NPR Stuff

Things are a little exciting these days over at NPR.  They've lost two Schillers thus far, though Ira Glass and Terri Gross are hanging tight.http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/03/09/134388981/npr-ceo-vivian-schiller-resigns.  Nefarious Republican operatives (are there any other kind?) sort of made things unpleasant for the virtuous types running public radio, stinging Ron Schiller into running smack against the knuckle draggers in flyover country--this happening on Vivian Schiller's watch, who was also instrumental in the ham handed firing of ANALYST Juan Williams.  You may recall that Williams was run by Vivian after expressing concern of flying with Muslims dressed in their "traditional garb" (he did not share any sentiments regarding having to fly with Yankee or Red Sox fans in their traditional garb which is highly distressing to most Americans but that is another story).  Apparently, Schiller and the kind and gentle souls at NPR don't know or don't distinguish between being a REPORTER versus being an ANALYST.  I can believe this because I've frequently heard stuff during a news "report" that was more in the realm of "analyzing" or "commentating," another term that gets a little play now and then.  Anyway, the R's in Congress are having a blast and throwing their weight around about this maybe being the time to finally defund NPR due to a perceived lack of objective reporting and the fact that the United States of America is broke as hell and doesn't need to be shelling out dollars for guys and gals dressed in corduroy and birkenstocks to "report" news items and say nasty things about fat cat Republicans.  A few random thoughts:
1. Ron Schiller had his pants all the way down to his ankles during the sting, not only revealing his disposition toward obviously unenlightened conservatives, but as well as his candid view that NPR did not need government funding.  I agree with his sentiment.  In fact, I think that NPR would thrive without it--it would eliminate the silly pretense that NPR is some kind of objective source of news which it is not and please don't be so tone deaf to believe that it is.  NPR appeals to an audience that is left or center left at best and they would be a lot happier if NPR went whole hog in that direction and more dollars would pour in if they became what Air America never was--an established far flung network with a news mantra somewhere between The New York Times and Mother Jones and with the latest in alternative and world music and ruminations from entertainment scolds like Garrison Keillor.  Dare to be bold, NPR--those neanderthals over at Fox are making a shitload of coin and think of that nice loft you could buy next to that free trade coffee shop and down the block from that guy named "Evan" who wears a beret and has a cat and a Prius and takes a shower every other day to save the planet.
2. Ever listen to "Fresh Air" with Terri Gross?  She's had some great guests over the years and fun every now and then to catch one of her shows.  The funny thing is, that regardless of who she's interviewing it seems like you're bound to hear the question, "So, what was it like growing up in the South as a black man?"  I can swear she asked Vladimir Putin that one time.  Maybe not, but Terri can get a little predictable.


Former NPR Prez, Vivian Schiller

 3. There's not a lot of gals named, "Vivian Schiller" in flyover country.  Reminds me of former head NOW-gal, Eleanor Schmeal.  Not sure that a very large conference room of talented screenwriters could come up with names that perfect to head these organizations--it might not hurt the folks at NPR and NOW and a few other groups to maybe get out a little more often.   Eat some barbecue.  Hire a guy named, "Randy" or "Sonny" from Lubbock or Fort Smith.  Go all day without once having "angst." Shoot a gun.  Learn to throw not like a girl.  Couldn't hurt.
Update: http://dailycaller.com/2011/03/09/surprise-new-npr-interim-ceo-a-democratic-political-contributor/#ixzz1G8bt2qaA