Black Information Network

[gr8oldies]

I'd say the reason Air America didn't succeed is that it wasn't very entertaining. Constantly being reminded that the world will end in 10 years isn't much fun. Right talk is more hopeful and uplifting whether you agree with it or not.

Uplifting? How's that? "If we don't win every election the minorities and wokes, gays, transgenders and drag queens will TURN YOUR CHILDREN COMMUNIST and make you worship Satan!!!! "

 

[davideduardo]

You keep moving the goal posts

No, you keep posting data on polls that don't cover all Republicans... such as "Fox TV viewers". I am referring to the total rank and file.

When presented a poll that shows 82% of Fox viewers agree, then you say:

Even as much as half of Fox viewers are not registered Republicans, per several surveys. In any case, equating "Fox viewers" with "Republicans" is the same as equating Porsche owners with "all sports car drivers".

So I give you a poll of Republicans, and now you're talking about "most Americans." The fact is that conservative media promotes what you call "extreme views," and their elected reps in congress and state legislatures are already passing laws and carrying out polices that will promote those extreme views. Regardless of what the majority believes.

My point is that most Republicans are not at the far right extreme. Thus the disappearance of the Tea Party faction.

Obviously, what you call "extreme views" is considered by others as the exact opposite. It's a matter of perspective. The only way to measure this in a survey is to list topics such as "abortion after the first trimester" and give an array of responses such as "never", "only for health reasons", "only if approved by an arbitration panel", "if.... (fill in the blank)". This has to be done on every decisive topic from this one to "support of Ukraine war" including all the LGBTQ and ethnic rights issues as well as states rights vs Federal rights issues and use of religious words or terms in government buildings and documents.

When that is done, you find that there are many sub-groups that end up making people self-define based on the issues that of the greatest concerns to them.

 

[Kelly A]

Uplifting? How's that? "If we don't win every election the minorities and wokes, gays, transgenders and drag queens will TURN YOUR CHILDREN COMMUNIST and make you worship Satan!!!! "

Actually they claim LGBTQ folks are "grooming" our children and grandchildren. Add in a healthy dose of 'Replacement Theory', and clearly guy's like Wadio thinks discriminating against people not like him, is amusing.
You have to excuse them though; people who find demonizing other humans amusing are considered; 'compassionately challenged'.

 

[davideduardo]

Uplifting? How's that? "If we don't win every election the minorities and wokes, gays, transgenders and drag queens will TURN YOUR CHILDREN COMMUNIST and make you worship Satan!!!! "

Actually, the major concerns of the majority of conservatives are debt spending, inflation, invasion of states rights and similar subjects.

 

[Kelly A]

Actually, the major concerns of the majority of conservatives are debt spending, inflation, invasion of states rights and similar subjects.

And don't forget culture war issues like: Replacement Theory, teaching Critical Race Theory, rights to own an A.R., and sending immigrants via bus in the middle of Winter to Alexandria, VA.

 

[davideduardo]

Actually they claim LGBTQ folks are "grooming" our children and grandchildren. Add in a healthy dose of 'Replacement Theory', and clearly guy's like Wadio thinks discriminating against people not like him, is amusing.

The only objections I have seen that are reasoned and worth considering are those that limit discussion of sexual identity at ages where children are proven to be unable to understand the meaning of the terms, behaviours and preferences. The best argument is the one I saw with a psychologist pointed out that younger children engage in many fantasy identities, such as being a superhero or a space alien or a policeman/woman. That does not mean that a 6 year-old is actually going to land on Mars or drive a patrol car. Similarly, two girls might play as a married M/F couple but without indicating that one was lesbian.

The point of many is that too much school time is devoted to social agendas and not enough to basic needed skills like reading comprehension, basic math and the like. This is part of why the US education system is ranked so low internationally and why tech companies and even accounting firms and car manufacturers have to bring talent from Asia where education is vastly superior.

 

[davideduardo]

And don't forget culture war issues like: Replacement Theory, teaching Critical Race Theory, rights to own an A.R., and sending immigrants via bus in the middle of Winter to Alexandria, VA.

And there are many conservatives who don't believe semi-automatic weapons should be allowed anywhere (duck hunters don't have to be concerned about the ducks shooting back).

And if you expect Texas alone to absorb the 2,000,000 folks who have come across the border in the last two years, you might not understand the need to dramatize the need for changed immigration policies, a procedure for equitable relocation and studies of how many immigrants can be absorbed by our health care system, schools, social services and the like. The US has never absorbed anywhere near the percentage of immigrants we are seeing today, neither during the period of the Irish famine, the Germanic principality issues of the post-Civil War era or the Italian diaspora of the early 20th Century.

