My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station
because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like
the show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they
do is fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are
spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those
things where it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I
doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find
the information without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I
get led to webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the
question.


--Lia

Julia Altshuler wrote:
>
> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
> all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station
> because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like
> the show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they
> do is fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are
> spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those
> things where it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I
> doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find
> the information without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I
> get led to webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the
> question.
>
> --Lia

It's probably different in different markets. They go on forever here,
but in other places I've lived didn't spend quite so much time.

In article >,
Julia Altshuler > wrote:

> doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find
> the information without keeping track on a calendar?
> --Lia

Call the station general manager and/or programming director and ask
them.
--
-Barb, Mother Superior, HOSSSPoJ
http://web.mac.com/barbschaller, and here's the link to my appearance
on "A Prairie Home Companion," <http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/
programs/2008/08/30/>

Julia Altshuler wrote:
> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
> all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station
> because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like
> the show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they
> do is fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are
> spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those
> things where it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I
> doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find
> the information without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I
> get led to webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the
> question.


That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers
and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those
shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you
will see of those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of
Googling I came across an article (a rant about the begathons) that
indicates that the pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.

On Wed 24 Sep 2008 03:32:56p, Julia Altshuler told us...

> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
> all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station
> because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like
> the show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they
> do is fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are
> spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those
> things where it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I
> doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find
> the information without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I
> get led to webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the
> question.
>
>
> --Lia
>

In the Phoenix area they really do try to keep them short and not too
frequent. We actually had one last month that only lasted 1 day.
Typically they are, perhaps, 4 days, but not all that often, at least not
often enough for me to keep track of.

--
Wayne Boatwright

*******************************************
Date: Wednesday, 09(IX)/24(XXIV)/08(MMVIII)
*******************************************
Countdown till Veteran's Day
6wks 5dys 6hrs 51mins
*******************************************
I appreciate your not breathing while
I smoke
*******************************************

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
m...
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
>> all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station because
>> of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like the
>> show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they do is
>> fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are spent on
>> fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those things where
>> it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I doubt it could
>> actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find the information
>> without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I get led to
>> webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the question.
>
>
> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
> out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers and
> such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those shows then
> let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you will see of
> those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of Googling I came
> across an article (a rant about the begathons) that indicates that the
> pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.

24 hours x 60 minutes x 2% comes to just less than 29 minutes a day. But
when they bunch it up it does seem like a whole lot more.

Felice

Dave Smith wrote:

> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty
> Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch
> those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the
> last you will see of those shows until their next begathon.

I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what
shows do you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
gone.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
news
> Dave Smith wrote:
>
>> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
>> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty
>> Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch
>> those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the
>> last you will see of those shows until their next begathon.
>
> I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what shows do
> you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
> because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
> gone.
>
You guys are lucky. 'Round here in Detrois, pledge week usually includes
the self-help freaks (Wayne Dyer, some weird old codger w/o wrinkles, a
financial advisor, etc.), geezer rock concerts, and the strange
Euro-orchestra that wears weird costumes and all their singers use headset
mics. I'd much prefer the usual fare.

*Sudden thought: If they wanted me to give more, they could threaten to
have a pledge fortnight...

For insomniacs, the regular late night programs resume after 11 PM. My
favorite right now is Waiting For God.

Tschuss,
Pablo

"Julia Altshuler" > wrote in message
. ..
> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's all
> they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station because of
> wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like the show--
> when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like all they do is
> fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the year are spent on
> fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one of those things where
> it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I doubt it could
> actually be that high. Anyone know where I could find the information
> without keeping track on a calendar? When I google, I get led to webpages
> cajoling me to give more money, not answering the question.


Ours does a week in the spring and a week in the fall.
Fundraising on public radio is still better listening than anything on
commercial radio.

On Sep 24, 9:27 pm, "pablo" > wrote:
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
>
> news >
> >> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
> >> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty
> >> Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch
> >> those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the
> >> last you will see of those shows until their next begathon.
>
> > I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what shows do
> > you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
> > because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
> > gone.
>
> You guys are lucky. 'Round here in Detrois, pledge week usually includes
> the self-help freaks (Wayne Dyer, some weird old codger w/o wrinkles, a
> financial advisor, etc.), geezer rock concerts, and the strange
> Euro-orchestra that wears weird costumes and all their singers use headset
> mics. I'd much prefer the usual fare.
>
> *Sudden thought: If they wanted me to give more, they could threaten to
> have a pledge fortnight...
>
> For insomniacs, the regular late night programs resume after 11 PM. My
> favorite right now is Waiting For God.
>
> Tschuss,
> Pablo

I mostly don't mind the NPR fundraisers - short, and the hosts seem to
not want to have to be doing it, are funny and apologetic. And,
though WDET ain't my old WBEZ, it's still worth a dollar a day over
the alternatives. If I had a job I'd be happy to give them money.

