"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Cheri" wrote:

"Larry Caldwell" wrote in message
Poor people don't get the luxuries that everyone else enjoys. If they
are that poor, they should be used to it. At the worst, they will only
have to do without TV for a couple of years, until used converter boxes


Read in the paper today that PE Obama is going to ask them to change the
law
so it doesn't go into effect on Feb. 17th because of the coupon shortage,
and I'm betting they'll do just that.

Cheri


"In a letter Thursday to key members of Congress, John Podesta,
co-chairman of Obama's presidential transition team, ... cited troubles
with the converter box coupon program as well as *inadequate efforts to
educate the public about the switch,* and the need to help elderly, poor
and rural Americans prepare for it."

Inadequate efforts to educate the public? Is he joking?

============

Yes, I would certainly agree that "inadequate efforts" is just laughable. I
really don't think a bigger effort is at all possible, unless they go to
these "fictitious homes filled with people who haven't heard" and hook it up
for them. :-)

Cheri

Cheri wrote:
"Smitty Two" wrote in message
news
In article ,
"Cheri" wrote:

"Larry Caldwell" wrote in message
Poor people don't get the luxuries that everyone else enjoys. If they
are that poor, they should be used to it. At the worst, they will
only
have to do without TV for a couple of years, until used converter
boxes


Read in the paper today that PE Obama is going to ask them to change
the law
so it doesn't go into effect on Feb. 17th because of the coupon
shortage,
and I'm betting they'll do just that.

Cheri


"In a letter Thursday to key members of Congress, John Podesta,
co-chairman of Obama's presidential transition team, ... cited troubles
with the converter box coupon program as well as *inadequate efforts to
educate the public about the switch,* and the need to help elderly, poor
and rural Americans prepare for it."

Inadequate efforts to educate the public? Is he joking?

============

Yes, I would certainly agree that "inadequate efforts" is just
laughable. I really don't think a bigger effort is at all possible,
unless they go to these "fictitious homes filled with people who haven't
heard" and hook it up for them. :-)

Cheri


Naw, Obama is so incredibly powerful that he is simply going to will
that existing TV circuitry rearrange itself so that the converter boxes
aren't even required...

Cindy Hamilton wrote:
On Jan 8, 3:23 pm, "Not@home" wrote:
Jim Yanik wrote:
Smitty Two wrote in
news As far as the "coupon expiring" snivellers, if you can't afford a $50
gadget without the gummint helping you, you're a pathetic loser.
Many older people are on fixed incomes that barely meet their present
needs,some have to decide between food and necessary meds.
TV may be their only entertainment,too.
I'm SURE they are not "snivellers" nor "pathetic losers".
OTOH,you sure sound like a fine piece of work.
The fact is that the elderly are the demographic group in the US that
has, on average, the highest level of income in excess of their basic needs.

You probably can't name any older people who are on fixed incomes. But
if you really know anyone in that situation, why don't you give them the
$50?

I can name one whose income depends partly on the fluctuations of the
stock market,
and partly on the prevailing interest rates. How do you think she's
doing these days?
Her situation will be more common in the future with the demise of
defined-benefit
pensions.

Luckily, she is frugal and actually does have enough to meet her
needs. But she
in fact is living on less than $12,000 per year.

Partly, partly, partly. That sounds like a weasel word one would use to
misrepresent her true income, as it implies that there are other sources
of income you want to conceal.

Once you are old, and depending on where and how you live, $12,000 a
year could be enough that you could bank some of it. I'm old, and have
lived and paid long enough that my home is paid off, but the government
keeps giving me cost of living increases based, in part, on increases in
the national average of the cost of housing. My cost of housing is very
little since I said farewell to the mortgage, and in fact decreased when
they gave me a homestead exemption on property tax, just because of age.
I canceled my health insurance, since medicare gives me the same thing
for less money. So the hard fact is that I am better off financially
than I was before I retired, and mine is not an uncommon situation.

I won't deny that there are some old people in dire straits, but that
doesn't mean that all of us are destitute. I have to close now, I'm
taking a bus (using my senior discount) to the movie to use my senior
discount; I may stop at a restaurant along the way and use my senior
discount for a meal. Life is sweet when you and the politicians keep
yelling that seniors need help, and then give it to all of us. Thanks.
Too bad the cupboard will be bare by the time you are a senior
citizen, not to mention your children.

"YouKidding?" wrote in
:

In article ,
Jimw wrote:

On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:26:12 -0500, Ann wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:39 -0500, Ann wrote:

...
Just relating how the coupon thing works ... which I didn't know
until recently. If one is to believe www.dtv2009.gov a coupon
ordered today should be mailed on the 19th of this month. But
apparently that's in doubt.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx

"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program has reached its funding
ceiling. However, coupon requests from eligible households will be
filled on a first-come-first-served basis as funds become available
from expiring coupons. You will not receive coupons until funds
becomes available. If you would like to apply for a coupon today and
are eligible, you will be placed on a waiting list. ...


Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or
rabbit ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take action
to ensure at least one TV in their home is prepared for the digital
television transition. You may:

* Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon;
* Buy a TV with a digital tuner, or;
* Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service."




In this case, it looks like some people WILL lose their tv signals in
February. This whole thing has been a joke. I got my coupons early
in the program. For the first two months no stores even had the
converters. I finally had to take a 1.5 hour drive (each way) to get
a converter about 2 days before the coupon expired. Now the stores
are loaded with the converters, and the coupons ran out. Leave it to
the government to screw things up.

I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital changeover.
Despite all the ads saying that if you have cable or receive your TV
signal from satellite, I know a lot of people who got the coupons and
bought boxes that don't need them.

Add to that the number of people, as some have mentioned in this
thread, are getting the coupons so they can sell them and make a
couple of bucks. There goes two big reasons that the money for the
coupons ran out.

YK


you can't sell/transfer them;the store checks your ID against that on the
coupon(card),and it's also illegal.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

"Jim Yanik" wrote in message
...
"YouKidding?" wrote in
:

In article ,
Jimw wrote:

On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:26:12 -0500, Ann wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:39 -0500, Ann wrote:

...
Just relating how the coupon thing works ... which I didn't know
until recently. If one is to believe www.dtv2009.gov a coupon
ordered today should be mailed on the 19th of this month. But
apparently that's in doubt.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx

"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program has reached its funding
ceiling. However, coupon requests from eligible households will be
filled on a first-come-first-served basis as funds become available
from expiring coupons. You will not receive coupons until funds
becomes available. If you would like to apply for a coupon today and
are eligible, you will be placed on a waiting list. ...


Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or
rabbit ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take action
to ensure at least one TV in their home is prepared for the digital
television transition. You may:

* Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon;
* Buy a TV with a digital tuner, or;
* Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service."




In this case, it looks like some people WILL lose their tv signals in
February. This whole thing has been a joke. I got my coupons early
in the program. For the first two months no stores even had the
converters. I finally had to take a 1.5 hour drive (each way) to get
a converter about 2 days before the coupon expired. Now the stores
are loaded with the converters, and the coupons ran out. Leave it to
the government to screw things up.

I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital changeover.
Despite all the ads saying that if you have cable or receive your TV
signal from satellite, I know a lot of people who got the coupons and
bought boxes that don't need them.

Add to that the number of people, as some have mentioned in this
thread, are getting the coupons so they can sell them and make a
couple of bucks. There goes two big reasons that the money for the
coupons ran out.

YK


you can't sell/transfer them;the store checks your ID against that on the
coupon(card),and it's also illegal.


They never checked mine. I used the coupons for two and paid the balances at
Target. That was it.

"Cheri" wrote in
:

"Jim Yanik" wrote in message
...
"YouKidding?" wrote in
:

In article ,
Jimw wrote:

On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:26:12 -0500, Ann wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:39 -0500, Ann wrote:

...
Just relating how the coupon thing works ... which I didn't know
until recently. If one is to believe www.dtv2009.gov a coupon
ordered today should be mailed on the 19th of this month. But
apparently that's in doubt.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx

"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program has reached its funding
ceiling. However, coupon requests from eligible households will be
filled on a first-come-first-served basis as funds become
available from expiring coupons. You will not receive coupons
until funds becomes available. If you would like to apply for a
coupon today and are eligible, you will be placed on a waiting
list. ...


Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or
rabbit ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take
action to ensure at least one TV in their home is prepared for the
digital television transition. You may:

* Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon;
* Buy a TV with a digital tuner, or;
* Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service."




In this case, it looks like some people WILL lose their tv signals
in February. This whole thing has been a joke. I got my coupons
early in the program. For the first two months no stores even had
the converters. I finally had to take a 1.5 hour drive (each way)
to get a converter about 2 days before the coupon expired. Now the
stores are loaded with the converters, and the coupons ran out.
Leave it to the government to screw things up.

I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital changeover.
Despite all the ads saying that if you have cable or receive your TV
signal from satellite, I know a lot of people who got the coupons
and bought boxes that don't need them.

Add to that the number of people, as some have mentioned in this
thread, are getting the coupons so they can sell them and make a
couple of bucks. There goes two big reasons that the money for the
coupons ran out.

