Wednesday - June 27, 2012
‘guilty until proven innocent’
I don’t know if this is just my own knee jerk reaction or not. Of course I can’t know about you readers out there but, personally I’m against this.
I think there could be times when someone may download something and not be aware. I can’t offhand think of any examples, but the idea that you’re automatically guilty and must then pay to prove otherwise seems to me to be unfair in the extreme.
The recording and movie industry constantly make the claim of losses in gazillions, okay maybe only millions, but I am not sympathetic to them.
It isn’t that I approve of theft. But I can tell you with certainty because I have worked in one and been close to another, the entertainment industry and most especially the motion picture industry, probably lose more to union jobs that do not exist, then they do to this piracy thing.
I realize they lose much in the piracy committed by criminal gangs and people in places like China and I understand India as well. Or so I’ve heard.
I have heard figures in the millions they say, by ordinary folks who simply download something from YouTube and other sources.
Well, when they find a way to curb the waste I know went on in the past and so think it still does, and when they quite literally can no longer afford the multi,multi millions they pay the “stars” which all result in overblown ticket prices, maybe then I’d feel like saying awe. Poor you. I feel your pain.
I no longer go to movies. If we had a TV I am sure we’d be happy to buy DVDs or rent movies we want to see. So this more then likely would not have any affect
on us. I am quite happy with You Tube and on the odd occasion, BBC catch up service via computer. But I still see this as wrong and unfair, unless someone can point out the error in my thinking and point me in another direction.
Guilty until proven innocent: Families will have to pay £20 to show they DIDN’T illegally download music under new law* Regime designed to stamp out internet piracy will treat individuals as ‘guilty until proven innocent’
* People wrongly accused of making illegal downloads will have to pay £20 fee to appeal and prove their innocence
* Move has angered consumer groups
By SEAN POULTER
Internet users who illegally download music, movies and e-books will be sent warning letters in a crackdown that could lead to court action for copyright theft.
A new regime to tackle online piracy will in effect treat individuals as ‘guilty until proven innocent’.
Those wrongly accused of illegal downloading will have to pay a £20 fee to appeal in a move that has angered consumer groups.
The same Act includes punishments that could, in future, see accused families having their internet service slowed down, capped or even cut off.
An industry code will require large internet service providers (ISPs) such as BT, Virgin, Sky and TalkTalk to send warning letters to families suspected by entertainment firms of illegally downloading or uploading copyright material.
If a customer gets three letters or more within a year, copyright holders such as movie and music companies will have a right to ask for details of the material involved.
These companies will then be able to apply for a court order requiring the ISP to reveal the customer’s name and address.
The information would be used to pursue the person involved through the civil courts for damages.
However, there are concerns that innocent internet users, for example those whose wireless connections are hijacked by a neighbour or criminal, will be caught up in the new regime.
Those sent a warning letter will be assumed guilty unless they can prove their innocence after paying a £20 fee to appeal to an Ofcom body.
MOST PIRATED MOVIES OF 2011
Fast Five – 9.2million downloads
The Hangover II – 8.8million downloads
Thor – 8.3million downloads
Source Code – 7.9million downloads
I Am Number Four – 7.6million downloads
Sucker Punch – 7.2million downloads
127 Hours – 6.9million downloads
Rango – 6.4million downloads
The King’s Speech – 6.2million downloads
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 – 6million downloads
Mike O’Connor, of the customer body Consumer Focus, said: ‘Copyright infringement is not to be condoned, but people who are innocent should not have to pay a fee to challenge accusations. It could deter those living on low incomes from challenging unfair allegations.’
If the new system does not stop piracy, ministers will be able to go back to Parliament to enact rules in the Digital Economy Act that could see households having their internet service cut off.
‘The ability to appeal is therefore critical to ensure consumers who have done nothing wrong are not deprived of internet access further down the line,’ said Mr O’Connor.
Creative industries minister Ed Vaizey said entertainment firms had to be able to ‘protect their investment’, adding: ‘The Digital Economy Act is an important part of protecting our creative industries against unlawful activity.’
Ofcom’s Claudio Pollack said: ‘Ofcom will oversee a fair appeals process, and also ensure that rights holders’ investigations under the code are rigorous and transparent.’
Posted by peiper
on 06/27/2012 at 06:12 AM
Filed Under: • Hollywood • Inflation and High Prices • Judges-Courts-Lawyers • MOVIES • Music •
• Comments (3)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Saturday - June 16, 2012
Afternoon Bluegrass Break
Posted by Drew458
on 06/16/2012 at 06:45 PM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (0)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Wednesday - May 30, 2012
Less Music In The World Today
Bluegrass guitarist Doc Watson has died. He was 89.
h/t to stoaty the woozle
Doc Watson was widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists and singers the American folk tradition has ever produced, a master not only of bluegrass flat-picking but also of alternating-bass finger-picking styles.
He died on May 29, 2012, at 89.
Mr Watson, who was blind, won seven Grammy Awards and was presented the National Medal of the Arts for his contributions to American Music. Among his hits are “Deep River Blues” and “Windy and Warm.”
Mr. Watson was born in the small hamlet of Deep Gap, N.C. He lost his sight to an illness before he turned a year old. He learned to play the harmonica at 5 and a homemade banjo at 11.
For much of his career, Mr. Watson toured and recorded with his son, Merle Watson, who died in a tractor accident in 1985.
Mr. Watson founded Merlefest, an annual gathering of folk musicians in Wilkesboro, N.C., in honor of his son.
Posted by Drew458
on 05/30/2012 at 12:59 PM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (1)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Monday - April 02, 2012
afternoon dance break
Everybody Polka!!
I’m beginning to love hurdy gurdys almost as much as I love bagpipes. And I’m happy to learn that they’ve made their way into modern popular music ... well, if you define “modern popular music” as “celtic death metal folk music sung in an extinct language”. No, I couldn’t make that one up if I wanted to. Celtic death metal. It’s a big world, and there’s a corner in it for everything. Even celtic death metal, unplugged.
Posted by Drew458
on 04/02/2012 at 03:41 PM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (0)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Friday - February 24, 2012
Euphonious NASA Punk
Dragging up the Big 80s sound on a wet and chilly February day.
Surprise, it’s in German! Peter Schiller is still cranking away, playing the same song nearly 30 years on. This video is from 2010. Besides, you already know the words in English. It’s in your head, somewhere.
Friggin’ ScrewTube, won’t let any original studio vids play remotely, even though it gives you the embed code. Another part of Google’s growing digital monopoly.
The original English studio version is here.
h/t to sometimes reader Tara, who sends me links to the cutest baby pictures.
Posted by Drew458
on 02/24/2012 at 02:34 PM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (0)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Friday - December 23, 2011
The music of Steve Mcdonald
Dedicated to peiper, who might appreciate the music and historical background.
My most recent music discovery: The works of Steve McDonald. Here’s a sample from YouTube:
I have four of his albums:
Highland Farewell
Legend
Sons of Somerled
Stone of Destiny
They are all good.
Posted by Christopher
on 12/23/2011 at 11:37 AM
Filed Under: • History • Music •
• Comments (15)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Tuesday - December 06, 2011
It’s the little things that matter sometimes
One of the things I like best about country music is the relate-ability of the lyrics. Down to earth. You’ve been there too, done that, and then left the t-shirt somewhere by accident.
Here’s a post-breakup song by Kristen Chenoweth. A happy tune about a sad situation. But it’s still a fun little number ...
This video was done on a hand-held by someone would couldn’t hold still, so the camera work SUX, but the vocals come through nicely. Stupid YouTube and Vevo block their studio quality cover of the song, even though the embed code is still active. What up with that? It’s not like they’re making money off of YouTube, are they?
Well he liked the toilet seat up
But I didn’t
He thought I should be a C cup
And I didn’t
What finally tore our love apart
Was a matter of religion
He thought he was God
And I didn’t
Can’t get much more down to earth than that, can you? 
Kristen is one amazingly talented woman. Comedienne, TV and film actress, Broadway star, singer, dancer, calendar girl, Tony and Emmy award winner ... she’s a high energy all-around entertainer in the old school mold with enough personality for 10 women. And she’s got a really big voice. Ok, she sounds a little like a chipmunk, but then so does Dolly Parton and that hasn’t hurt her career one jot either.
Posted by Drew458
on 12/06/2011 at 10:38 AM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (0)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Friday - December 02, 2011
Sunlight On The Lino
If this bouncy little tune can’t get you boppin’ and shakin’ your ponytail, then you’re probably dead. Or bald. Very Cool for Cats.
And lo and behold, Squeeze is still in business, still plucking out the tunes 33 years later. Who knew?
Posted by Drew458
on 12/02/2011 at 10:50 AM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (2)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Thursday - October 27, 2011
Monster Ballads
Poking around once again on Ricochet.com. This one is from the ‘member feed’, ie, you have to be a member to get there. I’d long ago given up on music. Everything seemed to be vulgar ‘hip hop’, ‘cop killer’, rape the whore/slut/sister. No one could sing, so they ‘rapped’. Couldn’t play an instrument so they did a heavy bass drum beat. Anyone can do that. So I’ve just been listening to the classics: Simon & Garfunkel, Mozart, etc, for the last twenty years.
So I was jazzed when somebody on Ricochet posted this video of Josh Ritter. I’ll be looking for him next time I’m at my favorite music store…
The music industry claims they’re losing money due to internet piracy. I claim they’re losing money because they publish trash like ‘rap’, ‘hip hop’, etc. This guy is good! But I have a problem: my favorite music store went out of business for lack of music. (sigh)
Posted by Christopher
on 10/27/2011 at 09:21 AM
Filed Under: • CULTURE IN DECLINE • Editorials • Music •
• Comments (6)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Sunday - July 03, 2011
Soggy Sunday
Stole this from Theo’s
So of course this tune came bubbling up out of my memory, a good old tune that gets me going even better than a third cup of espresso.
Lowell George; what a talent. Died so young. Drugs are bad, m’kay?
Little Feet was another band that IMO couldn’t record a video or cut a decent sounding album to save their lives, but sounded awesome in concert. Days long gone by. Long, long gone by.
Phish captures the live vibe pretty well in their cover which is no surprise given the intense Dead influence on that band. Plus advances in technology of course.
Posted by Drew458
on 07/03/2011 at 08:54 AM
Filed Under: • Music •
• Comments (3)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Wednesday - June 01, 2011
A honey of a problem
Bee swarm shuts down corner in New York City’s Little Italy district. Who knew the NYPD had their own beekeeper?
A giant swarm of bees covered a mailbox on a Little Italy street corner Tuesday, closing down the sidewalk for hours and drawing dozens of curious onlookers.
Thousands of bees attached to the side of a mailbox at the corner of Mulberry and Grand Streets around noon Tuesday, forcing police to close off a portion of the sidewalk and keep an eye on things until the bees could be safely removed.
“It’s like a movie scene. It’s pretty cool.” said Mike Costabile, 25, who works nearby and was out getting coffee when he noticed the swarm. “I kind of wish there were more.”
The mailbox, located in front of the Italian-American Museum at 155 Mulberry Street, was hard to make out under the blanket of bees covering almost one entire side. The museum was closed at the time. It did not appear that anyone had been hurt by the swarm.
An NYPD-sanctioned beekeeper arrived about 3:30 p.m., working with another local beekeeper to carefully herd the thousands of bees into separate containers.
“This is one of the largest [swarms] I’ve seen,” said Elie Miodownik, of the New York City Beekeepers Association, who estimated the swarm at about 15,000 bees.
