“PBS is a special resource, valuable in a democracy that depends on well-informed citizens … well, you know the rap. That said, public TV needs an extreme makeover. PBS has bungled at every turn. The system still can’t decide whether to embrace commercials (“enhanced underwriting” is the euphemism). The convoluted bureaucracy doesn’t work. While preaching “localism,” the service has kept a few strong stations in charge (Boston, New York, Los Angeles) while others idle.”