Liberal Talker Randi Rhodes Retires Today

Sigh. Yes, I know that Barbara Walters is retiring today. And as a pop culture icon, journalist and celebrity interviewer, Walters has really left a mark. If only the Saturday Night Live parodies of her were to be remembered, she would have really made it! But Barbara is nearing 85, so her retirement is no surprise.

Randi Rhodes, a liberal radio host with close to a 30-year career is also retiring today. And while she's not as well known to the American public, I'll miss her more. I understand that if you're a conservative, if you know of Rhodes at all, you probably have a negative impression of her. That's to be understood, because the only things you'd have heard would have been from right-wing sources. But Randi is not the liberal Rush Limbaugh. As brash and perhaps even abrasive as she might occasionally be, Randi never intentionally mislead her audience, or twisted a news story into  a pretzel in order to somehow blame the right for something.

In fact, routinely, Randi tells her audience that she knows the company she keeps on the radio dial, and that we shouldn't trust her contemporaries, or indeed she herself, and to do our homework. In fact, on her web site were homework links. Links to every important story she was discussing. I'm going to miss her a lot. As much as I love The Stephanie Miller Show, appreciate Thom Hartmann, and tolerate Ed Schultz, there's no one like Randi Rhodes. It's going to leave a hole in my day.

I've been listening since mid-2004, shortly after the 5-year experiment of Air America Radio started. Looking for The O'Franken Factor, less for its political content than because I was a fan of Al Franken, I found Randi Rhodes. And I've listened every work day since. On my computer of course, since Las Vegas has never had an outlet that airs liberal talk, though we can field more than one conservative station. And there's the rub. That's a big chunk of why Randi Rhodes is leaving while still at the top of her game: why put in 60-hour weeks of show prep, time on the air, and follow-up on the web site, when your outlets have dwindled to barely double-digits? As a hobbyist blogger, I get it. Why pump that much time and effort into something that has such a shrinking audience?

I've disagreed with Randi on several topics, so I'm no Rhodes ditto head. She has a dim view of bloggers, and other punditry. She has a dim view of people like Rachel Maddow and Franken, who used radio as a stepping-stone to career enrichment, rather than trying to grow liberal radio. But I'd be worried about myself if I found myself in 100% agreement with a radio host. And that's something I really dug about Randi: she makes you think, and occasionally scream back at the radio. She's engaging. And I doubt she'd ever have pulled a Rush, and made merchandise like bumperstickers saying, "Randi's Right!" or tell people they need no other source for news.

So, if you happen to be free and near a computer at 3:00 pm Eastern/Noon Pacific, tune into IHeart.com, and type Randi Rhodes in the search box. It's her last show. I'm recording it. And I'm really going to miss her. Randi, I hope you get some rest, enjoy your time off, and then return in some way, perhaps writing a--horrors--blog of your own, or at least calling into Steph's show on occasion, or even as a regular bit?

Behind the Blogger: My Talk Radio Addiction

From time to time, I like to say a little about myself, to bring a little personal touch to the blog, which is named after me, after all. This one has to do with a possible character flaw: I listen to talk radio all day, every day, 5 days a week.

Most of us know somebody who listens to a steady stream of radio blather. They're often banished to their garages by wives who do not want to hear nine steady hours of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. If the listener is too hardcore for that trio, he may tune to Michael (Weiner) Savage, or if the person is a woman, maybe it's Dr. Laura. There are many other imitators, also-rans and never-weres, but the result is the same: you're a radio-listening weirdo.

My vice started with a steady stream of Air America Radio, which has had a fairly rocky history, even for radio. So my listening became more fractured. But to keep from having to seek out a different link on my computer ever time a show ends, I found a radio station (KTLK-AM, Los Angeles) that carries pretty much what I'd seek out on my own. Currently, that line-up is the last hour or so of The Stephanie Miller Show, followed by The Thom Hartmann Program, The Nancy Skinner Show (this one is filler for me, until Randi Rhodes comes back) and The Ron Reagan Show.

