We are forming a progressive television network. We are in the initial

[saracat]

stages and I would like to find out if any media savvy ,or not, individuals would like to join this effort? I have just gotten involved and we are at the babystage.We are drafting our plans as we speak. The lack of coverage last week was the last straw, and when I got the invitation to particpate in this, I jumped at it.We will need all kinds of help from information from media connected individuals, to ,of course , money. I will let everyone know the details as I find them out, but I would like to know if anyone would be willing to jump on board in any capacity.

[Frances]

1. Good luck

Please keep DU informed about the progress of your work.

[RollergirlVT]

36. Public access TV

Many people are unaware that cable must offer public access channels. Usually you can make appointments to use equipment including cameras, lighting, audio and editing equipment to produce programs for free to be aired on public access channels. If we were to get organized on a national level, different groups in each town could make and plan for programs to be aired in their local area under a nationally identified name, such as PTV for progressive television. It might be an inexpensive way to get your feet wet while you build up experience and membership.

[saracat]

44. We have already done that! But thank you!

An owner of one of those stations is also going to be involved.

[OKthatsIT]

94. Own Public Access?

I thought there was state and federal funding involved? Its owned by the local cable station only?

[DownNotOut]

149. Ummmm

who the fuck ever watches Public access TV? Not a good idea if you want to be taken seriously.


DownNotOut

[Eric J in MN]

2. Is there any way I could help? I run the blog at MoveLeft Media.

http://moveleft.com

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Al Gore

might be interested. :)

[Eric J in MN]

4. Al Gore insists his network won't be political. Then, again...(nt)

nt

[NYCGirl]

6. Al Gore has his own, the former News World International, which is already

in most major markets.

http://www.nwitv.com/

I'm going to miss NWI, especially since Gore and Hyatt's network will not be a news source.

[proud2BlibKansan]

24. I don't think that is shown in my area

never heard of it before

Thanks for the link

[saracat]

11. I don't see anything happening with that. I thought of that too but

it seems to be dead. Also wasn't it to be aimed at young people, sort of high school news?

[NYCGirl]

17. It's not dead. It's debuting this year...which is only a few days old.

Chill.

http://www.indtv.net/index.html

INdTV is an independent media company led by former Vice President Al Gore, entrepreneur Joel Hyatt, and a growing team of industry professionals and young creatives. In May 2004, INdTV acquired a cable network that reaches nearly 20 million homes. In 2005 the company will debut new programming featuring shows shaped by a generation of media creators. INdTV is located in San Francisco.

[katinmn]

40. excellent! I'll look for it.

[femme.democratique]

27. I think Al Gore is being really smart about this whole thing.

He knows where the media is at in this country and that is in large part to blame for the sorry state this nation is in.

Don't think that he is above using this when he knows what peril this country is in. But he has to present it in a non-political context because then the RW would be all over it (then again, maybe thats a GOOD thing, even bad publicity is publicity!!!)...

[Niche]

5. Love to. My partner is a film editor here in LA. Where and when?

I am a screenwriter but will do whatever... let me know. also, heard Al Gore was starting some kind of liberal station... any details on that?

[NYCGirl]

10. No, not liberal. Youth oriented.

http://www.indtv.net/index.html

[SmileMaker]

77. It would be good for some of you to practice by putting together

something before the Coronation that shows the facts and heroes of our election contrasted with the lack of respect for those facts, and democracy itself, that culminated in Congress last week.

I think that putting the sounds and images together with music from the Concert for Change tour together would be awesome. It would also show our values in an entertaining way. I loved the music and I think it could help us all grieve and heal while also educating busy, distracted and brainwashed Americans.

[indigobusiness]

7. Sounds great.

Good luck with that. I wish I could offer some media savvy, but I have very little. If you need creative input, I might be able to contribute. Good, good luck in this. Way cool. Progressive television...is that an oxymoron? What a concept! So much fertile, uncharted ground.

[grasswire]

8. Do you have $200 million?

That's the cost of a broadcast network, according to those who have investigated the possibilities.

[saracat]

13. We know that and we MUST find the money!

[Stevepol]

30. There should be many willing to donate time and expertise for free

or for a pittance. If it's done out of love by the people involved, that figure of $200M I think could be considerably reduced. The real problem is getting the approval to telecast from the FCC and so on. Those in charge don't like competitors. Michael Moore would definitely help out, and you might need his help and that of others to contend w/ the resistance you might run into from the RW.

Also, I've thought a lot about this w/o the slightest hope of ever doing it, and I think you'd easily find enough people nationwide to be "subscribers" to such a network at $25 a month or more. I would and I'm definitely not rich. Figure out what that would be a month if you had a million people, and why wouldn't you be able to get that number eventually? How many active Dems are there in the country? How many Dems are longing to have a TV station w/o the RW bias or the middle of the road pablum that just enables the RW voodoo merchants to flourish. Add to that the advertisements and so on and I don't think it's at all a pipe dream; it's a definite possibility. I'll guarantee you if the Repubs get wind of it, they'll do what they can to de-rail it. But if you keep at it and can pull in some people like Soros to help you, you can do it. Have faith and do it!!!

[Ugnmoose]

63. We can raise it

Saracat I sent you a PM with an idea.

[Carolab]

79. saracat I think you should contact Redford's Sundance Institute

Sundance channel is itself very progressive already...and the Institute is a nonprofit for budding artists/producers, etc. Check it out.

http://institute.sundance.org/jsps/site.jsp?resource=pag_ex_home

[all.of.me]

89. Grants?

There must be grants for this kind of thing. There is a lot of money out there if you look in the right places.

[streamguru]

113. Hasn't anyone read Joe Trippi?

forget TV...forget Broadcast TV.....the internet is the answer...you don't need 200 million...that's ridiculous. You need a concentrated group of proffesionals to go out and produce content on a daily basis. you could do this for 500k....at least to get it off the ground. Over the next 5-10 years....streaming content is going to begin to supercede traditional broadcast distribution, which is where the cost comes in.

[FogerRox]

144. you can expect restrictions on Ploitical free speach on the net very soon

[MsTryska]

151. Sorry the internet is great and all, but we need TV at this point

msot people i know get the majority of their news from TV - or at least use it to corroborate news they may get off the web.

[marc_the_dem]

147. that's it

that shouldn't be too hard to pull together

[marc_the_dem]

148. count me in

I'm a software developer... Anyway I can help....

[T Town Jake]

9. Such a task is not going to be easy...

...but good luck, and hang in there. And keep us updated on how it goes.

