"Richard Cranium" wrote in message
om...

Rush didn't "save" anything; he has helped to destroy AM radio in the
USA.

I have to disagree, Richard. The only thing Rush "destroyed" was the
careers of dozens of talentless "time & temp" jocks when he took over their
time-slots. It sounds like you're just upset with his ideology (and the
fact that he's been successful) to me.

It's no secret that after suffering significant listener decline (to FM)
over the last two decades, the "talk" format has saved AM radio in the USA.
And Rush is the king of talk radio, fostering scores of imitators, both
local and syndicated.

Like him or hate him, Rush played a very large part in reestablishing the
commercial viability of AM radio, because without ratings, commercial radio
was doomed to continue its decline. It was only after Limbaugh sucessfully
syndicated and aced his time slots that we saw the way paved for others,
including Art Bell. It is simply intellectually dishonest not to give the
Rush Limbaugh radio program the credit deserved for having done this with
respect to AM radio. You may not like it, but it's the truth.

Of course he had help from Clear Channel, Infinity/Viacom, and
the FCC!

Exactly what innuendo are you hinting at here? That the FCC, Clear Channel
and Viacom have colluded with a secret, sinister plan to push Limbaugh on
the world? Listen, I'm no fan of Clear Channel or Infinity (or Powell's
FCC either for that matter). I like the idea of a lot of independent owners
competing with each other for listeners. But statements like he had help
from them (implying some sort of agenda) are just silly.

Frankly, I don't see what any of these outfits have to do with Rush, other
than that a few of their stations are among the over 600 that carry his
broadcasts. Our local New Orleans 50KW'er, WWL-AM isn't affilliated with
Clear Channel or Infinity, but carries his show, as do scores of independent
broadcasters.

Are you just hissy-fitting about big media? If so, say so -- lots of us
would agree.


Please try to keep in mind that the guy is only an ENTERTAINER, not a
political guru.

So was Johnny Carson. That doesn't marginalize his influence. There was a
time when commentary in Carson's opening monologue for "The Tonight Show"
was acknowledged to have an enormous effect upon public opinion. The same
has been true for Rush in the past (as he and his audience found each
other), and will probably continue when he returns.

Just my observations...

-- Stinger
ATS-909
FR-200
CCRadio+