Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Unknown Directors: Classic Movies: World Cinema Names
The Auteurs: "Help make The Auteurs totally awesome
adding these film directors would help make The Auteurs more totally awesome:"
adding these film directors would help make The Auteurs more totally awesome:"
Sri Lanka - camps, media…genocide?
Sri Lanka - camps, media…genocide? | open Democracy News Analysis: "Martin Shaw, 30 - 06 - 2009
What kind of violence has the Sri Lankan state been committing against its Tamil civilian population as the island‘s civil war ended; on what scale and with what intentions? Martin Shaw explores the difficult terrain where war, atrocity and genocide meet."
What kind of violence has the Sri Lankan state been committing against its Tamil civilian population as the island‘s civil war ended; on what scale and with what intentions? Martin Shaw explores the difficult terrain where war, atrocity and genocide meet."
Policing Pakistan - WSJ.com
The army isn't well equipped to fight the insurgency: The United States has spent some $12 billion trying to help Pakistan save itself. Unfortunately, Washington has lavished most of the aid on the Pakistan army. It is time to reconsider that decision and focus instead on improving the country's police force.
The Pakistani army believes India is its principal nemesis, not the insurgents who have occupied the Swat valley and destabilized Pakistan and the region.
The Pakistani army believes India is its principal nemesis, not the insurgents who have occupied the Swat valley and destabilized Pakistan and the region.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Gender Equality in Development
WPR Article | The Challenges and Opportunities of Gender Equality in Development: As we approach the 15th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, gender-equality advocates around the world are taking stock to assess what should come next. While progress has been made at policy levels, difficulties persist in translating policy into practice.
India's Maoist Standoff
India's Maoist Standoff / ISN: "New Delhi’s decision to ban its Maoist party after a standoff between insurgents and security forces in West Bengal state will not resolve the conflict, borne of administrative apathy and strong-arm tactics, Sudeshna Sarkar writes for ISN Security Watch."
Drug war on another border: Canada - Los Angeles Times
Drug war on another border: Canada - Los Angeles Times: "Mexico's crackdown puts the squeeze on cocaine dealers in British Columbia. Up here, as the violence grows, bodies pile up."
Kuwait Considers Expulsion of Half a Million People
The Media Line: Kuwait is considering deporting about half a million foreign workers – 15% of the country's population – that are unemployed, lacking skills and in the country illegally.
The vast majority of these immigrants are of East and South Asian descent: Bangladeshi, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan nationals. An estimated 100,000 stateless people have also immigrated to the country, many of whom are Arab and have obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through marriage.
The vast majority of these immigrants are of East and South Asian descent: Bangladeshi, Filipino, Indian, Pakistani or Sri Lankan nationals. An estimated 100,000 stateless people have also immigrated to the country, many of whom are Arab and have obtained Kuwaiti citizenship through marriage.
Film - Agnès Varda - Living for Cinema, and Through It - NYTimes.com
Film - Agnès Varda - Living for Cinema, and Through It - NYTimes.com: "Jean-Luc Godard and Claude Chabrol are approaching 80, and while Mr. Godard appears to have slowed his pace a bit, Mr. Chabrol continues to produce sinister, elegant studies of passion and power at the rate of about one a year. Jacques Rivette, 81, and Eric Rohmer, who turned 89 this year, recently have made ambitious and well-regarded films, and Alain Resnais, now 87, was seen in Cannes last month flouting the red-carpet dress code, collecting a lifetime-achievement award and presenting his latest movie."
Books of The Times - Werner Herzog’s ‘Conquest of the Useless’ - The Jungle, the Director and the Madness - Review - NYTimes.com
Books of The Times - Werner Herzog’s ‘Conquest of the Useless’ - The Jungle, the Director and the Madness - Review - NYTimes.com: "CONQUEST OF THE USELESS
Reflections From the Making of ‘Fitzcarraldo’
By Werner Herzog
Translated by Krishna Winston. 306 pages. Ecco. $24.99."
Reflections From the Making of ‘Fitzcarraldo’
By Werner Herzog
Translated by Krishna Winston. 306 pages. Ecco. $24.99."
Todd S. Purdum on Sarah Palin | vanityfair.com
Todd S. Purdum on Sarah Palin | vanityfair.com: "The pattern is inescapable: she takes disagreements personally, and swiftly deals vengeance on enemies, real or perceived."
Should You Read That Long Sarah Palin Thing In Vanity Fair? | The Awl
Should You Read That Long Sarah Palin Thing In Vanity Fair? | The Awl: "You Should Read The Vanity Fair Piece On Sarah Palin If"
Party Games for Adults: Say Anything
[/games/say_anything/index.page]: "Say Anything is a light-hearted game about what you and your friends think. It will get people talking, laughing, and having fun in minutes. Enjoy it with 3 - 8 family members (players must be able to write) or as a hilarious party game with adults. So dig deep into your heart or just come up with something witty -- this is your chance to Say Anything!"
Science Made Cool: Origins Awards!
Science Made Cool: Origins Awards!: "We didn't attend the annual Origins Gamefair this year, but we'd like to congratulate the winners of the 2009 Origins Awards:"
Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List | Newsweek Books | Newsweek.com
Newsweek's Top 100 Books: The Meta-List | Newsweek Books | Newsweek.com: "Declaring the best book ever written is tricky business. Who's to say what the best is? We went one step further: we crunched the numbers from 10 top books lists (Modern Library, the New York Public Library, St. John's College reading list, Oprah's, and more) to come up with The Top 100 Books of All Time. It's a list of lists — a meta-list. Let the debate begin."
Mallika Sarabhai Blog - Assessing the real poor
Blog - Assessing the real poor: "A few days ago we presented the Civil Supplies Department and the Food Corporation of India with 1500 forms/applications for BPL status, all from Rama Pir no Tekro. We have been assured of a survey to assess the “real” poor."
Blog Post Hit/View Counter for Blogger (Open Source)
Blog Post Hit/View Counter for Blogger (Open Source): "Unfortunately blogspot (blogger) does not have an inbuilt post hit counters for its blogs. I know most of you would have wanted to see the view count of each of your individual post for your self analysis as well as show it to your visitors as symbol of popularity . If you have a blog a view/hit counter is a must for you and I wonder why blogger team has not implemented one innately.
Here I am going to present a simple, clean, efficient and totally ad-free blog post hit counter create by me which can be integrated into the bloggers blogs perfectly."
Here I am going to present a simple, clean, efficient and totally ad-free blog post hit counter create by me which can be integrated into the bloggers blogs perfectly."
Monday, June 29, 2009
Slumdog Redux
Slumdog Redux: "Life can be cruel for celebrated slum children after the music stops.
By:
Nilanjana Bhowmick
Hello sir. You know that movie Salaam Bombay? I acted in that movie.”
“Yeah that old movie — oh, you were in it?”"
By:
Nilanjana Bhowmick
Hello sir. You know that movie Salaam Bombay? I acted in that movie.”
“Yeah that old movie — oh, you were in it?”"
Keeping News of David Rohde’s Kidnapping Off Wikipedia - NYTimes.com
Keeping News of David Rohde’s Kidnapping Off Wikipedia - NYTimes.com: "Times executives believed that publicity would raise Mr. Rohde’s value to his captors as a bargaining chip and reduce his chance of survival. Persuading another publication or a broadcaster not to report the kidnapping usually meant just a phone call from one editor to another, said Bill Keller, executive editor of The Times.
But Wikipedia, which operates under the philosophy that anyone can be an editor, and that all information should be public, is a vastly different world.
A dozen times, user-editors posted word of the kidnapping on Wikipedia’s page on Mr. Rohde, only to have it erased. Several times the page was frozen, preventing further editing — a convoluted game of cat-and-mouse that clearly angered the people who were trying to spread the information of the kidnapping."
But Wikipedia, which operates under the philosophy that anyone can be an editor, and that all information should be public, is a vastly different world.
A dozen times, user-editors posted word of the kidnapping on Wikipedia’s page on Mr. Rohde, only to have it erased. Several times the page was frozen, preventing further editing — a convoluted game of cat-and-mouse that clearly angered the people who were trying to spread the information of the kidnapping."
Lost to Translation
Letters - Lost to Translation - NYTimes.com: "Anand Giridharadas’s tepid review of Shanthi Sekaran’s “Prayer Room” (June 7) and his yawning indictment of the subgenre of the “Indian novel” (in English) was a missed opportunity to raise the important question of why so little South Asian literature in translation is available in the United States. Why hasn’t an American publishing house brought out a single contemporary Hindi novelist in translation in more than a generation? Not to mention the scarcity of translations of important writers from other South Asian regional languages like Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Punjabi, Telugu, Gujarati, and Urdu — just to name a few in which important South Asian writers write."
'The Industrial Revolutionaries,' by Gavin Weightman - First Chapter
Excerpt - 'The Industrial Revolutionaries,' by Gavin Weightman - First Chapter - NYTimes.com: "For hundreds of years, colourful, lightweight and washable pure cotton cloth had been produced in India and was sold on a world market into which Europeans entered in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The British East India Company, founded in 1600, for many years picked up Indian cotton cloth at the Malabar coastal town of Calicut and traded it in Indonesia for spices. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the Company, seeking new ways of making money, brought back to England some cargoes of colourful Indian cotton cloth. It was a sensation, not only in England but throughout Europe. When it was washed, the dyes did not run, though how this was achieved nobody outside India knew. As the East Indiamen returned from the Thames to the Malabar coast, they carried instructions as to which kinds of pattern might be popular in England."
New Left Review - Tsering Shakya: Tibetan Questions
New Left Review - Tsering Shakya: Tibetan Questions: "The leading historian of modern Tibet discusses the background to recent protests on the Plateau. What has been the evolution of its culture, modern and traditional, under the impact of the PRC’s breakneck development and market reforms?
The 1980s reforms were welcomed by Tibetans, who saw them as a major transition, and still regard Hu as one of China’s best leaders."
The 1980s reforms were welcomed by Tibetans, who saw them as a major transition, and still regard Hu as one of China’s best leaders."
Corrupted-Files.com | Don’t hand in a Garbage Paper, send a Corrupted File Instead!
Corrupted-Files.com | Don’t hand in a Garbage Paper, send a Corrupted File Instead!: "Step 1: After purchasing a file, rename the file e.g. Mike_Final-Paper.
Step 2: Email the file to your professor along with your 'here's my assignment' email.
Step 3: It will take your professor several hours if not days to notice your file is 'unfortunately' corrupted. Use the time this website just bought you wisely and finish that paper!!!"
Step 2: Email the file to your professor along with your 'here's my assignment' email.
Step 3: It will take your professor several hours if not days to notice your file is 'unfortunately' corrupted. Use the time this website just bought you wisely and finish that paper!!!"
Which Jobs Are Growing?
Career Watch: The college job forecast: "Forrester Research Inc. report 'Don't Panic! The IT Jobs Picture Isn't As Bad As You Think,' by Simon Yates, March 2009. Copyright 2009, Forrester Research Inc. Projections based in part on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics figures for the years 1999-2007."
Aadhavan Dheetchanya on Eelam Tamils situation in Sri Lanka: Lit Meets: Tamil Nathy: Authors, Writers Forum
Kadavu - Koodal Sangamam in Madurai: இளவேனில்...: ஆதவன் தீட்சண்யா தந்த �: "‘நான் மநுவிரோதன்’என்ற நேர்காணல் தொகுப்பு வெளியீட்டின்போது முதன்முதலில் ஆதவன் தீட்சண்யா"
கடவு இலக்கிய அமைப்பால் மதுரையில் நடத்தப்பட்ட இரண்டுநாள் ‘கூடல் சங்கமம்’நிகழ்வு
கடவு இலக்கிய அமைப்பால் மதுரையில் நடத்தப்பட்ட இரண்டுநாள் ‘கூடல் சங்கமம்’நிகழ்வு
China openly debates the role of Eastern thought in sustainability
How Confucianism could curb global warming | csmonitor.com: "Now here's a curveball to secular Western policy experts: China's intellectuals are openly debating the role of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism in promoting the Communist Party's vision of a harmonious society and ecologically sustainable economic development."
Voters hope worst is over for troubled African nation
Voters hope worst is over for troubled African nation - The National Newspaper: Bissau-Guineans say bad things come in fours. In March, the long-time president Joao Bernardo Vieira was shot dead. The top army general was killed days earlier. Because the country is a pit stop on the cocaine trail between South America and Europe, an image crisis was already in full swing.
Saudi Media Take the Lead Against Iran's Regime
BY: David Pollock and Mohammed Yaghi | The Washington Institute for Near East Policy :: Most commentary on the regional reaction to Iran's postelection strife divides Arabs into pro-Iranian and pro-American camps, a simplistic division that misses a key distinction.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Ultra Violet » ToI stoops to new depths
Ultra Violet » ToI stoops to new depths: "THE TIMES OF INDIA piece “Beware of the Maid” (18 June, 2009) is a contemptible piece of writing that not only displays a complete lack of sensitivity and basic decency, but also shows up the standards of journalism in the Times of India group. It trivializes serious issues such as the abuse and ill-treatment faced by thousands of domestic workers — who are compelled by circumstance to be mute sufferers — by turning the focus of blame squarely on the victims."
To-Do List: A Sentence, Not 10 Paragraphs - WSJ.com
By trying to do too much, he risks not doing enough: "Something seems off with our young president."
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Autism, Non-Hollywood Version
Autism, Non-Hollywood Version by Stefan Kanfer, City Journal 26 June 2009: "Boy Alone: A Brother’s Memoir, by Karl Greenfeld (Harper, 368 pp., $25.99)
In the 1988 film Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman plays an autistic adult named Raymond Babbitt, a role for which he received an Academy Award. Hoffman’s performance has another distinction: 21 years later, it remains the phoniest portrayal of autism ever put on screen."
In the 1988 film Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman plays an autistic adult named Raymond Babbitt, a role for which he received an Academy Award. Hoffman’s performance has another distinction: 21 years later, it remains the phoniest portrayal of autism ever put on screen."
