Gun "Control"

Legislators are clueless and need to leave guns alone.

A Challenge for Dads

What kind of example are we setting for our children these days? We almost constantly cave into what society tells us is normal instead of standing up for Biblical truth. None of us want to live our lives like we're supposed to, instant gratification is too easy to say no to. I'm as guilty as anyone else, but I want to do better for my children and my future grandchildren. This is a challenge for the dads, enjoy:


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3012630939062786693

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1863221767917599647

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2302074809002529791

This is the author of the book in this previous post:

http://captaindude.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-are-dads-doing.html

Here's a great site for encouragement too:

http://www.familymanweb.com/

Yard Work

I love yard work. I think enjoying it and getting it to look good requires the right equipment so today I bought a Stihl FS 55R string trimmer. 14 years ago I bought a string trimmer at HQ in Virginia Beach. It's been dying slowly for about three seasons.I also use a Stihl FC 55 stick edger.Nothing will make your yard look quite as sharp as one of these. Now I just need to find the right mower.

Global Warming

Is Global Warming, now called "climate change", total crap?

http://www.iceagenow.com/Growing_Glaciers.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517035,00.html

Joke of the Week

That's right MLK Jr. was a Republican but that's not the joke.

I was talking to the 8 year-old daughter of a friend of mine, and she
said she wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents,
liberal Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, "If you were
President what's the first thing you would do?"

She replied, "I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people."

"Wow - what a worthy goal," I told her. "But you don't have to wait
until you're President to do that. You can come over to my house
and mow the grass, pull weeds, and rake my yard, and I'll pay you $50. Then
I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy hangs out, and you can give
him the $50 to use toward food or a new house."

She thought that over for a few seconds, because after all, she's only 8.
And while her Mom glared at me, she looked me straight in the eye and
asked, "Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work
himself, and you can just pay him the $50?"

And I said, "Welcome to the Republican Party."

Obama Trims Government Spending

Yeah right! $100 million from this monstrosity? I didn't even know how to articulate how worthless that is, luckily I found this:

"All across America, families are making hard choices, and it's time their government did the same." $100 Million from a $3.5 Trillion budget is equivalent to a $2.00 reduction in a $70,000 household budget. If he thinks the hard choices being made consist of whether to skip the morning Starbucks - ONCE - then this move shows real solidarity. Of course we are all supposed to be too busy counting our $1 a day to do the math and notice how meaningless this gesture truly is, when compared with the bloated budget. I would rather them keep the $400 tax rebate we are getting, so my kids could keep the $114,000 in interest payments they are on the hook for as a result of this waste.

Awesome!

Movie Review (Conspiracy)

Holy Left Wing Propaganda Batman!

This was on TV last night and I was bored. I'm so so sorry I watched it. It's total crap. I think Hollywood wants to say that people in Arizona want to kill illegal immigrants. If they weren't taking direct aim at Arizona's residents then it's white people in general.

Disrespectful Attitudes

Driving back from Michigan last week I caught the end of a talk show where some liberals were defending the President. Their opinions were skewed, but that's what makes this a great country. What I had a problem with was them referring to President Obama as "Barack." Certainly no one ever called President Clinton "Bill" and President Bush "George" when they referred to him. I did not appreciate the outright slander and lies told about President Bush; I am equally offended when people do not respect President Obama's position. Does that mean I like him, would vote for him, or agree with him? Not at all, bu the is the President of the United States and should be treated as such.

My President

It's been quite an interesting couple of weeks for President Obama. First, he prostrates himself in front of a forein king. Someone tell this guy he's the most powerful man in the world and we don't bow to others please. I heard someone on a talk show saying he was leaning over to talk to someone in a chair, but ummm there's no one in a chair. Maybe he dropped America's pride on the floor and was looking for it. Second, he realeases all these interrogation techniques to the world. That's unreal, please quit telling people how we extract intelligence. In the picture above, you can see someone getting waterboarded. You may find it odd that the dude is lilly white and not middle eastern. That's because anyone who administers waterboarding must first have experienced it themselves. This is not uncommon for most interrogation techniques. I understand that some people are against torture and various other intelligence extraction methods. That's why we don't tell you what we do, you're a wuss who thinks we can all just hug it out.

Comcast Finale

I finally got a field technician on the phone. He asked me what the filters, traps, look like outside. I told him there were three traps red, white, and blue. He stated that a couple of months ago technicians were instructed to no longer use the blue trap for limited cable package installs. He said to remove it and see what happens. Guess what happened; now I can see all my local channels in HD with NO CABLE BOX. I do have about 20 more channels I don't want also and wish those would go away but I will live with it for now.

