Keeping Connected
Between the latest skullduggery in the Supreme Court, and the unfortunate death of Air America, it’s going to be more important than ever for progressives to keep themselves plugged in to independent media voices, and the day to day workings of the political process.
It was a sad death, but before Air America left us it acted as a springboard for many incredibly talented and dedicated people who are now no longer affiliated with Air America, but who have gone on to launch fabulously successful careers elsewhere in radio and television.
For those of you who can’t just turn on the radio and enjoy progressive talk, here are some great links to bookmark so you have them at your fingertips. Whether you’re listening live, or listening to a podcast, these are valuable resources:
Thom Hartmann- The best of the best. If you have time to only listen to one, this is it.
Ron Reagan - (link to Ron Reagan Show Twitter for updates)
In Alaska
KUDO 1080am – Alaska’s Progressive Voice
Gavel to Gavel - Coverage of the 26th Alaska Legislature, the Administration and The Supreme Court, including live audo and video, and podcasts. And now you can follow Gavel to Gavel on Facebook!
This year’s Gavel to Gavel internet experience is enhanced with new search features, and better Mac compatibility. And as always, it will broadcat on GCI cable. Downloading files will no longer be discouraged by the assertion of copyright. Sessions can be downloaded as mp3 files or podcasts and may be posted to other websites. In the past, only links were available.
So tune in and stay connected. You will be needed.
Um . . . Rachel Maddow. By far my pick for best of the best, not to mention extremely popular.
I have them bookmarked, so I can find them easily
Regarding the “skullduggery” you mention: One would think from all this that corporations and unions are now free to buy candidates on the open market. But what, if anything, will be different in our elections? Will corporations and unions be able to give money to candidates or political parties? No. Can corporations spend money in cahoots with candidates and political parties? No. Perhaps all of this corporate spending will be secret? Wrong again.
See http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/26/opinion/26baran.html
@ #3 Albert Lewis:
Interesting NY Times article that you referenced — at the end, it said:
“The history of campaign finance reform is the history of incumbent politicians seeking to muzzle speakers, any speakers, particularly those who might publicly criticize them and their legislation. It is a lot easier to legislate against unions, gun owners, “fat cat” bankers, health insurance companies and any other industry or “special interest” group when they can’t talk back.”
———–
The problem is, SCOTUS has made it possible for the new “people” (aka corporations) with *money* to talk LOUDER. The minority will never be able to outscream Murdoch and Faux Nooz. We just can’t afford it.
Come to think of it, we haven’t been able to do that for quite some time …
I’d love to think that this was some First Amendment pie-in-the-sky gift given to us; that the little guy, all of a sudden, really has some say in what goes on in his/her world ………… but come on, we all know this is all about money. And money talks.
We’re scr@wed.
I have to wonder just how many stations Air America still owned at the end? It seems my local station is still on and running Hartman and Ed. They’ve had a local talk in the afternoon with an apolitical jerk who reads the local paper. Oddly, we have a local afternoon talker on Fox that voted for Obama so I listen to his show if I want talk. Lots of local coverage too including pet of the week and arts. That “Air America” station also has Dodger baseball during the season so I suspect that they will stay around.
What bothers me more is how the subscription model is talking over from radio and TV supported by advertisers.
Totally agree that Thom Hartmann is the best of the best. He is so smart and well-read, especially on Constitutional history. His books (I don’t know how many – 2 dozen or so) are terrific also. My local progressive station has pulled Rachel Maddow, but luckily we still have her TV show, so I get to tune into that. Her Jan. 16 show on terrorism was brilliant. Don’t know if it was archived at MSNBC or not, but worth a look if it’s still there.
Thom Hartmann is absolutely the best. I like others you mentioned, too, but his knowledge about so many things absolutely astounds me. I’ve read a couple of his books and I got to hear him speak in person once.
One of the things I like is that he admits that he has ADD, and he has learned how to use this to his advantage and make it work for him.