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Rant Control and Censorship: Citizens Rant !! Hundreds of Mainers have sent protests about the firing of the humble farmer to MPBN. The rants were ignored.
IT IS HERE IN OUR MAINE VOTING CITIZENS' SECTION where you can read their NEWEST RANTS. From: *****d W *******,We also have an International Rant Section
just below our Mainers' Rants because here, at FreeThehumbleFarmer.com we believe that Maine Public Radio is in need of continuing education about what democracy is, why freedom of speech is essential to democracies and censorship is bad for
democracies. Please scroll to the bottom of this section to read our series of International Rants that describe the Holomodar, an act of genocide by the Soviet government in Ukraine which killed millions of people in the 1930's. It succeeded because the Soviet government enforced a strict and unwaivering censorship. Censorship kept the truth about that hidden and millions died. We try to educate MPBN that firing a radio host because he : *did Get Out the Vote Calls in 2006 for registered and unregistered voters, *refused to sign Guidelines forbidding talk of anything 'political' or 'controversial', *read a rant that began 'I don't care for war' that referred to the mastermind of the European genocide in the 1930's and 1940's, *read a letter from a viewer decrying taxcuts that eliminate humanitarian social programs, *read a rant that complained about searches of personal toiletries at airports that mentioned Mussolini, IS censorship. And what is very, very disturbing is that employees of MPBN had to sign those same Guidelines to have a job. No one said to them, "Hey, you live in the United States of America. You don't have to agree to that to get a job at a publicly funded radio station." No one. +++ June 9, 2008 To MPBN,
Owed to the Humble
Farmer I know a man with a fire place, where no metals he does forge. Where rolling hills and an open door, in a place he calls St. George. He has a sense of humor, that some say is dry as chalk, He loves his music and he loves his friends, my God he loves to talk! Little quips and entwined stories, of times not so long past, will get you almost e’rytime, if you don’t follow close and fast. We’d rant ‘bout shirts ‘n things wives buy us to wear, in public view against our will, Fight back?”, We wouldn’t dare! A friend a quarter century, on the airways of radio, ’til one day they Beck’n him and said that he must go. This broke my heart and angered me, My long time friend was silent How could I give to him who carelessly, threw away this talent. Time just keeps on passing And for a time before we go We want more time with Humble, upon our radio. L**** M**** L*******, ME My friendship goes back to when Humble was on Wednesday nights (1979), before his theme song was dubbed (for all intents and purposes) "inappropriate". I waited for that theme each Wednesday. It was like a bugle call that let us all know that Humble would be the next sound you heard. Just like a dose of medicine, I responded with a smile and anticipated of every story, biography, each quip and each letter read on the air. But someone decided the musical interlude could not stay, or perhaps thought it was best to jettison members too attached to one host who was popular, or as some would prefer, "endearing" for all of his time on MPR/MPBN. We, the former members of MPBN, know what was asked and we believe it to be unreasonable, especially when others so quickly moved to save their jobs. MPBN management knows what we ask, but as voters in an MPBN society, the people vote and management decides. By ignoring our pleas for reason, MPBN has decided it has enough money to ostracize who it wishes, even if it breaks long chains of dedicated support. I'm not totally stone deaf, for I can at least hear stations that don't judge me to be the opposition. All we ask it for Humble to return! That way we can see if anyone at MPBN is selectively deaf too! Most sincerely, L**** M**** Lewiston +++ I
can assure you they will not be getting a dime from the M household.
We barely listen to MPBN ever. When we want to catch Car Talk or
something we tune into NHPR because fortunately we’re close enough to
the border to have an alternative. We
are living in a fascist country. There is no doubt about it. Look at
how our state is being bullied about by the Dept. of Homeland Security
(how Orwellian is THAT name?) because we don’t want to comply with Real
I.D. (another Orwellian term). I’m sick to death of it all. And how
about HR 1955, I believe it is, that would make “home grown terrorists”
out of all of us that might exercise our freedom of speech or dare to
assemble in protest of anything? I don’t mean to get on a rant, but
what happened to you is simply an extremely local version of a national
problem with institutionalized fascism, and I’m sick to death of it.
And what about our foreign policy? Why will we not speak out against
China as the totalitarian government there tries to beat Tibetan monks
into submission? Well, because China owns us – they own us in a giant
trade deficit and they own us because Bushie keeps borrowing billions
from them to keep his sinking ship from going under entirely. And they
own us as our big corporations sponsor the Beijing Olympics and our
government would never want to threaten the profits of its biggest
corporate powers. ARRRRGGGGGHHHH!!!! I’ve
started going to protests – tax protests because I’m sick of funding a
war that should never have started, and civil liberty rallies too. I
do think the seeds of discontent are well sown in this country and
sooner or later there’s going to be a rebellion. Do
I sound like a danger to “homeland security”? I have resolved, by the
way, to start flying the Gadsden Flag as soon as the weather turns
pleasant enough not to rip or freeze it off my house. You may recall
that this flag is the bright yellow one with the rattlesnake that says
“Don’t Tread on Me.” I’ve resolved to fly this flag instead of my
beloved starts and stripes until I have my country back, until I feel
that my constitutional rights are fully intact and safeguarded, and
until we stop making war for frivolous reasons. I hope I can fly my
stars and stripes again in this lifetime, but I’m already almost 40 so
who knows. Hang in there – B
+++March 20, 2008 ++++
Shame! Shame on MPBN in general and Mr. Charles Beck in particular!
