For just over a year, Local Edge Radio has established itself as a regional progressive talk show on the AM dial at 880 The Revolution. Now the show is moving into a new chapter, expanding from its once-a-week Friday-afternoon slot to every weekday afternoon.
Blake Butler, who co-hosts the show with Lesley Groetsch, says the two won't have any problem filling the show on a Monday through Friday schedule. "So far, we haven't gotten to the point where we've run out of things to talk about," he says.
The switch comes partly as a result of the January announcement from radio network Air America that is was declaring bankruptcy. Most of the syndicated shows on 880 The Revolution are produced by the Dial Global network, but one, the Ron Reagan Show that airs at 6 p.m., was produced by Air America and was cut as a result of the bankruptcy. A bit of shuffling of other programming made room for Local Edge to move into the weekday-afternoon slot.
"There's a lot of reasons this is a huge positive for local progressive radio," Groetsch says. Those include the chance to bring in more guests and live-music acts, and to provide more continuity to news and conversations on the radio that previously were limited by a seven-day gap between broadcasts. And, Groetsch continues, it will be easier to highlight events that land earlier in the week.
"Local Edge Radio has an incredible community here, and they're very receptive to what we're doing on Friday," Butler says. "Now, more folks can be part of the show."
The switch takes place on Monday, Feb. 15, with the show airing from 3 to 6 p.m., putting it directly across from another local talk program: AM 570's Take a Stand! with Matt Mittan, which draws a large conservative and libertarian listenership. And that means literally directly across from it — 880 and 570 are both Clear Channel Asheville stations, and the two shows will air simultaneously in studios separated only by a wall and soundproof window.
With the show's hosts able to see one another during the broadcast, Clear Channel Asheville program director Brian Hall says the two shows will likely be swapping some guests as well as stepping up their competition. "Being able to see each other and say 'What are they doing?' — it's going to make you step up your game," he says.
This is unfortunate to say the least.
I only hope that this doesn’t mean that Thom Hartmann’s show will be removed from 880’s schedule.
I much prefer the kind of true substance that Thom Hartmann offers to Blake and Leslie’s inane banter, which prompts me to turn off the radio whenever I hear it.
Congrats to Blake and Leslie – and to Asheville! I’ve always maintained that the more local voices on the airwaves, the better. Blake and Leslie provide a wonderful platform for content and conversations that “Take a Stand!” doesn’t highlight. As far as ‘management’s’ comments about shared guests and increased competativeness… I wouldn’t hold my breath too much on that. Both shows opperate independently from eachother and that will not change with the daily format. Again, a HUGE CONGRATS to Blake and Leslie. I’ve been pushing for this, as they can attest, for a long time.
What happens to Thom Hartmann? The only good show on the station, IMO.
Thom Hartmann will be on at 6pm after Local Edge Radio instead of 3pm! Once Local Edge goes to 5 days a week, you can find the updated schedule here: http://880therevolution.com/pages/schedule.html
That’s no consolation.
880 ends their broadcast day at sundown. That means that in the wintertime, Hartmann will not be available on radio at all. During the summer, only half to 2/3rds of Thom’s 3-hour broadcast will be available.
Starting in mid-February, the best program on 880 will no longer be heard in its entirety over the airwaves.
Bad move.
Thom Hartmann will be on at 6pm
Where it will never, ever air in it’s entirety, and during much of the year, won’t air at all, due to 880 shutting down at sunset.
For example, if I read the broadcast times correctly, he will only be on for 15 minutes for the rest of February, and after that, only half an hour, and so on.
http://880therevolution.com/pages/signOnOff.html
Not good news for those of us who only listen to 880 for Thom Hartmann.
Congrats to Blake & Lesley! Asheville needs more local progressive talk! I can listen to Thom Hartmann on the Revolution web site.
The Thom Hartmann show is arguably the best progressive show on the air. At least the best daily, Ring of Fire is a great show, too. What a terrible loss.
Barry and David,
I am a huge fan of Thom Hartmann’s – I listen to his show every day. When I can’t pick it up on 880 the Revolution, I stream it live or post-broadcast. The show is also available via podcast, so all is not lost.
As far as the other comments are concerned, I can only share with you that Blake and I are not professional radio hosts, but we are deeply committed to the welfare of this community. We live, work, play, run businesses and send our children to school here. We work hard to make our show unique each week and share information listeners might otherwise miss. We book guests who might never be heard by most area residents. We offer a forum for local musicians, businesses, non-profits and community leaders. We LOVE what we do and are grateful for the opportunity. We also welcome your contribution to the show. Call, email, tweet, snail mail – we read everything we are sent and we share most of it. If you want a better show from 3pm – 6pm, be a part of it. You both clearly have much to say.
That’s all for now, I’ll save my banter for the show!
Local is good. Jeff Messer did it every day for years and it was one of the draws for me for 880 The Revolution. Jeff was able to recap the daily horror show that is politics and still get all the local music, theatre, and art scene in WC. I wish you all good luck in this transition but I’m appalled that I’m losing the best line-up ever with what used to be Bill Press, Stephanie Miller, Jeff Messer, Thom Hartman, and Norman Goldman. That was when progressive radio was worth listening to. I’m sad for the listening audience.
Lesley,
Very intuitive of you! Barry and I once had a forum where we expressed ourselves every Monday evening. The forum was called WPVM, and our show was called “Making Progress”.
Not long ago, WPVM offered a large array of local, community-based radio shows in this town. As most people know, all the DJs and volunteers got Bowened and a mountain of talent and local programming was eliminated from our local airwaves. But that’s another can of worms.
an exciting bevy of diverse local radio can be found here: http://www.ashevillefm.org/
I think it is important to remember that Blake and Lesley have been volunteering their time for 16 months to build Local Edge radio and there are many of us listeners who are grateful to their commitment to bringing local news, commentary and guests on air each week. It is so easy to stand to the side and criticize, isn’t it? I prefer to give these two hard-working individuals the support they deserve! I am thrilled that Matt Mittan is mature and professional enough to do the same. If you miss Thom Hartmann, there are more than enough ways to tune in to his show each day – be grateful that we have a local radio scene that is so vibrant and diverse! Here’s to an everyday dose of Blake and Lesley – just what Asheville needs and wants!
I like and have always liked Blake Butler and the Edge and loved it when he was on Jeff Messer’s show. Remember him? He covered all that was progressive in the political arena and still had time to cover the art, craft, beer, restaurant, music, and theatre scene in WNC. But he got the boot. I miss my lineup on 880.
Missy – I for one wasn’t criticizing your brother or Lesley per se, but rather the decision to move Thom Hartmann more or less off the schedule.
Missy,
I listen to Blake and Lesley almost every Friday and have been a guest on their show. I wasn’t criticizing them, but simply expressing my disappointent at the loss of the Thom Hartmann show. Yes, I know, Thom can still be heard via the web, but fewer Ashevillians will now be exposed to his progressive viewpoints. He’s a rarity on the radio because of his great intellect, and the historical perspective he offers with his opinions. He has the ability to explain why “progressive” political positions aren’t radical, but are, in fact, sensible. This is especially important in our area, where I see so many people voting against their best interests because they have bought into the right-wing agenda of the three G’s: “gays, guns, and god.” The rich are laughing all the way to the bank because they have duped so many of the poor to vote their way. We need a resurgence of populism, and Thom is one of the best at making the case.
I’m happy for Blake and Leslie, and think having a local progressive show is a good idea. I only wish station management had opted to eliminate a different show rather than the best they offer. I’ve expressed my sentiments to Brian Hall, the program director at 880 The Revoltion, and I hope others do so, too. He can be reached at brianhall@clearchannel.com
You’re right Stewart. I myself could go my whole life without hearing Ed Schultz ever again – his entire persona was designed to appeal to Rush Limbaugh listeners, and personally, I think he is possibly as corrosive to the Left as Rush has been to the Right. When someone calls himself ‘progressive’, and yet seems to be all about self-promotion and making a heap of money, I lose interest in listening to him. Thom Hartmann has a lot more to say that’s worth hearing, IMO.
If I want to hear Ed, I can turn on MSNBC. Maybe 880 should dump him, and move Thom to Noon.
I also wrote Brian Hall protesting the programming change. I agree with Stewart – The Thom Hartmann show was the most intelligent, substantive show in the 880 lineup, and should really be in the noon – 3pm slot, in my opinion.
I’m not terribly surprised by the move, though. Lest we forget, Clear Channel is an ideologically-driven right-wing corporation. During the run-up to the Iraq war, they forbade artists like Ani DiFranco from speaking out against the war when she performed at Clear Channel venues.
Initially, I was surprised that CC created a progressive talk station in Asheville. I assumed they did so because they’re a corporation, and don’t care which side butters their bread, so long as the butter keeps coming.
Perhaps this was a strategic move? Now that Air America is no more, I’m sure Clear Channel doesn’t feel as much competitive pressure, and are demonstrating as much by filling their programming slots with programs I view as more moderate than progressive. (If Bill Press, Ed Schultz, etc. had been around in the 1950s, they would have fit in nicely with the Eisenhower Republicans – it just shows how much the political spectrum has shifted in this country.)
Hartmann needs to be available on the airwaves of Asheville. Online availability is a shabby consolation prize. In essence, Clear Channel no longer offers what I consider to be truly progressive radio.
Amen, Barry. I have my own nickname for Ed Schultz: I call him “Limbaugh Lite”.
Good luck to you both. The show has been quite slow on the afternoons I happened to flip by it and I can imagine just how challenging it’s going to be for you to come up with 5 days of content/topics for your everyday broadcast.
I just don’t see myself choosing it over All Things Considered on WCQS, if I happen to be in the car at that time.
I just don’t see how anything owned by Clear Channel can be called “progressive.” Or has that become a brand name like everything else?
If Bill Press, Ed Schultz, etc. had been around in the 1950s, they would have fit in nicely with the Eisenhower Republicans – it just shows how much the political spectrum has shifted in this country.
You don’t have to go that far back. In 1994, Ed was considering a run for Congress as a Republican:
“I just think North Dakota needs a new, fresh conservative voice,” Schultz said. “I think I could be that person.” (emphasis mine)
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/74637-schultz-weighed-challenging-pomeroy-as-a-republican
This guy gets the prime timeslot on a ‘progressive’ radio station? He’s an opportunistic self-promoter. I don’t buy his recent to ‘conversion’ to the Left. Give us someone with genuine progressive cred like Thom Hartmann.
I just don’t see how anything owned by Clear Channel can be called “progressive.”
True, it really is just a brand anymore. Of course, this programming decision was made by the very same station management who supply Asheville with Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Neal Boortz. Should we be surprised that they’re happy to take Thom Hartmann off the air in favor of more ‘moderate’ fare?
This change really makes me sick. I used to listen to you on Jeff Messer’s show which I really miss. They need to remove the term “progressive” because it no longer is. We didn’t tune in to listen to 880 The Moderate Revolution.
I was an anti-war activist in the 60’s, and I thought Nixon was the devil. During the Bush regime I found myself nostalgic for tricky Dick. The country has moved so far to the right it’s frightening. Which is why we need some real progressive talkers on the radio to offset the hate speech. I used to tune into Clear Channel’s other talk station is the morning to catch the weather, local news, traffic, etc. Jerri Jameson does a good job, and I was able to ignore the “national news” stories provided by Fox. But I just can’t stand it anymore, it’s sickening that they include commentaries from Limbaugh and Hannity on the morning show. Three hours each of those two hate-mongers ranting every day should be enough, don’t you think? Beam me up, Scotty.
Hartmann’s show is broadcast live from noon-3 EST, and it would be great if it was carried live in the place of the Ed Schultz show. In 2005 I wrote to Brian Hall and said “I love your station and listen most days. I think progressive stations should have progressive hosts. Please consider replacing Ed Schultz. He is as closed-minded as Rush Limbaugh. Thank you.” His response was “Why don’t you like Ed, he has more listeners than anyone else in the progressive format.” Sigh. Enough said. As long as the “progressive” station is managed by Clear Channel, the content will suffer.
What a loss!!! I listen everyday on the radio driving home to Thom Hartman I learn so much! I am so disappointed in 880. Blake and Leslie are good but not nearly as interesting or informative as Thom Hartman. Progressive radio never seems to be given a chance.
“Progressive radio never seems to be given a chance.” …Especially by those who call themselves “progressives” it would seem…
After reading this thread, I don’t think any truer words have ever been spoken than by Gwen with the above quote… One really must wonder HOW Air America could have EVER failed? LOL Now I think I see why the Democrats in the Senate couldn’t get anything done, even with the largest Senate majority in US history.
Local radio shows are half the hosts, half what the community makes it… by their participation.
Make this what YOU want it to be… (just the rambling thoughts of a man soon to be written off on this thread as a ‘clear channel corporate conservative right wing hack) LOL
If it wasn’t so damned sad, it’d almost be funny.
Didn’t Jeff Messer’s show do all that? He was the voice of local happenings and I miss him. Mr. Mittan, it would also probably be a good thing not to rebuke and piss off the people that used to be the bread and butter listening audience of 880. I love listening to Blake Butler but I miss what used to be “progressive.”
@Stewart: “As long as the “progressive” station is managed by Clear Channel, the content will suffer.”
Surprising words to come from a man who has garnered as much air time on BOTH stations as you have. You never seemed to share this observation when you were taking advantage of reaching SO many people across the region through these two stations….
