progressives have shown in fighting for what they consider just causes leads me to believe there will be a couple of days of angry rants and then they will forget about it and go back to blaming Bush for all their ills. Just heard as well that AAR could be losing it's flagship station WLIB in New York next month. If it cannot sustain itself there, how can it hope to survive anywhere else?
COMMENT #135 [Permalink]
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Bill Backus
said on 3/7/2006 @ 2:47 pm PT...
I am a conservative right wing listener who enjoyed hearing Air America in Phoenix. I have always believed that whenever the liberals can get their real story before the public, all goes better with the process. The fact that the USA now has a conservative Congress, President, and Supreme Court is directly tied to the liberal voices getting into the public. My only regret is that Air America will not have any voice during the 2006 Congressional elections. Conservatives can certainly use more seats. Please, bring back Air America!
COMMENT #136 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/7/2006 @ 3:51 pm PT...
One thing right-wingers like #134 and 5 do is make a bunch of absurd assumptions and absurd statements, base them on nothing, then hope you’ll defend yourself against what they made up. #135, there are so many things wrong with what you wrote, there isn’t really a place to start, other than to say: wow, do I wish you would have called our program. You are so misinformed we could have used you as a piñata.
Radio stations change formats all the time. Air America losing one market means nothing in terms of its nationwide marketability. Air America has consistently gained affiliates. Air America is growing nationwide, and this growth has been consistent. But, with the advent of aggressive, calculated, right-wing media acquisition and ownership; the rules of business apply to a much lesser extent. The right often buys media not for the profit of the media entity, but for the profit of the corporate parent.
Right-wing radio is losing share all over the country. Limbaugh and Hannity are in a free-fall in L.A. and other markets. Does this mean that blatant lying and insultingly transparent political pandering for three hours every day, even though your lies are “optimistic”; doesn’t sell? Right-wingers: You screw up everything you touch, including blogs. If there was a law against lying, we’d win every election, as you’d all be in prison.
Non-right-wingers. Virtually everything these people state as a fact or an assumption, or something “everyone” agrees on; is a crafted lie, just like on their radio programs and in their “news”papers and Cable “News” stations. They come in here to lie. To mislead you. They are certainly not on a liberal blog to help, but to hurt.
www.saveairamericaphoenix.com is legitimate. Jeff Farias and Mike Newcomb are the main people running it, with others from the station involved as well. Charles is not supporting it, as he is not involved in the project.
And, don't waste your time with these right-wingers. They are here specifically to screw things up (by "here" I mean both on this blog and on this planet).
COMMENT #137 [Permalink]
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David Drake
said on 3/7/2006 @ 4:08 pm PT...
"Every time an Air America Station goes off the air, an Angel Gets Its Wing." :laugh:
COMMENT #138 [Permalink]
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The Old Turk
said on 3/7/2006 @ 5:04 pm PT...
I'm sorry,..
I misplaced my glasses,..
What were the "CALL LETTERS"
For that Arizona radio station
that dumped Air America Radio ?
KKK -(to a )- "T"
Fascism is on the march ...............Praise The Lord.
??????????????????????????????
COMMENT #139 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 3/7/2006 @ 6:51 pm PT...
The right-wing whacked are damn good at smearing and marginalizing. To take any of what they say to heart is like Jesus bowing to Satan. They aren't Christians and not conservative - remember that. They do and say whatever Heir Karl tells them and emulate him sheep-like. They've built an evil empire designed to achieve and maintain power and march nazi-like to advance their brand of hate and vomit. There's about 34% of people in our nation that polish that turd. F*** 'em. 'Nuff said.
COMMENT #140 [Permalink]
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Randy
said on 3/7/2006 @ 7:58 pm PT...
Boy, I been reading the responses the last few days since AAR is no longer on the air in Phoenix. No wonder the Dem's have a hard time winning national elections. It appears the station was sold for a fair profit and it looks like a Christian format is now on. Was this a right wing conspiracy as most of you contend? Looking at the ratings I'd have to say the owners of the station were happy to make some money and get out.
Following is some of the quote's and terms used that I gleened from your responses the last few day's.
