[altroots] Re CPB funding


Maybe it's worth looking at some of some NeoConservative talking points on CPB/PBS/NPR funding in an effort to see just how they think.

1 - NeoConservative point: PBS is way left wing in it's coverage as evidenced by the Bill Moyers' program "NOW."
Rebuttal: Bill Moyers' NOW program is just one of a vast array of PBS programs, and Bill Moyers is himself now retired. PBS also offered regular broadcast of William F. Buckley's very right show, presently offers a show featuring commentary of conservative journalists from the Wall Street Journal, regularly uses conservative David Brooks of the NY Times on the News Hour, includes very conservative commentators such as Pat Buchanan and the Washington Times editorial editor on the McClaughlin Report, etc.. ALL News Hours interviews, including those on CPB funding, include people from BOTH the right and left. Three separately conducted surveys, including one conducted secretly by the Bush appointed chairman of CPB, ALL showed overwhelming public opinion (as high as 79%) that PBS coverage was fair and balanced.

2 - NeoConservative point: The show with Wall Street commentators is very "tame" (their word) conservatism and David Brooks is not conservative.
Rebuttal: It seems what the administration wants is an extreme right point of view. Note that they offer no comment on the inclusion of Pat Buchanan and the Washington Times editorial editor as commentators.

Most right wing rhetoric about CPB keeps coming back to one of their basic "hot button" issues, i.e., Bill Moyers. He has apparently really got them upset, to the point that even though he is retired they want to punish CPB and PBS for having aired his program.
What is left wing broadcasting? Honoring dead soldiers from Iraq. Revealing that the insurgency is NOT really waning. Telling the truth about Abu Graihb, Guantanomo, Weapons of Mass Destruction, the lack of connection of Saddam's government to Al Queda or 9/11. etc., etc. What do tthe neoConservatives really abhor? Is it the truth. Pat Buchanan has gone so far as to say it was unpatriotic to reveal the Abu Graihb and Guatanomo abuses, or to report on insurgency successes and American casualties. His take is that it undermines U.S. objectives. Really??? Big Brother????

-Don Atwood


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