From lglavin@mail.com Thu Nov 2 17:09:39 2006 From: lglavin@mail.com (Laurence Glavin) Date: Thu, 02 Nov 2006 17:09:39 -0500 Subject: New AM In Providence? Message-ID: <20061102220941.4E77B1CE304@ws1-6.us4.outblaze.com> The FCC Applications list for today (11/02) contains an FCC ok for Alex Langer to build a CP for an AM station on 1140 khz near Providence (COL Greenville, RI). I couldn't get the map displaying the daytime pattern to work, but I suspect it will provide heavy protection to WTTT-AM 1150. Just what Providence need...another AM station. -- Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com From scott@fybush.com Thu Nov 2 17:26:59 2006 From: scott@fybush.com (Scott Fybush) Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2006 17:26:59 -0500 (EST) Subject: New AM In Providence? In-Reply-To: <20061102220941.4E77B1CE304@ws1-6.us4.outblaze.com> clamav-milter version 0.88.5 on rolinin.bostonradio.org autolearn=failed version=3.1.6 rolinin.bostonradio.org References: <20061102220941.4E77B1CE304@ws1-6.us4.outblaze.com> clamav-milter version 0.88.5 on rolinin.bostonradio.org autolearn=failed version=3.1.6 rolinin.bostonradio.org Message-ID: <36130.66.195.169.98.1162506419.squirrel@webmail3.pair.com> > The FCC Applications list for today (11/02) contains an FCC ok for > Alex Langer to build a CP for an AM station on 1140 khz near > Providence (COL Greenville, RI). I couldn't get the map > displaying the daytime pattern to work, but I suspect it will > provide heavy protection to WTTT-AM 1150. Just what Providence > need...another AM station. Actually, the Langer app has merely been "accepted for filing." That doesn't guarantee it will ever be granted, or built. s From markwats@comcast.net Fri Nov 3 05:52:03 2006 From: markwats@comcast.net (Mark Watson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 05:52:03 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again Message-ID: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> WRKO talk show host John DePetro has been suspended for at least one day by station management after making a derogatory remark about Grace Ross, the Green-Rainbow party candidiate for Massachusetts governor. It's not the first time DePetro has been in trouble over comments made on the air. In July he was suspended for a few days over his use of words to describe then Mass Turnpike Authority chairman Matt Amorello. Here's a link to a Boston Globe article with more details: http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/11/03/talk_host_gets_snidely_personal_then_gets_hook/ Mark Watson From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 10:25:42 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 10:25:42 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again In-Reply-To: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> References: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611030725h5f12152ej7a806e7e39cbe3a0@mail.gmail.com> Radio Equalizer reported at 10:14 am that DePetro and his board op have been fired. References to DePetro gone from WRKO site. http://radioequalizer.blogspot.com/ On 11/3/06, Mark Watson wrote: > WRKO talk show host John DePetro has been suspended for at least one day > by station management after making a derogatory remark about Grace Ross, the From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 10:27:24 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 10:27:24 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611030725h5f12152ej7a806e7e39cbe3a0@mail.gmail.com> References: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> <1fbbbced0611030725h5f12152ej7a806e7e39cbe3a0@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611030727h4173194fn54606ef09d783553@mail.gmail.com> More info via boston.com. A statement will be released shortly. http://www.boston.com/news/globe/city_region/breaking_news/2006/11/radio_host_fire_1.html From stephanie@gordsven.com Fri Nov 3 10:39:53 2006 From: stephanie@gordsven.com (Stephanie Weil) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 10:39:53 -0500 (EST) Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again In-Reply-To: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> References: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> Message-ID: <19668.12.37.144.130.1162568393.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> On Fri, November 3, 2006 05:52, Mark Watson wrote: > WRKO talk show host John DePetro has been suspended for at least one day > by station management after making a derogatory remark about Grace Ross, God forbid a talkshow host should make a derogatory comment about anyone or anything. I mean...if they get suspended over stuff like that, how come Mike Savage is still on the air? That guy's got more poison in storage than an insecticide factory. stephanie From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 11:07:00 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 11:07:00 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> Various other talk hosts have called public figures fat, including Howie Carr with Ted K.("fatboy" nickname). Al Franken even made it a point to include the word in the title of one of his books, with reference to Limbaugh. Savage was benched briefly by 'RKO after the MSNBC incident. Consider that WRKO has to be careful it doesn't offend its listeners, _sponsors_, and the likes of the Red Sox (big bucks paid for longterm contract/big ratings expected) and Celtics. But yes you wonder if there's a double standard. Hire a controversial talk host! Ooh boy, what's he gonna say today--he said WHAT? Uh oh (i.e., hey, you play with fire and you might get burned...) From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Fri Nov 3 11:30:32 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 11:30:32 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> From: "Bob Nelson" > Various other talk hosts have called public figures fat... I don't think it was the "fat" comment...as much as it was the "lesbian" comment. And seeing how Depetro was in this predicament before with the "Fag Matt Amorello" comment. I think this shows a pattern. Add to that the fact that his ratings are invisible...and WRKO would like to save money.... From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 11:59:11 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 11:59:11 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> On 11/3/06, Don A. wrote: > I don't think it was the "fat" comment...as much as it was the "lesbian" > comment. (snip) > Add to that the fact that his ratings are invisible...and WRKO would like to > save money.... Could be. Which is why I wonder if they'll go to Glenn Beck (syndie), though then again they'd prob. want to keep it local. But the fact that 'RKO doesn't want to offend listeners, sponsors, and certainly the Sox and Celts figures into it. An ad sister station WEEI runs in papers shows the "desktop" of Larry Lucchino of the Red Sox, and apparently a note is being written to Jason Wolfe: "I thought you were going to control these guys (Dennis and Callahan)..." That connection... (wouldn't want to make the Sox look bad, since 'RKO will be their flagship and people might complain to the folks on Yawkey Way about what's going on at Guest St.)... From gary@garysicecream.com Fri Nov 3 12:03:48 2006 From: gary@garysicecream.com (Gary's Ice Cream) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 12:03:48 -0500 Subject: Gene Burns back to Mid-Days on WRKO? In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <01dd01c6ff6a$07f21640$6500a8c0@Office> Not going to happen. I called Gene this morning after the news about John DePetro broke......told him that there was an opening 9 - noon...(That would be 6am - 9am in San Francisco where Gene now lives). He could always do the show on ISDN ........he says he happy sleeping til 8 or so every morning..thank you very much..... He signed a new contract with KGO recently for 5 more years (that will take him to his 70th birthday). -Gary Francis WCAP (and former fill-in host for Gene Burns' WRKO Dining Around Show) -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.24/514 - Release Date: 11/2/2006 From me@billoneill.us Fri Nov 3 14:55:43 2006 From: me@billoneill.us (Bill O'Neill) Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:55:43 -0500 Subject: Mid-days WRKO Message-ID: <454B9EBF.3000101@billoneill.us> Glenn Beck's numbers are looking solid in a lot of high profile markets. With his new opinion show on Headline News this seems to be a good trend time for the host. OTOH, with the '08 season almost upon us, WRKO may want a local political talker with some national cred, as well. Bill O'Neill From Joe@attorneyross.com Fri Nov 3 15:22:25 2006 From: Joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:22:25 -0500 Subject: Mid-days WRKO In-Reply-To: <454B9EBF.3000101@billoneill.us> Message-ID: <454B5EB1.12646.35540B@localhost> On 3 Nov 2006 Bill O'Neill wrote: > Glenn Beck's numbers are looking solid in a lot of high profile > markets. With his new opinion show on Headline News this seems to be a > good trend time for the host. > > OTOH, with the '08 season almost upon us, WRKO may want a local > political talker with some national cred, as well. On that topic, I was wondering how they managed to get people with such national credentials to moderate the gubernatorial debates this year. This week's debate was moderated by Cokey Roberts of ABC, the one before by former Presidential advisor David Gergen. I think an earlier debate was moderated by former New Hampshire governor Jean Shaheen. This seems like much more prestigious moderators than we've seen in the past. -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax: 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From m1bz@hotmail.com Fri Nov 3 15:25:42 2006 From: m1bz@hotmail.com (Michael E) Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:25:42 -0500 Subject: Mid-days WRKO In-Reply-To: <454B5EB1.12646.35540B@localhost> Message-ID: Cokie Roberts was mighty unimpressive. On WBUR, the audio vanished during Mihos' closing statements. Anyone know what happened? >From: "A. Joseph Ross" >To: Boston Radio Interest , > "Bill O'Neill" >Subject: Re: Mid-days WRKO >Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 15:22:25 -0500 > >On 3 Nov 2006 Bill O'Neill wrote: > > > Glenn Beck's numbers are looking solid in a lot of high profile > > markets. With his new opinion show on Headline News this seems to be a > > good trend time for the host. > > > > OTOH, with the '08 season almost upon us, WRKO may want a local > > political talker with some national cred, as well. > >On that topic, I was wondering how they managed to get people with >such national credentials to moderate the gubernatorial debates this >year. This week's debate was moderated by Cokey Roberts of ABC, the >one before by former Presidential advisor David Gergen. I think an >earlier debate was moderated by former New Hampshire governor Jean >Shaheen. This seems like much more prestigious moderators than we've >seen in the past. > >-- >A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 >15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax: 617.742.7581 >Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com > > _________________________________________________________________ Try the next generation of search with Windows Live Search today! http://imagine-windowslive.com/minisites/searchlaunch/?locale=en-us&source=hmtagline From stephanie@gordsven.com Fri Nov 3 15:31:40 2006 From: stephanie@gordsven.com (Stephanie Weil) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 15:31:40 -0500 (EST) Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> On Fri, November 3, 2006 11:59, Bob Nelson wrote: > they'd prob. want to keep it local. But the fact that 'RKO doesn't > want to offend listeners, sponsors, and certainly the Sox and Celts figures > into it. How can you run a GOOD news-talk station without offending some body, some of the time? Maybe they could just run gardening, cooking and pet shows all day long. That won't offend anyone, for sure. :D -- Stephanie Weil New York City, NY, USA From sean.smyth@yahoo.com Fri Nov 3 15:59:50 2006 From: sean.smyth@yahoo.com (Sean Smyth) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 12:59:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: Mid-days WRKO In-Reply-To: <454B9EBF.3000101@billoneill.us> Message-ID: <20061103205950.73739.qmail@web58308.mail.re3.yahoo.com> --- Bill O'Neill wrote: > Glenn Beck's numbers are looking solid in a lot of high profile > markets. > With his new opinion show on Headline News this seems to be a good > trend > time for the host. > > OTOH, with the '08 season almost upon us, WRKO may want a local > political talker with some national cred, as well. Michael Graham, depending on his contract situation, might be an option. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com) From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 16:00:01 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 16:00:01 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> <29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> <1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com> >>gardening, cooking and pet shows all day long. If the Fairness Doctrine comes back, that could be what we hear! The repeal of that helped Rush on his way to success, and talk radio exploded--usually in the conservative direction. (Nobody says liberal talk shows can't be on the air but they need to be good enough to succeed...in the marketplace). If the FD comes back, talk stations won't want to be running anything "controversial" for fear that they'll have to "give the other side" (which also means Air America would have to have conservative hosts, folks!) and that could hurt them in the ratings. (Liberals always have other forms of media to fall back on or they could do their own "entertaining" shows...) From wollman@csail.mit.edu Fri Nov 3 16:03:50 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 16:03:50 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> <29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> <1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com> <1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <17739.44726.808773.84425@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> < said: > If the Fairness Doctrine comes back, that could be what we hear! What makes you think that is on the cards? I cannot imagine the courts allowing that, even if the FCC were for some strange reason to decide to wade back into those waters. -GAWollman From me@billoneill.us Fri Nov 3 16:19:39 2006 From: me@billoneill.us (Bill O'Neill) Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 16:19:39 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <17739.44726.808773.84425@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> <29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> <1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com> <1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com> <17739.44726.808773.84425@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <454BB26B.1050308@billoneill.us> Garrett Wollman wrote: > What makes you think that is on the cards? Personally, I don't see the Fairness Doctrine coming back, but the general impression among conservatives and libertarians is that any initiative to revisit the F.D. would be more likely to occur if the leadership were to pendulum back to the left in Washington. Bill O'Neill From