We could stick an [at] symbol in there and deliver this right to your Tweet box or whatever the list is called, but we are not in your face...
No, we are not homesick, but we appreciate really good radio.
And NPR not only pulls off what pampered German semi-public broadcasters regard as a true miracle of funding but has some wonderful shows and incredibly dedicated volunteers running the small stations, be it in the desert of Utah, the party town of Chico, or On the Res (okay, technically not the same nation).
What makes a show like "This American Life" so appealing to us?
Sure, some episodes we like because they re-enforce one of our pre-conceived notions of the world. Everybody needs that kind of "your view is great" once in a while, but the more hardcore believers turn to the news equivalent of soft porn on FoxNews or MSNBC, and those with a heart condition seem to like the rush of the Limbaugh.
But "This American Life" got us glued to the tinny tiny tablet speakers for a series on the Chicago Public School system!
The question "how can that be" kept nagging us. Were we in denial about not being homesick, or terminally bored in a long winter?
One thing we noticed is respect, even in little things, even if they are not "right". The kid who says "aks" gets to say it without being corrected to "ask".
They told the story of a young man who did sidewalk graffiti with chalk at night, and who found himself investigated as a terrorist. Turns out, one of his works was done outside of the house of Old Europe Old Guy D. R.'s daughter.
They tell stories about bible camp, and no, they do not tear down the kids.
They made the mortgage boom insanity understandable to normal folks like us.
They gave a US Afghan kid a recorder and got riveting radio.
No, they are not perfect -- they had to retract one episode we know of, and they do get criticism for others.
'nough said.
Any up and coming German or other European radio makers read this post? Have a listen on the website of "This American Life".
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