--- Craig White wrote: > I find it curious that the RIAA, like the credit industry finds the > young adult population worthy of their blood sucking tactics. I > really > think that this is causing cultural harm to America. Whether it is > the > RIAA doing their litigation thing, or the shameful debt load from > despicable student loan practices or what may be the worst of all, > extending credit cards to them even though the credit card companies > know that these students have little capacity to pay. The common > thread > is that all of these industries are aware that the people that are > dealing with have little capacity to pay. > > I guess I'm really feeling pessimistic at the moment...sorry to > intrude > > Craig No, Craig, I think you hit the nail on the head; furthermore, I am living proof of the credit card companies' lending practices as I couldn't get free from debts dating back to my college days until I filed bankruptcy (and on the deadline before the laws changed--whew!). I find it deliciously ironic that the law that made it harder to file bankruptcy not only hurt the companies it was intended to help, but--my memory may not be right here--also contributed a small part to this mortgage crisis as well as bankruptcy is no longer an option for many of these people to save their homes. Now, slowly but surely, this bit of history is repeating itself with the RIAA: their campaign of terror is slowly but surely starting to backfire even as they increase the pressure. Laws like the DMCA are turning out to hurt those who pushed it in unintended ways. Eventually, the mounting anger against the RIAA's (and, to an apparently far lesser extent, the MPAA, though I think their time is coming, too) draconian practices will reach critical mass--though I think a few heads have to change in Washington (including at the unelected levels) before that happens. I mentioned the MPAA: I'm sure everyone on this list is aware of the copyright bit in the ATSC standard. It'll be VERY amusing to watch when, not if, they start using it upon the death of NTSC. The only thing I don't know personally is if DVRs must obey the bit as well: if they do, look out! Ok, I guess that's enough ranting for one night. :) Mike ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss