WBAI Showdown: Power Struggle Escalates as New General Manager Moves to Remake Troubled Community Radio Station
By John TarletonFrom the May 15, 2009 issue | Posted in John Tarleton , Local | Email this article
When WBAI-99.5 FM’s new acting General Manager Lavarn Williams visited the tally room during the first week of the station’s May fund drive, she was surprised to find pledge cards that had not been handed over to the fund drive supervisor four hours after the pledges had originally been received from the left-leaning radio station’s listeners.
“You would never guess how much things have deteriorated in terms of establishing controls,” Williams said. “We are getting people to realize pledge cards are like money and you can’t just leave them lying around.”
For Williams, keeping better track of pledge cards is only one part of a much larger push to transform a venerable, left-wing radio station that faces a slew of problems including more than a million dollars in debts, declining audience and membership, the threat of eviction from its downtown office and a backlogged premiums fulfillment process that has angered many of the station’s supporters.
“This was a model of failure,” Williams said, “and they wanted us to implement it throughout the network.”
Williams’ arrival is being cheered by those who believe the station has been mismanaged but others warn that the station’s longstanding commitment to racial inclusion is at risk, noting that WBAI’s General Manager Tony Riddle and Program Director Bernard White, both of whom are African-American, have already been removed from their posts.
“This is about a 25-year struggle at WBAI,” said Bob Lederer, a member of the Justice and Unity Caucus which supports the station’s deposed leadership. “WBAI was predominantly white in the 1960s and 1970s. And there has always been a rear guard of white listeners and programmers who want to go back.”
HARD TIMES AT WBAI
Williams, who is also black, is a retired corporate financial manager who started volunteering at WBAI’s sister station in Berkeley, California, in 1996. She is also the interim chief financial officer at the Pacifica Foundation, which holds the license for WBAI as well as four other radio stations in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Houston and the San Francisco Bay Area. The five stations, which make up the Pacifica Radio Network, reach a potential audience of 45 million people. WBAI, which beams its 50,000-watt signal from atop the Empire State Building, alone has a potential audience of 20 million people and an estimated market value of $150 million.
Pacifica was founded as the world’s first listener-sponsored radio network in 1949 by World War II-era draft resisters who dreamed of using the airwaves to “contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors.” And while the network has been a haven for marginalized voices during its six decades of existence, it has also been plagued by internal strife throughout much of its history. The feuding has been particularly intense in recent years at WBAI. Supporters and critics of the station’s leadership have vied for control of the Local Station Board (LSB), a 24- member body elected by listeners and staff.
Supporters of the station’s deposed management compare the recent takeover of the station to the December 2000 “Christmas Coup” in which Pacifica’s then-national leadership sacked White and banished more than two dozen programmers and producers.
The sacking sparked a tenacious protest movement that ultimately forced Pacifica’s then leaders from power and restored White and others to their posts.
“Last time it was Democratic Party centrists,” Lederer said of Pacifica’s previous regime. “This time it is liberals and leftists with a racist world view or who are simply opportunistic.”
“A lot of shows that appeal to people who are very progressive and black are probably going to get cut,” said Lisa Davis, also of Justice and Unity, who serves with Lederer on the LSB.
“WBAI is the only place where poor people can get their stories told in their own voice,” White said, who was suspended May 8 and banned from the station premises. “There were folks who felt that was chasing away white folks with money.”
White also expressed concern the Pacifica Foundation may sell the 99.5FM frequency and move WBAI to a less prominent location on the radio dial.
The station’s number of listener sponsors has fallen from 18,600 in January 2004 to about 15,000. While audience numbers fluctuate, the number of people who listen to WBAI at least once in a week has declined from an average of 240,000 in the fall of 2003 to 180,000 in spring of 2008, according to Arbitron ratings compiled by pacificana.org.
The time the station spends in fund drive has surpassed more than 100 days per year even as fund drive results have declined, especially since the recession hit full force last fall.
WBAI received $1,248,743 in listener support in the first six months of Fiscal Year 2008, but only took in $975,572 from its listeners in the first six months of the 2009 fiscal year that began on October 1, according to Jamie Ross, Chair of Pacifica’s National Finance Committee and also a member of the WBAI LSB. The station’s February fund drive fell short of its goal of $720,000 in pledges by about $180,000, Ross said.
In comparison, Pacifica’s Los Angeles station raised $1.042 million during its February fund drive, Williams said.
WBAI ceased making its central office payments to Pacifica in the fall of 2006 and was $999,000 in arrears by March 23 of this year, Williams said. The payments cover a number of network expenses including rights to broadcast Democracy Now!, a popular one-hour daily news show. The financial shortfalls caused by WBAI’s troubles forced Pacifica to take out a $300,000 line-of-credit from Wells Fargo last August, which Ross said was secured by using a $400,000 certificate of deposit that belonged to the network’s Berkeley station. The full amount of the loan is due in August.
ON THE BRINK OF EVICTION
By early April, the station had also fallen $128,000 behind on rent for its office space at 120 Wall Street and owed another $75,000 in back payments for its transmitter atop the Empire State Building, Ross said.
According to Williams, WBAI’s then General Manager Anthony Riddle renegotiated the lease with Silverstein Properties without notifying Pacifica’s national leadership. Riddle, the station’s fifth general manager in seven years, was removed from his position May 6. He said he was encouraged by Pacifica to revise the payment schedule.
“This was the right thing to do,” Riddle wrote in an email to The Indypendent. “There is no reason why it cannot be paid.”
Under the revised agreement, Williams said WBAI (and by extension the Pacifica Foundation) faces making two rent payments totaling almost $60,000 in May, two more payments totaling $75,000 in June and two more rent payments by July 25 totaling $45,000 or be subject to immediate eviction if it misses a single payment.
The first check for $29,444.30 is due May 18 and another check for the same amount is due May 25.
“That [May] fund drive has to be really good,” said Williams, who was officially named as WBAI’s acting general manager May 7 by Pacifica’s interim executive director Grace Aaron.
Williams has also been joined by fellow Californian Tony Bates, a former fund drive supervisor at Pacifica’s Los Angeles station who is currently acting as WBAI’s fund drive supervisor.
Besides making the tally room operation more efficient, Williams said that Bates has worked with programmers on improving their premiums and refining their on-air pitching. She said that the station had raised $225,000 in the first week of the May fund drive which began May 4.
“He’s really raised the level of consciousness of the staff,” Williams said. “He’s extraordinary. I’ve never seen anyone like him in my life.”
Ayo Harrington, who served as premiums director from Fall 2007 until she was laid off Nov. 15, 2008, said the premiums department had been plagued with problems for years due to a variety of factors including understaffing, lack of proper database management training for staff, the strain of repeated fund drives, the proliferation of premiums offered by programmers and the failure of many programmers to register their premiums in a timely manner. These problems were compounded when the station started running out of money to pay its vendors.
Williams, who had a 20-year career in corporate finance with the Xerox and Applied Materials corporations, said she plans to serve as WBAI’s general manager for three to six months. She said she will look for a business savvy replacement who “is in tune with the [Pacifica] mission.”
With WBAI’s Local Station Board currently split 14-to-10 in favor of the station’s longtime critics, 100 Justice and Unity members met May 12 to plan a multi-pronged campaign that could include lawsuits, protests and civil disobedience to reinstate White and Riddle. They are also preparing for LSB elections that will take place at the end of the summer and initiating a petition campaign to recall four members of the LSB including Birden, Ross, LSB Chair Mitchel Cohen and multi-millionaire direct mail marketer Steve Brown, who bankrolled much of the station critics’ last campaign.
Meanwhile, Lavarn Williams is ready to charge ahead.
“WBAI is in the middle of the radio dial in the media capital of the world. There’s no way this should be a mediocre station,” she said.
Find WBAI online at wbai.org.
Read “WBAI Bounces Back” by John Tarleton in the June 5, 2009 issue of The Indypendent.
100 Responses to “WBAI Showdown: Power Struggle Escalates as New General Manager Moves to Remake Troubled Community Radio Station”
May 14th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I don’t think the corporate “business savvy” direction will have much reason to reach out to the communities WBAI is faithful to.
Will shows like the ones that exist for the Haitian community, for people in prison, for indigenous people, for youth activists fit into their model? Doubtful.
The obvious reason for WBAI’s financial problems are that their landlord jacked up their rent into exhorbitance…can anyone relate? Thought so.
Pacifica’s answer is to lockout the leadership who built the station… Scary!!
May 14th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
What a grown-up article. I’m sure it will be attacked as “racist” or “fence-sitting” or whatever. The station is broke. Right now, I’m listening to the station offering an idiot premium, a DVD called “Zeitgeist, the Movie” (a totally beserk New Age conspiracy mongering crapfest). The radio show is Haiti: The Struggle Continues - they failed to find a premium about Haiti, and are offering this garbage. Meanwhile, Bernard White has said that the failure of WBAI to offer black and Latino/a premiums proves the new racist regime… but WHOSE FAULT IS IT? Did Grace Aaron, LaVarn Williams, Mitch Cohen, Kathy Davis, or the marketing millionaire Steve Brown stop the producers of the Haiti program from offering such a premium? NO. I can’t give money to a station that pushes this Zeitgeist stupidity (and yes, I believe 9/11 was an inside job - a position decried by Indymedia), that isn’t serious about QUALITY and ENGAGING programming from a diversity of viewpoints.
May 14th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Oh - and yes, I did give money to WBAI anyway… because I’m a sucker. But I’d like not to be a sucker, I’d like to be able to recommend WBAI to friends and not be embarrassed with a Playthell Benjamin “commentary” or something else ridiculous.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
I just don’t understand what’s the big deal about premiums. Who cares? We get the radio station, the premiums are just frosting.
And I’m listening now, Zeitgeist doesn’t sound that crazy, they are talking about corporate control over government.
But this show on Haiti I think is the essence of what’s good about WBAI. Where else can you hear a dedicated program to the Haitian community?
Really, I think it is good to have a radio station where you don’t like every show… other media is so monotonous… these variations in opinion are a more real representation of the city we live.
Sooo, what I want to say is, Esteban, you are not a sucker.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
“Pacifica’s answer is to lockout the leadership who built the station… Scary!!”
You clearly know nothing. The one guy was there for a year. He built nothing.
White has been there for decades, in “management” for the last decade. All HE has built is a smaller, less listenable radio station that is BANKRUPT. (And a nice retirement nest-egg from his 70K per year salary.)
Think about it: the dope has a full-time job (2000 hrs. per year) for years as PROGRAM DIRECTOR. And the programming never changes! We get what, maybe a half-dozen schedule changes per year. And half of those are due to deaths. What do you suppose he does for all those well-paid hours? Any one of us could do the job as he’s done it in 3 hours per week.
Try to understand the basic facts here:
1. BAI used to be a legendary radio station.
2. White and the JUC morons DIDN’T “build that.”
3. They have, however, dragged it into obscurity, embarrassment, and bakruptcy.
May 14th, 2009 at 11:36 pm
With Caps Lock, BANKRUPT! Isn’t it the technique that is always used?
Which corporation, NPO, household is NOT in “a financial situation”? We are all in that, always. it’s just get USED to advance the real political agenda, whatever it is. No exception.
Sorry to have to educate you. I usually respect elders. But I want to know the real story. Real, political story. So far, looks like a “corporate takeover.” Just like everything else.
May 15th, 2009 at 12:33 am
I have served as Public Affairs Director for WBAI Radio for six years, and I am completely dedicated to the mission of Pacifica and maintaining the integrity of WBAI. I do not support and would not support a takeover by forces from within the network. Neither will I support local forces which would risk the loss of our radio station and which wage a campaign of distortion in order to manipulate the hearts and minds of our listeners for their own personal gain or salvation.
During my tenure as PA Director I have always done my best to serve the needs of the producers and hosts. I respect their work and honestly believe that WBAI has some of the best programming in the Pacifica network, and the potential for vast growth. I also understand that there are some programs that need to be improved, producers who need to be trained, and new programming that needs to be developed.
Many stakeholders throughout the network have assumed that WBAI’s failure to be self-sustaining is because of the local programming.
