Iowa Progressive Radio Program Has Ratings Success We received the following great news from Ed and Lynn Fallon.An oasis of rationality in the conservative
talk wasteland, The Fallon Forum has successfully added much needed
balance to the talk radio landscape in Iowa.
In the world of radio, Arbitron ratings matter. The Fallon Forum just received its first Arbitron “report card,” and we couldn’t be happier.
Our nightly audience is estimated at 4,400, ranking us fifth among central Iowa radio stations during the 7:00 – 8:00 pm time slot!
Even more satisfying is that our audience is nearly three times greater than was Michael Savage’s, the hate monger who used to broadcast between 7:00 and 8:00 pm.
We don’t use the term “hate monger” lightly. But in the case of Savage, any milder descriptor seems disingenuous. “Hateful” is the appropriate term for someone who:
Says to a gay man, “You should get AIDS and die, you pig;”
Calls civil rights a racket designed to steal white males' birthright;
Insists that Jimmy Carter is like Hitler;
Screams “I don’t want to hear one more word about Islam. Take your religion and shove it up your behind.”
These are just a few samples of Savage’s implacable statements.
Thursday, we welcome Tim Urban to the conversation. Tim’s the president of Urban Development Corporation, and we’ll kick-off the discussion by looking at an opinion piece he wrote last week.
The Fallon Forum airs Monday–Thursday from 7:00–8:00 pm on 98.3 WOW-FM and on-line at www.983wowfm.com. Call (515) 312-0983 or (866) 908-TALK to join the conversation. And check out The Bradshaw Show, Monday – Friday from 1:00–4:00 pm, also on 98.3 WOW-FM.
Speaking of Bradshaw, kudos to our 98.3 radio homey for scoring “Best Local Talk Radio Show” in Cityview last week! (Oh, and Ed got runner up in the “Best Do-Gooder” category.)
If you’d like to receive a daily reminder of our show by e-mail, let us know and we’ll sign you up for our Daily Notice list. And podcasts are now available.
Thanks, and we hope you’ll tune in and help make progressive talk radio a growing reality in Iowa.
"It is not that corporate media
outlets intentionally keep us in the dark about things. They have an editorial
policy distinct from informing the public..."
In Iowa, the foreign affairs stories in which we engage are
those related to our family and friends deployed to fight one of our two wars
and several military engagements around the world. The idea that our loved ones
will be going to secure supply routes managed by our mercenaries or to suffer
injury or death in places with cultures so different from ours is unsettling in
a way that is personal and visceral. This we understand.
What is less understandable is the broader scope of foreign
affairs from a United States perspective. Why don’t we hear more about things that
matter as much as military deployments? There are stories about human
trafficking, Vice President Biden’s speech
on nuclear disarmament, our covert operations in Yemen and others that go
unheard. Part of the answer is that nothing matters more to us than what
happens to family and friends deployed to serve in the active duty military.
Another part of the answer is that corporate media outlets focus on what will
attract viewers, subscribers and advertisers more than on what informs us. Most
often, foreign affairs coverage is the bottom of the list even if there are
plenty of stories to tell.
We hear speaker and talk show diva Sarah Palin suggest
that President Obama should declare war on Iran to demonstrate his “toughness,”
and this gets coverage. Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey gave a major speech
on nuclear security and lists reasons why the President’s national security
agenda should be supported, and who knew? It is not that corporate media
outlets intentionally keep us in the dark about things. They have an editorial
policy distinct from informing the public and what is a trending topic may be
more newsworthy to them than presenting information about the threat that
terrorists could get their hands on a nuclear weapon. This is true for much of
the foreign affairs universe of activity.
The financial cost of the wars to Iowans is as real as a
load of bricks. According
to National Priorities, in fiscal year 2010 Iowa taxpayers will contribute
$5.3 billion to defense spending, or roughly $1,765 per resident. If we
consider there are about 2.38 people per Iowa household, and the median
household income is about $49,007, defense spending represents 8.6% of a
typical family’s income. This seems worth covering. Most Iowans would use part
of this expense for other priorities, yet the issue of diversion of funds
towards militarism is largely absent from corporate media. Instead, we hear
stories about supporting the troops.
