Yes, we were told for several months now that digital TV is coming

[question everything]

But I listened to NPR earlier this evening, and there was this report:

One of the last markets to make the switch to digital TV will be Dallas-Fort Worth.

It has been named one of the most likely to suffer serious problems because of its large population of low-income people and those for whom English is a second language.

This is all the transcript, the rest is the audio

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105339916

About 3 min.

Many, across the country, are poor or elderly, who may have "heard" the warning, but did not grasp the meaning of it, had no idea how to get the coupons for the converter boxes, and how to purchase one and install one.

Interesting comment in that report, also, was that yesterday was a major storm in that area, and that his digital TV had transmission problems. And this is when people are dependent on their TV for storm warning.

So, please, let's not look down on the ones who, all of a sudden find out that they have no TV reception. And let's not look down on people who actually watch TV. Being poor and old, this may be the only means of communication with the outside world that they have. Let's not forget that elderly man in Wisconsin who never got around to pay his utility bill and his utility was shut off and he froze to death.

We really cannot understand the way many of the poor and the elderly, not to mention the ones for whom English is a second language, mind works, until we have been in their shoes.

[peekaloo]

1. "those for whom English is a second language" in DFW

ha that's why GW moved there! at least he has Pickled to explain it to him.

[Captain Hilts]

2. It's more difficult in hilly cities. Easier in flat ones. nt

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. There will be lots of elderly who will wonder what happened to their

free TV.

[Touchdown]

4. Actually it's 15 years, not months.

DTV legislation was passed in 1994. The analog signals were supposed to be turned off in Feb 2006.

They've only been screaming about it for 8 months or so, but the information was always there.

I wonder what people actually thought when those widescreen TVs started showing up in 1998. Did they actually think that something wouldn't happen? That something wasn't going on?

EDIT: While I agree that there are some people who for whatever reason have not received the message legitimately, it's the DUers who are angry about this being some kind power grab when it's been coming for more than a decade, and a Democrat (Clinton) signed it into law. The elderly, immigrants, poor, etc. I can forgive. Net savvy DUers, no.

[madeline_con]

5. Who's loooking down on anyone? n/t

[question everything]

6. Cannot point out a specific post

however in many places I've heard some saying: how long have they been waiting? And the reality is that many are not tuned in or well informed. Too many are just trying to survive day to day.

[eddieb2]

7. What the hell

My T.V. won't work!!!!!!