Kevin Martin Defies Two Administrations…

Thursday, December, 11, 2008 by Mel Phillips.

Despite being chastised by the House Energy & Commerce Committee’s subcommittee in their “Deception and Distrust” report and increasing opposition from the Bush White House, Kevin Martin is pushing ahead with his free national wireless Internet plan.  And oh, by the way, incoming President Barack Obama doesn’t like the plan either.  That apparently won’t stop Martin who hopes to win approval for his plan next week.  This would be his last hurrah as FCC Chairman.  Something neither administration wants to see.  Just yesterday, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez sent a letter to Martin expressing the administration’s displeasure with the idea…

Others opposed to the censored, slower, free wireless Internet plan are the wireless phone industry that worries about surviving and free speech advocates.  President-elect Obama has also raised concerns about the U.S. falling behind other developed nations in broadband availability.  This past weekend, he said that he planned to include broadband build-out as part of his economic stimulus plan.  He has even hinted about appointing a technology chief…

Radio and other industries under the FCCs regulation umbrella are hopeful that a new Obama administration will be open to recognizing that we have a pretty incredible broadcast service in this country, one that can rapidly adapt to disasters and shape itself to the needs and desires of the audience.  You can bet that no one wants to be saddled with Kevin Martin’s grand Internet plan…  

10 Timeline Memories:

1. 1936] Wedding Bells: Britain’s King Edward VIII abdicates the throne in order to marry American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson. Now, that’s love…1957] Jerry Lee Lewis secretly marries his 13-year old, third-cousin Myra Gale Brown. It’s ‘The Killer’s’ third marriage, the first for Myra Gale…1985] GE agrees to buy RCA for $6.3 billion. Included in the deal is NBC Radio & TV, some old RCA mics, transmitter tubes and Don Pardo’s first contract, written on parchment.  Worst of all, the RCA building is renamed the GM building.  David Letterman reports…
2. 1946] A useful UN organization: UNICEF (UN International Children’s Fund) is established to provide relief to children in countries devastated by war.  The Empire State Building was bathed in blue for the 60th anniversary in 2006…
3. 1951] Yankee Clipper docks: Joe DiMaggio retires after a 13-year career with the Yankees. DiMag is inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. His last year marked the career start of another HOFer, Mickey Mantle (who played right field and wore #6 before switching to #7)…
4. 1964] “Happy Trails“: Sam Cooke is fatally shot at the Hacienda Motel in LA under mysterious circumstances. The legendary singer would have been 34 in one month.  This clip shows Sam singing “For Sentimental Reasons” on “The Ed Sullivan Show”…2006] The oldest (authenticated) woman in the world, Elizabeth Borden, dies at 116. No reason was given for her death but without her vices she would have lived a longer life.  Elizabeth was born the year (1890) Sitting Bull died…
5. 1975] A steal of a deal: In two separate trades the Yankees pick up: Willie Randolph, Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa in exchange for bupkes…
6. 1981] Curtains: Muhammad Ali fights his last fight, losing to Trevor Berbick. Ali retires with a 56-5 record with 37 KO’s…
7. 1982] Battle of the Behemoths: Ralph Sampson and Patrick Ewing put on a show as Sampson leads Virginia to a 68-63 victory over Georgetown. Sampson knocks down 23 with 16 rebounds and 7 blocked shots. Ewing’s stats: 16, 8 and 5. Sampson is drafted #1 by Houston in 1983, Ewing #1 with that famous and controversial lottery pick by the Knicks in 1985…
8. 1990] ‘You’re Fired’: That’s what Ivana tells Donald Trump. The marriage lasted 12 years…
9. 1991] Questionable Acquittal: A West Palm Beach jury acquits William Kennedy Smith of sexual assault and battery, rejecting the allegations of Patricia Bowman…
10. 2000] Pay-Rod: Alex Rodriguez agrees (who wouldn’t) to a $252 million deal with Texas (still paying a chunk of that money). It’s the most lucrative sports contract in history. About a year ago, he signed a 10-year deal for about $315 million with the Yankees. He still hasn’t been on a team that wins the World Series…

Music Memories:

• 1958] Recorded on this date: “Charlie Brown” - Coasters…
• 1960] New York Debut: Aretha Franklin at the Village Vanguard. Signed by John Hammond, Columbia Records took Aretha into a ’show-tune’ direction. She would not become ‘Lady Soul’ until she signed with Atlantic…
• 1971] Released on this date: “Anticipation” - Carly Simon…
• 1988] A tribute to Roy Orbison: Don Henley, Tom Petty, Graham Nash and Bonnie Raitt perform a benefit show…
• 1997] Nobel Concert: Jewel, Sinead O’Connor, Emmylou Harris, Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men perform at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway…

Commentary:

Sal Yvars was a scrappy, seldom used backup catcher and part time outfielder for the 50s New York Giants.  He disclosed that the Giants used to steal signs from their centerfield clubhouse that was about a mile away from home plate, using binoculars.  He also would leave the Polo Grounds early to place horseracing bets for manager Leo Durocher.  He was a much sought-after-dinner speaker with his tales.  Yvars died yesterday from a blood disorder at 84… 

“Happy Birthday…happy birthday“:

Teri Garr (64), Brenda Lee (64), Lynda Day George (64), John Kerry (65), Donna Mills (66), David Gates (68), Tom Hayden (69) and Rita Moreno (77)…

Timeline Countdown: 10 days until winter, 11 nights until Hanukah, 14 shopping days until Christmas, 20 nights until New Year’s Eve and 23 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoffs…

Posted in Today's Post | No Comments »