Sam Seder: Conservative Radio Host Wants Bill O'Reilly Hanged for Marriage Stance

Here's Deace with his motto, and a quote from the Huckster. Ugh.

One nice thing about having your own blog is reporting on the little things that bug you. Or the big things.  One of the things that bugs me is a radio host named Steve Deace out of Iowa. Now, I live in Nevada, so this really should be completely off of my radar, right? Except for a few degrees of separation, little filaments that connect A to B, or maybe M in this case.

See, I'm what some call "gay married," (though I just call it married), and my husband was born and raised in Iowa. Also, though I went to school in Ohio, one of my classmates became a conservative pastor in Iowa. Through Facebook, I became reacquainted with the pastor, and through him I became acquainted with Steve Deace. All of this Facebooking happened during the time when Iowa approved same-sex marriage, and began marrying gay couples. The pastor, the radio host, and other inter-connected "friends" got very vocal in this public forum about repealing marriage equality, with the "LUV: Let Us Vote!" campaign, spearheaded by the ultra-creepy perennial failed candidate Bob Vander Plaats. They also mounted a successful repeal of three of the judges responsible for the decision.

The Deace kids at the creation museum. Scary!
From SteveDeace.com

I'm not much of a shit-stirrer on the subject, or at least I try not to be confrontational. But when I see something that really rubs me the wrong way, I sometimes can't help interjecting. This usually leads to a very lengthy back-and-forth, and I often have trouble just dropping it. It's difficult to discuss anything strictly on its merits because the ridiculousness and insulting tangents thrown at me can be a bit dizzying. But I often get kudos--usually privately--from people reading the interaction. And so, that's nice. The funny thing is, the people who post the incendiary remarks in the first place often bow out early, leaving the arguing to their friends and/or congregation.

Bill O'Reilly said gay marriage foes need
a better argument than "Bible thumping."
Steve Deace really didn't like that.

It is safe to say that I've ruffled some feather with both Deace and the pastor, and neither is very good at arguing marriage equality, because they are incapable of separating church and state in their minds (Deace even proudly displays photos of his family at the Creation Museum on his Facebook page, making me wonder if he has any reasoning skills at all). And I have to wonder what drives these overtly religious people to focus so strongly on gay people anyway. It leads my mind to all sorts of speculation, but that's neither here nor there.

All of that is a very long way to go to say that I'm a fan of Sam Seder, of The Majority Report, a show he used to have on Air America Radio with Janeane Garofalo. And Seder has discovered the inanity of Steve Deace, and the over-the-top reaction Deace has to anyone who disagrees with him on the topic of gay marriage. And I just thought I'd share. Take it, Sam. . .

Sam Seder on the Passing of Andrew Breitbart

This will very likely be the last post I ever write about Andrew Breitbart, unless there are surprises in the case of his death. But it has come to my attention, through a friendly rival blogger--whose opinion I often disagree with, but nonetheless respect--that my impropriety is somewhat out of character.

Maybe it is. But Breitbart was hardly Mr. Rogers. And was guilty of much worse. I'd hoped that my reasoning for my reaction would be obvious in the piece. And I've modified the post a bit to encourage reading it, to see where I'm coming from. Just to make it clearer, here's a piece by former Air America Radio host, Sam Seder of The Majority Report. Sam relates--in a slightly less brusque manner than does Matt Taibbi--pretty much how I feel about Breitbart.

And as I noted to my blogger friend, while I can often be irreverent, I am rarely so about the death of anybody other than say, Osama bin Laden. But as Clarence Darrow was alleged to have said, “I've never killed a man, but I've read many an obituary with a great deal of satisfaction.” I won't go quite that far, but I'll cop to understanding the sentiment. And I'm not sure it's necessary to be reverent or respectful over the death of a person who was wildly irreverent, and often disrespectful himself. 

IRONY ALERT: Ron Paul's Campaign Manager Died, Uninsured With Massive Medical Bill Debt

National Enquirer Fingers John Boehner for Extramarital Affair

John Boner Boehner's last name may become even funnier than it already is. Boehner is already such a clown-car full of comedy gold: his skin is orange, he cries profusely, he's seemingly permanently drunk, he has a disturbing facial tic, he shouts, "Hell no, you can't!!!"  What else could he do to draw the attention of late night comics, liberal bloggers and political enemies? Well, possibly stick his Boehner were he shouldn't. . .

The Young Turks: Obama is a Christian Muslim?

