Date: 08/30/2004 12:47 AM
From: Mack Sim (zapperboyz@yahoo.com)
Subject: Homemade Sat Radio Software Bump
"'We remain concerned about any devices or software that permit listeners to transform a broadcast into a music library,' RIAA spokesman Jonathan Lamy said." ("Homemade Sat Radio Software Bump," Aug. 29, 2004)
Ahem. That would include cassette recorders, VCRs, DVD-RWs, any and all computers equipped with a TV tuner and everybody's darling, the TiVo. Me thinks the RIAA is heading for a world of pain.
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Date: 08/28/2004 08:06 AM
From: Mike Martinet (mmrtnt55@netscape.com)
Subject: Broadcast Treaty Battle Rages On
"'It's us who bring a lot of information to the public, who wouldn't otherwise have it,' said Moira Burnett, an EBU legal advisor. 'We are not only rights owners but very big users of material for which we have to have proper contracts and arrangements, and we are extremely conscious of the need to have the right balance.'" ("Broadcast Treaty Battle Rages On," Aug. 28, 2004)
This is the mind-set that needs to be changed. With the explosion of miniature, high-resolution video and audio-recording devices, the internet and wireless access, more and more of the "information" the public consumes is starting to come from the public itself. The broadcast industry is in a life-and-death fight against this inevitability and it must not be allowed to trample upon the rights of citizens in their struggle to remain relevant.
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Date: 08/28/2004 09:12 AM
From: Sam Racey (sdracey@bellsouth.net)
Subject: Secure Flight Gets Wary Welcome
I wish that the powers that be would stop worrying about the civil liberties they are in fringing on and more about the life and safety of people first ("Secure Flight Gets Wary Welcome," Aug. 27, 2004). Every U.S. Passport, driver's license, Military ID and the vast majority of job applications require extensive information about the individual's background. I personally have three forms of photo ID, including retired military ID, driver's license, and U.S. passport. I'm not worried about my freedom being infringed on by the state, local or federal governments knowing this information about me. I feel safer for it.
I'm all for a national ID card that could be checked by any law enforcement agency at any time with a national (federal) database. I'm not worried about anyone knowing who I am and what I'm up to. If anyone's worried about someone's civil liberties being infringed on by an organization requiring some ID then they should take a look at the USCIS website and at what information the immigration department requires. This legislation needs passing and putting into effect immediately.
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Date: 08/29/2004 01:11 AM
From: Jarrod (ugjrod@hotmail.com)
Subject: Boring Game? Outsource It
I gotta say I hate farmers in Final Fantasy XI ("Boring Game? Outsource It," Aug. 24, 2004). They do get in the way and drive game prices up on items such that it gets hard to afford them. The game was much better before this started. Many times you can tell it is just one single person controlling 4 or 5 characters. They are all on autofollow, they all have the exact same gear on and they are all the same class and race. I hope this dies down in FFXI once World of Warcraft and Everquest II comes out. I wish there was a way they could stop these people but I don't think they can or at least they don't try.
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