The founder of Air America was just on Mike Malloy and he said,

[propagandafreegal]

That his next project is to create/fund a group of TRUE Investigative journalists that don't have to worry about losing their jobs like those in Corporate owned media.... great idea! He even mentioned the voter fraud, and said that we need real reporters on the ground to investigate like a Madsen or Greg Palast type.

[Maat]

1. Oh, and I sure was happy to hear that.

Hope, despite the unbelievable pressure that I believe will be put on journalists and hosts to toe the line, that he sticks to his plan.

The time is now to stick up for freedom of expression, or we will lose it forever.

[Gloria]

2. Frankly, he should work on getting AA on NON-Clear Channel

stations. Being on CC stations makes AA vulnerable!!!

I wish they'd do two things:

1)get in touch with the union in Detroit and work on getting their former stations to take AA

2)buy up the FM stations that are up for auction in the South and West before the rightwing gets them

[Pepper32]

4. Yeah, Clear Channel is a problem for AAR

Read rumors (on Rhodes board) about them teaming up with FOX or something along that line. Hope it's not true.

[ailsagirl]

5. I heard on Majority Report the other day

that AA is doing great-- that they have been "recapitalized."

I'm assuming that means that people with $$ are coming forward to fund them.

I'm not sure how it works (they certainly have no dearth of advertisers) but the bottom line is, they're doing well.

Thank God. What would we do without them??

[cliss]

11. So true.

I've been listening to Air America Radio here in Portland ever since they started in March of this year. My radio dial is fused to 620 am.

At this point, there is no way I could listen to anything else. It's just impossible. I'll turn it off before I switch to something else.

[ailsagirl]

16. Air America Secures $13 Million

Ahhh... AA isn't going anywhere!!

Air America Secures $13 Million

Air America Radio (AAR) today announced new long-term contract extensions for its highly rated radio personalities Al Franken and Randi Rhodes, and new affiliate clearances in a number of top markets across the country. The network is now heard in 11 of the top 20 radio markets.

The network also announced that $13 million in new investment had been completed.

AAR was launched March 31, 2004 in five markets, and in just eight months has expanded to 40 stations nationwide, as well as both SIRIUS and XM, the national satellite radio services. This represents unprecedented growth in modern network radio.

AAR also announced that Rob Glaser has been elected chairman of the Air America Network Board. Glaser is CEO and chairman of RealNetworks Inc., a consumer technology company he founded.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/12/8/153954.shtml

[Eric J in MN]

14. Can you give us more info about FM stations for sale? NT

NT

[lonestarnot]

22. Damn good ideas! BOTH!

[ailsagirl]

3. Amen.

The media have let us down (to put it mildly!!) repeatedly. They're so deep into it that they've lost their credibility (at least, with those of us who recognize their utter lack of integrity). But they've set the course, now they're stuck with it.

I remember how savage they were with Clinton and I didn't realize then that it was a partisan thing. They pressured Nixon, too, when Watergate really took hold-- but those were different times, I guess.

Yet, the Watergate issue was in the public eye for a long time, as it continued to gain momentum. This voter fraud issue, even without the ms media's involvement, is gaining momentum as well.

As I heard on Randi's show today, a lot of people were quietly keeping their eyes peeled for fraudulent activity Nov. 2nd-- and they found LOTS of flagrant violations of voters' rights. And they're willing to come forward.

I don't know where this ride is taking us but we're committed to seeing it through. (I know where I'd LIKE for it to take us!!)

[Pepper32]

6. Finally! We need a real media outlet. Excellent idea. n/t

[prairierose]

7. Finally, that would be great & it is

imperative to the future of democracy & our republic.

[NVMojo]

8. I agree but we need three in every state for starters ...

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. AAR is, by any radio metric...

Doing great. Every market in which they debut, they get a great initial Arbitron rating("book") and grow from there. Randi is getting more listeners than Faux and CNN combined, in her time slot. They are getting into new markets. All the others are right at the top of their slots in the AAR markets.

This is good stuff, radio-wise, trust me.

Sheldon just may have the better mouse trap. Hmm...Investigative journalists...where would you use them? Print? Nah...Dead tree is really failing.

TV? Wonder what Ted Turner is doing with his free time? ;-)

[DianeG5385]

10. Frankly this is so retro, right back to 1776!!

This means that they GET to say whatever they Want whether we like it or not. I think for the most part we'll like it. Assume they will NOT be part of the WH press corps, given how these folks "love" to answer questions.

[proud patriot]

12. man that would be a fun job

:-)

[buddysmellgood]

13. Let me float an Air America idea. How you can help.

I recently started attending Democracy for American meetings and a couple other groups. I'm going to go to a Drinking Liberally gathering. Check it out drinkingliberally.org.
Here's the idea. Get your group to hold its meeting and social hour at a place that advertises on Air America. If you meet at a place that doesn't advertise, ask them too.
We need to vote with our dollars. This could be incredibly powerful. No other station can claim loyalty like we can show. We have to make sure Air America works.

[Eric J in MN]

15. Most restaurants can't afford to advertise (NT)

NT

[lonestarnot]

23. Here here....

:toast: :toast:

[ailsagirl]

17. Thanks for posting that

I'm just now hearing Malloy's interview with Drobny (founder of AA) and it's GREAT to hear him (Drobny) talking about hiring good, investigative journalists (remember those?), who wouldn't be afraid of losing their jobs and who would follow, and report upon, real news stories!! Yes, like Madsen and Pallast-- the real reporters.

I hope that day comes soon.

And Drobny said they wouldn't necessarily be liberal-- just good investigative JOURNALISTS.

I just bought his book, "Road to Air America."

[propagandafreegal]

19. There is some hope... nm

[ValleyGirl]

18. Great! Thank goodness for AA

Now - if only they would pleeeease come back on the air in L.A.! We had AA for like a week or so and then it was suddenly back to a Spanish speaking station again. I was so depressed, lol. I know it's available online but I want it in my car :) Atleast there's KPFK (Pacifica) - they are awesome too.

[RageKage]

20. With some seed money.....

and just a little organizational creativity, the power that drives the blogosphere could be used to put together a new kind of public media.

[Quakerfriend]

21. With NPR going right

I'm in Philly and can't seem to find a good station. Searched for AA in Philly but, couldn't find it. It must be here, no? IF anyone knows the station for AA in Philly please let me know what it is.

Muchas gracias!