Re: [Marxism] Radio's Bush-Bashing Air America Is Back in Fighting Form

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

Walter:
> (While hardly a rapier-sharp critique as you'd get
> with a Mort Sahl, Lenny Bruce or Malcolm X, radio
> humor of this variety was something of a relief in
> an environment which is overwhelmingly dominated by
> ultra-right talk shows and rightist Christian funda-
> mentalism. We can certainly wish Air America success
> and a more stable functioning during its second run.

As a longtime radio fan, I have made a point of listening to Air America
since it went on the air. Although there is lots of good yuks at the
expense of the Republicans, this station is about one thing and one thing
only. That is hustling votes for the Democratic Party. This is what they
stated when they were established and this is what they do.

By contrast, Jon Stewart is *much tougher* across the board. Last night I
watched him mocking the Democratic Senators fawning over Condoleezza Rice.
With Air America, you get tons of invective directed at Rice, but the
Democrats go unscathed.

Unfortunately, Pacifica Radio lacks the professionalism and the
*entertainment* value of Air America. Years ago, when I used to listen to
WBAI religiously, I found myself being entertained much of the time. Wil
Wilkens, A friend from the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El
Salvador, had a morning show that was witty, informed and breezy. Over the
past 15 years people like Wil have been pushed out of the station, leaving
it in the hands of didactic, monotone amateurs. That's a real shame.



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