4:59 PM -:- Posted by Allen    

Just because we can!

Truman had a couple of atomic bombs. No one could stop him from dropping them on Japan. Wasn't necessary to obliterate major population centers, but he could. So he did.

Doug Kenline's position says that Truman had no choice. He could, therefore he must.

If I decided to go out and kill 5 civilians tomorrow afternoon (your choice of weapons, or bare hands only), no one could stop me. Come and get me afterward, exterminate me for it, but not stop me.

Doug 's position is that I should. I could, so I should.

Doug says that no one can stop music piracy, so we might as well all do it.

Can't stop it equals okay to do it.

Lot of dead people out there waiting to Happen, Doug.

When I see them I'll make sure you're the one who argued for their demise.

Doug adds in that musicians are profiteered by the labels. The labels make most of the money. The artists have to get by on relatively little. But that's a senseless and many-times specifically-untrue claim. It's Aerosmith suing the pirates, directly, not just their label protecting its own profits alone. And, lots of artists own their own labels. Not to mention that a lot of garage bands publish their own CDs and sell them at gigs and street fairs.

No matter. The artists don't get enough of the money, so it's okay to steal their product.

It's possible to rip and post the independent garage band's music too, so we should do it. And download it for free, too. Who cares that they'll soon have to abandon the garage for lack of rent, hock their axes for food, let their music die? Art belongs to the world! Oppressed consumers unite!!!

Sure. That's the rational solution: the artists don't get enough, so let's make sure they get even less.

Lot of starving musicians out there, Doug.

When I see them I'll make sure to give you the credit for their hunger.

Dammit Jim, it's about honor!

There are no good reasons for criminal acts, just excuses and lies. But hey, in today's world, you can make the most of both: lie to yourself to create the basis of an excellent excuse.

Never mind that it will seem excellent only in the eyes of the equally devoid.