Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj

Post to this Thread - Printer Friendly - Home
Page: [1] [2]


Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition

Coyote Breath 23 Mar 04 - 07:51 PM
GUEST 23 Mar 04 - 07:59 PM
GUEST,Guest (saulgoldie, like before--needa gnu co 23 Mar 04 - 08:09 PM
Blackcatter 23 Mar 04 - 08:38 PM
Stilly River Sage 23 Mar 04 - 09:01 PM
Strick 23 Mar 04 - 10:21 PM
Blackcatter 24 Mar 04 - 12:18 AM
Bill Hahn//\\ 24 Mar 04 - 08:24 PM
Blackcatter 24 Mar 04 - 08:53 PM
GUEST,Very Long TIme M.E. Listener 25 Mar 04 - 08:53 AM
saulgoldie 25 Mar 04 - 09:17 AM
Stilly River Sage 25 Mar 04 - 09:30 AM
saulgoldie 25 Mar 04 - 11:12 AM
Stilly River Sage 25 Mar 04 - 11:35 AM
Johnny in OKC 25 Mar 04 - 11:57 AM
saulgoldie 25 Mar 04 - 12:00 PM
saulgoldie 25 Mar 04 - 12:02 PM
Johnny in OKC 25 Mar 04 - 12:04 PM
GUEST 25 Mar 04 - 12:25 PM
Donuel 25 Mar 04 - 12:40 PM
Mark Clark 25 Mar 04 - 01:05 PM
Big Mick 25 Mar 04 - 01:18 PM
Stilly River Sage 25 Mar 04 - 01:24 PM
Blackcatter 25 Mar 04 - 05:37 PM
Bill Hahn//\\ 25 Mar 04 - 06:12 PM
saulgoldie 26 Mar 04 - 03:43 PM
Coyote Breath 26 Mar 04 - 04:03 PM
Bill Hahn//\\ 26 Mar 04 - 05:48 PM
Stilly River Sage 26 Mar 04 - 06:01 PM
M.Ted 26 Mar 04 - 07:52 PM
GUEST 26 Mar 04 - 10:37 PM
Coyote Breath 26 Mar 04 - 11:33 PM
GUEST,Rick 26 Mar 04 - 11:46 PM
GUEST,Guest 27 Mar 04 - 04:09 PM
Stilly River Sage 27 Mar 04 - 09:43 PM
GUEST,Dashiell7 28 Mar 04 - 01:22 PM
Bill Hahn//\\ 28 Mar 04 - 07:09 PM
Coyote Breath 29 Mar 04 - 01:35 AM
GUEST,Anne t 30 Mar 04 - 03:33 AM
GUEST,nprgroupie 30 Mar 04 - 03:48 AM
GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest 30 Mar 04 - 10:25 AM
GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest 30 Mar 04 - 10:48 AM
GUEST 30 Mar 04 - 11:49 AM
Blackcatter 30 Mar 04 - 12:06 PM
GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest 30 Mar 04 - 12:21 PM
Stilly River Sage 30 Mar 04 - 01:13 PM
GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest 30 Mar 04 - 01:30 PM
Blackcatter 30 Mar 04 - 01:33 PM
GUEST 30 Mar 04 - 01:50 PM
GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest 30 Mar 04 - 01:59 PM
Share Thread
more
Lyrics & Knowledge Search [Advanced]
DT  Forum Child
Sort (Forum) by:relevance date
DT Lyrics:













Subject: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 07:51 PM

Bob Edwards has been sacked from Morning Edition! Personally, I find this incomprehensible. He doesn't seem to like it either. Visit www.npr.org to learn more.

I urge all who agree that this move is not a good idea to email both Morning Edition and the NPR Ombudsman with those sentiments.

Of course if you LIKE the idea of his removal, email that sentiment too!


CB


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 07:59 PM

Now justa darn minute there, Breath. I went to the NPR site moments agao, and it indicates that he has CHOSEN to leave in FAVOR of another position WITH NPR. There may be more tuit behind the scenes chatter that we don't know all of right now. But for the moment, it does not sound to me like he has been sacked.

I think we have to be a little more careful about fanning the flames of hysteria. If it turns out that there WAS a "sacking" then I will be right there with my hysterical emails and shouts. But until then, I will sit right here and stay calm, thenkyewveddymuch.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Guest (saulgoldie, like before--needa gnu co
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:09 PM

OK, so I found a CNN report and it confirmed that he was "moved" not according to hiw wishes. I am now hysterical, and will write the appropriate emails and "chain" all my like-minded friends, as well. The "official" report, unsurprisingly did not mention the coercion part.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 08:38 PM

Here's the links:

National Public Radio article link

CNN article link

NPR's Ombudsman's email

I don't know what I'm going to do, I've been waking up to Bob's voice since I was in middle school. I'm Definately going to register my feelings. I'll talk to the local station - I just happen to be on it's public board.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 09:01 PM

For those of you who "could not perform this operation because the default mail client is not properly installed" (Bill Gates words for "you didn't install our crappy Outlook Express email program") here is the mail address: ombudsman@npr.org

SRS


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Strick
Date: 23 Mar 04 - 10:21 PM

Heck, I still miss the Huntley-Brinkley Report (loved the seasons with the Second Movement of Beethovan's Nine for their theme).


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 12:18 AM

Sorry SRS - I don't use any mail client than Yahoo, so I would have been frustrated by my own link.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 08:24 PM

The New York Times had a very in depth article today on the subject. Though, I suspect, that it was not the entire story.

Bottom line---Edwards did not expect this (and the 25th anniv. of his being with the program at the start was coming up)and he is quoted as saying that he has not gotten quite ready to make a statement on the air about it.

They would not even let him, according to article, stick around for the celebration of the 25 yrs---which was also the beginning of Morning Ed. The ratings are through the roof. Best news program on the air today.

I find it strange that the "logo" voice--if you will--is being replaced for what--according to the news article---is "...a change in the sound of the program".   Sounds like the ads from airlines when the cram in more seats---"...for your convenience and flight availabity". Whatever that means. Or Banks---"..for your convenience and efficience we are eliminating +++++services and institing +++a charge for +++. Hope you like the improvement".

Being on the air myself I realize that changes are made. But when you are on top in your field one has to ask----WHY?.

Bill Hahn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 24 Mar 04 - 08:53 PM

The second most listened to national radio show - right after Rush. Maybe NPR should hire him ro replace Bob.

This is just sad. Who makes changes to one of the highest rated shows?


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Very Long TIme M.E. Listener
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 08:53 AM

These are absolute idiots making such a change. They expect to "refresh" this program to make it better? Better than what? Morning Edition already IS the best. I think the executives themselves are bored or perhaps have some unspoken personal dislike for Bob Edwards. This makes absolutely no sense at all. Fire the executives. Leave Edwards. I have already fired my letter off to them. They need more.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: saulgoldie
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:17 AM

This is a national version of when the local station (WAMU--Wash. D.C.) let go Lee Michael Dempsey some years back. I wrote several letters to different people within the station and even to AM.U. which sort of "owned" the station. I never got a REAL answer as to why they dislodged him *immediately* after their pledge drive after allowing us to pledge specifically to his show. It just felt very sinister and cynical. And abusive.

They have not gotten my money since. I have only recently begun to rethink my non-donation in light of the onslaught from "the right" to public broadcasting. And now...this. It all makes me wonder: If it's "public" then where do their supporters fit into the discussion?

Of course, I will write again. One HAS to write. One has to write in the face of any adversity. At least then they can't say that they don't know. Evil triumphs when good people sit quietly by. Thanks for announcing this issue, Coyote.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 09:30 AM

I also liked Huntley-Brinkley. I was a kid, and I don't know how many times I asked Dad "what's that music?" before the answer finally lodged in my head. Susan Stanberg and Bob Edwards used to do All Things Considered together before Edwards moved the mornings. Susan stepped down from the anchor job to do more interviews and other programming, and I still hear her, but not as much as I'd like.

If you follow another Brinkley program you'll see another unsettling unsettlement--when they replaced Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts to draw a younger crowd. I like George Stephanopolous (sp?) just fine, but Cokie! How could they ever think they were getting anything better than Cokie Roberts?

Why did I enjoy listening to the hearings this week so much on the radio? Because Linda Wertheimer was being her old self, the congressional correspondent, not just the news anchor. She knows so much about what is going on on Capitol Hill, yet we don't hear it from her much any more.

And those of you who are NPR junkies already know who is the third news-goddess in the NPR triumvirate: she's ________________________ .

Any guesses? (She's the one I always sit in the truck to listen to the end of her stories, what NPR calls "driveway moments.")

(I'll rant on about interview programs later. . .)