... my letter to the BDN got published in the Sat/Sun BDN. I am sending the following cover letter to NPR in Washington, having given up complaining to Maine Public Radio. J in A****** National Public Radio Dear sirs: Shock and awe! That's what I felt when I watched NOVA's special on the Tiananmen Square incident and, at pledge break, saw Charles Beck make a pitch for contributions. From what I have learned, it was MPBN's thin-skinned political mindset that prompted him to muzzle Maine humorist Robert Skoglund and ruin a 28 year run of "The humble Farmer" show on MPBN. Some facts came out in a recent Christian Science Monitor. It seems Mister Skoglund had had the nerve to read on the air an entry from an encyclopedia on the subject, "fascism," with emphasis on the rise of Mussolini in the 1920's. There were eerie parallels to the present American political scene which Mr. Beck found insulting to himself and other .... I am enclosing a copy of my letter to the Bangor Daily News, published today: I wrote MPBN and suggested they put a disclaimer in front of Mr. Skoglund's show as is done before the 1 PM community forum shows. MPBN never replied. Perhaps MPBN was too self-righteous to see the enormity of his appearing in the middle of a program in which a desperate, paranoid and repressive Chinese government attempts to strip away the human rights of its citizens to protest and to express themselves, rights that real Americans should cherish. On the other hand perhaps he was fully aware of that irony and relished every moment of it, thinking that nobody in the audience would see his hypocrisy. If so, he was wrong and I am sure I'm not the only one who saw it. Later in the week another pledge break interrupted a lovely two hour American ballroom dance competition. The woman who was cheerleading the fund drive, promoting a news program on MPBN, commented, "There's more than one side to every story and you deserve to hear them all." Maybe it's a good thing Mr. Beck, the Torquemada of Public Radio, wasn't on TV that evening: he might have choked on such a hypocritical platitude. Shame! Shame on MPBN in general and Mr. Charles Beck in particular! J in Addison +++ THESE COMMENTs FROM A NEW YORKER...OPERA SINGER...THOUGHT YOU WOULD FIND OF INTEREST Subject: Fw: Opera On Public Television? Not Here. Not Now. For whatever reason, Maine PBS continues to sink to the bottom of the PBS pile. Once opera, Great Performances, Live from Lincoln Center, etc. were actually shown in the announced PBS time slots. Sadly, this no longer seems to be the case. I've dropped Maine PBS from receiving any contributions. I want, in fact, to ************. (Maybe then **********************nah.) Last season when one of the Met HD telecasts was to occur, the local affiliate decided not to go with it. When I complained, I was offered an answer that Thursday night is local television night, e.g., all Maine-produced programming. I'm paraphrasing here, but the message was clear: "We will not abandon our locally produced shows which Mainers clearly prefer to whatever other offerings PBS may be presenting Thursday night, whether it's Great Performances or The Metropolitan Opera. Well, this isn't quite true on several levels. First, the airing of the Met presentation occurred in the summer, when the locally produced shows were both repeats. One of the shows is actually produced and stars a good friend of mine, who was out of the country and that night was the FOURTH time that episode had aired. (That friend also happens to be an opera fan). Second, the local shows are only two 30 minute shows and last only from 8-9 p.m. Also, for several weeks each Spring (it's coming soon) they interrupt their already crappy scheduled programming at 3:00 p.m. EVERY DAY for their godawful Maine Auction which runs until after midnight! Literally, there is NO evening programming at all, and it's just ***** awful the junk they hawk. Embarassing. Also, they will gladly obliterate the schedule for the Maine Principal's Association Annual High School Basketball Tournament, a show screaming for community cable network airing if ever there was. In fact, it does air on a local community cable channel as well, so . . . What's even more shocking is how well opera does here in the State. Nearly every performance I attend is sold out; the Met HD cinemacasts have sold out every performance, almost all of them requiring additional theatres to accommodate ticket sales. After a number of complaints (evidently) they decided to present several of last year's Met HD operas - but made the ridiculous decision to air them, but only on their HD affiliate channel and on SATURDAY AFTERNOONS DURING THE LIVE MET RADIO BROADCASTS! Brilliant. This season they aired Hansel & Gretel, but have decided not to show the rest. Remarkable. 12 of their 17 daily hours of programming is children's television: Clifford the Big Red Dog, Caliou, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, Curious George, Arthur . . . Meanwhile we get Eric Clapton Crossroads, Three Mo Tenors, Andrea Boccelli in the Desert, Andrea Bocelli in Rome, Andrea Bocelli in Outer Space, some wretched pop boys choir (ghastly!), Il Divo, some stinking hash called the "Opera Band", James Taylor, James Taylor in Concert, A Tribute to James Taylor, Martina McBride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hayley Who Ha, Josh Groban . . - had enough? Wait, there's plenty more **** where that came from, trust me! Of course, their radio station (MPBN) was the one who, several years ago - without ANY warning whatsoever, decided to drop the Met Radio Broadcasts - even as they continued to list them in the program guide! The following year, - after everyone I know in the world, including friends, and a number of listeners here who don't even live NEAR Maine - the broadcasts were back . . . but we only found that out by accident, since there was no announcement, advertising, etc., to inform those of us who had "left the fold" they'd brought them back. Then listening to the Meistersinger broadcast, my friends and I thought "okay, we'll give them money again" - only to have the broadcast stop during Act III and automatically switch to "All Things Considered." I am not ******* you. Poor, even idiotic decisions seem to abound and flourish with these people. I hereby nominate Maine Public Television for the WORST PBS affiliate in the nation. Pretty amazing when one considers that only a few years ago I was defending it as one of the very best. Sadly, it doesn't take long at all to completely destroy something. They could write the book. Oh, wait: they did. p. My name is S**** C**. I in B***, Maine. Dear humble,I ask here today that you amend LD 1993, the Bill to “Resolve, Establishing the Commission To Review the Accountability of State Cultural Agencies” to include Maine Public Broadcasting Network, which, as you know receives 2.25 million dollars in one “line item” in the Education budget. Specifically, this is a request that in Section 5 of the proposed LD1993, the words “Maine Public Broadcasting Network” be added after the words “Maine Historical Society” and that the words “State cultural agencies” be expanded to include the words “and other entities receiving General Fund monies that engage in “cultural activities.” The General Fund money received by MPBN is approved, passed and sanctioned by this Committee and surely it is within the job of this committee to amend this legislation to address concerns about accountability by MPBN for those funds.. Over several months of effort, it has become very clear that the accountability within Maine Government for how and where that 2.25 million dollars is spent by MPBN- or even within their responsibilities as a non-profit Public corporation within the State of Maine is sadly lacking. Yes, they have a Board of