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Justice Will Prevail At KPFA
Women's Rights are Human rights
Showdown at KPFA: “It’s the Sexism, Stupid!”
In August, the KPFA Local Station Board (LSB) met just days after the press had reported the board’s vote to keep Roy Campanella on as general manager. The vote came in the wake of the firing of two women programmers for daring to report sex discrimination by Flashpoints producer Dennis Bernstein, and the news that eight new complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination, this time against Campanella himself, were being filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the National Labor Relations Board. Stunningly, it also came despite the recommendation of the board’s own investigator that Campanella should be fired.
At the previous LSB meeting in July, the room was filled with women, detailing their experiences with Campanella both before and after lodging formal complaints against him. Those complaints include Campanella’s repeatedly asking the women for dates and, when they refused, publicly denigrating and retaliating against them, slandering them, and threats of termination and funding cuts. They also outlined eight months of attempts to get their grievances addressed by station management, the LSB and the Pacifica National Board, all to no avail.
It was a powerful show of strength, bolstered by first-hand accounts of incidents of male violence at the station (none of which resulted in disciplinary action), and a statement of “no confidence” in Campanella signed by more than 70 paid and unpaid staff. In an unrivaled act of courage, Maya Orozco, administrative assistant to Campanella, publicly described her working environment as a “toxic cesspool.”
Sitting there in July, it was hard to believe the LSB would be able to weasel out of their responsibility to ensure a safe and equitable work environment at KPFA. But weasel they did.
Sex Discrimination: It's Against the Law
Let’s be clear . . . what all these women have complained of is illegal behavior. Every act of retaliation is another illegal act, exposing KPFA to another lawsuit.
A number of people we’ve spoken with have said, “It’s not gender discrimination; Roy asked guys out too! Bernstein is an abusive asshole to men too!” This is an oft-used, notorious defense to claims of sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
But get a load of this: Just last week, the 9th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals closed that loophole, ruling that sexual harassment doesn’t have to be motivated by sex or sexism to be illegal, as long as the harasser abuses one gender more than the other. Under this ruling, even if KPFA uses this "defense" to the claim of illegal conduct by Campanella and Berstein, it doesn't get them off the hook. KPFA still has a huge liability, because women not only were most-often targeted, they were disciplined and the only ones fired.
Slam, dunk! Every one of these women has a winnable lawsuit against the station. In fact, under another recent court ruling, even women not directly targeted have a right to sue on the basis of the hostile working environment created by the abuse of their coworkers.
So the LSB is violating the law in order to cover up for their cronies, who just happen to be serial perpetrators. In the process, they’re exposing the station to financial collapse under the weight of justifiable lawsuits against KPFA for gender discrimination. What kind of petty power struggle is worth that?
Kangaroo Board Meeting
Sitting in an LSB meeting is like watching 20 unsupervised kindergartners, dressed as adults and high on sugar, fighting over toys. The hostility is palpable; the manipulation of the process transparent. Their inability to run a meeting would be comical if it weren’t so Machiavellian and time-consuming. So when Purple Berets put out a call for people to attend the August board meeting in support of the targeted women, we knew it was a lot to ask. But we had no idea just how ugly it would get.
Unlike at the prior meeting, other than Noelle Hanrahan, the female staff members who’d been victimized were absent. Meanwhile, the “other side” had organized and strategized exactly how to confront this first-ever concerted effort to confront head-on the long-running sex discrimination at the station. And with the women absent, the men had a field day.
“A Legal Lynching”
The first prong of the attack took me back to the early days of the women’s movement when Black Panthers beat up abortion rights activists, calling abortion a racist attempt by “you white bitches” to lower the numbers of the Black population. It resurfaced in the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings, despite the fact that Anita Hill can hardly be called a “white bitch.”
Here the tactic was encapsulated in one speaker’s vitriolic rant that the charges against Campanella were brought by “a very few white women” who can’t stand to see a good African-American man in a position of authority.
Now let’s take a good look at this. First of all, I’m not sure if I’d call 10 women’s complaints “a few.” More importantly, the vast majority of the women targeted are not white women. Solange Echeverría, Ranjita Geesler, Lemlem Rogilio, Maya Orozco, Amelia Gonzalez – these aren’t white women attacking Campanella because of his color. These are women of color refusing to be victimized by a man, whatever his color.
(If anything, I’d venture to say the color of his skin is one of the only things keeping Roy in the general manager’s chair. I can promise you, if a white female manager had 10 complaints of discrimination and retaliation against her and a vote of no-confidence by (now) 91 staff members, she’d be outta there!)
And finally, undoubtedly the most loved, respected and effective general manager KPFA’s ever had was Nicole Sawaya, a Lebanese-American woman who ran the station up until the take-over by the right-wing-packed Pacifica National Board in 1999.
Make no mistake: this isn’t about the color of Roy Campanella’s skin – it’s about his illegal, slimy sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation. Get a grip!
“It’s All COINTELPRO”
Less publicly stated, but an insistent background whisper in the crowd and on the internet is the charge that the complaining women are “tools of the state,” trying to bring down the station because of its radical politics.
This seems to be transparently orchestrated by Dennis Bernstein, martyr extraordinaire, who greets each new complaint against him with on-air calls for his cult following to defend him against a mythical Right-wing cabal bent on silencing him, the last bastion of “free speech.” Another woman gets fired, another whiney, on-air claim by Bernstein that he’s getting death threats. (To Bernstein, a piece of toast in his mailbox is a death threat!) It’s as predictable as it is infantile.
I’ve no doubt the Right would love to bring KPFA down. But to call these women (and by implication, the Purple Berets and other community women who support them) the right-wing is absurd! The greatest danger to KPFA at this point comes, not from the Right, but from within its own “Left.” Any institution that tolerates this level of discrimination – against women, against young people of color, against workers – should expect to be held accountable by people of conscience.
“It’s the Sexism, Stupid”
But while calls of racism and attacks from the Right are effective rallying cries, complaints of gender discrimination by eight women, retaliation against a number of other women witnesses to Campanella’s behavior, and the firing of two women programmers for their reports of bias and abuse, are ignored. Even worse, they ignite, not calls to action, but smear campaigns portraying the women as racist, right-wing FBI goons!
It’s time to tackle sexual harassment and gender discrimination at KPFA head-on. The LSB members need to take a good look in the mirror and either resign or do the legal duty their position on the board imposes. Their tolerance of this kind of rampant discrimination exposes the station to lawsuit on top of lawsuit. Take care of it! If they don’t, they should be voted out.
It’s time for women inside and outside the station to organize, and to refuse to be silenced by slander, hate-speech and intimidation. This has gone from a blatant display of sexism and privilege by men at the station to an all-out attack on women. The women inside the station are on the move. As outside women activists, we need to put aside our fear that we’ll never get air-time on KPFA again and support our sisters at the station.
And it’s time for listeners to vote with their wallets and withhold their pledges until the station cleans this shit up.
Tanya Brannan
Purple Berets
Next Local Station Board Meeting - Be There!
Saturday, September 17th, 11 a.m.
Freight & Salvage, 1111 Addison at San Pablo, Berkeley
For more info go to:
http://www.purpleberets.org
http://www.kpfaworker.org
In August, the KPFA Local Station Board (LSB) met just days after the press had reported the board’s vote to keep Roy Campanella on as general manager. The vote came in the wake of the firing of two women programmers for daring to report sex discrimination by Flashpoints producer Dennis Bernstein, and the news that eight new complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination, this time against Campanella himself, were being filed with the Department of Fair Employment and Housing and the National Labor Relations Board. Stunningly, it also came despite the recommendation of the board’s own investigator that Campanella should be fired.
At the previous LSB meeting in July, the room was filled with women, detailing their experiences with Campanella both before and after lodging formal complaints against him. Those complaints include Campanella’s repeatedly asking the women for dates and, when they refused, publicly denigrating and retaliating against them, slandering them, and threats of termination and funding cuts. They also outlined eight months of attempts to get their grievances addressed by station management, the LSB and the Pacifica National Board, all to no avail.
It was a powerful show of strength, bolstered by first-hand accounts of incidents of male violence at the station (none of which resulted in disciplinary action), and a statement of “no confidence” in Campanella signed by more than 70 paid and unpaid staff. In an unrivaled act of courage, Maya Orozco, administrative assistant to Campanella, publicly described her working environment as a “toxic cesspool.”
Sitting there in July, it was hard to believe the LSB would be able to weasel out of their responsibility to ensure a safe and equitable work environment at KPFA. But weasel they did.
Sex Discrimination: It's Against the Law
Let’s be clear . . . what all these women have complained of is illegal behavior. Every act of retaliation is another illegal act, exposing KPFA to another lawsuit.
A number of people we’ve spoken with have said, “It’s not gender discrimination; Roy asked guys out too! Bernstein is an abusive asshole to men too!” This is an oft-used, notorious defense to claims of sexual harassment and gender discrimination.
But get a load of this: Just last week, the 9th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals closed that loophole, ruling that sexual harassment doesn’t have to be motivated by sex or sexism to be illegal, as long as the harasser abuses one gender more than the other. Under this ruling, even if KPFA uses this "defense" to the claim of illegal conduct by Campanella and Berstein, it doesn't get them off the hook. KPFA still has a huge liability, because women not only were most-often targeted, they were disciplined and the only ones fired.
Slam, dunk! Every one of these women has a winnable lawsuit against the station. In fact, under another recent court ruling, even women not directly targeted have a right to sue on the basis of the hostile working environment created by the abuse of their coworkers.
So the LSB is violating the law in order to cover up for their cronies, who just happen to be serial perpetrators. In the process, they’re exposing the station to financial collapse under the weight of justifiable lawsuits against KPFA for gender discrimination. What kind of petty power struggle is worth that?
Kangaroo Board Meeting
Sitting in an LSB meeting is like watching 20 unsupervised kindergartners, dressed as adults and high on sugar, fighting over toys. The hostility is palpable; the manipulation of the process transparent. Their inability to run a meeting would be comical if it weren’t so Machiavellian and time-consuming. So when Purple Berets put out a call for people to attend the August board meeting in support of the targeted women, we knew it was a lot to ask. But we had no idea just how ugly it would get.
Unlike at the prior meeting, other than Noelle Hanrahan, the female staff members who’d been victimized were absent. Meanwhile, the “other side” had organized and strategized exactly how to confront this first-ever concerted effort to confront head-on the long-running sex discrimination at the station. And with the women absent, the men had a field day.
“A Legal Lynching”
The first prong of the attack took me back to the early days of the women’s movement when Black Panthers beat up abortion rights activists, calling abortion a racist attempt by “you white bitches” to lower the numbers of the Black population. It resurfaced in the Clarence Thomas Supreme Court confirmation hearings, despite the fact that Anita Hill can hardly be called a “white bitch.”
Here the tactic was encapsulated in one speaker’s vitriolic rant that the charges against Campanella were brought by “a very few white women” who can’t stand to see a good African-American man in a position of authority.
Now let’s take a good look at this. First of all, I’m not sure if I’d call 10 women’s complaints “a few.” More importantly, the vast majority of the women targeted are not white women. Solange Echeverría, Ranjita Geesler, Lemlem Rogilio, Maya Orozco, Amelia Gonzalez – these aren’t white women attacking Campanella because of his color. These are women of color refusing to be victimized by a man, whatever his color.
(If anything, I’d venture to say the color of his skin is one of the only things keeping Roy in the general manager’s chair. I can promise you, if a white female manager had 10 complaints of discrimination and retaliation against her and a vote of no-confidence by (now) 91 staff members, she’d be outta there!)
And finally, undoubtedly the most loved, respected and effective general manager KPFA’s ever had was Nicole Sawaya, a Lebanese-American woman who ran the station up until the take-over by the right-wing-packed Pacifica National Board in 1999.
Make no mistake: this isn’t about the color of Roy Campanella’s skin – it’s about his illegal, slimy sexual misconduct, discrimination and retaliation. Get a grip!
“It’s All COINTELPRO”
Less publicly stated, but an insistent background whisper in the crowd and on the internet is the charge that the complaining women are “tools of the state,” trying to bring down the station because of its radical politics.
This seems to be transparently orchestrated by Dennis Bernstein, martyr extraordinaire, who greets each new complaint against him with on-air calls for his cult following to defend him against a mythical Right-wing cabal bent on silencing him, the last bastion of “free speech.” Another woman gets fired, another whiney, on-air claim by Bernstein that he’s getting death threats. (To Bernstein, a piece of toast in his mailbox is a death threat!) It’s as predictable as it is infantile.
I’ve no doubt the Right would love to bring KPFA down. But to call these women (and by implication, the Purple Berets and other community women who support them) the right-wing is absurd! The greatest danger to KPFA at this point comes, not from the Right, but from within its own “Left.” Any institution that tolerates this level of discrimination – against women, against young people of color, against workers – should expect to be held accountable by people of conscience.
“It’s the Sexism, Stupid”
But while calls of racism and attacks from the Right are effective rallying cries, complaints of gender discrimination by eight women, retaliation against a number of other women witnesses to Campanella’s behavior, and the firing of two women programmers for their reports of bias and abuse, are ignored. Even worse, they ignite, not calls to action, but smear campaigns portraying the women as racist, right-wing FBI goons!
It’s time to tackle sexual harassment and gender discrimination at KPFA head-on. The LSB members need to take a good look in the mirror and either resign or do the legal duty their position on the board imposes. Their tolerance of this kind of rampant discrimination exposes the station to lawsuit on top of lawsuit. Take care of it! If they don’t, they should be voted out.
It’s time for women inside and outside the station to organize, and to refuse to be silenced by slander, hate-speech and intimidation. This has gone from a blatant display of sexism and privilege by men at the station to an all-out attack on women. The women inside the station are on the move. As outside women activists, we need to put aside our fear that we’ll never get air-time on KPFA again and support our sisters at the station.
And it’s time for listeners to vote with their wallets and withhold their pledges until the station cleans this shit up.
Tanya Brannan
Purple Berets
Next Local Station Board Meeting - Be There!
Saturday, September 17th, 11 a.m.
Freight & Salvage, 1111 Addison at San Pablo, Berkeley
For more info go to:
http://www.purpleberets.org
http://www.kpfaworker.org
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Comments
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Finally, all the information one needs about what is going down at KPFA. And how we can weigh in and make this station a safe place for all workers.
The women will win this round, and there will be much better and more radical radio because they took this couragous stand.
The women will win this round, and there will be much better and more radical radio because they took this couragous stand.
I waded through all this childish drivel to find out what action is planned and why. The author, with the childish title of "Purple Berets," simply tells people to show up at the September meeting. There is no connection made between the September meeting and her complaint. The attack on Roy Campanella has been made and rejected by our democratically elected Local Station Board and I can assure everyone that the overwhelming majority of the 25,000 subscribers are proud of the fact that Roy Campanella has been retained. I can only conclude that this Purple Beret plans to illegally disrupt an LSB meeting.
It is very clear that this whole show is a cover to prevent layoffs from a station that apparently has too many fulltime employees. It is also clear that this is a subterfuge to prevent the order of the LSB to move the second broadcast of Democracy Now from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first from 6 a.m. to 7 a .m. and the Morning Show from 7-9 a.m. to 8-10 a.m. with the hope of having a new program at 6 a.m. and reaping the financial benefit from Democracy Now being during prime evening time as well as prime morning time.
The very mature adults, male and female, on the LSB, with many years of administrative experience and great depth in political understanding know that there is no job where someone can willfully violate an order and remain on the job. We want the time changes described above.
You can go ahead and file a lawsuit with your false claim, after it is rejected by the numerous agencies with whom you filed your complaint. Enjoy the expense and the defeat. You do not have the support of the listeners. When I read someone refer to our LSB as "20 unsupervised kindergartners, dressed as adults and high on sugar, fighting over toys" and using childish expressions such as "get a load of this" and "get a grip," I know for sure this is a contrived attack on our radio station. KPFA exists for the listeners and is run by the listeners for the LSB. Our LSB has made its decision and we do not want any disruption of our LSB meetings by this gang of reactionaries.
It is very clear that this whole show is a cover to prevent layoffs from a station that apparently has too many fulltime employees. It is also clear that this is a subterfuge to prevent the order of the LSB to move the second broadcast of Democracy Now from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first from 6 a.m. to 7 a .m. and the Morning Show from 7-9 a.m. to 8-10 a.m. with the hope of having a new program at 6 a.m. and reaping the financial benefit from Democracy Now being during prime evening time as well as prime morning time.
The very mature adults, male and female, on the LSB, with many years of administrative experience and great depth in political understanding know that there is no job where someone can willfully violate an order and remain on the job. We want the time changes described above.
You can go ahead and file a lawsuit with your false claim, after it is rejected by the numerous agencies with whom you filed your complaint. Enjoy the expense and the defeat. You do not have the support of the listeners. When I read someone refer to our LSB as "20 unsupervised kindergartners, dressed as adults and high on sugar, fighting over toys" and using childish expressions such as "get a load of this" and "get a grip," I know for sure this is a contrived attack on our radio station. KPFA exists for the listeners and is run by the listeners for the LSB. Our LSB has made its decision and we do not want any disruption of our LSB meetings by this gang of reactionaries.
you are desparate to shut dennis up arent you right wing agent . . .
And as far as kpfa being a safe place to work . .. It would be much safer if people like you where out of there . . ..
Now that you know your worthless attempts at muting the real freedom fighters like Dennis are a FAILURE LIKE YOU..
With your stupidity you everyone know your true intentions
It is crystal clear what you and your fellow agents are up to now
Thanks
Now that you know your worthless attempts at muting the real freedom fighters like Dennis are a FAILURE LIKE YOU..
With your stupidity you everyone know your true intentions
It is crystal clear what you and your fellow agents are up to now
Thanks
just because the act stupid enough to fit in with "bush" type people
FIRE THE RIGHT WING AGENTS!
MAKE KPFA A SAFE PLACE FOR PROGESSIVE MEDIA !
FIRE THE RIGHT WING AGENTS!
MAKE KPFA A SAFE PLACE FOR PROGESSIVE MEDIA !
STOP ATTACKING KPFA OK. . . .
GO SOME WHERE FAR AWAY AND AND QUIT BOTHERING PEOPLE AND DISRUPTING OUR STATION . . .
GO SOME WHERE FAR AWAY AND AND QUIT BOTHERING PEOPLE AND DISRUPTING OUR STATION . . .
This statement shows that you need to hear the other side. The KPFA LSB is not giving us the other side due to confidentiality requirements -
hopefully they will be able to work around this
KPFA, Dennis Bernstein and "the Hanrahan affair"
by Leslie Kean (repost by A.A.) Thursday, Jul. 21, 2005 at 1:01 AM
(original comment)
This statement defending Dennis Bernstein from the attack against him by Noelle Hanrahan was originally written in 2002 and recently reposted to the KPFK listener forum (http://disc.server.com/Indices/165346.html) Since it's been on that fairly active forum for almost 3 weeks without any refutation, I presume it's genuine. -- Aaron Aarons
(Source: http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?disc=165346;article=38514)
Leslie Kean (repost)
Re: KPFA, Dennis Bernstein and "the Hanrahan affair"
Fri Jul 1, 2005 17:12
206.170.104.58
March 27, 2002
I am writing this statement in direct response to a memo circulated by Noelle Hanrahan on March 20, 2002. A copy of her memo is below.
I was an associate producer on Flashpoints for a number of years and now am a contributing producer. I was part of the committee that hired Noelle.
I was a witness to the events beginning last October as they unfolded. My first exposure to this was when I witnessed Noelle ranting against Dennis in front of the Senior Center to me and a group of four others. She was furious. She had decided that she was entitled to be a Senior Producer and co-host for the program. This decision had come after less than six months in her second associate producer position. The formal job description she was hired into was never as a co-host (which she continues to call herself on her memos) but rather it was as an associate producer. This included some on-air work as only part of her job. On her own, she attempted to expand the jurisdiction, responsibility and power of her job. When her efforts were rebutted, she used the gender card to justify her actions, attacking Flashpoints producer Dennis Bernstein. Dennis was labeled a sexist and a batterer for not caving into inappropriate behavior.
As Noelle's demands and behavior became more troublesome and disruptive - most of her ire directed at Dennis - Tomas Moran, then a member of the Pacifica National Board, and interim station manager, Jim Bennett called on me to assist them in their effort to resolve the escalating conflict. They asked me to play a pivotal role in facilitating communications between Dennis and management. I was intimately involved with the situation from day one, and was uniquely qualified to understand things from the inside, given the fact that I was a producer on the program, knew everyone on the staff well, and got along with everyone. I believe that I possessed the ability to be objective, since my desire was to protect the integrity and vibrancy of Flashpoints.
