http://files.dmusic.com/music/e/l/electricgypsy/11x14poster.jpg

Go ahead and pick a username and password if you wish to communicate with our site and community. Never fear! We do NOT send spam and we do NOT give your e-mail out to anybody, EVER! Last I checked, it still works to use a "junk" e-mail if you want to do so when you join our forum! Boycott-Riaa doesn't actually care about getting any "info" from you. (We only need you to provide an e-mail and what-not to help keep the spammers and other nefarious villians at bay!)

We are ONLY a forum and community. We are NOT "in it" for any reason other than to discuss, learn, and inform about these issues we care about. You certainly may remain as anonymous if so desired!
===============================================================

As for myself, am "Shmoo" aka "independentmusician" (real name: Michael H. Steely) of a rock band called Electric Gypsy from East Tennessee, USA. I currently serve YOU as the admin/mod of this website/forum called Boycott-Riaa.

We have many long-time "regular members" ...quite a few of them have also served in my position as admin/mod here in the past! You are invited to meet and greet everyone here!

The FIRST thing I want all new visitors to know is that EVERYTHING about our site is a continual and perpetual "work-in-progress"! We change and adapt as time marches on. YOUR input (pro OR con) can help shape the progress we make. All sentient beings who give a damn about the music should feel free (and are encouraged) to participate with the rest of us in our forums! (We even would like to hear from those who are OPPOSED to our views!)

Are unsure where to post something at Boycott-Riaa? Do you have questions about the site? Want to request an interview for your school research project or newspaper with our admin & "regulars" members? Do you want to send messages to other Boycott-Riaa participants? Etc.? Well, if so...

THIS IS THE PLACE!

We ask that you stay reasonably ON-TOPIC at every OTHER thread you find while here at Boycott-Riaa, but THIS thread is "open" to whatever needs to be said.

...so, SAY IT!!!
==============================================================

About the Google Ads...

At first, we were going to block any ads that come from and /or that promote the RIAA and other entities we deem to be our enemies, however, after some consideration we have decided to let those who are behind the "offensive" ads to help pay for our very existance. (Besides, "The Art of War" states: "know thy enemy" and I have found out about certain things that need be known DUE to the appearance of those "offensive" ads at our site.)

Funny how that works, isn't it?

DO NOT try to "help us out" by running any kind of "bot" or automated program that clicks on the Google ads!!! SOMEBODY apparently was doing so and we got WARNED by Google that we might loose our account because of it.

So please, DON'T try to "game" the system and/or things on our behalf!
===============================================================

FYI

Boycott-Riaa is NOT (nor collectively tries to be) any of the following:

...an organized organization
...a hacker group
...p2p advocates/appologists
...a political party
...terrorists
...commercial
...illegal
...immoral
...corrupt

(Add your OWN!)

:)

Folks, NOTHING you or I post as a reply here in the "Welcome" thread is permanent. It WILL eventually get deleted.

Until I get us a "shoutbox" feature (similar to what they have at dmusic.com) implemented, please use this "Welcome" thread for any and all communications between each other.

Mind your P's and Q's. (Please limit so-called "dirty words" and such.)

...but SAY whatever the hell you want to SAY!

(I'd LIKE for you NOT to beat up on each-other and conduct flame-wars, but, if you are gonna do so anyways, PLEASE just do it HERE!)

--Shmoo, (independentmusician)
of the band Electric Gypsy
and Admin/Mod of Boycott-Riaa.com
SUPPORT LOCAL AND INDEPENDENT MUSIC!

(Toss $5 in my band's tip jar every once in a while if you think I deserve it! ...I certainly do NEED it.)

FROM THE INBOX:

Email: TwistedIssues@hotmail.com
Subject: Other
Message: I am a senior at Herricks High school. For a senior assignment we have to write a participation in government paper. This paper involves chosing a contraversial topic and identifying interest groups. My topic is music and file downloading off the internet. I would appreciate it if you could send me some information about your group and your stand on down loading music. Please include the following information: your budget, the number of members, what are your goals are and what methods are you using to achieve your goals.

Thank you so much for your help.

Diana

====================

(The e-mail looks like it was set up specifically for this paper, so I went ahead and posted it in the clear if anyone wishes to respond to "Diana")

We have no budget and there is no true "membership" roster. Anyone who wishes to participate at our site may do so.

Another from the INBOX:

Message: To Whom It May Concern:

I'd really appreciate it if you would post a story on your website about my efforts to recoup some of the $3750 that I have to pay the RIAA.

My site is HelpSaveSteve.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your help.

Best regards,
Steve

I guess this thread is just being used for stuff from the INBOX:

========

Message: It's not just the RIAA you should be talking about. It's BMI and ASCAP. These companies, ostensibly, collect monies to distribute to the writers, artists and producers who make the music. The problem is, they only distribute about 10% of what they collect. Virtually everyone who works for these organizations is filthy rich.
If BMI stands for anything, it's not the people who make the music. What it really stands for is....

Bilking the
Music
Industry

jb

Folks, should I just get rid of the "Welcome" thread? Nobody has been using it lately.

We could simply use the "In The News" thread for the intended purposes as need-be.

(And, when the need arises, it is a simple matter to toss in occasional "Off-Topic" threads when things warrent such actions by myself/admin.)

...hmm, I want to keep the circle/bar/Riaa logo prominent though...

(Perhaps I could figure out a way to replace the image at the top-left hand side of the page with it???)

I'm going to make use of this "off topic" thread before it disappears...

First of all...here's to one and all, winners and weepers after the Stupor-bowl debauchery...hope everyone has recovered from their hangovers

Then I came across this poll and really had to think about it... it's not so easy to answer..what do you think?

Which of the following is more important?

Freedom of Expression?
Respect for Religious Beliefs? Muslim, Christian, Atheist, whatever...

(In light of the Muslim uprisings over a cartoon, I'd imagine)

I'm %100 behind Freedom of Expression first and foremost.

Respect of beliefs and creeds is a goal everyone should stive for, but it should not ever be mandated and/or dictated by any law or government.

It's not really the cartoons that are the cause of the uprisings. These cartoons are mearly a "trigger" and/or "straw to break the camel's back." The riots and violence are actually "about" the Islamist/Western cultural divide.

A really sad state of affairs.

The cartoonists and publishers should appologize for being insensitive, and the apology should be accepted by those who were offended. Everyone should just make peace and drop the issue, let by-gones be bygone.

(Yeah right. Likely ain't gonna happen, is it? *sigh* )

"The riots and violence are actually "about" the Islamist/Western cultural divide."

That's so true, the paper did apologize and it mattered little..the rampaging continues...thanks for answering Shmoo.

"The riots and violence are actually "about" the Islamist/Western cultural divide."

So much for the religion of peace huh!

Independent: "Folks, should I just get rid of the "Welcome" thread? Nobody has been using it lately. "


Why don't you just call this room "Sound off" Let people be free...