Where’s the mute button?

Published 7:22 pm Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Forget health care reform — the really important business before Congress this winter is legislation that would require audio levels during TV commercial breaks to be the same as during the shows they interrupt.

The measure includes an exemption for broadcasts of soccer games, in which loud commercials are necessary to wake viewers up.

Sign of the times: Here’s a Christmas gift idea for the overfunctioning parent on your list: A sign to hang on a stroller warning people to wash their germ-laden hands before touching the baby.

How’s this for a companion product: A sign to hang on your restaurant table stating: “No Wailing Babies Within 200 Feet.”

Some restrictions apply: President Barack Obama urged top bankers Monday to help sustain the economic recovery by boosting lending to small businesses and supporting an overhaul of financial regulation.

The bankers stopped short of completely endorsing Obama’s position, but did pledge a free toaster for anyone who opens a new account with a balance of at least $10,000.

— Mark Carlson, Herald staff