Rev. Cwirla's Blogosphere
"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." (1 Cor. 1:25)
Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I don't watch television very much - the nightly news, most any sport during the playoffs, and the McLaughlin Group because of Monica Crawley, who's prettier and politer than Ann Coulter. An occasional episode of Boston Legal or Scrubs, and I'm pretty much done with it. I prefer to waste my time on the internet.
Our television was salvaged from a member's garage. It's a decent Panasonic with a set of powered rabbit ears. As the digital age is fast upon us, I decided it was time to get my $40 government subsidy for a digital converter box, since I'm not about to plunk down $1000 plus for some flat screen gizmo to watch Monica Crawley in high def. I applied for my personal $40 bailout back in November and was informed that my digital TV stimulus package would be mailed out 11/28. To this day I've received nada, zip, nothing. I should have given an AIG address.
I went to the government web site to see if there was some redress. I found a 1-888 number that delivered some droning civil servant who predictably made no sense. I found an email address to which I could send my comments, so I informed them that my bailout package had not yet arrived. I received an automated email back. It's as long as the droning 1-888 message, so I'll spare you. Here's the golden nugget of a sentence:
Note that due to program regulations, each household address can only be
approved for a maximum of two coupons, regardless of whether those
coupons were received or used.
Let me translate, in case you aren't fluent in weaselese, a universal language spoken by bureaucrats everywhere, whether in government, business, or the church. "You're allowed two coupons whether you get them or not. We don't really give a rip because we're making billions selling bandwidth, and you should be helping the economy by buying a new Japanese television. Sucker."
This is hardly the end of the world, as far as I'm concerned. In fact, the government may have unwittingly done me a big favor. Given these hard economic times, I'm not sure I'm willing to spend forty precious dollars to look at Monica Crawley once a week. Da Bears aren't likely to make the playoffs for another millenium, and in the unlikely event the Cubs should find their way to the post-season before the Parousia, there's always the local sushi bar down the street that has four screens and large Sapporos. I may very well let the old analog screen go to confetti on February 17 and put an end to television in my house. Charlie Gibson would sure look a lot better in random pixels. Static would be more informative.
The lingering question is this: If the government can't handle a bunch of rebate coupons, do we want the same dolts managing our health care or the economy?
Edited on: January 05th, 2009 11:11 am
Comments:
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 10:06 am by Susan R
I long for the return to the test pattern.
Just a dream I have...
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 10:49 am by Lynn
I cannot receive a coupon because my address is a business even though it is a dormitory at a school. I was forwarded to the nursing home site. I shall see if I qualify.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 11:08 am by Rev. William M. Cwirla
Or just let it go to pixelated snow.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 11:34 am by Stan Lemon
I'm not sure I could handle missing a season of the Girls Next Door... 
That said, if you really want to see a tv show all you have to do is logon to http://hulu.com
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 11:54 am by Rev. William M. Cwirla
This is a great age in which to live.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 12:09 pm by Rev. Tom Fast
For my money, it's the ShamWow guy, Vince, who makes it worth my while to pay my cable TV bill. You just can't put a price on that kind of entertainment. Scrubs is a close second.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 1:22 pm by LutheranLucciola
For my money, it's the ShamWow guy, Vince, who makes it worth my while to pay my cable TV bill. You just can't put a price on that kind of entertainment. Scrubs is a close second.
Vince also cracks me up. I went to school with many a guy like that.
Someone beat me to the Hulu suggestion, too. Good stuff.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 2:21 pm by Ed Weise
If you change you mind and want a coupon. I have 2 that I won't be using. (Kids subsscibed to cable for us for a year as a Christmas present.)
Lemme know and I'll mail one or both.
Offer applies to anybody in need.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 2:35 pm by SjB
It's pretty incredible how much stuff there is for free on the internet. Google Video has a number of full length movies like 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' with Jimmy Stewart.
If you google around, there are websites that offer information on free TV and other such stuff.
Here is one site that offers a large number of websites that can be checked out:
http://www.onetipaday.com/2007/02/14/updated-list-of-places-to-watch-tv-for-free-on
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 3:44 pm by Cindy Ramos
My husband waited until December 30 to apply for our coupons, which leaves me less optimistic than you about being hooked up by February 17. But since I've been tempted many times to destroy the television because of it's addicting power over other members of the household, I should probably be happy if it ceases to work.
