[Fmpro] Who do you really know?

[Chris Alpiar]

	> I think your question only allows for muddy answers.

> My question was.......... do you know the Publishers on your PRO Board?

You wrote:
" The issue is can a writer who is a Publisher still be a viable member of a
PRO Board.. especially if the writer refuses to divulge data to writers, but
does so to members of the Publishing fraternity?"

--------------------------------------------
	>  Seats
	> allotted to represent composers should come from true composer  
	> advocates
	> that prove themselves as such.

> It has never worked.

Well if we had a union there wouldn't be the choice, it would have to work.
But until there is a union or some body representing the composers you are
just screaming in a void. I am certain that any board member that has
started to participate on this forum will not return for the bombastic
gun-slinger reception they get each time they show up. Its too bad too
because a lot of the questions floating around here are real good ones and
really deserve an answer from them, but the brutality factor I imagine will
dissuade an open line of communication

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> Equally... those writers who are not 'publishers' [on a Board] but  
> get huge $$mechanical'$$checks from the publishers who sit across the  
> table from them... are NOT going to piss off those  
> publishers........  imagine how this is going to work in the download  
> world and what the 'guaranteed' $$'s are going to be to those in a  
> position to 'get them'.

Sounds like you have some specific info on specific people. I think its your
responsibility, as one who posts that, to share those names and facts about
them. If not then I have to assume you are a conspiracy theorist that is
gonna tell me you saw the board of ascap at a dinner with Elvis and Hitler
and Jim Morrison in Beunos Aires ;)

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	> Whether they work for any publishers or
	> represent whoever I don't really care about, as long as they  
	> represent us
	> justly and with gonads to say what is needed, but to do it with  
	> enough tact
	> to actually get results.

> You mean staff, not owners right?

I mean whoever man, if someone is doing justice for composers it doesn't
matter to me if its Mother Theresa or Bill Gates or the ghost of Jack
Warner. Honesty, integrity, accountability, justice and fairness are all I
care about. 

Now don't get me wrong! I agree with your sentiment and I think it is highly
doubtful to find a publisher that would responsibly represent the composers
but we have to be the ones with ideals and faith that there is the
possibility. If we just say ahh they are all crooked and maintain that
position without specific accountable documented instances with proofs, then
we are just the same and are equally crooked, even if it is done in best of
intention to help save the composers. Don't fight fire with fire, fight it
with water ;) Let's make change hippy style, with love and pure intent and
most of all with NUMBERS and accountability.

I love ya lots Les, you are an important part of our community and you rouse
the rabble like no other ;) But I most respectfully disagree with your
approach to finding change. I am a newb tho so guess you can just discount
my reasoning as puppy naivety, but what I write here, well I feel it in my
stones that its right so I gotta say it