I have no choice but to respond given the level of mistatement, inaccuracy, and character assasination in Noelle's public, written and verbal statements. Her accusations of gender and sexual harassment are simply unfounded. They never occurred. Dennis works with four woman producers other than Noelle. None of them have had any problems with Dennis. None of them have observed Dennis treating Noelle as she claims. I have worked closely with Dennis for six years, and have never experienced or observed gender or sexual harassment on his part towards anyone.
In fact, it was Noelle who appeared to be the abuser here. Since this began, the other members of the Flashpoints team filed numerous complaints with management and union shop stewards about Noelle's treatment of them. There is a paper trail here that exposes the truth. Unfortunately, they cannot be released because they are personnel matters and therefore confidential. All four content producers -- Yun Suh, Dennis, Robert Knight and myself -- clearly stated that they could not work with Noelle. Management did not act on the memos to stop Noelle from abusing her co-workers, allowing the problem to escalate.
Noelle bullied Flashpoints associate producer Yun Suh. (Dennis first raised the issue of Noelle's hostility in June 2001, as a result of several temper tantrums by Noelle and what he characterized as her abusive treatment of Yun.) Again, this is all documented. Yun Suh called me one time for advice in dealing with Noelle's aggressive and disrespectful behavior towards herself and Flashpoints guests when Dennis was out of town. At one point, Yun was so upset by this that she had to leave the station. This was not an incident that involved Dennis.
Noelle was also hostile to me and contributing producer Robert Knight on numerous occasions. She hung up the phone on me and interfered with my ability to produce quality work for the show. She left a hostile message on my answering machine saying "how dare you" fantasizing that Dennis had instructed me to "interview" KPFA staff about her behavior. Noelle has also offended important guests for Flashpoints.
I was producing for Flashpoints when Dennis had to seek another office in the station due to concerns that she might become physically violent. There is no question she created a hostile workplace through her bullying and disrespect. I directly experienced that. I observed Dennis and Yun attempting to communicate and work with her, but she would not cooperate. For months on end she refused to allow Dennis and Yun access to the Flashpoints computerized database of contact names for the show, since it was installed initially on her computer. The database was created by the team and funded by Friends of Free Speech Radio. Again, numerous memos were written to management demanding that something be done, but no action was taken.
Noelle's antics also included on-air interference with the program which I believe warranted suspension. For example, she announced herself as Senior Producer on the air after explicitly being informed by management that this was not her job title. These incidents are also documented.
The statement in Noelle's recent memo that Dennis wouldn't talk to her for three months is ludicrous. In fact, she would not talk to Dennis. I observed Dennis trying to communicate with her and she would ignore him, if she did not react with hostility. Many times I attempted to talk to Noelle in a friendly manner involving work on the program, or simply to say hello, and she stared at me and refused to answer. This is one of many examples of Noelle making public statements that simply are not true, and can be verified as such.
Noelle makes four false statements about the incident with Aaron Glanz. This is particularly outrageous because she was a witness to it and even put the facts of the event in writing at the time. Dennis did not receive a letter of reprimand. Dennis was not put on probation. Dennis did not punch and hit Aaron. And Dennis did not have to be "dragged off" him, for he was never even on him. As documented by Matt Martin who was also present, Aaron was the aggressor (he slammed the door on Dennis's hand) and he received disciplinary action as a result. Aaron gracefully accepted this, and now he and Dennis work well together. This unfortunate incident stemmed from the incredible pressure that all of us faced due to the battle with Pacifica that was raging at the time.
And why does Noelle think it is important to mention in her memo that she drank some bad water and then got sick? Because she accused Dennis of trying to poison her. She spread this slander around the station and the community. This was so over the edge that it's not even worth commenting on. But it clearly shows how out of touch with reality, and how desperate, Noelle was.
I participated in the mediation process conducted by an outside, professional feminist mediator/therapist. Again, the content of these sessions is confidential, but they made it utterly clear that Noelle was incapable of working as part of this team. After we completed the mediation, Noelle was given every opportunity to come back into the team and work constructively. Instead, she escalated her demanding hostile behavior towards management and others at the station, to the point where Jim Bennett apparently had no choice but to forbid her access to the premises.
Jim was entirely supportive of Noelle throughout the ordeal, allowing her to carry on for months unchecked. The notion that he is somehow complicit in protecting Dennis from her accusations of gender and sexual harassment and thus "retaliated" by banning her are absurd. I have first hand knowledge of Jim's attempts to reason with Noelle when her response was to raise her voice, slam the door and storm out of his office.
Noelle's statement "Noelle Hanrahan has been physically harmed, publicly defamed, and suffered extreme, daily and horrific abuse at the station" really describes what happened to Dennis, not Noelle - except that no one was physically harmed. Noelle has publicly defamed Dennis and no one from KPFA has publicly defamed Noelle, to my knowledge. She abused her team horribly on a daily basis, and not the other way around.
I am saddened that Noelle has gone so far as to attempt legal action. I am also disturbed that I need to make a public statement about her, which I don't like doing. I hope that Noelle does not continue to put the KPFA community (and now Houston as well) through hell. Noelle should understand the important mission of Flashpoints and Pacifica during these horrific times. No one should have to expend energy on this for one more day.
Leslie Kean
hopefully they will be able to work around this
KPFA, Dennis Bernstein and "the Hanrahan affair"
by Leslie Kean (repost by A.A.) Thursday, Jul. 21, 2005 at 1:01 AM
(original comment)
This statement defending Dennis Bernstein from the attack against him by Noelle Hanrahan was originally written in 2002 and recently reposted to the KPFK listener forum (http://disc.server.com/Indices/165346.html) Since it's been on that fairly active forum for almost 3 weeks without any refutation, I presume it's genuine. -- Aaron Aarons
(Source: http://disc.server.com/discussion.cgi?disc=165346;article=38514)
Leslie Kean (repost)
Re: KPFA, Dennis Bernstein and "the Hanrahan affair"
Fri Jul 1, 2005 17:12
206.170.104.58
March 27, 2002
I am writing this statement in direct response to a memo circulated by Noelle Hanrahan on March 20, 2002. A copy of her memo is below.
I was an associate producer on Flashpoints for a number of years and now am a contributing producer. I was part of the committee that hired Noelle.
I was a witness to the events beginning last October as they unfolded. My first exposure to this was when I witnessed Noelle ranting against Dennis in front of the Senior Center to me and a group of four others. She was furious. She had decided that she was entitled to be a Senior Producer and co-host for the program. This decision had come after less than six months in her second associate producer position. The formal job description she was hired into was never as a co-host (which she continues to call herself on her memos) but rather it was as an associate producer. This included some on-air work as only part of her job. On her own, she attempted to expand the jurisdiction, responsibility and power of her job. When her efforts were rebutted, she used the gender card to justify her actions, attacking Flashpoints producer Dennis Bernstein. Dennis was labeled a sexist and a batterer for not caving into inappropriate behavior.
As Noelle's demands and behavior became more troublesome and disruptive - most of her ire directed at Dennis - Tomas Moran, then a member of the Pacifica National Board, and interim station manager, Jim Bennett called on me to assist them in their effort to resolve the escalating conflict. They asked me to play a pivotal role in facilitating communications between Dennis and management. I was intimately involved with the situation from day one, and was uniquely qualified to understand things from the inside, given the fact that I was a producer on the program, knew everyone on the staff well, and got along with everyone. I believe that I possessed the ability to be objective, since my desire was to protect the integrity and vibrancy of Flashpoints.
I have no choice but to respond given the level of mistatement, inaccuracy, and character assasination in Noelle's public, written and verbal statements. Her accusations of gender and sexual harassment are simply unfounded. They never occurred. Dennis works with four woman producers other than Noelle. None of them have had any problems with Dennis. None of them have observed Dennis treating Noelle as she claims. I have worked closely with Dennis for six years, and have never experienced or observed gender or sexual harassment on his part towards anyone.
In fact, it was Noelle who appeared to be the abuser here. Since this began, the other members of the Flashpoints team filed numerous complaints with management and union shop stewards about Noelle's treatment of them. There is a paper trail here that exposes the truth. Unfortunately, they cannot be released because they are personnel matters and therefore confidential. All four content producers -- Yun Suh, Dennis, Robert Knight and myself -- clearly stated that they could not work with Noelle. Management did not act on the memos to stop Noelle from abusing her co-workers, allowing the problem to escalate.
Noelle bullied Flashpoints associate producer Yun Suh. (Dennis first raised the issue of Noelle's hostility in June 2001, as a result of several temper tantrums by Noelle and what he characterized as her abusive treatment of Yun.) Again, this is all documented. Yun Suh called me one time for advice in dealing with Noelle's aggressive and disrespectful behavior towards herself and Flashpoints guests when Dennis was out of town. At one point, Yun was so upset by this that she had to leave the station. This was not an incident that involved Dennis.
Noelle was also hostile to me and contributing producer Robert Knight on numerous occasions. She hung up the phone on me and interfered with my ability to produce quality work for the show. She left a hostile message on my answering machine saying "how dare you" fantasizing that Dennis had instructed me to "interview" KPFA staff about her behavior. Noelle has also offended important guests for Flashpoints.
I was producing for Flashpoints when Dennis had to seek another office in the station due to concerns that she might become physically violent. There is no question she created a hostile workplace through her bullying and disrespect. I directly experienced that. I observed Dennis and Yun attempting to communicate and work with her, but she would not cooperate. For months on end she refused to allow Dennis and Yun access to the Flashpoints computerized database of contact names for the show, since it was installed initially on her computer. The database was created by the team and funded by Friends of Free Speech Radio. Again, numerous memos were written to management demanding that something be done, but no action was taken.
Noelle's antics also included on-air interference with the program which I believe warranted suspension. For example, she announced herself as Senior Producer on the air after explicitly being informed by management that this was not her job title. These incidents are also documented.
The statement in Noelle's recent memo that Dennis wouldn't talk to her for three months is ludicrous. In fact, she would not talk to Dennis. I observed Dennis trying to communicate with her and she would ignore him, if she did not react with hostility. Many times I attempted to talk to Noelle in a friendly manner involving work on the program, or simply to say hello, and she stared at me and refused to answer. This is one of many examples of Noelle making public statements that simply are not true, and can be verified as such.
Noelle makes four false statements about the incident with Aaron Glanz. This is particularly outrageous because she was a witness to it and even put the facts of the event in writing at the time. Dennis did not receive a letter of reprimand. Dennis was not put on probation. Dennis did not punch and hit Aaron. And Dennis did not have to be "dragged off" him, for he was never even on him. As documented by Matt Martin who was also present, Aaron was the aggressor (he slammed the door on Dennis's hand) and he received disciplinary action as a result. Aaron gracefully accepted this, and now he and Dennis work well together. This unfortunate incident stemmed from the incredible pressure that all of us faced due to the battle with Pacifica that was raging at the time.
And why does Noelle think it is important to mention in her memo that she drank some bad water and then got sick? Because she accused Dennis of trying to poison her. She spread this slander around the station and the community. This was so over the edge that it's not even worth commenting on. But it clearly shows how out of touch with reality, and how desperate, Noelle was.
I participated in the mediation process conducted by an outside, professional feminist mediator/therapist. Again, the content of these sessions is confidential, but they made it utterly clear that Noelle was incapable of working as part of this team. After we completed the mediation, Noelle was given every opportunity to come back into the team and work constructively. Instead, she escalated her demanding hostile behavior towards management and others at the station, to the point where Jim Bennett apparently had no choice but to forbid her access to the premises.
Jim was entirely supportive of Noelle throughout the ordeal, allowing her to carry on for months unchecked. The notion that he is somehow complicit in protecting Dennis from her accusations of gender and sexual harassment and thus "retaliated" by banning her are absurd. I have first hand knowledge of Jim's attempts to reason with Noelle when her response was to raise her voice, slam the door and storm out of his office.
Noelle's statement "Noelle Hanrahan has been physically harmed, publicly defamed, and suffered extreme, daily and horrific abuse at the station" really describes what happened to Dennis, not Noelle - except that no one was physically harmed. Noelle has publicly defamed Dennis and no one from KPFA has publicly defamed Noelle, to my knowledge. She abused her team horribly on a daily basis, and not the other way around.
I am saddened that Noelle has gone so far as to attempt legal action. I am also disturbed that I need to make a public statement about her, which I don't like doing. I hope that Noelle does not continue to put the KPFA community (and now Houston as well) through hell. Noelle should understand the important mission of Flashpoints and Pacifica during these horrific times. No one should have to expend energy on this for one more day.
Leslie Kean
dennis' few cronies are quite delusional, but the lies are so so so transparent it is comical
Everybody knows, the emperor has no clothes.....
and flashpoints is quite pathetic radio, good radio vs. rant radio,
the listeners will decide and you can hear the channels flipping at 4:59.... it could be done a thousand times better. and for those who care about haiti and palestine, sure why not have dedicated programing to those issues in that time slot - done by haitians and palestinians....
oh I guess that would be too radical for you and challenge the white male filter that you are so so comfortable with...
times are changing....
Everybody knows, the emperor has no clothes.....
and flashpoints is quite pathetic radio, good radio vs. rant radio,
the listeners will decide and you can hear the channels flipping at 4:59.... it could be done a thousand times better. and for those who care about haiti and palestine, sure why not have dedicated programing to those issues in that time slot - done by haitians and palestinians....
oh I guess that would be too radical for you and challenge the white male filter that you are so so comfortable with...
times are changing....
COINTELPRO is alive and well and it's agents are on the KPFA Local Station Board. What better way to destroy one of the only left media outlets, than to vote to support a corporate stooge like Campanella? Think about how little it took to get these people elected to the board. Who are they anyway?
This is the work of agents -- not the 91 workers at the station, many of who I respect and trust from years of listening -- but the largely unknown board members.
This is the work of agents -- not the 91 workers at the station, many of who I respect and trust from years of listening -- but the largely unknown board members.
"But get a load of this: Just last week, the 9th Circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals closed that loophole, ruling that sexual harassment doesn’t have to be motivated by sex or sexism to be illegal, as long as the harasser abuses one gender more than the other. Under this ruling, even if KPFA uses this "defense" to the claim of illegal conduct by Campanella and Berstein, it doesn't get them off the hook. KPFA still has a huge liability, because women not only were most-often targeted, they were disciplined and the only ones fired."
Well, without looking up the 9th Circuit "ruling", I cannot judge the validity of what Tanya alleges or her complete interpretation of it. But, the situation she describes in the above quote (that women were the only ones disciplined and/or fired) is not sexual harassment per se, it would hypothetically moreso be sexual/gender discrimination.
I haven't been a big fan of Roy. But if there is ever to be a change in GM it should be for _substantive_ reasons, not whipped-up pretexts (or, alternately, because he was possibly set up). Roy may still not understand the gravity of the polar political perspectives at KPFA or how entrenched certain in-station total self-interests are. And I acknowledge that Dennis (like many people involved in a public creative process, especially at a radio station) may sometimes be difficult, if not touchy, depending on their sensibilities, idiosyncracies or eccentricities. Having said that, I would want to see all _valid_ claims of abuse, sexual harassment or discrimination redressed and proven violators appropriately disciplined. However, it's quite notable that such self-interests don't champion that often highly abusive members within their _own_ ranks be disciplined. Who's discriminating there?
Now I don't suspect that Roy is (or is any longer) a leftist, but he better take note of who is going to be fair to him, whatever their doubts. Roy, thought he could come in and play both sides, philosophically: those who, like their darling George Lakoff, are still beguiled by (or secret functionaries of) the Democrat party versus those, more like Thomas Frank, who who want to see _real_ change in America. The latter realizes that as a whole the Democrats (also a pro-imperialist, pro-war, subsidiary of the corporations) are not any _real_ opposition to the Republicans in America, if as a whole the Dems ever really were. How many illegitimate wars/invasions/occupations/removals (the Trail of Tears, the Philippines, WWI, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Grenada, Haiti, etc., and by proxy Palestine) and foreign democratic overthrows (starting from Iran) have the Democrats supported - or ever opposed. As with Lakoff or the war in Iraq, the KPFA Democrats largely only grouse about operational (mis)management issues, not the motivating ideology itself.
By now Roy should have taken note that, with all their serious doubts about his commitment to true progressive media activism that's a force for fundamental analysis and real change in America, and which includes accessing working people, it's the _pro-democracy_ (http://peoplesradio.net) KPFA listener-activist forces who largely came to his support against seemingly hyped and, as yet, _unproven_ sexual harassment claims. (Claims by those who don't even understand the rudimentary legal factors of what actually constitutes sexual harassment, as with the quote from Tanya above.) He should note that it was largely the _anti-_democracy forces within the station who tried to get rid of him. He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally. Roy should pick one side or the other: realize that this is a real-world struggle that isn't about trivial political differences. At least stand for something and go for the good fight.
The duplicitous calls and motivations for the attacks by certain parochial self-interested parties (like the ones who ran the previous GM, Gus Newport, off), and who were trying to organize a stampede from within the station among those who are younger and not sufficiently sophisticated (or who are dependent on their more senior chief organizers), were not motivated by a desire for more accountability (or democracy or truly anti-Republi-crat analysis and left media activism): they are motivated by a desire for less.
Well, without looking up the 9th Circuit "ruling", I cannot judge the validity of what Tanya alleges or her complete interpretation of it. But, the situation she describes in the above quote (that women were the only ones disciplined and/or fired) is not sexual harassment per se, it would hypothetically moreso be sexual/gender discrimination.
I haven't been a big fan of Roy. But if there is ever to be a change in GM it should be for _substantive_ reasons, not whipped-up pretexts (or, alternately, because he was possibly set up). Roy may still not understand the gravity of the polar political perspectives at KPFA or how entrenched certain in-station total self-interests are. And I acknowledge that Dennis (like many people involved in a public creative process, especially at a radio station) may sometimes be difficult, if not touchy, depending on their sensibilities, idiosyncracies or eccentricities. Having said that, I would want to see all _valid_ claims of abuse, sexual harassment or discrimination redressed and proven violators appropriately disciplined. However, it's quite notable that such self-interests don't champion that often highly abusive members within their _own_ ranks be disciplined. Who's discriminating there?
Now I don't suspect that Roy is (or is any longer) a leftist, but he better take note of who is going to be fair to him, whatever their doubts. Roy, thought he could come in and play both sides, philosophically: those who, like their darling George Lakoff, are still beguiled by (or secret functionaries of) the Democrat party versus those, more like Thomas Frank, who who want to see _real_ change in America. The latter realizes that as a whole the Democrats (also a pro-imperialist, pro-war, subsidiary of the corporations) are not any _real_ opposition to the Republicans in America, if as a whole the Dems ever really were. How many illegitimate wars/invasions/occupations/removals (the Trail of Tears, the Philippines, WWI, Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Panama, Grenada, Haiti, etc., and by proxy Palestine) and foreign democratic overthrows (starting from Iran) have the Democrats supported - or ever opposed. As with Lakoff or the war in Iraq, the KPFA Democrats largely only grouse about operational (mis)management issues, not the motivating ideology itself.
By now Roy should have taken note that, with all their serious doubts about his commitment to true progressive media activism that's a force for fundamental analysis and real change in America, and which includes accessing working people, it's the _pro-democracy_ (http://peoplesradio.net) KPFA listener-activist forces who largely came to his support against seemingly hyped and, as yet, _unproven_ sexual harassment claims. (Claims by those who don't even understand the rudimentary legal factors of what actually constitutes sexual harassment, as with the quote from Tanya above.) He should note that it was largely the _anti-_democracy forces within the station who tried to get rid of him. He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally. Roy should pick one side or the other: realize that this is a real-world struggle that isn't about trivial political differences. At least stand for something and go for the good fight.
The duplicitous calls and motivations for the attacks by certain parochial self-interested parties (like the ones who ran the previous GM, Gus Newport, off), and who were trying to organize a stampede from within the station among those who are younger and not sufficiently sophisticated (or who are dependent on their more senior chief organizers), were not motivated by a desire for more accountability (or democracy or truly anti-Republi-crat analysis and left media activism): they are motivated by a desire for less.
read the last two paragraphs of the previous response to see that that if deals aren't being made, threats certainly are. An obvious member of the peoplesradio clique posting that RCII "better" support them is nothing less than a thug-like threat. the only reason the "pro democracy" (ha!) peoplesradio group suddenly supports roy is that the staff does not. he who is my enemy's enemy is my friend. this is crazy but that's not much of a surprise considering the crackpot factor at work in this group.
