GOP Fails to Kill NPR Funding

PoliticsNovember 2010 • Views: 19,631

The Tea Party-driven Republican attempt to eliminate NPR’s funding has failed, and Eric Cantor is fuming.

The House on Thursday voted to move forward on legislation without voting on a proposal put forth by Republicans to defund NPR.

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), the next majority leader, said the vote demonstrates that Democrats “are still not ready to listen” following their sweeping midterm election losses.

“News organizations are free to do, say and operate on their own terms, but that doesn’t mean that taxpayers should be forced to fund them. Today’s vote was just the latest common sense YouCut to cut spending and save taxpayer dollars, and again Democrats showed that they just don’t get it.” …

Cantor indicated that such a vote could have succeeded next year with Republicans in the majority. “If the Democrat majority wants to continue to ignore the will of the people that’s their prerogative, but the new Republican majority will not follow suit next year,” he said.

“Today, good judgment prevailed as Congress rejected a move to assert government control over the content of news,” NPR said in an official statement.

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49 comments

theheat Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:13:49pm

The terrorists have won!
//

Varek Raith Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:14:17pm

Good.
Now, let's pass the S.T.A.R.T.

McSpiff Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:15:24pm

re: #2 Varek Raith

Good.
Now, let's pass the S.T.A.R.T.

But if we have inspectors in Russia, how can we claim that a new cold war is brewing?

Merryweather Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:15:37pm

Oh noes - now we're in for another 30 years of treason!!!eleventyone!!

samuraishake Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:16:44pm

Apparently Cantor believes that "compromise" is the same thing as "roll over and do everything we suggest."

An actual conversation I had with someone one time:
Him: NPR is so liberal bias
Me: Why?
Him: They don't paint America in a good light
Me: What's that mean?
Him: Blank stare
Me: Can you think of any recent NPR stories you heard to justify what you just said?
Him: Blank stare

Kragar Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:16:51pm

So even when they attempt a massive fail, they fail.

Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:17:04pm

NPR - Nazi Propaganda Rules!!!

Mad Prophet Ludwig Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:18:45pm

My rubber ducky farts in their general direction!

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:19:25pm

Patton Oswalt talks about donating to NPR.

Kragar Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:20:36pm

I can't wait until they start naming names. The witch hunts they wage against turncoats is going to be great.

theheat Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:21:55pm

. “If the Democrat majority wants to continue to ignore the will of the people that’s their prerogative, but the new Republican majority will not follow suit next year,” he said.

The will of the people? Nobody asked me, and I don't recall voting on it. When he says "will of the people," what he means is the will of a bunch of pissed off Republicans with an ax to grind because their beacon of borderline bigotry lost his job for being a dick.

They won't be happy until Fox News becomes NPR.

Varek Raith Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:22:06pm

re: #6 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

So even when they attempt a massive fail, they fail.

You fail at failing at failing, GOP!
Image: you-fail-at-failing-at-failing-fail-demotivational-poster-1228356705.gif

insanity police Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:22:50pm

First big GOP push: Eliminate jobs at NPR.

Come on Mr. Boner, that's not what you promised.

Kragar Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:22:55pm

re: #12 Varek Raith

You fail at failing at failing, GOP!

iossarian Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:22:57pm

Evil leftie gay democrats just don't get the common-sense will of the people regarding cutting spending of taxpayer dollars.

re: #11 theheat

beacon of borderline bigotry

Awesome!

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:23:06pm

I've said it before, but how cool would it be if the folks at NPR held a big press conference to say "You know what, we don't want your gov't funding anymore. You can keep that money. Now what, mutha-fuckers?"

elizajane Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:23:18pm

Suggesting that the Republicans are not in as secure a position as they think they are.

I mean, NPR? Dinky stuff. If they can't even defund NPR, what can they defund?

Merryweather Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:25:16pm

Oh, and that's Democratic majority, Cantor you dickhead.

theheat Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:25:40pm

re: #16 Slumbering Behemoth

"You know what, we don't want your gov't funding anymore. You can keep that money. Now what, mutha-fuckers?"

I was thinking the same thing listening to NPR yesterday. "You take their money, you take their shit."

JEA62 Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:26:29pm

It's only the beginning.

I guarantee you this will be a hot topic at Fox and all the conservative media for the next few months.

And you can bet if they succeed with NPR and PBS their next target will be other news outlets of which they disapprove.

