tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post7058056478898747842..comments2024-03-28T09:52:15.415-04:00Comments on Common Denominator: Budget Cutting is Hard...Ken Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-77073858974028346322011-02-18T09:04:42.431-05:002011-02-18T09:04:42.431-05:00FrGregACCA:
"My problem is, I'm not aw...FrGregACCA:<br /><br /> "My problem is, I'm not aware of any "right-leaning" sources that I can really trust"<br /><br /> I certainly think we should approach all news sources with a critical eye, but that includes both those leaning left and those leaning right. Both have their faults/errors. <br /><br /> That is just one more reason to take in a variety of news, from accross the spectrum.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-46933069116196556402011-02-17T19:29:01.450-05:002011-02-17T19:29:01.450-05:00Rick: That is a reasonable response and goal. My p...Rick: That is a reasonable response and goal. My problem is, I'm not aware of any "right-leaning" sources that I can really trust. Fox News is completely out in that regard: plus, I am extremely put off by the whole tone with which they present things.<br /><br />The "Wall Street Joural"? Maybe, except that every time I read one of its editorials, it seems that always there is some glaring fact of which I am aware that the piece seems to completely ignore.<br /><br />It seems to me that, in general, at least with regard to economic issues, the center has moved pretty far right. Perhaps the opposite is true concerning social issues, but when it comes to them, the media entities on the right usually so overwhelm me concerning their take on economics that I find it hard take them seriously on anything else.<br /><br />Further, I think that perhaps we have moved so far left on social matters precisely because we have moved to the right with regard to the economy. Or, perhaps better, the fear of moving left on social issues has motivated any number of Americans to vote against their own economic self-interests (and we have not even included the question of race as it relates to these voting patterns).FrGregACCAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00368463715994694203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-75365258450415858942011-02-17T19:27:11.249-05:002011-02-17T19:27:11.249-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.LarkinNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05108623048915586312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-53188022204950850092011-02-17T07:05:58.843-05:002011-02-17T07:05:58.843-05:00FrGregACCA-
Regarding NPR and David Brooks- It ...FrGregACCA-<br /><br /> Regarding NPR and David Brooks- It is rare that such institutions never have a regular conservative voice. Instead, it is just a matter of balance regarding those voices. I certainly recommend NPR as a source of news.<br /><br /> In regards to Fox, I certainly would not recommend that they be one's single source for news. Absolutely not. However, I would recommend putting them (or other right-leaning sources) in the mix of a variety of sources one listens to. <br /> <br /> Again, it is not necessarily about any one source. It is more about listening to a healthy spectrum.Ricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-20406109870797126512011-02-16T19:41:25.983-05:002011-02-16T19:41:25.983-05:00Scott F:
You're on to it, and I can't bel...Scott F:<br /><br />You're on to it, and I can't believe I hadn't thought of it before. Quiz the listeners (divided up by their primary news source) on fact-based, no-opinion information.<br /><br />There are more biases to work out I supposed: if one segment was less educated to begin with (let's make up a news source: "Faux News"), could the new source be blamed for the segment's starting point? Somehow this would need to be corrected for.::athada::https://www.blogger.com/profile/09046982982270546995noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-21595586483654845932011-02-16T18:41:38.654-05:002011-02-16T18:41:38.654-05:00Budget cuts probably do need to "hurt" e...Budget cuts probably do need to "hurt" everyone for a variety of reasons. That means me too. I listen to NPR, but it's demise really wouldn't be part of any hurt I would feel. The thing is defunding items like public broadcasting and Fulbright scholarships doen't say to me "we're serious about reducing the the deficit". It's more like ordering a 3/4 lb cheesburger with fries and then saying "hold the pickles cause I'm on a diet".JohnMnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-30145679792691733552011-02-16T13:36:45.108-05:002011-02-16T13:36:45.108-05:00As to NPR, I am always reminded of the survey that...As to NPR, I am always reminded of the survey that asked people in 2003 if Sadaam was responsible for 9/11 and then what their primary news source was. The Fox viewers were the worst informed (most misinformed?) while NPR and PBS followers had a significantly better grasp of the facts than the viewers of Fox, CNN or any of the traditional networks. <br /><br />As much as I respect the news presented by public broadcasting, it is in essence merely (relatively) non-commercial broadcasting that the government supports in order to ensure under-served markets have access. There is nothing about news gathering that is endemic to its mission. <br /><br />I imagine that NPR would survive without federal support. Would I miss Diane Rehm? A little but who many talk progrms do we really need, even on NPR?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-45805834555735007352011-02-16T13:25:51.916-05:002011-02-16T13:25:51.916-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-17111590685609420342011-02-16T13:20:54.323-05:002011-02-16T13:20:54.323-05:00JRS<
