Foo Fighters and Beyonce: Strike-Breaking Grammy Shame

First they came for the Communists,
- but I was not a communist so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists,
- but I was neither, so I did not speak out.
Then they came for the Jews,
- but I was not a Jew so I did not speak out.
And when they came for me,
- there was no one left to speak out for me.

Pastor Martin Niemöller

Shame on the Foo Fighters and Beyonce for agreeing to cross WGA picket lines and perform at the Grammys this year. Don’t they understand that it’s not just about the writers’ rights but all our rights. I’m sure that neither the Foo Fighters or Beyonce would be happy to receive nothing beyond a modest upfront fee for the exploitation of their creative work. Don’t they understand that if the producers are successful in their union-busting tactics with the writers, which are ultimately aimed at ending the practice of residual payments, other corporations will be emboldened and many more creative people, including musicians, will pay the price. John Lennon would be turning in his grave right now.