‘Sirius’ly considering a change

A few months back, I shared with you my outrage over the lineup changes at XM 169 “The Power”, which included the cancellation of one of my favorite shows, “Make it Plain” and the firing of its host, Mark Thompson. For all intents and purposes, during the week, this leaves me with, basically, one show that I care to listen to on XM.

Today, I read a bit of good news that has me considering a move, as well.

Sirius Satellite Radio has announced that it has added “Make it Plain” to its lineup. So, Mark Thompson will be back this fall:

SIRIUS Satellite Radio today announced that it has signed Mark Thompson, host of “Make it Plain,” to appear exclusively on SIRIUS. Thompson is a trailblazing African-American talk show pioneer, human rights visionary, and community leader, and he will contribute to SIRIUS’ powerful and diverse programming lineup.

Thompson’s “Make it Plain” launches this fall on SIRIUS. On “Make it Plain,” a daily 3-hour show, Thompson speaks passionately about political, social and economic issues from an African-American perspective, and welcomes listener call-in and a variety of guests.

“‘Make it Plain’ has served as a national talk forum and platform for politicians, newsmakers, and entertainers for many years, and SIRIUS is thrilled to enrich our diverse programming lineup with the addition of this respected show,” said Scott Greenstein, SIRIUS’ President, Entertainment and Sports. “We welcome Mark Thompson and his ability to empower listeners.”

“At this hour of increased anxiety amongst America’s diverse cultures, SIRIUS’ thoughtful decision to air ‘Make It Plain’ should leave no doubt about its commitment to informing and empowering all of its listeners,” said Mark Thompson. “‘Make It Plain’ will continue to expose the injustices in places like Jena (Louisiana), to celebrate our joys, and even break some fresh ground in no better home than one so impressively creative and unbound as SIRIUS Satellite Radio.”

I think I’ll be looking into what Sirius has to offer. I’ll keep you posted.

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3 comments for “‘Sirius’ly considering a change”

zenzele , on the 10 of October, 2007 at 9:40 am said:
I have Sirius, and I love it. I also have a couple of friends who have XM - they’ve all told me that they want to switch. I’ve listened to XM in a friend’s car, and I can understand why.
black…MYstory » Blog Archive » ‘Sirius’ly considering a change, Part 2 , on the 3 of January, 2008 at 4:34 pm said:
[...] Power” channel on XM radio and replaced his show with a sports show. When I heard that he got a show with Sirius, I gave it even more thought but, there were still a few shows on the Power that were keeping me [...]
Steven Tracy , on the 2 of July, 2008 at 11:43 am said:
Hi my name is “Steve” and i am a staunch Barack Obama supporter and lifelong Democrat. I am also a non violent non gun owner who believes in the teachings of Dr.King among others.I have called Mark Thompsons show a total of 3 times of which i have the phone records as sirius satellite radio does (which they assured me of in private and said” it’s just the way Mark is”).Mark and i got into a heated discussion about gun rights and some other things and i said he was ignorant…man did that get under his skin(of which i said the color did not matter) but what really bothered him was my bringing up his departure from Xm radio and that i wished Sirius radio had hired a true black visionary such as Ron Pinchback or Verna Avery Brown among others from WPFW 89.3 here in DC instead of himself.For some reason i thought Mark was from DC and tried to relate to him that i had grown up in PG county and was a “hometown boy”(despite my off whiteness).My mistake because Mark then turned that into “Steve says he knows where i’m at and has threatened to shoot me with a gun”.He also said “Steve calls here all of the time and is violent and makes threats” on that day and at other times.But the truth is Sirius radio and i have both the recorded conversations with Mark and his screener and the phone records showing a total of 2 calls the 1st day and 1one other time.So i must not be the “Steve” that Mark is talking about.So if that is the case who is it in fact that he is talking about?The thing is if it was true he would have had the FBI out here in a second and i would be happy to show them around for a free and fun no holds barred search for any guns or anything else because i’m a gun free,drug free etc. non felon with current and past security clearances.But it is not true and Mark Thompson lies and has picked some imaginary villian named “Steve” as his tormentor that quote: “we don’t let him on too much but he calls all the time and would like to shoot me”. I say again Mark Thompson is ignorant and he is also a liar. Yes calling someone ignorant can make them mad….but was it wrong? Was it inaccurate? Why did Sirius pick Mark Thompson when there are so many other more highly qualified African American intellectual visionaries out there?Do they hate African Americans that much? I am a god believer but i portrayed myself as a non believer to Mark(to help him learn) and took issue with his greeting of “god bless you”.I myself as a god believer would never adress/greet others with “god bless you” out of respect for the possible non god believers who Mark Thompson villifies so unfairly, among others, who are different from him.But Mark Thompson doesn’t have much respect.This is common among “sports guys” and “ministers” as Mark calls himself.Not a lot of brains and no respect for those who do not hold his beliefs or those that challenge his positions however misaligned they may be. Mark Thompson does anything but make it plain. I see why XM canned him.If it wasn’t for Mike Malloy i’d have canned my sirius subscription long ago.I challenge Mark Thompson to read this letter on his show…and don’t worry Mark because i’m certainly not paranoid that it is me that you are referring to and if it is Mark….so what? You big baby.The funniest thing was when i remarked to him that he injects his religion into everything..and he said “how do i do that” and i said “what do you believe in Mark,creationism or evolution”? and he says, “i believe the bible”…and i said, “right there Mark…you just did it”.The pause and silence spoke volumes and was very telling.That was when he cut the line.If anything Sirius Left needs a more coherent African American with real style and true intellectuality who can have a reasonable stimulating dialogue…and that certainly is not Mark Thompson.Mark Thompson brings dumb to a smart fight.

