Demise of Far-Left Radio Network Air America

The demise of the far-left radio network Air America. That is the subject of this evening's “Talking Points Memo.”

Two New York City newspapers reported today that Air America may lose its Big Apple affiliate in a matter of weeks. The stories were based on Brian Maloney's inside information posted on radioequalizer.blogspot.com, that asserts Air America is behind paying $2.5 million a year to WLIB, its New York affiliate and that station's about to bail out. If true, that might be the end of Air America. The troubled operation is being partially supported by far-left billionaires like Rob Glaser, the CEO of Real Networks.

"Talking Points" has said from the beginning the far-left radio cannot be successful in the USA on a national level simply because most Americans don't want to hear how bad their country is 24/7. Also the smear strategy employed on Air America goes against the basic fairness of most Americans. As Alan Colmes has demonstrated, liberal radio rationally presented can be successful, but guttersnipes almost always fail in serious formats. As you know, conservative talk radio does have a few smear merchants who have been successful, but they are the exception rather than the rule. By and large, Americans want to hear relevant topics discussed in intelligent ways on talk radio, not a series of mean-spirited personal attacks a la Stuart Smalley.

Also a hallmark of the secular progressive agenda is that the USA is basically a flawed country that needs drastic change. Well, that may play well in Berkeley, but very few other places. If Air America goes down the drain, we're not going to miss it. That kind of ideological fanaticism and hatred toward other Americans is a complete waste of time. From the beginning, we were right about this operation. Now that the sun seems to be setting, it should be a lesson to everyone. Fair and balanced works. Hatred does not. That's "The Memo."

The Most Ridiculous Item of the Day

Another in a long line of examples of dishonesty in the print press. Writing for the Knight Ridder Tribune news service, Craig Outhier says, "Last week FOX News pundit Bill O'Reilly blasted director Ang Lee's limpid cowboy romance ("Brokeback Mountain") for 'humanizing homosexuality'."

Well, sounds bad, right? Sounds homophobic, even? This O'Reilly guy, he's got to be out of control. Well, here's what I actually wrote in my column dated February 16: "There's no question that many showbiz types would like to banish any societal stigma associated with homosexuality. And I don't have a problem with that. Certainly, it is wrong that some gay Americans, especially teenagers, are made to suffer because of their predilections. Every American should be able to pursue happiness on an equal basis, including gays."

That's a lot different than the tone Craig Outhier said, is it not, Craig? Ridiculous? Of course it's ridiculous.

Please, be very skeptical what you read in the print press. I mean, these guys are just outright liars. You know? There's no other way to put it.

—You can catch Bill O'Reilly's "Talking Points Memo" and "Most Ridiculous Item" weeknights at 8 and 11 p.m. ET on the FOX News Channel. Send your comments to: oreilly@foxnews.com