This surprises you...?

EVERY commercial-free radio station in town does this- they all stress that the faster they get the money to run the station, the sooner the drive will end. Simple economics, nothing to write home about.

I received the same postcard. If it also offered "For a donation of $250 or more, we will cut the vocal chords of Marcie Sillman" I'd get out my checkbook immediately....

I guess I was surprised by KUOW's wielding of the suckiness of its drive as a fund-raising tool.

"We know our pledge drives are excruciating! Limit your suffering by sending money now!"

pure behavior mod tactics; dangle a carrot, wag a stick. it works.

I just do not listen to NPR during the whoreing out of This American Life & Car Talk.....

And I thought Randi Rhodes and Stephanie Miller were radio whores...yesh!

I recently emailed them twice about a terrible programming change they made. Except for the auto-responder I never heard anything back from them.

After the whole Ken Vincent fallout I won't be donating any more time/money to them, or at least not until they actually start talking to listeners instead of just demanding more money.

cato (#5), This American Life isn't an NPR show. It's a PRI show. And TAL's pledge-drive shows are actually much better than the standard pledge-drive show of the typical public radio program.

I don't think they have any illusions about the suckiness of the drives, or enjoy them any more than we do. In fact, they probably hate them even more, since they have to be there the whole time.

KEXP sometimes does the same thing, with the "Hit it and quit" drive. They set a goal, and stop when they hit it. Not really a big deal.

I love the Hit It & Quit It drives - last drive ksxp did I noticed they didn't announce it that way, which was a bummer. I see nothing wrong with this line of fundraising, and actually appreciate it.

Just send in your donation in small, unmarked bills and nobody gets hurt.

DO NOT call the police!

Why is KUOW evening having a pledge drive, when they've got $2.5 mm sitting in the bank as I write this?

I quit listening to radio altogether. It's either (1) nonstop commercials, or (2) odious inane patter, or (3) just assholes yelling at assholes.

When I want my daily dose of (3), I turn to the comments on Slog, and I contribute my fair share while giving my eardrums a break.

Because money in the bank lasts forever, COMTE.

I have enough money in the bank to pay rent next month! I should just quite my job now and live of the interest!

Maybe KUOW should start airing stripper ads, that would bring in some revenue.

"Make your gift today" sounds so kindergartenisch - like get out the clay and we'll make mommy an ashtray in the shape of your hand.

"There is still time to make the drive short." Word here: time is infinite; whereas short drives waste gas. Does obeying this command mean that if everyone who gives sent their check today there would be no drive at all? Precluding my joy at eating free lunch when I volunteer answering phones in October. Bummer...

And to the person who several years ago phoned in during the drive and declared: "As long as Ken Vincent is there, you won't be getting a dime from me." It's now safe for you to send KUOW your generous donation.

The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

The mailings have nothing to do with the drive goal or the length of the drive. You can mail back as much money as you want, it makes no difference.

@13:

If you had $2.5 mm in the bank, you probably could.