Things that make you go ‘hmmmmm’…..
I wrote to Brian Hall and said “I love your station and listen most days. I think progressive stations should have progressive hosts. Please consider replacing Ed Schultz.”
I did the same thing awhile back, and got the same surly response from Hall.
“Why don’t you like Ed, he has more listeners than anyone else in the progressive format.”
And if Rush Limbaugh suddenly started calling himself ‘progressive’, then he’d immediately become America’s most popular ‘progressive’ host.
Sorry for the double post, but here goes…
“Why don’t you like Ed, he has more listeners than anyone else in the progressive format.”
Sure, the manager of a Clear Channel station would say that, seeing that Ed’s show is owned by the former CEO of Clear Channel…
I haven’t been able to find anything online about this since 2006, so I assume it’s still the case: The Ed Schultz Show is owned and promoted by a company formed by the former CEO of Clear Channel, Randy Michaels.
http://www.rbr.com/epaper/issue113-05-dil.html
In 2007, Ed’s producer went on DailyKos & pointed out that the owners of Ed’s show are “Libertarian Republicans”, Randy Michaels & Stu Krane:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/2/13/153857/177
Michaels & Krane are two serious heavy-hitters in the right-wing radio biz, being involved in Rush Limbaugh’s early career and Clear Channel’s domination of national media ownership. I’m sorry, but men like this don’t pour their money and reputations into a genuine ‘progressive’. They and Clear Channel are all about co-opting and neutering the Left. When the dust settles, I believe it will be clear that Ed Schultz and the men behind him were determined to prevent a real progressive media from gaining a foothold in this country.
Two weeks ago, Thom Hartmann reacted to the Supreme Court’s corporate personhood case by saying “Welcome my friends to the Fascist States of America.” Today, he’s being pulled from our local Clear Channel station. Coincidence?
http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/thom-hartmann-corporate-personhood-floodga
I’ve never been a big fan of 880, but this seals it.
Hey Matt,
I’ve been on Blake and Lesley’s show once, and, as you know, been on Take A Stand several times. Blake, Lesley, and you have all treated me very kindly and professionally, and I have great respect for the three of you. What you do is hard work. I’m in favor of more local radio, and wish Blake and Lesley great success. I just wish they were replacing Schultz. Or anyone but Hartmann, for that matter. Anyone who thinks that Ed Schultz is a “progressive” is clueless. It’s just so offensive to see him given that title.
I’m not sure I understand your point. No one has ever asked me what I thought of the radio stations while on the air. If someone had, I would have answered honestly. I try to speak the truth, no matter the forum. It usually gets me in trouble. Are you suprised to know that I think most of the shows on 570 are littered with hate speech? I don’t put you in that category, of course. I wouldn’t have come on your show if I felt that way. I’ve enjoyed my visits to TAS. Some of your callers are pretty offensive, but to your credit, you cut them off when they go over the top. I like Jerri Jameson’s show, but as previously noted, the Hannity and Limbaugh diatribes taint it. You’ve made it clear on your show that you share some of my feelings about those two.
Ed Schultz was recently dropped by the main progressive stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Anchorage, and replaced in the schedule by Thom Hartmann. Thom is reportedly about to sign onto new affiliates in Atlanta and New York City.
And Talkers Magazine named Thom Hartmann the most important progressive talk show host in 2009.
http://talkers.com/online/?p=267
Why would 880 want to sideline their best?
I think the Clear Channel strategy (at least for 880) is: fill the schedule with “moderates” (GOP lite), who are just tolerable enough so that progressives won’t completely tune them out. Fill the top of the hour with conservative news (ABC) and attempt to slowly nudge the progressives to the right, inch by inch.
Couldn’t agree more. Mittan is just lashing out and not causing decent among progressives but simply making the old 880 audience not like him.
One more observation: Mittan seems to think that he is witnessing (with glee), progressives squabbling amongst each other.
That’s not what is happening here. What you’re seeing is true progressives objecting to conservative-lite programming posing as progressive content.
True, so true. They will have to seek another audience. True progressives will find another way to get what we want.
Barry,
You beat me to the punch. I just wrote to Brian Hall to let him know that Thom has replaced Ed Schultz in the markets you mentioned. The Thom Hartmann show is now on more stations than the Ed Schultz show, and also has more listeners. See below.
Mr. Brian Hall
Program Director
880 The Revolution
13 Summerlin Road
Asheville, NC 28806
Dear Mr. Hall,
As a loyal listener, I applaud your decision to add a local show to the Monday-Friday programming. I wish Blake and Lesley great success.
As you know, I previously wrote to express my disappointment over your decision to move the Thom Hartmann show to the 6-9 p.m. time slot. Since The Revolution goes off the air at sundown, you are effectively removing him for much of the year. That’s a shame. Thom is a true progressive, and his calm, intelligent voice of reason is needed as a part of our current political discourse. I know I can still listen to him online, but this isn’t about me. It’s about how important it is to have his show on the air so that others are exposed to his point of view. I don’t have to tell you that the majority of your listeners tune in over the airwaves, not online.
Since last writing, I’ve done some research. Did you know that the Ed Schultz show has been taken off the air in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and just last week, in Anchorage, Alaska, and replaced by the Thom Hartmann show? The show just went on the air in New York and Atlanta, and now has more stations and more listeners than the Ed Schultz show. Since Thom’s show is broadcast at the same time, noon-3 Eastern, I hope you will consider moving him into that timeslot and scheduling Mr. Schultz from 6-9.
Thank you.
Stewart David
@David: You wrote, “What you’re seeing is true progressives objecting to conservative-lite programming posing as progressive content.”
The daily ‘edge’ show hasn’t even started yet! Doing a daily show is VERY different than doing a once a week (Friday) show. Even my own Friday show is much lighter fare than the rest of the week. I’m just saying give them a chance.
And no, I don’t take glee in it. I’m laughing at it because we just got a station to committ to 15 HOURS of more local voices radio and you people are ripping it to shreds before it begins.
And you wonder why more stations won’t take the risk? LOL (masking my tears)
Mr. Mittan, I don’t think people are ripping it to shreds. I simply think that people (dedicated listeners) are expressing their opinions about losing the truely progressive lineup that used to be 880. I for one was greatly saddened when we lost Jeff Messer, the great champion-er of all things local. That was the reason I became a dedicated listener. I used to love hearing Blake Butler on his show and became a fan of The Edge. I don’t know why everyone keeps talking about Blake & Lesley as if this was the first time we ever had a local radio show dedicated to the local scene in WNC. You had it, you booted it, now you’re rebooting it. Time will tell.
