While Air America Radio's loss of two affiliates in Phoenix and Missoula, Montana is generating news this week, the company itself probably hasn't been able to give either city a second thought.

Why? In a development sure to rip the heart right out of the liberal radio network's already ailing body, it appears extremely likely their leased New York City flagship station WLIB-AM will soon abandon Air America programming.

Even worse, litigation looks probable over the station's lease.

While the network's last day on WLIB isn't known for certain, an internal source providing backing documentation points to the end of March. At this time, Air America parent Piquant LLC has no firm back-up plan for where in the nation's largest radio market its programming will now air.

Some inside the firm are already referring to WLIB in the past tense.

Without WLIB, Air America faces an immediate, crushing blow. Worth perhaps 100 small markets combined, an on-air presence in New York City is absolutely vital to the company's survival. If an immediate and suitable replacement isn't found, the consequences would be dire.

Sounds like it's curtains for this pathetic excuse for talk radio.

Whatever will Stuart Smalley do for a job now?

Situation wanted: Pompous liberal smart-ass with an inflated sense of self-worth looking to bore people with his hate-filled leftist diatribe on YOUR radio station for a mere $3 mil a year. Comes with his own staff of equally-pompous, snot-nosed leftists who are nearly as full of themselves as their boss -- and nearly as overpaid. Guaranteed to put your ratings in a tailspin overnight.