Life On the Wicked Stage: Act 2

Pandora and Web Radio Get Some Breathing Room

Looks like things have worked in favor of Pandora and Web Radio. By a voice vote the US House of Representatives passed a bill that will allow Web Radio outfits to negotiate for lower rates than what had been mandated by Congress last year. Apparently the National Association of Broadcasters who had been lobbying against this bill dropped their opposition, clearing the way for passage. The bill still has to make its way through the US Senate.

Via CNET

Technorati Tags: Pandora,Internet Radio

Bailout Deal Nigh, but Republicans Still Not Happy

Turning on the news this morning, it looks like there is a deal afoot on the great bailout to cure the financial sector’s Fail Whale. But it also appears some Republicans are not happy with the terms. I’m listening to Scott Jarret of New Jersey on the tube say he won’t vote for the deal. High stakes all around,and I can’t say I understand the ins and outs because they aren’t clear yet, but what I’m hearing and reading make it appear (stress appear) that there might be some guarantees for taxpayers who are now going to become investors in this entire mess. Again, it is early, so who knows. The politics of this are equally murky as everyone is looking to score. I doubt this is over, but we’ll have to see.

Technorati Tags: Financial Bailout

JetPacking Over the English Channel

Yves Rossy took a trip over the English Channel the other day. What makes it news is that he did so with a jetpack strapped to his back. I’m sure we’ll be hearing lots more about this. In fact, I look for these to be in production soon.

Via MSNBC

Technorati Tags: Yves Rossy,Jetpack,English Channel

While The Economy Fails, Meanwhile…

It can be dangerous when Congress stays in session to solve a crisis. Those not on the teams working there, continue to work on other things. While all the focus on what’s going on in Washington has to do with the financial meltdown and the efforts to try and stop the melting, other things are going on while Congress is still in session. Some of which are mundane, but others that have far reaching impact on tech, the Internet, and entertainment.

Pandora is begging for help because a bill that would effectively support the ludicrous rise in royalties that Pandora and other Internet Radio providers would have to pay looks like it is going to go through. I’ve written about this before, and it looks like the bad guys are going to win this one. There are some interesting allies here though. The RIAA and the National Association of Broadcasters are both in favor of this bill. The RIAA because it needs money to pay its shark tank full of lawyers and the NAB because they are afraid of the competition. What’s intriguing here, is that the RIAA is turning its gaze on the the NAB business model slowly but surely.

Also, Congress is about to pass a bill that will create a Copyright Czar in the Executive Branch, although efforts succeeded in stripping out a provision that would have made the Justice Department go after offenders, then giving the winnings to the copyright holders. All kinds of mixed up stuff and alliances here, as the White House isn’t taking too kindly to having Congress usurp its prerogatives. I have to love this quote from the US Chamber of Commerce though: a win for both parties and, more importantly, for America's innovators, workers whose jobs rely on intellectual property, and consumers who depend on safe and effective products.

The translation of that simply means that without this bill, the RIAA would have to reduce the number of lawyers on retainer. The innovation they are talking about, is the creative way they keep coming up with to sue those they deem guilty.

Technorati Tags: RIAA,NAB,Copyright Czar,Congress

Mickeleh’s Banners Flying High

I’m enjoying the political blogging of quite a few folks during this Silly Season, that seems to be turning sillier, and yet potentially more dangerous by the moment. Although I can’t participate on the NewsGang Live podcasts that often, because of my schedule, I really enjoy the podcasts when I get a chance to listen. But I also enjoy quite a few of the Newsganger’s blogging, )as well as their microblogging) including Karoli, Francine Hardaway, Cliff Gerrish, and Mickeleh, among others.

Lately Mickeleh has been on a political banner kick that never fails to crack me up. He creates McCain/Palin (or is that Palin/McCain) banners featuring some of the current hot points and they are usually spot on, and always worth a chuckle.

Here are a few of my recent favorites.

Technorati Tags: Politics,McCain,Palin,NewsGang Live

Paul Newman, RIP

Sad news. Paul Newman was one of the great ones and they don’t make them that way anymore. He passed away Friday from a battle with cancer at the age of 83. In addition to his incredible performing career, he and his wife Joanne Woodward were great supporters of the arts.

.

Via MSNBC

Technorati Tags: Paul Newman

Obama Loses Because Neither Candidate Can Claim Victory in Debate

Neither Barack Obama or John McCain can make a claim that they won the debate tonight. Consequently, McCain wins as they both lose. Obama had several chances to put McCain away and didn’t pull the trigger. McCain just kept playing the same old game he’s been playing forever. Unfortunately since Obama chose not to engage, it was enough.

Curious points.

• An opportunity to talk at each other, neither wanted to play that game, forcing Jim Lehrer to chide them.
• Lehrer let both of them repeat points over and over. Should have called both of them on that. Poor performance by Lehrer.
• This was no street fight. This was a pillow fight, both on tiptoes.
• McCain might be rough and tough, but he refused to look Obama in they eye.

Opportunity lost. What a shame.

Obama Needs To Win, Not Place or Show

About a quarter hour to the first debate in this year’s Presidential Follies. My expectations are simple. Obama has to win, not place, or show. He’s got to come out swinging and show us how he can lead. After the last 10 days or so, when the Alaska Empress has shown us just how naked she really is, and how McCain has performed some of the most amazingly dunderheaded moves in a political campaign I’ve seen in my lifetime, if Barack Obama doesn’t wipe the floor with McCain tonight, I’m not sure he deserves to win. Not that I want to see the alternative. I don’t. That would be a mistake of gigantic proportions.

But Obama has been playing defense for too long and has lost his shine.

Time to pump it up.

Sarah Palin says Hi, Neighbor

And visions of Putin Plums danced in here head.

 

Via Thinking on the Margin

Technorati Tags: Sarah Palin,John McCain,politics,Barack Obama

Premature Political Obfuscation

I’m suspending this campaign. Let’s postpone the debate. I’m going to debate. I won!

If ever there was a evidence that John McCain’s campaign is a ship without a rudder, this is it. Apparently someone goofed and let slip this Internet ad a tad early. Like before McCain decided he was going to do the debate after all.

Dewey vs. Truman? Nah. Dewey vs. Daffy. Duck.

 

Via Crooks and Liars.

Technorati Tags: John McCain,politics,Barack Obama