Thread by @RickSmithShow

A terrestrial radio listener in our #Harrisburg market emailed me asking if I could believe what was happening on the capital steps today as hundreds of people gathered to show their collective ignorance and endanger one another by gathering in defiance of the State Governor
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Obviously, like everyone, I had been watching in dismay as I saw a woman carrying a child without masks on in a large crowd, questioned why anyone, especially a parent, would choose to put themselves in danger of contracting a deadly, and as of this moment incurable virus.
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Was it ignorance? Stupidity? Blind faith? Simple Defiance?
Yes, yes, yes, yes, and much more
How could people be willing to go against commonsense, logic, and reason?
It's easy to mock these people. I doubt many had advanced degrees & if they did they were on someone's payroll
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We've seen a lot about how these "protests" are of the astro turf variety (I've used it myself a time or two). And yes there is an element to the astro turfing. They are the organizers. There were real people there who actually believe what their handmade signs say.
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How you may ask? Simple

Talk Radio

Everyone in the crowd who is not on someone's payroll was prompted to action by the power of talk radio.
The right wing echo chamber has been pounding the drum of conspiracy and whipping their listeners into a fevered frenzy for weeks.
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The problem is most sane rational people have written off right wing talk radio as a bunch of kooks/nut jobs.
That's what we saw today
For 15 years here in the Harrisburg Radio market I have been screaming that the left needs to fund programs and engage talk radio listeners.
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For the 15 years I've been doing this we've NEVER been fully funded
Ask any progressive, liberal, or democratic leaning host and they will tell you it's a Herculean leap to stay on the air and compete with the Limbaugh's and Hannity's who are on hundreds of stations nationwide
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Even worse is trying to compete with the Baby Limbaughs in every market across the country. IF you want to know why all those people showed up in Harrisburg today all you had to do was listen to the morning and afternoon drive show on the only talk radio station in this market
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Understanding how the numerous think tanks of the State Policy network interacts with talk radio is a huge part of what we are seeing.
They understand Political Theater.
Everyday is a show to brainwash the masses.
It's bread and circus on steroids funded by corporate America

The Frame the right has masterfully created is one that says no one wants it. The marketplace doesn't want it. This is brilliant because corporate America owns and controls it. So a pro union guy like me is someone corporate America definitely does not want on the air.
Plus...

peace, justice, and inclusion doesn't churn profits like hate and division. As long as they can keep their people angry at the government and a common enemy (those libs)....they won't realize corporate America is fucking them blind.