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Title: Mark Steyn: Will Big Bird ever leave the government nest?
Source:
The Orange County Register
URL Source: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/big-373719-bird-mitt.html
Published: Oct 5, 2012
Author: Mark Steyn
Post Date: 2012-10-05 22:37:43 by Abcdefg
Keywords: None
Views: 10566
Comments: 26
That's what Mitt did in Denver. Ten minutes in, he jumped right on Big Bird, and then he took off – and never looked back, while the other fellow, whose name escapes me, never got out of the gate. It takes a certain panache to clobber not just your opponent but also the moderator. Yet that's what the killer Mormon did when he declared that he wasn't going to borrow money from China to pay for Jim Lehrer and Big Bird on PBS. It was a terrific alpha-male moment, not just in that it rattled Lehrer, who seemed too preoccupied contemplating a future reading the hog prices on the WZZZ Farm Report to regain his grip on the usual absurd format, but in the sense that it indicated a man entirely at ease with himself – in contrast to wossname, the listless sourpuss staring at his shoes. Yet, amidst the otherwise total wreckage of their guy's performance, the Democrats seemed to think that Mitt's assault on Sesame Street was a misstep from whose tattered and ruined puppet-stuffing some hay is to be made. "WOW!!! No PBS!!! WTF how about cutting congress's stuff leave big bird alone," tweeted Whoopi Goldberg. Even the president mocked Romney for "finally getting tough on Big Bird" – not in the debate, of course, where such dazzling twinkle-toed repartee might have helped, but a mere 24 hours later, once the rapid-response team had directed his speechwriters to craft a line, fly it out to a campaign rally and load it into the prompter, he did deliver it without mishap. Unlike Mitt, I loathe Sesame Street. It bears primary responsibility for what the Canadian blogger Binky calls the de-monsterization of childhood – the idea that there are no evil monsters out there at the edges of the map, just shaggy creatures who look a little funny and can sometimes be a bit grouchy about it because people prejudge them until they learn to celebrate diversity and help Cranky the Friendly Monster go recycling. That is not unrelated to the infantilization of our society. Marinate three generations of Americans in that pabulum, and it's no surprise you wind up with unprotected diplomats dragged to their deaths from their "safe house" in Benghazi. Or as J. Scott Gration, the president's Special Envoy to Sudan, said in 2009, in the most explicit Sesamization of American foreign policy: "We've got to think about giving out cookies. Kids, countries – they react to gold stars, smiley faces, handshakes." The butchers of Darfur aren't blood-drenched machete-wielding genocidal killers but just Cookie Monsters whom we haven't given enough cookies. I'm not saying there's a direct line between Bert & Ernie and Barack & Hillary ... well, actually, I am. Okay, I may be taking this further than Mitt intended. So let's go back to his central thrust. The Corporation of Public Broadcasting receives nearly half-a-billion dollars a year from taxpayers, which it disburses to PBS stations, who, in turn, disburse it to Big Bird and Jim Lehrer. I don't know what Big Bird gets, but, according to Sen. Jim DeMint, the President of Sesame Workshop, Gary Knell, received in 2008 a salary of $956,513. In that sense, Big Bird and Sen. Harry Reid embody the same mystifying phenomenon: they've been in "public service" their entire lives and have somehow wound up as multimillionaires. Mitt's decision to strap Big Bird to the roof of his station wagon and drive him to Canada has prompted two counter-arguments from Democrats: 1) half a billion dollars is a mere rounding error in the great sucking maw of the federal budget, so why bother? 2) everybody loves Sesame Street, so Mitt is making a catastrophic strategic error. On the latter point, whether or not everybody loves Sesame Street, everybody has seen it, and every American under 50 has been weaned on it. So far this century it's sold nigh on a billion bucks' worth of merchandising sales (that's popular toys such as the Subsidize-Me-Elmo doll). If Sesame Street is not commercially viable, then nothing is, and we should just cut to the chase and bail out everything. Conversely, if this supposed "public" broadcasting brand is capable on standing on its own, then so should it. As for the rest of PBS's output – the eternal replays of the Peter, Paul & Mary reunion concert, twee Brit sitcoms, Lawrence Welk reruns and therapeutic infomercials – whatever their charms, it is difficult to see why the Brokest Nation in History should be borrowing money from the