Howie’s Legacy, Randy’s Price, Radio’s Bad Moody
by Brian Maloney, February 9th, 2009 at 02:28am
Food for thought to go with your morning cup o’ Dunkin:
— Howie’s got ratings and a big bucks contract, but what about his legacy? It’s fun to kick around Mumbles, Coupe DeVal, etc, but what about actually changing something in New England?
Depending on when the Porkulus vote is held, Howie may yet have a last-minute opportunity to have his listeners flood Senators the offices of Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe (R-or-is-it-really-D-ME) with phone calls and emails opposing this massive waste of money.
Both of Maine’s senators have clearly cut some kind of fishy deal with the Obamists to provide “bipartisan” support for the boondoggle. As a Pine Tree State native with a key program affiliate in Portland, Howie’s in position to deliver some much-deserved grief to these sell-outs.
— After several years of brutal cutbacks elsewhere in the media, TV news now appears to be taking the biggest hit. With little left to cut on the radio side of the business, this shouldn’t come as any surprise.
And with many local anchors still making big money, there are many rich targets out there. That’s the best way to explain the departure of WHDH-7 anchor Randy Price, who is leaving 7’s troubled operation after 12 years.
WHDH’s Florida-based owner seems to believe his entire news operation can be staffed with low-paid kids right out of college. And when the “news” focus is on car crashes and mundane police blotter nonsense, does he really need seasoned anchors?
Think about it: when was the last time local TV news was truly relevant in our region?
— For over a year, the radio industry has been operating under the assumption that Clear Channel’s rescue by Bain Capital would insulate it from much of what is killing the competition: declining revenue coupled with crippling debt.
But Moody’s has shattered that myth, warning that it may cut its rating on Clear Channel’s debt, which already lives in Junky Town. The reasons: declining ad sales and a potential inability to make its debt payments.
From al-Reuters:
“Radio industry revenues broadly appear to be pacing down in excess of 20 percent through January, and outdoor revenues appear to be trending worse than anticipated, particularly international revenues which are being adversely impacted by foreign exchange movements in addition to economic weakness,” Moody’s added.
Yikes.
When Clear Channel has a cold, the other guys are dying of cancer. Keep that in mind as they pretend to have a viable future as a going concern.
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79 Comments Add your own
1. Circlet Soft | February 9th, 2009 at 8:07 am
I fondly recall the days of Tom Ellis and Chet Curtis (and, to a lesser extent, Natalie). They were the gold standard in local television news (at least for me).
But you know what? It’s the same or worse at the network news level. Katie Couric? Brian Williams? Charlie Gibson? Come on, man. Where have you gone, Harry Reasoner, Walter Cronkite, et. al.
Howie’s only legacy will be as a Max Robbins - Mark West - Death Pool - Dr. Mr. Veterinarian peddler of fluff, IMO. Entertaining? Perhaps. Howie is like Cotton Candy: light, fluffy, sickly sweet, and not very substantive. Or maybe he’s more like a bottle-blonde-bim in that regard?
2. raccoonradio | February 9th, 2009 at 9:28 am
Also it’s interesting to see that the bold progressive talk experiment on WWZN 1510 has flamed out at least for now. They actually had to buy time to put on two shows on Dec 1 with the promise of a third (syndicated) last month. The third show didn’t appear and as of late last week, the _brokered time_ libtalk shows were gone. Supposedly negotiations are underway to bring them back.
In liberal BOSTON they had to buy time to put progressive talk on. How will it get back…
via a Fairness Doctrine? (And in D.C., WWRC
decides to make some “Money” today as prog. talk gives way to business news and talk.)
Naah, let’s not let the free market decide what talk shows succeed. Just let the government FORCE it onto the air! (kidding of course…but others are serious about that…)
3. Pat Lucci | February 9th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Collins, Specter, Snowe … Quite handsome all, but I’m not certain of their species.
Any ideas???
4. James Huberty | February 9th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Howie’s legacy? Pushing/kicking Jerry Williams out the door.
5. piratetoby | February 9th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Legacy? Howie Carr? As what, radio entertainer? Newspaper columnist? The funny thing is he probably could make a change in something in NE, because he has an army of toadies who will follow his instruction. He says “jump” and they ask, “how high?”
The sad thing is, he doesn’t even care enough about anything he’s constantly whining about to take it to the next level- suggesting ideas for change. No, he’s content to bitch and moan. He doesn’t care about anyone or anything except himself. That’s his legacy. Selfish ***hole.
