The US Senate
Posted by Mike Sylvester - 1/27/09 @ 10:28 pm - Filed Under Featured, Local Politics, National Politics
The US Senate this week voted unanimously to extend the deadline to switch from analog to digital television to June 12th. Supposedly this was done because as many as 6.5 million US households MIGHT lose the ability to watch television for a few days until they can go out and buy a $50 converter box.
With all of the problems we have in this country the idiots in the US Senate have wasted their time getting involved in this saga, again.
Good grief.
Mike Sylvester
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13 Responses to “The US Senate”
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This morning I got a weather report and information about closed schools from my TV. If I did not have digital, how would I do that?
TV is more than (Cheap/Bad entertainment- pick one) for many it is the only source of information that they have.
The delay is a good move that hurts NO ONE.
What about the radio where school delays are broadcast continually? How about the Internet? If the delay hurts NO ONE, why not delay it indefinitely or not do it all?
kevin, spoken like a true politician wanna be. Public Television claims they will lose $22 million because of this delay. Nope, doesn’t hurt anyone. I’m sure congress will just give more away to PBS now. We stop this for 6 million people who can’t pay attention to commercials that have been on for a year in a country of over 250 million. Let me guess, in june these idiots will still whine and complain about losing there TV signal. OH by the way, Buy a radio for school closings and some AA batteries.
Tim,
In June we may have idiots whining. Today the only idiot whining is you!
Has it ever occured to Mr. Sylvester that maybe, just maybe, avertising firms and their clients are interested in this issue? What’s the use of buying air time if nearly 7 million won’t be seeing your ad?
Oh, and the vote was 100-0.
Keith,
They already sold the bandwidth for a lot of money and I doubt the government wants to refund that money now. So it might be delayed but it ain’t gonna be indefinitely…
The two major players that bought the service are Verizon and ATT. They are going to build out wireless networks that can be used for things like public safety.
Here are some thoughts:
1. They do have plans to build out their networks- but there is no equipment that works in that frequency range yet- it should be out by the end of the year.
2. Parts of this network will be used for Public Safety- at a price. So keep in mind that every TV in america needs a converter so ATT and Verizon can charge taxpayers more money.
3. Both ATT and Verizon have supported the delay.
Craig,
If these people haven’t been watching the commercials, then they are of no value to advertisers.
Kevin,
The whole thing has been one big corporate handout. But if people need info on school delays, give them a $10 radio instead of a $40 gadget.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but the delay is because of the lack of coupons, not equipment, correct? Though I am against the subsidy to begin with, here’s a thought, go buy the converter, save the receipt, and submit it to the new TV reception Czar (I’m sure Barry has made it a cabinet position by now anyway)for reimbursement.
Disaster averted.
Oops. Posted it in the wrong place.
Hahahahaha.. It’s not going to be delayed, the house just killed it.
Obama loses.
The House has defeated a bill to postpone the upcoming transition from analog to digital television broadcasting by four months to June 12.
House Republicans succeeded in scuttling a bill to delay the transition, which is scheduled for Feb. 17, less than two days after the Senate unanimously passed the plan.
Penny-hahahahaha yourself.
According to the JG today:
The bill will be re-introduced next week and there are enough votes to pass it under regular rules. Yesterday they tried under special rules, which requires 2/3 majority.
spend spend spend, Didn’t the Clinton’s run on the debt that George H.W. Bush was going to leave to our grandchildren…..and HOW DARE HE!!!!!