Talk Radio All Hype?
One glance at the mainstream media and you’d think Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, and the down the latter sound like they wield a ton of power
Do they?
Let’s look at their track records: with the amount of Limbaugh’s hearing impaired frantic verbal assaults he could not stop the election of Barack Obama. In many states where Limbaugh is heard; Obama did great. He also could not fuck up the Democratic primary--like he claimed he was doing–and get Hillary her parties’ nod to head the Dems’ ticket in the fall.
How about Hannity? Despite his constant drone about William Ayers, plus the constant “he’s not one of us” mantra, the country turned even bluer.
If you break down the Arbitron numbers, total adults, with the number of stations he’s heard on, it is true Limbaugh can claim a huge amount of people who listen to him on a daily basis.
However, if you go into each market and break down the shares, Limbaugh might pull a 7 share in adults 25-54, means only 7% of the available audience in a market is listening to him. That’s 7% out of the total share of the radio universe in any given city. In some cases he pulls less, and so does Hannity.
Not much of an impact.
Yet, if you read the mainstream media’s take on people like Limbaugh and Hannity, you’d think they are an overwhelming force that deserves, in Limbaugh’s case, overwhelming print and electronic media puke about their influence on American political life.
So much so, Limbaugh popped up on the front of the New York Times Magazine with a softball profile between the pages.
With Hannity the hype is much less and yet it’s still there.
Because of the above, should we turn our backs on the Father Coughlin of talk radio, and the vast amount of right wing radio lock stepping troops out there?
No. At various times they are--thanks to the right wing echo machine--able to get their smears and outright lies before the American public.
Instead we should use the Internet, progressive talk radio, and any other device we can to knock down the distortions coming from the former drug addict with a Mayback, and his lower rung mud spewers like Hannity, Bortz, Beck, and your local want to be Limbaugh.
Lies and vitriol will make these folks money, but in the long run the truth will make us better Americans.
- FILED UNDER: Host Posts, Barack Obama, Hillary, Right Wing Radio, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, William Ayers
- November 20, 2008
If talk radio is all hype...
Then why is the left working to reenact the unfairness doctrine in an attempt to circumvent the 1st Amendment?
Why is the left scared of voices of criticism? If Obama does this, it'll show him to be the despot that I hope he isn't. If you don't like Rush, don't listen..... If people don't listen, he won't be able to sell commercials, if he can't sell commercials, he won't get paid $400 million....
What is wrong with a voice of dissent.... Unless you are AFRAID of a voice of dissent…
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 20, 2008 - 1:05pmHannity is no patriot, in fact, he hates the real America.
Who's scared?
Voice of dissent is one thing. When I think "voice of dissent", I think, "alternate ideas" and "let's debate".
What Hannity does is an attempt to cite violence and give a voice to hate. He has violent, racist guests on his show to spew their vitriol and then says, "I don't share their views, I brought them on to show that I don't share their views" and then lets them rant, giving them a high profile forum.
But when Hannity is asked about his very close association with Hal Turner, he turns beet red and says, at first, I don't know anyone named Hal Turner. Hal Turner said he was "hurt" that Hannity pretended not to know him. He said Hannity is a "Hal Turner" kind of guy. Hal said he understands that Hannity has a paycheck to defend.
And then there is Wright. Everyone who knows that Wright served honorably for six years in the Marines raise your hand. Now, everyone who knows Wright got out of the Marines and came back to a country where he had to sit at the back of the bus and stay away from “white only” lunch counters, raise your hand. What I want to ask Hannity, “If Wright served his country so admirably, did he have a right to feel hurt and humiliated when he was treated so shabbily?” Just curious.
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By deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 1:35pmBy deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 1:35pm
What Hannity does is an attempt to cite violence and give a voice to hate. He has violent, racist guests on his show to spew their vitriol and then says, "I don't share their views, I brought them on to show that I don't share their views" and then lets them rant, giving them a high profile forum.
-Has Hannity, Rush or Boortz ever called for the harming of anybody? Can you cite one instance where they have called for anybody to be injured? I doubt he'd even let a guest call for the harming of any person as the FCC would be up his rear....
