New Committee Head Reaches Out To Radio...

Representative Darrell Issa (R-CA), incoming chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee is reaching out to radio. Issa sent a letter to the NAB asking for suggestions on eliminating regulations that could take a toll on jobs. The NAB took about 30 seconds to reply to Issa's letter with this: "We look forward to responding." Broadcasting & Cable confirms that quote from NAB spokesman Dennis Wharton. In all, Issa sent the letter to about 150 associations and individuals. Issa confirmed reports that he had reached out to trade groups and others, telling CNN correspondent Dana Bash in a Wednesday interview that there is nothing untoward about asking businesses what regulations they would like to get rid of. Democrats aren't quite as enthusiastic as Issa. Some Democrats have criticized what they see as assembling a deregulatory wish list from industry...

New House Speaker John Boehner is onboard. Boehner said the Republicans were doing it in the open as part of an open government and "just the opposite" of business as usual. One of the regulations that might get an overview is network neutrality rules. The NAB has already endorsed net neutrality but there are other organizations that might take issue with it. Net neutrality won't take effect for at least two or three months. They will be published in the Federal Register, which could trigger Republican congressional action. The rules would still not take effect until 60 days after the Office of Management and Budgets announces so in the Register...

So far, the FCC hasn't commented on Issa's letter but they can't be happy with it. Meanwhile, radio has now received confirmation that they have some new friends in Congress and the industry couldn't be happier knowing that...

10 Timeline Memories:
1.1936] Debuted on this date: Porky Pig debuts in the WB cartoon “Gold Diggers of ‘49“. One year later Mel Blanc starts voicing Porky, Bugs, Daffy, Sylvester and Tweety…1975] “Wheel of Fortune” debuts on NBC-TV with Chuck Woolery hosting…
2.1942] Clipper landing: The Pan American Airways Pacific Clipper arrives in New York after making the first round-the-world trip by a commercial airliner…
3.1974] Saving time: In response to the 1973 energy crisis, daylight saving time starts nearly 4 months early in the U.S...
4.1982] Freeway of death: Truck driver William G. Bonin is convicted in Los Angeles of being the “freeway killer” who had murdered 14 young men and boys. Bonin will be executed in 1996…
5.1987] What’s the word? Thunderbird!: After a 29-year lapse, the Ford Thunderbird is presented with the Motor Trend Car of the Year Award. It’s the first repeat winner of the award…
6.1993] “Happy Trails“: Ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev succumbs to AIDS at 54…1993] Jazz great Dizzy Gillespie is a victim of pancreatic cancer at 75…
7.1994] “Why? Why?”: Jeff Gillooly goon Shane Stant makes a pinata out of glamour skater Nancy Kerrigan’s leg. Olympic skating rival Tonya Harding sets the whole thing up and is banned from competition. Gillooly and the late Stant do time for the crime…
8.1999] Impeachment set: The 106th U.S. Congress opens with impeachment proceedings of President Bill Clinton as the first item on its agenda. The trial is set for January 7th…
9.2001] Congress certification: With the recently defeated Al Gore presiding, Congress certifies George W. Bush the winner of the 2000 presidential election…
10.2005] KKK leader turns in his white hood: Former Ku Klux Klan leader Edgar Ray Killen is arrested 41 years after three civil rights workers were slain in Mississippi. Killen is later convicted of manslaughter. Killen appeals but his punishment of 3 times 20 years in prison is upheld by the Mississippi Supreme Court in January, 2007…

Music Memories:

• 1957] Curtains: Elvis Presley makes his 3rd and final appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show" singing a medley of songs in two separate sets, including "Hound Dog"...
• 1958] Number One on this date: "At The Hop" - Danny & the Juniors...1968] "Magical Mystery Tour" LP - Beatles...1977] "You Don't Have To Be A Star" - Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr...

"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Howie Long (51), Nancy Lopez (54), Bonnie Franklin (67), Lou Holtz (74), Nino Tempo (76), Ralph Branca (85), Earl Scruggs (87) and Pollster Lou Harris (90 with a margin of error of + or - 5%)...

Timeline Countdown: 2 days until the NFL Wild Card Playoff Games, 9 days until the Divisional Playoffs, 10 days until MLK Day, 17 days until the NFL Conference Championships and 31 days until Super Bowl XIV...