To clarify one more opinion about the videotaping of all attending a KPFK LSB meeting, here is one by Terry Goodman [not an attorney]:
"The law requires that recording be allowed at public meetings so long as this does not interfere with the proceedings. The law does not require that those recording identify themselves or make their recordings publicly available.
A meeting can have a reasonable expectation of privacy, so by their attendance I think there is a legal presumption that they have waived any right not to be filmed or recorded.
The conflict I referred to in passing is created by a section of the Pacifica Bylaws that says that persons cannot be required to identify themselves to qualify to address Pacifica boards during the mandated public comment periods.
That the Pacifica Bylaws specifically provide a protection for public anonymity at meetings suggests that Pacifica should take measures to protect the public's anonymity at meetings if it can, such as by discouraging the filming of persons who don't want to be filmed -- but the public meeting laws suggest that any such limitation imposed upon recordists might be a violation of their rights, so Pacifica must be careful and get a legal opinion on this before acting."
Yet the concerns of those who attend a meeting and are recorded by those who do not appear to represent a media organization makes some uncomfortable. Then to not have access to the results recorded at all - by having no identification visible from or on the Recorder - makes some of us nervous.
Yes, we have all heard it repeated: "when you are in a public space, you can be photoed, recorded, copied, [ your invaded private space is taken, and taken for granted] and the results should not be used for commercial purposes."
But who knows if they are ?
Who is ever asked "can we record you and your speech ?" but recorders not on telephone just assume they CAN because they purchased the equipment [or borrowed it]. Many photographers act as if the world is theirs for the taking - of any pictures of you or yours, any time, any where - free images to just take.
In fact, the camera acts as the badge of authority proving they can 'take you' because they OWN the machine and are directly in front of you or zooming subvertly from afar. The invasion of personal space and what was once considered politely as our "privacy" of person no longer exists. Maybe it never existed before either.
But the more cheap gadgets available that record and then transfer our personal images and words [or which we assume is limited to one pubic event] make anything expressed open to any use- makes us vulnerable.
And so much easy software that then changes reality into any propaganda or slant or demeanment desired is making this proliferation of 'us' pretty scary too. We have no more control or even knowledge of how 'we' are being portrayed or being used, nor even by whom. No one is required to ask or identify themselves or disclose their purposes either.
Does this prevent some speakers from voicing opinions or suggestions in public?
Can there be rules or requests for recorders to state where their results can be reviewed or accessed ?
Is there any social responsibility by those with gadgets, obvious or hidden, to inform those whom they are 'using' for their own purposes?
Is all interpersonal trust and accountability lost and long gone ?
Perhaps.
(c) akpfker 2011
Showing posts with label KPFK. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KPFK. Show all posts
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
another OPEN LETTER to new KPFK General Manager
This is another OPEN letter because there has been no responses to various emails sent to the KPFK General Manager at his corrected address.
And though this is not unusual to all listeners' previous attempts at corresponding with any staff at KPFK. there should be a two-way communication with any place that takes in our money - it must be possible. Yet sometimes it becomes only a 1-way attempt to make connections - that are not even acknowledged. So are they received ? We dont ever find out. No response may mean 'dont care' ?
Who knows if the emails sent are opened or read ?
Who knows if the words and thoughts are not even opened - to find out for whatever is expressed - even if these writers put forth efforts with good intentions, thought-out suggestions, precious time and persistence ?
Who knows what goes on in the internal bowels of the free-speech radio station called KPFK we financially support, anyhow ?
And because we $stakeholders CARE enough to persist in our dedications to making contact, and to being a PART of what we pay for, and we are diligent in not being just ignored until 'fund-raising' re-occurs, we write or call one more time.
So here it is, this email was sent well over a week ago - and now is OPENed to any interested reader here as well:
June 18,2011
"Hi Bernard
We saw you recently at the LSB meeting. We are glad to have you present and hopefully to be able to solve the many problems that have been noted and commented upon in prior emails to the station staff, and some unsolved procedures that continue to persist at the station. We are sure you know what you are getting into. We wish you strength, focus and good hard work at making improvements as well. Glad you have arrived to help manage OUR station, for us.
We are separately forwarding the 2nd recent email we sent - that was not delivered because the WEBSITE LISTS the "GM" address differently [than one a friend revealed as the corrected one: bduncan@kpfk.org - so there was another 'mail failure.' Luckily we were able to ask someone else who knew more of the internal workings at KPFK - who gave us this address for you instead.
That kind of negligence and unaccountability and lack of access to you by KPFK members is typical of the alienation we have from staff and programmers at KPFK - from those of us who actually pay and support the station - and so these glitches are inexcusable. So we assume you will now supervise those who appear to be neglecting their job and duties, even while being paid for the work ?
Why doesn't someone know that there are errors that continue to appear on KPFK's website ? This is the 2nd main way of accessing information or programs from the station. Or are those workers that you have joined are not even noticing the changes ? The $stakeholder members and volunteers all need to be acknowledged and openly so, so when correspondences are not just 'lost', but may be put aside, ignored, or left unread or unanswered, we wonder. Some [any] acknowledgement is surely due to all those who pay membership /shareholder fees towards your and other staff salaries too. Hope it is OK to mention money, as when it is fund drive time that is all we hear...but then later what we dont get is...
oh, you know.
I sure hope you have someone helping you now, as an assistant or secretary, to attend to those sincere attempts to communicate with you from KPFK supporters. And more so with all the other changes and improvements needed in there too.
We also am asking [and others are too]this:
that the 2 videographers who did not identify themselves at the June LSB meeting, advise you and LSB chairperson as to who they are - or how to access the videos they took - or tell us all what is done with those videos ? The videographers should not be so sly and silent - but be open and share their product's [media's] availability - especially with anyone responsible at station, and especially to those LSB members. Even if not divulged to the rest of us attendees present there, the LSB members can inform us too - because the videos will now be exposed in ways we did not ask to be. Public meetings are not anonymous ones. Privacy is not honored.
Do you even know how you will be exposed on those videos too ? And how open LSB meetings are presented or where ? Do you know anything about this ? We wrote the LSB chairperson as well to ask about this.[Tho there has been no answer from there either so far.]
While all staff at the station appear to be clearly stressed, they are also are hard-workers, dedicated and also often seem to be in conflict with one another - for their different viewpoints or beliefs. They are all commendable for what they can do - as good "workaholics" - and they must put in lots of hard work, there being so few staff available or funded - and also it seems they yet cant or haven't made the improvements so badly needed [ problems known for so long and repeatedly reported to KPFK too ].
We will not enumerate for you all the prior and continuous concerns, complaints and requests we alone have made or attempted to communicate - that have NEVER been addressed, improved or even responded to...for the longest time...but we have concluded that 'it cant be done' and we kinda left the station, separated out and decided we did not want to drop down - as all seemed to be happening deep inside there.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: Alan Minsky the iPD - is extremely able, competent, smart, workaholic, dedicated and now in more recent times he is making necessary CHANGES in programming. He should be commended for his daring courage and willingness to make improvements - that can make KPFK not the same-old-same-old haranguing repetitious voices of the few.
Many people we also meet OUTside the station have also complained and drifted away to KPCC [as have we, most often] because of the repeated same messages by same people who cling on to their KPFK program spot = their demanding air time for their pet ideas and personal slants. ugh.... So the iPD's changes may bring us all back to KPFK as some innovation is now being attempted and accomplished too.
The prior Pgm Manager was someone who was obviously using cronyism and somehow seemed maybe prejudiced or biased, and very limited in his willingness to open to other than his selected voices - and tho he stayed for years in place - and he did not communicate well with many. Lots of us were glad to see Alan take his place.
The difference in competence and courage and willingness to even experiment with different programming to see what works better is enormous. And we are not 'friends' of Alan's at all, but 'just' we do volunteer and are good observers and occasional listeners and fund contributors too.
We are sure you will hear many sides complaining about the others, each of the pet alliances insisting on their being the only ones to be heard or allowed on air... and pressures from each faction to dominate with their
Many want to be given air time - yes, especially all those who never ever mention aloud the word "payola" - - that many listeners already know that happens - tho not in the old-radio corrupt ways - but as side benefits obviously [sometimes financial too ] accrued by those 'volunteer' programmers. There is so much regular repeated hype, spin, PR and promo's that 'go along with' the banner of some community information being given. Yet no fools listen to KPFK who dont realize the selling promotions advertising under any other name that occurs constantly, tho never ever admitted. No ! never ! Those many programmers who do not do what they do for just 'altruistic service' - tho so they like to present such - like to claim it so. Liars.
Some are more obvious than others in the PR and promos on air that are presented as 'interviewing' and many are especially and notably so at the fund drives. The contributors of free premiums to the station make out cheaply for so much air time for them and their products, so obviously. The pretense it is all only for the funding of the radio station. But such 'other' alliances are profitable in more than in just money grubbing ways as well, as access and benefits occur in other 'corporation businesses' also. KPFK is not as pure as presented and pretended either. As elsewhere, no one will admit or say this though. The fear of being treasonous or betraying the station they fear may collapse keeps silence at a premium, well funded too.
That this is a hidden feature - and has always been so - that the value of getting a program on air, and yet it is denied, never admitted. But this pretense of being just idealistic, altruistic, sharing information, is also often a fake front that most listeners or even volunteers dont want to 'believe' - because they just dont want to be seen as betraying KPFK, for being so cynical. Ideals are hard to chip into.
No need to expose it all. Yet we believe in not being hypocritical
[like KPFK does on air - when criticizing NPR etc for their sponsors - even while KPFKers too are getting other helpful alliances or positions , special accesses, and other hidden benefits from this privilege they have of being on air on KPFK - for themselves - much more than for the generic station itself ].
This may sound hard and critical, and yes, we are writing it openly here , but this 'secret' is not only denied but prohibited from mention anywhere near the station or it's LSB also. Having been affiliated with KPFK since 1960's continuously to now,
we have volunteered mostly at fund drives, and on occasion other chores, and have come to observe folks while in there.
But even while being good observers, communicators and exposers of what we do perceive, we continue on loyally anyhow, in spite of our concerns of what happens there that is never addressed as far as we know.
Note also : the latest LSB Chairperson was so exceptionally good at facilitating that LSB meeting - we were delighted, having had such horrific and scary experiences in past meetings [last one attended may have been 2008 when we felt physically threatened by 1 LSB member while all other members who colluded and enabled such behaviors, were not admitting or helping or stopping it ]. This man's skills and his being willing to do this hard work is commendable [We wrote him so already]. This makes such a big difference ! We are glad he is in charge of these meetings and admiring of his skills too.
Another staff programmer that keeps many other people[who are often strangers met somewhere] is Roy Tuckman's late night or archived programs. The variety and relevance of much of that programming is a draw that cannot be found elsewhere...while much of the political versions may also to be heard elsewhere - even if not in so extensive time slots. And of course Amy Goodman is heard by many even if they dont listen to any other KPFK program, we hear said.
You should also know that the many slanted complaints to get rid of Ian Masters is not heard from listeners outside the station ...at least we have never heard this. But instead find that listeners appreciate his intelligence and his guests on air. This cohort of anti-Ian demanders were a startling 'attack' on a person not present obviously. These demanding listeners are not a majority but were surprising at LSB meeting to be very vocal and maybe unified ? When 'talking behind someone's back' - doing maligning easily - it might be their way to try get THEIR views on air or influence you instead. This display of anger may be something to check out further to inquire which other programmers are resented or wanted replaced by a few cohorts.
We are glad you are here now, and willing to work hard on the dysfunctional family that holds KPFK together. It all is looking very different from the listening-on-air-outside than what is experienced on the inside-closed-doors.
So we can imagine what it may be like for you entering this scene- and we do look forward to complimenting you whenever possible later.
if we can be of any service please let us know."
(C) mj 2011
And though this is not unusual to all listeners' previous attempts at corresponding with any staff at KPFK. there should be a two-way communication with any place that takes in our money - it must be possible. Yet sometimes it becomes only a 1-way attempt to make connections - that are not even acknowledged. So are they received ? We dont ever find out. No response may mean 'dont care' ?
Who knows if the emails sent are opened or read ?
Who knows if the words and thoughts are not even opened - to find out for whatever is expressed - even if these writers put forth efforts with good intentions, thought-out suggestions, precious time and persistence ?
Who knows what goes on in the internal bowels of the free-speech radio station called KPFK we financially support, anyhow ?
And because we $stakeholders CARE enough to persist in our dedications to making contact, and to being a PART of what we pay for, and we are diligent in not being just ignored until 'fund-raising' re-occurs, we write or call one more time.
So here it is, this email was sent well over a week ago - and now is OPENed to any interested reader here as well:
June 18,2011
"Hi Bernard
We saw you recently at the LSB meeting. We are glad to have you present and hopefully to be able to solve the many problems that have been noted and commented upon in prior emails to the station staff, and some unsolved procedures that continue to persist at the station. We are sure you know what you are getting into. We wish you strength, focus and good hard work at making improvements as well. Glad you have arrived to help manage OUR station, for us.
We are separately forwarding the 2nd recent email we sent - that was not delivered because the WEBSITE LISTS the "GM" address differently [than one a friend revealed as the corrected one: bduncan@kpfk.org - so there was another 'mail failure.' Luckily we were able to ask someone else who knew more of the internal workings at KPFK - who gave us this address for you instead.
That kind of negligence and unaccountability and lack of access to you by KPFK members is typical of the alienation we have from staff and programmers at KPFK - from those of us who actually pay and support the station - and so these glitches are inexcusable. So we assume you will now supervise those who appear to be neglecting their job and duties, even while being paid for the work ?
Why doesn't someone know that there are errors that continue to appear on KPFK's website ? This is the 2nd main way of accessing information or programs from the station. Or are those workers that you have joined are not even noticing the changes ? The $stakeholder members and volunteers all need to be acknowledged and openly so, so when correspondences are not just 'lost', but may be put aside, ignored, or left unread or unanswered, we wonder. Some [any] acknowledgement is surely due to all those who pay membership /shareholder fees towards your and other staff salaries too. Hope it is OK to mention money, as when it is fund drive time that is all we hear...but then later what we dont get is...
oh, you know.
I sure hope you have someone helping you now, as an assistant or secretary, to attend to those sincere attempts to communicate with you from KPFK supporters. And more so with all the other changes and improvements needed in there too.
We also am asking [and others are too]this:
that the 2 videographers who did not identify themselves at the June LSB meeting, advise you and LSB chairperson as to who they are - or how to access the videos they took - or tell us all what is done with those videos ? The videographers should not be so sly and silent - but be open and share their product's [media's] availability - especially with anyone responsible at station, and especially to those LSB members. Even if not divulged to the rest of us attendees present there, the LSB members can inform us too - because the videos will now be exposed in ways we did not ask to be. Public meetings are not anonymous ones. Privacy is not honored.
Do you even know how you will be exposed on those videos too ? And how open LSB meetings are presented or where ? Do you know anything about this ? We wrote the LSB chairperson as well to ask about this.[Tho there has been no answer from there either so far.]
While all staff at the station appear to be clearly stressed, they are also are hard-workers, dedicated and also often seem to be in conflict with one another - for their different viewpoints or beliefs. They are all commendable for what they can do - as good "workaholics" - and they must put in lots of hard work, there being so few staff available or funded - and also it seems they yet cant or haven't made the improvements so badly needed [ problems known for so long and repeatedly reported to KPFK too ].
We will not enumerate for you all the prior and continuous concerns, complaints and requests we alone have made or attempted to communicate - that have NEVER been addressed, improved or even responded to...for the longest time...but we have concluded that 'it cant be done' and we kinda left the station, separated out and decided we did not want to drop down - as all seemed to be happening deep inside there.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE: Alan Minsky the iPD - is extremely able, competent, smart, workaholic, dedicated and now in more recent times he is making necessary CHANGES in programming. He should be commended for his daring courage and willingness to make improvements - that can make KPFK not the same-old-same-old haranguing repetitious voices of the few.
Many people we also meet OUTside the station have also complained and drifted away to KPCC [as have we, most often] because of the repeated same messages by same people who cling on to their KPFK program spot = their demanding air time for their pet ideas and personal slants. ugh.... So the iPD's changes may bring us all back to KPFK as some innovation is now being attempted and accomplished too.
The prior Pgm Manager was someone who was obviously using cronyism and somehow seemed maybe prejudiced or biased, and very limited in his willingness to open to other than his selected voices - and tho he stayed for years in place - and he did not communicate well with many. Lots of us were glad to see Alan take his place.
