Off Topic:

I again realized why I never listen to NPR. I went to check the mail and came across NPR's reporting on the RNC and the only word of apt description that comes to mind is 'disgraceful'. They completely embarrassed themselves to me and they would do the same in the eyes of anyone well-read on the issues.

Editorializing was rampant with non sequiturs and Red Herrings being flung left and right. "The Secret Service are unhappy Michael Moore is here and are trying to keep anyone from talking to him. This is strange because the Secret Service don't normally get involved..." They had no follow-up, no statement that perhaps the reporter was wrong, nothing. You were left with the "news story" that the Secret Service--goons of Karl Rove, no doubt--were sent to censor Michael Moore.

Specifically, when the issue of the Swiftboat Veterans came up--they actually refused to even call the group by name--they stated many things that are flatly not true and others that do not bode well for the purported professionalism of NPR.

They posited that the Navy Records contradicted the Swiftboat Veterans (the Silver Star, the Sampan incident, all three Purple Hearts) when the records were written by LTJG John Kerry. Of course they contradict the Swiftboat Veterans. They provided innuendo that somehow the Bush campaign was behind it and they were almost apoplectic that Bush did not personally denounce the claims of the Swiftboat Veterans, as though it is his responsibility. They seemed uninterested in Kerry answering any questions apropos the Swiftboat Veterans. The standard reply of "This is smear orchestrated by the Bush campaign" seems good enough.

They gave absolutely no credence to the Swiftboat claims despite the Kerry campaign having done the following two things:

1. Completely retracted the Christmas in Cambodia story. This a story Kerry has been telling for 33 years.


2. Completely removed from the website any reference to the first Purple Heart and stated publicly that it "may have" been self-inflicted.

They then disregard that two Rear Admirals, one former Secretary of Navy, and the former director of JAG have all spoken out, on the record, against Kerry. Are they all in the pocket of the BushitlerCheneyHaliburtonRove machine?

Speaking of the Secretary of Navy. There is a fairly important issue that Thomas Lipscomb has reported on: Kerry claims to have a medal that does not exist--the Silver Star with valor 'V'. The Navy has never issued one because it would be tantamount to buying an automobile car or a bird parrot or a feline cat or watch clock... The Silver Star means it was earned with valor. The author of this book says he has seen Silver Star with 'V's before and they were all fraudulent.

NPR does not tell you these things. One of the following must be true:
1) They are simply ignorant of the facts
2) They read the Kerry campaign's rebutals and took them at face value
3) They know the truth and are lying

None of the three bode well for them and render them unworthy of relaying news when I can go on the Internet and find out so much more than they can provide. Why should I listen to them if they're just going to get it wrong and then run with abandon on their erroneous premise?

Addison,

I'm a sucker for pain. I listen to NPR very often only to:

1. Grow enraged with their blatant spin and one sidedness.

2. Scream at the radio and bang on the dashboard or steering wheel with my fist.

3. Look over to see startled motorists trying desperately to distance themselves from my vehicle.

4. Change the station.

5. Cool down.

6. Tune the dial to NPR and repeat.

To think when I was a liberal minded idiot I gave them money. :(

C

Oh God, you gave them money?

Everyone's allowed to be young and stupid. It's only the LLL that don't grow out of it.

Photoshop is a wonderful thing,isn't it?

I confess that I once gave them money also. I did it because they are the only station in Atlanta that plays classical music. TCIDNN matched what I gave. During one of their membership drives I gave $25 which was matched by TCIDNN which means that I was responsible for them getting $50. Good little capitalist that I am I requested the items that they would give someone who gave $50. They refused. I quit giving.
I also gave to the local television station but quit when they stopped showing Dr. Who.

Thanks Ralph, Denny. Maybe there is a NPR donator's anonymous we can joi... oh wait....we all know each other's names. Nevermind.

NPR out of D.C. has a bluegrass gospel program on Sunday mornings with really old jazz in the afternoon and Irish music around 5:00 in the evening. That is what the station is good for.
Did I just hang a participle???

Indeed, their hair would look much better than that!