Senators criticize MLB-DirecTV deal

[DawgLink]

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/senators-criticize-mlb-directv-deal/story.aspx?guid=%7B4B2FD269-529E-4A31-B5AE-1EB794A17EB3%7D

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. senators on Tuesday urged Major League Baseball to let every cable and satellite company carry out-of market games and hinted that they might intervene if the sport pursued an exclusive deal with DirecTV.

Just four days before the season opener, senators pressed a top baseball executive to explain why the league was prepared to sign a deal that effectively would give DirecTV exclusive rights to carry the popular "Extra Innings" baseball package.

"It works a real inconvenience with a lot of people," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., who convened the hearing at the Senate Commerce Committee. "A lot of baseball fans are very disappointed and some are very angry."

Robert DuPuy, chief operating office of Major League Baseball, said he was open to more negotiations with rivals of DirecTV, such as Comcast Corp. and The Dish Network. Yet he offered little encouragement about the prospects of reaching a compromise before a fast-approaching deadline.

Kerry has asked the U.S. regulators to probe whether an exclusive marketing agreement is legitimate, while other senators suggested that Congress could take action if the disputants can't reach an agreement.

"We are not entirely powerless," said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa. Added Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J.: "Having it solved here is not a particularly good idea."

Extra Innings costs about $200 a year and has been available on most cable and satellite systems. The service is popular with viewers who live outside the markets of their home teams, such as Red Sox fans living in Washington, DC. The package is also big among players of fantasy baseball.

[veryoldschool]

I mean it's not like there is a war going on or something that would be taking up their time.

[LGM2007]

Why is it always displaced Red Sox fans that get the press? Isn't the humane thing to keep them from seeing another disappointing season?

The service is popular with viewers who live outside the markets of their home teams, such as Red Sox fans living in Washington, DC.

[hambonewd]

why havent these same politicians complained about the nfl being exclusive to directv? thats what i want to know

[George_T]

Senator Spector cries about the exclusivity of this package and the NFL Sunday Ticket. What a joke! He cries foul over these deals but yet doesn't cry foul when Comcrap (based in Philly) withholds Comcrap Philly from D* because of a loophole in how their signal is transmitted. Why the double standard, Arlen?

[raott]

Ugh, I wish Kerry would shut up.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/senators-criticize-mlb-directv-deal/story.aspx?guid=%7B4B2FD269-529E-4A31-B5AE-1EB794A17EB3%7D

Why would you want Kerry to shut up. What part of this deal, including a $39 price increase for the same thing as last year, is good for the consumer?

[lwilli201]

They hope congress will pass a law that will let them carry MLB-IE real cheap. The terms are no secret. But since they don't like them they cry to congress. I guess the cable companies and Charlie are part of our society that wants the government to control everything. Let see, they could nationalize the MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL and the petroleum industry. That would solve everything.:eek2: :eek2:

[Earl Bonovich]

Why would you want Kerry to shut up. What part of this deal, including a $39 price increase for the same thing as last year, is good for the consumer?

No price increase is good for consumers.

But when and where should the government get involved with issues that are business issues?

MLB has a product... they are selling it.
DirecTV is purchasing it... and then "reselling it" to their customers.

If the market place won't support, it will fail.

[exorr]

No price increase is good for consumers.

But when and where should the government get involved with issues that are business issues?

MLB has a product... they are selling it.
DirecTV is purchasing it... and then "reselling it" to their customers.

If the market place won't support, it will fail.

I disagree. I feel it's important for the Government to step in here and also with the NFL Package. But they should also dis-allow XM for solely being able to broadcast MLB and Sirius from solely being able to broadcast NFL.

It's a monopoly and it hurts every consumer. The Government is supposed to step in when these things happen.

Same thing is going on right now with the announced XM and Sirius merger.

[jc17981]

I totally agree with Earl. I would rather do without seeing my Orioles than to have the government stick their nose into the matter. All of this out of market stuff is great & I love it, but it is merely a luxury, and definitely not an entitlement where the government should be involved.

[lwilli201]

I disagree. I feel it's important for the Government to step in here and also with the NFL Package. But they should also dis-allow XM for solely being able to broadcast MLB and Sirius from solely being able to broadcast NFL.

