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Current Mailbag - Mailbag Archive Index - DCRTV Front Page - Support DCRTV DCRTV Mailbag - November 7 to November 11, 2006 Latest messages listed first..... \/ November 11 Messages \/ Hey Steve Buckhantz! You do a great job on Wizards games! Not to be a pest.. but could you please stop saying " in regulation " when you give the time remaining. You are practically assuming the game will end in a tie and go into overtime--an unlikely event. Regards Biff (11/11/06) Dave, I know the armchair programmers, engineers, and bashers in the mailbag hate it when facts get in the way of their wild speculation and conspiracy theories, but I have to set the record straight about WJFK ownership and management being cheap. An unsigned poster said: "In case you didn't know WJFK is run by Infinity, the cheapest owners in the business. They make Cheap Channel look like the Fairy Godmother when it comes to allocating money to engineering and new gear. Come on ----these folks are still running cart machines for their spots and the carts they are using have been recycled for the past ten years +. Place your blame where it belongs---management." First of all, Infinity hasn't owned WJFK for a while, it's CBS now. Second, WJFK stopped using carts almost 3 years ago. It's been a PC based live assist system since then. Except for Don & Mike, there are NO carts in use at any of the CBS owned stations in DC. Because of the huge volume of content Don & Mike have on cart, they do still use them occasionally. As to the Company being cheap, we have a facility in Lanham that was built NEW in 1999; WARW moved into a NEW facility in 2005; Don & Mike moved into a NEW facility this year; and WJFK is in the middle of replacing two studios with all NEW gear. WARW, Don & Mike, and WJFK are all built using SAS Rubicon control surfaces and 32kd routers. Call them for a price quote and see how cheap they are. In the last 3 years we have installed a new 50kW combined main transmitter and HD radio transmitter for WPGC FM, and a new 30 kW transmitter at their backup site; a new HD transmitter for WARW; and we are working on a whole new transmitter site for WLZL right now. In over 25 years in this business, I have never worked for a company that is as supportive of their engineering staff as CBS is, and never been funded as richly. Jeff Loughridge (11/11/06) ("Rudy's got an "ex-wife problem" - that NYC TV anchor babe. Whatever. They (fellow Repubs from the South) will use it against him if he tries to run for president. He could maybe run for Senate or be in someone's Cabinet, but never "the" candidate. Plus, he's a liberal. Way too far left for the GOP mainstream, not to mention the Rush whackos.....") You really are as stupid as Don says you are. First of all, there have been many well respected Republicans that have held high office who have been divorced. The best example is Ronald Reagan. Having been divorced never seemed to hold him back. I don't think that Newt Gingrich's 2 divorces and infidelity prevented him from being Speaker of the House. I could go on and on. You also mention that Rudy is liberal. He's also extremely popular and has national name recognition. This election showed that the voters are leaning towards moderates instead of the hardcore Republicans or Democrats. Diane from Charlottesville (11/11/06) Dave's response: It's not that Rudy's divorced, it's the "dirt" from his divorce. He and Newt will never be president..... I have been watching the Penn State- Temple game today. It has been shown on Fox Sports-Pittsburgh and WLYH in Lebanon, Pa. ( A Clear Channel Station) The picture on Fox Sports-Pittsburgh has been much brighter and more pleasant to look it. The sound was a second or two slower on Fox Sports-Pittsburgh. Does anybody have an explanation? Thank You JohnnyuinHanover,Pa. (11/11/06) "What a crack engineering staff WJFK has. The one show on their now pathetic radio station that anyone bothers to pay any attention to and they can't seem to figure out how to keep it on the air. In case you didn't know WJFK is run by Infinity, the cheapest owners in the business. They make Cheap Channel look like the Fairy Godmother when it comes to allocating money to engineering and new gear. Come on ----these folks are still running cart machines for their spots and the carts they are using have been recycled for the past ten years +. Place your blame where it belongs---management. (11/11/06) To the person talking about conspiracies, well you're wrong on a few counts. The Webb, George Allen, and GW Bush stories were all run into the proverbial ground and yes, they had little effect on the outcome. Maybe the same would have happened with O'Malley. I don't know. I guess we'll never know because the O'Malley story was mentioned once and deemed to have no "legs" as they say. I don't think any news organization did any follow-up story at all on it the next day or thereafter. It appears they decided it just wasn't that important compared to similar DUI or other trashy stories. It's very odd that The Sun and WBAL are further investigating it now though, don't ya think? I mean, why bother? It's really not news now at all. Do they feel guilty or something? (11/11/06) Regarding "does anybody know who the (WBOC) FM is/was?" When the radio and television divisions of WBOC were sold to separate owners in 1980, the WBOC-FM call letters changed to WQHQ (Q-105). (11/11/06) The original WBOC-FM was on 97.5 as a full-power Class B station. They turned it off during the dismal years of FM. I thought it was in the 50s. My 1968 Broadcasting Yearbook says that WBOC-FM restarted on 94.3, July 31, 1965, as a Class A station (equivalent to 1kW at 250 feet). Those that lost faith in FM dark years often suffered the consequences. (11/11/06) That was Victoria Jones co-hosting with Kur on WaPo radio. I agree with the previous poster he sounds much better with a co-host. (11/11/06) I was at a church rummage sale today and found a book with funky late 60’a graphics that said, “WBOC AM/FM Household Hints for Delmarva”. I’ve figured out that the AM is the current WTGM licensed to Salisbury, does anybody know who the FM is/was? (11/11/06) I think that the co-host of choice at WMAL is Jerry Klein. He's good -- and especially when he's paired with Plante or Core, although I think the latter two can hold their own shows by themselves. -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/11/06) Howdy, folks, Re: some text on your "WOHN Tribute" page - there's an error which probably should be corrected. The author refers to "Don Reno and Bill Farrell" - but it's Harrell, not Farrell. Bill Harrell was Don Reno's music partner for years on WDCA Channel 20. While Don Reno is no longer with us, Bill Harrell is still living in Davidsonville, MD. You can google him... I actually interviewed Harrell recently regarding early bluegrass pioneer Buzz Busby, whose 1954-55 TV show on WTTG Channel 5 was a major factor in the development of Washington DC as the nation's "Bluegrass Capital." and I saw Harrell last weekend at the funeral of veteran DC area fiddle player Carl Nelson... Thanks! Jack (11/11/06) Dave's response: It's fixed. Thanks Jack..... I have to admit that while I was working in radio, I didn't read your website often. I should have, but hey, none of us are perfect. Since I departed 1801... you've been a major source of information as to what has happened to my friends and colleagues. Thanks. (11/11/06) As you watch Clear Channel dismiss their talented and loyal staff, cutting quality and expenses with the same knife, realize its not just radio, or just TV. Its everywhere. America has given up on trying to increase revenues, and everyone is trying to cut costs. They give big bonus checks to those who cut them the most. Why are jobs going to India? Why is the 'middle class' is disappearing. Same stuff. Ironically, once the middle class is gone, who do these company owners think will buy their products? Who do these politicians think will pay taxes? Duh! (11/11/06) I don't think a DUI arrest in a campaign makes much difference these days. O'Malley is a privileged rich kid who gets off. Just like Bush. That's the way it is. (11/11/06) Who was the female co-hosting with Bob Kur Friday afternoon on Washington Post Radio? I thought he sounded SOOO much better with a co-host. (11/11/06) Dave's response: Didn't hear that, but I have to say that David Burd's Saturday morning show today on WTWP was absolutely fab. Love that Willie Waffle. Although a few of those WaPosties, particularly that guy talking about the Webb victory with Burd, could use some radio voice coaching. A bit too many "ahhh"s, if you get my drift..... Dave wrote: "Chris Core is one of the best talkers on DC radio. I'd keep him in late mornings or move him back to PM drive." Dave, I like the guy, too but his ratings don't support your contention. He has never gotten the numbers he gotg when it was Trum bell & Core and not even what he had when itr was Stevens & Core (or whas it Core & Stevens?). Maybe he would be better with a co-host. (11/11/06) Posted by the webmaster of radiogodsforum.com: "Couldn't get the problems fixed in 10 minutes, so Mike left... Don didn't want to do the show without Mike, so no live show today (Friday). It's all O'Meara's fault. Don pleaded with him not to go, but with a wave and a hearty "So long, Losers!".. Mike left the building. Actually, just technical issues, but since Don gets the blame for everything, figured we'd pawn this one off on Mike." (11/11/06) Dave's response: Well, if Don can't do the show without Mike, then I guess that makes Mike even more indispensible than we'd thought. Perhaps we ought to start calling it the "Mike and Don" show..... I know you're still hypothetically thinking, but where would you place Core, Levin and Plante? -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/11/06) Dave's response: Chris Core is one of the best talkers on DC radio. I'd keep him in late mornings or move him back to PM drive. I really haven't listened enough to Chris Plante to have an opinion. As for Mark Levin, I'd move him over to ABC's co-owned Radio Disney..... Dave, since you opined yesterday on a hypothetical WJFK lineup, can you do the same fro WMAL (taking into account that Rush, Hannity and Levin's shows are popular and should remain on the lineup). Just curious to see what your thoughts are. -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/11/06) Dave's response: That'll take some thought, which I'm not able to do at the moment. I would make the station more diverse - politically (lefty), racially (black), and sexually (female). I'd fire Andy Parks and pair Fred Grandy with a liberal, maybe a female. I'd do a local afternoon drive show in place of Sean Hannity, who could either be run in overnights or get moved to WTNT. In fact, the station would be "all local," with the exception of Rush Limbaugh, who would be the station's token "clown." I'd get ABC to move the station to FM and try to get the Skins and Nats. Or maybe simulcast the WMAL signal on 630, 92.7, and 94.3 after Dan Snyder buys 106.7..... Was the Albie show on WJFK just plain boring? Seriously, most of the show was just talking about his radio career, great pilot topics! Who ever his co-host was, scotty I think, just came out as a typical morning zoo guy! Does he really need to make "funny" voice every second? Even then, I was wishing them luck since there's not much reason to me to hear WJFK anyways since I have XM radio. Now that The Hideout is on the market WJFK needs to make a good programming decision for a change. O&A 6a-9a, Ron & Fez 9a-12p, Junkes 12p-3p, Don & Mike 3p-7p, The Hideout 7p-11p... Or similar. Too bad WJFK will never do that right thing! -Carlos in Arlington (11/11/06) To the conspiracy minded poster who thinks there was no mention of the O'Malley DUI arrest before the election, you are completely DEAD WRONG! WBAL Channel 11 lead the evening news with the story when it broke about a week before the election. Whether or not O'Malley got off easy doesn't really matter, it was just a last minute desperate campaign tactic that totally backfired on Erlich just like the releasing of Jim Webb's writings backfired on Sen. Allen and had no effect on the election just like the releasing of George W. Bush's DUI arrest had no effect on the 2000 election. If anything these stories help the person they were intended to hurt. Oh and to the other poster, I'm sure George H. Bush's didn't help some evidence get thrown out in a few instances when W was being "young and irresponsible." Maybe the local news should be more like Fox News and Drudge and keep trumped up controversies that have nothing to do with anything going long after they should be considered newsworthy. (11/11/06) The old Clear Channel rumor mill is churning again -- they always give us so much to talk about at 1801 don't they? Look for the WMZQ morning show to exit. The PD and Production Director at WASH are gone... and several promotion and support people will be dumped as well. All of it will happen by November 15th. (11/11/06) Re: In response to the anonymous party's posting about my previous comments, I'm afraid the individual still doesn't understand the point I've tried to make. I'll give it one more go-round and then move on to other things. A Christian with conservative beliefs will vote for ANYONE who seeks to uphold and protect (at least what's left) the freedoms....blah,blah,blah////Seriously Matey, are you done ? Your three novellas have made it clear, you are ruled by the words in a book. The laws this country were founded upon have changed and will continue to do so, the Constitution is a living document, witness the Amendments which I won't bother listing. I am happy for your beliefs, but I put as much credence in Scientology as whatever scripture keeps you in lockstep. The endless examples of bad acts and behavior by purported religious men, the hypocrisy, the hate preached, and phony pandering by politicians is enough to make anyone ill. I don't need your dogma or anyone else's to live a moral life, so please stop the droning on about your chosen mythology. The less religion in politics the better. When L.Ron Hubbard realized he was making peanuts writing bad Sci Fi, he related to his contemporaries and friends that the real way to get rich was to invent a religion. Look what he has accomplished in a mere 50 years, maybe in 2000 years we will talking about Hubbard like you talk about Jesus, or as others talk about Allah. (11/11/06) Dave's response: Off topic alert. As Tom Gavin would say - "Watch it." This morning on The Junkies, they had outgoing MD. Governor Robert Ehrlich on the air. He was more casual than normal and let go of a bombshell, Rudy Giuliani will be running for President. After he says it he gets very uncomfortable and stammers. The whole segment is up on iTunes and this section starts at 13:41. Please listen to the audio and you can hear Ehrlich's tone change when he realizes he slipped up. Here is their exchange: Eric Bickel (Junkie): " Hey Gov, I want to ask you real quick, who called you the day of election? You spoke to Giuliani I am sure, did you get