Obama: He’s an image of hope to many. Hope that our country that can get back on the track and continue to excel as the best nation in the world. Yet, being the technologist I am, I see something extremely odd concerning his stances on the whole DTV.

The United States transition from analog/digital TV broadcasts to strictly digital TV broadcasts was originally set in 2006, and then was delayed three years to February 17, 2009, only 13 days away from this writing. Now the House has passed a bill to delay the shut-off date to June 12 and it’s only a matter of time until it goes into effect because Obama has said that he will sign it.

Seriously? Why the hell is he signing a bill that keeps the US in the stone age?

Obama started off, and still is, a highly tech-enthused president. He used Twitter, uStream, came up with an extremely well designed website, and still has a BlackBerry even during his presidency. So if he is so caught up with tech and the direction it’s going in, why is he signing a bill that is keeping the US lower in the technology rankings?

I suppose he doesn’t realize that the spectrum that would be freed up by shutting off analog signals would be put towards new technology innovations since Verizon Wireless was the highest bidder for the main spectrum block. Verizon has said they’ll use the spectrum for their new “4G” network using LTE (Long Term Evolution) to bring mobile network speeds that surpass any common landline internet connection in the US (which is another story in itself). Not to mention that the 700MHz spectrum will be used for first-responders during emergencies.

So my question is, Mr. President, what is your thinking behind this madness? Do you really think 6.5 million citizens are going to be suddenly prepared by June 12th? If not, then will you delay it again until everybody is prepared? Sir, that day won’t come. I even doubt that number will reach less than 6 million people who aren’t ready.

I hope that many stations go ahead and flip the switch on February 17th and show you that they don’t care if everybody isn’t ready. This has been promoted for over two years. Now is the time.

The future is calling and we need to answer it.