Dear Hollywood, fuck the WGA. Need a scab?

[MLFerrell]

I have lots of experience with creative writing, and I've had a few sitcom-appropriate jokes that would knock 'em dead floating around in my head for a while now.

Hey, producers of LOST? I could write better than the flaming retards you've got who couldn't write their way out of a paper bag. Want to give me a shot?

Hey American Idol? Go fuck yourself! Twice, and sideways!

In summation, Hollywood, I work for scale, which would be, what, five times more than the average working person's salary?

So, need a scab writer? You just found one! Drop me a line, I'll be waiting!

[Renew Deal]

1. Bad attempt at humor.

[MLFerrell]

5. Who said anything about humor?

I'm serious. I could use a gig paying $100k / year for doing nothing but appealing to the lowest common denominator.

[Renew Deal]

7. That's all that screen writers do?

OK

[driver8]

14. "The lowest common denominator"? Is that a fact or just your

opinion?

Where do you get the idea that all of the writers are sitting around making 100K a year? Do you have any idea what the percentage is of working WGA members? Do you have any idea what the strike is about or have you made up your mind based on the content of programs that you see on television?

My guess is that you don't have a fucking clue what you are talking about.

[Deja Q]

20. Fact. It's simple macro-economics.

Ratings and sponsors. The message has to get to as many people as possible, especially given the costs to make one commercial.

I think he has quite a fucking clue. A real orgy of a clue, in fact.

Okay, $100k is a bit much, I'll wholly agree - in Hollywuss the actors are out for themselves and clearly don't give a shit about anyone else (why aren't they supporting the writers who give them their goods?!) Where is Tom Cruise in support of the writers who give him something to do when not looking at a mirror? So many actors go out there and preach fairness and other things, but reality tells a different story; maybe there is a good point to this strike after all.

[driver8]

30. No -- he doesn't have a clue.

The OP thinks it is up to the writer to go in and create shows that appeal to the LCD -- the writer doesn't create shit. He/she writes what they are hired to write. If you are hired to write for "Bionic Woman" then you have to write a script based on that show.

I guess the OP is going to go in and change the way that Hollywood does business because he's willing to work for less as a scab?

Sorry -- no fucking clue.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

50. You are both correct

As a writer for TV - I never sold an original unsolicited pilot. I was paid to write for a specific show and that is what i did. I had to lower my IQ to write some of the shit I wrote but I also found great challenges and came up with great plots with sub plots and twists. Not to mention writing the dialog. I have written shows for ongoing programs, unsolicited - and then managed to sell them to the producer(s) - But I never tried to write a pilot. I thought of it many times but that was as far as I got... thinking.

I don't think the OP was saying that he would come up with original pilots but that he was willing to write what he was asked to write and do it for scale - One thing he has wrong, if you are not union and are unknown, you will not get scale but well below scale....

[endarkenment]

82. Median WGA income: $5,000/yr.

SAG is in full support of the WGA.

[katty]

129. no clue here, they are outside right now protesting...there

are many issues that need to be negotiated-most writers in the WGA don't work alot or work on big, prime time network shows, very small percentage work on those.

[Deja Q]

17. Which means the problem isn't as much the writing as it is the clueless management...

LCD tactics only go so far.

Whatever happened to genre works keyed to loyal, long-term audiences instead of the tarted-up throwaway garbage meant for the masses?

If writers get $100k, I'd do it too.

They should; but many who are creative are summarily excluded because they may not bring in the mass audiences (the LCD factor). Which is a shame... mind you, broadcast networks are about LCD fluff and cable seems to be suited for genre audiences...

[devilgrrl]

124. What a heaping pile of crap!

100k a year?

If only!

:nuke:

[truebrit71]

2. You and me both mate....

...I've got several episodes of Two and a Half Men ready to go...

[gatorboy]

3. I was just thinking that the OP took up Sheen's coke habit or something.

[msongs]

4. anything that gets people to watch less tv is a bonus from this "strike"

out local so cal media is bleating over this event as if it were a 10 point earthquake, yet not once have I heard anything about content or quality of writing, just money. sorry to say, the lower the writing quality and content, the more money is made. think of all the swell things people could do if they were not watching tv :-) like campaign for their favorite candidate.

