[BC] oops

[Rich Wood]

------ At 10:08 PM 1/25/2006, Barry Mishkind wrote: -------

>         No apologies needed.  When someone makes the
>         effort to share, it is to be applauded.
>         All too many sit back and "lurk" these days
>         for many reasons.  (Some of them corporate .. sigh)

Unfortunately very true. I've been very lucky in that my employers 
never had a problem with me being on any list or newsgroup. Even when 
Laura Schlessinger tried to get me fired for posting stuff about her, 
the owner read the printouts and laughed while I was being properly 
chastised by others for writing them. The setting was a beautiful 
ranch in Carmel, CA, by the pool during a company manager's.meeting. 
I was told to write a letter to one of my best friends who writes 
about radio for the NY Post. He called me (knowing full well why it 
was written). We had a good laugh and Laura was happy.

In fact, when WOR was having trouble with its first digital audio 
system we couldn't get decent support until I posted something on the 
Compuserve BPForum. I walked in on a conference call where the 
installer for the machine suggested I should be put in a darkened 
closet and forced to stick my finger up my nose and run in circles. 
Of course, I was in New York. We translated the position of the 
finger to mean another orifice. I posted his suggestion. Literally 
moments later the company called and agreed to send someone to, 
finally, correct the problem.

The climate has changed. I doubt many companies would hire me (over 
and above the fact I'm beyond the 20 something hiring age limit) 
simply because I participate here.

As I've said before, many of the lurkers come to me to ask me to 
raise an issue. They know they're toast if they appear on any list or 
newsgroup. Their companies have positions on issues. All must run in 
lockstep. We can't have an employee disagreeing with some exalted 
Vice President. Even asking a technical question is often off limits. 
God help you if you comment on IBUZ.

Getting fired in 21st Century radio is almost a given. It's not a 
matter of if, but when. I have friends who have been fired for being 
unwilling to risk their lives just to keep a transmitter on the air.

Rich