War Games

Attended the big WGAE "Strike Authorization Vote" meeting Thursday night. It was surprisingly sparsely attended. The atmosphere was... awkward. We were cautioned to be careful what we say to the press, but there didn't seem to be any massive revelations at the meetings...

The bottom-line is, the strike is not an absolute. It's a last measure.

The contract expires on October 31st. A lot can happen. And these negotiations will probably come down to the wire.

The "Strike Authorization Vote" is supposed to be a show of unity. It doesn't mean that we immediately strike. It's a vote to give our guild leaders the authorization to strike if the negotiations call for it. A large vote for YES would, theoretically, be a show of strength and unity at the bargaining table. The hope would be that we'd get a 90% or higher authorization.

A brief history of Writers Guild strikes, FWIW...

1981—
68% vote, stayed out for three months:
won our demands.

1985—
75% vote, stayed out for two weeks:
accepted a contract that is considered very poor in hindsight.

1988—
96% vote, stayed out for more than five months:
accepted virtually the same offer that the AMPTP put on the table one month into the strike.

Happy days, huh?

If you've put it off (like I did), do yourself a favor and watch THE LIVES OF OTHERS. It's my NetFlix Pick of the Weekend, you motherfucking NetFlixing lurkers you! It is so fucking good. Best movie I've seen in a while, man.

"While you're watching movies, you COULD be looking for a JOB, asshole!" shouted the Average Frustrated Raccoon.

"Why don't you just mind your own business, AFR?" queried Malice.

"Or WHAT??" spat the Average Frustrated Raccoon. "You're gonna make me disappear like the Gay Horse? Oooh, I'm sooo scared!"

DefCon-5 Shuffled 5:
1. "I'll Do Anything", Courtney Love
2. "Hollywood Freaks", Beck
3. "Debra", Beck
4. "Musicology", Prince
5. "Painted By Numbers", The Sounds

"Joshua Called You?" Bonus
"You Got No Right", Velvet Revolver