Matt – I’d hate to think you’re distorting this into an attack on Blake & Lesley on purpose. Again, I think it’s pretty clear that we are objecting to the loss of Thom Hartmann. The solution we’ve asked for is to move Thom to noon, and Ed to 6 pm, leaving Blake and Lesley to do their thing at 3 as planned. And yet, you act like that amounts to an attack on Local Edge Radio. As someone who hosted a local show for 3 years, I can attest: local voices is a good thing. Nobody is “ripping it to shreds”. But somehow, you seem intent on portraying it that way. Why is that?
(crying right along with ya, buddy) LOL
““Progressive radio never seems to be given a chance.” …Especially by those who call themselves “progressives” it would seem…”
Nonsense. Preferring Thom Hartman over Blake and Leslie is not the same as being non supportive of progressive radio.
“Now I think I see why the Democrats in the Senate couldn’t get anything done, even with the largest Senate majority in US history.”
The fact that most everyone agrees that Thom Hartman is higher quality programming than Blake and Leslie has what, exactly, to do with the performance of the Democrats in the Senate, Matt? Please let us take a peek at your giant chalk board.
“Local radio shows are half the hosts, half what the community makes it… by their participation. Make this what YOU want it to be…”
Thanks for the news to no one, Matt. The point is that many people WANT for this time slot to be Thom Hartman.
@Barry: You wrote: “Matt – I’d hate to think you’re distorting this into an attack on Blake & Lesley on purpose…. Nobody is “ripping it to shreds”. But somehow, you seem intent on portraying it that way. Why is that?”
I will answer your question by copying and pasting some of the comments made in this thread so far…..
“I much prefer the kind of true substance that Thom Hartmann offers to Blake and Leslie’s inane banter.”
“I’m not terribly surprised by the move, though. Lest we forget, Clear Channel is an ideologically-driven right-wing corporation.”
“Perhaps this was a strategic move? Now that Air America is no more, I’m sure Clear Channel doesn’t feel as much competitive pressure, and are demonstrating as much by filling their programming slots with programs I view as more moderate than progressive.”
“In essence, Clear Channel no longer offers what I consider to be truly progressive radio.”
“I just don’t see how anything owned by Clear Channel can be called “progressive.”
(In response to last quote) “True, it really is just a brand anymore. Of course, this programming decision was made by the very same station management who supply Asheville with Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Sean Hannity, and Neal Boortz. Should we be surprised that they’re happy to take Thom Hartmann off the air in favor of more ‘moderate’ fare?”
“…we need some real progressive talkers on the radio to offset the hate speech.”
“I am so disappointed in 880.”
“Clear Channel are all about co-opting and neutering the Left.”
“I’ve never been a big fan of 880, but this seals it.”
“I think the Clear Channel strategy (at least for 880) is: fill the schedule with “moderates” (GOP lite), who are just tolerable enough so that progressives won’t completely tune them out.”
“What you’re seeing is true progressives objecting to conservative-lite programming posing as progressive content.”
Maybe I misread the sentiments of these posts… if so, I appologize.
And for the record… I agree with you about Shultz vs Hartmann, as far as content goes… but Shultz is on live Noon-3 and Hartmann would have to be delayed a full day from being recorded.. That doesn’t sound like a good broadcastingdecision, but as I pointed out in a post that never came up… I don’t work at 880 and I’m not in management.
…Shultz is on live Noon-3 and Hartmann would have to be delayed a full day from being recorded
Not true. Thom Hartmann is also live from Noon – 3 EST.
http://www.thomhartmann.com/
Next excuse?
I stand corrected Barry. I thought he was live 3-6. My appologies… In that case, I would prefer him live there too! :)
“Maybe I misread the sentiments of these posts… if so, I appologize.”
You did. The ire is (mostly) not toward Blake and Leslie per se. It is generated by the fact that Blake and Leslie will be displacing and effectively (for much of the year) eliminating a high quality progressive program. Hooray for local programming but not at the expense of a top quality program.
By the way… Barry… what do you mean ‘excuse’? Have you mistaken me for someone with some kind of influence on this matter? I’m just another person commenting on the topic. (It just happens that I work in the same business.)
By the way… Barry… what do you mean ‘excuse’? Have you mistaken me for someone with some kind of influence on this matter? I’m just another person commenting on the topic. (It just happens that I work in the same business.)
Sorry, Matt. I guess I thought you were a big deal. My mistake, you’re just ‘another person commenting’…
Wait a minute – aren’t you the same Matt referred to in the story, whose program director is also Blake & Lesley’s program director? And didn’t you post just a few days ago, “I’ve been pushing for this, as they can attest, for a long time”? So which is it – you’ve been pushing the Clear Channel management to expand their show for a long time, or you’re someone with no influence?
Seriously, you’re not just ‘working in the same business’, Matt. You work for the same management, in the same building, just 1/4″ of glass away from these guys, and you claimed a few days ago to have some influence, and I’m pretty sure you actually do.
But anyway, my ‘next excuse?’ comment was directed more at 880’s management as a whole, than at you personally.
Barry, you give Matt too much credit! haha
In this case he is indeed “just another person commenting…”
Can’t win for losing with this kind of stuff-either it’s some klind of tinfoil hat conspiracy theory about some corporate nonsense or “there’s not enough local programming.” Can’t have your cake and eat it too imho.
The real problem with 880 is that it is a sunup to sundown station and will never be anything else. It’s a holdover from back in the days when AM was king and the FCC assigned the same frequency to more than one station, requiring some to cut their power or actually go off the air at night so as to not interfere with one another. (AM bounces off the ionosphere and carries further than FM at lower power.) That’s how John McCloud was able to acquire it fairly cheaply when he had it. (880 was being used by Southern Railway for local communications.) Blue Dolpin (Ed Seeger) bought it from McCloud, and sold it as part of a package to Clear Channel along with 104.3 and 104.9. Seeger purchased those stations after a consultant (who’d never even been to Asheville and didn’t realize it was in the mountains!) told him he could grab the Asheville market with them. Boy, was that a washout! The two stations had to simulcast just to cover the market. And speaking of LOCAL radio, let’s not forget the Lee’s and their family owned, all local station and how it was essentially stolen from them. WZLS, the original 96.5 was THE most local-centric station in the market, with ALL local announcers and programming, 24/7.
@Barry: “So which is it – you’ve been pushing the Clear Channel management to expand their show for a long time, or you’re someone with no influence?”
Yes – I’ve been pushing for Clear Channel to have much more local programming the whole time I’ve worked here. And I’ve offered support for Blake and Leslie to have a daily show ever since they expressed interest in doing it.
No – I obviously don’t have any influence on management since I’ve been here SIX years and they just NOW added a daily show on 880, when MANAGEMENT wanted to do it. My assertions never made a dent.
