LETTER: Keeping 'Pepper and Friends' would send responsible statement

I join my voice with many others in recent months who have urged retention of the worthwhile and important local program, "Pepper and Friends," by organizing supportive events, circulating petitions and contacting Marty Siddall, general manager of KOMU; Brady Deaton, chancellor of MU; and Jacquelyn Jones, vice chancellor of administrative services.

The bottom line financial issue of profitability, announced as the key factor in canceling the program, is particularly concerning at this time in our nation’s history when we have powerful opportunities all around us to contemplate the profit motive run amok in self-delusion, confusion, exploitation and fraud in corporate America and the financial sector.  If there were ever a time to make a strong statement about media responsibility to more than mere profit, now is the time.

Finally and even more importantly, "Pepper and Friends" is not canned and generic programming.  It is crucial and unique local programming that focuses informatively, variously, and humanely on community and civic activities and on the web of our individual and collective lives in this region.  This valuable program should be retained.