What is "the general welfare"???...JRS<<br />What is "the general welfare"??? THAT is the important question, I think!Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-45136793702513411772011-02-16T13:08:11.516-05:002011-02-16T13:08:11.516-05:00We have a constitution and it says we can only spe...We have a constitution and it says we can only spend to pay debts, provide for the common defense and the general welfare.<br /><br />Sounds like a plan to me.JRSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-78339667686237457172011-02-16T12:01:19.692-05:002011-02-16T12:01:19.692-05:00AND you will love Munich even more than where you ...AND you will love Munich even more than where you were last (if I remember correctly)! It is simply gorgeous!! And so close to many "tourist traps", even so, some of them are "must sees"...Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-48371276933268819592011-02-16T11:59:30.817-05:002011-02-16T11:59:30.817-05:00I wish the best for all of you!I wish the best for all of you!Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-29268458286118456132011-02-16T11:15:56.436-05:002011-02-16T11:15:56.436-05:00Oh, and Rick: right-leaning? Like who, or what? ...Oh, and Rick: right-leaning? Like who, or what? David Brooks? He's on PBS. <br /><br />If you're thinking of Fox: well, Fox had pulled what William F. Buckley used to call "the lunatic fringe" into the mainstream. No thank you! Grew up with that!FrGregACCAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00368463715994694203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-69838055324169744172011-02-16T11:14:00.759-05:002011-02-16T11:14:00.759-05:00While "the truth has a liberal bias," it...While "the truth has a liberal bias," it is sadly true, and extremely disappointing to me, that NPR is drifting to the right. For example, I heard nary a word on "Morning Edition" today about what is happening in Wisconsin with regard to massive public resistance to the governor's call to strip state and local employees of their collective bargaining rights. (Yet, there was a very short item about some guy in the middle of Montana causing a ruckus on an Amtrak train and forcing its evacuation: go figger.)<br /><br />Now, about the budget mess in general: For the last thirty years, American productivity has continued to climb; however, virtually all of the return on that productivity has gone to a very small number of people at the extreme top of the socioeconomic foodchain, such that, as of right now, the net worth of the Forbes 400 is about the same as the bottom FIFTY percent of the entire U.S. population, at around 1.5 Trillion.<br /><br />Obviously, before we start cutting, we need to raise marginal tax rates to pre-Reagan levels and, perhaps, even tax extreme wealth. Of course, no one dares to propose this.FrGregACCAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00368463715994694203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-75130690229926012172011-02-16T09:54:56.275-05:002011-02-16T09:54:56.275-05:00My family would also go. Our potential arrangemen...My family would also go. Our potential arrangement is in Munich with Knut Backhaus as our potential host. It would be my second and last Fulbright, if approved. We've made it through the US portion of the approval process, but the German commission must prune down the candidate list even more, understanding that times are tough everywhere.Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-28701179791928386082011-02-16T09:49:28.791-05:002011-02-16T09:49:28.791-05:00I was wondering if you'd applied to Germany, a...I was wondering if you'd applied to Germany, again. Will the family be going with you?Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-87727161997017312762011-02-16T09:38:16.370-05:002011-02-16T09:38:16.370-05:00I imagine it will more affect those coming to the ...I imagine it will more affect those coming to the US rather than those applying to other countries. I am still waiting to hear from Germany.Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-70904922986261450092011-02-16T09:36:00.198-05:002011-02-16T09:36:00.198-05:00Diane Ream is a good example of a person who you c...Diane Ream is a good example of a person who you can tell probably leans left. But she is disciplined in her treatment and fair. Her professional ethic of attempted objectivity demands that she do her best to maintain a neutral stance.Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-46075144594795592252011-02-16T09:14:18.370-05:002011-02-16T09:14:18.370-05:00And I'm sorry to hear about how the Fulbright ...And I'm sorry to hear about how the Fulbright cuts might affect next year for you :(.Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-57206055694812829182011-02-16T09:11:55.898-05:002011-02-16T09:11:55.898-05:00I think that is an excellent suggestion! Thanks fo...I think that is an excellent suggestion! Thanks for sharing it and your personal choice about news gathering...<br /><br />I wish also the government would be open to a flat tax. That way it does not discourage savings, investments or productivity, because I do think people should be rewarded for their work and choices. <br /><br />I like Diane Ream's program and often listen to it...Angie Van De Merwehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12617299120618867829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-24186924596442596602011-02-16T08:09:19.659-05:002011-02-16T08:09:19.659-05:00Certainly NPR has some left programs, but I have n...Certainly NPR has some left programs, but I have never found that to come through with these specific ones, except perhaps for science Friday (and some of that is scientists having a hard time dealing with empowered ignorance). They read critique from both sides every week.<br /><br />Every once and a while the leanings of the Today show will come out, and I feel uncomfortable with that because I want objectivity in a reporter. <br /><br />Where the middle is changes. I would argue that 10 years ago, these were all pretty middle. 9-11 has swung the middle strongly to the right, in my opinion.Ken Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09745548537303356655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8355052.post-14030343877505424462011-02-16T07:46:34.313-05:002011-02-16T07:46:34.313-05:00Apart from perhaps CNN, do you ever listen or read...Apart from perhaps CNN, do you ever listen or read anything that at least more middle-of-the-road or right leaning? Your news input seems heavily lean left, with little counter-balance or variety.<br /><br />Just askin'Ricknoreply@blogger.com