Air America Radio obviously in huge trouble

[DemNoir]

A commercial radio network asking for donations? They must be very desperate to do something this tacky.

Who on earth would donate to a radio network that runs commercials?

[Lex]

1. People would donate who would want to help it get established

in the markets.

[Cattledog]

5. Donating is money well spent! Link

https://secure.airamericaradio.com/

[Zinfandel]

125. I DONATED!!! And will continue to donate-I want the ONLY liberal radio

network, (Air America Radio), coast to coast, border to border, to grow and grow...What do I care about a few bucks, if it's going to help spread the word about republican lies, a counter to republican talk radio that's polluting our airwaves across the country 24/7 and to have a forum for liberal ideas as on AAR...

I've always wanted to find a way to donate to AAR... Cafe Press just soaks up the money for that overpriced shit and only a small percentage goes to AAR...This is great... I'm happy to donate!!!

Together, with my few bucks and with your few bucks it WILL truly make a huge difference!!!

HELP & SUPPORT AAR--- LISTEN, SUPPORT THEIR SPONSORS AND DONATE!

www.airamericaradio.com

:bounce:

[SlipperySlope]

2. I thought you were a freeper for a sec!

And then I saw the 1000+ posts.

I don't know what is really up with AAR's finances. I keep hearing bad things, but I hear them from people I don't trust.

[bigwillq]

8. You can still be a freep

and have 1000+ posts.

[mandyky]

25. yep, they rack up post #s in the Lounge

and then start crap here in the GD and political forums.

What AAR needs to do is hire some real radio talk show hosts and axe the commedians and entertainers. Keep Mark Riley and Rachel Maddow and ditch Al, Jerry, and the "big names". Thom Hartman is great, Mike Malloy and Randi need to dial back a bit. More call ins and less guests.

[yurbud]

41. NO WAY--Randi and Mike are the heart and Al pulls in middle of the road

[NYCGirl]

44. Yeah, let's get rid of all the "big names," ditch the "stars." That'll

bring in the listeners!

I don't agree.

[yurbud]

47. Did right wing radio expand by "dialing back"? Truth without apology

will get listeners, even some on the right.

I used to listen to mostly right wing radio, then every once in a while turned into Pacifica, just to see what those nutty lefties were talking about. I was surprised that I almost always agreed with them and they meticulously did their homework and presented their sources, unlike right wing radio which seemed to consist of scanning the headlines, cooking up a few minutes of bullshit, then listen to retards repeat the bullshit back to them.

The call in element gets tiresome. Few people know how to ask good questions or make coherent comments. It's fun sometimes, but doesn't have to be a major element for a show to succeed.

Some of this sounds like the kind of advice Karl Rove gives the democrats, "play nice, don't go negative, don't go left," essentially don't make too much noise while we dismember you.

[mandyky]

52. I meant no screeching (by the dialing back)

not content of what they say. Amy Goodman gets her point across without screeching annd yelling.

I don't mean lose rants altogether, but Randi gives me an anxiety attack. I don't listen at night and am only going by Mike's rep of ranting. I always thought we Dems were smarter and could win on info not screeching. Comparing RW talk to our talk stations, is not a plus.
Maybe that makes me the odd duck. So be it.

[yurbud]

73. I don't always like histrionics, but it reaches the stupids and

I realized this watching the OJ trial. The prosecution was very calm and professorial, and had a dump truck load of evidence. I was delivering something to a crime lab and asked the criminologist if he thought OJ was guilty and he laughed and said they had convicted people with a hundredth as much evidence. But Johnny Cochrane stomped and shouted--just like a preacher. I used to be a born again Christian and it annoyed me when the pastor bellowed his sermon, but everybody else said he must be real certain of what he's saying.

Stupid people mistake volume for certainty and sincerity. If you say something to them in calm voice, they think you don't care or believe it very much, like clearing your throat and mumbling "fire, excuse me, fire," instead of screaming

FIRE!

I am not saying to do this in a calculated way, but when it happens spontaneously, it reaches some people.

[confludemocrat]

142. Amy Goodman gets points across by her guest choices-not all "mainstream",

thank God, but some pretty grassroots and alternative voices.

[K-W]

138. Well I'm glad we have an expert here to tell us who is a 'real' radio host

Everyone hosting a radio show on AAR is a radio host. And all of them are also entertainers, including Randi and Malloy.

So you want Marc Maron, Jerry Springer, Al Franken, Geneane Geraffalo and Sam Seder tossed irregardless of thier ratings simply because they havent done radio before?

Nice for you if your taste and preferences happen to coincide with this categorization, too bad for everyone else huh?

[liberaltrucker]

153. Toss Springer

Can't listen to him while driving. Asleep at the wheel in a 40-ton rig is not a good thing.

[vincent_vega_lives]

143. For those in the Boston Area

A RTSH named Jim Braude (prounounced broudy) would be perfect for Air America. Wonder if anyone has asked.

Smart and witty.

Braude, a University of Pennsylvania graduate, received his law degree from New York University. He recently served as a Cambridge City Councilor and now is the co-host of "Newsnight" on NECN. Braude has two children and lives in Cambridge, MA.

