Slog - Comments on I'm a Cadillac-Driving Welfare Queen http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen You probably already knew about this: At midnight on February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to 100% digital broadcasting. This of course means that the old-fashioned television sets aren't going to work anymore for picking up non-cable broadcast TV. But did you know that, as of January, the government has been doling out up to 80 dollars for anyone who asks, so that they can buy TV Converter Boxes for their analog TV sets? It's true! Congress created the TV Converter Box Coupon Program for households wishing... Copyright 2008 Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:05:31 -0800 Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:08:43 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Emily Of course, they couldn't just issue one coupon worth $80. Must use double the resources necessary for the job! Good going, government.

]]> Emily http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979201 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979201 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:12:01 -0800 Comment by elenchos Welfare queens cheat the system to get things they want and will use. Consuming things you don't need just so you can toss them in landfill someday is more of a middle class suburban thing.

]]> elenchos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979206 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979206 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:14:28 -0800 Comment by heywhatsit sooo....that website doesn't confirm that your oder was received? WTF? Even SLOG does that.

]]> heywhatsit http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979213 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979213 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:18:59 -0800 Comment by Levi I'm still a little confused. Will I still be able to live without cable when this big change happens? If I get a converter box will it pull digital signals out of the air? This is all so strange.

It's really kind of shocking how little coverage this has gotten; you know there are going to be millions of people flipping out in January with no TV.

]]> Levi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979239 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979239 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:32:28 -0800 Comment by Fnarf I predict mayhem on February 17. I also predict that a panicked government will restore analog broadcasts for ANOTHER year, and have to pay the stations many billions for their trouble. Half of the set-top boxes won't work, or the people trying to connect them won't be able to figure it out. People like my mom will just give up watching TV all together -- and they're about the only ones left watching network broadcast TV anyways.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979249 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979249 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:34:41 -0800 Comment by Carollani Word! Good looking out.

]]> Carollani http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979258 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979258 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:36:15 -0800 Comment by Levi OK, I answered my own question: It should indeed do the trick, so all one will need is a set top box and tv, no cable. Hopefully it will work.

]]> Levi http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979285 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979285 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:42:41 -0800 Comment by inkweary TAINTED DAY
Was the fascinating phrase generated by the security check in an appropriately ominous font.

]]> inkweary http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979287 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979287 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:43:14 -0800 Comment by Gomez I got my coupon in the mail a few weeks ago. Allegedly there are a ton of different converters for a ton of different TV formats. Are these things not universal, or can I just blow my $40 wad on one comfortable with the knowledge it will work with either of my old TVs?

]]> Gomez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979289 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979289 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:44:12 -0800 Comment by Brendan @3: I just placed an order. I got a confirmation screen. They even filled in correctly the last four digits of my 9-digit zipcode.

Try again, I guess.

]]> Brendan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979292 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979292 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:45:31 -0800 Comment by I can haz digtul? I recently bought a new tv that happened to be digital. The best thing about it is the in-between channels. For instance, KCTS has like four channels, 9-1,9-2 and so on. They all have different programming and one is in Spanish.

7-2 used to be a steady, silent, live shot of the Space Needle from Queen Anne hill 24/7. I think they recently changed it to cheesey re-runs though.

]]> I can haz digtul? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979314 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979314 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:48:55 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Gomez is a case in point. I'm not slamming you, Gomez, just pointing out that if you're confused, a LOT of people are going to be completely dumbfuddled. Places that sell these converters are going to be overwhelmed with questions and returns. If history is any judge, half the boxes will have something wrong with them, creating an Everest of new e-waste. Numerous government spokespersons will appear delivering incomprehensible and conflicting assurances.

Note that this is going to take place in the first month of the new Obama administration.

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979336 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979336 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:51:53 -0800 Comment by seattle98104 When did you apply? I applied in Jan. I think, still haven't seen mah koopawns!

]]> seattle98104 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979409 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979409 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:02:15 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Would it be ethical to use my coupons to get a free box, then sell it to someone who doesn't have online access and thus doesn't know about the coupons?

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979497 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979497 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:11:25 -0800 Comment by Aislinn @14: No.

]]> Aislinn http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979546 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979546 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:21:59 -0800 Comment by Paul Constant @13: I applied in January, also. Any day now!

@14: Not ethical, but great.

]]> Paul Constant http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979575 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979575 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:27:09 -0800 Comment by Gomez 12. Not taken personal at all, Fnarf. That's in fact an excellent point. I'm no tech-head, but I'm savvy enough, and if I can't make sense of the process, what happens with the others who aren't as savvy when the crunch happens? It's gonna be a mess. Maybe it'll encourage a few people to ditch the TV and go outside... but there are better and less inflammatory ways to create proactivity.

Also, my card says to use it by 4/6, so whoever gets these... if you're going to use them, use them quick.

]]> Gomez http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979579 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979579 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:28:20 -0800 Comment by Fnarf @15: if I do it anyways, and go to hell, will I like it there?

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979649 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979649 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 12:44:26 -0800 Comment by mf @18 - Would you enjoy an eternity with Will?

]]> mf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979763 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979763 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:10:55 -0800 Comment by john You know you paid for that, right?

Y2K09Feb something...

]]> john http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979848 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979848 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:19:32 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle No, but I already applied for your coupon already @18, and gave it to Mr. Poe.

He said he needed something to wipe up with ...

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979932 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c979932 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:33:23 -0800 Comment by Fnarf Wow, that's a good one!

]]> Fnarf http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c980001 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c980001 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:45:08 -0800 Comment by Mr. X @13 - same thing happened to me. Hope they're not expired by the time I finally get them.

@14 - my understanding is that the converter actually costs close to $70, so the coupon doesn't even cover the total cost of switching over (yet another reason why this whole proposal stinks to high heaven)

]]> Mr. X http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c980228 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c980228 TV Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:18:21 -0800 Comment by Katherine people let furnished houses, and get a rent, not only for the use of the http://idisk.mac.com/christianbackgroundl/Public/0/free-scrapbooking-layouts-for-photoshop.html >free scrapbooking layouts for photoshop that sum, it is probable, in the worn and degraded gold coin, seldom containing more than an fvwrjutois

]]> Katherine http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c985755 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c985755 TV Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:08:23 -0800 Comment by Katherine people let furnished houses, and get a rent, not only for the use of the http://idisk.mac.com/christianbackgroundl/Public/0/free-scrapbooking-layouts-for-photoshop.html >free scrapbooking layouts for photoshop that sum, it is probable, in the worn and degraded gold coin, seldom containing more than an fvwrjutois

]]> Katherine http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c985756 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/03/im_a_cadillacdriving_welfare_queen#c985756 TV Sun, 30 Mar 2008 03:08:43 -0800