PBS, though. During pledge drive they turn into Branson, Missouri.
If I usually tune in for Nova or Now or cooking shows or vintage BBC
sitcoms, how is Lawrence Welk or an Everly Brothers reunion supposed
to get my money? Or that motivational speaker woman. And the hosts,
mostly office "development" staff, not on-air folks, are so ineptly
pius and smarmy that I want to shut down the whole station just to
force them to find honest work.

My favorite thing about being stuck near Detroit is being able to get
CBC2 radio and chanel 9 CBC TV from Windsor. Doctor Who, The Hour,
often very wierd late-night movies. And they never ask me for money.

Bulka

Julia Altshuler wrote:

> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again.

Wouldn't that be NPR?


--
Blinky
Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://improve-usenet.org
Need a new news feed? http://blinkynet.net/comp/newfeed.html

"dejablues" > wrote in message
> Ours does a week in the spring and a week in the fall.
> Fundraising on public radio is still better listening than anything on
> commercial radio.
>

Radio is not so bad yet, but the TV shows have more "announcements" by the
contributors than commercial television. I have a hard time contributing
when that have a rather blatant liberal agenda that I don't agree with.

pablo wrote:

>
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
> news
>> Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>>> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
>>> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty
>>> Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch
>>> those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the
>>> last you will see of those shows until their next begathon.
>>
>> I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what shows do
>> you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
>> because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
>> gone.
>>
> You guys are lucky. 'Round here in Detrois, pledge week usually includes
> the self-help freaks (Wayne Dyer, some weird old codger w/o wrinkles, a
> financial advisor, etc.), geezer rock concerts, and the strange
> Euro-orchestra that wears weird costumes and all their singers use headset
> mics. I'd much prefer the usual fare.

Don't forget "Celtic Women". On the brighter side, at least they
finally wore out their "River Dance" supply.

(Over the years I've shot hundreds of pledge nights at the Hollywood PBS
affiliate. and yes, I know the OP was talking about public radio.)


--
Blinky
Killing all posts from Google Groups
The Usenet Improvement Project: http://improve-usenet.org
Need a new news feed? http://blinkynet.net/comp/newfeed.html

bulka > fnord
:

> On Sep 24, 9:27 pm, "pablo" > wrote:
>> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message
>>
>> news >>
>> >> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
>> >> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python,
>> >> Fawlty Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want
>> >> to watch those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge.
>> >> That is the last you will see of those shows until their next
>> >> begathon.
>>
>> > I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what
>> > shows do you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
>> > because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
>> > gone.
>>
>> You guys are lucky. 'Round here in Detrois, pledge week usually
>> includes the self-help freaks (Wayne Dyer, some weird old codger w/o
>> wrinkles, a financial advisor, etc.), geezer rock concerts, and the
>> strange Euro-orchestra that wears weird costumes and all their
>> singers use headset mics. I'd much prefer the usual fare.
>>
>> *Sudden thought: If they wanted me to give more, they could threaten
>> to have a pledge fortnight...
>>
>> For insomniacs, the regular late night programs resume after 11 PM.
>> My favorite right now is Waiting For God.
>>
>> Tschuss,
>> Pablo
>
> I mostly don't mind the NPR fundraisers - short, and the hosts seem to
> not want to have to be doing it, are funny and apologetic. And,
> though WDET ain't my old WBEZ, it's still worth a dollar a day over
> the alternatives. If I had a job I'd be happy to give them money.
>
> PBS, though. During pledge drive they turn into Branson, Missouri.
> If I usually tune in for Nova or Now or cooking shows or vintage BBC
> sitcoms, how is Lawrence Welk or an Everly Brothers reunion supposed
> to get my money? Or that motivational speaker woman. And the hosts,
> mostly office "development" staff, not on-air folks, are so ineptly
> pius and smarmy that I want to shut down the whole station just to
> force them to find honest work.
>

I used to think that, even as a kid.

