Mitch Albom tells it like it is re: the NPR 'gotcha' video

[1gobluedem]

http://www.freep.com/article/20110313/COL01/103130477/Mitch-Albom-NPR-loses-in-gotcha-but-what-was-won-?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|FRONTPAGE|p

[MineralMan]

1. NPR seems to think that they have a chance to stop

the Republicans from taking away their funding. That's wishful thinking. The Republicans have wanted to destroy NPR for a long time. Firing someone isn't going to change their minds. The teabaggers ARE racists. It's just a fact.

The Republicans will still try to destroy NPR if they can. That's just another fact.

[1gobluedem]

3. Of course they will

But possibly the big bunch in the middle who don't have a position either way but hop on the de-funding bandwagon because of stunts like this will stop and think.

NPR doesn't receive any direct federal funding; it goes to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting which then distributes it to member stations. I'm the GM of one of them. NPR receives 2% of its budget from CPB but they don't receive any direct federal funding. It's an important distinction that many don't make so when they see things like that stupid video they believe the Republicans who say NPR is federally funded. It isn't.

[salvorhardin]

5. It's also important to note that the current funding scheme for NPR came about in 1983

As an earlier direct result of an attempt to set up a foundation to fund NPR independent of the government. It was a massive failure and millions of dollars evaporated into thin air. And that scheme was in direct response to defund NPR back then.

[rfranklin]

2. so, the saleman insults the Tea Baggers and that means all right wingers are insulted?

They are sort of a monolithic group aren't they?

[Jackpine Radical]

4. Somewhere along the line I categorized him as a reactionary.

This and a few previous pieces have convinced my my judgment was wrong.