AFTRA...Actors union nabs residuals for game streaming! Landmark contract!

When AFTRA (The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) first formed decades ago, understandably, the union's jurisdiction was quite limited with regard to its reach in the industry.

Initially, the Screen Actors Guild maintained control over productions shot on "film", while AFTRA (a sister union) kept an eagle eye on contract violations in the area of video programs such as soaps, TV sitcoms, and broadcast news (television and radio artists).

In recent years, relationships became strained with producers at the major studios and networks with the advent of rich media productions (which extended to the Internet) which were "wide open" and an area rife with non-union workers.

When the union reps first attempted to negotiate contracts in these uncharted waters, it was a tough row to hoe.

The ensuing conflicts between union reps, actors, and producers - just about toppled both unions - in fact.

This week, AFTRA is celebrating a major victory in their ongoing talks.

 A pact was made over "game streaming" on the world-wide-web which is significant.

For example, actors (and performers in all areas of entertainment such as dancers, singers, etc.) will now be paid a one-time fee when "games" are streamed on the Internet.

AFTRA's negotiators accepted the "cloud-gaming" fee provision in exchange for giving up claims to other types of residual payments for video games (previously negotiated in a prior 3-year contract).

The landmark agreement is sure to pave the way for the Screen Actors Guild which has yet to finalize agreements in their realm of jurisdiction.

Stay posted!

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McCain...Condo Ho. Barack not off hook, either!

Presumptive candidate's new home...

Well, it was expected.

At some point, McCain was bound to make a serious misstep and send his campaign into a tailspin.

It occurred with the infamous - can't count past three - scenario which unfolded this past week on the campaign trail.

When asked how many homes the family held in their name - he was inclined to advise pundits at politico.com - that he would get back to 'em cause,

He "didn't know".

Of course, the startling response did not bode well, no matter how a voter fathomed it.

Was the Republican party's top pit bull having a senior moment?

On the one hand, perhaps McCain was inferring that he has so many assets he can't keep track of 'em!

In the alternative - the nasty bit of business underscored that when McCain is flapping in the breeze (without a net to catch him) - he has trouble "winging" it.

No matter how you haggle it - American voters must be asking themselves right about now - is this the kind of clueless president they want running the country?

Barack didn't fair too well on the uptake, either.

He went for the jugular!

Barack seized on the issue of McCain's wealth to underscore that the presidential hopeful was out-of-touch with the needs of voters struggling in a difficult economy.

"If you're like me and you've got one house, or if you were like the millions of people who are struggling right now to keep up with their mortgage so they don't lose their home, you might have a different perspective."

First, I thought it intriguing that Barack referred to his residence as a "house". Most people call their abode a "home".

So, maybe in his instant case, the dwelling is actually an investment?

And, what a prize asset it is!

A million-dollar Manse in an upscale part of town.

And, don't think Barack's poke at the old windbag McCain didn't have repercussions.

If you ask me, the presumptive candidate, should have let "sleeping dogs lie".

Yeah, a McCain spokesperson jumped right on that one.

"Does a guy who made more than $4 million last year, just got back from a vacation on a private beach in Hawaii, and bought his own million-dollar mansion with help from a convicted felon really want to get into a debate about houses?"

Ah!

Barack, time to retreat.

The scriptures provide a clue at John 8:7

"Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone."