February 17, 2009 – No DTV Transition – It Has Been Delayed until June 12, 2009

Today was to be the day that digital television was to make it’s mandatory debut all across the nation. However, President Barack Obama scored another victory by requesting the transition be delayed until June 12, 2009. Millions of people would have been affected by this transition. Many homes are unprepared as they don’t have the money to buy the digital converters to interpret the digital signal into a usable signal for analog television sets. The delay allows people time to get the converters and be ready when the transition takes place on June 12, 2009.

For more resources on the digital TV transition, please visit the links below.

DTV Answers

DTV2009.gov

Digital TV Transition - en Espanol

Digital TV Transition

DTV Fact Sheet – English

DTV Fact Sheet – Spanish

DTV.gov

cnet News

DTV Transition.org

Iowa Public TV

Consumer Reports – Digital Television Information

zdNet – Digital+Televison (tags)

HubPages – Digital TV Transition Guide

Yours in the DTV transition,

Joseph R. Mays

White House and Congress Agree on Stimulus Plan

After President Barack Obama went on television emphasizing his point about how serious the financial crisis is, a response was brokered by Congress to get the stimulus plan rolling and signed into law. President Barack Obama said that NOW is the time for ACTION.  Now is NOT to time tobe sitting around bickering and taking bipartisan stances. Not when the American people need us to help get the country moving in the right direction again. Thouands of jobs are being lost all across the country and businesses are shutting down and/or going bankrupt in record numbers. The desired objective/outcome of stimulus plan is to create new jobs, put money in taxpayers hands and jumpstart the economy.

For more on this story, please visit Yahoo! News.

Yours in news that matters to YOU,

Joseph R. Mays

New Fair Pay Act Signed into Law

President Barack and Michelle Obama shed the spotlight on a new bill called the Fair Pay Act that is intended to ensure that fair pair is given to workers for performing a job. All too often women are paid less than their male counterparts to their detriment. If a woman (sometimes the situation is reversed and it is a man) is working as an engineer, she might receive less pay for the SAME work. This bill was crafted to ensure that if she (or he) does the same work as a man (or woman) then they should be paid the same/equal pay. For more details on this story, please visit the Christian Science Monitor.

Yours in equal rights for all,

Joseph R. Mays

A Little Late, but Kudos to John McCain

I voted for Barack Obama and my dream came true. I was there on the National Mall when he took his oath of office on January 20, 2009. It was a moment in time I will NEVER forget. I also want to make sure that people don’t forget about John McCain. A lot of people may talk about “more of the same” and rightfully so, but I am not here to talk about that. I am here to talk about his character and how gracious he was on Election Day. I really appreciate his style and the way he handled himself after Senator, now President, Barack Obama won the election. As far as I am concerned, both men won. He could have been bitter and slung mud and called for a recount or something else negative, but he didn’t. He was human, he was gracious and collected and gave credit to Barack Obama for a well-fought contest. I already had respect for him on account of his war record. He asked his own camp to cease and desist with the boos. Basically he said “we’re better than that and the better man won”. “We need to act accordingly and with dignity and respect not only for Barack Obama, but for ourselves as well”. That too, was a great moment in history that won’t go down as high as Barack Obama’s Inauguration, but it still should be remembered as a great day in partisan politics when the other party concedes in such a manner. It moved me. I salute you John McCain and I ask that you help Barack Obama be all he can be. I will do my part as well and contribute here online and offline as well. I urge everyone reading this to do the same. When we ALL help each other we are ALL WINNERS!

Yours in political solidarity,

Joseph R Mays

President Obama Supports Postponing Digital Television Switch until June

President Barack Obama urges passage of legislation in Congress that would revive the Digital TV Converter Coupon Program and give more time for citizens to get their digital converters in preparation for the switch from analog TV to digital TV signals.

For more on this story go to wsj.com

Yours in the digital age,

Joseph R. Mays

Previous Post: http://josephrmays.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/barack-obama-asking-congress-to-delay-digital-tv-switch/

More Inauguration Day Traffic and Road Closure Information

From January 19, 2009 to January 21, 2009 it will be understatement to say it will be hard to get around (drive) DC near the Inauguration ceremonies. Just say “No”! If you absolutely must (i.e. part of the Inauguration Day ceremonies), then here is more helpful information to help you get around during Inauguration Day.

