Virginia is not a state. It is a commonwealth. It is also a very primitive place. Other than Northern Virginia (locals call it NOVA), the rest of VA is a technological wasteland. When I moved here six years ago it was a bit ahead of much of the country in terms of DSL lines. Other than that, it was typical.

Six years later the DSL connection remains unchanged. Most of the modern world has high-def cable. We don’t. It is not on the radar this year. We have one high-def station in town. All the other stations live in the analog world from 1999, using about six watts for broadcasting. The one station seems to have a very difficult time flipping the HD ON switch, since it will randomly flip on and off during shows.

Regulations by the cable companies continue to restrict the viewing possibilities on satellite TV. Almost every day “local” stations (with six watts of power) force people to watch those, since cable companies get those regulations. Rather than watching a NYC station that comprehends HD, I get to watch Billy Bob try to sell me a mule in case the electricity goes out, or if you just want a good time. In low def.

Rather than worry about pointless things such as war, politics, and natural disasters (just a few of the things we can’t do anything about), I urge you all to write your representatives and demand that satellite TV viewers be allowed to watch any stations available for appropriate fees. Cable companies should not be allowed to monopolize consumers.

However, it is unlikely any people can make any changes in our society that is controlled by international corporations. Welcome to the new society, where you can’t even watch reasonable television.