USA Today.com A la carte cable could be a tough sell
I have been talking about this concept with friends for a couple of weeks. I think this is the future of television, A la carte programming. This USA Today story says it might be tough on some smaller cable channels that rely on bundling with another channel to survive. No more cable TV welfare. Either you make it or you don't. Nobody is keeping your small business alive if it isn't making it. But what do you expect from the Kings of Welfare, the Federal Government. They've never seen an entitlement program that didn't like.
Before you call me a cruel heartless Scrooge, let me say this about entitlement programs. They are good for people who need them. Our problem is that we have too many people in this country who think they are owed something and therefore should be on welfare or disability. I hear stories every day about able bodied people who are on welfare or disability or some such program just because they want to be. They're not really disabled. I have friends who work 40 plus hour weeks with Multiple sclerosis, Cancer, Physical disabilities and other problems. We have created an entitlement society in our country. There are so many people out there with their hands out for their "free" food stamps it is not even funny.
This isn't supposed to be a rant about welfare, it's about cable TV. We have the free market system, why not let it work in the world of Entertainment? Let me pick the 10 or 15 channels I want every month for $3 to $5 for each channel plus some sort of surcharge that goes to the cable company or video provider. Why do I need a shopping channel? I would rather have C-Span or the NFL Network or ESPN News or the Biography Channel. I wouldn't mind having the Skytrack Weather Network instead of Channel 55. The TV networks are already "podcasting" TV shows via I-Tunes. They are even streaming them on demand on their websites. (CBS was offering "Threshold" on demand on its website. I haven't checked back since the cancelled the show. Streaming episodes you miss was such a great idea.)
So how about it? Ala carte cable anyone? Who's with me?
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Monday, November 21, 2005
The Truth from US News and World Report
The Big Lie
I love Michael Barone's articles in US News and World Report. Why doesn't the mainstream media pick up on his writing? Because it doesn't meet their agenda!I really think Mr. Barone nails it with this entry!
I love Michael Barone's articles in US News and World Report. Why doesn't the mainstream media pick up on his writing? Because it doesn't meet their agenda!I really think Mr. Barone nails it with this entry!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Blind People
Every day I read the letters to the editor in the Marion Chronicle-Tribune. And lately there have been a lot of references to the Five Million Dollar swimming pool the Marion Parks Department wants to build in Matter Park. I do not understand why people cannot see that this is a good investment. Several politicians in Grant County Government have told me they think the is the wrong time for Marion to build a pool.
I disagree. I've written about it before and I'm going to write about it again, now. We hear over and over "there is nothing for kids to do in Marion." Then there is the outrage over the closing of the Seybold Park Pool. You cannot have it both ways folks. The Seybold Park Pool is a moneypit. It is good money thrown after bad over and over and over. It has been since the City of Marion took sole ownership of the pool back in the late 1980's.
The Matter Park Pool was closed in the 1980's because it was in horrible shape. It was also in a flood zone. City Administrations since then have been unwilling to do anything but use the Seybold Park Pool (formerly known as the Aquadome) as a band aid. "It's too expensive" we were told. If we would have addressed the need back then, we wouldn't be facing a five million dollar bill now.
In my view, a swimming pool is good for economic development. When people are looking at coming to our community, they look at certain quality of life things. I think a swimming pool/aquatic center with a splash pad or a lazy river would be great! Kokomo has a water park/pool called "The Beach." People come from miles around during the summer to take their kids and grandkids to Kokomo Beach. Don't fool yourself, the pool in Matter Park is probably not going to be a big revenue source. But it is going to improve the quality of life in this community.
Mayor Wayne Seybold and those working with him embody the "new attitude" I think Marion, Indiana needs to embrace. We can do big things. We can have vision, we can change things. It's not going to happen overnight. And it's not going to be easy. For too long Marion has been "Home of the Giants" and "Home of the Aginners." The "Not In My Backyard" philosophy is so strong in this community, I'm surprised we get anything done.
Marion has some sort of self-esteem problem. Someone has told us, we can't achieve what Anderson and Muncie and Kokomo achieve. For too long, politicians with their own self interest have kept us down and out while they get rich. Those days are gone for good, I hope. We have very competent people in Marion City and Grant County Government right now. They are still sorting out the messes they inherited. It's going to take at least four more years for them to right the ship. Instead of riding the "Aginners" bus, why not get a positive attitude and get aboard the "Winners" bus.
I disagree. I've written about it before and I'm going to write about it again, now. We hear over and over "there is nothing for kids to do in Marion." Then there is the outrage over the closing of the Seybold Park Pool. You cannot have it both ways folks. The Seybold Park Pool is a moneypit. It is good money thrown after bad over and over and over. It has been since the City of Marion took sole ownership of the pool back in the late 1980's.
The Matter Park Pool was closed in the 1980's because it was in horrible shape. It was also in a flood zone. City Administrations since then have been unwilling to do anything but use the Seybold Park Pool (formerly known as the Aquadome) as a band aid. "It's too expensive" we were told. If we would have addressed the need back then, we wouldn't be facing a five million dollar bill now.
In my view, a swimming pool is good for economic development. When people are looking at coming to our community, they look at certain quality of life things. I think a swimming pool/aquatic center with a splash pad or a lazy river would be great! Kokomo has a water park/pool called "The Beach." People come from miles around during the summer to take their kids and grandkids to Kokomo Beach. Don't fool yourself, the pool in Matter Park is probably not going to be a big revenue source. But it is going to improve the quality of life in this community.
Mayor Wayne Seybold and those working with him embody the "new attitude" I think Marion, Indiana needs to embrace. We can do big things. We can have vision, we can change things. It's not going to happen overnight. And it's not going to be easy. For too long Marion has been "Home of the Giants" and "Home of the Aginners." The "Not In My Backyard" philosophy is so strong in this community, I'm surprised we get anything done.
Marion has some sort of self-esteem problem. Someone has told us, we can't achieve what Anderson and Muncie and Kokomo achieve. For too long, politicians with their own self interest have kept us down and out while they get rich. Those days are gone for good, I hope. We have very competent people in Marion City and Grant County Government right now. They are still sorting out the messes they inherited. It's going to take at least four more years for them to right the ship. Instead of riding the "Aginners" bus, why not get a positive attitude and get aboard the "Winners" bus.
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
Shaq is starting to understand, T.O. not so much
Shaq sells shoes more people can afford-Indianapolis Star
I am not a huge fan of Shaquille O'Neal. However, I think he is a smart businessman. He knows self-promotion. I noticed his line of shoes at Payless a few months ago when I was looking for shoes for my son. I think it's smart business and very admirable to make his shoes affordable for most middle and lower class folks. $40 for a pair of shoes is a lot easier to swallow than say $150.
Most of the highly paid professional athletes are so out of touch with normal folks. Terrell Owens, this means you! I think we're all sick of hearing professional athletes whine about how they don't get respect and they deserve more. The Bible says it so well "Reap and ye will sow." I'll be interested to see how Mr. T.O. reaps what he has sown. He is not in touch with reality. Let's see T.O. work a foodservice job at say McDonalds or Long John Silver's for a couple of weeks. Earn the wage those folks make and try to make ends meet. And then let's hear T.O. whine about making 8 million dollars a year. Terrell Owens has no idea what reality is. It seems to me that T.O. is really spelled M.E.
I am not a huge fan of Shaquille O'Neal. However, I think he is a smart businessman. He knows self-promotion. I noticed his line of shoes at Payless a few months ago when I was looking for shoes for my son. I think it's smart business and very admirable to make his shoes affordable for most middle and lower class folks. $40 for a pair of shoes is a lot easier to swallow than say $150.
Most of the highly paid professional athletes are so out of touch with normal folks. Terrell Owens, this means you! I think we're all sick of hearing professional athletes whine about how they don't get respect and they deserve more. The Bible says it so well "Reap and ye will sow." I'll be interested to see how Mr. T.O. reaps what he has sown. He is not in touch with reality. Let's see T.O. work a foodservice job at say McDonalds or Long John Silver's for a couple of weeks. Earn the wage those folks make and try to make ends meet. And then let's hear T.O. whine about making 8 million dollars a year. Terrell Owens has no idea what reality is. It seems to me that T.O. is really spelled M.E.
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Why Do We Care About Howard Stern?
USA Today: Stern Suspended
I am serious. This guy is the potty mouthed little kid who sits in the back of the school bus and makes other people laugh. Why do we care about Howard Stern? This guy is the biggest no talent in the history of the world. What does he have to offer society? I'm not asking questions that I have the answers for. I have never understood his appeal. Sirius Satellite Radio has gambled big on him and I don't think it's a good gamble. Do you really think all of Howard's "Loyal Listeners" will follow him and pay to hear him? I think some will, but I think the majority won't. They'll go on and find someone else to listen to. Howard if you really want to show people how talented you are, do a show that is interesting and entertaining without being dirty. In my opinion, dirty is the easy way out. Dirty is also the easiest way to get some people's attention. I just don't understand why people like this crude, rude and socially unacceptable jerk.
I am serious. This guy is the potty mouthed little kid who sits in the back of the school bus and makes other people laugh. Why do we care about Howard Stern? This guy is the biggest no talent in the history of the world. What does he have to offer society? I'm not asking questions that I have the answers for. I have never understood his appeal. Sirius Satellite Radio has gambled big on him and I don't think it's a good gamble. Do you really think all of Howard's "Loyal Listeners" will follow him and pay to hear him? I think some will, but I think the majority won't. They'll go on and find someone else to listen to. Howard if you really want to show people how talented you are, do a show that is interesting and entertaining without being dirty. In my opinion, dirty is the easy way out. Dirty is also the easiest way to get some people's attention. I just don't understand why people like this crude, rude and socially unacceptable jerk.
Friday, November 04, 2005
Hile v.s. Harris a possibility in 06
Hile to run for representative
So Larry Hile is running again. Will it still be a close race? I think part of it depends on what happens this legislative session. From my point of view, Tim Harris has done a good job. I think during his first year in the General Assembly, he has delivered as promised. I've known Tim Harris for almost 20 years. I have to admit I am biased, I am a Tim Harris fan. I think Tim Harris is the anti-Pat Bauer. I think Tim truely cares about the people in his district and is a good steward of his resources. I think Bauer believes his boss is the fat cat political action committees and special interests NOT the people of his district in St. Joseph County. And yet, those liberal Democrats continue to re-elect Bauer again and again. Sigh.
So Larry Hile is running again. Will it still be a close race? I think part of it depends on what happens this legislative session. From my point of view, Tim Harris has done a good job. I think during his first year in the General Assembly, he has delivered as promised. I've known Tim Harris for almost 20 years. I have to admit I am biased, I am a Tim Harris fan. I think Tim Harris is the anti-Pat Bauer. I think Tim truely cares about the people in his district and is a good steward of his resources. I think Bauer believes his boss is the fat cat political action committees and special interests NOT the people of his district in St. Joseph County. And yet, those liberal Democrats continue to re-elect Bauer again and again. Sigh.
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