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: saulgoldie
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 11:12 AM

Terri Gross? And didn't she recently take some lumps over some of her work, like the O'Reilly thing? What the f*** is it with NPR these days?!!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 11:35 AM

No, not Terry Gross. That's why I said I'd talk about interview programs later. Those "lumps" are extremely rare for Gross, and all she did was give him a taste of his own medicine. :/

Think news, hard news. Superior, even supreme news.

a clue


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Johnny in OKC
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 11:57 AM

I think he means SUSAN STAMBERG. Definitely not Terry Gross; all she does is puff pieces about authors and washed-up rock bands. Seldom a folk musician.

So what reason do they give for firing Bob Edwards?

I'm with you on the mealy mouthed "explanations" the big corps give, such as the classic Spend More Time with his Family ploy.

They sure came down hard on the NY Times when one of their reporters was writing phony stories. I'm sure Bob was guilty of anything like that.

Frankly, I still miss Robert MacNeil on PBS.

Love, Johnny


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: saulgoldie
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:00 PM

Nina Totenberg.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: saulgoldie
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:02 PM

And yes, she IS NPR royalty.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Johnny in OKC
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:04 PM

I'll have to admit Nina Totenberg is excellent,
but doesn't she cover the Supreme Court exclusively?

Johnny


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:25 PM

If Bob Edwards isn't to NPR's liking anymore, who's next? Scott Simon? The whole thing makes me sick.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Donuel
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 12:40 PM

Nina Totenburg is also on our Sunday morning TV panel show (NBC?) and has voiced live abject outrage at some of the drivel that drips from Krauthammer's mouth.

The new FCC rules now have a 6 second censor policy so I may not see the spontaniety of months past.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Mark Clark
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:05 PM

Maybe you haven't noticed but the think tank experts so often interviewed on NPR are now mostly from conservative cesspools of anti-knowledge. There used to be a great conservative outcry to kill NPR but you don't hear that any more. Do you think that's because NPR no longer exposes them for the empty suits they are?

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the Bush administration or his puppeteers now control NPR funding and its editorial policy. I'm guessing that Edwards couldn't stomach the mindless repetitions of official government misinformation and made it clear that he wouldn't be controlled.

      - Mark


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Big Mick
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:18 PM

I was about to say the same thing, Mark. That is why I wrote and told them of my intent to withold all future donations until I determine the direction they are going. It appears to me that this is another right wing move to control the message. I will be listening with a very critical ear, and no money for now, maybe for good.

Bob Edwards is MORNING EDITION.

Mick


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 01:24 PM

Sorry about the Stamberg typo. Yes, I was thinking of Nina. When they had Nina, Cokey and Linda all covering their specialty areas of the Federal government NPR was at an all-time peak for me. They still have very good coverage, but I like these three the best.

Nina covered the supreme court during the Gore v. Bush hearings also, and it was interesting to hear the listener remarks that came in afterward. When presented with the printed text, some readers (myself included) still heard Totenberg's clear and measured speech when reading the transcripts. When presented with the hearings themselves, I had to chuckle at the realization that justices don't all sound like her.

SRS


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 05:37 PM

What about Sylvia Pujoli?

The President of my local Public Radio Station isn't saying anything. He says he doesn't know. Don't know if I believe him - he's pretty much an idiot anyway. Privately, the three main newsmen who do the local coverage during NPR broadcasts (including one you might know, Dave Pingenelli, who is NPR's primary Kennedy Space Center reporter) are all very upset about the Bob Edwards move.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 25 Mar 04 - 06:12 PM

I just read Bob Edwards note on the NPR web site. Gracious, but, I believe, if you read between the lines he is rather---for want of a beter word---miffed.   The NY Times article yesterday quoted him as saying that it would have been nice to come up with a great retort when he was told about the changes that will make him a "special" correspondent.

By the way---I respect and admire the women correszpondents mentioned. We have here, in my area, a wonderfully witty and sardonic host of a local music program--Steve Post. When they do fund raising he always uses an expression that says in effect---"...hey you know we have NPR and we give you Nina Totebag all the time---so pledge:.


Bill Hahn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: saulgoldie
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 03:43 PM


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 04:03 PM

WOW! I just got back, both to the PC and this forum and I am pleased to see the response.

I had hoped that maybe this was an elaborate April Fool's Joke.

Yeah, right!

Lets keep this going for a while since many seem to feel it is a both unwise and untimely move on the part of NPR.

