Tuesday, December 8, 2009

“Big B conferred with Asian Film Cultural Award for his contribution to ... - New Kerala” plus 4 more

“Big B conferred with Asian Film Cultural Award for his contribution to ... - New Kerala” plus 4 more

Big B conferred with Asian Film Cultural Award for his contribution to ... - New Kerala

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 09:29 AM PST

Mumbai, Dec.8 : Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was conferred with the Asian Film Cultural Award in recognition to his four decades of contribution to the Indian cinema and for taking it to great heights around the world.

The award was presented by Kiran Shantaram, Chairman of Asian Film Foundation while noted Bollywood filmmaker Ramesh Sippy felicitated Bachchan at the gala ceremony organised here on Monday.

'I look upon my career of 40 years in this wonderful industry as great opportunity to be able to represent my creativity and my art if it can be called that, but more importantly to project our cinema to other parts of the world and I feel very honoured to be here for an organisation that conducts these activities in order that rest of the world comes to learn more about our culture, our films and for us to learn a little about their as well,' said Amitabh Bachchan in his thanks giving speech.

Born on October 11, 1942, Amitabh Bachchan first gained popularity in the early 1970s as the 'angry young man' of Hindi cinema, and since then he has never looked back.

He is one of the most prominent figures in the history of Indian cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan, fondly addressed as the Big B has won numerous awards including three National Film Awards and a dozen Filmfare Awards, reckoned as Indian Oscar honours.

He holds the record for most number of Best Actor nominations at the Filmfare Awards.

Bachchan said India has the potential of becoming the largest export earner through its celluloid productions.

'I have always been motivated by the fact that if the United States of America can claim to be through their cinema, the second largest export earner for itself after aeroplanes then why can't India which produces the largest number of films in the world be anywhere near that figure. And I do believe that we have the potential and the talent to proceed in a direction where we can achieve this,' noted Amitabh Bachchan.

Bachchan, on this occasion, highlighted the Indian cinema as an integrating force.

'When we buy tickets to go to see a film we never ask whether the person sitting next to me is a Hindu or a Muslim or Sikh or a Christian, but we laugh at the same jokes, we sing the same song, we cry the same emotions. I think that perhaps this cinema house is the greatest example of integration that you can find anywhere in the world or indeed anywhere in the country,' said Amitabh Bachchan.

The Asian Film Festival which projects films from Asian countries aims to link all the fraternities of Asian film fraternities and promote their cinemas.

--ANI

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Telltale text messages new lipstick on collar - Deseret News

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:49 PM PST

There is a question that has crossed the mind recently of anyone who has sent a cell phone text message while cheating on a spouse: What was I thinking?

Text messages are the new lipstick on the collar, the mislaid credit card bill. Instantaneous and seemingly casual, they can be confirmation of a clandestine affair, a record of the not-so-discreet who sometimes forget that everything digital leaves a footprint.

This became painfully obvious a week ago when a woman who claims to have had an affair with Tiger Woods told a celebrity publication that he had sent her flirty text messages, some of which were published. It follows on the heels of prominent politicians who ran afoul of text IQ, including former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick of Detroit, who went to prison after his steamy text messages to an aide were revealed, and Sen. John Ensign of Nevada, whose affair with a former employee was confirmed by an incriminating text message.

Unlike earlier eras when a dalliance might be suspected but not confirmed, nowadays text messages provide proof. Divorce lawyers say they have seen an increase in the number of cases in the past year where a wronged spouse has offered text messages to show that a partner has strayed. The American Bar Association began offering seminars this fall for marital attorneys on how to use electronic evidence — text messages, browsing history and social networks — in proving a case.

Although most e-mail users have come to understand that messages remain on their computers even if deleted, text messages are often regarded as more ephemeral — type, hit "send" and off it goes into the ether. But messages can remain on the sender's and receiver's phones, and even if they are deleted, communications companies store them for anywhere from days to a few weeks.

Lawyers expect the number of cases to grow as younger cell phone users, who are more likely to text than talk, marry.

At the root of the issue is the increasing lack of privacy in our show-and-tell digital culture. Text messages are considered private, much as telephone calls are, legal experts say. But if a cheating spouse's cell phone is part of a family calling plan or regularly left unlocked and unattended on the dinner table or night stand, it is conceivable that a partner who suspects infidelity could make a case for sifting through the in-box.

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It’s a question of character - Idaho Mountain Express

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:35 PM PST

It's a question of character

By KATHLEEN PARKER

WASHINGTON—Americans are more divided than ever, and both Democrats and Republicans are to blame.

