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BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge?
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Subject: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 06 Nov 03 - 09:34 PM McDonald's founder's widow leaves National Public Radio $200 million.
After a life of soaking up the news, Kroc left National Public Radio a bequest of more than $200 million, NPR said Thursday. That's more than double the network's annual budget. (see the rest online) Wow! I may go buy myself an apple pie and ice tea just to say thanks! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: JenEllen Date: 07 Nov 03 - 11:56 AM Yeah, it's a wonder what a bunch of hormone-plugged cows and a gajillion decimated acres of rainforest'll getcha. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdc Date: 07 Nov 03 - 11:58 AM HOWEVER!! On another forum, the rightwingnuts are now saying that government funding of NPR should be discontinued immediately. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Nov 03 - 12:48 PM Give them any excuse to eliminate the liberal media, eh? They don't know how to spell "E-N-D-O-W-M-E-N-T." |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:15 PM ...and the President of NPR was heard last night saying that there IS no govt. funding of NPR...that is a myth! |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: katlaughing Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:18 PM Here's what they say about it on their website, Bill: The only direct government funding NPR receives is through competitive grants from government agencies for specific projects. Such grants are awarded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the National Science Foundation, and the National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities, and typically represent only 2% of total revenues. JenEllen, well-said, but I am glad that some of that profit is going for npr, regardless.:-) |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:24 PM and you can listen to the program and explanation here next thing you know, the right wing zealots will be demanding NPR pay back all the grants they HAVE won & received! |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Amos Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:34 PM Danged eeee-vil liberal media, besotted with their danged satanic hoomanism!! Orter take 'em all out an shoot 'em, ortent they? :>) A |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Don Firth Date: 07 Nov 03 - 01:49 PM Now, there is an example of a billionaire doing something really worthwhile for a change and using their wealth to take another much-needed step toward the eventual civilization of the human race. I, too, wake up to the news on my local NPR affiliate. And although my arteries probably protest, I'm particularly fond of the occasional offering of the McRib sandwich. The next time they are offered, I shall eat one with a broad smile and a sense of well-being. Bless you, Ms. Kroc! Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 07 Nov 03 - 02:03 PM Just seen the Jackie Chan movie 'Rush Hour' - his side kick is taking the ransom demand over the phone - so many million in 100's, so many in 20's, so many in 10's - so then he says "Do you want fives with that? :-) Robin |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 07 Nov 03 - 02:48 PM " left National Public Radio a bequest of more than $200 million" What a waste of frigg'n money... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Nov 03 - 03:39 PM Don, I agree with you entirely! (I don't eat the McRib--though not my favorite burger, I'll eat the Quarter Pounder without cheese, and wash it down with an iced tea and with an apple pie chaser). First ever warm and fuzzy feeling McDonald's has given me since I was probably 11 and we went out to our first fast food restaurant (they were a novelty at one time!). SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: NicoleC Date: 07 Nov 03 - 04:01 PM Well, SHE doesn't need the money anymore, Clinton, so how can it be a waste? |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 07 Nov 03 - 04:12 PM -Any- money spent on National Pretentious Radio is a waste... She could have done so much good with it rather than helping perpetuate that pile of cr@p... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Nov 03 - 04:18 PM Years ago NPR used to have some wonderful folk music and radio dramas, but after a fiscal disaster (I think this was in the early 1980s) in which someone criminally or just stupidly trashed the NPR bank account, many of those programs went away. I would love to see them take a look at those lost programs and see if they can come up with something similar. In particular the Irish music they used to play, and programs like "Mind's Eye." SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: katlaughing Date: 07 Nov 03 - 05:03 PM SRS, that reminds me of a time, about 23 years ago, when Rog was installing a two-way radio system at a very remote ranch in WY; had its own one room schoolhouse with just the 3 or so ranch kids as students. Anyway, they were very excited to see him. They only went to "town" every few months and town was only about 10,000 people. One of the first things they asked him was if he had kids. When he answered yes, the next question was if they ever got to go to McDonald's! |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: artbrooks Date: 07 Nov 03 - 05:53 PM SRS: a lot of what you hear on NPR is syndicated stuff, and the individual station decides what to buy rather than having NPR-National do it for them. For example, one of our two NPR stations does "Thistle and Shamrock" and the other has its own folk music show. There is also a lot of good folk on NPR stations that stream and/or archive their programs. WPR (Wisconsin Public Radio) has a live folk program on Sunday afternoons, WFUV does theirs Saturday AM (and has 2 years of archived programs on line) and WKSU has a continuous folk stream. Clinton, I'm glad to see that you are still in contention for the Crumudgeon Of The Year Award. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 07 Nov 03 - 06:53 PM Art, I'm aware that some of those programs are syndicated, but I'm also aware that their primary audience was public radio, and when public radio dropped them they went away completely because the funding dried up. I tried a search but the keywords are too commonly used to result in an easy reference or links to the old program. I drifted through various pages and found this little gem from a Canadian program some of you will know. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bobert Date: 07 Nov 03 - 07:14 PM NPR liberal? Yeah, you rightie's keep sayin' it loud and long enough and maybe you'll actuall0,y deep down inside, believe it. What a joke. Pacifica is liberal. NPR is moderate. The the rest of the bunch is right winged. The way me and the Wes Ginny Slide rule got it figured, you right wingers are now winning the media game 175,937 to 1, with one tie. Yeah, I know you'd like it to be 175,939 to zero and if Bush/Poweel have their way with runing the last few FCC ownership regs thru the shedding machine, you may soon have your way. One party. One media. Hey, that sounds familiar.... Hmmmm? Bobert |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 07 Nov 03 - 07:26 PM well, Clinton...when you can get this program or its equivilent, on regular radio, let me know. Also, I get better news on NPR than on NBC, so you'd have to specify what parts qualify as a "that pile of cr@p...". |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 08 Nov 03 - 08:07 AM Hey, I never said I listen to regular radio either... Radio is the reason I own so many CDs... cause all of it's junk... NPR just happens to be the worst of the worst in my book... And well, after reading the link you provided, I can't imagine listing to anything MORE boring than that... He sounds like exactly the kind of pedant that ruins good music... And news... well, I'd rather listen to flies f#ck... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Peg Date: 08 Nov 03 - 08:57 AM (yawn) yet another hands-down criticism of something the critic obviously knows very little about. You can't criticize something you've obviously spent close-to-zero time listening to. National Public Radio, in most communities, is their primary radio source for exactly the types of music we discuss and share on the Mudcat! Folk, blues, traditional, etc. It is also an informed and in-depth course for INTERNATIONAL news coverage; I regularly listen to the BBC broadcast on it; and our NPR affiliate is the only station that carries it. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: curmudgeon Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:25 AM Art -- please be careful with your misapplication of my title; mindless negativity is not a part of Curmudgeonry -- Tom |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:43 AM Ya... whatever... I've listened to NPR... and I happen think it's devoid of redeaming quailites... Just like any other radio... So, if yer gonna talk about 'knowing very little', maybe you'd better make sure yer not doing it yourself... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Mrrzy Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:52 AM Best use of McDonalds' money I've heard of... but it kinda makes me not too worried about honoring my measly $17.00 pledge! |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Peg Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:05 AM I listen to it a lot more than you do, Clinton, so I would guess I do know what I'm talking about. I also know how to spell "redeeming." I teach a course on the history of radio, too. Some people know what they're talking about and can discuss their likes and dislikes intelligently. Some people just slam what they don't like, calling it "crap" even though they don't know much about it, not understanding it would be more appropriate to just say they don't like something, and give an actual reason or two for feeling that way. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:10 AM Mrrzy, that is exactly the problem all of the LOCAL stations are going to confront regarding the CORPORATE gift, I feel quite sure. This generousity may make things harder when it comes to each station's pledge time. Let's hope they can inspire us with news of wonderful new corporation programming they'll be bringing us. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:28 AM Ya... whatever, pedant... You know what your opinion is worth to me... "Post" to the hand, cause the 'eyes' ain't readin' it... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdc Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:35 AM NPR offers tantalizing glimpses of what the American culture could be, if it didn't have to pander to the tastes of the lowest common denominator segment of the population. Tyranny by the majority indeed. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:50 AM interesting attitude, Clinton..."there's two kinds of things in the world...whatever *I* like, and crap." *shrug* ..you can lead a horse to water.... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Amergin Date: 08 Nov 03 - 02:30 PM In other McDonald's news: McDonald's CEO protests against Dictionary's Inclusion of the Word "McJob" |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Don Firth Date: 08 Nov 03 - 02:37 PM Well . . . you really have to cut Clinton a little slack here. He's still puzzling over which one is Shinola. Don Firth |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 08 Nov 03 - 03:46 PM is that why there are flies on his shoes? *grin* |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:13 PM Say Bill D, didn't you mean "You can lead a whore to culture, but you can't make her think"? Perhaps what Jim the Cantalupe really meant to say: "more than 1,000 of the men and women who own and operate McDonald's restaurants today got their start by being one of the many millions (over the years) of low paid casual workers serving customers behind the counter." :-) Robin |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:17 PM umm..Robin...I actually typed "you can lead a horticulture...." and decided it was too esoteric without telling the joke-and erased it... |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:38 PM Bill, at this point you can probably assume that most people of a certain age have heard Dorothy Parker's quip. (If they're old enough to have heard of Ms. Parker, they're bound to have heard it!) Another good one of hers: "Wit has truth in it; wisecracking is simply calisthenics with words." An observation that fits this list often enough! SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 08 Nov 03 - 09:58 PM wasn't it Dorothy who said, "I'd rather flunk my Wasserman test than write a poem like Edgar Guest"?...she did have her way with language.. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdq Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:06 PM I think she also said she went to Oakland and found "there was no there there". |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Amos Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:07 PM Yes, Bill -- but not the same Dorothy who said "there's no place like home" ! Regards, A |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdc Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:22 PM I believe it was Gertrude Stein who said of Oakland that there's no there there. However, Dorothy Parker (who was head and shoulders above the others in the Algonquin Circle) said: Razors pain you, Rivers are damp. Acids stain you, Drugs cause cramp. Guns aren't lawful, Nooses give; Gas smells awful, You may as well live. I may not have that quite right - sorry, if it's a little off. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdq Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:27 PM Then maybe she said "men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses". I'm better at music and biology. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:33 PM Yea Bill, which is why I phoeneticised it --- "It often bemuses me that so many who want a battle of wits turn up only half prepared." :-) Robin |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,E.A. Date: 08 Nov 03 - 10:48 PM I resent that, Bill D. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Amos Date: 08 Nov 03 - 11:26 PM Dear GEA: What is it you feel you resent, exactly? Unless you are willing to be more specific there is no way for many of us to determine analytically whether we should side with you or Bill D. Which, I assure you, is an issue of compelling interest! If we decide after a fair review of the clarified issues that you are right to resent Bill, we will chastise him unmerciful. On the other hand, if we feel you are the wrong, we will heap calumny on you for being wussy or dweeby or perhaps narky and attacking him unjustly. Stand to your guns! A |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Nov 03 - 12:37 AM She also suggested what she would like for her own epitaph: "Pardon My Dust" SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: The Fooles Troupe Date: 09 Nov 03 - 12:40 AM Yes