tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post5932921126566633198..comments2024-03-18T22:50:29.792-07:00Comments on Cliff Mass Weather Blog: KUOW and Its ListenersCliff Mass Weather Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13948649423540350788noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-15799699310580216242011-06-28T22:21:07.604-07:002011-06-28T22:21:07.604-07:00After reading Cliff's posts on this topic, and...After reading Cliff's posts on this topic, and reading some of what KUOW has written, as well as their recent financial statements, I think this is a worthwhile fight. The station is partially funded by UW, which means that's our tax dollars being wasted, and that really makes me angry. I say we boycott the station (how long do you think the sponsors are going to stay interested if the audience disappears?), start attending the board meetings, contact our legislators to complain about the misuse of tax funds, and anything else we can think of to try to force the station to make some much-needed reforms.LaffingKathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00910001387182853917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-4250877623506828792011-06-24T08:04:18.407-07:002011-06-24T08:04:18.407-07:00Cliff, I guess the deeper question is, Do you have...Cliff, I guess the deeper question is, Do you have some concrete ideas about what you want to do to try to generate change at the station? Do you have a specific strategy in mind that would attract other people in support of the effort?Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03081416635041611994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-32285106031369834422011-06-23T23:13:57.102-07:002011-06-23T23:13:57.102-07:00Moveon.Cliff Trying to reform KUOW is like King C...Moveon.Cliff Trying to reform KUOW is like King Canute trying to reform the tide. KUOW is very corporate. It is not KBCS, with volunteer student hosts playing music they like. Comparing oneself to Rick Steves extolling the virtues of pot is a non-starter. Rick is a commodity, with his own show, and appears regularly on fund raisers. Knock out at the bell. Carl Sagan did not deign to wrestle with pigs (You both get dirty). Find a venue for your always entertaning and educational views on weather, climate and education, that tolerates contrarian viewpoints. The Masses will follow you.strix27https://www.blogger.com/profile/08754896384356494723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-56360748170026212872011-06-23T18:20:08.335-07:002011-06-23T18:20:08.335-07:00Reading your response about trying to change KUOW ...Reading your response about trying to change KUOW makes me wonder whether that battle is worth it. It sounds like the station has degraded and lost educated listeners--do you really want to make it your job to try and change it? What is the true likelihood that you can make a difference in that fight? Would it be better to spend your energy trying to improve science education and pursuing avenues for reporting on weather and climate? The decision is personal, obviously, but the former sounds like a bitter, discouraging battle where your efforts may be perceived as sour grapes, and the latter two options sound more meaningful, fruitful, and more likely to produce good results. Just my two cents :)Woodrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079958095305271932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-56217893672840689532011-06-23T18:05:19.832-07:002011-06-23T18:05:19.832-07:00A perfect elucidation of the topic. It's obvio...A perfect elucidation of the topic. It's obvious that they are doing whatever they can to cement their decision in the minds of the public. I have to agree with others here: no matter how popular your segment was, or how right you are, or how many complain, there doesn't appear to be any solution that involves reinstating your segment. Someone at the top has decided to cut you out and is not going to change their mind. By reporting publicly on the topic, you have burned the bridges too, and have left no real avenue for reconciliation that doesn't involve an executive admitting they made a mistake and swallowing their pride. People in power do not do that.<br /><br />I don't think this battle is worth fighting anymore. By closing the door on this whole episode and using that energy to find new avenues for your talents, you retain your dignity and reveal them to be small-minded jerks. Instead of thinking of it as a defeat, think of it as an opportunity, even if has been forced upon you. Your listeners will follow, but more importantly, you might find thousands of new fans too. <br /><br />Personally, I only know you through this blog, where I receive an ongoing education in PacNW weather and don't mind if you stray off topic. Thanks for maintaining it!Woodrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02079958095305271932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-55907501619133308672011-06-23T15:23:46.510-07:002011-06-23T15:23:46.510-07:00I'd just as soon hear Cliff's side of thin...I'd just as soon hear Cliff's side of things. I don't see any bashing going on, just some plain speaking. Truth will out. Name names. Folks can skip the commentary if they don't want to know what people care about behind the weather reports. But they really should want to know where their weather reports come from. <br /><br />There appears to be no radio station to serve either students OR faculty at UW. Instead we get radio by administrators for administrators. Weather is just one tiny piece. What a loss.Gerry Barnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02697981765225241196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-26544799073805139022011-06-23T15:19:56.920-07:002011-06-23T15:19:56.920-07:00Just a thought...