a call from Bush?..... Robert Ehrlich: Actually Giuliani called twice and Giuliani actually called the other day and wants to come in and talk, so..... Eric Bickel (Junkie): Really, oh good, that guy knows how to make some coin..... Robert Ehrlich: YES, HE'S ALSO RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT SO HE IS GOING TO BE A TOUGH, TOUGH GUY..... Eric Bickel (Junkie): Are you dropping that nugget? Is that official?..... Robert Ehrlich: (stammering) No, No, I just, we like each other, we, we've become friends and he wanted to come in and talk and obviously I'll, I'll talk..... Jason Bishop (Junkie): What's he want to talk about?..... Robert Ehrlich: I don't know. (pause) He said my future. so we'll see..... (11/11/06) Dave's response: Rudy's got an "ex-wife problem" - that NYC TV anchor babe. Whatever. They (fellow Repubs from the South) will use it against him if he tries to run for president. He could maybe run for Senate or be in someone's Cabinet, but never "the" candidate. Plus, he's a liberal. Way too far left for the GOP mainstream, not to mention the Rush whackos..... What a crack engineering staff WJFK has. The one show on their now pathetic radio station that anyone bothers to pay any attention to and they can't seem to figure out how to keep it on the air. And if you're a ''PD'' for that station AND WARW AND other CBS stations, aren't you really just some schlub who got a title. I wonder if Max Dugan listens to XM or Sirius. I KNOW he can't be paying attention to his stations. AND what's wrong with monkeys advertising products? Monkeys will soon rule us all. I've seen the movies. Paul (11/11/06) Dave's response: All those idiot sponsors who pay good money to have their ad crammed with 95 others in the last hour of the Don and Mike show must have been REALLY "happy" today to have their spots in an unannounced rerun show. Yes, there are more hapless radio stations on the dial - but none with such potential. Sad. By canning one overpriced "empty suit" in NYC (or Lanham), CBS could find enough dough to re-hire Ron, Fez, El Jefe, J-Dubs, Rosenberg, and throw in Craig Coleman. And, what the heck, why not the "Capitol Radio" guys, too..... Big sale of Kinky Friedman politco stuff at his Kinky for Governor site. Now you might ask yourself, self what does this have to do with D.C. area, well about half way down the page of this here link www.kinkyfriedmanstore.com is a cd for sale by Ratso Silman and his fellow Switchbladians......I recommend moseying around the rest of site, it might amuse you...that Little Jewford cracks me up ......and speaking of politics, driving home last night from Vienna to toothless Fairfax I noticed oodles and oodles of campaign signs for Ex-Senator George Allen in the traffic islands all the way down route 123, also known by us old tymer's as Chain Bridge Road......now I know that George Allen was always a big champion for the environment during his day's in the Senate so all those signs will be taken down and not left to the Dept. of Transportation to go out and pick all them signs up and thus sticking it to the Virginia taxpayers to foot the bill on the clean up...What's that? Oh, nevermind.........they are using soft lighting on Ms.Couric during her newscast, right? Why is that? ...listened to that ther Albie Dee with Scott Webb a few times on "Jfk........it was ok, but would rather hear the "Hideout" or Ron y Fez....that Scott Webb sounds like a cross of Larry Fine and Fez Whatley.....did a hamster die in rockville on fridee?.....M.A. Leesh......Life goes by pretty fast, Cover Up! (11/11/06) /\ November 11 Messages /\ \/ November 10 Messages \/ Well, it's not as bad with the Republicans as we thought; the GOP can fight a successful defense, and with an astute grasp of public relations, they can show that the extreme blue position is as absurd as extreme red can be. WMAL will be a source of communications for the GOP in the area. --- Personally, I hope Mark Plotkin is yet frustrated once more when D.C. gets no voting representation in Congress. -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (11/10/06) Jeez, Bob, loosen up and get laid.. (11/10/06) RE: [ " if I was an editor I probably would have downplayed or trashed the story, too " ]....... That's probably why you're not an editor Dave. The significance is only in that O'Malley's father-in-law was/is Maryland's Attorney General and Joseph Curran has been overturned by Maryland's courts in several key legal decisions affecting Maryland's election, not to mention the BGE/energy State legislature decisions, and all of corrupt Attorney General Joe Curran's decisions/legal opinions helped his son-in-law, O'Malley, just like O'Malley's father got all of the DUI evidence thrown out in Montgomery county. See the "spoiled brat" pattern? An editor is supposed to connect the dots when they connect, discard when not, not make political decisions. No one in the local media here appears to have the intellectual ability to even do this because they are so clouded by the latest anti-Repub bandwagon bias. We'll have to agree to disagree Dave. Believe me Dave, at least Virginia has competitive races. In Maryland, we have the historically corrupt "supermajority". It has nothing to do with party, liberal or conservative. It's just corrupt, period. That is the ONLY reason The Washington Post refused to endorse O'Malley. The political stench level was too high even for their noses. (11/10/06) From www.donandmikewebsite.com: "Today is Friday November 10, and we are having serious technical issues here in Rockville. Sooo, please to be enjoying some lovely best of. And we will be back live with a great Friday show on Monday. Until then, have a safe weekend." Sabotage? Or as William Shattner would say: "Sabatage"? (11/10/06) Funny how The Sun and WBAL www.baltimoresun.com give out the details on Governor-elect Martin O'Malley's DUI arrest 3 days AFTER the election! If this story had been blasted all over the local news like the Foley or Allen scandals, O'Malley wouldn't even have won at all! My favorite line of the story is this: "During the trial, the judge granted a motion to throw out evidence in the case." What are we going to find out tomorrow, that he tried to have a woman in New York wacked or something?!? Well, at least O'Malley can rest easy now that "Constitutionally-invalid/pretend-Attorney General" Doug Gansler is in charge of the law. Gotta love it, crooked Maryland politics at its best [ shakes head ]. (11/10/06) Dave's response: For Christ's sake, it was 20 frigging years ago! Actually, I had heard rumblings about it during the campaign (can't recall the source) and if I was an editor I probably would have downplayed or trashed the story, too..... In response to the anonymous party's posting about my previous comments, I'm afraid the individual still doesn't understand the point I've tried to make. I'll give it one more go-round and then move on to other things. A Christian with conservative beliefs will vote for ANYONE who seeks to uphold and protect (at least what's left) the freedoms, rights, and laws that are founded in the Judeo-Christian ethic used as a base of law when this country began. Republican or Democrat, the party makes no difference to the average Christian. In fact, the main reason why Republicans received the conservative Christian vote to begin with, is because the Democrats over time threw decorum to the winds and slammed at will, biblical values and those who hold them dear. The Republicans saw an opportunity and seized it, but in the end (as a whole) patronized Christians with a conservative bent, which has brought us to where we are today. Hope the history lesson helps to clarify a thing or two. Personally as a believer, I don't really care about money and power. I've never had much money, and have never really cared about obtaining it other than paying my bills each month. Power? Well, I did host in the mid to late 80's a morning drive shift for four years on a Christian FM station that has a city-grade signal in both Baltimore & Washington. However, I never looked at that as a 'power' trip, but rather as an opportunity to encourage and minister to anyone who would tune in. The vast majority of believers feel the same way about power and money. I'm sure there are some who've given the impression that those things are of paramount importance, but when one takes a leap in logic in tarring a group of folks with the same brush, gaping cracks begin to appear in the dam of debate. So much for the David Kuo book. As far as the 'media' point you advance, I see what you're trying to say but it doesn't add up. Here are your words. ..."the Christian Right controls more media vehicles and produces more media program content than any other entity in America". Do you mean to tell me that CBS, ABC, NBC, AP, CNN, FOX, ad infinitum, and all of their corporately owned media subsidies are all Christian media? Right. When I worked for Infinity Baltimore for 2 years recently, the number of broadcast and non-broadast media holdings in that company alone are quite amazing. I personally have no issue with non-Christian media voicing their take on a particular issue. When they're wrong, they get called down on it. On the other hand, when they make a mistake and admit it, they're to be commended. Free speech all around. It's what makes America go, pal. So please rest assured, I do not possess a persecution complex. Probably a few others, but not that one. As far as your choice of the word hypocrite is concerned, the dictionary defines hypocrisy as 'The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; falseness.' I do believe and feel these convictions. As far as virtue is concerned, like the scripture says, 'Apart from Christ I am nothing'. Thanks - Bob Mathers (11/10/06) Not sure if anyone picked up on this or not but as I was scanning MASN around 2:20 this afternoon. They seem to now have a "bottomline" type ticker similar to Comcast Sportsnet's. Doesn't look like they run it all the time but it was on briefly then when I was scanning. It is off now that the Brian Billick show is on. Looks like we get our first look at college hoops on their tonight as well, a lot better then Hawaiian League Baseball or Whatever garbage that was. Also, there should be a petition to keep the Nats TV broadcast team the way it is, and really push to do it. They we the best out their. Great chemistry and all. Much better then who was paired up the previous year. Tim in Frederick, MD. (11/10/06) I think you idea of the WJFK Line-up is perfect Dave....See you can already out programs people at CBS!! (11/10/06) Eisner Advertising closed?? (11/10/06) (regarding a previous post) "Can someone explain to me the Mattress Discounters' "Sleep Monkey" commercial?". I'm not in the DC area, so I haven't seen the commercials. I have seen commercials here in California for car dealerships that feature a "trunk monkey" and this ad campaign is also used elsewhere. The Mattress Discounters spots could be a variation on that theme. Just a guess. www.trunkmonkeyad.com (11/10/06) Re: TV duopolies - Dave, is Allbritton 7 and NC8 really a duopoly? NC8 is a cable channel, not a licensed TV station. --RB (11/10/06) Dave's response: You are correct. NC8 is not a licensed broadcast TV station..... Just heard that Eisner (ad agency in Baltimore) is closing its doors today. All employees given pink slips. Lots of radio and TV stations owed money, probably all holding the bag. (11/10/06) If you're running everything live on WJFK (when was the last century that happened?), then your line-up would be something like: 6a-9a O&A; 9a-12n R&F (assuming an agreement with XM); Noon-2pm Hideout (assuming Hughes has the brains to hire 'em); 2p-3 Penn Gillette; 3p-7p Don & Mike; 7p-10p Junks; 10p-1a Jim Bohannon; 1a-3a Loveline (which is live); 3a-5a You can throw anything into this slot repeats of the first and last hour of D&M seems smartest; 5a-6a Jim Bohannon: America in the Morning. As for the weekends there is plenty of programming available ( talk.westwoodone.com ). News idiots like O'Reilly would go well on weekends. The "late" Pat Goss might've had ratings with decent promotion. It's Fall, WJFK should have college football on Saturday (Maryland, Navy, UVA, Tech, NotreDame). If CBS/Westwood One had any brains they'd come up with a weekend Best Of Westwood One package that combined the best bits of O&A, Imus, Leykis, LoveLine, D&M, Corolla, Jillette, Bohannon, O'Reilly, Cramer, and Larson into a coherent 4-8 hour block. And let's return Saturday night to something edgy, I have fond memories of Steve Condaygn's punk rock show and later The Hideout. (11/10/06) My guess is Mattress Discounters are saying their mattresses are so, so comfortable you will never wish to get out of bed, therefore you're going to need a helper monkey to do all of your chores, while you continue to sleep your life away. (11/10/06) Shame on you Clear Channel… Mike Kelly was great to listen to. Very knowledgeable about country music and a great voice. Try getting rid of some of your overpaid blowhards on MZQ or the ones that know NOTHING about country music. Might save you the big bucks you are looking to save and listeners that tune in to hear more than just your formulaic take on country music. Not that there have actually been many reasons to listen to ‘MZQ in recent years since you barely play out of your 20 song playlist, but Mike was one reason to tune in on the weekends. Think it’s time to keep my dial on WFLS – a much better programmed station that actually plays new music. In fact, when you say something is new, it’s usually been on FLS for at least two months. Hopefully Mike will get picked up by them and make it an even better station. -- Kim (11/10/06) Can someone explain to me the Mattress Discounters' "Sleep Monkey" commercial? Don't see the corrulation between buying a mattress and having a monkey do the chores around the house. I'm obviously missing something. (11/10/06) RE: "He made a joke about getting lost on the way to the station by turing "left", but ultimately turned "right"" I sort of guessed about his political leaning since the day he started. He came from Fox News channel, enough said! (11/10/06) I see that Tuesday's election has pretty much sealed Tribune's fate, according to the NewsBlues web-site... www.newsblues.com. So far, Tribune has already sold ownership of MyNet affiliate WATL (Atlanta, GA) to Gannett, and is in the process of selling CW affiliate WLVI (Boston, MA) to Ed Ansin's Sunbeam, and WCWN (Albany, NY) to Freedom. I can picture Gannett forming a 4th duopoly operation, and acquiring owership of WDCW from Tribune, to be paired up with Washington's WUSA 9, and 9 producing a new local newscast at 10 p.m. Again, I can also picture Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. acquiring ownership of KCPQ and KMYQ (Seattle-Tacoma, WA) from Tribune. News Corp. is believed to have been interested in a 2nd west coast FOX-owned station operation or 2... and I could picture the FOX/MyNet duopoly becoming a FOX O&O. As for other CW and MyNet stations owned by Tribune. I could picture WPIX (New York City, NY), KTLA (Los Angeles, CA), WGN (Chicago, IL), and KWGN (Denver, CO) being sold to Landmark Communications (which owns The Weather Channel). I could picture KHCW (Houston, TX) being sold to Belo Corp. (which owns CBS affiliate KHOU-TV). WPHL (Philadelphia, PA) and KDAF (Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX) being sold to Young Communications (which owns MyNet affiliate KRON-TV). Just my thoughts. (11/10/06) Dave's response: Since TV duopolies are so economical, I'd have to say that Gannett, which owns 9, would be the prime suitor for 50. Fox already owns 5 and 20, Allbritton 7 and NC8, and NBC, with its big budget cuts looming, probably wouldn't be interested in a local pairing for 4..... Clear Channel Makes Cuts, More Coming - not just programming staff--lots of other staff as well. Aren't they just swell people. What comes around goes around. They are positioning themselves to be sold. When that happens I hope what goes around comes around! (11/10/06) Perfect line-up for WJFK: 5-10 am SPORTS JUNKIES/ 10 am - 2pm RON AND FEZ / 2-3pm PENN JILLETT / 3-7pm DON AND MIKE / 7-11pm THE HIDEOUT / 11pm-2am OPIE AND ANTHONY / 2-5am LOVE LINE (11/10/06) Dave's response: Or, run "Loveline" from 2 AM to 3 AM, and Bill O'Reilly from 3 AM to 5 AM. Ha ha ha..... Dave: Thanks for the link to Faces of the Fallen. As one of the online producers of the project, it's always humbling to see it called out by other Web sites as an appropriate place to be reminded of days like Veterans Day. You may not be aware of it, but Washington Post Radio airs radio versions of "Faces." We call them "Tributes to the Fallen" and they run every Friday on Washington Post Radio, around 9:30, 12:30 and 6:30. (I'm the voice of the Tributes.) Here are some examples of the Tributes: www.washingtonpost.com... www.washingtonpost.com... I've been a loyal reader of DCRTV for years. It's arguably the best local media site of its kind in the country. Thanks for the great work! Warm regards, Ed O'Keefe (11/10/06) Dave's response: Thanks Ed..... ("I thing El Jefe and JDubbs would be great for 106.7's middays. Put O&A in mornings, put the hideout (with El Jefe and jDubbs( in middays, keep D&M in afternoons, and put the Junks in evenings. That's what id' do. - L. Moonvez") I totally agree...But I think Ron & Fez should be somewhere in the line-up as well. Then, FINALLY WJFK will be back to "Washington's Superstation" where is should be!! (11/10/06) Dave's response: OK, here's what I'd do. Opie and Anthony 6 AM to 10 AM, Ron and Fez 10 AM to 3 PM, Don and Mike 3 PM to 7 PM, the Sports Junkies 7 PM to 10 PM, El Jefe and J-Dubbs 10 PM to 2 AM. The Friday El Jefe and J-Dubbs show would be a rerun so the guys could do a live Saturday show from 9 AM to 3 PM. Ditto with Ron and Fez, so they could do Saturdays from 3 PM to 9 PM. And then give Albie Dee weekends from 9 PM to 2 AM. The Junkies would also do Sundays during football season..... QUOTE: "I just heard on the traffic report that a pedestrian was struck near WMAL's studios in northwest DC. I was going to make a joke, but I guess it would be in bad taste." Your post is in bad taste as it is. No matter how you feel about WMAL, its hosts or the staff there, you should never wish anything like this to happen to anoyone. Your comment was completely dumb and insensitive. -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/10/06) I'm sure the new guy, Bob Sellers, is still trying to get situated and fit into FOX5 Morning News crew..But, he's really trying tooo hard. It seems like he wanted (or wants) to be a commedian, but he's falling really flat..And how many more times is he going to imply his right wing political affiliation. He made a joke about getting lost on the way to the station by turing "left", but ultimately turned "right"..Then, he made another comment on election day when they showed a picture of the Capitol about how it looked like it was leaning to the "right"..Give it a break Bob..Take a hint from the looks Lark's giving you.. (11/10/06) Poster Bob Mathers says “If the Republican Party had sought to fulfill its promises made in 2004, they would likely still be in the majority today.” No doubt about it. That’s the transaction involving Christianity’s soul—read David Kuo’s “Tempting Faith” for details. They thought they were swapping votes for power and money, but the GOP didn’t meet their end of the contract. Courtesy of Kuo’s best seller and TV talk show campaign last month, it’s common knowledge now—and the religious right showed the Bushies what happens when you screw them: a Democratic Congress. What I took particular exception to in Mathers’ previous posting was his slap at “the media,” because—as I pointed out—the Christian Right has become the media. Between their multiple cable TV networks, hundreds of owned-and-operated radio stations and networks, and nationally syndicated TV programs—not to mention hundreds of print vehicles (newspapers & magazines), the Christian Right controls more media vehicles and produces more media program content than any other entity in America. They ARE the media. So, stop your bitching about what “the media” is doing to you. It’s hypocritical. (11/10/06) Being a service member, I appreciate your sentiments about remember our fallen brothers and sister, but please understand that Saturday is Veteran’s day, not memorial day. Memorial day is for those who have fallen, and Veteran’s day is to honor those whom you can shake their hand. Brian (11/10/06) Dave's response: Thanks Brian. I was not aware of the distinction between the two days..... Re: Your Rant. Veterans' Day is a day to celebrate ALL that have wore a uniform in the Armed Services. Memorial Day is a to Day observe those who lost their lives wearing the Uniform. (11/10/06) I've got a great idea for DCRTV to raise money. You could sell rotten fruit at the Rush Limbaugh appearance in DC next week, like 50 cents for a rotten tomato. I'm sure many Republicans would like to express their appreciation for his efforts in getting the GOP to lose the Senate. Dan in Woodbrige (11/10/06) My sympathies are with the CC folks that were shown the door, especially the dude brought up from Florida. WMET's parent company did something similar a little over two years ago - flushed with dreams of Talk Radio success before them, they brought in highly skilled and expensive technical and operations people from all over, including a woman who put in years at a famous Minneapolis combo, made them sign complicated non-competes and found desk space for them. Within six weeks, ownership decided it was all a bad idea and threw them all out the door, contracts be damned. If not for RZ's Jim Weiskopf (who then was WMET's GM) fighting for a severance package, all those folks would have been royally screwed. As it stands, they were minimally screwed, but enough to leave a bad taste in their mouths and WMET off their resumes. There is no class left in this business when out-of-town owners never have to see who gets shafted. (11/10/06) I just heard on the traffic report that a pedestrian was struck near WMAL's studios in northwest DC. I was going to make a joke, but I guess it would be in bad taste. (11/10/06) Don complains on the air that his show is on in so few major markets. Maybe one reason is because he's announced he's retiring from the show in two years. Why would any station sign to carry a show where the host has already announced hes hanging it up? Just wondering. Clem (11/10/06) I was watching Doug Hills Weather Now on cable and he gave the forecast for this weekend and mistakenly called "Saturday" as "Wednesday." If he can't even get the names of the week right, how's he supposed to get the forecast right. (11/10/06) Someone please tell Elliott Abrams, Accuweather morning weatherman on WMAL, to just parlay the weather reports and try not to be a comedian. The jokes are flat. Stick to the weather, bro'. Constructive criticism. -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/10/06) Dave's response: I miss Joe Bastardi..... Dave, Great to see you last Saturday at the Washington Quarter Century Broadcasters dinner. DCRTV is fine site and I'm happy to support it. You do a great service to the area broadcasting community. By the way, are you planning to "get together" for DCRTVers soon? (11/10/06) Dave's response: Thanks! Yeah, we're hoping to do something in 2007 - perhaps by spring. Maybe something at the Rockville Hooters..... "Bill Marr gay?" That's what WMAL's Andy Parks wondered this morning after Marr alleged outed a bigtime GOP guy on Larry King's show last night. Although Marr's comments were cut from CNN's west coast replay of the show. (11/10/06) Anyone know if Teapot Tim will ever return to the area radio biz after leaving Hot 99.5. I miss him. - Jenny (11/10/06) Nice almost-invisible "in" joke in today's "Lucky Duck" comic; Washpost Weekend section, inside last page, Frame No. 8. (11/10/06) as of yesterday morning fired are: Mike Kelly, AM stations creative director (long time radio veteran)... James McDaniels, HOT 99.5 Production Director (just imported from FL) talk about ruining lives... 13 more programming victims scheduled to be slashed in the next 2 weeks according to a good samaritan who has seen the budget cut list---all part of an insane strategy going into 2007 with a skeleton crew where everyone does at least 3 to 5 stations each. Soon to be announced is all D.C. production, traffic and adminsitrative people will also handle Baltimore as they clean house completely up there----they have completely fuckin' lost it----ton of resignations in the works ...even other CC market execs refer to Dave Pugh and Jeff Kapugi as the Grim Reaper pair...how do these assholes sleep at night after ruining so many lives? (11/10/06) I thing El Jefe and JDubbs would be great for 106.7's middays. Put O&A in mornings, put the hideout (with El Jefe and jDubbs( in middays, keep D&M in afternoons, and put the Junks in evenings. That's what id' do. - L. Moonvez (11/10/06) /\ November 10 Messages /\ \/ November 9 Messages \/ Who reads commercial radio copy better, Jon Jansen or Joe Jacoby? Why don't Joe Jacoby do the radio voiceover work for his Chrysler dealership? Or maybe a tv commercial with Jacoby sitting in a PT Cruiser convertible.... "And yes, we have cars with style and substance here at Jacoby Chrysler just past Col. Mosby's grave in lovely Warrenton"... why he'd look like ole Herman Munster taking a drag down Daryl Green Blvd..... and yes, I post this hiding behind my keyboard.... I think the new BMW of Sterling tv ad is funny with Mr. Green, Chris Cooley and Mr. Brunnell. I didn't know football player's had a sense of humor. Hey wait a minute..... Does the Almighty favored BMW over Toyota's?..... I hear area food banks are running low...... I found this interesting New York Observer article(well to me) about the Faux Nudes election nite coverage with comments by ole Britt Hume(my memory faulty at times, but didn't Mr. Hume work at channel 5 for a bit?) listed at poynter.org. tinyurl.com .... is Mr Hume ready to pack it in and make way for Chris Wallace or was just cranky cause of Democrat- ic landslide?....... When and why the change with the Faux & Friends morning show with E.D. "Underbite Woman" Hill being moved out and former CBS'er Gretchen Carlson taking over?....... Has anyone seen an interview with Bush Sr. and his reactions to recent elections? And no mention of Ms. Pelosi as a presidential candidate? Wouldn't she be more attractive a candidate instead of satan as Imus calls her?.......... Man o' man it's almost two week's without listening to DnM.... you know I miss the laughter... but then again so do the DnM's....... Bill Smith........ Good night , Mr. Bradley..... hey he was a Little Feat fan! "I've got the apolitical blues, it's the meanest blues of all!" (11/9/06) (Regarding Thursday's show:) Don endorses Jefe and Dubs. (11/9/06) Dave's response: El Jefe and J-Dubs, recently canned in Orlando, would be perfect for WJFK-FM evenings. However, as Don said today, they haven't been contacted to return to 106.7. And, heck, why did management let them go in the first place? It wouldn't surprise me if CBS was quietly "shopping" WJFK-FM for a new owner and doesn't want to invest another dime in it. I bet Dan Snyder and his Red Zebra would pay a "pretty penny" for it, since they can't seem to snag Salem's 105.1. But that would be OK. The Junkies could stay on Triple X ESPN Radio 106.7 and D&M could do afternoons on WARW since they're already "there" (at the old studios in Rockville)..... To the Lady that wrote about the GOP and Church. YOU ARE A BLIND FOOL to talk about only about WHITE GOP CHRISTIANS. Why the HELL do you think the Democrats do in the Black Churches, THE EXACT SAME THING YOU LEFT YOUR CHURCH FOR. Another person who only thinks to one side of the issue. Lets bash only the WHITE PEOPLE for what EVERYBODY does. Drive down Central Ave in PG County and see WHAT ALL CHURCH money buys. (11/9/06) From Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish blog: Liars... 