[LostinVA]

116. Yup...

[robcon]

3. Cash crunch?

That does sound odd. I wasn't listening recently. Are their calls for donations frequent? Why do they say they need the money?

[AngryAmish]

115. They paid the money back to the Bronx Boys and Girls Club

They just need a little to get over that rough patch.

[Ksec]

4. I worried about this

Corporate America wont help. Thats disgusting.

[Burning Water]

64. I'm confused.

Why would, or should, corporate America donate? Aren't the Repukes their party? Wouldn't it be hypocritical to take their money?

I don't get AAR where I am, at least I haven't found it, yet. But I'd be listening every day, all day if I could. Ratings, not donations are what will keep them afloat, and we need to give them to 'em.

[bigwillq]

6. So we can keep the only truly liberal radio network

on the air. That's why we should donate.

[brainshrub]

12. What about all the other liberal media centers that are starved for cash?

AAR billed itself as a commercial project. Nothing wrong with that; But if they start begging for money now, they will be the laughing-stock of the industry.

If they start asking for donations, they will eat up the donations that smaller Liberal media organizations could use.

[bigwillq]

21. Valid points

But there is still nothing wrong with donating to AAR. It can't hurt.

[brainshrub]

31. I know a guy who was THIS CLOSE to getting funding last year

but then the donor pulled out last minute because he (the donor) signed a non-compete clause with AAR.

I'm sorry, I feel no pity for the AAR folks. You're either a commercial project or you're not.

For the record: I don't mind that DU asks for donors AND sells adverting because the money I spend buys me extra features. When you donate to AAR, not only to you NOT get anything extra... you take away money from funding grass-roots media.

[bigwillq]

35. I guess we all need to spread the wealth

and donate to the causes we feel most strongly about.
I don't intend to donate to AAR (I know, I probably sound like a hypocrite now) but if someone wants to donate to AAR, it can't hurt.

The money will go to keep one faction of a liberal media outlet on the air. That's a good thing.

[benburch]

101. You sure do know such a guy.

That was me.

[brainshrub]

111. I know, but I wasn't sure if you wanted that info to be public.

I guess you did. :D

[benburch]

112. At this remove, that hardly matters.

That was a year ago now; Forever in this industry.

And I did something that most people would think was pretty dumb; I went into business without that backing.

Somehow, I am still here.

Probably mostly because I feel it is my duty to be right here doing just this, but also because I am too stupid to quit.

[brainshrub]

7. WTF? You're kidding?

Please God, tell me you're kidding. That is absolutely crass.

If you're going to give to Liberal media, why not cut a check for www.whiterosesociety.org .

Ben may have to start cutting back services if he doesn't get the funding he needs ASAP. He was backing Liberal media long before AAR came along.

[stepnw1f]

9. Oh Brother (nt)

[Polethebear]

10. I wish I had the money,

I really do

[otohara]

20. Me Too - I Know Lots of People Who Would Like AAR Bumper

sticker.

[stepnw1f]

26. I'm Sure You Would....

Right on your forehead.

[otohara]

96. How Rude

why was that necessary?

[Lex]

11. HERE'S the email I got today asking for money.

Dear Air America Radio Listener,

When we launched the Air America Radio network one year ago, the country was being talked to death by conservative zealots like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, and others. Right Wing radio saturated every media market and every community – a dominance of the airwaves that has been a huge part of what allowed the Right Wing to:

* Drag America into the Iraq war.
* Open up the Arctic National Refuge for oil drilling.
* Take over both houses of Congress.
* And, of course, win the 2004 Presidential election.

Rather than wait for the Right Wing to run out of breath, we launched Air America Radio to give the country back its voice. Thanks to listeners like you, we have a presence on 70 stations covering 60% of U.S. media markets. Air America Radio currently offers 15 shows and runs 24 hours a day of entertaining – at times irreverent – but always enlightening programming.

To continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does every day, we've got to reach into every community in this country. We know we can’t achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners.

We’ve also been asked on many occasions by our listeners how they can help out. Today we are launching a new program called AIR AMERICA ASSOCIATES that gives you the opportunity to do just that.
http://airamericaradio.com/associates

As an Air America Associate, you are a member of a special group of listeners who support Air America Radio and are dedicated to building the Air America community. When you sign up, we will send you a packet of bumper stickers to remind you that your job as an Associate is to spread the word about Air America Radio to other progressives in your workplace, your family, and your neighborhood.

Also, as an Air America Associate, you'll be kept informed of events in your area and receive a monthly Associates insider newsletter with backstage news from our shows and our headquarters. And in time, when we launch our paid services, as an Associate you will be eligible for special discounts for premium content.

Rush Limbaugh didn't take over our airwaves by himself – he had an army of "dittoheads" behind him. We will never reach the same critical mass that he has without our listeners helping us as well. So, please become an Air America Associate today by clicking here:

http://airamericaradio.com/associates

Thank you very much for your support,

Danny Goldberg
Air America Radio CEO

[karlrschneider]

15. I might donate even though I've never listened.

Before you guys get freaked, I have NO WAY to hear it. I'm in the boonies of eastern Oklahoma, there are no stations around here that carry it and I'm stuck with dialup.
:grr:

[Rosco T.]

