Jeff Golden
Encyclopedia
Jeffery Simon Golden is a political activist, radio personality, politician and author from Southern Oregon
. His commentary and political leaning are progressive
. He is the Democratic candidate for Jackson County Commissioner, Position 1 on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
, California
, the second of four children born to Lane and Jack Golden. His siblings include KC Golden, Policy Director for the Seattle
based Climate Change Advocacy group Climate Solutions and Michael Golden, a tribal judge in Humboldt County
, California
. Jeff grew up in Beverly Hills, California
, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School
in 1968 as the Student Body President
and at the top of his class.
Golden attended Harvard as a Harvard National Scholar, a scholarship
program established in honor of Harvard’s 300th anniversary with the goal of encouraging and enabling a small number of the best students from across the nation to attend the university. At college, Golden was active in efforts in opposition to the Vietnam War
. In May 1970 he tried to join the Venceremos Brigade
, but was turned down. Golden instead volunteered along with northern students to support the work of Featherfield Farm, the first ever sharecroppers' cooperative, created under the Georgia Council on Human Relations in Southwest Georgia
. The experience inspired Golden to leave Harvard and try to build a sustainable life on a plot of land in rural Southern Oregon
, an experience chronicled in Golden's first published book, Watermelon Summer: A Journal.
In the early 1970s, Golden worked as a river guide for American River Touring Association. Golden and his then girlfriend Catherine Shaw were featured in the 1978 documentary film Riverdogs by fellow Harvard alumnus Robb Moss, which followed 17 people on a month-long rafting trip down the Colorado River
. The couple were married the next year.
In 1980, Golden was accepted into the Stanford University
’s Broadcast Communications master's program after writing Forest Blood, an essay about his life in the 1970s. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1994, and Shaw went on to have a career as a politician and political consultant. Both appeared in the 2003 documentary film The Same River Twice
, a follow-up to Riverdogs.
, print journalism, politics
, and mediation
. For 10 years, he was the host for National Public Radio’s show Jefferson Exchange, from 1997-2007. This award-winning daily talk and interview program aired on NPR
’s largest regional network in Southern Oregon
and Northern California
.
The show was described by the website as a “lively two-hour interactive program devoted to issues facing the State of Jefferson, the Northwest, the nation and the world. In the first hour, Jeff trades views with callers on a wide range of topics. In hour two, fascinating guests join in the discussion.”
Golden left the radio show in June of 2007 to explore a candidacy for the United States Senate
in the 2008 election
. After opting to not run in August 2007, he started a new independent radio program called Immense Possibilities Radio (IPR). The purpose behind IPR, as describe by PERC.org, is to “strengthen civic involvement and harness the power of talk radio for quality, open-minded dialogue. By bringing individuals together on the air, Golden wants to minimize conflicts over ideology and focus on ‘what works.’”
from 1987-1991. During this time he became involved in the spotted owl controversy and petitions for his recall circulated among logging advocacy groups. One result in the wake of the controversy was his nomination of John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile and Courage award. the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants Golden was the first nominee from Oregon.
In 1990, after narrowly losing to fourth-term Republican incumbent Lenn Hannon
for a seat in the State Senate, Golden took the position of Bill Bradbury
’s Chief of Staff
in 1993. Bradbury was President of the Oregon Senate at the time.
In July, 2007, Golden announced his intention to run against Gordon Smith for the US Senate seat for Oregon. Golden stepped out of the election in August, 2007.
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
. His commentary and political leaning are progressive
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
. He is the Democratic candidate for Jackson County Commissioner, Position 1 on the November 2, 2010 ballot.
Personal background
Golden was born in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, the second of four children born to Lane and Jack Golden. His siblings include KC Golden, Policy Director for the Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
based Climate Change Advocacy group Climate Solutions and Michael Golden, a tribal judge in Humboldt County
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Jeff grew up in Beverly Hills, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and graduated from Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School
Beverly Hills High School is the only major public high school in Beverly Hills, California. Beverly is part of the Beverly Hills Unified School District and located on on the west side of Beverly Hills, at the...
in 1968 as the Student Body President
Student body president
The President of the Student Government is the highest ranking officer of a student government or student union association on the high school, college, or university level...
and at the top of his class.
Golden attended Harvard as a Harvard National Scholar, a scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
program established in honor of Harvard’s 300th anniversary with the goal of encouraging and enabling a small number of the best students from across the nation to attend the university. At college, Golden was active in efforts in opposition to the Vietnam War
Opposition to the Vietnam War
The movement against US involvment in the in Vietnam War began in the United States with demonstrations in 1964 and grew in strength in later years. The US became polarized between those who advocated continued involvement in Vietnam, and those who wanted peace. Peace movements consisted largely of...
. In May 1970 he tried to join the Venceremos Brigade
Venceremos Brigade
The Venceremos Brigade is a politically motivated international organization founded in 1969 by members of the Students for a Democratic Society and officials of the Republic of Cuba...
, but was turned down. Golden instead volunteered along with northern students to support the work of Featherfield Farm, the first ever sharecroppers' cooperative, created under the Georgia Council on Human Relations in Southwest Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The experience inspired Golden to leave Harvard and try to build a sustainable life on a plot of land in rural Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
, an experience chronicled in Golden's first published book, Watermelon Summer: A Journal.
In the early 1970s, Golden worked as a river guide for American River Touring Association. Golden and his then girlfriend Catherine Shaw were featured in the 1978 documentary film Riverdogs by fellow Harvard alumnus Robb Moss, which followed 17 people on a month-long rafting trip down the Colorado River
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
. The couple were married the next year.
