Put America to work- ban TV from 8am to 6PM

[imdjh]

How absurd is it that we have dozens of TV channels that are clearly aimed at unemployed people?
How absurd is it that companies market to people who are on public assistance?
How many people watched TV all day today while their house needs cleaning or their lawn needs mowing?

OK, so maybe we could have compassionate TV for those in the hospital.

[SoCalDem]

1. I cleaned out 3 drawers today.. where's my check ?

"work" that people are desperate for is work that brings a paycheck..not busy-work just to be doing something:)

Marketers market to people because that's their job.. they get paid to do that:)

[KittyWampus]

13. I finally cleaned my bathroom. Where's my check for cleaning up toxic waste?

Okay, it wasn't THAT bad.

[imdjh]

33. Work creates a space for work.

If you spend as much time cleaning and organizing your world, you will create a work-shaped shift in your life which will lead to more work.

[Sebastian Doyle]

2. How the fuck is that going to create any jobs?

Actually it would put a whole lot of more people out of work, like the ones making those crappy TV shows. And yeah, most of them are crap, but that's why God made remote controls to change the channel, or turn it off.

[Sanity Claws]

3. Won't this put the tv people out of work?

What about people who work swing shift or graveyard? They watch television during those hours.

Or is this post a joke? Am I just too dense to get the joke?

[imdjh]

32. They aren't real. They are TV people.

[walldude]

98. Really....

Cameramen, grips, TD's, lighting techs, playback guys, best boys, gaffers, dolly handlers, makeup and wardrobe, all fakes. You really are clueless aren't you.

BTW many people are retired, disabled, or stay at home and take care of their families.

[ContinentalOp]

46. The TV people don't count. Their unions aren't based in Detroit.

So bash away!

[armyowalgreens]

4. It's stupid crap like this that gives ammo to the other side.

[Mrs. Overall]

55. Yes, that's exactly why this "DUer" continually posts absurd and/or inflammatory things--

I was going to say more, but I think I will just stop...

On Edit--"this DUer" refers to the OP, for clarification.

[imdjh]

72. Yes, I should be whining about the conspiratorial injustice of Earth blocking the sun.

With all the whacked out crap on this forum, you choose to follow me around and roll your eyes. Which of us is absurd?

[muntrv]

5. Can we keep PBS and History Channel on? At least those networks have

intelligence.

[Arkana]

9. ...I enjoy Dexter and Heroes.

Also Royal Pains and Burn Notice.

[csziggy]

39. You haven't watched either recently, have you?

PBS is all kiddie shows all day and History Channel rotates among World War II, pseudoscience and Armageddon. PBS is OK from 8 PM until about 6AM, at least our local channel. History Channel runs a few good things a month, but not like they used to.

I've been laid up for the last several months with a bad shoulder, before and after surgery. Satellite TV is the only thing that has kept me halfway sane. Yeah I spend a lot of time here, but sane DU is not so good at. ;)

Basically, none of the channels is good by itself, but if you pick and choose, there are things worth watching nearly 24/7 on the 140 or so channels we get, even without watching any sports. Especially if you spend part of the time on Vicodin. :silly:

[NightWatcher]

6. free your mind and turn off your tv

M$M "news" is only misinformation

[imdjh]

92. I hate TV snobs.

And while we are at it, Americans could save a ton of money by not buying anything next to the cash register in grocery stores. It's nothing but garbage, and we piss away billions a year on Soap Opera magazines, National enquirers, candy bars, gum.

[mullet fever]

100. What shows do you watch on the tube? There is honestly nothing I would watch

except PBS. I finally just quit. And I grew up in the Golden Age of TV--60s and 70s, so this stuff pales by comparison.

[imdjh]

103. Lots of stuff

Waiting For God

Keeping Up Appearances

Law And Order

Southland

Whale Wars

South Park

Boston Legal

Raising The Bar

Damages

[azmouse]

7. Meh.

No one has the right to decide for anyone else what entertainment to enjoy.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. What about those people who work their ASSES off on swing and graveyard shifts?

Fuck 'em, right?

Otay.

Stupid, shortsighted, and more than a little condescending.

[imdjh]

16. So what. Like working graveyard makes it OK to drink at 8 am?

Didn't think so.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. WTF? I guess I misread your post. I thought it was about taking TV away from anyone who didn't

work during the day shift. Silly me.

