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PBS Hits Back at Romney: ‘Does Not Understand’ the Value of Public Broadcasting

Oct. 4, 2012 5:19pm Madeleine Morgenstern

PBS Responds to Mitt Romney Over Federal Government Subsidy Big Bird Debate

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PBS hit back at Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney for turning it into a “political target” during Wednesday’s debate and accused him of not understanding the value of public broadcasting to the American people.

“We are very disappointed that PBS became a political target in the presidential debate last night,” PBS said in a statement. “Governor Romney does not understand the value the American people place on public broadcasting and the outstanding return on investment the system delivers to our nation.

In one of the night’s most-talked-about sound bites, Romney told longtime PBS anchor Jim Lehrer, “I’m sorry, Jim, I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. Actually, I like you too. But I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for us.”

“The federal investment in public broadcasting equals about one one-hundredth of one percent of the federal budget,” PBS’ statement said. “Elimination of funding would have virtually no impact on the nation’s debt. Yet the loss to the American public would be devastating.

“As a stated supporter of education, Governor Romney should be a champion of public broadcasting, yet he is willing to wipe out services that reach the vast majority of Americans, including underserved audiences, such as children who cannot attend preschool and citizens living in rural areas.”

As Forbes noted, with the federal subsidy accounting for only about 12 percent of PBS’ revenue, eliminating it likely would not have any detrimental effects, but nor would it put any kind of real dent in the budget deficit:

For fiscal year 2010, federal funding for PBS through [the Corporation for Public Broadcasting] accounted for about 12% of PBS’ revenue. In terms of dollars, that works out to about $300 million. There’s not much wiggle room to be had: the money that actually goes to CPB is split according to a mostly statutory formula. For 2015, Congress has budgeted $445 million for CPB. That’s less than 1% of the budget. Way less. It’s about 1/100th of a 1%.

PBS CEO and President Paula Kerger said on CNN that the money from the federal government goes not to PBS as a whole, but to its member stations that would be forced to go off the air if the funding was pulled.

“With the enormous problems facing our country the fact that we are the focus is just unbelievable to me,” Kerger said. “We’re America’s biggest classroom. We touch children across the country in every home. Whether you have books in your home or computer or not, almost everyone has a television set.”

She added, “The fact that we are in this debate — this is not about the budget. It has to be about politics.”

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Comments (244)

COFemale
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:37pm
When PBS was created it was a way to bring people a touch of the arts to those who would not be able to afford to go see an Opera, a play or a concert. PBS was developed when we only had three TV stations, ABC, CBS, and NBC. Today we have satellite, cable and standard TV. PBS serves no purpose today, when there are 100′s of channels that can broadcast the same things as they do. Sorry PBS you have lost your purpose.

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- sta
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:41pm
  EXACTLY! In fact, most any “Art” you want to see is also on YouTube, Justintv and Dailymotion. On Demand and for free.
  
  Report this comment
- mattmo79
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:48pm
  Yep agreed, PBS is an outdated model and if they want to continue broadcasting, they need to compete for private revenue just like every other broadcaster.
  
  Report this comment
- smokeysmoke
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:55pm
  pbs does not understand how to sell a product and not depend on the govt tit to surivive
  
  Report this comment
- The_Jerk
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:56pm
  If PBS really believed that it is of value, it would not need public money.
  
  Report this comment
- Bum thrower
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:57pm
  PBS mission is to indroctinate “junior socialists” and get them ready for the ‘big league’ AKA public school.
  
  Report this comment
- BuzzardSays
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:09pm
  PBS Self-advocates for more money to continue their Pravda programming repetoire. Romney and congress should act imediately to defund PBS while the iron is hot. Congressional Republicans should show how much of a leader Romney is by moving on the defunding of PBS with the rationale that Romney will be president, soon, before the bills ink dries.
  
  Report this comment
- sscamaro1967
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:18pm
  The only time I really watched PBS on a regular basis was in the early 80s to catch Dr. Who episodes. Those were great.
  
