We are almost there.Yes after much press - the DTV transition from analog to digital is almost here. And none too soon.
Even thought there are still a few million folks not ready for the conversion, positive strides have taken place since the new Obama Administration has come into office.
First in 2009 the 4 million Americans on the waiting list "coupon hopefuls" were shipped first class mail their $40 coupons in about 3 weeks time. Fantastic!
Next those whose $40 coupons had expired were able to re-register for a new coupon. And the FCC has issued contracts for installation of the digital converter boxes, help center etc etc.
We are on our way to June 12 2009 - Digital Day!
Nielsen's report (December 19, 2008) stated that November - December 2008, the penetration of Completely Unready households for the DTV transition was 6.8% of households.
1. There are 114.5 million households in American that own television sets
2. 6.8% (7.8 million) of these households currently, are totally unprepared for the analog to digital switch3. 10% (11.4 million) of U.S. Households are Partially Unready (having cable and analog tv)
This means that a total of 19.2 million households have some fancy footwork to do before Feb. 17, 2009 in order not be left in the dark with their analog television sets.
Granted, there has been strong media outreach supported by the NAB, NTIA and FCC to alert and make people aware that the switch is coming. And they have done a remarkable job with 90% of Americans being made aware.
The problem is that making people aware and having them make a buying decision during the worst financial condition our country has seen since the "depression" is a different matter all together. Not to mention a technological application to boot.
I can just see grandma running down to her local retail store and hooking up a digital converter box. The following is what will be in store for her:
1. Locate her $40 government issued coupons and check to see that they have not expired.
2. Locate digital converter boxes in the store and ask if the model available has a pass-through feature so low band width channels can still be viewed on her TV.
3. Purchase a digital converter (DC) box. (There still may be time to register to receive the $40 off coupon from www.dtv2009.gov.)
4. Back at home, make sure she has an antenna that can be connected to the digital converter (DC) box. (If not, this could mean a return trip to the store for an adapter or a new antenna.)
5. Check for an available outlet plug near her TV set. If not, she will need a multi plug adapter, extension chord, or power strip.
6. Find the original remote control for her analog TV.
7. Connect the digital converter (DC) box properly, inserting batteries in the DC remote control, and plugging in the DC box.
8. Turn on the TV. Set the TV to channel 3 with the original TV remote.
9. Turn on the DC using the correct remote. WARNING: Remember don't mix up the remotes.
10. On the DC remote, press the setup or menu button and scroll to menu.
11. Scroll to and Scan the channels. Channel scanning will need to be repeated when additional DTV channels become available.
12. Hope and Pray that most of the channels come in. Many times they won't. Repositioning the TV antenna higher or closer to an outside wall or window may improve reception. (Try scanning again.)
13. Oops, did you hook your rabbit ears/roof top antenna to the digital converter box in the proper port in the back of the digital converter box, and the extra cable in the box to the TV-out port correctly? Then Nana, you are almost there.
14. Now, remember your original remote for the analog TV set is only used to turn the set on and off. Make sure not to change the channel off of "3".
15. Finally make sure you use the new remote only for channel surfing and volume, not for turning the TV on and off. Keep the DC box directions in a safe, memorable, and accessible place for when scanning for new channels needs to be done.
Got all that NANA? Now enjoy your new digital viewing experience. Pleeezzzz, someone get me some aspirin.
Can you see this being done in a month or so with 19.2 million folks, with a disproportionate number being the elderly, minorities, those whose first language is not English, rural and disabled?
WE WERE CAMPAIGNING TO HAVE THE FEB. 17TH DATE SET BACK. IN THESE TURBULENT TIMES, WE CANNOT HAVE 19 MILLION AMERICAN LEFT IN THE DARK. Especially, with the new administration UPDATE - As of Feburary 8, 2009 the House Approved the DTV Delay Bill to push back the dtv date for June 12, 2009. More time, education and activitism is needed!