In my position as staff representative to the Pacifica National Board, I have defended the work of our producers and have maintained that the problems in New York have not been solely due to the programming, but rather the lack of efficiency in planning at the management level. Most producers have valiantly come to the air time and again to raise funds, despite the reality that our drives have gotten longer and longer, and become less and less successful.
In my role as a senior staff member at WBAI, I have on many occasions attempted to defend producers from the actions of management that I have perceived to be arbitrary and capricious. I have filed grievances during the administrations of Dan Coughlin and Don Rojas, Gregg Guma and Robert Scott Adams, and attempted to gain the attention of Nicole Sawaya during her short tenure as Executive Director — all to no avail. The paid staff tried to get support for proper management of the drives by writing into our contract a requirement that the staff would have at least 30 days to plan our fund drives. This was ignored. We were merely instructed to tack on more days, and make the fund drives longer. And when this strategy played itself out, we were then led to lower the financial goals of the drives. For the most part, we have still not even met most of these lowered expectations, either.
During the last year and a half the premiums situation has completely broken down. We have received thousands of complaints. While engaged in fund raising, we have received as many as 50 to 100 complaints a day. Yet, for almost a year, nothing was done to improve the situation. At one point, as many as 6,000 listeners had not received their premiums.
As a consequence of this failure, the staff has had to face two phases of layoffs and cutbacks, WBAI has not contributed to, or upheld its obligation to help sustain the network, and the network has been drained of its resources, as the money to pay bills and salaries was taken from the other stations.
This situation has been developing for years, yet nothing was done about it. The status quo was held in place by previous administrations and political operatives throughout the network. I cannot begin to speculate on the motives, but I do know that the operative mechanism for keeping the status quo in place is by COINTELPRO-style divisive arguments, and personal attacks based on race, religion and political affiliations.
The strategy has been — and continues to be — to attack the person without providing a coherent argument on its merits. Engaging in mass campaigns asking people to copy and paste form letters. Using mass phone calling systems to contact supporters alleging their prevailing propaganda. Personal attacks. Engaging in hostile behavior, harassment and retribution toward staff that resist or speak out. The directive of our current Interim Executive Director, Grace Aaron, to prevent libelous statements from being made on the air is just that. There is no “gag rule” at WBAI.
The truth is that the network is unable to sustain this situation any longer. WBAI has recently fallen four months behind in rent on its facilities, and concurrently two months behind on rent for the transmitter. The station has received two notices to quit, which are basically notices to pay up or get out.
If the worst were to happen, it would not release the Pacifica network from its financial obligations. Pacifica is the license-holder, and would become liable for paying the full financial obligations of WBAI — including the full obligation of our leases, and not just the back rent. Therefore, if this situation ends up in court, Pacifica would have to liquidate its assets — which include five broadcast licenses, three buildings, and other financial assets. Once this thing gets started, all of the network’s debtors will come out of the woodwork, and all of Pacifica could be lost. Auctioned off to pay our debts.
Is this how we want to honor the legacy of this great institution?
These coming months are the last opportunity to get back on our feet, salvage WBAI and build a self-sustaining station and stronger network. No individual, political agenda or partisan politic is more important than the institution itself.
ACTION ALERT: Some things you can do to help WBAI:
1. Make a donation 2. Help in the phone room 3. Donate food and snacks for the volunteers 4. Give some time to help send out premiums 5. Use your email lists to promote WBAI and its fund drives 6. Put a link to WBAI on your website 7. Hold a fund raising party 8. Support WBAI fund raising events 9. Bring your creative ideas, talent and skills to the table 10. Run for a place on the WBAI Local Station Board 11. Vote in the upcoming Pacifica LSB elections. 12. Ask questions and investigate the truth of what you are being told. 13. Uphold and support the mission of Pacifica.
Kathy Davis
Public Affairs Director, WBAI
Independent, Staff Representative, WBAI LSB
Director, PNB
May 15th, 2009 at 12:58 am
Sorry “Kathy Davis,” but as a “Director” you can’t be unbiased.
You are an insider. I feel your role in this is to act as if you are a “neutral informer,” but you are a Director now and obviously you have a stake in who is in power at the station.
Next!
May 15th, 2009 at 2:25 am
sorry for diluting my message with the “***” but you shouldn’t be ‘broadcasting’ emails without people signing their ip’s to the mesages. (I just don’t to be flooded with hate mail on a subject I follow but no longer am involved (hint ‘…inchicago…’).
To the subject, let the people who who wish to support this listener supported station decide what the listener supported station programs.
good luck to all of you…
(yeah first heard the song on ‘bai)
May 15th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Yeah, the new age DVD premium is beyond ridiculous. George Bush and the Illuminati? The Zodiac? Perhaps, like the housing market, this means that BAI has hit bottom.
May 15th, 2009 at 7:59 am
I think if they offered Sham Wow or the Snugli thing they would get more donors!
May 15th, 2009 at 11:42 am
It seems to me that the problem at WBAI is factionalism. The JUC faction is quick to condemn any disagreement with them as “racist.” The other has legitimate questions about the JUC’s authoritarianism and competence, but is virtually all white and full of nutcases.
And Zeitgeist? A weird mix of leftist anti-corporatism and far-right horseshit, apocalyptic conspiracism about the Illuminati and the pyramid on the dollar.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Take a look at www.wbixradio.org There are some good interviews.
Who is on which side of the argument tells much.
I have been observing the battles at WBAI as a longtime listener, “member”, not the longest.
I made my choice.
For those interested in some of LSB emails they put online publicly, to which we, the listeners can not reply, get on the list via www.wbai.org
May 15th, 2009 at 11:59 am
Note that Bob Lederer provides no evidence for his mischaratcterizations of those of us who want WBAI to survive.
I, on the other hand, provided a ton of evidence that the station is in decline.
Why does Bob get away with this?
May 15th, 2009 at 1:28 pm
All this online “He said, She said” is dizzying. and turns me off. So I went to the Community Activist Coalition on WBAI meeting this week, to see who was involved, hear their voices, think things through. It was great! All different kinds of people, lots of varied points of view, everyone welcomed.
I encourage anyone concerned about WBAI to come to the next meeting:
MAY 26, 2009, 7pm
at Dist. 1707, 75 Varick St. (n. of Canal St.), 14th Fl., Manhattan (A or 1 train to Canal St.) – Sponsor: Ad Hoc Community Activist Coalition on WBAI – for info on this event & those below, call 212-561-7231.
It is so much easier to see clearly when you are in the same room with people.
Peace, everyone. Together we can do this.
May 15th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Yeah, I went to that “Ad Hoc Community Activist Coalition on WBAI,” anticipating so-called “evil juc thieves/hoodlums/thugs.”
That label is wrong. There was a very diverse crowd, including Lynn Stewart, Rosa Clemente, Stanley Aronowitz, as reported on Indymedia.org http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/05/105317.html
The “JUC thugs” image is manufactured by I think Mitchel Cohen/Kathy Davis side.
May 15th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Compliments to John for a clear and level headed article. I just wish it would have been longer, filling in more details about the controversy and divisiveness at WBAI, and included a note about CEMOTAP and it’s relationship to JUC.
Otherwise well done!
May 15th, 2009 at 6:51 pm
If the Los Angeles Pacifica interloper crowd and the so-called Independents, formerly known as ACE, on the WBAI Local Station Board are not here for a takeover of our beatiful diverse WBAI programming, why don’t we hear more from them about getting out from under the exorbitant rent at the 120 Wall Street studios, which from what I’ve read/heard is somewhere between 5 to 7 times the rent load that any other Pacifica station has to shoulder?
May 15th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
There are a few corrections I*d like to make to John Tarleton*s decent attempt to make heads or tails out of what*s really happening at WBAI.
The last paragraph is filled with the typical Justice and Unity way of framing the issues without realizing it. Let*s look at it:
>With WBAI’s Local Station Board currently split 14-to-10 in favor of the station’s longtime critics,100 Justice and Unity members met May 12 to plan a multi-pronged campaign that could include lawsuits, protests and civil disobedience to reinstate White and Riddle.They are also preparing for LSB elections that will take place at the end of the summer and initiating a petition campaign to recall four members of the LSB including Birden, Ross, LSB Chair Mitchel Cohen and multi-millionaire direct mail marketer Steve Brown, who bankrolled much of the station critics’ last campaign.<
John, what happened to the truth, suddenly? Steve Brown did NOT bankroll the last campaign. Hundreds of people contributed funds to pay for the election mailing. It was one person*s check that paid for the Justice and Unity campaign.
See how easy it is to fall for the JUC lying framework, due to their mass publicity blitzes thanks to Sara Flounders, the Workers World Party and the International Action Center*s misuse of their mailing lists? John, I hope you correct this info.
Mitchel Cohen
Chair, WBAI Local Station Board
May 15th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Brooklynite: “If the Los Angeles Pacifica interloper crowd and the so-called Independents, formerly known as ACE, on the WBAI Local Station Board are not here for a takeover of our beatiful diverse WBAI programming…”
One set of confusions at a time:
(1) It is not a “Los Angeles” Pacifica, it is a delegation authorized by THE Pacifica Foundation board of directors, which was elected by listeners and staff representatives from ALL FIVE PACIFICA STATIONS. They are not “interlopers”, they are implementing corrective measures found necessary by the body (PNB) which has LEGAL responsibility for the survival of the entire Foundation, and of the radio stations it OWNS.
(2) There are no “independents formerly known as ACE”. This is a label promulgated by the JUC (= CEMOTAP = Bernard White turf protectors), on the basis of ACE having endorsed SOME independent candidates for the LSB (not all).
(3) These independent LSB members are not “interlopers” and are not “here for a takeover” — they are WBAI listeners and staff ELECTED by WBAI listeners and staff to represent their interests and protect THEIR station from the catastrophic outcome a continuation of its 6-year decline would result in. Moreover, most of them favor programming MORE diverse than what Bernard White has put in place (without consulting with Program Council or LSB Programming Committee).
OK, on to the next set of confusions and/or outright falsification:
“…why don’t we hear more from them about getting out from under the exorbitant rent at the 120 Wall Street studios, which from what I’ve read/heard is somewhere between 5 to 7 times the rent load that any other Pacifica station has to shoulder?”
I am a member of the WBAI Finance Committee. We have investigated this question VERY thoroughly over the past several years. Our findings have not been secret. When I say “our” findings, I include JUC as well as non-JUC members who have participated in this research and in discussion of options. Contrary to what you insinuate, independents are usually quick to state what the findings have been, whereas JUC operatives (and Bernard White) dis-honestly tell the “suckers” that WBAI’S problems are due to high rent and the solution to WBAI’s problems is to move somewhere else.
What’s dishonest about this? The JUC members of the committee know very well that (1) we have a lease through 2012, (2) if we break the lease the landlord may demand ALL of the remaining rent, IMMEDIATELY [which would surely push us into bankruptcy], (3) even if a suitable new location were to be found, MOVING expenses + building and equipping new studios would be another cash demand we CAN NOT MEET.
There is moreover the shameful fact that WBAI could (if it had its act together) reach and keep enough of its potential 18,000,000 listeners to support itself AND one or two of the other Pacifica stations.
We are hoping that the rescue team from Pacifica will not just save us from bankruptcy but initiate sound management practice, creative program development, and actual ADVERTISING of the station, actual OUTREACH to the many communities (not just Benard’s “community”) sufficient to make it the meaningful voice in NYC and national affairs it falls so short of being now.
May 15th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Also, the 14 independents on the Board were voted in by the Listener and Staff members of WBAI. All of us are SUPPORTERS of the station, and criticize management, including at the time management*s moving of WBAI to Wall Street to begin with. Most of us opposed the 2000-2001 coup at WBAI and were very active in those struggles, contrary to how we are being portrayed.
One might well ask Valerie Van Isler, who appointed Bernard White as Program Director back when, why SHE filed the papers with the National Labor Relations Board that succeeded in breaking the union at that time and moved WBAI to Wall Street, over Samori Marksman*s and my own (and in fact, all of the Independents’) objections. One should understand Bernard White*s attempt to resurrect her at the JUC*s recent meeting (which avoided discussion of many of the real issues) in that context.
