fight the power!

Viva la revolucion!
 

love the way you put it
 

Feck any so called revolution.. that's about nothing more than imposing slavery. Karl Marx had serious mental issues, as did Stalin, Mao & Guevara too..

I did fire off a few emails to online content providers I buy tv & film content for dload, like ITunes, telling them that I'm boycotting in solidarity with the Screen Writer's Guild, and that includes music dloads too (just for good measure).
 

oh jebus...

if you cannot get that i was supporting Mr. Gunn and the strike, too bad for you. and thanks for sharing your vast knowledge of his-story.

James, you have many supporters of all sorts. that's a good thing.

best wishes, and may this end sooner then later with positive results.
 

Not sure what you mean.
Are you saying that, in principle at least, NOT working induces slavery? Aren't we all slaves already BY working under conditions most of us object to? Curious.
n
 

Not sure what I mean.. well, gutting wages, undermining worker's rights not to be exposed to chemicals and other dangers, like unsafe machinery that might sicken, maim or kill them. Reducing everything to the lowest common denominator, so that workers can not earn enough to keep a roof over their heads, or food on their tables. Rationalizing exporting jobs, and/or importer cheaper labor to help the wealthy squeeze even more blood money profits.

What do you have against wages for workers around the world being raised to a living standard, instead of dragging the wages of American citizens down to the third world standards the far right and far left rationalize? Why is poisonous pet food, toothpaste, produce, seafood and other food. Toxic, lead contaminated toys and other items, acceptable? Tell me, did poor and middle class Americans create those standards, or the foreign oligarchs and the corporate and ideological stooges of both extremes who turn a blind eye to them? What is wrong with demanding standards that don't sicken and kill American citizens, and the foreign workers who produce them? Gee though I suppose that's not dramatic and sexy for those of you who cream in your collective jeans over the angst and suffering.

These and other factors of the globalization promoted by both political extremes.. the far left being as fascistic and corrupt as the far right. Or perhaps the not too subtle truth of those you admire, like Chomsky and others are not any different than the George Bush you might claim to disdain. Pitting one group of poor against another in a race to the bottom that will eventually swallow up even the petit bourgeous drones like yourself, despite whatever sweet nothings, armchair fascists like Chomsky might be whispering in your ear, from his multi-million dollar ivory tower.

What is curious is your claim to being a slave working under conditions you object to.. details please? Also, please elaborate your rationale for being indifferent to the wider realities of your ambivalence to the realities of what your dogmatic ideology would impose. Tell me who the people are you'd subject to it's not so tender mercies? Not that you'll respond, it wouldn't be terribly convenient... would it? ;)

As to Marx, here are some facts for you:

October 31, 2007

Disease made Karl Marx boil with anger

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article2773914.ece

Nigel Hawkes, Health Editor
Karl Marx suffered from a skin disease that can cause severe psychological effects such as self-loathing and alienation, according to a British dermatologist.

The father of communism’s life and attitudes were shaped by hidradenitis suppurativa, said Sam Shuster in the British Journal of Dermatology. One of its symptoms is alienation – a concept that Marx, a martyr to boils and carbuncles, put into words as he wrote Das Kapital.

The condition was described as early as 1839 by a French physician, Alfred Velpeau. But, Professor Shuster says, ideas crossed the Channel less readily than wine and Marx’s true condition was never diagnosed.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a disease of the apocrine sweat glands, found in the armpits and the groins. The skin in the affected areas shows a mixture of blackheads, lumps that look like boils, spots and areas that leak pus. Doctors and Marx, who was born in Germany but lived most of his life in London, called them “furuncles, boils and carbuncles”, but Professor Shuster says that they were too persistent and recurrent for that. He searched Marx’s letters and found that he had started complaining of carbuncles in 1864, when he was 46, though it is possible that he had them earlier.

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In 1867 he wrote to Friedrich Engels of the boils “on my posterior and near the penis” – areas characteristic of the condition. Marx was often unable to work because of the pain. He wrote to Ludwig Kugelmann in 1867: “I still have a carbuncle on the left loin not far from the centre of propagation, as well as numerous furuncles.”

