DAVEFROMQUEENS

Open Thread: Michael Jacksona and Farrah Fawcett

DavefromQueens.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:07:00 GMT

On Thursday, we lost two icons in the entertainment industry: Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett. Instead of reflecting their weakness, let's remember their talent.

Post your thoughts.

Stanford Financial Group Executives, Former Chairman of Antiguan Bank Regulator Indicted for Fraud, Obstruction

DavefromQueens.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:53:00 GMT

Robert Allen Stanford, 59, chairman of the Houston-based Stanford Financial Group (SFG), three SFG executives and the former chief executive officer of the Antiguan bank regulatory agency have been indicted on fraud and obstruction charges related to a $7 billion scheme to defraud investors.

Also charged in an indictment returned in Houston yesterday and unsealed today was Laura Pendergest-Holt, 35, SFG’s chief investment officer; Gilberto Lopez, 66, SFG’s chief accounting officer; Mark Kuhrt, 37, SFG’s global controller; and Leroy King, 63, the former administrator and CEO of Antigua’s Financial Services Regulatory Commission. Stanford was arrested in Virginia last night, and is scheduled to make an initial appearance today in Richmond. Lopez and Kuhrt were arrested this morning and will make initial appearances in Houston this afternoon. Pendergest-Holt, who previously was indicted on obstruction-related charges, will make her initial appearance on the charges unsealed today in Houston in the near future.

"The Department of Justice will vigorously root out and expose financial crimes that wreak havoc on innocent investors," said Lanny A. Breuer, Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division. "Investors need access to accurate and truthful financial information in order to make decisions about how to invest their hard-earned savings. Their savings, and indeed the integrity of our capital markets, are jeopardized when investors are deceived. These difficult economic times make the mission of the Department all the more important."

"The investing public needs to be assured that it is protected from those who would corruptly deprive them of their financial security," said U.S. Attorney Tim Johnson of the Southern District of Texas. "When individuals or business entities engage in fraudulent activity designed to deprive investors of their assets, we will devote whatever resources necessary to bring them to justice."

"Economic crime schemes such as those alleged here today are unfortunately all too commonplace," said Assistant Director Kevin Perkins, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. "These crimes strike at the heart of our economy and our quality of life."

"The IRS is united with the federal law enforcement community in our resolve to put out of business those financial schemes that defraud investors and the U.S. government," said Eileen Mayer, Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation. "This is particularly true as it relates to international financial fraud, and we will continue to follow the money in order to bring those responsible to justice."

"Robert Stanford’s investors trusted him and his associates, in many instances, with their life savings," said Gregory Campbell, Deputy Chief Inspector, U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "When allegations are made that the U.S. Mail has been used to violate such a trust, it’s our job as Postal Inspectors to restore America’s confidence in the integrity of its postal system and help to bring the violators to justice."

According to the indictment, Stanford and his co-defendants engaged in a scheme to defraud investors who purchased approximately $7 billion in certificates of deposit administered by Stanford International Bank Ltd. (SIBL), an offshore bank controlled by Stanford and located on the island of Antigua. Stanford and his co-defendants allegedly misused and misappropriated most of those investor assets, including diverting more than $1.6 billion into undisclosed personal loans to Stanford himself, while misrepresenting to investors SIBL’s financial condition, its investment strategy and the extent of its regulatory oversight by Antiguan authorities. For example, the indictment alleges the following:

That the defendants allegedly falsely claimed that SIBL’s assets grew from approximately $1.2 billion in 2001 to approximately $8.5 billion in December of 2008. The indictment alleges that, in fact, approximately $5 billion of SIBL’s reported assets consisted of notes on loans to Stanford and grossly overstated interests in "island properties," including more than $2 billion added to the books in 2008 from an allegedly artificial real estate deal that Stanford and his co-conspirators conceived to inflate the bank’s reported assets;
That Stanford and his co-defendants allegedly falsely represented to investors that SIBL’s investment strategy was to "minimize risk and achieve liquidity" and promised rates of return on CDs that in the end were simply too good to be true in light of the bank’s actual investments and assets; and
That Stanford and his co-defendants allegedly made false and misleading representations about the regulatory scrutiny of the bank by Antiguan authorities, when, in fact, Stanford was making corrupt payments of more than $100,000 to King to ensure that the Antiguan bank regulatory authority that he headed did not accurately audit, or verify the assets reported in the bank’s financial statements.

