Steve Brown and His Propaganda Machine

I know this might sound Andy Rooneyish but, I’ve always been skeptical about people who are so willing to put their picture on all of their documents. Since this is not a common practice I wonder what their motivation is. Hmmmm.

In past years, weeks before each of our fund drives, Steve Brown’s propaganda machine was geared up to send out emails and letters to his extensive address book of subscribers and listeners strongly suggesting to them that they should not support WBAI with their cash contributions. His methodology was the utilization of negative racial imagery and totally fabricated conversations and encounters designed to undermine listener confidence in WBAI and past Pacifica management. The ACE brochure is a continuation of his effort to manipulate reality and impose his will.

Over the past several months, the Steve Brown propaganda machine has been operating at full toxic speed. It seems that hardly a week goes by that he isn’t sending out an email or a letter with his face splattered on the front page. Even though he is not running in the present board election, his imprint is indelibly etched all over ACE’s literature. Any intelligent reader can clearly see that he is the one who controls this organization. He has brought to their presentation all of the subterfuge and deception that he uses in his business of marketing junk products that people don’t need and that often don’t work. (whoisstevebrown.info)

Stevie’s latest mailing is the ACE election brochure. It is a slick brochure replete with misstatements of facts, the use of images that give the impression of endorsements and also…his picture. Most of the people whose images he has attached to this document are there to give the impression that they endorse his slate of candidates. People like Harry Belafonte, Mumia Abu Jamal, Amy Goodman, Howard Zinn, Noam Chomsky, Alice Walker, Gore Vidal, etc were never asked about whether their images could be used in this fashion. Most of them don’t even know what ACE is. This is all being done to mislead the reader into believing that these individuals are all on board with Mr. Brown. An honest candidate with principles would not go along with the type of trickery. But then they wouldn’t be on Stevie’s slate. This slate is packed with individuals who are willing to acquiesce to Brown’s leadership and influence. Obviously, they cannot be trusted to stand up and insure adherence to the Pacifica Mission against reactionaries.

Speaking of reactionaries, Steve Brown and Grace Aaron constitute the present leadership of Pacifica. This is a marriage of East coast millions with West coast millions. They both share a common philosophy. They believe that Pacifica should be reshaped to appeal to a richer, wider, whiter audience. Their recent actions are a testimony to this assertion.

Take Forward WBAI is ACE and ACE is Take Forward WBAI. Take Forward WBAI’s brochure is also an obvious Brown product. It employs the same tactics that the ACE brochure uses. For instance, I knew Al Lewis and if one check’s with his widow, Karen, I am sure that she would tell you that Al and I were friends. I know that Al would not have sanctioned the use of his image on the Take Forward WBAI brochure. I know that his politics and beliefs were the antithesis of Take Forward WBAI. He would firmly denounce the overtly racist statements and associated behaviors that the leaders of this group have made over the years. This is a very nasty bunch.

Readers and voters should be outraged by the ACE group and Brown’s blatant attempt at manipulation. This is not the kind of leadership that WBAI needs or deserves. Whenever reading a document issued by Brown, make sure you read the small print first.

Until next time, Stay Strong and Pay Close Attention,
Bernard White
http://www.takebackwbai.org