Inside PBS Blog

This may not be the appropriate place for it but I have not found another. Is there any plans to issue the sound track for "Carrier"? There was a lot of great music in it and well placed to the scenes.

It was a great program and I particularly enjoyed the personal stories of the crew.

What happened to the Saturday morning sewing shows? I looked forward to them all week! It's nearly impossible to find sewing/quilting shows on TV and now you guys take off the only ones around here! Please return them to the Saturday line-up for us sewists/quilters out here in TV land!!! Sewing/Quilting is NOT a lost art!

I really miss my sewing shows! There are so many great ideas presented by the various sewing celebs. I really miss Fons, Porter, Alex, and Sue. They each contribute in their own special way and I feel lost without these programs. My 74 year old mother (with early alzheimers) really misses the programming as well. We miss watching these shows together when we can both sit at the tv and play the DVR.

PLEASE bring back Fons & Porter!!!!! I can't believe you would stop airing this great show!

FOR THE MEDIA
QUESTIONS That need to be asked the Presidential Candidates and have never been answered

14 QUESTIONS That need to be asked the Candidates and have never been answered

If the media would read my blog www.thecandumemo.blogspot.com, they would have some great questions to ask the candidates in the next Presidential debate or in their next TV interview or program for A REAL CHANGE.

Since they have not read the blog see the questions below that have never been asked and need to be answered.

The questions and the correct answers to all of these questions are in my blog which has been emailed, faxed, web mailed and carrier pigeoned to the President (and all of the possible Presidents to be), Congress and the media numerous times.

Some of the answers are so simple that it is scary. The answers are not part of the present Democratic, Republican, Liberal or Conservative programs.

AFTER SENDING ALL OF THE CANDIDATES AN EMAIL SUGGESTION TO READ THE DALE CARNEGIE 'S BOOK "HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE", ALL OF THE CANDIDATES ARE NOW DEFINITELY USING THAT APPROACH. Let us see if they can also read and recognize a good idea to solve this nation's problems. Politicians Motto: Remember "ASK ME NO QUESTIONS AND I WILL TELL YOU NO LIES."

NOW I SUGGEST THAT THE SENATORS FOR PRESIDENT "SPEAK STRAIGHT" WITH "OWN VOICE" AND NOT WITH "FORKED TONGUE". THE "SPEECHES" ARE INDEED INSPIRING, BUT WE NEED LEADERS WITH SPECIFIC SURGICAL AND INTEGRATED "SOLUTIONS" AS MANY OF THESE PROBLEMS THAT OUR NATION FACES ARE DRASTICALLY INTER-RELATED.

An historic opportunity will be missed if these questions are not asked at the next Presidential debate or TV program with a candidate..

As FDR and Barack have said "ALL WE HAVE TO FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF". WHY IS THE MEDIA AFRAID TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS?

The questions and the correct answers to all of these questions are in my blog which has been emailed, faxed, web mailed and carrier pigeoned to the President (and all of the possible Presidents to be), Congress and the media numerous times. Some of the answers are so simple that it is scary.

The answers are not part of the present Democratic, Republican, Liberal or Conservative programs. They are part of THE WE THE PEOPLE'S PLATFORM from all of the states that are now RED, WHITE and BLUE. They are MIA - missing in action in the present Presidential campaigns and media coverage.

THE QUESTIONS that need to be asked: :
1. What is the world's most powerful weapon (more powerful than a B2 bomber loaded with nuclear weapons), how would you use it in Iraq as a political solution (NOW DESPERATELY NEEDED TO WIN IN IRAQ)?

General Petraeus, Defense Secretary Gates, and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff should also be asked this question as they too have been previously sent the answers.
This weapon system attacks the Achilles Heel of Al Quada and other terrorists, It can win the war on terror in Iraq and bring our troops home with honor and with term limits, without cutting and running. Both candidates have personally experienced the power of this weapon system. However, they have never personally read about it or responded to the emails and web mails sent to them about using this military weapons system that is MIA in Iraq.

2. If you know the answer, Has this weapon system been used in the US successfully recently?

3. Would you vote for a 1040 check off box on the tax form 1040 for a WE THE PEOPLE SUPPORT THE TROOPS FUND for $5 of the taxpayer's taxes - just like the Presidential Campaign check off Box? If $5 is too high (and would hurt the Congressional Universal Pork Programs and the Presidential Campaign Finance Program) would they vote for a $1 check off box program?

4. As President would you ask some of the countries, such as South Korea, Japan, and Germany, if we could borrow 25,000 of their troops in each respective country to replace 75,000 of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan (who we financially support in their country at our expense)?

