Air America freshens the right wing airwaves

 

For too many years, Rush Limbaugh and his cronies have ridden like kings on the airwaves. However, something is up; something has caused their ponies to buck and pitch on that racetrack for all the money -- the election of a president in November. Air America Radio is on the air, launched just a couple of months ago to a small fanfare. Call it liberal, call it left-wing, it presents a welcome balance to a steady diet of right-wing radio press.

I found it on the Internet and streamed it to see what was up. Offerings include interviews, humor, and raucous fun laced with serious research refuting the good ole Rushin' Bushboys. Find it and install Real Audio free to listen at www.airamericaradio.com or on satellite radio XM 167, Sirius 125.

Al Franken, Grammy- and Emmy-winning comic and author (Lies, and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right), and his co-host, veteran radio professional Katherine Lanpher, host a mid-morning show, The O'Franken Factor ( 11 a .m. - 2 p.m. CST). Franken covers daily lies (shouting "LIAR!" when he hits a good one) and unreported stories "missed" by the mainstream press. Early interviewees included Walter Cronkite, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, veteran White House reporter Helen Thomas, Jim Hightower, politicians, pundits, and writers. An accompanying blog posts texts of interviews, biographies, voter registration information, and websites encouraging the listener to do further research. Franken backs John Kerry for president and supports our troops in Iraq . Notable are his Oy Oy Oy Show and the impersonation of late senator Strom Thurmond.

Majority Report with Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder runs from 7 to 10 p.m. CST. Garofalo, an actress, comedienne, activist, gives no quarter. Here is another good blog posting websites, voter information, books, articles, and interesting people. Get ready for opinions that cut through smoke and mirrors. One evening, a three-hour running interview with Jello Biafra cleared the biosphere of responsibility-shirking non-voters and no weak thinker was left standing. This program introduces young people, artists, and writers with fresh new voices saying something you want to hear.

Chuck D, rapper of legendary Public Enemy fame, co-hosts Unfiltered, a morning show covering politics, music, ethics, and more. Often a little chit-chattery to the ear, there are redeeming features each week. Among them, the hosts collect demonstrations of ostentatious displays of wealth. Particularly memorable was a street Hummer with shark tank installed (and filled) so the owner could impress his friends.

Afternoon programming includes the Randi Rhodes Show, with callers and host going at each other. This woman knows her politics! On Saturday mornings, environmental lawyers Robert Kennedy, Jr., and Mike Papantonio tell you what is going down. Air America Radio provides plenty of thought-provoking info, fun, and fresh air if you are ready to think outside the Patriot Act box.