Packed House - Amy Goodman in Everett

EvCC Campus

It's one thing to have the nerve and stamina to set up a tour of 100 cities in 100 days.  But imagine doing it without missing work!?

Amy Goodman's Election 2012 Silenced Majority Tour rolled into Everett this weekend and the KSER listeners packed Jackson Conference Center at Everett Community College loved every minute of it.

Amy Goodman at Jackson Center  by Christophoto

 Amy and Denis Moynihan, co-authors of The Silenced Majority, both spoke to the sold out crowd and Amy spent more than an hour going beyond the mainstream media’s obsessive focus on the latest poll numbers and candidate gaffes. She told great stories about how people are organizing; how the massive influx of campaign cash following the Citizens United decision is changing how our democracy works and she campaigned for support of independent public radio stations around the country.  She reminded the crowd how lucky we are to live in a community that does have an independent station....because many cities and towns do not have a KSER.

Amy Goodman; Denis Moynihan  by Christophoto

Amy and Denis started this whirlwind tour at the political conventions and not only have they not missed a scheduled event, but, as regular KSER listeners know, Amy has figured out a way to not miss a single one of her daily radio shows.  Not just her regular daily shows, but she's also done special coverage from the conventions and special coverage of each of the four political debates including her own Democracy Now "Expand the Debate" coverage which included third-party candidates.

Amy Goodman signing books at EvCC  by Christophoto

During her talk, Amy told the crowd of KSER listeners “There is no longer a mainstream media, it’s an extreme media.”  She said balanced reporting of topics is no longer the norm, pointing out that of nearly 400 newscasts by four major broadcast stations about the run-up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003 logged only three reports with anti-war leaders.

And she talked about some of the people she knows in the television news world, who she referred to as 'personalities' and not journalists, drawing laughter and applause from the crowd. "Television tends to quote the same pundits who are talking in a circle, It is a waste of precious airwaves."



She reminded the audience that when Occupy Wall St. started, in the media capitol of the world, right under the noses of mainstream media, it was ignored for nearly a week by the major networks even thought the reporters, anchors, producers and executives had to fight their way through the thousands of protesters just to get to work.

“What we need is media to cover power, not cover for the power,” she said. “It’s the Fourth Estate, not for the estate.”

Amy's inspiring message and tireless efforts are a good reminder of  the importance of KSER and the hundreds of other independent radio voices in the U.S.  We can't thank Amy Goodman, Denis Moynihan and their staff enough for making this visit to Everett and helping to support KSER.

Thanks also to KSER's Sondra Santos for being on hand to introduce Denis and Amy; and thanks to the KSER volunteers and board members who helped with tickets and seating for the event.

But mostly, thanks to our listeners and contributors who support KSER and help make sure the North Puget Sound has an important independent voice.

If Amy's views inspire you to help in that effort, whether you made it to her talk yesterday or not, you can always help support KSER here.

We learned two important things this weekend: Next time Amy comes to Everett, we need to rent a bigger auditorium. And don't get in Amy Goodman's way when she has a plane to catch for her next stop in supporting public radio!

Amy Goodman - Coming to Everett

If you're looking for something more substantive than network news anchors talking about Michelle Obama's dress, or Clint Eastwood talking to a chair...mark your calendars and get ready for some hard-hitting info.  Amy Goodman is coming to Everett just before the election. And you can be there.

Is anyone in the media doing a better job of covering the important issues in the upcoming election than Amy Goodman?  Amy is the host of Democracy Now! which you can hear every morning at 5 a.m. and 7 a.m. on KSER (if you're not up early, there's an afternoon repeat daily at 5 p.m.).

She was one of the few reporters who ignored the beauty contest and horse race during the political conventions and asked the really tough questions...of both sides. And just before the upcoming presidential election, Amy will be in Everett, and you can attend the event.

Along with co-author Denis Moynihan, Amy has written a new book, The Silenced Majority.

Amy and Denis are taking part in a national tour designed to help raise critical funds for the public broadcasters, like KSER, that carry Democracy Now!. The tour route covers many of the electoral swing states, going beyond the mainstream media's obsessive focus on the latest poll numbers and candidate gaffes, to see, on the ground, how people are organizing, the impacts of restrictive voter ID laws that are making it harder to vote, and how the massive influx of campaign cash following the Citizens United decision is changing how our democracy works.

Amy will be in Everett Saturday afternoon, October 27, a little over a week before the election.  She'll be appearing, along with Denis Moynihan, to support KSER at the newly refurbished Henry M. Jackson Conference Center on the campus of Everett Community College.

Jackson Center - Everett Community College

The Amy Goodman appearance in Everett, Saturday, October 27 starts at 1:30 p.m. and tickets are just $17 ($18.59 w./service fee) and you can buy them here.  But hurry. Democracy Now is one of the most popular shows on KSER and listeners are always asking us, "When is Amy going to come to Everet?"

Well, now you know. Saturday, October 27th. 

And remember, your ticket price supports KSER, Independent Public Radio! Hope to see you there.

