California’s Internet and Digital Media Maven?

July 24, 2008

Sadly, this is not a joke. Democrat Assemblyperson of Long Beach, Betty Karnette (D-54), is in charge of digital TV and Internet Media in California. Uh-oh. Notice the job description of her plum committee and how Internet Media is an afterthought? “Primary jurisdictions are programs and policies affecting the recording, motion picture and other entertainment industries, tourism and arts programs and museums, professional and amateur sports including the State Athletic Commission and the regulation of athlete agents, and Internet media.” Scary to think that not being able to balance a budget, the Assembly wants to horn in on the conversion to digital TV in 2009. Holding hearings on this? Give me a break. Note how Betty is already chatting up potential chaos that typically precedes some boneheaded Assembly intervention. Sorry, Mr DeMille, we don’t think Betty is ready for her closeup.