Re: [Harp-L] Tax Concerns

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Dec 16, 2005, at 12:13 PM, Steve McIver wrote:

> Doesn't BMI of a similar org. do the same thing here in the good ole 
> USA?
> Seems as though they get money from clubs who have juke boxes as 
> well.Not
> real sure how it works but it seems as though if the club uses live 
> acts or
> juke boxes to entertain for profit they owe.
>
> Steve

 Yeah, I can dig it Steve. I keep trying NOT to post, but you guys keep 
dragging me back. :)

What about when they owe ME? Let's say some (possibly trumped-up) 
agency wants to charge me to play or hear music. Isn't the premise 
based on 'IF I listen to it or play it, I must like it, therefore I 
must pay'? This is sort of like: 'I like diamonds so I have to pay', or 
'I like drugs, so I have to pay'.

 What about crap I DON't like. Who pays ME? example: I call motor 
vehicles. They put me on hold. While I'm on hold, I have to listen to 
Johnny Mathis singing Christmas carols. So, maybe I don't like Mathis 
(actually I do). So maybe, I don't believe in Christmas (actually I 
do). So maybe I don't like carols. So maybe I'm an atheist.

 MY position is that I have these several senses (forgot how many). Any 
time some one 'assaults MY senses, AND I'm not enthused about it, 
shouldn't THEY have to pay ME? Example: I'm in an elevator. Muzak is 
playing Kenny Roger's 'The Gambler'. I don't like Rogers. I don't 
gamble. I don't like to listen to cowboy music. I am NOT enjoying the 
trip. MY senses (hearing) are being assaulted. Someone should pay.

 I'm walking along the beach. Some 63 year old babe is wearing a 
bikini. Problem IS, SHE looks like 20 miles of bad road in it. Why do I 
need to see this? I happen to be 63 but am in shape. OR, why do I have 
to look at some portly bald guy who walks like a waddling duck while 
wearing a 'marble-bag' bathing suit. Arrrrrgh, disgusting. They should 
pay me for assault on my sight.

 I have cable TV. It is mostly crap. Most of the programming is not my 
cup of tea. Yet, stupid earthling that I am, I am actually paying these 
clowns to #1..send me s**t, #2..allowing me the privilege of PAYING  
for it, #3..sending it in a foreign language, #4..dunning me with 5 
minutes of commercials for every 5 minutes of (supposed) entertainment. 
And many many more aspects. Ahhhh, America, ya gotta love it.

 I have gone on record as saying that a copyright should only last so 
long. If you can't 'make it' in 16 years, tough. After it expires, 
that's IT. If a song writer doesn't want to go along with that, don't 
write your tunes. If you're so good at it, and people play your stuff 
for 16 years, you will STILL become very rich. And if you stink, then 
we shouldn't have to put up with your aggravation for more than 16 
years. Carrying this stuff on for generation after generation is 
stupid. I don't feel an obligation to have to feed your children (and 
grand children) too just because you wrote a couple decent tunes.
 Your home on Malibu should be enough. These people get filthy rich off 
of people who barely get by on the national wage average. Hell, a lot 
are even on relief and living in trailers.

smokey-joe


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