Banned in Tampa WMNF Newscast
For those who missed it, here's a link to the WMNF news story about my suspension which aired on November 24. Scroll to the Nov. 24 link on the page.
The story starts around the 45th minute, I think.
Banned in Tampa: The Times weighs in
A DJ with a pre-dawn show on community radio station WMNF has been pulled off the air for playing profanity during his broadcast.
Norwood Orrick said he thought the songs had indecent words in their titles, but not in their lyrics. A "slip up" caused the playing of one song that contained the "f" word.
Orrick, like a majority of WMNF-FM programmers, is a volunteer. He called his suspension, which is open-ended, "overly harsh."
He said he was merely mocking the Federal Communications Commission during his weekly 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. program. But station managers assert he was willfully testing the FCC.
"I find it ironic, to say the least, that WMNF, which presents itself as something of a bastion of free speech, would be so quick to suspend a programmer - hours after the show in question - based on a single alleged incident which, obviously, no one has even bothered to confirm," Orrick said.
Banned in Tampa
Here's the letter of grievance which was delivered to the station today.
Banned in Tampa: The Final Chapter?
Probably not the last word on my suspension from WMNF.
Thanks again to everyone (the vast majority of you) who sent positive wishes and or constructive and well meaning criticism my way. I only got one response like the following:
As far as your show goes, it is like all of the other 4-6 am shows, filler with hardly any listerners (sic) and no significant fundraising for the station.
I don't care about it one way or the other, and I wouldn't know you from a thousand other 4-6 dj's who have come & gone over the years.
That was from some dried up old hag who has been pissed off for two years because I called my show MorningWood and used “You’re getting up with MorningWood!” as my tag line. The fact that she’s been obsessing about this for 2 years pretty much negates her claim not to care, but engaging this one in logical argument is like having a debate with a fundamentalist. Mere facts are powerless against the fortress of her sophistic dogma.
Listen, I tried to unequivocally explain that MorningWood was a double-entendre, that it could literally mean Morning with (Nor)Wood, and therefore was a very clever play on words, but she just started emailing in tongues, and (figuratively) spat in my face. Some people are just too far gone to reach.
Anyway, to review, this whole thing started with a phone call in which WMNF Program Director Randy Wynne informed me that a listener complaint about a profanity in a song right before 6:00AM was gonna result in a what I understood to be a permanent suspension.
Randy’s response to a subsequent email revealed that he was actually concerned about my programming choices for the entire MorningWood broadcast that day, and that the “open ended” suspension was due to the his belief that he could no longer trust me as a programmer.
Randy maintains that I broke WMNF’s programming policy. and I’ve come to believe that I may have, although I don’t think I broke any of the less strict FCC rules, nor have I been accused of doing so.
So, I deserve some punishment, but an indefinite suspension? That’s way too harsh, not to mention arbitrary and unprecedented, and being notified via a confusing and rushed phone call rather than in person or in writing is a blatant breach of my rights as a volunteer, according to WMNF’s own disciplinary policy.
Even the ancient addled prude quoted above agrees with me on that point:
As far as due process, yes, I would agree that there should be something in writing and an impartial policy to be applied evenly across the board, with an appeal process.
I was gonna meet with Randy and Station Manager Vicki Santa and plead guilty, emphasizing the fact that I never intentionally set out to break any rules, no matter what Randy might think, and beg to have my indefinite suspension defined as 2 weeks or 4 weeks or whatever so that I could get back to doing MorningWood.
Then this email from Randy hit my inbox on Friday:
The basic schedule has been set, but programmers have not been named. In
the following two weeks (by 12/3/04), I will need statements of interest
from programmers and potential programmers.All programs are OPEN TO APPLICATIONS from current programmers, subs, and
those not doing shows. You can apply for any show for which you feel
qualified, whether it is currently your show or not. Current programmers
should not consider their position is automatically renewed. Nor should you
assume you will not get the show again; we are simply asking you to reapply
with a statement of continued interest.
Program changes are upon us at WMNF. Here’s how this works: First, Randy decides what changes he’s gonna make and which programmers he’s gonna move around etc. Then he sends out an email like this one and invites everyone to apply for whatever shows they think they are qualified for.
After he receives everyone’s applications, he promptly ignores them and announces his predetermined selections. Randy’s programming decisions are final. Since Randy just wrote that he has lost trust in me as a programmer, I doubt that he is inclined to allow me to keep my 4:00AM gig, much less move me up to a more humane time slot.
So, I’m gonna break another “rule.” I am going to assume that I will not get the show again. There’s no point banging my head against this wall. Even if I get a reprieve, MorningWood would end in January. I’d only get to do a couple more shows, if that.