Also according to the indictment, Stanford, Pendergest-Holt and King conspired to conceal the fraud from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to fend off an SEC investigation. King allegedly provided Stanford and others with confidential information that he had received from an official SEC inquiry into a possible fraud on investors by SIBL so that additional false representations concerning SIBL’s financial health and Antiguan regulatory oversight could be made. In addition, Stanford, Pendergest-Holt and others allegedly agreed that Pendergest-Holt would provide false information to the SEC about the true value of SIBL’s investment portfolio.

The defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and securities fraud; seven counts of wire fraud; ten counts of mail fraud; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. The indictment also charges Stanford, Pendergest-Holt, and King with conspiracy to obstruct an SEC proceeding. The indictment seeks forfeiture of the proceeds of the fraud from all defendants, including forfeiture of specific foreign bank accounts controlled by Stanford, Davis and Pendergest-Holt.

Also unsealed today was a criminal information charging James M. Davis, 60, SFG’s chief financial officer, with conspiracy to commit mail, wire and securities fraud; mail fraud; and conspiracy to obstruct an SEC investigation. The information seeks forfeiture of up to $1 billion in fraud proceeds. Davis will make his initial appearance on these charges in Houston in the near future.

Additionally, also unsealed today was an indictment returned in the Southern District of Florida charging Bruce Perraud, 42, a former SFG Global Security Specialist, with destruction of records related to a federal investigation. Perraud allegedly ordered and supervised the destruction of numerous SFG documents housed at SFG’s Fort Lauderdale, Fla., office after he was put on notice that a federal court had ordered the preservation of SFG documents in connection with an SEC investigation and lawsuit. Perraud was arrested in the area of Naples, Fla., this morning and will make his initial appearance in the near future.

An indictment is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Houston Field Office, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by individuals from the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, including Paul E. Pelletier, Principal Deputy Chief; Jack Patrick, Senior Litigation Counsel; Matthew Klecka, Trial Attorney; and Allan Medina, Law Clerk of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, as well as Gregg Costa, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of Texas.

The Criminal Division’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section assisted the trial team by working with our foreign counterparts to facilitate the freezing of more than $300 million of Stanford’s assets in the United Kingdom, Canada and other countries. The Criminal Division’s Office of International Affairs and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida also provided assistance in this matter.

Hannity's business buddy winds up in jail

DavefromQueens.com — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 06:49:00 GMT

I was on vacation, but now I'm back to finish up some Fox News busines. Sean Hannity's business buddy is behind bars, just like his other friend American domestic terrorist Hal Turner. With friends like Hannity's, who needs terrorists.

Billionaire R. Allen Stanford Jailed

WASHINGTON (June 20) - Brash Texas billionaire R. Allen Stanford has been jailed on charges his international banking empire was really just a Ponzi scheme built on lies, bluster and bribery.

The Justice Department announced Friday charges against Stanford and six others who allegedly helped the tycoon run a $7 billion swindle. At a court hearing in Richmond, Va., a federal judge agreed with prosecutors that Stanford poses a flight risk and ordered him to remain in custody until a future detention hearing in Houston. Billionaire R. Allen Stanford Jailed

Rightwing group Operation Rescue distance themselves from Randall Terry

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:50:00 GMT

Rightwing domestic terrorist Scott Roeder, who is behind bars in Sedgwick County, for the alleged murder of Dr. George Tiller, will be charged with one count of murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

Before the murder of Dr. Tiller, Roeder posted comments on Operation Rescue’s web site about the doctor. Now this so-called organization is under scrutiny by the media and hopefully law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security.

Operation Rescue is in full damage control. They are trying to distance themselves from rightwing radical extremist Randall Terry. But the damage has already been done.

Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, released this statement:

Scott Roeder has never been a member, contributor, or volunteer with Operation Rescue. Mr. Roeder may have posted to our open blog web site, as have thousands of members of the public, including those with pro-abortion views, but he is not affiliated with this organization.