I got a "thank you" for emailing as a response from the NPR Ominous Bud man but still nothing from anyone re the evaporation of Mr. Morning Ed.

CB


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 05:48 PM

Bob Edwards will be interviewed on the On The Media Program---I don't know when that airs in your areas. Here in the NY/NJ area it airs 10 AM on WNYC/FM (93.9)


Bill Hahn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 06:01 PM

On The Media plays on Saturday afternoon at 2pm on KERA-FM (90.1) in the North Texas market. Thanks for the heads-up, Bill. More information here.

SRS


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: M.Ted
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 07:52 PM

Removing Bob Edwards is an insult to everyone that has listened to him for all these years. There needs to be a serious reaction--


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 10:37 PM

Sign the "Save Bob Edwards" petition at www.petitionsonline.com.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:33 PM

Good idea "Guest" I hadn't heard of that website but will go and check it out. I can't imagine that this is the only forum discussing the removal.

CB


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Rick
Date: 26 Mar 04 - 11:46 PM

"Natural Evolution?" Evolve into what? 25 years as host, Bob Edwards has personally evolved Morning Edition itno what it is today. NPR is really taking a shot at their creditability. It will be interesting to see what impact this has on the show's ratings.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 04:09 PM

If anybody ever writes a history of truly stupid decisions, the decision to replace Bob Edwards will rate alongside New Coke. Coca Cola was smart enough to reco.gnize their error. Will the NPR board do likewise? I am reminded Coca Cola stood New Coke until the demands of its customers became too loud to ignore.

I do agree it is time for a change at NPR: Jay Kernis and Bruce Drake should go. People with the capbility to make decisions as stupid as this cannot be trusted to be caretakers of a national treasure.

J


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Mar 04 - 09:43 PM

The interview today was good. Edwards clearly wants NPR to keep growing, and is appalled that people would withhold their support because he is leaving. When asked about this job action, he said he wonders if he "maybe stuck around too long." But the listeners numbers have steadily grown, and he is like Edward R. Morrow such a respected and reliable voice, it is puzzling that NPR would take this move.

SRS


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Dashiell7
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 01:22 PM

Bob Edwards has a beautiful voice and a great time-slot. I always listen to him on my way to work. It's too bad he became such a prototypical mouthpiece for the anti-Bushies. Do you remember, immediately after 9/11, when he had that effeminate intellectual-sounding guest on his program who sniffed, "I like feeling that the president is smarter than I am: I don't feel that way about Bush." Yeah. That's what America needs. Good riddance, Bob. You are trashed.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 28 Mar 04 - 07:09 PM

Dashiell---this was surely not political. I see your political point though---probably best left for another thread. To me this is the most important election ever---and I am no kid. GWB--Dubya to those who least appreciate his (expletive deleted) actions---is someone I only hope has a happy life in Crawford TX.

But---the real reason for my posting this note. I too heard the OTM program today---it airs in my area on Sun. AM.

Gracious responses by Edwards---"....if it is good for NPR", "...perhaps I was on there too long".   HOwever, he did sort of let it slip a bit when asked if it is correct that management said it was ---something like--"... serving the listener" His reply was, basically, he thought he had---but if mgmt felt that instead of doubling the audience this might quadruple it then it is a good move. Otherwise---IT HURTS.   

I think that says it all.


Those of you who have written to NPR--as I have---probably have gotten the form letter reply from the facility.   

From a personal standpoint for Edwards his life will be physically easier. His salaray and pension are there. But for the public---well---you can weigh in on that.

By the way--I liked his comment about finding his own voice. On a smaller scale I know what he means---I found mine after trying to be what I thought I heard on the radio and tried to emulate.


Bill Hahn


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Coyote Breath
Date: 29 Mar 04 - 01:35 AM

The interview was very enlightening. Mr. Edwards clearly has NPR's "welfare" in mind.

I don't like this move at all but withold support? not at this time but I might if things regress further.

What I found most interesting was his not knowing why either. Something having to do with "listener's needs". I don't recall any one from NPR seeking to learn what our NEEDS are.

MY need is to hear balanced reporting with stories of events presented clearly. Edwards is the thread which ties NPR's Morning Edition together.

The term "listener's needs" is as fine an example of weasle words as I've seen in a while. I am now convinced that the decision was based upon something sleazy, some sort of low action designed to help the career of a mediocre talent, or to appease the anticipated negative reaction to a news piece by one of the corporate moron's tossing slops into NPR's hog trough.

