The RIAA really did want to be there, but:

10. Even though the invitation from Tech Tv did arrive, the RIAA couldn’t afford the return postage due to slumping CD sales.

9. Due to public backlash RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol, was on the phone with the manager of Burger King at the time, trying to get his old job back.

8. RIAA president Cary Sherman, found that he had accidentally sued his own grandmother, and decided to deliver the subpoena in person.

7. Recent polls found that 63% of Americans think that 93% of the music buying public actually DO hate the RIAA.

6. Based on the statistical data above, the representatives of the RIAA feared that the “open mike” might just serve as an all too convienient place to hang a noose.

5. Two words; Chuck D.

4. Tired of all of the legal wranglings, the lawsuit recipients got together and hired wrestling superstar “The Rock”, to tackle the case with something of a more “hands-on” approach. (Can you smell .. ell .. ell .. ell .. ell what the Rock is cookin’?!” *sniff .. sniff *, why yes, it smells rather like Cary Sherman, doesn’t it?!)

3. They were involved in a heated debate, wondering just what the hell IS the difference between radio and the internet?

2. RIAA heads had called for a brainstorming session to try to find a way to make a CD say “Kazaa is the Devil’s toy!” over, and over, when played backwards.

1. They had to teach their remedial 7:00 class “True Evil is The RIAA, and Why I Just Don’t Measure Up.” And, Sadam, and Osama hate to be kept waiting.

~ stonewall1

11. They were too busy trying to sign "Bahgdad Bob" as their new spokesperson.

Unfortunately, the title of the show is probably what turned them off. I don't think they thought it would be fair and balanced. But, is the RIAA fair and balanced? HA

12. They want people to forget that the information revolution happened and if kids see the show, they might just be introduced to technologies that prove they are getting ripped off when they pay near 15 dollars for a 25 cent CD.

"Bahgdad Bob", LMAO

~goingnova

i caught a little more than the last 30 minutes of the "music wears" on techtv...the 3 for RIAA guys that were there didn't have one intellegent thing to say..it was quite sad.

LOL>..great Stonewall1
Quote from Baghdad Bob...
"We are planning the Mother of All Lawsuits, Naming everyone in the Great Satan as a defendant. There are not artists who disagree with the RIAA, no not one. We have total control of the P2P Networks at this time."

Chuck D should have been number one, IMO.

Perhaps they didn't show due to a combination of arrogance and a touch of fear.

They are convinced they are on the "moral highground". Never mind that the words RIAA and moral in the same sentence actually DEFINE the term oxymoron. The RIAA feels they have copyright law on their side, and what they are doing is correct. To them, there is no need to defend what they view as correct actions. Sure, mass lawsuits of average citizens may be perfectly legal, but is it right? So, in their arrogance, they feel no need to defend themselves on a forum like TechTV.

As for fear, they can not be unaware of public loathing for their position. It wouldn't matter what they had to say, the "lynch mob" mentality would have been quite pervasive. Even those in the Ivory Towers receive news reports.

On a more serious note, they can not afford the attention that this would bring to national media. It is one thing to have just p2p spoilsports fussing. But they still think that keeping everything off the airwaves that isn't taylored to just how they want it presented won't be good for them. Defending their stance only works well with politicans that are paid and in their pocket.

They would not have had enough time for the "committee" to examine every responce for possible spin control and damage. They desperately wish to continue to control the media and what Joe Public hears.

Their straw house is falling...

JoeConsumer
Date: September 15, 2003 @ 1:21 AM
11. They were too busy trying to sign "Bahgdad Bob" as their new spokesperson.

Problem is bahgdad bob would probably tell the truth more often than the RIAA does

I agree with you all. Not showing up probably had a lot to do with the publicity. The RIAA has successfully settled how many lawsuits out of court? Yet, we hear nothing from them .. no press releases .. and most importantly, no gloating. Where's all the gloating RIAA?!

Oh, that reminds me .. did anyone else notice that that guy from maveric records had nearly squirmed out of his chair by the end of the show? Of course that other guy was hiding behind HIM, and nearly sitting on his lap .. so, I'm sort of torn between which was funnier .

The RIAA can go on Fox and tell their story, after all, isn't Fox news toting around that it is "fair and blanced" coverage of the news? Heh.

Yeah, Fox news IS to "fair and balanced" .. uh, if your a republican that is.

I get a kick out of watching their "country boy" anchor who's probably never worked an honest day in his life. I just love the way he spouts off about this and that like he knows something about something .. when all he's doing the whole time is reading from a tele-prompter. Well there's one thing to be said for fox, they "teach them thar' country boys to read good."

I happen to be a country boy by the way .. so, its ok for me to make fun of them. Especially when their not .. the guy probably took "country boy" as a foreign language in college.

actually the boy named sue would have been there but there's a 91 year old farmer in kansas who needed a subpoena....

We are not groupies...we are not fans...we are customers.

Do Not Buy!! Do Not Buy!! Not this month, next month...ever. Not until the RIAA stops this riduculous action.

What makes anyone think the RIAA is interested in any kind of debate or intellectual discourse...their way or the highway...forget about it.

One thing that did not seem to be mentioned during the show was the fact that the major labels have been caught and admitted to price fixing. I would be curious as to hearing their explanation...

btw Chuck D and the dude from EFF rocked while the pro side whined their expected/respective tunes...

yet another reason RIAA didn't show? They didn't want Jeremy Welts to make a scene in public when they FIRED his ass. What a twit.
ttmmm