In today’s media-sotted society, getting famous is everything. It doesn’t matter how. Charles Mansons and Mother Theresas can both get book contracts and ghost writers. Saints and charlatans are encouraged to apply.
“The message of television is ‘you are irrelevant.’ If your language or your color do not appear on television, you don’t matter,” said Access Sacramento Executive Director Ron Cooper at the 2002 inaugural board meeting of Sierra Nevada Community Access Television. Nothing has changed save that California’s capital city now has a nationally leading community radio-TV operation while Sparks-Reno’s got starved to death.
Donald Trump is running for president using the public relations playbook of Jerry Brown 1.0. In his first stint as California governor in the 1970s, Brown spent most of his time writing press releases. Only on rare occasion did he actually have to do something.
When the med-fly threatened the Golden State’s agricultural industry, Brown was forced to move. When César Chávez marched on Sacramento, Brown supported the landmark California Farmer-Labor Act which granted field workers rights long-enjoyed by many others.
As former Tribunite Dennis Myers notes in the Reno News & Review, we are currently confronted with two “wildly unpopular” presidential candidates.
What will decide the election? Alas, the word “president” begins with “PR.” All that matters is how you seem on TV.
GEORGE “BATTLING” NELSON, 1932-2016. The great fighter for workers rights left us last Thursday for the big boxing ring in the sky. True to form, he requested that his memorial celebration be conducted like a union meeting.
It will be held in Sparks at a date to be announced soon. Watch NevadaLabor.com and send me remembrances.
SENIOR STATUS. Battling Nelson had friends and family to help him in his last days. He also received in-home hospice care. Not everyone is so fortunate.
The Sanford Center on Aging at UNR needs volunteers by July 1 to assist senior citizens. As few as two hours a week can make a big difference.
“Trained Senior Outreach Services volunteer care providers assist and support clients 60 years and older who are frail, homebound and of low income. These seniors need essential services, socialization, emotional support and transportation for medical appointments and essential errands,” according to program director Sina Ward.
Volunteers do not administer medicine, assist with housekeeping, laundry, personal care or money management.
“The program goal is to avoid premature institutionalization, a very costly alternative for both elder and taxpayer,” Ward stated. For more info, call 775-784-7506 or e-mail sinaw@unr.edu.
NAME GAME. Eyes moistened as late-great Carson City District Judge Mike Fondi was honored with a lifetime achievement award at last Tuesday’s Nevada Justice Association annual dinner.
NJA used to be the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association. UNR no longer has a library, it has a “knowledge center.”
“What are you selling?” is the first question asked by any competent salesman…er, account executive. I know what trial lawyers and salespeople do. I know what a library is.
When I see the likes of a Nevada Justice Knowledge Center, I get confused.
Where is George Carlin when we need him?
Be well. Raise hell. / Esté bien. Haga infierno.
Andrew Barbano is a 47-year Nevadan, editor of NevadaLabor.com. E-mail barbano@frontpage.reno.nv.us Barbwire by Barbano has originated in the Tribune since 1988.
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