..... Contact: http://Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
WHO IS THAT GUY BARACK OBAMA? HE IS US.We have made historic headway by together pointing our nation in the right directions. After decades, we have America focused on the issues of fundamental importance. Now, each of us acting in concert can together move our country to lead the world to the fruitfulness of moral goodness. I have no doubts about my abilities and the abilities of fellow Americans to work smart and hard to achieve these goals.Barack Obama has the visions, leadership, and integrity for us to correct and redirect our country to once again lead the world for the fruitions of good. Let's closely listen, learn, and move forward based on that which we know deep inside is good and which we can validate with our hearts. I hope that those who had but a few reasons to support Obama, look further into the other issues more deeply. I found the more I explored, studied, and listened to Obama the more I found us in agreement. The couple of issues that I did not have depth of knowledge of, quickly became obvious in need. This was unusual for me since I have always refused to be any kind of a follower, and still am not. I find Obama to be a deep thinker who is articulate and inspirational; and, of most fundamental importance, Obama makes excellent moral sense.Hopefully, our country has learned lessons from the past of mistakenly following leadership blindly, as was done with Nixon and Bush. There are leaders who are simply in it for themselves and will cater to individuals or groups in order to grab for their own benefit. Corrupt and bad leaders hide at all levels. This is especially true in city government as well as county and state government. The corrupt deals of politicians need to be exposed, and those responsible need to be weeded out in the coming local elections. Others need to be investigated by law enforcement and be prosecuted for illegal dealings; for deals they often make for their hidden personal agendas. Let’s look at the bad experiences of the past as bitter medicines, let’s eliminate the need for such bad medicine in the future. Let us use what we know is good to go forward.I believe we have chosen wisely, not by greed and not by misguided retaliatory anger. I believe this time our country has chosen with open eyes, with each of us listening and examining our choice of leadership closely, driven and validated by our hearts.I hope we can continue to make our efforts even more inclusive (in many more ways than I touch on here). Far right republicans will be stubborn to change, but we will need to include them to change if we are to succeed. Sure a few more will leave our country, but that is not the American way. No, we really don't need their false fronts of power, money, insider knowledge, or other trappings that they have taught many to 'respect?'. Let's recruit as many as we can, that's the American way, evolving and changing together as one nation. Try to be understanding as we move forward; by better understanding each as individuals and people with various desires and needs we will find ways to reach out with friendship and have them join our causes of good.Be on the lookout, and root out bad leadership in government and business. Do not be intimidated by those who use the false fronts of power and give a false sense of security in order to lead. Be extra leery of those who say or imply ‘Trust me’; those who give a sense that they somehow omnipotently know better. No longer will Americans be dazzled by phony displays of brilliance or baffled by baloney. There are government aristocrats and business leaders who still believe in the old adage of: “If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, then baffle em with bullshit”. We can embrace complexity by demanding true, fundamental, and understandable explanations. We can root out falsehoods by not accepting double speak. We as Americans know how to grow ourselves by first believing in ourselves. Don’t be a follower. Don’t be a follower of followers.However, when we find leaders who are good; a leader that thinks, speaks, and acts from their heart; one that is honest, has integrity, and leads by sincere examples; then we need to in a big way, join them, support them, and promote their causes of good. From much research, investigation, and scrutiny, I believe Barack Obama is such a person. I hope we search for and find many more who are similar, who we can add to service at all levels of government. We need to add/replace leaders in business with ones that have honesty, integrity, and show quality in leadership. We need more people in leadership roles who are moral, like Barack Obama.Remember, we are not fighting a battle, we are the artisans and sculptors of the future for ourselves and generations to come. Rarely do societies have opportunities to make such dramatic moves forward as we now have in this opportunity of today. Take pride and practice in being inclusive as we stride forward. In moving forward, create opportunity not only for yourself, but also for all. Hope is a wonderful thing to behold; but without opportunity, hope can become but a dream never achievable. We can, will, and must, create opportunity.In the coming year I hope that we do not lose our spiritedness, but instead continue to build and make headway. I hope we all continue our campaign for change in government and business. We will succeed in moving forward once again, it will take much effort and good oversight on the part of each of us. We will make great strides in the months and years ahead in order to achieve the fruitions of good. Let's keep our enthusiasm progressing through these coming toughest of times. Let us use the light of goodness and love to motivate us with historic momentum.I have chosen Barack Obama because he best represents my deepest beliefs in America. Please take time to read the issues that Barack Obama has published on this website. Also, give your attention to see how he leads us to move our nation forward in the time ahead. Most importantly, be part of America's great future, participate in the greatness that together we will make. Participate!We will each and all flourish, if we think, speak, and act, by using the love in our hearts.
Your reply is welcome. Contact: Alex.Karoub@gmail.com
This blog will be about my experience as a student teacher in a rural town in Ohio. I am trying to teach the kids the importance of voting through the use of a mock election and other assignments. My students have very little concern with what is going on in the world today and these the future voters of America. I am trying to make them understand that although some of them aren't old enough to vote yet, that the next president will be presiding over their 18th birthday and that these changes may soon affect them more than they realize.
