Happy Veterans Day

While many in our country have differences on the wars our soldiers are asked to serve in, we can all say we support our troops. We want the best for your families, your health, and your safe return . Our men and women are asked to sacrifice to great lengths, and should be thanked on this day.

Progressive Voices

While the media has long been dominated by conservatives ownerships and conservative voices, the last ten years we have witnessed a rise in progressive voices. Talk radio is still associated with the popularity and ratings of Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity, however, the rise of Ed Schultz, Thom Hartmann and Stephanie Miller could not have been more timely. Talkers Magazine, the Bible of the industry, show more and more progressives hosts in their "250 Most Important " list. It includes all of the aforementioned. That said, , Alan Colmes, Lionel, Rachel Maddow, Randi Rhodes and Mike Malloy round off the rise that Talkers included.

Progressive talk has long been the "David v Goliath" of the airwaves, many times it has simply been a big idea up against bigger money. Air America was savaged by the right-wing, and suffered poor business decisions with poor hiring decisions. Now, I will clarify, their poor hiring decisions were not the on-air personalities. Being on the road to recovering the vision the Drobny's shared when it began, the revolving schedule seems to be settled for now. The praise that Nicole Sandler is getting amongst my circle of friends is great news for an 11pm est show, that demonstrates passion and a calm demeanor deliver the voice of liberalism. This cannot go further, without giving huge credit to fellow Detroit native Peter Werbe, who's Night Call on WRIF on Sunday nights is in it's 39th year. Along with co-host Juline Jordan, the award winning show is proof that smart peoples radio can succeed with in- depth analysis and fact checking, something the neo-con radio ignores.

It should also be noted, the rise of the syndicated and independent voices that are getting traction. The efforts put forth by folks like Jeff Farias, Len Clark, Sarge Phelps, and David Link show that know how, a commitment and technology can produce an effective product. Their global efforts was aided by the smarts of Democracy Interactive creator Darryl Daniels and the chatroom's encouragement. So, what this teaches us is that while the "Teabaggers" like to chant "we surround you!" is ringing awfully hollow while progressives and liberals are popping up on the air, the internet, and in our communities. It is no longer a bad word or an insult...it is a badge of honor.

Head On Radio Network, home to Bob Kincaid and Guy James among others give us their impressive take from the south. Yes, we have progressives there too. We also have the multi-talented Ana Marie Cox, we have David Sirota's voice in Colorado filling in for Jay Marvin on 760am. None of this is suggesting we still don't have more work to do, it is to show while we hear the criticisms of failure about progressive talk, we have plenty of options scattered around our wonderful country.

Add all of that to MSNBC's victory in being the number one news channel among the 18-34 age group, compliments of Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow, and Ed Schultz. For the progressive voices, we concede we are not number one in many markets, but we are hardly surrounded, and still represent a big tent. As we do not follow Democratic policies lock step and are more than eager to take the elected officials we supported to task. We are eager to address our country's social issues that have ailed us for decades while the right-wing's bigotry and fearmongering have stoked them. Follow some of the links, support these programs/sites, and as Thom Hartmann states "it's where smart people get their news."

On a side note, if you are a Facebook user, there is now a page dedicated to "Being Liberal." Join us, many of the folks mentioned in this post are with us. 1300+ have joined this page in the 6 days it has existed, let's keep it going.