Subj: Johnny Carson
Date: 1/31/2005 2:46:21 PM Pacific Standard Time
From: strum@nytimes.com
To: MPetrelis@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)
Dear Mr. Petrelis:
Thank you for taking the trouble to write us about the Carson obituary, and
for your kind words. You're quite right about Jerry Brown's presidential
campaigns. As it happens, the original version of the obituary referred to
Brown as a former presidential aspirant and did not mention a year or
years. It appears, from backtracking in our computer system, that 1992 was
added by an editor on deadline. We'll offer a correction.
Your findings from the Federal Election Commission, while interesting, do
not warrant a correction in our view. The paragraph that discusses Carson's
penchant for guarding his political views refer in context to his penchant
for being an equal-opportunity comedian; i.e., political leaders of either
major party were targets. Unlike other entertainers--Bob Hope and Barbra
Streisand are but two of many who come to mind--Carson shied away from
making his personal politics part of this job.
Again, thank you for writing and for reading so closely.
regards,
Charles Strum
obituaries editor
Reports, proud muckraking, photos, videos and musings from the veteran LGBT and AIDS human rights advocate Michael Petrelis. Based in San Francisco since 1995. Contact: MPetrelis_at_AOL_dot_com. Vote Petrelis for BART Board District 9 in November!
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Monday, January 31, 2005
Sunday, January 30, 2005
January 30, 2005
Dr. Mitch Katz
Director
Mitch.Katz@sfdph.org
Department of Public Health
101 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Dr. Katz:
The San Francisco Department of Public Health released its 2004 annual AIDS epidemiological report on January 28 and the document shows the city experienced a 47% drop from 2003 of full-blown AIDS diagnoses, which is good news.
The latest report shows 245 AIDS cases were recorded last year. The last time this number was so low was back in 1983, more than twenty years ago as the epidemic was just starting, when 275 diagnoses were reported.
Deaths due to the diseases associated with AIDS are also down again, but the percentage is not as great as the falling number of cases. AIDS-related deaths in 2004 dropped just 15% from the previous year.
In 2004, 182 AIDS-related deaths occurred. The last time the city saw such a relatively small number of AIDS deaths was back in 1983. A total of 112 death were documented that year.
The newest AIDS report documenting drops in diagnoses and deaths comes on the heels of the health department reporting a continuing level number of new HIV infections in San Francisco. As you know, the most current annual HIV report and the monthly sexually transmitted disease report for the city clearly show HIV infections are either stable or slightly declining. (Sources: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/annl2003Master-finalweb.pdf, Page 11, and http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STDMONTH.pdf, Table 3.)
However, I am concerned that you and your department have issued no press releases or detailed explanations about the new AIDS report and the continuing dramatic drops.
Here are several questions I hope you will answer for me:
- Has the number of cases dropped because more HIV positive people are taking drug cocktails, preventing them from contracting opportunistic infections and progressing on to full-blown AIDS?
- Are there simply less people contracting HIV and not developing AIDS?
- Since the health department has said for more than a year now that the HIV infection rate in the city is flat to declining, is the plateau of new HIV transmissions because of government-funded prevention messages and programs?
- What role, if any, does the fact that so many people with AIDS and HIV in San Francisco are on the drug cocktails, with undetectable or very low HIV viral loads, play in the new infection rate stabilizing?
- Is the human immunodeficiency virus slowly burning itself out?
- Is a combination of factors causing the stable HIV infection rate, declining number of new full-blown AIDS cases and AIDS-related deaths?
- What are you planning to do to keep HIV transmissions level, along with maintaining falling AIDS diagnoses and associated deaths?
Frankly, as a gay man who buried friends from this epidemic before AIDS was even called GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency, it gives me great hope the epidemic in San Francisco is under control and declining, as represented in the figures below from your new AIDS report.
San Francisco AIDS Cases:
1980
3
1981
26
1982
99
1983
275
1984
666
1985
860
1986
1236
1987
1630
1988
1762
1989
2159
1990
2046
1991
2280
1992
2327
1993
2081
1994
1789
1995
1561
1996
1079
1997
808
1998
685
1999
579
2000
546
2001
496
2002
463
2003
466
2004
245
--
San Francisco AIDS-Related Deaths:
1980
0
1981
8
1982
32
1983
112
1984
272
1985
531
1986
807
1987
877
1988
1036
1989
1272
1990
1362
1991
1496
1992
1633
1993
1584
1994
1584
1995
1475
1996
982
1997
413
1998
396
1999
353
2000
340
2001
318
2002
241
2003
216
2004
182
(Sources: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/qrtrpt122004.pdf, Tables 5 and 9.)
Finally, if the health department plans to release more information about the drops in new HIV infections, full-blown AIDS diagnoses and related deaths, I would appreciate it if the information were posted on your web site.
A prompt written reply is respectfully requested and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
MPetrelis@aol.com
San Francisco, CA
Cc:
Mr. Jimmy Loyce, Director, DPH AIDS Office
Jimmy.Loyce@sfdph.org
Dr. Mitch Katz
Director
Mitch.Katz@sfdph.org
Department of Public Health
101 Grove Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Dear Dr. Katz:
The San Francisco Department of Public Health released its 2004 annual AIDS epidemiological report on January 28 and the document shows the city experienced a 47% drop from 2003 of full-blown AIDS diagnoses, which is good news.
The latest report shows 245 AIDS cases were recorded last year. The last time this number was so low was back in 1983, more than twenty years ago as the epidemic was just starting, when 275 diagnoses were reported.
Deaths due to the diseases associated with AIDS are also down again, but the percentage is not as great as the falling number of cases. AIDS-related deaths in 2004 dropped just 15% from the previous year.
In 2004, 182 AIDS-related deaths occurred. The last time the city saw such a relatively small number of AIDS deaths was back in 1983. A total of 112 death were documented that year.
The newest AIDS report documenting drops in diagnoses and deaths comes on the heels of the health department reporting a continuing level number of new HIV infections in San Francisco. As you know, the most current annual HIV report and the monthly sexually transmitted disease report for the city clearly show HIV infections are either stable or slightly declining. (Sources: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/annl2003Master-finalweb.pdf, Page 11, and http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STDMONTH.pdf, Table 3.)
However, I am concerned that you and your department have issued no press releases or detailed explanations about the new AIDS report and the continuing dramatic drops.
Here are several questions I hope you will answer for me:
- Has the number of cases dropped because more HIV positive people are taking drug cocktails, preventing them from contracting opportunistic infections and progressing on to full-blown AIDS?
- Are there simply less people contracting HIV and not developing AIDS?
- Since the health department has said for more than a year now that the HIV infection rate in the city is flat to declining, is the plateau of new HIV transmissions because of government-funded prevention messages and programs?
- What role, if any, does the fact that so many people with AIDS and HIV in San Francisco are on the drug cocktails, with undetectable or very low HIV viral loads, play in the new infection rate stabilizing?
- Is the human immunodeficiency virus slowly burning itself out?
- Is a combination of factors causing the stable HIV infection rate, declining number of new full-blown AIDS cases and AIDS-related deaths?
- What are you planning to do to keep HIV transmissions level, along with maintaining falling AIDS diagnoses and associated deaths?
Frankly, as a gay man who buried friends from this epidemic before AIDS was even called GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency, it gives me great hope the epidemic in San Francisco is under control and declining, as represented in the figures below from your new AIDS report.
San Francisco AIDS Cases:
1980
3
1981
26
1982
99
1983
275
1984
666
1985
860
1986
1236
1987
1630
1988
1762
1989
2159
1990
2046
1991
2280
1992
2327
1993
2081
1994
1789
1995
1561
1996
1079
1997
808
1998
685
1999
579
2000
546
2001
496
2002
463
2003
466
2004
245
--
San Francisco AIDS-Related Deaths:
1980
0
1981
8
1982
32
1983
112
1984
272
1985
531
1986
807
1987
877
1988
1036
1989
1272
1990
1362
1991
1496
1992
1633
1993
1584
1994
1584
1995
1475
1996
982
1997
413
1998
396
1999
353
2000
340
2001
318
2002
241
2003
216
2004
182
(Sources: http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/qrtrpt122004.pdf, Tables 5 and 9.)
Finally, if the health department plans to release more information about the drops in new HIV infections, full-blown AIDS diagnoses and related deaths, I would appreciate it if the information were posted on your web site.
A prompt written reply is respectfully requested and appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
MPetrelis@aol.com
San Francisco, CA
Cc:
Mr. Jimmy Loyce, Director, DPH AIDS Office
Jimmy.Loyce@sfdph.org
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
January 26, 2005
Corrections Editor
The New York Times
New York, NY
Dear Editor:
In your otherwise excellent obituary about the great TV talk show host Johnny Carson, two mistakes were made that need correcting. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/arts/television/24john.html?pagewanted=1 )
First, the Times claimed "Mr. Carson guarded his political views as carefully as he did his private life, insisting that the only message of his show was entertainment."
Looking at his political donations on file with the Federal Election Commission, I'd say he supported Democrats over Republicans, making some of his political views very public.
Here are his contributions to federal candidates:
CARSON, JOHNNY MR
10/17/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
-[Contribution]
REAGAN FOR PRESIDENT (1980 PRIMARY PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE)
CARSON, JOHNNY
12/3/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
N B C-TV -[Contribution]
BROWN FOR PRESIDENT (1980 PCC)
CARSON, JOHNNY MR
12/7/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
-[Contribution]
KENNEDY FOR PRESIDENT COMMITTEE
CARSON, JOHNNY
1/30/1980 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELS, CA 90034
COMEDIAN -[Contribution]
CARTER/MONDALE PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE INC
(Source: www.tray.com)
Furthermore, the Times reported Carson "also joked that Jerry Brown, the Democratic former governor of California who ran for president in 1992, admitted that he had smoked marijuana in the 60's 'but didn't exhale.'"
While Brown may not have exhaled and he sought the presidency in 1992, he also ran for president in 1976 and 1980, which the Times failed to mention. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Brown)
I think the Times owes readers corrections about these points.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
Corrections Editor
The New York Times
New York, NY
Dear Editor:
In your otherwise excellent obituary about the great TV talk show host Johnny Carson, two mistakes were made that need correcting. (Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/24/arts/television/24john.html?pagewanted=1 )
First, the Times claimed "Mr. Carson guarded his political views as carefully as he did his private life, insisting that the only message of his show was entertainment."
Looking at his political donations on file with the Federal Election Commission, I'd say he supported Democrats over Republicans, making some of his political views very public.
Here are his contributions to federal candidates:
CARSON, JOHNNY MR
10/17/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
-[Contribution]
REAGAN FOR PRESIDENT (1980 PRIMARY PRINCIPAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE)
CARSON, JOHNNY
12/3/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
N B C-TV -[Contribution]
BROWN FOR PRESIDENT (1980 PCC)
CARSON, JOHNNY MR
12/7/1979 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90024
-[Contribution]
KENNEDY FOR PRESIDENT COMMITTEE
CARSON, JOHNNY
1/30/1980 $1,000.00
LOS ANGELS, CA 90034
COMEDIAN -[Contribution]
CARTER/MONDALE PRESIDENTIAL COMMITTEE INC
(Source: www.tray.com)
Furthermore, the Times reported Carson "also joked that Jerry Brown, the Democratic former governor of California who ran for president in 1992, admitted that he had smoked marijuana in the 60's 'but didn't exhale.'"
While Brown may not have exhaled and he sought the presidency in 1992, he also ran for president in 1976 and 1980, which the Times failed to mention. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Brown)
I think the Times owes readers corrections about these points.
Sincerely,
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Ph: 415-621-6267
Friday, January 21, 2005
The Human Rights Campaign is running a full-page black and white ad in this week's Bay Area Reporter. As is their habit, HRC singles out Congressional Republicans, three of them, as homophobic extremists who must be demonized. For sheer tokenism, the ad cites one minor Democratic member of the House in league with the trio of GOP devils.
I don't have a problem with HRC spending money to criticize GOP leaders, and the occasional Democrat, for idiotic comments and maneuvers against queers. But what does irk me about HRC's BAR ad is that it asked San Franciscans to join the group to take on the men in the ad, and none is from either the San Francisco Bay Area or California.
