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Boston, Mass...02134!
Author: TriSec
Date: 02/19/2011 12:26:50
Americans of a certain age can still sing it:
"Send it to ZOOM: Box 350, Boston Mass, 0-2-1-3-4!!"
While a friend remains fluent, I have sadly lost the ability to communicate in Ubbi-Dubbi. However, I can still do the Zoom "arm flip". (only it hurts now...must be getting old.)
Listen, you know I try not to toot Boston's horn most of the time, but as far as PBS goes, we totally rule.
Do you watch cooking shows? The entire genre was invented here. Does the name "Julia Child" ring a bell? How about home improvement shows? "This Old House". (And it's spinoff, New Yankee Workshop.) The list goes on and on and on...
Victory Garden
Arthur (and his friend Buster)
Between the Lions
Frontline
Nova
Curious George
Antiques Roadshow
Masterpiece
Carmen Sandiego
And while the most iconic of them all, "Sesame Street" is not a Boston production, Big Bird himself is a native of Waltham, MA. (Carroll Spinney)
Millions of American children (and their respective adults) have spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours watching these programs. And despite the incessant fundraising, that only accounts for a small portion of the overall operating budget. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting gives a significant amount of money to keep these programs afloat. But all of that is going to go away if the Republicans have their way.
I've spent some time this morning googling why the Republicans hate PBS. The most succinct analysis comes from this column.
But there's another aspect to this as well. I don't think there are any purely rural bloggers among us, so we all live within reach of one or more public stations. Public stations need a lot of infrastructure to stay on-the-air, and the larger "hub stations" need hundreds of staff to consistently produce the quality programming that they do.
Here's the WGBH building in Boston:
That's a brand-new building. During the last 5 years or so, we watched that rise alongside the Mass Turnpike, and WGBH moved in during the height of the recession 2 years ago. The point being, of course, that radio and tv stations need building, infrastructure, maintenance...and the stations themselves contain hundreds of jobs. Cutting the funding cuts these jobs out of the economy, too.
But like the man says...."So be it". No Public Broadcasting, No more quality programming, and No more jobs. You're doing a heckuva job there, Boener!
"Send it to ZOOM: Box 350, Boston Mass, 0-2-1-3-4!!"
While a friend remains fluent, I have sadly lost the ability to communicate in Ubbi-Dubbi. However, I can still do the Zoom "arm flip". (only it hurts now...must be getting old.)
Listen, you know I try not to toot Boston's horn most of the time, but as far as PBS goes, we totally rule.
Do you watch cooking shows? The entire genre was invented here. Does the name "Julia Child" ring a bell? How about home improvement shows? "This Old House". (And it's spinoff, New Yankee Workshop.) The list goes on and on and on...
Victory Garden
Arthur (and his friend Buster)
Between the Lions
Frontline
Nova
Curious George
Antiques Roadshow
Masterpiece
Carmen Sandiego
And while the most iconic of them all, "Sesame Street" is not a Boston production, Big Bird himself is a native of Waltham, MA. (Carroll Spinney)
Millions of American children (and their respective adults) have spent hundreds, if not thousands of hours watching these programs. And despite the incessant fundraising, that only accounts for a small portion of the overall operating budget. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting gives a significant amount of money to keep these programs afloat. But all of that is going to go away if the Republicans have their way.
I've spent some time this morning googling why the Republicans hate PBS. The most succinct analysis comes from this column.
To be frank, the GOP just doesn’t like publicly funded or subsidized programs – unless the beneficiaries of public funds are very large corporations or very wealthy people who are oppressed by taxes, regulations, and labor unions. After all, they don’t really mind giving huge tax breaks, subsidies, and special inside deals to large corporations like big media companies or Wal-Mart.
While the Republicans claimed that fiscal problems required that cuts be made (no mention of repealing any tax cuts for the rich) and that they weren’t doing this out of ideological motives, the record is clear. Republicans have historically attacked public television and National Public Radio for not advancing biased views that slant to the political right.