LOL But again, now knowing that Hartmann is on daily live from his studio Noon-3pm, I too agree that he would be a better ‘progressive’ counter to Rush. I ran my thoughts on that by management and got the same response many who have emailed that station did.
Like I said, Barry, I’m just another person offering comments, it just happens that I work in the same business. :)
…some klind(sic) of tinfoil hat conspiracy theory about some corporate nonsense
Spoken like a Clear Channel employee, Agnes.
“Nothing to see here, no corporation ever did anything shifty, move along…”
This perfectly illustrates the numerous sides to the talk radio/local/national/corp discussion. There are shades of gray all over instead of clear dividing lines on the issue.
Barry wrote: “Spoken like a Clear Channel employee, Agnes”
CLEARLY Barry has never MET Agnes! lol
You forgot the part about the fact that the same people who whine about “there’s not enough local programming (because of corporate conspiracy, of course)are tne same people who whine when there is finally local prgoamming on a daily basis. That’s so cute.
…the same people who whine about “there’s not enough local programming (because of corporate conspiracy, of course)are tne same people who whine when there is finally local prgoamming on a daily basis.
I guess Agnes is talking partly about me, there. Again, I for one am not “whining” about the local content issue at all, but rather the choice to punt Thom Hartmann instead of other candidates. Why do you, along with Matt, choose to distort and insult rather than respond to what critics are actually saying? Nevermind. Not really expecting a straight answer to THAT either…
Agnes – that’s what I was hint at. What do they want? Local control or their big national guy?
Barry – I’m talking about the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ types.
@Barry: I JUST now realized who you are and had a flood of memories come in. I’ve been sucked into this cycle of nuances once before with you. I have addressed each of your questions and critiques. I’ve even agreed with you on the placement of the Noon-3pm show… but no ammount of response or agreement will alter your dialogue with me on this or any other matter. :)
Barry – I’m talking about the ‘Fairness Doctrine’ types.
Are you asking/directing a comment my way? If so, I’m not following what you’re saying.
I think the Clear Channel strategy (at least for 880) is: fill the schedule with “moderates” (GOP lite), who are just tolerable enough so that progressives won’t completely tune them out. Fill the top of the hour with conservative news (ABC) and attempt to slowly nudge the progressives to the right, inch by inch.
Isn’t this the same station whose lineup included (and in some cases currently features) Stephanie Miller, Al Franken, Randi Rhodes, Janeane Garofalo, Rachel Maddow and Sam Seder?
Are these people GOP Lite or was 880 deceiving everyone to lure them in?
@Matt… Boo!
Just kidding. I wasn’t trying to ambush you or anything. Sorry, I guess I thought you recognized me as the intractable, tricky so-and-so you seem to think of me as being…
Barry – you assumed Agnes was talking about you. I was trying to avoid that.
@Bobaloo – Yes, and all those shows are no longer on 880, with the exception of Miller, who is more comedy than actual hard-hitting talk radio.
I also think Clear Channel is adjusting to the demise of Air America – now that there’s less competition for them, I think they feel less compelled to fill the airwaves with true progressives.
Matt said: I’ve been sucked into this cycle of nuances once before with you.
Wow, this might be the first time I’ve heard someone call nuance a bad thing. You make it seem so tricky, like nuance is some evil mojo, like I’m some sort of Wizard or Warlock, only I was at the end of the line when they gave out powers. All the good ones were gone: lightning shooting out of your eyes, invisibility, etc. All that was left was nuance, or the ability to turn wine into water, and really, who wants that power?
For the record, Asheville does have a 24-7 Internet Talk Radio Station (US Web Talk Radio)based here in Asheville, though the listners are coming from a
world wide base.
http://www.uswebtalkradio.com
I do like the ideal of two local radio shows with diffent views running at the same time. All talk radio is good for everyone.
I notice that for a few days at least, 880 has been running ads that feature ‘listeners’ raving about how much they love their favorite shows. “I love Local Edge”, “I love Bill Press”, “I love Ed Schultz”, “I love Stephanie Miller”. It’s a pitch for advertising. Notice any shows absent from that list? Why, oddly enough, it’s the best show on their lineup (for two more days, anyway)): Thom Hartmann.
I can’t believe you’re replacing Thom Hartmann with Blake and Leslie. Thom’s show is the best of the 880 line up. I turn off the radio every Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m.
@Kate: Instead of turning your radio off at 3 every Friday, try tuning in to “Take a Stand!” on 570. We’ll welcome you, you might even find you enjoy the independent discussion. (Left, Right and everywhere in between is welcome) :)
its time for all the so called cool ‘progressives’ to REALIZE what the early progressive movement was all about…educate yourselves before you continue to believe that ‘progressivism’ is a positive thing…
a good show topic would be exploring the truth about the early progressive movement and why it failed…
From today’s Take 5:
“The Thom Hartmann Show,” a national program which has been airing at 3 p.m. weekdays on 880AM The Revolution (WPEK-AM/880) is moving over to MAIN FM (WPVM-FM/103.5). The Hartmann show will now air live at noon weekdays, according to MAIN executive director Wally Bowen.
http://www.citizen-times.com/article/20100212/ENT/100212028/1005/ENT
I swallowed a bug.
this is a shame. No offense to blake and lesley, but i always turn them off, when they come on. I drive a truck around asheville all day and i always listen to 880. I am a big fan of everyone but blake and lesley. Now, thom hartmann is the mst celebral, practical progressive talker in the nation. This is a shame. I am truly upset to hear this news.
Oh good. Tuned into B&L’s first Monday show, and what’s on? It’s the first “Mumpower Hour”. Yes, they’re giving a weekly hour-long platform to Carl Mumpower. Now that’s progressive-y.
Wow, Dr. Mumpower gets to educate the progressives each week? Now THAT IS ‘progressive-y’ … Maybe he can assist them in their understanding of the ‘progressive’ irony.
Carl Mumpower one hour a week? On a so-called progressive radio program?
It’s one thing to occasionally have a right winger on the show so you can dismantle his or her arguments – but giving someone like Mumpower a pulpit one hour a week is disgusting.
I guess the B&L are having trouble figuring out how to fill 15 hours a week, but that’s no excuse.
What’s next? Manheimer Mondays? (An entire show devoted to gutting the UDO and singing the praises of steep slope development?)
I renew my claim that the Blake and Leslie show is yet another “Limbaugh Lite” program that offers little or no value to true progressives.
What a waste of the airwaves.
Carl is a sweetheart.
I am perplexed. I heard the show yesterday with Mumpower. It seemed to me a reluctance to really dig in to the issues. Mumpower was even protected from a caller who, I thought, asked a good question. I’m wondering if Blake and Leslie are afraid to to discuss the issues in depth. I’m actually wondering if they are even capable. Are they afraid of angering those who reduce the issues behind shallow, one liner rhetoric and chest swelling patriotism? Progress is being held hostage by those threatening that they will be angry if we just don’t keep everything the way it is – and was. The fearfull unimaginatives. I hope Blake and Leslie don’t let this element set the standard.