Trustees. However, in the recent past, that Board appears to be accountable to no one other than themselves. Only 2 of the 22 members are appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. The remaining 20 pick each other and there is no mechanism for careful scrutiny by the Maine legislators who are asked to approve that General Fund payment of 2.25 million dollars for budget decisions that are made within MPBN about what to do with that money. Yes, they publish their budget-after -the-fact. There appears to be no other level of scrutiny from the Legislators who approve that money. This is a government handout with no questions or strings attached. This is my question to you? What new strategies for accountability for that money can be developed? Today, I urge you to amend LD 1993 to include on this Commission MPBN as a receipient of State funds that engages in “cultural endeavors” similar to that provided by the other entities described as cultural agencies. You may say ,we can’t include investigation of that “line item” called “Maine Public Broadcasting Network” within this Commission’s work because this is a Commission about “cultural service agencies.” I suggest to you that commissions cost money to assemble because the State has to pay people to get to the meetings and for the meetings to be run. Inclusion of a recipient of 2.25 million dollars from Maine Government whose accountability to Mainers is questionable- is an efficient and practical use of the proposed Commission. We are facing a huge budget deficit. We do not need two commissions to look at accountability. Amending this bill to include the receiver of this 2.25 million dollars, MPBN will bring us all much closer to exercising government oversight in a responsible way. had been fired, in part, for being inappropriately “politicized” in his comedy and satire . LD 1993 can very well incorporate, through an amendment, new strategies for accountability by MPBN for that 2.25 million dollars. . MPBN is not a line item: It is a cultural entity generously supported by this Committee’s action, accountable - right now- to no one and very deft at passing the buck when they are called on a decision.. +++
Greetings,As a Maine native and full time tax paying resident, I am encouraging your committee to hold MPBN accountable for actions that can be described as, "not in the publics interest". I need not remind you that we are a poor but proud state.- a state that has always found comfort in being identified with free thinkers. Recent actions by senior staff at MPBN have been in flagrant disregard of that heritage. Indeed, a national embarrassment ! Their ritualistic plea to the government for their annual unquestioned stipend under the guise of a public service needs your close and critical attention given their philosophical departure and the acute problems of our state finances.. Sincerely D**** C***e ** M*********** Drive Portland, ME 04103 +++
Dear Senator Mitchell, I write this to state my support for efforts to amend LD 1993 to include MPBN under the oversight of the Education and Cultural Services Committee. This is specifically because of the peremptory firing of Robert Skoglund, and the termination of his fine program, "The Humble Farmer," because of his straight talking commentary's offensiveness to some in the MPBN management's idea of political correctness. As an MPBN member, I was affronted by the lack of responsiveness to widespread objection among MPBN listeners to this firing, which was in effect, heavy-handed-censorship of views which MPBN could have easily disclaimed, as they do the views expressed on many of their programs. I have written my objection to the management of MPBN, and received no response. I have since voted my objection by cancelling my long-running membership. Along with many others, my dollars no longer flow to directly support MPBN, specifically because of this issue. I am greatly chagrined and saddened by this development, as overall, I have valued MPBN, and have been proud to be a member and supporter. However, as a taxpayer, I still contribute to the moneys allocated by the State to MPBN, a contribution over which I have no control. As a taxpayer, I am disturbed by the lack of accountability required of MPBN to all of Maine's taxpayers. It is my hope that the proposed amendment will be accepted, in order that proper scrutiny of decisions by MPBN management such as the firing of Robert Skoglund may be made by the Committee (E&CS), and that the actions of the MPBN board of trustees and MPBN management fall under the purview of the Committee. Thank you for your attention to my concerns. Sincerely, B**** A****p Dedham, Maine +++
Dear Senator Mitchell, Senator Bowman, Senator Mills,
Representative Norton, Representative Finch, Representative Makas,
Representative Farrington, Representative Harlow, Representative
Sutherland, Representative Edgecomb, Representative McFadden,
Representative Muse and Representative StranqBurgess, Please support an amendment to LD 1993 to include MPBN. Any organization receiving state funding should be held accountable. Period. The humble farmer should still be on the air (great music and commentary) as many Maine citizens have requested. The article below is disturbing [see: To the editors of Current.org] - independent journalistic approach? Is that based on Mr. Beck's opinion/approval? Sincerely, R** Du*** 5** Ol** B**** Rd Brunswick, ME 04011 ++ Last Friday night I turned the car radio on and heard MPBN's 7 PM program for the first time in a very long while. Imagine my surprise to discover that they are airing a show called "Ideas" in that hour that not only is preceded and followed by a disclaimer as to its content not necessarily being the opinion of MPBN, its management or volunteers and might not be appropriate for children to hear, but is not even a music show at all! Then this week I listened in the morning and heard Garrison Keillor on his "Writer's Almanac" talking about Hitler, the Beer Hall Putsch and the burning of the Reichstag! Obviously, MPBN's board feels there is no need to maintain even a facade of adhering to the policies that were cited in justifying your removal from the air. The contributions of corporate sponsors are clearly enough to satisfy the financial requirements of MPBN, else they'd never so blatantly contradict their own previous statements about your removal for fear they would alienate their everyday citizen donors. Mike ++ hi humbleShutting off MPBN Times Record Brunswick, Maine January 28, 2008 letters@TimesRecord.Com 01/28/2008 To the editor: Blind feuds are a ridiculous way to live a life and expect the esteem of the community. When the Maine Public Broadcasting Network decided to make an issue of what had not been an issue in my 28 (minus some military years) years of listening to Maine Public Radio, most listeners did not know that Charles Beck had previously singled out the Humble Farmer by deleting his opening theme. It was my Wednesday evening audio landmark. MPBN had annual polls in "Airplay" and changes derived from the results, yet when the public demands a program, Mr. Beck just "stays the course!" and rejects the Humble Farmer and the listening audience. Susan Cook ("Bottom feeders, speak the truth to power," local commentary, Jan. 8) is right that there are options to MPBN and deaf management. My MPBN listening time has decreased by about 80 percent and my contributions to all pledge drives each year to zero, including matching funds and removal from my estate plan. Others, I am sure, did likewise. If Mr. Beck fell into the water, one of the first hands to reach for him would be Humble's. The only question that remains is: Would Beck be man enough to reach back to take his hand? La**y Ma**s, Lewiston ++ +++ Charles Beck very often reminds people that "we know that you do have choices" during fund drives. I have exercised many of the choices outlined in Susan's letter plus one other; low power FM. Low power FM is back to the future in the sense that there were times before FM was owned by mega-corps with political agendas. MPBN is similar to the mega-corp mentality if you think of it as government sponsored as opposed to publically funded broadcasting; a distinction that I had not considered before the demise of the Humble Farmer radio hour. Susan Cook appears to suggest that the $2.5 million that MPBN receives each year could be better spent. I agree. One other thing that is evident; The Humble Farmer has touched a lot of lives and he is well loved for his effort. Charles Beck has touched lives. Can he also claim love and friendship ? k g-b Cape Elizabeth, Maine 04107 +++ ++ Let me put my 2 cents in. I have listened to the humble farmer's show for years and been a loyal supporter of and contributor to Maine Public Radio. While I will continue to listen to their news, jazz, and opera programming, I can no longer contribute financially to the station until they rectify the mistake they made by giving him the boot. And it's not just the deplorable fact that they tried to gag him as they did when they issued him an ultimatum to shut up. So much for free speech! That's bad enough. Apparently they think music and satirical story telling don't mix. But it's pure hypocrisy to claim that the humble farmer was entitled to entertain with music but not with the commentary that had been a mainstay of his show for years, and then, at the same time, to air The Capitol Steps, a musical and political satire review, and even wheel them out for MPBN fundraising events. This is an assault on both free speech and the public trust. Far worse was the hypocrisy and the shoddy behaviour that followed the humble farmer's dismissal, after they unceremoniously gave him the bum's rush. No curtain call, not even the courtesy of letting the listening public know he wasn't part of the lineup anymore. They just erased him from the schedule without a word. Nothing! And then the management has the gall to appeal to the listeners to support "all the programs that you've come to love and depend on". Hah! There's a serious cognitive disconnect here. And that's where the buck stops. While I value the valuable programming we get from NPBN, I am not going to subsidize the station until they give the humble farmer the decency of, at the very least, a proper burial. Anything less is uncivilized. D.W. Phi**s*u**, Maine December 22, 2007 ++ To: Membership@mpbn.net Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 4:53 PM Subject: Re: Mr. & Mrs. **r*in, please renew your radio membership Support for MPBN! Hopefully this will reach a live person so that you'll know why we've made the decision to discontinue membership in MPBN. One of the main reasons we supported MPBN was the wonderful Friday evening jazz show hosted by Robert Skogland, the "Humble Farmer" and we were very disappointed you couldn't work things out amicably w/ him.Henceforth, until we hear that the Humble Farmer is back on the air, we are unwilling to support the station w/ any donations. Thank you. Regards, D** Ma*t**, C**, G** 5*7 L*** Street B***tol, ** 0***2 (***)7*4-85** D*n@O**Mil**op*.c** Greetings! Call 207-287-2500 to talk to your legislator about this!No, you haven't been drafted (might be dating myself here) but I do want to enlist you in the campaign to Free The humble Farmer! Who? On one foot (that means "quickly"), The humble Farmer is a radio program, played on Maine Public Radio for nearly 30 years, which was removed from the air because the program's host holds personal positions that bother the top ranks of the MPBN brass, President Jim Dowe and Charles Beck, who directs radio programming. I am not asking you to like either Robert Skoglund, the show's host, or to like his program. That's not the issue. Skoglund was booted off the air because he wouldn't sign a document, created to muzzle him, which amounts to simple and unadulterated censorship. Plenty of programs that MPBN plays have hosts with points of view far more extreme than Skoglund's but oddly, Beck and Dowe didn't think they could force Garrison Keillor to sign their paper... As MPBN gears up for it's Fall Membership Drive, I am writing to you to keep your wallets in your pockets and resist any urge you might have to support MPBN financially. We've been members for more than 20 years and when the captains of our public radio station stop playing at being tin pot dictators, I expect we'll be members again. That will be after Skoglund has his overdue apology and his radio show back. Thanks, Mike ++ TO: ++James Dowe President and Chief Executive Officer Maine Public Broadcasting Network 1450 Lisbon Street Lewiston, ME 04240 April 14, 2007 Dear Mr. Dowe, I write to request a copy of the ethical guidelines that members of the MPBN Board of Trustee are asked to follow upon their appointment as trustees. I assume that like so many at MPBN, your Board members are volunteers. One of the Board members commented as h/she came in on Thursday that “the meeting was worth the drive up”, which certainly sounds like an unpaid volunteer to me! Perhaps you might clarify that. I think we would all agree that there are many in the MPBN audience who would always find the Board meetings “worth the drive” whether they were compensated or not. I do believe that Robert Skoglund’s talents are a gift that many, from all walks of life, appreciate. I agree with all those who spoke who identified the muffling, muzzling and stifling of Mr. Skoglund as political censorship. I described at least one political event that the very private Mr. Skoglund agreed to come to in October 2006 that became oddly coincident with the onset of this “muffling” It is with great respect and sincerity that I restate my comment that appointed Board members are given the task of honoring and protecting the Public Interest, not co-opting it. Maine is a very small place and it is especially important that the organizational structures within MPBN for acting on Audience comments be effective. A significant frustration of those who have written to MPBN about Mr. Skoglund’s censorship since November 2006, has been the absence of any acknowledgement. In fact, when I called to ask when “The Humble Farmer” would be returned to its usual 7:00pm time, the woman who answered the phone told me, “It’s not changing.” That is a concern from an organization that repeatedly turns to the public for financial support. I think everyone in the United States is weary of personal influence peddling as a way of overriding the decision-making process within organizations. Anyone can pick a phone and call a friend of a friend of a friend who holds an appointment on a Board and try to force a decision that more appropriately would be given a thorough public vetting before any action was taken. This is a great opportunity for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network Board of Trustees to take a good look at some very important issues related to management. Those that come to mind certainly include valuing the Creative Talent that provides programming content, holding Board members accountable to ethical standards expected in any corporation, and resisting the disturbing trend in this country to trade personal influence acquired through appointment to a Corporate Board as if one were sharing freshly-baked cookies with a neighbor. Thanks again for allowing the supporters of Robert Skoglund “The humble Farmer” to address the Board of Trustees. Sincerely, A 'humble' Advocate Cc: Ray Routhier Portland Press Herald Art Mayers Courier Gazette FreeThehumbleFarmer@localnet.com Governor John BaldacciBath, Me 04530 State House Station # 1 Augusta, Maine Dear Cc: Congressman Tom Allen. Congressman Mike Michaud, Attorney General Steven Rowe, Senate President Beth Edmonds and Speaker of the House Glenn Cummings Dear Governor Baldacci: In light of the extraordinary disregard by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network of citizens’ freedom of expression, over 100 Maine taxpayers have joined together to ask that you immediately introduce legislation to the current session of the Maine Legislature to suspend all Maine government funding to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network Chief Executive Officer James Dowe has fired Robert Skoglund, The humble Farmer. This action is an arrogant abandonment and neglect of cherished freedoms: the right to free speech and the right to free expression. The State of Maine should not provide funds for organizations that do not honor fundamental civil liberties, including the right to free speech. We further ask that this suspension be in place until the Maine Public Broadcasting Network management rescinds the politically motivated censorship imposed on Robert Skoglund, The humble Farmer and other MPBN creative talent through the station’s demand that performers sign guidelines restricting statements about a wide range of topics, including those considered political or controversial. Congressman Tom Allen, Congressman Mike Michaud, Attorney General Steven Rowe, Speaker of the Maine House Glenn Cummings and President of the Maine Senate Beth Edmonds have also received copies of this letter. Please acknowledge and respect the wishes of Maine people who collectively and individually support this request for suspension of support for MPBN. Thank you. Sincerely, ****n **** *1* *****ngt** *t.**th, M* 0***0 K*t** H*f*m*nn T*k** *** *nt*rv*l* R**d N*w Gl**c**t*r, M* 0*2*0 207-72*-**1* D*v*d *. W**r* 2*1 P*n* H*ll R**d C*p* N*dd*ck, M* 0**02 207 *0* 1*7* D**n* K*rn ** B** V**w Dr*v* *t**b*n, M* 0***0 207 ***-1**2 T*m*th* Rh** ** C*l* *t. ***th P*rtl*nd, M* 0*10* 207-7**-***0 *m* T*jd*r* 102* J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck 207-72*-71** *t*ph*n R. Br*z*ll*r 2** *k*nk H*ll L**, M* 0**** 207 7** *1*2 *r*c M*ch*l**n *v*tt* B**ch*rd *0 M*rbl* *v*. W*ld*b*r*, M* 0**72 207-**2-**** M*rt M*th*r *02 B*ld H*ll Rd. W*ll*, M* 0*0*0 ***-7177 Gl*nn *v*r* 7* T*mb*r C*v* R**d L*b*c (Tr**c*tt) M**n* 0***2 *t*v* B**ch 100 B*ck Br**nt Rd B*ckf**ld M* 0*220 207-***-20** R*ck Wh*l*n *1* *lf*rd L*k* R**d H*p*, M**n* 0***7 t*l*ph*n* 207-7**-*22*. C*r*l* Wh*l*n *1* *lf*rd L*k* R**d H*p*, M**n* 0***7 t*l*ph*n* 207-7**-*22*. N*nc* *. C*mpb*ll p* b*x *20 V*n*lh*v*n 0**** 207 *** 2070 B*ll M**r* 22* *ld P*rtl*nd Rd. Br*n*w*ck,M**n* 0*011 72*-1*** *t*v*n **dm*n 22 Bl*ck P**nt R**d ** *c*rb*r**gh, M* 0*07* J*n*c* *tr**t P* B*x 20* H*ll* C*v*, M**n* 0**** 207 2** *0*2 Fr*d*r*c* M*lch*r P. *. B*x *** 2* B*k*r *tr**t, B*ngh*m, M**n* 0**20 Ch*ck H*d*k ** Cl*rk F*ll* Rd *rr*ngt*n, M* 0**7* 207-*2*-*7*7 R*ck *l*x*nd*r P* B*x 1*2* Bl** H*ll, M* 0**1* 207-*7*-*7** *l*x*nd*r * R*m*n* P* B*x **7 * M*rr***n L*n* *g*nq**t, M* 0**07-0**7 207-***-2**2 *t*ph*n **lln*r-**w**r * Br**rw**d dr*v* *pt * B*dd*f*rd,M*. T*m*th* *. Rh** P*bl**h*r/*d*t*r-*n-Ch**f M*v**M*k*r M*g*z*n* ***t*r R*v*r P*ct*r** 121 F*lt*n *t., *th Fl. N*w **rk, N* 100** R*v. D**gl** W*rr*n Dr*wn P.*. B*x *21, B*ngh*m, M* 0**20 207-*72-***0 L* B***r, P* B*x ** Br*n*w*ck, M* 0*011 207-72*-0**1 M*m* M*rch*nt, MPBN **pp*rt*r **nc* 1*** ** Cl*rk F*ll* Rd *rr*ngt*n M* *2*-*7*7 Cl*ft*n B*ll*rd *10 W*l** Pt **kl*nd, M* 0**** C*ll #: 20*-*1*-1*** P**l N*kr**h** ****c**t* Pr*f****r *f Ph***c* *n*v*r**t* *f ***th*rn M**n* Th*m** H. M**r* *** P.*. B*x 22 B*ngh*m, M**n* 0**20-0022 R***d*nc*: *2* M**n *tr**t, *pt. 1* T*l.: (207)-*72-**7* N*ch*l** Kn*b*l *** R*dg* R**d Bw*d**nh*m, M**n* 0*00* 207-**7-01*7 M*ch**l *. *t*pl** P.*. B*x *2* W*nt*rp*rt M* 0**** 207-22*-*712 (h*m*) 207-2**-71*1 (c*ll) *lg* *k*r*p*, PH.D. 11 **k Bl*ff Rd. K*nn*b*nk, M* 0*0** 207-***-**7* **r* H*tchk*** 2* P*tch*r R**d W*ld*b*r*, M**n* 0**72 207-**2-*1** Br*c* K*nn*tt 12** W**t **d* R**d N*rth C*nw** NH 0***0 *0*-**7-2**** *bb** McM*ll*n 21 C*rv*r F**ld Rd H*rb*r**d*, M* 0***2 207 *2* *022 M*tth*w **l*m*n *ch*ltz P* B*x 112*, 2* M**n* *tr**t K*nn*b*nkp*rt, M* 0*0** 207-221-***0 T*m F*lc*gl** P**l* F*lc*gl** ** Wh*rf R**d H*rp*w*ll, M* 0*07* 207-721-**7* L*n L*w** 1*0 W. W**h*ngt*n rd. W**h*ngt*n, M* 0**7* ***-2*7* *l*c* M***r * *ch**n*r R*dg* Rd. B*th, M* 0***0 207****217 J*ck G*nd*l* 22* C*v*ll R**d F**rf**ld, M* 0***7 207-***-**0* Chr** B*ck*v**rt P* B*x 12 N*w Gl**c**t*r, M* 0*2*0 207-*2*-**0* R*b*rt * R*g*t P.*. B*x 101 N*bl*b*r*, M* 0**** B*lv* *nn Pr*cl L*w** C. Pr*cl 12* *h**p*c*t R**d *ln*, M**n* 0**** 207-**2-**07 Br*c* R. W*ll**m* *n*t * 10* Th* *v*n**, *c**n Gr*v*, V*ct*r**. *22*. ***TR*L**. Ph*n* N*mb*r: +*1-*2*-*71-*1* F*rm*rl* *f 1* P*r** *tr**t, N*rw**, M*. 0*2**-***2 L**r* M*r**n P* b*x 20** 12* C*nt*r *tr**t W*lf*b*r*, NH 0**** D*n**l *v*n*r ** W**d* R**d B*lf**t, M* 0**1* 207-***-**7* Br*nd* N*l**n *0* W**h*ngt*n *t B*th, M* 0***0 207 ***-*0** C.W. L*K*M*N HCR** B*X ** M*DW** , M**N* 0***0 207 7**-**0* *ll*n P**** ** **lm*n F*ll* R**d, H*ll**, M**n* 207 *2*-**20 V**l*t P**** ** **lm*n F*ll* R**d, H*ll**, M**n* 207 *2*-**20 *rth*r H*rv**, 11*7 M**n *t H*rtf*rd, M**n* 0*220 *** 2**0 J*ffr** * *m*th 1*1 N*rth *t #*02 P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 207-***-0*07 H*rr* J. B*nn*tt **2 M**n *t. N*rw**, M* 0*2** 207-7**-*22* *c*tt *w*ng 7* *. R*chl*nd *t *. P*rtl*nd, M* 0*10* 207-7**-**20 P**l *h*r*d*n *7 D*ck** H*ll R**d M*nr**, M* 0***1-*7*1 207-*2*-*2** F*rr**t B*rn** 2** B*ng*r *t., H**lt*n, M* 0*7*0 *nn B*rn** 2** B*ng*r *t., H**lt*n, M* 0*7*0 Mr*. D*n *t*rl*ng R**m*nd B*x **0, M*nt*c*ll*, M* 0*7*0 *r** **ch*nl**b *1* W*ld*b*r* Rd. W**h*ngt*n, M* 0**7* 207-***-2*2* R*ch M***r 211 B*l*tr*dg* R**d C*r*nn*, M* 0**2* 27*-**** B*rb*r* *m** 270 L*nt Rd Br*n*w*ck, M* 0*011 207 721 *7*2 Ch*rl** P*tt*gr*w 2** B**ch Rd *l**t , M* 0**0* 207-***-0**7 *BH*dgd*n p.