He arrived at the scene wearing full beekeeping gear after getting a call about the incident, and joined the NYPD beekeeper in corralling the insects after locating the queen bee.
Once the queen was identified and removed, the two scooped thousands of bees off the mailbox to be brought to other hives in Queens.
Looks like another sting operation successfully completed by the NYPD.
Posted by Drew458
on 06/01/2011 at 11:56 AM
Filed Under: • Fun-Stuff • Music •
• Comments (1)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Wednesday - May 18, 2011
A remake almost as good as the original
Watch it now before it disappears. The Israeli music group Fishman and the Pioneers recast their Yalla Ya Nasrallah tune from a couple of years ago. This time they did it for dear old Osama. The graphics aren’t quite as good as the first one, but it’s still a great tune. It’s a rush job, but timeliness matters more sometimes. The original Yalla Ya Nasrallah video was pulled from YouTube for “violations of terms of service” but can still be found on Google Video.
Stolen from Jewlicious, a decidedly pro-Israel blog, who aren’t quite wetting themselves with laughter over the news coming out about Osama’s porn stash, but they sure are having a good snicker. Goats Gone Wild!
In public, bin Laden is the pious, self-proclaimed vanguard of a violent Islamic uprising. Alone in his compound, he’s beating it like it owes him cash.
PS - that girl on the train at 1:42 looks familiar, doesn’t she?
Posted by Drew458
on 05/18/2011 at 10:33 AM
Filed Under: • Fun-Stuff • Music • War On Terror •
• Comments (2)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Tuesday - May 17, 2011
Expand Your Horizons
If you were an Australian guy in his late teens to early 20s, this girl would probably be one of the ladies who helped imprint your heterosexuality. She’s the pretty girl you’ve grown up with. Indiana Evans has been doing commercials and TV shows Down Under since she was a little kid, and now she’s got a slew of pop music videos out there as well, which are a bit unusual in that they all seem to be barely a minute long. And a short film or two. Right now I think she’s the lead in a teener show called H2O: Just Add Water, in which she plays an ordinary teenage girl who is also a part time mermaid with magical powers. And a rock star. Because life isn’t complex enough when you’re 17. I think. Hey, what do I know about Aussie TV? Hannah Montana with a Splash. She turns 21 this summer.
And here she does a pretty decent 54 second rocker on her show. Guess they ran out of lyrics or something.
Posted by Drew458
on 05/17/2011 at 11:59 AM
Filed Under: • Eye-Candy • Music •
• Comments (0)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Monday - February 21, 2011
Czech It Out
I get all kinds of unusual emails here at BMEWS. A few weeks back I got a letter from this punk rock group in the Czech Republic. “We really like your graphic. Can we use it for our new album?” Sure, I replied, but most of the graphics at BMEWS are borrowed from somewhere else, so try and find the original owner and get their permission.
Today they write back again and send links, and point out that I got credit on the back of the CD cover. Awesome! BMEWS goes multinational! So I check out his link. And I find
This graphic started showing up about 3 years ago. But I didn’t draw it. The above punk band, Laxní Přístup ( which means LAX access ), does give credit on their album liner to “Angry Mobs”. So they’re trying. But the artist is actually one Peter Clarke, who also does photography. He has a page over at Deviant Art and drew “Angry Mob” almost 4 years ago to the day, as part of his collection of doodles called “Little People”.
I don’t have a clue what the guys in Laxní Přístup are singing about. They have a home page where you can download their album for free, including the graphics. Those are also up online, with the lyrics. So at least they aren’t making money off of Clarke’s creation ... though I have seen T-shirts for sale with variations of that image on them elsewhere. Their album, Kdo s Koho?, translates as Who was Who?. It’s pure punk, with a lean towards heavy metal. I like track 2 the best, Doba Temna, which translates as Time of Darkness. Several other songs show decent potential ... but I’m not really into post-millennial punk.