09 Nov 2006 07:02 am... I'm sorry I don't feel great sympathy for the legions of conservative commentators who kept drinking and spewing the Bush Kool-Aid, knowing full well it had nothing to do with conservatism, until they are now forced to reveal the truth. Here's an amazing quote from Rush Limbaugh yesterday: "There have been a bunch of things going on in Congress, some of this legislation coming out of there that I have just cringed at, and it has been difficult coming in here, trying to make the case for it when the people who are supposedly in favor of it can't even make the case themselves - and to have to come in here and try to do their jobs." All together now: Awwww. I'm so sorry Limbaugh had to lie through his teeth to try and keep in the good graces of his Republican masters. Have you ever heard of intellectual honesty, Mr Limbaugh? You can look it up in the dictionary. (11/9/06) I would think WBAL would be happy to have Mr. O'Malley on their station. He can't run from the hot grill that place is. My only fear is that O'Malley will run Maryland the same way he ran Baltimore, which is a truly frightening prospect. I'm quite sure that O'Malley will erase the budget surplus Ehrlich built up faster than Bush erased the surplus Clinton left behind, even though the reason Clinton left behind such a big surplus is that he cut the military budget, didn't have a war to fight, and raised taxes on the middle-class as well as the wealthy. And, oh yes, Rush will be fun to listen to again. The last few years his show have been pretty boring. JA (11/9/06) To the unsigned poster who responded to my message ('Conservative Christianity sold its soul for GOP power and money'), I find it interesting that the individual would remark about his/her 40+ years as an active church member...and then proceed to skew Christian media as money and power outlets, using the phrase 'conservative religious crap'. Sadly, many who cast themselves as 'church goers' have never come to a personal relationship with the Lord and thus become highly offended when unable to reconcile liberal theological dogma with biblical truth. Say what you want about the Christian media (which in spite of occasional individual blemishes and a need to take the Good News out in the street a little more, but nevertheless has done much good)...there was no selling of Christian principle in this election. Here's one simple fact that the 'media' has overlooked regarding Tuesday's voting. Are you aware that while the GOP went down to its ignominous defeat, roughly 17 of 18 'values' referendums were PASSED in the USA? The one that didn't, failed by a 51-49 margin. There's where your 'conservative' Christianity posted in Tuesday's election. Their votes were on ISSUE, and not PARTY. Not liberal or conservative, Republican or Democrat, but biblical. If the Republican Party had sought to fulfill its promises made in 2004, they would likely still be in the majority today. In fact, several prominent Republican leaders view the support of biblical Christians as anathema because they (the voting bloc) can't be compromised. Nothing has been 'sold' here, not even a Fiesta, except a reminder to Christians where to place their priorities when going to the polls. - Bob Mathers (11/9/06) I guess someone is going to have to tell Senator Doofus to concede. You did it to yourself Georgie boy. It was all within grasp, especially in Virginia, and you managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Even with your incessant commercials and attack ads you couldn't beat a neophyte with half your resources. You proved yourself to be the empty head and mediocre politician we all suspected. Now spit shine your cowboy boots and ten gallon hat and starch your tighty whiteys, your next gig is Grand Marshall of the Richmond Xmas parade. Good riddance dummy! (11/9/06) Triple X ESPN now advertising the fact that they'll be carrying George Mason hoops. I couldn't be less excited than if EllenDeGeneres sat on my lap naked. Regards Biff (11/9/06) "How the hell can "AP" call the election anyway, did they do the recount???" No, but they can call the boards of elections and act for what the vote totals are. Asking for information seems to be one of those superpowers that reporters have. I think it has to do with them coming from Krypton or something. (11/9/06) An Audio Tribute to The Hideout in DC (MP3) (11/9/06) 30 minutes after clear channel stunned a nation, The Hideout's El Jefe called in to Perrynoid's fake radio show and gave The Cosmic Circus an exclusive interview about everything ...including the future of The Hideout. This special episode of fake radio will be posted today at 10am on: www.TheCosmicCircus.com (11/9/06) Dave's response: "Stunned a nation"? Ha ha ha..... So The Hideout is off in Orlando. Boo-hoo-hoo-hoo-ha-ha-ha-fucking awesome! That's the worst mistake you'll ever make Clear Channel. I'd like to be sad over this whole thing, as I had been listening to internet stream for a long time but lately been too busy for it, but this is probably the best possible thing that could happen for that show. Now they can career flirt with XM, whose own Ronnie B still mentions them regularly, possibly rekindle with WJFK's need for another stable in-house show, and maybe even fulfill that night opening at WFNY that loser-douche Peter Rosenberg thought he was going to get. Of course that's all hopeful speculation. XM has been tightening ship lately as the stock has stalled out, 'JFK still has the O'Reilly as albatross problem, and 'FNY is likely way too big a next step for a show that is still pretty young. I'm praying for any of them though. I remember after they lost their spot at 'JFK they were in talks with some station in Detroit, which would be a terrible step backwards and possibly alienate all the east-coast based fans they've built up. So here's hoping Eric Logan likes O&A and R&F to add another to the family, Micheal Hughes realizes it's a proven show for the station and one Don Geronimo actually likes (see Peter Rosenberg), and Tom Chisanou spent enough time around Stern that he has an ear for the next big thing in radio. 5000. - Jason (11/9/06) Dave's response: Don had mentioned that he was going to pay a visit to his good buddies at "The Hideout" during a Labor Day family vacation to Orlando. Then, he never said anything more about it..... One wonders, if Peter Jennings were still alive and anchoring a news broadcast, would he have a similar reaction to Tuesday's election as he did in 1994? In response to the Republican gains in Congress Jennings said: "Some thoughts on those angry voters. Ask parents of any two-year-old and they can tell you about those temper tantrums: the stomping feet, the rolling eyes, the screaming…Imagine a nation full of uncontrolled two-year-old rage. The voters had a temper tantrum last week…" Naturally, the circumstances today are very different from 12 years ago, but somehow I doubt he'd be saying anything similar about this election. (11/9/06) At the risk of pissing off God (or her saints), I’ve gotta take issue with the poster who states “The media consensus seems to be that the Christian community is little more than a lockstep supporter of the Republicans and that Christians, and Christ in particular, should be deserving of the people's wrath because Christians are increasingly equated with fanaticism, dishonesty and all things similar.” The churches did this to themselves. I stopped going—after 40+ years as an active church member—when the pastor stood up front and told us to vote Republican. As for “the media,” hell—the Christians ARE the media. Slip down to Virginia Beach or Lynchburg some day and check out what major league TV evangelism has built. On the radio side, the American Family Association and the Educational Media Foundation—two rightwing religious fronts—are among the biggest multi-station owners, with more than 230 stations between them. Locally, ask one of Salem’s execs what kind of cash flow numbers they generate with their conservative religious crap (hint: they’re not driving Fiesta’s). To paraphrase a bit: power corrupts. And power + money really corrupts. Conservative Christianity sold its soul for GOP power and media money. My bet is that they’ll be loath to give up either, at least in our lifetimes. (11/9/06) Adorable Leon Harris hosted the Washington area March of Dimes Signature Chefs dinner/auction last night in DC. If I'm not mistaken, they said that lovable big lug had been a preemie! This is at least the second year in a row that he's hosted, and I guess that's why. (Makes me wonder if the lovely Ms. Rieger has some connection to the lavendar community, since she works a fair number of events of interest to those folks, or if the gays just dig her cuz she's our favorite newsbabe? Maybe she's got a gay sibling or something?) Hey, love that picture below of Rush slurping down that stogie. Makes me want to say: Suck it, baldy! (11/9/06) Rumblings from Baltimore: It was announced yesterday that Jeremy Conn, recently "let go" from WNST will join the Anita Marks show on WJFK-AM/MASN as a board op staring on Monday. Speaking of WNST. Nestor claims the reason for the firings were that the morning show ratings were declining. Right Nestor. Blame it on the staff. The fact that from 7:20 to 8:10 am you have an actual 16-17 minutes of program content, and from 7:54-8:10 am it's 1 minute would have nothing to do with listeners tuning out. And last night, on WBAL, with the election fresh on everyone's minds, national political news and important races, the first topic for discussion on the Bruce Elliott show was augmentations, tucks, and genital plastic surgery. I guess now the "their Bobby" has been voted out, this is the new direction of Baltimore's News/Talk Leader. Doug in Bel Air (11/9/06) Triple X adds local team to schedule - No official press release yet but check the updated Triple X ESPN Radio schedule, Saturday at 3 p.m. to be precise. www.triplexespnradio.com (11/9/06) Comcast is considering about launching an HD sports channel, TVPredictions.com has learned. (11/9/06) HOT JUICY NEWS! Seems that CBS Radio-Sports veteran of 17 years, has had enough... From part-time employees on the Terps and "Make it Sound Like We Have The Rights" Ravens Gameday broadcast, Steve Drepperd has decided he can't take another day of Philips Radio. A big blow-up... Employees fleeing the station... (11/9/06) The Hideout to XM - Sad news about the hideout being canned. XM needs to grab these guys ASAP! Their show would be perfect for an xL channel. They'll be great in a lineup with Ron & Fez. As much as I would love for WJFK to finally have a half way decent lineup, it just won't ever happen! -Carlos in Arlington (11/9/06) "I¹d like to see the Democratic Congress do is draft and pass legislation mandating the FCC to require radio broadcasters to carry non-syndicated locally originated programming for the majority of the day, from 6 AM until 10 PM, Monday-Friday." Are you high? Federally mandated programming has got to be the worst idea I've ever heard (not to mention a 1st Amendment bugaboo). I'll take a good national show over a crap local show any day. (11/9/06) "Please tell the attention starved cretins at your DC affiliate to STOP interrupting LOST with some FAKE breaking news about the Virginia election which is NOT NEWS!" Thank you for that. I had to attend a community meeting tonight, I know know that my $2 download from iTunes run commercial free will be much better than the tape I forgot to insert in my VCR. (11/9/06) To all of my friends who support the Democrats- Congratulations on taking the House of Representatives and Senate and getting Donald Rumsfeld to resign all in the last 48 hours. While, as a conservative to moderate Maryland Independent, I’m really not a fan of either party circa 2006; but, at least, we now have the potential for “checks and balances” to return to our democracy. (11/9/06) Dave's response: Now if we could only get Rush to resign..... On the non-policital front... it's so nice to see that Vytas Reid on WBFF45 has finally been on the same set at the station to give weather reports. He actually got to sit at the desk after his forecast segment tonight. Why in the world did Sinclair move the meteorologists to a different location anyway? A newscast should be housed in one set!!!!!! DD, White Hall (11/9/06) Man the comments on the story link for The Hideout had some vicious stuff. aaaa, them rednecks don't know there arse from a hole in the ground. Newly elected N.Y. congressman and D.C. area raised John Hall was on The Colbert Report last night. Mr. Hall and Colbert sang a lovely rendition of the "Star Bangled Banner". Also on the Colbert Report was CNN's Jeff Greenfield, he was trying to be a bit serious with Colbert's reindeer games. It's ridiculous that Mr. Greenfield does not have a regular gig. Hey PBS? A new host after Mr. Lehrer retires? I see former Redskin Heath Shuler also won in North Carolina, also against a long time Republican incumbent. Sad to hear such bipartisan poltico's as Jim Leach and Mike DeWine and Chafee bite the dust in the Democrats landslide. Do you think Karl Rove will go bye-bye now? Curious that Mr. Bush Jr. had a new Defense Secretary named so quickly. Was the recent media blitz by former Secretary of State Jim Baker a way of Bush Sr. helping the boy get out of the mess he created? I missed the Imus show yesterday morning. Wanted to hear his reaction to all his candidates losing, like Santorum, Kinky and Ford Jr. I found this accounting of what the I-man had to say this morning at FishBowl D.C., edited by Patrick Gavin(Do you think he's related too? Nah) tinyurl.com... Seems like the ole Cyrptkeeper was cranky. (11/9/06) With the Hideout off the air, the Heretics are apparently turning their members to ThereIsNoRadio.com for their evening radio entertainment. From www.hideoutheretics.net "Need A Temporary Hideout Replacement? Try thereisnoradio.com, Click Here (11/9/06) /\ November 9 Messages /\ \/ November 8 Messages \/ Please tell the attention starved cretins at your DC affiliate to STOP interrupting LOST with some FAKE breaking news about the Virginia election which is NOT NEWS! How the hell can "AP" call the election anyway, did they do the recount??? They are running a BEEP BEEP BEEP BREAKING NEWS!! alert (twice in the first half hour) that minimizes the LOST program on the screen so they can put their stupid logo and run text across the top. Why not do this during the commercials? Oh, that's right, breaking news can't piss off the advertisers but it is OK to abuse the viewers. You're about to jump the shark, reign them in now! PS: I'd much rather be watching your network then emailing you during the only show I watch on your network. (11/8/06) "Rush was only straightforward if you didn't listen to him dismiss the polls over the past week that said the Dems would win." Yeah far be it from anyone to question the pollsters impeccable record after the stellar job they did in 2000 and 2004. (11/8/06) "schelacked" ?? Woodworkers and country craftspersons everywhere are holding their heads in pain right now. (11/8/06) To the Chris Core poster: I agree that his show today was one of his best because of his straightforwardness. While it is true that the GOP got schelacked, I'm dumbfounded that people like Rep. Nancy Johnson of CT, who is a moderate Republican, lost. Same with JD Hayworth in AZ. I think that the two-party system is moving more into the middle and soon we won't be able to tell the difference between a Dem and a Rep. -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/8/06) I saw a mention of Larry Krebs in the mailbag. One of the few street reporters that police officers could trust. He drove a huge war wagon with ten scanners going at once and he could pick out a fire in Arlington, a shooting in PG, or a bad accident in Montgomery when the most seasoned officer could make no sense of all of that chatter. Larry would lug around a big camera and do his own filming and would never take a photo of a police officer with a cigarette in his mouth. Larry would put down the camera and walk over and tell the officer to either get out of his picture or put out the cigarette. He was one of only three street reporters that I could trust once I became a detective. Gary Reals and Pat Collins were the other two. (11/8/06) I usually confine my comments strictly to electronic media issues. However, this time I’m going to make an exception. It was interesting today listening to Core, Windbaugh, and Rannity on WMAL today. Of the three, Chris Core was (as is usual) the most sensible. One of the great tragedies (and Mouse Miscues) is that Chris Core is not syndicated. While he is not shy about sharing his opinions or the basis for his beliefs, he is also willing to listen to and appreciate views that are divergent from his. He is a treasure of Washington radio. Yes, he does a lot of endorsement spots. Including his wife and child in more than a few. The reason he stands out in this regard is that unlike so many others (especially in this era of syndicated talk radio) is that he is a recognized local personality. Actually, one of the few. And, today Chris Core came closer to pinpointing the reasons for the GOP defeat than those who are syndicated. Yes, it was Mr. Bush. Yes, it was Ira! q. But, there were three other reasons. In 1994, Newt Gingrich and others in