TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

And We Need The Name Of Your Firstborn

ADVERTISEMENT

By STEVE OTTO

sotto@tampatrib.com

Published: January 13, 2009

The e-mail from one of Mother Trib's editors was urgent: "I need your Social Security number. The NFL wants it for your Super Bowl credentials."

Well, that was pretty exciting - Super Bowl credentials.

A couple of my sons have been on my case because not only have I not come up with any tickets to anything recently, I haven't come up with anything.

They were disappointed when I couldn't get us invites to Gov. Charlie's wedding last month; it doesn't look like the White House is sending down any special invitations for the inaugural on the 20th, and so far I haven't come up with invitations to any of the Super Bowl parties.

Then, a few minutes later, another e-mail came down, this time saying the NFL needed still more information - things such as my home address, date of birth and phone number.

At the end of the note the editor added, "These credentials will not get you into the stadium or the game. They will only allow you to be a part of the NFL Experience."

You know that feeling, don't you? The one where you suddenly realize you are being had and there is nothing you can do about it.

The Super Bowl is coming to town, and there is nothing we can do about it except hide in the closet.

I'm sure there is a good reason the NFL needs the Social Security number, home address and phone number of people who aren't even coming to the game - probably something to do with national security and the T-shirt concession stands - but they can't have my firstborn son.

Your Otto Graphs

Most of your mail this week was on Sunday's column wondering at placing the responsibility of putting cell towers on school grounds in the hands of people who can't tell RF radiation from radial tires.

Joseph M. Abad from the great neighborhood of West Tampa wrote: "What a joke! The entire city of Tampa, our county, state and planet Earth is bombarded 24-7 with RF. With frequencies being generated by power lines, microwave, shortwave, VHF/UHF frequency systems, and who knows what classified frequency devices could also be transmitting RF in Tampa Bay.

"Moreover it seems that every Hillsborough county citizen has a cell phone stuck in his or her ear most of the day. Please keep in mind the folks who design such equipment know when radiation shielding is required. Tell those mothers to get a grip on themselves, Steve. In my opinion, locations like school properties are perfect for antenna systems. They stand alone and away from everything."

Dan Silvers of Brandon looked at it differently, writing: "Your article was spot on. We will see more controversy as the economy slides. I worked many years as a quality analyst monitoring microwave frequency technology in military applications and none of us know either. It's possible we won't know about cell phone and E-gadgetry electronic fields for decades.

"If the Hillsborough County schools 'commander' had a shred of professional decency he would have stepped directly in front of Mr. Hoskinson Coleman Middle School principal. But alas, Hoskinson will probably not be promotable despite making the best decision he could have made" to vote against the tower at his school.

Keyword: Otto Graphs, for more of Steve Otto's musings.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT