Bryan suits loses his platoon

"The Bad Lieutenant," Bryan Suits (KVI m-f, 5-8p)- holds only one card in his hand.

He's a wounded Iraqi War vet.

What's run off his listeners? Is it that the war's so unpopular, or that the whole shameful bloody adventure has been so thoroughly discredited, that Suits' neverendending war rationales, complex Bush defenses and militaristic monologs have worn so thin?

Suits ratings are the lowest on KVI's local line-up. The only show lower is the place-holding "Brian & the Judge," a hurry-up blab-bacle that Fox Radio ginned-up on the cheap when Tony Snow went to the White House.

John Carlson pulls a 2.7 from 3 to 5p in the important adults 25-54 demo; but when "Rooty-toot" Suits comes aboard from 5-8p, the share drops a full point to a frightful 1.3.

Listeners duck and cover, collateral damage in the talk wars. Suits' show is down 55% from the last ratings survey.

Things aren't that great around the heritage talker, KVI. Fisher pays Carlson an awful lot of money to tie with the syndicated Michael Savage who comes cheap or free to Entercom at KTTH. 

But what's to like about the Bryan Suits Show? We've always been bored because he talks interminably about calibers and ordnance; his speech always studded with army jargon and military acronyms.

He delivers long lectures on obscure topics and much of the time the only callers are those with the same kind of discharge as his. At least somebody knows what he's talking about.

(We've never been all that crazy about discharges or discharging like these Army guys; always discharging something in the air or being smartly discharged in every which direction. A discharge for us hippies meant having to go get some penicillin).

Suits' snide, cynical manner makes it hard to empathize with him. Even Dori Monson, whiny, retributive neocon that he is, has a vulnerable side. (He's like that little boy that reminds parents how close to the surface of normal behavior child abuse can be) but Suits lets no one that close in. Nor will he, or can he, fake it, as many public people do.

He has a quick and clever wit, but the joke's never on himself, it's usually him standing off at a safe distance lobbing hyper-critical Katyushas of scorn couched in glib verbal titanium on somethings or somebodies usually liberal.

Not too loveable, there soldier- you've lost the hearts and minds...

So whaddya do when the host runs out of war stories and war is a dirty word again? You change the station.

Comments

[Tommy008]

Suits arrogantly blew off the Army psychiatrist who saw him during a required, routine post-Iraq duty interview, and told him he felt Suits had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptons, according to one of of Suits own show monologues. Badass Bryan brayed manfully about how he rebuffed the doc's request to treat him. He had a particular contempt for the shrink because he was a "liberal". Something about the similarity in the two men's nasal voices and deliveries makes me feel like I'm listening to a kind of dumbed down, humorless, stiff version of David Letterman whenever I listen to Suits. Of course even Letterman can be self-deprecrating at times, whereas, as already observed in the blog above my comments, Machoman dares not go there. Like fellow local boy Moose Monson, Suits has overstayed his welcome in this radio market.

[spambutcher]

I don't like his little pro-war spiels either - but when he's not reciting the bush doctrine - he's actually pretty independent and irreverently funny.

Definitely more of his own man than say Kirby Wilber or that guy who will "interview" anyone who links to his web site (what's his name again?).

Kind of surprised he's not getting the ratings…

[Brian In Lacey]

Oh yes the over baked brain on the over night its not funny its just really bad radio , is the topper of bad radio

[John]

HAHAHAHA poor Suits. What a fuckin retard.

[RobP]

Here's the thing: Bryan COULD be a good talk show host if someone would just take a little time and mentor him.

He never got that at KIRO and clearly it's not happening at KVI.

If he could become more than a one-trick pony (and not all war-all the time), I think he'd be a fair competitor.

[sclub]

So many Suits chances, so few ratings to show for it all.

[slugworth]

I think the reason he is not getting rating is the fact that when he fills in for other hosts they run recent shows over again. I have tuned into the same shows several times. Very frustrating. I love his show otherwise.

[Jack]

Suits tells it like it is; some folks can't handle that.

