The effect of listening to progressive radio for 2-1/2 years.

[no_hypocrisy]

I've been a Democrat forever. Marched to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (women's right to vote). Marched for abortion rights several times.

But I wasn't that engaged in the government (federal, state, county, local). Sure, I had the seventh grade primer into the three branches of the federal government. And the mandatory two years of American history. I voted for the party more than the issues because I didn't know or understand the issues.

Then while stuck on the Garden State Parkway in 1999, I happened upon WEVD, broadcasting from New York City. First, Jay Diamond. Then Sam Greenfield. Then Bill Mazer (who really could interview columnists and politicians as well as spit out sports statistics). Then Alan Colmes.

A whole new world was introduced to me. No proselytizing. Just information I had not had access to. (Yeah, there was WBAI on the FM dial, but I found the programming disjointed.)

The hosts discussed local, regional, state, and federal issues. And made them intelligible. And the callers were equally amazing with their insight and knowledge. Matter of fact, it was the only station where the callers were a majority of Roosevelt Democrats.

We went through the Clinton White Water BS, the Lewinsky "scandal", the Impeachment, Gingrich's Contract for America, the antics of Tom DeLay, Traficant, and more. And of course, the 2000 Election with the USSC. There were several callers who regularly called to complain that Shrub cheated.

WEVD was sold by the Jewish Forward to Disney-ABC Corporation, which turned it into one of three sports stations in the City. WEVD was off the air on 9/11, when we needed our community the most.

Air America sort of replaced WEVD, but not to my satisfaction.

Because of WEVD, I now do my own "homework" and research. YouTube videos, TikTok, online articles, magazines, and more. And of course, DU.

I'm a critical thinker who is informed. I'm not a democratic MAGA corollary.

I now think of my life as wholly changing because of one radio station. It was wonderful while it lasted. I now understand that the station did its job by infusing me with the tools to continue to do the job it once did.

[choie]

1. I couldn't agree with you more.

And I absolutely adored Bill Mazer. I was so impressed with his knowledge of politics, his passion for learning, his sense of humot and his compassion.

[no_hypocrisy]

2. I still have on my reading list "Constantine's Sword: the Church and the Jews"

due to Bill Mazer constantly referencing it.

And what great guests he interviewed: Michael Isakoff, Michael Tomasky, Wayne Barrett, Sidney Zion, E.J. Dionne, Paul Krugman, Uwe Reinhart, Lars Erik Nelson, and so many more.

[choie]

3. YES! I bought and read Constnatine's Sword because of him!

Oh my gosh, Sidney Zion, Lars Erik Nelson, Wayne Barrett and Uwe Reinhart. How sad that so many of them are no longer with us - I believe Uwe Reinhardt is alive. I also think he had historian Henry Graff on, for some reason that rings a bell.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. And Hank Sheinkopf!

Henry Graff -- good memory!

[electric_blue68]

5. WEVD! I was just thinking of Sam Greenfield a few days ago. Was bummed out whrn it was sold. But loved Air America, too!

Bummed out when that went dark. 😔

[no_hypocrisy]

6. Sam just passed away May 1

He lived near Ground Zero on 9/11 and developed multiple myeloma.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. BTW, I was on the sidewalk at midnight August 31, 2001, when the

station went off the air, protesting with a group called "Save WEVD". Our efforts went for naught, but I guess it showed support for the hosts and the station.

[Emile]

8. In 1997 it was Mike Malloy on WLS that gave this old Democrat

a breath of fresh air in a sea of Rush Limbaugh.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. Mike Malloy was part of WWRL while Air America was most of its programming.

I was hooked.

I believe at 9:00 pm Mon-Fri on DU, ralps posts where you can hear him online.