The difference in competence and courage and willingness to even experiment with different programming to see what works better is enormous. And we are not 'friends' of Alan's at all, but 'just' we do volunteer and are good observers and occasional listeners and fund contributors too.
We are sure you will hear many sides complaining about the others, each of the pet alliances insisting on their being the only ones to be heard or allowed on air... and pressures from each faction to dominate with their
Many want to be given air time - yes, especially all those who never ever mention aloud the word "payola" - - that many listeners already know that happens - tho not in the old-radio corrupt ways - but as side benefits obviously [sometimes financial too ] accrued by those 'volunteer' programmers. There is so much regular repeated hype, spin, PR and promo's that 'go along with' the banner of some community information being given. Yet no fools listen to KPFK who dont realize the selling promotions advertising under any other name that occurs constantly, tho never ever admitted. No ! never ! Those many programmers who do not do what they do for just 'altruistic service' - tho so they like to present such - like to claim it so. Liars.
Some are more obvious than others in the PR and promos on air that are presented as 'interviewing' and many are especially and notably so at the fund drives. The contributors of free premiums to the station make out cheaply for so much air time for them and their products, so obviously. The pretense it is all only for the funding of the radio station. But such 'other' alliances are profitable in more than in just money grubbing ways as well, as access and benefits occur in other 'corporation businesses' also. KPFK is not as pure as presented and pretended either. As elsewhere, no one will admit or say this though. The fear of being treasonous or betraying the station they fear may collapse keeps silence at a premium, well funded too.
That this is a hidden feature - and has always been so - that the value of getting a program on air, and yet it is denied, never admitted. But this pretense of being just idealistic, altruistic, sharing information, is also often a fake front that most listeners or even volunteers dont want to 'believe' - because they just dont want to be seen as betraying KPFK, for being so cynical. Ideals are hard to chip into.
No need to expose it all. Yet we believe in not being hypocritical
[like KPFK does on air - when criticizing NPR etc for their sponsors - even while KPFKers too are getting other helpful alliances or positions , special accesses, and other hidden benefits from this privilege they have of being on air on KPFK - for themselves - much more than for the generic station itself ].
This may sound hard and critical, and yes, we are writing it openly here , but this 'secret' is not only denied but prohibited from mention anywhere near the station or it's LSB also. Having been affiliated with KPFK since 1960's continuously to now,
we have volunteered mostly at fund drives, and on occasion other chores, and have come to observe folks while in there.
But even while being good observers, communicators and exposers of what we do perceive, we continue on loyally anyhow, in spite of our concerns of what happens there that is never addressed as far as we know.
Note also : the latest LSB Chairperson was so exceptionally good at facilitating that LSB meeting - we were delighted, having had such horrific and scary experiences in past meetings [last one attended may have been 2008 when we felt physically threatened by 1 LSB member while all other members who colluded and enabled such behaviors, were not admitting or helping or stopping it ]. This man's skills and his being willing to do this hard work is commendable [We wrote him so already]. This makes such a big difference ! We are glad he is in charge of these meetings and admiring of his skills too.
Another staff programmer that keeps many other people[who are often strangers met somewhere] is Roy Tuckman's late night or archived programs. The variety and relevance of much of that programming is a draw that cannot be found elsewhere...while much of the political versions may also to be heard elsewhere - even if not in so extensive time slots. And of course Amy Goodman is heard by many even if they dont listen to any other KPFK program, we hear said.
You should also know that the many slanted complaints to get rid of Ian Masters is not heard from listeners outside the station ...at least we have never heard this. But instead find that listeners appreciate his intelligence and his guests on air. This cohort of anti-Ian demanders were a startling 'attack' on a person not present obviously. These demanding listeners are not a majority but were surprising at LSB meeting to be very vocal and maybe unified ? When 'talking behind someone's back' - doing maligning easily - it might be their way to try get THEIR views on air or influence you instead. This display of anger may be something to check out further to inquire which other programmers are resented or wanted replaced by a few cohorts.
We are glad you are here now, and willing to work hard on the dysfunctional family that holds KPFK together. It all is looking very different from the listening-on-air-outside than what is experienced on the inside-closed-doors.
So we can imagine what it may be like for you entering this scene- and we do look forward to complimenting you whenever possible later.
if we can be of any service please let us know."
(C) mj 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
OPEN LETTER to KPFK new General Manager
Open Letter sent to New General Manager Bernard Duncan
June 21, 2011
Dear Bernard Duncan -
[You may care to delegate the responding to this if you care to, but I would appreciate a response either way please ]
It is bad public relations when "our" KPFK website is preventing any access to staff from $TAKEHOLDERS = all those who pay to keep KPFK going on" - by only showing the wrong e-address for you. The continual listing of gm@kpfk.org is not operational and there you are now, hired, in charge and still there is 'mail failure' when any attempt to communicate with you is made. Please make the corrections necessary.
I had to go to another KPFK source to find your correct email, which is now:
"GM Bernard Duncan KPFK"
but also
For a long time there was a "comments" for general comments to be used as the email address a while back - that was not attended nor responded to ever ! There was long ago an automatic email acknowledgment sent back, and then even that was discontinued. No one apparently monitored or read those emails that we made efforts to write, to communicate, to make suggestions, or to ask questions of OUR station/ staff. Then even that small courtesy was soon discontinued so there was NO response at all to emails sent to that address listed for years on the KPFK website.
And yet there was no access to our giving info / suggestions/ concerns to staff or to be able to make complaints either.. and now there is NO such email address at all, with only a phone extension # listed on website. We all know that an answering machine is inhuman and unresponsive. No human calls back either. Is this a pretense or is anyone at KPFK responsible back to those who make their good efforts to contact the station ?
the "program comments" corner email, as it is called, is monitored by receptionist at front desk - only to send mail on to the proper program ....But it is apparently not going to anyone who cares about how stakeholders, listeners, pledgers respond to programs or to the radio station - and have no input at all as to how & where their money goes.
There is no actual ACCESS to communicate with anyone there at KPFK...for years and years the 'freedom' to communicate is not possible. At all. Programmers do not respond from their separate addresses either. I've tried. Failed. Not OK.
that there has never been responses, to emails, to voice mail messages and thus a total hard cold wall has created a lot of poor - very poor - to no good Public Relations. Nor has there been access to anyone for positive communications from those who care about what occurs in and on air at KPFK ... and I am not talking about the cranking angry venting cursers -- but about those who do care and want to say something and at least receive a"thank you for your comment" automatic response - IF nothing else is affordable ...for now.
what do you think ? With your having been a PR person yourself ? This may not be an urgent chore but one that definitely needs your attention, hopefully. Please dont relegate the connection to all those who work, send money, listen and promote KPFK to the least attended concern for station management.
only because I have in past too often spoken directly to GMs, to staff, to programmers - when I am at station working as pledge taker - only then have I ever been able to briefly even voice a good suggestion - or help ssomeone in charge notice the errors that occur. Problems that seem unnoticed or unattended, whether on website, or on-air- disparagement of one programmer about another,and various other glitches and off-putting occurrences that affect KPFK's proper overall functioning, etc.
It seems necessary to make any and all other poor practices visible & audible to all [called 'transparency'] ... to make errors known to then be corrected -is part of good management. Or else the ongoing poor PR and poor inter-relations with all our $$upporters of the station is bad for all concerned - including the then results being the persistently strain [frustrating to all] of prolonged fund raising. You know this already, right ? .
thanks for checking on this - and passing these concerns on to whomever has authority, is responsible, cares enough to do more than their usual chores - and to MAKE all necessary corrections.
And if you agree with any part of this letter - and make observable changes - or maybe even let me know you have read this effort to communicate with you - as the next incoming manager - or if you pass it on to someone else who can do some work for you, that's acceptable too. But if the silence is deafening, as it has been at prior efforts to communicate - our many attempts to suggest, express concerns, etc. - then the funding becomes, of course, that much more difficult too.
The overall inaccessibility has been a concern of many $supporters and is also a reason for resistance of listeners to then helping this non-profit corporation - one that seems to ignore it's contributors, until money is demanded, that is.
I presume and hope you get a good 'secty / assistant' who helps you fulfill all these details and makes your work more productive overall too. I wish you good experiences and effectiveness in improving and managing this long-valued radio station in LA.
(c) mary j. 2011
June 21, 2011
Dear Bernard Duncan -
[You may care to delegate the responding to this if you care to, but I would appreciate a response either way please ]
It is bad public relations when "our" KPFK website is preventing any access to staff from $TAKEHOLDERS = all those who pay to keep KPFK going on" - by only showing the wrong e-address for you. The continual listing of gm@kpfk.org is not operational and there you are now, hired, in charge and still there is 'mail failure' when any attempt to communicate with you is made. Please make the corrections necessary.
I had to go to another KPFK source to find your correct email, which is now:
"GM Bernard Duncan KPFK"
but also
For a long time there was a "comments" for general comments to be used as the email address a while back - that was not attended nor responded to ever ! There was long ago an automatic email acknowledgment sent back, and then even that was discontinued. No one apparently monitored or read those emails that we made efforts to write, to communicate, to make suggestions, or to ask questions of OUR station/ staff. Then even that small courtesy was soon discontinued so there was NO response at all to emails sent to that address listed for years on the KPFK website.
And yet there was no access to our giving info / suggestions/ concerns to staff or to be able to make complaints either.. and now there is NO such email address at all, with only a phone extension # listed on website. We all know that an answering machine is inhuman and unresponsive. No human calls back either. Is this a pretense or is anyone at KPFK responsible back to those who make their good efforts to contact the station ?
the "program comments" corner email, as it is called, is monitored by receptionist at front desk - only to send mail on to the proper program ....But it is apparently not going to anyone who cares about how stakeholders, listeners, pledgers respond to programs or to the radio station - and have no input at all as to how & where their money goes.
There is no actual ACCESS to communicate with anyone there at KPFK...for years and years the 'freedom' to communicate is not possible. At all. Programmers do not respond from their separate addresses either. I've tried. Failed. Not OK.
that there has never been responses, to emails, to voice mail messages and thus a total hard cold wall has created a lot of poor - very poor - to no good Public Relations. Nor has there been access to anyone for positive communications from those who care about what occurs in and on air at KPFK ... and I am not talking about the cranking angry venting cursers -- but about those who do care and want to say something and at least receive a"thank you for your comment" automatic response - IF nothing else is affordable ...for now.
what do you think ? With your having been a PR person yourself ? This may not be an urgent chore but one that definitely needs your attention, hopefully. Please dont relegate the connection to all those who work, send money, listen and promote KPFK to the least attended concern for station management.
only because I have in past too often spoken directly to GMs, to staff, to programmers - when I am at station working as pledge taker - only then have I ever been able to briefly even voice a good suggestion - or help ssomeone in charge notice the errors that occur. Problems that seem unnoticed or unattended, whether on website, or on-air- disparagement of one programmer about another,and various other glitches and off-putting occurrences that affect KPFK's proper overall functioning, etc.
It seems necessary to make any and all other poor practices visible & audible to all [called 'transparency'] ... to make errors known to then be corrected -is part of good management. Or else the ongoing poor PR and poor inter-relations with all our $$upporters of the station is bad for all concerned - including the then results being the persistently strain [frustrating to all] of prolonged fund raising. You know this already, right ? .
thanks for checking on this - and passing these concerns on to whomever has authority, is responsible, cares enough to do more than their usual chores - and to MAKE all necessary corrections.
And if you agree with any part of this letter - and make observable changes - or maybe even let me know you have read this effort to communicate with you - as the next incoming manager - or if you pass it on to someone else who can do some work for you, that's acceptable too. But if the silence is deafening, as it has been at prior efforts to communicate - our many attempts to suggest, express concerns, etc. - then the funding becomes, of course, that much more difficult too.
The overall inaccessibility has been a concern of many $supporters and is also a reason for resistance of listeners to then helping this non-profit corporation - one that seems to ignore it's contributors, until money is demanded, that is.
I presume and hope you get a good 'secty / assistant' who helps you fulfill all these details and makes your work more productive overall too. I wish you good experiences and effectiveness in improving and managing this long-valued radio station in LA.
(c) mary j. 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
9-11 demolition facts are questioned on KPFA-KPFK radio
Guns and Butter presented a radio program about 9-11 titled - "The Economics of Politics 9=11
'Demolition Access to the World Trade Center Towers" with Kevin Ryan
A brief description of program has been written up as :
"WTC tenants, both companies and employees; security and design firms and their board members involved in redesigning and implementing the new security system after the 1993 basement bombing; companies and individuals involved in the clean-up of ground zero. Who had the means, access, motivation...
the radio program was played on KPFA and replayed on KPFK
titled - The Economics of Politics 9=11 :'Demolition Access to the World Trade Center Towers' with Kevin Ryan as speaker.
A description of program was written up as:
" WTC tenants, both companies and employees; security and design firms and their board members involved in redesigning and implementing the new security system after the 1993 basement bombing; companies and individuals involved in the clean-up of ground zero. Who had the means, access, motivation...
"Kevin Ryan is the former Site Manager for Environmental Health Laboratories, a division of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Mr. Ryan, a Chemist and laboratory manager, was fired by UL in 2004 for publicly questioning the report being drafted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on their World Trade Center investigation. In the intervening period, Ryan has completed additional research while his original questions, which have become increasingly important over time, remain unanswered by UL or NIST.
"Through interviews, presentations, and his work as co-editor at the online Journal of 911 Studies, Mr. Ryan works to bring out the truth behind the events of 9/11/01."
Program comes thru KPFA,
http://www.gunsandbutter.org
Produced by Bonnie Faulkner.
(Bio from http://www.ultruth.com )
Program was played on and available some more from KPFA,
Program download: http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/66755
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On the KPFA website:
a comment on Jan 28 2011 said:
" Listening to replay of program on KPFK in LA in deep dark middle of night, I sat up and listened well ! Of course, I also want everyone else to hear it, know it, and read transcript of talk too. Thanks to Bonnie for playing it and for Roy of Hollywood in LA for sharing it to us local So Cal folk.
Does anyone know of a text transcript available ?
Or do I have to type it up and offer it ?.... in time....
This definitely needs various formats to share it for those who like to read more slowly, or listen, or need to be lured into info by some other 'sly' means ?
billboards, posters, placards, postcards, what else ?
who is doing some of this ?
please someone - inform us all
9-11 is debated by various programmers on KPFK, some who call those who are interested or just share info or play a program are labeled "fringe" elements and are wished away from the station, and others who very occasionally play a program, conference, lecture seem to have-to even 'apologize' to the management ?
or the listeners ?
or to those who may be higher-stat used at KPFK station ? dunno
but it is strange censorship attempt at free-speech non-transparent Pacifica, other claims notwithstanding.
We need more exposure of info, of facts, of questions, of discussions, of alllllll that has been or is still wanted to be SUPPRESSED so only one sided propaganda exists....instead of the multiple varieties of propagandas and Rashomon stories become exposed, wikileaker style.
who is doing this on 9-11 more so now a days ?
give us some more info, here or tell us where else to look...
KPFK does not have a website that allows comments or responses. reverted back to 17th Cent. style and is the less transparent place no matter how much I or others try ...fail...to badger, shame them into revealing more about what happens in, around, within, station. No access allowed !
No comments allowed there either...been trying, failing to get station mgement or staff to change...for years....oh well....
they replayed this program anyhow !
[note to Bonnie of "Guns and Butter": you need to do basic update of your website cuz none of the headings opens into anything other than same request for money, which is listed as '2010' and '2008'...unless you deliberately dont want to hear anything or share any info, such as "about" or "contact" either ?? ]
another person wrote:
"Yes it is a lot of info. These may help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOsZFmqgO5k
http://911review.com/articles/ryan/demolition_acc "
You may want to listen with fascination to this pertinent information about doubts many people still have and speak about with a bit of worry about the 'truth' OUR government provides us about 'what did happen' and what makes sense from the published publicized versions provided via main street public media. Many have become more and more concerned about the honesty of 'facts' and slants of information allowed 'out'. Many more are still scientifically and crefully researching to unearth and dis-cover reliable verifiable 'facts' that confirm any 'theories' as without a basis in our physical actual reality, many more people now than ever before have serious concerns and doubts.