5. If not, would they each (country) send 25,000 of their combat troops to Iraq and Afghanistan to ease our burden so that we could send home 75,000 of our National Guard troops to serve at home guarding and sealing our national borders?

6. Is it possible using the principles in the THEORY of Tax-Enomics, to lower tax rates and increase tax revenues, and if so tell us the principles and equation used in this theory?

7. What is the hidden AMT Tax that works in the reverse (The lowest income taxpayer pays the higher rate of tax), where a taxpayer who earns $1,000,000 pays this tax at the rate of .006045% and the taxpayer who earns $10,000 pays the TEN TIMES higher rate of 6.20000%?

8. Is it possible , using the Theory of Tax-Enomics, that this hidden "AMT" tax structure be revised to increase tax revenues and to lower payroll taxes enough, that we could use a Health Basic Care Tax to finance part of a Universal Health Basic Care Program, similar to Medicare without increasing the total payroll taxes presently being assessed against all taxpayers earning less than $100,000 per year?

It may not even be too complex for our students of legislative taxation - The candidates, the White House, the Congress and the media.

9. How could we integrate, solve and control (for the benefit of the US Consumer of gasoline to avoid foreign oil import gas price gouging) our problem of dependence on foreign oil imports with an integrated program solution to stop the future insolvency of the Social Security fund?

Can you describe this program in basic detail?
10. What will be our primary source of energy in the years 3000 and 4000, when all of the fossil fuels will have been consumed, and bio fuels will either be limited or non-existent because the world's population will have increased at least hundred fold and will need everything grown to feed itself? Also there will be no where safe on earth to deposit any nuclear waste.

Which alternative energy can be the most cost effective to use because of its unlimited supply for ever?
11. What plan using the Theory of Tax-Enomics can make our country energy sufficient domestically, and at the same time increase tax revenues using lower tax rates, while granting domestic tax credits to US Taxpayers?

How using the Theory of Tax-Enomics can the is plan be basically self financing, reverse our current economic and infra-structure crisises, with the creation of jobs stamped "MADE IN THE USA"?

Would they vote for a Solar Panel WPA program to put solar panels manufactured in the US (with materials and jobs stamped MADE IN THE USA) on 2,000,000 federal, state and local government office buildings?

Would they vote to expand this SOLAR PANEL WPA program to put SOLAR PANELS on 20,000,000 homes in the US?

12. Would they vote for dramatically increased R&D to solve the need for maximum efficiency for a cost effective system for storing and collecting Solar Energy, such as placing them on the roofs of all passenger and freight trains, or by using magnification of Sunlight?

13. Which programs, using the principles of THE THEORY of Tax-Enomcs, having a major change in the tax laws, could have a substantial effect on stabilizing the present home market value crisis and provide a specific program to solve the home mortgage foreclosure crisis?

14. Which programs, using the principles of THE THEORY of Tax-Enomcs - at both the Federal and State Levels, could dramatically revive the US Auto Industry, with alternative energy power sources,"GREEN JOBS" stamped "MADE IN THE USA", and competitively prices for vehicles sold?

There are more questions, but the Presidential Candidate that gets all the right answers to ALL of these questions, will definitely get the keys to the White House with a 4 year renewable lease.

The Media program that uses these ideas and questions in their program will certainly raise their ratings.

Guaranteed those that have not read the blog, will fail to get the right answers.

Other food for thought for all from an excerpt from my blog:

I leave you with one other thought from

"WE THE PEOPLE".

Politicians, Governments, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Secretaries of State and Defense, Foreign Ministers, Defense Ministers, Parliaments, Congress and Generals make and declare War.

However, it is always WE THE PEOPLE (and rarely, but not never, any of the above) who with our national treasure - the volunteer youths of our country who have to fight and die in the wars.

True statesmen after considering all the consequences from the loss of our national treasure who will only use war as a last method of dealing with radical, totalitarian governments and their dictators that support terrorism.

Just as the pen is mightier than the sword, the "VOTE WEAPON" is more powerful than our mightiest military weapon. It is the missing political and military solution needed today. It is time to unleash its power to win decisively THE WAR ON TERROR worldwide.

