Amy Klobuchar vs Justin Bieber, Round 2

A couple weeks ago we mentioned the trouble brewing between Justin Bieber-- on behalf of internet freedom-- and Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN)-- on behalf of censorship and corporate dominance. Although the charismatic Bieber, an underage, anti-Choice Canadian, can't run against her, he can cause he far more damage than she ever imagined. Above is an ad Demand Progress is running.

We're running this ad for one simple reason:  We need to embarrass a key lawmaker to set an example for others, and make it clear that it's not okay to shill for the entertainment industry.

Our ad calls out Sen. Amy Klobuchar for spearheading the effort to make it a felony to stream certain content online-- meaning ordinary Americans would risk getting locked up for posting karaoke videos, cover band performances, video game play-throughs, and more. 

Hollywood has gobs of money, and that means that they have undue clout in DC.  Lawmakers love sponsoring Hollywood bills because it means untold thousands of new dollars for their campaign coffers.  Ads like this will make them think twice.

This week the ad is running on Comedy Central in the Twin Cities, the area that is key to Klobuchar's reelection prospects. It criticizes her for spearheading the effort to make it a felony to stream certain content online-- meaning ordinary Americans would risk being imprisoned for five years for posting karaoke videos, cover band performances, video game play-throughs, and more. Bieber became famous by posting videos of his covers of other artists' songs on YouTube, exposing him to potential prosecution if this legislation passes. He was recently asked what he thought about Klobuchar's proposal, and his answer couldn't have been more dead-on:

"Whoever she is, she needs to know that I'm saying she needs to be locked up-- put away in cuffs." He added, "People need to have the freedom... people need to be able to sing songs. I just think that's ridiculous." 

As far as making corrupt politicians who cater to corporate agenda think twice... we'll see. Hollywood's most blatant legislative whore, Howard Berman, affectionately known as the congressman from the RIAA-- and every other Hollywood trade group-- just did a big reelection fundraiser in Beverly Hills... and raised $1.6 million in one night. Next time you're thinking about what terrible slimebags the Republicans are-- and they are-- think about Democrats like Howard Berman as well. Do you think he cares about a grassroots groups running an ad against Amy Klobuchar? I don't. If Justin Bieber and some of his friends donated $1.6 million to the cause... he might.