[Sosfbay-discuss] SF Chronicle editors explain why they bar Greens......
JamBoi
jamboi at yahoo.com
Thu Oct 19 13:45:20 PDT 2006
Hey Scott,
I've been forwarding this conversation to our state party lists, so
hopefully we'll get some action going on this. My suggestion would be
that we have a subgroup in the future to formulate rapid reaction
releases on strategic things like this. Yes we are decentralized and
this could be a powerful tool as you suggest, but also if we can focus
a laser beam here and there and stir up some controversy it will
benefit all our parties across the nation. This is essentially what
TPM Muckracker, DU and DailyKos have done against us and what we need
to be able to return the favor with. Maybe in this case the CA media
committee can come up with something and pass it back here where we
canadd our national weight to the issue???
A Million Votes for Peace!
Drew
--- Scott McLarty <scottmclarty at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Hi Drew
>
> The problem here is that we have only a few weeks
> until Election Day, and we put out on average two
> national GP releases a week, as well as some
> forwarded releases from the candidates
> themselves. We have a pile of topics to cover in
> releases, and we can't abandon them for a
> sustained debate with the SF Chronicle over its
> policies.
>
> Furthermore, the SF Chronicle can easily ignore a
> national release by the GP. But it can't ignore
> piles of letters to the editor, letters &
> articles published in other media, and complaints
> from lots of Greens in the SF area who object to
> their exclusionary policies.
>
> In other words, we should try to reverse a
> tendency among many Greens to believe that
> national GP press releases are the sole
> expression of our positions. We need to motivate
> Greens to step and make themselves spokespersons
> for the party, and to speak out in their own
> words. That's what being a democratic,
> decentralized party means.
>
> In the Media Committee, we'll probably cover
> debates & exclusion of Greens again in the next
> week or two, but Greens elsewhere need to speak
> out right away. (Some are already doing so.)
>
> Scott
>
>
> --- JamBoi <jamboi at yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > Hi Scott,
> >
> > I'd have to say while I totally appreciate the
> > wisdom of your years in
> > this work I disagree that the GPUS Media
> > Committee is the wrong place
> > for spotlighting this. I think its exactly the
> > right venue because we
> > can use this instance as emblematic of the
> > entire problem and make an
> > example of them. I defer to you on this, but
> > I'd prefer that we go
> > after them. Of course we can try to make some
> > impact with our state
> > party, but I'd rather see us make national
> > headlines by scorning them
> > for their shameful behavior. If it requires
> > action by another
> > committee to approve this tactic then I'd say
> > lets give it a go and ask
> > for the green light.
> > IMO it is exactly this kind of national action
> > we need to do in order
> > to be taken seriously as the GPUS and as long
> > as we don't flex our
> > growing muscles we continue to be kicked around
> > with impunity.
> >
> > A Million Votes for Peace!
> >
> > Drew
> >
> > --- Scott McLarty <scottmclarty at yahoo.com>
> > wrote:
> >
> > > Hi Drew
> > >
> > > Greens need to respond quickly to the SF
> > > Chronicle and challenge their policy on
> > excluding
> > > valid candidates for public office.
> > >
> > > We especially need to emphasize that (1) such
> > > exclusion violates the right of voters to
> > know
> > > about the names they'll see on the ballot;
> > and
> > > (2) when debate sponsors rely on public
> > opinion
> > > polls and their own biases about who should
> > > participate in debates, then public opinion
> > polls
> > > and debate sponsors' biases replace
> > democratic
> > > elections as the determinants of who gets
> > elected
> > > to office.
> > >
> > > However, national Green Party press releases
> > are
> > > the wrong venue for a public exchange with
> > the
> > > Chronicle about their policies. Greens need
> > to
> > > write letters to the editor of the Chronicle
> > and
> > > other papers, and also submit op-ed columns
> > where
> > > our arguments can be made in greater detail
> > than
> > > in short letters. SF area Greens should
> > > especially respond.
