I believe Air America should be ashamed of itself for OVER-REACTING to the recent comments made by Randi Rhodes in San Francisco. As anyone who has seen the video of her performance can attest to, Randi was clearly doing a “stand-up” comedy routine. Because she used the “F-word” in talking about 2 public figures in her comedy act, she and WE THE LISTENERS are now being punished by her suspension by Charlie Kireker, Chairman at Air America.

I have been listening to Randi for about 8 years and never once has she ever uttered the F-word on the air during the course of her duties on her regular radio job. In fact, until recently, Randi has never even taken sides, selecting one candidate over another, because of her principles of trying not to divide the liberal-based voters.

Now, because of what she said OFF THE RADIO, Air America has suspended her…Shame on you Charlie Kireker! You have clearly violated Ms Rhodes’ Constitutional right to Free Speech. Even though you may have been one of the sponsors for her appearance, a simple statement that you do not condone her public language should have sufficed. Instead, you have silenced one of the only voices on the radio that actually has the nerve to speak the TRUTH about what is going on in the world!

How is it that Vice President Dick Cheney can tell Senator Pat Leahy to “Go ‘F’ Himself” on the floor of the U.S. Senate, with anger and venom and not in jest, and never even be held accountable for his total disrespect of this distinguished person? But, you, Mr. Kireker suspend Randi for doing a comedy act not even aired by your station! What a despicable and cowardly act on your part!

Hi.

Other Air America hosts took public positions for particular candidates long before Randi Rhodes did. One glaring example was an audio tape that was repeatedly played before the primaries in which George H. Bush encounters Wm. J. Clinton in the white house. In the context of this spot, Hillary Clinton was portrayed as the next president of the United States.

I think that suspending Randi Rhodes until after the election is unfair favoritism as Air America has not made it a practice to suspend regulars/hosts who have taken a position in favor of one candidate or another.

As for charges of "misogynistic" sexism, there are plenty of women around who are less than in awe of Hillary Clinton. Also, I think that Congressman Barbara Jordan (1936-1996) was much more impressive than Hillary Clinton is. Incidentally, I heard Hillary Clinton speak in person several years ago.

Now for my own prejudices. I dislike candidates of either party who seem to think that they are owed either the nomination or the presidency. For me, that was one of the early big turn-offs about Hillary Clinton.

Randi's show is great provides interesting topics commentary and views on the political process and discourse in this country. I understand some of you republicans and Hillary supporters are happy that Randi is suspended. I find that Air Americas line up has become weaker and weaker as time has gone by almost all the original hosts are gone Randi is the last one left that interests me besides Sam Seder. I Pay The young turks Membership fee to hear them on there website. Do what you feel is needed Air America is coming close to resemble the excitement of
bowling on tv. Take a risk look at all the big names on Radio and Satellite Opie & Anthony, Howard Stern, Limbaugh All of them pure entertainment all controversial GROW A PAIR!!! Notice all the Randi haters still know what shes up to Yeah they don't listen ha ha ha. If your going for bland ,Conventional thought, DNC, Radio;Public radio has that nitch already. Feel free to go ahead as can be said about the Democratic party They can snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Good going Air America You've become as neutered as Democratic Senator. Pathetic!

I agree with everything Ms Rhodes said. Air America is now the Jesus W Bush network. It's time for another bankruptcy to go with your ethical bankruptcy.

First it was Mike Malloy and now it is Randi Rhodes. I once had high hopes that we would finally have an AM station to counter the likes of Limbaugh and Hannaty. It is obvious that you do not want to hear any criticism of Hillary Clinton because she is obviously your favorite candidate. Randi did not use the kind of language for which you criticize her on the air. She spoke in front of a San Francisco audience that already knew how she felt about Clinton and i'll bet none of them were offended. Having followed the career of Hillary Clinton, I am totally in accord with every word that Randi spoke. You are cutting off your collective noses to spite your face and I am really sorry not only for Randi but for all of us who will turn off Air America.

WHAT? Do you hear what you are saying? Did I wake up in the USSR? Are you serious? Now I know. Air America is being taken over by "conservatives" just like the "Democratic" party by the Clintons. An endorsement of Clinton is an endorsement for death (because of the war and the Iraqi sanctions). And once again you condemn us for words. Wake up, grow up and stop throwing a fit just because your candidate is losing!!!!! I will never listen again until you restore Randy Rhodes. I couldn't even believe when I saw it, that it was supposed to be so offensive. Put a tipper sticker on the show and shove it up your ass!! You people are the true "conservatives." The Bushies are just the right wing of your party. And by the way, This smells like Queen (Hillary) Spirit.

Start thinking like an American and not a supporter of any candidate.

Your feelings about Obama and Hillary have nothing to do with what has happened to Randi. This situation goes way beyond this campaign.

Randi made comments at a private function. She did not make these comments over the air. She did not violate any FCC rules or regulations. Her employer has now suspended her for comments she made in her private life.

Do you think its appropriate for an employer to punish an employee for something she did in her private life? How much control do you want to hand over to employers? Is Freedom of Speech only guaranteed for those people that you agree with? Is that the kind of society you want to live in?

I do not want to live in that kind of society. I implore Air America to do the right thing and bring back Randi Rhodes to the airwaves. As a progressive media outlet, AAR is undermining its own credibility with this move.

