You're Still Here?

I have to be honest -- when I first saw this article, my immediate thought was a sense of surprise that Air America was still around...

Air America Radio, a radio network that was launched in 2004 as a liberal alternative to Rush Limbaugh and other conservative commentators, on Thursday shut down abruptly due to financial woes.

The network once boasted hosts such as Al Franken and Rachel Maddow, but struggled from the outset, including multiple management shake-ups, a bankruptcy in 2006 and sale for $4.25 million the following year.

Air America ceased airing new programs Thursday afternoon and said it will soon file to be liquidated under Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It began broadcasting reruns of programs and would end those as well Monday night.

"The very difficult economic environment has had a significant impact on Air America's business. This past year has seen a `perfect storm' in the media industry generally," the company said in a statement on its Web site.

The New York-based network said its "painstaking search for new investors" came close to succeeding even this week, "but ultimately fell short."

My guess on the best way to help liberal talk radio succeed? Kill NPR. I'm not sure liberal talk radio will succeed, but this would remove its most effective competition. It would also save some tax dollars. Liberals and conservatives should come together on this.