talk radio's current target

It's nice for a change to see talk radio taking aim at the Republicans. "Talk radio" of course is dominated by rightwing hosts, which makes this a bit of a turnaround. This time it's because they don't think Congressional Republicans are sufficiently racist. Excuse me, I meant to say, sufficiently adamant about keeping foreigners out of Amurica.

It ain't often I agree with something Trent Lott said. But it happens. He told the New York Times, "Talk radio is running America. We have to deal with that problem."

He's right. And talk radio isn't just some random occurrence. It is the way it is because of the corporatization of the airwaves. Thanks to changes pushed thru during the Reagan and Bush I era, radio and TV stations don't have to offer equal time or access to differing political views. And unsurprisingly, views that appeal to corporate masters -- lower taxes, weaker unions, fewer environmental regulations, etc -- are reflected in who is hired to work on talk radio. For every Al Franken there are a dozen Rush Limbaughs.