22. XM can be had cheap ~ $50 .... n/m

[karlrschneider]

24. Well, I refuse to pay money to hear radio stations. Sorry.

:eyes:

[Rosco T.]

27. and if you had broadband and listened on it...

.. you would be paying money to listen to it.

It's all how you cut it.. either you want to hear it, or you don't.

[Scout1071]

66. Why not? $10 per month is worth not having to listen to Rush and/or

commercials.

Satellite radio is awesome. I can't imagine having to suffer through commercials anymore. Just noise.

[knitter4democracy]

90. We love ours.

Best radio, best music, best talk radio. We're very happy!

[bbgrunt]

80. I have dial-up for $12/mo. and have no problems

with streaming on the internet. Have you given it a try?

[Zodiak]

156. we listen to AAR through dial-up.

It is not all choppy like you would expect. Also, whiterosesociety.org's downloads of radio shows load at the same time as you listen to them. If you are a 56.6 line, then it loads faster than you listen to it, so you can skip the commercials.

Try it, it works fine.

[brainshrub]

19. For the record:

* Drag America into the Iraq war.

How many Democrats voted for that war? Was that RW radios fault?

* Take over both houses of Congress.

Was it RW radios fault that Dems abandoned the working class in favor of corporate donors?

* And, of course, win the 2004 Presidential election.

Elected dems who sat on their hands while the fraud was happening under their noses had more to do with a Bush victory in 2004 than RW radio.

(As for the arctic drilling... yeah, I'll blame RW radio for that. Stupid asshats.)

[sadiesworld]

29. Why are you bashing dems instead of pukes?!

:cry:

:sarcasm:

[K-W]

144. Actually right wing radio had alot to do with the Democratic party's shift

The republican noise machine warps the entire political spectrum, not just the republican party.

[Career Prole]

23. Now it makes sense.

"To continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that Right Wing talk radio does every day, we've got to reach into every community in this country. We know we can’t achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners."

Can't charge current advertisers for listeners you don't have yet.
What the hey...I'll donate to help expand the market (and therefore the advertising bucks)

[jane_pippin]

33. Whoops! Nevermind.

sorry.

[OnionPatch]

82. Well, I'm contributing

I'm a rural American and I know how much influence talk radio has had on our country. All these rural people listen to it on their way to work, while they work in their fields, on their farms, in their workshops. I have to hear them repeating the RNC talking points constantly! I don't think Democrats realize how much talk radio has to do with where we all are today. I read somewhere that Limbaugh (and supporters) had to actually pay some radio stations to play him in the beginning! I'm happy to give 50 bucks to AAR.

[The Traveler]

92. This is a smart move by AAR

Think tanks, information channels, and other instruments of policy formation and policy can be funded by large corporations or by the grass roots activists like, well, us.

Which would you prefer?

[tlsmith1963]

110. I Think People Misunderstood the Intent

They aren't asking people to donate money, like PBS. They are asking people to help advertise AAR to the general public. A lot of media outlets do this. People are even asked to help spread the word about new TV series & films when they come out. This practice is very common. So I don't think this is happening because AAR is in huge trouble. Everyone breathe deeply now, okay? Don't panic! :)

Tammy

[KyndCulture]

13. I've heard the same 5 commercials 100 times today.

They got issues for sure.

[Rosco T.]

14. PBS asks for donations, the Oxyotin Kid sells t-shirts...

.. what's the difference?

[Lex]

16. PBS started out as listener contribution kind of station

and AirAmerica already sells Tshirts.

[NYCGirl]

38. PBS is also government funded...even though that's been scaled back

recently. They also have corporate advertising, although their commercials are only at the beginning and ends of programs. And they still run pledge drives.

[Ariana Celeste]

17. I'd rather see them

do something "tacky" like this and still be heard, than see them cut off the air.

[SlipperySlope]

18. The $875,000 answer?

I don't understand it all, but it sounds like they had to pay back a loan much sooner than expected. It sounds like on September 8th they had to come up with $875,000.

Maybe it is a short-term cash flow problem? I know that having to come up with $875,000 would be a crimp in MY cash flow. ;-)

[Mr_Spock]

28. I would for one.

Why wouldn't a good listener do that?

[ncteechur]

30. A few points.

1. They are and always were a commercial radio station. They have to pay their hosts like any other station in addition to other overhead.

2. They just moved into a new studio in the past couple of weeks which I understand is pretty nice. Don't think they would do that if they were in financial dire straits.

3. They are the official left wing station of XM radio which has a huge (and growing) subscribership.

4. I haven't heard any of the hosts discuss being in financial trouble at all since their first troubles got ironed out.

I think AAR will be just fine.

[brainshrub]

39. Agreed. EDITED.

I'll have to wait to hear the ad. I'll support them by putting up bumper-stickers, but no way am I going to donate money.

ON EDIT: Yes, they did ask for money.

:mad:

[Lex]

43. The email I posted did certainly ask for money.

That was the ENTIRE point of the email--about being an "Associate" and you have to donate money to do that.

