Cut all PBS funding, Republicans urge

catinthedark · #1 10-20-2005, 08:05 PM

Why does this so not surprise me?

http://www.cbc.ca/story/arts/nationa...ts_051020.html

There is a new call from Republican circles to pull all federal funding to PBS and the National Endowment for the Arts.

As the White House scrambles to find ways to pay for an expensive war in Iraq and the rebuilding of New Orleans, public broadcasting is once again being offered up as an expense the American public can possibly do without.

PBS television and radio receives $400 million US annually in federal support.

The Republican Study Committee, a conservative group within the caucus, recommended on Wednesday that it all be cut.

The U.S. deficit for 2005 has been projected to hit $314 billion and another $200 billion might be necessary to rebuild New Orleans and other Katrina-hit areas.

The Republican group is seeking ways to cut spending by $102 billion this year.

The National Endowment for the Arts, which subsidizes ballet companies, opera and the visual arts also is being targeted.

It hands out $125 million a year in government money and a growing number of Republicans are talking about killing it.

One report says that the endowment often ends up funding artists who are doing work that is questionable in its value and appropriateness.

The endowment amended its funding policies over the past nine years to promote more traditional arts, after an earlier attempt to cut all its funding.

Congress overruled a proposal made by a House committee in June to cut all government funding to PBS over a four-year period. However, support for shows such as Sesame Street and Masterpiece Theatre has been reduced.

RELATED STORY: Proposed funding cuts provoke PBS protest

PBS is currently 85 per cent supported by other sources, mainly subscribers.

Republicans have criticized the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which operates PBS, for "liberal bias" in its programming.

"Eliminating the federal share of CPB funding would free up $400 million this year," said Gov. Haley Barbour, a Mississippi Republican who needs to build schools in hurricane areas. "That is enough money to build 40 elementary schools."

A spending bill currently before the Congress and Senate is proposing cuts to programs for middle- and low-income people, including Medicaid and a plan to cover heating costs this winter.

Brad Woodhouse, spokesman for the Emergency Campaign for America's Priorities, a group that opposes budget cuts, said the effort has nothing to do with Katrina and everything to do with Republican efforts to salvage tax cuts enacted by President Bush.

DavidMn · #2 10-20-2005, 08:10 PM

This is ridiculous. How can I watch Boobah now?

estranged4life · #3 10-20-2005, 08:15 PM

at all if ya ask me.

Cause Sesame Street to not be broadcast and I will personally drive my nuclear bomb equipped Ryder Truck to the GOP HQ and I will singlehandedly take 'em completely out of the picture and collective minds of the world...

Ya dont f**k with the Cookie Monster & company.

LuckyCharms · #4 10-20-2005, 08:49 PM

Uh oh Cat, they must have seen our fueled complaints over at Seven Wonders!

That's right PBS, give everyone their Lindsey Soundstage and turn Snuffelupagus invisible again, then maybe we'll talk!!

I thought all their funding came from veiwers like us? Shows how much I know. They must be able to figure out something? I just can't see PBS being wiped out.

DavidMn · #5 10-20-2005, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyCharms

Uh oh Cat, they must have seen our fueled complaints over at Seven Wonders!

That's right PBS, give everyone their Lindsey Soundstage and turn Snuffelupagus invisible again, then maybe we'll talk!!

I thought all their funding came from veiwers like us? Shows how much I know. They must be able to figure out something? I just can't see PBS being wiped out.

good bargaining poly. Loved it!

David · #6 10-20-2005, 08:58 PM

I think Congress should stop funding PBS, which generally sucks, & start funding TCM, which is virtually the only channel on TV worth watching.

David · #7 10-20-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by estranged4life

at all if ya ask me.

Cause Sesame Street to not be broadcast and I will personally drive my nuclear bomb equipped Ryder Truck to the GOP HQ and I will singlehandedly take 'em completely out of the picture and collective minds of the world...

Ya dont f**k with the Cookie Monster & company.

Cept for Sesame Street, which has always rocked. I was watching the Street back when Mobity Mosely was rapping -- we're talking mid 1970s.

xxxmx · #8 10-20-2005, 09:04 PM

how about closing up a few loopholes first. stop giving tax credits to people who buy hummers and escalades. stop giving senators + such pay raises when no one else gets them. stop paying for politicians to do everything for free. i am sick of rich people getting free rides when they can easily afford to provide for themselves. i will rant and rave until my face turns blue with judgment. bleh. and don't take it out on PBS, they're not alone in hating the current administration.

xxxmx · #9 10-20-2005, 09:05 PM

and Mr. Rogers would roll over in his grave if they did that.

catinthedark · #10 10-20-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

Cept for Sesame Street, which has always rocked. I was watching the Street back when Mobity Mosely was rapping -- we're talking mid 1970s.

Wait a minute wait a minute!!! Who is Mobity Mosely???

I started watching Sesame Street in about 1972... and watched, likely, through at least 1985, thanks to a little sister and babysitting. I have never heard of this character. Was he a muppet?

PS Mr. Snuffleupagus was the best. All the imaginary friends of the world mourn your loss from the other side.

estranged4life · #11 10-20-2005, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catinthedark

Mr. Snuffleupagus was the best. All the imaginary friends of the world mourn your loss from the other side.

Snuffleupagus acted like a strung-out/burned-out heroin head, "Hi Biiirddddd"

Hell, I still occassionally watch Sesame Street...I can remember watching it as far back as my memory goes.

David · #12 10-20-2005, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catinthedark

Wait a minute wait a minute!!! Who is Mobity Mosely???

I started watching Sesame Street in about 1972... and watched, likely, through at least 1985, thanks to a little sister and babysitting. I have never heard of this character. Was he a muppet?

Oh maaaaaaaan........
Mobity Mosely was all that!!!! Ain't you down in the street witcha Mobity Mosely? And his sister, Mary Frances Franklin?

I'm singing the Mobity Mosely theme song right now!!

catinthedark · #13 10-21-2005, 10:32 PM

Oh, I feel so lame and uncool.

So uncool, that I actually GOOGLED Mobity Mosely.

Turns out he starred circa 1971. I was a mere infant. But I'd love to see a picture of him. No pics that I could find on the web.

Brwn_eyes0511 · #14 10-21-2005, 10:35 PM

It's about time someone in the Republican Party, besides me and other right-wingers, actively vied to do away with the endowment of the arts...but of course to democrats that somehow means we hate the arts...which isn't true.

dissention · #15 10-21-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwn_eyes0511

It's about time someone in the Republican Party, besides me and other right-wingers, actively vied to do away with the endowment of the arts...but of course to democrats that somehow means we hate the arts...which isn't true.

No, you just hate the art that you don't approve of or runs contrary to your views, as if your disapproval somehow lessens its value as art.