The key difference between conservatives and liberals is that liberals would bitch about NPR, but they'd never try to de-fund it because they don't like the message.

Mainly because conservative give lots of lip service to the Constitution, but in truth they really hate the damn thing.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:27:33pm

They should do it. Go ahead and defund NPR, then sit back and watch as donations to NPR skyrocket.

I don't even like NPR, but this crusade to defund it is just stupid. This country has real problems it needs to tackle, and NPR sure as shit ain't one of them.

theheat Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:27:46pm

re: #20 JEA62

Mainly because conservative give lots of lip service to the Constitution, but in truth they really hate the damn thing.

That's because they spell constitution B-i-b-l-e. They have no use for that other "document."

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:29:30pm

re: #20 JEA62

The key difference between conservatives and liberals is that liberals would bitch about NPR, but they'd never try to de-fund it because they don't like the message.

Um, I lean conservative, and I don't give a shit about NPR's funding. It's a non-issue for me. Just sayin'.

Sol Berdinowitz Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:33:08pm

re: #18 Merryweather

Oh, and that's Democratic majority, Cantor you dickhead.

Why don't we start talking about the "Republic Party"?

This is an old Rushbaugh talking point that still echoes.

Gus Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:35:31pm

What a pathetic joke. The subtitle of that "Youcut" charade is "a project of the economic recovery working group." So that's how Cantor and the rest of these Republicans intend to pave the road to recovery? By attempting to cut the funding of NPR to save a total of what? Several MILLION dollars? We're not even talking billions here. And this is from the stupid Youcut website:

Terminate Taxpayer Funding of National Public Radio
Savings of Tens of Millions of Dollars (potentially in excess of a hundred million dollars)

National Public Radio's (NPR) recent decision to terminate commentator Juan Williams contract because of comments he expressed on another station have brought new found attention to NPR's receipt of taxpayer funds.

NPR receives taxpayer funding in two different ways. First, they receive direct government grants from various federal agencies, including the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Over the past two years this direct funding has totaled approximately $9 million. But NPR also receives taxpayer funds indirectly. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting makes grants to public radio stations. While some of these grants can be used for any purpose, some can only be used to acquire and produce programming. Often this programming is purchased from NPR. Indeed programming fees and dues paid by local public radio stations to NPR accounts for approximately 40% of NPR's budget or about $65 million last year. A portion of these funds were originally federal tax dollars provided to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to the local public radio stations...

Look at those numbers as I mentioned earlier. It's chump change in terms of Federal spending for any and all programs.

Eric Cantor is a fool. The Republican Party has turned into a pathetic caricature of itself. Take your NPR cuts and Juan Williams and shove it!

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:36:47pm

re: #24 ralphieboy

Go for it. I'm surprised that anyone really gets cranky over "Democrat party" when it's such an obvious and childish ploy to get your goat.

Merryweather Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:42:24pm

re: #24 ralphieboy

Why don't we start talking about the "Republic Party"?

This is an old Rushbaugh talking point that still echoes.

Hell, if I were feeling really childish, I'd leave out the L and make it 'Repubic Party', as they emphasize the 'rat' in Democrat.

But seriously, elected officials engaging in this petty, playground-style nonsense is pathetic.

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:46:40pm

re: #27 Merryweather

Hell, if I were feeling really childish, I'd leave out the L and make it 'Repubic Party'...

On days when I feel like spiking my blood pressure, I sometimes listen to that epithet spewing howler monkey Mark Levin. He uses the term "Repubican" a lot.

Our Precious Bodily Fluids Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:47:26pm

re: #9 Slumbering Behemoth

That bit is so dead-on about the scream singing story.

That said, my local NPR affiliate has been known to use Zappa (usually "Peaches en Regalia" or "Sleep Dirt"),
Steve Vai (have heard "Call It Sleep" and "Juice", the latter of which is a barn burner for sure), Al DiMeola ("Race With the Devil"), lots of MC 900 Foot Jesus, Eno, etc.

Kenny G, not so much.

RadicalModerate Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:49:09pm

re: #26 Slumbering Behemoth

Go for it. I'm surprised that anyone really gets cranky over "Democrat party" when it's such an obvious and childish ploy to get your goat.

First, its the damn House Majority Leader who is pulling this "obvious and childish ploy", not just some right-wing "talking head".