CB


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Anne t
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:33 AM

Never before would I have thought that Bob Edwards would ever be replaced, and the insult of having absolutely no reason other than for the sake of change makes it that much worse What happened to loyalty, what happened to respect, what happened to recognizing an amazing talent?

So many of the articles I have read so far talk about needing younger listeners. That makes me smile. My sister (age 27) and I (age 34) listen every day to NPR because our parents listened every day. My children, ages 3 and 10 listen, and her kids so as well. Building loyalty happens over time, through quality and consistancy. When Mr. Edwards leaves, I do too, so does our financial support for NPR stations around the country.   

I think it is the only way a listener can register a complaint that will be heard. I HATE to do it, but it is the only way to get a message across.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,nprgroupie
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 03:48 AM

Listening to Bob Edwards, and reading his incredibly classy words angers me even more.

His loyalty to the organization he helped build shows remarkable character. He sounds so blindsided, so shocked. I think everyone has been through a betrayal, but to have it happen in public, in such a shocking manner, is dispicable. How does he make sense of it?

I have yet to hear of a SINGLE person who is applauding this move. Being named senior correspondant, forced to watch someone younger and less talented take his baby, seems more like a way to get rid of him and appease listeners than actually making anything better. Shame on those too cowardly to step forward and tell us the real reasons. Is Bob a tad too old for today's 18-24 year olds? Perhaps NPR can hire itself a "morning zoo", complete with stunts and obscenities.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 10:25 AM

I suppose this is the thread for those who are morally outraged that their morning radio listening routine has been challenged to change, and are mightily miffed they are being deprived of a celebration of a 25 year long morning routine.

So let me tell you why I welcome this shift. Then you all can attack me as the anti-christ. :)

First, I've never been a fan of Bob Edwards. I did try, 25 years ago, to be a fan of Morning Edition. I listened to it daily for about two years. But it was too fluffy for my hard news tastes, and it didn't hold a candle to All Things Considered. That is, All Things Considered 25 years ago.

Then, in the late '80s and early '90s, when the big news organizations in print, tv, and radio were making their hard turn to the right, I returned to Morning Edition in hopes that I would hear more balanced reporting without the conservative slant. I'd like to say that is just what I found, but it wasn't. But even worse than the creeping corporatism I found endemic in Morning Edition then, and throughout mainstream public radio now, but especially at NPR, was that Bob Edwards bored me to death. He put me right back to sleep.

At the time (late 80s, early 90s), I lived in what we used to call a movement household. We were all very politically and socially active, were raising kids, working, etc. We all agreed that Bob Edwards needed to go. I never looked back. It had been a long drought for news junkies like me. But now, we have something far superior to NPR. We have the Internet! Glory be, who needs NPR now? Certainly not me.

That said, I welcome the change at NPR, I just don't think it has gone far enough. I'm hoping both Morning Edition and All Things Considered get scrapped soon, despite their ratings. Why? They make for banal radio.

I love radio. With the advent of digital radio and all that money NPR is swimming in from corporados like the Krocs, they really should be kicking some radio ass. They aren't. They are making very conservative, change averse people like those posting here, feel safe, secure, and insulated in the routines and more tragically, in their thinking.

I loved Susan Stamberg as an anchor. When she was on All Things Considered, I listened all the time. I haven't listened since she left.

Mara Liasson, one of those NPR icons, now pushes bad ideology and bad news over on Faux. Cokie Roberts settled easily into her upper middle class life that stemmed from her upper middle class Washington upbringing, and is of course now one of the right wing ideologues over on ABC. Nina T is probably the last hold out at NPR, still kicking ass in her reporting. I did tune in to NPR during the 2000 election/Supreme Court debacle, just to get her insight. I still tune in to hear her spin, because she, unlike most other NPR correspondents, didn't sell out to live their charmed DC Beltway lives, and stayed an honest reporter. Considering how conservative NPR has become (along with the rest of the mainstream media), that can't have been an easy road for her, and she has my respect for that. Not that my respect means jack, but there you have it.

I wish someone would drop Terry Gross out of an airplane into Davy Jones' locker. She is awful.

So, despite my ranting about how bad NPR is, I am hopeful that all that money they got from the conservative Kroc family will, in the end, justify them selling out their souls for corporate donations in the 1980s, and that we might be embarking on a new, progressive era of public radio news and information programming now that they can afford to do good things.

