So this is what it's comming down to a really sad state of affairs.

[William769]

Carl Wolfson Says He’s Ending His XRAY.FM Radio Show Because Bernie Sanders Supporters Have Gotten Too Nasty


Portland progressive talk-radio host Carl Wolfson has felt the Bern. And he says the personal attacks of Sen. Bernie Sanders' supporters are causing him to cancel his show.

Wolfson announced this morning on Facebook he's ending his morning politics talk show on XRAY.FM, citing the toll on his health and finances, the declining state of political discourse and the "vitriol of so many Bernie supporters" in the Democratic presidential primary race against Hillary Clinton.

"I have too little faith in politics to continue," he says.

"Carl in the Morning" debuted in March 2014 on KXRY 91.1 FM, better known as XRAY. It marked a return to the airwaves after Wolfson's left-wing drive-time talk show was dumped by Clear Channel, which turned KPOJ-AM 620 into a sports talk station in 2008.

This time, it's not a communications giant ending Wolfson's show: It's the host.

http://www.wweek.com/2016/01/20/carl-wolfson-says-hes-ending-his-xray-fm-radio-show-because-bernie-sanders-supporters-have-gotten-too-nasty/

[bkkyosemite]

1. Bernie caused him health problems made him

not like politics, made him stop working, his supporters and him made it all happen. Wonder how much he is getting paid to quit.

[William769]

2. Does not say Bernie.

And yes stress is a major factor in health.

And the hits keep on coming!

Stay classy.

[draa]

28. You too.

signed, The Communist.

[pinebox]

43. Stay Classy? 3am called.

[jeff47]

89. Classy like setting up another web site to plot attacks on other DUers? (nt)

[enid602]

36. harpies

They're Harpies.

[leveymg]

91. It's Bernie Evil Eye and his army of brainwashed zombies. I'll quit my job, too, and start prepping

[kenfrequed]

3. So...

The actual fascism of Trump didn't scare the guy but Bernie's supporters are too mean for you to continue? Dear gods, whatever will we do without this progressive defender standing atop the wall.

[riversedge]

4. Sanders supporters "label Hillary a “fascist” or the “spawn of Satan” and worse,"

Shameful


http://www.wweek.com/2016/01/20/carl-wolfson-says-hes-ending-his-xray-fm-radio-show-because-bernie-sanders-supporters-have-gotten-too-nasty/


Here's the full text of today's farewell note from Wolfson.

OK. I’m done. The vitriol of so many Bernie supporters and the threat they pose to Democratic unity is a bridge too far. Politics itself has gotten so nasty, so extreme and so personal that I have even been drawn into uncivil discourse in the past few days. If progressives that I have spoken for during the past nine years on radio (and during 40 years of activism) have lowered themselves to label Hillary a “fascist” or the “spawn of Satan” and worse, I have too little faith in politics to continue. This is not a rash decision. I have been considering it for months. I am proud of what we have accomplished on the air TOGETHER since 2007 (and 2,280 shows to be exact!) I am proud that CITM was civil, informative and fun. At a future date, after a healthy space of time, I will reflect on the whole experience: the thousands of incredible guests, callers, causes and moments that filed our time together. I am especially grateful to those who helped me relaunch CITM after Clear Channel switched KPOJ’s format in 2008, and who have kept us going on XRAY, realizing that, in a time of media consolidation, local voices are an essential fortification of democracy. I will probably stay on for a couple more weeks (no longer) so XRAY can get the slot filled. Have no idea what I will do, but I’m sure I want a job as far away from politics as possible. It’s been the core passion of my life ever since 1963, when I was seven and watched the first Kennedy-Nixon debate! The only thing Nixon and I had in common was we weren’t wearing makeup. But politics sucks. And that people like Thom Hartmann and other progressives have stooped to the levels and tactics of Lars and Fox, cuts me to the core. During the SOTU, President Obama called (again) for a political system worthy of a great people. On that score, we are failing. All of us are failing. Ninety-hour work weeks and the stress of producing two-hours of live radio on weekdays with a bare-bones staff has taken a terrible toll on my health. And after the Clear Channel boot, I’ve had to sink too much of my savings into the effort. I appreciate so much the sponsors and individual donors that kept us alive; at the same time, I wish more had given. In the end, though, my joy and gratitude far outweigh the regrets. Politics and activism will go on, but without me. Right now — I’m relieved! At some point, we should all have a big party. I have 200 CITM T-shirts in the garage to give away!

[kenfrequed]

5. Right...

This guy is full of it.

Bashing all of a candidates supporters over a few trolls is such absurd, over the top garbage.

I am glad he is quitting.

[William769]

6. "a few trolls"

Talk about a understatement!

[cascadiance]

14. This saddens me a lot. I've been facebook friends with him, and have met him on many occasions...

He's a good man, and I know that for some time, he's been hurting for cash since Clear Channel shut down KPOJ like they did KLSD in San Diego here. Perhaps if enough of us supporting Bernie would also throw some money his way, perhaps he'll change his feelings.

I think he just fundamentally feels that fate is aligned against Bernie winning and doesn't want Dems to lose. I believe the opposite. I worry about us losing with some circumstances and opposition candidates from the Republicans if Hillary gets nominated.

I think there has been vitriol on both sides. Some of it may be understandable in some instances, but I'll think a bit before I say things too extreme from this point forward, and just try to make the case I think that Bernie is the better candidate without trying to put Hillary or her supporters down.

However, I think it is important not to allow the other side to get vitriolic too. I'll call people out if they do, but I'll try to encourage some more rational discussion if possible.

[Rockyj]

31. Me too!

[KingCharlemagne]

48. It's a classic GBCW statement and would be greeted with mass derision and ridicule were it to be an

OP here.

[Arazi]

83. Burned his bridges completely

This kind of letter is really ill advised no matter if you never go back to that industry. Its out there forever and I'd be leery of hiring this guy for any position going forward.

He's probably always going to blame his demise on Bernie Sanders though - he'll be an old man still shaking his fist and cursing him from his death bed.

[Dustlawyer]

24. Politics are by nature, a passionate sport.

Both Hillary and Bernie have supporters who get nasty and ugly, all candidates do. This is a race that has brought division because we have two totally different approaches to solve our problems. Bernie and his supporters, of which I am one, are tired of the political corruption. Hillary comes from the corporate Democratic wing of our Party. She is experienced in campaigns and has been known to have her surrogates say some pretty ugly things.

This guy wants out of political talk radio because it's too hot in the kitchen. He was not cut out to do the job any longer. It's not Bernie's or his supporter's fault, it just is what it is.

[draa]

30. Damn well said.

[hobbit709]

39. And HRC supporters are as pure as the newly fallen snow and NEVER said anything bad about Bernie.

[hueymahl]

47. Translation - My ratings suck, So I am going to blame third parties

Just another failed radio personality.

[beam me up scottie]

8. He blames Thom Hartmann and 90 hour work weeks too:

But politics sucks. And that people like Thom Hartmann and other progressives have stooped to the levels and tactics of Lars and Fox, cuts me to the core. During the SOTU, President Obama called (again) for a political system worthy of a great people. On that score, we are failing. All of us are failing. Ninety-hour work weeks and the stress of producing two-hours of live radio on weekdays with a bare-bones staff has taken a terrible toll on my health.

I think he's just looking for scapegoats because he can't hack it. It's a tough gig and it's obviously too much for him.

[beam me up scottie]

7. Bernie bros caused me to cancel my subscription to Turtle Fancy.

And I love turtles.

[beerandjesus]

21. Hahahaha!!

Bernie bros made me spill my Cheerios on the floor, and they were the really tasty Honey Nut kind!




#berniebrosmademe

[beerandjesus]

22. Bernie bros made me stub my toe on the bathroom vanity, and I'm all out of band-aids!

#berniebrosmademe

[Autumn]

40. Bernie bros ate my box of turtles

Last edited Thu Jan 21, 2016, 12:36 PM - Edit history (1)

[Hassin Bin Sober]

58. Berniebros gave me gout!!!

[Hiraeth]

78. Berniebros stole my thunder. oh wait.

they really did do that.

[madokie]

9. I have a question for you

How can you in good faith support Hillary. What has she done for you? I doubt you're in the 1 percent category in the fact you are a regular here so what is it that makes a person like most of us here support her

Inquiring mind wants to know is all.

[William769]

10. Her tireless work on woman's issues

Her work with the Children's defense fund. She was pushing healthcare for all when pushing healthcare for all wasn't cool. Her stance on LGBT issues has always been great (with the exception it took her awhile to evolve on Gay marriage as it did for so many others but she came out on the right side).

Fighting for woman's rights around the world.

That's just to mane a few.

[elias49]

29. Just cut it out, she said.

Now thats WORK!

[riversedge]

92. William took time to have a discussion and you come on with a smartypants snark. shameful.

[betsuni]

11. K&R

[marmar]

12. Right, like vitriol during a campaign is a new phenomenon.

What a load of bollocks

[NCTraveler]

13. Progressives in every segment of society...

Are getting #bernt

[William769]

15. ...

