This becomes difficult.   

WAMU also picked up Mary Cliff's TRADITIONS and A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION after those shows were dumped by WETA.   

It comes down to choice. Not everyone can program a radio station to their tastes. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other shows that are looking to find an audience.    As Mike noted about cutting programs from a schedule - "these are hard decisions, and someone gets paid to make them."

Public radio SHOULD be about choice. Just remember that you can only fill a glass of water to a set level. Something has to give.   Personally, I think locally produced programs such as Mary's SHOULD be the first choice when management sets a schedule. AMERICAN ROUTES is a wonderful program that I enjoy listening to, but if I had to choose my preference would be for Mary.

Also remember - it costs WAMU considerable money to offer shows like A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION and AMERICAN ROUTES.   The radio stations pay a fee based on the market, and I am sure DC does not come cheap! Perhaps there are other shows, such as Mary's, that better serves the public needs and is a more effective use of donor dollars. It is a hard decision.