You paranoia is quite amazing. Are you actually saying that you believe the FBI has agents working to destabilize a half-assed left wing radio station that no one listens too anyway? That is ridiculous.
The sad thing is, they don't need to, because the left just can't get it together and cooperate with each other. I try and understand why, I guess it is because the people who work there are so self-rightous and dogmatic in their left-wing beliefs that they won't even compromise with each other to accomplish something. They are always on the lookout to accuse each other of sexism, racism, insensitivity, etc.
I actually want them to get it together and have a professionally run station that is a counter to MSM, but they need to put there squabbles aside and hire some radio professionals.
The sad thing is, they don't need to, because the left just can't get it together and cooperate with each other. I try and understand why, I guess it is because the people who work there are so self-rightous and dogmatic in their left-wing beliefs that they won't even compromise with each other to accomplish something. They are always on the lookout to accuse each other of sexism, racism, insensitivity, etc.
I actually want them to get it together and have a professionally run station that is a counter to MSM, but they need to put there squabbles aside and hire some radio professionals.
"lsb watcher's" pathetic fictionalizing: "An obvious member of the peoplesradio clique posting that RCII "better" support them is nothing less than a thug-like threat."
"thestrugglethatmustbe's" actual words: "...he (Roy) better take note of who is going to be fair to him... He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally. ... Roy should pick one side or the other: realize that this is a real-world struggle that isn't about trivial political differences. At least stand for something and go for the good fight."
Oh yeah... Sticklers for fairness. That 'sounds' just like the pro-democracy crowd (including peoplesradio) is going to send out big menacing Leg-Breaker, toting a baseball bat and wearing a low black fedora and dark glasses, driving a black Cadillac with black-smoked windows, to intercept Roy after dark in the back parking lot on his way out of the station's back door to, uhhh, 'convince' Roy to join peoplesradio -- or else.
And to think, Roy was originally selected by a GM search committee then largely controlled by the entrenched _anti-_democracy faction, and largely headed by the originally stealth board candidate Disney executive Marnie Tattersal. They were the likes of whom originally thought that a former Hollywood producer would be an obliviously content, completely hands off, or otherwise a completely maleable pushover GM for their side: in other words, a mindless puppet for them. Just because they operate at an often would-be inherent advantage, with stealth tactics and underhandedness (if others are not on guard), they imagine that everyone else does too. Now they are yelling about Roy, as they said with Gus Newport before him, HE'S GOTTA GO!
"thestrugglethatmustbe's" actual words: "...he (Roy) better take note of who is going to be fair to him... He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally. ... Roy should pick one side or the other: realize that this is a real-world struggle that isn't about trivial political differences. At least stand for something and go for the good fight."
Oh yeah... Sticklers for fairness. That 'sounds' just like the pro-democracy crowd (including peoplesradio) is going to send out big menacing Leg-Breaker, toting a baseball bat and wearing a low black fedora and dark glasses, driving a black Cadillac with black-smoked windows, to intercept Roy after dark in the back parking lot on his way out of the station's back door to, uhhh, 'convince' Roy to join peoplesradio -- or else.
And to think, Roy was originally selected by a GM search committee then largely controlled by the entrenched _anti-_democracy faction, and largely headed by the originally stealth board candidate Disney executive Marnie Tattersal. They were the likes of whom originally thought that a former Hollywood producer would be an obliviously content, completely hands off, or otherwise a completely maleable pushover GM for their side: in other words, a mindless puppet for them. Just because they operate at an often would-be inherent advantage, with stealth tactics and underhandedness (if others are not on guard), they imagine that everyone else does too. Now they are yelling about Roy, as they said with Gus Newport before him, HE'S GOTTA GO!
I hope you were at the LSB meeting yesterday. I was.
It was astounding to watch the Peoples Radio crowd turn on RCII over the budget. They EXPECTED payback. I have been concerned about his behaviour at KPFA but supported him. I know for a fact that Peoples RAdio faction did not...they attacked him from the beginning until they thought they could turn him against his own station.
RCII took an honorable, principled position with the budget and did not play the Peoples Radio quid pro quo game. Good for him. A step in the right direction for reconciliation.
Those who shouted for other LSB members to 'SHUT YOUR MOUTH" and refused to pledge to donate to KPFA should be recalled.
So should the ones, starting with Joe Wanzala and Richard Phelps, who were so cowardly as to try to force a vote to remove a chair who wasn't even there to defend herself.
They must go.
It was astounding to watch the Peoples Radio crowd turn on RCII over the budget. They EXPECTED payback. I have been concerned about his behaviour at KPFA but supported him. I know for a fact that Peoples RAdio faction did not...they attacked him from the beginning until they thought they could turn him against his own station.
RCII took an honorable, principled position with the budget and did not play the Peoples Radio quid pro quo game. Good for him. A step in the right direction for reconciliation.
Those who shouted for other LSB members to 'SHUT YOUR MOUTH" and refused to pledge to donate to KPFA should be recalled.
So should the ones, starting with Joe Wanzala and Richard Phelps, who were so cowardly as to try to force a vote to remove a chair who wasn't even there to defend herself.
They must go.
I brought forward a motion to unseat the chair because I think her perfomance as chair has been underwhelming in general and for many other reasons. One key reason that I am opposed to Rosalinda Palacios as chair is because of her documented duplicity with respect to the Community Advisory Board (CAB). She has lied to both the LSB and the CAB regarding what she has told each body and put them on a collision course. She told the Community Advisory Board that they can appoint their own members with no democratic process - which is completely antithetical to everything we have been trying to do at Pacifica for the past decade. There is nothing 'cowardly' about putting forward the motion in her absence. I had planned to put forward the motion regardless, and it turn out that I had to give notice anyway, before it could be voted on by simple majority. So I expect that she will be there to defend herself when the issue comes up on the agenda at the next meeting.
The General Manager (Roy Campanella) of KPFA put forward a proposed budget at Saturday's LSB meeting (8/17). Those of us who were opposed to the budget took this position not to demand any quid pro quo from Roy be to state our principled opposition to it. I have discussed this issue with Roy extensively over the last few weeks, he asked me to support the budget and I told him I could not. It is a simple honest disagreement where each person respects the other person's reasoning. I cannot support the budget because it enables a trend at KPFA where KPFA is spending more time on air rasing money, it fails to arrest the increase in the numberof people on payroll. Three years ago there were about 29 full time staff, today there are about 42. This is not a sustainable trend. If there is extra money raised, I believe it should go to such things as reimbursing unpaid staff for their expenses and ideally, creating a benefits package for the many unpaid staff that is commensurate with the time they put in at the station. This budget also assumes that the current levels of listener support can be sustained indefinitely. Even if this were true, it is not prudent for an organization like KPFA to have a large budget. We should always try to have as much in reserve as possible.
There is no 'payback' or 'quid pro quo' coming from myself or any listener member on the LSB. If there was any quid pro quo was coming from the staff who put a lot of pressure on Mr. Campanella to modify his original budget on pain of continuing to make his life at the station miserable - including continuing to attack him on their mendacious http://www.kpfaworker.org website. And we continue to support Roy despite ou disagreements with him. Meanwhile the elments of the staff continue to attack Roy even when he capitulates to their demands.
Joe Wanzala, KPFA Listener Representative
i absolutely refuse to believe that dennis berstein was involved in sexual harrassment. that is just not possible. i'm beginning to wonder just who these accusers are, what their affilitations are, what they stand for?
it seems that the harrassment angle is being used as a political weapon - the important question is why? just what is the agenda that is so well hidden here?
sadly, i really don't believe that we will ever get an honest answer to this important question until it is too late.
The complaint against Bernstein will play out in court. The complaints of the staff will play out in the agencies with which they filed the complaints. Why not let these matters run their course, with informed judges or administrators rather than all this speculation.
B.
B.
Quoted text is inset, mine is normal. --B
I cannot support the budget because it enables a trend at
KPFA where KPFA is spending more time on air rasing money,
The budget shows less days of fundraising in 2006 than 2005.
it fails to
arrest the increase in the numberof people on payroll.
The budget shows a decrease in headcount, even with the addition of a Program Director.
Three years ago
there were about 29 full time staff, today there are about 42.
No, there are 40-some-odd FTEs (equivalencies, not full time staff), and that figue include $6-an-hour workstudy positions and severance pay. Since we don't know the source of the "29 in 2002" figure (Max Blanchet says it came from the business office, but the people who compiled that number no longer work here) we don't know if it includes severance, workstudy, and other occasional employment--or just salaried union positions. It's not clear to me that we have a solid comparison here. My colleagues have also pointed out that in FY 2002 we had seen an exodus of staff during the Pacifica Wars and were operating under a hiring freeze imposed by the national office--with several (they say seven) positions unfilled.
If there is extra money raised, I believe it
should go to such things as reimbursing unpaid staff for their
expenses
Unpaid staff already have station-related expenses covered, and KPFA's budget reflects that.
This budget also assumes that the current levels of listener
support
can be sustained indefinitely.
This budget conservatively projects a 2% decrease in listener support and, within the listener support line item, a smaller portion from on-air fundraising and a greater amount from direct mail and major donor appeals.
> it is not
prudent for an organization like KPFA to have a large budget.
We
should always try to have as much in reserve as possible.
We are budgeting to have a $190,000 net surplus _after_ capital expenses--more than any other Pacifica station, I believe. We have at present roughly $670,000 in savings and, at the end of the month, based on August actuals, will have a balance of roughly $280,000 in our operating account with payables and receivables balanced--that makes for nearly $1 million in available cash right now, and $1.14 million at the end of next fiscal. We also own a $3 million dollar building free and clear. We also own our transmitter site free and clear.
> p.s. some members of the KPFA staff also told people in the
Apprenticeship Program that the LSB wanted to cut them out of
the
budget.
The LSB had been considering a budget that cut staffing of the apprenticeship program by 42%. No-one who spoke during public comment at the meeting, to my recollection, accused the LSB of _wanting_ to cut the apprenticeship program. They spoke sincerely about the strengths of the program, their own experiences in it, and what they've been able to contribute to the station as a result. And they asked the LSB to maintain full funding for that work.
the A.P. itself, the fact is that the program has been funded by a
grant. That grant was not continued for the coming fiscal year.
The grant covered only a portion of the A.P.'s expenses, and the proposed cuts far exceeded the amount of the grant.
Brian
I cannot support the budget because it enables a trend at
KPFA where KPFA is spending more time on air rasing money,
The budget shows less days of fundraising in 2006 than 2005.
it fails to
arrest the increase in the numberof people on payroll.
The budget shows a decrease in headcount, even with the addition of a Program Director.
Three years ago
there were about 29 full time staff, today there are about 42.
No, there are 40-some-odd FTEs (equivalencies, not full time staff), and that figue include $6-an-hour workstudy positions and severance pay. Since we don't know the source of the "29 in 2002" figure (Max Blanchet says it came from the business office, but the people who compiled that number no longer work here) we don't know if it includes severance, workstudy, and other occasional employment--or just salaried union positions. It's not clear to me that we have a solid comparison here. My colleagues have also pointed out that in FY 2002 we had seen an exodus of staff during the Pacifica Wars and were operating under a hiring freeze imposed by the national office--with several (they say seven) positions unfilled.
If there is extra money raised, I believe it
should go to such things as reimbursing unpaid staff for their
expenses
Unpaid staff already have station-related expenses covered, and KPFA's budget reflects that.
This budget also assumes that the current levels of listener
support
can be sustained indefinitely.
This budget conservatively projects a 2% decrease in listener support and, within the listener support line item, a smaller portion from on-air fundraising and a greater amount from direct mail and major donor appeals.
> it is not
prudent for an organization like KPFA to have a large budget.
We
should always try to have as much in reserve as possible.
We are budgeting to have a $190,000 net surplus _after_ capital expenses--more than any other Pacifica station, I believe. We have at present roughly $670,000 in savings and, at the end of the month, based on August actuals, will have a balance of roughly $280,000 in our operating account with payables and receivables balanced--that makes for nearly $1 million in available cash right now, and $1.14 million at the end of next fiscal. We also own a $3 million dollar building free and clear. We also own our transmitter site free and clear.
> p.s. some members of the KPFA staff also told people in the
Apprenticeship Program that the LSB wanted to cut them out of
the
budget.
The LSB had been considering a budget that cut staffing of the apprenticeship program by 42%. No-one who spoke during public comment at the meeting, to my recollection, accused the LSB of _wanting_ to cut the apprenticeship program. They spoke sincerely about the strengths of the program, their own experiences in it, and what they've been able to contribute to the station as a result. And they asked the LSB to maintain full funding for that work.
the A.P. itself, the fact is that the program has been funded by a
grant. That grant was not continued for the coming fiscal year.
The grant covered only a portion of the A.P.'s expenses, and the proposed cuts far exceeded the amount of the grant.
Brian
Sorry, the posting form got rid of my indentations. This should be more legible. --B
Joe wrote:
"I cannot support the budget because it enables a trend at
KPFA where KPFA is spending more time on air rasing money, "
The budget shows less days of fundraising in 2006 than 2005.
Joe Wrote:
" it fails to arrest the increase in the numberof people on payroll."
The budget shows a decrease in headcount, even with the addition of a Program Director.
Joe wrote:
"Three years ago there were about 29 full time staff, today there are about 42. "
No, there are 40-some-odd FTEs (equivalencies, not full time staff), and that figure include $6-an-hour workstudy positions and severance pay. Since we don't know the source of the "29 in 2002" figure (Max Blanchet says it came from the business office, but the people who compiled that number no longer work here) we don't know if it includes severance, workstudy, and other occasional employment--or just salaried union positions. It's not clear to me that we have a solid comparison here. My colleagues have also pointed out that in FY 2002 we had seen an exodus of staff during the Pacifica Wars and were operating under a hiring freeze imposed by the national office--with several (they say seven) positions unfilled.
Joe wrote:
"If there is extra money raised, I believe it should go to such things as reimbursing unpaid staff for their expenses "
Unpaid staff already have station-related expenses covered, and KPFA's budget reflects that.
Joe wrote:
"This budget also assumes that the current levels of listener support can be sustained indefinitely. "
This budget conservatively projects a 2% decrease in listener support and, within the listener support line item, a smaller portion from on-air fundraising and a greater amount from direct mail and major donor appeals.
Joe wrote:
"it is not prudent for an organization like KPFA to have a large budget. We should always try to have as much in reserve as possible. "
We are budgeting to have a $190,000 net surplus _after_ capital expenses--more than any other Pacifica station, I believe. We have at present roughly $670,000 in savings and, at the end of the month, based on August actuals, will have a balance of roughly $280,000 in our operating account with payables and receivables balanced--that makes for nearly $1 million in available cash right now, and $1.14 million at the end of next fiscal year. We also own a $3 million dollar building free and clear. We also own our transmitter site free and clear.
Joe:
"p.s. some members of the KPFA staff also told people in the Apprenticeship Program that the LSB wanted to cut them out of the
budget. "
The LSB had been considering a budget that cut staffing of the apprenticeship program by 42%. No-one who spoke during public comment at the meeting, to my recollection, accused the LSB of _wanting_ to cut the apprenticeship program. They spoke sincerely about the strengths of the program, their own experiences in it, and what they've been able to contribute to the station as a result. And they asked the LSB to maintain full funding for that work.
Joe:
"the A.P. itself, the fact is that the program has been funded by a
grant. That grant was not continued for the coming fiscal year."
The grant covered only a portion of the A.P.'s expenses, and the proposed cuts far exceeded the amount of the grant.
Brian
Joe wrote:
"I cannot support the budget because it enables a trend at
KPFA where KPFA is spending more time on air rasing money, "
The budget shows less days of fundraising in 2006 than 2005.
Joe Wrote:
" it fails to arrest the increase in the numberof people on payroll."
The budget shows a decrease in headcount, even with the addition of a Program Director.
Joe wrote:
"Three years ago there were about 29 full time staff, today there are about 42. "
No, there are 40-some-odd FTEs (equivalencies, not full time staff), and that figure include $6-an-hour workstudy positions and severance pay. Since we don't know the source of the "29 in 2002" figure (Max Blanchet says it came from the business office, but the people who compiled that number no longer work here) we don't know if it includes severance, workstudy, and other occasional employment--or just salaried union positions. It's not clear to me that we have a solid comparison here. My colleagues have also pointed out that in FY 2002 we had seen an exodus of staff during the Pacifica Wars and were operating under a hiring freeze imposed by the national office--with several (they say seven) positions unfilled.
Joe wrote:
"If there is extra money raised, I believe it should go to such things as reimbursing unpaid staff for their expenses "
Unpaid staff already have station-related expenses covered, and KPFA's budget reflects that.
Joe wrote:
"This budget also assumes that the current levels of listener support can be sustained indefinitely. "
This budget conservatively projects a 2% decrease in listener support and, within the listener support line item, a smaller portion from on-air fundraising and a greater amount from direct mail and major donor appeals.
Joe wrote:
"it is not prudent for an organization like KPFA to have a large budget. We should always try to have as much in reserve as possible. "
We are budgeting to have a $190,000 net surplus _after_ capital expenses--more than any other Pacifica station, I believe. We have at present roughly $670,000 in savings and, at the end of the month, based on August actuals, will have a balance of roughly $280,000 in our operating account with payables and receivables balanced--that makes for nearly $1 million in available cash right now, and $1.14 million at the end of next fiscal year. We also own a $3 million dollar building free and clear. We also own our transmitter site free and clear.
Joe:
"p.s. some members of the KPFA staff also told people in the Apprenticeship Program that the LSB wanted to cut them out of the
budget. "
The LSB had been considering a budget that cut staffing of the apprenticeship program by 42%. No-one who spoke during public comment at the meeting, to my recollection, accused the LSB of _wanting_ to cut the apprenticeship program. They spoke sincerely about the strengths of the program, their own experiences in it, and what they've been able to contribute to the station as a result. And they asked the LSB to maintain full funding for that work.
Joe:
"the A.P. itself, the fact is that the program has been funded by a
grant. That grant was not continued for the coming fiscal year."
The grant covered only a portion of the A.P.'s expenses, and the proposed cuts far exceeded the amount of the grant.
Brian
I'm less concerned with justice prevailing at KPFA than I am with decent programming prevailing at KPFA. It is a radio station not a commune for god's sake.
And no, I don't mean conservative programming. I mean professionally produced, researched, balanced programming that people want to listen to.
I think flashpoints is pretty good all in all. However I don't understand why there are 5 hours a week of programming about rap music during commute time. I don't have a problem with the program, it just seems that prime comute hours should be for news/current events.
Lose the herbal hour and Stone's throw and do more investigative reporting.
If they do this I might even give them some money!
And no, I don't mean conservative programming. I mean professionally produced, researched, balanced programming that people want to listen to.
I think flashpoints is pretty good all in all. However I don't understand why there are 5 hours a week of programming about rap music during commute time. I don't have a problem with the program, it just seems that prime comute hours should be for news/current events.
Lose the herbal hour and Stone's throw and do more investigative reporting.
If they do this I might even give them some money!
"Any institution that tolerates this level of discrimination – against women, against young people of color, against workers – should expect to be held accountable by people of conscience"
This is well and clearly stated.
"I can assure everyone that the overwhelming majority of the 25,000 subscribers are proud of the fact that Roy Campanella has been retained"
I am one subscriber and long-time supporter who is horrified. And frankly, coming to know Campanella, has made me even more horrified. Proud? Of a progressive institution tolerating abusive and bullying behavior? Proud that internal democracy has led to only stupid power struggles that are hurting real people? I am deeply disappointed. I've never been less proud.
"It is also clear that this is a subterfuge to prevent the order of the LSB to move the second broadcast of Democracy Now from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first from 6 a.m. to 7 a .m. and the Morning Show from 7-9 a.m. to 8-10 a.m. with the hope of having a new program at 6 a.m. and reaping the financial benefit from Democracy Now being during prime evening time as well as prime morning time"
The idea that it is OK to allow employees to be victimized in order to push through a badly thought out programming change is insane. Moving Democracy Now to 7pm either eradicates KPFA's entire 7pm public affairs strip (which includes Walter Turner's Africa Today show, the La Raza Chronicles, Voices of the Middle East, the Asian Pacific show Apex Express and the apprenticeship hour Full Circle) or pushes them to 8pm, a far less listened to-hour, and then destroys 5 music programs, including the excellent Transitions on Traditions and La Onda Bajita.
