Collarspace Discussion Forums


Home  Login  Search 

Air America - Why didn't anyone listen?


View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest
 
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>
Login
Message << Older Topic   Newer Topic >>
Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 12:35:08 PM   
Mercnbeth


Posts: 11766
Status: offline 		I tried a few times at different times to tune in to this version of talk radio. There were many good points and opinions that were raised. However it seemed that every segment on every subject eventually denigrated to name calling, which then generated giggling and laughter. It was as if the issue, or the story being told, was only a build up to a punch line where the President or any person disagreeing with the moderators position was called a disparaging name. Were their arguments so weak that they wouldn't hold up without a punch-line?

Over time, sometimes a very short time, people see through the facade. Every call regarding the war in Iraq and how we should leave included an insult to President Bush; however it always added the disclaimer "...but I support the troops". Well I am all for pulling out too, I don't believe my pull out position supports the troops. By definition I want those presently shooting at them to have full authority. In effect, I am supporting our troops enemy and I acknowledge as much. However, I wouldn't disrespect them or insult them by referring to their Commander and Chief as anything other than President. Whatever I call him, I'm indicating that they are fools for being led by what I call that person. I think President Bush is stubborn and tries to apply western standards in a region that doesn't want them, but he and anyone else following him will be given the respect of the office held. Not for the sake of the person in office, but from the millions who through choice or happenstance call him "Chief".

My theory is that it is only a very small minority of people who feel differently. Most don't like hearing that their country is a failure. Most don't like their elected leaders subject to elementary school name calling. The voters in 2006 proved that they can and will mobilize and remove elected officials who don't represent their core beliefs.

Realize of course that now that this network failed on its own there is a movement afoot to legislate it back. The Democrats, led by Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) are trying to reinstate the notorious Fairness Doctrine with his new Media Ownership Reform Act, a bill which has 17 cosponsors and strong support among the Democrats who now control Congress.

I find it amazing, especially in the face of the 2006 elections that this network failed. Why didn't those, who in the majority voted out "conservatives", not support the flag ship broadcasting network?

quote:

NEW YORK (AP) -- Air America Radio, a liberal talk radio network, said Monday that it had reached a tentative agreement to be sold to the founder of a New York area real estate company. The network also said that Al Franken, its longtime headline personality, would depart next month.
Source:  http://www.breitbart.com/news/2007/01/29/D8MV3KH80.html
Profile   Post #: 1
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 2:35:28 PM   
WyrdRich


Posts: 1733
Joined: 1/3/2005
Status: offline 		     Why did it fail?  Because it was a lousy product.  Radio is about entertainment and it's a specialized art form.  Ed Shulz (sp) was the only person I heard on there who even vaguely seemed to get that, and he was guilty of every sin mentioned above.  It was hate speech by hacks.

      I listen to the radio at work almost constantly, mostly talk.  I never believed a single thing I heard on Art Bell, but I listened to his whole show every night for years.  Because it was good radio.  Where else could you hear a debate between a guy who insisted that we never went to the moon and another convinced that not only did we go, the gov't was covering up the fact that we discovered the ruins of an ancient civilization?  That kind of stuff will keep you awake at 3 am.  Air America couldn't keep my eyes open at 10:30.

      

(in reply to Mercnbeth)
Profile   Post #: 2
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 2:55:06 PM   
cyberdude611


Posts: 2596
Joined: 5/7/2006
Status: offline 		1. Boring
2. Too radical

Conservative talk radio is sucessful because it is consistant with mainstrain conservatives. Air America was too far to the left compared to the average liberal or average Democrat.

Also they started too big. What they should have done was start in a small amount of urban areas and slowly expand to other urban areas before going into rual parts of the country. Instead, they were in too much of a hurry to compete with the likes of Rush Limbaugh. That's like a new business trying to take down Wal-Mart within only a few years. It just ain't going to happen. They spent too much money, got in too much debt, and they had no listener base to support it. So it collapsed.

