We’re at a crossroads with the Jammin 95.5 situation and the community is choosing to venture down separate paths.
The choices are to either negotiate for a settlement and try to work with the station in good faith or to continue to protest by any means necessary until the tape is released and can be vetted by the authorities.
No matter how you feel, one thing is clear; the community response to this issue has already had an impact on the host and the station.
Judging from P.K.’s recent on-air tone and from today’s story in the Willamette Week, it seems he is sorry for what he did and that he has a new sensitivity to the safety issues and concerns faced by cyclists on the road. As for the station, they have come under pressure from advertisers, advocates, lawyers, and the community and they say they’ll do “anything to make it stop” (anything that is, except allow us to hear the tape of the July 13th broadcast).
Given all this, several people have advised me to just accept victory graciously and move on. Yet for some reason I don’t feel like this is over…and neither do many people in the community.
Some cyclists continue to demand and hunt for the missing recording. One of them told me she has posted a notice on Craigslist in each of the show’s 13 other markets hoping someone has it in their iPod. There’s talk of a special Critical Mass ride (this Friday) to the station where they will chalk, “Let us hear the tape” on the sidewalk and then have each rider sign their name.
And then there’s uber-activist Jasun Wurster. He’s leaving no stone unturned in his quest to organize the grassroots and to encourage the FCC to take a serious look at this issue. Wurster has published several pages on the web that include everything from details on how to file an FCC complaint, a list of the station’s advertisers, a list of media coverage, and even some telling audio snippets from the Playhouse show on July 17th.
The BTA wants to focus on the positive and work with the station to begin the healing. They are working to negotiate a settlement with embattled program manger Tim McNamara that would likely include some mix of cash donations to local bike groups, some PSAs and hopefully some sort of working partnership to promote sharing the road well into the future.
There has also been talk about the pros and cons of filing a lawsuit in order to force the station to cough up the tape. This lawsuit would potentially be filed by the two cyclists that heard the original broadcast and possibly one other party. However at this point it’s just an idea.
Questions linger around all these courses of action:
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If the station agrees to PSAs and donations to local bike groups, what about the 13 other markets the show was heard in?
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Are a few thousand dollars in PSAs and donations a fitting punishment to the dangerous on-air comments that were heard by thousands of impressionable, young drivers all over the country?
How can we negotiate in good faith with the program manager as long as he withholds the tape and lies about not having it?
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Considering the potential PR spin, would a lawsuit to obtain the tape have a positive or negative impact on the safety of cyclists and our ability to work with the station as a future ally?
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Should we continue to publicly protest and apply legal pressure until we get the tape to ensure that the station receives the official sanction it warrants?
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Or should we cut a deal with them and just move on, hoping they make good on their promises and that they’ll never do anything like this again?
What do you think?
Thanks for reading.
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I’ve been following this saga with great interest. It’s not easy to know the best course of action.
However, after reading Jason Simm’s Willy Week article, and hearing about PK’s comments after the ride, it seems like the most graceful way to end this would be to cut a deal with them and move on. I think that at least PK now understands why the comments were such a big deal to us, and to me, that’s what is important. Hopefully his listeners got a sense for that as well.
I full-heartedly support continuing legal and social pressure to force the station to release the tape of the show, because I consider P.K.’s comments on July 13 to be both dangerous and an abuse of the public airwaves.
Also, I believe station manager McNamera is lying to the public regarding possession of the tape, although I’m sure he’s following legal advise insisting on the stonewall for fear of even greater fallout.
As a biker, I feel threatened not only that there are those who resent my presence on the road, but that there are those willing to announce their resentment to thousands of listeners in 13 states in return for a drive-time laugh.
My thanks to the cyclist who has posted on Craigslist searching for a downloaded copy of the briefly-posted show. I just don’t think we can seriously address this issue without a copy of the tape in hand.
