What should we do now?
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on July 17th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
The situation with Jammin’ 95.5 and their Playhouse morning show continues to escalate. The posts have been linked to from all over the web, I have talked with the head of the League of American Bicyclists, the BTA, PDOT, and the local media. The word is spreading very quickly.
The problem is that I’m not sure where to go from here. This is where being the editor of this site gets tricky because I am both a community advocate and a journalist. While I want to do what’s in the best interest of the community, I also want to keep you informed as much as possible. The trick is to do this without inciting any more anger.
It’s a learning process for sure.
I hope that in the coming days we will hear from community leaders, but in the meantime I’d like to hear your ideas for a good course of action. I’ve outlined some thoughts I’ve gleaned from my own head, from conversations and from all the comments that have come in so far.
I’d like to know what you think we should do to resolve this situation and move forward as a community.
- Should we organize a large-scale protest? If so, what form should it take?
- Should we just ignore everything and hope everyone just forgets about it?
- Should we show up on July 22nd at their big party picnic at Grant Park? If so, what sort of presence should we have?
- Should we seek legal assistance and make them turn over the broadcast in question (that they are currently hiding)?
- Should we try and work with the station or are they beyond approach?
These are just a few ideas. I would love to hear from you.
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July 17th, 2006 16:15
Seems pretty clear that these folks represent the lowest common denominator. Cycling advocacy should try not to even be loosely associated with this ilk. Let's start from the top and work down, not start at the bottom. ignore, ignore, ignore.
John Boyd
July 17th, 2006 16:15
well, i know we shoulnd't let anyone indimidate us, no matter what. it's our right to be on the road and in the end, we will still have it.
July 17th, 2006 16:18
I'm not sure how many people have, but I filed a complaint with the FCC. I feel we should use the resources we have as much as possible. If the FCC feels the violated any policy they will be fined significantly. Lets continue to push the FCC to take action. Submit a complaint if you already havent. Call the station if you already havent. If nothing comes of that then lets consider further action such as a protest or possible legal action (if we have such an option).
Has anyone contacted lawyer Ray Thomas?
July 17th, 2006 16:19
Hi,
I recently read your article about the Jammin 95.5 situation. I was outraged and appalled. I've forwarded your article to a local cycling group and some other cycling friends. I'm from the Bay area in California, and I know people in many cycling groups in the area. Please let me know how I can help, as I feel this radio station's behavior extremely dangerous to cyclists eveywhere. I do think litigation is essential. Their behavior is inexcusable. There are at least 5 large cycling grou-s in the immediate area that I could get involved in this issue. My email is spikey@pixar.com.
Thanks for your reporting and concern. I think it's essential that we move forward hard and fast. Do you know cyclists that are attorneys? If you don't, I do.
thanks,
Laura
July 17th, 2006 16:33
Start a poll so I can vote zero tolerance.
July 17th, 2006 16:45
Whatever anyone plans, there needs to be an endgame planned out.
What do we really want?
I can tell you what they want. Going directly at them like this is what they want. The term “shock-jock” doesn’t mean he carries a handshake buzzer, it means he tries to agitate the general community in order to gain listeners in his demographic. Guess what? They are 16-26 year old males who don’t bike and have a vicious sense of humor. If you go and stage a protest without a clear idea of what you want and a pretty solid understanding that you can get it - every one of the protesters might as well draw a paycheck from 95.5 for giving the show what it wants.
All of this rage needs to be turned into energy that gets channeled out of the station and into driver education in my opinion. Every time we have an interaction like this, I’m confounded by the number of people who believe we “don’t belong on the road”, we “don’t pay for roads”, and “we shouldn’t be in the lane”.
Calling for PK to get fired, hurt, or even jailed (what is this Stalinist Russia?) isn’t going to get PK fired or jailed, and if one of us were to hurt him, that person isn’t much better than PK. The guy is a low-life prick who panders to other pricks with canned jokes and cheap schlock for a paycheck.
If we really want to make a difference on the road, we need to educate drivers and bicyclists. It will do more good than could possibly be done going after Playhouse.
If we need to fight this guy, at this time, and for this insane broadcast - then take a step back. Figure out what you want, get educated opinions from people who understand media, choose a best course of action, and prepare to dedicate yourself to getting the end result. Don’t show up at 95.5 angry with a sign and think you are anything other than a tool unless you’ve played the whole scenario out and know how it ends before it starts.
July 17th, 2006 17:06
First thing is first. What exactly was said on the air Friday?
I have yet to see even an unofficial transcript or complete audio.
July 17th, 2006 17:07
I know what we should do.
-- Treat other humans with respect, dignity, and courtesy, regardless of their chosen mode of transportation.
-- Choose your route carefully and according to context.
-- Expect mistakes to happen, and give yourself time to react.
-- Take responsibility for your actions and decisions.
-- Slow down, and don't be afraid to do what you know is the right thing.
That'll show 'em!
(Really! It will!)
With kindness
Patrick
July 17th, 2006 17:27
As the radio talk is basically an extension of illegal road rage, I found this article regarding cycling and road rage interesting.
It makes the case for zero tolerance.
It seems the DJ may be accused of harrasment by that definition.
http://www.stc-law.com/roadrage.htm
July 17th, 2006 17:37
My opinion on this subject is that you should contact others in the media in the hopes of getting significant coverage on this subject. Do I remember correctly that a reporter for channel 8 is also a cyclist? I believe I recall that the person who reported the story of the couple who were killed riding out near Forest Grove (what happened with that by the way?) was a cyclist. Can you get in touch with him to get some significant coverage on this? In my opinion, getting significant media coverage will have the greatest effect. It will also reach people who don't listen to the "shockjock" humor. Just my 2 cents.
July 17th, 2006 17:41
I feel that we should put presser on the FCC as they must review any complaints that are filed with the FCC. This is clear cut case of someone trying to get people hurt.
Let's turn this thing around and have PK go to local schools and work with kids on bike safty.
Do you know how many students he could reach with 300 hours of community service?
July 17th, 2006 17:44
Sadly, the worst thing that could be done already has.
This has been brought to the level of public attention, instead of a stupid snicker between immature adults.
Now, they have more to bitch about than they did before, because we are here bitching about it.
In my opinion, the best thing to do now, is pull it from the mind's eye, and fight this behind closed doors, in court, and get them fired and charged.
Nothing worse than a firing and a fine would come of this, but certainly, neither will, because things worse than this are said on the air all the time, all over the place.
Someone in the right mind just latched onto this one.
I have seen and heard this Playhouse.
And, in my professional opinion, it is crap.
Also , in my unprofessional opinio, since I have both, it is crap.
But, it doesn't matter if you stand in front of the bulldozer.
You have to have posession of the threatend building...
July 17th, 2006 17:50
Radio Hatred Continues...
In an earlier post, I discussed how last Friday the hosts of 'The Playhouse' on 95.5 Jammin' FM were joking about cyclists getting injured, and encouraging violence against cyclists. Well, the story hasn't gone away. Over at BikePortland.org, Jonat...
July 17th, 2006 18:16
I"m inclined to roll a posse of thugs up into their offfice and tear the place apart after slashing all the tires in the parking lot...but this probably wouldn't solve anything and might even escalate the issue...that said i think you hit them where it hurts. they obviously want to play hard ball so get the lawyers on it and get the tape, if they haven't shredded it, contact the station owners en masse, start calling their advertisers and ask if they condone the premeditated killing of cyclists? hold them responsible, even if it's just implied, for any car/bike incidents from now on. if you want to incite violence you should be ready to reap the consequences of that violence. i will personally hold them responsible if any of my people are harmed, and i can hold a grudge...
this needs to be addressed and publicly apologized for, i mean in the middle of Pioneer Square style...we have a hard enough time as it is, this guy has set us back years potentially, not to mention we just got a big wake up call, portland cyclists, they still hate you...and now they are acting on it.
call the station and complain. post a list of their major advertisers phone numbers on bikeportland.org, call the lawyers.
i can't be any more reasonable than that, i really want to go into their office with a delivery sometime soon just so i can mad-dog that guy.
oh yeah, maybe post a picture of him with his address and phone number and license plate number with a descriptioin of the car as well his schedule at work and the address there, see how he likes driving around afraid all day long.
-t
July 17th, 2006 18:57
My opinion, for what it's worth:
1. Someone find a recording or transcript of the actual broadcast and post it somewhere where we can all see / hear it.
2. Everyone take specific quotes from the recording / transcript and file a complaint on the FCC website.
3. Find out who advertises on 95.5. Send them a letter / make a phone call telling them that this will affect their children / co-workers / loved ones who bicycle. That this behavior is not acceptable.
4. Encourage everyone we know to repeat the above steps
A reasoned, rational response from dozens (or better, hundreds) of people to both the FCC and advertisers will bring about some of the results we want without reflecting badly on the cycling community.
City hall and state government are a few other good options. Maybe we should be discussing what would best protect cyclists and start working towards some new legislation. The above seems to me to be a good start.
I don't have the time to devote to finding a copy of the broadcast, but I'm more than willing to perform the subsequent steps.
July 17th, 2006 19:04
You know. The protest sounds if well organized. People said they were going to show up today and didn't including myself it was two people and on top of ot how pk said if anyone would like to come down and talk to him on monday can. When we said we would he was like I don't want to talk to them forget it they can't come in here. But I think legal action should proceed depending on what the fcc does. But we should let them know we're here in the meantime, and that they should read their drivers manual. Ha.
July 17th, 2006 19:07
This has reached all the way to NC. Myself and others are filing complaints with the FCC.
Unfortunatly we recently lost a fellow cycliest due to being struck by a Charlotte city bus. I hope this peice of s*%t gets his. I bet if his child was struck by a car his views would quickly change. Best of luck guys! Cranberry
July 17th, 2006 19:13
"3. Find out who advertises on 95.5. Send them a letter / make a phone call telling them that this will affect their children / co-workers / loved ones who bicycle. That this behavior is not acceptable."
i was thinking this too. petition to their revenue source. can someone list some of 95.5 advertisers?
July 17th, 2006 19:46
You may also want to add this email address onto the "Make your opinion known" section for this issue: PlayHouse@RadioPlayHouse.com
July 17th, 2006 19:48
Well, for starters, you should all remove the "Jammin' 95.5" stickers from your panniers.
July 17th, 2006 20:09
get him fired. i'll elaborate, with links, if this comment doesn't vanish into the ether like all of them have been lately.
July 17th, 2006 20:19
Before I get started, anybody notice how nice the guy with the stop sign is. The one at the Hawthorne Bridge on ramp during rush hour. At first I thought he was only nice to the ladies, but now he always says something to me and every other cyclist I see. Anyway, haven't seen him for a couple days, somebody should bring him some cookies, a soda or something.
