You are what you drink
 

I cannot think of a more reliable indicator that someone is Not Gay. I think they send a repo man after your toaster if you order a white zin.

You are what you drink
 

No, no, no. White Zin is what they drink before they get the toaster. You know, before someone gives you the Manual.

House Hunting
 

This house is fucking cool !!

You are what you drink
 

I'm sorry, but NO gay man drinks White Zinfandel. Trust me on that.

Edited to say: Sorry Atticus. I should read before posting.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

27 July 2003. Citing lackluster results in its aggressive Subpoena-the-Family campaign, The Recording Industry Assocation of America, or RIAA, announced today it was escalating the war against music file sharing even higher by opening its massive detention facility in the high desert of Movaje, CA. The facility, designed to indefinitely detain up to three million people suspected of illegally or even legally sharing music files on the Internet, consumes 4,000 acres of the desert region some 70 miles north of Los Angeles.

"Our goal is to eliminate the threat these thieves represent to our industry," said RIAA President Cary Sherman. "We don't care if the person is eight, eighteen, or eighty or unaware of the law. If we catch 'em sharing files, we're sending them to jail. Not just any jail. Our jail. We don't even care if they're legally sharing their own personal music files with a family member. We don't care if they're simply transferring their own peronal music from their desktop machine to their iPod. If we catch 'em doing it, we'll be there to take them away. But let me be perfectly clear: even if we don't catch 'em doing it, we'll be there to take them away if we so much as suspect they're sharing files, or might like to one day."

Human rights advocates and the ACLU are criticizing both the RIAA for opening the facilily and the Justice Department for not stepping in to stop the RIAA from proceeding. "What the RIAA is doing is patently unconstitutional," said Anthony Romero, ACLU's Executive Director. "We will not stop until these people are freed and this facility is shut down forever."

"Try anything and we'll lock you up as well," countered Sherman, when asked about the threats of lawsuits from the ACLU. "We mean business. Anyone trying to free our detainees will be considered criminals as well, and will be sent to the facility with no plans for release."

Asked how the RIAA was able to afford to provide food, clothing, and medical care for up to three million detainees, he told reporters: "We can't. But hey, they knew the risks. We assume these criminals bring their own food, clothing, and medicine with them. They're on their own."

Children, parents, and the elderly are not the only ones being rounded up for incarceration at the facility. Several well-known industry figures are already being detained as well, including Ann Winblad, co-founder of a venture capital firm which invested heavily in Napster; Larry Lessig, a Stanford Law professor who was captured by RIAA stormtroopers right in the middle of a speech he was giving at a recent O'Reilly technology conference; and Michael Robertson, founder of MP3.com, who is not even active in the digital music world anymore, having gone off to launch a Linux software company. "Robertson we nailed just on general principles," said Sherman.

Ellen Murray, head of Mothers Against the RIAA (MARIAA), was herself captured and brought to the facility. "Murray was a target of opportunity," Sherman said. "Go up against us, go to jail."

Residents of Mojave and the surrounding area are also outraged, citing claims from the RIAA that opening of the facility would mean more jobs and economic activity for the area. So far, that hasn't happened, town officials argue. "We were sold a bill of goods, and the RIAA has let us down," said one official who refused to be identified for fear of being sent to the facility for criticizing the RIAA.

Asked about the legality, indeed the morality, of this new detention facility and the mass capture of music enthusiasts now underway, Sherman was unapologetic. "These are not nice people," he said. "Several have publicly stated here their intent to copy a music file before they leave Mojave. We will not give them that satisfaction."

House Hunting
 

Holy shit. That is insane.

I'm not sure why you'd want to have "one of the few working computers" after a nuclear attack. Who exactly would you communicate with? That's like being the only guy with a working telephone.

But I do love the 1000-pound cement door that appears to be between the pantry and a bathroom. I guess that's where you go for a really nasty dump.

House Hunting
 

Though a concept bizzare to most FBers, I've heard that computers are occasionally used for purposes other than Internet communication.

Gatti(frankly, I've forgotten about those other uses myself, but that's what I've heard)gap

House Hunting
 

"The Subterranean Fortress is for someone who wishes to live just like everyone else, with all the comforts of a normal civilian neighborhood community, while at the same time, is secretly prepared for the worst disaster without having to leave the home. "

This is amazing. And the price is quite reasonable for a subterranian fortress. Could you imagine being a kid and growing up in that sort of house? The possibilities for playing would be endless.