American mountaineer fights Taliban with books, not bombs - CNN.com
American mountaineer fights Taliban with books, not bombs - CNN.com: "# Story Highlights
# Family tragedy drives American to take dangerous mountain climb
# Climber: 'I felt as if my heart was being torn out'
# American's story told in best-selling book, 'Three Cups of Tea'"
# Family tragedy drives American to take dangerous mountain climb
# Climber: 'I felt as if my heart was being torn out'
# American's story told in best-selling book, 'Three Cups of Tea'"
Chikar Journal - Saving a Kashmiri Village After Remaking His Life - NYTimes.com
Chikar Journal - Saving a Kashmiri Village After Remaking His Life - NYTimes.com: "The lone hospital in this Kashmiri mountain town was on the eve of hosting one of the year’s biggest social gatherings, a health fair for several hundred villagers, and Todd Shea was not happy.
He soon became addicted to rescue efforts, and volunteered in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. It was his first time overseas. After Hurricane Katrina, he said, he volunteered with another rescue organization. Then the earthquake hit Pakistan, and he left for a country he knew nothing about."
He soon became addicted to rescue efforts, and volunteered in Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. It was his first time overseas. After Hurricane Katrina, he said, he volunteered with another rescue organization. Then the earthquake hit Pakistan, and he left for a country he knew nothing about."
France and Burqas
France and Burqas: "French President Nicolas Sarkozy recently declared that burqas are not welcome in France. To some, the burqa represents the suppression of women. Yet many Muslim women embrace it. Should states have control over what people wear?"
Nakeeran Interview: Thilagavathy IPS: 'Killing is nothing new to Muslims': Islam Defamation
இஸ்லாம் மதத்திற்கு நான் எதிரானவளா? -திலகவதி
நீதியின் குரல்: நக்கீரன் மற்றும் திலகவதி I.P.S-யின் முஸ்லிம் விரோதப் போக்கை கண்டித்து நடந்த ஆர்ப்பாட்ட விபரம்.: "நக்கீரன் இதழுக்கு பேட்டியளித்த காவல்துறை உயர் அதிகாரி திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ். அவர்கள் ''இஸ்லாமியர்களுக்கு கொலை செய்வது ஒன்றும் புதிதல்ல'' என்று பேட்டியளித்துள்ளார்."
நீதியின் குரல்: கலகவதி ஆகலாமா த�: நக்கீரன் 20.06.2009, தேதியிட்ட இதழின் முகப்புக்கட்டுரையான ‘மகனைக் கொன்ற அப்பன், அப்பனைக் கொன்ற மகன் குற்றப்பின்னணி என்ற கட்டுரையில் (பக்-7) காவல்துறை அதிகாரியும், இலக்கியவாதியுமான திருமதி திலகவதியின் கருத்தை வெளியிட்டிருந்தீர்கள். திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்.ஸின் கருத்து முஸ்லிம் சமுதாயத்தினரின் உணர்வுகளைப் புண்படுத்தும் வகையில் இருப்பதால் இவ்விளக்கத்தை எழுதுகிறோம்.
”குடும்பகௌரவத்தைக் காப்பாற்ற பெற்றோர்களே அந்தப் பிள்ளையைக் கொன்று விடும் கௌரவக் கொலைகள் அரபுநாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல” என்று கருத்துகூறியுள்ளார் திலகவதி.
‘சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல’ என்ற நச்சுக்கருத்தை திலகவதி போன்ற நல்லிலக்கியவாதி வெளிப்படுத்துவது வேதனைக்குரியது.
த.மு.மு.க&ம.ம.க மரைக்காயர்பட்டிணம்(: மீண்டும் மீண்டும் முஸ்லிம்களை சீண்டிப் பார்க்கிறார்கள்
சலீம் என்பவர் தனது மகளை கத்தியால் குத்தி கொலை செய்து விட்டாராம், ஏனென்றால் அவரது மகள் இஸ்மாயில் என்ற வாலிபரை காதலித்தாராம், சலீம் அதை எதிர்த்தாராம், அதை அவரது மகள் கண்டு கொள்ளாததால் கத்தியால் குத்தி கொன்று விட்டாராம். இந்த சம்பவத்திற்கு திலகவதி ஐபிஎஸ் என்னும் பெண் காவல்துறை அதிகாரி ஒரு தவறான, உண்மைக்கு புறம்பான தகவலை தருகிறார்.
'பெற்றோர்களின் முடிவுக்கு எதிராகவும் குடும்பத்தின் கௌரவத்திற்கு சீர்குலைவு ஏற்படும் விதமாகவும் ஓர் ஆணோ, பெண்ணோ செயல்பட்டால் குடும்ப கௌரவத்தைக் காப்பாற்ற பெற்றோர்களே அந்தப் பிள்ளையை கொன்றுவிடும் 'கௌரவக் கொலை'கள் அரபு நாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல' என்று திலகவதி ஐபிஎஸ் கூறியுள்ளார்.
'கௌரவக் கொலை'கள் அரபு நாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன' என்ற இந்த வாசகத்தில் தான் சிக்கல் இருக்கிறது.
அதைப் போன்று,
'சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல' - இந்த வாசகம் மிகவும் பாரதூரமான வாசகங்களாகும்.
பெற்ற குழந்தைகளை அரபு பெற்றோர்கள் கொன்று விடுகிறார்களாம், அப்படிப்படிப்பட்ட சம்பவங்கள் அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றதாம்.
ஐபிஎஸ் தேர்ச்சி பெற்று உயர் அதிகாரியாக இருப்பவர் எப்படி இது போன்று அறியாமையில் இருந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார் என்பது நமக்கு ஆச்சரியமாக இருக்கிறது.
1,400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு அரபுகள் தான் பெற்ற பெண் பிள்ளைகளை உயிருடன் புதைத்தார்கள் என்பது உண்மை. அப்படிப்பட்ட கொடுமையை நபிகள் நாயகம் கடுமையாக எதிர்தார்கள், அதை முற்றிலுமாக தடுத்து விட்டார்கள். 1,400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு நடந்தவை இன்றும் தொடர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது என்ற பிரம்மையில் ஐபிஎஸ் திலகவதி இருக்கிறார் போலும்.
இத்தோடு மட்டும் நின்று விட்டிருந்தால் ஏதோ அறியாமையில் சொல்லி விட்டார் என்று விட்டு விடலாம். அவர் சொன்ன அடுத்த வாசகம் தான் முஸ்லிம்களை புண்பட வைக்கிறது.
இஸ்லாமிய மதத்திற்கு இது போன்ற கௌரவக் கொலைகள் புதிதானது அல்ல என்ற கருத்தில் சொல்லி இருக்கிறார்.
கூத்தாநல்லூர்: இஸ்லாத்திற்கு 'கவுரவ கொலைகள்' புதிதல்ல- திலகவதியின் திமிர் பேட்டி!: சமீபத்தில் சென்னை புளியந்தோப்பு பகுதியில் சலீம் ஷேக் என்ற முஸ்லிம், காதல் பிரச்சினைக்காக தன் மகள் யாஸ்மின் என்ற பெண்ணை கொடூரமாக கொலை செய்த செய்தி பத்திரிக்கைகள் மூலமாக நாம் அறிந்த ஒன்றுதான். யாஸ்மின் காதலித்தது ஒரு முஸ்லிம் வாலிபரைத்தான். எனவே படிப்பு முடிந்த பின் நானே உனக்கு திருமணம் செய்து வைக்கிறேன் என்று அப்பெண்ணின் தந்தை கூறிய பிறகும், அப்பெண் தன் காதலனோடு ஓடியதாலும், தன் அறிவுரையை ஏற்க மறுத்தாலும் ஆத்திரத்தில் அறிவிழந்த ஷேக் தன் மகளை கொலை செய்துள்ளார். இந்த கொலை இந்திய சட்டப்படியும், இஸ்லாமிய சட்டப்படியும் தவறுதான் இதில் யாருக்கும் மாற்றுக்கருத்தில்லை. கொலையாளி தானே சரணடைந்துள்ளார். சட்டம் என்ன தண்டனையை அவருக்கு வழங்கினாலும் அது வரவேற்க தக்கதே!
மேலும், இந்த சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக நக்கீரன்[20 -06 - 09 ]இதழில் கருத்து தெரிவித்துள்ள திருமதி. திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்.என்பவர், இந்த சம்பவத்தை வைத்து இஸ்லாத்தை இழிவு படுத்தும் வகையில் விஷக்கருத்தை உதிர்த்துள்ளார்.
Thilagavathi IPS கருத்து;
நீதியின் குரல்: நக்கீரன் மற்றும் திலகவதி I.P.S-யின் முஸ்லிம் விரோதப் போக்கை கண்டித்து நடந்த ஆர்ப்பாட்ட விபரம்.: "நக்கீரன் இதழுக்கு பேட்டியளித்த காவல்துறை உயர் அதிகாரி திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ். அவர்கள் ''இஸ்லாமியர்களுக்கு கொலை செய்வது ஒன்றும் புதிதல்ல'' என்று பேட்டியளித்துள்ளார்."
நீதியின் குரல்: கலகவதி ஆகலாமா த�: நக்கீரன் 20.06.2009, தேதியிட்ட இதழின் முகப்புக்கட்டுரையான ‘மகனைக் கொன்ற அப்பன், அப்பனைக் கொன்ற மகன் குற்றப்பின்னணி என்ற கட்டுரையில் (பக்-7) காவல்துறை அதிகாரியும், இலக்கியவாதியுமான திருமதி திலகவதியின் கருத்தை வெளியிட்டிருந்தீர்கள். திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்.ஸின் கருத்து முஸ்லிம் சமுதாயத்தினரின் உணர்வுகளைப் புண்படுத்தும் வகையில் இருப்பதால் இவ்விளக்கத்தை எழுதுகிறோம்.
”குடும்பகௌரவத்தைக் காப்பாற்ற பெற்றோர்களே அந்தப் பிள்ளையைக் கொன்று விடும் கௌரவக் கொலைகள் அரபுநாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல” என்று கருத்துகூறியுள்ளார் திலகவதி.
‘சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல’ என்ற நச்சுக்கருத்தை திலகவதி போன்ற நல்லிலக்கியவாதி வெளிப்படுத்துவது வேதனைக்குரியது.
த.மு.மு.க&ம.ம.க மரைக்காயர்பட்டிணம்(: மீண்டும் மீண்டும் முஸ்லிம்களை சீண்டிப் பார்க்கிறார்கள்
சலீம் என்பவர் தனது மகளை கத்தியால் குத்தி கொலை செய்து விட்டாராம், ஏனென்றால் அவரது மகள் இஸ்மாயில் என்ற வாலிபரை காதலித்தாராம், சலீம் அதை எதிர்த்தாராம், அதை அவரது மகள் கண்டு கொள்ளாததால் கத்தியால் குத்தி கொன்று விட்டாராம். இந்த சம்பவத்திற்கு திலகவதி ஐபிஎஸ் என்னும் பெண் காவல்துறை அதிகாரி ஒரு தவறான, உண்மைக்கு புறம்பான தகவலை தருகிறார்.
'பெற்றோர்களின் முடிவுக்கு எதிராகவும் குடும்பத்தின் கௌரவத்திற்கு சீர்குலைவு ஏற்படும் விதமாகவும் ஓர் ஆணோ, பெண்ணோ செயல்பட்டால் குடும்ப கௌரவத்தைக் காப்பாற்ற பெற்றோர்களே அந்தப் பிள்ளையை கொன்றுவிடும் 'கௌரவக் கொலை'கள் அரபு நாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன. சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல' என்று திலகவதி ஐபிஎஸ் கூறியுள்ளார்.
'கௌரவக் கொலை'கள் அரபு நாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக் கொண்டிருக்கின்றன' என்ற இந்த வாசகத்தில் தான் சிக்கல் இருக்கிறது.
அதைப் போன்று,
'சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இந்தச் சம்பவம் புதிதானதும் அல்ல' - இந்த வாசகம் மிகவும் பாரதூரமான வாசகங்களாகும்.
பெற்ற குழந்தைகளை அரபு பெற்றோர்கள் கொன்று விடுகிறார்களாம், அப்படிப்படிப்பட்ட சம்பவங்கள் அளவுக்கு அதிகமாக நடந்து கொண்டிருக்கின்றதாம்.
ஐபிஎஸ் தேர்ச்சி பெற்று உயர் அதிகாரியாக இருப்பவர் எப்படி இது போன்று அறியாமையில் இருந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறார் என்பது நமக்கு ஆச்சரியமாக இருக்கிறது.
1,400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு அரபுகள் தான் பெற்ற பெண் பிள்ளைகளை உயிருடன் புதைத்தார்கள் என்பது உண்மை. அப்படிப்பட்ட கொடுமையை நபிகள் நாயகம் கடுமையாக எதிர்தார்கள், அதை முற்றிலுமாக தடுத்து விட்டார்கள். 1,400 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு நடந்தவை இன்றும் தொடர்ந்து கொண்டிருக்கிறது என்ற பிரம்மையில் ஐபிஎஸ் திலகவதி இருக்கிறார் போலும்.
இத்தோடு மட்டும் நின்று விட்டிருந்தால் ஏதோ அறியாமையில் சொல்லி விட்டார் என்று விட்டு விடலாம். அவர் சொன்ன அடுத்த வாசகம் தான் முஸ்லிம்களை புண்பட வைக்கிறது.
இஸ்லாமிய மதத்திற்கு இது போன்ற கௌரவக் கொலைகள் புதிதானது அல்ல என்ற கருத்தில் சொல்லி இருக்கிறார்.