I still feel that I was treated unfairly, that judgment was rushed and arbitrary, and that I was never offered a day in court, but Randy holds the keys to the microphone, so if he doesn’t like me, I’m history.
I know it’s hard to believe, so I’ll say it again: at WMNF, with all of it’s committees, and all of its talk of being volunteer driven, and all of its feel-good schmaltz, one man has complete control over filling music related time slots. One man, who does not have to justify his decisions, and rarely if ever does. The application process is fatally flawed, because it is not open to review. Randy makes his decision by himself and answers to no one.
So why fight it? It’s a volunteer position. I honestly don’t have the time or energy or financial resources to take on this losing battle right now.
However, since I will no longer be doing MorningWood every week, I should have some free time on my hands. I’ll probably just start blogging way too much, but I am also thinking hard about starting a movement to provide more support and representation to WMNF volunteers. Sort of a Volunteer’s Union. I’ll post more about that later.
Get Up with MorningWood
Get Up with MorningWood, on 70,000 Watt Community Radio WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa, and streaming at wmnf.org. 4 to 6 am (eastern) every Tuesday!
Studio line: 813-239- WMNF WOOD
Blogging on the radio
Disclaimer: The FCC would not pre-approve today’s edition of MorningWood.
What the fuck?!? Ol’ Dirty Bastard is now a dead old bitch. I’ll be playing plenty of Wu-Tang and ODB. RIP.
They were chanting for him Friday night at the Continental Airlines Arena, during the Wu-Tang Clan's first area show as a unit in five years. The other eight had showed - something of an accomplishment in itself - but it probably surprised few that he wasn't there. This final gesture turned out to be fittingly enigmatic: Ol' Dirty Bastard, long hip-hop's resident jester and, moreover, its most tragic figure, died of still-unknown causes the following afternoon in a New York recording studio, two days shy of his 36th birthday.
The numbers - his two solo albums, 1995's Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version and 1999's Nigga Please, both went gold - offer a hint of his reach, but they only capture part of the ODB phenomenon. Born Russell Jones, he was one of the great pop culture eccentrics, a reliably difficult character the likes of whom rarely last long enough in the public eye to arouse anything other than passing indignation and revulsion. Instead, over the course of a decade of incredible resilience - fathering over a dozen kids, storming the Grammy stage in 1998 to proclaim "Wu-Tang is for the children!", getting arrested for making "terrorist threats," and, in 1994, taking MTV cameras to pick up food stamps in a limousine - he inspired fascination, exuberant embraces, and rabid, often irrational fandom.
Last year, ODB finished a two-year prison stint pockmarked with concerns over his mental health. VH1 was so certain his life on parole would be a hoot that they signed up to film his escapades for a reality series. Thing was, by most accounts, the ODB who made it out of prison was a sober one. Predictable became the last unpredictable thing he could become.
Most people wouldn't have it, though, and he sadly remained an object of public spectacle. His continued existence as a shambolic cipher, it seemed, was a comfort to others who'd prefer to keep the dark side at a comfortable distance, for whom danger is a concept best kept abstract. And so Rusty, as his mother called him, has said good night to these foul-weather friends: You won't have Ol' Dirty Bastard to kick around anymore.
Today’s show was originally gonna feature songs with the famed seven dirty words. Then ODB kicked it, which really fucked my show up. So I left lots of fuck songs in the playlist, along with an occasional piss and shit. Still, I’m pretty sure that any listener who pays close attention to the lyrics, and not just the song titles, may just hear all seven dirty words before the night is through.
Oh, and for the record, shit, piss, fuck, cunt, cocksucker, motherfucker and tits. And Fuck the FCC. And since we’re throwing fucks around like candy, we may as well Fuck the South too.
Now piss off and listen to the show.
Oh, and if you happen to be one of these three listeners, first, go fuck yourself, then download and listen to this nice song by Eric Schwartz that I picked out for you.
Note: at this time of night, the FCC actually relaxes its ever tightening rules, the theory being that at 4 AM, children are less likely to be up and being shocked at the language that is emanating from the radio. Right now, I can get away with broadcasting shit like this, but daddy the FCC is threatening to expand the ban on “obscene” language to the overnight hours.
I’m sure that many of you, especially those who listened to my show this morning, will be happy about that, but the fact is that a very few prudes are dictating to the rest of us exactly what it is that we are allowed to see and hear, and that sucks.
Playlists
Each week, I bring my planned songs in on CD. I usually end up playing most or all of them in the planned order. But sometimes things go askew. Sorry - no guarantees or refunds.
