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Monday, November 14, 2005
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Danny Goldberg, CEO of Air America Radio defends AAR's fundraising by comparing it to the 'desperate' right-wing media. Goldberg creates the Air America Associates program that is designed to accept money from listeners to support their programming, a-la PBS or NPR. So he justifies that practice, for a 'for profit' business enterprise by comparing to 'shows' like Limbaugh and O'Reilly. It's laughable on two basic points. First, neither of the 'shows' mentioned need the money from souvenirs or website subscriptions to stay on the air and pay bills. They survive on the free market by advertisers who are supported by listeners. Its called capitalism 101.
Second, he makes this point about O'Reilly:
But no one tops the self proclaimed non-spinner Bill O’Reilly. Bill O’Reilly.com offers a "premium membership" for either $4.95 a month or $49.95 a year. He also offers a "Gift certificate" for $14.95. Products for sale on the Web site include:
-- Radio Factor diner coffee mug available in white or navy blue for $14.95
- O’Reilly Factor keychain for $7.95 "while supplies last."
--Three different "No Spin" tote bags at $14.95 apiece
--Ten different hats at a cost of $16.95 each
--The "no spin" jacket for $79.95
--The " Unisex Black Fleece" embroidered with "The Spin Stops Here" for $39.95
--Several bumper stickers including one that reads "Boycott France" for $2.50
--License plate frame for $18.95
--Three different "No Spin" tote bags at $14.95 each
--An O’Reilly Factor Gear Bag at $64.95
-- "Mens Garment Bag" for $64.95 (sorry ladies!)
--a "Spin Stops Here" organizer briefcase
--A "Spin Stops Here" pen and pad bundle for $19.95
--Two different designs of "Spin Stops Here" doormats for $49.95 and
--Two different "Rain Stops Here" umbrellas at $24.95("Show everyone who protects you from the rain")
Can I be the one to tell him that 100% of all profits from merchandise sales from O'Reilly's website is given to charity? Oh that's right. For Danny Goldberg, Air America Radio is the charity. Mr. Goldberg could show what a good citizen company AAR is by donating all their profits from their product sales too.
And then there's this accusation towards sucessful talk radio shows, who in his mind have "an obsession with stifling debate—even at the cost of using lies and distortions, which is un-American." Right, you mean like this Mr. Goldman?
3:52:20 PM 
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Lt. Gov. Michael S. Steele is running for the same senate seat as Kweisi Mfume, former NAACP President. Project 21 speaks to the racial comments being directed at Steele, the Republican candidate, who is also black. For Kweisi Mfume to talk the talk (below) is one thing, but unless and until he comments on what his campaign adviser Joe Trippi said about "pointing out the obvious," he will not have walked the walk. It is good to know that Kweisi Mfume does not believe that 'black bigotry' is an oxymoron.
Kweisi Mfume said:
Former NAACP President Kweisi Mfume, who is running for the same Senate seat as Steele, condemned racialist attacks. As reported by the Washington Times, Mfume said: "Racially-tinged attacks have no place in this campaign for U.S. Senate. If they did, I could very well be the object of public racial humiliation, based on my skin color, by people who don't like my politics. "Black bigotry can be just as cruel and evil as white bigotry. There are too many bigots in too many places."
Joe Trippi said:
Some, however, seem unoffended -- in one case, even enthusiastic about -- the racial attacks on Steele. According to the Washington Times, white political consultant Joe Trippi said calling Steele an "Uncle Tom" is "pointing out the obvious." Trippi is a spokesman for Mfume and is best known for his leadership of Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's presidential campaign.
UPDATE: A spokesman for Joe Trippi did respond with a link to a Washington Times correction to what is referred to in this post. But, does it deal with what he saw as 'obvious?' To me, it looks like only half of a correction.
1:15:45 AM
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© Copyright 2005 Ross Calloway.
Last update: 12/1/2005; 1:29:55 PM.
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