Posts by Taylor Roberts3

Just got hit with an enforcement order from PBS. What the $500 hell.
Here’s the deal: about six months ago, I got an initial notice for this thing. I filed a complaint, ended up in a lawsuit, and they couldn't produce a single scrap of paper proving I ever even signed up for the service or had a receiver installed.
Then, a few weeks after that first notice, a second one pops up. Same case number, same notary, just a different date. I didn't bother fighting it then because I figured we’d just settle everything once we actually got in front of a judge.
Fast forward to two weeks ago—another notice. Same case number, same notary, yet another random date. Since I already had the court ruling in my hand, I didn't say anything.
So now what? Am I totally screwed? Who do I even talk to about getting this enforcement dropped? Is that even possible? They have absolutely zero basis to come after my money for a service I never requested and definitely don't use.

What’s even the big deal? You got a black cat living out in some small town in the Midwest?

Signature on John Doe.
I literally just posted my thoughts and was heading back to check if anyone had replied, only to find you’ve basically written a whole dissertation on what I was trying to say.
Look, I don't care about being "right" or the fact that, technically, I shouldn't be forced into a subscription. It's just that their terms of service are so vague and garbage-tier written that they've basically rigged it so you have to pay regardless.
Yeah, I get it—there's a crowd out there skipping the sub entirely while everyone goes wild over the programming on NBC, and those elitist bastards in D.C. probably tried to write the rules so tight there's zero wiggle room to protect themselves. But honestly? Some things are just way too much.

Since I'm pretty sure I'll be heading to court soon, I figured I should clear some things up first.

The infamous Section 34 (1):
Anyone who owns or
possesses a radio or television
receiver or any other device for
receiving radio or audiovisual
programming (hereinafter referred to
to as a receiver) within the territory
of the United States covered
by a broadcast signal is required to pay
PBS a monthly fee as established
under Section 35, subsection 2 of this
Act, unless otherwise provided
for by this Act.
Look, maybe I'm just being an idiot, but my argument in court would be that I actually own a TV. It’s an old model—doesn't have an antenna hooked up, nor do I own a digital converter box. In my book, that doesn't count as a TV receiver if it can't actually pick up a signal. Am I wrong here?
Along with the TV, I’ve got a high-end component amp with speakers and a deck, while the tuner is just sitting in the closet. Even though I don't use the tuner, I'm not tossing it; that'd tank the resale value of my hi-fi setup if I ever decided to sell it one day.
And then there's the smartphone, which technically has FM hardware built-in, but I deleted the app. I'm guessing it'd be best to mention that too, right? o_o
Also, that second part of Section 34, subsection 1 is bugging me. "any other device for receiving radio or audiovisual programming (hereinafter referred to as a receiver)." Why did they write "audiovisual" instead of just saying "radio and TV"? Does that mean if I listen to a song on YouTube, watch a short documentary, or even a comedy sketch, I've basically created my own audiovisual programming and now I owe them tax money?

So look, I’ve got my PlayStation set up and an old TV. I don't have cable, digital antenna, nothing in my apartment. Why the hell am I supposed to be paying them for a subscription? I can't even play my PS5 without a TV. Basically, just by buying the console, I'm stuck handing over $27 every single month for some garbage service that my TV hasn't seen in years. This TV runs on analog signals, and those signals haven't existed in my neighborhood for ages.

I'm not gonna lie, I have a TV, but it's just an old relic sitting there without a receiver or an antenna. Basically, I can't even watch anything. The TV is strictly there for my PlayStation.
I've been getting these bills for a while now, but since I never officially registered the set and the collector never bothered to show up at my door, I just ignored them.
Well, a few days ago, some law firm sent me a notice of violation. It’s apparently $160 debt from the PBS fee (dating all the way back to early 2013) plus about $167 extra fees for the collection process, lawyers, and whatever other bullshit they tacked on.
So now I'm wondering, what happens next? Does this actually go to court if I don't pay, or is there someone I can complain to? If they actually garnish my paycheck, someone is going to be very unhappy...

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen a non-smoker take offense because I lit up in my own house while they were standing there, rather than some smoker getting all worked up because someone wouldn't let them light up in someone else's place.
Honestly, I don't even know what to say about stuff like this... I mean, I get it, but people should just go grab a deck of cards and deal with it themselves.

Weed? Definitely not. Alcohol? Same deal. Sure, it might give you a quick little boost, but then it’ll just knock you sideways and you'll be out like a light.
If coffee isn't doing the trick, maybe try some black tea. Honestly though, instead of messing around with substances, just try to structure your life so you can snag at least a few hours of sleep every day. Stimulants are fine if you just need to squeeze out an extra hour or two of wakefulness, but staying up for days on end—especially when you're fueling that madness with all sorts of random junk—can seriously wreck your head and your body.

I’ve always thought it was pretty pathetic how people who commit suicide don't just drag someone awful along with them. o.O
Anyway, back to the topic—it’s not like I’m suicidal or anything, but yeah, the thought has crossed my mind during some of those rougher patches. Only thing is, right after the thought hits, I immediately realize it’s just a coward's move. Even if I screw everything up, my problems aren't going to vanish just because I stop breathing. They’d just shift onto my family and whatever friends I have left. It made me start thinking about a sort of "transferred suicide." Not actually killing myself, but more like killing off that specific part of my personality that causes all the grief, upgrading the system, and just trying to enjoy life as much as possible...