While I'm at it, I'll ask you this: Have YOU ever worked the graveyard shift? I have, for many years. 8 a.m. is to a graveyarder what 4 p.m. is to a day shifter. So, yes, it's okay to have a beer or three with your co-workers at 8 a.m. and fuck anyone who thinks otherwise.

Did that answer your question?

[SidDithers]

67. Yes, it is OK to drink at 8 am...

whether you've worked graveyard or not. Are you saying it's not? Should everyone live by whatever timetable you deem appropriate?

Sid

[Morning Dew]

75. actually, it does. Whn your day is backward, that's your evening.

[mullet fever]

85. My point would be

why the need to drink period? Day or night, it's not necessary to drink alcohol or watch the boob tube, but we feel that that's the point of life. Go to work, come home, numb your brain in a variety of ways, go to sleep, and repeat.

I quit drinking almost ten years ago, and I just quit tv 4 months ago (actually don't have it hooked up in current place). But I still crank up the Google and Youtubes, so I consider that an extension of tee vee...I am trying to become less and less enmeshed in the popular culture and "news" cycles (of which I am a junkie).

[Morning Dew]

93. I drink about one beer a year... telling others they shouldn't drink isn't really my place.

Or whether they should watch tv between 8 and 6, or any number of things.

[mullet fever]

95. That never stopped me before...But to be serious here...

I really didn't get the whole time constraint of the OP. S/he seems anti-tv, but only during the daytime hours. I guess the point is enabling people to waste time watching the tube, but I am not in favor of outside restraints in order to instill a work ethic.

[dysfunctional press]

76. of course it does. what an ignorant fucking statement, and attitude.

if a person works third shift and wants to relax with a couple drinks after work, before going home and going to bed- why is that not okay?

why is it any different than someone who works the first shift doing the same thing at 5pm?

[havocmom]

83. Better for swing or graveyard shift workers to drink at 8 AM than 8 PM!

Jeeze, get some grasp of a 24 hour day and reality.

[Mariana]

101. Damn right it does.

If it get off work at 7 am why shouldn't I have a beer or glass of wine with my "supper" at 8 am? More to the point, who the hell are YOU to say it's not OK?

[Wendio]

102. Uh, yeah.

When else are you supposed to drink?
8am is just someone else's 8pm.

[SeattleGirl]

10. A) Not everybody works those hours.

B) For those who are unemployed, not broadcasting during those hours isn't going to create jobs. As others have pointed out, it would actually eliminate jobs.

C) Some folks who watch TV all day are sick or otherwise disabled. They may be alone all day. TV gives them something to do. Yes, they could read books, but even that can get old if that's all you do all day.

D) Your suggestion is just not realistic.

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. Why couldn't they be people who worked their asses off their whole lives and are now retired? n/t

[SeattleGirl]

24. Thanks for that. Don't know why I didn't think to include that group.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

11. Did you spend a lot of time thinkin up this plan, Einstein?

[question everything]

12. Agree about banning TV, not sure about helping people work

I have never heard of the View; most people would not have bothered with it. But all of a sudden it is being quoted on Jay Leno or CNN or MSNBC. And then back on them. And Jon Stewart is having fun at Stephanopoulos program which... airs his skit in their "Sunday funnies." How much material would Olbermann or Stewart have had they not recycled "news" from Fox or CNN?

They just recycle their own programs, back and forth with nothing new to say. I think that the only news on CNN or MSNBC is the tape at the bottom which most people do not bother to read.

[onenote]

52. i always get a chuckle when I see a DUer talk about "banning" TV

stupidity makes me laugh, whether its from the right or the left.

[eShirl]

14. some of us are disabled and pretty much housebound, you know

oh I forgot, we don't count in America

[imdjh]

17. Naw, you get compassionate TV too. But not Springer and the judges, it rot the brain.

[eShirl]

19. only if I get to pick what you are allowed

fair is fair

[Heidi]

88. Oh, the irony. The correct word would be "rots." (nt)

[AnnInLa]

15. hmmm, I just retired, so can I watch TV

please mom, huh can I, can I?

I kinda agree with your sentiment tho. Actually I wish they would ban all those idiotic shows that have dumbed down America so much. (except my Criminal Intent .... don't touch my CI) And, people should pay much more attention to Public Television---it's ALL kids should be allowed to watch.