RELIGIOUS WRONG
RIGHT WING WACKO'S
CHRISTOFACIST
FACIST CONTROLLED STATE
BIBLE BABBLE FACIST
CHRISTJERKS
VARIOUS NAZI SLOGANS
FACISM
If I remember right it seems like Kerry lost the election because voters at the exit polling thought the Republicans had a softer edge to them. I know Progressive's think it was due to ballot rigging, but come on people look at some of quote's I posted above. I thought Progressive's cared about everyone and Republicans only care about big business and the rich.
I do not think Progressive radio will make it until they soften up their message. I would recommend you sign up for satelite radio and forget about wasting your money on a new AAR station. Satelite would be a darn site cheaper than the money pit a new station will be.
COMMENT #141 [Permalink]
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Iain1028
said on 3/7/2006 @ 10:45 pm PT...
Don't give up, people are donating!
If people can stomach Bruce Jacobs, then anything is possible!
COMMENT #142 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/8/2006 @ 3:29 am PT...
I read on a site that they can get a 10,000 watt station, is that good?? How powerful is that?
COMMENT #143 [Permalink]
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Joe
said on 3/8/2006 @ 8:20 am PT...
Hello Iain, It depends how near the transmitter is to your location. If it's centrally located, 10KW is fine. One important consideration is if the station is allocated night time operation. Many have to shut down at night because skip wave propagation makes all AM signals reflect off the underside of the upper atmosphere and so traveling very long distances. Rather than shutting down, many stations must reduce their power to a few hundred watts at night. If you recall, Phx AM 1010 is allocated 15KW in daylight and drops to 250 Watts at night. That's better than it was back in the 1960s when Phx AM 1010 was allocated just 500 Watts in the daylight hours only.
IF the new station's transmitter is centrally located and comes with PM operation, it'll be okay. Sort of like AM 1010 is.
COMMENT #144 [Permalink]
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Ram
said on 3/8/2006 @ 10:31 am PT...
Brad, you can stop blogging about voting irregularities. It seems that we have the ultimate authority on such matters right here giving us the scoop.
Re: Randy #140
"If I remember right it seems like Kerry lost the election because voters at the exit polling thought the Republicans had a softer edge to them. "
Thank you, Randy, for giving us your well-thought-out, well-researched data. We can all go to the polls next time reassured that our votes are being counted and we are losing elections because we aren't "soft" enough.
I need AAR back because I CAN'T LIVE IN THIS RIGHT WING BIZARRO WORLD WITHOUT IT!
COMMENT #145 [Permalink]
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matt
said on 3/8/2006 @ 1:42 pm PT...
Dear Fred M #136, please educate me as to what absurd assumptions and or statements were in my posting #134. You can churn out the same old "right wingers suck" scripting with flair (I hear but it is the old paper tiger routine, big on insults, low on substance. You seem to make my point when stating that profit is not always targeted at the media entity but for the corporate parent. Profit is profit and my "absurd" assumption is AAR Phoenix was not making one, and if they were, why have they not been picked up? Certainly most business entities looking to remain viable would jump at the chance, regardless of the message, to pick up a moneymaker. As far as Hannity and Rush in a freefall, please inform me when they are yanked from these markets and we can discuss. I also think that even if we were all in prison we would still win elections because we could rely on your side to fight to reinstate our voting rights.
COMMENT #146 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/8/2006 @ 3:28 pm PT...
Re: #145 – Absurd statements in #134
1. “We who believe in capitalism are corporate right wing whores only out for a buck.” absurdly simplistic overstatement intended to set up a mislead.
2. “Why would the approximately 22 other AM stations (most owned by the repugnant capitalists) with lower ratings not be clamoring to sign up AAR.”
There are many other forces involved, and you don’t know that they aren’t.
3. “The ratings and profitability are extremely suspect”
Based on absolutely nothing I can see.
4. ) “The venom spewed by the demographic tuning in is not fun to read or listen to. It is as bad or worse than what we conservatives are accused of on a daily basis.”
Two opinions and absurd ones. Listen to Michael Savage for five minutes. Conservatives are the reason ”debate” in this country is what it is. You bully, then when you get hit back, you whine. Conservatives ARE attack/negative talk. You just can’t stand to see your own tools used against you.