Msongs

[ronnykmarshall]

8. Yeah

To hell with those working class people that drive trucks, set up lights, make up, craft services ...... they are all part of "the problem". :eyes:

Sorry, but I have friends that are directly effected by this strike. And just like the grocery store workers .... they are losing money.

[DeepModem Mom]

19. I have folks affected, too. Of course, one wants to be supportive of labor...

but one has to also think of others, many making marginal wages, who will be affected by this strike through no fault of their own. It's a bad situation, and a huge deal for L.A. -- which is, in some ways, a "company town."

[LostinVA]

100. Exactly -- the last big trade strike destroyed many support businesses

Some which had been around for decades.

And, most writers in the business are treated horribly (even the big ones often are... can we talk about how the DIRECTOR, not the WRITER, gets credit for what the writer does?).

[MadBadger]

10. If less people watched TV, I'm not sure anybody would know what any of the candidates look like.

[DireStrike]

97. That would be great! Kucinich would be polling much better. -nt-

[driver8]

11. It is a strike -- it isn't about quality or content. It is about money

and benefits. It is about the HUGE media companies wanting to take more and more away from the people that do the work. It is about people fighting for what they believe in and trying to improve their situation.

This is very important to a lot of people in Southern California -- including me. Those of us who work in the entertainment industry are affected by this strike. Our local economy could be severely affected by this strike.

I agree that there is a lot of shit on television, but try to look past that in this situation. The writers write what they are hired to write -- don't blame them for the lack of quality programs.

How about some support for working people? How about some support for labor?

[driver8]

6. Hey MLFerrell -- this is a labor issue.

Fuck the WGA?

I am a proud union member working in the entertainment industry in Hollywood. I support the WGA 100% and anyone who tries to weaken the unions pisses me off.

You may have thought you were being funny, but to many of us, this is not a laughing matter.

[ronnykmarshall]

9. Amen Driver!

People seems to forget about the workers like yourself that are effected by this.

Everyone in L.A. that works in the industry are being hurt by this.

[calimary]

49. So do I, also a proud union member.

It's the lucky writer who can land a $100K/yr job. As with the actors, the lucky few are out there working regularly and commanding the big salaries and perks, and the vast majority of the rest of them are scraping by.

Besides, writers are at the bottom of the food chain as far as pay scale and perks and benefits and the lot. The actors, directors, and producers are the ones who score best in the dollar derby. Writers seldom share in the glory or the gold. And yet it's THEIR words, ideas, and concepts, that pad the pockets of the other groups and everybody besides. My favorite protest sign from the last strike in 1988 really said it all: "In the Beginning Was the WORD." EVERYTHING else is built on what the writer writes in the first place.

[Cleita]

12. They don't need you. There are plenty of other scum out there

that would be willing to scab. We call then union busters here.

[driver8]

18. We call them "fucking scabs", here...n/t

[tnlefty]

91. You go driver8!!!

Fucking scabs indeed! If you don't want to end up being a right to work state, then support unions and labor. Being in a right to work state really, really stinks!

[Deja Q]

13. How much do writers get?

I understand both sides of the issues, but the fact the most "creative" writing from Hollywood of late is a remake of "Bionic Woman", they could use fresh blood.

Mind you, "reality" shows are cheaper because it's about using gullible people signing up to do asinine things, which in turn eliminates the overhead of trained actors, writers, and anybody even remotely creative...

I'll agree writers need more residuals, and the actors are the ones who turn writers' works into real life situations. Yet when a show is a success, it's always the actors who get credit. If the show fails, oh it's always the writing. Never because the dingbat who is supposed to hire the actors didn't do their job...

BTW: Why aren't the actors' and other folks' unions stepping up to help their fellow workers? Actors need the writers... Maybe the actors should be left to rot too. Especially given the sheer number of residuals they get; often for doing nothing more than looking good in a mirror.

[driver8]

24. Many unions cannot join the strike based on the agreements that

they have negotiated.

I am in IATSE Local 700 (Editor's Guild) and we are not allowed to join the strike. Does that mean that we don't support our fellow union members? Not at all...it just means that we cannot walk out and join them on the picket line.