[Eric J in MN]

12. Here is info on Al Gore's IndTV

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/1/4/165129/5065

[saracat]

14. Weeel maybe for the kids.

Sounds like news MTV. We want a CNN for progressives.

[Fla Dem]

157. Agree. Those thumbnail descriptions are geared to the MTV Crowd.

We need a good solid news and political analyst channel that adults will watch. Middle agers and seniors. Great idea to seed the next generation with liberal/progressive ideology, but they really won't be a force for another 10-15 years.

[MoonRiver]

15. This would be so wonderful!

I don't know anything about media stuff, but would be happy to contribute some funds once the thing is a go. Does this have anything to do with the rumor I heard that Air America is going to have a t.v. network?

[Eric J in MN]

16. Where did you hear that rumor? (nt)

nt

[MoonRiver]

18. My husband told it to me.

When he gets home I'll ask where he heard it and report back.

[Eric J in MN]

20. Let me know. Feel free to PM me. (nt)

nt

[MoonRiver]

22. Will do.

[Pirate Smile]

I heard Al Franken say that once on his show but Katherine said "Al,

stop that, we aren't doing that" and Al said "But we need to ".

edit to add - He said this after the election.

[housewolf]

59. For a while Franken's show was on the Sundance Channel

This was before the election, they showed it several times a day. Haven't seen it since the election, though.

[Eric J in MN]

85. It's nice that Al Franken is looking into being on tv, again, too (nt)

nt

[anaxarchos]

19. Do you have a business plan?

How much are you looking for on the front end?

[saracat]

23. I have just gotten involved and I assure you I will be asking that

question! I am there more as advisor and a person with on camera experience. But I do know something about business plans as I have a production company!

[Wilms]

35. "Do you have a business plan?" will be asked over and over...

by serious people you'll need.

It's really the first step. My experience has shown that the greatest value of my business's business plan was how it helped me identify the +'s and -'s.

The fact that the investor liked it is icing for the cake I'm baking.

[saracat]

47. You are soooo right.

I am asked that by every investor I have ever talked to! That is why I hope we have a great corporate lawyer!

[jaime_176]

21. This would be soooooooo good. n/t

[steve2470]

25. I have a blog dedicated to the same thing. Let me know if I can

help. Unfortunately, I don't have money, etc. to offer.

[BigBearJohn]

26. Really, how hard could it be for us to raise the money if we all joined in

I think everyone would be surprised at just how much funding we could
come up with we garnered support from all progressive factions of
the internet. Why not put all this steam to good work instead of just
talk. I would donate. If I thought it was a bonafide grass roots, serious endeavor,
I would donate til it hurt... and then maybe some more.
THE MAJOR INFLUENCE * HAS IS THE MEDIA. MEDIA PUSHES EVERYTHING.
WE NEED OUR *OWN* BROADCAST MEDIA

[NYCGirl]

28. Be careful to go through the right legal channels. NT

[saracat]

29. Amen BigBearJohnI

And I won't ask for any donations until I am certain about ALL the aspects of this effort. But we must have media!

[NYCGirl]

33. If you're a "for profit" company (and I assume you would be),

you can't ask for donations — you'd have to seek investors (after your business plan is finished) or go public (filing with the SEC, etc.) and sell shares.

[saracat]

42. True enough. Blue Skies law and all. I am hoping they Have a great lawyer

I have to raise investments for plays I produce and it can be a bitch! So I do know! Thanks for correcting me!

[NYCGirl]

43. I'm a former small business owner, and I know that raising money can be

a bitch, just the paperwork is monumental!

I have no idea, though, will you have to deal with the FCC?

[saracat]

45. Yep! I am just getting involve but I am sure that

the legalities will be enourmous, but nothing ventured nothing gained.

[NYCGirl]

46. We got help with our business plan from a program sponsored by a

local college here in NYC (Pace University) in partnership with the Small Business Administration. You might want to check on resources like that in your area.

Best of luck!
:)

[Gelliebeans]

118. great idea saracat

here is hoping that something comes of this :toast:

[Chili]

31. I was just looking for the thread you started...

...with the ad idea you came up with. I couldn't find it, but I'm glad you found this thread!

[Lurker321]

32. Well let's see - let's say there are 20,000 active DU members...

So if each one of them donated $10,000 such a network would get off the ground.

(Just trying to put in perspective just how much $200M is)

[BigBearJohn]

34. True enough - Still, there are many entertainers who might chip in.

[MoonRiver]

37. $10,000 for each DUer????

Well, count me out. A few hundred MAYBE, but this ole gal ain't made of gold!

[sunnystarr]

76. Dems in the blogosphere will donate but how about asking Teresa?

She has a lot of spunk and this may be a cause she'd love to contribute to. Plus I'm sure she must have a lot of contacts in her address book. In fact why not contact every Dem politician?

[katinmn]

38. It's an excellent idea. So good, in fact, that others may be thinking

the same.

As part of the planning efforts you might want to conduct a search to see if other progressive groups and organizations are looking into a similar effort.

Banding together makes the most sense.

Another thought is to start with an online version, which would be more cost-effective, and then you could prove it's value and effectiveness to potential underwriters or investors. I realize the whole idea is to reach the uninformed who get their news from TV, so the internet version would be the prototype.

Let me know how I can help.

[OKthatsIT]

70. We've been thinking of the same, but had to be realistic

...starting out finding folks in local public access tv - lighting and camera people and equipment. Online access will have to do until big money and more experienced folks join in. At least we can set up Live streaming from most places in New England, for starters.

If we can organize individuals/groups in major cities, with a projected goal of expansion to regions in a few yrs. Actually this could happen much faster if we did have investors and camera people. Finding these people who have the time, want to help save the country, student labor, internships, with a promise of advancement once the organization bares some merit.

I think the idea would catch on quickly...its a great marketing idea.

[katinmn]

119. online access sounds like an excellent first step

and a great way to build a base of support.

Good luck - sounds like you have put some good planning into this.
:thumbsup:

[zapped 1]

39. email me

I can give you my credentials and those whom I have access to.

And I do believe that this cycle's battle cry should be, "It's the Media, stupid!"

[mirrera]

41. Graphic designer here...

I would offer art of any kind, little bits of money, tons of research for story ideas...
As soon as you set up an email list let us know so we can sign up. This is what we need!
Maria
http://MariasArt.com

[EC]

48. Sundance said they were

working on having Al Franken back, because the prior show before election was such a success. I liked it and miss it already. Maybe Robert Redford or George Soros could help...?

As to help, if you need Set Designs, I can help...

[Karenca]

49. I'm not media savvy....But, I can offer

my time (which is ample).
and
my location might help. (NYC) .... Alot of the main offices of various progressive groups are located within walking distance from me.

LMK... :))

[Liberty Belle]

50. I'm a journalist. What help do you need?

I'm an ex-newspaper journalist for a major metropolitan daily.
I'd love to help with any writing needs, editorial content, programming suggestions, promotion, etc.

If you come up with a very solid business plan, I know someone with 527 ties who knows some Democratic donors with deep pockets.

Out of curiosity, do you have a broadcast background? What expertise do you have signed on at this point?

I've been saying for a long time that a liberal version of CNN (or at least an unbiased one) is the most urgent need of our time.
Control of mainstream media by the far right is the biggest threat to our Democracy. That's why I began publishing my own progressive newsletter, the Liberty Belle Log, to tell people the stories our media is suppressing.

"Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost." -- Thomas Jefferson

"The free press is the mother of all our liberties and of our progress under liberty." -- Adlai E. Stevenson

[saracat]

56. I have a background in theater and film as well as television.

I have a theatrical production company and a half interest in an independent film company. I currently do the interviews for a political based television show sponsored by my county Democratic Party.I interviewed every major political figure during this last election cycle and was the only television interview that Theresa Kerry would grant during her visit to my city.
I have produced, along with my partner several documentary films.
I also am involved in the writing and supervision of all our projects.
I have both directed and appeared in more work than I can mention here. I have also done much of the press not only for Democratic events but for my own projects.

[Liberty Belle]

68. Impressive credentials. This sounds promising.

[MsTryska]

152. I have been ranting the same thing for the last few months.

we need a news outlet that understands it's position as the fourth estate. On the list i would float it past Ted Turner as well, who better than he knows how to start a new media channel?

[buddysmellgood]

51. I worked in broadcast for about 8 years. I performed in just about every

role. I work in media relations now. I would love to help.
One of the founders of Air American lives here in Madison and I was thinking of asking him about what it would take to do this.

But think about this. The future is broadband. It would be much less expensive to start a broadcast network on the web. If one newscast per day came out at noon, people would watch it at work. Live shots could be done from any desktop. Cspan and other television feeds are already there.
Why invest in traditional broadcast? By the time it's mature, it will all be on the web.

[iconoclastNYC]

90. Excellent point! I agree.

In the future your TV is going to be hooked up to a TIVO/DVR like box that just downloads video files from the network (eventual roduction company) server using your broadband internet connection.

TV and Cable is going to be on-demand, all the time, downloaded using TCP/IP and faster than you probably imagine. The technology is already here in the high speed broadband we have available today.

There is a big profit motive to have the production companies to free themselves from the cable and boadcast network middlemen.

Build the best network you can now with Internet distribution. When you have a good product and audience you might be able to additional funding to put it on a cable network but you might not even need to do that depending how long it takes you to get to that point.

Just imagine how many peopel got satellite radio to get Air America Radio.

[buddysmellgood]

106. It also makes it easier to generate money from the viewer. We could allow

snippets or briefs to be viewed but then use a Salon-type approach. Want to watch more? View this ad for a day pass or subscribe.

[Smoochie]

101. Future is Broadband - AGREED!

Many, like me, gave up on TV years ago and use our pcs to get information. I've followed this whole election debacle from the UK using CSpan, AirAmericaRadio, Video clips from many sources including DU and Michael Moore's site. At the very least, go for a quick start using the web, and start building your momentum from there! Once the momentum is going, then you can expand onto TV if it seems like it's still worthwhile ...

Good Luck with this incredibly important project!!

[streamguru]

114. exactly

you speak da truth......the future is streaming....the wheels are already in motion.

[lonestarnot]

52. Woohoo! This GREAT news.

We need to call it Khephra.

:-(

[helderheid]

53. have you checked out 2 TV stations that already exist?

http://www.freespeech.org and http://linktv.org/ ?

The first is on Dish Network channel 9415

The second is on Dish Network channel 9410 and on Direct TV 375

Perhaps rather than starting a new one, joining efforts with these 2 existing ones. My favorite of the 2 is Link TV.

[saracat]

57. I didn't know about those. Thank you for sharing!

[helderheid]

60. You bet!

They have terrific documentaries (especially Link TV) including "Hijacking Catastrophe" http://www.hijackingcatastrophe.org/

They also have a show called "Mosiac" which are daily news broadcasts from the middle east with English translations, and also "Journal" which is an English news report out of Germany - that's on a couple times a day as well.

They can always use donations as well!

http://linktv.org/about/contribute.php3

[helderheid]

61. just a taste

here is the schedule today for Link:

Daily Program Schedule Programming Schedule for Sunday, January 9, 2005

Showing today on Link TV
12:00 - 1:00 Mayor of the West Side
1:00 - 2:00 Calling the Ghosts
2:00 - 3:00 Hingitaq - The Outcasts
3:00 - 4:00 Iranian Journey
4:00 - 4:30 World Music Videos
4:30 - 5:00 World Music Videos
5:00 - 6:00 Hijacking Catastrophe
6:00 - 7:00 Mayor of the West Side
7:00 - 8:00 Calling the Ghosts
8:00 - 9:00 Hingitaq - The Outcasts
9:00 - 10:00 Iranian Journey
10:00 - 10:30 World Music Videos
10:30 - 11:00 World Music Videos
11:00 - 12:00 Hijacking Catastrophe
12:00 - 1:00 Mayor of the West Side
1:00 - 2:00 Calling the Ghosts
2:00 - 3:00 Hingitaq - The Outcasts
3:00 - 4:00 Iranian Journey
4:00 - 4:30 World Music Videos
4:30 - 5:00 World Music Videos
5:00 - 6:00 Hijacking Catastrophe
6:00 - 7:00 Mayor of the West Side
7:00 - 8:00 Home Sweet Home
8:00 - 9:00 War Spin
9:00 - 10:00 Night of Long Shadows: Mari Boine
10:00 - 11:00 Arranged Marriages
11:00 - 12:00 The Road to Europe


And for Free Speech TV:

TV Schedule for Jan 9, 2005

Time Date Title Rating
06:00:20 pm EST 01/09 Blacked Out Media #29 TVPG
Alternative news media and experimental showcase for creative works that reject the homogeneity of mainstream media and culture as a whole.
06:30:10 pm EST 01/09 Enviro Close-Up #584: Science and Environmental Health TVPG
Carolyn Raffensberger, executive director of the Science and Environmental Health Network,speaks about protection of the environment and public health
07:00:15 pm EST 01/09 Keynote: Percy Schmeiser & Fred Kirschenmann TVPG
Percy Schmeiser and Fred Kirschenmann discuss changes in agriculture and the future of food.
08:00:20 pm EST 01/09 6000 A Day TVPG
Reveals how the world's top decision makers knowingly failed to prevent the spread of the AIDS.
09:00:00 pm EST 01/09 The Road of Women: Voices of Irish Women Political Prisoners TVPG
The story of a people’s ongoing struggle for self-determination - as told by the women who been actively involved in the Northern Irish conflict.
10:00:20 pm EST 01/09 6000 A Day TVPG
Reveals how the world's top decision makers knowingly failed to prevent the spread of the AIDS.
11:00:00 pm EST 01/09 The Road of Women: Voices of Irish Women Political Prisoners TVPG
The story of a people’s ongoing struggle for self-determination - as told by the women who been actively involved in the Northern Irish conflict.
12:00:00 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #15 (Part 1 of 3) TV14
Married With The Chill On: . . . Dating Girl in Fortification
12:12:35 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #15 (Part 2 of 3) TV14
Married With The Chill On: . . . Dating Girl in Fortification
12:21:20 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #15 (Part 3 of 3) TV14
Married With The Chill On: . . . Dating Girl in Fortification
12:30:00 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #16 (Part 1 of 3) TV14
Fondle With Care: Foreplay fun . . . Dating Girl in Foreplay by Play
12:42:35 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #16 (Part 2 of 3) TV14
Fondle With Care: Foreplay fun . . . Dating Girl in Foreplay by Play
12:50:20 am EST 01/10 My Messy Bedroom #16 (Part 3 of 3) TV14
Fondle With Care: Foreplay fun . . . Dating Girl in Foreplay by Play
01:00:20 am EST 01/10 Positive Spin #71 TVPG
The panelists from the Alternatives to War Panel at the San Francisco UN Reform Conference; and an interview with Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now.
01:28:40 am EST 01/10 Rising Up - Episode 9 TVPG
Camp Harmony; Cop Spies on Peace Fresno; Peace Leader Arrested; We Give Bush the Nose; Two Fathers Speak of Their Sons' Deaths in Iraq
02:00:20 am EST 01/10 Heroines:The Photographic Obsession of Lincoln Clarkes TV14
"Heroines" is an immersion into the world of Lincoln Clarkes and his photographic obsession with addicted women of the street.
03:04:55 am EST 01/10 Don’t Be Slow TVG
Focuses on what motivates two young Belarusians to join opposing youth movements.
04:00:15 am EST 01/10 Keynote: Van Jones & Judy Baca TVPG
Van Jones and Judy Baca discuss social justice and environmental protection.
05:00:20 am EST 01/10 Positive Spin #71 TVPG
The panelists from the Alternatives to War Panel at the San Francisco UN Reform Conference; and an interview with Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now.
05:28:40 am EST 01/10 Rising Up - Episode 9 TVPG
Camp Harmony; Cop Spies on Peace Fresno; Peace Leader Arrested; We Give Bush the Nose; Two Fathers Speak of Their Sons' Deaths in Iraq
06:00:20 am EST 01/10 Heroines:The Photographic Obsession of Lincoln Clarkes TV14
"Heroines" is an immersion into the world of Lincoln Clarkes and his photographic obsession with addicted women of the street.
07:04:55 am EST 01/10 Don’t Be Slow TVG
Focuses on what motivates two young Belarusians to join opposing youth movements.
08:00:00 am EST 01/10 Democracy Now! © TV14
FSTV's daily news and analysis program from DCTV in New York City
09:00:20 am EST 01/10 Heroines:The Photographic Obsession of Lincoln Clarkes TV14
"Heroines" is an immersion into the world of Lincoln Clarkes and his photographic obsession with addicted women of the street.
10:04:55 am EST 01/10 Don’t Be Slow TVG
Focuses on what motivates two young Belarusians to join opposing youth movements.
11:00:15 am EST 01/10 Keynote: Van Jones & Judy Baca TVPG
Van Jones and Judy Baca discuss social justice and environmental protection.
12:00:00 pm EST 01/10 Democracy Now! © TV14
FSTV's daily news and analysis program from DCTV in New York City
01:00:20 pm EST 01/10 Heroines:The Photographic Obsession of Lincoln Clarkes TV14
"Heroines" is an immersion into the world of Lincoln Clarkes and his photographic obsession with addicted women of the street.
02:04:55 pm EST 01/10 Don’t Be Slow TVG
Focuses on what motivates two young Belarusians to join opposing youth movements.
03:00:20 pm EST 01/10 Gay USA #94 TVPG
Weekly news program devoted to in-depth coverage of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues.
04:00:20 pm EST 01/10 Heroines:The Photographic Obsession of Lincoln Clarkes TV14
"Heroines" is an immersion into the world of Lincoln Clarkes and his photographic obsession with addicted women of the street.
05:04:55 pm EST 01/10 Don’t Be Slow TVG
Focuses on what motivates two young Belarusians to join opposing youth movements.

[saracat]

67. Uhh! isn't there porn mixed in there?

[helderheid]

80. no

just poorly chosen words

[buddysmellgood]

109. An excellent idea! How better to immediately capture a large audience.

We could partner with The Naked News. (kidding)

[lonestarnot]

124. No dish

[frictionlessO]

54. count me the hell in! donations, fundraising, art, cheerleading

whatever! Im there!

Contact me however you like!

[shadowknows69]

55. absolutely

my resume in a nutshell. 7+ years in radio. On-air and production/sales. Currently run my own ad agency/production company. 2 years of journalism in college and a passion for the institution of journalism. I consider myself a pretty creative person and an adept video/audio editor. By all means IM me and lets chat.

[New Earth]

58. i'm good at a few things

i can be of some help in some way. if i'm needed, let me know.....try to find out what kind of stuff they need help with. this is great!

[DearAbby]

62. Wonderful Idea.

Kick this thread

[whometense]

64. just wonderful, saracat.

I wish you the best of luck. I think it's exactly what is needed.

[Eye_on_prize]

65. What about linking up with DemocracyNow folks. they've got some

stuff already in place and are on same beam.

[OKthatsIT]

92. I emailed them about this 'join forces' concept, got no reply

So, if anyone wants to approach them in the future, I think having more on our plate is needed to attract them. And because I did not get a reply, it led me to believe they can't offer extras and are understafffed.

I asked them what their future plans were regarding more Live coverage and more access to local coverage throughout the country. I wanted to discuss this with someone because what happened in Ohio was so important and we needed Live coverage, streaming the rallies and town hall meeting. There were so many projects that should have been video documented and could have been if a camera crew was on standby during those 2 months in Ohio(FL, NM, WA, NC, IN).