The bottom line is that all "customer support" personnel are simply trying to sell you a newer (more expensive) package.

A Third Comcast Chat

Nothing was on TV and I couldn't help myself. If you don't feel liek reading the whole transcript Jo starts off telling me I can buy what I want and later says I need to wait until the digital transisiton is over. Please enjoy this like I did:

Problem : I cannot receive my local channels in HD.

Captain Dude > I cannot receive my local channels in HD.

Jo > Hello Captain Dude, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Jo . Please give me one moment to review your information.

Captain Dude > Ok, Thanks

Jo > I will be glad to help you with that. Before we proceed, would you please provide the name, phone number, and service address listed on the account?

Captain Dude > Captain Dude

Captain Dude > 865-123-4567

Captain Dude > The Fortress of Not Much Solitude

Jo > Thank you for that information.

Jo > How long have you had this issue?

Captain Dude > Since I brought my HDTV home Saturday

Captain Dude > It's new

Jo > I see.

Jo > Will it be alright if I place you on hold for two minutes while I pull up your account?

Captain Dude > surely

Jo > Thank you. I will be back with you shortly.

Jo > Thank you for waiting.

Jo > How are you doing today Captain Dude?

Captain Dude > I'm great, how are you?

Jo > I am glad to hear that.

Jo > I am doing great too.

Jo > Would you check if the cables are securely connected and hand-tightened to the digital box?

Captain Dude > I have no cable box but the cables are all secure

Jo > Oh I see. thank you for that information.

Captain Dude > I was told that I cannot have a box because I subscribe to limited basic

Captain Dude > by a local support representative. A second local rep told me I could have one and sent me to get it but then they wouldn't let me have it at the office

Jo > If you don't mind, I will also run a health check on your system to check if everything is running the way it should.

Captain Dude > Feel free

Captain Dude > currently my TV is hooked to an antenna to receive HD off the air

Jo > We could actually upgrade your service today, if you want to.

Captain Dude > I don't want anymore channels

Jo > But first we have to make sure that there's no maintenance upgrade going on right now in the area. Let me check my references.

Captain Dude > What's the upgrade price? As I understand cable providers are required to transmit local channels to me via HD.

Jo > I am still on the account and I am still reviewing it.

Captain Dude > No problem

Jo > Thank you very much.

Jo > I was able to check on your account and it appears that you are still under the Basic Services. I would suggest that you upgrade to Digital Starter for you to view those digital channels because most of the channels now are being transferred to digital.

Jo > The digital Starter would only cost you $39.00 top $49.00.

Captain Dude > I don't want more channels. I only want local channels in HD.

Captain Dude > I also do not want a cable box

Jo > I see. What you have to need is the Digital Converter.

Captain Dude > Why do I need that?

Jo > For you to receive the local channels which are being transferred into digital already. But as you are our valued customer, I would suggest that in the meantime just sit back and relax until the upgrade is over.

Captain Dude > What happens when the upgrade is over?

Jo > Comcast has agreed to continue to carry broadcast network signals in analog format for a minimum of three years following the Feb. 2009 conversion deadline. This means that Comcast customers will still not need a converter box to still receive these signals, all you need to have is your TV connected to the Comcast cable network.

Captain Dude > I think there is a filter outside my home blocking the channels and that I don't need any sort of converter that isn't already built into my television.

Jo > I see. But for further information you could also visit this link www.Comcast.com/DTV.

Captain Dude > right, how does that get rid of the filter that's blocking my HD?

Jo > Make sure that the connection is properly connected. The cable from the wall in to your TV set should be well connected.

Captain Dude > This is the third time today I have asked this same question and you are giving me a third different answer.

Jo > We are not able to book a technician visit for you today as the upgrade is still on the process. My best suggestion is for you to wait a while because all our good technicians are already out to keep the connections in all area up and running as soon as possible.

Captain Dude > What upgrade?

Jo > The digital transition.

Captain Dude > You're telling me that comcast is 100% digital capable right now?

Jo > Not all, this upgrade is happening right now because Digital Transition is mandated by law, therefore, Comcast should act and take all the proper actions to make sure that once the transition is over, all Comcast customer could just sit back and relax.

Captain Dude > wow, awesome

Captain Dude > I'll relax then

Jo > It seems you have closed the chat window. I am unable to reopen the session, if you are in need of further assistance please recontact us or call 1800COMCAST at 1-877 870 4310.

