2011-01-16

Should PBS be defunded?

I enjoyed the American Masters on WHYY this afternoon.  It was essentially a biography on Jeff Bridges.

Just happened to leave the TV on afterward.  At 5PM a program named Smart Talk came on.  As most other programs for the last week, it dealt with the Tucson shooting and political debate etc.

It's not even half over as I write this and they have talked on and on about hate filled speech.  And while they have prefaced it by saying something like "there is no known direct connection..." they have shown the Palin graphic twice now.  Given that Palin was a private citizen when she put hers up, I am appalled that they haven't shown at least once the DLC graphic which preceded Palin's and is virtually identical (other than it targets Republican districts rather than Democrat districts).  Also haven't heard anyone say something like "hold on a minute.  That guy was stalking Gabby before anyone even knew who Sarah Palin was".

Yes, time for PBS to stand on its own.  My tax dollars should go to reducing debt.  Not for subsidizing PBS partisan political agendas.  If there was a time when PBS was needed as an alternate voice, the internet and other outlets that allow an infinite amount of views have long ago obviated the need for this station.

In case you have missed it, the Palin graphic:



The Democratic graphic you probably have not seen if you are a PBS or MSNBC viewer.  I found it in a December 2004 entry at the Democratic Leadership Council website.

I notice that it is the Democratic version which uses terms such as Behind Enemy Lines and Targeting Strategy and ripe targets.