Gingrich led the charge against public TV because it was a symptom of 'big government.' Jesse Helms took on the purple TeleTubby (Tinky-Winky) because Helms thought he was gay. More recently Republican-affiliated groups again criticized PBS shows for advancing the 'homosexual agenda' or for presenting less-biased views about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
But there's another aspect to this as well. I don't think there are any purely rural bloggers among us, so we all live within reach of one or more public stations. Public stations need a lot of infrastructure to stay on-the-air, and the larger "hub stations" need hundreds of staff to consistently produce the quality programming that they do.
Here's the WGBH building in Boston:
That's a brand-new building. During the last 5 years or so, we watched that rise alongside the Mass Turnpike, and WGBH moved in during the height of the recession 2 years ago. The point being, of course, that radio and tv stations need building, infrastructure, maintenance...and the stations themselves contain hundreds of jobs. Cutting the funding cuts these jobs out of the economy, too.
But like the man says...."So be it". No Public Broadcasting, No more quality programming, and No more jobs. You're doing a heckuva job there, Boener!
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Raine on 02/19/2011 14:30:08
Raine on 02/19/2011 14:30:08
I cannot believe that these extremists would actually do this. Excellent blog today, Tri
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 02/19/2011 15:16:51
trojanrabbit on 02/19/2011 15:16:51
Excellent blog, Tri. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Hey, it's winter again after temps in the 60's yesterday and thunderstorms last night the Rabbit household woke up to snow flurries.
After listening to TUTN last night I noticed Lucky's left eye was shut and he was pawing at it. This morning he appeared a little better but he still kept it shut part of the time so we took him to the vet. He appears to have a herpes virus (likely since birth), which flared up badly last year and required some minor eye surgery. It wasn't as bad this time, because I think we got to it quicker, but he has his "cone of shame" back on and I get to give him drops in his eye twice a day.
Now that he's home he's in full "woe is me" mode. Poor little guy (yeah he did lose weight, from 20 to 18.5).
Hey, it's winter again after temps in the 60's yesterday and thunderstorms last night the Rabbit household woke up to snow flurries.
After listening to TUTN last night I noticed Lucky's left eye was shut and he was pawing at it. This morning he appeared a little better but he still kept it shut part of the time so we took him to the vet. He appears to have a herpes virus (likely since birth), which flared up badly last year and required some minor eye surgery. It wasn't as bad this time, because I think we got to it quicker, but he has his "cone of shame" back on and I get to give him drops in his eye twice a day.
Now that he's home he's in full "woe is me" mode. Poor little guy (yeah he did lose weight, from 20 to 18.5).
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 16:17:05
awww.. Poor Lucky!
Raine on 02/19/2011 16:17:05
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Excellent blog, Tri. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Hey, it's winter again after temps in the 60's yesterday and thunderstorms last night the Rabbit household woke up to snow flurries.
After listening to TUTN last night I noticed Lucky's left eye was shut and he was pawing at it. This morning he appeared a little better but he still kept it shut part of the time so we took him to the vet. He appears to have a herpes virus (likely since birth), which flared up badly last year and required some minor eye surgery. It wasn't as bad this time, because I think we got to it quicker, but he has his "cone of shame" back on and I get to give him drops in his eye twice a day.
Now that he's home he's in full "woe is me" mode. Poor little guy (yeah he did lose weight, from 20 to 18.5).
Comment by 
BobR on 02/19/2011 16:22:30
BobR on 02/19/2011 16:22:30
Public broadcasting is the one bright spot left in "free" TV. The news reporting is as unbiased as it gets (and they focus on important news, not murders, fires, and traffic accidents like local news does). Perhaps that's another reason Republicans don't like public broadcasting.
Comment by BobR on 02/19/2011 16:23:12
really?... REALLY???
BobR on 02/19/2011 16:23:12
Listen, you know I try not to toot Boston's horn most of the time...
really?... REALLY???
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 16:31:45
it educates people. They don't seem to like education of any sort.
