Violence on TV

Bill Moyers is absolutely right on target in his assessment of violence shown on TV and, in particular, the violence shown on the commercial networks (“Public Broadcasting Takes Stand on Juvenile Violence,” Jan. 7).

It has always surprised and amazed me that Sunday nights (the night I have considered to be the real family night) is the night often chosen to exhibit movies with the most horrendous of violent themes.

I think that the new House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, would better serve the American people by increasing funding to PBS rather than even suggesting that it be dropped from government funding because I am sure that such wonderful children’s shows as “Sesame Street,” “Barney and Friends,” “Mister Rogers” and others contribute positively to our young population, and, for their parents, such gems as “Masterpiece Theatre” and “Nova” (just two among many) cannot, in any sense, be either compared to or replaced by anything that the commercial networks are presently offering.

LaVERA PORTER WILLIAMS

Sun City

Moyers and “Frontline” should be congratulated for their fine programs on violence and children.

It might interest you to know that recently $229,000 of our tax dollars were given to the National Shooting Sports Foundation to produce and distribute videos for grades 4 through 12.

As quoted in the Nation, the foundation’s publication put it this way: “All who want a good climate for shooting and hunting (must) imprint our position in the minds of . . . these potential customers.”

TANJA WINTER

La Jolla