NBC – Information on Inauguration Day Road Closures with detailed maps

Appomattox News – Inauguration Day Traffic to Affect Entire State

The Gazette.net – Telecoms Brace for Wireless Traffic

WUSA9.com – Updated Maryland Inauguration Day Road Plan

MSNBC/Associated Press – Inaugurations Tests Troubled Transportation Grid

Potomac Riverboat Company – Avoid the Roads – Take a Boat

BellaOnline – Obama Inauguration 2009 – Avoiding Metro Crowds

Our Inauguration Information Page 1 – Avoid Driving into Washington DC on Inauguration Day if You Can

Thank you to all the visitors to my blog. I am privileged to present this information to you. Please use it to your enjoyment and have a wonderful day on Inauguration Day. Congratulations again to President Barack Obama.

Yours in Inauguration Day information,

Joseph R. Mays

Congress Seeking a Pay Raise while Thousands of Workers are Losing their Jobs

At a time when they were grilling automotive executives about their bonuses and raises our own congressmen and women are voting for their own pay raise. I am not saying that they don’t deserve to get paid for what they do, but I would think it would be wise to forego a pay increase when a lot of America doesn’t know where their next paycheck is coming from or when. It doesn’t show a sense of compassion for these people of whom many lost their jobs due to the economic downturn and they were let go as a result. My heart goes out to the men and women who were victims of this. I wish you much success in finding new employment soon.

For more on this story go here and here.

Yours in support of the American Worker,

Joseph R. Mays

Avoid Driving into Washington, DC on Inauguration Day if You Can

President Barack Obama Inauguration Day 2009

Inauguration Day in Washington, DC on January 20, 2009, will bring about some serious gridlock anywhere within five miles or more around the Inauguration festivities. Local police will be be shutting down local roads and bridges to deny access in and around that area. People may grumble about it, but it is being done to ensure the safety of the new President (Barack Obama) and the general public. Deal with it as best as you can and most importantly, ENJOY this day. It is a glorious moment in history. Not just for Washington, DC and the United States, but for the world as well. The whole world was watching Election Day. Millions of people worldwide were thrilled when we the people elected Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America. Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. I have added resources below to make your experience on Inauguration Day 2009 a pleasant and memorable one.

Inauguration Day Resources
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District of Columbia – Inauguration Day 2009 Website

Secret Service – Inauguration 2009 Security Information

Wikipedia – Inauguration Day Ceremonies

Senate.gov – Inauguration of the President 2009 Events

Inauguration Day Information and Events

About.com – Inauguration Day Events

Office of Personnel Management – Inauguration Day

The Examiner – Inauguration Day 2009 - Events and Articles

Putting the Finishing Touches on Barack Obama’s Inauguration Day Ceremony – New Link – 1-18-2009

Yours in inauguration information and resources,

Joseph R. Mays

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton Raising Funds to Pay Off Campaign Debt

Former Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton is having a fundraiser to help pay down her campaign debt. This move is required by her in order to clear her way for nomination as President-Elect Barack Obama’s Secretary of State.

The event will be hosted by rocker Jon Bon Jovi. Hillary Clinton and her supporters will be there to help her raise money to reach her goal. The event will be held at the Manhattan Town Hall in New York City. Ticket prices will range from $75 to $1,000.

Senator Clinton should not have any major hurdles to clear in her confirmation hearing.

Source: Associated Press January 4, 2009.

Yours in politics and good information,

Joseph R. Mays

Barack Obama Asking Congress to Delay Digital TV Switch

President-Elect Barack Obama asked Congress to delay the implementation of the digital TV switch. With millions of people on the waiting list to receive coupons and the deadline looming just 41 days away, a lot of problems will come about with the switch. Economic hardship makes it hard for most low income households who cannot afford the cost of digital TV converters. Being without a broadcast/television solution will make it hard for citizens in analog TV “darkness” to receive news and important updated information such as news, weather emergencies and other programming vital to the community. The analog TV sets will NOT be able to pick up the digital TV signals.

President-Elect Barack Obama concluded that delaying the switch would be a better solution and give more time to present a solution to the people in need. For more on this story go here.  For information on the government’s program please go to dtv2009.gov.

Yours in the digital television transition,

Joseph R. Mays