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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:52 PM
Original message
To all of you who say you want "Liberal Radio"
Edited on Wed Feb-18-04 11:58 PM by BeachBuckeye
For many months now there has been one group after another announcing that “Liberal Radio” is on the way. Its mostly a load of crap. Do you know why? Its because those who cry the loudest that they want Liberal programming are not willing to support it. There were 50,000,000 Democratic voters in the last Presidential election so we know damned well there are plenty of potential listeners out there. So whats the problem? Why won’t Democrats support something so vital to our cause? Why?

Liberal broadcasters are an endangered species. I know this because recently I had an occasion to meet with practically all of them and let me tell you, it was a damn small group....maybe 15 in number. The sad fact is that more than half of the group are hanging on by a thread with little or no support from any Democratic entity. What a shame!! What a travesty!! We are actually going back wards instead of making progress all because most Democrats are not willing to financially support Liberal programming. Oh yes, now we have one show host who is "national" with a half dozen small stations or so. Pardon me but BFD! When you tune in and hear the same callers day after day you know damned well no one is listening. Some progress huh?

Admittedly, I'm writing this to let off steam as a result of a humiliating failed attempt to raise funds for "The Guy James Show." We had a donor who funded the program during the past several months but he is not willing to carry most of the load by himself any longer. He wanted to see some financial participation from others as a sign of an interested public but has learned from experience with our program and a couple of others that most Democrats will yell loud for "Liberal Radio" but very few are willing to give a few bucks to see it come to fruition.

Our program reaches many thousands of listeners each week and has influenced many Republicans to change sides so I think its a benefit to our cause but, evidently, many, if not most of you don't agree. It costs only a few thousand dollars a month to keep it going but its too much for one person so if things don't change by next week we'll be history just like many other Liberal broadcasters who have failed for lack of funding.

I apologize for the rather stern tone of this note but I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to be quiet about it any more. If you can help then please do so. If you won't then don't cry anymore about the Limbaugh's and Hannity's owning the airwaves.

A big thank you to all who have helped us in the past. We love each one of you. www.theguyjamesshow.com

Respectfully,
Guy James
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Philosophy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Feb-18-04 11:59 PM
Response to Original message
1. So how come liberal radio needs "donors"
but conservative radio can get multi-million dollar advertising deals?
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:02 AM
Response to Reply #1
4. You really need to ask that question?
Because Democratic business owners are intimidated by the Right and are afraid of losing their Republican clients. I've had many of them tell me that. In fact, we have had businessmen donate to the program who have insisted that their names be kept "confidential."

Many of the sponsors of the Hannity's and Limbaugh's are not really advertising anyway. They are merely buying influence for the Republican party.
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Norquist Nemesis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:22 AM
Response to Reply #4
14. Relying in the listeners is not the best approach
Because Democratic business owners are intimidated by the Right and are afraid of losing their Republican clients. I've had many of them tell me that. In fact, we have had businessmen donate to the program who have insisted that their names be kept "confidential."

I'm trying not to take your pointing the finger personally, but it your blaming us liberals just doesn't sit well with me. In one respect, I can understand what you're saying about businesses wanted to be kept "confidential". But it makes me wonder how you're selling the product. It SHOULD be supported by advertisers (and not "donate", but support).

With the experience I have in sales and marketing, I'm fully aware that 'highly competitive' doesn't begin to describe the difficult task for sales people working in the media industry. It's rough. But it's not impossible.

You've got HUGE potential, but IMO you're going about it all in the wrong way and if it fails that's the reason. Not us.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:27 AM
Response to Reply #14
15. You are just plain wrong
We've gone door to door, we've done everything we can think of. I have a marketing background of some note and I can tell you that it is like running your head into a brick wall. First of all, nearly all of the stations are owned by big companies...Clear Channel being the largest of course. None of the big boys are going to allow us on their stations. You have no idea as to the barriers put up in front of Liberal radio hosts. Don't take my word for it ask Mike Malloy. He'll tell you the same things I have mentioned.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:56 PM
Response to Reply #14
49. Have you requested no star.......
behind your name as a DU donor or is it a clerical error of some kind? Just wondered
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Norquist Nemesis Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:54 AM
Response to Reply #49
54. NOYB
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formernaderite Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:47 AM
Response to Reply #1
32. When I want talk I listen to NPR or Pacifica...
...but most of the time I listen to rock stations....same goes for my construction crew. I question whether there is an audience for this? I mean, before Limbaugh was nation wide, didn't he start at a local station? I believe Hanity did too. They obviously had a sucessful format that got picked up.