*. B*x *** B*th*l, M* Gr*g*r* *. McC*ll**gh *tt*rn** *t L*w 107* M**n *tr**t, P.*. B*x *10, **nf*rd M* 0*07*-0*10 W*lt*r H*lm*n J*n* *. P**** 10* L*wr*nc* R**d Gr**, M**n* 0*0** T*l. *2*-*0** M*ch**l G. M*d*rn * *ld ***t *c*t**t* rd. **RK M* *** *1*0 L*rz F. N**l**n *2 H**w*th* Tr. P.*. B*x **0 ***t B**thb**, * 0**** M*rk B*ldw*n *0 Cr*** R**d **rr* M* 0**** **7 *700 d*** P*t*r M. H*lt*n 21 T*rn*r *tr**t Pr**q** **l* M* 0*7** ph*n* 207-7**-**** c*ll 207-227-0*** K*r*n H*m*lt*n 2* V**p*r *t #* P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 207-*71-*72* *t*v*n Gr*v*rm*n **7 *lmw**d Rd. P*wn*l, M**n* 0*0** ***-22** M*ch**l B Th*rn* 1* H*gh V**w R**d, C*p* *l*z*b*th, M**n* 0*107 J*m** P Th*b*rg* MD 1* H*gh V**w R**d C*p* *l*z*b*th, M**n* 0*107 N*th*n**l T Th*rn* 1* H*gh V**w R**d C*p* *l*z*b*th M**n* 0*107 M*ch**l C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 R*ch*l C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 M*rt*n C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 L**** C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 P*tr*ck C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 W*ll**m C*nn*ll* 102 J*rd*n *v*n** Br*n*w*ck, M**n* 0*011 j*m** pr*v*nz*n* 17 l*nc*ln *t. b*dd*f*rd, m* 0*00* 207 **1.*02* D**gl** G*ldh*r*ch 2* Cr*w P**nt L*n* Tr*v*tt, M* 0**71 207-***-7*1* *h*r*n G*ldh*r*ch 2* Cr*w P**nt L*n* Tr*v*tt, M* 0**71 207-***-7*1* R***l*nd R. W*ldr*n P* B*x 17* N*rth V****lb*r* M* 0***2 ph*n* (207) *72-*072 G*r* H*gg*nb*tt*m P*rtl*nd R** D*v*l *0* *ld B*th R**d Br*n*w*ck, M* 0*011 207.**7.*0** M*tth*w K. Cl*rk* 2* **ff*lk *t #* R*ckl*nd M* 0***1 ***-**** P*t*r B. J*hn**n ** M*rk*t *tr**t, #211 P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 *7*-*7*-1**0 *ll**t R*b*n**n p* b*x 2*2 *c*rb*r**gh, M* 0*070 M*r* *. P*r**r* 1** W**h*ngt*n *v*n** P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 (207) 7*0-*2** *t*ph*n R**n 2*7 l**k** rd L*dl*w, M* 0*7*0 L*rr* W. M**** L*w**t*n, M* K*thl**n L*wl*r C*rl**l* L*nd*l 20* R*dm*n R**d W*lm*ngt*n, D* 1**0* (*02)7*2-**** R*ck Gr*n**r 1* P**rl *tr**t L*w**t*n,M**n* 0*2*0 207-7*0-**2* J*hn R**ll* 1** M*nt**th R**d Br*dg*w*t*r, M*. 0*7** 207 *2*-71*1 *l*z*b*th M*ll*r *** P*r** H*ll R**d P* B*x 1** ***th P*r**, M* 0*2*1 (207) **0-***0 J* L*nd*** 1*0 R*v*r R**d T*n*nt* H*rb*r, M* 0***0 H-*72-*17* R*d* *m*th 2* W*l**n *tr**t T*p*h*m, M* 0*0** T*l. 72*-**** gl*n *ll*n *0* l*g**n p*rk rd. w*nd**r, m* 0**** *** *ll*n * h*gh**v*n dr*v* w*nd**r, m* 0**** b*ll wh*tm*n t*rn*r, m* ****n G*ll**p** 1** M*nt**th R**d Br*dg*w*t*r, M*. 0*7** 207 *2*-71*1 Gr*nt *dm*nd* *0* W M**n *t *rb*n*, *L *1*01 217 2** 27** L**r** M*l**k** 1*202 ***l** Dr*v* M*nch*c*, TX 7***2 *12-***-2*** P*tt* K*tch*n R*ckp*rt, M**n* 0**** **ndr* J*hn**n *** H*gh *tr**t B*th, M* 0***0 207**2**71 *l C*r*tt* *** H*gh *tr**t B*th, M* 0***0 207**2**71 M*rk B*ll P*l*t C*rcl* N*bl*b*r*, M* 0**** K*m*l* H*hn 11* Gr*nt *t P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 (207)712-7*** K*nn*th H*hn 11* Gr*nt *t. P*rtl*nd, M* 0*101 (207)712-7*** T*m Wh*tm*r 1*2 T*nk L*k* R**d **ll*v*n, M**n* 0**** 207-*22-*17* L*nn Wh*tm*r 1*2 T*nk L*k* R**d **ll*v*n, M**n* 0**** 207-*22-*17* J*hn Cl*rk P* B*x 27*, B*** H*rb*r M* 0**** 2**-**77 J*hn *n*d*r P* B*x *** Fr**b*rg, M* 0*0*7 (207) *** 7*2* J**n H** Br**ht *2*2 K****b*c Rd. D*xm*nt, M*. 0***2 207-2**-*22* D*v*d Br**h* *2*2 K****b*c Rd. D*xm*nt, M*. 0***2 207-2**-*22* R*ck Pr*** *t*t**n M*n*g*r B**thb** R*g**n C****n*t* T*l******n P* B*x *00 B**thb** H*rb*r, M* 0**** 207-***-*022 Br*dg*t *. G*hrl*ng 1* W**t Pl****nt *tr**t **kl*nd, M**n* 0**** *r: 207-***-***2 K**th *. L**v*tt *2 ***th R**d R**df**ld, M* 0**** 207-***-**** N*nc* H. L**v*tt *2 ***th R**d, R**df**ld, M* 0**** 207-***-**** T*d K*hn 10* D*nn R**d N*rw**, M* 0*2** T*l 207-*27-2*1* M*rk ***ng*r *1* **mm*t *tr**t P*rtl*nd, M**n* 0*10* *l*v*r **lm*tz P* B*x ** *t*n*h*m, M* 0*2*1 207.**0.7**7 J**n *ll*n *17 1*th *v*n**, ***th **rf**d* B**ch, *C 2**7* Fr*d P*rtn** **2 *h*k*r Rd. C*nt*rb*r* NH 0*22* *0* 2*7 7**1 *v* G*** P*tt*f**ld, NH M*ch**l Pr*tt P*tt*f**ld, NH J*d*th L*ng, B*x 1**2 (*07 M**n *t.), **g H*rb*r, N* 11*** (**172*-02*7) J*hn C C*rd* 1* *ll*n *tr**t M*d***n, *L **7** 2**-**1-7**7 Ch*t ***k* D*, F*C*FP c***k*@m**l.*n*.*d* Cl*n*c*l C**rd*n*t*r M* *t*t*w*d* *H*C ****c Pr*f *N*C*M D*pt. F*m M*d. *ff*c*- **0 N*ck Rd Ch*n* M* 0**** P**l W**t*n ** R*ft C*v* R**d Tr**c*tt, M* 0***2 C*v*h*wk@w*ldbl**.n*t 207 7**-**21 K*n Br*wn 1* *v** R**d C*p* *l*z*b*th, M**n* 0*107 207-7**-2*** C*ll 207-7**-7*01 H*m* ****n Bl**mf**ld P* B*x *0* W**t K*nn*b*nk, M* 0*0** M*tch Cr**b* 202 *.*. R**t* *n* #1*2 F*lm**th, M* 0*10* 207.*07.7**7 R*ck C**ghl*n 17 *ld ***th R**d ***th B*rw*ck, M**n* 0**0* (207) ***-*07* M*ch**l D*n*h** * *c**n *v*. C*p* *l*z*b*th, M*. 0*107 *hl*m*t **c**ll* 10*2 W*tt*n M*ll R**d W*rr*n, M**n* 0**** 27*-*0** R*ck G*ll**n 777 G*rd*n*r R**d J*ff*r**n, M*. 207 ***-***1 D*v*d M P*p*, 7* F*d**r *t. W**c****t M* 0**7* Ch*rl** B****tt * M*rt*n *v*. W*t*rv*ll*, M* 0**01 T*l* # 207 *72-**2* R*n R*****l C*c*l* R*****l P* B*x 27* *. G*rd*n*r, M* 0**** L*nd* *m*th ** H*rb'* Hw*. J*n**p*rt, M* **7-2*7* C*c*l* R*****l P* B*x 27* *. G*rd*n*r, M* 0**** P*gg* G*nn*n *7 M*d*w**k* Rd. P*lm*r* M* 0****-*0** 207-**1-1711 H*rb *d*m*, ** **k H*ll R**d, L*v*ll, M**n* 0*01* 207-*2*-2*07 H*w*rd M. F**lkn*r 1 R*ch*rd R**d G*rh*m, M* 0*0** T*l.: 207-***-*0** Gr*g*r* J. P*dg*r*k* *ll*n* *nd M*r** *2 K**l* Dr*v* *r*nd*l M**n* 0*0** 207 2** **20 *t**k* K. P*dg*r*k* *2 K**l* Dr*v* *r*nd*l M**n* 0*0** 207 2** **20 *nd* M*n*h*n *0 M**nt**n V**w Dr*v* *ll*w*rth, M* 0**0* 207-**7-**2* *h*r*n M*n*h*n *0 M**nt**n V**w Dr*v* *ll*w*rth, M* 0**0* 207-**7-**2* J*hn Ph*lbr*ck **2 Gr** Rd G*rh*m, M* 0*0** 207-***-127* -- R*b*k*h W**dw*rth 17 J*hn*t*n R**d R*ckp*rt, M* 0**** 207-2**-**** T*m W**dw*rth 17 J*hn*t*n R**d R*ckp*rt, M* 0**** 207-2**-**** N*rm*n B*n*n ** Br*wn* H**d L*ght R**d V*n*lh*v*n,M**n* 0**** ****n *tr*d* P**t*r* *** C*ngr*** *t. #*0* P*rtl*nd,M* 0*101 R*b*rt* B*tt P* B*x *1*0 P*rtl*nd M**n* 0*101 207-77*-222* **m**l G*th J*n*ll* G*th 27 L****ll* R**d B*rnh*m, M* 0**22 ***-*11* *t*v* *nd *l**n* p*k* 1*2 cr*wn p**nt r**d *tr*ff*rd, nh 0**** ***bh*n K*z** 1** **k H*ll R**d C*ndl*r, NC 2*71* *2* 77* *7** J*d*th l*ng, B*x 1**2, **g H*rb*r, N* 11*** D*v*d T*nn*r J*d* T*nn*r ** B*tt*rf**ld R**d G**ld*b*r*, M* 0**07 207-***-7*** P*t*r N*wk*rk *1* G*rl*nd R**d W*n*l*w, M* 0**01 207-*72-*002 M*rl* B*tt**ch P.*.B*x *** N*rr*dg*w*ck, M* 0***7 207 ***-**** R*ch*rd F*nl** *00 B*g R**d V****lb*r*, M* 0**** *2*-**71 *h*ll** H*w*rd 7*1 R*v*r**d* Dr*v* **g**t* M**n* 0***0 R*b*rt D*m*r* 1* Ch*rr* *tr**t G*rd*n*r, M**n* 0**** (207) *'m-*n-th*-b**k J**m* D’*rr*c* **2 M*rc*r Rd R*m*, M* 0**** **7-**1* J**n H*w*rd J**n* P*r***n *1 C*ngr*** *tr**t **g**t*, M* 0***0 (207) *22-0**0 J** M**dm*nt 170 B*rnt M**d*w R**d Br*wnf**ld M* 0*010 207-***-7712 K*thl**n McG** C**ldh* D***gn* *2 W*ld** Rd. B*wd**nh*m, M*. 