Maybe you are speaking of another email that was posted, however.

[DemNoir]

49. It is $50 for 3 bumper stickers

Spread the word! This is very sad. Obviously a last ditch kind of effort. Why else would a company take on this kind of embarrassment?

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DemNoir]

51. Let me guess...

You were a cheerleader right?

[NYCGirl]

53. No.

You're wrong about that, too.

[mattclearing]

141. Ow. n/t

[Batgirl]

56. Let me guess....

Laura Flanders stole your lunch money, right?

[DemNoir]

57. Yes she did!

I just cant let it go.

[scarletlib]

67. second to your response.

aar has been and is still growing. their ratings are continuing to improve as well.

I see this as a way for them to boost their funds and move even more agressively into the radio market.

[okieinpain]

32. well they are being starved out of the market. we all know you can't

critize bush in public and expect businesses to support you. they might have to resize, and put on some conservatives to give them cover. jon stewert gets away with it because of the other programming around him, maybe air america should take a few tips.

[yurbud]

37. their other model they are working on is syndicating individual

hosts, so otherwise con stations can mix them in.

I would not add a conservative to Air America, it would be demoralizing.

[okieinpain]

83. yes it would be, critizing the money machines boy is trickie business

basically it will take a billonaire dem to back it until the repugs are out of office. remember they are forcing companies to hire their people and dump dems.

hell we've even seen stories where people have lost their jobs for having a kerry sticker on their car.

[IntravenousDemilo]

119. The amount needed would be just a pittance to George Soros

Perhaps he could give some people enough money, and those people could donate it to AAR.

[AX10]

105. No Righties on Air America!

[Ksec]

34. So are their advertising efforts having problems?

[KoKo]

36. No...I don't agree with you. When Major Newspapers like NYT's start

charging for some content (their most popular) and then lay off 500 people...I'd say that Franken and the Internet are the "Movers and Shakers" and the rest of the old Mainstream Media who WHORED 24/7 For BUSH...are Hurting BIG TIME.

Let's understand why CNN suddenly has a "Blog Report" and MSNB the premier of Whoredome" suddenly tries to include "less bloggers than CNN..but more than the Networks" ...and figure that THEY are NO LONGER THE GATE KEEPERS.

We should all be Dancing and singing...at this? :shrug:

[yurbud]

40. They ought to sell bonds or some other commercial model

that's an odd mix to be for profit AND ask for donations.

[Cattledog]

46. This is why Liberals get their asses kicked

so often. They sit around and have all these philosophical debates while the Right Wing acts. Who cares if it's tacky or odd? All that matters is
making sure AAR succeeds! And if that means chucking over some cash so be it!

[Sparkman]

55. This is true, and solving a problem is the way, to go.

[yurbud]

75. good point. but we can have our debates AND act too.

[AX10]

103. I agree! We must do what is needed to make our...

side successful.

[The_Casual_Observer]

42. Just maybe the email is telling the truth, and they really do

want to set up that associates program for the purpose they claimed to be doing it for. Isn't that a possibility?

[Lex]

45. Bottom line is--to be an "associate" you have to donate money.

You donate money, they call you an "Air America Associate."

Nothing wrong with that.

Here at DU, you donate money and you get a gold star and a few extra tools on the board.

[Douglas Carpenter]

59. awe come on now, there's got to be some big scandal or conspiracy behind

it. Even if there's not, you can play along. You're no fun

[Sparkman]

48. S-F-B, just patronize and call the AAR advertisers and refer to AAR ads.

[Sparkman]

54. And if "embarassed" is a problem, when'll you be getting a facelift?

[Algorem]

58. the station here goes slent for 5-15 minutes at a time or plays two tapes

at same time,been like that since they started,i've never heard a station anywhere do anything like it,it's unbelievable.Clearchannel sabotage?

[Rainscents]

61. Yes... Clearchannel sucks!

[Rainscents]

60. The email sounds like, they want to expend the market much faster

and the only way to do this, generate the money from donations! As far as I can see, they are not hurting for cash. All AAR wants is to expend much faster rates, so they can bring in many more listeners!

[walldude]

62. Congratulations, you just gave O'Reilly his headline for tonight..

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

71. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

77. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[walldude]

72. Actually he's been saying this once a week since AAR

Started.. I'm sure he's on the mailing list so he would have got the e-mail anyway. :eyes: We'll see who's the "monumental dumbass" when your thread show's up on the Factor...

[YankeeFan]

91. While Channel Surfing LAST Night (9-20)...

I heard him say something about Air America. Just what he was supposed to say tonight I don't know.

I'll let somebody else fill you in on that.

[LSK]

63. i do know that a lot of radio stations are up for sale

Perhaps they are trying to get money to buy more of them.

[AX10]

102. Possible

[xultar]

68. This makes me angry, I'd have donated if they hadn't gone with XM.

So now I'm like fuckem.

[still_one]

69. why don't they float stock?

[Eric J in MN]

104. If they sold stock, then rightwingers could gain control of the company

depending on the class of stock.