MRCANDU10 (Cousin of MR.GET-IT DONE)

URGENT there are other solutions - I have an alternative solution that will cut the bailout program by 35 to 50% with more defined and comprehensive results -

CONGRESS NEEDS TO READ THE CANDU MEMO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION FOR MAIN STREET AND WALL STREET - SPECIFIC CHANGE PROGRAMS TO SOLVE THE FINANCIAL CREDIT CRISIS, TO STABILIZE AND IMPROVE THE HOUSING MARKET VALUES AND THE RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE FINANCING CRISIS USING THE THEORY OF TAX-ENOMICS

Refer to http://www.thecandumemo.blogspot.com/

In order to gain more liquidity in the financial credit and residential mortgage market and to provide the proper tax incentives to stimulate home purchases and help stabilize the residential market values, I propose certain changes using the Theory of Tax-Enomics that will be beneficial to the both the borrower, the lender or assignees of securitized mortgage pools.

1. Provide Tax Incentives to Lenders and Assignees of Securitized Mortgage Pools to restructure and modify existing mortgages on owner-occupied homes in foreclosure or in mortgage default.

Additionally, the modification agreement would have the proper incentives to make it economically feasible and desirable for the borrowers to enter into the modification agreement and remain in their homes.

Multi family homes up to 4 family would be eligible for this program and the others listed above and below, on a percentage basis of the owner-occupied portion to the rental portion of the residence.

Using the Theory of Tax-Enomics, Lenders or Assignees holding existing mortgages on owner-occupied homes in foreclosure or in mortgage default of 2 or more payments would be eligible to restructure their mortgages to stay in their homes and receive certain tax incentives in consideration of a mortgage modification and restructure agreement as indicated below.

If the current appraised value of the owner-occupied residential home has been reduced below the principal balance of the existing mortgages on the property, the lenders or assignees must agree to modify and reduce the principal mortgage balances to an amount not to exceed 90% of the current appraised value. This new mortgage principal balance would be guaranteed by the FHA. Maximum reduced mortgage principal can not exceed $975,000.
Only the reduction amount of the mortgage principal (all late fees of any type will be eliminated in the computation) will be sold to the new Resolution Mortgage Investment Trust Fund for 25 cents on the $1.00, which will receive a junior lien against the property under a "REX TYPE AGREEMENT" - a 50% interest in the FUTURE INCREASE IN VALUE OF THE PROPERTY WHEN SOLD or terminated. This junior lien will require no monthly payments and will only mature upon sale or termination.
This lender or assignees will be granted permission for maximum modification administrative fee of $1,000 to be rolled into the new mortgage principal as long as this fee does not increase the new mortgage principal balance above the 90% of the current appraised value.
The mortgage terms must be converted to a maximum 40 year fixed rate term mortgage not to exceed 1% above the current prime rate at the time of the agreement.
The mortgage would have at least one full month of being interest free to the borrowers and not require any payment until the first of the month, following the first full month following the signed agreement. The lenders will not receive short-term interest under this agreement.

The tax incentives to enter into such agreement for the lenders, or any assignees, would be several part. There is no free lunch here.
The entire remaining principal balance (maximum of 90%of the current appraised value) held by the lender or any assignees would be converted to a tax free bond for its new remaining term. This means the income on these mortgage bonds would be tax free to the recipient.
For each dollar of principal balance of the mortgage loan in foreclosure or in mortgage default reduced by the lender or the assignees, said lender or assignees will be allowed to convert to tax free income on the principal balance of other mortgage bonds held equal to triple the amount of principal reduction.

The Owner-Occupied mortgage borrower would receive tax and economic incentives, in addition to those listed above, to enter into the mortgage modification agreement, subject to certain limitations.

The lender will be required to delete all derogatory credit info from the borrower's mortgage file and notify all three credit reporting agencies accordingly.
The qualifying borrower(s) who enter into the modification agreement will receive a $20,000 nonrefundable tax credit spread over a ten year period of the agreement.
$4,500 in the first year of the agreement, $2,000 in 2Nd thru 5Th years ($8,000), and $1,500 for 6Th thru 10Th years ($7,500). Homeowners have more financial needs in the early years after defaulting on their mortgage.
The credits would be nonrefundable. Unused credits could be carried forward thru the 10th year. Any unused credits after the 10th year would expire.
If the home is sold during the 10 year period, the remaining unused credits will be permanently extinguished.
The used tax credits will carry a deferred tax impact in the reduction on a 2 for 1 basis of up to $40,000 of the taxable gain exclusion, Each $1.00 of credit used will reduce the taxable gain exclusion by $2.00.
The reduction in taxable gain exclusion could be deferred by an investment in a new owner occupied residence, if it equals at least 50% of the original residence purchase price, including improvements.

