S01E64: Gaped Hell Hole

Zosobi Boo-Bury

Sep 28, 2021

Tarot: 9 of Wands

Freaks of Hazard: Sir Mani @ $16.66

Bay Area Woman Charged With Arson

https://www.sfgate.com/california-wildfires/article/Palo-Alto-woman-Fawn-Fire-Alexandra-Souverneva-16490138.php

https://www.thedailybeast.com/bear-pee-drinking-shaman-alexandra-souverneva-charged-with-arson-probed-for-ties-to-california-wildfires

CBS Sacramento -

Alexandra Souverneva’s Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-souverneva-51871228

A 30-year-old Palo Alto woman charged with igniting the California wildfire that has destroyed more than 40 homes and some 90 other structures in Shasta County pleaded not guilty Friday morning.
Souverneva is suspected of starting other fires in Shasta County and throughout the state, District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett said in a press conference Friday.
A California woman who said she self-identifies as a “shaman” has been charged with igniting a wildfire that has destroyed hundreds of homes and structures and burned some 8,500 acres. The Redding Record Searchlight reports Alexandra Souverneva is now being investigated for a potential connection to other fires in California, per Shasta County District Attorney Stephanie Bridgett. Souverneva, 30, told officials that while she had been hiking to Canada, she became thirsty and attempted to start a fire to boil some water containing bear urine. The woman was unsuccessful in starting the fire but drank the urine water anyway, and then “continued walking uphill from the creek bed,” when she noticed the smoke and called for help. Souverneva was asked to empty her pockets, which revealed a lighter, two CO2 cartridges, and an item “containing a green leafy substance she admitted to smoking that day.” She was subsequently arrested and taken to Shasta County Jail. Souverneva pleaded not guilty, to which the judge responded by increasing her bail from $100,000 to $150,000. The Fawn Fire was at 45 percent containment on Sunday night.
Alexandra Souverneva, did her undergrad at California Institute of Technology (CalTech), interned at places like Genentech and Novartis, got her graduate at SUNY ESF (New York University of Environmental Sciences and Forestry, classically trained pianist, gifted chemist.
Hiking to Canada where they probably won’t let her in, with literally nothing on her but drug shit.
An attorney at a Friday court appearance said Souverneva made statements to law enforcement suggesting a potential mental health crisis "or something to do with drug abuse," the Redding Record Searchlight reported.

R Kelly Charged With a Bunch of Shit

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/r-kelly-trial-verdict-09-27-21/index.html

Jurors have found R&B singer R. Kelly guilty of racketeering, including acts of bribery and sexual exploitation of a child, along with separate charges of sex trafficking.

Let’s see how many weird Hollywood things are between the lines here…

50 witnesses
Wrote I Believe I Can Fly
Feds brought in racketeering to circumnavigate statute of limitation
Been doing this since the mid 90’s
Aliyah died in a plane crash, a classic mysterious hollywood death
Knocks her up at 14, bribes official in attempt to marry her
Caps it off with a shitload of victims

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” It’s a quote routinely attributed to Edmund Burke. But it turns out to be false. Apparently, he never uttered these words. At best, the essence of the quote can be traced back to the utilitarian philosopher John Stuart Mill, who delivered an 1867 inaugural address at the University of St. Andrews and stated: “Let not any one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing. He is not a good man who, without a protest, allows wrong to be committed in his name, and with the means which he helps to supply, because he will not trouble himself to use his mind on the subject.”

TAKE ACTION: TELL AMPTP TO GIVE FILM AND TELEVISION WORKERS A FAIR DEAL

Throughout the bargaining process, the AMPTP has failed to work with the union on addressing the most grievous problems in their workplaces, including:
- Excessively unsafe and harmful working hours.
- Unlivable wages for the lowest paid crafts.
- Consistent failure to provide reasonable rest during meal breaks, between workdays, and on weekends.
- Workers on certain “new media” streaming projects get paid less, even on productions with budgets that rival or exceed those of traditionally released blockbusters.
It is incomprehensible that the AMPTP, an ensemble that includes media mega-corporations collectively worth trillions of dollars, claims it cannot provide behind-the-scenes crews with basic human necessities like adequate sleep, meal breaks, and living wages. Worse, management does not appear to even recognize these core issues as problems that exist in the first place.

