[...] It’s been almost a month since I last wrote about the Jammin’ 95.5 radio show story, but I haven’t forgotten about it. [...]

I can’t afford a car right now because I’m in graduate school, and even if I could, I would prefer to bike because it’s enjoyable (when I’m not being run off the road), it’s good to get the blood flowing, and it’s better for the social and physical environment of Portland, as well as for world peace (not kidding). It’s unfortunate for a radio host with a captive listening audience (stuck in their own traffic with road rage) to discourage such a beneficial form of transportation in the name of ratings and/or bad comedy.

Unfortunately, the people that most need education on the subject of our transportation system are unlikely to listen to a fact-based informative program that is more likely found on KBOO or OPB.

I think the most effective way to deal with this issue is to have the station fined by the FCC for indecent use of the public airwaves and let it be. Hopefully the fine will discourage violent, hateful speech from continuing.

Lastly, let me remind people that driving a car is a privilege, not a right, as is cycling. We all need to follow rules, be courteous, and patient.

I live at 600 NE Killingsworth Ct. that is in the 97211.

Though, I must warn you, this is a very different neighborhood than where you live. I am truly sorry that you feel threatened by us chalking a corporations sidewalk expressing out dismay at how they utilize our, as in yours and mine, public airwaves. Welcome to the hell wrought upon myself and cyclists in 1/14th of the United States population by ‘The Playhouse’ since the 07-13-2006 broadcast.

If I may point out, we did not target your home; nor the public property in which borders your residents, i.e. the sidewalk (you do not own that, the public does, as with the airwaves). We targeted Jammin’ 95.5’s studios … and we will continue to legally do so until they release an unedited recording of the 07-13-2006 archive of ‘The Playhouse’. If you want this to quit then I strongly recommend that you contact Tim McNamara at 503-243-7595, extension 216 and demand that he do the right thing by letting the public hear what he allowed to be broadcast on our airwaves.

The FM electromagnetic spectrum is your neighbor and mine; as with the twelve other markets in which ‘The Playhouse’ was simulcast over. What Tim’s morning show employees did needs to be reviewed by the FCC. I too live with in the City of Portland, Oregon; and will not tolerate the life of my loved ones be threatened in order for a radio station to boost ratings and sell more expensive advertisement space. This will end only when Tim McNamara treats us with respect by allowing us to listen to the show so that we can provide the FCC with a copy.

I invite you to listen to the Monday July the 17th recording I made at:

http://web.pdx.edu/~jasun/haters/index.html

In the recording you will hear the word ‘fucking’ mentioned on radio waves in which millions of children listened to; which is illegal. More so, if you listen to the station you will hear sexual degradation of women, which in my opinion is immoral.

As for the legal actions in Grant Park on July the 22nd, I personally oversaw all of the messages chalked the night prior. None of them were offensive to children and according to the law none were considered vandalism. There is nothing wrong with political statements … even with the ones in which I disagree with. What is wrong is when a corporation breaks the law and refuses to allow for a proper investigation by withholding evidence. This is what Tim McNamara is doing.

In no way do I believe my actions were wrong. My home address is at the beginning for you to use at your disposal. Though I must warn again that the neighborhood I live in is very different from yours and I strongly suggest, for your own safety, you visit during the daylight hours. Your are also welcome too telephone me at 503-453-2235 if you would like to discuss this issue further. I should tell you that it is illegal to block a driveway, you must always be moving. I recommend you contact the PPB, like I did, to learn laws presiding to acts of non-violent civil obedience.

I would not know the comments made exactly by PK, for the show has not been released. My point is that an enraged individual may not be able to differentiate a child breaking the law from an adult. Speaking of breaking the law, this can all go away if Tim McNamara would let us listen to the show and provide a copy to the FCC.

The definition of garbage is “food waste”. I can assure you that no “food waste” was left on the sidewalks of 0234 SW Bancroft Street. Only citizens exercising their First Amendment Right to free speech. I was in the military and this is a right that I served my country to protect. I am truly sorry that you find democracy disturbing. You and your neighbors too have a voice, a very strong one. If one of your neighbors, Jammin 95.5, is causing you displeasure then I recommend you and the rest of your neighbors turn your voice toward them. For the radio station is the root cause of your hardship.

Megan, my goal is not to upset you. I too would be upset if I were in your situation. This is not a personal agenda the I am perusing. The fact of the matter is that people in many different communities have been threatened, harassed and assaulted by the comments made on 07-13-2006 by ‘The Playhouse’. Tim McNamara, the General manager of a radio station in your neighborhood is being an irresponsible corporate citizen. Thus, this is causing us to express our dissatisfaction. As with all of my actions they will minimized any retaliation against parties, such as yourself, who are not involved. Though please know, that this will not end until Tim McNamara releases the an unedited archive of what was broadcast on 07-13-2006.

I suggest you call him at 503-243-7595, extension 216 and ask him to assist you in this situation, for he is the only one that can. You are always free to call me at 503-453-2235 … which may be a better medium to express your anger than bikeportland.org .

Sincerely,

Jasun Wurster

While we live in a society that guarantees our right to express distasteful opinions, we should not support or condone in any way organizations that disseminate such opinions. I’m not much given to political action, but I’ve written and called sponsors and McNamara.

I think Brad has the right idea – If we can bring 95.5 into a position of supporting biking, that would go a long way.

Chalking the kinds of things that were chalked in a NEIGHBORHOOD full of children, or at that PARK should BE considered vandalism…Jasun, children who hopscotch generally mark x’s and o’s or draw sunshines, not sarcastic political statements and we both know that. And I might add that not only is YOUR “artwork” in my neighborhood covered by the constitution, but also are the comments you protest.

If you honestly feel that your actions were not wrong, then please, I would like YOUR home address as well as the other 40 cyclists you were with so that I may chalk my own sentiments of grattitude in your driveway as protected by the aforementioned amendments.

In addition, I think we are both intelligent enough to know that whatever comments he made about bicyclists were not aimed at children, lets not be ABSOLUTE idiots about this situation shall we?

As I said before, I had not taken a side because I understood frustrations from both sides. But after speaking with my neighbors all evening, and watching some poor teen intern from the radio station who undoubtedly had NOTHING to do with this clean up your garbage, we all have seen for our own eyes who the real menace to the public is. And I refer not to some schmuck behind a microphone. None of you bothered to think about any of US who are simply LIVING. You were too concerned about your OWN agenda.

Thank you for starting my weekend off well. Since you all have your calls for action, here’s mine. STOP IT. And for those bikers who can make their sentiments known in a civilized manner, aka via emails, calls etc- THANK YOU from those of us in my neighborhood.

Megan from 97239