We don't have cable - can't afford it. And I rarely watch network TV. So that leaves PBS and I'm a HUGE fan of the programs on our local stations. My kids are PBS-kids and hardly know what a commercial is - in fact my 5 year old asked me to start the video again when a commercial interrupted a show we were watching one evening.
We beat back the GOP attempts to kill off PBS & NPR last year but BushCo are at it again. This budget calls for a 23% reduction in funding for public television and radio this year, and additional cuts in the years that follow.
All the while, they're giving huge tax breaks to the uber-wealthy.
This has hit the radar screen over at MoveOn and they're mobilizing their members (us!) to try to block this effort.
More after the fold...
I just got the following alert and it asks me to pass it on to 3 friends. I figured it could do better than that - there are something like 100,000 registered users here at dailyKos.
Dear MoveOn member,
Everyone expected House Republicans to give up efforts to kill NPR and PBS after a massive public outcry stopped them last year. But they've just voted to eliminate funding for NPR and PBS--unbelievably, starting with programs like "Sesame Street."1
Public broadcasting would lose nearly a quarter of its federal funding this year. Even worse, all funding would be eliminated in two years--threatening one of the last remaining sources of watchdog journalism.2
Can you ask 3 friends to sign the petition telling Congress to save NPR and PBS again this year?
http://civic.moveon.org/...
Last year, over 1 million of us signed the petition, and Congress listened. We can do it again if you pass this message along to any friends, neighbors, or co-workers who count on NPR and PBS for news or children's programming.
This would be the most severe cut in the history of public broadcasting. The Boston Globe reports the cuts "could force the elimination of some popular PBS and NPR programs." NPR's president expects rural public radio stations may be forced to shut down.
The lawmakers who proposed the cuts aren't just trying to save money in the budget--they're trying to decimate any news outlets willing to ask tough questions of those in power. Americans trust public broadcasting more than any corporate news media.3 This is an ideological attack on our free press.
President Bush's budget proposed cuts to NPR and PBS4, but Congress is going even further: slashing 23% of this year's public broadcasting budget--$115 million--and denying NPR and PBS any funding in two years. The cuts immediately terminate support for commercial-free children's shows like "Sesame Street," "Clifford," and "Maya and Miguel."
The House and Senate are deciding if public broadcasting will survive, and they need to hear from viewers like you. Ask 3 friends to sign the petition at:
http://civic.moveon.org/...
Thank you for all you do.
-Noah, Eli, Adam G., Tom, Marika and the MoveOn.org Civic Action Team
Thursday, June 8th, 2006
P.S. You can learn more about the threat to public broadcasting from our
friends at Free Press at:
http://www.freepress.net/...
Most of us grew up watching shows like Sesame Street and Zoom, and listening to All Things Considered, and now the next generation are learning about their ABCs from Big Bird and Elmo. This is a huge issue for me - my son has some learning delays and the shows on PBS kids are a terrific resource - they help him learn letters and numbers and understand things that come easily to his peers.
The GOP attacks on PBS & NPR tell me one thing - that they want our kids to grow up stupid and powerless. I for one won't stand for that and I'm hoping you'll join me in signing the petition and defending our public airwaves.
Go sign the petition - and tell your family and friends about this effort. Thanks!
UPDATE
pinche tejano found a link to the video of Mister Rogers' testimony in 1969 before Congress regarding the importance of public television. What a strong and "special" advocate - he taught us so much (!!!!) as children and I'm hoping that even though he's gone - his words will help convince those in power of the importance of these programs. Mr. Rogers Video
Here's the text to the song he talks about at the end of his testimony - Goddess how I wish our leaders would take these words to heart!!!!!
What do you do with the mad that you feel
When you feel so mad you could bite?
When the whole wide world seems oh, so wrong...
And nothing you do seems very right?
What do you do? Do you punch a bag?
Do you pound some clay or some dough?
Do you round up friends for a game of tag?
Or see how fast you go?
It's great to be able to stop
When you've planned a thing that's wrong,
And be able to do something else instead
And think this song:
I can stop when I want to
Can stop when I wish.
I can stop, stop, stop any time.
And what a good feeling to feel like this
And know that the feeling is really mine.
Know that there's something deep inside
That helps us become what we can.
For a girl can be someday a woman
And a boy can be someday a man.