Barack Obama’s transition team today questioned whether this country was ready for the analog to digital TV signal switchover, mandated by government fiat when it was completely controlled by Republicans. Finally, someone is listening to me.
Years ago a young salesman at a big box electronics store tried to convince me to buy a digital TV. “You won’t be able to watch TV in 2009 if you don’t,” he warned. I said then that was completely ridiculous. There was no way, no how, America would be able to effect that kind of massive switchover.
People would be left without a TV signal.
When that happens, people sue.
Now it seems that some shade of rationality has descended on DC, and this February 17, 2009 deadline just may be moved back. Too many poor and elderly have yet to make the switch. The program to provide government-guaranteed $40 coupon to help defray the costs of buying a digital converter box has fallen far behind, and there is still a miles long waiting list just to receive the coupon, let alone find a converter box on the store shelf.
They say the converter boxes disappear off the shelves as fast as they appear.
Well, my prediction of “no way, no how” would have fallen flat had we continued to elect Republicans, wouldn’t it? Especially in view of the fact that the analog frequencies have all been auctioned off.
So Americans already stand to reap a huge benefit by turning out the kleptocracy that has raped and pillaged our country: they get to hold on to our real national pastime for a little while longer, until we are more ready to deal with this government edict.
We may yet retain our option to entertain ourselves to death with analog TV.
For a little while longer.
Maybe.
