»Next Story»
 Local News
 Currents Weekend
 The Last Week
 Weekly Sections
Subscribe to the UT

The San Diego Union-Tribune


October 3, 2004

Air America takes wing – let the fighting begin!

On "Liberal talk radio hits town, plays spirited game of catch-up" (by Preston Turegano, Sept. 24): Count me as one happy San Diegan to finally hear my views espoused instead of the usual right-wing, mean-spirited, small-minded, slanted, holier-than-thou Republican we-all-have-the-same-talking-points Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, Savage, Hedgecock, Roberts, Larsen, Williams, Reagan, Medved, Grant, North, Liddy, Ingraham, Gallagher, Prager, Hewitt baloney!

It's about time someone remembered this country is divided 50-50, and without Air America/KLSD/AM 1360, half of us are ignored. This is America, right? We are all supposed to be free to express our views, right? It should not make half of us un-American because we vehemently disagree with the "ruling" party now in office in the executive branch, both houses of Congress and, it appears, on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Wake up America and begin to hear both sides of the problems for a change. Unfortunately, the Republican radio audience seems to be content to adopt the right-wing hosts' opinions without taking the time or energy to even hear an opposing viewpoint. Sad.
Gail Folkman
San Diego

Turegano's paean to Air America and his scurrilous comments on conservative personalities – "Rush (it rhymes with flush)" – far exceed any boundaries of objective journalism. Yet he has the nerve to cite "conservative harangues, bullying and inane spins." Turegano's column was just another spearhead of the creeping liberal bias of the Union-Tribune that has become so apparent the past few years.
James B. Davis
La Mesa

Air America is a breath of fresh air in this town. The lying slobs of right-wing radio have made me queasy since their inception. True, AA is in its infancy but given the growing demand for it around the country, maybe Turegano should tune in awhile more before he goes criticizing the personalities and styles so quickly.

It took me a week or two to get used to Ed Schultz's brashness. I've come to enjoy it. Al Franken is delightful. I'm still warming to Randi Rhodes, but I'm sure I'll adjust to her style and message, too. Given the void of decent, sensible talk radio in this town, I'd think Turegano would be a bit more positive on the birth of this progressive savior.

Or just maybe Turegano prefers the right-wing circus? Makes for better journalism, I bet.
Lorraine Mageau
Linda Vista

I agree that the financial talk on KLSD/AM from 6 to 9 p.m. is not a good idea. Also, they should put Al Franken on for the morning drive from 6 to 9.

I only listen to the radio while in my car to-and-from work so that means that early morning and late afternoon to evening is when a radio station needs to grab listeners. I'll keep listening to Howard Stern (on 103.7/FM) in the morning and KPBS (89.5/FM) until they figure it out.
Ric Brown

An on-the-money Turegano review of KLSD. I hope someone involved with KLSD or Air America reads it!
Chris Guelich
San Diego

You have to be on LSD in order to purvey KLSD's left-wing drivel and actually expect people to believe it. Like John Kerry, who can't make up his mind in the same speech, let alone the same topic, come on now, liberal radio?

Liberals have no morals and they don't know the difference between right and wrong. Now, besides running most of the visual media, they can try to steal the airwaves away from the good and decent people of San Diego.

Why were they allowed to take away one of the most wonderful stations on AM radio (KPOP), playing decent music with no four-letter words, for the ear-pounding beat of the liberal lies of the left?
Ron Mason
San Diego

Lay off the acid. It's polluting Turegano's brain. Too bad he doesn't pull down $35 million a year like El Rushbo.

Turegano's just jealous.
John Evleth

Turegano loves the liberal's new place in radio; they don't have enough with ABC, NBC and that Confused Broadcasting System, CBS, not to mention CNN, MSNBC, et al. Now they are coming on radio. Why would anyone listen when they can watch all the TV channels, excepting Fox News, for the liberal bias that exists today and has existed for the last 40 years?
Amelia E. Barg
San Diego

So, are all your "Arts/Entertainment Writers" really political columnists in disguise? First, we have (pop music critic) George Varga offering his political views adoring Linda Ronstadt's love for Michael Moore, and now we have a radio "reviewer" dissing conservative radio in favor of his personal liberal point of view. I suggest changing Turegano's byline to "Political Arts Commentator" and be honest with us, your loyal readers.