Regarding the Jammin atrocity:
We, the bicycle community of Portland, should seek to connect with and build alliances with these media outlets. A start is to Schmooze other radio stations and organize a BikeJam. Ya know, for kids! Competing stations might be 101 KUFO, Z100 and other inane hype stations. We can team up and invite all manner of people. Families, bicycles, skaters, inliners, pogostickers, even people who drive cars. Heck it could be the Annual Portland Transportation Extravaganza. Think of it, why there could be Blastolene's(saw that on Artbeat), Bus drivers, MAX drivers, rush hour commuters, telecommuters, tall bikes, mini-bikes, Extremo the Clown car, pedestrians, equestrians, pogo-sticks, lifeflight, ultra-lite. It'll be great!
July 17th, 2006 20:22
Step One: FCC complaint. It's two minutes tops.
Here's the form:
http://svartifoss2.fcc.gov/cib/fcc475B.cfm
Here are the form answers.
Date of Program: July 13
Time of Program: Morning
Call Sign: 95.5 FM
City and State: Portland, Oregon
Name of Program or DJ: "The Playhouse"/PK
Details: A DJ calling himself PK said: "When I hear on TV that a cyclist has been hit and killed by a car I laugh, I think it’s funny... If you are a cyclist you should know I exist, that I don’t care about you. That I don’t care about your life."
I doubt this meets community standards of decency -- it certainly doesn't meet mine.
July 17th, 2006 20:35
I think that any reaction should be based in objectivity. The undedited broadcast is needed to establish an objective plan. Get that broadcast and analyze it with some good legal perspectives on hand, if in any way possible. That's the most constructive way to oppose this prejudice.
In the past, prejudice has never been overcome without objectivity to focus the anger in a constructive direction. Also, prejudice has never been overcome with silence. Turning the other cheek when someone else's safety is on the line is not a virtue. So keep talking. We need to communicate about this; it's how we can organize and deal with these challenges as they arise.
Get that broadcast.
July 17th, 2006 20:46
Ok, the last post was a joke. Sorry if it wasn't clear.
I have filed a complaint with the FCC based on tips here. Even though I haven't heard the full broadcast, enough complaints will compel the FCC to force the station to turn over an unedited version for review. Unless of course, the sttation has destroyed evidence which will make for an even more interesting event.
I think a solution to this problem is well off. It has been interesting to read the comments over the last few days. The tone of the ccomments from 95.5 listeners was expected but unfortunately, I have seen angry posts from bicyclist who could just as easily be a target demographic of the station. Note to all of you: If you're going to run over a bicyclist, don't write about it here, just DO it. If you're going to bash a car driver with a U-Lock, don't write about it here, just DO it. Writing about it in advance only shows reluctance to carry it out.
One thing I thought about earlier: Portland's montly critical mass has become an almost accepted event, a far cry from 5 years ago. This is due to patience,cooler heads and real action for a real purpose. From what I read here, there are great cycling advocacy organizations out there. The 95.5 crew is really not that important in the long run. They are trendy and have no lasting power.
July 17th, 2006 21:14
Step Two: contact 95.5's station manager and tell him you won't be listening to his station.
Here's the form:
http://www.kxl.com/feedback.aspx
Here's my letter, if you want to use it as is or modified:
I'm writing regarding 95.5 "Playhouse" DJ PK's comments that he thinks it's "funny" when cyclists are killed. I ride a bike, and I enjoy the music 95.5 plays. But I won't be listening again until PK is fired. I've contacted the FCC, and am about to begin contacting your advertisers.
July 17th, 2006 21:18
Step Three: Contact the Great American Weight Loss Challenge (an advertiser).
Here's the form:
http://www.2424milk.com/contactus.htm?PHPSESSID=d6dc9a8372b1ca6b3660de56abfd2eea
Here's my letter, which you can modify or use as is:
You are doing important work, so it's important to tell you that you are advertising with a radio station that says killing bicyclists is "funny." The DJ on Jammin' 95.5 in Portland, Oregon said last week: “When I hear on TV that a cyclist has been hit and killed by a car I laugh, I think it’s funny… If you are a cyclist you should know I exist, that I don’t care about you. That I don’t care about your life.”
More info is available here:
http://bikeportland.org/2006/07/17/what-should-we-do-now/
Bicycling is an incredibly healthy activity that certainly keeps me in shape, so it's unfortunate that the Great American Weight Loss Challenge is supporting 95.5, which encourages people not to exercise, but to kill people for doing so.
Thank you for your time, and I hope you'll contact 95.5's manager Tim McNamara at (503) 243-7595 to tell them what you think of their behavior.
July 17th, 2006 21:37
Step Four, some more advertisers you can call or email:
1. tobaccosmokesyou.com
terry.reid@doh.wa.gov
(360) 236-3665
My email (feel free to use as you wish):
Dear Terry Reid;
I'm writing to suggest that Tobbaco Smokes You should stop advertising with Portland radio station Jammin' 95.5. One of their DJs said last week: “When I hear on TV that a cyclist has been hit and killed by a car I laugh, I think it’s funny… If you are a cyclist you should know I exist, that I don’t care about you. That I don’t care about your life.”
Given that Tobacco Smokes You is concerned with people's health, I very much doubt you agree that people should be killed for riding bicycles. Please contact 95.5's manager Tim McNamara and tell him that unless PK is fired, they risk losing your support.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely;
Jami ******
2. vh1
(212) 258-6000
3. ifilm
(323) 308-3400
4. Suzuki (motor)cycles
(714) 572-1490
Motorcyclists have similar problems to bicyclists (like invisibility), so I'd be surprised if Suzuki thought killing people on bikes was "funny."
July 17th, 2006 22:00
I'm not sure about the protesting but at the *very least* the station should be forced to cough up an unedited recording of the broadcast. Even if it does no good, I'm for filing a complaint with the FCC (and I did). I also really, really want to know who the advertisers are for this show, and the radio station in general. They won't get a dime from this consumer so long as they pay to adversise on that station, and they'll all get letters from me explaining why. I'll also be letting all my family and friends know who the advertisers are. At the very least my parents would never buy anything from someone who supports people who think it's funny to hurt their children. That's *my* exercise of free speech and freedom of choice.
If anyone know who the sponsors are, please share!
July 17th, 2006 22:32
Here's a huge advertiser: Les Schwab - Their logo and a live link to their website is on the juvenile radio station's website. That's a lot of Les Schwab stores to contact. Contact the one in your neighborhod. I'm going to Les Schwab's website now to complain. Les Schwab has tried to be progressive in the past. Hopefully, management will think twice about their association with a business that actively encourages the public to harm members of the community.
Jami, Joe, and others, keep up the good work.
It sounds like Jonathan has enough on his plate here with the blog. And as he said, he's a journalist.
Someone, a leader, a bike group, our chief of police, a city council member, needs to step up to the plate and needs to publicly denounce the radio station's support of PK and help us strategize on how to stop further threats to our safety, and as a couple others said, educate the public. Freedom of speech goes both ways. How about the mayor making a statement and forcefully stating that this is not behavior acceptable in this community.
By the way, someone mentioned the fantastic guy with the stop sign during afternoon rush hour on the Hawthorne Bridge. I love him! I hope they bring him back. Maybe he's on vacation. We need more people like him on the street managing traffic. What a great guy with a nice smile.
Meanwhile, act now: contact the FCC, the general manager of the juvenile radio station and the advertisers. Don't just sit there, do something. Keep the rubber side down.
July 17th, 2006 23:05
that show hella sucks and we shouldn't take anyone seriously that represents a station playing uninspired music which often glorifies cars sex, violence and drugs. It makes me sad that he represents a part of MY ROSE CITY!
July 17th, 2006 23:46
This is not the first time this exact stunt has been pulled on the radio. Stations owned by Clear Channel Communications in three other cities got in some hot water three years ago.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Midwest/11/01/radio.bicyclists.ap/
http://humantransport.org/bicycledriving/wdcg.htm
July 18th, 2006 00:42
I think someone had a good Idea with going to grant park (where exactly is that located) and having a huge ride there, for their listeners and DJ's to see
July 18th, 2006 01:06
gregg. you're first post was terrific.
i too have contacted the FCC.
July 18th, 2006 02:20
Step Four, some more advertisers you can call or email:
I see the American Red Cross has a link on 95.5's web page, too. Here's the letter I sent to the Red Cross. Please edit it before sending a copy. If you are a blood donor, point out how many lifetime units you have donated. If you are not a blood donor, perhaps you could point out the hypocracy of having a phone number of 1-800-GIVE LIFE and associating with a radio station that laughs at people getting hit and killed.
----
To: pnwinfo@usa.redcross.org
Subject: associating with 95.5 FM in Portland, Oregon
You need to tell 95.5 FM to pull your ad from their web page
(http://www.jamminfm.com/ .)
Last week, their morning host PK was reported to say on the air, "When I hear
on TV that a cyclist has been hit and killed by a car I laugh, I think it’s
funny." See http://bikeportland.org/2006/07/17/what-should-we-do-now/ for more
details.
I'm a biyclist. And I am a Red Cross blood donor (__ lifetime units.)
Until the Red Cross dis-associates itself from 95.5, I will not be donating
blood.
July 18th, 2006 02:22
Where's the "contact us" link on Les Schwab's web page?
Thanks.
July 18th, 2006 04:41
You ask "What should we do now?" Well, here's a suggestion: PAY ATTENTION!
Did PK go to extemes to express his opinion? No doubt about it. But his opinion is legitimate and deserves to be listened to.
As I am losing my eyesight I no longer drive nor do I cycle. What I do is walk and rare is the day I am not nearly run down by a bicyclist. I figure the day is coming that I will be hit.
Bicyclists weave in and out of pedestrian traffic on crowded downtown sidewalks. You are even there in my neighborhood where road traffic is light. They are callled sideWALKs for a reason. You don't belong on the sidewalk, you belong on the street. Stay off of my sidewalk and quit threatening me.
Recently I had to step off of the sidewalk because two cyclists, riding abreast, were coming toward me. You'd think one of them could have fallen back and they could have gone past me single file. But NO! You need to understand this kind of behavior pisses people off. Let me say it again: You don't belong on the sideWALK.
Some other tips:
Red lights and red octagonal signs mean stop. Observe them.
Don't weave in and out of traffic. PK obviously had an issue with being cut off by a cyclist. I know when I was driving I did.
Obey all traffic laws. Picking and choosing which laws you will follow is not an option.
Yes, PK went to extemems to make his point. But you need to understnad the frustration from which his opinion comes. Sure, a lot of -- maybe even most -- bicyclists are courteous and law abiding. But there is an outlaw element amongst you (dare I mention Critical Mass) that needs to be taken care of.