2. Increase in tax incentives to stimulate home purchases:

Using the Theory of Tax-Enomics, I propose the following change in the tax law:

A $20,000 Residential Home Purchase Investment tax credit for the purchase of a new owner-occupied residential primary home that would be spread over a 10 year period.
Multi family homes up to 4 family would be eligible for this program and the others listed below, on a percentage basis of the owner-occupied portion to the rental portion of the residence.
$6,500 in the year of purchase, $1,000 in 2Nd thru 4Th year ($4,000), $2,000 in the fifth year, and $1,500 for y 6Th thru 10Th years ($7,500). Homeowners have more financial needs in the early years after the purchase. The incentives have been made to encourage the homeowner to stay in their homes for at least 10 years.
The credit would be nonrefundable, but unused credits could be carried forward thru the 10Th year. Any unused credits after the 10Th year would expire.
If the owner occupied residence is sold during the 10 year period, the remaining unused credits will be permanently extinguished. The incentive is that home owners should stay in their homes during the 10 year incentive period.
The used tax credits will carry a deferred tax impact in the reduction of up to $40,000 of the taxable gain exclusion, on a 2 for 1 basis. Each $1.00 of credit used will reduce the taxable gain exclusion by $2.00.
The reduction in the taxable gain exclusion could be deferred by an investment in a new owner occupied home, if it equals at least 50% of the original home purchase price, including improvements. Homeowners, who need to downsize, should not be penalized for doing so.

3. FREE THE RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS - KEOS, IRAS and Corporate Pension Plans.

Under certain 401K plan and Corporate Retirement Plans, a participant is allowed to borrow funds from these accounts , subject to strict limitations, without a tax impact. However this is a loan that requires repayment and the interest is not deductible.The present tax law makes the withdrawal in most cases as economically unfeasible.

In order to make it easier for prospective homeowner-borrowers- to use funds in their retirement accounts for the purchase of a residential home (owner-occupied), I propose using the Theory of Tax-Enomics for changes in the tax laws as follows:

If the tax law were changed to allow a withdrawal for a home purchase without current tax impact, the withdrawal becomes an economically feasible and advantageous transaction for the prospective homeowner-borrowers. It allows the borrower to have more equity in his new owner-occupied home, which may represent a significant asset at retirement age. This equates to reduction in retirement asset account from which the funds were taken.
The only tax impact would be if the owner occupied home, when sold in the future, would have a reduced taxable gain exclusion.
If the taxpayer uses the proceeds within a set-time frame to purchase another primary owner-occupied residence, the reduction in taxable gain exclusion, at the option of the taxpayer can be transferred to the new residence - in whole or in part.
The interest on eligible retirement account loans for home purchases should be deductible as qualifying mortgage loan interest, providing it is repaid like a mortgage over a term not to exceed the 65 years less the borrower's age. IRAs should be included in accounts eligible for these permissible "mortgage loans."
An allowed administrative fee, not to exceed 1/2% of the interest charged on the loan, which interest income when repaid will go directly back into the participant's retirement account.

4. Modify Qualifying Income for Residential Mortgage Financing to include the nontaxable Income from retirement accounts for mortgage underwriting purposes.

In today's residential mortgage financing market, it is very difficult for many prospective home buyers to qualify their incomes and assets under today's mortgage underwriting rules. Additionally, the transaction has become (except using FHA financing), substantially economically unfeasible in today's harried home market valuation crisis.

The nontaxable income earned on retirement tax deferred accounts (which income is not reported on the borrower's tax returns). is a nontaxable income that many borrowers have that should be used in this qualifying income ratio, that presently to my knowledge is never considered.
This income should be reduced by 2.55% (the 10% tax penalty for early withdrawal less the 7.45% payroll taxes that it is not subject to). if the borrower does not have sufficient income to pay his mortgage at any point this additional income is available to the borrower to subsidize his taxable income.
Note: The above programs, in the long-run, will be self-financing with deferred tax impact. Tax Incentives - Tax Credits or exemption from tax are only granted where the participants are doing services for the economy or assisting the economy by stimulating and restoring consumer confidence in the housing market values and residential mortgage financing. In each case the parties must participate financially to get the tax incentives.

MRCANDU10 (Cousin of Mr.Get-It Done)

I was disappointed that "Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting" is not available on PBS in the Atlanta area! There are over 12 quilt shops in the Atlanta metro area and I'm shocked that PBS doesn't carry this wonderful program.

Please reconsider!

PLEASE Please please reconsider putting the various saturday morning sewing programs back into the line-up. Sewing and arts/crafts are NOT a lost art (just look at etsy.com or ebay) I miss these shows very much, they were very informative, timely and not to mention full of ideas. I am lost on saturday mornings whithout these "friends"

Back in 2004 (I believe)--I shaved my head in my audition for you guys! Hahaha. I think that my hair is still growing out from that. How are ya, Nathan? I see that RTN is doing well. I'm so glad to hear!

