California Attorney General Launches Investigation Into Pacifica Foundation

[TheBigA]

You are comparing gun nuts to a public radio station that you don't like which doesn't surrender its license because you say so?

"...that I don't like?" Huh? Where do you come up with that? I think you're confusing me with someone else.

 

[Avid Listener]

This is a thread about Pacifica. If you have an example of all of these "right wing" stations that do the same thing, start a thread about them. Again, you can't see past your own biases to have an intelligent conversation about business practices of a station that you obviously agree with.

In the meantime, us adults will talk about Pacifica. Because that's the topic. Not "everyone else but Pacifica".

Pacifica is an advocacy platform with a specific political agenda, being investigated by a politically elected attorney general. Such investigations of political advocacy groups conducted by politically elected officials do not take place in a vacuum. The political climate in which this political investigation of a political advocacy enterprise is absolutely germane to the discussion.

 

[TheBigA]

Pacifica is an advocacy platform with a specific political agenda, being investigated by a politically elected attorney general.

Actually that's not true. As I said earlier in this thread, they're being investigated by civil servants, not a politically elected AG, and the investigation is about their accounting, not their politics. Just as when Family Radio and Harold Camping was investigated by the exact same people. So as you can see, this is NOT a political investigation.

Let me repost the facts in this story:

"In response to a March 2014 complaint from 8 former board members who served on the Pacifica National Board between 2008 and 2013, the Registry of Charitable Trusts, the division of the California AG that supervises California nonprofit organizations, has launched a comprehensive audit of Pacifica Radio’s accounting and compliance functions."

 

[Ravens]

Actually that's not true. As I said earlier in this thread, they're being investigated by civil servants, not a politically elected AG, and the investigation is about their accounting, not their politics. Just as when Family Radio and Harold Camping was investigated by the exact same people. So as you can see, this is NOT a political investigation.

And if it were a politically elected official, that person would likely be on the same side of the fence as the folks at Pacifica.

They're a terribly run company. That's why this is happening. The investigation has nothing to do with politics.

 

[Ravens]

And I will talk about why you people are so obsessed with Pacifica and have so much hatred of Pacifica. And how you can't see past your own biases. I am calling you on your anti-Pacific bias and you want to use that to claim I have bias.

Also, you seem to think because I point out your obsession with Pacifica that I agree with them. Clearly, you know nothing about them. The views expressed on their programs are all over the place. I may agree with some or may not. I don't know. I don't listen. The only time I did listen was to a program about old time radio.

This entire thread is evidence that you Ditto Heads and Foxophiles can't stand to have any views in broadcasting but your own. You people hate the idea of Pacifica. Maybe you find its existence threatening. Right-wing politics is your religion. You are all true believers. And deep-down, people like you still want to burn heretics at the stake. And in your world, progressives are heretics. Like your heroes Nixon, McCarthy and Reagan, you want progressives blacklisted (or worse).

You people want to turn this country into North Korea or one of those South American strong-man dictatorships.

Seek help. You're insane.

 

[TheBigA]

They're a terribly run company. That's why this is happening.

Lots of terribly run companies don't get investigated. But 8 former employees have charged that something illegal is going on. That's why this is happening.

 

[FredLeonard]

Pacifca Foundation Mission Statement

Here is Pacifica's Mission Statement:

The Pacifica Foundation Radio Mission Statement

To establish a Foundation organized and operated exclusively for educational purposes no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member of the Foundation.

To establish and operate for educational purposes, in such manner that the facilities involved shall be as nearly self-sustaining as possible, one or more radio broadcasting stations licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and subject in their operation to the regulatory actions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, As Amended.

In radio broadcasting operations to encourage and provide outlets for the creative skills and energies of the community; to conduct classes and workshops in the writing and producing of drama; to establish awards and scholarships for creative writing; to offer performance facilities to amateur instrumentalists, choral groups, orchestral groups and music students; and to promote and aid other creative activities which will serve the cultural welfare of the community.{mosimage}

In radio broadcasting operations to engage in any activity that shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; to gather and disseminate information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation to promote the study of political and economic problems and of the causes of religious, philosophical and racial antagonisms.

In radio broadcasting operations to promote the full distribution of public information; to obtain access to sources of news not commonly brought together in the same medium; and to employ such varied sources in the public presentation of accurate, objective, comprehensive news on all matters vitally affecting the community.

Please note: Pacifica operates non-commercial stations. They are a non-profit organization, not a "company." Their purpose is not to make money, get ratings or to achieve operating efficiency. Their goal is and was to champion free speech and to offer alternative viewpoints not otherwise heard (especially in corporate media). They achieve the goals they set for themselves.

The tea people here present have decided to impose other goals on Pacifica and then to blame for not achieving goals they did not choose. But telling others how to think and how to live their lives is what the right has always done.

 

[davideduardo]

Please note: Pacifica operates non-commercial stations. They are a non-profit organization, not a "company."

