The Mark Riley Show Blog

Adios Amigos!

Ron Dodd — Fri, 04 May 2007 06:09:38 -0400

After three years of waking in the middle of the night to bring you the first news of the day with our own brand of humor and irreverence The Mark Riley Show will officially come to an end on May 11th. However, our last live show was today . Next week we have lined up our friend and ultimate beltway insider, Brent Budowsky, to talk with Mark about the Iraq war, presidential politics and much more. Also, you'll hear some of Mark's favorite interviews with musical guests we've had on the show over the last year. I think you will enjoy these.

Mark and I will spend the next couple of weeks preparing for the launch of a new show here on the network (as well as adjusting to a new sleep schedule) starting May 21st from 8pm to midnight featuring contributions from other Air America hosts such Bobby Kennedy, Mike Papantonio, David Bender and Laura Flanders, as well as newsmakers, artists, musicians and the like. The new show is called The Air Americans. Stay tuned and stay with us. We look forward to your continued support.

Ron Dodd, Executive Producer

TODAY'S SHOW FRIDAY MAY 4TH 2007

David Weissman — Fri, 04 May 2007 01:18:24 -0400

Happy Friday Early Birds!!!

As usual Riley will have all the top news stories of the day. In the Top of the News Barak Obama has been placed under the protection of < a href=" http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/03/obama.protection/index.html"> The Secret Service as a result of his campaign office recieving higher volumes of hate mail and threatening phone calls.

Also in the top of the news The GOP had their first debate today. The leading candidates showed their continuing support for the Iraq War but talked in depth about how the war had been severely < a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18466314/"> mismanaged.

RIley will have all the top stories of the day Plus as usual we will have a Juicy Grapevine Segment and you will also hear from Jim Hightower.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

McGreeveyâ€™s Redemption?

Mark Riley — Thu, 03 May 2007 06:20:18 -0400

It wasn’t that long ago that former New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey was quitting his job and admitting he was a gay American. Now he’s been accepted into a three year master of divinity program at the flagship seminary for the 2.3 million member Episcopal church in the US. He starts classes in September.

In a way, this is what I love about the church of which I’m a member. After all, I was a lapsed churchgoer when I found my way to an Episcopal congregation that is as progressive as they get. On the other hand, McGreevey’s redemption comes at an interesting time. He’s locked in a bitter divorce with his estranged wife. She’s just dropped a book that details her version of their marriage, and it’s not very flattering to McGreevey.

He’s also spent much of his political life telling stories of his upbringing as a Roman Catholic. Obviously this path isn’t open to him in the church of his youth. Yet close friends say he’s always wanted to be a man of the cloth. He’s apparently been attending any number of prayer sessions at his adopted church, St. Bartholomew’s in Manhattan.
There will no doubt be those who will be dubious about McGreevey’s effort at redemption. Yet, for some strange reason, I personally am pulling for him to make it.

After all, there is a Biblical passage about those who are without sin casting the first stone, right?

TODAY'S SHOW THURSDAY MAY 3RD 2007

David Weissman — Thu, 03 May 2007 00:26:29 -0400

HAPPY THURSDAY EARLY BIRDS!

Riley will have all the top news stories of the day. In the top of the news there is growing concern from a number of Kurdish and Sunni officials that the latest version of the new Iraqi oil bill will not fairly represent the interests of Kurdish and Sunni Minority groups within the Iraqi government.

Also in the top of the news Democrats are trying to find a way to regroup after Bush's veto of their latest Iraqi War Funding Bill. Progressive Democratic Senators like Russ Feingold and Centrists like Bob Nelson are trying to do the impossible:Create a bill that they can send to the president that he would be forced to accept! Is that possible!

Plus we will have Jim Hightower and a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you!

Get out of Bed and Rise with Riley!!!

TODAY'S SHOW WEDS MAY 2ND

David Weissman — Wed, 02 May 2007 05:36:28 -0400

Good Morning Early Risers happy Weds!!!