[Turgid Burglar]

Look, I'm no fan of the politics on the show. But Bryan can be very funny and independent at times, at least when I've listened.
And when he goes on the pro-war, pro-Bush nonsense rants, I do something crazy... I turn the channel, usually to NPR. I can still like the dude even when he's a total idiot sometimes.
Slugworth makes a good point: more than half his shows (it seems) over the past six months have been repeats. He's either filling in for John and Kirby or on vacation or out with the army doing the army thing. It's hard to build up ratings with re-runs.

[John]

I'm a regular caller and I must give suits some credit because he will actually let you talk. (most of the time) Wilber and Carlson are both hyper-interrupters and it can be very difficult to talk to them. They also use the cheap tactics of rightwing radio hosts. Like hanging up on the caller and then going on to claim that the "coward liberal" hung up because he couldn't handle their "logic".

The other thing about Suits is that he's not as much of a bigot as Carlson and Wilber. Maybe that's another reason his ratings are down. His audience of old crusty dumb fuck republicans doesn't like his somewhat liberal attitude about gays.

[Tiffany]

He was much better when he was at KIRO. Back then he was more of a libertarian. These days he seems to have taken a liking to the conservative social agenda, and that annoys me.

[joanie]

These remarks don't reflect the Suits I used to hear on KIRO. . . I'm thinking maybe I should give him another try. I like independence.

[Rick]

When Suits was on KIRO during the run-up to the war he was, if i'm not mistaken, against it. And he gave good reasons why he felt that way. I also got the impression that he really looked up to and respected Dave Ross. But then he latched on to KVI and his ideas changed and then his ass gets shipped to Iraq and he has been a whole new and less-interesting Bryan Suits ever since.

[Steve]

then his ass gets shipped to Iraq and he has been a whole new and less-interesting Bryan Suits ever since.

You are surprised that his attitude may have changed after actually serving and experiencing first hand what is happening instead of accepting the MSM accounts?

I usually listen to KVI with the exception of Suits. I find him somewhat boring and don't particulairly care for his radio voice. I salute his service, but he can't dwell on that forever. I think KVI is somewhat backed in to a corner-if they dump him they will catch hell from many of their audience. I wore the uniform for over 30 years. After I retired, it took awhile, but I found there is another life. And I found most could give a fuck that I served.

Say good night Joe! You won't make it as an independent either.

[joanie]

I think he will . . . why don't you?

[Steve]

I think he will . . . why don't you?

Unless he gets a huge amount of support from the mainstay libs/dems he is consigned to the scrap heap of political has beens. "She who cannot be denied" has said she will support the winner of tonights election. And what she wants, she gets-usually (minus a loving husband and healthcare). It will get ugly. I do so hope JFK, "She", the Breck Boy, the Earth is Melting boy, and a few other scrap it up in the primary.

GOP side-McCAin/Graham-the poor bastard who hung upside down one day too many as a guest at the Hanoi Hilton. Both are Rino. Frist-naw. George Allen-more my type and a maybe. Lot of scrapping on the GOP side to be done too.

Ought to be amusing.

Either way, we all lose.

[joanie]

Been watching CSpan and hearing lots of callers from Connecticut. The republican candidate isn't . . . has no support at all. Repubs who called in said they would vote for Lieberman cause he's shown himself to be closer to their politics than waste a vote on the repub candidate. Also, a lot of independents in that state.

I think Lieberman can pull it off and I'm no fan. I don't think Hilary has any influence at all. Agreed - it will be ugly. I hope Lamont takes the gloves off for this one.

Re McCain - he's repub through and through. I don't get your last analysis at all. Sorry. Who is the "Breck boy" - Edwards? I think your take is alarmingly off if you're trying to target the dems. . .

[joanie]

Are you also saying that you are one of the few mountain folk who don't believe in global warming? Is that why you denigrate Gore?

It is one thing to want to indulge in sour grapes over a war that you fought in - I have some understanding for that even though I know your information is unfounded.

But, now you're a city boy . . . the proof is in about global warming. You gotta be more informed than you're sounding.

[sparky]

Hillary doesnt have the clout that the GOP thinks she has.

Does Joe have to formally register as an Independent, thus giving up his "membership" in the Democratic party, such as it is?

The GOP could feasibly help Joe out, but his constituents wont support him anymore if they do.

As I posted elsewhere, the bigger issue is that members of congress need to examine what happened today very carefully. Loserman may still pull this off, but congress critters everywhere need to think carefully about the ramifications of pissing off their constituents.

[joanie]

Well, I hope you are right. We've got too many who want to raise the art of compromise to historic levels. . . I'm not one of them.

Joe said he was going down tomorrow to register as an independent democrat - that's code for independent but really a democrat in case you couldn't tell. They gave some history on his win over Weicker - Lowell Weicker - remember him? I liked him. He was honest and direct. He was a republican but a maverick. He got a national reputation for being honorable.

I hope Lamont studies his history and does to Lie-berman just exactly what he did to Wicker. What goes around, in this case, oughta come around.

[sparky]

Sen. Dodd has been picked to try to talk Joe off the ledge....(dailykos.com)

[joanie]

I'll be sure to mention Dodd in my prayers tonight.

[Steve]

"It is one thing to want to indulge in sour grapes over a war that you fought in"

I don't know where you get that from. My warrior days are over. Just want my son in law to return safely. I would do it all over again-one of the most unique, if not the best experience. My comment that most folks don't give a fuck if you served is just a simple statement of fact. We serve, then most of us move on to something else. Some just can't let go.

Global warming-"the facts are in". Depends on who you accept the facts from-

[Scrilla]

Suits main problem is that he fills in for the other locals. They keep rotating the same old shows to cover his time. Radio is about habits, and KVI isn't helping his listeners build the habit.

[joanie]

Steve, it is like your hatred of Kerry. You choose to believe a few guys who indulge in sour grapes. Okay. You earned the right by being there. I know they lied but you earned the right to believe 'em.

But, global warming is different. The only right you have to believe the 1% (if that) that denies it is based on pure stubborn political loyalty or stupidity and your exercise of that right endangers all of us. Your belief of the Çrichton-paid-by-Exxon conspiracy theory puts your grandchildren in danger. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree there is a supreme threat to our planet. But, I guess it gives you some sort of personal benefit to think you are one of a few gifted with "superior intellect." How sad.

I offer these examples of previous procrastination:

Two American scientists in 1974 set out evidence that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) - aerosols, refers, etc. - were eating the ozone layer. They, too, were called fearmongers and campaigns to discredit their science started. But, thirteen years later when it was discovered the ozone hole was bigger than predicted - the US led the charge to find alternatives to CFCs. But, damage had been done.

Another (more up your alley): "1930s Churchill warned a dithering Chamberlain Cabinet "the era of procrastination, of soothing and baffling expediencts, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences."

I have one more piece of evidence which was - for me - definitive: (from Elizabeth Kolbert's FIELD NOTES FROM A CATASTROPHE c2006)

Between 1990 and 1998 an ice core (11,775') was drilled at the Vostok station in Antarctica. This core contains a continuous climate record going back four full glacial cycles. It shows that the planet is now nearly as warm as it ever has been in 420,000 years. By the end of the century, we will enter a completely new climate regime. (her words)

Also, on page 128 she includes a chart showing that temp levels spiked pretty uniformly four times in the last 400,000 years. But the fifth spike (present time) seems not to be declining . . .

If you are absolutely rigid in your opinions, then so be it. I'd rather do something preventative than suffer irreversible consequences later.

If I had one wish for you, it would be that you would try to open your mind to all sides of issues before drawing conclusions. I, too, listen to people who have earned my respect and often parrot their thinking . . . I don't have time to learn it all first hand. But, I sure can change my mind when the facts change or I learn new facts that belie the old ones.

[Dave Taylor]

What is the story with Carlson missing so much time lately? I recognize this is vacation time, but he seems to be gone quite a bit lately. I remember something about him getting involved with a Cancer group. Is he OK?

Also, why is it when suits fills in for Carlson they have a rerun of suits old shows? Is there some union rule that these guys can't pull more than a 4 hour on-air shift??

[Steve]

I'd rather do something preventative than suffer irreversible consequences later

And what are you going to do that is preventative? Nuc power? Electric cars? Remove the Snake River dams that will require the juice to be manufactured by hydrocarbon or windmills? IIRC 40% of our energy needs are provided by hydrocarbon based energy plants. How do you propose to replace them? Or just make them so clean that they are economically infeasible?

