CABL Forum - Re: Just read this today

Wait slow down Mr. Obvious 1959. It's "obvious" you don't have all your facts!
City or "local" government owned Cable/Broadband systems CAN be ,(and most are) successful. Most are still new and paying off debt over a period of time as any business would. I would also like to hear just one...just one example of where the taxpayer is footing the bill for a failing system. To date that has been a myth. But if you can provide an example I will be glad to concede. (Oh and by the way does anybody remember a company named...uh lets see...Adelphia?....hhmmmm what happened there....seems like a lot of hard working innocent people got swindled out of a lot of money after certian people got there hand slammed in the cookie jar..slightly different than imposing a bail out tax isn't it ?). Most all municipal systems in operation now are ran very lean, cautious and attentive to expenditures, built and designed well and employee a long time experienced staff from the Cable/Broadbnd industry and "NOT" utility or government employees. In fact these people came from the very industry that they devoted there lives to only to be screwed by big corporations and companies in the process.
Most municipal business plans don't differ a great deal from any other company either public or private. These companies are learning the ropes as everyone else had to. It's just that they are trying to do things a little bit better. And learn from everyone else's mistakes.
There is still such a thing out there called "a customer" in case you that support big business have forgotten that word.
They pay the bills, you know keep the doors open?
I suggest you take a hard look at who is now controlling this industry. And It Ain't The Govenment!!!!!
Anybody remember when the government tried to regulate the Cable industry....talk about a joke!!!!
Here is an example: You have Comcast tring to gain a controlling interest, (or own altogether) Disney Corp. who controls a major share of programming such as ESPN, Lifetime, ABC network(s), E Entertainment, SoapNet, etc., at least 10 television stations in the top 50 markets and over 70 radio stations in major markets, along with 18 Internet groups, nearly 10 movie production groups...oh and part owner in Tivo, ( along with Comcast) and everything else under the sun or how about the Fox-Direct TV marriage ,(not really a mom and pop venture now is it? Unless Rupard Merdoch is your dad). And did I fail to mention the SBC-Direct TV, Cingular Wireless connection? Neat little package isn't it..about as small business as they get....yeah right!!!....but I won't get into the local phone business that has had such a stranglehold on consumers for so long. You really think SBC or any "ma-bell" company such as Bell South, Pac-Bell etc. is some poor little guy struggling out there to try and make it?? Get Real Man!! GET THE POINT??? These corporations are just as dangerous as any government entity and in most cases even worse. "They" themselves have some of the strongest lobbying groups in Washington up there next to the cigarette, insurance, and medical industry. So where do you draw the line? Whos in bed with who?
How many cable channels does NBC own or at least maintain a controlling interest in? A&E, History Channel, National Geographic, AMC, Bravo, IFC. Peel back the layers and take a hard look.
Take a look at the interest Time Warner has.
AOL, Warner Bros., Turner Networks, Warner Music Group, etc...
Do you really see a city owned HBO, TBS or CNN? No and you never will...ever. A city may own some programming but never on a grand scale the size of any network I have listed...ever...period! Who controls programming?...Big operators! Who controls rates?...Progammers!
Who has stock in major suppliers?
Who contols this industry? I'll let you decide, it should be "obvious".
Oh and what cable company is owned by Post Newsweek and also owns at least 6 television stations in top 50 veiwing markets? Here's a hint try Cable...."uno".
I really don't see how you can knock or even question a government owned Broadband company when corporate America has done nothing but run this industry in the ground neck and head first. Over run the franchising authoritys, eliminate the small and mid size operators, (or at least squeeze them hard to force them into submission...Thank God for the Cable Coop and The ACA!), create massive layoffs and cut backs through mergers, consolidations, and takeovers, under employee and undercut the industrys employees and work force, cheat, lie and undercut the industrys contractors and other out sourcing compnies and vendors and finally turning the intire industry against itself and each other.
So may I say the word Government is sharply "over-played" in this case.
These are not big time federal government systems ran by Washington bureaucrats, the FCC, CIA, or any other agency you might think of. Rather these are local towns and cities both large and small, with local officials and citizens trying to improve service, control rates and keep the business on a "local" level. You remember local walk in offices and phone numbers?
How about the girl that worked for years at the local phone comapny or cabl cmpany for years that you could call ifyou had a problem. Or the local technican or repairman that you knew on a first name basis. Where have they gone? They have fallen victim to cutbacks, closings, and downsizing for profit. They are gone!
At least with a municipal system you do render some of the old school thinking on which Cable TV was founded, CATV or "Community Antenna Television" and really isn't a government or municipal entity based on it's people or it's "community"?
Does big time govenment intervention scare me? Yes it does....But so does big time corporate business....so I ask you which is worse? Who will screw you harder or hardest?
What is the difference?
I appreciate my opprotunity to voice my opinion.
Thank You Cable Bar!

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Re: Just read this today