Little Mr Mahatma

In which the middle-aged Peacenik mouths off about War Drones--and all the other things that make him cranky.

Mr Mahatma--who is a Mr in real life--lives in the valleys of Southern California with his wife, a herd of Dears, and an impressive collection of books. Pnorny!
He is reachable at:
littlemrmahatma@yahoo.com

All writings are copyrighted 2003-2008 and trademarked: Little Mr. Mahatma

tBlog Mirror

Some fun links:
Little Miss Attila - polar opposite and origin of LMM.

Critical Sites:
Dr. Forbush Thinks
Slashdot
Games Slashdot
UserFriendly
James Randi
Snopes
Home of the Underdogs
The Sun Online

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Little Mr Mahatma

Thursday, June 26, 2003

RIAA Sues Swappers
RIAA plans to sue those who swap too much copyrighted material over P2P networks. So in my infinite density let me see if I understand this.

Swapping copyrighted material is illegal. Got it.

If I swap copyrighted material and the RIAA can prove it then I get...arrested? No, sued.

Translate the above slightly. I break the law and get sued, not arrested. What's wrong here?

Simply, if there's evidence of an illegal act then the penalty should result in an arrest. The arrest could result in fines - no problem. But for the RIAA or the music industry to sidestep the law is unethical, immoral, and quite typical of the way things are going these days. Either there's enough evidence for an arrest or not enough. Scare tactics like these lawsuits only burden our legal system and profit those that can afford to follow through the process, in this case, the music industry.

And they wonder why sales are falling...

9:08 AM

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Blowin' In The Wind
I have a fairly large record collection. Yep, vinyl - a ton of it. Large platters that break and warp ever so easily. But lots of good music on them and many original albums that you can't find on CD. But this isn't 1960, 1970, or even 1980. Vinyl is dead. CDs are dying. DVDs are it and higher density DVDs are peeping over the horizon.

So...ummm...how many times must I purchase my music?

For example, I have an excellent album of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" on vinyl. I am allowed by law to "rip" the album so I can copy it to a CD-R and play it on my computer or in my car. It takes a while and takes some effort but the CD-R sounds just like the album - little pops and all. But it is Floyd!

I can not by law download the music if it originated from the CD version of the same album. I have to buy the CD. Theory being the CD sounds better - even if it's the same music with no remixing or no re-recording by the group. It just sounds better. No pops.

When DVDs take over I'll have to buy the Pink Floyd DVD before I can make my personal use versions. Even if it's the same music as the CD and album.

And so on. What's annoying is that the CD versions aren't necessarily adding in value other than clarity. If, for example, you have a VHS and DVD version of the same film, many times the DVD version has extra footage added into the film plus all the other extras. Sure, CDs added in an extra music tracks early on when competing with albums but, again, if I want to backup my albums. I have to do it. I can't shortcut and download the same tracks over the Net.

What Kazaa-ers and other P2Pers should do is clearly label whether a track is from a CD or an album. Certainly if I own an album I should be able to download MP3 if they're based on it.

And now there's a scam with movies. Release a DVD version. Wait. Release it again with added footage as a "Director's Cut". Wait. Release it again with more junk.

You don't see this with books. You don't see Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" being re-released every few years with additional chapters. Tom Clancy doesn't go back and add new plots to his books. J.K. Rowlings doesn't sneak in new paragraphs for Harry Potter. Sure, they have new covers and forwards but the text remains the same.

You do see this with computer games. This is a typical pattern: A new game is released. Then months of patch release hell. An expansion pack comes out. More patches. Then the "Gold" edition combining the original release plus the expansion. Patches! Then - dum, dum, dee, dum! - Version 2! With patches, expansions, and so on, until the "Value Edition" with everything on one CD and PDF manuals.