The distrust of OUR government, which all is paid and maintained by every single taxpayer in this USA, has expanded, exploded and become a 'problem' for all government staff and officials...more and more "independents", 'tea party' groupers, and others no longer accept what PR speeches and disclaimers and cliche slogans are regularly offered up to dispell our distrust.
The 9-11 related subsequent questions that remained are still unanswered, unexplained, and also more often just ignored, which makes the USA "Amercan People" wonder just who was "home" and "providing public security" both in 2001 and in 2011 also.
"conspiracy" is repetitious word used in an attempt to discount and demean those who ask legitimate questions, thus officials and deniers are suggesting only they have good answers and "theories" - and is why the "Official" Govt PR versions are claimed as the ONLY "truths" that exist.
Many people,today as before, are not so sure.
(C) akpfker 2011 "
'Demolition Access to the World Trade Center Towers" with Kevin Ryan
A brief description of program has been written up as :
"WTC tenants, both companies and employees; security and design firms and their board members involved in redesigning and implementing the new security system after the 1993 basement bombing; companies and individuals involved in the clean-up of ground zero. Who had the means, access, motivation...
the radio program was played on KPFA and replayed on KPFK
titled - The Economics of Politics 9=11 :'Demolition Access to the World Trade Center Towers' with Kevin Ryan as speaker.
A description of program was written up as:
" WTC tenants, both companies and employees; security and design firms and their board members involved in redesigning and implementing the new security system after the 1993 basement bombing; companies and individuals involved in the clean-up of ground zero. Who had the means, access, motivation...
"Kevin Ryan is the former Site Manager for Environmental Health Laboratories, a division of Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Mr. Ryan, a Chemist and laboratory manager, was fired by UL in 2004 for publicly questioning the report being drafted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on their World Trade Center investigation. In the intervening period, Ryan has completed additional research while his original questions, which have become increasingly important over time, remain unanswered by UL or NIST.
"Through interviews, presentations, and his work as co-editor at the online Journal of 911 Studies, Mr. Ryan works to bring out the truth behind the events of 9/11/01."
Program comes thru KPFA,
http://www.gunsandbutter.org
Produced by Bonnie Faulkner.
(Bio from http://www.ultruth.com )
Program was played on and available some more from KPFA,
Program download: http://www.kpfa.org/archive/id/66755
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On the KPFA website:
a comment on Jan 28 2011 said:
" Listening to replay of program on KPFK in LA in deep dark middle of night, I sat up and listened well ! Of course, I also want everyone else to hear it, know it, and read transcript of talk too. Thanks to Bonnie for playing it and for Roy of Hollywood in LA for sharing it to us local So Cal folk.
Does anyone know of a text transcript available ?
Or do I have to type it up and offer it ?.... in time....
This definitely needs various formats to share it for those who like to read more slowly, or listen, or need to be lured into info by some other 'sly' means ?
billboards, posters, placards, postcards, what else ?
who is doing some of this ?
please someone - inform us all
9-11 is debated by various programmers on KPFK, some who call those who are interested or just share info or play a program are labeled "fringe" elements and are wished away from the station, and others who very occasionally play a program, conference, lecture seem to have-to even 'apologize' to the management ?
or the listeners ?
or to those who may be higher-stat used at KPFK station ? dunno
but it is strange censorship attempt at free-speech non-transparent Pacifica, other claims notwithstanding.
We need more exposure of info, of facts, of questions, of discussions, of alllllll that has been or is still wanted to be SUPPRESSED so only one sided propaganda exists....instead of the multiple varieties of propagandas and Rashomon stories become exposed, wikileaker style.
who is doing this on 9-11 more so now a days ?
give us some more info, here or tell us where else to look...
KPFK does not have a website that allows comments or responses. reverted back to 17th Cent. style and is the less transparent place no matter how much I or others try ...fail...to badger, shame them into revealing more about what happens in, around, within, station. No access allowed !
No comments allowed there either...been trying, failing to get station mgement or staff to change...for years....oh well....
they replayed this program anyhow !
[note to Bonnie of "Guns and Butter": you need to do basic update of your website cuz none of the headings opens into anything other than same request for money, which is listed as '2010' and '2008'...unless you deliberately dont want to hear anything or share any info, such as "about" or "contact" either ?? ]
another person wrote:
"Yes it is a lot of info. These may help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOsZFmqgO5k
http://911review.com/articles/ryan/demolition_acc "
You may want to listen with fascination to this pertinent information about doubts many people still have and speak about with a bit of worry about the 'truth' OUR government provides us about 'what did happen' and what makes sense from the published publicized versions provided via main street public media. Many have become more and more concerned about the honesty of 'facts' and slants of information allowed 'out'. Many more are still scientifically and crefully researching to unearth and dis-cover reliable verifiable 'facts' that confirm any 'theories' as without a basis in our physical actual reality, many more people now than ever before have serious concerns and doubts.
The distrust of OUR government, which all is paid and maintained by every single taxpayer in this USA, has expanded, exploded and become a 'problem' for all government staff and officials...more and more "independents", 'tea party' groupers, and others no longer accept what PR speeches and disclaimers and cliche slogans are regularly offered up to dispell our distrust.
The 9-11 related subsequent questions that remained are still unanswered, unexplained, and also more often just ignored, which makes the USA "Amercan People" wonder just who was "home" and "providing public security" both in 2001 and in 2011 also.
"conspiracy" is repetitious word used in an attempt to discount and demean those who ask legitimate questions, thus officials and deniers are suggesting only they have good answers and "theories" - and is why the "Official" Govt PR versions are claimed as the ONLY "truths" that exist.
Many people,today as before, are not so sure.
(C) akpfker 2011 "
Friday, July 23, 2010
KPFK makes BIG decisions, finally...for a change, real changes !
this is re posted from LA OBSERVED:
KPFK to make 'urgent changes' in programming
BY Kevin Roderick • July 21 2010 12:15 PM
All programmers at KPFK just received a long email from the boss asking them to either urgently grow their audience (and their money-raising for the station) or to voluntarily take their shows off the air or cut the length.
"I along with the current management team see an urgent need to make changes in the programming in the afternoon, evening, and weekend," says the note from interim program director Alan Minsky. In other words, mornings are OK. Minsky hints at the fractious politics of KPFK's listener base, which may see this as a move against the Pacifica station's progressive bent.
No specific shows are named, but some that air in the mentioned slots are among the most political. Many also are some of the longest-running programs on Los Angeles radio, such as The Car Show, Folk Scene, The Music Never Stops and Uncle Ruthie. Deadline L.A., the local media show hosted by Barbara Osborne and Howard Blume, airs Fridays at 3:30 p.m. The entire memo is [below]after the jump.
From: Alan Minsky Sent: Wed 7/21/2010
To: programmers; staff Cc: Bob Conger; Jennifer Kiser; Alan Minsky
Subject: Important Letter to KPFK Programmers
Dear KPFKers,
We've reached a critical point at KPFK, as the painful length of our recent fund drive betrayed.
At the beginning of my time as iPD, I was instructed by the National Office to increase the station's listeners; in particular, as measured by the Arbitron numbers. This has occurred. Through the beginning of June, the listenership for the station had steadily risen from 120,000 before the fall 2009 programming changes up to a plateau of 180,000. This is great.
However, the increase in audience is weighted almost entirely in our Monday through Friday morning programming - in essence from 6am until 1pm - while 5pm is also substantially out-performing what was there before. With only a few exceptions, the afternoon, evening, and weekend programming is dramatically underperforming by this measurement.
Furthermore, this is true not only in terms of Arbitrons but also in fundraising - as we consistently have to pre-empt our afternoon, evening, and weekend programs in order to raise money. This is unacceptable. Lew Hill, Pacifica's founder, understood that listeners would pay for what they value; that compelling programming would elicit the financial support required to sustain such an ambitious media project and broadcast operation; that the ability to fundraise would necessarily be a factor in determining what shows remain on the air.
Indeed, the fact that so many of our shows are not contributing to fundraising for KPFK is a major factor in the unacceptable length of our fund drives.
Therefore, I along with the current management team see an urgent need to make changes in the programming in the afternoon, evening, and weekend.
In the next few weeks, we will be making some very hard decisions. We have about eight to ten new hours of Mission-driven programming that we believe will dramatically improve our listenership and our fundraising in the coming year. In order to make room for these new shows, we need some of the underperforming shows to step aside.
Therefore, we are asking all KPFK programmers to take a hard look at their shows and decide themselves whether they can make a positive contribution to the station by increasing their audience size and raising money for the station in fund drives. If you recognize that your show cannot make such a contribution than we, the management team, would encourage you to either:
1. offer to cut the length of your show (e.g. from one hour to 30 minutes a week)
2. move your show off-air to a web-based show available on KPFK.org
3. end your show
We will wait to hear back from programmers for one and a half weeks (until 07-30), after which time we will begin to make the decisions about which shows to cut back and which to excise in order to free up the time to introduce new programming onto KPFK Radio. Please reply directly to myself, Bob Conger and Jennifer Kiser.
This is a difficult process, but essential for the greater good and health of the station and foundation.
++++++++++++++++++
commentary
While KPFK staffers and managers have always claimed 'good intentions" and often meant it sincerely when stated, tho the effects have not always been "good enough for many" but for only a few select viewpoints, political slants, and special-interest-groups....
yes even those labeled "liberals" or "progressives" or "radicals" or "left" and with all the self-right-ousness that is always Denied but Displayed have very personal Special Interests and access- contacts=allies to protect and use too....
the need for more dramatic and actual CHANGES in this radio's processes has long been needed and avoided.
Finally, due to money-inadequacies, some of the other desires, demands, and dedicated-old-loyalties are being challenged. Finally.
So hopefully thru trial-and-errors too the changes will make this valuable radio outlet become less held-hostage by old-time- programmers or by those who claim special-privileges and demand access because they are slightly different than heard/ found elsewhere on radio anyhow...
that some will MOVE OVER AND EVEN OUT because there is no more welfare charity available to insure they have hold over these airwaves.
Time for Changes ! does it take no-money-left to make changes in a radio station that claims it is vital to current relevance and is in the forefront of social changes ? But internally refuses to budge or share or shift from the same old messages of long ago.
No, this does not mean old social discrepancies have been solved and make equal. It does mean that the same harangues, same shouts, same angry exhortations, same blame games and same clinging-to-a-payola- too-good-thing folks will move and give some other ones an Equal Opportunity ...finally ! ...... maybe......
Surely many complaints and lawsuits and threats and more angry accusations will be heard on-air as well as on any media available ...especially on indymedias and internet blogs too. That is expected and part of the game-plan-to GET MORE even get-back as in getting and holding on and hoarding access to radio airwaves and spiteful get-backs.
Surely to find the right programs that will increase SPONSOR STAKEHOLDERS that pay up to keep all the incurring expenses paid up will not be quick nor easy nor immediate...but hopefully, if the management has COURAGE and PERSISTENCE and a willingness to "let go" finally of even "my favorite programs" if that is what it takes to survive honorably, so be it.
Let the ones that cant support themselves get off of being paid for by other programs and get off of this corporate [even if non profit] welfare. We all know KPFK is a "non profit corporation" right?
If "my favorite programs" can improve, gain audiences, gain income by more than begging on air and holding up air programming randsom extortioner f
Note that "subscriptions" does not mean anything more than getting to vote for some wild angry manipulative and vehement LSB members, nothing more...no input into any KPFK radio station processes at all...no benefits other than keeping radio ON air.
Let the CHANGES BEGIN and the chaos, turmoil, angry outbursts and insults and name-calling begin, for surely no one ever wants to give up their own BENEFITS [ even those not-admitted extra & secret benefits of having that program on air] or even share time or space or anything else...
KPFK folks are Not More Generous than anyone else you or I meet daily. Sorry, idealistic political ideas do not make a
"good kind generous person" actually. It takes other and more qualities for that wish to become real & true.
Please: ENCOURAGE all who work to keep KPFK on air and financially stable and workable to do whatever it takes and then do the next step and next and next too.
Please: Help protect the staff/ management from those who will act-out their greed and demands elsewhere in media by responding logically, reasonably, and honestly about how everyone- has-to-help in making KPFK viable and survivable now and in the future.
Please: Be PATIENT. Realize how human the actual KPFK workers are and how vulnerable, how battered they will be, how much they need your support in every & any way [not just with money !]. Write them, call and leave a voice mail as they are often unavailable. Hard copy a card or note to state you recognize the difficulties they face... for us who only listen or pledge at times.
And hope for the best that can come up with these twists and turns of CHANGE. No straight lines in life, only shifts and shape changes and evolvements.
Hope does not mean hope-as-dream-from-afar... it means expect and wish fervently in your own way that KPFK becomes more and better and different and still essentially provides what it has for so long...
as some of us know from 1960 or so....
(c) 2010 akpfker
KPFK to make 'urgent changes' in programming
BY Kevin Roderick • July 21 2010 12:15 PM
All programmers at KPFK just received a long email from the boss asking them to either urgently grow their audience (and their money-raising for the station) or to voluntarily take their shows off the air or cut the length.
"I along with the current management team see an urgent need to make changes in the programming in the afternoon, evening, and weekend," says the note from interim program director Alan Minsky. In other words, mornings are OK. Minsky hints at the fractious politics of KPFK's listener base, which may see this as a move against the Pacifica station's progressive bent.
No specific shows are named, but some that air in the mentioned slots are among the most political. Many also are some of the longest-running programs on Los Angeles radio, such as The Car Show, Folk Scene, The Music Never Stops and Uncle Ruthie. Deadline L.A., the local media show hosted by Barbara Osborne and Howard Blume, airs Fridays at 3:30 p.m. The entire memo is [below]after the jump.
From: Alan Minsky Sent: Wed 7/21/2010
To: programmers; staff Cc: Bob Conger; Jennifer Kiser; Alan Minsky
Subject: Important Letter to KPFK Programmers
Dear KPFKers,
We've reached a critical point at KPFK, as the painful length of our recent fund drive betrayed.
At the beginning of my time as iPD, I was instructed by the National Office to increase the station's listeners; in particular, as measured by the Arbitron numbers. This has occurred. Through the beginning of June, the listenership for the station had steadily risen from 120,000 before the fall 2009 programming changes up to a plateau of 180,000. This is great.
However, the increase in audience is weighted almost entirely in our Monday through Friday morning programming - in essence from 6am until 1pm - while 5pm is also substantially out-performing what was there before. With only a few exceptions, the afternoon, evening, and weekend programming is dramatically underperforming by this measurement.
Furthermore, this is true not only in terms of Arbitrons but also in fundraising - as we consistently have to pre-empt our afternoon, evening, and weekend programs in order to raise money. This is unacceptable. Lew Hill, Pacifica's founder, understood that listeners would pay for what they value; that compelling programming would elicit the financial support required to sustain such an ambitious media project and broadcast operation; that the ability to fundraise would necessarily be a factor in determining what shows remain on the air.
Indeed, the fact that so many of our shows are not contributing to fundraising for KPFK is a major factor in the unacceptable length of our fund drives.
Therefore, I along with the current management team see an urgent need to make changes in the programming in the afternoon, evening, and weekend.
In the next few weeks, we will be making some very hard decisions. We have about eight to ten new hours of Mission-driven programming that we believe will dramatically improve our listenership and our fundraising in the coming year. In order to make room for these new shows, we need some of the underperforming shows to step aside.
Therefore, we are asking all KPFK programmers to take a hard look at their shows and decide themselves whether they can make a positive contribution to the station by increasing their audience size and raising money for the station in fund drives. If you recognize that your show cannot make such a contribution than we, the management team, would encourage you to either:
1. offer to cut the length of your show (e.g. from one hour to 30 minutes a week)
2. move your show off-air to a web-based show available on KPFK.org
3. end your show
We will wait to hear back from programmers for one and a half weeks (until 07-30), after which time we will begin to make the decisions about which shows to cut back and which to excise in order to free up the time to introduce new programming onto KPFK Radio. Please reply directly to myself, Bob Conger and Jennifer Kiser.
This is a difficult process, but essential for the greater good and health of the station and foundation.
++++++++++++++++++
commentary
While KPFK staffers and managers have always claimed 'good intentions" and often meant it sincerely when stated, tho the effects have not always been "good enough for many" but for only a few select viewpoints, political slants, and special-interest-groups....
yes even those labeled "liberals" or "progressives" or "radicals" or "left" and with all the self-right-ousness that is always Denied but Displayed have very personal Special Interests and access- contacts=allies to protect and use too....
the need for more dramatic and actual CHANGES in this radio's processes has long been needed and avoided.