I think we should focus on the positive. How can we make a _friend_ out of the DJ, the radio station, its owners, and its advertisers? Negativity will _not_ make people want to climb out of their car and onto a bicycle. (This is one of my Big Objections to Critical Mass, but I digress…)
I think the PSA’s are a great idea, and a few thousand dollars is–frankly–probably appropriate for the offense. Keep in mind that we don’t want to put KXJM out of business, we want to make them an _advocate_ for bicycling.
I would like to reach beyond the immediate offense, and consider why the shock jocks found fruit in the topic. Americans seem to always be in a hurry, and they feel that since their vehicles _can_ drive a mile a minute, anything that slows them down is a nuisance. Ergo, bicyclists are a problem and should be diverted away or removed from the roads.
{Warning: soapbox alert.}
Consider that the majority of energy expended by a swift moving vehicle is air resistance and that air resistance goes up as the _square_ of the vehicle’s speed.
Since Al Qaida’s funds ultimately come from oil, why isn’t it considered un-American to drive fast? If our grandparents fought off two world powers on 4 gallons of gas a week, why can’t we impoverish our enemies, combat obesity, and do our part for global warming ALL AT THE SAME TIME???
{end soapbox alert}
You can see my feelings on this matter on my blog: http://pagentsprogress.com/?p=270.
The only concern I have about continuing to press for the recording of the show is the possibility that fans of The Playhouse will become more actively (and dangerously) anti-cyclist in retaliation. I guess I’d like it if cyclists could be polite, soft-spoken, and insistent that we want the recording released.
I think we should continue to push for the unedited tape. It is hard to trust someone, no less make a deal with them when they lie to your face. I feel the only thing he is sorry about is that this controversy is costing him time, money, and reputation. It has come out in several articles that Tim Macnamera has been unpleasant when confronted and tried to demonize the cyclist community. PSA’s will only be temperary, and then it will be back to business as usual. I don’t think Sorry should cut it. If there are legal consequences with the FCC, the station shouldn’t be let off the hook just for saying sorry, I’ll try to make it better.
As for PK, I definetly credit him for making an attempt to see the other side. I hope he does his best to take his experience and use it to better the relationship between his listeners and the bike community. Nice work Willamette Week, thanks for giving PK a chance to understand what we are all so upset about.
First, PK does live PSA spots on the show for 30 days (so it is heard in all 13 markets) to the effect of, “I was wrong, bikes belong-Please share the road.” We are done with PK after that.
Secondly, I like the Critical Mass “show of force” at the Rose City Radio studios. Do it peacefully and invite the television media to cover it. That gives Tim McNamara the opportunity to present Jonathan or a BTA representative the tape and apologize for the cameras. (Suggest this to Mr. McNamara up front) If he balks or fails to show, Jonathan or BTA makes a coherent statement about bike safety and freedom of information. ( I bet McNamara complies otherwise he will alienate the public and advertisers with his attitude.)
Lastly, encourage Rose City Radio to sponsor or support bicycle events in Portland like the Bridge Pedal, Community Cycling Center Bike Drive, and the like. That insure The Playhouse (and Lars Larson on Rose City owned KXL) will find it virtually impossible to bash cyclists and cycling ever again.
While I’d be curious to hear the show, I do think this horse is way beyond dead and we ought to stop beating it.
This is just my opinion, but I think this is a HUGE victory. Having lived in the Midwest most of my life…we don’t see this kinda thing out that way. People act stupid like he did on the radio, and yeah people get upset, but you NEVER see this response. let alone the reaction from the station that we have. I say lets get them to do PSA’s for a while, donate some cash or gear to educate drivers on bicycle saftey…or to kids, and move on.
i’m glad the bta’s on top of negotiating something concrete. given p.k.’s mellowing out in the willamette week, for me it’s enough. hearing the tape won’t get the bike-hating losers off the road, but cash for bike lights or whatever will make bikes safer.