First of all, HRC doesn't bother to explain how voters who don't live in the states or districts of these politicians will somehow have influence over them. Does HRC truly believe a GOP Senator from Oklahoma or South Carolina will pay any attention to letters or pleas from queers in the Castro? If they do, can HRC produce evidence that it last year persuaded any extremist in Congress to change because queers from San Francisco lobbied him or her? I'd love for the group to educate me about their effectiveness through such campaigns.
Second, why is Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California, omitted from HRC's ad? Perhaps our national lobbying group has forgotten Feinstein's comments against marriage equality for queers, basically blaming us and our issues for the reelection of George Bush, days after he won a second four years. She felt marriage equality was an issue that was horribly too much, too fast, too soon for America. Many gay Democrats across the state viewed her statement as extremist and harbor ill feelings towards her, even threatening to withhold money and votes when she's up for reelection.
Third, I wish HRC would simply come of the Democrat Party closet and once and for all declare their true identity. HRC is a Democratic organization of people who also identify as gay and lesbian. This latest ad is another thinly veiled piece of partisan propaganda masquerading as gay advocacy for all of us. HRC would do itself a great favor, something that may also benefit the larger community, in dropping their pretense of being bipartisan. If there were truth in advertising required of HRC propaganda, the following would always appear in the copy. "The Human Rights Campaign is the largest Democratic national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the county."
Finally, the ad isn't touted anywhere on HRC's web site, which I find odd since whenever they launch an educational or outreach effort like the ad, a news release is circulated and posted on their site. Not this time.
Here's the full text and description of the HRC ad.
^^^
TAKE THEM ON!
"If a person wants to be publicly gay, they should be teaching in the public schools."
- Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
The Post and Courier
October 4, 2004
"Marriage has traditionally been between a man and a woman ... We don't need a few judges trying to redefine marriage."
-Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
The Robesonian
March 3, 2004
"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."
-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Associated Press
April 22, 2003
"Lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they'll only let one girl go to the bathroom. Now think about it. Think about that issue. How is it that that's happened to us?"
-Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Associated Press
October 11, 2004
[Next to each quote is a washed out b/w photo of the politician.]
The anti-LGBT extremists are only getting more aggressive. And so is the Human Rights Campaign. Like never before, we're going to take them on in the media, in the courts, in the states and in Washington, DC. Don't let discrimination be the last word.
We are ready. Are you? Join us.
Working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights.
202/628-4160
www.hrc.org
Human Rights Campaign
I don't have a problem with HRC spending money to criticize GOP leaders, and the occasional Democrat, for idiotic comments and maneuvers against queers. But what does irk me about HRC's BAR ad is that it asked San Franciscans to join the group to take on the men in the ad, and none is from either the San Francisco Bay Area or California.
First of all, HRC doesn't bother to explain how voters who don't live in the states or districts of these politicians will somehow have influence over them. Does HRC truly believe a GOP Senator from Oklahoma or South Carolina will pay any attention to letters or pleas from queers in the Castro? If they do, can HRC produce evidence that it last year persuaded any extremist in Congress to change because queers from San Francisco lobbied him or her? I'd love for the group to educate me about their effectiveness through such campaigns.
Second, why is Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Democrat from California, omitted from HRC's ad? Perhaps our national lobbying group has forgotten Feinstein's comments against marriage equality for queers, basically blaming us and our issues for the reelection of George Bush, days after he won a second four years. She felt marriage equality was an issue that was horribly too much, too fast, too soon for America. Many gay Democrats across the state viewed her statement as extremist and harbor ill feelings towards her, even threatening to withhold money and votes when she's up for reelection.
Third, I wish HRC would simply come of the Democrat Party closet and once and for all declare their true identity. HRC is a Democratic organization of people who also identify as gay and lesbian. This latest ad is another thinly veiled piece of partisan propaganda masquerading as gay advocacy for all of us. HRC would do itself a great favor, something that may also benefit the larger community, in dropping their pretense of being bipartisan. If there were truth in advertising required of HRC propaganda, the following would always appear in the copy. "The Human Rights Campaign is the largest Democratic national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the county."
Finally, the ad isn't touted anywhere on HRC's web site, which I find odd since whenever they launch an educational or outreach effort like the ad, a news release is circulated and posted on their site. Not this time.
Here's the full text and description of the HRC ad.
^^^
TAKE THEM ON!
"If a person wants to be publicly gay, they should be teaching in the public schools."
- Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC)
The Post and Courier
October 4, 2004
"Marriage has traditionally been between a man and a woman ... We don't need a few judges trying to redefine marriage."
-Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
The Robesonian
March 3, 2004
"If the Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual sex within your home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right to anything."
-Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA)
Associated Press
April 22, 2003
"Lesbianism is so rampant in some of the schools in southeast Oklahoma that they'll only let one girl go to the bathroom. Now think about it. Think about that issue. How is it that that's happened to us?"
-Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK)
Associated Press
October 11, 2004
[Next to each quote is a washed out b/w photo of the politician.]
The anti-LGBT extremists are only getting more aggressive. And so is the Human Rights Campaign. Like never before, we're going to take them on in the media, in the courts, in the states and in Washington, DC. Don't let discrimination be the last word.
We are ready. Are you? Join us.
Working for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equal rights.
202/628-4160
www.hrc.org
Human Rights Campaign
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Dear Friends:
In a year-end interview with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Chris Bull of Planet Out made the following claim about HIV infections in San Francisco, before asking the mayor a question about the alleged rise.
"Let's talk about an issue that has taken a back seat to marriage. HIV infection rates are up among some groups of gay men. What are you doing about it?" (Source: http://planetout.com/news/feature.html?sernum=1019)
I was surprised to read Bull's allegation that HIV transmissions among some gay men in this city were up, because of all the available data on the San Francisco Department of Public Health's web site shows otherwise.
Thinking that Bull must have data to back up his claim, I emailed him and asked if he could cite a source for his claim.
Here's his reply:
>>i said it was "up" among "some" groups, by which i meant young gay men and people over [sic] color.
even the best hiv denialists can't deny that fact.<<
You'll notice Bull didn't provide a link to any data. Instead, he parsed his own words and then segued into a statement about HIV denialists, which has nothing to do with his inability to authenticate his claim of a rising HIV rate among some groups in San Francisco.
Well, here's some news for Bull. Today's edition of the Bay Area Reporter has an excellent story by Matthew S. Bajko about the latest HIV stats for all groups here.
The BAR headline? "San Francisco HIV cases continue to plateau."
Notice the word continue. It means, in case Bull has forgotten, that the flat HIV rate here has been going on for a while, even back in December when he interviewed the mayor.
The BAR article details reports from SF DPH HIV epidemiologists documenting stabilization of new HIV infections, which is expected to continue through at least 2007.
There isn't a single reference in the BAR story about supposed HIV surges among young gays or people of color, despite Bull's unsubstantiated claim. You can be sure that if the SF DPH had any evidence about HIV going up for either group, it would be presented to the BAR and reported on.
Unfortunately, the BAR is not on line, but if you want to contact Bajko or the BAR news editor to verify my assertions about what the paper is reporting today, please write to them at matthewsbajko@aol.com or barpaper@aol.com.
This is just the latest story in the past twelve months about HIV rates in San Francisco either leveling off or slightly declining.
This is what the San Francisco Chronicle noted last February.
"A steep rise in syphilis cases among gay men in San Francisco has not produced a related increase in HIV infections, researchers reported Tuesday, stirring hope that the city may avoid a new wave of AIDS cases abetted by other sexually transmitted diseases.
"The findings, together with other data pointing to decreases in unsafe sexual practices, hint that the overall rate of HIV infections in San Francisco, which began increasing in 1998, may be starting to ebb." (Source: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/11/BAGCM4U0TC1.DTL)
If Bull wants to read the latest annual HIV report for the city, he can follow this link, http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/annl2003Master-finalweb.pdf, and see for himself how there is data in the report about increases for young gays or people of color.
Bull can also check out the most current Counseling, Testing and Referral HIV report and see how there's no rise in it.
Should Bull want to look at even more HIV data for the city, he can look at the past two monthly sexually transmitted disease reports at http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STDMONTH.pdf and http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STD0410.pdf, and read about the declining HIV infection rate at the municipal STD clinic.
Of course, he can choose to remain ignorant about what is really happening in San Francisco regarding flat, not rising, HIV rates. If he does have genuine data about his claimed HIV rises, Bull might want to share it with the SF DPH, the BAR and the Chronicle.
Heck, if Bull is smart he will learn a lesson from CBS's Dan Rather and simply admit he can't authenticate his claim and issue an apology.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
In a year-end interview with San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Chris Bull of Planet Out made the following claim about HIV infections in San Francisco, before asking the mayor a question about the alleged rise.
"Let's talk about an issue that has taken a back seat to marriage. HIV infection rates are up among some groups of gay men. What are you doing about it?" (Source: http://planetout.com/news/feature.html?sernum=1019)
I was surprised to read Bull's allegation that HIV transmissions among some gay men in this city were up, because of all the available data on the San Francisco Department of Public Health's web site shows otherwise.
Thinking that Bull must have data to back up his claim, I emailed him and asked if he could cite a source for his claim.
Here's his reply:
>>i said it was "up" among "some" groups, by which i meant young gay men and people over [sic] color.
even the best hiv denialists can't deny that fact.<<
You'll notice Bull didn't provide a link to any data. Instead, he parsed his own words and then segued into a statement about HIV denialists, which has nothing to do with his inability to authenticate his claim of a rising HIV rate among some groups in San Francisco.
Well, here's some news for Bull. Today's edition of the Bay Area Reporter has an excellent story by Matthew S. Bajko about the latest HIV stats for all groups here.
The BAR headline? "San Francisco HIV cases continue to plateau."
Notice the word continue. It means, in case Bull has forgotten, that the flat HIV rate here has been going on for a while, even back in December when he interviewed the mayor.
The BAR article details reports from SF DPH HIV epidemiologists documenting stabilization of new HIV infections, which is expected to continue through at least 2007.
There isn't a single reference in the BAR story about supposed HIV surges among young gays or people of color, despite Bull's unsubstantiated claim. You can be sure that if the SF DPH had any evidence about HIV going up for either group, it would be presented to the BAR and reported on.
Unfortunately, the BAR is not on line, but if you want to contact Bajko or the BAR news editor to verify my assertions about what the paper is reporting today, please write to them at matthewsbajko@aol.com or barpaper@aol.com.
This is just the latest story in the past twelve months about HIV rates in San Francisco either leveling off or slightly declining.
This is what the San Francisco Chronicle noted last February.
"A steep rise in syphilis cases among gay men in San Francisco has not produced a related increase in HIV infections, researchers reported Tuesday, stirring hope that the city may avoid a new wave of AIDS cases abetted by other sexually transmitted diseases.
"The findings, together with other data pointing to decreases in unsafe sexual practices, hint that the overall rate of HIV infections in San Francisco, which began increasing in 1998, may be starting to ebb." (Source: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2004/02/11/BAGCM4U0TC1.DTL)
If Bull wants to read the latest annual HIV report for the city, he can follow this link, http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/PHP/RptsHIVAIDS/annl2003Master-finalweb.pdf, and see for himself how there is data in the report about increases for young gays or people of color.
Bull can also check out the most current Counseling, Testing and Referral HIV report and see how there's no rise in it.
Should Bull want to look at even more HIV data for the city, he can look at the past two monthly sexually transmitted disease reports at http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STDMONTH.pdf and http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/Reports/STD/STD0410.pdf, and read about the declining HIV infection rate at the municipal STD clinic.
Of course, he can choose to remain ignorant about what is really happening in San Francisco regarding flat, not rising, HIV rates. If he does have genuine data about his claimed HIV rises, Bull might want to share it with the SF DPH, the BAR and the Chronicle.
Heck, if Bull is smart he will learn a lesson from CBS's Dan Rather and simply admit he can't authenticate his claim and issue an apology.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
For Immediate Release
January 18, 2005
Contact: Michael Petrelis
Phone: 415-621-6267
Email: MPetrelis@aol.com
The People With AIDS/HIV Coalition Endorses "Hands Off Social Security" Demonstration
(San Francisco, CA) - Members of the newly formed People With AIDS/HIV Coalition over the weekend agreed to endorse the demonstration and rally to save Social Security which have been organized by the Gray Panthers' chapters of San Francisco and Berkeley.
WHAT: Rally and Speak Out
WHERE: Pacific Stock Exchange, 115 Sansome Street (at Bush)
DATE: Tuesday, January 18
TIME: 11:30 a.m.
