A plea for accountability

Congratulations to Mountain Xpress on its 15th anniversary. As an early volunteer for its predecessor, Green Line, I am grateful for Jeff Fobes' vision and leadership — and for the support that Julian Price provided when this alternative weekly was getting off the ground.

Jeff's vision of "encouraging folks to get involved locally, where they can have both the greatest impact and the best chance to be heard, in the name of creating a healthier, smarter community" has never been more timely, especially when so many corporate owners believe that newspapers exist only to attract the right kind of readers for advertisers.

As advertising-supported journalism is collapsing, we must be vigilant to ensure the continued success of Mountain Xpress. It is in this spirit that I share concerns about our newsweekly's coverage of two local, community-media organizations: URTV and the Mountain Area Information Network and its radio station, WPVM.

In "creating a healthier, smarter community," journalism sheds light on critical community issues and thereby empowers citizens to engage these issues with clarity and understanding, civil discourse and debate. Good journalism — as envisioned by Xpress — is essential for creating and maintaining a vibrant and hospitable public sphere, where diverse voices are heard, robust debate is possible, and consensus-building is the goal. These conditions are essential for "creating a healthier, smarter community."

Unfortunately, the Xpress coverage of the URTV and MAIN/WPVM conflicts failed this test. Instead, the coverage created confusion and deepened divisions, not only in these organizations, but in the community as a whole. The confusion and division continue to this day. It's hard to recall any Xpress coverage that so left readers scratching their heads and reading between the lines to find the reality behind the reporting.

Like most community-media organizations that depend on volunteers, URTV and MAIN/WPVM have their share of internal conflict. Likewise, the Xpress coverage started with internal personnel matters that legally limit what management can say publicly. (Ironically, Xpress cited these limits in 2007 when it kept mum about firing a high-profile reporter. An editorial signed by Jeff Fobes and Jon Elliston told readers who questioned the action: "You don't have enough facts to adequately assess the basis for Xpress management's decision … these are personnel matters, and discretion must be our central guiding principle.")

Also critical was the episodic nature of the coverage. Both stories unfolded like serial drama, with each new installment amplifying claims of misconduct.

One of the most disheartening elements were the anonymous claims and personal attacks that began appearing in the Xpress online forums after each new story. With no fact-checking or accountability, the hearsay, rumor and innuendo created clouds of suspicion over both organizations — eventually eliciting online attacks from relative strangers with no firsthand knowledge of the conflicts. These online attacks produced a "pack mentality" that heaped scorn on any voice asking readers to keep an open mind, or daring to speak in support of management.

Social scientists call this "group polarization." In his new book, Going to Extremes: How Like Minds Unite and Divide (Oxford University Press, 2009), Cass Sunstein writes: "Group polarization often occurs because people are telling one another what they know, and what they know is skewed in a predictable direction." This dynamic, says Sunstein, is especially pronounced in groups of like-minded people, which "can operate as polarization machines because they help confirm and thus amplify people's antecedent views." In this process, more confident and authoritative voices pull more cautious and moderate voices to their viewpoint. As voices of caution and moderation grow silent, the voices of certainty and authority grow stronger, pulling the group to more extreme positions.

Cyberspace raises the ante on group polarization by introducing "disinhibition" effects, whereby people say things online that they would never say to someone's face. While this loss of social inhibition online can even occur when people use their real identities, with anonymity all bets are off. In The Psychology of Cyberspace (available online), John Suler describes the intoxicating power of online anonymity: "When people have the opportunity to separate their actions from their real world and identity, whatever they say or do can't be directly linked to the rest of their lives. They don't have to own their behavior by acknowledging it within the full context of who they 'really' are. When acting out hostile feelings, the person doesn't have to take responsibility for those actions. In fact, people might even convince themselves that those behaviors 'aren't me at all.' In psychology this is called dissociation."

Xpress' coverage of URTV and MAIN/WPVM was a perfect storm of journalism gone astray: Coverage starts with internal personnel matters about which management can say little; as new installments are written, claims of misconduct grow; these claims are amplified online where anonymity is not balanced by fact-checking and accountability.

Readers are either swept along in group polarization, or left on the sidelines scratching their heads in confusion and consternation. Meanwhile, the organizations struggle under clouds of suspicion and loss of community trust.

Fortunately, there is a better way. First, instead of serial coverage in which claims of misconduct are repeated ad nauseum, Xpress should do the deep reporting to determine if the claims have merit. If evidence to support the claims is found, publish it. If not, stop the free publicity for factions that simply disagree with management.

Second, end the practice of indiscriminate anonymous postings, but make an exception for legitimate whistleblowers (who merit protection precisely because they produce evidence for their claims!).

Good journalism is always grounded in facts and evidence. This is the "objectivity" we hear so much about. Good journalism, like good science, holds "objects" out in the public light for all to observe. That's how journalism has always held power accountable.

Accountability breeds trust. In the end, trust is what matters. Trust, or lack thereof, is how we decide whether or not to give our time, energy or money to a political leader, organization or cause.

Fortunately, Mountain Xpress has a deep reserve of public trust. As it practices good journalism, our beloved alternative weekly will continue to hold power accountable and help to sustain the general flow of trust "in the name of creating a healthier, smarter community."

Wally Bowen, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Mountain Area Information Network, was instrumental in obtaining public-access TV for Asheville and Buncombe County.

Xpress responds

Thanks to Wally Bowen for both the kind words about Xpress on our anniversary and the in-depth critique of our coverage of local community media. We share his concern that coverage can be incomplete and serve as a foundation for polarization rather than healthy debate, especially when comments turn ugly on the Internet.

That said, we stand by our coverage of the developments at WPVM and URTV. While personnel issues certainly played a part, our reporting was not chiefly focused on them. In the case of WPVM, we reported on widespread dissent among station volunteers, covering a dispute that had already gone public. In the case of URTV, our reporting was sparked not by personnel matters, but by alleged violations of state open-meetings law — which the station, by its own admission, is beholden to follow — along with matters like a confidentiality oath administered to board members.

At the same time, we, too, are disturbed at how vitriolic the online comments often became with regard to both stations. We were disheartened to see people making so many personal attacks — sometimes while identifying themselves but often under the cloak of online anonymity. We screened out many of the most flagrant comments, but many that appeared online offered more bile than food for thought.

It's cases like these that have caused us to consider new approaches to how we moderate online comments. We are looking at more intensive moderation and other measures, such as differentiating between anonymous comments and those sent by identified writers. Alternatively, we might craft a system that will allow readers to do some of the policing. For example, they might be able to flag certain comments as off-topic or unhelpful to fostering constructive debate. Stay tuned — and thanks to all who keep reading and commenting in the spirit of true community media.

Publisher Jeff Fobes and Managing Editor Jon Elliston can be reached at news@mountainx.com.

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Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

105 thoughts on “A plea for accountability

  1. graymeatt

    How did the labor day fund drive go? I used to donate to WPVM, but not anymore.

  2. The city councils recent 14 point letter to URTV to “right it’s own ship” is precisely the “plea for accountability” that is the heading of this letter.

