This is my impression also. Usually pretty far left, progressive opinion disguised as "news" for the limousine liberals to lap up. Hey, but if they are changing that is good news.
Heard on NPR -- NPR Gets it Right Again! (Merged)
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This is very true, and it depends on the local NPR affiliate. A few of the affiliates run 'Democracy Now' (often late at night) which is almost the liberal equivalent of Rush Limbaugh, complete with conspiracy theories. But most of the affiliates run mid-day shows that are leftish, but strive for balance (Diane Rehm, Here and Now).
Morning Edition and All Things Considered, the official NPR flagship hard news shows, are, to my mind, the best place to get detailed daily news. This particular bit was from All Things Considered. Someone should send Karen Grigsby Bates a note thanking her for giving a respectful presentation of gun-owners, especially at a time when the rest of the media only portrays us as looking for an excuse to storm the White House gates with our black rifles.
Deanimator
Member
During the Waco standoff, an "interviewer" for NPR ("All Things Considered"?) asked Robert K. Brown, the editor of "Soldier of Fortune" magazine if the Branch Davidians could have "stolen nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union".
There was a pause during which you could HEAR Brown's eyes rolling, followed by the sarcastic reply, "Yeah, I guess."
That sums up my impression of NPR and their "balanced reporting" on gun control issues.
There was a pause during which you could HEAR Brown's eyes rolling, followed by the sarcastic reply, "Yeah, I guess."
That sums up my impression of NPR and their "balanced reporting" on gun control issues.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
While that is funny as all heck, I don't actually see how it reflects anything about gun control issues or balanced reporting of same.
Do you have a link for that? I gotta hear it.
Deanimator
Member
No, I heard it in the office at work during the siege. It was an amazing display of credulity on the part of a "journalist".
I don't know if they have a recording of it. I kind of doubt it, because the last time I checked, there's a transcript but no recording of their story on how the Chicago Lodge of the FOP thought cops convicted of domestic violence should be able to possess and carry guns, and that was in '96.
Deanimator
Member
The underlying basis of the Waco siege was supposed NFA violations.
No allegations => no confrontation => no siege => no NPR story.
It demonstrates the stunning lack of professionalism regarding gun control matters at the NPR of the time. Remember my comment about their week long series on the 2nd Amendment which had a shotgunner willing to give up his shotguns as the "pro-gun" spokesman on the first day.
I GUARANTEE you that they never would have used Alexander Solzhenitsyn as a "pro-Soviet" spokesman.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Ahhh.
yokel
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As a matter of habit, I listen to NPR nearly every morning, including to Scott Simon’s “Weekend Edition” program on Saturday mornings. However, like most habits, it is not a good one, leading almost inevitably to feelings of anger, sadness and regret for time ill-spent.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
While neither the point of this thread nor the point of this Forum is to host a review of the general programming of any broadcasting agency, including NPR, I'd have to say two things regarding post 34:
1) I also listen frequently and can't imagine coming away from the experience feeling like that with any regularity; and,
2) If I did, I'd for sure 'nuff quit it!
1) I also listen frequently and can't imagine coming away from the experience feeling like that with any regularity; and,
2) If I did, I'd for sure 'nuff quit it!
At least you can hear real meaningful news on NPR and BBC though with BBC it IS all shamelessly anti gun and I have been of late calling it Muslim World News...
No you wouldn't. Nor would very liberal people. NPR tends to invite moderates from both sides to have a friendly discussion - a news source for the middle.
JohnhenrySTL
Member
I indulge in NPR often. As a rule of thumb, even in passing, they bash gun ownership. I still listen to it. I find it deeper than most radio talk. My favorite gun related program on there was an interview with the guy who wrote "Gun Guys." I liked the book to an extent, but my attention was glued to the NPR interview. I thought he very accordingly handled some tough questions. I was proud. I will certainly check out this story. I only caught the end of it with the anti from Boston.
barnbwt
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The supposed 'balance' of NPR is merely a result of their measured tone, compared to cable news. The selection bias of their story selection is if anything worse than outlets like CNN, which still largely report on the same stories as the competition. I listen to NPR regularly, and aside from the hourly news summary, the topics are almost universally limited to liberal grievance issues (LGBT, racism, poverty, illegal immigrants, the environment, and not infrequently gun control) that are rarely something anyone would call news stories important enough for everyone to know. But they don't yell when telling us we have no right to assault weapons or self defense, so they seem more rational than Piers Morgan (instead, they do that stupid NPR fake-improv-pause nonsense to sound like they aren't reading a script)
TCB
TCB
Deanimator
Member
They DEFINITELY start with a point of view. It was VERY obvious in their recent shows on gun control.
They treat the right to self-defense and to bear arms the way they'd treat a claim that Elvis was still alive: with polite disdain.