On Wright,
I don't think anybody would say Wright didn't have good reason or a right to feel the way he does. Or even to voice it. He may have crossed a line when he made political comments from the pulpit but I'm not sure. The issue was the Obama associated with a man who spewed hate (even though he had the right to) for 20 years. And guess what, Obama is the President Elect. Unless he chooses to associate with Wright/Jackson/Farrakhan/Sharpton in the future, it's a dead issue.
On the UnFairness Doctrine...
A license permits broadcasting, but the licensee has no constitutional right to be the one who holds the license or to monopolize a radio frequency to the exclusion of his fellow citizens. There is nothing in the First Amendment which prevents the Government from requiring a licensee to share his frequency with others.... It is the right of the viewers and listeners, not the right of the broadcasters, which is paramount.[1]
The Court warned that if the doctrine ever restrained speech, then its constitutionality should be reconsidered.
Check out that last line.... The Court warned that if the doctrine ever restrained speech, then its constitutionality should be reconsidered.
http ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairness_Doctrine
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 20, 2008 - 2:50pmThe doctrine never restrained free speech
and therefore was never constitutionaly reconsidered. Anything else? The doctrine is coming back and there is nothing your lying, racist hate radio hosts can do about it.
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 3:11pmOf course.
Seriously, dude, I can’t believe you fell for that. Wright put out DVDs of every sermon he gave covering more than thirty years. Those sound bytes came from 3 for 4 sermons out of hundreds of DVDs AND they were taken out of context. You can see what he is wearing and what the people behind him are wearing and the lighting and camera from those sound bytes.
When Obama said he never heard Wright say those things I believe him.
Funny thing, I never heard the complaints about Palin’s secessionist husband who belonged to a group that said they “prayed” for the destruction of the US. That’s “treason”. It’s what the Civil War was about. Palin’s preacher, by trying to incite people to kill an old lady that makes him a “domestic terrorist”. Compared to these, with his honorable background as a US Marine and a Veteran, Wright looks downright “patriotic”. Hannity was never in the military.
McCain’s TWO preachers, Hagee and Parsley look forward to the destruction of the world so “Jesus” will come back. Is that “balanced” thinking? Just asking.
McCain called Parsley his “spiritual advisor”. Parsley said the Christian religion was created to destroy Islam. How sane is that?
When Hannity says, “Obama hangs around with terrorists” and “he is a danger to the country”, it’s NOT just a personal opinion. It’s inciting violence. That’s the goal. It’s Hannity, with this rhetoric that is dangerous.
To me, it’s all pick and choose. Of course, Obama being black has absolutely nothing to do with it. Of course.
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By deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 4:39pmBy deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 4:39pm
Look the Obama link to the terrorist Bill Ayers (sp?) is real but that didn't phase the electorate. And yes, Ayers IS a domestic terrorist. Hannity calling Obama dangerous is very similar to the venom spit by Olbermann at Bush but you don't see Bush (who IS President) trying to shut down Olbermann.
To me, it’s all pick and choose. Of course, Obama being black has absolutely nothing to do with it. Of course.
-C'mon. Does this mean that in the next 4-years any criticism of Obama is racial? Any disagreement with his policy is based on race? Save the racial charges for Al Qaeda, they came out and made straight up racial epithets... Much to their detriment. The best way to get the US (even the 58,989,852 who didn't vote for Obama) to rally behind him is to start calling him gutter names...
By the way are all ~59 mill who didn't vote for Obama racist? What about the blacks who turned out to vote for Obama because the wanted to vote for a black man... Are they racist too?
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 20, 2008 - 7:31pmWhen was Ayers charged with terrorism?
When was he convicted? He wasnt. The govt does not consider him a terrorist. You, on the other hand have been banned from this forum for your anti American comments.
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 10:11pmWell?
Still can't talk about Parsley, Hagee, Palin's secessionist husband?
Hannity called Obama a "liar" and Ayers a "liar" because both said they didn't have much of a relationship. Hello, knock knock, Ayers admitted to bombing, why on earth would he be afraid of telling the "truth" about their relationship????? It's tooooo stooooopid for words.
