# Air America Declares Bankruptcy-True or False? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 13, 2006, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594 "2006-09-13T20:03:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/61 "2006-09-15T12:18:38Z")
[QUOTE=Stoid] Righty radio is noisy, bombastic, jaw-droppingly arrogant, simplistic…and it hits all the right notes for people who like their politics plain and simple: we’re good, They’re Bad. [/quote] > [@Stoid](#): > > It’s not really the nature of the average liberal-minded person to…spend…time demonizing the other side. It’s contrary to liberal mindset to begin with. Irony impairment, by contrast, is common to both sets of listeners. :dubious: One relatively simple explanation for the far lesser popularity of talk radio among left-wingers (apart from the huge head start the right has had): it’s perceived as a right-wing medium, and not so many lefties want to ape what the other side has been doing. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/62 "2006-09-15T12:50:26Z")
[QUOTE=Stoid] I was passionately devoted to Air America when it started. I also consider myself a longtime Al Franken fan, as well as a longtime talk radio fan. The problem with AA, and with lefty radio overall, is that the people they want to appeal to don’t operate the same way the righty audience does, so it’s very difficult to find formats and stars that really work for that demographic. Righty radio is noisy, bombastic, jaw-droppingly arrogant, simplistic…and it hits all the right notes for people who like their politics plain and simple: we’re good, They’re Bad. We love our flags, our apple pie, our country, our kids, and for damn sure we love our God. Yay us. Lefty radio was, by its very nature, (because it is the nature of the left vs. the right, hello) more gray areas, more detailed, more inclusive, more varied…in other words: mushy. At least in terms of trying to make snappy, easy-to-follow radio. It’s not really the nature of the average liberal-minded person to seek out or enjoy programs that would boil liberal thought down to a few basic concepts and spend the rest of the time demonizing the other side. It’s contrary to liberal mindset to begin with. Which is why liberals are much better in the blogosphere: more in depth, detailed, thoughtful, wordy. I feared for AA from the start, but had high hopes. Randy Rhodes was the closest they could come to having the same style as righty radio, and as incredibly smart and informed as she is, as painfully brimming with really important, good information, she just ends up being irritating as hell to listen to. It’s the nature of the two beasts. They are different, and they respond to different ways of communicating. [/QUOTE] Boy, those grapes sure are sour, aren’t they? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/63 "2006-09-15T21:31:27Z")
[Air America Lays Off Employees, Not Filing Bankruptcy](http://www.nbc10.com/entertainment/9856781/detail.html) > [@](#): > > Air America Radio has acknowledged laying off a few employees, but insists it has no plans to declare bankruptcy. [Think Progress Apologizes](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/15/franken-no-bankruptcy/) > [@](#): > > On Wednesday, ThinkProgress reported “Air America Radio will announce a major restructuring on Friday, which is expected to include a bankruptcy filing.” We made a judgment that our sources were knowledgeable and reliable. We regret the error. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/64 "2006-09-15T21:59:29Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] [Air America Lays Off Employees, Not Filing Bankruptcy](http://www.nbc10.com/entertainment/9856781/detail.html) [Think Progress Apologizes](http://thinkprogress.org/2006/09/15/franken-no-bankruptcy/) [/QUOTE] So are there any laws that say you have to pay your employees before you lay them off? Gonna get expensive if Al Franken hasn’t been paid. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2006, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/65 "2006-09-15T22:14:39Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Boy, those grapes sure are sour, aren’t they?.. [/QUOTE] Aw, what the hell, we can afford a bit of charity… Doom! Doom! Air America is done for, our forces are in disarray, all are plans are in tatters as the mighty tide of Bill O’Reilly crushes our dreams and scatters our armies! Alas! The awesome geyser of truth that gushes forth from Rush’s vast fundament sweeps away all before it, and we are undone! Woe! Woe! ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/66 "2006-09-16T01:57:54Z")
Ah Charity. A good word to use in conjunction with Air America. Nothing like “borrowing” from a children’s group to assuage one’s guilt for the sin of failure. All that’s left is faith and hope. Maybe you could have electronic casino night on Great Debates and breath a little air back into such an American institution. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/67 "2006-09-16T02:13:18Z")
[QUOTE=Magiver] Ah Charity. A good word to use in conjunction with Air America. [/QUOTE] Well, **Bricker** should at least reappear in his thread to request a title change, now that the bankruptcy story’s been shown to be untrue. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/68 "2006-09-16T03:19:03Z")
[QUOTE=Squink] Well, **Bricker** should at least reappear in his thread to request a title change, now that the bankruptcy story’s been shown to be untrue. [/QUOTE] So requested! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/69 "2006-09-16T03:30:23Z")
Nah, today, tomorrow, same same. Air America is boring, for the reasons **Natasha** outlined above. Simple, dull, Amish facts. Once you start thinking about things, you realise you have to think more about things. I listen to AA frequently, but I already know what they’re telling me. Now, listening to Tighty Righty radio is _interesting!_. When you know someone is lying to you, you get vastly more information. You note what they’re lying about, and why. Truth is dull, in comparison. > [@](#): > > A lie can travel halfway round the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. [Mark Twain] ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/70 "2006-09-16T03:47:06Z")
[QUOTE=Bricker] So requested! [/QUOTE] Done! Hope you approve of the title change. **samclem** ---
