Wow, I am feeeling honored right now. I received a form letter from Jay Kernis, Senior Vice President for Programming. It’s the same paternalistic clap-trap that’s posted on the website; you know, “I know what good for you much better than you do” and the like, coupled with a bunch of PR nonsense (”Our news programming is now stronger and deeper than even just a few years ago;” well, glad to know you think so).

It is then followed by a press release from “Bob Edwards” (clearly, he didn’t come anywhere near the words in that release), telling us how wonderful it was that they booted him off the show. I’m only sorry another news organization didn’t send Edwards an offer so he could avoid dealing with this organization.

Tellingly, the form letter closes with, “We deeply appreciate that you care so much; without passion such as yours, public radio would not succeed.” I’d like to paraphrase that; with decisionmakers such as you, Mr. Kernis, public radio as it exists now doesn’t stand a snowball’s chance of surviving.

Last weekend’s On the Media looked at this story (although it would have been interesting to hear an investigation about why this decision was made) in an interview with Bob Edwards. Although Mr. Edwards and I disagree about pressuring local stations to force change within NPR’s executive suites, it is clear when listening to this interview that Edwards is just as confused, disappointed, and even hurt by this decision as the listeners of Morning Edition. You can hear the interview at http://stream.realimpact.net/rihurl.ram?file=realimpact/wnyc/raotm/otm032604e.ra with your RealAudio player or read the transcript sometime tomorrow (Tuesday) at http://www.onthemedia.org/.

Again, I urge you to put pressure on your local NPR member station by withholding your financial support from them this year, and telling them exactly why.. And Bob, if you read this, understand this is not out of pique or anger, and is not suggested to “get back” at anyone. I maintain that only by putting pressure on the local stations will changes be made in the hierarchy of NPR…and after this senseless and damaging change, clearly pressure needs to be placed on the board of NPR to stop this nonsense. They clearly don’t care about hearing from their listeners, so maybe hearing from the local stations that they are losing funding and support from their listeners might shake some things up.

Or, if you want me to pay for something, you’d damned well better give me what I want, not what you think I should want.