  3. “If evidence to support the claims is found, publish it.”

    That’s what MX did.

    They listened to legitimate grievances, found evidence and published it.

    Good. But not good enough for Mr. Bowen, I presume.

    Mr. Bowen would have MX wait six months so that the reporting would not have that feeling of an unfolding episodic serial drama.

    Well, Mr. Bowen, sometimes that’s how thing happen: episodically. It’s called news.

  4. YES YES YES

    for toooo long Mountain Xpress has allowed a few discontents talk trash without follow-up interviews with the active producers at URTV.

    As a producer of 2 1/2 hours of Live programing each week, I will tell of the continous upgrades that I have seen as a member of URTV for the past 2 years.

    Someone is steering the ship through rough waters with the skill and precision of a Master.

  5. lance

    Thanks for speaking out on this issue, Wally. In my own search for truth on the WPVM issue I was met on this very forum with accusatory vitriol, sarcasm, name-calling, all of which I kind of sickly enjoy, but it’s the slanted opinions preached as truth that concern me, like this chestnut from ex-DJ Barry Lynch: “Wally Bowen has poisoned the well in his volunteer base, and pitted people against each other to promote his own supremacy of his tiny media empire, and to salve his wounded ego.” Odd that Wally is accused of pitting people against each other, I don’t usually expect bizarro-world opposite-the-truth logic so much from the left.

  6. Barry Summers

    Oh yes, ‘lance’. I remember you. Thanks for re-posting that thread. You asked for info on what was going on at ‘PVM, & when no one had anything good to say about it, you attacked me & my show (“dead air would be an improvement over the same tired ani defranco soundbyte a dozen times or more during a ‘news’ hour.” – I don’t even know what that means – our theme song at the top of the hour was an Ani song, but we never played it or anything else ‘a dozen times’ in an hour). Oh, and my name is Barry Summers & one of my co-hosts was named David Lynch. We are not the same person. Trouble with facts much?

    I’ll just point out that no one jumped in to say things were great at ‘PVM. On one side of that issue you had Wally and a handful of sincere supporters, and on the other side, virtually all the 60-70 volunteers, TWO station managers in a row, and half his Board. You do the math.

    As for Wally’s attempt here to re-vamp his reputation by continuing to attack us and the XPress: Please.

  7. Ex-Pat

    Please, indeed.

    “A plea for accountability”?! Talk about insult to injury. This from the man who was never held accountable (nor had his feet roasted on the fire quite to the extent URTV’s were) for locking out all of PVM’s volunteers from the station.

    I agree with Wally as far as past coverage of URTV goes. But as for his own defense…spin, spin, spin…just another old public relations stunt employing the time-worn tactic of attempting to distract peoples’ attention from a legitimate grievance by shooting the messenger or their style of delivery. And then for good measure, complaining about the anonymity of complaints. Nothing new really.

    Most importantly, I urge Xpress to fight the temptation to censor the forums. If you decide to wade into what is or isn’t suitable conversation, that is sketchy 1st amendment territory.

  8. Barry Summers

    On the anonymity issue – Wally, please stay off my side.

    I continue to believe that the sock puppets have abused the freedom to post anonymously, and there should be a change. I wouldn’t want to see an end to anonymous posting altogether, but Jeff Fobes has proposed some interesting changes, and I look forward to seeing what they come up with.

  9. R,Bernier

    Public access radio or tv – should be the example to the public to be open. In my opion the current exective director along with board members broke open meeting laws of NC.

    View video to confirm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfV2Ge4HQI

    The current producers have failed to produce any round table shows for the public were they could hear both sides.

    I have offered to many producers (including Lisa above) & none have step forward, kinda like URTV has failed to step up to the plate & explain.

    One board member says “the board has circle the wagon” & will not say anything, now that is your public access at work here in Buncombe County.

    RB

  10. Illuminatti_01

    Is it accountability or consequences, Wally?
    He been whinin’ bout how bad people been treatin’ him. What a hoot!

    What’cha get when you-ins surround yerself with yes-men is what has happened to ole Wally and URTV’s silent managment.

    Consequences will bite ya in yer butt. That’s what has happened here. Count yerself lucky ya learnt this lesson kinda early in life wally ole boy….some people never get the message. Now change yer ways.

    That comment about you bringing Public Access to Buncombe is high falutin’ bunck! Ask the League of Women Voters.

  11. Illuminatti_01

    Is it accountability or consequences, Wally?
    He been whinin’ bout how bad people been treatin’ him. What a hoot!

    What’cha get when you-ins surround yerself with yes-men is what has happened to ole Wally and URTV’s silent managment.

    Consequences will bite ya in yer butt. That’s what has happened here. Count yerself lucky ya learnt this lesson kinda early in life wally ole boy….some people never get the message. Now change yer ways.

    That comment about you bringing Public Access to Buncombe is high falutin’ bunck! Ask the League of Women Voters.

  12. anonymous poster

    Wally conveniently forgets another reason for anonymous posting: avoiding revenge. Wally is known for going after and destroying anyone he can identify as being in opposition to him even if the opposition is idealogical and not personal. There is a history of mismanagement that resides in the records of the organization and in the experiences of its board members, staff and volunteers. The radio station was not the beginning of it and won’t be the end of it. If the community wants to continue pouring good money after bad after all of this has aired it’s their right to do so. Personally, I support democracy in ACTION, not in theory.

  13. After thinking more about Wally’s “plea for accountability”, I have to question his timing of re-opening the old wound between himself and WPVM Volunteers. Why now?

    My guess is that Bowen just finished reading Sunstein’s book, which he cites in his missive. It seems that Bowen has adopted Sunstein’s “polarization” hypothesis in a distorted, inaccurate attempt to explain how he alone managed to alienate 60-70 once devoted volunteers.

    It should be noted that WPVM volunteers were a diverse potpourri of temperaments and personalities: some hotheads, some level-heads, some diplomats, some agitators – and every other personality type in between.

    Is Wally suggesting that a bit of disinformation about what was occurring between himself and a few WPVM volunteers took root and was blindly adopted by such a wide array of very different individuals? It would be kind to call this a stretch.

    Wally, I hope some day you will face up to the fact that you can’t characterize this group of 60-70 diverse individuals as some gullible monoculture who were duped by a few people who took issues with your performance.

    The truth is that your inappropriate behavior and your contempt for anything that you can’t control got the best of you. Your reactive behavior offended a substantial and varied group of individuals who originally were some of your strongest proponents.

    I have a plea for accountability, too: I hope that some day, you can stop wagging your finger of blame at others and begin look within and take responsibility for your part in the WPVM fiasco.

    You both created and killed one of the best venues for true community radio in this town. Own up to it.

  14. URTV Producer

    Wally,
    You shouldn’t lump MAIN’s problems and press coverage in with the hatchet job done on URTV here week after week. You haven’t had any non-participants hire a hack private investigator to harass you, and then get on these forums to whine when their plans didn’t work out.

    VERY different circumstances!

    Regarding anonymous postings, it seems anyone using their names in support of URTV (Ralph, Freemont, Dale, Matt, Joe, and so on) gets a complimentary criminal background check and public harassment from Davine’s hired goon Alan Rosenthal.