the GOP circulated a much-vaunted list of promises they called “A Contract With America”. One of its statements was that if the GOP received congressional majorities and failed to honor the “Contract’s” promises by enacting the appropriate legislation, then the American electorate should vote them out. An example of an unfulfilled promise was that Congress would be required to obey the same laws as everyone else. That (among others) never happened. Second, the average American is neither as conservative as folks like Sam Brownback, nor as liberal as Dennis Kucinich. The Democrats have learned this since their defeat in 1994. That’s why you saw more “moderate” and even “conservative” Democrats running. And winning. Pity the GOP never fully understood (or appreciated) the basis of Ronald Reagan’s success. It wasn’t just his communication skills. And, it wasn’t his! “conservatism”! I say that, because if you look at Ronald Reagan from a dispassionate point of view, he was more “libertarian” than he was “conservative”. Finally, after all the scandals, accusations of moral impropriety, and corruption charges leveled by the GOP at assorted Democrats over the years, the Republicans showed that they are no different. That’s why the GOP lost. Lost not just the Congress, but a plethora of state and even local elections. Guilt by association, as it were. Unfair? Probably. But, if the members of an organization are unwilling to weed out either its dead wood or bad wood, all members become suspect. Finally, Dave, I agree with you only up to a point on one of your comments. The only reason we’ll have George W. Bush as President for two more years is that the Democratic Congress is scared to death of “President Cheney”. Otherwise, they would readily do unto Mr. Bush as a GOP Congress did unto Mr. Clinton. Except the vote in the Senate could result in moving vans going to the White Hous! e. However, for the next two years we can be certain that the Bush Administration will easily surpass the Clinton Administration as the most investigated Presidency in history. Oh yes, while Mr. Bush does make me long for the strong, decisive, and courageous leadership of the Carter Administration, those who would seek to do us harm should keep in mind that it was a Democratic President who utilized nuclear weapons. Not just once, but twice… Oh yes, I am a Christian, upper middle-class white male, who was a member of the GOP until the party sold its soul to a curious mix of disaffected (George) Wallace Democrats and the “Christian Right”. (The latter of which is neither…) In other words, the type of person who usually votes strictly GOP. This time, I didn’t. Oh yes, one thing I’d like to see the Democratic Congress do is draft and pass legislation mandating the FCC to require radio broadcasters to carry non-syndicated locally originated programming for the majority of the day, from 6 AM until 10 PM, Monday-Friday, and to compel TV broadcasters to have an hour-by-hour match of infomercial time with locally produced non-syndicated programming. This would not only give more citizens the opportunity to have their views heard locally, it would also allow the re-birth of local entertainment TV. How many local entertainment shows can you think of on broadcast TV today? The last I recall in the D.C. area was the ill-fated “Evening Zoo” that Don & Mike had ages ago on WUSA. In fact, I wonder how many TV stations are even equipped today to do a locally originated show other than news or public affairs? (11/8/06) Believe it or not, Clear Channel's WLIT FM (Chicago) began playing Christmas music last week. A link to their website is below. Take care, Frank K., Annapolis, MD www.litefm.com (11/8/06) Dave's response: It's November 8th. Christmas is 46 freaking days away. Sheesh..... WJFK c'mon bring the Hideout back to D.C. There's a gaping opening from 1p-3p that needs to be filled. (11/8/06) "I think Rush was pretty straightforward with no sugar coating." Rush was only straightforward if you didn't listen to him dismiss the polls over the past week that said the Dems would win. (11/8/06) As a born-again Christian saved by His grace, I realize with this posting I'll be pegged as one of those (love the new moniker, it's all the rage) 'Amen Crazies'. However, I'd like to make an observation or two on the 'buzz' flying around in print and on the air about the similarities being served up between Christians (see: Amen Crazies) and the Republican Party. The media consensus seems to be that the Christian community is little more than a lockstep supporter of the Republicans and that Christians, and Christ in particular, should be deserving of the people's wrath because Christians are increasingly equated with fanaticism, dishonesty and all things similar. This is a mistaken perception for several reasons. First, the consensus is uninformed. Asking a secular reporter who avoids the scriptures at all costs to offer factual analysis on this subject, is like asking the average person to provide an accurate discourse on the discography of Stephen Foster and the development of the Edison Cylinder without researching both subjects. If you're gonna talk things of God, go to His word. Which states that when the Lord cleans house, he starts with his own people. Whether it's the recent case of the Colorado pastor (and others like Bakker & Swaggart) who suffered shame and humiliation from the uncovering of his sin and had to step down from his church, or the recorded disasters which befell the nation of Israel in Old Testament times, God takes care of His own. That whom He loves, He also disciplines. My point is, the rottenness in our country permeates us all. There are honorable men and women who are from both parties, and scoundrels who permeate them equally. It is not Republicans or Democrats who comprise the ROOT problem. It is society as a whole. Scripture also says that if the judgment of God starts at His own house, what will become of the godless man and the (practicing) sinner? Normally, one would applaud God for fairness of discipline...except that those that mock, parody and show irreverence for things of the Lord do so because they are stiff-necked and rebellious...and wish to point fingers at the guilty parties (which is normal) without cleaning up their own backyard. Which every single one of us are perfectly capable of doing without help from anyone. We'd all do well as a nation to humble ourselves before God and turn back to Him, as He will not strive with collective (or individual) disobedience forever. Thanks - Bob Mathers (11/8/06) Triple X won't likely sign DC United, that team is signed with WMET through 2007. As for any other teams, there's a mid-major chance of that. Everett W. (11/8/06) Welcome to (commercial) The Don (commercial) and Mike (commercial) Show. My girlfriend (commercial) blah blah blah (commercial)(commercial)(commercial). Visit "Hanks look around cafe" ((which is a (commercial) by itself. (commercial)(commercial)(commercial) Sorry it's the six oclock hour (commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial) Leroy 1 story Burbank (commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial)(commercial). If you don't already have satelite radio, get it... either one (no commercial here) because it truely is the future of radio. Sorry we're (commercial)(commercial) out of time. You bet you are - Free FM, my ass!!! (11/8/06) Dave's response: You ought to listen to the first hour (3 PM to 4 PM) of the show, which usually has no ads. I call it "Don And Mike Public Radio"..... Probably not, but is channel 4's Joe Krebs related to the late Larry Krebs? Wonder what happened to all the film Larry Krebs took over his many year's of covering the D.C. beat? I'd think would have some historical value.........saw a mention of this article in Portfolio Weekly about Diane Rehm at Radio Daily News tinyurl.com .......also saw mention of this L.A. Times article about Google venturing into the world of radio advertising at RDN tinyurl.com .......once again, I'm slow on the uptake but Google is not interested in buying radio stations but has interest in penetrating the radio advertising business? Isn't radio advertising kind of a soft business these days? And are there computer programs that place advertisers commercials in the perceived right place? Obviously not used at 'JFK, right?......well you know a day without orange juice....bill smith (11/8/06) Dave's response: Joe Krebs, in his address to the Washington Quarter Century Broadcasters dinner last Saturday, said people always ask him if he's former WMALer Joe Kreb's son. They're not related..... Did I read on your website about 8 weeks ago that Fairfax county was getting a new radio station? If so, do you have the calls and are they on the air yet. I checked "recnet.com" couldn't find any listing for one! (11/8/06) Dave's response: We reported that Fairfax City started one of those low-power, emergency ops outlets in the 1600-1700 AM band..... MCKEY AND AMELIA ARE LEAVING? WIYY's long time morning show left us to join CBS Radio. We immediately promoted our very successful afternoon show "Mickey & Amelia" to mornings. We are looking for a new afternoon drive show. If morning drive is in your future?apply to Dave Hill, Program Director, WIYY Radio dshill@hearst.com EEO. (11/8/06) Dave's response: M&A just moved to 98 Rock mornings, from afternoons. Kirk and Mark will be moving to WHFS, 105.7, in early 2007..... "C'mon there will be nothing more delicious than listening to Rush and Hannity on WMAL today and listening to their pathetic spin on the election results." I think Rush was pretty straightforward with no sugar coating. Hannity on the other hand is just more of his verbal diarrhea. (11/8/06) Dave's response: It was Rush who pretty much lost Missouri (and the Senate!) for the GOP with his Michael J. Fox "impersonation." Rush, naturally, rationalized it and didn't take the blame..... Dave, what is Triple X ESPN Radio going to do with their airtime during Redskins offseason? Could they get more local rights (hopefully DC United)? The real star of the station for me is not Riggo or Larry but Kevin Sheehan despite not knowing what he looks like, he's a pro and is thoughtful and rational unlike the stooges at sportscrap 980. (11/8/06) I’ll gently disagree with the poster stating “Ironically, I think the Repubs losing will be a benefit for MAL and other stations that have conservative talk.” During the nineties the GOP was building its coalition of business types and religious crazies, and Rush, Hannity, O’Riley, et al acted as the cheerleaders. It was a decade of growing power and rightwing optimism of building a “permanent majority.” It was a fun time to be a Republican. The loony listeners to Conservative Talk fed on the temporal success and the fantasy that it was a reflection of their own genius. All that came crashing down last night. Twenty-five years of planning and implementation by the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute down the toilet. Rush & Sean better crack out the Prozac, because depression makes bad radio. Worse yet, the screeching, name-calling and fact-twisting they’ve built their careers on will ring hollow this time around. The audience has finally caught on. (11/8/06) Oh but no I did not bump into anyone that knew me from DCRTV. Sorry. -MP (11/8/06) Dave - re: your comment that Michelle "Pitbull" Malkin was wrong to call it the "Democrat Party." Well, from a language perspective, you're deeply incorrect. Republican is both an adjective (it's a form of government) and a noun (a person who advocates a republic). Democratic is only an adjective (a form of government). Democrat is the noun form of the word (one who advocates democracy). So, the Democrat Party is a party of those who believe in a democratic form of government. A "Democratic Party" is any party which operates using a governing process which is a democracy. By this proper definition, neither the Democrat or Republican parties are democratIC, since it's all backroom crap with tons o'nepotism and deal-making, etc. And yes, I understand that in vernacular usage, the above doesn't matter. But if you are going to pointedly correct someone and call them a "moron", get it right from all obvious angles. (check: dictionary.reference.com/browse/democratic) As for last night, I found FoxNews coverage to be really inadequate...lots of stumbling commentary, incorrect and mis-timed graphics. CNN and NBS did a MUCH better job. Like most folks, I'm not surprised by the outcome, though I am disappointed most by Erlich's loss. I found the speeches by both O'Malley and Brown to be a laugh riot (moving Maryland forward, etc., etc) since the represent a return to the one-party rule that has dominated the state for 75 years. Erlich did an excellent job, on the whole, and as the first Republican governor in 30+ years at least provided a small iota of balance. But I guess even four years of challenege (despite a booming economy, record surplus and the like) is too much for Maryland's largely liberal voters. Just remember, even with the Bush factor, O'Malley only won four or five counties. But that's all it takes... Regards, John in Forest Hill (11/8/06) Dave's response: Just checked the above link: "Democratic - Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party." The Democratic Party is made up of Democrats. When refering to the party's formal name, it's "Democratic." The term "Democrat Party" is a derogatory term often heard on Fox News (along with "Dim-ocrat" - ha ha ha Mr. Fat Ailes) and by Rush Limbaugh. There are many conservatives who are very smart, but Malkin is not. As for Brit Hume, the man stumbles over every third word whenever he's on. His brain may work fine, but his mouth sure don't. It always sounds like he's chewing on cotton..... Settle down a little Dave on your Liberal leanings. Perhaps any decline in WMAL's ratings could be due to the personalities as much as anything to do with the political leanings of the station? There is a place for all voices in this great country, and WMAL has as much right to broadcast whatever slant and with whatever collection of personalities it cares to. (11/8/06) Dave's response: Did I say it didn't? Noooooo..... Re: Right-winger Michelle Malkin's reference to "Democrat" party. Republicans never refer to the "Democratic" party. NEVER. (11/8/06) Dave's response: I really wish Chris Matthews had decked her back when they had "words" on his MSNBC show..... Did anyone else see the Saturday Night Live skit on Bush's Rumsfeld announcement today? Oooops, my bad, it's not Saturday yet! Oh my god, you mean that was the REAL THING? (11/8/06) Re; “Judge of 100.7 The Bay”…..Judge (and his wife) moved back to Dallas for family reasons and he recently hooked up with “93.3-The Bone”. (11/8/06) I am well to the left of the typical Democrat (especially most of the new ones elected last night), though I must admit happiness from yesterday's results. However, the mailbag is littered with foolishness and hyperbole today (like most days actually). Yes, changing party control is significant, but this election did NOTHING to change the gridlock amongst the electorate. Basically, much like '04 in reverse, this is continuing evidence that turnout of 'your' voters is key, and lets face it, the country is split about evenly in terms of the two parties. However, a majority of those in both parties fall ideologically somewhere in the moderate to slightly conservative side of things (regretably). Those who fall in the middle and call themselves Republicans stayed home OR voted for moderate Democrats last night, while those who fall in the middle and call themselves Democrat voted in large numbers last night. And what are the results? The critical districts which turned Democrat shifted their voting percentages from Republican to Democrat by A FEW POINTS!!! This is not a landslide, though it is significant and it represents a repudiation of Bushworld. Lets hope Rummy goes soon... and to make this media relevant, HE should be the new morning host on WMAL, because the person who noted that conservative radio does better during 'Democrat' eras is right. Imagine this lineup of bloviating right wing gas bags, which will make the 10% of (largely) white male xenophobes in the DC metro salivate: Rummy the Impaler; Tony Snow (after he loses his job); Michael J. Limbaugh; Pitbull Hannity; and whatever you want to put on at night. (11/8/06) 1) Agreed. WMAL will do well in the next two years because it'll be lotsa fun to talk about how the Dems self-destruct. 