The pros and cons of PBS content
Re: “Make public broadcasting great again by shaking it up,” May 18 commentary
I agree with Adam Clayton Powell III, quoted by Llewellyn King, that “some of the old rigor about [PBS and NPR] being even-handed may have ‘fallen away,’”
Full disclosure: I raised my kids on Mr. Rogers, am a nightly watcher of “NewsHour,” and love British drama. My Friday nights are devoted to PBS; the car radio tunes in NPR.
However, I am also a Democrat for Life — a position I see as seeking middle ground in the abortion tug-of-wars. While I’d love to see NewsHour present a more centrist position, they continue in their all-or-nothing pro-abortion stance. Lately, this includes digs at Catholic hospitals.
That said, I can’t help but also notice their increasing concern to zero in on humiliating aspects of the Catholic Church. While the “CBS Evening News” with John Dickerson showed actual enthusiasm for the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, the NewsHour Team was quick to direct interview questions to priestly sexual abuse — serious, yes, but hardly appropriate to bring out at a time of celebration.
There is guilt and innocence on both sides among the many groups making up our population, and so, no need to demonize some at the expense of others.
While King makes a good point suggesting more original creative material from public broadcasting, our present material could be made fairer and more attractive by presenting a greater range of our population in a more sympathetic light, thus drawing back previously alienated viewers, whose support could enable new programming.
Frances Rossi, Denver
Surely, I will not be the only person writing about Mr. King’s commentary on PBS needing to be shaken by its lapels.
Yes, most of the wonderful scripted dramas come from the BBC or ITV. However, what about “NewsHour,” “Frontline,” and “Nature?” Plus, PBS airs “NOVA,” “Antiques Roadshow,” all of Ken Burns’ specials, “Finding Your Roots,” and “The American Experience.” The list goes on.
I would rest my case, except all organizations can get better. So a little lapel shaking can’t hurt, but to compete with the big guys like Prime and Netflix to produce wonderful scripted dramas is probably asking for more shaking than PBS could tolerate. Sometimes, it is best to stay in one’s own lane, especially when it is done so well.
Judith Pettibone, Denver
Remembering the good ol’ GOP days
Congress is debating the budget bill, and some Congress members are unhappy with the bill. It is tax cuts and increased spending. Negotiations seem to be adding more to the debt — a Republican bill that is adding to the debt, and Moody’s has already downgraded our standing.
Does anyone remember when Republicans would always try to pass a balanced budget amendment? It appears we no longer can call a Republican conservative; they are now the big spenders.
Written by an R. who still likes to balance a budget.
Norma Anderson, Lakewood
Editor’s note: Anderson is a former state senator.
Don’t saddle immigrants with ‘blatant distortions’
Re: “Blame sanctuary policies or immigration policies?” May 18 letter to the editor
Ross Kaminsky misses the whole reason for sanctuary cities. In our government, there has been little to rectify our lack of clear laws by either of the parties over the years. Immigration comes up when they want to use it as a football to blame each other while real humans seek a better life.
The reason for sanctuary cities is protection! Protection from the games, lies, and harassment while they go through the inefficient process we use as a path to citizenship. Some take more than 10 years. We all know this country depends on immigrant labor. It’s not a political punchline; it’s reality. The fact that President Donald Trump’s main argument against sanctuary cities is that we are harboring criminals doesn’t bear out in real numbers. Fear sells. Masked ICE agents kidnap people off the streets without transparency, due process, or proof that they need to be deported.
Strong-arming innocent people isn’t a strong American value. After the first four years of his administration, Trump used the tried and true repetition method of convincing his followers using blatant distortions, racism and outright lies. Trump cannot point to crime stats; in fact, they would prove the opposite to his immigrant-crime claims.
Both Kaminsky and Trump lack credible crime statistics that prove all the drama and torture people are going through. I’ve seen Trump sidestep that, and his believers will post their gullible opinions again, without proof. Come on, if you have good evidence of criminality, post the proof!
Sue Cole, Centennial
Denver needs to finish what it has started
Re: “Soccer stadium, Park Hill open space move forward,” May 13 news story
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s announcements about a women’s soccer stadium and the Park Hill Golf Course acquisition are exciting developments. But while the city celebrates these high-profile and high-priced projects — with Park Hill alone projected to cost up to $300 million — it continues to neglect long-standing commitments to other neighborhoods.
At a time of tightening budgets, Denver will be asking voters to approve another general obligation bond, even as projects from the 2017 and 2021 bonds remain incomplete. Communities like the parkless University Hills North have waited for years for a simple 1.9-acre park. These residents, who lack a political spotlight, have been consistently overlooked.
Equally troubling is the disrepair of the historic Wellshire Golf Course clubhouse. With its 100th anniversary approaching in 2026, it deserves restoration, not neglect. These are not optional improvements; they are long overdue and must be honored.
City leadership cannot continue to shift focus to flashy new developments while sidelining past commitments. Denver’s strength lies in all its communities, not just the ones with media buzz or political capital.
I urge the mayor and City Council to prioritize equity, accountability, and follow-through. Deliver on what’s been promised. Reinforce public trust. Finish what’s already been started before launching the next big thing.
Kendra Black, Denver
Editor’s note: Black is a former Denver City Council Member for District 4.
Review Polis’ credentials as he focuses on his next run
Re: “Polis’ vetoes hit and miss in a session marked by compromise,” May 18 editorial
In vetoing newly passed union-friendly legislation, Jared Polis’ fat-cat libertarian roots are showing. Upon leaving state government, his ambitions for political life are national, most likely a 2026 run for Michael Bennett’s Senate seat as Bennett seeks to be the next governor, or perhaps a bid for the Democratic nomination for president in 2028. Colorado Democrats need to view his credentials for either closely.
Robet Porath, Boulder
Cheers to protecting and restoring our forests
Re: “Bill aims to mitigate wildfires,” May 19 news story
What could trade wars and wildfires have in common?
There’s been a movement in Canada to buy less American-made whiskey. But there’s another threat to the whiskey industry, and that’s the depletion of white oak, which is a key component of the barrels from which a good ol’ draw of Bourbon comes.
Enter the Fix our Forests Act. While it won’t stop any trade wars, it can at least lay the foundation for saving our beloved white oaks. Of course, future-proofing America’s bourbon industry isn’t the sole purpose of the act. The act lays plans for the reforestation of our aging (and frequently burning) forests and performing prescribed burns as well as establishing firesheds to assess risk areas.
Our forests currently offset about 12% of our pollution, but that’s likely to decline as our forests age and/or get caught in the latest blaze. This bill would cut the red tape around protecting our forests, enabling a more robust and fire-resilient green belt to protect the communities we live in.
Our very own Sen. John Hickenlooper is already co-sponsoring the bill, but more support is needed if we’re going to protect our aging forests.
With careful planning and stewardship, we could secure future generations of beautiful trees of all types, including the white oak. I say cheers to that!
Bridger Cummings, Aurora
Related Articles
First, a bakery. Now a kids’ summer camp? Colorado’s attack on Christians continues. (Letters) Baseball Hall of Fame needs to check its gambling hypocrisy (Letters) Denver City Council’s Suncor virtue signaling costs residents $300K (Letters) Due process “dismissed as the refrain of woke liberals” (Letters) Rockies fire the wrong people after a record-breaking year in futility (Letters)Expectation of honesty from all White House press secretaries
Re: ” ‘Did she say that with a straight face?’,” May 18 commentary
Interesting and amusing is Kevin Manahan’s article charging White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt with telling lies, lies and more lies. I don’t remember him writing an article about Karine Jean-Pierre and her many lies about former President Joe Biden’s mental acuity, inability to lead and other age issues. Everyone in the world saw it — except for the media and naive people. Those protecting Biden and surrounding him had to have known — especially when the world knew. It was very embarrassing and even cruel.
Kay Robbins, Denver
In case Kevin Manahan’s commentary was missed, I hope readers will look it up and read the truth of what is happening instead of thinking they are hearing the truth from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. She is either deceived herself or is deliberately deceiving the public regarding the actions of Donald Trump, whose visit to the Middle East was fraught with blatant corruption.
Carol Carpenter, Denver
Sign up for Sound Off to get a weekly roundup of our columns, editorials and more.
To send a letter to the editor about this article, submit online or check out our guidelines for how to submit by email or mail.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( With funding cuts looming, the pros and cons of PBS content is debated (Letters) )
Also on site :
- WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event Results & Winners: Cody Rhodes returns to aid Jey Uso & takes out John Cena; new member added to Seth Rollins' faction & more
- ‘Pod Save America’ host says he struggled over whether to talk about Biden decline
- Bears' Caleb Williams Receives More Harsh Criticism from Cam Newton