Talk blasts U.S. policy,
major media ‘distortion’
Producers Journalists and
musicians converged this
weekend as part of a
weeklong peace conference
Jan Montry
Campus/Federal Politics Reporter
Independent media producer Amy
Goodman and investigative journalist
Dave Lindorff joined other peace ad
vocates over the weekend to speak out
against war and emphasize the impor
tance of alternative media. Hundreds
of students and community members
filled 150 Columbia on Friday and Sat
urday nights to hear the speakers.
The speakers were part of the
weeklong “Peace, Justice and Civil
Liberties Conference,” which fea
tured national speakers, workshops
and other anti-war activities.
On Friday, Goodman, who pro
duces a program called “Democracy
Now!” on Pacifica Radio, outlined
the importance of independent me
dia in times of war.
“You look at the Persian Gulf War
—1991; Westinghouse owned CBS;
General Electric owned NBC; West
inghouse, General Electric made
most of the parts for most of the
weapons in the Persian Gulf War,”
she said. “Is it any surprise that what
we saw on television was a military
hardware show?
“No; we need something different.
We need independent voices.”
Goodman also blasted the media’s
broadcast techniques — such as a
CNN anchorwoman covering herself
with ashes from the fallen World
Trade Center for dramatic effect—
and distortion of how people feel
about America invading Iraq.
“I believe right now, well over half
the population of this country is not
for the bombing of Iraq — not for a
U.S. invasion — and yet we hear the
Danielle Hickey Emerald
Folk musician Dave Lippman performs at a peace conference in 150 Columbia on
Saturday night Lippman's numbers included "The 12 Days of Bushmas."
opposite,” she said.
A recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup
poll shows 59 percent of Americans
“generally” support war in Iraq.
Besides accusing major press
outlets of distortion and drama tac
tics, Goodman also blamed them
for leaving out events she believes
should be disclosed, such as a re
cent car bombing in Yemen.
“We do have a way to get the word
out, and that is to take on the media in
the same way we take on other institu
tions in the government,” she said.
Lindorff also spoke on his experi
ences investigating the war on terror.
He told Saturday’s audience about
how he signed up for the Terrorist In
formation Prevention System, or
TIPS, which was a federal program
that encouraged Americans to report
suspected terrorists. Lindorff said
when he called the tip line provided
by U.S. Attorney General John
Ashcroft’s office, it turned out to be
the number for the show “America’s
Most Wanted.”
It was “one of those things when
you’re a journalist and you say, ‘Oh
God, this is great,”’ he said.
The weekend speeches were not
all talk, however.
Folk musician and political comedi
an Dave Lippman, who calls himself
the founder of the “national associa
tion of investigative songwriters,”
played guitar and sang comedic songs
Saturday about the USA PATRIOT Act
and the Bush administration.
The audience laughed and clapped
as Lippman played “The 12 Days of
Bushmas” and a song about the
World Court.
“How many nightclubs can you go
to and hear a song about the World
Court?” he said. “This is the best
nightclub in town, right here.”
Contact the senior news reporter
at janmontry@dailyemerald.com.
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PFC will examine
group statements
Student fees at work
The ASUO Programs Finance
Committee will hold a meeting today
from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the EMU
Board Room to review mission and
goal statements for new groups, as
well as for some existing groups who
have submitted a budget.
PFC members review the state
ments to ensure they are legally com
pliant. Each review will take about five
minutes and will be open to the public.
Mission and goal statements must
include an affirmative action state
ment ensuring that the group will not
discriminate, and a legal compliance
statement asserting the group’s com
pliance with state and federal guide
lines for fee-funded groups.
Group representatives are not re
quired to attend the hearing because
the PFG already has mission and goal
statements on file.
Should the PFG not accept a
statement, however, it will be tabled
until a hearing with the group can
be conducted.
—JanMontry
Mission and goals hearing schedules
for Monday evening
6:00 — Pre-Dental Club
6:10 -— Public Relations Student Society of America
6:25 — Muslim Student Association
6:30 — Philosophy Club
6:35 —Students of the Indian Subcontinent
6:40 — Oregon Marine Students Association
6:45 — Oregon Future Lawyers Association
6:50 — University Pit Crew
6:55 — Pocket Playhouse
7:15-Pacific Islands Club
7:20 — Oregon Law Students Public Interest Fund
7:2S—Minority Law Students’ Association
7:30 — Native American Law Students Association
7:35—Outlaws
7:40 — Quiz Bowl
7:45 ^Pre-Health
7:50 — Office of Student Advocacy
7:55 — Westmoreland Tenants’ Council
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Author & Artist Jan Eliot
Reading & Book Signing
Thursday, November 21
7:00 p.m. • Free
UO Bookstore
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More information online at uobookstore.com