International VFX Town Hall Hollywood

I'm proud to have been in attendance. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this event a success! Webcast from New Zealand, India, London, Brazil, Vancouver, Quebec, San Francisco, Austin and Hollywood. Buttons with, "I Am VFX Soldier" were handed out. Issues discussed: lack of harmony, subsidies, impact of traveling/moving families, fixed bids (no changes), long hours, unpaid overtime, misclassification, healthcare (USA), residuals and royalties, need for post production supervision (to keep projects on track), need for truly international union, fear, big-six studios, need for standardized contracts, need for VFX industry specific lobbyists. Best of luck to all involved! 

Si se puede!

VFX Oscar Demonstration Photos

Union OK'd for CSD Workers - Mountain News : News

Union OK'd for CSD Workers - Mountain News : News: By Mike Harris

Union Volunteers Drive Huge Turnout to Defeat Prop 32

 

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 07, 2012
CONTACT: Steve Smith (510) 326-4644

Voters Reject Deceptive Prop 32, Send Clear Message to Wealthy Corporate Interests

Union volunteers drive huge turnout to defeat Prop 32

Statement by California Labor Federation Executive Secretary-Treasurer Art Pulaski

“In voting down the deceptive Prop 32, Californians rejected a blatant power play by corporate special interests to silence the voice of working people. Despite weeks of misleading advertisements backing Prop 32 paid for by billionaires and out-of-state Super PACs, the margin of defeat was decisive. Prop 32 backers spent more than $50 million in an effort to fool voters. Ultimately, California families saw through this sham of a measure, agreeing with the League of Women Voters, reform groups and leading newspapers that panned Prop 32 as a fraud that would weaken our democracy.

“Prop 32 also had the effect of driving millions of firefighters, electricians, nurses, teachers, plumbers and other working people to the polls today. This measure was nothing less than an attack on working people; an attack we took personally.

“Today’s victory was the culmination of the largest voter contact program in the California labor movement’s history. Over the course of the campaign, 40,000 union volunteers reached millions of voters on the phone, at the door, through the mail and online about the harmful consequences of Prop 32. The result of this massive program was more engagement than ever from working people this election. That engagement not only drove the defeat of Prop 32, it also had a positive impact on other ballot measures and helped elect working family candidates at all levels.

“For the third time in the last 14 years, California voters rejected an attempt to shut working people out of the political process. The message voters sent the wealthy interests behind Prop 32 could not have been clearer. Californians categorically reject power plays designed by a few in the 1% to rig the system to their favor. Sooner or later, these CEOs and billionaires trying to push their agenda on our state will realize that no amount of money spent on deceptive ads will fool voters into passing measures like Prop 32.”

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Why Obama Won

Here are 163 reasons I believe Barack Obama won the 2012 presidential election. Can you think of any more? Don't forget to vote on Tuesday.

