Things we said today

Another day, another catch-all entry...

Michael Savage hates us for our freedom

Filmmaker Robert Greenwald's Brave New Films (creator of documentaries such as "Outfoxed") is suing reactionary radio talker Michael Savage and and his syndicator, over allegations that Savage filed a takedown notice against the plaintiff's YouTube channel. The reason was that BNF used a clip of Savage's show in a video posted on the site.

The clip, called "Michael Savage Hates Muslims," was posted on YouTube and BNF's associated anti-SAVAGE website. Savage's syndicator, TRN, allegedly filed a takedown notice on October 2, and that lead to BNF getting terminated from YouTube due to previous infractions. Viacom complained about BNF last year over use of some of the company's content, though Viacom later dropped the complaint.

Greenwald's company maintains that the use of Savage's show, and other clips, is permitted under fair use.

TRN has denied that neither Savage nor anyone else involved with his show had anything to do with the YouTube complaints.

In 2007, Savage sued the Counsel on American-Islamic Relations over its use of the very same audio clip in a similar video, claiming copyright infringement. The court dismissed the case entirely, concluding that the CAIR's repurposing of the audio was fair use.

And of course, Savage is no stranger to odd behavior. This past July, he landed in hot water and lost several affiliates after a nasty on-air tirade directed at disabled children.

Compassionate Conservatism

Okay, the next time some reactionary nutcase tries to tell you all liberals are hatemongers, you have my permission to laugh in their face (with extra spittle).

Last week, we saw those raucus McCain/Palin rallies that featured death threats aimed toward Obama, racial taunts aimed toward African-American technicians working at the rally, and even some racist nutcase with a toy monkey named "Little Hussein." In other words, all the fun you'd expect at a Dixiecrat rally in 1948.

And now we've got the case of KTLK-FM (100.3) in Minneapolis (not to be confused with the Los Angeles AM liberal talker with similar call letters). One of their newest wingnut hosts, Chris Baker, is talkin' tough and saying nothing. He recently called presidential candidate Barack Obama "a little bitch." And just like McCain, he likely wouldn't say something like that to Obama's face.

Last Wednesday's show, however, generated even more press. And it certainly pissed off basketball legend Magic Johnson. Baker and cohost Langdon Perry claimed the former NBA star "faked AIDS." Johnson, who retired in 1991 after disclosing he had contracted HIV, released a statement saying, "I am outraged Chris Baker and Langdon Perry would minimize such a serious and deadly issue." The station quickly came out to quench the controversy, which of course would not be there if they actually sought to hire responsible broadcasters instead of whiny loudmouthed brats.

Chris Baker and Langdon Perry, the turds that wouldn't flush.

Air America stuff

Shelly send some more programming notes:

First, it’s Air America’s "Debate Night in America" airs Wednesday October 15. Air America coverage of the third and final debate will air from 8P-12A ET, and will be anchored by David Bender and Ron Reagan.

Immediate post-debate commentary will be heard from Rachel Maddow, Ron Kuby, Mark Green, Lionel, Thom Hartmann, Jon Elliott, and the rest of the America team. Listener calls will also be taken.

In semi-related news, Republican Nominee John McCain claims that he will bring up William Ayers at the debate, signalling that he has no more ideas and marking the embarassing beginning of the end of the McCain campaign juggernaut.

Also, Air America has partnered with London's The Guardian for a cross-country election road show. The tour, which begins in Los Angeles, features Air America’s Marc Maron and “The Guardian’s” investigative reporter James Ridgeway, along with GuardianFilms’ team of filmmakers and editors led by Patrick Farrelly and Kate O’Callaghan, travelling to key battleground states across the country, ending in Washington, DC on Election Day. Maron and Ridgway will be joined by politicians, opinion-makers and ordinary citizens to discuss the forces shaping the US vote in the presidential election.

Oh, those big government conservatives!

As part of the Republican Party's quest for smaller, less intrusive government (sarcasm alert!), President Bush signed into law a controversial bill yesterday that would stiffen penalties for movie and music piracy at the federal level.

The law creates an intellectual property "czar" who will report directly to the president on how to better protect copyrights both domestically and internationally. The Justice Department had argued that the creation of this position would undermine its authority.

In similar news, Bush also announced this morning that he will scatter $250 million to the winds. And they call us liberals like it's a bad thing. Sheesh!

Urban talk comes to Macon

Okay, it's not a liberal talk station, but it does include a few talkers that, well, are listed in the middle column of this very blog. So it's something, right?

Clear Channel's WIBB (1280AM) has flipped from Rhythmic Oldies to black-oriented talk. Included in the lineup are shows from the Reverend Al Sharpton, Warren Ballentine, Michael Baisden and Bev Smith. Former MACON City Council President Anita Ponder will host mornings with Todd Haygood.

The rest:

Another day, another Rachel Maddow article. This one's from the San Jose Mercury News.