49 Comments

1. Pauldub says:

   January 5, 2007 at 12:56 pm

   A sad day indeed. I am glad you took the high road on this, I expected no less. This is WNY’s as well as WBEN’s loss.
   You don’t have to apologize for the small – mindedness of Bauerle, Beach, and the station in general. I will continue to listen to the perfesser’s show, but it won’t be the same without you guys.
2. Hawk (Not Hank) says:

   January 5, 2007 at 12:56 pm

   Not surprising. Wenger is a right wing nut-job himself. He probably believes the stuff that Bauerle and Beach spew (though I really don’t think Beach believes his own stuff, he’s just playing to the listerners). Differing viewpoints is never a good thing for someone as right-wing as him. Hank and I can go at it every now and then but we respect the other’s view, and sometimes even agree with them. I don’t think Wenger and Bauerle do.

   Can’t say I listened to the show much, now I probably won’t again.

   Good point on the double-standard, not that they would ever admit it.
3. Fed-Up in Buffalo says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:00 pm

   “is that Tom Bauerle and Sandy Beach are the brunt of a lot of criticism on blogs such as mine, and WBEN doesn’t want to open its airwaves up to people who don’t like Tom & Sandy.”

   Oh, boo-hoo. Cry me a river Tom & Sandy. You can’t have you cake & eat it too. If they don’t want to be criticized they shouldn’t be on the radio. Now Kevin Hardwick’s show has to suffer because of the Beach & Baurle babies. My grammy used to always say… If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!
4. BuffaloGeek says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:26 pm

   I would also like to thank Dr. Hardwick for inviting us on and giving our family of sites a bit of publicity.

   Kevin understands what many do not, that participatory media and community journalism have a rightful place in the buffet of media options in any locality.

   While I may criticize hosts on WBEN for their choice of content or opinions, I have never engaged in any sort of personal attacks on the show hosts themselves. They make their living criticizing the actions and opinions of others and should be subject to the same criticism for their own.

   In the end, WBEN will go on as will Dr. Hardwick’s show. I will listen to his show, call in from time to time and support his efforts to raise the intelligence level of the regional political discussion. His show IS the political show of record and he has truly made WNY a better place to live.

   If you’re going to miss the live political commentary of the Know-Nothing Club, stay tuned. Within the next 30 days, WNYMedia will be announcing some exciting new media properties that will include broadcast content from Buffalo Pundit, HodgePodge, Geek, InDaBuff, Michele Johnson, RT101, BFLOBlog, Revitalize Buffalo, and many others.
5. Ken says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:30 pm

   Great post Alan – and what a ridiculous position for WBEN to take. I thought the whole point of “talk radio” was to provide a forum for a spirited and engaging exchange of ideas. Evidently – not.

   I’ve always thought that Beach and Bauerle are not just “loudmouths,” but also cowards. Both routinely drop calls when the caller expresses an opinion they don’t like or puts them into a position they can’t defend. How often have you heard Beach say: “if you don’t like it – get your own show,” and then hang-up on the caller? I’ve heard him say that quite often.

   But, they’re also cowards because they never actually have someone live in the studio that could debate them on their respective views.

   Who knows whether this decision was prompted by either Bauerle or Beach or both – but, I’ve always thought that both of them
6. Ken says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:32 pm

   sorry – didn’t finish the thought …

   I’ve always thought both of them can’t handle criticizm.
7. Michele J says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:45 pm

   So glad to hear Freedom of Speech is alive and well in Buffalo
8. eac says:

   January 5, 2007 at 1:59 pm

   I agree that you handled that with class; across the board this whole affair is to the shame of WBEN, but so it goes: Who can argue that it’s more important to make money than it is to raise the quality of political discourse?
9. RandomThoughts101 says:

   January 5, 2007 at 2:02 pm

   I’m glad Alan and Tim were able to have a conservation about this.