5, “Starting the day miserable and ending the day miserable is miserable and that doesn't sell.”
You stated as fact an opinion, and based it on a previous opinion you stated as fact.
6. “…the apathy the liberals and progressives have shown in fighting for what they consider just causes leads me to believe there will be a couple of days of angry rants and then they will forget about it and go back to blaming Bush for all their ills.”
We don’t blame Bush, we blame Republicans; and we blame them for most of the world’s ills, not just ours. Republicans are destroying everything, not just here, and not just us.
7. “Just heard as well that AAR could be losing it's flagship station WLIB in New York next month. If it cannot sustain itself there, how can it hope to survive anywhere else?”
Stated something as possible, then turned right around and based a conclusion on it like it’s fact.
Now that you got what you wanted, please stop wasting the time of the people on this blog. And, no, I will not answer a new string of questions designed to waste my time.
COMMENT #147 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/8/2006 @ 3:38 pm PT...
Thanks Joe, that helps...
I notice that even on 550am (coast to coast only) you do get a Mexican radio bleed through, even bought a nice Grundig but did not help much... I thought KXXT signal was pretty good even at night, I appreciate you clearing that up.
Now what happens on April 3rd, does anyone have any more information?? Any ideas as to what frequency they are looking at getting if this is true?
COMMENT #148 [Permalink]
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matt
said on 3/8/2006 @ 4:07 pm PT...
Gosh Fred, sorry to waste your time, but I had to respond to your comments #146.
Point 1 is a conclusion I am simply drawing from the others contributors to the blog, are they overly simplistic and misleading as well?
Point 2, how long has KXXT known that the format would be changing (let me know if I am incorrect, but I had heard 4 months), it might be simplistic but if things were going gangbusters would there not be movement? Again, you are privy to inside info we are not, but the fact that there is a saveairamerica.com headed by a former host (who by the way I really enjoyed and had some spirited debates with) leads me to believe (simplistic conclusion) that all is not well.
Point 3, see point 2
Point 4, I agree with you in regards to Michael Savage but the left does the same, we have taken discussion and different points of view and debased the whole process (again, for your Mike Savage of the left fill, read some of these blogs from the party of tolerence).
Point 5, see points 2 and 3
Point 6, now who is being overly simplistic in "blaming Republicans, and blaming them for most of the worlds ills, not just ours"? You also didn't address the apathy of your party, could, Heaven forbid, we be in agreement on something?
Point 7, I was simply asking a question, you could if you wanted, actually answer it and educate me, instead of attacking me for asking it.
So I didn't get what I wanted, I got a bun but no burger. Fred, where's the beef?
Again, please let me apologize for wasting your precious time.
COMMENT #149 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 3/8/2006 @ 4:47 pm PT...
Interest among Republican supporters in bradblog, apparently trying to sway us to your side, is natural I guess - given your leadership's approval ratings:
Released: March 06, 2006
U.S. Troops in Iraq: 72% Say End War in 2006
Bush Job Approval: 38%
Zogby America telephone Poll shows slight drop from 40% last month; Congressional Democrats maintain lead over Republican counterparts.
Attacking where you're weak has proved over the years your better weapon, thus your presence here is quite expected and actually serves as affirmation for us and our cause - putting the country back on the right track beginning this fall. It's refreshing to see your interest here and any constructive critism you may have for us lefties is always welcome... There, is that softer?
COMMENT #150 [Permalink]
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Joe
said on 3/8/2006 @ 4:56 pm PT...
Hello Iain,
You're welcome. I think I have a pretty good idea what the new frequency will be but I'm not going to say what I think it is. The people who're putting the deal together apparently don't want to provide that info right now for whatever reasons they feel are important so I'll just wait and let you know if I was correct after they get it up and running. Thanks.
COMMENT #151 [Permalink]
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Steve
said on 3/8/2006 @ 5:02 pm PT...
A link which details stations' technical profile, i.e. transmitter range/power, day/night coverage, etc. Add call-letters (when ya know 'em) and stir...
http://www.radio-locator.com/
COMMENT #152 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/8/2006 @ 5:08 pm PT...
Re: #148
1. I seriously doubt the purpose of this blog is to educate right-wingers. I have little desire to educate right-wingers; but to educate people who think, reason, and feel; ABOUT right-wingers.
