RIAA Chief Whines That SOPA Opponents Were "Unfair"

First time submitter shoutingloudly writes "In a NY Times op-ed today, RIAA chief Cary H. Sherman accuses the opponents of SOPA of having engaged in shady rhetorical tactics. He (wrongly) accuses opponents such as Wikipedia and Google of having disseminated misinformation about the bills. He lashes out at the use of the term 'censorship,' which he calls a 'loaded and inflammatory term.' Most Slashdot readers will get the many unintentional jokes in this inaccurate, hypocritical screed by one of the leaders of the misinformation-and-inflammatory-rhetoric-wielding content industry lobby." A gem: "As it happens, the television networks that actively supported SOPA and PIPA didn’t take advantage of their broadcast credibility to press their case. That’s partly because 'old media' draws a line between 'news' and 'editorial.' Apparently, Wikipedia and Google don’t recognize the ethical boundary between the neutral reporting of information and the presentation of editorial opinion as fact."

Here's the sound of ...

[dkleinsc]

Well, it would be the sound of the world's tiniest violin playing a sad song, but due to copyright restrictions I can't actually post a link to it.

the very first comment on the NY times page

[Dr. Tom]

Mr. Sherman: You made a good point in your conclusion, "we need reason not rhetoric." That's exactly why it was a terrible idea for you to have written this rhetoric-filled inflammatory piece /we're done here

Senators and congresspersons are sold "As is"...

[Snufu]

No refunds.

Re:Unfair huh?

[Jason Levine]

I think this is what he found so unfair. SOPA/PIPA opponents went about brandishing the truth when everyone knows that the truth is poison to the RIAA. This just in: Truth declared a WMD! (Weapon of Media-conglomerate Destruction)

30 million unemployed because of his editorial

[elrous0]

Did you know that, in the 12 hours since Cary Sherman posted his editorial, over 10,000 Americans have lost their jobs? Clearly this man must be stopped before he destroys our economy! And that's why I urge you to support the Stop Cary Sherman/Super-Patriot/I Love America/Support Out Children Act. To do anything less is to deny our children a future of hope and prosperity!

Re:I Think It's Humorously Appropriate

[srussia]

Free 'rein'. Thought you would have known that.

Maybe he wasn't willing to give up his kingdom for a horse.

Re:A little uncomfortable

[Gilmoure]

Candy's dandy but liquor's quicker

Re:"Loaded and inflammatory"

[GameboyRMH]

From now on maybe we should call censorship "marshmallowship" or "kittencuddleship."

Re:"Loaded and inflammatory"

[PRMan]

Jesus was the original sharer. He made 5000 fish out of 1 or 2. That thief! He robbed the non-existent fishermen (they were in the middle of nowhere) of their sales!

Re:"Loaded and inflammatory"

[Anonymous Coward]

That and he circumvented the DRM on water molecules, turning them into wine. The swine!

Re:A little uncomfortable

[CanEHdian]

Welcome to the NBC Evening news.

Today, RIAA chief Cary H. Sherman courageously outed the opponents of SOPA as having engaged in shady rhetorical tactics. Last month, Wikipedia and Google disseminated misinformation about the bills SOPA and PIPA, bills introduced to protect badly needed American jobs against rogue foreign piracy websites. Especially the use of the term 'censorship,' clearly a 'loaded and inflammatory term, was used by Mr. Sherman to illustrate his point.

In other news,

Re:"Loaded and inflammatory"

[DanielRavenNest]

His dad owns the copyright on fish, so he probably had permission