The Wall Street Journal has a wonderfully succinct opinion article talking about the FCC's "foot-dragging" over the merger between Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc.
But what I found interesting was the political implications of the article. Martin's motives for delaying the merger decision, which at over 450 days has extended on longer than even the Iran hostage crisis, appears more political than procedural. These political motives are something that I've heard from sources myself.
From WSJ:
"...other sources say he's told the companies he wants more political cover before he okays the merger. XM and Sirius have been asked to solicit Congress for support." (emphasis added)
The point that the Journal is making is that the FCC won't make its move until it gets some sort of Congressional "blessing." Additionally, I've heard that Kevin Martin himself has aspirations to make a run for Congress. There's no doubt that this merger, in the grand scheme of things, has oddly received far more poltical attention than it ever really deserved.
The article sums it perfectly: "So whatever is giving Mr. Martin pause has nothing to do with whether the deal is anticompetitive. According to the administrators of our antitrust laws, it isn't."
[Wall Street Journal]
Thanks Gregg!
Throw Kevin in jail
Martin wants to run for Congress ?? No wonder he's stalling, how much is he asking
the NAB to contribute to his campaign fund if both XM and Sirius go BK .
When the Hell is Mel going to Sue their sorry asses.
This jerk shouldn't run for dogcatcher.
Before the ignorance starts to spread yet again.......
The Federal Communications Commission is an independent United States government agency, directly responsible to Congress. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 and is charged with regulating interstate and international broadcast communications by radio, television, wire, satellite and cable.
Kevin is doing his JOB.
Martin had dug himself into a hole. Hey Kevin, STOP DIGGING!!!! At least the WSJ let the 'C3SR' cat out of the bag. They are now calling C3SR a 'Coalition' of the NAB. See the following from today's WSJ.
I like the following from the WSJ article titled:
Senator Seeks Letter on XM-Sirius Deal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121322248905865881.html?mod=wsjcrmain
"said Julian Shepard, a lawyer with Williams Mullen who represents C3SR. According to Mr. Shepard, the group represents subscribers opposed to the merger, but it has no official membership. Its sole purpose is to stop the merger of the two satellite companies.
The National Association of Broadcasters, which opposes the merger, circulated Sen. Brownback's letter and the May 27 C3SR letter on Wednesday.
NAB provides funding to C3SR, but an NAB spokesman declined to state how much. Mr. Shepard wouldn't comment on other sources of funding for the group."
The problem is that the FCC has failed to protect the public’s interest with regards to the Interoperable Mandate. They tried to hide and bury this issue by not addressing the Petition for Declaratory Ruling. The truth about Interoperable Devices is now coming to the forefront and the Chairman wants to protect himself!
The Commission staff is organized by function. There are seven operating Bureaus and ten Staff Offices. The Bureaus’ responsibilities include: processing applications for licenses and other filings; analyzing complaints; conducting investigations; developing and implementing regulatory programs; and taking part in hearings. Our Offices provide support services. Even though the Bureaus and Offices have their individual functions, they regularly join forces and share expertise in addressing Commission issues.
One of the FCC's many jobs is to act to promote competition
Right,
"The problem is that the FCC has failed to protect the public’s interest with regards to the Interoperable Mandate. They tried to hide and bury this issue by not addressing the Petition for Declaratory Ruling. The truth about Interoperable Devices is now coming to the forefront and the Chairman wants to protect himself!
Posted by: Hartleib | June 12, 2008 5:56 PM"
A great way to deal with this problem is to drag out hearings for a while then slam down the NO! to "merge" MONOPOLY and fine the hell out of sirius and xm for not living up to their agreements, perhaps even pull their licenses and "should be required to make restitution to all parties harmed by such conduct".
FCC asked to consider revoking XM and Sirius licenses
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080601-fcc-asked-to-consider-revoking-xm-and-sirius-licenses.html
Martin is NOT DOING HIS JOB !!!!!!
There is absolutely no Justification for not coming to a decision within 450 days.
3 months after the DOJ gave their ruling and approved the Merger with NO RESTRICTIONS
the FCC is still floundering on a decsions. A group of High School kids could
come up with the a Correct and Proper decision faster than these flunkies.