1. Death of Osama Bin Laden

2.  Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech

3.  Senior Citizen Voters

4.  Women Voters

5.  High Level of Integrity

6.  Hispanic Voters

7.  African American Voters

8.   AARP Members

9.  ObamaCare Victory

10.  Auto Industry Bailout

11.  DNC Audience Diversity

12.  Responsible Pet Owners

13.  White House Beer Recipe

14.  Voter Identification Law Backlash

15.  Opposition to Tea Party Movement

16.  Personable and Presidential

17.  Occupy Wall Street

18.  Champion of Democracy

19.  Clint Eastwood’s Monologue

20.  Belief Financial System is Rigged

21.  Support for Renewable Energy

22.  Todd Akin’s Speech

23.  Romney’s Cayman Islands Account

24.  Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal

25.  Phrase “Tax Cuts for the Rich”

26.  Ryan’s Medicare Cuts

27.  Rafalca the Olympic Horse

28.  Romney’s 47% Comment

29.  Middle Class Voters

30.  Evangelicals

31.  American Voters on Welfare

32.  Americans Who Oppose Afghan War

33.  Mitt Romney’s Tax Rate

34.  Corporate Greed

35.  Do-Nothing Congress

36.  Romney’s Saber Rattling

37.  Conservative Commentator Ann Coulter

38.  Gay Marriage Supporters

39.  Foreign Policy Experience

40.  Support for Family Planning

41.  Daughter’s Malia and Sasha

42.  Fear of Right Wing Extremism

43.  YouTube Videos

44.  Etch-a-Sketch Comment

45.  Oppositions Use of Term “Socialist”

46.  Climate Change Science

47.  Arab Spring

48.  Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

49.  Immigration Reform Supporters

50.  Bain Capital, LLC

51.  Senator John McCain

52.  Seamus the Dog

53.  Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Repeal Act

54.  Muammar Gaddafi Death

55.  The 99%

56.  Positive Upbeat Outlook

57.  Opposition to Koch Brother’s Meddling

58.  Romney Calling Self “Severe  Capitalist”

59.  Romney’s Oil Company Ties

60.  Romney’s Support of Nuclear Energy

61.  American Dream of Home Ownership

62.  Sheldon Adelson

63.  End of Iraq War

64.  Sarah Palin

65.  Fox News Coverage

66.  Iran Sanctions

67.  Romney Offshoring Jobs

68.  Chris Matthews

69.  Herman Cain’s Alleged Affair

70.  George W. Bush Legacy

71.  Working Families

72.  Obama Effect (Opposition Stockpiling Weapons)

73.  Increased Fuel Efficiency Standards

74.  Birther Conspiracy Backlash

75.  Basketball Ability

76.  Housing Market Stabilization

77.  Governor Scott Walker

78.  Veiled Racism

79.  Gov. Chris Christie

80.  Ted Nugent (Motor City Madman)

81.  Oprah Winfrey

82.  Seal Team 6

83.  Citizens United Decision Backlash

84.  Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance

85.  NRA After Colorado Shooting

86.  Facebook Sharing

87.  The 1%

88.  Ron Paul Snub

89.  Business Banking Regulations

90.  George Clooney

91.  Small Donors

92.  Transparency

93.    Likeable Characteristics

94.  Authentic Smile

95.  24 Hr News Cycle

96.  “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker

97.  GOP Israel Skinny Dip

98.  Romney Hong Kong Fundraiser

99.  Romney’s Olympic Security Critique

100. Carl Rove

101.  Super PAC’s

102. Michele Bachmann

103.  Term “Death Panel”

104.  Newt Gingrich

105.  Every Man

106.  Military Cuts

107.  House Speaker John Boehner

108.  Opposition to Coal Industry

109.  Union Members

110.  Rush Limbaugh

111. Opposes Corporate Greed

112.  EPA Regulations

113.  Teachers Voter

114.  Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo

115.  Romney’s Quote “I love to fire People”

116.  Stimulus Plan

117.  Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner

118.  Cash for Clunkers

119. Republican War on Women

120. Parents Who Support Big Bird

121.  Opposition calling US President a “Marxist”

122.  Overuse of Media Bias Claim

123.  Bill O’Reilly

124. Saturday Night Live

125.  Fair and Balanced Exaggeration

126. Stock Market Recovery

127. Al Franken

128.  Robert Reich

129. CA Voter Suppression Act

130. Term “Appeasement”

131. The Grover Norquist Pledge

132. Nathan Sproul

133. WI Collective Bargaining Law

134. Cato Institute

135. Time Magazine Cover

136. Empathy

137. Hugh Hewitt’s Book

138.  Atheist Ayn Rand

139.  School Vouchers

140.  Romney’s Car Elevator

141.  Opposition to Offshore Drilling

142.  Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s

143.  Support of US Government Workers

144.  Anyone Can Beat Obama Mantra

145.  Likeability Strengths

146.  Patriotic Language (About US Govt)

147.  Low Interest Rates

148.  Michele vs. Ann

149.  American Optimism

150.  GOP Buyer’s Remorse

151.  Strategic Allied Consulting, Inc.

152.  Term “Affirmative Action President”

153.  Support of Contraception

154.  Ann’s $990 Designer Silk Shirt

155.  PBS Viewers

156.  Sec of State Hillary Clinton

157.  Michael Savage’s Anti-American Vitriol

158.  Bo the Dog

159.  Housing Market Stabilization

160.   2nd Debate

161.   3rd Debate

162.   Gen. Colin Powell Endorsement

163.   Hurricane Sandy Response

President Obama to Establish Cesar E. Chavez Union Organizer National Monument

October 1st, 2012

Press Release:

Keene, California, On October 8th, 2012, President Obama will travel to Keene, California to announce the establishment of the César E. Chávez National Monument. Years in the making, the monument – which will be designated under the Antiquities Act – will be established on the property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz (Our Lady Queen of Peace), or La Paz.  The La Paz property is recognized worldwide for its historic link to civil rights icon César Estrada Chávez and the farm worker movement. The site served as the national headquarters of the United Farm Workers (UFW) as well as the home and workplace of César Chávez and his family from the early 1970’s until Chávez’ death in 1993, and includes his grave site which will also be part of the monument.