[BeachBuckeye]

74. "The Guy James Show" is having the same problem

We are commercial free and STILL cannot raise the measly sum it takes to keep the show on the air. We are faced with going off the air very soon if donations don't pick up by a considerable amount.
I'm starting to wonder if Liberal Radio can ever survive and prosper. So far, its not looking good.

I never thought I'd see the day that a commercial network would ask for donations.

Guy

www.theguyjamesshow.com

[benburch]

109. And Guy James is FAR MORE DESERVING of your financial support, people!!!

Guy James has been self-funding to the tune of $4000 a month to keep a Democratic radio show on the air in Southwest Florida for YEARS now. He deserves your support. AAR was capitalized with MILLIONS of dollars. MILLIONS. For them to ask for money like this, no matter what their need just is not right.

If they cannot make a better run at the marketplace given the amazing amount of funding they have received, then perhaps they ought to go out of business and let those of use waiting in the wings have a chance at it?

[tinfoilinfor2005]

76. If AAR is not fully supported by a progressive audience

then it will probably go under. The same goes true for DU. Air America Radio and DU are my touchstones. It's just a matter of how much we are willing to give to keep them both alive.

[Maat]

150. And I'm willing to give quite a bit.

Good point.

I donate monthly to DU - it means that much to me.

And I really enjoy Air America - so I just donated.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

157. I knew there was a reason I liked you (besides your donations)

:)

[BiggJawn]

78. Why, lots of people!

"Who on earth would donate to a radio network that runs commercials?"

Lots and lots of people....

"Support for Agriculture reporting on NPR is made possible by a Grant from Monsanto...Monsanto, telling the world's farmers 'All your Base belong to Us'...And Hardee's, who reminds us we're all going to die anyway, so why NOT enjoy a fat, greasy Thickburger while you're waiting..."

"Nutrional reporting on NPR is made possible by the Archer-Daniels-Midland Coropartion..ADM, Supermarket to the World"

"Politcal reporting on NPR is made possible by the Project for The New American Century, who asks 'So what's so bad about an
American Empire, anyway? the English did it.. At Newamericancentury-dot-org...."

And the Limosine Liberals can't go for their chequebooks fast enough, "because they have 'Car Talk', and that funny Michael Feldman guy..."

In AAR's case, do you think if they could get some sponsors who actually market USEFUL stuff, and not "Enzyte", and that bullshit book "What the Drug Companies don't want you to know" and that broad who claims she can hypnotize you out of everything from bedwetting to premature ejaculation, that they MIGHT get people to buy their sponsor's stuff?


We're Progressives. We don't fall for the same bullshit G. Gordon Liddy's listeners do.

[KittyWampus]

88. funny post. glad i read all the way to the bottom of this thread

:D

[stevietheman]

79. If they have to be "tacky" to survive, then I'm all for it. n/t

n/t

[Catrina]

97. Wow, I 'm really surprised by this thread

We all know that rightwing radio took up 95% of the airwaves for more than a decade and all we did was complain that there was no liberal radio and we'd do anything to compete with those idiots spewing propaganda and hate all day, every day and many people believed what they said. They went after anyone who had a dissenting opinion, and here we were with no voice on the radio.

AAR is less than two years old. I was thrilled when we finally got them here in NY and I listen to all of them. Yeah, Randi is emotional, but she's RIGHT. Maybe we need more outrage to stop the murder in Iraq?? I can't believe I'm seeing people complain about someone be outraged over what's going on, torture, constant bombings of innocent men, women and children in a country that was never a threat to us.

The refusal to go in to help our own citizens in NO??? These things and more, don't warrant outrage?? We need more outrage. It's fine to sit around and be nice, but what did that accomplish? Did it stop the war, or the torture, or the outrageous nominations of people like Bolton? Maybe the problem is there aren't enough Randis.

This is why the left can't win. They let people influence them into being 'uncomfortable' about being 'tacky'. Well, I used to feel that way, but no way, not anymore. The enemy is very tacky. You can't fight tacky by being nice.

If AAR needs money, I'll be happy to give it to them, and to tell everyone I know to do the same and they will.

If over a hundred dead people and torture and plans for more of the same doesn't warrant a little tacky outrage, I don't know what does. I am outraged, I am furious. But maybe all that's happened isn't enough yet to send a few dollars to AAR to keep doing the great work they are doing. Maybe we need the invasion of Iran, the cover-up of the outing of Valerie Plame, more torture with no one talking about it??

I hope there are enough people in this country who will support AAR. They have to compete with over a decade of the rightwing takeover of the airwaves, and their presence on the air, and expansion in a very short time, HAS made a difference. Keep up the good work, AAR. We need you badly.

[wellstone dem]

81. I gave to Guy James

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4844188

[Onlooker]

85. This thread as persuaded to me subscribe

Air America is a great station, and it's the only choice for liberal radio that's available by and large. It needs to survive if we are to be able to counter the wealthier, more established, more connected, and more popular right-wing talk radio.

[Maat]

151. Me, too.

This thread has persuaded ME to become an 'Air America' associate.

AND, I donate monthly to FreeSpeechTV.

