It would behoove Buffalo Productions to create a way for their fans to have access on an advertised site – to the latest series especially. I would prefer to support the creator, writers, players and technical folks for bringing me the BEST series I have ever watched through this way rather than “ill-gotten” or “pirated” method. This series has a HUGE, expanding fan base here in America and I think your fans would love to support “Doc Martin” directly but don’t hesitate to watch the pirated versions because we can – it’s not illegal.

Just so you know I intend on purchasing the entire series when it’s done. But in the meantime I’ll watch Netflix and PBS and get friends and family hooked on it as my contribution to supporting the program.

C-SPAN’s Washington Journal call in show discussed this issue last month when the topic was hot. Here is a link you might find helpful to educate yourself on the topic. The expert opposed the SOPA legislation.
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/WJMa
Sen. Chris Dodd, (MPAA President) who is mentioned in this discussion will be on our Communicators program in the near future. If you would like to pose a question to him let me know and I will give it to the host.

By the way, I am friendly with Dodd’s assistant, she has purchase the series for her sister.

Molly

I ought to have a well-developed line on this, but I don’t.

I suppose, like most people, I know in my heart it’s wrong to use youtube etc to view programming, but I find it a useful (if patchy) resource. And I like the democracy of it.

So it’s hard to moralise. On the other hand, I don’t think anybody can seriously argue that advertising and other revenues generated by displaying ill-gotten content are fairly earned. They should be shared among the content-owners. It can be done, eg with PRS and music; it can be done with video too.

I think there are other issues in the proposed legislation; I’m afraid I haven’t had time to look. Very lazy of me!

DM

Thanks for your time,
Molly

I by chance was looking at our Twitter/thinktankthuto followers and discovered your name. Please let me know how to send you these pics.

A couple of snapshots of Anthony Minghella at a BEDIA’s farewell to Bishop Mwamba’s wife Mmasakoa Masire Mwamba.

Yours Sincerely,
Annelize Bester | twitter.com/thuto

You commented on an AV post of mine a little while back, but it got lost in the spam. I’ve found it now and responded at http://www.futureeconomics.org/2011/02/my-definitive-view-of-the-av-debate#comment-818

I guess it all seems a bit late for now, but actually the nature of democracy is going t0 be an increasingly hot topic as the coalition narrative falls apart. If you take a neutral stance (ie you know nothing about the strength of preferences and the fairness or otherwise of what is being voted for) then AV produces on average results that conform more often with standard criteria of group preferences. On average means that sometimes these results will still seem unfair or perverse, as in your examples. So there are always counterexamples to any example.

So is proportional representation the answer? I would say it was preferable, since in theory support for political parties is then matched by representation. But it’s hardly the whole answer, since people are not just equal to their party political preferences and politicians have their own agendas. We also have to look at closing the gap between voters and politicians. I like the ideas of randomly-selected virtual assemblies and limited-time political careers.

During my career I have often dreamed of presenting my film at an Island Festival alongside the truly great achievements of both of them. Drinking a pint or two of Burt’s Nut Brown with a hundred others on a beach at sundown. A mini Cannes.

Alas neither Anthony (or indeed Burts) will be there. But the people he has inspired will be. Because it WILL happen… one day.

Hopefully soon. Good luck Dominic.

Keith English

I’m depressed now.