RIAA donates money to US politicians

[Spudman]

7 June 2007, 14:35
RIAA donates money to US politicians


According to the Consumerist.com blog the RIAA has been voted t (http://consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/worst-company-in-america-2007-the-final-big-board-245261.php)he worst company in the USA (http://consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/worst-company-in-america-2007-the-final-big-board-245261.php).

It's been voted the worst by consumers and it is actually donating campaign money to US politicians. The site reveals a list of 50 congresspeople (http://consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/contact-information-for-50-politicians-who-take-campaign-money-from-the-riaa-264638.php) who had received such contributions from the RIAA.

Recent bills passed by the congress suggest that the congresspeople are not always acting in consumers’ best interests (http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/#161557). Just “this week … members of Congress threaten to cut off federal funding to educational institutions if they don't stop file sharing on their networks.”

Read more:
Congressman Who Took Money From RIAA/MPAA Says Congress Should Cut Funding To Colleges (http://www.consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/#161557), The Consumerist
Contact Information For 50 Politicians Who Take Campaign Money From The RIAA (http://consumerist.com/consumer/worst-company-in-america/contact-information-for-50-politicians-who-take-campaign-money-from-the-riaa-264638.php), The Consumerist

[Spudman]

And more

18 May 2007, 19:16
U.S. Department of Justice: life imprisonment for copyright infringement


The office of the U.S. Attorney General has submitted a bill to the US Congress with proposals to increase criminal penalties for copyright infringement. The planned measures include life imprisonment for copyright offences which endanger life and Homeland Security reporting to the RIAA when someone tries to sneak a pirated CD across the border.

The proposed "Intellectual Property Protection Act of 2007", would among other measures:
- Introduce the notion of “attempted” copyright infringement. Current legislation envisages up to 10 years of imprisonment but only if the actual infringement took place.
- Envisage life imprisonment for the crime of using pirated software.
- Allow to wiretap citizens attempting to infringe copyright.
- “Require Homeland Security to alert the Recording Industry Association of America. That would happen when CDs with "unauthorized fixations of the sounds, or sounds and images, of a live musical performance" are attempted to be imported.” (CNet News (http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9719339-7.html))

The U.S. Department of Justice believes such measures will help to prevent the crimes “costing victims millions of dollars and, if left unchecked, diminishing entrepreneurship."


Read more:
US moves to beef up criminal laws in copyright piracy fight (http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070514/pl_afp/uscopyrightcongress_070514225426), Reuters
Gonzales proposes new crime: 'Attempted' copyright infringement (http://news.com.com/8301-10784_3-9719339-7.html), CNet News
The US copyright con is out of control (http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=39661), The Inquirer

[SuperSwede]

In most other countries these kind of "donations" would be considered as bribes. I think you US people should work to get rid of this system that allows big corporations/interest organizations to fund campaigns and donate money.

This may be too much of a political discussion for the fretnet, but I still think that this is a important discussion since it involves us musicians!

[333maxwell]

In most other countries these kind of "donations" would be considered as bribes. I think you US people should work to get rid of this system that allows big corporations/interest organizations to fund campaigns and donate money.

This may be too much of a political discussion for the fretnet, but I still think that this is a important discussion since it involves us musicians!

Cmon man..

us musicians are mild mannered, non violent types, and just want to seek peace and harmony..

This is why I propose for our present crop of high profile politicians, that like rabid dogs who can't help but have an attack mentality, they be taken out of the back of the barn and 'put down'...

And then when we get a 'new dog/s' the new dogs understand entirely well, never to become rabid like the old dogs..

_____

I call for violent revolution...

_________

Of course I am kidding..

BUT THE TRUTH IS..

Either Party (U.S.) would sell any one of us individuals down the road, if it meant advancing their persoanl agenda..

Between the high profile politicians, and the corporations that fund their ability to 'govern'.. everything has became 'group' mentality.. and if you are not part of that group.. they will clense by contrition..

______

Man o man.. I fell better now after venting .. *looks out the window*.....


~whew~.. I thought the black helicopters were out there already..

[marnold]

In most other countries these kind of "donations" would be considered as bribes. I think you US people should work to get rid of this system that allows big corporations/interest organizations to fund campaigns and donate money.
Yes, I'm sure a mod is going to chime in, but I'll just offer a few bits. Wikipedia has a decent summary of the situation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_States

The recent McCain-Feingold act went a long way in curbing things that are otherwise leading to at least charges of bribery and corruption. The issue is not a simplistic one. There is freedom of speech issues involved here too. If I like a certain candidate, I should be able to support his reelection financially. Where things get iffy is with the RIAA and other PACs. At what point does financial support make a candidate feel like he is beholden to the PAC over the constituents he was elected to represent? Conversely, why shouldn't I be allowed to join together with like-minded individuals to support and promote certain causes that I find important?