The 7 am change (which is all the LSB ever commanded, anyhow) has some serious issues regarding the way fundraising has been done in the past, as it eradicates the primary fundraising window the program has used from 10 to 10:30 am. While the LSB is issuing orders, it has never coherently addressed how to deal with that problem. That's why the plan isn't being implemented, by Bennett, Newport, Campanella or anybody else.
Getting DN into a better time slot is a worthwhile goal, but it requires these concerns to be solved, not just would-be pinhead dictators issuing commandants and then calling anyone a Cointelpro operative who wants more details. DN could, for example, be put in an 8am slot, with the Morning Show running 6-8am. Or the hysterical Flashpoints could yield the 5pm hour to the much better show that is DN, and take over the 9 am slot.
There are lots of ways to do it.
"The very mature adults, male and female, on the LSB, with many years of administrative experience and great depth in political understanding"
Have you ever BEEN to an LSB meeting? My God. I have seen better meetings conducted by fourth graders.
"Get a load of this" and "get a grip,"
That's just about what anybody thinks when they have the misfortune to attend one of those meetings.
"Now that you know your worthless attempts at muting the real freedom fighters like Dennis are a FAILURE LIKE YOU.With your stupidity you everyone know your true intentions It is crystal clear what you and your fellow agents are up to now"
More nonsense from the peanut gallery. Yes, Flashpoints has done some good work over the years. It has also been, frequently, empty-headed, overwrought, ridiculous, and a major turn off to most thinking people. I loved the part a week ago where some poet read an elegy about Katrina and poverty and then was encouraged by Dennis to describe her website where they could send her donations because she is "poor" and living with multiple sclerosis.
That's right. Don't donate to the victims of the hurricane, donate to the poor poet. What nonsense.
"It could be done a thousand times better. and for those who care about haiti and palestine, sure why not have dedicated programing to those issues in that time slot - done by haitians and palestinians....oh I guess that would be too radical for you and challenge the white male filter that you are so so comfortable with...times are changing...."
Let's hope so.
"COINTELPRO is alive and well and it's agents are on the KPFA Local Station Board. What better way to destroy one of the only left media outlets, than to vote to support a corporate stooge like Campanella? Think about how little it took to get these people elected to the board. Who are they anyway? This is the work of agents -- not the 91 workers at the station, many of who I respect and trust from years of listening -- but the largely unknown board members"
I wish it were that simple. It would make me feel better. I actually think the board, while it is doing great damage, is simply acting in a confused, impotent fashion because they are hobbled by their own prejudices and desperately need to inflate their own snits and peeves and power hunger into a valiant political struggle - something the radical left is all too good at.
"He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally"
And there you go. There's only "two sides" and he better pick one.
Although the poster admits that the person they want on their side isn't actually committed to the cause of independent radical media.
Games. Nothing but stupid, pathetic games and meanwhile women journalists are being hurt.
This is well and clearly stated.
"I can assure everyone that the overwhelming majority of the 25,000 subscribers are proud of the fact that Roy Campanella has been retained"
I am one subscriber and long-time supporter who is horrified. And frankly, coming to know Campanella, has made me even more horrified. Proud? Of a progressive institution tolerating abusive and bullying behavior? Proud that internal democracy has led to only stupid power struggles that are hurting real people? I am deeply disappointed. I've never been less proud.
"It is also clear that this is a subterfuge to prevent the order of the LSB to move the second broadcast of Democracy Now from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the first from 6 a.m. to 7 a .m. and the Morning Show from 7-9 a.m. to 8-10 a.m. with the hope of having a new program at 6 a.m. and reaping the financial benefit from Democracy Now being during prime evening time as well as prime morning time"
The idea that it is OK to allow employees to be victimized in order to push through a badly thought out programming change is insane. Moving Democracy Now to 7pm either eradicates KPFA's entire 7pm public affairs strip (which includes Walter Turner's Africa Today show, the La Raza Chronicles, Voices of the Middle East, the Asian Pacific show Apex Express and the apprenticeship hour Full Circle) or pushes them to 8pm, a far less listened to-hour, and then destroys 5 music programs, including the excellent Transitions on Traditions and La Onda Bajita.
The 7 am change (which is all the LSB ever commanded, anyhow) has some serious issues regarding the way fundraising has been done in the past, as it eradicates the primary fundraising window the program has used from 10 to 10:30 am. While the LSB is issuing orders, it has never coherently addressed how to deal with that problem. That's why the plan isn't being implemented, by Bennett, Newport, Campanella or anybody else.
Getting DN into a better time slot is a worthwhile goal, but it requires these concerns to be solved, not just would-be pinhead dictators issuing commandants and then calling anyone a Cointelpro operative who wants more details. DN could, for example, be put in an 8am slot, with the Morning Show running 6-8am. Or the hysterical Flashpoints could yield the 5pm hour to the much better show that is DN, and take over the 9 am slot.
There are lots of ways to do it.
"The very mature adults, male and female, on the LSB, with many years of administrative experience and great depth in political understanding"
Have you ever BEEN to an LSB meeting? My God. I have seen better meetings conducted by fourth graders.
"Get a load of this" and "get a grip,"
That's just about what anybody thinks when they have the misfortune to attend one of those meetings.
"Now that you know your worthless attempts at muting the real freedom fighters like Dennis are a FAILURE LIKE YOU.With your stupidity you everyone know your true intentions It is crystal clear what you and your fellow agents are up to now"
More nonsense from the peanut gallery. Yes, Flashpoints has done some good work over the years. It has also been, frequently, empty-headed, overwrought, ridiculous, and a major turn off to most thinking people. I loved the part a week ago where some poet read an elegy about Katrina and poverty and then was encouraged by Dennis to describe her website where they could send her donations because she is "poor" and living with multiple sclerosis.
That's right. Don't donate to the victims of the hurricane, donate to the poor poet. What nonsense.
"It could be done a thousand times better. and for those who care about haiti and palestine, sure why not have dedicated programing to those issues in that time slot - done by haitians and palestinians....oh I guess that would be too radical for you and challenge the white male filter that you are so so comfortable with...times are changing...."
Let's hope so.
"COINTELPRO is alive and well and it's agents are on the KPFA Local Station Board. What better way to destroy one of the only left media outlets, than to vote to support a corporate stooge like Campanella? Think about how little it took to get these people elected to the board. Who are they anyway? This is the work of agents -- not the 91 workers at the station, many of who I respect and trust from years of listening -- but the largely unknown board members"
I wish it were that simple. It would make me feel better. I actually think the board, while it is doing great damage, is simply acting in a confused, impotent fashion because they are hobbled by their own prejudices and desperately need to inflate their own snits and peeves and power hunger into a valiant political struggle - something the radical left is all too good at.
"He better pick the right side - the side who'll have his back if he sincerely and honestly asks for help - in the KPFA community or he certainly won't last, administratively or emotionally"
And there you go. There's only "two sides" and he better pick one.
Although the poster admits that the person they want on their side isn't actually committed to the cause of independent radical media.
Games. Nothing but stupid, pathetic games and meanwhile women journalists are being hurt.
"I hope you were at the LSB meeting yesterday. I was.
It was astounding to watch the Peoples Radio crowd turn on RCII over the budget."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Opinion/hyperbole by one too cowardly to identify themselves and take responsibility for what they twist and distort. Peoples Radio believes in financial responsibility. You can't turn on someone that you weren't with before. We stand for principles and our 10 points that can be found at http://www.peoplesradio.net. We support people if they stand for principles we support.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"They EXPECTED payback."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Payback for what? Peoples Radio didn't support the firing of RCII due to lack of evidence to support such action. Perhaps this anonymous coward is projecting her/his methodology, it certainly isn't ours.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"I have been concerned about his behaviour at KPFA but supported him. I know for a fact that Peoples RAdio faction did not...they attacked him from the beginning until they thought they could turn him against his own station."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Talk about facts, but you don't give any, not even your name. All you have is your opinion and it is our station, not his. We criticized RCII for things he did or didn't do and we praise him if he or anyone else does what is right for a community station.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"RCII took an honorable, principled position with the budget and did not play the Peoples Radio quid pro quo game. Good for him. A step in the right direction for reconciliation."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think you have the quid pro quo wrong. If there was any it was the entrenched, anti-democratic, pro patronage/cronyism staff that threatened RCII with hell if he didn't recind the staff reductions in his first budget.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Those who shouted for other LSB members to 'SHUT YOUR MOUTH" and refused to pledge to donate to KPFA should be recalled."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What and how people pledge is their own business not a Karl Rove manipulation, one of many the anti-democratic forces have used at LSB meetings and at the station. Like using air time to promote KPFAWorker web site without offering equal time to opposing views, opposing views like the truth. You have no idea how much I or any other Peoples Radio people donate. In addition we all volunteer numerous hours for KPFA and Pacifica.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"So should the ones, starting with Joe Wanzala and Richard Phelps, who were so cowardly as to try to force a vote to remove a chair who wasn't even there to defend herself."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
How do you have the nerve to call someone a coward when you are too chicken to identify yourself. Just like the entrenched staff, you don't believe in transparency and accountability. As a matter of fact the Chair is barely there when she is there. She can't even run a meeting with the help of an $80 per hour parliamentarian. That is $300-400 or more per meeting of listeners money that could go for outreach or programs, $4800 of next years LSB budget, almost half!!!!
Besides her inability to run a meeting her practice as chair has been to hide things and not consult with the LSB before doing things in the name of the LSB that she has no right to do. Here is a list of things she has done that a Chair who believed in transparency and democratic process wouldn't have done.
1. January LSB program. Talked to others on her side privately Friday night, said nothing at the Sat LSB meeting (with us for 4 hours, could have mentioned it before, during, at break or after) and then they did the LSB radio show with no notice to any of us and none from our side was invited.
2. Community advisory board, no communications with the LSB while putting together stealth board contrary to the rules and an agreement with the LSB.
3. Hired security guard, no communications with LSB except maybe a few on her side. No justification for it. Cost $300 of listeners money.
4. Parliamentarian, hired without discussion with the LSB.
5. Gave out press release on GM issue without consultation with LSB. The Chair's job is to run the meetings and represent the LSB after consultation with the LSB. She is not a CEO.
6. . A man from Scotland wanted to video our "public, open meeting" he was making a program on labor and progressive activities in the USA. Other meetings have been videoed. She kept his request a secret, again making decisions without the LSB. Told him to come back in two months. (she didn't offer to pay his plane fare from Scotland). When it came up she said she didn't think we had time to discuss it, (no time for democratic process, or even to inform us?) After a brief discussion raised by me when I was told about the situation we voted to allow it. Some entrenched supporters didn't want it taped. Incidently, Peoples Radio has pushed to have all LSB meetings web cast so all can hear and somehow we have money for a parliamentarian and not for web casts for the listeners.
7. Inability to properly run a meeting. Even with the Parliamentarian, who helps her with complex rulings, she never seems to have a sense of what to do next. She doesn't seem to have a feeling for the body, like a deer in the head lights. Often others have to suggest that a vote isn’t needed because it is obvious to anyone paying attention that there is no objection to the motion being discussed.
8. Failue to communicate with LSB between meetings. Not on LSB list, or is she watching and ignoring the issues?
From RROO 10th Ed. Pg 433, section 47:
"The presiding officer of an assembly--especially a large one--should be chosen principally for the ability to preside. This person should be well versed in parliamentary law and should be thoroughly familiar with the bylaws and other rules of the organization--even if he or she is to have the assistance of a parliamentarian. At the same time, any presiding officer will do well to bear in mind that no rules can take the place of tact and common sense on the part of the chairman."
I will be glad to publicly debate this anonymous poster. I have previously challenged anyone from KPFAWorker to debate and Brian Edward-Tiekert (but that's redundant since he is part of KPFAWorker and doesn't have the courage to admit it). None of them will take the challenge since their positions, like a vampire, can't stand the light of day.
The real issue at KPFA is simple, is the station going to be run with a democratic process (bylaws) with listener (the people that provide all the money) representation or are we going back to the old patronage and cronyism with no transparency and accountability? If the entrenched staff have their way democracy will disappear and you won't even hear about.
There are many progressive staff that put community radio first before turf. We need more of them and less of those that are more interested in control and power than being an alternative voice to the corporate media.
It was astounding to watch the Peoples Radio crowd turn on RCII over the budget."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Opinion/hyperbole by one too cowardly to identify themselves and take responsibility for what they twist and distort. Peoples Radio believes in financial responsibility. You can't turn on someone that you weren't with before. We stand for principles and our 10 points that can be found at http://www.peoplesradio.net. We support people if they stand for principles we support.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"They EXPECTED payback."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Payback for what? Peoples Radio didn't support the firing of RCII due to lack of evidence to support such action. Perhaps this anonymous coward is projecting her/his methodology, it certainly isn't ours.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"I have been concerned about his behaviour at KPFA but supported him. I know for a fact that Peoples RAdio faction did not...they attacked him from the beginning until they thought they could turn him against his own station."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Talk about facts, but you don't give any, not even your name. All you have is your opinion and it is our station, not his. We criticized RCII for things he did or didn't do and we praise him if he or anyone else does what is right for a community station.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"RCII took an honorable, principled position with the budget and did not play the Peoples Radio quid pro quo game. Good for him. A step in the right direction for reconciliation."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I think you have the quid pro quo wrong. If there was any it was the entrenched, anti-democratic, pro patronage/cronyism staff that threatened RCII with hell if he didn't recind the staff reductions in his first budget.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Those who shouted for other LSB members to 'SHUT YOUR MOUTH" and refused to pledge to donate to KPFA should be recalled."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
What and how people pledge is their own business not a Karl Rove manipulation, one of many the anti-democratic forces have used at LSB meetings and at the station. Like using air time to promote KPFAWorker web site without offering equal time to opposing views, opposing views like the truth. You have no idea how much I or any other Peoples Radio people donate. In addition we all volunteer numerous hours for KPFA and Pacifica.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"So should the ones, starting with Joe Wanzala and Richard Phelps, who were so cowardly as to try to force a vote to remove a chair who wasn't even there to defend herself."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
How do you have the nerve to call someone a coward when you are too chicken to identify yourself. Just like the entrenched staff, you don't believe in transparency and accountability. As a matter of fact the Chair is barely there when she is there. She can't even run a meeting with the help of an $80 per hour parliamentarian. That is $300-400 or more per meeting of listeners money that could go for outreach or programs, $4800 of next years LSB budget, almost half!!!!
Besides her inability to run a meeting her practice as chair has been to hide things and not consult with the LSB before doing things in the name of the LSB that she has no right to do. Here is a list of things she has done that a Chair who believed in transparency and democratic process wouldn't have done.
1. January LSB program. Talked to others on her side privately Friday night, said nothing at the Sat LSB meeting (with us for 4 hours, could have mentioned it before, during, at break or after) and then they did the LSB radio show with no notice to any of us and none from our side was invited.
2. Community advisory board, no communications with the LSB while putting together stealth board contrary to the rules and an agreement with the LSB.
3. Hired security guard, no communications with LSB except maybe a few on her side. No justification for it. Cost $300 of listeners money.
4. Parliamentarian, hired without discussion with the LSB.
5. Gave out press release on GM issue without consultation with LSB. The Chair's job is to run the meetings and represent the LSB after consultation with the LSB. She is not a CEO.
6. . A man from Scotland wanted to video our "public, open meeting" he was making a program on labor and progressive activities in the USA. Other meetings have been videoed. She kept his request a secret, again making decisions without the LSB. Told him to come back in two months. (she didn't offer to pay his plane fare from Scotland). When it came up she said she didn't think we had time to discuss it, (no time for democratic process, or even to inform us?) After a brief discussion raised by me when I was told about the situation we voted to allow it. Some entrenched supporters didn't want it taped. Incidently, Peoples Radio has pushed to have all LSB meetings web cast so all can hear and somehow we have money for a parliamentarian and not for web casts for the listeners.
7. Inability to properly run a meeting. Even with the Parliamentarian, who helps her with complex rulings, she never seems to have a sense of what to do next. She doesn't seem to have a feeling for the body, like a deer in the head lights. Often others have to suggest that a vote isn’t needed because it is obvious to anyone paying attention that there is no objection to the motion being discussed.
8. Failue to communicate with LSB between meetings. Not on LSB list, or is she watching and ignoring the issues?
From RROO 10th Ed. Pg 433, section 47:
"The presiding officer of an assembly--especially a large one--should be chosen principally for the ability to preside. This person should be well versed in parliamentary law and should be thoroughly familiar with the bylaws and other rules of the organization--even if he or she is to have the assistance of a parliamentarian. At the same time, any presiding officer will do well to bear in mind that no rules can take the place of tact and common sense on the part of the chairman."
I will be glad to publicly debate this anonymous poster. I have previously challenged anyone from KPFAWorker to debate and Brian Edward-Tiekert (but that's redundant since he is part of KPFAWorker and doesn't have the courage to admit it). None of them will take the challenge since their positions, like a vampire, can't stand the light of day.
The real issue at KPFA is simple, is the station going to be run with a democratic process (bylaws) with listener (the people that provide all the money) representation or are we going back to the old patronage and cronyism with no transparency and accountability? If the entrenched staff have their way democracy will disappear and you won't even hear about.
There are many progressive staff that put community radio first before turf. We need more of them and less of those that are more interested in control and power than being an alternative voice to the corporate media.
It is time for all the very damaging ultra left Peoplesradio gang to go .I propose that those of us who really love and treasure this station launch a recall of all of them . Not just Phelps and Wanzala but Septia Khomish, Laverne Williams, Candance Hoffman but even the so called moderates, Max Blanchet . Ted Friedman, and Attila nagy . They have smeared our great staff, attacked our sister Rosalinda and now want to defund the staff,I The recall should extend to other governing bodies and the outrageous Gerald Sanders and that thug from Tennessee , Stan Woods should be kicked off the Outreach commitees and the program council . We should also look hard at their allies on the staff, Dennis, of course, should be fired for his crimes against women and others should at least be carefully reviewed. Like Robbie Osman and Bonnie Faulkner. Bonnie Faulkner may have a famous name, she is the granddaughter of William Faulkner , but her ''Everything is a conspiracy'' guests hurt our crediability . KPFA needs to be part of the sane, crediable , left not the far left utopia these people want. . Enough is Enough. Recall now .
I agree completely, please drop the insane conspiracy theories and other crap and give us a credible left radio station. If KPFA focused its attention on real investigative journalism I think it would build credibility, and listeners and maybe accomplish something. When KPFA talks about the CIA bllowing up the World trade center or some other inane leftist fantasy it makes people discount ANYTHING that is heard on this station.
Anonymous: "The 7 am [Democracy Now] change (which is all the LSB ever commanded, anyhow) has some serious issues regarding the way fundraising has been done in the past, as it eradicates the primary fundraising window the program has used from 10 to 10:30 am. While the LSB is issuing orders, it has never coherently addressed how to deal with that problem."
Having Democracy Now on when more people could listen to it _inherently_ raises its listener accessable fundraising exposure and thus fundraising potential. This ain't rocket science. How is a 10 to 10:30am window more accessable when much fewer people can even listen then, let alone call in their pledges? Likewise, more people would probably stay tuned and listen to The Morning Show with an, after all, much more popular show, at a much more accessable time, leading into it. Ironically, it's the Democracy Now pledge dollars (and the protential increase in them, from probably already the number one, per hour, fundraising dollars already) that probably disproportionately contribute, in part, to the very salaries of those most opposed to the more accessable change. But I get turf trumps sense.
I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime.
(By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!)
But, with a bloated paid staff (while unpaid staff can't even get appropriate travel, meal, and miscellaneous supplies allowances); high-priced security guards hired to intimidate pro-democracy LSB attendees; a _very_ high-priced parliamentarian; sweetheart severance packages and a KPFA van given to former acting GM Jim Bennet, who is also slated to get $1,500 as a "consultant" to the next fund drive (how many of the workingclasses' $25 and $35 pledges will that soak up, and what information is he giving that KPFA shouldn't already have under his prior tenure, let alone that he should be contributing his 'great' wisdom for _free_); KPFA pledges going to WBAI; as well as other financial shit we don't even know about because appropriate people have to fight to get regular oversight over the financial records of what is after all supposed to be a non-profit _COMMUNITY_ radio station (especially in such a talented and creative community like the Bay Area): most people at KPFA (except skilled operational technicians/engineers necessary to maintain the complicated transmitting and studio equipment) should be working for _FREE_ (except for travel & work time-rated meal allowances and documented small miscellaneous expenses)!