2. Your response may seem like a response to right-wingers, but it lacked substance; to understate.
3. To directly answer your question #7: "how can it hope to survive anywhere else?” "it" (Air America) is an inanimate object, a corporation, and therefore is incapable of any human thoughts or emotions, including "hope". Your question is poorly worded nonsense.
4. Apology accepted. Just stop wasting the time of the rest of the people who read this blog now.
COMMENT #153 [Permalink]
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BOB CHRISTY
said on 3/8/2006 @ 5:32 pm PT...
As the former GM of AA PHOENIX I need to make clear that I am not involved in this money raising effort, save air america.
I would never ask my listeners for donations. Management from Air America Phoenix is not involved in this effort on any level.
There is a great deal of misinformation out there.
What I can say is I am negotiating privately to BUY stations here in AZ.
COMMENT #154 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/8/2006 @ 8:47 pm PT...
Bob Christy! It is really you?
Please keep trying, please do all you can.
We are behind you!!
Iain
COMMENT #155 [Permalink]
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Zelph
said on 3/8/2006 @ 9:07 pm PT...
Mike Newcomb appeared on the Mike Malloy show tonight to put out a pitch nationwide for saveairamericaphoenix.com. Sheldon Drobny, the co-founder of Air America posted an article at the Huffington Post endorsing saveairamericaphoenix.com. With Malloy and Drobny behind this, I think we can safely say that this effort is legit. I'm not sure that the person claiming to be Bob Christy above, is legit, however. :rolleyes:
Charles Goyette is not onboard with asking people for donations as he makes it clear on his website. That's his choice. If religious broadcasters can ask for donations to get their message out, I don't really see why we can't. Particularly since this is a one time only circumstance until the revenues start coming in again.
COMMENT #156 [Permalink]
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FredM
said on 3/8/2006 @ 10:05 pm PT...
I think Zelph in #155 makes several excellent points to which I can add. Assuming the person who wrote #153 is Bob, what he is indicating is what I’ve always known: to him and Charles, this is a business. They are also both Libertarians, not liberals, so are only somewhat in step with what you hear elsewhere on AA. To people like Mike Newcomb, Jeff Farias, Zelph, and The McChesney brothers (of which I am one), it is a movement. This makes all the difference in the world.
I donated several thousand hours of my time not because of the conservative millionaire at James Crystal Radio, but to the cause of taking back our country. The religious analogy is good, particularly since we are not being brutal the way religions can be in pursuing donations.
I hosted a show on AAP for 13 months, and I can tell you I’m dying as a LISTENER. Damn, I need some Randi and Malloy! This is not like a Carl’s Jr. This station matters!
Phoenicians are being given the opportunity to turn Air America Phoenix into a movement. It’s a very good business. It’s a great movement.
COMMENT #157 [Permalink]
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jeff
said on 3/9/2006 @ 5:55 am PT...
The real Bob Christy took a job managing three FM rock stations in LA. We wish him the best of luck and success with his new endeavor.
COMMENT #158 [Permalink]
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Jan
said on 3/9/2006 @ 8:51 am PT...
Jeff,
The real Bob Christy is negotiating to buy 3 stations here in AZ, he is temporarily helping manage (1 station-3 towers) and it is an AC not a rock station in LA, however, his heart and business goals are here.
Get your facts straight, more misleading to the listeners of AA!
Let's see, a guy with 40 years in broadcasting versus 2 people with zero experience, sorry but I would have to side with Bob on this one
COMMENT #159 [Permalink]
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jeff
said on 3/9/2006 @ 9:49 am PT...
Actually it's a guy with 40 years experience who told his entire staff that the station was dead and that he was going to LA for two years.
It was a guy with 40 years experience who left it up to Ed schulz to inform his staff that they were out of a job at midnight.
When a website pops up trying to revive what he left behind suddenly there's a super secret deal in the works in AZ and it's a only a temporary deal in LA.
Get your facts straight. It's not 2 people with zero experience it's the entire staff of KXXT - some with decades of experience. The only one not on the team was a Libertarian host on a progresssive station.
I can understand why you'd side with Bob. You live with him.
COMMENT #160 [Permalink]
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Judy
said on 3/9/2006 @ 6:20 pm PT...
I am disappointed that Air America is gone. Does anyone have any good alternatives in progressive radio for this listener in Phoenix?
COMMENT #161 [Permalink]
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sam davis
said on 3/9/2006 @ 6:44 pm PT...
If the station was doing so well financially and streaking up the charts why did the owners find it necessary to sell it. If they had kept it, it would probably still be on the air.
COMMENT #162 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/9/2006 @ 7:13 pm PT...
I donated $100 of my hard-earned dollars last night to saveairamericaphoenix.com - PBS loses out this year
I just e-mailed bily off the site because I couldn't get my jpeg and rollover quip uploaded - I really hope they can do that for me.
C'mon everyone - lets put our money where our mouths are! :laugh:
COMMENT #163 [Permalink]
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Jon
said on 3/10/2006 @ 11:29 am PT...
Just went to the saveairamericaphoenix website, when do the bake sales and car washes start?
COMMENT #164 [Permalink]
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MountainLover
said on 3/10/2006 @ 8:30 pm PT...
I want to disabuse people of this notition that if a station is sold then it logically follows that the ratings must have been low. Take the AA affiliate in missoula, montana that was sold to that mormon group. They were not on the air that long and for just that short a time, as I understand it, franken beat Rush in missoula even though al was competing against two stations that carried rush. Al franken went to missoula to so one of his shows in which he did his show in front of a crowd of about 2000 people.
So why were they taken off the air in montana? As I understand it the advertisers would not take a chance on AA because they thought of it as too controversial which just kills me considering all the foaming at the mouth right-wing hate radio hosts like rush, hannity, glenn beck, savage (especially him) and countless others. So basically advertisers in montana, I suspect many other red states (or semi-red states in the case of montana) are prejudiced against liberal radio.
On oreilly's #'s are apparently going very low and franken is beating him in many places. I think oreilly was dropped somewhere in colorodo? Hannity is being beat by ed schultz in portland.
And as for those accusing liberal radio of not succeeding because they are too hatefull? Oh please. Irony code red. Must be more right-wing projection? I mean how do you explain the success of such foaming at the mouth right-wingers as rush, hannity, bob gant, mark levine, glenn beck, mike reagan and especially the most hatefull talk radio host of all time michael savage (real name michael weiner)? Yes there are some liberal talk radio hosts that can be hatefull like mike malloy but they either are not on nearly as many stations and/or are on late at night (hardly prime time)
So please lets put things into their proper perspective.
COMMENT #165 [Permalink]
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DavidT
said on 3/11/2006 @ 8:41 am PT...
Regarding Ed Schultz and his "Team Fargo" --- up until this morning, there were two active topics about the AA Phoenix situation on his message boards, at:
http://edschultz.invisionzone.com
(there was also one that wasn't active) They were first in the General forum and then moved to Media yesterday, but this morning, they're gone...deleted...and I've been deleted also...my login and all my posts. I was disagreeing with their "party line" and trading posts with "Holmey" (James Holm, producer). However, I was also in contact with the official moderator of the boards and he said that I was not at all out of line and in compliance with their rules.
I've written to Vern, but don't expect the courtesy of a response or explanation about their censorship. If they simply wanted to remove the contentious threads from public view, fine, but since they've also deleted my login, it appears that they can't take constructive criticism.
DT in AZ
COMMENT #166 [Permalink]
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liberally right o' center
said on 3/11/2006 @ 12:39 pm PT...
..is it just me or does it seem like Bob Christy might be in with Big Eddie and his friends at P1 on this rumored 3-station PHX deal?
Ed has always attempted to distance himself from (most of) the philosophies of AA talent and mgt; it appeals to his more centrist listeners...he is 100% correct that progressive talk needs to be run as a business first, with the causes of the talent driving demand.
However, his particularly vitriolic slagging lately of the http://www.saveairamericaphoenix.com/ effort, and Franken et al ("why doesn't Franken pull out some his book sales money?") tells me that he wants to make the initiative as distasteful as possible, so that whatever effort will carry his show locally might succeed.
TEAM UP, Jeff, Dr. Mike...get talking with these guys, get Charles on board, get your hands on their resources, give everyone their website money back, bring Sheldon & AA in...separate entities invested in the same cause, if you all have to, so you can all keep saying "they're not us"...all you guys get warm and fuzzy NOW please so we can HAVE OUR STATION BACK!
COMMENT #167 [Permalink]
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Iain
said on 3/11/2006 @ 6:44 pm PT...
That is a good question, why doesn't AA help with this effort and all the others like Randy, Ed, Mike Malloy, Stephanie Miller, Racheal Maddow, etc?
COMMENT #168 [Permalink]
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Charles G.
said on 3/12/2006 @ 3:20 am PT...
And what would future historians say about the decline of talk radio in Phoenix? Neo-cons won't have the last laugh...
Soon those that did this will hear our cries of freedom...stay tuned.
COMMENT #169 [Permalink]
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ArmyJeff
said on 3/12/2006 @ 1:25 pm PT...
I am sick of all this crap being said about the effort to save air america radio in phoenix. I keep hearing about Bob Christy and his 40 years blah blah blah. I don't give a flying crap about Bob. Dr. Mike, Jeff, Bily, all these people are who the LISTENERS of AAR Phx trust and support. I did not listen due to Bob being involved. I listened for DR MIKE, M&M ect. We are going to overcome and LAUGH in the faces of all of you punks. If I was not serving in the US Army in Germany I swear I would go on a rampage in the Valley of the Sun. I cannot wait to come back to my desert and further the liberal cause. REAL LIBERALS will overcome. Fake ones will sit around bitching. ACTION speaks louder then fake ass 'secret deals to buy secret stations.' If Bob has something going on why would he not talk about it until now? Hmmmm? Where are ya Bobby? Just stay in LA. We don't want you here. Backstabber. I would love for you to talk like you do to a crown of AAR listeners. You will then see who the phony is.
COMMENT #170 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/12/2006 @ 2:50 pm PT...
C'mon gang, let's calm down.
The only thing that matters at this point is getting progressive radio and AAR back on the air here.
If Charles and/or Bob, et al feel the donation approach isn't the way to go that's no reason to turn on them. I recall Charles explaining why that wasn't comfortable for him on his last show, and we should just accept that.
On the other hand, many of us have reached the point where we want to DO SOMETHING about the situation, and donating some seed money to a group of the fomer station staff feels appropriate.
If Bob, Charles and others can get a station on the air April 3rd - and we've come up with additional cushion for the initial operatng shortfalls - that seems like a good plan to me.
COMMENT #171 [Permalink]
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DavidT
said on 3/12/2006 @ 10:34 pm PT...
Bob and Charles are Libertarians...not progressives. Phoenix listeners were supportive of Charles' show in that he constantly exposed the follies of the Bush administration. However, were any of you listening all those times that he had Libertarian guests, or when he was away from his show and had Libertarian guest hosts?
On the "resurrected" AirAmericaPhoenix, in addition to the national hosts/shows, we need people like Dr. Mike, Jeff and Kyrsten, the M and M brothers, and maybe even Ed Schultz, but we do NOT need Charles Goyette.
The enemy of my enemy is NOT my friend...
DT
COMMENT #172 [Permalink]
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Man muff
said on 3/13/2006 @ 1:50 am PT...
Man muff is dissapointed in Charles...what gives I mean he was one of us...Man muff will let him know when we meet at the Grove in California. Alex Jones will not be happy either!
COMMENT #173 [Permalink]
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Steve Quale
said on 3/13/2006 @ 1:52 am PT...
As an expert on giants and terrorism I feel it is my duty to inform you that AA phx was taken off the air due to the increase in our police nation.
Never again will we hear the voice of the people...
COMMENT #174 [Permalink]
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Whitley Streiber
said on 3/13/2006 @ 2:44 am PT...
I would bet my imbedded alien chip that Air America Phoenix will be back, as a matter of fact the Pladians have told Billy Meier that indeed they will be back
COMMENT #175 [Permalink]
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JO JO Dancer
said on 3/13/2006 @ 4:55 am PT...
Man Muff, please try to find another name, that is offensive, now let's get back to talking about the state of talk radio in Phoenix.