   I’m also glad that Dr. Hardwick’s show is part of WBEN’s Sunday morning lineup. Introducing that program to the ‘BEN airwaves was one of the best decisions station management has made in recent years. Close behind that was the decision to expand the show from one hour to a full two hours of talk about local politics.

   I’ll still be sending along my show suggestions on possible topics, possible guests, etc. to Kevin and I will also call in from time to time to chat local issues.
10. Tatonka says:

    January 5, 2007 at 2:12 pm

    So WNEN has Bauerle 9-12, Limbaugh 12-3 and Beach 3-6? Do I have that right?

    No wonder I never listen to that station – it’s not even a preset in my car anymore. Three clowns and no circus.
11. Haterade says:

    January 5, 2007 at 2:15 pm

    Hardwick did what he had to do. I’ve really begun to like the guy. As far as Bauerle & Beach … today I tuned to Bauerle for a minute – the subject was “what did you learn from your grandparents ?” …. riveting to say the least. I guess Larry Hagman couldn’t take any time away from Mickey D’s today.
12. jen says:

    January 5, 2007 at 2:35 pm

    Sounds like you handeled this with grace and elegance, BRAVO! And your point about nobody listening to boring talk shows is right on, Sandy and company get paid to be obnoxious and entertaining and say crazy things, just like O’reily and all their ilk. Same goes for blogs, the most controversial blogs get the most page views and posts, that’s the way it goes.
13. CB says:

    January 5, 2007 at 2:51 pm

    Alan

    You did handle it well…

    It is a shame…

    KH is to be applauded…he recognized long ago the growing scope of blogs and their impact in the political realm…especially local blogs…

    You gents added a unique dynamic to what he does…

    Better things are coming for us WNYMEDIA blokes and blokettes…
14. Buffalo Hodgepodge says:

    January 5, 2007 at 3:33 pm

    Dr. Hardwick is one of the most intelligent and decent people I’ve met since I’ve moved back to Buffalo and I will remain an avid fan of him and of his show.

    Thanks for having us on, Kevin!
15. Fed-Up in Buffalo says:

    January 5, 2007 at 3:47 pm

    I have to agree with all the other comments the way the “know nothings” have handled this. I still can’t help myself but to scream Censorship at the top of my voice because that is what has happened. We [bloggers] have been cut off for crimping “their” style of how they want people to think. I don’t like the idea that Kevin Hardwick has limit his guests because Beach & Bauerle aren’t happy with people [listeners] using their own voices & making up their own minds. Buffalo Pundit, your post handles things well. Or atleast better than the stink I would make if it were me being shut up of WBEN.

    Good Job guys.
16. Paul says:

    January 5, 2007 at 4:07 pm

    Erie County’s board of elections lets you search peoples names and affiliations at their office, in compliance with the freedom of information act. Shocking news:
    Thomas A Bauerle of the Village of Williamsville: Republican
    Timothy C Wenger of Orchard Park: Republican
    Kevin R Hardwick of the City of Tonawanda: Republican
    Sandy Beach lives in Niagara County, if someone wants to check on him (and knows his real name).
17. hank kaczmarek says:

    January 5, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    Hawk Sez:

    Hank and I can go at it every now and then but we respect the other’s view, and sometimes even agree with them.

    And he’s Right. I’m still a nut job to others here, but that’s OK, I probably think they’re nutjobs too. But I still read what they have to say.

    But I digress.

    I’m going to e-mail the station.

    Thanks to streaming Internet, I listen to Hardwick here in Buffalo South quite often. (I’d listen to the rest of the weekdays too if I could, but at work I’m not allowed speakers on my computer, since I make my living talking on the phone to customers)

    I never heard any reason for Alan or any of the other local bloggers, regardless of my opinion of their ideology or viewpoint, say ANYTHING on the air, over the phone or in studio that would evoke a move like this by the station Manager.

    Moreover, in the same way that Fox News has commentators from both sides of the spectrum on their shows, from neo-con whack-a-doos like Bill Kristol to simpering whining liberals like Juan Williams, WBEN should be EMBRACE the idea of offering opposing viewpoints on at least ONE of their shows. Even when you don’t agree with the opposing viewpoint, how can you make a judgement when you only hear one side of the story all the time??

