Obama Seeks Delay In DTv: The "Dog Ate My Homework Party" Strikes Again

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama is urging Congress to postpone the Feb. 17 switch from analog to digital television broadcasting.

In a letter to key lawmakers, transition team co-chair John Podesta warned Thursday that too many Americans who rely on analog TV sets to pick up over-the-air broadcasts won't be ready.

The incoming administration is pushing for a delay in part because the Commerce Department has run out of money for the coupons that subsidize digital TV converter boxes for consumers. People who don't have cable or satellite TV or a new TV with a digital tuner will need the converter boxes to keep their analog TVs working.

Obama officials are also concerned that the government is not giving consumers enough help with the TV transition

None of this comes as any surprise to me. It was all too predictable.

Despite years of advertising and coordinated marketing regarding the intentions to pull the plug on analog broadcasts in February 2009 - when it actually came time to pull the trigger - the "Dog Ate My Homework Party" blinked.

In the name of "doing what is best for the consumer" their ideology has them indeed always focused on the MINORITY. This in and of itself is not the problem. The problem is when that minority makes itself a VICTIMIZED MINORITY and thus the sentiments is to establish a permanent caretaker relationship.

Lets imagine the scenario if the plan actually proceeded:

On February 19th the analog over the air broadcasts would be terminated. Indeed there would be several hundred thousand people who are unable to obtain television broadcasts because they don't have the needed converter box. Shouldn't the government's focus be on coordinating a recovery program for these people?

Why not:

• Getting commitments from the electronics retailers that they'll have adequate stock of converter boxes for people who are in need?
• Having an expedited processing for the $40 government paid cards or turning it into a "you pay the full cost now and we will reimburse you IF you purchase from a reputable retailer" program?

As a person with some behind the scenes view of a large company - I assure you that there have been countless number of hours consumed by various broadcast companies all pegged around this specific date. To pull the plug at the last minute on this plan which was a MANDATE by the FCC is preposterous.

I would like to SPECIFICALLY know from the Obama administration:

• In the intervening time between now and the date you choose to move the transition to - WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING to avoid then what you fear will happen now?
• What quantifiable measurements will you use to insure that the same situation you fear would happen now won't happen at this later time?
• What is the quantity of population that you deem acceptable as being negatively impacted and thus you are willing to go ahead with the plan?
  

If indeed "change" is the mantra it will become increasingly obvious that being "Gun Shy about CHANGE" will be the testament of just how empty a campaign rant it really was all along.

PULL THE PLUG and have RECOURSE for those who missed the boat to catch up to that which they missed.