YK


you can't sell/transfer them;the store checks your ID against that on
the coupon(card),and it's also illegal.


They never checked mine. I used the coupons for two and paid the
balances at Target. That was it.



WalMart checked my ID. They had to scan the card thru their terminal,too.
I still have one expired coupon,and CompUSA is now selling a converter for
$40.01(what I was waiting for...); I'm thinking of trying to use it,see if
it goes thru.

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

On Jan 9, 5:06*pm, "Not@home" wrote:
Cindy Hamilton wrote:
On Jan 8, 3:23 pm, "Not@home" wrote:
Jim Yanik wrote:
Smitty Two wrote in
news As far as the "coupon expiring" snivellers, if you can't afford a $50
gadget without the gummint helping you, you're a pathetic loser.
Many older people are on fixed incomes that barely meet their present
needs,some have to decide between food and necessary meds.
TV may be their only entertainment,too.
I'm SURE they are not "snivellers" nor "pathetic losers".
OTOH,you sure sound like a fine piece of work.
The fact is that the elderly are the demographic group in the US that
has, on average, the highest level of income in excess of their basic needs.

You probably can't name any older people who are on fixed incomes. *But
if you really know anyone in that situation, why don't you give them the
$50?

I can name one whose income depends partly on the fluctuations of the
stock market,
and partly on the prevailing interest rates. How do you think she's
doing these days?
Her situation will be more common in the future with the demise of
defined-benefit
pensions.

Luckily, she is frugal and actually does have enough to meet her
needs. *But she
in fact is living on less than $12,000 per year.

Partly, partly, partly. *That sounds like a weasel word one would use to
misrepresent her true income, as it implies that there are other sources
of income you want to conceal.

She's my mother. I don't know all of the details of her finances, and
I wouldn't
discuss them on Usenet if I did. Oh, and the part of her income that
doesn't depend on interest rates or stock-market values is Social
Security, just like you.

Once you are old, and depending on where and how you live, $12,000 a
year could be enough that you could bank some of it. *I'm old, and have
lived and paid long enough that my home is paid off, but the government
keeps giving me cost of living increases based, in part, on increases in
the national average of the cost of housing. *My cost of housing is very
little since I said farewell to the mortgage, and in fact decreased when
they gave me a homestead exemption on property tax, just because of age.
* I canceled my health insurance, since medicare gives me the same thing
for less money. *So the hard fact is that I am better off financially
than I was before I retired, and mine is not an uncommon situation.

I won't deny that there are some old people in dire straits, but that
doesn't mean that all of us are destitute. *I have to close now, I'm
taking a bus (using my senior discount) to the movie to use my senior
discount; I may stop at a restaurant along the way and use my senior
discount for a meal. *Life is sweet when you and the politicians keep
yelling that seniors need help, and then give it to all of us. *Thanks.

You're welcome. Mom just thanked me for her raise, too.

* Too bad the cupboard will be bare by the time you are a senior
citizen, not to mention your children.

Luckily, I don't have children. And I'll qualify for that senior
discount in
just a few years, too.

On Jan 9, 9:41*am, Larry Caldwell
wrote:
In article ,
(Jim Yanik) says...

Smitty Two wrote in
news

As far as the "coupon expiring" snivellers, if you can't afford a $50
gadget without the gummint helping you, you're a pathetic loser.

Many older people are on fixed incomes that barely meet their present
needs,some have to decide between food and necessary meds.
TV may be their only entertainment,too.

I'm SURE they are not "snivellers" nor "pathetic losers".
OTOH,you sure sound like a fine piece of work.

It is quite possible to be a pathetic loser for your whole life. *The
world is full of people who are ending their life in poverty because
they would rather buy a beer and cigarettes than save their money. *It
was their choice, now they get to die with it. *

Given the current economic climate, it's entirely possible that
someone who'd prudently saved and invested their entire life planning
for a comfortable retirement beginning, oh, about now could suddenly
find themselves in a situation where they either keep working until
the economy picks back up or retire on 60% or less of the income that
they'd planned for.

nate

On Jan 9, 2:55*pm, "YouKidding?" wrote:
In article ,





*Jimw wrote:
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:26:12 -0500, Ann wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:39 -0500, Ann wrote:

...
Just relating how the coupon thing works ... which I didn't know until
recently. *If one is to believewww.dtv2009.gova coupon ordered today
should be mailed on the 19th of this month. *But apparently that's in
doubt.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx

"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program has reached its funding ceiling.
However, coupon requests from eligible households will be filled on a
first-come-first-served basis as funds become available from expiring
coupons. You will not receive coupons until funds becomes available. If
you would like to apply for a coupon today and are eligible, you will be
placed on a waiting list. ...

Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or rabbit
ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take action to ensure at
least one TV in their home is prepared for the digital television
transition. You may:

* ** Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon;
* ** Buy a TV with a digital tuner, or;
* ** Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service."

In this case, it looks like some people WILL lose their tv signals in
February. *This whole thing has been a joke. *I got my coupons early
in the program. *For the first two months no stores even had the
converters. *I finally had to take a 1.5 hour drive (each way) to get
a converter about 2 days before the coupon expired. *Now the stores
are loaded with the converters, and the coupons ran out. *Leave it to
the government to screw things up.

I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital changeover. *
Despite all the ads saying that if you have cable or receive your TV
signal from satellite, I know a lot of people who got the coupons and
bought boxes that don't need them. *

Of course. I know several people who are waiting to see what happens
in Feb. and if they get enough stations they may just cancel their
cable, because cable rates are quite high.

You could count me in that group...
nate

On Jan 9, 2:55*pm, "YouKidding?" wrote:
In article ,





*Jimw wrote:
On Wed, 07 Jan 2009 03:26:12 -0500, Ann wrote:

On Fri, 02 Jan 2009 15:25:39 -0500, Ann wrote:

...
Just relating how the coupon thing works ... which I didn't know until
recently. *If one is to believewww.dtv2009.gova coupon ordered today
should be mailed on the 19th of this month. *But apparently that's in
doubt.

https://www.dtv2009.gov/WaitingList.aspx

"The TV Converter Box Coupon Program has reached its funding ceiling.
However, coupon requests from eligible households will be filled on a
first-come-first-served basis as funds become available from expiring
coupons. You will not receive coupons until funds becomes available. If
you would like to apply for a coupon today and are eligible, you will be
placed on a waiting list. ...

Consumers who have an analog TV and rely on a rooftop antenna or rabbit
ears to receive their programs are encouraged to take action to ensure at
least one TV in their home is prepared for the digital television
transition. You may:

* ** Purchase a TV converter box without a coupon;
* ** Buy a TV with a digital tuner, or;
* ** Subscribe to cable, satellite or another pay service."

In this case, it looks like some people WILL lose their tv signals in
February. *This whole thing has been a joke. *I got my coupons early
in the program. *For the first two months no stores even had the
converters. *I finally had to take a 1.5 hour drive (each way) to get
a converter about 2 days before the coupon expired. *Now the stores
are loaded with the converters, and the coupons ran out. *Leave it to
the government to screw things up.

I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital changeover. *
Despite all the ads saying that if you have cable or receive your TV
signal from satellite, I know a lot of people who got the coupons and
bought boxes that don't need them. *

Add to that the number of people, as some have mentioned in this thread,
are getting the coupons so they can sell them and make a couple of
bucks. *There goes two big reasons that the money for the coupons ran
out.

YK- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

"I know a lot of people who don't understand the digital
changeover."

Just this morning I was in a TWC Service Center picking up a new HD-
DVR box. Here's the conversation I overheard at the window next to
mine:

Customer: "How is it that I can keep using my old TV? I thought all TV
signals were HD now."

TWC Rep: "You must be confused about the changes coming in February.
After February all TV signals will be HD and people won't be able to
use their antenna's anymore."

Unfortunately, I was in the middle on my transaction and by the time I
was done, the other customer was gone and the rep was working with
someone else. I would have liked to have corrected both of her mis-
statements but didn't get the chance.

In article
,
N8N wrote:

On Jan 9, 9:41*am, Larry Caldwell
wrote:
In article ,
(Jim Yanik) says...

Smitty Two wrote in
news

As far as the "coupon expiring" snivellers, if you can't afford a $50
gadget without the gummint helping you, you're a pathetic loser.

Many older people are on fixed incomes that barely meet their present
needs,some have to decide between food and necessary meds.
TV may be their only entertainment,too.

I'm SURE they are not "snivellers" nor "pathetic losers".
OTOH,you sure sound like a fine piece of work.

It is quite possible to be a pathetic loser for your whole life. *The
world is full of people who are ending their life in poverty because
they would rather buy a beer and cigarettes than save their money. *It
was their choice, now they get to die with it. *

Given the current economic climate, it's entirely possible that
someone who'd prudently saved and invested their entire life planning
for a comfortable retirement beginning, oh, about now could suddenly
find themselves in a situation where they either keep working until
the economy picks back up or retire on 60% or less of the income that
they'd planned for.

nate

Agreed. And even then, having to pony up fifty dollars for a gadget
wouldn't put them on the soup line.