For these guys to fail, means they couldn't keep even their local market?
I think that most of us who are progressive already listen to NPR or Pacifica. Frankly I don't enjoy the AM talk radio format at all, it's too loud. When I want "loud", I listen to music. I don't think you can say that progressives want their own version of Limbaugh.

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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:51 AM
Response to Reply #32
34. Many were bankrolled.
As in given the resources to get established sans big ads from "Viagra".

The right made a concentrated effort to "own" AM radio.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:48 AM
Response to Reply #1
33. The advertisers know that CONservative hosts will rarely....
...criticize big bidness, that's why. They'll happily whore themselves out for a buck. I suppose that's a real problem that needs to be addressed, what's the responsibility of the people that occupy OUR airwaves to be obvective commentators>?

On the local level Guy is fucked because it's a conservative business community (SW Florida) that has Dem owners intimidated so they're afraid (for lack of a better term) to advertise.

This probably wouldn't be the case in Ithaca.
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arewethereyet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:31 AM
Response to Reply #1
51. I'm confused
Rush gets advertising deals because he has a large listenership. Radio stations carry him because they get listeners which mean they can get advertising revenue from local businesses in their town. Exxon doesn't run ads on Limbaugh, its Mattras Liquidators and The chiropractor and such. He does some as a part of the national deals but what pays his salary are the fees he charges the stations to carry the broadcast.

My point is this, are the liberal talk shows attracting audience or not ? If they are then they don't need donors. If they're not then why and what needs to happen to change that ?
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mouse7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:38 PM
Response to Reply #51
61. Liberals do things other than listen to AM and watch TV
Edited on Fri Feb-20-04 01:38 PM by mouse7
Liberals are far more likely to be involved in active sports, community activities, participatory hobbies, and as a group, read much more.

That doesn't mean that liberals aren't "loyal" listeners. However, they do a lot of things other than passively listening to broadcasting.
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codegreen Donating Member (827 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
2. geez, sorry... i listen to your show... i've no money though...
what about advertisers? they just not biting or what?

so, are you (i assume you're the actual Guy James) really sure that the Liberal Radio thing isn't going to happen? i'd heard of Franken, RFK jr, and possibly soon Randi Rhodes joining on with the network still under construction...
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mac2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:04 AM
Response to Reply #2
5. Are they waiting until after the election?
Where are they? This is an important time to get the "message out there". We'll have to wait two or more years to do it again.

I ask...where are they? Is it just a ploy?
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:06 AM
Response to Reply #5
6. Its lack of support and lack of money
Anshell tried it and they were well-heeled but couldn't come up with the giant bucks it takes to launch a national network.
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HootieMcBoob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:16 AM
Response to Reply #6
10. Anshell is now Progress Media
They will be going under the name of Central Air unless they change that before too long which is a possibility I've heard mentioned. They are going to begin broadcasting this spring possibly March/April. The Network is going to happen. They are buying radio stations and getting together deals with others.

There is another group called Democracy Radio or something like that. They are working to syndicate hosts.

These are going to happen.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #10
11. I have been very involved with both of these groups
Believe me, I know all about both of them.
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LTR Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:18 AM
Response to Reply #10
12. Already changed
Edited on Thu Feb-19-04 12:19 AM by RatTerrier
Central Air is now Air America.
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mac2 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:01 AM
Response to Original message
3. Not true....
I have a subscription to a talk radio web program...not Guy James.

This President is costing me big bucks supporting Democratic web sits, candidates, talk radio, political action, enviornmental groups.

I'd rather support public funding of candidates and get rid of corporate power. It would be a lot cheaper in numerous ways.
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DoctorMyEyes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:28 AM
Response to Reply #3
16. I've gotta agree with Mac here
Guy, it really sucks that you're not getting the funding you need for your show. I've heard from others that you have a hella good show (I've never been able to get it to stream for me)

I feel bad for you, and I feel bad for the pussy assed businesses who are afraid of the brownshirts, but many of us are just tapped out.

