Paul Fericano
Encyclopedia
San Francisco native Paul Fericano (born January 16, 1951) is a U.S.
poet, writer, and satirist. For more than thirty years, his stand-up poetry and controversial satire
s have been brought to the public's attention mostly through the dedicated efforts of independent publishers and a loyal group of readers.
He also is the Executive Director of SafeNet, a non-profit organization helping victims of sexual abuse by priests of the Roman Catholic Church. Fericano attended St. Anthony's Seminary run by the Franciscan order of monks in Santa Barbara, California
.
, Elio Ligi, Joyce Odam, Peter Cherches, Charles Bukowski
, A. D. Winans
, Ronald Koertge, Richard Grayson, Ann Menebroker, Don Skiles and Gerald Locklin
. In 1977 Fericano edited Stoogism Anthology, both a rare colflection of satiric work by 47 writers, and a unique poetry and film tribute to The Three Stooges
comedy team.
In 1978, one of his poems, "The Three Stooges at a Hollywood Party", from his book, Loading the Revolver with Real Bullets, provoked outrage in some Republican members of the California State legislature who claimed the poem libeled actor John Wayne
. Published by Second Coming Press
, the poetry in the book was written by Fericano when he was funded by a grant from the California Arts Council
. Due to the perceived state funding of the book, lawmakers used this as a reason for denying Jane Fonda
's appointment at the time to the Arts Council by Jerry Brown
.
Fericano also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
, a federal arts funding organization that would run afoul of conservatives in the 1990s.
's election to the Presidency in 1980 and the growing conservative movement, Fericano co-founded (with Elio Ligi) the first parody news and disinformation syndicate, Yossarian Universal News Service (YU), which the Los Angeles Times
dubbed, "unbelievable news for unbelievable times." The service was named after the protagonist of Joseph Heller
's satirical anti-war novel Catch-22
.
As a media content provider with subscribers as diverse as Saturday Night Live, Punch
(London), Mother Jones, La Prensa
(Managua), and Paul Krassner's
The Realist, YU News Service quickly became the ideal counterpoint to Reagan's "Great Communicator."
During George W. Bush
's first year in office in 2001, Fericano chronicled the president's lies and blunders in weekly YU News Service dispatches emailed to thousands of subscribers all over the world. Three days after 9/11 he identified Bush's crusade against terrorism as his "re-election campaign war." In 2002-2003, at the height of the president's popularity, a collection of these stories, I, Terrorist: Dispatches from the Front, was rejected by more than 20 U.S. book agents and publishers.
Fericano continues to use YU News Service as a vehicle for his social and political satires, and since June 2004 he's been writing and performing for radio (The One Minute News Hour) with fellow satirist and broadcaster Mike Amatori.
. Fericano founded the organization to help promote a dialogue to promote healing and reconciliation among survivors of sexual abuse by priests. The first revelations of abuse happened in 1990.
Fericano believes that forgiveness promotes healing. “It’s a gift you give yourself,” he told the Santa Barbara Independent in 2008. “It has nothing to do with the other person accepting responsibility for his actions. It’s a great act of mercy and compassion you have for yourself.”
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
poet, writer, and satirist. For more than thirty years, his stand-up poetry and controversial satire
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
s have been brought to the public's attention mostly through the dedicated efforts of independent publishers and a loyal group of readers.
He also is the Executive Director of SafeNet, a non-profit organization helping victims of sexual abuse by priests of the Roman Catholic Church. Fericano attended St. Anthony's Seminary run by the Franciscan order of monks in Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
.
Career
From 1974 to 2005, Fericano was editor/publisher of Scarecrow Books and Poor Souls Press. In 1976. he launched the mock movement, "Stoogism," satirizing the pretensions of all literary schools. Ironically, "Stoogism" was later embraced by other poets and writers, including Allen GinsbergAllen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
, Elio Ligi, Joyce Odam, Peter Cherches, Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski
Henry Charles Bukowski was an American poet, novelist and short story writer. His writing was influenced by the social, cultural and economic ambience of his home city of Los Angeles...
, A. D. Winans
A. D. Winans
Allan Davis Winans , known as A. D. Winans, is an American poet, essayist, short story writer and publisher. Born in San Francisco, California, he returned home from Panama in 1958, after serving three years in the military...
, Ronald Koertge, Richard Grayson, Ann Menebroker, Don Skiles and Gerald Locklin
Gerald Locklin
Gerald Locklin is an American poet who is a Professor Emeritus of English at California State University, Long Beach and the poetry editor of Chiron Review...