Since I never donate money to them, I can't withhold my donations. But since they aren't worthy of my donations anyway, I certainly won't hold my breath, despite my hopeful optimism that this might well be a change for the better. Because it would have to get a whole shit load better radio for me to become a regular listener again.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 10:48 AM

By the way, might I suggest, for those of you who will be shutting off the radio in rage, and storming off into the sunset, that you try a few excellent alternatives to NPR?

Like CBC if you can get it. Non-NPR spoonfed, independent public radio in your markets (for those of you who live in or near major metros), so you can pick up excellent news and information programming like Democracy Now.

I mean c'mon people. If you've been listening to Bob Edwards for a long time, isn't it time to shake up your routine? Anyone who has been doing the same damn thing every morning for 25 years ought to shot out of a canon to shake up their safe little world. I say thank you Bob, for going first.

Besides, when is the last time you heard great thinkers of our day like Chomsky or Nader in interviews on NPR?

Oh right--never!


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 11:49 AM

And for those of you who think you are getting unbiased, balanced news about national politics from NPR, you might want to educate yourselves about Mara Liasson, NPR's star national political correspondent.

When your major star in national political reporting goes on Faux and says criticizing the president is unacceptable behavior, it's time to send your donations elsewhere, don't you think?

Here is just one example of the Mara talking out both sides her mealy mouth:

http://www.mediatransparency.org/people/mliasson.htm


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 12:06 PM

GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest:

Well your right, there are people who don't like Bob Edwards and for them this is good, but you clearly have major problems with Morning Edition and NPR that removing Edwards isn't going to change.

You seem to assume that because we have posted on this thread about our dismay in Edwards' leaving the show that ME and NPR is the ONLY way we receive our news. Thank you for assuming the worst in people you don't know.

Most of us do get news from a myriad of sources, in fact, NPR may be the most main-stream source we regularly turn to.

I will continue to listen to ME. I will continue to support my local PBS station. What I object to and what instigated this thread was the seemingly poor way that NPR has treated Edwards, not that he's leaving. If he announced his leaving, it is quite possible that a thread here would not have even been started. If it was, it would have been filled with people saying thank you to him and sharing happy memories of 25 years of work by the man.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 12:21 PM

So Blackcatter, is what you are saying (since you suggest that people posting to this thread get their news from more sources than just ME or NPR) is that ME isn't your main source of news, but maybe is your morning comfort food sort of news?

You all do know that corporate news organizations like NPR aren't exactly known for finesse, politeness, and grace when it comes to firing their news anchor asses, don't you? If so, then why the surprise? Isn't this sort of like the Jane Pauley backlash?
People want their morning news personalities to be fuzzy and familiar people who make them feel good while they fluff up their pillows, drink their coffee, and herd the children out the door before work?


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:13 PM

Guest Not the Bob Edwards Groupie--you haven't been watching morning television that calls itself "news," or dodging the trash chatter on the local FM and AM stations, have you? NBC goes for bad news/blood and guts, and though I liked Katie Couric, I couldn't after a while stand the tone she and Matt take as they shift from the fluff to the bad news bits of the program. CBS isn't too bad, just incredibly mild. They hired away one of the local news anchors to work that program, so sometimes I look in just to see what Renee is doing these days. I watch ABC now, but I still have to turn that off pretty regularly when they once again find some grieving person whose relative was murdered 37 minutes ago to stick a mike in their face and say "How are you feeling?"

Given all that is on in the mornings, Morning Edition is far superior. My problem with Morning Edition is that if you listen to it consistently and you listen to All Things Considered, you're hearing the same story reported at least a couple of times. So I stagger my listening.

Years ago when I lived near the Canadian border I used to listen to a radio program called As It Happens. It was the most interesting thing on the radio each evening and certainly a model that NPR programs follow. I also enjoyed Peter Gzowski and his interviews--I remember them as being second to none.

Those of you who are unhappy with NPR's even-handed programming and intellectual figures like Bob Edwards and Terry Gross need to tune your radios back to Rush Limbaugh. You'll feel better.

SRS


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:30 PM

"Guest Not the Bob Edwards Groupie--you haven't been watching morning television that calls itself "news," or dodging the trash chatter on the local FM and AM stations, have you?"

Not usually, no. I figured out long ago that the mainstream media wasn't a source for news, but for ideological spin of the news. And I've never listened to talk radio. It's always been the National Equirer of radio.

Katie Couric--saw her gig during the 9/11 coverage. She is as disingenuous as Diane Sawyer, just has a harder edge. She looks like Cokie clone from the Midwest, don't you think?

The thing that is most deceptive nowadays is the "synergy" thing. Just one current example. The corporate parent of CBS owns the publisher of Richard Clarke's book, so Clarke "comes out" and 60 Minutes gets the "scoop". Good Morning America interviews whomever was kicked off the reality tv show on their network the night before. Apparently CBS is the current master at this game, as The Early Show is the standard all the "synergistic" infotainment news programs aspire to emulate. I understand NBC Dateline, the NBC newsmagazine flagship at NBC, recently did this (ie devoted a whole program to it) to promote The Donald's reality show on NBC.

This isn't news to thinking people. Nor are your "go listen to Rush Limbaugh" insults to anyone who challenges your obviously deeply ingrained assumptions about news reporting, hitting your intended mark.

There is nothing even handed about NPR's reporting. But I've got to say, your suggestion that Terry Gross is an intellectual is pretty funny. Got a good laugh out of that one. Bob Edwards might be smart, but he puts me to sleep.

The point you mention about ME & ATC being recycled news is proof positive of how the national media echo chamber effect works.

You seem to be a thoughtful person interested in getting at the truth, SRS. I just think you are a tad too lazy to go looking for it beyond your safe, secure mainstream media walls, is all.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: Blackcatter
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:33 PM

GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest

Why do you insist in assuming things I and others did not say? I wish you'd get over that issue.

ME is a source of news for me. That's it. It's nota main source, but I have no main source. I get news from radio, TV, print media, internet news sources, Mudcat discussions, email lists and talking to friends among other places. I don't work hard at it, but I get news from a whole bunch of different places.

ME is not "morning comfort food" for me, it is a source of news and to some extent entertainment. I listen to it while waking up. I often listen to BBC news at midnight as well for the other end of the day.

NPR is typically better that other news agencies from what I hear - and I've talked to several of their reporters/broadcasters over the years. But even if they weren't, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be angry when they act that way and try to encourage them to act better. Will it work - who knows.

Some people may want their morning people to be "fuzzy," but I don't and I doubt that Edwards could ever be descrbed that way. Just because one looks forward to hearing the same voice, doesn't mean that their not looking for serious news. And once again, you miss the point of this thread - we don't worship the guy, we're just saying it looks like he was treated unfairly and every time someone gets treated that way, people should stand up and say so.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:50 PM

"Why do you insist in assuming things I and others did not say? I wish you'd get over that issue."

We all make assumptions, Blackcatter. Assumptions aren't the problem. It is what we base them upon, and whether they are correct, that matters.

"Just because one looks forward to hearing the same voice, doesn't mean that their not looking for serious news."

Apparently my assumption that some here were upset that one of their favorite news anchors they've grown accustomed to hearing every morning (an assumption based upon what I head read in over 40 posts before making my contribution) is correct then, and your problem with it is...?

I never said people who have made ME and Bob Edwards a part of their morning ritual aren't interested in getting serious news. My assumption is they are more interested in keeping their comfortable morning ritual intact than they are in getting serious news in the morning. Because if people are most interested in serious news in the morning, they aren't listening to NPR's Morning Edition with Bob Edwards to get it.

That tells me something about them, about how they get information, process it (or passively consume it in the case of mainstream news), and thereby analyze it.

I find most consumers of mainstream news never analyze what they consume, they just repeat it almost verbatim in their discussions with people throughout the day, and in their posts in chat forums like this one. It's garbage in, garbage out, IMO. Doesn't take any work to do it. Morning Edition with Bob Edwards is easy listening news for the jaded Great White Appartchik Class.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate

Subject: RE: Bob Edwards removed from Morning Edition
From: GUEST,Not the Bob Edwards Groupie Guest
Date: 30 Mar 04 - 01:59 PM

Apologies, the above was mine.


Post - Top - Home - Printer Friendly - Translate
Next Page

  Share Thread:
More...


You must be a member to post in non-music threads. Join here.


You must be a member to post in non-music threads. Join here.



Mudcat time: 3 June 4:56 AM EDT

[ Home ]

All original material is copyright © 2022 by the Mudcat Café Music Foundation. All photos, music, images, etc. are copyright © by their rightful owners. Every effort is taken to attribute appropriate copyright to images, content, music, etc. We are not a copyright resource.