The Jeff Pulver Blog: "The KGB-Like Atmosphere at the FCC"

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February 01, 2007

"The KGB-Like Atmosphere at the FCC"

I must confess that I felt a little uncomfortable during today's Senate Commerce Committee grilling of the FCC Commissioners earlier today.

The most awkward moment for me came when Senator Boxer took Chairman Martin to task for a joke he made at the FCBA Chairman's Dinner back in December, 2005 about "the KGB-like atmosphere at the FCC." You see, back at Fall VON 2005 I made an off-the-cuff comment to the effect that the "FCC is run like the KGB." Wouldn't you know it, the trade press picked up on my rather flip, spontaneous utterance. Those who know me, know that I am not always the most politic. In any, event, the quote made the rounds in DC policy circles.

So, a few months later, the statement was apparently still resonating, and Chairman Martin joked during his speech at the Chairman's Dinner and stated something to the effect that "the Number 1 reason why it is fun to work at the FCC is that the KGB atmosphere kind of grows on you after a while." While some might think his comment too flip and give short shrift to, and make light of serious process issues at the FCC, I kind of had to admire his ability to take himself a little less seriously (but, then again, I don't have to work at the FCC -- I run my own "KGB-like" compound in New York).

I put down my guard that night and felt a genuine sympathy for Chairman Martin. I saw his self-deprecating humor as opening the door for a real opportunity to rebuild lines of communication. In fact, I took that opportunity to invite Kevin Martin to speak at the next VON (at the time, he indicated that he probably would join us, but would have to confirm his schedule - subsequently, his staff informed me that he was unable to join us for Spring VON 2006).

Now, to be candid, I typically agree strongly with Sen. Boxer's views on communications and tech policy, and, as most of you who follow my blog are aware, I have not always been aligned with Kevin Martin's approach.

I admire Sen. Boxer's pull-no-punch legislative style, but, frankly, my sympathies rested with Kevin Martin today as they did that night 14 months ago. That night at the Chairman's Dinner, I genuinely respected Kevin Martin for putting aside policy and political disputes and tensions to engage in a bit of self-deprecating humor. I am convinced that if we could all, at least occasionally, take ourselves a little less serious, we could probably build a lot more mutual understanding.

I was quite looking forward to the next Chairman's Dinner (typically the second week of December in DC). The Dinner was postponed this year. It is now slated for a time I will be away on a family vacation, so I, alas, shall be unavailable. But I sincerely hope that Chairman Martin does not feel chilled from taking himself and all of us a little less seriously, at least for an evening.

Tags: Kevin Martin, FCC, Jeff Pulver