I don't admire the History Channel, Discovery or A&E very much either: they are same-same and likely as not to present a program like "Ancient UFOs", or a biography of, say, Lisa Gilbert, followed by a Manson Family documentary.
I'm glad we have cable though. PBS has been drumming this "heroic 60's" perspective for so long it's hard to bear. From their essayists on the Newshour, to their Frontline show, and any other of their documentaries, it seems like they are as obsessed with Vietnam and the civil rights movements as, say, the History Channel is with WW2 and Hitler.
Then, it's not just the government funding that is so offensive. On top of that, the pledge drives! How is this even defensible anymore? I think they should fold up the tent.
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and i feel sorry for any little kid who has to turn to "Dragon Tales" for entertainment...GAAAAH !
The stations you mentioned (A&E, History, etc.) are pretty close to the lefty bent of PBS. Not a whole lotta difference...