Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Larry Koler ·
April 10, 2012 at 1:28pm
I want to put this as plainly and clearly as possible:
- NPR and PBS are politically far to the left of the country that funds them.
- They take money that comes from the government.
- They should morally and ethically strive with unswerving diligence to provide political content that is consistent with the country as a whole.
- Morally and ethically they should not side against any major political faction. They should recuse themselves if there is any doubt on this.
- NPR and PBS are morally and ethically in breach of trust with this country. They have allied themselves with only the most left-wing part of the Democratic Party. They have done this throughout their entire history.
- They have allied themselves with our enemies -- both within the country and outside. They have done this throughout their entire history.
- Rob Long gives them the patina of respectability by lending his conservative bona-fides to them. This gives a false impression that they capitalize on when defending themselves against bias. Even if he never talked about political topics, Rob should have nothing to do with these people because they have proven to have failed in their mission as laid out at their birth.
I'm sure you all agree but, if not, then please do opine.
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Comments:
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Madcap
Larry Koler
The proper thing to do with a truly repugnant government inspired and government supported entity is to fight against it. I realize that Buckley lived at a different time in the CPB narrative but I do think the evidence was overwhelming even at that time that they had been co-opted.
What I am doing here should have been done from early days.
This topic is at the very essence of what is wrong with state control and Socialism.
This is not controversial. · 10 minutes ago
Given the number of comments your post has generated, I submit that you might be wrong about the controversial nature of your stance. · 3 minutes ago
What I am saying about NPR and PBS -- that's what is not controversial, at least among conservatives.
What to do about it is -- as you suggest -- controversial.
Mar '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Larry: I am not struggling, I am giving you the benefit of the doubt.
I think there is an ambiguity in your argument--before I respond to your it, I want to understand it fully. I therefore respectfully have asked that you clarify it in 43 and 44.
Allow me to illustrate, using a couple examples, the ambiguity that sparked my initial question several pages ago:
Your #14:
Many of you are missing the point and that is the aspect of being good stewards ofgovernment funds and government projects -- and this aspect of good government must be supported as we slide into Socialism more and more…..NPR and PBS are egregious examples of bad governing, misuse of funds and mischief-making on a grand scale…..Please stay on topic.
vs.
Your #33
People like David Brooks and Peggy Noonan [CN note: they are primarily employed by private media outlets] really damage the ability for the left to have a come to Jesus moment. They are enablers.
The left simply doesn't take any conservative seriously and in the court of public opinion they don't have to -- as long as we play by their rules and their referees.
Mar '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
The question is therefore, again, to repeat:
Is your criticism primarily directed at the fact that NPR takes tax payer money, and has a leftist slant--and for these two reasons (you think this is an improper role of government on the one hand, and you regard the slant as a misuse of funds) conservatives ought not appear there?
Or is your criticism that conservatives ought never to lent credence to any institution anywhere--private or public--which could be perceived as left of center by ever speaking at it, through it, to it's audience, or engaging in discussion with it?
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
CN, my #14 is the moral issue and #33 is an example of how conservatives and Republicans sometime deal with issues. They try to ameliorate them. Sorry that I didn't make this more clear.
I use Brooks and Noonan as stand-ins for my complaint about conservatives and the clarity I wish they would have about how to fight the left. It isn't that they just paper over the misconduct of the left in the media especially, it's that they honestly are tone deaf about these issues which really bother conservatives. Also, as a result, they become sock puppets for the leftist media. They are dupes, really.
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Crow's Nest: The question is therefore, again, to repeat:
Is your criticism primarily directed at the fact that NPR takes tax payer money, and has a leftist slant--and for these two reasons (you think this is an improper role of government on the one hand, and you regard the slant as a misuse of funds) conservatives ought not appear there?
Or is your criticism that conservatives ought never to lent credence to any institution anywhere--private or public--which could be perceived as left of center by ever speaking at it, through it, to it's audience, or engaging in discussion with it? · 7 minutes ago
Just the public institutions. This is what I mean by malfeasance and breach of trust. The trust I am talking about is the public interest and the charter for these institutions under which they were formed.