[helderheid]

93. they are on

Link TV and FreeSpeech TV

[brindis_desala]

66. Why not get a huge petition and approach George Soros

Air America has proven liberal media has an audience. Get a business plan and talk to progressives on Madison Ave so they can steer you to the right demographic. Sean Coombs, Enimen, Spike Lee and Michael Moore come instantly to mind. These are insiders looking for $$'s.

[earth mom]

73. This is the best "news" I've heard all week

No pun intended...LOL!

I was thinking of the exact same people listed in the above post. As well as Oprah, Streisand, Saranden, Hanks-my gawd just about all of Hollywood. I think there would be major interest and support since so many people wanted * out of office in the absolute worst way. This really sounds like just the ticket to make it happen! :bounce:

[rdmccur]

69. Might be worth contacting

Link TV. (Satellite, cable)
They may even be interested in helping the cause (they are progressive).
I get the channel. If you're interested I'll try to get some contact info.

[steve2470]

71. kick nt

[helderheid]

96. they are here

www.linktv.org

[steve2470]

72. we really need to keep this thread KICKED nt

[In Truth We Trust]

74. Put me down as a writer/reporter/sales/researcher/whatever I can do

and let me know!!!

I have been waiting SSSOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long for this to happen!
Voice in the Wilderness Broadcasting, Yahoo

[Twist_U_Up]

75. Get with MM He is the People Choice

bwahahaha isn`t that kewl

[lieslswetdress]

78. i want to help

i've been waiting to hear of someone starting a progressive TV network like Air America has done with radio--i would love to help.

i've been a media analyst for the last ten years & have worked in TV/cable/satellite. i've worked on market research, getting distribution & funding. i know lots of people in the industry at all these levels.

you can see i've not posted before, so i'm not sure how to do the whole pm thing. i guess pm me? or you can just email me at [e-mail].

Antonette Goroch

[buddysmellgood]

110. You are most welcome to DU. I predict your skill will be very

important to this effort.

[rumpel]

81. Let me know if I can help. I've been doing production for many years,

crew I have in abundance,money sources I don't. But I do know which investment firms are interested in media companies.

p.s.

once the biz plan is done I can submit it to some International sources, mainly Japan.

[Amaryllis]

82. What about the Air America founders?

[Eric J in MN]

83. What suggestions would you want to give them re TV? (nt)

nt

[low_phreaq]

86. Air America ties to Madison, WI

Madison's Kellys back new radio network
http://www.madison.com/wisconsinstatejournal/biz/70920.php

It briefly touches on Air America's business strategy.

[buddysmellgood]

107. This is what I was thinking. I'm in Madison and worked in the market here.

I was thinking about approaching Kelly to discuss this. But I think it needs to be more thought through before I do that. Kelly makes his money through weather systems for newsrooms. He is a visionary and I imagine he sees the shift of news to the web and is already planning for his company to make money in that environment. If it isn't already.

[Eric J in MN]

84. On-air personality suggestions.

1) Bill Clinton
2) Tim Robbins
3) Bill Moyers

[mollyd]

103. more online personalities

Lawrence O'Donnell, the only one on MSM with enough guts to call the swiftboat liars ...liars to their face.

[pacalo]

87. This is wonderful, wonderful news!

How about asking both George Soros and Ted Turner to get involved?

Btw, here's an article written by Ted Turner from last summer, "My Beef with Big Media":

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0407.turner.html

Excerpt:

A few media conglomerates now exercise a near-monopoly over television news. There is always a risk that news organizations can emphasize or ignore stories to serve their corporate purpose. But the risk is far greater when there are no independent competitors to air the side of the story the corporation wants to ignore.

[OKthatsIT]

88. Flash animator, Powerpoint, tutorial presentations, streaming media

I do web marketing as well, though I'd rather not do this work. I will consult if needed.

[SmileMaker]

91. Sheldon Drobny - 4th Estate Foundation

Sheldon Drobny - a venture capitalist with Air America is putting together a group called the fourth estate foundation to build a progressive media infrastructure beginning with funding investigative journalists. Read and listen here to an interview he did with Mike Malloy some weeks ago.
http://www.moveleft.com/moveleft_essay_2004_12_13_mike_malloy_interviews_sheldon_drobny_of_air_america.asp

Maybe Michael Moore could help such an endeavor happen? He is, after all the 'people's choice' best movie award winner. There is an obvious hunger for the truths he tells.

GNN did an excellent Eminem video. I mentioned in an earlier post that it would be awesome for some of you experts to put together sounds and images from the whole election that culminates with contrasting quotes in Congress and the streets from 1/6.

[melissinha]

95. Commercials and Hollywood

I mean... not that I like commercials... but wouldn't it be nice to watch commercials for progressive pro-environment products and services? So you know what's good to buy? I always wonder if I am contributing to the coffers of some company that is polluting the air , water and land.... You know... anything that is advertised can be trusted? That would be quite helpful.. you know.. like Honda .. spreading the word about the Hybrid.... having a movement like this if the station or whatever you want to call it.... were to be successfull it would promote environmental responsibility...

Though I have a communications major.. not so skilled in production.... but willing to learn and can lend my translating skills if necessary... (Spanish an Portuguese)

WE HAVE HOLLYWOOD
Although the repukes like to diffuse the power of Hollywood.. we have Hollywood too.. and there are SO MANY Democrats in Hollywood as well as our friend Steve Jobs of Apple...

[helderheid]

98. yes

Ads from Costco, ads from organic farmers, etc., etc - love it.

[garybeck]

97. suggestion - talk to the AAR people n/t

[electropop]

99. I work in DC

I could video special events.

Also, I am pretty good at writing rants. ;-)

[johnaries]

100. I sent an email to the Music Row Democrats...

here in Nashville, with the link to your post. I also posted the link on the Tennessee forum. Sure, they deal mostly with radio, but They also have video and TV contacts. I hope someone responds.

Have you thought about a joint venture with Al Gore's network?

Good Luck! We NEED it! (the network and the luck!) :-)

[sportndandy]

102. sportndandy is in. add my name to the list.

I always wanted to be a media mogul. Well, I really always wanted to eat a 96oz steak in less then an hour, but I became a vegetarian so this is the next best thing.

[demo dutch]

104. See if you can get Phil Donahue involved! He was fired from MSNBC

for his antiwar statements on his talk show. Heard recently on Airamericaradio in an interview with his wife, that he has been crushed about the lack of freedom of speech on the networks. When asked if he would be pursuing anything in the future, his wife "I hope so!"