How about being a leader and addressing the mistakes that have been made, disclose them, come clean and resolve them. In fairness to the Chairman he did inherit this mess but the time has come to Man –up sort of speak and deal with it and stop looking to Congress for a protective blanket. I would argue he is doing more damage to his political future the longer he does not have the intestinal fortitude to address these issues. I guess backbone is not a requirement of our appointed and/or elected officials! I think Chairman Martin is a good man ,but this could damage his political future the longer it goes on.IMHO
Sirius and xm have been ignoring their agreements with the FCC for years, 450+ days is nothing. Kevin Martin IS doing his JOB. If you need someone to blame for your personal proplems this whole mess is the doings of Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin.
Let them both fester, give them the NO!, and then fine them for everything they haven't lost during Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin failed scheme.
No to merger! No to FM Think! No to Jon Zellner! No to Steve Kingston! It's the only thing that will rid the rats from the ship...
AC is right. Martin is just doing his job. In fact, AC has convinced me that any decision that the FCC has ever made in less than 450 days was obviously rushed, and needs to be revisited!! Let's start with the ruling a few years ago that allowed a company like Clear Channel (or Emmis or Entercom) to own more stations in a single-market. After all Clear Channel, et al, knew and accepted the previous rule that limited their ownership as a condition of their licensing. By AC's reasoning, once a company accepts a restriction, they should never be allowed to petition for changes.
RoadRunner,
I agree. History shows "mergers" like Clear Channel or Emmis or Entercom were a big mistake. Thats why I will never allow it to happen in satradio.
No. Kevin is NOT doing his job. Whether or not you agree or disagree with the merger, he is NOT doing is job, by making a decision one way or the other.
And xm/sirius have ALLOWED interoperable receivers. I have one. It's a JVC. I can have XM or Sirius. Which ever connector I choose.
MEL has said he has a complete interoperable radio on his Desk, allowing both xm/sirius at the same time.
Enough of this crap. Make a F'ing decision you piece of crap politically motivated ass. The FCC is NOT tasked to be a political machine. This is complete bullshit.
I dont' care if they merge or if they don't. I want the to just END. They are wasting Consumer's money, Sirius' money, and XM's money.
JUST MAKE A DECISION KEVIN and MOVE ON!!!!! Last time I checked, there are WAY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS the FCC can be doing completely unrelated to Entertainment!!!!!!
RoadRunner,
Also those "mergers" of Clear Channel or Emmis or Entercom didn't happen on my watch. You will have to talk with ex-FCC chairman Michael Powell, that mess was under his watch.
Steve,
FIRST: You DO NOT have a interoperable receivers that lets you tune both xm and sirius. How is the FCC wasting consumers money? Investments Do NOT count, as you'd really have to be crazy to put hard earned money on a satradio company.
Steve, like it or not Kevin IS doing his JOB, as is the rest of the FCC, your desperate anger should be pointed to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin.
Let them both fester, give them the NO!, and then fine them for everything they haven't lost during Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin failed scheme.
they are the reason this country is in serious trouble. gas is up our or dollar is weak and our soldiers are dying for no reason but there own.
The clown who keeps defending the FCC is probably a NAB employee or perhaps
one of those 'College Kids" hired by NAB.
Trying to justify the FCC's action (or should I say inaction) is assinine.
The FCC 's JOB is to serve the Public Interest, not , to KISS the ASS of the Sirius/XM
biggest competitor , Terrestial Radio.
Today's WSJ article is right on the money . This delay has absolutely nothing to do
with anything but DIRTY POLITICS at the expense of the AMERICAN PUBLIC.
does this surprise anyone anymore regarding govt officials and doing whats right for themselves ONLY(and not the public)
wl,
Sorry your guess is WRONG, sadly typical but WRONG. Got news for you a customer with xm and sirius radio's can agree with the FCC and also think xm and sirius are at fault and wrong about the proposed "merge".