By the way, it was colder in El Paso when the migrants were send to DC than it was in Arlington, VA at the same time. The point was that a metro area of less than 800,000 was unable to accommodate any more people and the national government has to have a plan to accommodate people they let in or, otherwise, limit the influx.

Anecdotal evidence: I have long-time friends who have farming and ranching in the Laredo, TX, border area and have done that for the last four or five generations. In the last two years, they could not grow crops and had to sell most of the cattle. The crops were being trampled or stolen if ripe and the cattle slaughtered and eaten right on their ranch. The family is well enough known to have city buildings, a school, several parks and monuments named after them.

 

[TheBigA]

My point is that most Republicans are not at the far right extreme. Thus the disappearance of the Tea Party faction.

Maybe you missed what happened last week. The Tea Party has turned into the Freedom Caucus, and they are now in charge of the House of Representatives. Their disciples are running state governments in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and several other states. They are passing laws that 70% of Americans oppose. But it doesn't matter, because they're in power. The #1 cable channel supports and promotes their agenda, as does all of the best known syndicated talk radio hosts. Yes there are Repubs who oppose all of this, but they're no longer in control.

Actually, the major concerns of the majority of conservatives are debt spending, inflation, invasion of states rights and similar subjects.

As I said, they may believe that, but it's not what they're doing.

 

[Kelly A]

The only objections I have seen that are reasoned and worth considering are those that limit discussion of sexual identity at ages where children are proven to be unable to understand the meaning of the terms, behaviours and preferences. The best argument is the one I saw with a psychologist pointed out that younger children engage in many fantasy identities, such as being a superhero or a space alien or a policeman/woman.

Regardless of whatever psychologist' opinion, do you really think state or federal governments should get involved by attempting, or passing laws on how parents should raise their children? Or, that trans kids should be excluded from using a bathroom, or participating in sports? What happened to the days of conservatives being all for keeping the government out of running our personal lives? This whole culture-war issue, along with what women can do with their own bodies, is tied to making the white evangelical base happy by demonizing others.

The point of many is that too much school time is devoted to social agendas and not enough to basic needed skills like reading comprehension, basic math and the like.

But one of the culture-war issues that I'm sure you've heard of watching Fox News, is banning of certain books. So, are you saying reading and comprehension, provided it involves books that the evangelical base approve of? Sort of smacks of the days of the Moral Majority, don't you think?

This is part of why the US education system is ranked so low internationally and why tech companies and even accounting firms and car manufacturers have to bring talent from Asia where education is vastly superior.

Much of that is because the government gets too involved in education, like when Betsy DeVos cut funding to public schools, wanting to divert tax payer dollars to religious charter schools. You don't see anything wrong with that?

 

[TheBigA]

And if you expect Texas alone to absorb the 2,000,000 folks who have come across the border in the last two years,

They're not staying in Texas. They're being disbursed to just about every other state. The governor himself has sent thousands of migrants to different states, but INS is also doing it.

 

[Kelly A]

And there are many conservatives who don't believe semi-automatic weapons should be allowed anywhere (duck hunters don't have to be concerned about the ducks shooting back).

According to various polls, most who identified as Republican don't agree in limiting or eliminating assault weapons because 'next the Dem's will be coming for all guns'. Sure, there might be some who see that for what it is; unintelligent hyperbole, but they would rather not take the chance that the gun nuts are right. (pardon the pun)

And if you expect Texas alone to absorb the 2,000,000 folks who have come across the border in the last two years, you might not understand the need to dramatize the need for changed immigration policies, a procedure for equitable relocation and studies of how many immigrants can be absorbed by our health care system, schools, social services and the like.

But these are human beings trying to find a better life. Given your background, can't believe you intentionally turn a blind eye to exploitation of a culture you're very familiar with. You really think it's okay to use human beings and political pawns, by flat out lying to them, sticking them on a bus in winter, and dropping them off in 20 degree temps with no prior arrangements for their arrival?

The US has never absorbed anywhere near the percentage of immigrants we are seeing today, neither during the period of the Irish famine, the Germanic principality issues of the post-Civil War era or the Italian diaspora of the early 20th Century.

Chances are, those that make it through the gauntlet, will be mowing your lawn next season. As long as your yard looks good, that's what ultimately matters.

 

[Mikey Radio]

Actually, the major concerns of the majority of conservatives are debt spending, inflation, invasion of states rights and similar subjects.

