While driving home tonight, I heard a story on local public radio station WUNC about Ipas, a local non-profit working on women's health issues around the world, withdrawing underwriting support for WUNC because the station had balked at Ipas' use of the phrase "reproductive rights" in their underwriting announcement.
Here's the press release
Here's the online petition
And here's WUNC's position (utter craven doublespeak)
Feh! to WUNC. They've dropped shows I listened to (inc. "My Word"/"My Music", "Shickele Mix", "Whaddaya Know?", and "Afropop Worldwide"). They've never aired "le Show." Still, I was almost feeling bad after the recent pledge drive cos even tho I listen way less than I used to, I do still tune in while driving every once in a while. And I was thinking I should pony up with some $$. (no doubt some sort of Pavlovian guilt-response.) The only good thing I can say about WUNC is that at least they covered the story. Not much more than reporting what had happened but still better than pretending nothing had happened. But I'm quite glad I didn't give those fuckers any of my money. I think instead I'll donate something to Ipas.
If you're looking for a local radio station to support, XDU's benefit show is tomorrow night at 8.
as you know I used to do Ipas' website. They do amazing work -- at that time mainly providing equipment and training to make abortions safe and affordable in third world countries, but they may have expanded to other things since then. They kind of screwed us when they moved their site, but I'd still donate to them.