Great, now we’re getting preached at by Local Edge Radio.
No offense to Blake and Lesly personally . I don’t like your show and honestly I don’t know anyone who does, except the people and businesses that get some talk show form of publicity from you. The show seems like a drawn out infomercial for local businesses and I think there are already plenty of venues for local publicity. Why cant 880 move Thom Hartmann into a slot where the people can hear his worthwhile messages and warnings to America. This nation is in a very bad time right now and the people need to hear this man speak. Schedule B&L after 6PM. If this infomercial is sooooo important then extend your hours to fit them in. If not get B&L to talk about something worth while. Good Gawd! I want my Thom Hartman back and Rhandi Rhodes too!!!! And Virato too! I’d rather listen to Virato rattle on the phone with Rob all daggone day than this B&L infomercial.
Clear Channel is clearly very pro corrupt government. Remember Howard Stern? They took him off the air because of ‘lewd commentary’. That’s a crock! CC has many, many, many more offensive shock jocks on air than Howard Stern. They really pushed his show out because he was coming down on George Bush and the war.
am coming in late on this and most likely nobody is even reading anymore…if they’re like me, they feel so beaten down by yet one more loss – and a HUGE one it is – to the progressive movement and voice. thom hartmann and rachel maddow are by far the most progressive, well-informed and brilliant voices we have and, because i am in my car most of the day, radio is the only option i have to hear thom. i am incredibly disappointed and even sick at heart over this. we absolutely do not need one more minute of local news about artists, events, etc. particularly given the current state of our country and the world. for what little it’s worth, 880 has lost this set of ears…
Louise, if you have an iPod, get Thom’s podcast, upload it to your iPod, and listen to that in the car. Upload some Asheville FM programs, too!
Local radio is good when it’s cutting edge and investigatory – but B&L’s brand of local is pure fluff. Today, they gushed over the Olympics and didn’t even mention the protests or the massive debt that Vancouver has incurred. It was all drool-inducing happy talk. I tried to give them a chance, but I had to turn them off after 10 minutes.
I’m glad to see more voices chiming in on this topic, even though it’s getting long in the tooth. 880 probably doesn’t care that it’s losing listeners.
David, Interesting posts above but I find it funny that Tom Hartmann is now available on another station that you hate. And amazingly enough you are still listening to the B&L fluff
But I guess you need to keep listening so you can continue this thread forever and ever and ever
I don’t hate MAIN-FM – I do take issue with the behavior of MAIN’s founder, who runs the non-profit as if he were the CEO of a private corporation. I’m glad that Thom will be available live in some parts of the city (due to bad transmitter choices made by MAIN’s founder, the station’s reception is spotty at best).
And yes, I gave B&L 10 minutes of my time on the way to pick up my kid from school. That’s all I could stand to give them. Unlike many right-wingers, I don’t criticize things unless I have checked them out first-hand.
This thread lives on not just because of my posts. I am but one of many here who have expressed their displeasure about the loss of Hartmann on 880.
And I think the thread should live on. More people should (and will) speak up.
B&L need their feet held to the fire. If they’re willing to broadcast a Mumpower Hour, why don’t they have Brunch with Boswell? Or Gab with Gordon? They’re obviously fumbling to fill up their 15 hours per week of airtime. Why haven’t they included our progressive city leaders?
laughingoutloud… Is that you, Matt?
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
I have not chimed in since early in this thread, but I need to address a couple of misleading posts. Gordon Smith and Cecil Bothwell (not Boswell) were frequent guests on the Friday-only version of our show and we plan to bring them back on a regular basis. We have had zero difficulty filling the extended show hours, and yesterday’s edition was no exception. We talked to David Young, Norman Goldman, and a couple of exceptionally conscious students from Warren Wilson (among others).
David, contrary to what you would have readers of this thread believe, the bulk of our Olympic conversation yesterday focused on an investigation into the possible negligent design and placement of the deadly luge course. Oh, I did remark that some day I might want to attend an Olympics. I guess that was very GOP lite of me!
Seriously, David, your vitriolic comments smack of sour grapes and ignorance. Perhaps our progressive movement is in trouble because some of us are starting to sound like the party we oppose. Angry, bitter, contrary and ready to knock others down to suit a particularly myopic view of the world.
Feel free to disagree with us, our guests’ opinions, our show topics, but at least tell the truth when recalling the 10 minutes of the show you claim to have heard.
Mr. Lynch, perhaps you can respond to the public hunger for evidence to support the claims being repeated, ad nauseam, by you and your colleague, Mr. Summers.
You note the “bad transmitter choices made by MAIN’s founder.”
Do you have any evidence, other than hearsay, to support this claim? I have a colleague who is a professional radio engineer who finds this claim intriguing, given the FCC’s “due diligence” rules.
No Barry… sorry to disappoint. I only post under my own name. :) I’m just sitting up here in the loft, watching this feeding frenzy continue… it’s actually kind of nice to not be the center of a radio controversy for a change… LOL PS: Glad to see you swinging back L…
Hmm. I appear to have struck a nerve. Me doth think the Developer Duo protests too much!
There’s a difference between having guests appear “frequently” and giving them a regular, weekly slot, as you have Mumpower. There’s plenty of right-wing venues giving ample airtime to Carl’s brand of thinking, and not near enough representation for the left side of the political spectrum. I’m questioning the ratio you’ve chosen, Lesley. So why do you accommodate Mumpower to a much greater degree than our progressive leaders?
Watching liberal cannibalism is almost as much fun as watching conservatives destroy each other.
Mostly.
Can we ban people who insist on using internet acronyms?
Throwing my lot in with the “happy to have local voices on the radio, so replace Shultz with Hartmann” crowd. I sent that letter in over a year or so ago when Shultz tiraded against Air America for half an hour on his show. I think maybe I’ll resend. If you want Hartmann on the channel, the only logical choice is to push to move him to the noon slot. The beauty of local radio is we can push to get the content we want. I for one would love a Smith or Bothwell or Manheim hour to compete with Mumpower.
OK, I’ll say it one more time, and I’ll use little words for those who didn’t understand when I said it the first time:
This is NOT a case of progressives fighting with each other. This is a case of true progressives criticizing conservatives who are pretending to be progressives.
Mr.Lynch and Mr. Summers are not liberals or progressives; they are narcissists.
They seek to hold others accountable for words and actions while trafficking themselves in hearsay, half-truths and personal attacks.
They just crave attention. Ms. Groetsch, these two “true progressives” can be ignored.
Again, Ex-Pat2 puppet (not as good as the original Ex-Pat puppet, but with better special effects), this kind of criticism is pretty empty coming from someone who’s afraid to show his face.
