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If the RIAA tried today to lobby for a law that all Interstate highways include checkpoints to search cars for infringing copies of movies or books, they wouldn
by brlewis 15y ago
If the RIAA tried today to lobby for a law that all Interstate highways include checkpoints to search cars for infringing copies of movies or books, they wouldn't find a sponsor. This is not because the public has a deep understanding of auto mechanics. It's because the public understands that traveling at highway speeds is desirable and checkpoints to serve a special interest are not. It's hard to sway people today by arguing that highways make it too easy to transport infringing copies.
- roc 15y ago> "It's because the public understands that traveling at highway speeds is desirable and checkpoints to serve a special interest are not." 15 years ago I'd be agreeing with you. But the drunk driving checkpoints, the Patriot Act checkpoints, border security and the TSA nonsense makes it a little difficult for me to trust the public's ability to recognize serving a special interest for what it is, when it's bearing a promise that honest citizens have nothing to fear. If the RIAA were lobbying for checkpoints, if they insisted it would only affect "rogue" streets and that the critics of their proposal were just those who profited from the flow of illegal goods, I honestly would not feel comfortable enough to bet money on whether people pushed back.
- brc 15y agoAbsolutely. The madness of TSA checkpoints which everyone glibly accepts while privately thinking it is a giant waste of time proves your point well. Everyone always thinks these things will make things better for them, while assuming it will cost them nothing. And as always, some hawk will be saying 'won't someone think of the children'.