Posted on 01/23/2010 7:26:00 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY
The conservative wing of the Supreme Court has brazenly revealed its corporatist agenda; President Obama may have found a populist voice with which to hector Wall Street; having given away Ted Kennedy’s old Senate seat to a former Cosmo centerfold, Democrats are preparing to roll over on health insurance reform; and without doubt, Rush Limbaugh is making a complete ass of himself. Yet, for the first time in over a year, I won’t be able to talk about any of this on the radio. Air America, the long-suffering progressive talk radio network that carried my show, is no more.
They pulled the plug Thursday afternoon, but the patient was a perennial intensive-care case. From its inception, the network faced an uphill fight. While right-wing talk radio enjoys enormous corporate support, lefty chat has always been a harder sell. Charlie Kirecker, the chairman of Air America Media, did his best to move mountains over the last few weeks, but it’s tough shoveling with a teaspoon. At times it looked as if investors might be found who could accept losses over the midterm in hopes that the company would eventually turn around and show a profit. In the end, though, what Charlie somewhat euphemistically called “a very difficult economic climate” combined with the tenuous prospects of talk radio in general and AA’s admittedly checkered history gave even the most promising suitors pause.
So, just when the left could use it most, a platform for progressive thought and opinion disappears.
These are strange days for the nation, the Democratic Party and progressives in particular. Having elected a fresh, dynamic, forward-thinking young president with a mandate for real systemic change, we’re seeing way too much of the same old same old.
(Excerpt) Read more at salon.com ...
Looking forward to the day that I can say “Farewell, Salon, you will not be missed.”
Maybe Ronald Reagan, if he was alive, could provide some clues to solving this puzzle.
Ron, you just don’t get it. Air America didn’t fail because conservative radio beat it. It failed because it competes for the same audience with government funded NPR.
Say hello to President Palin and her secretary of state, Glenn Beck.
Does little Ronny actually think anyone was listening to him?
Does little Ron serve cheese with his whine?
As a baby Ron was dropped on his head one too many times by Nancy.
Miserable twerp.
Obama IS doing what he promised - redistribution of wealth.
I don't understand why Ron Reagan is disappointed.
I highly doubt that we “need” Error Amerika. After all, there are plenty of avenues to hear idiotic opinion detached from reality spouted still available for liberals. ABC, CBS, CNN, MSNBC and the vast majority of newspapers in the nation to name just a few.
So, just when the left could use it most, a platform for progressive thought and opinion disappears.
It’s called economics Ron.
Fewer listeners = less Ad revenue.
Less Ad Revenue = Less advertisers.
Even socialists aren’t going to invest in a
losing proposition forever.
Ahh poor Ron (no reall Reagan)
Perhaps Ron and Rahm can get together and throw a benefit ballerina dance.
Great article.
Ah, to hear the lamentations of their women!
Brown will cleanse that Mass seat from the shame of Chappaquiddick and the countless excesses of old Kennedy. I hate to bash the dead but they keep acting like this guy was a saint or something. Mass. is very lucky to move on from the Kennedy’s.
Ron,
Air Amerika failed because you and your socialist broadcasters had a never-ending agenda of demonizing and attacking the United States as wicked and evil.
I suggest that you and your buddies move to Venezuela where Chavez will welcome you with open arms.
BooHoo! I am so depressed about this. Oh well. I guess I’ll build myselve a Margarita and drink in rememberence of them.
I can’t imagine life without Jeanine Garafolo. On the bright side this may free her up for a job in the Obama White house. Or maybe she can run for Congress. ACORN is still around to help get out the vote.
At times like these, I’m so glad President Reagan has passed away, so that he doesn’t have to endure the pain of knowing what a complete pig his biological son is.
At least Michael should have given him pride.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.