July 18th, 2006 05:37
i couldn't find les schwab contact info on their site, either.
my concern about the protest is that we make their party cooler just just showing up (jon mcauley is right about partnering with other stations -- the best revenge is to live well). we're good-lookin' people, not unhealthy fatties like the folks on the playhouse site. so if we go to their party, we have to ruin it, not make it more fun. brainstorming suggests blasting audio of tiny and marconi laughing at nick berg's beheading. that should scare them, based on what happened to tiny and marconi (fired). signs reading "my friend/brother/sister/mother/father was killed on a bike. it wasn't funny." might also work, although some sick fucks will laugh at anything.
the people with the most power here are people who have lost loved ones in bike accidents. one call or email from darin mcdaniel is worth a hundred from the rest of us.
July 18th, 2006 06:18
In your email, letters, webforms, etc. be sure you also identify the station's call sign KXJM as they may not know it simply by it's brand name and frequency.
No matter how outrageous the dj's behave, KXJM's business is business. That is, to make money. They do this by adverstising revenue and by managing expenses. Our best actions will be directed at this aspects of the business. Engaging the dj's is irrational and possibly counter-productive. (Never wrestle with a pig. you will only get dirty and the pig will love it.)
The "party" is likely to have many sponsers involved. This would be a good place to meet them face to face and explain what kind of trash they are assosciating their businesses with. It will help to have a FACT sheet of the details to leave with them. The "party" will also have many guests who know little or nothing about this whole issue. Be sure to smile a lot while handing out the FACT sheets to as many as possible.
Jami has started an excellent start on KXJM's advertisers. Jonathan, can we get another forum thread going on this that can simply accumulate name's and contact info for known advertisers? Is anyone actively listening to gather this data? (Sorry, I don't have the stomach for it.)
Legal action is VERY expensive. It would be very useful to find a means of beginning a civil suit. It is likely to have a very large impact on the suits holding the purse strings.
Radio stations are marginal businesses. If we can get advertisers to pull out and create legal defense expenses on their behalf it will be of benefit to a much larger community of cyclists than just Portland.
July 18th, 2006 06:28
WHOIS search on lesschwab.com
Les Schwab Tire Centers
P.O. Box 667
Prineville, OR 97754
US
Phone: 541-447-4136
Email: webinfo@lesschwab.com
July 18th, 2006 06:36
MONEY MONEY MONEY!
The way to attack these kids is not through giving them more attention, but by attacking their POCKETBOOK! Make the Public Relations people at the companies that advertise on this show understand we are willing to boycott their products if they continue supporting these creeps. Mass rallies and confronting them at their events will encourage them. Beat 'em the same way we beat the Russkis, starve 'em to death with an economic stranglehold.
July 18th, 2006 06:49
Sent to webinfo@lesschwab.com (for want of a better email address)
Your company has historically been associated with a wholesome Oregon lifestyle. I am sure you wish to protect your image and reputation.
Did you know you have advertising on a Portland radio station that has been recently engaged in verbal violence and hate speech directed against bicycle riders?
I understand Les Schwab is presently advertising on the radio station KXJM 95.5 in Portland. Please consider having this removed as it taints your name and reputation.
For more information please see: http://bikeportland.org/2006/07/14/local-radio-show-promotes-hatred-toward-cyclists/#comments
July 18th, 2006 06:51
I am contacting my Federal Representative Earl Blumenauer, you know the congressperson that rides his bicycle. Anyhow, since the FCC is a Federal commission ... I bet if enough of us contact him the FCC *WILL* take special interest in what happened on the July the 13th.
http://www.blumenauer.house.gov/about/Contact.shtml
July 18th, 2006 06:56
joelin,
Cyclists are allowed to ride legally on the sidewalk, except in the downtown area. They are, however, also required to yield right-of-way to pedestrians when on the sidewalk. We are not all so disrespectful, so please do not paint us as such.
July 18th, 2006 07:27
Ok,
I think everyone needs to stop and take a breath. The first thing that needs to happen is to get a copy of the show and find out what was actually said. I don't know how to get a copy of the radio show... but that MUST happen first. I mean, come on, look at all the back and forth energy on this site. Some people are even getting super angry over what is right now hearsay. I'M NOT SAYING IT DIDN'T HAPPEN, I think it did. But, my point is that we, the bicycling community, must be the "bigger person" here and give the station and the show every opportunity to do the right thing.
As for imposing boycotts, sanctions, or attempts to stop revenue... what if someone did that to you based on what someone said you said... before they had the evidence in their hands?
Jonathan---------- You are a leader. I believe it's more important to maintain your integrity as a journalist than your duties as an editor... you can't do both effectively. The things you post in this place have large influences. You can't talk about not inciting anger and then say that the people in question are hiding something. As for the July 22nd big party picnic... unless this event is totally sponsored and hosted by the radio show no one should oppose it. And even then... what does the big party picnic do for the community? If we, the bicycle community, prevent something good from happening in the greater community because of what some sophmoric sense of humor... well, we should just think about it.
Brett
July 18th, 2006 07:27
Here are some advertisers/sponsers/etc to contact. The first one is especially interesting and important to call!!
Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation - see KXJM press releases http://www.jamminfm.com/ArDisplay.aspx?ID=49714&SecID=48
Clackamas County Fire District Public Information Office:
624 7th Street
Oregon City, Oregon 97045
(503) 742-2690
Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation: (503) 742-2600
no email or web forms - call them and tell them what is going on!!!!
---
Hillsboro Hyundai - online advertiser
888-432-6875
sales@hillsborohyundai.com
---
Beaverton Suzuki - online advertiser
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July 18th, 2006 07:40
Brett,
Several cyclists did hear the original broadcast (before they hid it) and they were equally appalled at what they heard.
That is all I need to know.
The station is withholding the tape. To me that makes them guilty. Obviously they are concerned and they know they crossed the line.
I have no doubt that PK's comments emboldened and desensitized his listeners. One of them called into his show on Monday to brag about "taking a cyclist out" (I heard that with my own ears) and his call-screener said others called with the same scary comments but weren't let through.
And as for going to their big party picnic on the 22nd. We are not planning on ruining their fun. We are actually hoping to work with the station (if they're interested). If not, we just want to show up and have a good time, showing their listeners what our community really looks like.
Thanks for your input.
July 18th, 2006 07:43
After 60 years of living I have found that its not a good idea to escalate the negative with people like this. They thrive on all the publicity they are getting. What will hurt them the most is letting the sponsors of their program know that we can't support them do to their support of that radio show.
Ignore the pain, work on a cure.
Can we get a list of the sponsors ?
July 18th, 2006 07:45
Let it go guys...let it go...
July 18th, 2006 08:03
Jonathan, thanks for the info.
Well it sounds like, I found the sound bites, the show has done some things that... well at least really suck. I don't know why the station is witholding the tape (correlation is not causation) personally I don't care. I think there is enough evidence to move forward. So... you've been in touch with a "call-screener" that actually filters out some of the more scary comments? Hmmm, I wonder who sets the policy on how that person does their job? Can "we" use the screener as a back door to the P and P manual at the station?
The big party- I think that someone (YOU) should write up some "rules of engagement" for the big party, things like 1) You are here to show the greater community what the bicycle community really looks like, as such when asked about the radio incident the response is "no comment, I'm just here to enjoy the day".
Anyway, I love your site and what it brings to the community... and me.
Thanks
July 18th, 2006 08:07
Sorry but we are not letting this go. It is too important to cyclists and may prove to be a watershed moment for us. Our safety is more important than some mindless drivetime entertainment.
This country has largely forgot about an important ingredient for a healthy society: RESPECT. All cyclists want from drivers is respect and consideration for our personal safety. The antics of PK are an affront to that and we rightfully take umbrage with his comments. He stirred up this hornet's nest with his vile statements and we intend to grasp this moment to strengthen our cause.
July 18th, 2006 08:18
I just talked with Kyle Gorman, with the Lifeshock Foundation of the Clackamas Fire District. The Foundation has a joint fund raising with KXJM, Les Schwab, and the Lifeshock Foundation to purchase defibrillators.
Kyle told me that KXJM has been a good community services supporter. I am not sure if KXJM is involved in this, but he also said that the Clackamas Fire District is very concerned with bicycle safety and even carries helmets on their fire trucks for free distribution to children without them.
Kyle was surprised about the ongoing Playhouse verbal violence controversy and promised to look into it further. I hope I convinced him that a well placed phone call to KXJM management may have a positive influence on program content.
July 18th, 2006 08:18
Jonathan,
My two cents is that we steer clear of the "picnic" as we could find ourselves vulnerable to a mob of Playhouse fans. Even if we are very well behaved, it only takes PK or one of his crew / fans to mention, "Look! It's those *#$@! bike riders who are trying to shut us down!", to incite a bunch of angry teens to "teach us a lesson".
It is better that we keep pressure on the media and officials to investigate and pressure Rose City Radio to recant. We should also use these efforts to help educate the public (via the media) and get our elected officials to pass laws classifying physical AND verbal rage against cyclists as crimes the same as driver vs. driver road rage. IMHO, that would be the more productive and gainful route than a token protest against the show. Can we get BTA on the case? Can Evan or someone with city connections get this on the council's radar?
July 18th, 2006 08:40
Michael,
Wow, great job. With the way you handled and reported. Maybe you should be president of the "PK is mean to bicyclists and we're gonna do something about it" movement. No, really... your initiative, thoughfulness, and unbiased reporting are what this incident really needs. Grassroots movements need to have leader. Or at least someone to organize.
July 18th, 2006 08:47
I just called Les Schwab and spoke with a very nice guy named Joe, who handles marketing and sponsorships. I let him know about the situation, and advised him that I've spoken to my family and friends who purchase from Les Schwab and asked them not to do business with Les Schwab until they pull sponsorship from this station. He said that he'd make some calls to the people that handle the radio sponsorships and see about pulling their sponsorship from at least the morning show, because they don't want to sponsor such hateful speech. The number listed above, 541-447-4136, is correct. Have at it! If enough of us call and complain, hopefully they'll stop advertising on WXJM.
July 18th, 2006 09:00
You all make me very proud to live in Portland. Not a city of lumps who just complain without action - like so many whiners in traffic in their cars ;)
FCC down, a few letters to sponsors to...
July 18th, 2006 09:06
Nice job, Ayala and Michael! Individual people DO make a difference. I'm working on getting some other legal opinions on whether this kind of thing constitutes hate speech. If the target were the handicapped, ethnic minorities, the elderly, reiligious groups, etc. the FCC would have been all over them. It's for that reason that we all need to file complaints with the FCC to get it on their radar.
Thanks, Jonathan, for putting this on the blog and putting it in the right light to start with. You're doing a damned fine job.