> > >
> > > Cres: For some interesting information on the
> > > history of propaganda, especially corporate &
> > > political propaganda in which the propagators
> > > limit the terms of debate and engineer public
> > > consent, read this Wikipedia on Edward
> > Bernays,
> > > the 'father of public relations':
> > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays
> > >
> > > Scott
> > >
> > >
> > > --- JamBoi <jamboi at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I think Rebecca's on to something here. We
> > > > need to continue to press
> > > > this point nationally, and why not use the
> > > > Chron to do it. How about
> > > > let's do a release where we really skewer
> > the
> > > > Chron and make a stink
> > > > about how they are operating as the
> > > > 'Gatekeepers' as to what is 'safe'
> > > > for Americans to choose from? If we played
> > our
> > > > cards right we could
> > > > stir up some controversy and maybe even get
> > > > some press coverage from
> > > > rival media!
> > > >
> > > > After all here in California the
> > legislature
> > > > and Schwartzenegger just
> > > > worked out an initiative on global warming
> > --
> > > > in other words the
> > > > Grope-inator is playing to the green crowd
> > and
> > > > trying to remake himself
> > > > in the Green image! What better time to
> > call
> > > > to task the Chron for
> > > > excluding the Green Party candidates!!!
> > > >
> > > > A Million Votes for Peace!
> > > >
> > > > Drew
> > > >
> > > > --- Rebecca Rotzler <rrrotzler at gmail.com>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Wow! So a couple of editorial staffers
> > are
> > > > deciding what is best for
> > > > > all
> > > > > Californians, do we not smell corporate
> > media
> > > > censorship? I think
> > > > > the
> > > > > below would be wonderful to quote in a
> > > > release:
> > > > > So the question comes
> > > > > down to whether Californians would be
> > better
> > > > > served by a more focused and extensive
> > > > comparison
> > > > > of the two major-party candidates - one
> > of
> > > > whom
> > > > > will be secretary of state for the next
> > four
> > > > > years - or a forum that also included the
> > > > Green,
> > > > > Libertarian, American Independent and
> > Peace
> > > > and
> > > > > Freedom party candidates. Our judgment is
> > > > that
> > > > > Californians need this chance to directly
> > > > compare
> > > > > Bowen and McPherson.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes, let us not waste the precious time
> > of
> > > > those Californians, the
> > > > > judgement
> > > > > is that they should not hear from any but
> > two
> > > > voices, and they must
> > > > > be
> > > > > spared from muddling their brains with
> > > > anything but those two, we
> > > > > don't want
> > > > > to confuse them in the absolute need to
> > > > compare only two, and nothing
> > > > > but
> > > > > two. Two, got it?
> > > > >
> > > > > Rebecca
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 10/19/06, Julia Willebrand
> > > > <julia.willebrand at verizon.net> wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Re: "Second, it mentions the US Senate
> > > > race, but says that "John"
> > > > > > interviewed the Gree candidate "because
> > she
> > > > stood a a chance
> > > > > (mistake: it
> > > > > > is
> > > > > > a "he," Todd Chretien)...And, third,
> > "not
> > > > of beating Pelosi"
> > > > > (mistake: the
> > > > > > incumbent is Feinstein)."
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The mistake is that the comment more
> > likely
> > > > refers to Green
> > > > > congressional
> > > > > > candidate Krissy Keefer who is running
> > > > against Nancy Pelosi. Krissy
> > > > > is a
> > > > > > very public performer/celebrity in SF
> > and I
> > > > think she is the only
> > > > > > candidate
> > > > > > running against Pelosi.
> > > > > > Julia
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On 10/19/06 3:24 AM,
> > "civillib at cwnet.com"
> > > > <civillib at cwnet.com>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanks for this...I guess the
> > Chronicle
> > > > felt a little heat.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Just a side note, but I'm not sure
> > who
> > > > wrote - but it appears to
> > > > > be
> > > > > > someone
> > > > > > > from the Chron and might explain how
> > the
> > > > know very little about
> > > > > Greens
> > > > > > > surprisingly - the message below that
> > > > starts with ""Hello
> > > > > Larry..." but
> > > > > > it
> > > > > > > is very much in error.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > First, the email refers to a "Green
> > > > (Matt) Gonzalez who "made the
> > > > > > runoff."
> > > > > > > Played down just a bit. Matt entered
> > the
> > > > race very late, was
> > > > > outspent
> > > > > > 10-1,
> > > > > > > the GOP and Dems sent big guns (from
> > > > Clinton to Feinstein) in to
> > > > > back
> > > > > > > Newsom, and yet Newsom won by just a
> > > > couple of percentage points.