“César Chávez gave a voice to poor and disenfranchised workers everywhere,” said President Obama. “La Paz was at the center of some of the most significant civil rights moments in our nation’s history, and by designating it a national monument, Chávez’ legacy will be preserved and shared to inspire generations to come.”

From this rural headquarters in the Tehachapi Mountains of Kern County, California, Chávez played a central role in achieving basic worker protections for hundreds of thousands of farmworkers across the country, from provisions ensuring drinking water was provided to workers in the fields, to steps that helped limit workers’ exposure to dangerous pesticides, to helping to establish basic minimum wages and health care access for farm workers.

The National Chávez Center, in consultation with the United Farm Workers of America, the César Chávez Foundation and members of César Chávez’s family, offered to donate certain properties at La Paz to the federal government for the purpose of establishing a national monument commemorating César E. Chávez and the farmworker movement. This designation will represent the culmination of a process that has been underway for several years.

The César E. Chávez National Monument will encompass property that includes a Visitors’ Center containing César Chávez’s office as well as the UFW legal aid offices, the home of César and Helen Chávez, the Chávez Memorial Garden containing Chavez’s grave site, and additional buildings and structures at the La Paz campus.

The monument, which will be managed by the National Park Service in consultation with the National Chávez Center and the César Chávez Foundation, will be the fourth National Monument designated by President Obama using the Antiquities Act.   He previously designated Fort Monroe National Monument in Virginia, a former Army post integral to the history of slavery, the Civil War, and the U.S. military; Fort Ord National Monument in California, a former military base that is a world-class destination for outdoor recreation; and Chimney Rock, which is located in the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado, and offers a spectacular landscape rich in history and Native American culture. First exercised by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming, the authority of the Antiquities Act has been used by 16 presidents since 1906 to protect unique natural and historic features in America, such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients.

###

Spanish Translation

El Presidente Obama establecerá el Monumento Nacional a César E. Chávez

El día 8 de octubre de 2012, el Presidente Obama viajará a Keene, California, para anunciar el establecimiento del Monumento Nacional a César E. Chávez.  Este monumento, que lleva varios años en proyecto y será designado bajo la Ley de Antigüedades, se establecerá en la propiedad conocida como Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, o La Paz.  La propiedad de La Paz está reconocida en todo el mundo por su conexión histórica con el ícono de los derechos civiles César Estrada Chávez y el movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas.  Este lugar ha sido la sede nacional de la Unión de Trabajadores Agrícolas (UFW, por sus siglas en inglés) así como la casa y centro de trabajo de César Chávez y su familia desde principios de la década de 1970 hasta el fallecimiento de Chávez en 1993, e incluye su tumba, que también será parte del monumento.

El Presidente Obama comentó que, “César Chávez les dio una voz a los trabajadores pobres y despojados en todas partes.  La Paz fue el punto de partida de algunos de los movimientos de derechos civiles más significativos en la historia de nuestra nación y, al designársele como monumento nacional, se preservará y se compartirá el legado de Chávez para inspirar a las generaciones futuras”.

Desde esta sede rural en las Montañas Tehachapi del Condado Kern en California, Chávez desempeñó una función clave para lograr las protecciones básicas para cientos de miles de trabajadores agrícolas en todo el país, desde disposiciones que garantizaban que se les proporcionara agua potable a los trabajadores en los campos, hasta medidas que ayudaron a limitar la exposición de los trabajadores a pesticidas nocivos, hasta ayudar a establecer los salarios mínimos básicos y acceso a cuidado médico para los trabajadores agrícolas.

El Centro Nacional Chávez, en consulta con la Unión de Trabajadores Agrícolas de América, la Fundación César Chávez y miembros de la familia de César Chávez, ofreció donar ciertas propiedades en La Paz al gobierno federal con el fin de establecer un monumento nacional para conmemorar a César E. Chávez y el movimiento de los trabajadores agrícolas.  Esa designación representará la culminación de un proceso que lleva varios años en movimiento.