Now, what about Hannity and Hal Turner? HE LIED!!!! WHAT A PUSSY!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEZJFeJw6EE
Better yet, what about the Limbaugh drug addiction? Or better yet, what about Cindy McCain's drug addiction?
You can let all of these go, but pick on Obama because of the pastor of the church he was going to? How come the white guys get a bye? Uh? Well?
Tell me. Still waiting.
Uh huh.
Thought so.
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By deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 10:27pmBy deanrddNovember 20, 2008 - 10:27pm
It's not up to me to talk about Parsley, Hagee or Palin's hubby, that is to the left....And talk they did. Which is FINE we call it the 1st Amendment.....
Hannity called Obama a "liar" and Ayers a "liar" because both said they didn't have much of a relationship. Hello, knock knock, Ayers admitted to bombing, why on earth would he be afraid of telling the "truth" about their relationship????? It's tooooo stooooopid for words.
-NOW THAT IS STUPID!!!! Yes Ayers lied about the relationship to protect his FRIEND. His FRIEND was running VERY well for President.... DUMB ASS....
Better yet, what about the Limbaugh drug addiction? Or better yet, what about Cindy McCain's drug addiction?
-What has that got to do with ANYTHING.....
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 21, 2008 - 6:56amDrug addicts lie and break the law.
He is where you get your info. This is why you are almost always proven wrong when you post. It is completely baffling how you can even listen to that immoral, disgusting lying drug addict much less think he is a reliable source for info. It says alot about your morals and values. But you just dont care. He spews the anti american lies that you wish were true.
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By hufflarry2000November 21, 2008 - 9:01amBy hufflarry2000November 21, 2008 - 9:01am
That means a bunch coming from a RACIST who believes that because a person is black and lives in the innercity, they use drugs....
RACIST PIG.....
"You should be barred from any social benefits and any job other than a toilet cleaner. You want to drug test because it would deny those damn inner city BLACK people welfare. Well it wont happen. Drug addiction is a disease as is your mental health issue.
reply Email this page By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 3:41pm"
RACIST!!!!!!!!!! AA BAN THIS RACIST who believes that because people are black and live in the inner city, they use drugs. BAN HIM NOW!
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 21, 2008 - 10:23amWhy do you get your info
from a drug addict who is a proven liar? Cant answer, huh?
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By hufflarry2000November 21, 2008 - 12:12pmBy hufflarry2000November 21, 2008 - 12:12pm
Well actually, the info that you are a RACIST PIG came from YOU in the from of YOUR post. So now YOU are saying that YOU are not only racist but that YOU are a "drug addict who is a proven liar"? I'm SO proud of you Huff!!! Admitting is the first step to getting better!
BIG HUG!!!!!
I'm getting all choked up...sniff.... My big boy is making progress....
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 21, 2008 - 3:02pma specific example
StillFightn, you ask for an an example of when one of these lunatic right talkers ever called for harming anybody. An instance that came to mind was when Michael Reagan said 911 Truthers should be shot and he would buy the bullets. Please, let's not get into the 911 theories. This is about threatening to kill people, and Reagan did.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Arrest-Michael-Reagon-And--by-William-C...
In that article, it also quoted him specifically calling for killing Muslim women and children.
The Raven's Blog: May the Better Bird Win
http://www.ravensblog.net
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By ericfNovember 20, 2008 - 8:45pmBy ericfNovember 20, 2008 - 8:45pm
This is about threatening to kill people, and Reagan did.
-Fair enough. I don't listen to Reagan but if that is what he said, than he insighted violence and the FCC should have been all over his ass...
There goes one, now have Rush, Sean or Neil ever done anything quite that stupid? I doubt it..
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 21, 2008 - 6:48amThe fairness doctrine and media regulation
will provide competition to hate radio as there is very little now. Liberal talk is relegated to low watt stations by the right wing corps that own the stations. The fairness doctrine is coming back shortly. Why are right wingnuts afraid of competition?
Lying on the radio is not dissent, it is just lying and is very unamerican. Werent you banned for anti american lies that you posted in this forum?
