The perils of purchasing Coldplay CDs.

Douchebags.

That's the insert from their latest CD, according to Boing Boing. Seems like the label would prefer people not to listen to the disc at all--considering that it's Coldplay, I could actually sign onto that. the only problem is if this sort of thing starts spreading to listenable bands.

Shakes' sees this as more evidence that record labels are sounding the death rattle.

In the end, I think labels are really just screwing themselves. Established bands will eventually get tired of being the air staving off the inevitable death rattle of record labels, and realize that all the services labels provide can be had ala carte with the help of a good independent manager. Once they find a way to do it without labels, the music industry will finally shed its outdated structure, and both bands and fans will be better served.

God knows I hope so. It would be interesting if after 30-plus years of artists and fans actively seeking out ways to demolish the major label monopoly over music distribution that our goal is finally reached because of something as simple as a change to digital technology. Not to say all that effort has gone to waste, of course--if the industry standard does collapse soon, then alternative avenues like independent labels will be a valuable resource for creating a new music distribution system. Of course, since little, independent record stores are dying out fast, I'm thinking the internet is going to become an even more important way for people to promote their music. But I'm not holding out hope. People have been praying for the music industry as we know it to collapse for a long time now, and it hasn't happened yet.

[Pandagon]

I won't buy a Colplay album. And it won't work on Macs, or most of my CD players, apparently. And I can;t return it if it does not work. A nice idea to really piss off your customers. Some idiot MBA probabl cameup with this thing.  10:44:51 PM    

Top Justice Dept. Official Disapproved Of Key Parts Of Spy Programâo[oe].

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31 - A top Justice Department official objected in 2004 to aspects of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance program and refused to sign on to its continued use amid concerns about its legality and oversight, according to officials with knowledge of the tense internal debate. The concerns appear to have played a part in the temporary suspension of the secret program.

The concerns prompted two of President Bush's most senior aides - Andrew H. Card Jr., his chief of staff, and Alberto R. Gonzales, then White House counsel and now attorney general - to make an emergency visit to a Washington hospital in March 2004 to discuss the program's future and try to win the needed approval from Attorney General John Ashcroft, who was hospitalized for gallbladder surgery, the officials said.

[The Huffington Post | Full News Feed]

If they were just wiretapping al Qaeda operatives, they would not have had any problem with FISA or Justice getting a warrant, even 72 hours AFTER the wiretap. So, what was so troubling about these wiretaps? Why was Justice so concerned and why did the Administration ignore FISA and most likely break the law? The answers to these questions will probably explain why Bush is still misleading the people.  9:47:12 PM