Clifford: Honorary Somerville Dog
I disapprove of internet hoaxes just as much, if not more, than the next guy, so when a former Somerville dog owner sent me an email asking me to help save NPR and PBS, the first thing I did was check my trusty source for internet hoaxes, the Urban Legends Reference Pages. It turns out that this time our representatives to the US Congress really are voting on whether to slash funding for NPR and PBS.
According to the Washington Post, the House Appropriations Committee voted on Thursday, June 9, "to sharply reduce the federal government's financial support for public broadcasting." The Associated Press (via CNN.com) reported last week that "Public television stations and National Public Radio would lose 25 percent of their federal funding next year under a bill cleared by a House committee Thursday night . . . ," i.e. June 16.
June 9 or June 16, no matter. Yesterday in front of the Capitol dome MoveOn.org, a 501(c)(4) organization that "primarily focuses on education and advocacy on important national issues," presented one million signatures to save public broadcasting.
What does this have to do with the human and canine residents of Somerville?
Clifford, the Big Red Dog
Dogs and More Dogs
Extraordinary Dogs
Sled Dogs: An Alaskan Epic
WOOF! It's a Dog's Life
Public broadcasting is an outlet for alternative programing that does not have the commercial appeal to survive on network television.
Here's the text of an e-mail I received from MoveOn.org today:
Dear friend of MoveOn,As far as we know, this is the most Americans to ever sign a petition in a single week, and it's one of the larger petitions in recent U.S. history—over 1 million people! Yesterday in front of the Capitol dome, we stacked box upon box of your signatures and comments—more than 60,000 pages—as members of Congress and children's advocates spoke in defense of NPR and PBS. PBS children's characters Clifford the Big Red Dog, Maya and Miguel, Leona the Lion, and lots of kids reminded Congress what's at stake.
The event was swarming with press, and the story is getting lots of great news coverage. You've helped to raise the profile of this issue and increase public pressure on Congress.
Our representatives have seen how many of us there are, but now they need to hear from us directly. Before this week's vote, can you call Rep. Capuano?
Congressman Michael Capuano
Phone: 202-225-5111This is an uphill fight, so every call is critical. Tell the staffer who answers why you feel so strongly about saving NPR and PBS, and ask Rep. Capuano to restore all funding to public broadcasting.
It's important to track our impact. Please let us know you're calling at:
http://www.moveon.org/call?tg=FHMA_08&cp_id=42&id=5691-6164805-f0c1VBsPnPvuFCNFp5nUtw
Why is public broadcasting so important? Many of you told Congress when signing the petition. Here are a few of your comments:
"There are so few truly wholesome and wonderful programs for children available on television. To invest in the future, please save PBS children's programming."
—Miranda, Chicago, IL"NPR and PBS are crucial to me. I am a librarian, and it is often the only place that I can get news coverage on certain topics explained fully. Where broadcast news might spend 5 minutes on a topic, NPR will spend an hour."
—Paula, Benton Harbor, MI"Public Broadcasting is one of the few bright spots in our nation's increasingly shallow and corporate influenced media."
—Steven, Alameda, CAOur fight for public broadcasting—and high-quality, honest media—is just beginning. Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
–Noah, Joan, Rosalyn, Wes and the MoveOn.org Team
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2005P.S. The Associated Press wire story on yesterday's rally includes the petition you signed. You can read the story at:
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=756&t=3
Not surprisingly, PBS has some of the best coverage of the debate over public broadcasting. Read or listen at:
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/media/jan-june05/cpb_6-21.html