From 76150.1170@CompuServe.COM Sun Jan 19 21:21:46 1992 Date: 18 Jan 92 22:08:01 EST From: Stephen Smith <76150.1170@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: re Agran developments Hi Harel -- I'll take a look at your two letters as quickly as possible. But in the meantime let me give you this text to release to as many nets as you feel appropriate. This basically spells out our position. Feel free to change the on-line addresses to whatever you feel is appropriate, including "Stephen Smith 76150,1170@compuserve.com" or however it's written! Thanks, Steve SPEAK UP FOR DEMOCRACY! PROTECT YOUR RIGHT TO CHOOSE! STOP THE MacNEIL/LEHRER NEWSHOUR BLACKOUT OF LARRY AGRAN! On January 31, 1992, The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour on PBS will stage a debate for only five of the Democratic presidential candidates. One candidate has been arbitrarily excluded. That candidate is Larry Agran. When you go to the polls, you will see Larry Agran's name on the ballot. You have a right to know where Larry Agran stands and what kind of leadership he'll bring to America. But MacNeil/Lehrer is trying to deny you that right. By any reasonable criteria, Larry Agran should be included in this nationally telecast debate. Consider these facts: LARRY AGRAN HAS A DISTINGUISHED CAREER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. Larry Agran served for 12 years on the City Council of Irvine, Calif., including six years as mayor. He was widely recognized as one of the most progressive municipal leaders of the 1980s. The New York Times described his administration as "a crucible of municipal innovation." The United Nations gave Irvine its highest award for environmental leadership. He served for eight years as the executive director of a foreign policy think-tank. He led a nationwide boycott by cities of South Africa, travelled to Vietnam to win the release of political prisoners, and established economic trade ties between Irvine and cities in Mexico and Japan. And he authored California's 1982 bilateral nuclear freeze initiative, passed by voters statewide. LARRY AGRAN IS WAGING A NATIONALLY VISIBLE CAMPAIGN. The second Democrat to announce his candidacy for the party's 1992 presidential nomination, Larry Agran has campaigned across the nation, telling millions of voters about his "New American Security" program. He's been profiled by national media such as The CBS Evening News, The Larry King Show, The Discovery Channel, CNN, C-SPAN --and yes, MacNeil/Lehrer. He's been covered by scores of major newspapers across the nation, including USA Today and The Christian Science Monitor. LARRY AGRAN IS ON THE BALLOT IN STATES ACROSS THE NATION. Larry Agran has already qualified for the primary ballot in eight states, including New Hampshire, with more on the way. LARRY AGRAN HAS A NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGN STAFF. In addition to national campaign headquarters in Irvine, Larry Agran has state or regional campaign offices across the country. LARRY AGRAN HAS RAISED CAMPAIGN FUNDS NATIONWIDE. Larry Agran has raised over $200,000 in individual campaign contributions from donors across America. (As a matter of principle, Larry Agran refuses to accept donations from Political Action Committees.) So why is MacNeil/Lehrer excluding Larry Agran? They say that that they have "no specific criteria" but in their "journalistic judgment" Larry Agran isn't "newsworthy" -- even though MacNeil/Lehrer's Senior Producer for Politics sent Larry Agran a letter after his first interview telling him that their stations were swamped with calls from Americans wanting to know more about Larry Agran. The Public Broadcasting System, unlike the privately owned networks, is supposed to be the network of the American people. After all, they're "viewer-supported" television. Your donations give YOU the right to say what kind of broadcasting PBS offers. Only YOU should have the right to decide if Larry Agran is the president you want to lead America into the 1990s. If you want to see Larry Agran included in the January 31 debates, take these steps: (1) Call and/or write the decision-makers at The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour: Robin MacNeil Dan Werner, Assoc. Exec. Producer The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour The MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour 356 W. 58th Street 3620 S. 27th Street New York, NY 10019 Arlington, VA 22206 (212) 560-3113 (703) 998-2870 (2) Call and/or write your local PBS affiliate. PBS is supported by viewer donations. Tell them that you want to see Larry Agran in the MacNeil/Lehrer debate. Tell them that you will not contribute to so-called "viewer-supported" television in the future if they don't provide the programming you want. (3) Call national, regional and local current-events talk shows. Tell them about the MacNeil/Lehrer blackout. Tell them that the voters, not the media "gatekeepers," should choose who will be our next President. For more information, contact the Agran 92 national headquarters (800) 727-9425. Agran 92 can also be reached on-line at: CompuServe 76150,1170 GEnie AGRAN92 Prodigy KBVR23A Peacenet agran92