Finally, due to money-inadequacies, some of the other desires, demands, and dedicated-old-loyalties are being challenged. Finally.
So hopefully thru trial-and-errors too the changes will make this valuable radio outlet become less held-hostage by old-time- programmers or by those who claim special-privileges and demand access because they are slightly different than heard/ found elsewhere on radio anyhow...
that some will MOVE OVER AND EVEN OUT because there is no more welfare charity available to insure they have hold over these airwaves.
Time for Changes ! does it take no-money-left to make changes in a radio station that claims it is vital to current relevance and is in the forefront of social changes ? But internally refuses to budge or share or shift from the same old messages of long ago.
No, this does not mean old social discrepancies have been solved and make equal. It does mean that the same harangues, same shouts, same angry exhortations, same blame games and same clinging-to-a-payola- too-good-thing folks will move and give some other ones an Equal Opportunity ...finally ! ...... maybe......
Surely many complaints and lawsuits and threats and more angry accusations will be heard on-air as well as on any media available ...especially on indymedias and internet blogs too. That is expected and part of the game-plan-to GET MORE even get-back as in getting and holding on and hoarding access to radio airwaves and spiteful get-backs.
Surely to find the right programs that will increase SPONSOR STAKEHOLDERS that pay up to keep all the incurring expenses paid up will not be quick nor easy nor immediate...but hopefully, if the management has COURAGE and PERSISTENCE and a willingness to "let go" finally of even "my favorite programs" if that is what it takes to survive honorably, so be it.
Let the ones that cant support themselves get off of being paid for by other programs and get off of this corporate [even if non profit] welfare. We all know KPFK is a "non profit corporation" right?
If "my favorite programs" can improve, gain audiences, gain income by more than begging on air and holding up air programming randsom extortioner f
Note that "subscriptions" does not mean anything more than getting to vote for some wild angry manipulative and vehement LSB members, nothing more...no input into any KPFK radio station processes at all...no benefits other than keeping radio ON air.
Let the CHANGES BEGIN and the chaos, turmoil, angry outbursts and insults and name-calling begin, for surely no one ever wants to give up their own BENEFITS [ even those not-admitted extra & secret benefits of having that program on air] or even share time or space or anything else...
KPFK folks are Not More Generous than anyone else you or I meet daily. Sorry, idealistic political ideas do not make a
"good kind generous person" actually. It takes other and more qualities for that wish to become real & true.
Please: ENCOURAGE all who work to keep KPFK on air and financially stable and workable to do whatever it takes and then do the next step and next and next too.
Please: Help protect the staff/ management from those who will act-out their greed and demands elsewhere in media by responding logically, reasonably, and honestly about how everyone- has-to-help in making KPFK viable and survivable now and in the future.
Please: Be PATIENT. Realize how human the actual KPFK workers are and how vulnerable, how battered they will be, how much they need your support in every & any way [not just with money !]. Write them, call and leave a voice mail as they are often unavailable. Hard copy a card or note to state you recognize the difficulties they face... for us who only listen or pledge at times.
And hope for the best that can come up with these twists and turns of CHANGE. No straight lines in life, only shifts and shape changes and evolvements.
Hope does not mean hope-as-dream-from-afar... it means expect and wish fervently in your own way that KPFK becomes more and better and different and still essentially provides what it has for so long...
as some of us know from 1960 or so....
(c) 2010 akpfker
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Roy's show still a favorite for many, how about you ?
Roy's Shows is heard by many and here was another surprising FEEDBACK example:
Sitting on Venice Boardwalk yesterday at a political info sharing table {only Free Speech and non-selling table on whole Oceanfront Walk ! ] a man approaches to ask "do you know about KPFK ??"
two women sitting there smile as he proceeds to talk about living in San Diego, having just pledged for a DVD about the wizard of Oz [?] and that he fervently listens ON LINE.
Further questioning revealed that he became an "insomniac in 1990's" from listening to Roy Tuckman's programs and how many 'videocassettes' he made to copy the programs that he has saved and collected [before archives & technology was available, of course]
this man was a Vietnam helicopter pilot and then a private oil company pilot providing supplies to on water platforms. Very concerned about state of his country, and has been. Talked also about liking "Stockwell" and others...
but this kind of response is frequent and may NOT BE KNOWN by KPFK staff ...and maybe no one there cares either. as there is only a 1 way info flow in or thru this supposedly transparent station.
Many other strangers I meet when I mention "do you listen to KPFK ? " as it becomes an association to the conversation we are having, at Hammer museum, in a grocery store, on Venice boardwalk, at any misc location I happen to be as I talk to strangers and they to me often...the more common response these last few years has been "I used to but I dont any more..."
and when I pursue to ask "why, what is it you like or dont like ?" there is a nebulous vagueness that is not specific enough to inform me, thus inform you. But somehow many no longer find the station as relevant or innovative and has become very repetitive, "except for Amy Goodman" which is a cue to finding this station.
This same week at the Hammer I also met a woman from Houston and when I mentioned "a station that..." she said "is it the one with Amy Goodman ? we have one in Texas..." and she listens there. This too was a 1x only meeting with a stranger who may have like-mindedness to have this contact and conversation take place.
Thought you may want to know about what happens outside KPFK's walls or meetings or those who do still pay and pledge, after so much begging and harranguing. Many are surely loyal and like the same-old same-old ways of the daytime programming, tho one person also said he was "glad the spanish programming is all together....dont like when they do English and Spanish translations....gets boring..." and tunes out when the languages change for sure.
The variety of topics and the often more innovative edgy emerging personalities and experts show up on SOMETHING'S HAPPENING shows, also because it contains so much programming time, but more so because of Roy's long time willingness to present what the "liberal, progressive, radical, rebels, et al" refuse to allow or they censor out what does not conform confirm their own limited points of view.
At least my impression is that Roy has always been more courageous to present a wider variety of points of view, even ones that other KPFK programers [yes payola counts for many 'volunteer programmers' tho that dirty word is never uttered nor the actions referred to either] refuse to give voice to on daytime programs.
One more important mention:
Some people have given a large chunk just because of Roy's programming and consistency to presenting the most innovative interesting & otherwise-almost -unavailable platform for voices suppressed elsewhere.. In the thousands of dollars in one lump giving sum, but that has been treated by KPFK's management as a 1x gift and the donor is expected to pledge another year and is given no long-term credit nor do they remain a stakeholder sponsor past that year. I know this for sure.
There is no 'subscription" proportionality for large givers, which may even discourage such actions, when wealth is not always available for repeat funding the station. Why is this lack of recognition continued at KPFK ?
The giver may presume and think of themselves as a multi-year subscriber, if maybe they had access to a sum of cash and not that much for continued sharing, but KPFK drops them from the list of belonging after 1 giving.
(C) akfpker 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Open Letter to interim Program Manager - Alan Minsky
This is a copy of a letter sent, to which there will probably be no reply and may not even read at all...but the good intentions of this writer still exist and are on display here....for anyone else who 'cares' to know:
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Cc: also sent to "KPFK Program Corner for comments",
"KPFK comments", and others involved at the station too.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Alan et al, assuming you are still iPD,
Being a subscriber since 1960 to KPFK, and having a herstory of finding a few programs that are always 'on the edge' of an emerging important world at this station, let me compliment Roy's show for continuing with 'old dead' people and new ones found that come on so late at night but still heard and appreciated.... by me...and others...
The most varied and informative programs are on Something's happening show, repeatedly and continually....and I find myself daily continually informing some stranger and writing a scrap of paper note to have them find the program and archive to 'give a listen'...to what is played in the dark hours.
Please share this with Roy too. maybe forward it ?
[I have found that even tho email links are on webpage, almost ALL programmers do not respond to my compliments, questions, complaints at all, no acknowledgment of receipt and I have also heard some emails go 'straight to spam' and thus never even read...
and the excuses, many, that 'there are too many emails to respond to', is an exaggeration or lie, as the New Yorker magazine just last week responded to my email and a well known article writer also responded in a 6 line email...amazing me, but forcing me to realize how any response from "volunteers" [also known as payola-ees who get lobbyists, PR, promo people and others to give them returns for being exposed on KPFK airwaves, tho this is never ever acknowledged and pretense is that they work at these programs for free and love of us, the fans/ audience...ahem ! fools we are not ! ]
and I have written various ones over the years to NEVER get any answer, not even you]
also, the difference between Roy's program and other 'inner vision' ones like Lisa or Nita is distinctly different in his not being COMMERCIALIZED, while others dont admit it they are clearly giving their guests lots of $$$ business, even if a bit like a book or seat at workshop is given to KPFK subscriber [cheap trick as it costs almost zilch for much verbal promo by program hosts, with that recommendation being expensive elsewhere].
So Roy's way of sharing info is not selling us stuff or people, but presenting and revealing and sharing teachings or new ideas, different views, and a wider variety than most others...not just because he has more air time either....because of how pro ramming is done as we hear it ...way out here.
Also, I still agree with making many changes to see what works for whom or for how long and not getting stuck in a pattern that repeats and repeats to the few same-old same-old, even if those pay pledges, either out of fear, greed, or buy into 'we are going down !!!' stories that always repeat incessantly. Let's see: 2010 - 1960 = ? and not down yet.
I am also sharing this info you may or not know: since I speak of KPFK or refer it to strangers I meet at least 4x/week or more...maybe 43% already know if it and I ask them which program they like best & listen to ? Just yesterday a woman who works on a KPFK program said " I dont listen at all...I listen to NPR"
this is an often refrain I hear, which does not surprise me but is more often than I would expect. The drift away has been going on for a longer while than just a few months or a year...and we all hope some of these people will check out IF YOU HAVE CHANGES IN PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMMERS and come back to hear this difference...maybe..
I did not expect to hear so much of this so often, and while a bit dismayed I also totally agree with them.
Thought you might want to hear some anecdotal feedback from a very loyal [anyhow] KPFK ideal continuer.
m. = akpfker
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
(c) akpfker 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Cc: also sent to "KPFK Program Corner for comments"
"KPFK comments"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Dear Alan et al, assuming you are still iPD,
Being a subscriber since 1960 to KPFK, and having a herstory of finding a few programs that are always 'on the edge' of an emerging important world at this station, let me compliment Roy's show for continuing with 'old dead' people and new ones found that come on so late at night but still heard and appreciated.... by me...and others...
The most varied and informative programs are on Something's happening show, repeatedly and continually....and I find myself daily continually informing some stranger and writing a scrap of paper note to have them find the program and archive to 'give a listen'...to what is played in the dark hours.
Please share this with Roy too. maybe forward it ?
[I have found that even tho email links are on webpage, almost ALL programmers do not respond to my compliments, questions, complaints at all, no acknowledgment of receipt and I have also heard some emails go 'straight to spam' and thus never even read...
and the excuses, many, that 'there are too many emails to respond to', is an exaggeration or lie, as the New Yorker magazine just last week responded to my email and a well known article writer also responded in a 6 line email...amazing me, but forcing me to realize how any response from "volunteers" [also known as payola-ees who get lobbyists, PR, promo people and others to give them returns for being exposed on KPFK airwaves, tho this is never ever acknowledged and pretense is that they work at these programs for free and love of us, the fans/ audience...ahem ! fools we are not ! ]
and I have written various ones over the years to NEVER get any answer, not even you]
also, the difference between Roy's program and other 'inner vision' ones like Lisa or Nita is distinctly different in his not being COMMERCIALIZED, while others dont admit it they are clearly giving their guests lots of $$$ business, even if a bit like a book or seat at workshop is given to KPFK subscriber [cheap trick as it costs almost zilch for much verbal promo by program hosts, with that recommendation being expensive elsewhere].
So Roy's way of sharing info is not selling us stuff or people, but presenting and revealing and sharing teachings or new ideas, different views, and a wider variety than most others...not just because he has more air time either....because of how pro ramming is done as we hear it ...way out here.
Also, I still agree with making many changes to see what works for whom or for how long and not getting stuck in a pattern that repeats and repeats to the few same-old same-old, even if those pay pledges, either out of fear, greed, or buy into 'we are going down !!!' stories that always repeat incessantly. Let's see: 2010 - 1960 = ? and not down yet.
I am also sharing this info you may or not know: since I speak of KPFK or refer it to strangers I meet at least 4x/week or more...maybe 43% already know if it and I ask them which program they like best & listen to ? Just yesterday a woman who works on a KPFK program said " I dont listen at all...I listen to NPR"
this is an often refrain I hear, which does not surprise me but is more often than I would expect. The drift away has been going on for a longer while than just a few months or a year...and we all hope some of these people will check out IF YOU HAVE CHANGES IN PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMMERS and come back to hear this difference...maybe..
I did not expect to hear so much of this so often, and while a bit dismayed I also totally agree with them.
Thought you might want to hear some anecdotal feedback from a very loyal [anyhow] KPFK ideal continuer.
m. = akpfker
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
(c) akpfker 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Who does what at KPFK ? Who knows anything ?
When it is not 'just listening' as a passive person, but when you as a KPFK STAKEHOLDER, pledge-maker, contributor, volunteer, or wanna-be whatever...
also have asked but could not find out what is occurring "inside" that station,
here is a tid bit of info that helps satisfy that 'wanting needing to know'.
Below is some good information that some of us did and do NOT know or have access too..until we asked:
"It is public information that Chief Engineer Bob Conger is serving as
KPFK iGM at 1/4 salary, that Alan Minsky is serving as both iPD and
probably Senior Producer at a single full-time salary, and that
Margaret Prescod and Ian Masters, previously volunteer programmers,
are temporarily sharing a single full-time salaried position.
It is public information that Ernesto Arce is still on the KPFK
payroll as a news reporter, which is KPFK's main contribution to the
production costs of the California News, which is produced at KPFA and
replaced the KPFK Evening when we laid off most of our local news
staff...."
"Yes, these details are not publicized; but they are not confidential
and have not been hidden. Most of this has been mentioned at public
meetings, which are not well attended. Some has likely been mentioned
on-air at odd moments.
Though many of us have been taking time and work to learn all above that WE DID NOT know at all.. does that mean there are KPFK people smarter than us ?
more connected to the in-crowd, staff, management, money players than us ?
pay more for their pledges and thus gain info too?
go to parties we dont or dont even get invited to ?
sneak in and read private station info docs that we dont know how to get to ?
or what ?
Maybe if we repeatedly tolerate to attend LSB meetings and LSB Finance Committee meetings so info is found therein
The informer of this information also said nicely:
"I respect your concerns and I recognize how mysterious normal station affairs can look like from afar, especially when various actors pick pieces of information to spin in support of their special interests."
Yes, that person understands our frustrations in just trying to get basic information about "what in this world is going on in there ! ? ! ? "...that black hole where our money goes and what comes out seems to be...well you describe it...as some programs are offensive, some are informative, some are creative and others are mainly FEAR mongering while complaining about everyone else in media doing just that....trying to get benefits, money, influence by emphasizing the horrors that 'could happen'....maybe...worse than what occurs INSIDE our station.
this is from a stakeholder of long ago, with lots of cash, time, effort and love invested in those 4 call letters....
K for kaput....
P for political ...
F for ['you know what in past tense and present also'] ...
K for .....kkkkk ??? Komodo dragons who are those strange creatures that look scary [see pix here: http://www.arkive.org/komodo-dragon/varanus-komodoensis/description.html]
Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world ~ KPFK has a big signal too ....and with weird wild ancient heritage ! just like KPFK which has been around for 50+ yrs..... then more similarities also are apparent....
so conjure up the stuff of the dangerous eat-'em-up legends. Thekomodo's essential body is long with stocky legs and a long muscular tail ~ so like the macho-tough-image KPFKers prefer to display....
then the animal's scaly skin is inpenetrable and hard with no access, pretending invulnerability ~ KPFK style is same.....
Komodos also have a well-developed sense of smell so like KPFK's searching for any scary or wild drama and pretend-prophetic projections to arouse and also maybe get funds for sharing that virtual fearful experience.....
and the komodo's fancy long, forked yellow tongue which resembles the mythical, fire-breathing dragons ~ so the programs emanating from this KPFK beast is also always trying to be as fierce, as influential,as fear-provoking, as daring as any fire-fierce-producing uncapturable creature-of-old.
not a good analogy ? OK, then make a better one up for us all instead. What other creature, animal, natural image can KPFK in it's essences be conjured up to be similar to ?