[imdjh]

18. Naw, you're supposed to be out doing something totally selfless and amazing, like saving crackheads.

[Jkid]

30. Until they reach 12.

At this point, PBS don't program for teenagers unless Nova, Antiques Roadshow, Frontline, and the various old stale britcom and imported British drama appeals to them. Because most teens at that point start watching primetime television.

I gradually stopped watching PBS when I was 12, I was too old for PBS Kids, and too young for their prime time offerings because they did not appeal to me.

[Texasgal]

20. ummm...what?

Are you serious?

[imdjh]

23. halfway

[Texasgal]

25. Really?

Do you honestly believe "half way" that banning teevee within a certain time is going to slow unemployment? I'm sorry... REALLY????

[imdjh]

27. I think that banning TV during daylight hours might have some effect similar to flooding the cellers

..... of St Petersburg.

[Texasgal]

29. wow.

okay. Just...umm... wow. I am speechless.

[Jkid]

26. I'll fix this question for you

How absurd is it that we have dozens of advertisements that are clearly aimed at unemployed people?

Because most of the advertisments that are clearly aimed for unemployed people are in broadcast tv networks OTA, during daytime. That's when all the talk shows, reruns of sitcoms, and court shows are broadcast.

I'll tell you, it makes money. I see these same ads all the time for Everest college, kaplan college offering degrees in criminal justice, nursing, auto repair, and such. Ads for injury lawyers and loans for your car title too. Why do they still advertise, because it makes money for the local tv affiliates that broadcast them and for the companies.

[imdjh]

28. Amscot and University of Phoenix have the same demographic?

[Jkid]

34. No

University of Phoenix is those high end private colleges. But Amscot? Yeah, they go after the low-income folk.

I have not known about Amscot until now.

[ohheckyeah]

31. You really didn't think this through, did you? n/t

[imdjh]

35. My feelings are hurt by the unrecs.

[cynatnite]

36. Yeah, those working night people shouldn't have daytime tv to watch...

:eyes:

[cynatnite]

37. And my injured husband sitting on his ass all day! Put him to work!

:sarcasm:

I wish DU had a trophy room for the stupidest threads of all time. This one would be a winner.

[Critters2]

38. Monday's my day off. Why shouldn't I watch tv? nt

[chollybocker]

40. And Regis is the Anti-Christ.

[mwooldri]

41. Yeah! Let's return to the days of the BBC Television Service!

Sure, let's turn back the clock.

No TV at all until 11am when trade test transmissions would commence. Then maybe off later until 3pm for women's interest programming. 5pm the children's programming would come on and then go off at 6pm so you can get the kids to bed. 8pm the main evening programming would begin and continue until about 11pm or so, when television would turn off for the night. Also, there is no other television channel other than the BBC Television Service.

Ahhh the delights of pre-WW2 television (oh and post-war TV until the 1950s when competition came along...)

[MindPilot]

45. As long as there is Coronation Street and Dr Who I'm cool with it!

[MindPilot]

42. what if I get hurt on the job and I'm recuperating at home?

I'm still fucking employed!

And you know there are those times I like to just take a day off, wake & bake, pound a few beers and watch whatever shit happens to be on the tube.

Or do you have a strict R&R regimen too?

[imdjh]

43. No drinking in the daytime. Have some self respect.

[itsrobert]

47. I'll drink a damn beer if I want

Who died and made you the "self-respect" police?

I worked many grave yard shifts. Is it better to drink right after work in the morning or at night right before work?

[MindPilot]

48. If I keep the curtains closed, it's still dark and my brain thinks it nighttime

Sometimes I have sex in the morning too. Probably puts my self-esteem below the federal minimums.

[itsrobert]

44. EPIC FAIL

I say we ban stupid post at 7:30 P.M. Pacific Time on Mondays.

[PA Democrat]

66. Now THAT makes more sense than the OP!

[MindPilot]

49. Can I still watch DVDs?

As long as they are all on the approved list?

Smartest Guys in the Room

V For Vendetta

Any Michael Moore documentary

OutFoxed

etc...

[imdjh]

53. Anything but Ken Burns

[Cali_Democrat]

50. LOL!!!

:rofl:

[onenote]

51. i'm sorry, but which channels are "clearly aimed at unemployed people"?

[scheming daemons]

54. Wow... dumbest OP ever.

Those of us that work night-shift commend you on your amazing inability to think an issue through.

It really must be a lot of work to be that stupid.