    No Thanks

    Wally, your problems are the result of your decisions, URTV’s problems are the result of Kurt Mann’s bad management decisions and how he misrepresented URTV to the community.

    We as producers are working to correct how Asheville sees their public access station, as a bastion of free speech and a place where anyone can come and learn how to make a TV show, and regardless of the quality, URTV will air it.

    Not a place where video production wannabees use the facility and equipment to supplement their current video production income.
    Regardless of what you former members were told by former management, that’s not what public access is about.

    Wally, we do sincerely wish you the best of luck in righting your ship.

    Thank you for your efforts to get URTV in Asheville. It wouldn’t be here without you!

  15. lance

    Oh yeah, Barry ‘Summers’. got it now. thanks for the fact-checking. I get you guys mixed up because you have the same talking points on this issue. I do believe, however, that it was a few volunteers who drew a line in the sand and forced the walkout. This is a small town, I know about half the volunteers who walked, many did so, by their own admission, reluctantly-so as not to face the ire of the volunteer ‘ugly army’. David Lynch’s attempts to dispel in the previous post appear to be a distortion.

  16. Barry Summers

    Well, lance. That’s clearly all baloney, but OK. Revisionism is fun & useful, I guess, if you have an agenda you’re pushing. I wonder what yours is.

    I feel sorry for Wally, that he really doesn’t get it. Many of us who worked with him for years (we were friends way back when, – he brought me in to WPVM to help produce his show), we tried to sit down with him & find a solution when this started to implode. But he took advantage of every opportunity to make things worse. And now he’s having to try to do damage repair. But I think it’s unrepairable until he takes responsibility for his own mis-steps, and that doesn’t seem to be in his DNA…

  17. lance

    It’s not baloney. My agenda is the truth, without the spin. Man- you should be on FOX.

  18. lance

    The whole wpvm blogspot team seems to think the right to volunteer is the same as the right to make the big decisions. Plus, the rhetoric is so overblown you think we were talking about something more important than community radio.

  19. TokyoTaos

    So, Lance, you say you know about half the volunteers who walked.

    Hmmm, why don’t I believe that …

  20. Barry Summers

    “My agenda is the truth”

    Well lance, that says it all. I have a clearer idea of who you are now. Thanks.

  21. Would “URTV Producer” kindly quit hiding behind the cowardly anonymous name he clearly disdains others for using…..and would Mtn Exp. kindly refrain from allowing “URTV Producer” the ability to post defamatory anonymous statements?

    Regarding anonymous postings, it seems anyone using their names in support of URTV (Ralph, Freemont, Dale, Matt, Joe, and so on) gets a complimentary criminal background check and public harassment from Davine’s hired goon Alan Rosenthal.

    No Thanks

    Wally, your problems are the result of your decisions, URTV’s problems are the result of Kurt Mann’s bad management decisions and how he misrepresented URTV to the community.

    We as producers are working to correct how Asheville sees their public access station, as a bastion of free speech and a place where anyone can come and learn how to make a TV show, and regardless of the quality, URTV will air it.

    Not a place where video production wannabees use the facility and equipment to supplement their current video production income.
    Regardless of what you former members were told by former management, that’s not what public access is about.

    Wally, we do sincerely wish you the best of luck in righting your ship.

    Thank you for your efforts to get URTV in Asheville. It wouldn’t be here without you! anonymously posted by URTV Producer

  22. Ha! I can’t believe Wally would even attempt to bring this situation back into the public eye. I’ve never seen a dead horse ask for more beatings.

  23. Sundance

    Wally, the Mountain X accurately reported you abuse of power in regards to a personal issue you had with a popular radio show host. It had nothing to do with the FCC or offending your listening audience. You got caught abusing your autocratic authority..plain and simple…get over it.

    As for URTV Producer…had you folks at URTV come clean and told the truth with real factual information rather then the made up fantasy evidence you presented to people, including the Mountain X, the public might have given you two cents of their time but they saw threw your stupid careless white wash job. You and Pat, Jerry, Ralph, Glolady, have only yourselves to blame for your mismanagement and carelessness and it is hypocritical for you to be bashing the messenger(Mountain X). You and Wally need to stop trying to play the victim card because you are only victims of your own actions.

    Glolady, what did Wally offer you for your support. When the MAIN/VPM story broke you are all over their case and combative towards them….can you say hypocrite GloLady?

    I knew you could!

  24. Sundance

    Wally, the Mountain X accurately reported you abuse of power in regards to a personal issue you had with a popular radio show host. It had nothing to do with the FCC or offending your listening audience. You got caught abusing your autocratic authority..plain and simple…get over it.

    As for URTV Producer…had you folks at URTV come clean and told the truth with real factual information rather then the made up fantasy evidence you presented to people, including the Mountain X, the public might have given you two cents of their time but they saw threw your stupid careless white wash job. You and Pat, Jerry, Ralph, Glolady, have only yourselves to blame for your mismanagement and carelessness and it is hypocritical for you to be bashing the messenger(Mountain X). You and Wally need to stop trying to play the victim card because you are only victims of your own actions.

    Glolady, what did Wally offer you for your support. When the MAIN/VPM story broke you are all over their case and combative towards them….can you say hypocrite GloLady?

    I knew you could!

  25. Illuminatti_01

    How ’bout a “plea to the gullable to accept my ten foot high pile of horse manure”?????

    Say goodbye to that easy access to stimulus funds, to be had with unfettered scrutiny. You can bet we’ll be watching every cent you obtain (if you’re able to access any) …the Administration makes it very easy to report unscrupulous activities.

    Whining won’t do any good Wally, we’re on to you.

  26. Ex-Pat2

    Barry wrote: “On one side of that issue you had Wally and a handful of sincere supporters, and on the other side, virtually all the 60-70 volunteers, TWO station managers in a row, and half his Board. You do the math.”

    Hmmm. In most parts of the world, this is called “mob justice.” In Asheville, you call it “Making Progress,” right Mr. Summers?

    You liberals make me sick! And you and Mr. Lynch are the worst of the bunch. Your Uncle Joe Stalin must be proud. Good riddance.

  27. URTV Producer

    “Would “URTV Producer” kindly quit hiding behind the cowardly anonymous name he clearly disdains others for using…..and would Mtn Exp. kindly refrain from allowing “URTV Producer” the ability to post defamatory anonymous statements?”

    Golly Davine does this just apply to me or shall we dismiss “Sundance” and “Festus” as well?

    The FACT that you hired a PI is not defamatory, it’s the TRUTH!!!!

  28. As a producer of public access programming, I have to pay myself for the work that I do and right now I have a big deficit from giving Too Much.

    My topics and guests are those that I choose to be on as they are something I think the public should know or that I wish to learn more about.

    It pees me off when people think I should spend my time and money on them as if I have nothing better to do, with No offer of compensation.

    Stop insulting the public’s intelligence. The difference from before and after Pat’s employment as Executive Director is as clear as a fish swimming in a fish bowl to streaming live programming 24 hours a day.