(c) 2010 akpfker
+++++++++++++
and also see the recent la times article:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/27/entertainment/la-et-onthemedia27-2010mar27
with Alan Minsky's reply below
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/31/opinion/la-oew-minsky31-2010mar31
"to know the way and not practice is to be a soup ladle in the pot and not taste the flavor of the soup." jack kornfield
which also means KPFKers who Want to Know and cannot find their way are stuck in some heating up the frog gradually in watered down soup. ahem !
also have asked but could not find out what is occurring "inside" that station,
here is a tid bit of info that helps satisfy that 'wanting needing to know'.
Below is some good information that some of us did and do NOT know or have access too..until we asked:
"It is public information that Chief Engineer Bob Conger is serving as
KPFK iGM at 1/4 salary, that Alan Minsky is serving as both iPD and
probably Senior Producer at a single full-time salary, and that
Margaret Prescod and Ian Masters, previously volunteer programmers,
are temporarily sharing a single full-time salaried position.
It is public information that Ernesto Arce is still on the KPFK
payroll as a news reporter, which is KPFK's main contribution to the
production costs of the California News, which is produced at KPFA and
replaced the KPFK Evening when we laid off most of our local news
staff...."
"Yes, these details are not publicized; but they are not confidential
and have not been hidden. Most of this has been mentioned at public
meetings, which are not well attended. Some has likely been mentioned
on-air at odd moments.
Though many of us have been taking time and work to learn all above that WE DID NOT know at all.. does that mean there are KPFK people smarter than us ?
more connected to the in-crowd, staff, management, money players than us ?
pay more for their pledges and thus gain info too?
go to parties we dont or dont even get invited to ?
sneak in and read private station info docs that we dont know how to get to ?
or what ?
Maybe if we repeatedly tolerate to attend LSB meetings and LSB Finance Committee meetings so info is found therein
The informer of this information also said nicely:
"I respect your concerns and I recognize how mysterious normal station affairs can look like from afar, especially when various actors pick pieces of information to spin in support of their special interests."
Yes, that person understands our frustrations in just trying to get basic information about "what in this world is going on in there ! ? ! ? "...that black hole where our money goes and what comes out seems to be...well you describe it...as some programs are offensive, some are informative, some are creative and others are mainly FEAR mongering while complaining about everyone else in media doing just that....trying to get benefits, money, influence by emphasizing the horrors that 'could happen'....maybe...worse than what occurs INSIDE our station.
this is from a stakeholder of long ago, with lots of cash, time, effort and love invested in those 4 call letters....
K for kaput....
P for political ...
F for ['you know what in past tense and present also'] ...
K for .....kkkkk ??? Komodo dragons who are those strange creatures that look scary [see pix here: http://www.arkive.org/komodo-dragon/varanus-komodoensis/description.html]
Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world ~ KPFK has a big signal too ....and with weird wild ancient heritage ! just like KPFK which has been around for 50+ yrs..... then more similarities also are apparent....
so conjure up the stuff of the dangerous eat-'em-up legends. Thekomodo's essential body is long with stocky legs and a long muscular tail ~ so like the macho-tough-image KPFKers prefer to display....
then the animal's scaly skin is inpenetrable and hard with no access, pretending invulnerability ~ KPFK style is same.....
Komodos also have a well-developed sense of smell so like KPFK's searching for any scary or wild drama and pretend-prophetic projections to arouse and also maybe get funds for sharing that virtual fearful experience.....
and the komodo's fancy long, forked yellow tongue which resembles the mythical, fire-breathing dragons ~ so the programs emanating from this KPFK beast is also always trying to be as fierce, as influential,as fear-provoking, as daring as any fire-fierce-producing uncapturable creature-of-old.
not a good analogy ? OK, then make a better one up for us all instead. What other creature, animal, natural image can KPFK in it's essences be conjured up to be similar to ?
(c) 2010 akpfker
+++++++++++++
and also see the recent la times article:
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/27/entertainment/la-et-onthemedia27-2010mar27
with Alan Minsky's reply below
http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/31/opinion/la-oew-minsky31-2010mar31
"to know the way and not practice is to be a soup ladle in the pot and not taste the flavor of the soup." jack kornfield
which also means KPFKers who Want to Know and cannot find their way are stuck in some heating up the frog gradually in watered down soup. ahem !
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
KPFA in No. CA also in trouble, read more...
There is an article about Berkely's Pacifica's KPFA :
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=7957#more*
You may want to first read this to understand the comment made and copied here below:
"as a KPFK person, non SF but LA worker, your article is important, informative and yet seems so slanted to liking or admiring one person that the issue of fairness, election voting and Pacifica's failures seem to be 'side issues' instead.
Like they say, having an "ax that is being ground" promoting a manager that could apparently not maintain enough influence over her cohorts to remain in position of power.
Like every other USA political election that is also "so close" and won by never a big, notable "majority " but barely skims by, like Sup. Court does it's 4 to 5 or 5 to 4 continual big decisions. to then claim "it's a mandate" is the next lie that is never challenged loudly.
The simple majority win is not good enough to indicate that the people affected are in agreement with that Win or Firing or change, as in amendments, laws, bribes, and court decisions over votes not counted too. Could you do a better follow up commentary beyond this article to include other Pacifica stations, how they find their management staff [how they select or appoint those who will chose to anoint ]
....and how the staff once 'hired' is evaluated again after a short time to insure their loyalty to the station and not to other alliances they love more dearly.
Please dont just write this piece and then ignore all else that you left out. thanx"
You may also want to write your own response and spread all our thoughts and responses to what is happening to OUR RADIO STATIONS - managements, programs, finances, et al - as STAKEHOLDERS OF PACIFICA we must be responsible and they must be more transparent and accountable too !
(C) 2010 akpfker
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=7957#more*
You may want to first read this to understand the comment made and copied here below:
"as a KPFK person, non SF but LA worker, your article is important, informative and yet seems so slanted to liking or admiring one person that the issue of fairness, election voting and Pacifica's failures seem to be 'side issues' instead.
Like they say, having an "ax that is being ground" promoting a manager that could apparently not maintain enough influence over her cohorts to remain in position of power.
Like every other USA political election that is also "so close" and won by never a big, notable "majority " but barely skims by, like Sup. Court does it's 4 to 5 or 5 to 4 continual big decisions. to then claim "it's a mandate" is the next lie that is never challenged loudly.
The simple majority win is not good enough to indicate that the people affected are in agreement with that Win or Firing or change, as in amendments, laws, bribes, and court decisions over votes not counted too. Could you do a better follow up commentary beyond this article to include other Pacifica stations, how they find their management staff [how they select or appoint those who will chose to anoint ]
....and how the staff once 'hired' is evaluated again after a short time to insure their loyalty to the station and not to other alliances they love more dearly.
Please dont just write this piece and then ignore all else that you left out. thanx"
You may also want to write your own response and spread all our thoughts and responses to what is happening to OUR RADIO STATIONS - managements, programs, finances, et al - as STAKEHOLDERS OF PACIFICA we must be responsible and they must be more transparent and accountable too !
(C) 2010 akpfker
Friday, February 26, 2010
Open letter to Roy Tuckman and Alan Minsky
This letter was emailed to various station staff and management. Seldom does any acknowledgement return to indicate letters are read or cared about even. But the effort to communicate is made, because tho most affiliated with KPFK assume it should be only a 1-way OUT communication, some of us believe we as "stakeholders" and payees and volunteers and members of the non-profit station have something more to contribute than mere money. Tho that is all that is asked for...more money...only.
But if there is no 2-way or more communications, then KPFK is as doomed as the USA govt is when the focus is on acting separately from those they represent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -
To Roy and Alan :
Thank YOU for inserting some more programming about 9 11 this morning, on KPFK. Even if some people are afraid of being mis-labeled or accused as being kooks, conspiracy buffs, or extremely odd thinkers for maintaining our interest in this topic, relevant, believe-able & recent info and output is not so easy to find.
You find it and then you openly share it, w/o detailing what we must think about it. Good exposure of vital info.
KPFK has always been valued for presenting information that is not easily found elsewhere ...and even here while censorship, maybe even self-censorship too, manifests itself - even in such places that claim to honor FREE SPEECH, there has clearly been such critical prohibitions at times.
I have noticed how often violations of that desired freedom continues to exist .
For you to again share new found resources,more information, different points of view and play it for our learning more is what makes KPFK valued, whether we agree or like what is presented. We stakeholders and vintage members of the KPFK community value and pay for this kind of 'service'. Thanx
So if there are staff or management or other pressures - alliances, prejudices, strict rules, fears or whatever - that constricts programmers unduly, let those also be openly known to us all, and admitted - so the community of KPFK stakeholders can help decide how much censorship exists on our station. Or why those deletions, the deliberate not-sharing of available information does occur...
Thank you Roy = for providing such fascinating material that most of us 'out here' do not yet have access to...for us all to learn about divergent, dissident, unusual knowledge that is here exposed - to be explored further - and which is and not just swallowed whole as presented here or anywhere. This is how we learn to be critical thinkers and further disseminators of what we learn and value.
9 11 is a heavy topic still used in many arenas by many varied political viewers to explain or validate whatever they want to emphasize. It is continually being referred to directly or indirectly, so relevant and scared is the USA of being a war-zone, like other ones we see and even help create.
Another point: , please be aware that when money is scarce, some of us, split the cost of the premium and while one person gets the credit more of us gain the knowledge of the gift we receive. Sometimes it is even 3 of us who share in the cost to afford what is offered.
You all may or not want to ever suggest on air such a savings plan that still feeds the station but it works well for all sides. Otherwise, any just 1 of us would have to say "I can't afford it" and then not send in anything at times.
The Homeless program was another unique offering you played on air, that is now by some of us being made known to other van-living home-less folks, which missed it even if AFTER the broadcast.
Did anyone else in LA play that program ? Where is your competition ?
And Eben Ray's interviews are often startling, informative, giving us resources we can choose to pursue or not for more variety of thinking and understanding of what may be 'going on'. Or 'going DOWN' too.
thanks for all your work, and also to all of you receiving this letter of appreciation. After 50 years of listening, pledging ,money and sometimes participating directly. these kind of programs keep some of us with YOU-all.
(c) 2010 akpfker
But if there is no 2-way or more communications, then KPFK is as doomed as the USA govt is when the focus is on acting separately from those they represent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -
To Roy and Alan :
Thank YOU for inserting some more programming about 9 11 this morning, on KPFK. Even if some people are afraid of being mis-labeled or accused as being kooks, conspiracy buffs, or extremely odd thinkers for maintaining our interest in this topic, relevant, believe-able & recent info and output is not so easy to find.
You find it and then you openly share it, w/o detailing what we must think about it. Good exposure of vital info.
KPFK has always been valued for presenting information that is not easily found elsewhere ...and even here while censorship, maybe even self-censorship too, manifests itself - even in such places that claim to honor FREE SPEECH, there has clearly been such critical prohibitions at times.
I have noticed how often violations of that desired freedom continues to exist .
For you to again share new found resources,more information, different points of view and play it for our learning more is what makes KPFK valued, whether we agree or like what is presented. We stakeholders and vintage members of the KPFK community value and pay for this kind of 'service'. Thanx
So if there are staff or management or other pressures - alliances, prejudices, strict rules, fears or whatever - that constricts programmers unduly, let those also be openly known to us all, and admitted - so the community of KPFK stakeholders can help decide how much censorship exists on our station. Or why those deletions, the deliberate not-sharing of available information does occur...
Thank you Roy = for providing such fascinating material that most of us 'out here' do not yet have access to...for us all to learn about divergent, dissident, unusual knowledge that is here exposed - to be explored further - and which is and not just swallowed whole as presented here or anywhere. This is how we learn to be critical thinkers and further disseminators of what we learn and value.
9 11 is a heavy topic still used in many arenas by many varied political viewers to explain or validate whatever they want to emphasize. It is continually being referred to directly or indirectly, so relevant and scared is the USA of being a war-zone, like other ones we see and even help create.
Another point: , please be aware that when money is scarce, some of us, split the cost of the premium and while one person gets the credit more of us gain the knowledge of the gift we receive. Sometimes it is even 3 of us who share in the cost to afford what is offered.
You all may or not want to ever suggest on air such a savings plan that still feeds the station but it works well for all sides. Otherwise, any just 1 of us would have to say "I can't afford it" and then not send in anything at times.
The Homeless program was another unique offering you played on air, that is now by some of us being made known to other van-living home-less folks, which missed it even if AFTER the broadcast.
Did anyone else in LA play that program ? Where is your competition ?
And Eben Ray's interviews are often startling, informative, giving us resources we can choose to pursue or not for more variety of thinking and understanding of what may be 'going on'. Or 'going DOWN' too.
thanks for all your work, and also to all of you receiving this letter of appreciation. After 50 years of listening, pledging ,money and sometimes participating directly. these kind of programs keep some of us with YOU-all.
(c) 2010 akpfker
Friday, January 22, 2010
KPFK factions try to do further divisions and retaliations
This is also to be found at this posting:
http://la.indymedia.org/comment.php?top_id=234018
A faction-dissident-group of KPFK adherents had a meeting they announced on Indymedia and was not viewed in time for our attendance. However, the website they advertise clearly indicates the attempt to demand reparations, do retaliations, and insist on some rights to remain on air or on staff for infinity at least. No changes seem to be acceptable or allowed by demanding [vehemently and in no kind ways] their RETURN to their assumed owned-spots at KPFK.
This attitude is sometimes difficult to accept or even understand. No improvements or changes are possible without the ones who had a chance to do their thing giving space and time to other dedicated people to do the same but differently. Possessiveness seems to arise out of both fear and greediness and selfishness too.
That's hard to understand and accept.
It is apparent that those who are no longer on-air at KPFK resent this displacement, regardless of how much gain and access they have had in previous times. They insist that they are to remain in place forever, ownership demanded and space fought for with bad-mouthing anyone and discrediting everyone who is not agreeing with their 'rights' and their views. Somehow this does not sound like real democracy, FAIR-sharing, being cooperative with New Voices, givings others an EQUAL opportunity.
Their attitudes, words and actions sound just like any business establishment wanting only it's own benefits, profits, fame, access, air-time, and selfishly only whatever they think they "must have forever after" just because....they are so .....??? what ???? repetitive ???
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
just look at the names of those who are featured... [in the article that this comment was part of...many other comments were in article : http://la.indymedia.org/news/2010/01/234018.php ]
those who held for a very-very-very-long-time a program space and now never want to share never want to give up that powered position or
never think of being fair and giving others "a chance"
never stop their retaliation for being moved
never share
never give up an inch to others who also have as much to say and just as well...maybe differently tho
never stop trying to self-aggrandize via KPFK never go elsewhere instead to prove they have merit
never go away some of us dont like them any more, and want SOMETHING DIFFERENT, something else, something more relevant to the current times....
yet these same people insist they OWN something at KPFK ?
or thought they did ?
Or want to ?
these same people[listed on their website] are not nice generous sharing people but self-centered and often insulting other groups that are not of same minded as they are these people are trying to "get back" revenge anyone who ever tells them "you've already had your time, you need to share and give someone else a chance too" oh noo...
these demanding folk seem to repeat that all programming needs to be repetitive and the same old same old boring booooooring stuff they spewed out
why cant KPFK be innovative ?
why cant KPFK staff try new voices and opinions ?
why cant KPFK programmers shift and change ?
why cant KPFK create better programs than the same old ones that have died on the vine already from repeating themselves for so long ?
why cant KPFK change
why cant KPFK improve ??????
because the same old repetitive old timers want to keep it all,,,,, for themselves... just the same as they had it... when they had it... greedy needy people who cant prove their worth elsewhere so want to come back to roost in same used up nest ?
thank goodness they are GONE now
and
now some experiments can be tried,
some new attempts and discoveries made
some new programs aired ,
maybe even new views and opinions,
and new programmers can enrich and enliven this staid old station that WAS much more relevant 10-20-30-40 years ago - when it was more educational and innovative and varied...
a station that in more recent years has again gotten stuck with the few demanding-claimants who insist and want ONLY their program time forever and ever after. for their own reasons and benefits. while claiming they are acclaimed by everyone else.. ha !
these same old people make fake ego claims of popularity - in that they promote their programs and views to look- like it is 'others who want us back when it is They who are doing PR and self-promotions amongst their special groups and friends... and selling their pitiful rejected stories to get a 'following'.... as if only those listeners of these people were the whole of KPFK stakeholders and these followers could pledge enough to keep the station stable financially too ...huh ???
give us a break ~~~ huh ?