You gotta watch this two-minute video, a faux public service announcement on how to convert your tv: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy-pD-M0rY4. Funny stuff.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 9:01 pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
If you change you mind and want a coupon. I have 2 that I won't be using. (Kids subsscibed to cable for us for a year as a Christmas present.)
Darned decent offer, Ed. Who can say no to such kindness? Very cool gift from the kids - the gift that keeps on giving. Now you can watch Giada Delaurentis.
Now let's see if I can actually find one of those boxes for the analog idiot box as the digital deadline draws near. Something tells me that Frye's is more interested in selling me a spanking new 60 inch LCD than some $40 converter box for my freeby Panasonic with rabbit ears.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 10:47 pm by Lynn
Did you see the News tonight? They are announcing that the government ran out of coupons. Pr. Cwirla, your name is on the waiting list.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 05th, 2009 at 10:52 pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
This is what will happen to your radiation treatment under national health care.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 11:00 am by SjB
"Something tells me that Frye's is more interested in selling me a spanking new 60 inch LCD than some $40 converter box for my freeby Panasonic with rabbit ears."
Maybe you should try Walmart? My dad just bought a 32" Sony from them for $600 plus tax...
Just a thought - football does look awfully good on the bigger TVs. :P
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 11:19 am by Rev. William M. Cwirla
Da Bears are out of it this year, so football season is over. Outdoor hockey at Wrigley Field was sure cool though.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 1:11 pm by SjB
Da Bears are out of it this year, so football season is over. Outdoor hockey at Wrigley Field was sure cool though.
Hmm... are you being difficult or cracking the door a little towards the option of Walmart?
There is a whole year of interesting sports ahead: hockey, baseball, soccer, basketball, equestrian, swimming, surfing, and what about those terrific underseas shows where the guys are diving? Yeah, I think you need to crack the door a little further and peek at Walmart.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 3:21 pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
Yeah, I think you need to crack the door a little further and peek at Walmart.
As I indicated, I only watch sports during the playoffs, women's beach volleyball being the obvious exception. The undersea world is best experienced in person, though I do have the complete Jacques Cousteau on DVD. Going into a Walmart is going to take some mental preparation for me.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 4:30 pm by SjB
As I indicated, I only watch sports during the playoffs, women's beach volleyball being the obvious exception. The undersea world is best experienced in person, though I do have the complete Jacques Cousteau on DVD. Going into a Walmart is going to take some mental preparation for me.
Sorry! I did see the TV interest limitations qualifier in your earlier posts. But the temptation to josh you and encourage you to think about it for those special occasions was a little too much for me to resist today!
Should I ask forgiveness or just buy duct tape for my keyboard in case of further temptations? :)
Sigh... I am hopeless and out of duct tape. I really think the Jacque Cousteau series is cool - especially on a larger screen...
May the dear Lord bless you with inspiration for Walmart and forgive me for being incorrigible?
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 5:03 pm by Rev. William M. Cwirla
and forgive me for being incorrigible
Incorrigibility is considered a virtue here.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 06th, 2009 at 5:50 pm by SjB
Too Cool! Kindred spirits... I've died and gone to heaven.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 08th, 2009 at 11:35 am by Andrew
http://www.atdhe.net/watch-tv.html
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 08th, 2009 at 11:39 am by Rev. William M. Cwirla
What a country!
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 10th, 2009 at 11:43 am by Paul Steitz
It troubles me that the United States Commerce Department (Government) has anything at all to do with control of the airwaves, much less using tax dollars to subsidize digital converter boxes. This is another example of wrong headed thinking that contributes to the notion that the government's role is to be the all-providing benefactor to America. I guess I should take comfort in knowing that President Elect Obama's transition team is looking out for me. Why, they're asking Congress to delay the February 17th analog shut-off, lest millions of U.S. households are blacked out. Indeed, what a country!
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: January 10th, 2009 at 11:53 am by Rev. William M. Cwirla
There are many things troubling about our country, the management of the air waves being among the least.
Re: Digital Schmigital
Posted On: May 25th, 2010 at 3:10 am by 123b
Our company sales sports jerseys, NFL Jerseys, NHL Jerseys, NBA Jerseys and MLB jerseys. Besides you could also find other apparel like t-shirts, MLB replica jerseys hats and jackets. With best quality, faster delivery, and favorable price, we have won many stable and reliable clients from worldwide. We are pleasure to cooperate with friends from all over the world for long-term business
MLB throwback jerseys. If you are interested in our products, when you feel free, please do not hesitate to contact us.