It's a monopoly and it hurts every consumer. The Government is supposed to step in when these things happen.

Same thing is going on right now with the announced XM and Sirius merger.

Then who decides what the price will be? I don't think we want the government dictating what the MLB and NFL can charge.

[raott]

No price increase is good for consumers.

But when and where should the government get involved with issues that are business issues?

MLB has a product... they are selling it.
DirecTV is purchasing it... and then "reselling it" to their customers.

If the market place won't support, it will fail.

I don't disagree that government involvement should be limited. Although I think our Senators time could be better spent, and would not want them to take action, I don't mind them giving D* some heat over the deal.

My main point was, I've seen a number of threads with people, for some reason, applauding this deal. I've seen terms like "good deal" and "bargain" thrown out there when, the bottom line is, I, as a consumer, am paying $39 extra this year for basically the same thing I had last year. That is almost a 30% increase in price. If Kerry wants to put a little pressure on them, it is OK by me.

Am I getting 20 - 30% more HD this year with the package?

[Earl Bonovich]

Then IMHO... If the Government wants to get involved with it... then they need to use their "powers" to do it the way our system allows it.

Pass Laws that make it illegal to do this... that way, you have the entire legislature (everyone), input on it... not just a sub-committee... using threats to throw their will around.

Pass a Law... and in a fashion that it can be equally enforceable..

I don't see the cryout that if someone wants VOOM on their system, they have to carry all the channels... not just one or two.

[lwilli201]

[QUOTE=raott;887145]I don't disagree that government involvement should be limited. Although I think our Senators time could be better spent, and would not want them to take action, I don't mind them giving D* some heat over the deal.
QUOTE]

They have put the heat to D*, now it is time to move on. How about going after the drug companies for the monopolies on high priced drugs. I really feel sorry for anyone that has to pay full price for prescriptions. They need to look into the practice of giving insurance companies discounts on prescriptions, and charging those without insurance the full price. We all need to focus on what is really important.

[tonyd79]

Am I getting 20 - 30% more HD this year with the package?

Actually, you may be. I sure as shootin didn't get 10 games a week last year. More like 5 or 6.

Price increases are never fun but they happen but Congress is not about the price increase.

BTW, the deal is not exclusive. Meet the requirements set by MLB and you can sell the games. Where is the monopoly?

The NFL gets away with more than this.

BTW, I don't see single provider of programming being a monopoly. It happens all the time. Why isn't Congress demanding that ABC be able to broadcast the NCAA basketball tournament?

[veryoldschool]

And while they have all this time to worry about baseball....What about the men & women being KILLED in a WAR!
Oh, I know.....it's baseball, excuse me....:mad:

[jpl]

[QUOTE=raott;887145]I don't disagree that government involvement should be limited. Although I think our Senators time could be better spent, and would not want them to take action, I don't mind them giving D* some heat over the deal.
QUOTE]

They have put the heat to D*, now it is time to move on. How about going after the drug companies for the monopolies on high priced drugs. I really feel sorry for anyone that has to pay full price for prescriptions. They need to look into the practice of giving insurance companies discounts on prescriptions, and charging those without insurance the full price. We all need to focus on what is really important.

Yep... much better to have a Canadian style system where things are cheap... if you can get them. Personally I don't like waiting 18 - 24 months for basic medical service, like they have to in Canada for many routine services. When I hear stories of having to airlift women who are in labor because the L&D areas of hospitals can't handle the case in a timely manner due to ridiculous government interference, it makes me cringe (anyone try to do that with my wife when any of my 4 kids were born, and the doctor would need to take out a restraining order against me). Unfortunately THAT's what you get when government looks to control prices. As one economist said during the recent run-up in gas prices "better to have $4 gas that you can find than $2 gas that you can't." How does this relate to this newsitem - in every conceivable way. I agree with Earl - if Congress feels the need to "do something" then do it the right way - push for legislation. While I would disagree with such legislation at least it's honest. This notion of using the strong arm of the government to haul folks in front of committees for endless investigations is really no different than a good old fashion mob shake-down. It's nothing short of extortion.

