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Obama Recommends Delay In Digital TV Switch

gregg writes "Six weeks before the nation's television stations are scheduled to convert to digital transmission, the Obama administration is asking Congress to consider a delay. In the most significant sign to date of concern about the impending digital TV transition, the Obama transition team co-chair John Podesta said the government funds to support the change are 'woefully inadequate' and said that the digital switch date, Feb. 17, should be 'reconsidered and extended.'"

7 of 589 comments (clear)

  1. In Other Words... by camperdave · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other words, the TV in the Oval Office isn't digital ready, and Obama doesn't want to miss American Idol.

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    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    1. Re:In Other Words... by iluvcapra · · Score: 4, Funny

      Uh, I seem to recall the oval office having three TVs. Didn't you see Superman 2?

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      Don't blame me, I voted for Baltar.
  2. Re:Nooooo by DragonWriter · · Score: 4, Funny

    Fun the coupon program better with an executive order.

    I know its hard to grasp after the last 8 years, but Constitutionally the US is not an executive dictatorship where the President can just allocate funds to any purpose he chooses on a whim.

  3. Re:Riot by nizo · · Score: 3, Funny

    So people need to just remember to loot a new TV or converter box. Problem solved!

  4. Re:Really that big deal? by Joe+Snipe · · Score: 4, Funny

    PBS is great and should continue to be able to deliver their service free of charge

    But we can't do it without your help. PBS relies on your donations to keep on the air, and if you aren't donating, that's the same as stealing! If you watch even one second of PBS and don't contribute, you're a thief. A common thief!

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    Sometimes, life itself is sarcasm...
  5. Re:The American Public Will Never Learn by Toonol · · Score: 3, Funny

    I would recommend that everybody should get their coupon, even if they have cable, if for no other reason than emergency preparedness. Sometimes you may need to catch a broadcast while the cable feeding to your living room is on the fritz.

    The cost of the coupon program is (a) a small fraction of the profit made by auctioning off the frequencies, and (b) a small fraction of the money this is costing consumers who are being forced into upgrading.

  6. Re:Riot by sacrilicious · · Score: 3, Funny

    There will be riots on street, if millions of low income homes are out of TV.

    And that is one revolution that will not be televised.

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    - First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then ???, then profit.