How can somebody listen to that much blather? Well, actually, I'm not always listening. Like any radio, it's sort of background noise, until I hear something that makes me pay attention. And I'm up and down from my desk much of the time. Truth be told, if I'm at work for an 8-9 hour day, I probably hear about 4 hours worth. But that isn't 4 hours worth of talk, if you pay attention to how radio is actually programmed. I'd be surprised if there is actually a half-hour of actual program to any of these shows in a given hour. Radio works like this:

0:00 - 0:06 - News/traffic/weather and commercials

0:06 - 0:08 - Intro music, montages of the host's voice clips, etc.

0:08 - 0:15 - First segment, bumper music

0:15 - 0:23 - Commercials

0:23 - 0:28 - Bumper music, second segment, bumper music

0:28 - 0:35 - Commercials

0:35 - 0:45 - Third segment, sometimes with bumper music, and more montages

0:45 - 0:53 - Commercials

0:53 - 0:58 - Last segment, sometimes with closing music, and host's traditional "sign off"

0:58 - 1:00 - Commercials

When you subtract out all of the bumper music, montages and other filler, I think my half-hour estimate might be a little high. And if the host is an egomaniac, like Levin, even more time is eaten up by that stuff. So, next time you roll your eyes at the talk-radio fan, remember that his all-day habit isn't quite as bad as it looks on the surface. Unless he gets all of his information, news, and political ideology from those shows. Then, he has both a bad habit, and he's an idiot.

Editor's Rant: Radio Commercials and False Advertising

Image from MV Recycling

I listen to a lot of talk radio, probably too much. Especially in a "political Christmas" like what is going on now. I probably would have half as many posts on the blog if I wasn't as plugged in as I am to Rachel Maddow, Randi Rhodes, Thom Hartmann and Stephanie Miller. I've even been known to work in a little Rush Limbaugh, Sean [ack!] Hannity and Mark [accckkkk!] Levin, from time to time.

But one thing you get along with the talk, is commercials. Lots and lots of commercials. And that goes for most of radio, not just talk, not just right or left-wing. And the common trait among these commercials (excluding most of the local ones) is that they are annoying, too repetitive and usually deceitful.

The ads use many tricks to deceive. One tactic is the fake interview, where they make it sound like the host (or a faux host) is talking to an expert on some product. Often, they'll even flub a line or two to sound more "live," throw in a chuckle here or there, and rarely ever actually tell you exactly what they're selling. You have to buy the book or the product to find out what's in it!

They sell time shares this way, notably Tahiti Village right here in Las Vegas with an overly exuberant Tanya Roberts trying to give you a "free getaway" (note: not a vacation, and not actually at Tahiti Village). They sell get rich schemes, work at home schemes, home security schemes. All using trickery, and very careful wording to do it.

The ad that inspired this post is one that plays on KTLK out of Los Angeles (and undoubtedly elsewhere) about a grocery bag tax. A very concerned female voice laments the price of gas, and of groceries, and implores Californians to vote against a grocery bag tax that would add $400 to each family's budget. That's a 25 cent tax per bag. My math works that out to 1,600 grocery bags per year! How many families do you know that buy 133 bags of groceries per month?

This ad is sponsored by some nebulous sounding group that turns out to be--wait for it--the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council and The California Film Extruders and Converters Association. No wonder they're worried.

When I get a deceptive sales pitch, I'm almost 100% guaranteed not to buy what is being sold. If your product, plan or idea is valid, it should not need to be sold with tricks and lies. 'Nuff said.

Are Liberal Talkers Staging "Scandals?"

Photo of Ed Schultz from source, Radio Equalizer

I only pose this question because of the right wing site I stumbled upon (below). I personally don't think that Randi Rhodes' scandal was staged. If it was, it was a huge roll of the dice. Her fans are pissed. Her detractors are jubilant. And her absence from Air America Radio belies any gains that would have been made by the story.

