Utrice Nixes Raising Level of Debate on Forum

Frank Fitzgerald at Pacifica Foundation Interim Board of Directors Meeting 
Saturday, January 12, 2002 
Hotel Worker's Union, 305 West 44th Street

. . .

The room is packed with about 500 people. The energy is high. Pacifica history is being made and everyone knows it.

Sometime during a break in the morning session I scribble "www.goodlight.net/radio - online forum" on a piece of paper and hand it to Utrice Leid when I pass by where she is sitting. I have handed similar informal (and formal) invitations to the mighty of the F&B&RTP (Fired and Banned and Returned To Power) whenever I could. None have chosen to respond directly or engage listeners in dialogue on the forum, but perhaps they are waiting for the right moment. One never really knows.

During the lunch break, after eating what may have been the saltiest tuna sandwich I have ever had, I looked from my spot on the small stage at the far end of the room and spotted Marjorie Moore standing up front talking to Utrice Leid.

I had been told by a number of insiders that Marjorie reads the WBAI Issues forum daily and was given to understand she clucks and chuckles while reading along. I thought it was implied that she enjoyed the activity. Given that she is routinely critiqued as being dumb, vindictive, hypocritical, etc., this might be a bit difficult to understand, but I, knowing that she comes from a "healing/spiritual" perspective, had assumed she had seemingly risen above the sniping and invective and perhaps viewed the posters as the gnats a public figure must endure.

My own opinion of Marjorie Moore goes back to her earlier incarnation as an afternoon (Talkback) broadcaster - and I was a fan. Though I can't remember much about her shows, I found hers to be a healing voice on the air and was shocked and sorry when she said she was leaving to become a Christian Science Practitioner. I wrote down her contact info and resolved to send her a note of appreciation. Like too many items, the resolution was replaced by other, more pressing realities, and I never wrote. I have not heard her program much since she returned to WBAI under Utrice's wing, but as moderator of the WBAI Issues forum, I am made aware of the controversial figure she has become. Not wanting to miss this chance, I decided to introduce myself and "just say hello." I actually thought she might be glad to meet me.

Watching from the back, I waited, hoping I might get her attention when Utrice was not right at her side. I assumed Utrice would view me and the forum I had created negatively and would have a predictably rigid response, whereas Marjorie, out of Utrice's earshot, might be more flexible and candid. It was pretty clear to me after Friday night that UL & Co. had not been able to rally many troops and that they were losing this battle over Pacifica. I didn't particularly want to hassle with Utrice, or even make her feel uncomfortable - not that I imagine for a moment that there is a being on earth that could put a dent in that tightly controlled UL exterior BAIers know so well.

As I watched, it became clear that they were a pair and, worse, might leave before I had a chance to approach them, so I headed for the front of the room. When I got there I found Patty Heffley confronting Marjorie. The dispute seemed to concern a caller (perhaps Patty) that Marjorie had recently cut off during her show. While Marjorie began turning her back to Patty, either Utrice or Marjorie said something about how remarkable it was that some parents raised their children with so little in the way of manners. Marjorie, her large (tall also) back, now completely turned to Patty, said the only way to deal with such people was to ignore them. There was a pretty, young African American woman with them as well, and as they appeared to have been in conversation together, I, situated somewhat between UL and Marjorie, was prepared to wait for an appropriate chance to speak and - resolved not to have my Mom's child rearing called into question - stood there presenting as pleasant an aspect as I could.

I don't know what they thought about having this unknown old white geezer standing there smiling, but Utrice soon acknowledged my presence and asked what I wanted. I turned to Marjorie and introduced myself. "Hi, I'm Frank Fitzgerald. I run the Goodlight forum. I just thought I'd say hello."

Before I'd gotten through my short intro, Marjorie was scowling. "Oh, that terrible board," she said. She may have thought me a complete idiot when I showed surprise. "You don't like it?" I asked.
 