Want to see logic tortured right before your eyes? This is cognitive dissonance in action. . .

Sam Seder: "Mosque at Ground Zero?" That's Bullsh*t!

Sam Seder attacks this faux outrage from exactly the same angle I would have thought. It's a ginned up story to stoke white rage, pure and simple. The logic--such as it is--doesn't have to hold together, it doesn't have to be an actual problem, it just has to have enough "truthiness" to seem wrong. 

Sam Seder: "Social Security is Broke?" That's Bullsh*t!

Having missed Sam Seder on the radio, it's good to have him back, even if it is in small chunks. And even if he sorta-kinda stole Penn & Teller's Bullshit title.  Which could turn out to be a great future installment, I suppose.

Who Should Host New MSNBC Show?

Photo of Sam Seder from Radio.About.com

There is buzz that MSNBC is looking to capitalize on the success of Countdown with Keith Olbermann and The Rachel Maddow Show by introducing a third hour, in place of one of their usual reruns. Most suspect that they'll pick another liberal host, though I'd bet they'd be wary of doing that. It might be better to get a more neutral host, or possibly even a conservative (though I doubt that last one--isn't three hours of Joe Scarborough enough?). Still, I'm hoping for another liberal/progressive.

After so many years of conservative dominance in cable news (liberal media bias, my ass), the prospect of one of my favorite pundits/personalities getting their own show is kinda fun. There aren't many famous names to the general public to pick from (again, bias my patootie), but there are some great names out there who could become famous. And there are others that probably wouldn't work so well. Here is my take on a few of the names that pop into my head:

- Bill Maher - Would be a perfect fit, and a ratings hit too, I bet. But why would he? He has a regular gig on HBO that allows for his stand up career. It'll never happen, but it would be great.

- Randi Rhodes - Her appearances on cable news have mostly been a disaster, because she's in a four-square shout-off, usually with at least two conservatives. Randi's voice is already abrasive, and her temper legendary. So that format just comes off badly. But as a host who is in control? It. Just. Might. Work.

- Stephanie Miller - Love, love, love her, and her mooks. But she's had a rocky history on TV, including at MSNBC. I don't think her show would translate well to cable news, unfortunately.

- Arianna Huffington - I love Arianna too, as a guest. But when she subbed for Rachel, she was just dreadful. She was also great with Al Franken on Bill Maher's old show, when she was a conservative. Franken is also ineligible, since he'll likely be busy in the Senate. So, no to both.

- Ed Schultz - Don't like him much. . .too much like a liberal Rush Limbaugh.

- Sam Seder - My pick. He's funny, kind of nerdy-cute, self-deprecating, smart, and a little twisted. He's been knocked around by Air America Radio, as has his co-host, Marc Maron. Maybe they could do a two-man show. Nobody sets up and takes apart conservatives like Seder. And Maron might be able to squash Seder's occasional tantrums.

And now, a little of Sam & Marc from YouTube, with Sam expressing his sorrow over the departure of George W. Bush:

Top Liberal Talkers of 2008

Photo from source, LTR

I've been a listener to liberal talk radio since shortly before the 2004 election. And for the last four years, I've been an avid listener, since it was one of the only ways to keep my sanity during the second term of the Bush era. Starting the blog helped, but having some liberal attitude (in addition to the so-called "liberal media"--yeah, right) gave me some affirmation that I wasn't nuts. . .they really were out to get us!

I originally listened primarily to Air America Radio. But I splintered off into The Stephanie Miller Show, and after she left AAR, The Randi Rhodes Show, by streaming KTLK out of Los Angeles. My attention has wavered a bit since the election of Barack Obama, but I'm still a regular listener to the whole KTLK lineup. So, given my limited listenership, I'll rank my favorites here:

1. Rachel Maddow - Though her show is basically now just one hour (with a replay of her MSNBC TV show, one day delayed), Rachel offers the most inciteful and intelligent radio show on the air, period.

2. Stephanie Miller - Light and fluffy, with some serious digs at conservatives (always with a comedic bent), Stephanie and her cohorts, Chris Lavoie and Jim Ward are hilarious and informative.

3. Randi Rhodes - Acerbic, sarcastic as well as intelligent, Randi may not be for everybody, but I miss her when ever there is a substitute host or a "best of" show. The New Yawk honk may throw you, but stick with her. She knows her stuff.

4. Thom Hartmann - A bit dry and cerebral, but he crams more into three hours a day than Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity could ever hope to. And, unlike those two, he doesn't lie for a living.

Since my listening hours are limited, I can't really speak to the rest (though I loved Sam Sedar when I got to listen to him). So, I'll now pass you on to Liberal Talk Radio for a more informed list. . .

[Excerpt]

The Top 10 Talkers of 2008 (Reader Poll Edition)

So, another year has come to a close, and for many, perhaps a year that's best left far in the past. Granted, 2008 did see some really good things. We elected a very promising president in Barack Obama, but otherwise, it was a grueling year of foreclosures, failures and $4 gas. Let's hope 2009 will be a marked improvement. Could it be any worse?

Read the list at: LTR

Whither Sam Seder?

Photo from source, LTR

Sam Seder is a fixture at Air America Radio, having had several different shows on the network, shuttled around the schedule. He's a terrifically entertaining host, passionate, informed, and really fired up most of the time. He makes mincemeat of many of the conservative callers that phone in to his show(s).

But Air America, never strong in the great decisions department, have stepped all over the guy. They dumped one of his shows for the unlistenable Lionel, and pushed him into a once-a-week only show on the weekend (when nobody is listening). They let him sub for their other hosts, and then crapped all over him again. He was even downgraded to webmaster.

I had a front-row seat for Sam's discovery (via the terrifically entertaining SammyCam) that AAR was not giving him the (recently departed) Randi Rhodes slot in the lineup. He found out through The Huffington Post, rather than from his bosses. He hit the roof. AAR is becoming increasingly irrelevant in the liberal talk radio market, and I for one will not shed a tear for its demise. Rachel Maddow and Thom Hartmann will land on their feet, and the rest of the good hosts have already left.

[Excerpt]

The fate of Sam Seder

52.

That's the number of live installments of Seder on Sunday that have aired so far on Air America Radio. And it may be the total number as well, since Sam Seder's 52 week contract for the show has now expired. The next two weeks will consist of previously recorded shows, but after that, it's anyone's guess. Seder has become the second on-air talent at Air America in the past six weeks to leave the air due to an expired contract, following Randi Rhodes, who jumped to Nova M Radio in April. . .

Read more at: LTR

Janeane Garofalo's Support for Randi Rhodes

I will make an attempt to keep my reporting of the Randi Rhodes/Air America Radio/Hillary Clinton story to a minimum after today. But since this was the day of Randi's return on the Nova M network, it's fresh in my mind. So bear with me readers, I'll back off tomorrow.

Here is a recording of The Sam Seder Show, a temporary (very temporary as it turns out) replacement for The Randi Rhodes Show on Air America Radio last week. Former co-host Janeane Garofalo called in to voice her support of Randi, among other things.

More on Randi Rhodes, Air America and Nova M

Photo from source, Huffington Post

Sorry if you're not an Air America Radio or Randi Rhodes fan, but I am. As a daily listener, this was fairly big news for me. Plus, in my previous post, I talked as much about AAR as anything, and this story is also about Randi.

Randi Rhodes is loud and brash, and has a pronounced New York accent. She has a voice for newspapers, you might say. But she's smart, funny, and knows her stuff. She used to hold down four hours every day (down to three lately), and managed to fill it with interesting topics and guests. Randi is as responsible for my blogging as anybody, and taught me a very important lesson--one more people could learn.

The lesson? Don't trust anything she, I, or anyone else says when it comes to forming your beliefs and opinions. She regularly tells people this, to do their homework, check it out if you don't believe her. And she is wrong sometimes, everybody is. In talk radio, this attitude is a rarity, particularly on the right, where Rush Limbaugh regularly says, "Don't ever doubt me."

So, Randi, I wish you good luck. I'm sure you'll land on your feet, and I suspect you'll leave Air America in chaos (and in your dust). I trust that the other bright lights there (Rachel Maddow, Sam Seder, Thom Hartmann) will land on their feet. Though I do feel sorry for Sam, whose loyalty keeps getting shat upon. Maybe you can find a spot for him?

[Excerpt]

Randi Rhodes Quits Air America Rather Than Apologize For Hillary Clinton "F*cking Whore" Remark: "There's Relief And Joy" At The Station

A source at Air America, who asked to remain anonymous, said, "Many people screw up and then apologize and move on. Like Imus. Like David Shuster. Like Jay Rockefeller on McCain. Like Obama on Rezko. Like Hillary on Bosnia. Randi Rhodes refused to apologize for her obscene comments and has chosen instead to terminate her relationship with Air America."