0*00* 207-***-**** [H] L** H*l*t 27* *pr*ng *t. P*rtl*nd, M* 0*102 207-77*-2*** B*rr* D*ll** **ndr* D*ll** 2** **g**t* R**d W*n*l*w, M* 0**01 M*ch*ll* D*ll** 12 Cr*mm*tt *tr**t W*t*rv*ll*, M* 0**01 207-*72-7*** *t*ph*n M. N*ch*l* **2 B**thb** R**d *dg*c*mb, M* 0****-**0* 207 **0-***0 M*rth* J. Cl*rk* 2* **ff*lk *t, #*, R*ckl*nd M* 0***1 Gr*tch*n C*ff*, 1* Cl*r*nd*n *t R*ckl*nd, M* J*r*m* C*ff*, " " " 1* Cl*r*nd*n *t. R*ckl*nd, M* D**n* H, M****r ** L*b*rt* *nn Rd L*b*rt* M* 0**** P*t*r H*v*l*nd *1 M*pl* J**c* L*n* C**h*ng, M* 0**** L**n*l L*b**n * Bl*k* *t C*md*n M* 0**** M*r* *nn B**tw*ck 1** M**d*'* **l*nd Rd N*bl*b*r*, M*, 0**** L*z P*rp*l*tt 2* M**nt**n *t C*md*n M* 0**** *t*v* M*lch**k** 2* C*rt** *v* C*md*n M* 0**** C*rm*n L*v*rt* ** B**chw**d *t. Th*m**t*n M* 0***1 H*w*rd R Mc C*rtn** 1* M***l* R*dg* L*n* *wl* H**d M* 0*1** *t*nl* * L*v* P* B*x 2** T*n*nt* H*rb*r M*, 0***0 M*r* G**d P* B*x 1** 1**0 v*ll*g* R**d *m*thf**ld, M* 0**7* 207-***-***1 J*hn *n*d*r P* B*x *** Fr**b*rg, M* 0*0*7 (207) *** 7*2* ++ Dear Mike [see River Is Wide section], I tried to obtain info on [Legislature's 2008] hearing schedules so I could obtain the bill number if already assigned, but can not find it yet. My input will read as follows: "In this climate of ever increasing expenses, I am writing to ask that MAINE Public Broadcasting NOT be granted funding in the wake of the firing of Robert Skoglund, also known as the Humble Farmer who has been known for many years as one of MPBN's most important and longest running programs. While MPBN has expressed their opinion over many issues over the years as has Mr Skoglund, why is Humble NOW not permitted to speak, as if this constitutional right includes all but Mr Skoglund. I was at and spoke at the hearing MPBN held in Lewiston in the winter where all I heard speak, said only good of Humble's programs, but it seems that minds were made up before the meeting began. I have listened to Humble for most all of the 28 years I have been in Maine. From when I serviced medical equipment for the Navy from Cutler to Portsmouth out of Brunswick to when I service anesthesia equipment at most of Maine's hospitals to the drives home after a long day at National Semiconductor, Humble has ridden as my shotgun, keeping me company from the music box in my dashboard. The United States abandoned "loyalty pledges" in the 1970s, but MPBN has resurrected this document for one person only: Robert Skoglund. The pledge to play music and not speak makes me wonder if MPBN understands the wrong done and hurt they have caused to so many loyal listeners. After searching for any reasonable justification for his dismissal, I can find none, except perhaps, his 71+ years, or "age discrimination" in its rawest form and you can not let that go unaswered. Please withhold MPBN Funding!" For the common good! L**r*y Ma***, L**I*st*n ++ Will do, Mike. I too HAD been a public radio member for over 20 years. First MPBN wouldn't stand up to NPR when they unceremoniously fired Bob Edward. Then P*t*r Ne*ki*k ++ I do agree, but wonder what would happen to mpbn if government support were totally pulled. i'd hate to see the whole ship sunk. But, I do intend to not renew my financial support during this upcoming fund raiser. And I intend to call in at least a few times to say so, and to indicate that I will not contribute to the salaries of james dowe & charles beck. Long live Humblety! S**** Br****ler ++ This message has been sent to Ed Finch our rep. All donations to NPR have been canceled. M****n Sc****t ++ Right on! I already returned my renewal letter from MPBN with a comment regarding the humble scrawled across it in sharpie marker and no check. I can't remember when I started sending checks to support public broadcasting but it had to be when WCBB started putting "educational television" on the air. Of course, I'm "one of those" who listens to Amy Goodman (on W**G) so..... Happy trails; E*l**t R*bi*s*n ++ Sent to Rep. Bruce MacDonald and Sen. David Dow (Find your Maine Legislators' Contact information by calling 207-287-1500) Please vote against any state funding for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. It hurts to make such a request, but I must. This once-great broadcasting service has become a vehicle of censorship, having fired Robert Skoglund, The humble Farmer, for his refusal to sign a statement of conditions giving the management the right to control what he would say. Until Mr. Dowe, Mr. Beck and the board of MPBN come to terms with the concept of free speech, MPBN does not deserve public funding support. Thank you. L*rz N**lson E*st B*othb*y ++ Sent to MPBN October 9, 2007 I am deeply concerned for the sustainability of a broadcasting service that does not hold dear the value of free speech. Your mission statement includes the following: Ethical Standards – We maintain an unwavering commitment to fairness, transparency, tolerance, diversity, and accountability in everything we do. And yet, you canned the humble Farmer for alleged political statements and his refusal to sign your sham agreement to allow you to control everything he said. Have any of you ever read the First Amendment? —L*rz N*e*ls*n To: Charles Beck, Vice President for Radio Services MPBN Radio Membership Division Hey Chuck, I don't know what's going on there, but the membership people seem to be asleep at the wheel-- I've sent several messages, email and snail, saying that we wanted to cancel our membership and have asked that they please stop sending the MPBN magazine, but the magazine keeps coming and they just sent another renewal notice. Maybe you could walk over to their offices and, I don't know, maybe bash a gong a few times? Sound an air horn of the sort kept on boats to attract attention when sinking? We were sort of surprised not to see MPBN at the Common Ground Fair, but we had a very nice time listening to the humble Farmer. There was a very, very good turnout this year, I think 18,000 and change on Friday, and even more on Saturday. Altogether, more than 60,000 people came! Many with deep pockets. Odd than MPBN couldn't make it... You know, there is a way to restore order. A way to make things right. It's not that hard. MPBN could do it. You could make it happen. Support is what a public radio station wants, not tsuris. Look it up if you don't know what it means. Have a nice day. Mike C******y Br**sw*ick, ME ++ September 29, 2007 To: Judith Gardner MPBN Radio Membership Division 65 Texas Ave. Bangor, ME 04401 To Whom It May Concern: I recently received my membership renewal notice from
you. My membership expires in January, 2008. I have listened to Maine Public
Radio since I first spent time in the state of Maine, in the 1970s. I spend
more time listening to public radio in Maine than to any other media. I have
been a member of MPBN for several years. A few years ago you kindly made your
studio available to me for a satellite interview with Juan Williams for a
segment of Morning Edition that
he was producing, and I was grateful for that. Last March I was interviewed by
Jeannie Baron on Maine Things Considered.