WHY: No Privatization of Social Security
As the Bush Administration moves forward to privatize Social Security and make the program a gift to Wall Street, many people living with AIDS/HIV in San Francisco who currently receive Social Security benefits are growing anxious their entitlements are on the chopping block.
"We are proud to join with senior activists in the Gray Panthers today to tell President George Bush, 'Hands off our Social Security,'" said Michael Petrelis, a member of the People With AIDS/HIV Coalition. "For quite a number of AIDS patients, Social Security provides the benefits that keep us alive and must not be jeopardized. That could happen, if Bush is allowed to privatize this federal program."
More information about the rally, background information and history of Social Security, please read the flyer below from the Gray Panthers.
* * *
http://graypantherssf.igc.org/socsec1-18.htm
HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE,
NOT FOR WALL STREET!
JOIN US: TUES, JAN. 18, 11:30 AM
PACIFIC COAST STOCK EXCHANGE
115 SANSOME ST, (BUSH) more info.
Bush has made overturning Social Security his primary domestic priority in the coming months, a payback to his corporate sponsors. We need to act now!
Social Security is basically sound, but Wall Street wants to convince us it is doomed. Wall Street wants to slash benefits for future retirees, revive a lackluster stock market, and pocket almost a trillion dollars of management fees in a privatized system.
47 million retired and disabled workers, their families, and the families of deceased workers depend on Social Security to keep them from poverty. It is a system of social insurance that has operated efficiently and reliably for 70 years, and is based on a morality of generations taking care of each other and spreading risks among everyone. (more)
Social Security is there for future generations. It has over a $1.5 trillion surplus that is growing. By conservative estimates, it can fund current benefit levels until at least 2042, and 73% of current benefit levels after 2042. Current benefit levels could be funded indefinitely by applying the existing payroll tax to incomes over $88,000. These projections actually underestimate Social Security's strength because the projections assume future growth in Gross Domestic Product to be roughly half its historical value. (more)
For future retirees, Wall Street plans to reduce the percentage of their earnings they get as retirement benefits. For a typical worker retiring 50 years from now, this reduction would be 40%. x x There would be $1 to $2 trillion in transition costs to maintain current benefit levels over the next 10 years while workers divert 1/3 of their payroll deductions into private stock market accounts. Bush plans to borrow this money and dump the repayment costs on the same future workers and retirees whose benefits would be slashed. x x Administrative costs would be 20-30 times Social Security's administrative costs, to come from our benefits. x Wall Street's financial services industry would get up to $900 billion in management fees over the next 75 years. x This is one quarter of the projected $3.7 trillion Social Security shortfall that Wall Street says makes it necessary to scuttle Social Security.
Ultimately, Social Security privatization is a plan to divert workers' savings into the stock market and the private economy, whose outlook is uncertain at best. From 1999 to 2003, the value of 401(k) accounts owned by people near retirement dropped by an average of 25%. Now Wall Street demands our money to solve the problems it created: a record government budget deficit from corporate tax cuts and war, a $55 billion per month trade deficit from exporting manufacturing to use cheap labor, and a dollar whose value is falling and could collapse and cause global depression. No way! x
Social Security was instituted in 1935 in response to organized pressure of millions of working people following the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression. Half of US seniors were in poverty because of the failure of their individual stock market ac-counts, the very system that Wall Street wants to re-institute. We won't go back there!
Join us on January 18th! Strengthen Social Security
for Future Generations…Not Wall Street!
Hands Off Social Security:
SF, 415-215-7575, mlyon01@comcast.net
East Bay, 510-548-9696, GrayPanthersBerk@aol.com
PLANS FOR THE ACTION
At 11:30 AM, We will meet at the
Pacific Stock Exchange, downtown San Francisco
115 Sansome St. (between Bush and Pine),
and have a short rally/demonstration,
We will then march 2 blocks to the
SF Chamber of Commerce,
235 Montgomery St. (also between Bush and Pine),
and have another short rally/demonstration,
We will then march again 2 blocks to the
offices of Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
1 Post St (at Market and Montgomery)
for another short rally/demonstration.
Use the Montgomery Street BART station,
(at Market and Montgomery, at Feinstein's office)
Parking is available at 71 Stevenson (between 1st and 2nd Sts.)
See a map showing this area.
The Social Security System was won by the struggle of millions in 1935, the middle of the Great Depression, where millions lost their jobs and millions more lost their life savings in bank failures. Over half of America's elderly lacked sufficient income to be self-supporting.
Through massive strikes and demonstrations workers and their families formed a movement that challenged the power of the government, forcing it to enact Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, the right to unions and other deep reforms, which business and government are now trying to take back.
January 18, 2005
Contact: Michael Petrelis
Phone: 415-621-6267
Email: MPetrelis@aol.com
The People With AIDS/HIV Coalition Endorses "Hands Off Social Security" Demonstration
(San Francisco, CA) - Members of the newly formed People With AIDS/HIV Coalition over the weekend agreed to endorse the demonstration and rally to save Social Security which have been organized by the Gray Panthers' chapters of San Francisco and Berkeley.
WHAT: Rally and Speak Out
WHERE: Pacific Stock Exchange, 115 Sansome Street (at Bush)
DATE: Tuesday, January 18
TIME: 11:30 a.m.
WHY: No Privatization of Social Security
As the Bush Administration moves forward to privatize Social Security and make the program a gift to Wall Street, many people living with AIDS/HIV in San Francisco who currently receive Social Security benefits are growing anxious their entitlements are on the chopping block.
"We are proud to join with senior activists in the Gray Panthers today to tell President George Bush, 'Hands off our Social Security,'" said Michael Petrelis, a member of the People With AIDS/HIV Coalition. "For quite a number of AIDS patients, Social Security provides the benefits that keep us alive and must not be jeopardized. That could happen, if Bush is allowed to privatize this federal program."
More information about the rally, background information and history of Social Security, please read the flyer below from the Gray Panthers.
* * *
http://graypantherssf.igc.org/socsec1-18.htm
HANDS OFF SOCIAL SECURITY!
SOCIAL SECURITY FOR THE FUTURE,
NOT FOR WALL STREET!
JOIN US: TUES, JAN. 18, 11:30 AM
PACIFIC COAST STOCK EXCHANGE
115 SANSOME ST, (BUSH) more info.
Bush has made overturning Social Security his primary domestic priority in the coming months, a payback to his corporate sponsors. We need to act now!
Social Security is basically sound, but Wall Street wants to convince us it is doomed. Wall Street wants to slash benefits for future retirees, revive a lackluster stock market, and pocket almost a trillion dollars of management fees in a privatized system.
47 million retired and disabled workers, their families, and the families of deceased workers depend on Social Security to keep them from poverty. It is a system of social insurance that has operated efficiently and reliably for 70 years, and is based on a morality of generations taking care of each other and spreading risks among everyone. (more)
Social Security is there for future generations. It has over a $1.5 trillion surplus that is growing. By conservative estimates, it can fund current benefit levels until at least 2042, and 73% of current benefit levels after 2042. Current benefit levels could be funded indefinitely by applying the existing payroll tax to incomes over $88,000. These projections actually underestimate Social Security's strength because the projections assume future growth in Gross Domestic Product to be roughly half its historical value. (more)
For future retirees, Wall Street plans to reduce the percentage of their earnings they get as retirement benefits. For a typical worker retiring 50 years from now, this reduction would be 40%. x x There would be $1 to $2 trillion in transition costs to maintain current benefit levels over the next 10 years while workers divert 1/3 of their payroll deductions into private stock market accounts. Bush plans to borrow this money and dump the repayment costs on the same future workers and retirees whose benefits would be slashed. x x Administrative costs would be 20-30 times Social Security's administrative costs, to come from our benefits. x Wall Street's financial services industry would get up to $900 billion in management fees over the next 75 years. x This is one quarter of the projected $3.7 trillion Social Security shortfall that Wall Street says makes it necessary to scuttle Social Security.
Ultimately, Social Security privatization is a plan to divert workers' savings into the stock market and the private economy, whose outlook is uncertain at best. From 1999 to 2003, the value of 401(k) accounts owned by people near retirement dropped by an average of 25%. Now Wall Street demands our money to solve the problems it created: a record government budget deficit from corporate tax cuts and war, a $55 billion per month trade deficit from exporting manufacturing to use cheap labor, and a dollar whose value is falling and could collapse and cause global depression. No way! x
Social Security was instituted in 1935 in response to organized pressure of millions of working people following the 1929 stock market crash and the Great Depression. Half of US seniors were in poverty because of the failure of their individual stock market ac-counts, the very system that Wall Street wants to re-institute. We won't go back there!
Join us on January 18th! Strengthen Social Security
for Future Generations…Not Wall Street!
Hands Off Social Security:
SF, 415-215-7575, mlyon01@comcast.net
East Bay, 510-548-9696, GrayPanthersBerk@aol.com
PLANS FOR THE ACTION
At 11:30 AM, We will meet at the
Pacific Stock Exchange, downtown San Francisco
115 Sansome St. (between Bush and Pine),
and have a short rally/demonstration,
We will then march 2 blocks to the
SF Chamber of Commerce,
235 Montgomery St. (also between Bush and Pine),
and have another short rally/demonstration,
We will then march again 2 blocks to the
offices of Sen. Dianne Feinstein,
1 Post St (at Market and Montgomery)
for another short rally/demonstration.
Use the Montgomery Street BART station,
(at Market and Montgomery, at Feinstein's office)
Parking is available at 71 Stevenson (between 1st and 2nd Sts.)
See a map showing this area.
The Social Security System was won by the struggle of millions in 1935, the middle of the Great Depression, where millions lost their jobs and millions more lost their life savings in bank failures. Over half of America's elderly lacked sufficient income to be self-supporting.
Through massive strikes and demonstrations workers and their families formed a movement that challenged the power of the government, forcing it to enact Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, the right to unions and other deep reforms, which business and government are now trying to take back.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Is it possible for a gay leader to be paid too much money? I asked myself this question after reading not just the latest IRS 990 tax return for the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, but also the previous five years worth of their returns and learned exactly how much money the executive director, Joan Garry, has been compensated for her services.
Here's the breakdown of Garry's total pay package over the past six years:
1998
$108,302
1999
$122,657
2000
$165,032
2001
$183,324
2002
$208,688
2003
$228,417
Add up her salary over the years and the total comes to $1,016,253. (Nice pocket change, yes?)
Frankly, I'm used to seeing such high compensation of an executive director at some AIDS service organizations, which have much larger budgets than GLAAD, but Garry's annual salary is over the top, considering the group's yearly budget.
Let's put GLAAD's budget and compensation for its leader in some perspective. In 2003 GLAAD's total revenue was $6,193,332 and Garry made $228,417.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation, in 2003, reported total revenue of $24,824,726, and the organization's executive director, Pat Christen, full compensation package come to $208,717. So although the foundation's budget was much larger than GLAAD's, the executive director's pay wasn't.
Maybe it's unfair to compare GLAAD to the SF AIDS Foundation, since the former deals with social and media issues, while the latter is concerned with complicated medical and HIV related matters.
So I looked at the most current IRS 990 tax return for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to get a sense of their revenue and salary level for their leader, Kweisi Mfumi.
During 2002, the NAACP's revenue was $36,311,726, much more substantial than either GLAAD's or that of the SF AIDS Foundation.
Yet the salary for the NAACP's Mfumi wasn't all that high, in fact, it seems rather low, given the large budget of his organization. Mfumi was compensated $259,751.
With all these figures in mind, I'd say GLAAD's Garry is overcompensated, and a tad greedy. More than a million bucks for Garry's service to the gay and lesbian movement over six years is troubling and hopefully of concern to GLAAD's donors.
Wanna verify these numbers? All you need do is visit www.guidestar.org, take two minutes to register, then read all the IRS 990 forms cited here.
Here's the breakdown of Garry's total pay package over the past six years:
1998
$108,302
1999
$122,657
2000
$165,032
2001
$183,324
2002
$208,688
2003
$228,417
Add up her salary over the years and the total comes to $1,016,253. (Nice pocket change, yes?)
Frankly, I'm used to seeing such high compensation of an executive director at some AIDS service organizations, which have much larger budgets than GLAAD, but Garry's annual salary is over the top, considering the group's yearly budget.