Comcast Update

Not only have I been IM'ing with Comcast I have also tried to call and get answers. Additionally, I have posted in some online forums to receive more answers. On the phone I have had no less then five different stories from five different individuals. Most recently, I was told I was entitled to a free cable box which would perform the function I am after. I left work early and went to the Oak Ridge office where Joseph told me I couldn't have anything, and that even if he gave it to me nothing would change. I was not happy when he said to get ANY HD OR DIGITAL service it would cost $55.75/mo + $6.95/mo for the box/service upgrad and a $29.99 fee for the technician. Forget it, as stated previously I DON"T WANT MORE CHANNELS!

I called the customer service number one more time and got a youg man who took the time to learn the problem and seek out an answer FINALLY! He cam back and informed me his sales friend that used to sell the HD packages said I should have the channels now and told me the number the channel should be. I agreed that I should have it now but stated nothing was there. He then went his supervisor after I asked him to find someone who understood the clear QAM channels. HE came back stating his supervisor said the QAM tuner is for over-the-air broadcasts. I told him that is what the ATSC tuner is for and QAM is for digital cable not airwaves. Again, the young man was eager to learn and solve the problem. He wrote down the FCC reference I gave him, 76.630 and CFR title 47, 76.901(a), and sent "the boss" a detailed email with the promise to call me back. Since I won't hold my breath for that phone call, I decided to do some experimenting.

The cable feed for my home is in my front yard and the box is unlocked. I went and removed the cover and located my cable. This is fairly easy in my instance because I have three large cable traps, or filters, on my line. They are labeled DDR-CA/HA 045, DDR8-24/58, and DDR8-66(A)/76 in that order. These block the 50 some odd channels most folk are used to when they say "basic" cable and give you the "limited basic" package. My suspicion was that one of these traps was interfering with the HD broadcast of the local affiliates. Sure enough, I now have the local affiliates in HD. I dislike people who don't know their own job.

Unfortunately, I also have a ton more channels I don't want and I don't know what to do. If anyone out there knows which traps will effectively limit the superfluous channels yet allow the local HD I would be grateful for the information. I would do trial and error, but the channel scan takes and hour each time.

Comcast again

today I learned about the QAM tuner in my TV. I highly suggest reading this link, here is the relevant excerpt:

QAM-based HD programming of local stations is sometimes available to analog cable subscribers, without paying the additional fees for a digital cable box. The availability of QAM HD programming is rarely described or publicized in cable company product literature. If cable providers provide rebroadcasts of locally aired programming, they must also carry rebroadcasts of high-definition digital locally aired programming, in an unencrypted form, that does not require the customer to use leased equipment, per FCC Sec. 76.630 and CFR Title 47, §76.901(a). These usually include the local affiliates for CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, and FOX, and the cable providers comply by rebroadcasting them over QAM channels. The law does not require the cable provider to advertise their availability, and the cable customer service representatives are known to unequivocally (and incorrectly) insist to customers that a converter box is mandatory to view any HD channels.

Now, that doesn't say they can't charge for this service, but I was specifically told I had to get "the box." Armed with this new information I decided to have another online chat, see transcript below.

Problem : I need to find out why I cannot receive the clear QAM digital signals at my home.

Captain Dude > I need to find out why I cannot receive the clear QAM digital signals at my home.

May.36768 > Hello Captain Dude, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is May.36768. Please give me one moment to review your information.

May.36768 > Hi! How are you doing today?

Captain Dude > I'm super, how are you?

May.36768 > I am doing fine, thank you for asking.

May.36768 > I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

May.36768 > May I know how long have you been experiencing this problem?

Captain Dude > I bought my new TV saturday and noticed that all DTV cable signals are blocked.

May.36768 > I would be glad to pull up your account to have a better idea of what is going on.

May.36768 > For security purposes, I will need to verify your account information. Could you please provide me the last 4 digits of the social security number that is listed on the Comcast account.

Captain Dude > 1234

May.36768 > Thank you.

May.36768 > Is it alright if I put you on hold for two to three minutes while I access your information?

Captain Dude > absolutely

May.36768 > Thank you very much. I really appreciate your patience on this matter.

May.36768 > Thank you for patiently waiting.

May.36768 > After locating your account it seems that there is a service interruption in your local market at this time. I can certainly understand the inconvenience and frustration this has caused as I know how important your services and time are. We are currently working to have this corrected as soon as possible, however at this time we don't have an estimated fix time.