    Anyone can pay their membership dues, take the courses to become certified and then find out how hard it is to produce good programming without financial support. Give credit where credit is do, Actions speak louder than words.

  29. Barry Summers

    ‘Ex-Pat2’ (much better than the first ‘Ex-Pat’, but I think they went overboard on the CGI) wrote:

    “Barry wrote: “On one side of that issue you had Wally and a handful of sincere supporters, and on the other side, virtually all the 60-70 volunteers, TWO station managers in a row, and half his Board. You do the math.”

    “Hmmm. In most parts of the world, this is called “mob justice.” In Asheville, you call it “Making Progress,” right Mr. Summers?”

    No, this is called pointing out that it really wasn’t just a few malcontents – you have scores of independent-minded people who decided individually that Wally’s leadership had failed, and they couldn’t participate any more. You insult all those people (including all the Board members who quit – how exactly did a few commie volunteers manage that?) by saying that they didn’t all have good reason for their actions – they were just being bullied.

    “Your Uncle Joe Stalin must be proud.”

    My uncles flew bombers in WWII and during the Cold War, including one who flew training missions over Asheville in the fifties. I’ll tell them you said Hi.

  30. Ex-Pat

    Apologies to all for getting off-topic here but…”Ex-Pat2″?!

    C’mon, dude! Don’t play me like that. You and I obviously have very different points of view. May I suggest “Thunderpig2” or “Travelah2”?

    You get an “F” for originality.

  31. R,Bernier

    Im proud of what the city is now doing with board members they sit on boards – this is a clear win the residents of the City of Asheville.

    As far as producers at urtv – I was advised they now are called clients again maybe Matt can clear this up. (again)

    RB

  32. Ex-Pat2

    Nice dodge Mr. Summers. It’s not about patriotism. It’s about lefties throwing justice under the bus when you think you can get your hands on a radio station.

    “. . . scores of independent-minded people who decided individually . . .” Hmmm? Didn’t I just hear Newt Gingrich on C-SPAN using this line for the tea-baggers?

    Media ga-ga over the tea-baggers screeching is just like MtnX giving you and the URTV whiners all this attention. A lot noise, no evidence.

    And ex-Pat, don’t call me dude when you know I’m not. (:

  33. Sundance

    “Anyone can pay their membership dues, take the courses to become certified and then find out how hard it is to produce good programming without financial support. Give credit where credit is do, Actions speak louder than words.”

    and Glolady once again you failed to tell us what Wally has now offered you to gain your support after you were very combative towards him and MAIN when he abused his power by canning a popular radio show host.

    Would you kindly tell us what is fueling your latest hypocritical mindset or will you just continue to do what you have always done and dodge the question and hide from the true factual information in regards to MAIN/VPM as well as the smoke screen three ring circus that you participated in creating with Dale Joyner, Pat and others at URTV?

    We await a viable and truthful answer from you as we have done on every single thread in regards to URTV. Set yourself free Glolady and be truthful for once in regards to the URTV carnival.

    If your an advocate for truth and freedom of speech as you have continually claimed to be then shouldn’t you come clean and give the truth rather then continue to be deceitful and hypocritical?

  34. Have I ever met Wally let alone talked to him? Might have but other than liking the words that he wrote here, I do not know him personally, or would recognize him without an introduction.

    I will leave the deceit to you (Sundance) regarding URTV. In my personal experience with URTV there are only good experiences and the growth of the station that I can attest to. That is what I speak about. The other station I know nothing therefore I do not state words that I know nothing about.

  35. Sandy Wishmeier

    For all the conflict and incivility spiraling down into the dark side of self destruction, charater assination, hate and discontent, here is something to consider about your life:

    http://tinyurl.com/take10

    It’s you – your life – how do you want to live it!

  36. Ex-Pat

    Hey Wally, thanks for being the catalyst for this awesome conversation! Lets make this baby go viral, dude!

  37. Piffy!

    Poor Wally.

    He is his own worst enemy, clearly.

    How long until he’s run out of town for good?

  38. Sundance

    “Have I ever met Wally let alone talked to him? Might have but other than
    liking the words that he wrote here, I do not know him personally, or would
    recognize him without an introduction.”

    Maybe you have not met him personally but you did attack him on These very forums so the deceit and hypocrisy is on you Glolady.

    Glo, face the facts. You only do your show for your own self serving interests and not the citizens of WNC. Additionally you only tell the truth if it is convienant for you and only in your own best interest to do so. Further more you are only a pinokio puppet for Garlinghouse and company and one day she will hang you out to dry as well when you no longer fulfill her demands and interests.

    Be careful Glo… that pinokio puppet nose of yours is growing out of control!

  39. Sundance, you are entitled to your opinion no matter how sick it is.

    Since I can agree or disagree with anyone that I wish, I might agree with something that you stand for. That does not make me a liar because I do not continually “attack” someone as you continue to do me.

    The time and money that I have spent producing over 200 hours of programming was not for my personal gain. If I were to add what it has cost me then I am greatly in the red. The contemplation of another season has been weighing on my mind. It is disheartening when I have guests tell me how, when, and where they want filmed and not give any compensation for my time or effort, then I do question why I continue producing.

    Until the topics and guests are main stream media then I will continue to broadcast local people who make a difference in the World.

    Take your sour grapes and put them where the sun doesn’t shine.

  40. Gonzalez

    ***Below (posted earlier) is IMPORTANT. Those that have been fooled by Wally’s “mission” need to speak up. If he gits millions of our tax dollars (Stimulus money) it will be sad and damaging day. Contact those Fed. grant agencies passing out this money ASAP — Wally/MAIN has already applied for it and it could be in his hands soon !

    —–

    “Say goodbye to that easy access to stimulus funds, to be had with unfettered scrutiny. You can bet we’ll be watching every cent you obtain (if you’re able to access any) …the Administration makes it very easy to report unscrupulous activities.”

  41. Ex-Pat

    That’s probably what’s at the heart of the matter here. Perhaps it’s the reason behind the paranoid purge and now Wally’s attempt to “set the record straight” by papering over all the previous online negative chatter about him with a master stroke commentary piece. Could he really actually believe that by referencing those books, he can provide himself with the cover he needs? That all of his dozens of detractors are in the grip of some mass hysteria and mob mentality? Really? All the people he has double-crossed over the years were just hallucinating.

    Oh. OK.

  42. Ex-Pat2

    Ex-Pat, dude. Why don’t you grow a pair and admit that you have a professional interest in bringing Mr. Bowen and his organization down?

  43. Ex-Pat2

    Festus NC, do you know of some evidence of fraud in Mr. Bowen’s organization?

  44. Ex-Pat

    I don’t have any such interest whatsoever. Over the years, Wally Bowen has been an extremely valuable asset to our community at the forefront of media reform legislation on the local and national level. MAIN and WPVM are really precious resources which he deserves credit for fostering here. I hope Mr. Bowen continues to do really great work like this.

  45. Ex-Pat

    I’d also like to add that I wish nothing but total success to Mr. Bowen. I hope he wins the money he is seeking so that MAIN can continue its mission to bring low cost internet access to more and more people of modest means, as well as provide them with access to information they otherwise might never have. Best of luck, Wally.

