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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Here's the extent to which Republicans will go to block anything Obama wants
Posted by Jill | 6:06 AM
They're blocking a bill that would delay the switch over to digital TV transmission -- a delay requested because word of the transmission still hasn't gotten out to those who might need it most -- those still receiving their signals via antenna:
Defying President Obama (as well as Democrats in Congress and pretty much anyone with an intelligent, informed position on the issue), House Republicans today defeated a bill that would have postponed the transition to digital TV until June.

Preparations for the switch to digital -- now scheduled to take place on February 17th -- have been beset with problems, including such poor publicity by the FCC that millions don't even realize the transition is set to happen.

To make matters worse, earlier this month the Commerce Department ran out of funding for coupons subsidizing digital converter boxes, prompting then-President-elect Obama to publicly back the delay.

The end result of this general incompetence? According to the AP, less than a month before the mandated switch:

The Nielsen Co. estimates more than 6.5 million U.S. households that rely on analog television sets to pick up over-the-air broadcast signals still are not prepared for the transition.

As consumer rights and media reform groups point out, the poor, rural and elderly will be disproportionately affected.

But what's a few million households without access to television -- including emergency transmissions -- when Republicans can stick it to Obama? As Reuters reports, House Republicans inexplicably decided to blame the President for the bill's failure.



Maybe someone needs to tell the Republicans that Rachel Maddow's show is on CABLE, and they won't be blocking anyone from watching it by blocking this bill.

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7 Comments:
Blogger Comrade Misfit said...
The party of Hoover has less than 200 seats in the House, how can they block anything? The Democrats should be able to sweep them aside.

(word verification: fuller)
1/29/09, 7:05 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
It's all just a little dumb.
1/29/09, 8:21 AM  
Blogger Charles D said...
I'm with Comrade. We can't blame anything Congress does or doesn't do on the Republicans anymore, certainly not in the House. Why was there a 2/3 vote required on this measure? Who made that rule and why is it still standing?

The Senate is in the same boat. All they need to do is change the cloture rule to require 66 votes instead of 60 and remove the rules that allow a single senator to block or delay legislative action.
1/29/09, 8:41 AM  
Blogger Bob said...
I don't think awareness of the switchover is the problem. At some point you have to cut loose the really stupid people. The problem is in the coupons & the availability of good converter boxes. The industry was not prepared for the demand. Here was one item Circuit City really could have pushed at Christmas, but why would those stores want customers who won't buy a 60" HD? These things have to be sold in supermarkets & Walmarts. The Senate bill is revenue neutral, & the House ought to do the same, get the date changed, & if there's additional funding needed, slip that into some other bill.
1/29/09, 11:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
Bob, I don't think you'd be cutting loose the stupid but I'd bet my shoes it's a solid step toward cutting loose the poor, the elderly and the rural. The date is perfect for Republican and Blue Dog purposes. I hear "Obama screwed you" on the wind, don't you?
1/29/09, 12:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
There is another side to the argument. It's costing TV owners a ton of money to keep the analog transmitters up and running and parts to repair them are in short supply. The government pushed the TV folks to make the switchover, gave them a hard and fast cutoff date and now wants to move the finish line.
1/29/09, 2:55 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I hardly watch TV anymore. I see enough garbage already when I take it out.
1/30/09, 10:19 PM  
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