[Karenca]

127. tucker carlson is replacing

norville.
I don't kmow her political leaning, cause I only watch KO on MSNBC,
but I heard they refused to renew her contract.

[demo dutch]

131. I see him on PBS sometimes, Not sure what PBS is thinking!!

[mordarlar]

105. My uncle has worked at a local news station for 20 some years.

I will mention it to him.

[Vidar]

108. Wonderful idea, saracat.

[streamguru]

111. Stream it baby

Saracat.....I have a company which specializes in Streaming media and Video production....ton's of bandwidth, which you are going to need and the know how to help you. let me know if you need help.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

112. Why not take over one already in existence?

Why re-invent the wheel?

[helderheid]

116. I agree with you

I am concerned that those here weren't even aware of Link TV and Free Speech TV - that says to me how hard it is to promote a station. Since they are already doing what is being proposed here, I would say the thing to do is throw our money at Link and FSTV - enough that they can be promoted enough to not be a secret any longer.

Donate to Link: http://linktv.org/about/contribute.php3

Donate to FSTV: http://www.freespeech.org/fsitv/html/emergencyfund.shtml

[rainy]

115. Count me in. I ran for office in VA and have some media

connections. I can hold press conferences to launch the program etc.

[Stephanie]

117. Who here remembers the times this has been tried before at DU?

There was the time with Fredda, which I avoided knowing her history, where some fundraising happened but not much else. Whatever happened to that money, I wonder?

And there was the one after that where a big, unnavigable web forum was set up for everyone to join in and post their ideas. Can't remember the name of the site. Mayatec? Anything ever come of that one?

[KamaAina]

165. It was Mayetic. I still get emails from them!

even though the World News Trust went inactive after a month or so.

Oddly enough, ringleader Tace has reappeared at DU just within the last week or two. (cue Twilight Zone theme).

[noamnety]

120. Maybe those four CBS folks would be interested

If I believed in fate, I'd be looking at the timing of this post and their job situation. They obviously have experience; it might be worth a few emails or phone calls.

[Karenca]

128. That's a wonderful idea!! ... nt

[SmileMaker]

121. I heard back from Sheldon Drobny - he wants to hear from some of you

I sent Sheldon this thread to the same address that he put in the bottom of an OpEdNews.com piece he wrote right after election (11/09/04). I also cc'd it to Thom Hartmann (who Sheldon knows and respects a lot, also a media visionary). As always, both of them sent me short replies with good news. Both are interested in discussing what you all are planning.

Saracat, I'm a newbie. Not sure I can pm you. I'm racing out of work to get my daughter. Please pm me. Sheldon and Thom gave me phone numbers to contact them about this. They are all eager to join in the dialogue. I don't think it's wise to put phone numbers up here but, here is his e-mail address. He said he was away and his assistant would be in, but I don't want to make her info public as he only published his on opednews.com when he wrote that article.

Sheldon Drobny is CPA and Venture Capitalist and co-founder of Air America Radio; email at [e-mail]


Votergate 2004; We Don't Need Paper to Prove Fraud, But We Do Need Money and Leadership, NOW.

BY SHELDON DROBNY

http://www.opednews.com/drobny_110904_election_investigation.htm

Since last Tuesday there has been a justifiable uproar about the major differences between the exit polls in Ohio and Florida and the actual results. Democrats and Republicans, who both saw the same exit polls that showed an electoral landslide in favor of Kerry, have confirmed this. Investigative reporter Bob Parry confirmed from his sources that the Bush campaign was convinced they were going to lose. George H. W. Bush also confirmed this in an interview with The Today Show. So why have the exit polls been so wrong in the last two elections? It is clear that there must have been manipulation in the voting machines.
While there's been a lot of talk of problems with not having paper trails, computer fraud is uncovered most of the time without paper trails.

As a former C.P.A and auditor, I have used statistical sampling throughout my career with great confidence. With electronic record keeping, it's easy to create a program to falsify the books. But there are ways to uncover that. Auditors have developed statistical ways to cut right through corruption in companies. You don't even need a paper trail. These statistical approaches can be used with almost 100% accuracy to uncover fraud.

With the votergate 2004 it's a numbers game just like it is with corporate accounting, even easier. All you're talking about is one number-- total votes for each candidate.

There's a huge difference between polling what WILL happen and polling something that has already happened. The reliability of polling something that has already happened is highly reliable vs. predictive polls, like Gallup or Zogby, which is very risky. The reliability can be, not plus or minus 4 percent as we see with predictive poplls, but rather a much more reliable plus or minus one half or one tenth of one percent with exit polls, because those are based on asking people who already voted. I would even say that if the exit polling were done in the key precincts of Florida and Ohio, which it was, then these results should be practically “bullet proof.”

It is important that people know how accurate random sampling of historical events can be in order for them to understand how unlikely it is that the exit polls were wrong. So if you want to fight the battle correctly, you must get more statisticians and forensic accountants involved as well as the lawyers. These statisticians can show with great credibility the probability of manipulation within the computer programs used for counting the ballots. They do this kind of work all the time to uncover fraud based upon computer manipulation in commercial and corporate activities. And these types of expert analyses are admissible in a court of law.

... Leadership and funding-- these are the two real challenges that must be dealt with in the coming days.

We have a Watergate story here that could give the media a post election explosive news story that could make the 2000 Florida vote debacle look like small potatoes. We need to get the media to see that votergate 2004 is huge news and we need to quickly fund the investigation and get Democratic leaders behind it.

Sheldon Drobny is CPA and Venture Capitalist and co-founder of Air America Radio; email at [e-mail]

[steve2470]

122. kick nt

[SmileMaker]

123. Yes! Keep kicked

[steve2470]

125. kick nt

[SmileMaker]

126. Kick

[Depth03]

129. Post production facility here...

Location production and linked audio post with delivery..

Please IM

[suffragette]

130. Be glad to help with writing and proofreading n/t

[PinkPantherChick]

132. I'm a published author and you can count me in to help with

writing, proofreading, interviewing, etc.

[GoSolar]

133. Great idea!

We would like to help.
Computer and writing skills.

[SmileMaker]

134. ick

[buddysmellgood]

135. kick

kick

[ourbluenation]

136. Hello? What about Democracy Now!!!!

Why don't we put our energy into helping this wonderful channel expand and be made available to more people. It's better than starting from scratch dontcha think?

