I have decades of experience as a board member of the WBAI LSB, Pacifica National Board and on the National Finance Committee. I have held management positions assisting the WBAI General Manager and have hosted numerous programs and been a news reporter since 1988. I have a large following of listeners at Pacifica and through my life long work as a journalist. I’m strong willed, but scrupulously fair, I’m dedicated to the growth and rebirth of Pacifica and WBAI while strictly adhering to Pacifica’s political roots, expanding those roots and strengthening the mission statement of the Pacifica Foundation. I firmly support free speech for those who may disagree, while never flinching from progressive goals. My goals include social democracy, housing rights, ending houselessness, ending racial and ethnic discrimination, telling the truth about US history, making it all fun for the listener.
Pacifica radio is a global reach organization with thousands of years of experience when you add up everybody over the past century who has been involved in creating this unique structure. I would ameliorate the gulf between those who see a social democratic future and the significant forces at Pacifica supporting revolutionary change in the United States. I can focus on raising money for the foundation without violating the principles in Pacifica’s mission statement. The network has maneuvered itself into a log jam by holding on to its 1940s and 50s business structure, concomitantly local stations are at loggerheads with the Foundation and often each other. This problem can only be solved through leadership that is above the fray.
The idea that one side or another will rule the network and make decisions affecting all the stations is unsustainable and attempts to unify the stations into one Foundation by force have failed and will continue to fail. It’s not the type of people we are. After decades of participation it’s easy to see the problems are not easily solved because and the problems are not about money. At the root of Pacifica’s recent failures to monetize its incredible body of work are political conflicts.
We are going to see more Trumps even if we survive the one we have now. The billionaire class is not loosening its grip because it loses elections and the possibility that elections may be cancelled is not a left-wing fantasy anymore, it’s a real possibility. This reality is recognized by millions. Those snickering and turning their heads at this statement must realize we are not in the same world that existed when they acquired their business acumen. The rules have changed.
Pacifica and its legion of community radio stations have been thrust into the forefront of political leadership it’s not ready for, and that is good. The old rules no longer apply. I have the knowledge, experience and personality, combining strength of will with a sense of humor that’s necessary to deal with thousands of very individually minded programmers and listeners. I have the strength to lead affiliates without bombastic attempts to control speech, I can unify disparate forces from health activists, to socialists, anarchists, retirees, middle American housewives and househusbands, laborers and labor aristocrats in ways that have yet to happen, yet can happen here.
I can lead through the hurricane of change that’s coming without bowing down to the bottom liners, yet still speaking with rationality from the left perspective that’s unexpectedly become part of the mainstream. I’m not going to support espionage, violent protest or a boring failure to step into the future. I will build support and I will make changes with general unity after careful consideration and working together with everyone. The future is ours, we need unity of purpose and strength of will to succeed.