How fat did Air Franken's pockets get?

"Air America looks like the broadcast version of the U.N. Oil-for-Food program, whereby money earmarked to save starving moppets somehow winds up in the bank accounts of bloated self-described do-gooders with political connections." - Mark Steyn

Ouch.

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The New York Post is reporting today that New York state attorney general Eliot Spitzer is opening an investigation into the Gloria Wise/Air America scandal.  Because his duties as AG require him to monitor the activities of state charities, his investigation will center on the Gloria Wise Home.

By most standards, this fact should make major newspapers sit up and take notice.

But yet again, the New York Times finds this story merely worthy of "watching."  So far they haven't spared a single printed word.

The center of this scandal is Evan Cohen, a scalawag by any measure.  He is responsible for organizing the wire transfers between Gloria Wise and Air America, for conning Gloria Wise officials into approving some of the transfers (others were done without official approval), and for conning Air America into making him their CEO.  Of course Air America is responsible for not questioning the methods of his fund raising earlier, given the fact that both his erratic behavior and sudden disappearance after PIQUANT Media bought Air America made the AA staff suspicious of him.

Which brings us to the star Air America personnel, particularly Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo.  Despite Al Franken's professed ignorance of any wrongdoing on the part of his bosses, it is not beyond reason to assume that at least some part of the money scammed from Gloria Wise went into the pockets of on-air talent in the form of wages or other compensation.  So far, not one Air America on-air personality has made a peep about this embarassing fact.

What should be done about this?  I believe that in the interest of fairness and justice (two things which Air America's on-air talent would endlessly profess to believe in) the on-air talent of Air America should each donate one year's salary to the Gloria Wise Home, which has been financially devastated by the scandal.  Most of Gloria Wise's funding comes from government coffers, and the City of New York has cut off funding until their investigation is completed.

Think about it - right now, Alzheimer's victims and poor minority children in the Bronx are being deprived of social services, and Air America's stars have the perfect opportunity to put their money where their mouths are and show everyone how much they care, and how important the sick and impoverished are to them.

Will they do it?

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Via Michelle Malkin, a link to a timely column by David Reinhard of the Portland Oregonia.  He writes:

Liberals are always letting the rest of us know just how much sharper and more compassionate they are than the rest of us. Now it's time to prove it: Air America Needs You.

First, its listeners should unleash their "we know better" candlepower and their you-can't-fool-us cynicism to get to the bottom of the Air America's kids-for-kilowatts scandal. And, clearly, a scheme that hurts children and Alzheimer's patients to fund left-wing outreach should appeal to progressives' dark sense of irony.

Second, Air America's listeners should go beyond the network owners on the financial front. Simply repaying funds to club isn't enough. Really, how cover-your-assets corporatist is that? Leftist listeners need to really showcase that storied compassion of theirs. Yes, how about a radio-thon to raise funds for kids and Alzheimer's patients across this broad land? Lefty listeners could, well, "Give piece of change."

Better yet, progressive forces should do what they do best -- hold a rock concert...

Bono?  Springsteen?  Air America could probably increase their listener base tenfold (albeit temporarily) just by broadcasting the event.

 

Comments

[Sunking278]

One year's salary is probably a bit steep, but you are right that the Air America people should contribute to this embattled charity as an act of goodwill.

[Gus Doces]

"Despite Al Franken's professed ignorance of any wrongdoing on the part of his bosses, it is not beyond reason to assume that at least some part of the money scammed from Gloria Wise went into the pockets of on-air talent in the form of wages or other compensation."

Great assumption without giving any proof, other than your speculation. Typical right wing spin and slander tactic.