Between supporting liberal sites, liberal authors, moveon.org, PBS, NPR, Democratic candidates and throwing a few bucks to a radio program every now and then....it adds up.

I know a lot of poor ass redneck Rush listeners and not one of them has ever even thought of buying an Oreck vacuum cleaner. They don't have to open their wallets to get "their" fucking programming. The air is filled with Hannity, Rush, O'Reilly and a couple dozen other pussbags.

Like I said, I'm really sorry - and I feel for you, but for my money - right now it's going directly to the Dem candidates. If we can get some juice in DC maybe we can affect some changes at the FCC - and stop having a "pay as you go" system for democrats and a "free ride" for the republicans.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:30 AM
Response to Reply #16
18. Whats the use
Whats the use of funding candidates if they can't get a fair shake in the media? Thats where we radio hosts come in but no one seems to understand that on the Left side. Let me tell you that the Right understands it perfectly and appreciates the value of Limbaugh, Hannity, Boortz and a host of others.
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HootieMcBoob Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:46 AM
Response to Reply #18
20. I understand it
I can't listen to your show live because I'm in class all day on Saturday but I listen to the archive from whiterose. I don't have much money due to being unemployed due to the Bush economy for the last couple of years - I've had to go back to school - and I'm over 40! Things aren't easy.

I can scrape together 10 or 15 dollars maybe. That's not much I know but if it will help, just tell me what to do. I managed a 25 dollar donation to Wes Clark a month or so ago so maybe I can put off the laundromat a little for Guy James too. :)
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DoctorMyEyes Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:50 PM
Response to Reply #18
45. I do understand what you're saying
and I think we all recognize the value of having a liberal voice out there to counter the right wing echo chamber.

I wish I had an answer....Better yet, I wish I were wealthy enough to sponsor something as worthwhile as your show. I'm not.

Although I recognize your disappointment, it's wrong to imply that liberals are "cheap". Everyone knows that we're not. We give bigger portions of our income to charities, do more volunteer work, and are even better tippers!

I'm sorry that I don't have any bright new ideas, any answers or any money.

It's not just a problem with the airwaves. The Republicans buy up stacks of every piece of shit book book the Coulters, O'Riellys, and Hannitys toss together and hand them out like freakin' party favors. I could pick up a free copy of any of their "doorstops" any day of the week, but the most I can shoot for when buying something from Franken, Krugman or Conason is to catch a sale at the bookstore. (And I often don't even do that, since I buy most of my books through Buzzflash and pay EXTRA in order to support that site!)

I would have loved to have given everyone on my Christmas list a copy of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them" because it was so good and so readable - not just for us political wonks - but I couldn't.

Forgive me if I sound like I'm having my own pity party here... We've just got to find a way to stop being a "tin cup party".
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bpilgrim Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:09 AM
Response to Original message
7. they could probably get a good deal on i.e. america radio?
:shrug:

how many internet listeners do you get?

have you tried banners yet?

try to stay afloat at LEAST on the internet... if they actually do start funding 'liberal radio' they gonna have to start with local affiliates in the BIG cities/states you'd think and they would have to be REALLY low to ignore yall then.

gl :toast:

peace
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codegreen Donating Member (827 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:12 AM
Response to Reply #7
8. IEamercaradio is almost history. where the hell is George Soros?
the rich liberals should fund liberal radio! it's the most effective recruitment and rallying tool we could hope for.

someone get Soros on the horn!
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:15 AM
Response to Reply #8
9. Soros has been contacted
"At this time we do not have a vehicle with which to fund local radio programs. That is not now nor was it ever our goal."
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kaitykaity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:22 AM
Response to Original message
13. I get fundraising emails from TruthOut once a month.

Do you have an email list you could fundraise from? Set up a newsletter, have people sign up for it . . . ?

I love your program and wish you the very best, Guy.

:yourock:



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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:28 AM
Response to Reply #13
17. I'm afraid its too late for that now
That takes time and we have only a week or so.
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kaitykaity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 12:36 AM
Response to Reply #17
19. You'll get this taken care of, and the show will go on.
I have to believe that. We need you and Michael. Losing Malloy, and then losing you, and then having Randi on reruns? It would be just too much.

If you decide to work up a newsletter/email list, I'd be happy to help any way that I can, writing, editing, etc.




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Mike Niendorff Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:14 AM
Response to Original message
21. Perhaps a dumb question, but : who is your *target audience*?

Seriously, I think progressives who are into this radio-issue *need* to think about this.

Demographically speaking :

-- who do you expect to listen? (age? education? profession/trade? personality traits? etc)
-- when do you expect them to tune in? (drive time? home? work hours? lunch break?)
-- under what circumstances do you expect them to tune in? (on the job? while commuting? at home?)
-- how do you expect them to hear about you (word of mouth? promotion through progressive org's? something else?)

getting a little more specific:

-- are you going to try for crossover appeal to *current* AM listeners? (issues? presentation? style???)
-- are you going to rely on *new* AM listeners? (if so, how many? who are they? why aren't they listening now?)

These are important questions that I don't see being discussed on these threads very often.

Personally, I think there is a market out there -- think "Howard Dean movement" meets AM radio dial -- but it's not going to simply be a different "version" of what RW radio is doing now. It's gotta start small, and it's gotta understand its listeners and its promoters and be tailored *to their needs*. It has to give them some substantive benefit at the personal level -- be it information, reinforcement, analysis, whatever. It can't just be "the goodness of knowing that we're represented on that AM radio that we never listen to".

I don't have the answer, but for all the energy that seems to be swirling around this issue, it seems at least that these questions should be asked until a satisfactory answer emerges.

</.02>


MDN





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Zinfandel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:19 AM
Response to Original message
22. Corporations fund and sponsor right-wing radio because it's more or less
Edited on Thu Feb-19-04 02:05 AM by Zinfandel
an investment for them...if you have these Limbaugh's shouting bullshit day and night for deregulation, tax cuts and subsidies for corporations, "because it'll create more jobs" and the sheep support it in the voting booth and as sound philosophy, then the corporate investment is well worth it a thousand times over.

If corporations or rich democratic companies support liberal radio, they in a sense would be hurting themselves, because liberals (like myself) would be preaching regulation, for government to control these corporations, pay fair wages, better health benefits, expose corporate and business polluters and make them pay fines and the cost of clean up, etc.

So it becomes what's right against the power of greed and money. Corporations are not going to support the first (what's right) it would go against all their business theory and concepts.

We are indeed on our own, to find a way to have the Malloys and the like find a forum...but once they do, people will listen (if it's entertaining as Limbaugh is, as Malloy is and that will translate into sponsors dollars, if people listen, the advertisers will line up to sponor. (And the republicans and religious right will always threaten sponor boycott of these liberal voices, that's a given.)

But the problem remains, where are the stations going to come from?
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LuCifer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:51 AM
Response to Reply #22
23. low rated stations
that X company is probably jonesing hard to sell. That seems to be the case with Air America buying 950 in Chicago. Sucks that Soros won't help with this. UGH. More than 1 in 5 people get their political news FROM RADIO. Guy, ya got DU's support, we got your back!

Lu Cifer

And everyone please visit http://www.RandiRhodesHatesAmerica.com and check out the tons of Randi archives. Donate if you can (and donate to DU too damnit! AND DONATED TO LIBERAL RADIO LIKE THE GUY JAMES SHOW! I would, if I didn't have to blow what money I is got on crap like food! Thanks Bush.) and I think if you donate more than like $25, you'll get a CD of Randi show, approx. 1 MONTH of shows! Tell a friend! SYNDICATION NOW FOR RANDI!!!
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Zinfandel Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:56 AM
Response to Reply #23
24. What does your reply to my post, have to do what I wrote? I'm intrigued!
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LuCifer Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 02:02 AM
Response to Reply #24
25. the stations will come from them buying low rated stations...
...yeah, damn tangets!
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:12 AM
Response to Reply #25
26. Any decent station
Is worth at least 2 or 3 million dollars. I was formerly a partner in one which just sold to Clear Channel for 4.5 million and its a low-power,rather rural station. Buying stations is not going to be the cheap way out.
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SinkingInTheRain Donating Member (109 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:22 AM
Response to Original message
27. Liberal radio does not need funding
It need the laws changed so that it is REQUIRED listening. For every right wing program there needs to be a liberal program by law. When the Dems retake DC they need to enforce a law that requires liberal radio programs forced onto broadcasters that play right winf programs.