They are incorporated as a non-profit company. Under the law, they are a "company" which is a specific type of "organization".

Their own mission statement which you quote says, "through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation " so if they consider themselves a "corporation" then they are, indeed, "company".

In any case, even a non-profit must be run in a business-like manner. The difference is that the objective of generating income is not to show a profit but to sustain operations and, perhaps, invest any surplus in facilities and expansion.

Their purpose is not to make money, get ratings or to achieve operating efficiency. Their goal is and was to champion free speech and to offer alternative viewpoints not otherwise heard (especially in corporate media). They achieve the goals they set for themselves.

Their goal is to get enough money to remain on the air to transmit their message or agenda to as many people as possible. Today, they are not getting enough money to stay on the air, they have enormous dissent among the program producers, and they reach nearly nobody. That sounds like none of their goals are being met.

 

[Avid Listener]

And if it were a politically elected official, that person would likely be on the same side of the fence as the folks at Pacifica.

First, believing that "civil servants" are above politics is naivety at its worst. Second, the world on either side of "the fence" is highly fragmented. With a primary election campaign starting in the middle of this year to win the Democrat Party nomination, all the candidates on the "same side of the fence" are going to be waging war against each other to win the nomination. The same sort of internal conflict will be seen on the other side of the fence as well.

 

[Ravens]

They are incorporated as a non-profit company. Under the law, they are a "company" which is a specific type of "organization".

Their own mission statement which you quote says, "through any and all means compatible with the purposes of this corporation " so if they consider themselves a "corporation" then they are, indeed, "company".

In any case, even a non-profit must be run in a business-like manner. The difference is that the objective of generating income is not to show a profit but to sustain operations and, perhaps, invest any surplus in facilities and expansion.



Their goal is to get enough money to remain on the air to transmit their message or agenda to as many people as possible. Today, they are not getting enough money to stay on the air, they have enormous dissent among the program producers, and they reach nearly nobody. That sounds like none of their goals are being met.

Not to mention they're not even paying their employees. Which you'd think would be part of the whole "power to the people" deal.

Lots of terribly run companies don't get investigated. But 8 former employees have charged that something illegal is going on. That's why this is happening.

Good point. But this goes back to my original thought on this whole thing. How did it take so long? A full book audit of Pacifica would probably reveal 50 years of illegal activity. No one can completely ignore all good business practices and manage to operate a network of radio stations for this long.

 

[FredLeonard]

Not to mention they're not even paying their employees. Which you'd think would be part of the whole "power to the people" deal.



Good point. But this goes back to my original thought on this whole thing. How did it take so long? A full book audit of Pacifica would probably reveal 50 years of illegal activity. No one can completely ignore all good business practices and manage to operate a network of radio stations for this long.

Where did you get your MBA? You act like such an expert on business, clearly you know nothing about it. And you know nothing about Pacifica's operations either. *** ***. In a perfect world, Pacifica would sue you.

 

[TheBigA]

How did it take so long?

No one complained before. That's how the government works. If someone complains, it's their job to investigate. Had no one complained, this investigation would not have begun.

 

[davideduardo]

Where did you get your MBA? You act like such an expert on business, clearly you know nothing about it. And you know nothing about Pacifica's operations either. *** ***. In a perfect world, Pacifica would sue you.

Much of the messed up finances of Pacifica were revealed in the New York fiasco that had complete changes in management, public release of financials by disgruntled ex-staff members and even the loss of the ESB transmitter site as consequences.

I had my fill of Pacifica about 15 years ago when I was tipped off by various KTNQ listeners who told me of "bad things" on the Central American shows on KPFK that were broadcast, obviously with no supervision, in Spanish. Among the things I heard over and over were calls to kill "the members of the ruling oligarchy" in Honduras. Honduras, at the time, had a democratically elected government. When we called to ask about how this got on the air, the person we got through to said, "oh, you are one of those" and hung up on us.

 

[FredLeonard]

Much of the messed up finances of Pacifica were revealed in the New York fiasco that had complete changes in management, public release of financials by disgruntled ex-staff members and even the loss of the ESB transmitter site as consequences.

I had my fill of Pacifica about 15 years ago when I was tipped off by various KTNQ listeners who told me of "bad things" on the Central American shows on KPFK that were broadcast, obviously with no supervision, in Spanish. Among the things I heard over and over were calls to kill "the members of the ruling oligarchy" in Honduras. Honduras, at the time, had a democratically elected government. When we called to ask about how this got on the air, the person we got through to said, "oh, you are one of those" and hung up on us.

If you want to find the "ruling oligarchy," just go to Cincinnati, headquarters of Chiquita Brands, or (even more convenient) Westlake Village, headquarters of Dole Food Company.

Funny, you didn't make a written complaint that would go into the public file.
"Person we got through to?" Somebody familiar with radio station operations and you talk to just anybody?