Captain Dude > This service interruption only affects QAM or all cable?

May.36768 > The effect of the service interruption depends on the extent of the damage.

May.36768 > In your area it could only affect some channels, in some part of the area it might affect the full cable service.

May.36768 > Comcast is working as quickly as possible to complete up loading the update. We appreciate your patience.

Captain Dude > I wanted to make sure there isn't a trap on my cable feed preventing the QAM broadcast from entering my home. I know that several traps are present becasue I onle have the limited basic service.

Captain Dude > Is QAM broadcast for free or is that an additional service?

May.36768 > I would be happy to check that for you.

May.36768 > Please hold for one more moment.

May.36768 > Thank you for patiently waiting.

May.36768 > I apologize for the wait.

May.36768 > It shows that QAM Channel is not available in your current package at this time.

May.36768 > I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Captain Dude > What is the charge to get QAM?

May.36768 > I was able to check my resources and at this time the channel that you are requesting is not available in your area.

May.36768 > Channel requests can be submitted in person at your local Comcast office, or by using our customer feedback form below. Please do not include any written correspondence about your channel lineup with your payment. Comcast continually seeks to improve the viewing and entertainment experience of our customers. Channel requests help us to make decisions about adding to or changing channel lineups. http://www.comcast.com/corporate/customers/contactus/feedback.html

Captain Dude > the FCC requires that you broadcast this, how can you say it isn't available?

Captain Dude > If cable providers provide rebroadcasts of locally aired programming, they must also carry rebroadcasts of high-definition digital locally aired programming, in an unencrypted form, that does not require the customer to use leased equipment, per FCC Sec. 76.630 and CFR Title 47, §76.901(a).

May.36768 > I understand where you are coming from an I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.

Captain Dude > Is there a local support number I can call?

May.36768 > It is best for you to contact the local office and address that channel.

May.36768 > Yes.

May.36768 > I would be glad to provide your local office information.

May.36768 > One moment, please.

May.36768 > Thank you for patiently waiting.

May.36768 > I apologize for the wait.

May.36768 > I would be very glad to get the Local Office information for you. Here it is:

May.36768 > Center Details

Center Name: Knoxville

Address: 5720 Asheville Hwy.

Knoxville TN 37924

Phone Number: 865-637-5411

Hours: M-F, 8am-7pm. Sat, 8am-5pm.

Captain Dude > Thanks.

May.36768 > You are very much welcome.

May.36768 > Is there anything else that I can help you with today? Please be informed that, you will receive a three question survey after this chat. Kindly take some time to fill it out as we value your feedback about our services. Thank you.

Captain Dude > Thanks, no fear. I like to feedback.

May.36768 > Thank you.

May.36768 > Thank you for contacting Comcast! We appreciate your business

If you need assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us through Live Chat or E-Mail (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week). Comcast also offers excellent FAQ and Help forums located at www.comcast.com to help you reach a resolution independently.

May.36768 > Have a great day!

May.36768 > Take care!

The Internet is wonderful.

Global Warming (This dude is funny)

Nonsense!

Finally!

That is a Samsung LN40A550 that I got two days ago quite cheaply. Mrs. Dude noticed the 37" model drop to $849 on Amazon earlier in the week. Further research showed that the 40" dropped to $799. I called HHGregg, because of how well they treated us during the washing machine episode, and they were still $999 when I called. I had decided to buy it from Amazon when I searched Best Buy's site and they were $799 there too. I decided to go look at them and notcied two things while shopping. First Samsung has released a line of LED televisions. If you have not seen one these are somewhat unreal. Secondly, sitting next to the Samsung I went to look at was a Toshiba of the same size fro $100 less. Knowing little about the Toshiba I went home to do some research and couldn't find a great deal of information as Toshiba publishes very little. I called the Powell HHGregg to ask about the difference and the manager said "...you don't want a Toshiba. In fact if you're buying tonight I will sell you that Samsung you're looking at for $695." SOLD! Consistently, in both local locations, HHGregg personnel have displayed extreme willingness to make the customer happy, AND make the sale. This is like the old style of salemanship before used cars and liars ruined it. These people know everything about the products they sell and want you to be happy and come back. The only thing that's weird about the whole deal is that I know they are 100% commission. How the integrity and professionalism is maintained is obviously through good corporate structure and training.

All that said, if you need any electronics go to HHGregg. If you're in Knoxville go to Powell and ask for Stanley.