Once listeners are subjected to hours of liberal radio they will come around to voting the correct way instead of being brainwashed by the Hannitys of the airwaves.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:29 AM
Response to Reply #27
28. very funny n/t
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SinkingInTheRain Donating Member (109 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:51 AM
Response to Reply #28
35. Do you remember the fairness doctrine?
Nothing funny about its demise.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 09:00 AM
Response to Reply #35
38. I know the fairness doctrine by heart
And if it were reinstated tomorrow it wouldn't change a damned thing. There would still be a need for financial support and the vast majority of Dems just won't do it.
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mouse7 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:57 PM
Response to Reply #38
62. Not true. Fairness Docrine worked.
The Fairness doctrine kept the airwaves balanced for decades. Reinstating it would instantly resolve many problems. Now, I fully recognize the GOP and Clear Channel would find a lot of "Alan Combes-like 'liberals'" to fill their equal time requirement. However, that would still be better than the situation we are in now.
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Cooley Hurd Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 09:04 AM
Response to Reply #35
40. I get a strong sense...
...that you're being disingenuous about this. Why, in your previous post, do you use the words, "required," "forced" and "subjected" in reference to liberal radio?

Just curious... :eyes:
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libview Donating Member (241 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:15 PM
Response to Reply #27
47. That is friggin ridiculous. Required listening????
George Orwell, 1984
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RememberWellstone Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:50 AM
Response to Reply #27
53. We need local support.
I have called my local talk show station to ask for "different" programing. They give me the pat response of "there are none available to them" or so they say. I live a mid sized Florida town that should be able to get SOME DNC programs..ANY Democratic host would be a breath of air. I am deluged with non-stop conservative talk dogs. Forget about it. I will listen to NPR and hope the DNC will get their act together. If not, we'll lose radio all together. Just my opinion.
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sendero Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:34 AM
Response to Original message
29. Anyone still giving money to NPR...
... needs to send their money somewhere else. I just about tossed my breakfast listening to a "commentary" by David Frum, a screed full of bogus emotional arguments, damn near lies and certainly mischaracterizations. People still think NPR is balanced? You will never, never, NEVER hear a simple rebuttal of the ridiculous points he made. You will never, never, NEVER hear any kind of liberal rhetoric of the same magnitude as this tripe on NPR.

The first step in getting liberal radio is for people to stop sending money to the sellouts at NPR and send it somewhere else.

I don't know Guy James - I tried to listen a couple time without success. But whereever Mike Malloy lands will get the money I would normally send to NPR. We all have to pony up, this is important.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:38 AM
Response to Reply #29
30. You can now listen to the show at your leisure
On Ben Burch's great site: http://www.whiterosesociety.org/
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benburch Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 12:42 AM
Response to Reply #30
69. But, if you ...
... listen to Guy on my site you STILL need to pitch some money into the hat.

And there is a convenient button RIGHT THERE with his show links to make that easy for you.
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Postman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:44 AM
Response to Original message
31. I donated to Pacifica Radio Network...
Democracy Now program with Amy Goodman.

I'm not wealthy but I gave what I could.

It's the small donations that add up to one big donation.

What price do you put on your freedom?

It's soo easy to be a sellout in this country of materialism.

Wake-up America, the future of democracy is at stake.
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Deaner1971 Donating Member (124 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:53 AM
Response to Original message
36. What about Ed Schultz?
I listen to him everyday on my XM radio (channel 166). I believe that he exists and in fact is growing due to the number of listeners that have tuned in from all across the political spectrum. Obviously alot of Repubs listen as he gets about 1/3 of his calls from people who disagree.

What we are lacking is a Progressive lineup that is nationally known. Rush Limpbag is the single most recognizable name. But, on most stations, he is followed or preceeded by Sean Insanity and Bill O'Liely. Right-wingnuts get 6 to 9 hours of their view and never have to change the station. We need stations in market that allow us to tune in for the duration.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 08:58 AM
Response to Reply #36
37. Ed got party backing
He's got $1.8 million to keep him going for two years. No one else has gotten a helping hand like that from anyone. He got where he is because he is very well connected in D.C.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 09:02 AM
Response to Original message
39. It's unfortunate that big $$$ Dems gave up the airwaves.
The Reich was was smart to buy up so many stations. It started on the AM and is moving into the FM now.