If a Clear Channel station 1150 AM in LA, which is progressive then Mr. Muff why can't Phoenix have one? I am writing God, in my letter I will demand that Air America Pnx be put back on immedietly.
COMMENT #176 [Permalink]
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Jeff Y
said on 3/13/2006 @ 3:21 pm PT...
Charles was the best out there, I don't care WHAT label you want to hang on him. I don't listen to anything now except his archives.
COMMENT #177 [Permalink]
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DavidT
said on 3/13/2006 @ 4:51 pm PT...
Charles is intelligent, affable, and a skillful talker, but his Libertarian leanings are much more than something to be labled...they conflict with many of the beliefs/goals of liberals/progressives. That's the issue.
COMMENT #178 [Permalink]
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ol_hipy
said on 3/13/2006 @ 6:02 pm PT...
Wait a minute ... since when does every host have to agree with all of the liberal agenda? I found myself disagreeing with Charles or his guests on a number of occasions (like his giving air time to those creationists peddling "intelligent design"). Still, his show was stimulating, intelligent, informed, and TRUTHFUL. Charles is the best in Phoenix. Just look at what we have on air now.
I find it hard to believe a new Phoenix AAR station can be successful without a winning, ad-supported morning drive. Charles is the key to that and should be welcomed, even if he gets a little over the top from time to time.
What is it with you guys? You border on self-destructive.
COMMENT #179 [Permalink]
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Jeff Y
said on 3/14/2006 @ 7:33 am PT...
David T, would you mind elaboratingon exactly what "Libertarian leanings" Charles has that "conflict with many of the beliefs/goals of liberals/progressives." Charles speaks the truth. Does truth have a label?
COMMENT #180 [Permalink]
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Eric
said on 3/18/2006 @ 12:25 pm PT...
Before you guys advocate banning "brokered radio", you may want to take a look at Air America's business model. That's largely what they do.
COMMENT #181 [Permalink]
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Harold Lewis
said on 3/21/2006 @ 7:29 pm PT...
I really miss hearing the liberal side of the issues. Unfortunately programs other than Ed Shultz were absolutely to liberal in their approach and unwilling to engage callers in sensible discussion. I can see why listners would turn them off and not support the station format, M & M being the absolute worst talk show I've ever heard. They had very little discussion, just a lot of Multiplie Muttering (M&M) and cackling. But, I must say I really miss listening to the discussions given by Mr. Shultz, eventhough I personally did not always agree with him. All in all I must say it is important to hear both sides of an argument. Mr. Shulzs provided that and he will be missed in the Phoenix area.
COMMENT #182 [Permalink]
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DavidT
said on 3/26/2006 @ 3:08 pm PT...
(I thought this topic had been halted...but in case further posts are welcome...)
Someone asked about Charles Goyette and what's wrong with his Libertarian leanings....or something like that...Libertarians are basically anarchists, who are very anti-government, while progressives/liberals are very much the opposite, believing instead that good government is necessary for the greater good of society. We believe in good governmental regulation...not that government should back off and leave the corporations to do whatever they damn well please.
Charles endorsed a Libertarian candidate for president, his producer is a flaming Lib, the books he recommends on is website are primarily by Libs, the "Breakfast Club" that gets plugged on his show all the time is Libs, one or two (I can't remember) of the "Charles' Angels" angels were obvious Libs, he turned his show over to Lib guest hosts, such as Barry Hess.
Libertarians are NOT the "friends" of liberals, except in the sense that the "enemy of my enemy" might be my friend, but that canard is weak.
I said some good things about Charles above...he's a good person who probably means well, but his politics are all screwed up.
COMMENT #183 [Permalink]
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Art Bell
said on 3/27/2006 @ 3:03 am PT...
AAPHX is BACK
One week 1480 am, KPHX
IT is back!!!
COMMENT #184 [Permalink]
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sistah t
said on 6/12/2006 @ 1:05 pm PT...
Air America off in Atlanta, replaced by electic music mix and Al Franken. Sucks.
COMMENT #185 [Permalink]
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A Chayefsky
said on 7/16/2006 @ 8:37 pm PT...
most links are dead now - didn't AA resurrect? I never could get the new station, assumed weak signal -where is it now?