KPFA obviously has too much money on its hands already from its 5+ times a year million dollar pledge drives for an output of often less and less political quality (as with the still absent Folio) over the decades. I won't anymore be giving KPFA one thin dime of my hard-earned money (or only just enough, periodically, to vote in elections) until I see positive change!
Anonymous: "That's why the plan isn't being implemented, by Bennett, Newport, Campanella or anybody else."
The plan wasn't issued by Bennett because he (allied with and a tool of in-station - ironically, _ant-democracy_ - interests) didn't want it. The plan wasn't issued or carried through by Newport and Campanella because they hit a self-interested entrenched in-station resistance, scared of and thus opposed to _any_ changes at KPFA. The same Campanella that entrenched self-interests forced to keep a bloated paid staff budget - or they'd make his emotional life _HELL_ every single day at the station. (Talk about thug behavior.) The same people who tried to get rid of him anyway (as well as to falsely scare and exploit those in the apprenticeship program that that program would be cut). But for the sake of $$$, the sexual harassment and abuse claims - alleged feminist and moral "principles" - were kicked aside for them to turn out and go champion Roy at the last LSB meeting. (As one comedian once said about the Reagan administration selling arms for $$$$$ to Ayatollah Khomeni, "I'm confused.... Isn't he supposed to be the _enemy_?")
Deb Sanchez: "It is time for all the very damaging ultra left Peoplesradio gang to go .I propose that those of us who really love and treasure this station launch a recall of all of them . Not just Phelps and Wanzala but Septia Khomish, Laverne Williams, Candance Hoffman but even the so called moderates, Max Blanchet . Ted Friedman, and Attila nagy ."
Well, _HOP_ to it Deb and see how far you get! Huff 'n puff 'til you blowww what passes for your brains out! I guess that peoplesradio winning a majority in the last elections didn't show you enough that most listeners and listener-activists actually do want transparency and democracy.
Anyway, Deb, I don't know if you have two thin dimes worth of brain cells to rub together, but "Septia Khomish['s]" name is Sepideh Khosrowjah. At least get her first name right. Otherwise you can look up her name right at the KPFA website, under KPFA Local Station Board Members (what a catchy caption to find the list of correct names, huh?).
Having Democracy Now on when more people could listen to it _inherently_ raises its listener accessable fundraising exposure and thus fundraising potential. This ain't rocket science. How is a 10 to 10:30am window more accessable when much fewer people can even listen then, let alone call in their pledges? Likewise, more people would probably stay tuned and listen to The Morning Show with an, after all, much more popular show, at a much more accessable time, leading into it. Ironically, it's the Democracy Now pledge dollars (and the protential increase in them, from probably already the number one, per hour, fundraising dollars already) that probably disproportionately contribute, in part, to the very salaries of those most opposed to the more accessable change. But I get turf trumps sense.
I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime.
(By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!)
But, with a bloated paid staff (while unpaid staff can't even get appropriate travel, meal, and miscellaneous supplies allowances); high-priced security guards hired to intimidate pro-democracy LSB attendees; a _very_ high-priced parliamentarian; sweetheart severance packages and a KPFA van given to former acting GM Jim Bennet, who is also slated to get $1,500 as a "consultant" to the next fund drive (how many of the workingclasses' $25 and $35 pledges will that soak up, and what information is he giving that KPFA shouldn't already have under his prior tenure, let alone that he should be contributing his 'great' wisdom for _free_); KPFA pledges going to WBAI; as well as other financial shit we don't even know about because appropriate people have to fight to get regular oversight over the financial records of what is after all supposed to be a non-profit _COMMUNITY_ radio station (especially in such a talented and creative community like the Bay Area): most people at KPFA (except skilled operational technicians/engineers necessary to maintain the complicated transmitting and studio equipment) should be working for _FREE_ (except for travel & work time-rated meal allowances and documented small miscellaneous expenses)!
KPFA obviously has too much money on its hands already from its 5+ times a year million dollar pledge drives for an output of often less and less political quality (as with the still absent Folio) over the decades. I won't anymore be giving KPFA one thin dime of my hard-earned money (or only just enough, periodically, to vote in elections) until I see positive change!
Anonymous: "That's why the plan isn't being implemented, by Bennett, Newport, Campanella or anybody else."
The plan wasn't issued by Bennett because he (allied with and a tool of in-station - ironically, _ant-democracy_ - interests) didn't want it. The plan wasn't issued or carried through by Newport and Campanella because they hit a self-interested entrenched in-station resistance, scared of and thus opposed to _any_ changes at KPFA. The same Campanella that entrenched self-interests forced to keep a bloated paid staff budget - or they'd make his emotional life _HELL_ every single day at the station. (Talk about thug behavior.) The same people who tried to get rid of him anyway (as well as to falsely scare and exploit those in the apprenticeship program that that program would be cut). But for the sake of $$$, the sexual harassment and abuse claims - alleged feminist and moral "principles" - were kicked aside for them to turn out and go champion Roy at the last LSB meeting. (As one comedian once said about the Reagan administration selling arms for $$$$$ to Ayatollah Khomeni, "I'm confused.... Isn't he supposed to be the _enemy_?")
Deb Sanchez: "It is time for all the very damaging ultra left Peoplesradio gang to go .I propose that those of us who really love and treasure this station launch a recall of all of them . Not just Phelps and Wanzala but Septia Khomish, Laverne Williams, Candance Hoffman but even the so called moderates, Max Blanchet . Ted Friedman, and Attila nagy ."
Well, _HOP_ to it Deb and see how far you get! Huff 'n puff 'til you blowww what passes for your brains out! I guess that peoplesradio winning a majority in the last elections didn't show you enough that most listeners and listener-activists actually do want transparency and democracy.
Anyway, Deb, I don't know if you have two thin dimes worth of brain cells to rub together, but "Septia Khomish['s]" name is Sepideh Khosrowjah. At least get her first name right. Otherwise you can look up her name right at the KPFA website, under KPFA Local Station Board Members (what a catchy caption to find the list of correct names, huh?).
Unlike the smug assertion above that a recall of toxic board members would be a challenge ("Well, _HOP_ to it Deb and see how far you get! Huff 'n puff 'til you blowww what passes for your brains out! I guess that peoplesradio winning a majority in the last elections didn't show you enough that most listeners and listener-activists actually do want transparency and democracy"), it in fact would be quite easy.
The Pacifica Bylaws state: "Any Delegate shall be removed from the position of Delegate, and cease to be a Delegate.... upon the majority vote of the class of Members associated with the radio station who originally elected the Delegate voting by written ballot in an election to remove said Delegate, provided that a quorum is established by written ballot, and further provided that before any such election may be held the Secretary of the appropriate Local Station Board shall first have received a petition signed by at least two percent (2%) of the appropriate class of Members affiliated with that radio station seeking said Delegate's removal due to conduct by the Delegate that is specifically alleged in the petition to be adverse to the best interest of the Foundation or the local radio station." (Article 4, Section 9) http://www.kpfa.org/lsb/index.php?page=bylaws#4
Given that so few listener-subscribers voted to elect these people in the first place -- current LSB members were elected with as few as 400 votes each and overall something like 2,000 of the 28,000 listener-subscribers voted in the last election -- it would not be hard to get a recall to happen. 2% of 2,000 means that you would need to gather approximately 40 (you might go for 50 or 60 to be on the safe side) signatures per board member from KPFA subscribers to have a recall election! Sounds do-able to me!
So, to quote our more-democratic-than-thou friend above: hop to it Deb! There are tons of listeners out there who are pissed off with the mania on the board and will support you on this.
The Pacifica Bylaws state: "Any Delegate shall be removed from the position of Delegate, and cease to be a Delegate.... upon the majority vote of the class of Members associated with the radio station who originally elected the Delegate voting by written ballot in an election to remove said Delegate, provided that a quorum is established by written ballot, and further provided that before any such election may be held the Secretary of the appropriate Local Station Board shall first have received a petition signed by at least two percent (2%) of the appropriate class of Members affiliated with that radio station seeking said Delegate's removal due to conduct by the Delegate that is specifically alleged in the petition to be adverse to the best interest of the Foundation or the local radio station." (Article 4, Section 9) http://www.kpfa.org/lsb/index.php?page=bylaws#4
Given that so few listener-subscribers voted to elect these people in the first place -- current LSB members were elected with as few as 400 votes each and overall something like 2,000 of the 28,000 listener-subscribers voted in the last election -- it would not be hard to get a recall to happen. 2% of 2,000 means that you would need to gather approximately 40 (you might go for 50 or 60 to be on the safe side) signatures per board member from KPFA subscribers to have a recall election! Sounds do-able to me!
So, to quote our more-democratic-than-thou friend above: hop to it Deb! There are tons of listeners out there who are pissed off with the mania on the board and will support you on this.
"Given that so few listener-subscribers voted to elect these people in the first place -- current LSB members were elected with as few as 400 votes each and overall something like 2,000 of the 28,000 listener-subscribers voted in the last election -- it would not be hard to get a recall to happen. 2% of 2,000 means that you would need to gather approximately 40 (you might go for 50 or 60 to be on the safe side) signatures per board member from KPFA subscribers to have a recall election! Sounds do-able to me!"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
5400 people voted in the first election, 3400 people voted in the last election, despite dirty tricks designed to supress voting. The national election supervisor decided not to send out the candidate statement with the ballots, I pushed hard when I found this out and rallied support to make them send them. The ballots were sent out late to Berkeley, I believe on purpose since Peoples Radio had its web site and endorsements up and running and KPFAForward( the entrenched staff slate) didn't, so who benefited by the delay. Many people never got a ballot. My cart was played only 9 times and many others were played 13-15. This was controlled by a staff member on the board that always votes against transparency on the PNB. There were many other dirty tricks by the entrenced staff to discuss some other time. To do a recall you must get 2% of 28,000+., 560+ signatures. I continue to challenge KPFAWorker to debate as I did KPFAForward during the election, no takers. WHY? They do best with cheap shopts, one sided distortions of the facts and other dirty tricks that don't allow for direct reply or rebuttal. What kid of Free Speech Radio people are afraid to debate? Dishonest, anti-transparency, anti-democratic people, people that know that the truth and progressive values are against them. FOR THE RECORD PEOPLES RADIO RECEIVED 2/3 OF THE VOTE. Peoples Radio folks went out and talked to the people and the listeners liked what we stand for. Here are our 10 points.
1. A democratically elected Program Council with strong listener
representation and the authority to make programming decisions by majority
vote.
2. Transparency in all finances, job postings, and contracts, with an
accountable process for management decisions at the station. Compliance
with all Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requirements.
3. Democracy Now! on twice a day, once at 7:00 a.m. and once in the evening,
to reach as many listeners as possible.
4. Strong and effective elected boards at KPFA and Pacifica, to prevent
future anti-democratic takeovers.
5. KPFA as a vigilant critic of the New World Order, with no corporate
underwriting.
6. Strong support for the pioneering Free Speech Radio News collective.
7. Broader diversity in staff and programming as well as increased outreach
to underserved communities.
8. Improve station functionality and organization by immediately hiring a
permanent General Manager, followed by a Program Director and Public Affairs
Director. These positions have effectively remained vacant for over 5 years.
9. Development of a new Folio.
10. Respectful treatment of listeners who call in to live shows.
Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
5400 people voted in the first election, 3400 people voted in the last election, despite dirty tricks designed to supress voting. The national election supervisor decided not to send out the candidate statement with the ballots, I pushed hard when I found this out and rallied support to make them send them. The ballots were sent out late to Berkeley, I believe on purpose since Peoples Radio had its web site and endorsements up and running and KPFAForward( the entrenched staff slate) didn't, so who benefited by the delay. Many people never got a ballot. My cart was played only 9 times and many others were played 13-15. This was controlled by a staff member on the board that always votes against transparency on the PNB. There were many other dirty tricks by the entrenced staff to discuss some other time. To do a recall you must get 2% of 28,000+., 560+ signatures. I continue to challenge KPFAWorker to debate as I did KPFAForward during the election, no takers. WHY? They do best with cheap shopts, one sided distortions of the facts and other dirty tricks that don't allow for direct reply or rebuttal. What kid of Free Speech Radio people are afraid to debate? Dishonest, anti-transparency, anti-democratic people, people that know that the truth and progressive values are against them. FOR THE RECORD PEOPLES RADIO RECEIVED 2/3 OF THE VOTE. Peoples Radio folks went out and talked to the people and the listeners liked what we stand for. Here are our 10 points.
1. A democratically elected Program Council with strong listener
representation and the authority to make programming decisions by majority
vote.
2. Transparency in all finances, job postings, and contracts, with an
accountable process for management decisions at the station. Compliance
with all Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requirements.
3. Democracy Now! on twice a day, once at 7:00 a.m. and once in the evening,
to reach as many listeners as possible.
4. Strong and effective elected boards at KPFA and Pacifica, to prevent
future anti-democratic takeovers.
5. KPFA as a vigilant critic of the New World Order, with no corporate
underwriting.
6. Strong support for the pioneering Free Speech Radio News collective.
7. Broader diversity in staff and programming as well as increased outreach
to underserved communities.
8. Improve station functionality and organization by immediately hiring a
permanent General Manager, followed by a Program Director and Public Affairs
Director. These positions have effectively remained vacant for over 5 years.
9. Development of a new Folio.
10. Respectful treatment of listeners who call in to live shows.
Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public.
Deb: "The Pacifica Bylaws state: "Any Delegate shall be removed from the position of Delegate.... There are tons of listeners out there who are pissed off ...
[and Deb would know that they all agree with _her_ views how???]"
(Btw, Deb & your cohort, maybe we should finally ABOLISH what passes for the last vestiges of "democracy" in the U.S. - elections - since now usually only a minority of eligible adults ever vote in elections anymore, and from that minority of eligible adults, the victors, once the votes are split, are elected with still much smaller %'s of the eligible adult population - a small fraction of the U.S.'s 280 million people or California's 33 million people, minus the % that are minors. And the minority of eligible adult voters usually gets much smaller for off-year, non-gubernatorial, non-congressional, and local candidates. As for those tons of pissed off listeners who you think support you and your cohort's idea that democracy and transparency are too much to be bother with, maybe you can get them to make a membership pledge and _vote_. And then by your ideology, after those donors pay their money - 2, 3, or 4 times a year - and cast their votes, they can hand over their brains, shut the fuck up and let the in-station entrenched elite think for them and run the station however that all-knowledgeable elite damn well want. Maybe your idea of the "tons" of "pissed off" listeners will vote to abolish Pacifica democracy and the board itself altogether! Democracy! Who needs it?)
[and Deb would know that they all agree with _her_ views how???]"
(Btw, Deb & your cohort, maybe we should finally ABOLISH what passes for the last vestiges of "democracy" in the U.S. - elections - since now usually only a minority of eligible adults ever vote in elections anymore, and from that minority of eligible adults, the victors, once the votes are split, are elected with still much smaller %'s of the eligible adult population - a small fraction of the U.S.'s 280 million people or California's 33 million people, minus the % that are minors. And the minority of eligible adult voters usually gets much smaller for off-year, non-gubernatorial, non-congressional, and local candidates. As for those tons of pissed off listeners who you think support you and your cohort's idea that democracy and transparency are too much to be bother with, maybe you can get them to make a membership pledge and _vote_. And then by your ideology, after those donors pay their money - 2, 3, or 4 times a year - and cast their votes, they can hand over their brains, shut the fuck up and let the in-station entrenched elite think for them and run the station however that all-knowledgeable elite damn well want. Maybe your idea of the "tons" of "pissed off" listeners will vote to abolish Pacifica democracy and the board itself altogether! Democracy! Who needs it?)
Ms. Sanchez , First there are no people named ''Candance Hoffman '' or ''Septia Khomish '' , not on the KPFA station board anyway. Secondly there has been no ''smearing '' of any staff members , ''great '' or otherwise . There has been detailed , reasoned, criticism of a few , overly influential staff members we call the ''entrenched''. There certainly has been no calls to ''defund the staff'' ! by Peoplesradio or any one else that i know of .( Doubts about the budget as Joe Wanzala previously outlined in no way constitute that ) Moving on , Gerald Sanders , former local and national board member, isn't a member of the outreach commitee and last but not least, i'm not from Tennessee but actually from West Virginia . Oh yeah now that i'm in my 50's my ''thug ' days are past me .(Sigh ) (Actually they never existed but thanks for thinking of me )Anyway, Deb, next time you post a ''Hit piece'' try to get at least a few things right. Even slanders need SOME fact checking !
While I don't agree with everything that Ms. Sanchez said, it seems pretty clear than mangling the names of two of the LSB members would be an indicator of an actual "listener" i.e. someone who has only heard them speak a few times and isn't personally familiar with all the ins and outs of intrigue or lunching regularly with half the board. I actually fail to see why this would make her opinion instantly meaningless to board members who represent listeners. The problem seems to be that they many of them feel that they only represent the quadrant of listeners who agree with their pre-existing views.
"Having Democracy Now on when more people could listen to it _inherently_ raises its listener accessable fundraising exposure and thus fundraising potential. This ain't rocket science. How is a 10 to 10:30am window more accessable when much fewer people can even listen then, let alone call in their pledges?"
No kidding that it isn't rocket science. Too bad that some keep missing the obvious point that the 10-10:30 window is an EXTRA
30 minutes of fundraising time. You can raise more money in 90 minutes of pitching than you can in 60 minutes of pitching and the statistics reflect that DN raises several hundred thousand dollars a year in it's "extra" pitching time. If you do as the LSB instructed, then you would lose that time (and that money) because you can't cannibalize the second highest grossing show, which would follow immediately afterwards. There are other ways to jigger the schedule that might allow DN to be on earlier in the morning and preserve the needed window, but everyone is too polarized and irrational and invested in being right and powerful and winning to bother trying to think of them. And that is EXACTLY why there is a stalemate. It's not a grand, political struggle. It's a profound lack of administrative planning and good, creative thinking - ON ALL SIDES.
"I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime"
And there's the problem in a nutshell. No one can tear themselves away long enough from name-calling and power plays to DEAL WITH THINGS. It's easier to call something a subterfugue than it is to address it. But doing the easier thing all the time ... just makes a mess.
"By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!"
Which might be a useful thing to say if the DC station (WPFW)
weren't still primarily music-based, has the smallest listenership in Pacifica, and a notoriously toxic culture. The magic bullet of having Dn twice a day hasn't fixed ANY of that. God forbid we should stop harping on the time of day DN airs to ever pay attention to anything else.
"KPFA obviously has too much money on its hands already from its 5+ times a year million dollar pledge drives"
I can only pray that you're not on the board of directors. KPFA has four fund drives a year. Three are million dollar full drives (winter, fall and spring) and the summer is a mini-drive with a goal of less than
$500,000. The entire year's budget, including all listener revenue, major donors, CPB funds, grants and the crafts fair revenue is 4.4 million, of which 3.5 million is listener support from fund drives.
"So, to quote our more-democratic-than-thou friend above: hop to it Deb! There are tons of listeners out there who are pissed off with the mania on the board and will support you on this"
I'm sure that's true, but frankly with the amount of horror in the world, this sort of enemy-finding is something that I don't find engaging. I don't want to spend my time trying to kick my putative allies of off this board or any other. What I want is to call people on
their unconstructive nehavior and games-playing, on their inflation of personal beefs into grand political struggles and insist and demand that they VALUE working together, VALUE managing conflict and looking for consensus and VALUE getting something done over obstructionist behavior like refusing to remove a remarkably unsuccesful and disliked manager.
"Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public"
Oh please. Debate them right here. Why do you have to know WHO you're debating in order to debate them? Because you need to know who you're calling an agent of Cointelpro? It's about the substance of the argument, not WHO you are talking to that matters. Skip the personalities.
"They can hand over their brains, shut the fuck up and let the in-station entrenched elite think for them and run the station however that all-knowledgeable elite damn well want"
How come the only strategy any of you folks can come up with
is total obstructionism or nothing? Whatever happened to running the station WITH the people who work there - in cooperation. How about HELPING them to do it better, being supportive, and providing gentle and constructive criticism when called for? Maybe the criticism would get listened to if it wasn't so pleasantly tinged with acid? I'm sorry, but in my universe I have a lot worse enemies to contend with than a sometimes stubborn group of public radio
journalists. How are people making $40,000 a year (some of them), the ELITE? Are you all out of your minds?