Even the rock stations have a conservative tone to them now, they have DJs wax poetic on how stupid Liberals are every day.

The Right owns the Media in this country and aren't afraid to use it.

The Dems are too chicken shit, or stupid, to challenge that very Un-Democratic development too.

I don't have a solution really. I suppose that once the modern American Nation State is dismantled then, and only then, people may wake the fuck up. By then though it'll probably to damned late.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 10:11 AM
Response to Original message
41. kick
:kick:
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nostamj Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 10:25 AM
Response to Original message
42. friends and fans...
even if this saturday's show is not the last show for Guy, it will be the last for the man in the co-pilot's seat, DU's JanMichael.

i'll keep hoping the support comes through, but don't miss this saturday's show!

Donate
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 10:45 AM
Response to Reply #42
44. Very true. Oh! And I'll have a vicious hang-over too.
Friday night is my bon-voyage party after work:hangover::grr:

I sure hope Guy can work something out and stay on the air...Screw the internet only ideas too, preaching to the converted is fun but IMHO not worth the nickel spent doing it. Radio can catch the illinformed and those without streaming internet access. Maybe I'm mistaken:shrug:
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PVnRT Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 10:32 AM
Response to Original message
43. You can't have listeners
without getting stations around the country to agree to carry the show. Many so-called "News Talk" stations are controlled by right-wingers and will never let on a strong liberal voice. Period.

Yeah, there's the internet, but most people are going to tune in using a radio.

Just another point to consider when arguing for liberal radio.
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libview Donating Member (241 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:10 PM
Response to Original message
46. If people listen to your show, buisnesses will buy advertising,
if noone is listening, better find another line of work.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Feb-19-04 01:35 PM
Response to Reply #46
48. I love uninforned opinions.
Sorry but you don't know what you're talking about.

The show has almost non-stop local and national callers, the issue is not listenership (Matter of fact we have local callers from 50 miles north to 60-80 miles south, and it's on the largest talk radio channel in the market, so I really don't think that's the issue. AFAIK there are no local show rating numbers available at this time so how pray tell does a business make such an enlightened decision, osmosis?), it's the political nature of the station ownership as well as local Dem businesses that are intimidated by a heavily Republican local environment.

That's ok though, keep up your faith in the "market".
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arewethereyet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:04 AM
Response to Reply #48
55. not so fast JanMichael
firstly, callers are not listeners.

if there are no ratings numbers then how are the advertising rates set ? everyone requires Arbitron or the like to set listenership and thats how you set rates. obviously business needs to know who and how many they can expect to reach.

I'm not buying your explination.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 09:18 AM
Response to Reply #55
57. You don't HAVE to "buy it". I said I don't have the numbers.
Which is a fact.

Plus the show has only been on this station for a couple of month and ratings have not been forthcoming.

Question: Were you just calling me a liar?

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arewethereyet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 12:09 AM
Response to Reply #57
68. you're cash strapped after only a couple of months ?
precarious business plan there guys.

If thats all the long you've been on then, no, you may not be a liar. Ratings are not a constant thing, twice a year if I recall. However you were far from clear on this point.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 02:43 PM
Response to Reply #68
72. 15 months. 2 or so at the bigger one.
Consider this my last post to you. I have no idea why you're so freakin' hostile. Well I guess I do, you're talking out of your ass.

Ciao:-)
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arewethereyet Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 03:41 PM
Response to Reply #72
73. ouch
lets see...

you accuse another poster of knowing nothing and I'm hostile ?

shows are asking people for money which is akin to making an investment but you abuse them for asking questions about what they can expect from their investment and I'm hostile ?

Look, I'm sorry if things are not going well for you but its hardly my doing that its happening. Hope things improve in your life soon.
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Thtwudbeme Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 03:56 PM
Response to Reply #73
74. I don't think you are "hostile." I think
you are passive aggressive.

You make semi-smart assed statements about "business plans," and "ratings," and then wimp out when you are called out for your statements; ie, "You were MEAN to me, so I am going to take my ball and go home!"

Guy James has been working his ass off to have a Liberal radio show, and your statements are a pathetic attempt at either belittling him, or to call attention to yourself.