And to pat him on the back for “saving” a suicide? Please! He did nothing, NOT ONE THING, out of the ordinary.
Randy Price- I’m sorry to see him go. He appears to have a good attitude and I think he’ll be fine no matter what. There is something about him that makes his happiness contagious. I wish him all the best.
6. WRKO Staffer | February 9th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
piratetoby - speaking of bitching and moaning, how about Michelle McPhee. The gal’s show is just a non-stop gripe-fest. It never ends. Someone pointed out (very assutely), that each hour of her show feels like the last. It is all the same. I’ll give Howie this, at least he makes each hour seem a bit different (even if he phones it in and rehashes stuff). McPhee never changes her outrage mode one bit. To top it off, she kisses Mumbles ass and yet attempts to say that she is against corrupt politicians. Ummm….hello Michelle…when you have your “Ask the Mayor” segment, one of the more corrupt ones is sitting right next to you. Also, McPhee loves defending the Boston PD over everything. She is really nasty towards that family who lost their kid in Boston PD hands during the post Celtics Championship riot. There are witnesses that say the kid may have been roughed up by the BPD but of course McPhee will have none of that given that she desperately wants a cop or firefighter to take her out on a date.
7. ChrisNH | February 9th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
The longevity of the ‘many local anchors still making big money’ will be determined by the answer to this question: Is the downturn in ad spending within their business part of a cycle or is it permanent? If it’s the former, they’ll probably be able to ride out the storm. But if it’s the latter, they will drop like pinecones from a tree…one by one by one. The days of anchors being able to ‘deliver eyeballs’ are long gone. In fact, I thought that was a charade all along. These people are teleprompter readers, and to artificially embellish that with big salaries is foolish. Randy Price was Exhibit A: a quality news reader who lost the ability to deliver eyeballs.
8. piratetoby | February 9th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Staffer: I don’t listen to Michelle. However I have heard enough to know she brown-noses the Mayor. She and I have a mutual friend who I see quite often, and she talks about Michelle, always in glowing terms. I’m not too good with keeping my opinions to myself, so I don’t listen to her. Keeps the peace.
As far as getting a date w/a cop from the BPD, that shouldn’t be too hard to do- if all she wants is a “date”. Lots of cops seem to have something going “on the side”. I don’t think it’s the same w/BFD.
Chris, what does “deliver eyeballs” mean? I’ve never heard that expression before.
9. piratetoby | February 9th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
oh, another point….if michelle can’t say anything good about the family who’s not happy with the report on their sons’s death (which finds no culpability by the cops), then say nothing. bottom line is they lost a son. stay out of it, michelle.
10. ChrisNH | February 9th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
It’s simply vernacular for ‘delivering viewers.’ Many anchors ‘back in the day’ succeeded in extracting big salaries under the guise that ‘they’ were the ones who were responsible for ratings success. Randy is proving today that it’s not ‘about them.’
11. WRKO Staffer | February 9th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
piratetoby - I personally don’t trust the “investigation” of the BPD but hey that’s just me. Still, Michelle not only gets all pissy that there is an investigation but she also seems just outright nasty about the whole situation. There was a picture of the a couple of funeral directors holding the kids urn. It was a very sad photo. Now, this kid may have died from a pre-existing condition or maybe there was excessive force used (as some have claimed) but McPhee is so knee-jerk in this instance is is ridiculous. Between her voice, the non-stop ranting, her love-fest with Mumbles and her behavior with the story about this kid dying in the custody of the BPD, I think she is completely insufferable. Anyway, back to the topic at hand I suppose.
12. piratetoby | February 9th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Staffer- I, too, have my doubts about the results of the investigation. Since killing that young girl after a Red Sox game, there is no question the cops have a tendency to get over-zealous after a championship game. And there is no doubt (at least in my mind) that the department is not going to take another rap for killing a young fan. The city cannot afford anymore multi-million dollars lawsuits.
Now, if M.M. disagrees w/that, fine, however the parents have every right to express their problems w/ and question the report. And for her to treat them nasty, cause she likes Boston cops is really bothersome. These parents lost their kid. Show them a little respect by KEEPING YOUR MOUTH SHUT!
And I will admit (sorry Laura!!) that Michelle does NOT have a voice for radio. Hurts the ears.
