[PAA-Discuss] Fwd: Re: Y'all-Stock

[Bill Crosier]

I apologize if you get the message below twice, but it didn't appear to go out to the discuss list server.  (I didn't get it back and it's not in the archives.)
If any of the rest of you try to post a message to our discuss list and you don't get it back within a half hour or so, please send it again and let me know.  Occasionally the server seems to go down briefly, but I don't understand why it's losing messages.

As far as I am concerned, MFSO is welcome to have any and all literature they want at the PAA table at Y'all-Stock (assuming we decide to still have a table there).  John Basel says he's not trying to censor anyone, but I've asked for clarification on this and will let y'all know.

Bill


>Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 13:10:59 -0500
>To: PAA--Discussion List
>From: Bill Crosier <paa at crosierbiomed.com>
>Subject: Re: [PAA-Discuss] Y'all-Stock
>
>Mikal, Sherry, and others,
>
>I, too, am troubled by what you were told about MFSO not being allowed to have a table at Y'all-Stock.
>
>I've heard from some others who feel similarly.
>
>I just sent a note to John Basel explaining how I felt, and about saying how I'm for peace without being able to talk about what that means (in relation to Iraq, etc.) is something I could not do.  We have to stand up for what we believe in.
>
>I also asked John to reconsider the decision to prevent MFSO from having a table there.  I told him I feel it's important for us to have a dialog with people who support the Iraq occupation, but we can't do that if we can't talk about why we shouldn't be there.
>
>I, along with some others from our group (including Lee Loe and Tomi Phillips), are scheduled to be on the program as speakers at Y'all-Stock.  Now I'm rethinking what I should say, or even if I should go at all.  My inclination is to go anyway, as I do want to reach out to the people who think being in Iraq is OK.  But I'm certainly not going to just talk about being for peace without saying what that means to me.  I want to talk about what I believe in, and that includes a strong democracy based on ethics, leading the world by example, telling the truth, and doing what's right.  I'd like to get some dialog going and so I may change my presentation to see if we can do that with whatever war supporters may be there.  I want us all to start talking more with each other about the moral and ethical reasons why the Iraq invasion and occupation is wrong, as well as the practical and security reasons why the US should get out now.
>
>And PAA is planning to have a table but I don't think we should have one unless we can distribute literature and T-shirts that promote our positions.  (So far, we haven't been told anything about restrictions on materials we can have there, which makes it even more strange that they would single out MFSO.)
>
>I'm sure we'll talk about this at the PAA meeting tonight, too.
>
>Also, Mikal, regarding your note to Duane Bradley:
>I'm pretty sure that John Basel, like almost all KPFT programmers, is NOT an employee of KPFT.  With a few exceptions, the programmers are volunteers and they spend many hours of their own time (unpaid) preparing for each program.  The KPFT management usually doesn't lean on them very much to control what they say on the air as long as they are following the FCC rules, and they certainly don't control what they do outside of the station.
>
>For those of you who don't know, John Basel is the host of the "Hate Free Zone", which is on KPFT's Open Journal about once a month.
>
>Bill
>
>
>At 12:08 AM -0400 9/14/06, Miklhut at aol.com wrote:
>>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
>> 
>
>-- 
> 
>Bill Crosier
>paa at crosierbiomed.com     713-641-4941
>Progressive Action Alliance         http://progressiveactionalliance.org/
>Lying, Spying, Torture... IMPEACH!  http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/


-- 
Bill Crosier
paa at crosierbiomed.com     713-641-4941
Progressive Action Alliance         http://progressiveactionalliance.org/
Lying, Spying, Torture... IMPEACH!  http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/