Posted on Wednesday, 28th January 2009 by Patrick Dorwin
The House of Representatives blocked the Obama administrations effort to delay the conversion to digital television signals, so the old analog TV signal will go dead on Feb. 17 as scheduled.
You can follow my DTV conversion experience, here.
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2 Responses to “House blocks effort to delay DTV conversion”
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January 28th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Some interesting info.
Commerce Department received $1.5 billion for the digital converter box coupon program,and has only spent half of the money.
The current economic stimulus bill in Congress includes $650 million in additional money for the converter box coupon program.
We have people with no jobs in this country,some losing everything they own,and the folks in Washinton will be wasting 2 Billion dollars so people can watch TV. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123316590727524977.html
January 28th, 2009 at 9:19 pm
According to media reports, there are approximately 6.5 million American households who aren’t “prepared” for the DTV conversion. Another $650 Million dollars to “reach out” to these folks? Seems like a great investment.
I would imagine that this very instant a fleet of DTV conversion shuttles is being readied to rush these 6.5 million prudent and insightful souls to their nearest WalMart, or Radio Shack, government-issued debit card in hand, to claim their free converter box. Then, their DTV conversion specialist will drive them back home, to marry their free toy to the ‘ol Zenith… but, of course, not before buying them a really nice meal. And maybe a stop at the grocery store, just to pick up a few things. Heck, they’re already on the road. What’s a few more minutes?
Has anyone considered the possibility that having people who can’t find a way to hook a practically free box to their television after 4 years (and one delay already) with which to do so - with everyone from their local TV weatherman to Elmo reminding them that the change is imminent - removed from the information and entertainment pipeline might not necessarily be a bad thing?
If they stand by the February 17th date, I applaud some members of our government for apparently finding their backbones. To the 6.5 million who aren’t yet “prepared” for the conversion? Read a book. Listen to Live from the Met on NPR. Play with your kids. Pry the remote from the death grip of your clenched fingertips, fluff up that ass-dent in your couch, and find something else to do.
Dear freaking God, what has this country become?