We deplore the criminal actions with which Mr. Roeder is accused.

The pro-life ethic is to value all human life from the moment of conception until natural death. Operation Rescue has diligently and successfully worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see to it that abortionists around the nation are brought to justice. Without due process, there can be no justice.

In spite of these horrific events, we remain dedicated to working through all peaceful and legal means available to bring an end to the killing of innocent children through abortion.

Newman added that Randall Terry was not associated with nor is he authorized to speak for Operation Rescue. According to Newman, Terry left Operation Rescue in 1991. We guess Terry didn’t get the memo.

Fox News Channel address

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:31:00 GMT

Have a major complaint about Bill O’Reilly’s dangerous rhetoric? Want Murdoch to fire O’Reilly? Call these numbers and direct your message to Rupert Murdoch. Call (888) 369-4762 or (212) 301-3000. Or snail mail:

Fox News Channel
Att: Rupert Murdoch, CEO
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, N.Y. 10036

Rightwing Domestic Terrorist and Fox News

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:18:00 GMT

Another controversy involving Bill O'Reilly. This time it's murder.

We’ve seen the video of Billy continued smears against Dr. George Tiller. It’s obvious Billy didn’t like the doctor. Now that Dr. Tiller was murdered, Billy is playing the victim game.

Fox News Channel is full damage control and is trying to protect its precious commentator. But it’s too late. The nation and world knows the truth. Videos don’t lie, only Fox News commentators.

But the blame also must be placed on Fox News head suits Roger Ailes, John Moody and Bill Shine. These neo-clowns are fully responsible for the content that is aired on their shows.

We hope the Tiller family sues News Corporation, Fox News, Billy, Operation Rescue and Randall Terry for millions, or perhaps billions of dollars.

Terry held a news conference at the National Press Club Monday. Here’s what this insane man had to say about Tiller’s murder.

Terry states: "We must not fear, we must not flinch, we must not retreat a single inch. George Tiller was a mass murderer, and we must continue to say so in his death just as we did in his life.

"The pro-life movement must not be browbeaten by Obama or the child-killers into surrendering our best rhetoric, actions, and images. We hold absolutely NO responsibility for his death.

"We must continue to call abortionists 'murderers' according to the teachings of the Church; we must continue to peacefully expose and protest them; and we must continue to show the bloody remains of children that died at the hands of Tiller and his kind."

Terry is a very sick individual. He should be monitored by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security. With a deranged mind like his, no telling what HE will do.

Operation Rescue and Randall Terry have been after Tiller for years. This is just half of it.

http://www.overturnroe.com

http://www.christiannewswire.com.../ 207275088.html

http://www.christiannewswire.com...s/ 14424806.html

Here's a court case in 2007 involving Operation Rescue's intervening in the Tiller case.

http://judicial.kscourts.org:778...34& i_case_name=

http://www.christiannewswire.com.../ 629834602.html

Here's a video of Terry

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blo...he-palin-rally/

We hope the Department of Homeland Security adds Operation Rescue, Fox News Channel, and Billy to its terrorist watch lists.

Former Military Officials Charged with Participating to Steal Fuel from U.S. Army in Iraq

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:06:00 GMT

Fox News will never report this, but we will.

A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Robert Young, 56, a former captain in the U.S. Army, and Robert Jeffery, 55, a former master chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, with conspiracy and theft of government property in connection with a scheme to steal large quantities of fuel from the U.S. Army in Iraq, announced Assistant Attorney General Lanny A. Breuer of the Criminal Division and Acting U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente for the Eastern District of Virginia.

According to the two-count superseding indictment, from October 2007 through May 2008, Young, Jeffery, and their co-conspirators, purportedly representing Department of Defense contractors in Iraq, used fraudulently obtained documents to enter the Victory Bulk Fuel Point (VBFP) in Camp Liberty, Iraq, and allegedly presented false fuel authorization forms to steal large quantities of aviation and diesel fuel from the VBFP for subsequent sale on the black market. The indictment alleges that Young initially served as an escort for the fuel trucks and subsequently played a managerial role in the retrieval of fuel. Jeffery allegedly served as an escort for the fuel trucks for several months and, like Young, illegally retrieved thousands of gallons of fuel from the VBFP.

