Hello all!


For those who might not be familiar, the BBG is the
broadcasting board of governors, the folks who run U.S.
programs such as voice of America, etc.


I just received my September 2011 issue of POpular
COmmunications in the mail earlier today, and once again the editorial talks
about the desire of the chairman of the BBG
to phase out shortwave broadcasting in favor of internet
streaming.

YEt as some groups who measure such things acknowledge, only about 31 percent
of the people on this planet have access to the internet.  And, I'd be willing
to wager that of that 31
percent, some have only occasional access.

A good number of those internet "haves" live in places such
as China, wehre the government has the off switch at its
fingertips.

YEs, shortwave broadcasting costs money, in both spinning
that electric wat/hour meter, and in equipment maintenance.
But, imho it's well worth it for the goodwill the United
STates can generate.  Remember that many folks still have
transistorized shortwave receivers.  With programs such as
Ears To OUr WOrld distributing crank 'em up shortwave
receivers in less developed places I expect to see that
continue for awhile.

That potential terrorist might just think twice about hating the free world
when he remembers that he got what education
he could thanks to a teacher with a shortwave radio in his
village.  That oppressed person in a far off land deserves
that beacon of hope which comes to him through a small
speaker in the middle of the night that he guards with his
life, because it brings important information to his
neighbors which they might not have if their government
found and destroyed his radio.
YEs folks, this stuff still happens, every day.


Do you care?  IF so write the Broadcasting board of
governors.  Send them email at

publicaffairs@bbg.gov and remind them that throwing the off
switch on those shortwave transmitters is shortsighted, and
not in the best interests of the United STates.


73
           Richard
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 * Origin:  (1:116/901)