Arts Advocacy Update XLV

The content below is from Americans for the Arts' Cultural Policy Listserv, email blast of June 4, 2008:

Heavy Internet Users Targeted
Washington Post, 6/4/2008
"Cable service operators Comcast and Time Warner Cable said yesterday that they would begin testing new approaches that would slow Internet access for heavy users and charge more to those who want additional speed. The tests come as the Federal Communications Commission wraps up an investigation on complaints that Comcast blocked certain users from sharing video, music and other files. The complaints fueled a larger debate, with hearings in Congress and by the FCC, on how much control Internet service providers should have over the flow of data."
Imagine the statistics on X-Tube and TalkinBroadway.com. But seriously, this is pretty disgusting. Damn stupid-ass media companies. They'd sell their mothers if they could. (Light bulb)


Annapolis gets arts district approval
Baltimore Sun, 6/1/2008
"The state has approved plans by Annapolis and a Harford County city to establish arts and entertainment districts, allowing them to offer tax abatements to artists and culture-oriented businesses in an effort to ignite economic development. . . . The arts and entertainment district designation is a victory for Moyer, who pushed for the site but faced fierce opposition from city council members and constituents who complained that the district would be a concentration of nightclubs and drinking establishments, drawing noise and threatening the area's character."
And whither the lovely town of Frederick where Maryland Shakespeare is? Hello?


Coalition troops leave blight on priceless ruins of Babylon
Daily Star (Lebanon) - AFP, 5/31/2008
"The last outsiders to visit the ruins of the once-mighty city of Babylon in Iraq came in tanks and helicopters, leaving a blight on its historic and fragile landscape, archaeologists say. Born on the banks of the Euphrates River 5,000 years ago and full of priceless archaeological treasures, the city was transformed into a US military camp after the 2003 invasion with a heliport built among the ruins."
OMG, this makes me ill. I am ashamed to be an American when I read stuff like this. It's like the My Lai of the Iraq war.


Ben Stein Wins Right to Use Lennon's 'Imagine'
Wired, 6/2/2008
"A federal judge on Monday freed the producers of a movie promoting intelligent design to continue using a 15-second recording of John Lennon's 'Imagine.' A New York judge said the makers of Expelled had a right of fair use under copyright law to use a small portion of the work without Yoko Ono's permission. Ono, the wife of the late Beatle, brought the case in April, saying the movie's credits made it appear she had licensed the song to the movie."
So hateful. I mean, yes, fair use is fair use, but to hell with those Intelligent Design wacko idiots.


Mass. sees arts as vital to economy
Boston Globe, 6/3/2008
In Massachusetts, Governor Patrick's administration has launched "an initiative to expand so-called creative industries in the state, appointing a first-in-the-nation 'creative economy' director to help expand a diverse sector that ranges from individual artists to cultural institutions to video game makers. The appointment of Jason S. Schupbach of Boston illustrates the growing role creative sectors play in economic policy as states compete for jobs, companies, and skilled workers. Beyond the direct employment provided by museums, art galleries, and design and other creative firms, the vitality of the local arts and cultural scene is increasingly viewed by development specialists as key to attracting knowledge workers expected to drive 21st century economies.
Real estate people. Real estate. That's the key. Give creative industries a place to be creative. Oh, and, uh, live.


New York's film, TV incentives could tax L.A.'s economy
Los Angeles Times, 6/2/2008
"Unlike about 40 other states, California does not offer a tax credit program to keep its signature industry at home. And it now faces increasing competition not just from New York but also from states such as Michigan, Mississippi and Georgia, which have recently adopted incentive programs. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger supports the idea of offering more than $100 million worth of tax credits to keep production in California but has been unable to persuade the state Legislature to adopt such incentives. . . . The number of film production days shot on location in Los Angeles has plummeted nearly 40% since 1997, according to figures from FilmL.A. Inc., a nonprofit group that handles film permits."
They've gone this long without instituting incentives? What idiots. The rest of the nation has been on this bandwagon since the start of the decade -- since the pre- and post-9/11 hysteria about "runaway production" was running away with everyone's minds. And Cali just thinks that by being there they don't have to compete. Welcome to the recession, bros.


ExxonMobil Resumes Its PBS Sponsorship
New York Times, 6/3/2008
"After a four year absence, ExxonMobil will resume sponsorships of PBS programs this month, the public broadcaster announced Tuesday. ExxonMobil will partially underwrite the news program 'Nightly Business Report' and the science program 'Nova.' . . . ExxonMobil had sponsored 'Masterpiece Theatre' and other PBS programs for three decades, but decided to withdraw its support in 2004. . . . In The New York Times last month, Elizabeth Jensen reported that the PBS model of long-term commitments is 'increasingly out of step with the changing needs of corporations, which no longer sponsor public television programs for purely philanthropic reasons.'"
Something about this pisses me off. I mean, it only takes what, $40 billion in pure profit before you'll be a good steward of society?

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