Using Big Bird for political gain was the lowest i have ever seen any body go. Come on Obama. If you want Americans to believe anything you say, you need to be one of us. Apparently you are unable to comply because deep down your dream is not our dream. I am going to have to work through that one because neither schmuk running has said very little we the people really want or need to hear. it is time to put up or shut up.

President Obama will be so disappointed when he reads this.

I believe it was Mitt Romney that first mentioned Big Bird not Obama...Romney said he was getting rid of public TV altho he too liked Big Bird...which made no sense IMO...who cares if he likes Big Bird, and why bring it up in a debate...

buck:So what i think you are saying is that nothing is out of bounds for political football? i couldnt care less what Obama thinks. Do you ACTUALLY think obama or any of his cronies reads this?? Or is it a cleaver way to insult my post? i really hope it is the latter. the use of big bird in a slander ad against the republicans without PBS permission is, i thought, illegal. i am pretty sure the PBS poeple are neutral and i belierve they asked the democrats to pull the ad. I mean using Big Bird. Cmon!! at least steal something not so innoocent....like darth vader.

[This message has been edited by chris a peterson (10/14/2012)]

Eliminating funding for PBS and NPR would fund six hours of the defense of the budget as it stands now. Probably three hours if the Republicans get their way. Killing Big Bird (who only symbolizes the entire effort) will have no discernible effect on the federal deficit but Republicans LOVE threatening PBS and NPR. I have no idea why. I guess they don't like quality television and radio.

On Splendid Table this morning on NPR were some delicious-sounding suggestions for using up apple butter. Maybe Republicans hate apple butter.

We can't afford to keep borrowing money from China or any other country.

We can't afford to keep borrowing money from China or any other country.

I agree.

So let's quit all of the unfunded wars against Islamic literalists. In comparison funding big bird is hardly even moisture in the bucket let alone a drop. That is what is so fricking stupid about this election is we can't discuss cutting those things that would really make a difference. BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW!!!

I agree with both sides. Richard, well said. To worry about the funding of big bird is just fowl. However, to worry about the lack of free press in America is a story. and ironically, PBS is one of the last places reporting "news".

Using Big Bird to represent the cuts Romney wants to make is no more absurd than using the term "Obamacare". It isn't Obamacare, it's the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but someone has tagged it Obamacare, and it stuck. Romney continued the line to dig at the President, and the President admitted in the debate he didn't mind.

Romney is the one that has continued to say he will cut out Big Bird. Let's call that the "Romney Education Plan" - Eliminating anything educational that will give the illusion of saving money.

Obamas new add?

I was going to post something here, but I think howdy, Richard, Amorette, and Cory covered all the salient points, so why bother?

Chris, although PBS plays the neutrality card, why would anyone involved in bringing public broadcasting to our communities be in favor of the Republican agenda, which would eliminate these stations and replace them with Christian radio and FOX News?

Stone, I respectfully disagree. I listen to NPR every morning, and they do a fantastic job of staying neutral and giving each party their fair share of air time. One could claim that they do not enough for third parties, but since third parties currently poll at less than 5%, they are due a requisite amount of air time, true?

Gunnar, I agree that's why I said they are the last ones reporting the news. Or maybe it is BBC that is reporting the news and PBS is just airing it.

Seseme Street and other shows according to Fox News are brain washing our kids. Remember when Falwell worried that the Telletubbies (spell?) were gay. And Mr. Rogers had to explain to Congress why his program was a positive influenc. You can thank, Montana's Pat Williams way back when for saving funding for public broadcasting.