Recently, Buffalo was invaded by Left Radio. Two AM stations, WWKB 1520 ^[1] and WHLD 1270 ^[2] changed their formats to talk radio with a progressive spin, versus the Rush Limbaugh/Bill O’Reilly/Sean Hannity right wing-nuts. I am now faced with a plethora of media to listen to on the radio with not enough time to listen.

WHLD 1270 ^[2] is basically Air America Radio ^[3] with a few other syndications thrown in (Democracy NOW! ^[4], TUC Radio ^[5], and Counterspin ^[6], among others), as well as some local programming. WWKB 1520 ^[1] has Bill Press, Stephanie Miller, Leslie Marshall, Ed Schultz, Lionel, Joey Reynolds and other local programming, as well.

Before two weeks ago, I had a pretty set routine, as far as my radio habits went. In the mornings, I’d flip back and forth between Shredd and Ragan ^[7], and WNED-AM ^[8], where I am a member. From 8-9, I’d listen to Democracy NOW! ^[4], and on Wednesdays, it was TUC Radio ^[5] and Counterspin ^[6] from 9-10. In the afternoons, while on lunch, I’d listen to more NPR ^[8], and in the evenings, I’d listen to Slick Tom ^[9], more NPR ^[8], and the odd sports show or Sabres game on WGR ^[10]. Overnite, it’s the BBC on PRI ^[8], or Coast to Coast AM ^[11]. The weekends were filled with various shows on NPR ^[8], Bills and Sabres games.

Now, it’s difficult to set a routine. I have to say that I’m loving Stepanie Miller ^[12]: she’s funny, good looking, and I agree with her politically. I actually wouldn’t mind hooking up with her to kick back some wine the next time she’s in Buffalo. So I station-hop between her, Shredd and Ragan, NPR, and WGR in the mornings. Unfortunately, Democracy NOW! ^[4] was moved to the 9-10 slot, and I spend half of that time underground on the train, which sucks. They also moved TUC Radio ^[5] and Counterspin ^[6]to Friday nights, which befuddles me. Why that time, I ask you? NO one listens to the radio at that time!

I also give a listen to Ed Schultz while at work. His voice sounds like Rush Limbaugh with a southern twang, but he’s decidedly left-wing. I’ll flip between him, Randi Rhodes on Air America, and NPR. I remember Randi from when I was living in Florida. I thought she was a kick then, and I think she’s a kick now. She was one of the first adio personalities I heard that questioned 9/11, and at that time, I was a liberal lost in a sea of Boca Raton conservatives – she was a breath of fresh air. I love her voice – it’s got the Brooklyn accent that I fell in love with when I went to school in Oneonta ^[13], back in ’83.

At night, it’s more flipping back and forth between stations, unless there’s a Sabres game on. And overnites, it’s more flipping around.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It’s nice to have that kind of variety and quality radio to listen to. It’s just hard to take it all in.