Larry,

I heard today that the ratings are actually up since 4 years ago. And I think that PBS is doing a fine job that the other networkds don't have the guts to do.

The press cconstantly report that the American public isn't interested in politics when it is they who are packaging the product for the public.

If the public was actually exposed to longer speachs instead of 10 second sound bites, if the public was exposed to intelligent people discussiong the ramifications, such as those on PBS instead of Katie Couric and the View "ladies" (and plenty of dumb, vacant, politically ignorant men, as well), people might be more interested.

Now, with Bill Moyers had an interesting report that came to the conclusion that the main reason politicians run some many damn ads is that it's the only way they can get any real time on TV. TV is using the publics airwaves for free and then charging politicians for the "right" to be heard. How screwed up is that? Of ocurse politicians want no part of changing that, because it's so much more easy for incumbants to raise money and get re-elected.

The whole system stinks.