JTT

[SmileMaker]

137. kick

[helderheid]

143. Yes I'll say it again

Democracy Now! Is available on 2 EXISTING LIBERAL STATIONS:

www.linktv.org Dish channel 9410 or Direct TV 375

www.freespeechtv.org Dish channel 9415

[GWisaCrackHead]

138. Forget Network Broadcast - Target With FTA Free To Air Satellite

Oy! I would suggest that saracat and others would forget about using network television to broadcast --- I believe that it would be more cost efficient to instead harness limited financial and human resources toward creating programming for targeted audiences via FTA (free-to-air) satellite transmission. The key here is getting your national and state parties to commit to the FTA idea:

Here are several advantages that FTA satellite transmission could offer to political-minded groups:

• national or state party organizations could utilize FTA to effectively provide local training (e.g. poll judges, election, officials, campaign management, registering new voters) to party members across the nation;
  
• county campaign offices outfitted with FTA nad television sets could invite the voting public to view undiluted campaign programming;
  
• you can leap-frog around the cost for traditional capital and programming expenses associated with a nationwide network of television broadcasting stations across the United States with FTA satellite programming by focusing on programming and satellite transmission of the signal <b>directly</b> to the targeted audiences;
  
• FTA accomodates digital. high-definition TV and audio signals are are good to go for today's modern HD televsion sets and HD ready monitors;
  
• complete FTA satellite receiver systems (dish, FTA receivers, etc.) are relatively inexpensive (starting around $200.00 in the U.S.) and require the consumer to pay no additional subscription fees;
  
• computers can be upgraded with FTA cards and receivers.
  

I am also including a few specific FTA links if anyone else here would like some addition info:

Free TV from United States - LyngSat



Signal Hill Trading Company



Sadoun Satellite Receivers



SatTech - Satellite Info for all!

[Peace Patriot]

139. FANTASTIC IDEA! SO GREAT TO SEE IT HAPPENING--and RIGHT HERE!

Something I've always wanted to see on TV:

AN OLD WHITE HAIRED WISE GRANDMOTHER DELIVERING THE NEWS!

I'm so sick of these slick models on TV with their hairdos and ghoulish red smiles. Gawd!

I want to see wrinkles! I want to see experience! I want to see cumulative intelligence from a long, full life! I want to see a News Grandmother give Bush a tongue-lashing!

You get the picture. No makeup. No polish. No "news logos" ("Operation Iraqi Freedom"-keee-riste!). REAL people, working class people, old people, kids, maybe reading right off the news wires--NO MANAGED NEWS! NO EDITING!--puzzling it all out, questioning it right on the air, taking info call-ins, running blogs on screen, checking BBC and Reuters and Al Jazeera, calling people in gov't, and LOTS of alternative reports, what REAL people are doing and thinking in REAL LIVES, what ACTIVISTS are doing, what GOOD PEOPLE are doing. The anti-corporate news of the day. The conspiracy news of the day.

Lord, I'm so sick of the "news" as it is.

______________

The Plain News

The Unvarnished Truth

News You Can Knit To

Granny D Living News

The Unhappy News

The "You're All Gonna Die Some Day" News

The Government Lies and Latest Catastrophies News

The Laundry Room News

The Poor Peoples' News

The Working People News

The Bottom of the Ladder News

The Trickle Down News

The Sickening News

The Real Liberal Media

The Left News

(boy, am I on a roll here...)

---------

Writer. Journalist. Video producer. Song writer. Novelist. Civil rights and antiwar activist ('60s). Environmental and antiwar activist ('90-00's). Mother. English teacher. Innkeeper. Among other things.

Reporting for duty.

[Peace Patriot]

142. More news shows

The Prince and the Pauper News

(news stories are typically from the angle of rich&powerful--give the story straight, then put the spin of the poor on it)
(f.i., Alberto Gonzalez hearing--interview tortured prisoners or their lawyer)


The Stolen Election News

(the news and then what the news would be if Kerry were president)
(f.i., car bomb in Iraq 10 dead--if Kerry were president, car bomber never would have been a car bomber, but would have been compensated for US bombing of his home and killing of his family, and would now have a business and be newly married)
(or, f.i., what Dick Cheney's million a year from Halliburton could have been used for)
(or, f.i., current cost of gas & cost of war vs. 10 year alternative energy plan)


People to People News

(tell a news wire story to a Guatemalan hotel maid and ask her opinion of it)
(...or pre-school teacher, or taxi driver, or postal worker...)
(all typical "news" stories vetted this way by real folks)


The Real Christian News

(oh boy...stir up a hornet's nest)


Counting the Votes

(a daily feature with a colored map of the United States, the colors showing the degree to which your vote is counted)
(track each state's progress toward democracy, daily report on status of election rules, one state at a time: how your vote is "counted," do BushCons own the source code?, verified paper ballot?, interviews of activists and election officials; plus special features on the outrages of 2004...Ohio, Florida, New Mexico...)


The Global Pirate News

(The story of a Gap T-shirt from the polluted cotton fields of Uzbekistan across the ocean in a gas guzzling tanker to the sweatshops of Saipan, to the Oakland docks, to the body of an American consumer who can't find a job...that sort of thing...what Bechtel did today for world peace...)


The Off the Grid News

(stories of people who have made themselves independent of corporate control in some way: Inglewood's successful fight against WalMart; easy alternative energy conversions; local organic food growers & sellers, and people with vegetable gardens; minimalist life style; shopping at Goodwill; walking (how to be healthy and not to kill Arabs for their oil))


The George Bush Invasion News

(Direct interviews by phone or live streaming video, and developed news stories, re: Iran, Syria, North Korea, Venezuela, Haiti, and of course Iraq--real people and the real story in despised lands...this news show should feature a globe of the world and geographic info)


Comparative Empires News

(At this date in history, Julius Caesar invaded Britain. How does that compare to George Bush's invasion of Iraq as to the numbers of dead, and acreage and resources added to the empire? Comparative maps of the Roman Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, the conquests of Genghis Khan, the Caliphate, Napoleon's conquests, the British Empire, Hitler's conquests, Soviet Russia/China & communist satellites, and the U.S. in 21st century. Who has the biggest empire?


(Saracat--These are free ideas. Use them freely. Or I can help develop them.)

[MsTryska]

154. My Input - i'd actually made a thread on it....

just call it "The 4th Estate"


need a motto - how about the first amendment?

[Amaryllis]

140. George Soros! Check out this UK paper article on what he is doing:

Figures it would be in a UK paper and not in US media. So surprised.

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/c0e45a86-6408-11d9-b0ed-00000e2511c8.html

Published on Wednesday, January 12, 2005 by the Financial Times/UK
Soros Group Raises Stakes in Battle with US Neo-Cons
by James Harding in Washington

A group of billionaire philanthropists are to donate tens of millions more dollars to develop progressive political ideas in the US in an effort to counter the conservative ascendancy.

