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WGA strike ends
Written by Ray Robinson
Saturday, 16 February 2008 03:51
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Writers getting back to work 'immediately'

With the picket lines having been walked for 100 days, the Writer’s Guild of America vote to end the strike became official on Tuesday, February 12th, with a whopping 92.5% of the members voting to return to work. The voting took place shortly after the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) came to a contractual agreement the prior Saturday morning.

The AMTMP expressed their relief in a letter signed by the heads of the main TV and movie studios, such as Disney, CBS and Warner Brothers. “The strike has been extraordinarily difficult for all of us, but the hardest hit of all have been the many thousands of businesses, workers and families that are economically dependent on our industry. We hope now to focus our collective efforts on what this industry does best — writers, directors, actors, production crews, and entertainment companies working together to deliver great content to our worldwide audiences.”

Hopes were high once the Director’s Guild of America (DGA) reached an agreement with AMTMP themselves in late January. The same template was used to for the WGA’s agreement, making progress rapid once both sides sat down at the table. The SAG-AFTRA contract ends on June 30th, and the hopes are high that this same template will come into play once negotiations begin.

The WGA agreement, like the DGA agreement before it, includes a percentage of the distributor’s gross profits – the core issue behind the strike.

Members of the WGA voted over a period of 48 hours either in person at the WGA Theater or Gotham’s Crowne Plaza Hotel, or via fax. 3,492 members voted in favor of ending the strike, while 283 members voted against. WGA West Prexy, Patric Verrone said that WGA members are free to return to work “immediately” – just in time to begin writing the Oscar’s ceremony to be aired on February 24th.

 
2008 Candidate Selector
Written by Ray Robinson
Monday, 16 July 2007 16:05
2 Comments

By Ray Robinson
MTW contributing writer

Having trouble deciding who to vote for in the next election? Want to see how your beliefs fall amongst the candidates (or some potential candidates)? Or just bored?

Here is an interesting link anyone politically active should check out.

You'll be asked your choice on 25 political topics, and to rank the topics themselves as High or Low Priority. When you click "Show My Results," just pan down the page to read your results – ignore all the ads at the top. The results will list how candidates rank in comparison to your choices, showing a percentage of matching. The top candidate is always "Theoretical Ideal Candidate – 100%" – this is the person that, were you Dr. Frankenstein and could build a candidate, you agree completely with. All your choices have a link to basic information about the candidates, so you can begin your research as to who to vote for next year. The results may surprise you – I know I was surprised with my results! My highest match was Hillary Clinton, at 52%. Mind you, I have no intention of letting this quiz sway my voting preference at all, but I was severely disappointed to discover that my closest match only subscribed to half of my beliefs. A challenge to all the regular posters and readers – post your top results and reactions, why you agree or disagree, and even debate the accuracy or choices of the quiz itself. You have nothing to lose but misconceptions!

 
Know Any Good Ministers?
Written by Ray Robinson
Monday, 09 July 2007 22:02
No Comments

By Ray Robinson
MTW contributing writer

My wife and I faced one major hurdle on our way to wedded bliss who would perform the ceremony? I'm a Christian and she is not, and neither of us were interested in changing, nor were we asking each other to change. A church wedding was out, as was the Justice of the Peace, and this ceremony was too important to be handled by a stranger.

Fortunately, one of our friends was ordained online, and we asked him to officiate.

Before you dismiss online ordination as fly-by-night or Vegas-like schlock," take a moment to consider some of the facts. The largest online ordination site is the Universal Life Church, boasting 20 million ministers ordained since 1959. Their beliefs are simple: ensure for each of their ministers the absolute right of freedom to practice their religion in the manner of their choosing, and to encourage their ministers to do that which is right and in accord with their government's laws.

Universal Life doesn't stop with granting licenses. They offer online training for those wishing to become the best minister they can be. They also offer basic sermons and ceremonies the minister can use as a template to build from. There is also a chat forum so ministers can assist each other with ideas and guidance. Finally, they offer products, such as clerical robes and literature, for the minister to utilize in his or her work.

Do they have some people sign up as a joke? Certainly! Universal Life asks only that their members Do only that which is right and leaves it up to the individual to determine that course.

When I approached Gary about officiating our ceremony, he told me up front that he takes his role as a minister seriously. He was not about to do anything he didn't feel was appropriate for such an important occasion. I responded that's one of the reasons we want you to do this for us! Over a couple of dinners, the three of us worked together to come up with a ceremony that included scripture, handfasting, and a unity candle. Even the staunchest Christians in our families were moved to tears, and many commented it was the best ceremony they had ever witnessed.

So if you're having trouble finding an appropriate minister, maybe a good friend would willing to step up and fill that void. It may be all you need to make the big day even more special! For more information on the Universal Life Church, go to <a href="http://themonastery.org">