Bill, On second thoughts, I resemble that remark! Robin |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,pdc Date: 09 Nov 03 - 02:03 AM My favourite story about Dorothy Parker occurred long after her fame had ended. She lived in a hotel in New York, virtually unrecognized, anonymous, and alone, which is a sad way to end a brilliant life. She had a couple of dogs -- the "woopsie-poopsie" type of dogs that she carried on her arm everywhere she went. (You know what I mean, I hope.) The dogs weren't housetrained, and drove the staff crazy -- pooping in the halls, peeing in the elevators, etc. One day the manager called her over and pointed to a big pile in the lobby, and said reproachfully, "Mrs. Parker..." She replied, with emphasis on the first word, "I did that!" |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Peg Date: 09 Nov 03 - 02:08 AM Ignorance is bliss. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 09 Nov 03 - 09:47 AM "Edgar A. Guest Was never at his best." and neither is his ghost |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,Stilly River Sage Date: 09 Nov 03 - 11:01 PM Lot's of "Mc____" jokes on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!" today. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,E.A. Date: 10 Nov 03 - 12:58 PM Bill D, that's because you can see right through me. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: JenEllen Date: 10 Nov 03 - 03:29 PM The whole thing is ridiculous. I absolutely despise McDonalds, simply because of the poor quality of food and business and their promotion of 'immediate gratification'. I think they have consciously made it not only plausible and probable, but they have made it entirely acceptable. That and the advent of the chicken nugget will most likely be the death knell for American society, but only time will tell. However, that is not what I find so repulsive about this particular situation. I love NPR. I know that it is biased--how many employees who work at McDonalds actually know where their local NPR station IS on the dial?--but it fits a niche. I also know that the generous donation will not shave a nanosecond off of "PledgeWeek Hell", and that the friends I have that work for public radio will still cling to their shaky jobs. I enjoy the programming and will continue to support it financially. The thing that I find ridiculous about the situation is that for ME to support public radio, it is a conscious decision made that doesn't affect the welfare of my family. I don't endanger anyone by doing so. Mrs Kroc's generous donation comes at great expense to the McDonalds "Family" (for a real treat, try watching one of their 'training videos'). Money that could have been used to better the 'family' (health insurance, benefits, living wages) was given to something they will most likely never get benefit from. It leaves me with the same sort of head-shaking disregard that I get when I hear about crazy old ladies leaving enormous fortunes to their cats. It's theirs to do with as they will, but I certainly don't have to applaud the action. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Clinton Hammond Date: 10 Nov 03 - 03:47 PM "It leaves me with the same sort of head-shaking disregard that I get when I hear about crazy old ladies leaving enormous fortunes to their cats." So, you and I are kinda coming from the same place JE... Not that a paltry sum like 200 mil is gonna go very far in the McCorperation... (Calling it a 'family' has GOT to be a joke right? heh) |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: NicoleC Date: 10 Nov 03 - 04:30 PM It isn't McDonald's Corporation money that is being spent, it's her personal fortune. If Mrs. Kroc had bequeathed that money to the Corporation, I can assure you that it would not have ended up in workers' pocket or benefits. It's like suggesting that your personal bank account is the property of the company your spouse formerly worked for, which, incidently, was incorporated in 1965. There is not even a single Kroc on the Board of Directors or in any of the top executive positions. I loath McDonald's, personally, but vilifying a woman for not giving her money to a wealthy corporation seems ridiculous. McDonalds, quite frankly, if you judge from it's financial reports, can afford to pay it's workers a reasonable salary and benefits on it's own -- the blame lies with the corporation, not the founder's widow. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: JenEllen Date: 10 Nov 03 - 05:20 PM Nicole, I didn't mean to villify anyone. I stated quite frankly that the money was hers to do with as she wished. However, considering the aquitistion, I can't garner the faintest of applause for the choice. It IS her personal fortune, but how much of a fortune would it be if there weren't a McDonalds to attribute it to? And you are correct, giving it to the corporation wouldn't make a ripple, I'm sure, but a gift of that size to RonaldMcDonald Houses or even an employee scholarship fund would at least make a few of the lives that depend on the corporation better. That, in my opinion, would be worthy of the amount of praise this donation has birthed. But hey, the ol' gal is dead and there's no changing it now. Totally aside PS: Clinton, a cousin of mine who once applied for a college job there sat through 2 days of 'training films', he jokingly called them the "McKhmer Rouge Diaries". I s'pose one makes their propaganda whereve one can...