Digital TV, TiVo, etc

The Obama administration came out publicly yesterday and requested that the switch to Digital TV - scheduled for February 17th, be delayed.  The Paper of Record has a story about it here.  I have pretty mixed feelings on this whole issue.

On one hand, Congress first acted on this in 2005.   We need to get on this people, delays will only push things back further and slow progress.

On the other hand, apparently the government is almost out of money for its voucher program - with several million homes still without a digital converter box.  I don't know if these people have been living in caves that they haven't gotten the memo that their TV is being cut off - but I do understand the confusion surrounding the program and the lack of information being disseminated to these people.

The way of telling people with analog signals about the switch was to broadcast a few times, during prime time over the analog waves and telling people they needed a converter box.  Um.  No.  Shut off TV for a day, just displaying only that message.

I would support the Obama Administration's action if on February 17th people without DTV just saw a message directing them to the DTV Transition website or telephone number - telling them that they would no longer have TV.  Then regular TV would be back, then the same message a week later ... repeating until sometime by the end of March when analog signals would be cut and the country went full DTV.  That's my plan, Obama are you on board?

Switching gears - TiVo!  NYT has the dish here - but TiVo introduced a new beta search this week at CES.  If you have a Series3 or HD, you can check it out inside the music, movies, etc menu.  It is really cool.  As you type in a show or actors name it chooses the most popular to display first - also surrounding you with cool clips and videos about that and other shows.  I can't wait for this search to come out of Beta, because its awesome.

And finally on the etc note ... according to WaPo, here, 213 venues will be open until the 4am last call during Inauguration weekend.  About 70 venues still have pending issues with ANCs and citizens associations.  All I can say is AMERICA!

Round Up ... or Round Down

Welcome to Tuesday, December 30th, 2008 ...

* The Paper of Record leads with an article regarding NASA's future, here.  Ironically enough a few friends of mine were sitting around discussing this last night - and then there was this excellent article this morning.  The article touches on two things ... the problems NASA has run into with the Ares rockets and Orion capsule - both of which I think can be expected.  We are designing a new way to get into space, this certainly won't be easy, and I think that anyone who expects it to be so is just being foolish  The bigger issue at hand in the public eye is the suspension of Space flight from 2010-2015; as a way to save a ton of money and allow NASA funds and time to properly prepare Constellation for space.  Obama has expressed his interest in keeping the Shuttle flying, in the interest of national pride (from '10-'15 we would be hitching rides with the Russians into space).  I personally don't like the idea of us not having a way to get into space for 5 years, but unless Obama is promising additional funding to keep the shuttle alive and not impact the Constellation launch date/preparedness - I am not in favor of changing anything.

Since we are on the topic ... it should be noted that Corrupt and I had quite the argument last night in regards to Shuttle versus Orion capsule.  I have no background in space policy and am certainly not a rocket scientist ... but it seems to me that we have tried this whole 'reusable' spacecraft thing and it didn't work.  I personally think this is the best technology we have on hand ... and until we are able to get some kind of plane into space, this will be the best technology.  Every country still has trouble with the whole reentry process - its just not something we know much about and not much we know how to change in regards to it.

* GMAC got $6 Billion and will convert into a bank holding company ... woot for them.

* Personalized medicine ... maybe one of these days.  The Paper of Record has the story, here, about how drugs only work for about half the people prescribed to them - due to people's genetic differences.  At some point in the future drugs may be tailored to work for you, or at least checked to make sure they do work for you before you are prescribed them.

* The Paper of Record has an interesting twist, here, on the housing crisis' effect on divorce proceedings - who gets the house?  Couples in divorce proceedings are trying to dump the house on their former spouse because they don't want to be saddled with its costs and mortgages.  And what are the houses worth ... in most places it is certainly not near the price that many people paid for them.

* Caroline Kennedy ... can we just stop this joke. No. No. No.

* The Paper of Record has an article and a City Room post about the MTA fare increases.  New Yorkers should brace for a fare hike, but they probably won't know for sure how much it will be until the late spring.  And the new fares are expected to go into effect over the summer.

