Consuming Interests

DirecTV sends another customer to collection

2008-05-12T18:50:53Z

In this job, I end up writing about a lot of companies big and small, local and national. Many of the companies I've written about are companies I actually use in my personal life.

For those of you out there who think we pull our punches because a company advertises with the paper or we're biased in some way, think again. I've been critical of Home Depot, Verizon and BGE, just to name a few. They're the same companies I pay to: A. supply me with potting soil. B. provide me cell phone and Internet service. and C. make sure my lights come on every day. Those same companies often advertise in the newspaper, too.

It might seem I'm trying to mess with all the service providers in my life since this past Sunday, I wrote about how Verizon's triple play offer went south for one customer after DirecTV botched up the installation of her satellite TV service. Fed up after several attempts to fix the problem failed, Fawn Hartline canceled DirecTV and got whacked with an early termination fee.

If you didn't catch it, read it here. I often say, if a problem is happening to one person then it's probably happening to others. It's rare to see a truly unique problem. So it came as no surprise that I got three other e-mails that talked about encountering very similar problems with DirecTV.

Susan's was the best. Here's her story:

I read this article and thought ,Wow!! I thought it just happened too me!! I related to just about the entire story. I could not believe the similarities from my ordeal with Verizon & Direct TV and what Ms Hartline experienced. I know exactly what she went through and how mentally & emotionally draining the whole incident was for her as I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown at one point.

I had been hearing on TV about the 3 in one Freedom package with VERIZON and I had been paying so much with Comcast and thought that I could save some money by switching . That was my first mistake. The difference between the two companies was a $60.00 savings a month. That was worth it for me to change. I am a single mom working two jobs and I needed to save where ever I could.

I called the beginning of February and spoke with a very sweet woman who sold me the package. She offered me so many credits & discounts that I couldn't say no. I never dealt with anyone but VERIZON through out the ordeal. The first thing that she set up was to have the TV's changed over . The Tech was 6 hours past the time that they told me and he was very stressed out by the time he got to my home. He mentioned that he had just came from a very involved job. It was around 6:30 in the evening. He asked my son & I "how many homeruns do you have"? I had no idea what he meant and my son thought he meant how many TV's needed to be hooked up? My son said "4". He seemed relieved when my son said 4. He went right up on the roof and set up the dish. It took him about an hour to do that. I still at this point did not know that he was not with Verizon.

He then came in to the house and asked where he needed to start with the TV's. My son & I took him to the basement as that is where my sons room is. My son showed him where the cables were and at that point the tech went crazy. He said" You told me there was only 4 home runs and there is over 6" He was fumbling with his equipment and was very agitated with us. I said to him" We had no idea what you meant by homeruns. What he was asking was how many splitters do you have but he did not say splitters. He then started running around the room trying to find where the cables lead . My son was trying to help him every way he could but this man was a wacko. I was getting very upset and actually scared of the way he was acting but because my son was there I felt safe. My son was trying to calm him down and was trying to pull up some ceiling tiles when this man started getting very aggressive and was trying to bust out the tiles . My son said" Hey don't break the tiles I will get them" At that point as soon as my son pulled open the tile the Tech started ripping the wires down from the ceiling. I looked at my son at one point and said" isn't that the phone line??. My son said "Mom just let this guy finish and get out of here and we will deal with the rest later. At one point before my son & I went upstairs I said to the tech" way don't we reschedule this appointment since it was getting late and he seemed tired. He would not go.

The tech had stuff all over the room and I was really getting upset with his actions. My son was getting very angry. My son & I went up stairs in my computer room which is right above the room where this tech was working. I was talking with my son about the tech and mentioned that I was going to report him and my son was ready to throw him out of the house. The only reason we didn't was because of the mess he had made plus we did not have any TV's working.

I really feel that the tech heard our conversation from downstairs because when he came up he had calmed down a lot . I again said to him not to worry about the last TV because it was now around 10:00 PM but he said "Oh no I would never leave you like this . I must finish the job.

It was time for this tech to leave and that is when he handed me the brochure booklet showing direct TV. I was so tired and drained from this experience I didn't say anything about the booklet. The tech wanted the order form signed and comments written in the comment space. I refused to sign the paperwork. My son was a minor and he wanted to get this guy out of the house without any trouble so he signed the form and just wrote "Good Job while the tech was looking over his shoulder" I had never experienced anything like this in my life!!!

The next day I called Verizon about the experience and got such a run around. But at no time did anyone ever say to me " You need to call direct TV" Never once!!! Well we had TV but the computer & the telephone would not work . Verizon sent a package telling us how to set the computer & phone up ourselves. We tried for days & days. Spent days & hours on the phone but no one would come out to help resolve the problem. My son finally figured it out. The phone line that the direct TV tech pulled from the ceiling was disconnected from the phone jack so no service was coming from the phone lined into the house. I called Verizon probably for the 20th time and that is when Verizon said I would have to call Direct TV not them. Within those 20 or more calls I made with Verizon I was probably hung up on 8 times. I mean I would be crying and pleading with them to help me but they could of cared less about me or my situation.

I have been an Insurance Agent for over 20 years and if I had ever treated one of my customers like I was treated by Verizon I would be out of business. These large companies just don't care about us ??? I cannot figure it out. Also because my home phone would not work I had to place all my calls to them with my cell phone and I lost hours from my job because I had to make the calls between 9 & 5 so I would go into work late. My cell phone bill was over by $85.00 that month!!!

I finally made the 1st call to Direct TV and I lucked out because after I told the person on the phone how the Tech was in my home they were very apologetic and said they would help me. I got names & ID #'s of each person I spoke with. They promised me that I would not have to deal with another tech and that I could return the boxes via mail. Also they said because of what I was put through that I would not be charged any early cancellation fee of any kind. Well guess what???? I received a early cancellation fee bill in the mail for $346.00??? I picked up the phone and called direct TV and tried to reach the supervisor that originally helped me and no one would transfer me to her. Again another run around. Days & Days of it. I finally couldn't take it another minute so I called Comcast back one morning and I was crying and I said to the girl " I made the biggest mistake of my life. I cancelled your service for Verizon and I have had nothing but problems. As of 02/27/08 I have not had any service but TV. Can I Please come back??? The girl was wonderful and checked it out & My service had not been turned off outside yet so within 30 minutes I had the 3 in 1 back with Comcast . I learned that day it isn't always the best way to save money. Sometimes it is worth paying a little more for better service.

Now how did I resolve this charge from Direct TV??? Well one day at my office a phone call came in and on the caller ID it said Verizon. I answered it and it was a long time policy holder of mine. I asked her for a minute of her time and told her my story. She was shocked to hear what I had been put through. She said give me 20 minutes and I will have someone call you back. Less then 20 minutes a supervisor called me and after telling him my story he released me of there contract and then contacted Direct TV and got me cleared with them. Thank God I took the time to talk with my policy holder or I would be in collection as well.

I will never leave Comcast again no matter what offers are out there. The whole month of February was lost because of this ordeal. This has scared me for life.

That scares me, too. Full disclosure, DirecTV is also my satellite provider. I've been with them for four or five years now, mostly problem-free. I say mostly because I did encounter one problem with them that I might share with you guys if enough people are interested. Write in and let me know if you want to hear it.

How I Spent My Stimulus

2008-05-12T16:15:38Z

Those bottles are how I want to spend my stimulus (that I still haven't gotten in my checking account yet). Buying wine to stock up my stash would be a great way to fritter away my tax rebate, but I'll probably end up doing something sensible like pay off my bills.

Or not.

If you wonder whether others out there are pumping their stimulus (that sounds kind of vulgar, doesn't it?) back into the economy or taking a more sensible route, check out howispentmystimulus.com.