  Report this comment
- ShyLow
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:27pm
  Just looking at Big Bird makes me feel like i’ve been molested. Jesus hates Robbing Peter to Pay cookie monster
  
  Report this comment
- destrecht
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:41pm
  Maybe they should take a tip from ewtn or afb to see how real viewer supported organizations are run.
  
  Report this comment
- Gorp
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:41pm
  I’m tired of paying for PBS. Let them get sponsors just like any other broadcast outfit.
  
  We should also do away with the REA (Rural Electric Association). It is also outdated. It was needed when the country was wiring rural areas for electricity but they all now have electricity available. Save a few million more each year.
  
  Report this comment
- dfissell
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:54pm
  with the marketing and merchandising of sesame street should make enough bank to bank role the whole dang network alone.
  
  Report this comment
- rennyangel
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:13pm
  PBS has just turned into another shill for liberals to social engineer children and castigate conservatives as if they would never watch Downton Abbey! Bork it, and let it run on foundation grants and private donors or die.
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:35pm
  Doe’s $16,000,000,000,000.00 in DEBT ring a bell ??
  Wake -Up, too MANY sucking on Government TIT !!!
  If Obama’s FOLKS ever did a BUDGIT, they would
  realize they NEED to trim the FAT.. BO needs to
  put a boot up Harry Reid’s hinny..
  
  Report this comment
- FEMALL
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:38pm
  Actually and ironically public broadcasting originated as a balance to commercial TV programming— allegedly free of influence on program content by corporations and politics–hence no commercials—now ending up with agenda driven corporate trusts and funds to “sponsor” programs.
  I know if I gave PBS a gazillion dollars I certainly wouldn’t attach any strings to the “programming” they use it for.;)
  
  Report this comment
- FinanceSrS
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:51pm
  Very well put. The free market has taken over. At one time it wasn’t financially profitable to bring the “arts” to the public, hence PBS like the public library. Both will eventually go away due to technological progress making them more irrelevant daily.
  
  Report this comment
- stage9
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:57pm
  The VALUE of Public Broadcasting will be directly determined by its ability to turn a profit. If it fails to turn a profit, it fails…no more value!
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 9:40pm
  No, No, No…PBS-
  YOU don’t understand…the VALUE of the American TAXPAYER”S dollar.
  
  Oh, we get it-
  Obama’s “War on Women” has run its course,
  now, his desperate campaign has moved on to the “War on Puppets”.
  
  We’re talking about socks, covered with feathers & fuzz
  that bring in a whole load of marketing & licensing LOOT !
  
  Use THAT to bankroll the fat paychecks & expense accounts
  of your executive puppets.
  Use THAT to bankroll your operational cost
  or shutter-up Sesame Street & PBS for good.
  
  If we want to contribute, WE”LL make that choice….NOT PBS !
  
  Romney is absolutely RIGHT & valiant on his stance with PBS-
  Cut the the puppet blubber, cut the politically correct crap !
  Puppets & Liberal Poo-Poo
  Give me a break, they are like bottom-feeders.
  
  Run it…like the multi-million dollar business it is-
  WITHOUT mugging American taxpayers.
  
  Report this comment
- imsteph
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:56pm
  that and so much of their programming (especially for children) have such liberal slants it is nauseating. and not only do our tax dollars fund them-they go pan handling every couple of months for more money from individual viewers to sponsor them AND ALSO huge corporations!
  HOW MUCH DOES IT TAKE TO RUN THIS STUPID NETWORK!
  
  Report this comment
- western78
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 11:08pm
  I created an account to reply to this comment. I assume you grew up in a privileged household to just make the blanket assumption that all Americans have access to cable TV, that is simply false. A third of the households in this country do not have cable and can only rely on free over-the-air broadcasting. For that matter how many shows on cable could even be honestly labeled as “educational”. By my count not very many. Another comment suggested that people could simply look educational videos on YouTube, again not taking into account that many households cannot afford high-speed internet access or even have access to it yet.
  
  For all of these Americans PBS provides the only access to high-quality educational programming that is vital to encouraging young minds into wanting to learn more about the world around them. The approximately $300 million dollars a year the government spends on PBS to ensure they can continue to operate seems like quite the bargain to me. An educated population is the most important ingredient to a functional democracy. Why deny children, who would otherwise not have access to mentally stimulating programming, a chance to become the best citizen they can be?
  
  One year of funding for PBS accounts for just a little more than one DAY cost in the Iraq War, and yet somehow you find it to be a waste of money. I fear where this country is heading if war is held to be more valuable than the education of our youth.
  
  Anyone but Romney 2012
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 11:39pm
  Government should not be in the TV business ..
  Liberals are saying Romney wants to kill Big Bird,
  YEP’, True…Have to start somewhere, Let’s
  KILL BIG BIRD..PBS should be able to operate
  quite well on private donations, like many other
  organizations.. they say, but its only 1/100 of
  1% of the Federal Budget.. TAX DOLLARS..thats
  what they all say…..let’s start with PBS, they
  can have the dubious honor of being FIRST…..
  Doe’s $16,000,000,000,000.00 in DEBT ring a bell ??
  Wake -Up, too MANY sucking on the Government TIT !!!
  If Obama’s FOLKS ever did a BUDGIT, they would
  realize they NEED to trim the FAT.. BO needs to
  put a boot up Harry Reid’s hinny.. but he seems
  he has been too busy Campaigning for 6 years..
  NO BUDGET FOR OVER 3 YEARS……….THE LAW
  REQURES CONGRESS TO PASS A BUDGET ANUALLY…
  but it seems this Administration is either above
  the LAW or incompetent…….or too BUSY ???????
  Golf, Fundraisers, Vacations, Hoops, The View,
  Parties, Flying to Hollywood, to pick up checks
  from Loony Cloony and Babb’s, Campaigning..
  “Killin’ Bin Ladin”…BO don’t have time for no
  stinkin’ budget…Get more Money from China,
  or have TIMMY print up some more.. they
  can worry about it down the road, not his
  Problem. He’ll have plenty of $$$$$$ stashed…
  
  Report this comment
- Lt_Scrounge
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:11am
  If PBS is so wonderful, why can’t it get buy on the billions in donations that it brings in annually, or all of the sponsors who pay for their shows like GMC, Lowes and Home Depot who fund the production of “This Old House”? “The New Yankee Workshop” is funded by Dewalt tools. Honestly the PBS stations seem to spend more time fundraising than they do broadcasting programming. Considering it’s the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, where are the libs who constantly complain about “corporate welfare”?
  
  Report this comment
- NeoFan
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 12:11am
  PBS is anti-american television. We dont need to keep funding the enemies of our country with our own tax dollars. You want to watch that crap then pay for it yourself. Dont make me pay for it.
  
  Report this comment
- happygranny
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:30am
  PBS was good at one time, loved the cultural programs that we don’t often see any more. Furthermore, it isn’t government’s responsibility to put on subsidized programming on tax payers dollars. I stopped supporting PBS when we moved to Washington state and the Seattle PBS station is overtly political and to the left.
  
  Report this comment
- VigilantGuardShark
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 1:45am
  Not only has PBS lost it’s purpose, but I’m tired of the Lestists saying, ‘just cutting (fill in your favorite subsidized program) won’t make a dent in the National Debt.’ No individually it wouldn’t, but if you cut each and every useless government subsidy for the ‘Arts’ or whatever, you will make a substantial dent in the National Debt.
  
  Report this comment
- PutMoreOnMyPlate
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 3:07am
  I grew up without a TV and I did fine educationally and made straight A’s. PBS’s role in education is highly overrated unless you want to feel better about letting the TV babysit your kids.
  
  Report this comment
- leh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:16am
  If they were not so bias and political, I would agree with the education part. It is not the children they are now trying to educate but pushing the liberal garbage using tax payers money. It gets only a small precentage of the budger but cutting the “small” percentage of a bunch of money wasted will add up. I’m sure they can replace 12% of their budger with spending cuts that we tax payers need.
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:51am
  Guess how many regular commercials are on PBS?! There are so many, I can’t tell if it is PBS!!
  
  Report this comment
- ginger3350
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:03am
  I think Big Bird, Elmo and the rest are doing just fine! How much do they rake in with all of their Made in China crappy toys each and every year? They absolutely do not need OUR tax dollars to keep their boat afloat.
  
  Report this comment
- jwpowers41
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 10:40am
  no more public money fo NPR
  
  Report this comment
- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:08am
  The problem with PBS and NPR is they gladly put liberal shows on the air but refuse to air any conservative shows. Tavis Smiley show on NPR, sponsored by George Soros open society, and your tax dollars go to support this insanity. Liberals are pathetic mental migits.
  
  Report this comment
- GiveUsJustice
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 11:19am
  “leh
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 9:16am
  
  If they were not so bias and political, I would agree with the education part. It is not the children they are now trying to educate but pushing the liberal garbage using tax payers money.”
  
  This
  
  Report this comment
- muffythetuffy
  Posted on October 5, 2012 at 5:26pm
  PBS has no value. If it has a value find a sponsor. Taxpayers should not be compelled to pay for programming they don’t watch and would not allow their children to watch.
  
  Defunding PBS is the only reasonable plan.
  
  Report this comment
- crunchymomma3
  Posted on October 7, 2012 at 12:54am
  you are incredible! Not all families can afford cable, and not all families choose to have cable. We are a one income home and I homeschool my three young children. PBS cartoons has been an incredible resource for me in my teaching. My children have learned phonics, reading, science, the list goes on and on from the shows on PBS. I do support Romney in this election and I would be incredibly disappointed if he were to cut the funding to PBS.
  
  Report this comment
woebegone
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:36pm
I wouldn’t mind paying for PBS television and radio if they were the least concerned, moment to moment, show to show with reigning in their own bias–which everyone but PBS knows is Left leaning. This is the problem with most Media–they are so out of touch and “elitist” that they don’t know how skewed they are. “Elitist” in this case being an empty ordination of what they believe to be the “common man”–who if they ever met in the flesh assume was a “Republican” and disregard anything the common man has to say on that basis. They don’t get the contradiction because they only talk to each other. It’s sad. Every other publically supported media in the world does a better, if not great, job than PBS. Why should we all support propaganda, of any ilk, with public funds.

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- Eastinfection
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:44pm
  That’s why Big Bird is wearing a blue tie in the photo.
  
  Report this comment
- termyt
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:20pm
  Typical liberal philosophy. Why raise money ourselves? Let the government fund it!
  
  If PBS is so great, fund it yourselves. A dozen privately funded cable channels do what PBS does. Sell commercial time like they all do.
  
  Report this comment
- dealer@678
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 10:02pm
  I’m worried that 10 year olds are gonna start a civil war now
  
  Report this comment
frust@ted
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:36pm
I think Romney could have knocked that question out of the park if he would have said.

“I’m sorry, Jim, I’m going to stop the subsidy to PBS. I’m going to stop other things. I like PBS. I love Big Bird. Actually, I like you too. But I’m not going to keep on spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for us. But what I am going to do as soon as I stop federal funding to PBS is write a check out of my account for $100K to help fund PBS. Funding for things like this should come directly from the people, not by taking money from the people and deciding for them where their charitable dollars are best spent.

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- dzo
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:54pm
  I like what he said, but that would have been amazing.
  
  Report this comment
- paulnashtn
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:08pm
  NO, why would Romney want to write a check to PBS, he might as well write it to the DNC
  
  Report this comment
- MIBUGNU2
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 8:42pm
  Been giving $$$$$$$$$ to these lefties for too long..
  See Ya’ BB !!!
  
  Kinda’ partial to TeleTubbies anyway..
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 9:08pm
  So what would be the point of Romney giving money to PBS? Does he watch it? Does he have children that just can’t live without it? Or grandchildren? It’s rediculous to think he ‘should’ write a check to them- typical lib who most likely doesn’t give a penny outside taxes to PBS.
  
