THANK YOU KUOW, NPR...

Let us acknowledge the invaluable public service local NPR talk station KUOW does by broadcasting the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings for Judge Samuel Alito gavel-to-gavel for those of us who can't watch TV all day.

If NPR didn't exist, would we be granted this by market-driven commercial radio? We don't think so- we'd have only the drive-by commentary of the likes of Rush Limbaugh and GOP Designated Liar Sean Hannity.

Having programming that can exist without ratings-concerns is a godsend and indispensable to the republic.

The tiny amount of tax-payer money involved is bucks well-spent; and the lion's share donated by subcribers and corporate sponsors to make NPR the most listened-to talk radio in the Puget Sound region, is appreciated.

Comments

[Andrew]

It's true that the hearings are "important" but it's also realy uninformative. We know Democrates will ask him brain teasers, Republicans will ask him how come he's so cool, all of his answers will be technical and evasive and he won't be honest because honesty shows partiality. It's money back guaranteed to be pointless and boring.

[tj]

for anyone curious (and please, don't troll), it would appear mike webb is continuing his talk show at his website in the same time slot.

[Unkl Witz]

"GOP Designated Liar Sean Hannity"???

You give this man way too much credit. I don't even think the GOP machine is completely comfortable with this lunatic. While it's no doubt true his fax number is on their list to receive the GOP talking points each day, I don't hear anyone but the most rabid conservative fanatics agreeing to be on his show (think Bob Dornan to Dick Cheney). Intellectually, Hannity is a bit of a joke, kind of like the school yard bully who pounces on every weakling with the zeal that his overbearing personality can dominate. He never takes on anyone even remotely capable of defending themselves. Most likely because he got his rear-end kicked up between his ears the last time he tried.

I recommend you grant him the oblivion he so richly deserves.

[ExDem]

Since the Corporation for Public Broadcasting only recieves about 15% of their funds from the government, why not just get the government out of it altogether? I'm sure the listeners and viewers of CPB programming would gladly pick up such a small amount of slack to preserve their preferred stations. Then we wouldn't have to worry about political pressure from appointees or from Congress on the independence of CPB.

And heck, people might be able to get a free DVD of the 3 Tenors with those additional donations.

[God]

Hmm...do I want the 3 Tenors or The Spin Stops Here doormat?

[God]

Hmm...do I want the 3 Tenors or The Spin Stops Here doormat?

[Lump]

Andrew sez, "We know Democrates will ask him brain teasers, Republicans will ask him how come he's so cool, all of his answers will be technical and evasive and he won't be honest because honesty shows partiality. It's money back guaranteed to be pointless and boring."

With a 15 year track record on the Federal bench, it's pretty clear how he stands. "Technical and evasive" is just more whining from the fringe left. The more Ted Kennedy snivels and makes an ass out of himself on TV, the easier this becomes.

[Andrew]

Well whatever the case may be it's so predictable you feel as though you are watching a rerun.

[Fremont]

The hearings can also be streamed or podcast on C-Span.org, but that requires more tech-ware than the good old radi-yo. Kudos (always) to NPR!