Ed Schultz, on the other hand could have been deliberately inflammatory to sort of ride the wave Randi caused with her cannonball. But I still think probably not. A deliberate "scandal" would have been far more calculated than calling John McCain a "warmonger." I mean for heaven's sake, worse is said about Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton daily on the right-wing radio froth-fests.

Others disagree. . .

[Excerpt]

'BIG F-ING' SCAMS?

Are both fans and detractors of liberal talk radio being taken for a ride?

With two "progressive" talkers enjoying an unprecedented wave of publicity in recent days, fishy signs of stunt-dom have begun to emerge. How did we not see this days earlier? . . .

Read more at: Radio Equalizer

Who the Hell is Tammy Bruce?

Photo from Super Country 105

I had a strange experience today, while driving around. I'm getting a cold, or a light flu, but was feeling a little cooped up. So, I decided to run up to CompUSA, which is in its last days of a going out of business sale. I found nothing, and moved on back toward home, stopping at Fry's Electronics along the way. Anyway, at some point on my journey, I fumbled for the radio, and hit a button that landed me on an unfamiliar station.

The voice coming out of my radio was Laura Ingraham, which would ordinarily frighten or annoy me (or perhaps a little of both). Today though, she was coming off as downright affable, saying all sorts of nice things about Barack Obama, and some digs at Hillary. Ingraham is also ill this weekend, so maybe she had too much medicine or something.

After my shopping trip at Fry's (which takes minimum an hour, every time--love that store), I got back into the Jeep, started the engine, and was assaulted by a different voice. This person was foreign to me, and boy did I take a visceral dislike to her. It was immediate. Every single thing she had to say was negative, bordering on nasty. Her name, was Tammy Bruce.

I've never heard of her, and knew nothing of her background. She assailed Michelle Obama for her "pride" statement of a few days ago, basically calling both of the Obamas "America haters." She then complained about a news report that said Barack Obama had gotten applause after blowing his nose. Personally, I thought, "Hey, THAT's charisma!" Not Ms. Bruce. She said, (paraphrasing here), "why not applaud him for blowing his nose, he's been wiping something else with what he wants to do to our country." I just thought, "Man, what a [expletive c-word deleted]."

So just now, I looked up Tammy Bruce in Wikipedia. Imagine my surprise to see her described as an out lesbian, a women's rights advocate, and a progressive Democrat. No. Frickin'. Way. Did someone pee in her Wheaties this morning, or is she always like this? I came away wondering if it's an act, or if she actually believes the stuff she was saying. I mean, if it's an act, she's being dishonest. If she really believes that the Obamas hate America, she's stupid.

So is Tammy Bruce dishonest or stupid? Or could it be both?

Right-wing Talk Radio vs. John McCain

Photo from source, National Ledger

As you may know, I occasionally torture myself with the ramblings of right-wing talk radio, FOX "News," and the odd conservative web site. I like to keep my ear to the ground, to see what they're grousing about. And lately, due to my work load, I've had the opportunity to listen to snippets of talk radio at times of day that aren't usually open to me.

Driving around making a few deliveries, I've had the opportunity to catch parts of Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and worst of all Mark Levin. El Rushbo, The Great American, and The Great One, respectively to their fans. The result has been illuminating, entertaining, and occasionally baffling. It didn't hurt that I caught some of their programming before, during and after Super Duper Trouper Tuesday.

The rub is, at least these three despise McCain. And they have no problem sharing that with the world. The hosts and the callers to the shows sound dispirited, dejected, and ready to throw in the towel. And though there are some feeble protestations to the contrary, the power of Rush Limbaugh's "golden microphone" has definitely waned, if only temporarily.

Republicans, or the neo-con variety, have become notorious for their lock-steppiness. Just look at Congress for one example. It's not uncommon to see several Democrats cross party lines, but just watch Republicans fall in line, almost to a man on almost any vote. And whether the marching orders come from the RNC, the White House, Rush's backside or a combination of those, good Republicans usually fall in line. "Mega dittos, Rush!" and "Rush is right!" are two of Limbaugh's fans' favorite sayings.