That media would put emphasis on informing the public is a
basic expectation. When what we see and hear are snippets of trending topics
selected for their sensationalism or local interest, we are disappointed and
uninformed. There is a role for stories like the one in a local paper about an
event where the “Persian Student Organization cooked
traditional Iranian kebabs called "koobideh" while answering
questions about Iran.” It’s just that
we shouldn’t have a steady diet of this if we would stay informed in the
broader world of foreign affairs. Effective participation in our
democracy demands better information about foreign affairs.
Research 2000 Poll: What Republicans Believe "Today's poll about Republicans was like a Margaret Mead study; except she studied more advanced tribes." [found on OTOOLEFAN's Twitter feed]
This week, a Research 2000 poll commissioned by Dailykos, revealed that the GOP of today, the party of "no," is scarily stuck in the past. 2,003 self-identified Republicans (actually, quite a large sample size for a political poll), were randomly selected by the last four phone digits, and interviewed over the phone. Click
here to read the entire poll and methodology.
Here is some of what the polling found:
A full sixty-eight percent of Republicans polled said 'yes' or were 'not sure' to the question, "Should Barack Obama be impeached or not?" (39% 'yes'/29% 'not sure').
Fifty-eight percent (more than half!) said 'no' (36%) or 'not sure' (22%) to the question, "Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States or not?
Almost a quarter of respondents said they believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win (24%). Thirty-three percent were not sure (God bless this subset of independent-minded Republicans...).
Only fourteen percent of Republicans, according to this poll, believe that Barack Obama is more qualified to be President than Sarah Palin (!) In a way, this seems the most preposterous of all the results. GOP, as long as we've got your attention, here are the facts:
President Obama's resume: U.S. Senator 2005-2008 (resigned to take job as President); served three terms in the Illinois senate; graduate of Columbia University and Harvard Law School (magna cum laude), and was editor and first black president of Harvard Law Review; a Constitutional Law professor at the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years; a civil rights attorney; community organizer; also authored two books, that actually take time to read and are interesting.
To give the GOP some credit, more than a third, thirty-six percent, answered 'no' to the question, "Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates white people?" But of course that leaves sixty-four percent who answered 'yes' (31%) or 'not sure' (33%).
And we'll give credit where credit is due, fifty-eight percent of Republicans do NOT want their state to secede from the union, leaving forty-two percent who either do want to secede (23%) or are not sure (19%).
Republicans apparently are very solid in their belief that Congress should not make it easier for workers to form and join labor unions. Check out this number: sixty-eight percent said 'no.' Another twenty-five percent 'not sure.'
The GOP respondents overwhelmingly believe same sex couples should NOT be allowed to marry (77% no/7% yes/16% not sure).
They (coincidence?) equally believe public school students should be taught that the book of Genesis in the Bible explains how God created the world. (77% yes/15% no/8% not sure)
Thirty-one percent of the respondents said contraceptives should be outlawed.
Thirty-four percent believe the birth control pill is abortion.
Seventy-six percent believe abortion to be murder (statistically speaking, even if these last two groups did not overlap at all, which would be highly unlikely, that leaves at least 10% who believe that taking birth control pills is murder).
Now that we know what Republicans believe, one naturally moves to the next head-scratching quandary.
Q: Where do they get these ideas?
This one's easy.
A: (1) Fox News; and (2) Talk Radio
We should not be surprised by the results of this poll. How could it be otherwise? Fox News has been propagandizing for - we don't know, but it seems like a really, really long time, at least since the Clinton years. And Limbaugh goes back at least that far. When Ronald Reagan got rid of the Fairness Doctrine, it allowed right-wing media to flourish, well financed, and unrestrained by the guidelines of journalistic balance and public interest.
Fact: Ninety-one percent of talk radio today is conservative - not because the public wants it this way, but because of the orchestrated effort and infusion of money by the conservative right. BFIA has posted on this issue until we are blue in the face. Please check out our posts on this topic, then consider making a commitment to doing something locally about media reform. We promise you there is an AM station in your listening area that airs exclusively conservative talk with no progressive programming for balance. See BFIA ACTION ALERT below the links.
Click on these links to access BFIA Archived posts:
If you live in any of these ten broadcast areas, please consider calling or e-mailing your local station. Or stop by the station and tell them you would like to examine their public inspection file. Tell them you want BALANCED programming that serves the whole community, NOT exclusively right wing talk. Remind them the broadcast airwaves are publicly owned. If they do not listen, click here to file a complaint with the FCC.
Burlington Talk Radio KCPS KCPS 1150 205 S. Gear Avenue W. Burlington, Iowa 52655 Phone (319) 754-6698 E-mail kcps@aol.com Glenn Beck, 9-11a; Limbaugh 11a-2p;Dennis Miller 2-5p; O'reilly 5-6p; Michael Savage 7-9p;
Cedar Rapids WMT 600 600 Old Marion Road Cedar Rapids, IA 52402 Phone: 319-365-0600 Toll free: 800-332-5401 *600 on your US Cellular Phone johnlaton@clearchannel.com Limbaugh 1p-4p; Jim Bohannon 9p-12a
KXIC Iowa City 800 AM (319) 354-9500 /866-609-TALK (8-2-5-5)/news@kxic.com Hannity, Dennis Miller,
WOC Quad Cities 1420 AM 563-344-7025 news@woc1420.com Limbaugh 11a-2p; Hannity 6-9p;Dennis Miller 9-12a;
Des Moines WHO Radio 1040 AM 2141 Grand Ave Des Moines, IA 50312 Phone: 515-245-8900 vanharden@clearchannel.com, Program Director joelmccrea@clearchannel.com, General Manager Jan Mickelson,9a-11:30;Limbaugh 1-4p;Steve Deace 4-7p;Michael Medved 9-10p;Michael Reagan 10p-1a; Jim Bohannon 4-5a.
Estherville KILR 1070 AM (no website) Phone: 712-362-2644 Limbaugh 11a-2p
Mason City KGLO AM 1300 341 S Yorktown Pike Mason City, IA 50401 (641) 423-1300 Tim Fleming, tfleming@kglo.threeeagles.com Brian Fancher, bfancher@kglo.threeeagles.com Limbaugh 1p-4p M-F
Sheldon KIWA (has advertiser list on website!) 1550 AM 411 9th Street Sheldon, IA 51201 Phone: 712-324-5377 E-mail: Walt Pruiksma, Station Mgr., at walt@kiwaradio.com (good luck...there is a picture on the website of Walt with Bush) E-mail: Wayne Barahona, Program Director, at wayne@kiwaradio.com Limbaugh 11a-2p; Hannity 2-5p; L & H Saturdays also
Sioux City KSCJ 1360 2000 Indian Hills Dr Sioux City, IA 51104 (712) 239-2100 sarthur@powelliowa.com Limbaugh, 11a-2p; Hannity, O'Reilly, Glenn Beck, Dennis Miller, Bohannon
Waterloo KXEL AM 1540 514 Jefferson Street Waterloo, IA 50701 General Manager: Tim Mathews tim@radiogroup.net Phone: 319-234-2200 or 800-584-7024 Coverage Area: Waterloo-Cedar Falls-Cedar Rapids-Iowa City 5-6a Jim Bohannon; 8-11a Glenn Beck; 11a-2p Limbaugh; 2-5p Hannity
Report on SEIU/Change That Works Health Care Affordability Summit By Caroline Vernon
Washington, DC - On January 13th, SEIU/Change That Works and health care reform coalition partners mobilized labor members and health care advocates from across the country for a national day of action, calling on legislators to adopt 3 essential aspects of the House & Senate bills; The 3 A’s:Affordability, Accessibility, and Accountability.
Before a crowd of 150, many pro-reform legislators spoke passionately about the need to make health care more affordable, as the conference committee decides the fate of meaningful health care legislation.
Everyone in attendance agreed, our #1 priority should be making real reform affordable for working families and setting premiums and out-of-pocket costs at levels that are fair and reasonable. Adequate subsidies are seen to be essential to the fundamental goal of guaranteeing quality affordable health care to all Americans. SEIU and coalition partners, PICO, Families USA, and other community groups called on legislators and the Obama administration to adopt the following 5 components of the House & Senate bills:
• The safety net for the most vulnerable in our communities is stronger in the House through an expansion of Medicaid to those making 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or less. • The House bill offers lower premiums and caps out-of pocket costs at levels that lower income families earning less than 250% of the FPL (less than $41,000 for a family of 3) can better afford. • The Senate bill makes care more affordable for families who are between 250% and 400% of the FPL. • The House surtax impacting only the wealthiest Americans, is more favorable than the Senate’s excise tax that would adversely impact millions of middle class families, resulting in benefit cuts, increasing premiums and out-of-pocket expenses. • The House approach to ensuring employers share responsibility and contribute to the coverage of part time workers. If not, employers will have a strong incentive to reduce the number of hours for full time workers so they are not penalized for not offering coverage – there must be accountability.