I do know that the Teamsters are supporting the strike.

[ccpup]

26. it's ridiculous to equate a writer's talent

with what the Powers That Be in Hollywood will or won't buy.

If some coke-addled executive wants to resurrect his Bionic Woman fantasy from the 70s, all the writer hired to write it can really do is make it as interesting as possible while still pleasing the aforementioned Powers who all have a combined attention span of a fruit fly. Says little about what the Writers want to write and much more about what the Industry is willing to buy.

So don't blame the Writers if there's crap on TV. Blame the executives that insist on it for fear of losing their jobs that day, the Advertisers that give 'em the cash to do it because that's what their "target audience" is apparently watching and the American Public which still brainlessly gobbles this trite b.s. up in pathetically strong numbers.

[Nevernose]

106. We're really pissed at the Bionic Woman, aren't we?

And by "we," I mean anyone with any semblance of taste at all. There's at least two posts on this thread that reference it and the WGA, and about a million more on the Internet(s).

It's not fair to blame the writers, though, when there are so many others involved: bad acting, worse direction, laughable effects, et cetera.

[ccpup]

109. I, personally, have nothing against

the Bionic Woman or those involved with it. I do think it clearly illustrates the bind most writers might find themselves in of having to write bad, predictable stuff in order to please a short-sighted, results oriented Executive who has dubious taste and poor choosing skills and little interest in well-written dialogue and interesting plot twists. They just want things that blow up and boobies that bounce when the actress runs!

But is a show like the Bionic Woman indicative of the totality of that writer's talent? Probably not. Is the Bionic Woman going to help the writer pay his or her rent, feed their family and allow them to work on projects they really love, but don't pay as much? Absolutely.

[Nevernose]

113. I didn't knock writers, I knocked "The Bionic Woman"

And one can still have boobies and explosions, while at the same time maintaining a high quality, despite results of production decisions.

And the inverse of that, though, is that sometimes things are hits, and are actually even good, despite the poor writing.

And sometimes a show or movie or play or musical or whatever can get its shit together, and sometimes it can't.

I hope one thing we can agree on, though, is the point of the thread: union solidarity. Even if we can't go out and support the WGA officially in a strike, we can support them in our thoughts, words, and deeds. I come from a school of thought that says "A union is a union, and a working man is a working man."

Even if the working man is a woman using a word processor.

[bluetrain]

32. SAG has sent out numerous emails regarding the WGA strike. The most recent one included

addresses of picket lines in LA and NYC and encouraged members to show up. We are 100% in support of the strike. However, our contract doesn't expire until June (I believe) and as such we are not legally able to strike with the WGA…and, hopefully, will not have to do so when renewal time comes around.

And, seriously, fuck you to everyone buying the bullshit that everyone who works in Hollywood is rich and the people saying oh my friend the make up artist is getting shit on because of this -- you want fucking slave labor? You want sweat shops? What the hell is wrong with you people? 48% of the WGA is unemployed. Around 90% of SAG is unemployed. You people have no fucking idea what this industry is actually like. Most European countries have state sponsored arts programs so you can be blue collar and still pay your electricity bill as an artist.

[driver8]

47. Right on, bluetrain -- right on.

People see the rich movie stars on television and think that everyone in the industry is getting rich. Not only that, but most of my friends who work on tv shows are off for the whole summer -- 3 months with no paycheck.

Fuck the scabs and fuck anyone who doesn't support labor in this country.

[Whisp]

70. great post, bluetrain.

I shake my head over some people views on this here.

as you said, this is what it's really all about:
""you want fucking slave labor? You want sweat shops? What the hell is wrong with you people? ""

[LostinVA]

103. I do -- I have friends in the industry

ADs and wardrobe mainly, and a producer friend who was able to sell a script of mine. THAT was a learning experience. Aas I said up thread, most make between zero and little.

