Although the Federal government seems completely helpless
when it comes to providing radios to first responders so police, emergency
management, fire, and EMS workers can actually communicate during a disaster,
at least they have been able to completely foul up the entire digital TV market
in the U.S.
Since old TVs wont work when all stations change over to
digital TV, the same people who werent able to get water to the New Orleans
Super Dome to save some lives, have decided to take tax money and use a billion
or so to help people buy converter boxes.
As a final irony, can you believe this boondoggle is part of
a bill euphemistically described as an effort to cut spending!
But, believe it or not, the $1.5B which is being spent is
actually only half the $3 billion which the Senate wanted apparently some of
the Senators may own professional football teams and need to ensure viewers.
There is a good story in AustralianIT.news.com
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17619408%5E15306%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html
if
this is a major worry for your household.