13. Ad Man | February 9th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Actually, channel 7 during the Ansin years has never been a believer in the big time anchor. Note the firing of Kim Carrigan when she was 7 mos pregnant, the willingness to let Leonard, Mish Michaels, Bandini and Lavanchy walk, the consistency of promotion and format since they took over in ‘95, I think it was and their reputation as the lowest paying news outfit among the traditional affiliates. They (IMHO correctly) believed that it was about the lead-in from NBC prime, the lead-out of The Today Show, fast pace and good promotion. They ruled the late news as long as NBC ruled prime. Fox at 10 and improved CBS prime has eroded their competitive position and they no doubt were looking to cut costs. In their model, this was an easy decision. That said, Randy is a good guy and I hope he ends up finding something to do that he enjoys.
14. James Huberty | February 9th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
It was January,1995 when 7 went from CBS to NBC. A major change of fortune because that was when NBC was emerging with “ER”,”Friends” and “Seinfeld”. And in the late night races,Leno was beginning his climb to overtake Letterman,which had seemed very unlikely merely 6 months prior. So WHDH newcasts began to get better ratings just on that alone…Ad Man is absolutely correct, that NBC primetime was WHDH’s key.
15. WRKO Staffer | February 9th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I prefer local radio discussions to that of local televison. I mean, local television news has been a complete joke for about 10 years or more now. It provides nothing more than a background visual when one is the treadmill at the gym. Most of the gals at Channel 7 seem like bubbleheads who just got out of some paint-by-numbers “journalism program”.
16. Lee | February 9th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Didn’t much care for Randy in person. When I worked as a writer at 7, he would just ignore us. He had to walk right by us to go from his desk to the set, and that’s just what he did - walked right by, without so much as a nod or a hello.
Then one day, he sends an email to all the writers that he doesn’t like a certain phrase or word that we tend to use, and suggests it shows a lack of ambition or imagination.
If the man had pulled a chair up for 5 mins. and talked to us with some respect, I would have been happy to help him out.
Whatever that phrase was, I used it every chance I could, just to annoy him.
17. James Huberty | February 9th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Howie’s legacy?
Now that I think about it…the legacy of Howie,Rush,Hannity,”Savage” etc…how as these “radio conservatives” soared in ratings/renown, the actual REAL POWER of conservatives has shrunk on the national stage. These phonies on the radio are a big part of it. The type of “conservatism” they espouse is counterfeit. They’re shills for big business, want constant military intervention. The way they treated Ron Paul and his campaign is an object lesson of how “radio conservatives” like Howie are not actually conservative at all.
18. Circlet Soft | February 10th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Lee — why didn’t you just approach Randy and talk to him like a human being, instead of resorting to passive aggressive temptations. Of course, I would have done the same thing! But still…
Randy was on Howie yesterday, and it was a snoozefest. Howie still really resents HDH for his unceremonious dumping. Get over it, Howie.
19. ChrisNH | February 10th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I’m quite happy to see the power wielded by Rush, Hannity, et al. Quite happy indeed. They are to radio what Katie Couric and Keith Olbermann (’shills for big government,’ using your vernacular) are to TV. So why the selective application of logic here, Hmmmm? That Obama felt the need to singularly identify Rush was a TREMENDOUS affirmation of Rush’s influence and power, and you can already see Messiah’s temples graying. Maybe it’s the pack of Kools he smokes each day. Hopefully that will rise to two packs per day. I’m all about ‘Hope,’ too, just so ya know.
20. Circlet Soft | February 10th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Again, ChrisNH, with the racial stereotyping: c’mon, man, not all black males smoke Kools! How do you know my man Barry is not a Marlboro guy? Or maybe he, you know, “rolls his own” ??? In any event, I think Michelle would kick his rear end if he were still smoking.
21. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Rush is a . An open borders,big business,deficit amasser,nation building,”democracy” spreading interventionist and blind faith supporter of Zionism.
He’s a modern day Rockefeller Republican. A Walker’s Point Conservative. Rush is more concerned with his jet setting pals in Palm Beach than the “conservatives” in America.
How do you SUCKERS still listen to that obese pill popper?
22. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I don’t listen to “Limbo”, but again have heard enough of him to know why.
When I think of him, I think of an obese middle-aged blowhard, big smelly cigar in his fat stubby fingers with pockets full of Viagra and Vicodin. Ranting and raving with spit flying out of his pie hole.
Hub, what is a “Walker’s Point Conservative”?
23. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Circ, I thought the same thing about the “passive-agressive” thing w/Lee, but I’m still too new here to post such things.
24. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
“Walker’s Point Conservative”.