> > > > > A
> > > > > > little
> > > > > > > better than just making the runoff.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Second, it mentions the US Senate
> > race,
> > > > but says that "John"
> > > > > interviewed
> > > > > > > the Gree candidate "because she stood
> > a a
> > > > chance (mistake: it is
> > > > > a "he,"
> > > > > > > Todd Chretien)...And, third, "not of
> > > > beating Pelosi" (mistake:
> > > > > the
> > > > > > > incumbent is Feinstein).
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Yikes, makes me wonder if the
> > Chronicle
> > > > has any idea of what's
> > > > > up. As a
> > > > > > > former mainstream reporter for big
> > > > dailies, let me say there was
> > > > > a
> > > > > > reason
> > > > > > > reporters tried to stay far away from
> > > > editorial board types.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Cres
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > At 10:19 PM 10/18/2006 -0700, Scott
> > > > McLarty wrote:
> > > > > > >> (Courtesy of Larry Gross; forwarded
> > to
> > > > me by
> > > > > > >> Scott Tucker. Note that SF
> > Chronicle
> > > > editor John
> > > > > > >> Diaz, in providing these
> > explanations,
> > > > writes
> > > > > > >> "Feel free to forward to Larry or
> > Bob or
> > > > anyone
> > > > > > >> else who inquires." -- Scott)
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> SF Chronicle and candidates:
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Hello Larry (and Bob),
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Here is the explanation from John
> > Diaz,
> > > > our
> > > > > > >> editorial page editor, who made the
> > > > decision to
> > > > > > >> exclude all four third party
> > candidates
> > > > from the
> > > > > > >> debate, for the reasons expressed
> > below.
> > > > Let me
> > > > > > >> add that in local races, the
> > editorial
> > > > board
> > > > > > >> always includes Green candidates
> > along
> > > > with Dems
> > > > > > >> and Repubicans because in the Bay
> > Area,
> > > > they make
> > > > > > >> a strong showing and actually have a
> > > > chance of
> > > > > > >> winning (witness the last mayor's
> > race
> > > > where a
> > > > > > >> Dem -- Newsom -- and a Green -
> > Gonzalez,
> > > > made the
> > > > > > >> runoff. In the race for US Senate,
> > John
> > > > > > >> interviewed the Green candidate
> > because
> > > > she stood
> > > > > > >> a chance, not of beating Pelosi, but
> > of
> > > > getting
> > > > > > >> as many votes statewide as the
> > > > Republican.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >> Here are John's thoughts:
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > >> From: Diaz, John
> > > > > > >> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006
> > 11:20
> > > > AM
> > > > > > >> To: Zacchino, Narda
> > > > > > >> Subject: RE: What's the Chronicle up
> > to?
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Hello Narda: Here is my thinking.
> > Feel
> > > > free to
> > > > > > >> forward to Larry or Bob or anyone
> > else
> > > > who
> > > > > > >> inquires. It really is the perpetual
> > > > question we
> > > > > > >> face in the media: Whether to
> > provide
> > > > "equal"
> > > > > > >> coverage to minor party candidates
> > and
> > > > thus
> > > > > > >> dilute the resources & attention we
> > > > apply to the
> > > > > > >> major party candidates. Neither
> > Forrest
> > > > Hill nor
> > > > > > >> any of the minor-party candidates
> > for
> > > > secretary
> > > > > > >> of state has shown any sign of
> > becoming
> > > > a factor
> > > > > > >> in the race. I have been meeting,
> > and
> > > > will
> > > > > > >> continue to meet, with Green Party
> > > > candidates for
> > > > > > >> various offices, but on a live
> > Webcast,
> > > > our time
> > > > > > >> is inherently limited.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> FYI, here's the statement I'm
> > putting
> > > > out for any
> > > > > > >> media inquiries ...
