We regularly have test of the National Broadcast System on TV and no one complains.  On Monday we had a Test of the Cable Broadcasting System (never seen that one before) and no one complained.  Time and technology change so now that everyone has iPhones or whatever, it makes sense to test that broadcast system, but people appear to be up in arms for some reason.  It's just a notice that appears on your phone, doesn't require any response (same as other national broadcast alert tests). So what is the big deal... the name? The Presidential Broadcasting Alert System?  It's an Obie program created in 2006.  No one objected to it then.  Why now?  People want to opt out.  Did they also try to opt out of the National Broadcast System tests or the Cable Network Broadcast System tests?  All these alert tests are annoying of course... who like the shrill beeps on TV.  But if the systems doesn't work, and you get hit with that tornado or whatever, you would be more annoyed.... but maybe not.  Too many people like to pretend they are not part of the world and can just ignore what's going on ..... as if ignorance exempts them for consequences.