raccoonradio@gmail.com Fri Nov 3 16:48:35 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 16:48:35 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <454BB26B.1050308@billoneill.us> References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com> <017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com> <29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com> <1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com> <1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com> <17739.44726.808773.84425@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> <454BB26B.1050308@billoneill.us> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611031348m1dde9353i7bd38e5390245510@mail.gmail.com> On 11/3/06, Bill O'Neill wrote: the > general impression among conservatives and libertarians is that any > initiative to revisit the F.D. would be more likely to occur if the > leadership were to pendulum back to the left in Washington. I agree with Bill... What would be next, a Fairness Doctrine for newspapers? magazines?: What kind of government watchdog agency would keep an eye on "fairness"? From radiotony@comcast.net Fri Nov 3 19:03:29 2006 From: radiotony@comcast.net (radiotony) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 19:03:29 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611031348m1dde9353i7bd38e5390245510@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <200611040003.kA403vSO036329@rolinin.bostonradio.org> The return of fairness doctrine is badly needed especially when you look at the recent radio landscape. Take a look at the picture from AP of all the conservative talk show hosts camped out at the White House getting free access to every administration spokesperson under the sun to cheerlead for Republicans. Consider another picture from AP, of the private meeting the president held with seven of the top radio talk show hosts held a few weeks ago in the Oval Office in order to keep those talk hosts from straying from the reservation. When Clinton invited talk hosts to the White House to talk about issues and have access to administration members, every host under the sun was invited, not just the few liberal ones on the air. Did that happen in this White House? No. Did this White House allow liberal talk show hosts access to administration spokespeople to answer something other than lofty softball questions? No. Newspapers and magazines don't need a fairness doctrine because anyone can create a new newspaper or magazine to compete with other ones. With radio, you can't just go and create a radio station of the blue to compete with another radio station which only has rightwing nut jobs on it. Well, you could do that, but you would end up in jail if you did. Best, Tony Anthony Schinella Station Manager/Program Director WKXL 1450, Concord, N.H. Award-winning news, sports, arts & community conversation Blog: http://politizine.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Bob Nelson Sent: Friday, November 03, 2006 4:49 PM To: Bill O'Neill; boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org Subject: Re: DePetro fired... I agree with Bill... What would be next, a Fairness Doctrine for newspapers? magazines?: What kind of government watchdog agency would keep an eye on "fairness"? From billings@suscom-maine.net Fri Nov 3 20:10:05 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 20:10:05 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611031348m1dde9353i7bd38e5390245510@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> The woman in question is not skinny and she is openly homosexual. I don't see name calling adding anything to the debate, but his remark hardly seems like a firing offense when it was not really inaccurate and said about a politician. Weird. -- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine From kc1ih@mac.com Fri Nov 3 20:52:53 2006 From: kc1ih@mac.com (Larry Weil) Date: Fri, 03 Nov 2006 17:52:53 -0800 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <8D53E5AE-010E-1000-EDBE-C09F15721F8D-Webmail-10010@mac.com> On Friday, November 03, 2006, at 08:16PM, "Daniel Billings" wrote: >The woman in question is not skinny and she is openly homosexual. > >I don't see name calling adding anything to the debate, but his remark >hardly seems like a firing offense when it was not really inaccurate and >said about a politician. I think it's a matter of context. If he referred to the other candidates by their names and then said "and the fat lesbian's position on that issue is xxxxxx", it would be obvious that it was intended as an insult. I didn't hear it nor see a transcript so I can't say for sure. It always seems though that when a talk host gets fired for such an infraction, he most always winds up with a better gig in a bigger market. Larry Weil Lake Wobegone, NH From xtrovato@yahoo.com Fri Nov 3 22:29:07 2006 From: xtrovato@yahoo.com (Rob Trovato) Date: Fri, 3 Nov 2006 19:29:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <20061104032908.69819.qmail@web35911.mail.mud.yahoo.com> --- Daniel Billings wrote: > The woman in question is not skinny and she is > openly homosexual. > I don't see name calling adding anything to the > debate, but his remark > hardly seems like a firing offense when it was not > really inaccurate and > said about a politician. Well it was "personal". And zings like that, as you said, do nothing for the debate....and don't add any credibility to WRKO as being a station you might turn to for information. I see a new line of sensitivity from WRKO....maybe it's due to the impending sox move? ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com) From joe@attorneyross.com Sat Nov 4 00:04:21 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:04:21 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611030725h5f12152ej7a806e7e39cbe3a0@mail.gmail.com> References: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> Message-ID: <454BD905.18003.36D094@localhost> On 3 Nov 2006 at 10:25, Bob Nelson wrote: > Radio Equalizer reported at 10:14 am that DePetro and his board op > have been fired. References to DePetro gone from WRKO site. Why the board op? What did he do? -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From m1bz@hotmail.com Sat Nov 4 00:31:44 2006 From: m1bz@hotmail.com (Michael E) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:31:44 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again In-Reply-To: <454BD905.18003.36D094@localhost> Message-ID: Board op is scapegoat, but legally RKO has a leg to stand on. Board op should know to bleep offensive sound for RKO, not for the host he's working with. >From: "A. Joseph Ross" >To: "Mark Watson" , >boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org, raccoonradio@gmail.com >Subject: Re: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again >Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 00:04:21 -0500 > >On 3 Nov 2006 at 10:25, Bob Nelson wrote: > > > Radio Equalizer reported at 10:14 am that DePetro and his board op > > have been fired. References to DePetro gone from WRKO site. > >Why the board op? What did he do? > >-- >A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 > 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 >Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com > > _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create&wx_url=/friends.aspx&mkt=en-us From rogerkola@aol.com Sat Nov 4 00:45:54 2006 From: rogerkola@aol.com (Roger Kolakowski) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 00:45:54 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again References: <001101c6ff36$19368c80$9447da18@Mark> <454BD905.18003.36D094@localhost> Message-ID: <004601c6ffd4$7ee7ade0$0200a8c0@Tanguray> >Why the board op? What did he do?< Because he makes $8 per hour and has to make instant million dollar decisions... ----- Original Message ----- From: "A. Joseph Ross" To: "Mark Watson" ; ; Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 12:04 AM Subject: Re: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again > On 3 Nov 2006 at 10:25, Bob Nelson wrote: > > > Radio Equalizer reported at 10:14 am that DePetro and his board op > > have been fired. References to DePetro gone from WRKO site. > > > > -- > A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 > 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 > Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com > > > From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sat Nov 4 03:06:55 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 03:06:55 -0500 Subject: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again References: Message-ID: <03c701c6ffea$555e2060$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > Board op is scapegoat, but legally RKO has a leg to stand on. Board op > should know to bleep offensive sound for RKO, not for the host he's working > with. I would think the offensive sound he's on alert for is from the callers. Not the Host that was hired by WRKO for his air talent and skills. Sounds like the Yovino situation all over again.... From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sat Nov 4 03:42:13 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 03:42:13 -0500 Subject: Mid-days WRKO References: <454B5EB1.12646.35540B@localhost> Message-ID: <002e01c6ffed$38771c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > On that topic, I was wondering how they managed to get people with > such national credentials to moderate the gubernatorial debates this > year. This week's debate was moderated by Cokey Roberts of ABC, the > one before by former Presidential advisor David Gergen. I think an > earlier debate was moderated by former New Hampshire governor Jean > Shaheen. This seems like much more prestigious moderators than we've > seen in the past. Didn't we have Tim Russert and Chris Wallace moderate at one time? I would guess all of the above are on the speaking curcuit. Do you think the debates sponsor pays them a fee? (as they would if they was appearing at the rotary club to give a speech?) From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sat Nov 4 03:08:22 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 03:08:22 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... References: <1fbbbced0611030807t393defc1ka792b17748489644@mail.gmail.com><017b01c6ff65$66433c60$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net><1fbbbced0611030859s36e30029s44126569ab873073@mail.gmail.com><29788.12.37.144.130.1162585900.squirrel@mail.gordsven.com><1fbbbced0611031259w60c03b63qae9d6f0682ab0fbf@mail.gmail.com><1fbbbced0611031300x487160abh698eefb6a8efd5d1@mail.gmail.com><17739.44726.808773.84425@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu><454BB26B.1050308@billoneill.us> <1fbbbced0611031348m1dde9353i7bd38e5390245510@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <03c801c6ffea$55875340$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > What would be next, a Fairness Doctrine for newspapers? magazines?: > What kind of government watchdog agency would keep an eye on > "fairness"? Ummm.... The FCC? The same people that kept an eye on it when it was law. From radiotony@comcast.net Sat Nov 4 07:21:27 2006 From: radiotony@comcast.net (radiotony) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 07:21:27 -0500 Subject: Board op firing ... In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <200611041253.kA4Cr58J060315@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> While I'm not an attorney, I do play HR person at my radio station and have had a few crash courses on what you can fire someone for and how things have to be spelled out to employees. The only way WRKO is in the right here is if they had a written or spoken policy to that board op to bleep anything that DiPetro said which might be considered offensive. In addition, I certainly hope they have whatever is deemed offensive spelled out in specific instructions to their employees or said board op might have a pretty good case of false firing. Lastly, Massachusetts is not an at-will employment state, so WRKO can't just firing someone without just cause. If they don't have that just cause spelled out, I think it is safe to say they might have a problem here. Thoughts from attorneys on the list who might know Mass. law better than I? Best, Tony Anthony Schinella Station Manager/Program Director WKXL 1450, Concord, N.H. Award-winning news, sports, arts & community conversation Blog: http://politizine.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Michael E Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 12:32 AM To: joe@attorneyross.com; markwats@comcast.net; boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org; raccoonradio@gmail.com Subject: Re: WRKO Host John DePetro Suspended Again Board op is scapegoat, but legally RKO has a leg to stand on. Board op should know to bleep offensive sound for RKO, not for the host he's working with. From marklaurence@mac.com Sat Nov 4 10:04:21 2006 From: marklaurence@mac.com (marklaurence@mac.com) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 07:04:21 -0800 Subject: Board op firing ... In-Reply-To: <200611041253.kA4Cr58J060315@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> References: <200611041253.kA4Cr58J060315@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <88D89DB1-010E-1000-AE74-67507823908F-Webmail-10010@mac.com> On Saturday, November 04, 2006, at 07:56AM, "radiotony" wrote: >Lastly, Massachusetts is not an at-will employment state, so WRKO can't just >firing someone without just cause. >If they don't have that just cause spelled out, I think it is safe to say >they might have a problem here. I've always thought Massachusetts did follow at-will employment law, and this page from boston.com seems to agree: http://bostonworks.boston.com/hr/hrexpert/articles/061206.shtml It's best to document the situation to avoid specific charges of discrimination, etc., that could violate Mass. law. I don't think there is any requirement of "cause" for firing an at-will employee. From dlh@donnahalper.com Sat Nov 4 12:16:47 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 12:16:47 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... Message-ID: <20061104171652.0FC5952A59@relay6.relay.iad.emailsrvr.com> >Bob wrote-- > >If the FD comes back, talk stations won't want to be >running anything "controversial" for fear that they'll have to "give >the other side" That is, excuse me for saying so, total nonsense. Even during the days of the FD, it never said you had to immediately give the other side. It just said you couldn't attack somebody viciously (as Michael Savage is wont to do) without providing them with the opportunity to come on the air and respond. There were plenty of interesting and often controversial talk show hosts who functioned just fine under the Fairness Doctrine. The late great Jerry Williams certainly was not bland or boring, and he still managed to stay on the right side of the Doctrine. It just made everybody a little more responsible and a little less nasty. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sat Nov 4 13:49:19 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 13:49:19 -0500 Subject: depetro comments Message-ID: <030401c70041$f162b280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> For those who didn't know what the comments were that got Depetro fired, it was this: >> According to a tape of his Thursday show, DePetro was venting about the previous night's gubernatorial debate. "I could go now a lifetime without Grace Ross," he said. "She has nerve. This whole business of 'well since we're being ignored,' " he said, mocking Ross's effort to get equal time in the debate. "No, you're irrelevant. Get off the stage!" he continued, directing his remarks to Ross. "I couldn't stand her at the end. At one point I was about to yell: "Will somebody tell that fat lesbian to shut up. . . . "Shut up. Go home," DePetro said. "Burger King is looking for another third-shift person to work the grill. Enough." << From joe@attorneyross.com Sat Nov 4 15:01:44 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:01:44 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <20061104171652.0FC5952A59@relay6.relay.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <454CAB58.30268.A590B2@localhost> On 4 Nov 2006 at 12:16, Donna Halper wrote: > That is, excuse me for saying so, total nonsense. Even during the > days of the FD, it never said you had to immediately give the other > side. It just said you couldn't attack somebody viciously (as Michael > Savage is wont to do) without providing them with the opportunity to > come on the air and respond. There were plenty of interesting and > often controversial talk show hosts who functioned just fine under the > Fairness Doctrine. The late great Jerry Williams certainly was not > bland or boring, and he still managed to stay on the right side of the > Doctrine. It just made everybody a little more responsible and a > little less nasty. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing. I remember appearing on an interview show on WBUR sometime around 1980 with Harold Brown, the prominent landlord. At the time, a clerk- magistrate in the Brookline District Court had issued a criminal complaint against Brown for some violation or other of the rent control laws. Brown said the decision was "coerced." I responded that, while I didn't always like this particular magistrate's decisions, there was no way he could ever be "coerced." I later learned from that clerk-magistrate that WBUR had provided him a cassette of the program, or at least that excerpt, with a cover letter inviting him to reply. He thanked me for defending him. I don't believe he chose to reply. -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From billings@suscom-maine.net Sat Nov 4 14:20:32 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 14:20:32 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <030401c70041$f162b280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <000501c70046$4f681380$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> > -----Original Message----- > According to a tape of his Thursday show, DePetro was venting about the > previous night's gubernatorial debate. "I could go now a lifetime without > Grace Ross," he said. "She has nerve. This whole business of 'well since > we're being ignored,' " he said, mocking Ross's effort to get equal time > in the debate. > > "No, you're irrelevant. Get off the stage!" he continued, directing his > remarks to Ross. "I couldn't stand her at the end. At one point I was > about > to yell: "Will somebody tell that fat lesbian to shut up. . . . > > "Shut up. Go home," DePetro said. "Burger King is looking for another > third-shift person to work the grill. Enough." What am I missing? The guy is knocking a politician in a nasty way. If that is a firing offense, there are only a few talk show hosts that would have a job. John Stewart has made a career of making fun of politicians, including jokes based on how they look physically. -- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine From joe@attorneyross.com Sat Nov 4 15:01:44 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 15:01:44 -0500 Subject: Board op firing ... In-Reply-To: <88D89DB1-010E-1000-AE74-67507823908F-Webmail-10010@mac.com> References: <200611041253.kA4Cr58J060315@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <454CAB58.27400.A59002@localhost> On 4 Nov 2006 at 7:04, marklaurence@mac.com wrote: > On Saturday, November 04, 2006, at 07:56AM, "radiotony" > wrote: > > >Lastly, Massachusetts is not an at-will employment state, so WRKO > >can't just firing someone without just cause. If they don't have that > >just cause spelled out, I think it is safe to say they might have a > >problem here. > > I've always thought Massachusetts did follow at-will employment law, > and this page from boston.com seems to agree: We do have employment at will in Massachusetts. But every contract contains a covenant of "good faith and fair dealing," which sometimes means that the courts will step in on a wrongful firing. This more likely happens over financial issues, and while the courts won't order someone reinstated, they may award money damages. The classic situation was when an at-will employee was fired just before certain pension rights were about to vest, or an employee was fired to prevent him from qualifying for commissions he has earned. I'm not so sure the board op would have a case here unless there was an explicit contractual provision that was violated. -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From rogerkirk@ttlc.net Sat Nov 4 21:45:28 2006 From: rogerkirk@ttlc.net (Roger Kirk) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 21:45:28 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... References: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <008c01c70084$748d5150$7901a8c0@rogerhomeii> > I don't see name calling adding anything to the debate, but his remark > hardly seems like a firing offense when it was not really inaccurate and > said about a politician. If Grace Ross really wanted to show "GRACEiousness" and "class" she could have publicly called for DePetro not be fired, but simply disciplined. She might have gotten a little more respect from John (maybe?!). But, I'm sure she's reveling in silencing a perceived enemy. Just my $0.02 plus tax & gratuity From dlh@donnahalper.com Sat Nov 4 22:03:34 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:03:34 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <008c01c70084$748d5150$7901a8c0@rogerhomeii> References: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <008c01c70084$748d5150$7901a8c0@rogerhomeii> Message-ID: <20061105030338.722B3CDB5@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> >it was said-- > >If Grace Ross really wanted to show "GRACEiousness" and "class" she >could have publicly called for DePetro not be fired, but simply disciplined. >She might have gotten a little more respect from John (maybe?!). But, >I'm sure she's reveling in silencing a perceived enemy. Umm, who (or whom) did she silence? DePetro was fired before they even got a second set of comments from her. Her first comment was very mild and non-commital. She didn't get into 'giving a speech' mode till much later. Also, I find this entire thing really bizarre. I am not a fan of hate-speech by anyone, right wing or left wing, and although most of what's on WRKO is from the right, it's pretty consistent. So getting rid of DePetro when others on the station say similar things just mystifies me. I wish there were some standard of what is crossing the line. I wish I knew what the line is. I wonder if there's more to this story than meets the eye-- maybe they had wanted to get rid of him, as somebody suggested earlier, and this just gave them an excuse. But it wasn't Grace Ross's doing. From billings@suscom-maine.net Sat Nov 4 22:12:00 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 22:12:00 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <20061105030338.722B3CDB5@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> Message-ID: <000001c70088$2c73b040$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> > -----Original Message----- > From: Donna Halper [mailto:dlh@donnahalper.com] > Sent: Saturday, November 04, 2006 10:04 PM > To: Roger Kirk; Daniel Billings; boston-radio- > interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org > Subject: Re: DePetro fired... > > I am not a fan of > hate-speech by anyone, right wing or left wing, So calling someone fat is hate speech? Or is calling an actual lesbian, a lesbian hate speech? There are lots of derogatory terms for homosexuals which the use of on the air would be a firing offense in my book, but the last time that I checked, gay and lesbian were acceptable terms. Did I miss a memo? -- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine From dlh@donnahalper.com Sat Nov 4 22:41:25 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:41:25 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <000001c70088$2c73b040$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <20061105030338.722B3CDB5@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> <000001c70088$2c73b040$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <20061105034129.450AEC09D@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> Dan B wrote-- >So calling someone fat is hate speech? > >Or is calling an actual lesbian, a lesbian hate speech? I wasn't talking about DePetro. I was saying that a lot of talk radio has just turned into rude name-calling and insults. I don't necessarily find it offensive, but I do think it's a sad mis-use of the airwaves. Talk shows were once supposed to illuminate the issues. Now, too often, they are just a lot of huffing and puffing. That's all I meant. From m1bz@hotmail.com Sat Nov 4 22:41:46 2006 From: m1bz@hotmail.com (Michael E) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:41:46 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <20061105030338.722B3CDB5@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> Message-ID: I agree, it seems like RKO pulled the trigger rather quickly. We don't know what went on in the offices, nor do we know why the board op was also terminated. It seems, though, that they were in no great hurry to defend him or keep him. With the exception of Howie Carr, I haven't heard others on RKO nudging that envelope as far as this guy did. Even Howie seems to have lines he won't cross. The rules in radio seem very fluid as far as what you can or cannot say. It seems it's only when the FCC rules on a case do we have any direction. >From: Donna Halper >To: "Roger Kirk" , "Daniel Billings" >, > >Subject: Re: DePetro fired... >Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 22:03:34 -0500 > > >>it was said-- >> >>If Grace Ross really wanted to show "GRACEiousness" and "class" she >>could have publicly called for DePetro not be fired, but simply >>disciplined. >>She might have gotten a little more respect from John (maybe?!). But, >>I'm sure she's reveling in silencing a perceived enemy. > >Umm, who (or whom) did she silence? DePetro was fired before they even got >a second set of comments from her. Her first comment was very mild and >non-commital. She didn't get into 'giving a speech' mode till much later. > >Also, I find this entire thing really bizarre. I am not a fan of >hate-speech by anyone, right wing or left wing, and although most of what's >on WRKO is from the right, it's pretty consistent. So getting rid of >DePetro when others on the station say similar things just mystifies me. I >wish there were some standard of what is crossing the line. I wish I knew >what the line is. I wonder if there's more to this story than meets the >eye-- maybe they had wanted to get rid of him, as somebody suggested >earlier, and this just gave them an excuse. But it wasn't Grace Ross's >doing. > _________________________________________________________________ All-in-one security and maintenance for your PC. Get a free 90-day trial! http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwlo0050000002msn/direct/01/?href=http://www.windowsonecare.com/?sc_cid=msn_hotmail From joe@attorneyross.com Sat Nov 4 23:10:31 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2006 23:10:31 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000501c70046$4f681380$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <030401c70041$f162b280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <454D1DE7.22170.2651FAF@localhost> On 4 Nov 2006 at 14:20, Daniel Billings wrote: > What am I missing? The guy is knocking a politician in a nasty way. > If that is a firing offense, there are only a few talk show hosts that > would have a job. If he had said of Deval Patrick, "Will somebody tell that Black guy to go home," it would have been considered a racial slur and gotten him fired. So why do you have so much trouble understanding why a slur on Grace Ross's homosexuality is a firing offense? -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From sean.smyth@yahoo.com Sat Nov 4 23:58:48 2006 From: sean.smyth@yahoo.com (Sean Smyth) Date: Sat, 4 Nov 2006 20:58:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <000001c70088$2c73b040$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <20061105045848.57183.qmail@web58313.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Daniel Billings wrote: > So calling someone fat is hate speech? > > Or is calling an actual lesbian, a lesbian hate speech? > > There are lots of derogatory terms for homosexuals which the use of > on the > air would be a firing offense in my book, but the last time that I > checked, > gay and lesbian were acceptable terms. Did I miss a memo? It wasn't hate speech. It was, though, irrelevant to the point being discussed. And some people feel the word lesbian still has some negativity attached to it, even in 2006. So what if she's an overweight lesbian? How does that relate to the point at hand that DePetro was making -- i.e. she was wasting everyone's time? And I'll go along with the gang that says they were looking for a reason to can him already, and this provided a nice chance to do so and -- I don't know if comments deemed offensive by the suits would be covered in some kind of contractual, "unbecoming behavior" clause -- potentially cut bait without having to write another check. Consider his previous incidents: the fag comment, his on-air fight with the WPRO (or was it WHJJ) host, etc. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business (http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com) From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 01:10:39 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 01:10:39 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... References: <20061105045848.57183.qmail@web58313.