Katie : )

Where did my sewing shows go? Please put them back on and add some craft/ recyclable/ reuse shows too!

Where are the sewing shows. America Sews with Sue Hausmann and Sewing With Nancy I consider essentials. Others would be nice. People in America really need to learn to sew!!

Please put our sewing shows back on air. Like Elinor Burns,Kate, Nancy. America sews. Fons and Porter. or any others that you can. Thank you from Canada

Every one knows that when times are tough, Americans go back to their roots and start doing for themselves again, ie, making things. This generation does not know how and PBS used to serve that cause. It is time to put back the sewing shows of all types back on the air.

I've watched your sewing shows for years and have enjoyed them. I'm sorry that you have taken so many of them off. Please reconsider as you're making changes on the network.

Bill Moyers Journal is my favorite journalism/commentary program. I record each program so I can make specific notes if desired. He has intellectual, knowledgeable, guests with whom he has insightful and fascinating conversations. Mr. Moyers himself has given right-on, courageous commentary on events and people. His past series, such as The Power of Myth with Joseph Campbell, were also incredible. He and his program are first class.

Your cultural/arts programming is first class as well.

I cannot get enough of craft and gardening programs. So any you can add would be appreciated.

please bring it back to the saturday moring line up as I record them on my dvr also sewing with nancy please bring them back. thank you

Why was this taken off? I live in the country and cannot get to quilt shops that often. We need more quilt and sewing shows. The younger generation needs to be exposed to this wonderful addition. I would love to see more. And I am addicted to learning as much as I can. Thalnks

I miss Fons and Porter. Please more sewing and quilting shows.

Thanks for giving us Sewing with Nancy for so many years. I love that show and would love to see more shows like that one. Anything about sewing and quilting would be great. Please note I am in my early 30's and I love this stuff and have learned a lot from family and friends along with the TV shows that are available.

Another idea is anything to do with the history of crafts, quilting, and sewing. I would also like a show about how fabric is made and designed. (Documentaries about this industry.) Finally, anything artsy is great!

Thanks for listening and caring enough to ask the question!!

Please , Please, Please bring back Sewing and Quilting programs. They are missed by so many.

Please bring back the quilting and needlearts shows that PBS always carried in the past.

I'll support PBS and write all the letters you want me to write to our legislators but not unless you bring back the quilting, sewing, knitting, and needlearts shows that you have shown in the past.

I can't understand why PBS has so many food shows...in case you haven't heard--obesity is a big problem in the US and we don't need more food shows.

There is a large number of quilters and needlearts people out here that have had to support sponsors of the shows we want to watch. (i.e. QNNtv) I'd just as soon send my money to PBS but not until they show programs that interest us.

Please consider putting more sewing and quilting shows, there is a huge demand for them and yet I do not see any changes....please help us!!

Please tell me that the "Rosanne" show is not taking the place of the sewing, quilting, painting programs that we enjoyed so much here in Lubbock at the 12:00 - 1:00 time.

I can't believe you aren't showing one of my favorite shows anymore. Saturday mornings WAS my favorite day of the week and I didn't let anyone have the remote during my hour and a half. I LOVE Sewing with Nancy and Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting. I wish you had more to offer in my area. Eleanor Burns "Quilt in a Day" would be great as well.

I'm teaching my 5-year old granddaughter to sew and we watch these kinds of shows every chance we get. I don't think it's ever too early to start.

Please bring them back!

Please continue to carry all your painting shows. I look foward to Sunday afternoon to watch Bob Ross, Terry Madden and my favorite Jerry Yarnell. Any more shows of this type you add would be great!

We really do need less food shows and more sewing and quilting shows.
ALSO woould like to have a better access to show info, i've been trying to find the instructions for the quilt shown on AUGUST 8TH , 2009
for 2 weeks and can't find it.Can anyone help?

Hello,
Love Martha Pullen show, Sewing with Nancy and America Sews. Please this are the shows I enjoy watching on the weekends. Please Bring them back...PLEASE!

Celina Hall

Bring back the sewing/quilting shows, please. HGTV and DIY Network don't have any sewing/quilting shows anymore as well. What are we to do?

I want to add my voice to the others. Please bring back the sewing and quilting shows like Fons and Porter, Sewing with Nancy and Sue Housman.

Please bring back all craft, quilting and sewing programs to PBS!

Please bring back sewing programs. In my area it used to be on around 5:00 am & I used to get up that early just to watch them. We need to have more than just cartoons for those of us middle-agers.