* Want an iPhone ... you can now get them refurbished from AT&T for $99.

* The 2009 sign in Times Square will be powered by Duracell batteries that were charged from people riding bikes.  Since December 2nd, visitors to the Charmin Public Restroom in Times Square have been able to hop on a bike an help do their part to power the sign.  Overall it took 137, 228 of them.  Check it out at The Paper of Record - Bits, here.

* Also in Times Square news ... the Ball will stay lit year round!  How exciting!  Last year the bulbs were switched to LEDs, and this year they have decided to keep the ball lit and aloft all year long.  Interesting ... Via NYT - Green Inc., here.

* Also from the Green Inc. blog, here ... many cities and municipalities around the country are jumping on the bandwagon of the roundabout trend.  Also known as a traffic circle (NY), rotary (MA), and probably a bunch of other names.  For years traffic planners have known (at least the smart ones), that they are the most efficient and safe way to move traffic through intersections, especially ones with odd angles.  In theory a true roundabout should not be controlled as much as they are in DC - we have 'over-lighted' our circles to the point where they actually don't allow traffic to travel more efficiently in my opinion.  Many people find them annoying, and don't know how to drive through them - but then again most people barely can drive, so it shouldn't be a problem.  They save carbon emissions because cars are less likely to come to a full stop and less likely to feel the need to speed up as soon as the light turns green.  They also have a traffic calming effect by encouraging people to slow down.  Do you have thoughts?

* Warner Brothers and 20th Century are in a court battle over the upcoming movie Watchmen.  The Paper of Record reports, here, that a judge has agreed to hear 20th Century's suit to stop WB's release of the film, which they say they never released the rights to.  The hearing will take place on January 20th, and hopefully everything is resolved in time for its March 6th release - because it looks pretty good.

* Sad news from the CityDesk, here ... Georgetown has once again rejected the Apple store as a tenant.  Are these people stupid.  Anyone over the age of 40 should be barred from sitting on an ANC because they have no idea what is going on with the world and are just overly concerned with stifling progress and preserving a non-existent history.

... I'm sorry this keeps dragging on.

* Via WaPo ... The JCCIC (Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies) is encouraging ticket holders to take metro or walk.  Insaneeeee.  Here.

* WaPo reports, here, on how the economic downturn is effecting school districts and their plans to modernize and shift around schools.  These districts are now being forced to close schools and scale back on plans due to proposed budget cuts.

* NYT Op-Ed about the Gays, here.  Yes Corrupt, its all about the gays.  Frank Rich hopes that Obama starts acting on his promises to the GLBT community very soon.

* WaPo says that Chicago Public Schools could be a national example, with current CEO Arne Duncan soon to become our Minister of Education.  Duncan has made sweeping changes in the Chicago school system and hopefully we can see those nationally.  Rhee anyone?  Here.

Hi Monday, please go away

The promised round up:

* The Paper of Record (via H) had an interesting article about text messaging rates this weekend.  We all have known that sending a text message definitely did not cost $0.10 per message, which is why most people opt for some kind of unlimited plan for around $20 a month.  What you really didn't know (or at least I didn't) is that text messages literally has no cost per sent message.  The Times points out that the message is sent on the Control Channel of the wireless signal (which is why the text size is limited), a spectrum that is being used regardless of if a message is being sent or not.  So basically once the carrier pays for a bunch of storage - to actually store messages and information, and a few people to maintain it - they are pretty set.  $20/month/user is some nice change for them ... I wish I had a business model like that.  A really easy way to understand what this all means:

Customers with unlimited plans, like diners bringing a healthy appetite to an all-you-can-eat cafeteria, might think they’re getting the best out of the arrangement. But the carriers, unlike the cafeteria owners, can provide unlimited quantities of “food” at virtually no cost to themselves — so long as it is served in bite-sized portions.

* I don't think I ever shared this (via PoP), a really cool new DC neighborhoods map.  Feel free to buy me one as a belated Christmas present.