I think the recent lessons of honesty in the press are best served when we know up front that we are reading biased press, and label it as such. Turegano's politically-biased comments that KLSD radio is a welcome alternative to conservative "harangues, bullying and inane spins" is definitely not a review; it's a statement of his inner political feelings.

And I don't care what he thinks personally about Rush "(rhymes with flush)" Limbaugh. What a jerk to say something like that anyway. That and his other derogatory comments are what demean the press.

I've listened, out of respect, to KLSD and Stuart Smalley (oh, sorry – Al Franken) and can't believe it'll find a commercial audience. It's wonderful that Turegano gives three stars to Stuart and his man-hating gal pals, but I give the "dog" symbol to Turegano.
T.L. Sheldon
Pacific Beach

Why did Turegano not use any of his cutesy nicknames for the liberal hosts, as he did for the conservatives? Was this an editorial or is he from the Dan Rather/New York Times school of journalism?
Bob Therrien
Mission Beach

I'm so impressed with Turegano's unbiased review of liberal Air America radio. He has shown himself qualified to be a producer for Dan Rather on CBS.
Lynn Cihak

After reading the pretty scathing review of Air America, I was wondering why the reviewer gave it three stars. I listened to the station and agree with Turegano's review. There's incessant whining about how bad the other team behaves, but little substance.

I never learn anything from that station and don't understand how it could be compared to KPBS. Just like most conservative talk shows, it distorts information and deceives the listener.
John McManus
La Jolla

Exactly how much does Scher earn, anyway?

I've seen some tasteless, tacky journalism in my day, but (classical music critic) Valerie Scher's pointless revelation of maestro Donald Barra's annual salary (as head of the San Diego Chamber Orchestra) exceeds the worst yet ("Chamber's Barra to step down," Sept. 25).

What did Scher's egregious violation of Barra's privacy possibly hope to add to her otherwise factual reporting?
Albert G. Byers
Rancho Santa Fe

Globe's 'Scoundrels' hits the spot

After seeing "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" (at the Old Globe), I was eager to read (theater critic) Anne Marie Welsh's review. While the audience was cheering, I was thinking about what changes might be required for the show to be a hit on Broadway. Thus, I was delighted to read Welsh's "'Rotten' is ripe, ready" (Sept. 24). I agreed with Welsh's thoughtful analysis.

This was my first exposure to (actor) John Lithgow, so I brought no prior expectations. I felt he lacked the charisma necessary for that character. However, we thought Norbert Leo Butz was wonderful. We hope the show succeeds; there is so much in it that's excellent.
Arlene Gilbert

Surf's up! Truth in art is 'like a vast ocean'

In responding to a review of his exhibit, Harold Cohen (of Encinitas) asked, what is art "at a time when art is changing its own definitions" ("At least AARON won't cut off his ear," Letters, Sept. 19). Good question, false premise.

With time, artists become more aware of the meaning of art, its possibilities and guiding principles, but art doesn't define or redefine itself in my view, and neither do its definition or basic purposes change.

As an artist myself, I define art as the creative expression of truth. Truth of course, is problematic. It's like a vast ocean. Most artists splash around along the shore, get a little wet. Occasionally, a Picasso shows up with a cup, removes a few drops, pours them into humanity's leaky bucket of reality. That expands our awareness of truth a little, especially our memory of it.

Fundamentally, art's definition and purposes remain unchanged and unchangeable. To the extent that it tells us the truth, art is immutable, because truth is.
Cliff McReynolds
La Jolla

Harold Cohen asked in his letter: "If (the computer)
AARON isn't making art, what is it making?"

The answer to that question is obvious: AARON makes decoration.
Bob Matheny
San Diego


 »Next Story»

© Copyright 2004 Union-Tribune Publishing Co.