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Archive for 'USA' Category
On the road again, this time to the Great Satan.
Posted on 15:49, August 9th, 2010 by Pablo
It has been a busy year for travel. I was in OZ in January (pleasure), NZ in Feb-March (business and pleasure), Greece in April-May (business and pleasure), OZ again in June (pleasure) and am now headed to the US for five weeks (business and pleasure). My daughter is getting married (to a Republican!) and I have work to do on the Florida house, plus will vote in the state Democratic primary (where everything from dogcatcher to Senator is in play) and scout out opportunities for the political risk/market intelligence/strategic analysis consulting firm I have just re-started (I used to do this sort of consulting before moving to NZ, then switched into a media expert commentary focus, but now need to get back into the bigger game because I have been locked out of NZ and OZ academia as a result of well-known events). I am going to try and base the consultancy in SG and NZ with a Australasian-Latin American focus given my past experience and networks in the latter region. If things go to plan it will be the first dedicated political risk/market intelligence and strategic analysis consultancy based in and focused on NZ's relations with the Pacific Rim. However, the US offers more opportunity for a range of work along the lines in which I have some expertise, so I am going to use the trip to visit with old colleagues and work on any networking opportunities that may arise.
Depending on how things go I will likely do some more traveling before the end of the year. My partner would prefer that I not take assignments in Afghanistan, Pakistan or Iraq, which I find understandable. So I suggested to her that I will instead focus on Yemen and Somalia as possible work sites. You can imagine her reaction. All joking aside, there are plenty of places in which my background and experience could be of help to potential clients (both public and private), so I will try to use the US trip as a springboard to work that will allow me to return to NZ and at worst divide my time between there and SG (my partner still has the full time university job in SG and there is no point in her giving it up until such a time as there are academic openings for her back in NZ or OZ).
Put another way: I may no longer be able to work in academia, but that does not mean that a lifetime accumulation of research and analytic skills need go to waste. Plus, I am not good at being idle or a "kept" man. Hence I need to find intellectually stimulating work that will allow me to contribute to society, with my personal ethics and values being the guide as to what sort of work I accept or reject. The US trip is the first step towards doing so.
All of which is to say that I may be a bit quiet for the next week or so. I will try to post about events in the US as I see them in the build up to the mid-term elections in November. Things have gotten very strained in terms of political debate in that country but it is hard to judge what really is the public mood without living there. The wedding and related visits with friends and family should provide a good cross-section and sounding board on how people feel about Obama, the economy, foreign affairs in general and the wars in particular, and contemporary social issues often overlooked in the foreign press or export news industry. With any luck that will provide material for posts. Otherwise I shall work on my open water swimming, which has been neglected since I moved to SG because, to put it mildly, the locals waters are not exactly the cleanest on earth. Since the Florida place is 50 meters from the beach and the water there has not been affected by the Gulf oil spill (it is on the Atlantic side), it will be a nice opportunity to regain some of my surf swimming skills with a view towards using them in NZ once I finally make it back there.
Posted in travel, USA | 9 Comments | Read More »
Shameless Self-Promotion Alert.
Posted on 13:09, August 4th, 2010 by Pablo
For those who may be interested, I am interviewed on the TVNZ news analysis show fronted by Russell Brown, Media 7, tonight on the subject of wikileaks. Although only parts of the interview will be aired, Russell will put the entire conversation up on the Media 7 web site (or perhaps on Public Address). The discussants on tonight's taping are Selwyn Manning from the independent news aggregator Scoop and investigative reporter Jon Stephenson (who is the most knowledgeable Kiwi journalist when it comes to Afghanistan). There is some serious brain power between them. Both are hard news gathers who eschew the official spin, both are very critical thinkers about issues of public policy, both have taken on both the government and mainstream media versions of important news, and both know how to string a few paragraphs together (which is more than can be said for many in the so-called journalism fraternity). In other words, the offer great value in terms of insight and analysis, which is what I believe was Russell's hope when conceiving the show. Hence, I commend it to you if you are not already familiar with it.
Posted in Democracy, Intelligence and Security, International relations, journalism, Media, NZ Security, USA, War | 2 Comments | Read More »
Of Leaks and Conspiracies.
Posted on 13:50, July 27th, 2010 by Pablo
Wikileaks has scored another major coup with its publication of more than 90,000 official and previously classified documents on the Afghan conflict. I am of two minds on its doing so. On the one hand I see it as a valuable instrument of accountability, both as instrument for holding the people directly responsible to account as well as a future deterrent to others who might engage in unlawful acts or cover-ups during wartime. On the other hand, publication of the document clearly jeopardises the national security of the US as well as the ISAF mission, and does so on several levels. The bottom line is that it gives the Taleban, al-Qaeda, Pakistani intelligence (the ISI) and other rogue states very valuable insight into US military operations and intelligence gathering efforts. Depending on where one stands in the ideological divide, that can be very good or very bad news. I believe that in this regard it is bad news.
In publishing this classified information Wikileaks has made itself an enemy of the state in the US. In the measure that it uncovers other state secrets, it could well become an international pariah, at least among the Western states that is its main focus. This is ironic. Although Wikileaks has complained about harassment from US security agencies, it has not (yet) suffered direct retribution for its actions. But imagine if it published extremely sensitive classified military documents from Russia, China, Iran, North Korea or even Israel. We can safely assume, given these country's past records on breaches of and threats to national security, that the Wikileaks community would have very good reason to fear for their lives. In fact, there may be two reasons why Wikileaks does not publish on these states: 1) the amount of secrecy in them is far superior to that of the US and other Western countries; 2) Wikileaks is afraid to do so for fear of mortal retaliation. Put another way, Wikileaks targets the US not only because of its concern about US military misdeeds, because it knows that it can get away with it due to the more benign nature of democratic regimes (to include the US) when it comes to confronting non-violent security threats.
That raises an item of note. Wikileaks is successful because it has people within the US and other Western security agencies leaking classified information to it. This is, of course, a crime, since public dissemination of classified information without official authorisation is outlawed in all states. For example, I am bound by an oath I signed in the 1990s to not divulge, release or comment directly on the classified issues that I worked on during my stint in the Pentagon, and after 25 years have passed must request permission from the agencies I worked with before attempting to do so. The penalities for breaching this contract are long federal prison terms. Similar laws bind people working in security agencies throughout the world. Thus any leak of classified material is by definition a crime against the state.
Yet in Western democracies people of conscience or feeling remorse regularly turn to the media as well as public watchdogs and government accountability agencies to reveal classified information that provides evidence of official wrong-doing. In fact, many consider it to be a public duty for them to do so. In addition, the size of security agencies often makes hermetic secrecy impossible. The US has 1.5 million people with top secret clearances. From my experience in the Pentagon and elsewhere, individuals often take home, either deliberately or (more often) inadvertently, classified work papers that are part of their normal desk load and which do not have the strict records controls of documents classified as Secret Compartmentalised Information (SCI) or higher. Between the two types of mishandling–deliberate leaks and misadvertent transfer–the US security apparatus is a huge porous sieve. The fact that a single US Army private provided the documentation (and video) on the Iraq helicopter assault on journalists and the Afghan war dossier proves just how far down the chain of command sensitive information flows. Imagine if it were a colonel or general who decided to pass along his secure file cabinet worth of documents! In fact, I am surprised that it was someone so far down the totem pole who managed to get so much information out of the system and into Wikileaks' hands.
Which brings up the issue of purported US government conspiracies, those about 9/11 in particular. Unfortunately, due to some writing and public commentary I have made on 9/11, I have had to deal with conspiracy theorists who believe that it was an inside job, Zionist conspiracy, controlled demolition, rockets rather than planes involved, even holograms rather than the real thing. Some of these otherwise apparently sane people truly believe that the US government conspirators orchestrated the whole thing so as to launch the war on terrorism in a quest for complete global domination. Some even see a link between the JFK assassination, the fake moon walk and 9/11.
Well, I have two things to say to these folk. First, if the "9/11 as part of a drive towards global domination" scenario is true that those plans sure as heck are not working out too well. Second, in a context is which no secrets are safe, in which leaking has become an art form, is it really possible that the US government has been able to enforce one hundred percent secrecy at all levels of operation on the planning, execution and cover-up of the supposed inside job? Is it rational to think that not a single person involved in this monumental plot, which would have involved a cast of thousands, would not have come forward by this point with direct evidence of a conspiracy? Would Wikileaks not have received something along those lines by now?
Posted in Democracy, Intelligence and Security, USA, War | 12 Comments | Read More »
Conservative dementia in the US
Posted on 20:08, July 6th, 2010 by Pablo
One has to hand it to the US conservative movement. They have no shame, or at least plenty of chutzpah.
They love to bark about the evils of Democrats while having no regard for the consistency of their own positions. Take the issue of corporate responsibility. Conservatives railed against the bail-outs of the Wall Street banks and Detroit automakers, arguing against the "they are to big to let fail" logic of the W. Bush and Obama administrations when these came to the financial rescue of the beleaguered giants. "Let 'em fail" they screeched, since "the market will sort 'em out." Yet, when Toyota lied about the causes of sudden uncontrolled acceleration in its cars and delayed recalls while "investigating" the incidents (which resulted in over a dozen deaths and more than a hundred injuries), these same groups demanded that the US government step in to investigate and charge those responsible for everything from criminal negligence to consumer fraud. Likewise, the US right wing is now raving that the US federal government has done too little too late to respond to the BP oil spill even though–surprise surprise–the US federal government does not have the deep water capping technology available to the private oil industry, had previously deregulated that industry at its request in order to stimulate production (and profits) and was initially relying on that industry to give honest estimates of the disaster and rectify the situation based upon its own expertise and record in controlling spills of that nature. Some conservatives even demanded that the US accept offers of foreign assistance in controlling the spill, and scolded the Obama administration when it declined to do so. Fancy that, conservatives calling for foreign aid at a time of domestic crisis. Thus, when it comes to issues of corporate responsibility, US conservatives cannot make up their minds about the why, how and when of government intervention.
As far as taxation is concerned, the likes of the Tea party movement are opposed to current federal taxation rates and demand cuts across the board without considering that it is taxes that pay, as just one example, for the US military's trillion dollar budgets and prosecution of a seemingly endless procession of wars abroad in defense of the "freedom" they so much rhetorically cherish. They appear ignorant of the fact that without taxation the US would not be able to maintain its preeminent global position, and that the current federal budget deficits originated in the W. Bush administration's deficit spending to fuel the wars while lowering the taxation rates for corporations and high income individuals. In fact, in this regard W. Bush was emulating the champion of all American conservatives, Ronald Reagan, who massively increased defense spending and the overall size of the federal budget while lowering taxes for the upper third of the population. How is this "fiscally responsible?"
Finally, although all conservatives are self-styled "patriots" who literally wear their flags on their sleeves, bumpers and lapels, some are of the "America first" persuasion whereas others are of the "US superpower" kind. The former prefer that the US concentrate on its own affairs and limit its foreign entanglements, while the latter wants to see the US as the major player on the world stage. One view is isolationist; the other is imperialist. The two views are irreconcilable.
In effect, American conservatives are not the limited government champions they claim to be, nor are they consistent in their linkage of national necessities with taxation. They are divided on their views of the US role in the world. Instead they are a collection of blustering fools, economic retrogrades and illiterates, corporate toadies, religious zealots, assorted bigots, xenophobes and militarists mixed in with a minority of true libertarians and honest believers in the primacy of individual over collective rights and responsibilities. That means that even if they make major gains in the November 2010 elections, the centrifugal forces within the US conservative movement, as well as the lack of a coherent core rationale underpinning it, will prove deleterious to their chances for successful overhaul of the US political system. In fact, such a victory could well make the crisis of US politics even worse.
