With all the taxes I pay, and the portion that goes to them, I feel I support them enough. Yet they don't support me at all. Maybe if they were more diverse in their "reporting" I'd feel differently. You can't put politics aside when they take tax money.
There is no reason that PBS and NPR, both of which I have listened to now and then, can not be commercially supported just like any other syndicated radio show.
They only reason that they are not, is that the liberal elites that run these stations believe that they are smarter and better than everyone else, and therefore deserve support from people who do not listen to their programs.
I do not agree.
What I find extremely alarming is that these stations often broadcast the BBC as a source of unbiased news. According to the BBC's own research, this is far from the case.
(Message edited by gentleman_jon on April 10, 2009)
That wasn't my point. THEY HAVE GOOD STUFF TO WATCH AND LISTEN TO. Specially the LOCAL public radio folks, WITH NO POLITICS. (Reference WDVX, WNCW, WFMU.)
I can pick up a few different broadcasts depending on where I'm at at the time. I used to really like the celtic music programs on the weekends. I can't get enough of that stuff.
I like NPR, I don't always (usually) agree with their commentary, but they go deeper into stories than any other broadcast media I've seen or heard...... and when in a cage its usually the best of a whole bunch of bad options.
I do get rather tired of the Jewish/Israli centric reporting though. There is more that happens in the world than the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Edit: Sword, i don't know if its only "classical" celticmusic you like or if you like more modern Irish drinking songs too, but here is one of my favorite bands http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlqdqNGhJaA
Frontline (documentary) and Nova (science) are two of the best programs on TV. "Wait, Wait don't Tell Me", Car Talk and This American Life are great radio programs. The quality and especially the diversity of programing on PBS may likely not survive on a commercial network. It seems to me that of the 100's of channels on cable they are either geared to the lowest common denominator or are very niche oriented. (don't get me wrong I like many of them) I'm not wild about my tax $ being spent on many of the things it gets spent on and the money that goes towards public broadcasting is a drop in the bucket. For what it's worth, I do support my local Public Broadcasting with donations as well so I put my money where my mouth is.
I'll gladly continue to contribute so I can be entertained and informed without enduring male impotence medication commercials and all of the other bs you get during network news.
The Red Green show is the best. Those wacky Canucks have quite the sense of humor. I've always wondered how many injuries they had trying to do some of the skits.
"Wait Wait Don't Tell Me", and "Car Talk" are two of the best shows on the radio. I don't agree with some of the commentary sometimes on WWDTM, but it's still very entertaining.
"This Old House", all the cooking shows, watching Mario Batale drive around Spain with Gwyneth Paltrow to go cook and eat great stuff, I'm tellin ya- GREAT programming.
Just because some of youns have allergies to anything perceived as "leftist" in the media, don't let that cause you to miss out on some truly good stuff.
I've mentioned "East Tennessee's Own WDVX" many times, regularly contribute to their fund drives, and will proseletyze readily for them. They've turned me on to more good music than I can say. If youns can do so, check out their webcast.
GAR_ON_TEED no politics from them! Might hear some Steve Earle or something, nothing to getcher panties in a wad over.
BTW, today and regularly on Sunday afternoons at 4PM is Lynn Rosetta Casper with her show "The Splendid Table, the Show for People Who Love To Eat". It comes on at 4PM EST, and if I'm able to tune in I make a point to do so. My favorite show on NPR.
She ALWAYS has good stuff to talk about, whether it's food, wine, traveling, etc., plus she takes calls in from folks with food related quextions. Mebbe she could help us out with the okra... Check her out sometime, youns!