[Smooth Landing] reminds me of the wonderful radio that I used to take for granted. -- Bob Humphrey
Kimberly wrote last week:
I listen to WHQR at work, and usually I listen off the NPR website because it streams (as opposed to downloading the mp3 file). Within the last month, the WHQR stream from the NPR website is the WHQR classical station. In case this is a mistake, just wanted to let you guys know - otherwise, often, the mp3 file won't play consistently from the local website.
I wrote to Kimberly that it was indeed the Classical HQR stream, but it should be the HQR News stream. We don’t know how this happened, but as of last week it has been resolved. As for the mp3 not playing from the local website, clicking in the Listen Live button on whqr.org should launch a player like iTunes. We will post on the today’s Friday Feedback instructions on how to type the addresses for both the HQR News and Classical HQR streams so that users can paste them directly into iTunes or another player.
Last week I read part of a message from Bette Bauereis concerning a Black History story on the events of 1898. She had other comments to make about our interviews. She wrote:
We have long been ardent supporters of NPR and for the last 15 years we have supported WHQR. While I am in favor of more local news and interviews, I have a concern about the quality of these interviews... (1) On Coastline the comments of all the interviewees are taken at face value with little or no journalistic pushback. An example is the recent Coastline concerning oil and gas leasing and its potential for southeastern NC. The representative of the petroleum industry denigrated the comments of both the economist and the environmental leader as “feelings” and not facts. The comments of the economist and the environmentalist were indeed facts and the interviewee should have been called on it. Introductions and ongoing questions should include the viewpoints of the people being interviewed to remind us of where they are coming from… Just my two cents.
I wrote to Bette that our model in interviews and on CoastLine is to be more a referee insuring that the parties play fair, than judge and jury deciding who the winner is. That’s up to the skills of the interviewees and the judgment of the audience.
Bob Humphrey wrote to George Scheibner:
I was at Phil Furia's presentation at The Northeast Regional Library [recently]. On my way home, it occurred to me that I should have taken a minute to say hello to you, and let you know how much I enjoy your Smooth Landings program. I grew up in Cleveland, where we used to have great radio (which is why that city has The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame). Your show reminds me of the wonderful radio that I used to take for granted. I love the unpredictable mix that spans decades and genres, and I especially appreciate the live music, the attention given to local talent, and the informative commentary between songs. Thanks so much for a great show.
Chris Valverde wrote:
On Monday February 23rd the station aired a piece on the Virginia Caucus’ efforts to limit police data collection. Richard Anderson, a Virginia delegate is part of the Ben Franklin Privacy Caucus. When asked why the caucus is named such he grievously misquoted Ben Franklin. The correct quote is “Those who give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety”. Mr. Anderson should do a little research prior to twisting a famous quote to make it fit his cause.
Chris is referring to an NPR story on Monday’s All Things Considered. The quotation generally attributed to Franklin does refer to “liberty” and “safety”, not to “privacy” and “security”, so Chris is correct.
We’d love to hear from you on Friday Feedback. You can always leave a message via email to feedback@WHQR.org. Our Feedback Phone is 910-292-9477. And thanks for your feedback.