2) Wolf Blitzer is HOT! Muy Caliente!!! Ay yi yi!!! -Silvie in Waldorf- (11/8/06) Dave's response: It's generally thought that bearded guys are all hot! Oh, just heard - Rummy's gone..... Bill Baker had Michael Steele call into his show yesturday on Magic 98.9 talking about the importance of voting, he seemed like a really nice guy...too bad he lost. Ricky, Salisbury (11/8/06) With a spread of 7,800 votes out of over 2.3 million cast (3 out of 1,000), it seems a little premature to call a Webb victory, but one can hope lol... (11/8/06) Dave's response: Well, I think you'd agree it's better to be 7,800 votes ahead than 7,800 votes behind..... RE: [ " Locally, the Repubs lost, big time - Ehrlich, Steele, even Allen. " ].......... Every race was close (1 not over), what news coverage are you watching Dave, The Moveon.org Channel? :-) (11/8/06) Dave's response: Yes! It's also known as MSNBC..... Josh Spiegel, the "news" guy at the morning show at 98 Rock, called in sick with a cold today, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006----one of the busiest news days of the year. Instead, Amelia read the news, quickly, and there was barely any commentary. Lopez would never have called in sick with a cold on the day after a major election. Never. (11/8/06) Dave's response: DCRTV hears from a reliable 98 Rock source that Josh woke up very ill this morning with a bad case of the flu. He was really sick, we're told..... Hey Dave, Yes I made the trip from Ocean City back to the Towson area where my parents live and where I am still registered to vote. A real righty (Conservative before Republican however), well guilty as charged and yes I had a rough night watching the returns and listening to WCBM and WBAL this morning on my way back to the beach. Ehrlich and Steele are good & decent people, both of whom I have met in person. Unfortunately the Bush backlash and the lack of the Rep base in MD getting out hurt the both of them. I wish both of them the best and to be fair O'Malley deserves kudos for winning and I hope he can do a good job for Maryland, the same for Cardin. Watch out Dave, now that I am in radio and have the gift for gab, I might just show up with a Far Righty show on WCBM, WBAL or WMAL, lol. I really would love to do a political talk show, any takers??? LOL -Michael Popovec (11/8/06) Hey Mark O, perhaps WNST is only a blip on the ratings radar, but they produce quality radio when it counts...while I'm at work. Refer to it as a college station - it's your 1st amendment right, but the NST staff busts their asses to get quality interviews, e.g. Rex Ryan every Monday morning at 7:30am, and asks the tough questions. I can honestly say that the hosts are not apt to ask the typical 'softball questions' during interviews. They ask tough, but appropriate questions. Lastly, what other radio station is willing to challenge Peter Angelos' ownership of the Orioles? I applaud Nestor's efforts with this crusade & look forward to more "Free The Birds" outings & the furor it creates with the almighty Peter. Nestor - keep running with Peter's (now famous) quote: 'delusions of grandeur' - that quote will live forever. For the record, I am not employed by WNST and am not a Nestor groupie. I respect & listen to 1570am because it's simply the most unbiased viewpoint on the airwaves. Keep up the good work. Brian in Towson (11/8/06) Hey Dave, Regarding today's rant, I don't listen to MAL, but I think having Dems in office in VA and MD would lead to better ratings for those shows. In the early 90's, conservative talk radio took off primarily because the Dems were in the White House and strong in congress. Many conservatives felt they had no other voice besides Rush etc. Ironically, I think the Repubs losing will be a benefit for MAL and other stations that have conservative talk. (11/8/06) Dave's response: I agree. Rush sounded so much better when he could rant against the president every day (Clinton) than having to kiss his butt (Bush). Although, we'll still have Bush for two more years..... I am a self-professed lefty journalist, and I am happy with the MD election results. However, I was appalled at seeing two separate incidents where local Fox-5 anchors referred to the Democratic Party as "we." Last night, Brian Bolter did it once, and again this morning Gurvir Dhinsa was speaking to a political analyst who was hinting at Republican gains and she said "But come on, WE already won the House..." To me, this is a suspension-worthy offense. Really casts a legitimate concern over bias over the entire news operation if that sort of thing goes unanswered, in my opinion. Realistically, no one will say a thing. But whether or not the overall coverage is tainted, the notion that it could be must be addressed. That just feeds preconceived notions, and frankly suggests critics have a valid point about liberal bias in the media. (11/8/06) Dave's response: I heard that idiotic dolt Michelle Malkin on Faux Nudes call it the "Democrat" party. Sheesh. It's the "DemocratIC" party, you moron. Get the name right, even if you don't like it. It ain't the "Republic" party, is it? I think what you overlook in your rant on WMAL is that the conservative talkshows do BETTER when the leftist Democrats do well, not worse. (11/8/06) From our "That's News To Me" department: WBAL-TV has news 11-11:30am...? (11/8/06) C'mon there will be nothing more delicious than listening to Rush and Hannity on WMAL today and listening to their pathetic spin on the election results. (11/8/06) I was thinking much of the same thing about your rant and follow up. I covered the elections last night and have already started thinking about how to cover the first legal challenge to the marriage act. The funny thing about stations like WMAL, is that I'm fairly sure that their recent massive audience drop was probably explained in house as a result of the downturn in GOP popularity. Meanwhile, it never occurs to the management that having your format tied exclusively to a political party is kind of stupid and reckless. Most up and coming PDs insist that talk radio on AM absolutely has to follow the formula of right wing talkers, and the old style full service talk is fogie radio. Meanwhile, what talker sits atop the billing mountain in America? WGN, an old style full service talker. Close behind is WFAN. The problem is those stations actually pay talent to be entertaining instead of following a pre-written fax blast script from Tony Snow. WMAL's chief problem is that they will not spend money to make money. They insist on giving away pieces of their credibility to pay the rent. (11/8/06) From the “Dave you should stick to analysis of Radio/Television and not politics.” It’s his site; he can do whatever he wants. Hell, you can create your own blog and do whatever you want, it’s your life. Anyway, I agree about the marriage amendment. Let me put this out, I am not an advocate of gay movement, per se, but I support that everyone has the right to be happy and if being gay makes them happy, that’s fine, just don’t preach the choir. It is going to hurt businesses because how are they going to term “domestic partner?” Technically, they need to make that clear because if two strangers were living in the same house for two years, are they considered partners? That I think will have a lot of debate. Back to media topics, hey since Bob Ehrlich is done, he can finally make all the Junks appearances and hopefully he can tell CBS to move the Junks to Silver Spring or Lanham, Maryland so he can be a frequent guest in studio. No wonder he didn’t win in Baltimore City and County. Tracy (11/8/06) Thought I'd pass along a brief summary of last night's election coverage ratings. WBAL-TV announces today that its 11-11:30am news was the most-watched half-hour of the entire day, even beating shows like ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" and Fox's "House." Some more highlights from the station regarding last night's election coverage: From 11 to 11:30pm, WBAL-TV's late news did a 16.3 household rating/26 share, outdelivering WJZ, WMAR and WBFF combined. This was the most-watched half-hour of the entire day. From 11:30pm to midnight, WBAL-TV's election coverage did a 12.1 household rating/22 share - more than WJZ and WMAR combined. From midnight to 12:30am, WBAL-TV's election coverage did a 9.8 household rating/21 share - again, more than WJZ and WMAR combined. From 12:30 to 1am, WBAL-TV's election coverage did an 8.3 household rating/22 share - again, more than WJZ and WMAR combined. Thanks... (11/8/06) In regards to today's rant, Dave you should stick to analysis of Radio/Television and not politics. First of all Maryland is a blue state. The fact that they elected a Republican Governor four years ago and this year Ehrlich and Steele ran very strong in their respective races shows a slight conservative swing in the state. In your look at Virginia you totally ignored the Congressional Races. In Loudoun for example Frank Wolf won in a landslide in a race that was expected to be close. Even looking at the Allen-Webb race, if not for Allen's foot in mouth disease that race would have never been in doubt. Virginia is a red state but it also a very independent thinking state. Remember the state elected a Black Democrat as Governor years ago long before it became "trendy" for the parties to nominate people of a different race. Also you cannot ignore the Marriage Amendment which passed easily. Most surprisingly the numbers of yeas and nays for the amendment were close even in the bluest of blue Fairfax. (11/8/06) Dave's response: I love people who tell me that I "shouldn't talk about" blah blah blah. It's MY site! Hey, if you, in the future, want to get into some types of legal arrangements with a sibling or a close (heterosexual) friend, you might find the state of Virginia telling you "no," you can't. And if a private firm in Virginia wants to offer the full range of "domestic partnership" benefits to its employees (will the courts say that's "too much" like marriage?), what is it the state's business to forbid that? I think lots of companies are now going to think twice about relocating to Virginia. And some may even move away. The only "winners" here are the lawyers who'll be arguing the legal ramifications of the so-called "marriage amendment" for years to come..... Dave... To Bill Smith, who asks about my friend Jim Bohanon's talk show, and 'America in the Morning': Washington Post radio (WTWP/1500-107.7) does indeed run both Jim's overnight talk show, and "America..." During baseball season, Jim's talk show was heard mainly after the station did its "Nats at Midnight" rebroadcast of the Nats game from the previous day/evening. And "America..." began airing on Post Radio shortly after the format change this Summer. Its the lead-in to Mike Moss. Jim also periodically fills in on Post Radio; I heard him a few months ago subbing for Bob Kur in afternoon drive. And did anyone see Bohannon's "live shot" on CNN post-midnight with Larry King last night? They put a camera on his studio at the CBS News bureau on M Street, and had him chatting with Larry about the election. Larry reminded people that Jim succeeded him on the overnight Mutual Radio show (which used to air from studios in Crystal City), which eventually moved to Westwood One when Mutual went out of business, and then Westwood One was swallowed up by the CBS/Viacom empire. And so it goes... Live from the now very-BLUE House side of Capitol Hill, - Max in Mild West Arlington (11/8/06) Would someone please tell Booby Ehrlich that the race is OVER? Booby, you're down by 100,000 votes.. And you can spin the provisional and absentee votes any way you would like, but historically they have gone in favor of the dems as well, at least on a state-wide level. You're done. Maybe you can be the 5th Junkie since you love those guys so much. (11/8/06) Dave's response: One local radio suit once compared the Junks to Menudo - you can replace the members and no one will notice. So, maybe one day, we'll get "BE" replacing "JP"..... Sometimes reporters say dumb things! Earlier this morning, Amy Rorbach was interviewing Jon Tester on MSNBC. He's the guy who's in a down-to-the-wire race to take the U.S. Senate seat from Republican incumbent Conrad Burns in Montana. As I am posting this, Tester is leading by some 1,735 votes. It's a very important race, one of two Senate seats that the Democrats must win to control the Senate. As the interview was ending, Amy said to Tester, "Don't bite your nails too much." Ordinarily, this would make perfect sense, given this contest truly is a nail-biter. The problem is, when he was nine years old, Tester lost the middle three fingers on his left hand in an accident involving a meat grinder! [Didn't Tim Russert make a gaffe like this a few years back? I think he was interviewing Senator Bob Kerrey and said something like, "You don;t have a leg to stand on." It's true - Kerrey lost a leg while serving in Vietnam. Oops! (11/8/06) Hey Dave, Looks like Former Maryland Govenor Bob "Bad Hair Cut" Ehrlich has landed on his feet! Here he is at a Junkettes appearance! Obviously still a little pissed that he didn't win... Cakes must of picked him to win re-election! (11/8/06) Dave's response: Hey, I bet soon-to-be-former Governor Bob is on the phone with WBOB (aka WBAL) radio this morning to line-up the midday gig, between Chip and Ron. Or with the increasingly Baltimore-oriented WHFS to be the afternoon show (a little Junks revenge?)