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May 2015

The Journalistic Ethics Of Lars Larson

Audio-input-microphoneLars Larson is a Washington State resident who hosts a Portland-based radio show that focuses on how much he dislikes Oregon.  You can often see him on FOX News.

Long ago, before turning to talk radio, he was a television reporter who interviewed me numerous times, and I would sometimes go on his radio show in the early days until his rhetoric became so extreme it was clear going on The Lars Larson Show only provided legitimacy to someone who didn't deserve it (I have, however, offered to debate him on the issues facing my state in a neutral setting).  

That doesn't stop him from talking about me on air or sending random Tweets to me (he follows my account but I don't bother to follow his).  

Still, I came across one of his tweets this weekend that stuck me as odd:

What was the context of this tweet? I'm not entirely sure. But I do know that Larson doesn't just mention personal characteristics when it matters to a story and I tweeted so:

As you might imagine, that made Lars a bit upset:

But here's the rub: I'm right.

Here is what Media Matters reported:

On the October 31 broadcast of his nationally syndicated radio show, Lars Larson played a spoof "Barney Frank for President" advertisement, in which a person said: "Hi, everybody. I'm Barney Frank and I'm running for president of the United States. Why? Well, because Nancy Pelosi pissed me off. Harry Reid pissed me off, and so did ol' Barack. Ol' Barack himself pissed me off too. I'm pissed at the Repubicans and the Democraps, and I'm going to run as an independent sort of fellow." The ad concludes: "Now remember, this Erection Day -- Election Day, vote for Barney Frank for President. I'm Barney Fag -- uh, Frank and I approve this massage -- message."

Just don't call Lars Larson a journalist. He is a longtime crusader against equality for all Americans. Larson is a talk show host. A Tea Party activist. Someone who calls gay people "fag." But nothing close to an ethical journalist.


Welcoming Hillary Clinton To 2016

Rev.Chuck Currie
Sec. Hillary Clinton & Rev. Chuck Currie in 2014

It appears that Hillary Clinton is ready to enter the 2016 presidential race on Sunday. Many will remember that I supported Barack Obama during the 2008 election. I did so because I believed he was the right choice for a unique moment in our history and I've never regretted that decision. That doesn't mean I've agreed with his every position. Hillary Clinton has the opportunity in 2016 to carry on the work of the economic recovery and peace building that began in 2009. She was a key figure as Secretary of State in bringing combat operations to an end in Iraq and has been a important backer of a negotiated settlement with Iran vs. another war in the Middle East. Few people in modern history have promoted human rights for women and girls with more vigor. She was an early voice for equality for gays and lesbians. Like with Barack Obama, I know there will be times I disagree with her. Still, I share her overall vision for a more prosperous America for all and look forward to a more detailed economic agenda as the race progresses. She has been willing to wade into the difficult and painful issues of race and police accountability while other candidates have ducked. A United Methodist influenced from an early age by The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Clinton understands the need for racial reconciliation. A Clinton candidacy will bring experience and substance to a race thus far filled with rhetoric meant not to unite Americans but to divide us. A Hillary Clinton candidacy will be good for America.


Clergy Letter to Senator Ron Wyden On Iran

Ron_Wyden_official_portrait_cropApril 9, 2015


The Honorable Senator Ron Wyden
Sent via email

Dear Senator Wyden:

We are writing to both congratulate you on being named the winner of the 2015 Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award from Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO) and to personally take this opportunity to urge you to oppose S.615, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act of 2015.

Both of us have been deeply honored in the past to have our ministries recognized by EMO. Rev. Lore was given the 2013 Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon Award for Justice and Rev. Currie was given the 2003 Vollum Ecumenical Humanitarian Award. We agree you are deeply deserving of your award for opposing torture and standing up for human rights.

As for Iran, we strongly agree with J Street, which has stated:

“With the critical details of a comprehensive agreement yet to be worked out, it is more important than ever that Congress not take actions that will undermine America's negotiators at the table. There must also be no question that, if a final agreement ultimately cannot be reached, the United States is not to blame. We therefore continue to oppose new sanctions legislation currently before the Senate, and remain committed to working with Senators and Members of Congress toward legislation that provides for robust and responsible Congressional oversight of Iranian compliance with any agreement reached.

The diplomatic path being pursued by the United States and its international partners remains better than all the other alternative approaches to dealing with Iran. Military action would delay but not completely destroy the Iranian program, while dragging the United States and Israel into a costly and bloody war.”

S.615 would undermine President Obama’s diplomacy. We have already seen U.S. Senator Tom Cotton publically argue for a bombing campaign against Iran, despite wisdom from current and former military advisors to both political parties who state such action would fail and provoke a larger conflict.

The National Council of Churches “has long advocated for engagement with the Iranian Government, especially with regard to the nuclear question, as engagement is the best means to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation.” We concur. 

How members of the Senate vote on this issue may determine whether or not we go to war with Iran – a war that is avoidable if diplomacy is given every chance, as the president has asked. 

As clergy in Oregon deeply committed to peace, we urge you to publically oppose S.615 in the strongest possible terms.

Sincerely,

Rev. Kate Lore
Minister for Social Justice
First Unitarian Church, Portland

Rev. Chuck Currie
Director, Center for Peace and Spirituality
University Chaplain
Pacific University | Oregon