IA_Stories

Film and TV Negotiations Toolkit

IATSE Unleashes Twitter Attack; Accuses AMPTP & Mega-Corporations Of Overworking Members To “A Breaking Point”

“The explosion of streaming combined with the pandemic has elevated and aggravated working conditions, bringing 60,000 behind-the-scenes workers covered by these contracts to a breaking point.
“We risked our health and safety all year, working through the pandemic to ensure that our business emerged intact. Now, we cannot and will not accept a deal that leaves us with an unsustainable outcome.”
“Additionally, workers on so called “new media” streaming projects get paid less, even on productions with budgets that rival or exceed those of traditionally released blockbusters. Streaming is here. "New Media" isn't so new anymore.”

Cinematographers Guild, IATSE Local 600, Urges Members To Authorize Strike

Local 600 (cinematographers) is calling for members to vote for the strike. I guess they are the largest local from the IA?
“This fight is about basic rights and safe and healthy working conditions,” said Rebecca Rhine, the local’s national executive director. “Nobody wants to go on strike, but we have been given little choice by companies that are earning record profits off our members’ labor, but are unwilling to treat those same workers with dignity and respect.”
“Two separate strike authorization votes will be conducted from Oct. 1 through Oct. 3 – one covering the 13 West Coast studio locals working under the Hollywood Basic Agreement, and one covering 23 locals outside of Los Angeles that work under the Area Standards Agreement. Leaders of all of those locals are urging their members to approve strike authorization.”
Local 600 is one of three IATSE locals with national jurisdiction. The others are the Editors Guild Local 700 and the Art Directors Guild Local 800. On Tuesday, the Editors Guild’s board also voted unanimously to recommend that its members back strike authorization. Last week, IATSE told legislators in California that “a strike would effectively shut down California state film and television production,” while telling legislators in New York that “a strike would effectively shut down a majority of New York state’s film and television production industry.”

Low wages, grueling hours, lack of rest: Why IATSE is ready to strike

Contract Negotiations have lasted for months.
The studios are represented in labor matters by the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. The AMPTP says money is tight due to the pandemic, and the studios have already offered “a generous comprehensive package.”
They are talking to a script coordinator here. Waco is listed on his resume.
“This means he’s often staying up late to revise a script based on notes from a showrunner, and then starting early the next morning to get updated information to on-set crews. If he makes a mistake, there could be delays and more expenses added to the production. Waugh also says even when he’s not officially on the clock, he’s expected to have his laptop with him at all times, in case he needs to make changes to a script.”
Had to leave a funeral early to go work on a script he says. To turn around a draft treatment.
“I’m not necessarily for or against a strike, but if the only way that all of our needs can be met is to hold a strike authorization and use that as a bargaining chip for the studios to take us seriously, then that’s the direction I would fall because that’s the one that will actually keep all of our members safer and healthier.”

Hollywood Celebrities Rally Behind IATSE Strike Vote

“While crew members share their support for a possible strike, actors including Mindy Kaling, Seth Rogen, Sarah Paulson and SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher are among those who have all shared posts using the #IASolidarity.”
“Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin posed in t-shirts showing their support for strike action. The tweet shared by IATSE Local 600 said, “Icons, forever and always. @JaneFonda and @LilyTomlin stand alongside @IATSE in #IASolidarity. #IAVoteYes”
Anna Paquin “#IASolidarity we all need to sign this. Their lives depend on it.”
Ben Stiller, Fran Drescher, Nick Kroll to name a few others.