I just hope electronic books never catch on and replace paper or we'll start seeing "Gold" and "Value" versions of our favorite books

So what's my point here? I don't know. Just some interesting observations. I buy a book once and never buy another copy unless the first falls apart from frequent use, old age, or hungry bugs. I see a movie in the theater. If I like it and buy the DVD, I don't need or want to pay for an extra DVD full of extras. If something like high-density DVD comes out I'm not going to sell my DVDs and buy new versions - well, maybe. Complete James Bond on one HD-DVD could be cool...

9:08 AM

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Howard Dean
After all the bitching, griping, and venom I've spewed towards Bush, I really gave up hope finding a decent alternative, someone worth voting for. The Democrats as a whole look like a gang of impotent, incompetent, desperadoes who've done nothing but stand on the sidelines while Bush destroys everything not in his or his buddies interests.

But while trolling MoveOn.org I was kind of captivated by Howard Dean's statement. He expressed my feelings towards the Government the way I would if I could write better, or at least afford a proof-reader. My concern is that he's not for real but another super-slick politician, one who'll act like previous presidents and kowtow to buddies, cronies, and lobbyists.

But, for now, he gets my vote. I hope he chooses a running mate wisely. Someone with intelligence (unlike Quayle), good health and a clean business past (unlike Cheney), a personality or at least a noticeable sense of humor (unlike Gore). And, most important, someone right for the job instead of the politically correct appointment.

8:57 AM

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Universal Healthcare
We need it. With a "president" like Bush, with a do-nothing-good-for-America Congress, with a Senate and House that are essentially castrated, with a Supreme Court working with blinders on, all Americans need healthcare to help with the migraines, ulcers, tremors, angst, and other ailments that result from finding out what our Government is doing for themselves.

8:55 AM

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Afghanistan Drugs
Loving it yet? We 'liberate' Afghanistan and now their drug trade has exploded. So we didn't get bin Laden (remember him? Oh wait, it's not re-election time yet) and we didn't exactly help ourselves in the War on Drugs. (*sigh*) That's capitalism for you never let Ethics and Morality get in the way of making a buck unless it's in your interest.

8:52 AM

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Kind of Obvious But..
When the Democrats get their act together behind a candidate that's when - surprise, surprise! - bin Laden and/or Hussein will be found. The Republicans are too canny at this point to let any Democrats grab headlines so as re-election for Bush crawls closer don't be shocked or awed that either of the two camel-buggerers will be found, or that - Bingo! - a Weapon of Mass Destruction will be discovered.

All assuming, of course, that we're not in another war for liberation (*cough*, *cough*, iran, *cough*). Hmmm, would a war justify the postponement or cancelling of national elections?

8:49 AM

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Not For Younguns
This site The Celebrity C*** Database is for those people who've had enough of People and Us; who are tired of programs that worship the cult of celebrity. The descriptions/justifications for each celebrity's ratings are incredible!

Bravo to these brothers. May they never turn into that which they piss upon.

8:44 AM

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Thursday, June 19, 2003

Music To My Ears
The Music Industry and the RIAA have been crying for years now that music pirates and peer-to-peer networks have results in losses of billions of dollars. The loss of all that money, they say, has stifled creativity (despite many unique and creative offerings on the Web), deprived musicians of monies (though the Industry is well-known as a slave market), and generally thrown a group of over-40s Executives into a tizzy. Their homes on the Riviera have payments due - dammit!

Meanwhile, in the Real World, a Portland, Maine judge approved a settlement agreement in a music anti-trust lawsuit. 3.5 million consumers may receive some sort of settlement because the music industry and retailers of conspiring to set costs for music CDs.

So they conspired to keep music prices high and then complain about loss of revenue from pirates. Which is more likely: Pirates forced the industry to keep prices high to make up for lost revenue. Or because of high prices consumers turned to alternative and cheaper methods to get music.

Judge says conspiracy. One that's been going on long before Napster. Not that Net piracy hasn't had an effect. I'm sure there has been lost revenue - no argument.