    Nobody could have blamed Alan, Geek or any of the others for creating a fuss over it, and it only shows that they are considerate adults for NOT doing so.

    Why Sandy Beach would knock WWKB I have no clue, (IF he’s the same Sandy Beach)regardless of the format. There WAS a Sandy Beach who used to be the weekend afternoon guy on the old WKBW, the Rock N Roll Powerhouse of the Northeast. So it was 45 years ago, has he forgotten from whence he came? If he’s the same Sandy Beach, then guys like Freddie Klesteine, Danny Neavereth, Joey Reynolds and Sam Roberts would be ashamed of him. Radio IS Radio after all.

    I’ll still listen to Hardwick. I encourage Alan, Geek and the other bloggers to continue to call in. This kind of censorship gives not only Conservative Talk Radio a black eye, but gives Democrats, Liberals and those with other viewpoints reason to expect the worst of the Right. Help like THAT is not needed.
18. Terry says:

    January 5, 2007 at 4:44 pm

    Sounds to me like you got slapped around…… I can’t stand that Bauerle guy but it looks like he kicked your ass…. Take the high road all you want, but I sincerely hope that round 2 goes to you….. Put a torpedo in his hull.
19. buffalowatchdog says:

    January 5, 2007 at 5:18 pm

    I’m having a really hard time biting my lip on this one boys, but I agree we will and already have taken the high road on this one…

    This should get national media attention…
20. Mike Hudson says:

    January 5, 2007 at 6:44 pm

    alan….aside from beach bauerle etc. showing themselves to be exactly the sort of thin skinned, loudmouthed bullies we’ve all known them to be for years, this is a fine example of why corporate ownership of media does not serve the public well. we here at the niagara falls reporter print every negative letter that comes into us, no matter how vitriolic they may be. it may take weeks, months, but revenge is a dish best served cold and there’s not a thing wrong with it. quite simply, there are people who would like to see operations like yours and ours shut down. in my case, that would mean the end of my livelihood. you bet i’ll fight for that, like a mean, vicious dog.
21. Greg says:

    January 5, 2007 at 7:10 pm

    It’s always been clear to me that Tom and Sandy couldn’t handle any real criticism, just listen to how fast they drop callers that start making really good points against them. Tom strikes me as more of a whiner, but Sandy has an ego that really shows sometimes so it’s a toss up over which one I think went to Wenger. Maybe both.
    So, a little well deserved ocasional criticism of two blow hards gets WBEN’s panties in a bunch, but nepotism is all fine and dandy? (Susan Rose on the morning news is Wenger’s wife. And let’s be honest, both she and John Zack suck, and this is coming from someone that listens to WBEN every morning on my alarm clock radio and on the drive into work)

    I’ll be writing a letter to Wenger in support of you later tonight
22. Starbuck says:

    January 5, 2007 at 7:27 pm

    I can’t stand listening to Bauerle, Beach or WBEN Morning Show (usually amazingly clueless interviews), although to be honest I do like listening to Limbaugh, Ron Dobson, and Hardwick.

    So this is in no way to defend Bauerle or Beach in terms of their shows – totally not listenable.

    But in fairness is there any evidence to blame those two for Wenger’s decision?

    A lot of people seem to be doing that, but unless I missed something they don’t have any say in this one way or another.

    Wenger sounds like a petty control freak.

    I do wonder why Hardwick doesn’t quit on the principle, however, and take the show elsewhere. Maybe one of the NPR stations, 970 or 88.7, would pick it up? Just a thought.
23. BuffaloPundit says:

    January 5, 2007 at 7:50 pm

    But in fairness is there any evidence to blame those two for Wenger’s decision?