Kerry, Specter, et. al. think this is a bad thing - fine, put forward a bill and make your case. Otherwise stop wasting taxpayer dollars for a photo-op, and stop abusing your authority Mr. Kerry.

[DawgLink]

Kerry, Specter, et. al. think this is a bad thing - fine, put forward a bill and make your case. Otherwise stop wasting taxpayer dollars for a photo-op, and stop abusing your authority Mr. Kerry.

Can I get an AMEN?

[veryoldschool]

Amen, and go back to work....

[iceman2a]

The only problem I have with this deal is there are people who for one reason or another can't get D*. They have as much right to subscribe to MLB-EI as you or I do, especialy if they are current subscribers!

Even if it's a very small number, someone has to at least speak up for them!

[jpl]

Sorry, lwilli201, didn't mean to jump on you like that. My main point in my rant is that government is generally the source of many of the problems that end up needing to be fixed. For example, going back to drugs for a sec. The reason that they're so expensive is because the R&D costs are through the roof - approx. $800 million dollars to produce one drug. And that doesn't take into consideration all the drugs that fail. One reason for that... FDA regulations. Now I'm not saying that those regulations should be relaxed. It's part of the price we pay for wanting safe drugs (or relatively so). But to have Congress get all worked up over the cost of drugs when the cost is largely driven by regulations that THEY created... well, it's hard to take a member of Congress seriously when I hear that nonsense.

Ditto for gas prices. Want to create a wind-fall profit tax? Fine, let's go after the organization that takes the biggest cut from a gallon of gas -- the federal government. They institute ridiculous taxes and regulations on gas producers and then wonder why the price is so high? I didn't hear any of those blow-hards proposing to suspend gas taxes while they were grilling the execs of these companies.

Ok, off the soapbox and back on topic...

[bobsloop]

Have you ever seen the government do something well? The best thing is for the government to just stay out of it. If you don't want to buy it then don't. If enough people don't buy it things will eventually change. If people buy it then there is a market for it.

What's next? Is Hillary going to try to add national MLB Extra Innings coverage for all to her terrible national health care idea? How about free beer on Friday for every American? Where does it stop? Although I kind of like the free beer idea.

[veryoldschool]

The only problem I have with this deal is there are people who for one reason or another can't get D*. They have as much right to subscribe to MLB-EI as you or I do, especialy if they are current subscribers!
Even if it's a very small number, someone has to at least speak up for them!
So I should be able to have the government force GM to sell me a Ford then, because I can't get to the Ford dealer, but the is a Chevy dealer close by? :confused:

[Earl Bonovich]

We need to bring this discussion back closer to the actual topic:

Congress's intrest in the DirecTV/MLB deal.

We can't tangent out to other areas, as DBSTalk doesn't allow political discussions... but this particular thread has a little "room" since the topic is about the governments involvement with DirecTV.

[veryoldschool]

Have you ever seen the government do something well? The best thing is for the government to just stay out of it. If you don't want to buy it then don't. If enough people don't buy it things will eventually change. If people buy it then there is a market for it. What's next? Is Hillary going to try to add national MLB Extra Innings coverage for all to her terrible national health care idea? How about free beer on Friday for every American? Where does it stop? Although I kind of like the free beer idea.
You won me over with the beer idea...:)

[veryoldschool]

I quit:)

[jpl]

We need to bring this discussion back closer to the actual topic:

Congress's intrest in the DirecTV/MLB deal.

We can't tangent out to other areas, as DBSTalk doesn't allow political discussions... but this particular thread has a little "room" since the topic is about the governments involvement with DirecTV.

will do. I was trying to just demonstrate that getting government involved in a business deal like this will cause more problems than it'll solve... that's all. not meant to be a political (that is, partisan) posting at all... but I'll try to stay on topic...

[Jhon69]

Charlie's tired of paying lawyers when Congress can do his bidding.Maybe when UNICEF starts disbursing MLB then DISH will be able to afford it.;)

[DCSholtis]

[QUOTE=lwilli201;887162]


Kerry, Specter, et. al. think this is a bad thing - fine, put forward a bill and make your case. Otherwise stop wasting taxpayer dollars for a photo-op, and stop abusing your authority Mr. Kerry.

Amen, brother!! DuPuy stick to your guns there is nothing at all wrong with this deal.