* The economy will be getting better by mid-2009 via MSNBC.  HHAHAHAHAHHA.  In all seriousness, this is a legit article about how if all goes according to plan (Obama's Ascension to the throne and his subsequent salvation of America), the economy might be on the track for recovery.  At least a group of economists that MSNBC found seem to think so, I guess it is always good to hope.

* The Paper of Record opinions section shared a note about raising the gas tax.  I'm all about it.  On average the gas tax in the United States is 2.6x lower than other G7 nations.  Unreal.  Let's raise the gas tax ... while we are at it, we stop funding freeways through the gas tax, and instead also institute a VMT tax (Vehicle Miles Travelled), makes sense to me.  Here.

* News outlets are slowing cutting back on their coverage in Iraq ... when only a year ago we couldn't get away from seeing nonstop reports about it, we now get to hear Barney Frank's voice and learn about Obama 24/7.  Hmmm ... I would certainly take Iraq over listening to Barney Frank.  In all seriousness, the article talks about how operations are shifting away Iraq and not to other places in the region - such as long neglected Afghanistan.  Via The Paper of Record - here.

* What to do with paper towels?  I don't know, but I definitely like the option of having them as opposed to using air dryers.  The Paper of Record: Green Inc. - Here.

* The National Archive And Records Administration is going to be overloaded with data from the Bush White House says The Paper of Record - here.  Official estimate over 100 Terabytes of data has been generated during Bush's eight years in office, 50x what was left behind by the Clinton White House, and 5x the size of all the cataloged books in the Library of Congress; aka an insane amount of information.  They current plan is to just freeze all data on White House servers on January 20th - and slowly study, analyze, and move into the NARA's system.

* Amazon is not giving out any specific data - but is saying that this season has been its best holiday yet.  The Paper of Record - here - reports that Amazon's peak day was December 15th, on which 6.3 million items were ordered; meaning about 73 items were ordered every second.  CRAZY, Amazon is awesome.

* In DC news, the DC Public Library System has finally realized that one of the reasons that people don't go to their libraries are because they basically serve as homeless shelters.  As of February 1, 2009, patrons will only be allowed to bring 2 bags in with them and rules which ban sleeping will be more strictly enforced.  I'm sure Corrupt will be up in arms that a public library would dare to limit the freedoms of anyone in there, but I, for one, am glad.  WaPo Metro - here.

* It seems that the group of government administrators responsible for over $6 Billion in cleanup funds for the Chesapeake Bay has been concealing the fact that their efforts have been failing - miserably.  So with most of the money gone and 25 years behind us ... what do we have to show - very little.  This is beyond troublesome, and like many other EPA projects has proven that the environment is really easy to destroy, but next to impossible to clean up.  WaPo - here and here.

* Exciting news for Ben's Chili Bowl Next Door (the new place they are opening next door) - the winner of the Gordon Ramsey shitfest show Hell's Kitchen - Rahman Harper will be joining the team as Executive Chef.  Very exciting indeed, and certainly makes the space much more than just an overflow room from the regular restaurant.  I look forward to getting a Chili Cheese dog, Chili Cheese fries, and also trying out some of Harper's new creations (and hopefully at a reasonable price).  WaPo - here.

* DCist has inauguration bus parking (with a WaPo map); basically if you live downtown, in SW, or somewhere around Union Station - expect to see a lot of buses.  Read here.

* GGW thinks we should put a stop on the Red Line for Montgomery College - here.  Conveniently the Red Line runs right by the the school and next to a large tract of empty land - sounds good to me, now if only Maryland had some money to pay for this.

* GGW also has a 2009 transit wishlist - which I am all about.  Check it out here.

And finally ... What are your NYE plans?  I know Patchus will likely forget that he is 21 and instead opt to get drunk in the backwoods of NJ - but maybe he will cowboy up and go into the city.  Corrupt, GWSkank, and I will be heading to TOWN ($25 cover; you can buy tickets on Wednesday at the club starting at 2pm).  

