Last month Pacifica National Board member Lisa Davis accused fellow PNB member Patty Heffley of making a racist remark after a meeting of WBAI's Local Station Board (here). Examination of the recording, however, shows otherwise, as Chris Farrell reports in his letter to the Pacifica National Board. Lisa Davis responded the that letter here.

Discussion of this incident has already taken up several hours of the national board's time. At the 3-10-06 PNB teleconference, Lisa Davis moved that a committee be formed to investigate Patty Heffley's remarks and recommend resolutions to the PNB if necessary (very ominous). This motion was amended by Ambrose Lane to the languge below, which was passed.

Wbai.net feels it is insane for Pacifica directors to waste time investigating each other. This is sad. And ironic - from pacificaradioarchives.org:

1960-1963: The House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Senate Internal Security Subcommittee (SISS) investigate Pacifica programming for "subversion." Broadcasts of writings by Bertolt Brecht, Norman Cousins, Carey McWilliams, Dorothy Healey, and W.E.B. DuBois were cited.

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Motion passed by Pacifica National Board, 3-10-06:

Whereas the mission statement of the Pacifica Foundation charges it with the responsibility of engaging in activities that shall contribute to a lasting understanding between nations and between the individuals of all nations, races, creeds and colors; and

Whereas the mission statement of the Pacifica Foundation charges it with the responsibility of gathering and disseminating information on the causes of conflict between any and all of such groups; and through any and all means compatible with the purposes of the Foundation to promote, among other things, the study of political causes of racial antagonisms; and

Whereas it is therefore clear that racist conduct by members of the Pacifica National Board is counter to the mission of Pacifica;

Be it resolved that the Pacifica National Board shall elect five Directors to an ad hoc committee to investigate and report out to full PNB, all incidences of alleged racism and sexism by current PNB and LSB members throughout the Pacifica network.

Further resolved that the Committee is instructed to report its findings to the Pacifica National Board, and if the Committee finds that Directors and LSB member's comments and conduct were injurious to the goals of the Foundation, the Committee is instructed to report resolutions containing its recommendations to the Pacifica National Board. A minority report or reports may also be submitted if desired by any Committee members.

Yes: Ambrose Lane, Acie Byrd, Rob Robinson, Zarinah Shakir, Mary Berg, Ray Laforest, Bob Lederer, Lisa Davis, Lydia Brazon,

No: LaVarn Williams, Patty Heffley, Dave Adelson, Don White, Teresa Allen, Ken Freeland, Deb Shafto.