Dec '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
1. All a liberal show needs to be taken seriously is to be liberal. It does not gain much respect from its audience by having a token conservative.
2. If Long left, it would do nothing to stop the funding of PBS or NPR. Conservatives need to play in reality, and the reality is that job is there. If Rob wasn't, the money would not go unspent, it would not go back to the taxpayers, it would not be used to pay down the debt. I'd rather he get some time to air the dissenting view.
Mar '12
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
While I find NPR and PBS as distasteful as Mr. Koler does, it is surprising to hear someone call out a cease and desist on Rob Long. This IS still America and free speech remains one of our primary objectives – at least last time I checked. I would caution Long though, if only from the position NPR took with Juan Williams when he became a liability to them.
I completely agree with the call for stopping all government support, they should and most likely will be able to support their endeavors on private donations.
Aug '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
I firmly believe that KCRW and KPCC could survive without the aid of NPR. In fact, I believe they would thrive. Contra to your assertion that KCRW and KPCC -- two SoCal NPR stations -- "receive money from the government" I believe this to be a misunderstanding of the model upon which NPR stations are based. KCRW and KPCC must raise money in order to "subscribe" to NPR's programming. Given their ratings, especially KPCC's ratings, this is quite a sum.
KCRW and KPCC likely, I don't have the figures in front of me, contribute far more to NPR in the form of fees than they receive from the CPR.
I am a regular listener to KPCC, Pasadena City College's NPR station, and find it to be one of the best news stations in town. Sure, I make sure to throw in some KABC to get my Larry Elder and John Phillips on, but KPCC is great local radio.
Liberal? Sure. As liberal as NBC? Not by a long shot.
I really cannot comment further without violating CoC.
Mar '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Okay, got it, now.
The way I'd begin to make a response is that I think that Yeti and Rob have decisively answered the question with regard to the non-political perspective and content so far--so I think your original charge is off the mark.
But, let's consider the a program that explicitly discusses politics and therefore might more closely address your concerns. Ricochet contributor Prof. Tim Groseclose appeared on the Freakonomics Radio Show (partially supported by and played on NPR stations) in part to point out that media was biased and to try to make that case to the other side.
Do you regard that as morally wrong?
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
I completely agree with the call for stopping all government support, they should and most likely will be able to support their endeavors on private donations. · 4 minutes ago
I am not just calling out a "cease and desist on Rob Long" -- I am also hoping that in doing so he would clearly state that he is leaving because these public broadcasting institutions are completely corrupt.
This is the moral clarity point that is at the heart of all this. We must condemn the whole public broadcasting project -- it has failed in its mission.
(And the mission itself, even if carried out to perfection, is very wrongheaded -- that of using public funds and sponsorship for radio and television.)
Dec '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Larry,
I have returned to this discussion amazed at its vitality. If I can type this quickly I'll be comment #89.
I don't think anyone caught the second part of my plan to deal with NPR/PBS. They caught getting rid of the federal money all right but they didn't notice when I insisted that they give up the name, logo and trademark.
From some of the discussion I discovered that I was very right and they don't get very much federal money. What I more emphatically object to is the masquerade of PBS/NPR representing the US Government or some collective body. They are privately financed and frankly don't reflect a majority of the American People in philosophy. I want them cut loose from any opportunity to maintain the false notion that they are National anything.
This is much more important than the money issue and would solve the bias issue instantly. They could be as biased as they want. No one would care and no one would listen.
Bye, Bye NPR/PBS. Poetic Justice, as I really don't think they would smell as sweet by any other name.
Regards,
Jim
Edited on April 10, 2012 at 5:50pmJun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Crow's Nest: Okay, got it, now.
The way I'd begin to make a response is that I think that Yeti and Rob have decisively answered the question with regard to the non-political perspective and content so far--so I think your original charge is off the mark.
...
You have missed the point here. Why go on?
It is not Rob's show, its content or perspective. It is the left's use of Rob's conservative credentials. And it is the lack of clarity with regard to how we should deal with these elements in our country.