WMNF Community Radio
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station that celebrates local cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and social and economic justice. WMNF provides broadcasts and creates other forums to serve the community by the exposure and sharing of these values.
Get Up with MorningWood
Get Up with MorningWood, on 70,000 Watt Community Radio WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa, and streaming at wmnf.org. 4 to 6 am (eastern) every Tuesday!
Studio line: 813-239- WMNF WOOD
Blogging on the radio
My computer is sulking, and I am running very late this morning because of it.
Today on MorningWood: Democracy, America, Christians, and more. Sorry - no time to go into any detail right now - tune in and listen up! Freeform radio with a political edge.
Playlists
Each week, I bring my planned songs in on CD. I usually end up playing most or all of them in the planned order. But sometimes things go askew. Sorry - no guarantees or refunds.
WMNF Community Radio
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station that celebrates local cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and social and economic justice. WMNF provides broadcasts and creates other forums to serve the community by the exposure and sharing of these values.
Musical lining
On a lighter note, trying to find the bright side in today's news for some of my more despondent friends, remember this: there's a lot of Nixon in this President, and not just because about half his cabinet were low-level hatchet men for Tricky Dick back in the day. Sixty-eight to '74 were some of the best music years in world history, so maybe if you're really mad and you know 3 chords, you'll make something new and exciting for us all. In the meantime, keep your local liquor store on speed-dial and try not to jaywalk.
Get Up with MorningWood
UPDATE - Some of today's best cuts came from the party party.
Get Up with MorningWood, on 70,000 Watt Community Radio WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa, and streaming at wmnf.org. 4 to 6 am (eastern) every Tuesday!
Studio line: 813-239- WMNF WOOD
Blogging on the radio
VOTE
I’ll see you tonight at
Topical Vote Wave
All FREE
Election Night: Tuesday November 2nd 2004
The Irish Pub
1721 East 7th Avenue, Tampa, FL 33605 (click the "contiinue..." link for more info)
(813) 248-2099
Doors at 7:00
Show at 8:01pm to 3 am
Live Performances, Rants and Raves by Ronny Elliott, Lori Karpay, Crash Mitchell and surprise guests.
Political songs, live performances and large screen election tracking.
Political Music by WMNF Morning Wood DJ, Nor Wood DJailed Protester
Emcee WMNF Music Director Flee
Admission: Absolutely FREE to all WMNF listeners and anyone else who cares about the election and doesn't want to have to face it alone.
Playlists
Each week, I bring my planned songs in on CD. I usually end up playing most or all of them in the planned order. But sometimes things go askew. Sorry - no guarantees or refunds.
WMNF Community Radio
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station that celebrates local cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and social and economic justice. WMNF provides broadcasts and creates other forums to serve the community by the exposure and sharing of these values.
Get Up with MorningWood
UPDATE - The results are in, and the winner is None of the above with black ink. Thanks for voting!
HELP ME VOTE: Call 813 239 - WOOD or leave a comment. (The polls have closed!)
Get Up with MorningWood, on 70,000 Watt Community Radio WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa, and streaming at wmnf.org. 4 to 6 am (eastern) every Tuesday!
Studio line: 813-239- WMNF WOOD
Marathon
Marathon was a big success. THANK YOU for your continuing support of MorningWood and WMNF!
Blogging on the radio
Help Me Vote!
I’ll be filling out my Hillsborough County Absentee Ballot right on the air this morning. I have yet to decide if I should follow the instructions on the ballot itself and use only a number 2 pencil, or pay attention to the insert that mentions nothing about a pencil, but happily suggests that a pen will do just fine.
Also, there are a few races in which I’ve yet to make a choice. Help me vote by calling in (813 239 - WOOD) or leaving a comment on this post (Scroll to the end of the post to leave a comment. When asked for an email address, make one up if you don’t feel like leaving your real one.)
At the end of the show, I’ll tally up the votes and pencil (or pen) in a vote for the candidate that you pick for me, using the method that you prefer. Really.
Of course, there’s a catch: to simplify matters immensely, I’m only including the Hillsborough County Commission race between the Zel Miller Democrat /moral crusader Bob Buckhorn and the equally stomach turning pro-development Repug and former Killer Bee Brian Blair.
Honestly, I can’t bring myself to vote for Bob, but voting for Brian could conceivably be even worse. I wish we had a real choice in this race, but we don’t. So it’s up to you: Bob Buckhorn, Brian Blair, or None of the Above?
As well as the choice for County Commission, please vote for your favored method for filling in the absentee ballot: Number 2 Pencil, Blue Ink, or Black Ink.