..... Nestor : your "so called" all sports station ( which has NO nightime signal ) is ONE STEP ABOVE COLLEGE RADIO - when have you EVER shown up in the ratings with a rating point? - YOU HAVE DOZENS OF LISTENERS at best, what a GAS- BAG!...and WJFK AM is at the same LOW level , only they sell their time to "no talent" hacks. Nestor trades with his staff - nice sports radio in b-more - and wbal is not much better. mark o (11/8/06) Just guessing, but I'd suppose that the changes being made by the Nationals, broadcast-wise (opting out of their Bonneville deal, dropping Tom Paciorek as analyst) have more to do with the fact that the owners (who didn't get the club until August) didn't make those deals in the first place. They think they can do better than MLB did, though I think they may have blown it on the Paciorek decision. A real space cowboy, definitely not your run-of-the-mill ex-player talking head. (11/8/06) Hello out there in Maryland. I have been watching the election coverage on all of the national and local stations and all I have to say is thank you all for doing the right thing….DEMOCRATS RULE! BTW Bob Ehrlich is pulling an Ellen Sourpuss of losing to the next governor of Maryland, Martin O’ Malley. Hey Bob, now is the time to pursue your radio career with Ed Norris and take your homeboy Michael Steele with you. Reggie from Clinton (11/8/06) Dave's response: MSNBC, easily the best election coverage. Chris Matthews, you rule! Now, if I was the Bush administration, I'd cancel my PR contract with Fox News..... RE: "PREDICTION: CNN, MSNBC, & even FOX News with egg on their faces for quick 9pm predictions based solely on exit polling. Maryland appears to be a good example of why this is going to turn out to be a mistake....I'll admit I'm wrong if I am. Will they? Doubtful." .... MSNBC exit polling called the Maryland races at O'Malley 54%, Ehrlich 46%. Final vote count this morning is O'Malley 53.6%, Ehrlich 46%. In the Maryland Senate, MSNBC exit polled Cardin 54%, Steele 45%. Final vote count this morning is Cardin 54% to Steele 44%. I'm no statistician, but those actually sound pretty darn close to me. You like'em Sunny Side Up, or poached?- Jeff in (God bless our political system) Bowie (11/8/06) Let's all take a moment to than Rush "Make-fun-of-the-guy-with-Parkinson's disease" Limbaugh, for helping to deliver Claire McCaskill's new Senate seat in Missouri -- and quite possibly, control of the U.S. Senate to the Democrats! Thanks fatso! (11/8/06) I think the Nats letting Tom Paciorek go from the TV broadcast team stinks. He and Bob Carpenter made a great team. Paciorek was funny and insightful. He seemed to have embraced the team and the city in his short stint here. I wonder if we'll ever hear the real story of why he was let go after only one season? Hey Kasten, enough with the revolving door announcer teams already. You are in danger of bringing on some Snyder-esque bad karma. Tom in Springfield (11/8/06) PREDICTION: CNN, MSNBC, & even FOX News with egg on their faces for quick 9pm predictions based solely on exit polling. Maryland appears to be a good example of why this is going to turn out to be a mistake. With nearly 200,000 absentee ballots in MD, exit polling pretty much becomes useless, yet they're still doing it like dumbasses. That's my prediction. I'll admit I'm wrong if I am. Will they? Doubtful. (11/8/06) Dave's response: "Decision 2006, The Borat Election." Thank you, Rupert Murdoch..... I am waiting for the onslaught of local/national election coverage on Tuesday for the Senate races across the United States especially Maryland. I had watched Ben Cardin and Michael Steele on “Meet the Press” on October 29th and although I don’t like both of them, I am leaning towards Mr. Cardin because Mr. Steele has a good personality but I believe he is a “Trojan Horse” and he is so inconsistent in his policies I don’t trust him nor his boss Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. I wish Doug Duncan would not have dropped out of the Democratic Primary race. I guess I will vote for Martin O Malley. I would like to see Democrats take over the House and possibly the Senate because Republicans talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. I will be watching NBC News because I like Tim Russert and Brian Williams. Let the election coverage began! Reggie from Clinton (11/8/06) What's the deal with the music used in the "Mason Nation" commercials....it sounds like something heard from a bad heavy metal band in the 80's.....hey they should have hired Chuck Brown to come up with something.......Did you see Britt "Houndawg" Hume on the Faux News Channel last nite, even though things weren't decided by midnite he called it quits and went home...and I swear to gawd it seemed like both Kondracke and Barnes had moist eyes....did they have a falling out with McLaughlin?......if you miss former DnM producer BA McBride you can listen to her podcasts www.wsjs.com? I don't care for her right whiggish leanings but she has gotten better on air since she started.......it seems like she was a bit influenced by her time with DnM......I did not know that Washington Post radio 107.7 carried the Jim Bohanon, bohanon ,bohanon show at 10 pm weeknights....A Westwood One show..Is Bohanon still doing the "America in the Morning " show that use to be heard on 'JFK?...Hey Posties radio people he may be right whiggish but I still think John Batchelor did a pretty good show...hey I hear the black helicopters....Bill Smith....hey Baltimorons , one of your own is in line to be el presidente, yipee! (11/8/06) In the three NoVa congressional districts, there were approximately 800 write-in votes cast. Anyone want to speculate on how many of those were for Buzz Burbank? (11/8/06) Dave's response: I was just joooooking about the write-in campaign for Buzz. I really voted for Webb, and I'm glad I did. Looks like he won by only 7,000 votes statewide. Whew. Everything I voted for won, except for that certain one Virginia Constitutional amendment. And, contrats to O'Malley - but I bet the Junks are bummed. First they lose their Baltimore outlet and now their governor. Two bad omens to start '07. What next? CBS sells 106.7? Hmmm..... To the persons bitching about absentee ballots: If you had that much time to dick around waiting in line at a post office, go to all the trouble of getting postmarks cancelled, then why not just go vote? DUH! Are you too good to sit in that line? In most precincts, the wait was less than 40 minutes. How long did you drive & wait altogether? Sounds to me like the Mongolian fuckup is in your thinking. (11/8/06) /\ November 8 Messages /\ \/ November 7 Messages \/ I wonder how many (before he mentioned it on-air) noticed the audio bleed from WJZW onto the Chris Core show this morning (11/7)? I felt sorry for both Mike and David who are among the last survivors of a dying breed: Real Radio Engineers! Not may of us are left. Either we've retired, died, or got tired of the corporate BS and left for greener pastures elsewhere in telecommunications or electronics. (11/7/06) "Let It Rip" A poster wrote - "Been trying to give the Let It Rip segment on FOX5 Morning News a chance, but it's just not working for me..I feel like I'm looking at and listening to The McLaughlin Group..Too much yelling and people talking over each other." - I have to say I HATE Let It Rip. I don't give a rat's butt what Lark, Bob, Tony, Gurver,Allison or Steve think about the news of the day. I want them to just report it not give their big-winded opinions. You are right. It does not work. Whoever thought of it needs another job allocation. They use good newstime with their "hot air opinions" about things and that airtime could be put to better use. Honestly speaking I switch the channel when it comes on! The bosses need to pull it. Please Rip "Let it Rip" out of your shows!!!! (11/7/06) Dear Dave: I see from the FCC web site that WYCB Washington on 1340 KHZ has proposed to transmit from the same antenna as their sister station WOL. The location is in NE Washington close to the Maryland border. The ground system for the antenna is not circular, but broken up into short and long segments. This causes a strange coverage pattern, one that I have never before seen. WYCB presently has its antenna near District Heights, Maryland. Arnie (11/7/06) I had the great pleasure of chatting in line to vote today with the gentleman who used to have a twice-weekly column on DCRTV. It was certainly enjoyable meeting you! -- GAB in the Airless Cubicle (achoo!) (11/7/06) Dave's response: Who? Popovec? Gawd, I hope he didn't vote. A real righty..... Borat was on with O'Reilly? That had to be great radio, two fake journalists. (11/7/06) I love you Robbay, but we need some BA. For serious. E (11/7/06) wnst owner Nestor Aparicio has issued a statement on their website about the firing of two on air staff (11/7/06) Dave's response: Read on. It's somewhere down below, in the pile of today's messages..... Its nice to see Rob Spewak is on the ball for the radio gods. So they loved the movie Borat!... Every other show on that staion had the guy on the air that day... EXCEPT... TA DA.... You got it.... the Dons and Mikes Show... Nice going lard ass... keep up the poor performance.... I hope Don cans your fat ass soon... sounds like he's getting fed up with you, you non-performing, goose stepping 'tard. WB Centreville, VA (11/7/06) Dave's response: I think BA could have landed Borat. Gawd, I miss her..... To the "smartass" that thinks he knows what folks in their 40's and 50's prefer. YOU HAVEN"T got a clue! Most of us in that age bracket we're into Aerosmith....Smith...Grand Funk...Led Zepplin..Traffic...Pink Floyd...The Band....Canned Heat...Jethro Tull....Stones...Beatles (some of it)-Jamul....S&G, CSNY.....and yes we did like a lot of the "Blues"....the Joplin stuff, Bonnie Raitt....Thrugood......and we DIDN'T LISTEN TO WMAL AM...MAYBE FM IN THE EARLY TO MID 70'S. You're so far out of touch you make me feel groovy lala la la lalalala....ANG (11/7/06) Dave's response: Fuck all that shit - and the elections. "Police Squad" is now out on DVD. Also, please buy "I'm Alan Partridge" on DVD. The great Steve Coogan. He's the British Don Geronimo..... About "Is it legal in Maryland for any county executive's election campaign to have access to the list of absentee ballot voter requests for the purposes of mailing out campagn materials for a variety of candidates?) Yes, it is legal"---------> Well, it probably shouldn't be legal, it's definitely an invasion of privacy. But I wouldn't worry. Your vote probably won't count anyway. The U.S. Postal Service is telling people that you can mail your absentee ballots TODAY! NOT TRUE! So anyone here who intended to just drop their ballot in the mailbox instead of waiting in long lines today, don't listen to the Post Office. In fact. go and request your ballot back if you've already dropped it off. That is what I had to do today. USPS cancelled the post mark and gave it back to me. Now I have 2 choices, either hand-deliver it 20 miles from my house OR wait in long lines to get a provisional ballot. What a complete Mongolian F'up this election is turning out to be in Maryland. I feel like I live in a third world country. (11/7/06) WASH hasn't started playing Christmas music yet; when I hear "Christmas at K-Mart," I'll know that all Santa, all the time, has begun. And, don't forget to go to the polls today - vote early, vote often! The preceding was a public service announcement from the Dashboard DX Society; my name is Mike, and I approve this message. "Sheriff, we heard you was hung!" "You heard right!" (11/7/06) Dave's response: I was browsing the Salvation Army store in Herndon the other day and found a Christmas punk rock sampler from San Diego's 91X dated 1993. Only $2. It features "Shoplifter's Dance" by the Rugburns, "I'm The One Who Gunned Santa Down" by Deadbolt, and "What's Santa Stuffin'?" by Bad Mood Zeus. Ah, my Christmas listening will be swell - and WASH-less..... Any news on where "Judge" from WZBA ended up? He disappered from the air 6 - 8 weeks ago and was replaced by AJ. How about where "Goldie" from WBIG ended up? I thought I heard him on the air while driving through NC, but the station wasn't in range long enough to verify. (11/7/06) Does this Comcast/Disney Powwoww mean ESPNU has a future on Comcast? Please, oh please, oh please... (11/7/06) Dave's response: Hey, I'm still waiting for ESPN Classic on my Comcast system..... To answer my own question about WMAL's conflict, the station is now scheduled to carry the Maryland men's basketball opener on a tape-delay basis at midnight to allow for election coverage. umterps.cstv.com (11/7/06) Thank god the insufferable and insipid political commercials will finally end today! Logging about 2 hours with Fox News last night, and then about the same time with CNN, the differing emphasis on issues regarding the impending election was stark. The Fox hosts stalwartly directed all debate and conversation from Iraq, and towards the tightening gap between candidates according to some polls, demonizing Nancy Pelosi, and focusing on taxes and terrorisim/national security. CNN on the other hand was focusing on the debacle in Iraq, scandals involving Republicans, Katrina, and so on. Polls always tighten nearing an election, it happens almost every time. And as we know, polls are becoming less and less reliable for a wide variety of reasons, I think there will be many surprises. Off topic: I have said it here before, so many times the people screaming the loudest about an issue are the biggest hypocrites. Witness the latest holy roller to take a fall, copping to buying meth and having a relationship with a gay prostitute. There would be wall to wall coverage on this pathetic excuse for a human, were it not for the election. You gotta wonder how people keep the faith, when this self-hating and sorry excuse for a moral man strives to lead thousands by preaching and advocating positions to which he is the ultimate hypocrite. Another black mark for organized religion. Yeah, I know, we should be benevolent and forgive, but it sure is depressing when again and again we find these high profile moralists hiding and falling prey to their own compulsions. I guess it's the devil at work again. Get out and vote ye bastids! (11/7/06) Dave's response: Don't be so sure TV political ads will end after today. Sometimes, area cable giant Comcast runs those local political spots up through the middle of November. And I still don't understand why we're getting those Maryland-based Ben Cardin local spots on cable systems here in Virginia. Hell, I would have voted for Cardin but he wasn't on the ballot on this side of the Potomac. Hey, Comcast frequently brags about its "Spotlight" program, which targets hyper-local ads to only those who need the product or service. So why advertise a Maryland pol in Virginia? Hmmm..... (RE: Question to the mailbag here since there are so many smart informed people here....... Is it legal in Maryland for any county executive's election campaign to have access to the list of absentee ballot voter requests for the purposes of mailing out campagn materials for a variety of candidates?) Yes, it is legal (11/7/06) Someone please tell don that him reading the "internet postings" about the show is the most boring crap ever. My eyes glaze over every time. Whatever. Also, it sounds to me like "Jimmy" did cheat on his wife. Why would don even bring it up? I hate to say it, but I wish O&A was on all day. And I