Posted in comparative politics, Democracy, Politics, USA | 12 Comments | Read More »
Blog Link: Two Sides of the Afghan COIN.
Posted on 12:00, June 29th, 2010 by Pablo
In the most recent "Word from Afar" column at Scoop I examine the broader context in which General Stanley McChrystal was forced to resign from his position as commander of US and ISAF forces in Afghanistan. Beyond the issue of his insubordination and civilian control of the military in a democracy, the incident has brought to the surface the tensions between two competing views on how the US should prosecute counter-insurgency. One involves hearts and minds and nation-building, the other involves what I describe as a "drones and bones" approach that focuses on discrete operations against high value targets using high technology weapons and special forces. Although both are in place at the moment, there is competition between the two views with regard as to which ultimately will prove more successful at countering Islamicist threats to the West. Whether or not the ISAF mission succeeds may well depend on which perspective gains greater traction in coalition circles during the next twelve months (since the timetable for the gradual withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan begins in June-July 2011).
Posted in Intelligence and Security, International relations, USA, War | 6 Comments | Read More »
When irony leads to hypocrisy.
Posted on 22:39, June 3rd, 2010 by Pablo
The uncontrolled oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has turned into what looks to be the US's worst environmental disaster. 40 days into the spill the well is still spewing 19,000 barrels (79,000 gallons) of oil per day into the deep waters 50 miles off of southern Louisiana. If ever there was an environmental event that could be called "catastrophic," this is it. Estimates are that the oil slick (which is far more extensive in the middle layers of the Gulf than at the surface) will reach the Florida panhandle within days, the western Florida coast within weeks, and if the prevalent currents take hold it, the Florida Keys, Florida Straits, Cuba and South Florida Atlantic Coast by mid July. Estimates of when the spill will be contained range from August to December. If it is the latter, the slick could well be in New England given the flow rate of the Gulf Current. If a hurricane hits (the Atlantic/Caribbean hurricane season started on June 1), then all bets are off. Whatever happens, the economic costs of the disaster are already mind-boggling and wide-spread, which at a time when the US was just starting to emerge from a deep recession is a catastrophe all of its own.
By now everyone who follows the news knows that British Petroleum is the lessee of drilling rights in that part of the Gulf and owner of the drilling platform that exploded and collapsed with the loss of 11 lives that led to the leak. BP's inability to staunch the flow after nearly a dozen unsuccessful attempts has been matched by the the wait and see response of the US government, which initially relied on BP assurances that the leak was not as big as is now known and that a capping solution was possible within a few weeks. Now that oil has fouled the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama coast lines on its way to Florida, public anger against BP and the Obama has started to boil over. A few days ago the US public was treated to the spectacle of James Carville, the well-known Clinton political advisor, ranting on national television against the Obama administration for its slow response (Carville is a Louisiana native). His rant was remarkable only because he is a loyal Democrat, since a host of Tea Party spokespeople, Republican Party figures and the baying hounds at Fox News and talk back radio have all lambasted the president for his lackadaisical approach to the crisis. A recent opinion poll shows that a quarter of those polled blame BP for the accident, a quarter blame Obama, and the rest blame both.
That is pretty rich. During the W. Bush administration regulations on off-shore drilling were relaxed and wilderness areas opened to oil exploration. Common emergency cutoff safeguards were abandoned as the GOP-controlled Congress approved policies of oil industry self-regulation. Dick Cheney chaired the White House energy task force, which was staffed by oil industry heavyweights including the infamous Ken Lay of Enron fame. Their recommendations, many of which passed into law, were that "less is more is less" when it comes to oil: the less US regulation the more domestic production. The more domestic production the less dependence of foreign oil. The entire federal regulatory and oversight apparatus charged with oil industry supervision adopted this mantra, which was spearheaded by Bush appointees whose idea of environmental protection was to make industrial polluters plant trees in the neighborhoods in which they operated or designate areas under their control as wildlife refuges.