Pat Buchanan came up with that in ‘92, that’s the Bush estate at Kennebunkport,ME. Kind of an updating of “Rockefeller Republican/Country Club Conservative”…
25. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
thanks, Hub. I wasn’t aware (or I’d forgotten?) that Bush’s Kennebunkport home had a “name”.
Wonder what Dubya’s doin’? Man, he must be kickin back, so relieved to be safe at the ranch. No more foolin’ him. When Laura returns from her Dr’s appt., he’ll ask if he practiced his love with her? She’ll smile and say, “Yes, George. Thank you for asking.”
Life is simple for Dubya now. Very simple.
26. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I think “Dubya” will be the least engaged ex-Prez since LBJ(who died 4 years and 2 days after leaving office) I really think he’ll be a borderline recluse who is rarely heard from. He’s certainly not going to be a power broker in his party. It’s going to be very interesting,especially since his father is always around.
You know what’s really funny…there are clowns who post here who can’t wait until they get a chance to vote for Jeb!!!
27. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
I can’t imagine he’d be asked to speak too often.
As far as Jeb goes, I can understand a vote for him more than I’ll ever understand a vote for Dubya. Not my vote, however Jeb is clearly brighter and more experienced than his bro’. How long was Dubya governor before he was elected?
I agree with him becoming a borderline recluse. Can’t imagine him being anything but.
28. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Jeb will definitely pay for the sins of his brother. From all accounts, he’s better in every department from social skills to policy making…but after the old man and Dubya,there’s simply no way Jeb could ever be nominated for President. “Fool me thrice”
Dubya was elected governor on 11/8/94. The Bush clan had a real hatred for Ann Richards and really coveted that ‘94 election. Spent a lotta bread to win…he was in office there until December,2000
29. ChrisNH | February 10th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Best DrudgeReport headline: ‘Thanks, Tim’ placed beneath a chart of today’s plummeting DJIA. What a bunch of rodeo clowns in this administration. Complete training-wheeled imbeciles. Geither tops it off by saying, ‘We’re trying stuff we’ve never done before!’ Yeah…like paying your taxes, you jackass.
30. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Tim Geithner’s father(Peter) was a big shot in the Ford Foundation. Take a wild guess whose mother worked for Peter on programs in Asia…
Obama’s mother.
This is Daley Machine patronage x1000, with all of them being Kissinger cronies.
THEY ARE ALL CROOKS…
31. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
Yeah, I knew about the venemous attacks on Ann Richards, after the fact. I wouldn’t be so sure about Jeb. Lot’s of folks have a short memory. Eight years from now, if the economy rebounds, and there are no clear leaders in the GOP, the tarnished “Bush” name might be polished up.
Jeb Bush/Sarah Palin. Mark my words. We haven’t seen the last of either of them.
32. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
Geithner was a mistake. A big mistake. No one is gonna trust him Ever.
And even I can’t defend him.
33. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
I think Sarah Palin will be a media star more than a serious candidate.
Predicting who will run/win eight years from now is really impossible. In 1985, NOBODY would have predicted Clinton would be President. In 1993, next to nobody would have predicted Bush. In 2001, nobody would have predicted Obama.
Look at some of the people from the past who seemed to be on the fast track to being President. From Mario Cuomo to Newt Gingrich to Al Gore to Hillary to Giuliani.
I think 2012 is going to be tough for Obama…
34. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Hub, I agree with the impossibility of making any predictions. My point is I wouldn’t rule Jeb out.
And yes, 2012 is going to be tough for Obama. Four years is not a lot of time to repair this mess he’s inherited.
I’ll be interested in watching how Palin spends the next few years. Can she shape herself into a serious candidate? I think she has the capability.
35. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I think people are foolish to underestimate Sarah Palin. The apocryphal tales about her thinking “Africa was a country” are clearly from either the Romney camp or the losers on the McCain campaign who undermined constantly. She was the only sign of life in that absolutely dormant,”dead as Dillinger” McCain ticket.
However, I’m guessing that she will be fond of being a figure in the media/sidelines ala Al Gore or Gingrich. Especially after she gets 10 Million+ to write book…
In this atmosphere, being President is hardly desirable. With all of the endless turmoil, I wouldn’t be shocked if we see a string of one-term presidents.
36. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Gump Severin. Am I wrong, but didn’t I hear him say on the air that although he doesn’t agree with Obama on virtually anything, he did credit him with having style, class and being WELL SPOKEN.