> My favorite thing about being stuck near Detroit is being able to get
> CBC2 radio and chanel 9 CBC TV from Windsor. Doctor Who, The Hour,
> often very wierd late-night movies. And they never ask me for money.
>
> Bulka
>

I live in the shadow of a number of radio and tv towers, and as such,
have no reception at all, even for stations on this side of the river.
bleh. My mom didn't have cable, but she has one of those plug in
antennas, and at least I could watch channel 4 or PBS

Where all in near-Detroit are you stuck at, Bulka?

--
Saerah

"Welcome to Usenet, Biatch! Adapt or haul ass!"
- some hillbilly from FL

Blinky the Shark wrote:
> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>
>
>>My local PBS radio station is fundraising again.
>
>
> Wouldn't that be NPR?


Yes. I realized my mistake as I was going to sleep last night and
thought to correct it first thing in the morning. I was thinking of
radio, but my point applies to television as well.


I wonder if they know how annoying it is. Or maybe they know and do it
that way on purpose. If they do 15 minutes of news followed by 15
minutes of fundraising, the whole thing is too obnoxious to listen to.
I turn it off and think in my mind that the whole day is fundraising.
That must be what leaves me with the impression that they do far more
fundraising than they actually do. The 2% figure strikes me as far too
low. They're counting actual air time. I'm counting the whole time
it's obnoxious to try to listen to the radio.


I agree with those who say that there's a point where it becomes
counterproductive. I am willing to contribute for an excellent news
show. I'm not willing to pay for constant fundraising. I turn the
radio off.


About the self-help freaks on television-- I read somewhere that Wayne
Dyer is fantastic for fundraising, that he brings in the money like no
one else. It's a shame that the newage garbage brings in so much.
Knowing that it's there makes me doubt the occasional excellent science
shows.


--Lia

On Sep 24, 6:32*pm, Julia Altshuler > wrote:
> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. *It seems like that's
> all they do. *They keep telling me how much I value their station
> because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do like
> the show-- when it's airing. *But more and more, it seems like all they
> do is fundraise. *Does anyone know how many days out of the year are
> spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? *It's one of those
> things where it seems like about 20% of the time is fundraising, but I
> doubt it could actually be that high. *Anyone know where I could find
> the information without keeping track on a calendar? *When I google, I
> get led to webpages cajoling me to give more money, not answering the
> question.
>
> --Lia

Hereabouts (Ann Arbor, MI -- WUOM) it's a week in spring and a week
in fall.

Cindy Hamilton

On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:24:14 -0400, Julia Altshuler wrote:
>
> About the self-help freaks on television-- I read somewhere that Wayne
> Dyer is fantastic for fundraising, that he brings in the money like no
> one else. It's a shame that the newage garbage brings in so much.
> Knowing that it's there makes me doubt the occasional excellent science
> shows.
>
>
> --Lia

dyer is indeed a knucklehead, but you gotta admit he certainly helped
himself with his self-help program.

your pal,
blake

Julia Altshuler wrote:
> My local PBS radio station is fundraising again. It seems like that's
> all they do. They keep telling me how much I value their station
> because of wonderful programs like All Things Considered, and I do
> like the show-- when it's airing. But more and more, it seems like
> all they do is fundraise. Does anyone know how many days out of the
> year are spent on fundraising and how many are actual news? It's one
> of those things where it seems like about 20% of the time is
> fundraising, but I doubt it could actually be that high. Anyone know
> where I could find the information without keeping track on a
> calendar? When I google, I get led to webpages cajoling me to give
> more money, not answering the question.
>
>
> --Lia
>

Here, public radio does a lot of fund raising.

Becca

On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:49:16 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>
> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
> out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers
> and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those
> shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you
> will see of those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of
> Googling I came across an article (a rant about the begathons) that
> indicates that the pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.

the favorite (other than some you mention) on the d.c. station, weta, seems
to be benko glass. they must have broadcast the damn thing fifty times at
least. (of course, i've managed to escape every time.)

your pal,
blake

Dave Smith wrote:


> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The
> roll out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty
> Towers and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch
> those shows then let them know by calling in a pledge.

You're lucky then. All our station does anymore is have concerts from
groups that they are sponsoring for a live appearance in town, and
self-help stuff hawking books.




