The major record companies (Sony BMG, Arista Records LLC, Interscope Records, UMG Recordings, Inc., Capitol Records Inc. and Warner Bros. Records Inc.) couldn't have picked a worse person to start their legal actions against - a 30-year old, single mother of two. Jammie Thomas from Brainerd, Minnesota is charged with improperly sharing nearly 2,000 songs online. Thomas answers by saying, "I do know that I didn't do this and the jury will hear that I did not do this." She also adds that instead of paying a settlement to the six record companies that sued her she chose to spend the same amount on her attorney's retainer. "I refuse to be bullied" says Thomas in a Duluth federal courtroom where the civil copyright trial is underway...
Look I know how serious this downloading problem is for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), not a party to the lawsuit but representing the major companies. Music sales are in the dumper thanks to downloading and bad product, by the way. The Thomas trial could be the beginning of 30,000 such trials against those that have been charged with downloading music files illegally. But kicking it off with a 30-year old single mother to the tune of more than $1.2 million, who denies the charges on top of it???
Not only that but Thomas's computer, a key piece of evidence has a new hard drive. She replaced the best piece of evidence after she claims she had computer problems in 2005. Naturally the record companies say she was trying to cover her tracks after receiving warnings about her illegal downloading...
Look, I don't know whether this woman is guilty or not but how long do you think it will take the jury to decide against a single mother of two facing a $1.2 million lawsuit or the six major record companies in the world??? This is not the way to kick it off...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1863] Pass the cranberry sauce: Abraham Lincoln declares that the last Thursday in November shall be Thanksgiving Day (only 43 days away)...
- 1901] Taking a Nip: The Victor Talking Machine Company is incorporated. After a merger with Radio Corporation of America, the company becomes RCA-Victor. Enter that adorable little Nipper...
- 1945] An early Elvis sighting: 10-year old Elvis Presley makes his 1st public appearance at a dairy show talent contest and finishes 2nd, collecting $5...
- 1951] The shot heard round the world: The Giants' Bobby Thomson hits a 3-run walk-off home run beating the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 3rd and deciding game of their playoffs. Russ Hodges loses it: "The Giants win the pennant", "The Giants win the pennant", "The Giants win the pennant"...
- 1954] Premiered on this date: "Father Knows Best" starring Robert Young begins a successful 8 year run...1955] "Captain Kangaroo" starring Bob Keeshan debuts and will air for 19 years before being syndicated...1955] "The Mickey Mouse Club" debuts with original episodes until 1962 before being syndicated into 1977. There was a revival of the show in 1989 that would last 5 years. That version starred Christina Aguilera, JC Chavez, Keri Russell, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake...1957] "The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom" which will air for 3 seasons...1961] "The Dick Van Dyke Show", one of the all-time best sitcoms lasts for 5 seasons and here's the show's open: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqIyjLxwk-s ...
- 1992] The Pope is ripped: Sinead O'Connor tears up a picture of the Pope during her "Saturday Night Live" appearance. We're not quite sure why???
- 1995] O.J. walks: O.J. Simpson is acquitted of the 1994 murders of wife Nicole Brown and Ronald L. Goldman. Justice will prevail in the civil trial...
- 1997] Hurricane warnings: After moving from Hartford where they were the Whalers, the Carolina Hurricanes play their first game in NC and lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3...
- 2000] "Happy Trails": Benjamin Orr, bass player of the Cars, is the victim of pancreatic cancer at 53...
- 2003] At the maul: Roy Horn (Siegfried & Roy) is mauled by Montecord, a 7-year old tiger during a stage performance in Las Vegas. Horn was celebrating his 59th birthday...
Music Memories:
- 1973] Number One on this date: "Half-Breed" - Cher...1982] "Jack and Diane" - John Cougar Mellencamp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lWvcmgfcSg )...
Commentary...
The Standells sing the national anthem at Fenway Park tonight and Jerry Remy (who played for both the Red Sox and their opponents, the LA Angels, throws out the first ball as the playoffs begin for the Red Sox. That game is tonight. Good luck to the Sox and all the other teams in the opening round of the baseball playoffs that will culminate on October 24th with the playing of the first game of the World Series...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Ashlee Simpson (23), Gwen Stefani (38) "The Sweet Escape": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wmTBXWuDJU , Clive Owen (43), Tommy Lee (45), Rev. Al Sharpton (52), Dennis Eckersley (53), Dave Winfield (56), Lindsey Buckingham (60), Biff Henderson (61), here's Biff in action covering the Super Bowl for Dave: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSjIRYXHfD8 ...Roy Horn (63), Chubby Checker (66) and Gore Vidal (82)...
Timeline Countdown: The MLB playoffs start this afternoon, 21 days until the World Series, 28 days until Halloween, 32 days until daylight light savings time ends and 43 days until Thanksgiving...