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> There are six certified candidates
> > for
> > > > secretary
> > > > > > >> of state. Two of them - Republican
> > > > incumbent
> > > > > > >> Bruce McPherson and Democrat Debra
> > Bowen
> > > > - have a
> > > > > > >> plausible chance of winning. All
> > > > indications are
> > > > > > >> that this is an extremely close race
> > and
> > > > the two
> > > > > > >> major-party candidates have two
> > > > distinctly
> > > > > > >> different visions about the role of
> > > > secretary of
> > > > > > >> state. This is their first - and
> > only
> > > > scheduled -
> > > > > > >> debate of the campaign. So the
> > question
> > > > comes
> > > > > > >> down to whether Californians would
> > be
> > > > better
> > > > > > >> served by a more focused and
> > extensive
> > > > comparison
> > > > > > >> of the two major-party candidates -
> > one
> > > > of whom
> > > > > > >> will be secretary of state for the
> > next
> > > > four
> > > > > > >> years - or a forum that also
> > included
> > > > the Green,
> > > > > > >> Libertarian, American Independent
> > and
> > > > Peace and
> > > > > > >> Freedom party candidates. Our
> > judgment
> > > > is that
> > > > > > >> Californians need this chance to
> > > > directly compare
> > > > > > >> Bowen and McPherson.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> -John
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > >> From: Zacchino, Narda
> > > > > > >> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006
> > 11:12
> > > > AM
> > > > > > >> To: Diaz, John
> > > > > > >> Subject: FW: What's the Chronicle up
> > to?
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> This is the chair of the
> > communications
> > > > > > >> department at usc
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> -----Original Message-----
> > > > > > >> From: Larry Gross
> > > > [mailto:lpgross at usc.edu]
> > > > > > >> Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006
> > 9:00
> > > > AM
> > > > > > >> To: Robert Scheer
> > > > > > >> Subject: What's the Chronicle up to?
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Bob,
> > > > > > >> what's this all about? What was
> > Narda
> > > > think about
> > > > > > >> this exclusionary, anti-democratic
> > > > decision by
> > > > > > >> the Chronicle? Who decided to do
> > this
> > > > anyway, and
> > > > > > >> why? Larry
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > > > > > >> Larry Gross
> > > > > > >> Professor and Director
> > > > > > >> School of Communication
> > > > > > >> Annenberg School
> > > > > > >> University of Southern California
> > > > > > >> Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281
> > > > > > >> [213] 740-3770
> > > > > > >> * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>> To: info at voteforrest.org
> > > > > > >>> Subject: Weds. 1 pm: Debate Protest
> > > > > > >>> Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:01:02
> > -0700
> > > > > > >>> From: Forrest Hill for Secretary of
> > > > State
> > > > > > >> <info at voteforrest.org>
> > > > > > >>> Reply-to: Forrest Hill for
> > Secretary of
> > > > State
> > > > > > >> <info at voteforrest.org>
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> PLEASE FORWARD
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Protest Forrest's exclusion from SF
> > > > Debates
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Forrest has called a press
> > conference
> > > > for
> > > > > > >> tomorrow
> > > > > > >> (Weds.) at 1 pm to
> > > > > > >>> protect his exclusion from the San
> > > > Francisco
> > > > > > >> Chronicle's
> > > > > > >> debate.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> We need your support to let the
> > media
> > > > know that
> > > > > > >> it is no
> > > > > > >> longer
> > > > > > >>> accepted to discriminate against
> > third
> > > > party
> > > > > > >> candidates.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> If you live in the Bay Area please
> > come
> > > > down to
> > > > > > >> KPIX-TV,
> > > > > > >> 855 Battery
> > > > > > >>> St. San Francisco, at 1 p.m. and
> > help
> > > > us make
> > > > > > >> some noise.
> > > > > > >> We will have
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>> signs, but feel free to bring your
> > own.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> See press release below for
> > details.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> URGENT NEWS ADVISORY
> > > > > > >>> Tuesday October 17, 2006
> > > > > > >>> Contact: Cres Vellucci, press
> > > > secretary,
> > > > > > >> 916.996-9170
> > > > > > >>> civillib at cwnet.com
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> ATTN: Daybook/Assignment Desk
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Chronicle called undemocratic by
> > > > candidate
> > > > > > >>> excluded from Secretary of State
> > > > debate;
> > > > > > >> Pickets
> > > > > > >>> expected at campaign forum
> > Wednesday
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> SAN FRANCISCO - Green Party
> > Secretary
> > > > of State
> > > > > > >> candidate
> > > > > > >> Dr. Forrest
> > > > > > >>> Hill charged today that the San
> > > > Francisco
> > > > > > >> Chronicle may
> > > > > > >> have excluded
> > > > > > >>> him from a televised debate on
> > > > Wednesday either
> > > > > > >> because
> > > > > > >> the paper
> > > > > > >>> "does not believe in democracy (or)
> > > > because I
> > > > > > >> am the only
> > > > > > >> openly gay
> > > > > > >>> candidate running for statewide
> > > > office."
