[opendtv] Re: Dueling Statutes?

These are the only settop boxes or receivers available?  Nobody is forcing
the government cheese down people's throats.

The NTIA process was open to the public.  

I've returned items within 15 minutes of buying something, but I had skin in
the game.

These boxes aren't Mercedes, and they may not be fords.  They're a
government give-away program.  That's why I call it "Government Cheese"
which benefit dairy farmers and low-income people.  Ever hear the song of
the same name?  It's from circa 1986, and ISTR that the artist was "The
Smithereens."

The only people I know who are interested in the coupons either already work
in media, or -- well, I don't know anyone else interested in them, and I've
asked.

John Willkie

-----Mensaje original-----
De: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] En
nombre de Cliff Benham
Enviado el: Friday, March 28, 2008 10:36 PM
Para: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Asunto: [opendtv] Re: Dueling Statutes?

John Willkie wrote:
> Okay, but I believe that they would be happier if 1) they had made better
> choices 

What choices? The Gov't dictated how this box would be built and work.
Do you think even a million consumers waving rabbit ears on the steps of 
the Capitol would either make/have made any difference?

and 2) if they had skin in the game.

As if consumers were to be listened to IF they were allowed to comment.

> Can they return them?

The Radio Shack salesman was very specific both times I went in to 
purchase a box telling me that the boxes were not returnable, and that I 
had *15 minutes* [!!!!] from the time I swiped my coupon card through 
the reader to change my mind. After that it was a done deal.
> 
> Ever hear of the first generation of anything electronic that was perfect?

Your sense of what's 'perfect' might be different from mine. For me, to 
be perfect, what ever it is should 'just work.' Yes, I've bought lots of 
stuff that 'just works'.
> 
> When analog goes away next year, these complaints will either be resolved
or
> they will be old news.

Or, they will be louder than hell and congress critters everywhere will 
be saying, "Oh, my God, I can't get the news--so this is what all this 
is about."
> 
> People don't value what they don't pay for, and they bitch louder.

I don't understand what you just wrote. I would value a Mercedes very 
highly even though I don't own one, and I wouldn't complain because I 
own a Ford.

> 
> The arguments among Marxists (no money in the game, no money at stake) are
> always worse than those between customers and vendors.

 From each according to their ability, to each according to their need. 
What's the rate of exchange in this sort of dealing? Is this what you mean?
> 
> (they don't have analog as a fallback when they're using these sets, and
the
> pictures or sound shouldn't be any better with these boxes over analog.)

Yes they are, the pictures are remarkably better.
If you don't already have a STB, get one and then tell me the pictures 
on your 1987 Zenith color set aren't a LOT better looking. That is all 
I've heard from everyone I know who has an old color set hooked to one 
of the new little boxes.
> 
> John Willkie, who recognizes that the free market system is barely
involved
> in this government give-away.
> 
I don't know--aren't most of the boxes made in China?
 
 
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