So your logic wl "is assinine." As your post is proof that you have very limited knowledge of what the FCC does. Better to step back and listen and learn before continuing to prove to us the "clown" you truly are.
wl, like it or not Kevin IS doing his JOB, as is the rest of the FCC, your desperate anger should be pointed to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin.
wl..... DEBUNKED
Martin is in way over his head. His ineptitude and short-sighted political gamesmanship will haunt him at every turn if he makes the mistake of running for office someday. People like me will not let his potential constituents forget about his shortcomings.
In my opinion, he needs to go back to practicing law at a big firm where he can blend in and not stand out in any way. And, I encourage him to stay away from any position charged with looking out for the best interest of others. He has proven himself to be incapable.
CALL Kevin Martin and tell him to please get this merger done now or XM will go BK and he will have one sat radio company anyway!
CALL at 202-418-1000!
Call NOW!!!!!!
I'm ovah heah now.
The best Government money can buy!
Good reporting from the WSJ.. thanks!
Writing Martin who is a crook, is useless. Write/Call your Senator... write call Idiot Bush.
I think Kevie has been outed but I was surprised that the WSJ used satrad sources to bust his move. It suggests to me that Mel has call the dogs on Martin finally. It's a Goddamn shame that this is what America has come to. Dumb asses and Crooks. That's all that's left.
Kevie... you're a little kiss ass cocksucker.
Spring Chicken.... well written .. my thoughts EXACTLY.
The little prick can run, but he can't hide. I have a pen and a mind.
Martin is demonstrating that he is ready for Congress...he's already bowing to special interests. Too bad the guy can't separate "doing his job" from "what is in my best interest if I want to run for Congress". What a douche.
The agency charged with the competition issue -- DOJ/Antitrust -- has spoken. Martin needs to rubber stamp this and move on. He really needs to grow a pair.
Bottom Line:
Listeners (Consumers) of satellite radio WANT this merger. This merger WILL BE good for the consumer! It WILL make them more competitive against terrestrial radio by allowing satellite radio to offer more for less attracting new subscribers. If they offered less for more, how would that be a strategy for growth?? The NAB who represents terrestrial radio is worried about stronger competition from satellite radio because it could affect their profits if listeners are lost to a better product and their advertsiing revenue declines. Terrestrial radio IS trying to protect THEIR monopoly and they ARE spreading political donations to their favorite congressmen like fertilizer! Heck, Senator Brownback who recently came out in opposition of the merger and is supporting NAB stooges, C3SR, received $12,000 in donations from the NAB just within the past year!! Now, who is not being candid??
Bottom Line:
Listeners (Consumers) of satellite radio WANT this merger. This merger WILL BE good for the consumer! It WILL make them more competitive against terrestrial radio by allowing satellite radio to offer more for less attracting new subscribers. If they offered less for more, how would that be a strategy for growth?? The NAB who represents terrestrial radio is worried about stronger competition from satellite radio because it could affect their profits if listeners are lost to a better product and their advertsiing revenue declines. Terrestrial radio IS trying to protect THEIR monopoly and they ARE spreading political donations to their favorite congressmen like fertilizer! Heck, Senator Brownback who recently came out in opposition of the merger and is supporting NAB stooges, C3SR, received $12,000 in donations from the NAB just within the past year!! Now, who is not being candid??
All,
Brownback was sent out by Pat Leahy to pull this. Keep this in mind if the merger is nixed. Vote against Brownback and Leahy and tell your Friends also.
Please don't realize that Leahy is the puppet master in this holdup.
...please realize ..... (correction) Leahy IS the puppet master.
This information should be cross referenced with comments made by John Kerry last April urging Kevin Martin not to rush.
"The Senator also pointed out that he is a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee (which oversees the FCC along with the House Energy & Commerce Committee) and said he will keep his eye on the Commission to make sure that it serves the public interest."
May be we should be putting pressure on John Kerry and find out what his agenda is regarding the merger, and his involvement with the NAB and other special interest groups.
