They May Dish It Out, but Can They Take It?

Normally, politicians like their constituents good and drugged out from the sweet opiate that is television. However, the Boston City Council wants to pry the remote from some residents' grubby hands by banning them from attaching satellite dishes to the fronts of buildings.

City Council President Michael Flaherty calls the sight of dishes on buildings an "eyesore," but satellite services are often the only option for those who are either sick of Comcast or Comcast's programming choices. However, if satellite-loving Bostonians aren't careful, this plan might pass because Comcast has donated money to Flaherty, who is sponsoring the measure.

Compared to the orgy of corruption in Washington DC, a possible love-pat between Flaherty and Comcast is nothin'. But the connection is certainly something to ponder. If this measure passes, Comcast will be the only game in town for Bostonians whose clear view of the southern sky will be blocked if the City Council gets its way. Not everyone is going to be able to move their satellites to the backs of their homes or apartment buildings. And RCN isn't much of an improvement on Comcast.

The Boston Globe message board flamed right up with the Dish Debate, but people would be wise to clog up Flaherty's inbox with their opinions instead. They may also want to note that the Public Utilities and Cable Commissions Committee will hold a hearing on Friday – and part of their stated mission is to "ensure that utility and cable television consumers in Boston are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost." Which means that cable deserves a little healthy competition.

Image from Flickr user dweekly, who took this snapshot of the Boston City Council's worst nightmare in Tunis.
Post contributed by Caroline Roberts.