I Want My Writers Back!

[asdjrocky]

I'm starting to really think that the Writers Guild strike is hurting us. I know people have posted about it before, and I thought I'd keep the conversation going.

How pleased must the candidates be, and MSM, to not have the likes of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert there to show them up for what they really are?

Dose anyone know any new info on when we can hope for negotiations? This has got to be a RW dream. Other than the MSM, and we know the kind of job they do, there is now no one to act as a "peoples watchdog."

Your thoughts?

[Fredda Weinberg]

1. Sorry, but speaking politically, we're better off. They could only

diminish the lead generic Dems continue to hold.

[1corona4u]

3. Exactly, I was writing as you posted.

[asdjrocky]

29. Better off?

We're, us Dems, better off if Labor has no voice?

[Fredda Weinberg]

37. The writers need to win - but politically speaking, they're not

sympathetic. They throw their barbs at the powerful and flout authority. It's entertaining, but what we want isn't always good for us. So while I wish a successful negotiation, I appreciate the silence, however reluctantly.

[1corona4u]

2. I don't know....

I kind of think it's good for all of the candidates, and us, that they are out right now. They have way too much influence on people's opinions, and an election shouldn't be reduced to joke. Nor should the candidates.

[asdjrocky]

4. Lack of information, and dialog, is never a good thing.

That's my opinion.

[OregonBlue]

6. Your opinion is correct!!

[asdjrocky]

Thank you-

It surprises me that anyone would think writers on strike is a good thing for our process.

[OregonBlue]

48. So write you are!!!

[1corona4u]

7. So...demeaning our candidates would be a good thing?

Because that's what they all do. Even if it's in jest, it still has an effect on the candidates appeal.

[asdjrocky]

10. It's called freedom of speech...

And it's one of the cornerstones of our freedoms. I have to tell you, I'm really surprised at your reaction to this. When has shuting down what people say, or putting hard working people out of work for months at a time, ever been a good thing for this country?

I really find what you think about this to be disturbing.

[1corona4u]

13. As I said...

I kind of think it's good for all of the candidates, and us, that they are out right now. They have way too much influence on people's opinions, and an election shouldn't be reduced to joke. Nor should the candidates.


I really don't care what you think of MY opinion for that matter. As I recall, I am entitled to an opinion.

[Egnever]

24. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion

I just think its sadly missinformed. A lot of "facts" have been brought out on both shows that would otherwise have been swept under the table by the MSM. Both shows also lean heavily democratic and have general supported dem positions far more than republican. Hell Johns interview with Cheney's wife was probably the only interview she ever gave where she was called on some of the bullshit she spews and this is something he has done time and again with many of his interviews.

[OregonBlue]

5. I disagree. Calling out the "hypocricy" of candidates, Republican and

Democrat, should be the job of the press. Unfortunately, it's only the "fake news" that has actually been doing that job. I think we all suffer when the lies go unchallenged, even if it is "our guy".

[1corona4u]

11. Well, you have to remember that all candidates would be subject

to having their hypocrisy pointed out.....not just a few...

Nah, I say let them stay on strike....they'll be back before the GE, so at that point, there will only be 2 people for them to poke fun at...

[asdjrocky]

14. I really find this hard to believe:

"Nah, I say let them stay on strike"

This is labor, these people are out of work. And you think it is good that they are on strike?

You want them to stay on strike?

Unbelievable.

You probably think one of the big problems with this country are the Unions, right?

[1corona4u]

16. On the contrary...

I think they need to stay OUT, until they get what they deserve.

Stop twisting MY words.

[asdjrocky]

19. So from what you wrote-

I'm to believe that you support the strike, and just want what is fair for the writers?

As long as it doesn't happen before the GE, right?

[OregonBlue]

50. That assumes our candidates are so shallow, they can't bare scrutiny. If that's the case,

we don't want or need them.

[Egnever]

8. And yet so many of their "jokes"

Expose the bs the MSM tries to feed you for what it really is. I disagree wholeheartedly with your post.

If not for stewart and colbert who would be out there pointing out their hypocrisy? Do you remember last primaries when stewart went on the CNN show with begala and told them all how they hurt america with the crap they were spewing? It was a beautiful thing to watch the hacks sputter over it.

[1corona4u]

9. Personally, I have never watched them on TV...

I have watched a few clips on youtube though, but I take it with a grain of salt. Many people don't though. Personally, I don't let the media influence any decision I make. I get the facts, then make my own decisions. I usually go to the source for the facts as well.

[Egnever]

12. so you are here criticising them without even watching their show?

Way to go to the source for your facts

[1corona4u]

15. I am not...

I simply said that......go read my post again. I also said I have watched some of their clips on youtube.

Stop attacking me for MY OPINION.

Jeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....why ask the fucking question if you don't want to know the ANSWER.

[asdjrocky]

17. Just thought we were all Dems here-

And all the Dems I know believe in collective bargaining.

Guess that shows what I know.

[AZ Criminal JD]

25. When the writers show up to the picket lines in Mercedes and

BMWs it is a little hard to get excited for the class war.

[asdjrocky]

30. Bullshit.

The average salary of a Writers Guild member is just about 60k.

Do some research, the vast majority of these people, on strike for what is right, are just middle class folks.

If you believe all of them are rich, you've been sold a bill of goods.

[AZ Criminal JD]

38. Bullshit back at you

The entire writers guild is not on strike. Just the writers who write for the television shows. Most of them are over six figures easily. People like Larry David are members of the writers guild. I don't think he needs food stamps.

[asdjrocky]

39. You really need to check your facts:

http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/20917-writers-guild-ameri...

Good luck.

[AZ Criminal JD]

41. You need to check yours

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/05/business/media/05writ...

"The average working writers makes over 200,000 a year."

Good luck.

[asdjrocky]

43. Not just talking about a few writers-

“The majority of writers are barely making a living, and the majority of writers’ careers are very short-lived,” said Chris Albers, a writer for “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” and a past president of the East Coast branch of the Writers Guild. “So we feel that if these companies are going to be making a lot of money off of what we create, and we only have a few years to be in the game, then it’s fair to compensate us so that we can support our families.”

There are people out of work. Not everyone is Larry David.

[AZ Criminal JD]

46. "We have only a few years to be in the game"

Where is that coming from? Do they think they are football players? If they have the talent they will be in the "game" for decades just like any other occupation. If they don't have the talent the public won't be watching their shows and they should try something else. If the union has a high unemployment problem and a high disparity in income levels it sounds like there is a problem within the union, not elsewhere. BTW, I am a former chairman of a large steelworkers local union and I am very sympathetic to unions. But not every union that calls itself a union (a "guild" in this case) is a union.

[asdjrocky]

47. We have to agree to disagree then-

I know many members the the WG, who are not racking in the dough, but I'm sure they're the exception to the rule, right?

[asdjrocky]

40. ...

[Egnever]

20. Sorry

I dissagree with your opinion and your line about going to the source for the facts set my teeth on edge.

[1corona4u]

21. OH WELL!!

I make MY decisions, and form MY own opinions. No one else does. No one.

[Egnever]

26. oh boy

ok mr independant thinker have a wonderful day.

[1corona4u]

27. It's MS.

[1corona4u]

18. You asked for "your thoughts"

I tell you, you attack.


NICE. So much for your FREEDOM of SPEECH sermon!!!! I guess it ONLY applies to those that AGREE with YOU.

[asdjrocky]

23. I am in no way attacking you.

Dose everyone that disagrees with you attack you?

I didn't see anyone here attack you. I don't agree that it's a good thing for the writers to be on strike.

You do. I told you I don't agree, and I told you why. In what was is that attacking you?

I'm a Democrat, who believes in Labor.