    When I spoke with Wenger today, the first reason he gave for this decision is criticism of the talent by the bloggers. I don’t know if that came from him, or from Bauerle (more likely) or Beach (less likely). Either way, that was a reason given.
24. Square Peg says:

    January 5, 2007 at 8:17 pm

    My off-the-wall guess is that the regular right-wing listeners didn’t like turning on the radio on Sunday’s and hearing something (gasp) different.

    As it has been pointed out, Beach & Bauerle cater to what the audience wants to hear. So much the better if they’re rabid believers themselves, but it’s not necessary, as long as they put on the show that verifies the listeners “right-ness”

    Apparently, know-nothings need not apply.
25. BuffaloBloviator.wnymedia.net says:

    January 5, 2007 at 9:35 pm

    I am considering cancelling my invitation to Tom and Sandy to come over and write on my blog. That should show ‘em.

    Seriously, congratulations are in order for the WNYmedia.net bloggers who accomplished the feat of appearing on a major local radio show, on a regular basis, and for a meaningfully long time. This is major and lasting trophy for our entire community. They did us proud.

    Lets keep our trophy shining by being graceful and appreciative to those who extended us this wonderful opportunity in the first place. We certainly do not want to burn bridges and be remembered as being difficult to deal with. The media hates it when their hand gets bitten by someone they extend free publicity to. That is the best way to be ignored in the future. I know that won’t happen to our community. Lets be professional, courteous, and appreciative. We should go quietly on to the next opportunity.
26. NameGoesHere says:

    January 5, 2007 at 10:14 pm

    They fear the shift in the air. They fear their audience is growing old and outdated and smaller and smaller over tome. That’s why they hired Dobson, to bring some more reasoned and broader thought to the station.

    Bloggers are a younger audience, as are their readers. Allowing them airtime gives them credibility.

    It’s easy to accept criticism when you’re th eonly game in town but today that same criticism (well deserved) is a threat. Sure a small right now but in the long-run?

    I’m expecting changes. I’m expecting Beach to reture by Summer. I can not explain his popularity even amongst the super wankers (as far as talent goes Bauerle – by a hair a two – is better though just as weak-minded and insipid) but his retirement will hurt the station.

    They have worries now that they did not have two years ago. Like the country they are facing a change and they don’t know exactly how to handle it.
27. Biscuit says:

    January 6, 2007 at 1:54 am

    What I don’t understand is how anyone with half a brain listens to WBEN in the first place. I drive a lot for work and BEN is nowhere near my radio rotation. God bless XM! Yeah, maybe BEN has local news, but who cares if it means you have to listen to the little gauleiters all day? Sandy Beach is a racist old gasbag and Bauerle – Christ, never has there been a man in this city who needed a hard punch in the mouth more. Listening to that station is bad for you, it’s a special kind of poison that will hurt you whether you agree with those jerks or not. So just don’t listen, people — just don’t listen. The only way the station will ever change is if their ratings suck. They aen’t going to make any money if they have an audience consisting of retired Cheektowaga bigots and unemployed losers who blame Hillary Clinton and gay marriages for their problems. The answer is so simple — just don’t listen.
28. FearlessLeader says:

    January 6, 2007 at 2:42 am

    If not for fear of slandering dogs I would be saying something like about the Pudnit laying down and fleas and such.
29. buffalowatchdog says:

    January 6, 2007 at 5:49 am

    What you talkin about Beast?
    Not that I need to be dragged into this, but the last time I heard a quote about fleas and laying down with dogs, it was a direct shot at me by Joe Illuzzi…

    Please elaborate
30. hank kaczmarek says:

    January 6, 2007 at 7:04 am

    I forgot to include–Being an ex=pat and not being able to actually tune in but once a year, the only reason I KNOW about Harwick’s show is because Alan mentions it here. I wonder how many other out-of towners that happened by here before tuned in because they heard it here first.
31. Pauldub says:

    January 6, 2007 at 9:52 am

    I see this made the Buffalo News this morining…….
32. Newsguy says:

