Reich-wind fundies SEIZE Air America outlet in Warren-Youngstown!!!

[Rick Myers]

Until last winter I did talk radio at a small station in the YOungstown-Warren, OH market, butleft to move to Minneapolis. Eventually, my old cohost got an LMA deal with the station and it became an Air America affiliate about a month ago.

One of the minority owners, a Mike Arch, is a Fundie Christian, and this week provided keys to a group that occupied the station, changed the locka and began running Reich-wing Christ Talk!!! It took police and other city officials severasl hours to get them to surrender peacefully!!!

In the meantime they were operating the station in violation of federal law, and putting Reich wing posters and signs in the windows!!!

Here's the first story from the Warren, OH newspaper:

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/news/story/0429202005_...

More to come,

Rick

When the

[Zenlitened]

1. Is this the link?

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/news/story/0429202005_new07wanr29.asp

[Wickerman]

2. bad link

[Arugula Latte]

3. Holy Crap!

That is unbelievable!

[mike_c]

7. no, it's not unbelievable....

The American Taliban is becoming more and more militant. I think there will be an increasing number of these sorts of stories, and ultimately an upswing in right wing violence, such as attacks against judges and secular institutions, like universities.

[Rick Myers]

4. HERE IS THE LINK

http://www.tribune-chronicle.com/news/story/0429202005_new07wanr29.asp

[Tigress DEM]

24. I'm confused - Date on article 7/30/02 ???

Did you just find out or is that a typo on the page?

[POAS]

26. I clicked on a number

of their articles and that date is on all of them.

I think it si a flaw on the website or perhaps the date they started publishing online since it is in the masthead.

[Rick Myers]

28. I didn't notice that, but

it does seem to be an error on the newspaper's website.

[ET Awful]

5. WTF is wrong with these people?

No respect for the law I guess.

[liberalnurse]

6. This is where the fundamentalist show

their true colors. I sense much more of this insanity will be surfacing across the country. *bush and company has opened a Pandora's box with this section of society!
:banghead:

[aquart]

8. What kind of civil suit is the best to file in this case?

Because there has been damage to Air America's obligation and relationship to its sponsors. And its viewers. And what if somebody thought that it was Air America broadcasting that trash.

I'm looking for heavy cash here. House-losing cash.

[Gyre]

10. huh?

[Horse with no Name]

13. Shouldn't have to file a civil lawsuit

This is a federal lawsuit since radio stations are governed by the Federal Communication Commission.
There should be heavy fines for this and federal imprisonment.

[wallwriter]

9. These people are nuts

They are also crooks.

[PA Mamma]

11. Oh My DOG !!!

Liberal radio station taken by force!
http://mikemalloy.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=20558


I Just saw that posted at Mike Malloy and so I rushed over here to post it.
Glad you guys are on it !

WTF ???

[Rick Myers]

12. I emailed Malloy the story a while ago

Waiting to hear from him...

[PA Mamma]

18. Very Cool !

Good Thinking Lincoln -- Thanks.
I hope to hear about it tonight !

On the flip side, and this is old news, but what about the Religious Station in Pittsburgh, PA that fired their host? Did that get discussed here? Did Mike ever talk about that on his show? I've missed him a lot lately.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/wdiv/20050414/lo_wtae/2671565

[SouthernDem2004]

14. They did not surrender actually. Does not seem the Police were involved

at all. Its really a civil dispute and not a criminal one.

[Rick Myers]

16. Illegal operation of a radio station is a FEDERAL crime

There are several high-powered lawyers handling charges against the participants. I will be getting an update within the hour from the scene...

[SouthernDem2004]

17. Police do not enforce Federal Laws.

[Rick Myers]

19. I know that. Having an FCC license for over 30 years

I am aware of that fact. And I know CONSIDERABLY more about this story than you, my friend... There are local criminal and/or civil charges pending, as well as possible FEDERAL charges. I know the players, and I know the law.

Have a nice day.

[SouthernDem2004]

20. Try counting to 10. I have heard it helps.

[Rick Myers]

21. Sorry...

There is much more known about the situation than was provided in the news story. Police WERE involved, and they DID if fact, surrender after they were assured by local officials that they would not face immediate arrest.

The minority owner who instigated the situation is a vile man who has made $$$ from Christian organizations by overcharging them for broadcast time at other stations. He provided the group with THE KEYS to the station, and they changed the locks once inside.

[Wilber_Stool]

22. Sounds like a

real can of worms. Keep us posted. I like this one. I give it *****.
This should be in LBN so more could see it.

[Rick Myers]

23. I got it to LBN

Thanks, good idea.

The PRIME suspect in this is a KNOWN "Protest Warrior" with GOP ties, and he WILL be prosecuted.

It's a VERY strange story at a very strange station. I was offered the General Manager post but refused. I still consult and di promos for the station...

[Kolesar]

29. If any of those clowns has an FCC license, there are extra penalties

...and the clown will have to forfeit their commercial broadcast license. That's a career-ending move. I heard Wal Mart is hiring.

[AllegroRondo]

15. And THEY are the ones being persecuted in this

because they arent allowed to take over the airwaves and blast their religion to the masses.
<sarcasm>

[PA Mamma]

25. I wanna know ...

what's going on with this story?
Any updates -- any group action? I'll make the drive !

[Rick Myers]

27. As of Monday the station is operating normally

There IS legal action in the works, and I can assure you the legit management of WANR (Town Talk Productions operates the station under an LMA with Beacon Broadcasting) have MORE than enough legal firepower to handle these idiots.

I am working on getting some tape of what exactly the 'Fundie Invaders' were broadcasting. As soon as I rip it I will post a link.

Expect an update Monday around 5-6pm EDT.