Cork the active volcanoes that spew more pollution than mankind?

I am not so rigid that I can't accept evidence. But I won't follow idiots like gore over the cliff. I can provide findings that refute the warming theory but uyou have your mind made up that it is a man made condition. I concede man has polluted. But this country has done a lot of ecological rehabilitation. You lamblast me for not accepting your position. Mine is just as valid as your opinions based upon your sources. You present as someone willing to accept any opionion as long as it supports your position.

That is why we are different. You march to your drum, I will march to mine-all the way to the cabin at Coyote Canyon tomorrow night.

[joanie]

No, yours isn't just as valid and that was my point. You can hide out in your cabin country but you can't escape the truth of my post.

[Steve]

No, yours isn't just as valid and that was my point.

[joanie]

You sound like an Orville now and not a Steve . . . some day you will, if you live long enough, apologize to those grandkids of yours.

[joanie]

Dang!

[Steve]

Dang!

LMAO!

Gotcha!

I have nothing to apologize to the grandkids for, other than the inhertince tax.

If you really have an open mind Joan, go to Bill Wattenbergs site and real about the environment. It's a start for your environmental rehabilitation.

Yours in rehab....

[sparky]

Bill Wattenberg!!!!!!! Dr. Strangelove wouldnt know a fact if it rose up and slapped him in the face.

[Steve]

Dr. Strangelove wouldnt know a fact if it rose up and slapped him in the face.

I am sure your resume would shame Dr Wattenburgs!

[joanie]

Sparky, I was just coming to you for your expertise 'cause I know you listen to KGO . . . I'll check him out and make up my own mind. But, Steve, you gotta have more than one source - right? I mean, you don't go around quoting just talk radio guys, do ya?

[Steve]

But, Steve, you gotta have more than one source - right?

Please take the time to reread my post-you will see that I said it is a start.

No-I don't listen to the radio all the time. I seldom listen to Dr Wattenberg-occassionally at the cabin if wave propagation cooperates. Got a big mountain that limits reception. But when there, I usually prefer sitting on the front porch, sipping a grape or JB/rocks and listening to night noises & Coyotes rather than the radio when the good Dr is on air (2200-0100 Sat/Sun).

Ray Talafero follows Dr Bill W. for you libs who need a good shot of foolishness.

I remain yours in open mindness...

[sparky]

Only on sunday nights...the rest of the time, Bernie Ward is ahead of Ray..Saturday nights they go to John Rothman.

Joanie, Dr.Strangelove is an AUTHORITY on everything dontchaknow, and is quite dismissive of anyone who holds an opinion different than his. He also regularly trashed the openly gay host that precedes him on the weekends until management told him to knock it off.

According to him, people who want to save the environment are "tree hugging wack jobs"....his rhetoric is no different than anyone on Faux.

[joanie]

Thanks Sparky. You know I don't let anybody do my thinkin' for me. I'll take a listen and decide.

Steve, if he's a judgmental kind of someone, one that persuades by put down, he won't be impressing me very much. Put downs don't convince . . . facts and observations do.

[Steve]

He also regularly trashed the openly gay host.

Your point?

Just what talk radio needs, another Mike Webb. That is so SFO.

"According to him, people who want to save the environment are "tree hugging wack jobs"....

Have you ever checked his credentials Sparkless? His pedigree is envious to anyone above room temperature.

Yours in tree hugging;

[sparky]

Listen to him Joanie..and report back how long it takes before you change the channel!

[Tommy008]

"You're getting a first class screw job, fella!" "Those pictures you sent me would make a corpse raise his 'flagpole'." "Listen you jerk, you don't know anything about the forests. You went to a Brooklyn junior college, and had "Environmntalist" stamped on your ass". "Bunghole!" "You know, going round and round with you is like wiping your nose on a grindstone. It's endless." "Just because I'm a professor doesn't mean I have to take crap from a bunch of punks!" quotes from Dr. Bill Wattenburg

[sparky]

and those are the ones you can print on a family blog!