  Report this comment
Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:36pm
If they are as great as they say they are then they’ll have no trouble making up the funding in the free market (ha!…I know, as if right?) through advertising revenue. Good luck.

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Maxim Crux
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:34pm
Why does PBS have an opinion anyway. If the people do not want PBS…then PBS should go away.

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thibx
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:34pm
what more important getting this debt under control or big bird. put the bird in a cage and put a towel over it. we don’t need to give any money to pbs or npr both are useless. if the liberals want big bird let them fund him.

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- woebegone
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:41pm
  Truth is other networks might just pick up Sesame Street because it would make some money most likely–PBS is upset because the moderate shows like Sesame Street (still left leaning) and Car Talk (apolitical and now defunct) support their endless liberal and progressive jabbering shows.
  
  Report this comment
- im_nobody
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 7:07pm
  As someone who grew up with sesame street and loved it(pre-elmo), if it can’t survive with all the video/toy/clothing marketing money plus all the sponsers they have, then it should die. Which really wouldn’t break my heart too much. It has become so much less than it used to be. All elmo and those “multilingual” PC muppets that it’s just sickening to watch.
  
  Report this comment
BurntHills
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:33pm
ever hear what they teach kids? what their shows are? NPR and PBS: communist party. period. DEFUND them. let their billions come from the communist party, our SMART family has not tuned them in for years.

obama kept bragging about the 46 states who have signed on for HIS COMMUNIST PARTY ”national curriculum”. — so our kids will be taught a strict communist party agenda.

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oxycontinxx
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:32pm
and pbs does NOT understand the severity of the fiscal challenge facing the nation…………

why? cause they re on the government teat………………..

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ZAP
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:32pm
Big yellow commie bird…

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COFemale
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:31pm
Oh for heaven sakes PBS, get your head out of your A$$. He is stopping subsidized monies, taxpayer money. You have fundraisers that raises more than enough money to keep you leftist crap running. Let the person determine where their hard earned monies go. I don’t support PBS and you will never get a donation from me.

You are no longer needed frankly in my book.

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- sta
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:36pm
  The Sesame Street merchandise profit could easily cover the cost of PBS.
  
  Report this comment
- Balpit
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 9:58pm
  Aren’t PBS shows paid for by evil corporations?
  “Sesame Street is brought to you by…” Chuck E. Cheese, Kellogg’s, Juicy Juice, etc.
  Even Chick Fil-A, whom they recently threw under the bus.
  
  Report this comment
fastfacts
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:30pm
Look at what Obama said about Big Bird today… pandering? http://www.thedailycandidate.com/video/2012/oct/obama_big_bird.html

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- BCanook
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:51pm
  Make jokes Mr. President. Does $16 Trillion dollars in debt mean anything at all? Cutting the deficit in half by the end of your first (and only) term didn’t work out so well did it?
  
  Report this comment
- dewrock8
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:51pm
  He would know. Obama’s an expert on what’s driving the federal deficit.
  
  I’m sorry but do the president and this administration really want a debate on the deficit? How much has it increased in the four years of your presidency Mr. Obama?
  
  Report this comment
HotFixIt
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:30pm
… a small cut here, a small cut there.. they all add up and in time, you have a balanced budget. As for PBS, I am sure they will figure it out. Same thing for Planned Parenthood… I am sure they will come up with the money if they REALLY want to provide all those abortions.. it is not the abortions they want.. it is the $$ they want… I am sure there are some high paid people worried about their jobs right about now.

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kaydeebeau
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:29pm
well gee whiz, if you keep cutting the little spending fluffs, it will eventually add up to big chunks. That is always the argument – it is just a little bit of money, continuing to spend it doesn’t matter – except when you figure that there are 1000s and 1000s of those little expenditures it does add up….

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- michael48
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:35pm
  PBS does not appreciate the value of OUR money…that’s the problem THEY have…I don’t watch the oblamo cheerleaders AT ALL…so get rid of them…
  
  Report this comment
godlovinmom
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:29pm
Oh I think we understand it pretty good…you are a liberal indoctrination station…and we’re tired of funding you…right? Bye Bye Barney!