"Maybe your idea of the "tons" of "pissed off" listeners will vote to abolish Pacifica democracy and the board itself altogether! Democracy! Who needs it?)"
No one needs partisan bullshit disguised as "more-left-then-you"
nobility. It's no better than our idiotic political system with everyone playing to a mythical center. We had an opportunity here to do a micro-democracy RIGHT, but all that has happened is to expose how poorly people handle responsibility when they get it.
"Having Democracy Now on when more people could listen to it _inherently_ raises its listener accessable fundraising exposure and thus fundraising potential. This ain't rocket science. How is a 10 to 10:30am window more accessable when much fewer people can even listen then, let alone call in their pledges?"
No kidding that it isn't rocket science. Too bad that some keep missing the obvious point that the 10-10:30 window is an EXTRA
30 minutes of fundraising time. You can raise more money in 90 minutes of pitching than you can in 60 minutes of pitching and the statistics reflect that DN raises several hundred thousand dollars a year in it's "extra" pitching time. If you do as the LSB instructed, then you would lose that time (and that money) because you can't cannibalize the second highest grossing show, which would follow immediately afterwards. There are other ways to jigger the schedule that might allow DN to be on earlier in the morning and preserve the needed window, but everyone is too polarized and irrational and invested in being right and powerful and winning to bother trying to think of them. And that is EXACTLY why there is a stalemate. It's not a grand, political struggle. It's a profound lack of administrative planning and good, creative thinking - ON ALL SIDES.
"I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime"
And there's the problem in a nutshell. No one can tear themselves away long enough from name-calling and power plays to DEAL WITH THINGS. It's easier to call something a subterfugue than it is to address it. But doing the easier thing all the time ... just makes a mess.
"By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!"
Which might be a useful thing to say if the DC station (WPFW)
weren't still primarily music-based, has the smallest listenership in Pacifica, and a notoriously toxic culture. The magic bullet of having Dn twice a day hasn't fixed ANY of that. God forbid we should stop harping on the time of day DN airs to ever pay attention to anything else.
"KPFA obviously has too much money on its hands already from its 5+ times a year million dollar pledge drives"
I can only pray that you're not on the board of directors. KPFA has four fund drives a year. Three are million dollar full drives (winter, fall and spring) and the summer is a mini-drive with a goal of less than
$500,000. The entire year's budget, including all listener revenue, major donors, CPB funds, grants and the crafts fair revenue is 4.4 million, of which 3.5 million is listener support from fund drives.
"So, to quote our more-democratic-than-thou friend above: hop to it Deb! There are tons of listeners out there who are pissed off with the mania on the board and will support you on this"
I'm sure that's true, but frankly with the amount of horror in the world, this sort of enemy-finding is something that I don't find engaging. I don't want to spend my time trying to kick my putative allies of off this board or any other. What I want is to call people on
their unconstructive nehavior and games-playing, on their inflation of personal beefs into grand political struggles and insist and demand that they VALUE working together, VALUE managing conflict and looking for consensus and VALUE getting something done over obstructionist behavior like refusing to remove a remarkably unsuccesful and disliked manager.
"Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public"
Oh please. Debate them right here. Why do you have to know WHO you're debating in order to debate them? Because you need to know who you're calling an agent of Cointelpro? It's about the substance of the argument, not WHO you are talking to that matters. Skip the personalities.
"They can hand over their brains, shut the fuck up and let the in-station entrenched elite think for them and run the station however that all-knowledgeable elite damn well want"
How come the only strategy any of you folks can come up with
is total obstructionism or nothing? Whatever happened to running the station WITH the people who work there - in cooperation. How about HELPING them to do it better, being supportive, and providing gentle and constructive criticism when called for? Maybe the criticism would get listened to if it wasn't so pleasantly tinged with acid? I'm sorry, but in my universe I have a lot worse enemies to contend with than a sometimes stubborn group of public radio
journalists. How are people making $40,000 a year (some of them), the ELITE? Are you all out of your minds?
"Maybe your idea of the "tons" of "pissed off" listeners will vote to abolish Pacifica democracy and the board itself altogether! Democracy! Who needs it?)"
No one needs partisan bullshit disguised as "more-left-then-you"
nobility. It's no better than our idiotic political system with everyone playing to a mythical center. We had an opportunity here to do a micro-democracy RIGHT, but all that has happened is to expose how poorly people handle responsibility when they get it.
["While I don't agree with everything that Ms. Sanchez said..."]
So, where do you disagree?
["it seems pretty clear than mangling the names of two of the LSB members would be an indicator of an actual "listener" i.e. someone who has only heard them speak a few times and isn't personally familiar with all the ins and outs of intrigue or lunching regularly with half the board."]
Is she so stupid that she can't look up the correct names at the KPFA website? Is this what you're defending. Does she represent the kind of listener that you like? Stupid ones? Probably, indeed, that exactly _is_ the kind of "listener" that you like. Does she know the name of our president? You know, Geosh Brukzxs, eh, Deb?
["Too bad that some keep missing the obvious point that the 10-10:30 window is an EXTRA 30 minutes of fundraising time."]
Well, duh-uhh...! Does that "EXTRA 30 minutes" come out of THIN AIR? Just imagine how that "EXTRA 30 minutes" would do when MORE people are listening? (Are you genetically related to Deb?)
["you can't cannibalize the second highest grossing show, which would follow immediately afterwards."]
Oh, but you don't mind the 10:00am show being "cannibalize[d]". And how do you know that the Morning Show is the second highest grossing show PER HOUR. Further, does the second hour even gross as much as the first hour? How do you know that Flashpoints or Guns & Butter or Explorations or Hard Knock Radio, or other shows with _very_ strong followings, perhaps even one of the music shows, don't gross more per hour? And do you think that the Morning Show gets more than Democracy Now. If Democracy Now gets or would get a LOT more money, because it's a LOT more popular, then all the more reason to put it in the 7:00am time slot -- and then there's an "EXTRA 30 minutes" for it to raise even MORE money: brainiac!
["I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime"
And there's the problem in a nutshell. No one can tear themselves away long enough from name-calling and power plays to DEAL WITH THINGS. It's easier to call something a subterfugue than it is to address it. But doing the easier thing all the time ... just makes a mess.]
Well, since you want to devote all your life to spending hours each day on the internet, why don't YOU deal with it? Maybe some of us have other things to do during the day (you know, like _work_) - unlike, I guess, you. We can't just drop all our other responsibilities to straighten out all of someone's dodges and subterfuges. Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way.
["By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!"
Which might be a useful thing to say if the DC station (WPFW)
weren't still primarily music-based...]
Well, isn't music part of the argument at KPFA? Apparently having all this music on KPFA hasn't soothed the soul of KPFA either. Here's free lesson for you in life: there is no magic bullet.
["God forbid we should stop harping on the time of day DN airs to ever pay attention to anything else."]
YOU'RE here, aren't you? What else have YOU stopped paying attention to to post your LONG comment? Oh, but I guess that time spent on a perspective that you disagree with is what someone _else_ wastes -- not you, huh?
["The entire year's budget, including all listener revenue, major donors, CPB funds, grants and the crafts fair revenue is 4.4 million, of which 3.5 million is listener support from fund drives."]
Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest.
["Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public"
Oh please. Debate them right here. Why do you have to know WHO you're debating in order to debate them? Because you need to know who you're calling an agent of Cointelpro? It's about the substance of the argument, not WHO you are talking to that matters. Skip the personalities.]
Yeah, why don't we just carry on and sort out ALL KPFA business on indybay!
["Whatever happened to running the station WITH the people who work there - in cooperation. How about HELPING them to do it better, being supportive, and providing gentle and constructive criticism when called for?"]
You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?
Some of us are willing to put ourselves on the front lines to change things. You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack.
So, where do you disagree?
["it seems pretty clear than mangling the names of two of the LSB members would be an indicator of an actual "listener" i.e. someone who has only heard them speak a few times and isn't personally familiar with all the ins and outs of intrigue or lunching regularly with half the board."]
Is she so stupid that she can't look up the correct names at the KPFA website? Is this what you're defending. Does she represent the kind of listener that you like? Stupid ones? Probably, indeed, that exactly _is_ the kind of "listener" that you like. Does she know the name of our president? You know, Geosh Brukzxs, eh, Deb?
["Too bad that some keep missing the obvious point that the 10-10:30 window is an EXTRA 30 minutes of fundraising time."]
Well, duh-uhh...! Does that "EXTRA 30 minutes" come out of THIN AIR? Just imagine how that "EXTRA 30 minutes" would do when MORE people are listening? (Are you genetically related to Deb?)
["you can't cannibalize the second highest grossing show, which would follow immediately afterwards."]
Oh, but you don't mind the 10:00am show being "cannibalize[d]". And how do you know that the Morning Show is the second highest grossing show PER HOUR. Further, does the second hour even gross as much as the first hour? How do you know that Flashpoints or Guns & Butter or Explorations or Hard Knock Radio, or other shows with _very_ strong followings, perhaps even one of the music shows, don't gross more per hour? And do you think that the Morning Show gets more than Democracy Now. If Democracy Now gets or would get a LOT more money, because it's a LOT more popular, then all the more reason to put it in the 7:00am time slot -- and then there's an "EXTRA 30 minutes" for it to raise even MORE money: brainiac!
["I don't have time to deal with "Anonymous' " nighttime argument subterfuges right now. Perhaps someone else has time to do so in the meantime"
And there's the problem in a nutshell. No one can tear themselves away long enough from name-calling and power plays to DEAL WITH THINGS. It's easier to call something a subterfugue than it is to address it. But doing the easier thing all the time ... just makes a mess.]
Well, since you want to devote all your life to spending hours each day on the internet, why don't YOU deal with it? Maybe some of us have other things to do during the day (you know, like _work_) - unlike, I guess, you. We can't just drop all our other responsibilities to straighten out all of someone's dodges and subterfuges. Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way.
["By the way, the Washington, D.C. station has Democracy Now on twice a day, already!"
Which might be a useful thing to say if the DC station (WPFW)
weren't still primarily music-based...]
Well, isn't music part of the argument at KPFA? Apparently having all this music on KPFA hasn't soothed the soul of KPFA either. Here's free lesson for you in life: there is no magic bullet.
["God forbid we should stop harping on the time of day DN airs to ever pay attention to anything else."]
YOU'RE here, aren't you? What else have YOU stopped paying attention to to post your LONG comment? Oh, but I guess that time spent on a perspective that you disagree with is what someone _else_ wastes -- not you, huh?
["The entire year's budget, including all listener revenue, major donors, CPB funds, grants and the crafts fair revenue is 4.4 million, of which 3.5 million is listener support from fund drives."]
Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest.
["Still waiting for one you you "brave souls" to stand up, take off your mask and debate the issues in public"
Oh please. Debate them right here. Why do you have to know WHO you're debating in order to debate them? Because you need to know who you're calling an agent of Cointelpro? It's about the substance of the argument, not WHO you are talking to that matters. Skip the personalities.]
Yeah, why don't we just carry on and sort out ALL KPFA business on indybay!
["Whatever happened to running the station WITH the people who work there - in cooperation. How about HELPING them to do it better, being supportive, and providing gentle and constructive criticism when called for?"]
You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?
Some of us are willing to put ourselves on the front lines to change things. You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack.
Boy, that didn't take long to deteriorate.....
"So, where do you disagree?"
I already said it, but I will say it again since apparently you didn't get it the first time. I'm not interested in recall elections. I'm interested in making it clear that the LSB is accountable for working together, accountable for managing conflict and avoiding polarization and factionalism, accountable for getting through its agenda, taking care of business and taking constructive action.
I would also add that there on folks on both sides of the aisle who are deliberately obstructionist and this is a profound failure on their parts to do their duty. They need to take a good hard look at themselves and either change how they're doing things, or get out of Dodge if they're too volatile to handle it.
"Is she so stupid that she can't look up the correct names at the KPFA website? Is this what you're defending. Does she represent the kind of listener that you like? Stupid ones? Probably, indeed, that exactly _is_ the kind of "listener" that you like. Does she know the name of our president? You know, Geosh Brukzxs, eh, Deb?"
I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up. The listeners at KPFA aren't stupid. They're just exhausted by all of this stupid, never ending conflict that is draining and counterproductive to anything useful.
"Well, duh-uhh...! Does that "EXTRA 30 minutes" come out of THIN AIR? Just imagine how that "EXTRA 30 minutes" would do when MORE people are listening? (Are you genetically related to Deb?)
Oh, but you don't mind the 10:00am show being "cannibalize[d]".
Okay, let's try it again very slowly. Currently the extra 30 minutes of DN fundraising comes from the two hour music show that follows it. Music shows don't pitch for the entire two hour duration - they play some music first, so the 30 minute borrowing doesn't compromise their own fundraising too much. But if you do as the LSB thoughtlessly commands and put the Morning Show on AFTER DN, then you either give up the 30 minute extended pitch,
or you significantly reduce the length of the Morning Show's pitch, which is the second highest grossing program.
"And how do you know that the Morning Show is the second highest grossing show PER HOUR. Further, does the second hour even gross as much as the first hour? How do you know that Flashpoints or Guns & Butter or Explorations or Hard Knock Radio, or other shows with _very_ strong followings, perhaps even one of the music shows, don't gross more per hour?"
Geez. Because their is a big old list that you can look at whenever you volunteer in the phone room that TELLS you this. And if you had any clue about fundraising, you would know that Hard Knock Radio, which I like very much, isn't even in the top 5 for fundraising,
ever. Like I said, I can only pray that you're not a board member, given the lack of knowledge you are demonstrating here.
"And do you think that the Morning Show gets more than Democracy Now. If Democracy Now gets or would get a LOT more money, because it's a LOT more popular, then all the more reason to put it in the 7:00am time slot -- and then there's an "EXTRA 30 minutes" for it to raise even MORE money: brainiac!"
Brainiac? First we had "elite" (for people making peanuts) and now we have "brainiac". Heck of a chip you've got on that shoulder.
Again. If you take 30 minutes of fundraising time away from your second highest grossing show to give it to your highest grossing show, then you only net the difference between the two. Instead of using 30 UNUSED minutes to pitch while still maintaining all of the money raised from a full 2 hour pitch on the Morning Show, which is the second highest money maker on average. It's really not that hard.
"Well, since you want to devote all your life to spending hours each day on the internet, why don't YOU deal with it? Maybe some of us have other things to do during the day (you know, like _work_) - unlike, I guess, you. We can't just drop all our other responsibilities to straighten out all of someone's dodges and subterfuges"
I don't want to brag, but it really doesn't take hours a day to write a few paragraphs. Maybe 15 minutes or so. And in the time it took to write the above nonsense, you could have written three sentences about the issue at hand, couldn't you? It's the same three sentences. It's just three useful sentences instead of three sentences of garbage.
"Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way"
KPFA DID have a way. Remember? KPFA used to have on DN on at 9 am and 4pm. That changed during the lockout when a coalition of youth and people of color demanded that the station use that broadcast time towards transformation goals to help the station start to speak to a younger and less-white audience. That's how Hard Knock Radio came onto the air. Now the bubbleheads want to reverse that by once again putting on DN twice a day and their only idea of how to do it is to displace the 7pm ethnic PA block from it's spot following the news. Everything old is new again, huh?
"YOU'RE here, aren't you? What else have YOU stopped paying attention to to post your LONG comment? Oh, but I guess that time spent on a perspective that you disagree with is what someone _else_ wastes -- not you, huh?"
I'm talking about the people who are elected to the foundation's Board of Directors and what THEY should be paying attention to.
The constant harping by the People's Radio contingent on this DN time change as if it is the be-all and end-all of programming issues, and some sort of loyalty litmus test is absurd. It's just a pissing contest.
"Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest"
Now who's too "stupid" to look up the proper budgetary figure on the website where it is clearly posted? It's terrible if someone mis-spells the name of a board member, but it doesn't matter if YOU mis-state the annual budget by one million dollars?
Heck, every time I'm at the station, people are working hard and staying late. I believe the intimidating security guards and expensive parliamentarians are for the BOARD meetings, not for the workers. As for the rest, it should be tightened up and that is what management is for.
"Yeah, why don't we just carry on and sort out ALL KPFA business on indybay!"
If you could stop slinging insults long enough to THINK, then maybe some good ideas could come out of conversations like this. If you want DN on at a different time, that's not impossible, but you have to propose good solutions to the fundraising and scheduling issues that a move presents. You can't just scream "subterfugue" and "entrenched" and think that the conversation is over.
"You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?"
I AM good at it and I do things all of the time. I am asking the rest of you to STOP all of this nonsense and do the same. Work with people where there is agreement and QUIETLY strive to manage conflict where there is not. Stop playing the destruction game.
"Some of us are willing to put ourselves on the front lines to change things"
But are you willing to put yourself on the front lines to make things work? It's not JUST about changing things. It's also about maintaining things and building things and protecting things and developing things.
"You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack"
This is a little funny coming from someone who is calling themselves "thestrugglethatmustbe".
Why don't all of you are involved in this mess think hard about being on the front line of ending these horrible conflicts? That really would be changing things, in my book. Changing this destructive culture into one of constructive action.
"So, where do you disagree?"
I already said it, but I will say it again since apparently you didn't get it the first time. I'm not interested in recall elections. I'm interested in making it clear that the LSB is accountable for working together, accountable for managing conflict and avoiding polarization and factionalism, accountable for getting through its agenda, taking care of business and taking constructive action.
I would also add that there on folks on both sides of the aisle who are deliberately obstructionist and this is a profound failure on their parts to do their duty. They need to take a good hard look at themselves and either change how they're doing things, or get out of Dodge if they're too volatile to handle it.
"Is she so stupid that she can't look up the correct names at the KPFA website? Is this what you're defending. Does she represent the kind of listener that you like? Stupid ones? Probably, indeed, that exactly _is_ the kind of "listener" that you like. Does she know the name of our president? You know, Geosh Brukzxs, eh, Deb?"
I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up. The listeners at KPFA aren't stupid. They're just exhausted by all of this stupid, never ending conflict that is draining and counterproductive to anything useful.
"Well, duh-uhh...! Does that "EXTRA 30 minutes" come out of THIN AIR? Just imagine how that "EXTRA 30 minutes" would do when MORE people are listening? (Are you genetically related to Deb?)
Oh, but you don't mind the 10:00am show being "cannibalize[d]".
Okay, let's try it again very slowly. Currently the extra 30 minutes of DN fundraising comes from the two hour music show that follows it. Music shows don't pitch for the entire two hour duration - they play some music first, so the 30 minute borrowing doesn't compromise their own fundraising too much. But if you do as the LSB thoughtlessly commands and put the Morning Show on AFTER DN, then you either give up the 30 minute extended pitch,
or you significantly reduce the length of the Morning Show's pitch, which is the second highest grossing program.
"And how do you know that the Morning Show is the second highest grossing show PER HOUR. Further, does the second hour even gross as much as the first hour? How do you know that Flashpoints or Guns & Butter or Explorations or Hard Knock Radio, or other shows with _very_ strong followings, perhaps even one of the music shows, don't gross more per hour?"
Geez. Because their is a big old list that you can look at whenever you volunteer in the phone room that TELLS you this. And if you had any clue about fundraising, you would know that Hard Knock Radio, which I like very much, isn't even in the top 5 for fundraising,
ever. Like I said, I can only pray that you're not a board member, given the lack of knowledge you are demonstrating here.
"And do you think that the Morning Show gets more than Democracy Now. If Democracy Now gets or would get a LOT more money, because it's a LOT more popular, then all the more reason to put it in the 7:00am time slot -- and then there's an "EXTRA 30 minutes" for it to raise even MORE money: brainiac!"
Brainiac? First we had "elite" (for people making peanuts) and now we have "brainiac". Heck of a chip you've got on that shoulder.
Again. If you take 30 minutes of fundraising time away from your second highest grossing show to give it to your highest grossing show, then you only net the difference between the two. Instead of using 30 UNUSED minutes to pitch while still maintaining all of the money raised from a full 2 hour pitch on the Morning Show, which is the second highest money maker on average. It's really not that hard.
"Well, since you want to devote all your life to spending hours each day on the internet, why don't YOU deal with it? Maybe some of us have other things to do during the day (you know, like _work_) - unlike, I guess, you. We can't just drop all our other responsibilities to straighten out all of someone's dodges and subterfuges"
I don't want to brag, but it really doesn't take hours a day to write a few paragraphs. Maybe 15 minutes or so. And in the time it took to write the above nonsense, you could have written three sentences about the issue at hand, couldn't you? It's the same three sentences. It's just three useful sentences instead of three sentences of garbage.
"Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way"
KPFA DID have a way. Remember? KPFA used to have on DN on at 9 am and 4pm. That changed during the lockout when a coalition of youth and people of color demanded that the station use that broadcast time towards transformation goals to help the station start to speak to a younger and less-white audience. That's how Hard Knock Radio came onto the air. Now the bubbleheads want to reverse that by once again putting on DN twice a day and their only idea of how to do it is to displace the 7pm ethnic PA block from it's spot following the news. Everything old is new again, huh?
"YOU'RE here, aren't you? What else have YOU stopped paying attention to to post your LONG comment? Oh, but I guess that time spent on a perspective that you disagree with is what someone _else_ wastes -- not you, huh?"
I'm talking about the people who are elected to the foundation's Board of Directors and what THEY should be paying attention to.
The constant harping by the People's Radio contingent on this DN time change as if it is the be-all and end-all of programming issues, and some sort of loyalty litmus test is absurd. It's just a pissing contest.
"Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest"
Now who's too "stupid" to look up the proper budgetary figure on the website where it is clearly posted? It's terrible if someone mis-spells the name of a board member, but it doesn't matter if YOU mis-state the annual budget by one million dollars?
Heck, every time I'm at the station, people are working hard and staying late. I believe the intimidating security guards and expensive parliamentarians are for the BOARD meetings, not for the workers. As for the rest, it should be tightened up and that is what management is for.
"Yeah, why don't we just carry on and sort out ALL KPFA business on indybay!"
If you could stop slinging insults long enough to THINK, then maybe some good ideas could come out of conversations like this. If you want DN on at a different time, that's not impossible, but you have to propose good solutions to the fundraising and scheduling issues that a move presents. You can't just scream "subterfugue" and "entrenched" and think that the conversation is over.
"You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?"
I AM good at it and I do things all of the time. I am asking the rest of you to STOP all of this nonsense and do the same. Work with people where there is agreement and QUIETLY strive to manage conflict where there is not. Stop playing the destruction game.
"Some of us are willing to put ourselves on the front lines to change things"
But are you willing to put yourself on the front lines to make things work? It's not JUST about changing things. It's also about maintaining things and building things and protecting things and developing things.
"You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack"
This is a little funny coming from someone who is calling themselves "thestrugglethatmustbe".
Why don't all of you are involved in this mess think hard about being on the front line of ending these horrible conflicts? That really would be changing things, in my book. Changing this destructive culture into one of constructive action.
..is an editor. do you seriously think anyone is going to wade through 9 pages of this crap? make your point and try to do it a little more succinctly. I'm interested in what is going on at KPFA, but this is absurd.
Changing Democracy Now to 7am, and repeating it at 7pm, would give people who go to work at 9 or 10am a much greater opportunity to hear it.
DN is a terrific public affairs program, excellent journalistically, and very popular with most who can hear it.
It may present a problem for those who are attached to its present time, including those progammers and their staffs who are now on at 7am, but a main goal of KPFA is to "spread the word" which is hard to hear elsewhere, and to outreach to more listeners and new communities.
As for fundraising, drawing in new listeners will increase funds!
9am works perfectly for me, but let's keep our eyes on the prize - educating people - and not just stick to what's best for us personally.
The funds will follow.
DN is a terrific public affairs program, excellent journalistically, and very popular with most who can hear it.
It may present a problem for those who are attached to its present time, including those progammers and their staffs who are now on at 7am, but a main goal of KPFA is to "spread the word" which is hard to hear elsewhere, and to outreach to more listeners and new communities.
As for fundraising, drawing in new listeners will increase funds!
9am works perfectly for me, but let's keep our eyes on the prize - educating people - and not just stick to what's best for us personally.
The funds will follow.
"The funds will follow" is not a management plan to recoup lost income.
Wiping out and rescheduling an entire grid of important PA programs for communities of color at 7pm is not a management plan.
When will you people provide a coherent rationale to back your programming ideas?
I'm listening, but it never comes.
Wiping out and rescheduling an entire grid of important PA programs for communities of color at 7pm is not a management plan.
When will you people provide a coherent rationale to back your programming ideas?
I'm listening, but it never comes.
Anonymous Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2005 at 9:33 PM: "Being On The Front Lines"
_WHERE_?
"I would also add that there on folks on both sides of the aisle who are deliberately obstructionist and this is a profound failure on their parts to do their duty. They need to take a good hard look at themselves and either change how they're doing things, or get out of Dodge if they're too volatile to handle it."
This is a statement that says nothing. If you're going to call someone out, then be man/woman enough to say who you're talking about. You have given us nothing to evaluate your statement. There is no information in what you just said. In short here you have given us nothing but empty platitudes.
"I'm interested in making it clear that the LSB is accountable for working together..."
And what _work_ are you doing to help facilitate that - besides venting off "Anonymous[ly]" from the peanut gallery?
"I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up."
So, Deb cares enough to put fingers to keys and vehemently spout off (I'm not so sure that she's even "just an average listener"), but she's too stupid and lazy to get her most _basic_ information right? (See, "Even Slanders need SOME Fact checking!", by Stan Woods Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2005 at 9:27 AM.) Who is she: "Mrs. Bubba"? Is _that_ who you think "the average KPFA listener" is? If it is, then we're in a lotta trouba! And if Deb's that lazy and uninformed of the most basic information, then what good would she be in the struggle against racism, war, and imperialism? I don't want someone that lazy, uninformed and stupid fighting next to me in the struggle against corporatism, militarism, racism and imperialism. I'd send her to the right-wingers' side where she could really do some damage for us: she's more use to us with _them_ than with us.
And then she refers to "thug from Tennessee , Stan Woods" (who is not from Tennesee anyway, but many people, and especially in the Bay Area, were not born here, so so what?). Is that the constructive communication you say that you're after: promiscuously calling people thugs and slurring their very state of origin (whatever negative Tennessee is supposed to connote)? Is that how "the average KPFA listener" should communicate? So, Deb is the example that you're holding up as something noble: the noble, supposed "average listener"? You see how you're - with just a little logical analysis from someone intelligent - inherently contradicting yourself, Mr. Holier Than Thou? Why is it always the people who shout the loudest about civil communication (like Bill O'Reilly and David Horowitz) that are among the most hypocritical about it (and usually right-wingers).
"I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up." [The _correct_ names of the board members Deb is mangling, demagoging and slandering, listed right at the KPFA website, not to mention Deb conjuring up nonexistent board members.]
Is that a _joke_? Gosh, you have a pretty low opinion of "the averge [KPFA] listener", don't you.
"The listeners at KPFA aren't stupid. They're just exhausted by all of this stupid, never ending conflict that is draining and counterproductive to anything useful."
Have you ever heard?: freedom is a constant struggle. Molly Ivins, among others, have pointed this out. There are no final victories against human venality, demagoguery, despotism, self-accumulation, greed and paranoia (like entrenched fiefdom turf wars), etc.. Welcome to Earth. But the least we can do is to put structures (like transparent, accountable and democratic structures) in place that put such human foibles in check so that that arc of the human predicament bends towards justice. If you don't like what's going on at KPFA, then come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork, FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, and do something to contribute to that situation getting corrected. No, but you just seem to want to push-botton the dial and have some radio announcer come on and do all your thinking and work for you.
"...you significantly reduce the length of the Morning Show's pitch, which is the second highest grossing program."
You're going in circles. I'm going to go with you partially just one _last_ time on this and then I'm not revisiting this point anymore with you, whatever you come back with. First of all, DN raises more dollars per hour for KPFA than the Morning Show does for KPFA. So, then, maybe DN should get the extra 30 minutes. Second, one can just shift the morning show back 30 minutes (it's done all the time for special normally unscheduled events on TV). Third, what makes you think that the music show programmers care more whether its DN or MS that's "canibalizing" their music show? Maybe the music show programmers have just as much of their hearts into programming their show as DN or MS programmers do. Fourth, WHAT STATS OR STUDY do you point to that says that MS is the 2nd highest grossing program per hour? You have thus far avoided answering this question.
"Geez. Because their is a big old list that you can look at whenever you volunteer in the phone room that TELLS you this."
(Yeah, I'm typing from 'in the phone room" right now.) Well, then, you won't mind citing the dollars per hour stats (or providing us a reference listing) for all the above aforementioned shows.
"And if you had any clue about fundraising, you would know that Hard Knock Radio, which I like very much, isn't even in the top 5 for fundraising, ever."
Yeah, being "in the phone room" undoubtedly qualifies someone as an expert in fundraising.
"Like I said, I can only pray that you're not a board member, given the lack of knowledge you are demonstrating here."
Maybe I'm just "the average KPFA listener" - like Deb, who you _DEFEND_. (You see?: Another contradiction from you.)
Or maybe you want Deb to be the listener representative (for the average listener) on the board to end all the in-fighting and solve all its and KPFA's problems. Oh, and _improve_ communication! Or better yet, make her the chair. She can be the George Bush of the LSB - you know, someone you'd like to have a beer at a bar with, because they're both mentally unthreatening - since both of them have obvious linguistic and factual deficits.
"Brainiac? First we had "elite" (for people making peanuts) and now we have "brainiac". Heck of a chip you've got on that shoulder."
If you don't think that someone like the ever egotistical and arrogant Bensky thinks of himself as a KPFA station elite, then maybe you aren't such a brainiac after all. And what did he call _pro-democracy_ listener-activists? "Stalinists"! Oh, but you have nothing to say about the likes of that kind of behavior. Then there was Sasha Lilley's public caustic communique decrying macho posturing (or some such words and behavior) at KPFA in a brassy, aggressive letter/statement that showed that she had quite a pair of balls too!: was evoking the very same behavior she was condemning. (I still remember from as a child some schoolbus monitor stomping to the back of the bus and yelling at the top of his lungs at some kid that he wanted the kid to "...quit your _goddamn_ cussing!") Anyway, it's not my fault that you can only think of the word "elite" only in one-dimensionally, conventionally literal, and in purely economic terms. I guess that it shows that your mind only thinks in purely a one dimensional, literal way. That's _your_ problem, not mine.
"I don't want to brag, but it really doesn't take hours a day to write a few paragraphs. Maybe 15 minutes or so."
How many times a day do you post? I know it's sometimes more than once per day per thread - and in different threads. As I said, maybe _some_ of us have other responsibilities and commitments during the day. 15 minutes can be a substantive diversion from the work day for some people. I'm _not_ going to take time to deconstruct everything that you - or Deb - say that reveals _your_ every intellectual, conceptual or factual deficits (even just all the most significant ones). If you don't want DN moved from 6:00am and 9:00am, if you feel that strongly about it as you have revealed above, then bring your ass down to the LSB or other meeting and tell people why, and stop grousing from the peanut gallery. Most of human endeavor is about persuading people. Get in the mix if you've got something to say or contribute. Put your ideas on the line. If you just want to jaw-jack here, I've got no more time for you after this exchange. As for "garbage", that's what the person _you_ disagree with always utters, right? Everything _you_ yourself say is stellar, right?
["Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way"
"KPFA DID have a way. Remember? KPFA used to have on DN on at 9 am and 4pm."]
Let's try this again: D.C. has DN on once during the day and once during the evening. So, people who are at home during the day can hear it (including people who work an evening or night shift), and people who are at home during the evening can hear it (people who work during the day). You're just trying to make rocket science out of something that isn't - probably because, for some reason you're not revealing, you just don't want it moved. You care more about sheer fundraising and money (that sounds very corporate) than about reaching most working people (who may not all have daily home internet access and the latest computer with decent speakers, let alone that they may be driving to _work_ in their cars) being able to hear the dedicated programming of national and internatioal affairs information offered on DN?
"That changed during the lockout when a coalition of youth and people of color demanded that the station use that broadcast time towards transformation goals to help the station start to speak to a younger and less-white audience. That's how Hard Knock Radio came onto the air."
You (don't) know, but you're some know-nothing that's not telling me _shit_ - and you don't even _know_ that you're not telling me shit - because I've actually been out in the KPFA trenches. I've politically put myself out on the front lines to help bring about that kind of programming. Where were _you_ in that?: probably comfortable with just the way things were, as long as you or your entrenched in-station friends' KPFA fiefdoms weren't threatened or even psychologically disturbed by so much as a new practical idea. You don't care about KPFA efficacy in reaching 9 to 5 workers or a younger and less-white audience with one of the best and most critical hard-hitting national and international affairs programming. A "bubblehead" is someone who just sits back and spouts off about what _CAN'T_ be done, creatively and with the criticality that these most politically extreme of times calls for (something that could permanently and more visibly than ever change the character of our nation into a fascist state, until the century comes that the U.S. no longer exists via internal or external destruction for the good of all humanity): that sounds more like _you_.
As a matter of fact, since I _do_ have something else to do, I'm not going to spend too much time on finishing this out here and I'm not giving you every rebuttal. You can go try to soak up someone else's time online here or come to the meetings and the discussions afterwards.
["Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest"
Now who's too "stupid" to look up the proper budgetary figure on the website where it is clearly posted? It's terrible if someone mis-spells the name of a board member, but it doesn't matter if YOU mis-state the annual budget by one million dollars?]
I hypothetically accepted, provisionally for the sake of argument, the figures that _you_ provided, brainiac. I, unlike your "average listener" friend Deb, wasn't casting out purported and grossly errant information. If it was that important to you to make sure that I had verified figures, then why didn't _you_ reference the URL? (This is why I'm not letting YOU - WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS LITTLE TO DO AND LOTS OF TIME TO DO IT IN - soak up any more of my time after this just because you have nothing of practical constructiveness to do, or perhaps even any constructive social life.)
["You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?"
"I AM good at it..."]
You mean, supporting people like Deb's communication style - as "the average listener"? Yeah, you're just the O Great Conflict Resolution Prophet that would be great in any organization, huh?
Let's see: we can skip the more platitudes of empty words that "Anonymous" is spewing.... Hey, Anonymous, why don't you just walk down the street singing Kumbaya?
["You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack"
This is a little funny coming from someone who is calling themselves "thestrugglethatmustbe".]
Maybe I'm using that vivid nom de guerre because I don't want anyone wasting my time with demagogic personal attacks on me from some nutcase, or bore, that I might feel compelled, like Stan Woods or Joe Wanzala, to at least somewhat defend myself against. But I'm not safely keeping myself back in the pack and just yelling from the peanut gallery, like _you_ are. And I'm not Anonymous in my KPFA community work. And certainly I'm not spouting empty liberal platitudes while supporting a muddle-headed, demagogic and supposedly "average listener" - just an "average listener" who's obviously an out-&-out partisan of the entrenched in-station anti-democracy faction. So, what does that make you? (That's a rhetorical question. I won't be following up with you here.)
Anonymous Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 1:05 AM: "... Wiping out and rescheduling an entire grid of important PA programs for communities of color at 7pm is not a management plan."
And, finally, quit fronting people or color for your hidden conservative or status quo agenda. That ruse has grown a tired, long, old, grey, scraggly beard around here.
In short, why is it so important to you that DN not be moved to a more worker-accessable time? - because I know it's _not_ for the reason that you're stating.
_WHERE_?
"I would also add that there on folks on both sides of the aisle who are deliberately obstructionist and this is a profound failure on their parts to do their duty. They need to take a good hard look at themselves and either change how they're doing things, or get out of Dodge if they're too volatile to handle it."
This is a statement that says nothing. If you're going to call someone out, then be man/woman enough to say who you're talking about. You have given us nothing to evaluate your statement. There is no information in what you just said. In short here you have given us nothing but empty platitudes.
"I'm interested in making it clear that the LSB is accountable for working together..."
And what _work_ are you doing to help facilitate that - besides venting off "Anonymous[ly]" from the peanut gallery?
"I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up."
So, Deb cares enough to put fingers to keys and vehemently spout off (I'm not so sure that she's even "just an average listener"), but she's too stupid and lazy to get her most _basic_ information right? (See, "Even Slanders need SOME Fact checking!", by Stan Woods Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2005 at 9:27 AM.) Who is she: "Mrs. Bubba"? Is _that_ who you think "the average KPFA listener" is? If it is, then we're in a lotta trouba! And if Deb's that lazy and uninformed of the most basic information, then what good would she be in the struggle against racism, war, and imperialism? I don't want someone that lazy, uninformed and stupid fighting next to me in the struggle against corporatism, militarism, racism and imperialism. I'd send her to the right-wingers' side where she could really do some damage for us: she's more use to us with _them_ than with us.
And then she refers to "thug from Tennessee , Stan Woods" (who is not from Tennesee anyway, but many people, and especially in the Bay Area, were not born here, so so what?). Is that the constructive communication you say that you're after: promiscuously calling people thugs and slurring their very state of origin (whatever negative Tennessee is supposed to connote)? Is that how "the average KPFA listener" should communicate? So, Deb is the example that you're holding up as something noble: the noble, supposed "average listener"? You see how you're - with just a little logical analysis from someone intelligent - inherently contradicting yourself, Mr. Holier Than Thou? Why is it always the people who shout the loudest about civil communication (like Bill O'Reilly and David Horowitz) that are among the most hypocritical about it (and usually right-wingers).
"I suspect she represents the average listener who just plain doesn't care enough to bother looking the names up." [The _correct_ names of the board members Deb is mangling, demagoging and slandering, listed right at the KPFA website, not to mention Deb conjuring up nonexistent board members.]
Is that a _joke_? Gosh, you have a pretty low opinion of "the averge [KPFA] listener", don't you.
"The listeners at KPFA aren't stupid. They're just exhausted by all of this stupid, never ending conflict that is draining and counterproductive to anything useful."
Have you ever heard?: freedom is a constant struggle. Molly Ivins, among others, have pointed this out. There are no final victories against human venality, demagoguery, despotism, self-accumulation, greed and paranoia (like entrenched fiefdom turf wars), etc.. Welcome to Earth. But the least we can do is to put structures (like transparent, accountable and democratic structures) in place that put such human foibles in check so that that arc of the human predicament bends towards justice. If you don't like what's going on at KPFA, then come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork, FIND OUT WHAT THE ISSUES ARE, and do something to contribute to that situation getting corrected. No, but you just seem to want to push-botton the dial and have some radio announcer come on and do all your thinking and work for you.
"...you significantly reduce the length of the Morning Show's pitch, which is the second highest grossing program."
You're going in circles. I'm going to go with you partially just one _last_ time on this and then I'm not revisiting this point anymore with you, whatever you come back with. First of all, DN raises more dollars per hour for KPFA than the Morning Show does for KPFA. So, then, maybe DN should get the extra 30 minutes. Second, one can just shift the morning show back 30 minutes (it's done all the time for special normally unscheduled events on TV). Third, what makes you think that the music show programmers care more whether its DN or MS that's "canibalizing" their music show? Maybe the music show programmers have just as much of their hearts into programming their show as DN or MS programmers do. Fourth, WHAT STATS OR STUDY do you point to that says that MS is the 2nd highest grossing program per hour? You have thus far avoided answering this question.
"Geez. Because their is a big old list that you can look at whenever you volunteer in the phone room that TELLS you this."
(Yeah, I'm typing from 'in the phone room" right now.) Well, then, you won't mind citing the dollars per hour stats (or providing us a reference listing) for all the above aforementioned shows.
"And if you had any clue about fundraising, you would know that Hard Knock Radio, which I like very much, isn't even in the top 5 for fundraising, ever."
Yeah, being "in the phone room" undoubtedly qualifies someone as an expert in fundraising.
"Like I said, I can only pray that you're not a board member, given the lack of knowledge you are demonstrating here."
Maybe I'm just "the average KPFA listener" - like Deb, who you _DEFEND_. (You see?: Another contradiction from you.)
Or maybe you want Deb to be the listener representative (for the average listener) on the board to end all the in-fighting and solve all its and KPFA's problems. Oh, and _improve_ communication! Or better yet, make her the chair. She can be the George Bush of the LSB - you know, someone you'd like to have a beer at a bar with, because they're both mentally unthreatening - since both of them have obvious linguistic and factual deficits.
"Brainiac? First we had "elite" (for people making peanuts) and now we have "brainiac". Heck of a chip you've got on that shoulder."
