This is not our first dance with AFN and Limbaugh....

[Junkdrawer]

Last edited Wed Mar 14, 2012, 10:55 AM - Edit history (1)

On Edit: See my post #15 for the context prior to the first excerpt and forward.

From 2004:

Rush Limbaugh is the only commentator on the American Forces Radio and Television Services. Our folk in Iraq are hearing that the abuse of prisoners is a frat prank, that no priosners have been killed, and that liberals are traitors.

They get to hear only from that drug-addled chickenhawk because Melvin Russell, Director of AFR&TVS, has chosen to ignore federal laws requiring that any commentary be 'fair and balanced.' Instead, he has claimed that since Limbaugh is number one in the US he should have a complete monopoly abroad.

...

http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?38078-Limbaugh-s-tax-funded-monopoly

From 2007:

Bad news continues afflict the lib talk format. First we hear, this week, that two more lib talk stations will likely be flipping formats --KCTC in Sacramento (on Monday) and KPFT in Fresno (in about two months). Now we learn that the Armed Forces Network will be replacing Al Franken’s spot of their line-up with "Fox’s liberal punching bag", Alan Colmes. Yes, the AFN overlooked the top ten syndicated liberal hosts on the radio, and selected someone who is generally dispised by lib talk listeners.

....

Now don’t get us wrong, AFN has come a long way in balancing their schedule to include lib talkers. For several years, the only political commentator to have his own show on the network was Rush Limbaugh. After months of lobbying including speeches on the floor of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, AFN finally agreed to add the Al Franken Show, to level the playing field, in November, 2005. Subsequently they added Ed Schultz and Sean Hannity. Arguably, you can still say that conservatives have an advantage because the schedule also includes a daily show by Dr. Laura. However, a better question is why is her show in the first place.

No one could argue with AFN’s decision to carry Franken and Schultz. At the time they were considered the top two liberal talk hosts in the country. But one has to question the decision to select Colmes to replace Franken. Not only is his show very unpopular with radio listeners but it is also a stinker.

....

http://talkingradio.blogspot.com/2007/02/afn-selects-colmes-to-replace-franken.html

I'm sure other old-timers can add in more history (perhaps links to that controversy of Limbaugh passing out Club Gitmo T-shirts to active duty troops).

So perhaps now you can see where I'm skeptical that AFN will ever get rid of Limbaugh. And why I think the top brass is protecting him.

[Ian David]

1. The problem isn't just that our troops are hearing Limbaugh.

The REAL problem, as I see it, is that the locals in the countries where our troops are stationed are hearing Limbaugh, and thinking he represents American policy and mainstream opinion.

[babylonsister]

2. I never thought of that; jeeze. nt

[Ecumenist]

3. Amen Ian, that's exactly what I was thinking. I made certain that I signed the petition. nt.

[Bonhomme Richard]

4. The thing is, the Brass can use him to affect policy.

They know he is in their corner for any crazy ass foreign policy action they deem necessary.

[Junkdrawer]

6. Yep. They can use Limbaugh as a reach-around to signal policies...

they would NEVER want to come back at them if (or more likely, when) they backfire.

[HopeHoops]

5. The Hanoi Hannah of the Middle East only he's SUPPOSED to be on OUR side.

[Junkdrawer]

8. Kinda depends who OUR is....

The super-rich who benefit from Empire, or the 99.99999% whose lives are destroyed.

[HopeHoops]

13. The troops and those of use who actually DO support them. The Empire considers them fodder.

[proud patriot]

7. I remember pictures of those orange "club gitmo" shirts

being passed out to our troops in iraq..... It was right around the time of the prison scandal in Iraq if i recall correctly

[Junkdrawer]

9. Wasn't there something where his listeners could buy-a-T-for-the-troops?

My memory is good, but not THAT good....

[Junkdrawer]

10. wait...wait...wasn't it "buy one and I'll ship one for free"

[proud patriot]

11. here's a link to the picture of our troops wearing the club gitmo shirt

http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/2005/07/few-bad-apples.html

Google images has many views of the orange club gitmo shirt that was for sale at rush's website.

[Junkdrawer]

12. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU....

I looked and looked for that.

[proud patriot]

14. yw

[Junkdrawer]

15. So I think the story line went....

1. Abu Graib pictures are released

2. Pig Boy starts to sell Club-Gitmo crap

3. Controversy erupts

4. Lard Ass doubles down (sound familiar?) and promises to ship one to the troops for every one bought

5. Shit for Brains posts pictures of troops wearing the Ts to show his listeners he's keeping his word

6. Normal Americans demand The Walking Anal Cyst be removed from AFN

and the rest is detailed in my OP.

I think that's what went down....

[proud patriot]

16. sounds spot on to me

[KoKo]

17. I remember ...and definitely think Limbaugh is an "asset."

to the MIC, RW and Info/Entertainment MSM for propaganda purposes. How else could he have survived all this time? And, our FCC has been stacked for decades. Doesn't change whether it's Dem or Repug President.

[Junkdrawer]

18. Post 15 jibe with your memory too?

[Junkdrawer]

19. And "asset" is a good description. We often talk about how some public figures...

use "Dog Whistle" phrases to help reinforce the racism and bigotry of their listeners. Well Limbaugh is out there with a Rape Whistle to the troops and we're supposed to keep mum because it might insult the troops?

Fuck that.