Brian

--
If televison's a babysitter, the Internet is a drunk librarian who
won't shut up.
-- Dorothy Gambrell (http://catandgirl.com)

Felice wrote:
>
>> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
>> out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers and
>> such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those shows then
>> let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you will see of
>> those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of Googling I came
>> across an article (a rant about the begathons) that indicates that the
>> pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.
>
> 24 hours x 60 minutes x 2% comes to just less than 29 minutes a day. But
> when they bunch it up it does seem like a whole lot more.


It is not just the time spent, all crammed together. It is the bait and
switch that I object to. The roll out the old favourites and tell the
viewers that if they like such and such and want to see it they need to
call in and make a pledge, but then they don't show those old favourites.

Personally, I like Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and a few other British
comedies. The only time I ever see it in the TV listings and flip to PBS
it turns out to be the Begathon. Then I have to sit through goodness
knows how long before they actually get away from the beg announcements
and run the show. I am assuming that people call in with pledges to
support those shows, since they always troop them out for the pledge
drives. but that is the only time they run them. If it were a
commercial station it would be like selling ad spots to a company to be
run during a particular show that attracts the demographic they are
after and then running them during a different program.

Dave Smith wrote:
>
> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
> out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers
> and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those
> shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you
> will see of those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of
> Googling I came across an article (a rant about the begathons) that
> indicates that the pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.

You're lucky. Around here it's all financial advice
from Suzy Orman and quack medicine from Periccone,
Chopra, and various wannabe quacks. And that guy
who teaches you how to play the piano. I can't
imagine why anyone would want to see those shows
in place of the usual line-up.

These are displacing my cooking shows. It is as
though it is punishment for not donating. And a
cruel punishment it is.

"Julia Altshuler" > wrote in message
. ..
> Blinky the Shark wrote:
>> Julia Altshuler wrote:
>>
>>
>>>My local PBS radio station is fundraising again.
>>
>>
>> Wouldn't that be NPR?
>
>
> Yes. I realized my mistake as I was going to sleep last night and
> thought to correct it first thing in the morning. I was thinking of
> radio, but my point applies to television as well.
>
>
> I wonder if they know how annoying it is. Or maybe they know and do it
> that way on purpose. If they do 15 minutes of news followed by 15
> minutes of fundraising, the whole thing is too obnoxious to listen to.
> I turn it off and think in my mind that the whole day is fundraising.
> That must be what leaves me with the impression that they do far more
> fundraising than they actually do. The 2% figure strikes me as far too
> low. They're counting actual air time. I'm counting the whole time
> it's obnoxious to try to listen to the radio.
>
>
> I agree with those who say that there's a point where it becomes
> counterproductive. I am willing to contribute for an excellent news
> show. I'm not willing to pay for constant fundraising. I turn the
> radio off.

I went down to the studio a few years back and answered phones and stuffed
envelopes during a PBS fund drive (DH worked for one of the corporate
sponsors). It was one of the most fun things I've ever done! I think seeing
the goings-on behind the scenes made me more tolerant of the pledge drives.

blake wrote on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 16:55:22 GMT:

> On Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:49:16 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:
>>
>> That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of
>> mine. The roll out all kinds of the old favourites like
>> Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers and such and then tell the
>> viewers that if they want to watch those shows then let them
>> know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you will see of
>> those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of
>> Googling I came across an article (a rant about the
>> begathons) that indicates that the pledge drives amount to
>> about 2% of their air time.

> the favorite (other than some you mention) on the d.c.
> station, weta, seems to be benko glass. they must have
> broadcast the damn thing fifty times at least. (of course,
> i've managed to escape every time.)

I actually contribute to WBJC in Baltimore, which I can usually receive
quite well and the Maryland TV station, channel 22. WBJC asks just once
a year and their commercials are short but they are a classical station
with a few news flashes. Channel 22 does not run quite as many
fundraisers with repeats of cheap old programs (misnamed "favorites").

IMO (not humble), once was enough for Blenko. Stiil WETA-TV has given up
some of the freebies they used to play ad nauseam like the quack Gary
Null who awarded a PhD to himself and purveyed nonsense.

--

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

Email, with obvious alterations: not.jim.silverton.at.verizon.not

dejablues wrote:

> I went down to the studio a few years back and answered phones and stuffed
> envelopes during a PBS fund drive (DH worked for one of the corporate
> sponsors). It was one of the most fun things I've ever done! I think seeing
> the goings-on behind the scenes made me more tolerant of the pledge drives.

I volunteered to man phones before I moved to California. Typically, it
was in the Spring and Fall.

Some of the calls were "interesting" to say the least.