Forget the listeners or the real financial state of the station.
These people just want what THEY WANT.
Forget the times and changes and money concerns of Pacifica.
Forget us, who pay and pay and then tune out turn away because of the same repetitious malarkey and insulting jibes of those very same unwanted any more programmers ...those listed above...from the past ..want to "return" to their old assumed glory. huh ???
Please... let CHANGE HAPPEN finally. Stop trying to revert reactionarily to the past. Get Present and get real.
Try something else than what was-before for a CHANGE.
NOW.
(C) 2010 akpfker
http://la.indymedia.org/comment.php?top_id=234018
A faction-dissident-group of KPFK adherents had a meeting they announced on Indymedia and was not viewed in time for our attendance. However, the website they advertise clearly indicates the attempt to demand reparations, do retaliations, and insist on some rights to remain on air or on staff for infinity at least. No changes seem to be acceptable or allowed by demanding [vehemently and in no kind ways] their RETURN to their assumed owned-spots at KPFK.
This attitude is sometimes difficult to accept or even understand. No improvements or changes are possible without the ones who had a chance to do their thing giving space and time to other dedicated people to do the same but differently. Possessiveness seems to arise out of both fear and greediness and selfishness too.
That's hard to understand and accept.
It is apparent that those who are no longer on-air at KPFK resent this displacement, regardless of how much gain and access they have had in previous times. They insist that they are to remain in place forever, ownership demanded and space fought for with bad-mouthing anyone and discrediting everyone who is not agreeing with their 'rights' and their views. Somehow this does not sound like real democracy, FAIR-sharing, being cooperative with New Voices, givings others an EQUAL opportunity.
Their attitudes, words and actions sound just like any business establishment wanting only it's own benefits, profits, fame, access, air-time, and selfishly only whatever they think they "must have forever after" just because....they are so .....??? what ???? repetitive ???
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
just look at the names of those who are featured... [in the article that this comment was part of...many other comments were in article : http://la.indymedia.org/news/2010/01/234018.php ]
those who held for a very-very-very-long-time a program space and now never want to share never want to give up that powered position or
never think of being fair and giving others "a chance"
never stop their retaliation for being moved
never share
never give up an inch to others who also have as much to say and just as well...maybe differently tho
never stop trying to self-aggrandize via KPFK never go elsewhere instead to prove they have merit
never go away some of us dont like them any more, and want SOMETHING DIFFERENT, something else, something more relevant to the current times....
yet these same people insist they OWN something at KPFK ?
or thought they did ?
Or want to ?
these same people[listed on their website] are not nice generous sharing people but self-centered and often insulting other groups that are not of same minded as they are these people are trying to "get back" revenge anyone who ever tells them "you've already had your time, you need to share and give someone else a chance too" oh noo...
these demanding folk seem to repeat that all programming needs to be repetitive and the same old same old boring booooooring stuff they spewed out
why cant KPFK be innovative ?
why cant KPFK staff try new voices and opinions ?
why cant KPFK programmers shift and change ?
why cant KPFK create better programs than the same old ones that have died on the vine already from repeating themselves for so long ?
why cant KPFK change
why cant KPFK improve ??????
because the same old repetitive old timers want to keep it all,,,,, for themselves... just the same as they had it... when they had it... greedy needy people who cant prove their worth elsewhere so want to come back to roost in same used up nest ?
thank goodness they are GONE now
and
now some experiments can be tried,
some new attempts and discoveries made
some new programs aired ,
maybe even new views and opinions,
and new programmers can enrich and enliven this staid old station that WAS much more relevant 10-20-30-40 years ago - when it was more educational and innovative and varied...
a station that in more recent years has again gotten stuck with the few demanding-claimants who insist and want ONLY their program time forever and ever after. for their own reasons and benefits. while claiming they are acclaimed by everyone else.. ha !
these same old people make fake ego claims of popularity - in that they promote their programs and views to look- like it is 'others who want us back when it is They who are doing PR and self-promotions amongst their special groups and friends... and selling their pitiful rejected stories to get a 'following'.... as if only those listeners of these people were the whole of KPFK stakeholders and these followers could pledge enough to keep the station stable financially too ...huh ???
give us a break ~~~ huh ?
Forget the listeners or the real financial state of the station.
These people just want what THEY WANT.
Forget the times and changes and money concerns of Pacifica.
Forget us, who pay and pay and then tune out turn away because of the same repetitious malarkey and insulting jibes of those very same unwanted any more programmers ...those listed above...from the past ..want to "return" to their old assumed glory. huh ???
Please... let CHANGE HAPPEN finally. Stop trying to revert reactionarily to the past. Get Present and get real.
Try something else than what was-before for a CHANGE.
NOW.
(C) 2010 akpfker
Saturday, January 9, 2010
CENSUS WORK available - info needs to be aired on KPFK too ..why not?
Here is an that article gives some info and it seems like a responsible and community-sharing idea that some programmer at KPFK can do. All it takes is a 15" time slot to do 5" of an interview with someone at Census about the getting of work at Census and how to do it...and 10" of phone call-in's ....for all who prefer objecting...even objecting to working for pay if it is the USA govt [ a reflexive reaction of rebellious attitudes ]. This occurs even if the same listeners complain of no money to send to station who keeps begging about needing money to survive too.
"CENSUS needs part time workers...wanna take the test ? by " just did it anyhow" 2010-01-08
Census is late but trying to recruit everyone especially people who can speak other languages too...here are the how-to-apply details I encountered doing it today "
It is obviously in the radio station's interest to have it's dedicated following also earn/ work for more money so they can then also pledge or tithe some monies back to KPFK - during fund drives or any other time.
We have never heard any helpful information on KPFK about where or how to survive on bare subsistence levels, or other practical day to day things - other than perhaps on the Pantry show, Healthy Planet and Car Show or occasionally on Access Unltd... or sometimes the programmer may offer info that is actually helpful about buying using stuff, but less about how to get money to buy the stuff......doesn't mean it has never ever been on air , but hardly and not enough anyhow.
Do we not care about assisting our community when they too are unemployed, not like the KPFK staff, who are paid, however much and unionized already ?
How about those outside the station listeners who are afraid, hesitate, doubt, rebel against doing establishment ordinary work - all the while complaining and whining - about 'never having enough' etc etc....
This would be giving stakeholders a bit of info, a hand up and yet NOT endorsing the USA govt, but still providing a service to all who need to work and listen to this station too.
We dont know if this is of interest to anyone who has a program, or a producer of shows on KPFK or why not. Wouldn't you too love to know how the business plan of this non-profit corporate also includes helping OTHERS with actual contacts to earn a bit of money when the economy has corroded and been dumped on the majority 'rest of us'... the staff and programmers may still have employment but what about the others who 'now have time' to listen but not pay up ????
Here's hoping someone INSIDE KPFK cares enough to take some action to HELP. Not just agitate and complain abut everything else, or continue to fear-monger some more, like most media does constantly and repeatedly. KPFK does it too.
KPFK programs are often so anti-so-much that instead of being POSITIVE or helpful, the purpose of programs here appear mostly intended not just to alert, to provoke, to organize at time, but also to elicit fear - and, of course, to send money in again and some more and again. But what money ? Earned from where ? Not everyone is able to earn a living nor pay for services as before.
And here is an opportunity to apply for a bit of easy work... not fun... but maybe necessary work !
Isn't it time for something different on OUR station for just a moment now ?
(c) akpfker 2010
This article below [see link for full info] appeared on Los Angeles' Indymedia for the purpose of SHARING INFO and to encourage people who want to earn money - because they need it now - to assist those willing to try this Part Time and temporary work source. They might even learn something in the doing.
"CENSUS needs part time workers...wanna take the test ? by " just did it anyhow" 2010-01-08
Census is late but trying to recruit everyone especially people who can speak other languages too...here are the how-to-apply details I encountered doing it today "
It is obviously in the radio station's interest to have it's dedicated following also earn/ work for more money so they can then also pledge or tithe some monies back to KPFK - during fund drives or any other time.
We have never heard any helpful information on KPFK about where or how to survive on bare subsistence levels, or other practical day to day things - other than perhaps on the Pantry show, Healthy Planet and Car Show or occasionally on Access Unltd... or sometimes the programmer may offer info that is actually helpful about buying using stuff, but less about how to get money to buy the stuff......doesn't mean it has never ever been on air , but hardly and not enough anyhow.
Do we not care about assisting our community when they too are unemployed, not like the KPFK staff, who are paid, however much and unionized already ?
How about those outside the station listeners who are afraid, hesitate, doubt, rebel against doing establishment ordinary work - all the while complaining and whining - about 'never having enough' etc etc....
This would be giving stakeholders a bit of info, a hand up and yet NOT endorsing the USA govt, but still providing a service to all who need to work and listen to this station too.
We dont know if this is of interest to anyone who has a program, or a producer of shows on KPFK or why not. Wouldn't you too love to know how the business plan of this non-profit corporate also includes helping OTHERS with actual contacts to earn a bit of money when the economy has corroded and been dumped on the majority 'rest of us'... the staff and programmers may still have employment but what about the others who 'now have time' to listen but not pay up ????
Here's hoping someone INSIDE KPFK cares enough to take some action to HELP. Not just agitate and complain abut everything else, or continue to fear-monger some more, like most media does constantly and repeatedly. KPFK does it too.
KPFK programs are often so anti-so-much that instead of being POSITIVE or helpful, the purpose of programs here appear mostly intended not just to alert, to provoke, to organize at time, but also to elicit fear - and, of course, to send money in again and some more and again. But what money ? Earned from where ? Not everyone is able to earn a living nor pay for services as before.
And here is an opportunity to apply for a bit of easy work... not fun... but maybe necessary work !
Isn't it time for something different on OUR station for just a moment now ?
(c) akpfker 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
open letter to KPFK re no human response back possible..again
OPEN LETTER TO "PROGRAM COMMENTS" KPFK 's EMAIL SITE:
when anyone write to "comments@kpfk.org" as listed on KPFK website, there is a frequent response that there is a "mail failure" and it is not possible to Get Through to express a suggestion, an opinion, ask a question, or make any inquiry. This is the 3-4th time that the same dysfunction occurrs. Why is it incumbent on the sender of any email to then have to telephone, write another location or follow thru to try so hard to be heard - back ????
the continual problems that arise in a radio station that continually tries to elicit more money from it's usual loyal stakeholders or even new liseners is defeated when there is NO RESPONSE POSSIBLE EVER from anyone at this radio station. All efforts to contact the staff or even many of the programers that are even listed on their website is deflected and there is a deadening effect. This discourages anyone from wanting to pay for such uncaring, distanced, and dysfunctional [in the real world of communications, not just on-air-out-broadcasting ] business.
And never forget that KPFK is and must be a business or else fail, collapse, disappear or keep on sputtering about 'no money!'
the email resent to "Program Comments" and other staff, none which ever respond, but the desire to IMPROVE and help this radio station's workaworld's functioning is here :
ALL THE WORK I DO THAT IS NOT ON YOUR SALARIED JOB TIME IS MY CONTRIBUTION FOR WHICH NO ONE AT KPFK GIVES ME ANY CREDIT OR THANKS...
WHY IS THIS ?
I HAVE 3X BEFORE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ADVISED YOU ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH MAIL FAILURES AT THIS ADDRESS THAT YOU LIST ON YOUR WEB PAGE.
WHY DOES NO ONE EVER NOTICE THAT THEY DONT GET MAIL AT THIS ADDRESS SINCE I PRESUME ALL MAIL IS RETURNED, NOT SELECTIVELY ONLY MINE...
YOUR PROGRAM ER HOPEFULLY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE, OR DO YOU ALL ????
THE ILL WILL GENERATED BY THESE CONTINUAL FAILURES AND LACK OF RESPONSE TO EMAILS SENT TO THE STATION CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT 'NO ONE IS HOME AND NO ONE CARES' THEN THE SENDER WILL ALSO SAY ' WHY SHOULD I SEND THEM ANY MONEY IF THEY DONT CARE OR ARE THIS DISORGANIZED ? "
AND THE BAD REPUTATION OF THE STATION BEING NOT UP TO PAR IS EXTENDED AS PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THESE FAILURES TO MAINTAIN BASIC SERVICES
THAT THERE IS NO RESPONSES EVER EVER EVER TO COMMENTS IS ALWAYS EXPLAINED BY 'NOT ENOUGH STAFF' WHICH MAY BE TRUE BUT IS INADEQUATE TO INSURE A GOOD PUBLIC IMAGE AND PUBLIC PLEDGE SUPPORT BACK
BESIDES THE FEAR MONGERING THAT KPFK ALSO INDULGES IN WELL DURING PLEDGE DRIVES, WE DONT NEED OTHER MEDIA, WE HAVE OUR VERY OWN TOO.
THERE COULD BE SOME TRUSTED LOYAL VOLUNTEERS WHO COULD FILTER OR SORT COMMENTS AND DIRECT THEM APPROPRIATELY, NOT JUST THE PROGRAM COMMENTS SECTION THAT MAY [AS HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY ALSO] BE SENT TO THE WRONG STAFF WHO CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT TOPIC DISCUSSED.
THERE COULD BE A P.T. PERSON WHO IS PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH AND WANTS TO GET PLEDGE $$ CREDIT FOR THEIR WORK AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE STATION HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH IT'S LISTENERS, NOT JUST THE ONE WAY OUT FROM THOSE HOLY PRIESTS ON THE INSIDE...
THAT THERE IS NONE IS A SHAME, AND POOR RELATIONS WITH ALL KPFK STAKEHOLDERS.
ALSO THERE IS NO COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD THAT REPORTS TO CPB AND IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE FUNDING SOURCE HAS BEEN SO NOTIFIED TO ENFORCE IT'S RULES THAT THE COMMUNITY INPUT BE ACTUALLY REC'D AND UTILIZED, NOT A PRETEND 1 X YR MEETING OF INFIGHTIING.
PLEASE PASS THIS LETTER ON TO WHOMEVER IS 'IN CHARGE' AND IF THEY DONT CARE OR CANT DO MORE EITHER
OH WELLL
DOWN WE ALL GO
YOU FIRST THO
SORRY TO KEEP REPEATING COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS, AND PROBLEMS OVER MANY YEARS, REPEATED, REPEATED, AND NO CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS EVER DONE AND NO RESPONSES EVER RECEIVED EITHER. HARD COPY LETTERS, VOICE MAILS, MESSAGES LEFT, IN-PERSON REQUESTS, NOTHING EFFECTS THE IMPROVEMENTS SO OBVIOUSLY NEEDED.
WHAT A POOR BUSINESS PLAN IS IN EFFECT THAT BECOMES 'INEFFECTIVE' AFTER ALL THAT WAYS KPFK EXHORTS PEOPLE TO PAY PAY SEND MONEY AND THEN....LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF OZ....AND SEE........
oh welll
here it is anyhow.
when anyone write to "comments@kpfk.org" as listed on KPFK website, there is a frequent response that there is a "mail failure" and it is not possible to Get Through to express a suggestion, an opinion, ask a question, or make any inquiry. This is the 3-4th time that the same dysfunction occurrs. Why is it incumbent on the sender of any email to then have to telephone, write another location or follow thru to try so hard to be heard - back ????
the continual problems that arise in a radio station that continually tries to elicit more money from it's usual loyal stakeholders or even new liseners is defeated when there is NO RESPONSE POSSIBLE EVER from anyone at this radio station. All efforts to contact the staff or even many of the programers that are even listed on their website is deflected and there is a deadening effect. This discourages anyone from wanting to pay for such uncaring, distanced, and dysfunctional [in the real world of communications, not just on-air-out-broadcasting ] business.
And never forget that KPFK is and must be a business or else fail, collapse, disappear or keep on sputtering about 'no money!'
the email resent to "Program Comments" and other staff, none which ever respond, but the desire to IMPROVE and help this radio station's workaworld's functioning is here :
ALL THE WORK I DO THAT IS NOT ON YOUR SALARIED JOB TIME IS MY CONTRIBUTION FOR WHICH NO ONE AT KPFK GIVES ME ANY CREDIT OR THANKS...
WHY IS THIS ?
I HAVE 3X BEFORE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM AND ADVISED YOU ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH MAIL FAILURES AT THIS ADDRESS THAT YOU LIST ON YOUR WEB PAGE.