Anyway ... comment with your plans, I want to know what people are doing

Letter to President-Elect Obama

Ok, so I admit this is getting to full-fledged rant mode, and I doubt Obama will reverse himself on this issue (and like I said, probably relishing the rants from the left...). I rarely find the Human Rights Campaign to be a very effective organization when it comes to fighting for equality, but below please find a letter from HRC President Joe Solomonese that states things pretty well.

Dear President-elect Obama -

Let me get right to the point. Your invitation to Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at your inauguration is a genuine blow to LGBT Americans. Our loss in California over the passage of Proposition 8 which stripped loving, committed same-sex couples of their given legal right to marry is the greatest loss our community has faced in 40 years. And by inviting Rick Warren to your inauguration, you have tarnished the view that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans have a place at your table.

Rick Warren has not sat on the sidelines in the fight for basic equality and fairness. In fact, Rev. Warren spoke out vocally in support of Prop 8 in California saying, “there is no need to change the universal, historical definition of marriage to appease 2 percent of our population ... This is not a political issue -- it is a moral issue that God has spoken clearly about." Furthermore, he continues to misrepresent marriage equality as silencing his religious views. This was a lie during the battle over Proposition 8, and it's a lie today.

Rev. Warren cannot name a single theological issue that he and vehemently, anti-gay theologian James Dobson disagree on. Rev. Warren is not a moderate pastor who is trying to bring all sides together. Instead, Rev. Warren has often played the role of general in the cultural war waged against LGBT Americans, many of whom also share a strong tradition of religion and faith.

We have been moved by your calls to religious leaders to own up to the homophobia and racism that has stood in the way of combating HIV and AIDS in this country. And that you have publicly called on religious leaders to open their hearts to their LGBT family members, neighbors and friends.

But in this case, we feel a deep level of disrespect when one of architects and promoters of an anti-gay agenda is given the prominence and the pulpit of your historic nomination. Only when Rev. Warren and others support basic legislative protections for LGBT Americans can we believe their claim that they are not four-square against our rights and dignity. In that light, we urge you to reconsider this announcement.

Further Reading:
Here are some places you can visit for more info/actions-
Change.org
Petition
Daily Dish
HRC Action Center
Prop 8 Foe Rejects Inaugural Invite


Let me know if you see other places to visit/petitions/op-eds

Obama Drama Day 2

Ok, so maybe this pales in comparison to the Illinois Governor flap, but this one is 100% Obama's responsibility, so I'll call the choice of Rick Warren the real Drama.

Anyway, the President-Elect and his spokespeople have issued a few statements since the blogosphere has gotten riled up that basically amounts to, "We hear you. But deal with it." This 'tough luck' attitude has only served to further show that the transition team didn't only anticipate this anger, but were quite likely looking forward to it. As a chance to show the rest of the country, and most importantly the right, that he doesn't have to cow-tow to his base and he's willing to take some heat from the left, Mr. Obama is making a small political gamble that he hopes will pay large political dividends.

I for one am particularly disturbed by what seems to be the purposeful exclusion of anyone in the GLBT community in this decision making process. It would have been courteous to at least consult (or even inform!) any of Mr. Obama's many allies in the gay community about this decision. That would have shown the incoming administration at least understands what a slap in the face this decision really is for many of us.

Furthermore, while the religious right is getting a tip of the hat with the selection of Pastor Warren, would it be too much to ask for even a gentle acknowledgment of the other side here?

In any case, here is a great article from Salon by Mike Madden. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Good Morning World!

and in case I don't see you Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night. This is going to be a morning roundup of sorts - though it is kind of late and I have to get my day going.

* I am home, home ... I'm not really sure what to call it anymore - because I call DC home, so calling NY home is tricky too. I called it my parents house to someone yesterday and that kind of freaked me out and made me feel like I was 40. So I guess home, home works ... perhaps 'where I grew up' but that is really a mouthful. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this issue.

* Anyway ... at home, home. It's snowing. It's actually sticking. It makes me feel cold. I need to go find my boots.

* People ... John Catoe is losing Cocktail's Moron of the Week vote ... get over there and vote. Link here! Yes I am trying to artificially inflate numbers with a lackluster blog population.

