NPR National Public Radio

**Sun Mar 19, 2006 10:46 pm**

Phil Chevron radio interview http://www.npr.org/templates/story/stor ... Id=5286313

**Mon Mar 20, 2006 3:34 pm**

wow, what a disappointment. I was really looking forward to hearing this story, too. Here's the email I just sent to NPR:

I was delighted to hear that NPR had conducted interviews with the Pogues during their recent US tour, but disappointed to hear the finished product, which seemed to be filled with vitriol and thinly-veiled racism. In his story, Mr. Pesce dwells on the alcoholism and dental hygeine of the band's lead singer, and glosses over the Pogues' contributions to both punk and Irish music at the end of the twentieth century, not to mention their incredible performances during the current tour. In concentrating on the media's trite impressions of Mr. Macgowan (such impressions being decades old at this point), Mr. Pesce only serves to perpetuate the stereotype of the drunken, toothless "Paddy" looking for a fight and a free drink wherever he can find one. As Pogues guitarist Philip Chevron rightly points out, it seems that ethnic stereotyping is alive and well in twenty-first century America, and the media is largely to blame. It's incredibly sad to hear this type of "reporting" from the normally unreproachable NPR.

Perhaps Mr. Pesce is harboring some bitterness for his failed attempts to engage Mr. Macgowan in an interview? After hearing this story, it's easy to understand Mr. Macgowan's reluctance.

____________

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**Mon Mar 20, 2006 4:16 pm**

Paddy Fitz wrote:wow, what a disappointment.

Excellent letter to NPR. I think I'll write one, too.

**Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:26 pm**

Excellent letter to NPR. I think I'll write one, too.

Thanks. I misspelled "hygiene" though -- there goes my credibility. :oops:

**Mon Mar 20, 2006 6:33 pm**

Paddy Fitz wrote:
Excellent letter to NPR. I think I'll write one, too.

Thanks. I misspelled "hygiene" though -- there goes my credibility.

Nah, not yr credibility -- just your slot in the Medusa Fora's Annual Spelling Bee. :wink:

**Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:55 pm**

that interview sadly was a waste of time for all involved

great job Mike

**Tue Mar 21, 2006 3:16 am**

I have yet to hear Mr. Pesca's piece as I wasn't able to get it playin' on my low-tech laptop. But now, based on what I've read here, I don't think I wanna hear it.

**Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:39 am**

Eric V wrote:
Paddy Fitz wrote:wow, what a disappointment.

Excellent letter to NPR.

Yeah great job Paddy Fitz :wink:

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Phil Chevron interview

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