[Seattle-editorial] Radio X, Seattle IndyMedia, and Rick Harrison.

Sat Nov 15 12:00:38 PST 2003

Dear Seattle Indymedia Collective, and Radio X folk:

Things are, as you unfrotunately know, not in the best of circumstances. 
A huge financial hardship presently exists for IndyMedia, as well as
misfeasance that may be criminally prosecutable.  Times are tuff @ the
IMC.

Allthough relations between Radio X and Seattle IndyMedia have not always
been strong, the reality is that each organisation has benifited hugely
from the other org, even though that has not allway been clear to all
involved at every step of the way.

In hard times like these, tempers flair, and infighting is an easy outlet
for frustrations that stem from the dire circumstances that are presently
being faced.  Becuase of the stress, somtimes simple mistakes with large
consequence are easily made.  This must be strongly resisted.

The bigger picture that faces us all, and the reason why many of us got
involved in these endeavors in the first place, is the need at the local
and grassroots level for fledgling media organisations to find new and
posative ways to work together, and grow as a result.

If this highly damaging blow to any working relations between Radio X and
Seattle Indymedia is to be repaired:

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS A FORMAL REQUEST FOR:

1)  Censure of Mr. Harrison by the Seattle Indymedia Collective for his
harsh words and actions in respect to Radio X in very clear terms.

2)  Please remove Mr. Harrison from any responsibilty of conveying Seattle
Indymedia positions to Radio X.

3)  Make it clear to Radio X, that Mr. Harrisons personal position in no
way reflects the broader feelings of the Seattle Indymedia Collective.

4)  Additionally, Radio X deserves an appolgy either from Mr.Harrison, or
on his behalf by the Seattle IndyMedia Collective.

Our infighting will not help bring down the Rupurt Murdochs of this world.
These 4 requests are made such that Radio X and the Seattle Indymedia
group can pull togther rather than pull apart.

Additionally, I strongly sugggest that for Mr. Harrison to become able to
contribute to the success of the Seattle chapter of IndyMedia, that he be
barred from having any responsibilities that relate to interacting with
outside orginsations in the future.  His gruff manner and cuastic,
anti-social modes of communication are frequently more damaging than
helpful.

Months ago, Radio X stated clearly to the IMC that Mr. Rick Harrison was a
clear obstacle to the good relations between X/IMC that Radio X was
seeking. At that time Radio X demanded that another individual be the IMC
contact for Radio X.  Unfortunately, Mr. Harrison has a consistant record
of plowing forward in utter disregard to easily predictable consecuences. 
Sadly, once again, this has been no exception.  To put it mildly, Rick
Harrison is extraordinarily non-diplomatic.  His damaging involvement at a
Radio X meeting has perhaps effectively terminated Radio X and Seattle
IndyMedia relations.

If this is any example of the fruit Mr. Harrison's involvement with other
orgs can bear, one should strongly consider a new gardenor.

jonathan

in responce; Sheri Herndon
> i heard about this.
> i told him he shouldn't be the one to go to the meeting and this is why.
> he's trying to deal with this ctc situation in a good way and it's
> incredibly stressful for many of us right now.  and he told gentry that he
> thought he made things worse.  grrr.
> anyway, i dn't know what else to say.
> sheri
>
>>Today Big Loud Rick spent a good amount of time and energy ranting to
>>Barry
>>and me about how IMC money has supposedly been improperly spent on X
>>equipment, he's got receipts, some process wasn't followed, what a bunch
>>of
>>losers we are, etc. etc.  It doesn't seem to matter how many meetings we
>>have with this guy or how many times we answer his stupid questions.  If
>>anybody at indymedia wants indymedia to continue some kind of connection
>>with Radio X, this is not how to go about it.
>>
>>----Original Message Follows----
>>From: BFGalbraith <bfgalbraith at yahoo.com>
>>Reply-To: bfgalbraith at users.sourceforge.net
>>To: all at lists.radiox.wirerimmed.com
>>CC: "Joseph\(IMC\)" <relayer at riseup.net>, "Judy\(IMC\)"
>><typist at speakeasy.net>,        "Wendy\(IMC\)"
>><shiningstar34 at hotmail.com>
>>Subject: [RadioX All] I may have misinformed you
>>Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 22:00:08 -0800 (PST)
>>
>>RadioX,
>>
>>I told one of your people yesterday that I thought
>>they should get their equipment out of the space by
>>the end of November if they did not want LIHI to
>>donate it too good will.
>>
>>I am easily excitable and usually pessimistic, AND I
>>am NOT taking part in the discussion about what is
>>being done about the Seattle IMC's financial issues
>>(information I get is usually a few days old.)  Wendy
>>brought to my attention today that this can't-do
>>attitude may be doing more harm than good.  I have to
>>at least agree that I wouldn't be one to know when you
>>should move, or even if it would be in your best
>>interests to part with the Seattle IMC when the move
>>occurs.
>>
>>Sorry for the drama,
>>
>>
>>
>>=====
>>-Benjamin
>>
>>_________________________________________________________________
>>Crave some Miles Davis or Grateful Dead?  Your old favorites are always
>>playing on MSN Radio Plus. Trial month free!
>>http://join.msn.com/?page=offers/premiumradio
>>
>>_____________________________________________
>>
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>>
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