Masks Come Off for 2 Callers Who Gave WBAI Grief (for decades!) NYT

[flamingdem]

--- snip

“The reason I came forward is because I don’t have much time left,” Mr. Owens said in an interview.

Mr. McDonagh said of Mr. Owens, “He told me he didn’t want anyone calling in to WBAI years from now and wondering what ever happened to the Cuba Boys.”

Mr. Owens said he began telephoning WBAI in his early teens, calling the hosts “commies” if they refused to debate him.

“It wasn’t crank calling,” he said. “It was phone guerrilla warfare. Some of these so-called progressives wouldn’t want to hear our side, so before they’d hang up, we’d tell them to go to Cuba.”

Despite his ideological views, Mr. Owens became a dedicated WBAI listener, and donated thousands of dollars to keep the station operating because, he said, “I believe in free speech and even though I disagree with their politics, I’ve always used a lot of the information they give for travel and health reasons and investing money.”

“I went to a lot of communist countries – North Korea, Russia, Cuba, China, East Germany,” he said. “And I used to call into WBAI – I didn’t care if I was in the firehouse or listening online in another country – and I’d tell them, ‘If you can’t appreciate how great America is, especially New York City, and if you think communism is better, then go to one of those countries and I’ll pay your fare.’ ”

Despite his fervent ideology, Mr. Owens wound up making lasting friendships in his travels to Cuba and returned more than a dozen times.

In the studio, Mr. McDonagh, along with a fellow host, Sandy Boyer, as well as a sound engineer, Eliza Butler, sat alongside Mr. Owens and Mr. Sexton and recounted great calls with the Cuba Boys over the years.

There was the time they called in and made Bob Dylan, who was a guest, laugh. There were the many calls from their firehouse phone to the well-known WBAI host Bob Fass.

With all the radio transmissions and alarms in the background, Mr. Owens said, “He must have thought I was in the C.I.A. or F.B.I.”

Mr. McDonagh said of the Cuba Boys, “They seemed so normal, they’re out saving lives, and in their spare time they’re torturing WBAI.”

“Do you get great joy out of this?” he asked them.

The two men said it was so much fun, they called the station daily.

At this point, the phone was busy with callers and Mr. McDonagh said, “If only the switchboard would light up like this when we’re looking for funds.”

Most were longtime callers, like Kevin from Brooklyn, who said, “This is almost like finding out who Deep Throat was.” more at link

[Manifestor_of_Light]

1. Why are these guys so hateful???

Sick, sick, sick.

Did they go to the Joseph McCarthy Charm School?

They needed to get a life. Imagine what they could do if they weren't harassing the poor announcers.

[flamingdem]

2. They sure have an obnoxious way of having fun! n/t

[JoeyT]

3. Firefighters whining about socialism?

Dumbasses.

[Hestia]

4. Link please? I'm not seeing it