>100 Justice and Unity members met May 12 to plan a multi-pronged campaign that could include lawsuits, protests and civil disobedience to reinstate White and Riddle.<
Maybe, maybe not. But note, no real discussion of how or why WBAI lost so many thousands of members over the last 4 years, or of the fantasy budgets continuously passed by the JUC when it held the majority, and which has contributed greatly to the severity of the current financial crisis at WBAI.
Mitchel Cohen
Chair, WBAI Local Station Board
May 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
And one more thing.
Under Bernard White’s supervision, the Premiums department was put into the hands of one of his cronies, Ayo Harrington, who has a long and sordid history on the Lower East Side in disrupting progressive initiatives pertaining to housing and public schools. (Harrington sided with right wing City Council rep Antonio Pagan, and helped to disrupt the work of Miriam Friedlander and other leftists.)
White and Harrington failed to send out over 6,000 premiums that had been ordered and paid for last year by listeners to WBAI. This is a HUGE problem. I read through over 900 complaints that people sent in, some saying that they’d called 6 or 7 times. These are folks who sent in more than $200,000 in aggregate, and many of them said that they would not contribute again until management straightened out this mess.
I volunteered personally at the station to tackle this project, and so did other Indy Board members Jennifer Jager and Carolyn Birden. We sent out a few hundred backlogged premiums, but management blocked our efforts to systematize the process so that they could all be sent out. An so, most them have not been.
You would think that regardless of political faction, that this would be a no-brainer, that EVERYONE would want the premiums sent out. Well, guess again!
THAT is one of the reasons why new management is needed, in my opinion. THAT is what is meant by making better business decisions — NOT the NPRization of WBAI that some are accusing me and the other Independents of wanting.
There is a reason why all the Stalinists, from different parties and organizations, have congregated in the Justice and Unity faction, and all the anti-Stalinists side with the Independents. Check it out for yourself.
Mitchel Cohen
May 15th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
The article uncritically echoes some of the race-baiting initiated by Bob Lederer and Bernard Wnite. What evidence for instance does Mr. White have that anyone in Pacifica is thinking of selling the frequency? Absolutely none! This is just a scare story he is putting out in order to appeal to those people who came out in support of WBAI in 2000 after the Xmas coup. I was one of those people and as a result of our efforts Mr. White came back to WBAI as Program Director. I leave it to the public to judge for themselves whether Mr. White’s tenure as Program Director has been successful. We have lost 25% of our listeners in the past 5 years and contributions to the station are similarly down.
One naive letter writer blamed the station’s problems on the landlord jacking up the rent! But the rent has not been raised since WBAI signed its lease 8 years ago! It’s not the rent, it’s the Programming stupid!!
The JUC are opportunists who have no principles. They get their friends on the air in exchange for watching each others behinds. The Haiti show is a good example. It is not, contrary to some opinions expressed here, a bastion of progressive views. It is a show that reflects the point of view of the pro-Aristide crowd in the Haitian exile community. They purged other, more radical voices from their collective. There is also much pro-Obama programming on WBAI. Is that what people think is progressive?
WBAI has sunk into a horrendous financial crisis thanks to the mismanagement fostered by the Justice and Unity Faction and their communal politics that try to divide everyone along racial lines. They are the real racists. They have turned off lots of listeners and the changes being implemented now are long overdue.
Expect to see lots more mudslinging as the elections for LSB officers of WBAI get started in the next couple of months. This is the only weapon these people have because they cannot stand the truth. They are the Karl Roves of the left.
I hope everyone here will support WBAI.
Alex Steinberg
Listener member of the WBAI Local Station Board
Chair of LSB Programming Committee (speaking in a personal capacity)
May 16th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Wow. Were you guys in the same room or something?
Mitchel Cohen Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Frank LeFever Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Mitchel Cohen Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Mitchel Cohen Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
Alex Steinberg Says:
May 15th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
I have been looking up and these guys are all “Mitch Cohen’s Side” board members.
Huge Posts, too. Previous poster said that cohen’s side are all white and nutcase but …
I can kind of believe that at this point.
May 16th, 2009 at 1:38 am
Wow, I’m confused. I like some stuff on BAI, and dislike other things; i fucking hate this Zietgiest crap, but I really don’t know which side to suport. I voted JUP last time because i heard the List-Prog folks were tied with that Gary Null loon, but now I’m lost. What’s an anti-Stalinist, independent socialist to do? I’d like to know what sorts of shows the anti-JUP folks would put on, and which ones they’d ditch.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:04 am
These comments are a pretty good mirror of the JUC v. Independent split on the BAI station board.
The independents and their supporters offer lots of fact and argument with their attacks.
The JUC supporters offer just the (personal) attacks. No facts and no argument. Just like the station they have run into the ditch for the last 8 years: no listeners and no money.
One final note, for the ignoramus who keeps demanding that Steve Brown leave the station board:
“Hey stupid, if you actually knew anything about what goes on at BAI, you’d know Brown is termed out at the end of the year.” (Typical JUC supporter, ignorant of facts but possessing a loud, nasty voice.)
May 16th, 2009 at 9:14 am
SWL said:
“These comments are a pretty good mirror of the JUC v. Independent split on the BAI station board.
The independents and their supporters offer lots of fact and argument with their attacks.
The JUC supporters offer just the (personal) attacks. No facts and no argument.”
thanks for noticing SWL - I appreciate that. I don’t even think what I offered for the article was an attack - more like an analysis. Neither was Kathy Davis’s piece an attack.
The basic point is that our station cannot continue as it has been. We have to change.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Wbai’s Radio Free Eireann, hosted by John McDonagh and Sandy Boyer, advertised a fund-raiser for the election campaign of their longtime political cohort, the fascist Gerry McGeough. A Pacifica station supporting fascism. What a mockery of its founders ideals.
-The reality of McGeough’s and his cohorts’ ideas are more clearly expressed in The Hibernian. The professionally produced magazine has carried articles outlining the threat to Ireland from “multiculturalism”, as well as prayers, pictures of the Virgin Mary and long pieces in each edition promoting the infamous Father Fahey. Fahey, a 1930s Irish priest, called for the destruction of the “worldwide Jewish, communist and Freemason conspiracy”, however he did not support the Nazis, suspecting they were also part of the Jewish conspiracy.-Searchlight
http://www.searchlightmagazine.com/index.php?link=template&story=172
May 16th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Posters SWL =Jamie Ross.
That’s obvious.
Unless you have no literacy.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Also, what stands out here on this board is:
All the “Board Members” are in favor of the new station manager appointed by interim Pacifica Director Grace Aaron.
This reminds me of some poster saying
“Coupster board members are all professional activists.”
I mean who has time to bombard a board with organized talking points like these people?
I sympathize w the other side (JUC)’s board members rather.
They appear more like normal working people, honestly.
Just a feeling.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:38 am
The ignorant, fascist-supporting, white nationalism of Radio Free Aryann is completely acceptable to Mitchell Cohen, Steve Brown and other Ace-ists. Which means that there is a strong racist component in their attacks on the JUC.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Hey “Len Torres”
Can you clarify who are and What “Ace-ists” are?
Before you leave?
May 16th, 2009 at 11:58 am
I hear you, Hasan, when you said you were confused.
As a listener, one thing I know is WBAI under Bernard White hasn’t sold out. There are many shows that are crucial to otherwise underserved communities.
There is certainly room for improvement but that will only happen through more people getting involved, especially younger people.
I am really leery of the anti-JUC people who seem to be talking out of both sides of their mouth. I checked out their own discussion board and I was really turned off. Making fun of people speaking spanish, gratuitous attacks on people’s appearance. Just corny really. If I can’t take their windbag posts on internet, imagine on radio!
I’ve talked to JUC people and the vibe is the furthest thing from how anti-JUC characterize them. Open, serious, committed, smart, friendly!!!… And hey, I’m white!
As for Zeitgeist, um yea, it sucks, but I think it mostly sucks because of the cheesy background music.
May 16th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
It’s instructive that WBAI program director Bernard White has said often that he shares the vision for the station developed by former PD Samori Marksman, who died in 1999 at the age of 51. Marksman’s tenure proved that New York listeners would support a radio station featuring, radical, progressive, diverse programming that paid special attention to the needs and voices of historically repressed communities. Under White’s tenure, that support dropped precipitously.
Set aside for a moment the question of financial supporter—which does include elements beyond the control of any program director. Consider just the number of listeners. WBAI has the potential to reach 18 million people at any hour of the day or night. Under White’s direction, it isn’t pulling in 200,000 listeners in an entire week. But Marksman’s success demonstrates that White’s failure isn’t due to white racists rejecting the philosophy of WBAI’s current schedule. It’s due to listeners of all kind rejecting the quality of the programming offered to communicate that philosophy. What Bernard White’s critics claim is that in order to survive as a listener-sponsored station, WBAI needs to produce good radio.
I think an audience exists who will support radical, progressive, diverse programming as long as it’s good radio. Marksman proved he knew how to find that audience. Bernard White hasn’t been able to.
May 16th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Watch recently-fired GM Anthony Riddle and Pacifica Interim Dir. Grace Aaron on Al Jazeera English.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkdcoQZ4PmI&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fenglish%2Ealjazeera%2Enet%2Fnews%2Famericas%2F2009%2F05%2F200951420630643609%2Ehtml&feature=player_embedded
NY Indymedia
Lynn Stewart, Rosa Clemente: TAKE BACK WBAI 99.5FM
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/05/105317.html
May 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Gil Noble’s show “Like It Is”, Sun. May 17th, 2009 will have Bernard White, Imhotep Gary Byrd, Omowale Clay and others. ABC TV, CH.7 12N-1pm
For videos of interviews with people who were at the meeting of May 12th and people at a protest, listeners and others, go to www.wbixradio.org
May 16th, 2009 at 11:53 pm
I heard on WBAI, during a fund drive segment, a person from CEMOTAP announce that this organization would be donating money to WBAI… except that this was a lie. They would be handing the check to “Brother Bernard” White. Now, this is a real test of Bernard’s integrity. Bernard SHOULD refuse the money and insist that the CEMOTAP representative mail this desperately needed money to WBAI’s address or, if CEMOTAP needs to make a statement, hand deliver it to the station. Let’s see if Bernard has the integrity to stand up for WBAI. It would also be good if the Justice and Unity crew would also insist that money raised for WBAI go DIRECTLY to WBAI and not be held hostage to faction politics. When Gary Null was using his platform and time on WBAI to denigrate the station, the station’s management, and the station’s other producers - I was glad to see him canned. (Also because he’s a quack and walking-talking commercial enterprise who doesn’t belong on non-commercial radio.) So, I think that Justice and Unity buddies who behave similarly - who threaten to withhold financial support, who personally attack others associated with the station - should not be allowed to broadcast. The GALL of coming into WBAI and then announcing that a private group was handing over money, but not to the station, but to its suspended program director as some bargaining chip… the fact that they USED MY STATION TO DO THIS is absolutely unforgiveable. Period.
The amount discussed was $1000 from CEMOTAP, plus (if I remember correctly) whatever was collected at the CEMOTAP Great Harlem Debate. We’ll be watching to see if that check goes to WBAI. Or if Bernard holds onto it as a (very very small) bargaining chip. His choice.
May 17th, 2009 at 1:09 am
…umm… Says:
Posters SWL =Jamie Ross.
That’s obvious.
Unless you have no literacy.
==========================================
Hey, thanks for proving my point about you JUCer’s having nothing to offer but insult and personal attack.
For the record, Ross and I are two VERY different people. In fact, because of his sickening censorship on the BAI goodlight BB, I don’t even like the guy.
Keep grasping at straws however, rather than trying to justify how a no-talent like Bernard White deserves to keep a do-nothing a job that:
… pays him MORE THAN $70,000 a year!
A few years ago, his salary has to be made public by law because he was one of the FIVE highest paid employees in the entire Pacifica network!
That’s right, skippy… listener donations are used to pay a nice fat middle-class salary to a guy who has a long, uninterrupted record of incompetence.
But if you criticize that loony state of affairs, you get called a “racist” (whether you’re white or black).
And don’t even get me started on the money he “misallocated” from a public fundraising event (a 9-11 meeting at riverside church) in order to pay for a memorial service for a friend of his. That was investigated by the JUC-controled LSB at the time. Their report was later made public, so this is not “hearsay” on my part.
SWL
May 17th, 2009 at 1:19 am
One poster here asked what kind of programming the Independents would like to see on WBAI.
