Air America Head: Rush is..........RIGHT??

Conservative talk radio has worked itself into a tizzy lately over the rumored revival of the Fairness Doctrine -- the FCC policy that sought to enforce balanced discussion on the nation's airwaves.

As the founding president of Air America Radio, I believe that for the last eight years Rush Limbaugh and his ilk have been cheerleaders for everything wrong with our economic, foreign and domestic policies. But when it comes to the Fairness Doctrine, I couldn't agree with them more. The Fairness Doctrine is an anachronistic policy that, with the abundance of choices on radio today, is entirely unnecessary.

Instituted in 1949, the Fairness Doctrine obligated stations to "afford reasonable opportunity" for opposing views on topics of "public importance." At the time, most cities outside of New York, Chicago and Los Angeles had only a few stations. AM radio was in everyone's car and home, but there were just three or four stations per market. FM radio was still a quarter of a century away from commercial success.

Policy makers who introduced the Fairness Doctrine were worried that crafty special interests could overwhelm the airwaves with one-sided propaganda and tilt elections, sway public sentiment or foment civil unrest. Their fears were understandable. Joseph Goebbels effectively used radio in service of the Third Reich.

Contrary to what some people would have us believe today, the Fairness Doctrine was primarily an issue on TV, since radio didn't have much talk. Until the 1970s, AM stations had a steady diet of music with a couple of minutes of news at the top of the hour. But by 1978, music had migrated to FM, leaving AM in a programming lurch. The history of media is replete with new technologies stealing the content of the ones they supplant. Motion pictures killed vaudeville; radio was full of dramas and comedies before Jack Webb and Jack Benny switched to TV. As for AM radio, it was not until Rush found an audience on WABC in New York City in 1988 that the AM operators knew what to do with their once mighty stations.

The conventional wisdom is that Rush's success depended on the 1987 repeal of the Fairness Doctrine. Some say that if he had to make time for opposing opinions, Rush would have flopped. Personally, I think he is most entertaining when he is dismantling opposing arguments. He's successful because he is a superior entertainer.

Rush created the new AM template, and it spread like wildfire. When programmers and sales managers get a whiff of success, it is cloned in every conceivable way until the audience, once grateful for innovation, tunes out.

So why didn't liberal talk radio flourish as well? There are several reasons, none of which has to do with a lack of talent. Bill Maher, Al Franken, Stephanie Miller, David Bender, Janeane Garofalo, Jon Stewart and Rachel Maddow all have the chops.

First, boring hosts made the occasional, unsuccessful foray (sorry, Mario Cuomo). Second, some talented lefties like Mike Malloy were cast into the abyss of right-wing talk radio where they were completely out of place. (Radio is a mood servicing drug; format purity rules.)

Finally, most broadcast owners are conservative. Programs like Rush's have made them rich, so the last thing they want is to mess with success, particularly if it entails airing opinions they don't share. Trust me, it took us years to get them to play rock 'n' roll.

No one tried a national, 24-hour liberal station before Air America Radio. When we founded Air America, we aimed to establish a talk network that lived at the intersection of politics and entertainment. Of course, we were motivated by our political leanings. But as a lifelong broadcaster, I was certain that at least half the American audience was underserved by conservative talk radio. Here was an opportunity to capture listeners turned off by the likes of, say, Sean Hannity. The business opportunity was enticing.

It never occurred to me to argue for reimposing the Fairness Doctrine. Instead, I sought to capitalize on the other side of a market the right already had built.

When conservative talking heads wave a red flag about the possible revival of the Fairness Doctrine, they know it's a great way to play the victim and rally supporters. But I'll let Rush continue with his self-righteous indignation -- and if I want, I'll tune into Rachel Maddow, or one of the thousands of other voices that populate radio today.

Mr. Sinton is the founding president of Air America Radio.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122990390599425181.html#printMode

More Operation Chaos

Limburger......errrrrrr.....Limbaugh tried this in Ohio.....and almost got his ass scorched. Fortuntaly for him, there were enough Republicans in the right places in OH to save his gi-normous bee-hind.

Ok...there IS something you can do.

• Call the guy's show. His on-air number is (800) 282-2882. He is on from Noon-3pm ET. Flood his phone lines. You probably will not get on, but the nightmare for all talk hosts is to have to fill three hours with you and nothing else. Rush IS good at that, but two or three days if it would cause.....CHAOS!
• Check who runs Rush here: http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/menu/rush.guest.html. Get information on what thier call letters are, phone numbers, fax numbers, whatever, and tell them that YOU patronize advertisers too. And any advertiser who runs a spot during Rush's show while this "Operation" going on runs the risk of you patronizing whatever competition that sponsor has.
• There is no EIB Network. That is just a device of Rush's Limbuagh's REAL disitributor is Premiere Radio Networks, a division of Clear Channel. Thier addresses can be found here: http://www.premrad.com/pages/contact.html.
• Finally, and most importantly, you can complain to the FCC. This can be done under the threat of public safety. You will need to fill out form Form 2000D. https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/new_complaints.action?request_locale=en

Randi's Back!