It's pretty amusing. The ones that made me chuckle:

Brittany from Baton Rouge, Louisiana says: I will be using some of our check for a round trip plane ticket to Chicago for the New Kids on the Block reunion tour. Thanks to you George, I will be "Hanging Tough"!"

Marcus from Tulsa, OK, said: "I wanted to buy these baader orthoscopic eyepieces for my telescope. But my wife said no... :-/ Now, I guess we're "saving"! The Universe wasn't enough for her. Geez."

Courtney from Tampa, Fla., said: "I will be paying off my debt to dell for a new motherboard because i spilled enchilada cheese sauce on mine."

Michael from Minneapolis, Minn.: "Thank you government, i bought me a nice fat sack of Herbage, it may be illegal, but you paid for it America, does that make you an accomplice?"

Heh. Check it out. There are photos, too.

(Photo courtesy of stockxchng.com)

Wilmington, NC to test run digital TV in September

2008-05-12T11:07:09Z

Did you catch Whiz's tech column last week on the uneven quality of reception you get from the digital converter boxes people (who still get their TV the old fashioned way through rabbit ears) must buy to watch TV after Feb. 17, 2009? You know, when the whole digital conversion hits us?

Whiz did not give those converter boxes high marks, saying reception can depend on the age of your old TV, the box and location:

When it comes to old-fashioned analog TV reception, all sets are not equal. Some are much better at finding distant channels than others. Reception depends on many factors, including the converter you have, the quality of your set, your antenna and - as Realtors love to say - location, location, location!

But the more channels you receive today by antenna, the more likely you are to be disappointed - or hopping mad - when the broadcasters turn off those analog transmitters. This is particularly true if you watch sports or news on Washington stations or other distant channels.

With that said, one wonders whether this whole conversion is a ~~big colossal mistake~~good idea, possibly leaving people with perfectly good sets without TV come February. In an effort to avoid widespread disaster, the guvmint is launching a test run in Wilmington, NC.

Those thrill-seekers at television stations in Wilmington have volunteered to shut off their analog signals on Sept. 8, a full five months before the national transition.

National Association of Broadcaster's Vice President of the Digital Television Transition (whew. that's a long title) Jonathan Collegio said, "The FCC-initiated experiment in Wilmington can shed light on a number of issues surrounding the national DTV transition in Feb. 2009. The results must be objectively reviewed to determine how or whether the findings can be applied nationwide."

Here are some questions they're hoping the experiment will answer:

What is the coordination plan between the federal, state and local governments to distribute information about the September 8 experimental analog shut-off?

How will the government ensure retailer coordination so that enough coupon-certified converter boxes will be available given the increased demand of the early shut-off date?

In particular, what specific actions will the government take to ensure that retailers have “analog pass-through” converter boxes available, given the low-power television stations in the Wilmington market, including one major network affiliate?

How will the government prioritize converter box coupon application requests originating from the Wilmington DMA, given the current national backlog of coupon requests?

What action will the government take to ensure that national messaging or messaging from bordering markets about the February 17, 2009 transition date does not result in confusion in the Wilmington DMA?

How will the government ensure that satellite operators accelerate their coordination schedule

How will the government ensure that cable operators serving the Wilmington market are prepared to coordinate an early analog shut-off and have they made plans to ensure viewability to analog television subscribers?

(Sun Photographer Glenn Fawcett)

RFIDs: love 'em or hate 'em?

2008-05-11T11:28:21Z

Some people love radio-frequency identification technology, also known as RFIDs --- or more accurately, they love what the little antennae-and-chip combos can do: speed through toll lanes, enter their cars without turning a key or pay for a purchase by waving a card rather than swiping it.

Others shun RFID because they don't want to leave electronic tracks in their wake or fear that the methods of encoding data leaves them vulnerable. As more manufacturers and retailers use the tags to automatically follow their inventory from the loading dock onto store shelves, we're bound to encounter more RFID in our day-to-day lives in less-than-visible places.

While this has created a cottage industry for metal-lined wallets, you could take the DIY approach with aluminum foil --- or even an Altoids tin. Some people even go a step farther than experts advise and try to destroy the RFID tags in their credit cards or their passports (check out the directions here and here and here).