Let's put GLAAD's budget and compensation for its leader in some perspective. In 2003 GLAAD's total revenue was $6,193,332 and Garry made $228,417.
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation, in 2003, reported total revenue of $24,824,726, and the organization's executive director, Pat Christen, full compensation package come to $208,717. So although the foundation's budget was much larger than GLAAD's, the executive director's pay wasn't.
Maybe it's unfair to compare GLAAD to the SF AIDS Foundation, since the former deals with social and media issues, while the latter is concerned with complicated medical and HIV related matters.
So I looked at the most current IRS 990 tax return for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, to get a sense of their revenue and salary level for their leader, Kweisi Mfumi.
During 2002, the NAACP's revenue was $36,311,726, much more substantial than either GLAAD's or that of the SF AIDS Foundation.
Yet the salary for the NAACP's Mfumi wasn't all that high, in fact, it seems rather low, given the large budget of his organization. Mfumi was compensated $259,751.
With all these figures in mind, I'd say GLAAD's Garry is overcompensated, and a tad greedy. More than a million bucks for Garry's service to the gay and lesbian movement over six years is troubling and hopefully of concern to GLAAD's donors.
Wanna verify these numbers? All you need do is visit www.guidestar.org, take two minutes to register, then read all the IRS 990 forms cited here.
Dear Friends:
For years Wayne Friday, the political editor of San Francisco's gay weekly the Bay Area Reporter, served as one of former Mayor Willie Brown's appointees to the city's police commission. Many readers felt Friday and the BAR unfairly used their journalistic positions to influence coverage of police issues and local politicians.
In 2004, voters approved a ballot initiative that reconstituted the composition of the SF police commission, and the new mayor, Gavin Newsom, along with the Board of Supervisors, didn't reappoint Friday to the commission, bringing about much needed reform at the commission.
But all that pales in comparison to what's going with the Los Angeles gay publication Frontiers, and the fact that one of the new co-owners is the mayor of West Hollywood.
For more on this story out of Southern California, read what the BoiFromTroy blog has to say.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
">Boifromtroy blog
January 10, 2005
WeHo Mayor new Frontiers Co-Owner
Category: MediaWatch
Seeking re-election in 2005? Need a way to get your message out? Why not purchase the largest local publication? That's what West Hollywood Mayor John Duran did, becoming one of 6 new co-owners of gay biweekly Frontiers Newsmagazine. In the new co-owners' opening editorial, the six announce their core values, among which are:
Integrity
All our actions will be honest, truthful, and fair. "Doing the right thing" means examining all of our decisions to create, as much as possible, winning situations for all concerned.
Diversity
We celebrate our decades of service to the LGBT community by celebrating freedoms for all people. Respecting and championing diversity is not just the right thing; it's the best for everyone.
But the "Integrity" value seems to have been violated from the get-go when the rag failed to disclose Duran's ownership status when they quote Duran extensively in this article on Governor Schwarzenegger's position on gay marriage. It is mentioned, however, in the news briefs story about the West Hollywood Council elections.
Hopefully "Diversity" will mean that Frontiers recognizes all gay voices--including those of Republicans--as their former reporter Karen Ocamb does on a regular basis.
P.S. Speaking of full disclosure, I have contributed to the re-election of Jeff Prang (and not just because he's the best looking among the candidates), and were I asked, I would endorse him.
Our Values and Our Mission [Frontiers]
Posted by boifromtroy at 02:15 PM | Comments (2) | Cosmos | Trackbacks (5)
LAVoice.org linked with Campaign News Blips - Who's Zoomin' Who in WeHo, L.A.
Christian Grantham linked with Integrity in Gay Media
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
For years Wayne Friday, the political editor of San Francisco's gay weekly the Bay Area Reporter, served as one of former Mayor Willie Brown's appointees to the city's police commission. Many readers felt Friday and the BAR unfairly used their journalistic positions to influence coverage of police issues and local politicians.
In 2004, voters approved a ballot initiative that reconstituted the composition of the SF police commission, and the new mayor, Gavin Newsom, along with the Board of Supervisors, didn't reappoint Friday to the commission, bringing about much needed reform at the commission.
But all that pales in comparison to what's going with the Los Angeles gay publication Frontiers, and the fact that one of the new co-owners is the mayor of West Hollywood.
For more on this story out of Southern California, read what the BoiFromTroy blog has to say.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
">Boifromtroy blog
January 10, 2005
WeHo Mayor new Frontiers Co-Owner
Category: MediaWatch
Seeking re-election in 2005? Need a way to get your message out? Why not purchase the largest local publication? That's what West Hollywood Mayor John Duran did, becoming one of 6 new co-owners of gay biweekly Frontiers Newsmagazine. In the new co-owners' opening editorial, the six announce their core values, among which are:
Integrity
All our actions will be honest, truthful, and fair. "Doing the right thing" means examining all of our decisions to create, as much as possible, winning situations for all concerned.
Diversity
We celebrate our decades of service to the LGBT community by celebrating freedoms for all people. Respecting and championing diversity is not just the right thing; it's the best for everyone.
But the "Integrity" value seems to have been violated from the get-go when the rag failed to disclose Duran's ownership status when they quote Duran extensively in this article on Governor Schwarzenegger's position on gay marriage. It is mentioned, however, in the news briefs story about the West Hollywood Council elections.
Hopefully "Diversity" will mean that Frontiers recognizes all gay voices--including those of Republicans--as their former reporter Karen Ocamb does on a regular basis.
P.S. Speaking of full disclosure, I have contributed to the re-election of Jeff Prang (and not just because he's the best looking among the candidates), and were I asked, I would endorse him.
Our Values and Our Mission [Frontiers]
Posted by boifromtroy at 02:15 PM | Comments (2) | Cosmos | Trackbacks (5)
LAVoice.org linked with Campaign News Blips - Who's Zoomin' Who in WeHo, L.A.
Christian Grantham linked with Integrity in Gay Media
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
L.A. Observed linked with Monday notes
Monday, January 10, 2005
Someone should inform ethically-challenged pundit, commentator and journalist Armstrong Williams that despite what he said today during a live chat on the Washington Post's site about not being a journalist, he labeled himself as such back in 1998 when he made a donation to a politician.
Williams, who came under criticism last week for accepting money from the Bush Administration to promote its education agenda, seems to have a selective memory.
Records at the PoliticalMoneyLine's web site, www.tray.com, show Williams has made three donations since 1991.
In his discussion with Washington Post readers, Williams promises to be more upfront and revealing with his audience. (Source: WashPost.com)
I suggest he keep that promise by informing people about his political giving.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
10/14/1999 $600.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20033
-[Contribution]
FORBES 2000 INC
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
6/5/1998 $200.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
JOURNALIST -[Contribution]
FRIENDS OF DYLAN GLENN
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
12/2/1991 $1,000.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
-[Contribution]
BUSH - QUAYLE '92 PRIMARY COMMITTEE INC
Williams, who came under criticism last week for accepting money from the Bush Administration to promote its education agenda, seems to have a selective memory.
Records at the PoliticalMoneyLine's web site, www.tray.com, show Williams has made three donations since 1991.
In his discussion with Washington Post readers, Williams promises to be more upfront and revealing with his audience. (Source: WashPost.com)
I suggest he keep that promise by informing people about his political giving.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
10/14/1999 $600.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20033
-[Contribution]
FORBES 2000 INC
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
6/5/1998 $200.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
JOURNALIST -[Contribution]
FRIENDS OF DYLAN GLENN
WILLIAMS, ARMSTRONG
12/2/1991 $1,000.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20036
-[Contribution]
BUSH - QUAYLE '92 PRIMARY COMMITTEE INC
Friday, January 07, 2005
This has been a banner week for increased transparency in the gay movement, thanks to the Human Rights Campaign fully disclosing the names of who is on their executive search committee.
But if readers of the Washington Blade are depending on the paper to keep them informed about HRC's effort to hire a new executive director, they won't get the full story from this week's edition.
The Blade prints the half-truth about HRC announcing a search committee this week, and that the names of who's on the committee weren't made public. Well, that was true early in the week, but, as we all know, by Thursday, HRC reversed itself and released the names of the people on the search committee. For unknown reasons, the Blade is not reporting the change at HRC, nor the names. (http://www.washblade.com/2005/1-7/news/national/nibs.cfm)
Considering the Blade comes out on Fridays, the paper had plenty of time to get the full story about HRC's search committee, as did the Bay Area Reporter's Washington-based reporter Bob Roehr, whose story for the BAR appeared on Thursday. So a San Francisco gay paper with an earlier deadline, prints the full-truth, while the Blade, with more lead time, ignores it.
Another activist is also calling the Blade on the carpet for its HRC coverage this week. Christian Grantham, the gay blogger who broke the story in November about HRC firing Cheryl Jacques, today criticizes the Blade for its story about HRC sharing the names of the search committee members.
Grantham writes, "Besides the fact that most of Window Media (Washington Blade, New York Blade, Southern Voice, Houston Voice) reports today are old news to readers here and on other blogs, HRC published the names yesterday. Yet, for a full week, the Southern Voice will inaccurately proclaim this news story in their print version throughout the South's LGBT community." (Source: http://christiangrantham.com/)
Perhaps the underlying problem here is the Blade occasional inability to challenge HRC and its methods.
In looking over the Blade's October 10, 2003, story about HRC's effort to hire someone to replace its departing leader, Elizabeth Birch, I learned how Vic Basile was in charge of a confidential committee and process, just as he's doing now in finding someone to take the place of Cheryl Jacques. (Source: http://www.washblade.com/advertising/eTearsheets/pdf/10-10-2003/023.pdf)
That 2003 Blade article also reported HRC was using the services of Isaacson, Miller to locate a new leader for the group, a task the consulting firm is again performing.
All of this was interesting, but the most fascinating aspect of the story, in my opinion, was how the Blade didn't challenge the lack of transparency. Citing reasons of confidentiality, Basile divulged very little to the Blade. The paper, unfortunately, didn't question the dearth of transparency, nor did the Blade point out how other social movement nonprofits, such as the NAACP, tell the public who's on their search committees.
In a related matter this week, the Blade ironically has both a story and an editorial about how many mainstream papers, especially the New York Times, didn't print the entire truth about noted intellectual, essayist and social critic Susan Sontag, particularly her lesbian nature and relationships. (Sources: http://www.washblade.com/2005/1-7/news/national/sontag.cfm and http://washblade.com/2005/1-7/view/index.cfm)
I couldn't agree more with the Blade's viewpoint on Sontag and the responsibility other news media had in reporting all the facts about her life and lesbianism.
Let's hope Blade reporters and editors follow the advice they dish out to others and that the paper corrects the half-truth in their story about HRC's search committee.
But if readers of the Washington Blade are depending on the paper to keep them informed about HRC's effort to hire a new executive director, they won't get the full story from this week's edition.
The Blade prints the half-truth about HRC announcing a search committee this week, and that the names of who's on the committee weren't made public. Well, that was true early in the week, but, as we all know, by Thursday, HRC reversed itself and released the names of the people on the search committee. For unknown reasons, the Blade is not reporting the change at HRC, nor the names. (http://www.washblade.com/2005/1-7/news/national/nibs.cfm)
Considering the Blade comes out on Fridays, the paper had plenty of time to get the full story about HRC's search committee, as did the Bay Area Reporter's Washington-based reporter Bob Roehr, whose story for the BAR appeared on Thursday. So a San Francisco gay paper with an earlier deadline, prints the full-truth, while the Blade, with more lead time, ignores it.
Another activist is also calling the Blade on the carpet for its HRC coverage this week. Christian Grantham, the gay blogger who broke the story in November about HRC firing Cheryl Jacques, today criticizes the Blade for its story about HRC sharing the names of the search committee members.
Grantham writes, "Besides the fact that most of Window Media (Washington Blade, New York Blade, Southern Voice, Houston Voice) reports today are old news to readers here and on other blogs, HRC published the names yesterday. Yet, for a full week, the Southern Voice will inaccurately proclaim this news story in their print version throughout the South's LGBT community." (Source: http://christiangrantham.com/)
Perhaps the underlying problem here is the Blade occasional inability to challenge HRC and its methods.
In looking over the Blade's October 10, 2003, story about HRC's effort to hire someone to replace its departing leader, Elizabeth Birch, I learned how Vic Basile was in charge of a confidential committee and process, just as he's doing now in finding someone to take the place of Cheryl Jacques. (Source: http://www.washblade.com/advertising/eTearsheets/pdf/10-10-2003/023.pdf)
That 2003 Blade article also reported HRC was using the services of Isaacson, Miller to locate a new leader for the group, a task the consulting firm is again performing.