Raine on 02/19/2011 16:31:45
Quote by BobR:
Public broadcasting is the one bright spot left in "free" TV. The news reporting is as unbiased as it gets (and they focus on important news, not murders, fires, and traffic accidents like local news does). Perhaps that's another reason Republicans don't like public broadcasting.
it educates people. They don't seem to like education of any sort.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/19/2011 16:37:33
The only proper educatin' is home schoolin'. 'Cept the wimmen folks, they don't need no educatin'
trojanrabbit on 02/19/2011 16:37:33
Quote by Raine:Quote by BobR:
Public broadcasting is the one bright spot left in "free" TV. The news reporting is as unbiased as it gets (and they focus on important news, not murders, fires, and traffic accidents like local news does). Perhaps that's another reason Republicans don't like public broadcasting.
it educates people. They don't seem to like education of any sort.
The only proper educatin' is home schoolin'. 'Cept the wimmen folks, they don't need no educatin'
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 16:52:28
After yesterdays vote, I was in tears. I told bob that if they got their way, they would just put women in fields and use them for breeding. And I sue the term *use* very lightly.
'
they want to change the definition of Rape, for krissakes. Sick sociopaths.
Raine on 02/19/2011 16:52:28
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Quote by BobR:
Public broadcasting is the one bright spot left in "free" TV. The news reporting is as unbiased as it gets (and they focus on important news, not murders, fires, and traffic accidents like local news does). Perhaps that's another reason Republicans don't like public broadcasting.
it educates people. They don't seem to like education of any sort.
The only proper educatin' is home schoolin'. 'Cept the wimmen folks, they don't need no educatin'
'
they want to change the definition of Rape, for krissakes. Sick sociopaths.
Comment by 
livingonli on 02/19/2011 17:04:31
livingonli on 02/19/2011 17:04:31
The GOP wants to turn the clock literally back to the 19th century.
Of course I could also tout WNET since along with WGBH, those two stations produce the bulk of PBS programming.
Of course I could also tout WNET since along with WGBH, those two stations produce the bulk of PBS programming.
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 17:11:39
Raine on 02/19/2011 17:11:39
THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE HAS JUST BEEN BLOWN OVER.
Comment by livingonli on 02/19/2011 18:00:53
livingonli on 02/19/2011 18:00:53
Does anyone know how many teabaggers have actually showed up in Wisconsin to support keeping the workers down?
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 18:31:43
compared to the 30 thousand gathering for workers rights? these people?
Raine on 02/19/2011 18:31:43
Quote by livingonli:
Does anyone know how many teabaggers have actually showed up in Wisconsin to support keeping the workers down?
Comment by 
TriSec on 02/19/2011 19:56:23
TriSec on 02/19/2011 19:56:23
And since I just put this out to Facebook:
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 20:37:22
the 70's were just too AWESOME!
Raine on 02/19/2011 20:37:22
Quote by TriSec:
And since I just put this out to Facebook:
the 70's were just too AWESOME!
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 22:49:33
Woman deserve access to reproductive health care.
Raine on 02/19/2011 22:49:33
Woman deserve access to reproductive health care.
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 23:40:56
Raine on 02/19/2011 23:40:56
They are really evil bastards. Now they are Breitbarting the Teachers.
Pass this on to everyone you know. PLEASE.
Pass this on to everyone you know. PLEASE.
Comment by Raine on 02/19/2011 23:57:19
Raine on 02/19/2011 23:57:19
Comment by livingonli on 02/20/2011 17:21:11
livingonli on 02/20/2011 17:21:11
Is Velveeta's internet down again?
Comment by Raine on 02/20/2011 19:17:18
Velveeta is busy infiltrating the Wisconsin anti protesters!
Raine on 02/20/2011 19:17:18
Quote by Raine:
They are really evil bastards. Now they are Breitbarting the Teachers.
Pass this on to everyone you know. PLEASE.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/20/2011 21:45:57
trojanrabbit on 02/20/2011 21:45:57
Noticed Lucky's eye is mostly open, though it's a mess probably from the meds I'm putting in it. Of course he can't clean it. I tried myself and he wants nothing to do with that. He just gives me the most pitiful look. This guy has mastered the look of sad.
So Breitbart was caught making up stuff again? And Fox News went with it anyway? Are you really surprised?
So Breitbart was caught making up stuff again? And Fox News went with it anyway? Are you really surprised?
Comment by trojanrabbit on 02/20/2011 21:50:36
trojanrabbit on 02/20/2011 21:50:36
What the hell would this pile of elephant dung know what Gabrielle Giffords thinks about the Wisconsin demonstrations?
