no, it's not a joke, really:

www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/120903.asp

RIAA Taps ATF Chief To Lead Anti-Piracy Unit

WASHINGTON -- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) announced today that it has hired Bradley Buckles, the director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), to head its Anti-Piracy Unit.

As Director of ATF for the past four years, Buckles oversaw a prominent agency with a staff of more than 4,800 employees and an $800 million budget. Before becoming the Director in 1999, Buckles served in two different senior leadership posts at the ATF, first as Chief Counsel from 1974 - 1995, then as Deputy Director from 1996 - 1999.

"Brad offers impeccable credentials, the acclaim of his colleagues, and a long and successful career at the upper echelons of law enforcement," said Mitch Bainwol, Chairman and CEO of the RIAA. "He is the perfect match for the RIAA and will be an extraordinary asset to our anti-piracy efforts."

Attorney General John Ashcroft said that, "As a dedicated professional at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for nearly 30 years, Bradley A. Buckles has served with integrity and skill. His steadfast leadership of the Bureau's 4,800 employees helped ensure a seamless transfer of the ATF from the Treasury Department to the Justice Department this year. I am grateful for his service and wish him every success in his future endeavors."

At the RIAA, Buckles will lead the organization's Anti-Piracy Unit, which includes investigators in Washington and throughout the country who work with various law enforcement agencies to combat piracy. The technological capability to copy massive numbers of counterfeit CDs with computer burners is transforming music piracy into an increasingly easy, cheap and convenient enterprise.

"Brad's appointment should signal to everyone that we continue to take piracy, here and throughout the world, very seriously," Bainwol added. "Piracy is becoming an increasingly sophisticated, and lucrative criminal venture."

While at the ATF, Buckles served on the Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Policy Board of the Gang Resistance Education and Training Program, and the Board of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Before joining the ATF, Buckles earned his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wyoming and his law degree from Washburn University.

I was just joking months ago... but.....


BATFEI

Helpful link for those who download illegal music online

Quoted: img107.imageshack.us/img107/1384/waco1bo.th.jpg</a>

Oh, man, thats just wrong.

ETA"I never noticed the pussy button on imageshack before. "Report this image as offensive\adult content"

On the board of IACP... one of the worst of the antigun "police" organizations.  You can always count on IACP for an antigun quote for any newspaper article about guns.

Today they announced they are going after people who download songs from CD's they own to their Ipods. WTF?

One is about as honorable as the other.

Quoted: no, it's not a joke, really: www.riaa.com/news/newsletter/120903.asp RIAA Taps ATF Chief To Lead Anti-Piracy Unit

This is why I read ARFcom - to get breaking news from 2003.