[LuCifer]

84. AAR ain't going ANYWHERE!!!!

EXCEPT RIGHT TO #1! More crap from the repukes, tired of it. They are SCARED SHITLESS OF AAR! GOOD!

INTERNET: http://www.airamericaradio.com/listen.asp
Albany / Corvallis / Salem, OR: 990 KTHH
Albuquerque, NM: 1350 KABQ
Anchorage, AK: 1080 KUDO
Ann Arbor, MI: 1290 WLBY
Asheville, NC: 880 WPEK
Atlanta, GA: 1690 WWAA
Austin, TX: 1600 KOKE
Barstow/Victor Valley, CA: 1230 KSZL
Baton Rouge, LA: 1380 WYNK = NEW!!!
Binghamton, NY: 1360 WYOS = NEW!!!
Boston, MA: 1430 WXKS
Brattleboro, VT: 1490 WKVT
Burlington, VT / Plattsburgh, NY: 1390 WVAA
Chapel Hill, NC:1360 WCHL
Charleston, SC: 730 WSSP
Chicago, IL: 850 WCPT = NEW!!!
Cincinnati, OH: 1530 WCKY
Cleveland / Akron, OH: 1520 WJMP = NEW!!!
Columbia, SC: 1230 WOIC
Columbus, OH: 1230 WPTG
Corpus Christi, TX: 1150 KCCT
Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX: 910 KXEB
Davenport, IA (aka Quad Cities): 1270 WKBF
Duluth-Superior, MN: 1490 KQDS = NEW!!!
Denver / Boulder, CO: 760 KKZN
Detroit, MI: 1310 WDTW
Eugene / Springfield, OR: 1450 KOPT
Fresno, CA: 790 KFPT = NEW!!!
Honolulu, HI: 1500 KUMU
Huntington, WV: 930 WRVC = NEW!!!
Ithaca, NY: 1470 WNYY = NEW!!!
Key West / Key Largo, FL: 1500 WKIZ
Kihei, HI: 1110 KAOI
Lafayette, LA: 1490 KEUN = NEW!!!
Lihue, HI: 570 KQNG
Los Angeles, CA: 1150 KTLK = NEW!!!
Madison, WI: 92.1 WXXM
Memphis, TN: 680 WWTQ
Miami / Ft. Lauderdale, FL: 940 WINZ
Minneapolis / St. Paul, MN: 950 KTNF
Missoula, MT: 105.9 KKNS = NEW!!!
Monterey / Santa Cruz / Salinas, CA: 1340 KOMY = NEW!!!
New Haven, CT: 1300 WAVZ
New Orleans, LA: 1350 WSMB = NEW!!!
New York, NY: 1190 WLIB
Petoskey / Cheboygan, MI: 750 WWKK
Phoenix, AZ: 1010 KXXT
Philadelphia, PA: 1340 WHAT
Portland, ME: 870 WLVP
Portland, OR: 620 KPOJ
Poughkeepsie, NY: 1020 WKZE = NEW!!!
Providence, RI: 920 WHJJ
Reno, NV: 1230 KJFK
Riverside / San Bernadino, CA: 1050 KCAA
Rochester, NY: 950 WROC
Sacramento, CA: 1240 KSQR
San Antonio, TX - 92.5 KRPT
San Antonio/Victoria, TX: 103.1 KTXX
San Diego, CA: 1360 KLSD
San Francisco / San Jose, CA: 960 KQKE
San Luis Obispo, CA: 1340 KYNS
Santa Barbara, CA: 1340 KTLK
Santa Fe, NM: 1260 KTRC
Seattle, WA: 1090 KPTK
Spokane, WA: 1280 KAQQ
Springfield, MA: 1400 WHMP
Washington, DC: 1260 WWRC
West Palm Beach / Stuart / Boca Raton, FL: 1290 WJNO
Worchester / Framingham, MA: 1200 WKOX
Youngstown / Warren, OH: 1570 WANR

More info, go to & bookmark:
http://www.TheRandiRhodesShow.com
http://www.AirAmericaRadio.com
http://www.RandiRhodesArchives.com

[Batgirl]

86. I like seeing that loooong list

it's only going to get longer.

[LuCifer]

89. Yup!

And let's remember, all you repukes, THEY STARTED FROM NOTHING! Randi was only on WJNO in WPB! They started with NYC, LA, Chicago, Minneapolis and Portland OR! THAT'S IT! And they got back LA and Chicago after that scumbag fukued 'em over, plus, HOW many more MAJOR markets!? San Fran, Miami, DC, Philly, Boston, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, etc and so on! So, FUKU to the Bill O'LIElys of the world, and no Bill, I DO NOT want you to rub me with your other head, YOU SICK FUCK!!!!! Christ, does he EAT with that mouth!?!?!?

Lu

[flyarm]

108. i agree!!!!!!!! they are simply trying to get more listeners!

the more they educate the sooner we get this antion back..this is an advertizing tool thats all..and it works when people have their money invested !!

and we all better start recruiting listeners for AAR..its our only hope!!

fly

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[high density]

93. Our local AirAmerica affiliate has been doing this for a while now

People can spend $35/mo or something like that to the station and get a short public service announcement or advertisement read on the air a couple times a month.

