NPR Check: Q Tips

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Q Tips

NPR related comments welcomed.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...: Steve Insqueak's "Unwrapping Iran" should instead be called "Breathless."; 2/5/09, 9:33 AM
Anonymous said...: Have you noticed that the pro-Gooper coverage regarding the stimulus package has succeeded in driving public opinion down regarding its support? Of course, I can't prove this. However, my guess is that someone can. Just as Grumpy Demo was able to prove our suspicions regarding NPR's overuse of Republican sources to pound sand up the collective #@&a* of we Americans regarding "the economy".; 2/5/09, 10:05 AM
Porter Melmoth said...: Damn! I shouldn't have slugged down that 5AM shot of George Dickel to fortify me for the oncoming Inskreep. SLEPT RIGHT THROUGH his latest prancing through Tehran. DAMN!; 2/5/09, 10:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Here's one to file in the "NPR as news follower" category.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100239629

A friend of mine, on Monday of this week, predicted that NPR would run this story. By Wednesday afternoon, he was right! NPR has been telegraphing their pitches for so long, this was an easy call.

Makes you wonder if a comedian like Weird Al Yankovic finally got "serious" about accordion, as Steve Martin has about banjo, whether the NYT and NPR would do a story about him? My guess is, no. Steve Martin is a darling, and Weird Al is just a joke. So, is this REALLY about "the banjo"?; 2/5/09, 10:24 AM
Anonymous said...: When I lived in Germany, I used to buy George Dickel for our German administrative assistant. Ack!; 2/5/09, 11:17 AM
Anonymous said...: Major kudos to Grumpy Demo - I look forward to his daily dismemberment of NPR reporting. Loved his take on Yawn Williams (Fox's "embedded" NPR reporter) talking about ethics. Seems Yawn is not very well acquainted with NPR's own rules.

Anyway, a bit off thread. Here in lovely Philly we have THREE public radio stations begging at the same time. I can forgive WRTI, and almost forgive XPN. They don't carry ME or ATC, but they've gone WAY corporate/commercial over the last decade...I stopped giving to them when I was solicited for a donation to help them build their World Cafe Theater (it has a restaurant too). Of course I would have gotten "special" benefits - talk about elitism run wild.

But WHYY can take a running leap into the Schuylkill River (pronounced "skookul"). They are absolutely shameless - and clueless.

They sold their soul to NPR when they booted classical music off the air for "news" programs. Sorry, I'm not going to pay for Inscreeep, Mundane, Missy-poo, Blobert, ME-shell, and the FOX worldview of Yawn and Mara the Liar. Oops, how can I forget about the Simonizer?

The benefit of all this is - my radio has been off for most of the last week (ipod is ON). And I don't miss it. Maybe I'm finally freed of a 25-year-old addiction...

On a final note (as if enough ranting hasn't been done for one day)- how is it that a city with a tradition of having one of the great orchestra's in the US, has only "half" a classical music station? (RTI goes to jazz at 6 pm.)

Keep up the great work every body. Special thanks and kudos to MyTWords, Grumpy Demo, and Toss.; 2/5/09, 11:51 AM
Woody (Tokin Librul/Rogue Scholar/ Helluvafella!) said...: Porter, my all-time favorite (otr) bourbon is Evan Williams Black Label (86 proof)...Dickel's good, too, though, I admit...; 2/5/09, 1:05 PM
Buzztree said...: Those of us living in the parts of the Northeast have the same problems with WAMC Northeast Public Radio. What's even more galling is that the station and its egotistical CEO bill themselves as the progressive bastion, but it's tepid Clinton-Obama-ism at best. They carry all the NPR "news" shows, and some original programming (especially in the morning) that used to be interesting and diverse and included a nice shot of classical music -- now it's just inane talking, and very little music. CEO guy keeps threatening to can the opera, which is one of the few remaining saving graces. (I confess I do get a chuckle out of "Wait, Wait," with -- as my young daughter calls him -- "Carl Casserole."

Long story short, I've started turning it off on my morning commute, and listening to CDs.; 2/5/09, 1:56 PM
Porter Melmoth said...: Thanks for the suggestion, Woody. I hope Williams is cheaper. In the economic crash to come, I might have to resort to rotgut.; 2/5/09, 2:40 PM
Anonymous said...: To "Anon" - I'm a little bit west of you in the Commonwealth, and quite some time back had keenly dumped WITF (they like to quip "your hometown public radio station" - but heck, maybe they ALL say that?) for WRTI; in that I can at least get the headlines as I get ready to do the ol' Carpe Diem - without that icky, nasty NoPR cerumen buildup. Ewww!

But anyway, RTI must be hurtin', 'cuz I can't believe their pledge drive has gone on for this long.; 2/5/09, 5:26 PM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: All,

Here in Colorado, we have a statewide corporate, public radio network called Colorado Public Radio. Imagine Minnesota Public Radio but with few stations, less money, a lot less talent, and a lot more mountains.

Anyway, they put out measly amount of local programming, and repeat the usual NPR drivel. Their latest fundraising gimmick is called "Warp Drive." It is essentially a pre-drive for one day, that is advanced as an "opportunity" to shave time off the the regular winter drive that "officially" starts in a week or two. Of course, the past two times they have used the "Warp Drive," they have not reduced their fundraising "footprint." Yes, they actually call it a "footprint." Not surprisingly, during the past few fundraising cycles they have relied more and more for this pre-drive to pay the the bills, and in the process, have violated their not-so-clever tagline of "More Programming, Less Fundraising." And, their fundraising goals are getting higher and higher with each passing season. It's obvious that like many other stations, they are balancing their budget on individual listeners because business and foundation support has quickly dried up.

Another one of their gimmicks is to create more, and more clever-sounding "giving levels" in order to give the impression of "clubbiness." Of course, with bigger donations come more exclusive access to member-only events. During the 2008 DNC, membership had its privileges, as big givers (read: rich and notable, white folk) received back-stage passes to events hosted by the station's "key staff" with marquee NPR personalities. What must it be like to be part of the public radio "Mile High Club" I will never know. But if it means public intercourse with Linda Werthiemer or Ken Rudin, I will gladly pass.

On a positive note, I felt truly vindicated to find this blog a few months back; passed along to a good friend and fellow NPR critique. Thanks also to all of you who participate regularly here and on the NPR blogs. I hope to continue to see all of you both here and there many times in the future. And, if MyTwoWords (aka MM) wants to provide a donate link on this blog, I'd sure be willing to donate money that would otherwise go to the pain medication I am using to remove the dull ache of: Uncle Juan Williams, aka "Yawn," Mara Liarsson, Scott the Simonator, Steve Insqueak, Renee Mundane, Robot Siegel, and the rest of the gang whose clever names escape me now. I know that blogger is free, but I have a feeling that this could make the author some money, as word begins to spread far and wide that NPRCheck is keeping America safe.

Cheers!

-Juan Ensalada (Toss); 2/5/09, 8:46 PM
Mytwords said...: I love money as much as the next guy/gal, but if you are ever in the givin' mood send it on to Democracy Now! or FAIR or Common Dreams or Sourcewatch, etc (with a note that I begged you to) - that would make me real big happy.; 2/5/09, 8:58 PM
Hubertg said...: Yeah,,,kudos to Grumpy, ..that was some good homework.; 2/5/09, 10:22 PM
Anonymous said...: NPR's concern trolling this AM, especially the interview with David Obey truly was a new high in irresponsibility.; 2/6/09, 6:18 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: MTW- I already give to DN and FAIR. I will add the others to my list. -JET; 2/6/09, 8:02 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: David Folkenfluk "on the media" today. Once again, NPR seems behind the news curve to me, but what do I know? The Not-For-Profit Panacea; 2/6/09, 8:28 AM
Anonymous said...: Not to turn this into a country-western whiskey drinkin' balog, but Evan is alright. They are cheaper than the rest, because they don't advetise. They used to be 90proof, guess the little added water is the sign of the times. They used to run promos w/ a $2 rebate. Instead of a check to somewhere in Wisconsin, you'd get a crisp new $2 bill. Now theat's classy. But for some smooth sipping I prefer Elijah Craig. It's better than Maker's Mark (IMO), and I don't hink they advertise either.
But back to the blog, nice job Grumpy Demo.; 2/6/09, 10:40 AM
Porter Melmoth said...: Except for Inskreep of Tehran, NPR is ALWAYS behind the curve.

One person who thinks she isn't though, one of our favorite dart board targets, Marauder (she'd probably like that!) Liarsson was popping her eyeballs and her turtleneck collar was foamy with ecstasy as she was giving some slimy-mouthed 'thoughts' on the stimulus packet, yesterday. Her orgasmic conduct was nothing short of pornographic.; 2/6/09, 10:40 AM
Porter Melmoth said...: Thanks Larry. We must fortify ourselves!; 2/6/09, 10:41 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: Porter,

Yeah, I listened to Marauder Liarsson on ATC yesterday, but was too lazy to post my "Special Comment" (Thanks, Keith Olbermann). Her girlish giddiness was startlingly obvious, and utterly sickening. I had thought about doing a side-by-side analysis of her gleeful "reports" compared to her drive-by "analysis," sometime, but alas, there is other work to be done.

By the way, a distiller in Denver produces an interesting local spirit called "Stranahan's Colorado Whiskey." It not quite burbon, not quite whiskey but 100% good, in my humble opinion.

-JET; 2/6/09, 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: NPR seems behind the news curve to me,"

No, folks like Dick Cheney are behind the news curve (curtain?)

NPR merely serves as the Wizard's megaphone.; 2/6/09, 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: I love fund drives on WHYY!!! It brings out the drones that toil behind the scenes to bring us this dreck. They are in day 10 and threatening to extend. I would be in hog-heaven if they do extend it another week-end.

Today they brought out the big guns - 9/11 and how everybody tuned in for the clarity WHYY and NPR provided.

Last night was a "keeper". WHYY's very own tin martinet, Patrick Stoner was own with a newbie at the station. He knows the financial meltdown was "not our fault" but he couldn't quite tell us just whose fault it might be. His sidekick, Alexis Landis, stated that her husband was "a banker" who found MarketPlace informative and humorous. And she was quick to point out that there was fault but she couldn't figure it out either. Maybe they should continue to pay attention to MarketPlace and Jim Siroli and the rest of the pre-rich news readers.

As of this morning WHYY was 3,000 member renewals/new members away from their goal. I am currently on the edge of my seat let me tell you. I note that this is the first drive that "entertainment" gets equal billing to "news" on WHYY. I find it hard to tell the difference.

edk; 2/6/09, 11:10 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: edk- Pay for this radio station, or the dog gets it! -jet; 2/6/09, 11:16 AM
Porter Melmoth said...: Perhaps, as things shake down more, it will just be the mediocre matter of money that knocks NPR off its little pedestal of cockiness.

The NeoConMen can always find some other shill venue than a creaky old 'public' mechanism like National Pirated Radio for their dark purposes.

Notice how most of the on-air voices seem to be hustling more, either to be more sensational (i.e. loudmouth Liarsson) or more earnest (Jackie 'Nothing' Northam - who wants you to believe what she's saying more than anything in the world), or more 'classy' (Renayy Mundane isn't so giggly with Linda 'Aristocratic Earth Mom' Werthenweisenheimer around).

Hell, if I were Richard Perle or a Carlyle group biggie, I'd dump my interests in bloated, droopy, pedestrian old NPR and make my own 'public' news service to trick people with. Murdoch's apparently too much of a wuss to do it. Who will take up the challenge?; 2/6/09, 12:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Juan "Toss":

Last evening Patrick Stoner said that we couldn't help any individual from losing their job or their house or their pension but by golly we could all contribute to NPR/WHYY and thereby ensure that Patrick and Alexis and Scott Simon and MElissa and MEchelle etc etc could keep their house and their job and their pension. Seems fair.

BTW? Neal Conan and Liann Hansen are husband and wife in real life. I find that be "interesting". I'd love to sit around the old kitchen table and listen to that domestic scene.

edk

If this station and NPR listened to the people that will not subscribe instead of the professional fundraisers and the corporate/government sponsors I'd send them the 50 bucks.

So go ahead and shoot the dog. Just let my cat go.; 2/6/09, 12:48 PM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: PM- NPR is full of over earnest voices.

edk- A buddy of mine worked at WHYY years ago and told me the story of Neal and Liann. I guess she is his trophy wife. Dumped his first one for Liann. Liann is the "other woman." Doh! Also Neal is too afraid to drive. Sees all the accidents before they happen and he gets nervy. Is that why he stammers on the radio? Conversations between them? Hmmmmm. 5 letter worked for genuflect? "Kneel."

-JET; 2/6/09, 1:11 PM
Anonymous said...: O' Temple-rastin' the Jellicle Cat gets my vote for the most over-earnest.; 2/6/09, 4:53 PM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: Meeee-shell, my belle . . . and Renee Mundane get bit overly earnest from time to time. I think, just trying too hard . . . and not very bright, it seems.; 2/6/09, 9:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Joe Scarborough on WE-Sat? WTF???

Seriously? Like I don't have plenty of opportunity to hear what that not-particularly insightful guy has to say during any hour of his DAILY CABLE TV TALK SHOW??? If I wanted to know what Joe Scarborough thought about current events, I"d watch his show. I don't need NPR force-feeding him to me as I wake up on Saturday.

What are they thinking at NPR? Is there any reason at all to contribute to my local station if all they do is repackage the bloviation that fills the cable bandwidth on the so-called 'news' channels?

I already pay Comcast for access to Joe Scarborough that I don't want. Why give NPR more?; 2/7/09, 8:50 AM
RepubLiecan said...: Biggerbox....

What do you expect from Now Promoting Republicans?

This is the second Saturday they've promoted Republican talking points to counter what? They appear to be trying to be even more fair and balanced than FauxNews.; 2/7/09, 9:58 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: Paul Krugman takes on Morning Joe and Mika, his sidekick, here. But NPR gives yet another Gooper bloviator time on the public airwaves during WESAT this morning:
Morning Joe gets schooled by the professor.

Once again NPR, what is the ratio of Republican talking-pointers to Democrats NPR have has had on the air so far in the First 100 Days?

This morning, I am downloading Democracy Now! and past versions of Morning Sedition to take with me to run errands.; 2/7/09, 10:32 AM
Juan "Toss" Ensalada said...: Sorry, screwed up the link. Here it is again:

Morning Joe gets schooled by The Professor.; 2/7/09, 10:35 AM