Back in “commercial television” days, PBS, radio and TV was a way for people to connect to the world, it still is, in a manner not biased by advertisers. It uses the public airwaves, which belong to all of us. Current funding comes mostly from subscribers and donors. The purpose of “commercial free” is to NOT have “news” influenced by private corporate interests, like well Faux, and cable. Gee, remember when paying for cable was supposed to also free us from commercial advertising because we’d pay the cable companies?
The difference between a “public” member station and a “private” affiliate is a big one. As with so many other things the GOP sets out to destroy (they are after all a party of destruction — not building), the highest toll comes in the smallest communities.
Most PBS affiliates get as much as 50% of their operating costs from the government. The rest comes from viewers and private donors, so cutting the budget won’t affect Big Bird, but could shut down channels across the country. People also seem to miss the point about the children’s programming: the idea is that parents can let their children watch entertaining educational programs without being bombarded by toy commercials every seven minutes. The news shows are also unbiased by corporate interests. Just because they don’t always praise the right doesn’t make them leftist, it just shows two sides to each story.
I have to laugh at the rather effete liberal idea that the government should fund PBS stations so that farmers and minorities can be exposed to classical music. Maybe the broadcast signals will go farther if we put the PBS towers on top of your ivory towers.
Another odd part of the toon no one wants to mention is that now the Norwegian University of Science and Technology doesn’t agree with all the tree huggers that love the electric vehicles like the volt. They say they have twice the global warming potential of traditional vehicles.
“Ever watch PBS? It’s the most left leaning liberal force fed to the country. About as left as BBC and we know who pays for that.”Sounds like your way of saying PBS and BBC value truth and facts. If PBS were actually leftist as you and your partisan cohorts claim, it wouldn’t broadcast the “conservative” leaning pundit shows in ti’s programming line up. As for the BBC, I highly doubt you know the facts of how it’s funded.
Do you not believe there is a product out there for every cultural group? If there wasn’t they would have trouble keeping all of the other content on cable or local television. They could then run a fund raiser for the music and arts if needed as that group is a big part of their fund raising.
I note that you didn’t suggest Bruce "… take a break from MickyD’s for a week and send that to them. Eat a PB&J for lunch. "But then you’re more polite.
Dtroutma over 11 years ago
Back in “commercial television” days, PBS, radio and TV was a way for people to connect to the world, it still is, in a manner not biased by advertisers. It uses the public airwaves, which belong to all of us. Current funding comes mostly from subscribers and donors. The purpose of “commercial free” is to NOT have “news” influenced by private corporate interests, like well Faux, and cable. Gee, remember when paying for cable was supposed to also free us from commercial advertising because we’d pay the cable companies?
I Play One On TV over 11 years ago
So simple. Wipe out a $16 trillion debt by removing funding for PBS. Why didn’t Obama think of that? No wonder he doesn’t deserve to be president.
Chillbilly over 11 years ago
The difference between a “public” member station and a “private” affiliate is a big one. As with so many other things the GOP sets out to destroy (they are after all a party of destruction — not building), the highest toll comes in the smallest communities.
Fourcrows over 11 years ago
Most PBS affiliates get as much as 50% of their operating costs from the government. The rest comes from viewers and private donors, so cutting the budget won’t affect Big Bird, but could shut down channels across the country. People also seem to miss the point about the children’s programming: the idea is that parents can let their children watch entertaining educational programs without being bombarded by toy commercials every seven minutes. The news shows are also unbiased by corporate interests. Just because they don’t always praise the right doesn’t make them leftist, it just shows two sides to each story.
Farley55 over 11 years ago
I have to laugh at the rather effete liberal idea that the government should fund PBS stations so that farmers and minorities can be exposed to classical music. Maybe the broadcast signals will go farther if we put the PBS towers on top of your ivory towers.
sw10mm over 11 years ago
Another odd part of the toon no one wants to mention is that now the Norwegian University of Science and Technology doesn’t agree with all the tree huggers that love the electric vehicles like the volt. They say they have twice the global warming potential of traditional vehicles.
Jason Allen over 11 years ago
“Ever watch PBS? It’s the most left leaning liberal force fed to the country. About as left as BBC and we know who pays for that.”Sounds like your way of saying PBS and BBC value truth and facts. If PBS were actually leftist as you and your partisan cohorts claim, it wouldn’t broadcast the “conservative” leaning pundit shows in ti’s programming line up. As for the BBC, I highly doubt you know the facts of how it’s funded.
neuturn over 11 years ago
Do you not believe there is a product out there for every cultural group? If there wasn’t they would have trouble keeping all of the other content on cable or local television. They could then run a fund raiser for the music and arts if needed as that group is a big part of their fund raising.
Stormrider2112 over 11 years ago
You’re worried about the $1.52 of your taxes going to one of the best sources of educational television in the country?
OmqR-IV.0 over 11 years ago
I note that you didn’t suggest Bruce "… take a break from MickyD’s for a week and send that to them. Eat a PB&J for lunch. "But then you’re more polite.