[Atman]

69. The issue has NOTHING to do with a writer's talent or the quality of tv shows

The FACT is, technology has introduced new ways for the writers' bosses, the studios, to make even more money off their work than what they contracted for. There is a very similar issue in the visual arts, but we're mostly non-unionized. When you sell a product, in this case a work product, for X purpose, that is only right you've sold. If you have a contract saying you'll get paid residuals for certain uses of your work, but then new uses are invented, does that mean the person who is re-selling your work can do anything he wants with it? Do you know we're talking PENNIES? The writer's currently get about 4 cents -- CENTS -- residual when their work is re-sold to DVD. But now the studios are re-selling to iTunes and online, too, ideas that weren't even thought of the last time they had contract negotiations. So, should the studios get to keep all that extra profit, just because a future technology wasn't foreseen? Why?

And do you just generally hate unions, or only unions that represent people who make more money in cooler jobs than you've got?

.

[LostinVA]

101. Reality shows don't have to use union writers

And, most writers in the WGA make between nothing and little.

[Roxy66]

116. Average around $200,000 yr.....per SNL last night

[bridgit]

15. and waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting, and waiting...

[Romulox]

16. Whatsa matter? Honda payment due?

Over 50% of the cars Americans buy each year are from foreign (read: non-union) Companies, and I'm supposed to be worried about some Hollywood writers? :rofl:

Americans have made up their mind on labor: they don't support it.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. If you're so good, how come you got to wait for a strike?

:shrug:

[blondeatlast]

105. Touche'!

:thumbsup:

[Cerridwen]

22. Got a little union envy, there MLFerrell?

Think you're under paid and others are over paid?

Blame it on the scabs from decades back who told companies, "fuck the union, I'll do it for you cheaper. I'll be a scab!" So they fucked over their fellow human beings for a buck. Funny thing happened. Without the union contracts the companies quit paying the scabs union scale. But hey, they were working; for less and fewer benefits. Until the next time. Then some other scab would come in even cheaper and work longer hours. Of course the first scab wasn't union since he despised all they stood for and so, first scab had no protection against the next scab.

That oozing economy you see; it's covered in scabs. People like you willing to fuck over someone for a buck then bitching when someone does it to them.

Keep up the good work there, MLFerrell. A few more of you and we'll all be nothing more than indentured servants.

[driver8]

27. Amen, Cerridwen...amen!

I am amazed at how many people just don't get it.

I am in a union (IATSE 700) and a lot of the young guys I work with are Bush lovers. They don't understand that Bush hates unions and would love to bust our union and take away the benefits that we have.

It is sad...very sad.

[Cerridwen]

29. Who said "you can never underestimate stupidity of the general public?"

I googled and found Scott Adams of Dilbert fame.

A lot of people need to learn union history and the destruction of the unions. By whom they were destroyed and for what reasons.


So many people, rather than organize and demand they get the same benefits as union workers, demand union workers have the same shit conditions they have. The logic escapes me. Perhaps logic is the wrong word for there seems none in their argument; "If I can't have it, no one can!"

[Ganja Ninja]

33. Exactly.

Why should they hire MLFerrell when they can find an illegal immigrant and chain him to a desk.

Some people don't have a clue.

[Cerridwen]

37. The OP has posted one of the best examples of the ignorance and idiocy

that have led to stagnant and declining wages, shrinking and disappearing workers' benefits, and justification for outsourcing, that I've yet to see on DU.

For MLFerrell, I give you an A+ in Idiocracy.

[Greyhound]

95. That gets another AMEN! Right on, sister!

These shitheels are the bane of our existence.

Repeal Taft-Hartley NOW!

[bluetrain]

36. Right On! /eom

[regularguy]

23. Sure, because after we break yet another Union,

the "avereage working persons salary" will definitely go up! :sarcasm: Seriously though, fuck this scab shit!

[Javaman]

25. That amount you actually know about being a real writer could fit in an

ant's thimble.

I've been there.

[endarkenment]

28. piss dunce.

The companies pull in $2 billion more each year than the year previous. The median income of screen and television writers from their guild-covered employment is $5,000 a year, in part because almost half our members don't work in any given year. Unless we fight, the companies will continue to romp away in the money bin while we're left to hang upside down like lacquered ducks.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-oe-rodman17oct17,0,6068407.story?coll=la-home-center

[gollygee]

31. Union busting on DU!

I bet you could do factory work and teach kids too? When they strike, maybe you can scab there too.

