NPR/PBS addicts unite!

“Geez y2, aren't they at least tryin' to sell ya something.........that you don't need?

Dang pinkos!!!”

“They're working on Amtrak too Violin. Congress killed the railroads by subsidizing the airlines and trucking industry while cutting the railroads loose and cancelling the mail contracts; now they want to kill Amtrak.”

“We are witnessing the corporate take over of America.”

“Iraq Versus The Terrorists

05 June 2005



A major military operation to rid Iraq's capital of terrorists is underway. In the largest Iraqi-led offensive since Saddam Hussein's regime was overthrown, some forty-thousand Iraqi police and security forces, with the support of ten-thousand coalition soldiers, are trying to stop a surge of violence in Baghdad that began April 28th. That was the day Iraq's elected leaders announced their new government.

In the words of Laith Kubba, a spokesman for Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al Jaafari, Iraqi security forces are "fighting a vicious, intelligent, well-dug-in enemy, entrenched among civilians. They have to find ways of rattling that enemy and cleaning them out of their hideouts."

President George W. Bush says the launch of the offensive, known as Operation Lightning, is a very good sign:

"It's a sign that they, the Iraqi leaders, understand they are responsible for their security, ultimately. And that our job is to help them take on that responsibility. So I am pleased that in less than a year's time, there is a democratically-elected government in Iraq, there are thousands of Iraqi soldiers trained and better equipped to fight for their own country."

Iraq's most wanted terrorist, Abu Musab al Zarqawi, has claimed responsibility for several recent attacks and has promised more violence. But these attacks have not stopped the Iraqi people from supporting their new government. Al-Qaida terrorists and former regime elements, says President Bush, have failed to drive out the coalition and have failed to prevent Iraqis from signing up in large numbers for the police and security forces. And every week the number of operations by the Iraqi security forces goes up, including combined operations in which the Iraqis take the lead and coalition forces assist.

President Bush says the U.S. and its coalition allies will help the Iraqi people achieve security and freedom. Iraq's success, says Mr. Bush, will benefit the entire Middle East:

"A free Iraq will set such a powerful example in a neighborhood that is desperate for freedom. And therefore, we will complete the mission and support this elected government."

"Our strategy is very clear," says President Bush. "We will work to get [the Iraqi people] ready to fight, and when they're ready, we'll come home."

The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.”

“POP

ROCK

HIP-HOP/RAP

COUNTRY

JAZZ

FOLK

WORLD”

“hey fellas, that's all fully-funded programming by your friendly US government.

Editorial endorsing the administration's policy ... music programming bound to pi$$ Sarge off, ... paid for by your and my tax dollars.”

“Where's the anger?”

“I'm angry, Geo, isn't that enough?”

“No man, I want Sarge and Nigal to bust a gut. Their tax dollars are paying for propaganda and hip hop music. Should be private enterprise doing that!”

“I'm pissed!”

“Yes, I was thinking that too.”

“I'd like to se NPR make it tax dollar free. I'm a NPR junky. My radio is on NPR probably 50% of the time. I've never become a member. I guess if I want them to survive and retain their idependance from corporate radio I'd better join. I don't find they have a left or right spin generally. Tavis Smiley is a towards the left but he leaves no doubt about it.”

“All that programming I mentioned is on the Voice of America, our government propaganda arm. Enjoy paying your taxes for a government run radio station that spouts Bubya speak and hip hop, jazz, country, folk, world (what are they thinking?).”

“Geo - I don't expect you to remember everything I've said on here. Let me remind you.

The 3rd is fine. I should have qualified they shouldn't be able to promote a philosophy within our government. (and should have spelled it correctly)
last edited: 6/16/05 1:58:33 PM
Sarge
1:58:10 PM
6/16/05”

“Geo - Do you think it's the government's job to provide entertainment to American citizens?
last edited: 6/16/05 7:04:19 PM”

“So then you agree Shrub should not be using VOA to advance his agenda?”

“Geo - Have you begun a troll? Did you read my post?”

“Maybe you missed it both times. I'll try another wording. My problem is with our government promoting it's own growth, direction, whatever, to the American people.”

“i love pbs (peanut butter sandwiches)”

“The government provides entertainment to the rest of the world. Why not to the citizens who pay the freight?

Public radio and television was started with the idea in mind that commercial broadcasting does not cover very much of what is available in the way of programming. The idea was that with government backing and donations from listeners and corporate donors, the wider range of programming would become available to all Americans.