July 18th, 2006 09:18
Jonathan, I'm up in Seattle for the week and I really appreciate this coverage because it's keeping me in the loop. Fortunately I have some time while I'm here to be contacting sponsors and such.
I'm not surprised to hear about callers to that show bragging about hurting cyclists. If even half of them are telling the truth, I wonder if any of our elected officials or even the police chief would be willing to speak out against the violence and would the mainstream media outlets be willing to broadcast it.
Dean - If people are calling in to the show to brag about hurting people, there's no way now that Portland area cyclists are going to let this go. As I'm sure you've figured out by now, we don't have much of a sense of humor about people being assaulted or murdered. On the plus side, at least you know that if anything like that ever happened to your brother while he rides his bike to work, the cycling community would not let his death or maiming get swept under the rug.
July 18th, 2006 09:21
Wow, you guys should re-name this website http://www.bikingportlandcirclejerk.org I have never heard so many grown men pat each other on the ass so much in my life. How has your safety changed since P.K.'s Thursday show? You guys need to get a life. Biking is a hobby, it is not your ethnicity. I have a bike, and I thought P.K.'s comments were hilarious.
Wow, ANOTHER protest in Portland...stop the presses.
July 18th, 2006 09:29
I'm all for calling and writing. A good thing to do would be copy and paste these advertisers and instructions on what to do to on your myspace pages and blogs or send out a mass e-mail. Just get the info out there. I've got a ton of people at work e-mailing just from telling them about what's going on. I am personally in favor of a ride over to crash their picnic. Not a violent crashing. Just showing up in mass on bikes with a nice message.
July 18th, 2006 09:34
So, Dean... not a football fan huh? I appreciate your injection of reality, at least one facet of it. I even think there is some truth to what you say. I do have a question... who should get a life? The people on this site or the people that respond to the people on this site?
Keep those cards and letters coming!
July 18th, 2006 09:37
Almost, Dean, I almost agree with you, except for the fact that for a lot of Portlanders biking isn't a hobby, but a way of life and/or what they use for their jobs. PK's comments ARE a threat to a lot of people's livlihoods, however, so far they are JUST comments from a radio show; not a very good radio show, but just a SHOW none-the-less. This reminds me of an Italian I saw who said something to a French guy once, which resulted in the French guy getting so pissed off he headbutted the Italian jerk. I agreed with the French guy, but his reaction wasn't really necessary and now the French guy looks like the jerk.
July 18th, 2006 09:40
jami
July 18th, 2006 05:37 38i couldn’t find les schwab contact info on their site, either.
my concern about the protest is that we make their party cooler just just showing up (jon mcauley is right about partnering with other stations — the best revenge is to live well). we’re good-lookin’ people, not unhealthy fatties like the folks on the playhouse site. so if we go to their party, we have to ruin it, not make it more fun. brainstorming suggests blasting audio of tiny and marconi laughing at nick berg’s beheading. that should scare them, based on what happened to tiny and marconi (fired). signs reading “my friend/brother/sister/mother/father was killed on a bike. it wasn’t funny.” might also work, although some sick fucks will laugh at anything.
the people with the most power here are people who have lost loved ones in bike accidents. one call or email from darin mcdaniel is worth a hundred from the rest of us.
I re-posted Jami's comments. She has no problem making fun of over-weight people to further her own cause. The Playhouse has two over weight people from a six person cast. The host P.K. is in very good shape, so I guess she isn't mad at him.
July 18th, 2006 09:51
Nice Dean, slipping a "bikers are gay" reference in your last comment . . . very subtle, very . . . mature. I'm guessing the only one who's spent too much time in the locker room is you my friend,
Go stand on the Hawthorne Bridge some weekday morning and check out all the "hobbyists" going by. You may load your bike onto your SUV and drive it somewhere to ride for a couple of hours, but other people are out on the streets every day in traffic. The dangerous and intimidating behavior some (certainly not the majority of) motorists exhibit is simply not moral or legal. I bet a brainiac such as yourself is well aware that American city streets were originally paved for BICYCLES, not cars.
All bicylists want is some reasonable assurance that they won't be struck by 3,000 lbs of steel. Given that the LAW allows them full access to surface streets, this certainly seems fair. The other inescapable fact is that todays bike gets much better mileage than any car you're going to own in this lifetime, takes up less parking, makes less noise, kills fewer kids, and is better for your health.
Given that, it is not ok for someone to incite and promote the idea that there is an open season for injuring or killing bicyclists, who are people after all (willing to concede that?), especially not idiots with a media outlet.
July 18th, 2006 09:59
Please don't feed the troll.
July 18th, 2006 10:00
Sorry, moment of weakness.
July 18th, 2006 10:01
good lord, I think the more letters are written, the more advertisers contacted, the more press and more advertising interest you generate for the show...
these tpyes of shows live by the motto "bad press is better than no press at all"
Do you think that Howard Stern would be muzzled if a group of women complained and wrote letters deploring his degrading portrayal of women on his show?
Thats what he lives for, to get a rise out of those perceived as overly-PC...
Same with this Playhouse guy, you are letting him know that there is a population of bike riding FISH that will rise to the bait everytime he jokes about bikers....
And do you think advertisers don't know exactly what they are buying when they buy ad time? They know the show's content better than we ever will b/c they target such specific segments of the market (14-26 yo men)...if you want to sell Red Bull, you advertise on shock jock shows...
sure the comments were irresponsible and cavalier, but that's what the DJ gets paid to do...
the more hubbub you raise, the more jokes and ridicule you bring on to the Portland biking community....
your chain is being pulled for ratings and you are rising to the bait like FISH, ignore him and yawn and spend yout time lobbying city government for more trails, more lanes, things that bring real tangible benefits to the biking community... this is a sideshow...
July 18th, 2006 10:05
The American Red Cross does not in any way or context support statements or comments that advocate harm, injury, violence, or death to anyone at any time. Through its blood services operation the Red Cross exists to help save lives. The Red Cross operates on a fundamental principle of neutrality and deeply regrets any misunderstanding that has resulted from these comments.
Questions or requests for more information should be directed to:
pnw@usa.redcross.org.
July 18th, 2006 10:06
Geico (auto) insurance is one of their advertisers... Although insurance companies probably loooove insane drivers, now that I hink of it. Just like credit card companies hate people who pay their bills on time.
July 18th, 2006 10:08
I don't care if the streets were orginally made for bikes, this is the 21st century. We used to blood-let when someone was sick, but that has nothing to do with today's medical technoligy.
If I am a troll for having another opinion, then so be it. Yes, I day dream about running down bikers in my F250 that don't obey the rules, but as far as the rest of the bikers go that obey the law I have total respect. I am a biker my self, and so is my brother.
July 18th, 2006 10:08
Joelinpdx - PK"s opinion is simply that - his opinion. It is neither legitimate nor illegitimate. Some of his specific gripes are certainly valid, but the way he chose to express them it completely unacceptable. As a radio host his opinions influence the thoughts and opinions of thousands of listeners. As such, he has a responsibility to the community to avoid inciting illegal actions. His comments about cyclists are like shouting "fire" in a crowded theater, and the cycling community doesn't have their own popular radio show to act as a loudspeaker for their own opinions.
Joel, as a cyclist, motorist AND pedestrian, I understand the points you make. Cyclists DO need to pay attention. Most do. Many obey the law, and that issue is one that is frequently discussed on this site.
As for bikes and sidewalks - bikes are permitted to be on sidewalks except in downtown Portland. Nearly every responsible cycling organization encourages cyclists to stay off the sidewalk and ride in the street. Most cyclists stay off the sidewalk, but some don't. People have a tendency to notice the drivers / cyclists / pedestrians that are in the way, holding up traffic, being annoying or acting dangerously or irresponsibly - they don't notice the larger number that do what they're supposed to. Next time you're out walking - count the number of cyclists on the street, and the number on the sidewalk. I'll bet that the vast majority are riding in the street. Also, some "sidewalks" are multi-use paths, and are open to cyclists. The Springwater Corridor, the Willamette Greenway, and the Eastbank Esplanade are good examples, as is the I-205 bike path. Cyclists need to stay to the right unless passing, and give audible warning when they do (as required by law). Pedestrians need to not walk in the middle of the path, oblivious to everything around them. Your original statement holds for everyone, cyclists, drivers and pedestrians alike - PAY ATTENTION!
As for weaving in and out of traffic - remember that cyclists sometimes weave to avoid obstacles in the road that are bad enough to harm bicycle tires, but not something a car or pedestrian would worry about. They sometimes weave to pass slower moving bikes and pedestrians. This is normal, and perfectly safe if they're attentive to other traffic. On the road, this means they may move into a traffic lane out of the bike lane - this is perfectly legal under Oregon law.
As for Critical Mass - have you ever talked to them? The core group is a decent bunch of folk from what I can see. It's very rare that there are any serious issues, and the last big ride that everyone in town remembers drew a lot of non-CM people that were very aggressive and trying to make a political statement. They are a much-maligned group and the reason why people are so against them is because they're visible. If you don't like Critical Mass, it's easy to avoid them - the rides are always on the last Friday of the month. CM is not an "outlaw element", and their website states that they ride as traffic, following the laws. Those who don't are frequently ticketed, since the Portland PD is usually near on around the ride.
July 18th, 2006 10:16
Again, Dean - if you really do daydream about running people down, seek professional help. Yes, this IS the 21st Century - we're civilized. If we have a grievance with someone who isn't playing by the rules, we talk to them, not run them over. ( Or we sue them )
Oh, and the streets weren't oringally made for bikes, they were made for horses (you can still see the tie-downs in some Portland neighborhoods). Bikes do pre-date cars by at least 50 years, though, so there is significant precedent for sharing the road. Downtown Portland sees bicycles, horses, cars, trucks, motorcycles and scooters. We've all got to make room for one another.
July 18th, 2006 10:21
For those of you who want to let the world know about this, please digg this article. The more people who digg it, the more people see it.
http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Radio_show_promotes_hatred_toward_cyclists
(Digg is a tech-based site which has articles that are promoted by the user. In order to "digg" an article, one must be a member.)
July 18th, 2006 10:23
Scott - there's a BIG difference between denigrating someone, whatever criteria you're using, and advocating illegal acts. Cheering on people for throwing things at cyclists, hitting cyclists, dooring cyclists - that's a whole 'nother level.
Sure, this will give them publicity. Sure, they want that. But it also brings this issue back into the public eye, which means we can open discourse on this issue. Talking about it publically is the first step towards doing something about it.
Of course, that means we actually have to DO something after the talking is done.
July 18th, 2006 10:29
It's useless to reason with him Matt. His only purpose here is to get "ratings" and provide nothing that is constructive, much like that radio show. You're providing logical answers but that does not fly with people like that.