Posted by: Steven tracy | July 1, 2008 9:06 PM

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zenzele , on the 10 of October, 2007 at 9:40 am said:

I have Sirius, and I love it. I also have a couple of friends who have XM - they’ve all told me that they want to switch. I’ve listened to XM in a friend’s car, and I can understand why.

black…MYstory » Blog Archive » ‘Sirius’ly considering a change, Part 2 , on the 3 of January, 2008 at 4:34 pm said:

[...] Power” channel on XM radio and replaced his show with a sports show. When I heard that he got a show with Sirius, I gave it even more thought but, there were still a few shows on the Power that were keeping me [...]

Steven Tracy , on the 2 of July, 2008 at 11:43 am said:

Hi my name is “Steve” and i am a staunch Barack Obama supporter and lifelong Democrat. I am also a non violent non gun owner who believes in the teachings of Dr.King among others.I have called Mark Thompsons show a total of 3 times of which i have the phone records as sirius satellite radio does (which they assured me of in private and said” it’s just the way Mark is”).Mark and i got into a heated discussion about gun rights and some other things and i said he was ignorant…man did that get under his skin(of which i said the color did not matter) but what really bothered him was my bringing up his departure from Xm radio and that i wished Sirius radio had hired a true black visionary such as Ron Pinchback or Verna Avery Brown among others from WPFW 89.3 here in DC instead of himself.For some reason i thought Mark was from DC and tried to relate to him that i had grown up in PG county and was a “hometown boy”(despite my off whiteness).My mistake because Mark then turned that into “Steve says he knows where i’m at and has threatened to shoot me with a gun”.He also said “Steve calls here all of the time and is violent and makes threats” on that day and at other times.But the truth is Sirius radio and i have both the recorded conversations with Mark and his screener and the phone records showing a total of 2 calls the 1st day and 1one other time.So i must not be the “Steve” that Mark is talking about.So if that is the case who is it in fact that he is talking about?The thing is if it was true he would have had the FBI out here in a second and i would be happy to show them around for a free and fun no holds barred search for any guns or anything else because i’m a gun free,drug free etc. non felon with current and past security clearances.But it is not true and Mark Thompson lies and has picked some imaginary villian named “Steve” as his tormentor that quote: “we don’t let him on too much but he calls all the time and would like to shoot me”. I say again Mark Thompson is ignorant and he is also a liar. Yes calling someone ignorant can make them mad….but was it wrong? Was it inaccurate? Why did Sirius pick Mark Thompson when there are so many other more highly qualified African American intellectual visionaries out there?Do they hate African Americans that much? I am a god believer but i portrayed myself as a non believer to Mark(to help him learn) and took issue with his greeting of “god bless you”.I myself as a god believer would never adress/greet others with “god bless you” out of respect for the possible non god believers who Mark Thompson villifies so unfairly, among others, who are different from him.But Mark Thompson doesn’t have much respect.This is common among “sports guys” and “ministers” as Mark calls himself.Not a lot of brains and no respect for those who do not hold his beliefs or those that challenge his positions however misaligned they may be. Mark Thompson does anything but make it plain. I see why XM canned him.If it wasn’t for Mike Malloy i’d have canned my sirius subscription long ago.I challenge Mark Thompson to read this letter on his show…and don’t worry Mark because i’m certainly not paranoid that it is me that you are referring to and if it is Mark….so what? You big baby.The funniest thing was when i remarked to him that he injects his religion into everything..and he said “how do i do that” and i said “what do you believe in Mark,creationism or evolution”? and he says, “i believe the bible”…and i said, “right there Mark…you just did it”.The pause and silence spoke volumes and was very telling.That was when he cut the line.If anything Sirius Left needs a more coherent African American with real style and true intellectuality who can have a reasonable stimulating dialogue…and that certainly is not Mark Thompson.Mark Thompson brings dumb to a smart fight.

Posted by: Steven tracy | July 1, 2008 9:06 PM