[librechik]

34. yeah--that's a closed shop

and a closed system. Just try to get a toe in the door, if you're a newbie. helps to be related to somebody, that's for sure.

I'm in favor of unions, but sometimes...

[MLFerrell]

41. I love your sig pic!

And some interesting points you make about an effectively "closed shop".

[Rex]

35. Well they have months of material and by next year will have more

They have backups of their backups.

[driver8]

44. That is not true.

The father of one of the kids in our car pool is a producer on "Two and a Half Men." The wife told us today that they have been working on a "week to week" basis -- they are shooting their last script this week. After this week, they have nothing.

Not only that, but shows like David Letterman and Jay Leno don't have backup material as their monologues are topical and based on current events.

[redwitch]

55. One of my friends has a good friend who writes for 2 and a 1/2 men

This makes us practically related! :hi:

[driver8]

56. I work at Warner Bros, and they shoot "Two and a Half Men" right

next to our building.

Last season, one of the hairdressers on the show ran into my car (which was parked at the time.)

We are definitely related!! :toast:

[Rex]

62. Well not all, true.

But I've heard most companies have plans for this sort of thing.

I guess I will have to start watching Leno again, just to see.

[Kerrytravelers]

38. The WGA Union protects the lowest paid writers from being manipulated and taken advantage of.

When a Hollywood strike happens, those who are being protected aren't the Gary Ross and Stephen Gagen level-writers (although they will, of course, benefit from the improved contracts,) but the new writers who are scraping by. Not all writers make 100K a year. In fact, very few actually do. And this particular deal will affect the WGA for future generations since they are ironing out new media, such as the Internet, OnDemand and other forms of media.

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DS1]

40. Flaming Retards! Brilliant! Go with it, develop a story. We'll team up Eddie Griffin as the hotshot

cop from LA, with Michael Richards as the crusty old cynic detective days away from retirement. We'll mix Die Hard 3 with The Warriors, and have them getting across town at night and one of the gangs is retards that light you on fire.

:headbang:

[ccpup]

42. hell no!

I'm taking The Flaming Retards as the name of my new punk band.

We're going to dress up as republican senators and perform our shows with toilet paper stuck on the heels of our shoes. We're already at work on our kick-ass remix of Ashcroft's "Let The Eagle Soar".

[bain_sidhe]

43. Good for you!

Finally, finally, I find someone to join me in my worship of our Corporate Media Overlords! Yes, yes, yes! Fuck the writers! I anticipate with glee the day our Corporate Media Overlords can cease paying the writers--OR the actors, OR the editors, or anyone but themselves! Send those wretched artist types back to their unheated garrets! Let them survive on bread and water! (If they can find someone just a little better off than themselves to steal it from)! Let them know the taste of the lash, and despair for their lives and the lives of their children!

Yes! Yes! YES!

BWWWAAAHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!! We shall ALL grovel and tremble at the power of our Corporate Media Overlords! We shall give all that we have, all that we are, to them, for NOTHING!

:think:

Oh, wait...

[mdmc]

45. they need writers with talent, not scabs.

I WILL STICK WITH THE UNION MYSELF

[QueenOfCalifornia]

46. i agree with you

but I may be one of the loneliest people in here - I posted this: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x7106534

It is getting the reception I thought it would. Wild eyed screaming.

Most people hear the word Union in here and that is all they hear. Like i said... if you want to really show support of the writers, quit using the internet... That is the real problem they are screaming about - they want to be paid for the downloads off the internet. STOP USING THE INTERNET.

[MLFerrell]

54. At least I'm not the only one who isn't blinded by the word "UNION"...

[QueenOfCalifornia]

59. I would never

cross a picket line - I had a hell of a time during the grocery strike but I never once crossed the picket line. I would never scab write - I have my beliefs about stabbing a union employee in the back BUT

I believe, seeing from a place where I was involved as a producer (I produced many TV & Radio ADs) and a writer, both TV & radio (and print) That when I worked for a smaller agency, when I was hiring/casting TV ads, we could not afford to pay union scale for an actor to work half a day. We paid well but we really could not pay union scale. I know there are limitations on how much a smaller production company can pay. We hired all non-union talent from the DP on down to the stylists. Our product never suffered but it was a reality of the business. It is the same way for many cable budgets... They are done on a shoestring with people who are just starting out. That is where new talent is generated from.

