Nov 10, 2009

Happy Birthday, Big Bird!

Yes, today is Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary. Here are a couple clever parodies.






I still love the Beetles. Public television has clearly been a success in the United States. PBS boasts the best news program (News Hour), the best documentaries (courtesy of Ken Burns) and the best children's programs, all of which appear with no commercial interruption. Those who do not believe government programs can be successful often claim any new endeavor we consider entrusting to the responsibility of our elected officials will be doomed. Libertarians point to vestigial programs like Amtrak and entitlement programs around the country as evidence of government's inability to run anything.

They are pointing the finger at government when they should be pointing the finger at themselves. For 30 years these programs have suffered under the leadership of libertarian elements. PBS, with Sesame Street at the helm, has survived repeated attacks from Republican politicians. We should remember that the hard work of talented individuals who have been reduced to begging their viewers for donations over the air has brought this country some of the best programming that has ever been produced.

The lesson today, on the 40th anniversary of the best early child program on television, is that not every thing the government does is bad or doomed to failure. Some things have value that goes far deeper than their financial costs.

That's enough seriousness. Lets watch another video.



"Here fishy fishy fishy!"

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Keep it civil and pg-13, please.