DU gets honorable mention in Stars and Stripes letters (again)

AFN should air Franken

This is in response to letters concerning Air America Radio.

A previous letter writer (“AFN needs diverse opinions," March 21) suggested that American Forces Network consider airing portions of Air America Radio programs to balance the conservative Rush Limbaugh show. A more recent letter (“Air America not the answer,” March 29) disagreed. The letter writer suggested that the first letter was part of a coordinated campaign by Democratic Underground.com. That maybe true, but that does not mean the point is less valid.

The Rush Limbaugh show is the only show on AFN with a consistent political view point. Despite what the right would have you believe, NPR is not a liberal outlet. It has been my observation that unless a program is relentlessly conservative, the right regards it as hopelessly liberal. NPR fits into this category.

The writer then stated that since the Federal Communications Commission “equal time” provisions have been rescinded, AFN is under no obligation to provide any opposing viewpoint.

While radio stations in the States are no longer legally bound to provide balanced views, AFN is a different animal. AFN listeners are a varied lot and have a lot of views on a lot of subjects. AFN’s charter is to try to meet the varied views of all of its listeners, not just the conservative ones.

The show most often suggested for AFN to air is the “Al Franken Show.” The host, Al Franken, is one of the military’s biggest supporters. He has made numerous USO trips to Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. I don’t recall Limbaugh ever visiting the troops.

Franken’s view is that the war was a bad idea and is costing the lives of Americans needlessly, an opinion shared by many, both in and out of uniform.

Lastly, one reason for AFN to carry the Franken show is that it is funny.

Francis X. Ryan
Mannheim, Germany


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=28208

i would love to see AFN carry anything to oppose Rush the hypocrite pill popper.

heads are better than one....?

Its Unilateralism whenever only one point of view is presented.

Are Rush et al saying only THEY have the correct view? If so they have their heads up their collective asses.

Common Sense and Reality dictates a polyview approach.... thats what this country was FOUNDED ON.

Come, we go sky dive, thrills and spills.

Limbaugh visited Iraq a few weeks ago(just so you know).:)

and Al Franken visited Iraq...

What can you do? Write letters. Heck, The Stars and Stripes publishes letters from civilians all the time.

pao@afn.frankfurt.army.mil

http://www.afneurope.army.mil /

You can also call the program manager, Jo Bordeaux, at 0049 69 156 88272 in Frankfurt, Germany.