Bottom Line:
Listeners (Consumers) of satellite radio DONT WANT this merger. This merger WILL NOT BE good for the consumer! It WILL NOT make them more competitive against terrestrial radio by allowing satellite radio to offer less for more attracting new subscribers, and causing losts of churn. If they offered more for less, how would that be a strategy for "merge" and money saving?? The NAB who represents terrestrial radio is not at all worried about stronger competition from satellite radio because it won't affect their profits if listeners are gained to a better product and their advertsiing revenue increases. Terrestrial radio IS converting over to HD Radio the future of digital radio and with 260 million listeners and heavy pockets Terrestrial radio IS just waiting out the satradio fad since the end it near. With neither company ever making a dime the loans will soon be due, also the contracts for content and talent will all soon be up for renewal, it doesn't take a financial wizard to know with no money being earned, no money will be available to re-sign most content and talent as they are already starting their moves back to Terrestrial radio, since thats where the future, the money and the listeners are. Elected Officials, the FCC, are all doing their JOBS of putting the MAJORITY of American people first and the minority second. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin admitted he knew all about the rules, yet he still dragged the satradio industry through the mud with his quick cash grab scheme, putting consumers last, putting the health of the satradio industry in major jeopardy, all for Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin personal greed and arrogance.
The REAL Bottom Line. Learn the FACTS.
Enough already..let's get this merger approved so people can move on with their lives!!!
It is going to happen tommorrow
Who is the jerk that repeats everything and says he knows that Kevin is doing a great job? I hope to meet you infront of the FCC - "soon" , "maybe this month" , or "maybe next month".
Give me a break anonymous coward. YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. Kevin is shooting himself in the foot - - I just wish you had the balls to admit he has cost both companies a great deal and is NOT doing this with the CONSUMER IN MIND.
Political witch hunting. Pass the merger. I want them both on my iPod, along with iTunes (online music) - get with it!!! Radio listeners have dropped off 14% and kids today are NOT listening to Terd Radio.
To the NAB poster "Anonymous Coward" (Easily identified by his hate and continuous posting of Mel Karmazin's full name),
Open your eyes, not your pockets! Your obvious bias is the ONLY one seen out of all these posts, exept for one mind-tricked Roadrunner. The motivation of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is to continue it's dying form of radio with useless talk-shows, over-commercialization, and poor playlists. IT'S DEAD. Whether or not you like it, the NAB and it's business model is a dinosaur, albeit a rich one.
Hence, their continual, unprecedented lobbying of our government over a merger of two little satellite radio companies that have never made a dime. Get it straight, these two money-losing companies NEED to merge. They're an American icon that has yet to be truly defined.
If we allow sub-humans, such as "AC" and his NAB buddies to influence this merger, we may as well start learning to speak Chinese and roll over dead from lead poisoning.
SIRI+XM=MERGE!!!! The people have spoken. Will the government now represent the people?
And showcasing your ineptitude at making decisions helps your political aspirations how?!?!?! He needs to has his ass fired. He is the biggest buffoon to run the FCC since Michael Powell!
I see the NAB surrogates( aka anonymous cowards) are out in force tonight. How much are you guys paid to spread your ridiculous propoganda?
Ryan -
I think you've let this "Anonymous NAB Coward" experiment go on long enough. There used to be some legitimate discussion on the articles, but this spammer is destroying any chance of intelligent discourse on this website. Free speech does not protect NAB spam.
Ryan isn't going to do anything. He thinks this blog and his forum should have no rules and no restrictions. Lets all the idiots ruin it for everyone else because of some pre-concieved idea that it would make for a better community. What you get is mainly a bunch of morons that just keep repeating the same crap over and over like this Anonymous Coward.
Time to get over this crazy idea of TOTAL freedom. I think a lot of people don't use your forums because of your foolish idea about a totally open forum with no rules. You do the same thing here and people are getting tired of it.
"a bunch of morons that just keep repeating the same crap over and over like this Anonymous Coward."
You mean like labeling anyone who is against the "merge" as NAB?
You mean like falsely accusing any elected official who is against the "merge" as on the take?
You mean like those desperate for the "merge" posting like everyone is for the "merge" (aka the will of the people/the fcc works for the people)?
You mean like the small few here who can't handle others opinions and call for others "spammers" and ask they be removed?