Like the guy that would call and knew what you were wearing and what you
looked like ... Telling me how "hot" I looked and trying to chat me up.
He wouldn't pledge anything, I would end the call, and then he would
call back -- asking whoever answered to transfer him to me! CREEP FACTOR!

Then there were the senior citizens on very fixed incomes. I was one of
those that tried to dissuade them from pledging after they would divulge
their entire income history. Also, there were several elderly folk that
would call -- just to have someone to talk to!!! My heart went out to
them all and I had no problem just chatting with them. It wasn't like I
was getting a commission for sales after all.

I think they were the best part of working that gig. Heaven help any one
of us that depends upon a fundraising line for social interaction. No
one should ever be that lonely.

--Lin

pablo wrote:
>
> "Nancy Young" > wrote in message

<snip>

> > I told them that once ... they called me to make a donation, what shows do
> > you like to see? I said You know what shows I want
> > because you play them when you're looking for money. Then they're
> > gone.
> >
> You guys are lucky. 'Round here in Detrois, pledge week usually includes
> the self-help freaks (Wayne Dyer, some weird old codger w/o wrinkles, a
> financial advisor, etc.), geezer rock concerts, and the strange
> Euro-orchestra that wears weird costumes and all their singers use headset
> mics. I'd much prefer the usual fare.
>
> *Sudden thought: If they wanted me to give more, they could threaten to
> have a pledge fortnight...

Lucky you! It's the better part of a *month* around here; with a
tail-off week after. With no Dr Who or anything of interest to me. Yes
Wayne Dyer, Suze Orman and Whatisname Weil. And *endless* repeats of
other such shows from years past. We make the minimum contribution and
leave it at that.
>
> For insomniacs, the regular late night programs resume after 11 PM. My
> favorite right now is Waiting For God.
>
> Tschuss,
> Pablo

Even the late night programming is altered during pledge month.

"bulka" > wrote in message
...
>> My favorite thing about being stuck near Detroit is being able to get
> CBC2 radio
*
Ain't that the truth. But they're funded by tax dollars and so are the
ultimate in EVIL! How dare Canadians squander their hard earned tax dollars
on such frivolity? They could be using them for something worthwhile, such
as paying off a bunch of overstuffed bankers for giving out bad loan money
much like farting cows give off methane.

(BTW -- I'm a big fan of Disc Drive, Chorale Concert, and The Vinyl Cafe.)

Pablo

Mark Thorson wrote:

> Dave Smith wrote:
> >
> > That is a good question and has long been a pet peeve of mine. The roll
> > out all kinds of the old favourites like Monthy Python, Fawlty Towers
> > and such and then tell the viewers that if they want to watch those
> > shows then let them know by calling in a pledge. That is the last you
> > will see of those shows until their next begathon. After a bit of
> > Googling I came across an article (a rant about the begathons) that
> > indicates that the pledge drives amount to about 2% of their air time.
>
> You're lucky. Around here it's all financial advice
> from Suzy Orman and quack medicine from Periccone,
> Chopra, and various wannabe quacks. And that guy
> who teaches you how to play the piano. I can't
> imagine why anyone would want to see those shows
> in place of the usual line-up.
>
> These are displacing my cooking shows. It is as
> though it is punishment for not donating. And a
> cruel punishment it is.


What with the peurile garbage PBS and NPR programming, I don't understand
why the US taxpayer should be asked to subsidise a "public" broadcasting
entity...

Suzy Orman the BIG BULL DYKE and Dr. Phil THE SMARMY PUKE surely make ENUF
on their own without glopping at the PBS trough, they can wend their own way
financially through life...

PBS and NPR both have a *hard* left liberal bias, I resent the fact that my
taxes go to subsidise such far left - ish programme content...

I don't think that US taxpayers should be burdened with supporting
*anyone's* viewing/listening habits any more than they should hafta
subsidise my DVD or music - buying habits...the free market should reign
supreme, NO public monies.

The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
own way...


--
Best
Greg

On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:11:40 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:

>The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
>smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
>own way...

Leftist Freeloaders.... it's a simple idea: Using public money for the
public good. Not as complicated as the conservative idea of
privatizing profit and socializing losses while letting your company
executives keep their golden parachutes (the cowards always bail out
when the going gets tough).


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

<sf> wrote:

> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:11:40 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> > wrote:
>
> >The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
> >smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
> >own way...
>
> Leftist Freeloaders.... it's a simple idea: Using public money for the
> public good.


