Stay Out Of It Kevin…

Thursday, October, 16, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

On his way to announcing that the FCC will propose allowing mobile unlicensed devices to operate in the white spaces between DTV channels, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin dropped a bombshell.  Martin said this about the FCC’s role in the PPM controversy, “We are considering what we should end up doing.”  What’s to consider?  The FCC has no legal authority to either investigate nor rule on Arbitron’s PPM service.  While also declaring that “it is not clear if we have the legal authority” to do so, he left the door open, didn’t he???

The PPM Coalition, together with New York and New Jersey attorney generals are asking the FCC to undertake a fact-finding inquiry, using subpoenas for document production and conducting witness testimony under oath.  The chances for that happening are slim and none.  The FCC answered that request by having voluntary meetings with Arbitron.  Arbitron and a group of almost every major radio group filed reply comments with the FCC Monday urging the Commission to refrain from interjecting itself into what it calls “private disagreements” between Arbitron and PPM Coalition members…

That filing notes that both congress and the FCC have expressly stated that the reliability and methodologies of audience ratings services are best left to private industry groups such as the Media Rating Council.  Kevin Martin should know better than to make the statement he made yesterday.  Stay out of it Kevin!!!  

10 Timeline Memories: 

1. 1962] One picture is worth a thousand words: Reconnaissance photos reveal missile bases in Cuba…
2. 1963] Curtains: The last edition of The New York Daily Mirror hits the newsstands…
3. 1969] Truly Amazin’: The New York Mets win their 1st World Series as a harmless fly ball hit by future Mets manager Davey Johnson drops into Cleon Jones’ glove: I watched all the action in VP/GM Perry S. Ury’s office at WRKO…
4. 1978] The Pope of all Popes: Polish Cardinal Karol Wojtyla is elected Pope, taking the name John Paul II…
5. 1987] Baby Jessica: Rescuers free ‘Baby Jessica’ (McClure) from the Midland (TX) well she fell in. Jessica, 18-months old, was trapped for 58 hours yet survived…
6. 1995] Worth a million?: Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan leads the “Million Man March” in Washington, D.C…
7. 1997] “Happy Trails“: Author James Michener dies of kidney failure at 90…2004] Pierre Salinger, former journalist and JFK press secretary dies of heart failure at 79…2007]  Actress Deborah Kerr dies from the effects of Parkinson’s disease at 86…
8. 2000] Wedding Bells: Chevron announces that it’s buying Texaco for $35 billion…
9. 2000] Senate Tragedy: Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan and his son are killed in a plane crash south of St. Louis.  His wife Jean Carnahan…
10. 2002] Something else to worry about: The White House announces that North Korea has disclosed it has a nuclear weapons program…

Music Memories:

• 1956] Premiered on this date: The Elvis movie “Love Me Tender“…
• 1957] Released on this date: “You Send Me” - Sam Cooke…1971] “Theme From Shaft” - Isaac Hayes…

Commentary:

Yankee fan favorite Tom Tresh, the American League Rookie of the Year in 1962, passed away at his home in Venice (FL) of a heart attack at 71.  Tresh became a World Series hero with timely hitting and great defense both as a shortstop and outfielder.  Bobby Richardson summed up his feelings for Tresh - “Tommy was just a wonderful guy and a real plus for us.” …

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:  John Mayer (31), Wendy Wilson (39), Tim Robbins (50), Bob Weir (61), Suzanne Summers (62), Tim McCarver (67), Barry Corbin (68) and Angela Lansbury (83)…

Timeline Countdown: 9 days until the World Series opener, 15 nights until Halloween and 16 days until Standard Time (back one hour)…

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