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| Governor Charlie Crist switched from Republican to Independent when losing his current run for US Senate |
Editor's Comment: We applaud David Byrne for going after Charlie Crist, Governor of Florida for using Talking Heads music to promote his political campaign in a run for the U.S. Senate. Byrne says, "This is not about politics...", and I have no idea what David Byrne's viewsmay be specifically on any of the issues mentioned below. But those who know Byrne as a musician and lyricist, can safely betthat he has no truck with Charlie Crist's politics as they are reported by On The Issues.
Crist opposes: public school education; same-sex marriage and domestic partnership benefits; affirmative action; women's right to choose; human rights of immigrants and rehabilitation and parole of prisoners.
Crist supports: The Death Penalty and broadening the use of the Federal Death Penalty, (e.g. he pushed for resumptionof the death penalty by lethal injection in 2007 after it was suspended with Florida's botched electrocution of Angel Diaz in 2006); teacher-led prayer in public schools; mandatory "3-strikes and your out" (no hope for parole even for prisoners who commit 3 minor felonies); reducing property taxes from which Florida public education is funded; the right to carry a concealed gun; use of food (citrus) for bio-energy; parent's right to choose schools; allowing vouchers for any public, private or religious schools (eroding racial integration); drug use as immoral; more penalties for drug use enforcement; expanding "Free Trade Agreements" with Peru, Panama and Colombia and expansion of the U.S. military meaning an even fatter budget for Dept. of Defense.
Crist voices "no opinion" on: Privatizing Social Security; funding churches to provide social services; "illegal immigrants" earning citizenship; expanding the armed forces (more funding); stricter limits on campaign funds; laws requiring employers to hire more immigrants and women; "the Patriot Act as it harms civil liberties"; ending the US out in Iraq.
More stuff from Charlie
"“For nearly half a century, the government of Cuba has denied its people access to the most fundamental, God-given liberties, blatantly ignored human rights violations and repressed opposition voices ... Today, Americans and Floridians remain united in support of all Cubans laboring under that brutal dictatorship to bring about meaningful political and economic change. Your cause is just and our prayers are with you that you succeed in your efforts.”
“Today I join Cubanson both sides of the Florida Straits in recognizing the official resignation of Fidel Castro as President of Cuba. Americans – and Floridians especially – continue to stand in solidarity with the Cuban people as they remain under the oppression of the Castro regime. Regrettably, this dictatorship continues through the succession of power to Raul Castro, and as Floridians, we must continue to call for free and democratic elections in Cuba, freedom for all political prisoners and respect for all human rights as detailed in the Geneva Conventions.”
Sun Sentinel editor Earl Maucker, interviews Crist (video):
Crist - "The problem is that you have this totalitarian regime down there that locks up journalists, suppresses freedom, doesn't allow for open dialogue and I think unless and until that begins to occur umm it's not in Florida's best interest and I don't think it's in America's best interest to be embracing of that kind of a government. Ultimately, I'd love them to be free. I'd love for Cuba to have freedom. ... But again, there is a government in place there right now that ahh doesn't allow or encourage that kind of freedom and I think that's why there's been a stalemate." Question: "As a senator would you be in favor of less restrictions on travel?" Crist answers, "No I wouldn't until they offer more freedoms to their own people first and demonstrate that they're serious about this." (Transcribed from video by Axis of Logic)
Charlie Crist on Israel just after their slaughter of Gazans in 2009:
"During this critical time for the Israeli people, I am honored to express support for the State of Israel and the Israeli people."
Huh? Crist praises Obama's handling of the BP oil disaster in the Gulf(video).
Crist wants to bring casinos into Floridaas a source of revenue, i.e. more money from the common taxpayer trying survive with a roll of the dice.
Charlie Crist on civilian control of the military:
"Ultimately, as in all military matters I defer to the Pentagon and to the Generals and what the Senate is doing today is giving them the ultimate authority to do what is best for our military. So, I would be inclined to support the Senate's action on this."
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In addition to all this, Crist, who supports smaller government and calls himself a fiscal conservative,isn't a bit shy about spending taxpayers' money. He and his fiancée made a 12-day tripto Europe in 2008 that cost taxpayers over $430,000 (not including $30,000 paid by business executives) and he supported Obama's Stimulus Program,part of the taxpayers' $8 Trillion Bailoutpackage. Charlie and Carolegot married soon after.
Finally, Crist obviously supports the unauthorized use of great music at the expense of the artist to deceive his constituents with the "I'm cool too" image. Answering the title of the article below, I can't imagine why David Byrne is fighting back on this one! See what he says in his brief interview with Rolling Stone below.
Listen to the "Road to Nowhere" performed by the Talking Heads and used by Charlie Crist for his political campaign.
- Les Blough, Editor © Copyright 2010 by AxisofLogic.com Why David Byrne Sued the Governor of Florida "This is not about politics or about Republicans, Democrats or Independents. This lawsuit is about maintaining control over the use of my identity and my music." - David Byrne
Axis of Logic
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Rolling Stone Magazine
By Patrick Doyle
2 July, 2010
David Byrne
The suit is the latest by a rocker seeking legal action over politicians' unauthorized use of their music, including Foo Fighters, Van Halen, John Mellencamp and Jackson Browne — earlier today, Rolling Stone reportedthat a judge ruled Don Henley's rights were violated by California Republican senatorial candidate Chuck DeVore. (Byrne's lawyer, Lawrence Iser, also represented Browne when the songwriter sued John McCain for using his single "Running on Empty" in his 2008 run for president; the case has since been settled.) Rolling Stone checked in with Byrne today to talk about the suit and why is rep is worth more than a fat payday.
Why did you choose to file suit against Crist?
I've rightly or wrongly assumed that not licensing my songs or Talking Heads songs for use in advertisements is meaningful to both my own sense of integrity and my audience's sense of who I am and what I stand for. The personal connection to a song is somewhat severed when it is used in an advertisement, at least that's my belief. So when this song was used without permission, I was both deprived of income — income I have thus far denied myself — and what my songs represent was damaged. Anyone viewing the ad and hearing me singing would assume that I endorse Crist. There is no way I can now contact all those people and their friends and families and explain that that is not the case.
Why have you previously chosen not to license your songs for use in commercials?
It's old fashioned, I know. Like other music fans, I form personal attachments to songs. I've watched others license songs and in my mind they lose some integrity as a result. One begins to mistrust them in other areas as well — even to the extent of not trusting the ultimate truth of their songs.
You arrived at the amount of a $1 million suit based on past offers to license your songs for a similar amount. Who have you been approached by?
I get a few offers a year for use of my songs in advertisements that my business people dangle in front of me. I've always turned them down. I have a sense of the numbers but don't remember the names of all the companies. The lawyers have it all on record.
Have there been any talks of settling with Crist?
We tried hard to resolve this before filing the lawsuit. Our legal system has the problem that money often dictates whether someone files a lawsuit or not. It's often assumed, rightly, by the powerful, that the little guy won't spend the money to take it to court. I was left with no choice but to file this lawsuit. I'm sure we will continue to explore settlement options.
How much would you settle for?
What do you think my reputation is worth? Ah… maybe don't answer that. But, to me, my reputation is something I've struggled to establish over a lifetime and Crist has associated me and my reputation with his campaign without my permission. It's more than simply using my music without permission and without paying, though it's that too.
Would you sue a candidate that you supported if they also used your music without permission?
Yes. This is not about politics or about Republicans, Democrats or Independents. This lawsuit is about maintaining control over the use of my identity and my music.