In the case of "public" broadcasting, the "public good" as defined by the
politically - correct leftist moonbats and dustbunnies...


Not as complicated as the conservative idea of
> privatizing profit and socializing losses while letting your company
> executives keep their golden parachutes (the cowards always bail out
> when the going gets tough).


That's because in the end their monies more often than not eventually
*build* wealth, Barbara...you might google "Thatcherism" or "Reaganomics"...


--
Best
Greg

"Gregory Morrow" > wrote in message
> What with the peurile garbage PBS and NPR programming, I don't understand
> why the US taxpayer should be asked to subsidise a "public" broadcasting
> entity...
snip>
> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
> own way...
>

You can make a good living working for a non-profit. The people that
complain about greedy business owners should check out the salary of some of
the heads of charitable organizations.

On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:38:55 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> wrote:

>you might google "Thatcherism" or "Reaganomics"...

Don't need to. Reaganomics was a load of horsesh*t.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

Gregory Morrow wrote:

> What with the peurile garbage PBS and NPR programming, I don't understand
> why the US taxpayer should be asked to subsidise a "public" broadcasting
> entity...


That is another thing. I am not a US tax payer, or US resident. Their
signal is pumped into my country from a foreign nation and they use
their air time to beg for money. I also receive pledge drive material
in the mail. I guess they figure that since I can get their signal I
should be paying. Now that I have satellite the station that I receive
is from Boston. It is not a matter of anti Americanism, but living in
Canada I pay taxes that support our various public radio and television
stations.

As for public television and radio programming content...... a lot of it
is pretty good. I would suggest that a higher percentage of their
programming is of more interest to me than that which we get from
network television. I am on the fringe area for a NPR station so it is
not a clear enough signal to make listening enjoyable, but when I am
closer to the border I often tune it. The most listened to radio
programming in this household is the publicly funded CBC which has
terrific programming. Not all their programs are for everyone, but the
majority of it is far better than commercial radio.






> PBS and NPR both have a *hard* left liberal bias, I resent the fact that my
> taxes go to subsidise such far left - ish programme content...

Are you a Rush Limbaugh fan?

>
> I don't think that US taxpayers should be burdened with supporting
> *anyone's* viewing/listening habits any more than they should hafta
> subsidise my DVD or music - buying habits...the free market should reign
> supreme, NO public monies.
>
> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
> own way...
>

I guess that answers my question.

Gregory Morrow wrote:
> <sf> wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:11:40 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
>>> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
>>> own way...
>> Leftist Freeloaders.... it's a simple idea: Using public money for the
>> public good.
>
>
> In the case of "public" broadcasting, the "public good" as defined by the
> politically - correct leftist moonbats and dustbunnies...
>

Oh yes. I remember my son watching Sesame St. on PBS. If only I had
known that Bert and Ernie were *** commies I would have been more
careful.

sf wrote:
> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:38:55 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> > wrote:
>
>> you might google "Thatcherism" or "Reaganomics"...
>
> Don't need to. Reaganomics was a load of horsesh*t.

Well, yes and know. It does trickle down. It seems to gush upward, but
then a little trickles down. There is an old saying among tradesmen
that the most important thing to know about plumbing is that shit runs
downhill.

Dave Smith wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
> > <sf> wrote:
> >
> >> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:11:40 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
> >> > wrote:
> >>
> >>> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
> >>> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay
their
> >>> own way...
> >> Leftist Freeloaders.... it's a simple idea: Using public money for the
> >> public good.
> >
> >
> > In the case of "public" broadcasting, the "public good" as defined by
the
> > politically - correct leftist moonbats and dustbunnies...
> >
>
> Oh yes. I remember my son watching Sesame St. on PBS. If only I had
> known that Bert and Ernie were *** commies I would have been more
> careful.


My fave was always the Cookee Monster...


--
Best
Greg

Dave Smith wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>
> > What with the peurile garbage PBS and NPR programming, I don't
understand
> > why the US taxpayer should be asked to subsidise a "public" broadcasting
> > entity...
>
>
> That is another thing. I am not a US tax payer, or US resident. Their
> signal is pumped into my country from a foreign nation and they use
> their air time to beg for money. I also receive pledge drive material
> in the mail. I guess they figure that since I can get their signal I
> should be paying. Now that I have satellite the station that I receive
> is from Boston. It is not a matter of anti Americanism, but living in
> Canada I pay taxes that support our various public radio and television
> stations.


