American Institutions Under Attack

Is it a full moon?  Have we been transported back to 1911? It might feel like that with some of the non-tech related headlines grabbing attention this week. They all seem to have one thing in common though, republicans.  It is just really too much to ignore, so it must be included in this weeks headlines. I will add that the opinions expressed here are my own.

Do you like weekends? Most people do. Except Wisconsin’s new Republican governor Scott Walker who wants to break unions. (Just a reminder that unions are why we have weekends and children are no longer day laborers — just sayin’).

Do you appreciate ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘Morning Edition’? Shows broadcast by the beloved National Public Media that republicans feel should no longer be national or funded. That includes PBS and NPR. ‘Sesame Street’, ‘This American Life’, ‘Which Way LA’, ‘All Things Considered‘, and some of the best unbiased reporting are at stake.

The internet is pretty cool. Log on, go anywhere, see anything, publish whatever. Net Neutrality insures this continues. Again, republicans are not fond of the FCC’s efforts to maintain a free internet highway. They feel that though the American people have already paid through tax dollars to lay the cable of the cable companies, that the cable companies should be able to charge more for the use of the internet and possible even control the content.

Woman’s rights have long since been secured and fought for. The leading non-profit providing basic medical services of all kinds to women who do not have healthcare, Planned Parenthood, is another American institution that republicans feel should no longer be funded. It is not just about abortions, which are in fact a small part of their operation. Besides, forcing women to have children guarantees they will make excellent parents and not end up on welfare; another program republicans would like to cut. Are we in 1911 in Iraq? No, I didn’t think so. I am starting to wonder though.

Remember after 9/11 when Americans watched the New York Stock Exchange open once more sending a message to the nation that America was back in business? The icon of American commerce, New York Stock Exchange, got sold this week to a German company. I am sure republicans had something to do with that too.

Republican or not, I have to believe that the majority of Americans whatever their party lines are have to wonder if this leadership truly represents what people want.

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By Desdemona Bandini

Can NPR and PBS Survive?

If you love NPR and PBS, you may want to pay attention because Republicans are proposing to eliminate the majority of their funding. What do you think of these proposed cuts?

The following is an article from US News by Paul Bedard:

Liberals Mobilize to Save PBS, NPR Funding

Liberal groups, pubic radio, and TV stations and fans of Big Bird and All Things Considered are girding for a huge fight with House Republicans over a GOP plan to cut $100 billion in spending including zeroing out $430 million for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

“They probably think that no one will notice these cuts in the midst of so many others. But the millions of listeners and viewers who rely on public broadcasting for Sesame Street, All Things Considered, and independent journalism will notice,” said MoveOn.org in an urgent E-mail just sent out. “We need to tell Republicans that cutting off funding was unacceptable last time they were in charge, and it’s unacceptable now,” said MoveOn.

“Some say that there is no longer a need for federal support for public broadcasting. Others believe it’s one of the worthiest places to invest federal dollars. More importantly, though, is what you think,” said a notice from Ohio University’s WOUB. The money that would be lost helps to better educate viewers and listeners, added the TV and radio station. “It helps us to deliver educational and commercial-free programming that expands children’s minds, documentaries that open up new worlds to you, trusted news programs that keep you informed, and exposes you to the worlds of music, theater, dance and art as an adult.”

Republicans have long sought to cut public radio and TV funding, claiming that the stations that receive the money are hostile to conservative politics. They also claim that commercial stations deliver equally fair and balanced news.

Liberals see a conspiracy to shut them down. “Extremists in Congress have introduced six—yes, six—bills that would slash all funding for NPR, PBS, and other public media,” says the liberal site Politicususa. “In an era of media consolidation, fewer national and foreign bureaus and mass newsroom layoffs, NPR is one of the only media outlets actually bringing listeners more reporting from around the country and around the world. Despite its fulfilling that important need, the United States spends a mere pittance on public media, compared to other industrialized countries,” added the site.

MoveOn has started a petition drive. Here’s their pitch just received by Whispers:

Dear MoveOn member,

I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.

With Republicans back in charge of the House of Representatives, funding for NPR and PBS is in grave danger. Again.

The Republicans just released their budget proposal, and it zeroes out funding for both NPR and PBS—the worst proposal in more than a decade.

They probably think that no one will notice these cuts in the midst of so many others. But the millions of listeners and viewers who rely on public broadcasting for “Sesame Street,” “All Things Considered,” and independent journalism will notice.

We need to tell Republicans that cutting off funding was unacceptable last time they were in charge, and it’s unacceptable now.

Add your name to the petition to save NPR and PBS:

http://pol.moveon.org/nprpbs?id=26078-9793050-Dr3Ksux&t=4