But we're in a new age, a heavily wired age. If I hear a song on the radio I'd like to be able to buy just that song. I'd like to be able to sample the rest of the album. If I like the album, I'll buy it. Better, I'd love to be able to go online to a database. Select a set of songs, arrange them as I like, and have a custom CD mailed to me.

This is doable-now!

The problem is cost, not for the company but for the consumer. For example, the new Buffy Season 4 DVD set sells retail for about $60 but realistically you can find it for well under $50. Let's say $48. The set has 6 DVDs so you're looking at about $8/DVD. That's a DVD!!! DVD's hold more than 7 CDs. Music CD's go for $10-$15.

No matter how you do the math the consumer is getting screwed. Either DVDs should be priced at around $70 or CDs should be priced at around $1. I seriously doubt that it costs significantly more to press a DVD than a CD so certainly CD prices seem out of whack. But if companys can make money off DVDs going for $8 each in a set why then do they cost $10-$15 when single?

Here's a clue to the Music Industry. Price CDs down to $5 and maybe you'll see you revenue pick up as you gain back pissed off consumers. Think "Volume". Heck, if I could go online to your music database I'd pay $10 to create my own CD and have it shipped.

A friendly warning to the Movie Industry. DVD's at $20? Take a note from the Music Industry litigation. Reduce the prices to $8 and be heroes.

Simply put, you want to get rid of piracy or at least put a dent into them AND make money at the same time. Reduce your prices to the consumers. Plain and simple. Reducing prices gives no excuse room to the pirate and it gives purchasing incentives to the consumer. Yes, you may have wafer-thin profits but which would you rather have: no profit coupled with attorney fees, or some profit. Think Riveira...

12:12 PM

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Monday, June 16, 2003

Another Gin Rummy
Let me understand this Mr. Rumsfeld. You do not want to support NATO's new building. You are offended that Belgium allows war crimes trials of foreign leaders. Specifically you are miffed that among the accused are our own Secretary of State Colin Powell and General Tommy Franks.

Would you Mr. Rumsfeld be more supportive if Americans were not on the list? Are you offended over Belgium allowing war crime trials, or over possible trials against our government?

You and Bush are ever eager to accuse others of manipulating policies as politics. Yet here you are doing exactly what you accuse other of doing. Politics - as usual. "Sorry Belgium, you don't play by our rules - no money for you."

But let bin Laden or Hussein get caught and put on trial for war crimes in Belgium, Hell!, we'll build them a new building out of gold.

11:33 AM

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America for Americans
Raising kids is a difficult but very rewarding challenge. You want them to grow up well-mannered, with good thinking skills. You want them to respect other people, other cultures, other lands. You want them to be proud of their country, their roots, their heritage. You want them to live honestly and safely, with their feet on the ground but with eyes towards the stars. In America we tell our kids that they live in a great land of opportunity and freedom; that they can grow up to be President.

But...

How to explain to your kids that the President of such a great country lied to justify an unprovoked invasion? How can you explain away the unnecessary killing? How to explain the concept of "alterior motives"?

How can you teach your kids about dealing with bullies when the front pages proudly blast news about us annihilating Iraq, when our government is only too eager to use our military for political purposes? How can you explain the concept of "Might makes right"?

How can you tell your kids that honesty is rewarding but dishonesty rewards far more especially when well connected? How do you explain Enron, Halliburton, and all the other deals that stink? How do explain the concepts of fraud, cronyism, "old boy networks", and corruption?

How can you explain Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as more than American ideals but rights, when those same rights are being forcibly and illegally taken away by your Government? How do explain the concepts of persecution, dictatorship, and "guilty until proven innocent"?

Why should I have to tell my kids that they should hope for a better America and a better world when we are perfectly capable of providing such right now, if only our government would stop playing games and take responsibility for their own actions, instead of usurping control of ours.

