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America's public institutions continue their inspiring commitment to civility, tolerance, and not wishing catastrophic medical events on political opponents, except when they don't. In fact, when they go low, they continue going lower.
For years, PBS and its affiliates have presented themselves as the wise adults in the room, faithfully serving the public with educational programming, thoughtful journalism, and enough tote-bag drives to fund a small nation. Their boards are supposedly filled with seasoned professionals dedicated to elevating public discourse.
Then President Donald Trump turned 80 on Flag Day [coincidence or celestial message?].
As Trump celebrated his birthday Sunday at the White House during the UFC Freedom 250 event, one prominent public broadcasting executive decided to mark the occasion with a heartfelt message of unity and compassion.
The X account Republicans Against Trump asked, "Donald Trump turns 80 today. Any birthday wishes?"
Bob Greene, identified in reports as chairman of the board for Rocky Mountain PBS [aka Public BS], reportedly responded, "A nice stroke that turns him into a drooling, pooping blob in a wheelchair unable to speak."
The soft, the kind, the sweeter side of scumcrumpets.
Nothing says "public broadcasting leadership" quite like fantasizing about the president becoming a vegetable. And these cretins claim to be the good guys, the compassionate ones.
Greene's post has since disappeared, just like the several decades of PBS viewership among Americans under 40.
Rocky Mountain Public Media quickly distanced itself from the remarks, explaining that the post violated internal guidelines requiring personal opinions to remain separate from station content. Translation: you're supposed to save those comments for private dinner parties and faculty lounges.
The White House responded less delicately. Spokeswoman Olivia Wales described Greene as "a deranged individual who should seek professional help," while noting that Trump had "rightfully defunded PBS last year."
To be fair, wishing debilitating neurological damage on political opponents is apparently considered a perfectly normal expression of democratic values in some circles these days. Perhaps this is due to their own former president and his obvious neurological impairment.
The remarkable part isn't that Greene posted it. Every election cycle seems to produce a fresh crop of people who believe political disagreement is grounds for personal destruction. No, the remarkable part is how little shock the comment generated.
Imagine for a moment that a public broadcasting executive had written something similar about Barack Obama. Cable news panels would still be discussing it. Universities would host symposiums. Journalists would produce twelve-part podcast series examining "the rhetoric of hate in America."
Instead, the post was deleted, a statement was issued, and everyone moved on.
Nothing says "public broadcasting leadership" quite like fantasizing about the president becoming a vegetable. And these cretins claim to be the good guys, the compassionate ones.
Greene's post has since disappeared, just like the several decades of PBS viewership among Americans under 40.
Rocky Mountain Public Media quickly distanced itself from the remarks, explaining that the post violated internal guidelines requiring personal opinions to remain separate from station content. Translation: you're supposed to save those comments for private dinner parties and faculty lounges.
The White House responded less delicately. Spokeswoman Olivia Wales described Greene as "a deranged individual who should seek professional help," while noting that Trump had "rightfully defunded PBS last year."
To be fair, wishing debilitating neurological damage on political opponents is apparently considered a perfectly normal expression of democratic values in some circles these days. Perhaps this is due to their own former president and his obvious neurological impairment.
The remarkable part isn't that Greene posted it. Every election cycle seems to produce a fresh crop of people who believe political disagreement is grounds for personal destruction. No, the remarkable part is how little shock the comment generated.
Imagine for a moment that a public broadcasting executive had written something similar about Barack Obama. Cable news panels would still be discussing it. Universities would host symposiums. Journalists would produce twelve-part podcast series examining "the rhetoric of hate in America."
Instead, the post was deleted, a statement was issued, and everyone moved on.
What often gets overlooked is that Trump has already survived multiple assassination attempts. Yet many of the same people who lecture endlessly about dangerous rhetoric seem strangely comfortable when the target is someone they dislike.
Greene merely said out loud what too many people have quietly normalized. The most disturbing part of the story isn't what he wrote.
It's how many people read it and thought, "Seems reasonable."
At this point, PBS may want to consider adding a new pledge-drive slogan:
"Public Broadcasting: Where the compassion is educational."
Please, kind reader, pass this on and make a stink that would put the stink of Joe Biden's skivvies seem like a Lancôme ad.
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