In 1980, Golden was accepted into the Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
’s Broadcast Communications master's program after writing Forest Blood, an essay about his life in the 1970s. The couple had two children before divorcing in 1994, and Shaw went on to have a career as a politician and political consultant. Both appeared in the 2003 documentary film The Same River Twice
The Same River Twice
The Same River Twice is a 2003 documentary by Robb Moss, described by the Sundance Channel as follows: “in 1978, filmmaker Robb Moss joined 16 free-spirited friends for a month-long rafting trip down the Colorado River. The excursion was captured in a short film, Riverdogs, a visual celebration of...
, a follow-up to Riverdogs.
Radio career
Jeff Golden has spent 25 years in public broadcastingPublic broadcasting
Public broadcasting includes radio, television and other electronic media outlets whose primary mission is public service. Public broadcasters receive funding from diverse sources including license fees, individual contributions, public financing and commercial financing.Public broadcasting may be...
, print journalism, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, and mediation
Mediation
Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution , a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties. A third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate their own settlement...
. For 10 years, he was the host for National Public Radio’s show Jefferson Exchange, from 1997-2007. This award-winning daily talk and interview program aired on NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
’s largest regional network in Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon
Southern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
and Northern California
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
.
The show was described by the website as a “lively two-hour interactive program devoted to issues facing the State of Jefferson, the Northwest, the nation and the world. In the first hour, Jeff trades views with callers on a wide range of topics. In hour two, fascinating guests join in the discussion.”
Golden left the radio show in June of 2007 to explore a candidacy for the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in the 2008 election
United States Senate election in Oregon, 2008
The 2008 United States Senate election in Oregon was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Gordon Smith decided to seek re-election. Smith was the only Republican Senator from the west coast and the only Republican holding statewide office in Oregon...
. After opting to not run in August 2007, he started a new independent radio program called Immense Possibilities Radio (IPR). The purpose behind IPR, as describe by PERC.org, is to “strengthen civic involvement and harness the power of talk radio for quality, open-minded dialogue. By bringing individuals together on the air, Golden wants to minimize conflicts over ideology and focus on ‘what works.’”
Political career
Golden served as County Commissioner for Jackson County, OregonJackson County, Oregon
-National protected areas:* Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument* Crater Lake National Park * Klamath National Forest * Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest * Umpqua National Forest -Demographics:...
from 1987-1991. During this time he became involved in the spotted owl controversy and petitions for his recall circulated among logging advocacy groups. One result in the wake of the controversy was his nomination of John F. Kennedy Library Foundation Profile and Courage award. the nation's most prestigious honor for elected public servants Golden was the first nominee from Oregon.
In 1990, after narrowly losing to fourth-term Republican incumbent Lenn Hannon
Lenn Hannon
Lenn Hannon was the second longest-serving state senator in the history of the U.S. state of Oregon. He held office from 1974 to 2004, switching from the Democratic to the Republican party in 1980. He represented Oregon's 51st Congressional district, in southern Jackson County....
for a seat in the State Senate, Golden took the position of Bill Bradbury
Bill Bradbury
Bill Bradbury is an American politician from the U.S. state of Oregon. A native of Illinois, he grew up in Chicago and Pennsylvania before moving to the West Coast where he worked in broadcast journalism before running for public office. Democrat, he served as Oregon Secretary of State from 1999...
’s Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
in 1993. Bradbury was President of the Oregon Senate at the time.
In July, 2007, Golden announced his intention to run against Gordon Smith for the US Senate seat for Oregon. Golden stepped out of the election in August, 2007.
Books
- Watermelon Summer: A Journal Published (1971) - an account of Golden’s decision to drop out of Harvard and live off-the-gridOff-the-gridThe term off-the-grid or off-grid refers to living in a self-sufficient manner without reliance on one or more public utilities....
in rural Southern OregonSouthern OregonSouthern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
. (ISBN 0397007701) - Forest Blood (1999) - a novel about the Northwest timber wars challenging the dichotomy of “us versus them” between the environmentalists and loggers in Southern OregonSouthern OregonSouthern Oregon is a region of the U.S. state of Oregon south of Lane County and generally west of the Cascade Range, excluding the southern Oregon Coast. Counties include Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, and Josephine. It includes the Southern Oregon American Viticultural Area, which consists of the...
. (ISBN 0964706679) - As If We Were Grownups: A Collection of “Suicidal” Political Speeches That Aren’t (2004) - is based on the premise that politicians address the American public as though they were children and is a collection of speeches that are addressed to an audience that would be the least likely to want to hear them. (ISBN 1883991730)
- Unafraid: A Novel of the Possible - an alternate history premised on John F. KennedyJohn F. KennedyJohn Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
surviving the assassination attemptJohn F. Kennedy assassinationJohn Fitzgerald Kennedy, the thirty-fifth President of the United States, was assassinated at 12:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Friday, November 22, 1963, in Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas...
in Dallas and serving two full terms. (ISBN 0595471927)
Filmography
- Riverdogs (1978) - documentary following 16 hippies for a month-long rafting trip down the Colorado RiverColorado RiverThe Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
. - The Same River TwiceThe Same River TwiceThe Same River Twice is a 2003 documentary by Robb Moss, described by the Sundance Channel as follows: “in 1978, filmmaker Robb Moss joined 16 free-spirited friends for a month-long rafting trip down the Colorado River. The excursion was captured in a short film, Riverdogs, a visual celebration of...
(2003) - a follow-up documentary on the lives of the cast in Riverdogs