Why Comcast Sucks (updated)

In keeping with my efforts to expose moronic business practices and customer service folks please review the following transcript. I certainly won't switch from $15 to $50 just because this guy says it's the only option.

Problem : Ask Comcast Escalation
Captain Dude > Ask Comcast Escalation
Aerole.38809 > Hello Captain Dude, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Aerole.38809. Please give me one moment to review your information.
Aerole.38809 > I would be happy to assist you with your concern today.
Aerole.38809 > How are you doing today?
Captain Dude > Hi, I just bought an HDTV but only have limited analog service and the picture looks terrible. What do I need to do to take advantage of the TV's capability
Captain Dude > I'm doing well how are you?
Aerole.38809 > I am doing fine. Thank you for asking.
Aerole.38809 > I understand that you have an HDTV but your current package is only analog, is that correct?
Captain Dude > That's correct and I also do NOT have a cable box
Aerole.38809 > I see.
Aerole.38809 > To further assist you, may I please have your full name, billing address, and phone number?
Captain Dude > Captain Dude
Captain Dude > The Fotresss of Not Much Solitude
Captain Dude > 865-123-4567
Aerole.38809 > Thank you for that information.
Aerole.38809 > Thank you for that information.
Aerole.38809 > Captain Dude, in order for you to maximize the capabilities of your TV, you need to upgrade your service level.
Aerole.38809 > We need to upgrade it to digital.
Aerole.38809 > I will be more than happy to help you out with that.
Captain Dude > What's the cost associated with that?
Aerole.38809 > Let me check that for you.
Aerole.38809 > One moment, please.
Aerole.38809 > The monthly rate for the Digital Starter Package is $47.09.
Captain Dude > There is no alternative but to triple my monthly bill? Alternatively, won't the signal have to be digital on June 12, 2009?
Aerole.38809 > I can try to look for a Triple Play Package in your account.
Aerole.38809 > You still have to subscribe to a digital package for you to receive the digital signal.
Captain Dude > I am not interested in acquiring more channels, if I wait until June the picture will look better correct?
Aerole.38809 > The information for DTV transition is in the link that I will give you.
Aerole.38809 > www.dtvanswers.com
Aerole.38809 > The signal will not changed even if it is after June 12.
Captain Dude > To be clear though I cannot get my existing limited package broadcast digitally?
Captain Dude > I have to purchase more channels
Aerole.38809 > By that time Captain Dude, all signals are digital. So basically if you are using an analog service, the reception will not improve.
Aerole.38809 > In order for you to get a better picture quality, you really need to change the service package.
Captain Dude > I currently receive an analog signal, June 12 all signals have to be digital. So doesn't that mean you have to send my existing package via digital and not analog?
Aerole.38809 > We are going to send digital signal.
Aerole.38809 > But if you are still subscribed to an analog service, you will not be able to receive the digital signal.
Captain Dude > June 12th my service will go away?
Aerole.38809 > You will still have your service.
Captain Dude > If I get a cable box now does that improve anything?
Aerole.38809 > But as I have said Captain Dude, you will not be able to view the pictures in a digital format since you are still subscribed to analog service.
Captain Dude > My service has to be digital on June 12th too right?
Captain Dude > That's interesting
Captain Dude > It is not acceptable to require a customer to triple their monthly bill in order to view a quality signal. I will either terminate my service and use an antenna, or use a competitor's promotion. I appreciate your time and assistance.
Aerole.38809 > You are most welcome.
Aerole.38809 > For more information, Captain Dude. You can visit the site that i gave you awhile ago.
Aerole.38809 > Is there anything else that I can assist you with?
Captain Dude > Have a great day.
Aerole.38809 > I will appreciate your feedback about the service you experienced with me today. It is our priority to provide you the best customer service. Kindly answer the survey at the end of this chat so we will know how we can improve our service.I hope that I have been helpful in resolving your concern today.
Aerole.38809 > Thank you for contacting Comcast. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us again.
Aerole.38809 > If you need additional assistance you can find product support information on our Web site at http://www.comcast.com/Support/ http://www.comcast.com/Support/
Aerole.38809 > Have a good day!

Several people have written and explained to me how this will continue to suck after June 12th. I put this in the comments but thought I should stick it here as well. Comxast told me they will "retrograde" signals received after June 12th so they can continue to send analog broadcasts to people who don't pay for digital. As it stands now, I have more channels with an antenna than I had with their service so I am considering dumping cable altogether since I only wanted local channels and movies to look good.