Programs like the aforementioned, plus "Frontline," "NOW, with David Brancaccio," "POV," and others regularly cover stories that the corporations and the conservative minions would rather the Americam public not know about. They are the only major news services in the country that do.

Conservatives complain that NPR and PBS are "the worst of the liberally biased media." Hard-charging liberals complain that NPR and PBS aren't liberal enough to suit them, and theorize that they must be part of the corporated-influenced media.

Nobody's happy with them. So they must be doing something right.

But as I said, I don't take any of it as gospel. I listen and view with my brain engaged and often check other sources. And I keep my brain in gear while I'm checking those other sources, as well.

Don Firth