1inxs

I feel for the homeless. It's an unfortunate situation, but often a choice.
Shouldn't they be focusing on who to contact for help to become self sufficient? Finding someone to educate and train them in helping them find work? Where to get a healthy meal? Rehabilitating them into society? Not focusing on the fact their rabbit ears will no longer work
Digital TV Bypassing Skid Row - NAM

Aaron62

TV is a luxury, not a necessity. The "We should feel comfortable here" comment irks me and I realize that it's only one homeless man's thoughts. Making people feel comfortable with a place to sleep and eat is what's important.

So many other important things going on in the world to donate to other than this.

bicker

I agree. Television is surely not a right. The airwaves are a national resource that get used in the best interests of the public as a whole, not for each citizen individually.

They charge money to get into national parks, too, now, y'know.

Boo-Ray

Read here.

That is approximately 1 in 4 homeless people with mental illness problems.

I fail to see the logic in your question, "Shouldn't they be focusing on who to contact for help to become self sufficient?" because it expresses the idea that homelessness can be cured with education and or technical skills. If (insert the name of a supreme being or beings here) created us all equally, you would have a better case for your argument.

I'm a little more sympathetic because I used to volunteer at shelters. It's not always a choice to be homeless.

1inxs

Do you see the logic now? Read the information in your link. The above quote is an excerp from SAMHSA. Oh and by the way. I was homeless for 5 years of my life. I met many, many people and yes it was a choice. I also volunteered my time and service to soup kitchens although I've never taken advantage of their services. And finally my question was "Is DTV reception a right or a privilege

Boo-Ray

based on my experience, I do not think homelessness is a choice for most of those who live in shelters/the street. It's just a matter of differing opinions. Entertainment can definitely improve moral during tough times.

Orrymain

I want to offer just one thing for consideration. For some people, TV is the only entertainment available, except for a radio maybe. They don't have families or friends, and they don't have the money or resources to go out. I know this isn't easy for those who don't have these problems or who are very active to understand, but TV is the only salvation and piece of entertainment in this world for a lot of people. As of June 12, even that may go away. People need to have something.

bicker

The attempt to cast television entertainment as a necessity of life is a gesture in vain. It isn't. There are many channels by which people can gain entertainment. And there is no obligation implicit on any one of those channels to ensure that their offerings are available to all.

Despite that, television reception is a necessity, but (only) because it provides local news and weather. However, the government has provided $40 coupons to households who took the time to request them, to ensure all households that wanted to bridge the gap could.

You can try to make the case for the difference between the price of CECBs and the coupons, but you'd fail: The government, the representatives of the people, has determined that there is no such case to be made. It's a bit like saying that someone that you think did something illegal, but was acquitted of the crime, is a criminal: It's a falsehood, a scurrilous accusation that feeds only one's frustration, not truth.

Undue

There are many converter boxes available now that sell for the same price as the coupon. In reference to the homeless: how do they ask for a coupon without a home address?

Orrymain

Well, all I can say is that I think that is a very cruel and harsh attitude to have. One can only hope that you never know what it's like to be in the position of one in need of simple things for survival. If you walked those shoes, you might think definitely.