But remember: tampering your passport is literally a federal offense, punishable by a jail and fines. And if you're really worried about RFID, it might be easier just to request a tag-free card than to manhandle the one you have.

Don't know whether your card is RFID-enabled in the first place?

If it came with materials advertising 'contactless' transactions, like MasterCard PayPass or American Express Blue or Clear, it probably is. Some advice via Consumerist: take a close look at the card, holding it up to the light to see whether you can spot the raised bump where the tiny chip was embedded.

You could always Google it or ask your credit card provider, as well. But that's too easy!

Readers, what do you think --- do the positive applications outweigh the potential risks? How should businesses, government and consumers proceed to make sure this powerful technology is used for good, and not evil?

(photo: Jay Steinmetz, CEO of Barcoding Incorporated, holds a paper-thin RFID tag that can easily be placed on different products. Jed Kirschbaum/Baltimore Sun)

Save your pennies: Forever stamps

2008-05-09T19:22:48Z

Don't forget to pick up Forever stamps today and tomorrow!

As we reminded you before, the price of first-class stamps goes up to 42 cents on Monday --- but Forever stamps are good forever, no matter how much you paid for them originally.

It might not seem like a lot, but as wise people say, pennies make up dollars.

So, stock up!

Tax Rebate: Week 2 Wrap Up

2008-05-09T16:42:10Z

Drumroll please.....

This week the Treasury Department sent out 22.180 million economic stimulus payments to American households totaling $20.138 billion.

In week 1, the total number of payments was 7.708 million and total amount was $7.091 billion.

So far, the grand total comes out to 29.888 million total economic stimulus payments totaling $27.230 billion.

Lunchtime laughs

2008-05-09T16:34:42Z

If you need an early-afternoon pick-me-up, check out Selling it, which features hilarious advertisements and bloopers on the back page of Consumer Reports magazines.

Lots of naughty businesses, odd business plans and confusing ad copy to start your weekend right.

Tithing and tax rebates

2008-05-09T11:09:09Z

At a rally I attended earlier this year about the upcoming tax rebate, U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings made an off-hand reference to good church people and tithing.

Tithing is the practice of giving to one's religious community, whether one follows a strict interpretation of some teaching or guideline, i.e. 10 percent of one's earnings, or gives a more loosely defined contribution.

It may have gained some bad connotations over the years, but tithing makes sense: if you gain some benefit from your religious group, you should support it financially, even if there's technically no admission fee to enter the doors. After all, someone's got to cover the cost of heat and health insurance.

Here's Beliefnet's breakdown of tithing practices among major religious groups, and the basis for such beliefs (including references to scripture, if applicable).

Beliefnet.com also has a transcript of this ancient 2001 NPR commentary by Steven Waldman asking what Jesus would do with his tax cut ... calling for Americans to donate a portion of that year's tax rebate to good causes --- real compassionate conservativism, in his eyes.

This year's unexpected "economic stimulus" payment is a different animal than your standard refund, however. And what about earned interest? Birthday or other gifts? Should you draw a line?

At Online Baptist, one poster asked if it was necessary to tithe on tax refunds if one was already calculating a donation based on one's gross income. Now if you were talking net ...

Sometimes churches try to teach their congregants how to budget to get themselves out of debt and stay there --- as well as factor their donations into their priorities.

Do you tithe, and if so, how much? Has the tax rebate affected how much you will give this year? Have your religious leaders reminded you from the pulpit or through letters that you could tithe part or all of your rebate?

More free car care clinics

2008-05-08T18:19:55Z

As promised earlier, here's the list of free car care clinics, organized near you by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the Maryland Department of the Environment and Precision Tune Auto Care.

The dates below list Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll and Harford county locations. They're working to schedule two more clinics --- one in Baltimore City, as well as Howard County, said Russ Urlich of the Baltimore Metropolitan Council.