What i agree with you about is all the hysteria about a writers strike and how people will support tv writers by not watching TV. WTF will that do?

DO NOT DOWNLOAD TV SHOWS OR MOVIES FROM THE INTERNET. That makes sense. That is what the writers are screaming about.

[Hissyspit]

127. I'm not blinded by the word 'UNION,' I just think...

you don't know what the hell you are talking about.

[Kajsa]

84. How about paying the writers

their fair share for using their material on the internet,etc?

How about paying them fair percentages for their work and residuals
every time their work is used?

I'm 100% for the unions- the people who gave us weekends and the 40 hour workweek.

I wish substitute teachers had one.
Could you imagine us going on strike?

[GRLMGC]

85. In LAUSD, we can join the local teacher's union

if we work 100 days out of the school year. Do you have anything like that where you sub?

[Kajsa]

86. Hi GRLMGC! It's nice to meet another sub, here.;-)

Wow- you are so fortunate to able to join LAUSD's local union.

Is that the CTA?

NO, we don't have that at all.
I'm down here in OC.

100 days= working 10 days or more a month.
I've done that, especially on long term assignments.

We get our paycheck and called back for next year,
if they think we did a good job.

I am going to pass the word that you can join the local union.

Man,do we need one!

:hi:

[GRLMGC]

88. It's UTLA

I haven't technically started yet but I'm officially going to start on Friday. Hopefully, the district will have its payroll problems fixed sometime soon :).

[Kajsa]

90. That's right!

Good luck, dear lady.

I saw the story on ABC7 about the nightmarish situation
with the new payroll system there.

Hopefully, they will get it straightened out so all of you get
your correct paychecks on time.

;)

[GRLMGC]

114. Thank you! nt

[QueenOfCalifornia]

87. Residuals.. Oh boy.

This is the big deal here. I could whine about all the residuals I could have had if I had joined the WGA.

I was paid a one time fee for writing a show. I was paid well. I sold my writing. I understand the residual payment thing... really. BUT --- If I had not had my writing purchased as a non union member, I would not have the option to even join the union. You have to sell so many blocks of your writing to even join - which means you MUST work as a non union writer to begin with. In other words... it is a catch 22. Just like getting an agent. You have to have sold something and have had it produced or published to even get an agent... and to sell something you need to have an agent! Wheeeee.

I may join the WGA - I agree with unions and like the idea of having some protection --- but... you really should look at what it takes to be a tv writer and how much horror you must go through to join the union. At this point in my life I do not really need the WGA - I am fortunate. Like I said before... I will not cross a picket line. I would never scab. I will however write for TV while not being a union member for shows that hire non union writers.

mia culpa

[Kajsa]

92. That is a tough situation, Gilligan.

They have you jump through hoops with no legal protection
( rights to your work) just to join the union and be entitled to residuals?

That sucks, bigtime.

My condolences, my friend.

:pals:

[piesRsquare]

99. "STOP USING THE INTERNET"

:rofl:

Better yet:



Welcome to the 21st century, Dude. Time to evolve.

[Richard Steele]

48. You think you'll be getting paid "scale" when the Union is gone? Bwahahaha!

You really haven't thought this plan through very well.

[stirlingsliver]

51. Will You Write About Britney? Paris? Jason?

I do not know how I will be able to survive a writer's strike.

I NEED the latest news about Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and Jason Timberlake and Tara Banks.

I NEED all that news -- AND MORE!!

Will you write about Britney and Paris and Jason and Tara?

Please say you will.

PLEASE!!

[driver8]

58. I don't think the WGA strike will affect the writers of US and People.

You can still get the current news on all of your favorite celebrities!

[stirlingsliver]

61. Not The Video!

I watch all the latest programs on TV about Britney, Paris, Jason, and Tyra.

E! has lots of programs about them.

And so does ABC, CBS, NBC, MTV, and -- well, just about every channel on TV.

I cannot imagine TV without my news!!

OMG! OMG!!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

63. E hires non union writers

just in case you were worried.

[Initech]

52. Where do I sign up?

I'd make a great scab too. I have so many ideas for TV shows (new and old) that it's not even funny.