All of this was interesting, but the most fascinating aspect of the story, in my opinion, was how the Blade didn't challenge the lack of transparency. Citing reasons of confidentiality, Basile divulged very little to the Blade. The paper, unfortunately, didn't question the dearth of transparency, nor did the Blade point out how other social movement nonprofits, such as the NAACP, tell the public who's on their search committees.
In a related matter this week, the Blade ironically has both a story and an editorial about how many mainstream papers, especially the New York Times, didn't print the entire truth about noted intellectual, essayist and social critic Susan Sontag, particularly her lesbian nature and relationships. (Sources: http://www.washblade.com/2005/1-7/news/national/sontag.cfm and http://washblade.com/2005/1-7/view/index.cfm)
I couldn't agree more with the Blade's viewpoint on Sontag and the responsibility other news media had in reporting all the facts about her life and lesbianism.
Let's hope Blade reporters and editors follow the advice they dish out to others and that the paper corrects the half-truth in their story about HRC's search committee.
In a message dated 1/7/2005 12:31:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, ccrain@window-media.com writes:
Your criticisms make me smile, Michael. If any gay papers have challenged HRC on every front, it has been ours (offline and online). We have been very aggressive in our watchdog role. And if you can figure out a way to reverse our print deadlines so we can file stories on Thursday for a Friday paper, you let me know....
My reply to the Blade:
um, chris, the story started on tuesday when hrc put out its release and my first email went out.
is your deadline mondays?
Your criticisms make me smile, Michael. If any gay papers have challenged HRC on every front, it has been ours (offline and online). We have been very aggressive in our watchdog role. And if you can figure out a way to reverse our print deadlines so we can file stories on Thursday for a Friday paper, you let me know....
My reply to the Blade:
um, chris, the story started on tuesday when hrc put out its release and my first email went out.
is your deadline mondays?
In a message dated 1/7/2005 12:31:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, ccrain@window-media.com writes:
Your criticisms make me smile, Michael. If any gay papers have challenged HRC on every front, it has been ours (offline and online). We have been very aggressive in our watchdog role. And if you can figure out a way to reverse our print deadlines so we can file stories on Thursday for a Friday paper, you let me know....
My reply to the Blade:
um, chris, the story started on tuesday when hrc put out its release and my first email went out.
is your deadline mondays?
Your criticisms make me smile, Michael. If any gay papers have challenged HRC on every front, it has been ours (offline and online). We have been very aggressive in our watchdog role. And if you can figure out a way to reverse our print deadlines so we can file stories on Thursday for a Friday paper, you let me know....
My reply to the Blade:
um, chris, the story started on tuesday when hrc put out its release and my first email went out.
is your deadline mondays?
Thursday, January 06, 2005
January 6, 2004
Bay Area Reporter
(Not on line)
HRC Begins Search Process
By Bob Roehr
A 25-member search committee will select the next executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, according to an announcement made Tuesday, January 4. Both the HRC and the HRC Foundation boards of directors must approve the choice. HRC hopes to complete the process by the spring.
One provision that drew instant criticism was that the names of those service on the search committee would not be made public. HRC reversed course within 24 hours and said the name would be released.
HRC Foundation co-chairs Gwen Baba and Vic Basile will chair the search committee, which, according to HRC, has a diverse membership, including three HRC employees.
San Francisco activist Michael Petrelis quickly reacted to the initial news release with a widely distributed email.
"If only to bring about full transparency, something desperately needed at HRC, Basile and HRC should release the names of those on the search committee," he wrote.
Basile agreed. In a conversation the following day he grudgingly gave credit to Petrelis for sparking the debate. "There is a lot of confidentiality that goes into a process like this," he said. "But it ought to be as transparent as possible."
-
www.hrc.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005
HRC ANNOUNCES SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
WASHINGTON — Based on numerous inquiries from Human Rights Campaign members and the community at large about the makeup of the committee which will lead the search process for a new president and executive director of HRC, the committee co-chairs announced the individuals who will serve on that search.
“We want this process to be as transparent as possible, while preserving the integrity of the search,” said Gwen Baba, the co-chair of the board of directors who is heading the search with Vic Basile, the co-chair of the foundation board. “We are pleased by the broad interest in the search and we decided to release the committee names. It is important to remember, however, that the final hiring decision rests solely with the full boards of the foundation and directors.”
The foundation board, board of directors and board of governors, staff and business council members who have agreed to serve are:
Gwen Baba, BOD co-chair, Los Angeles, CA
Vic Basile, FD co-chair, Baltimore, MD
Joe Barrows, BOD, Denver, CO
Bruce Bastian, BOD, Orem, UT
Terry Bean, FD, Portland, OR
Mike Berman, BD co-chair, Washington, DC
Ken Britt, BOD, Atlanta, GA
Lawrie Demorest, FD co-chair, Atlanta, GA
Amy Errett, BOD, San Francisco, CA
Anne Fay, BOG co-chair, Dallas, TX
Emily Giske, BOD, New York, NY
Julie Johnson, BOD, Dallas, TX
Kevin Layton, general counsel, Washington, DC
Marty Lieberman, BOD, Seattle, WA
Andrew Linsky, BOD, Palm Springs, CA
David Medina, BOD, Washington, DC
Cathy Nelson, development director, Washington, DC
Victoria Raymont, BOD, Chicago, IL
Henry Rosales, BOG co-chair, Denver, CO
Donna Rose, HRC business council, Round Rock, TX
Hilary Rosen, FD, Washington, DC
Winnie Stachelberg, political director, Washington, DC
John Sullivan, BOD, Minneapolis, MN
Tony Varona, BOD, Tuckahoe, NY
“We wanted to ensure that the staff representation reflected a broad breath of the organization as well as its history,” said Basile. “Cathy Nelson, our director of development, has been at HRC for 15 years. Kevin Layton, our general counsel, began as an intern and has been here for 17 years. Winnie Stachelberg, our political director, has worked at HRC for 10 years.”
Both Baba and Basile asked that anyone interested in the search process or in proposing candidates use the e-mail address managed by Isaacson, Miller — the search firm assisting the committee. That address is 2529@imsearch.com.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
-30-
Bay Area Reporter
(Not on line)
HRC Begins Search Process
By Bob Roehr
A 25-member search committee will select the next executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, according to an announcement made Tuesday, January 4. Both the HRC and the HRC Foundation boards of directors must approve the choice. HRC hopes to complete the process by the spring.
One provision that drew instant criticism was that the names of those service on the search committee would not be made public. HRC reversed course within 24 hours and said the name would be released.
HRC Foundation co-chairs Gwen Baba and Vic Basile will chair the search committee, which, according to HRC, has a diverse membership, including three HRC employees.
San Francisco activist Michael Petrelis quickly reacted to the initial news release with a widely distributed email.
"If only to bring about full transparency, something desperately needed at HRC, Basile and HRC should release the names of those on the search committee," he wrote.
Basile agreed. In a conversation the following day he grudgingly gave credit to Petrelis for sparking the debate. "There is a lot of confidentiality that goes into a process like this," he said. "But it ought to be as transparent as possible."
-
www.hrc.org
For Immediate Release:
Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005
HRC ANNOUNCES SEARCH COMMITTEE MEMBERS
WASHINGTON — Based on numerous inquiries from Human Rights Campaign members and the community at large about the makeup of the committee which will lead the search process for a new president and executive director of HRC, the committee co-chairs announced the individuals who will serve on that search.
“We want this process to be as transparent as possible, while preserving the integrity of the search,” said Gwen Baba, the co-chair of the board of directors who is heading the search with Vic Basile, the co-chair of the foundation board. “We are pleased by the broad interest in the search and we decided to release the committee names. It is important to remember, however, that the final hiring decision rests solely with the full boards of the foundation and directors.”
The foundation board, board of directors and board of governors, staff and business council members who have agreed to serve are:
Gwen Baba, BOD co-chair, Los Angeles, CA
Vic Basile, FD co-chair, Baltimore, MD
Joe Barrows, BOD, Denver, CO
Bruce Bastian, BOD, Orem, UT
Terry Bean, FD, Portland, OR
Mike Berman, BD co-chair, Washington, DC
Ken Britt, BOD, Atlanta, GA
Lawrie Demorest, FD co-chair, Atlanta, GA
Amy Errett, BOD, San Francisco, CA
Anne Fay, BOG co-chair, Dallas, TX
Emily Giske, BOD, New York, NY
Julie Johnson, BOD, Dallas, TX
Kevin Layton, general counsel, Washington, DC
Marty Lieberman, BOD, Seattle, WA
Andrew Linsky, BOD, Palm Springs, CA
David Medina, BOD, Washington, DC
Cathy Nelson, development director, Washington, DC
Victoria Raymont, BOD, Chicago, IL
Henry Rosales, BOG co-chair, Denver, CO
Donna Rose, HRC business council, Round Rock, TX
Hilary Rosen, FD, Washington, DC
Winnie Stachelberg, political director, Washington, DC
John Sullivan, BOD, Minneapolis, MN
Tony Varona, BOD, Tuckahoe, NY
“We wanted to ensure that the staff representation reflected a broad breath of the organization as well as its history,” said Basile. “Cathy Nelson, our director of development, has been at HRC for 15 years. Kevin Layton, our general counsel, began as an intern and has been here for 17 years. Winnie Stachelberg, our political director, has worked at HRC for 10 years.”
Both Baba and Basile asked that anyone interested in the search process or in proposing candidates use the e-mail address managed by Isaacson, Miller — the search firm assisting the committee. That address is 2529@imsearch.com.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
-30-
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
Dear Friends:
Some of my staunchest critics have given me a hard time about my recent posts bemoaning the Human Rights Campaign's refusal to name the people on their search committee for a new executive director.
Since HRC forced out its last leader, Cheryl Jacques, at about the same time the executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Kweisi Mfume, announced his resignation, I checked the NAACP's web site to see if they had made a statement about who was on their search committee.
As you can plainly see in the release below, the NAACP bravely told the world the names and affiliations of the nine individuals on the committee. (On a side note, I find it interesting one of the nine is former GOP Congressman and VP candidate Jack Kemp!)
And because HRC likes to see itself as the NAACP of the gay and lesbian rights movement, I'm calling on them to follow the NAACP's lead and release the names of who is on HRC's search committee for its new leader.
That is, if HRC is willing to shed its closeted ways.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
http://www.naacp.org/news/2004/2004-12-10.html
CONTACT: NAACP Office of Communications 410.580.5125
December 10, 2004
NAACP Board Names Presidential Search Committee
Panel includes members of NAACP National Board and the business community
NAACP National Board Chairman Julian Bond announced today that an eclectic group of nine people have been named to conduct the search for a successor to President and CEO Kweisi Mfume, who announced his resignation late last month. Mfume’s resignation is effective December 31.
In addition to Bond, the Presidential Search Committee includes: Roslyn Brock, Vice-Chair, NAACP Board; Rupert Richardson, member, NAACP Board; former Republican Congressman Jack Kemp; Hugh B. Price, former president, the National Urban League and senior advisor to Piper Rudnick LLP; Alice Huffman, member, NAACP Board; Philip Murphy, Managing Director, Investment Management Division, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; Coleman Peterson, President/CEO Hollis Enterprises, LLC and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; and Nicholas Wiggins, NAACP Youth Board Member.
“We are flattered that this distinguished group has volunteered to serve in this important task,” said Bond. “Their diversity reflects the diversity of the NAACP and the United States. We believe they will help the NAACP Board find a suitable candidate to take us forward.”
Mfume is leaving after nearly nine years as president and CEO. The former Congressman from Baltimore said he is stepping down “to pursue other challenges both in the private and public sectors.” During a press conference on November 30, Mfume said: “My decision to move on should be seen for what it is; another choice to seek another challenge, and another chance to make a difference.” To help assure a smooth transition to a new administration, Mfume has agreed to serve as a consultant to the NAACP until July 1, 2005.
Dennis C. Hayes, NAACP General Counsel, will serve as Acting President and CEO until a permanent chief executive officer is selected.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are front line advocates for civil rights, social justice and equal opportunity under law.
Some of my staunchest critics have given me a hard time about my recent posts bemoaning the Human Rights Campaign's refusal to name the people on their search committee for a new executive director.
Since HRC forced out its last leader, Cheryl Jacques, at about the same time the executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Kweisi Mfume, announced his resignation, I checked the NAACP's web site to see if they had made a statement about who was on their search committee.
As you can plainly see in the release below, the NAACP bravely told the world the names and affiliations of the nine individuals on the committee. (On a side note, I find it interesting one of the nine is former GOP Congressman and VP candidate Jack Kemp!)
And because HRC likes to see itself as the NAACP of the gay and lesbian rights movement, I'm calling on them to follow the NAACP's lead and release the names of who is on HRC's search committee for its new leader.
That is, if HRC is willing to shed its closeted ways.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
http://www.naacp.org/news/2004/2004-12-10.html
CONTACT: NAACP Office of Communications 410.580.5125
December 10, 2004
NAACP Board Names Presidential Search Committee
Panel includes members of NAACP National Board and the business community
NAACP National Board Chairman Julian Bond announced today that an eclectic group of nine people have been named to conduct the search for a successor to President and CEO Kweisi Mfume, who announced his resignation late last month. Mfume’s resignation is effective December 31.
In addition to Bond, the Presidential Search Committee includes: Roslyn Brock, Vice-Chair, NAACP Board; Rupert Richardson, member, NAACP Board; former Republican Congressman Jack Kemp; Hugh B. Price, former president, the National Urban League and senior advisor to Piper Rudnick LLP; Alice Huffman, member, NAACP Board; Philip Murphy, Managing Director, Investment Management Division, Goldman, Sachs & Co. and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; Coleman Peterson, President/CEO Hollis Enterprises, LLC and member, NAACP SCF Trustee Board; and Nicholas Wiggins, NAACP Youth Board Member.
“We are flattered that this distinguished group has volunteered to serve in this important task,” said Bond. “Their diversity reflects the diversity of the NAACP and the United States. We believe they will help the NAACP Board find a suitable candidate to take us forward.”
Mfume is leaving after nearly nine years as president and CEO. The former Congressman from Baltimore said he is stepping down “to pursue other challenges both in the private and public sectors.” During a press conference on November 30, Mfume said: “My decision to move on should be seen for what it is; another choice to seek another challenge, and another chance to make a difference.” To help assure a smooth transition to a new administration, Mfume has agreed to serve as a consultant to the NAACP until July 1, 2005.
Dennis C. Hayes, NAACP General Counsel, will serve as Acting President and CEO until a permanent chief executive officer is selected.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its half-million adult and youth members throughout the United States and the world are front line advocates for civil rights, social justice and equal opportunity under law.
Dear Friends:
When the Human Rights Campaign selects its new leader, don't be shocked if that person is a Democrat.
In looking over the most recent Federal Election Commission files of Gwen Baba and Vic Basile, the two HRC board members heading up the search committee for a new executive director, both have donated only to Democratic candidates and political action committees.
The founders of the executive search firmed chosen by HRC to help hire their next executive director, Isaacson, Miller of Boston, along with the two women from that firm in charge of the HRC search, Jane Gruenebaum and Lisa Savereid, have contributed almost exclusively only to Democrats and their PACs.
I found just one donation from anyone at Isaacson, Miller who gave money to a Republican candidate. One of the group's founders, John Isaacson, contributed $1,000 to McMullen for Senate in 2003.
All of the donations listed below come from the PoliticalMoneyLine's web site, http://www.tray.com/.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
BABA, GWEN
7/13/1999 $250.00
,
-[earmarked intermediary treasury out]
GAY AND LESBIAN VICTORY FUND
BABA, GWEN
7/26/1999 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
PRIVATE INVESTOR -[earmarked contribution]
FLANAGAN FOR U S SENATE
Baba, Gwen
6/18/1999 $500.00
Los Angeles, CA 90026
self employed -[Contribution]
TAMMY BALDWIN FOR CONGRESS
Baba, Gwen
3/12/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
self employed/Private Invester/ Con -[Contribution]
TAMMY BALDWIN FOR CONGRESS
BABA, GWEN
3/22/2004 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT -[Contribution]
A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING TOM DASCHLE INC
Baba, Gwen H. Ms.
10/28/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self/General Partern; Real Estate -[Contribution]
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BABA, GWENDOLYN
3/4/1999 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
PRIVITE INVESTIGATOR -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BABA, GWENDOLYN
10/21/2002 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
REAL ESTATE -[Contribution]
ARKANSAS-TEXAS VICTORY FUND
Baba, Gwendolyn
7/16/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self/Real Estate Investor -[Contribution]
VERMONT STATE DEMOCRATIC FEDERAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Baba, Gwendolyn
5/20/2004 $1,000.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self employed/Real Estate Investor -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
BABA, GWENDOLYN H
6/25/2002 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
GENERAL PARTNER REAL ESTATE -[Contribution]
NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE 2002
Baba, Gwendolyn H. Ms.
3/31/1999 $1,000.00
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Self employed/Real Estate -[Contribution]
GORE 2000 INC
-
Basile, Vic
9/30/2003 $500.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Moveable Feast/Director -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Basile, Victor
4/29/2004 $1,000.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Movable Feast Inc/Administrator -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Basile, Victor
3/31/2003 $250.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Movable Feast/Director -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
BASILE, VICTOR J
9/14/2000 $250.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BASILE, VICTOR J
9/14/2000 $500.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BASILE, VICTOR J
10/30/2000 $250.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Basile, Victor J Mr.
6/9/2004 $1,000.00
Washington, DC 20009
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/MOVEABLE FEAST -[Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004
Basile, Victor J.
3/31/1999 $500.00
Washington, DC 20009
Peace Corps/Manager -[Contribution]
GORE 2000 INC
-
Gruenebaum, Jane
5/19/2004 $250.00
Washington, DC 20008
Icaason Miller/Search Consultant -[Contribution]
WOLFE 2004 CONGRESS
Savereid, Lisa
7/29/2004 $500.00
Boston, MA 02114
-[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Savereid, Lisa Ms.
8/9/2004 $250.00
Boston, MA 02114
-[Contribution]
EMILY'S LIST
-
ISAACSON, JOHN
12/31/1999 $250.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TOM ALLEN FOR CONGRESS
PIEH, JEROME A
2/27/2000 $350.00
ARROWSIC, ME 04530
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TOM ALLEN FOR CONGRESS
ISAACSON, JOHN
10/22/2002 $500.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TENNESSEE SENATE 2002
MILLER, ARNIE
10/29/2002 $200.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
WELLSTONE FOR SENATE
Haley, David A.
11/10/2003 $300.00
Scituate, MA 02066
Isaacson Miller/Exec Recruiter -[Contribution]
MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE - FED FUND
ISAACSON, JOHN M
10/19/2003 $1,000.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON, MILLER INC -[Contribution]
MCMULLEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE INC
Isaacson, John
6/12/2004 $250.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec -[Contribution]
CAPUANO FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
ISAACSON, JOHN M
6/21/2004 $300.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
ALEX PENELAS US SENATE CAMPAIGN
Isaacson, John M
9/30/2003 $500.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec Search -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Isaacson, John M.
9/30/2003 $500.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Founder -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Isaacson, John Mr.
6/15/2004 $1,000.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec Serrcia -[Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004
MILLER, ARNIE
9/5/2003 $250.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
COHEN FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
Miller, Arnie
9/27/2003 $250.00
Newtonville, MA 02460
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Miller, Arnie
12/12/2003 $500.00
Newtonville, MA 02460
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Pieh, Jerome A
8/2/2004 $1,000.00
Arrowsic, ME 04530
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Stevens, Barbara Ms.
2/20/2004 $359.00
Washington, DC 20016
Isaacson Miller/Executive Search -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Stevens, Barbara Ms.
7/9/2004 $400.00
Washington, DC 20016
Isaacson Miller/Executive Search -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
When the Human Rights Campaign selects its new leader, don't be shocked if that person is a Democrat.
In looking over the most recent Federal Election Commission files of Gwen Baba and Vic Basile, the two HRC board members heading up the search committee for a new executive director, both have donated only to Democratic candidates and political action committees.
The founders of the executive search firmed chosen by HRC to help hire their next executive director, Isaacson, Miller of Boston, along with the two women from that firm in charge of the HRC search, Jane Gruenebaum and Lisa Savereid, have contributed almost exclusively only to Democrats and their PACs.
I found just one donation from anyone at Isaacson, Miller who gave money to a Republican candidate. One of the group's founders, John Isaacson, contributed $1,000 to McMullen for Senate in 2003.
All of the donations listed below come from the PoliticalMoneyLine's web site, http://www.tray.com/.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
BABA, GWEN
7/13/1999 $250.00
,
-[earmarked intermediary treasury out]
GAY AND LESBIAN VICTORY FUND
BABA, GWEN
7/26/1999 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
PRIVATE INVESTOR -[earmarked contribution]
FLANAGAN FOR U S SENATE
Baba, Gwen
6/18/1999 $500.00
Los Angeles, CA 90026
self employed -[Contribution]
TAMMY BALDWIN FOR CONGRESS
Baba, Gwen
3/12/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
self employed/Private Invester/ Con -[Contribution]
TAMMY BALDWIN FOR CONGRESS
BABA, GWEN
3/22/2004 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
INVESTMENT CONSULTANT -[Contribution]
A LOT OF PEOPLE SUPPORTING TOM DASCHLE INC
Baba, Gwen H. Ms.
10/28/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self/General Partern; Real Estate -[Contribution]
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN FUND POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE
BABA, GWENDOLYN
3/4/1999 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90026
PRIVITE INVESTIGATOR -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BABA, GWENDOLYN
10/21/2002 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
REAL ESTATE -[Contribution]
ARKANSAS-TEXAS VICTORY FUND
Baba, Gwendolyn
7/16/2002 $250.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self/Real Estate Investor -[Contribution]
VERMONT STATE DEMOCRATIC FEDERAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Baba, Gwendolyn
5/20/2004 $1,000.00
Los Angeles, CA 90027
Self employed/Real Estate Investor -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
BABA, GWENDOLYN H
6/25/2002 $250.00
LOS ANGELES, CA 90027
GENERAL PARTNER REAL ESTATE -[Contribution]
NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATE 2002
Baba, Gwendolyn H. Ms.
3/31/1999 $1,000.00
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Self employed/Real Estate -[Contribution]
GORE 2000 INC
-
Basile, Vic
9/30/2003 $500.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Moveable Feast/Director -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Basile, Victor
4/29/2004 $1,000.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Movable Feast Inc/Administrator -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Basile, Victor
3/31/2003 $250.00
Baltimore, MD 21217
Movable Feast/Director -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
BASILE, VICTOR J
9/14/2000 $250.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BASILE, VICTOR J
9/14/2000 $500.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
BASILE, VICTOR J
10/30/2000 $250.00
WASHINGTON, DC 20009
PEACE CORPS -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Basile, Victor J Mr.
6/9/2004 $1,000.00
Washington, DC 20009
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/MOVEABLE FEAST -[Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004
Basile, Victor J.
3/31/1999 $500.00
Washington, DC 20009
Peace Corps/Manager -[Contribution]
GORE 2000 INC
-
Gruenebaum, Jane
5/19/2004 $250.00
Washington, DC 20008
Icaason Miller/Search Consultant -[Contribution]
WOLFE 2004 CONGRESS
Savereid, Lisa
7/29/2004 $500.00
Boston, MA 02114
-[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Savereid, Lisa Ms.
8/9/2004 $250.00
Boston, MA 02114
-[Contribution]
EMILY'S LIST
-
ISAACSON, JOHN
12/31/1999 $250.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TOM ALLEN FOR CONGRESS
PIEH, JEROME A
2/27/2000 $350.00
ARROWSIC, ME 04530
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TOM ALLEN FOR CONGRESS
ISAACSON, JOHN
10/22/2002 $500.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
TENNESSEE SENATE 2002
MILLER, ARNIE
10/29/2002 $200.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
WELLSTONE FOR SENATE
Haley, David A.
