editorial

The following was copied from the T&G editorial. I thought it was so well written that I felt compelled to share it. Over the past decade, I have gone before the city council, many times, and stated that Public Access, WCCA TV, is about building community through electronic media and empowering individuals with a resource that includes media tools, education, expertise, on a non-discriminatory basis. As I experience the city's consideration to change funding formula to support PEG, which could possibly mean less funding for WCCA, to see the city settle for a five year cable license rather than a ten year, to see a cable license with less benefit for the people than the last ten year contract provided, to see a final cable license that leaves the existing PEG channels pitted against themselves, it seems to me, that perhaps we are experiencing a microcosm of what Mary's editorial letter speaks so well about. Remember WCCA TV is more about building lives, and community through electronic media that it is about making that slick action tabloid news or making huge mega profits.Inclusiveness and Community is the heart of everything we do. Why is WCCA or even public access threatened? Perhaps Mary can shed some light on that.

"Capitalism at the core of society’s ruination

Our society is in profound crisis, for it is suffering from end-stage capitalism. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, America’s greatest president, had the instinctive genius to recognize that unless capitalism was counterbalanced by humanity, it would take the country down with it, for at its core lies sadism.

Absolute capitalism always leads to absolute social sadism, just as power without limits and accountability always turns diabolical.

Unregulated capitalism has turned America into a madhouse of the predators and the preyed upon, the shakers and the shaken down, the shills and their victims, a nation able to build only casinos and prisons because it cannot build lives.

When greed goes nuclear and profit becomes the only remaining social value, a mass psychosis develops. The society starts moving at the speed of greed, becoming increasingly manic, demanding work without rest and war without peace. Art and leisure are sacrificed to a concentration camp-style 24/7 work culture.

The need to punish, brutalize, imprison and extort grows more intense, for rage is a byproduct of end-stage capitalism. The society grows more unresponsive to the needs of the public, more authoritarian and abusive until the impulse toward a police state and the declaration of martial law become irresistible.

The society’s leader starts exhibiting signs of profound mental disturbance, claiming the powers of a sun god, while America’s flag flies for the torture of fellow human beings and imprisonment without trial or charges.

All that remains is the collapse into depression."

MARY JARVIS

Gardner

In the T&G online commentary, some fan , who apparently loves me from a distance, wrote some derogatory comments about "Mauro". I am not that important nor do I think anyone else is that important that it should matter what is said about me. I believe I know where my heart is. I feel however there is a possibility that the intent of comment may not really be about me, it may be about distracting people from the truth. Be aware everyone. While pointing fingers at me the truth is lost in the dust. That is a popular tool spin doctors use. It is called vilifying an opponent. Yes Mauro "works" for WCCA TV. Mauro receives a paycheck for his work at WCCA TV too. How many people in the U.S.A go to work and receive a paycheck? I volunteered for years at WCCA prior to an invitation to become the Executive Director. Part of my work is to advocate for the "people's channel", and that includes to speak out when I see something threatening to the public access process or the "mission" of the station. WCCA is an open forum available to everyone.

Before making false statements about subject matter and commentators who participate on this page, or any editorial page, try learning some facts. If you want to see what WCCA or I stand for, watch the channel or visit wccatv.com. WCCA is NOT a part of the city or Charter Communications. WCCA is a non profit institution.
My position on this subject has nothing to do with defending Charter. If you read some of my blogs or other editorials and even comments below you should see that.

Charters high rates have less to do with local franchise fees than it does other programming cost including to run CTR TV 3 and it's news program ( which cost more than WCCA by the way.) Franchise fees are based on a percentage of gross revenues, profits the cable company made. Do away with PEG access and the profits go into Charter's pockets instead of back to the community. There is no law forcing the cable company to pass the franchise fees on to their subscribers. In Fact, WCCA fought against that ten years ago during the ascertainment process. I have called for more legislation to mandate cable and phone company compliance, to allow cities to enforce compliance issues and to regulate rates, as well as to guarantee support for INET and PEG channels.

I am grateful for my earnings I receive at work. I am thankful to all who work to make OUR WCCA station a success. I include in my thanks the city administration and the council as well as WCCA volunteers and staff. WCCA is a team effort. Whether or not anyone at WCCA is “well paid” for the good work they do may be arguable. Self interest is not why most of us are in the business of non-profit community media. Many people are employed in public access centers across the state. I know them to be fine, good hearted, committed to media democracy and selfless. No one is making anything near Verizon’s upper management I can assure you. Another thing, I wish more people would not be so afraid to add their name to their comments. To the detractors anonymous I say, be a person (man or woman)enough to place your name with your comment. This subject is to big to become a personal issue. Get over me and stick to what is really important.
Mauro DePasquale