It's LAME, it's all very childish, and it makes orbitcast look BAD. Like bunch of fanatic, childish, posters who don't know the rules or procedures which are being followed, who have no clue of what basic terms mean, who have no clue what change a "merge" will bring, but blindly, desperately pushing for something which is certainly not being done for consumers.
By the way "they are not listening to "terrestrial radio" WRONG. terrestrial radio is alive and well with 260+ listeners so when you compare satradio listeners are the minority.in a BIG WAY.
Lots and lots of posts of ignorance here at Orbitcast these days. "It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt".-- Mark Twain
Definition of Interoperable:
interoperability
Main Entry:
in·ter·op·er·a·bil·i·ty Listen to the pronunciation of interoperability
Pronunciation:
\ˌin-tər-ˌä-p(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē\
Function:
noun
Date:
1977
: ability of a system (as a weapons system) to work with or use the parts or equipment of another system
My JVC system, that does AM/FM/HD, can do Sirius or XM, which means it CAN use one or the other. Might even be able to do both, never tried. :)
SO, yes they complied. ANd even better, like Mel had stated he's got one that does BOTH at the same time sitting on his desk, so they DID create the technology. THey havne't marketed it, nor should they till either the merger goes through or not.
He IS NOT doing his job. The FCC states that they try get thing done in that 180 day thing right? Well, I'm pretty sure they blew that.
And for the record I REALLY DO NOT CARE if the merger goes through or not, what I DO CARE about is the amount of money Mr Kevin is wasting on the merger. The amount of money the NAB, XM and Sirius are spending. The amount of time wasted in CONGRESS on this. It is utter political bullshit. ENOUGH ALREADY make up your f'ing MIND!!!!!!!!!!
Ok.... Going to bed now. :)
Throw Kevin in jail
Ryan does a great job and Orbitcast is the first, last and only word on satrad... those that think not are NAB members disgruntled that someone other than TERRAD has a forum.
Back to the original thread, its pretty obvious to everyone whether you support the merger or not, its all about politics
"anonymous coward" --- This article SAYS IT ALL. The one paragraph missing is the
one showing that "NAB idiots" like yourself are trying to deluge all the blogging boards
with your NAB propaganda.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Sirius_XM_merger_still_under_fire_from_broadcasters_legislators/1213218661
The satellite radio model offers subscribers access to far more content -- and subsequently far more space for advertisements -- than terrestrial radio can. Furthermore, partnerships with automobile manufacturers, rental car companies, satellite TV companies, and airlines have allowed receivers to be integrated into new platforms.
Terrestrial radio is stuck in a position where it cannot substantially raise its ad fees for fear of losing sponsors, nor can it allocate any more airtime to ads for fear of losing listeners.
Since 2003, broadcasters have pushed "HD radio," a digital multicast radio signal that allows for more terrestrial stations per square mile. However, consumer awareness of the technology after five years is at a paltry 24 percent, according to Arbitron and Edison Media data released in April of this year. This is after a $200 million advertising campaign that the HD Digital Radio Alliance ran in 2006.
So in the interest of keeping XM and Sirius in competition with each other rather than with conventional and HD radio, the powerful NAB has been lobbying members of Congress in both parties to oppose the merger. Now that the DOJ has placed its approval upon the merger, it is no surprise that the 3CSR/NAB has been trying to convince the FCC to oppose it.
"anonymous coward" --- This article SAYS IT ALL. The one paragraph missing is the
one showing that "NAB idiots" like yourself are trying to deluge all the blogging boards
with your NAB propaganda.
http://www.betanews.com/article/Sirius_XM_merger_still_under_fire_from_broadcasters_legislators/1213218661
The satellite radio model offers subscribers access to far more content -- and subsequently far more space for advertisements -- than terrestrial radio can. Furthermore, partnerships with automobile manufacturers, rental car companies, satellite TV companies, and airlines have allowed receivers to be integrated into new platforms.
Terrestrial radio is stuck in a position where it cannot substantially raise its ad fees for fear of losing sponsors, nor can it allocate any more airtime to ads for fear of losing listeners.
Since 2003, broadcasters have pushed "HD radio," a digital multicast radio signal that allows for more terrestrial stations per square mile. However, consumer awareness of the technology after five years is at a paltry 24 percent, according to Arbitron and Edison Media data released in April of this year. This is after a $200 million advertising campaign that the HD Digital Radio Alliance ran in 2006.
So in the interest of keeping XM and Sirius in competition with each other rather than with conventional and HD radio, the powerful NAB has been lobbying members of Congress in both parties to oppose the merger. Now that the DOJ has placed its approval upon the merger, it is no surprise that the 3CSR/NAB has been trying to convince the FCC to oppose it.
As I posted at Yahoo....
Why hasn't XM/Sirius tastefully advised listeners that they should contact the FCC if they support the merger. NAB is much better mobilized. SATRAD is dealing with this "swift boating" just as Kerry did. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this if it is stated professionally.
Mel... you're a communicator... why not start communicating? Gentlemanly hasn't worked.
Forgot to sign in.... I posted the above.
Plowboy
"Why hasn't XM/Sirius tastefully advised listeners that they should contact the FCC if they support the merger. NAB is much better mobilized."
What are you talking about? They have done this- its why the comments, with the exception of the fake form comments posted through an online advertising trick by the NAB by people who didn't even know they were posting to the FCC, have been vastly in favor of the merger.
By the way, I am a consumer of sat radio and am very much in favor this merger.
Steve,
No matter how many times you claim it you still do not have, nor is a xm/sirius interoperable on the market PERIOD. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin claiming he has one one his desk DOES NOT comply with the FCC's mandate, is causing higher prices for consumers, and is now being used by Sirius and xm as a pawn in their "merge" scheme.
"The FCC states that they try get thing done in that 180 day thing right?" And Kevin Martin explained why this "merge" request is taking so long"
KEVIN MARTIN: THAT MERGER HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF US FOR AWHILE. IT'S A DIFFICULT ISSUE FOR THE COMMISSION. WE HAD A RULE IN PLACE THAT WOULD SAY THE TWO COMPANIES COULDN'T MERGE WHEN WE AUCTIONED OFF THAT SPECTRUM. THEY HAVE COME IN AND ASKED FOR US TO CHANGE THAT RULE AND PUT FORTH DIFFERENT SEVERAL PUBLIC INTEREST COMMITMENTS THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO MAKE CAPPING THEIR PRICES FOR A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME AND OFFERING CONSUMERS TO PICK AND CHOOSE CHANNELS THEY WOULD WANT TO HELP LOWER THEIR PRICES. WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT. I THINK THE COMMISSION WILL DO SOMETHING ON IT SOON.
MARTIN: I THINK WE ARE UNDER AN OBLIGATION BUT THIS IS AN UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCE. WE HAVE A RULE THAT ACTUALLY PROHIBITS THIS MERGER. THIS WAS UNLIKE ANY OTHER MERGER THAT'S COME IN FRONT OF US. WE HAVE A RULE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT IT FROM GOING FORWARD. I THINK THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY AND THE COMMISSION IS TAKING A LOOK AT IT. WE'LL GET BACK TO THEM SOON.
Your desperation and lies are clear to see in this BS. Who's money are they wasting? Yours? Who's spending all the money?
"And for the record I REALLY DO NOT CARE if the merger goes through or not, what I DO CARE about is the amount of money Mr Kevin is wasting on the merger. The amount of money the NAB, XM and Sirius are spending. The amount of time wasted in CONGRESS on this. It is utter political bullshit."
WL you've been DEBUNKED before, your post above it utter BS written for idiots who need a teet to suck on. Have you thought for a second the positives of having direct competition between Sirius and xm like we have had now for the last 7 years? Have you thought of what having direct competition meant to either company? You are a complete idiot if you think satradio would be even half of what it is today content and talent wise all because of direct competition. To say nothing about keeping subscription prices in line. You claim "The satellite radio model offers subscribers access to far more content -- and subsequently far more space for advertisements -- than terrestrial radio can." which is true but without direct competition between Sirius and xm say goodbye to the content, talent and say hello to the same crap which AM/FM have been serving up. You are also a complete idiot if you really think or are trying to convince us AM/FM has any competition for satradio all due to the direct competition between Sirius and xm. YOU think taking away that direct competition between Sirius and xm is a good thing for consumers or for the satradio industry? You are WRONG. Wake up Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin is no longer running his service business with the consumer in mind, and now he is dragging down the entire industry with is quick cash grab scheme. Consider yourself debunked yet again.