I’ll give you a few of my suggestions. But please note that the Local Station Board is not responsible for the politics — good or bad — of individual programs, but of ensuring that a competent program director is hired and that the programming expresses the progressive Pacifica mission statement, which can be found at .
These are a few of my own personal ideas for programs (that is, they are not necessarily reflective either of the Local Station Board nor the Independents on the Board, who are focusing on the making a fair PROCESS for programming).
- One or more shows added — perhaps 15 minutes every day — on the global economic crisis of capitalism. Marxist economist Rick Wolff would be one of the hosts of a wide-ranging, radical show on this topic, complementing and deepening the work of Doug Henwood and Susan Lee.
- One or more shows added on the global ecological crisis and related politics. Glen Ford (Black Agenda Report) and Cynthia McKinney would be excellent co-hosts here, complementing the one general environmental show hosted by David Occiuto and Ken Gale, as well as the Healthy Homes show that provides good information on a limited topic.
- A new show added on a radical look at New York City issues such as housing and transportation that goes beyond the Working Familes Party orientation preferred by Bernard White for the few shows that exist on WBAI examining local issues. Nellie Hester Bailey would be great at this.
- A daily show that follows up on the issues raised on Democracy Now and continues the discussion on those issues, drawing on the enormous talent in and around New York. In other words, continue some themes throughout the day, instead of boxing them off.
- Networking with High School radio stations and putting the best of those shows onto WBAI’s airwaves.
- Returning Robert Knight to the airwaves, both as host of Earthwatch and as special commentator.
- Adding at least one and hopefully more news reporters to cover City Hall, especially in this election year. Eric Williams had done a great job at this before he was laid off last year. Expand news coverage, develop week-long themes that follow up on special reports every night, such as the great week-long and hardhitting series a few months ago on the difficulties of young LGBTQ folks in NYC and surround areas.
- Drawing much more strongly on the magnificent arts/culture community around NYC, and expanding arts programming.
- DEEPENING the discussions of all topics, and expanding debate (within the Pacifica Mission) — when was the last time we heard actual debate over the air concerning relevant issues to our movements?
- And, yes (I know some folks posting here won’t like this), returning Gary Null to WBAI’s airwaves. Null does extremely hardhitting and well-informed attacks on the health industry. As I’ve written, in a pamphlet informed greatly by Gary Null, the choice is between the Capitalist System and the Immune System. Those who disagree and who want to censor Null’s views on HIV, for example, should be willing to debate publicly rather than to censor.
There needs to be a general openness to discussion, debate and exploration over the airwaves rather than the imposition of a political LINE, which today seems unfortunately to rule.
Please note that all of these show ideas were submitted to WBAI’s prior management. They went nowhere, “Yessed” to death, despite some very elaborate proposals submitted by Rick Wolff, Glen Ford, Cynthia McKinney.
Please don’t believe the rhetoric of those who pigeonhole the Independent members of the Board. The truth will out.
May 17th, 2009 at 1:58 am
A FEW THINGS WERE LEFT OUT OF THE ARTICLE, (Part One, to be cont’d later)
1. THERE IS A GAG RULE IN EFFECT AT WBAI
(So TUNE INTO “Like It Is” TODAY, SUN noon-1PM. Gil Noble interviews Bernard White, the fired and BANNED WBAI Program Director.)
COMING SOON: www.takebackwbai.org
meanwhile, visit www.wbixradio.org
WBIX started during the last attempted corporate coup. It’s the radio voice of the banned and fired.
ASK YOURSELF: How democratic is the new interim regime if they need a GAG RULE?
Do you believe in FREE SPEECH?
To protest the gag rule, write to the Pacifica National Board at pnb@pacifica.org
2. Also left out: How about UNION BUSTING?
Are you into that?
Under the pretext of “BAD PROGRAMMING” Pacifica has sent out its shock troops.
- Ignoring laid off staff who need the work, and hiring procedures and Unpaid Staff Organizing Committee regs:
….. Pacifica ships in three African Americans to front for the white Interim Executive Director, GRACE AARON, a Hillary Dem who’s allied with the predominantly white ACE faction that currently dominates the WBAI Local board.
- Bernard White is goose stepped out of his office. His keys taken, not allowed to get his belongings. This was preceded by a “snap review” at a SECRET meeting of the local board thanks to the ACE faction… during which board chair MITCH COHEN tried to throw TONY RIDDLE our of the meeting!
- African American Producer Ayo Harrington IS PHYSICALLY BANNED FROM THE STATION AND FROM THE AIR…. without any hearing! Nothing like attacking a leading spokesperson for people in prision… WHO ARE MOSTLY BLACK AND LATINO.
- ACE faction supporters on staff have started a “GUILD” to undermine the UNPAID STAFF ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, or USOC
… HA HA HA this “Guild” (as in the word geld, or gold or money) has supposedly formed to promote “QUALITY PROGRAMMING”… remember? the excuse for the CA invasion was poor programming which ACE and AARON claim is THE root cause of WBAI’s financial crisis (but not NPR’s financial crisis or the Boston Globe’s financial crisis etc)… BUT SOME OF THE NEW GUILD MEMBERS ARE AMONG THE ABSOLUTE WORST, MOST BORING PRODUCERS AT THE STATION!!!
NEXT: RACISM AT WBAI, LSB CHAIR ASSAULTS CITY WATCH PRODUCER, more inside stuff
May 17th, 2009 at 6:45 am
WBAI has more uneducated and dumb people on the air than just about any station I’ve ever heard.
The morning show usually can’t be tolerated for more than a few minutes. There’s some guy on there who sounds like he has a developmental disability.
I say give the new people a chance. Change is good.
May 17th, 2009 at 6:49 am
It’s tragic that Mitch and the “Independents” hate LGBTers so much that they want to bring back an HIV-denialist like Gary Null. I would say that it’s as bad as having a Nazi Holocaust denialist on WBAI’s airwaves, but in fact, … it’s FAR worse. You see, there is actually, RIGHT NOW, an HIV epidemic, especially among people of color in NYC (yes, I know, not a major concern of Mitch’s, but still). Null is also a Christ-complex quack: with regular assertions like - I knew everything 20 years before everyone else - and - now everyone is out to get me!
Null will simultaneously tell you that (1) Pacifica is the voice of the voiceless and that he’s a victim… and (2) he’s never been off commercial radio and he’s “sought out” by the world’s leading research scientists… not to mention his many, many books and website. So, here’s a guy who ALREADY HAS SEVERAL platforms for his (dis)information - a walking-talking commercial enterprise like Oprah Winfrey… no one who cares about health, about community, about NON-commercial radio, about “going to where the silence is” (what Amy Goodman USED to care about), about reaching out and serving people… anyone who cares about these things will not want Gary Null back.
Then there is the fact that Null used his platform to attack the station, the station’s management, and the station’s other producers - this GARBAGE BEHAVIOR MUST STOP. One of the Pacifica visitors - a fundraising specialist whose name I can’t recall, but seems reasonable enough - put it well at a meeting in Berkeley: EVERY producer in Pacifica has a FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBLY for the health of the station. Attacking the station or its other members on the air confuses and upsets listeners… and leads to a reduction of resources. Null was trying to use his popularity to undermine the station itself and force a change in management and programming throughout the broadcast day. And the station CORRECTLY booted him. Recently CEMOTAP is trying (in its smaller, pathetic way) to do the same by “raising money for WBAI” but handing it to Bernard White at its Great Harlem Debate and ANNOUNCING THIS PARTISAN GARBAGE ON THE AIR! As that Pacifica guy said, This Must Stop. Now.
On the other hand, the “Independents” (independent from what?) are real creepy on this point. Every conversation ends up with “Gary Null must return to WBAI” - like cult robots. “Gee, it’s raining outside… but Gary Null must return to WBAI.” Very sick. I mean, they toss in some other points, so that they don’t appear like total flippin’ loons, but it always (ALWAYS) comes back to Null. Like frothing at the mouth crazies. I’d have no problem with Robert Knight. But Null? Surely he has enough (too much?) exposure. He doesn’t need WBAI… and more importantly, WBAI doesn’t need him. And even more importantly… Aren’t there enough dead queers for the “Independents”?
May 17th, 2009 at 10:01 am
John McDonagh and Sandy Boyer, hosts of Radio Free Eireann, regularly use the program to promote the National Irish Freedom Committee, including fundraisers. McDonagh is a spokesman in the U.S. for the NIFC.
The NIFC is the U.S. section of Republican Sinn Fein. Republican Sinn Fein is designated by the U.S. State Department as a terrorist organisation.
It is against U.S. law and FCC regulation to provide material support to a terrorist organization. Radio Free Eireann is using WBai’s facilities to give material support to a terrorist organization thus placing in jeopardy Wbai’s license.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am
S. Reilly said that the hosts of Radio Free Eireann promotes a US branch of a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). But Republican Sinn Fein is not on the US State Department list. RSF is also not an offshoot of the IRA like Continuity or Real IRA.
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm
That said, most of the groups lists are phantom creations of the US CIA (most famously, “al-Qaida” or “al-CIAda”) or national liberation groups like the Party of God (no, not the Republicans! I mean Hizbollah, the OTHER Party of God) and HAMAS. Citing a list of terrorist organizations from the US government is dabbling in fiction, to put it mildly.
My problem with Radio Free Eireann is that it’s tedious, dull, and in the Obama camp. The hosts were so proud to be white and Obama supporters - look at us! we’re Irish Americans who aren’t TOTALLY explicit white supremacist - yay!, we’re so cool! zzzzz…. And who’s that clown who dishes out the bits of Irish-American history, you know, the excrutiatingly dull stuff about this Irish person fought valiantly at the Battle of WhoCaresTown under the brave command of Patrick O’WhatsHisFace. For the 4 people who care about that kind of crap, there’s the library and the internet. Radio has to be a bit more, uh, enticing and engaging than that.
May 17th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Republican Sinn Fein, and its military wing, the Continuity IRA are both designated by the U.S. State Department as terrorist organization. (This fact is easily verified).
But you’re right about the ‘historian’. The Civil War to him means Irish nuns doing charitable work. He ignores the NYC Civil War riots where blacks were massacred and ethnically cleansed by the Irish.
May 17th, 2009 at 11:04 am
What are people’s 3 favorite shows on WBAI? And you can’t mention Democracy Now!. If you can’t name them, then we’re in real trouble.
May 17th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
… three favorite shows …. that’s a good question
here’s some of my favorites (in addition to DN):
Exploration, Behind the News, Shocking Blue, Underground Railroad, Counterspin.
there are others I like
May 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
1) Democracy Now
2) Counterspin
3) Barrio Block
4) New World Gallery
5) Beyond the Pale
6) Talk Back
May 17th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
On the Count
Midnight Ravers
Rise up Radio
Talk Back
First Voices Indigenous Radio
Protect the WBAI you love!!
Don’t fall for this whitewash! Seems like the corporate coupsters have a lot of time to post on internet. If you get close to the station, the producers and the listeners, you’ll discover a very different attitude… People want to work together to save and strengthen the station - respecting free speech and labor rights, ethics! principles! love!
May 17th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Here of a Sunday Morning, Explorations, (miss Grandpa).
The crux of the matter is that for the last 10 years under JUC control the station has lost a huge chunk of its audience and is close to losing its licsense and office. There actually is no choice for anyone to make. Either we let the thing close down, or we dump those that ran it into the ground and do something else.
There is no option to conintue as things are. It is not possible. The other stations are already on the hook for a bunch of BAI debt.
May 17th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
some anonymous person posted here (on the internet):
“Seems like the corporate coupsters have a lot of time to post on internet.”
Does this mean the anonymous poster is a corporate coupster?
May 17th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
WBAI Program Director appeared on WABC, Channel 7 - “Like It Is,” hosted by Gil Noble on a program focusing on recent events at WBAI.
WABC has posted the program in 7 segments on their website.
The first four segments cover a recent meeting with comments by WBAI Local Station Board members Father Lawrence Lucas and Omowale Clay, and WBAI producer Imhotep Gary Byrd, among others.