WHY DOES NO ONE EVER NOTICE THAT THEY DONT GET MAIL AT THIS ADDRESS SINCE I PRESUME ALL MAIL IS RETURNED, NOT SELECTIVELY ONLY MINE...
YOUR PROGRAM ER HOPEFULLY DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE, OR DO YOU ALL ????
THE ILL WILL GENERATED BY THESE CONTINUAL FAILURES AND LACK OF RESPONSE TO EMAILS SENT TO THE STATION CREATE THE IMPRESSION THAT 'NO ONE IS HOME AND NO ONE CARES' THEN THE SENDER WILL ALSO SAY ' WHY SHOULD I SEND THEM ANY MONEY IF THEY DONT CARE OR ARE THIS DISORGANIZED ? "
AND THE BAD REPUTATION OF THE STATION BEING NOT UP TO PAR IS EXTENDED AS PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THESE FAILURES TO MAINTAIN BASIC SERVICES
THAT THERE IS NO RESPONSES EVER EVER EVER TO COMMENTS IS ALWAYS EXPLAINED BY 'NOT ENOUGH STAFF' WHICH MAY BE TRUE BUT IS INADEQUATE TO INSURE A GOOD PUBLIC IMAGE AND PUBLIC PLEDGE SUPPORT BACK
BESIDES THE FEAR MONGERING THAT KPFK ALSO INDULGES IN WELL DURING PLEDGE DRIVES, WE DONT NEED OTHER MEDIA, WE HAVE OUR VERY OWN TOO.
THERE COULD BE SOME TRUSTED LOYAL VOLUNTEERS WHO COULD FILTER OR SORT COMMENTS AND DIRECT THEM APPROPRIATELY, NOT JUST THE PROGRAM COMMENTS SECTION THAT MAY [AS HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY ALSO] BE SENT TO THE WRONG STAFF WHO CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT TOPIC DISCUSSED.
THERE COULD BE A P.T. PERSON WHO IS PROFESSIONAL ENOUGH AND WANTS TO GET PLEDGE $$ CREDIT FOR THEIR WORK AND DO SOMETHING TO HELP THE STATION HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH IT'S LISTENERS, NOT JUST THE ONE WAY OUT FROM THOSE HOLY PRIESTS ON THE INSIDE...
THAT THERE IS NONE IS A SHAME, AND POOR RELATIONS WITH ALL KPFK STAKEHOLDERS.
ALSO THERE IS NO COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD THAT REPORTS TO CPB AND IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE FUNDING SOURCE HAS BEEN SO NOTIFIED TO ENFORCE IT'S RULES THAT THE COMMUNITY INPUT BE ACTUALLY REC'D AND UTILIZED, NOT A PRETEND 1 X YR MEETING OF INFIGHTIING.
PLEASE PASS THIS LETTER ON TO WHOMEVER IS 'IN CHARGE' AND IF THEY DONT CARE OR CANT DO MORE EITHER
OH WELLL
DOWN WE ALL GO
YOU FIRST THO
SORRY TO KEEP REPEATING COMPLAINTS, SUGGESTIONS, AND PROBLEMS OVER MANY YEARS, REPEATED, REPEATED, AND NO CHANGES OR CORRECTIONS EVER DONE AND NO RESPONSES EVER RECEIVED EITHER. HARD COPY LETTERS, VOICE MAILS, MESSAGES LEFT, IN-PERSON REQUESTS, NOTHING EFFECTS THE IMPROVEMENTS SO OBVIOUSLY NEEDED.
WHAT A POOR BUSINESS PLAN IS IN EFFECT THAT BECOMES 'INEFFECTIVE' AFTER ALL THAT WAYS KPFK EXHORTS PEOPLE TO PAY PAY SEND MONEY AND THEN....LOOK BEHIND THE CURTAIN OF OZ....AND SEE........
oh welll
here it is anyhow.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
KPFK-LSB disruptions continue on and on ....and on
Audio from the KPFK LSB meeting of November 21, 2009 is available for
download for a limited time from any of the following links. Some may
require entry of a confirmation code which will appear next to the
field into which the code is to be entered. (22 MB)
http://www.sendspac e.com/file/ hrrzi1
http://www.easy- share.com/ 1908529234/ klsb091121. mp3
http://www.megauplo ad.com/?d= DZN1M2A4
===================================================================
The latest KPFK website election results appear to list an alternate as #16 when other people are stating that he is the next person up to be on the board - once he acknowledges he is present at an LSB meeting roll call . This alternate apparently did not do in the 11/21/09 LSB chaotic event. That meeting occurred with much difficulty because a quorum was delayed for a few hours before sufficient LSB members responded to their name being called out by the Chairman. It was not clear whether some members chose to not attend deliberately to prevent a quorum from being formed so the group could continue working or it was just by chance that not enough LSB members were present at the 1pm beginning time.
The above audio can be listened to to hear the dramatic plays that were in effect to prevent the LSB from 'working' at the agenda many intended to accomplish.
Repeated below is the copy of the LSB recent election results which show #16 as an alternate and yet it has been stated that Reyes is the next person to be admitted to the board upon his attendance as a member.
from KPFK website copied here:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --
To clarify where Reyes is on the elected list, this quote below was provided as information, so that other KPFK stakeholders can also stay updated:
"The KPFK website info is correct - those are the latest election results. The candidates listed as elected have not yet been seated (unless they are incumbents) and the unelected candidates listed only qualify (in sequence) as substitutes for vacancies that occur after the date of the election's certification. The vacancy that Lawrence Reyes qualifies or qualified for occurred prior to this election. "
How confusing for the rest of us ordinary folks who hope for fairness, for having responsible behaviors and for some work actually getting DONE during LSB meetings... instead of the many recent shows of rebelliousness and disruption. Maybe the LSB can have a decent reasonable meeting happen next month ?
Maybe not.
Those who are elected already or who attend as "public" members, and who chose to act-out their demands for more positions and more power and who want to force the political slants only of their own choosing seem to have had an easier way to prevent effective LSB meetings . So the LSB meeting results, instead of adding helpfully to make KPFK stronger, more vital, and improved, or even unified in some ways has be stopped up instead.
Frustrating many members and public attendees to the LSB meetings.
But it is well known that is always easier to prevent and protest and destroy than it is to create, and construct and be positive.
Just a few people can disrupt a large group easily and prevent whatever intentions or agendas were in place by the meeting group. This is not a new tactic, but one that is well known and used for preventing any others from any accomplishments, even if nothing else worthwhile happens then. The disrupters accomplish their aim - to limit anyone else from doing their intended work. Time is wasted. Angers aroused. Havoc and chaos result.
oh, well, what else is new at this station ?
Has it always had plenty of members who acted as factionalized, as power-driven forces who like to fight for a place on-air ?
Has KPFK always been this ineffective and internally divided ?
Can improvements ever occur at such a fragmented and ambitiously populated place?
Listeners on-air also get the clear impression of the internal conflicts and strife too.
Is this helpful for the station and it's sincere missions ?
How can KPFK thrive financially when so much inside conflict leaks out visibly, audibly, and the stakeholders all know that strife and 'protesters' are the ones who can prevent the station's effectiveness even if they can't tear down the whole establishment ?
Is there any way to hope for a better working KPFK world ?
(c) akpfker 2009
download for a limited time from any of the following links. Some may
require entry of a confirmation code which will appear next to the
field into which the code is to be entered. (22 MB)
http://www.sendspac e.com/file/ hrrzi1
http://www.easy- share.com/ 1908529234/ klsb091121. mp3
http://www.megauplo ad.com/?d= DZN1M2A4
===================================================================
The latest KPFK website election results appear to list an alternate as #16 when other people are stating that he is the next person up to be on the board - once he acknowledges he is present at an LSB meeting roll call . This alternate apparently did not do in the 11/21/09 LSB chaotic event. That meeting occurred with much difficulty because a quorum was delayed for a few hours before sufficient LSB members responded to their name being called out by the Chairman. It was not clear whether some members chose to not attend deliberately to prevent a quorum from being formed so the group could continue working or it was just by chance that not enough LSB members were present at the 1pm beginning time.
The above audio can be listened to to hear the dramatic plays that were in effect to prevent the LSB from 'working' at the agenda many intended to accomplish.
Repeated below is the copy of the LSB recent election results which show #16 as an alternate and yet it has been stated that Reyes is the next person to be admitted to the board upon his attendance as a member.
from KPFK website copied here:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
"KPFK LSB Listener Election Results 9 SEATS TO FILL: | |
| 1). Bree Walker ELECTED 1ST Round 2). Ken Aaron ELECTED 15TH Round 3). Ian Johnston ELECTED 22ND Round 4). John Wenger ELECTED 24TH Round 5). Dutch Merrick ELECTED 26TH Round 6). Kim Kaufman ELECTED 26TH Round 7). Fred Klunder ELECTED 29TH Round 8). Sequoia Olivia Mercier ELECTED 29TH Round 9). John Parker ELECTED 29TH Round 10). Luis R. Cabrales 1ST Alt. 11). Margie Murray 2nd Alt. 12). Christopher Bayard Condon 3rd Alt. 13). Chuck Anderson 4th Alt. 14). Luis A. Garcia 5th Alt. 15). Dr. Chipasha Luchembe 6th Alt. 16). Lawrence Reyes" |
To clarify where Reyes is on the elected list, this quote below was provided as information, so that other KPFK stakeholders can also stay updated:
"The KPFK website info is correct - those are the latest election results. The candidates listed as elected have not yet been seated (unless they are incumbents) and the unelected candidates listed only qualify (in sequence) as substitutes for vacancies that occur after the date of the election's certification. The vacancy that Lawrence Reyes qualifies or qualified for occurred prior to this election. "
How confusing for the rest of us ordinary folks who hope for fairness, for having responsible behaviors and for some work actually getting DONE during LSB meetings... instead of the many recent shows of rebelliousness and disruption. Maybe the LSB can have a decent reasonable meeting happen next month ?
Maybe not.
Those who are elected already or who attend as "public" members, and who chose to act-out their demands for more positions and more power and who want to force the political slants only of their own choosing seem to have had an easier way to prevent effective LSB meetings . So the LSB meeting results, instead of adding helpfully to make KPFK stronger, more vital, and improved, or even unified in some ways has be stopped up instead.
Frustrating many members and public attendees to the LSB meetings.
But it is well known that is always easier to prevent and protest and destroy than it is to create, and construct and be positive.
Just a few people can disrupt a large group easily and prevent whatever intentions or agendas were in place by the meeting group. This is not a new tactic, but one that is well known and used for preventing any others from any accomplishments, even if nothing else worthwhile happens then. The disrupters accomplish their aim - to limit anyone else from doing their intended work. Time is wasted. Angers aroused. Havoc and chaos result.
oh, well, what else is new at this station ?
Has it always had plenty of members who acted as factionalized, as power-driven forces who like to fight for a place on-air ?
Has KPFK always been this ineffective and internally divided ?
Can improvements ever occur at such a fragmented and ambitiously populated place?
Listeners on-air also get the clear impression of the internal conflicts and strife too.
Is this helpful for the station and it's sincere missions ?
How can KPFK thrive financially when so much inside conflict leaks out visibly, audibly, and the stakeholders all know that strife and 'protesters' are the ones who can prevent the station's effectiveness even if they can't tear down the whole establishment ?
Is there any way to hope for a better working KPFK world ?
(c) akpfker 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
KPFK to meet to discuss programming and needed are Public Members to attend too
Straight from the KPFK website:
"Listener Forum, Programming Oversight Committee
Sunday, November 22 2009, 5:00pm - 7:00pm by tgoodman Hits : 72
"The Programming Oversight Committee (PrOC) of the KPFK Local Station Board (LSB) will be convening a Listener Forum to discuss the recent programming changes instituted at KPFK. Following a brief presentation by the Interim Program Director, Alan Minsky, the floor will be open for listener questions and comments.
"Sunday, November 22, 2009, 5 - 7:00 pm
Echo Park United Methodist Church
1226 North Alvarado, Los Angeles 90026"
=================================
Remember that PUBLIC MEMBERS can attend LSB open meetings and have a brief time space given in which to voice their comments, concerns, suggestions. The time is shared by how many voices there are that want to speak to those officials who PRETEND they represent US sponsors. [ they are called LSB members]
Since it appears that the LSB crowd doesnt do much of any outreach to get actual information from those who pay for the station's survival, and they dont do surveys, nor polls, nor have any group meetings to gather information from KPFK sponsors and listeners....
and since it appears that each LSB person voices mostly [if not only] their personal views and desires / demands at meetings, it is very IMPORTANT for more interested stakeholders, sponsors, and those of us involved in KPFK, attend and say something of value.
The usual way is that a bit of time, like 30 min is alotted and spread amongst those Public Members who want to have their say divided up equally. Sometimes, it may be 2X 30" periods interspersed within the meeting time. Hopefully the comments given are helpful, relevant and clear.
But dont expect action to be taken on your voiced views ! as this may hardly ever happen.
But just "TO BE HEARD" instead of just be 'passively listening" to those more powerful ones who demand to be heard [on air] is a feat in itself.
I encourage anyone who can refrain from angry outbursts, irrelevant topics and scapegoating acts to attend and see what happens at LSB meetings and to say what is necessary and useful.
Try it, you may not like it ....but you may feel better for having tried to improve OUR STATION as a community coming together anyway.
(c) akpfker 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
change means: ......
see http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/change or elsewhere
"(countable) the process of becoming different.
The product is undergoing a change in order to improve it.
[snip]
Synonyms the process of becoming different
transition
transformation
[snip]
See also modification
mutation
evolution
exchange
reorganization"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ok. so change and all that displeases those who want to keep everything where it WAS BEFORE and how it WAS BEFORE and every decision must be the same old repetitious one or else many will object....
change requires realignments
change may require new learning
change may include mistakes and errors
change may lose some and gain some
change requires thought and attention
change requires courage and trust
and more change and more ...
but at KPFK ? well, who knows what can happen ?
if your favorite program has changed time or been eliminated, does that mean the whole station has failed you ????
or
you just dont get 'what you want when you want it ??? or
you were used to getting what you got and then you habituated to it and refuse to have anything else ???
yes, the old same familiar is so much easier to take than having to risk, to try, to evaluate and even to like some unknown or untried or unconventional different program or programmer at KPFK.
but many of us thought that was exactly what KPFK stood for - the variety, the unheard, the unusual, the innovative, and the dissident....
yet change is refused, resisted and resented.
so much for open-minded KPFKers,
or can they too make a change and not be stuck with it or their old reactions ?
if there are no changes, there may soon also be no KPFK at all left
(C) akpfker 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
KPFK members may think CHANGES are not needed so changes should not occur...???
This also appeared in Indymedia in Los Angeles on Nov. 15, 2009, hoping to provoke more responses to the questions therein. Otherwise, this writer is merely writing to themself in isolation and futile attempts at communications. Oh well....whatever.....
So...Why are so many objecting to any changes attempted at Our Radio Station funded by listeners at KPFK ?
NOTE this:
"The Programming Oversight Committee (PrOC) of the KPFK Local Station Board (LSB) will be convening a Listener Forum to discuss the recent programming changes instituted at KPFK. Following a brief presentation by the Interim Program Director, Alan Minsky. the floor will be open for listener questions and comments.
Sunday, November 22, 2009, 5 - 7:00 pm
Echo Park United Methodist Church
1226 North Alvarado, Los Angeles 90026
------------
WONDER ALSO:
some of us thought that KPFK was "OPEN" MINDED and wanted ' CHANGES' and improvements too ....but did that mean only Other Groups' and People's changes and not any within the station's own staff or programmers [as is now or before] own defined territory?
Is it possible that hypocrisy inadvertently continues at KPFK and with it's involved members... where they demand and angrily shout they want things to be "different" [hoping for better but there are also many 'inadvertent unintended consequences' as well] but NIOBY ? [not in our back yard, or not our own programs, however our own space is defined]
Is it possible that those who love KPFK want it to stay as it has been for years, the same programmers at exactly the same old times, comfortably repeating their lines, safely ensconced in their programs with their limited listeners, and refusing to budge to give any new voices or views an opportunity to prove themselves to KPFK listeners ?
or even to get some other-than-usual-old audiences ?
WHY is it not possible make changes and shifts ?
to do trial and error ?
to learn from the past ?
to not be stuck in the same-old same-old program slots for umpteen years ?
