Me thinks the guy who ponies up some bucks is more credible than those who don’t.

I am amused and frustrated by the (mock?) outrage put forth by those who clamor for government and those it supports to “be more like business” but then complain when they attempt things that are not, in the outraged citizen’s view, exactly in line with a narrow mission.

NPR’s own published mission statement (http://www.npr.org/about/nprworks.html) says nothing, directly, about “news”:

“The mission of NPR is to work in partnership with member stations to create a more informed public — one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas and cultures. To accomplish our mission, we produce, acquire, and distribute programming that meets the highest standards of public service in journalism and cultural expression; we represent our members in matters of their mutual interest; and we provide satellite interconnection for the entire public radio system.”

Events, ideas and cultures are the things it pursues, not just “current events”. If you are so enraged by an entity you donate to not focusing on just news, perhaps you should read their mission statement before accusing them of stepping outside of it.

But, if you want to tell me how much you give NPR each year, I’ll gladly stand in for you this time, because this weekend was an important bridge between generations of participants.

Besides, you don’t give to NPR, you give to the station. So, recognize the difference.

Training that supports a person’s primary job responsibilities is a good use of funds.

No matter how little money was spent or how much you defend yourself and your participation, NPR is still supported by people like me who give it money to do what they say they do ….give us the news straight. Not make computer games.

When you consider that this was likely professional development for all who attended, it’s money well spent, when you consider that many conferences with attendees like the CEO of NPR and Craig Newmark of Craigslist (who showed up today) are going to be in the hundreds of dollars per person to attend, this was a steal of an experience.

Do you get similarly upset when organizations you contribute to send staff members to training? To conferences to discuss what the organization could be doing to better serve their audience? To promote the work the organization has done already?

I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. But, this is the internet, after all…

And you’re last line in your response makes you sound like a snotty computer kid. Everyone is entitled to be outraged when they think their charitable donations are being misused.

Your outrage is misplaced.