tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post6518354065804753743..comments2023-09-08T12:08:39.523-04:00Comments on WBAI: WBAI is on the rocks—is it time for more D-Helix water?Chris Albertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-92214374027539085222016-09-14T08:22:32.735-04:002016-09-14T08:22:32.735-04:00This forum is 2 years old, but some folks would li...This forum is 2 years old, but some folks would like to know what's happening now with WBAI...especially with this Indy Caucus versus Justice and Unity. It's hard to tell what's going on with the station from behind the scenes, especially for folks who live outside of broadcast range (i.e. can't come to meetings) and listen online. Any word?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-26697818535470154272014-06-12T01:39:15.697-04:002014-06-12T01:39:15.697-04:00Amy does this for ALL the Pacifica owned and assoc...Amy does this for ALL the Pacifica owned and associate stations. There is more to the world than WBAI. And the stations get the money. Pacifica has NOT been paying AMY. I think they owe her about 2.5 million and more each month. She may also be doing this for FSTV and LinkTV, but they probably pay her what they owe. I understand that for a $500 donation Bertie will take himself to lunch on your behalf and take the rest of the week off in Florida.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-4019124566602569382014-06-11T20:03:17.154-04:002014-06-11T20:03:17.154-04:00The Max Schmid you hear is the real person. Also, ...The Max Schmid you hear is the real person. Also, he IS professional. Here's a real story. One night while I was on the air co-hosting the show, the station, all of a sudden, went off the air. Max ran in and was totallly serious checking things and being the engineer he is. He couldn't find anything, so he called the station's chief engineer to discover that station maintanence was scheduled at the Empire State Building, which meant we were knocked off from there, not the studio. Wasn't it so nice of no one to tell us about this scheduled maintanence in advance..?<br /><br />Anyway, Amy Goodman may be an informative person through her work, but I never trusted her. She always struck me as devious and hypocritical. What I'd also like to know is how many poor people she takes out to dinner. It's nice to fleece limosine liberals and cadillac commies of $2,000, but does she ever "break bread" with someone who can't afford such a high premium? Who pays the restuarant bill? I guess she places a high value on her celebrity status.<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-64568290532282798532014-06-11T17:40:08.918-04:002014-06-11T17:40:08.918-04:00We think alike, Justine—I could have made the exac...We think alike, Justine—I could have made the exact same comment.Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-9736117394547647952014-06-11T10:15:52.566-04:002014-06-11T10:15:52.566-04:00I, too feel sorry for Max Schmid. I am glad to he...I, too feel sorry for Max Schmid. I am glad to hear that he is as genial and professional in person as he sounds on the radio. He deserves so much better. So, for that matter, do Ivan Hametz, Chris Whent, Peter Bochan, James Irsay, Michio Kaku, David Rothenberg, "Emmanuel Goldstein" and a few others. <br /><br />I really miss Rebecca Myles and Delfin Blue, among others. Frankly, I'm starting ro revise my opinion of Amy Goodman: The more I hear her, the more disingenuous she seems. She says she hosts people who pledge $2000 "all the time" or "every week". I would think that if that were the case, BAI wouldn't be in its sixth or seventh or whatever week of its fund drive, with no end in sight.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-87688714042966426372014-06-09T13:50:22.750-04:002014-06-09T13:50:22.750-04:00I have never met Max Schmid, but from what I hear ...I have never met Max Schmid, but from what I hear and from listening to him, he does appear to be a genuinely nice guy and, for that matter, professional.Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-9843045287879671682014-06-09T13:35:35.574-04:002014-06-09T13:35:35.574-04:00I happened to flip on WBAI last night to hear Max ...I happened to flip on WBAI last night to hear Max Schmid dealing with a caller who said the pledge line doesn't work. He said it rings a few times and hangs up. Schmid gave him another number to try out. I didn't hang about to hear the result. I actually felt sorry for Schmid having to deal with this crap, considering my experience with him was that he was a genuinley nice and jovial guy. In fact, from my times up at WBAI, he was one of the only nice people.<br /><br />It must really suck to have to ask for money for months on end, and when someone wants to donate, they can't.<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-6534225876571667932014-06-09T11:44:42.706-04:002014-06-09T11:44:42.706-04:00Yes, there are all kinds of horror stories about t...Yes, there are all kinds of horror stories about this outside service. I don't know how many pledges never get registered, but every penny counts right now and this is by no means the only hair in this soup. any mildly astute listener should be able to see that this has become a lost cause.Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-75945353491820092802014-06-09T10:48:52.162-04:002014-06-09T10:48:52.162-04:00The other day, I caught a bit of Radio Free Eirann...The other day, I caught a bit of Radio Free Eirann. One of the hosts or guests was talking about how difficult it is to make a pledge to BAI. He said, in essence, that it's impossible to donate more than $75 because "it doesn't register" with some of the call center operators.<br /><br />That's a real enticement to pledge, huh?Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-81216184044276531252014-06-05T10:00:42.364-04:002014-06-05T10:00:42.364-04:00I have no idea, but I don't think it's &qu...I have no idea, but I don't think it's "Ru."Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-87156463845456190172014-06-05T09:54:23.499-04:002014-06-05T09:54:23.499-04:00What does the R stand for in R. Paul Martin?What does the R stand for in R. Paul Martin?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09366928656454074404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-60968343869474587262014-06-04T17:05:48.825-04:002014-06-04T17:05:48.825-04:00That's how it used to be when WBAI attracted l...That's how it used to be when WBAI attracted listeners, as opposed to shoppers. Very different station±very different audience.Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-10799631663230758972014-06-04T16:53:31.379-04:002014-06-04T16:53:31.379-04:00I remember when Wunder had the fire in his apartme...I remember when Wunder had the fire in his apartment that nearly killed him. He lost most or all of his collection, including many one of a kind items. Well, when he got back on the air and told the audience about this, people who had taped many of the one of a kind items responded by sending him copies, without asking anything in return. That's what you get when you treat your listeners with respect.<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-58805816056837895292014-06-04T12:43:45.097-04:002014-06-04T12:43:45.097-04:00Always liked Paul – he did a program with Jim Freu...Always liked Paul – he did a program with Jim Freund, once, where he analyzed in-depth The Quiet Earth. It was fucking brilliant.<br /><br />His knowledge of film was, of course, encyclopedic, and he was quite simply a very bright guy.<br /><br />Yes, he was also close to the vibe of what was actually going on.<br /><br />As for reading, I was fond of The Economist for the simple reason that I found that when I disagreed with their judgement there was a pretty fair chance they’d prove to be right and I’d be wrong – that’s something I value greatly.<br /><br />~ ‘indigopirate’Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-81068591043671601402014-06-04T08:48:07.316-04:002014-06-04T08:48:07.316-04:00With every repeat of past misjudgments, Berthold R...With every repeat of past misjudgments, Berthold Reimers and his cronies du jour bring WBAI closer to the edge of Poooooof, so what you surmise is by no means far-fetched, SDL There is, however, another factor to be considered: the players in this final act are rank amateurs of the perpetual kind—do they even have the intelligence to formulate strategy? Everything they have done in the past years indicates their inability to see past their next step.<br /><br />They are choreographed by swollen egos and shared stupidity. Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-85600066485487501382014-06-04T01:53:58.705-04:002014-06-04T01:53:58.705-04:00"So now he has added another week, which will..."So now he has added another week, which will take us to June 15th!"<br /><br />Chris, what did I say above? I told you that this IS the new format. It won't end until WBAI is sold or leased out. Give them credit for slipping it in under another guise. Sleazy, but smart. They avoided the type of fiasco they had with Guzman, etc. in 1977.<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-64094505044564841022014-06-04T01:36:27.207-04:002014-06-04T01:36:27.207-04:00Thank you for the links indigopirate. They brought...Thank you for the links indigopirate. They brought me back to some memories. <br /><br />Marxman and WBAI/Pacifica were indeed lucky for the Reagan years, as it made them more important for an alternate voice. At the same time, the AM band saw the commercialization/popularizing of talk radio with people like Bob Grant, Barry Farber, etc. The listenership to their corporate reactionary crud increaded when talk radio went from a secondary format to the format that saved AM radio (sports talk was years down the road). However, as the time went on and the world evolved, WBAI/Pacifica didn't, because of the now geriatrics who used them as manufactured walls to insulate themselves from reality. And there lies one of the main problems - WBAI/Pacifica are just a left wing fantasy land so old farts can still live their idealistic but nonrealistic lives.<br /><br />I remember back just before Marxman was named PD that there were several applicants for the job, including a 15 year old female listener. I was having an off-air conversation with Paul Wunder about this, and he told me to expect big changes when Marxman took over. He wasn't privy to any particular news, he just knew the Pacifica vibe at the time and that Marxman, or some such hardcore leftist, would be in place. Wunder's words something like, "...because things can't continue like this." He was referring to the lack of any focused aim to programming, PDs coming and going, etc. He felt that WBAI needed to get itself together and have an aim rather than floundering, as it was. If I remember, Wunder's show Soundtrack was shorn of some time by Marxman...<br /><br />I also remember those early Fader stories. I liked them quite a bit as a kid for their reality about a person's life. I have always been a fan of autobiographies.<br /><br />I used to read New Republic and The Economist back in the day when they were sane conservative voices. They were the counter balance to Mother Jones, The Progressive, etc.I never minded political views different from mine, as long as they were intelligent and well spoken/written. On the other hand, I left American Atheists behind when I realized they exhibited the same personalty traits as intolerant religious fanatics.<br /><br />Can you tell I was a politicized kid?<br /><br />SDL<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-18643846418972485712014-06-03T21:47:51.157-04:002014-06-03T21:47:51.157-04:00If it's of interest there's a contemporane...If it's of interest there's a contemporaneous piece with respect to WBAI/Pacifica under Marksman which can be downloaded here – it was written for Bill Buckley when NR was conservative but sane, which is of course no longer the case https://www.mediafire.com/?a5mghsb3k79a1e1<br /><br />~ 'indigopirate'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-13473625674861567962014-06-03T21:24:47.191-04:002014-06-03T21:24:47.191-04:00Samori Marksman was indeed the man – no question. ...Samori Marksman was indeed the man – no question. The question, I think, is as to the choices made by the National and Local Boards that put him in place.<br /><br />There are interesting references to Marksman here http://www.federfiles.com/shows-cd/current.htm<br /><br />~ 'indigopirate'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-29732155588453130672014-06-03T17:59:53.869-04:002014-06-03T17:59:53.869-04:00"we have evidence of levitation and toasting...."we have evidence of levitation and toasting." <br />I didn't know The Exorcist was evidence of a conspiracy...<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-64100680259144907162014-06-03T00:43:30.816-04:002014-06-03T00:43:30.816-04:00They ran the Judy Wood thing a few marathons back—...They ran the Judy Wood thing a few marathons back—as I recall, she has proof that laser beams were used to pulverize cars parked in the street. I just tuned in (at 12:30 AM) to hear her say, "we have evidence of levitation and toasting." She is either a certifiable lunatic or a con artist. Of course, the people who put these idiots on the air are no better, ditto the management that keeps the door open.<br /><br />Hitler going south on a saucer is actually mild when compared with the stuff Brady and others present with a straight face. Let us not forget Kathy Davis, an enthusiastic purveyor of Double Helix Water and friend of homeless, gay-loving angels.<br /><br />Don't waste your batteries, SDL Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-29595706333840329032014-06-03T00:05:36.134-04:002014-06-03T00:05:36.134-04:00I think the focus on the Third World (as it was ca...I think the focus on the Third World (as it was called then) and "community" issues/programs went into full force with Samori Markman becoming program director. I know some of the programs that showed variety in subjects had their timing cut down, like Leonard Lopate. Well, in the long run, the members of this thing called "community" aren't hardcore leftists who worship Cuba and Fidel. Bad gamble WBAI.<br /><br />Anyway, now I wonder if I should take the batteries out of my radio and stick the radio in the closet. There was yet another infomercial featuring a total loon named Judy Wood, who has a science fiction type hypothesis about 9/11. Something about laser guns or something. When is the Hitler escaped to Antarctica on a German flying saucer show coming up. It's all just too much now.