Remedy Required

Sat, 27 Oct 2007 23:19:40 +0100

The "Open Letter to the Pacifica Community '' written by Interim Executive Director Dan Siegel, and posted for at least several days on the KPFA website, describes one slate of candidates' political assertions in the election pamphlet as ''personal attacks '' and later on uses the term ''hateful '' speech in an obvious reference to them. He goes on to strongly imply that voters should not vote for those who, at KPFA, engaged in such ''personal attacks. '' Siegel's letter has now been widely distributed via numerous email lists, reaching possibly thousands of potential voters. If there is press coverage of this matter even more will read these allegations. It is a blatant attempt to influence the election against one slate of candidates. The slate Siegel calls "attackers" resorted to this method of disseminating information because only that candidate or those slates of candidates who could raise over $14,000 for a mailing to all members could widely distribute information. Elections should not be bought. The $14,000 slate also has an even more powerful tool: airtime. Maybe you hear programs you like and say "well, they're good so where's the problem?" Aside from the problem with the same method being used, once it's sanctioned, by other than such wunderkind, gaining access to the airwaves for even better programs is currently insurmountable for many creative, insightful souls. Siegel's ''Open Letter'' should immediately be removed from the KPFA website. There should also be mandated a public apology as widely distributed as the "open letter" was. And, because the many mailing lists used by station staff and ex-station staff are not something that can be monitored (of course!), it seems reasonable to me to call for airing the apology over the air multiple times. Perhaps this could be in concert with even ONE announcement of the current election by the staff – and if announcements are made, referring listeners to an apology that somehow sincerely attempts to de-bias the election. Some are calling for punitive measures to be taken against Mr. Siegel. I can't imagine how those could help create a fair election, but maybe the prospect of watching Dan Siegel dressed like Peggy Noonan crawling through tar singing show tunes might attract a big enough crowd to hear an actual debate by the candidates, something we'll not get otherwise. (Dan Siegel's comments are analogous to Peggy Noonan's saying those who don't like George Bush hate America.) I urge you to consider the mess that you have invited and spare no effort to stop it. Virginia Browning …..KPFA Listener/Sponsor - Virginia Browning

how about these new responsiblities:

Sat, 20 Oct 2007 05:10:12 +0100

as a truly concerned listener and supporter of Pacifica, I'd like to see the candidates publicly support the following: - "I* will put the station's (and network's) best interest ahead of what I* want to do"; or how about this one... - "I* am committed to giving the station 100%, even though I* understand I* will not get what I* want 100% of the time" * substitute my party/my slate/my friends - disappointed

LSB Duties

Remedy Required

how about these new responsiblities: