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No.
1
Side
1
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Proceedings
Introduction and welcome by George Schaefer, Chair of Wisconsin Interchange, Inc. Speech by Barbara Parker, Associate Editor of the Executive Editor, Washington, D.C. (with an introduction by Chuck Park), regarding censorship of school textbooks, the teaching of Biblical creation in the schools, and similar topics.
Questions asked of Parker include: (all questions have been paraphrased)
(1) To what extent are the Gablers (Mel and Norma Gabler, school textbook reviewers and censors) getting a say in textbooks at the manufacturer's level?
(2) Why is the (Federal) Department of Education such an issue with "them"?
(3) Since the Supreme Court determined the teaching of Biblical creation to be unconstitutional several years ago, have there been any signs of lower courts reversing the decision?
(4) Can you comment on your experience with censorship in school libraries? Do you have any advice for people having to deal with this? (Question asked by Gloria Steinem) (At this point, Diane Williams of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, was introduced from the audience. Williams gave a few words of advice to school librarians who face the problem of censorship in Wisconsin.)
(5) Can you give any background on the Gablers? How did they become self-appointed censors and how do they fit into the Far Right network?
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No.
1
Side
2
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Proceedings
: Ken Kaye introduces Mike Stamler, reporter for the Madison Capital Times, who has spent a great deal of time investigating the Posse Comitatus in Wisconsin. Stamler's speech discusses the founding of the Posse in Portland, Oregon in 1969, its current strength and position in Wisconsin, particularly in Marathon County, its rationale, and related groups.
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No.
2
Side
1
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Proceedings
: Questions asked of Stamler regarding the Posse Comitatus. Rev. Andrew Davison introduces speaker June Totten, Director of Government Relations for the American Baptist Churches/USA. Totten, based in Washington, D.C., speaks on the ties between the Far Right and religion, particularly the rise of evangelical groups. Questions asked of Totten include:
(1) Questioner is not as optimistic concerning Jerry Falwell as Totten has been, and asks about the "other activities" of Falwell and similar individuals who seem to have permanent financial and political bases.
(2)Assemblywoman Midge Miller asks why mainline churches were not challenging these Far Right religious groups, individuals, and networks.
(3) A member of the audience points out the formation of a new coalition in Milwaukee which plans to challenge such groups. A member of the coalition then introduces himself (Father Dan McGuire of Marquette University) and briefly discusses the group. (Other members are Rabbi Barry Silberg, and a United Church of Christ minister.)
(4) What can be done to reverse the tax-exempt status of such Far Right groups?
(5) What was the reaction to the Baptist school-prayer hearings? (This topic had been discussed earlier by Totten.)
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No.
2
Side
2
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Proceedings
: Speech by William A. Hunter, Vermont State Legislator, introduced by Todd Berry, member of the New Republican Conference in Wisconsin. Hunter's talk deals with the subject of why organized labor is being challenged in the legislatures, and why the right-to-work movement is gaining popularity. The tape ends just before the end of Hunter's speech.
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No.
3
Side
1
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Proceedings
: Wisconsin Interchange member Dave Zakem introduces speaker Ralph Abascal, a poverty lawyer for the California Rural Legal Assistance League, who speaks on his work while Ronald Reagan was governor of California. In particular, Abascal discusses Reagan's style, and what Abascal perceives to be Reagan's misrepresentations of his accomplishments while in office. Questions include
(1) Why is it so hard to get the truth (about Reagan) out?
(2) Have you shared your knowledge with (President) Carter's and (Representative John) Anderson's people?
(3) Could your facts be consolidated into a one-page handout and distributed?
(4) Does the press have a pro-Reagan bias? Why is his press so favorable?
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No.
3
Side
2
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Proceedings
: Midge Miller introduces Gloria Steinem. Steinem speaks on the threat, as she perceives it, that the Far Right poses to the rights of women and children. She relates the results of her recent research into the fall of the Weimar Republic in Germany, and the rise of the Nazis, and makes some comparisons between National Socialism and the American Far Right movement.
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No.
4
Side
1
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Proceedings
: Steinem's speech continues. There were no questions asked of Steinem.
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No.
4
Side
1
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Proceedings
: Paul Rust of Wisconsin Interchange introduces Greg Denire, Special Assistant to the General Counsel for the International Union of Machinists, Washington, D.C. Denire compares the methods used by various Far Right organizations and individuals to raise money and contribute to political campaigns with those employed by organized labor. Questions include:
(1) Don't tax exempt organizations that contribute to a particular (political) party lose that status?
(2) What are the solutions? Where can we get more money to contribute? Where have the Christian progressive organizations gone?
(3) What about candidates who start collecting money and spending it before they announce as candidates? (Refers to the independent expenditures of money previously mentioned by Denire). (Side 2 is blank.)
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