To Be Announced...

HOWARD WHO?

Remember all the hoopla about Howard Stern moving to satellite radio? Ever hear about him anymore? Me either.

Well, it seems that some who don't even subscribe to satellite radio - or Howard Stern - can't get away from him even if they wanted to...

NAB urges crackdown on sat radio bleed

This is a story about high powered receivers that cause those who listen to FM to be able to hear it occasionally over their radios. Regular radios.

DALLAS, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The head of the industry association for U.S. radio broadcasters blasted satellite radio Thursday for signal bleed.

David Rehr, president of the National Association of Broadcasters, told the group's annual meeting in Dallas that recent studies show several types of car satellite radio receivers are over-powered and can interfere with the FM radios in nearby vehicles.

"Nothing has been done yet about the satellite products that are in FCC violation and are still in use in cars and available in stores," Rehr said. "Today, NAB is releasing a letter to the (heads) of XM and Sirius, demanding them to replace all non-compliant receivers in satellite radio subscribers' hands and available for purchase."

Rehr said the problem includes decency issues since foul language could wind up bleeding over into some commuters' radios.

Is this truly a problem? I don't know myself because...A) Not that many people subscribe to satellite radio that I have more than a 1-in-10 chance of coming into contact with them...and B) The only FM radio on in my car is some crappy country station my wife leaves on for me as a joke.

Otherwise, it's CD's or KXEL out of Waterloo where I can get Glenn Beck on my way to work in the morning. I used to program Glenn Beck on the station I was at in South Carolina...it's an awesome example of how talk radio should be done. Even better than Rush in my view.

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THINGS I HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO AS A FATHER

PTA meetings. Some southern friends of mine sent me this little story about the local school district and how they're "encouraging" parents to attend those things. After reading the story...it ain't that bad of an idea. You have to wonder about someone that would complain. The old Shakespearian "methinks he doth protest too much" comes into play here...

PTA Letter Sparks Controversy

(WLBT TV, Jackson MS) -- A survey handed out to parents of students at Lester elementary in Jackson, has sparked some controversy. The letter was written by the p-t-a, designed to encourage their involvement in the school.

At the first parent teacher conference, the P.T.A. handed out the survey, telling parents where they could be used as volunteers. It was the last option on the page that has some up in arms. A line that read, "No, I do not want to get involved. I want my children to be thieves, drug addicts and prostitutes."

The survey was written by PTA president, Dr David Gatlin who says, "We want people to understand that if they really care about their children, they will get involved in their children's lives and set the proper example for their children."

Can I get an atta-boy? Nothing in the story suggests anyone was actually "up in arms" like the story said. Read the whole thing. ONE unidentified parent CALLED with a concern.

As a former broadcaster, I know that news directors put these sexy sounding phrases in a story for a reason. To make a slow news day sound much more exciting than it is. I guarantee that there are more people "up in arms" now that it's known than there were the night the info was released. Anytime a liberal or lunatic can find common ground with any kind of movement "against the man"...they will. Nothing better to do, I guess.

School administrators say they won't let it happen again. All letters to parents, now must be reviewed by the principal, before they're handed out. Members of the P.T.A. stand by their actions, and hope it makes parents put their childrens education first.

Gatlin says, "If your childrens (are) not a priority, then your children (will be) messed up."

Still, Mississippi schools are the worst in the country...followed closely by my former state, South Carolina. Heck, even the TV station helps to correct the broken English of Dr. Gatlin. They insert words in parenthesis to make it understandable.

My daughter begins going to school in 1.5 years. At home or private school, thank you. I won't subject her to what passes for public education...even in Iowa.

Enjoy your weekend...coming Monday: THE GAZETTE PRINTS ANOTHER LOONY LETTER