Yesterday was the last day of broadcast in the City of Phoenix for the radio station AM-KXXT. This talk radio station was the lone outpost of liberal, libertarian, and progressive talk in a jungle of 30 or so either extremely right-wing talk stations, endless sports broadcasts, Christian talk, and Mexican mariachi music. The FM dials aren't bad but, during the commute, I enjoy having my mind stimulated a bit with the issues. This station began only a year or so ago and, in record time, went on to extraordinary growth, attaining the 3rd highest ratings in the valley against entrenched news and talk stations. Their success however hastened their doom. The parent company got a bid of $20 million from a Christian Broadcasting network, way above it's current market value, an offer the owners simply would be stupid to refuse. The owners tried to help the current management find another venue but they were locked out of the market in spite of having considerable capital to pursue another station.

So today, on my drive in, instead of listening to the logical information from Charles Goyette, a free-thinking libertarian that takes potshots at the jerks of both parties, my dial blasted out some charlatan preacher selling his brand of hypocrisy. KXXT also contracted with Air America to provide some of their offered shows. I found them less relevant than Goyette but they were always entertaining and a way to feel less alone in my disgust of the current administration. No matter whether you believe their political rantings of Randi Rhodes, Al Franken, and Mike Malloy, the humor and intelligence of their programming was a breath of fresh air compared with the stale and bitter sound bites that seemed to drone on from the likes of Rush and Sean Hannity.

Now I could get XM radio and still have access to Air America but no telling where Charles Goyette will end up. I'll miss his wit and intelligence and his ability to attract internationally known guests that have provided huge insight into all walks of life.

Bottom line though is that the neo-con Christians could've bought any radio station on the dial (many a whole lot cheaper)and yet they exposed their insecurity by targeting the one lone voice that irritated them. You could sluff it off as just free enterprise in motion and I would never argue against their right to buy anything they want. It's just it smacks of a lust for power and a paranoia about competing philosophies that is so un-American.

Some of you may view it as a victory for your cause but I and many others see it as a rallying point and a clear indication that the fight has to go to a different level. Enjoy it while you can. It's going to get ugly and I'd hate to be on your side. Liberals, centrists, progressives, whatever you want to label us may seem like peaceful humans but there's a bit of Billy Jack in all of us. You don't want to see that side.

Art Martin