Chinese Politburo to pay for it. A system by which a Communist Party official in Beijing enriches British comedy producers by charging it to American taxpayers with interest is not the most obvious economic model. Yet, as Obama would say, the government did build that. (Full disclosure: Some years ago, I hosted a lavish BBC special, and, at the meeting intended to sell it to PBS, the executive from "Great Performances" said he could only sign off on the deal if I were digitally edited out and replaced by Angela Lansbury. Murder, he shrieked. Lest I sound bitter, I should say I am in favor of this as a more general operating principle for public broadcasting: for example, "A Prairie Home Companion" would be greatly improved by having Garrison Keillor digitally replaced by Paul Ryan.) The small things are not unimportant – and not just because, when "small" is defined as anything under 11 figures, "small" is a big part of the problem. If Americans can't muster the will to make Big Bird leave the government nest, they certainly will never reform Medicare. Just before the debate in Denver, in the general backstage melée, a commentator pointed out Valerie Jarrett, who is officially "Assistant to the President for Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs," a vital position which certainly stimulates the luxury-length business-card industry. Not one in 100,000 Americans knows what she looks like, but she declines to take the risk of passing among the rude peasantry without the protection of a Secret Service detail. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has a private jet to fly him home from Washington every weekend. The Queen of the Netherlands flies commercial, so does the Queen of Denmark. Prince William and his lovely bride, whom at least as many people want to get a piece of as Valerie Jarrett or Leon Panetta, flew to Los Angeles on a Royal Canadian Air Force boneshaker. It is profoundly unrepublican when minor public officials assume that private planes and entourages to hold the masses at bay are a standard perk of office. And it is even more disturbing that tens of millions of Americans are accepting of this. The entitlements are complicated, and will take some years and much negotiation. But, in a Romney administration, rolling back the nickel'n'dime stuff – ie, the million'n'billion stuff – should start on Day One. Mitt made much of his bipartisan credentials in Denver. So, in that reach-across-the-aisle spirit, if we cannot abolish entirely frivolous spending, might we not at least attempt some economies of scale? Could Elmo, Grover, Oscar and Cookie Monster not be redeployed as Intergovernmental Engagement Assistant Jarrett's security detail? Could Leon Panetta not fly home on Big Bird every weekend? And for the next debate, instead of a candidate slumped at the lectern like a muppet whose puppeteer has gone out for a smoke, maybe Elmo's guy could shove his arm up the back of the presidential suit.
Mark Steyn: Will Big Bird ever leave the government nest?
If Sesame Street is not commercially viable, then nothing is, and we should just cut to the chase and bail out everything.
Apparently, Frank Sinatra served as Mitt Romney's debate coach. As he put it about halfway through "That's Life":
"I'd jump right on a big bird and then I'd fly ... ."
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#1. To: Abcdefg (#0)
Trivia question... What is the origin of Bert's and Ernie's names?
Fred, do you agree that the Federal taxpayer has no need to subsidize PBS, which could survive just fine without our $450 Million per year? State-run broadcasting outfits are not something that makes sense in a free market capitalist system, and Big Guv'ment needn't choose winners and losers in the marketplace of ideas. Regards...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, PBS is a national treasure, and Big Bird is our golden — um, whatever kind of bird he is. You chase the mole hills when the mountains blind you.
So pray tell, just where is this free market system you'all are always talking about?
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
It's located squarely beneath the steel-toed boot of the Federal Leviathan...do you agree that the Federal taxpayer has no need to subsidize PBS, which could survive just fine without our $450 Million per year?
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, It's a Wonderful Life?
The bigger question is when will the Republican faithful leave the big government nest, i.e., the Republican party. Answer - never, because for all of their bitching, it is apparent to anyone paying attention that the Republican faithful are as enamored of big government as their Democrat counter parts. If they weren't Mitt Robamny wouldn't be the candidate.
