Re: Detroit Pirate Shutdown

["Marc Lemay" <times@massachusetts.com>]

While I don't support some of the "actions" by some pirates, there are
pirates out there who, for the sake of arguement, simply don't have a
license to broadcast.  They're not stepping on other stations, and for the
most part are playing by "the rules"...other than that pesky piece of paper
from the FCC.  They are serving a purpose...a community purpose....something
that most commercial stations simply can't/don't do.

>Many pirates are terrible broadcasters, sure. I'm not defending folks who
>interfere with other signals and play Nazi propaganda programs; but I
>also have heard of many reasonable folks who would like to offer a
>community REAL community radio, or play varied and different music
>formats. (I personally would like to see someone who could mix Zappa,
>Vivaldi, XTC and Dean Martin... even the River won't let me do that).
>
>They just don't happen to have $350,000- $12.6 million in the ole'
>checking account today.
>
>Gee, think BayBank will loan that to Joe average who earns $32,000?
>
>(RANT OFF)
>
>Thanx for listening....
>
>-Rick Ganley

Good point Rick.  But, why would you need that type of money when you can
buy a transmitter for under $500 bucks, avoid the FCC red tape, and still
get your point across.  Hence...pirate broadcasting.

But, for all this talk of pirate broadcasting...I can only think of two in
Greater Boston...Radio Free Allston (sp?) and a gentleman up in
Marblehead...can someone think of others?  Let me know.

Marc Lemay

------------------------------