Good heavens! This kind of thing just makes me wonder if those that we put into Congress understand what they should be doing? Think about this: "consumers will no longer have to experience being blasted at—it’s a simple fix to a huge nuisance." Is this what they should be handling, with ALL of the other far, far serious issues that are before them – like, for instance, actually passing the budget bills that would allow the Government to operate? What to do about the debt they have piled up? World issues that are now taking center stage?
No, instead, this solon (and those that have agreed with her) decided that the loudness of TVs is a national level.
…Rep. Anna Eshoo’s (D-CA) bill will require commercials to be at the same decibel levels as programs during which they play. Once signed, the CALM Act will give the FCC a mandate to regulate and enforce volume limits on commercials, ensuring that their maximum loudness does not exceed the average maximum loudness of the program they’re accompanying. Advertisers will have one year to implement technology to keep the volume levels in check…
…"Consumers have been asking for a solution to this problem for decades, and today they finally have it," Rep Eshoo said in a statement. Thanks to the CALM Act, "consumers will no longer have to experience being blasted at—it’s a simple fix to a huge nuisance."
A nuisance. Yeah, pretty much, that’s where it registers – as a nuisance! THIS should take up the attention of CONGRESS?? Look, I hate it when…
I put the bedroom TV on SLEEP mode, dial down the volume, and a loud commercial comes on. I do – but to make it an act of Congress? As Stossel says "Gimme a break!"
I can certainly say that I’d be on safe ground that the Founding Fathers would never agree that this should be an issue that this ‘august body’ should be concerned about (much less actually take up and do something about). Is this really the Proper Role of Government? Really? A noisy TV? Compared to the devaluation of the dollar? Priorities? This shows that there are none in DC…
Or is it just the focus of an ever encroaching Nanny State – like with Food Police in this story (The Feds to control school bake sales)? Why focus on the big stuff when you can do this kind of thing? By the way, I have a quick, technical solution for those of you still suffering from this malady – that is, if you’re not too lazy.
It’s called an OFF button…and it’s on most remotes nowadays….
..can we do the same for Congress when they become too distracted and think this is an important issue?
(H/T: Ars Technica)