Reformers also advocated on behalf of seniors having expanded access to affordable medications by closing the gap or “doughnut hole” in Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Overall, the House bill makes coverage much more affordable for working families. To give you an example of the difference, a single worker earning only $17,500 per year will pay 16% of their annual income for health insurance ($2,801) under the Senate bill, while paying only 8% ($1,416) of their annual income for insurance under the House bill – a very substantial difference. Additionally, under provisions found in the Senate bill, a low income family of 3 that earns $41,000 a year would pay an annual average of $7,000 or 17% of their annual income on healthcare; $2,134 more than under the House bill. The same family could pay a maximum of $9,000 a year on healthcare; $2,175 more than the maximum under HR 3962.
SEIU members who were interviewed during the day of national action spoke about why they and their families need affordable, comprehensive coverage as a part of reform. Their personal accounts are truly moving. Watch it here.
Some of the Congressmen and women who spoke at the Health Care Affordability Summit included, Congressman Ensign from New York, Donna Edwards from Maryland, Christopher Murphy and Rosa DeLauro from Connecticut, and Congressman Dingle from Michigan who put the fight for health care justice in historical perspective by reminding us, the fight to enact Social Security and Medicare in this country was as intense and controversial as our current struggle to pass meaningful health care reform legislation in 2010. Congressman Dingle, has been a member of Congress for 54 years.
After the summit, advocates lobbied their members of congress on affordability. SEIU Iowa President, Cathy Glasson, and I had an opportunity to meet with Congressmen Loebsack and Braley who both said they were in agreement and supported adopting the 5 key components we had outlined from the House and Senate bills that would make health care more affordable. Both Congressmen indicated they had met with President Obama just the day before to discuss compromises in the House and Senate bills. When we addressed the issue of favoring the House surtax over the Senate’s excise tax as a funding mechanism, both congressmen expressed disappointment that the president was “bent” on adopting the Senate’s version which would place the burden on working families rather than the wealthiest Americans. As you may recall, this is NOT what Obama campaigned on. Since our visit, we know organized labor has fought for acceptable compromises which would tax cadillac plans costing over $8,900 rather than $8,000 as outlined in the Senate bill.
I also addressed the need to fix the 2 year waiting list for individuals who qualify for Social Security Disability with our Iowa congressmen. As it stands today, recipients are told they must wait 2 years before becoming eligible for Medicare. This is nothing short of cruel. Why would anyone deny disabled individuals access to healthcare? I have to wonder, what was Congress thinking? Why would anyone intentionally withhold health care from people who have met all the many difficult requirements to demonstrate they have a serious medical need which resulted in disability? Is it their hope that folks will just die off or what? Do they not understand what kind of impact this has on people’s lives or the amount of damage that can ensue if a chronic condition goes untreated for 2 years? Neither the House or Senate bill addresses this issue. I ask you to please raise your voice and advocate on behalf of these individuals who arguably have the greatest need for care.
Congressman Braley also shared with us his concerns that pro-reform advocates have not countered the “tea baggers” or anti-reform protestors who he and others see everyday on the steps of the Capitol and outside House and Senate offices. Unfortunately, they also garner ALL of the media’s attention, since there is no “visual” pro-reform presence on the Hill. Congressman Braley expressed frustration over the fact that progressives and pro-reform advocates have not mobilized a massive demonstration and show of support for health care reform, countering anti-reformer claims that they are in the majority.
I know there are so many of you who have worked long and hard on meaningful health care reform but NOW is the time to step up the pressure on our elected leaders and hold them to their word -- that includes President Obama. I believe it is also long past time to demonstrate a massive show of support for our elected leaders who continue to work hard for health care reform on behalf of ALL Americans.
