Professional Journalism with a Down-Home Flavor

ED AND CAREN ARE BACK!

by Sharon Rondeau

(Jan. 31, 2010) — Plains Radio Network has resumed broadcasting after a four-month hiatus. Popular internet radio hosts Ed and Caren Hale took to the airwaves for the first time on Monday, January 18, 2010 since going dark on September 12, 2009.

After receiving over 500 email requests to restart the broadcasts, Caren agreed to co-host with Ed up to three nights a week. Shows will air every Monday night from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. CST, with Wednesday and Thursday evenings added if guests are scheduled for those dates.

This coming Monday, February 1, 2010, Ed and Caren will host Sheriff Mack, known by many as “America’s Sheriff” and author of The County Sheriff: America’s Last Hope. Another scheduled guest is Lt. Governor Andre Bauer of South Carolina.

Many are not aware that Plains Radio also broadcasts video over the internet on a variety of topics. On Sunday, February 7 at 2:00 p.m. CST, Plains Radio TV will be in Houston, where they have the #1 slot to interview Governor Rick Perry and Sarah Palin, former governor of Alaska. When I asked his opinion of Governor Palin, Mr. Hale stated that she “would be the leader of the pack” if she were running for president today.

Plains Radio began in the wake of the disenfranchisement of many Democrats who felt that Barack Obama received preferential treatment in the primaries, among them Ed Hale. A Hillary Clinton supporter, Hale was a Democrat Texas delegate when the party’s Rules Committee declared on May 31, 2008 that primary votes in the state of Michigan cast for Clinton would be awarded to Obama. Upon learning of that decision, Hale resigned his position as a delegate and decided to start his own media company.

A disabled veteran, Mr. Hale started on radio by purchasing one mixer, an extra telephone line and a microphone. Each successive month, he made additions to his enterprise, including more phone lines, an $850 software package, additional PCs and other equipment.

A strong Tenth Amendment advocate, Mr. Hale says that when Governor Perry announced last April 15 at a tea party that Texas had the right to secede from the Union if it wanted to, “every Texan became his biggest fan.” On February 7, Mr. Hale plans to ask Governor Perry if he still believes that Texas has the right to secede and if so, under what conditions. Hale “wants to interview every possible political candidate in person” and has been to Oklahoma City, OK to interview state representative Dr. Mike Ritze (R-Broken Arrow). “Dr. Mike,” as he is known, has previously been a frequent guest on Plains Radio. While in Oklahoma City, the Hales also interviewed Senator Randy Brogdon (R-OK) and Oklahoma state representative Mike Reynolds (R).

In addition to filming live interviews with political candidates, Ed and Caren are actively producing videos of local community events such as school plays, concerts and sports. While Ed’s radio personality became well-known after the launch in 2008, he claims that the video aspect of his business is actually more important than “people just hearing me talk.” The Hales plan to have live streaming video from their website beginning in the spring.

Mr. Hale expresses particular pride in his wife Caren, whom he says has gone from being “a timid elephant into a lion” since entering the media. He says that Caren conducts most of the TV interviews and that “it makes her shine.” He added that she has developed the ability to “ask the tough questions and get honest answers.”

In addition to operating Plains Radio and TV, the Hales have a 160-acre farm, 90 acres of which is in cultivation to support their 22 head of cattle.

A lifelong Democrat, Hale states of today’s party, “They’re not Democrats; they’re socialists!” He said his first question of anyone running for public office is “How do you feel about the Constitution?” Based on the answer he receives, his second question is “Why should I vote for you?”

On their website, which Ed and Caren maintain themselves, photos of upcoming featured guests can be found as well as a link to the video side of their business, www.redrivernewsonline.com.

In addition to Sheriff Mack, the scheduled guests for next week are Michael Moon, candidate for Congress in Michigan’s 5th District on Wednesday, February 3; and Kevin Calvey, candidate for Congress in Oklahoma’s 5th District on Thursday, February 4.

Ed has resumed the use of his well-known opening line, “You’re about to enter the American Zone, where you’ll hear the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Please join Ed and Caren this Monday night, February 1, for a show that is guaranteed to be informative and thought-provoking.