The “winner” will be announced just before 6:00, and I will mail my absentee ballot this morning after my show. It should be in Buddy Johnson’s office by tomorrow, and lost behind a file cabinet before lunch.
In other news...
Halloween is almost here. I’ll play some themed songs for the occasion, and I’ll shamelessly use those cuts to segue into a “Wolf” theme that will persist throughout the morning. Oh, and I’ll play some entirely unrelated stuff just ‘cause I feel like it. Or maybe there’s some logic to my choices. Check the playlists (below) and decide for yourself.
Why wolves? Well, they’re scary, except when they look like harmless puppies on an overly dramatic and unintentionally funny campaign ad... (to view the video, click on the image from the “Latest Video” and then pick the “Wolves” video. Sorry - no direct link.)
And in the spirit of fairness and balance, a few words from the wolves:
We are not Terrorists!
George W. Bush incorrectly labelled my wolfpack
as a terrorist threat. We are NOT terrorists. We do
not associate with terrorists (unless you count that
pesky wolverine) and FRANKLY, we don't even like
terrorists!We are a peaceful pack of wolves. All we want in life is:
Live in tree-filled forests.
Drink clean water from our rivers and streams.
Breathe fresh and clean air.
We were tricked by George W. Bush
Anyway, wolves will be featured prominently throughout MorningWood today.
New Underwrithing?
Well, as those of you who pledged during marathon already know, we’ve gotta pay the bills ‘round here, and during marathon, MorningWood picked up a new underwriter, but I think there may have been a mistake - perhaps this outfit thinks that WMNF is one of those Christian right non-commercial stations, ‘cause the demographic they seem to be aiming for in this underwrithing announcement might be just a little bit more conservative than most MorningWood listeners. But maybe I’m being hasty. Here: decide for yourself - will this group be satisfied by MorningWood? (Warning - Links in this paragraph NOT work friendly!)
Goodies:
Well, one, anyway. Hymn Against Empire, the MP3 I plan to have played right after the 5:00 NPR headlines, the poem put to the music of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Actually, the link is to the author’s sight. Go and grab the MP3 or video or whatever you want. (Link via skippy the bush kangaroo)
Playlists
Each week, I bring my planned songs in on CD. I usually end up playing most or all of them in the planned order. But sometimes things go askew. Sorry - no guarantees or refunds.
WMNF Community Radio
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station that celebrates local cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and social and economic justice. WMNF provides broadcasts and creates other forums to serve the community by the exposure and sharing of these values.
Get Up with MorningWood
Get Up with MorningWood, on 70,000 Watt Community Radio WMNF 88.5 fm, Tampa, and streaming at wmnf.org 4 to 6 am (eastern) every Tuesday!
Studio line: 813-239- WMNF WOOD
MARATHON
THANK YOU!
MorningWood surpassed the goals for calls and money. This community just bought another 6 months of commercial free radio. Y’all rock.
I also want to thank Pho Quyen Restaurant for providing tasty food to MorningWood volunteers.
Election Protection
Join me and thousands of other citizens who want to make sure that every registered voter is allowed to vote and that every vote counts. We all remember what happened during the 2000 election and we need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. The Election Protection partnership needs your help – especially in Florida.
Volunteer today to at Election Protection
Blogging on the radio
“Good News is Rock N Roll” (If you recognize the reference, be the first to call the studio line during MorningWood with a coherent answer and I’ll send you something special. Just mention BlogWood and demand a fabulous prize. 813-239-WOOD)
I’m sure that everyone with an Internet connection has heard the Jon Stewart Crossfire clip by now. If not, here it is. I’m gonna play the audio this morning after 5, and that led to a big “news” theme for this morning.
Just before the 5:00 news headlines, I’ll have a tribute to 3 of my favorite right wingers, hypocritical hateful white males who are often in the news. Featuring songs and commentary on Jerry Falwell, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O’Reilly, you can look forward to hearing such soon-to-be classics as “Jerry Falwell Destroyed the Earth,” “Hillbilly Junk,” and “Falafel Combo.”
Intermittent blogging on the radio as the mood strikes. I’ll also have commentary by Jim Hightower at 5:30 or so.
Playlists
Each week, I bring my planned songs in on CD. I usually end up playing most or all of them in the planned order. But sometimes things go askew. Sorry - no guarantees or refunds.
WMNF Community Radio
WMNF is a non-commercial community radio station that celebrates local cultural diversity and is committed to equality, peace and social and economic justice. WMNF provides broadcasts and creates other forums to serve the community by the exposure and sharing of these values.