FCC’s ‘White Space’ Race To The Finish…

Thursday, October, 30, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Despite massive and growing opposition to the FCCs granting of ‘White Spaces’, agency Chairman Kevin Martin doesn’t show any signs of backing down from the apparent FCC approval of the plan when its voted on on November 4th, Election Day.  A new president may not be the only thing we get that day.  So what’s the opposition to ‘White Spaces’ you might ask.  I’m glad you asked.  Read on…

Broadcasters, musicians, sports and concert promoters, religious broadcasters and a legion of legislators do not want mobile and unlicensed devices to operate in the “white spaces” of the digital spectrum.  Computer companies want to be able to use the so-called white spaces between TV channels for wireless broadband and other wireless services but broadcasters are concerned that the devices will interfere with DTV channels and wireless microphones that already share the spectrum.  Even Dolly Parton opposes the plan.  Unlike Mike Bloomberg eliminating mayoral term limits through the New York City Council and not a public referendum, at least the FCC invited public opinion on ‘white spaces’ and continues to do so until the witching hour of Halloween on Friday…

On November 4th, Kevin Martin will do one of these - “All those voting on ‘white spaces’?Thoseopposed(soundofgavel)whitespacesapprovedbyunanimous5-0votegrantingofwhitespacesisapproved”…

10 Timeline Memories: 

1. 1938] War of the Worlds: H.G. Wells’ epic is aired on “Mercury Theater on the air presents Orson Welles”. Of the 6 million listeners, more than 1.7 million believed the fictional account of Martians invading New Jersey. This is an aircheck of the beginning of the show…
2. 1961] Body? What body?: The Soviet Party Congress orders the removal of Josef Stalin’s body from Lenin’s tomb, setting up this great trivia question: Who’s buried in Stalin’s tomb? Ans: Nobody…
3. 1966] Johnny U: The greatest QB of them all, Johnny Unitas passes Y.A. Tittle as the all-time passing leader with 252 yards in a game. Johnny U. will also become the 1st QB to pass for over 40,000 yards…
4. 1971] Runaway: Cornell running back Ed Marinaro runs for 272 yards against Columbia to surpass 4,000 yards and break Steve Owens record at Oklahoma.  Ed could sell Prego too…
5. 1974] Are you ready to rumble?: “The Rumble in the Jungle” is fought in Kinshasa, Zaire with Muhammad Ali beating George Foreman on a TKO in the 8th round…
6. 1975] DROP DEAD!!!: That was the subtle headline on page one of the New York Daily News after President Gerald R. Ford says he would veto any proposed federal bailout of New York City. Yep, better to use the money on police body armor in Keokuk, Iowa any day…
7. 1976] Anchors away: Jane Pauley becomes co-anchor of “The Today Show”.  Here, Jane and Letterman get high on fake helium…
8. 1989] A piece of the Rock: Mitsubishi Estate Company announces the purchase of 51% of Rockefeller Group Inc. This includes Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Center…
9. 1997] Convicted: A Cambridge (MA) jury convicts British au pair Louise Woodward of second degree murder in the death of 8-month old Matthew Eappen. The judge later reduces the verdict to manslaughter and sets Woodward free. Who was the judge? Lance Ito???
10. 2000] “Happy Trails“: Legendary comedian and the first host of “The Tonight Show”, author and composer Steve Allen dies from cardiac arrest at 78…2007]  Linda Stein, 62, former record industry manager and ‘Real Estate Agent To The Stars’ is found dead in her 5th Avenue apartment.  Her former personal assistant is charged with her murder…

Music Memories:

• 1973] Released on this date: “Mind Games” LP - John Lennon…
• 1984] Record Breaking: Barry Manilow breaks Diana Ross’s box office record at Radio City Music Hall with sales exceeding $1.9 million. Miss Ross’s record was $1.8…
• 1984] They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway: Linda Ronstadt makes her operatic debut in “La Boheme”…
• 1995] R&R HOF inductees, class of ‘96: David Bowie, Gladys Knight & Pips, Pete Seeger, Jefferson Airplane, Little Willie John, Pink Floyd, The Shirelles, the Velvet Underground and Tom Donahue, The father of FM radio, who goes in as a ‘radio pioneer’.  Here’s David Bowie & Lou Reed performing…

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Ivanka Trump (27), Harry Hamlin (57), Timothy B. Schmit (61), Henry Winkler (63), the only surviving original Temptation, Otis Williams (67), Grace Slick (69) and Motown’s Eddie Holland (69)…

Timeline Countdown: One night until Halloween, 2 nights until Standard (back one hour) Time and 28 days until Thanksgiving

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