Um, am I missing something here?

I just learned that fifty writers for the Huffington Post are on strike because they feel it's unfair that they aren't getting paid. "The Newspaper Guild is calling on unpaid writers of the Huffington Post to withhold their work in support of a strike launched by Visual Art Source in response to the company’s practice of using unpaid labor."

Um, am I missing something here?

The Newspaper Guild, a 26,000-member-strong national union of media workers, "is committed to fair compensation for all workers, whether they are freelance bloggers or traditional employees. We are further committed to promoting quality journalism. Working for free does not benefit workers and undermines quality journalism." [Emphasis added.]

Undermines quality journalism?  What a load of hooey.  There are tens of thousands of freelance bloggers putting out astoundingly good writing.

I have no idea what the financial bottom line is for the Huffington Post any more than I have any idea what the financial bottom line is for WorldNetDaily. It's none of my business, after all. But I do know one thing: when I was offered a column with WND, the first thing - the very first thing - I was told was that it would be an unpaid opportunity. I knew that going in. It was made perfectly clear. It was no secret.

It was my choice to accept those terms. I could have said no. I could have declined the honor of a well-respected online news site giving an unknown writer a chance to air her opinions. Instead, I recognized this as the God-given opportunity it was and said YES to their terms.

But the Huffington Post writers - who presumably also knew the terms going in - are now throwing out words like "unethical" and "fair share" and "great profits." I dunno, sounds like a bunch of liberal whining to me.

Perhaps these ungrateful writers should look at the currency with which they are being paid. I've never received a dime for my WND columns, but I've received recognition as a legitimate writer, a sense of confidence in my writing, endless numbers of readers, a national/ international platform for my columns, a growing blog, the opportunity to meet (mostly through email but occasionally in person) some giants in the industry, the respect of some damn fine writers, and the chance to get my book published. Let me tell you, that beats a salary all hollow.

Meeting Joseph Farah, CEO of WorldNetDaily

Grow up, Huffington Post columnists. When you accept an opportunity, don't try to change the rules half-way through the game. If you don't like giving away your writing for free, leave and go elsewhere.

If you can.