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <038001c700a1$878c4500$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > Consider > his previous incidents: the fag comment, his on-air fight with the WPRO > (or was it WHJJ) host, etc. What was the on-air fight about? From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 01:11:51 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 01:11:51 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... References: <000c01c6ffad$f680f770$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <008c01c70084$748d5150$7901a8c0@rogerhomeii> Message-ID: <038101c700a1$88128c00$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > If Grace Ross really wanted to show "GRACEiousness" and "class" she > could have publicly called for DePetro not be fired, but simply disciplined. If I am correct, she didn't "call" for anything....I think THAT was gracious. > She might have gotten a little more respect from John (maybe?!). But, > I'm sure she's reveling in silencing a perceived enemy. SHE......didn't silence anybody. It was WRKO...that silence Depetro...as is their right. Some may say Depetro silenced himself. From joe@attorneyross.com Sun Nov 5 01:27:43 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 01:27:43 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: <038101c700a1$88128c00$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <454D3E0F.21323.2E2C1EE@localhost> On 5 Nov 2006 at 1:11, Don A. wrote: > > If Grace Ross really wanted to show "GRACEiousness" and "class" she > > could have publicly called for DePetro not be fired, but simply > disciplined. > > If I am correct, she didn't "call" for anything....I think THAT was > gracious. Did Grace Ross say anything at all about this incident? Is there any evidence that she even heard of it? -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 01:21:20 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 01:21:20 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000501c70046$4f681380$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > What am I missing? The guy is knocking a politician in a nasty way. If that > is a firing offense, there are only a few talk show hosts that would have a > job. I think the key words are "fat lesbian". WRKO probably considers it along the same lines as: "Tell that midget to go back..." or "Tell that cripple to...." Or to Deval: "Tell that Black guy to go back to Chicago", would've been something similar. Would these be acceptable? We suddenly reduce his whole being to "that black guy". Usually, what we teach our kids is you don't make fun of someone for something that they have no control over. We don't make fun of people's personal appearance.....their race, ethnicity, big ears, or nowadays sexual orientation, usually because those things have nothing to do with the issues being discussed. >So calling someone fat is hate speech? > >Or is calling an actual lesbian, a lesbian hate speech? Is calling someone "that cripple" hate speech? (...even if they are techinally are "crippled", as defined by the dictionary?) http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cripple It usually goes to intent. And the intent was to use some non-related aspect of her life to zing her. Zing her for the issues, some of her dumb positions ;-) but not on her looks or orientation. From billings@suscom-maine.net Sun Nov 5 08:43:38 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 08:43:38 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> > -----Original Message----- > From: Don A. [mailto:Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com] > Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 1:21 AM > To: Daniel Billings; bri@bostonradio.org > Subject: Re: depetro comments > > "Tell that midget to go back..." or "Tell that cripple to...." > > Would these be acceptable? Neither midget nor cripple are politically correct term. But when did lesbian fall out of favor? Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. > We don't make fun of people's personal appearance..... Have you watched the Daily Show? They do it all the time. From brian_vita@cssinc.com Sun Nov 5 10:24:02 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 10:24:02 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <454D1DE7.22170.2651FAF@localhost> Message-ID: <001801c700ee$6e070a00$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> > > > What am I missing? The guy is knocking a politician in a nasty way. > > If that is a firing offense, there are only a few talk show > hosts that > > would have a job. > > If he had said of Deval Patrick, "Will somebody tell that > Black guy to go home," it would have been considered a racial > slur and gotten him fired. So why do you have so much > trouble understanding why a slur on Grace Ross's > homosexuality is a firing offense? > I think that the comment was in poor taste but not grounds for dismissal. Does WRKO want edgy talk radio geared to the working man from Southie or do they want politically correct, plain vanilla speak? Pick an audience and cater to it. Brian T Vita, President Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 Peabody, MA 01960-5691 +1-978-538-7575Voice +1-978-538-7550 Fax From brian_vita@cssinc.com Sun Nov 5 10:21:48 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 10:21:48 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <001701c700ee$1e606a00$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> > > "Tell that midget to go back..." or "Tell that cripple to...." > > > > Would these be acceptable? > > Neither midget nor cripple are politically correct term. > > But when did lesbian fall out of favor? > > Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. > ...and the n****** word is a word used by blacks to address each other. How long do you think that I'd last on the air if I uttered that? Brian T Vita, President Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 Peabody, MA 01960-5691 +1-978-538-7575Voice +1-978-538-7550 Fax From brian_vita@cssinc.com Sun Nov 5 11:31:09 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 11:31:09 -0500 Subject: FW: depetro comments Message-ID: <002101c700f7$cd6ad040$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> > > -----Original Message----- > > ...and the n****** word is a word used by blacks to address > each other. > > How > > long do you think that I'd last on the air if I uttered that? > > The last time that I checked Gay, lesbian, and transgendered were the > favored and accepted terms. I hear lesbian used in the media > regularly. I do not hear the N word used. > Try BET or any of the "black" radio stations. It's a greeting, noun, curse or whatever context is "appropriate". It apparently IS accepted in the black community only between blacks. It is not that uncommon within any ethnic group for the members to refer to each other, either affectionately or not, with a term that outside of the community would be considered derogatory. Brian T Vita, President Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 Peabody, MA 01960-5691 +1-978-538-7575Voice +1-978-538-7550 Fax From billings@suscom-maine.net Sun Nov 5 10:38:59 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 10:38:59 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <001701c700ee$1e606a00$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> Message-ID: <000001c700f0$8678c040$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> > -----Original Message----- > ...and the n****** word is a word used by blacks to address each other. > How > long do you think that I'd last on the air if I uttered that? The last time that I checked Gay, lesbian, and transgendered were the favored and accepted terms. I hear lesbian used in the media regularly. I do not hear the N word used. There are lots of derogatory terms for homosexuals that are similar to the one that you mentioned. From billings@suscom-maine.net Sun Nov 5 12:50:48 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 12:50:48 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> I don't think lesbian is a term that is only used by members of the homosexual community. It is an acceptable word. I would also feel differently about this if the person mentioned was not a candidate for office and/or was not openly gay. If the host had attacked a private or even semi-private person and/or outed someone that would be different to me. By the way -- the Green Party candidate in Maine is long time radio personality Pat Lamarche. She has been on a number of stations as Jenny Judge and used to be the liberal co-host of the morning talk show on WGAN. She left that job after being arrested for driving drunk. She resigned without telling her employer why and then tried to unresign when her arrest came out. In this race, she is expected to place fourth with between 5 and 9 percent of the vote. Another candidate in the Maine race, Phillip Napier was shot by police and did prison time a few years ago due to the same incident. He was included in 2 of the 4 televised debates and some people wonder why he was included in any of the debates for reasons such as those suggested by Depetro. Napier is expected to get 1 percent of the vote or less. In the interest of full disclosure -- I am legal counsel for the campaign of Chandler Woodcock, the Republican nominee in the race. -- Dan Billings, Bowdoinham, Maine From wollman@csail.mit.edu Sun Nov 5 13:15:26 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 13:15:26 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <17742.10814.979664.749593@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> < said: > He was included in 2 of the 4 televised debates and some people > wonder why he was included in any of the debates for reasons such as > those suggested by Depetro. I wonder, on the other hand, why the complainers think it's legitimate to have a "debate" that doesn't involve all the candidates on the ballot. A couple of weeks ago, I heard a lot of griping about the presence of Ross and Mihos in the Mass. gubernatorial debates. It would be one thing if there were a dozen minor-party candidates on the ballot (as in the Presidential race most leap years), but with only four candidates there should be no issues letting them all be heard. -GAWollman From kc1ih@mac.com Sun Nov 5 11:48:16 2006 From: kc1ih@mac.com (Larry Weil) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 11:48:16 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: At 8:43 AM -0500 11/5/06, Daniel Billings wrote: > >Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. It's how the term was used that's the issue here. > >> We don't make fun of people's personal appearance..... > >Have you watched the Daily Show? They do it all the time. > The Daily Show is a comedy show, it's on a channel called Comedy Central. While The Daily Show often does make political points using at times some rather crude comedy, I don't think WRKO wants to be doing the same kind of schtick. -- Larry Weil Lake Wobegone, NH From dlh@donnahalper.com Sun Nov 5 12:34:27 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 12:34:27 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> >Dan B wrote-- >Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. Don A said and Dan B replied: > > > We don't make fun of people's personal appearance..... > >Have you watched the Daily Show? They do it all the time. > Dan and I don't always agree, but we are absolutey together on this one-- I don't know what the standard is. I've heard Howie Carr and Jay Severin on the right and Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy on the left doing all sorts of what sounds to me like name-calling. Yet some people get fired (DePetro) some get warned and suspended (Dennis and Callahan) and some get absolutely nothing done to them no matter how outrageous they are-- Rush Limbaugh's comments about Michael J. Fox offended many of us, and I've heard a number of hosts use words like "bitch" or "ass" or even "scumbag" on the air, but nothing happened. So what is the standard and why won't somebody finally tell us what is and is not acceptable? Paul Sullivan in the Globe today (Eileen McNamara's column, I believe) said he too thinks this was more about other things DePetro had done. But no kidding, as a consultant and a fan of talk radio, I wish I had some idea about what is and is not acceptable. As for certain words being used by the people themselves, that is an interesting question. It seems to be okay if the people themselves are doing it, but perceived as an insult when outsiders do it. That is, black people may call each other "niggah" but that doesn't mean a white host should call black people by that term. Italians may make mafia jokes or Irish make drunk jokes, or whatever. There are indeed gay people who have made 'sissy' jokes. But it seems to be a way of taking the slurs and re-claiming them, or by making fun of these slurs, some sociologists have suggested that it promotes group cohesiveness-- "they say this about us, but we are able to joke about it, so it doesn't hurt as much." Interestingly, when I hear a Jew joke, not an ethic joke but one that makes fun of stereotypes about Jews, I don't find it empowering or funny-- I find it offensive and annoying. But that's just me, perhaps. From sean.smyth@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 13:00:10 2006 From: sean.smyth@yahoo.com (Sean Smyth) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 10:00:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <20061105180010.80331.qmail@web58308.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Daniel Billings wrote: > In the interest of full disclosure -- I am legal counsel for the > campaign of > Chandler Woodcock, the Republican nominee in the race. Oh, Dan, how you have risen up the ladder. Remember us little people when you go to Washington. Back on-topic ... In the case of Ross, I don't think you could've invited Christy Mihos -- I think he would've been the Republican nominee had he stayed in the party -- without inviting Ross, as the Greens are a relatively respectable and well-recognized minor party. ____________________________________________________________________________________ Low, Low, Low Rates! Check out Yahoo! Messenger's cheap PC-to-Phone call rates (http://voice.yahoo.com) From bill.smith@comcast.net Sun Nov 5 14:09:43 2006 From: bill.smith@comcast.net (bill.smith@comcast.net) Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:09:43 +0000 Subject: DePetro fired... Message-ID: <110520061909.7537.454E36F7000893D200001D712216551406089B07039CD20404070D@comcast.net> Such gnashing of teeth. And over a talk program -- nothing more than the original reality show, created for entertainment and staged for entertainment by people who may or may not actually believe what they're saying. Take heed: 1. Offensive is whatever the licensee decides it is. 2. When one has poor ratings, one has little economic viability. 1 + 2 = down the stairs. Pretty simple. It's not about speech, civility, fairness, corporate image, public policy, lesbians being offended or what somebody else might have said that some consider offensive. Talk shows are like sitcoms. There are characters, roles, research and scripts. It's about making money. Must be a few raised eyebrows at AFTRA these days. From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 13:58:10 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 13:58:10 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com><000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <17742.10814.979664.749593@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <034f01c7010e$3076a400$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> From: "Garrett Wollman" > I wonder, on the other hand, why the complainers think it's legitimate > to have a "debate" that doesn't involve all the candidates on the > ballot. They are put together and hosted by private groups (AARP, Etc.)