Dear DMusic,

I have been a member of boycott-riaa for a long time. If we are ever going to stop the recording industry from lobbying our elected officials to destroy our rights, we need to take action. That is why I am running for State Representative in Michigan.

Our legislators our standing silent while the recording industry is harassing young girls living in public housing and old grandmas without computers for downloading music. The public domain is being endangered by copyright extensions. Also, Digital Rights Management (DRM) software threatens the fair use rights of millions of consumers.

If we are ever going to see change, we need to stop voting for card-holding politicians and elect citizen legislators. We need legislators who understand technology and will listen to the people, not special interests groups and lobbyists.

I support the Commons and Independent Music. DMusic is a wonderful resource and I would like to thank everyone behind it for making it possible.

I look forward to reading your comments and any suggestions you may have for me.

Thanks,

Jeffrey Kowalski
info@jeffreykowalski.com
http://www.jeffreykowalski.com

Hey, you got MY vote!

from Jeff's website -


If we are ever going to stop the recording industry from lobbying our elected officials to destroy our rights, we need to take action. That is why I am running for State Representative in Michigan.

Our legislators our standing silent while the recording industry is harassing young girls living in public housing and old grandmas without computers for downloading music. The public domain is being endangered by copyright extensions. Also, Digital Rights Management (DRM) software threatens the fair use rights of millions of consumers.

If we are ever going to see change, we need to stop voting for card-holding politicians and elect citizen legislators. We need legislators who understand technology and will listen to the people, not special interests groups and lobbyists

Mr Jeffrey Kowalski

I hope you win your place as Representative and when you do I would like to suggest as a course of action, no matter how powerful a organization is if you remove it's foundation it will fail, if you limit the foundation in size the organization can only grow to the size the foundation will support. A reduction in copyright time frames back to the 14 years in short: 1710 act established the principles of authors' ownership of copyright and a fixed term of protection of copyrighted works (fourteen years, and renewable for fourteen more if the author was alive upon expiration). The statute prevented a monopoly on the part of the booksellers and created a "public domain" for literature by limiting terms of copyright and by ensuring that once a work was purchased the copyright owner no longer had control over its use. or publisher. ) Current copyright suppresses creativity, makes the copyright holder a parasite, and prevents the copyright holder from contributing to the common good of this country. The founding fathers never intended to create free loaders, a corrupt organization has, remove the foundation from under the feet of the RI AA and the big four, level the playing Field for the artist and the music lover.

Thank you for your effort

Good luck with that. I wish you the best. Also, I love the CC at the bottom of your web pages. Respect.

"Posted by Jeff Kowalski on February 20, 2006" February 20?? It's the 19th now, what's up with BC-R's system?

Fixed!

got my vote...that is if i lived there

AAAAY MEN!!!!! ! You are a true American, Jeff! I will be visiting your website and adding a contribution to further your campaign!! People power is the only way to beat big-fat-cat-lobbyist

Hey, Boycotter's and Dmusic folk!

Let's start fielding a candidate in each and every state/district.

I myself will try to get on the ballot and run here in East Tn. for the next available U.S. Senate or Congressional seat that is contestable.

If YOU care about our issues/agenda and don't have a suitable candidate running in your district... RUN for the seat yourself! (Or find someone who WILL adopt our issues as a plank in their platform!)

Jeff Kowalski, you may have "started something"...

REAL people who are concerned about issues those REAL people have NEED to start running against those "card carrying" politicians.

(IMHO it is more detrimental to THE PEOPLE to have a "card carrying" rep than it is to worry about if the rep is a Democrat or Republican ... OR even a "liberal" or a "conservative")

(In truth, the "card carrying" kind of politician almost ALWAYS represents a corporate and/or special interest instead of the PEOPLE.)

...thus folks, REAL people (like you and me) need to start running for office!

I know it sounds like itsa 'nuther "pipe dream" of mine... but if we could somehow create a fad of electing REAL people to office INSTEAD of the professional politico's...

WOW! What a wonderful world it would be!

(sigh, I know... "pipe dream")

Jeffrey, I applaud you on your desire for public service.

It would seem many people becoming congressmen go with your same intent, only to be bought off later, probably with SOFT money donated towards ones political party. I know you probably have strong convictions, but what guarantees does anyone have that you won't be bought off like many of your predecessors??

I did a quick review of your website. Some items didn't seem to format properly in my Netscape browser. I also noticed some typos that might have been browser related as well. I'd suggest trying to get those things fixed up, as people might associate those things with a poorly run campaign. Also, fill in more details about your bio or your thoughts about current events and what you want to accomplish in Washington.

My gut feeling is this, the 2 major political parties are failing us, THE PEOPLE. They criticize one another, yet act the same, no matter who is in the majority. I actually see coming elections as a chance for Libertarians, believe it or not. The Federal Government is WAY too involved in things it was never given the authority to do in the Constitution. And the representation that should be there has been lost with special interest groups and lobbyists paying them off. Perhaps one of the most important things to tackle has got to be campaign finance reform, without it things will probably only get worse for our country and people's feeling of empowerment.

Capt-n-Jack,

Don't fault the guy because of tech probs/glitches with his website. (lol, Boycott-Riaa has been "up and running" for over 6 years and we STILL have MAJOR problems along those lines!)



=========

Folks, it certainly IS a time for a change in the political arena.

I urge you to pick an "off-ball" candidate who hasn't got a chance in hell of winning (but REPRESENTS YOUR VIEWS) instead of choosing between the "lesser of 2 evils" (D or R) next time you are at the ballot!