You obviously didn't read or listen to the story that started this thread.
Deanimator
Member
I just listen to NPR... and have done so since they came into existence.
Well in this particular story they treated purchasing a gun as the logical response to an attempted break-in.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
NPR just did a piece on the TX open carry right now (6:00 pm). Was completely "non biased" -- oh... except there were NO voices of anti gunners at all. In fact, there were NO voices of any Texans who own guns but don't carry! Only pro-OC and anti-OC gun CARRIERS were interviewed at all. I wonder if Josh Sugarman and Michael Bloomberg are whining to each other that NPR is totally biased? Entertaining thought, eh? 
Sounded exactly like any of our debates here. The did a WalMart walk with a black man and woman who are happy to be OC-ing AND are handgun shooting instructors. Very articulate, funny, and engaging folks. Some of their interviewees were really for OC and some were full of the same negative statements -- right down to the "must have a small (male member)" claims about open carriers that we hear sometimes here at THR.
They followed up with an op ed from a commentator who wrote about parents asking other parents about whether they have guns and their safe gun storage habits before letting her kids come play at their house. It wasn't "positive" but it wasn't perfectly negative either. (She had to tell a friend that she wouldn't let her kid go to the friend's house to play, after that friend's toddler was found playing with her husband's unattended revolver ... TWICE.) Honest and a little uncomfortable for some probably but a good discussion topic.
Sounded exactly like any of our debates here. The did a WalMart walk with a black man and woman who are happy to be OC-ing AND are handgun shooting instructors. Very articulate, funny, and engaging folks. Some of their interviewees were really for OC and some were full of the same negative statements -- right down to the "must have a small (male member)" claims about open carriers that we hear sometimes here at THR.
They followed up with an op ed from a commentator who wrote about parents asking other parents about whether they have guns and their safe gun storage habits before letting her kids come play at their house. It wasn't "positive" but it wasn't perfectly negative either. (She had to tell a friend that she wouldn't let her kid go to the friend's house to play, after that friend's toddler was found playing with her husband's unattended revolver ... TWICE.) Honest and a little uncomfortable for some probably but a good discussion topic.
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CountGlockula
Member
Thanks for sharing.
Panzerschwein
member
I like NPR a lot.
They have a science podcast that I listen to in the car. Really crazy things they are coming up with, and a nice break from all the gun pod casts I listen to.
They have a science podcast that I listen to in the car. Really crazy things they are coming up with, and a nice break from all the gun pod casts I listen to.
It is painfully obvious that the posters who think NPR is balanced lean to the left politically.
I used to listen to NPR all day long at work (don't ask) and they are not even remotely balanced. Sure, once every 6 blue moons they will have a piece where they legitimately try to be unbiased. That seems to be the incredibly rare exception.
Remember, these are people basically dependant upon government for support. Politicians are not the only ones to receive a government paycheck. These folks typically don't despise America as much as the typical liberals, because the American dream has worked for them. My dad was a fan of the Democrats because he was a union man. He didn't like that the lazy people who got fired for incompetence were reinstated due to union interfering, but he got paid thanks to the union so he went along with whatever they wanted.
In general, the people who listen to NPR don't have a grasp on just how bad things are in the real world. They don't work in a place that has had to reduce employees hours down to 29 hours a week to avoid the incredibly large tentacles of obamacare.
NPR is not anti-gun in the same vein as the NY Times. NPR usually just refuses to cover issues like this unless they need filler material.
Sorry for the rant.
I used to listen to NPR all day long at work (don't ask) and they are not even remotely balanced. Sure, once every 6 blue moons they will have a piece where they legitimately try to be unbiased. That seems to be the incredibly rare exception.
Remember, these are people basically dependant upon government for support. Politicians are not the only ones to receive a government paycheck. These folks typically don't despise America as much as the typical liberals, because the American dream has worked for them. My dad was a fan of the Democrats because he was a union man. He didn't like that the lazy people who got fired for incompetence were reinstated due to union interfering, but he got paid thanks to the union so he went along with whatever they wanted.
In general, the people who listen to NPR don't have a grasp on just how bad things are in the real world. They don't work in a place that has had to reduce employees hours down to 29 hours a week to avoid the incredibly large tentacles of obamacare.
NPR is not anti-gun in the same vein as the NY Times. NPR usually just refuses to cover issues like this unless they need filler material.
Sorry for the rant.
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Uh... ohhh kay then. That has to be the first time anyone's accused me of THAT.
And yet I've posted two of their articles within a week that were, if anything, UN-balanced IN OUR FAVOR.
Guess there's no pleasing some folks?
Sam1911
Moderator Emeritus
Bwahhaaaa.... whoo heee. Indeed! I guess.
Indeed! I guess.- Status
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