HATED them up to a month ago... (11/7/06) To Absentee Ballot Voter, please clarify. Did you receive anything that specifically said "Dear Absentee Ballot Voter". Not, "If you plan on voting absentee...", but actually stating that you are? I did not see that in your posts. So going from that, the only proof you have is that they mailed with specific address information. That does not necessarily mean that they got a "pure" absentee ballot list. What this is called is direct mailing. The marketing managers with at least half a brain will acquire as many valid addresses as possible. That means buying, getting public access, flipping through the phone book, whatever. In the case of political campaigns, they'll probably take any address that is in their jurisdiction. Anything to make a mailing. For your county, the elections office itself might compile the list and hand a clean one to the campaigns upon request. The good ones will filter and eliminate any duplicate addresses with matching names. So no need for a local news investigation. Granted, I have never been involved with a political campaign, but have been involved in other mailings. It seems another poster states that the addresses are available to campaigns. Happy Election Day! TL (11/7/06) Just two quick points. First. The slant of the comments from the poster asking about Maryland voter reg. records smacks of someone trying to create a problem for Steele. Well too f'ng bad for you buddy, but Glendenning did it first, and it survived a court challenge. Gladhanding took the records and went door to door 'assisting' elderly and disabled voters. Clearly illegal, but his party made sure the records were falsified to make it appear that these folks independently filled out their absentee ballots. So if you want to question the legality of campaign behavior, start with the Democrats. Second point. Who the hell cares if Sam gets the facts wrong? It's just a game. It just doesn't matter. It has no bearing on your future, and more importantly, neither the commentator nor you have any control over the game. Get your head out of the game and go vote. There is where correct facts are important and your opinion, and your passion, do count. This is the only game that matters. (11/7/06) Re: "The picture and sound via the digital box is delayed by almost six seconds, compared with the programming via straight from the coax feed" - Welcome to digital programming, where the conversion from analog to digital takes time. If you had a digital satellite dish (DirecTV or Dish Network), you'll also find a delay. Its just the nature of the beast. Even digital radio suffers the same fate. That's why the analog feed on hybrid (analog & HD) radio stations is delayed by about 7 to 9 seconds. At one time, you could set your watch to the top of hour chime (from CBS news) on WTOP, but after the advent of HD, they delay the audio by about 8 seconds so you can't do that anymore. Dave in Fredericksburg (11/7/06) Dear Dave: This morning's Post says that Tom Paciorek is out as Nats TV analyst (look about halfway down the article). www.washingtonpost.com... I didn't know what to make of him at first, but he grew on me with time and got to the point where I enjoyed his work, a view shared by a lot of Nats fans on the various chat boards. And to Larry Michael: quit bitching about the refs during your call of Redskins games. It's getting to the point where you're making NY Yankee play-by-play guy John Sterling seem more like Edward R. Murrow. Great site Dave! Sincerely, Joe Kasell (11/7/06) A local angle on the Radio Hall of Fame? Well, Jim Bohannon of Westwood One and Washington Post Radio was the announcer Saturday night, his 8th year in that capacity (not counting 2003, when he was an inductee). They've got a great new building under construction. www.radiohof.org (11/7/06) Hi Dave, I sent a letter to Nestor at WNST a few days ago regarding the recent firings, and he linked me to his statement here: Message from Nestor regarding the new morning show at WNST... To all WNST listeners: Obviously, it hasn't been an easy week at WNST. Because so many of you have written inquiring -- I've received about 200 heartfelt full-on letters, with all different kinds of messages and allegiances -- as to the changes to our morning show, I figured this would be the best way to address it. We can't be a station "of the people" without answering to the people who make the station successful. And that's YOU -- the listeners, customers, sponsors and friends. If you care enough to be reading this, then I care enough to be as frank and as honest as I feel it appropriate and dignified to be. Two people got fired here this week, there's blood on my hands and it's a very awkward and public and sad and dirty and rotten thing. This is the first major upheaval we've had in almost five years and, quite frankly, we're adjusting as we go along. Many have written asking very personal questions, intimate things like "Why were Terry and Jeremy fired?" or "Did they do something wrong?" No offense, but some of that interior "employee stuff" is private and privileged, kind of like the reasons Brian Billick fired Jim Fassel two weeks ago. I can assure you that it wasn't anything "personal" in regard to Terry or Jeremy. We ALL liked Terry and Jeremy and it was fun having them with us over the years. If we didn't like them, they wouldn't have been with us for five years. But we do what we have to do to run our business in the best way we see fit. And we take all feedback seriously, which is why we're doing our annual survey/poll right now and rewarding someone with a free trip to Kansas City next month to see the Ravens. Without direct statistical feedback, we're just guessing by who comes up to us at a bar or at a game and gives us some random statement or pronouncement. But here's what we've discovered over the past three months: Listenership was dramatically down and complaints were disturbingly up on our morning show, despite it being the middle of a very successful and promising NFL season. For many, the various references used were inappropriate and unacceptable. Many people complained that they couldn't listen to WNST on Monday mornings with their children in the car. Over the years, I've fielded hundreds of complaints and received thousands of compliments via email, personal contact and just being in the community. Every host, producer and sales person here has been alternately praised and thrown under the bus by plenty of people. "This guys sucks," "That guy is great," "You need to come back on the air," "You need to sell the station, go away and never come back," etc. I've literally heard it all. There are complaints, there are trends and then there are -- in extreme cases -- changes that need to be made. It is NEVER our intent to change programming or personnel. And we've never had to fire anyone or remove anyone for economic reasons at WNST. Paul Kopelke, our General Manager, actually hired me on Dec. 13, 1991 and we'll be celebrating 15 years together in six weeks. Bob Haynie started as an intern with me in 1993. Debbi Hyatt, who runs the interior of our operation, came in 1994. Our lead salesman Steve Hennessey joined me in early 1996 before Jon Ogden and Ray Lewis were drafted. Ray Bachman was a fan of my show (and there are pictures of this!) in Fort Lauderdale at O's spring training in March 1996. Rob Long was "Rob from Woodlawn" before he was the host of the "Rob Long Show." My other salesman, Jeff Stintz, was a guy who was dating the best friend of the girl I was dating in 1990. There's a LOT of blood in the bricks of WNST and a lot of long-term relationships, friendships and victories and defeats for all of us. We are like an extended family and these are the people I've chosen to represent the station and everything we do. We don't have a lot of rules at WNST, but respect for the community and the listeners is paramount. And I'm in NO WAY a teetotaler, a prude or an editor for what the public should or shouldn't hear. I was a Howard Stern fan and a listener and a Greaseman devotee. And I can be as crude, rude, lewd and profane as the next guy. Some would say even more so than the next guy! But it became increasingly clear that the only way to change what I was hearing in the mornings and the feedback I was getting was to change the personnel. Ultimately, it was my decision because my name is on the front of the building and with that comes the role of making the toughest of tough and very public decisions. Quite frankly, the role of hiring and firing people wasn't what I originally signed up for when I started doing sports radio almost 15 years ago. But our change in the morning show format came with unanimous understanding and support from all within the walls of my company. So, we will move forward and try to produce the best morning show we can for YOU, our listeners. We feed our families because you support our sponsors and patronize our radio station and support our endeavors (as evidenced on Sept. 21 with FREE THE BIRDS!). I sincerely hope the change will move us forward in a direction toward having a morning show that is representative of the kind of community radio station we strive to be, with a solid exchange of information, news, facts, scores, analysis, sports talk and, most importantly, FUN! I have always HATED the elements of mean-spiritedness that I've heard on sports talk radio in other markets. We are not "cheerleaders" for the home team, but we are all "cheering" for the home team. What's good for the Orioles and Ravens and Blast and Terps and the local colleges is good for WNST. We make no bones about it! But I assure you that the "new" morning show -- I'll be referring to it as "The Drew Crew" brought to you by Comcast, but they will eventually come up with their own self-appointed name -- will not be afraid to spank the local teams, coaches, players or management when appropriate, and praise and cheer and high-five them when it's earned on the field. Drew Forrester has been in my life for more than 20 years and not only brings significant "working knowledge" of Baltimore sports and its history through his time of the heyday of the Blast and his fandom of the Colts and the Orioles and the Terps and, now, the Ravens. He is a horrible golfer but knows a lot about golf. His Glen Burnie roots are best displayed when he dabbles in NASCAR. He watches more hockey than anyone in Baltimore. He has hired and fired a hundred soccer players. He knows the business of sports better than any media member in the city, because he ran a sports franchise. He's the best storyteller that I know. And he brings the spirit of Charley Eckman with him, which makes me even more comfortable, knowing there's a little of "The Coach" in him from all those dinners they had together everywhere from San Diego to Buffalo. Casey Willett came to us almost four years ago through Ray Bachman. Like I did in 1984 at The News American, he ran for lunch, took out the trash, answered phones, booked guests and ultimately wore us down by not going away. For some stupid reason, he wanted to work at our little radio station. With his military background -- he was in the Army and served everywhere from Korea to San Antonio to Junction City, Kansas and was working at Walter Reed Medical Center on Sept. 11-- goofy Louisiana slang butchery of the English language and almost dead-on resemblance to the dearly departed B.J. Ryan, how could we hold him down? We sent him into the Ravens locker room and then the Orioles locker room and he's come back with relationships, stories, knowledge and information that will make his insights invaluable to any fan of the Ravens or the Orioles. He's as trusted a source for information as you'll find anywhere in the Baltimore media and most of the guys at the station treat him like a piñata at a birthday party. And finally, Adam Dembeck went through the grueling and demeaning intern initiation process at WNST, coming to us from Towson University via their sports marketing program. He's from Laurel, went to Mt. St. Joe, lives in Federal Hill, drinks beer, chases girls and does whatever Ray Bachman tells him to do. Which is why we've also promoted Ray Bachman and made him the new program director at WNST. Because ALL things run through him at WNST anyway already, it was only a formality to give him an official title and to let Bob Haynie and Rob Long know that I'm not their boss --he is! There will be no further internet postings from me, no interior dirt, no leaks of information from anyone in my building regarding the personnel changes at WNST. We wish Terry and Jeremy well in whatever they pursue in the future. They were good basketball players, good employees, outstanding sports information guys and all-around decent people. But it wasn't working anymore and it was -- as any boss will tell you -- the crappiest thing you ever have to do in a place of business. But it's over and WNST will continue to move forward and try to raise the bar, get better and try to give you the best local sports radio station we can give you. We appreciate you caring enough to read all of this drivel and hope you give our new morning team a chance to be your destination of choice every day on your way to work! Cheers, Nestor (11/7/06) "I've developed a thrombosis again tonight upon hearing that the "Chris Plante Show" will not be on the air at all ..." Hey Sylvie in Waldorf - that's proof that too much 'MAL is bad for your health! (11/7/06) I am SO sick of radio people railing on "how bad" WMAL sounds. These are generally OLD people who couldn't program a VCR, nevermind a radio station in 2006. They have NO concept of the current dynamic, competitive radio marketplace, nor the realities of doing business in this climate. With the evaporation WRC, WWDC, WTOP (on AM), they should feel LUCKY that this town still has an outlet for the number one names in American talk radio, while also providing 24/7 local news coverage and 9 hours of quality LOCAL programming a day. No, I DON'T work there. And I don't even LISTEN to the station as much as I used to, but c'mon old farts.. get with it!! How many of the great AM stations of old still sound the way they did in the 1960s and 1970s??? (BTW, many of them played POPULAR music - for much of today's target demo. WMAL was always MOR, programmed for middle-aged people who're now near-death.) How awful and out of place would WMAL sound today, if it played American popular standards and jingles, with "personality"?? You think THAT'S what 25-54 yr olds want from AM radio... if they can even FIND it on their stereos??? Please... How about a little perspective? WMAL is lucky it's not as sorry as WOR, which aged with its audience without modernizing. Politics of its hosts aside, WMAL is a good radio station. And anyone who listens to it knows it. (11/7/06) Maybe somebody with some technical savvy can explain this to me: Using a cable out of the wall, I feed a VCR that offers "Line 1", "Line 2" and "Tuner". "Line 1" gets the signal from a digital box, using RCA red/white/yellow connectors. "Tuner" gets the signal from a straight coax connection. The picture and sound via the digital box is delayed by almost six se