It's not like we're talking about Redstateistan or RushLimbaughville, for crying out loud! On January 2 the deep blue city of Seattle inexplicably lost its only Progressive Talk station (AM1090) when CBS radio pulled the plug and changed the format. Like the city needs another sports station ... but that's another rant.
This did NOT go down easy with thousands of dedicated listeners -- two different petitions attracted close to 10,000 signatures. A group of feisty folks adopted the moniker of the Progressive Radio Seattle (PRS) Team and got on task to either find an existing (strong signal) station to carry progressive talk or start our own listener-owned co-op commercial progressive talk radio station. We're also developing a Seattle Radio User's Guide to help you access your favorite progressive talkers including Stephanie Miller & Mooks, Thom Hartmann, Ed Schultz, Randi Rhodes, Mike Maloy, the Ring of Fire team and more. Stay tuned ... so to speak.
Here's how you can help with just a few easy clicks:
If you haven't already done so, please sign both petitions HERE at Change.org and HERE at SignOn.org.
... and take a moment to write a personal comment, if you’re so moved.
They are most helpful to our efforts.
"Like" the Pro-Progressive Talk in Seattle Facebook Page.
We're looking for a Volunteer Webmeister to design and help set up a very simple site to act as a clearinghouse for people in the area who want to get involved. Please leave a comment or send me a message if you can help or have ideas on how we can find someone who can.
When this issue was first diaried last month here and here and here, a number of you opined that the future of progressive talk is in the internets. IMHO, that's a very limited view.
I fervently believe that it's VITAL to grow progressive radio on the FREE public airwaves. I find it morally obscene to quietly roll over and cede so much of that medium to the hateful blathering bile of rightwing noise.
How can we have meaningful progress in social justice or economic equality if we don't demand an intelligent national conversation -- on all fronts! Many progressives and would-be progressives (a special Shout-Out to all the leftie truckers out there) don't have the technology or financial resources for smart phones & smart phone aps, satellite radio or even podcasts. We can't afford to silence their voices or risk their losing access to the common sense, sass and snark of a robust progressive dialogue .. on the free public airwaves we already own.