    January 6, 2007 at 10:38 am

    I thought it’s about time that I weigh in here, since my post from last summer ultimately came true. Indeed, there is a Buffalo News story about this. What I find truly objectionable is that Wenger is now lying about this. According to Pundit’s post, Wenger told him specifically that he and the others were removed from Hardwick’s show because of their criticism of Bauerle and Beach. THAT IS ON THE RECORD! Yet, in this morning’s paper, Wenger claims that had nothing to do with the decision. He based it on the fact that the bloggers don’t have the name recognition of the TV reporters who join Hardwick. Come on, Wenger, stand up and admit the real reason for the decision. There’s no one else in Buffalo broadcasting that I have less respect for than Tim Wenger. Even if you buy his argument in today’s paper, we’re in an era where bloggers are now having an influence on the local public discourse. So, that makes Wenger’s reasoning just plain stupid.
33. Michele J says:

    January 6, 2007 at 10:53 am

    The comment about Bloggers is utterly ridiculous..Thousands read local blogs..Many times I have read things that have been already discussed on blogs being talked about in the paper days or sometimes weeks later..
34. elly says:

    January 6, 2007 at 11:49 am

    I second Michele’s comment above. I’ve had that experience fairly often.
35. BuffaloBloviator.wnymedia.net says:

    January 6, 2007 at 12:14 pm

    Bloviator says, “When you are a guest in a house, do not give the host the finger when they tell you the party is over”.

    All of the ranting and raving, however justified it may be, does not best serve our cause. The radio exposure has helped local blogging establish a position of merit. To move to the next level and achieve Marc Odien’s vision of multiplatformed media relevance, I think that we should also now establish a measure of decorum, particularly when dealing with other media outlets upon which we are dependent and must coexist with.

    The worst possible outcome for the radio opportunity we have enjoyed would be if we were to poison ourselves with the media so that everyone is afraid to deal with us.

    We should move on gracefully to our next media opportunity and not bite the hand that feeds us by attacking personalities and their motives. (Leave that for the reader comments.) We should take the high road by attacking positions and arguments that matter to the progress of Buffalo.

    The most effective demonstration against “unprofessionalism” is professionalism.
36. Mike Hudson says:

    January 6, 2007 at 1:03 pm

    bloviator…there’s nothing wrong with putting a bit of fear into them. often, it’s the only thing they respect.
37. FearlessLeader says:

    January 6, 2007 at 10:38 pm

    Watchdog, my above comment was my way of saying that the mainstream media and its minions like WBEN and Hardwick are filthy ass licking dogs and you shouldn’t be surprised when even moderates like the pudnit and friends get treated like dogs.
38. buffalowatchdog says:

    January 7, 2007 at 7:56 am

    I agree…

    Thats what I thought you meant
39. XMan404 says:

    January 8, 2007 at 11:36 pm

    BuffaloPundit,

    Two points if I may:

    Point One

    You said,
    “…I think that calling Hillary Clinton a “bitch” hardly qualifies as insightful punditry…”
    and
    “The funniest part of the conversation was when I described Beach and Bauerle as “loudmouths”, which they quite clearly and unabashedly are…”

    So you’re no better, right? It appears as if you are setting up your own double-standards. Maybe they don’t find your commentary to be insightful punditry either, and perhaps Hillary clearly and unabashedly really is as much a bitch as Tom Bauerle is, as you put it, “an ignorant sonofabitch.” (and, given your own namecalling, why does it bother you so much that someone calls Hillary a bitch?)

    Point Two

    You call it “egregious” that Bauerle and Beach, each a seasoned professional and certainly not a newcomer to the broadcasting scene, “mock” certain liberals, and yet you mock in the same way those with whom you disagree. Another self-contradiction and double-standard on your part.

    I hope you don’t mind the commentary. You did say that you take is as well as you give it, right?

    The point may be that the programming director, which, last I checked, was responsibible for the programming and flavor of the station decided, as is his right and job, that folks who are obviously no friend to the station (except perhaps to Dr. Hardwick) are not the sort of commentators that the station is looking for. You have your forum(s), and they have theirs.