* Ummmm ... so we gave Patchus guest blogger privileges and he is gracing us with some posts. You may notice several spelling errors and grammatical mistakes, but its not his fault - he grew up in the 52nd State ... Ontario, and they don't have proper schooling up there. One day he will learn the English language.

* Stole this link from GGW - cool article in WaPo about public spaces that have been snatched from the public since September 11th. GGW got me thinking about all the barricades that we have put up since September 11th, and if they will ever come down. Anyway the article is interesting - it talks about the West Steps of the Capitol, which I have never been on because they are closed. AND! It talks about a Candlelight tour of the White House, which I have never even heard of. I immediately called my Representative from Home, Home and inquired - the intern had no idea what I was talking about, but I left a voicemail for the Scheduler.

* WMATA approved the prices from Inauguration (rush hour fares, and charging for parking). Interestingly enough SmarTrip will not be used for parking on Inauguration Day - they just don't want to deal with it - and parking will remain its current price of $4.00. According to Metro, they are unable to make it the consumer-friendlier $5.00 because they would be required to hold a public hearing on it. Via WaPo, Dr. Gridlock - here.

* Via DCist, the Fenty Administration has released a holiday picture of the family. The baby, Aerin, is like only three weeks old, but look at all the hair on her head. I don't know much about babies, but I was shocked to see so much hair. Anyway - the family looks good, although if I were Michelle Rhee's boss, I would want her in the Holiday card too ... maybe next year.


Ok I'm hungry ... out!

Some morning thoughts...

Okay people -- Happy Monday.  This Monday post thing won't be regular because normally I don't have time to not to work on Monday, but today is your lucky day!

My Google Reader had 1000+ unread items and I'm about halfway through with that ... so I am taking a break.  I realize that most people have no idea what Google Reader is, and calling a RSS aggregator does not really help people understand.  You can read about it on my favorite site - wikipedia - by clicking here.   I guess the best way to explain it is that it looks at all the blogs and news sites that you like ... and puts them into one place.  If you are reading this, and don't use a RSS reader - I suggest you get on that.

Here is a round-up of random things I found interesting this morning...

• Via the T4 blog, the Associated Press reports on a study that not at all surprisingly has found that leaner nations walk, bike, and use mass transit to get around.  What a shock ... Americans, who can't seem to function properly without a car are obese - and the rest of the world is thin -- not surprising.  Read here.
  
  
• WaPo reported over the weekend on the plans for the 'New New Deal' and that the ready-to-go projects will likely be the first funded.  These are projects that have been on the back-burner in DOT offices around the country because they really aren't a huge priority, but if the money is there - they are ready to be done right now.  The article is here.
  
  I have two thoughts on this issue ...
  The first is that our roads and highways are in a state of disrepair.  Any funding that can be put towards roads that are falling apart should be.  There are also many cities around the country that desperately need new roads to be built - roads that never were due to 70's highway opposition.
  2nd, roads are dead.  We need to get over it.  Trains, trains, trains.  Let me say that again; trains, trains, trains.  Why do we delay this so much ... why are Americans so afraid of trains - I just don't understand.  Let's get on it people.
  
  Either way - we need to get on it.  This money needs to be spent ASAP.  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we can't sit around and bicker about spending it because before we know it the opportunity will be gone.
  
  
• Our friends over at Beyond DC have a post about the auto-bailout.  Here!  They list four points that they would use as 'strings' for giving out the money.  I practically vomited when I saw this list, but I guess everyone is entitled to their personal opinion.  I will go down their list, and write my comments afterwards.
  1. No more off shoring.  Fine, no more off-shoring, that seems legit to me.  As long as we can agree on one other matter - no more unions.  The auto industry should agree to not off shore any jobs, if Congress scales back laws and statues which basically necessitate the creation of unions.  While they are at it, Congress should void the current union contracts - let's start with a clean slate.
  2. 10% of each companies output be converted to things unrelated to vehicles traveling on roads within the next 7-8 years, 20% by 15 years.   I have a wild idea ... no.  Okay, I get it - if we are going to throw money at these people we should have a say in their business model - that makes sense - like a shareholder.  But to tell a company to change businesses seems ridic.  Tell them to make buses or something, I don't care - but don't force them out of their own business.
  3. No golden parachutes, luxury jets, etc.  Not that I think we should  be meddling, but fine.  I'll agree to this one - sort of.  I don't know what a 'luxury jet' is, but I can tell that most of these CEOs and their executive teams need private jets to get around.  It's just easier for everyone to not have to fly commercial.
  4. Make clean cars.  Fine.  I think they got that memo already though.
  
