Free Enterprise Strikes Another Blow
Wait a minute. This is about Comcast. There's lots about Comcast that's entrepreneurial. There's nothing about Comcast that's free. But that's the way it is with monopolies.
Comcast's latest annoyance was bumping Turner Classic Movies up a tier. Of course, TMC is still available, but it costs more. Crikey, you say. It's only a couple of bucks. Yes, but there was a time when you turned a program on, or not. Your choice. With cable, you pay. There's no choice. But, you say, look at all the other channels you get when you move up. You look at them. I want Turner Classic. That's my beef about cable. I have to buy what they want to sell. If I had wanted more channels, I would have bought them. Now, in order to get the program I want, I have to buy the
whole boat. Some choice.
Cable companies are licensed by city government. I don't know the details. I assume there is a bid process that probably includes an optional exclusivity clause. I assume the city is paid a percentage of cable fees, plus a charge for exclusivity, as well as an escalator clause, so that when rates go up, what other direction is there, the city is aboard.
There are several community channels that are likely made available by the cable company as part of the deal. The city provides production facilities and televises programs of community interest. It is also part of the network of other community channels. The cable office in City Hall also handles complaints, but I don't think I'll go there. If I become thoroughly dissatisfied with Comcast cable, I can obviously go to satellite. Then I'll only be nagged by my internet service.
But, geez. What if the enterprising Comcast contrives to charge not only for the internet connection, but for each specific use, as well? Do I hear footsteps?
Legislation by Assignation
I’m trying to remember. Let’s see. Wasn’t there mention recently of some impropriety in the Minnesota Senate? Didn’t local media dance around the revelation, hinting at scandal but daring not to speak its name? Yeah, now I’ve got it.
Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned her leadership post. Her explanation for doing so was vague. Three GOP stalwarts met the press bent on damage control. They succeeded by erecting a stone wall that would have made Richard Nixon proud. Senator Koch revealed to the three caballeros, birds of a feather, as in the words of the old song, that she had been, or still was, in the throes of an improper relationship with one of her staff. Did she say “throes,” or “raptures?” Never mind.
But shortly afterwards, Senator Koch’s chief of staff, Michael Brodkorb, resigned his position. Nobody is admitting anything, but inquiring minds may conclude these two incidents are not coincidence. A romance, perchance?
Brodkorb has been described as an intensely ambitious young man. Although clean-shaven, he may also resemble Svengali. Could it be possible that he too cast a mystic spell that was overwhelming, powerful, irresistable?
Brodkorb is said to have been relentless in promulgating policy. Might he have patterned his approach to government after Karl Rove, Grover Norquist and Dick Cheney? Could it be that he has studied the practices of G. Gordon Liddy. Lee Atwater, and Roger Ailes, operatives of the Nixon White House, and decided to adopt them as his own?
What will become of poor Amy? Where will Brodkorb surface? Will there be
clarification from the GOP models of virtue and rectitude when they assemble shortly for the start of the legislation session? Or will they keep their heads down, and trust the media to remain mute?
Probably. After all, there are so many other challenges, such as the $2 million party debt, and $400 thousand portion of it that is said to be missing and unaccounted.
And there is the election campaign. That will require a speedy legislative conclave, so that all hands get maximum time to mount their soapboxes. The GOP will campaign on its record of money management and family values. Not to overlook one of the most important functions of state government today, stadium building.
Should be fun to watch.
Wait a minute. This is about Comcast. There's lots about Comcast that's entrepreneurial. There's nothing about Comcast that's free. But that's the way it is with monopolies.
Comcast's latest annoyance was bumping Turner Classic Movies up a tier. Of course, TMC is still available, but it costs more. Crikey, you say. It's only a couple of bucks. Yes, but there was a time when you turned a program on, or not. Your choice. With cable, you pay. There's no choice. But, you say, look at all the other channels you get when you move up. You look at them. I want Turner Classic. That's my beef about cable. I have to buy what they want to sell. If I had wanted more channels, I would have bought them. Now, in order to get the program I want, I have to buy the
whole boat. Some choice.
Cable companies are licensed by city government. I don't know the details. I assume there is a bid process that probably includes an optional exclusivity clause. I assume the city is paid a percentage of cable fees, plus a charge for exclusivity, as well as an escalator clause, so that when rates go up, what other direction is there, the city is aboard.
There are several community channels that are likely made available by the cable company as part of the deal. The city provides production facilities and televises programs of community interest. It is also part of the network of other community channels. The cable office in City Hall also handles complaints, but I don't think I'll go there. If I become thoroughly dissatisfied with Comcast cable, I can obviously go to satellite. Then I'll only be nagged by my internet service.
But, geez. What if the enterprising Comcast contrives to charge not only for the internet connection, but for each specific use, as well? Do I hear footsteps?
Legislation by Assignation
I’m trying to remember. Let’s see. Wasn’t there mention recently of some impropriety in the Minnesota Senate? Didn’t local media dance around the revelation, hinting at scandal but daring not to speak its name? Yeah, now I’ve got it.
Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch resigned her leadership post. Her explanation for doing so was vague. Three GOP stalwarts met the press bent on damage control. They succeeded by erecting a stone wall that would have made Richard Nixon proud. Senator Koch revealed to the three caballeros, birds of a feather, as in the words of the old song, that she had been, or still was, in the throes of an improper relationship with one of her staff. Did she say “throes,” or “raptures?” Never mind.
But shortly afterwards, Senator Koch’s chief of staff, Michael Brodkorb, resigned his position. Nobody is admitting anything, but inquiring minds may conclude these two incidents are not coincidence. A romance, perchance?
Brodkorb has been described as an intensely ambitious young man. Although clean-shaven, he may also resemble Svengali. Could it be possible that he too cast a mystic spell that was overwhelming, powerful, irresistable?
Brodkorb is said to have been relentless in promulgating policy. Might he have patterned his approach to government after Karl Rove, Grover Norquist and Dick Cheney? Could it be that he has studied the practices of G. Gordon Liddy. Lee Atwater, and Roger Ailes, operatives of the Nixon White House, and decided to adopt them as his own?
What will become of poor Amy? Where will Brodkorb surface? Will there be
clarification from the GOP models of virtue and rectitude when they assemble shortly for the start of the legislation session? Or will they keep their heads down, and trust the media to remain mute?
Probably. After all, there are so many other challenges, such as the $2 million party debt, and $400 thousand portion of it that is said to be missing and unaccounted.
And there is the election campaign. That will require a speedy legislative conclave, so that all hands get maximum time to mount their soapboxes. The GOP will campaign on its record of money management and family values. Not to overlook one of the most important functions of state government today, stadium building.
Should be fun to watch.
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