Public Broadcasting in danger... Again.

Once again, public broadcasting has been targeted as a easy mark by our current Administration. A House subcommittee voted recently to significantly reduce funds earmarked for public broadcasting, and to eliminate entirely all federal money for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, starting with a 25% cut next year, and removing the rest within two years. The full story is here:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/09/AR2005060902283_pf.html

Now, this still has a chance to get turned back, and while the House has taken this action, the Senate has historically been more supportive of Public Broadcasting, so there's still a chance.

I think that this is something that touches the lives of most of us here, in some way or another. If you've ever watched Sesame Street, or the Electric Company, or much of anything on PBS, you've benefitted from the federal funds that go towards Public Broadcasting. And even if you haven't yourself, chances are good that your children have.

Moveon.org (which I know sets off some people's hotbuttons) has a page where you can sign an online petition, located at http://civic.moveon.org/publicbroadcasting/

Even if you choose not to do that, take a minute to let your congresscritters know how you feel about cutting spending in a field that has produced such great childrens programming over the years, and great programming for adults, as well. if you go to http://www.cpb.org, you'll also find that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting funnels money into such programs as "All Things Considered", "Fresh Air", and more.

Please, help in making sure that we and our children continue to see some quality broadcasting for years to come.

PBS funding, one more thing.

If you're going to make noise, one of the ways to do it is by calling your representatives. And if you live in Illinois, it works out well. Mark Kirk (D-IL) is on the key subcommittee voting on funding for public broadcasting. And a call to your representative in person makes a much better point than signing any number of online petitions. So if you live in Illinois, and Mark Kirk is your representative, call his office at (202) 225-4835. It only takes a minute, all you have to do is call, give your name and address, and say that you would like him to support continued funding for public broadcasting. Really, it only takes a minute, and it's a great way to show support.