This pisses me off. Its been long known how the Smithsonian sold out to Showtime, providing them exclusive access to the American public’s treasures. Now comes the announcement of the Smithsonian Channel, where you can pay money to see the things you and the rest of America already own.
Listen to these Smithsonian jackasses describe the deal (emphasis mine):
“The content can be maximized and enhanced by having this multitiered approach,” said Tom Ott, acting chief executive of Smithsonian Business Ventures, the division that negotiated the deal with Showtime.
“In my view the most important thing about the channel is not the business; it’s the outreach,” said [acting Smithsonian Secretary Cristian] Samper. “The key for us is making sure the content is the right content …
Its not “content,” you asshats. You’re talking about America’s national treasures, treasures I may remind you that aren’t yours to sell.
Already, the Smithsonian has had to deny requests for material because of their exclusive agreement with Showtime.
Some historians and filmmakers, including documentarian Ken Burns, objected to the deal because they feared their access to the Smithsonian archives could be limited. But Smithsonian officials said they’ve denied only two of 217 requests since the contract took effect in January 2006 with terms limiting direct competition with the new channel.
Two denied requests is two too many. And if you’re on Ken Burns’s bad side, buddy you’re doing something wrong.
Wouldn’t it be great to stage a massive sit-in at the Smithsonian to protest the auctioning of America’s museum to the highest bidder? On the other hand, maybe people have forgotten that there is such a thing as a public domain.