People Power Hour

The [http://peoplepowerhour.com/ People Power Hour] is a weekly "progressive" political talk radio show that airs in the metropolitan Orlando, Florida area Monday through Friday, from 8-9 p.m. on WAMT 1190AM. The host is high profile [http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_local_namesblog/2006/08/crossley_angst.html] libertarian evangelical George Crossley, current chair of the Central Florida chapter of the ACLU, a political activist and long-time Central Florida broadcast personality. Archived recordings of broadcasts are available on the [http://www.peoplepowerhour.com People Power Hour] website as well as via podcasts on the iTunes Store.

While the People Power Hour is political in nature and typically progressive (liberal and sometimes libertarian) in content, the show has also featured conservative guests and regularly receives calls from those with conservative viewpoints. It's unique in being the only radio program in conservative Central Florida that regularly features left-leaning and libertarian politics and issues along with strong community grassroots calls-to-action.

Topics and Guests

The range of topics covered on the People Power Hour is wide-reaching, but typically involving civil liberties; politics; homeless issues (especially [http://orlandofoodnotbombs.org Orlando Food Not Bombs] efforts to hold large-group feedings at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando in defiance of the City's controversial anti-group feeding ordinance); activism and police malfeasance and abuse of power, especially in the Orlando/Orange County, Florida area.

Notable guests have included 2008 presidential candidates Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich; Ira Glasser, former executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union; Erica Smiley, of the [http://www.yclusa.org Young Communist League] ; feminist Patricia Ireland; and Amy Goodman, host of [http://www.democracynow.org Democracy NOW] .

how Cast and Features

In addition to the host, George Crossley, the show also features Joe Miranda of the [http://www.nloaus.org National Latino Officer's Association] , a retired New York police officer (typically playing the role of "devil's advocate"), and the show's producer, John Hamilton, who is generally a libertarian and is also a former Orlando area radio personality and business owner.

The show usually starts out with George Crossley outlining the topic or theme of the program, with "color commentary" provided by Miranda and Hamilton as the show progresses. While the topics covered are always serious, thought-provoking and oft-times controversial, the cast tries not to let the show become too moribund or dry -- sarcasm, humor and word-play is interspersed throughout the proceedings and interaction with callers can range from respectful to sardonic.

Updates on [http://orlando-copwatch.info Orlando CopWatch] are a semi-regular feature, detailing the past week's efforts to videotape the metro's police officers in action. This typically evokes feigned bewilderment and indignation from Joe Miranda.

"Father Bob" is a character often referred to who but who has yet to appear on air; he is described as a Latino priest with a large female following. Father Bob hasn't been able to come into the studio to speak on air yet due to the throngs of adoring women who follow him relentlessly and cause havoc outside the studio.

References

1. [http://www.orlandoweekly.com/features/story.asp?id=10637 George Crossley] Information in the Orlando Weekly
2. [http://www.aclufl.org/about/board.cfm ACLU of Florida website and officer's listing]
3. [http://www.1190wamt.com/programs.shtml WAMT 1190AM shows schedule]