Is Feb. 17 the Drop Dead Date or Will Wimps Win?

[Talos4]

The whole thing is crazy,

Just because the Gov't hasn't given out enough free money that means the country isn't ready for this?

Everyone I know & work with is ready.

EVEN the 82 year old woman working in our office. She has a little 9" TV in her office on her desk.  She came walking into my office and asked me to hook up her converter box to that TV because she can't miss her soaps during the day.

She bought three boxes without coupons and is ready. She doesn't care how she gets the signal as long as she get's it.  

She also has no sympathy for those who aren't ready.

[AA9VI]

This isn't dead until Feb 18th at 0000.  The House can bring up a new bill with only a simple D majority needed to pass it.  The Senate would be unlikely to fillibuster since they already unanimously approved a very weak bill with no explanations on paying for it just a few days back.  

The point is that this shinanigan did nothing but create MORE confusion, ironically.

...and like I mentioned before, this isn't about a converter box rebate card.  It's just a convenient excuse.

[gb4fan92]

Good thing this current government wasn't in power 50 years ago or we'd still be watching black and white tv!

[Bebop]

There is a difference. You can still watch programs on your b/w without additional hardware.

[GBK]

There is a difference. You can still watch programs on your b/w without additional hardware.

the difference is irrelevant.  Everyone got the same amount of warning to switch and were told how to do it.  the fact that those that procrastinated are whining shouldn't be a surprise nor should they get a reprieve.  the day their tv goes off they'll all magically will be able to find the hardware they need to continue to get it..

[wysiwyg]

And what will happen when June 1st rolls around and Nielsen reports that 3-4 million people STILL aren't prepared? And then October 1st when 2.5 million aren't ready...you get the idea.

In reality, the major networks don't want analog shut off because they think that most people who still watch analog OTA will switch to Pay TV if they end up left in the dark, which will cut deeply into their ratings. I wouldn't be surprised if analog is never shut off.

[Dan the Man]

Nothing stopping this now but Obama (yeh right, like he would stop it):

CNN Story

[AA9VI]

The DTV delay act as passed the house.  It will go to Obama's desk for signature.
Yes, the inmates are running the asylum.

http://arstechnica.com/telecom/news/2009/02/dtv-delay-passes-264-158.ars

The attempt to derail this failed.
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2009/02/issa-invokes-clearwire-conflict-wants-to-halt-dtv-delay-bill.ars