 

Democracy Now! KSER Convention Specials

Amy Goodman and the staff of Democracy Now are gearing up for special coverage from the political conventions, starting next Monday at the Republican Convention in Tampa.

Next week you will be able to listen to a special 2-hour-long edition of Democracy Now every morning at 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. with extra coverage from the Republican convention.

Juan Gonzalez; Amy Goodman

You'll still be able to hear the normal 1-hour version of Democracy Now at both 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. on KSER.  But if you're looking for Amy and Juan's special take on politics in longer form set your alarm for 7 a.m. every morning next week (August 27 through August 31) for a 2-hour Democracy Now special.

Amy and Juan will also broadcast two-hour specials on KSER from the Democratic convention in Charlotte September 4 through September 7.

Here's another alert for Amy Goodman fans.  She's coming to Everett!

Amy and Denis Moynihan will do a special KSER event in Everett at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 27.  It's part of a national 100-city tour to promote "The Silenced Majority," a new book Amy has written with Denis.

We'll have details on location and ticket information later this week.  Listen to 90.7 FM for details.

Weekend Manager's Mailbox

Another weekend, the worst of the heat is over. Time to chill out with another edition of the highly acclaimed (cough) KSER Manager's Mailbox:

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Aaack, I keep hearing songs I like on KSER but sometimes I can't stick around long enough to hear the name of the song or the artist. Is there a way to find out what the DJ played?  Bernie, Gold Bar

Bernie:  You can always track down our playlist online. Just go to www.kser.org and click on live playlist. You can also listen to past shows, both music shows and all of our news and public affairs programs for the past two weeks, using the radio replayer button.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Hi, I moved to Alaska about 2 years ago but I still listen to KSER a lot when I'm at home.  I listen online.  But, I'm on the road a lot and would like to listen on my I-phone. Is there a way to do that?  Leonard, Wasilla

Leonard: It's easy. Go to App Store. Search for the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) app. Once you get the app, simply search for and bookmark KSER and you can listen on your phone anytime, almost anywhere. Even if you go moose-hunting with you know who.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: My favorite program on KSER is Amy Goodman. I've been listening for several months now.  Can you tell me how I can learn more about her?  David, Everett

David: There are a few links and background info on Amy in this recent KSER story.  And Amy is about to launch a 2-month, 100 city tour to promote her new book she has written with Denis Moynihan. It's called The Silenced Majority. The tour includes a KSER stop in Everett just before the election on Saturday, October 27.  We're working on details and looking forward to her visit.  Stay tuned.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: I just started listening to KSER and I heard your announcers talking about ballots and voting for the board of directors?  But I don't know how you vote or what the voting is for or even what the board is really for. I love your station can you tell me more about it?  Dennis, Seattle

Dennis:  Anyone who is a member of the station is eligible to vote. And anyone who contributes at least $35 in a calendar year becomes a station member.  There's a board of directors election once per year.  The board members serve on a volunteer basis and are local citizens who help guide and control the operation and future of KSER, which is a non-profit community station.  If you'd like to become a member, you can sign up here. We mail out ballots every year at election time. And not only do you get to vote and help decide the direction of the station, you'll also be making an important and vital contribution to local community radio.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Not sure if you're the right guy to ask this, I love KSER but my girlfriend always switches the station to some hip-hop stuff.  Should I go along with her?  Put my foot down? Get a new girlfriend?  Any advice? Sean, Lynnwood

Sean:  I'm not the right guy. Try the Stranger.

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Have you ever thought about playing more music from Hawaii?  I love Aloha Friday, but it's only an hour and I'm often working and miss it.  Please think about playing more!  Emma, Mill Creek

Emma:  We already do. Every weekend. Check out Da Coconut Wireless every Sunday afternoon for 2 hours at 5 p.m.

Dear Tom@KSER.org: That one DJ you guys have, Van Ramsey, has a band. I heard you guys play some of their stuff.  They are great. What's their name and where can I see them?  Luke, Lake Stevens

Luke: Van Ramsey's band is the Wild Snohomians. They play a lot of places. They're at the Everett Craft Beer Festival this Saturday; at Lake Stevens Music in the Park next Thursday; and the Evergreen State Fair next Friday...among others. They've reached a stature somewhere between the Grateful Dead and the Beatles.  Sort of.


Dear Tom@KSER.org: I saw that picture on your website earlier this week of the four outgoing members of your board of directors. I couldn't help but notice that they all are wearing the same designer eyewear. My eye prescription just changed and I need new frames. Can you tell me where I can get those?  Sasha, Everett

Sasha:  They're Versace's. Try Neiman-Marcus.

Sandy Thompson; Tom Killorin; Karen Crowley; Miriam Driss

Dear Tom@KSER.org:  Do you think maybe you overdo how often you ask for people to contribute to KSER?  Otherwise I like your blog a lot.  Mike, Arlington

Mike:  Thanks for the tip. And I like you, too. Oh, check out this cool link!