[Eric J in MN]

107. Air America Minnesota asks for donations on its website and

has for a long time.

[RSchewe]

129. Where? I just see a list of advertisers. Anyhow, this is not...

a reflection on the whole network, as the original post in this thread claims. If they do accept donations, which I don't see, it may have been done before AAR was around or something they just do locally.

[Eric J in MN]

158. Here is the page where "Air America Minnesota"

asks for donations:
http://www.airamericaminnesota.com/pages/members.php

[degreesofgray]

94. it doesn't seem all that odd

How is this all that different from The Nation magazine's Nation Associates? Or other small magazines that solicit donations and suggest naming them in wills?

[bluestateguy]

95. This is news to me

I listen several times a day and have heard no such solicitations.

I would remind you that it took Fox News 2 years to begin earning profits.

I'm sure that if need be the network can stay afloat with money from George Soros or the Hollywood crowd. There is too much effort and talent invested there to let it all slip away.

[YankeeFan]

98. When it First Went on the Air

I made a post here commenting that they sounded like static:

A lot of noise with very little substance.

Granted, as a new network they were bound to make mistakes and learn from them. But did anybody else besides us Liberals ever listen to them? That's how creeps like Thrush Limburger stay on the air. People other than Cons listen to him. (Why, I don't know. I've heard him and I can't stand him.)

And I also have to wonder, how loud did they yell that the 2004 Presidential Election was fixed?
If they kept quiet on that many of us Liberals would have a decent reason NOT to listen to them.
Another Sell out?

[Batgirl]

99. 2004 election irregularities

Have been a topic of lengthy discussion on many AAR programs.

[YankeeFan]

100. My Mistake

But how come whenever I tuned in to them I never seemed to hear word one about it?

Timing or what?

[benburch]

106. See my newer thread on this same issue, please.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4854244

[pstokely]

113. I might donate if

they can force XM to carry Malloy live

[liberaltrucker]

155. Bingo!!!!!

:wtf: is Colmes doing on a channel called Air America???????

[Claymore]

114. Hmmm...

...this sounds to me like their business model is seriously flawed. Is this fund raising in responde to that loan problem they had a few months back?

[geomon666]

117. Boy that XM deal really worked out for them. n/t

[drbtg1]

118. I think you nailed it

Here was my reply to that AAR associates email.

"Dear Mr. Goldberg

I have received your email regarding your desire to use potential listeners to obtain new listeners.

However, you failed to reply to my written letter ("snail mail") from a few months ago regarding your decision to go exclusive to satellite radio carrier XM, which in effect left many Sirius listeners in the cold. Many satellite radio buyers chose Sirius because Sirius aired the entire AAR lineup, something XM STILL HAS NOT DONE to this date.

I am aware that a factor to go XM exclusive was access to Washington, DC studios, but with Mr. Franken eminent move back to the midwest and Ms. Rhodes constant desire to be back in Florida
(a place Mr. Limbaugh broadcasts from and it didn't seem to hurt him), that carrot seems a poor choice.

In addition, your affiliates in New Haven, CT (WAVZ-AM 1300 AM) and Springfield, MA (WHMP-AM 1400 AM) have such poor wattage than your programming cannot be heard in the Greater Hartford area. As opposed to OxyRush, which is broadcast on the 50,000 watt station WTIC 1080 AM.

I see no sense in supporting a broadcasting entity that has gone out of its way to fail to support its listeners.

A reply is requested (but again, I'm not holding my breath).

Regards,
xxxxxxx xxxxx"

[NYCGirl]

120. Investors seek to bring AAR to smaller communities

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2005/09/investors-seek-to-bring-aar-to-smaller.html

Investors seek to bring AAR to smaller communities

The co-founders of Air America are forming a company to buy rural radio stations to spread the reach of the liberal-oriented radio network. Northbrook (IL) venture capitalists Anita and Shelley Drobny, who retain a minority interest in Air America, are seeking to raise an initial $5 million to buy eight or nine stations in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents.

[geomon666]

122. So...

They need $5 million to reach less than a million people. Meanwhile they just dumped over a million on Sirius.

[NYCGirl]

123. So, Sirius screwed up. They wanted Howard Stern and NASCAR so much,

they didn't want to pay for AAR.

[Rosco T.]

128. Get your numbers straight.. XM - 5 million subs, Sirius - 1.2 mil, and..

Sirius is the one that walked away and wouldn't pay them for their servives...

Between NASCAR, NFL, NBA, Howard & Martha, Sirius spend about $500,000,000. They are spending themselves into a deep, deep hole..

You see how much Sirius cared about another liberal channel, they replaces AAR with a KOREAN NEWS CHANNEL...

also, go look up Sirius on BuyBlue... you'll be suprised.

[Pirate Smile]

127. That is great news.

[confludemocrat]

139. This is truly worth doing--you have no idea-bringing AAR to rural US

I'll contribute. Kerry could get NO traction in rural America, so it came down to stealing votes in Ohio. However, given his ambiguous position on the war broadcasting it more widely may not have helped anyway.