  46. Barry Summers

    OK, I’m a little confused, Ex-Pat1(the original WAS better than the sequel, now that I’ve watched it again).

    Maybe your sarcasm is of the fine, pureed variety that’s too ethereal for my coarse tastes. Which is the sarcasm: these past two love letters of yours to Wally, or the one above where you accused him of paranoia and double-crossing?

    ??
    ?

  47. Ex-Pat

    I genuinely apologize for my earlier caustic and unproductive remarks. I sincerely do wish Mr. Bowen the best. No sarcasm there. He should be recognized for the great things he has done in this community. I hope Asheville continues to benefit from his passionate promotion of independent media.

  48. Barry Summers

    Ex-Pat1 wrote:

    “I genuinely apologize for my earlier caustic and unproductive remarks. I sincerely do wish Mr. Bowen the best. No sarcasm there. He should be recognized for the great things he has done in this community. I hope Asheville continues to benefit from his passionate promotion of independent media.”

    I think I understand.

    “A nod’s as good as a wink to a blind bat.”

    Say No More.

  49. Barry Summers

    But seriously, the notion that Wally was in any way treated poorly by the Mountain Xpress in this matter is laughable. With all due respect to the editors & Jason S., the list of things we couldn’t get them to report on was infuriating.

    We had signed statements from sitting MAIN Board members making it was clear that the volunteers & public had been lied to, but for some reason Mtn X declined to run with it. We had Board members willing & eager to go on the record in interviews backing us up, and they were either never contacted or not used. We had audiotape of Wally lying on the air, directly contradicting statements on his own website. We had convincing evidence that Wally had secretly acted to read volunteers emails without our knowledge. The list of things that went unreported would’ve even more completely buried Wally AND the Board, but for some reason, the Xpress pulled their punches. Now Wally believes that enough time has past, and his rehabilitation tour begins.

    Maybe the truth is disappointingly simple, and the old adage needs to be updated: “Never pick a fight with a man who buys bandwidth by the barrel.”

  50. Ex-Pat2

    Gawd, Mr. Summers! Can you believe it?! Ex-Pat is part of a sleeper cell cleverly deployed by Mr. Bowen and his co-conspirators, waiting for the moment to turn their harsh words to praise, and mock your pure and noble protests! O, the deceit! The depravity of this man! Has he no sense of decency sir, at long last?!!

  51. Barry Summers

    What do you know? You’re just a sock with eyes glued on.

    Little…jiggly…eyes

  52. R,Bernier

    Wally,
    If Dale Ann Joyner stands up for you, then thats all I need to hear.
    RB
    —————————————————————————————————-

    Dale, Im pulling for you on the URTV Board of Directors no matter what Robin Cape says!!
    You will fit in the board along with the current exective director like a glove after all, you have said you are the queen of URTV.

    The queen has spoken: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCTr9A-LvRE

  53. Sundance

    “Since I can agree or disagree with anyone that I wish, I might agree with something that you stand for. That does not make me a liar because I do not continually “attack” someone as you continue to do me.”

    Glo… if you can’t take the heat then you, Brother Sex Offender and Ms. Joyner should have never ventured down you path of slander and liable directed towards Dial and others and actually Glo you and I use to be on very good terms until you started your sick and twisted horse hockey!

    Now your jumping in Wally’s bed of lies because it benefits your self serving interest and yes you did your shows for you and not the public. You did these shows to feed your over inflated ego.

    As for attacking you were only attacked when you continually attacked others. Tis you Glo, who threw the first stones filled with lies, deceit and non factual information.

    Like I said Glo, tell the truth for once and set yourself free! You will feel liberated and relieved and become a better person for being truthful again.

  54. Sundance

    “Golly Davine does this just apply to me or shall we dismiss “Sundance” and “Festus” as well?”

    Oh URTV Producer..nice try at the smoke screen but we have been over this before on other URTV threads. You are an anonymous poster as in no MX profile. I have am MX profile and have been active on the MX way before the mess you helped created at URTV. I also called out one of your comrades who has an MX profile out in regards to your anonomous posting smoke screen diversion. When we compared profiles, that person created a profile only after the first stories about URTV broke and has never made any other postings on the MX except for the URTV issue. By the way, your comrade vanished after being “called out” on that discussion so why don’t you do the same.

    :-)

  55. Stephen Kirbach

    Bowen’s “plea for accountability” trots out the usual irony of his propagandistic misrepresentation regarding his own organization’s lack of accountability.

    On WPVM we were required to read lies to the public regarding MAIN as a sustainable business model (it isn’t) and how money donated by listeners would be used, to boost the signal, for example (total nonsense).

    MAIN is not much different from a bank in crisis, and this is what anybody would hear if they had the chance to sit in on a board meeting when finances are discussed.

    People would be advised not to believe this man. He loves to cite sources, but when those sources are consulted, it’s clear that he cares little about the context from which he takes his quotes. Sometimes his source materials turn out to be pure garbage. I once traced one of his vague and self-serving quotes to a very short blog post, little more than a poorly developed paragraph, and yet he was passing it off as a well-developed essay.

    And then there was the time he skewed a Wendell Berry essay.

    Asheville deserves better than this. Wally blows a lot of smoke; he bullies, threatens, and lies. He portrays himself as a journalist, but whenever he uses that word in terms of himself, a listener or reader should think “propagandist.” He has no reservations about blending fact with fiction, and his fictions are constant.

    My family supported MAIN since 1997, but this last May my family dropped MAIN as an ISP.

    MAIN is a disaster, and Bowen is the reason for that disaster. He’d like people to think otherwise, of course.

  56. URTV Producer

    I can’t count how many times you have been told this “Sunshine”, but here it is again:

    I was not addressing you!
    My post was a response to Davine’s sad attempt to dismiss people with opposing views.

    Do you stand around at parties and wait for someone to take a breath so you can glom onto their discussions as well?

    :-( :-( :-{ :-[ :-( :-O
    People trying to have a discussion with Sundance around.

  57. Illuminatti_01

    “My post was a response to Davine’s attempt to dismiss people with opposing views”

    That Divine must be one powerful gal.

  58. Barry Summers

    I am not a professional. Unlike Wally, who gets paid a LOT of money for his whining, I do this for free.

    As for losers, the community that supported WPVM lost when one person turned it into his personal soapbox.

    And I’ll ‘let it go’ when he does. Any time he comes out and calls me & my friends liars again, you can bet there will be a response.

    Get over it yourself.

  59. Jon Elliston

    NOTE FROM THE EDITORS:

    Folks, thanks for reading and commenting here; now, we feel the need to try something new on this thread. Given the unique nature of this column, and the level of heated debate and finger-pointing that is occurring here, we’re requesting that all subsequent comments in this thread be followed by your name. Your *real* name.

    This way, we’ll all know who’s doing the commenting. We’re curious to see how, if at all, that will change either the tenor or the quality of this debate. So, to reiterate, we’ll be looking for all commentors on this thread to follow their comment with the real, full name. In the event you don’t, or if we find that you are using an alias or false name, we’ll reserve the right to take down your posts or refuse to have them appear.