    If your (and WNYM’s compatriots’) panties are in a bunch that liberal radio doesn’t fly as much with the more conservative (than you) WNY, well… sorry. Them’s the breaks. Good luck on making your own go of it.
40. BuffaloPundit says:

    January 9, 2007 at 8:04 am

    “…I think that calling Hillary Clinton a “bitch” hardly qualifies as insightful punditry…”
    and
    “The funniest part of the conversation was when I described Beach and Bauerle as “loudmouths”, which they quite clearly and unabashedly are…”

    So you’re no better, right? It appears as if you are setting up your own double-standards. Maybe they don’t find your commentary to be insightful punditry either, and perhaps Hillary clearly and unabashedly really is as much a bitch as Tom Bauerle is, as you put it, “an ignorant sonofabitch.” (and, given your own namecalling, why does it bother you so much that someone calls Hillary a bitch?)

    I thought that a guy with a “rambunctious sense of humor” like Bauerle would actually take “loudmouth” as a compliment. Hillary Clinton is a sitting Senator, and I thought it was amusing that you had three men parrot a decades’ worth of half-thought-out, misogynist nonsense about Clinton. If you don’t agree with her policies, then say so and explain which ones you think suck. If you think she behaved improperly after you asked her if she fucked the guy that later shot himself in the park, then say so. But to just call her a “bitch” and mock her “800 pound thigh(s)” is sort of juvenile, don’t you think? The difference, of course, is that I am an amateur journalist with no name recognition, and never did I say I wouldn’t be juvenile. These guys actually get paid to come up with punditry like “bitch” and “fat thighs”.

    You call it “egregious” that Bauerle and Beach, each a seasoned professional and certainly not a newcomer to the broadcasting scene, “mock” certain liberals, and yet you mock in the same way those with whom you disagree. Another self-contradiction and double-standard on your part.

    It’s one thing to mock Hillary Clinton (I’m assuming that’s who you’re talking about, since you didn’t bother to link to the “egregious” adjective you quote), it’s another to just conclusively say she’s a selfish bitch with fat thighs. And get paid for it.

    No one’s panties are in a bunch about much except:

    1. Hardwick’s independence in running his own show the way he wants has been usurped (there was, incidentally, no complaint from the audience about our appearance, nor is there anything to indicate ratings went down when we appeared. Instead, the entire thing was prompted by a Tom Bauerle temper tantrum to Tim Wenger).

    2. Wenger misrepresented to the Buffalo News the reason why we were banned. At the very least, he could have owned up to it and told the News what he told me. Instead, he made me out to be a liar by lying himself.

    I’m sure Entercom appreciates your vigorous defense of it, its management and its talent. Perhaps you could email your comment to Tim Wenger and ask him for a weekend show of your own. WBEN is known to take people off the street and stick them on the radio.
41. Haterade says:

    January 9, 2007 at 9:58 am

    I’d rather have my sack waxed than listen to that yenta “Kathy from Williamsville”.

    Xman404 = Bauerle ?
42. BuffaloPundit says:

    January 9, 2007 at 10:58 am

    Also, Xman wrote:

    no friend to the station

    WBEN has a dual personality.

    One is straight news, where talented people like Barbara Burns, Dave Debo, and Steve Cichon work (to name a few), and inform WNYers on the day’s goings on.

    The second personality is loudmouthism, as practiced by Bauerle, Limbaugh, Beach, and Dobson. Nothing wrong with that. Just not my cup of tea, and the aforementioned 4 hosts shouldn’t be all pissy and tantrumy when people say so.

    Lastly, I plugged Hardwick’s show (and will continue to do so) for free every week. Hardwick’s show has sponsors. If that’s not being a “friend” to WBEN, I don’t know what is. Doing a search for “WBEN” on this blog will mostly pull up Hardwick plugs, then pull up me commenting on news I heard on WBEN, and occasional hits at Bauerle and Beach.
43. XMan404 says:

    January 9, 2007 at 12:34 pm

    No, I’m not Bauerle (in fact, I’ve never even listened to him). I’m someone who stumbled across your blog and thought it interesting that you were mocking while accusing others of mocking and coming up with your own double-standards while accusing others of the same.