Segments five, six and seven are the interview of Bernard White where he speaks directly to the current situation at the station:
Here are the links:
PART ONE: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813567
PART TWO: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813591
PART THREE: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813591
PART FOUR: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813597
PART FIVE: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813598
PART SIX http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813599
PART SEVEN: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=6813600
May 17th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I have to agree w/ Steve. I have voted for JUC in the past couple WBAI elections, but I can’t honestly say I would do that again. JUC has had its chance and WBAI is worse off now than it was earlier this decade. Something has to change. That said, I don’t have confidence in the opposition either.
That leaves the Pacifica trusteeship as the only viable option.
This is not a coup by the right wing of Pacifica. Listen to the other Pacifica stations - they clearly have left-wing programming by anyone’s standards and they are listenable! This is not a coup by liberal whites - the new station manager is African-American (not that it matters other than the race baiting). This is the parent organization taking the wheel before the ship sinks. I would compare it to the federal gov’t taking over a corrupt mobbed-up union local.
The workers don’t like it because the gov’t tells them what to do and how to run the union. The mob hates it for obvious reasons. But in the end it will at least give the radio station a new chance for survival and perhaps a comeback as the primer leftist station in the country.
Most of the shows on WBAI are not very good and should die. Let others step up.
May 17th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
I agree with Steve and Favorite Shows… I used to split my votes between JUC and Independents. Chances are I won’t vote this time around, but mail in my ballot with my ideas. I’ll continue to “vote” with some volunteering and money. Direct democracy is best.
I have asked in many emails to both factions that they should work together. Draw up a list of 5 things they can agree on and act on them. The all-or-nothings on both sides will reduce the station to ruins. One of the last things I heard from Tony Riddle was: we have to change the energy at the station. One way is to bring in as many fresh faces as possible. And to the established players: it’s time to hold your friends accountable for their words and actions… not just people “on the other side.”
May 17th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
the “two factions” - many have said over the years “you should stop fighting and get along.”
I say - great. But don’t hold your breath waiting for it to happen. The leadership of JU is made up of people who fight for control. That is what they do. They do not compromise.
Which leaves people like me in a pickle. I prefer compromise approach. But we see that the station is failing on the JU watch. They do not step down gracefully - instead they dig in. So the only thing to do is oppose them.
The article posted above is a perfect example of the dynamic. I provided a lot of facts to make the case that WBAI is failing, that change is imperative in order to avoid a bad end. I did not attack anyone personally. Bob Lederer, on the other hand, provided no facts and relied entirely on ad hominem attack. I said the station is failing, and he called me a racist and/or an opportunist.
That’s what Bob does.
Right now JU is casting the very necessary intervention of Pacifica national as a takeover by corporate coupsters or the CIA. That is crazy talk.
Add to that the years that JU ignored WBAI’s slide. They give a very good impression of not caring about financial realities.
I’m not sure how we are to work with these people. If they change their ways, become less oppositional, drop the reflexive accusations of racism or whatever, show some attention to the station’s health, and most of all, work in a spirit of compromise for the common good, then maybe we can get somewhere.
For the past eight years, though, they’ve acted as if the rest of us do not belong here. That is not a good basis for working together.
May 18th, 2009 at 11:27 am
favorite shows [which if D-N were not excluded it would be #1,2,3]
Talk Back-
1. Hugh Hamilton is intelligent and articulate and respectful to the callers and listeners. I do sometimes find his topic boring, in which case I don’t listen.
2.Beyond the Pale
3. Counterspin
Overall, producers should realize that New York is not the universe, altho newyorkers may think so. Today people tune in from around the world. BAI concentrates too much on local issues.
African-american issues are not the only issues that progressives are concerned about. They are very important but they are not the only ones. BAI spent FOUR days covering an African day Parade - which was not even political and ZERO minutes given to a march (of the usual suspects UFPJ, Answer) which for the FIRST time, and in a historical moment, took up the case of Palestine. This should have been given coverage. Irish show did give it some coverage.
Yes, it does seem that BAI has given in to the criticism leveled at it by the Illuminati folk because BAI refuses to channel Alex Jones. That would certainly be a low point.
BAI should go toward the bigger questions. Why is there always war and starving people? Capitalism is one factor, not the only one. Socialists destroyed the environment also.
As a species, we need to stop being stupid and self-destructive and murderous and in denial, and BAI could have that conversation.
Nationalism - Black, white, Jewish, or other - is regressive and childish.
May 18th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
One time I called when White was in Fass’s studio and Fass says “Oh we will have him on too” but he was lying. Fass banned me.
May 19th, 2009 at 4:15 am
More BAI favorite shows:
Building Bridges
Joy of Resistance
All Mixed Up
Keep Swingin’
Sister from Another Planet
May 19th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Bernard White was fired from the Pacifica Campaign by Dan Coughlin summer of 2001…because he showed up on Fridays to collect his check, and that was it. They couldn’t afford to have him do nothing.
This isn’t about racism, it’s about commitment and follow thur and competency…racism is, sadly, a tool used to maintain opportunity for those with jobs or airtime. White/Maitland/Lederer are using the same language as Utice, it is not a corporate takeover, its maintaing the status quo by those with quo.
May 19th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Well this ain’t 2000 it’s 2009 and I was just watching community cop, a local public access cable show here in nyc, and they announced that Bernard White, was fired from wbai today May 19th 2009. Westcoast if u don’t that racism is a part of everyday life in america u are fooling yourself, and i suggest u take up listening to the commercial radio driven right wing afternoon talk.
May 19th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
When and where is the monthly Local Station Board meeting that is supposed to be taking place tomorrow night?
May 20th, 2009 at 8:10 am
All I know is that a good station has become completely anti-Israel and anti-american. I’m done with them. They can get funding from Castro or Chavez or Osama if they need it!
May 20th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
“They can get funding from Castro or Chavez or Osama if they need it!”
I wouldn’t mind getting funding from President Chavez or President Castro. However, they are too busy providing health care, education, housing and jobs to their people, to be concerned with us.
May 20th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
tlove Says: “Well this ain’t 2000 it’s 2009…”
Glad you’ve noticed. Have you noticed also that this time the Pacifica National Board consists of directors that were ELECTED by local listeners and staff?
tlove goes on to say: “…community cop, a local public access cable show here in nyc…announced that Bernard White, was fired from wbai today May 19th 2009…”
That may or may not be true; until there is an official announcement, it would be better to say it was “alleged” or “rumored” that he was fired. The same JUC operatives trying to inflame gullible people have also said that GM Tony Riddle was fired. Guess what, he was transferred to a job better suited to his abilities (I think with a slight raise in pay and certainly improved working conditions & schedule).
tlove further advises: “…Westcoast if u don’t that racism is a part of everyday life in america u are fooling yourself, and i suggest u take up listening to the commercial radio driven right wing afternoon talk.”
I think Westcoast is well aware of racism in America and needs no education from tlove. I think tlove could learn something from Westcoast — for example, that if Bernard has been fired (at long last!) he was fired by a BLACK woman. He should also learn how consistently every criticism of demonstrable management failures the JUC call out the jackals to yap “racism! racism! racism!”
In the Programming Committee (chaired by LSB member and PNB director Nia Bediako), I criticized a screw-up in planning a Town all meeting that displayed even worse than the usual JUC incompetence. Response? I was diagnosed as having a “melanin deficiency disease”.
If you want, I’ll take the time to post a long list of reasons Bernard should have been canned years ago.
May 20th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Who is the Irish guy that is on in the afternoons? How did he get a show?
May 20th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
frank, johnny lafever I think by now you may of heard bernard white was fired. I also hope you become aware that racism is still with us and very much alive with in you. And that’s a beatiful thing, johnny fever because it’s always good to see you coming from up front.
May 20th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
I don’t know what has been Indypendent’s marketing strategy but comment like this makes me wonder. Democrats?
_
… Says: May 20th, 2009 at 8:10 am
All I know is that a good station has become completely anti-Israel and anti-american. I’m done with them. They can get funding from Castro or Chavez or Osama if they need it!
_
And I think Chavez as Board Chair is a fair idea. He might be interested considering his “Oil for the US poor” program. Media for the US poor. He will Definitely reinstate Bernard White and Tony Riddle, and fire the “majority” board members who are rich enough to spend time posting here. No doubt. Viva Venezuela. Maybe the US has a chance to democracy that way.
May 20th, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I meant “racism in Pacifica”, yes, racism is rampant in the US. But in Pacifica, where the fundamental drive of the 1996-2002 take-back was to make the stations available to oppressed minorities, only to see the few, instantly go on the attack referring to the listeners who partiucipated in the movement as “white supremacists”…amazing.
Maitland, White et al are using the same tactics as Utrice…and these tactics were criticized by LeForrest, janice K, Maitland, White etc while they were being used by Utrice et al. The staffs at A and BAI turned on the movement after the settlment, ’cause the last thing they wanted was the community taking a stake in the stations.
I didn’t hear a peep about racism from White when he was removed for not doing his job at the Pacifica Campaign, was Juan Gonzalez acting in a racist manner? Perhaps, but he kept quiet.
Maitland lied on the air about T, agreeing with Akua Holt that blacks had been kept out of the station till Sept 2002. Not even close to the truth, Bradley tried to offer the PD job to Holt but she didn’t return his phone calls. The focus of the new programming was geared to minorities, yet this inconvienient truth was lost on Maitland, Holt, Shafto etc. Disgusting turn of events to manipulate a real societal evil in the service of job and airtime preservation.
May 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Part 2 of my comments
RACISM AND THE TAKEOVER OF WBAI
reposted from the WBAI Producer’s listserv
reposted from the WBAI Producer’s List
re the question - can we say RACISM is involved if Grace Aaron sends in African Americans to replace African American managers at WBAU?
I suggest you listen to the discussion of STRUCTURAL RACISM that took place on Ron Daniel’s show midnight tonight on WBAI while the hosts were playing a TIM WISE tape.
Tim Wise perrectly describes the situation at WBAI/Pacifica wherein whites and their people of color allies who have internalized racial oppression WANT TO END THE DISCUSSION OF RACE. To talk about color, according to them, is de facto racism. Wise said whites want to think that the age of racism is over. Ditto in Pacifica.
According to the liberal racists, the whites in Pacifica do not have White Privilege.
According to them, the existence of White Privilege, like white racism, is determined by whites and not by the victims of racis,, ie people of color.
According to them, if you have a Black face at the top, this is proof of no racism.
But who really has the power if the strategy was devised by a motley group of self promoting business people and isolated petty bourgeois anarchists and rootless old white socialist/leftists? And the orders given by a shunned white millionaire Scientologist?
And , what allowed the rise to power of a sleazy millionaire marketer whose mind when it comes to spreading racist rumors is lower than the gutter?
Was it his radiant ethics?
www.whoisstevebrown.info
His brilliant followers?
tune into Linda Zizes or R Paul Martin or read this list or the “blue board”
Steve Brown is the perfect example of an inferior person who has power solely on the basis of his race and structural racism, i.e. white skin privilege.
The fact is, “wider audience” is code language for less radical Black and other people of color programming. Note that the coup supporters are claiming that they want more Asian and Latino programming… are they saying we need less white programming? Au contraire, Steve Brown does not complain about white racism on the air. He complains ONLY about anti-white racism and anti-Semitism on the air. Aside from the rare comment, the latter is virtually nonexistent on WBAI.
Let’s compare an on air comment reportedly made by Kamau Kalfani.. that the word “Jew” comes from the word “jewelry”. This is not the case, and I can see why Jewish people would be offended by the reinforcement of a stereotype.
Compare this w a segment Armand DeMiele did in which he explained, as a therapist, why it is that suicide bombers are Muslims (and not Christians or Buddhists, etc) It’s because, according to DeMiele, only the top guys in Muslim societies get the women, and so the guys at the bottom who can’t “get any” are sexually frustrated, and upon hearing that they will get virgins in heaven, decide to commit suicide. DeMiele expounded upon this ridiculous, racist, anti-Muslim theory at length.
Now, why doesn’t Steve Brown, or any other ACEist on this list complain about DeMiele???
The fact is, in this society the liberal white racist POV is the default setting. It is so ubiquitous it is invisible (to white people);
The difference between the liberal Black and the radical Black programmers at WBAI is their analysis of race and power. The former are either Republicans like Shelton Walton or new agers like Kathy Davis and the latter are community based broadcasters like the producers of On The Count and Education at the Crossroads or AfriKaleidescope.