El Monumento Nacional César E. Chávez comprenderá propiedad que incluye un centro de visitantes que contiene la oficina de César Chávez así como las oficinas de ayuda legal de UFW, la casa de César y Helen Chávez, el Jardín Conmemorativo Chávez que contiene la tumba de Chavez, y otros edificios y estructuras en el recinto de La Paz.

El monumento, que estará bajo la administración del Servicio Nacional de Parques, en consulta con el Centro Nacional Chávez y la Fundación César Chávez, será el cuarto monumento nacional designado por el Presidente Obama bajo la Ley de Antigüedades.  Él designó previamente el Monumento Nacional Fort Monroe en Virginia, una antigua posta del ejército que fue integral a la historia de la esclavitud, la Guerra Civil, y las Fuerzas Armadas de EE.UU.; el Monumento Nacional Fort Ord en California, una antigua base militar que es un destino de clase mundial para recreación al aire libre; y Chimney Rock, que está ubicado en el Bosque Nacional de San Juan en el suroeste de Colorado, y ofrece un panorama espectacular repleto de historia y de cultura americana nativa.  La autoridad de la Ley de Antigüedades, que fue ejercida por primera vez por el Presidente Theodore Roosevelt en 1906 para designar el Monumento Nacional de Devils Tower en Wyoming, ha sido usada por 16 presidentes desde entonces para proteger las características naturales e históricas exclusivas en EE.UU., tales como el Gran Cañón, la Estatua de la Libertad, y el monumento Canyons of the Ancients en Colorado.

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154 Reasons Mitt Romney Lost the 2012 Presidential Election

There are reasons candidates win elections and there are reasons candidates lose elections (see list below). Mitt Romney lost this one. 

There are some great lessons to be learned here, so don’t discount the messenger or the message. Yes, money has a great deal to do with running a successful presidential campaign and God know Romney’s got money but it’s not everything. We’ve all seen the commercials. In the end, the candidates looked pretty much as we originally thought.

Come on... Admit it! You already knew who you were going to vote for in the beginning. All that campaign money and boring commercials didn’t make a bit of difference.....

Obama is a nice enough guy, he has a nice family, and even with the opposition fighting him at every step he managed to kill Osama Bin Laden. God bless him for that! A lot of people refused to credit him with that one.  They probably wished Bush had done it. We all wish Bush had done it! Why didn’t he? Makes you wonder doesn’t it?  That said Obama hasn’t accomplished much else other than healthcare reform. Soon my girlfriend will have health coverage. That will be a relief.  

Don’t you wish Bill Clinton was still in office? Those were the days.

Romney seems like a nice guy. Not so much nice as in approachable or having a conversation with him or anything like that. He probably wouldn’t give us the time of day. We’re working stiffs. He’s a multimillionaire. Would anyone with a $250,000,000.00 net worth?  Back in the 1980's there was this boss who owned a Ferrari. Does that count?

Anyway, Romney’s a family guy, it seems like he has accomplished some great things and made a name for himself. He has a pretty wife and his kids look like they were raised well. The story of him helping the sick kid with his final wishes really impressed us. That showed real character.  Still, would you want to work for him? He’s probably ruthless in the business world. No one makes that kind of money without playing hard ball. Some of those stories about hostile takeovers and firing workforces are true.

Why doesn’t he buy an island in the South Pacific and retire? Perhaps now he will.....

Here’s the list in order of importance. Pay attention 2016 presidential candidates!

