Darnell Clayton

I just received this email from Tim Westergren, a founder of Pandora.

What is Pandora you say? It's basically a Google version of internet radio, where the station gradually finds out what type of music you love, and then adjusts all of the songs to fit your style.

Anyways, here is the email I received:

(Pandora) I'm writing today to urgently ask for your help. Our future and that of all webcasters is being threatened by the actions of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). In an effort to cripple Internet radio they have defied Congressional direction to negotiate reasonable performance fees and are trying to shut us down.

In spite of overwhelming opposition, including from thousands of musicians, they have blatantly pursued a strategy of undermining the process, making outrageous demands, and trying to run out the clock, hoping we will just quietly fade away. There is only one way to stop this violation of the public trust, and that is by mobilizing the collective will of our listening audience. [...]

When you call, please tell them your home town, and ask them to support the Brownback Internet Radio Equality amendment that will be considered in the Judiciary Committee this Thursday.

This amendment sets webcasting royalties at the same level as those paid by satellite radio, which would compensate musicians fairly and allow web radio to survive. For more info on the bill, please visit: www.savenetradio.org

Even though I listen to most of my music through my iPhone, this bill could potentially affect another site that I use called FlyTunes which I use on my phone.

If the RIAA succeeds in demolishing these web radio stations, I could be forced with the reality of not having music on my iPhone as well as my PC to listen to, which would not make this geek very happy.

So, if your Senator is on the Judiciary Committee (I'm talking to you Americans here) feel free to call them up and tell them to support Brownback's bill, or face the wrath this November.

(Image Credit: RKNA)

Wow, this is something you don't hear everyday...at least on TV.

(McClatchy Washington Bureau) BAGHDAD — Followers of rebel cleric Muqtada al Sadr agreed late Friday to allow Iraqi security forces to enter all of Baghdad's Sadr City and to arrest anyone found with heavy weapons in a surprising capitulation that seemed likely to be hailed as a major victory for Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki.

In return, Sadr's Mahdi Army supporters won the Iraqi government's agreement not to arrest Mahdi Army members without warrants, unless they were in possession of "medium and heavy weaponry."

The agreement would end six weeks of fighting in the vast Shiite Muslim area that's home to more than 2 million residents and would mark the first time that the area would be under government control since Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003. On Friday, 15 people were killed and 112 were injured in fighting, officials at the neighborhoods two major hospitals said.

The more Iraqi's can take control of their country, the sooner American forces (or rather at least the bulk of them) can return home.

I know many of my friends want the US to pull out immediately, regardless, but that is in my honest opinion insane.

Whether for better or worse, we liberated/invaded that country (depending on your point of view) and we "Fathered" its democracy. It is our responsibility to see this nation succeed, the same way we have helped Israel, Japan and Germany.

Anything less is pretty much unacceptable, and at best cowardly.

(hat tip: Hot Air)

It looks like I can finally order my iPhone battery extender via Mophie, as there never seems to be enough energy for the phone to go around.

Here is a video review, courtesy of iPhone Buzz:

I'll have to put this on the "must have by next month" list, as I am cash right now (or rather I have the cash, although I don't feel like breaking my budget).

(Hat Tip: Macworld)

I guess now I am receiving a 404 error when visiting my domain. Oh well...at least Google responded.

~Darnell

Update: And we're back up!

(Hat Tip: IsraelPolik)

Here is a video highlighting the Israeli Air Force from CBS.

No doubt the Iranians are watching this video as well, although I hope they "take the hint" as the last thing we need is another war in the middle east (as I do not think Israel is going to lose it, especially if Hillary gets elected).