If we can all get away from the "2-party-only" choices, we COULD change the world and make AMERICA great again.

Agreed! (Capt-n-Jack and independentmusican -- solid, good, stuff.)
The big challenge is HOW to marshall enough momentum to GET reasonable campaign and lobbying finance reform in place.

In conjunction with what Shmoo wrote, I feel compelled to say:

One of the main things I have had against "Gadfly" is for being too fixated on one political party.

We have seen Big Brother get bigger under administrations from both political parties, but the greater disgrace comes from the party that traditionally has parroted allegiance to limited government.
(It doesn’t take a political science major to be aware of this simple fact.)

I yearn for the time when more people will share disenchantment with the present party system here in America.
Maintaining a libertarian approach to things underscores the significance of being wary about how individual rights and freedoms have come under increasing assault in recent years.


"Without free speech, no search for truth is possible...." — Charles Bradlaugh

Mr. Bradlaugh’s awesome quote can fairly be rephrased as:
"Free speech makes the search for truth possible."

Extending this principle can lead to other applications.
For example, the less committed to a specific political party, the more opportunity (freedom) you can have to seek and weigh both sides of an issue (without having predisposition to what would likely be favorable to your cherished party's position).


"Without free speech, no search for truth is possible...."
— Charles Bradlaugh

The lack of an open mind impedes the search for truth.
— OldCodger
_ _ _ _ _

I meant to write:
Capt-n-Jack and independentmusician -- good, solid stuff.

I live in MI and I'll vote for this guy based on those few paragraphs alone!

Hey - legalize it and I'll get like 50 more ppl to vote for you!

Thanks everyone for your support and critiquing the site.

The race doesn't kick into full gear until spring so I have about a month or so to get everything ready and working properly.

independentmusician:
This community favors the GOP, but i know many are upset with President bush and believe his priorities are backwards. I hope republicans who think the outlook is gloomy, will vote for someone who is not a card-carrying member.

Capt-n-Jack:
I too believe we need to fix the campaign finance reform. Michigan is 1 out of 3 states that do NOT require personal finances be disclosed.

The incumbent has said the need for more public disclosure is important, but yet has not even acted on his statement.

I've been reading opinions of Moolenaar, and here is what the general consensus is. He too is doing the opposite of limited government and intruding on personal lives.

axewinder:

I believe there is an initiative petition already to legalize and regulate marijuana. Problem is, it is very costly to print and distribute petitions. Also Under michigan law, only an authorized printer can print them. I'd like to change it so people can sign petitions electronically online. Imagine all the time, money, and trees will can save!

Your website doesn't list your party affiliation. Maybe thats intentional

jsk2001 - No kidding - I didn't know there was a petition already! Good news! I know they recently passed a meaningless law in my town (Traverse City) where medicinal use is now the lowest level of priority for law enforcement but that really means nothing. I'll keep an eye out for it! Keep us posted on election dates and whatnot. You've got my vote!

Jeffrey, there is the thought that "legalization" is the government condoning a certain action, whereas "decriminalization" means something will not be deemed a criminal offense. There is a distinct difference that I don't think a lot of people understand. Since many plants can or will be used for the benefit of humankind, why is the federal government regulating those things that God put on this earth? Regulating processed extracted chemicals would seem understandable, but not the base plants in their natural state. Some plants are supposed to be poisonous, yet the government doesn't regulate those plants, why not? The President talks about wanting to pursue celluoid to ethanol production, well, hemp can provide tons of cellulose fiber. Heck, the Feds allowed farmers to grow it during WWII when it suited their wartime needs. Regarding Marijuana directly, it's been classified as Schedule 1 for ridiculous reasons. It should probably only be Schedule 3 at best.

capt-n-jack ^ good info!!
I live close to a place that was farming
hemp back then and it still grows now.

independentmusic...
WOW! What a wonderful world it would be!
you have the right idea...we just need more people to wake up
and smell the coffee.
I look around and there is stuff that could be
done all over the place,but I have no power to change things
so Iam forced to watch it spin down around and around.

Im in Ludington Michigan, Im a bit lost on my voting district and Jeff's district. Perhaps someone can enlighten me? Oh hey, with two exceptions Ive voted straight Republican... Democrap Granholm has done more to mess up MI then Bush has messed up the US...
I went to school with a few Kowalski's, MCC in Scottville, do I owe you money?

Capt-n-Jack:

The petition says the following:

"Proposed amendment to the State Constitution to legalize and regulate marijuana within the State of Michigan."

www.win-the-war.com/

The website is here, but maybe they gave up or is just down. doing a google search shows they have collected over 11,000 signatures though.

BIR:

"I have no power to change things
so Iam forced to watch it spin down around and around."

I know how you feel. That's why we need legislation to make sure people get three things: information, participation, and accountability.

InsaneWayne:
I'm guessing your district would be 101, represented by Republican David Palsrok.

http://house.michigan.gov/Rep.asp?DIST=101

This goes along with the third post.

FPRIVATE "TYPE=PICT;ALT="
p2p news / p2pnet: Congress made a "big mistake" when it extended copyrights in the US.
Who says so? Mary-Beth Peters, the Register of Copyrights.
Her remark, highlighted in a Boing Boing post, came during event held at the UNC Law School on November 2, 2005, when she, "and a panel of copyright scholars, lawyers and bureaucrats convened to deliberate copyright in public," it says, going on:
"Peters can be heard making the statement one minutes and eight seconds into the video …"
The quote:
We've certainly lengthened the term [of copyright] perhaps - I won't even say perhaps - too long a term. I think it is too long. I think that was probably a big mistake, but one that Congress can make.