கூத்தாநல்லூர்: இஸ்லாத்திற்கு 'கவுரவ கொலைகள்' புதிதல்ல- திலகவதியின் திமிர் பேட்டி!: சமீபத்தில் சென்னை புளியந்தோப்பு பகுதியில் சலீம் ஷேக் என்ற முஸ்லிம், காதல் பிரச்சினைக்காக தன் மகள் யாஸ்மின் என்ற பெண்ணை கொடூரமாக கொலை செய்த செய்தி பத்திரிக்கைகள் மூலமாக நாம் அறிந்த ஒன்றுதான். யாஸ்மின் காதலித்தது ஒரு முஸ்லிம் வாலிபரைத்தான். எனவே படிப்பு முடிந்த பின் நானே உனக்கு திருமணம் செய்து வைக்கிறேன் என்று அப்பெண்ணின் தந்தை கூறிய பிறகும், அப்பெண் தன் காதலனோடு ஓடியதாலும், தன் அறிவுரையை ஏற்க மறுத்தாலும் ஆத்திரத்தில் அறிவிழந்த ஷேக் தன் மகளை கொலை செய்துள்ளார். இந்த கொலை இந்திய சட்டப்படியும், இஸ்லாமிய சட்டப்படியும் தவறுதான் இதில் யாருக்கும் மாற்றுக்கருத்தில்லை. கொலையாளி தானே சரணடைந்துள்ளார். சட்டம் என்ன தண்டனையை அவருக்கு வழங்கினாலும் அது வரவேற்க தக்கதே!
மேலும், இந்த சம்பவம் தொடர்பாக நக்கீரன்[20 -06 - 09 ]இதழில் கருத்து தெரிவித்துள்ள திருமதி. திலகவதி ஐ.பி.எஸ்.என்பவர், இந்த சம்பவத்தை வைத்து இஸ்லாத்தை இழிவு படுத்தும் வகையில் விஷக்கருத்தை உதிர்த்துள்ளார்.
Thilagavathi IPS கருத்து;
பெற்றோரின் முடிவுக்கு எதிராகவும், குடும்பத்தின் கவுரவத்திற்கு சீர்குலைவு ஏற்படும் வகையில் ஒரு ஆணோ, பெண்ணோ செயல்பட்டால், குடும்ப கவுரவத்தை காப்பாற்ற பெற்றோர்களே அந்த பிள்ளையை கொன்று விடும் கவுரவக்கொலைகள் அரபு நாடுகளில் அளவுக்கதிகமாக அரங்கேறிக்கொண்டிருக்கின்றன.சலீம் ஒரு இஸ்லாமியர் என்பதால் அந்த மதத்திற்கு இது புதிதானதும் அல்ல. என்று கூறியுள்ளார்.
Hindi channels for kids become dilemma for parents
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan - Hindi channels for kids become dilemma for parents: "Muhammad Nawaz, 34, a corporate manager by profession said that one day he took his son to a wedding and on the way back home, he asked him, “Dad how come we’re going back even though the wedding hasn’t taken place?”
Surprised, he told his son that the wedding has already taken place in the mosque.
But Nawaz was even more astonished to find out that his son’s idea of a wedding was seeing a couple take circles round the fire."
Surprised, he told his son that the wedding has already taken place in the mosque.
But Nawaz was even more astonished to find out that his son’s idea of a wedding was seeing a couple take circles round the fire."
Describing Charu Nivethitha: Jeyamohan on Tamil Lit Icons: Author Saru Nivedhita
Jeyamohan & Charu Nivethitha on Gandhi, Tamil Eelam: Luckylook vs Suguna Diwakar - Tamil Nathy
சின்னஞ்சிறுகதைகள் பேசி....: வெறுப்
Paithiyakkaaran: Charu Nivedhitha: Hitler Returns - Jeyamohan, Tamil Lit
சிதைவுகள்...: சாரு: ஹிட்லர் ரிட்டர�
ஜ்யோவ்ராம் சுந்தர் :: மொழி விளையாட்டு: பூம் பூம் ஷக்க�
jeyamohan, Charu Nivethitha, S Ramakrishnan: Yamuna Rajendiran
இனியொரு.. » அரசியல் - சமுகம் »
மூன்று தெய்வங்கள் : யமுனா ராஜேந்திரன்: "முதல் தெய்வம் ஜெயமோகன். இரண்டாவது தெய்வம் சாருநிவேதிதா. மூன்றாவது தெய்வம் எஸ்.ராமகிருஷ்ணன்."
Charu Nivethitha Blog: Jeyamohan US Visit, Vaarthai, Hindutva, Tamil Small zines, Literary Little Magz
ஜெயமோகனுக்கு கருடபுராணத்தின்ப
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » சாருவின் அவதூறு
Zero Degree Reviews: Nagarjunan: Charu Nivedhitha
திணை இசை சமிக்ஞை: சாரு நிவேதிதா�
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 1
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 2
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 3
சாருநிவேதிதா, எக்ஸிஸ்டென்ஷியலிசமும் ஃபான்ஸி பனியனும், கிரணம் வெளியீடு, 1989).
Desam.NET - Nagarjunan Interview: BBC Tamil, France, Eelam, Ramesh, Thamilosai, Sri Lanka, LTTE
தேசம் | சர்வதேச விடயங்கள், நேர்காணல்கள்: "புலம்பெயர் மனநிலையும் - கூட்டுப்பித்தமும். செவ்வி : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 1) : சேனன்"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "BBC தமிழோசை விடும் பிழைகள். காலனியச் சொல்லாடலில் சிக்கியுள்ள BBC மொழிச்சேவைகள். செவ்வி : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 2)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "தமிழ்நாட்டு ஊடகங்கள் உள்நோக்கிய பார்வை மாத்திரமே கொண்டவை - நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 3)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "ஈழ ‘தமிழ்’ பேசும் மக்களுக்கு எதிரான படுகொலைகளுக்கு அனைவரும் மன்னிப்பு கேட்க வேண்டும். : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 4)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "பெரும்பான்மையர் சிந்தனை - ஒருவகைப் பாஸிசக்கூறு - நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 5)"
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » ஜே.ஜே.சிலகுறிப்புகள், சாரு நிவேதிதா– இருகடிதங்கள்
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » சாரு
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » ஒரு குட்டிக்கதை
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » வசை:கடிதங்கள்
பி கே சிவகுமார்: பேசாப் பொருளைப் பேச நான் துணிந்
நாகார்ஜுனன்: திணை இசை சமிக்ஞை: பதிவுகளும் நா�
Keetru | Essay | Aathavan theetchanya | Tamilnathy | Eelam
சின்னஞ்சிறுகதைகள் பேசி....: வெறுப்
Paithiyakkaaran: Charu Nivedhitha: Hitler Returns - Jeyamohan, Tamil Lit
சிதைவுகள்...: சாரு: ஹிட்லர் ரிட்டர�
ஜ்யோவ்ராம் சுந்தர் :: மொழி விளையாட்டு: பூம் பூம் ஷக்க�
jeyamohan, Charu Nivethitha, S Ramakrishnan: Yamuna Rajendiran
இனியொரு.. » அரசியல் - சமுகம் »
மூன்று தெய்வங்கள் : யமுனா ராஜேந்திரன்: "முதல் தெய்வம் ஜெயமோகன். இரண்டாவது தெய்வம் சாருநிவேதிதா. மூன்றாவது தெய்வம் எஸ்.ராமகிருஷ்ணன்."
Charu Nivethitha Blog: Jeyamohan US Visit, Vaarthai, Hindutva, Tamil Small zines, Literary Little Magz
ஜெயமோகனுக்கு கருடபுராணத்தின்ப
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » சாருவின் அவதூறு
Zero Degree Reviews: Nagarjunan: Charu Nivedhitha
திணை இசை சமிக்ஞை: சாரு நிவேதிதா�
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 1
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 2
சாரு நிவேதிதாவும் நானும் - 3
சாருநிவேதிதா, எக்ஸிஸ்டென்ஷியலிசமும் ஃபான்ஸி பனியனும், கிரணம் வெளியீடு, 1989).
Desam.NET - Nagarjunan Interview: BBC Tamil, France, Eelam, Ramesh, Thamilosai, Sri Lanka, LTTE
தேசம் | சர்வதேச விடயங்கள், நேர்காணல்கள்: "புலம்பெயர் மனநிலையும் - கூட்டுப்பித்தமும். செவ்வி : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 1) : சேனன்"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "BBC தமிழோசை விடும் பிழைகள். காலனியச் சொல்லாடலில் சிக்கியுள்ள BBC மொழிச்சேவைகள். செவ்வி : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 2)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "தமிழ்நாட்டு ஊடகங்கள் உள்நோக்கிய பார்வை மாத்திரமே கொண்டவை - நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 3)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "ஈழ ‘தமிழ்’ பேசும் மக்களுக்கு எதிரான படுகொலைகளுக்கு அனைவரும் மன்னிப்பு கேட்க வேண்டும். : நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 4)"
தேசம் | தேசம்: "பெரும்பான்மையர் சிந்தனை - ஒருவகைப் பாஸிசக்கூறு - நாகார்ஜுனன் (பகுதி 5)"
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » ஜே.ஜே.சிலகுறிப்புகள், சாரு நிவேதிதா– இருகடிதங்கள்
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » சாரு
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » ஒரு குட்டிக்கதை
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » வசை:கடிதங்கள்
பி கே சிவகுமார்: பேசாப் பொருளைப் பேச நான் துணிந்
நாகார்ஜுனன்: திணை இசை சமிக்ஞை: பதிவுகளும் நா�
Keetru | Essay | Aathavan theetchanya | Tamilnathy | Eelam
India Dodges Financial Crisis, and Ex-Fed Chief Gets Credit - NYTimes.com
India Dodges Financial Crisis, and Ex-Fed Chief Gets Credit - NYTimes.com: "The financial crisis has tarred the reputation and ideology of free marketers and central bankers the world over, including Alan Greenspan, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve. But it has had the opposite effect on Yaga Venugopal Reddy, the former governor of the Reserve Bank of India.
The former governor of the Reserve Bank of India is taking a victory lap as the country’s economic growth continues and its banks survive without government help. "
The former governor of the Reserve Bank of India is taking a victory lap as the country’s economic growth continues and its banks survive without government help. "
Op-Ed Contributor - A Misguided 'War on Drugs' - NYTimes.com
Op-Ed Contributor - A Misguided 'War on Drugs' - NYTimes.com: "In India people are dying in uncontrolled detoxification programs. In India alone some 1 million cancer patients endure severe pain; most have no access to appropriate medications because of restrictions on prescribing them."
The so-called war on drugs fuels human rights abuses and denies drugs to millions of people in pain.
The so-called war on drugs fuels human rights abuses and denies drugs to millions of people in pain.
The P3 page
The P3 page: Iduvarlum ennoda blog la comment pannina ellarume namma tamil makkal..
(ennada blog la comment onum kaanume.. indha ponnu en ippadi scene poduthunu pakkaringala? 4 post delete panitenga.. sonnal nambunga!)
(ennada blog la comment onum kaanume.. indha ponnu en ippadi scene poduthunu pakkaringala? 4 post delete panitenga.. sonnal nambunga!)
China: Marudhan: Peasant Taxes: Agriculture: Farmers
மருதன்: சீனாவின் இன்னொரு முகம்: Chen Guidi, Wu Chuntao இருவரும் இணைந்து எழுதியிருக்கும் Survey of Chinese Peasants என்னும் புத்தகம் குறித்த விமரிசனம் நியூ லெஃப்ட் ரிவ்யூவில் வெளிவந்துள்ளது.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Dancing with the dragon | The Japan Times Online
Dancing with the dragon | The Japan Times Online: "China, India and Japan, Asia's three main powers, constitute a unique strategic triangle
While a narrow East Asia policy framework now guides U.S. ties with Japan, Washington is again looking at India primarily through the Pakistan prism. That translates into a renewed U.S. focus on India-Pakistan engagement, resurrection of the Kashmir issue and preoccupation with counterinsurgency in the "Afpak" region, including implications for American homeland security."
While a narrow East Asia policy framework now guides U.S. ties with Japan, Washington is again looking at India primarily through the Pakistan prism. That translates into a renewed U.S. focus on India-Pakistan engagement, resurrection of the Kashmir issue and preoccupation with counterinsurgency in the "Afpak" region, including implications for American homeland security."
China is not the only modern state | Bill Emmott | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk
China is not the only modern state | Bill Emmott | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "Perhaps in half a century, the world will be rather more interesting than the Sino-centric one offered by Martin Jacques"
China is ahead of the latest pack of modernisers, roughly 15 years ahead of India.
China is ahead of the latest pack of modernisers, roughly 15 years ahead of India.
Bangladesh's governing coalition is facing serious problems
: Challenges in Bangladesh | The Economist: "Bangladesh's ruling coalition, led by the Awami League (AL), faces significant challenges on several fronts. In addition to dealing with problems posed by the downturn in the global economy and regular domestic power shortages, the government has been preoccupied with the consequences of a bloody mutiny staged by members of a paramilitary group, the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR), in February and with the rising threat posed by Islamist militants."
7 ‘Secret’ Ways To Use Twitter Search
7 ‘Secret’ Ways To Use Twitter Search:
"6: Only get the new info about a topic
“american airlines” -rt -via
7: Find all shared pictures about a topic.
“le mans” twitpic OR yfrog OR post.ly OR twitgoo OR pikchur filter:links
2: Find all the people who are not talking about you directly
Baekdal -to:baekdal -from:baekdal -@baekdal"
"6: Only get the new info about a topic
“american airlines” -rt -via
7: Find all shared pictures about a topic.
“le mans” twitpic OR yfrog OR post.ly OR twitgoo OR pikchur filter:links
2: Find all the people who are not talking about you directly
Baekdal -to:baekdal -from:baekdal -@baekdal"
Visualizing Twitter litter
Visualizing Twitter litter: "I guess I should have included 'if the link is posted to TechMeme' in the Twitter litter list."
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
13 feared killed in IAF plane crash near China border
13 feared killed in IAF plane crash near China border - India - The Times of India: "13 military personnel, including two officers, were feared killed when an IAF Antonov-32 medium-lift aircraft apparently crashed somewhere near the Machuka advanced landing ground (ALG) in Arunachal Pradesh, next to the border with China, on Tuesday afternoon."
