Hello, folks, I just took a trip to the local theater (saw Return of the King, excellent BTW) and I saw an interesting trailer regarding piracy and I thought I'd get out my soapbox and share my thoughts about it.

At the beginning, they trot out a few actors and directors saying how wrong piracy is and how it would shut down the movie business. Then, during the meaty portion of the trailer, regular working people like set designers, carpenters, makeup artists, etc., are trotted out to state that piracy will put them out of their jobs.

Now, don't get me wrong, I think that piracy is stealing and should be curtailed, but let's get real, folks. If they really wanted "truth in advertising," instead of the working people, the trailer should have gone like this:

ACTOR: "If piracy continues, I'll have to cancel that Ferrari that I have on order."

DIRECTOR: "If piracy continues, I won't be able to buy that $6,000 shower curtain or the $15,000 umbrella stand."

EXEC. PRODUCER: "If piracy continues, I won't be able to pay the note for the luxury yacht that I own."

I have all the sympathy in the world for the middle class people who work in movies whose livelihood will be endangered by piracy but it's hard to feel anything for those fat cat studio heads and their ilk, especially when they charge me $9.25 for a ticket. Do you guys really think that rich Hollywood's lifestyles would change one bit if the status quo stays? Can you see a day when Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Arnold Schwarzenegger, et. al., will have to trade in their $100,000 Benzes for Hyundais? I think not.

Oh, well, enough preaching, time to put away the soapbox until the next outrage occurs. :\