GOP staffer chosen to head RIAA

[arcos]

GOP staffer chosen to head RIAA

The Recording Industry Association of America has tapped a former Republican Senate staffer to replace Hilary Rosen as chief executive, firming up the group's leadership during one of the most controversial moments in its history.

The big record labels' trade group said Monday that Mitch Bainwol, former chief of staff to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, will replace Rosen at the RIAA's helm. Rosen left the group several months ago, after announcing her planned departure in January.

Although Bainwol has little experience inside the music industry, he brings deep connections to the Republican Party, something the RIAA has largely lacked under Rosen's leadership.

<snip>

http://news.com.com/2100-1027_3-5056299.html

[AntiCoup2K4]

1. New RIAA threat to downloaders!

"If you download music, we will kill your cats!!"

As if there was any doubt the RIAA was a corporate fascist entity?

[catzies]

6. Please, think of the kittens!

First it was masturbation, now downloading!

[DieboldMustDie]

8. I thought it was...

Every time you masturbate, Bill Frist kills a kitten. :evilgrin:

[otohara]

2. My, My How Things Have Changed

I used to work in the biz, years ago, when it was booming and everyone was doing cocaine. I did not know one single person who was conservative, or voted republican.

How sad this business, who deals with artists who are mostly raging, radical liberals, have the New RIAA to represent thier interests. I completely disagree with the statement abut Hillary Rosen, I always considered her a wing-nut.

[arcos]

10. I believe she is a Democrat...

Her partner is Elizabeth Birch, head of the Human Rights Campaign. I believe they are both donors to the Democratic Party.

Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong since I'm not 100% sure.

[arcos]

11. Just checked: Yes she is Democrat!

<snip>

"Rosen uses her influence after hours, too. As a donor to the Democratic Party, she hosted a Girl Power Lunch last year to honor Al Gore's campaign manager, Donna Brazile. With her domestic partner, Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the gay advocacy Human Rights Campaign, Rosen helped produce last year's Equality Rocks concert for gay rights, starring Melissa Etheridge, Garth Brooks and George Michael. She and Birch are also raising 2-year-old adopted twins. Rosen's biggest challenge in 2001 is to help the major labels answer consumer demand for online music. One thing's for sure: That hit single's going to cost you.

http://www.thestandard.com/article/0,1902,24526,00.html

[canuck]

3. my Tin-encrusted scalp is itching.

They want to have something on everyone. Of course they can't arrest EVERY downloader. But at $7000-$150 000 fine per song, they have good reason to keep you in the database even for ONE song.

The riaa KNOWS they wont stop file sharing.
The riaa also KNOWS that it doesn't really affect their bottom line.
The riaa DOESN'T REALLY CARE about the money, the repugs just want the DATABASE.

A bench warrant for every citizen; wheather it gets used or not depends on wheather they like you.

[davidinalameda]

4. I thought Mary Bono wanted the job

what happened to her bid for it

[kainah]

5. Yes, she was rumored to be going after it

with Billy Tauzin, supposedly, interested in Jack Valente's job when he resigns in the next couple years.

[catzies]

7. Maybe Rove told her to stay in the House.

He might have told her she's more useful there for now, and if she plays ball good things soon come.

[paper chase guy]

9. New RIAA! Now with 100% more evil!

nt

[QC]

12. In other news....

the beleaguered Buggy Whip Manufacturers Alliance has turned to the courts for legal protection from those newfangled horseless carriages.

[muchacho]

14. Retro

And them dag-nabbed player peanies are going to put that poor Scott Joplin out of a job!

[muchacho]

13. Utah rocks!

So now we can only download MP3s of Orrin Hatch's compositions.

[muchacho]

15. mediocrity is our business

<snip>
I think Mitch has been brought in to bring some structure, goal setting and strategic thinking to the RIAA at a time when they are winning a lot of battles in the courts, but their overall business agenda seems to be suffering," said Manus Cooney, a Republican lobbyist for the Potomac Counsel and former vice president of Napster.
<snip>

http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,59803,00.html

It seems even the distruptive Napster had some denizons of regression in their midst. How quickly the "rad" turn to "flab" these days.