Letter to the editor

[Duff Miver]

Sent today to our local rag -

Dear Editor:

The XXXX - local newspaper has recently published many letters which are opposed to Federal funding of National Public Radio. All of these letters raise two issues, first that NPR is a partisan left-wing organization, and second that it should not be funded with public tax money.

I'd like to ask just what the writers think qualifies NPR as "left-wing". Do they think that Car Talk is a left wing response to Glenn Beck? Is All Things Considered a left-wing response to Sean Hannity? What about Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me, is that a left-wing answer to Bill O'Reilly? Do they think Garrison Keillor is a left-wing version of Rush Limbaugh? In fact, have any of them actually ever listened to NPR? Maybe they object to classical music by Russian composers as being "left-wing".

I do listen to NPR, and I appreciate the good, non-partisan programming which originates there. NPR is informative, and entertaining, and as far as I can see is not partisan. The favorite of the right wing, Fox News, is unabashedly right-wing, and spends many hours each day bashing our president.

NPR receives five million dollars of taxpayer money each year to produce commercial free programming. For that they produce entertaining and informative programs, often in remote areas which are not served by for-profit broadcasters.

Fox News receives far more taxpayer dollars as payment for commercials, and which Fox uses to promote their right-wing agenda.

For those who still object to Federal funding of NPR, I'll make them a more than fair offer. They can simply send me a self-addressed stamped envelope, and I'll reimburse them for their share of taxes which are used to support NPR. In fact, I'll even include a little extra, two shiny new pennies.

- A devoted reader

 

[Trench]

Great letter, Duff.

I mentioned before that I've been listening to NPR for 20 years and I was as surprised as anyone when I began hearing all the rhetoric from the right proclaiming NPR a partisan left-wing network.

The Internet and the iPod have changed things but early in my career, NPR kept me company while I worked long hours weekends and nights. I'm glad NPR was there with me.

 

[gjn23]

npr is non-partisan.....just like move-on.org who claims they're non-partisan

 

[Duff Miver]

npr is non-partisan.....just like move-on.org who claims they're non-partisan

Have you ever listened to NPR? What did they say that was partisan?

No answer? Thought so.

 

[ssd]

FYI:

Soros donated $1.8 million to NPR.

I also think the federal funding of NPR approaches more like $90 million than the $5 million the letter writer states.


Just info. I do not listen to NPR.

 

[Duff Miver]

FYI:

Soros donated $1.8 million to NPR.

I also think the federal funding of NPR approaches more like $90 million than the $5 million the letter writer states.


Just info. I do not listen to NPR.

FYI, I am the author of the letter. We will see whether our right-wing rag publishes it.

I don't know where you get that $90 million number. :shrug: Do tell.

Here is how it breaks down from the 2008 total NPR budget of $154 million - 5.8%, about $9 million is the total from Federal, state and local governments combined. I don't have a breakdown of that $9 million, but it's safe to assume the Federal share is (round numbers) abt. $5 million. I don't have a cute pie chart for 2010, but the total is $160 million, essentially the same as 2008.

So the Federal government share is about $5 million. Not $90 million.

Divide $5 million by abt. 300,000,000 citizens, hence my generous offer to reimburse the objectors (who may or may not pay Federal taxes) their two cents.

George Soros gave NPR 1.8 Million? Peanuts. Joan Kroc gave NPR $228 million.

Their money, their choice, no?

 

[Trench]

FYI:

Soros donated $1.8 million to NPR.

I also think the federal funding of NPR approaches more like $90 million than the $5 million the letter writer states.

Just info. I do not listen to NPR.

Where did you come up with $90 million? :shrug:

It's been widely reported for the past 2 months that NPR receives $7 to $9 million (depending on the source) in funding from the government.

And why would anyone care if George Soros donated money to NPR? It's not like donating to a political campaign (see Koch Bros.).

Anyone who thinks NPR is partisan has never listened to it. What could possibly be partisan about programs like "To the Best of Our Knowledge", "University of the Air" and "All Things Considered"?

 

[Trench]

Let's defund NPR and dumb down America!! :00hour :00hour

Of course, that assuming it's even possible for Americans to be less informed than they already are.