Plowboy again this "merge" is not pro-consumer, it's not even pro-satradio. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin knows it, Nate Davis knows it, the FCC knows it, everyone knows it other than a few non-thinkers which Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin hopes will continue being ignorant to his scheme blindly promoting "merge" hook, line and sinker.
For Steve and for the rest of the blind, ignorant, satradio fanboys who are desperate and are making wild and false posts......
"ignorant"
Main Entry:
ig·no·rant
Pronunciation:
\ˈig-n(ə-)rənt\
Function:
adjective
Date:
14th century
1 a: destitute of knowledge or education ; also : lacking knowledge or comprehension of the thing specified b: resulting from or showing lack of knowledge or intelligence
2: unaware, uninformed
— ig·no·rant·ly adverb
— ig·no·rant·ness noun
synonyms ignorant, illiterate, unlettered, untutored, unlearned mean not having knowledge. ignorant may imply a general condition or it may apply to lack of knowledge or awareness of a particular thing . illiterate applies to either an absolute or a relative inability to read and write . unlettered implies ignorance of the knowledge gained by reading . untutored may imply lack of schooling in the arts and ways of civilization . unlearned suggests ignorance of advanced subjects .
To those of you so desperate for "merge" better ask yourselves why your so disappointed and upset with your current choice in satradio. I'd hazard a guess that most satradio sub's like myself are happy with the choice we made, and want to keep the ability to make choices when it comes to satradio. From that perspective it certainly makes all those desperate for "merge", desperate in labeling others, desperate for choice to be taken away in the satradio maket, and desperate for change which WILL hurt the satradio market, which is something Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin doesn't care about, but should be something sub's and those who like satradio should care about. Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme is not being done for you and I, Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's "merge" scheme is not being done to better the satradio industry. The sooner people wake up to that the better.
Anonymous IDIOT coward, I don't consider your bull-shit comments debunking at all. Just
jibberish out of the mouth of a ahole NAB pumper.
NAB has spent Millions upon Millions of $$$$$$$ trying in vain to stop this merger. WHY
WHY WHY WHY ????????
Because they are TERRIFIED of the COMPETITION from SATRAD !!!!!
Go back to school MORON !!!
Before joining the FCC, Martin was a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy. He served on the Bush-Cheney Transition Team and was Deputy General Counsel for the Bush campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, Martin was an advisor to FCC Commissioner Harold Furchtgott-Roth. He has also served in the Office of the Independent Counsel and worked as an associate at the Washington, DC law firm of Wiley, Rein & Fielding. Before joining Wiley, Rein & Fielding, Martin was a judicial clerk for U.S. District Court Judge William M. Hoeveler, Miami, FL.
The above are Kev's qualifications for the job taken from Wikipedia.I see someone has been drinking from the cronyism teat like Brownie did. He's just been lucky that there are no natural disasters in communication.Now we have to wait longer til he gets his happy ending on his Asia trip and Uncle George say's he can come back and get paid to lick his ass and not do shit.
SIRI/XM has also spent millions, including Mel making personal donations to members of congress that now support the merger, check their position prior and make you own conclusions. When Mel as a member of the NAB he was side by side with them as they fought just as hard over many issues. Check his past comments as a Member.
The fact is this is a game and the NAB are advocates for there side, just like they were when Mel needed them. He should have known what he was up against and been a little better prepared.
Fact is this is part of the process, that both are play, some better then others. If you really want to change somthing change the rules, not bitch about the way people are playing by them
For those who might have missed it, my endorsement of AC's "Kevin is doing his job" schtick was sarcasm. I was trying to make the point that anyone who thinks that the obvious foot-dragging that is going on in this case is OK needs to think through some conclusions we might draw from that.
