Jan 15, 2016

John Kasich, in Rare Break From GOP Liturgy, Offers Mild Criticism of Saudi Arabia

John Kasich, in Rare Break From GOP Liturgy, Offers Mild Criticism of Saudi Arabia


The Republican presidential debates have focused heavily on foreign policy, with candidates one-upping each other’s threatening talk about military action against Iran and escalation in Syria and Iraq. But there has been virtually no attention paid to Saudi Arabia, a longtime American ally with well-documented ties to anti-American terror groups, including ISIS and al Qaeda.
That changed momentarily on Thursday night during the Fox Business Network debate in Charleston. Moderator Neil Cavuto asked John Kasich about Saudi Arabia’s recent execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, as well as the theory that the Saudi government is deliberately driving down oil prices in a bid to bankrupt American oil producers.
Kasich first hailed the importance of domestic oil production, then engaged in a rare moment of public disagreement with Saudi Arabia. “My biggest problem with them is they’re funding radical clerics through their madrasses,” said Kasich. “That is a bad deal and an evil situation, and presidents have looked the other way.”
“And I was going to tell you, whether I’m president or not, we better make it clear to the Saudis that we’re going to support you, we’re in relation with you just like we were in the first Gulf War, but you’ve got to knock off the funding and teaching of radical clerics who are the very people who try to destroy us and will turn around and destroy them,” Kasich continued.
In summary, he said, “Deliver them a strong message but at the end of the day we have to keep our cool because most of the time they’re going right with us. And they must be part of our coalition to destroy ISIS and I believe we can get that done.”
The comments echoed similar remarks Kasich made during the GOP debate in October.
The Ohio governor is nearly alone in discussing Saudi Arabian support to Sunni extremist groups in such a public forum.
That support is documented in diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks. One memo, from then-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, notes that Saudi officials had done little to prevent the flow of money from Saudi citizens to terror networks such as al Qaeda. Clinton called Saudi Arabia the “most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide.”
As we’ve noted, Saudi officials have supplied weapons to a Syrian rebel coalition that includes the Nusra Front, al Qaeda’s affiliate in the region. And as the New York Times has reported, the Islamic State, or ISIS, a terror network that practices the strict Wahhabi version of Islam promoted by the Saudi state, has relied on private donor networks operating in Saudi Arabia.
Despite those ties to extremists, prominent politicians and U.S. officials have been slow to directly challenge Saudi Arabia. Vice President Joe Bidenreferenced Saudi support for terror groups in Syria, but quickly backed down after his remarks were circulated.
As Saudi Arabia has courted international controversy — by launching a bloody war in Yemen last year and embarking on a steep increase in executions for minor or political crimes — the country has also ramped up its efforts to influence the American policy debate. That public relations campaign may be reaching its limit.
Still, one of the main goals of Saudi outreach is to promote the idea that the country serves as a strong ally to U.S. efforts in Syria, a point referenced by Kasich. The truth, however, is that Saudi shifted much of its military from striking ISIS targets in Syria to focus on the Saudi-led war in Yemen.

copied from theintercept.com

by Lee Fang


chloe louise jumps in:

So here’s the thing–John Kasich is at lest discussing the complicated issues of global affairs while the rest of the group is talking about extremes that in reality they would probably not be able to carry out once they were in office.
Listening to the radio it seems like most folks gravitate to the tough talk–tough but unrealistic in the long run.
John Kasich has shown his knowledge and experience on more than one occasion, also Jeb Bush tried to explain the need for diplomacy regarding tariffs and attitudes about other religions.
Many today do not want the establishment but these politicians have an understanding of how things work.
It would be nice if John Kasich or Jeb Bush would explain why politicians talk the way they do and use certain terms as to not offend other nations or our world position when we need the support of other countries and world leaders.
So how do world leaders operate and why–John Kasich and Jeb Bush–both tried and true politicians with good track records tried to explain this last evening on different occasions but did people hear what they are saying.
I am worried about our country supporting the donald or Ted Cruz–they seem dangerous to me.
Instead of listening to important facts about world affairs–agree or disagree–the audience seems to be more interested in bold talk as if we were just emerging from WW2.
What do you think………


Bernie 2016 – for those who really ‘think’…

I love Bernie, but I have been waiting for Hillary forever, I love President Obama, too.
But, don’t you think that John Kasich is a reasonable Republican. He is at least discussing the issues and not name calling.
The political conversation should be about policy not about banning certain segments of the population from our country.
I do really like Bernie Sanders and I admire him. He talked about poverty and his speech was actually quite inspirational–it may have been about Baltimore.
Because I think there are certain segments that face a lack of social mobility and opportunity that many have without giving it a second thought.  This is a serious problem and Bernie and Hillary have addressed this issue.
John Kasich has even touched on these issues. I just do not understand the GOP these days.

Dec 20, 2015

Kieth Rowland Talks the Future of @ArtBell51

So news/talk radio does seem to be like a really odd thing.....here in San Diego, no one seemed to mind when we had an ultra-right wing name calling nut on the morning drive forever, particularly the station itself.  

Now Merrill, my favorite person in the evening is gone and now Geraldo is gone from WABC.  

It does seem like a cut throat world--can't blame Art for wanting control of his own show and radio world but it did feel like it was a bit much to handle from the get go. Who can run the whole end of taking all of the calls every night alone with no break as he often said there was no screener.  

That is where Art and Geraldo and Larry King are the best. They can handle anything and they can make anything sound interesting without getting angry and insulting the caller. They are not afraid of the caller--in the long run it makes a good show. They are truly gifted and very intelligent.