The only other solution is to have all campaigns supported by tax dollars, the very concept of which makes me throw up in my mouth. As far as the RIAA goes (to bring this screaming back on topic), it should be obvious that I hold no love for them. However, I have a hard time justifying saying that they should not be able to advance/promote their agenda because I don't like it. These donations need to be publicly known so voters can make an informed choice of who may or may not be holding their candidate's leash.

[SuperSwede]

Yes, I'm sure a mod is going to chime in, but I'll just offer a few bits. Wikipedia has a decent summary of the situation here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campaign_finance_in_the_United_States

The recent McCain-Feingold act went a long way in curbing things that are otherwise leading to at least charges of bribery and corruption. The issue is not a simplistic one. There is freedom of speech issues involved here too. If I like a certain candidate, I should be able to support his reelection financially. Where things get iffy is with the RIAA and other PACs. At what point does financial support make a candidate feel like he is beholden to the PAC over the constituents he was elected to represent? Conversely, why shouldn't I be allowed to join together with like-minded individuals to support and promote certain causes that I find important?

The only other solution is to have all campaigns supported by tax dollars, the very concept of which makes me throw up in my mouth. As far as the RIAA goes (to bring this screaming back on topic), it should be obvious that I hold no love for them. However, I have a hard time justifying saying that they should not be able to advance/promote their agenda because I don't like it. These donations need to be publicly known so voters can make an informed choice of who may or may not be holding their candidate's leash.

Well... since I AM a moderator I probably shouldnt continue this discussion...

But ah well, here comes my 2 euro cents:

I think that there is a big democratic difference between making your voice heard with the help of a lobby group / interest organization, and actually giving money to a political party/politician. The latter will create a society where the monetary strong will dictate the agenda and for me, democracy is all about looking after the entire populations needs, and not only the rich and wealthy.

[Tone2TheBone]

I think political discussions are interesting. I too am a mod. I want to say something about what I think but in respect to Robert I won't. It's nothing bad at all it's just something that some of us Americans already know and feel and some of you other guys from other countries have a little feeling about. Swede touched on it with his last comment.

[Justaguyin_nc]

I have a hard time justifying saying that they should not be able to advance/promote their agenda because I don't like it. These donations need to be publicly known so voters can make an informed choice of who may or may not be holding their candidate's leash.

Politics.. don't we all hate it... then vote.. final thing to do..make public all contributions to candidates.. The people are smart enough to know which ones are being bought... but unless a person votes.. you should not have a voice in the matter... ok, thats the extent of my politic post.. moderators can now lock the Thread..:)

oh one last thing...

Be AWARE and VOTE for the lessor of the EVILS.

[Spudman]

I just think that it's really sad that the music industry is being bought and sold. Not the music or artists, I'm talking the industry as a whole. This is not political just disappointing.

Here is something interesting to read about how the RIAA is killing themselves and the big music corporations. http://p2pnet.net/story/12622

When I originally posted the thread it wasn't to generate political comment (which is what we naturally do) but to inform other musicians who might not be aware what is going on, to give them information that could help them make choices about what to do with their music.

[333maxwell]

I just think that it's really sad that the music industry is being bought and sold. Not the music or artists, I'm talking the industry as a whole. This is not political just disappointing.

Here is something interesting to read about how the RIAA is killing themselves and the big music corporations. http://p2pnet.net/story/12622

When I originally posted the thread it wasn't to generate political comment (which is what we naturally do) but to inform other musicians who might not be aware what is going on, to give them information that could help them make choices about what to do with their music.

I'd like to se a breakdown of who gave money to which party in the name of 'saving the music'..

What I mean, is it was Tipper Gore who headed the movement for censurship, congressional hearings and basic pandomonium..

Frank Zappa was subpeona'd to one of those congressional hearings that were influenced by the Vice PResident and Presidential Candidate Gores wife..

______________

[Spudman]

If you read the article it says how much each member received from the RIAA. It is the second link in the initial post.

[333maxwell]

If you read the article it says how much each member received from the RIAA. It is the second link in the initial post.

I didn't read the artical *hangs head in shame*..

I was just blabbermouthing..

Sorry.