I am working with a group of Kossacks on a project to make a formal complaint to the US Commission on Civil Rights regarding bigotry, racial-stereotyping and hate speech in the media.
As you may know, one of the USCCR's commissioners, Micheal Yaki, has already called for immediate hearings on this matter. However, Yaki, is a San Francisco Democrat, on a committee with four Presidential Republican nominees.
We fully intend to move forward with our complaint, but, we would like to know more about the other individuals on the Committee. In addition to our own research, we would be thankful for any information you can provide, including biographical information, e-mail and telephone numbers.
Note: I have contacted the USCCR and asked for this information by phone and they have promised to get back with me--no surprise they have not.
I sent an e-mail requesting a formal complaint form. No response.
Here are the committee members:
PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTEES
Gerald A. Reynolds (Chairman)
Assistant General Counsel
Kansas City Power & Light Company
Kansas City, MO
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: REPUBLICAN
Truly, you must read about this guy!
This is the Chairmen of the Civil Rights Committee
appointed by Bush.
Abigail Thernstrom (Vice Chair)
Senior Fellow, Manhattan Institute
New York City, New York
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: REPUBLICAN
Peter N. Kirsanow
Member, National Labor Relations Board
Cleveland, Ohio
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: REPUBLICAN
Ashley L. Taylor, Jr.
Partner, Troutman Sanders LLP
Richmond, VA
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: REPUBLICAN
| CONGRESSIONAL APPOINTEES
Arlan D. Melendez
E-mail: amelendez@rsic.org
Chairman and Chief Executive
Reno-Sparks Indian Colony
Reno, Nevada
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: DEMOCRAT
Michael Yaki
E-mail: MYaki@jmbm.com
Partner, Jeffer Mangels Butler & Marmo LLP
San Francisco, CA
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: DEMOCRAT
Gail Heriot
Professor of Law, University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: INDEPENDENT
Todd F. Gaziano
Senior Fellow in Legal Studies
The Heritage Foundation
Washington, DC
POLITICAL AFFILIATION: INDEPENDENT
|
Finally, if you would like to help with this project, let us know below in the comments.
Thank you,
David
Update 1:I sent this e-mail to Commissioner Yaki this morning:
Dear Commissioner Yaki,
I read your essay, "The Media Needs to Fess Up to Its Mess and Its Responsibility: Time for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to Take a Look" (March 19, 2008), on the Huffington Report. (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-yaki/the-media-needs-to-fess-u_b_92376.html)
As a professional historian, I agree with your call that "it is time for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to hold a first hearing on the role of the media with respect to race relations, coverage of race, and, ultimately, its responsibility on the issue of race."
I would like to know what we, as ordinary citizens, can do to initiate action at the USCCR? I have written the agency for a complaint form and have not received any response.
Also, I would encourage you to write a diary on the progressive website, Daily Kos, to let us know how we can help move your idea forward.
Sincerely,
David Kroning
Update 2: RhymesWithUrple called Commissioner Melendez's office this morning. A paraphrase of that conversation with her administrative assistant, Alecia:
Alicia was particularly interested and helpful after I mentioned that you had emailed Commissioner Yaki. Though I didn't mention the content of the email, that is when she opened up with the suggestions and gave me Melendez's email (she had only given me his USCCR assistant's at that point). Also, after I told her the nature of the complaint, she said she believed Commissioner Melendez and possibly even Commissioner Yaki would be willing to review a draft of our complaint(s) and they may be able to offer their perspective before we file the complaint(s).