She said it was terrible, and that they said terrible things. "And what's with that Howie?" she complained. I fumbled about verbally, asking for particulars. I definitely felt vulnerable at the thought of having to make excuses for any of the crude stuff that regularly gets posted and the names she may have been called, but I was quickly diverted to Utrice who started in criticizing the whole thing and insisting that I was responsible for what gets posted 24/7. She wouldn't budge when I explained that we, as volunteers, do our damnedest to clean up the really offensive stuff. This back and forth took place while she continued to maintain she had never actually visited the board, only knowing of it through others. She accused me of allowing the posting of libel and instructed me ("instructed" used advisedly) to buy some book about Associated Press standards and to study the legal section in the back. As she pressed this charge of my utter lack of responsibility for "allowing libel," I asked her how she could make such a claim if she'd never actually witnessed the board first hand. I told her she would never have allowed a caller on Talkback to argue about something without presenting specifics and evidence.

She said she wouldn't visit the board because the level was so low (F&B apologists' Excuse Numero Uno). I replied (Standard FF Rejoinder) that these were her people and why wouldn't she drop in to "raise the level of debate"? She, of course, would not give an inch. "It is not my job to raise the level," she responded in that voice that comes accompanied by thunder claps and flashes of lightning. It was a little like talking to a grinning tank that was rolling my way.

I was getting a little desperate. I knew this was my one opportunity and that this audience with the Queen would not last much longer, so I blurted, "But Jesus preached to the sinners - not to the rich or cultured!" "Ah ha!" she said triumphantly, and throwing her arms out in a crucifixion gesture, "but look what it got him! It got him killed. He's dead isn't he"? "Dead," I asked incredulously, "What do you mean dead? Jesus isn't dead. He's here with us today." I like to think she knew she was the one now nailed, but she didn't let on. Her implied assertion that Jesus had made a mistake by preaching to the rabble - and that she KNEW BETTER than Him - was pretty clear. Marjorie, Christian Scientist counselor, said not a word in Jesus' defense.

Note: In a session later with my chief theological advisor (goodwife Martha), it was pointed out to me that Jesus' fate was sealed by the priests, not the poor. I wish this had occurred to me at the time, because it might have led to an interesting argument - the idea that if any group today is like a priestly caste, it is the media folk who provide the stories that focus and pretend to define "truth" for us -and that what may have just happened at WBAI was a battle between the Pharisees and the Saducees, with any of us trying to get an unorthodox word in edgewise being pushed to the back of the throng.

Anyway, Utrice and I shook hands (2 times!) on a deal. She says she is going to read through the forum and send me 10 libelous posts and will demand, (this stated in VERY VERY Utrician tones) "What are you, Frank Fitzgerald, going to do about it? I am holding you PERSONALLY responsible." I agreed to look them over and evaluate them.

Yes, Zart for Zpeople

  
What do you think? Will I ever hear from her? I tell you, I would love to get her addy and carry on an email debate around moral issues, etc... but somehow I think it was just another ringmaster moment for her and I doubt she will follow through. It was fun though. I dearly wish you (this account was initially written to a friend) had been there. I think a four way "battling Christians" debate would have been most cool. Well, though she might be gone, gone, gone, maybe it will be more like Nixon after he lost the CA gubernatorial - "You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore" - and won't end until she is in the White House. I predict she will implode while in office, and resign to allow Vice President Clayton Riley to take her place. (It is at this point that the camera reveals me bolting awake in bed, hair matted, sweating profusely and looking bug eyed into the lens.)

Anyway, on the outside chance that she is going to turn her magnifier on the forum, I am going to publish this there so that the troops will understand that we are on heightened alert and be extra vigilant regarding potentially law breaking posts. I am asking, as a parting gesture of respect (c'mon, be generous) to her reign, that we all do our darndest to behave and measure up. So, tuck in that shirt and sit up straight - this may be our final review by the retiring commander.

Note: As of March 14, 2003, Utrice has not written to complain of any libelous posts, so either you have all been exceedingly well behaved (yeah, right), or maybe she is just taking in the wisdom and truth that comes from "the world's greatest audience." 

More photos of the iPNB meeting (and links to reports)

 
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