The RAVE Act amends the federal "crack house law" to make it easier for federal prosecutors to fine and imprison business owners that fail to stop drug offenses from occurring. Businessmen and women could be prosecuted even if they were not involved in drugs - and even if they took steps to stop drug use on their property. Although proponents of the bill are seeking to target raves (and DJs, nightclub owners, and rave promoters have the most to fear), the law could apply to any business owner, including bar owners, motel owners, concert promoters, and cruise ship owners, as well as organizers of hemp festivals, circuit parties and other events. Because of its broad language, the law could potentially subject people to twenty years in federal prison if one or more of their guests smoked marijuana at their party or barbecue. "
Also, the original bill suggested that prosecutors should view the sale of water and the presence of glowsticks or massage oil as evidence of drug use. These ludicrous "findings" were completely removed."
my comment below.
Irrespective of the effect on any particular type of music or subculture, this is a another serious attack on the freedom to associate. Be it rave or punk (and I am an enthusiastic proponent of both, as they are both anti authoritarian and promote tolerance between races, creeds etc etc etc). As an attack on freedom to associate, it is also an attack on the freedom of information as in Ireland (where I am from) much of the information about anti war and anti globalisation protests and meetings are spread. Also such side projects as RTS (reclaim the streets) and food not bombs. Aside from a having a good time, do you want your government telling you who you can associate with, what music you can listen to, and what ideas you can have.
Just to get my point across, to a greater extent, this kind of thing effects all of us, and if we start thinking of it as a kind of raver/punk dualism we are fucked, screw our differences, look at what unites us, and then we move from a tiny minority to a larger one, and then with any luck to a group that has the numbers to actually effect some change. In the words of CRASS, and these I think are some words to remember any self imposed cultural seperation is just "another clever trick to keep us all in line neat little labels to keep us all apart to keep us all divided when the troubles start ".
And dont even get me started on the complete foolishness of the drug war in general. Jesus, what are they afraid of, E (as we call X over this side of the pond) turning everyone into loving buddas and not wanting to Kill strangers who you have never met on the other side of the globe? regards FatherCrow