Comment by Raine on 02/20/2011 22:47:17
Sadly, today CNN did too...
Raine on 02/20/2011 22:47:17
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Noticed Lucky's eye is mostly open, though it's a mess probably from the meds I'm putting in it. Of course he can't clean it. I tried myself and he wants nothing to do with that. He just gives me the most pitiful look. This guy has mastered the look of sad.
So Breitbart was caught making up stuff again? And Fox News went with it anyway? Are you really surprised?
Sadly, today CNN did too...
Comment by livingonli on 02/20/2011 22:52:07
I hope Shirley Sherrod cleans his clock in court and takes him down.
livingonli on 02/20/2011 22:52:07
Quote by Raine:Quote by trojanrabbit:
Noticed Lucky's eye is mostly open, though it's a mess probably from the meds I'm putting in it. Of course he can't clean it. I tried myself and he wants nothing to do with that. He just gives me the most pitiful look. This guy has mastered the look of sad.
So Breitbart was caught making up stuff again? And Fox News went with it anyway? Are you really surprised?
Sadly, today CNN did too...
I hope Shirley Sherrod cleans his clock in court and takes him down.
Comment by Raine on 02/20/2011 23:20:50
I read about that over here.
Raine on 02/20/2011 23:20:50
Quote by trojanrabbit:
What the hell would this pile of elephant dung know what Gabrielle Giffords thinks about the Wisconsin demonstrations?
Comment by Raine on 02/21/2011 01:14:24
Raine on 02/21/2011 01:14:24
This makes me as sad as the death of a Poughkeepsie Police officer.
Tell me if I am wrong, or maybe being oversensitive, but I get the feeling that one mother sounds like she is making excuses for what her sone did. I know it might be shock , But for the love of god....
Tell me if I am wrong, or maybe being oversensitive, but I get the feeling that one mother sounds like she is making excuses for what her sone did. I know it might be shock , But for the love of god....
Mothers speak out about domestic tragedy
CATSKILL - The violence that erupted outside the Poughkeepsie, New York train station on Friday afternoon lasted only a few short minutes, but the series of events that led up to it, relatives say, had been festering for many years.
When 27-year old Lee Welsh arrived in Poughkeepsie, his estranged wife Jessica, 28, was expecting to pick up her car from him. Authorities say Welsh shot his wife dead, then shot and killed a responding city police officer, 18 year veteran John Falcone, 44, and finally turned the gun on himself.
The violence that erupted outside that train station lasted only a few short minutes but the series of events that led up to it, according to relatives, had been festering for years. The deadly violence that wound up being exported to Dutchess County had its roots in Greene County, inside a tiny house on the outskirts of Catskill, where Lee and Jessica Welsh were raising their four children.
"This has been ten years," Lisa Nieves, Jessica's mother said as she showed up to pick things up at her daughter's empty home. "Lee had sort of calmed down for a while and she decided he was straightening out and they were going to get married and once they got married it (domestic violence) started up again."
Lisa says her daughter had been choked and beaten in recent months but even after being arrested and jailed, Lee violated an order of protection only to strike again.
"Sometimes you get sick and tired of being sick and tired," Jessica Williams, Lee's mother says of her son's pent up anger. "Lee is a person who can take so much. He just has a very bad temper. He didn't like nobody telling him what to do or how to do it. He just wanted to be the boss."
"Everybody wants to be "gansta", she continued. "Nobody's going to tell me what to do either."
Williams acknowledges her son has a violent past. She says her husband used to beat her and Lee often witnessed the attacks. She believes Lee had struck her daughter-in-law on many occasions.
When asked if she ever told her son point blank, "Don't hit your wife," She responded, "No," but says she advised him to "Stop the nonsense, go to counseling, and think about your children."
Lisa Nieves calls it an issue of control. "I told my daughter, "I don't even think he loves you." It's just that he needs to control you and when he can't do that he'll do anything to make it so he can control you."
Jessica Williams says she suspected something would happen after her son dropped off furniture, food, and photographs to her earlier in the week, as if he knew he wouldn't be needing them. She says she put it all together too late.