Strong reactions to NPR host's removal

	AP Longtime "Morning Edition" host Bob Edwards will be replaced. He will become a senior NPR News correspondent.
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I'm really disappointed that NPR has decided to dump Bob Edwards as "Morning Edition" host. I've been a listener and regular NPR contributor since 1987. Since they've decided to dump Bob, I've decided to dump my contributions!

— Andrew Carr, Seattle

This makes no sense whatsoever, it seems to be change for change's sake only, without any consideration to the concerns and opinion of the millions of us who listen to "Morning Edition" each day no matter where we are in the country. ... I don't think there is any potential gain, but there is certainly a potential risk in this. I think that we who support public radio deserve an explanation, and not that it's just time to try something new.

— Jon Ostlund, Anacortes

I think it's part of the conservative ex-VOA-management takeover of NPR. I hope our local station discontinues more NPR programs and replaces them with superior BBC and The World programming. They've already ruined "Talk of the Nation." Now it looks like "Morning Edition" is next on the hit list.

— Kris Jones, Seattle

Why is NPR messing with a good thing?!? Perhaps "Morning Edition" is the No. 2 radio show in the country because of Bob Edwards.

— Kathleen O'Connor, Seattle
 

He might not be getting a gold watch, but Bob Edwards should be allowed, at least, to eat "Morning Edition's" silver anniversary cake (in November). He's been the voice of fatherly tones and authority that's led NPR through all its morning-show success. Doesn't loyalty mean anything anymore?

— Erik Derr, Seattle

I can't think of a better time to can Bob Edwards than during a pledge drive: "Call 1-888-YOUR-NPR to support programming you love, like 'Morning Edition' with Bob Edwards ... well, not for much longer ... but with somebody. Of course, it won't be someone you have come to know and trust over the past 25 years, but it'll be somebody good. ... Hello? Why aren't the phones ringing? Hello?"

— Austin Mayor, Chicago

Thank goodness! At last Edwards is gone! The change will hopefully create badly needed editorial changes at "Morning Edition." The news from "ME" contained a definite geographical bias, with emphasis on Israel. It was very clear that the rest of the world took a back seat to that bias, for seldom did Edwards discuss issues in the Pacific Northwest, the Pacific Rim, or Latin America. Indeed, the bias left a huge void of silence from parts of the world that have greater impact on the United States than the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Let's hope that the new folks will take this badly needed change into account.

— Dick Butcher, Seattle

I am leery of change for the sake of change (Laura Gross states they're trying to "refresh all the network broadcasts" — whatever that means). Edwards is the Walter Cronkite of radio and will be sorely missed by loyal listeners like myself. What's particularly disappointing is the fact (he) was surprised and disappointed by this change and feels that he somehow failed. He never failed his listeners. I expected more from NPR.

— Betsy Hall, Mercer Island

Who's making the brilliant decisions at NPR? Has anyone there ever heard the maxim "if it ain't broke, don't fix it"?

— Phil O'Brien, Seattle

This has all the earmarks of a stupid attempt to solve a problem that doesn't exist. ... "Morning Edition" will be a lesser program without Edwards' sane, thoughtful and wry sensibility.

— Yvette Waters, Redmond

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