I remember it well.
Today? Listening to Gump Severin, he’s completely singin’ a different tune. Obama doesn’t do as well last night as he has in the past, and Gump does a complete about a face.
Obama’s no longer well-spoken and articulate. No. Now his communication and speaking skills are defined (by Gump) on one speech, last night.
How does he get away with that kind of BS?
Oh, and Margery was all in a twitter today. Hoping to get “probed”. She’s still in heat, I suppose.
37. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Severin is about as superficial as they come. “Style”,”Class” will always trump substance. A true phony
38. Circlet Soft | February 10th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
I think that if Jeb serves his country in a cabinet-level or diplomatic post he can rehabilitate the Bush name (esp. if Iraq continues to do better and when my man Barry’s stimulus plan revives our faltering economy).
After that, Jeb could be looked upon as Presidential timber by the right, who will be looking for a familiar name/face as a savior after 2 terms of Obama rule.
And, just think, it could be Bush v. Clinton in 2016. How old will they be then? Maybe they could debate from their nursing homes.
39. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
2012…Romney vs Obama. Just a feeling…
40. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Baby Bush could still be in age range (he’ll be 63). Hill will be 69. Getting up there, but not impossible. Man, that would be the BEST!
If Obama doesn’t make significant improvements, Romney would be a good choice for the GOP.
Where is he now? Haven’t heard a peep out of him. Wasn’t Ann diagnosed with cancer last year? I was so into the election, I barely paid attention to any other news. My head couldn’t take it!
41. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Clark Rockerfeller (aka ———- substitute any name) just rejected the plea deal offered. So, he’ll be going to trial. That is gonna be one nasty (and sad for the daughter) trial.
I was under the impression he’d already accepted and it was a done deal. The only issue was if there would be any agreement with Calif. authorities in solving that crime. Guess I was wrong.
42. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Romney has been totally under the radar since last summer. Keeping his “solutions” to the financial crisis quiet,so HE can be the new saviour,when these nostrums from Geithner and company fail…the missus was ill, that could be a reason for his low profile.
43. ChrisNH | February 10th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Fellow soldiers in the ‘100-Day War:’ I have news! Good news! We are winning! You understand that the first 100 days represent the window of time when a new president’s legacy is defined. We all know this to be true; nothing new there. But our efforts are WORKING! The DrudgeReport, with its massive reach, sarcastically screamed ‘THANKS, TIM’ submerged beneath a day chart showing the Dow plummeting to a dismal finish. The clear (and true) implication being that Geithner is a dink and so is the guy who gave him his job. Now, the Financial Times wonders aloud, ‘Has Barack Obama’s presidency already failed?’ MINT! This would be the same Financial Times (’FT’ for those of you who don’t have the patience to read two words) that is European-based. And that would be the same Europe where The Messiah is supposedly ‘loved and adored.’ This war is going marvelously. Keep it up, Men (metaphorically speaking).
44. james birch | February 10th, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Piratetoby You are right about Rush. However he is our useful idiot
45. james birch | February 10th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
Brian: read your piece on talk radio. With inane and liberal talk we are all going to shut it all out.
Circlet soft will be the only one listening to the radio.
46. RosannaDanna | February 10th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Bobby Jindal, the governor (R) of Louisiana, is incredibly bright and is turning that state around. He’s Indian-American, young,a former US Rep, is somebody to look to, and could give Obama a run for his money. When he first ran for gov, he lost to Kathleen Blanco, the mastermind of the Katrina disaster. It would not have been so bad under Jindal. (I have family in LA so have been following him for some time.)
47. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Here’s an idea for the desperate GOP…the Bobby Jindal/Michael Steele for 2012. Yeah,that’s the ticket! Then they can’t call us “racists”…super!
48. piratetoby | February 10th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
ChrisNH, Did you really use the word “dink”? I haven’t heard anyone use that term since high school, and that was so long ago, we used an abacus instead of a calculator.
Ok, I’ll stick with the lingo and call you a “boob”. Only a boob would delight in what you perceive as “winning”. I truly do not understand this “war” you and your so called “fellow solders” are, metaphorically speaking, waging against Obama. What do you win, pray tell? WE ALL LOSE!!
And maybe you should brush up on your remedial math. Your “100 Days” is just over 20% complete. Obama has a full 79 days left to “save” his shattered legacy.
Give my warmest regards to the troops.
49. James Huberty | February 10th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
piratetoby,
On 2/9, Michael “Savage” began his “impeach Obama” campaign…so these dinks and boobs are hoping Obama doesn’t reach 100 days.
Reality isn’t their strong suit.
50. ChrisNH | February 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
“Obama has a full 79 days left to “save” his shattered legacy.”
Well, I guess this is where you start cuing up the ‘Hope.’ He told you it all centered around that ;-).
51. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Oh, I’m relieved to hear Savage’s “Impeach Obama” revolution is just over 24 hours old. I’d be mortified if I missed it.
I’m puzzled though. What exactly is the impeachable offense Obama has committed in the 20+ days he’s been in office?
And Chris, don’t tell me being a dink, nominating a dink, or anything whatsoever having to do with a dink is impeachable.
But all kidding aside, I really hope that Obama does not pursue criminal charges against Bush for illegal wiretapping. I’d much rather Holder, the new AG, investigate and bring criminal charges against these CEOs crooks, and the recipients of the first bail-out. 300+ billion….where did it go? The banks didn’t lend it. Where the hell did all that money go in what, two or three months?
Investigate that. Forget about going after Bush. IMHO.
52. James Huberty | February 11th, 2009 at 12:22 am
There’s ZERO chance of Bush being charged or even investigated. That’s the pipe dream of the Left,but as we saw with the farce known as the 9/11 Commission, the BI-PARTISAN ability to cover each other’s ass will always win.
And of course..Wall Street won’t be investigated either. Some scapegoats will be made to get heat before some phony hearings,before floating off with their Golden Parachutes to their island getaways. Some will “die”,WINK! like Ken Lay did.
Holder will be out by the 2010 election cycle. This guy has “failure” written on his face. Reno’s hatchet man.
53. Cap'n Spackle | February 11th, 2009 at 12:25 am
I don’t know what Mikey Sausage’s deal is, but Ø and TurboTax™ Timmy sneaking a provision for nationalized health care into an “economic stimulus” package is enough for starters.
54. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Yeah, Ken Lay. How much do you think it cost for a new face and a “body” to bury? And his “death” conveniently lets his poor widow off the hook and she gets to keep all his $$. If I remember correctly, he had about 8 million that was to be paid back into the employee retirement funds he stole, however he “croaked” before paying it back. And Mrs. Lay was not responsible for the sins of her husband. What a sick joke that was.
Eight CEOs are scheduled to testify this morning in front of the House’s Finance Committee to explain, “where’s the $$ ?”. Barney Frank and those weasel CEOs. I’m dying to hear their explanation. Paulson, too, should be required to explain how he allowed this to happen. God, I wanted to choke Paulson.
Now Cap, how exactly did Obama “sneak” any provision for nationalized health care into his bill? Every word of his proposal has been scrutinized to the nth degree.
Savage is just demented. “Impeach Obama” bumper-stickers? What an ass.
55. Jim from Boston | February 11th, 2009 at 11:00 am
On February 10th, 2009 at 5:18 pm James Huberty wrote:
“Romney has been totally under the radar since last summer. Keeping his “solutions” to the financial crisis quiet,so HE can be the new saviour,when these nostrums from Geithner and company fail…the missus was ill, that could be a reason for his low profile.”
On today’s Laura Ingraham Show (2/11/09), Mitt was interviewed on the Stimulus Package and healthcare. He pointed out that last year he had recommended a Stimulus that was criticized as being too big (I didn’t catch the figure). He said he would be happy to sit with Obama or his people and offer advice, but he would not want an official position in the Administration.
56. James Huberty | February 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Mitt re-emerges-beginning the campaign for 2012 I guess. Obama should be weary of Mormons bearing gifts or economic advice.
2012…Coast to Coast listeners know what that means… The Mayan calendar!
57. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
I’ll reserve any comment about an impending apocalypse in 2012. There is no denying the power and the mysteries of the Mayans. I’ve read about their culture and was fascinated with their development of the calendar; however it wasn’t until I spent some time in Mexico and visited various Mayan ruins that I truly felt their power. An overwhelmingly powerful/spiritual feeling enveloped me when I stepped foot upon their sacred land. Looking thru the small window of their “observatory” and imagining their observations of the moon over years and years used to develop their calendar is truly mind blowing.
Hey, when you look at what we’ve done to the planet, and the climate changes that are a result of global-warming, maybe the 2012 Mayan predictions are right on?
58. speedracer | February 11th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Howie - everything is a joke. He dilutes his impact with making fun of Mumbles speech issues. You have to sort of read between the lines to determine when he has real insight on a corrupt hack and when he is just having a knee-jerk reaction to some news story.