...not by the government. If my group was say, the "NRA" and hosting a debate...and 2 candidates were for banning ALL guns (and two were not). I would think my membership is deciding between the two that would not. Would it make sense to invite the 2 that have no chance of winning my constitutants votes? Whoever is hosting the event has a right to decide who they want to invite. From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 13:56:55 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 13:56:55 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <034e01c7010e$2df131a0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. "Black" is a term used by people of color...however it can be used as a Zing, i.e..."Tell that black guy to go home". Again, it goes to intent. > > We don't make fun of people's personal appearance..... > > Have you watched the Daily Show? They do it all the time. Are you equating the Daily Show with talkradio discussing a debate? The whole "raison d'etre" of the Daily show is to poke fun at people....at any cost. > The last time that I checked Gay, lesbian, and transgendered were the > favored and accepted terms. I hear lesbian used in the media > regularly. I do not hear the N word used. You will hear (mostly) young black men using it to refer to each other. > The last time that I checked Gay, lesbian, and transgendered were the > favored and accepted terms. I hear lesbian used in the media > regularly. I do not hear the N word used. You will also hear gay men sometimes use the word "fag" to describe themselves and each other somewhat affectionately. Again, it goes to intent. Depetro's comments were meant to reduce Grace Ross to two lines about her physicality. We are all more than simply our big noses, bald heads or big boobs...especially in the context of a debate for Governor. And an effort to reduce someone's status...based on a physical characteristic has no place in debating political issues. Again, this is WRKO's judgement to make...as to what type of radio station they want to be (or become). From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 14:01:25 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 14:01:25 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: <035001c7010e$309fd6e0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > >Gay, lesbian, and transgendered are the terms used by homosexuals. > > It's how the term was used that's the issue here. > > >> We don't make fun of people's personal appearance..... > > > >Have you watched the Daily Show? They do it all the time. > > > > The Daily Show is a comedy show, it's on a channel called Comedy > Central! And it used to be on (still is?) following a show that features puppets making prank phone calls! Whats more interesting is that you would put them on a similar plane. (Is the rest of the public is doing the same...equating ABC, Fox News, Leno's monologue and Comedy Central as equals!) From billings@suscom-maine.net Sun Nov 5 14:50:49 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 14:50:49 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <000001c70113$b182e360$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> The Daily Show is a comedy show, but it has more impact on politics than most talk shows, IMO. > -----Original Message----- > From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org > [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf > Of Larry Weil > Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 11:48 AM > To: bri@bostonradio.org > Subject: RE: depetro comments > > The Daily Show is a comedy show, it's on a channel called Comedy > Central. While The Daily Show often does make political points using > at times some rather crude comedy, I don't think WRKO wants to be > doing the same kind of schtick. From mamros@MIT.EDU Sun Nov 5 15:15:02 2006 From: mamros@MIT.EDU (Shawn Mamros) Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 15:15:02 -0500 Subject: DePetro fired... In-Reply-To: Your message of "Sun, 05 Nov 2006 19:09:43 GMT." <110520061909.7537.454E36F7000893D200001D712216551406089B07039CD20404070D@comcast.net> Message-ID: <200611052015.kA5KF2aC020148@home-on-the-dome.mit.edu> >1. Offensive is whatever the licensee decides it is. > >2. When one has poor ratings, one has little economic viability. > >1 + 2 = down the stairs. Exactly. I'd also add a little bit to item number 1: 1.a. Offensive is also whatever the sponsors decide it is. It wouldn't be too surprising if the firing was a direct result of an angry phone call from one of RKO's advertisers, would it? Particularly with the addition of item number 2 above. (If Howie Carr had been the one saying it, I doubt he'd be fired for it.) -Shawn Mamros E-mail to: mamros -at- mit dot edu From markwats@comcast.net Sun Nov 5 14:41:09 2006 From: markwats@comcast.net (Mark Watson) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 14:41:09 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com><000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <17742.10814.979664.749593@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <001601c70112$5a58b2f0$9447da18@Mark> Garrett Wollman wrote: > I wonder, on the other hand, why the complainers think it's >legitimate to > have a "debate" that doesn't involve all the >candidates on the ballot. Last weekend, WSBK Channel 38 aired a MA Lt. Governor candidate's debate, only inviting the Democrat & Republican candidates to appear on the 30 minute forum aired during Jon Keller's weekly Channel 38 program and taped 2 days prior to airing. Martina Robinson, the Green Party's Lt.Governor candidate, asked a court to issue an injunction to force station owner CBS to include herself and the Independent candidate John Sullivan in the forum. The reason given by CBS for the exclusion of Robinson & Sullivan was time constraints, it's only a 30 minute program and that having only the 2 major party hopefuls debate would better serve viewers. If I recall reading correctly, Robinson's lawyer also used a discrimination claim in the court filing, saying that Robinson was excluded because she suffers from a disability that has left her confined to a wheelchair & with a speech impediment. The court refused to grant the injunction and the debate was taped and aired as scheduled. Also of note, this past week WCVB Channel 5 anchor Natalie Jacobson aired sit down interviews taped in the homes of the Democrat & Republican gubernatorial candidates, the 2 minor-party candidates weren't interviewed. I wonder why the minor party candidates didn't publically complain about Natalie not coming to their homes. The reality is most media outlets give little to no coverage to the minor party candidates on a daily basis. Grace Ross got some screen time and press coverage only to get her reaction to John DePetro's comments about her. Mark Watson From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Sun Nov 5 14:37:33 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 14:37:33 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net><000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <040f01c70111$e00a6d40$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > Dan and I don't always agree, but we are absolutey together on this > one-- I don't know what the standard is. Well, you know WRKO has a "zero tolerance" policy.... ;-) > I've heard Howie Carr and > Jay Severin on the right and Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy on the left > doing all sorts of what sounds to me like name-calling. Yet some > people get fired (DePetro) some get warned and suspended (Dennis and > Callahan) and some get absolutely nothing done to them no matter how > outrageous they are-- It usually has to do with ratings. Zero tolerance is a funny thing. If you have ratings (i.e..Howie Carr, D&C, etc ) the level of 'zero tolerance' is different than for those that do not (Depetro). ;-) From radiotony@comcast.net Sun Nov 5 15:14:40 2006 From: radiotony@comcast.net (radiotony) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 15:14:40 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <17742.10814.979664.749593@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <200611052045.kA5KjmhJ078628@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> But even if there were a dozen candidates, why limit any of them? If programmers are concerned about too many candidates in one debate, have two debates on recurring evenings or two, one hour debates, with X amount of candidates each hour. There are very easy solutions to these kinds of issues if people think creatively. And why the debates always limited to just an hour? And why are there only 1 minute responses? That is what I find difficult to understand. While I understand we live in a sound-bite society, voting is a civic duty and airing debates with all the candidates who are on the ballot, a public service. You can't really begin to learn much about any of the candidates until you've had the chance to really hear what they say and mean. Best, Tony Anthony Schinella Station Manager/Program Director WKXL 1450, Concord, N.H. Award-winning news, sports, arts & community conversation Blog: http://politizine.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Garrett Wollman Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 1:15 PM To: Daniel Billings Cc: bri@bostonradio.org Subject: RE: depetro comments < said: > He was included in 2 of the 4 televised debates and some people wonder > why he was included in any of the debates for reasons such as those > suggested by Depetro. I wonder, on the other hand, why the complainers think it's legitimate to have a "debate" that doesn't involve all the candidates on the ballot. A couple of weeks ago, I heard a lot of griping about the presence of Ross and Mihos in the Mass. gubernatorial debates. It would be one thing if there were a dozen minor-party candidates on the ballot (as in the Presidential race most leap years), but with only four candidates there should be no issues letting them all be heard. -GAWollman From radiotony@comcast.net Sun Nov 5 15:26:45 2006 From: radiotony@comcast.net (radiotony) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 15:26:45 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <040f01c70111$e00a6d40$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <200611052058.kA5Kwpw4078796@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Another reason could be contracts: Dipetro could have been an Entercomm employee whereas I would bet anything that Howie Carr is a freelancer or has some sort of syndication contract. This would also explain why Michael Savage's lunacy is tolerated. But then, how do you explain some of Scotto's comments? Best, Tony Anthony Schinella Station Manager/Program Director WKXL 1450, Concord, N.H. Award-winning news, sports, arts & community conversation Blog: http://politizine.blogspot.com -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Don A. Sent: Sunday, November 05, 2006 2:38 PM To: Daniel Billings; bri@bostonradio.org; Donna Halper Subject: Re: depetro comments It usually has to do with ratings. Zero tolerance is a funny thing. If you have ratings (i.e..Howie Carr, D&C, etc ) the level of 'zero tolerance' is different than for those that do not (Depetro). ;-) From attychase@comcast.net Sun Nov 5 16:58:00 2006 From: attychase@comcast.net (Robert S Chase) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 16:58:00 -0500 Subject: Debates / Equal Time References: Message-ID: <000501c70125$7669a040$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> There are those who would say the major parties created the FCC's equal time rule (which I think is still in effect as opposed to the Fairness Doctrine) to prevent broadcast stations from giving time to minor candidates knowing full well the incumbency would always get news coverage far in excess of the fringe candidates. See http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/equaltimeru/equaltimeru.htm I agree with Tony (below) however I think the deck is stacked against such an idea. It is not so stacked in other countries. > > Message: 14 > Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 15:14:40 -0500 > From: "radiotony" > Subject: RE: depetro comments > To: > Message-ID: <200611052045.kA5KjmhJ078628@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > > > But even if there were a dozen candidates, why limit any of them? If > programmers are concerned about too many candidates in one debate, have > two > debates on recurring evenings or two, one hour debates, with X amount of > candidates each hour. > There are very easy solutions to these kinds of issues if people think > creatively. > And why the debates always limited to just an hour? And why are there only > 1 > minute responses? That is what I find difficult to understand. > While I understand we live in a sound-bite society, voting is a civic duty > and airing debates with all the candidates who are on the ballot, a public > service. > You can't really begin to learn much about any of the candidates until > you've had the chance to really hear what they say and mean. > > Best, > Tony > > Anthony Schinella > Station Manager/Program Director > WKXL 1450, Concord, N.H. > Award-winning news, sports, arts & community conversation > Blog: http://politizine.blogspot.com From billings@suscom-maine.net Sun Nov 5 20:57:48 2006 From: billings@suscom-maine.net (Daniel Billings) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 20:57:48 -0500 Subject: Debates / Equal Time In-Reply-To: <000501c70125$7669a040$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> Message-ID: <000001c70146$f8f59110$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> WGAN had officeholders running for re-election serving as co-hosts on talks shows as late as mid-September of this year. No equal time for their opponents. From kc1ih@mac.com Sun Nov 5 21:22:39 2006 From: kc1ih@mac.com (Larry Weil) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 21:22:39 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> References: <000001c70102$f027efe0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> Message-ID: At 12:50 PM -0500 11/5/06, Daniel Billings wrote: >I don't think lesbian is a term that is only used by members of the >homosexual community. It is an acceptable word. > Yes, it's an acceptable word. Again, it's how it was used that's the problem. -- Larry Weil Lake Wobegone, NH From raccoonradio@gmail.com Sun Nov 5 22:40:38 2006 From: raccoonradio@gmail.com (Bob Nelson) Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 22:40:38 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> References: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <1fbbbced0611051940g516ff45m8090b13c2c595b6a@mail.gmail.com> >>when I hear a Jew joke, not an ethic joke but one that makes fun of stereotypes about Jews, I don't find it empowering or funny-- I find it offensive and annoying. I take it you won't be seeing that Borat movie, then. Sascha Baron Cohen, who is Jewish, has been known to do very anti-Semitic bits but he does them to kind of point out anti-Semitism and show how foolish it is. Randy Newman did the same thing in the song Short People, which made fun of a bigot who felt that short-statured individuals "have no reason to live". During the song's bridge, the background singers say, "Short people are just the same as you and I" and Newman's _character_ comes out and says, "The fools such as I". He admits he's being a fool. But then he just winds up going back to his bigotry--someone tried to point out his views, and he didn't listen. "Borat" is apparently doing the same. I have heard it wasn't so much what DePetro said but the way in which he said it... thing....By the way, Michael Graham (WTKK) pointed out on Friday night that Ross has attended rallies that praise anti-Semitism and suggested that might be a better reason not to vote for her. From dlh@donnahalper.com Sun Nov 5 22:53:37 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Sun, 05 Nov 2006 22:53:37 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <1fbbbced0611051940g516ff45m8090b13c2c595b6a@mail.gmail.com > References: <03a201c700a2$daa69280$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> <000101c700e0$6940b0b0$3c9e05cf@yourm3vezyx8af> <20061105173432.96FD244C031@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> <1fbbbced0611051940g516ff45m8090b13c2c595b6a@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20061106035343.7BE1A44C01A@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> >Bob N wrote-- >I take it you won't be seeing that Borat movie, then. Sascha Baron >Cohen, who is >Jewish, has been known to do very anti-Semitic bits but he does them >to kind of >point out anti-Semitism and show how foolish it is. Yup, I understand your point. But I am only talking about how such jokes make me feel-- for centuries, these sorts of "jokes" were taken seriously by all too many people. I absolutely enjoy good satire, whether on the Daily Show or in a Weird Al song or wherever else. I was merely saying that for me, "Jew jokes" still make me uncomfortable. Probably has to do with my being beaten up and called a Christ-killer when I was about 9 or 10. That said, let's put this discussion aside. The DePetro issue is not about me-- it's about what the standard for jocks is these days, and what is or is not "too offensive" for a market. From brian_vita@cssinc.com Mon Nov 6 09:43:59 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:43:59 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <20061106035343.7BE1A44C01A@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <000901c701b1$ffc94c50$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> I was merely saying that > for me, "Jew jokes" still make me uncomfortable. Probably > has to do with my being beaten up and called a Christ-killer > when I was about 9 or 10. Wow. I had no idea that you were that old. How was the weather? :-) From dan.strassberg@att.net Mon Nov 6 09:59:20 2006 From: dan.strassberg@att.net (Dan Strassberg) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:59:20 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000901c701b1$ffc94c50$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> Message-ID: <000701c701b4$40dfd360$19eefea9@dstrassberg> Sorry; not funny! Are you competing for the John Kerry award for insensitivity? ! -- Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net eFax 707-215-6367 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Vita" To: "'Donna Halper'" ; "'Bob Nelson'" ; Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 9:43 AM Subject: RE: depetro comments > I was merely saying that > > for me, "Jew jokes" still make me uncomfortable. Probably > > has to do with my being beaten up and called a Christ-killer > > when I was about 9 or 10. > > Wow. I had no idea that you were that old. How was the weather? :-) > From brian_vita@cssinc.com Mon Nov 6 10:07:23 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 10:07:23 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000701c701b4$40dfd360$19eefea9@dstrassberg> Message-ID: <000d01c701b5$445dba10$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> > Sorry; not funny! Are you competing for the John Kerry award > for insensitivity? ! > > -- > Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net > eFax 707-215-6367 > Insensitive? You just compared me to a Democrat! If the remark offended, my apology. It was meant to put a lighter side to the comment. There was certainly no anti-semitism or ill-will for Donna meant. When we can't smile at ourselves, we are in deep trouble. Brian T Vita, President Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 Peabody, MA 01960-5691 +1-978-538-7575Voice +1-978-538-7550 Fax From mamros@MIT.EDU Mon Nov 6 10:31:27 2006 From: mamros@MIT.EDU (Shawn Mamros) Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:31:27 -0500 Subject: Debates / Equal Time In-Reply-To: Your message of "Sun, 05 Nov 2006 16:58:00 EST." <000501c70125$7669a040$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> Message-ID: <200611061531.kA6FVRrh017701@all-night-tool.mit.edu> >There are those who would say the major parties created the FCC's equal time >rule (which I think is still in effect as opposed to the Fairness Doctrine) >to prevent broadcast stations from giving time to minor candidates knowing >full well the incumbency would always get news coverage far in excess of the >fringe candidates. [...] So far as I know, the Equal Time rule is still on the books. However, a notable part of that law makes a specific exemption for "newscast(s), news interview(s), news documentar(ies), on-the-spot coverage of news events or panel discussion(s)". Nowadays, this is interpreted so broadly that a show like "Entertainment Tonight" is considered a bona-fide newscast (!), so for all intents and purposes the law has no teeth. Even if there was a situation where it could be enforced, the only way it would happen would be if an opposing candidate were to call it out. Today's FCC isn't going to go out of its way to look for violations of the rule on its own. And I think that, with the exemption above being interpreted so broadly, most candidates' staffs have pretty much given up on the concept of equal time, if they even know the law exists in the first place. -Shawn Mamros E-mail to: mamros -at- mit dot edu From brian_vita@cssinc.com Mon Nov 6 09:43:59 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 09:43:59 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <20061106035343.7BE1A44C01A@relay3.r3.iad.emailsrvr.com> Message-ID: <000901c701b1$ffc94c50$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> I was merely saying that > for me, "Jew jokes" still make me uncomfortable. Probably > has to do with my being beaten up and called a Christ-killer > when I was about 9 or 10. Wow. I had no idea that you were that old. How was the weather? :-) From dan.strassberg@att.net Mon Nov 6 11:33:34 2006 From: dan.strassberg@att.net (Dan Strassberg) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 11:33:34 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000d01c701b5$445dba10$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> Message-ID: <000b01c701c1$71fa6660$19eefea9@dstrassberg> Jews NEVER smile over ANY use of the Christ-killer epithet. Learn that! And NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the epithet again! There is NO WAY we can take it in jest! If anything, we find it more offensive than Blacks find the N word. As has been pointed out here, that word is sometimes acceptable when used among Black people. Christ-killer is just never acceptable to Jews no matter who uses it. -- Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net eFax 707-215-6367 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brian Vita" To: "'Dan Strassberg'" ; "'Donna Halper'" ; "'Bob Nelson'" ; Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 10:07 AM Subject: RE: depetro comments > > Sorry; not funny! Are you competing for the John Kerry award > > for insensitivity? ! > > > > -- > > Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net > > eFax 707-215-6367 > > > Insensitive? You just compared me to a Democrat! > > If the remark offended, my apology. It was meant to put a lighter side to > the comment. There was certainly no anti-semitism or ill-will for Donna > meant. > > When we can't smile at ourselves, we are in deep trouble. > > Brian T Vita, President > Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. > 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 > Peabody, MA 01960-5691 > +1-978-538-7575Voice > +1-978-538-7550 Fax > > From brian_vita@cssinc.com Mon Nov 6 12:17:22 2006 From: brian_vita@cssinc.com (Brian Vita) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 12:17:22 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000b01c701c1$71fa6660$19eefea9@dstrassberg> Message-ID: <000601c701c7$6d7ee1a0$6400a8c0@BrianVaio> > Jews NEVER smile over ANY use of the Christ-killer epithet. > Learn that! And NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the epithet again! > There is NO WAY we can take it in jest! If anything, we find > it more offensive than Blacks find the N word. As has been > pointed out here, that word is sometimes acceptable when used > among Black people. Christ-killer is just never acceptable to > Jews no matter who uses it. > With all due respect, get over it. I did not imply that Donna was a "Christ-killer" or any other anti-semitic remark. The comment was to jokingly imply that she wasn't even old enough to be around to do it. Hypersensitivity is one thing. This has carried it to an exteme. I have no predisposed ill-will or bias against any ethnic group. I do develop a bias to an individual tries to pin one on me, i.e. "you're just saying that because I'm a (fill in the black) or "you wouldn't do that if I was (white/middleaged/Christian etc). Then I've got a bone to pick with you. Brian T Vita, President Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 Peabody, MA 01960-5691 +1-978-538-7575Voice +1-978-538-7550 Fax From wollman@csail.mit.edu Mon Nov 6 12:22:07 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 12:22:07 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <000601c701c7$6d7ee1a0$6400a8c0@BrianVaio> References: <000b01c701c1$71fa6660$19eefea9@dstrassberg> <000601c701c7$6d7ee1a0$6400a8c0@BrianVaio> Message-ID: <17743.28479.89536.249972@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Let us please get back on the subject of radio.... -GAWollman From m1bz@hotmail.com Mon Nov 6 12:41:39 2006 From: m1bz@hotmail.com (Michael E) Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 12:41:39 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <17743.28479.89536.249972@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: I second Garrett's motion. >From: Garrett Wollman >To: >Subject: RE: depetro comments >Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 12:22:07 -0500 > >Let us please get back on the subject of radio.... > >-GAWollman > _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more?then map the best route! http://local.live.com?FORM=MGA001 From dlh@donnahalper.com Mon Nov 6 13:34:53 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 13:34:53 -0500 Subject: one final comment In-Reply-To: <200611061531.kA6FVRrh017701@all-night-tool.mit.edu> References: <200611061531.kA6FVRrh017701@all-night-tool.mit.edu> Message-ID: <20061106183501.C1EC3C389@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> If this conversation about what is and is not permissible on the air can resume, I'm very interested in knowing from PDs and announcers on the list what if any guidance they have been given about what they can say and what they can't say. I'm not gonna participate much today-- my husband's dad just died early this morning, after a long battle with cancer. If any of you nice folks wanna make a donation in his memory to the American Cancer Society, his name was Frank Jacobik. (My husband is Jon Jacobik, and some of you have met him...) I'll be back tomorrow, and thanks. From paul@derrynh.net Mon Nov 6 14:21:29 2006 From: paul@derrynh.net (Paul Hopfgarten) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 14:21:29 -0500 Subject: depetro comments In-Reply-To: <17743.28479.89536.249972@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> Message-ID: <00da01c701d8$c29cad00$0202a8c0@YOURF7ED5FB036> Radio and Politics, brethren forever locked in an embrace... Paul Hopfgarten Derry NH -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Garrett Wollman Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 12:22 PM To: boston-radio-interest@rolinin.BostonRadio.org Subject: RE: depetro comments Let us please get back on the subject of radio.... -GAWollman From attychase@comcast.net Mon Nov 6 14:27:07 2006 From: attychase@comcast.net (Robert S Chase) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 14:27:07 -0500 Subject: Insensitivity and Hurtfulness / More on Debates and Equal Time References: Message-ID: <002701c701d9$8d590160$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> On the subject of who can be the most insensitive or hurtful: I still can't listen to that short people song without getting extremely mad at Newman or whoever is performing it. I can't tell if that is the way Newman himself really feels or it was a parody. From what I see when he performs it he may actually believe it, I know all the people that believe it get a big kick out of it. My experience is that a lot of tall people are bigots, usurpers and bullies. (For that matter so aren't a lot of short people although usually they need to get into a group to carry it off. (Hitler, 5' 8", Stalin, 5' 4", MaoTse-tung, 5'6", Pol Pot ?) > Message: 5 > Date: Sun, 5 Nov 2006 22:40:38 -0500 > From: "Bob Nelson" > Subject: Re: depetro comments > To: "Donna Halper" , > boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org > Message-ID: > <1fbbbced0611051940g516ff45m8090b13c2c595b6a@mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Randy Newman did the same thing in the song Short People, which made fun > of > a bigot who felt that short-statured individuals "have no reason to > live". During the > song's bridge, the background singers say, "Short people are just the same > as you and I" and Newman's _character_ comes out and says, "The fools such > as I". He admits he's being a fool. But then he just winds up going > back to his bigotry--someone tried to point out his views, and he > didn't listen. "Borat" is apparently doing the same. With respect to the debate issue: When dealing with leaving someone out a debate you get into the equal time area. (I suppose you could hold a debate with just two candidates if you gave the left out one time later on.) The usual way to leave someone out is to have someone else sponsor it and cover it as a bona fide news event. The equal time rule applies to all time given to candidates, paid or not. If a station gives one candidate time then it must give similar time to the other. If however it sells the time (ads), then it must make available for purchase equal time. There is also a provision dealing with the price of those ads. This is what I said in my message. See http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/equaltimeru/equaltimeru.htm which I cited below as well as http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal-time_rule > Message: 10 > Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 10:31:27 -0500 > From: Shawn Mamros > Subject: Re: Debates / Equal Time > To: "Robert S Chase" > Cc: boston-radio-interest@rolinin.BostonRadio.org > Message-ID: <200611061531.kA6FVRrh017701@all-night-tool.mit.edu> > >>There are those who would say the major parties created the FCC's equal >>time >>rule (which I think is still in effect as opposed to the Fairness >>Doctrine) >>to prevent broadcast stations from giving time to minor candidates knowing >>full well the incumbency would always get news coverage far in excess of >>the >>fringe candidates. [...] > > So far as I know, the Equal Time rule is still on the books. However, > a notable part of that law makes a specific exemption for "newscast(s), > news interview(s), news documentar(ies), on-the-spot coverage of news > events or panel discussion(s)". Nowadays, this is interpreted so broadly > that a show like "Entertainment Tonight" is considered a bona-fide > newscast (!), so for all intents and purposes the law has no teeth. > > Even if there was a situation where it could be enforced, the only > way it would happen would be if an opposing candidate were to call > it out. Today's FCC isn't going to go out of its way to look for > violations of the rule