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Welcome to Talk to Us! We
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Best of the E-mail: For the week of July 14, 1997
Controversy over Congressional Hearing Coverage
PBS,
O.K. enough of Mars. Where is your coverage of the Senate Hearings on the graft and corruption in Washington. Could it be you are biased?
J.K.Dean
St. Louis, MO
PBS,
As a long-time contributor to my local PBS affiliate, and a long-time
defender of public financing for PBS, I was deeply disappointed when I
called KLRU earlier this week to request that they cover the current
Senate hearings on possible foreign money influence in US politics. I
was informed by the news director that it is impossible for the local
station to carry the hearings because PBS is not providing any feed.
I deeply believe that this kind of public interest programming is
essential to those of us who have sought to defend public funding for
PBS. Please be advised that, if PBS continues its current policy of not
covering these important hearings (ostensibly because "no one is
interested", an interesting rationale when no one has an opportunity to
evaluate that), I will never contribute another nickle to my local
station, and I will encourage everyone I know to (1) cease to contribute
to KLRU and (2) pressure their congressman to eliminate federal funding
for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. There can be no
justification for the use of taxpayers' dollars which is not accompanied
by responsibility.
Sadly,
Eleanor R. Rotthoff
PBS,
Broadcasting important hearings such as the current campaign finance
scandal hearings being conducted in the Senate (You have heard of these,
haven't you?)is one of the few arguments I can think of for spending my
tax money on your organization. Since you're not covering the hearings,
I can't seem to think of any more good arguments. If I had my way, your
place at the public trough would be closed.
Ken Lankford
Madison, NC
PBS,
Why aren't you broadcasting the Thompson Hearings?
We can't see and you (and your media friends) won't show us !
I am outraged about this blackout !
Ed and Becky Williams
PBS,
It greatly saddens me to think that the one network available to all viewers,
which has direct public funding, is not carrying the Senate Hearings on
Campaign Finance. Regardless of the excitement level, or the outcome of
these hearings, they speak to the fabric of our political system. Of all
the education addressed by PUBLIC broadcasting - civics should be in the
forefront. PBS is a grand disappointment on this front.
Name Withheld
Unlike in the past, when PBS was one of the few places to watch congressional hearings, many other media will provide coverage of the campaign finance hearings. PBS decided the best way to employ our limited resources was to offer something that canÆt be found anywhere else.
We have launched an unprecedented new series devoted exclusively to campaign finance issues called FOLLOW THE MONEY, which premiered Friday, July 11. This weekly program, which is accompanied by a PBS Online Web site, covers both the congressional hearings and reform efforts at the state, local, and national level. Forsaking "inside-the-Beltway" political scorekeeping, FOLLOW THE MONEY presents these issues from the citizensÆ perspective.
PBS Rivals can't Compare!
PBS,
Over the last few years I have noticed that your programs are getting better and better. I fact, they rival the best shows I have seen on TLC or Discovery. But yours are better because I am not interupted by commercials avery 5.5 minutes, which in turn keeps my attention and allows me to absorb more of the content. Very good. I am really enjoying the series of shows "c" and the American Experience about Vietnam. Also "American Visions" with the English guy where he talks about American artists and their relation to the American experience and "dream." So, very good, keep up the good work!
P.S. how about some more interesting shows on Friday nights. "Wall Street Week" is a fine show, but I think the weekend nights need a little more umph. Maybe some of the shows like on Tues or Wed? Just a thought!
Jason Frazier
Springfield, MO
Continue your PBS enjoyment online with the companion Web sites for Cadillac Dessert, Vietnam Online, and American Visions!
Rantings over Ratings
Dear PBS,
I enjoy your reporting, but tonight's "interviews" concering the tv rating system seems to have given support to my position.-"Adults" today are not parents- I saw tv take over the nation-I watched Macarthur speak to congress; I watched Bobby Thompson hit "The shot heard 'round the world." However, my tv viewing time was limited by my parents- I had to choose which shows I wanted to watch, because I could only watch so much tv.
If parents are so concerned about what their children watch, then why don't they stop buying tvs for the kids. Have one tv in the house, parents prevail.
What a shame that we wanted to make things easier for our kids.
Scott Pilcher
Alexandria, LA
Discuss your views about Re-Rating the Ratings at the Online Newshour's Web site!
Gratitude and Growing Up with PBS!
Dear PBS,
I would just like to thank you for doing it when no one else will. You are my favorite station. I have always loved PBS. I watch it every chance I get. There really isn╣t anything worth watching on TV anymore, except you. My friends think I╣m nuts, but I believe in you and what you are doing for America. I am 18 and going off to college, I just wanted you to know how much I appreciate every thing you are doing. KEEP IT UP!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jenifer Rohrer
Berne, IN
Greetings and salutations,
Let me just say that I have been a viewer of
PBS programs since I was four years old. I am now 27 years old. I grew
up watching and learning almost everything on PBS as a kid. I remember
a program on PBS around 1977-1978 called ZOOM. No one that I talk to
seems to remember this program. I do know that it left an impression on
me and that I also drove my parents nuts. I talked in the Zoominese
(what?)!! I am referring to the ubba dubba ubba fubba wubba ( please
tell me I am sane). I distinctly remember this about the show. I
believe the cast was all mid-teens. I would appreciate it if you could
give me the year, specifics of the show, its intentions, and how long it
ran on PBS. Enough of the past. Today I am definitely a HUGE fan of
Mobil Masterpiece Theater. Mystery, NOVA, An American Experience, and
this Old House. I hope you can answer my questions. My sanity hangs in
your hands. Thanks and keep up the SUPERIOR work.
William M Stamper
Whitetop, VA
PBS,
I have never written to PBS before. However I have long been a fan of
PBS. For most of my 43 years I have preferred PBS to the "garbage" found
on the other networks. PBS is a place where I can find quality
programming and information vs "so called comedy, humor, action, and
just plain trash" on the other channels. The only thing I disagree with
about PBS is that you took off one of the greatest shows on PBS, "Dr.
Who". Please, make every effort to put it back. Thanks.
Tommy Statham
McComb, MS
PBS,
WOW! I only wish that I had had this site to work from when I was learning to design a homepage your links and the information here is phenonmenal!!A great job!
Name Withheld
Sioux Falls, SD
PBS,
Found your Web pages interesting and very helpful. I am just learning my way around the network and the information you
provide for us beginners was most enlightening and appreciated. Taking the time to help others is part of what life is all about,
and you are successful in accomplishing one of life's purposes.
Vivek S.K.
Mysore, Karnataka, India
Dear PBS,
I was very impressed with the show "Arthur". It makes learning social
behaviors as well as the rights and wrongs, fun. The usage of the
interesting while silly characters such as Binky and Francine get
whatever message they are trying to convey in a simple way. Keep the good
shows rolling guys.
Casey
PBS,
Thank you for doing such a marvelous job at bring quality entertainment/information to the American public. You are to be commended for commitment you have to that goal. One of my favorite programs is "Nature", and a close second is "Nova".
Again thank you for allowing me to enjoy quality programming.
Paul E. Price
Murray, UT
Dear PBS,
I am an elementary school library media specialist and I absolutely
love your website! I found it by searching for some info on Marc Brown
and his Arthur books. Many of the teachers I work with do units
featuring a specific author and their books. I will definitely share
your PBS Kids and Arthur pages with my classes. It is interesting that
we are working with kids from opposite directions: You took a popular
book series and use it to give kids quality TV programming; I took a
popular TV series and use it to get kids to read books!
Again, thanks for such a great website!
Cathy Rae, Library Media Specialist
Allentown, PA
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