I find Savage annoying to listen to - everything is cynacism. But the more I listen to him, the more I think he is right. But I don’t want to listen to him.
59. the real Barbara | February 11th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
SAVAGE is always on the cutting edge bringing his listeners the inside details, things you will NEVER hear from the MSM. He’s been right for years, it’s scary the things he predicts and it’s even scarier because they come true. SAVAGE isn’t a water carrier like rush and he does not sugar coat anything, it’s pure psychological nudity as he likes to refer to it and it will scare the hell out of you!
60. James Huberty | February 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
“Savage” is so phony, that HE WON’T EVEN USE HIS REAL NAME. Michael Weiner is a opportunistic,finger to the wind ENTERTAINER.
61. the real Barbara | February 11th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Does the name Jeff Christie mean anything to you? Having a “stage” name or “pen” name doesn’t mean the person is a phoney. Get over yourself.
62. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Barb, “…it’s pure psychological nudity as he likes to refer to it”.
Please, explain “it” to me, because I read “psychological nudity” as nothing more than Savage’s choice of a provocative title to sell his book.
What I see as psychological is Savage’s use of catchy titles, buzz words, ranting and raving as tactics to hook his listeners, most of who would be hard pressed to pass a basic civics test.
And you’re damn right it will scare the hell out of you because the nitwits he’s making a cool fortune off of actually BELIEVE him.
Psychological nudity my ass !
63. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Hub,
I was listening to Gump Severin on the drive home. He made the “Doctor” repeat a Johnny Winter riff to segue into his guitar aficionado rap. HA!
I needed a good laugh after listening to his “welfare” and “pork” rap for 45 minutes and he did not disappoint!
If I may borrow from ChrisNH, what a dink. (thanks Chris!)
64. James Huberty | February 11th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Barbara,
Keep listening to your PHONY carnival barker,once a confederate of Timothy Leary,Allen Ginsberg and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, the guy who wrote a book in 1983 “Vital Signs” a Roman a clef about a “botanist” who confesses to homosexual urges.
THAT’S YOUR MICHAEL SAVAGE. Keep listening you sad lonely child.
65. James Huberty | February 11th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
piratetoby,
Oh no..I missed the legendary Severin/Johnny Winter rap! “Play them blues Johnny..awww!”
Wolfman Jay Severin sounding like the burned out FM DJ ala “Dr Johnny Fever”. My God…what a tard. And the Johnny Winter licks he plays are from his early 90’s albums…it’s not even prime Johnny Winter circa 1968-1978.
He reminds me of the drug dealer in “Boogie Nights” when his mix tape is playing “Jesse’s Girl” and he tells his guests..”Ricky Springfield…HE’S A BUDDY OF MINE!”
66. piratetoby | February 11th, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Hub,
Tard! Perfect word to describe Jay and right out of his own nomenclature. Let’s see….”tard” can be found wedged between “schwheat” and “wicked schocka”.
I can’t remember who wrote about Michelle McPhee. Anyway I broke my self-imposed “no listen” rule tonight (what the hell, I was only gonna be in the car for 10 min., and it would take me a good 5 min. just to find another station!). In that brief time she did validate her “cop lover” m.o……she went on and on about how law enforcement trumps any one else in trustworthiness. Cops don’t lie (in her book, anyway) and she was adamant in her opinion.
But I’d be unfair if I didn’t give her credit for something I feel is very important. She’s genuine. She’s not a phony. Yes, her voice may be grating, she may contradict herself by brown-nosing Mennino while railing against corruption in City Hall, she may be blinded by the badges worn by the BPD and/or the BFD, but none of it sounds like an act. She is what she is. She makes no apologies or excuses
I like that trait. And, I respect her for it.
67. Circlet Soft | February 12th, 2009 at 7:21 am
Michael Weiner? Love it. What a name.
68. the real Barbara | February 12th, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hey huberty, why do you stoop so low? Why are you attacking me, calling me names? Says a lot about you doesn’t it.
pirateboy, I get it, you don’t like SAVAGE, that’s your opinion, I have mine, we disagree, life goes on.
69. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 9:18 am
I’m not stooping low. I’m just pointing out that your practictioner of psychological nudity “Savage” is not who he says he is. He’s an act.
70. piratetoby | February 12th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Savage aka Weiner.