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 2:01pmFluffy
Do you really believe Liberal talk radio is relegated to low wattage stations by right wing corporations? Any proof of that?
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By richaduNovember 20, 2008 - 5:48pmAll the media corps
are owned and operated by right wingers. It is not in their best interests to air the truth. There is your proof.
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 6:20pmOh, I see
Thank you clarifying that.
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By richaduNovember 20, 2008 - 7:16pmCompetition? Are you
Competition? Are you kidding? This is nothing more than censorship.
People listen to Rush because he's entertaining. Left wing radio has never figured that out.
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By jumpingjackflashNovember 20, 2008 - 7:33pmBy jumpingjackflashNovember 20, 2008 - 7:33pm
EXACTLY. Like him or not, agree with him or not, Rush is entertaining. Olbermann is almost as good but he comes off too angry.
Invariably, the Bush-haters (and I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of Bush but there have been NO attacks on US soil since 9/11 that is a 1000 batting average) will always come off angry. I've heard Neil, Rush and Sean all say the they may not agree with Obama but he IS their President and they wish him well. That doesn't mean blind loyalty.
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 20, 2008 - 7:56pmSti-Fi
What are trying to get away with, having your cake and eating it too? On the two or three occasions I've watched (part of) Olbermann's program I agree he's TRYING to be entertaining but most true entertainers don't project anger, which he does.
Anyway never say "NEVER." Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the Sec of State something like fourth or fifth in line?
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By richaduNovember 20, 2008 - 9:34pmBy richaduNovember 20, 2008 - 9:34pm
Good point, she is (will be) #4 (after Obama)....But all the others would have to be taken out all at once because if the speaker or President pro tem were taken out, they would be replaced quickly and they cut in front of her.
Sucession..
The Vice President Dick Cheney
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
President pro tempore of the Senate1 Robert Byrd
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice
And with the Clinton body count, you never know what they are capable of.....
The best part of an Obama Presidency is that Hillary will NEVER be President..
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By StillFightnNovember 21, 2008 - 6:53amBush was president on 9-11, you dim witted
ditto dunce! He is batting ZERO you deluded dumbass. What is entertaining about listening to a druggy lie about America?
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 10:14pmNot many people listen to Rush
and his ratings are falling. You people listen to him because he says what you want to be true but it is all lies. You spew these lies on this board daily and you are proven to be liars within minutes of posting.
Normal people do not consider a closet gay drug addict entertaining. The fairness doctrine is coming back and there is nothing you can do to stop it.
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By hufflarry2000November 20, 2008 - 10:08pmWhy the Arbitrons are deceiving (one of many)
The demographic prized by radio programmers is the 18–49 age range, with 25–34 being the most important, advertising-wise. Now, as of the 90s the median age for AM listeners was 57 (Giovannoni, 1991), and it was trending older even then. Although, according to Scarborough Research, in Atlanta it was 52 as of 2003 (Monroe, 2003).
Either number, is not good. For those who never took stat (such as Shedd), "median age" means half the listeners are below that age and half are above. This means that a sizable population of conservative talk listeners are in the ready-to-retire category, and not so prized by advertisers unless you're selling white Cadillacs or Gold Bond ointment. (An example: One of L.A.'s most conservative stations, KIEV, has a median listener age of 78).
The upshot of all this is: Rushmo and Weiner and Coltrane may be able to claim high numbers, but how many of them are, well, bebe's age? Their idea of "Operation Chaos" was probably going to Obama rallies and throwing their walkers. Unless they couldn't figure out how to turn up the volume on their Bose® WaveRadio™ and thought Rushmo said "Operation Grabass," at which point they put the moves on Nurse Ratshit.
Plus that, in many of the small towns that broadcast "all wingnuts all the time," they don't even have Arbitron. Station owners get a hired gun such as Pulse, who get paid to give small town station owners the data they want to see.
You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
---Ray Bradbury
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By LiberalIconoclastNovember 20, 2008 - 4:55pmWhy is the right scared of criticism?
They know on a level playing field they don't stand a chance.
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By f u bush2November 21, 2008 - 2:06am