[Mrs. Overall]

56. It's eluded the tombstone for a long time, but just barely.

[KatyMan]

57. there's just something about tv bashers

that makes me say 'Fuck off'. If the OP listed the things s/he does for relaxation or fun (not that true progressives do either), I think any one of us could spend some quality time telling him/her what a fucking idiot they are for dancing/reading comic books/watching dvds/having a pet. Funny how this type of person will be the first to scream 'What I do in my home is my business' if it comes to what they want to smoke or who they want to sleep with, but when it comes to tv suddenly the tune changes. Why do people get so upset by what others do for entertainment?


And for the record, I'm pro legalization and pro gay rights, so don't flame me, I was just making a point.

[imdjh]

63. I just quit smoking. I'm headed for a whole new level of self-righteousness. nt

[lildreamer316]

58. What about if you work second or third shift?

Good lord, this is ridiculous.
Nanny state.

[Raineyb]

59. This is some dumb ass shit. n/t

[imdjh]

87. yes

[WI_DEM]

60. What about people who work nights who want to watch TV during the day?

[SidDithers]

61. How absurd is it that you think everyone works the day shift...nt

Sid

[lame54]

62. i work nights - as do many others

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

64. Yeah and let's make it mandatory that we all wear underwear on the outside to let it be seen that

they're clean...

Why do you want a nanny state?

[imdjh]

73. order is liberating

Look at how much time disorganized people waste looking for things.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

78. ::::clicking heels in good bot fashion::::

[PVnRT]

65. I think we should ban idiots from using the internet

[SidDithers]

69. But then there'd only be a few of us still here...

:evilgrin:

Sid

[Throd]

68. We should all be like this guy:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28694

[lunatica]

70. Yeah, my 83 year old mother should be forced to work

Fuck the fact that she has dementia.

And children. Jesus! Put all that crybaby energy to some good use. Make them work.

[Fumesucker]

71. Why go with half measures?

It would be much more effective to just get rid of TV altogether.

Probably simpler too..

A little Van Eck phreaking and it's possible to determine what is playing on your crt/lcd/whatever, finding a unit playing any television will lead to immediate confiscation and a hefty fine for the first timer.

Of course penalties will stiffen drastically for scofflaws.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Eck_phreaking


Keep in mind that "drugs" are made illegal for the Feds under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. If they can make having a plant growing in your yard illegal then they can basically make any damn thing they want to illegal.

[dysfunctional press]

74. what about people who work 2nd and 3rd shifts? what about the disabled?

what about personal choice?

go fuck yourself and your condescending bullshit.

[taterguy]

77. What about the weekends?

A life with no Saturday and Sunday afternoon football games is not a life worth living.

[havocmom]

79. You look nothing like my mother

You don't get to be the boss of the clicker either.

8AM - 6PM is not the only shift people work on. So, swing or night shift people get no time to relax and catch a show?

Control freak much?

[Posteritatis]

80. Blue laws are awesome. (nt)

[NeedleCast]

81. What's absurd is suggesting we ban things

Not all of us work a typical day shift. You can't really be seriously suggesting this?

[imdjh]

82. of course not

But look at how much fun people have had with it.

[Morning Dew]

84. Ban radio as well and driving during non rush-hour daylight hours.

Residential internet usage needs to be outlawed from 8 to 6 too.

[GodlyDemocrat]

96. Can we just ban Rush?

(I'm not trying to infringe on anyone's 1st Amendment rights, it was just too easy.)

[Initech]

86. What are people with night jobs supposed to do?

[anonymous171]

89. And all spas and country clubs should be closed as well. The rich are too idle during the day. nt

[imdjh]

90. The rich can work in the fields when they run out of money.

[LeftyMom]

91. Not everybody works day shift. Some people are retired, staying home with the kids, or work at home.

[GodlyDemocrat]

94. Many people work 2nd and 3rd shift jobs

[Blue Diadem]

97. Well hell, if you're going to do that you'll have to ban the internet

for that same time.

But then, you do realize a large percentage of people work other hours? We are a 24 hr, 7 day a week society now.

With the unemployment figures right now, and people unable to even find a job much less have the money to go anywhere, your post is insulting.

[imdjh]

99. What's insulting is that the Pinellas Democratic Party having no signage for healthcare

.... gets 5 replies, and some stupid-shit post about Jerry Springer and daytime TV gets a flaming topic icon.

[anigbrowl]

104. Make America smarter - ban stupid threads like this one