July 18th, 2006 10:38
I left a message for Claire in the communications department at the Red Cross and received a call back very quickly. She indicated that they are aware of the situation, and mentioned that they're in the business of saving lives and one of the seven points of the Red Cross's charter is neutrality, and sponsoring a radio station that advocates harm and injury to anyone isn't something they're going to do. She said that the appropriate steps have been taken and things are being put into motion regarding their relationship with 95.5. She was extremely polite, but very direct and to the point about this situation being unacceptable.
A call to the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation ellicited a similar response - the lady who answered was horrified that DJs on the station are saying this about cyclists. She promised that I would receive either a call or a letter regarding what's been done.
I left messages on the opinion lines of both Sam Adams and Tom Potter, not that I expect much to come from those.
July 18th, 2006 10:49
You want to know why so many people have a poor opinion of cyclists and thier advocacy groups?
This chain of e-mails is a perfect example.
99% of you never even heard the show. You heard about the show, third hand, from someone with an axe to grind.
I did hear the show. P.K. did not endorse chasing down bike riders with a car and running them over. P.K. did not laugh about someone being hurt while riding a bike. P.K. gave his opinion, as crudely stated as it was, that when cylists are weaving in and out of traffic, ignoring stop signs, and cutting off a car, that he wouldn't feel the least bit bad about those people getting creamed for riding like idiots.
That's it. Agree with him, or not, it's his opinion and he has a right to it.
You supposedly bright, articulate, community conscience, civic minded individuals sound more like a bunch of humorless Nazi's.
Do I have an axe of my own to grind? You bet I do. I'm close friends with someone who works there, and you know they've been dealing with from the "bike community"? Threats of violence, threats of vandalism, profanity laced phone calls, etc.
Classy! Well done! You guys are awesome! /end sarcasm
Don't like P.K. or that show? Don't listen. Oh, wait a minute. That's right. You're already not listening. Which is why none of you have the faintest idea what you're talking about.
July 18th, 2006 10:55
PK says things so that people listen. If you pay him enough he will say anything. This is probably what he did on the radio. He hears about cars and cyclists and decides to take it way too far. Does he really believe what he says? He probably runs his mouth so much that he can't remember what he said two weeks ago, whether it was offensive, harmful or appropriate. Trying to reason with a morning talk show host on Jammin 95.5 is a waste of time. I vote for ignore because the cyclist community s a much more educated, realistic and practical community than the Playhouse crew. Protesting a picnic will only involve a large group of 12-18 year old teens that are continually entertained by PK’s rants to make money.
July 18th, 2006 10:59
The media has already started picking it up as you well know and this is a very good thing. Others will just to get on the band waggon. After all guess what print media wants salesbroadcast media wants ratings. You guys are starting to spoon feed them exactly what they the main stream media wants.
Dont worry Jonathan your doing just fine :)
As for this dean guy ignore him or just block his troll butt from the site.
July 18th, 2006 11:05
David: If that's all that was said, why won't they release their podcast of that day's show? They podcast all of the other shows... Why did they skip that one?
July 18th, 2006 11:12
Tell everyone media outlet we can as well.
This will be in the WW and the Mercury has somethign as well.
http://www.portlandmercury.com/blogtown/2006/07/radio_stations_bikebashing_bro.php
A few people want to write some letters to the Oregonian.
I would ... but I have a picnic on the 22nd at Grant Park to plan. Don't worry I will get some input from the PPB, Adams and Mayors office when I talk to them in a few about this and other bicycling issues with in our city.
July 18th, 2006 11:18
Jasun,
Do you still think the picnic thing is a good idea? Brad (in comment #53) brings up a good point. I'm worried it might be a tinderbox and that, no matter how friendly we try to be, will end up messy. Maybe we should avoid such public confrontation.
Given the extreme (and building) amount of pressure being put on their station from all over the country, I don't think there is any chance of them willingly partnering with us.
Put it this way, they will not be happy to see us...regardless of our intentions.
July 18th, 2006 11:31
Prediction: When this breaks in the mainstream media . . . then we’ll get a nice quote from the BTA (giving the impression they've been "on top of it") and then it’ll appear on their blog. At this point it may still not be a safe political bet, but soon . . . Soon it will be.
July 18th, 2006 11:32
yah they won't be happy to see us, but think PK says these things from a secured building in a little room. I think coming forth and showing him first hand will maybe even scare him just a little. it's a park isn't it, it's public space and we're entitled to be there. maybe since it's so close to alberta, we could get the clownhouse to come out and do something. I think the kidsd would enjoy seeing all the tallbikes and such.
July 18th, 2006 11:34
Is Grant park a public park? Perhaps a phone call to the city parks bureau asking them why they would give a radio station that encourages violence against bikers a permit to use a public park would be a good idea.
July 18th, 2006 11:37
Garrett, I have a better idea. I am building a time machine so that I can go back and tell P.K.s mom that he is going to grow up and encourage violance against bikers on his radio program. Maybe she will have an abortion, and all will be good in Portland again.
July 18th, 2006 11:46
I think this whole issue would just go away if it's ignored. The "cast" of that "show" gets paid to say stupid shit on the air that will get a reaction out of people. The best thing for them would be a bunch of media coverage that just gives them more listeners and attention. Yeah, his comments were stupid and irresponsible, but raising holy hell about it will only increase his audience of stupid and irrisponsible people.
File complaints with the station and the FCC, call advertisers maybe, but don't aim for more public attention.
July 18th, 2006 11:59
I think an entry about this issue that provides a summary of people to contact in the "holy trinity" of pressure - government (political and regulatory), advertisers, and KXJM management would be a good idea. It could also include talking points for effective communication with each type of entity. It looks like a lot of the information to do this is in the body of a couple hundred entries, and it’d be helpful to collect them in one place.
Such a post would also be a good place to place updates on when we can get our ears on the podcast and how to effectively pressure the station to make it available in full so we can all hear it “in context” as they claim we need to?
I’m much more upbeat today as the direction appears to be turning away from engaging PK, and toward working on a solution. Everyone who’s called/written the FCC, congresspersons, advertisers, management, and media I see as addressing the problem proactively rather than getting into the mud bath that the radio personalities want.
It will help anyone who wanted to apply this pressure to have a contact list that is easy to navigate.
July 18th, 2006 11:59
David,
I heard the show and what you have stated may very well have been PK's point. But you must have missed the part about him encouraging callers to tell more stories about car/cyclist accidents. He was disturbingly excited to hearing about cyclist injury and death and wanted to hear more as if to satisty some twisted desire . He even asked the female host if the cyclist her friend had recently hit broke his neck (his tone of voice was very hopeful). You're right, he did give his opinion of cyclists. He also encourage others to have the same opinion. The one thing about the show that bothered me the most was how he took one group, (cyclist who happen to living people), and rallied his listeners against them. Left alone, this makes for a very dangerous situation. I've submitted my complaints and I'm proud of my fellow cyclists and friends for doing the same.
July 18th, 2006 12:15
Ok, we have established that I need help for finding certain things funny, but would some of you please just admit that most of you sound whiney? I mean really come on, I could understand your outrage if people were injuring bikers over the incodent, but that hasn't happened. Get hobbies other than biking, because it isn't keeping you busy enough...
July 18th, 2006 12:26
Dean if you haven't read already I had some kid try to run me off the road and into a bunch of parked cars late at night. I am one that almost could have got hurt if I didn't completely swerve. and I was following the laws of the road Biking isn't just a hobbie for me. it's a part of my life and is for many others, and when a group of people with similar interests come together like that it becomes a culture a community. my roommate's life evolves around biking, works at a bike shop, races, builds bikes. this whole thing is just a big deal to us because of the safety issues, people that hear this will see a biker do something that is legal like mentioned above take up a whole right lane etc etc but yet not know that it is legal for them to do so and think otherwise and will endanger that cyclist/others life.
dean come on let's go on a nice little bike ride. me and you I'll go at your pace and everything. I'm being serious though I won't yell at you I just want to go on a bike ride and talk.
July 18th, 2006 12:28
Coda,
With respect, you're continuing to miss the point.
You're upset about someone having an opinion, even an arguably deviant one, different than your own. That's it. That's what everyone is upset about.
Any posturings to the contrary are the desperate illogical contortions of a minority group with far too much time on thier hands that take themselves far too seriously.
There was no call to action to harm anyone on that morning show. None. No-one was threatened. No-one was told to go hurt anyone else. This is a non-issue. And, again, about 99.9% of the people fired up about this never even heard the show in question.
As for being proud of your community, please.
You're proud of a group of people flipping out over someone daring to express an opinion they don't like? Gosh, what an openminded group of tolerant people you all are.
Not to mention all of the threats of violence, profanity, calls to damange private property, crashing a radio station's community event for neighborhood children. Wow! That's awesome. You guys are so cool. I'm gonna go buy a bike right now so I can be cool, too.
You have nothing to be proud about. You're attempting to stifle free speech. That's it. No laws were broken, no FCC guidlines were violated (depsite the repeated, moronic claims to the contrary) and no-one was threatened.
That is, no-one was threatened by P.K. However, I see/read quite a few threates from your fellow cyclists. All over something none of you even heard. Only heard about. Third or fourth hand. Brilliant.
July 18th, 2006 12:39
Here's what I think:
1. Ignore all posters who are just looking for a fight. You will not change their minds. Resist the urge to react. They are nobody. Instead...
2. ...take some action as others have, don't waste precious time. Make calls to advertisers, email Earl Blumenhauer, call or email the mayor and the chief of police, file a complaint with the FCC. After you've done all that, get back on here and let us know. Do your homework, anyone can vent.
3. Don't go to the Grant Park picnic. It won't accomplish anything, emotions will just run high and it could escalate into something ugly. Don't give them any credibility by showing up. It will keep them guessing about what we're up to. We can't give up on this.
4. Do something.
July 18th, 2006 12:42
When Marconi aired the audio of Nichloas Berg's head being removed it didn't violate any FCC guidlines, it wasn't threatening, it was inappropriate, wrong and those involved lost their jobs because of it.
July 18th, 2006 12:50
I see this is a logic free/common sense free, zone.
I'm done.
P.S. Marconi does PM drive on KUFO and is #1
July 18th, 2006 13:00
jonathan, if you can go to the picnic and make friends with a jerk like pk and he doesn't stab you in the back again on the next day's show, you deserve a medal.
but i don't think people who laugh when innocent people die represent portland values.
July 18th, 2006 13:04
I've never been the victim of the actions of any genuinely malevalent motorists (with the exception of a couple of trips to sauvie island -- those people ar crazy) until this weekend. On friday afternoon, I was riding on SE Clinton Ave, near 34th St. on my way home from work and a motorist pulled up beside me in my lane, layed on the horn and flicked a burning cigarette on me. He then sped off, nearly running into the traffic circle at 36th and Clinton.