The ACEists racially stereotype the supporters of Bernard White and Tony Riddle as a violent “gang”. They do not respect the politics or community ties or the history of these long time organizers.
btw supporters of the takeover are saying WBAI needs to reach a “wider audience”. They also claim to want WBAI to reach the Asian or Latino audience.
Think about this.
“Wider audience” means English.
“Latino audience” means more Spanish language programming.
“Asian audience” means Chinese, or Vietnamese language, etc.
The ACE faction is spreading a rumor that people are withholding money until WBAI changes its programming and reaches a wider audience AND an Asian and Latino audience, which is ridiculous. It’s made up by people who are worried that people who are pissed off at the takeover are not going to contribute money. Which is a fact. People have voiced their anger about the takeover to me.
These same ACEists also claim Justice and Unity is telling people not to support the station. That’s also REALLY dumb because Justice and Unity, if anything, wants people to vote the ACEists out of power and to do so they must get MORE people to become members and vote.
Everyone knows that most poor people in the NY area are Black and Latino and more inclined to vote for Justice and Unity, which has historically attracted very high profile people in the Black community like Father Lawrence Lucas, attorney Michael Tarif Warren, and Omowale Clay.
That is why the ACE faction aka Plaintiffs are still in ccourt suing WBAI and challenging the ballots of WBAI members who have got waivers.. i.e, they are challenging the poor, the Black, the Latino.
To sum up, the removal and gagging of radical people of color programmers at at time when people of color are being slammed even harder is an attempt to SILENCE THE VOICES OF RESISTANCE and keep the communities under the thumb of the ruling class.
It is the support of structural racism.
It is the support of the power structure that survives by racism.
No matter what color the new Interim General Manager is.
She is supporting racistm.
I too think we need more Asian and Latino programming.
But we also need MORE African American programming!
We need LESS white racist, anti-Muslim/Arab programming
WBAI programming should look like New York and sound like the voice of the people of the planet.
To insure that, we need to TAKE BACK WBAI
www.takebackwbai.org
(under construction!)
May 21st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
What we need is professionalism. White shows his character when like a some immature teenager starts accusing people of racism. If you want to make a formal argument, then present it in a intelligent well throughout essay with documented evidence. This is how professionals do things. It is really unethical to just judge people as racist based upon speculation.
The truth is I am still waiting for my John Pilger book, Freedom next time, which was a premium I was suppose to get LAST SUMMER. Mr. White I am still waiting. Incompetence likes to blame everybody else.
Not that it matters, but I am not of the white race. Malcolm X,Gandhi and other progressives are some of the people I hold as dear. It is sad that this independent station has some people who exhibit the disease of mainstream media childishness. It is important that we stop speculations and accussion and do what is practical to develop fully the purpose of WBAI Pacific.
Favorite Programs:
Democracy Now!
Law and Disorder
First Voices
Sometimes positive mind
that’s about it.
May 22nd, 2009 at 3:11 am
This article is missing a lot of info and context. See:
Bernard White of WBAI Speaks Out! VIDEO ft. White & Rosa Clemente
Video of Bernard White speaking about his firing as Program Director from Pacifica station WBAI
May 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 am
I have picked a side in this battle. Look at who is on which side. Look at the links for videos and
www.wbixradio.org If you want to be able to vote in the coming election for LSB, be sure you are a “member” of WBAI by June 15. It’s not about programing, it’s about power and local power.
No one has yet mentioned this: how often have people given up their power for promises they’d get what they want from “the top” and …surprise, they get ignored by those to whom they gave their power.
May 22nd, 2009 at 9:29 am
Sanda,
This is all about programming. Less people tune into the station because most of the programs are difficult to listen to. The programs are amateurish and poorly prepared. Many program hosts’ shows merely consist of allowing unscreened people to call in and rant crazily. This is awful radio. It is not democracy.
The LSB is a total failure in democracy. Station board meetings are exercises in name calling and feuds. The folks in the audience are not much better. Many in the audience exhibit various characteristics of mental illness (e.g. yelling incomprehensible phrases, poor hygiene, paranoia) and no one asks them to tone it down. That is because no one is accountable.
I don’t buy the argument that this about racism. It is about the radio station (I’m a member) that is in danger of sinking and bringing down the rest of the Pacifica network with it. I’m come on, listen to the other stations! Their programming is much better and leftist and produced by many folks of color.
I’m glad that Pacifica has finally stepped in and is correcting the ship. Next step - disband the LSB and start from scratch. Many will call it “undemocratic” but anyone who has been to a LSB meeting w/ a critical eye will see it for the failure that it is.
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 pm
I’d like to know why Bernard pulled my fave WBAI show off the air a few years back… I used to tune in to ‘Nuff Said, but apparently Mr. White thought it was “too white.” That’s ridiculous. WBAI has historically programmed material nobody else bothers with, and has carved out a niche that, if this comment thread is a realistic guide, it is about to lose, one demographic at a time. ‘Nuff Said was a show that catered to writers, artists, and fans of all ethnicities. The show is gone, but that fan base is still out there, waiting to be taken seriously.
If Adam Serwer’s article in The Root is anything to go by, THIS is the audience that Bernard thought was made up of white college kids:
http://www.theroot.com/views/what-color-superhero
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Tell WBAI Local Station Board Chair Mitchell Cohen to keep his hands off of disabled City Watch producer Bill DeFazio. Disagree, but why knock the guy down? Anyone can see Bill has trouble walking and uses a cane.
Difazio, long time host and producer of City Watch, was at the Left Forum in NYC last month when Cohen and another supporter of the takeover, Alex Steinberg, started screaming at Bill. Why?
DiFazio had the nerve to exercise FREE SPEECH and oppose the middle of then ight takeover of the WBAI transmitter.
Cohen boasted that he could get DiFazio thrown off the air because he, Cohen, is the Chair of the Board.
The board is not supposed to dictate programming.
Cohen has a swelled head.
And check this out: Cohen and his faction is always attacking the other faction, Justice and Unity, and saying how they are violent.
Un-huh. Everybody knows that black people are violent, right?
Cohen is going around saying DiFazio attacked him and Steinberg with his cane.
Yeah, sure.
Beware if anyone posts in response and says I am lying.
That’s to be expected. They will also say “there were witnesses.”
Yes, there were witnesses.
Which is why Cohen has not SUED DiFazio for attacking him.
And we all know how much Cohen loves to sue.
Especially his own station.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Here’s a possible programming model. And one that could satisfy a lot of people, and broaden the discussions at WBAI. Give large blocks of time to hosts - and I mean HOSTS. What I don’t mean is activists with a set way of thinking about things, who then invite (the same old) guests who parrot their world view. The HOSTS could welcome a few points of view in the liberal-left/left/progressive range where they would agree, disagree, and add dimensions to our understanding. So, instead of just the standard same old CEMOTAP/Charles Barron voice, we could have them PLUS a few others. But that would take work on the part of hosts, more than just bringing one’s friends along. Let me give you an interesting example…
OUT-FM is run by JU-allies. They do a pretty good show, I think. But they definitely have a line. So the topic of same-sex marriage came up, and they were interviewing a straight woman pastor who poo-pooed the marriage issue as not important. Now, from an anarchist and queer (oldstyle Gay Liberation Front) perspective, that rocks. But it is OBVIOUSLY NOT where most LGBTQers are today. They want equal marriage rights, and they want those rights NOW. But the hosts had their opinion echoed to them, so the show continued on its merry way - while the pro-marriage rights majority had to hear a STRAIGHT CHRISTIAN shrug her shoulders at one of the hottest issues out there. No discussion or debate, nothing. Just a big more-radical-than-thou “f- you” from WBAI and that was it. Now, it just so happens that the OUT-FM opinion was my opinion for years. But if all this talk about “self-determination” has any applicability beyond straight black people, then perhaps we should listen to the grassroots groundswell around equal marriage rights. Remember that when the first non-straight couples tried to get permits, the main lesbian/gay groups like HRC and NGLTF begged them to stop because they feared a backlash and bad case law when the permit applications went to court… they also didn’t want to offend their Democratic Party allies. So, it really was the LGBTQ grassroots thumbing their noses at the major homocrat groups. I think only Lambda Legal was the only big group to have their backs at the get-go. (I’m happy to be corrected on that point.) So, after seeing grassroots activity, I - with all my reservations - agree to support same-sex marriage efforts, even as I completely agreed with the speaker’s comments on that OUT-FM broadcast.
You can see how instead of BROADENING the discussion around sexuality and family, OUT-FM delivered a line that made people switch off. Even me, and I agreed with it. It’s just one of many examples of how tone-deaf the programming is. Sure, have CEMOTAP on, have the I’m-too-radical-for-marriage folks on… but there are more dimensions. We have to go beyond our personal, friends-of-Bernard safety zones.
That said, there are some debates that are not particularly useful for a broadcast medium: Nazi Holocaust denial and HIV-denial are two examples that are cited above. There’s no useful debate that can be had in a broadcast environment. Just as I wouldn’t want CEMOTAP vs the KKK. Or Queer Justice League vs the Moral Majority. Nothing is to be learned from inhumane voices… that would just be soliciting anger and dismay. Which is contrary to Pacifica’s mission. Additionally, Democrat vs Republican is about as worthless a nondebate as one can get, as is Chamber of Commerce vs some business-friendly union.
May 23rd, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I’ve read about this story from Bill DiFazio (I think it’s DI not DE). This is a very serious allegation, and one would think it would drive a stake straight through the Independents’ heart if a JU-ally like DiFazio would go after Mitch for assault. Bill and others claim that there are witnesses sympathetic to Bill’s account of the events. I, for one, would have no opinion of the matter until a third party (i.e., a judge and perhaps a jury) heard and adjudicated the matter.
According to Mitch, Bill is confusing him with someone else. And it could have been a case of Mitch barely touching the frail Bill and down Bill went. Or perhaps Mitch just startled Bill, who then fell back. I don’t know. That’s why I won’t believe anyone until the various claims are subjected to a public hearing and cross-examination in a court. When that happens, let me know.
May 27th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
BREAKING Ousted WBAI ex-GM Speaks Out on the ‘09 Coup.
Former WBAI 99.5FM General Manager Anthony Riddle speaks out on “ridiculous rumors”
May 29th, 2009 at 10:20 am
BAI is at this moment broadcasting live from California!
A first I believe.
Is there no one in NYC able to broadcast?
May 29th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
WBIX is the video voice of the Mired and Bland.
To summarize the content.
“Look at us, we can’t use the radio medium worth a damn,
but somebody can point a camera on us (no crowd shots, please, as
nobody comes to our demos). Look at us making fools of the left!
Look at that older white gal, Meme Rosenberg,
moisterized like butta! Who says Botox is politically incorrect!
We’re radicals, we don’t have to be interesting!
May 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
Last evening, Thursday, May 28, there was a WBAI Local Station Board meeting in Morningside Heights.
It was truly amazing!
To begin with, the space was cramped, hot, poorly ventilated, and enough seats had not been set up (nor was there sufficient room) to accommodate the large audience–a circumstance which should have been foreseen by the organizers (i.e. the majority faction).
Secondly, neither faction seemed particularly interested in who,other than the usual suspects, was attending–there was no sign-in sheet for the public!
Why should either side care about unaffiliated, progressive listeners and members, who may happen to unexpectedly show up? After all, each faction knows who they are, and who their active supporters are, and why should they bother about anyone else? They probably feel that it’s a nuisance to have an open meeting where we interlopers, and “johnny-come-latelies” might show up and ask all kinds of embarrassing questions (of both sides!); and if they don’t know who we are, why, then we’re probably trouble-makers, and have no business being there.
There were eighteen or nineteen board members present, and approximately sixty to seventy listeners / members / members of the community. The latter group was overwhelmingly comprised of JUC supporters, as well as of a few persons who said they were unaffiliated with either faction. Among the voting members of the board, there was a narrow 10-8 ListProg / ACE majority for most of the meeting (once a quorum was constituted, about twenty minutes late.)