According to the superseding indictment, Young and Jeffery are both U.S. citizens who, until their arrests in connection with this case, resided in the Philippines. In addition, according to court documents, the United States owns and operates the VBFP in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The VBFP supplies aviation fuel and diesel fuel to both military units and U.S. government contractors operating in and around the VBFP.

The conspiracy count carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000 or twice the value gained or lost from the alleged scheme. The theft of government property count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of the greater of $250,000 or twice the value gained or lost from the alleged scheme.

In a related case, Lee William Dubois pleaded guilty on Oct. 7, 2008, to participating in a scheme to steal fuel worth approximately $39.6 million from the U.S. Army in Iraq. In his plea, Dubois admitted that he obtained government-issued common access cards for the drivers and escorts of the trucks and also presented false documents to the VBFP authorizing his co-conspirators to draw fuel. Dubois admitted that he and his co-conspirators stole approximately 10 million gallons of fuel, and that Dubois received at least $450,000 in personal profits from the subsequent sale of the fuel on the black market. Sentencing for Dubois is scheduled for June 18, 2009.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Linick, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section, and Fraud Section Trial Attorneys Andrew Gentin and Brigham Cannon. The investigation of this case was conducted by the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI and members of the National Procurement Fraud Task Force and the International Contract Corruption Task Force (ICCTF).

Mancow waterboards himself

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:01:00 GMT

On Friday, May 22, talk show host Erich Mancow Muller took the challenge and waterboarded himself before thousands of viewers. At first, Muller thought that waterboarding wasn’t torture, and he wanted to prove it to his audience. Muller decided to do the procedure with former Marine Sgt. Clayton South covering Muller’s face. Muller’s co-host Pat Cassidy provided commentary during the controversial interrogation technique. Mancow’s waterboarding was over in 8 seconds. Now the talk show host says waterboarding is torture! Mancow was man enough for proving our point that waterboarding is torture. He found out from first hand experience. Hannity, on the other hand, is still hiding underneath his desk. This scared altar boy wouldn’t last one second, if you ask me. Come Hannity, be a man and waterboard yourself for the troops.

Video (1944): Newt Gingrich in His Own Words

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 26 May 2009 07:58:00 GMT

We encourage you to watch the video below on Newt Gingrich (1994). Please take notes, because this will come in handy one day. More videos to come.

Hoopla over White House Correspondents dinner

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:28:00 GMT

It seems the radical rightwing extremists have their panties all twisted over Rush Limbaugh jokes made by comedian Wanda Sykes at Saturday‘s White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C. They said her jokes about Limbaugh’s “kidney failure” was out-of-line. Oh really!

Limbaugh’s comments are far worse than Sykes. Here’s a blast from Limbaugh’s past.

Rush Limbaugh On the Offensive Against Ad With Michael J. Fox

(Wednesday, October 25, 2006)

Possibly worse than making fun of someone's disability is saying that it's imaginary. That is not to mock someone's body, but to challenge a person's guts, integrity, sanity.

To Rush Limbaugh on Monday, Michael J. Fox looked like a faker. The actor, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, has done a series of political ads supporting candidates who favor stem cell research, including Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is running against Republican Michael Steele for the Senate seat being vacated by Paul Sarbanes.

Next time a neocon criticizes Sykes, remind them of what Limbaugh said about Michael J. Fox. Then ask them if Limbaugh was way off base with his comments about Fox.

Limbaugh deserves to be lambast. He has the right to criticize others, and we have the right to criticize him. What goes around, comes around.

NOTE TO LIMBAUGH

I hope all your future marriages fail.

Blast from the Past: Limbaugh mocks Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:25:00 GMT

Sean Hannity is not a man

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:23:00 GMT

Sean Hannity is not man enough to be waterboarded. He’s a chicken, a coward and a liar. He is a disgrace to his family, especially his two children.

Last month on his show, the cowardly Hannity told his guest Charles Grodin and millions of viewers that he would volunteer to be waterboarded for charity. Proceeds from this event would benefit our troops and their families. One month later, no word from Hannity. Not one peep. He lied to military families. Yeah, what a ‘great American,’ or should I say, a ‘great phony American.’

Hannity is full of hot air. He is hiding underneath his desk and refuses to address this issue. What kind of man is this?

But this is full proof that Hannity is a liar, and perhaps he doesn’t really care about our military. It’s all about him and his money. Maybe his followers should boycott the Freedom Concerts until he agrees to be water boarded.

Come on, Hannity. Man up and take the challenge for our troops-if you really care about our troops. Don't disgrace your father's memory.

Powell vs. Limbaugh, Cheney vs. Powell, Limbaugh vs. Powell

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:21:00 GMT

The GOP drama is getting worse by the hour. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell smack down conservative talker and GOP leader Rush Limbaugh and Alaska’s part-time Governor Sarah Palin at an event before corporate executives last Monday.

Powell told the executives that the “Republican Party is in deep trouble." He added: "I think what Rush does as an entertainer diminishes the party and intrudes or inserts into our public life a kind of nastiness that we would be better to do without." Wow!

I give the general credit for speaking out against the radical rightwing extremists who have taken over the Republican Party. A handful of Republicans have spoken out against this treacherous party only to bow down and apologize to GOP god Limbaugh.

Limbaugh’s rhetoric, Powell says, is destroying the GOP’s image. He said Republicans need to move to the center if they want to survive as a party.

Of course, the GOP god Limbaugh was not happy with the criticism from Powell. The thin-skinned-no pun attended-Limbaugh blasted Powell by saying he‘s “just another liberal.” Limbaugh said Powell is better off with Democrats than the GOP.

It gets better! Powell attacked Palin and called her a “very polarizing figure.” He referred to the 2008 McCain/Palin disastrous campaign which the haters came out in force.

Dick Cheney now enters the ring. He smack down Powell by saying this about him: “If I had to choose in terms of being a Republican, I'd go with Rush Limbaugh," Master Dick said. “I think my take on it was Colin had already left the party. I didn't know he was still a Republican." Ouch!

Here’s the big question: Will Colin Powell leave the GOP just like Sen. Arlene Specter? It’s obvious the GOP doesn’t want Powell in their party anymore. Odds are in favor of him leaving and joining either the Democrats or go Independent.

The way things are going at the GOP, it will die out just like the dinos.

Colin Powell on the Republican Party

DavefromQueens.com — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:18:00 GMT

A recap of what Colin Powell said about the GOP, followed by analysis.

Fox Nation is dangerous

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 05 May 2009 19:04:00 GMT

Fox News is a threat to this nation. You saw the image and it speaks for itself. We must demand that the Secret Service, Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and White House officials investigate this news outlet and Fox News President Roger Ailes. Something sinister is going on behind the scenes and it’s dangerous.

Ailes and his dangerous co-horts Bill Shine, John Moody, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck must be investigated immediately by federal authorities.

Forget Muslim terrorists. Radical rightwing extremism is a threat to this nation, and if not stop, will destroy what’s left of this country.

Call the White House and demand an investigation of Fox News and let them know about this image.

White House (202) 456-1111.

Penn. Sen. Arlen Specter Leaves the Radical, Rightwing RNC

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:17:00 GMT

The radical, rightwing extremists have taken over the GOP and Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter is jumping ship-quickly.

On-air rightwing extremists including Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin are driving Republicans away from the party. Good job men!

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Veteran Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter said Tuesday that he switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party.

Sen. Arlen Specter was expected to face a tough re-election battle in 2010.

"I know I'm disappointing many of my colleagues," he said at a news conference. "The disappointment runs in both directions.

"I'm putting principle at the top of the list," he added.

Read on

FCC hears our cries

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:45:00 GMT

I’ve been advocating localism in talk radio programming for over a year, but I have very good news to report.

Clear Channel, the largest owner of radio stations, gave the green light to create local advisory boards, a panel of community activists-that’s you and I-to review, recommend, and evaluate the stations’ programming and its content. The creation of the panel is set in June.

It gets better.

The advisory board has the power to challenge the radio station’s licenses renewals to the Federal Communications Commission. This is the public’s airwaves and we do have the right to demand responsible content.

Under an amendment to the D.C. Voting Bill, the FCC would be required to mandate stations to present opposing points of view and promote diversity and media ownership.

Illinois Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., submitted the amendment to the Bill.

Of course, the rightwing talk hosts weren’t happy about this proposed plan. Last weekend, the nation’s top rightwing talkers held a secret, private meeting to discuss plans to defeat the government from “squelching” their political free speech. Last time I checked, they were still on the air.

This secret meeting was organized by right winger Brad O'Leary, author of the book “Shut Up, America! The End of Free Speech” and Joseph Farah, editor and CEO of World Net Daily-no surprises here.

These paranoid talkers think President Obama is behind this latest “Fairness Doctrine” plan. But the people behind this plan is us-the American people who are sick and tired of hearing their hateful and dangerous rhetoric on the public airwaves. Their lies most be challenged and exposed by us.

Keep the pressure on Clear Channel and demand that they keep local programming. And join the advisory board! No excuses!

Clear Channel
200 East Basse Road
San Antonio, TX 78209
Phone 1-210-822-2828

Sanda Coyle
Phone: 1-210-822-2828

Randi Rhodes is back!

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:44:00 GMT

The Randi Rhodes Show has found a new home. Beginning May 11, Premiere Radio Networks will be airing her show weekdays from 3 - 6 p.m. ET, Rhodes will enlighten and entertain listeners with her trademark candid, incisive opinions, as well as her biting sense of humor, as she discusses everything from news and current events, to politics and hot topics. The Randi Rhodes Show will broadcast live from Washington, D.C., and will be heard on affiliates across the nation, including KTLK-AM/Los Angeles, KKGN-AM/San Francisco and KPOJ-AM/Portland.

“Right now, America needs a voice that reflects its hopes and concerns. It will be my privilege and pleasure to provide vital information to the public about everything that is possible in the 21st century, and also have a few laughs along the way,” commented Rhodes. “Premiere is an incredible family of radio pros, and is truly the most talented and experienced radio syndicator in the nation. I’m exited about this decision and Premiere’s enthusiasm for this partnership. It’s truly a dream come true.”

Premiere Radio EVP of Affiliate Marketing Julie Talbott stated, “Randi has carved a niche in Talk radio with her straight-forward approach, intelligence, wit and fact-driven content - qualities that attract audiences. We can’t wait to deliver The Randi Rhodes Show to stations nationwide.”

Congrats Randi!

Clear Channel Radio Launches Support for Local Communities

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 08:40:00 GMT

Clear Channel Radio announced an impressive new level of commitment to local community affairs that will define a new, higher ‘minimum level of service’ for all markets. The commitment spans five areas: charitable partnerships, public-service announcements (PSAs), local public-affairs programming, local advisory boards, and 24/7 access to station management for local officials.

“We are materially increasing our commitment to community programming, increasing our accountability, and broadening our public-service contributions in every local market we serve,” said John Hogan, president and CEO of Clear Channel Radio. “We believe when radio focuses on serving local communities, it is radio at its finest.”

Included are improvements to and expansions of existing programs, as well as the launch of entirely new programs. In several cases, the company is expanding the reach of individual market’s “best practices” as well as adding new local-service programs.

These new additions build on the broad array of audience-engagement programs already in place at many of Clear Channel Radio’s local stations. Clear Channel Radio has long led the industry in both the quantity and breadth of community-service programs at the local, regional and national levels. It has been the largest single contributor of media time to The Advertising Council for the past five years.

“Clear Channel has been an exemplary media partner for several years,” said Peggy Conlon, president and CEO of The Advertising Council. “The company's ongoing commitment to our organization is an indication of how Clear Channel values its relationship with its audiences and embraces public service. We are thrilled to have Clear Channel represented on our board of directors as well as our local leadership committees and our Outdoor Steering Committee.”

* Programming improvements to be generated locally and nationally

Expanded charitable partnerships will be determined at both the local and national level, and will in some cases extend to national public-service sponsorships.

