Fox sports guy bashes Fox, introduces Dean who bashes Bush in PA.

[madfloridian]

Howard Dean extols Kerry, excoriates Bush

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04302/402893.stm

SNIP..."As for the "liberal" tag the Bush campaign has hung on Kerry, Dean said, "I don't know if Kerry is a liberal or not, but not one Republican president has given us a balanced budget. ... If we need a liberal to give us a balanced budget, then we need one!"

That line drew a roar, but no louder than those drawn by sportscaster Stan Savran, who served as a warm-up speaker.

Savran, in what he said was his first political appearance ever, said he didn't care if his employers -- Fox Sports Net and ClearChannel Communications -- didn't like what he had to say.

"I'm not taking it from them -- not taking the idea that if I disagree with their views I'm not a real American, not as American as them, not as patriotic as them," he said.

He went on to criticize Vice President Dick Cheney -- whom he dubbed "Grandpa Grumpy"

[steve2470]

1. i hope his resume is up to date nt

[fujiyama]

2. Good to see him in a swing state

though I think he'd be better in WI or MN.
He could be some help in those states.

[madfloridian]

7. Well, he does a lot of other stuff as well.

I think the Kerry campaign chose not to use him in many states where he would really have helped. He was really popular in Florida for a long time, neck in neck with Clark. Many Republicans here respect him. I think it was the decision of the campaign.

He does a lot of paid speaking tours now. And he was just great on TV Land tonight.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. Savran better get his resume together

he'll probably need it. :)

[napi21]

4. Grandpa Grumpy? Grumpy, I agree with.

The Grandpa I have a problem realting to. Grandpa's are supposed to be kinda nice old guys who are great with kids. Does that sound like Dick? Not to me!!!!!

[Cha]

5. That was really interesting..especially about

sportscaster Stan Savran who defied his fox bosses to speak his mind about "grandpa grumpy"!!

I'll bet Dean was lovin' it, too!

[madfloridian]

14. Did you see Dean on the TV Land special, zidzi?

He was a natural. He would make a great political commentator someday.

[Cha]

16. NO, I didn't see that and missed hearing

about it. What channel was it on and when?

I'm excited about when Kerry wins ..what will Dean do? I know he loves politics now more than medicine!

[madfloridian]

31. Here is the schedule for the TVLand show.

http://tinyurl.com/5j4c2

I don't know what channel you would get it on. On Dish Network we get it on 105 I think. Or 106. Never paid attention on cable.

[RamboLiberal]

6. Stan is a good sports guy - and unlike a lot of the sports idiot

hosts of radio/TV talk, Stan is respectful of his callers and willing to take time to talk. Glad to see he's on our side.

Too damn many sports talk hosts are like their talk brethen, loud know-it-all Repuke koolaid drinking aholes.

[madfloridian]

8. That took real courage, too.

To appear with Dean takes courage as the right wing is really after him now for the DFA ads against DeLay. Dean often grins and says "I don't poll very well among right wingers."

It took courage for him to do that.

[Blaze Diem]

10. R*E*V*O*L*U*T*I*O*N......

"you say ya want a revolution".....

I see the signs all around me..first quietly, and now so much bolder!

Feels like our America is about to return to its rightful owners.

"We know WHAT a patriot truely stands for, and HOW a patriot fights. And when the Whole World is crying out for the true patriot the reason for the fight narrows and narrows to one core human value. And that is truth."

[madfloridian]

13. Yes, there is. But our area is difficult.

Because of the all the evangelical and a lot of fundamentalist churches here...

Today I was at the hairdressers, and she and I were talking about the Palast BBC broadcast last night. The person doing a perm in the next booth said something ugly about the British people for not supporting our president.

I turned to her. I told her I would keep my mouth shut for the sake of peace, and to keep my hairdresser out of trouble at the salon. But I said...please remember who butted into a private conversation.

I said I will take the high ground on this....you do what you want. She glared at me the rest of the time. I may say something to management, but I will check first.

[Cha]

17. You tell em mad!

Wrong person to butt into a political conversation with!!:D

[madfloridian]

18. Well, with my southern drawl....it sounded more sweet than mad.

It is hard to sound mad with a southern accent. :evilgrin:

[Awsi Dooger]

9. A friend of mine from Pittsburgh said the same thing

Apparently Savran has both a radio show and sports column and is well established and regarded. I doubt he'll be fired.

My friend emailed me this afternoon with the story. He indicated the Pittsburgh media is reporting Savran donated to the Kerry campaign.

[RamboLiberal]

11. Well Stan has been fired before and unfairly

from both newspaper and radio/TV. He's one of the best and most knowledgeable around. Guess Stan doesn't give a shit any more.

Yet an idiot like Mark Madden (Pittsburgh loud fat idiot) keeps on truckin'.

Too often the good guy gets screwed as we all well know.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. What's your opinion of John Fedko?

n/t

[RamboLiberal]

15. I think Fedko is okay - have a feeling he's a Repug

That's why I was so glad Thor Tolo got canned - he was a freaking Repuke. During the 2000 recount some nights they'd broadcast political talk instead of sports and Tolo seemed on the right of Honzberger if that was possible! Besides I thought Tolo was pompous and only tried to stir controversy when talking to players, asking them things like if the manager/coach should be canned.

[Awsi Dooger]

20. Fedko was a good friend of mine in college

At USC in the '80s. We had a few classes together. Can't say he had any political leanings then, at least not vocal. Two days after graduation he was sweeping up after elephants at Knotts Berry Farm.

