What Price Freedom October 6, 2007
Posted by littlebangtheory in Politics and Society.Tags: freedom of speech, WAMC
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If you’re reading this on Friday evening, my local public radio station, WAMC out of Albany, NY is wrapping up their Fall Fund Drive. This is incredible for at least two reasons:
Firstly, they began at 6am Monday morning needing to raise $800,000.
Yeah, that’s right, Eight Hundred Thousand Dollars.
And I have every faith in the world that they’ll close the books on this TONIGHT. **
Secondly, while most other Public Radio stations are owned and operated by colleges or Universities, WAMC is a free-standing entity, owning its own buildings and transmitters and producing the majority of its programming. This means WAMC can say and do whatever they need to to get the truth to the masses without looking over their collective shoulders and worrying about government funding, which seems to mysteriously dwindle when one rattles the “wrong” cages.
I’m mentioning this here because We The People, every last one of us, owes WAMC and it’s staff of managers, reporters, technicians and on-air talent our undying gratitude for carrying the Light of Liberty, the Fire of Free Speech, the Ray of Reasoned Hope to not only those of us here within it’s ever-expanding broadcast range, buy thanks to the modern miracle of the internet, to the entire wired world.
This Little Ship That Could is intrepidly captained by the indefatigable Dr. Alan Chartock, a mighty mite of a man with more guts than a slaughterhouse floor. He’s been Speaking Truth to Power via WAMC for nearly four decades, be it by airing hour-long interviews with Scott Ritter in the wake of his assassination by the Rovian Right, or standing up to Governors who tried to deep-six the station for its non-party-line stances (on more than one occasion, actually) or any number of other brave and forthright positions he (and they, and we) have presented and defended, even when the illumination of truth was difficult and perilous and costly.
Believe me when I say that beneath that Terrier Exterior lies the heart of a Pit Bull.
But there’s a price for this Moral Magnanimity. Just as Venezuela’s Chavez is demonized for taking care of his people rather than fellating multinational corporations, so too is WAMC in danger of vilification from The Right. It stands as a shining example of Free Speech, Independent Thought and Speaking Truth to Power.
Don’t imagine for one second that the people who want it all don’t want to silence such a voice.
Listen live via internet or enjoy their many and varied archived programs, and throw them a little support if you can. They’ll take your hundred, your fifty, or your five, and welcome you as family.
Because we are a family. Join us.
** see comments
I was surprised that the drive was still on when I arrived here tonight. It’s usually done before now. I made my pledge even before I unpacked the truck.
Tschuss!
You Go, Gurrrl!
This is their first drive of this size, and Alan was sick as a dog on Tuesday, so they’re a bit behind. It now looks like it will take most of tomorrow morning to put it to bed.
Still, pretty impressive for the amount they need to raise!
Update: 10:28 am, Saturday
“Ladies and gentlemen, this fund drive is over!”
Congrats, team, through the tears of gratitude.
And now Kate sings “God Bless America.”
You Go, Gurrrl!
wonderful.
WAMC is one of the treasures here in the northern Berkshires. A tiny credit card debt is a very small price to pay to keep this gem on the air.
Media Connection should still be an hour, but I have finally stopped asking for this during the pledge drives.
Tschuss!
As a part time (still living downstate part of the time!) WAMC listener who was in Spain until yesterday (and still downstate) I missed it, but I support them completely.
They are a rare bird of a station. WNYC 93.9FM New York City is self-owned and operated. A certain mayor who now runs for president did try to put them out of business when he was the “sheriff” of NYC and said city owned the station.
Who had the last laugh? Not Herr Rudy. No, we the listeners ponied up tons of money and WNYC bought itself out.
Anyway, great job Alan and company. As usual.
Welcome back, Fran! How was Thpain? …and “business” or “pleasure?”
And Frau B, saw your vehicle in town, will try to connect tomorr… um, today!
Ciao!
Dude! 100 straight comments?
Don’t you have some games or something on your ‘puterbox with which to occupy your time?
XBox?
DVD’s?
A whittling knife and some sticks o’ wood?
Playboys?
Your stamina is… impressive. (and apparently part of the reason you have so much free time on your hands)
Oh, and On Topic – we here in the Greater AsheVegas area have an independent public radio station as well, WCQS, that is starting their fall fundraiser this week sometime. It’s nothing like your station, though. Mostly they play Classical and Jazz… with the usual NPR news programming, etc.
Don’t know what happened with the link in my previous comment – I sure as hell didn’t type in your addy….
Try this.
I was on my delayed honeymoon CR! Married (in the farthest reaches of neighborhing “Albany-ia”) in April, but we just went now.
It was great!
Congrats, Fran & Franman! Best of futures to ya!