[Satelliteracer]

[QUOTE=jpl;887276]

Amen, brother!! DuPuy stick to your guns there is nothing at all wrong with this deal.

I wonder where John Kerry was leading the charge for Howard Stern fans when he went to Sirius?


:nono2:

[Newshawk]

[QUOTE=DCSholtis;887391]

I wonder where John Kerry was leading the charge for Howard Stern fans when he went to Sirius?

Well, if Stern was a Red Sox fan, maybe Kerry would have noticed...

[DCSholtis]

[QUOTE=DCSholtis;887391]

I wonder where John Kerry was leading the charge for Howard Stern fans when he went to Sirius?


:nono2:

Off Topic but are you aware of whether or not OTA feeds will be returning the the EI package? Thanks.

[BillyT2002]

Then who decides what the price will be? I don't think we want the government dictating what the MLB and NFL can charge.

The free market and the free market only should dictate what prices should be - not the companies. I believe that all of these services should be available on every platform and competition between providers should soley dictate prices. But, what do I know? I hate sports altogether and wouldn't be caught dead bothering to watch a game of any kind.

[finaldiet]

The government should stay out of it. The government broke up industries because they said it would help the consumer, for instance, the trucking and telephone companies. Now you see the Ma Bells buying up those smaller Bells and getting right back to where thay started. It you want a law, how about one making lawyers ineligible to run for congress.:D

[iceman2a]

So I should be able to have the government force GM to sell me a Ford then, because I can't get to the Ford dealer, but the is a Chevy dealer close by? :confused:

That analogy makes absolutely no sense!! Has nothing to do with what I said!
I was just saying that someone has to speak for these people and have MLB look at what they're doing!

But since you went there!

First of all the local goverments decide what cable co. can operate in a given locality, so they are already telling people what tv service they have to buy, if they can't get a sat signal! =(goverment restricting consumer choice)

MLB opperates on an anti-trust exemption from congress!
Another goverment sanctioned monopoly restricting consumer choice!

I'd rather not see the goverment getting involved (all things being equal) but all things aren't!!

[jpl]

The free market and the free market only should dictate what prices should be - not the companies. I believe that all of these services should be available on every platform and competition between providers should soley dictate prices. But, what do I know? I hate sports altogether and wouldn't be caught dead bothering to watch a game of any kind.

I agree, and I would take it one step further. Get rid of that ridiculous legalized monopoly status of MLB. Not saying that another league would automatically spring up - but if the leage is good enough, then you'll see them respond to the competition. Look at the NFL. I still remember when the USFL league started... and foundered. Like anything else, competition either makes you stronger, or makes you gone. Either way the consumer ends up with a better product at the end of the day. That monopoly status, btw, is one reason why Congress feels that they can just step in and do this kind of stuff. It's the reason they were able to hold hearings on steroid use by baseball players. It's the reason they feel justified in doing this. Their take is "we're giving you carte blanche... so we get to decide the terms."

[Dolly]

The government should stay out of it. The government broke up industries because they said it would help the consumer, for instance, the trucking and telephone companies. Now you see the Ma Bells buying up those smaller Bells and getting right back to where thay started. It you want a law, how about one making lawyers ineligible to run for congress.:D
Oh I would love to see that :love1: :smoking: :lol: It won't ever happen :(

[Dolly]

Is anyone else getting as sick of this story as I am? :barf:

[DonCorleone]

Is anyone else getting as sick of this story as I am? :barf:

Which story?
* Congress interfering in corporate America?
* Taxpayer dollars being wasted on Kerry et al holding hearings so they can hear themselves talk?
* FOX not letting us see games on Saturdays?

[DCSholtis]

Hearing about the Tennis Channel? :D

[Dolly]

Which story?
* Congress interfering in corporate America?
* Taxpayer dollars being wasted on Kerry et al holding hearings so they can hear themselves talk?
* FOX not letting us see games on Saturdays?
All of the above :lol:

[Dolly]

Hearing about the Tennis Channel? :D
Alright you got me :D But it is in a thread now so avoid the thread :lol:

[Jeremy W]

The only problem I have with this deal is there are people who for one reason or another can't get D*. They have as much right to subscribe to MLB-EI as you or I do, especialy if they are current subscribers!
Nobody has a right to subscribe to an entertainment package.

[bwaldron]

Nobody has a right to subscribe to an entertainment package.

No kidding.

What about the "right" of dish-owning Phillies or Padres fans to see their local teams without adding a cable subscription?

[ralphfurley]

gee....Senators Kerry and Specter are really out front on this issue. Besides being media hogs, what else do these guys having in common?

Could both be RED SOX fans worried about fellow SOX fans getting games outside Boston? Naaah.

hmmm. well you all remember Senator Kerry's wife Teresa don't you. She is the widow of the late Senator Heinz of the great state of Pennsylvania.

Now Senator Arlen "Magic Bullet" Specter is the longtime Senator from Pennsylvania.

what's the connection?

One of the biggest CABLE companies in the world, COMCAST is headquartered in....wait for it....Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Wonder if the Roberts family is acquainted with Mrs Heinz-Kerry and the Specters?

Just typical pandering to a constituent, no monopoly here.

[surfmaui03]

gee....Senators Kerry and Specter are really out front on this issue. Besides being media hogs, what else do these guys having in common?

Could both be RED SOX fans worried about fellow SOX fans getting games outside Boston? Naaah.

hmmm. well you all remember Senator Kerry's wife Teresa don't you. She is the widow of the late Senator Heinz of the great state of Pennsylvania.

Now Senator Arlen "Magic Bullet" Specter is the longtime Senator from Pennsylvania.

what's the connection?

One of the biggest CABLE companies in the world, COMCAST is headquartered in....wait for it....Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Wonder if the Roberts family is acquainted with Mrs Heinz-Kerry and the Specters?

Just typical pandering to a constituent, no monopoly here.

My post to you really has nothing to do with the topic, just wanted to say awesome user name. You need to use a picture of old R.F. as an avatar :D

[lewah33]

No price increase is good for consumers.

But when and where should the government get involved with issues that are business issues?

MLB has a product... they are selling it.
DirecTV is purchasing it... and then "reselling it" to their customers.

If the market place won't support, it will fail.

MLB has an anti-trust exemption, and by allowing them to run a monopoly with limited franchises, they have to deal with increased government oversight.

[lewah33]

The government should stay out of it. The government broke up industries because they said it would help the consumer, for instance, the trucking and telephone companies. Now you see the Ma Bells buying up those smaller Bells and getting right back to where thay started. It you want a law, how about one making lawyers ineligible to run for congress.:D

AT&T was broken up because they wanted to get into the computer business. That computer business because Lucent (AT&T Labs). The government didnt "break up" Ma Bell, Ma Bell made a couple business decisions, and would be competing unfairly in the marketplace because they were a monopoly. In reality, the market value of the remaining regional carriers - Verizon, The New AT&T et all, is significantly higher than the forecasted value of a non-broken up version of the original AT&T.

This would have been a clearer arguement if PacBell/Bell South etc didnt change their name to AT&T).

[RegGeek]

I am aware that Congressional approval was necessary for an anti-trust exemption for the NFL-AFL merger. For those that have said MLB operates under a similar exemption, can you provide a reference for that statement?

Just because they don't have a competitor doesn't mean they require an anti-trust exemption. So with whom did MLB merge (and when) such that government approval was necessary and an anti-trust exemption was granted?

[lewah33]

I am compelled to voice my opinion again on this issue. While there are many things that private businesses do better than the government, there are also many things that only goverment can do. I live in California, and the Republican de-regulation of the power industry was an unmitigated dissaster. When GWB and his cronies came to power, they gutted FEMA, believeing local governments, private businesses and NGOs could handle natural disasters better than the federal goverment. We all know how that worked out.

Some industries have thrived under de-regulation - namely communications and the airline industry.

MLB received it's anti-trust exemption in 1922, and this enables the league to restrict team movements and contract teams. The movement of players from the minors to the majors is also enabled by the anti-trust exemption. In the past, the reserve clause, which prevented free agency, was also enabled by the anti-trust exemption.

Congress does have a right to act when any corporation behaves in a way that restricts trade, decreases consumer choice, and unjustly raises prices. In fact, when said company is a governement sanctioned monopoly, it is incumbent on congress to get involved.