. In 1977 Fericano edited Stoogism Anthology, both a rare colflection of satiric work by 47 writers, and a unique poetry and film tribute to The Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
comedy team.
In 1978, one of his poems, "The Three Stooges at a Hollywood Party", from his book, Loading the Revolver with Real Bullets, provoked outrage in some Republican members of the California State legislature who claimed the poem libeled actor John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
. Published by Second Coming Press
Second Coming Press
Second Coming Press was a San Francisco-based small press founded by A.D. Winans that was in existence from 1972 to 1989. It specialized in publishing poetry and essays...
, the poetry in the book was written by Fericano when he was funded by a grant from the California Arts Council
California Arts Council
The California Arts Council is a state agency based in Sacramento. Its eleven council members are appointed by the Governor and the state Legislature...
. Due to the perceived state funding of the book, lawmakers used this as a reason for denying Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
's appointment at the time to the Arts Council by Jerry Brown
Jerry Brown
Edmund Gerald "Jerry" Brown, Jr. is an American politician. Brown served as the 34th Governor of California , and is currently serving as the 39th California Governor...
.
Fericano also received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
, a federal arts funding organization that would run afoul of conservatives in the 1990s.
Yossarian Universal News Service
In response to former California governor Ronald ReaganRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's election to the Presidency in 1980 and the growing conservative movement, Fericano co-founded (with Elio Ligi) the first parody news and disinformation syndicate, Yossarian Universal News Service (YU), which the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
dubbed, "unbelievable news for unbelievable times." The service was named after the protagonist of Joseph Heller
Joseph Heller
Joseph Heller was a US satirical novelist, short story writer, and playwright. His best known work is Catch-22, a novel about US servicemen during World War II...
's satirical anti-war novel Catch-22
Catch-22
Catch-22 is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller. He began writing it in 1953, and the novel was first published in 1961. It is set during World War II in 1943 and is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century...
.
As a media content provider with subscribers as diverse as Saturday Night Live, Punch
Punch (magazine)
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration...
(London), Mother Jones, La Prensa
La Prensa (Managua)
La Prensa is a Nicaraguan newspaper, with offices in the capital Managua. Its current daily circulation is placed at 42,000.-Early years:La Prensa was founded by Pedro Belli, Gavry Rivas and Enrique Belli on March 2, 1926...
(Managua), and Paul Krassner's
Paul Krassner
Paul Krassner is an author, journalist, stand-up comedian, and the founder, editor and a frequent contributor to the freethought magazine The Realist, first published in 1958...
The Realist, YU News Service quickly became the ideal counterpoint to Reagan's "Great Communicator."
During George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
's first year in office in 2001, Fericano chronicled the president's lies and blunders in weekly YU News Service dispatches emailed to thousands of subscribers all over the world. Three days after 9/11 he identified Bush's crusade against terrorism as his "re-election campaign war." In 2002-2003, at the height of the president's popularity, a collection of these stories, I, Terrorist: Dispatches from the Front, was rejected by more than 20 U.S. book agents and publishers.
Fericano continues to use YU News Service as a vehicle for his social and political satires, and since June 2004 he's been writing and performing for radio (The One Minute News Hour) with fellow satirist and broadcaster Mike Amatori.
Hoax
In 1982, as a commentary on the absurd nature of all competitive awards, Fericano perpetrated a successful hoax on the literary community, specifically Poets & Writers, Inc. of New York, when he awarded his own poem, "Sinatra, Sinatra", the fictitious "Howitzer Prize." Nearly 500 writers and publishers requested applications from the bogus Howitzer Prize Committee for the 1983 prize before the author exposed the hoax.SafeNet
The priest sexual abuse survivors’ group was created by Fericano, himself a victim of abuse, and the Law and Society program of the University of California, Santa BarbaraUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
. Fericano founded the organization to help promote a dialogue to promote healing and reconciliation among survivors of sexual abuse by priests. The first revelations of abuse happened in 1990.
Fericano believes that forgiveness promotes healing. “It’s a gift you give yourself,” he told the Santa Barbara Independent in 2008. “It has nothing to do with the other person accepting responsibility for his actions. It’s a great act of mercy and compassion you have for yourself.”
External links
- YU News Service
- ZNet Interactive
- The One Minute President
- The Outlaw Poetry Network: "thank you elizabeth taylor" a poem by Paul Fericano (2011)
- Santa Barbara Independent. "Pedophile-Priest Victim Describes Meeting Pope", by Nick Welsh (June 19, 2008)
- blogtalk radio: The Jane Crown Show; BL Kennedy hosts Paul Fericano (audio)
- YouTube: Paul Fericano Still Life with Mormons in my Living Room (video)