By all rights, I should love Air America, right? After all, I do hate Bush, I’m a pretty liberal guy, and–when I’m not busy with other old timey hobbies, like stamp collectin’ or phosphate sippin’–I do enjoy listening to that antiquated device known as “the radio.” So you’d think that Air America–a nationwide talk radio station catering to liberals–would be my cup of tea, yeah?
But I fucking hate Air America. Maybe it’s how their radio personalities can’t stop using reactionary phrases like “neo-con death cult.” Maybe it’s how that shrieking harpy Randi Rhodes can’t stop squawking about right-wing conspiracies. Maybe it’s Al Franken (who thinks he’s hilarious, but hasn’t told a funny joke since that episode of Saturday Night Live in 1981). Or maybe it’s that Air America teams up with radio giant Clear Channel–one of the most despicable, monopolizing corporations around–to distribute its shows. ARRGH! STUPID AIR AMERICA MAKES ME SO ANGRY!
Okay. Sorry. This issue is about finding the “silver lining” of Bush being re-elected, after all, so here goes: I’m glad Air America’s around. Because even as the station utilizes the manipulative, extremist-inspiring tactics of right-wing talk radio–you could record a Rush Limbaugh show, dub in the self-righteous anger and quasi-paranoia of the Left, and end up with Air America–it also serves as an alternative to those conservative voices. That’s something that didn’t exist before George W. Bush’s first term got elected–and would have gone belly up pretty quickly had Kerry won. (Let’s face it–listening to self-satisfied radio hosts talk about how great the President is ain’t nearly as entertaining as listening to self-righteous radio hosts rant about how horrible the President is).
So the silver lining is this–Air America exists, people are listening to it, and they’re thinking about and discussing current political issues. That’s a definite upside to Bush being elected, and one that could pave the way for other left-targeted media organizations to follow suit. Now all that’s left is for Air America to transform into a station that’s actually worth listening to, and we’ll be set.