I was a daily listener of 3 shows on your station, Rachel Maddow, Randi Rhodes, and Lionel.

I can no longer listen to your network and will now browse blogs, web sites, and try to pick up Nova M Radio somehow? Does anyone know if they broadcast via web or satellite?

I'm honestly through with Air America, as their actions are no better than Faux News Channel.

Shame on you. Good luck trying to keep up membership after this Air UnAmerican act.

Mr. Charlie Kireker your suspension of Randi was OVER REACTING. She was not on the air. Yes, she should have been more careful because it is an election year. I do not understand that other radio host on other station can totally disrespect Senate Obama and there is no suspension but if you say one little thing against the Clintons you must be removed. It is free speech to everything and everyone except if it about the Clintons. Something is wrong with this picture. Randi show is great!!!! I do not agree with everything she say or any other Air American host but it is their right has an opinion host to do so..

BRING RANDI BACK!

Why is there a line where a talk show host can't express an opinion? Certainly, all hosts take positions on many issues. Is it because some opinions do not correspond with ones own? If Randi were dismissing my candidate, I would most likely be riled, but she does still hammer down on so much conservative shallowness, hypocrisy and intolerance, that I can't think that I would not allow her the latitude of her opinion where it differed from mine . . . and I do, in fact, disagree on some issues that she does rant on, just as I do with Thom Hartmann, two of the best voices on radio in my opinion.

Randi's depth of knowledge and perspective is so invaluable that I am extraordinarily disappointed that it has been muted. She has been serving as a remarkable educator.

Please, give her back the mic. Soon.

I wish randy's boss could hear this and see this. I just deleted air america from my car radio and will delete it from my crappy house am radio as soon as alternate side parking is over. If randy doesn't get back on the air I'm gone forever. I will not listen to air america again. I just joined today so I could let randi know that I support her and not air america.
We are being robbed blind, as billy joel said at the rock n roll hall of fame live show on vh1, "you know and I know it".
She is one of the last chances we have to stop the theft of our freedom and life savings.
Why are dems such cowards? I'm now a progressive becasue being a dem means your a spinless coward. Why can't the dems stand up to the white racist redneck facists that are just lying and stealing everything they get their claws on?
See how easy it is to attack neo con facists. Grow a pair and stop being a coward. I'd like to use the "p" word but I don't want to offend all the ladies out there to prove a point.
To all u folks moving on from air america. Keep up the good fight. Our grand children will thank us

Let me address the comment by Ms. Meeks. Randi did not endorse a candidate for the Presidency until it was apparent that Obama had an insurmountable lead in both the popular vote total and the pledged delegate total; indeed, Randi herself made the case by discussing these totals on air with her listeners.(Apparently, for some of those listeners, facts are stupid things.) The extreme improbability of a Clinton win can be seen by addressing the numbers: according to realclearpolitics.com, Obama's lead is 827,308 in those states with contested primaries. The most optimistic scenario for Clinton is for her to pull off margins of victory of 20-40% in 7 of the 9 remaining primaries(see the ludicrous analysis by Michael Barone at US News&World Reports).How likely is this? Consider the fact that Clinton's largest margin of victory was in Arkansas at 43.8%, a "hometown" vote.With the exception of Oklahoma, Clinton's wins have been under 20%. The Clinton campaign's recognition of this fact has driven their desperate and disgusting tactics. As for Randi's remarks, these were made in the context of a comedy-club style stand up routine, not on air, and were entirely typical of this venue.Her suspension is a cowardly, unjustified act by Air America.

you are wrong in so many level.
I can't stand how brain wash Clinton supportor are.... Open you eye... she is nothing but a right-wing with D adter her name... she lie and she lie....
It take one Clinton to cover-up for one Bush, not she will be the other Clinton to cover up for this Bush

Mr. Kireker's statement is a lie. Randi's appearance was not sponsored by Air America, there were no AAR banners at the venue, AAR did not pay Randi's expenses, the local station and its local sponsors paid. Affiliates are not owned by AAR, they are not controlled by AAR, they are not beholden to AAR. Yes, I was there and I asked.

Whether the decision was driven by the newbie Mr. Kireker or by the clueless idiot Mark Green doesn't matter, it reeks of incompetence. The decision to "suspend" Randi was groundless and the longer she is off the air, the longer Air America is without its flagship product. AAR is going to begin losing affiliates, just like they lost their morning and mid-day slots in NYC a couple of weeks ago.

Sadly, Mr. Kireker's investment is headed down the drain and so is Air America. Thankfully, there are options and alternatives for all of the remaining talent to move to new syndications or networks. Maddow will probably move full time to MSNBC relatively soon, Rhodes and Hartmann will move to NovaM or direct syndication. Without those three, there isn't much left for AAR. The affiliates will decide, not Kireker/Green.

RIP AirAmerica

AAR hosts should cover a spectrum of views, not a party line. They have different styles, different voices, different perspectives -- why not let it all show? Can you say "gorgeous mosaic"? Talk radio thrives on controversy, so suspending RR is probably good for ratings in the long run, but bring her back soon.

But I do agree with some posters here -- let's save our biggest ammo for the lawless, heartless, brainless GOP. If we need to compare our 2 Democratic candidates, let's do it through the lens of "Here's why my candidate's position on health care will help us beat McCain better than your candidate's position."