    Thanks much, and here’s hoping that this experient takes us somewhere informative and respectful.

    Jon Elliston
    Managing Editor

  60. Barry Summers

    I apologize for telling the previous sockpuppet that their stupid name was stupid.

    My name is Barry Summers, and I approved this message.

  61. Thank you ever so much…… I did ask for this move early on in this thread. It should elevate the “discussion” immensely.

    I’m with Barry on this one…my name is Davyne and I approved this message.

  62. Barry Summers

    OK, on to more substantive discussion. Two observations:

    Why is Wally Bowen commenting on the URTV conflict as if it were in any way connected to the situation at WPVM? Having worked fairly closely with Wally for several years, I will say that he understands better than most the power of language. He chooses his words very carefully, and he seldom says anything for no reason. I believe that one of the primary reasons for this commentary (other than to try to rewrite a painful history,) was to put the letters ‘URTV’ and ‘MAIN/WPVM’ in the same sentence as many times as possible. I predict we’ll hear more on that in the days to come…

    Second, he claims that in a situation like this, ‘management’ is at a disadvantage, because they’re limited on what they can say on personnel matters. This limit didn’t seem to apply to Wally last September, when he publicly said pretty harsh things about Gillian Coates in order to justify throwing her out of the station that she had helped build. He continued the defense by saying that MAIN’s Board had reviewed and approved her dismissal. At least one Board member, a member of the WPVM Subcommittee (who one would think should be involved in such a review), responded that to her memory, such a review never occurred.

    This is the pattern that gets people riled up about Wally. The justifications and defenses shift constantly, the history of simple conversations you had a month ago get rewritten, until you never know where you stand, leading to frustration, and yes sometimes, harsh words in response. I’m not whining, I’m not attacking, and I’m not smearing Wally. I’m trying to point out why scores of people in this town have fled his organization, and why it will always be a fraction of what it could be if Wally would simply allow it.

  63. yes barry, every thing you say about wpvm,sounds just like the shenanigans going on at urtv,just change the name to pat..what the heck is up??
    my name is john blackwell
    po box 1125
    asheville,nc.
    28802
    and I approved this message.

    ” in order to justify throwing her out of the station that she had helped build.”
    john blackwell

  64. If the only reason that I produced GLoLady TV were for self serving purposes then I would always make sure that my makeup was on and my hair was done before going live over the air.

    Money would be paid to me by guests and Sponsors for their appearances.

    I ask myself many times why I continue producing for no monetary gain and the fact is… it is not all about me but the information that I share with others is not easily found on mass media.

    google GLoLady or GLoLady TV and you will find me as “a woman who radiates light” and “enlightening the masses”

    Lisa Bain Landis
    P.O. Box 1164
    Brevard, NC 28712

  65. Sundance,

    Dial is Not a topic on my agenda. Mention of my opinion on the subject where facts are facts are. I have better things to talk about than idle gossip.

    I never said that I would not like monetary compensation for the work that I do. Who wants to work continually for free? There is no “buy” to my sponsorship. It is by donation and all has been free so far. With no price set in stone.

    EGO is easing God out. I choose to live by Divine in what power does God have through me. Why should I undermine myself when I do have great God given talents and gifts?

    ENVY is one of the deadly sins why not come and produce your own work or tell of the great works that you have done?

    Since you go incognito and I have no idea who you are, I cannot confirm or deny any communication with knowing you before. Your opinion of me is yours and you are entitled to it.

    To Thine Own Self Be True yes, I would rather be me than you.

  66. Jon Elliston

    Sundance,

    As we explained a few posts up, on this thread we are no longer posting anonymous comments. Therefore, we’ll be closing any posts you put here without identifying yourself.

    Thank you.

  67. Jon Elliston

    Sundance (whose post we’ve just closed because he doesn’t use his real name):

    Please read my post a few posts up — the one that is highlighted in yellow — wherein we very clearly state:

    “Given the unique nature of this column, and the level of heated debate and finger-pointing that is occurring here, we’re requesting that all subsequent comments in this thread be followed by your name. Your *real* name.”

    Everyone who has posted since then has used their real name, and you’ll need to do so if you are going to post additional comments on this thread.

  68. After the not so nice private message from Sundance… I would really like to have him Disclose who he really is…. his threats are not nice…

  69. James Wilson

    “After the not so nice private message from Sundance… I would really like to have him Disclose who he really is…. his threats are not nice… ”

    If you cast stones GloLady, you should expect to receive the same. Remember Glolady, you and others at URTV continually attacked Sundance from the beginning of this circus of yours when he was only giving suggestions on how to fix the problems at URTV. Those are the plain facts evidenced by the threads on the MX. Once again, you have attempted to distort the truth and record for your own personal gain. Get your facts straight and if you can’t take the heat you created for yourself then perhaps it is time for to leave especially since once again you are demonstrating your belief that you are not required to follow rules by disclosing your information in your posts.

    Your inability as well as others at URTV to follow rules is one the reasons why URTV got in trouble in the first place and should have its s funding taken away and shut down.

    Glolady I serious doubt what you have just stated has very much truth to it, if any at all. You have continually demonstrated you are incapable of telling the truth. All of us have asked you for the truth with facts time and time again and you have continually avoided to do so.

    It is apparent to me that the only reason you do your show to satisfy your ego and nothing more. As that is the case, your show is your personal hobby rather then information for the masses which means you should pay for every penny of it, not me via PEG funds. I pay for all my hobbies so why don’t you start doing the same by paying all of your production and equipment costs of your show rather then ask me for a handout of public monies.

    NOTE TO JOHN ELLISTON:

    Glolady did not use her real name or give her information in her post. She has violated the rules you set forth and I expect you to delete all of her posts that do not comply. GloLady should not be immune from having to follow the rules.

    James Wilson
    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

  70. Jon Elliston

    James,

    Glolady, aka Lisa Bain Landis, did give her real name a few posts back. So she has disclosed who she is and anyone who is reading this thread will see that. Therefore, we’re keeping her posts up.

  71. This is my p.m. from Sundance…..

    “google GLoLady or GLoLady TV and you will find me as “a woman who radiates light” and “enlightening the masses”

    That is only because you have key worded yourself that way on your website, utube and other outlets. Nice try but give it a break Lisa. I do web work and SEO for a living and know a lot more about the internet in my little finger then you will ever be able to learn in your entire lifetime. Oh, and Lisa the next time you whine to John about posts you had better follow the rules correctly yourself…as you are not putting your real name in every post. Would you like for me to have your posts deleted as well? Its a shame that you want to dish it out but your not adult enough to have it dished back since I am always able to prove your incorrect and habitually lying time and time again.