But the marching orders were not heeded this time. Demonizing John McCain has not worked. Maybe it's the Mormon factor for Romney, the hick factor for Huckabee, the creepy factor for Giuliani. . .who knows. Talk fans are wandering astray. And it's about time.

Oh, and please explain, how can anybody listen to Mark Levin for more than a few minutes? That voice just kills me. Worse than Michael Savage, and Savage is a lunatic.

[Excerpt]

Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity & Laura Ingraham: Talk Radio Fails Conservatives

Our book, The Death of Talk Radio?, warned about the threat posed by liberals trying to pass into law the so-called Fairness Doctrine. Little did we know that its viability would be in jeopardy from conservatives upset over major figures in talk radio playing favorites in the Republican presidential race. The conservative talk-radio assault on John McCain and Mike Huckabee has backfired in a big way. . .

Read more at (right wing site): National Ledger

George W. Bush Does Vegas!

The Other Half had to work today, and happened to be in Washington, D.C. He swears that he didn't go there simply because George W. Bush was coming here to Las Vegas. But the timing was mighty suspicious.

I had the opportunity to listen to one of our local right-wing talk shows on the way home from work. The show is hosted by Casey Hendrickson and Heather Kidd, two winners of "Radio Star," an American Idol-type contest. Kidd, a 23-year-old Republican Party activist prone to malapropisms, got to share some time with President Bush at the local GOP event. She was star-struck, virtually bubbling over with enthusiasm for The Decider. If you hadn't lived through the last seven years, and only had this one talk show to go on, you'd believe that George W. Bush was the best President ever! Whatever. I think The Other Half had the right idea.

[Excerpt]

Bush, in Las Vegas, defends troop surge

The progress has improved the lives of Iraqis and given the government time to add 100,000 new soldiers, he told the National Policy Research Institute this morning.

Bush is now en route to a private fund-raiser at the home of Sheldon Adelson, a political conservative and chairman of the Sands Corp. Adelson and his wife greeted Bush at a loading dock of the Venetian hotel-casino and rode with him to the speech. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Sun

John Gibson Jokes About Heath Ledger's Death

Photo from source, Think Progress

Fred Phelps isn't the only jerk when it comes to actor, Heath Ledger's death. FOX "News" host and radio personality, John Gibson ("Gibby" to his fan), weighed in too. And he seems to think it's funny. Yikes.

[Excerpt]

John Gibson Mocks ‘Weirdo’ Heath Ledger’s Death: ‘He Found Out How To Quit You’

Opening his radio show with funeral music yesterday, Fox News host John Gibson callously mocked the death of actor Heath Ledger, calling him a “weirdo” with a “serious drug problem.”

Playing an audio clip of the iconic quote, “I wish I knew how to quit you” from Ledger’s gay romance movie Brokeback Mountain, Gibson disdainfully quipped, “Well, he found out how to quit you.” Laughing, Gibson then played another clip. . .

Read more (with audio) at: Think Progress

For My Dad: Michael Savage is a FREAK

Photo from source, Media Matters

I got a little disturbing news from my sister, while on my trip back home. Now, I already knew that my step-dad and mother are Republicans. This is made abundantly clear any time even a whiff of politics drifts through the air. But, this goes beyond mere political disagreement.

Dad listens to--and likes--The Savage Nation with Michael Savage. I know that Savage (real name "Weiner," no joke) has the third-rated talk radio program, after Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Which would make him literally third-rate, but I digress. . .

In my view, Limbaugh is an entertainer, who deliberately misleads his audience, guiding them to the conservative side of any issue, regardless of the facts. Hannity is (again in my view) seemingly a true believer of the prattle he's spewing. Michael Weiner Savage is--in any sane, intelligent person's view--a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot. Not to mention homophobic, xenophobic and insane. And Dad listens to him.

So Dad, in the unlikely event that you're reading my blog (or Mom, if you haven't scrolled on past), here's a bright and shiny example of why nobody should listen to Michael Savage.

