Kudos to the human spirit! It’s amazing to see the successors of Adam & Eve survive through what not. Especially in a time when each day brings in more bad news economy wise, a very interesting observation caught one’s attention.

Thanks to the economic slowdown, Americans have been busy cutting down luxuries to make ends meet. They are willing to eat only Ramen noodles for dinner every night, but absoultely anything for their one retreat –� movies!

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For most people, the name Maldives brings to mind pictures of never-ending stretches of luscious white sandy beaches warmed by the sun, disappearing on all sides into waters glimmering in every shade of blue and green. But for the natives of Maldives, the country is more than just an archipelago created on this earth as a haven for scuba divers and the Brad Pitts of the world to languidly vacation at.

The island nation of Maldives, scattered like precious gems on the Indian Ocean, may have a GDP nearly twice that of the neighbouring country of India which dwarfs it both by total area and population, but the country seems to be dying a slow death under the torturous and never-ending regime of its president, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. The celebrations over the recent multi-party presidential elections have almost smouldered completely with hope fading from nearly every face as the people begin to realise, yet again, that it may become impossible to make the current president give up the reins of the country. An astonishingly shocking revelation made by the favoured opposition party, MDP, reveals that as a last attempt to gain his losing control over the country, Gayoom has opted to practically sell the country over to his younger brother, Abdulla Yamin.

In an obvious violation of the constitution of the country and international laws, Gayoom appears to have signed an agreement with People’s Alliance leader Yamin giving his party 25 percent of Gayoom’s cabinet and wide control over all government agencies. Titled ‘Agreement on Political Cooperation’, the papers would act as an MOU between the two parties and clearly state the formation of a six member committee (which includes Gayoom and Yamin) that would overlook the running of the whole country. How only six members plan to run a country, even one as small as the Maldives, all on their own without even the support of the cabinet is a feat worthy only of the likes of Dumbledore.

After the first stage of the first ever multi-party elections in the country, five of the six opposing parties joined together in a surprising show of national unity in hopes of ousting dictator Gayoom. Yet, it is unbelievable that even after thirty years of single-handedly ruling over the nation and the word ‘resign’ resounding from every corner of the country, President Gayoom still dares to hold on steadfastly to the delusion that he is the most desired candidate for the post of president.

The second stage of the presidential elections would be held on the 28^th of this month and would decide the future president of Maldives. Is the Maldives doomed to bear another five years with Gayoom and side-kick Yamin or would they finally see a new face? With accusations of the votes being rigged during the first round, the deciding vote may not make any difference for this struggling nation; or perhaps it would, with citizens swearing to take to the streets if Gayoom is elected. Perhaps only complete destruction of Gayoom and his family can save the country, and the hot blooded natives of the country have been pushed to the point of attempting to do so. Whether Gayoom succeeds or not, it is left to doubt if the result of the election would be due to rigging or as a result of the clouded brains of the people of the drug capital of Asia.

Via: Miadhu

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It is often said that what differentiates humans from animals are not our superior intelligence, language skills or tools use. What truly makes us the most advanced of all species is what we become through the long, and sometimes painful and embarrassing, process of socialisation. It is in interacting with other humans and in learning to treat each other with respect and, most especially, tolerance, that we become human-e.

And yet it comes as no surprise that trash-talking still remains one of the most favourite past times of people. Children and teens may be forgiven for this childish aberration, but what exactly do you propose to do with adults who consider it time well-spent when dissing people. Apparently, throwing dirty slangs about appearance, race, and personal traits of another person is so important that it is being considered a talent you should flaunt with much pride, made obvious by the MTV show Yo Momma. The show invites viewers who believe they can offend a stranger the best. Two contestants participate every week in a face-off and hurl insults at each other in front of a live audience; bonus points for creativity and alacrity in insulting the other. The show audaciously also includes a segment based purely on Yo Momma jokes, which even most kids consider way beneath them.

If filth makes up the ladder that you have to climb to go up in social popularity, this is a piteously pathetic and simple solution for all the brain-dead losers looking for a way out of their boring lives. Any half-wit can definitely win this rat race; they would only be competing with losers. But is it worth becoming a throwback in human evolution?

Via: MTV

The case of human rights in the move towards economic development is a curious thing. It is generally perceived, regardless of academic definitions, that democracy is the political system where human rights are basically recognized, promoted, and protected. On the other hand, communism and socialism are the political systems that essentially do not prioritize individual human rights over the rights of the state. All these ideologies, however, have the common desired end result of general progress even if they belong to opposite ends of the political spectrum.