WHY is it not possible to renew and transform KPFK instead of letting the 'establishment' there claim 'their' on-air time slots as if any time or program or opinion /slant / view is actually OWNED by any one person or any group ? or programmer ?
WHY is change or anything but the prior stand-by version NOT ALLOWED to happen ?
WHO can claim possession of any holy or political or social cultural, [et al] "TRUTH" ? ..or is Truth only as They happen to know it ? and then those authorities do insist on their own slot on KPFK to disseminate Their limited version of their world[s] ?
Is that the best KPFK et al can do ? Repeat itself in perpetuity ?
WHO gives any one permission to determine how to run the station that is a non-profit corporation with paid staff that are duty bound to IMPROVE and make beneficial changes in their attempts to manage and keep financially responsible this radio station ?
HOW can the KPFK "membership" or stakeholders come together to VOTE or ever agree on [anything? ] like which programs should be played on air and when and how often ...and how varied ...and also : who gets the POWER POSITIONS there or who doesn't ????
Sure many of us would like to know how the set-up as it is at KPFK - by it's structure, by laws, traditions, prior and current mistakes and failures, and KPFK being part of more stations also in Pacifica...how can KPFK can ever UPDATE itself
To be more current, more relevant to these times, and to also reflect more than the same-old voices that always do the complaining and exhorting from the past ?
Can that past be built upon to make something better happen at KPFK ?
Is it ever allowed or helpful to trust that the paid staff are honestly doing their best in behalf of the radio station and not just being self-serving and "bad" because they are not asking everyone to "vote" on every move or change or intention even ?
What are some specific suggestions and where are they voiced, written or offered ?
(c) akpfker 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
LSB election results...some are....oh well, you decide AFTER watching their actual work results
this is is copied from the www.kpfk.org web page, with a too long expanded list of alternates listed there:
"KPFK LSB Listener Election Results
9 SEATS TO FILL:
1). Bree Walker ELECTED
2). Ken Aaron ELECTED
3). Ian Johnston ELECTED
4). John Wenger ELECTED
5). Dutch Merrick ELECTED
6). Kim Kaufman ELECTED
7). Fred Klunder ELECTED
8). Sequoia Olivia Mercier ELECTED
9). John Parker ELECTED
10). Luis R. Cabrales 1ST Alt.
11). Margie Murray 2nd Alt.
12). Christopher Bayard Condon 3rd Alt.
and [3 Staff seats filled:]
1). ALI LEXA ELECTED
2). RODRIGO ARGUETA ELECTED
3). JOHN CROMSHOW ELECTED
4). STEVE PRIDE 1ST Alt
.5). FERNANDO VELAZQUEZ 2nd Alt
.6). DAN FRITZ 3rd Alt."
please ask each member who they represent besides themselves, which group that is essential and related to KPFK or it's programs from which they do polls, survey, inquiries, and gather feedback from ...and from which to learn ... and then to report back to the LSB meetings.
please ask the staff members if they are part of a faction or alliance or do they really represent the entire staff that exists, paid and unpaid ones.
please go to various LSB committee meetings to insure you see what they say, they do, or see how they behave with each other as a group. Note if they are being cooperative, coordinating and teamworking ...or if they are pushing their own particular agendas or other outside interests ...for their own business- gaining ones or politically beneficial ones to that member only. Notice if they are disruptive and preventing "work" and "business" from being accomplished or they are effective and helpful instead.
please correspond with any and all of these members, including those who have already been elected and were not just now added-on, and ask what their point of views are and how they are being fair and honest in sharing "other" views within the meetings ... besides limiting themselves to their own versions of their own world.
please ask your other KPFK listener/ stakeholder friends to go with you to meetings to keep up the PUBLIC portion, and add to be visible to all views that need to be revealed, exposed, confronted at times, and then also be addressed to the KPFK membership. There are a few other blogs, websites or groups who continue to show an interest in what happens [w/o transparency] at KPFK governance. Keep it OPEN, show it all, let everyone know what you learn, and do not be shut out by anyone who claims to have a "superior" position to you.
please try to keep KPFK as free as it claims it wants to be, but is not, yet. Do not just listen and pay but do anything, something MORE to include yourself so that the station doesnt revert into the tribal wars that are similar to those occurring in other lands, or corporations, or governments. Help unify and make this station what you also want : Free and Open Speech and Opportunities to BE, here.
please involve yourself with whatever brief time & effort you can afford to be -more than just a passive recipient listener, payee or taking it listening only in for no-cost. Whether it is 1X/ yr., 1X/ mo, 3X week, or just 1 time, do something to insure that those who have been "elected" are doing what you want and we want and they need to do to make KPFK fulfill more than it's limitedly stated mission.
please dont let KPFK die or convert into another ignorable shouting spouting venomous extreme small group of narrow thinkers.
stay alive and listen but also voice your own version of truth, now !
(c) akpfker 2009
"KPFK LSB Listener Election Results
9 SEATS TO FILL:
1). Bree Walker ELECTED
2). Ken Aaron ELECTED
3). Ian Johnston ELECTED
4). John Wenger ELECTED
5). Dutch Merrick ELECTED
6). Kim Kaufman ELECTED
7). Fred Klunder ELECTED
8). Sequoia Olivia Mercier ELECTED
9). John Parker ELECTED
10). Luis R. Cabrales 1ST Alt.
11). Margie Murray 2nd Alt.
12). Christopher Bayard Condon 3rd Alt.
and [3 Staff seats filled:]
1). ALI LEXA ELECTED
2). RODRIGO ARGUETA ELECTED
3). JOHN CROMSHOW ELECTED
4). STEVE PRIDE 1ST Alt
.5). FERNANDO VELAZQUEZ 2nd Alt
.6). DAN FRITZ 3rd Alt."
please ask each member who they represent besides themselves, which group that is essential and related to KPFK or it's programs from which they do polls, survey, inquiries, and gather feedback from ...and from which to learn ... and then to report back to the LSB meetings.
please ask the staff members if they are part of a faction or alliance or do they really represent the entire staff that exists, paid and unpaid ones.
please go to various LSB committee meetings to insure you see what they say, they do, or see how they behave with each other as a group. Note if they are being cooperative, coordinating and teamworking ...or if they are pushing their own particular agendas or other outside interests ...for their own business- gaining ones or politically beneficial ones to that member only. Notice if they are disruptive and preventing "work" and "business" from being accomplished or they are effective and helpful instead.
please correspond with any and all of these members, including those who have already been elected and were not just now added-on, and ask what their point of views are and how they are being fair and honest in sharing "other" views within the meetings ... besides limiting themselves to their own versions of their own world.
please ask your other KPFK listener/ stakeholder friends to go with you to meetings to keep up the PUBLIC portion, and add to be visible to all views that need to be revealed, exposed, confronted at times, and then also be addressed to the KPFK membership. There are a few other blogs, websites or groups who continue to show an interest in what happens [w/o transparency] at KPFK governance. Keep it OPEN, show it all, let everyone know what you learn, and do not be shut out by anyone who claims to have a "superior" position to you.
please try to keep KPFK as free as it claims it wants to be, but is not, yet. Do not just listen and pay but do anything, something MORE to include yourself so that the station doesnt revert into the tribal wars that are similar to those occurring in other lands, or corporations, or governments. Help unify and make this station what you also want : Free and Open Speech and Opportunities to BE, here.
please involve yourself with whatever brief time & effort you can afford to be -more than just a passive recipient listener, payee or taking it listening only in for no-cost. Whether it is 1X/ yr., 1X/ mo, 3X week, or just 1 time, do something to insure that those who have been "elected" are doing what you want and we want and they need to do to make KPFK fulfill more than it's limitedly stated mission.
please dont let KPFK die or convert into another ignorable shouting spouting venomous extreme small group of narrow thinkers.
stay alive and listen but also voice your own version of truth, now !
(c) akpfker 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
KPFK Interim Director's Side of her story, to be fair and equal here at least
this is a repost from an Indymedia comment, as a response to all the infighting of fractionalized Pacifica and it's directorship[s] for further elucidation and education and to show more than one side of every accusation and published article.
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2009/10/231987.php
'the other side to be read also, no ?
by a repeater of what I read Monday, Nov. 09, 2009 at 2:30 PM
There has been a letter written by the just-prior iED Grace Aaron to this author of the primary article above disclaiming some of the statements he made so grandiosely. Since it is always easy to accuse and make any claims, would it not be just as interesting to also read what 'the other side' has to say too ?
Can there be more than one version of whatever Truth one CHOOSES to utilize for whatever reasons of one's own? Let's try to be fair and equal opportunized here.
To be OPEN minded instead of taking extremist factionary positions of hate and vengeance and in competition trying to "kill off" those who someone doesn't like or want in any position of relevance ?
Here is what can be found via Google and Yahoo , no less.
[another version, another voice, another side of this heated political playing world of Pacifica ]
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
"Reply to Mr. Iain Boal Regarding His October 6th Article in CounterPunch Entitled
"From Farce to Tragedy, The New Crisis at Pacifica"
October 12, 2009
Dear Mr. Boal,
I would like to request a formal retraction of your article in CounterPunch entitled "From Farce to Tragedy, The New Crisis at Pacifica"
http://www.counterpunch.org/boal10062009.html
as it contains libelous statements about me, personally, and distortions, half-truths and false information about Pacifica.
In paragraph 1 of your article you reference a motion that was made by Chris Condon, a KPFK Local Station Board member, in a Pacifica National Governance Committee meeting, of which he is also a member. It passed that committee by a 5-4 vote. It has not yet been considered by the Pacifica National Board. I have copied that motion below my signature in this email and hope that you will include it in a retraction so that CounterPunch readers can make their own judgement about its merits.
In paragraph 2 of your article you state that: "Condon’s campaign for reelection to the KPFK Local Station Board in Los Angeles is endorsed by the current interim Executive Director of Pacifica and chair of the Pacifica National Board, Grace Aaron." This is false. I have not endorsed any candidate at any station in this election.
In paragraph 2 you also say: "Despite being thrown out of the Church of Scientology, Aaron still publicly identifies herself as “a follower of the teachings of L Ron Hubbard”." To set the record straight, I don't consider myself a follower of anyone or any one religion, ideology, group or subject. I consider myself an independent thinker. I pick and choose what I find valuable from a wide variety of sources.
Are you aware that CounterPunch Editor, Alexander Cockburn, defended Scientology on a number of issues in articles in the Nation magazine as well as other publications?
Later on in your article you state: "the last election cost upward of $700,000, including the inevitable attendant lawsuits." This is a gross exaggeration. The election cost less than half that amount, including lawsuits.
You further state: "Since Aaron’s cabal has come to power, the financial situation has markedly deteriorated. Spending on salaries and consultants at the Pacifica National Office has jumped by 40 per cent," This statement is also partly incorrect and partly misleading. The absence of a paid Executive Director for about 6 months from October 2008 to February 2009 did, indeed, mean less was spent on salaries at the National Office level, but this lack of senior management exacerbated an already dire financial situation. Fund drives were failing, membership and listenership declining and virtually nothing was being done to resolve a host of legal suits mainly related to human resources.
Should current management be faulted for hiring a very qualified interim HR Director to investigate and handle complaints? Knowing that hundreds of thousands have been paid out by Pacifica to settle such cases? Should we continue to allow stations to operate in the red without senior management in order to save money at the National Office? Don't forget, when I assumed the role of interim ED on Feb. 2, 2009, and Ms. LaVarn Williams became the interim CFO, our NY station WBAI was $1.2 million in debt to the National Office, was spending over $30,000 per month more than it was bringing in in income and was 4 months in arrears on its office rent and 2 months in arrears on its rent to the Tower that houses its transmitter. In fact, that rent owed came to almost $300,000.
WBAI has since seen a tremendous resurgence in fund drive performance, is now able to pay its bills, is current on its rent and will be able to pay its Central Services fees to the National Office after its Fall fund drive for the first time in over a year. KPFK (Los Angeles) and KPFT (Houston) are holding their own in a very tough economic climate and are paying their Central Services. KPFA (Berkeley) failed to make budgeted cuts that had been scheduled for fall 2008, months before my and Ms. William's tenures, and they are consequently faced with a 2009 budget shortfall. WPFW (Washington, D.C.) is recovering from senior management neglect which allowed that station to decline over a 2 year period.
WPFW now is in the hands of very competent, new management and should also perform much better in its fall fund drive.
Fall fund drives at KPFK and KPFA have not only met their budgeted goals, but KPFK's drive came in $62,728 over its goal and, in fact, raised $1,212,728, which is the highest amount ever raised in a KPFK fund drive.
I will not comment at this time on how we raise money in our fund drives except to say that it is easy to take pot shots without deep analysis. I have not pushed certain types of premiums on any station nor suggested any. We have, however, utilized the successful, tried and true fund drive techniques at one station, including sharing staff support between stations, to improve fund drive performance.
Criticism of any one premium in a drive should be specifically made so that the exact premium can be investigated.
The statement that "she is reported to fulminate against “pro-Palestinian, pro-immigrant” public affairs programming on the network" is untrue. I have a long track record as a peace activist on those issues and I consider this an unfounded smear on my reputation.
I have been a board member of the Los Angeles Branch of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, agree with that organization's strong and wise stand about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I have helped put on symposia highly critical of the treatment of Palestinians for WILPF
http://losangeles.wilpf.org/documents/WILPF_Bulletin_10.06.pdf,
http://losangeles.wilpf.org/documents/WILPFBulletin05.07.pdf,
http://losangeles.wilpf.org/documents/WILPF_Bulletin_02.07.pdf,
http://losangeles.wilpf.org/documents/WILPFBulletin12.06.pdf. I have also produced cable TV programs on the subject that can be viewed at
www.SocialUplift.org. See especially the video Israel & Palestine: An Insider's Perspective that can be viewed there or at
http://www.lajewsforpeace.org/Essays.html.
I have also worked on this subject as the Board Chair of Peace Action of Southern California in the mid-80s and early '90s and agree with Peace Action's public statements about that conflict. I also participated in efforts to bring peace to that region with such groups as the American Friends Service Committee, Pax Christi, New Jewish Agenda, the Muslim Public Affairs Center, Women in Black
http://www.afsc.org/ht/d/EventDetails/i/52516/pid/16705,
and other activist groups. To repeat, this is an unfair slur on my past activities and character. A couple of years ago as a member of a local Amnesty International Group I strongly supported the publication of Israeli human rights abuses by Amnesty.
I do agree with you, Mr. Boals, when you say "Pacifica is worth fighting for." There is little else I agree with in your article. Your efforts to identify me with past personalities and events in Pacifica that are not similar to the present situation as a way to denigrate me by guilt through association is unfair.
I have a deep and abiding love for Pacifica that grew out of my young adult years listening to WBAI as a Vietnam War protester. And yet you try to portray me as ignorant of Pacifica's past by identifying me with someone else.
Your journalism regarding Pacifica is very flawed. You have only to peruse our website at www.Pacifica.org to see clear evidence that our listenership and finances had been declining for at least 4-5 years, well before I was even on the Pacifica National Board, let alone in my present position. Our current National Board, senior management team and radio station staffs should be highly commended for having the courage and tenacity to turn this network around. I request that you examine the facts more closely and write a retraction of your article.
In Peace,
Grace Aaron
Chair of the Pacifica National Board
Interim Executive Director of the Pacifica Foundation"
- - - - - -
Plus a bit of New News included....
Arlene Engelhardt is the new PNB Director now
Will this person be as maligned, attacked, hated and competed with to bring that Director Down Down Down too or is this a preferred person now ? What does it to take to be accepted just long enough to accomplish some necessary work, make some practical decisions, and take much time from one's good life to dedicate to this forever tottering Pacifica empire ?
dont tell me. I know. Anyone who has power is first smiled at and quickly thrown back to the mad dogs to be eaten up alive for being imperfect, the wrong color or gender or having a different point of view and a more convenient ally pushed into the position instead. Is this what Pacifica does repeatedly and most often [hopefully not all ways] ????
May Pacifica and KPFK survive the hate filled world that currently cant tolerate anyone for longer than a quick moment. Scary world created by fear and greed. And this is not even the USA govt, but a non-profit corporation here !
[and obviously this writer too is actually afraid of revealing their birth name for fear of retaliation, exclusion, exile, hate mail and harrassment from those who disagree with whatever they write, reveal, think, or want. How bad has it become when most posters on Indymedia are usinig such strange made-up names in order to protect themselves from others who will act-out maybe if the writer is actually known ? another scary world here too] '
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)