Page 10 January 2013 By Greg A Bruns Greg is on a writing assignment until July, 2013. This is one of his favorites and originally appeared in 2008. I have the solution to both sides of the writer’s strike going on right now. Being both a writer and a business owner who relies on writers, I would like to extend my arbitration talents to my brothers in “Da Wood.” For the writers: First thing fi rst: institute a name change from the WGA Strike to something a little more catchy—after all, you are supposed to be writers. No demands have ever been met by using lame-o acronyms. LOL. How about calling it “The Four Cent Doctrine” or “Four Pennies—For Us” or “Less Than a Nickel, More Than Three Cents.” Whatever you end up with, make it simple, make it fun and make it easy to chant when you’re standing outside public venues, bitching. That’s it—that’s all I have for you. Swap out the name of your movement and then just sit around and whine and complain and don’t do a lick of work until you get your way or get fi red. For the studios and faceless corporations: Speaking of getting fi red—long before you studio execs hired The Donald to create the catchphrase “You’re Fired,” there was The Ronald , who handled a massive union strike all by himself. In two days. This happened back in 1981 when PATCO (Professional Air Traf fi c Controllers Association) put forth their strike demands. These guys were looking for a lot more than four cents—they wanted a $10,000 annual pay increase for all ATCs (nearly 13,000 workers) and they wanted their work week shortened from a brutal, inhumane 40 hours down to 32 hours. They also wanted a major (and expensive) overhaul to the retirement program. In case you’re getting antsy from the lack of new material that usually crosses your desk, I submit to you a short, historically accurate script of these events. FADE IN TO: INT. DAY MEETING HALL TITLE OVER: Monday, August 3, 1981: The PATCO union declares a strike after several failed negotiations for more money, shorter hours and better retirement packages. F. LEE, a union lawyer, sweats profusely as he adjusts a microphone on a podium he is standing behind. An audience of reporters and cameramen fi ght for position to report on his announcement. F. LEE (clears throat) The federal government and PATCO are unable to agree on terms. Effective immediately, all Air Traf fi c Controllers are on strike. INT. DAY WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN sits with staffers, watching the PATCO union press conference on television. PRESIDENT REAGAN (irritated) Call a press conference immediately. Like half an hour ago. (pause) Why the hell are you still here? An exasperated staff bolts from the of fi ce. EXT. DAY WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN PRESIDENT REAGAN (speaking to press) This strike is a peril to national safety. All air traf fi c controllers have 48 hours to return to work. Startiiiiiiiinnnng NOW. INT. DAY WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE TITLE OVER: Tuesday, August 4, 1981. PRESIDENT REAGAN (on the phone with F. LEE) Yep. We’ll see you and all of the ATCs tomorrow morning—bright and early; like 5 a.m. Huh? No, there will be no demands met—as far as I’m concerned there’s only ONE demand: that your ass is in the of fi ce tomorrow morning. (leaning closer to phone cradle, itching to hang it up) Well, you’ll be fi red , Lee—that’s what. You’ll ALL be fi red. YEP! Coffee’s on at four and every single ATC butt is in a seat by fi ve! (pause) (sighs heavily, while cranking back head in an exaggerated open-mouthed stare at the ceiling) (enunciating / almost singing next part) FYYYYY— ERRD! (drops phone onto cradle) Jagoff. INT. DAY WHITE HOUSE OVAL OFFICE A clock now appears above the president’s press conference podium. It reads: 5:05 a.m. PRESIDENT REAGAN (smiling) Effective fi ve minutes ago, there are 11,500 air traf fi c controllers looking for work. And, just in case there’s any confusion regarding this issue, I am instituting a permanent, lifetime ban on their rehiring by the FAA. FADE OUT. And that, dear studios and faceless corporations, is how a staunch Republican handles labor strikes. Just a hand in the face of the opposition—with the other hand pointing at the worker’s desk. Think of this one as “Norma Rae” meets “Wall Street.” The script is not yet optioned, as I’m waiting to see what happens with the Four Cent Doctrine to see what it is worth. TALK IS CHEAP! So let’s talk about your Real Estate options. NOW is the time to: Kelly Knapp 602-882-1332 REALTOR. RENOVATOR. PRICELESS ADVICE. Buy Sell Re-Finance Remodel kellyknapphomes@gmail.com The MacLean Team ~ Realty Executives Call me for a FREE in-home consultation

Page 11 January 2013 City can up trade dollars with Mexico Councilman Sal DiCiccio By Sal DiCiccio “Texas exports roughly $79 billion worth of goods to Mexico; California exports about $38 billion similarly. Arizona exports less than $12 billion. The city of Phoenix needs to improve this number, enhance existing partnerships and nurture new growth prospects. We need to draw on our strengths and proximity to make Phoenix an international city, diverse in culture and economic opportunity.” Phoenix City Councilman, Michael Nowakowski “We have an opportunity to increase trade with our biggest partner, improve employment here and in Mexico and make Phoenix much more of an international hub for goods, services and tourism. This is among the most effective jobs- and economic-development projects we could be doing now, and we need to do it.” Phoenix City Councilman, Sal DiCiccio Phoenix has a great, under-tapped trade partner just south of Arizona. Councilman Michael Nowakowski and I are partnering to develop a plan to improve trade and business with Mexico. We recently assembled business leaders experienced in trade with Mexico, the state Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and representatives of the Sonoran government to kick off creating a plan. We have asked Mayor Stanton to create an of fi cial city ad hoc committee to come up with a plan. The opportunity is there. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Arizona’s trade with Mexico runs about $11.9 billion, with Arizona exporting more than $5.74 billion to Mexico. Computers and electronics amount to about $1.2 billion. A recent newspaper story noted Mexico is Arizona’s top export market, and about 72 percent of Arizona’s exports to Mexico last year went to Sonora. The story noted manufacturing is growing at plants in Sonora along the Arizona border, and that’s not just clothing and basic manufacturing – it’s more electronics, aerospace and defense. About 40 percent of Mexican exports contain U.S. components, so that growth already is good for local business. The committee would identify ways to improve our trade, manufacturing and tourism partnership with Mexico and search for mutual business opportunities. Four preliminary ideas: Create a direct trade of fi ce with a Mexican government of fi cial located in Phoenix City Hall, allowing Mexican entities to deal directly with Arizona businesses. This also allows individuals looking for trade and other information about Mexico, with Phoenix having a similar arrangement in Mexico. This is similar to the arrangement the state has at the Capitol where Sonora has an of fi ce, with Arizona having the same in Sonora. Work on better use of magnet Foreign Trade Zone opportunities, perhaps around Goodyear airport and Sky Harbor. Create a marketing campaign to promote and explain Mexico to Phoenix business and vice versa. Create a health-care cluster either around Mayo or Park Central Mall, which would be able to take advantage of Banner and Dignity Health, which also could be marketed as an international destination. We want to solicit more ideas so the committee can come to the city council with a speci fi c and detailed plan of action. Most importantly, we want this to be a collaboration involving ideas from our city, the private sector and the government Continued on page 12 A New York Life Guaranteed Lifetime Income Annuity can provide a guaranteed lifetime income stream that is essential like a “paycheck” for life, no matter what. Imagine that: peace of mind, guaranteed income, from a company that stands for financial strength, integrity and humanity. Now that’s retirement. Talk to your agent today about your retirement income needs. 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