In my first blog entry, I want to reflect a bit on what I've been seeing in the last few days. An on the ground, front line report if you will. About 10 days ago, I moved from Indiana to Los Angeles. Still unpacked in Westwood, I had to get my luggage ready to travel to New Mexico for my mom's wedding. So, for these reasons, I have traveled across the country in one week and then visited my small rural hometown the next week. I have seen a lot of diners, truck stops, and the living rooms of a handful of friends' and family members' houses. In each stop, I have changed from being quietly confident to not so quietly concerned about this election. In Indiana, I lived in a college town (Bloomington) where the Obama support was visible across the city. In Los Angeles, I moved next to UCLA (Go Bruins!), where I also have seen my fair share of Obama signs. My fear is that due to this support, I've been thinking this race was safely in Obama's pocket. And although I read my share of news blogs, I have not been convinced the polls are a reason to worry in the least. What worries me, at least slightly, is what I've seen with my own eyes: People across the nation are plugged into Fox News. Faux News is playing in every truck stop and hotel lobby: literally every single one I visited. I am not joking here: if they had a tv, it was on Faux News. I have seen family members run to the TV to see anything playing about Palin. They literally see her as someone just like them: blessed enough to be picked for the second highest office in the country. In fact, they see her more of that American dream (you can even be president), than Obama because she does have family struggles; she didn't go to Columbia; her family does hunt; and she is religious.
Coincidentally, I was on a plane from LA to Phoenix two days ago and the guy in front of me while boarding told another he was working for the Obama campaign, something having to do with the media and which messages are getting out there and how. I was so tempted to ask him for a moment of his time. Because, being raised from a small town, I can tell you exactly how to reach these people I call my "folk," regardless of whether I share their beliefs or activities. (And to be clear, I consider them my folk because I respect and empathize with their beliefs and activities). They will unconsciously be wary of the "angry black man" on the attack or the self-righteous black woman with a VIP list on the View. They will listen to a short, simple (not simplistic) explanation about the issues that concern them if the commercial features Toby Keith or Dale Earnhardt more than Will I. Am. or Matt Damon. Attacking Palin makes her seem disrespected. These people around me here in this small town rightfully respect their friends and family in the uniform: police, emergency and military among others.
Of course I'm not saying anything new to people who study media and politics. I'm simply saying that in my on the ground experience in the last few weeks, I'm not even seeing the Obama team try to interrupt and redirect the conversation on Faux News or on the Fox Channels that play Faux news. McCain's slimy ads are literally running every commercial break (including on 9/11/08). I see an Obama ad about once or twice to every seven or eight McCain ad.
But there are good things to report as well. In Albuquerque, I was at a family member's house and middle age male relative (who is devoutly Catholic) was sitting and watching the news (CNN). I know him to be anti-abortion and fairly socially conservative. He is Mexican American and he works across the region with what we could safely call the working class. This was the day after Palin's announcement and I was just assuming he'd say something positive about her or the McCain campain and I'd be forced to decide to engage him in the conversation about why he likes her and why the McCain ticket won't serve the working people of America. But after the news clip about Palin, he looked at me and said that he will now definitely vote for Obama. I was silently surprised and listened for more. He said that he isn't just voting for a person, but for two people and all things considered Obama and Biden are simply better as a ticket than McCain and Palin. And from his comments that followed I gathered that although he might on religious views agree with Palin and McCain, he knew that for military, economic and educational reasons, his vote for Obama and Biden better serves him and his family.
One more small bit of joy: at a Spanish speaking restaurant in New Mexico, I went to pay the bill at the register and the counter had a plethora of saint's cards and prayers under the glass. There was a "Prayer for Our Soldiers" and a number of other Catholic sayings. Then I saw something titled, "Ten Reasons." It was, after closer inspection, a list of ten ways the Bush Administration is ruining this country. Each reason was focused on goals that were stated straightforwardly and yet generally to appeal to a wide range of people with varying world views. And I learned in this moment a bit about political language in small towns. Why talk about abortion when you can talk about family's needing more support? Why talk about the war in Iraq when you can talk about giving the military more support? Why talk about gay marriage when you can talk about respecting diversity? Why talk about earmarking and lobbying when you can talk about giving our schools and teachers more support?
When i get back to my new home in California, I will see how I might become more active in the Obama campaign. I volunteered in Indiana before the IN primary but since then figured that the election was going to be a landslide and so I could perhaps just send money from here on out. Now, after touring the country for my move and this wedding, I realize that more can and needs to be done. Perhaps I can draw from my personal interests and connections: reaching out to Latino voters or religious voters; or writing my home town newspaper. Perhaps I'll print photos of McCain and Bush sharing birthday cake on the day Katrina hit. Or perhaps I'll make large signs asking "what about the Keating Five?" and take them to republican events. No matter how it looks, it is time to get more active.