Red herring Mr. Summers.
You and Mr. Lynch launch claims and personal attacks and never bother to provide any evidence to prove your claims.
We should applaud that you use your real name while making personal attacks based on hearsay and innuendo?
Should the targets of your personal attacks take comfort in the fact that you are sufficiently narcissistic to use your real name?
Maybe so.
The evidence (that you have been the sole yammerer about), that Wally Bowen seriously mismanaged the signal applications for WPVM, does exist. However, those of us who have seen it know that it could also be damaging to innocent third parties if it were released. Many folks in this town have seen it – so sorry that you feel cheated that you aren’t free to use it to do harm to innocent people associated with MAIN/WPVM. As I said, many people have copies of it – it will probably come to light eventually, but not to satisfy a yammerer like you.
Think about this, though: if we were lying, the person most likely to be jumping up & down demanding evidence would be Wally himself. He’s quick as hell to play the victim, but he’s curiously silent about this. Fact is, he’s not demanding that we produce evidence, because he knows what it is & is happy to have it stay quiet. The only screaming over this is coming from some anonymous conservo-puppet with undisclosed motives.
We’re doing the responsible thing – you’re just a sockpuppet with a spoon looking for a pot to stir. This is the last I have to say about it.
Shocker…discussing Sarah Palin again.
Observations –
You may enjoy these tidbits every now and then but I tend to get brutally honest, so just be aware of that. But, I might also help provide you with show content(something you seem in dire need of)
A couple of things about today’s show….
a) You would do the entire listening area if you limited your time spent discussing gossip media like Palin, Tiger Woods and whatever the next flavor of the week is. We get more than enough of that garbage on cable news and the internet, please don’t force listeners to deal with topics that are overly discussed in every other form of media…the more you talk about that stuff, the more validity you give to it. I know you got time to fill but it’s like sitting beside you two at a bar or something. You’re not saying anything we have not heard a thousand times. Be an innovator and refuse to discuss that fluff, please.
b) If you are going to represent WNC, pronounce “appalachian” correctly! It’s like the word “latch”, as in “AppaLACTCHIN'” mountains. These mountains were named after a nation of American Indians living in the Appalachian foothills of present day Alabama and holding territory into the Apalachicola area of present day Florida. They were known as the Apalachee, and the mountains, river and bay all hold their name and keep it alive, though they no longer exist as a nation, though they were hopefully absorbed into the great Creek Confederacy, descendants of whom still live in parts of the Deep South. That tidbit brought to you by Alex Netherton, Appalachian Naturalist.
The time spent on insulating your home was good. More of that, please.
You might be suprised of my political affiliation but I would listen to B&L over the loudmouth self serving babble of the other side any day. I used to listen to Take a Stand but I quickly realized that the angry 65+ crowd is not in line with my beliefs.
I agree with Paul’s post – I spent time listening to Local Edge Radio today and I found it to be a little rough around the edges, they should drop the celebrity bits, but they are doing exactly what our community needs right now.
Exploring future rail possibilities, tips for insulating your home, and the census lady were all good bits. These guys could be a vehicle to organizing future movements and/or political events. This is an opportunity not a setback.
Barry and David – have a 2 person rally and hug it out. Quit the hating and try to find some common ground. What have you personally done to further the progressive movement besides labeling others.
Asheville has such promise, lets continue on this course of local CHANGE.
I will continue to listen to Local Edge Radio.
And you should too !
Mr. Summers, you present a fascinating hypothesis, to wit:
“if we were lying [that Mr. Bowen] seriously mismanaged the signal applications for WPVM . . the person most likely to be jumping up & down demanding evidence would be Wally himself . . . but he’s not demanding that we produce evidence, because he knows what it is & is happy to have it stay quiet.”
There’s a compelling logic to your hypothesis . . . as long as two conditions pertain:
1. That Mr. Bowen had a motive to knowingly accept a license application that crippled his station’s signal;
2. That the licensed radio engineer (required for all FCC license applications) had a motive to knowingly sign-off on a faulty application.
So the mystery deepens, Mr. Summers, and I wouldn’t be surprised if many of your fellow travelers are ready to follow you down that rabbit hole.
Meanwhile, you and Mr. Lynch remain free to make your unsubstantiated claims, bearing no burden of proof, yet maintaining that: “We’re doing the responsible thing.”
As a student of rhetoric and philosophy, I tip my hat to you, Mr. Summers. Your hypothesis will have a prominent place in my file on the Sophists.
Hello Mountain Xpress
Thanks to all who created posts on this thread. Whether positive or negative, to be able to hear from the community in this forum is important.
Local Edge Radio has always been a work in progress. To pass each individual’s progressive litmus test with all our programming decisions is difficult, but we encourage your input to help shape the future of the show.
If it is important to you to attack the messenger, then more power to you. I am fine with it. But as I surf the posts above, it also nice to see some constructive criticism in the mix (i.e jimmytwotimes and paul randall to name a few)
In our first 5 day Monday-Friday stretch we have stirred the pot more than all our Friday shows combined. We have also doubled the number of listeners that stream our show at home and/or work.
So whether you are listening to support us or critique us, thanks for listening.
On Monday we will have the bizarro Carl Mumpower once again and yes, next week Gordon and Cecil will be in the mix. And can someone get Heath
Shuler to return our calls ?
Remember the number to call and get in on the show is 252-4348 and you can listen live at 880therevolution.com
blake
local edge radio
Thom Hartman on 103.5 from 12-3. Whew! In spite of all that back and forth above, bottom line, Thom is the man. He’s a walking encyclopedia of history, and is genius in the way he engages other points of view, while remaining polite and civil. Nobody on radio or TV does that better than him. Podcasting is fine, but it does cost, and its a hassle always having to download things. I think 880 will lose listeners to WPVM now, but of course you can’t get the WPVM signal as many places. Should not have removed Thom Hartmann, big mistake IMHO.
Blake, it’s a small point, but FYI: “stirring the pot” is not generally something you brag about. Maybe you’ve been hanging out with Matt Mittan too much?
stir the pot:
(verb) to enjoy causing trouble for others
http://www.idiomeanings.com/idioms/stir-the-pot/
stir the pot:
Verb. To cause unrest or dissent.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/stir_the_pot
Stir The Pot:
Someone who loves to proliferate the tension and drama between 2 or more feuding people/groups in public to get a raise of people in hopes of starting a shitstorm of drama and uncomfortable conflict, sometimes for personal gain but oftentimes just for the thrill of confrontation.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=stir+the+pot
Barry and David… What have you personally done to further the progressive movement besides labeling others.
