OPB, you aren’t making any friends
Earlier this week, we posted about the Ira Glass visit and how it was supposed to be at New Hope Church. With the wonderful efforts of Lelo, the Mercury and many bloggers in between, OPB chose to move the venue to the convention center. Though, during this week, OPB has been rather rude to the blogosphere. Lelo posted today that while she is glad the venue has moved, she is disappointed in how OPB has portrayed the issue. I went over to OPB’s Town Square where they pick on Lelo’s post in particular an then imply that by posting it, Lelo was spreading rumor and disinformation. Wow, what a way to gain membership.
While writing this post, Aaron, a former metroblogger, left this great comment on my other post:
Sadly, other than a few negative blog posts, it’s not likely that OPB management will see any problem with what they’ve done. I have an idea however: everyone who normally is out there supporting OPB, next year when it’s time to renew, give them less money. Say, $25 less so if you normally give $100, give $75. If you normally give $50, halve that. Send them a note explaining why, and then give the other $25 to your favorite gay rights organization. Sadly, they’ve shown they don’t care about bloggers, but maybe if they see a financial impact, it’ll matter.
Nuff said. Thanks Aaron for putting it so succinctly. And a big shout out to you readers and bloggers – you have indeed made an impact and forced an organization as big as OPB to change a decision. Way to go Lelo and Amy and Roey and everyone who worked on this. Viva la blogosphere!
I am sensing a slight case of over-reaction. I understand both sides though. Is it all that big of a deal? I guess so, not to me though.
“Is it all that big of a deal?”
The big deal to me is not the venue of the Ira Glass show; it’s that bloggers are shaking things up.
Not to blow my own horn (oh, okay, I’ll blow it loudly), but I’ve kick-started a debate about Portland Public Schools transfer policy over on my blog.
http://morehockeylesswar.org/blog/archive/2007/08/24/pps_divestment_by_neighborhood_illustrated/
It’s getting some media attention, and the attention of PPS administrators.
http://www.wweek.com/wwire/?p=9078
The point of all this is that when everybody can own a printing press, it changes the fundamental nature of democracy for the better.
The influence of corporate media is eroding. Bloggers are getting out in front of issues and traditional media outlets are forced to follow.
Nice to see this devolve into self-congratulation.
Brewcaster basically says: I’m not interested, but am interested enough to say it. And instead of telling him/her that supporting folks who discriminate is bad, you all start patting yourselves on the back for creating change.
ah, right
its all downhill from here….
@HIMSELF
best domain name evar.
I have a Maple Leafs sticker on the back of my truck. Last week a car drove past with some lady hanging out the passenger window yelling GOOO LEEEAAAFFFS!! Made me so happy and sad at the same time.
/sharing
I agree, the sense of self-congratulation here is really unseemly. At this rate it won’t be long before everyone hates blogs as much as the MSM, and it’s posts exactly like this one that will be the cause.
My “More Hockey Less War” bumper sticker mostly gets puzzled head shaking. You can’t expect most United Statesians to understand. When you find one who does, treat them like long-lost family.
To those who keep thinking my post is self congratulatory, it is not. I posted about this effort as news earlier in the week and am following up that post with the end result. I call that blogging.
dieselboi:
> To those who keep thinking my post is self
> congratulatory, it is not.
One only needs to reread what he wrote to know this claim is false. We’re not that stupid.
Hey DieselBoi, forget about it. I’m all about self-congratulation, especially when bloggers are getting so far out ahead of the corporate media on issues that matter to the community.
This is democracy, friends, and it’s working. We’re on the cusp of a new era, and if you don’t think that’s worth celebrating, crawl back under your rock and go back to bitching about how the “Boregonian” or “Weak Willy” don’t represent our values and concerns.
And best of all, if you don’t like what I blog about, or the persona I’ve created on the Web, go get your own “printing press” (for free!) and start your own blog. Ain’t it grand?
Thanks Dieselboi. I am a big fan of Ira Glass, OPB, Lelo and the rest of the left wing bloggers. You could not pay me to attend any event at the New Hope house of hate. Kudos to Lelo for bringing this up- I was shocked when I heard the ad on the radio and honestly wondered how this was going to fly. Discrimination is not to be commended and supported, especially in a city such as Portland. The blogosphere should be celebrating a victory against bigotry and intolerance. I will now attend the event gladly. Thanks for moving the event. The blogosphere has done a good thing. Congratulations are indeed in order.
well now soon I will have a “More Hockey Less War” sticker on my truck right beneath Leafs sticker.
@Kevin: Diesel’s congratulating everyone but himself, it seems.
And Himself’s congratulating Himself and everyone else.