Amy Goodman appeared at the Bagdad Theater last Saturday in a conversation with KBOO's talk-radio hosts Jo Ann Bowman and Dave Mazza.  There was a sense of warmth and community as Portland welcomed the woman who arguably sets the standard for contemporary journalism.

The discussion included causes for both hope and worry as Amy examined the implications of our existing power structure and those who work to effect grassroots change in our communities.  A key insight was the idea  that we can't just wait around to "see what happens" during this time of change.  We are approaching the end of the first 100 days of the present administration.  It has been all to easy for many of us to say, "I'm not sure how Obama will turn out as President.  I'll just wait and see."  While us common folks are tempted to wait and see, those with money and lobbyists are hard at work to influence the outcomes of decisions early in this administration's tenure.  This speaks to the need for each of us to speak up now and not wait until it's too late.  We are doing our part at KBOO by bringing a different side of the story to air than what you hear from the corporate media...

 And it is different.  Amy shared a story about covering the protests at the RNC.  She and her crew were harassed, humiliated and arrested.  Back at the convention center, an NBC reporter asked her--off the air--"Why is it that you were arrested and I wasn't?"  Amy asked if he had covered the protests.  He had not.  She told him that it was because she was on the streets covering police actions against protesters, and that--indeed--she herself did not get arrested while working the convention center skyboxes where she spoke with that network reporter.

Like Amy Goodman's Democracy Now!. KBOO is out there covering the protests, protesters, academics, activists and newsmakers who work for justice for people and the planet.  Amy's conversation was a KBOO benefit, and it showcased some of our homegrown talent as well.  As Station Manager, it's part of my job to show up at these functions, but as so often happens, it's exciting to walk away thinking, "Wow,  I am so happy that I was there!"  And I was happy to be there.  What a great time to be a part of community radio!