Amidst all the complaints about the changed programming for public radio, I entertain the fantasy that Rob Gardiner, Charles Beck, et al. would pragmatically restore afternoon classical music and Saturday afternoon live opera. Practical men would do no less. Without some definitive gesture, they will be pumping dry wells in their next fund-raising efforts; some old PR faithfuls are even informing their legislators that this sort of radio might not be worthy of support from public coffers.

Yet mere restoration of lost music would be an inadequate gesture, for if this little controversy has revealed anything, it is that the emperors have no clothes. That is, they exhibit no public radio values.

Anyone who inserts and defends the present yak-yak-yak trivia is simply beyond the pale of public radio redemption. So, to quibble about the need for the return of a classical music session here and opera there is akin to worrying about a spilled glass of water while the Titanic sinks. As long as Gardiner and his crew stay at the helm, Maine Public Radio is a ship endangered.

Several weeks ago, Neil Rolde and his PR board of directors informed us that they do not intrude on the actual programming of public radio. Fair enough. Then they should exercise their authority and replace the people who make these tasteless, impolitic decisions.

William J. Baker

Bangor