My thanks to those of you who have stayed active, both paid workers and volunteers on the campaign. You really have made this a viable possibility that Obama will be our next President. I am truly appreciative of all your labor.
Some of my dearest relatives are southern and part of the struggling working class who consistently vote Republican, against their own best interests! They are among that group of citizens who think Obama is "elite" and "not one of them".
I don't know if ANYTHING can sway their opinion, but I do know they are country music fans! So, while I was traveling recently I heard this song come on a country radio station, and I immediately decided that perhaps music could help Barack make a "country connection"!!!!
I do not know Garth Brook's political views, but he wrote the PERFECT lyrics for Barack Obama's theme song!
It is titled "We Shall Be Free", and here are the words:
This ain't comin from no prophet, Just an ordinary man,When I close my eyes I see,The way this world shall be, When we all walk hand in hand, When the last child cries for a crust of bread,When the last man dies for just words that he said,When there's shelter over the poorest head, We shall be free,When the last thing we notice is the color of skin,And the first thing we look for is the beauty within,When the skies and the oceans are clean again,Then we shall be free,We shall be free,We shall be free,So stand straight, Walk proud, 'Cause we shall be free,When we're free to love anyone we choose,When this worlds big enough for all different views,When we're all free to worship from our own kind of pew,Then we shall be free,We shall be free,We shall be free,Have a little faith,Hold out,'Cause we shall be free,And when money talks for the very last time,And nobody walks a step behind,When there's only one race and that's mankind,Then we shall be free,We shall be free,Listen to what I'm saying to you,We shall be free,Cause every night and day I pray it's true,Together,Forever,We shall be free.
I can't think of any song that more perfectly fits Barack Obama's goals for this country!
Earlier this week, the Campaign for Change opened an office in Virginia at 327 Chestnut Street.
With nearly 100 people showing up, it is clear that the Iron Range is ready for change. Those in attendance heard from State Rep. Tom Rukavina.
To read local press reports of the office opening, click here.
Here are some photos from the event:
Not from Virginia? Click here to find your local Campaign for Change regional headquarters.
BUDDY THE HORSE GOES BUGGY FOR OBAMA
I am traveling by Horse and buggy http://hometown.aol.com/vote4barackobama/myhomepage/election.html
I am seeking supporters who will let me stay at their properties over night as i tie buddy to the rear of buggy and he eats hay and sleeps. Stalls are great too and so are fenced fields of green grass. Thats buddys favorite thing. He loves to run and kick his hind legs in the air above his head height as he frolicks with freedom in a pasture.
I do seek to help more in rural appalachia and not big cities as Buddy is not fond of the traffic and Barack has lots of city support.
I also seek someone to do logistics in arranging to find me these locations as i travel south for the winter.
Presently i am in Lancaster county Pa. 5 miles south. I can be shipped by uhaul to cover distances if needed. I seek no pay just help along the way.
PS: My arm was broken 3 1/2 weeks ago and i am almost ready to leave this old dairy barn this weekend and help the campaign.
hugs Danielle Clarke
NOTE: This is about BUDDY GOING BUGGY FOR OBAMA not Danielle and please email me at vote4barackobamaATaolDOTcom but please be serious and helpful asi get too many emails of simple supprt while what i need are emails with logistical help.
Joe Logan owns a historic barn. It’s located where you’d expect it to be—on his family farm, which, in Joe’s case, is in Kinsman, Ohio. What you might not expect is that Joe’s barn is the star of a new campaign ad for Barack Obama. View the ad.
Preservationists from around the country were immediately struck by the handsome barn featured in the ad. In an email interview conducted by Historic Preservation for Obama, Joe confirmed the barn’s pedigree. “The barn on the video is the ‘newer’ section of our barn” Joe teased. “This section was completed in 1911.” It turns out the “newer” section was coupled to a pre-existing structure which may have been built as early as the mid 1800s.
Even though it may not look like it or feel like it, you are making progress.
Continue working towards progress instead of perfection.
Nothing or no no one is perfect.
Just keep taking steps.
Keep making those phone calls.
Continue following your plan.
Remain focused on your goal.
Do what you have to do right now to get to the next level.
Complete every task.
Keep every promise and commitment.
Don't look back.
Let no one weaken your walk of faith and determination.
Remain teachable.
Place yourself in a blessing position by associating with people on-the-grow.
Talk with teachers.
Walk with winners.
Climb with champions.
