When I got inside the Convention Center, 2 hours later than the actual start of the event, I got a funny feeling. There was energy in the room, perhaps more energy than would normally be in such a fancy, well kept room. Thick carpeting, reflective gold metal and strong illumination grabs the eyes, while the ears are taken over by the booming sound system. The same system which told me (and the hundred+ others) that they had reached the halfway point, and after a 15 minute break, would be back. As soon as my soft seat was getting warm, I was up again, browsing the tables in the hallway. Multnomah Community Television, freepress.net, Reclaim the Media, Money in Politics Research Action Project, and a handful of others were providing pamphlets, stickers, psuedo tattoos, and balloons to the public, it appeared to be a buffet of information to the knowledge hungry.
Once I got stuffed, I went back into the hall, getting a closer seat to the gang seated up front. From left to right sat: KBOO Board Member L. C. Hansen, President of Brown Broadcast Services Michael Brown, Curt Henninger- Senior VP and GM of Comcast for Oregon & SW Washington, Director of Mt. Hood Cable Regulatory Commission David C. Olson, and a funny self titled "Brit" named Nigel Ballard, Wireless Director for Matric Networks. Moderating, and dead center, with the highest podium, was Regina Lawrence. To Regina's left (my right) sat the two good guys from the FCC, Jonathan Adelstein & Michael Copps.
After a great intro from the first two, and a hiss riddled intro from the tannest member from Comcast, David Olson stole the spotlight with a great introduction, getting the audience to laugh, to cheer, & to feel proud for being what we are, whatever that is. Then the funny Brit said some things in his Belvedereian language and left it at that. In no time the audience started their testimonials, speaking mostly to the two FCC members about a wide range of topics. Comcast fell victim to charges of bad worker treatment, watching Henninger gulp and run dry of free water was quite the spectacle. Hansen and Brown sat smirking while watching Henninger attempt to smile his way through the attacks. To his credit, and as was cited, Comcast was the only major media to attend the event, while no cable news covered the event whatsoever. Henninger was the sacrificial lamb tonight, he must've pissed someone off back at the office. I began to feel sympathy for him, then I realized he was the VICE PRESIDENT of Comcast for the area, not some bottom of the barrel schlub from the PR dept. He WAS Comcast and all of their evil empire. So I quickly shook sense back into my head and laughed at the discomfort.
Fortunately, the discomfort of the corporate stooge was not the highlight of the evening. What was incredible were the public testimonials, often emotional and full of compassion and intelligence, pleading to the FCC members to bring back this or that bit of thought to Washington DC. Adelstein & Copps sat listening to all and took a brief moment to talk to the crowd. Adelstein commented on the absense of cable news coverage, and said they needed to use Portland as the model for independent growth in media. He spoke of using the digital spectrum as a means of trade with mega-corps, getting some public use guaranteed from a deal. Michael Copps, who resembles a well drawn member of Doonesbury, talked of the tough work ahead and yet saw some excellent achievements, as cited by the news that night, of the reversal of the FCC decision concerning deregulating media ownership. The two looked ready to celebrate the news concerning the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court's decision to overturn the controversial and mega-money-corporate friendly FCC decision in June 03 (vote 3-2, as most are, where Copps and Adelsteing are consistantly odd men out).
It was an incredible evening to witness, as community came together, along with independent media, to voice, cover, and bring awareness to more and more individuals in this city. The level of appreciation for the two FCC members, to take these public hearings into their own hands, leaving the other 3 hogs back at the DC trough, was immense. For one glimpse I was witness to the ideas discussed so often in small circles, the gathering of concerned individuals taking time and effort to do something, to bring subjects to light which otherwise would be ignored or left unnoticed. I applaud all of you who attended and especially to those who spoke on this magical evening.
Audio clip from introduction to the event. Adelstein & Copps.
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