(in reply to WyrdRich)
Profile   Post #: 3
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 4:08:12 PM   
UtopianRanger


Posts: 3251
Status: offline 		When I pick a program on the radio to listen to, I want to hear new and thought provoking material. I like a show and a host who's serious with a direction, and that sheds light on a new line of thinking, not the same old talking points. I also share a fervent dislike for both right and left-wing ideologues.

You can't say in one breath that George Bush and Dick Cheney are the two most vile, reprehensible politicians ever to hold office, and then in the same breath say Hilliary Clinton and Rom Emanuel are the answer for America - That don't work for anyone with a sliver of a brain.

Merc.....the network was boring and Franken was a nuisance. I think the same thing about Rush Limbo and Hannity, but I listen to them sometimes just so I can laugh when I hear their followers call in and repeat their talking points in a very enunciated, monotone voice - They are drones looking for a master - It's funny.

As to the fairness doctrine: Plain and simple… its crap. And in all actuality, it’s a gunshot at the intellectual capacity of radio’s listening audience. It’s saying that the listening audience doesn’t have the power of discernment; and if something is repeated often enough, they’ll eventually take it as the truth.   

They've been telling us over and over and over and over that the ''Caliphate'' is ''holed'' up in cave somewhere high in the snowy, barren rock of Pakistan, equipped with an army of laptops and eager beavers, ready to take over the whole world and destroy our freedom -
Hey....It hasn't worked on me yet   

I've already called the ''staffers'' at Gordon Smith's office and a guy told me not to worry....they don't have the votes to get it through.





- R

< Message edited by UtopianRanger -- 1/29/2007 4:19:12 PM >

_____________________________

"If you are going to win any battle, you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do... the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

-General George S. Patton


(in reply to Mercnbeth)
Profile   Post #: 4
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 4:43:52 PM   
Mercnbeth


Posts: 11766
Status: offline
quote:

Merc.....the network was boring and Franken was a nuisance. I think the same thing about Rush Limbo and Hannity, but I listen to them sometimes just so I can laugh when I hear their followers call in and repeat their talking points in a very enunciated, monotone voice - They are drones looking for a master - It's funny.


Agreed, my friend. I haven't been able to listen to Rush since before I left NYC. He was best as a humorist having President Clinton as his straight man, but that act got old when he started believing he was an important "spokesman". The man was a failed baseball announcer in KC and first tried the "liberal" spokesman approach. Never listened to Hannity long enough to develop an opinion. In the times I did, he and Franken appeared to me as very similar. And listening to a one note 'sym-phony' isn't something I stay with long term. You never have to check in for their opinion, on any subject you can write their press release without hearing a word.

Glad to hear your insight regarding the "fairness doctrine".

How about the "conspiracy theory" of the Republicans throwing the 2006 election just to shed light on the Democratic party platforms. Two years will do just fine to illustrate how far from the majority Democratic leaders are?

Did you see on Wednesday of last week, with the new "ethics rules" now in place, the House voted to allow Guam, Virgin Islands, and Samoa the right to vote when the House is sitting as a "Committee of the Whole"? The House sits in such a manner most of the time. The result is that the Samoan delegate, who represents about 55,000 non-Federal Income Tax Paying Samoans; participation in debates for taxes that we pay. Contrast the State representing Congressmen representing on average 700,000 citizens. This situation represents a total of 5 votes, 4 of the delegates are Democrats, Puerto Rico elected its first Republican in century.

Now we have a two year Presidential election and two years of political advertising and propaganda to wade through. I tell you what, if Republicans controlled either the House or the Senate, I could foresee a total Democratic landslide in 2008. With the focus and power in their hands the Democrats are much more vulnerable.

From today's perspective I'll still vote for against any candidate on any ticket running as an incumbent. I don't see or foresee anyone on the horizon at the national level that I would vote "for".

btw - I applaud the Democrats. They make no pretense or excuse for exercising their position of power. Good for them!