1.            Occupy Wall Street

2.            War on Women

3.            Hispanic Voters

4.            African American Voters

5.            AARP Fight

6.            ObamaCare Victory

7.            Death of Osama Bin Laden

8.            Bill Clinton’s DNC Speech

9.            Auto Industry Bailout

10.          The Tea Party Movement

11.          Clint Eastwood’s Monologue  

12.          Horatio Alger Myth  

13.          Frightened Senior Citizens

14.          Todd Akin’s Rape Comments  

15.          Cayman Islands Account

16.          Mitch McConnell’s 2012 Goal

17.          Tax Cuts for the Rich

18.          Medicare Cuts

19.          Rafalca the Olympic Horse

20.          The 47% Comment

21.          The Middle Class

22.          Evangelicals

23.          Term “Welfare Queen”

24.          Not Mentioning Afghanistan

25.          Michael Savage’s Vitriol

26.          Tax Returns

27.          Corporate Greed

28.          Do-Nothing Congress

29.          Ann Coulter

30.          Gay Marriage

31.          Foreign Policy

32.          Abortion

33.          Malia and Sasha

34.          Right Wing Extremism

35.          YouTube

36.          Etch-a-Sketch Debacle

37.          Calling a US President a “Socialist”

38.          Climate Change Denial

39.          Arab Spring

40.          Sec of State Hillary Clinton

41.          Immigration Issue

42.          Bain Capital

43.          John McCain

44.          Seamus the Dog

45.          Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

46.          Muammar Gaddafi Death

47.          The 99%

48.          Too Negative

49.          Koch Brothers

50.          Term “Crony Capitalist”

51.          Phony Voter ID Laws

52.          Oil Company Ties 

53.          Opposition to Green Energy

54.          Support of Nuclear Energy

55.          American Dream of Home Ownership

56.          Sheldon Adelson

57.          End of Iraq War

58.          Sarah Palin

59.          Fox News

60.          Iran Sanctions

61.          Offshoring Jobs

62.          Chris Matthews

63.          Herman Cain’s 999 Plan

64.          Outsourcing

65.          George W. Bush

66.          Union Members

67.          Obama Effect (Stockpiling Weapons)

68.          Fuel Efficiency Standards

69.          Birther Conspiracy  

70.          Basketball Ability

71.          Housing Market Stabilization

72.          Gov. Scott Walker

73.          Veiled Racism

74.          Gulf Oil Spill

75.          Motor City Madman Ted Nugent

76.          Oprah Winfrey

77.          Seal Team 6

78.          Citizens United Decision

79.          Sen Larry Craig’s Wide Stance

80.          NRA Tweet after Massacre

81.          Facebook Sharing

82.          The 1%

83.          Ron Paul Snub

84.          Business Banking Regulations

85.          Mars Curiosity Rover

86.          George Clooney

87.          Small Donors

88.          Stiff Persona

89.          Libyan Attack Comments

90.          Donald Trump Endorsement

91.          “He’s Not One of Us” Argument

92.          24 Hr News Cycle

93.          “Thurston Howell Romney” Moniker

94.          GOP Israel Skinny Dip

95.          Hong Kong Fundraiser

96.          Romney’s Olympic Security Critique

97.          Carl Rove

98.          Super PAC’s

99.          Michele Bachmann

100.        Term “Death Panel”

101.        Offshore Accounts

102.        Newt Gingrich

103.        Angry Looking

104.        Netanyahu

105.        Reverse Military Cuts

106.        House Speaker John Boehner

107.        Support of Coal Industry

108.        Union Members

109.        Rush Limbaugh

110.        Corporate Greed

111.        EPA Regulations

112.        Teachers

113.        Doctored Pledge of Allegiance Photo

114.        “I Love to Fire People”

115.        Stimulus Plan

116.        Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner

117.        Cash for Clunkers

118.        War on Women

119.        “We Built It” Slogan

120.        Campaign Infighting

121.        No Specifics

122.        Term “Marxist”

123.        Media Bias Claim

124.        Bill O’Reilly

125.        Saturday Night Live

126.        Fair and Balanced

127.        Stock Market Recovery

128.        Al Franken

129.        Robert Reich

130.        Voter Suppression Act

131.        Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc.

131.        Term “Appeasement”

132.        Day One Promises

133.        The Norquist Pledge

134.        Nathan Sproul

135.        WI Collective Bargaining Law

136.        Cato Institute

137.        Anti-Mormon Bias

138.        Free Enterprise System

139.        Hugh Hewitt’s Book

140.        Bush’s Record

141.        Atheist Ayn Rand

142.        School Vouchers

143.        Romney’s Car Elevator

144.        Offshore Drilling

145.        Ann’s Couple of Cadillac’s

146.        Insult Government Workers  

147.        "Anyone Can Beat Obama" Mantra

148.        Comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter

149.        Likeability Factor

150.        Unpatriotic Language (Size of US Govt)

151.        Conservative Doctrine

152.        Michele vs. Ann

153.        Cheerleading Fall of US Economy

154.        Buyer’s Remorse

Copyright 2012 Bob Oedy All Rights Reserved