Correctamundo! I just learned that trivia a few weeks ago from a friend.
I wasn't sure if that was the answer or not. I remember my daughter and I getting a good laugh out of the Burt and Ernie characters one Christmas while watching it. I always wondered if it was a coincidence or not. Now I know that it wasn't.
Mark Levin has made a public offer to purchase PBS with Big Bird and Barney. Did it on his radio show within the last 2 - 3 days.
Pathetic little jewish fag wanting to buy a piece of the purple 'Barney's' ass...no surprise. It is no secret the levin and drudge used to have a 'thing'...
It is not easy reconstructing 'molded minds'...
LOL! According to whom.........daily kos? Why doncha tell him that to his face.
Levin has had heart problems in the past. We wouldn't want Brian S to give him a coronary, would we?
We wouldn't want Brian S to give him a coronary, would we? From what, laughing??
Choosing and voting for a presidential candidate is like picking which STD you want to suffer from….
I see that the RAT-Messiah has rung up almost $6 Trillion in National Debt in less than four years...the only way to start cutting back that mountain is to stop funding those line items that have no justification for being financed by the Federal Leviathan. Federally-financed Public Broadcasting is outdated and was never constitutionally-justified...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, I enjoy Public Broadcasting when I'm in the car and some days and evenings on TV. I used to think like you about a dozen years ago and I've now seen the light. It's a gnat's ass when compared to the rest of the government spending. Mittens is going to fire Big Bird? What a hoot.
"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." ~Senator Everett Dirksen He invented Rap. I used to listen to his records when I was a kid.
Obama's watch stopped on 24 May 2008, but he's been too busy smoking crack to notice.
If the National Historic Trust can get off the gov't budget so can PBS. They are thriving on donations and investments.
"Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.) Psalm 139:16
"A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." ~Senator Everett Dirksen I would not have expected any better from someone who spends his time dodging piles of horseshit at the race tracks. That is the mindset of those who are bankrupting this nation today, and fred is among those too fking stupid to understand. Fred! It's not the amount, it's the principle! But I doubt you will ever comprehend it. 'It is not the amount, Colonel, that I complain of; it is the principle. In the first place, the government ought to have in the Treasury no more than enough for its legitimate purposes. But that has nothing to do with the question. The power of collecting and disbursing money at pleasure is the most dangerous power that can be intrusted to man, particularly under our system of collecting revenue by a tariff, which reaches every man in the country, no matter how poor he may be, and the poorer he is the more he pays in proportion to his means." "A friend will calm you down when you are angry, but a best friend will skip beside you with a baseball bat singing, "someone's gonna get it"
Fine...you can still listen to your LeftWing propoganda, but only if the market supports it. No need whatsoever for the Federal Leviathan to subsidize/control media outlets like NPR and PBS, but that doesn't mean the stations will disappear, they'll just be financed differently. As a Lefty, would you support taxpayer financing Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck? Of course not, nor would they seek such financing (I would hope)...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, Between them they have how many viewers and listeners 50-60 million or more on a daily basis, there is no need for handouts.... On the other hand you can probably count the Leftard propaganda listens on both hands and one foot, hence the need for massive taxpayer support... If taxpayer support for "ALL" Leftard programs was ever cut they would lose all their power... No more money for just being a shill, no more money to bribe people, no more money for BS lawsuits, the list is endless ... Leftardism would disappear from the landscape of this country, because without stolen money they are irrelevant, they couldn't survive and the message would die!!!
“We have four boxes with which to defend our freedom: the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box.”
Fred freely participates as a customer in a multibillion dollar industry, where the good memory and handicapping skills needed evidently are beyond your paygrade. So has Badeye paid you yet? If you don't want to contribute to the public good, STAY OFF MY FREEWAYS.