11/10/2003 $300.00
Scituate, MA 02066
Isaacson Miller/Exec Recruiter -[Contribution]
MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE - FED FUND
ISAACSON, JOHN M
10/19/2003 $1,000.00
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02140
ISAACSON, MILLER INC -[Contribution]
MCMULLEN FOR SENATE COMMITTEE INC
Isaacson, John
6/12/2004 $250.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec -[Contribution]
CAPUANO FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE
ISAACSON, JOHN M
6/21/2004 $300.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
ALEX PENELAS US SENATE CAMPAIGN
Isaacson, John M
9/30/2003 $500.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec Search -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Isaacson, John M.
9/30/2003 $500.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Founder -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Isaacson, John Mr.
6/15/2004 $1,000.00
Cambridge, MA 02140
Isaacson Miller/Exec Serrcia -[Contribution]
KERRY VICTORY 2004
MILLER, ARNIE
9/5/2003 $250.00
NEWTONVILLE, MA 02460
ISAACSON MILLER -[Contribution]
COHEN FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE
Miller, Arnie
9/27/2003 $250.00
Newtonville, MA 02460
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Miller, Arnie
12/12/2003 $500.00
Newtonville, MA 02460
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
DEAN FOR AMERICA
Pieh, Jerome A
8/2/2004 $1,000.00
Arrowsic, ME 04530
Isaacson Miller/Executive Recruiter -[Contribution]
JOHN KERRY FOR PRESIDENT INC
Stevens, Barbara Ms.
2/20/2004 $359.00
Washington, DC 20016
Isaacson Miller/Executive Search -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Stevens, Barbara Ms.
7/9/2004 $400.00
Washington, DC 20016
Isaacson Miller/Executive Search -[Contribution]
DNC SERVICES CORPORATION/DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Dear Friends:
Here are some of the reactions I've received about the lack of transparency in HRC's selection process and the search committee to find a new leader for the gay community.
As you can read in the final response below, from one of the gay community's pioneering gay forefathers, Frank Kameny, at least one leader is okay with HRC not releasing the names of those on their search committee.
Kameny believes it would be a burden to these illustrious HRC leaders if they heard from half of the queer community's rank and file.
Imagine that. Thousands of us concerned enough to communicate with HRC about them, their agenda for all of us, and whomever their new executive director will be.
Seems to me that's one of the things exactly needed at the start of 2005: gay and lesbian American's reclaiming some of the gay agenda and the groups formed to represent us, whether or not we are dues-paying members.
Right now, the only means of communications with HRC about their leader selection process is through Isaacson, Miller, an executive employment group based in Boston.
As HRC says in it release: "Isaacson, Miller will post the position nationally and welcomes any candidate recommendations. Applications and nominations can be sent to 2959@imsearch.com."
Got ideas about who the next HRC/national gay and lesbian American spokesperson should be?
Send 'em to 2959@imsearch.com .
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco
^^^
I'm up to my ears in the AIDS Action contretemps, but I urge you to push on this HRC business. Secret committee, my ass! It isn't a secret from their board and I'll bet it isn't a secret from their senior staff. It's just a secret from the community, their members and the media. Garbage. I'll bet you'll get good pickup from the community press on this.
Charles King published an excellent commentary on the AIDS Action drama today on the HW website (while I was having a semi-public confrontation with Marsha Martin in the vestibule of the church hosting the planning meeting for the National AIDS March on Washington--which AIDS Action has declined to endorse).
Sean Strub
Struboc@aol.com
-
The HRC is the sworn enemy of the glbt community.
It should be taken apart, limb from limb
Cheers,
david E
cllrdr@ehrensteinland.com
-
Well said.
Can we run this as a letter to the editor piece in Outlook (Columbus, OH)?
thanks,
Michael Daniels
mdaniels@outlookmedia.com
Managing Editor
-
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Sherrill"
To: "Kenslist"
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 6:26 PM
Subject: [kenslist] Comment on HRC Search
> I usually pass on material of interest whether I agree with it or not.
> This standard applies pretty widely, including to the recent comment by
> Micahel Petrelis on the HRC search.
>
> Personally, I have served on search committees for many high level
> academic administrators, including the current president of Hunter
> College. The names of the members of the search committee always were
> public. I was not amused by efforts to lobby me when I was on these
> search committees and I usually chewed out the political friends who
> called me on behalf of candidates -- whether I liked the candidates or
> not. Similarly, I spent many years on the New York County Democratic
> Committee's Committee on the Judiciary. We set up screening panels to
> certify that candidates for judgeships. The names of these committee
> members, too, were public. In government, the members of transition
> teams who are charged with recommending canidates for high-level
> appointments to a newly elected chief executive also are made public.
> All of this, of course, has been in the public sector.
>
> I have no idea of how search committees work in the private sector or in
> charitable organizations. The norm there may well be to identify the
> committee chair(s) but not the committee members.
>
> I certainly did not intend to question anyone's honesty or integrity by
> passing on the Petrellis posting. I do think that members of this list
> ought to know what Petrellis is saying. He is a controversial member of
> our community -- to say the least -- but ignorance of his actions does
> no one any good.
>
> Ken
-
> -----Original Message-----
> From: glaa@erols.com [mailto:glaa@erols.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 5:47 PM
> To: ken@kensherrill.com
> Subject: RE: [kenslist] FW: Closet cases running HRC search committee??
> (from Michael Petrelis)
>
>
> I sent my old friend Michael Petrelis the following note
> in reply to his complaint that Vic Basile isn't revealing
> the names of the HRC search committee:
>
> "I am not sure that any company would normally release the names of a
> search committee. In HRC's case, I can only speculate, but given how
> much they are constantly being attacked, people might be less willing to
> serve on such a committee if they know that people like Michael Petrelis
> are going to be digging into their backgrounds for things to be outraged
> about, and the next thing you know you're issuing press releases
> threatening a "piss tossing" incident. (I thought that one was very
> funny, by the way, but then I was not the target.) By the way, were you
> the one who was slamming Hilary Rosen for having given $5K to Orrin
> Hatch? He of course carried major water for her (in her job running the
> recording industry lobby) on intellectual property protection, so of
> course she showed her gratitude. That's how you get things done in this
> town, babe."
>
> Rick Rosendall
> Washington, D.C.
>
-
From Doug Ireland
Ken,
It seems to me your comments and Rosendall's miss the point. HRC pretends to
be a civil rights organization--one may have ones doubts, but that's what
they claim. As such it is supposed to be accountable to those for whom it
pretends to speak. That's very different from either a university or a
company. I'm an old believer in Sartrian transparency in all things, and
particularly in political movements I hold that open covenants, openly
arrived at, are the best guarantees of political legitimacy and some measure
of democracy and accountability. Of course, the HRC has never been a
democratic organization but always an elitist one, with a self-perpetuating
board not responsible to anyone but itself. It seems to me that one ought to
be able to know what sort of people are being asked to choose the next
leader of the wealthiest and largest gay organization which pretends to
leadership of the gay community. Especially after the board just named two
corporate lobbyists as its joint interim CEOs, one is perfectly justified in
questioning the search committee and in wanting to know something about the
criteria it is deploying in its search. That's next to impossible when the
search committee is invisible.
Regards,
Doug
direland@nyc.rr.com
-
Mike:
The HRC is being run, in the interim, by Hilary Rosen, partner of Elizabeth Birch and former head of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
During her tenure at the RIAA, Rosen launched a disastrous PR campaign against evolving technology, essentially equating all file-swapping with thievery and alienating and angering music lovers and those who favor using technology to advance their lives, not remain stagnant.
Among the wonderful things the RIAA did under her tenure were to attempt to attach a hacking-authorization amendment onto the Patriot Act that Congress approved immediately following the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Callously taking advantage of the panic following September 11th, and all but equating file-swapping with terrorism.
In July 2002, RIAA supported a provision, that had it passed, would effectively have allowed the RIAA to hack into the computers of people they suspected were trading music files illegally. And protected them against damages were they to have either damaged computers they hacked into, or mistakenly hacked into the machines of innocent people. The bill by Representative Howard Berman would have allowed "content owners" to launch technological attacks against file-swapping networks where their wares are traded and immunize copyright holders from civil and criminal liability who use technological methods such as hacking to “prevent the unauthorized distribution of their copyrighted works via P2P networks.”
The privacy implications alone, demanding ISPs turn over private information, all but obliterating the notion of anonymity on the Internet -- particularly attractive if you consider such policies as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which all but scream for protecting anonymity -- were repulsive as the RIAA attempted to unmask and sue file swappers, including an innocent woman who didn't even know what file swapping was, let alone had engaged in it.
The equivalent would be to condone and support the military rooting out the names of servicemembers they thought were violating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy by forcing ISP's to turn over the true identities of their users (like AOL did in violation of their own privacy policy to the unfortunately named Timothy McVeigh, [no relation to the Oklahoma bomber] who was subsequently discharged). And even if the military was acting in violation of the "Don't Pursue" provision of the policy.
The RIAA unequivocally supported the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA -- the intellectual property equivalent of preemptive unilateralism by force, where hack attacks on "suspicious" violators are condoned and protected in the name of freedom and democracy.
I could think of no one more atrocious representing gays and lesbians or spearheading policy initiatives on their behalf other than perhaps Jeffrey Dahmer or Phil Burress, the President of "faith-based" Citizens for Community Values.
The only thing I find puzzling about your email is that you would expect anything more from a Washington-ensconced, overly-funded, predominantly white, ineffective, elitist organization that, aside from kissing Kerry's traitorous, hypocritical ass, managed to do absolutely nothing to anticipate, respond to or prevent some 11 states passing anti-gay-marriage resolutions in the last election.
You don't need transparency, you simply need to look at the record.
And continue to rely on yourself. You do a far better job than the HRC could ever hope to.
Clinton Fein
Email: clinton@xq.com
www.clintonfein.com
-
From: fekameny@webtv.net
Hi
I think that you're being unduly harsh on HRC, with regard to the search
committee for a new director.
They ARE a private organization, free to run their internal affairs as
they see fit.
As you well know, I certainly am not closeted. BUT, if I were on their
search committee-- I most emphatically am NOT -- the last thing I would
want would be for my name to be known in that connection. The onslaught
of communications from every direction would be inconceivable. Everyone
would have an axe to grind. The names of half the national gay
population would be proposed by email, mail, fax, and phone.
Were I a committee member, I would want to deliberate calmly and
carefully, behind closed doors, with my my fellow committee members, and
then take our recommendations to the Board (or however HRC is setting up
its process) for final decision and announcement.
There is going to have to be a lot of back and forth, in some fashion,
between the commitee and individual candidates, probably to interview
them, to find out of some likely-seeming candidates wish to be
considered at all or not, etc., etc. To make a public or quasi-public
process out of this, even through merely publicizing the identities of
the committee members, would be severely counter-productive.
Re-think your criticism. In this instance, I think it's unjustified.
Cordially
Frank Kameny
-
Here are some of the reactions I've received about the lack of transparency in HRC's selection process and the search committee to find a new leader for the gay community.
As you can read in the final response below, from one of the gay community's pioneering gay forefathers, Frank Kameny, at least one leader is okay with HRC not releasing the names of those on their search committee.
Kameny believes it would be a burden to these illustrious HRC leaders if they heard from half of the queer community's rank and file.
Imagine that. Thousands of us concerned enough to communicate with HRC about them, their agenda for all of us, and whomever their new executive director will be.
Seems to me that's one of the things exactly needed at the start of 2005: gay and lesbian American's reclaiming some of the gay agenda and the groups formed to represent us, whether or not we are dues-paying members.
Right now, the only means of communications with HRC about their leader selection process is through Isaacson, Miller, an executive employment group based in Boston.
As HRC says in it release: "Isaacson, Miller will post the position nationally and welcomes any candidate recommendations. Applications and nominations can be sent to 2959@imsearch.com."
Got ideas about who the next HRC/national gay and lesbian American spokesperson should be?
Send 'em to 2959@imsearch.com .
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco
^^^
I'm up to my ears in the AIDS Action contretemps, but I urge you to push on this HRC business. Secret committee, my ass! It isn't a secret from their board and I'll bet it isn't a secret from their senior staff. It's just a secret from the community, their members and the media. Garbage. I'll bet you'll get good pickup from the community press on this.
Charles King published an excellent commentary on the AIDS Action drama today on the HW website (while I was having a semi-public confrontation with Marsha Martin in the vestibule of the church hosting the planning meeting for the National AIDS March on Washington--which AIDS Action has declined to endorse).
Sean Strub
Struboc@aol.com
-
The HRC is the sworn enemy of the glbt community.