Operationally, the evaluation of these ideologies has rested on the belief that a more socially (centrally) controlled economy that does not take into account each and every possible human right will move much faster. This is for the reason that expediency in progress, translated into political and economic choices and decisions, rests in the hands of only a few.

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Cliques generally have their own respective cultures. All members share and act within a collective imagination. This is where the strength of the group lies. A clique shares common priorities, aspirations, and motivations. The members learn the same concepts in life and learn from the same mistakes. The mentality is of the pack. Members of a clique generally move in one direction, having the same mission, and bearing the same equal share of consequences to their actions.

Socialization is necessary if one were to co-exist productively and peacefully within his or her turf. It is a long and sequential process wherein one learns the characteristics of his society. It is a constant and consistent education and orientation on the part of the individual that comprises the process of socialization.
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William Lutz, former professor of English at Rutgers University, has become closely associated with his favorite topic to write about: doublespeak.� In one of his essays on the subject entitled “Doublespeak,” found in The Longman Writer, Lutz wants to underscore the fact that doublespeak, no matter what form it takes, is highly confused and confusing language. By overlapping the categories, Lutz seems to say that doublespeak is premeditatedly confusing. This communication language is crafted in such a way as to confuse the listeners and readers. It is craftily designed to mislead.

According to Lutz, doublespeak is dangerous because it is designed precisely to alter perception and corrupt the thinking of its listeners and viewers. It is used to cover up reality. It glosses over the negative and unpleasant to make it appear otherwise. It is the language of lying – glamorously. If language and communication serve to unite a people, doublespeak only ends up dividing the potential understanding of people. Doublespeak breeds cynicism and doubt, as well as suspicion and general collapse of trust.
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The worst plastic, from both an environmental and health points of view, is polyvinyl chloride or PVC. According to Greenpeace International, the list of uses for PVC is endless because it is one of the most widely used plastics. It is found in a wide variety of products, such as food packaging, children’s toys, plumbing, building materials, medical devices, household items, even fashion. Most people might not know, however, that the production of PVC creates and releases one of the most toxic chemicals – dioxin.

Dioxin is an unwanted by-product of incineration and some industrial processes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the United States has classified it as a dangerous chemical and serious public health threat. It has been found to suppress the immune system, cause cancer, increase the risk of diabetes, cause birth defects, and affect the neurological system. PVC is poisonous and an occupational hazard to its manufacturers/makers, toxic to the environment, and ultimately less recyclable.
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Many research projects seek to discover the (regulatory) causes of certain kinds of behaviors, such as acts of violence. Of course, in social research there is a critical difference and correlation between two variables and causation. David Hume (26 April 1711–25 August 1776),� a philosopher of the Scottish Enlightenment and one of the greatest minds of Western Philosophy, believed that “A caused B,” or “B happened because of A,” or that “Whenever A occurs, then B does.” His philosophy, belonging to empiricism, was of the positivist view. This necessary connection or necessary relation is what is called David Hume’s concept of causation.

On the other hand, John Burton, a prominent scholar specializing in international relations and conflict resolution, established a direct link between interstate and inter-group conflicts and the issue of basic human needs. His studies on identity, recognition and survival, in the light of conflict resolution, have become the hallmarks of sociopsychological approaches in dealing with violence.
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The big soap bubble is ready to burst on Indian Television. Time has come for the 8-year-old Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, (KSBKBT) with it’s immortal characters (well, they just refused to die and saw five generations), kilos of jewellery, shimmering silks, naach-gaana, rona-dhona and the� regressive approach to women, to finally reach its last chapter by end October.

Many claim that KSBKBT is reaching a natural end (phew!) but it’s actually the TV channel (please read Star Plus) which has decided to end the contract with producers Balaji Telefilms. There was a time when this very regressive Balaji soap was responsible for the increasing TRPs of the channel, but now Star wants to reinvent itself. The last two years have seen quite a downfall in its popularity.

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A bunch of hooligans chanting ‘Jai Maharashtra’ enter the Thane Railway Station in Mumbai and thirteen examination centres to rough up the students come to appear for the railway recruitment board exams. The gundas in reference are actually members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and the victims are people from North India. And guess what? Nothing is done about it. I wonder why………

Let’s hear what the play actors say in this grotesque display of violence and insanity. I have taken the liberty of voicing North Indians who ufortunately are left with no option but flee for their lives.

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