NP Bush-Clear Channel connections

[pynchonoid]

<http://www.takebackthemedia.com/radiogaga.html>

Radio Ga Ga 

Clear Channel Worldwide Inc., the nation’s largest
owner of radio stations (over 1200 stations in all 50
states and DC), sponsored the numerous "patriotic
rallies" which were held in various cities around the
country. They organized, advertised, provided speakers
and entertainment for them, and even handed out
numerous American flags to participants. 

While Clear Channel promoted these as patriotic
rallies, the attendees obviously felt otherwise. In
addition to waving their provided flags, they also
held signs condemning their fellow Americans -
liberals, Hollywood, the Dixie Chicks. They were not
so much patriotic rallies as pro-war rallies, and not
so much pro-war rallies as rallies against anyone who
opposes the Bush administration's policies. 

There are close ties between the company and President
Bush. The Vice Chair of the company is Tom Hicks, a
member of the Bush Pioneer club for elite (and
generous) donors. The relationship between Bush and
Hicks goes back even further, however. The two were
embroiled in scandal when Hicks, as University of
Texas Regent, was responsible for granting endowment
management contracts of the newly created (under
legislation signed by Bush) UT Investment Management
Co. (UTIMCO). The contracts were given to firms
politically connected to both Hicks and Bush,
including the Carlyle Group - a firm which has the
first President Bush on the payroll and had the second
one on the payroll until just weeks before receiving
this lucrative business. The board of UTIMCO also
included the Chair of Clear Channel, L. Lowry Mays. In
addition, Hicks purchased the Texas Rangers from
George Bush, making him a wealthy man through a deal
that was partially sweetened by a shiny new taxpayer
financed stadium, which included valuable land
obtained at below market rates through the use of
eminent domain. 

Whether or not the close ties between the radio
behemoth Clear Channel and the president have anything
to do with their rallying support for his policies is
unclear. If it were a small company it would not much
matter. But Clear Channel is a media giant, dominating
the radio and promotion industries. The potential for
the alignment of big media and the government should
concern us all, especially as FCC Chair Michael Powell
continues to push to reduce the barriers to even
further media consolidation. 

>From the New York Press and Atrios.
(03/20) 



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