Posted by Drew458
on 02/21/2011 at 12:44 PM
Filed Under: • Art-Photography • Music •
• Comments (3)
•
Trackbacks(0)
Permalink • Five Most Recent Trackbacks:
Once Again, The One And Only Post
(4 total trackbacks)
Tracked at iHaan.org
Thｅ advantage to having a guide with you is thɑt an expert will haѵe very first hand experience dealing and navigating the river with гegional wildlife. Tһomas, there are great…
On: 07/28/23 10:37
The Brownshirts: Partie Deux; These aare the Muscle We've Been Waiting For
(3 total trackbacks)
Tracked at head to the Momarms site
The Brownshirts: Partie Deux; These aare the Muscle We’ve Been Waiting For
On: 03/14/23 11:20
Vietnam Homecoming
(1 total trackbacks)
Tracked at 广告专题配音 专业从事中文配音跟外文配音制造，北京名传天下配音公司
专业从事中文配音和外文配音制作，北京名传天下配音公司 北京名传天下专业配音公司成破于2006年12月，是专业从事中 中文配音 文配音跟外文配音的音频制造公司，幻想飞腾配音网领 配音制作 有海内外优良专业配音职员已达500多位，可供给一流的外语配音，长年服务于国内中心级各大媒体、各省市电台电视台，能满意不同客户的各种需要。电话：010-83265555 北京名传天下专业配音公司…
On: 03/20/21 07:00
meaningless marching orders for a thousand travellers ... strife ahead ..
(1 total trackbacks)
Tracked at Casual Blog
[...] RTS. IF ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS CONSTRUED AS BEING CONTRARY TO THE LAWS APPL [...]
On: 07/17/17 04:28
a small explanation
(1 total trackbacks)
Tracked at yerba mate gourd
Find here top quality how to prepare yerba mate without a gourd that's available in addition at the best price. Get it now!
On: 07/09/17 03:07
DISCLAIMER
THE SERVICES AND MATERIALS ON THIS WEBSITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" AND THE HOSTS OF THIS SITE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF SATISFACTORY QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WITH RESPECT TO THE SERVICE OR ANY MATERIALS.
Not that very many people ever read this far down, but this blog was the creation of Allan Kelly and his friend Vilmar. Vilmar moved on to his own blog some time ago, and Allan ran this place alone until his sudden and unexpected death partway through 2006. We all miss him. A lot. Even though he is gone this site will always still be more than a little bit his. We who are left to carry on the BMEWS tradition owe him a great debt of gratitude, and we hope to be able to pay that back by following his last advice to us all:
It's been a long strange trip without you Skipper, but thanks for pointing us in the right direction and giving us a swift kick in the behind to get us going. Keep lookin' down on us, will ya? Thanks.
- Keep a firm grasp of Right and Wrong
- Stay involved with government on every level and don't let those bastards get away with a thing
- Use every legal means to defend yourself in the event of real internal trouble, and, most importantly:
- Keep talking to each other, whether here or elsewhere
THE INFORMATION AND OTHER CONTENTS OF THIS WEBSITE ARE DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THIS WEBSITE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND ALL PARTIES IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE AMERICAN COURTS. IF ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE IS CONSTRUED AS BEING CONTRARY TO THE LAWS APPLICABLE IN ANY OTHER COUNTRY, THEN THIS WEBSITE IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ACCESSED BY PERSONS FROM THAT COUNTRY AND ANY PERSONS WHO ARE SUBJECT TO SUCH LAWS SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED TO USE OUR SERVICES UNLESS THEY CAN SATISFY US THAT SUCH USE WOULD BE LAWFUL.
Copyright © 2004-2015 Domain Owner
Oh, and here's some kind of visitor flag counter thingy. Hey, all the cool blogs have one, so I should too. The Visitors Online thingy up at the top doesn't count anything, but it looks neat. It had better, since I paid actual money for it.
RSS 2.0 
Atom 