Why are IATSE members striking? Hollywood rocked by biggest labor strike in 14 years

Nationwide shutdown if strike is enacted, the authorization vote is Oct. 1st.
“At the heart of the battle between the two groups is the Covid-19 pandemic, which has radically changed film productions. The pandemic led to all productions being put on hold in 2020, before resuming with strict biobubbles. In December 2020, Tom Cruise went viral after audio leaked of him berating two crewmembers for violating the biobubble in England. But while the star has enjoyed a lavish stay at the UK's Church of Scientology headquarters, things have been very different for behind-the-camera talent.”
“While filming has always been a challenge, biobubble rules have meant crews have been forced to isolate for longer and work longer hours to catch up on deadlines. "There are projects where people get upset if you go to a doctor’s appointment. This industry does not encourage rest and time off. It’s a culture of being workaholics," costume designer Antoinette Jones told Variety in September 2021.”
Another stagehand goes on to say that Covid-19 allowed them to see their kids grow up. "I knew the pandemic would bring about this change because it was the first time so many crew members have seen their kids grow up, tuck them into bed and kiss their wives in the morning."
The contract expired July 10, and was extended to Sep 10. Looking to sign a three year deal.
This isn’t gonna go well: Like the Presidential election, the IATSE relies on a delegate system. At least 75% of each local’s voting members must vote in support, for all their delegates to qualify in favor of a strike. Given that there are 444 delegates across 13 locals, at least 223 delegates would be needed for approval. Even if that happens, it is possible for productions to simply shift abroad where the IATSE doesn't have any influence. But, that's only possible for high-end productions on massive budgets, so lower-cost ones would be forced to halt.
AMPTP lost millions to the WGA strike.

IATSE: Everything You Need to Know About the Union Planning a Historic Hollywood Walkout

Ooo they mention streaming residuals.
“Today, the AMPTP informed the IATSE that they do not intend to respond to our comprehensive package proposal presented to them over a week ago,” international union president Matthew D. Loeb and other leaders told union members on Monday. “This failure to continue negotiating can only be interpreted one way. They simply will not address the core issues we have repeatedly advocated for from the beginning. As a result, we will now proceed with a nationwide strike authorization vote to demonstrate our commitment to achieving the change that is long overdue in this industry.”
First Hollywood Production strike since WWII known as “Hollywood’s Bloody Friday”. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-last-time-it-was-hollywoods-bloody-friday-with-no-deal-in-sight-will-crews-strike-again/ar-AAOjAl7
Some lower tier staff make minimum wage which is less than living wage in LA.
“AMPTP released a statement on Monday, outlining the way its proposal “meaningfully addresses the IATSE’s key bargaining issues.” According to the group, its offer addresses several union demands, including increases in minimum pay rates for some types of new media (or streaming) productions, “meaningful improvements in rest periods,” the addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday, and coverage of a nearly $400 million pension and health plan deficit over the next three years.”
“When we began negotiations with the IATSE months ago, we discussed the economic realities and the challenges facing the entertainment industry as we work to recover from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic,” the group stated. “In choosing to leave the bargaining table to seek a strike authorization vote, the IATSE leadership walked away from a generous comprehensive package.”

IATSE To Seek Strike Authorization From Members

The AMPTP’s full statement:

The AMPTP put forth a deal-closing comprehensive proposal that meaningfully addresses the IATSE’s key bargaining issues. When we began negotiations with the IATSE months ago, we discussed the economic realities and the challenges facing the entertainment industry as we work to recover from the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The IATSE came to the bargaining table with several priority initiatives including addressing its pension and health plan deficit, longer rest periods and meal breaks, wage increases and outsized minimum rate increases for specific job categories. The AMPTP listened and addressed many of the IATSE demands, including paying the nearly $400 million pension and health plan deficit. The package includes substantial improvements in rest periods, increases in wages and benefits, increases in minimum rates for specific job categories and increases in minimum rates for New Media Productions. While neither party is getting everything it wanted this bargaining cycle, this package recognizes the crucial role IATSE crew members play as we continue to move our industry forward and provide employment for thousands of employees who work on productions.

In choosing to leave the bargaining table to seek a strike authorization vote, the IATSE leadership walked away from a generous comprehensive package. Key components include:

· Economic package for all IATSE members consistent with agreements reached with other unions before the pandemic.

· Improve minimum rates (on average 18% increase) on certain types of New Media productions.