In the top of the news this morning President Bush has successfully vetoed the potential legislation that would have lead to an actual time frame for a pull out of US troops in Iraq. This has lead to the true begining of a major political war between < a href="http://therawstory.com"> Democrats and Republicans

Also in the Top of the News Thousands of Immigrants marched in cities across America yesterday as may 1st has become a day of National Solidarity for undocumented workers throughout the US.

Riley will break it down for you this morning so listen in and learn!!!

Whoâ€™s Next, Deborah Jean?

Mark Riley — Tue, 01 May 2007 06:36:04 -0400

Not too long ago, we told you the story of a woman the media have now dubbed “The DC Madam”. Deborah Jean Palfrey claims to have the names of some 15,000 clients in her “little black book”, and many of them are well known names inside the Beltway.

Palfrey claimed her first big name victim last Friday. Deputy Secretary of State Randall Tobias resigned suddenly after he revealed he used Palfrey’s escort service, quoting here, “to have gals come over to the condo to give me a massage”. Tobias denies having sex with any of the “gals”, an assertion that bolsters Palfrey’s contention her business didn’t provide sexual services to clients.

Two weeks ago, Palfrey named one Harlan Ullman as “one of the regular customers”. Ullman, who’s denied the allegation, is one of the leading theorists behind the “shock and awe” strategy used in the invasion of
Iraq. And as they say on those late night infomercials, wait…there’s more.

On her Web site, Palfrey reveals she gave copies of certain years of her records to ABC News. She of course is trying to fight a federal racketeering beef that could land her in jail for a long stretch. ABC plans a 20/20 segment about Palfrey next week.

Will Deborah Palfrey’s revelations bring down more powerful men in DC? You can bet if she’s got a list of 15,000 clients, there are 30,000 DC men who are sweating bullets until this whole thing is settled.

TUESDAY MAY 1ST 2007

David Weissman — Tue, 01 May 2007 00:14:51 -0400

Good Morning Early Birds and Happy Tuesday!!

At the top of the hour Riley will have all the top news of the day. In the top of the news A British Court has found five men guilty of conspiring to use < a href= "http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/world/europe/31cnd-terror.html?ex=1335585600&en=aad4e5e9af2c323d&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"> fertilizer bombs to blow up a variety of different targets including possibly a community shopping center.

Also in the top of the news concerns have arisen in Iraq that the Largest contingent of Sunni Arabs will < a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/world/01iraqcnd.html?ex=1335585600&en=fa35a60026b20a9f&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"> pull out of the Shiite dominated Iraqi Parliament because of the government's failure to work with Sunni's main political concerns.

Riley will also have a juicy grapevine segment for you. In India hear how a farmer beheaded a worker for are you ready for this....< a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070430/od_nm/india_beheading_dc_1"> not milking his cows!!!

Insanity if you ask me!

Its all here this morning so get up and Rise with Riley

Wanted: A War Czar

Mark Riley — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 06:16:37 -0400

Stephen Hadley is GW Bush’s National Security Advisor. So why is he shopping around for what Beltway insiders call a war czar? It’s a new, high profile gig Hadley likes to call “implementation and execution manager”. No matter how you slice it, it’s a war czar.

This new official would be tasked with briefing the president on the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan, and then to prod cabinet secretaries to implement the decider in chief’s message. Ordinarily, this kind of thing would be described as Hadley’s job. He did, after all, oversee the troop buildup in
Iraq.

Yet Hadley now believes he needs someone to work full time to put the Bush war effort into effect, that is, in Hadley’s words, to “make things happen”. His search has brought some controversy in the form of criticism he’s subcontracting his own work. At least one government expert calls it a desperation move.

Is this job being created to distance Hadley from the disaster that
Iraq has become? If so, it’s a little late, and maybe a dollar short. He is, after all, one of Bush’s closest advisors. Some might even describe Hadley as Bush’s fixer. He was the guy who reportedly convinced Bush to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

So why the war czar, a job few from the military seem to want?