George Soros, who made his fortune in the hedge fund industry; Herb and Marion Sandler, the California couple who own a multi-billion-dollar savings and loan business; and Peter Lewis, the chairman of an Ohio insurance company, donated more than $63m (£34m) in the 2004 election cycle to organizations seeking to defeat George W. Bush.

At a meeting in San Francisco last month, the left-leaning billionaires agreed to commit an even larger sum over a longer period to building institutions to foster progressive ideas and people.

Far from being disillusioned by the defeat of John Kerry, the Democratic presidential candidate, the billionaires have resolved to invest further in the intellectual future of the left, one person involved said.

Their commitment to provide new money comes amid criticism of the efforts of high-profile donors such as the Hungarian-born Mr Soros to sway US politics as well as doubts about the effectiveness of record funding in helping the Democratic cause in 2004.

The details of the San Francisco meeting are closely held. Mr Soros and his son Jonathan, the Sandlers and Mr Lewis asked aides to leave the room as they discussed the planned financial commitment.

But the still-evolving plan, according to one person involved, is “joint investment to build intellectual infrastructure”.

The intention is to provide the left with organizations in Washington that can match the heft of the rightwing think-tanks such as Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. At a state level, the aim is to build what one person called a “deeper progressive bench”.

The sums involved are the subject of speculation: one person said he had heard a commitment to spend more than $100m over 15 years, another said at least $25m over five years. Several people said their understanding was that the billionaires had decided to spend more, rather than less, than they did in 2004.

Mr Soros donated $27m, the Sandlers $13m and Mr Lewis $23m to so-called 527 groups privately-funded political organizations during the 2004 campaign, according to PoliticalMoneyLine, the campaign finance tracking service.

Stephen Bing, a film producer and heir to a real estate fortune who donated $13m, is also expected to be involved in the investment in progressive infrastructure.

Andrew Stern, who is president of the Service Employees International Union, has been working to include organized labor in the initiative.

Leftwing policy experts have already got wind of the new funds. One former aide to Mr Kerry said there had been talks with the Center for American Progress about making permanent the network of foreign policy experts established by Democrats in the 2004 campaign. He said he had been told: “Money is not a problem.”

© Copyright The Financial Times Ltd 2005

[Bill Bored]

141. Consider LPTV too!

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

FACT SHEET

November 2001

LOW POWER TELEVISION (LPTV)

INTRODUCTION

The Low Power Television Service (LPTV) was established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in 1982 to provide opportunities for television service for locally-created and community-oriented programming in both rural locations and individual communities within larger urban areas.

LPTV service presents a less expensive and flexible means of delivering programming tailored to the interests and self-expression of viewers. LPTV has created opportunities for entry into television broadcasting and it has permitted fuller use of the broadcast spectrum. The FCC imposed few regulatory barriers to obtaining and operating LPTV stations. LPTV station operators are free to buy or create program material, subject only to copyright protection and other statutory requirements.



<http://www.fcc.gov/mb/video/files/LPTVFactSheet.html>

[bigtom]

145. SIGN ME UP!

I am an editer with 15 years in TV. I will do anything I can for something like this!!!!

[The Traveler]

146. Enterprise Java developer here

Also have some investigative skills. Let me know if I can help. Check your PM for email address.

Rob

[KamaAina]

150. Who says you need 200 mil? I'll be your pundit for $240,000!

Oops, I blew my cover. I'm really Armstrong Williams </sarcasm>

Seriously, although my hands-on experience consists of some non-commercial college radio and a short-lived online news source, I'm what we'd call a "media maven" back in NYC (where I am still not without contacts: indie filmmaker, community TV production guy, etc.).

How about an overnight show from here (where it'd still be only 8 o'clock or so)? Every few weeks, I get together with this kind of DINO guy (whose daughter, I might add, is as progressive as we are and has a REALLY nice delivery: she could convince Bush** himself of the error of his ways!) and we have sort of like Crossfire, only with spaghetti.

In the words of Aragorn when he met the Company in Bree: "I might prove useful."

[KamaAina]

155. What was I thinking? My main gig is research

There's no telling what I could ferret out given access to serious research tools like Lexis/Nexis. The problem with the Web is that the signal-to-noise ratio is rather low; that is, there's a lot of garbage out there.

Need background on the country or region where the news is happening? Give me the word and you'll have it by the next half-hour news cycle! Want to dig up some dirt on the Repuke Crook of the Day? I'm your man!

Oh yes, if the network is to be based in NYC, do note that CNN recently moved into the AOL Time Warner Center; it is unclear what became of their old diggings at Penn Plaza, if you receive my drift...

[noshenanigans]

153. I'll help- I have Production experience, if you need it..

I've done live tv (studio direction), and taped (both film and television) production. Most of my experience has been on small films and sitcoms, but I'd love to be a part in any way I can.

[KamaAina]

156. What will be the ratio of hard news to punditry?

You mention "a CNN for progressives". Do you envision something more like the Ted Turner-era CNN (mostly hard news) or the present-day one (lots of analysis, only without the reich-wing blowhards)?

[FizzFuzz]

158. Wonderful!! Looking forward to updates.

Need expert Sign Language Interpreting--News, Lectures, Music, Comedy? LOL! Well, showing the public that we Liberals/Progressives respect access rights is good, and people like to see it because it's pretty. Plus the goodwill it generates in the Deaf community, and the hearing community too, is a positive. Not to mention, having a very skilled interpreter tells the Deaf community that you care ;)

That and outstanding spelling skills are what I can offer. :D

I'm in NY State though..don't know where you are. If you wanted to find interpreters in your area, I could find info for you.

[ChiciB1]

159. I Wondered Where You Went

I would love to stay in touch. Looks like you're getting some good feed-back. The Teresa idea sounds good, but aren't we being presumptuous???

I KNOW there's money and there's money. But unfortunately it's what's needed. I don't have much, but would love to help in any way I can.

[steve2470]

160. kick nt

[RandomKoolzip]

161. Absolutely!

Count me in, whether it be monetary contributions or volunteer work, etc. If there's going to be any action on this in the Chicago area, lemme know. I'll take time off from my job to make this happen.

[porkrind]

162. Why not extend DU to DUTV? It's the best blog on the "internets"

Maybe start with a streaming internet news show, build up some documentary content, and then go to a cable channel?

[Az]

163. If you need any computing expertise

Lemme know. I am a recently out of work Systems Administrator. Lost my job the day before election (along with 350 others).

[steve2470]

164. kick nt