Jim Groom notes the creation of a Copyright Czar. The bill is here. I’m guessing since the “Drug Czar” idea worked out so well, the government just couldn’t help itself.

You want to know how screwed up the world is? The sponsor of this bill, Patrick Leahy, is a huge Grateful Dead fan. From Wikipedia:

Leahy is a fan of the Grateful Dead. He has not only attended concerts, but has taped them, and

Image via Wikipedia

has a collection of the band’s tapes in his Senate Offices. Jerry Garcia visited him at his Senate offices, and Leahy gave a tie designed by Garcia to Senator Orrin Hatch (who responded by giving Leahy a Rush Limbaugh tie). Surviving band members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart have participated in fundraisers for Leahy and his Political Action Committee, the Green Mountain Victory Fund. Leahy also appeared in a videotaped tribute to the Dead when they received a lifetime achievement award at the 2002 Jammys. His Senate website notes this response to a question from seventh grade students from Vermont’s Thetford Academy who asked Leahy which Dead song was his favorite, he replied: “… my favorite is “Black Muddy River” but we always play “Truckin’” on election night at my headquarters.”

Peace, Love, and Selling Out.