The China-India Border War
if China had designs over Arunachal Pradesh, why didn't they just hold on to it after winning the 1962 war?: "The object of this paper is to present an overview of the 1962 China-India Border War. The paper chronologically examines the 19th and 20th Century roots of disputed border areas between China and Indian the increase in tensions and conflicts in the late 1950s, the skirmishes along the China- India border, the October-November 1962 hostilities, and the ceasefire."
China first controlled western China (Xinjiang) during the Han Dynasty, about 2,000 years ago. During the Tang Dynasty about 1,300 years ago, that control was extended further into the Fergana Valley in Central Asia, which they later lost after losing the Battle of Talas against the Arabic Abbasids. China first controlled Tibet during the Yuan Dynasty 700 years ago, later again during the Qing Dynasty 300 years ago. Temporarily lost control after the demise of Qing, and regained it in 1951.
Remembering a War - The 1962 India-China Conflict :: Dr Gregory Clark - rediff
China first controlled western China (Xinjiang) during the Han Dynasty, about 2,000 years ago. During the Tang Dynasty about 1,300 years ago, that control was extended further into the Fergana Valley in Central Asia, which they later lost after losing the Battle of Talas against the Arabic Abbasids. China first controlled Tibet during the Yuan Dynasty 700 years ago, later again during the Qing Dynasty 300 years ago. Temporarily lost control after the demise of Qing, and regained it in 1951.
Remembering a War - The 1962 India-China Conflict :: Dr Gregory Clark - rediff
The China-India Border Brawl - WSJ.com
The China-India Border Brawl - WSJ.com: "China has been raising the temperature at the border. Chinese claims to Arunachal Pradesh and frequent Chinese "incursions" into the nearby Indian state of Sikkim have begun to multiply in line with Beijing's rising economic and political influence. Moreover, unlike India, China has methodically developed its infrastructure along the disputed border, littering the barren terrain with highways and railways capable of moving large numbers of goods and troops.
The editorial reminded New Delhi that Beijing had friends in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal but most importantly, it left no doubt about Beijing's future position on Arunachal Pradesh
China broke with Asian tradition and tried to block a $2.9 billion loan to India at the Asian Development Bank, furious that the loan would fund a $60 million flood-management program in Arunachal Pradesh.
But what riles India most is China's incursion into its backyard and the belief China is surrounding the subcontinent with its "string of pearls" -- Chinese "investments" in naval bases, commercial ports and listening posts along the southern coast of Asia. There are port facilities in Bangladesh and radar and refueling stations in Burma. Thailand, Cambodia and Pakistan now all host Chinese "projects;" China's crown jewel is the Pakistani deepwater port of Gwadar.
Then there are Sri Lanka and Nepal, India's immediate neighbors, where civil wars have opened space for Beijing to peddle influence."
The editorial reminded New Delhi that Beijing had friends in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal but most importantly, it left no doubt about Beijing's future position on Arunachal Pradesh
China broke with Asian tradition and tried to block a $2.9 billion loan to India at the Asian Development Bank, furious that the loan would fund a $60 million flood-management program in Arunachal Pradesh.
But what riles India most is China's incursion into its backyard and the belief China is surrounding the subcontinent with its "string of pearls" -- Chinese "investments" in naval bases, commercial ports and listening posts along the southern coast of Asia. There are port facilities in Bangladesh and radar and refueling stations in Burma. Thailand, Cambodia and Pakistan now all host Chinese "projects;" China's crown jewel is the Pakistani deepwater port of Gwadar.
Then there are Sri Lanka and Nepal, India's immediate neighbors, where civil wars have opened space for Beijing to peddle influence."
JEFF M. SMITH is the Kraemer Strategy Fellow at the American Foreign Policy Council.
Why Ban Ki-moon is the world's most dangerous Korean - By Jacob Heilbrunn | Foreign Policy
Why Ban Ki-moon is the world's most dangerous Korean - By Jacob Heilbrunn | Foreign Policy:It's not that Ban has committed any particularly egregious mistakes in his 2½ years on the job. But at a time when global leadership is urgently needed, the former South Korean foreign minister has instead been trotting the globe collecting honorary degrees, issuing utterly forgettable statements, and generally frittering away any influence he might command.
It's not as if there aren't enough crises around the globe for him to make his mark, whether in Sri Lanka or Sudan or the Middle East. But Ban hasn't given any indication that he's going to have an impact in any of these places—or even that he wants to.
It's not as if there aren't enough crises around the globe for him to make his mark, whether in Sri Lanka or Sudan or the Middle East. But Ban hasn't given any indication that he's going to have an impact in any of these places—or even that he wants to.
A young presidential candidate is shaking up Chile's political scene
A fresh face for Chilean politics | GlobalPost: "Full of harsh words for what he describes as an obsolete political system, Enriquez-Ominami resigned from the ruling Socialist Party in June to run as an independent candidate for president under the slogan “Marco: Because Chile has Changed.”"
At 45, FARC is at its Weakest in Decades
Diplomatic Courier :: Diplomatic Community on World Affairs and Foreign Policy News: Last month, South America’s oldest guerilla insurgency, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia, or FARC as it is commonly known, celebrated its 45th birthday. A time for cake and presents it was not, however, as the FARC today is but an enfeebled shadow of its former self. 2008 and the first months of 2009 saw a spate of failures for the beleaguered organization.
Ethiopia's Zenawi aims to become exception - Africa, World - The Independent
Ethiopia's Zenawi aims to become exception - Africa, World - The Independent: Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he has "had enough" after 18 years in power and called on the rest of his generation of leaders to follow him through the exit door.
2010 Oscars to have 10 Best Picture nominees | Academy Awards | OscarWatch | EW.com
2010 Oscars to have 10 Best Picture nominees | Academy Awards | OscarWatch | EW.com: "The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that it will name 10 Best Picture nominees next year instead of five.
Several groups, like the Broadcast Film Critics Association, National Board of Review, and the American Film Institute, have already been listing 10 best films of the year instead of five."
Several groups, like the Broadcast Film Critics Association, National Board of Review, and the American Film Institute, have already been listing 10 best films of the year instead of five."
Road renamed after rabbi to stop neo-Nazis picking up litter - Telegraph
Road renamed after rabbi to stop neo-Nazis picking up litter - Telegraph: "Officials in Missouri have renamed a road after a Second World War rabbi in an attempt to dissuade a neo-Nazi group from taking part in a litter-picking scheme."
Rethinking Gender Bias in Theater
Theater Has a Gender Bias? Do Tell - NYTimes.com: "When more than 160 playwrights and producers, most of them female, filed into a Midtown Manhattan theater Monday night, they expected to hear some concrete evidence that women who are authors have a tougher time getting their work staged than men.
And they did. But they also heard that women who are artistic directors and literary managers are the ones to blame.
That conclusion was just one surprising piece of a yearlong research project that both confirms and upends assumptions about bias in the playwriting business."
And they did. But they also heard that women who are artistic directors and literary managers are the ones to blame.
That conclusion was just one surprising piece of a yearlong research project that both confirms and upends assumptions about bias in the playwriting business."
Efforts to Curb Foreign Bribery Lack Vigor, Report Finds - NYTimes.com
Of 36 countries studied, only Germany, Norway, Switzerland and the United States actively enforced the OECD’s anti-bribery convention, an advocacy group said. : "One major obstacle to further progress is the use national security considerations as a reason for not prosecuting foreign bribery, the group said.
In 2006, for example, the British government ordered the Serious Fraud Office to drop an investigation into BAE’s Al-Yamamah contract with Saudi Arabia. Britain’s highest court of appeal upheld that decision based on national security grounds."
In 2006, for example, the British government ordered the Serious Fraud Office to drop an investigation into BAE’s Al-Yamamah contract with Saudi Arabia. Britain’s highest court of appeal upheld that decision based on national security grounds."
Google’s Matt Cutts On “Over Optimization”
Google’s Matt Cutts On “Over Optimization”: "The latest video is on “over optimization” where Matt answers the question “Is over optimization bad for a website?”"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
FT.com / Columnists / John Gapper - The hidden cost of giving away vaccines
If pharmaceutical companies are now making such healthy profits from vaccines in the developed world, why not give them away free in developing countries to save the lives of poor children? It is a seductive idea, but there are two reasons for them to charge.: "Giving products away free, from browsers to newspaper articles, is commonplace in the technology and media industries. The trend has now spread to vaccines.
Pharmaceuticals companies, scarred by years of losing the public relations battle to campaigners over the price of HIV/Aids drugs in Africa, are eager not to be caught out by swine flu.
Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, has offered to donate 50m doses of GSK’s planned swine flu vaccine to the World Heath Organisation. He has caught the public mood: Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, has urged “solidarity” with poor countries over the H1N1 flu virus.
Mr Witty and Ms Chan have forced Daniel Vasella, chief executive of Novartis, to defend the profit motive"
Pharmaceuticals companies, scarred by years of losing the public relations battle to campaigners over the price of HIV/Aids drugs in Africa, are eager not to be caught out by swine flu.
Andrew Witty, chief executive of GlaxoSmithKline, has offered to donate 50m doses of GSK’s planned swine flu vaccine to the World Heath Organisation. He has caught the public mood: Margaret Chan, WHO director-general, has urged “solidarity” with poor countries over the H1N1 flu virus.
Mr Witty and Ms Chan have forced Daniel Vasella, chief executive of Novartis, to defend the profit motive"
Let's not get carried away about Twitter power's role in Iran's demonstrations. - By Jack Shafer - Slate Magazine
My zeal for Twitter knows a limit: Unlike several other technology-friendly journalists, I've found it more noise than signal in understanding the Iranian upheaval: "Let's not get carried away about its role in Iran's demonstrations.
By Jack Shafer"
By Jack Shafer"
Pakistan: caught between India and the Taliban
Pakistan: caught between India and the Taliban | Mustafa Qadri | Comment is free | guardian.co.uk: "The idea that Pakistan is inherently dangerous is a mantra used by those who ignore history and avoid the complicated reality"
A political solution by Dr. U. Pethiyagoda
The LTTE continued to parrot their Eelam cry and erect illogical roadblocks :: Eelam in Sri Lanka - The Island-Features: "Far better to recognise that what we in reality should strive for is 'an effective solution to social problems'. Safety and security, health, education, communication, housing and dozens of other existential realities in need of improvement will compellingly push the contrived 'political issues' to an inconsequential background as they in truth deserve. Given good (meaning efficient, decent, fair and honourable ) administration, I for one would not give a Tinker’s Damn for the number of Ministers or Provincial Councils or whatever."
Provisional Eelam govt. drive & Presidential Poll disputes
Eelam War IV :: Politics:
"• Call for Provisional Transnational Eelam govt.
• Support from over 1 million Tamil diaspora expected
• Debate on advancing Presidential Poll date
• SLFP to revert to hand symbol?"
Tamil diaspora sympathetic to it, is on a drive to form a provisional Eelam government in exile under the leadership of Tiger international point man and its chief arms procurer, Selvaraja Pathmanathan, alias Kumaran Pathmanathan, alias KP, to give the LTTE a new lease of life.
Taking an active coordinating role in this new drive, dubbed the Formation of a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE,) is the New York based Sri Lankan lawyer Vishvanathan Rudrakumar, who earlier took part in peace talks with the government as a representative of the LTTE. Now an American citizen, Rudrakumar is also considered the man who drafted the Eelam government concept. He is a son of former Jaffna Mayor and a leader of the TULF Raja Vishvanathan.
Advisory Panel comprising 13 experts sympathetic to the cause and all living abroad. So for the LTTE and its supporters 13 must be a lucky number. The members of this Advisory Panel as announced by Rudrakumar are
SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera, Western People’s Front leader Mano Ganeshan and United Socialist Party leader Siritunga Jayasuriya are working to form a coalition with the UNP.
"• Call for Provisional Transnational Eelam govt.
• Support from over 1 million Tamil diaspora expected
• Debate on advancing Presidential Poll date
• SLFP to revert to hand symbol?"
Tamil diaspora sympathetic to it, is on a drive to form a provisional Eelam government in exile under the leadership of Tiger international point man and its chief arms procurer, Selvaraja Pathmanathan, alias Kumaran Pathmanathan, alias KP, to give the LTTE a new lease of life.
Taking an active coordinating role in this new drive, dubbed the Formation of a Provisional Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (PTGTE,) is the New York based Sri Lankan lawyer Vishvanathan Rudrakumar, who earlier took part in peace talks with the government as a representative of the LTTE. Now an American citizen, Rudrakumar is also considered the man who drafted the Eelam government concept. He is a son of former Jaffna Mayor and a leader of the TULF Raja Vishvanathan.
Advisory Panel comprising 13 experts sympathetic to the cause and all living abroad. So for the LTTE and its supporters 13 must be a lucky number. The members of this Advisory Panel as announced by Rudrakumar are
- Prof. M. Sornarajah (UK),
- Prof. Francis Boyle (USA),
- Prof. P. Ramasamy (Malaysia),
- Prof. Rev. A.J.C. Chandrakanthan (Canada),
- Prof. Nadaraja Sriskandarajah (Sweden),
- Dr Murugar Gunasingham (Australia),
- Dr Sivanendran Seevanayagam (Australia),
- Dr A.L. Vasanthakumar (UK),
- Ms. Karen Parker (USA),
- Dr N. Jeyalingam (USA),
- Selva Sivarajah (Australia),
- Paul Williams (The Netherlands), and
- Prof. Peter Schalk (Sweden).
SLFP (M) leader Mangala Samaraweera, Western People’s Front leader Mano Ganeshan and United Socialist Party leader Siritunga Jayasuriya are working to form a coalition with the UNP.
Riding the tiger :: "13 EPRLF men killed in Madras"
Uma Vishnu Posted online: Sunday , Jun 21, 2009 :: "For 19 years, Perumal played this dangerous game of hide-and-seek with the LTTE, a game that ended last month with Lankan troops crushing the LTTE and killing its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Perumal is the little-known third dimension in the Sri Lankan conflict that is often seen as a simplified Tamil versus Sinhalese conflict. The LTTE, which claimed to represent the Tamils, often gunned for Tamil leaders who charted their own political course. Perumal, former chief minister of the Tamil-dominated provinces in the north and once a key Tamil voice, was one such anti-LTTE, pro-Tamil Lankan leader."
Sri Lanka after the LTTE
Can India play a role in power-sharing accord? - Sri Lanka Guardian: By Maj-Gen Ashok K. Mehta (retd): "Strange was India’s sphinx-like silence over the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils and violation of human rights and humanitarian law of warfare during the last phase of the military offensive when the fight to finish the LTTE overrode the concern over the safety and security of civilians. This after Delhi had obtained from Colombo a commitment to ending combat operations and non-use of heavy weapons. The rescue mission to liberate 100,000 civilians from the no-fire zone was achieved at an enormous human cost, figures varying from 5000 to 30,000 to “unacceptably high” dead and one million displaced.
Sifting through the Sri Lankan media, one can detect admissions of use of government artillery and mortars by a sailor in LTTE captivity, government doctors in the NFZ, since taken into custody, anonymous Lankan and Western journalists and Mr Rajiva Wijesinha of the Human Rights Secretariat. He said mortars, an infantry weapon, were used against the LTTE’s heavy weapons, including tanks. He conceded that 3,000 to 5,000 civilians could have been killed."
Sifting through the Sri Lankan media, one can detect admissions of use of government artillery and mortars by a sailor in LTTE captivity, government doctors in the NFZ, since taken into custody, anonymous Lankan and Western journalists and Mr Rajiva Wijesinha of the Human Rights Secretariat. He said mortars, an infantry weapon, were used against the LTTE’s heavy weapons, including tanks. He conceded that 3,000 to 5,000 civilians could have been killed."
The rise of the LTTE
Sri Lanka Watch - TELO, Prabhakaran, EPRLF, History: "In early 1985, the P.L.O.T.E., L.T.T.E. and T.E.L.O. were considered fairly evenly balanced."
The End Battle -The cowardly death of the LTTE chief :
LankaWeb - The End Battle -The cowardly death of the LTTE chief :: "Sergeant Wijesinghe was quick to feel the presence of a high profile LTTE leader in the area from the resistance he had got. The team charged mangroves despite all difficulties and managed to collect five bodies carrying pistols and small arms that were usually carried by VIP escorts.
The Brigade Commander and the Commanding Officer were soon informed. One of the bodies was identified as of Vinodan, one of the most senior bodyguards of the inner protection team of the LTTE leader. “With in seconds we knew the importance of the finding”, Lieutenant Colonel Lalantha Gamage said.
“The matter was informed to the GOC and under his guidance, the first team was ordered to hold the line and sent another eight man team and a four man from the flank to support them” (see map). The second team was lead by Sergeant TM Muthubanda.
After an hour of heavy fire fight in the mangroves the guns were suddenly fell silent. A message came from the team leaders that there was body bearing similar appearance to Prabhakaran found among 18 other dead LTTE cadres. Both Lieutenant Colonel Gamage and Lieutenant Colonel Aluwihare rushed into the mangroves and found that the villain who haunted the nation for 30 years was no more."
The Brigade Commander and the Commanding Officer were soon informed. One of the bodies was identified as of Vinodan, one of the most senior bodyguards of the inner protection team of the LTTE leader. “With in seconds we knew the importance of the finding”, Lieutenant Colonel Lalantha Gamage said.
“The matter was informed to the GOC and under his guidance, the first team was ordered to hold the line and sent another eight man team and a four man from the flank to support them” (see map). The second team was lead by Sergeant TM Muthubanda.
After an hour of heavy fire fight in the mangroves the guns were suddenly fell silent. A message came from the team leaders that there was body bearing similar appearance to Prabhakaran found among 18 other dead LTTE cadres. Both Lieutenant Colonel Gamage and Lieutenant Colonel Aluwihare rushed into the mangroves and found that the villain who haunted the nation for 30 years was no more."
MIA Interview in LA Times
Turn It Up - Los Angeles Times: "Politically, she’s a tireless advocate of the Tamil people, who’ve suffered in the recent civil war in Sri Lanka between the majority Sinhalese and the Tamil Tigers (the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, also known as the LTTE). Life has certainly changed from her early days living in London public housing to her recent engagement to fellow musician and Seagram heir Ben Brewer (né Bronfman, son of former Seagram CEO Edgar Bronfman).
Nic Harcourt: You’re from Sri Lanka—let’s talk about what’s going on there now. As you know, the majority Sinhalese in the Sri Lankan government recently defeated the Tamil Tigers. You’re an ethnic Tamil yourself. How do you feel about what happened?"
Nic Harcourt: You’re from Sri Lanka—let’s talk about what’s going on there now. As you know, the majority Sinhalese in the Sri Lankan government recently defeated the Tamil Tigers. You’re an ethnic Tamil yourself. How do you feel about what happened?"
Pain of Kashmir blocks realistic relations | The Japan Times Online
Amid vested military and other interests in Pakistan and India, it would take a brave leader to extend a hand of peace over Kashmir and an even braver one to shake it: "Kashmir offers the rationale for Pakistan to maintain huge armed forces — 700,000 on active duty plus 300,000 paramilitary and 600,000 reservists — and for other countries, notably China and the United States, to make big arms sales."
The evolution of Iran's revolution - Los Angeles Times
The evolution of Iran's revolution - Los Angeles Times: "The current confrontation is another phase of the country's century-long political journey. And this one, like the others, will bring lasting changes."
Robin Wright, the author of "Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East," has been covering Iran since 1973. She is a scholar at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.
Ingushetia president survives assassination attempt
Yunus-Bek Yevkurov badly hurt in suicide bomb explosion near convoy in troubled province | World news | guardian.co.uk: "Russia's attempts to control its restive northern Caucasus region suffered a major blow today when the president of the Muslim republic of Ingushetia was seriously injured in an assassination attempt."
Descendants of Greek migrants find that the old country doesn't feel like home
Children of Greek Migrants Move Back to Greece: "In the second half of the 20th century, poverty and instability drove more than a million Greeks to leave their homeland. Now many of their children, and grandchildren, are coming back."
People making a difference: Visaka Dharmadasa
People making a difference: Visaka Dharmadasa | csmonitor.com: "Visaka Dharmadasa hasn't given up hope that her son will walk through the door again. His remains, and those of over 600 other servicemen missing from the battle, were never recovered, though many unidentified bodies were later found burned in a mass grave. For the families of the fallen, uncertainty over the fate of their loved ones compounds the sorrow.
Without a body or a proper burial, grieving is stalled and paralysis sets in, says Ms. Dharmadasa, who runs Parents for Servicemen Missing in Action, a nonprofit group that she founded in 1998. In a landmark case, it successfully sued Sri Lanka's military over its failure to use DNA testing to trace missing soldiers.
But as Sri Lanka hails a hard-fought victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after 26 years of civil war, Dharmadasa worries that more families are facing the same agony.
'Over and over again, we have told [the government] don't cremate the bodies. And right now, God knows what's happening,' she says.
Sri Lanka's military has said 6,261 soldiers died and nearly 30,000 were injured during a three-year offensive. More than 22,000 LTTE fighters died over the same period."
Without a body or a proper burial, grieving is stalled and paralysis sets in, says Ms. Dharmadasa, who runs Parents for Servicemen Missing in Action, a nonprofit group that she founded in 1998. In a landmark case, it successfully sued Sri Lanka's military over its failure to use DNA testing to trace missing soldiers.
But as Sri Lanka hails a hard-fought victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after 26 years of civil war, Dharmadasa worries that more families are facing the same agony.
'Over and over again, we have told [the government] don't cremate the bodies. And right now, God knows what's happening,' she says.
Sri Lanka's military has said 6,261 soldiers died and nearly 30,000 were injured during a three-year offensive. More than 22,000 LTTE fighters died over the same period."
Where were our protests in 2000?
Gillian Rogell - The Boston Globe: "I ADMIRE the Iranian people. They are fiercely demanding the democratic process far more than we did after the stolen American presidential election of 2000. Where was our outrage? Where were the marches, the people in the streets, the voices of the thousands? We meekly accepted the quiet coup, and we and the rest of the world suffered the consequences the next eight years."
It is a blessing, that the radical fringe did not protest the election of 2000 just because they did not like the results. Our country is civilized, save for the moveon, msnbc types who protest wildly any political outcome they dislike.
It has become an urban legend that George Bush was "selected" as president by the Supreme Court. Unscrupulous news sources like the Globe still treat it as gospel. But here is the truth: Even if the extra legal recount requested by Al Gore had gone forward, the many recounts conducted by the New York Times and most all other media sources proved the painful truth: George Bush would have won Florida anyway.
I'd rather trust to the Constitution than protesters, a proportion of whom inevitably turn to violence, whether it is throwing rocks or shooting guns.
It is a blessing, that the radical fringe did not protest the election of 2000 just because they did not like the results. Our country is civilized, save for the moveon, msnbc types who protest wildly any political outcome they dislike.
It has become an urban legend that George Bush was "selected" as president by the Supreme Court. Unscrupulous news sources like the Globe still treat it as gospel. But here is the truth: Even if the extra legal recount requested by Al Gore had gone forward, the many recounts conducted by the New York Times and most all other media sources proved the painful truth: George Bush would have won Florida anyway.
I'd rather trust to the Constitution than protesters, a proportion of whom inevitably turn to violence, whether it is throwing rocks or shooting guns.
Gentlemen it is immaterial whether the 2000 election was or was not stolen. The shame was that it had to go to the Supreme Court at all. Why did it go to the Supreme Court? Because we, the greatest democracy in the world, does not have a reliable system for recording and counting votes. Minnesota has simply demonstrated we still have not.
And if you're worried about fixing elections the Governor of California complained that at the recent election not one of the 153 seats contested changed hands because of gerrymandering. That fixes elections just as surely as does faking the count afterwards. How does this happen because we, the greatest democracy in the world, does not have an independent commission drawing electoral boundaries. This is not a Republican failing nor is it a Democrat failing it is an American failing
HIV testing for pregnant moms rewards ‘sexual promiscuity’
Colorado Independent » Schultheis: HIV testing for pregnant moms rewards ‘sexual promiscuity’: "Democrats were outraged Wednesday morning when Republican state Sen. Dave Schultheis said he planned to vote against a bill to require HIV tests for pregnant women because the disease “stems from sexual promiscuity” and he didn’t think the Legislature should “remove the negative consequences that take place from poor behavior and unacceptable behavior.” The Colorado Springs lawmaker then proceeded to cast the lone vote against SB 179, which passed 32-1 and moves on to the House.
“HIV does not just come from sexual promiscuity, it comes from many other things — contaminated blood, for one,” fired back one of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Lois Tochtrop, after Schultheis spoke on the Senate floor.
“What this bill will do and why it’s so important to test the woman when she is pregnant — if she is HIV-positive, treatment is started immediately to protect the baby, the unborn baby,” the Thornton Democrat, who is also a nurse, said."
“HIV does not just come from sexual promiscuity, it comes from many other things — contaminated blood, for one,” fired back one of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Lois Tochtrop, after Schultheis spoke on the Senate floor.
“What this bill will do and why it’s so important to test the woman when she is pregnant — if she is HIV-positive, treatment is started immediately to protect the baby, the unborn baby,” the Thornton Democrat, who is also a nurse, said."
Dance Review - In San Francisco, Thinking Globally, Dancing Locally - NYTimes.com
Dance Review - In San Francisco, Thinking Globally, Dancing Locally - NYTimes.com: "Each of the festival’s programs contains at least nine items; a different program is presented each weekend over four weeks. I heartily envy the Bay Area residents who can see the three programs I must miss, with works from Korea, Japan, Indonesia, French Polynesia, the Philippines, Ukraine, Russia, Liberia, Congo, Spain, Scotland and Ireland; Native American dances, too. Yet the program I caught last weekend alone included dances from China, India (two), Peru, Mexico, Lebanon, the United States (hip-hop and Hawaiian hula) and Cuba (two). Each presentation lasted 10 to 20 minutes."
World Bank Cuts Forecast for Developed Economies - NYTimes.com
World Bank Cuts Forecast for Developed Economies - NYTimes.com: "Developing countries will still see growth in 2009, the World Bank said, but this will be slim — 1.2 percent over all, after 8.1 percent in 2007 and 5.9 percent in 2008 — mainly because of the dynamic economies of China and India. Stripping out those two countries, where growth is expected to be 7.2 percent and 5.1 percent in 2009, developing economies will contract 1.6 percent, the bank projects.
Economies in Brazil and Russia — the other two countries in the so-called BRIC quartet of large, and once fast-growing, developing nations — are expected to shrink 1.1 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively. The bank had previously expected Brazil to eke out 0.5 percent growth this year, and Russia to shrink 4.5 percent."
Economies in Brazil and Russia — the other two countries in the so-called BRIC quartet of large, and once fast-growing, developing nations — are expected to shrink 1.1 percent and 7.5 percent, respectively. The bank had previously expected Brazil to eke out 0.5 percent growth this year, and Russia to shrink 4.5 percent."
Big City - Learning Hindi Was Hard, but It Was Just the Start - NYTimes.com
Big City - Learning Hindi Was Hard, but It Was Just the Start - NYTimes.com: "Katherine Russell Rich, author of “Dreaming in Hindi,” says her language skills sometimes disconcert Indians in New York."
A Westerner finds lots of potential conversation partners in New York, but unexpected etiquette barriers as well.
A Westerner finds lots of potential conversation partners in New York, but unexpected etiquette barriers as well.
Google Using Wikipedia as a Source for Its News Site - NYTimes.com
Google Using Wikipedia as a Source for Its News Site - NYTimes.com: "The inclusion of Wikipedia articles among the thousands of publications used by Google News began as an experiment that was seen by a small percentage of users, said a company spokesman, Gabriel Stricker. Before making the addition permanent, he said, Google wanted to be sure that even people seeking news would want to read the articles created by volunteers working in collaboration over the Internet.
“We saw users were finding the Wikipedia pages to be helpful complements to so many stories they saw,” he said, adding that Wikipedia frequently offered “the broader overview on the topic.”"
“We saw users were finding the Wikipedia pages to be helpful complements to so many stories they saw,” he said, adding that Wikipedia frequently offered “the broader overview on the topic.”"
Keeping True Identity Online Becomes Battle - NYTimes.com
Keeping True Identity Online Becomes Battle - NYTimes.com: "Celebrities, companies and even regular people can be excused for feeling a bit of déjà vu. Staking out and protecting their names and trademarks on the Internet has become a seemingly never-ending battle. With the rise of social networks, registering a simple Web address like pepsi.com or mileycyrus .com is no longer enough to plant one’s flag firmly in the virtual terra firma.
When domain names first became hot properties in the ’90s, it was mostly companies that worried about claiming the right addresses. But in this more narcissistic Internet era, people who were once happily anonymous view themselves as online minicelebrities with their own brands to promote."
When domain names first became hot properties in the ’90s, it was mostly companies that worried about claiming the right addresses. But in this more narcissistic Internet era, people who were once happily anonymous view themselves as online minicelebrities with their own brands to promote."
From the Desk of David Pogue - Pogue’s Productivity Secrets Revealed - NYTimes.com
From the Desk of David Pogue - Pogue’s Productivity Secrets Revealed - NYTimes.com: "Finally, I enjoy two luxuries that not everyone will be able to replicate. First, I'm just the sort of person who kind of knows what he wants to say; I can't remember ever staring at the blank screen, trying to think of what to write. And I'm lucky enough that I don't spend time on bills, taxes, travel arrangements, kid-activity scheduling, and so on; my sainted wife takes care of all that administrative overhead.
There, now you know my secrets. Steal this document, with my compliments."
There, now you know my secrets. Steal this document, with my compliments."
Lydia Guevara, Che's Granddaughter, Poses Semi-Nude For PETA
Lydia Guevara, Che's Granddaughter, Poses Semi-Nude For PETA: "The granddaughter of Cuban revolutionary leader Ernesto 'Che' Guevara is at the forefront of another revolution _ for vegetarianism.
Lydia Guevara poses semi-nude in a PETA campaign that tells viewers to 'join the vegetarian revolution,' said PETA spokesman Michael McGraw."
Lydia Guevara poses semi-nude in a PETA campaign that tells viewers to 'join the vegetarian revolution,' said PETA spokesman Michael McGraw."
Chasing Unpaid Dues, Associations Are Foreclosing on Units Seized by Banks
Condo Boards Take On Lenders - WSJ.com: "As more condominium owners default on home loans, the amount of unpaid dues owed to condo associations is piling up. To collect the arrears, some condo boards have begun foreclosures on units already seized by banks."
Monday, June 22, 2009
False Economy
FT.com / Books / Non-Fiction - False Economy: "A Surprising Economic History of the World
By Alan Beattie
Riverhead $26.95 336 pages"
After Words: "Alan Beattie, world trade editor for the Financial Times presents his thoughts on why certain countries have been more financially prosperous than others in 'False Economy: A Surprising Economic History of the World.' Alan Beattie discusses his book with Patrice Hill, chief economic correspondent for The Washington Times."
Riverhead Books: Alan Beattie's False Economy on NPR
How Each Nation Sinks or Swims - BusinessWeek: "Alan Beattie's False Economy finds that countries' choices, not the luck of the draw, largely determine their fates"
The Good: A romp through history showing the huge impact of the choices nations make
The Bad: At times, Beattie's digressions lose the book's thread
The Bottom Line: An enjoyable, insightful, and provocative read
Book Review of False Economy
Book Review: 'False Economy,' by Alan Beattie - washingtonpost.com: "Alan Beattie, the world-trade editor at the Financial Times and a former economist for the Bank of England, resists this kind of reduction in 'False Economy,' a thorough examination of economies from the age of empire to the age of the IMF. Standing proudly against psychology, dialectical materialism and inevitability, Beattie writes, 'History is not determined by fate. . . . It is determined by people.' He insists that it is not destiny but the right and wrong decisions by political leaders that cause societies to rise and fall."
By Alan Beattie
Riverhead $26.95 336 pages"
After Words: "Alan Beattie, world trade editor for the Financial Times presents his thoughts on why certain countries have been more financially prosperous than others in 'False Economy: A Surprising Economic History of the World.' Alan Beattie discusses his book with Patrice Hill, chief economic correspondent for The Washington Times."
Riverhead Books: Alan Beattie's False Economy on NPR
How Each Nation Sinks or Swims - BusinessWeek: "Alan Beattie's False Economy finds that countries' choices, not the luck of the draw, largely determine their fates"
The Good: A romp through history showing the huge impact of the choices nations make
The Bad: At times, Beattie's digressions lose the book's thread
The Bottom Line: An enjoyable, insightful, and provocative read
Book Review of False Economy
Book Review: 'False Economy,' by Alan Beattie - washingtonpost.com: "Alan Beattie, the world-trade editor at the Financial Times and a former economist for the Bank of England, resists this kind of reduction in 'False Economy,' a thorough examination of economies from the age of empire to the age of the IMF. Standing proudly against psychology, dialectical materialism and inevitability, Beattie writes, 'History is not determined by fate. . . . It is determined by people.' He insists that it is not destiny but the right and wrong decisions by political leaders that cause societies to rise and fall."
Dreams and Shadows - Robin Wright - Book Review - Review - NYTimes.com
Dreams and Shadows - Robin Wright - Book Review - Review - NYTimes.com: "The Future of the Middle East."
Dreams and shadows: the future of ... - Google Books
The Arab Spring, and After - The New York Review of Books: "By Max Rodenbeck"
Dreams and shadows: the future of ... - Google Books
The Arab Spring, and After - The New York Review of Books: "By Max Rodenbeck"
Book Review - 'Lords of Finance - The Bankers Who Broke the World,' by Liaquat Ahamed - Review - NYTimes.com
Book Review - 'Lords of Finance - The Bankers Who Broke the World,' by Liaquat Ahamed - Review - NYTimes.com
Central bankers: Lords of finance | The Economist: "The central bankers of the Great Depression were obsessed with a single idea, rather like their successors today"
First Chapter - 'Lords of Finance,' by Liaquat Ahamed - NYTimes.com
FT.com / Books / Non-Fiction - The great liquidity crisis – 94 years ago
Central bankers: Lords of finance | The Economist: "The central bankers of the Great Depression were obsessed with a single idea, rather like their successors today"
First Chapter - 'Lords of Finance,' by Liaquat Ahamed - NYTimes.com
FT.com / Books / Non-Fiction - The great liquidity crisis – 94 years ago
YourBrainOnMusic.com
"This Is Your Brain on Music" | Salon Books: "Neuroscientist Daniel Levitin's wonderful new book explains why music is a critical step in human evolution and why the songs we loved as teens remain stuck on 'play' in our heads."
YourBrainOnMusic.com
YourBrainOnMusic.com
Start with the Answer By Bob Seelert
Meet Bob Seelert
Start with the Answer: And Other ... - Google Books: "The Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi offers timeless wisdom on great business leadership
Start with the Answer offers transformative insights and practical instruction for men and women determined to succeed as executives and industry leaders. The book presents and explores the eight dimensions of business life–preparation, building and managing a career, business strategy, business operations, finance and economics, leadership, culture and communication, and personal spirit and style. All successful business leaders must master these essentials in order to succeed in the fundamental challenges of business. This book will explain how to do that, and is the road map that today's lost business culture sorely needs. Based on his experience as a leader in a number of industries, Seelert presents both the philosophy and the nuts-and-bolts of a successful and happy career.
Bob Seelert (New Canaan, CT) is Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, a leading global ideas and advertising company."
Start with the Answer: And Other ... - Google Books: "The Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi offers timeless wisdom on great business leadership
Start with the Answer offers transformative insights and practical instruction for men and women determined to succeed as executives and industry leaders. The book presents and explores the eight dimensions of business life–preparation, building and managing a career, business strategy, business operations, finance and economics, leadership, culture and communication, and personal spirit and style. All successful business leaders must master these essentials in order to succeed in the fundamental challenges of business. This book will explain how to do that, and is the road map that today's lost business culture sorely needs. Based on his experience as a leader in a number of industries, Seelert presents both the philosophy and the nuts-and-bolts of a successful and happy career.
Bob Seelert (New Canaan, CT) is Chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, a leading global ideas and advertising company."
Lingering | n+1
N1BR is the book review supplement to n+1 magazine: "Naomi S. Baron. Always On: Language in an Online and Mobile World. Oxford UP. March 2008.
Henry Jenkins. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYU Press. August 2006.
Lee Siegel. Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob. Spiegel & Grau. January 2008."
Henry Jenkins. Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide. NYU Press. August 2006.
Lee Siegel. Against the Machine: Being Human in the Age of the Electronic Mob. Spiegel & Grau. January 2008."
China's Dictators at Work
China's Dictators at Work: The Secret Story - The New York Review of Books: "By Jonathan Mirsky
Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Zhao Ziyang
translated from the Chinese and edited by Bao Pu, Renee Chiang, and Adi Ignatius, with a foreword by Roderick MacFarquhar
Simon and Schuster, 306 pp., $26.00"
Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Zhao Ziyang
translated from the Chinese and edited by Bao Pu, Renee Chiang, and Adi Ignatius, with a foreword by Roderick MacFarquhar
Simon and Schuster, 306 pp., $26.00"
Morality in Politics
BBC - BBC Radio 4 Programmes - The Reith Lectures, The Reith Lectures 2009, Morality in Politics: "Professor Michael Sandel delivers four lectures about the prospects of a new politics of the common good. The series is presented and chaired by Sue Lawley.
Sandel considers the role of moral argument in politics. He believes that it is often not possible for government to be neutral on moral questions and calls for a more engaged civic debate about issues such as commercial surrogacy and same-sex marriage."
Sandel considers the role of moral argument in politics. He believes that it is often not possible for government to be neutral on moral questions and calls for a more engaged civic debate about issues such as commercial surrogacy and same-sex marriage."
Contest by TamilVeli: Tamil Blog Aggregators: Win Prizes
Tamil Tamilveli.com Tamil unicode Editor: தமிழ்வெளி தளத்தில் \"உலக இணைய வரலாற்றில் முதன் முறையாக\" என்று மூன்று விளம்பரங்கள் காணப்படுகின்றன, இவைகள் எது தொடர்பானவைகள் என்று கணித்து விரைகணை(Early Bird) பரிசாக ரூபாய் இருநூற்றைம்பது மதிப்புள்ள புத்தகங்களை வெல்லுங்கள்
Among Many Peoples, Little Genomic Variety
The Washington Post: "All of Earth's people, according to a new analysis of the genomes of 53 populations, fall into just three genetic groups. They are the products of the first and most important journey our species made -- the walk out of Africa about 70,000 years ago by a small fraction of ancestral Homo sapiens.
One group is the African. It contains the descendants of the original humans who emerged in East Africa about 200,000 years ago. The second is the Eurasian, encompassing the natives of Europe, the Middle East and Southwest Asia (east to about Pakistan). The third is the East Asian, the inhabitants of Asia, Japan and Southeast Asia, and -- thanks to the Bering Land Bridge and island-hopping in the South Pacific -- of the Americas and Oceania as well."
One group is the African. It contains the descendants of the original humans who emerged in East Africa about 200,000 years ago. The second is the Eurasian, encompassing the natives of Europe, the Middle East and Southwest Asia (east to about Pakistan). The third is the East Asian, the inhabitants of Asia, Japan and Southeast Asia, and -- thanks to the Bering Land Bridge and island-hopping in the South Pacific -- of the Americas and Oceania as well."
Living beyond their means?
The Phoenix > Lifestyle Features > Living beyond their means?: "The go-go '80s have receded into the oh-no aughties, but not everyone has gotten the memo."
Much has been written about these so-called Millennials, the spawn of helicopter parents who indulged their offspring's passions and told them they could be anything — anything! — they wanted to be. (I'm not judging — Christ, I'm one of 'em.) But make no mistake: these are not the poor, short-sighted slobs you see charging big-screen TVs at Best Buy with maxed-out credit cards. This is the Teflon generation — a non-reactionary, discriminating group for whom work is not just a paycheck. It is fulfilling. Frightening headlines and economic hardships are something to be studied, managed, and, perhaps on occasion, fretted about, but life continues to go on.
It's only human nature, really: there's comfort in knowing that there's always someone else out there who has it worse. There's someone who's married and doesn't have a job. Or there's someone who has kids and doesn't have a job. And, in the meantime, this generation can put a positive spin on a dismal situation and turn disappointment into an asset.
Meanwhile, colleges and graduate schools, cognizant of the bleak job market, are trying to cushion the blow with programs designed to help students deal with failure.
Much has been written about these so-called Millennials, the spawn of helicopter parents who indulged their offspring's passions and told them they could be anything — anything! — they wanted to be. (I'm not judging — Christ, I'm one of 'em.) But make no mistake: these are not the poor, short-sighted slobs you see charging big-screen TVs at Best Buy with maxed-out credit cards. This is the Teflon generation — a non-reactionary, discriminating group for whom work is not just a paycheck. It is fulfilling. Frightening headlines and economic hardships are something to be studied, managed, and, perhaps on occasion, fretted about, but life continues to go on.
"I'm actually excited by all this," Doug tells me. "I have decades to figure my life out. I don't have kids. I don't have a family. The people who are really hurting are the people without skills, and people with families. I'm not married. My brother, he's married, he has kids. If he lost his job, I'd feel bad for him. I don't feel sorry for myself at all."
It's only human nature, really: there's comfort in knowing that there's always someone else out there who has it worse. There's someone who's married and doesn't have a job. Or there's someone who has kids and doesn't have a job. And, in the meantime, this generation can put a positive spin on a dismal situation and turn disappointment into an asset.
Meanwhile, colleges and graduate schools, cognizant of the bleak job market, are trying to cushion the blow with programs designed to help students deal with failure.
(Exhibit A: Harvard's Office of Career Services hosted a coping seminar, distributing kitschy "reject" buttons to attendees. Picturing a Harvard kid sporting a reject button is like trying to conjure an image of a black female Republican — it takes some adjustment.)The lesson is simple: turn rejection into a slogan, deprive the word and the situation of meaning. Put yourself back in control, and keep living the life you deserve.
Book Review - 'The Secret Speech,' by Tom Rob Smith - Review - NYTimes.com
Book Review - 'The Secret Speech,' by Tom Rob Smith - Review - NYTimes.com: "Tom Rob Smith’s second novel, “The Secret Speech,” is set in 1956 as the Soviet Union takes its first baby steps toward de-Stalinization. Midway through the book, prisoners in a Siberian gulag riot and overthrow their captors. The camp commander, Sinyavsky, who has been driven mad by his sins, is ordered to climb 13 steps to what was once his office."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
MoJo Interview: Aravind Adiga | Mother Jones
The White Tiger author on Bollywood and why Indira Gandhi is called the only man who ruled India: "The White Tiger author on Slumdog Millionaire, the problem with Bollywood, and his new book, Between the Assassinations.
—By Sonja Sharp"
—By Sonja Sharp"
South Indian prostitutes learn martial arts to protect against creeps and other bad customers
Everybody was kung fu fighting. Even the sex workers. | GlobalPost: "Scorned by society and ignored by the police, sex workers in the South Indian city of Chennai are learning karate to protect themselves against the beatings, robberies and rapes they say are part of a prostitute's daily life here."
Travel Web Sites: A Click-On Showdown - Frugal Traveler Blog - NYTimes.com
Travel Web Sites: A Click-On Showdown - Frugal Traveler Blog - NYTimes.com: Mobissimo.com, whose fares “are very often cheaper than those on Kayak. It is a must-stop Web site for me.” Whitney, meanwhile, suggested Vayama.com, writing, “it has negotiated deals for international flights, plus the ease of use of the site is wonderful.”
SideStep.com “awesome,”
Dohop.com “a must-go site.”
ITAsoftware.com (a wonky but flexible site)
For me, the surprise loser was another site I recently started playing with: cFares.com. This is a booking Web site that a random publicist suggested to me after reading my research post. CFares is membership-only, offering special discounts and rebates for an annual fee of $50.
when I book, I’ll pick my seat using SeatExpert.com, not SeatGuru.com, my old standby.
Some were hotel-oriented, like Venere.com, which focuses on hotels throughout Europe.
TripKick.com, which he called the SeatGuru for hotels.
SideStep.com “awesome,”
Dohop.com “a must-go site.”
ITAsoftware.com (a wonky but flexible site)
For me, the surprise loser was another site I recently started playing with: cFares.com. This is a booking Web site that a random publicist suggested to me after reading my research post. CFares is membership-only, offering special discounts and rebates for an annual fee of $50.
when I book, I’ll pick my seat using SeatExpert.com, not SeatGuru.com, my old standby.
Some were hotel-oriented, like Venere.com, which focuses on hotels throughout Europe.
TripKick.com, which he called the SeatGuru for hotels.
In Kingfisher’s Troubles, a Cautionary Tale About India - NYTimes.com
When passenger numbers were rising, Kingfisher ordered more planes, although it had never turned a profit. It lost $219 million in the last nine months of 2008. - NYTimes.com: "A Kingfisher flight in 2006. Today, the airline cannot pay its bills. It has had to pledge assets in exchange for loan guarantees and search for a foreign investor.
Soaring fuel prices and too-rapid expansion contributed to the financial difficulties of Kingfisher and other carriers. "
Soaring fuel prices and too-rapid expansion contributed to the financial difficulties of Kingfisher and other carriers. "
Letter from India - Once-Clear Thoughts Are Clouded
By ANAND GIRIDHARADAS - NYTimes.com: After six years living in India, the chasm between what one wonders and knows has widened.
Utne Independent Press Awards Nominees 2009
Utne Independent Press Awards: Best Arts Coverage: Discover a great art magazine. Check out our nominees for best arts coverage in 2008.
Vasco Mourao's Precarious Pen Drawings
zulmiradesign: Vasco Mourao's illustrations. His teetering, lopsided buildings look as though they'd be toppled by the slightest breeze.
Smarthistory: a multimedia web-book about art and art history
Smarthistory: a multimedia web-book about art and art history: Art history text books are often expensive, heavy, and boring tomes that don't capture the creative and conversational experience of a good trip to a museum. Knowing that, Beth Harris and Jeff Zucker gave art history an upgrade
To Appreciate the Art of Film Editing, You Must Start With a Frame of Reference - washingtonpost.com
To Appreciate the Art of Film Editing, You Must Start With a Frame of Reference - washingtonpost.com: "To Appreciate the Art of Film Editing, You Have to Start With a Frame of Reference"
From Kid to Krishna: Blue Boy
From Kid to Krishna: Blue Boy: Growing up in suburban Cincinnati with Indian immigrant parents and a penchant for makeup and ballet, Kiran Sharma -- the main character of Rakesh Satyal's debut novel -- knew he was different.
Slumdog Millionaire: Movie Review by Srikanth Meenakshi
ஸ்லம்டாக் மிலியனர்:
முதலில் சில ஆமேன்கள்:
1. “படத்தின் திரைக்கதை அருமை”
ஆமேன்.
2. “ஒலிப்பதிவு, ஒலிச்சேர்க்கை பிரமாதம்”
ஆமேன் ஆமேன்.
3. “ரஹ்மான் இசை சூப்பர், எந்த இடத்தில் அமைதி, எந்த இடத்தில்...”
ஓகே, ஓகே, டபுள் ஆமேன்.
மற்ற விஷயங்கள்:
1. சத்யம் தியேட்டரில் படம் பார்த்த அனுபவம் அட்டகாசமாக இருந்தது. வாங்கிய காசுக்கு வஞ்சனை இல்லாமல் வசதிகள் செய்கிறார்கள்.
2. என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரை திரைக்கதைக்குப் பிறகு படத்தின் வெற்றிக்கு முக்கியக் காரணம் தேவ் படேலின் நடிப்பு. கொஞ்சம் குறும்பு + கொஞ்சம் அப்பாவித்தனம் + நிறைய நெஞ்சுறுதி என்ற ஒரு சரியான விகிதாசாரத்தில் அமைந்த அவரது கதாபாத்திரத்தின் முகபாவம்தான் படத்தின் நங்கூரம்.
3. அனில் கபூர் வீணடிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறார். அவரது பாத்திரத்தில் Nuance கம்மி. கூடவே தேவையில்லாத லாஜிக் இல்லாத அல்ப குரூரம்.
4. இர்ஃபான் கான் எந்த பாத்திரத்தைக் கொடுத்தாலும் நறுக்கென்று செய்து முடிப்பவர் என்று காட்டியிருக்கிறார்.
மொத்தத்தில் சிறப்பான படம். பாருங்கள், ரசியுங்கள்; நடையில் கொஞ்சம் கூடிய துள்ளலுடன் தியேட்டரை விட்டு வெளியில் வாருங்கள்.
ஆனால்,
மிக லேசான ஒரு திரையை நீக்கி விட்டுப் பார்த்தால், இது பணக்காரர்களுக்காக எடுக்கப்பட்ட ஏழைகளைப் பற்றிய படம் என்ற தோன்றுகிறது.
அதாவது, ஏழைகள் வாழ்வு இவ்வளவு மோசம், ஆனால் கவலைப்படாதீர்கள், அவர்களும் பிழைத்துக் கொண்டு விடுவார்கள் என்று சொல்லும் படம். கொஞ்சம் முயற்சி, கொஞ்சம் அதிர்ஷ்டம் இருந்தால் போதும்; அவர்களும் நுனிநாக்கு ஆங்கிலம் பேசிக்கொண்டு, காதலித்துக் கொண்டு, மீடியா மயக்கத்தில் வீழ்ந்து ஆழ்ந்து திளைத்து நம்மை/உங்களைப் போல் வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்வார்கள். ”வெற்றி உண்டாகும்!”. பத்திரமாக வீடு போய்ச் சேருங்கள் - என்று சொல்லும் படம்.
பிரச்னைகளை யதார்த்த பாணியில் சொல்வது, (படத்தில்) அதற்கான தீர்வுகளை மிகை யதார்த்த பாணியில் சொல்வது என்பதை ஷங்கர் செய்வது போல் மிக அப்பட்டமாக, மோசமாகச் செய்யவில்லை என்றாலும் அந்த வகையில் தான் இந்தப் படமும் வருகிறது.
ஏசி தியேட்டரில் உட்கார்ந்து படம் பார்த்தவர்களுக்கு ஏழைகள் பற்றிய படம் பார்த்த திருப்தியையும், அவர்களும் சுதாரித்துக் கொள்வார்கள் போலிருக்கிறதே என்ற நிம்மதியில் தமது குற்ற உணர்ச்சியைக் கரைத்துக் கொள்ள ஒரு வாய்ப்பையும் இப்படம் வழங்குகிறது.
மொத்தத்தில் ஒரு moral absolution தருகிறது.
அதற்கொரு ஆமேன்.
முதலில் சில ஆமேன்கள்:
1. “படத்தின் திரைக்கதை அருமை”
ஆமேன்.
2. “ஒலிப்பதிவு, ஒலிச்சேர்க்கை பிரமாதம்”
ஆமேன் ஆமேன்.
3. “ரஹ்மான் இசை சூப்பர், எந்த இடத்தில் அமைதி, எந்த இடத்தில்...”
ஓகே, ஓகே, டபுள் ஆமேன்.
மற்ற விஷயங்கள்:
1. சத்யம் தியேட்டரில் படம் பார்த்த அனுபவம் அட்டகாசமாக இருந்தது. வாங்கிய காசுக்கு வஞ்சனை இல்லாமல் வசதிகள் செய்கிறார்கள்.
2. என்னைப் பொறுத்தவரை திரைக்கதைக்குப் பிறகு படத்தின் வெற்றிக்கு முக்கியக் காரணம் தேவ் படேலின் நடிப்பு. கொஞ்சம் குறும்பு + கொஞ்சம் அப்பாவித்தனம் + நிறைய நெஞ்சுறுதி என்ற ஒரு சரியான விகிதாசாரத்தில் அமைந்த அவரது கதாபாத்திரத்தின் முகபாவம்தான் படத்தின் நங்கூரம்.
3. அனில் கபூர் வீணடிக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறார். அவரது பாத்திரத்தில் Nuance கம்மி. கூடவே தேவையில்லாத லாஜிக் இல்லாத அல்ப குரூரம்.
4. இர்ஃபான் கான் எந்த பாத்திரத்தைக் கொடுத்தாலும் நறுக்கென்று செய்து முடிப்பவர் என்று காட்டியிருக்கிறார்.
மொத்தத்தில் சிறப்பான படம். பாருங்கள், ரசியுங்கள்; நடையில் கொஞ்சம் கூடிய துள்ளலுடன் தியேட்டரை விட்டு வெளியில் வாருங்கள்.
ஆனால்,
மிக லேசான ஒரு திரையை நீக்கி விட்டுப் பார்த்தால், இது பணக்காரர்களுக்காக எடுக்கப்பட்ட ஏழைகளைப் பற்றிய படம் என்ற தோன்றுகிறது.
அதாவது, ஏழைகள் வாழ்வு இவ்வளவு மோசம், ஆனால் கவலைப்படாதீர்கள், அவர்களும் பிழைத்துக் கொண்டு விடுவார்கள் என்று சொல்லும் படம். கொஞ்சம் முயற்சி, கொஞ்சம் அதிர்ஷ்டம் இருந்தால் போதும்; அவர்களும் நுனிநாக்கு ஆங்கிலம் பேசிக்கொண்டு, காதலித்துக் கொண்டு, மீடியா மயக்கத்தில் வீழ்ந்து ஆழ்ந்து திளைத்து நம்மை/உங்களைப் போல் வையத்துள் வாழ்வாங்கு வாழ்வார்கள். ”வெற்றி உண்டாகும்!”. பத்திரமாக வீடு போய்ச் சேருங்கள் - என்று சொல்லும் படம்.
பிரச்னைகளை யதார்த்த பாணியில் சொல்வது, (படத்தில்) அதற்கான தீர்வுகளை மிகை யதார்த்த பாணியில் சொல்வது என்பதை ஷங்கர் செய்வது போல் மிக அப்பட்டமாக, மோசமாகச் செய்யவில்லை என்றாலும் அந்த வகையில் தான் இந்தப் படமும் வருகிறது.
ஏசி தியேட்டரில் உட்கார்ந்து படம் பார்த்தவர்களுக்கு ஏழைகள் பற்றிய படம் பார்த்த திருப்தியையும், அவர்களும் சுதாரித்துக் கொள்வார்கள் போலிருக்கிறதே என்ற நிம்மதியில் தமது குற்ற உணர்ச்சியைக் கரைத்துக் கொள்ள ஒரு வாய்ப்பையும் இப்படம் வழங்குகிறது.
மொத்தத்தில் ஒரு moral absolution தருகிறது.
அதற்கொரு ஆமேன்.
Era Murukan updates on Unnai Pol Oruvan: A Wednesday Tamil Movies: Film Story
‘உன்னைப் போல் ஒருவன்’ கதை வசனம் :: vembanattu-k-kaayal: என்ன செய்து கொண்டிருக்கிறேன: "‘That was an one-man symphony, kamal-ji’ – I told. He just smiled."
நடிகர்கள் சீமான், டாக்டர் பரத், கணேஷ், தெலுங்கு திரைப்பட இயக்குனர் நீல்கண்டன் (பாரதிராஜாவின் உதவியாளராகப் பணியாற்றியவர்), வசன கர்த்தா ரமாதேவி, நண்பர் சிவாஜி (இயக்குனர் சந்தானபாரதியின் சகோதரர் – அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள் படத்தில் ஜனகராஜை ‘தெய்வமே’ என்று புகழும் கான்ஸ்டபிள் சம்பந்தம் இவர்தான்).