When our kids misbehave we ground them, have a talking to, or even spank them. When our government misbehaves we only shake our heads, grit out teeth, and hold tight until the next election. And then it repeats. Each new Presidency brings hope but devolves into the same morass of self-serving governmental acts. I fear that if the idiocy continues even the spark of hope may be extinguished.

Parents always want a better future for their kids, who wouldn't. However our bloated, corporate-corrupted, American government has sold today, tomorrow, and the far future. Americans are among the hardest workers on the entire eplanet. We sacrifice. We share. We give to charity. And it still isn't enough. Our kids face a future of hard work with uncertain rewards for their later years. They face a destroyed environment, shaky economy, and a view that is perpetually from the bottom of the barrel with a shotgun overhead.

How can we improve their future? How can we fix our government?

We need to return America to the Americans. Enough of the rich, well-connected politicians who say anything but act only for those who give the tithings. These corrupt, corporate lackeys need to go. We need people who understand the foundations of our political system and will work to support them, and in doing so will ignore the lobbyists and other influences that have so despoiled our government. With the Presidential election looming on the horizon we see the Bush and the Democratic hopefuls scrambling for their millions and working on magical rhetoric. Words to convince us that our all-powerful vore should go to them.

My stomach churns at the thought.

We need more options.

11:33 AM

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Tuesday, June 10, 2003

Rumsfeld and Bush

Maybe this is too obvious but Rumsfeld looks like he needs a stiff one. Bush looks like he got a stiff one.

No political point to this observation, just that it's tough to take these guys seriously when they look like they'd rather be at a bar slopping down martinis or whiskey sours.

That's all - no rant.

9:24 AM

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Weapons of Mass Destruction Program
Would you like some syrup on that waffle Mr. "President"?

In a not surprising change of words Georgie is now claiming - vehemently - that Iraq did, in fact, have a Weapons of Mass Destruction PROGRAM. Note that last word. Not that Iraq had weapons but a weapons program.

Hell, everyone has a weapons program. There's not a country on this planet that doesn't have some sort of weapons program. Having a weapons program doesn't mean squat. You can't threaten anyone with a weapons program. You can't play baseball with a baseball bat program. You can't shoot a gun with a gun program. A weapons program is not a threat to our national security! When Israel took out the nuclear reactor in 1990 they didn't blow up a program, they blew up a real threat.

And, Mr. Bush, a weapons program is NOT the reason you gave for putting our troops in harms way. A weapons program is NOT the reason you gave to Congrees or to the United Nations for our attack on Iraq. A weapons program has NEVER been the reason for your actions.

To re-iterate your two reasons for the US invasion of Iraq: Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction (which posed a threat to the National Security of the U.S.) and Iraq supported Al Qaeda.

Both lies. In fact, such blatant lies that you can't even cover them up decently. Instead you're trying to not-so-subtly get the words changed. You said Weapons of Mass Destruction. Oh, you meant Program. Iraq supported Al Qaeda? You meant they supported terrorists LIKE Al Qaeda. Waffle, waffle, waffle.

More irksome is that those are the best reasons you could give for invading Iraq. Not that Hussein was a brutal dictator, not that you covet Iraqi oil, not that this would be part of a grand scheme to bring peace to the Mid-East. The best reasons you could give were lies! Your acts were criminal!!

Yes, some good has come from the invasion. Hussein is gone. But a well-placed assassin could have done the same job at a reduced cost and without as much loss of life.

Yes, it appears that there may be peace in the Mid-East but we've been down this road before. The process is always one suicide bomb away from exploding back into mayhem. And with Bush in the center the process becomes even more cynical. He presents a picture of a leader who is getting his way because, despite being a manipulative, lying, spoiled brat, he's also crazy enough to launch a war over non-existent evidence. Yet, the Palestinians should know that they have nothing the U.S. wants - no oil - and if the U.S. were serious about peace we would've have taken out Hamas already.

Despite whatever good from the invasion, the ends do not justify the means and certainly the reasons you gave do not justify our actions.

