[Vision2020] Feeling the need to be patronized?

[Carl Westberg]

I've personally become rather apolitical in the years since I co-hosted a program on KRFP, though I still vote, and I rarely listen to radio with any format of political bent anymore, (ditto TV), cable oldie music channels being my cup of tea.  But actually the mention, however snidely, of KRFP in the DN editorial, taking the adage of "there being no such thing as bad publicity" and all, could be a boost for the station.  Although let's face it, tthe Daily News doesn't exactly have the largest readership.
 


From: sunilramalingam at hotmail.com
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:42:01 -0700
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Feeling the need to be patronized?




Bill,

As I've done earlier, I'll start by saying I'm a KRFP board member.

I wish Rose were overstating the problem, but that putrid editorial epitomizes the journalism found in the Daily News. I suppose the DN doesn't have to worry about candidates dodging them; their worst worries are the comfy chairs and soft cushions. Perhaps before being lulled into sleep they'll have to dodge a couple of fat softball questions. Certainly nothing challenging will be asked by those intrepid scribes.

The quality of the analysis sinks to its usual low level. I like this:

'Now, Young's opponent, Shirley Ringo, makes the point that she has gone to every candidate forum, even those that weren't particularly sympathetic to her as a Democrat. Well, so did these three Republicans.'

Umm, Mr Rozen: Isn't it easier for the three Republicans to show up in front of a supportive crowd? 

The DN's editorial board proclaims that KRFP small listenership is reason enough to skip a commitment to participate in the debates they broadcast. What would they do if candidates decided not to speak to poor-quality newspapers?

No, this isn't the end of democracy in Latah County. Some members of the media try to get candidates to talk to the people. I'm proud to be associated with a community radio station that works hard to keep both democracy and journalism alive in this county.  The DN isn't doing anything for towards either end; it's more interested in being a filter.

But what could I know? I'm not one of these journalists, I'm just a member of the chattering class.

Sunil Ramalingam


From: london at moscow.com
To: donaldrose at cpcinternet.com; vision2020 at moscow.com
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2010 13:04:23 -0700
Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Feeling the need to be patronized?




While I think Rose has overstated the problem with today's Daily News editorial (the edit is reprinted below), Rose is essentially correct.
These 3 Republicans refused (at the last minute) to attend a public debate, basically because they thought they might get some hard questions.  That is certaily not a good enough reason.  
Candidates need to respond to all their constituents.  Republicans should not ignore the progressives who may or may not have called into KRFP.  Their choice to bail on the debate was cowardly and wrong.
Is this the end of democracy as we know it?  Nope, but it sure doesn't help slow the slide to incivility and "us and them" thinking.  Rozen needed to pass on the cheap jokes and admonish those 3 Republicans.
BL
----------
 

Moscow-Pullman Daily News - DNews.com
OUR VIEW: The end of democracy in Latah - or notBy Lee Rozen, for the editorial board
October 30, 2010
Three right-of-center candidates scheduled to appear on left-of-center radio station KRFP, known as Radio Free Moscow, cancelled at the last minute this week or simply didn't show up.
How dare these candidates not show up as scheduled to be lectured to by KRFP's listeners and asked loaded and pointed questions about their religious as well as their political views!
The chattering class to the left of center sees this as the end of democracy in Latah County. 
It isn't. 
It may speak to the candidates' courage or lack thereof in answering the tough questions, as the progressives would have it. Or it may speak to their good political sense, deciding to spend time campaigning where they might have a chance to win some votes instead of being eviscerated by those who will never vote for them.
All three candidates, Gresham Bouma, Isaac "Ike" Young and Bill Goesling, had already shown up at every one of the candidate forums that had been scheduled from Moscow to Deary and points between.
Let's face it, by this week many, if not most, of us have already voted or, at least, pretty well made up our mind on who gets our black oval. And, besides that, KRFP doesn't have the largest audience around.
We think that, if anything, these no-shows should get demerits for lack of courtesy, both to KRFP and its listeners, who thought - until showtime - that they would soon hear some fireworks.
Now, Young's opponent, Shirley Ringo, makes the point that she has gone to every candidate forum, even those that weren't particularly sympathetic to her as a Democrat. Well, so did these three Republicans.
Oddly enough, no one seems to be particularly upset that Goesling didn't show up for his time on the radio. But then he is the only one of the three not claiming to have nasty mailings sent out against him.
Some on the left seem to find insult in the very fact that ones as conservative in all aspects of their lives as Bouma and Young are running for office. 
We don't.
They give us voters some very clear choices. It is quite obvious in Bouma's race against Dan Schmidt and in Young's race against Ringo who is the conservative and who is the liberal.
That should make it much easier for you to make up your mind for whom to vote.

 
 
 
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----- Original Message ----- 
From: Rosemary 
To: 'Moscow Vision 2020' 
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2010 6:25 AM
Subject: [Vision2020] Feeling the need to be patronized?



I had great hopes that under a new editor the Daily News would move beyond their sycophantic affection for make believe colleges, bearded men, and right-wing political loonies.  I was within millimeters of re-subscribing,  Luckily I decided to wait until the election season was over before offering financial support to a news organization  that has been so disappointing in recent years. After reading the editorial in the DN this morning I’m glad I waited.  Jackassery is alive and well on Jackson Street.  And, I’m not willing to pay for the privilege of being patronized by the new kid on the block.
Rose Huskey
 



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