Plenty of FCC decisions that have impacted many more consumers have gone through in less time. if someone thinks that 450+ days of consideration is SOP, then they ought to agree that all those decisions that have been processed in less time were therefore "rushed". I doubt that our NAB-affiliated friend AC really would want to re-open all the decisions made to allow media consolidation for his friends at Clear Channel and Citidel in less than 450 days!
Bottom line, if the FCC has reasons to deny this merger (as AC seems to believe, and which I'm not willing to rule out) then "doing their jobs" would mean that they should deny the merger. Stringing it out is NOT "doing their jobs"; making decisions (either for OR against) is their job.
Sorry to anyone I confused earlier.
MARTIN......IS TO THE FCC....WHAT BROWNY WAS TO FEMA........THIS POLITICAL JIHADIST IS COLLUDING WITH GEORGETOWN TO STEAL SPECTRUM AND DESTROY SHAREHOLDER VALUE FOR DAVENPORT AND THE KOOLADE DRINKING CONGRESSMEN WHO ARE ON THE TAKE......PREMOTE COMPETITION.....CLEAR CHANNEL HAS MORE RIGHT WING RADIO SHOWS THAN I HAVE UNDERWEAR......SIRIUS IS AT 2.40 CENTS PER SHARE.....THIS GUY SHOULD BE PUT IN JAIL!
Roadrunner,
You are WRONG. Your friend AC has NO NAB-affiliation what so ever. Just someone who can think for themself instead of towing the false BS coming out of Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin as he leads the rest of the satradio industry away from it's focus and against it's own consumers. Gary Parsons, Nate Davis, President and Lee Abrams should get a backbone, call off the "merge" and save xm from being taken over. Stopping Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin from making xm a footnote of history of failed media corporations and his bitch.
William Tansmith THANK YOU! for also injecting some more truth into what has become a mess of ego driven ignorance.
WL you can consider yourself DEBUNKED yet again, it's been suggested before you should sit back and listen and learn before continuing to prove you haven't a clue and are posting like a blind, ignorant, satradio fanboy. However a true satradio fan would be able to understand both sides of the "merge" and easily see that Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin scheme is not at all pro-consumer nor pro-satradio industry. To true fans of satradio this "merge" is more than just stock prices and Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's ablity to fool the ignorant with a scheme giving him a quick cash grab on the back of the future of satradio, and on the back of freedom of choice for consumers.
Kevin and the FCC are doing their JOBS. PATRICK RODGERS, just because you were stupid and made a risky investment doesn't put anyone in jail for doing their job. If anyone needs to do some time perhaps it's Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin for taking down another industry while lying and misleading congress and the ignorant with his BS.
Wake up folks. Just look at whats happening to xm, being Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitch is not at all healthy.
Sirius and XM blah blah blah blah "merge" monopoly blah blah blah blah blah "Mel" Karmazin's blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah ignorant sat rad fan foys blah blah blah blah PRAISE THE NAB blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah
blah blah "merge" monopoly
*PAID FOR BY THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS!
What if us the satradio subs put a end to Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin's scheme of "merge" with our voices and wallets, helping the satradio industry save itself? Perhaps we should contact Nate Davis, n.davis@xmradio.com / Gary Parsons, g.parsons@xmradio.com and Joe Zarella j.zarella@xmradio.com letting them know their customers want them to put a stop to this "merge" scheme immediately. XM taking the lead on this and taking back the lead in satradio would go a long way with consumers and share holders. Stop xm being from Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin bitch
Come on Mr. Davis don't let us down
Corporate Mailing Address:
XM Programming Center and Corporate Headquarters
1500 Eckington Place, NE
Washington, DC 20002
Corporate Phone Numbers:
Phone: 202-380-4000
Haha run for Congress on his FCC leadership that dragged a merger forever even after Justice approved? Slow? Check! Out of touch? Check. Cowardly? Check. Bought by lobbyists? Check. Welcome Senator Martin!
The person posting as "Kevin Martin, thats Mr FCC to you" shoud not be impersonating him. Martin looks like a huge douche already over this merger. Give him a break and let him bury himself with his own words.