  
• Speaking of the Big 3 and cars -- this AP story is very exciting.  Even as gas prices are hitting record lows, driving continues to decline.  Woot!!  Come on people - now start using mass transit instead of just staying at home.
  
  
• In New York news - via SubwayBlogger - the MTA unveiled the new South Ferry Station to reporters last week.  It will be opening to the public sometime next month.  How exciting!  The most exciting part is that the entire train will be able to platform - currently only the first 5 cars (trains are 10), of the train platform at South Ferry.  View the NYT (Paper of Record) article here.
  
  
• Oh and just a comment on this whole 5am bar thing for Inauguration.  Get over it people ... honestly - I'm sorry.  Let's live a little for once - this happens once every 4 years.  I personally don't understand why bars are ever forced to have last call - in my world they'd be open 24 hours.  But whatever.  Anyway ... write Senator-to-busy-running-for-Governor Feinstein and tell her to BACK OFF!  You can click here to email her, or you can feel free to call her DC office at 202.224.3841.  I won't even bother listing anything about the Senator from Utah because that is just no hope - we already know they hate DC and drinking.

That's it for now ... bye bye.

Sidebar: Did you know a post can only have 20 labels.  Odd.  I'm a label whore.

In Other News...

Bailouts, Blago, 'Bama, oh my!

Maybe it's just me, but I'm tired of hearing about money we're never going to see again, maddeningly corrupt politicians, and that Obama guy. So here's the real news of the day...


Feudalism is dead! Long live the Queen!
Yes, feudalism. The tiny island of Sark, a 2sq mile pseudo-sovereign part of the Channel Islands (U.K.), has decided to give-in to 19th century convention and dismantle its feudal system. The island held elections on Wednesday and will seat its new legislature in January. Sark is internationally recognized as the very last place on Earth with a feudal system. It's only one baby step at a time though: as a British crown dependency Queen Elizabeth II is still their monarch.

Also of note, the Seigneur (feudal lord) of Sark has the sole right to keep pigeons and unspayed female dogs on the island. Talk about perks...


Viva la vino!
Per DCist, the fight to celebrate Barry O's inauguration in true American style continues. Long story short: DC decided to let drinkers drink all night before/during/after Inauguration Day. A couple of teetotaling U.S. Senators wagged their fingers and said it was a bad idea. So the DC Council Chairman told them to mind their own business. Now there's a petition and all kinds of protesty ways to get involved and Kwame Brown wants to hear from you. So do your patriotic duty!


Poor, Poor Hillz
As if things haven't gone bad enough for poor old Hillary Clinton, now they're cutting her salary. Because of a teensy little section of the Constitution, Hillary's salary as Secretary of State will be $4,700 less than that of current SoS Condoleeza Rice. The Constitution prohibits members of Congress from later benefiting from salary increases they voted for so Hillary will have to return to the former (not-so-shabby) salary: $186, 600.

This, of course, comes on the heels of Hillary investing more than $10 million of her & Bill's money in her less-than-successful presidential campaign. Oh yeah, and then there's all that other debt from the campaign that she's still trying to pay off. Again, duty calls.

I mean come on ... you have to be joking

Okay ... don't get me wrong, as a GW Alum I am extremely excited that the ol' Alma Mater has a float in the Inaugural parade.

But honestly ... if you were on the float chosing committe and saw this --

would you chose it?  Honestly ... I wouldn't.  It looks ridiculous.

Anyway - congrats GW!  Read the press release!

Does this mean that GW's I-Ball becomes an official ball now?  who knows ... that'd be cool