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

Since elections are largely a game of perception, the upcoming US presidential elections is at feverish pitch with smear campaigns. For Barack Hussein Obama, it’s working both ways on the perception scale. Those who are for him are accused of terrorism, while those against, of racism. The McCain-Palin camp brands Obama a terrorist. A Muslim-sounding name can easily be associated with Radical Islamism a.k.a. terrorism. So, if Obama wins, the hugely-budgeted US-sponsored campaign towards global collective panic and power of nightmares called War on Terror would have obviously worn out its use.

What’s in a name? A lot. A Muslim-sounding name makes for a Muslim stereotype which, in turn, makes for the terrorist stereotype. This is so because, in this day and age, the pervading mindset is that not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are Muslims. So, someone with a Hussein in his name is “palling around with terrorists,” as Sarah Palin averred.
Read the rest of this entry »

Already beleaguered about her ‘presumed’ incapacity as future VP of the world’s biggest economy that might soon be no more because of the economic meltdown and controversial bailout, Palin has now been found guilty of abusing her gubernatorial powers in her native Alaska. The state legislature probe asserts that Palin dismissed a senior state official Mr. Monegan for not firing a state trooper Mike Wooten. This might sound like any ordinary day in the life of Alaska’s governor except that Wooten is the governor’s former brother-in-law who is in a bitter custody battle with the governor’s sister.

If that sounds like a story that is discussed inside one’s kitchen, this development takes the cake: the investigation was a partisan-led inquiry sponsored by supporters of Obama. If personal grudge is behind her abuse of power, the probe’s exorbitant 263-page report is an indication of what being the running mate of Republican standard bearer John McCain has to offer in the dirty world of politics. Surely, the report would have less number of pages if she were just plain governor.
Read the rest of this entry »

China sure will be the talk of the global town all this year. First, it was the anti-protestors stance then the earthquake and now the Olympics. Seems like they are trying a little too hard with the historical sporting event, maybe with the intention to make the world forget the demerits that the country has been laced with over time.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the absurd steps that China has taken to make the 2009 Olympics a ‘grand memory’.
1.� � � The fireworks ceremony held at a jam-packed National Stadium on August 8 was not all that it really looked like. The much touted incredible event was a mere illusion. After a controversy broke out over the issue, the game organisers admitted having used a series of illusions that even included a pre-taped footprint shaped fireworks segment.
2.� � � The venue managers were given instructions to use volunteer cheerleaders to fill empty seats in the stadium. A consequence of which was that the athletes’ families were unable to obtain the tickets for some events.
3.� � � But the most insensitive one of them all was when a seven-year-old girl was replaced because officials felt that her face was not suitable for the opening ceremony. An older girl was asked to lip-synch the Ode to the Motherland instead, which was recorded in the voice of the youngster.
4.� � � � And didn’t we hear a few days ago that the Chinese authorities have asked girls with plump legs to wear black stocking.
What do I say about the facade that is being presented to the world? I wonder what exactly China is trying to prove here.
via ibnlive

On Monday, India got what was long overdue. The Olympic Gold medal that had been eluding us all this time. Abhinav Bindra has made a nation swell with joy and ecstasy. He has done something no Indian has ever done before and we all are so proud of him.�

So what did it take for Abhinav to make history at the Olympics? Here are a few ingredients I could list down. Determination, dedication, hard work, proper guidance, coaching and equipment, to name a few. But to get that perfect blend for a Gold medal, you would need additional spices like personal investments, security, financial backup and awareness. Then only will the recipe work. �

I am in no way trying to take away any part of the glory that Abhinav Bindra has achieved but we know he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. At the age of 14, he used to drive a Mercedes. He has his personal shooting range at home. His injuries are taken care of by the best doctors in the world. His family has spent a lot to make 11th August 2009 possible. The point here is, that he has the backing that allows him to pursue his dreams and, like we saw, even achieve them. �

Being a nation of a strong 1 billion people, it’s very unlikely that there is a dearth of talent. But following the dream that Bindra did is a risk very few people can afford to take. And incidents like the one involving Monika Devi bring out the loopholes in the system time and again. If we recall our school life, we have all seen raw talent amongst us waiting to be nurtured. Now we find them working in a 9 to 5 job. Why didn’t they pursue their dream? Or should I ask, did they ever dream? �
�

Via� sify�

Seeing Monika Devi, the Indian Weightlifter crying at a press conference in a helpless, or should I say infantile effort to emphasize her innocence in the latest doping controversy made me wonder how we comprehend the act.� I feel that she is innocent, not because of the tears she shed but because of the fact that Indian Weightlifting Federation (IWF) is backing her claims of innocence plus the shoddy way in which dope testing is done in India is not news anymore. In addition to that, the politics and regionalism involved in Indian sports is no secret. But does crying in front of the nation help? I seriously don’t think so, and neither do statements like ‘shoot me if I am found guilty’. You� internationally acclaimed sports people� are our national heroes and� represent our country to the world outside. You are an inspiration to thousands of aspiring sportsmen. You carry hopes of a nation whenever and wherever you perform. Can’t you remain composed for a press conference? I am sorry but you don’t have my sympathy. Rather, what you did is lamentable. And� the� feeling� was ‘pity’ in case of the infamous Kapil Dev episode. As the scenes of the conference are shown again and again on all news channels, the only two words I would utter, if at all, would be ‘poor girl’.�
The fact is, many believe that she should not have been part of the squad going to Beijing, because Shailaja Pujari was a better performer as per the trials. Monika had found the berth because of the politics involved. I guess now its déj� vu for her!