Study successful people.
Something great is about to happen for you!
Start giving thanks right now before you can even see the outward manisfestation of your prayers and desires.
Everything you do from this day forward will take you further away or closer to your potential for successful living.
-by Dr. Jewel Diamond Taylor, Motivational Speaker & Author
I have been here for three weeks now and I feel like I have done so little to get towards the very large goals they have put before us. I had an interesting experience this week though, that made me realize that this organizing is a little different from what some people imagine it is supposed to be. When we trained how to do a good one-on-one they always said we should meet our people somewhere they are comfortable. We tended to say something like “Can you meet me for about thirty minutes for a cup of coffee so we can talk?” But in rural Georgia in the summer, a coffee shop is not a very likely thing to exist let alone to go to for this kind of activity.
Instead, I had my last one-on-one sitting in a plastic chair out on the lawn of a small house in very rural Liberty County. We sat under some shade trees in the evening and tried to not let the bugs eat us alive. We had a great talk. It was frequently interrupted by a honking car passing on the small country road that ran in front of the house. Every car that passed must have belonged to someone she knew because my volunteer waved at each one and usually recalled the name of the person driving as well. Her house was situated at what I would call a country crossroads. It had a flashing red light and a small, old church on one corner. Two houses on the other corners completed it. A few miles to a filling station in the middle of nowhere and 15 miles to town.
It’s not unheard of for people to live fifteen miles from town, especially a larger city with good, high paying jobs, but this small town has very little besides a military base. At points in history where wealth was more evenly spread and transportation was accessible and affordable, this living in the country might be a very pleasant thing. If you actually farming your land that provides you work and occupation there close to home. But that isn’t the case for all, dare I say most of the people living out in some of these rural places. They are there because maybe it’s old family land that someone built a cheap house on in the 1950’s. They may have moved there when they had a good job and when gas was cheap. All of this changes when folks get older, or lose their good job, or get sick, or have kids, or have to start watching their grandchildren. Now that gas is more expensive, those fifteen miles starts to really feel more like a million. Rising transportation costs hurt rural families a lot. Indeed, recent articles have discussed how rural people, especially in the poor South, spend a disproportionate amount of their income on just gas and transportation.
These are the folks that need a comprehensive energy plan to be implemented in this country. Sure, people should maybe live in denser settlements where they are close to what they need and where they might have access to public transportation. But that alone is not a comprehensive policy. All good solutions should be put in place, especially solutions that solve multiple problems. In particular in Georgia, advances in cellulosic ethanol would open up the possibility of utilizing the abundant timber resources to drive local energy economies.
I have met some great Americans and Georgians so far, and I am sure I will meet many more as I really get out into my area. These people are citizens, whose opinions should matter. They have the right to vote, and they deserve to be asked for their vote. I believe the politics of cynicism intentionally discourages these people from participating in the political process. I think they are disenfranchised by a lack of being involved in the political culture. And I think it hurts America.
A look at my home county.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T93egBMlvCo
I apologize if my blogs are not eloquently worded but this is an experiment in order for me to engage in this community. The primary purpose of this blog will be to inform, to receive feedback, and to provide inspiration (if that be possible) to fellow wannabe activists. Flowery prose comes from our flagbearer, not from me.
Please know that I am playing this all by ear. I am 18 years of age and democrats and campaign events are few and far between. Critique and feedback are essential if I am to be of any viability in this bottom-up structure.
So far neither my e-mails to the DNC or the Obama campaign have been returned. I waited past the customary 48 hours and it seems I must take action into my own hand. In order for you to understand the disparity of events in my area, know that the majority of events that Zac will be attending are located around 100 miles away.
Very short on friends right now (4 in fact). That itself will be worked on today after I get on my friend RBlake's profile and add multiple people. The more people I have reading this blog, the more I can learn.
My first event, an ice cream social in Lexington, KY. I am going to call the organizer tomorrow and enquire into him further what needs to be done. Hopefully this pans out and I can get acquainted with some fellow soldiers.
Thank you for reading.
John McCain is coming to California... Obama should take his legs out from under him.
Word has it that ol’Man Churian (candidate) is going to make a play for California. He intends to campaign aggressively in OC and San Diego and pump in some Ad$.
It’s not such a risk. I bet McCain and Arnold have a mutual love, respect and frenzy for renown. And there is some deep red in California. We have our oil fields too. Most American’s only think Texas when they think oil… no no.
The smart play. The bold play. Is for Obama to make an extended visit to California’s San Joaquin Valley. It’s one of the reddest places in the US. Doesn’t have to stay that way.