Both tracks will work if both have enough support. Let the BTA play voice of reasoned moderation while Jasun Wurster et. al. go at them like a pit bull. There is plenty of room for both, and it may be more effective anyway. Supporting Jasun may give the BTA more leverage. The reason for 95.5 to continue to negotiate and then follow though is the hope that interest will wane on the punishment front by negotiating with the BTA.
What I wanted was the broadcasting of bike hatred to stop, and it looks like it has. I’m still surprised about the results of the pressure, and that PK isn’t using raging against bikes for ratings. I’ll have to fit this into my world-view about shock-jocks somehow. For the time being, I’ll watch and wait. I’ve made all the phone calls I could to advertisers and regulators. If 95.5 makes real positive pro-bike change, I’ll conversely be willing to email and callback those whom I complained to and say as far as I am concerned the problem has been corrected.
If 95.5 is going to negotiate, I think the Playhouse should participate in the bicycle commute challenge and hype their interoffice competition on-air. PSAs in the body of the show so they are played in all markets? Sure. Money, great. Sponsor bike groups? Any bike groups want 95.5 sponsorship at this point? Drop a burning SUV off the Belmont bridge to protest car culture? Hell, why not? (Next we can protest polluting the Willamette).
Even if this ends in a whimper, I think Jonathan can declare victory for Bikeportland at this point. This site is officially a political force in it’s own right. I’m blown away by how many people read it almost daily and have used the information to get further involved.
Give it a rest!
It’s a adult comedy show. What he was saying was his opinion. What ever happened to Free speech? Are you only tolerant of those who you agree with? So, if someone says something you don’t agree with you blackmail them for “free stuff” for them to “settle”? Are you some kind of vampire looking for blood?
What he was referring to does happen, all to often, Bike riders acting irresponsible, blowing thru stop signs/lights. They are just as guilty as Car drivers failing to yield the right of way to bikes.
So, as a previous reply said, “this horse is dead”! Get over it and move on!
Find something important to rally the troops not this bullshit!
Hi All,
I do not consider myself as an activist or advocate. Nor do I think that requesting a copy of a public broadcast from a radio station is unreasonable action for me as a citizen to do. Most of all, I do not think that it is extremist to organize others to force a corporation to take responsibility for their possibly criminal actions. In this case, I believe that letting the public and the FCC hear the broadcast on 07-13-2006, that allegedly promoted random violence and criminal acts, is the responsible thing for the show/station to do.
Right now the show/station is doing a bunch of ‘nice’ ways of telling me, and other cyclists …
‘NO, you do not have the right to listen to a public broadcast that we made on airwaves that you own because; the FCC may find that we broke the law and punish us.’
Instead the station is using tested public relation tactics to defuse this situation by:
1) dividing those that oppose them
2) waiting till we are tired of being angry and offer a solution that benefits the show/station the most
3) playing on our generosity and compassion
4) defusing this issue before more concerned citizens learn about this and take action
Please keep in mind that cyclists in 13 markets were affected by the 07-13-2006 broadcast. PSA’s and a donation to a Portland, Oregon conservative bicycling association is not going to make what has been done be undone. Furthermore, this is just not a Portland, Oregon issue.
I believe that the station being forced to do ‘good’ should never be seen as a form of punishment imposed by the community. The ‘good’ that the show/station is doing now is that of being a responsible corporate member of the community. This is something that the radio station should have been enforcing on their own accord prior to 07-13-2006.
Yes, there is a lot of good that can and is coming out of this. However, just because there is positive change is happening by the radio show/station, this does not excuse them of their actions on 07-13-2006 and the show/station need to be held accountable by the public that owns the airwaves and FCC that enforces the law.
I end with this, Just because I break a law 13 days ago then and am forced by the community to sincerely apologize to my victims; this in no way eliminates the need for legal action to be taken by the appropriate authorities.
Without the 07-13-2006 unedited recording of the show this will not happen.