*g* |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Bill D Date: 10 Nov 03 - 06:09 PM It seems to me that ANY money-- which originated in a dubious enterprise --that ends up doing some good, ought to bring some satisfaction..Now if Rupert Murdoch's personal fortune ended up in research on ocean pollution, I would applaud THAT, not Rupert Murdoch. We are just lucky that Joan Kroc was not a follower of Pat Robertson! |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: katlaughing Date: 10 Nov 03 - 08:18 PM pedant alert - there is no apostrophe in the possessive "its" |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Stilly River Sage Date: 10 Nov 03 - 09:34 PM There are layers of cash available for distribution when a large corporation and a rich individual or family are involved. The corporation gets some excellent tax breaks when they give away cash through a corporate giving program. There is, as was mentioned, the Ronald McDonald House. This seems to be their exclusive avenue for corporate dontations. The wages, profits, golden parachutes, all sorts of things, plus the revenue from stocks held or the sale of stocks can be used for wild excess or can be used to do some good. I look at this like a McArthur grant for a genious corporation--public radio. It doesn't hurt to support and reward excellence. You can always make a Dickensian arguement about the poor, and you can pour money down all sorts of black holes, or maybe you can continue to educate and motivate through public radio. In my opinion, the cash will be well spent. SRS |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: GUEST,Stilly (on the kids' computer) Date: 10 Nov 03 - 10:39 PM Oops. Genius. Great word to misspell, eh? |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: JenEllen Date: 11 Nov 03 - 12:10 PM Not to be snarky, it's an honest question---but who is getting educated and motivated by public radio? I only know local radio for certain, and it is decidedly entertainment (and biased entertainment at that). I am not making any sort of Dickensian argument, nor do I feel that scholarship money would be a black hole. I do, however, know that the "Whoopee" quotient has become way too much on our local NPR. It was a base hit and they're cheering like it's a home run. |
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Subject: RE: BS: NPR: You want fries with that pledge? From: Don Firth Date: 11 Nov 03 - 02:14 PM Well, I can't speak for NPR affiliates all over the country, but KUOW-FM, Seattle's local affiliate, is an excellent source of news and information. I wake up to "Morning Edition," and in the late afternoons I listen to "All Things Considered." Stories are presented with a reasonable amount of depth, with enough information given to allow one to get on the internet and check it further if one wishes. Discussions and features are far more informative than anything I might pick up on the evening news on television, which deals mostly with sound-bites and brief film clips, rarely going into anything in any kind of depth (to them, occupying a whole six minutes between commercial breaks with one story is an "in depth report"). KUOW's local news features are excellent also. Hour-long features covering a whole variety of topics, local, national, and international, and regular hour long discussions with the mayor, the governor, and other local officials, with an opportunity for people to call in and ask some tough questions. Although people of the more conservative persuasion complain (often without listening to it very much) that NPR is liberally biased (after all, it's public radio!), I find that it is just about the most "fair and balanced" media news available. They invite both sides of an issue to present their viewpoints, and if it's just the liberal side that chooses to participated, the interviewer often plays "devil's advocate"—to the extent that some of the more hard-charging liberals complain that the interviewer is showing a conservative bias. I've listened to some of these interviewers for years, and in most cases, I find it difficult to figure out what their personal viewpoint is. I would say that the charge that NPR is "liberally biased" is because it often reports stories and presents issues that those of the conservative persuasion would rather they not report at all. And the KUOW staff expressed their gratitude for Mrs. Kroc's bequest a few times after the initial announcement, but the last couple of days, nothing. No "crowing." Mrs. Kroc could have left her $200 million to a home for indigent cats if she had wished to, but she apparently listened to NPR with the same appreciation that I do, and she chose to express that appreciation in the manner that she did. I salute her. Don Firth |