Almost every country in the Middle East is awash in oil, and we have to side with the one that has nothing but joos. Goddamn, that was good thinkin'. Esso posted on 2012-01-13 7:37:56 ET
The Federal Leviathan has built itself up by creating more and more Americans who are dependent upon DeeCee largesse and repeatedly support those candidates who promise evermore freebies. Romney ain't the rightwing ideologue I'd prefer, but he's a dramatic improvement over the last 3.5 years of ObamaROT...MUD
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, I don't give a big hairy rats ass about the 'public good' when taxpayers money is appropreated to fund shiftless welfare whores (present company excepted), or grants for idiotic monstrocities called 'art', or assinine characters for childrens TV shows. As 'Mudboy Slim' said to another mindless, stupid poster like you, "how is that "free" Obama-phone working out for you?" Because, even if you don't support Obama, you sure do love living by his, and his first whores, idealology, someone has to give up a piece of their pie for you. Like I said, I don't give a rats ass about you, or fred, or Obama, or the public good, I do however care about me and my family and their future, not the streets you happen to be working.
"A friend will calm you down when you are angry, but a best friend will skip beside you with a baseball bat singing, "someone's gonna get it"
"Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, heh..heh..heh....perfect!
"A friend will calm you down when you are angry, but a best friend will skip beside you with a baseball bat singing, "someone's gonna get it"
#2. To: Fred Mertz (#1)
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#3. To: Mudboy Slim (#2)
“Over the course of a year, 91 percent of all U.S. television households tune in to their local PBS station. In fact, our service is watched by 81 percent of all children between the ages of 2-8. Each day, the American public receives an enduring and daily return on investment that is heard, seen, read and experienced in public media broadcasts, apps, podcasts and online — all for the cost of about $1.35 per person per year.”
#4. To: Mudboy Slim (#2)
Fred, do you agree that the Federal taxpayer has no need to subsidize PBS, which could survive just fine without our $450 Million per year? State-run broadcasting outfits are not something that makes sense in a free market capitalist system, and Big Guv'ment needn't choose winners and losers in the marketplace of ideas.
#5. To: mininggold (#4)
"So pray tell, just where is this free market system you'all are always talking about?"
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#6. To: Fred Mertz (#1)
What is the origin of Bert's and Ernie's names?
#7. To: Abcdefg (#0)
#8. To: Fibr Dog (#6)
It's a Wonderful Life?
#9. To: Fred Mertz (#8)
Correctamundo! I just learned that trivia a few weeks ago from a friend.
#10. To: Abcdefg (#0)
#11. To: rowdee (#10)
#12. To: Brian S (#11)
#13. To: rowdee (#12)
Why doncha tell him that to his face.
#14. To: Fred Mertz (#13)
Levin has had heart problems in the past.
#15. To: Fred Mertz (#3)
"You chase the mole hills..."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#16. To: Mudboy Slim (#15)
#17. To: Fred Mertz (#16)
(Edited)
It's a gnat's ass when compared to the rest of the government spending.
"We (government) need to do a lot less, a lot sooner" ~Ron Paul
#18. To: Abcdefg (#0)
#19. To: hondo68, Fred Mertz (#17)
Fred: "It's a gnat's ass when compared to the rest of the government spending."
#20. To: Fred Mertz (#16)
"I enjoy Public Broadcasting when I'm in the car and some days and evenings on TV."
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#21. To: Mudboy Slim (#20)
Of course not, nor would they seek such financing (I would hope)...MUD
#22. To: Murron, Fred Mertz (#19)
I would not have expected any better from someone who spends his time dodging piles of horseshit at the race tracks. That is the mindset of those who are bankrupting this nation today, and fred is among those too fking stupid to understand.
#23. To: CZ82 (#21)
"If taxpayer support for "ALL" Leftard programs was ever cut they would lose all their power... No more money for just being a shill, no more money to bribe people, no more money for BS lawsuits, the list is endless ... Leftardism would disappear from the landscape of this country, because without stolen money they are irrelevant, they couldn't survive and the message would die!!!"
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#24. To: mininggold, Mudboy Slim (#22)
"If you don't want to contribute to the public good"
#25. To: All, domer (#23)
Big Bird doesn't need the Federal Leviathan's largesse...take this, Obama...
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#26. To: Mudboy Slim, domer (#25)
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