To-the-Left Guest Blogger Alert!!!

In reply to your comments on the previous blog, I felt compelled to guest-blog some food-for-thought. I am neither 'White, Rich, or Elitist' - and I still thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the programming on NPR. To clarify, I am only speaking about National Public RADIO - not PBS television as I don't have TV.

Firstly, allow me to point out that they do not, as you insinuate, just cover 'opera and foreign films'. There are a variety of programs - again - not 24/7 bashing of right-wing conservatives - on the air: such as "Fresh Air" (a SPLENDID program), "Day to Day", "Talk of the Nation" and "World Cafe" (which covers music from all over the world.) Why just last week I sat in my car and CRIED hearing an interview with African-American bass singer who is releasing a CD of old slavery Spirituals. I am not black, I don't have slavery in my family history - but I can appreciate the pain and beauty and HOPE that resonated in his gorgeous, rich singing voice and eloquent answers to interviewer, Terry Gross. And just today they did a fine segment on Irish music and country music - neither of which I am too familiar with, but found enlightening. So, no: it's not just about a bunch of white-haired old people shoving opera down our throats.

I've also been engrossed by interviews with novelists, fine film makers and actors. I am not talking about Lindsay Lohan and the "American Pie" director-types. But award-winning and thought-provoking artists. It is fascinating and a wonderful learning tool to hear the thought-process of these artists talk about their crafts.

Or what about the perhaps life-changing findings heard on the "Health and Science" program. This week I sent a link to my sister who has an Autistic child about the ground-breaking findings of geneticist, Jonathon Sabat, that suggest that what triggers autism occurs long before birth.

I think one of the things I like best about NPR is the calm and eloquent presentation of their views in all their programming. I've watched Fox News and everyone is so irate and angry and pious all the time - even talking over the opposing-view guests to the point where everyone looks like fools and I've even seen you laugh, enjoying it! Passion is a good thing but when it turns to self-righteous anger and deliberate humiliation of the opposing view it really turns me off...

One last thing before the lions den opens up on me for publishing this: I am not even a complete liberal. In fact, I am registered as an Independent. I think that extremists on either side is unhealthy. But my point is that NPR is not simply a group of old, white, hippies. There is a lot to be learned about, just as I have the open-mind to sit through some FOX programs.

And if you are concerned about your tax dollars going to it, then might I suggest getting your bucks' worth and trying to listen to some of the programming - if not the News segments. I know for a fact, that you would find interesting the segments aired this week on your native Ireland (in lieu of St. Patty's Day). Give it a try before you denounce it.

So...Is that 'relevant' enough to be published?? :)

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Fox news and Air America

I came across this article today regarding the attitudes of some people to Fox News. Just to be clear I watch Fox News a lot, and I am certainly not averse to watching other networks, and frequently do, but to see the reaction of others towards Fox is amazing. You can read the below article and see the point. Liberals are only tolerant of people with their views. Yes some conservative groups are not tolerant either, but its not like they try to sell them selves as such and therein lies the hypocrisy of the left. It also reminds me of a date I went on a few years ago. I was just having a quiet drink with someone and everything was fine until I mentioned I watched Fox News. The other person became absolutely irate. In addition she also tried to sell herself as really a moderate. Yeah right, so the date was over. I have met many people and have many friends who listen to NPR and other liberal leaning networks. I am pretty ideological on politics as you can imagine, but I don’t go nuts when someone mentions which news or opinion outlets they listen to. But then again I have to admit I do smirk a little when someone mentions Air America (are they still broadcasting??). So this brings me to my final point. Why have right leaning talk shows flourished all over the country, literally for decades as Air America flounders right out of the gate? Even with big money and big names to back it. Now I don’t want to sound mean here, but I think a really big reason Air America failed so miserably is largely demographics. People who vote conservative tend to be more sophisticated. Not that some liberals are not, BUT lets face it, a large portion of people who vote democrat do so because they want taken care of and are unable or uninterested in dealing or debating policy issues. If they did Air America would have made it. So to counter this threat of free speech, Democrats are now proposing legislation that any political view must be balanced. What does that mean?? If there is not an opposing view from the other side then they can’t say it( I must find the article on this) It’s a clear shot at shutting down the free speech of talk radio because the left is unable to compete in the arena of ideas.

I would be interested in hearing form someone who knows more about this than me.


Mar. 10, 2007
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Meltdown over Fox

Network co-sponsors state Democratic debate -- oh my!


Hard-core liberals can't stand the Fox News Channel. Passing a television that's tuned to the conservative favorite forces many of them to close their eyes, cover their ears and scream, "La la la la la la la la la!" Then they dash to their computers and fire off 2,500 e-mails condemning the outlet, none of which are ever read.

But liberals' aversion to Fox News has finally gone over the top. The Nevada Democratic Party had agreed to let the right-tilting network co-sponsor, of all things, an August debate in Reno between Democratic presidential candidates. Party officials were serious about drawing national attention to the state's January presidential caucus, the country's second in the 2008 nominating process. What better way for the party to reach conservative and "values" voters who might consider changing allegiances?

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But the socialist, Web-addicted wing of the Democratic Party was apoplectic. The prospect of having to watch Fox News to see their own candidates would have been torture in itself. So they set the blogosphere aflame with efforts to kill the broadcast arrangement, or at least have all the candidates pull out of the event. Before Friday, the opportunistic John Edwards was the only candidate to jump on that bandwagon.

You'd think the deal called for having Sean Hannity and Ann Coulter mock the candidates between comments. No, even unfiltered, unedited, live debate between loyal Democrats couldn't be entrusted to Fox News.

The approach of outfits such as MoveOn.org is so juvenile it's laughable. Imagine if every political organization created litmus tests for news organizations before agreeing to appear on their programming. Republicans would have boycotted PBS, CBS, NBC, ABC, National Public Radio and The Associated Press decades ago.

This hyperventilation results from the fact that far-left Democrats have no comparable media outlet, nor any widespread national appeal, for their radical views in favor of heavy-handed regulation, wealth redistribution, diplomatic capitulation and economic protectionism. So they attack their rivals' messenger with a reckless barrage of rhetoric that cuts down their own allies with friendly fire.

By Friday, the Nevada Democratic Party caved in to the lunatic fringe and beganseeking a more "appropriate" television partner.

Comedy Central, perhaps?

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Oh Al

Now I am not one to really criticize Gore for being Green. I do believe we can do more in cleaning up our act, and I will give him his dues in keeping a focus on it. But many of the hypothesis/solutions from the left are so far removed from what is reality and a working possibility. In most cases the people who deliver the message reek of the typical left wing hypo racy. Do as I say not as I do Democrats…As I have said before, the Clinton’s are a perfect example of saying one thing and doing another. Bill championed some woman’s issues that some felt passionate about and in return gets a free pass to be a prolific womanizer, using his power to pry on star struck weak women. Remember Willey? My husband just committed suicide and I need to find work Mr. President. Can you help? Sure Kathleen but let me feel you up first.

Anyway, Al Gore as you know recently received validation of his views from the Hollywood elite and on Sunday received a reward for the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” But there is also something else that is a little inconvenient for Al, even thought he has instituted some energy saving methods in his house this is the reality. Again Do as I say not as I do.

Al Gore's posh home in the Nashville suburbs might be "carbon neutral," but it still uses a lot of power.
So much that last August Tipper and Al Gore used twice as much electricity in their two-building property as an average U.S. household uses in an entire year, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research, a think tank, reported Tuesday.

IN ONE MONTH PEOPLE!!!!!!

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