The really good news: "after June 1, motorists may go into any Precision Tune location and request the free Clean Cars for Clean Air check-up," Urlich wrote in an e-mail.

He explains that the clinics are "comprehensive yet non-invasive" --- no more probing than checking with a dipstick.

The first one, held in Halethorpe last month, was rained out, so they hope to see plenty of you out there, he said.

For more info, including other "clean commuting tips", check out www.cleancommute.org.

Wednesday, May 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Harve de Grace Senior Activity Center

351 Lewis Lane, Harve de Grace, MD 21078

Tuesday, May 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Edgewood Senior Activity Center

1000 Gateway Rd., Edgewood, MD 21040

Thursday, May 29, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

McFaul Senior Activity Center

25 West MacPhail Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014

Friday, June 6, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Carroll County government Building

225 North Center St., Westminster, MD 21157

Sunday, June 8, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Westminster Town Mall

400 North Center St., Westminster, MD 21157

Tuesday, June 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Bykota Senior Center, 611 Central Ave., Towson, MD 21204

Thursday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Annapolis Senior Center

119 South Villa Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401

Thursday, June 26, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

South County Senior Center

27 Stepneys Lane, Edgewater, MD 21037

Part 2: Everything you want to know about the tax rebate (almost)

2008-05-08T15:15:55Z

Q. Will the IRS allow me to provide it with direct deposit information, if I didn’t include that information on my original tax return? A. You cannot correct direct deposit information or request a direct deposit after a return has been filed. Q. Is there something I can do to prevent my stimulus payment from being automatically deposited into the account that I identified for the direct deposit of my regular refund? A. Generally, if you designated direct deposit on a tax return, the stimulus payment will go to the account number you designated. If the account number is no longer active, the IRS will send you a paper check. This process may take several weeks. Q. I received my stimulus payment, but it was less than what my friends and neighbors received. Why? A. Your economic stimulus payment is based on information provided on your 2007 income tax return. Many but not all taxpayers qualify for the maximum basic payment of $600 for singles or $1,200 for married couples. Many parents are also receiving an additional $300 for each qualifying child, born after Dec. 31, 1990. Your payment may be less than the maximum for one or more of the following reasons: o You are single and your net income tax liability is less than $600. If you file Form 1040 net income tax liability is the amount shown on Line 57, plus the amount on Line 52. o You are married and your net income tax liability is less than $1,200. o You are single and your adjusted gross income (AGI) is more than $75,000. On Form 1040, AGI is the amount on Line 37. o You are married filing a joint return and your AGI is more than $150,000. o You owe back taxes that reduced your payment. o You have non-tax federal debts such as unpaid student loans or child-support obligations that reduced your payment. Around the time you receive your payment, you will also receive a notice from the IRS explaining how your payment was calculated. It is important to keep this notice as a record of your economic stimulus payment. In addition, you’ll get a separate notice if you owe back taxes or non-tax debts that were offset or deducted from your stimulus payment. Q. The notice I received shows I should have gotten more than the government actually deposited into my bank account. What happened? A. It could be that the amount deposited into your bank account was what remained of your stimulus payment after it was reduced, or offset to collect back taxes or other debts such as a student loan or child support. If this is the case, you will receive a separate notice about two weeks after you receive your stimulus payment and notice. Q. I have moved since filing my 2007 tax return. How will my payment reach me? A. You should file a Form 8822 with the IRS and a change of address notice with the U.S. Postal Service. This will ensure your check is sent to your new address. Without your current address, the check could be returned to the IRS as undeliverable. Q. I chose direct deposit for my 2007 tax refund but also requested my electronic filing and/or tax preparation fees be deducted from my refund. Does that affect my stimulus payment? A. If you requested that your electronic filing or tax preparation fee be deducted from the amount of your refund, you have entered into a financial agreement with the tax preparation provider or e-file software company for a refund anticipated check (RAC). Both Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs) and Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) are bank products. The money that is deposited into your bank account comes from the financial institution associated with your electronic filing software provider or tax preparation provider, not directly from the IRS. Taxpayers who use RALs, RACs or enter into similar loans or financial agreements with their tax professional or tax software companies will not receive their economic stimulus payments by direct deposit. Instead they will get a paper check that will be issued according to the schedule that has been published for paper check distribution. Q. I chose to have my tax refund deposited onto a "stored value card" or debit card through the professional tax preparer I used. Will my stimulus payment be directly deposited onto that same stored value card or debit card account? A. Yes, unless you requested a refund anticipation loan (RAL) through your tax professional or the stored value card or debit card account has been closed, in which case you will receive your economic stimulus payment by paper check. Because the IRS must wait until the money is returned, this process may take several weeks.