[RSchewe]

121. Show me some proof fo these claims and maybe I'll believe it.

As far as I see this whole thread is nothing but hearsay. Where are people getting this idea that AAR is going down?

They just moved into a new studio. Doesn't sound like something a company would do if it was going down.

[benburch]

130. Begging for money proves something IMHO. Not exactly sure what.

Unlike my venture, http://www.WhiteRoseSociety.org , AAR was not set up to be on a donation model. It was set up to make money by running stations, selling ad time, merchandising goods. When they then start asking people for $250 donations, I have to think that something is not good.

As for moving into new studios; That has been in the works for quite some time. Had they abandoned that due to economic problems, it would have been seen as a sign of impending collapse rather than just a rocky road, and all additional investment capital would have dried up instantly. Often a company in difficulty DOES do something splashy just to keep from looking like a company in difficulty.

So, do I KNOW anything? Nope. But what I see makes me suspect a lot, and it is a really bad choice for them to make if they don't absolutely NEED that donated money right away.

[RSchewe]

136. Begging for money? Do they have someone outside the building with a cup

taking money or something? I have yet to see where these claims of AAR "begging" for money are coming from. Something a local station does is not necessarily a policy of the whole network.

I listen to AAR in NYC and I have never heard anything like that, and this is the flagship station. If this were true, and they needed the money, they should ask here where they have probably their biggest local audience.

Sorry but I don't see anything that convinces me of this being the case.

[NYCGirl]

137. Begging? No, they're actually giving you something for your donation...

read the press release. I've seen some begging around here, and that's not it.

[Rosco T.]

124. AAR IS NOT IN TROUBLE.... read inside....

http://ltradio.blogspot.com/2005/09/investors-seek-to-bring-aar-to-smaller.html

Investors seek to bring AAR to smaller communities

The co-founders of Air America are forming a company to buy rural radio stations to spread the reach of the liberal-oriented radio network. Northbrook (IL) venture capitalists Anita and Shelley Drobny, who retain a minority interest in Air America, are seeking to raise an initial $5 million to buy eight or nine stations in communities with fewer than 100,000 residents.

---

THAT'S what the fundraising is for, to buy some stations OUTRIGHT in rural (red) areas....

[NYCGirl]

126. Thank you, Rosco. The thread I posted about this is sinking like a stone.

Seems that sometimes DUers will only respond to a negative post.

[Rosco T.]

131. No problem m'lady... the truth is always in order.. no matter how much...

naysayers want to ignore it.

[ronnykmarshall]

146. Oh you and your old facts!

Why can't you just admit the sky is falling and join in with the rest of the Henny Penny's?

[rockymountaindem]

134. Rock on.

I'm very thankful that the station from the People's Republic of Boulder reaches all the way to Colorado Springs and up into Wyoming. If we can buy some powerful stations in rural areas, we can reach the people who most need to be reached.

[DemNoir]

135. I give you guys credit for tirelessly spinning the unspinable

I want to see AAR succeed as much as any of you. Even if this is the entire reason for soliciting donations, it still remains a bizarre and embarrassing thing to do.

Here is a private corporation asking for "gifts" to expand their business. What if it succeeds wildly and they make a ton of money because of it? What happens then? Since they are "gifts" and not investments, the people get nothing.

This is has to be borderline unethical if not entirely unethical.

[NYCGirl]

140. And you don't think they checked things out with their legal departments

before they did this?

You seem to be the only one embarrassed by it.

[DemNoir]

149. I didn't say illegal

Do I have to explain the difference between illegal and unethical?

They are either a for profit operation or they are not. They can't have it both ways. They are not NPR, not Pacifica Radio, Not Amy Goodman and Democracy Now! They are a for profit corporation. If they want to go non-profit they can cut the commercials (let's not even get into the bottom of the barrel sleazy commercials they run) and I will be happy to pledge a couple of hundred dollars a year.

I am the only one embarrassed? Not exactly. Randi Rhodes is mortified over this and has said so on the air. Check some broadcast industry forums. AAR is a laughing stock because this.

[confludemocrat]

145. To request funding for a stated reason? How is that unethical? n/t

[LSK]

152. how do figure spreading Randi's show to more markets as "getting nothing"?

Dont we all win if we get AAR out to more and more people???

[Beacho]

132. Instead of a hand out, why don't they issue 'stock'?

I'm not overly familiar with all the issues surrounding limited stock issuance, but it seems a way to ask for investment, instead of handouts.

just a thought

[NYCGirl]

Maybe they want to be populists. NT

[Rosco T.]

133. Because then the REICH-WINGERS could buy up the stock...

.. and cause all kind of problems if they got enough of a share in the company.

[LaPera]

147. Thanks for letting me know. I'm going to donate to AAR right now!!!!

Man, do I hate freepers who lurk & lie among us!

AAR needs the money? I'm there!

[benburch]

148. Those who think AAR begging for donation is strange are Freepers?

What a wonderful way to respect those who have been in the business of providing Liberal Media for longer than AAR was even an idea!

[Chomskyite]

154. The Nation begs for money to this day

That money goes into its foundation and is used to pay writers and to market the magazine. And The Nation is FAR from hurting. In fact this year it is flush with cash.