    I agree with you that one should state his points of disagreement and rationally make the case. However, you’re doing the same thing you say Bauerle and Beach do. Are they being juvenile? Probably. Namecalling from either side is juvenile, don’t you think?

    I have no axe to grind for Entercom; I just recognize what you may now appear to: that since they own the forum they have the right to decide who gets to channel their opinions through that forum. Additionally, the forum’s viability depends on how much the opinions resonate with, or otherwise stimulate, the listeners such that they continue to listen. Apparently it’s going well for them so far.
44. BuffaloPundit says:

    January 9, 2007 at 2:02 pm

    I agree with you that one should state his points of disagreement and rationally make the case. However, you’re doing the same thing you say Bauerle and Beach do. Are they being juvenile? Probably. Namecalling from either side is juvenile, don’t you think?

    When I hear something absolutely idiotic from a talk radio host, I’m not going to waste my time analyzing it as if I were writing a college thesis. If Bauerle makes a crack about Hillary Clinton’s thighs, am I to post pictures of her thighs and engage in a meaningful discussion about them, inviting debate? Or is it ok for me to call him what he’s being – an ignorant sonofabitch (or misogynist asshole might have been more apropos.)

    I think the latter.

    I don’t waste my time on this site just willy nilly taking a name out of a hat and calling them an “evil” “bitch” or a “bastard”, or mocking their physical appearance. (Which is exactly what WBEN did here.) If I did, I’d expect people to call me on it, and to call me an asshole for it. So should Mssrs. Bauerle and Beach, et al.

    As for the “ignorant sonofabitch” comment, friends of mine had worked their asses off to develop and plan Buffalo Old Home Week, only to find Tom Bauerle essentially mocking their efforts as useless, and using the same, tired generalizations about how badly Buffalo sucks because that’s what his septuagenerian audience likes to hear. My exact quote is:

    The point is that we’re accentuating the positives about Buffalo and counteracting the myth that Buffalo is nothing but an economic wasteland. Because it’s not. There are jobs here. You can stop by Pearl Street today with a resume and maybe even get one.

    Bauerle misses the point and can sometimes be an ignorant sonofabitch.

    So, the double-standard charge doesn’t, I think, apply. I explain exactly what my beef with Bauerle was that day, and then I say that he can “sometimes” be an ignorant sonofabitch. Not “always”. Not “is”. Sometimes can be. I think the comment is far, far more fair than just dismissively calling him, e.g., a reactionary mulleted scaremongering man with a serious Napoleon complex and far too thin of a skin. Which is more comparable to what he did with Hillary Clinton.

    As for the last point about WBEN’s forum and resonating and opinions being channeled and viability, I ask you this: did anyone ever complain to WBEN management or to Kevin Hardwick about the conduct or opinions held by the bloggers when they appeared on WBEN? I trust that the answer is no. Therefore, it’s a moot point.

    Certainly WBEN can ban me all they want, and there’s bugger-all I can do about it. That’s fine. But if they lie about it, I can call them on it. If they hamstring Hardwick’s ability to run his show the way he wants, I can decry that. Did the ratings go down or up when we appeared? Damned if I know. Have the ratings been going up steadily since my involvement with the show began and I began plugging it regularly here? I have no idea.

    At the very least, WBEN could be honest about these things. That, evidently, is far, far too much to ask.
45. Jonathan Keller says:

    January 13, 2007 at 9:32 pm

    Does anyone know how tall Tom Bauerle is? How many times has he been divorced? I occasionally listen to his show but often it’s just lazy, sensational radio. He is too inconsistent for my liking and this latest blog cencorship is the last straw for me!

    I do love his WBEN press photo. What a hair-cut! That must have taken a Queer Eye Mini Series to get that doo in shape!