The incident scared the shit out of me, and its the sort of thing I had never experienced before in the eight years I've been living in Portland.
I'm not saying that this classy fellow was inspired by the Playhouse or anything. Its just been something that been on my mind the past couple of days. Just thought I'd share.
July 18th, 2006 13:05
david sez: "I see this is a logic free/common sense free, zone"
he also generalized earlier when he said we're people who don't know what we're talking about.
I think its good david is stepping aside to make room for someone else to chip in. don't you think?
July 18th, 2006 13:18
i'm thinking this months CM should be huge. invite some of the statons sponsors, anyone that matters, ride for more than an hour, have the cops that ride along us ride with us rather than looking to arrest us (they are on bikes too), invite groups that are not related to cycling, invite the newspapers, other radio stations, news stations. i'll start calling. everyone is giving some amazing ideas, but you must also act on them aswell. the time for just talking about what we should do on this wonderful site is over, we have to actually go out there, on the streets, on our bikes and get this done.
July 18th, 2006 13:21
great work, michael and ayala! i'll put my two cents in at les schwab, too, when i get a chance.
we will all miss david, doc ross.
July 18th, 2006 13:21
good luck to all. i'm willing to help out anyone who askes for it so drop me a line
July 18th, 2006 13:37
Look,
I just want to ride my bike to work, do some racing, and pop some wheelies.
All these people writing the FCC did you actually hear the show? IF not does that seem credible?
July 18th, 2006 13:38
Having been the victim of a driver uninformed of traffic laws, I would like to chime in. I was riding my bike right outside of my workplace on N Flint ave when a motorist behind me became annoyed that I was taking up a lane (no bike lane on Flint Ave) and decided to pass me at an agressively fast speed (beyond the posted limit on Flint) halfway in the oncoming lane (flint is a no-passing double solid line road). His car struck me and threw me and my bike to the ground. He slammed on his brakes, got out of his car and started to yell angrily at me for not being careful enough and biking in the middle of the lane. He threatened to call the cops, which I thought would have been a wonderful idea. Maybe the police would inform him of the laws. I was breaking no laws. He was breaking at least two. If he successfully ran me over, I would die and his volvo would only have a little blood and hair in the undercarriage.
I think its interesting that this driver was so incensed by his perceived notion of me breaking a law that he thought the best remedy to the situation was to actually break two laws and almost kill a human in the process. And what of this driver? Should I jab my seatpost in his eye? Run his nuts through my derailleur?
What I actually did was try to remain calm and explain the law of the road and how he, not I, was in violation. What the radio show did, on a much broader scale than I have the opportunity to, was to negate my explanation and reinforce a sense of entitlement to the road in this man and all the listeners who are of a similar ilk.
July 18th, 2006 13:39
Dean,
Do you really expect people to take you seriously when you use words like "technoligy"?
July 18th, 2006 13:48
Hi Patrick,
Write the FCC for the F-bomb that was dropped on the show on Monday the 17th of July between 5:30AM and 6:30AM ... at least we have recordings of that. Proof can be heard at:
http://web.pdx.edu/~jasun/haters/index.html
Then pressure the FCC to get the unedited tapes from the 13th of July show. Since they were stored on a podcast server at Apple I reccomend using the files from the server backups.
July 18th, 2006 13:54
Because the radio station is not releasing recordings of the show to the public, those of us who haven't heard the show in question can't verify the accuracy of the recordings. However, the FCC can verify those claims, and act on them. It is then up to the FCC - not the angry bloggers on either side of this debate - to decide whether or not PK and 95.5 went over the line. So I would say, yes, by all means, if you are concerned, write a complaint to the FCC. Or, for that matter, write a note in support.
July 18th, 2006 13:58
Can someone post more information on critical mass. Where, when, etc.
July 18th, 2006 13:59
I suggest hitting the "digg it" button under the number here. http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Radio_show_promotes_hatred_toward_cyclists
leave a comment... mostly because I love Digg. :)
I could see this being in the WW's Hot or Not section, I was surprised it wasn't in last weeks issue.
~n
July 18th, 2006 14:12
Dude, you erase everything. What did I say that was bad?
July 18th, 2006 14:14
Dean,
There are 109 comments already. Unless you have something constructive to add, please don't leave a comment.
This isn't an open forum and I'm just trying to respect my readers. No one likes to wade through a bunch of comments that have no relevance to the topic.
Thanks for understanding.
July 18th, 2006 14:16
I respect what you are doing here on this site, but I like to think of my self as "common sense". You have a bunch of people calling and emailing like crazy to complain, and I am just raising the point that they are out of line for doing so.
July 18th, 2006 14:17
Grobb--
Did your collision happen after the Thursday Playhouse show aired? My incident (that I described in comment #97) happened the day after the broadcast. I know its just a coincidence, but I can't help but feel a bit distressed that I had lived here for 8 years without any sort of incident, and then the day ater this show airs I get hit with burning cigarette.
July 18th, 2006 14:19
I saw a group on the internet yesterday of Portlanders taking a stand against bikers. They said as long as you guys keep harassing the Playhouse they are going to make "things" happen to people riding their bikes around Portland. They are trading stories from as recently as last night, but I haven't been able to find that site today. They had a count thing going.
July 18th, 2006 14:52
[...] The storm around The Playhouse radio show is gaining strength by the minute. It is simply amazing to see what a concerned and active community can accomplish. [...]
July 18th, 2006 14:54
"They said as long as you guys keep harassing the Playhouse they are going to make “things” happen to people riding their bikes around Portland."
Great. This confirms that the actions of some are encouraged by the show. The more the show encourages this and the more it happens, the more fuel for FCC action such as dismissing of the show's hosts who make the statements.
TO CYCLISTS: I would suggest not taking any crap, please don't put me in danger by tolerating abusive behavior. If you don't do something when confronted, I could be the next victim when the driver feels emboldened at having gotten away with the harrassment.
CRITICAL MASS: someone was interested in the monthly Critical Mass ride. CM rides once every month, on the last Friday, meeting at 5:30P (leaving around 6P) at the N Park Blocks in Portland by the bronze elephant, NW Park & Couch. CM is a leaderless, spontaneous bike ride to celebrate that cyclists have a right to the road, it is not meant to be a "protest" or confrontational. Make us proud by showing up and demonstrating how cyclists can share the road and that cycling is an effective mode of transportation. Odd costumes / noisemakers / decorated bikes highly encouraged. Bring a musical instrument, bring friends, bring food, bring a plan for an after-event.
July 18th, 2006 15:05
[...] With all the craziness around the radio show fiasco I want to lighten things up with some fun tidbits from my inbox. [...]
July 18th, 2006 15:15
Drake,
My incident happened about a month ago. I wasn't trying to suggest any kind of correlation between it and the broadcast. I was just trying to illustrate that there are people on the roads with dangerous interpretations of bicycle laws and road ettiquette, people whose opinion one could reasonably assume would be influenced by this broadcast, to the detriment of the safety of every bicyclist on the road.
July 18th, 2006 15:37
I'm afraid all this is going to make things worse, not better for the plight of cyclists in Portland.
The weird thing is, all of us, including Dean (I think) are probably people who act reasonably on the roads. When I'm cycling in town, all of those cars are invisible to me. Only that one aggressive jerk stands out. One aggressive jerk driving around town will make an impression on dozens of cyclists.
Similarly for aggressive jerk cyclists -- one bad example makes an impression on dozens of cars.
In our civil forum (thanks Jonathan), I submit that each side is talking about that non-invisible fringe, and that those folks aren't taking part in the conversation (or Jonathan is editing their postings out).
One assymetry is that an aggressive jerk drivers inherently threaten the lives of cyclists.
Both fringes tend to balkanize the situation, which is what we all hope to avoid. Shock-jocks' business model is probably to create new balkans. Let's resist.
July 18th, 2006 16:36
Some of the comments on the Playhouse's myspace profile are harrowing:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=32675569
July 18th, 2006 16:43
Jason,
I did not hear the "F bomb" This is my point, I don't think it is credible for me to take your word for it (Even though it most likely is correct) and contact the FCC. I did not hear it so how can I credibly comment?
July 18th, 2006 17:10
The stuff by Attorney Ray Thomas here suggests the possibility of something like a "class action" harassment lawsuit. Is there any such thing?? Could we invite Thomas himself to entertain such a case?
It's not just free speech, that's for sure. They are broadcasting with a franchise granted to them by the public under the broadcast laws. I think a pretty compelling argument can be made here that they meet the definition of "harassment" cited by Ray Thomas here:
"(B) Publicly insulting such other person by abusive words or gestures in a manner intended and likely to provoke a violent response."
Motorists are tuning in the radio in while they drive. These guys are inciting them. It's just common sense that they have invited some nasty legal liability on themselves with their actions on their radio station.
July 18th, 2006 17:11
Wyatt, did you capture anything from Myspace? The friend id you sent has been deleted. I wonder why...
July 18th, 2006 17:17
If any of you,
a. were actual listeners of that morning show
b. were actual listeners of that radio station
c. had actually heard, first hand, what was supposedly said,
You would realize you're being manipulated, and cheerfully participating in, a completely misguided and misinformed campaign.
P.K. did not endorse or encourage any kind of violence against cyclists. He 'did' talk all kinds of smack about bad cyclists, and took a number of phone calls from listeners who called in to share horror stories of thier own. While hardly a glowing endorsement of the biking community, it was certainly not some kind of call to action to harm anyone.
After reading the bulk of the postings on this site I find myself having no problem believing the listener's stories.
I'm sure that fact your information about what was said is wrong will in no way deter you from continuing your mindless witch-hunt, which you've instigated via third and fourth hand accounts, but there you go.
By the way, the guy who runs this site has been invited onto The Playhouse a couple of times. He couldn't be bothered to do so.
For someone claiming to represent a socially conscience group of reasonable citizens, there seems to be an amazing lack of willingness to speak with the very people you're accusing of wrong doing.
And I know about the invitation to appear on The Playhouse, with a free mic, to this websites guru, because (unlike the rest of you) I listen to the show and can thus relay that kind of information first hand.
July 18th, 2006 17:28
Hey all. On their calender of community events on the radio station if you click on the event they actually have a lot of e-mail addresses of people that are working with them. I realize that these places may be getting free ad space so in all the e-mails I tell them what is going on and why I am e-mailing them and if there is a fee they are paying 95.5 they should stop due to their lack of concern for the safety and lives of bikers. The link to that calender is...
http://www.jamminfm.com/calender.aspx
July 18th, 2006 17:29
To Grobbins:
Gotcha. I don't want to suggest that my incident had anything to do with the playhouse either. It was just one big crappy coincidence that it happened right after the broadcast.
