Sorry about that. But I consider it a good cause. I know, two politics posts in a row is tough, so if you need a breather, I’ll let you know that the Evil League of Evil is now accepting applications. Go think about that for a few minutes, and then come back.
Are you back now? Okay, good. A little cut-and-paste from the folks at Pandora:
Listeners we need your help… NOW!
After a yearlong negotiation, Pandora, artists and record companies are finally optimistic about reaching an agreement on royalties that would save Pandora and Internet radio. But just as we’ve gotten close, large traditional broadcast radio companies have launched a covert lobbying campaign to sabotage our progress.
Yesterday, Congressman Jay Inslee, and several co-sponsors, introduced legislation to give us the extra time we need but the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), which represents radio broadcasters such as Clear Channel, has begun intensively pressuring lawmakers to kill the bill. We have just a day or two to keep this from collapsing.
This is a blatant attempt by large radio companies to suffocate the webcasting industry that is just beginning to offer an alternative to their monopoly of the airwaves.
Please call your Congressperson right now and ask them to support H.R. 7084, the Webcaster Settlement Act of 2008 – and to not capitulate to pressure from the NAB. Congress is currently working extended hours, so even calls this evening and over the weekend should get answered.
The central congressional switchboard number is: (202) 225 3121
Or to look up your representative, visit: https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
If the phone is busy, please try again until you get through. These calls really do make a difference.
This is a fork in the road. Only massive grassroots opposition will keep us from another 50 years of top 40 radio. It’s time to take a stand and break the stranglehold of broadcast media on radio.
Thanks so much for you ongoing support.
Tim
Founder, Pandora
So take a couple minutes out of your day, send an e-mail to your Representative, and pass on the word to other folk.
Also: Woot! implies that all Firefly fans should buy their current product. Well, it’s obviously crazy, wild stories. But maybe…
Semi-related posts:
Serenity in HD? One time only?
You can’t stop the signal. Unless you’re Clear Channel. Then, yeah, stopping the signal is likely. I will still e-mail both the Evil League of Evil and the Even Eviler League of Evil that We Voted For.
Message sent, although I’m wondering what the response will be.
Here’s a section of his site:
“This week’s egregious earmark: $940,000 for the Adler Planetarium’s Space Exploration Center in Chicago, Illinois.
‘Congress continues to Klingon to earmarks,’ said Flake.”