Follow up Letter from Roger Katz

Today, I received this letter from Maine State Senator Roger Katz regarding my letter to him on the de-funding of MPBN:

May 17, 2011

Dear John,

Thank you for recently contacting me. I will work hard to keep MPBN funding fully in place. I believe it plays a critical role in Maine’s civic debate and is one of the few places you can find thoughtful, more investigatory journalism on the radio, and on a state-wide basis. I have been and continue to be a big fan, and will do all I can to keep funding in place.

Thank you for writing to me. Please feel free to weigh in on issues in the future; it helps me do a better job.

Sincerely,

Roger Katz
State Senator

At least we got one vote.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

Alan Shephard in Freedom 7 - May 5, 1961

Space Shuttle Endeavour - May 16, 2011

A little more than 50 years ago, Astronaut Alan Shephard became the second man and the first American in space. At the time I was 8 years old and in third grade. I don't remember the event exactly, but I am fairly certain we watched as Freedom 7 - the capsule on top of the Mercury-Redstone 3 rocket lifted off at about 9:30 in the morning. As was to become the custom for space launches that took place during school time (and they all seemed to in those days), the nuns had us say some prayers before the flight.

Like hundreds of millions of kids, I was hooked on the space race from that time on. So this morning, I stayed home and missed the beginning of a meeting so I could watch the final launch of space shuttle Endeavour, as she lifted off from Cape Kennedy on STS-134.

I may have said a little said a little prayer.

Save the Maine Public Broadcasting Network

UPDATE: Monday, May 16, 2011 is the Legislative hearing. You can also sign a petition on-line to express your opinion to save MPBN - Paul LePage vs. MPBN http://signon.org/s/OIO2sY #signon
 
I e-mailed this letter today to my State Senator after hearing about the Maine Republicans' assault on the Maine Public Broadcasting Network (MPBN). For the background, please see this.

Dear Senator Katz,

I’m hoping that you will break with your Republican colleagues and stand up for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network and not support cuts in state financial support. This organization is the only source for unbiased, accurate and thorough news in Maine. It provides the only television programming worth viewing and is an oasis in the sea of increasingly seamy and moronic programming on commercial and cable broadcasting.

When I first heard the birds chirping with Robert J. Lurtsema and Morning Pro Musica on WMEM in Presque Isle in 1978, I fell in love with Maine Public Radio and have remained a supporter ever since. MPBN’s broadcasting is part of the reason why Maine is Maine: unique, distinct, invaluable.

It is amazing how for 30 years the Democrats were able to find ways to balance State budgets and still support programs that helped people, educated the young, cultivated the arts, and enriched the lives of Maine’s citizens. It seems all the Republicans want to do is ruin everything that I have valued in this my adopted home.

There are many sacred cows being protected and sacrificial lambs being slaughtered by people in the Maine Legislature this year; it is indeed a very sad time for our wonderful home. I am hoping you will have the clarity of thought and the leadership to stop this.

Sincerely,

John E. Brandt