I support the idea to allow the BTA to continue to work on a positive solution. They are our advocacy group in Portland, I’m confident in their ability to negotiate. I’m signing up for a membership after I finish this.
Just as I argued PK’s intitial statements were part of his “gig” I also believe his recent actions and statements are part of a “gig” He is probably being asked by managment to do these things. Do you seriously think he really wanted to go on that bike ride? People in the media often are asked to do things to promote the image of their employer.
You can not control what people will do. Let them file a suit if they want, let them ride and write on the sidewalk if they want.
Keep on reporting about this.
Jonathon, first well done on working through things – you have done an excellent job.
Given the recent press coverage, press release from Sam Adams, etc. I agree with Sara that it’s time to cut a final deal (follow the BTA lead) and move on. I’m not sure what getting the tape would even provide at this point. I reccomend closing this on a positive note and asking the station to help build on that positive momentum.
I agree with Jasun Wurster’s analysis 100-percent. The airwaves are owned by us, the public. The 95.5 gets to broadcast on our public airwaves because we, the people, let them. We gave them a license to use those airwaves, and we can take that license away. (The FCC is set up to take care of these kind of administrative details.) 95.5 may own the copywright to their “creative work,” which would rightfully prevent others from stealing the broadcast and making money by rebroadcasting it or selling it an another format; however, the broadcast itself should be available to any and every U.S. citizen who requests a listening copy. Maybe there is a bike-friendly lawyer out there who is knowledgable enough in communication and copyright law who could help formulate the legal argument needed to file a lawsuit to gain access to the tape. That broadcast doesn’t belong to 95.5; it belongs to all of us.
heres the thing if you press this in court you can not back down once ou start. If you go ahead with legal action no half mesures.
Tooth and nail knock down drag out fight.
Make sure you willing to take the responsability for it all good and bad.
Now if it was me Id stop here(here being short of full legal action beyond what you have already done) but make damn sure they know your ready for a very big fight in court if it or similar ever happens again.
Remember they have all officially put them in a position that realy would make any future attack on cyclists a easy victory for the cyclists in court. They know this. The psas and donations and the rest is where id leave it.
Again im not from portland so in the end its up to you all and you can listen to my advice or choose to ignore it.
I don’t want to see us give up on obtaining a copy of the broadcast because I honestly believe that by the FCC’s definition, this was the broadcast of profane material and that this “free speech” caused cyclists harm in much the same way as yelling “fire” in a crowded theater would cause harm. At the very least, the station should be made to release a copy of the broadcast to the FCC to make that determination.
I like Russell’s idea of a dual approach on the part of different groups, but I do have my qualms about Portland being “paid off” while all the other markets where the show is broadcasted get the shaft. If I were a victim of a crime, I would not be happy if the only consequences to the perpetrator were an apology and a donation to my favorite charity. I’m not hoping for revenge, merely that they will have to face the legal consequences of their actions.
Cut a deal and move on…
Tankagnolo Bob
We and the public need to hear the tape. PK and McNamara have been downplaying what was said throughout this whole situation, which they created. They have tried to make it appear as if the bicyclists are exagerrating and making a mountain out of a mole hill.
I don’t think we should accept being bought off like every other person and group in this culture does. The one and only reason these two creeps are acting remotely conciliatory (remember how McNamara treated Jonathan at Grant Park) is because of the almighty dollar. Well, bicyclists live by another credo.
Personally, I think the CM idea is a bad one. I don’t like themed rides really of any kinds and I think it defeats the purpose to some degree. Critical Mass should be about whatever you want it to be about. It isnt a bad idea for a ride, but I really dont think CM is the place for it.
First, cut a deal and move closer. The goal should be to turn more people on to cycling. What the Willamette Week did for PK we could do for hundreds of people ready to discover or rediscover what we already know is fabulous. Let’s recruit and promote more “us” and let the “them” go their own way.