In 2007 alone, the Dept. of Defense spent more than $600 Million on advertising. We can't touch that sacred cow.
How else are we gonna convince 18 year olds to "Be all they can be!" because "It's not just a job, it's an adventure!"?

Instead, we'll defund NPR, save the country from the liberal elites and shift the NPR funding to DOD advertising.

<object style="height: 390px; width: 640px"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UKH0S9t1xq4?version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UKH0S9t1xq4?version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="390"></object>

 

[Trench]

Breaking News!!!

Breaking News!!!

The U.S. Budget Crisis has been averted!!!

"Click & Clack", (the Tappet Brothers) have finally been defunded...

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/YJFivQYjC-Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ssd]

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is the largest funder for public radio stations and gets about $400 million a year from the government. About $90 million goes to radio stations.

I guess all $90 million does not go to NPR.

About Soros - do you think he would contribute to a non-partisan radio station? Seriously? The man has an agenda and he would not be giving to NPR if it did not promote his agenda.

As you know my views, against subsidies and the like, I'd rather not see any radio station, TV station, corporation, etc - get any money from the gov't but we all know that will never happen.

I hope your letter gets published, Muff. I give anyone credit for being active.

 

[Duff Miver]

About Soros - do you think he would contribute to a non-partisan radio station? Seriously? The man has an agenda and he would not be giving to NPR if it did not promote his agenda.

Do you have a problem with what Soros does with his money?

As far as the NPR partisan claim, which you make although you say you do not listen, why not try a small experiment? Sometime when you're riding down the road or otherwise not fully occupied, listen to NPR for 10 minutes. Then try the same experiment for a number of other 10 minute intervals. By the time you've listened to a dozen or so random samples, you can form your own opinion. :0074

 

[ssd]

Duff:
Starting in June, I will be travelling extensively. I will try your experiment.

I have no issues with what Soros does with his own money - my point is, I doubt he would fund an organization that does not help his cause in one way or another.

 

[The Sponge]

Where did you come up with $90 million? :shrug:

It's been widely reported for the past 2 months that NPR receives $7 to $9 million (depending on the source) in funding from the government.

And why would anyone care if George Soros donated money to NPR? It's not like donating to a political campaign (see Koch Bros.).

Anyone who thinks NPR is partisan has never listened to it. What could possibly be partisan about programs like "To the Best of Our Knowledge", "University of the Air" and "All Things Considered"?

Anything remotely true and points out the lies of the likes of Fox News and those other con artist on right wing radio, will most certainly be called partisan. If u told lies non stop and wanted suckers to believe them u wouldn't be happy either if someone pointed out ur lies. You don't even have to point out lies of those assholes but if u want to talk about the truth, they somehow will find u and make u into a very bad person.

 

[Skulnik]

Have you ever listened to NPR? What did they say that was partisan?

No answer? Thought so.

Look at DUFF, always talking about Glenn Beck like he even watches or listens to his show, he's still an EXPERT.

:mj07:


JMHO

No answer? Thought so.

 

[pd1]

Definately need to get rid of NPR. I listened for about 3 hours over the weekend.

It was all political.The one side kept bashing the other side. They hate each other. Nit picking over the tiniest little things. It was just unbelievable to me how the ranting went on and on like it did. First one host then the next, then the next. I finally got sick of it and turned the dial.


Wait a second, that wasn't NPR that was Fox news, I switched to NPR.

I listened to the Tappet Brothers, some guy trying to be funny in Wisconsin, a little classical music, and the news every so often.

I did not personally hear one thing that I would consider political. I was working so I did not have my ear glued to the radio at all times, and when the cardinals came on I switched over. It was sure more enjoyable to me than fox news. Fair and balanced my ass.

 

[The Sponge]

Look at DUFF, always talking about Glenn Beck like he even watches or listens to his show, he's still an EXPERT.

:mj07:


JMHO

No answer? Thought so.

When u have just an ounce of common sense Skully u don't have to watch much. Im willing to bet Duff watched some of Glen Beck and realize what a lying jackoff the guy was. Now you? Well as soon as one of these neocon ball lickers say something bad about something, u are right there to back them up even tho you have no clue what they are talking about. A republican says something misleading u run with it. we try to explain to you that u are being used like a pawn and what do u do? Go right to the next thing thing they are lying about. Wash, rinse, and repeat.