The evidence that he suffered hidradenitis suppurativa is strong, says Professor Shuster. Marx was treated with arsenic, poultices and lancing, but with little effect. His only consolation, he told Engels, was that carbuncles were “a truly proletarian disease”.

The illness also contributed to Marx’s poverty, Professor Shuster says. “This new diagnosis is not just important in terms of historical accuracy,” he said. “The skin is an organ of communication, which is why its disorders produce so much psychological distress, with depression of self-image, mood and wellbeing, and with self-loathing and disgust.

“In addition to reducing his ability to work, which contributed to his depressing poverty, hidradenitis greatly reduced his self-esteem. This explains his self-loathing and alienation, a response reflected by the alienation Marx developed in his writing.”

Nina Goad, of the British Association of Dermatologists, said: “It is fascinating to discover that such an influential figure suffered from [hidradenitis], especially considering how it might have affected his work.”

Illness of the people

— Hidradenitis suppurativa is found in about one in 100 people
— It more often affects women, and only appears after puberty, when the apocrine glands are activated by —hormones
— It is often treated with antibiotics or anti-acne drugs
— In severe cases, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed

Source: British Association of Dermatologists
 

You're quite the wordy fucker, aren't you?
 

tl;dr
 

I'm talking about for those who live beneath the glass ceiling, Nico. Or perhaps you have another explanation for the realities that came about from every implementation of the mythical "worker's paradise"? How many millions more innocent poor and working class people have to be slaughtered for light to dawn on marble head? Perhaps young elites feel more comfy espousing moral relativism? I don't believe you have the slightest grasp of what slavery actually means.. the economic reality of a student is not on the same par with being deprived of ones right to self determination.. hey, instead of arguing with me, read what Doctor King had to say on the subject.. but then again, that would require some actually believe in what is really social justice and civil rights. ;)

Have to ask though, what conditions do you as a grad student work under that would compare to actual physical labor? Do you go hungry, lack access to health care, you certainly can't be homeless or deprived in any way that is true to the definition of the word. Not being able to have all the new toys doesn't quite count.

But I'm sure Prof. Chomsky provides a, [cough] excuse as to why Marxists had to reduce people to slavery.. after all, one's obligation is to the "state", and the only ones fit to think, to decide are those who live above that glass ceiling (the same one George Bush likes to perpetuate, and for the same corrupt and vile reasonings). That the "masses" are not capable of thinking intelligently enough to understand that they should sacrifice themselves for their fascistic overlords, oops, superiors.. hmmm.. oh yes, the "state", in good honest bondage, like good peasants.

I'm saying that what we had before the far right, and far left extremes decided to tag team together to impose globalization based on third world standards. Instead of raising wages of poor workers overseas, to drag down wage standards in the US. BTW, you support Gravel, ha, ha. ha. I'm sure you're aware that plaster saint Ralph Nader (the one with the 8 million invested in the dirty corporations he purports to disdain, big oil, the rape of the Niger Delta, big pharma, Frankenfoods, the military industrial complex, heck, he made a killing off Halliburton, and all the sweat shop, child slave labor he could buy in investments that operate in Asia)

You have quite an education, and if unemployed it's because you are still pursuing a degree? But there are millions of Americans who are long term un and underemployed. Face and become homeless each week. Malnutrition, anemia, and succumbing to illnesses they would have survived in the dark old ages of the 1970s.

Do you understand the implications of Mike Gravel's, say, tax plan? He and Steve Forbes are on the same page.. not very progressive (but then again neo-progs these day are actually regressive).

Enough from me, I know you can't or won't answer my questions.. though you're welcome to.
 

Yep..
 

Good response.
But, not only CAN I, and WILL answer your questions, I think out of respect to our host, and to viewers of this blog, I say we move our dialogue elsewhere, as this may not be the forum for lengthy debates ;)
nico "who appreciates your presumptions, and, yes, got the degrees, even taught film studies and humanities, et al, for a spell, but left long ago because higher education had become too corporate, and no, doesn't live under a glass roof, and never bought the cool toys, having been himself literally starving and unemployed/unable to enjoy any sort of quasi-socialized state benefits for far too many years, and so decided to make movies on his own without money until his efforts were recognized" h
 

Sure of course, I think it's better to take the discussion off Jame's blog. Sorry for the two posts, I thought the first had been lost as I had accidently hit enter while typing and thought the first was lost.. can't delete anything as it's not my blog.
 

