[PAA-Discuss] Y'all-Stock

[Miklhut at aol.com]

Mr. Duane Bradley, General Manager
KPFT Radio Station, Houston, Texas
 
Sept. 13, 2006
 
 
RE:  Your Employee, Mr. John  Basel
 
Dear Mr. Bradley,
 
I am Events Coordinator for the organization  Military Familles Speak Out, 
Texas Chapter.  I recently responded to an add  placed on the website for 
Progressive Action Alliance, advertising a peace  event, "Y'all-Stock," being held 
at the Cypress Creek Christian Church and  Community Center,  6823 Cypresswood 
Dr., Spring, Texas 77379, which is to  take place this Saturday, Sept. 16, 
2006.
 
Upon phoning the number placed at the bottom of  the add, your employee, Mr. 
John Basel answered.  I was inquiring whether  or not it was too late to rent 
a table at this event for Military Families Speak  Out to sell some tee shirts 
and buttons.  When I introduced myself and  explained the reason for my call, 
 Mr. Basel, immediately became wary and  advised he had to know what our 
tenets were before deciding whether we could be  admitted to this event at all.  I 
explained to Mr. Basel that the tenets of  Military Families Speak Out were 
as follows:  To end the war, and bring our  troops home now.  To support and 
take care of the troops when they arrive  home.  To support and care for the 
families of the troops while they  are away serving their country.
 
Mr. Basel, quickly informed me that Military  Families Speak out would not be 
allowed to participate in Y'all-Stock.   Somewhat taken aback, I asked why?  
Mr. Basel then informed me that  although he was in perfect agreement 
personally with Military Families Speak  Out, he would have to leave his church of 
over twenty years, if he were to allow  us to participate, as the elders and 
members of his church would be  offended.  At that point, I asked Mr. Basel if 
this event wasn't a peace  event, and he responded that it was.  Then I asked Mr. 
Basel if the people  he spoke about were pro war.  He then said, "Look I do 
not agree with them,  I am an employee of KPFT, a programmer,  however this 
community is  Republican."  
 
Again, I asked if he meant pro war, and he  finally conceded, continuing to 
explain his own position, of being in agreement  with Military Families Speak 
Out.
 
At this point in the conversation I was in  disbelief, that Military Families 
Speak Out, an organization dedicated to peace  and supporting the men and 
women, and their families, that are suffering  the most in this war would 
actually be banned from an event that advertised, "We'll have music to get our feet 
movin', speakers to  stir our intellect and a shared community to let us all 
know we're not alone,  that there are a significant bunch of us that want to 
make our world a peaceful  place to live.  come and see what all the peace is all 
about.  Local peace groups featured in the documentary "If  Not Now, When?" 
will also have booths.  The documentary, featuring profiles  about individuals 
and groups involved in the local Houston area peace movement,  will be 
available for sale."  

I asked Mr. Basel,  "How can your church sponsor a  peace movement if they 
are pro war?  I do not understand?  Why are we  being excluded?" 
 
 Once again, Mr. Basel tried to absolve himself,  saying these were not his 
views but he did not want to have to give up his  membership in his church of 
which is he an elder.  He said, "I am probably  a coward.  We should all speak 
out more.  These are not my views after  all, I am an employee of KPFT."
 
I responded by saying,  "I am not here to judge  you.  Are you saying that we 
are not allowed to participate?  Is this  correct?  I still do not understand 
how you can have a peace event and be  pro war?"  
 
Once again Mr. Basel apologized saying this was NOT his  view, but he would 
not give up his membership in his church.  At which  time, I thanked Mr. Basel 
and hung up.
 
Mr. Basel made this decision in a matter of seconds  after hearing the name 
of our organization and our tenets.  He consulted no  one in his church.  He 
did not offer to intercede in our behalf.  He  made this decision, not the 
elders or members of his church.  He never put  me on hold or stopped to consider 
his decision.
 
Mr. Bradley, it is my understanding that KPFT is a  Pacifica radio station 
dedicated to peace and fairness.  I realize that  your employees have their own 
personal lives and prejudices, however when same  employee continually tries 
to hide behind the good name and connections of KPFT,  while effectively 
discriminating against a respectable, peaceful organization  that has been 
instrumental in fighting for the welfare of our troops and their  families, I feel the 
need to advise you of it.  Mr. Basel's continual  denial of being associated 
with the decision, while he made the decision did not  ring true, nor did his 
continual use of KPFT as proof of his lack of prejudice  or his agreement with 
our cause.
 
The add that was placed on various websites did not  specify that all those 
who attended were required to be Republican, or Pro  War or of any particular 
religious or political affiliation.  
 
Military Families Speak Out does not require agreement  with our tenets by 
every person in any event we participate in.  We are  merely there with a 
message, "support our troops, bring them home  now", and as a means of support for 
the many soldiers and their families  that have been devastated by this war.  I 
am the mother of a career Army  Sergeant who is currently serving his country 
in Tikrit, Iraq.   While this fact does not give me any special privileges, I 
do believe I should  be treated fairly and with respect, as should the many 
military families in the  Houston area.   
 
I had already sent out emails to our Houston members  advising them to attend 
this function, even if we were too late to obtain a  table and participate 
this way, Military Families Speak Out was poised to be a  willing participant in 
any legitimate bid for peace.  It was painful for me  to have to communicate 
to these families, who have suffered so much and  sacrificed for America that 
they were not welcome because they are not  Republicans or Pro War, or because 
they advocate ending the war.  It was  certainly a first for MFSO.  We are 
not a political group or even allowed  to ally ourselves with any party or 
political candidate,  This type of  treatment and the use of KPFT as a cover for 
it,  does not bode well for  our city, our state or our nation. 
 
Sincerely,
 
Mikal Hutto - Events Coordinator
Military Families Speak Out - Texas  Chapter
713-472-3711
 



 
 
 
 


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