home | articles |The Big - wait for it - Switch
Brockwell Bone, Concerned Citizen
As everyone knows, on February 17th, all TV signals are being switched from analog to digital. The result is that TVs with antennas that are older will not be able to pick up TV stations anymore. I believe that the switch is a technology "jump" to improve picture and sound quality - but I am not sure (do you know why?).
A year ago, they started the TV commercials, I found these friendly reminders once every couple of days of TV watching. In the past 6 months, you cannot watch an hour of TV without seeing an ad explaining the switch.
Our radio stations have been playing ads about the "big switch". And our local radio personalities have mentioned it several times.
The federal government offers coupons to those needing a converter so that they can continue receiving television signal. Why would the government do this?
1. It's not the television owners fault, the FCC is changing things. This is pretty cool of government to do.
2. Television has replaced radio as the government's media choice to deliver information to you.
You may be thinking, OK, I have heard and understand all of this.
How many people still rely soley on the antenna? (I can't find it at this time) I can guess that in rural areas, people still rely on the antenna; but these are the same people that watch the news - they have probably heard about this.
Brockwell, that makes sense, what are you writing about really?!
Well, I found out this morning that a Senator in West Virginia proposed, and recently passed S. 3663 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-3663) - a bill requiring the continuation of broadcasting in analog for 30 days past the big switch.
This is another example of "that's ok, momma-will-take-care-of-you" government. They have told us and told us and beat it in to us about the big switch coming. They have offered us a free solution to fix it. Now they are not standing their ground on the date - it seems to me that this would create a boundaries issue.
Last night on Everybody Loves Raymond, Ray and his wife argued about Ray not receiving respect from his children because he was always lax, and Mr. Nice Guy. Debra asked Ray to have the boys clean their room while she took their daughter to Scouts. Ray asked and pleaded and begged - the boys totally disrespected him because he was also too nice to them. He had no boundaries set with them.
Government is not retaining boundaries with us - her children will not respect her and she will be run-over and abused until she collapses (or explodes).
Supporting Free Will,
Brockwell Bone
Concerned Citizen, Husband, Father, Small Business Owner,
and Future Politician for Less Government
www.brockwellbone.com
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