Thank you for giving an excellent example of why the FCC should ban all foreign language broadcasting. I once worked for a station that did a Sunday morning polka show. The (part-time) host used to utter a certain phrase in Polish. It took management years to figure out what he said was "send me $5 and I'll play your request." The tip off came when he took a vacation and they guy filling in opened all these letters with pictures of Abe Lincoln inside.

 

[davideduardo]

If you want to find the "ruling oligarchy," just go to Cincinnati, headquarters of Chiquita Brands, or (even more convenient) Westlake Village, headquarters of Dole Food Company.

The ancient days of banana companies controlling the economies of some Central American nations disappeared half a century ago. Most bananas come from Ecuador, and are produced by local, Ecuadorian companies who wholesale them to US importers.

Funny, you didn't make a written complaint that would go into the public file.

Which nobody would read. I've never witnessed a Public File inspection in the decades I've been in stations required to keep them.

"Person we got through to?" Somebody familiar with radio station operations and you talk to just anybody?

That was not our intent. We were trying to communicate with the "head guerilla" of one of the Central American shows, but got passed around to people who did not want to talk or give their name or, particularly, tell us how to contact the show's producers. It was like calling a mental ward.

Thank you for giving an excellent example of why the FCC should ban all foreign language broadcasting.

Two weekly one-hour shows on a station notorious for radical viewpoints is hardly reason to deny radio service to the 35 to 40 MILLION Hispanics who use Spanish language radio regularly.

I once worked for a station that did a Sunday morning polka show. The (part-time) host used to utter a certain phrase in Polish. It took management years to figure out what he said was "send me $5 and I'll play your request." The tip off came when he took a vacation and they guy filling in opened all these letters with pictures of Abe Lincoln inside.

One of my first jobs was riding gain on the Sunday shows on WJMO in Cleveland. There were hours of Greek, Polish, Italian, German, Hungarian, Czech and others. They were all the nicest folks, and while we had to communicate by gestures and broken English, they brought me all kinds of wonderful food. It was a great experience for a 13-year-old.

 

[Ravens]

Where did you get your MBA? You act like such an expert on business, clearly you know nothing about it. And you know nothing about Pacifica's operations either. *** ***. In a perfect world, Pacifica would sue you.

Commits libel. Hopes someone else gets "sued" for libel. In the very next sentence.

That's our Fred in a nutshell.

In a perfect world, you'd be IP banned from this board. You bring absolutely nothing but hate and defamation to every single discussion you pollute with your presence.

 

[frankberry]

Let's stay on topic.
Thanks.

 

[Ravens]

If you want to read more about how unprofessionally Pacifica is run, here's a another good story:

http://www.laweekly.com/2014-03-20/news/left-wing-darling-pacifica-radio-is-sliding-into-the-abyss/

Bullet points:

- Executive director fired, burglarizes the station by cutting the padlock on the door, refuses to leave
- CPB funding removed after failing to comply with an audit
- Board passes resolution directing all programs to become 9/11 truther propaganda
- Lying to listeners during fund drives over what their pledges will net them in gifts quote from employee "This place is criminal"

We're not making this up. Pacifica has long outlived any use it had as a "free speech" zone. It's hogging up valuable licenses and stealing from employees and listeners. They need to be shut down. They really are the fly by night operator that bounces checks and lets meth heads steal the tower wiring.

 

[TheBigA]

They need to be shut down. They really are the fly by night operator that bounces checks and lets meth heads steal the tower wiring.

I hate to sound like Fred here, but just because you don't like them, you've decided they "need to be shut down?" Really? So now you're judge and jury?

This situation is being handled properly by the marketplace. Listeners in the cities where Pacifica owns stations have made their minds up. That's how things work. They've lost CPB funding. They've lost credibility. They've lost listeners. How this will play out is in their hands. No one else has to do anything.

 

[FredLeonard]

I hate to sound like Fred here, but just because you don't like them, you've decided they "need to be shut down?" Really? So now you're judge and jury?

This situation is being handled properly by the marketplace. Listeners in the cities where Pacifica owns stations have made their minds up. That's how things work. They've lost CPB funding. They've lost credibility. They've lost listeners. How this will play out is in their hands. No one else has to do anything.

Hey, I never said these stations - or any others - needed to be "shut down" because I don't like them.

And for the record, I appreciate that Raven has offered some substantive information about Pacifica's (mis)operations and not just invective.

That said, and with all due respect to Frank's role as moderator, much of the criticism of and attacks on Pacifica (and Air America Radio previously) has been motivated by political disagreement and intolerance. People here who hate Pacifica (or progressive talk) differ from those guys who bombed the French magazine in degree, not in kind. Some people obsess about stations they have decided not to like - apparently forgetting that radios still come with on/off buttons and tuning knobs.

No, the marketplace doesn't always handle things. People with big bucks often acquired big bucks by fixing the game but still, nobody has to play - or listen.