I listen frequently to MPBN and over the years have felt a part of the public
radio community. And so I cannot renew my membership. After weighing
the considerable benefits that the Maine public and I receive from MPBN, my
desire that you continue to do all the good programming that you do, and the
many fine reasons to continue my support, against my feelings regarding your
treatment of Robert Skoglund, I find that I just cannot be a part of your
organization at this time. I do hope that you will try to make it right with
Skoglund, to apologize for the shabby way you have treated him, and to
recognize what he and his show have done for MPBN for nearly 30 years. I also
look forward to the possibility of renewing my membership in the future. Sincerely, Jeff T**** Cc: Charles Beck, James Dowe ++ When they [MPBN] came out with Experience- the glossy **g- I decided that they don't need my little bit. They have it in their hands to be of the people but they have obviously chosen to be of the corporate world. ++ M*** G**** P* B** *** 1*50 ******* Road S**********, ME 04*** ++ I would like to add my name to your petition. I am (was) a paying member of MPBN. First they were silent over the firing of Bob Edwards, now they censure the Humble Farmer and become the pabulum of political correctness. This is the Last Straw. I have demanded a refund. Free speech is at risk. Please include me in! P**** ********** 5*4 G****** R*** W**slow, ME 04*** ++ Would like to sign the legislative petition to cut funding for MPBN because of their censorship of Skogland M**** B******* P.O.Box 4** N*****gew**k, ME 04*** ++ Please re-instate the "humble farmer program on Friday evenings. It has long been enjoyed by many of my family and friends. We feel like this is a huge loss and you have made an enormous error. His program is typical of humor from our State of which we feel so proud... We feel that you are trying to take the personality away from our state and its citizens. This station is a public station and when you want to remove a program so valuable as this that the citizens should have a say. Is this not a free country?? B**** D**** and S***** D***** 2** A***sta R**d W**sl*w, ME 04*** ++ Add my name to those opposing the firing of Humble and the action of Charles Beck and James Dow.....they should be fired, not Humble. His show was a pleasure to thousands of Maine residents and visitors. R*** C******n 17 O** S***h R**d South B**w***, Maine 0**** ++ D**** M P**e, 73 F****al St. W*****set ME 04**8 Let Humble speak...Are you afraid to offend someone? How ridiculous! DP ++ Please add my name to the letter requesting review or suspension of public funds to aine Public Radio until they retract any form of restrictions on opinions voiced in a responsible manor. R*** G****** 7*7 G*****er RD J****son, ME. ++ I support any means to block the censure of The Humble Farmer's freedom of expression. Ch***** B******t 9 M***** Ave. W*********, ME 0**01 ++ I disagree with the MPBN (PBS) decision to take the action it did with 'The Humble Farmer'. For this and other reasons I shall drop my annual membership of Maine Public Radio...and Maine Public TV is not far behind!! Censorship is wrong. Let the listeners make their own decisions about programming. H***** M. F******* 1 R****** R*** G*****, ME 0403* ++ P**** G***** 97 M******** Rd. P*lmyra ME 04*** They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. - Benjamin Franklin ++ If it's not too late,please add my name, as an MPBN member, to your letter asking that state funds be withheld because of the censorship of the Humble Farmer. N****n B**** 4* B***** Head L**** Road V*******en,M***e 04**3 ++ I support Humble and Free Speech. I do not believe public funds should support Broadcasting which denies free speech. RETRIAL YES! S**** S***de P***ore 6*5 C***ress St. #**8 P**tland,ME 04**1 ++ Sight-unseen, D*vid and I are signing onto your letter to Gov. Baldacci, recommending a cut-off of state funding for MPBN, based on their "firing" Robert Skoglund, aka the humble Farmer, from his Friday night gig. J*** H** and D***d B***ht D**mo*, ME ++ Yes!! Sign me up [for the petition to suspend State funding to Maine Public Broadcasting]. For years, I have been griping about their ignoring their listeners' and viewers' opinions and desires. Please add my name to your list and keep me informed about how I may help. I live near the capital and would be willing to help provide a physical presence when it is needed. Thank you for all you do for the people of Maine! Sincerely, Br***** A. G***l**g Loyal Listener and Viewer of the Public Airways B****et A. G***l**g 15 W**t Pl****nt St**et *a*land, M**** 04*63 ++ Dear Humble - This is why I've dropped my MPBN membership, after being one of the Founding Members and supporting public TV and radio since the early 1970s, in Maine since 1982. One by one, every good program has been dropped, replaced with drivel like "car talk" and "Whadya know." Complaints have been answered with a claim that, basically, my tastes represent a minority of their listening audience. So be it - I've taken my ears and money elsewhere. I do wish you well - but doubt the petition will have much impact. They rarely do - decisions are announced and policymakers almost never look backwards to see if what they did was the right thing or not. – B** N***on, W**erv**le ++ It saddens me so much that MPBN's board cares so little, or understands so little, the meaning of freedom. It is just the last straw for me in what has happened to this once great country. M**t M***er 8*2 Ba** H**l Rd. W**ls, ME 04**0 ++ To whom it may concern, we have two names to add to the petition [to suspend all State funding to Maine Public Broadcasting]. K***** H**n 1** Gr**t St P**tl**d, ME 04**1 K****th H**n 1** Gr*** St. P**tl**d, ME 04**1 ++ Dear Humble, Please add our names to the petition to discontinue funding for Maine Public Radio.. R*** and C***** Wh*l*n, 414 Al**** L**e Road, H***, Maine 04*** Good luck, Rick and Carole Whelan ++ Sure, add me to the list. The interesting thing about this whole affair is that in the case of the perceived anti-Bush comment, I understand that Mr Bush was never mentioned. Bizaah, as they say here. Humble should have said that of course he was referring to Saddam in Gulf War I, in order to assist in shaping the "correct" set of perceptions. I think I'll spend more time listening to radio over the Internet, and less over the MPBN controlled air for now. St**** Sid**n 22 Bl**k P**nt R**d ** Sc**bor**gh, ME 040** ++ Sign me on to such a petition or complaint regarding the muzzling of TheHumbleFarmer. His unique style, entertainment, thought provoking commentary and format on the airways is sadly missed. Though I value the public broadcasting model, I know I will be withdrawing my future financial and volunteer support to MPBN due to this issue and the suspicion that this type of muzzling happens to others behind the scenes within that corporation. Sincerely, Ch*** H**ek 69 Cl*** Fa**s Rd Or****ton, ME 04*** ++ Gr*** E***nds 6* W M**n St U****a, IL 6***1 I am shocked to hear this nonsense regarding removing the Humble Farmer from public radio. Robert Skoglund is a national treasure, and as such we should count ourselves lucky to have him on the air. As I understand it, public radio exists just for this kind of show. So if MPBN won't have Robert one wonders, what would they have instead? Sincerely, G**** E****** ++ Sign me up for the Petition to State Funding to Maine Public Broadcasting Network. Th***s H. M***e III P.O. Box ** Bi**ha*, Maine 04***-00** ++ The action taken by MPBN is reprehensible and indefensible. This country is steadily heading down the path of eventual dictatorship. Parallels can be drawn with the end of the Roman Republic. I would sign a petition to suspend funding for Maine Public Radio if MPBN does not revoke its censorship of the Humble Farmer. Their censorship of him is illegal and unconstitutional. Sincerely, P*** N***osis Associate Professor of P*ys**s U********* of S******n Maine ++ i think mpbn radios funding should be removed until some of the more pigheaded managment is replaced by more reasonable people. S** a**en * hog heaven dr. w******, me 04*** ++ if fascists have taken over mpbn radio i think funding should be taken away from them until a democratic freedom orientated managment can be installed. sign me up! **** a*len 309 l****n p*** rd. w*ndsor, me 04*** ++ Dear Governor Baldacci, Seeing that "The Humble Farmer" has been removed from the MPBN Program Schedule, I am forced to withdraw my membership and oppose any effort by the state and federal government to fund what is becoming outright censorship by select persons in the MPBN, until Mr Dowd and Mr Beck are removed from Public Broadcasting in the Stat of Maine. My elevated membership renewal, while withheld in part over this repeated effort to stymie this voice and his programming, is hereby canceled and my estate plans that included MPBN are revoked. If the management of MPBN is interested in doing something for the people, it should stand by the United States while its image is being tarnished by an Administration that has little regard for the law or truth. It is only fitting that the Bush Administration and the Administration of MPBN be held to the same light and scrutiny. Sincerely, L**** W. M**es L*wiston, ME ++ I'm sure the letter is written by now, but if it helps, my 4 year old wants to know why humble doesn't tell funny stories anymore.... and so do I. M*** E. P***ira 1*8 W****ngton Ave*** Po***and, ME 04**1 ++ E**** R*****on po box *** Sc*****ough, ME 040**70 |