Along with being among the founders of various local groups like PARC, Asheville Justice Watch, and others, we, along with Veronika Gunter, co-hosted a weekly radio program called “Making Progress: News for a Change” for over three years (I also produced Wally Bowen’s show “Not the Corporate News” for about a year before that). Among other things, we reported extensively on the importance of media ownership and the constant spin of conservative/corporate news/talk that passes for genuine ‘progressive’ media.
There’s a difference between “hating” as you put it, and legitimate criticism, from people who have a fair amount of experience.
@Loud: “I used to listen to Take a Stand but I quickly realized that the angry 65+ crowd is not in line with my beliefs.”
– What’s that 10% of the call volume – if even that high? You bailed due to the way older callers react to the content? Your choice, but sure would seem better to COUNTER stuff you don’t like then run from it… IMHO
@Barry: “Maybe you’ve been hanging out with Matt Mittan too much?”
– Ouch… I’m just sitting here in the loft and you STILL can’t help but take a shot at me… do you have a crush on me or something? LOL
Matt – I honestly hope that Blake and Lesley don’t embrace the “Stir up trouble for the sake of ratings” philosophy that distorts most commercial talk radio, including, sadly, your show. You stirred people up to believe that maybe Cecil Bothwell shouldn’t be sworn in, and that benefited nobody, even those who oppose Cecil politically. Similarly, I don’t think that B&L will have any good effect in Asheville if they do things like for example, give Carl Mumpower a weekly platform because it’s sure to cause controversy.
Blake – really, calling Carl ‘bizarro’, but continuing to give him a microphone? What’s the point of that (other than trying to drum up ratings?) I’m not impressed.
@Barry: “You stirred people up to believe
that maybe Cecil Bothwell shouldn’t be sworn in…”
WHAT?!?! Maybe you should ask Cecil about that… I don’t think either of us see it that way… From day one, I said that the ‘disqualification for office’ language should be removed from the state constitution and that Cecil was elected by the people and – of course – should be sworn in! I COUNTERED peoples efforts to not allow him! Wow…
Barry, I’m starting to think you’re either a sadomasochistic contrarian or just plain delusional.
(Wait… how did I let you suck me back into this endless thread? Oh yeah – because you bold faced lied about me – AGAIN.) Gheesh….
“Stirring the Pot”? Not really. To me, that sounds like what “The View” probably does with 4 chatty Kathy’s everyday, so I hope that’s not something B&L think is a good thing. The only pot that’s really been stirred is the big pot full of people who will continue to miss Thomm everyday at 3:00.
I invite people to go back & listen to Matt’s show on Dec. 4 2009, hour 1:
http://wwnc.com/cc-common/podcast/single_podcast.html?podcast=TakeAStand.xml
Hear for yourself if Matt is sincerely arguing that the language should be removed, or if he’s simply stirring up trouble for Cecil. It’s pretty obvious to me.
Don’t call me a liar, Matt.
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire…
Is that what this is reduced to now? Please DO go back and LISTEN to that SHOW. You will CLEARLY hear me take my stand on the issue. While you’re on my podcast archive, why not listen to the show where CECIL and (the person who actually pushed what you accuse me of) HK EDGERTON are in the studio, face to face, going toe to toe on the issue.
Next post on this thread, from Barry, brought to you by Q-Tip!
I’m not paid by advertisers, Matt, and my comments aren’t rooted in the desire to boost ratings.
Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire…
What are you, eight years old?
You will CLEARLY hear me take my stand on the issue.
Yes, your exact words were: “Should Cecil Bothwell be BANNED from being sworn into City Council?” Of course, you didn’t do the barest due diligence on the Constitutional issue, like reading the entire Article that makes it clear that Cecil didn’t have to say ‘so help me God’, or any of the other religious-based questions. This was a non-issue, from a legal standpoint, but that didn’t stop you from taking advantage of your listeners trust in you, and whipping them up to think there was some reason Cecil shouldn’t be sworn in.
For me, all doubt was erased when you questioned one other person’s religious beliefs in the context of whether they should be allowed to take office. Was it Terry Bellamy, Esther Manheimer, or any of the sitting Council members? No, the only other person you were hoping to play gotcha with was Gordon Smith, the other avowedly liberal/progressive candidate being sworn in. He wisely answered your queries about his beliefs with (and you read this on the air) “Pot stirred”.
…why not listen to the show where CECIL and (the person who actually pushed what you accuse me of) HK EDGERTON are in the studio…
Nice try, Matt. HK didn’t get into this until after you did your show about it. AC-T article as well, came several days after you brought it up.
I wouldn’t expect you to fess up that you stirred this pot deliberately. I only mentioned this whole thing as a cautionary tale to Blake & Lesley: Don’t think you’re performing a service to the community by playing cheap games that are rooted in boosting your ratings and harassing your political opponents.
Not sure the thinking or logic here…. Blake and Lesly have provided a light, fun repartee’ that was fine for once a week! Thinking that they can fill in a space and time slot that was well occupied by the progression voice and substance of Thom Hartmann is an unfortunate decision.
At the risk of being portrayed once again as a conspiracy theorist (by some of our local Clear Channel employees), maybe that was the whole point. Get Thom off the airwaves in Asheville.
DeAnne said: Blake and Lesly have provided a light, fun repartee’ that was fine for once a week! Thinking that they can fill in a space and time slot that was well occupied by the progression voice and substance of Thom Hartmann is an unfortunate decision.
How about giving them a chance to step up their game before we judge them? And why is putting them in a time slot that wasn’t truly Hartmann’s to begin with the same as expecting them to fill his shoes?
I’m with you, Hartmann would be the strongest voice on 880, but only live. The 12-3 slot is where he needs to be. Foregoing that, lets support some local content, not tear it down because it’s not a show that we could be podcasting anyway.
Do you mean the surly Brian Hall?
You know what was pointed out to me yesterday? Carl Mumpower has been on Local Edge more in their first 6 daily shows than he’s been on ‘Take a Stand!’ in the last year.
Maybe Blake and Leslie really ARE closet conservative Republicans… must mean I’m a ‘progressive’. I mean, since I have spent years pushing ‘green energies and technologies’ – I support the benefits policy reform for Asheville, pro-legalization, etc etc…
Maybe Blake and Leslie should be on 570 and me on 880 huh? LOL
A little backtracking and for the record: A few threads up I questioned the thoughtfullness and depth of the show. I think the Mumpower presence was blunting any glint of sharpness. I spoke too soon. I am hearing some well thought out discourse. Thanks Blake and Leslie for a local perspective.
Thom Hartmann is the smartest guy on the radio & there are no substitutes. Having said that I have often appreciated the Blake & Leslie show except when they have Mumpower on there. Leslie, why not ask Mumpower if he is a licensed psychologist? If not and he’s been practicing as one he has been engaged in illegal activities and is a fraud….like the vast majority in his party.