Second, said ploy was designed to minimize and dehumanize Democrats. It was originally used to the same effect by Sen. Joe McCarthy back in the 50s.

[Link: www.npr.org...]

The real sting in the use of Democrat as an adjective goes back to the virulent anti-Communist Wisconsin Republican, Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

"Back in the 1950s, Joe McCarthy and his entourage began using Democrat Party and explaining by way of saying they didn't think the Dems really represented democratic ideas, etc. and should not be allowed to call themselves democratic," said Elving. "Most news organizations quoted his usage but did not adopt it."

Fred72 Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:49:49pm

The thing is... I listen to NPR regularly, and their news coverage is mind-numbingly NEUTRAL. I often find myself actually wanting the presenters to insert a little more opinion into things. But the right-wing echo chamber seems to promote the idea that NPR's somewhere between Air America and Cuban radio.

There are plenty of sites that point out egregious examples of bias on the major outlets on both sides, but googling "NPR bias" doesn't immediately show anything (although perhaps I've missed something -- pointers are welcome). Indeed, most of the articles that come up on said search are actually about the right wing's perception of NPR bias.

But yeah, when one of your first actions when taking office is an attempt to silence the media, it's pretty chilling. When you ever hear phrases that begin with "I don't believe in government censorship, BUT...", listen carefully, and be paranoid.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:50:07pm

Jeez, Eric! Be a CANtor, not a CAN'TOR!

Oh, dumbass populism, love it

Nick Schroeder Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:50:10pm

This is just a preview of what the next two years are going to look like. Instead of actually doing something substantive which might, say, help the economy, or middle class Americans, we're just going to see an avalanche of hyper-partisan bullshit that will be crushed or stalled in the Senate.

Nice going, America. At a time when it's imperative that the government, even with ideological friction, continues to function, we've effectively put the House in a straight jacket. The country pretty much deserves whatever happens as a result of this.

offensive_username Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:51:48pm

“Today, good judgment prevailed as Congress rejected a move to assert government control over the content of news,” NPR said in an official statement.

Anyone have anything to say about this?

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:52:28pm

re: #28 Slumbering Behemoth

On days when I feel like spiking my blood pressure, I sometimes listen to that epithet spewing howler monkey Mark Levin. He uses the term "Repubican" a lot.

I turned on his show in the car and he was in mid-scream, it wa sin the middle of the sentence and all i heard was -COMMIES AND THE SOCIALISTS WOULDN"T EVEN ACCEPT THIS PROFLIGATE-" and then i just started laughing and I didn't catch what he said next, he really is trying to out Savage Savage

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:53:31pm

re: #30 RadicalModerate

You want to let it get your goat, fine. Also, go ahead and start calling the GOP the "Republic Party". I just can't be arsed to get upset about either.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:53:34pm

re: #33 Nick Schroeder

This is just a preview of what the next two years are going to look like. Instead of actually doing something substantive which might, say, help the economy, or middle class Americans, we're just going to see an avalanche of hyper-partisan bullshit that will be crushed or stalled in the Senate.

Nice going, America. At a time when it's imperative that the government, even with ideological friction, continues to function, we've effectively put the House in a straight jacket. The country pretty much deserves whatever happens as a result of this.

Two years of stunts.

I'm sorta looking forward to the stunts! But then again, I'm not unemployed :P

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:57:40pm

re: #35 WindUpBird

The guy is a fucking mental case. I just can't take anyone seriously on any matter when they constantly use so many childish epithets.

One time, he crammed two into the mix by referring to someone as: "Mr. Ed" Edward "Lardass" [whatever his last name was].

Oh, but Mark is a constitutional lawyer, so I suppose his opinion should be held in high regard.
*spit*

RadicalModerate Thu, Nov 18, 2010 1:59:59pm

re: #36 Slumbering Behemoth

You want to let it get your goat, fine. Also, go ahead and start calling the GOP the "Republic Party". I just can't be arsed to get upset about either.

So, I'd guess that you're cool with his using the same propoganda tools that have proved to be so effective by opressive nationalist groups for the past century or so. After all, if you disagree, we know that you aren't a true patriotic American.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:01:09pm

re: #38 Slumbering Behemoth

The guy is a fucking mental case. I just can't take anyone seriously on any matter when they constantly use so many childish epithets.