Perhaps, I should not have been so amazed that practically everyone in the room knew everyone else by face, and that these bitter adversaries are all on a first-name basis with each other. It reminded me of nothing so much as a great big family–a highly dysfunctional family. And we, the unaffiliated, progressive listeners, are the children in this family, who the “parents” would like to pretend do not exist as they perpetrate their mutually destructive abuse, and their criminal neglect.
Truly amazing, however, is the matter of the disappearing financial crisis.
For months, we listeners had been told that the station was in dire fiscal emergency. Ultimately, both factions agreed that this was the case. (The excellent article by John Tarleton confirms this.)
Then, in the midst of the station’s Spring On-air Fundraising Drive, the Station Manager and the Program Director are summarily fired. Lo, and behold, a financial miracle directly ensues! The Fund Drive, which will probably fall short of its modest goal of $800,000, is prematurely declared a success; the “station has turned a corner” the new management, and its cheerleaders, declare.
WBAI’s new management must truly be financial whiz-kids. More likely, though, they are political Aces, who can make a fiscal crisis magically appear, and then disappear, at the drop of a quick management shuffle.
It is truly amazing! This sudden, and totally unexpected financial miracle must account for the fact that the LSB meeting can now safely dispense with the necessity of having committee reports, and particularly, that there is now no longer any need to have a report from the Finance Committee, which so recently was raising the alarums of impending bankruptcy!
….
May 30th, 2009 at 12:42 am
I don’t know how many LSB meetings “Green Phantom” has attended, but some of them can be quite a shock to the un-initiated. My own (fairly regular) attendance began with the first one, just a few years ago.
I appreciate “Green Phantom’s” making the effort to attend the LSB meeting, and for his taking further time to cite a series of specific criticisms. This deserves a point by point response, which I hope will not be too tedious to read.
Green_Phantom Says: “…To begin with, the space was cramped, hot, poorly ventilated, and enough seats had not been set up (nor was there sufficient room) to accommodate the large audience–a circumstance which should have been foreseen by the organizers (i.e. the majority faction)…”
It was foreseen but unavoidable. Larger spaces which were available when the JUC were in the majority are suddenly unavailable. Appeals for the ENTIRE board to help locate suitable locations have gone un-answered.
Ray LaForest (JUC member of the LSB) previously made space available at his union’s headquarters, and has been providing that space for JUC/CEMOTAP/WWP meetings to plan their “take back the station” campaign. His rather dishonest “reason” for not letting the LSB meet there is the alleged calling of the police by non-JUC members. He knows very well that because meetings had been disrupted by a man who strikes the ordinary observer as “psychotic”, the building security was alerted. Upon hearing from somebody that the man was a “mental case”, THEY (building security) called the police.
Green_Phantom Says: “…Secondly, neither faction seemed particularly interested in who,other than the usual suspects, was attending–there was no sign-in sheet for the public!…”
This is ironic, coming from someone who wishes to remain anonymous here! The fact of the matter is, requiring people to identify themselves in order to enter a public meeting is illegal. Moreover, the when Mitch Cohen (LSB Chair) providedt a VOLUNTARY sign-in sheet, the JUC objected vehemently.
Green_Phantom Says: “…Why should either side care about unaffiliated, progressive listeners and members, who may happen to unexpectedly show up? After all, each faction knows who they are, and who their active supporters are, and why should they bother about anyone else? They probably feel that it’s a nuisance to have an open meeting where we interlopers, and “johnny-come-latelies” might show up and ask all kinds of embarrassing questions (of both sides!); and if they don’t know who we are, why, then we’re probably trouble-makers, and have no business being there…”
Believe me, regular attenders (including LSB members, at least non-JUC members) would be grateful for public comment and questions from someone other than “the usual suspects”. Actually, there were actually several new faces who DID make it to the mic at this meeting, despite JUC packing the house (using WBAI “news” reports to call out the “take back” troops) and 2 or 3 well-known “characters” getting their usual spots at or near the head of the line.
Green_Phantom Says: “…The latter group was overwhelmingly comprised of JUC supporters, as well as of a few persons who said they were unaffiliated with either faction…”
When the crowd thinned out enough to allow me to move about the room, I did manage to talk to 2 or 3 “new” people and exchange our personal views of the issues.
Green_Phantom Says: “…Perhaps, I should not have been so amazed that practically everyone in the room knew everyone else by face, and that these bitter adversaries are all on a first-name basis with each other. It reminded me of nothing so much as a great big family–a highly dysfunctional family…”
This is personally VERY funny to me. Here’s what I wrote (at http://radioactivist.net/): “I did not recognize the name of ANY candidate in the first LSB election. I took notes during on-air forums, read and re-read statements, etc. Finally voted for a list which included some independents, some J&U or JUC, some List-Prog. Being very naive and enthusiastic, I joined ALL of the LSB committees…”
I soon learned that almost everybody else knew each other and some were involved in feuds that went back decades!
Hence my efforts (by leafleting & tabling and posting online, e.g. http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/05/105526.html) to recruit “outsiders” to the cause of good governance at WBAI.
Green_Phantom Says: “…Truly amazing, however, is the matter of the disappearing financial crisis. For months, we listeners had been told that the station was in dire fiscal emergency. Ultimately, both factions agreed that this was the case…”
The non-JUC people have been raising alarms about the mismatch between revenues and expenses for several years. Only THIS year was the JUC forced to admit we were in trouble. Partly, because what we warned would happen DID happen so spectacularly that even they had to face the reality. It also helped that Pacifica national directors and administrators who let them get away with un-realistic budget projections and ineffective management of WBAI’s problems were un-seated last year.
For some of this background, see: http://radioactivist.net
See also some links, to postings in what had been (until recently) “secret” archives of the WBAI finance committee, that I provide here:
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/05/105164.shtml
Yes, please, SOME honesty!
May 28, 2009 04:17AM EDT
Frank LeFever
Green_Phantom Says: “…Then, in the midst of the station’s Spring On-air Fundraising Drive, the Station Manager and the Program Director are summarily fired. Lo, and behold, a financial miracle directly ensues! The Fund Drive, which will probably fall short of its modest goal of $800,000, is prematurely declared a success; the “station has turned a corner” the new management, and its cheerleaders, declare. WBAI’s new management must truly be financial whiz-kids. More likely, though, they are political Aces, who can make a fiscal crisis magically appear, and then disappear, at the drop of a quick management shuffle…”
You need to know the history (apparently you do not) to understand what has happened: the 6-year downward trend seems have begun to reverse. NOBODY is saying we’re out of the woods. All we are saying is that (contrary to predictions), deposing the Bernard White/JUC regime did NOT sink the Spring Fundraiser, but instead it has not only met its budgeted goal (which few if any have done in the past several years), but has already exceeded it.
No “magical” tricks can that promptly inspire an unusually large number of listeners to call in and pledge money.
So let me emphasize: NOBODY has said the crisis is over — indeed, if you had listened via computer) to the PNB meeting early this week, you’d know that network (Pacifica Foundation) reserves are so low as to cause cash-flow (i.e. bill-paying) problems. All we are saying is that we have made a move towards the better; if it is “too little, too late”, we will know all too soon.
Green_Phantom Says: “…It is truly amazing! This sudden, and totally unexpected financial miracle must account for the fact that the LSB meeting can now safely dispense with the necessity of having committee reports, and particularly, that there is now no longer any need to have a report from the Finance Committee, which so recently was raising the alarums of impending bankruptcy!”
If the JUC had not launched its usual delaying tactic, making a 5 or 10 minute routine task (approving the Agenda) take so much longer (at some meetings 45 minutes or an hour?), you would have heard committee reports. We had a Finance Committee report at several prior meetings, and I made part of the Programming Committee’s report at one fairly recent meeting.
I believe the Finance Committee meeting was on the original agenda that had been proposed.
Bankruptcy is still a very real possibility. Default on bills, losing our strategically-located transmitter, and — pulling Pacifica down, inasmuch as Pacifica owns WBAI and is responsible for its debts — putting the entire Foundation and its 5 stations into cort-appointed receivership. No more LSB meetings. Just some well-paid guy dividing the assets among creditors.
May 30th, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Favorite programs:
Wake-up Call (about half the time)
Law and Disorder
Taking Aim
Moorish Orthodox Radio Crusade
Radio Unnameable (about half the time)
Liquid Sound Lounge (occasionally)
Cat Radio Cafe (occasionally)
Creative Unity Collective
As I Please
Joy of Resistance (usually)
WBAI Evening News
May 31st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
*** *** *** WBAI COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING *** *** ***
June 4th at 8pm
Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Community Center
208 West 13th Street in Manhattan
Take the A, C, or E trains. Other directions: www.gaycenter.org
Please join us to share your opinions, hopes, criticisms, and praises. Discuss the media needs of NYC’s diverse communities. In celebration of Pride Month, we’re at the LGBT Center! Everyone is welcome!
June 1st, 2009 at 5:11 pm
Thank you, Dr. LeFever, for your clarifications in response to my recent message here, and for your candor in admitting that “bankruptcy is still a very real option.”
It may be a sign of progress if, as you imply, the Pacifica Foundation’s National Board and management, at their recent meeting, could bring themselves to admit publicly that there are serious “cash flow problems.” Perhaps, they could now strive to achieve the level of public accountability and transparency that have been forthcoming from,…oh, let’s say the General Motors Corp., so as not to set the bar too high for them.
Now that we have new management at WBAI may I trust that we shall shortly have a serious and realistic financial recovery plan in place, as well?
And in the interests of accountability and transparency would it be possible to have this prospective financial recovery plan “declassified” as soon as feasible, and shared with the listener-members, and with the public?
June 1st, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Dear Green Phantom,
The Pacifica National Board has been fairly open about the depth of our financial crisis. I don’t know where you get the idea that we haven’t been. We are in very deep water (the recent over-performing drive notwithstanding) - receipts, listenership, membership have been in decline for several years, leading the foundation to the point where there is very little extra cash. We have been in a non-sustainable mode, with WBAI at the forefront. We have had to lay off staff, take loans, defer payments, and consider mortgaging property.
At our most recent teleconference, I reported on a cash flow forecast produced by the national office that predicts about $770,000 in unrestricted cash available at the end of the fiscal year (9/30/09). This is under three weeks of cash for the foundation.
PNB meetings are archived at kpftx.org.
The best way - the only way really - out of our crisis is to increase income. WBAI should be able to produce more that it has been. That is why many are so pleased by the recent drive - it shows we have a chance. Perhaps we can recover.
As to why the meeting was the way it was, well, this was an agenda continued from its previous meeting. the finance report had happened in the previous meeting. LSB meetings are basically for the board to decide things, so we don’t always talk them out as fully as one might like. It’s true the LSB meetings have a lot of wasted time, grandstanding, silly maneuvers.
June 2nd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Dear Jamie Ross,
Thanks for your response and your candor concerning the depth of the foundation’s financial crisis. Naturally, all listener-supporters of good will, regardless of their political and social views, will wish that Pacifica-WBAI is able to earn its way out of this deep hole, and should contribute time, money, and other resources toward this end, as best as they are able.
My assertion, or criticism if you will, of deficient accountability and transparency, stems from the lack of any published written financial reports pertaining to WBAI, or to the foundation. At least, I have been unable to locate any such financial reports on any of the official websites, nor have I discovered any information concerning how such financial reports might be obtained by listener-sponsor-members. Perhaps, you would be so kind as to enlighten me on this subject.
Furthermore, as to where I get the idea that the PNB has not been sufficiently open concerning the depth of the financial crisis, I call your attention to the following Resolution of the LSB which was adopted by unanimous consent at the previous (open) LSB Meeting of 3/26/2009:
“The WBAI LSB recommends that the WBAI LSB remind the PNB and its committees, especially its Finance Committee, of the need to observe the Foundation’s bylaws with regard to the limited nature of issues to be discussed in executive session.
passed without objection
3/26/2009″
My response to the statement that “The best way - the only way really - out of our crisis is to increase income” is several-fold. Clearly, substantially increasing income is indispensible, and must be the top priority. Could you quantify, then, by what percentage projected income must be increased in the near-term, and from what sources this increased income can realistically be derived? It is my inderstanding that various proposals for income-generating projects have been circulating in the LSB since December, 2008. Yet, at the most recent LSB meeting, although the matter was certainly on the agenda, it was not possible to put forward so much as two competing motions, let alone one consolidated motion, on this subject of stepped-up income generation measures. Rather, the matter was once again deferred to the next LSB meeting. Such dilatory behavior does not tend to give the average member, and certainly does not give me a “warm and fuzzy feeling” that the LSB has a proper sense of urgency in regards to this extremely serious financial crisis.
