Posted on 10/03/2005 8:18:38 AM PDT by yoe
Edited on 10/03/2005 10:48:22 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
Dear Friends:
You may have heard that this Friday, September 30th I was suddenly relieved of my duties as the morning host of the "Lee Rodgers & Melanie Morgan Show" on KSFO 560 AM - San Francisco.
Needless to say this turn events has been quite shocking - especially given the fact that it was something I was not expecting.
Here's the details of what happened...
My contract with KSFO was set to expire on Friday. My agent had been in negotiations with the station manager of KSFO (an ABC owned and operated station). We had already worked out the 'big issues' - I had agreed to a very small increase in salary and did not have any major demands. I thought everything would be routine. During my time at KSFO we have emerged as one of the highest rated local radio programs in the nation. Certainly the station had to appreciate that!?!
But, for some reason, the negotiations hit a brick wall and I was asked to accept a number of bizarre compromises. My agent tried to work through the issues but I was told that for some reason the station was playing hardball. I was told on Thursday that Friday morning would be my last day of employment. I was to turn in my ABC card key that allowed me access to the building.
Given what happened recently to another prominent ABC radio talk show host (Michael Graham of WMAL-Washington D.C. was just fired from his job) I obviously have been quite uncertain about what my fate will be.
My agent and I have been in contact with the station management. Since I announced on the air on Friday that my employment with KSFO was over the station has been flooded with phone calls and emails. I am hopeful that in the coming week we can come to an agreement on the issues that remain. Until then I will be off the air.
What's important for all of you to know is that this will in NO WAY impact my position as Chair of Move America Forward.
In fact, if anything, I will now have even more time to devote to Move America Forward - and as I have expressed to you I am determined to grow MAF into the nation's largest grassroots organization.
I derive my satisfaction in talk radio from a passion I have for the issues that we discuss. Right now the war on terrorism and the support of our troops in Iraq & Afghanistan is the single most important issue that faces this nation, and I have such a strong love and respect for our soldiers and Marines... there isn't anything that will stop me from my work to support them.
I hope you will stand by me in continuing to support Move America Forward. There is much work that needs to be done. Somehow we have to grow this organization into a force that is powerful enough to counteract the negative anti-military message being espoused by the old line media monopoly.
We know our troops are winning the war. We know their cause is just. And its our job to convey that message to every American.
I will commit to you to work harder and with even more dedication to this cause, and I ask that you please do the same.
I've never accepted ONE CENT in compensation for my work with Move America Forward - nor has MAF's founder, Howard Kaloogian.
We have devoted all the money we've raised into the efforts we've pursued and this is how it shall remain.
To that end, I ask that you join with me to show the media, to show my former employers at ABC and to show the people of this nation that our voices will only grow louder - America can never cave to the anti-military crowd of Cindy Sheehan and Michael Moore. We cannot back down one inch to the demands or the agenda of the terrorists.
Thank you for your support - both with Move America Forward and for the kind words so many of you have offered to me during these uncertain times with my professional career.
Your support gives me the inspiration to keep 'moving forward' and doing the work I feel must be done to support our troops and help preserve America's legacy as the last best hope for mankind.
Sincerely Yours,
Melanie Morgan
Chair, Move America Forward
http://www.MoveAmericaForward.org
Indeed! It was apparently because of some no-nepotism clause the station had.
My opinion, she is a whiner.
So much for "free speech" from ABC (speak what we tell thee)
Aloud is really the only way you can whine ... if you do it quietly, it's whimpering.
I was hoping I'd get along down the list and see someone shout out who knew more about her than me!!
What she's done for these troops, if nothing else, deserves the respect of anyone who actually does give a Tinker's damn. And I give a couple Tinkers' damns.
My experience is she's going to find herself in an even better position when the smoke clears and I'll be praying for her to that end.
This is the part that piqued my curiosity. There is no doubt that behind the scenes politics played a major part of the adventure.
I have been amazed that MM has lasted as long as she has in *gasp*
... San Francisco!
Personally I opt for Ocam's Razor.
Those quick to invoke the "whining" offense are outing themselves for what they are, regardless of their sign up dates.
In the future, I certainly will regard anything they say with a large dose of salt.
The morning show on KSFO with Lee, Melanie, and OV (with Sussman filling in on Mondays) was the best conservative talk show in the country! (Even better than Rush)
They interviewed a lot of very important conservatives guests. The combination of the three were a great balance. When a talk show is just one host is it easy to get sick of him/her.
This is a major loss for Bay Area conservatives. Like breaking up the Beatles.
Try 1220 AM it's pretty good
BTW I'm going to scream if I hear Andy Willaby ask "how in the world I am anyway" again
Here's what I e-mailed KSFO:
"I am VERY disappointed in your decision to drop Melanie Morgan from the line up.
First you blew it with Michael Savage; now you've done it again!!!!
ARE YOU GUYS STUCK ON STUPID?
Maybe you should just hire Al Franken to replace Mel, and be done with it.
SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!!!!"
Vic is on a ten day vacation. Extremely bad timing.
I don't care what some others are insisting, I think Melanie is GREAT. She is smart and enthusiastic, and I won't tune in from GA every day any more.
If they felt like canning someone, they could have started with Barbara Simpson! I'm sick to death of her Tom Cruise-like rants about how psychopharmaceuticals will cause you to become a crazed maniac and commit suicide.
I like the Melanie/Lee/OV combo in the mornings, but I think it has hurt them that Lee takes off on Mondays. Suss is getting better as he goes along, but I still find him annoying fairly often. Breaking up the MLOV trio is a mistake, methinks.
Maybe she'll JOIN the guys on 910 -- Armstrong, Getty, & Morgan?
I think her getting let go was a blessing for her in disguise. I like Melanie, and I hope she will have her own show someday. Maybe soon now.
I am listening to the re-broadcast. Barbara is wonderful, but I didn't enjoy her much either. She is perfect for an evening or afternoon show, but I guess I need a faster pace in the morning.
I'd like to see her and Mark Williams from Sacramento (KFBK) team up and do a KFBK-KSFO show. But that's just my personal preference. For now, I'd just like to see KSFO save their morning show and keep it Lee-Mel-OV. (And Wanda with Puppy Love - I like the dogs).
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