Clear Channel has already forged long-standing and extensive relationships with a number of vital organizations operating locally, including the Ad Council, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Other major programs have previously benefited the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity (for disaster relief) and UNICEF and CARE (for global awareness campaigns), as well as USO, March of Dimes, and many others.

The company also today announced significant increases in on-air PSAs and its intention to invite local community leaders and citizens to submit information for future PSAs. Moving forward, PSAs will be required multiple times a day, throughout all day parts. That will total a minimum of 12 minutes a day and 84 minutes per week.

In addition to the many initiatives that occur at the local level across all markets, the company will choose one national cause to be highlighted company-wide each quarter for coordinated campaigns. The first national campaign will support Feeding America, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity.

“Clear Channel Radio's community engagement programs are designed to ensure that our programming and stations are relevant, resonant, and meaningful to our communities, which is the cornerstone of great radio,” said Lisa Dollinger, chief communications officer at Clear Channel Communications. “With one in eight Americans struggling with hunger – including millions of children, senior citizens and the working poor – using our local voices, radio stations and Web sites to drive donations and volunteerism at local food banks in every community is a perfect match to radio’s power to drive action.”

On the programming side, Clear Channel Radio plans expansions and improvements for local public-affairs programming. Improvements in the company’s signature weekly public affairs shows include moving to higher-audience time slots and using high-profile local talent during broadcasts to generate more community interest.

And in a totally new approach, Clear Channel Radio stations will also be creating short local segments that will run during the week. Ranging from 60 seconds to five minutes, the content, length and placement of the segments will be determined by local program directors.

* Expanded support for local music artists

Adding to the direct support of local audiences is an expanded programming commitment to music from local artists. Select AM and FM stations will add to existing new-music shows (e.g., urban, some country and some rock), and some stations will also develop customized programs showcasing local artists.

In addition, the company will expand its highly acclaimed NEW! program for new, local and unsigned artists currently available on hundreds of local-station Web sites to its highly successful mobile broadcasting application, iheartradio. More than 15,000 new, local and unsigned artists have already been promoted to millions of online and on-demand listeners through the program.

* Direct community support touches citizens directly

The company’s expanded support extends beyond the broadcast as well.

Clear Channel Radio announced it will also establish Local Advisory Boards in every market in which it broadcasts. This is a significant expansion of a highly successful program begun five years ago in select markets.

“From the moment we created the first boards in 2004, we improved our ability to effectively collaborate with community partners to meet important local needs,” added Dollinger. “In developing deeper and broader relationships with business and civic leaders, we have been able to bring in people and organizations we had not historically worked with on a regular basis. This meeting of ideas, reference points, and broad-based expertise has strengthened our platform and helped us fully utilize our powerful resources to make our local communities better for everyone.”

Led by local station management, Local Advisory Boards bring together community leaders, business owners, listeners and advocacy groups to advise market managers and program directors on community issues, programming concepts and civic opportunities.

Also in this vein, a new program enabling 24/7 access to station management - three levels deep - for local officials is set to be implemented market-by-market over the next several months.

Rightwing hatemonger targets black family

DavefromQueens.com — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:23:00 GMT

Will rightwing radio talk about this case? I don't think so. They don't want to offend their rightwing extremist base.

Justin Hanson, 21, of Mason City, Iowa, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Cedar Rapids to violating the civil rights of an African-American family, announced Loretta King, Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and Matt M. Dummermuth, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Iowa.

In a plea agreement, Hanson admitted that on May 9, 2008, he placed a racially offensive sign in the yard of a neighboring African-American family and the next day he fired a B.B. gun into the victims' home, breaking a bedroom window. By placing the sign and firing upon his victims, Hanson was attempting to injure, intimidate or interfere with the family's enjoyment of their home. Hanson admitted he placed the sign in the yard and fired upon the house because of his neighbors' race and because they were living in his "white" neighborhood, town and country.

Sentencing before U.S. District Court Chief Judge Linda R. Reade has been set for July 16, 2009. Hanson was convicted of one count of interfering with housing rights and faces a possible maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, a $100 special assessment and three years of supervised release following any imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Mason City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by the Justice Department Civil Rights Trial Attorney Kevonne Small and Assistant U.S. Attorney Forde Fairchild.