New York Times:
Millions of households will lose television reception next week when about 1,000 broadcasters around the nation shut off their analog signals and complete their conversion to digital programming, federal officials say.
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No matter how long they delay this, millions are going to be unprepared because they're either lazy or stu.pid.
Neither is a valid excuse. Do the switch and let the chips fall where they may. This is horsecra.p
Agreed. This is a waste of good whining.
The converter boxes have been available for three years. Government supplied chits for a free box have also been available for three years. Millions of TV and Radio ads telling you about the conversion have been aired.
The expression "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink". It seems to me that this expression also applies to some of our fellow citizens. Watch the evening news. You will see a few of them on the tube next week, probably on Olbermann.
So millions of elderly and poor will no longer be able to watch a telly. No news. No weather. No favourite shows that may be all they have for enjoyment at all. What a digital drag.
Their own fault. I'm so sick of EVERY TIME this gets delayed the excuse being "but the elderly! But the poor!" Enough is enough.
Their own fault. I'm so si.ck of EVERY TIME this gets delayed the excuse being "but the el.derly! But the po.or!" Enough is enough.
This isn't something that was announced yesterday. This has been known about for literally years. Government subsidies practically insured anyone that didn't want to buy a digital TV or wasn't a cable subscriber could convert their current one for almost no cost. This is primarily procrastination. We could wait another year and there would still be millions who had not made the switch.
I looked all through the US Constitution and I could not find where it says the US government owes anybody Cable TV,
I did, however, find this interesting quote from Thomas Jefferson:
"A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of its citizens access to MTV, CSPAN and MSNBC - this is the sum of good government. "
I guess we need to disband the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps according to your strict interpretation of the Constitution, because all it specifies is a navy. And there sure as heck weren't any F/A 18s for the Marines to fly in 1787.
Any suggestions as to when we start disbanding?
Defending the constitionality of a standing US Armed Forces vs federally funded cable TV? You really need to sit back and analyze your whole thought process there buddy.
And why is the US government spending $billions for converter box coupons? There hasn't been a non-digital compatible TV sold in this country for almost ten years. Cable services and the US taxpayers don't owe these people jack. What an incredible waste of money.
agreed
There hasn't been a non-digital compatible tv set sold in this country in 10 years? BS. The smallest TVs, used for backup in emergencies, have been sold as of last month.
Well then, if you think those backup in emergency TV's are so important (as if radio isn't good enough), we'll send you the 2 $billion dollar bill.
what about severe weather you need walk in others shoes before you run your mouth RUSH!!!!
get a radio
Both of my TV sets are older than ten years. I am not buying a new one until these die--unless of course you want to buy one for me. I don't have the money to spare for a new set at the moment.
Probably a huge life improvement to not watch TV anyway so count your blessings.
No I don't want to buy you a new one. Exactly why do you think I should?
They could be found in stores as recently as a year ago, nimwit. I know, because I bought a cheap one simply to hook up to a dvd player in a spare room. You keep demonstrating over and over that you haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about.
it's a good thing we extended the deadline, watching teevee is a Constitutional right.
it will be next though
health care is a right
housing is a right
a job is a right
so tv will be a right
it is garbage but liberals just keep making punchlines for us
You wouldn't know a right if it bit you on your a$$ jarhead!
And I'm suppose to feel sorry for them...why
The really frightening question is how many of these folks will notice when analog TV ceases.
TV makes people stupid, that's how we got GW Bush......
When's the election, I'm ready to cast my "informed" vote.
But one simple question: do I get the beer before or after I vote?
This should never have been delayed. When taking off a Band-Aid, you pull it in one quick movement, not a long drawn out attempt
oh come on...... 4 more people are ready now
Try over 10 million a$$munch!
OK...C'mon folks. It's not that hard.
While converters have been available for with the government discount for $0-20, there is no subsidies for the much more advanced antennas one needs or have supplied by their building owners. If one lives in some places even not far from the transmitter antennas, then you will need a new antenna, perhaps with a device to rotate the antenna to aim properly at the one for each channel, a factor due to the very directional nature of digital signals. Many apartment buildings no longer offer free building antenna connections, long replaced by paid cable. Problem is many cannot even afford the least expensive services, typically about $15-25.
then turn off your tv and save that carbon
Oh please.
I would suggest that these tenants move to a building that does supply the more advanced antennas. It's called a free market.
You do know the antenna story is a myth, right!
They said the same thing when someone discovered burning clay would produce a ball of iron. The stone chippers resisted and look where it got them.
Whatever the cost, those people need to enter the same century as the rest of us. The alternative? Go live in a tribal state such as Afghanistan where progress is reviled.
Go read a book.
Nice idea!
A paper or digital one?
Finally, someone with something cogent and material to say! Thank you.
For a lot of people, particularly older Americans and rural citizens, local over the air TV is a lifeline, and in many cases, the sole source of local information for them. To all of you making jokes about this, it's no joke. And no, most of them cannot turn to radio because consolidation has destroyed localism. Most radio stations are automated and the programming originates from locations thousands of miles away. In an emergency, people turn to their local broadcasters for vital information that in some cases could be a matter of life and death. So over the air TV is still more important than many of us think.
I wasn't going to make fun of them but...NPR. Pretty much everyone can get that over the radio, and it's much better news than tv anyway.
Some are confused by the radio as well.
They've had a lot of time to take care of this issue and buy or purchase a converter. Although a "life-line", they've had plenty of time to purchase one of these. Times up. If they want one, they've had plenty of time to get one. Time to play by big boy rules instead of ti-tty baby rules.
oh who cares.....
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First Posted: 06- 5-09 10:55 PM | Updated: 06- 5-09 11:02 PM