Well, we can see why Art wants the control but who can handle everything every night. It is just too much pressure.

Is there anyway Art can come back on an "as needed" basis--what about the way Leo LaPorte works with his own studio--he also was tired of the television network bossing him around.

Perhaps, Art needs a studio he controls with more people but not right at his house and not every night.

Just a thought--it is interesting to hear how the radio world actually works, enjoy your comments.
Grape St. Dog Park, San Diego, Ca.


copied from www.midnightinthe desert.com


future-radio

Short Update from Keith Rowland re: Art Bell


I am saddened of course by the quick departure of Art Bell and many people think this is just a stunt to get out of doing the show. But let me tell you these latest events are real and Nye County police reports have been filed and are public. I’ve been with Art for each of his retirements, and while I may not agree with some of his reasons, they were real and after time he has managed to overcome them and return to radio. This too may pass.
Many people have been thinking this is just a way to get out of the show because it wasn’t doing any good. But, in fact we had contracts in place to bring on 2 more very large stations to the network, of which we were very encouraged about. We were growing every day. Subscriptions were still increasing and stations were still signing up.
However, I doubt he will ever be able to come back to traditional radio again, it was still a hard sell as it was, and stations’ concerns of his longevity certainly played out. If he does come back in any capacity, it would be on DMDN.
The Dark Matter Digital Network will still run the same programs it has been, if they want to stay, and still for FREE. The only change are some programs will not be LIVE, just pre-recorded. We will continue to produce Midnight in the Desert with Heather Wade and have Art back when he can. To support this effort, please stay subscribed as a Time Traveler.
— Keith Rowland



here is a link to the webpage.....check out the wide range of comments:





Dec 18, 2015

Sad Sad News About Art Bell

Offices and broadcast antennae of KNYE in Pahr...
Offices and broadcast antennae of KNYE in Pahrump, Nevada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Avatar
Long running? 5 months really isn't that long. And Bell has a long history of quitting and retiring for bizarre reasons. He's good, but also a drama queen.


I am terribly sad about this whole thing......drama queen.....we have heard that said before.  

What a loss--a bad day for all of his fans to find out this information.  

Honestly, I would say Art is just about one of the most gifted talk show folks out there--he has the unique ability to make every guest sound interesting--really interesting.  

I finally figured out it was not the guest it was, in fact, Art Bell and his radio talk show host talent.  he can handle all of the callers without getting angry.  

A little surprised because he has said on his website that he would be on 760 here in San Diego in December--good news as I have the radio on all of the time in my room.  It is much easier just to tune in on the radio that get the comp or the i-pad--for me, anyway.  

Kept looking for him on 760 on the radio and it was never on the website of 760 and it seemed to disappear from Art's website, too.

Frankly, I had a funny feeling this was going to happen--no I am not psychic, but it is just way too difficult and time consuming to be a one man show.  I felt like writing him and suggesting a helper--why not a show with him and John B. Wells.  

Now I am just stuck with that dumb Coast to Coast and I have terrible political issue with George Noory--George is talented also but at the end of the day he just does not have the talent of Art Bell--and he does not pay attention.

Sorry to see Art go--I am really sad and I know all of his fans are really disappointed, too.



Citing Threats, Art Bell Ends Radio Program

Radio host Art Bell suddenly ended his long-running program this weekend, citing alleged threats made against him and his family.
The Pahrump Valley Times reports the 70 year old radio personality called it quits after months of what he has described as "never-ending terrorism."
Bell says shots have been fired outside his residency, and that he has spotted trespassers near his home late at night.
He also says he received a phone call in November saying that if his radio program aired that night, both Bell and his family would be killed.
In December, Bell says he was walking on his property and someone fired shots at him, but police found neither any suspects nor any evidence a gun was fired.
The Nye County Sheriff's Department opened an investigation into the case, but has closed it due to a lack of evidence.


copied from knpr.org       nevada public radio


Chlo-Chlo is so sad about Art Bell

Noam Laden 77 WABC News/Talk Radio New York Talks Serena Williams: Sports Illustrated Person of The Year

Serena Williams at the 2011 AEGON Internationa...
Serena Williams at the 2011 AEGON International in Eastbourne. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Serena Williams after beating Dinara Safina on...
Serena Williams after beating Dinara Safina on Roland Garos on Sunday, June 3, 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Noam Laden always giving the listeners an important point and talking to:

Yes, Noam, Serena Williams should definitely be the Sports Illustrated Person of The Year.

Noam Laden of 77 WABC News/Talk Radio fame in New York City told us this morning that some ill-directed folks were suggesting that American Pharoah, Triple Crown winner, and horse should have won out over Serena Williams.

Noam schooled the folks this morning that not only is Serena Williams a hard working person, a black female, but she is also 34 years old and still dominating tennis.

What........some silly individuals are suggesting Serena Williams does not have the right shape for women's tennis.

Some in the on-line argument have said she does not deserve it.


Good job and well done, Noam Laden, for talking about this very important point in social media and sports today.

I love Serena Williams.........have you heard her story of determination and hard work?

Well done, WABC 77 New York News/Talk Radio for good use of your home grown talent.

Good job for women everywhere and good job in representing black women in sports.

Image result for noam laden
the big "N"
Let's see .........should we choose a horse or a person........


I'm voting for Serena!

One caller said--Serena has taken tennis to a new level--I'm down with that.

A man said.....I am really into this....I have been to the French Open, Serena Williams is great--she is what America is all about.