The first 16 minutes were a godsend. If only she didn't have to waste it playing some Melissa Ethridge deal....we wanted the Goddess!!

SHe spent her first moments thanking all of the people who moved over to Nova M with her...incuding her voice over guy (Christopher) Duffy who still voices for what Randi now calls SCARE America.

SHe spent the next few minutes talking about her suspension, which was more a contract war than anything else.

Here is how PolState.com put down her first few minutes on the air:

It wasn’t about what I said it was about locking me into something that I had deserved the right not to be locked into.”

The lead in to the show was the entirety of Melissa Etheridge’s “What Happens Tomorrow“. It’s an odd choice when you think of part of the lyrics as asking why a woman can’t be president. It was written in Sept. 2007. … However, Etheridge is not a Hillary supporter and has said she will vote for Obama. (She had supported Dennis Kucinich.)

Rhodes has been off the air for about two weeks, for a variety of reasons including an Air America cruise.

Rhodes knows that “Randi Rhodes” was the most searched term on Google some time on Saturday. She name-checked Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon, Willie Nelson and Melissa Etheridge as offering her support. “Do nothing out of fear, there’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said Etheridge told her.

Rhodes said she hasn’t told the story, yet. “Everyone’s biggest question is, what happened?”

Rhodes version of what she’s now calling “Scare America” can’t be trusted anymore than Air America’s version would. Somewhere in between is the the truth, but I guess there’s no confidentiality clause because Rhodes talked.

Rhodes said it was never about what she said in a standup routine in San Francisco, though she didn’t address whether Air America had paid her way there. She thought she killed at her stand-up, though even many of her fans (watching online) said it didn’t, that the timing was bad.

Rhodes said she had the right to leave on April 6 at anytime, that she had earned it.

“They aren’t radio professionals and have no radio background,” Rhodes said. “My own company fed this story to the press. … They released the statement saying I was indefinitely suspended. She had no morals clause, Rhodes said. She was “shunned and banished.”

…
“There had been no coverage of the event, pro or con. I called them and said, tell me what new story are you reacting to? They said they wanted to see the real value of the company and the ripple effect. What they found out was that without me they were nothing.”

“They offered me more money to stay, that’s right. … as long as I would amend my contract.”

According to Rhodes, it was a mutual decision because neither side would budge.

“I have a fortress around me and we’re good to go. I couldn’t be happier.”

The dripping, adoring callers were what I was afraid to have to listen to.

There was apparently serious feedback with the first caller, Kyle. Had to cut him short because of feedback. He was able to get through later.

Mike was next. Rhodes took a pretty hefty, unnamed, swipe at Sam Seder getting his ass kicked for being an ass-kisser (paraphrase), and the caller, Mike, right after gave a thank you to Seder for doing a good job filling in.

“By the way the idea that I should apologize, I will never ever apologize. … “I never said I wouldn’t apologize, I asked in what forum and to whom” after they cut me off. “I’m embarrassed for them.”

“I’m expensive. I cost more than everybody,” she said, in a pitch for $10-a month podcasts. A good deal for about 22 shows.

Rhodes also asked, where did my Web site go? Rhodes says she owns her Web site and if it wasn’t saved, “It’s not a civil matter it’s a criminal matter. That’s my property.” (This assertion made later in show)

“Obama got in trouble in San Francisco, too. Maybe we should agree that what happens in SF, stays in SF.”

http://polstate.com/?p=5382

A couple of things: Right now www.therandirhodesshow.com only leads to Randi's site on www.novamradio.com The content of that original page is still not up.

And Randi has here old number back: (866) 87-RANDI

BREAKING NEWS! RANDI QUITS!

NEW YORK -- April 10, 2008: After being suspended indefinitely for calling senator and Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton a "f****ing whore" and saying the same about former Congresswoman Geraldine Ferraro, Randi Rhodes has left Air America Radio. Rhodes made the comments in March at a KKGN (Green 960)/San Francisco-sponsored event.

A joint statement released Thursday by AAR Chairman Charlie Kireker and President Mark Green said, "Last week Air America suspended Randi Rhodes for abusive, obscene language at a recent public appearance in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air American affililate station. Air America Media was informed last night by Ms. Rhodes that she has chosen to terminate her employment with the company. We wish her well and thank her for past services to Air America."