<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-57320615396008706362014-06-02T23:58:55.436-04:002014-06-02T23:58:55.436-04:00Chris, kudos to you for stating the obvious about ...Chris, kudos to you for stating the obvious about this racial faction which has BAI in its grip -- this is the very faction that Null hinted at on his two hour diatribe that you posted. However, he does not have the courage to speak of these things. Sadly, the left worships at this altar and will never give up the faith.<br /><br />rjAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-24066775837522857832014-06-02T21:02:17.796-04:002014-06-02T21:02:17.796-04:00I don't know if the format change is, in fact,...I don't know if the format change is, in fact, a deliberate format change or just the inevitable result of appallingly inept management. I suspect the latter to be true, although there has, indeed, also been a recent change in the format—perhaps "focus" is the correct term.<br /><br />The KPFK woman who does the 3 PM "sojourner Truth" program has on more than one occasion referred to WBAI as a "black" station. She is not the only one to engage in such wishful thinking, but she is more direct than people like Haskins, Kathy Davis, and the many other black host/producers who use "community" as a euphemism.<br /><br />In February, the preponderance of black subject matter was attributed to it being "Black History Month," at other times it was the deaths of Nelson Mandela, Amiri Baraka, and other prominent people of color. The truth is that WBAI has long been taken over by a group of street corner activists and opportunists who attempt to cloak their agendas and ignorance in anger mismanagement and deformed history. They have been doing this long enough to discourage the intellectually curious independent thinker who once kept the station going. This is not to say that there aren't still good broadcasters on WBAI, but their number has diminished to a point where it is commensurate with the station's diluted program content. This is a fact that the diehard, self-serving inner core of WBAI refuses to acknowledge. The common goal has shifted from an idealistic attempt to provide listeners with an alternative, reasoned perspective on the world we live in to one of indoctrination and mindless pap. That obviously does not work, so they resort to crass, dishonest marketing, which now has escalated to a point where the morals and ethics once associated with Pacifica's raison d'être are only to be imagined. <br /><br />We have already seen the end of Lew Hill's Pacifica and Lou Schweitzer's WBAI—what remains of that welcomed association is neither salvageable nor worthy of such efforts.<br /><br />Matthew Lasar has written decent assessments of Pacifica, but his fact-checking is wanting, so a grain of salt is highly recommended. Steve Post's book, on the other hand, is perfidious pap, the work of a morally bankrupt hack who played a major role in sparking much of what today has WBAI racing into a dead end. Post, along with Josephson and Millspaugh were pioneering shredders of Pacifica's principles—the first step in a decades-long format change process. <br /><br />If you put margarine on the table, butter begins to taste even better. If you remove the butter, you eliminate the absolute reference and margarine eventually becomes acceptable to your palate. Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-6815970839684393962014-06-02T18:42:22.555-04:002014-06-02T18:42:22.555-04:00Is anyone thinking along the same lines as I am at...Is anyone thinking along the same lines as I am at this point? WBAI HAS changed its format right under our noses. They have gone over fully, not temporarily, to a fringe products infomercial format. Sure, they still have a few hosts/producers on the air live, here or there. However, that is a matter of choosing the right time to be able to dispense with them, unless they make lots of money.<br />No, I don't think this is a pledge drive any longer but normal programming having been instituted as a pledge drive in order to avoid the resistance an open (and honest) announcement of said format change would have caused. <br /><br />Also, am I the only person that feels anyone who pledged and expects normal programming to return has been duped into simply paying to supplement (Red Airwave Stuff) WBAI's hawking products to them? It's like paying for cable TV: you pay a cable bill yet have advertising on said cable TV. In effect, you are, at least partially, subsidizing the advertising directed at YOU! Good scam, eh?<br /><br />Once there was a book titles Perpetual War For Perpetual Peace. I think the modern history of WBAI should be titled Perpetual Pledge Driving for Perpetual Solvency...<br /><br />By the way, are the Matthew Lasar books about Pacifica worth reading? And is the Steve Post Autobiography worthwhile?<br /><br />SDLAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com