Date sent:       Wed, 21 Apr 1999 20:45:23 -0700
From:            Erik Wood <erik.wood@eng.sun.com>
To:              lynnchad@aol.com
Subject:         Reverse Sawaya/Bensky Decision
Send reply to:   freepacifica@penguin.josephson.com

Ms. Chadwick,

As an ongoing member of KPFA's Unpaid Staff, whose association with the station goes back, off and on, for nearly 20 years, I must express to you my displeasure with your unprecendented action in terminating Nicole Sawaya and Larry Bensky without just cause.

Although your reason that Nicole is "not a team player" is sufficient to you, it is entirely insufficient, in fact, highly irresponsible, when it comes to the Staff, Unpaid Staff, and Pacifica listeners.  Since when has Pacifica itself ever been a "team player"?  If Pacifica as a station had been a team player, we would never have openly opposed Joe McCarthy.  Nor would we have been the first to speak out about the Vietnam war.  Nor would we have aired the many, many congressional hearings, such as those into drug connections between the Contras and the CIA, that were virtually ignored in all other media.

As you yourself well know, the list of historical events in which Pacifica was NOT a team player could go on for many pages.  The very essence of Free Speech comes from the ability to speak out when others are muffled.  In countries where Free Speech does not exist, people are killed or disappear when they are not "team players."  To take opposition to this way of thinking, to this unrestricted power, is the very reason Pacifica was formed and for which it has stood for 50 years.

Hence, it is astounding to me that you, in your capacity as leader of this organization, show so little regard for the very principles it stands for, and for which it has taken enormous risks.  That you should expect Pacifica members to show the kind of "rubber stamp" behavior that characterizes the most rigid of corporate and governmental organizations is a shock to common sense.

As head of an organization whose hallmark is open discussion, to have acted autocratically, backed only by this patently ridiculous "team player" explanation, is worse than an insult to the Pacifica family.  Pacifica is far, far better off with Nicole Sawaya and Larry Bensky in the organization and you out, than it is today with the strife, lies, corporate management-speak, and backroom ploys that you have introduced.

For the good of Pacifica, Ms. Chadwick, please resign.  You have bungled and misjudged the very heart of Pacifica, the Staff and listeners who devote themselves to this grand ideal because they love and believe in it.  I am sure that there are many corporate PR or lobbying firms where you can put your management talents to best use, and who would gladly bring you in solely on the strength of your proven disregard for the principles of Pacifica.

Hence, I urge you to resign your post and make your last act as Executive Director the reinstatement of Nicole Sawaya and Larry Bensky.

    Erik Wood
    KPFA
    Unpaid Staff