But Rhodes may not be off the air for long: On the KKGN website, PD John Scott had early word of Rhodes' AAR exit and says, "We are bringing her back." Scott says that on Monday, April 14, "it will be our pleasure to announce the return of Randi Rhodes to the Green 960 family." Whether that return will be with KKGN itself or through a new syndication deal is yet to be determined.
http://www.radioink.com/HeadlineEntry.asp?hid=141727&pt=todaysnews

STATEMENT OF CHARLIE KIREKER, CHAIR & MARK GREEN, PRESIDENT, FOR AIR AMERICA MEDIA

By Tim Einenkel

Last week Air America suspended Randi Rhodes for abusive, obscene language at a recent public appearance in San Francisco which was sponsored by an Air America affiliate station.

Air America Media was informed last night by Ms. Rhodes that she has chosen to terminate her employment with the company.

We wish her well and thank her for past services to Air America. We will soon announce exciting new talent and programming that will accelerate Air America’s growth in the future.

http://airamerica.com/live

AAR has wasted no time in killing Randi's website, http://therandirhodesshow.com and redirecting it to the AAR site. They also killed the forums.

(OEN)Suspended in Suspended Animation Over Randi Rhodes' Suspension

Now that we have more facts on Rhodes’ suspension, I find my opinion suspended in a state of suspended animation on her suspension.

Assuming it’s true that Air America Radio did not sponsor Rhodes' nightclub appearance -- but rather their San Francisco affiliate -- then there should have been clear rules on how the game was played.

The bosses shouldn’t assume that their on-air host will use good judgment when speaking in another venue.

Neither should the on-air personality assume he/she can say anything he/she wants when not behind the radio the microphone.

A man who was at the event, phoned into the Bill Press Show this morning. According to “Bob”, the fund raising event was sponsored by a San Francisco radio station and co-sponsored by a martial arts studio; Air America had nothing to do with it. They neither sponsored nor advertised the event.

Bob also said her remarks were well-received and it was a friendly audience.

The parts I saw showed the same thing. I didn't hear any booing. She got laughs and seemed to be well received.

If all of the above is true, and radio stations feel their talent represents them no matter where they speak, then I repeat -- Air America-sponsored or not -- they better establish rules of the game before their on-air hosts make any type of public appearances.

If the personality feels he's being censored or held back in any way, they have to reach a compromise or go their separate ways.

Attendees paid for their tickets and had to hold listener memberships to get tickets. In other words, it was a private/sort of public event having nothing to do with Air America.

I happened to be watching when David Shuster asked his infamous "are they pimping out Chelsea" question," although a little surprised, I didn't give it much thought.

While I thought it was out of character for him, I chalked it off to a brain burp or one swig too many at the pre-show, jitters-calming schnapps bottle.

I didn't really think he should have been put out in the cold for three weeks. I really thought that the half-dozen apologies extended to the Clintons both on- and off-air should have been enough.

I thought Shuster shouldn't have been suspended, but I still can't decide about Rhodes.

Whatever. They're the bosses and -- right or wrong -- they'll do what bosses do, because they think it's the right thing to do, or it's the politically correct thing to do.

Or the most likely reason is they'll do whatever it takes, at whatever it costs someone else, to cover their corporate asses.

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=6889

Sandy Sand...Yes, that's her real name...as her mother did not have a sense of humor, she married the name. She began her writing career while raising three children and doing public relations work for Women's American ORT (Organization for Rehabilitation through Training). That led to a job as a reporter for the San Fernando Valley Chronicle, a weekly publication in Canoga Park, California. In conjunction with the Chronicle, she broadcast a tri-weekly, ten minuted newscast for KGOE AM.


Follow the closure of the Chronicle's doors after serving the West Valley as a community newspaper for nearly fifty years, she moved on to be the editor of the Tolucan Times and Canyon Crier in Burbank.

Rhodes Says Air America Breached Her Contract

When John McCain was asked if it was hypocritical of him to have appeared in a raunchy movie (Wedding Crashers) filled with gratuitous topless scenes after having criticized Hollywood for its marketing of such films, McCain joked: "In Washington, I work with boobs every day." With that carefree quip, McCain's critics were silenced, and the controversy was over before it got started. By contrast, McCain's ideological foes tend to create their own problems.

In a textbook example of "progressives" undermining their own agenda, Air America has suspended its star host Randi Rhodes for telling jokes that generated absolutely no controversy until the network -- two weeks after the now suddenly objectionable comments were made in a stand-up comedy performance -- decided to remove her, at least temporarily, from its airwaves.

At an appearance in San Francisco sponsored by Air America's local affiliate, Rhodes referred to Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro as "fucking whores." It's widely understood that this epithet, delivered in the context of a well-received comedic rant, is what prompted the suspension. But Air America's terse statement on the matter offers no explanation beyond declaring it "does not condone such abusive, ad hominem language by our Hosts."

