NPR Commentary.

[JohnnyEgo]

I listen to NPR. I am aware that it makes me the devil to many here, but I don't care. I like knowing what the bias is, and I think they try harder to play against it. They had an interesting commentary on the AR-15 this evening on 'All Things Considered'. They had a former member of the ATF comment on why someone would want to own the rifle. Excusing the 'Rambo Effect' comment, he did a reasonably good job of explaining why it is the most popular rifle in America. He primarily cited the configurability for just about any purpose.

What irritated me was the incredulous tone as to why someone would wish to own such a rifle from the reporter. That seems to be the tone for the entirety of the news media these days. This is the email that I chose to respond with:

I listened to Melissa Block's interview with Malcolm Brady, formerly of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, where they discussed the popularity of the AR-15. While I thought Mr. Brady did a decent job of explaining why the AR15 is America's most popular rifle in terms of customization and function, I have a suggestion: Why not ask actual owners of these firearms why they own them? I also have a resource: your listener base.

Given the number of guns in circulation in the US, consider that the audience for NPR is likely to include millions of gun owners, many of whom own the most popular rifle in America. As one of that group, and a parent of a toddler, I can assure you that we feel the tragedy of this event just as deeply as those who do not choose to own a firearm. In addition, we face the constant implication that no good, law abiding citizen has a reason to own these rifles that we so enjoy, and that they serve no 'sporting purpose'. Instead of disenfranchising the millions of AR-15 owners in this country from the dialog, why not ask us why we choose to own these rifles, and how we think they may be kept out of the wrong hands? It shouldn't be that hard to find us. Just ask your audience.

It will likely not make it past the waste bin, but I gave it a try.

[blacklabel]

I think that's a great reply. It did a very good job of highlighting an issue with their reporting without being accusational. I listen to NPR as well so you're not alone there.

[Goodburbon]

I also listen to NPR. It's easy to spot the bias in the questions, the general direction of the investigation, the language used.


Just had a conversation with a co-worker from California who thought that NPR was the most unbiased network.

[PSS]

I listen tho NPR. Has decent world news coverage. The liberal slant is definitely there.

[wctriumph]

I too listen to NPR and they have become quite a bit more center than the hard left that they used to be. They are still left though, especially when they invite guests on and I feel that they try to choose their counterpoint guests that will be a centrist and non-offensive.

[Zigfried]

I heard the interview also while driving this PM. I got the "incredulity" of Ms Block also. People are frustrated so of course its easy to blame the instrumentality instead of the society that created the beast that used it. Or do they really care?

I heard another news item on NPR earlier that puzzled me. After an "interview" bemoaning gun violence in America and how we can end it with more laws, there was a story about 10 children blown up in Afghanistan while playing. No story about the poor parents, no "oh my how terrible, how could we (as participants in the warfare) allow this to happen?" Just a brief matter of fact story about ten young kids blown to bits in the blink of an eye. To bad, so sad! I'm thinking do these people in LA, DC and NYC, i.e., NPR, really care about innocent children being killed or are school shootings just good ratings?

[Bailey Guns]

I wouldn't want to own one.

[hatidua]

The thing that most recently irritated me about NPR was Kai Risdahl (SP?), host of Marketplace (business news), getting in on the anti-gun thing. Does the anti-gun banter need to permeate even the Wall St. numbers?!

[flan7211]

I love the human interest stories but I grow tired of All things considered and Democracy Now.

[stevelkinevil]

I love the human interest stories but I grow tired of All things considered and Democracy Now.

Just that name "democracy now" irritates the crap outta me. WE ARE NOT A DEMOCRACY! we are a Republic! freakin idiot libtards. (sorry HUGE pet peeve of mine)