I've decided to bring the show back to the airwaves, with some significant alterations. I believe this show is an important point of communication for Progressives across the country who listen, or call in, or chat in our chat room.
Originally designed to provide a voice for the activists, activism and activities of the progressive South (24,000,000 voters in 2012), the focus of the show has slowly evolved into a unifying national representation.
This is because many different geographic regions of the US have made PPTS their voice, as well. Having been off the air for three months, our archived replays during that same time have consistently averaged 5,000 per month (Blog Talk Radio Reporting, verified via iTunes.)
Evidently, the show has been providing progressives with action items, talking points, and truth. Many of those listens have gone out to those of other opinions as well. Loyal listeners have sent their opposite-thinking friends, colleagues, co-workers and family members links to give truthful information that negates the lies they have believed (listener testimonials). Feel free to listen to the last show, right here.
With the false information flying, the 2014 elections upon us, and the current situation with federal governance,
PPTS has an opportunity to engage, empower, and send out progressive voices that
will become the change they seek. Follow me just below the
squiggledoodlethingey fold for the updates.
Progressive Politics is the name, and aim of this show, period. Tennessee Style speaks of elegance, genteelness and welcome. It's HOW we do the show, not for whom we do the show. I hope that, after all the previous episodes, this would be self-evident. According to some, it has not been.
The show will now specifically engage and be designed to include ALL Progressives in the US (and beyond). Our special guests will have national interest for Progressives. Those activities we air will be a regular focus of the show.
We will also offer regular Google Hangouts post-show that will give our live listeners an opportunity to share some "face time" with the show staff, hosts and our Special Guests. Further information, points of interest, and specific answers to specific listener questions will be highlighted.
Yes, the show needs your voluntary donations to continue, especially with the potential of the government not providing me with the small monthly SSDI which maintains my life. We need paid sponsors, donors, members...at the rate of about $125.00 per month to keep this Progressive Voice going out. (My operational budget for 2013-14 is estimated to be a minimum of $1,500--the short-term goal.)
That was a primary reason the show went dark in the first place. Failing said support the show will have to go dark again. I do not wish that to happen. Please help us do what you have told us needs to be done. Please. I will be setting up, in the next day, a specific and limited PayPal account for the show. If your heart leads you in the meantime, you can make your donation via PayPal (kybudman@writing.com). The show, as a 501(c)3 does have it's own bank account, supervised by others. (Thank Goodness for that!) Have to get a signature or several for the authorization to engage PayPal for donations. Thus, the slight delay.
For those preferring physical addresses:
PPTS
2007 Morris Avenue
Columbia, TN 38401
The show is a DailyKos-concept creation. I hope my fellow Kossacks will do what you can to keep it on the air. Financially, as listeners, subscribers, donors, callers, and Special Guests...these are all ways you can help move the message forward, empowering others (and yourself) to become the change you seek. Issues, organizations, causes, campaigns are all welcome. I know from personal experience that PPTS has been a positive force for change. I'd really love to see it stay one. You can help. I hope you will.
The show airs live on Sunday afternoons, beginning at 2:30 PM (Central Time) and runs for (usually) two hours. We have live callers and a very active chat room during the live broadcasts. That is all available to you here.
The call-in number is (237) 324-5825.
We have had, in the past, a very strong and positive relationship with Netroots Radio Network, who had found a couple of spaces (2 hours per day, 2 days per week!!) for our show to be re-broadcast on their network. I will be working with them to see if that is either opportunity re-found or opportunity lost. I will also be seeking other broadcast/re-broadcast opportunities for PPTS, as well. More on that as it develops. (Hey, Markos!!) :)
Additionally, we will be seeking volunteer editors for the PPTS group here to create preparation and/or post-show diaries to continue the conversations the show historically has engendered. Because we are re-booting the operation, it will take a bit of time to re-compile our famous "8 Week Schedule". As we do so, the writing of the diaries will become much, much easier. (If you are so inclined, please kosmail me to volunteer for this, or any other necessary activity of the show.)
One new wrinkle we are going to unleash is to host a post-show live Google Hangout, featuring our staff and/or Special Guest(s). I want to give the listeners and guests a valid reason for some "face time" that the archived episodes do not permit. Whether candidates/campaigns, or issues folks, the entire purpose of the operation of PPTS is engagement, and empowerment. Those events will begin this coming Sunday afternoon, beginning at 5 PM (Central Time) and will last for a minimum of 30 minutes; longer if warranted. You will be able to find us on your Google + page under "Hangouts" on your left navigation menu. Just look for the "PPTS Live Hangout".
While every opportunity to share information should normally be forcefully addressed, I and the other PPTS volunteer staff do have limits. If there is a volunteer who would be willing to do it, the Hangouts MAY be archived on the PPTS YouTube page. I and the media team hope you will subscribe, comment, recommend, and...participate there. Do you have an issue, campaign, cause, or community organization video to share? Let me know.
Otherwise, the immediate value of actual live participation will be enforced for these Hangouts. It's meant to be a very special value for our listeners; I'd like to keep it that way, and especially for our sponsors, supporters, donors and volunteers.
So, this is the short-term plan. I, and the PPTS team are most appreciative of the support and encouragement throughout the life of the show. I am personally grateful for the emails, comments, and phone calls which have let me know that this work really DOES matter.
There is so much, and so much more yet to do. We need program co-hosts, a brand new research team of volunteers dedicated to "getting it right--every time", journalist volunteers in print, radio, broadcast, and video markets, a social media team, and passionately engaged callers and special guests.
The "official" email of the show is: thetennesseeprogressive@gmail.com. Please feel free to contact the PPTS team at any time. As the schedules are confirmed, and the new opportunities are a bit more solid, you can always find the news right here. This IS the official communication organ for the show. Nobody is a stranger here, and nobody here is stranger than I.
As I can, and for so long as I can, it is my passionate desire to make PPTS a relevant source, a gathering place, and a training/empowering engagement operation for Progressives across this country--right now. 2014 and 2016 must be our line in the sand. There are a few projects beginning right now to make that a successful reality. One of the greatest casualties of the past few decades is our willing ability to talk to one another. PPTS would be a player in changing that.
Tomorrow's diary will talk directly about the October 20th show, which will be about what our listeners truly believe they would like to see their country look, feel, act, smell, and sound like as we move forward. Perhaps you have an idea about that.
From the Court House, through the State House and our federal legislatures, even to the White House, this is an imperative conversation we must have. Even if our conversation points out those "granted" realities we stand to lose--and what we can do about it. I hope you will comment, volunteer, and help us make this first "full" show an overwhelming success. We really cannot do it without you.
We're on the air!
We'll see YOU there!!
For PPTS,