It's not detectable at this point if Air America honchos believe Rhodes was somehow supposed to have known what she said is punishable. Also unknown is the duration of her suspension. According to New York Daily News reporter David Hinckley, the network is remaining silent for now "to gauge public reaction." How principled.

Ferraro has wasted no time calling for Rhodes to be fired. The former VP candidate told Fox News earlier today, "What did they do with Don Imus when he went after the young black team who was playing basketball with kind of the same language? Treat them both the same...She's coming at me and Hillary in a ... sexist way... To incite people with language like this young woman just did on radio is very, very dangerous because ... some people take this stuff so seriously that it can affect your security."

Understandably, Rhodes is stunned and angry. About her employers she told me: "They are in breach of my contract and have damaged my hard won excellent reputation in the broadcast industry..." Rhodes added she received thank you letters from representatives of Air America, the San Francisco affiliate and sponsors praising her for the performance that now has her in hot water.

Rhodes is scheduled to speak in New York on April 28 with former UN weapons inspector Scott Ritter at an event sponsored by U.S. Tour of Duty, the nonprofit project I run. It is not yet clear if the popular host will be back to work for Air America by then -- or ever. At a critical moment in its evolution, the network has put itself in an untenable position. Ultimately, does Air America, or does it not, stand for free speech? At this moment, it clearly does not. That's not very progressive.

Viral online marketing is so pre-Cloverfield, you may be thinking to yourself, but don't tell that to Joe Tolerico. He's the guy in charge of all the online shenanigans supporting NBC's Heroes, which now goes by the name of Heroes: Evolution. Over at the Heroes Wiki, Tolerico explains what won't be spinning out of the show that made it okay to steal ideas from twenty-year-old comic books.

We have all sorts of ideas we are exploring. And there's plenty of joking around about what Heroes should NOT become. Our head of digital entertainment teases Tim Kring about "Heroes on Ice" (with all due respect to figure skaters).

With the show off air for the foreseeable future, Heroes: Evolutions offers the only chance for fans to interact with their favorite characters... and for those characters to interact back. Says Tolerico:

Masi Oka writes and creates all of the Hiro blog entries himself. I put together the Drucker postcard code and our lead designer (Markus Hagen) created the artwork and flash file. The games and riddles for Heroes Evolutions are developed by our in-house team and the Heroes Transmedia team working together with the show writers to help guide us and keep us within the show's mythology... We miss our show writers and hope the strike is settled soon. We are working to develop pieces that are interesting to the fans, but with no new episodes these are different stories. Fortunately the tapestry of Heroes provides us with many different places to "play."

When the show returns to NBC, Tolerico promises more interaction between the show and Evolutions, including more plots crossing over between platforms. If this means more than Hana Gitelman appearing in a couple of scenes of season 1 before disappearing into the online comic book, then I'm potentially in...

http://io9.com/349964/web-version-of-heroes-will-begin-crossing-over-into-tv

Now here's an angle on the strike I hadn't even considered: Entertainment Weekly's PopWatch blog asks what might the strike do to Comic Con? We've seen it kill the Golden Globes, and the Oscars remain in mortal peril, but what about the biggest event of the year for nerds like you and me? Sure, it's a comic book convention, but that joint isn't getting filled to maximum capacity because Rob Liefeld is doing sketches of you with huge tits and tiny feet - it's about the major presentations in Hall H, where the upcoming genre films show footage and parade their stars.

Of course the reason I didn't think about it is that the strike will be over by then, and if not Comic Con is the least of anyone's worries. If the strike goes through the summer we're looking at directors and actors possibly walking as well, which is a Hollywood Apocalypse in action. It's a major disaster. I'm pretty confident all of this will be wrapped up before the summer, so nobody's going to have to worry about crossing picket lines to get into the San Diego Convention Center.

What's going to be interesting is how the fall out from the current strike will affect the Con. Last year TV shows were some of the biggest draws, but the strike has already slain television; there will almost certainly be no new genre shows to come to Con in July, and the current shows -assuming they don't get canceled as a way of saving money - will likely have no new episodes. I guess people from shows like Lost or Heroes will still show up, but it's going to be like a Star Trek convention in the early 90s, when George Takei showed up not to talk about his future plans but to endlessly chat about running around shirtless with a sword in one episode back in 1964.

I feel pretty confident that we'll be seeing new Watchmen footage this July in San Diego. Although part of me wonders that if the strike does metastasize in June, will actors and directors travel down to San Diego not to flog their films but to picket the Center? Would JJ Abrams sign autographs while marching in front of Hall H?

http://www.chud.com/index.php?type=news&id=13227