I call on organized labor, people of faith, community groups, grassroots organizations, and all other health care advocates to come together and organize/mobilize a Health Care for All March on Washington this Spring; if meaningful legislation is already passed, we can thank our leaders for making it happen, if not, we can address what we need in order to ensure meaningful health care reform. Either way, it’s a win-win and an opportunity to show media pundits and the American people that WE ARE the majority of Americans who overwhelmingly voted for CHANGE in November of 2008. So far, it’s been politics as usual. We need a change we really can believe in…
What do we need? HEALTH CARE! When do we need it? NOW!!!
Senator Grassley, Iowans and the Mainstream Media by Paul Deaton
"...as
long as the mainstream news media fails to cover the influence of
powerful interests, there will be a need in society for citizens to
participate in its events..." Attending a Senator Chuck Grassley town hall meeting is a gift for people interested in what is going on in Iowa. Grassley refers to his town hall meetings as “representative government.” There are two sides, the people and the elected official representing the government. He said, “We gotta have these sessions for representative government to work.” After attending his Williamsburg, Iowa town hall on January 12, I can report that the 125 people in attendance (by the Senator’s count) are getting a lot of their information from the mainstream media. Rather than informing the citizenry, the mainstream media is distracting people from what is more important to them. That’s what is going on in Iowa.
The issues raised by citizens in attendance are many of the same ones that get attention from MSNBC, FOX, CNN, and the broadcast networks: immigration, ACORN, Al Gore, polling data, cap & trade, health care, banker bonuses and the tea bag movement within the Republican Party. If we had more than the hour allotted we would have covered them all. The question is, do these issues come from the people, or are they reflections of distorted information fanned by the bluster of the mainstream media?
When public opinion is formed by a media that serves to make a profit rather than inform the citizenry, these are the results. One citizen expressed outrage about the national discussion over climate change and called for a bill to investigate Al Gore. Another citizen said “Democrats are intent on destroying our medical care. Can’t we persuade someone to change their vote?” Another suggested that Republicans should delay everything in the Senate by demanding that every bill be read aloud.
We respect the right of people to make these statements and the town hall meeting enabled them to express their emotions. It’s all good from an emotional release standpoint. The speakers all seemed to be decent people. The challenge of a society with a for-profit news and entertainment media is that it is difficult to hear real issues amidst all the noise. It is also difficult to know what represents truth and what represents exaggeration or falsehood.
Some truth came out of this town hall. A dairy farmer recently “retired” because the government’s dairy policy was bankrupting him. He said, “When the government helps dairy farmers, things get worse.” He indicated that changes in milk prices related to Washington dairy policy led to his losing $9,000 per month and going out of business. The exchange between Grassley and the citizen was a slice of reality right in front of us.
Grassley asked the former dairy farmer why dairy producers like him send their lobbyists to Washington with policies that are bad for dairy farmers. “We were doing what the dairy association wanted,” said Grassley. This is an example of the disconnect between citizenry and government. It also exemplified an issue largely absent from the national discussion in the mainstream media, the dairy lobby. Maybe the Senator took a note to discuss the situation with the dairy association, but the whole notion of “representative government” Grassley-style seems fatally flawed.
At some level, Grassley’s office appears to exist to serve the needs of trade associations rather than citizens, as this example suggests. The presumption is that these powerful interests represent what individuals want. By failing to cover the story of the influence of powerful interests like the dairy associations, the mainstream media is failing the citizenry.
Perhaps this is because there are not enough news gathering people in the media. Perhaps it is because reporters have to rely on corporate public relations staff to get their stories. Perhaps it is because citizens have been conditioned to consume news broadcasts the same way we consume the sugary drinks, salted snacks and medicine they advertise. I don’t know the reason, but as long as the mainstream news media fails to cover the influence of powerful interests, there will be a need in society for citizens to participate in its events and report back to their family and friends with hope that someday, someone in this country will stand up to the powerful interests.
Support The Fallon Forum, Iowa's Progressive Talk Radio Show Ed and Lynn Fallon are celebrating the three-month anniversary of The Fallon Forum, an hour of local, progressive talk, broadcast each evening, Monday through Thursday on the publicly owned airwaves at 983wow-fm. If you live outside of central Iowa, you can still livestream the show at 983wowfm.com. An oasis of rationality in the conservative talk wasteland, The Fallon Forum has successfully added much needed balance to the talk radio landscape in Iowa. Iowa progressives can support their efforts by listening, calling into the show, donating, and supporting its sponsors - businesses and organizations.
Here's an update from Ed and Lynn.