One time, he crammed two into the mix by referring to someone as: "Mr. Ed" Edward "Lardass" [whatever his last name was].

Oh, but Mark is a constitutional lawyer, so I suppose his opinion should be held in high regard.
*spit*

Yeah, it's like Savage, but Savage is smart and clever and a great broadcaster. Savage has done hours on restaurants and stuff, just making radio off the top of his head. Levin likely has three producers doing research for him, just doing all the work for him. Levin is like Savage with no skills, so he just makes up for it with yelling. he's the bad cover band in the bar doing Michael Savage's material :P

(bad radio offends me on a visceral level, right or left. Limbaugh drives me crazy, but I can't fault the guy's broadcasting skills, he created an entire genre of radio singlehandedly)

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:02:26pm

re: #39 RadicalModerate

So, I'd guess that you're cool with his using the same propoganda tools that have proved to be so effective by opressive nationalist groups for the past century or so. After all, if you disagree, we know that you aren't a true patriotic American.

Yeah, that's it exactly.
/

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:05:38pm

re: #39 RadicalModerate

So, I'd guess that you're cool with his using the same propoganda tools that have proved to be so effective by opressive nationalist groups for the past century or so. After all, if you disagree, we know that you aren't a true patriotic American.

I get pissed at the Democrat Party thing, but mostly in the sense of writing anyone who uses "democrat party" out of my book of people who act their age. :D I mean, of course the talkers and the pundits do that, but they're all rodeo clowns, so who cares? Bill O'Reilly is inciting violence, who cares what he calls the Democrats. Some radio guy calls Dems "demon-rats" which I think is HILARIOUS. Sweet, we're skaven? Where's my tattered standard made of bones?

But when actual politicians do it, it's like "Really? Are you going to show me your play-doh sculptures next?" It's irritating like the drunk at the bar making fun of the karaoke. I'm embarrassed for the drunk, because he doesn't know how weak his sauce is. it's the same sort of embarrassment when politicians dance. NEVER DANCE. NONE OF YOU SHOULD DANCE.

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:06:10pm

re: #42 WindUpBird

*writing anyone in office, rather

WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.] Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:06:44pm

(i mean it, they really shouldn't dance)

webevintage Thu, Nov 18, 2010 2:17:33pm

re: #9 Slumbering Behemoth

Patton Oswalt talks about donating to NPR.

I love him.
He is one of the funniest (and smart) guys out there....

Spocomptonite Thu, Nov 18, 2010 3:19:09pm

This is a perfect example of how the Republican party has NO IDEA what's in the constitution. Seriously, first ACORN, now NPR; what part of the constitutional prohibition against bill of attainders do they not understand?

In the case of ACORN, there was grounds to do something. And by something, I mean a non-partisan investigation and resultant ruling based upon evidence found in said investigation by the judicial branch of government. NOT have the legislative branch of government dole out punishment without a trial through making a law against them, and only them.

In the case of NPR, they've lost all pretense. NPR did nothing that was even remotely illegal, but because they fired someone supportive of their political ideology, Republicans are going to ensure that their own twisted definition of justice is served. Do something to cross the Republican party? Then expect to see your name/organization in the next piece of legislation they craft. Who cares that our Constitution was founded upon making sure this exact thing never happened?

Basho Thu, Nov 18, 2010 5:34:18pm

God this is stupid. What's next? Conservatives telling libraries what they can't have on their shelves? Oh wait, they've been doing that.

simoom Fri, Nov 19, 2010 1:49:30am

The most disingenuous part of this whole thing is the Juan Williams firing being the supposed impetus behind the campaign to defund NPR. I mean, now he's some sort of big RW martyr, but it wasn't that long ago that Fox & RW blog comment sections would respond to Williams appearances expressing their dislike for him, calling his arguments and positions idiotic, and hoping FNC would wisen up and fire him.

I really wonder what Juan thinks of his newfound RW love.

HappyWarrior Fri, Nov 19, 2010 6:59:40am

I am so glad Representive Cantor and the House GOP care about real issues like the economy, climate change, and defunding the menace that is NPR. Seriously Cantor, this is just stupid crap and we all know it. Cut the crap and stop acting like a party hack. Pisses me off that this asshole can get away with this kind of grandstanding since he's in one of the most solidly republican districts in all of Virginia.

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