Will Congress Threaten Live Music and Dancing?

Janice Brooks · From: Pleasant Gap Pa

The information below is from the Drug Policy Alliance.

Congress Threatens Live Music and DancingCongress is considering two pieces of legislation that could effectively ban live music and dancing, while throwing innocent people like you in jail. If enacted, either bill could prevent you from hearing your favorite band or artist live. Every musical style would be affected, including rock and roll, Hip Hop, country, and electronic music. Both bills would allow overzealous prosecutors to send innocent people to jail for the crimes of others. The two bills are the RAVE Act (H.R. 718) and the CLEAN-UP Act (H.R. 834). Both could be passed this year without your help.

The RAVE Act would make it easier for the federal government to punish property owners for any drug offense that their customers commit – even if they work hard to stop such offenses. If enacted, nightclub and stadium owners would likely stop holding events – such as rock or Hip Hop concerts – in which even one person might use drugs. Similarly, the CLEAN-UP Act contains provisions that would make it a federal crime - punishable by up to nine years in prison - to promote “any rave, dance, music or other entertainment event” that might attract some attendees that would use or sell drugs. In both cases, it doesn’t matter if the concert promoter and property owner try to prevent people from using drugs. Nor does it matter if the vast majority of people attending the event are law-abiding citizens that want to listen to music not do drugs.

The RAVE Act was first introduced last year in the Senate by Senator Joe Biden (D-DE). A House version was introduced by Rep. Lamar Smith (R-TX). Thanks to the support of thousands of voters like you, Drug Policy Alliance and a coalition of friends and activists around the country was able to stop both bills last year. Unfortunately, supporters of the RAVE Act are even more determined to pass it this year. Rep. Howard Coble (R-NC) is sponsoring a new RAVE Act in the House. Additionally, Senator Biden has introduced a Senate version entitled the Illicit Drugs Anti-Proliferation Act.

If enacted, both the House RAVE Act and the Senate Anti-Proliferation Act would make it easier for federal prosecutors to fine and imprison business owners that fail to stop drug offenses from occurring. Businessmen and women could be prosecuted even if they were not involved in drugs - and even if they took steps to stop drug use on their property. Although proponents of the bill are seeking to target raves (and DJs, nightclub owners, and rave promoters have the most to fear), the law would apply to any business owner, including bar owners, motel owners, concert promoters, and cruise ship owners. Because of its broad language, the proposed law would even potentially subject people to twenty years in federal prison if one or more of their guests smoked marijuana at their party or barbecue.

For more information on the RAVE Act and Drug Policy Alliance’s campaign to stop it, see: The Musician's Guide to Drug Policy Reform.

Click here to read the full text of H.R. 718.

The CLEAN-UP Act was also first introduced last year, but it failed to make it out of committee. This year’s bill has over 60 co-sponsors and could become law without your help. Sponsored by Rep. Doug Ose (R-CA), the Clean, Learn, Educate, Abolish, and Undermine Production (CLEAN-UP) of Methamphetamines Act is largely an innocuous bill that provides more money and training for the clean up of illegal methamphetamine lab. Hidden within the bill, however, is a draconian section that could make dancing and live music federal crimes.

Section 305 of the CLEAN-UP Act stipulates that:

`Whoever, for a commercial purpose, knowingly promotes any rave, dance, music, or other entertainment event, that takes place under circumstances where the promoter knows or reasonably ought to know that a controlled substance will be used or distributed in violation of Federal law or the law of the place where the event is held, shall be fined under title 18, United States Code, or imprisoned for not more than 9 years, or both.'

Under the provision, any concert promoter, nightclub owner and arena or stadium owner could be fined and jailed, since a reasonable person would know some people use drugs at musical events.

Click here for the full text of H.R. 834.

--->Check out the Drug Policy Alliance and take action!

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

So...Are ya fer it or...

Earnest Bovine · From: Los Angeles CA USA

Does this mean we cans end the President to jail when an entertainer smokes dope of the White House roof?

JB Arnold · From: Longmont,Co,USA (deceased)

Unfortunately, in the War on Drugs, we've got all the guns pointed at the wrong people...and in most cases, right back in our own face. The toads that try to shove this stuff off on the public should be flogged. Unwilling to try and make any kind of responsible attempt to mediate the problem-It can't BE solved-they foist the legal responsibility off on innocent bystanders. Thus, any stand on a controversial issue can be avoided while still claiming to be attacking the problem.

if you can't cure the disease, just kill the patient.

"Calling Dr Howard! Dr Fine, Dr Howard!"

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Fulawka D-10 9&5
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"All in all, looking back, I'd have to say the best advice anyone ever gave me was 'Hands Up, Don't Move!"
www.johnbarnold.com/pedalsteel
www.buddycage.net

http://www.nrpsmusic.com/index.html

Ken Lang · From: Simi Valley, Ca

"America, Ameri......"No wait, officer. We always end with that song.

"God send his gra......" Ouch, your hurting my arm.

"And crown thy good...." Is that a .38 police special?

"With brotherhoo...." It's very difficult singing with this choke hold.

"From sea to shining....." OK. Yea that's Beyer asprin. That's nasel spray. All right, I'll confess to the Rolaids. Viagara? No way, those are peds.

"Sea".......Twenty years? Where's my lawer? Why is the band in the Paddy Wagon? The Rave act? Isn't that a Buddy Holly song? Ouch, quit with the baton......These handcuffs are hurting my wrists....Where is the ACLU when we really need them?....Ouch....This is NOT Funny.......

Gene Jones · From: Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)

Is personal responsibility not a consideration anywhere anymore? Screw everyone and sue everyone!

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

I'm not too worried - no drug users come to any of my gigs.