(in reply to UtopianRanger)
Profile   Post #: 5
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 5:15:45 PM   
domiguy


Posts: 12952
Joined: 5/2/2006
Status: offline 		I was looking forward to Air America coming to Chicago....I am one of those libs...anywhoo I usually stop out to make light of the world but I will try to answer the question without sounding to much like a hypocrite...but it is difficult....lol.

I actually like Al Franken I think he is for the most part  intelligent, funny and his books seem to be well written and primarily based on fact...key word "primarily." 

However, it became all to apparent that they were guilty of the same crap they complained about from the likes of the uber conservatives that they despise....Just throwing around mud based on little facts and seeing in anything would stick...it became tedious at best.

The problem that Dems face is that (stereotyping) Is they are not by nature the type A personalities...We don't play well with others.  It's hard to organize because the party is all over the place falling over one another...It takes a major cluster fuck like Iraq to get any kind of polarized response and reel in the disgruntled  middle o' the road Republicans as well. 

The difference between dems and dos is I don't believe we need to be spoon fed our news or views...Why is Fox so popular and Air America fails?...Virtually the same show with two different perspectives on the same issues...It has to make one wonder? Is it the ability to think outside the box...I don't know?...justa thought.

As long as Hillary doesn't win the nomination I expect to see a Dem in the White House coming up...Bush...err...President Bush is such a disaster....anyone that defends this guy loses credibility with me as a free thinker and just becomes an apologist at this point...All I know is that this is one of the ugliest times in politics I've ever seen and it would be nice to see a little camaraderie extended across the aisles.  We can always wish...lol

out.

D.G.

p.s. Jesus please protect me from your followers.

< Message edited by domiguy -- 1/29/2007 5:17:21 PM >

(in reply to Mercnbeth)
Profile   Post #: 6
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 5:25:44 PM   
cyberdude611


Posts: 2596
Joined: 5/7/2006
Status: offline 		As far as 2008, right now it is a popularity contest. Its impossible to call the election right now. I doubt McCain or Giuliani will make the nomination for the GOP. I dont think Obama stands a chance at the Democrat nomination. Hillary I think does stand a slight chance simply because there is not much else out there in the Democrat field.

It is not a slam dunk for Dems in 2008. If they dont do anything productive with the control they have of congress, the GOP will use that against them in 2008.

Top issues for 2008 will be illegal immigration, the war, and healthcare. And right now, neither party has a plan in any of those issues.

(in reply to domiguy)
Profile   Post #: 7
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 5:53:18 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		I did not like Air America, I do not like negative crap, I leave that for conservatives, and I think that is why no one listens to Air America. Liberals just aren't into having people tell them what to think and scream "ditto" for example. I have better things to do with my time. I also think that most liberal thinking sorts read news, they do not get their news from entertainers like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.. liberals just read more probably.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to Mercnbeth)
Profile   Post #: 8
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 6:12:35 PM   
subfever


Posts: 2895
Joined: 5/22/2004
Status: offline
quote:

Air America - Why didn't anyone listen?


I can't speak for others, but as for for myself; I didn't listen because I dislike any media that feeds the mindless polarization of the masses.  

(in reply to Mercnbeth)
Profile   Post #: 9
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 6:44:42 PM   
WyrdRich


Posts: 1733
Joined: 1/3/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

I did not like Air America, I do not like negative crap, I leave that for conservatives, and I think that is why no one listens to Air America. Liberals just aren't into having people tell them what to think and scream "ditto" for example. I have better things to do with my time. I also think that most liberal thinking sorts read news, they do not get their news from entertainers like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.. liberals just read more probably.



      Oh yeah...  There was also this nasty elitism that I found repugnant.  Anyone who didn't agree wasn't only wrong, but inferior.  That attitude is really persuasive (NOT).