Sorry everyone, end of rant. I know this thread is tracking off topic, however, I wanted my side heard.

[goatghost]

I totally agree with Earl. I would rather do without seeing my Orioles than to have the government stick their nose into the matter. All of this out of market stuff is great & I love it, but it is merely a luxury, and definitely not an entitlement where the government should be involved.

You're obviously not much of an Orioles fan if you can do without seeing them play just to make a point about government intervention.

[DCSholtis]

Well deadline has passed. Kerry & Co. better make their calls to D* to have their dishes put up. :D

[Dolly]

Well deadline has passed. Kerry & Co. better make their calls to D* to have their dishes put up. :D
And I'm sure they will all love D just like I do :sunsmile:

[DCSholtis]

Correction. The parties got a one day extention to the deadline. New deadline is TONIGHT at 11:59pm. eastern.

[jimbo09]

No price increase is good for consumers.

But when and where should the government get involved with issues that are business issues?

MLB has a product... they are selling it.
DirecTV is purchasing it... and then "reselling it" to their customers.

If the market place won't support, it will fail.

Earl,

Your right. Also, I don't think D* is even getting their entire upfront cost repaid by the subscriptions. That is why they have the 2 year obligations, and the requirement to buy other services. Locking in these sports packages (NFL, NCAA, MLB) as exclusive gives them an edge.

Why? The growth market in TVs is HDTVs, and who wants them? Well, O.K. everyone, but a large perentage are sports fans, who want all those games in HD.

They have also signed on for the MLB channel, and don't forget a Big Ten sports channel this summer/fall, too, which will both have lots of games, be on the lowest tier of programming and most likely be in HD.

The market will decide, but the other companies are just upset they didn't get there first with these sport deals.

Maybe E* thought they could lure everyone away with KungFu HD:lol:

[Dolly]

Correction. The parties got a one day extention to the deadline. New deadline is TONIGHT at 11:59pm. eastern.
The story I read said the odds were 50-50 that the other carriers would also get the deal. Good Grief--if they had really wanted it that badly why didn't they match D's deal earlier :confused: I guess they thought the Congress was going to say that D couldn't have an exclusive deal :down:
:icon_lame

[rcoleman111]

[QUOTE=lwilli201;887162]

Yep... much better to have a Canadian style system where things are cheap... if you can get them. Personally I don't like waiting 18 - 24 months for basic medical service, like they have to in Canada for many routine services.

On the other hand, you can have a system that is controlled by insurance companies and HMOs, which is what we have in this country. If you have something wrong with you and you don't already have coverage through work, you are just out of luck. You can't get health care at all (unless, of course, you happen to be rich). There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of systems, but what country that has gone to a "Canadian style system" has ever gone back? There may be a lot of complaining about delays and "rationing", but any politicians who tried to repeal such a system would be run out of town on a rail.

While most of us would prefer to let the marketplace decide issues like the MLB EI deal, that doesn't mean that goverment regulation in this area is always bad. Remember when Congress stepped in back in the '70s and outlawed blackouts of sold-out NFL games? You could have made exactly the same argument against that legislation, but its effect was beneficial to both football fans and the NFL. The legislation expired in 1975, but the NFL never reinstated the blackouts.

[UTVLamented]

Late last week, channels 730-733 appeared in the guide, then disappeared the next day. Is it possible that if Directv does not get EI exclusively then there will be no SuperFan? All of their other package extras are on the exclusives (NFL, NASCAR, MMM)?

[ralphfurley]

I live in California, and the Republican de-regulation of the power industry was an unmitigated dissaster. When GWB and his cronies came to power, they gutted FEMA, believeing local governments, private businesses and NGOs could handle natural disasters better than the federal goverment. We all know how that worked out.

Since i (thankfully) do not live in California, I will defer you on the power issue. However, just because it happened under Pete Wilson doesn't mean that Gray Davis and the Dem Legis. escape blame.

As to the FEMA issue, as someone who lives in south Florida and was directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina and WIlma, you have no IDEA what you're talking about.

No one "gutted" FEMA. The problem with FEMA started when it was rolled in DHS.