நண்பர் ஜாஃபர் பற்றி (பிரதாப் போத்தனின் படங்களில் உதவி இயக்குனர் இவர்), ஒளிப்பதிவு நிபுணர் மனோஜ் சோனி பற்றி, கலை இயக்குனர் தோட்டா தரணி பற்றி, ஒப்பனைக் கலைஞர் செல்வி சாரு குரானா பற்றி,
நண்பன் ஆனந்த் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தியை (ஒலிப்பதிவில் இன்னொரு ரசூல் பூக்குட்டி சதி லீலாவதி கமல் மகனாக வந்த இந்தச் ‘சிறுவன்’)
நடிகர்கள் சீமான், டாக்டர் பரத், கணேஷ், தெலுங்கு திரைப்பட இயக்குனர் நீல்கண்டன் (பாரதிராஜாவின் உதவியாளராகப் பணியாற்றியவர்), வசன கர்த்தா ரமாதேவி, நண்பர் சிவாஜி (இயக்குனர் சந்தானபாரதியின் சகோதரர் – அபூர்வ சகோதரர்கள் படத்தில் ஜனகராஜை ‘தெய்வமே’ என்று புகழும் கான்ஸ்டபிள் சம்பந்தம் இவர்தான்).
நண்பர் ஜாஃபர் பற்றி (பிரதாப் போத்தனின் படங்களில் உதவி இயக்குனர் இவர்), ஒளிப்பதிவு நிபுணர் மனோஜ் சோனி பற்றி, கலை இயக்குனர் தோட்டா தரணி பற்றி, ஒப்பனைக் கலைஞர் செல்வி சாரு குரானா பற்றி,
நண்பன் ஆனந்த் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தியை (ஒலிப்பதிவில் இன்னொரு ரசூல் பூக்குட்டி சதி லீலாவதி கமல் மகனாக வந்த இந்தச் ‘சிறுவன்’)
On The Ganga Mail: The Book
On The Ganga Mail: The Book: "In a few weeks from now, when you walk into your favourite bookstore, you are most likely to spot, among the new releases, a book titled, Chai, Chai -- Travels in Places You Always Stop But Never Get Off. Priced at Rs 250"
A Raghuramaraju in ENDURING COLONIALISM — Classical Presences and Modern Absences in Indian Philosophy
Scholars without Borders: Indian Philosophers: "The French Institute of Pondicherry's new title, Two Śaiva teachers of the sixteenth century. Nigamajñāna I and his disciple Nigamajñāna II is a 'complete analytical study of all the œuvres of Nigamajñāna I and his nephew-cum-disciple Nigamajñāna II. This study aims at bringing to limelight the great contributions made by these two teachers in the sixteenth century for the consolidation, elaboration and propagation of the Śaivasiddhānta religious system and philosophical doctrines."
Creative Review - Typo Taxis
Creative Review - Typo Taxis: "For this issue of CR, the leading Mumbai design studio Grandmother India worked with two of the city’s foremost taxi artists, Manohar & Samir Manohar Mistry of Swami Art, to create our cover...."
In Mumbai, where nearly 90,000 taxis roam the streets -- mostly old, square-ish, yellow-and-black Fiats -- drivers often go to great artistic lengths to make their cabs stand out.
In Mumbai, where nearly 90,000 taxis roam the streets -- mostly old, square-ish, yellow-and-black Fiats -- drivers often go to great artistic lengths to make their cabs stand out.
Best Wedding Invitation Ever
Best Wedding Invitation Ever: "I know firsthand how couples agonize over wedding invitations, having recently gotten hitched myself. For creative folks, the pressure is always on to come up with an original idea, and I’ve seen some incredible examples in my time. But this wedding invite takes the cake. It makes me feel really happy, and I don’t even know this couple. Enjoy."
Nepal's fragile new government: False start
Never Ending Peace And Love :: In office but not yet in power | The Economist: "Madhav Kumar Nepal, the country’s post-Maoist prime minister, is trying to mediate as best he can, but to little avail. The main coalition partners, including his ruling Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) party, the Nepali Congress and the Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, this week at last agreed on how to carve up cabinet posts;"
Is a fixed retirement age a senile concept?
Economist Online Debates: Reaching 65: Statements
The proposition is: "This house believes that retirement in its current form should be abolished."
Our moderator, Barbara Beck, Special Reports Editor with The Economist, explains why finding an answer to this issue has become so important:
"The world is ageing at breakneck speed. About 11% of its population is already over 60. As a result of fewer births and longer lives, by 2050 that share will have risen to 22% and in rich countries to 33%. Once these people have retired, they can expect to live for another 20-25 years. No country in the world can support so many people for so long. The best answer is to abolish formal retirement and promote a later and more flexible transition."
The proposition is: "This house believes that retirement in its current form should be abolished."
Our moderator, Barbara Beck, Special Reports Editor with The Economist, explains why finding an answer to this issue has become so important:
"The world is ageing at breakneck speed. About 11% of its population is already over 60. As a result of fewer births and longer lives, by 2050 that share will have risen to 22% and in rich countries to 33%. Once these people have retired, they can expect to live for another 20-25 years. No country in the world can support so many people for so long. The best answer is to abolish formal retirement and promote a later and more flexible transition."
Salman Rushdie: Translations in Tamil
"”மிட்நைட் டையஸ்பரா: என்கவுண்டர்ஸ் வித் சல்மான் ருஷ்டி” எனும் புத்தகத்தில் இருந்து சில பகுதிகள். - மொழியாக்கம் : பனித்துளி"
Thursday, June 18, 2009
'Nrityam Harem' Dance Perfomrance in Littleton, Mass
Calendar of Events - GUI | Community Calendar | India New England: "Nritanjali, a school of Bharatha Natyam dance, is holding”Nrityam Harem,” or garland dance.
For more information call (978) 392-4677 or e-mail Jothi at jothi@indianperformingarts.org.
6/21/2009.4 p.m."
For more information call (978) 392-4677 or e-mail Jothi at jothi@indianperformingarts.org.
6/21/2009.4 p.m."
Bailout Costs vs Big Historical Events | The Big Picture
Bailout Costs vs Big Historical Events | The Big Picture: "I gave him my list of expenditures (inflation adjusted of course!) and he went to work. This Bailout Nation graphic shows the the total costs to the taxpayer of all the monies spent, lent, consumed, borrowed, printed, guaranteed, assumed or otherwise committed.
It is nothing short of astonishing.
It includes the total outlay for all the bailouts to date. In just about one short year (March 2008 - March 2009), the bailouts managed to spend far in excess of nearly every major one time expenditure of the USA, including WW2, the moon shot, the New Deal, Iraq, Viet Nam and Korean wars — COMBINED.
206 years versus 12 months. Total cost: ~$15 trillion and counting . . ."
It is nothing short of astonishing.
It includes the total outlay for all the bailouts to date. In just about one short year (March 2008 - March 2009), the bailouts managed to spend far in excess of nearly every major one time expenditure of the USA, including WW2, the moon shot, the New Deal, Iraq, Viet Nam and Korean wars — COMBINED.
206 years versus 12 months. Total cost: ~$15 trillion and counting . . ."
Is There a Better Word for Doom?
Is There a Better Word for Doom? § SEEDMAGAZINE.COM: "Six experts discuss the merits of framing climate change, the language that troubles them, and the inherent bias of any chosen word.
If “global warming” conjures visions of intractable scientific debate, frugal living, and hemp-clad activists, you are not alone. And that’s a big problem, say experts at EcoAmerica, a nonprofit environmental marketing firm in Washington DC.
studies, according to EcoAmerica, indicate that words like “global warming,” “cap and trade,” and “carbon dioxide” turn people off. The firm advises that environmental and government leaders begin talking about “our deteriorating atmosphere” and a “pollution reduction refund,” ditching greenhouse gas-speak in favor of phrases like “moving away from the dirty fuels of the past.”"
If “global warming” conjures visions of intractable scientific debate, frugal living, and hemp-clad activists, you are not alone. And that’s a big problem, say experts at EcoAmerica, a nonprofit environmental marketing firm in Washington DC.
studies, according to EcoAmerica, indicate that words like “global warming,” “cap and trade,” and “carbon dioxide” turn people off. The firm advises that environmental and government leaders begin talking about “our deteriorating atmosphere” and a “pollution reduction refund,” ditching greenhouse gas-speak in favor of phrases like “moving away from the dirty fuels of the past.”"
Instant karma in Myanmar
By Sudha Ramachandran and Swe Win - Asia Times Online :: Southeast Asia news and business from Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam: Myanmar's ruling junta practices a singular blend of "astrology politics" and that the populace entertains serious superstitions of its own. Now, the karmic kickback from the recent collapse of a 2,300-year-old sacred temple seems to point to Senior General Than Swe, whose recent acts have become increasingly bizarre.
The exaggerated global warming scare is becoming downright silly
The Daily Star - Opinion Articles - The exaggerated global warming scare is becoming downright silly: The continuous presentation of scary stories about global warming in the popular media makes us unnecessarily frightened. Even worse, it terrifies our kids. Al Gore famously depicted how a sea-level rise of six meters would almost completely flood Florida, New York, Holland, Bangladesh, and Shanghai.
China Tests the Waters
Op-Ed Contributor - China is trying to balance a genuine internationalism against the paranoia that comes naturally to a closed political system - NYTimes.com: "On the economic front, China has had to face the harsh realities of the limits of its buying power and cash in the international marketplace, as exemplified by the failure of the bid by state-owned Chinalco to acquire a major stake in mining giant Rio Tinto.
Instead of getting influence in the world’s No. 3 iron ore producer, China, as chief customer, now finds itself facing two groups dominating global iron ore trade — a new alliance between Rio Tinto and fellow Anglo-Australian miner BHP-Billiton, and Brazil’s Vale do Rio Doce. The Brazilians are unlikely to get into a price war with the Australians for the sake of their BRIC partner.
Although Chinese Internet chat rooms were abuzz with nationalist resentment at Chinalco’s rebuff, official Beijing took the news calmly, acknowledging that its enterprises were often poorly equipped for big international forays"
Instead of getting influence in the world’s No. 3 iron ore producer, China, as chief customer, now finds itself facing two groups dominating global iron ore trade — a new alliance between Rio Tinto and fellow Anglo-Australian miner BHP-Billiton, and Brazil’s Vale do Rio Doce. The Brazilians are unlikely to get into a price war with the Australians for the sake of their BRIC partner.
Although Chinese Internet chat rooms were abuzz with nationalist resentment at Chinalco’s rebuff, official Beijing took the news calmly, acknowledging that its enterprises were often poorly equipped for big international forays"
Nepal: Hindu Group Targets Minorities
Nepal: Hindu Group Targets Minorities / ISN: "Taking advantage of the political crisis, a militant organization that has bombed mosques and churches warns Christians and Muslims to leave the country within 30 days or face the consequences, Sudeshna Sarkar reports for ISN Security Watch.
By Sudeshna Sarkar in Kathmandu for ISN Security Watch"
By Sudeshna Sarkar in Kathmandu for ISN Security Watch"
Hungary closing embassies due to economic crisis
EUobserver / Hungary closing embassies due to economic crisis: Hungary, severely hit by the economic crisis, has said it is to close four embassies worldwide to save money, including one in Europe. Budapest intends to close its representations in Luxembourg, as well as in Malaysia, Chile and Venezuela.
It will also shut down eight consulates – in Lyon (France), Dusseldorf (Germany), Krakow (Poland), Chicago (US), Toronto (Canada), Sao Paolo (Brazil), Sydney (Australia) and Hong Kong
It will also shut down eight consulates – in Lyon (France), Dusseldorf (Germany), Krakow (Poland), Chicago (US), Toronto (Canada), Sao Paolo (Brazil), Sydney (Australia) and Hong Kong
Remarks on Mahatma: Cong demands apology from Mayavathi
Remarks on Mahatma: Cong demands apology from Maya: Rediff.com news: "Congress on Wednesday asked Uttar Pradesh [ Images ] Chief Minister Mayawati [ Images ] to take back her remarks against Mahatma Gandhi [ Images ] and demanded an immediate apology while advising her to 'keep control on her speech.'
'Mayawati's statement terming Mahatma Gandhi as 'naatakbaaz' (fake) is very unfortunate and has hurt sentiments of millions who consider the Mahatma as an ideal."
'Mayawati's statement terming Mahatma Gandhi as 'naatakbaaz' (fake) is very unfortunate and has hurt sentiments of millions who consider the Mahatma as an ideal."
My new dwelling place: Jayamohan
jeyamohan.in » Blog Archive » புதிய வாசிப்பறை: "நோயாளியும், பித்தனும், ஞானியும், கலைஞனும் இரவில் தூங்குவதில்லை."
Review: Reflections on the Revolution in Europe by Christopher Caldwell | Books
An American's view of immigration offers a bracing counter-argument to the prevailing liberal orthodoxy, says David Goodhart | Books | The Observer: "Mass immigration into Europe in the past 50 years has profoundly changed the continent and is likely to change it even more over the next half century. Yet it is a subject so immersed in fear and wishful thinking that it often seems we still don't have a proper language in which to discuss it.
Reflections on the Revolution in Europe
: Immigration, Islam and the West
by Christopher Caldwell
364pp,
Allen Lane,
£14.99"
For he asks some unusually direct questions: can you have the same Europe with different people? Why did mass immigration happen when so few people actually wanted it? Immigrants want a better life but how many of them want a European life? Why is minority ethnic pride a virtue and European nationalism a sickness? Is political correctness just fear masquerading as tolerance?
Reflections on the Revolution in Europe
: Immigration, Islam and the West
by Christopher Caldwell
364pp,
Allen Lane,
£14.99"
For he asks some unusually direct questions: can you have the same Europe with different people? Why did mass immigration happen when so few people actually wanted it? Immigrants want a better life but how many of them want a European life? Why is minority ethnic pride a virtue and European nationalism a sickness? Is political correctness just fear masquerading as tolerance?
The price of Sri Lanka’s victory
Snowblog - Jonathan Miller: "Working covertly in Sri Lanka, I saw first hand what military victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam means to ordinary Tamil civilians, of whom there are more than two million on the island. A ruthless rebel movement - that never shrank from murdering civilians itself - has been defeated, but the Tamil people of Sri Lanka have also been crushed."