Foxy,

That letter to The Age from a Mr Alan Rich that you think provides a business case for the ABC (it doesn't!), is this the same fellow?

http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/a-fine-birthday-for-alan/177224/

It is just that I cannot see any reason why anyone should prefer his view to any other person off the street (or fleeing trucks).

otb,

The earlier link was merely to show
why voters felt we need an independent ABC.
If you don't understand that - that's something
over which I have no control.

As for Mr Alan Rich?
Are you serious?

There are 25 professionals named Alan Rich
listed just on Linkedlyn. If you want to know who Mr
Rich really is - why don't you write to The Age and ask.
The rest of us are only interested in his opinion.
Which was afterall what the link was all about.

However, perhaps you could also look up all the other people
- and see
if you can find any dirt attached to each and everyone
who wrote in to The Age expressing a positive outlook
regarding the ABC. I'm sure it would give you a great
deal of enjoyment putting your little pen to paper.
I shall leave you to continue your polluting.
The rest of us have moved on.

Foxy,

With respect, your link was worthless.

Within reason I don't mind what the government spends my taxes on as long as the public is consulted (it is a democracy which is usually lost on 'Progressives' who always know what is best for others) and value for money is obtained.

Of course the national broadcaster should be required to produce a business case for continued funding. The bucket of taxpayers' money is not limitless, as was quickly discovered by the previous big-spending Labor+Greens government. Where should national broadcasting come on the list of must-haves, should-have and could-haves of the Aussie public? Would the public put (say) shows like Q&A ahead of much-needed beds in hospitals? What about funding disability, should Q&A come first?

This could be a free-flowing, open discussion and it should be.

OTB, I find it interesting, your statement;
"I don't mind what the government spends my taxes on as long as the public is consulted"

I though we are being consulted now, through the ballot box, or is it your view that's insufficient? Would you prefer a 'Peoples Forum' hosted by Ray Martin on Channel 9 each evening where 50 specially selected "undecided" voters are fitted with buzzers, and "vote" according to Rays questions. A typical question could be one alone the lines of, "Do you want money spent on poor sick children or on depraved child molesting monsters? etc, etc.
When you put it in those kind of terms like you have with your. "What about funding disability, should Q&A come first?" Australia as a relatively rich nation can afford a broad range of government funding. The case is we can afford both.
The conservatives seem to peddle the line Australia is an economic basket case, when in fact we are still one of the best performing developed countries in the world. Just to get our position into perspective our National Debt, as a percentage of GDP is 21%. compare that to some others USA 102%, UK 89%, Japan 212%, even China 26%. take some of the countries we always perceive as doing well, Sweden 38%, Denmark 45%. The basket case Greece 159%, the 3rd world Indonesia 23% our friends New Zealand 36%, the rich Saudi Arabia 4%, the hard working, South Korea 35%, the troubled, South Africa. 40%. I do think our AAA credit rating is well deserved.

Foxy against such folk we have a perfect defense it works without fail, it has one weak spot us, if we ignore such folk they can not beat us, if we do not?
I am aware my ABC forever stance annoys some.
And too that from time to time my ABC annoys me.
But never as much as the right wing nuts like Bolt and his like, the radio shock jocks can be compared to him.
Some times the life span, time I have been around to see and understand things others never saw helps.
At my birth we did not have TV radio was our companion , out in the bush some times the old valve radio was lead acid battery powered.
And no one would dare harm our ABC.
Well remember the family gathered around to hear the cricket or radio serials no one dare talk.
Country market reporting still a part today.
Tractors still listen while working to such as the country hour.
What is Abbott,s madness all about.
Is he looking for Pravda like control over what we hear and see?
Is Australia ready for that.
Even worse can any one disprove my charge his anti ABC silliness is to reward an awful man Rupert Murdock.
What will history 50 years on, think of these sleezy acts?

Dear Paul and Belly,

Thank You for your continued rational, logical
comments. As always they certainly are wanted,
respected, and appreciated.

I enjoy sharing cyberspace with you both.