Maybe consider contacting Lars ...Just a thought...<br /><br />Maybe consider contacting Lars Larson? He lives in Vancouver, and has more pull when it comes to radio than anyone around here. Maybe, he'd give you a spot on his show, or get you help getting your own show? Best of luck and hope to hear you back in the radio business soon...iphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03337836157323303376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-88017440205227380602011-06-23T11:24:47.156-07:002011-06-23T11:24:47.156-07:00J, Puffin and a few others giving me kindly advice...J, Puffin and a few others giving me kindly advice---<br /> The question is not me wanting to go back to KUOW...it is too late for that. What I am interested in is changing KUOW. Some commented that this is not possible...well, I would like to give it a try. And the key to that is not simply going away like Puffin notes...that is what they expect and hope for. Several of us will have to keep it up...for years if necessary. If we don't do that KUOW will remain the same...that is pretty much guaranteed...cliffCliff Mass Weather Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948649423540350788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-81185172507863576902011-06-23T07:52:23.295-07:002011-06-23T07:52:23.295-07:00I've worked for public radio. Whenever a progr...I've worked for public radio. Whenever a program is discontinued or a favorite commentator leaves, there is a predictable uproar from the most vocal fans (in the management's eyes, a miniscule percentage of the station's listenership).<br /><br />Management's attitude is to let these fans vent and express their outrage and then put the episode behind as fast as possible. Soon the uproar subsides and the everyone moves on.<br /><br />The bottom line is that the station controls the content of its local programming. That being said, KUOW handled this whole affair in a remarkably poor way, leaving behind a lot of ill feelings. It's a sad commentary on the state of KUOW, but it's important to keep one's sense of perspective.Puffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18098194506781307270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-14250601827720861482011-06-22T21:17:13.278-07:002011-06-22T21:17:13.278-07:00While I salute your desire and intention to make p...While I salute your desire and intention to make people aware of what's behind the curtain at KUOW, I hope you'll reach a point where you can say "'nuff said" and move on. KUOW supporters should have the info you have conveyed so they can knowingly choose where to put their money. But I and so many others long ago gave up on what was once a really good station. Steve Scher and the rest of them have dumbed it down so badly that it's pitiful, and even embarrassing to listen to. You need to be welcomed and fully appreciated in a setting where you can speak to the issues that are important to you (and many of us too). We need your voice on these issues, Cliff! Please don't waste your energy trying to change what isn't going to change, at least for now.Jhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03081416635041611994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-53850317480449778282011-06-22T21:08:25.043-07:002011-06-22T21:08:25.043-07:00Well I must tell you when my anual pledge envelope...Well I must tell you when my anual pledge envelope came today I told them no more till Cliff is back on...a small effort but I felt it needed to be made.<br /><br />Cheers Cliffbridgid10https://www.blogger.com/profile/08975908007693592131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-10682194215328737142011-06-22T21:06:06.265-07:002011-06-22T21:06:06.265-07:00Seems quite ironic that a private corporation is m...Seems quite ironic that a private corporation is making the decisions on this, it may be "public radio" but it is not publicly controlled radio. Well that is unless the self appointed board actually decides to take a good look at what's going on. My guess is as long as the station brings the money in no one will do anything to upset their echo chamber at KUOW.