"Thanks for the friendly debate."
And thank you too. My comments actually were geared more toward posts like "Everything about Echostar is bad!". I really don't have any emotional ties to my provider. It is just that they have treated me very very well. (And yes, I HAVE a Dishplayer that generally works much to my satisfaction).
I would be for the merger even if it was teh DirecTV management gobbling up E*. Eventually there WILL be a merger, even if this one doesn't go through right now. In a merger, I would like to see Charlie's vision prevail, with plans executed by a great management team from GMH.
Some folks don't want a merger becasue they will lose the ability to play one DBS provider against the other. I think this attitude as not so much as selfishness, but as lacking imaginmation as to what can be done.
Over thirty years ago I was involved in develping the first cellular phone system. It was a daunting task, not only because of the new technology but also because we had to find frequency spectrum and battle other interests for the space. Many of our opponents, NAB included, argues that cell phones would simply be a toy for the idle rich. Boy, were these guys wrong!!!!
A merger can, with the right vision, make DBS an even more interesting and exciting service. I am optimistic that the right synergies will be there with this merger.