From the brain trust who brought the magic of Teacher's Union Talk to the local airwaves, an exciting new, and progressive, weekend radio experience is coming soon:

Minnesota Atheists are taking their message to the air waves with a new radio program that will debut in January on the talk station Air America Minnesota.

FINALLY, a break from the 24-7 Christianist, theocratic propaganda heard on KQRS, WCCO, KDWB, MPR, KFAN, etc., etc. It sounds like a refreshing perspective we haven't heard before. At least we haven't heard it from the Minnesota Atheists (which I think would be a much more intimidating nickname for a hockey team than the Minnesota Wild). Just who are these people?

Until now, [spokesman August Berkshire] said the organization reached only a small and shrinking number of people who tuned into its public access cable TV show.

Which I think was a direct quote from their initial pitch to Air America management. Whaddya know, that's exactly what they were looking for! With radio instincts like this, I'm shocked these people aren't pulling down six figure salaries working for Minnesota Public Radio.

Ultimately, this is what won management's heart:

"We are a progressive talk station and we think this will be a nice addition to go with the variety of content we have on this station," Hansen said.

It's true, once this new show starts, the station will offer programming for both perspectives, atheists and agnostics.

Just don't dare question their religiosity or claim Republicans have more in common with Christian values voters.

Atheists and those who love them, mark down the following broadcast information:

The show will air Sundays from 9 to 10 a.m. on AM 950 starting Jan. 13

It is interesting to note, this is only going to be a one hour, once a week radio program. On a Sunday no less (I guess atheists have nothing better to do Sunday morning). And the monopoly newspaper in town devotes an article breathlessly promoting it, before it's aired a single broadcast. You can't buy that kind of advertising. If only there was a conservative or Christian radio program around that could have capitalized on this objective standard for media reporting!

The scheduled first show of Atheist Talk does have some potential:

. . . Oxford professor, evolutionary biologist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins will be the featured guest.

Not for his tired musings, but for the potential of hearing that Vox from Milan is holding with a question on Line 1. He has offered to debate Dawkins before, including leaving this calling card. What better place for an open-minded exchange of ideas than on Air America?

Labels: Media-Local (05-07)

Posted by Saint Paul--Link