Writers' unions, guilds, etc.

Any recommendations for a CC-friendly writers'
organization?

I'm basically a freelancer now, so I'm thinking of joining
some
(USA) group in order to get access to things like better
health plans (i.e. better than the current nationwide
"pay
out of pocket when you get sick" or "use
emergency rooms
and don't pay your bills until forced" plans
currently
implemented by the US government).

Seriously.  Anyway, I found more than one, including
the National Writers' Union (NWU) and the American Society
of Journalists and Authors (NSJA).  Both provide health
care through the same provider in my area. They have
other clear-cut benefits, too.  There are others.

But the point is, such organizations have political agendas,
such as "protecting members' electronic
copyrights" and
other lobbying issues.  They may or may not interpret those
issues in a CC-friendly way.  As a frequent user of
free-licenses
and a supporter of free culture causes, I consider that an
important point.

It occurs to me that I don't really want to pay dues to an
organization which is going to fund attack campaigns against
my own causes.  It would, for example, be a terrible
conflict
of interest for me to become a direct or indirect backer
of organizations like the RIAA or the MPAA.

I'm not saying any of these organizations have this kind
of problem -- just that I don't know much about them, and
I think I'd like to hear the opinion of others with similar
interests.

Assuming that there are any writers on this list, especially
freelance, professional writers, who's a good choice? Is
there
any Bad Wolf I should be avoiding?

Thanks,
Terry

-- 
Terry Hancock (hancockAnansiSpaceworks.com)
Anansi Spaceworks http://www.AnansiSpac
eworks.com


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> Assuming that there are any writers on this list,
especially
> freelance, professional writers, who's a good choice?
Is there
> any Bad Wolf I should be avoiding?

Not sure how I missed this email earlier.
All I can say is even though I direct writers to
Science Fiction Writer's Association
for learning about writing as an art and as a business,
I'm just a tad dissapointed that SFWA came out
and specifically said they are against any shortening
of copyright terms.

Obviously, expecting a union of Bounty Hunters to
suggest lower bounties is probably unreasonable,
but still, I was dissappointed.

Greg
---
Wikipedia and the Great Sneetches War
http://www.somerigh
tsreserved.org
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