Remember: when it wasn't popular nor wise only Howard Cosell publically backed Muhammed Ali's refusal to go fight in Vietnam.
We haven't heard that much in all the post-mortem Ali stories but it needs to be told.
Ali remembered and was one of Cosell's closest friends and confidants --their "feuds" were mostly shtick.
*KNBR is a non-union station; some of its staffers tried a few years back to form a union; Cumulus would have nothing of it and most of KNBR's high-profile air talent not only stifled efforts, but went on-air and poo-pooed it.
Yes, the biggest anti-union guy is Gary Radnich himself who lambasted the local SAG-AFTRA as "group hustlers". His partner, Larry Krueger, also put a dagger, on-air, into the idea of a producer/reporter having the gall to attempt to get the union going. After that, union activity went bye-bye and now you have a lot of people at Knibber making minimum wage.
So while Mr. Bentley brags about his wheels and daily jokes about $3000 brake jobs, those under him have to work multiple jobs, like driving for Uber, just to make ends meet.
One BIG anti-union guy? Brian Murphy, the morning mutt who pimps for "Rich Uncles."
Tom Tolbert never helped a soul. He was in the NBA Union. Acts like one of the guys.
ReplyDeleteQuite a few marriages, 2 love children born to other women while married, lots of personal life drama, some very controversial stuff in relation to how he became a Muslim, the whole Vietnam fiasco while other good men went and lost their lives, the way he treated Joe Frazier...very controversial that he later regretted, the list goes on and on. I get that people of a certain generation love the man but later generations only know the name. God bless him but was he really a better man than anyone on today's obituary page?
ReplyDeleteAlso, as Gary Radnichs father once said, don't idolize sports stars..
I thought you were talking about Radnich until you got to the Muslim part.
DeleteThat made me laugh, Stan.
DeleteAli would never had had gone to Vietnam. Like most famous people over time that were drafted, they would have had doing entertaining and boosting morale of American Service People. Btw, Ali used the defense of it was against his "Peaceful" Muslim religion. Really?? the Muslim Religion is by far the most violent deadly religion in the history of mankind.
ReplyDeleteUh, the Crusades, Inquisition, Northern Ireland. I think Christianity gives it a run for its money.
Delete@1:35
DeleteGreat point, but don't expect hyperbolic 9:30 to get it.
@1:35 hit the nail squarely on the head. @9:30, this is your brain, now this is your brain on Fox News /cracks egg.
DeleteThe U.S. Army would have NEVER sent Ali to Vietnam anyway. They would have milked that just like Elvis. Remember that Ali's case went to the US Supreme Court...where Ali won 8-0.
ReplyDeleteSAN FRANCISCO (Nov. 6, 2014) – SAG-AFTRA today released the following statement:
ReplyDeleteToday, staff at KNBR 680/1050 in San Francisco voted to join tens of thousands of media and entertainment professionals by recognizing SAG-AFTRA as their union. The new bargaining unit will cover more than 35 media professionals who host, report, produce, edit and coordinate content for sports stations KNBR 680 and KTCT 1050.
Well that is encouraging. One small step.
DeleteRadio board ops are unskilled labor, just like talk show producers and call screeners.
ReplyDeleteMost of those folks make close to minimum wage no matter where they are. You can manage a Pizza Hut and make twice to 3 times as much.
People don't look at you and think you are cool because you work in radio...they think you are a retard because you have to take your date on Muni to save money.
I'm in a union, and I think they're nothing but a shakedown racket. I've never been so threatened and strong-armed as I have by my Union. They want their money, and they want it NOW. And what have they done with the $20,000+ that I've paid in dues over the years? Do I get any of it back in services (if not general healthcare, how about Dental and Vision)? Nope. I have no idea what they've done with all of my money. Propped up their Union Industrial Complex? Given it all away to politicians? Siphoned it off for office parties? I have no idea, as there is no accounting of dues. (Oh, and by the way, I'm a lifelong Democrat. The only Republican I've ever voted for was Arnold).
ReplyDeleteI was a 30 year fireman here in SF. I owe everything --
Deletepension, health plan, etc. to my union
Let's face it' Ali going into the service would have lost millions of dollars which in the end is what happened for him not religious considerations.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised by Gary Radnich's anti-union position.
ReplyDeleteBut am extremely disappointed to hear that Larry Krueger and Brian Murphy share the same view point.
Krueger would never put himself out there as this is his second chance after his "Brain dead Caribbean hitters," remark in 2005. Murphy seems to have lived a very entitled, insulated Marin life, although his dad was Deputy Atty General of California, so you think he might be more predisposed to Unions since his dad probably got a pretty nice state pension.
DeleteWhy do we need unions in broadcasting?
ReplyDeleteThe delineation of talent & who does what is pretty clearly defined: On-air talent go on-air...and make big bucks. Behind-the-scenes (BTS) folks stay off-air...and are there in support of on-air talent.
BTS folks knew this when they interviewed for their jobs. They even knew their salaires. Hell, BTS folks knew this when they applied for J-School or trade school.
Why the sudden whining 4-5 years into their chosen fields?
If they don't like the pay, then they should get out. I did. I was a photog/editor who eventually came to realize that I should've been paid as much as the reporter(s). But I knew "the game" when I got it.
So I got out. Freelanced for a bit...before hooking up with a Silicon Valley computer firm's video/marketing department. Now I make as much (if not more) than most TV reporters do. Plus--I get weekends off...paid holidays...four weeks vacation, too.
Those $12.50-an-hour complainers should either get out (like I did), or take their talents to another market with a lower cost of living (as many have done, too--I know of a news writer who got a job in Oklahoma City...is now a Senior Producer...and even bought a big house!)
Figures preppy Marin frat boy Youkla grad Murph is anti-Union . . .
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