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 10
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 6:48:44 PM   
justheather


Posts: 1532
Joined: 10/4/2005
Status: offline 		Well, I didnt listen cause I didnt know it existed.
If you had asked me what Air America was before I read this thread, Id have guessed it was a new airline.
Im pretty happy with NPR. From the comments Ive read here, it does not seem like I missed much by not tuning in.

_____________________________

I want the scissors to be sharp
And the table perfectly level
When you cut me out of my life
And paste me in that book you always carry.
-Billy Collins

(in reply to WyrdRich)
Profile   Post #: 11
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 6:56:56 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: justheather

Well, I didnt listen cause I didnt know it existed.
If you had asked me what Air America was before I read this thread, Id have guessed it was a new airline.
Im pretty happy with NPR. From the comments Ive read here, it does not seem like I missed much by not tuning in.


You did not miss anything, in my opinion I want those representing my views to take the high road. I wish more people had that attitude, it is that whole entire "all liberals are garbage" crap. It sounds no better when liberals hate spew the way we have come to know republicans to do so. Now there are plenty of things for those on the left to be truly outraged over, but getting personal about it, that just does not work well with me.

It is one thing to joke around as an individual about politicians one does not like, but when a person has a microphone, they should have a little decorum.... just my opinion.



_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to justheather)
Profile   Post #: 12
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 7:00:04 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		 
quote:

Oh yeah...  There was also this nasty elitism that I found repugnant.  Anyone who didn't agree wasn't only wrong, but inferior.  That attitude is really persuasive (NOT).


It seems to have worked for Rush, just sayin'

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to WyrdRich)
Profile   Post #: 13
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 7:12:11 PM   
WyrdRich


Posts: 1733
Joined: 1/3/2005
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: juliaoceania

quote:

Oh yeah...  There was also this nasty elitism that I found repugnant.  Anyone who didn't agree wasn't only wrong, but inferior.  That attitude is really persuasive (NOT).


It seems to have worked for Rush, just sayin'



     What works for Rush is that he is entertaining.  I've rarely enjoyed his show more than during his squirming when the Foley scandal broke.  When he says something I passionately disagree with, my urge is to reach for the cell phone.  I never had that urge with AA.  I guess not many others did either.

      I think the difference is this.  For people like Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Art Bell, radio is a passion, an art form they love.  To Franken, it was a job.

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 14
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 7:27:09 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline
quote:

What works for Rush is that he is entertaining.


Funny, he makes me nauseous and gives me a headache. Entertaining? I suppose if one thinks hate spew and garbage is entertaining, they do... no accounting for taste... shrugs

quote:

I've rarely enjoyed his show more than during his squirming when the Foley scandal broke. 

Well that is pretty god damned typical of most conservatives I hear in the media.. shrugs again

quote:

When he says something I passionately disagree with, my urge is to reach for the cell phone.  I never had that urge with AA.  I guess not many others did either.


I believe part of the problem for AA was that they were not on a network like clear channel which has enough resources to buy off the FCC to gain even more market share, but then again, real liberals can't get heard in America because they just are not marketable and do not sell things like soap.

 
quote:

I think the difference is this.  For people like Howard Stern, Rush Limbaugh, Art Bell, radio is a passion, an art form they love.  To Franken, it was a job.


I have no clue, never heard Al fraken. I will say this, my passions are not related to radio so I could give a rat's ass what is on the radio. My views are not represented by any of the above... so why should I care?

The only radio show I catch is Democracy Now, and they have their show on the web in addition to some NPR and Pacifica. They are completely listener supported... and it SHOWS. No annoying drivel, no hate spew, no dumbing down of America.. .so refreshing not to have some god damned commercial selling me shit I do not need.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to WyrdRich)
Profile   Post #: 15
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 8:48:29 PM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		LOL The problem is they didn't have a product that would sell. Period end of sentance.
Rush sold airtime, for years and years and years before he became a national show. Shows are made or broke by the ratings and by and large the Conservative hosts have cultivated a product that sells. The trouble is not that those that agree don't call they will call any show you put on the air, the problem lies in the hosts ability to draw in their opposing viewpoint listeners. Air America tried to BUY their way into the market with bad product. The Conservative hosts BUILT their shows from the ground up. Rush and the like get paid by stations to air their stuff, regardless of what you may think of it, it sells ads. Compare that to Air America who was hard pressed to get anyone at all to take their money to air their shows.


Very much a telling story on the political philosophies as well.



(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 16
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 8:59:53 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		I agree Archer, I have asked my liberal friends that get so caught up in getting angry at Rush... "Why are you feeding him? Why are you listening?" I do not listen to such nonsense. You know, many mindless things are entertaining, sell products, and create market share. In fact unfortunately, intelligent programming usually bores people. I remember when my communications professor and my political science professor both said that the average show on tv or magazine article is written or produced for a 12 year old mentality. That is pretty offensive, isn't it? I mean they want to make sure they are as inclusive as possible, so they dumb it down for our consumption.. what has this led to? People who think with a 12 year old mentality. Pretty pathetic if you ask me, and is a large part of the reason I do not watch TV or read most magazines.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to Archer)
Profile   Post #: 17
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 9:13:54 PM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		The difference comes in when you watch or listen with the fore-knowledge that it's ENTERTAINMENT not news.
Rush isn't news, Hanity isn't news, Frankin isn't news, My personal favorite Boortz isn't news, It's commentary at best and entertainment, and maybe a little news content but mostly it's about building and audience so the "sales weasles" as Bootz calls them, can pitch the clients with 6 million listeners statistics to sell ads.

The problem is people disengadge their brains when they listen and forget that they are not news they are commentary and entertainment. And they become 12 yr olds when listening even if they are normally perfectly rational adults most of their day.

Edited to add: Half the time I listen to laugh my ass off at the callers stupidity.


< Message edited by Archer -- 1/29/2007 9:14:43 PM >

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 18
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 9:22:57 PM   
juliaoceania


Posts: 21383
Joined: 4/19/2006
From: Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Status: offline 		If you watch a documentary called "Out Foxed" they show how this blending of information and entertainment has become very confusing for the average person. They have news anchors that give commentary, they have commentators substituting as news anchors. They give thinly veiled leading non references...

I think you can find it online for free (that documentary). I took my son and his best friend to watch it in the theater, and they both benefitted immensely from it, when they get into a critical thinking class in college, I am sure they will remember that. In fact when my son watches any news on tv he will make references to information in that documentary. It was really very well done... even if it was creepy.

_____________________________

Once you label me, you negate me ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Reality has a well known Liberal Bias ~ Stephen Colbert

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people. Eleanor Roosevelt

(in reply to Archer)
Profile   Post #: 19
RE: Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? - 1/29/2007 9:28:57 PM   
Archer


Posts: 3207
Joined: 3/11/2005
Status: offline 		And yet they give us what we ask for more of.
If the shows didn't have the ratings they would go off the air for something more folks watched.

We have met the enemy and they are us.

BTW I make sure the kidlettes get a good helping of "Is that news or commentary" when they watch as well. Along with Why is this considered news? and why was this story picked to fill this slot vs some other story?


< Message edited by Archer -- 1/29/2007 9:31:01 PM >

(in reply to juliaoceania)
Profile   Post #: 20
Page:   [1] 2 3   next >   >>
All Forums >> [Casual Banter] >> Off the Grid >> Air America - Why didn't anyone listen? Page: [1] 2 3   next >   >>
Jump to:





New Messages No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages Locked w/o New Messages
 Post New Thread
 Reply to Message
 Post New Poll
 Submit Vote
 Delete My Own Post
 Delete My Own Thread
 Rate Posts




Collarchat.com © 2025
Terms of Service Privacy Policy Spam Policy

0.094