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- Rampart
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:36pm
  “Return on investment…?” Really!?! Please, PBS, please explain the ROI to America for funding Curious George cartoons and left-leaning, multi-cultural kids programming. PLEASE show us the math on that.
  
  Sheesh…We are overrun with delusionals.
  
  Report this comment
ronin_6
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:29pm
These are the jack wagons that said they didn’t need our money a couple of years back if memory serves.

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obamapoop
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:28pm
Oh he understand the value, they just dont understand that when it comes to paying down debt over watching “free” programming that there is no comparison. If Obama can show me the money he said he saved me with his tax cuts and the money my insurance has not increased, I will donate it to PBS…… I enjoy PBS but to say someone of mitt Romney’s credentials does not understand you is almost as arrogant as our current president.

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amerbur
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:28pm
If Glenn Beck can do it, I am sure you can too Big Bird.

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jimbo_from_suwanee
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:28pm
Why is it that the History Channel and others can produce quality and educational programs that can make money?

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- antitheist
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:45pm
  You’re kidding right? Oh yeah, ancient aliens and swamp loggers are so educational right? Actually, A & E used to air balle and classical music concerts but once they saw that reality shows like storage wars are more profitable, they abandoned educational programming. The same happened with history and the same will happen with PBS if their funding is pulled. Personally, I prefer nova over POS reality shows.
  
  Report this comment
amerbur
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:27pm
Big bird, if you cannot make it on your own after all these years then you do have a problem. I am sure all those parents out there will back you without the governments help, if you are worth it.

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- Smokey_Bojangles
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 11:24pm
  Fisher-Price Elmo Live [Toy]$49 /Jumbo 42″ Stuffed Big Bird Sesame…$149/ Sesame Street Big Bird Plush in Green…$19/Sesame Street Bert and Ernie Dolls $29.99/ Fisher Price Sesame Street Oscar Plush by Mattel $14.99.All Made in China? Let them pay for their own TV/Commercial show.
  
  Report this comment
Mutiny
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:26pm
We are broke.

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- TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 6:16pm
  Was that you I saw on the streets of St Pete today with a Obama/Ron Paul ’08 / ’12 tin cup today demanding change for a 40 ouncer, er bus…??
  
  Report this comment
PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:26pm
PBS needs to change it’s name. It can stand and produce quality or it can fail. They are always on air asking for donations and are funded by some of the biggest foundations and endowments just like universities. There is not much I like on pbs or mpr. It’s far too liberal programming for me most of the time. The do not need tax dollars to survive. Public funding of arts needs to stop when we are borrowing half the money from China.

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AvengerK
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:26pm
Here’s a violin for PBS……

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TRONINTHEMORNING
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:25pm
If it’s so valuable, then get sponsors like other tv channels and radio shows do. Or, do you, PBS; love to drink from the trough freely; that is filled by working people? Thought so. Stupid libs.

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- 65Mustang
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:37pm
  My thoughts exactly, thank you for saying the truth.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:25pm
They can’t find a way to keep stations on the air if the have their budget cut by only 12%? I see quite a few private sponsors listed on their programs.

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- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:29pm
  Not only that, PBS was begun when there were not other ways to access children’s or other programs…they made a terrible mistake years ago by being so bloody liberal all the time…but regardless… THE POINT IS THIS:
  THE LITMUS TEST WILL BE: IS this worth borrowing money from the CHINESE to pay for it….and if you are correct (believe you are) that it’s only 12% , then the liberals can jolly-well pony up. OUR GOVT is not supposed to ENTERTAIN US as well. PROTECT US, KEEP US safe from epidemics etc.
  but not BIG BIRD. 12%? LET SOROS pay it.
  
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neverending
Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:24pm
What’s to understand? Just more liberal bs!

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- AvengerK
  Posted on October 4, 2012 at 5:28pm
  How does it go on Sesame Street these days? Ah yes…Bert and Ernie love each other in a special way…sure I want my kids in that “classroom”.
  Clock’s ticking PBS….
  
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