You are what you drink
 

I'm struggling with the new vernacular, but I read your comments as "Thrasher Fan's joke should have ended with "he's gay, and wants to get laid"", and, the White Zin works.

meanwhile
 

I heard this on the car radio news yesterday, and at first I thought they were talking about bicycles (TDF on the brain I guess) -- and I thought, DAMN!, that sounds painful -- and downright unsanitary to boot!

But then I found out they were talking about motorcycles, and it all made sense.

House Hunting
 

I would start a new game of Civilization. By the time I finished, it should be safe to leave the bunker.

House Hunting
 

Yeah, you might want to write a letter on your word processing program that you can't send. Or balance your checkbook for your account that no longer exists. Or just sit and master every computer game ever invented, so you can holdthe record for every one of them into eternity.

FB Music Club
 

Forgive me, but the "how far would he make it on American Idol" test does not hold a lot of water for me in determining which rock stars are going to get a portion of my healthy CD-purchasing budget.

House Hunting
 

Yeah, but only a tool like you would continue writing a brief after the bombs drop.

Though I suppose a game of Hitman or SimCity might cheer up the post-apocalyptic soul.

FB Music Club
 

To be fair, it's not mine either. But on the "would I rather listen to a CD of cackling hyenas for an hour instead and does he repulse me more than Jack Nicholson" test, Mick Jagger doesn't fare so well anyhow.

Speaking of whom, JN's latest babe is apparently Amanda Peet. Gross (them as a couple, not Amanda Peet).

House Hunting
 

Although perhaps gattigap really means is "thank god our associates will be able to keep billing even during a nuclear winter."

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

I'm curious -- what do people think about the "sue-the-customer" approach of the RIAA? I've been reading the press articles about it for awhile now.....

Personally, I have no sympathy for people who get sued for stealing music. Especially non-sympathy inducing was a quote I read today, from parents of some kid sued for his downloading, to the effect of "if only they'd sent us a letter telling us it was wrong." People unclear on the concept.... the kid didn't post his name and address with his kazaa moniker, and did they really need a personal letter to figure out this was wrong after all the warnings the RIAA gave in the press and elsewhere?

I do approximately zero recording industry work, but have some friends who do a fair amount, and it does seem like online piracy has become a huge financial drain to the industry. Yeah, I know -- CDs are too expensive, you need to buy a crappy album to get one good song, yadda yadda yadda.... but really, so what? It doesn't justify what anyone with the brain to use a computer knows is illegal.

But perhaps I'm being too harsh...... I'd like to hear the opposite view.

Sidd(jesus, I'm getting as old and crotchety as Bilmore)Finch

House Hunting
 

You do know they are up to SimCity 4 and Hitman 2, don't you?

<--- computer geek

House Hunting
 

Very perceptive, Burger.

You know how many billing units you can fit into that underground lair? Setting aside file space (in those concrete pipes, perhaps), the leverage would be impressive indeed.

Get me a white suit and a shaved cat, and I'm all set.

House Hunting
 

Good point. But then they'd expect us to maintain their salaries, and who would pay the bills?


Sidd("It's a nuclear holocaust. Take a day off.")Finch

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

If they're not paying for the music, they're not customers.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Amen.

The correct response to overpricing is to not purchase. If BMWs are too high, I don't steal one from the dealer - I buy something else. If I have to buy seven Neons in order to get one Corvette, I forego the Corvette. This idea that there is some moral justification for ripping off music just because we can is absurd.

(P.S. I do it too. I don't have any defense for myself in doing so. But, I just know it ain't right.)

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Sorry. When I solicited people's thoughts on this, I probably should have specified that Timmys Need Not Respond.



Edited to add: Timmy!!!

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

There was more to the post than timmism (thank you for getting it Bilmore; I now don't have to go into a paigowesque diatribe explaining how my comment was too smart for all the FB commoners). I'm not troubled by stores prosecuting shoplifters, even though they could be "customers." I don't see a significant difference between that and pursuing purveyors of "free" music.

Or were you looking for a good argument to justify your collection of 4000 mp3s that you downloaded for free?

edited to add parenthetical

Ultimate
 

For the love of Pete! The two (or three or four) are not mutually exclusive. I'm starting to believe you never even met her fucked up grandparents.

TM

Ultimate
 

Hmm, good point. Now I know what FB really stands for.

Dear RIAA,

You didn't give me a subpoena, and my good Christian conscience can't let this go unnoticed, but over the last few months I have downloaded approximatley 110 copywritten songs from Kazaa Lite. Among them are an acoustic version of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn," Queen's "Somebody to Love," and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline." I know this has hurt the earnings of all artist's involved, damaged the monthly sales of Tower Records, and undercut the integrity of the music industy as a whole. For this I am sorry. Please throw me in jail before I kill again.

Sincerely,

bilmore

P.S.
Oh...I also downloaded "Magic Stick" by Lil' Kim featuring 50 Cent. I'm sorry for that, too.


(I even stole the text of this letter)

Ultimate
 

"Frequently Bipolar".

The only truly offensive part of your post lies in labeling my conscience "christian".

Ultimate
 

For FB, yes, but for fb, it's f(ucking)b(itch). Now that I'm ltl/fb it could be (That l)it(tl)e/f(ucking)b(itch), except, we might be wanting to insult me for being fat and then the "little" would be a misnomer.

That's ok. Plagiarism is in.

FB Music Club
 

Is it just me or is he looking more and more like Don Knotts with each passing year.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Apropos of this, Corvettes are the apex of white trashness (white trashocity?)

"I'm fine-ly movin' up from ma Firebird, Cletus!"

Edited to add that I would, however, pay good money for the Trans Am Billy Madison drives. But I would have to be wearing his REO Speedwagon 3/4 length t-shirt while driving it.

Seriously, I want that Speedwagon shirt.

House Hunting
 

While there are several on the FB who would gladly provide you with the Brazilian Persian, we cannot in good conscience let you wear a white suit. WAAAAAAY too International Male for you.

http://www.internationalmale.com/Han...ges/i893ux.jpg

Whatever happened to TIM, anyway?

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Geez, next time I'll add a smiley-face so you (and Paigow) understand that I'm responding to a joke with a joke.

I agree with your shoplifter comparison. I guess I'm just at a loss to understand why people seem to find it so shocking that the RIAA might want to enforce the rights of music copyright holders -- even to the point of suing consumers, as a last resort. I s'pose a board of lawyers is not the best place to gain an understanding of what the people complaining about this are thinking.

FB Music Club
 

Are you saying that current fat aged Jack is nasty, or do you mean Jack through the ages?

If you mean Jack through the ages has always been nasty, you're fucking nuts. Hell, I'd fuck Jack circa Easy Rider and Five Easy Pieces.

Amanda peet was hot as balls until she took her shirt off in the Whole Nine Yards. Her boobs were not becoming a woman with a face that gorgeous.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Well, if one thought one was morally right, then one could become outraged at being prosecuted. It's the same thinking process that expresses outrage at the prosecution of any act that is generally immoral but situational moral (at least arguably) -- the poor man stealing bread to eat; the battered wife killing her husband.

If one genuinely believes that downloading music is a morally justifiable response to record companies' refusal to price music "affordably"/"reasonably" and/or package it song by song, or that sharing through napster/kazaa is no different than sending your girlfriend a mixed tape, then sure, you'll be indignant that someone is prosecuting you for "innocent" conduct.

"But officer, I was only 10 mph over the limit; it's not like I'm an ax murderer"


and just to soften things up :D :D

and one for paigow: :rolleyes:

more shocking than Bob Hope's death
 

There's something like a Pride Circuit in America. A lot of vendors go from parade to parade peddling their wares. Some go from parade to parade peddling... something else. If you sell rainbow keychains for a living, you'd better set up a booth at every Pride parade.

They used to set up a bunch of vendor booths right outside Hastings during Pride weekend. (Maybe they still do.) You can get almost anything with a rainbow on it. The larger question is, why would you want to?

I had a friend who went to Santa Cruz back in the early 90's. Apparently, one sorority girl saw a vendor selling a rainbow keychain and bought one, thinking it was cute. All of her sisters thought it was cute too, so they bought them. Even some fraternity guys bought them until they figured out the significance of the rainbow.

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Yo, Burger meister, you're going to have trouble with this one. I'm afraid that repackaging for distribution thing is really much more serious than a little downloading for personal use. Yet you have no problems with it...


:eek:

And One Last Shocking News Item
 

Stealing music isn't wrong until you make up for all the times you've been ripped off by record companies. I can steal $20K more of music and still be morally in the clear.