And if their chosen "news" networks and talk hosts would speak to those, that'd be one thing...But as others have pointed out upthread, these issues you mention are NOT what's being discussed and debated ad nauseum on a daily basis. Instead it's all those theories and ideas that were once considered right-wing fringe conspiracies and brushed aside and labeled "crazy" which have now been openly embraced by right-wing politicians and their "news" and talk programs, to the point where ideas that were once considered far-fetched creations of a few on the fringe, have now become accepted popular belief. Consider Florida's governor. He brushes aside any real discussions about trying to reign in the insurance agencies doing business in that state so his citizens can afford to ensure their homes, but yet he quickly sent his personal police force and threatened to revoke the liquor license of a bar that's been operating drag shows on the weekends in peace for years, because those drag shows the real enemy all of a sudden.

The only objections I have seen that are reasoned and worth considering are those that limit discussion of sexual identity at ages where children are proven to be unable to understand the meaning of the terms, behaviours and preferences.

I'd agree generally with the spirit of the 2nd part of your comment, but again, that's not what was happening, and the republicans in FL, TX and elsewhere, along with Fox News, OANN, NewsMax and the right-wing talk hosts blew this into something it was not. Here's what was happening and what they have "banned" with the "don't say gay" bill: Billy's 2 dads bring him to class one day, or are seen together attending a parent/teacher conference. A student asks about it in class. The teacher simply responds that some kids have a mom and dad, some have 2 dads and that's OK - and it's certainly not a reason to bully Billy. Class then resumes as normal. In contrast, here is what the right-wing politicians and their news and talk folks told their followers was happening, and why the "don't say gay" bill was needed: Same scenario as above, but people were made to believe that, in response to the child's question about 2 dads, the teacher would immediately interrupt class, take out a white board and dry erase marker and explain, in detail, with graphics, how 2 men have sex. Ridiculous.

 

[gr8oldies]

The only objections I have seen that are reasoned and worth considering are those that limit discussion of sexual identity at ages where children are proven to be unable to understand the meaning of the terms, behaviours and preferences. The best argument is the one I saw with a psychologist pointed out that younger children engage in many fantasy identities, such as being a superhero or a space alien or a policeman/woman. That does not mean that a 6 year-old is actually going to land on Mars or drive a patrol car. Similarly, two girls might play as a married M/F couple but without indicating that one was lesbian.

The point of many is that too much school time is devoted to social agendas and not enough to basic needed skills like reading comprehension, basic math and the like. This is part of why the US education system is ranked so low internationally and why tech companies and even accounting firms and car manufacturers have to bring talent from Asia where education is vastly superior.

All of those family types are in a typical school. Dad and a Dad. Mom and a Mom. Mom, Dad and stepparents. The idea that the schools are going to deny anything other than Christian heterosexual couples with Dad at work, Mom at home and 3 kids exist is a little unrealistic. Who thinks teachers have time to "groom" kids, like that's even possible? Teachers are struggling with keeping up with trying to buy their own supplies. MAGA lunatics threatening them when MAGA politicians are trying to sell the schools to fundamentalist colleges doesn't make it easier.

 

[gr8oldies]

And there are many conservatives who don't believe semi-automatic weapons should be allowed anywhere (duck hunters don't have to be concerned about the ducks shooting back).

And if you expect Texas alone to absorb the 2,000,000 folks who have come across the border in the last two years, you might not understand the need to dramatize the need for changed immigration policies, a procedure for equitable relocation and studies of how many immigrants can be absorbed by our health care system, schools, social services and the like. The US has never absorbed anywhere near the percentage of immigrants we are seeing today, neither during the period of the Irish famine, the Germanic principality issues of the post-Civil War era or the Italian diaspora of the early 20th Century.

By the way, it was colder in El Paso when the migrants were send to DC than it was in Arlington, VA at the same time. The point was that a metro area of less than 800,000 was unable to accommodate any more people and the national government has to have a plan to accommodate people they let in or, otherwise, limit the influx.

Anecdotal evidence: I have long-time friends who have farming and ranching in the Laredo, TX, border area and have done that for the last four or five generations. In the last two years, they could not grow crops and had to sell most of the cattle. The crops were being trampled or stolen if ripe and the cattle slaughtered and eaten right on their ranch. The family is well enough known to have city buildings, a school, several parks and monuments named after them.

I don't know where you're finding these Republicans who don't believe in 'unlimited guns for every man, woman and child in all places and all times with no restrictions whatsoever", but they seem to have no voice whatsoever in the party, and are considered RINOs.

 

[davideduardo]

Maybe you missed what happened last week. The Tea Party has turned into the Freedom Caucus, and they are now in charge of the House of Representatives.

No, they exert some control because the Republican-Democratic balance of power is less than the handful of those nutcases. This is comparable to the extremist parties in much of Europe and even Israel who are needed to gain a plurality despite being despised at the same time.

Their disciples are running state governments in Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and several other states. They are passing laws that 70% of Americans oppose.

But not 70% of the people in those states. The whole idea of being "United States" was to allow each regional entity, called a state, to have considerable local legislative abilities.

In fact, the entire Roe vs. Wade redefinition has do do not with abortion but with which matters are incumbent to the states and which belong to the Federal government.

But it doesn't matter, because they're in power. The #1 cable channel supports and promotes their agenda, as does all of the best known syndicated talk radio hosts. Yes there are Repubs who oppose all of this, but they're no longer in control.

And all those together reach tiny numbers of viewers or listeners. Tucker reaches at best 4.5 million... out of 330,000,000 Americans.

As I said, they may believe that, but it's not what they're doing.

You are confusing a minority faction within a minority party with "control". They only have influence when it comes to achieving a majority in the one thread-thin situation in the House.

 

[davideduardo]

.But as others have pointed out upthread, these issues you mention are NOT what's being discussed and debated ad nauseum on a daily basis.

You are talking about Fox news with a viewership for the leading opinion show of under 5 million in a nation of 330 million.

If you add MSNBC, CNN and the left-of-center leaning "big three" national networks, there are vastly more people hearing the more liberal, progressive or Democrat point of views. Heck, Saturday Night Live has more viewers than any of the FOX commentary shows and it is anything but pro-Republican.

But still, with most of those sources, 90% to 95% of Americans don't hear or view them.

 

[TheBigA]

You are confusing a minority faction within a minority party with "control". They only have influence when it comes to achieving a majority in the one thread-thin situation in the House.

We'll see what happens. They won a lot of concessions from the new speaker, and they control the key committees.

And all those together reach tiny numbers of viewers or listeners. Tucker reaches at best 4.5 million... out of 330,000,000 Americans.

When I have brought that up in the past, your response has been to quote the channel's cume.

 

[Mikey Radio]

All of those family types are in a typical school. Dad and a Dad. Mom and a Mom. Mom, Dad and stepparents. The idea that the schools are going to deny anything other than Christian heterosexual couples with Dad at work, Mom at home and 3 kids exist is a little unrealistic. Who thinks teachers have time to "groom" kids, like that's even possible? Teachers are struggling with keeping up with trying to buy their own supplies. MAGA lunatics threatening them when MAGA politicians are trying to sell the schools to fundamentalist colleges doesn't make it easier.

You forgot that teachers also now get to be on edge every day they go to work, because there have been so many mass shootings at schools, that the US populace in general has become numb to them and they've more or less become an accepted norm. When a school shooting like the one in FL a few years back does finally cause people to say "enough" and raise awareness, the republicans who want unlimited guns along with their "news" channels and talk hosts, claim the students who are speaking and acting out because they no longer want to become casualties of the right-wing thirst for guns are being "coached", they formulate conspiracies so the students who lived through this hell are disregarded and not taken seriously, and scream that they're becoming obsessed with celebrity and need to get back to class.

 

[davideduardo]

I don't know where you're finding these Republicans who don't believe in 'unlimited guns for every man, woman and child in all places and all times with no restrictions whatsoever", but they seem to have no voice whatsoever in the party, and are considered RINOs.

Well, I've never come across any such Republicans.

I was an active member of the New Progressive Party in Puerto Rico for nearly 30 years, and that is the party affiliated with the Rupublican Party and pro-statehood. I never heard any of what you speak of discussed or promoted.

Yes, many believed in weapons for personal defense in the most crime ridden place in the USA, but that was about having a handgun at home in case someone started breaking in or a carry permit for those who had to go to unsafe areas at night (like transmitter sites). The believe among us there was that criminals got guns from clandestine Colombian and Venezuelan arms factories and self defense was a necessity. I never found anyone who wanted to carry a rifle or have a gun with a huge automatic magazine at home.

 

[CentralFL]

^^^ I wouldn't assume so. If people like the music and/or other content, they'll tune in and listen. Again, I tune into BIN a few times weekly to have a listen, yet I'm not black, and I don't feel "unwelcome". Same with Pride radio. Some straight folks will tune in as they like the content. Also, keep in mind that many cities hold LGBTQ+ parades and festivals annually. Considering those who identify as LGBTQ+ genearlly make up about 5 -7% of the population, the overwhelming turnout for those events, at least in some cities, are straight allies and friends, who simply want to be there to have a fun time while showing their support of that segment of their community. Go to any ethnic heritage festival - Italian, Greek, Polish - and I'll bet you'll find the same. Lot of people who's families may not have come from those countries, but who just came for the party and the ethnic food they find tasty.

You could certainly be right, I could be wrong.