Archive for July, 2004

SAP Suggestions

Saturday, July 17th, 2004

Anyone else think the Second Audio Program (SAP) service on TV could be better used? Sure, sure, the “SAP en Espanol (where available)” thing is nice, but let’s go further. I suggest:

  • SAP in English (cuando sea disponible). Ever flipped through the channels and stopped at a movie you want to see again, only to discover it’s on Telemundo? Spanish broadcasters could use SAP for the original dialogue, or even translate original programming (not that “Super Sabado Sensacional” can really be conveyed in English…)
  • SAP swearing. Is there anything more annoying than watching movies on TV? Yes: watching movies where the character says “fucking” but on-screen a different voice says “freaking”, complete with weird emphasis. Why not use SAP for the true dialogue? Your kids probably have no idea what the button does anyway.
  • SAP disclaimers. I’m so tired of commercials with tiny disclaimers speeding through the lower third of the screen. Why not devote the SAP to the catch? Then Consumer Reports-type people could figure out the catch without TiVo.

Boy, they should really have let me design the next generation of TV…

Is 6 Years Enough?

Thursday, July 8th, 2004

Ahh, the double standard. Many have it, few have taken it to the level that our good friends on the Republican side have achieved in the past few days.

I speak, of course, of their suddenly all-consuming concern that John Edwards is insufficiently experienced for the role of Vice-President. A mere six years on the national stage, they say (in sorrowful tones), is hardly enough to qualify a man to be “a heartbeat away” from the presidency.

There may be an argument there, but the Republicans should be the last ones to make it. Does no one recall that George W. Bush had just 6 years of public experience before his current position?

Yes, the same people who evidently think six years “leading” a state with a constitutionally weak governorship is just fine for the nation’s No. 1 job also like to pretend that six years as Senator is not enough for No. 2.

It would be hilarious, were it not so pathetic.