It should be taken apart, limb from limb
Cheers,
david E
cllrdr@ehrensteinland.com
-
Well said.
Can we run this as a letter to the editor piece in Outlook (Columbus, OH)?
thanks,
Michael Daniels
mdaniels@outlookmedia.com
Managing Editor
-
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Sherrill"
To: "Kenslist"
Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 6:26 PM
Subject: [kenslist] Comment on HRC Search
> I usually pass on material of interest whether I agree with it or not.
> This standard applies pretty widely, including to the recent comment by
> Micahel Petrelis on the HRC search.
>
> Personally, I have served on search committees for many high level
> academic administrators, including the current president of Hunter
> College. The names of the members of the search committee always were
> public. I was not amused by efforts to lobby me when I was on these
> search committees and I usually chewed out the political friends who
> called me on behalf of candidates -- whether I liked the candidates or
> not. Similarly, I spent many years on the New York County Democratic
> Committee's Committee on the Judiciary. We set up screening panels to
> certify that candidates for judgeships. The names of these committee
> members, too, were public. In government, the members of transition
> teams who are charged with recommending canidates for high-level
> appointments to a newly elected chief executive also are made public.
> All of this, of course, has been in the public sector.
>
> I have no idea of how search committees work in the private sector or in
> charitable organizations. The norm there may well be to identify the
> committee chair(s) but not the committee members.
>
> I certainly did not intend to question anyone's honesty or integrity by
> passing on the Petrellis posting. I do think that members of this list
> ought to know what Petrellis is saying. He is a controversial member of
> our community -- to say the least -- but ignorance of his actions does
> no one any good.
>
> Ken
-
> -----Original Message-----
> From: glaa@erols.com [mailto:glaa@erols.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 04, 2005 5:47 PM
> To: ken@kensherrill.com
> Subject: RE: [kenslist] FW: Closet cases running HRC search committee??
> (from Michael Petrelis)
>
>
> I sent my old friend Michael Petrelis the following note
> in reply to his complaint that Vic Basile isn't revealing
> the names of the HRC search committee:
>
> "I am not sure that any company would normally release the names of a
> search committee. In HRC's case, I can only speculate, but given how
> much they are constantly being attacked, people might be less willing to
> serve on such a committee if they know that people like Michael Petrelis
> are going to be digging into their backgrounds for things to be outraged
> about, and the next thing you know you're issuing press releases
> threatening a "piss tossing" incident. (I thought that one was very
> funny, by the way, but then I was not the target.) By the way, were you
> the one who was slamming Hilary Rosen for having given $5K to Orrin
> Hatch? He of course carried major water for her (in her job running the
> recording industry lobby) on intellectual property protection, so of
> course she showed her gratitude. That's how you get things done in this
> town, babe."
>
> Rick Rosendall
> Washington, D.C.
>
-
From Doug Ireland
Ken,
It seems to me your comments and Rosendall's miss the point. HRC pretends to
be a civil rights organization--one may have ones doubts, but that's what
they claim. As such it is supposed to be accountable to those for whom it
pretends to speak. That's very different from either a university or a
company. I'm an old believer in Sartrian transparency in all things, and
particularly in political movements I hold that open covenants, openly
arrived at, are the best guarantees of political legitimacy and some measure
of democracy and accountability. Of course, the HRC has never been a
democratic organization but always an elitist one, with a self-perpetuating
board not responsible to anyone but itself. It seems to me that one ought to
be able to know what sort of people are being asked to choose the next
leader of the wealthiest and largest gay organization which pretends to
leadership of the gay community. Especially after the board just named two
corporate lobbyists as its joint interim CEOs, one is perfectly justified in
questioning the search committee and in wanting to know something about the
criteria it is deploying in its search. That's next to impossible when the
search committee is invisible.
Regards,
Doug
direland@nyc.rr.com
-
Mike:
The HRC is being run, in the interim, by Hilary Rosen, partner of Elizabeth Birch and former head of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
During her tenure at the RIAA, Rosen launched a disastrous PR campaign against evolving technology, essentially equating all file-swapping with thievery and alienating and angering music lovers and those who favor using technology to advance their lives, not remain stagnant.
Among the wonderful things the RIAA did under her tenure were to attempt to attach a hacking-authorization amendment onto the Patriot Act that Congress approved immediately following the terrorist attacks on September 11th. Callously taking advantage of the panic following September 11th, and all but equating file-swapping with terrorism.
In July 2002, RIAA supported a provision, that had it passed, would effectively have allowed the RIAA to hack into the computers of people they suspected were trading music files illegally. And protected them against damages were they to have either damaged computers they hacked into, or mistakenly hacked into the machines of innocent people. The bill by Representative Howard Berman would have allowed "content owners" to launch technological attacks against file-swapping networks where their wares are traded and immunize copyright holders from civil and criminal liability who use technological methods such as hacking to “prevent the unauthorized distribution of their copyrighted works via P2P networks.”
The privacy implications alone, demanding ISPs turn over private information, all but obliterating the notion of anonymity on the Internet -- particularly attractive if you consider such policies as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which all but scream for protecting anonymity -- were repulsive as the RIAA attempted to unmask and sue file swappers, including an innocent woman who didn't even know what file swapping was, let alone had engaged in it.
The equivalent would be to condone and support the military rooting out the names of servicemembers they thought were violating the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy by forcing ISP's to turn over the true identities of their users (like AOL did in violation of their own privacy policy to the unfortunately named Timothy McVeigh, [no relation to the Oklahoma bomber] who was subsequently discharged). And even if the military was acting in violation of the "Don't Pursue" provision of the policy.
The RIAA unequivocally supported the Digital Millennium Copyright Act or DMCA -- the intellectual property equivalent of preemptive unilateralism by force, where hack attacks on "suspicious" violators are condoned and protected in the name of freedom and democracy.
I could think of no one more atrocious representing gays and lesbians or spearheading policy initiatives on their behalf other than perhaps Jeffrey Dahmer or Phil Burress, the President of "faith-based" Citizens for Community Values.
The only thing I find puzzling about your email is that you would expect anything more from a Washington-ensconced, overly-funded, predominantly white, ineffective, elitist organization that, aside from kissing Kerry's traitorous, hypocritical ass, managed to do absolutely nothing to anticipate, respond to or prevent some 11 states passing anti-gay-marriage resolutions in the last election.
You don't need transparency, you simply need to look at the record.
And continue to rely on yourself. You do a far better job than the HRC could ever hope to.
Clinton Fein
Email: clinton@xq.com
www.clintonfein.com
-
From: fekameny@webtv.net
Hi
I think that you're being unduly harsh on HRC, with regard to the search
committee for a new director.
They ARE a private organization, free to run their internal affairs as
they see fit.
As you well know, I certainly am not closeted. BUT, if I were on their
search committee-- I most emphatically am NOT -- the last thing I would
want would be for my name to be known in that connection. The onslaught
of communications from every direction would be inconceivable. Everyone
would have an axe to grind. The names of half the national gay
population would be proposed by email, mail, fax, and phone.
Were I a committee member, I would want to deliberate calmly and
carefully, behind closed doors, with my my fellow committee members, and
then take our recommendations to the Board (or however HRC is setting up
its process) for final decision and announcement.
There is going to have to be a lot of back and forth, in some fashion,
between the commitee and individual candidates, probably to interview
them, to find out of some likely-seeming candidates wish to be
considered at all or not, etc., etc. To make a public or quasi-public
process out of this, even through merely publicizing the identities of
the committee members, would be severely counter-productive.
Re-think your criticism. In this instance, I think it's unjustified.
Cordially
Frank Kameny
-
Can someone please explain to me why the Human Rights Campaign announces its search process for a new leader, but can't tell the world who is on the search committee?
Maybe the committee members are embarrassed to be associated with the gay community. Perhaps they're not fully out of the closet, or they just don't want their names released.
Whatever the reason for the secrecy, it doesn't say much about HRC's commitment to transparency and accountability to the community it purports to represent.
HRC's release states the following:
"While the names of individual search committee members will not be publicly released, Basile characterized the group as diverse. Three staff members will serve on the committee and there will be broad geographic representation and viewpoints."
Guess we just have to trust Vic Basile and HRC that the search committee is diverse and represents many different viewpoints.
Frankly, trusting HRC on these matters is asking too much.
If only to bring about full transparency, something desperately needed at HRC, Basile and HRC should release the names of those on the search committee.
Anything less, in my opinion, borders on secrecy and closetry, two factors the group should do everything to avoid.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
www.hrc.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005
HRC BOARD ANNOUNCES SEARCH PROCESS FOR NEW LEADER
Broad, Diverse Group to Be Involved
WASHINGTON — A 25-member committee, chosen to reflect broad geographic representation and diversity as well as board and staff perspectives will form the search committee as the Human Rights Campaign officially opens its search for a new leader today. The announcement launches a national search that Board of Directors Co-Chair Gwen Baba said would be “aggressive in both its timing and its scope.”
The search will be guided by a committee structure led by Baba and Vic Basile, co-chair of the HRC Foundation board. The search committee will send its recommendation to both the full HRC board of directors and the Foundation board and the final candidate must win the majority support of the two boards.
“There is tremendous enthusiasm for this position of leadership in our community and beyond,” said Basile. “There is an understanding that leading HRC is a unique and special role in our movement. The stakes are high and HRC will be prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.”
The search follows the resignation of Cheryl Jacques, who left after 11 months as president and executive director on Nov. 30, 2004. The search committee will be assisted by Isaacson, Miller, a Boston-based, national search firm that specializes in non-profits.
“Our very ambitious goal is to have a new leader in place this spring,” said Baba. “While HRC continues to make a difference every day, we're ready to bring a new leader onboard who brings vision, energy and passion to our work.”
While the names of individual search committee members will not be publicly released, Basile characterized the group as diverse. Three staff members will serve on the committee and there will be broad geographic representation and viewpoints.
Isaacson, Miller will post the position nationally and welcomes any candidate recommendations. Applications and nominations can be sent to 2959@imsearch.com.
Maybe the committee members are embarrassed to be associated with the gay community. Perhaps they're not fully out of the closet, or they just don't want their names released.
Whatever the reason for the secrecy, it doesn't say much about HRC's commitment to transparency and accountability to the community it purports to represent.
HRC's release states the following:
"While the names of individual search committee members will not be publicly released, Basile characterized the group as diverse. Three staff members will serve on the committee and there will be broad geographic representation and viewpoints."
Guess we just have to trust Vic Basile and HRC that the search committee is diverse and represents many different viewpoints.
Frankly, trusting HRC on these matters is asking too much.
If only to bring about full transparency, something desperately needed at HRC, Basile and HRC should release the names of those on the search committee.
Anything less, in my opinion, borders on secrecy and closetry, two factors the group should do everything to avoid.
Michael Petrelis
San Francisco, CA
^^^
www.hrc.org
For Immediate Release:
Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2005
HRC BOARD ANNOUNCES SEARCH PROCESS FOR NEW LEADER
Broad, Diverse Group to Be Involved
WASHINGTON — A 25-member committee, chosen to reflect broad geographic representation and diversity as well as board and staff perspectives will form the search committee as the Human Rights Campaign officially opens its search for a new leader today. The announcement launches a national search that Board of Directors Co-Chair Gwen Baba said would be “aggressive in both its timing and its scope.”
The search will be guided by a committee structure led by Baba and Vic Basile, co-chair of the HRC Foundation board. The search committee will send its recommendation to both the full HRC board of directors and the Foundation board and the final candidate must win the majority support of the two boards.
“There is tremendous enthusiasm for this position of leadership in our community and beyond,” said Basile. “There is an understanding that leading HRC is a unique and special role in our movement. The stakes are high and HRC will be prepared to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead.”
The search follows the resignation of Cheryl Jacques, who left after 11 months as president and executive director on Nov. 30, 2004. The search committee will be assisted by Isaacson, Miller, a Boston-based, national search firm that specializes in non-profits.
“Our very ambitious goal is to have a new leader in place this spring,” said Baba. “While HRC continues to make a difference every day, we're ready to bring a new leader onboard who brings vision, energy and passion to our work.”
While the names of individual search committee members will not be publicly released, Basile characterized the group as diverse. Three staff members will serve on the committee and there will be broad geographic representation and viewpoints.
Isaacson, Miller will post the position nationally and welcomes any candidate recommendations. Applications and nominations can be sent to 2959@imsearch.com.