**Author:** ![Ms2001](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ms2001/32/18463_2.png) [@Ms2001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms2001)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/71 "2006-09-16T06:29:12Z")
Well, Air America Radio just got a little less boring, because my favorite show [The Young Turks](http://www.youngturk.com) is moving to AAR. Unfortunately, it’s an insane time slot (3 AM Pacific) and our local AAR affiliate is crap anyway, but those of you on the east coast might enjoy them during your morning commute. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/72 "2006-09-16T13:26:17Z")
> **[Muslim leaders demand apology for Pope's 'medieval' remarks](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2006/sep/16/catholicism.religion)** > > Pope Benedict XVI was last night facing angry demands from Muslims that he apologise for a speech in which he appeared to say the concept of jihad was "unreasonable" and quoted a medieval ruler who said Muhammad's innovations were "evil and inhuman". > **[State Takes Hands-Off Policy on Cellphones](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-sep-15-me-cell15-story.html)** > > The governor will sign bill banning drivers' use of hand-held phones. It will take effect in 2008. [http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6576](http://www.gop.com/News/Read.aspx?ID=6576) [QUOTE=elucidator] Nah, today, tomorrow, same same. Air America is boring, for the reasons **Natasha** outlined above. Simple, dull, Amish facts. Once you start thinking about things, you realise you have to think more about things. I listen to AA frequently, but I already know what they’re telling me. Now, listening to Tighty Righty radio is _interesting!_. When you know someone is lying to you, you get vastly more information. You note what they’re lying about, and why. Truth is dull, in comparison. [Mark Twain] [/QUOTE] So you’re back to whining about misc. radio shows that oppose your opinion. Well that’s… vaguely familiar. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/73 "2006-09-16T13:29:11Z")
above sites were unrelated to post. I was testing problem with internet explorer. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/74 "2006-09-16T14:21:35Z")
[QUOTE=tomndebb] I’d say that they have pretty much the same expectation of failure that intelligent Conservatives have when the country is willing to accept the current sound-bite leadership. [/QUOTE] I repeat: What definition of “Conservative” are you using and how does it differ from “right-wing”? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/75 "2006-09-16T14:49:45Z")
[QUOTE=Magiver] Ah Charity. A good word to use in conjunction with Air America. Nothing like “borrowing” from a children’s group to assuage one’s guilt for the sin of failure. [/QUOTE] :dubious: That was [the doing of Evan Cohen,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_America-Gloria_Wise_loan_controversy) when he was both chairman of Progress Media (then-owner of AA) and Director of Development for Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Clubs of Co-Op City. It was done without knowledge of anybody on the editorial side. Cohen is no longer chairman of the (now defunct) Progress Media and has no connection to Air America of any kind. Not evidence of any corruption at AA, IOW. This is on the order of a scandal at the corporate HQ of ClearChannel – not something reflecting on or reflected by the editorial content of its stations. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/76 "2006-09-16T14:54:09Z")
[QUOTE=Stoid] I feared for AA from the start, but had high hopes. Randy Rhodes was the closest they could come to having the same style as righty radio, and as incredibly smart and informed as she is, as painfully brimming with really important, good information, she just ends up being irritating as hell to listen to. [/QUOTE] Try the Ed Schultz Show. He’s just as smart and considerably less irritating. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/77 "2006-09-16T15:09:55Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] :dubious: That was [the doing of Evan Cohen,](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_America-Gloria_Wise_loan_controversy) when he was both chairman of Progress Media (then-owner of AA) and Director of Development for Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Clubs of Co-Op City. It was done without knowledge of anybody on the editorial side. Cohen is no longer chairman of the (now defunct) Progress Media and has no connection to Air America of any kind. Not evidence of any corruption at AA, IOW. This is on the order of a scandal at the corporate HQ of ClearChannel – not something reflecting on or reflected by the editorial content of its stations. [/QUOTE] A poorly funded business venture stole from children and was forced to pay it back. Yes, I got it thank you. There isn’t much of a spin you can put on AA that helps. It’s still a poorly funded business venture. Nobody wants to invest in moonbats. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/78 "2006-09-16T18:15:26Z")
[QUOTE=Magiver] A poorly funded business venture stole from children and was forced to pay it back. Yes, I got it thank you. There isn’t much of a spin you can put on AA that helps. It’s still a poorly funded business venture. Nobody wants to invest in moonbats. [/QUOTE] You’re really not going to add anything to this thread, are you? Daniel ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/79 "2006-09-16T18:33:36Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] Try the Ed Schultz Show. He’s just as smart and considerably less irritating. [/QUOTE] Hmm. The first time I heard Ed Schultz I thought it was Rush Limbaugh (whom I’ve listened to very little): he has a very similar style of orating. After a moment or two, I picked up on the content of what he was saying, and I thought something was weird. Then I figured out it was someone else, and realized that that was the whole point: use the same style, with different content–that’s the marketing strategy. Schultz, of course, isn’t as mean spirited as Limbaugh, but it takes a while to pick up on that. And he isn’t irritating, to me, at least. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2006, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594/80 "2006-09-16T18:41:49Z")
[QUOTE=Magiver] A poorly funded business venture stole from children and was forced to pay it back. [/QUOTE] It was not the “business venture” that did it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/air-america-declares-bankruptcy-true-or-false/372594.md?page=5)