NPR - It's Time To Stand On Your Own

Today the House voted to cut off funding for National Public Radio. It's about time this happened. NPR has often made the ridiculous claims that it was politically neutral but a quick rundown of some of their editorials, reporters, and their statements and actions belie the fact. A quick fact check on one of the lead legal suits at NPR - Nina Totenberg will confirm theirs and her own personal bias/viewpoints are definitely to the left. But this is not the main complaint against NPR.

The question isn't if the NPR is biased in favor of the left/progressive movement in this Country. They are and it's not the problem. They have every right to a progressive viewpoint and to advocate their political leanings. That's the great thing about America. But what is pissing-off many Conservatives and Libertarians is the American taxpayer should NOT have to subsidise, via their taxes, political viewpoints they may, or may not, agree with. This runs along the same lines as the debates on PBS, abortions, the NEA and other government subsidised organizations.

There is also a taint of political correctness to the NPR that runs contrary to a free press. The firing of Jaun Williams over some statements he made when it came to his personal apprehensions about Muslims is an example. In an opposing vein, Nina Totenberg has made several statements about Christians and politicians that could be considered hateful, prejudiced, and sarcastic but she received no such rebuke or suspension.

Last December, Totenberg sarcastically apologized on the air for even saying the word Christmas with little or no rebuke with the exception of some popular conservative commentators and the FOX channel. Strangely enough, although Nina Totenberg is noted for being a sometimes controversial and often courageous commentator, she is not on record for making any controversial statements (as far as I know) about Islam or Muslims. I wonder why? Are you a coward Nina? No balls Nina? What's the story?

Totenberg also hinted/claimed that it would be “retributive justice” if the late Senator Jesse Helms (or one of his Grandchildren) were to acquire AIDS via a blood transfusion because of "justice" in the World and the personal political viewpoints of Helms. So - here we have Jaun Williams being fired by the NPR for his "insensitivity" in his Muslim remarks and yet Nina Totenberg was not repudiated or fired by the NPR for her screed against Helms or his innocent Grandchildren. A strange inconsistency from a group that prides itself on being sensitive and just.

This kind of hateful statement from Totenberg and hate filled viewpoints require more than just lip-service and smoke blowing from NPR to placate an angry public. This type of thinking requires the NPR start firing people and doing it quick. So now Congress has decided the NPR needs to stand on its own merits. Great and I agree. And I want no more of my taxes going to subsidise this organization when these are their viewpoints and attitudes.

Along with the NPR, the same complaints are often made about the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and many of their controversial "art" exhibits. Art, along with political viewpoints, is too subjective of a form of expression to force (via taxes) Americans of all political persuasions to support with their tax dollars.

For example: the tax supported work of the late Robert Mapplethorpe caused a controversy and uproar that still runs deep today. Many devout Catholics considered his work to be blasphemous and obscene and DID NOT want to help pay to exhibit his subjects. I also agree.

Along with the NEA, NPR, PBS, Planned Parenthood and several other organizations that come to mind, I feel it's time Americans were no longer forced to subsidize progressive organizations through tax dollars. After all - I seriously doubt that Michael Moore, Barbara Streisand, Danny Glover, Brian DePalma, Sean Penn or any other of the socialist nitwits in Hollywood want their hard earned (Capitalism anyone?) money going to support any right wing causes. I'm sure all of the Hollywood douchebags I mentioned above would agree with me. And to all of the organizations I mentioned in this little post it's time to stand or fall on your own.

Here's hoping this de-funding proposition happens as planned.