Indeed, as I travel around the country to backwater destinations, I enjoy the ability to take NPR with me and gain both a range of viewpoints and a range of entertainment possibilities.

Over the years, government funding has dropped as a percentage of the total funding package. Membership drives are now held almost every other month on both radio and television. Commercials are appearing more and more at the start and end of programs.

In larger cities, or even medium sized cities, the stations are funded almost totally by local members and corporate donors, or by philanthropic organizations or foundations.

In rural or backwater areas, NPR news and music is available where much of it might not otherwise reach. Even in larger cities, NPR stations provide what otherwise might not be available.

For instance, in Philadelphia our full time classical station changed over to clear channel type broadcasts. The Temple NPR station picked up classical to broadcast during the day and continues to broadcast jazz at night. In other words, jazz listeners had their programming cut back and so did classical listeners. There are stations in West Virginia that broadcast more classical music that we get in Philly. In the burg, you have two classical stations to choose from since the Temple station broadcasts there along with the Harrisburg NPR station.

You keep harping on the joys of commercial stations, but commercial stations are not broadcasting what a lot of people want to hear, just what they want to sell to the masses. Why the masses put up with it is totally beyond me, but they do so they keep pawning off the crap. So no, commercial radio does not even begin to come close to serving my needs and wants.

Do I listen to NPR all the time? No. I also have XM satellite radio and my trusty CD player. But I've learned a great deal from NPR and Public Television, which broadcast things nobody else does.

So I do think the experiment is a success and I support continued tax dollar support. And if my own party does not understand that, then I will vote with the loyal opposition - the Democrats.

Why is the government subsidizing highway transportation? Why is the government supporting air travel? Why is the government supporting the energy industry? If you really want to know Sarge, private enterprise is a joke. Do you think government should selectively choose what it wants to support and what it does not?

Timber companies come into our national forests and cut off timber. The Forest Service builds the roads on which they haul the timber out. The timber companies pay very little for either the timber or the roads. Guess who pays the freight? So we're subsidizing the timber industry, the home building industry, and the paper industry.

The great conservative government you think you're getting is more socialized than you want to know about.”

““Maybe you missed it both times. I'll try another wording. My problem is with our government promoting it's own growth, direction, whatever, to the American people.”
Sarge

But it's okay if they promote it abroad? The VOA does not broadcast to the American people, but abroad. I'm sure you heard it a time or two overseas.”

“On the flip side: I'd rather see tax dollars go for PBS than modern art such as crucifixes in hars of piss.”

“But it's okay if they promote it abroad?

Uh, "yes". Why not? You don't want democracy promoted abroad in replace of dictatorships?

We'll have to disagree there.”

“Geo - You haven't given me a reason why the government should be entertaining people other than they provide the entertainment you like. With that justification, I'm sure you would like it if the government provided [edit] what Monica did [edit] also.

In your question about comparing jazz radio to national infrastructure, well, jazz radio isn't the national infrastructure.

The great conservative government you think you're getting is more socialized than you want to know about.

Have you read my profile lately? I'm way ahead of you.
last edited: 6/16/05 8:00:50 PM”

“see the funny thing about those with these extreme views is they think they are independent, but they don't realize the chaos that would result without decent PUBLIC services.
So why can't the military be privatized sarge? Mercinaries can be very effective. I even know a few I could recommend.”

“Who compared jazz to national infrastructure? And why should the federal government be subsidizing infrastructure when the states could handle it better according to the conservative mantra? Why should the government be subsidizing the timber industry? You sound like a selecto conservative to me.”

“y2 - Are you familiar with the 2nd amendment?

Geo - You bunch a bunch of questions together and presume my answers and then criticize that presumption. Let's take it one at a time. I'm assuming those little "?" thingies are symbolizing questions.

Who compared jazz to national infrastructure?

Somebody was just on a rant about the government pays for jazz, rap, etc. to be played, and then backed up their argument of government paying for NPR/PBS by talking about building roads, etc. I'd say you did.

And why should the federal government be subsidizing infrastructure when the states could handle it better according to the conservative mantra?

Well, there is some infrastructure that is best handled by the federal government, and some by the states. The Constitution is pretty clear about all that.

Why should the government be subsidizing the timber industry?

Um, I've always been against that.

You sound like a selecto conservative to me.

You sound like you're presuming my answers incorrectly.”

“MarkO, Buster Baxter is a rabbit who travels with his Dad's band across the country and does reporting for the kids back home about different cultures and places all over the country. It's part cartoon but mostly real kids telling about their hobbies and homes. It's cool.