Next, critically analyze what occurred the last couple of weeks and glean all the positive things the bike community accomplished. I’m totally amazed and in awe of how Jonathan’s blog galvanized emotion and action. Has there ever been anything like that in Portland bike history?
Can the same mobilization occur again and for other threats or other opportunities? It’s easy to rally together when under fire. Can we act in a similar way to promote bike boulevards and traffic signals? Can we demonstrate the same zeal promoting bikes to our co-workers. Think what might happen if the same energy spent on Jammin 95.5 went in to the Bike Commute Challenge.
Finally, celebrate. Celebrate by riding your bike and being nice to each other. Go back to having fun on two wheels. There’s a lot of summer left. Pump up your tires and go find some.
Darren
Sounds like the offenders have learned from their mistakes. Seems wiser to grow the potential positives of an alliance, vs inciting an enemy.
If you feel the offenders have learned from the mistake and are sorry for it, why keep focusing on their mistake? We have all done and said stupid things, and we have all been forgiven by friends and family.
Having shown my softer side, I just want to say death to all one handed drivers! Hang up and drive!
I think one point we should take from the Jason Simms article is once you are on the road as a cyclist (or a pedestrian for that matter) you see traffic, automobiles, intersections, etc. in a much different light. I believe that my time on a bike has made me a cautious and safe bicyclist, but also a much MUCH better driver when I am in a car. As cyclists we may take this knowledge of the road for granted.
I believe one of the best things that could come of this whole event would be to get as many folks as possible into ‘our shoes’ as cyclists. See traffic as we see it. See how their actions in a car, truck or SUV can impact those that are not in cars. Help those stuck in their cars start to see and be able to predict what a child playing near the road, a cyclists approaching a double parked vehicle, or a pedestrian trying to load onto a bus, might do before it happens. Help drivers realize why it is important to look in the right hand mirror before turning right, help them see a narrowing road before the cyclist eases further into the travel lane.
Along these lines I think the pressure should be put on The Playhouse to support programs similar to the CCC’s “Create a Commuter program’ or Bicycling Magazines ‘Bike Town’ program. They should help fund or organize programs like this in all of the markets where their show is broadcast.
People need to learn for themselves. The best thing we can do is provide the tools (and force/encourage The Playhouse to back this effort!).
There can be no deal without access to the tape. Plain and simple.
So the FCC won’t let me be
Or let me be me so let me see
They tried to shut me down on MTV
From what I understand, this guy made a clear threat to cyclists and advocated for vehicular assault. Is that an appropriate use of publicly owned airwaves, licensed by our government to a for-profit business?
The government has already gone after video games and Superbowl incidents that are far less harmful to society than than this.
If we’re placated by radio blurbs in 1/14th of the cities the threat was broadcast in and a boss’s vague apology, that’s fine, but it doesn’t mean the tape should not be heard and the FCC should not be involved.
Kyle said “Critical Mass should be about whatever you want it to be about.”
I was under the impression that Critical Mass was a way for cyclists to take the road and show the public that we (cyclists) ARE traffic. To me, that seems like enough of an agenda, especially for an unplanned ride with no real leader.
Or have I completely misunderstood the purpose of Critical Mass?
Quick question…. HOW exactly does vandalizing the radio station this evening (seeing as how I live down the street) show that you are in any way “better” than the people you are criticizing? Oh and I’ve seen the pics of the vandalizing you did at a public event for children… very classy bikers…
Someone wrote “PK Hates Babies”?! A)WHAT does THAT have to do with you and your “cause”? B)You are just as trashy for repeating that in writing if he really did say that. Now my neighborhood not only looks trashy and vandalized, but the rest of us who had NOTHING to do with this are mounting RESENTMENT against you bikers when there was no cause for it before. Your community is childish, vandalizing and I speak for the rest of the people who live here when I say GROW THE HELL UP AND QUIT RUINING NEIGHBORHOODS TO MAKE A POINT.
