Communication Rights

Communication Rights

• SOCIALIST PARTY USA STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE SCREENWRITERS STRIKE- SOCIALIST PARTY USA STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR THE SCREENWRITERS STRIKE Labor Commission of the SP-USA When the irreverent early 20th century comedian W.C. Fields was once caught reading the bible he explained that he was “looking for some loopholes.” On Monday November 5th, 12,000 members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) took a bold strike action to sew up some of the loopholes which have allowed the entertainment industry to make exorbitant profits from their labor. The Socialist Party USA (SP-USA) stands with the WGA and calls upon the Association of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to concede to the WGA’s demands for a just contract. Unlike the often inebriated actor Fields, the AMPTP has found many profitable loopholes. While screenwriters are paid industry rates for work aired in traditional media venues such as television and movies, they receive only a small fraction of the profits generated in the “new” media outlets of DVD sales and internet based programming. Writers currently receive only 5 cents per unit for the sale of a DVD. For entertainment delivered via internet streaming video WGA members receive only 1.2% of gross revenue. There is also currently no language in the contract regarding the producer’s right to insert product placements into WGA member created scripts.
• North American New Humanist Forum, NYC- Come see the SP-USA table at:

  The North American New Humanist Forum,

  November 16-18, 2007, in New York City. Registration is free on their website, along with details. Opening (friday the 16th) at El Museo Del Barrio Teatro Heckscher 1230 5th Avenue, at 104th Street Plenary Sessions and working tables at Hunter College School of Social Work 129 East 79th Street, at Lexington Ave From Their Website:
  "How do we map out a new direction for our region, one that is guided by principles of non-violence with respect for diversity and with real democracy? Can we imagine a united North America that transcends national boundaries by building upon the best qualities of our peoples and cultures?" "As humanists, we believe this is possible and the time for it is now."
• LEFT FORUM 2008- Save the date! LEFT FORUM 2008 will take place March 14-16 at The Cooper Union, New York City. This year we are excited to present many speakers who are new to Left Forum audiences, from around the world and right here in New York City, as well as many who are joining us again: Naomi Klein, Grace Lee Boggs, Tariq Ali, Staughton Lynd, Billionaires for Bush, Mahmood Mamdani, Adam Hochschild, Jeremy Scahill, David Harvey, Max Elbaum, Stanley Aronowitz, Frances Fox Piven, Bill Fletcher, Jr., Patricia McFadden, Patrick Bond, John Bellamy Foster, Michael Albert, Carlos Vilas, Dennis Brutus, Deepa Fernandes, and many more will participate. The theme of Left Forum 2008 is Cracks in the Edifice. What is the nature of the emerging crises in global political economy? How can the Left confront its current challenges to build stronger anti-capitalist movements? If another world is possible, what will it look like? We will be adding several movement-building workshops to our program, and plan to examine1968 after 40 years.

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