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Location: LaGrange, Kentucky, United States

The opinions and interests of a husband, analyst and Iraq war veteran.



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Friday, May 04, 2007

Michelle isn't making the case

... for privatizing the PBS. Rather, she's harping on the fact that public dollars went into the making of Islam Vs. Islamists, a now controversial documentary not aired by PBS. I'm on record as saying PBS is a quality product that deserves a fair shake in the competitive marketplace. I'm sympathetic to CPB's position that the film in question just isn't up to PBS snuff.

Then again, PBS isn't always up to PBS snuff. For all I know, Islam Vs. Islamists is another "American Experience" episode like this one. Interesting subject matter. Terrible, terrible execution. Dear sweet God, what a dog that one was!

If Islam Vs. Islamists is that bad, then I can see why it was witheld. Of course, I won't know until I actually watch the thing, and it's not yet available on Goo-Tube, which leads me to suspect that the film in question is a big, steaming pile of crap, and the debate surrounding it is just more of the same.

You know what? All controversy would just go away if this were a private enterprise sold to the likes of say, The History Channel.

Privatize PBS. It's too good not to do so.

UPDATE 5-10: Roger L. Simom, a TV and Film insider, (and whose opinion I trust because I've been reading him for years,) reviews the film here. Roger says PBS's explanation that the film isn't good enough just doesn't wash. The film quality is plenty high.

Giving PBS even more benefit of the doubt, this leaves them just one more exit strategy before I'm forced to accuse them of quashing this project for political reasons:

"We [PBS] are hoping to see “Islam vs. Islamists” broadcast as a stand-alone special under the Crossroads banner (where it will join three other Crossroads films already so-designated) on public television stations across the country... Public broadcasting officials have expressed concerns that the film may not comply with established PBS standards."


When independent, knowledgable critics like Simon say yes, the "standards have been met" by this film, PBS had better broadcast the thing as a stand-alone, or release the filmmakers from their contract in order to persue commercial distribution. Anything less is an admission of bias against content, not quality.

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