on its own. And I think that, with the > exemption above being interpreted so broadly, most candidates' > staffs have pretty much given up on the concept of equal time, > if they even know the law exists in the first place. > > -Shawn Mamros > E-mail to: mamros -at- mit dot edu From hmglaz@worldnet.att.net Mon Nov 6 19:04:24 2006 From: hmglaz@worldnet.att.net (Howard Glazer) Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 19:04:24 -0500 Subject: depetro comments References: <000d01c701b5$445dba10$6b0000c0@BrianVaio> <000b01c701c1$71fa6660$19eefea9@dstrassberg> Message-ID: <006901c70200$492d2760$109c4c0c@oemcomputer> I understand your passion, but who appointed you spokesman for an entire people? I've used it in "evil grin"-type humor among people, fellow Jews and non-Jews, who know me, and can take it from those same people as well. Maybe if I had been beaten up over it at some time in my 51 years, I'd feel differently, but not having been, I remain comfortable with the mock self-deprecation I occasionally employ. Howard ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Strassberg To: Brian Vita ; 'Donna Halper' ; 'Bob Nelson' ; Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 11:33 AM Subject: Re: depetro comments > Jews NEVER smile over ANY use of the Christ-killer epithet. Learn that! And > NEVER, NEVER, NEVER use the epithet again! There is NO WAY we can take it in > jest! If anything, we find it more offensive than Blacks find the N word. As > has been pointed out here, that word is sometimes acceptable when used among > Black people. Christ-killer is just never acceptable to Jews no matter who > uses it. > > -- > Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net > eFax 707-215-6367 > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brian Vita" > To: "'Dan Strassberg'" ; "'Donna Halper'" > ; "'Bob Nelson'" ; > > Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 10:07 AM > Subject: RE: depetro comments > > > > > Sorry; not funny! Are you competing for the John Kerry award > > > for insensitivity? ! > > > > > > -- > > > Dan Strassberg, dan.strassberg@att.net > > > eFax 707-215-6367 > > > > > Insensitive? You just compared me to a Democrat! > > > > If the remark offended, my apology. It was meant to put a lighter side to > > the comment. There was certainly no anti-semitism or ill-will for Donna > > meant. > > > > When we can't smile at ourselves, we are in deep trouble. > > > > Brian T Vita, President > > Cinema Service & Supply, Inc. > > 77 Walnut St - Ste 4 > > Peabody, MA 01960-5691 > > +1-978-538-7575Voice > > +1-978-538-7550 Fax > > > > > > > > > From dslrpierce@peoplepc.com Tue Nov 7 08:40:12 2006 From: dslrpierce@peoplepc.com (dslrpierce@peoplepc.com) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 08:40:12 -0500 Subject: one final comment References: <200611061531.kA6FVRrh017701@all-night-tool.mit.edu> <20061106183501.C1EC3C389@relay4.r5.iad.mlsrvr.com> Message-ID: <003f01c70272$4121f420$2da1e904@your6jnhhu0520> Donna, First, my condolences on the death of your father-in-law. Second, as a Program Director for more than ten years, and a talk show host and producer for even longer, I never had a meeting with anyone in the corporate chain about the issue of what can or cannot be said on the air. During my time with Clear Channel, after several highly publicized problems, the company issued a set of standards (just tightening up standards that were already in existence). Prior to that I simply had to go on my professional experience, which centered around my ability to understand my community's standards and the image of my radio station. As a News/Talk PD, I always thought that I should have a stricter standard than, say, my counterparts at the AOR station. Clearly, what were once pretty bright lines when I got into the business in 1981 have faded considerably over time. Were the 'caller abortions' that Rush was doing early in his career in good taste? Probably not, but most managers hung on and took the heat and were rewarded when his show achieved ratings and revenue success. That is just one example of a talk host who may have crossed the line but got away with it. Still, while a bit like that might offend some people, it does not necessarily offend a particular interest group that might be capable of causing real financial problems for a radio station. This, I think, is the key. Comments directed at a politically or economically powerful interest group in your community, or comments that offend a wide cross-section of your audience, are cause for alarm. It does not necessarily mean that you dump the host. If you think the host is a potential ratings winner, you're generally going to stick with him/her, unless the comments rise to the level of a headache you no longer want to endure. I think this was, in part, the case with John DePetro. There were almost certainly some things happening behind the scenes that we have not heard about that pushed him close to the edge. He merely gave them an excuse to push him off. The bottom line? Like obscenity, objectionable speech that can lead to termination probably cannot be defined, but when my behind is in the PD or GM's chair, I'll know it when I hear it. Dan Pierce ----- Original Message ----- From: "Donna Halper" To: Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 1:34 PM Subject: one final comment > If this conversation about what is and is not permissible on the air can > resume, I'm very interested in knowing from PDs and announcers on the list > what if any guidance they have been given about what they can say and what > they can't say. > > I'm not gonna participate much today-- my husband's dad just died early > this morning, after a long battle with cancer. If any of you nice folks > wanna make a donation in his memory to the American Cancer Society, his > name was Frank Jacobik. (My husband is Jon Jacobik, and some of you have > met him...) I'll be back tomorrow, and thanks. > From elipolo@earthlink.net Tue Nov 7 12:59:41 2006 From: elipolo@earthlink.net (Eli Polonsky) Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 12:59:41 -0500 Subject: Insensitivity and Hurtfulness / More on Debates and Equal > Time Message-ID: > > From: "Robert S Chase" > To: > Date: Mon, 6 Nov 2006 14:27:07 -0500 > Subject: Insensitivity and Hurtfulness / More on Debates and > Equal Time > > On the subject of who can be the most insensitive or hurtful: > > I still can't listen to that short people song without getting > extremely mad at Newman or whoever is performing it. I can't > tell if that is the way Newman himself really feels or it was > a parody. Unfortunately, that was Newman's only Top 40 hit (though he had written many more that had been recorded by others), so for many people who did not already know about him from his many previous albums, "Short People" had been their first and only exposure to him and his acerbic style of parody and satire, which he used to that effect to often paint ridiculous musical pictures of bigots, racists, and other people he considered to be narrow-minded and needed to be put down, by performing songs in their character. If you go into some of the other tracks on his albums, he has similar satirical put-downs of racists, bigots, warmongering politicians, etc... all sung in the first person, as if he were the portraying the person he was satirizing. When he took on those roles in his music, he was very much like a musical version of Carroll O'Connor's portrayal of fictitious (but very much like certain people I knew) Archie Bunker on "All In The Family". Did people think that Mr. O'Connor actually may have believed the positions and epithets that were espoused by his character? Playing a named character on a television show created a distinct separation between O'Connor himself and the character he portrayed. The satire was less obvious with Newman singing songs he had written under his own name. Perhaps that may have been part of his approach, to play a musical character that was in people's faces as if he may have really meant what he was parodying, to drive home the effect and the reality that there really are people who think in such narrow-minded ways, and that such thought should not be condoned or tolerated. Anyone who has gone deeper into his catalogue or has heard an interview with him would know that, but most people only know him for "Short People" and think that he's a bigot who came out of nowhere and had meant what he was singing on that one hit. > From what I see when he performs it he may actually believe it, > I know all the people that believe it get a big kick out of it. He doesn't believe it, and he is lampooning people who do. It's an unfortunate by-product that people who actually do identify with it applaud it for the wrong reason. > My experience is that a lot of tall people are bigots, usurpers > and bullies. (For that matter so aren't a lot of short people > although usually they need to get into a group to carry it off. Not necessarily true. I've seen and met "bullies" of all heights, especially in business. One of the most abusive radio station managers I had ever encountered was not at all a tall person. EP From hishaun@hotmail.com Mon Nov 6 20:22:08 2006 From: hishaun@hotmail.com (Shaun Hayes) Date: Mon, 06 Nov 2006 20:22:08 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist Message-ID: The issue of free speech on commercial radio goes deeper than the ability of some right-wing jerk to pick on overweight sexual minorities. Given the close ties between monopoly-controled media and its major advertisers, its probably not surprising that this story is sinking into the memory hole. Here's the link if you've missed it. http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2983 Josh Silver and Bob McChesney comment: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/air-americas-abc-blackli_b_33123.html _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more?then map the best route! http://local.live.com?FORM=MGA001 From scott@fybush.com Tue Nov 7 13:50:55 2006 From: scott@fybush.com (Scott Fybush) Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 13:50:55 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <4550D58F.9030702@fybush.com> Shaun Hayes wrote: > The issue of free speech on commercial radio goes deeper than the > ability of some right-wing jerk to pick on overweight sexual minorities. > > Given the close ties between monopoly-controled media and > its major advertisers, its probably not surprising that this story is > sinking > into the memory hole. Here's the link if you've missed it. It's sinking into the memory hole because it's a non-story. Any of us who have ever worked at any affiliate of a major network know that there are similar lists with similar major advertisers for pretty much ANY syndicated political talk show, whether it be Rush or Franken. Just listen to the caliber of ads that run on Rush's show if you don't believe me - dietary supplements, shady investment scams. Not a blue-chip advertiser in the bunch. s From wollman@csail.mit.edu Tue Nov 7 13:51:28 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 13:51:28 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <17744.54704.497921.856395@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> < said: > The issue of free speech on commercial radio goes deeper than the > ability of some right-wing jerk to pick on overweight sexual minorities. What issue of free speech on commercial radio? Freedom of speech belongs to those who hire their own hall. -GAWollman From wollman@csail.mit.edu Tue Nov 7 13:53:26 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 13:53:26 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist In-Reply-To: <4550D58F.9030702@fybush.com> References: <4550D58F.9030702@fybush.com> Message-ID: <17744.54822.114822.543920@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> < said: > It's sinking into the memory hole because it's a non-story. Any of us > who have ever worked at any affiliate of a major network know that there > are similar lists with similar major advertisers for pretty much ANY > syndicated political talk show, whether it be Rush or Franken. ...and so the traffic department earn their salaries. -GAWollman From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Tue Nov 7 13:55:22 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 13:55:22 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist References: Message-ID: <06cc01c7029e$4e761bc0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> I've seen this FAIR story before. However, this is nothing new. There is a reason this story is sinking into the memory hole.....because it's not news. There have always been advertisers who have preferred not to be in any controversial programming. There are advertisers and agencies who have a "Country" ban...or a "Black radio" ban. Some don't want to be on Stern, etc. The memo (if I understand this situation correctly) in that is referenced is for ABC stations that might be picking up an AA show. And advertisers who are buying ABC radio, want their ads running in ABC programs, not AA programs. Unless of course you think this is part of Hillary's "vast right-wing conspiracy". ;-) D ----- Original Message ----- From: "Shaun Hayes" To: <> Sent: Monday, November 06, 2006 8:22 PM Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist The issue of free speech on commercial radio goes deeper than the ability of some right-wing jerk to pick on overweight sexual minorities. Given the close ties between monopoly-controled media and its major advertisers, its probably not surprising that this story is sinking into the memory hole. Here's the link if you've missed it. http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2983 Josh Silver and Bob McChesney comment: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/josh-silver/air-americas-abc-blackli_b_33123.html _________________________________________________________________ Find a local pizza place, music store, museum and more?then map the best route! http://local.live.com?FORM=MGA001 From rogerkola@aol.com Tue Nov 7 14:19:23 2006 From: rogerkola@aol.com (Roger Kolakowski) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 14:19:23 -0500 Subject: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" Message-ID: <001701c702a1$a2f67700$0200a8c0@Tanguray> through their website wcrnradio.com and on the air heard during 9-11A Barry Armstrong, a musical "tease" for "upcoming changes." Songs include the words "spring, springtime, Boston and home" Did I miss something? Roger WA1KAT From dan.strassberg@att.net Tue Nov 7 17:02:49 2006 From: dan.strassberg@att.net (Dan Strassberg) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 17:02:49 -0500 Subject: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" References: <001701c702a1$a2f67700$0200a8c0@Tanguray> Message-ID: <001701c702b8$7ad89200$19eefea9@satpro4600> My latest theory is that WCRN will move its main studios (such as they are) and offices to Boston in the spring of 2007. If I'm right, whoop-te-doo! When/if, the night power increase to 50 kW takes place, WCRN *might* be able to change its CoL to Framingham. If so, whoop-te-doo again! Would the studio move shorten the commute for AM-drive host Peter Blute? Does somebody on this list know where he lives? The office move would probably shorten the commute for members of the Carberry family--if any of them actually spends time in the office. -- Dan Strassberg dan.strassberg@att.net Fax: 1-707-215-6367 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Kolakowski" To: Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:19 PM Subject: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" > through their website wcrnradio.com and on the air heard during 9-11A Barry > Armstrong, a musical "tease" for "upcoming changes." > > Songs include the words "spring, springtime, Boston and home" > > Did I miss something? > > Roger > WA1KAT > From dlh@donnahalper.com Tue Nov 7 17:44:58 2006 From: dlh@donnahalper.com (Donna Halper) Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 17:44:58 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist In-Reply-To: <06cc01c7029e$4e761bc0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> References: <06cc01c7029e$4e761bc0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <20061107224505.34F4B44D088@relay1.r1.iad.emailsrvr.com> >Don wrote-- > >Unless of course you think this is part of Hillary's "vast right-wing >conspiracy". Well actually, some of us do. I am working on an article about this, and based on what I am finding, there are a number of sponsors who when they DO advertise on a progressive station, they suddenly start getting harrassing phone-calls from allegedly "outraged citizens" saying that if the ads are not pulled immediately, they will never patronize that store or buy that product. I'd say it's just coincidence, but the "outraged citizens" all say basically the same thing, as if reading from a script, and they seem more like a pressure group than some spontaneous listeners who sincerely object to a certain talk show. I think there really ARE some right wing folks who don't want progressive talk to succeed. I am not saying there is a vast conspiracy, nor am I saying all right wing folks are opposed to progressive talk, but what I am hearing from owners in a number of cities seems to indicate there is something going on to suppress or discourage advertisers, even in cities where the format is getting good numbers. From joe@attorneyross.com Tue Nov 7 18:49:41 2006 From: joe@attorneyross.com (A. Joseph Ross) Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 18:49:41 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist In-Reply-To: <20061107224505.34F4B44D088@relay1.r1.iad.emailsrvr.com> References: <06cc01c7029e$4e761bc0$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> Message-ID: <4550D545.7599.5314BE@localhost> On 7 Nov 2006 at 17:44, Donna Halper wrote: > Well actually, some of us do. I am working on an article about this, > and based on what I am finding, there are a number of sponsors who > when they DO advertise on a progressive station, they suddenly start > getting harrassing phone-calls from allegedly "outraged citizens" > saying that if the ads are not pulled immediately, they will never > patronize that store or buy that product. I'd say it's just > coincidence, but the "outraged citizens" all say basically the same > thing, as if reading from a script, and they seem more like a pressure > group than some spontaneous listeners who sincerely object to a > certain talk show. What would "concerned citizens" be doing listening to shows they object to, anyway? And, while I understand private for-profit corporations having an interest in keeping their advertising off certain stations, why are two government agencies, the Postal Service and the US Navy, on the list to not be on Air America stations? And I can understand why the American Heart Association, a non-profit charity, is on the list, as a 501(c)(3) corporation that should not be involved in politics, but if so, I hope they are also on similar lists to avoid conservative talk stations. If not, their 501(c)(3) could be in jeopardy. -- A. Joseph Ross, J.D. 617.367.0468 15 Court Square, Suite 210 Fax 617.742.7581 Boston, MA 02108-2503 http://www.attorneyross.com From lglavin@mail.com Tue Nov 7 19:10:40 2006 From: lglavin@mail.com (Laurence Glavin) Date: Tue, 07 Nov 2006 19:10:40 -0500 Subject: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist Message-ID: <20061108001040.EA7ED1CE30E@ws1-6.us4.outblaze.com> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Don A." To: "Shaun Hayes" , boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org Subject: Re: Air America on ABC Ad Blacklist Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 13:55:22 -0500 I've seen this FAIR story before. However, this is nothing new. There is a reason this story is sinking into the memory hole.....because it's not news. There have always been advertisers who have preferred not to be in any controversial programming. There are advertisers and agencies who have a "Country" ban...or a "Black radio" ban. Some don't want to be on Stern, etc. The memo (if I understand this situation correctly) in that is referenced is for ABC stations that might be picking up an AA show. And advertisers who are buying ABC radio, want their ads running in ABC programs, not AA programs. Unless of course you think this is part of Hillary's "vast right-wing conspiracy". ;-) D A posting at bostonsprogresivetalk.com suggests that the ban may refer NOT to shows on AirAmerica Radio that are broadcast on ABC affiliates, but to newscasts that are run on AirAmerica affiliates. AirAmerica sends down a rather short TOH newscast so some stations may be running a version of ABC Network news, and the aformentioned firms are indicating they don't want their sports running there. This seems short-sighted: some shows on AAR are reasonably successful, especially in places like Portland, OR and Seattle. I thought the purpose of advertising was to REACH people. GEICO and Oreck seem to think so. -- Search for products and services at: http://search.mail.com From paul@derrynh.net Tue Nov 7 22:43:43 2006 From: paul@derrynh.net (Paul Hopfgarten) Date: Tue, 7 Nov 2006 22:43:43 -0500 Subject: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" In-Reply-To: <001701c702b8$7ad89200$19eefea9@satpro4600> Message-ID: <018401c702e8$169266b0$0202a8c0@YOURF7ED5FB036> It would lengthen his commute. He lives in Shrewsbury (I believe) -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Dan Strassberg Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 5:03 PM To: Roger Kolakowski; boston-radio-interest@rolinin.bostonradio.org Subject: Re: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" My latest theory is that WCRN will move its main studios (such as they are) and offices to Boston in the spring of 2007. If I'm right, whoop-te-doo! When/if, the night power increase to 50 kW takes place, WCRN *might* be able to change its CoL to Framingham. If so, whoop-te-doo again! Would the studio move shorten the commute for AM-drive host Peter Blute? Does somebody on this list know where he lives? The office move would probably shorten the commute for members of the Carberry family--if any of them actually spends time in the office. -- Dan Strassberg dan.strassberg@att.net Fax: 1-707-215-6367 ----- Original Message ----- From: "Roger Kolakowski" To: Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2006 2:19 PM Subject: WCRN 830 Running a "tease" > through their website wcrnradio.com and on the air heard during 9-11A Barry > Armstrong, a musical "tease" for "upcoming changes." > > Songs include the words "spring, springtime, Boston and home" > > Did I miss something? > > Roger > WA1KAT > From attychase@comcast.net Wed Nov 8 13:00:27 2006 From: attychase@comcast.net (Robert S Chase) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 13:00:27 -0500 Subject: Who owns the hall? References: Message-ID: <000701c7035f$c6f5c340$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> Ah, that is why Congress declared the airwaves to belong to the public. It is also why those with a certain viewpoint have worked very hard to negate that doctrine and make sure the airwaves belong to whomever can get the government to give (and now sell) it to them (read enforce the use by law). http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/F/htmlF/fairnessdoct/fairnessdoct.htm The idea of auctioning off the airwaves as property that can be passed on is a direct extension of that viewpoint. Its suprising this happened since we should remember that the government got into regulating radio technical matters to prevent interference and to ensure that ships installed and used radio for safety but from the start it didn't allow monopolies to buy up and convert to private use the public property called "the airwaves." See "Resolved, That the Conference on Radio Telephony recommend that the radio laws be amended so as to give the Secretary of Commerce adequate legal authority for the effective control of-- (1) The establishment of all radio transmitting stations except amateur, experimental, and Government stations. (2) The operation of nongovernmental radio transmitting stations.1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the conference that radio communication is a public utility and as such should be regulated and controlled by the Federal Government in the public interest. http://earlyradiohistory.us/1922conf.htm " BTW, this was Hoover's Commerce Department. > > Freedom of speech belongs to those who hire their own hall. > > -GAWollman From hykker@grolen.com Wed Nov 8 13:36:59 2006 From: hykker@grolen.com (Steve Ordinetz) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 13:36:59 -0500 (EST) Subject: Who owns the hall? In-Reply-To: <000701c7035f$c6f5c340$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> References: <000701c7035f$c6f5c340$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> Message-ID: <53109.63.115.16.143.1163011019.squirrel@63.115.16.143> Robert S Chase wrote... > > The idea of auctioning off the airwaves as property that can be passed on > is > a direct extension of that viewpoint. Its suprising this happened since we > should remember that the government got into regulating radio technical > matters to prevent interference and to ensure that ships installed and > used > radio for safety but from the start it didn't allow monopolies to buy up > and > convert to private use the public property called "the airwaves." > Are you saying that all spectrum belongs to "the public"? If not, what diffrentiates between broadcast frequencies and frequencies set aside for 2-way communications, cellphones, etc? Should anyone be able to set up shop & broadcast on any frequency they feel like? From Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com Wed Nov 8 13:46:17 2006 From: Donald_Astelle@yahoo.com (Don A.) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 13:46:17 -0500 Subject: Who owns the hall? References: <000701c7035f$c6f5c340$6400a8c0@HomeOffice> <53109.63.115.16.143.1163011019.squirrel@63.115.16.143> Message-ID: <009d01c70366$32e58a80$767ffea9@hsd1.ma.comcast.net> > Are you saying that all spectrum belongs to "the public"? If not, what > diffrentiates between broadcast frequencies and frequencies set aside for > 2-way communications, cellphones, etc? ALL spectrum belongs to the public. However, a government agency (acting on our behalf) is empowered to regulate that spectrum in the interest of the people. (We can debate the latter forever...) ;-) Should anyone be able to set up > shop & broadcast on any frequency they feel like? From hmadjid@gmail.com Wed Nov 8 18:46:44 2006 From: hmadjid@gmail.com (Hakim Madjid) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 18:46:44 -0500 Subject: I voted for Ted! [Sarandis] Message-ID: I cast my vote for ex WEEI evening talk show host Ted Sarandis for Governors Council. He was the only name I recognized on the ballot under Governor's Council. :-) Frankly I don't know what the heck the Governor's Council is even for. Sarandis only garnered 8% of the vote, I thought it would be a lot more on the basis of name recognition alone. Is he still doing BC Basketball play-by-play? It's been a long time since I listened in to Eagles b-ball :-) -- Hakim Madjid The Computer Handyman (617) 501-6753 HMadjid@gmail.com From paul@derrynh.net Wed Nov 8 19:00:15 2006 From: paul@derrynh.net (Paul Hopfgarten) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 19:00:15 -0500 Subject: I voted for Ted! [Sarandis] In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <002501c70392$09523700$0202a8c0@YOURF7ED5FB036> Governors Council (which only exist in 2 states, Mass and NH) are a check and balance on the Governor. In Mass, I believe the main focus is appointments (Judges basically) In NH, they actually are even more powerful, as they must approve every contract signed by the Governor. (NH probably has the weakest Governor's office in the entire USA) Rep Paul Hopfgarten Derry NH (Radiophile and State Rep) -----Original Message----- From: boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org [mailto:boston-radio-interest-bounces@rolinin.BostonRadio.org] On Behalf Of Hakim Madjid Sent: Wednesday, November 08, 2006 6:47 PM To: Boston Radio Subject: I voted for Ted! [Sarandis] I cast my vote for ex WEEI evening talk show host Ted Sarandis for Governors Council. He was the only name I recognized on the ballot under Governor's Council. :-) Frankly I don't know what the heck the Governor's Council is even for. Sarandis only garnered 8% of the vote, I thought it would be a lot more on the basis of name recognition alone. Is he still doing BC Basketball play-by-play? It's been a long time since I listened in to Eagles b-ball :-) -- Hakim Madjid The Computer Handyman (617) 501-6753 HMadjid@gmail.com From wollman@csail.mit.edu Wed Nov 8 19:00:20 2006 From: wollman@csail.mit.edu (Garrett Wollman) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 19:00:20 -0500 Subject: Election coverage review In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <17746.28564.963774.198342@khavrinen.csail.mit.edu> < said: > Frankly I don't know what the heck the Governor's Council is even for. It's a historical relic. New Hampshire has one as well. Certain things that in other states can be done by the Governor alone, or with the approval of the Senate, must be approved by the Council. Any impressions on the quality of the election coverage Tuesday night? I was mostly flipping back and forth between the Microsoft channel and NECN. I should have listened to more of Gary LaPierre's presumptive last election-night broadcast, but I only heard about fifteen minutes of it. MSNBC had this incredibly annoying habit of dropping their House results crawl every time it was about to show the result of an interesting race. Apparently, the box that generated it didn't have a "pause" control, so when it picked up again, the data for the interesting race had long passed. nytimes.com had commentary today (don't know if it appeared in the print edition) about Katie Couric's performance, which I did not see any of, and the general lack of women on the air in election broadcasts. Local stations and regional services like NECN seem to do much better in that regard, presumably because their "star" anchor teams and reporting staffs are more gender-balanced. Then I went to bed and was somewhat irritated that WBUR was running NPR coverage instead of the BBC World Service; I would have liked to hear some other news and some international perspective. (Not that I would have made a different decision had I been in Paul LaCamera's shoes.) -GAWollman From hmadjid@gmail.com Wed Nov 8 19:23:38 2006 From: hmadjid@gmail.com (Hakim Madjid) Date: Wed, 8 Nov 2006 19:23:38 -0500 Subject: Election Coverage Review Message-ID: I mostly listened to WBUR & WBZ radio last night.