[dembotoz]

16. perhaps if we were to focus on the gop?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

17. Never heard of him. Sounds like he wasn't a good representative for liberals.

[morningfog]

18. If you can't take the heat.....

[Hoppy]

19. The guy further talks about the stress of preparing for a two hour live show... little staff support

in addition to his being unhappy with Bernie supporters.

It wasn't just the Bernie people. The whole thing was too much stress.

[Helen Borg]

20. Radio is irrelevant anyway...

It was probably a good time to end it and use Bernie as an excuse...

[phleshdef]

23. He sounds like a fucking coward to me

[Bobbie Jo]

32. Exhibit A

[phleshdef]

33. Exhibit my ass

If you were going to be a political talk show host you should be prepared for the obvious heat that comes with such a job. If he has health issues that's one thing and I respect that. But don't go blaming the very nature of being a political talk show host as to why you no longer want to be one.

[Bobbie Jo]

49. Between the "fucking coward"

spittle and the dismissive taunts, I think we're seeing a pretty good representation of the behavior.

Your ass, or otherwise...

[phleshdef]

65. I don't call radio shows and I don't say nasty things about Clinton

So I'm not even remotely close to an example of what this guy is complaining about. But my point is is that the game of political talk radio is nasty. It always has been and always will be.

[politicaljunkie41910]

66. At least he was willing to put his money and effort behind what he was passionate about

What have you done productive but your 10,000 plus posts? It's easy to tear down others with the flick of the pen from an anonymous keyboard. It's quite something else to build something tangible from nothing, using your own money and resources. Just because one shouts louder than someone else, doesn't mean he has something any more important to say.

[phleshdef]

69. I'm sorry but no matter what you say, blaming nasty callers....

... for the reason that you were going to step down from a talk radio show that is based around politics is is like blaming cooking as a reason for not wanting to be a chef anymore. That's what political talk radio is. I don't buy his bullshit.

[Tanuki]

85. Please don't (exhibit your ass)

[phleshdef]

86. I would totally post a picture of my naked ass here and now if I could get away with it...

...just for the laughs

[uponit7771]

73. +1

[bullwinkle428]

25. Thom Hartmann handles it just fine. Does 3 hours on the radio every day, along

with a TV show as well, and he's CONSTANTLY writing books! He's someone that clearly identifies as a Bernie supporter, but is always extremely quick to shut down any caller that tries to use any kind of vitriol directed at Hillary. He always emphasizes the point that both candidates are light years better than any of the Repukes.

[deutsey]

34. I haven't listened to Hartmann in a long while, but this sounds like what I remember of him

I was wondering what he could have done to upset this guy so much.

I don't have any idea who Carl Wolfson is, but after reading his rationale for quitting it seems to me that he's really burned out after struggling so much (financially and physically) since Clear Channel dicked him over. The pressures from this election could have been the last straw that finally broke the proverbial camel's back. I know I burned out on political campaigns during the '04 election and its depressing aftermath.

It's a shame that fatheads like Limbaugh get to spew their poison for decades all around the country (and even to military personnel abroad) while guys like this have to struggle.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

37. Yep. That's why I know the article in the op is one big pant load.

Hartmann goes out of his way to be nice to Hillary. He's nice and respectful to everyone to a fault sometimes, IMO.

I caught a segment yesterday where Hartmann was talking about assholes calling to yell at the screener (Hartmann's wife). He said not to bother because the software will block your calls if you can't play nice.

That's how an adult handles it. Not crying like a baby and blaming his failing show and money troubles on one side's supporters.

[Arazi]

38. Norman Goldman as well. 3 hours/day and supports Hillary Clinton

Goldman also does daily podcasts besides his 3 hour radio show.

He's never said Bernie Sanders supporters are a problem.

This Portland radio guy sounds burned out and is lashing out.

At root though it sounds like he just ran out of $$ . Being poor is stressful!

[sufrommich]

26. I've said it before,his supporters are his worst enemy.nt

[artislife]

50. Better to have the supporters be the worst thing rather than the CANDIDATE. nt

[Hassin Bin Sober]

55. Beats the hell out of having your candidate's record and flip flops as your worst enemy.

[Gothmog]

81. Agreed

[tk2kewl]

27. Even if all Bernie supporters were complete assholes...

Even if all Bernie supporters were complete assholes that wanted health care as a right, peace not war, and an economy that worked for everyone, I'd still support Sanders and prefer to spend my time with the assholes over a very sweet person that doesn't want their taxes to go up.

[artislife]

51. ^^^This.

[tk2kewl]

68. it's about ideas not personalities

[Orsino]

71. Yep. "The problem is is supporters" is a made-up thing...

...made up by people spendin too much time on an Internet forum.

Support and vote for the best available candidate at the time, folks. I will.