9:19 AM

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Attorney General John Ashcroft
If that name doesn't cause your anal region to convulsively pucker then you haven't been following the news. Herr Himmler, I mean, Ashcroft is seeking more power for the Department of Justice (DOJ). Ashcroft wants to be able to hold suspected terrorists indefinitely, and without bail, before trial. Plus he wants expanded abilities to prosecute those who support or work with terrorist groups. Finally he wants to be able to call for life imprisonment or the death penalty for terrorist acts.

He claims that these expanded powers are needed to close loopholes in the Patriot Act. They are more, in fact, like tightening the noose around every American and around what remains of our dear American Constitution. Civil and Personal Liberties will join the dinosaurs.

What is a terrorist? Since Ashcroft never quite defines the term and the penalties are so severe for being one I thought it helpful to provide you, dear reader, a list of the signs that you may be a terrorist. Apologies to Jeff Foxworthy.

Signs that you might be a terrorist:

You come from the Middle East, France, Germany, Russia, or any country other than the U.S.

You haven't contributed to Bush's Re-election Campaign.

You're not a Republican.

You disagree with any of the Administration's policies.

You're younger than 40.

You write a blog, use the Internet, or play console games.

Pretty scary isn't it? And what's worse you could get into trouble not for being a terrorist but just being in contact with one. We should have all terrorists wear an identifying symbol - like a graphic of explosives - on their clothing or we could tattoo a big 'T' on their foreheads. That way, if you see one of these bad people you can escape before the Ashcroft Gestapo nab you for being an accomplice.

And if they do nab you - here's the beautiful part - they want to be able to hold you indefinitely before trial, without bail. They could literally grab you off the street and throw you in a "holding" prison without telling you anything other than you're suspicious of terrorist activities.

Focus on that key word - indefinitely. They could hold you effectively for life. You could lose your job, your family, friends, your whole flipping life because the government thinks you might be a terrorist. This is the same government that invaded Iraq over Weapons that Weren't and because Hussein supported Al Qaeda despite all evidence to the contrary.

And on the off chance you get released do you think you'll get any recompense? Hell, no, because we're at war! You'll be lucky if you don't get an STD or a permanent tattoo courtesy of Bubba, Ethel, and the Dropped Soap Shower Gang.

If the purpose of terrorism is to create fear and panic in the general population then Ashcroft is quickly falling into the terrorist category. Yes, he's not calling for suicide bombers but terrorism isn't about suicide or bombs. It's about fear. Ashcroft's call for more power goes against that which was the cornerstone of America, namely "Innocent until proven guilty" and rights to a jury trial and an attorney. He wants the DOJ to have the power to act as judge, jury, and executioner. He wants to go beyond law. Does this sound familiar? It should. The U.S. Military has the same capabilities: hold someone indefinitely as am "unlawful combatant", trot them up before a military court, try and convict them - possibly even execute them. And what exactly is an "unlawful combatant" - pretty much the same list as a terrorist.

All because of 9/11 and the War on Terrorism - a war, by the way, much like the War on Drugs. A War with no end but with plenty of opportunities for a government to take what isn't theirs, to pass laws that suppress civil liberties, to undermine that which once made our country great.

The U.S. has devolved into some Third World dictatorship. How long before people disappear for "political" reasons, as our Government creates and supports our own form of terrorist organizations: the DOJ and the Military?

9:19 AM

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Mid-East Peace
Here's a no-brainer for Bush. He wants a Mid-East peace. Hamas is threatening that goal. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Eliminate Hamas as a threat to the U.S. security. Achieve Mid-East peace. Get re-elected.

So the Palestinians might get a little pissed. Fine. Eliminate them as a threat to the U.S.

Whoops. Israel's ecstatic but the other Arab countries are upset. Fine. Eliminate Israel as a threat to the U.S.

