A Not-So-Grateful Country Will Be Shocked

By Wyatt Earp | October 5, 2009

Especially when its citizens realize that their tax dollars are being used to fund The Grateful Dead Archive. Seriously.

Look, I love the Grateful Dead. I’ve seen them live in Philly (2x), Norfolk (2x), D.C., and Hershey Park. Good time everytime. Even so, this is rather absurd:

The Grateful Dead Archive has taken another step in its long strange trip, from the UC Santa Cruz library to its own Web site, The Virtual Terrapin Station.

One of the most popular bands in rock ‘n’ roll history will have its legacy including photos, show tickets, toys, posters and recordings preserved online thanks to a federal grant. The Grateful Dead Archive, housed at the McHenry Library, has been awarded $615,175 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to photograph and scan collection images and upload them. The public will be able to access the online collection and offer fans the opportunity to contribute to the collection by digitally submitting photos.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is an federal government organization that uses public money for, yup, museum and libraries. This is a good thing. Usually. To be honest, I’d much rather they get way more than the average of $18 million a year. We can take it from all the other idiot federal government programs and use the money for museums and libraries. That said, somehow I doubt that the Grateful Dead, a rather free spirited and anti-government group of the 60’s and 70’s, would appreciate the government propping them up. (H/T – Pirate’s Cove)

Dude.

As of this moment, I am campaigning for the Psychedelic Furs Archive, and I damned well better see some taxpayer funding!

Topics: WTF? | 3 Comments »