Part 1: Everything you want to know about the tax rebate (almost)

2008-05-08T11:01:36Z

Uncle Sam has mailed out tax rebates before. But never has there been so much confusion as this last round of checks.

The IRS started sending checks out last week. By year-end, nearly 130 million rebates will be distributed.

The tax agency says it’s been bombarded by questions. The most common: When will I get my rebate?

The rebate is being sent out based on the last two digits of your Social Security number.

For those who are having their rebate directly deposited in the bank: Your payment went out by May 2 if your Social Security number ends in 00-20; May 9 for 21-75; and May 16 for 76-99.

For those getting a paper check: Your check will be mailed out by May 16 if your Social Security number ends in 00-09; May 23 for 10-18, May 30 for 19-25, June 6 for 26-38, June 13 for 39-51, June 20 for 52-63, June 27 for 64-75, July 4 for 76-87 and July 11 for 88-99.

The rebate might be delayed if your paper return was filed but not processed by April 15, the IRS says. And the agency says it will need more time to calculate the rebate for a small percentage of tax returns.

If that doesn't answer your question, here are some of the IRS answers to frequent questions:

Q. I filed after April 15 and the payment date for my Social Security number has passed. How long will it take for me to get my stimulus payment?

A. It will generally take a minimum of six weeks after you file your return to get your stimulus payment.

Q. I filed my return on time, but I haven’t received my stimulus payment, even

though the payment date listed for my Social Security number has passed. Why?

A. In general, the payment schedule only applies if your return was received and the IRS finished processing it before April 15. If you filed your return on time, but close to the April 15 deadline, the IRS may not have finished processing it before April 15.

Processing times for tax returns and stimulus payments vary. If you are getting a regular income-tax refund, the IRS will send you that refund first. Normally, your stimulus payment will follow one to two weeks later.

If you are not expecting a regular tax refund, your stimulus payment generally should arrive a minimum of six weeks after you file.

Also, if you chose direct deposit and requested a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL) or had your refund deposited into more than one account, you will receive a paper check based on the distribution schedule for paper checks.

Stay tuned for Part 2

Video of more downer cows in MD & three other states

2008-05-07T17:55:20Z

As promised, here's the undercover video from the Humane Society of the United States on downer cows at auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas.

According to HSUS, the video of the downers was shot in April and May and shared with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer last week at a face-to-face meeting. HSUS said that Schafer pledged to look into the issue.

This video isn't quite as gruesome as the one involving Westland/Hallmark where downer cows were being poked, prodded, pushed and pulled by forklift into pens for slaughter, but it does make you worry about what might be making it into our food supply.

In the investigation, HSUS found:

At the Livestock Exchange (LSX) in Hereford, Texas, HSUS investigators videotaped two downed cows left in the parking lot for four hours. Neither cow could lift her head. They were still alive in the parking lot at closing time. HSUS had received a complaint from a passing motorist about live, downed cows at LSX hanging from their legs by chains attached to a front-end loader.

At the Westminster auction in Maryland, HSUS investigators documented a downed cow abandoned outside of the auction barn, left to suffer through the night. HSUS investigators contacted agents with the Carroll County Humane Society. An officer expertly ended the cow’s suffering.

At the Greencastle Livestock Auction in Pennsylvania, HSUS investigators documented a calf only days old who was unable to stand and left to die.