Wonder how to pronounce “Weiner” … whiner (like cry baby) or wiener (like a hot dog)?
I was never interested enough to read his bio, but was surprised when I looked up Dr. Weiner. What a ball of confusion, or cult of personality this guy is. His whole life is a series of contradictions.
In reality, I think at his core he is a self-loathing Jew and every thing else about him is an act to mask his self-hatred. Starting with the name change, from “weiner” to “savage”. You don’t need to be Freud to interpret that clue into Michael’s psyche.
Just my opinion.
71. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 10:36 am
“Savage” is, IMO, a schizophrenic. He goes from self-hating Jew to devoted Zionist in the blink of an eye,sometimes in the same rant. He does it on so many subjects, the veering from far left to far right. His background indicates that he was once almost certainly bisexual. Now he hates homosexuals. He’s definitely had “daddy issues”.
In his quack days…he said HIV/AIDS could be cured through…CITRUS.
72. the real Barbara | February 12th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Excuse me huberty, do you not remember what the hell you posted? You are stooping low when you refer to me as a “sad lonely child”. You obviously don’t like SAVAGE, that’s fine and dandy and your choice, but, don’t call me names in the process.
73. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Barbara,
YOU FIRED THE FIRST SALVO. You told me a “to get over myself”….YOU STARTED WITH ME.
You oversensitive clown.
74. the real Barbara | February 12th, 2009 at 10:59 am
I see, I’m dealing with a child, it’s ok huberty, I understand, you were never taught to respect others. The phrase get over yourself can hardly be compared to name calling, but alas, I’m dealing with a child, move on son, go learn some respect. Read your post, you sound like a two year old, YOU STARTED IT, mommy, mommy, SHE STARTED IT. Sheesh.
75. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Barbara,
You old bitty. You sound like an old spinster, a harridan who doesn’t shut up. I have NO RESPECT for you. Got that. You’re an embittered old hag.
76. piratetoby | February 12th, 2009 at 11:53 am
“Was” bisexual? How about “is” bisexual. Anyone who rails against gays the way he does clearly has his own issues. And if he had a “thing” w/Ginsberg, who was hideous looking (IMHO), I’m sure he dabbled w/others more attractive (again, IMO). He doth protest too much.
Did he fake being a liberal so he could hang w/them? Why would he refer to Ginsberg as “the devil” after he died, when he clearly had some kind of relationship w/him?
You’re right, Hub, he’s schitzo. And wavers between extremes. Black or white. Good or evil. Left or right. Up or down. Love or hate. Yin or Yang. No middle, no gray areas.
But I’ll have to admit, he is an interesting character.
77. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I was giving “Savage” the benefit of doubt on the bisexual issue..but you’re right,he IS,not was. Look where he chooses to operate out of. San Fran-sicko as he likes to call it, I’m sure Weiner takes nocturnal strolls through the Tenderloin and Castro districts to relive old times.
That Salon.com piece on him from ‘03, where all these revelations were made clear, could have had 50 pages of material instead of 5. I wonder how much they left out!
He’s a frequent dining partner of Willie Brown. Since he was based in the Bay Area in the 70’s I honestly wonder if “Savage” had any personal contact with Harvey Milk or even better..Jim Jones!
In a way,he’s the opposite of Severino. “Savage” has really done many of the radical things Severino purports to have done,but KEEPS IT QUIET! If “Savage’s” fans were actually well-versed and read more than neo-con tracts,they’d be shocked to discover what their idol is/was.
MANY of them…get this…don’t even realize he’s Jewish!!! Because he mentions New York those rubes in the South/Mid-west, think he’s an I-talian.
78. piratetoby | February 12th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
They’re both phonies. Gumpy Severino boasts about a fabricated past while Doc Weiner tries to silence his real and unfabricated past. (Unfabricated in not a word, I know)
But the radicals and their activities Weiner associated w/in his past, do you think it was just an attempt to be au currant? Or do you think he was a true liberal? There was a belief that he was a closet conservative, faking his liberalism.
Wouldn’t surprise me. Apparently he was in the closet with his bisexual “Howl” ing.
Listening to Gumpy about his 1,800 conquests leads me to believe that in addition both being phonies, he and Weiner may share that same closet.
79. James Huberty | February 12th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
I wouldn’t affix any true political ideology to a guy like Savage. Because of his psychological issues, I don’t think he has REAL convictions. Everything is the emotion of the moment…
Severino DOES love musicals,fine dining and described himself a “metrosexual”…so…ya never know
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