Got it.
And sent you a message on a less public venue ;)
Now I just hope people reading your previous two posts don't ALSO get the wrong opinion of me LOL As I said in my other posts here, I'm FOR this strike, for better wages and conditions for workers--esp. for fellow writers! Not sure where the other stuff came from ;)
ciao
n
 

Since this is a personal non-paying gig, the rules allow him to blog. In fact, I suspect the WGA would encourage such blogs to inform the people on what's at stake and what's up. Nothing like a little free publicity and enlightenment. I wouldn't be surprised if other members have the same intend.
 

ME?? LOL Hell, since I don't live in CA or any other Union state, my writing is not bound to any union. Thus, I do what I want under my own conditions LOL Kidding, but yes, I agree. I've been screaming for years that writers get paid more, and are provided at least similar conditions and benefits that the other unions afford their people.
It's always stunned me that writers don't normally command residuals or points.
n
 

He he, that made me laugh.

I support your cause Mr Gunn :-) I don't see why actors/writers/directors shouldn't get paid for their work just because it's a different media. I don't download stuff like that anyway!

Hope the strike goes smooooth
 

"Should you even be writing a blog right now?!" LOL I can just see some guys in suits reading this and leveraging a case against Jim. ;)

On a more serious note--and this extends to the other members of different unions--I'm not sure why SAG and other unions keep saying that "whatever results are achived by the WGA strike will apply to us as well." WGA members are rightfully demanding residuals, since if it weren't for the writers, nothing in this industry would be. BUT, many members--esp. the higher paid ones--already get residuals (points), so I'm not sure what they are complaining about.
If anyone in SAG or AFTRA or DGA, et al, can explain this to me, please do. Because as a writer, director and actor, I KNOW writers are the least appreciated and undervalued in this industry. Actors and sometimes directors are usually paid far more than they should be, at LEAST in comparison to the writers. Bottom line is all actors and directors not only make money that is far more than the average "per day" of the American worker, but in most cases they also have the option to at least ask for residuals/points. Granted, non "Names" would be denied points, but my argument on this level remains.
nico h
 

It's not really that simple. Big name actors make unbelievable amounts of money. But, overall, there are more poor actors than anything else -- the majority of SAG members don't make enough money acting to live on. Directors do make a lot of money, but there aren't very many of them -- also, many people in the DGA are not actual directors, but AD's, etc.

But we ALL want royalties (especially writers and actors, actually -- and I'm a member of both WGA and SAG) -- and many of our members depend on those residuals to live.
 

I would second you on that, James. Why on Earth can't they consider royalty? *greed as you said* I would love that to happened with painters too. Get royalty from their pieces of works each time their paintings are re-sold.
 

Hey Jim
Thanks for throwing yer hat into this lil ring.
Yep, I know it's a bit more complicated that what I'd said in the 30 second blog response I'd written ;) Yep, I do know that a great many actors live in "downtime" and many literally starve (I did that for years as writer, actor, director, etc on different films). What I was saying is that the SAG scale of $267 per day (at low, low modified and/or experimental budget rates, which are the numerical majority of films being produced) are a lot more than most non-industry people in the US. There could easily be several different segueways here, from the general economy (teachers' wages, construction, restaurant workers, etc, being sickeningly low) to bigger philosophical debates, but my point here is that, even though most actors work few-and-far-between jobs, and usually at the lowest possible rates, it's still higher per day than most American jobs. Actors know this, and should plan for this (most of the sensible ones do, and therefore have "second jobs"), but also, can and do collect unemployment checks in between jobs.
Again, this is getting slightly off topic, but really my main point is that the actors (and SAG) don't have it nearly as bad as the writers have. For this and other reasons, I do support the writers' strike. Whew.
thanks again
nico h
PS Not at all BTW, when was the last time you talked with Fortus? You can message more privately if need be ;) Your name comes up every once in a while when talking with him.
 