You can scratch your heads now.

TODAY'S SHOW FRIDAY APRIL 27TH 2007

David Weissman — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 03:51:16 -0400

Good Morning Early Risers and Happy Friday!

Riley will have all the top news of the day for you. In the top of the news The Senate has passed a war spending bill which will allocate $124 billion dollars to the war in Iraq. Bush has promised to veto this bill. The question now stands what will < a href=http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070427/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq_191> The Democrats do if Bush does veto the bill?

Riley will have answer!!

Riley will also have a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you this morning Hear how an Italian Scientist may after ten long years of research have invented the first real-life Spider Man Suit

Plus you will hear another progressive commentary from the Legendary Jim Hightower

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

What Did Bush Know?

Mark Riley — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 06:27:31 -0400

As the Democratic Congress starts to flex its muscles, issuing subpoenas to White House officials on a number of fronts from federal prosecutors to yellowcake uranium from Niger, they ought to start issuing a few on the Pat Tillman matter.

Tillman was the former NFL star turned Army Ranger who was killed by friendly fire in
Afghanistan back in 2004. The Tillman case has become one of the
US military’s most embarrassing moments, given that they told the nation and his family he was killed by enemy fire. They did so, allegedly, after knowing the truth.

There are now questions about whether President Bush himself knew of the circumstances. Those questions have been fueled by the release of a memo sent a week after Tillman’s death. Its author was Lt. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the military’s special operations chief. Its recipient was Gen. John Abizaid, then chief of the US Central Command.

The memo specifically urged Abizaid to tell Bush that friendly fire was suspected in Tillman’s death. The White House says that information never made it to Bush. If this sounds familiar, it’s the same excuse the administration used in the
Niger uranium disaster.

There are also e-mails from speechwriters for both Bush and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld detailing questions about Tillman’s death.

So what exactly did Bush know?

TODAY'S SHOW THURSDAY APRIL 26TH 2007

David Weissman — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:28:01 -0400

Good Morning Early Birds!!!

At the top of the Hour Riley will have all the Top News of the Day!

In the Top of the News : The House is on the verge of voting for a bill that would require that the US pull their troops out of Iraq by October 1st. This would of course lead to the first real potential showdown between Bush and The new Democratic Congress on Iraq. Bush will most likely veto the bill and we will see the start of a civil-political war.

Also in the top of the news the latest Rasmussen National Telephone survey has reported that Barak Obama is only 3 percentage points behind Guliani in the race for the white house in 2008. This is very exciting and I think shows that The American People are ready for change.

Plus later in the hour you will hear from the world's Number One Progressive Jim Hightower

Get up early! tune in early! Learn something new with Riley in the Morning!!

Leading By Example

Mark Riley — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 06:13:58 -0400

I have to admit, I don’t know much about the esteemed Governor of Oregon, Ted Kulongoski. What I do know, however, I like. The guy at least seems to have empathy with those who struggle to make ends meet.

Gov. Kulongoski this week took up the challenge of buying food for a week on what his state’s average food stamp recipient gets. That would be $21 dollars. The governor took the challenge to raise awareness about the difficulty of feeding a family on that kind of money.

Kulongoski went to a supermarket earlier this week, and his first move was to head straight for the organic bananas. A real recipient who was with him said that wouldn’t work and steered him to the cheaper, non organic ones. He wanted to buy canned soup, but at $1.53 a can his budget wouldn’t allow it. He opted for three packages of Cup O’Noodles for 33 cents each.

He also bought generic peanut butter, but drew the line at saving by buying peanut butter and jelly in the same jar. Want to know what food stamp recipients do to save money? Scan the highest and lowest shelves. Buy in bulk when possible, clip coupons, and get used to plenty of mac and cheese and beans.

So how did Gov. Kulongoski do when he got to the check out counter? His purchases totaled $21.97, over his limit. He then put back one of the Cup O’Noodles, and two bananas. That got him down to $20.97. Congratulations, Governor.

We should all remember, however, that he only has to do this for a week. For food stamp recipients, it’s an everyday struggle.

TODAY'S SHOW WEDS APRIL 25TH 2007

David Weissman — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:23:04 -0400

Good Morning Early Birds!!

Today we have a terrific show for you! Riley will have all the Top Stories of the day. Harry Reid stands up to the Evil Galatic Emperor Darth Cheney Who accuses Reid and the rest of the Democrats of using The US troops In Iraq as a Political Football.

Also in the top of the news The Bush Crime Family starts to take heat from both the Lynch and Tillman Camps as soldiers from their units broke silence and testified to the fact that the Bush Regime twisted the facts to create heroes out of them while many of the real heroes of the Iraq war lay dead in Iraq.

Three Words, and More Suspensions

Mark Riley — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 06:28:03 -0400

Rap mogul Russell Simmons is nothing is not ahead of the curve. Coming out of the private meeting of record company executives last week comes a call fro Simmons to excise three racist and sexist epithets from “clean” versions of rap songs and from radio airwaves.

Right now the words are banned from most clean versions, but some companies decide on their own to use them. Simmons, who says he’s responding to outrage in the wake of Don Imus’ firing, says the b-word, the n-word, and ho should all be banned as “extreme curse words”.

All well and good, but Simmons’ call ignores one basic fact. In many cases, explicit versions of songs sell better than clean ones. Why? Is our taste that out of tune with what we say we want? And there’s a larger question. Why do otherwise worthwhile pieces of music have to taint themselves with lyrics like this in the first place?

On another front, CBS Radio has added another
New York radio show to its list of programs suspended for content. In this case, it’s the “Doghouse with JV and Elvis”, and offended community is Asian Americans. These geniuses called a Chinese restaurant and proceeded to use just about every ethnic, sexual, and stereotypical slur in the book. Something tells me their indefinite suspensions will turn into dismissals pretty soon.

It may not take that long for a JV and Elvis Support Committee to get organized.

TODAY'S SHOW TUESDAY APRIL 24TH 2007

David Weissman — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:39:00 -0400

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

At the top of the hour Riley will have all the top news stories of the day. Starting in Russia The first freely elected President in post communist Russia < a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_the_Russian_Federation"> Boris Yeltsen

died of heart failure at a Moscow Hospital at the age of 76 yesterday.

Also in the top of the news Riley will analyze the impact of Gonzo's Testimony. Although viewed by members of both parties as being a negative test of Gonzo's validity to remain Attorney General Bush thought his speech was very strong and... < a href= http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/washington/24gonzales.html?ex=1335067200&en=8b82a281fb60f763&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"> "increased his confidence in Gonzo's ability to do the job.â€?

I guess if Attorney General stands for lying manipulation, two faced ignorance and showing to the world that we have no sense of legality Gonzo is the man!

In the secong segment Riley will have a juicy Grapevine Segment for you. Ex-New Jersey Gov McGreevey's wife knew that McGreevey was gay before they were married!

Plus you will hear from America's number one Progressive Jim Hightower!

Yeah we have it all at the top of the morning so get up and listen!!!

Bits and Bobs

Mark Riley — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 06:16:46 -0400

Bits and bobs is a British expression that is similar to our odds and ends. It’s been 20 days since I spoke to you via the blog (my apologies), and a lot has happened. Don Imus got fired, a madman killed 32 people at
Virginia tech, and surprise surprise, Alberto Gonzalez still has a job, and so does Paul Wolfowitz.

There’s not much more to say about Imus other than, if you believe the people that fired him care one small bit about those kids at Rutgers, I’ve got a bridge I’d love to sell you. Now there’s talk of a lawsuit, given that Imus had recently signed a multi year contract. Let’s see how that gets covered.

Seung Hui Cho, the murderer at Virginia Tech, has been analyzed over and over. And people still don’t have a clear motive for his crimes. That would seem to indicate we never will. What is clear, however, is that the nation’s patchwork gun laws need fixing, and fast. There’s no explanation, much less excuse for allowing anyone found dangerous by a judge to own a handgun, or a rifle for that matter. Don’t hold your breath waiting for our lawmakers to close those loopholes, however.

Who would have thought Attorney General Alberto Gonzales would still have a job this far into April? The guy’s first moniker has become “embattled”. Yet he soldiers on in the face of a Senate committee appearance that even his friends said convinced no one. And Wolfowitz? Getting your girlfriend a gig is one thing, but one paying more than the head of department, in this case Condoleeza Rice.

Nice work, if you can get it….

Today's Show Monday April 23rd 2007

David Weissman — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 02:52:34 -0400

Happy Monday!! Just kidding.... I know that Monday is the worst day of the week so I hope all of you are having an ok start to your week.

In the Top of the News starting in Paris... two politicians from opposite political spectrums a socialist and a conservative are headed for a run off as voters move to decide which candidate is the stronger < a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/23/world/europe/23france.htmlex=1334980800&en=cd74c04be74ee07e&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss"> overall choice.

Also in the top of the news you will hear more about the vast array of funerals held throughout the US for the thirty-two Virginia tech students who lost their lives last week. Again these demostrations are not politically motivated per say but are organized in the hopes of giving support, love and care to all of those hurt emotionally and physically by this tragedy

Plus in the second segment Riley will have a juicy grapevine segment for you! You will also here from the one the only Jim Hightower!!!!

Start your morning off right with Riley!!! .

TODAY'S SHOW FRIDAY APRIL 20TH 2007

David Weissman — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:00:01 -0400

Its Friday! Riley Fans! We have all the top news of the day!

Yesterday Gonzo found himself on the hot seat as he was getting nailed from Both sides of the aisle. Find out this morning who said what and how long they will let this idiot stay in office.

< p>

Also you will hear all about the Dems weak attempt thus far to get us out of Iraq. Can the Democrats stand up to Bush?

If that was not enough we will have our Washington Beltway Insider Brent-Budowsky who will fill you in on all that is happening in the world of Gonzo.

Plus at the end of the hour you will hear another progressive commentary from the one and only Americaâ€™s Number One Populist < a href=http://www.jimhightower.com/

Jim Hightower

Start your morning and weekend off right with < a href=â€? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rileyâ€?> Riley

and have a wonderful weekend

TODAY'S SHOW WEDS APRIL 18TH 2007

David Weissman — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 05:11:42 -0400

Good Morning Everyone!!!

At the top of the morning RIley will have all the top news of the day. A whole new chunk of information concerning the mental history of Accused Virgina Tech Shooter < a href=" http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/18/us/18gunman.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin"> Cho Seung-Hui

has been released. It appears that Cho's anger and mental instability was rooted in years of social rejection which consequently was one of the contributor factors to his state Acts of Violence.

In the second segment Riley will have a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you .

Plus you will hear from America's number one populist Jim HIghtower and more!!!!!

Have a wonderful start to your mornng with Riley!!!!

TODAY'S SHOW TUESDAY APRIL 17TH 2007

David Weissman — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 04:54:52 -0400

Good Morning Early Birds!!!

At the top of the hour Riley will have all the top news stories of the day. Yesterday at Virginia Tech as all of you know was the Deadliest Shooting Incident in US History .The shootings at Virginia Tech took place in two different sites. Police have preliminary knowledge as to the shooter's background but they have yet to release the the shooter's name.

In the second segment Riley will have a juicy grapevine segment for you. Astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams ran the first ever Boston Marathon in space She circled around the world over three times while she was strapped to the back of a spaceship so that she would not float into deep space!!!!

Plus you will hear from the world's number one populist Jim Hightower Its all here this morning so stay tuned.

TODAY'S SHOW MONDAY APRIL 16TH 2007

David Weissman — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 03:15:41 -0400

Good Morning Everyone! Riley is back!!! He has returned from the UK to give you all the top news of the day. Yesterday a Noreaster hit New York Hard. Expect some delays if you live in the New York Tri-state area wtih your morning commute.

Also in the top of the news Gonzo Apologizes to the eight US attorneys that were fired hoping that he can somehow....

< a

href=http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-15-gonzales_N.htm?csp=34> save face stating that he â€œhas nothing to hideâ€? per the firings of the attorneys.

Following the news of the day Riley will have a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you!

Start your morning with Riley the best morning talk show Host in the country!

McCainâ€™s Folly

Mark Riley — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 06:15:39 -0400

Senator John McCain from
Arizona must really want to bury his presidential hopes. He went to
Baghdad the other day, which we told you about in yesterday’s blog. McCain extolled the virtues of the US led security crackdown in the capitol, and went to a marketplace that had seen several suicide bombings in the recent past to make his point. So now, one day after the so-called straight talk express leaves, merchants in that marketplace say McCain’s rosy assessment is way off the mark. Apparently, security procedures were extraordinary for Mr. Straight Talk and his congressional colleagues.

They included, but weren’t limited to, 100 soldiers in armored Humvees, attack helicopters circling overhead, traffic was redirected from the area, and sharpshooters were placed on roofs near the marketplace. No wonder Cong. Mike Pence of Indiana opined that it looked “like a normal outdoor market in
Indiana in the summertime.” This type of sleight of hand never works. Neither does doing a photo-op walk through and blaming the media for not reporting the good news out of
Iraq. Why would McCain and others in that delegation twist the legitimate concerns of the Iraqi people into the precise opposite to score political points?

Gee, I need to ask? I’m on vacation until April 16^th, so the blog will be shut down. See you when I get back!

TODAY'S SHOW TUESDAY APRIL 3RD 2007

David Weissman — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 02:48:58 -0400

Good Morning Everyone!

At the top of the hour Riley will have all of the top news of the day.

Following the news of the day Riley will have a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you!

Start your morning with Riley the best morning talk show Host in the country!

Not Sublime, Just Ridiculous

Mark Riley — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 06:14:46 -0400

Some random thoughts on the news of the day…..

Why would a Continental Airlines captain remove a 16 year old girl from a flight from Newark to
Hawaii because she was coughing? The poor kid might simply have had a problem with recycled air. A doctor on the flight said she was okay to travel, but the pilot knew better, right?
Why is Attorney General Alberto Gonzales so hot to move up the date for his testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee? Could it be he wants to get things over with as soon as possible? With a number of Republican lawmakers saying he’s fresh out of credibility, Gonzo is holding on by the proverbial slender thread. So why is he asking for early testimony when the original April 17^th date was his choice? That would be a choice that he refused to alter before?

Why is John McCain so bent on destroying his presidential campaign with his support of Bush’s
Iraq war? Not only does McCain back Bush’s war strategy that doesn’t appear to be working, but now he’s blaming the media for not reporting the “progress” that strategy has brought to the people of
Iraq. On the day he says this, six more US soldiers are killed in roadside bomb attacks. Talk about timing!

And finally, why does anyone think the world should believe the confessions by terrorists who have been held at
Guantanamo
Bay for years, while not buying the confessions of British sailors and marines who admit they strayed into Iranian waters?

Just asking….

TODAY'S SHOW MONDAY APRIL 2ND 2007

David Weissman — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 02:13:54 -0400

Good Morning Everyone!

At the top of the hour Riley will have all of the top news of the day.

Following the news of the day Riley will have a Juicy Grapevine Segment for you!

Start your morning with Riley the best morning talk show Host in the country!