Fedko interned for the Angels and told a story in our sportswriting class that the Angels manager tried to intimidate a female reporter by taking off his pants while seated in his office chair, and started to masturbate while she was questioning him. I'm dead serious. The story never made the headlines so I guess she never reported it.

John Fedko is very lucky to be alive. A year or so after graduation I visited him in Odessa, Texas while he was working as sports director of a small CBS station. The huge high school playoff game involving Odessa Permian was one week later. I met everyone at the station. They were all anticipating the game, including Fedko who was among the 8 people from the station making the trip. They thought I was Kelly, a new sports guy from Indiana who they were expecting.

One week later I was in LA watching Oklahoma/Nebraska. Brent Musberger broke in with a story that 8 members of their affiliate in Odessa had been killed when their small plane crashed while returning from a high school playoff game. My friend and I were stunned. We called the station and Fedko was OK. The kid from Indiana, Kelly, arrived a week late and wasn't prepared to do the sports by himself. Fedko had to stay behind and help. Another sports department guy who I met went in Fedko's place and was killed.

[frank frankly]

19. I emailed Stan. I recommend everybody send their support to him.

He is a great host, great writer, and a patriot.

Here's my email:

Stan,

I do love your show. Especially compared to the rest of your contemporaries, you are so well-informed, polite, and professional. I've been listening to you since you returned to the radio. You are my favorite.

But when I saw that you introduced Howard Dean, I must admit I found myself choked up and teary eyed. I had to email the article to my father, who is a wonderful, decent, very religious man who voted for Bush and now has seen the light. We really had a hard time seeing eye-to-eye after the invasion, but we always listened to your show on our way to our bi-weekly bike rides. Sports gave us something to talk about until we were in agreement again. You probably know how important it is to have common ground with a father and I thank you for that. These things really matter when you love your father, but feel torn apart by huge things like this insane occupation.

Thanks again, Stan. I was a fan before and now I respect you even more. If you get in trouble for this, I have your back, for what that is worth. You're the best. The best.

Sincerely,
Eric Sisak
author, the book of spiral
http://www.incrediblythin.com/books_bookofspiral.php

Here's the email I sent him:

Dad,

I knew I loved Stan Savran! He introduced Dean yesterday. I must tell you that this makes me feel so good...wow. He will get in big trouble with Fox and he did it anyway.

I hope you understand I'm done sending you urgent political emails! I just like sharing what I consider good, reasonable pieces with you. I hope you do not mind. I know you are voting for Kerry and I don't want to pile on, but this was so unexpected and it just made my day, my week. I think you'll agree that Stan really laid it on the line, just like your former boss Paul O'Neill. How awesome.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04302/402893.stm

love,
eric

[madfloridian]

22. Just went to your site. Your "thin" book got big reviews!

Looks like a great book. Impressive reviews.

It takes courage for any Republican to stand with Dean now, or any Democrat. Dean is pushing the envelope now, and he knows it. I think he is willing to take whatever party consequences may come later for his outspokenness.

After reading his new book, little and thin, as well....I have an idea he would rather use his voice for change than for anything else.

[frank frankly]

24. thank you and please send stan an email.

you would really like this guy, even before this, but especially now:

[e-mail]

[HuskerDem]

21. I want to thank the right people for having the BALLS

to speak the truth. Let Clear Channel and FAUX suck the ass of a deposed pretender. We need more real patriots like Savran.

[frank frankly]

23. send him an email of support

if you've got the time:

[e-mail]

[madfloridian]

25. I just emailed him.

Thanked him for his courage.

[frank frankly]

26. great and thanks for posting this

I live in Pittsburgh and I missed it today!

He is going to take a lot of heat for this, I am afraid.

But he wasn't afraid and that is what matters.

:hi:

[madfloridian]

27. Welcome....I put up with a lot of that patriotism stuff since 2001.

I have been called unpatriotic, I have been criticized by family members for not supporting Bush....and so on. I appreciate courage.

[HuskerDem]

29. DONE BABY !!!!!!!!!! eom

[henslee]

28. granpa grumpy is the new crashcart.

[madfloridian]

30. Morning kick for Stan Savran's courage.

:kick:

[blue neen]

32. Believe it or not, the local Fox channel (Savran's employer)

had extensive coverage of the voter registration fraud at the Univ. of Pittsburgh on last night after the World Series.

Students had signed petitions to legalize marijuana and received voter i.d.'s saying they were now registered Republicans! Fox 53 actually interviewed students about the scam and had a couple of different reporters on the story. I couldn't believe it!

In Pittsburgh, if Fox doesn't report on stories like this no one will watch them! Stan may not lose his job after all...he's extremely popular here in Pittsburgh! Even if he did, one of the other stations would probably hire him.

Thanks for posting this. I missed this story yesterday.

[qanda]

33. I grew up listening to Stan Savran

I love that guy even more now than ever before!

[madfloridian]

34. His first political appearance ever, he says.

And the courage to introduce Howard Dean....I admire that. His passion and his patriotism are showing....good for him.

[madfloridian]

35. Got a reply back from Savran, very appreciative of support.

Got a response back from this courageous guy. Here are snips.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you so much for your support. Believe me, it is greatly appreciated.
I believe there comes a time when every person must stand up, and I truly
believe this election is the right time.
Thanks again,
Stan

My email to him.
Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 11:05 PM
To: [e-mail]
Subject: We saw the article about your appearance with Dean.

We read about your courage in not being afraid to speak against the media
machine. Thanks for that. Our country is in such trouble right now, and we
need a lot of courageous folks.

Howard Dean is one of those, and you, sir, are another....thanks for having
a conscience.