July 18th, 2006 17:46
The more I think about this the more I keep envisioning a Saturday Night Live skit. Could you see Wil Ferrel playing the wacky DJ? Who would play Jonathan? Most people would get a laugh if it was a SNL skit. But in someways I think it is.........
July 18th, 2006 18:42
Dean you are a troll, straight up. You are the one who needs to go get a life. If you don't like bikes and think of them as some antiquated form of transport , why are looking at a bike forum? By your own "this is the 21th century" rationionale, you should be giving up your truck in a few years. The way you big car and truck drivers are sucking up oil you may have to.
July 18th, 2006 18:43
Despite the fact that I'm something of a rules fetishist and always obey traffic laws, I'm seriously concerned about my physical safety in light of a bunch of 18-25 year old males with poor impulse control riled up against cyclists and operating devices that are capable of killing. Hearing that some of them are proudly keeping track of their assaults concerns me even more.
I wonder if our friend Officer Pickett would be willing to offer us some tips to stay safe until they decide to move onto the next group of people they feel compelled to harm.
July 18th, 2006 18:43
Another thing Dean, you are not the only one who had a response removed, so have I.
July 18th, 2006 18:59
on 95.5's myspace page, a woman called ashly or ashlee (her friends are too stupid to get her name right) says:
"Next time I see a damn cyclist thinking that they owned the road, I'm going to ram them off their bike and keep driving with a HUGE smile on my face!!!"
before calling other people stupid, better look into your tense agreement, dear. also, swearing, exclamation points, and ALL CAPS don't compensate for your remedial verbal skills.
so there's that, and then there's the death threat. if i get bored, you betchya the cops are gonna take a look at your profile. i hope your friends don't brag about "blunts" or whatever it is they screw their brains with.
cheers!
July 18th, 2006 19:20
John - first and second-hand accouts, not third and fourth-hand.
Also, if you've read the posts on this site, then you already know that at least two of the posters here were outside the studio on Monday, and asked to be on the show, and PK refused to let them in. As for Jonathan, I'll let him speak for himself.
The biggest point is, people already have been influenced by this, and then subsequently influenced more once they found out that cyclists were upset about it. What there needs to be is some kind of rational discourse, though I don't think that would be possible on the Playhouse from what I've heard and learned so far. The biggest problem cyclists face is motorists not knowing what the laws regarding cycling ARE. That point has been proven multiple times just in the posts on this issue from supporters of the Playhouse.
And since I'm soapboxing - please, please, PLEASE, let's not do anything at Grant Park on the 22nd. That is a PR disaster waiting to happen. If you really want to screw up the station that badly, go get the parks department to revoke their permit or something. Unless cycling-friendly or cycling-neutral media is at the event, it can only reflect badly on the community.
July 18th, 2006 19:38
patrick - the way things are going, it's more likely to turn into an episode of "law and order."
July 18th, 2006 21:49
John:
Tell it to the judge.
It's a criminal offense to throw objects from a motor vehicle at someone else on the road. One of the hosts of the show allegedly accounted with enthusiasm her engagement in this activity, and allowed as how she would do it again.
This is deadly serious stuff. Even if all she was throwing was water bottles. We don't need to be fans of her show and "put it all in context," John. The context speaks for itself: a person recounting on the radio her criminal activity as a motorist, to other motorists at drive time, and explicitly endorsing that activity. Nothing could be more unambiguous. I would not want to be in this radio station's legal shoes right now.
July 18th, 2006 22:04
I just heard tonight that a friend of mine had a bottle of water thrown at his back on Sunday as he rode his bike toward the St Johns bridge.
Do I think it's related to the July 13th broadcast?
Hell yeah. Already, several incidents have been reported here that are just too coincidental.
This whole matter is SERIOUS and we are in danger.
Despite what the ignorant and sociopathic children on this forum have been saying, there is no doubt about what happened Thursday morning. It's a waste of space and time to even question it. So go bother someone else for a while.
Has everyone here done their part to contact advertisers, sponsors, the FCC, Tom Potter, Sam Adams, Les Schwab?
I suspect most of you haven't because there are always a few who do the work for everyone else no matter what the situtation is.
Please! Get off the computer and write a letter, or make a phone call - tomorrow, tonight, but soon!
I'm heading over to the station's website and clicking on the "events" tab and taking down names and email addresses.
July 18th, 2006 22:38
According to the radio host PK Jonathan was invited on the show to give his point of view and he decided to make demands before going on the playhouse, including that PK go on a ride with him and that he hand over a copy of the tape. I believe if he wished to talk about this resonably that making demands to PK was a poor choice.
July 18th, 2006 23:24
...additionally, donate to Jonathan's site.
I just emailed GEICO's marketing dept.
KXJM is on Wikpedia and there's some info on PK's psychotic breakdown on it.
July 19th, 2006 00:03
here's the playhouses fans forum.
http://phmafia.com/forums/default.aspx
July 19th, 2006 04:23
Don't think you're going to spam the fan forums because the creator of it will just delete it, so leave that alone.
July 19th, 2006 06:17
Keep up the pressure on KXJM sponsers, advertisers, and event partners!!
It is working!
Clackamas Fire District has pulled out of a partnership with KXJM.
Red Cross has pulled their ad from the site.
Focus on Les Schwab to follow suit.
Les Schwab has no webforms or email.
Call them! It is only a few cents at most.
Les Schwab 541-447-4136
July 19th, 2006 06:23
Hey nick i need a tip on digg say i wanted to reply directly to a comment of yours how the heck do i do it? Im new to digg and not sure how to post a reply where i want.
nick wrote
Nick
July 18th, 2006 13:59
108
I suggest hitting the “digg it” button under the number here. http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Radio_show_promotes_hatred_toward_cyclists
leave a comment… mostly because I love Digg. :)
I could see this being in the WW’s Hot or Not section, I was surprised it wasn’t in last weeks issue.
July 19th, 2006 08:00
It's funny how PK and his crew seem to be copying directly off this website and putting it up on his.
http://www.radioplayhouse.com/bikethoughts.aspx
July 19th, 2006 08:55
What? tell me, what comment was made here and is on their site?
July 19th, 2006 09:14
PGE park called me back today and I had a good conversation with one of thier representatives. They are upset about the situation, but noted that 95.5 already has all PGE's money for the year. He also indicated that the Playhouse crew are the ones that are present at PGE for Thirsty Thursdays, and that they are considering action along that line. Despite the fact that 95.5 has all the funding from PGE for this year, I propose a boycott of Thirsty Thursdays with the message that PGE should discontinue their relationship with 95.5 for next year. Thirsty Thursdays seem to draw the biggest crowds, and a lack of attendence would send a clear message. I would also encourage folks to continue contacting PGE and the other advertisers on 95.5's page, but also keep in mind, the folks at PGE were very supportive of bicyclists, as many of them bike to work as well. All the more reason to keep on them. I also agree with the earlier comments about seeking legal action and hitting 95.5 where it hurts-- financially, but being wary of giving the playhouse what it wants--a big angry audience. I think we need to focus our energies on the station and their advertisers.
July 19th, 2006 09:21
You people aren't going to get anything acomplished, except that you will make more people angry. It won't be long until a bunch of you guys are up in the wheel wells of angry listeners. Of course I would never do that LOL.
July 19th, 2006 09:22
Tree, you can quit yelling at all your friends to do stuff. The ones that aren't doing anything see how stupid this whole thing really is.
July 19th, 2006 09:23
[...] The community response over anti-cyclist comments made on a morning radio show continues to grow. The story has moved far beyond Portland and what the show host called “this little underground website.” [...]
July 19th, 2006 09:26
It must be cool having people come to your website finally. Even if it's just to memorize the faces from the photo section ha ha ha.
July 19th, 2006 09:39
Sounds like our buddy Dean is running out of arguments... Name calling and cheap shots are usually the dying gasps of logic and civility. Not that he has displayed much in the way of cogency or human decency thus far...
July 19th, 2006 09:44
Interesting. I'd seen on either 95.5's or the Playhouse's MySpace a link to PGE Park/Portland Beavers/Portland Timbers yesterday, and gave PGE Park a call. I left a message for Dana B, and got a voicemail back from her boss, the Vice President of Ticket Sales and Marketing, River Hatch. He apologized that the Playhouse has been endorsing violence against cyclists, and said it's unnacceptable. He said that unfortunately, at this point, the station has all of PGE Park's "expenditures" for the year, so they can't do a lot financially, but they have told 95.5 that this situation is hurting their chances for a partnership next year. He mentioned that if PGE Park/Beavers/Timbers do partner with 95.5 next year, they will see about not having any of their ads/promotions air during the Playhouse morning show. River thanked me for letting them know of the situation, and made mention that they'd received other voicemails about it as well.
I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call back from them. It seems that all the sponsors/partners that I've spoken to have at least been concerned over what's been going on.
July 19th, 2006 09:49
Good for you Ayala, you are making friends along the way of your campaign of hate. No matter what you losers do P.K. is going to drive home in his Porsche, spend the night in his beautiful huge home, and bang that hot ass 19 year old money grubbing whore that he has been dating.
July 19th, 2006 10:18
John- They are copying direct posts from this website and this line of questions (lots from our buddy Dean here) and then putting them up on that link I left on my last post. So Dean...which DJ are you?
July 19th, 2006 10:36
Oh come on now, I am no DJ. Beleive it or not, they banned my email address from the show. Come to think of it, why am I sticking up for these ass holes.
July 19th, 2006 10:42
Garrett, I didn't see one copy and paste from this website on the Playhouse website. You are simply wrong. They have posted emails that were sent in to the playhouse, but nothing that I could find from here.
Do you have anything to say that is true?
July 19th, 2006 10:54
dean there are posts from this website that they put on there. I've seen them. some of them are posted from a couple of the other stories. but they're mainly posts of the ones supporting them. and one quote from one of the ones against them.
July 19th, 2006 10:56
Jennifer, those are all emails to the playhouse in response to things people on this site were saying. They aren't pulling quotes off this site. They took an email someone from this site sent them and posted that. Then the listeners responded. Think what your liberal brain wants though...
July 19th, 2006 11:11
Dean- Would you like me to show you on a computer? Post #77 from David on this line of comments is the very first post they have cut and pasted onto their website comments. Would you like me to go further ok...Post 37 from this line of comments is featured on their website "And Now for What Civilized People Have to Say" and it's the 4th bullet down. I could go on...but I don't really want to waste any more time on you.
July 19th, 2006 11:17
Keep at em guys.
I think that our resident troll dean works for these radiostation clowns.