As far as having a Liberal radio talk show is concerned, either read or get out of the library. But do try to keep the panty-waist attempts at half assed verbal abuse to yourself.
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 07:11 PM
Response to Reply #55
66. Nobody asked you to "buy" anything
We live in one of the most concentrated Republican areas of the United States. Liberal businessmen will NOT under any circumstances sponsor a Liberal show. We have a very good audience, especially when you consider that we just changed stations 3 months ago. We have a considerable internet audience. I do have numbers but for professional reasons that should be obvious we keep them confidential. Got anything positive to add?
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libview Donating Member (241 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:46 PM
Response to Reply #48
58. That's ok, keep blaming the "intimidated Dem businesses"
for you show failing, you'll go far.
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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:01 PM
Response to Reply #58
59. Great.
Ignore the facts. Hell it's the arm-chair quarterback way.

At this point I really don't care:-)
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BeachBuckeye Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 07:15 PM
Response to Reply #58
67. Obviously, you don't know jack
about radio in the our area. You are making statements about something that you know nothing about. I blame the lack of funds on several things but Democratic apathy is certainly one of them. And, if you were the greatest media sales person in the world you could
not sell ads where we live. We thank you for your positive comments and support.
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booradleyjr Donating Member (44 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:08 AM
Response to Original message
50. I sent what I could
I'm unemployed, but I sent a few bucks. I live in the Ft. Myers area and have a degree in mass communications. If I can contribute in some way, let me know.
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eleny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 12:45 AM
Response to Original message
52. Just contributed
I'm sorry it took so long to send another contribution, Guy. You and your message are worth every cent. Thanks for the sitting me down hard about this.
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belle Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:09 AM
Response to Original message
56. Long shot: why not try to contact Dean? Or Gore?
Dean's been talking about refocusing his "grassroots movement," and lord knows he's shown to be capable of raising money...
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RetroLounge Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 01:11 PM
Response to Reply #56
60. Put Howard Dean on a liberal radio show
and the money will roll his way...

Guy James.
Al Franken.
Mike Malloy
Peter Werbe.
Randi Rhodes.
Howard Dean.

Now there is radio I would listen to and contribute to.

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symbolman Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 02:27 PM
Response to Original message
63. We've got lots of fans
for our Radio show on Take Back the Media http://www.takebackthemedia.com -- I don't believe that Internet Radio is bogus or useless, it gets the word out. Even Internationally, we get fan mail from other countries who are convinced by our talk that our country is not completely insane :)

Sorry to hear about your fix Buckeye, it IS a bitch out there.

I've never been able to get your show to stream, and it looks like others here couldn't either

We all do what we can and you are a patriot.

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JanMichael Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 02:33 PM
Response to Reply #63
64. I didn't mean to dis the internet shows.
They all have value. Obviously they're aimed at different audiances but they all have a place. I've listened to yours on several occasions and enjoyed it quite a bit.

I'm just getting pissy about Guy's show. There are many here that live in some fucking fantasy world where a "free market" determines who stays on the air (I mean in big markets where hundreds of thousands of listeners are driving a car or listening to a radio in the kitchen of some restaurant...) or who goes bye-bye. That's so far from reality that it's almost not worth addressing anymore.

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eleny Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Fri Feb-20-04 06:44 PM
Response to Original message
65. Kickin' it for the night shift
:kick:

Sure, the GOP has the bucks to invest in their radio. Just means we have to dig deeper. Its either that or we're going to lose what radio we have. Look what's happening to Mike M. One week from tonight is his last show.

Let's not lose Guy, too!
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shimmergal Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 02:14 PM
Response to Original message
70. I'm not set up for "streaming media" and
and such a cyberidiot that I don't want to try to figure it out.

If there were liberal talk radio on the regular radio I'd sure listen. (Preferably FM, but AM if necessary.) I listen to NPR all the time and have even donated. But I don't consider them "liberal"; more like middle-roaders because they so scrupulously try to show both sides.

Don't know what it takes to get into a "real radio" setup but I suspect liberal talk radio won't go far till they can figure this out.
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Skittles Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sat Feb-21-04 02:18 PM
Response to Original message
71. *kick*
come on people, pitch in a few bucks! I did.
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