The source also said that there is no love lost between Rhodes and her colleagues at the network. "No one is upset. She made the move but there's relief and joy. . ."

Yikes. Air America needs to learn about that whole "cutting off your nose to spite your face" thing.

Read more (much more) at: Huffington Post

Randi Rhodes is Dead; Long Live Randi Rhodes!

Photo from The Moderate Voice

No, she's not literally dead. The Randi Rhodes Show as it exists on Air America Radio is dead. But word is, her show will continue on the Nova M network, and will be reunited with her old friend and producer, John Manzo.

This is a strange story, and one that is hard to figure out where I stand, and who I stand with. I've been a fan of Air America Radio since the first time I tuned in, sometime in mid-2004. There has been a lot of behind-the-scenes turmoil, but I never cared much about that. It's the on-air talent that kept me a fan.

Over the years, various owners/management have made some very bad decisions with that talent of course. They lost Lizz Winstead, Marc Maron, Mike Malloy, The Young Turks, and Janeane Garofalo--great talent--all inelegantly. They brought in dubious talent like Lionel and Jerry Springer. The one great decision they've made is to hang on to Rachel Maddow and Sam Seder, though they shuttled them all over the schedule, busting each down in show-length or frequency at one time or another.

Rachel, of course, could easily be lost due to her rising star of late. Sam has been a weekend and fill-in host as well as web designer, but based on what happened today I can see them losing him as well. I happened to catch Sam's reaction (on his Sammy-Cam) to the news that The Huffington Post had been informed--before he had--that Richard Belzer will be replacing Randi next week in her slot. His reaction was violent (between commercial breaks). And based on his veiled language, may not be around on AAR much longer either.

As for Randi Rhodes, I will seek her show out, provided it doesn't come at a premium. Love ya, Randi, but I prefer my radio free. If it's streamed, and at the same time, I most likely will be right there with you. It will only require a few extra (annoying, but bearable) mouse clicks during my day. If Air America makes a sane decision, and gives Sam a show again, I may have to alternate. Still, I think AAR has been really bone-headed here, and my have written one of the closing chapters of their short history.

[Excerpt]

Rhodes Joins Nova M Radio

Randi Rhodes has signed with Nova M Radio Network. She'll be on the air from 3-6 p.m. ET beginning Monday. "I just can't stop smiling," said Nova M CEO John Manzo. "Randi is simply the biggest and the best. Randi Rhodes and [night show host] Mike Malloy under one roof -- talk about talent!"

Read more at: Radio Ink

Why I'm Worried about Air America Radio

Seeking out and finding Air America Radio on my computer at work saved my sanity. I found the station sometime shortly before the 2004 election, looking for Al Franken. What I found was Randi Rhodes, and though her Noo Yawk accent took me by surprise, I was soon a fervent fan. I began to tune in every day, starting with the final hour of Unfiltered (Rachel Maddow's first show), followed by The Al Franken Show, The Randi Rhodes Show (then four hours long), and the first hour of The Majority Report (Sam Seder and Janeane Garofolo).

Over the years, there have been many ups and downs, sudden disappearances of shows and personalities, scares that the network was going off the air. But so far, it hasn't missed a day. Franken was ably replaced by The Thom Hartmann Show after he left to run for the Senate. Maddow was given a morning show to herself, and then an evening show taking what was Rhodes' fourth hour, and part of the vacated Majority Report show. The less said about The Jerry Springer Show, the better.

Some time ago, Air America replaced The Sam Seder Show (who had been holding down mornings after Springer was cancelled) with something called The Lionel Show. It's almost unlistenable. No matter, because in the first part of my day, I've switched to The Stephanie Miller Show--which is not part of the AAR lineup, though many think it is.

I know that sounds like a lot of talk radio, and it is. But listening to a liberal lineup is much different than a steady diet of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, et. al. With the possible exception of Randi Rhodes, liberal talk radio is a fairly tame affair, with education and news taking the spotlight over demonization of the competition. There is also a much stronger drive to be accurate and truthful--in my opinion--where Limbaugh and Hannity deliberately try to distort the truth.

But my happy little work pastime is threatened. Thom Hartmann and Lionel are getting bumped off of the New York flagship station. There is no longer any early morning program. Rachel Maddow is lighting up MSNBC, and after her performance as guest host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann could conceivable leave for greener pastures. And Randi Rhodes may have been suspended forever or could quit for being suspended.