~ We’re three months into our effort to help make local progressive talk radio a sustainable feature on Iowa’s airwaves. It’s a good time to thank the small business owners who make The Fallon Forum possible through their support as advertisers. Please join us in patronizing these businesses – and tell them you heard about them from us!
Community CPA & Associates, who are not only buying ads for The Fallon Forum but sponsoring the show for a month. Owner Ying Sa does a lot of great work for our community, too, helping to promote minority-owned business opportunities.
Food:
One of our favorite [Des Moines restaurants] is India Star, owned by Baba Singh. Baba has served North Indian cuisine to central Iowa for over twelve years.
Newly opened in Des Moines’ East Village is Open Sesame, owned by our friend Mario Gazali and offering a wonderful array of Lebanese food.
For lunch, Proof has become a place we often choose in downtown Des Moines. We are thrilled that owner Carly Groben is committed to purchasing Iowa-grown foods in season.
Nagi’s Mediterranean Grocery is a new store at 42nd and University in Des Moines, offering ethnic options you won’t find in many other places.
Critters: Story County Veterinary Clinic is our first sponsor to come from outside Polk County, and we appreciate Dr. Houlding’s support.
Kids: Tanya Keith runs Simply for Giggles, an East Village shop that provides a range of products for kids – everything you’ll need to decorate, educate or entertain your little ones.
Warmth: Our friend Leonard Tinker (Leonard Tinker Heating & Cooling) will add further warmth to your life with his stimulating and provocative conversation.
Home & Office: There’s some great new office rental space opening up on the east side of downtown, under the auspices of East Village Office Suites. Rent includes a receptionist, secretary, internet, phone, conference room, tech support, fax and copying services, cleaning and utilities – and a great ambiance to connect with like-minded professionals.
If it’s a one-bedroom apartment you’re looking to rent, Michael Renovations manages a beautiful Tudor revival-style building at 4526 University in Des Moines, with apartments renting at $585 per month.
And if it’s historic renovation you need for your home or business, check out the work of Preservation Resource Group.
Music: Shon and Chris with S & P Piano Services not only move even the biggest pianos but they’ve got an impressive selection for sale as well.
Cars: Graham Gormley at Sargent’s Garage just north of downtown Des Moines on 6th Avenue has serviced three generations of Fallon-mobiles.
We would also encourage you to support our organizational sponsors and supporters:
Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) 1000 Friends of Iowa, Sierra Club (Iowa Chapter) Des Moines Social Club, A Mid-Iowa Organizing Strategy (AMOS) Drinking Liberally Primary Health Care
Be sure to tune in to this week’s Fallon Forum, airing live from 7:00 - 8:00 pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. (We’ve been bumped for the ballgame on Tuesday – Go Hawkeyes!). Check out The Bradshaw Show, too, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm Monday through Friday. We’re on 983 WOW-FM, and both shows can be live-streamed at 983wowfm.com. Listeners are invited to call-in at (515) 312-0983 or toll free at (866) 908-TALK.
Jon Stewart Impersonates Glenn Beck for Entire Segment Huffingtonpost.com
"You know who else didn't answer medical questions? Hitler." ~ Jon Stewart
The "Daily Show" host spent an entire segment acting like, talking like, crying like, dancing like, and gesticulating like Glenn Beck. He was inspired by the fact that Beck recently had his appendix removed to create the 11/3 project-taking America back to a time before Beck lost his vestigial organ.
"Apparently the medicine that was good enough for our founding fathers is now considered politically or medically incorrect," Stewart said employing both air quotes and crazy voice registers that left the viewer wondering who and what he was quoting. "I'm not saying this is a plot by Hitler to steal Glenn Beck from all of us internal organ by internal organ by internal organ and then reprogram him to use as a weapon. But isn't it fascinating that I'm the only one with the courage to ask these questions?" He proceeded to jump up from his seat and run over to a chalk board that had the human anatomy scrawled on it alongside Cheney, acorns and the Russian flag. It only got better from there.
What you can do:Write - call - e-mail - go visit - your local Glenn Beck-carrying station. Demand rational radio. Suggest a progressive alternative: Thom Hartman, Stephanie Miller, Rachel Maddow, Jim Hightower, Ed Schultz... If your station won't listen, complain to the new, Obama-appointed, public interest-friendly FCC.