[chris]

Dr Bill and his atomic powered bulldozier that he invented at age 10 right before he built the SLAC at Stamford, he seems to be full of more shit than the goose at Christmas dinner

[Steve]

So the Dr is opinionated-BFD. That is what KGO pays him to be. Your hero's on AA aren't venom spewing hosts? You all are opinonated or you wouldn't be posting here. Suggest you read a bit of his wrtitings and review references the he lists.

You don't have to listen to him to review his work.

[stodge charger]

I'm just waiting for him to die on the air...

[Fremont]

Put a little less JB on those rocks, St.E....it's affecting your cognition. The globe is getting warmer. If you have any further evidence otherwise, besides Dr. Bill, please present it. Otherwise, my vote goes to the eloquent Joans.
Re: Bla'M's original topic: I've never listened to Boots, but if he could speak as entertainingly as Bla'M can write, I'd be a loyal groupie...

[kate]

I like Bryan Suits. I think he's funny and well-informed. He actually has opinions of his own, which don't always match up with any particular talking points. I never listen to Carlson (what a blatherer!) and very often listen to Suits. BTW "Boots" is a cute nickname for him but I bet he hates it.

[joanie]

Okay, Steve, I just listened to Wattenberg for two hours on and off. He's interesting and he's knowledgable. I might listen again. But, he's got a lot of puffery about him and he's patronizing to his callers right from the start. He assumes they are going to ask stupid questions and I don't like that. A couple of them actually tried to get questions out that made sense but he was so sure he knew what they were going to ask, he couldn't be bothered to actually listen . . .

If found that irritating and don't know that I could listen to a whole show. I actually ended up emailing him and calling him on his patronizing ways. It got that annoying.

So, maybe you are more comfortable with that style.

One more thing: while he is smart, he is a jack-of-all trades and I'm not willing to stop looking at all sides of the issue of climate change just to accept his opinions.

You asked in your post what I would do . . . well, I've got moxie and think I could adjust to whatever is needed. Rationing of energy . . . biking rather than driving everywhere (they do it in Europe - what makes us so inflexible?) . . . higher energy standards for manuacturing . . .government policy that will encourage better energy practices. John Kennedy got us to the moon, didn't he? Also, I would breach some of the dams . . .

We aren't talking here about volcanoes. So that is a red herring. Natural phenomena have been part of the cycle through each ice age.

To think there aren't fixes that will help is so beyond my ken that I don't even know how to respond.

Finally, my position isn't fixed and isn't dependant on one radio talk show host. That is why I continue to read books and look to the experts, scientists in the field. I really don't know who else to look to . . .

As for following anybody over a cliff, I don't get that either. Sounds like you are following the gospel of St. Bill. I respect Al Gore for acting upon his convictions . . . I don't credit him with a cult-like ability to lead me over a cliff. You have a very low opinion of me if you think I'd do that.

Most of the scientific evidence supports my view . . . I guess I'm supposed to just refuse to buy it based on something you want to believe . . . I can't. I'm a student who trusts the method of scientific inquiry. Until there's a better way, I guess I'll just have to stick to it.

[Tommy008]

yeah Wattenburg packs a hefty 'tude and he can be haughty and condescending, but , funny thing, he still makes the cut on my list of those that should be allowed a show. I love it when he's telling guys they're "getting a first class screw job" or telling the story of when he took on and won a fight with a table of bikers in a mountain town bar (" just because I'm a professor doesn't mean I have to take crap off of a bunch of punks". He's great with kids too. The following talkhosts either lack the mental/verbal tools or have too much attitude and arrogance (without socially redeeming values to offset it) to be a radio or intrnet show talkhost. 1.Michal Medved 2. Dan Sytman 3. Frank Shiers 4. Bryan Suits 5. Rush Limbaugh 6. Mike Webb 7. Dori Monson In the name of public decency the aforementioned individuals should quit their shows immediately.

[Tommy008]

hey, I just had a strange thought. I wonder if there are any lurkers out there who never post, reading Blatherwatch in some foreign country, preferably an obscure one.. It would be a laff riot to have some guy in Uzbhekistan or Sri Lanka gtting off on our feud with Mike Webb, and the reports from the Courthouse. I'm not talking about ex-Seattleites abroad, but true "furriners".