Mar '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
And let me say further:
I think that the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and NPR could and should be privatized.
But, if CPB and NPR are privatized and they take their "we talk in soft baritones vaguely reminiscent of elevator music so you don't have to" gig elsewhere--that is, say, if they are funded by some of the foundations that spend their money on the center-left, or, even, say, groups like the Carnegie Endowment--can we look forward to dismissive posts that say "tosh, they're funded by the some center-left foundation! We needn't discuss anything with them!"
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
James Gawron:
...
From some of the discussion I discovered that I was very right and they don't get very much federal money. What I more emphatically object to is the masquerade of PBS/NPR representing the US Government or some collective body. They are privately financed and frankly don't reflect a majority of the American People in philosophy. I want them cut loose from any opportunity to maintain the false notion that they are National anything.
This is much more important than the money issue and would solve the bias issue instantly. They could be as biased as they want. No one would care and no one would listen.
Bye, Bye NPR/PBS. Poetic Justice.
Regards,
Jim
Jim, well said. I meant to comment earlier on this aspect. You are correct: if cut loose, they have no right to the logos and other aspects of "good will" (business term) in the community. As I said in my post on NPR, I also think they should pay the money back because they have been such corrupt stewards.
Aug '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Should the National Broadcasting Company be forced to give up its trademark?
Should Public Storage be forced to give up its trademark?
Should National Car Rental be forced to give up its trademark?
Should the various First National Banks be forced to give up their trademarks?
Should the Public Hotel in Chicago be forced to give up its trademark?
How about Federal Express or Bank of America?
Edited on April 10, 2012 at 5:55pmMar '11
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Larry:You have missed the point here. Why go on?
It is not Rob's show, its content or perspective. It is the left's use of Rob's conservative credentials. And it is the lack of clarity with regard to how we should deal with these elements in our country.
Larry: Once again, I have not missed the point. I understand that your argument includes the premise that NPR hoists Rob's credentials as a symbol of their objectivity.
I stipulated that premise in 43 and 44 to get to the question I wanted to address. Nevertheless, in the mean time, Rob responded and others have pointed out that NPR doesn't point to Rob and say "Look, see, we've got that eminent conservative Rob Long speaking for us! We're centrist!". They refuted this premise.
I do think that other private media sources do try to play this game, but you've just said in #85 that you're moral point is directed at public sources only ("just the public institutions").
Yet, even if the private media sources do play this game, there may yet be a justification for conservatives to appear there.
Dec '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Misthiocracy
Should the National Broadcasting Company be forced to give up its trademark?
Should Public Storage be forced to give up its trademark?
Should National Car Rental be forced to give up its trademark?
Should the various First National Banks be forced to give up their trademarks?
Should the Public Hotel in Chicago be forced to give up its trademark?
How about Federal Express or Bank of America? · 5 minutes ago
Edited 0 minutes ago
I don't think anyone mistakes these private corporations for representatives of the National Government. I don't think that this is the case for NPR/PBS. The assumption that it is like the BBC or CBC is a very easy one for the unsuspecting to make.
Regards,
Jim
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
CN, Rob is just an example here. I'm glad he took the time to "refute" it, as you say. But, I don't accept this (see my comment #36) and please realize that this misses my main point, which is to drive home how we should strive for clarity on these big issues. Rob's implicit endorsement is important to his radio station -- that's my point. The rest is quibbling and digressing.
Please also realize that I believe that agencies can become so corrupt that no decent person will associate with them. I believe the level of corruption at NPR and PBS has exceeded all decorum. It is insufferable and no one should give them any fig leafs nor should they take part in the enterprise.
Jun '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Let me also add that all the affiliate stations are infected by the same disease. They should be done away with and pay back any money that they have received from the government.
Aug '10
Re: Is Rob Long Morally Wrong to Work for NPR?
Arguable.
Federal Express started calling itself FedEx, and changed its corporate colours, at least in part because many people confused it with the United States Postal Service.
Milton Friedman argued that the failure of the Bank of the United States was at least partially to blame for the Great Depression because many people thought it was owned by the US government.