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> Hill has called a news conference -
> > and
> > > > a
> > > > > > >> picket of the
> > > > > > >> debate -
> > > > > > >>> WEDNESDAY,at KPIX-TV, 855 Battery
> > St.,
> > > > at 1
> > > > > > >> p.m., shortly
> > > > > > >> before the
> > > > > > >>> debate is due to begin.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> The debate will feature incumbent
> > > > Republican
> > > > > > >> Bruce
> > > > > > >> McPherson and
> > > > > > >>> Democrat Debra Bowen, but the
> > Chronicle
> > > > > > >> excluded Hill,
> > > > > > >> who has a
> > > > > > >>> doctorate from the Massachusetts
> > > > Institute of
> > > > > > >> Technology
> > > > > > >> and is a
> > > > > > >>> former campaign advisor to Ralph
> > Nader.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> In a letter to the Chronicle, Hill
> > said
> > > > he
> > > > > > >> found it
> > > > > > >> "simply
> > > > > > >>> irresponsible for a powerful news
> > > > outlet like
> > > > > > >> the
> > > > > > >> Chronicle to limit
> > > > > > >>> voter choices by promoting only two
> > > > points of
> > > > > > >> view...in a
> > > > > > >> city where
> > > > > > >>> Greens often out poll Republicans.
> > > > > > >>>
> > > > > > >>> "The Chronicle has an opportunity
> > to
> > > > take the
> > > > > > >> high road
> > > > > > >> by opening up
> > > > > > >>> the debate to candidates running
> > > > outside the
> > > > > > >> two
> > > > > > >> mainstream parties.
> > > > > > >>> (The Chronicle) can play an
> > important
> > > > role in
> > > > > > >> rebuilding
> > > > > > >> confidence in
> > > > > > >> our Democratic system by allowing me
> > to
> > > > take part
> > > > > > >> in
> > > > > > >> Wednesday's
> > > > > > >> Secretary of State debate," said
> > Hill.
> > > > > > >>> -30-
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > >
> > >
> >
> __________________________________________________
> > > > > > >> Do You Yahoo!?
> > > > > > >> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the
> > best
> > > > spam protection around
> > > > > > >> http://mail.yahoo.com
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >
> > > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > > usgp-media mailing list
> > > > > > > usgp-media at lists.gp-us.org
> > > > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> http://lists.gp-us.org/mailman/listinfo/usgp-media
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > _______________________________________________
> > > > > > usgp-media mailing list
> > > > > > usgp-media at lists.gp-us.org
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> http://lists.gp-us.org/mailman/listinfo/usgp-media
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > JamBoi
> > > > Jammy The Sacred Cow Slayer
> > > >
> > > > "Live humbly, laugh often and love
> > > > unconditionally" (anon)
> > > > http://dailyJam.blogspot.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> __________________________________________________
> > > > Do You Yahoo!?
> > > > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best
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> > > > protection around
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> > > >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > > > usgp-media at lists.gp-us.org
> > > >
> > >
> >
> http://lists.gp-us.org/mailman/listinfo/usgp-media
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> __________________________________________________
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> > >
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> > >
> >
> >
> > JamBoi
> > Jammy The Sacred Cow Slayer
> >
> > "Live humbly, laugh often and love
> > unconditionally" (anon)
> > http://dailyJam.blogspot.com
> >
> >
> __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> > protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
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> > usgp-media at lists.gp-us.org
> >
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> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
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> http://mail.yahoo.com
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>
JamBoi
Jammy The Sacred Cow Slayer
"Live humbly, laugh often and love unconditionally" (anon)
http://dailyJam.blogspot.com
__________________________________________________
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