Now the Arab World is overjoyed but the Jews in America are royally peeved. Fine. Eliminate the Mid-East countries as a threat to the U.S. and keep the oil.

OK - some other countries might be miffed about taking over the Mid-East but a little nuke here or there should show them you don't mess with the Big Dawg.

Problem solved.

9:18 AM

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Monday, June 02, 2003

My President
After starting to write yet another blistering rant about the lack of integrity and intelligence in our "President" I got to considering the qualities I would want in a real elected President. What kind of person would I happily vote for, instead of choosing at the ballot box between the lesser of two evils. Since we'll likely never get a ballot selelction of "None of the Above", I grabbed a cup of coffee, settled back in my favorite "figurin'" chair, and envisioned the person who would recieve my precious vote. Here goes, not in any order of importance, of what I will look for in the next batch of presidential candidates.

First, I want the candidate to be human. Seriously. Somewhere there's an unwritten rule that candidates for President have to all be ethically and morally pristine with perfect childhoods, perfect teenage years, and perfect driving exam scores. They must have happy marriages with smiling, angelic-faced kids, who never have run-ins with law enforcement. Drugs? Alcohol problems? They don't exist for the All-American Candidate.

Reality kicks in. When the candidates start the mud-slinging they all hem-and-haw about what they did or didn't do in the past. They make excuses instead of accepting responsibility. They ask us to give a little wink, nudge, nudge. They ask us to overlook those annoying childhood transgressions, though the transgressions happened in their 30's or last month.

I want a candidate who'll get up there and say "Hell, yes! I smoked, toked, drank, puked, fought, fornicated with my wife, ex-wife, and the neighbors sheep. I've yelled at my kids, kicked the dog, set the goldfish on fire, and I'm still a better candidate than any of these jackasses."

I want a President who'll stand up in front of Congress and say "Our duty is to the American people, not to corporations or your business buddies back home. If you cannot fulfill your duty then resign now and we'll replace you with someone who gives a crap about our nation."

I want a President who recognizes the long term and acts accordingly and can handle the short term. I don't want a President who acts to a popularity poll or for his cronies or with an eye towards re-election.

I want a President who recognizes the military might of the U.S. and the tremendous responsibilities that go with that, and who will use the Military as a LAST resort.

I want a President who sees how the U.S. budget leans lopsidedly towards the Military and has the courage to take money away from (yet another) weapon and put it into Education, or someplace directly beneficial to the American people.

I want a President who recognizes that the line between church and state has gotten a little too blurred for the Public good and will work to strengthen the division. That's right! Remove "In God We Trust" from our money. Remove "Under God " from our Pledge. Don't open sessions of Congress with a prayer. And faith-based charities? No Government money. Let the strong of them survive. If God *IS* on their side, they'll do just fine. Listen, our Government should focus on running the country, not running what we should think - politically or religiously.

I want a President who's been there, who didn't come from a family of privilege, who has come home stinking sweat from a hard day's work. I want a President who has been inside a grocery store, done laundry at a laundrymat, taken out the trash, washed dishes by hand, changed a diaper, or plunged a damn toilet.

I want a President who can think without advisors, talk without cue cards, and string sentences together into a cohesive, coherent paragraph. I want a President who listens to a question and answers it without evasion. I want a President who didn't rely on a cadre of writers for every speech.

I want a President who recognizes it cuts both ways. If our Government is going to invade our privacy then we can invade his. Better still, the President will recognize that the Personal Freedoms of the American People need to be restored and will take steps to do so by striking down some of the stupid, invasive laws passed by predecessors.

And I want a choice of candidates - not just the big two parties. Which means the debates have to be opened up and it should be as easy for "other" candidates to run as it is for the big two parties. No favoritism on behalf of the Federal Election Committee or the Media. We say America's a free country. We say anyone can run for President (assuming some basic guidelines) then let's make it a reality! Let's return America to all Americans!!!

9:04 AM

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