You're not in the DGA?
 

:)
Yes, I'd really like to hear her point. It sounds like a good one; at least an unpopular one among people who are educated enough to have even read Marx, et al LOL
I have yet to meet a working person (in any industry, not just ours) who doesn't have some complaint against their working conditions.
n
 

I'm glad you'll be ok. I hope it ends quickly.
 

I support you, oh writers!!!!! I can drag out my DVDs until this is resolved.

"Let's end this fucking strike for the stippers, okay?"

I think you meant strippers. Some writer you are.
 

Well said, James. I work in the industry as well and totally see it all the way around. Hang in there, as will I.
~Jinxy
 

Oooooooooohhhhh. Like I wasn't already pissed enough at the studios this year... Bastards.
 

Good luck cocksucker! I was reading about this the other day and I don't blame the WGA one bit.
 

:( to the strike

:) to the strippers. Don't worry, I'll make enough to send Gunther to Jesus Raptor Camp.
 

I was wondering the same thing - I want to see you on CNN picketing, like Seth Meyers was this afternoon. ;)

I hope the strike ends soon.
 

I agree the WGA needed to strike. Thank you for the update, and for clarifying the reason for the strike. Here's hoping it ends REALLY soon!
Tracey xx
 

Thanks for explaining it so clearly. You pretty much said all there is to say.
 

Thanks for clearing that up, because there's too many people that assume this is just for the rich who want to get richer and that is totally not the case.

It sucks, but I understand why they're doing it!
 

fuck yeah! Right behind you guys on this one, as much as it sucks that my fav TV shows are about to either seriously suck or only be shown in re-runs... fuck those greedy bastard studios!
 

This is the best description of the strike I have read. So far, the only part of the strike I have enjoyed is that all you extremely smart, verbose WGA members are writing newspaper articles that makes sense, are informative and funny.
 

Damn the man, save the empire! I hope this works out for all of the WGA people...
 

well, have fun! WUELGA!
 

For the Strippers! Hurah!

Nice work man...I'll be seeing you at the picket line!
 

Well-said, James. I completely see what you're saying, and the reasoning behind this strike. I hope it's over quickly, too--and not just because I fear the possibly massive influx of reality tv in our futures. I don't think it's fair, what the studios are doing, and that's coming from a layman (laywoman? either way, sounds dirty. Or maybe that's just because my mind seems to instictively go to the gutter).

Great post. And what's with the 'be good?' What would be the fun in that? *grin*
 

It's a simple concept really, you do the work...you get paid for it. If anyone is entitled to a piece of the residual pie it should be the people who created the project, poured their hearts and souls into it and made it work in the first place. NOT, the corporate fat cats.

Maybe the strippers should go on strike until the Writers terms are met, I have a feeling CEO's will relent when they start missing their lap dances.

You go Guy!
 

AMEN BROTHER!!

xoxo Angel
 

thank you james for sharing with us? , and we are behind everyone on strike. joe and priscilla
 

Yay for you! Yay for Steve Carrell, and everyone else trying to make a difference.

Now, I'm going to finally read those Harry Potter books all the kids rave about.
 

to hell with the studios.
I am fully prepared to sit through a year or two of shitty movies in order for the writers and all the other people TRULY responsible for the creation of new media to get what they rightfully deserve, and for the stingy and greedy studio suits to finally have to give up some of that money they guard so zealousy!
 

Yea I steal content when the money never gets back to the people responsible for the work.

Otherwise I pay =)
 

It is such a shame that in some situations, by some people, creativity is not valued the way it was in the past......

I hope the strike ends VERY soon! Mostly for selfish reasons....but also for the creative people meant to entertain boring people like me.
 

Enjoy the break!
 

the strike reminds me of this.

either way... i support you writers!


 

I absolutely respect what the strike is about. Try to stay out of trouble during this time and write more blogs. Your blogs give me another procrastinating excuse. :)
 

Good for you James. I know it's a crappy thing to mess with the fans, but it's the right thing to do. Good luck to all of you.....

Jewel
 

I'll drink to that! *cheers*