If you don't think that someone like the ever egotistical and arrogant Bensky thinks of himself as a KPFA station elite, then maybe you aren't such a brainiac after all. And what did he call _pro-democracy_ listener-activists? "Stalinists"! Oh, but you have nothing to say about the likes of that kind of behavior. Then there was Sasha Lilley's public caustic communique decrying macho posturing (or some such words and behavior) at KPFA in a brassy, aggressive letter/statement that showed that she had quite a pair of balls too!: was evoking the very same behavior she was condemning. (I still remember from as a child some schoolbus monitor stomping to the back of the bus and yelling at the top of his lungs at some kid that he wanted the kid to "...quit your _goddamn_ cussing!") Anyway, it's not my fault that you can only think of the word "elite" only in one-dimensionally, conventionally literal, and in purely economic terms. I guess that it shows that your mind only thinks in purely a one dimensional, literal way. That's _your_ problem, not mine.
"I don't want to brag, but it really doesn't take hours a day to write a few paragraphs. Maybe 15 minutes or so."
How many times a day do you post? I know it's sometimes more than once per day per thread - and in different threads. As I said, maybe _some_ of us have other responsibilities and commitments during the day. 15 minutes can be a substantive diversion from the work day for some people. I'm _not_ going to take time to deconstruct everything that you - or Deb - say that reveals _your_ every intellectual, conceptual or factual deficits (even just all the most significant ones). If you don't want DN moved from 6:00am and 9:00am, if you feel that strongly about it as you have revealed above, then bring your ass down to the LSB or other meeting and tell people why, and stop grousing from the peanut gallery. Most of human endeavor is about persuading people. Get in the mix if you've got something to say or contribute. Put your ideas on the line. If you just want to jaw-jack here, I've got no more time for you after this exchange. As for "garbage", that's what the person _you_ disagree with always utters, right? Everything _you_ yourself say is stellar, right?
["Somehow, I think that if D.C. can put DN on twice a day, then KPFA can think of a way"
"KPFA DID have a way. Remember? KPFA used to have on DN on at 9 am and 4pm."]
Let's try this again: D.C. has DN on once during the day and once during the evening. So, people who are at home during the day can hear it (including people who work an evening or night shift), and people who are at home during the evening can hear it (people who work during the day). You're just trying to make rocket science out of something that isn't - probably because, for some reason you're not revealing, you just don't want it moved. You care more about sheer fundraising and money (that sounds very corporate) than about reaching most working people (who may not all have daily home internet access and the latest computer with decent speakers, let alone that they may be driving to _work_ in their cars) being able to hear the dedicated programming of national and internatioal affairs information offered on DN?
"That changed during the lockout when a coalition of youth and people of color demanded that the station use that broadcast time towards transformation goals to help the station start to speak to a younger and less-white audience. That's how Hard Knock Radio came onto the air."
You (don't) know, but you're some know-nothing that's not telling me _shit_ - and you don't even _know_ that you're not telling me shit - because I've actually been out in the KPFA trenches. I've politically put myself out on the front lines to help bring about that kind of programming. Where were _you_ in that?: probably comfortable with just the way things were, as long as you or your entrenched in-station friends' KPFA fiefdoms weren't threatened or even psychologically disturbed by so much as a new practical idea. You don't care about KPFA efficacy in reaching 9 to 5 workers or a younger and less-white audience with one of the best and most critical hard-hitting national and international affairs programming. A "bubblehead" is someone who just sits back and spouts off about what _CAN'T_ be done, creatively and with the criticality that these most politically extreme of times calls for (something that could permanently and more visibly than ever change the character of our nation into a fascist state, until the century comes that the U.S. no longer exists via internal or external destruction for the good of all humanity): that sounds more like _you_.
As a matter of fact, since I _do_ have something else to do, I'm not going to spend too much time on finishing this out here and I'm not giving you every rebuttal. You can go try to soak up someone else's time online here or come to the meetings and the discussions afterwards.
["Well, then, that's plenty to throw away on bloated personnel, intimidating security guards, expensive parliamentarians, sweetheart severance packages, vehicular handovers, questionable lavish "consultant" fees, and all the rest"
Now who's too "stupid" to look up the proper budgetary figure on the website where it is clearly posted? It's terrible if someone mis-spells the name of a board member, but it doesn't matter if YOU mis-state the annual budget by one million dollars?]
I hypothetically accepted, provisionally for the sake of argument, the figures that _you_ provided, brainiac. I, unlike your "average listener" friend Deb, wasn't casting out purported and grossly errant information. If it was that important to you to make sure that I had verified figures, then why didn't _you_ reference the URL? (This is why I'm not letting YOU - WHO OBVIOUSLY HAS LITTLE TO DO AND LOTS OF TIME TO DO IT IN - soak up any more of my time after this just because you have nothing of practical constructiveness to do, or perhaps even any constructive social life.)
["You apparently are really good at this. Why don't you come out of the "Anonymous" woodwork and help sort it out at LSM meetings or discussions afterwards, as well as other meetings. Are you just going to stay in the peanut gallery or are you actually going to come out and DO something?"
"I AM good at it..."]
You mean, supporting people like Deb's communication style - as "the average listener"? Yeah, you're just the O Great Conflict Resolution Prophet that would be great in any organization, huh?
Let's see: we can skip the more platitudes of empty words that "Anonymous" is spewing.... Hey, Anonymous, why don't you just walk down the street singing Kumbaya?
["You just want to Anonymously stay in the back with the pack"
This is a little funny coming from someone who is calling themselves "thestrugglethatmustbe".]
Maybe I'm using that vivid nom de guerre because I don't want anyone wasting my time with demagogic personal attacks on me from some nutcase, or bore, that I might feel compelled, like Stan Woods or Joe Wanzala, to at least somewhat defend myself against. But I'm not safely keeping myself back in the pack and just yelling from the peanut gallery, like _you_ are. And I'm not Anonymous in my KPFA community work. And certainly I'm not spouting empty liberal platitudes while supporting a muddle-headed, demagogic and supposedly "average listener" - just an "average listener" who's obviously an out-&-out partisan of the entrenched in-station anti-democracy faction. So, what does that make you? (That's a rhetorical question. I won't be following up with you here.)
Anonymous Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 1:05 AM: "... Wiping out and rescheduling an entire grid of important PA programs for communities of color at 7pm is not a management plan."
And, finally, quit fronting people or color for your hidden conservative or status quo agenda. That ruse has grown a tired, long, old, grey, scraggly beard around here.
In short, why is it so important to you that DN not be moved to a more worker-accessable time? - because I know it's _not_ for the reason that you're stating.
That post pretty much just confirmed everything that I've been trying to say ....
"This is a statement that says nothing. If you're going to call someone out, then be man/woman enough to say who you're talking about. You have given us nothing to evaluate your statement. There is no information in what you just said. In short here you have given us nothing but empty platitudes"
Nope. What I haven't done is make a partisan, personal, macho attack. What I have done is consistently condemned a kind of behavior - wherever and whenever it occurs - on all sides. That's called being fair. And you guys don't recognize it because you're too embroiled in "calling each other out".
"And if Deb's that lazy and uninformed of the most basic information, then what good would she be in the struggle against racism, war, and imperialism? I don't want someone that lazy, uninformed and stupid fighting next to me in the struggle against corporatism, militarism, racism and imperialism. I'd send her to the right-wingers' side where she could really do some damage for us: she's more use to us with _them_ than with us"
This is coming from someone who is too lazy and uninformed to look up the amount of KPFA's annual budget, overestimates it by a frigging million dollars, and makes up an imaginary 5th fund drive?
"So, Deb is the example that you're holding up as something noble: the noble, supposed "average listener"? You see how you're - with just a little logical analysis from someone intelligent - inherently contradicting yourself, Mr. Holier Than Thou? Why is it always the people who shout the loudest about civil communication (like Bill O'Reilly and David Horowitz) that are among the most hypocritical about it (and usually right-wingers).
Gah. No, I'm saying that you and some of the other People's Radio folk (and some of the KPFA Forward folk too) are exactly as bad as she is and you should take a look in the mirror, considering the positions of responsibility that you have. And why the heck is everyone that you're mad at a right-winger? How do those nonsensical attacks solve ANY of the problems at KPFA? Have you never had a disagreement with another leftist?
"Have you ever heard?: Freedom is a constant struggle. Molly Ivins, among others, have pointed this out. There are no final victories against human venality, demagoguery, despotism, self-accumulation, greed and paranoia (like entrenched fiefdom turf wars), etc.. Welcome to Earth. But the least we can do is to put structures (like transparent, accountable and democratic structures) in place that put such human foibles in check so that that arc of the human predicament bends towards justice"
I'll just take a guess here and say that Molly is talking about taking it to the real enemies, not ripping apart a little left-wing radio station
and "defeating" it's employees. What is this compulsion to confuse managing a radio station with "the arc of the human predicament"?
It starts with learning to work with other people to get something good done, not bringing it all toppling down to prove this leftist is more "left" than that leftist.
"First of all, DN raises more dollars per hour for KPFA than the Morning Show does for KPFA. So, then, maybe DN should get the extra 30 minutes"
So in your DN time change, you have to leave space for that extra 30 minutes of pitch time.
"Second, one can just shift the morning show back 30 minutes (it's done all the time for special normally unscheduled events on TV)"
One can, but then you push a show designed and structured for drive time out of drive time (which is already a problem with the original proposal).
"Fourth, WHAT STATS OR STUDY do you point to that says that MS is the 2nd highest grossing program per hour?"
The sheets are readily available in the phone room to anyone who asks to see them. I've said that three times already. I've looked at them. You can too, the next time you're answering the phone. Just ask. (Politely). .
"Yeah, being "in the phone room" undoubtedly qualifies someone as an expert in fundraising"
I'm not the one mis-stating fundraising facts over and over again.
"If you don't think that someone like the ever egotistical and arrogant Bensky thinks of himself as a KPFA station elite, then maybe you aren't such a brainiac after all. And what did he call _pro-democracy_ listener-activists? "Stalinists"! Oh, but you have nothing to say about the likes of that kind of behavior. Then there was Sasha Lilley's public caustic communique decrying macho posturing (or some such words and behavior) at KPFA in a brassy, aggressive letter/statement that showed that she had quite a pair of balls too!: was evoking the very same behavior she was condemning."
This would all be a bit more convincing if you weren't all so busy
"calling each other out" and trying to figure out who the "agents" are. Your post here is a fine example of macho posturing and labeling. Can you not see it? It isn't okay when anybody does it, but you're gonna reap what you sow if you can't manage to look for the higher ground every once in a while. Why don't y'all just ignore it and SHOW people that Stalinism and macho posturing will no longer be the way at the LSB? It doesn't have to be a pissing contest if you don't want it to be.
"Anyway, it's not my fault that you can only think of the word "elite" only in one-dimensionally, conventionally literal, and in purely economic terms. I guess that it shows that your mind only thinks in purely a one dimensional, literal way. That's _your_ problem, not mine"
Yeah. I think there are worse threats to a sustainable universe and
a just world than Larry Bensky (who can be really annoying). Very literal. How about just plain rational? I don' t confuse people who annoy me with people who threaten my existence.
"If you don't want DN moved from 6:00am and 9:00am, if you feel that strongly about it as you have revealed above"
I actually do want it moved. I've said that over and over again.
But to achieve it requires working with people to solve the issues involved and find a slot that will WORK and not create more problems than it resolves. It is impossible to make progress on that as long as commandants are issued without thoughtful solutions, and the issue is treated as a loyalty litmus test and a political struggle instead of a programming challenge, which is all it is.
"Let's see: we can skip the more platitudes of empty words that "Anonymous" is spewing.... Hey, Anonymous, why don't you just walk down the street singing Kumbaya?"
Anything would be better than swimming around in the toxic spew that you just released for a few paragraphs up there? What does any of this have to do with my social life? STOP ATTACKING AND
GET TO WORK. It's not about giving me a good spanking. It's about figuring how to work with other people to sustain and protect one of the left's few extant assets. And it begins by dropping the poison in order to confirm common values, make connections, respect each other's diversity, cooperate, treat workers paid and unpaid as if they have value, and hold one self accountable for making your interactions positive and constructive. Until you do that, you won't change a thing.
"Maybe I'm using that vivid nom de guerre"
What you are confirming is that itis going to continue to be a struggle for a very long time, and drain energy and enthusiasm from the left for the REAL struggles.
"And I'm not Anonymous in my KPFA community work"
And neither am I. So what? You're clearly angry and destructive.
And unneccesarily so. It's a choice, and a bad choice. Think about it.
"And, finally, quit fronting people or color for your hidden conservative or status quo agenda. That ruse has grown a tired, long, old, grey, scraggly beard around here"
Hey, I'm not the one suggesting sacrificing Africa Today, La Raza Chronicles, Voices of the Middle East, Apex Express and Full Circle to the Holy Grail of DN at 7pm. Those shows are just as
important to me as DN or Flashpoints and I want people to listen to them, too. And their folks are just as likely or more so, to have jobs and lack of computer access. What about them? Why must they be exiled out of PA primetime? Why don't you care about that?
"In short, why is it so important to you that DN not be moved to a more worker-accessable time? - because I know it's _not_ for the reason that you're stating"
It's fine with me if DN moves to 7am or 8am or even 5pm - which might be the best time of all. Just provide a solution for the fundraising issues and reasonable slots for the programs it displaces. That's all.
"This is a statement that says nothing. If you're going to call someone out, then be man/woman enough to say who you're talking about. You have given us nothing to evaluate your statement. There is no information in what you just said. In short here you have given us nothing but empty platitudes"
Nope. What I haven't done is make a partisan, personal, macho attack. What I have done is consistently condemned a kind of behavior - wherever and whenever it occurs - on all sides. That's called being fair. And you guys don't recognize it because you're too embroiled in "calling each other out".
"And if Deb's that lazy and uninformed of the most basic information, then what good would she be in the struggle against racism, war, and imperialism? I don't want someone that lazy, uninformed and stupid fighting next to me in the struggle against corporatism, militarism, racism and imperialism. I'd send her to the right-wingers' side where she could really do some damage for us: she's more use to us with _them_ than with us"
This is coming from someone who is too lazy and uninformed to look up the amount of KPFA's annual budget, overestimates it by a frigging million dollars, and makes up an imaginary 5th fund drive?
"So, Deb is the example that you're holding up as something noble: the noble, supposed "average listener"? You see how you're - with just a little logical analysis from someone intelligent - inherently contradicting yourself, Mr. Holier Than Thou? Why is it always the people who shout the loudest about civil communication (like Bill O'Reilly and David Horowitz) that are among the most hypocritical about it (and usually right-wingers).
Gah. No, I'm saying that you and some of the other People's Radio folk (and some of the KPFA Forward folk too) are exactly as bad as she is and you should take a look in the mirror, considering the positions of responsibility that you have. And why the heck is everyone that you're mad at a right-winger? How do those nonsensical attacks solve ANY of the problems at KPFA? Have you never had a disagreement with another leftist?
"Have you ever heard?: Freedom is a constant struggle. Molly Ivins, among others, have pointed this out. There are no final victories against human venality, demagoguery, despotism, self-accumulation, greed and paranoia (like entrenched fiefdom turf wars), etc.. Welcome to Earth. But the least we can do is to put structures (like transparent, accountable and democratic structures) in place that put such human foibles in check so that that arc of the human predicament bends towards justice"
I'll just take a guess here and say that Molly is talking about taking it to the real enemies, not ripping apart a little left-wing radio station
and "defeating" it's employees. What is this compulsion to confuse managing a radio station with "the arc of the human predicament"?
It starts with learning to work with other people to get something good done, not bringing it all toppling down to prove this leftist is more "left" than that leftist.
"First of all, DN raises more dollars per hour for KPFA than the Morning Show does for KPFA. So, then, maybe DN should get the extra 30 minutes"
So in your DN time change, you have to leave space for that extra 30 minutes of pitch time.
"Second, one can just shift the morning show back 30 minutes (it's done all the time for special normally unscheduled events on TV)"
One can, but then you push a show designed and structured for drive time out of drive time (which is already a problem with the original proposal).
"Fourth, WHAT STATS OR STUDY do you point to that says that MS is the 2nd highest grossing program per hour?"
The sheets are readily available in the phone room to anyone who asks to see them. I've said that three times already. I've looked at them. You can too, the next time you're answering the phone. Just ask. (Politely). .
"Yeah, being "in the phone room" undoubtedly qualifies someone as an expert in fundraising"
I'm not the one mis-stating fundraising facts over and over again.
"If you don't think that someone like the ever egotistical and arrogant Bensky thinks of himself as a KPFA station elite, then maybe you aren't such a brainiac after all. And what did he call _pro-democracy_ listener-activists? "Stalinists"! Oh, but you have nothing to say about the likes of that kind of behavior. Then there was Sasha Lilley's public caustic communique decrying macho posturing (or some such words and behavior) at KPFA in a brassy, aggressive letter/statement that showed that she had quite a pair of balls too!: was evoking the very same behavior she was condemning."
This would all be a bit more convincing if you weren't all so busy
"calling each other out" and trying to figure out who the "agents" are. Your post here is a fine example of macho posturing and labeling. Can you not see it? It isn't okay when anybody does it, but you're gonna reap what you sow if you can't manage to look for the higher ground every once in a while. Why don't y'all just ignore it and SHOW people that Stalinism and macho posturing will no longer be the way at the LSB? It doesn't have to be a pissing contest if you don't want it to be.
"Anyway, it's not my fault that you can only think of the word "elite" only in one-dimensionally, conventionally literal, and in purely economic terms. I guess that it shows that your mind only thinks in purely a one dimensional, literal way. That's _your_ problem, not mine"
Yeah. I think there are worse threats to a sustainable universe and
a just world than Larry Bensky (who can be really annoying). Very literal. How about just plain rational? I don' t confuse people who annoy me with people who threaten my existence.
"If you don't want DN moved from 6:00am and 9:00am, if you feel that strongly about it as you have revealed above"
I actually do want it moved. I've said that over and over again.
But to achieve it requires working with people to solve the issues involved and find a slot that will WORK and not create more problems than it resolves. It is impossible to make progress on that as long as commandants are issued without thoughtful solutions, and the issue is treated as a loyalty litmus test and a political struggle instead of a programming challenge, which is all it is.
"Let's see: we can skip the more platitudes of empty words that "Anonymous" is spewing.... Hey, Anonymous, why don't you just walk down the street singing Kumbaya?"
Anything would be better than swimming around in the toxic spew that you just released for a few paragraphs up there? What does any of this have to do with my social life? STOP ATTACKING AND
GET TO WORK. It's not about giving me a good spanking. It's about figuring how to work with other people to sustain and protect one of the left's few extant assets. And it begins by dropping the poison in order to confirm common values, make connections, respect each other's diversity, cooperate, treat workers paid and unpaid as if they have value, and hold one self accountable for making your interactions positive and constructive. Until you do that, you won't change a thing.
"Maybe I'm using that vivid nom de guerre"
What you are confirming is that itis going to continue to be a struggle for a very long time, and drain energy and enthusiasm from the left for the REAL struggles.
"And I'm not Anonymous in my KPFA community work"
And neither am I. So what? You're clearly angry and destructive.
And unneccesarily so. It's a choice, and a bad choice. Think about it.
"And, finally, quit fronting people or color for your hidden conservative or status quo agenda. That ruse has grown a tired, long, old, grey, scraggly beard around here"
Hey, I'm not the one suggesting sacrificing Africa Today, La Raza Chronicles, Voices of the Middle East, Apex Express and Full Circle to the Holy Grail of DN at 7pm. Those shows are just as
important to me as DN or Flashpoints and I want people to listen to them, too. And their folks are just as likely or more so, to have jobs and lack of computer access. What about them? Why must they be exiled out of PA primetime? Why don't you care about that?
"In short, why is it so important to you that DN not be moved to a more worker-accessable time? - because I know it's _not_ for the reason that you're stating"
It's fine with me if DN moves to 7am or 8am or even 5pm - which might be the best time of all. Just provide a solution for the fundraising issues and reasonable slots for the programs it displaces. That's all.
Let's start a new thread or something
so i tied an onion to my belt which was the style at the time
[I forget what this argument is about
by Tired of long posts Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 11:39 AM
Let's start a new thread or something.]
Why don't YOU?
by Tired of long posts Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 11:39 AM
Let's start a new thread or something.]
Why don't YOU?
[I'm Really Pretty Simple (No doubt)
by Anonymous Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 11:11 AM.]
Byyyye....
by Anonymous Thursday, Sep. 22, 2005 at 11:11 AM.]
Byyyye....
Really, they don't, check the ratings.
"You're all wasting your time
by No one listens to KPFA anyway"
KPFA must be important enough for you to take time to work your way here to make sure that you tell us.
by No one listens to KPFA anyway"
KPFA must be important enough for you to take time to work your way here to make sure that you tell us.
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