· The IATSE Pension and Health Plan is expected to have a deficit of $400 million over the next three years. In this proposal, the employers will cover the projected deficit of nearly $400 million without imposing premium payments for the no-cost single employee health coverage and without increasing the extremely low cost of dependent health coverage, deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance. Without this infusion of contributions, the reserve level in the Active Health Plan is projected to fall from 17.5 months as of the end of 2020 to 3.1 months as of the end of 2024, and the reserve level in the Retiree Health Plan is projected to fall from 14.4 months as of the end of 2020 to 2.1 months as of the end of 2024. Reserves are critical because they enabled the Directors of the Health Plan to continue coverage for thousands of participants during the pandemic without any additional cost.

· Meaningful improvements in rest periods for those working on first season series television, for post-production personnel assigned to/employed on series television, pilots, feature films and distant location.

· A considerable increase in minimum rates (increases ranging from 10% to 19%) for Assistant Production Office Coordinators, Art Department Coordinators, Writers’ Room Assistants and Script Coordinators.

· Addition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid holiday.

· Agreement on meaningful proposal to address diversity, equity and inclusion issues.

2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike

The Grand-Uncle of the Co-Founder of Netflix on Propaganda

It was founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph.
The first of the founders, Hastings, is the great-grandson of Alfred Lee Loomis and Ellen Holman Farnsworth. Loomis was an investment banker and scientist involved in development of radar and the atomic bomb, and also helped develop the electroencephalogram and studied brain waves with it. His laboratory was a meeting place for many very famous scientists like Einstein, Fermi, Bohr, Heisenberg. His cousin was Henry L. Stimson, the Secretary of War for Taft, FDR, and Truman, and Secretary of State for Hoover, and who oversaw the Manhattan Project which created the atomic bomb. One of Alfred Lee Loomis’ children–Henry Loomis, Reed Hastings’ grand-uncle, was the director for the Voice of America under Eisenhower, and president of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting under Nixon, both of which are public broadcast arms of the U.S. government (foreign and domestic, respectively.) . Henry Loomis also directed research for the United States Information Agency and served on the board of the Mitre Corporation, who worked with the CIA and DoD. Alfred Lee Loomis also predicted the Great Depression and bought a ton of gold beforehand, then got even richer by buying the stocks of companies at their lowest. In a final point that I need to confirm his wife, Ellen Holman Farnsworth, has the same surname as Philo Farnsworth, inventor of the television, and I’m pretty sure they are related.
The second founder, Randolph, has connections that are perhaps even crazier. His great-granduncle is Sigmund fucking Freud, pioneer of psychology, who studied unconscious desires that control people, the effects of trauma, the effects of childhood incidents, etc. Even more insane is Randolph’s grand-uncle, Edward Bernays, an Austrian-American who was heavily involved in the field of propaganda, and who basically started the modern field of ‘public relations’. He worked in PR for the United Fruit Company, who was involved with the CIA’s overthrow of Guatemala’s democratically elected government in 1954.
“If we understand the mechanism and motives of the group mind, is it not possible to control and regiment the masses according to our will without their knowing about it? The recent practice of propaganda has proved that it is possible, at least up to a certain point and within certain limits.” He later called this scientific technique of opinion-molding the engineering of consent*.”
“instead of a mind, universal literacy has given [the common man] a rubber stamp, a rubber stamp inked with advertising slogans, with editorials, with published scientific data, with the trivialities of tabloids and the profundities of history, but quite innocent of original thought. Each man’s rubber stamp is the twin of millions of others, so that when these millions are exposed to the same stimuli, all receive identical imprints…The amazing readiness with which large masses accept this process is probably accounted for by the fact that no attempt is made to convince them that black is white. Instead, their preconceived hazy ideas that a certain gray is almost black or almost white are brought into sharper focus. Their prejudices, notions, and convictions are used as a starting point, with the result that they are drawn by a thread into passionate adherence to a given mental picture.”
Bernays touted the idea that the “masses” are driven by factors outside their conscious understanding, and therefore that their minds can and should be manipulated by the capable few: “Intelligent men must realize that propaganda is the modern instrument by which they can fight for productive ends and help to bring order out of chaos…Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. …We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. …In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons…who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.”
“Propaganda was portrayed as the only alternative to chaos.”