🚀 go-pugleaf

I am aware of the function of the FCC.  I feel that the FCC's service
is a requirement (or at least the functionality is required).  That said:

The local Athens, North Georgia area is not at the maximum limit of
tv broadcast channel usage.  There are about 9 channels that broadcast
from the Atlanta area that are reserved for those channels by the FCC 
in our area (regardless of whether or not we can tune them in),
There are also a number of channels broadcasting out of South Carolina
as well (maybe 6?).  I don't know what the limit is here, but I'm 
fairly certain we are not at our limit with 1 channel.

I could understand the FCC revoking channel 34's license if
we were at our limit of broadcast channels, and there was another
applicant for a license, but that ain't the case.  

Covington:
: (3) (In connection with (1)) To keep channels from being tied up by owners
: who are not interested in serving the public, but merely want to tie up
: the channel so a competitor won't get hold of it.
:
: Point (3) is why the FCC would view with suspicion any broadcaster
: whose programs do not appear to be serving an audience (e.g., nonstop
: infomercials).  Someone else, with something of greater value to the
: community, might want that channel.

Well, I think we are spliting hairs,  infomericals serve the community
the same way  Oprah and her sponsors Tide, Jenny Craig, and Kroger for
afternoon couch jockey crowd.  Yes, that is an opinion, but saying one set 
of programming is a better service that another, espeically  comparing 
commerical tv to informericals, comes down to 100% personal opinion.
The FCC and Atlanta was petitioned in the mid 80's to shutdown the 
new-at-the-time channel 69 because it showed heavy metal rock videos in 
the afternoon while latch-key kids were at home alone.  thousands
felt this was a dis-service to the community.  But the FCC did their job
correctly and told them to take a hike.  The same thing is happening
now with afternoon talkshows (Montel,Oprah,etc).  

There are laws that stipulate the content of commericals (i.e. tobacco
commericals, subliminal messaging, and volume variation during commerical
time), but there are no laws stating that any program to commerical
ratios must be maintained.  Anyone who watches the superbowl knows that. )

as for Dr. Covington's other points about the FCC's goal/function, and relative
to the channel 34 infostation:

(1 & 3) Channel 10 isn't operating as part of a monopoly, or in conjunction
with other broadcasting company in some "broadcasting obstruction conspiracy".

(2)  Channel 10 is the only game in town, so until a second infostation
starts broadcasting, diversity isn't an issue.

I gotta run because I just got my Flowbee in the mail,  and I gotta call
Diona Warwick back at the psychic friends network and ask her  if its
the miracle mop or the beef jerky maker that makes a better gift.

doug