Sarge, just an observation here; 9 out of 10 times you post you sound angry and overly righteous.
I would wager that you haven't tried listening to a full two hours of All things Considered ever. I bet you haven't watched This Old House or Battlefield Britain or Nature either.
last edited: 6/17/05 8:01:58 AM”

“Prarie Home Companion is the shiznit.”

“This American Life rules.”

“I love the Splendid Table.”

“Sass - You would lose that bet.

I have listened to All things Considered when traveling long distances in the car several times. Speaking of overly rightous, that is just the impression I get from the dialog on there. I found Battlefield Britain interesting for about 15 minutes, although I watched one complete episode. The cheesy computer graphics and fake accents annoyed me enough to not watch it again. Nature never presents anything interesting to me and always seems behind in their reporting (maybe it's the re-runs?) - then again, I think it's directed more for people who don't get their earth-science/space information elsewhere. I used to watch This Old House with my wife until I realized I could get the same information quicker online if I had something that needed done. I enjoy 1 show on PBS. It's called The Antiques Roadshow.

re: sounding angry - If you'd like to be more specific, that would be great. Most of the times I sound angry it's in response to a post directed toward me instead of the issue at hand. From my perspective, it's those people that seem overly rightous. Is defending my view overly righteous? Perhaps. Perhaps not. A perfect example is this thread. Look at how Geo completely ignored what I said, then proceeded to argue that my view is hypocritical, even though I never took the stance he claims. He'd rather tell me what I think than listen to my opinion. And I'm the one that's overly rightous? Give me a break. He's speaking to hear himself talk and sometimes the only way to get his attention is to reply manner of factly. You want more "LOLs" and "winkies"? I've been throwing more in, but I'll try to add a few more just for you. ; )”

“Sarge, plainly put, you're a dick.”

“Not that there's anything wrong with that. Be true to yourself.”

“Sass - Are you going to let Phaedrus get away with that? Have you heard me say anything like that unprovoked since I've been on this board?
last edited: 6/17/05 8:26:37 AM”

“Phaed's feeling a bit froggy today! Can't wait to see what he escalates into by the afternoon. LOL!”

“You'd have more credibility if you admitted you were a dick.”

“Ok Phaedrus, I admit you were a dick.”

“Good one.”

“Sass - Did you get on your friend Nigal too?

Talk about overly rightous!

The guy tells how many people on here not to respond to his posts, that he doesn't have time for them?

I guess you are buddies though, so it's ok.

LOL

[edit]

; )
last edited: 6/17/05 8:29:36 AM”

“Sarge, you have a dick's definition of overly-righteous.

It should mean someone who judges a man who has cared for his brain-dead wife for 18 years an adulterer because she's breathing and he has taken up with someone living.

That's overly-righteous.”

“Phaedrus - If you have a problem with the definition of adultry, you can present your complaints to God when the time comes. Who knows, maybe He'll consider your case? Maybe you know something He doesn't.

Maybe "overly-righteous" is somebody who thinks they know better than God.”

“Or somebody who thinks they speak for him.”

“sarge, you nailed it. It is God's decision if it was adultry or not. Not yours, mine or anyone else's.

same applies for abortions, it is Gods decision if the woman is wrong. Not anyone else's Really first good comment you have said in a while.

BTW about Sass, she calls it like she sees it.”

“Phaedrus - Proclaiming what is written in the Bible is not speaking for God. We are commanded to spread His Word.

If you can read, you can see He's pretty clear about the matter.

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, no idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." (I Corinthians 6:9-10)”

“Ewker - Adultry is adultry.

What God says is if it is wrong or not.

He says it is.

re: Sass calling it like it is. That's ironic. That's what she complained to me about.
last edited: 6/17/05 9:08:27 AM”

“errr, one problem sarge. the bible was written by men, not god.”

“sacco - So God doesn't exist? The Bible says He does.”

“I guess it would all be in the application, Sarge, you self-righteous "word"-spreader.

God's will on a woman he had rendered dead in all human ways isn't much covered by anything other than your interpretation of the bible.

Like I said: dick. Be true to thyself.”

““God's will on a woman he had rendered dead in all human ways isn't much covered by anything other than your interpretation of the bible.”

Not only that Phaed but the bible is only a standard for those who believe and follow G-d. Those outside can not be held to it’s standards. For those of us within to try to hold those outside to it is simply ridiculous.”