    This is typical Dale Joyner, Brother Sex Offender and Pat behavior and you do not radiant light since you chose to behave that way. You are a fake that is incapable of making rational decisions, your incapable of being impartial and looking at all the facts and most importantly, you are incapable of being truthful and I know you will be held accountable to a higher power for that when your judgment day arrives. You allow yourself to be lead around by a ring in your nose by Pat and that convicted child sex offender you love to hang out with and I am very happy I have discovered what type of person you are and no longer consider you a colleague. I have better things to do then hang out with a habitual lair which is why your name is now Liar lady and maybe I will just have to do a little SEO work to make that known to all!
    ……………

    FYI

    GLoLady TV on Oct 9, 2009 is about Dravet syndrome… have you ever heard about it or do you even care? How sad people judge and condemn when others do good.

    Considering that I have hackers constantly undermining the work that I do this is a severe threat to me.

    If they can’t control you then they destroy you.

  72. travelah

    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

    er … wasn’t that the address the police gave for that oriental massage parlor that was busted there last year? (jk)

    come on MX, glolady’s last post was clearly over the line. What is up with publishing private emails on this public forum?

    A.M. Mallett (aka travelah)

  73. James Wilson

    There is nothing threatening in the PM you decided to cross the lines on and post with the exception that he offered to do the same for you as you have repeatedly done to everyone on this subject, censorship. Typical behavior on the part of you and others at URTV feeling you do not have to follow rules, bylaws, etc. Thank you for validating my points via your own post!

    Now what do you not understand in regards to the fact that you were the very first one to ever cast stones in regards to Sundance, Dial Berrnier, etc, etc, etc…Lisa? Looks to me as if Sundance correctly summed you up Glolady aka LiarLady aka Lisa.

    Perhaps after you do your show you should watch it yourself. Maybe it will help you discover what ailment you need treatment for?

    “If they can’t control you then they destroy you”

    Yes that is exactly what you and others at URTV have attempted to do to individuals who want to excercise their constitutional rights and do not want to embrace your iealogical nonsense or support you in your embezzlement of public dollars. So I guess you have proven to everyone here that Pat, Dale, Brother Christopher, Ralph, Jerry, you and some others at URTV suffer from Dravet Syndrome. Thank you for enlightening us. :-)

    Now how about admiting to your habitual lying habit as you have once again commited in this thread and the other threads related to URTV or do you think it might just be possible for you to be truthful and factual for a change?
    :-)

    Travel Ashe:

    The mailing address is to a UPS store and not a massage parlor which is my mailing address but who is to say that GloLady actually has the P.O. Box she says she has given her habitual lying habits which is why John’s little rule is stupid to begin with. Making people have an MX profile would have been plenty so now I will go sign up for one.

    By the way John she should be required to post her idenity on every post rather then leave it up to the reader to have to scroll and find out who she is, the burden of the proof should have to be on her. I personally feel this rule the MX is imposing to appease URTV and Wally is as stupid as it gets. What are they going to do if you don’t do this, cry?

    James Wilson
    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

  74. Jon Elliston

    travelah: If Lisa received a message, she has every right to publish it, just as any of us would.

  75. travelah

    It is good you clarified that. Generally speaking, private correspondence is just that, private unless both parties agree to take it public. It’s just bad form but what to heck, this is Asheville where everything is turned upside down.

  76. Prove where I lied or attacked anyone unprovoked. Facts are facts, like or agree with them or not.

    GLoLady is synonymous with Lisa Bain Landis
    Inventor of glow in the dark clothing and safety products.

    There is always a light in the dark, glo for it!

    Write me:
    P.O. Box 1164 Brevard, NC 28712

  77. James Wilson

    Glo… my suggestion is you go read all the threads related to URTv that the MX has done where you have stated time and time again information that has continually been proven wrong by factual information which additionally is probably why the Mounatin X never used any of the information you provided to them….Facts are facts and the sooner you recognize that the better off all of us will be.

    Additionally why don’t you also review your posts in regards to the initial VPM controversy. Once you do that I believe any sane person should be able to see how you jump from cause to cause so long as it benefits you. Now, your cheering Wally but before, you detested the ground he walked on, what is up with that? To me it seems awful hypocritical on your part.

    Your words are your own undoing Lisa and that is very saddening.

  78. My words are just that, my truth. My experience with URTV has been a positive one. I continue to see the studio grow in services and programing. Anyone who is active at the studio knows that. Anyone who views URTV sees that.

    To my knowledge, I have never met Wally. Why would I condemn someone forever if I agree with something that they say?

    True, I bend with the breeze, go with the flow unless I find the words to be false then I stand firm for the truth, as I see and experience it.

  79. James Wilson

    Lisa as I stated earlier, go read your own posts related to the VPM controversy regarding the firing of a popular radio show hosts. They are your very own words something you now seem to want to distance yourself from because it only demonstrates your own hypocrisy.

    Once again you demonstrating to all that you are incapable of following directions, rules, laws and bylaws by the statement you just made. Same items that have gotten URTV into trouble to begin with.

    “To my knowledge, I have never met Wally. Why would I condemn someone forever if I agree with something that they say?”

    So you are now agreeing with Wally and his censorship practices in regards to a radio show host that violated no rules, policies, etc simply because Wally had a personality problem with her. Remember this is proven fact and when it was happening your were indeed on the other side no you are embracing censorship which all the more reason to shut URTV down.

    Maybe the services at URTV grow but at what costs in regards to the citizens and the people you and others practiced defamation of character, slander and liable against. All the more reason to take your toys and play pen away from you.

    Facts are facts Lisa…how about sticking to them for once rather then continually try to put up a smoke screen to cover up all of your misdoings as well as those of Wally, URTV, MAIN and VPM.

    Have a great weekend.

    James Wilson
    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

  80. My comments were in regards to URTV. I never listened to the radio station and made no comments regarding such.

    My personal experience with URTV has been a possitive one. The personal vendetta that some people have in URTVs takedown is what I speak against.

    There could be something that comes out of your mouth that I would agree with. Because I agree with something a person says that does not automatically mean in totality.

  81. James Wilson

    Hmmm…but you refuse to talk about your personal vendetta against Dial that you exercised and participated in whole heartily even though they were only exercising their rights to freedom of speech in which they were only trying to help URTV and the public by making URTV management obey the bylaws, articles of non profit incorporation along with federal and state laws regarding the transparency of non profits corporations which you support of the three ring circus in which you committed fraud, slander, liable and defamation of character against Dial, Bernier, Blackwell, Sundance, Rosenthal and others. Your support for those events demonstrated you have no regard for laws that govern society and that you have absolutely zero ethics or morals in your persona which further demonstrates you are out for only your own personal interests and gain.

    By the way I still see you are denying you were rough on Wally…I guess you are ignoring your own pen ship you practiced a few months ago but are finding it hard to bury that skeleton of yours as well.

    Maybe you might want to watch your show again so you can get the name of a specialist to begin treating you for Dravet Syndrome.

    James Wilson
    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

  82. It seems that there is an imposter using my copyrighted photo and as close to my name as you can get? Make sure that my words are my words.

    Once when I went to the Transylvania County Commissioner meeting they made a mistake with an open meeting. Seems that mistakes are regular with the ever changing Laws that people can’t keep up with. Does that mean they were on purpose?

    Joking about the tragedy in someone’s life is not nice… I wish you well!