Secondly, having agreed to the obvious–namely, that enhanced income generation must be priority numero uno–I simply cannot believe that in a foundation with an annual budget of approx. $13.35 Million (based on the numbers which you cite in your message), that significant, politically acceptable cost-cutting measures cannot be found. You have not stated the extent of the projected budget shortfall for fiscal year 2009, but I assume that it must substantially exceed the 10-15% which one might reasonably expect could be achieved in politically acceptable cost savings.
It is my strongly held belief that rational cost-saving measures must not be permitted to become a political football, but I fear that that is exactly what has occurred; and I strongly suspect that it is nothing but the most irrational, self-destructive form of internecine politics which has tied the board’s hands in this regard.
Thirdly, as to the requirement to develop a financial recovery plan (which you did not address in your response), I draw your attention to the following Resolution, adopted by unanimous consent, at the previous (open) meeting of the LSB on 3/26/2009:
“The LSB requests that the GM prepare a realistic recovery plan to bring WBAI to full solvency. The plan should address (but need not be limited to) increasing listenership, programming improvements, staffing, fundraising, and premiums. The LSB requests that an update towards the development of this plan be presented to the Treasurer and the LSB within 3 weeks.”
passed without objection
3/26/2009″
May I respectfully inquire as to whether you have had any communication from the new interim GM (or her delegated representative) as to whether, and if so when, said “realistic recovery plan to bring WBAI to full solvency” might be forthcoming?
I will leave it at that for now, and will comment further in the future, as appropriate.
Thank you in advance for your attention to these matters.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Dear Green Phantom -
here are responses to a couple of your points. I’d be happy to respond in greater detail if I knew who I was talking to.
Anyway, the only financial docs on Pacifica websites are the audits, which are public documents, and even they are hard to find. the best way to get financial info is to come to local finance committee meetings (see wbai.org or kpftx.org for time and date) or LSB meetings - usually there is a finance report with some documentation.
The PNB has been quite open about the depth of our crisis. You can listen to our teleconferences. This is a regular point of discussion. The motion you refer to was in response to a series of national finance committee meetings last summer that were held in closed session due to personnel and other matters which have to be done in closed session. The problem arises when non-confidential stuff is discussed at the same time (something hard to avoid). I’m NFC chair this year. Most of our meetings have been in open session and are archived on kpftx.org. Listen to them - the info is open - there is no secret about the bad shape we are in.
Why we need to increase income - We cut staff last fall at several stations (including WBAI) and the national office. That was difficult. It will be even more difficult to make further cuts - personnel is basically the only major thing to cut, and we will soon run out of people to lay off. So that’s a no go. People always talk about cutting WBAI’s rent cost, but this may well be a blind alley: 1) I understand we have no good alternative to the Empire State Building, which makes up more than half our rent bill, 2) we have a lease through the end of 2012 for the office and studio, 3) building a new studio is expensive, and 4) moving costs money as well. Several knowledgeable people have looked into moving over the past several years and all have concluded that there is not a big saving for us there.
On a related topic, we were promised by the previous GM that there would be a deal to sublease part of the current studio/office space. However, this did not happen. It is possible something along these lines is doable and could save money. I believe the new GM is looking into it.
Given that we are losing money and cannot cut costs, it’s a fairly easy conclusion that the only way out is to increase income.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
See the following sites:
www.wbixradio.org Excellent videos, interviews, and check out the ON-DEMAND section below screen.
www.wbaix.org WBAI in Exile New website. Has the fired Don DeBar doing news and other “fired and banned” to be on soon,too.
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Well, sanda, for some documentation that the non-JUC people have been on the “fiscal decline” case for several years, take a look at http://radioactivist.net (it’s no surprise to us).
The site you referenced will have nothing on this. It is dedicated entirely to an effort to hold on to the power Bernard and the JUC used so irresponsibly for the past six years — beginning when people wbixradio and “takeback” defend were returned to WBAI through the efforts of those the JUC now so viciously attack.
You might also take a look at the decline in listeners and in numbers of pledges during this constriction of WBAI’s talent and vision, at Pacificana.org (look at WBAI files).
The sites you reference seek a return of managers who denied WBAI was in decline and failed to maintain its health — nevermind doing anything to expand its outreach and deepen its progressive analysis and dialogue! They are desperately fighting their loss of turf.
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Frank - what are u saying man? change is allowable?? who the manager is makes a difference??? management is responsible for the sustainabilty of the station????
this sort of talk leads to some VERY radical implications
June 4th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
What’s this I’m hearing??? Democracy Now! being moved to 8 AM when more actual working class people can hear it? I must be dreaming! Station management doing something rational for a change! Sanda will have to awaken one hour earlier each day from her stupor to tune in! And she will, because this time (unlike 2001) you progressives of all stripes are gonna get that slight little jewish gal and her amazing program! The unlistenable Don DeBars and Mimi Rosenbergs will be trembling in fear of the diminutive Jewess!
June 8th, 2009 at 9:08 am
I have not been following the latest ins and outs in the WBAI wars, but I was really happy to hear that Democracy Now is going to be on at 8am this morning.
I was active in the movement to take back WBAI from the corporate types back in 2000, and I don’t see what’s happening now as a repeat of the same. I used to find Bernard White to be a wonderful morning DJ, but started to find Wake Up Call simply unlistenable when it seemed like all he was doing was talking about 9/11 conspiracy theories and playing that idiot-movie “Loose Change”. I also just can’t listen to Mimi Rosenberg’s ultra-earnestness anymore. And then there’s the constant pledge-drives and playing premium DVDS, etc. on air instead of giving morning listeners actual news that would inform them about what the hell is going on in the world that day. Bring back Robert Knight? Yes!
I continued to give money to WBAI because I believe in the station in principle, but I mostly listened to the shows on podcasts because my prime radio listening hours (AM) were filled with dreck a good portion of the time.
I’m hoping that the changes are going to lead to a more listenable radio station, but I lose that hope when I hear it involves bringing back Gary Null. ick!
June 8th, 2009 at 10:08 am
A good number of “working class” people work 9-5. Thus they are in transit between 8 and 9 in the morning. Most here in the city use public transportation, not driving like in Cali. Therefore, they won’t be able to listen on the subway between 8-9.
Question: Does anyone know exactly who objected to the Joy Leary (DeGruy) pieces or specifically what the objections are?
June 8th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
REDBECCA: “…I used to find Bernard White to be a wonderful morning DJ, but started to find Wake Up Call simply unlistenable when it seemed like all he was doing was talking about 9/11 conspiracy theories and playing that idiot-movie “Loose Change”. I also just can’t listen to Mimi Rosenberg’s ultra-earnestness anymore…”
This parallels my own experience.
REDBECCA: “…And then there’s the constant pledge-drives and playing premium DVDS, etc. on air instead of giving morning listeners actual news that would inform them about what the hell is going on in the world that day. Bring back Robert Knight? Yes!…”
My feelings exactly.
REDBECCA: “…I continued to give money to WBAI because I believe in the station in principle…I’m hoping that the changes are going to lead to a more listenable radio station…”
I hope you gave within the past year, or will give $25 before July 15 (must be in the bank by then), so you can vote. If JUC regains the majority locally it could alter the PNB sufficiently to reverse the progress that is beginning now. (Would you consider being a CANDIDATE for the LSB?)
REDBECCA: “…but I lose that hope when I hear it involves bringing back Gary Null. ick!”
As a neuroscientist, I object strongly to some of what Null “sells” (the myths, more than the supplements, because some of the dietary supplements have value). There is a real split among independent anti-JUC activists in regard to Null. I am on the Programming Committee. Our governance role should be to ensure orderly and fair evaluation of current and proposed programs and ensure that they fulfill the Mission, not to advocate for specific producers.
For more on the reform efforts, see http://radioactivist.net
June 19th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I’m a listener and enjoy much of the programming, but have been hesitant to contribute my money because there always seems to be so much in-fighting and just plain mismanagement at the station. The fund drives always consist of the same stale appeals and I don’t see the station doing even some of the stuff that one sees PBS stations doing. I want to see innovation and outside the box thinking as far as that’s concerned.
And I am sick of seeing the left eat its own. Factionalism and coups. I don’t see how good management practices would undermine the progressive nature of the station at all. I welcome good management.
I understand people’s fears about programming changes, but my feeling is that all of the programming could use shaking up - even the shows I love and some of them have been doing so.
On the Count, for example, has added some new, younger voices to its on-air panel, taking more calls from listeners and has been searching out lots of interesting guests and looking at fresh angles. That’s the kind of thing I expect to hear happening with WBAI programming.
The newer Spanish language and Latino focused shows were also a breath of fresh air (and I’m not Latino).
Shows with good content but that need to liven up their presentation/format: Caldwell Chronicles, Sister From Another Planet, Al Lewis Lives, Radio Free Eirann, Out FM, Building Bridges (the info this show gives is wonderful, but there is too much rapid reading - guests and interviews would be great), First Voices (pacing on this show is slow and show structure is never very tight), Positive Mind
Show that should liven up its content: Tahrir (the producer almost phones in the show, there is soooo much going on in Muslim and Arab communities yet this show consistently focuses on poetry and art and the Arab world. Where are the African American Muslim voices (only on every once in awhile in a guest capacity), where is the religous content, where is information on some of the political and human rights issues that shows like Law and Disorder cover??
A lot of the programming does have a specific strong political bent (Haiti the Struggle Continues is very pro-Aristide, Building Bridges has a really strong socialist message, Radio Free Eirann is stridently [Irish] Republican). That’s fine with me, as I’d actually rather be able to see the biases than have them craftily woven into the show’s content. Discerning listeners can handle biased shows.
There is no excuse for the years of failed fund drives (my guess is many people like me have been listening but withholding their money because things haven’t seemed to be getting bettter on a management level). There is no excuse for owing so much back rent. There is no excuse for not getting out premiums. There is no excuse for having to lay off staff because there is no money because new funding options have not been explored and fund drives have failed.
I’ll give money when I see the mess at the station cleaned up. I’m hopeful that this new management will bring the positive changes that the station needs.
June 20th, 2009 at 12:29 am
Since people are sharing their favorite shows. Here are my favorites/the shows I listen to:
Talk Back
On the Count
Housing Notebook
Haiti the Struggle Continues
Democracy Now
Off the Hook
Take Charge of Your Health
Health Styles
Behind the News
Law and Disorder
Global Movements, Urban Struggles
You and Your Money
City Watch
Free Speech News
Expert Witness
Counterspin
Personal Computer Show
Where We Live
Least favorite shows:
Caldwell Chronicles
Tahrir
Explorations
Positive Mind
Global Medicine Review (I really can’t handle all the Shango talk)
Education at the Crossroads
Under the Learning Tree
Equal Time For Free Thought
Science, Health and Healing (Dr. Ali has really important things to say and I learn a lot when I listen, but the show presentation is really dry and boring)
Don’t like the music programming, feel it’s a waste of time when WBAI could be presenting programs in those slots where I’d be learning and finding out what’s going on in people’s lives.
December 28th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
After many years of not listening to WBAI, I recently stopped a frequency scan when my tuner came to rest on BAI and I heard someone complain about censorship. It was dèjá vu to my ears, so I stayed tuned. In fact, I began listening with some regularity and I was stunned by what I heard. Rather than go on at length here, let me link you to my blog, where two posts pretty much cover my recollections of old BAI and impression of the current one.
http://stomp-off.blogspot.com/2009/11/is-wbai-riding-into-sunset.html
If you already know the station’s background, you can skip to Part II via a link that ends Part I
May 14th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
This article is very different from what I have been reading. Like,
Lynn Stewart, Rosa Clemente: TAKE BACK WBAI 99.5FM
Save WBAI 99.5FM from the business/corporate takeover!
New York, NY, May 12 - Cynthia McKinney’s Vice-Presidential running mate Rosa Clemente and noted human rights attorney Lynn Stewart spoke to a packed audience last night in a rally to “TAKE BACK WBAI.”
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2009/05/105317.html