WHRW saga part 6: BTV

So here's the story... I asked BTV to play my video
about losing my clearance from WHRW.

(It's here if you haven't seen it:
http://www.vimeo.com/2057306)

There are several ways in which a community member
can get programming played on the on-campus public
access channel BTV-6, payment for an advert,
or become a BTV member, or get sponsorship from a BTV member.

I opted for the last method. Only thing is,
the BTV program director didn't approve of this
programming-- apparently a minor rules violation.
But this was brought up at a BTV meeting, and
this had the full knowledge of everyone there.

Now, Mike Saltzman has brought up a grievance against
BTV and is seeking reprimand or removal of the BTV
president for airing my "slanderous" programming.

Here is an email exchange on the matter... -- BH

---

To: Matt Landau, President SA
Francine Montemurro, BU Ombudsman
Mike Saltzman, GM WHRW
Gail Glover, BU Public Relations
Lois Defleur, BU President
Ricky Viscomi, President BTV

From: BH
Subject: WHRW/Mike Saltzman grievance against BTV

Hi everybody,

It's come to my attention that Mike Saltzman has filed a
grievance against BTV, and is apparently seeking censure
of the BTV president for a rules violation for playing my video.

Let me please make this statement to the Student Association,
and all other players.

1. My video is not slanderous or defamatory
   (untrue with intent to harm reputation).
   
   Have a look for yourself:
   http://vimeo.com/2057306
   
   It is simply the truth as I see it.
   And I do not intend Mike any harm.
   I just want my clearance restored.
   
   Yes I am angry and there's no law against that.
   
   
2. I can't comment on the rules violation,
   but it seems a petty, revengeful attack,
   not because Ricky did anything horribly wrong,
   but because Mike is embarrassed.
   
   
3. As he should be embarrassed!
   Mike has been confronted with the fact
   that he has made a really bad mistake.
   
   And rather than being a mature adult,
   and once made aware that he been acting
   with extreme arrogance
   and causing hurt to people,
   
   instead of confessing and correcting the injury,
   making amends and getting back to business...
   
   no, he's got to turn sadist
   make it worse by filing grievances
   to cover up a lack of righteousness
   by an even greater arrogance
   and a show of force,
   by causing even more hurt.
   
   Mike, this has to stop.
   
   
4. As a community member in a town with a State University,
   I enjoy a right of access
   to the resources of the University:
   this includes access to common areas,
   libraries, WHRW, BTV, computer services,
   access to professors and classrooms,
   etc.
   
   So let's not get confused:
   the primary issue here is not whether there was
   a rules violation at BTV.
   
   
5. And the issue is not whether Mike has been slandered.
   
   Mike has told a lie: that I failed the test,
   apparently with intent to harm my character.
   
   I can pass ANY tech or FCC rules competency test
   OBJECTIVELY GRADED
   which you can throw at me.
   
   It is Mike Saltzman who has slandered me!
   
   
6. The real issue is Mike's bad decision.
   
   I would like the SA and the University to address this please.
   

Thanks, and Kindest Regards,
Bill Huston


--
Bill Huston
Binghamton NY
607-321-7846 c

email: WilliamAHuston at gmail
http://binghamtonpmc.org/bio.html
http://myspace.com/MrMouthyMan
http://WilliamAHuston.blogspot.com


--------------------

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:54:46 -0500
From: "Matt Landau" president@sa.binghamton.edu
To: "Bill Huston" williamahuston@gmail.com
Cc: "Ricky Viscomi" rviscom1@binghamton.edu, saltzman.mike@gmail.com,
"Montemurro, Francine" monte@binghamton.edu,
"Gail Glover" gglover@binghamton.edu
Subject: Re: WHRW/Mike Saltzman grievance against BTV

The Student Association supports the actions of Mike Saltzman
in regards to the clearance exam grade of Bill Huston.

Thank you
Matt

Matt Landau
President
Student Association
Binghamton University
Tel: 607-777-6646

---

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:10:11 -0500
From: "Bill Huston" williamahuston@gmail.com
To: "Matt Landau" president@sa.binghamton.edu
Subject: Re: WHRW/Mike Saltzman grievance against BTV
Cc: "Ricky Viscomi" rviscom1@binghamton.edu, saltzman.mike@gmail.com,
"Montemurro, Francine" monte@binghamton.edu,
"Gail Glover" gglover@binghamton.edu, ldefleur@binghamton.edu


Hi Matt,

I believe it is unwise for even the President
to speak for the entire Student Association.

People are rarely of a common mind.
In fact, this is why we have representative,
parliamentary bodies.

Has the SA had a hearing on the matter?
Has an investigation occurred?
A finding of facts?
Passed any resolutions?

I'd imagine I'd have heard about it, and frankly,
I'd hope to be invited as a witness to such a hearing.

Don't let your friendship with Mike cloud your judgment.

Unless the SA has deliberated on the matter,
-- and I do not believe they have --
there is no basis for you to speak for the organization.
It is unprofessional, and it is "at variance with the facts". :)

I believe you should confine such comments to something like this:
"on (this date), the SA passed a resolution, which states....."

Best regards,
Bill Huston

---

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:55:41 -0500
From: "Matt Landau" 
To: "Bill Huston" 
Subject: Re: WHRW/Mike Saltzman grievance against BTV

As SA President, I speak for the organization. This is what the SA feels.
This case is closed.

Matt

---

Date: Tue, Nov 11, 2008 at 6:12 PM
From: "Bill Huston" williamahuston@gmail.com
To: "Matt Landau" president@sa.binghamton.edu
Subject: Re: WHRW/Mike Saltzman grievance against BTV
Cc: "Ricky Viscomi" rviscom1@binghamton.edu, saltzman.mike@gmail.com,
"Montemurro, Francine" monte@binghamton.edu,
"Gail Glover" gglover@binghamton.edu, ldefleur@binghamton.edu

I'll ask you again:

On what date was this discussed by the SA?
Was there a resolution made?

Consider this a FOIL request for the meeting minutes.

Thanks,
BH

---

UPDATE:

Well, there was not meeting minutes,
the SA never deliberated on the matter,
and a few days after the last email above,
Mike Saltzman and Matt Landau met with
the president of BTV and dropped the grievance!!