[Odin2005]

35. Call the WAAAAAAAAAAAAmbulance!

[MineralMan]

41. Nothing wrong with Bernie Sanders.

He's not the problem, and I'll gladly support him if he is the nominee. The problem lies with some of his "supporters." I suspect that some of them are not really supporters of him, but people who feel he is an easier target for the Republicans.

Others are just over the top in their attacks on the other Democratic candidate. How will they switch horses if Hillary is the nominee, which still seems very likely? I don't understand that.

[pinebox]

45. Well MM here, let me help

How will they switch horses if Hillary is the nominee, which still seems very likely? I don't understand that.

They won't. They won't vote for Hillary if she's the nominee. They will pencil Bernie in or vote Jill Stein. Hillary though? Not on your life.

[el_bryanto]

60. I don't know - I am a Bernie supporter but I've made it clear i will support HRC if she is the

nominee. I'm not excited about the prospect, but I will do it. As I've said elsewhere, you can kind of count on the Republicans to put up a candidate to vote against.

Bryant

[pinebox]

61. Many won't

And I do mean MANY. A large margin. They are completely disenfranchised with the system and the establishment.

[el_bryanto]

62. You mean the majority?

Every time a poll is taken, even in this forum, most people suggest they will vote for the nominee even if its not their candidate.

Bryant

[pinebox]

63. This forum is tiny in all honesty

TINY. It is in a bubble. I'll PM you in a sec because I don't want a freak out to ensue

[catnhatnh]

80. So you don't figure

that the threat to tombstone people who advocate for someone other than the party's candidate is a thumb on the scale of what gets posted here?

[Gothmog]

42. WOW

[pinebox]

44. Bernie's why there are no McRib's year around!

[artislife]

52. And pumpkin spice lattes only in the fall...nt

[pinebox]

54. That I can say thank God to! Shiver!

I'm so over the pumpkin spice thing....ugh

[artislife]

57. LOL! I don't drink caffeine, or milk or fake flavors

But they smell good.

I just may be a one step away from hippie, though.

[Armstead]

46. In part he's a victim of Hillary's husband who helped make Clear Channel possible

There used to be limits in the number of radio and TV stations any one company could own. But Bill pushed for a Media Reform that removed those limits. That's what made it possible for companies like Clear Channel ()I Heart Radio) to completely take over media markets.

[artislife]

53. The fact that he may not see that

May be telling in why he failed as a liberal talk show host.

Makes you ponder...

[Armstead]

56. Sometimes there seems to be little connection made between cause and effect

[artislife]

59. Sounds like our government and other governments

One quote that always gets me is from Jane Goodall




This is just a prime example of not thinking or caring about cause and effect.

[Bobbie Jo]

64. Speaking of Jane Goodall

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251565025

Unintentional irony at its best.

[artislife]

70. The actions of some does not mean the actions of all

and I haven't forgotten who you are.

[Bobbie Jo]

72. I don't even know who you are

but that thread speaks for itself.

[artislife]

74. ...

[Bobbie Jo]

75. ???

I'm sure you're trying to be clever here, but the more you do this sort of thing (whatever this is) the more you demonstrate the point.

What else ya got?

Your Jane Goodall reference was ironic in the extreme. Sorry if you were embarrassed.

[Orsino]

67. Yeah, those cruel Sanders supporters are the meanest listeners out there.

[notadmblnd]

76. What would we do without our daily "Sander's supporters are so mean" post?

Thanks for ensuring the torch stays lit and the victim card is played.

See you tomorrow- same time, different thread?

[Hiraeth]

77. on edit: coming

yw

[AgingAmerican]

79. Pathetic

[whatchamacallit]

82. Yep, this is what it's all coming down to - self pity

It's the ultimate destination of losing scoundrels.

[Lordquinton]

84. So, money and stress

Complaining about Bernie? Just see here and take the advice from hillary supporters:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511036820#post4

[bvf]

87. Hee hee. Yeah, right. n/t

[Sheepshank]

88. Good Job Bernie Supporters The Republicans hate Progressive Media outlets

It's a grand plan to help them out in this manner. There are already so few Lefty outlets, the typical Bernie swarming kills an open voice, just shuts them all down, drown out their ideas and talking points. Way to go!!!!



The Bernie and his supporters way, is not just to drown out the voice, but to belittle, humiliate, intimidate, threaten and call any non Sanders supporter every name under the sun. It's despicable and is confirmed by 90% of the responses on this thread.

[bvf]

90. Sounds more to me like Wolfson's

just not up to the job and needs a scapegoat.

Take heart: I'm sure someone will be along to fill those tiny little shoes.