Local Governments, NGO and private businesses DO A BETTER JOB HANDLING NATURAL DISASTERS.

MY LOCAL GOVT had ice distribution and food lines set up in 24hrs. My STATE GOVT knew what it was doing. HOME DEPOT has shevles stocked before and after the disaster. The day after a PUBLIX with no power was open for business. ask the people in Lousiana, Alabama and Miss about the job WAL-MART did post KATRINA.

Within days, my local churches and the RED CROSS were accepting people from New Orleans. days!

Just wanted to correct the record.

Now, when do I get VOD?

[Dolly]

Late last week, channels 730-733 appeared in the guide, then disappeared the next day. Is it possible that if Directv does not get EI exclusively then there will be no SuperFan? All of their other package extras are on the exclusives (NFL, NASCAR, MMM)?
I haven't looked at those channels recently myself. But this deal going into Extra Extra Innings is :raspberry

[goatghost]

Since i (thankfully) do not live in California...

I think it's safe to say lots of people would LOVE to live in California if it wasn't so expensive.

...However, just because it happened under Pete Wilson doesn't mean that Gray Davis and the Dem Legis. escape blame.

Let's blame those pesky Democrats...the root of all evil.

As to the FEMA issue, as someone who lives in south Florida and was directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina and WIlma, you have no IDEA what you're talking about.

Umm...I think the general consensus is that FEMA's response was woefully inadequate in Louisiana.

No one "gutted" FEMA. The problem with FEMA started when it was rolled in DHS.

Hmm...I think the real problem was putting a political crony in charge of FEMA, instead of someone qualified.

Local Governments, NGO and private businesses DO A BETTER JOB HANDLING NATURAL DISASTERS.

And, they do an awesome job of providing services to our troops overseas...JUST LIKE HALIBURTON!!!

Within days, my local churches and the RED CROSS were accepting people from New Orleans. days!

I'd imagine it's probably tad lot easier to distribute aid when the churches and Walmarts aren't underwater.

I think what we really need to do is privatize the Secret Service. If we could get some $5.35/hr. security guards in there, providing protection for President Bush, I'm sure we'd save a hell of a lot of money. Let the market decide!!!

[DCSholtis]

Whoa everyone remember what the this thread is about.....:backtotop

[Dolly]

Whoa everyone remember what the this thread is about.....:backtotop
I don't think so :nono2: :backtotop

[lewah33]

As to the FEMA issue, as someone who lives in south Florida and was directly affected by Hurricanes Katrina and WIlma, you have no IDEA what you're talking about.

No one "gutted" FEMA. The problem with FEMA started when it was rolled in DHS.

Local Governments, NGO and private businesses DO A BETTER JOB HANDLING NATURAL DISASTERS.

MY LOCAL GOVT had ice distribution and food lines set up in 24hrs. My STATE GOVT knew what it was doing. HOME DEPOT has shevles stocked before and after the disaster. The day after a PUBLIX with no power was open for business. ask the people in Lousiana, Alabama and Miss about the job WAL-MART did post KATRINA.

Within days, my local churches and the RED CROSS were accepting people from New Orleans. days!

Just wanted to correct the record.

Sending you an email so we stop driving everyone nuts

[DawgLink]

Let's get it off Katrina and FEMA people....please? :)

[Clint Lamor]

OK this is WAY off topic here. Bring it back or we will just have to shut the thread down. Thanks

[Dolly]

The Senators along with everyone else are still talking, but so far no one has completely matched D's deal! This is plain silly :raspberry

[NKy.Yall]

The Senators along with everyone else are still talking, but so far no one has completely matched D's deal! This is plain silly :raspberry


I agree Dolly this has become down right stupid now !!!!!!!!!! Cable and E* had months to try and get on board and that sat back and did nothing until clown boy Kerry started yapping. Here is my prediction. Cable is in and E* is out. That way at least the folks who for some reason cannot get satellite tv at there residence will have access to E.I. were as E* subs can come over to in the " The Dark Side " and get D* :D that was just a joke no one please get all huffy on my...
But one way or another let’s move forward and on to more important issues.

[coldsteel]

OK, In Demand met MLB's requirements, so only Dish people are outta luck for now.