The American Spectator

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p> ARE YOU SIRIUS? br> Re: Colby Cosh's Stern in Space : /p>

Colby Cosh describes the Stern phenomenon perfectly. As a fan of the show, I would have to cringe or change the station when he would ignorantly spout the NYC liberal bashing of our efforts in Iraq. On the other hand, I always chafe when people of all political persuasions rip Stern without ever listening to the show.

p>Without the FCC breathing down his neck, I assume the liberal rhetoric will tone down. With the hurdles in place that take satellite out of the definition of "broadcasting," the decency nannies will take their fight elsewhere. Either way, it's a win-win situation for all involved. I just wonder where the heck the value of Sirius' stock (SIRI- Nasdaq) should be. br> -- William H. Stewart br> Boston, Massachusetts /p>

I have never listened to Howard Stern but will subscribe to Satellite Radio for my own reasons: The death of the "culture" music on commercial broadcast radio and in the recording studio.

Just perusing the menus of music available on XM or Sirius' websites shows more than enough variety to easily span the last 20 to 30 years of typical FM programming in Detroit where commercial radio is in a squalid state.

Commercial POP has also done away with the "regional" characteristics of an artist's style. Style in music these days is to be avoided at all cost. It's much easier to sign train wrecks like Ashley Simpson and Courtney Love than scout for talent that takes time, risk, and media money to promote. The Courtney Love/Ashley Simpson types generate media attention by their own foibles. A savings that "Big Media" appreciates. I often joke that radio stations play "music" because; "...that's the airtime left over that the station failed to sell advertising for".

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