[driver8]

57. No such thing as a "great scab."

Scabs are pieces of shit.

[Bluebear]

71. Thank you.

[Initech]

93. Good point.

[Codeine]

118. Damn right! nt

[LSK]

53. fuck a Union??? REAGAN IS THAT YOU????

I suggest you read some Thom Hartmann right now!

:wtf:

[Az]

60. Based on your sample I think they will ride out the strike

Cuz I don't think they are looking for hostile belligerence. Thats dime a dozen.

[Odin2005]

64. Anyone who disses a union is no Democrat.

The OP's comments are despicable. :grr:

Edit: Oh, and scabs are evil, period. If there is a Hell I hope every scab suffers torment for all eternity.

[Name removed]

65. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Odin2005]

66. The Democratic party is supposed to be the party of Labor.

Anyone who does not support unions is a corporatist whore.

[MLFerrell]

72. Well, smartass, how about offering something other than your unsubstantiated allegation...

that, "The Democratic party is supposed to be the party of Labor."

Just because you say so doesn't make it true.

Oh, and black and white thinking is for the intellectually challenged.

[Cerridwen]

98. I won't call you a smart ass, since I think "smart" is an over estimation...

but I will point out a long history between labor and the Democratic Party. If you're not aware of that, then I wonder what you *do* know about the Democratic Party.

Not just because Odin2005 said so, or even because I said so, but because it's in all the history books and archives. It may not be obvious today, but for those of us over 25, we remember.

It looks to me as though you could use some serious instruction and education about the Democratic Party, workers' rights, the labor movement, and the politics of We, the People; that last phrase is from the Constitution of the United States of America. You might want to check that out, as well. You'll notice it talks about democracy as something having to do with people; the word employer, however doesn't appear in it.

[Moochy]

110. Is our children learning?

Clearly, not so much.

[BadgerLaw2010]

77. How is union busting and scabbing a democratic value, small "d" or otherwise?

[endarkenment]

80. "And you're an asshole for insinuating otherwise"

The sad fact is that you are correct, the Democratic Party no longer is the party of labor, and anti-union anti-worker idiocy like yours is commonplace amoung people who identify themselves as Democrats.

[KAZ]

74. Well said Odin2005! n/t

[Bluebear]

67. Well, you're a freeloader here, guess you don't need as much scratch

:hi:

[Canuckistanian]

121. Yeah, he's giving it away for FREE here

Real writers don't need to give out samples.

Can you imagine if hookers operated that way?

[shadowknows69]

68. I almost posted something similar as a joke

because I know damn well I could shit better words than some of the sludge making it into theatres and on tv. The former communications union member in me reminds me that all scabs must fucking hang, so I could never do it. Ok, maybe for the sci-fi channel, because someone is handing out cash to make a whole boatload of really bad science fiction movies that I could write better in my sleep.

[KitchenWitch]

73. Hello - the producers and higher ups make money hand over fist on residuals

Especially DVD sales and new media (internet downloads, etc). All the writers are asking for is 4 more cents per DVD sold (they only make 4 cents per DVD) and a small cut of the advertising revenue from the internet downloads.

I do not think it is too much to ask, since it is their effort that allows the producers and higher ups to make sick amounts of money.

[LostinVA]

104. Writers get NET POINTS -- what a frigging joke

And, even if the movie's a blockbuster, the studio shorts them. Only the biggies get gross points. I had 1.25 points written into my contract -- NET POINTS.

[LanternWaste]

75. Well...

Well... if your posts on DU are indicative in any way of your writing skills, you may want to keep that day-job (just as a back-up position, mind you....)

:evilgrin:

[Bluebear]

76. ...

:spray:

[Stop Cornyn]

78. Colbert's writers do a MUCH better job of portraying the "anti-union jackass" character

[Stinky The Clown]

79. Not too funny

Bad writing, I'd say. Don't try to work for a comedy.

