What should Air America be, range of opinions on left or Democratic Party fax readers?

In light of the suspension of Randi Rhodes from Air America Radio, it's worth looking at a built-in tension there between being Democratic Party cheerleaders or offering a range of left of center critiques that sometimes steps on Democrats toes, especially when they are snuggling up to the same corporate interests the GOP does, or offering only token resistance to GOP initiatives.

Randi Rhodes might not always put things delicately, but she says what a lot of us feel, and a lot of us are sick of what the DLC types do, shitting on the base while trying to ingratiate themselves with GOP patrons like Scaife and Murdoch.

Or at least a notice of being a "most slanted poll ever".

Here's an example.

In 2002, I wrote a political set for Doug to do during his five minutes on a local station.

The producer was a fan -- hell, he have us the time, right? -- but he nixed the set because it was too "mean" to the Bushes. And this was a liberal station. No cussing, the worst was "Hooked on Phonics" jokes. But the producer was sure he'd be fired if Doug went on with that material. And this is San Francisco.

Had Doug done the set, he would have been banned from radio in town, period, no questions asked, forever.

A few weeks ago, I watched Richard Lewis do essentially the same set on The Daily Show. But, that's cable and five years later.

Radio is an uptight business. Hospital corners and tucked in shirts. That's just how it is.

That's how RW talk radio became successful. Rush entertained people. Okay, not all people, but enough to revive his dead radio career.

Talk radio shouldn't be about shoving propaganda down peoples' throats. It should be a place where like-minded people can tune in, feel welcome, informed and entertained, and maybe even participate. If an outfit like AAR employed hosts that all had unique perspectives, even better. I think that would make for more interesting radio.

strippers.

as far as i know

hell, the drobnys started air america--their ideas and hearts were in the right place.