Are Iowans Being Brainwashed by Fox News? Brainwash: subject (a person) to a process by which ideas are implanted in the mind Well, it does feel like torture, listening to Fox or right-wing talk radio for any length of time at all. To listen, you either have to allow yourself to be indoctrinated, or go crazy, or laugh (but it's hard to do that because it really isn't funny), or turn it off and then pretend it isn't there. And it seems progressives and the unindoctrinated are mostly dealing with it by pretending it just isn't there. You hear this all the time: "Where do people get these ideas?"
We really hope Michael Moore's next movie will be about the right wing media.
BFIA found this at AlterNet.org, one of our favorite alternative media sites. It gives eight reasons why FOX News is NOT a news organization. Glenn Beck is just one of those reasons. Below, BFIA has included some factoids for readers about Glenn Beck's on-the-air, totally unnecessary, saturation of Iowa's publicly owned airwaves.
~Glenn Beck, the community organizer - No other news operation in memory has ever hired its own community organizer, at least not one tasked with the mission of organizing paranoid people to march through the streets of the nation's capital with signs depicting the president of the United States as a mass murderer.
Through his 9-12 Project, which he promotes on his Fox News Channel program, that's exactly what Beck did, organizing with other right-wing organizations the 9-12/Tea Party march on Washington - where marchers sported signs comparing Obama to Hitler and Stalin.
Beck was also instrumental in turning out angry mobs to disrupt this summer's town hall meetings, where members of Congress attempted to discuss health care reform with their constituents. After participants in a scuffle at a Tampa, Fla., town hall named their local 9-12 Project site as their inspiration, the national 9-12 Project site stopped accepting comments.
Despite the loss of some 80 advertisers from The Glenn Beck Show, thanks to a campaign by Color of Change, which targeted the show's sponsors after Beck claimed the president had "a deep-seated hatred for white people and white culture," Beck remains on the air at Fox. Could that be because he's more valuable to his boss-daddy as an organizer than as a conduit for advertising dollars?
After all, defeating government regulation of any kind could assure billions for [Rupert] Murdoch the investor, while advertising profits for a show with 3 million viewers would at most bring in millions. It's all about the zeros - how many. (Read the entire article here)
**BFIA IOWA ACTION ALERT**
Glenn Beck's toxicity pretty much covers our entire state. It's no wonder we have such schizophrenic politics in Iowa. In one week alone, Glenn Beck is on the air in Iowa for a full 76 hours. Two stations, Waterloo's KXEL-AM 1540, and Des Moines' KWQW-FM 98.3, carry Beck 18 hours a week each.
You can see why central and western Iowa denizens have a greater tendency to go around saying strange things, like "Obama is like Hitler! Obama is a socialist! Government is the enemy!" They not only get 18 hours a week of Glenn Beck, they also get a full dose of right-wing crazy on WHO AM 1420 with Mickelson, Limbaugh, Deace and Medved, all lying on the publicly owned airwaves for a combined total of 11.5 hours per DAY. Not to mention the fact that many can probably also pick it up on the Sioux City, Spencer, Fort Dodge and Burlington stations. How much right-wing talk does one state need? Or want? The public is not demanding this. We are being force-fed. We can only lament again, what an incredible waste of a public resource.
For a discouraging glimpse of the lack of sophistication and intelligent discourse on this issue, check out three letters in the Des Moines Register today, defending talk radio. The letters are from Pella (central), Ames (central) and Manning, Iowa (western). Under large Register-supplied portraits of their heroes Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck (taking up precious news space - but I guess if you've laid off most of your reporters, there's room), and a red-letter headline, "First Amendment Applies to All," the complexity of this problem and its political and regulatory history is entirely missed.
*IBLTV is a group of citizens from the Iowa City/Cedar Rapids area who are concerned about the decline in the quality of local television. Fight local media consolidation, as it leads to an unaccountable medium that enriches itself while disregarding the need to serve the public good.
*The rational counter to 'The Point,' 'The Counterpoint' critiques and corrects the daily editorial by Sinclair Broadcasting's corporate vice president, Mark Hyman, that is broadcast on all Sinclair-owned television stations across the country
We received the following great news from Ed and Lynn Fallon. An oasis of rationality in the conservative
talk wasteland, The Fallon Forum has successfully added much needed
balance to the talk radio landscape in Iowa. 