The HSUS is urging the USDA to close a loophole that allows some downer cows to be slaughtered for consumption. Says HSUS, "Until this loophole is closed, producers and middlemen in the supply chain have a financial incentive to push sick and injured animals to the brink — and in many cases to torture them beyond the brink — in attempts to turn them into profitable beef. Until the federal government steps in to assume firm jurisdiction, the food supply will be subject to the patchwork vagaries of local and state regulation, which can mean no oversight at all."

More downer cows making it into our food system?

2008-05-07T17:00:00Z

In just a few minutes, the Humane Society of the United States will announce new finding of its next investigation into downer cows that are being mistreated at auctions in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas.

As you'll recall us telling you, HSUS undercover investigators documented earlier this year cows that were too sick or injured to stand or walk -- called "downers" by the industry (see the orginial downers video) -- being kicked, beaten, dragged with chains, shocked with electric prods, sprayed in the face with hoses, and rammed by forklifts in efforts to get them to their feet to pass USDA inspection.

The video led the recall of 143 million pounds of raw and frozen beef from California-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. That's the largest meat recall in U.S. history -- far surpassing 1999's 35 million pounds of ready-to-eat meat.

The photo shows Westland/ Hallmark CEO Steven Mendell watching a video of "downer" cattle at his slaughterhouse while he testified last month before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Capitol Hill.

HSUS promises new video documenting downer cows being transported to livestock auctions, which are a critical link between dairy farms and slaughter plants.

As soon as they release the video and info, we'll update this post.

(Getty Images)

Got yourself a digital converter box?

2008-05-07T12:27:46Z

The federal government has issued more than 197,000 coupons for digital converter boxes to Maryland residents and more than 12 million nationwide since the program kicked off in February.

As we've reminded you before, each $40 coupon --- two per household --- offsets the cost of purchasing a converter if you rely on antennae drawing over-the-air television signals to watch your favorite reality shows. Cable subscribers don't need to worry.

Starting Feb. 17, 2009, broadcasters will switch to digital signals, which should come in clear on most new televisions with built-in digital tuners. If you're not sure, the National Telecommunication and Information Administration recommends you hunt around for an input connection labeled “digital input” or “ATSC” (for Advanced Television Systems Committee, the DTV format).

Already applied but haven't seen anything in the mail yet?

You can check the status of your application at the NTIA's digital conversion Web site. Also, according to a schedule (reproduced below), coupons ordered up until now should arrive around May 23.

Don't forget, however, that the coupons expire 90 days after they're mailed!

Your Application Approval Date		Targeted Mail Date
January 1, 2008		2/29/2008
January 2, 2008		3/14/2008
January 3 - 6, 2008		3/21/2008
January 7 – 13, 2008		3/28/2008
January 14 – 30, 2008		4/4/2008
January 31 – February 16, 2008		4/11/2008
February 17 – 24, 2008		4/18/2008
February 25 - March 10, 2008		4/25/2008
March 11 - 23, 2008		5/2/2008
March 24 - April 7, 2008		5/9/2008
April 8 - 22, 2008		5/16/2008
April 23 - May 7, 2008		5/23/2008

Shred-A-Thon

2008-05-06T21:37:55Z

Got old, sensitive documents that you don’t want any identity thieves to get their hands on?

Shred ’em. And this Saturday you don’t even need to own a shredder to do so.

The Attorney General’s office is hosting a shred-a-thon in Greenbelt on Saturday. Prince George’s County residents can have their junk mail and financial papers ripped apart by local shredder Torn2Shredz. The shredding runs from 9 a.m. to noon at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, 7601 Hanover Parkway.

There are limits on the amount of paper you can bring for shredding. Each household can bring in enough documents to fill two standard-sized paper grocery bags

Shred documents that will have personal information that would allow thieves to steal your identity. Those include ATM receipts, bank statements, canceled and voided checks, pre-approved credit card applications, employee pay stubs and medical and dental records.