Via cnnibn

After John McCain’s raving and ranting about Barack Obama’s doubtful leadership qualities, it was now Obama’s turn to strike back. Which he did with an ad that pummelled his White House rival John McCain by dismissing the Republican as “in the pocket” of profit-pumping US oil giants.
The ad was a huge welcome for all Democrats who were waiting for Obama to go on the offensive as daily trackings showed McCain battling back into a statistical tie in the presidential elections. In the hard-hitting new campaign ad, Obama accuses McCain of taking campaign contributions from big oil firms as gasoline prices soar and bite deep into the budgets of American families. The ad’s voiceover says, “Now big oil’s filling John McCain’s campaign with two million dollars in contributions.” The spot also didn’t spare President Bush saddling him with the low approval ratings, who is believed to side with former oil industry colleagues.
Via afp

This is the classic debate between print media and blogging that has been going on for a long time now. It’s amusing to see how columnist Chris Watson describes his plight as his role at the 150-years old daily newspaper called Santa Cruz Sentinel in California seems to be ‘evolving’. Looks like after enjoying the warmth of a good and comfortable readership, Watson got a rude shock when he was asked to contribute on contract basis and was given less column-inch space to write in. Well, the dude leaves a smile on your face when he ends his article (please read ON A BLOGSITE) with a very cheeky ‘Got any writing jobs? Contact me’.

Hey, it is not the end of a generation. C’mon, agreed that blogs are THE big thing today and stalwarts like filmmaker Shekhar Kapur have ventured into it with a warning to print journalists that they may be out of job soon if they don’t start blogging. I am not trying to negate that after all, I too am a blogger and would never like to be called a hypocrite. All I want to say is that, each form of media has its special place. There may be alterations in the domination scale of course, but all DO exist in harmony. To be honest, don’t we all still like to pick up a newspaper each morning even when we know that we can catch more updated news on TV or the radio, and the same applies to blogs.

Via BookCriticsCircle

Beijing Olympics is around the corner and the Chinese Fashion is blazing hot on the ramp to welcome this Hallmark Event. The Chinese International Fashion Week which showcased the work of 30 different brands was one mega publicity event for the upcoming games!Ok readers, I apologize for bringing this a bit late, for the 40 odd fashion shows happened during March-April 2008. But, I was busy commenting upon the infamous Beijing air pollution (which might seriously affect athletes’ health!) and similar issues.

And then, when I learned about this special Olympic-themed Gown (displayed at one of these shows and shown above) I thought, what a heck, the country sure needs some positive publicity amidst all the negative media attention on its highly-polluted status (after all, the timing of this fashion week justifies the need!!).

So, the highlight was this bright red,� made-for-the-event gown, that bore the Beijing Olympic logo on it (of course that was in Chinese) which read “success for the Beijing Olympics”. Besides this there was also a lot of skin show and scorching designs.

� Some rather bizarre stuff was also presented (I ‘m talking about those designs, you know, which arent wearable!).

�

All in all, the event created a much-needed hype about the upcoming games and the fashion and glamour that one will get to see August 8th onwards. I just cant wait for it now!

Via: trendhunter

Well-known cricket umpire Steve Bucknor’s recent ouster by the ICC has raised many eyebrows. No, it’s not about the mannerisms of the gentleman’s game alone. But also the age of the umpire. And the one to blame is none but the ICC.
For the uninitiated, Bucknor was originally a refree at the FIFA World Cup. And that was way back in 1988. Wonder why isn’t he still there? Well, FIFA has a compulsory retirement age of 45 for its umpires. The reason is simple. The FIFA authorities realize that the job of an umpire requires certain physical qualities that recede away with growing years.
Perhaps, the ICC should have done the same and saved Bucknor the embarrassment. Considering the amount of work an umpire is supposed to do, it is absurd to have a man in his sixties do the task. He has to stand on field for six hours with an alert mind. His eyesight has to be perfect to watch the proceedings of the game with utmost precision, and his brain has to process all inputs to arrive at the correct decision in seconds. What has happened to Bucknor is the same that happened to David Shepherd. ICC would be stupid if it lets another incident like this one to come up.
Via IndiaUncut