<br /><br />http://www.srg.org/governance/report1.html<br /><br />http://www.kuow.org/about/board.php<br /><br />FYI: There is a public board meeting on July 7th.showhankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15790749155374050802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-1121712851828030082011-06-22T19:19:30.476-07:002011-06-22T19:19:30.476-07:00I have to agree with Barry that it seems like some...I have to agree with Barry that it seems like something else may have spurred this on, Cliff, but you may never find out what it is. <br /><br />As a former journalist, I had to lock horns with some education "professionals" in this state (school superintendents and ESD superintendents). Some of these people were the most petty, rude, manipulative, insecure, and unprofessional people I have ever met. I have been hung up on, screamed at, and threatened. <br /><br />I have to wonder if that culture of insecurity might be partially responsible for what happened to you. Lots of money and lots of jobs are involved in any big curriculum changes, as you know. And, frankly, you are the worst kind of enemy--a charismatic, knowledgeable speaker who already has a wide and loyal audience. You'll forgive me the expression, but "perfect storm" comes to mind. <br /><br />I teach English at a community college now, and I'm shocked at how low my students are--I can't even use three-syllable words with most of my students. You folks in the math and science fields are right to sound the alarm. We all should be.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-52907577634381212282011-06-22T18:43:27.390-07:002011-06-22T18:43:27.390-07:00One could also sum it up as:
KUOW wanted to JUST ...One could also sum it up as:<br /><br />KUOW wanted to JUST have a weather segment.<br /><br />You (Cliff) wanted to have a weather segment, but could not guarantee to keep it at that.<br /><br />KUOW did not want that, dismissed you, and got a new guy who JUST does the weather. <br /><br />Honestly, Friday's aren't that different. A guy comes on and talks about NW weather. A little education mixed in. Done. <br /><br />I think the way KUOW went about handling the whole situation (too informal, trading emails?) exposes some of the more important weaknesses in their operation. As you point out, they're a big, psuedo-corporate operation. Not some dog-and-pony local radio station. There needs to be a formal process for this kind of stuff. Maybe that would include some sort of public commenting period, or whatever, but at least a place to properly work through the issues each party has.<br /><br />NoahNoahThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02776003033078383068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-43957818082393312862011-06-22T17:40:43.862-07:002011-06-22T17:40:43.862-07:00"And I agreed never to talk about those educa..."And I agreed never to talk about those education matters and never did again."<br /><br />This is new information for me; Barry is on to something, something we don't yet know about. <br /><br />Some years ago a new ratings-crazed King-TV Big Kahuna fired Jeff Renner. But later on, a Poobah weighed heavily in and Jeff returned after a decent interval. King-TV is a business. KUOW is Plutocracy of Intolerant Seattle Liberals, the same ones who just voted to lease the state's liquor wholesale monopoly as a legislative emergency. I thought Cliff was getting blown away when his analysis of math gradients in public education became radioactive among the plutocrats. Really, a weatherman of all sorts should be able to forecast without ever being wrong the result of relieving himself into a very strong wind. Perhaps the nomenklatura reasoned Cliff would remain unreformed and critical of public education. Galileo bowed to the Inquisition when the Church found heliocentrics was heresy but some years later he defended his thesis, was tried by the Inquisition, was forced to recant, and then entered lifetime house arrest. I guess Galileo had tenure, just like Cliff.wildbillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01389489199105186950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-46249213510400502922011-06-22T16:44:27.161-07:002011-06-22T16:44:27.161-07:00"All animals are equal, but some animals are ...<i>"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."</i><br /> - Orwell<br /><br /><i>Sic semper ex "progressivism"</i>...<br /><br />.Hair Bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18303259947289541669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-378739839022934402011-06-22T15:18:05.312-07:002011-06-22T15:18:05.312-07:00From what we can read here and on facebook etc. th...From what we can read here and on facebook etc. there seems a high correlation of the ones least understanding the issues siding with KUOW and it's incompetent board - and the better informed people siding with your cause.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02378008305539753101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-71726482705567073872011-06-22T15:10:53.735-07:002011-06-22T15:10:53.735-07:00You are so right, Cliff in everything you describe...You are so right, Cliff in everything you described so clearly and it is important to fight on to get some change from the arrogant behavior of KUOW.Tonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02378008305539753101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-91782846500241468932011-06-22T14:33:44.616-07:002011-06-22T14:33:44.616-07:00I appreciate the clarity with which you've des...I appreciate the clarity with which you've described your relationship and interactions with KUOW.