  83. James Wilson

    If it bothers you so much that I am asking her to be truthful and factual for a change, perhaps another topic better serve your interest.

  84. R.Bernier opinions

    I have sit on the side here just reading all the treads here. Let me be clear, I support public access & I fully belive there is a clear need of keeping this media for the public here
    in Buncombe County.

    However, their has been many issues & problems with the current power structure at URTV.

    Open board meeting laws along with city & county resolutions have been violated watch video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFfV2Ge4HQI

    We need to keep public access – I stand firm in what is right in order to keep public access while complying with resolutions & open board meeting laws.

    Thanks for making this venue Mtn.Exp & require real names.

    R.Bernier

    Lisa,
    Maybe you could afford getting more light on the current issues at URTV by doing a show?? which I again will offer to come & sit in. If you need others to be at the table, then that is fine with myself.
    You seem to care for public access & belive you have strong views, I hope you will consider doing a this show though im sure the powere structure would prefer no shows on URTV to talk about the current issues & problems.

    Recap of issues:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14wkE2zzZkU

  85. Sundance … what happened…. Are you the one that has been plaguing me for years?

    Still do not want to disclose who you are? 3 Fold Law….I wish you well!

    RB…. The answer is still NO….. not interested in talking bull… Produce your own show… why would I want to spend my time and money on you… As you know…Producers pay to create their own work.

    James…again…show me where I lied… if you don’t want the truth then ask me no questions.

  86. James Wilson

    Lisa…I have already told you where you can find your lies in regards to your posting about Wally in which you tried to claim to all that someone else was posting as you and using your copyrighted image.

    “It seems that there is an imposter using my copyrighted photo and as close to my name as you can get”

    this only demonstrated and proved to everyone here that you are incapable of being truthful and it was a pathetic ploy on your part and hilarious reading for all. Perhaps you should schedule an appointment with your Doctor as soon as possible and have the dosage on your medications adjusted because it is affecting your judgment,reasoning and cognitive functions. It also might help if you lay off of going into the bushes at URTV to smoke the “wacky weed” with Brother Christopher (Convicted Sexual Offender)until your Doctor gets your medication adjusted properly.

    Lisa the only reason you are turning RB down is because you are afraid of the truth and afraid what Pat will do to you if you did a show where the real truth actually came out once and for all. For someone who claims to be a professional journalist and supports freedom of speech and has been hypercritical of the Mountain X you surely are proving to all of us that you indeed are little hypocrite whose main objective is to suppress the truth rather then tell it as it is with factual information.

    Thank you once again for enlightening all of us again threw your own statements and actions.

    :-)

    James Wilson
    229 Airport Rd, Ste 7-104
    Arden, NC 28704

  87. lance

    I’m calling you out Mr. Barry Summers, let’s review your posts

    “the list of things we couldn’t get them to report on was infuriating”
    -perhaps it was hearsay or opinion rather than news

    “your name is stupid”
    -substantive discussion indeed. followed by an apology wrapped in an insult

    “I apologize for telling the previous sockpuppet that their stupid name was stupid.”
    -is disingenuous the best you can muster? You must rarely ever be wrong about anything because your apology skills SUCK.

    ” I’m not whining, I’m not attacking, and I’m not smearing”
    -it sure sounds like whining, attacking and smearing.

    Lance Wille
    the most beloved feller in all of the land

  88. James Wilson

    Lance…do you not think that in order for something to be reported it should be backed up by facts? The information Lisa and others at URTV have continually showed everyone is unsubstantiated material without factual evidence or material to back it up so it is hearsay. If active URTV members are indeed the model professional journalist they say they are then you would not even be trying to sell your “White Job”.

    I am not a sock puppet either and don’t get mad because I caught Lisa in another lie from her own words within this very thread! From my perspective you are the sock pupets that are being lead by Pat. I have come to the conclusion that URTV in its current state and management structure is a total waste of resources and public funds. When URTV’s legal team defied city council threw its stupid letter that was the last straw that broke the camels back.

    Which is:

    “Shut your little money pit hobby down that you expect the public to pay for without oversight,transparency and accountability once and for all and start over with supervision from UNCA or AB Tech without the current URTV management involved in any way.”

  89. Barry Summers

    Wow, Lance. Talk about selective quoting.

    ““the list of things we couldn’t get them to report on was infuriating”
    -perhaps it was hearsay or opinion rather than news”

    You fail to include the paragraph that followed my statement there, so I will re-state the evidence I was referring to:

    “We had signed statements from sitting MAIN Board members making it was clear that the volunteers & public had been lied to… We had Board members willing & eager to go on the record in interviews backing us up… We had audiotape of Wally lying on the air, directly contradicting statements on his own website. We had convincing evidence that Wally had secretly acted to read volunteers emails without our knowledge.”

    Nothing there can be called hearsay or opinion. I make no bones about stating my opinions, as this thread has shown. But when I have things like signed documents, emails, significant players willing to go on the record, and audiotapes, you can’t lump that in & dismiss it all as my ‘opinion’.

    As for the rest of your ‘j’accuse’ against me, yes, I’m sometimes snarky, like others on this thread, like yourself. Don’t worry – I won’t bother to replay your mean comments against me & my fellow volunteers as evidence.

    I’m sorry you’re so angry about this whole thing – I don’t recall you ever coming to the radio station, or participating in any way, yet you claim to know the truth better than those of us who were there. What’s up with that?

    Never mind. Rhetorical question. I’m done with this topic.

  90. James Wilson

    Barry …its often hard to get narrow minded individuals to look at truthful information backed up with factual information because they spend their time living in a fantasy world, are incapable of having a thought of their own and would rather be manipulated like Puppets from the puppet masters Pat Garlinghouse and Wally Bowen.

  91. James Wilson

    Great lets go for slander, liable,and defamation of character, Lisa. Dale Joyner,You and other fellow Garlinghouse puppets have committed all of these actions against Dial and Bernier.

    “It seems that there is an imposter using my copyrighted photo and as close to my name as you can get”

    I’m still laughing about your statement above and so is everyone else.

  92. James Wilson

    “Now we go for slander too…keep it up and it will be your downfall.

    That is a promise no threat.”

    You might wish to start practicing what you preach Lisa.

  93. I do practice what I preach. I live by the teachings of the Christ and other enlightened ones.

    If you look at other postings you will see that another poster had used my picture and had changed his name to Glo-Lady. He has been registered since 2007. Who it is I would like to know.

    Those who do know me also know that I will not say to your back what I won’t say to your face.

    I speak for myself, what I see and what I experience.

    Again the employees at URTV have my greatest respect for the job they do.

    Tell us James… are you an active producer at URTV? Where do you get your information?

  94. this is a short urtv pop quiz for the glolady.
    1-who was the first paying member of urtv ?
    2-who was paying member #2 ?
    3-who was the largest financial contributor last year ?
    4-who was the first producer to start doing live shows for urtv ?
    5-why do none of these people feel welcome at urtv now ?
    6-why have most of the urtv members left ?
    7-is there someone who just does not play well with others ?

    hint– the answer to three of these questions is pat garlinghouse.
    do you need another hint ??
    i am john blackwell..

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