tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post5750572004577697728..comments2023-09-08T12:08:39.523-04:00Comments on WBAI: A voice from the past...Chris Albertsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-43596952043481173002014-04-12T21:20:27.881-04:002014-04-12T21:20:27.881-04:00Thanks for that, Brooser Bear. The item is accesse...Thanks for that, Brooser Bear. The item is accessed on the site from the menu at the top of the homepage, & there's no date of original posting but the last update is given as 9 April.<br /><br />You're right to draw attention to Summer Reese's employment relationship with Pacifica Foundation Radio. The entirety of what SaveKPFA says on the matter is in the form of a Q&A:<br /><br />"Did Reese have an enforceable contract? The employment contract that Reese’s supporters are circulating portions of was never approved by her employer, the Pacifica National Board – it was signed by only two board members without the rest of the board’s knowledge or authorization."<br /><br />That explains why the agenda of the 6 March National Board referred to Ms Reese as Interim Executive Director, whereas the alleged contract submitted to the court by the plaintiffs (Reese supporters) gives her post as Executive Director, albeit on six months probation starting 30 January this year.<br /><br />So obvious points are these:<br /><br />1) SaveKPFA say her employer was the Pacifica National Board (PNB) but I remember reading somewhere that it was in fact Pacifica Foundation Radio (PFR). Sure enough, its website, pacifica.org, always refers to PFR as the employer (see 'Jobs' section; also the press release on the homepage announcing the hiring of Bernard Duncan as Interim Executive Director).<br /><br />I presume PNB is simply the body of sentient (or not so) human beings who are authorised to do things on behalf of the legal personality that is PFR.<br /><br />2) The purported contract submitted to the court shows that it was between Ms Reese & "Pacifica Foundation", & it is signed by Ms Reese & two officers of the PNB, the acting Chair (Heather Gray) & the Secretary (Richard Uzzell); the last two support Ms Reese in the current dispute.<br />http://www.mediafire.com/view/8u7340q7vy4uq77/Case+HG14720131.pdf (page 36 of the PDF)<br /><br />SaveKPFA assert, as quoted, that a contract was "never approved" by the PNB, & the document was signed "without the rest of the board’s knowledge or authorization". You also made a point about the PNB ratifying what had been signed. Question is, is any of this relevant? That is, were the two office-holders already authorised to sign on behalf of PFR, be it in virtue of either their office or a prior decision of the PNB?Jara Handalanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-1347439076989531362014-04-12T10:40:50.233-04:002014-04-12T10:40:50.233-04:00I would not but much trust in SaveKPFA, it's, ...I would not but much trust in SaveKPFA, it's, more than anything, a propaganda sheet for the Siegel faction. To be fair, Pacifica in Exile is the minority's counterpart, but—while both are slanted—I find the former to be more so. Chris Albertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12056345320709233401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-32049156414954930222014-04-12T10:06:54.783-04:002014-04-12T10:06:54.783-04:00Arlene Engelhardt is not a good guy. Reese was par...Arlene Engelhardt is not a good guy. Reese was part of her Pacifica National Board, when KPFA's Morning Show was sacked. Many see it as a politically based retaliation, cancelling for financial reasons a KPFA show that brought in most pledges. Hear her interview here:<br /><br />http://www.kqed.org/a/forum/R201011100931<br /><br />Review the Internet info on Brian Edwards Tiekert and the controversy behind the cancellation of the KPFA Morning Show and make your own decision. Reese appears a part of the Engelhardt entourage.Brooser Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487438364129415650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-57347596886338273602014-04-12T09:34:48.000-04:002014-04-12T09:34:48.000-04:00Some facts on Summer Reese (from save KPFA perspec...Some facts on Summer Reese (from save KPFA perspective) and why she was fired and the first mention of the fact, that her employment contract was only signed by two of the board members and was NOT ratified by the full board, hence non-enforceable. <br /><br />http://www.savekpfa.org/facts-about-the-kpfa-situation<br /><br />Brooser Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487438364129415650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-74775960188889425322014-04-11T22:39:08.244-04:002014-04-11T22:39:08.244-04:00I'm sure you're absolutely right, Brooser ...I'm sure you're absolutely right, Brooser :)<br /><br />~ 'indigopirate'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-2214784808035478952014-04-11T20:04:16.597-04:002014-04-11T20:04:16.597-04:00That you, Indigo, simple in your theorizing of ide...That you, Indigo, simple in your theorizing of idealism...<br /><br />Idealism is the driving force that wins conflict, not pragmatism. The latest science of why people kill and how they die, what they really fight for and how they radicalize deals with values. Not the flag and the apple pie, but deeply held beliefs about how things are - how to handle money, what can and can not be done with one's property, the right to keep putting gas in your guzzler...very fundamental and obscure sentiments. Step on one accidentally, and an angry man will try to kill you, skirt around one very carefully, and an angry mob will never riot or take up arms. We are deep in the unknown unknowns territory for you here, Indigo.<br /><br />At the most basic level that everyone can understand, it was the idealism of those who followed Gandhi that got the Brits out of India and ended racial segregation in the South. There is also the darker side of idealism in action in totalitarian states and in every bloody revolution and in the popular support that Nazis had in Germany under Hitler. Are you aware that the membership in the national socialist german workers party kept growing and never decreased all the way until the end in Spring 1945? There were more Nazis in Germany in January 1945 than at any time previously?<br /><br />Idealism is the prime mover in the constellation of motivations that elevate human existence above that of animals. Pacifica has a very rich heritage upon which to draw, what they need is a paradigm shift to switch to a viable financial model, but before we get into that, the big question, Indigo, is what YOU bring to the table?<br /><br />What kind of programming did you listen to on Pacifica, before the economic pressures started destroying it? Do you really think that Summer Reese is the answer? Or do you have a fetish for the Great Helmsman, a Great Statesman, who with common sense, dedication and drive will lead us out of darkness? Are you a closet totalitarian? Notice how in all your posts you had not offered a single idea of how to proceed? <br /><br />Regarding paradigm shifts, it is still possible to turn around BAI. In the late 1970's a mid sized clothing company that was just trying to break into manufacturing of designer clothing has lost its facilities to rioters and arson during the New York's famous blackout. The family that owned this business took the 300 grand insurance settlement, borrowed 250 grand more, and with no reserves launched into a television, print and radio advertising campaign that promoted their line of clothing. In 12 months that company turned a 300 million profit (600 fold return on their investment) and survived as a designer brand until about 1990. So, paradigm shifts and success are still possible at Pacifica, but they will need to bring in outside professionals, which they can still do once there is unity on their national board and they could think outside the box, and so far, none of the current BAI/Pacifica leadership has...<br /><br />So, Indigo, you seem enamored of traders, I will leave it to you to figure out, which of the major 1980's designer clothing brand I used in my example (c'mon that story was famous at the time!).Brooser Bearhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487438364129415650noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-13491780322436624382014-04-11T14:55:18.005-04:002014-04-11T14:55:18.005-04:00Interesting that those who were insiders don't...Interesting that those who were insiders don't see any future for the station. They also have more integrity than currently-serving administrators, both at the station and national level.Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4486287910626602438.post-84913289205190983152014-04-11T14:54:02.837-04:002014-04-11T14:54:02.837-04:00There is a still-deeper problem, which is largely ...There is a still-deeper problem, which is largely invisible to most Pacificans:<br /><br />Pacifica has for some considerable time self-defined as a progressive-left political entity, other considerations being derivative of that identity.<br /><br />As such its character is defined, both with respect to personnel and audience, as idealistic-fringe political.<br /><br />Idealistic-fringe people, whether of the left, right, or whatever, are by definition non-pragmatists who are passionately devoted to their ideals.<br /><br />They have, therefore, an overwhelming tendency to fractionalized impotence – there is no respect for, let alone commitment to, the practical, the pragmatic, to making things work.<br /><br />This sort of ‘idealism’ confuses, for example, organizing a demonstration where people shout, wave placards and ‘express themselves’ as ‘making things happen.’<br /><br />Idealism of this sort is fundamentally impotent. It constitutes a form of idealized froth which, in time, deliquesces or is blown away by the winds of change.<br /><br />A part of the internal rage of the organization derives from the frustration of ‘idealists’ who, because of their ‘idealism’ are incapable of grasping their core limitation.<br /><br />Unable, because of their ‘idealism’ to affect the world they want/need so desperately to affect, they consciously and unconsciously turn upon one another.<br /><br />Might an external force alter this dynamic?<br /><br />In theory, yes, but in practical terms, any pragmatist would do a mind-blink-quick analysis and conclude that it would be a time-and-energy sink of Herculean dimension, and that time and energy are far more practically devoted elsewhere.<br /><br />Thus, no one rides to the rescue of the ‘idealists’ who snarl, snap, and hurl excrement at one another.<br /><br />It seems to me, at least, a fairly straightforward matter, the absurd complexity of the details notwithstanding.<br /><br />Of course, I’m only a simpleton, a simple-minded…<br /><br />~ ‘indigopirate’Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com