<br /><br />However, nothing you've said - and nothing said by KUOW - explains why your segment was terminated.<br /><br />Sure, I've heard the explanations about mixing editorial commentary on education with weather commentary. It's impossible to give credence to these claims - really, they're just goofy.<br /><br />I'm not prone to conspiracies, but surely there's something else going on that has not been revealed...personality clashes, UW politics, or something. Who knows? But things aren't as they seem.<br /><br />And since things aren't as they seem, and since KUOW has repeatedly led listeners astray on this issue (describing your termination as a "departure," for example), I plan no longer to support KUOW. And I will follow the lead of an earlier commentator and return printed solicitations with an appropriate sentiment.<br /><br />In the meantime, I encourage you to report on this blog about the real reasons for your termination. Thank you.Barryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09412033978642026623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-40561785589820194452011-06-22T13:25:25.624-07:002011-06-22T13:25:25.624-07:00John,
I appreciate your advice of letting it go...John,<br /> I appreciate your advice of letting it go, but my goal now is not returning to KUOW, but join a growing group of people who would like to change it. If I let it go, it remains the same and it should not...cliffCliff Mass Weather Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13948649423540350788noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-78354121273983943472011-06-22T13:15:56.089-07:002011-06-22T13:15:56.089-07:00Dear Cliff,
The KUOW ?
Let. It. Go.
This is a c...Dear Cliff,<br /><br />The KUOW ?<br /><br />Let. It. Go.<br /><br />This is a change and therefore an opportunity.Johannes Rexxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03456790971750311680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-54933926005399667822011-06-22T12:47:56.433-07:002011-06-22T12:47:56.433-07:00Saw a good bumper sticker: We don't care, We d...Saw a good bumper sticker: We don't care, We don't have to- we're KUOW!Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12021493398816554535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-13401248592985249842011-06-22T12:46:39.814-07:002011-06-22T12:46:39.814-07:00What an unfortunate situation for everyone. If the...What an unfortunate situation for everyone. If the arrogance of KUOW doesn't amuse, the irony certainly must... I wonder what Steve must be "learning"...<br /><br />From the KUOW.ORG site bio for Steve:<br /><br /><i>"Steve Scher came to KUOW as a graduate work–study student in 1986. He stayed because of the quality of stories being produced and the <b>intelligence of his peers and the listeners</b>. Over the years, as a producer and host, Steve has had the opportunity to talk with senators, poets, presidents, a princess and a duke, <b>but no one has taught him as much about human nature as have the KUOW listeners</b>."</i>Jeff Browninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439143602748320994noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-83114675724304645792011-06-22T12:43:12.553-07:002011-06-22T12:43:12.553-07:00Cliff, I have followed you for years on this blog ...Cliff, I have followed you for years on this blog and the radio. I greatly appreciate your educational weather forecasts. I bought your book.<br /><br />I understand your frustrations, but I also understand Steve's perspective and the termination. This blog post quickly turns into KUOW bashing, and in my opinion gets away from the relatively simple differences in journalistic opinion. You risk sounding a bit whiny and somewhat of a sore loser. I hope you can move forward, find a new station for your forecast, and continue to educate the public about our weather.btracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05459283717277410951noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7478606652950905956.post-34172735755791684662011-06-22T12:42:56.143-07:002011-06-22T12:42:56.143-07:00What an unfortunate circumstance. If the arrogance...What an unfortunate circumstance. If the arrogance of KUOW doesn't amuse, the irony sure does... Direct from Steve Scher's bio on the kuow.org site:<br /><br /><i>"About Steve Scher: Steve Scher came to KUOW as a graduate work–study student in 1986... Over the years, as a producer and host, Steve has had the opportunity to talk with senators, poets, presidents, a princess and a duke, but <b>no one has taught him as much about human nature as have the KUOW listeners</b></i>.Jeff Browninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10439143602748320994noreply@blogger.com