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

We have a religious zealot for an Attorney General, a conservative congress and a conservative administration. Nothing would surprise me. What I think is interesting is that the Fundamentalists, around the world, be they Islamic, Christian or what ever, are united in their dislike of music and dancing.

There's too much money to be made selling drugs, both legal and illegal, to do anything to stop it. The occasional bust helps justify the money spent on the "war" against drugs. When the real issue is why do we need them in the first place and/or are they really that bad. The statisics show that other, legal, substances do far more damage to humans.

[This message was edited by chas smith on 23 March 2003 at 12:16 PM.]

[This message was edited by chas smith on 23 March 2003 at 12:28 PM.]

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

"I think they should make everything legal...then there wouldn't be any crime."

(Brother Dave Gardener, 1963.)

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Reminds me of the time YEARS AGO when our bass player, "Book 'em Ernie" the career wanna be cop explained to me one break that there were "people smoking weed in the can" and there were people "snorting crank" in the parking lot. I told him ( while flying on acid*) JEEZ Ernie. You can't arrest EVERYBODY!?!

He assumed a mild *parade rest* stance, looked around cooly at the crowd and said. "I don't know about that...".. ( and people wonder why I used to carry a gun to the gigs..)

*( I wasn't really 'flying on acid', but the way the music was going, I might as well have been...)

Well the MADDs and Bars' Drinking Liability have already pretty much wrecked the music scene.. Why not throw the whole frigging thing in the fire....

I surrender.

EJL

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

I had a friend, years ago, who was a member of DAMM, drunks against mad mothers.....

Kevin Hatton · From: Buffalo, N.Y.

This is just another attack on personal freedom and liberty. Arresting people for choosing to do what they want witht their own bodies. Ignorant and dangerous.

Leroy Riggs · From: Looney Tunes, R.I.P.

I sent in my protest today but you know as well as I that there is no stopping these folks in Washington. Too bad.

John Cox · From: Texas, USA

BYE,BYE,MISS AMERICAN PIE (or is it freedom?)

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Congress has been endangering live music for years. It's called lowering the DUI limit for legal every couple years. People don't go to clubs because they are afraid of being busted. Now, don't get me wrong, we need a law for drunk driving, but is there some way to reach a happy medium. Years ago cops would stop a guy and either follow them home, or offer to take them home. Now they sit outside clubs and wait. Maybe when a person leaves a bar, they could blow in a tube right there. If not drunk they could leave. If they were other arrangements could be made. Just my thoughts.

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1985 Emmons push-pull, Nashville400, 65 re-issue Fender Twin, Fender Tele

chas smith R.I.P. · From: Encino, CA, USA

The DUI limit seems to be a "Hot Button" here on the Forum and while I agree that those of us who are responsible in how we drink and or not drive shouldn't be penalized for the actions of those who are not, when you live in a place like Los Angeles, where the statistics say that every 5th car on the freeway, after 2 am, is a drunk driver and some years ago I read a stat in the LA Times where it said that if you were involved in an accident there was an 85% chance one of the drivers was intoxicated, then it makes sense.

[This message was edited by chas smith on 25 March 2003 at 07:08 PM.]

[This message was edited by chas smith on 25 March 2003 at 08:36 PM.]

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

That's what I mean. There has to be a law, but somehow there has to be a way a person could go to a club have a couple drinks,and then know legally when he leaves whether he should drive or not. Like I said, some kind of breath test. People that think they are good to go a lot of times are not.

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Addendum to below: I looked up the bill and who sponsored it. Well folks there are about 50 to 75 names ,from both parties, Republican and Democrat..which may basically validate my thoughts...

Original post:

I think it may be appropriate to re-think that the Atty. General or conservative Congress is responsible for this. The Atty General enforces laws, he does not create them and has nothing to do with that.

Congress ..well, some goon brings legislation to the table , almost always from committee , and they discuss it and maybe vote on it. Generally they attach these little gems to other legislation to kind of hide it so to speak.

It may be of great interest to learn who is behind the proposed legislation...we would most likely learn it was a bi-partisan committee, Liberal and Republicans joined together in a coup. Most bills are. The only real difference is that when a Bill is passed, one of the parties heads for hi ground and trys to distance themselves from the legislation and points all fingers at the other party. Thats Tom Dachels job in my view.....The media reports it that way....then about a month later , in size 1 font in the Washington Post, someone writes an article stating it was both parties responsible. We would need the Hubbel Telescope lens to actually read it. And Judy Woodward probably will not report on the article.

Politics at work....both sides...

That being said..they are all nuts....

So killing live music will stop people from drinking ? Did anyone ever think that..they may just go somewhere else and drink...like a restaurant ?

I doubt it will ever come to be...it would put way to many business out of business..

unless the real story is that they want the clubs to play recorded music so that royalites have to be paid...just like many restaurants do with their pre-recorded music programs.

Uhmmm....

tp

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 26 March 2003 at 04:26 AM.]

[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 26 March 2003 at 05:13 AM.]

Craig A Davidson · From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA

Actually the laws are killing the music. People are afraid to go out and party for fear of being arrested.

GaryL · From: Medina, OH USA

Sounds like the usual "war on drugs" propaganda. If we can't arrest the guilty, then we'll take hostages just to prove our point....

Paul Osbty · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

Good job, Tony. Here are the bill's sponsors:

Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE, sponsor) and Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA, co-sponsor) introduced the RAVE Act on June 18, 2002 Later, Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Joe Lieberman (D-CT), and Strom Thurmond (R-SC) added their names as co-sponsors.

With Thurmond retired it looks like an even split.

Since many of you may side with the big-government efforts to eliminate tobacco use, why are you surprised? You get what you ask for.