[JohnM.]

I agree with the premise of Jerry’s comment. While National Public Radio can be enlightening at its best, it can be very esoteric at its worst. Political leanings aside, NPR offers a respite from the corporate, ratings-driven pablum that is found on other stations. It does an excellent job of offering programming that cannot be found elsewhere because focus groups are not friendly to classical music, traditional jazz, public affairs and other niches. The problem arises in two issues. The first issue is that our tax dollars go toward helping to support a radio network that employs a roster of talent that largely does not represent the rest of the nation. NPR has been very unsuccessful in fostering talent and programs that come from outside the usual crew of WASPs who dominate their airwaves. The other issue is that NPR can be esoteric and quirky to a fault. I would never argue that NPR needs to water down or dumb down its work but it sometimes seems like they are trying to drive away listeners with stories so obscure as to only attract the fewest listeners. Yes, it is important that we are aware of our rich cultrual tapestry but it gets rather cliche when NPR becomes an parody of itself (See SNL skits about NPR) when the same smug, self-satisfied voices run pieces on knitted thumb warmers that are only made in Vermont. Do we want a real radio network for Americans to be proud of? Look at PBS. It has been successful in working its way into the hearts of mainstream America. Thanks to programs like Sesame Street and Nova, public television has found a way to be more like the Sears catalog (with something for everyone) than like the SkyMall catalog that NPR tends to be.

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Name : JohnM., Gender : Male, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Unity School of Christianity, City : Jacksonville, State : FL, Country : United States, 

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