So say a majority of citizens polled as part of USA Network's "Characters Unite" campaign, a community affairs program launched in January aimed at addressing social injustice and cultural differences within our borders.

You may have seen one of the network's ads, featuring a rainbow of Americans making a pledge for unity and speaking out against stereotypes. An Asian man says he doesn't own a Laundromat; a Hispanic man says he's not a gardener; another man with a thick accent says he's never been a cabdriver.

One can imagine the dozen or so other categories. I'd like to add that I've never been a soccer mom.

My usual cynicism toward rubber-bracelet virtue—or in this case, pledges to be a better person—is somewhat muted by my having recently participated in a "Characters Unite" panel led by Tom Brokaw at the Newseum. It isn't so easy to be a critic when you're in the arena.

The other 11 panelists covered the landscape: black, white, Asian, Hispanic, straight and gay leaders representing education, finance, entertainment (Jon Bon Jovi), Congress, media, the military and academia. Missing was anyone representing the faith community, but that probably would have necessitated another dozen panelists, lest someone's deity be offended.

Topics spanned the usual—health care, immigration, education, the economy—but the focus was on the "unum" that follows "e pluribus." How do we become one out of many, as America's Great Seal promises?

According to the USA Network poll, more than seven in 10 Americans think that we are too divided along political lines (75 percent) or economic lines (73 percent). Smaller majorities say we're too divided along racial and ethnic lines (53 percent) or religious lines (52 percent).

In other findings, 51 percent believe that prejudice, discrimination and intolerance are a very or somewhat serious problem. A majority (55 percent) say that lack of unity among Americans has gotten worse in the past decade. And 65 percent believe that recent angry displays at town hall meetings—as well as Rep. Joe Wilson's "You lie!" and Rep. Alan Grayson's claim that Republicans' health care plan is for seniors "to die quickly"—are part of a larger problem rather than isolated examples blown out of proportion by the media (35 percent).

The operating premise of the USA Network campaign—and of our immigrant nation, for that matter—is that diversity is good and ought to bind rather than separate us. It's a nice thought, but not so easily realized.

Amid two wars, a recession, high unemployment, immigration issues and the ever-present threat of terrorist attack, it is easy to hunker down into one's own bunker, among one's own kind. It's easy to place blame elsewhere. "Those guys" are the problem comes especially easily to the lips of those who feel their country becoming less recognizable as demographics shift.

And, obviously, there are broad philosophical differences about how to solve our problems and what role government should play. Finding the twain is proving tricky.

Perhaps the answer is in what the USA Network team calls the "American character"—the principles that bind us rather than the issues that separate us. Is there still such a thing, or have we all become leading divas in our own passion plays? Has identity politics overtaken the shared values we used to tote in our mental backpacks?

Among the sample questions distributed to panelists in advance of Wednesday's event were: Who outside of politics today best represents the American character? Who is today's Joe DiMaggio?

Names mentioned in my own informal survey included Oprah, Brokaw, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. What they have in common are characteristics we value as "American" traits: self-made, personally responsible, entrepreneurial, honest, hardworking and generous. Throw in fair-minded, God-fearing (read: humble) and devoted to family, and you've got a pretty complete definition of the traditional American character.

I'm not sure pledging to greater unity will eradicate bigotry or partisanship any more than pledging allegiance to the flag improves national security. But a call to eliminate stereotypes is necessarily a call to bury identity politics.

That alone would be a giant step forward from pluribus to unum.

Kathleen Parker's e-mail address is kathleenparker@washpost.com.

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Institute for Justice report says Texas is over-regulating businesses ... - Dallas Morning News

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:49 PM PST

Some of Texas' business licensing laws are "ridiculous" and hurt the state's economy and entrepreneurial spirit by making it difficult for people to start a business, according to a report released Tuesday by the Institute for Justice, a Virginia-based Libertarian public interest law firm.

The report says businesses are over-regulated by laws that "protect existing industries from competition," increase costs for entrepreneurs and raise prices for consumers.

The number of nonalcohol-related occupations licensed in Texas has risen to 514 from 43 in 1945, according to the report.

Nationally, it noted a trend toward more licensing.

"Texas has an amazing history of inviting and inspiring entrepreneurs," said Wesley Hottot, the report's author and staff lawyer for the institute's chapter in Austin. "Unfortunately, the tide seems to be turning away from a presumption of liberty to a presumption of licensing."