[Neshanic]

81. DU is a goldmine of material. I think you could tap into that. Some stuff here is comedy gold.

[mitchum]

83. Why do you hate monkeys with filing cabinets?

[Raine]

89. Scabs = scum of the earth

x(

[Bluebear]

102. You said it.

[blondeatlast]

107. Yes, indeed.

:applause:

[AnnieBW]

94. I've talked to several TV writers

during my years in science fiction fandom. I've met a couple in person, and been in contact with others on-line. The writers are often treated worse than the person who gets the director his or her coffee in the morning. These folks work 14-15 hour days to get a script out. Then they have to revise it as it's being filmed. And they don't get paid well. Believe me. I've talked to one guy who worked as a Government contractor for many years before he saved up enough money to become a writer. Those residuals will often keep folks going for several years. Besides that, in today's industry, you're often considered too old at age 30, especially for "younger-skewing" shows like "Smallville" or (name anything on the CW).

Not only that, a lot of "reality" TV shows are non-union productions. They pay less, but demand more. So it's quite insulting that you call these folks "flaming retards". Is Aaron Sorkin a "flaming retard"? (Well, he IS a drug addict...) Is Joss Whedon, who donates a lot of his time and money to liberal causes? It is you, sir, who are a flaming retard.

[Greyhound]

96. How do you manage to find food every day and not forget to breathe?

Rarely have I seen anyone so completely devoid of a clue and utterly deserving of their deprivation, on DU.

[blondeatlast]

108. Don't call us, we'll call you...

scab!

BTW, if your "lots of experience with creative writing" is reflected in that post, well--you do great comedy (I assume you meant that to be funny)

[mondo joe]

111. If you were worth hiring you'd have been hired already. Your envy of others who

manage to make a living writing is ugly.

[Swamp Rat]

112. Hey, you could work with your colleague Dennis Miller at FUX Noise!!!

They are not unionized, and therefore welcome all scabs and hacks. :thumbsup:

[MilesColtrane]

115. Suck it.

[Codeine]

117. Fuck scabs.

If you had any talent you'd already be working in the industry.

[Norrin Radd]

119. You can write better than the writing staff of LOST,

which includes such talent as Brian K. Vaughan and Paul Dini? Please demonstrate...

[devilgrrl]

123. What? The OP wasn't proof of superior writing skills???

Where have you been? :sarcasm:

[shance]

120. Well Ferrell, you have just revealed how untrustworthy you are to all your friends.

When push comes to shove, baybay you are all about the big FERRELL.

Fuck doing what is best for everybody, you could give a damn about that. Its all about Ferrell.

You have just revealed you don't give a shit about fairness or loyalty, its all about whats in it for you.

Congratulations!

You have just revealed what and WHO is actually assaulting this country.

[devilgrrl]

122. "Drop me a line, I'll be waiting!"... Thankfully, no one's going to be calling.

Union busting twit.

:popcorn:

[Basileus Basileon]

125. If that's the best you got, I hope they stick with reruns.

Scab.

[Hissyspit]

126. Good luck getting a literary agent.

They tend to support the WGA, too.

[stickernation]

128. uh youtube....

look scab type, if you're such a hot shit writer, go ahead and write something then. get your friends to film it and get it up on youtube. it's just like that byrds song about so you wanna be a rock and roll star. this is the future of visual media, and it is a brand new game indeed.

i feel really bad for any worker that is in the thrall of a stupid ass industry like this one. the demands were so simple, and management didn't give an inch. bosses like these are doomed to history's dustbin. i wish i could help the writers figure out how to connect directly with the advertisers without the overhead of stuffed suits or overpaid stars.

solidarity doesn't JUST mean the union. maybe some of these writers should get together and get their own stuff - not bionic woman crap, but the shit with FEELING - and get it up on youtube like a conspiracy. actually what they need to do is mock the system they are protesting on youtube, they should do that as a propaganda maneuver regardless. but what worker power ultimately means is that the workers control the factory. i think the talent on strike today could take youtube by storm. all they would need would be a way to get paid for that.

i wish society were like Lego blocks.
i would plug the writers into the Do It Yourself media community.
i would then plug the smartest and best companies with the ethical and cool ad firms.
i would plug the ad firms into the d.i.y./writer alliance.
i would then do something like what Revision3 is doing,
or even be totally presumptuous and launch the HBO of the Internet,
with everyone involved getting massive equity.

hmm....

-s

-s