Mike Stark

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W. (Wilfred) Michael "Mike" Stark is an American author, activist, and commentator with Air America Radio.^[1]

Stark recruited "Wingnut Spinners" - a group of people that were willing to join a coordinated campaign to call various conservative radio shows.

The first call-in campaign was directed at Bill O'Reilly's "Radio Factor". In previous discussions, O'Reilly claimed to be a champion of free speech while suggesting the left was a threat to the unfettered marketplace of ideas. Some time subsequently, O'Reilly posted a petition on his website and promoted it on his radio show. The petition was directed to the management of MSNBC and called for the replacement of the talent whose show then occupied the hour beginning at 8 PM EST. This was, of course, the hour of Countdown With Keith Olbermann.

Having noted an apparent contradiction, and having noted the fact that O'Reilly will not speak aloud certain perceived enemies' names, Stark encouraged callers to tell Bill O'Reilly how much they enjoyed Olbermann's television show. Over the course of the week, approximately 15 callers that Stark recruited were put on the air with O'Reilly. As they mentioned Olbermann's name, they were disconnected by the host.

Eventually, a "spinner" from Florida called O'Reilly and mentioned Keith Olbermann's name. The audio of Olbermann's name was never broadcast, but Stark captured the following exchange from the BillOReilly.com webcast:

The caller said, on air, "I like to listen to you during the day. I think Keith Olbermann —"

O'Reilly then cut in, and with his on-air co-host, responded to the caller, saying:

“

O'REILLY: There ya go, Mike is — he's a gone guy. You know, we have his — we have your phone numbers, by the way. So, if you're listening, Mike, we have your phone number, and we're going to turn it over to Fox security, and you'll be getting a little visit.

HILL: Maybe Mike is from the mother ship.

O'REILLY: No, Maybe Mike is going to get into big trouble, because we're not going to play around. When you call us, ladies and gentleman, just so you know, we do have your phone number, and if you say anything untoward, obscene, or anything like that, Fox security then will contact your local authorities, and you will be held accountable. Fair?

HILL: That's fair.

O'REILLY: So, just — all you guys who do this kind of a thing, you know, I know some shock jocks. Whatever. You will be held accountable. Believe it.^[2]

”

Stark again received the spotlight of the nationwide media on October 31, 2006, when he confronted Senator George Allen about Allen's arrest record and rumors of prior spousal abuse. A widely seen video, which played on national news programs, showed Allen's campaign staffers wrestling Stark to the ground.^[3] Stark announced later that day that he planned to press charges against the Allen campaign staffers for assault. ^[4] After review, the Virginia Commonwealth Attorney decided not to charge anyone, but noted that Stark had the right to bring evidence before a magistrate. ^[5] Through March of 2007, Stark has not chosen to do so.

Several days later, while stringing for Air America, Stark was briefly detained and handcuffed, but not arrested, at another Allen rally after an Allen supporter claimed Stark pushed him to the ground.^[6]

Stark's satirical blog which pokes fun at the right is named Calling All Wingnuts, "Wingnuts" being a neologism referring to far-right conservatives. Allen's campaign noted that the blog is subtitled Kickin' ass on the lyin' side: A never-ending battle against stupid, ugly, deceitful and corrupt right-wing water carriers.^[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

^ In a telephone call to talk show host Lee Rodgers, aired on KSFO radio in San Francisco on January 12, 2006, Stark denied being employed by Air America.
^ Millican, Julie. "O'Reilly ... "a little visit" from "Fox security"", MediaMatters.org, 2006-03-02.
^ Seal, Rob. "Police seek footage of Allen speech fracas", Charlottesville Daily Progress, 2006-11-02.
^ Stark, W. Michael. "Letter from Mike Stark", Richmond Times-Dispatch, 2006-10-31.
^ Template error: argument title is required.
^ Barakat, Matthew. "Liberal Blogger Taken Into Custody", AP, 2006-11-04. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.
^ Friends of George Allen (2006-10-31). Allen Campaign Press Release. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-11-12.