The whole begging thing is embarrassing, there has gotta be a better way to
do the funding.

And many PBS stations in the US are hardly "non - commercial", the local PBS
affiliate here in Chicago (WTTW) is *loaded* with ads for banks, cars,
financial services, business conglomerates (ADM), pharma, you name it...so
either shite or get off the pot.


> As for public television and radio programming content...... a lot of it
> is pretty good. I would suggest that a higher percentage of their
> programming is of more interest to me than that which we get from
> network television. I am on the fringe area for a NPR station so it is
> not a clear enough signal to make listening enjoyable, but when I am
> closer to the border I often tune it. The most listened to radio
> programming in this household is the publicly funded CBC which has
> terrific programming. Not all their programs are for everyone, but the
> majority of it is far better than commercial radio.


When I was into shortwave I often listened to Radio Canada International,
now I hear a lot of CBC programming late at night on a local NPR affiliate
(WBEZ, Chicago), it's excellent stuff, far superiour to even most BBC
programming.


> > PBS and NPR both have a *hard* left liberal bias, I resent the fact that
my
> > taxes go to subsidise such far left - ish programme content...
>
> Are you a Rush Limbaugh fan?


I listen to him sometimes, as I do some Air America programming, and I'm a
huge Bill Maher fan...they are all simply entertainers, take it with a grain
of salt. I do like it when Rush BLASTS the Clintoons, though, pretty funny
stuff...

What I object to is much of the politically - correct garbage on NPR, but I
object to politcally - correct garbage in real life. The treacly "We are
all just one big happy family and let's sit down and sing Kumbayah" gets
pretty tiring after awhiles, *real* life is not like that. The problem with
liberals - and some pious Christians, such as Jimmy Carter - is that they
automatically assume that weakness equals virtue. But what if the "weak"
for example are "Palestinians" - they are dangerous! The Ayatollah Komeineh
in Iran was once "weak" and so many thought him virtuous, we all know the
result of that kind of "thinking"...etc., etc.


> > I don't think that US taxpayers should be burdened with supporting
> > *anyone's* viewing/listening habits any more than they should hafta
> > subsidise my DVD or music - buying habits...the free market should reign
> > supreme, NO public monies.
> >
> > The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
> > smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay
their
> > own way...
> >
>
> I guess that answers my question.


*Next* question, Dave...???


;-)


--
Best
Greg

On Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:16:17 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:

> sf wrote:
>> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:38:55 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> you might google "Thatcherism" or "Reaganomics"...
>>
>> Don't need to. Reaganomics was a load of horsesh*t.
>
> Well, yes and know. It does trickle down. It seems to gush upward, but
> then a little trickles down. There is an old saying among tradesmen
> that the most important thing to know about plumbing is that shit runs
> downhill.

i think reagan would be going apeshit over the latest bailouts. just a
guess. he didn't seem as 'flexible' as the modern 'market wisdom'
worshipers.

your pal,
blake

On Fri, 26 Sep 2008 08:13:36 -0400, Dave Smith wrote:

> Gregory Morrow wrote:
>> <sf> wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:11:40 -0500, "Gregory Morrow"
>>> > wrote:
>>>
>>>> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
>>>> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
>>>> own way...
>>> Leftist Freeloaders.... it's a simple idea: Using public money for the
>>> public good.
>>
>>
>> In the case of "public" broadcasting, the "public good" as defined by the
>> politically - correct leftist moonbats and dustbunnies...
>>
>
> Oh yes. I remember my son watching Sesame St. on PBS. If only I had
> known that Bert and Ernie were *** commies I would have been more
> careful.

i don't know. bert has always reminded me a little of bob dole, except for
the mohawk.

your pal,
blake

On Fri, 26 Sep 2008 01:08:12 -0400, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:

> "Gregory Morrow" > wrote in message
>> What with the peurile garbage PBS and NPR programming, I don't understand
>> why the US taxpayer should be asked to subsidise a "public" broadcasting
>> entity...
> snip>
>> The leftist - leaning National Endowment for the Arts should also be
>> smothered with a pillow until dead, let the leftist freeloaders pay their
>> own way...
>>
>
> You can make a good living working for a non-profit. The people that
> complain about greedy business owners should check out the salary of some of
> the heads of charitable organizations.

this is complete rubbish. cites, please? other than the top one or two
charities, salaries in now way compare.

your pal,
blake