Oh and ps- to all the classy citizens who actually DID all this, you ARE aware that PK wasn’t THERE so by the time PK gets back to work Monday, it will be washed off? Way to make a point… WHEN NO ONE IS THERE. Grow a pair.
Hi Megan,
My name is Jasun Wurster (503-453-2235) and I had the idea to chalk the station this Friday. I can honestly understand your frustration. Our goal was not for PK to see the messages but for Tim McNamara. Who did see the messages as he left the station.
If you could please call Tim at 503-243-7595, extension 216 and ask him for a copy of the show Perhapses you may understand why we are so upset with his programming. Really all we want to do is listen to the show and provide a copy to the FCC.
To answer your questions,
a) most illegal cyclists are children. PK never specified what age of an illegal cyclists, in the thirteen markets that his show is broadcast, for drivers to do violent actions towards. As for me, I can not tell a 14 year old from a 30 year old on a mountain bike.
b) side walk chalk is free speech and easily washes away with water. Promoting random violence against any group of people is hate speech. The cyclists are covered by the 1st Amendment of the United States Constitution … we would like to know if the show on 07-13-2006 in violation of laws that govern public broadcasts. We feel that the FCC is the best resource to determine that.
Sidewalk chalk is not vandalization … if so then please educate your neighborhood children next time they play hop scotch. There were six bicycle officers at the location and if they thought it was vandalization they would have arrested us.
Megan, my phone number is available for you, and any of your neighbors, to call so that I can discuses this issue with you. I am sorry that your neighborhood was brought into this. If you would like for me to speak at your next neighborhood association meeting I will. Though I do ask the you ask Tim McNamara to provide an unedited copy of the 07-13-2006 show so that I can highlight why we did this.
Sincerely,
Jasun Wurster
While I can appreciate your best efforts to reason this behavior- that does not make it ok. To quote an earlier comment on this page by Coda “I don’t think Sorry should cut it.” And it doesn’t. I will not be made to feel uncomfortable in my own home by any of you. You all seem to be caught up in the black and whiteness of it all. Not EVERYONE is either PRO or AGAINST cycling. What about those of us who just live here? This isn’t fair to us and it needs to end here.
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
Really Megan, unless he is dropping F-bombs in chalk there is no reason to complain. Deciding what is and isn’t art and whether or not it should make a statement is a very slippery slope. It’s not up to you anyways, it’s up to the artist.
This is not a dead horse – as I understand it, a shock jock suggested, repeatedly, hurting people merely because they chose to ride a bike. If he had said “go out and hurt these people because…” they were Negros, or Jews, or … well, there would be a national uproar.
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.
Wow! I’m not sure I agree with the chalking myself, but if that ruins your weekend, you must have had a pretty crappy week. I’ll trade you the chalk for the party going on across the street. It’s late and I need sleep.
Hi Megan,
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
Some months ago a prominent classical guitarist in Portland was deliberately hit and run off the bike lane into a ditch (according to witnesses) by a pickup truck evidently following PK’s advice. The rider can walk now, but sets off security alarms from the pins in his legs.
Get the tape, and prosecute the bastards.
Generally, I dislike all morning radio personalities because they are sensationalist in order to keep the show “interesting”. Rarely are facts ever mentioned and the “comedy” is poor and just plain stupid. And that’s all fine, because I don’t have to listen to it. However, inciting violence against cyclists is affecting me in a very negative way. I use bike lanes where they are available, and prefer bike boulevards to heavily trafficked main streets, but I shop on main streets, I need to make turns at inconvenient intersections, and there are not always safe situations for me to be in because the transportation system in this country, even in Portland, is lacking, to say the least. PK’s comments are not only inappropriate, but are also violent and damaging to the Portland community in general.
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.
Where the heck is 97239?
97239 is in SW Portland – kind of Hillsdale down to the Willamette (between 97219 and 97201).