Taking bets!

I'm now taking bets on the new date for the digital TV switch. After years of hoopla, the date has now been delayed at least twice. It's all part of the "you need government to take care of you" mentality. Those who advocated the delay from February to June of this year said that people hadn't had time to get the boxes, or that people might not know about it. One consumer group complained that Congress had allocated only $5 million to publicize the transition.

One consumer, Bertha Graham, relies on her rabbit-ear set. She says she can't afford a converter box. Her son has offered to buy one for her and set it up, but she's said no because she doesn't believe she should have to buy one. According to The New York Times, "Washington officials are worried that millions of people like Ms. Graham will lose access to a lifeline." As my mother used to say, Horse Hockey! If it's really a lifeline, then Ms. Graham will do what she needs to get her TV working. I don't feel sorry for her -- the government has said they'll give her a box, and if she can't get that one, her son has said he'll give her a box. If she doesn't have TV, it's her own fault.

So now we're only a couple of months from the June deadline. Anybody want to bet it'll be delayed at least until September?

"More notice on digital TV change urged." The Dallas Morning News; July 7, 2008; p. 2D.