Joseph Picken, executive director of University of Texas at Dallas' Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, criticized the report.

"This is obviously an agenda with lots of value judgments," he said. "It draws conclusions that this is a threat to entrepreneurship in Texas, but these are not significant entrepreneurial companies that create multiple jobs."

Forbes, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and U.S. News and World Report all rank Texas as one of the best states to start a business.

The Institute for Justice's report focused on five occupations – child exercise centers, cosmetology, horse care, the arts and private security. It featured several business owners in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

One of them is Isis Brantley, owner of the Institute for Ancestral Braiding in Oak Cliff. She fought state cosmetology regulators for 12 years before her business was grandfathered in 2007.

The state cited her twice for practicing cosmetology without a license, arrested her and sued her. She challenged that the state licensing law didn't address cultural hair braiding.

"I think the law is crazy," Brantley said. "My business was grandfathered; however, it has suffered for 14 years."

The institute's recommendations include reviewing occupational licensing, eliminating certain regulations or adding exemptions, and establishing a complaint hotline.

In addition to the report, the institute and eight Texas entrepreneurs who pluck eyebrows using a process called threading filed a lawsuit Tuesday in Travis County District Court over licensing regulations.

None of those entrepreneurs operate in the Dallas area.

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Polynesian Cultural Center Announces 2010 Special Events Schedule - Honolulu Advertiser

Posted: 08 Dec 2009 08:28 PM PST

In celebration of its 47th anniversary, the Polynesian Cultural Center is offering a wide array of festivals and competitions that represent the Polynesian cultures it strives to preserve and share with the rest of the world.

"Being able to help Hawaii's visitors and residents gain a deeper understanding of the cultures of Polynesia is a tremendous honor for all of us at the Polynesian Cultural Center," said Raymond Magalei, marketing director for the PCC. "We take a lot of pride in what we've been able to accomplish in the past 47 years and look forward to continuing to offer new and exciting events."

Events planned for 2010 include the following:

January 16

20th Annual Moanikeala Hula Dance Festival

This annual tribute and tradition of song and dance is in honor of Laie's own Aunty Sally Wood Naluai, PCC's first kumu hula. Dancers of all ages from some of the world's best hula halau will showcase their skills in celebration of Aunty Sally's perpetuation of teaching hula for well over 40 years.

May

Samoa Festival 18th Annual World Fireknife Championships

Daring skill takes center stage as competitors showcase the art of Samoan fireknife dancing. Participants from all over the world converge in Laie to spin their fire-lit knives, attempt to avoid the flames and show off their athletic prowess as they compete for the title of world champion. Tickets sell out every year so early booking is recommended.

Samoan Cultural High School Arts Festival

Hundreds of Hawaii's high school students come together as they test their expertise at traditional Samoan skills, music and dance in this exciting competition to prove which school is the best.

July

10th Annual Te Mahana Hiroa O Tahiti

The fast rhythm of the otea sounds as the fast swishing of the hau skirt captivate in this upbeat competition of group and solo Tahitian dance. Attracting visitors and locals alike, this festival features tamarii, or children, from all over the island as they dance to the slow melodies and the rapid beats of Tahiti.

August

Te Manahua; Maori Song and Dance Festival

Witness the fierce strength and pride of the Maori warriors as they command attention with their melodic voices and passionate demonstrations of the traditional haka (male posture dance) and poi (dance with implements).

October

Haunted Lagoon

The third annual Haunted Lagoon promises to be an unforgettable night of terror and excitement as guests are taken on a spooky canoe ride that twists through the PCC lagoon under dark bridges and past ominous shadows where terrifying creatures await. Participants never know what may reach out from the depths below. A kid's version of the ride is also available making it an event that the whole family can enjoy.

"The many islands of Polynesia each have their own identity and culture to share," said Magalei. "With each culture we look for new and exciting ways to share it with the world. The result is a wide range of events here at the PCC. In addition, we are always trying to offer unique seasonal events, such as our Haunted Lagoon canoe rides, which attracted more than 46,000 visitors and locals in 2009."

For more information on prices for each event, or to make reservations, please call (800) 367-7060 or in Hawaii call 293-3333 or visit www.Polynesia.com. The events schedule is subject to change without notice so guests are encouraged to call to confirm availability.

Founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization, the PCC has entertained more than 34 million visitors, while preserving and portraying the culture, arts, and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world. In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to 17,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they have attended Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100% of the PCC's revenue is used for its daily operations and to support education.

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