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When new management tells the Flying Dutchman that he has to change the playlist on his very successful (i.e. good ratings) program, is that a freedom of speech issue that should concern the Bush-bashers who tune into this web site?
When Bill O’Reilly continually spouts ideas that coincide very closely with “suggested” Republican talking points, it may seem to a causal observer (who disregards Bill’s staunch contention that it is just a remarkable string of coincidences) that, like a young Catholic reciting the catechism, in a very rigid and proscribed way, it is an expression of his freedom of speech, but to cynics it may seem like Bill says what “they” want him to say. Isn’t the alternative to saying what management wants to hear known in the trade as “being forced to walk the plank”? It’s radio’s variation of the old Beau Geste philosophy: “March or die!”
Is radio Caroline available online?
If a disk jockey achieves success with a playlist that is very popular with his listeners, why would management want to mess with the formula?
Sunday, September 21, 2008, while on a walk on Venice Beach, we noted that some advocates of freedom of speech had posted this:
“Freedom of Speech:
Use It or Lose It
When they took away the 4th Amendment, we were quiet because we didn’t deal drugs.
When they took away the 6th Amendment, we were quiet because we were innocent.
When they took away the 2nd Amendment, we were quiet because we don’t own guns.
Now they have taken away the 1st Amendment and very soon if we continue to be quiet, We will have no choice but to continue to be quiet.”
Those same folks were also promoting a new movie “http://ssl.linuxbeach.net/vietnam/>Vietnam American Holocaust” (narrated by Martin Sheen.) How much have you heard about that film by Clay Claiborne? Gee, in a land that touts freedom of speech shouldn’t you have heard something about it? Does Extra Hollywood Access Tonight have to plug the same items over and over again? Can’t they throw a change-up feature story every once in a while?
During World War II, citizens of Germany were forbidden, under penalty of death, from listening to radio stations broadcasting from outside Germany. If you Google “gray and black radio” you will probably find a link to the web page that will tell you about it and the special radio that could only tune-in to state approved radio stations.
The younger readers may not know about Wolfman Jack who broadcast on XERB with 100,000 watts from Mexico. Wasn’t the slogan: “Coast to coast, and border to border; wall to wall and treetop tall!”? He had listeners in 38 states. Would he have had more or less if the penalty for listening to him had been death?
Over 90% of talk radio is conservative.
If any mainstream media dares to point out that Sarah Palin is not qualified to be President, they are swamped with complaints that they have “attacked” her.
Bob Cesca’s new book will be titled “One Nation Under Fear: Scaredy Cats and Fear-Mongers in the Home of the Brave (And What you Can Do About It). Obviously one thing you can do is grow a pair and speak out (unless you endorse war crimes as some Germans did.) Home of the Brave? That sure doesn’t refer to the modern replacements for Murrow’s Boys who spout talking points without a moment’s hesitation.
Who dares to speak out?
Who dares to speak out in favor of those who speak out?
Is speaking out against tyranny as unpatriotic as the Boston Tea Party?
There is more than 5 years and thee months left on Neil Rogers new contract.
[If a columnist wants to use the tag “omphaloskepsis” to describe his column, should he be permitted to do so or should he stick to only those tags that almost apply?]
The Laugh-In program’s most famous line was: “Sock it to me!” That should also be the official motto for the financial bailout.
Now, our disk jockey as a show of support and solidarity with the Flying Dutchman, will express his right of free speech by playing one particluar Rolling Stones' track. (We can't even put a link to that song on this site, but if you Google Robert Frank and Blues, you'll probably find it.) It’s time for us to depart. Remember that the next fund raising drive will be here shortly and that will give you an opportunity to silently support freedom of speech. Have a great “let it all hang out” type week.
