Blunt again: Walz votes against digital TV transition extension

Earlier today, we had mentioned the Albert Lea Tribune's editorial urging Congress to Get the digital TV change done with:

We urge U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, members of Congress and President Barack Obama to implement the changeover to digital television on Feb. 17 as planned. Do not pass a measure to delay the switch.

No matter how far this country puts off the switch, there will be people who are not ready for it.

Let’s go ahead and get it accomplished. If some people are without their aerial TV reception, what harm can come from that? It’s just television.

Maybe they will go outside, take a walk and visit the parks. Maybe they will begin a project, such as piece together a puzzle or paint a room.

A Senate bill calls for postponing the switch to June 12. What TV viewer really wants to watch four more months of those annoying commercials, tickers and self-promoting TV news stories about the switch?

Enough already. It’s called the idiot box for good reason. Already too much fuss has been made over switch to digital television. Vote no.

The Strib reports that the vote was a Republican victory in House defeats bill that would have delayed digital television transition by 4 months to June. In a noon press call, Walz said that he voted against the extension because he thought enough time and publicity had been given to the issue; moreover, he noted that he wanted legislation--like funding the Veterans Administration--to get done in a timely fashion

We're going to have to side with the minority, Walz, and the Tribune on this one.