[K Gardner]

22. Once again I find myself agreeing with you, Rocky. The dialogue has been significantly

damaged by not having the "comics" who tell the Truth to Call BS on the BS of the Mainstream Media. I don't see what they do to be damaging or in any way a threat to our candidates - if anything, they tend to lean left. I hate to see people out of work and am honestly surprised that an agreement has not been reached yet. It's starting to make me suspicious that the "powers that be" would rather have these outspoken and influencial critics silenced, no matter what the monetary cost.

[asdjrocky]

28. Thank you!

I never thought I'd find myself defending writers who are on strike here. I mean, in all the places! Here on DU! I really find that amazing.

I never really thought I'd find myself arguing in this thread.

[K Gardner]

31. Yeah, it kind of seemed a "feel good everybody wins" kind of post, LOL..

I'm surprised, too, but hey...don't worry about it

[asdjrocky]

32. Peace.

And if I haven't told ya before, I'm glad to have you here.

[1corona4u]

33. That's because you think Your opinion is the only one that matters,

and is shared by all.

I said that I want them to get what they deserve. However long that takes. I am in NO WAY against unions, I am in NO WAY diminishing what they do. BUT, when it comes to a SERIOUS issue, such as an election, I do NOT like them demeaning ANY candidate, and having an influence on the outcome of a major, critical, election.

The issue I have with them poking fun at candidates is, that some people have a hard time distinguishing fact from fiction, and folly.

That's all I am going to say on this topic. I will not respond further, since you find my opinion "disturbing".

[asdjrocky]

34. It's really too bad you're so confused about a simple issue...

But good luck to ya.

[mtnsnake]

35. amen, Rocky

Dam right it's a rightwingers dream. We should be hearing comedians blasting Bush with new material each and every day. It's hard enough to keep up with all of Bush's and Cheney's crimes on a daily basis, but when this writer's thing is over, they're gonna have waaayyy too much to catch up on, and it's a shame how much we've lost in the way of spontaneity concerning Bushco's crimes.

[asdjrocky]

36. More and more Snake-

I see we agree more and more!

[Kurovski]

42. A neighbor was just mentioning the candidate "happiness" thing.

I think it's a good point, BushCo must be happy too. "Greater control of the message" all around, as she put it.

She also mentioned David Letterman and Leno.

And don't forget the animated programs that often have political smack-downs--The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Dad.

Surely others I'm not now recalling, as well.

[asdjrocky]

44. It matters. nt

[Kurovski]

45. Agreed. (nt)

[Nailzberg]

49. I just want to go back to work.

I've had a lot more time on DU lately, but I could go for a paycheck about now.

[asdjrocky]

51. Hey, if you're in the guild...

Aren't you rich? I mean, don't you make like 200k? Just kidding.

I know, you don't. Just a lot of people here don't realize that the avg. salary is about 62 k, right?

[Nailzberg]

52. It's a lot more than writers out of work.

Tech crews, camera operators, sound mixers, grips, electricians, security guards, location managers, truck drivers, right on down to the production assistants. We're all out of work. I've got some savings I'm running on for now, but I really feel bad for the PAs. Those kids bust their asses 12-16 hours a day, for about 500 bucks a week, (when they are working, mind you). They can't be saving anything with what they make.

As far as the writer's pay goes, I don't know what they make. And there is a lot of wiggle room for making the averages fit either side of the debate. I know a working writer makes a lot more than me. But it's a freelance industry, so the guild's membership isn't all working.

[asdjrocky]

53. Good luck man, I hope you get back to work soon! nt

[Nailzberg]

54. Thanks. I prepared for this, though.

It typically gets slow for me around December anyway, so I always prepare for that. And I was shooting four months straight leading up to three weeks ago, so I managed to save a bit.

As I mentioned, it's the entry level folks I really feel bad for. Graduate college, move out to LA over the summer to chase the dream, get a job as a PA somewhere, and bang, the industry shuts down. A lot of them are either borrowing from parents, or moving back home.

[asdjrocky]

55. Well,

Ya know there's no business like show business.