Request For Comments On Proposed Rulemaking From the U.S. Copyright Office

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This is of interest to “noncommercial licensees who have not elected to accept rates and terms negotiated earlier this year under the Small Webcaster Settlement Act” regarding “rates and terms for the use of sound recordings in eligible nonsubscription transmissions made by noncommercial licensees, and for the making of related ephemeral recordings…”
The complete email follows.

COPYRIGHT OFFICE REQUESTS COMMENTS ON PROPOSED RULEMAKING
(68 FR 50493)
The Copyright Office of the Library of Congress is
requesting comment on proposed regulations that set rates
and terms for the use of sound recordings in eligible
nonsubscription transmissions made by noncommercial
licensees, and for the making of related ephemeral
recordings. The rates and terms are for the 2003 and 2004
statutory licensing period and apply only to noncommercial
licensees who have not elected to accept rates and terms
negotiated earlier this year under the Small Webcaster
Settlement Act. Any party who objects to the proposed rates
and terms set forth must file a written objection with the
Copyright Office and an accompanying Notice of Intent to
Participate. The content of the written challenge should
describe the party’s interest in the proceeding, the
proposed rule the party finds objectionable, and the reasons
for the challenge. Only a party with a significant interest
in these rates and terms and who is prepared to participate
in a CARP (Copyright Arbitration Royalty Panel) proceeding
has standing to object. If no comments are received, the
regulations shall become final pon publication of a final
rule and shall cover the period from January 1, 2003, to
December 31, 2004. Comments are due no later than September
22, 2003.
To view the Federal Register article, go to

Federal Register Notice (HTML)
(http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2003/68fr50493.html)

Federal Register Notice (PDF)
(http://www.copyright.gov/fedreg/2003/68fr50493.pdf)

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Daily Show Film On Texas Redistricting Fiasco

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So the Dems in Texas had to “vote with their feet” again and go running in order to block a Republican-backed redistricting measure that would recount the districts in such a way that the Republicans would end up with more seats. (For more information on this, read the letter from Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis that I just posted from MoveOn.
This clip has Stephen Colbert interviewing Senator Rodney Ellis and Senator Leticia Van De Putte, two of the “runaways.”
This piece was edited by Einar Westerlund and produced by Jim Margolis.

Runaway For The Border (Small – 10 MB)











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Letter From Senator Rodney Ellis About The Texas Redistricting Fiasco, Courtesy Of Move On

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MoveOn has provided a great collection of information and links about what’s going on over in Texas. So far, they’ve raised over $400,000 dollars for an ad campaign aimed at getting the word out about what’s really going on.
What is actually going on over in Texas? (you might ask). Well, here’s a letter from State Senator Rodney Ellis that will explain the situation a little better. I’ve also included the “background” he mentions at the top of the “more” section — and the entire MoveOn.org email underneath it.

Dear friends,
I am writing to you from a hotel room in Albuquerque, New Mexico,
where I and 10 of my colleagues in the Texas Senate have been forced
to reside for the past 20 days. If we return to our homes, families,
friends, and constituents, the Governor of Texas will have us
arrested.
I know, it sounds more like a banana republic than the dignified
democracy on which we have long prided ourselves. We are effectively
exiled from the state due to our unalterable opposition to a
Republican effort — pushed by Tom Delay and Karl Rove, and led by
Texas Governor Rick Perry — that would rewrite the map of Texas
Congressional districts in order to elect at least 5 more Republicans
to Congress.
You may not have heard much about the current breakdown in Texas
politics. The Republican power play in California has obscured the
Republican power play in Texas that has forced my colleagues and me to
leave the state.
Recognizing that public pressure is the only thing that can break the
current stalemate, our friends at MoveOn have offered to support our
efforts by sharing this email with you. In it, you will find:
-Background information on how the situation in Texas developed;
-Analysis of what’s at stake for Democrats and the democratic process;
The Republican redistricting effort shatters the tradition of
performing redistricting only once a decade immediately after the
Census — making redistricting a perpetual partisan process. It
elevates partisan politics above minority voting rights, in
contravention of the federal Voting Rights Act. It intends to decimate
the Democratic party in Texas, and lock in a Republican majority in
the U.S. House of Representatives. And Republican efforts to force a
vote on this issue by changing the rules of legislative procedure
threaten to undermine the rule of law in Texas.
We do not take lightly our decision to leave the state. It was the
only means left to us under the rules of procedure in Texas to block
this injustice. We are fighting for our principles and beliefs, and we
can win this fight with your support.
Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis
Texas State Senator (Houston)
August 18, 2003

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Arianna Huffington On The Daily Show

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This is from early February 2003 sometime. (Sorry I can’t be more exact!)
I forgot to link to this before, but with Arianna running for Governor in the CA Recall, it seemed relevant to make this available to you.

Arianna Huffington On The Daily Show – Part 1 of 3 (Lres – 26 MB)

Arianna Huffington On The Daily Show – Part 2 of 3 (Lres – 29 MB)

Arianna Huffington On The Daily Show – Part 3 of 3 (Lres – 26 MB)
Lisa is voting NO on the recall and YES on Cruz Bustamante.

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