I guess I'll still have Stephanie Miller and her Mooks, but what else will I get to listen to? Al Sharpton? No thanks. Ed Schultz??? He sounds too much like Rush Limbaugh. I may have to get interested in music again. . .

[Excerpt]

Talk Radio Station Would Rather Air Informercials Than Air America

Left-wing NY talk station AM 1600 WWRL has reordered their schedule, knocking a number of Air America programs off the air... to make way, in one case, for infomercials.

Morning show host Lionel was taken off the air entirely to make room for health-related infomercials. Air America's Clout is being moved to the overnight shift and Thom Hartmann has been dropped. Meanwhile, the Rev. Al Sharpton's syndicated show will now be aired on tape delay at 8pm. . .

Read more at: Media Bistro

More on Air America's Suspension of Randi Rhodes

Photo from source, Raw Story

I ran the video earlier (available here) of Air America Radio's Randi Rhodes giving a speech/stand-up performance in San Francisco recently. Randi has since been suspended. She used some inflammatory language about Hillary Clinton and Geraldine Ferraro, and it was probably ill-advised. Even though it was in the context of a comedy performance, she was there as "Air America Radio's Randi Rhodes. So, her employers--who already have a difficult job--probably had to do something.

While I very much enjoy Sam Seder as a fill-in host, I'll miss Randi if she's gone very long. And if she should get terminated, or get so pissed about the situation that she quits, I'll really be bummed. Air America Radio would be wise to tread very carefully here. If Rachel Maddow's star continues to rise (she's hosting Countdown with Keith Olbermann tomorrow), it isn't inconceivable that AAR could lose her. Losing their two biggest stars would be almost impossible to come back from.

[Excerpt]

Air America's Randi Rhodes said suspended for calling Clinton, Ferraro 'whores'

Air America has allegedly suspended talk radio host Randi Rhodes after she made scathing statements off-air about Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and former Democratic vice presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.

What a whore Geraldine Ferraro is! She's such a f***ing whore!" Rhodes remarked. "Hillary is a big f***ing whore, too" to a mixed audience reaction. "You know why she's a big f***ing whore? Because her deal is always, 'Read the fine print, ***hole!'"

Read more at: Raw Story

LTR's Top 10 Liberal Talk Radio Hosts

Photo of Stephanie Miller & Randi Rhodes from StephanieMiller.com

I don't listen to 10 hosts regularly (where would I find the time), but I am a big fan of liberal talk radio, a wholly different beast compared to the conservative counterpart. I've already given an editorial on the subject, so this time, I'll just list my favorites, and move you on to the excerpt.

My picks would be:

5. Sam Seder - I rarely get to hear Sammy anymore, as his show got scuttled to Sundays. But whenever he's filling in for one of the other hosts, I thoroughly enjoy the show. I especially love the "SammyCam" online, where you can listen (and watch) Sam interacting with his crew and online fans during the show and during the commercials. Sam needs a better spot.

4. Thom Hartmann - Thom is an extraordinarily smart talker, has great guests, and brings the important issues to light. While his show can be a little dry, it's nearly unmatched when really big news needs to be dissected.

3. Randi Rhodes - Randi's show is probably the one I look forward to most. I only put her at #3 because Steph is so danged funny, and Rachel impresses me so much with her big juicy brain. But Randi, she's just gloves-off, knuckles-swingin' action, whatever the topic. Love her and her Joan Rivers-crossed-with-Rhoda Morganstern voice!

2. Rachel Maddow - Rachel has grown during her many and varied shows at Air America Radio into a self-assured, affable, and whip-smart radio host. Her show is fast-paced, loaded with information, and most importantly entertaining while filling your brain.

1. Stephanie Miller - She and her sidekicks are hilarious. Adding humor to the sometimes depressing political news bounces Stephie & the Mooks to my #1 spot. This show will annoy anyone slightly out of earshot, with all of its sound effects. But you'll get hooked on them, especially the Lying Sack of Crap song, and You Are an Idiot! Ha, ha, ha, ha. . . . .

[Excerpt]

Top 10 Liberal Talkers of 2007

[snip]

5. Rachel Maddow

What a year it's been for Rachel Maddow. Originally taking a back seat to better known names in the early days of Air America, she has risen to greater prominence in 2007. a popular early evening show, coupled with frequent appearances on MSNBC and CNN have given her one of the highest profiles of any air America host. Her television presence was so well-received that she reportedly is even in the running for her own show on MSNBC. . .

Read more of the list at: Liberal Talk Radio (LTR)