[Excerpt]

Savage: "Loving, kind lesbian" is "the type that stuffed ovens in Hitler's concentration camps"

On the November 8 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Savage Nation, a caller told host Michael Savage that while waiting at a stoplight in Midtown Manhattan, "I'm listening to you with the window open. This mean-faced, clipped-hair, liberal type -- you know, the type you always talk about. . .She comes up to my window and she goes, 'You're listening to hate speech. Why are you listening to that?' " Savage replied to the caller's anecdote by saying, "Well, what does that tell you about the loving, kind lesbian who just assaulted you in your car?" He continued: "She's a -- the type that stuffed ovens in [Adolf] Hitler's concentration camps. Whenever I hear anyone preaching to me about how compassionate they are, I reach for my Glock. That's all I can tell you. They can all drop dead."

Read more, including a transcript and audio at: Media Matters

Matt Drudge Leaving Radio?

Photo from source, RadioEqualizer.blogspot.com

Even as a blogger, I do not understand the continued success of The Drudge Report. It is continuously one of the highest-viewed right-wing web sites, in fact one of the biggest sites period.

Though it ostensibly a blog, it is more of a round-up of the big news stories of the day, with an extra-special focus on stories that boost Republicans or tear down Democrats. It also features a heavy helping of celebrity and tabloid items. The strangest thing about it to me, is that other than providing links to these stories, there doesn't seem to be much more to the site.

Maybe I'm missing something, but where is the content? I too provide links to other sites, and excerpts and photos. But I'd like to think I show some personality. Some other reason for blogging than to provide a shot in the arm to a political party.

Anyway, Matt Drudge, the site's proprietor, is also a talk radio host on weekends. Or at least he was. It looks like those days might be over.

[Excerpt]

DRUDGE CANCELLED?

After a decade- long run, Matt Drudge's syndicated radio talk show is about to end, according to an industry trade report and a regional media blogger based in Ohio. These sources have 30 September pegged as his final program date.

Created at the peak of Drudge's Monica Lewinsky- fuelled fame, the show was confined to Sunday evenings, apparently at his insistence. At the time, the Internet star said he had been offered a weekday show, but chose the weekend slot instead. . .

Read the rest at: RadioEqualizer.blogspot.com

Michael Savage Has a Mental Disorder

Photo from dKosopedia.com

I haven't yet said (at least I don't think I have) anything about Michael Savage on my blog to date. But it must be said that out of all of the far-right-wing crazies out there (now masquerading as mainstream), he's the wing-nuttiest. Michael Weiner (his legal name) is hands down the craziest, possibly most dangerous of the right-wing talkers on radio. He's second or third in the overall ratings for talk radio, and he's absolutely certifiable. Don't believe me? Read on. . .

[Excerpt]

Savage: "You're telling me there's no possibility of a conspiracy by the Democrats" to cause Roberts' seizure?

On the July 30 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Michael Savage reacted to news that Chief Justice John Roberts had suffered a seizure that day by raising the possibility that "his health was in some way tampered with by the Democrats." Savage said, "Something's wrong with this picture," after noting that Roberts' seizure occurred just three days after Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) said he would seek in general to reject any future Supreme Court nomination made by President Bush. Schumer told the American Constitution Society (ACS) in a July 27 speech: "I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm any Bush nominee to the Supreme Court except in extraordinary circumstances." Schumer said that, since the confirmation of Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, the court had come to represent "what a diminishing clique of conservative ideologues wish for.

Savage asked, "Am I to believe there's no connection between Charles Schumer on Friday saying he would never appoint, or never, excuse me, approve another Bush appointment to the court, to any court? And then the chief justice suffers a so-called seizure two days later? You're telling me there's no possibility of a conspiracy by the Democrats to have caused this seizure in some manner?" He added: "Tell me it's not possible, and I'll tell you you're a liar.""

To read more (and listen to audio, if you have the stomach for it), go to: MediaMatters.org