July 19th, 2006 11:17
Back in April 2005, Jammin' 95.5 posted hundreds of 'WANTED' style posters on every telephone pole in the Corbett/Terwilliger/Lair Hill district, (my nieghborhood and where the station is located) it was an ad campaign for a radio contest. They refused to clean up the pole litter, even though it violates a city ordinance, and is considered to be the same as graffitti. This was documented by a story written by Boaz Herzog of the Oregonian 'InPortland' section.
What did the neighbors do? WE went around and collected every single bright orange piece of paper, and deposited them all in their lobby the next day. Right on the floor, told them: 'we are simply returning this trash to it's source' and walked out. THAT felt good.
Their response in the paper? 'Who cares? Those people are not in the demographic our show is aimed at!'. Jerkys.....
July 19th, 2006 11:27
Thankyou Garrett, I found the one post from David on their website. I didn't find the others, but I am wrong about that. On the other hand, this site has been feeding off theirs even more so it still leaves you with no room to speak.
I am in no way affiliated with Jammin 95.5. I am just another Portlander sick of your peoples crap. Now you are trying to get a great station taken off the air for being funny. Even though there is no way you will succeed, it still pisses me off that you would even try.
July 19th, 2006 11:30
JAMMIN 95.5 IS UNTOUCHABLE TO YOU PEOPLE...how does that make you feel?
July 19th, 2006 11:35
Thats what other stations thought to right up to the moment the fcc slapped any where between $25k fines to in 1 case i read about $150k in fines.
They are far from untouchable.
dean wrote :
Dean
July 19th, 2006 11:30
161
JAMMIN 95.5 IS UNTOUCHABLE TO YOU PEOPLE…how does that make you feel?
July 19th, 2006 11:37
Other stations might have done something wrong. The Playhouse didn't do anything, but at least you guys made a new friend...me silly.
July 19th, 2006 11:39
Jonathan obviously sees the difference between having a different point of view, and being a "troll". My comments have everything to do with the topic. Is it that you don't like to have confrontation when you are trying to spew the same BS that you heard your friend spewing earlier?
July 19th, 2006 11:42
So are you guys really going to Jammin's picnic?
July 19th, 2006 11:44
Just for clarification, I deleted a comment that said I should ban Dean completely.
I am just trying to keep things on-topic.
I appreciate Dean's point of view and as long as he doesn't incite violence or call people names I will let him comment.
July 19th, 2006 12:30
Hey Dean, I would like to extend an open invition to Zoobomb. Show up at Rocco's Pizza on Sunday night @ 8:30.We will even provide you with a bike to ride down the hill. It's fun, it could change your life.
July 19th, 2006 12:43
I just talked with les scwab,seems they are working on pulling there advertising from the morning show at least. As is the case with PGE park, they already gave them money for this year.
July 19th, 2006 13:13
Just out of curiosity, how did people get Schwab and others to pull their ads? There is a big uproar yes, but so far, an actual recording of the show in it's entirety is nowhere to be found.
July 19th, 2006 13:39
Simply put better safe than sorry.
Big companies lke schwab would rather pull their adds early than late. Realy good chance they have already demanded the un edited tape from the station to listen for them selves. They will then decide if they will keep the ads off the air or not.
gregg wrote:
Gregg
July 19th, 2006 13:13
168
Just out of curiosity, how did people get Schwab and others to pull their ads? There is a big uproar yes, but so far, an actual recording of the show in it’s entirety is nowhere to be found
July 19th, 2006 14:03
Where is Bud Clark when you need him?
July 19th, 2006 14:17
hey dean come zoobombing. i know for a fact zoobombing changed my life. and before I moved to portland i will admit I was pretty much anti-bike.
if you do take the invitation from skidmark then you honestly will be shocked because zoobombers aren't you're ordinary bikers. and I'll hook you up with some pizza too since that's where I work. just bring a helmet that's the only thing. but I think you would like the zoobomb group.
July 19th, 2006 14:25
You guys are way too kind. Do you do the zoobombing every Sunday. Just two years ago I was mountain biking a couple times a week, so I do love that rush. I don't have ANY clue what you guys do at the zoo though. It does sound like fun.
My girl is deployed in Iraq, and I am watching over our two boys my self. Not that it would be impossible to make it out to one of your runs some time. I just live in Salem, and work in Portland, so it's a bitch to do shit in Portland.
I know I have given you guys a bunch of crap, but it's all in good fun. Yes, I wish you would all leave the playhouse alone, but there are a handful of bikers that are close to me. I would be very sad if anything bad happened to one of you guys because of something P.K. said I just don't think it will.
July 19th, 2006 14:29
In response to: "Just out of curiosity, how did people get Schwab and others to pull their ads? There is a big uproar yes, but so far, an actual recording of the show in it’s entirety is nowhere to be found"
Just call the groups that advertise on 95.5's page and ask them to consider pulling thier ads from the website and during the program. They have already heard from a lot of concerned poeple, but more comments will indicate to them that their buisness may be affected if they affiliate themselves with this station. PGE was great about returning my phone call, and I've heard the same from others.
July 19th, 2006 14:54
yah we do it every sunday dean. well to answer your question as to what we do at the zoo, we meet at rocco's pizza (my work) around 8:30 pm like skidmark said, we then take a max train to the zoo stop (washington park) we then ride up the hill hang out there for a little bit wait for everyone to show up then bomb the hill. the zoo is because that area of portland has the easiest accessable hills especially on little mini bikes that we ride. hey even take one of your boys bikes lol and use that. but yah check it out it's pretty great. http://www.zoobomb.net
glad to see you're lightening up a bit. :-)
July 19th, 2006 15:47
Sam Adam's is drafting a letter to send to 95.5 that the mayor reportedly supports...or so says the mercury's blog.
July 19th, 2006 19:55
yeah know I like Dean, he gives common sense to the group. K first off, just because something happened to you while biking RIGHT after the thursday show, doesn't mean it was Jammin's fault. Many times I have been yelled at, and even once I was thrown a water bottle. So don't blame the radio station for this, blame stupid people. Second of all, before making judgement calls, why don't you people who haven't seen the recording calm down, cause misquotation happens all the time, just look all over the media. One persons source is not credible enough for all of this happening. Just look at court, if this was taken to court, it would be dismissed in a second, you need more then one person. And yes, I am a fan of the show and listened that day, and he definently was misquoted, so give it up. I am sure many of you have said you wanna to kill someone, yet didn't actually do it. Except PK didn't even say he wanted to harm anyone.
July 19th, 2006 22:17
Dean,
If you're in Salem, you should bring the little ones to the Keizer Family Rides hosted by the Salem Bicycle Club. They are 6:30 every Thursday through the summer and are about 12 miles long. They leave from Cummings Elementary on Cummings Lane in Keizer and you don't need to be a member to go. As soon as my little one is strong enough to hold her head up through the bumps, I'm going to put her little brain bucket on and take her.
I have gone on some of the more moderate group rides and they are fun, too, if you can fly solo. I rode with a National Guard recruiter who was just getting into road riding a couple weeks ago.
July 20th, 2006 13:32
Hi:
I would encourage anyone who's been harassed by motorists to get the person's plate number and file a complaint with the local police (cell phones are great). The police will contact the registered vehicle's owner. The owners would know that these incidents have real repercussions and aren’t just ‘fun and games’.
Regards
From Ottawa
Harvey
July 20th, 2006 18:39
I like how Harvey thinks, if hit or anything like that, just report the car, don't get all jazzed up about something that isn't necassary
July 21st, 2006 13:13
Some of the people that post these comments make me laugh. You would support a persons rights one minute, then denouce other people rights to the FCC. Why not encourage people to call the police on every cyclist that breaks the law? How many of these posters have run a stop sign, cut of pedestrians all in the name of thier rights? Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. You shollow people make me sick
July 21st, 2006 14:11
I have called the cops on a cyclist or 2 in my time and i have went off on more than one for doing bone head things like riding in a eratic manner. Or for example blowing stops riding the wrong way etc. Ive done it both on bike and in a car.
Im sure many here have done the same. I always ride my bike and follow the law. Once in a great while there is one stop light that i will run thats do to the fact it wont change for a bike. And guess what even then im following the letter of the law as guess what when a light will not turn green its malfuntioning and can be treated as a stop sign.
Simply because you do not see us commenting on such things does not mean that it infact does not happen.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=212603
The above is just one such example. Ime sure if the forums wre up and running here on jonathans site youd see a few posts on the same subject and there are others on bikeforums.net as well.
Fact is this topic had nothing or little to do with cyclists breaing the law but a radio show host threatenign cyclists with his comments.
I think in one of the other blogs on site on this subject did touch on cyclists breakign the law ina few posts with responses that were not in a cyclists favor when they infact do break the law.
July 21st, 2006 14:21
Shawn - On my commute home just yesterday, 10th and Davis, I chased down a cyclist who had just blown the stop sign (+20 mph) and almost hit a pedestrian, to call him out. Have done so many times before... And I'm sure will many times again. You're way off base with your comment, and whether other posters here would do the same I can't say, but the vast majority I'm sure are not in approval.
July 23rd, 2006 08:44
I agree with one of the other people that some of the people that bike seem to think that they own the road and the sideWALK. If you think that you own the road then OBAY the laws. DO NOT ride on the sidewalk. the sidewalk is meant as a WALKWAY for people actually walking. If I was on a sidewalk and somone on a bike was coming opposite direction I would NOT move. DO NOT be intimidated by people on bikes. People on bikes might have more rights than people in cars but just remember which one will ALWAYS WIN!! The ones that think they are better than people in cars will be in the ground first. People in cars SHOULD have the right of way on the street. After all streets are meant for CARS and the like, not bikes. If you are going to ride on the street, use your brain and don't act like a moron. It might save your life even! Follow the rules of the road. It's not rocket science. Happy Trails.
July 24th, 2006 09:33
Call the radio station (they seem to get too much email, not enough calls) and tell them that you will contact businesses that choose to sponsor their show and say that you intend to avoid their products because of it.
Then follow through with the threat. Money talks. These people make their money on controversy. It needs to not be profitable.
July 25th, 2006 05:52
Brad:
Regarding your comment:
" People in cars SHOULD have the right of way on the street. After all streets are meant for CARS and the like, not bikes."
Unfortunately The State of Oregon has a different view:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/bike_manual_06.pdf
"In Oregon, a bicycle is a vehicle by law. When riding your bike on a road, you have the same rights and duties as other road users. "
Sorry
Regards
from Ottawa
Harvey
July 25th, 2006 06:06
hate to burst your bubble but oregon is not diffrent. Most states in the us also class bikes as vehicals with all the rights and responsabilities do a vehical.
Unfortunately The State of Oregon has a different view:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/BIKEPED/docs/bike_manual_06.pdf
“In Oregon, a bicycle is a vehicle by law. When riding your bike on a road, you have the same rights and duties as other road users. ”
Sorry
Regards
from Ottawa
Harvey