The Obama administration had nothing to do with this. Its main fault lies in that, in an effort to appear centrist and "pro-business" it has allowed BP to lead the repair operation even though BP initially lied about the extent of the leak or about the fact that there had been multiple warnings from its own engineers that the well was showing signs of blowing in the weeks before the explosion. The timing of the disaster was both unfortunate and fortuitous, as, following the "less is more is less" line of thought, the Obama administration just approved new off-shore drilling rights off the lower US East Coast, a decision it may now have to review in view of the fact that, unlike the Gulf of Mexico coastline, the US Eastern Seaboard holds a majority of the population and important commercial and military ports as well as providing the jump-off point for Trans-Atlantic sea traffic. An uncontrolled oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a disaster; a similiar uncontrolled oil spill off the northern coast of Florida or the coasts of Georgia, North and South Carolina would be apocalyptic.
The situation has gotten so desperate that experts are now debating the merits of the so-called "nuclear option:" a plan to detonate a nuclear explosive 15000-18000 feet under the surface so as to melt the surrounding rock into a glass-like "plug" (the wellhead itself is just a mile (3,800 feet or 1600 meters) down). This is also called the "Russian option" because Russia has reportedly used this technique to cap runaway natural gas wells (the Russians have not said anything in public to confirm or deny these stories). Trouble is, no one knows if the nuclear option will work, or what its collateral effects will be. As one Canadian blogger reportedly wrote: "What s worse than an uncontrolled deep water oil spill? A radioactive deep water oil spill."
So the situation is grave. But in the their effort to place the blame on Obama, the Republican Party and its tea bagger/media loudmouth cohort have shown that they are craven hypocrites with no sense of fair play. In their attempts to divert attention from oil industry greed and failures onto the Obama administration, they reveal themselves as complete weasels. Take, for example, Sarah Pains claim that Obama was moving slow on the crisis because he had taken money from BP. Well, the "took the money" part is true. The Obama/Biden campaign received US 70,000 dollars from BP, which also gave US$38,000 to the McCain/Palin campaign. But the oil industry as a whole gave the McCain/Palin campaign US$ 1.3 million and the Obama/Biden campaign US$900,000. It is axiomatic in US politics that lobbying groups paper the wallets of both sides of the political spectrum, with big business and Wall Street favouring the GOP and unions, high tech and other public interest groups favouring the Democrats. Thus the claims that Obama is in BP's pocket are refuted by a simple perusal of the public record (to be fair, Palin may not have the attention span or time to peruse the public record given that she reads "all" of the newspapers and is busy with her Fox TV Show and book tours).
Obama's detractors are also stupid. After years of clamouring for "less government," this motley crew of "conservative" champions of free enterprise now whine about a lack of government response to a disaster created by the very private industry that they helped free from government regulations in the first place. The Obama administration may have been slow off the mark in its response to the crisis, but that is precisely because it relied on private industry–in this case BP–to be upfront and honest about he scope of the disaster. Now that it is clear that BP was dishonest, and that this dishonesty is endemic in the oil industry when it comes to environmental safeguards, the government turns out to be the default option after all, but this time in a reactive rather than a proactive role such as what existed before Bush 43 laid waste to the federal regulations governing off-shore drilling.
Obama may rue the fact that his first two years have been consumed by problems that were not on his agenda when he came into the office. But for those salivating at the prospect of a GOP sweep in the 2010 midterm elections, the oil spill may prove to be even more problematic because no matter how they may try to spin it, it was the Republicans who set the stage for the disaster to happen. Whatever flaws his administration has, Obama gave private industry a chance to fix the problem, and it is only after BP's repeated failures that it is now considering direct intervention in the capping efforts. So much for him being a commie, and if the Democrats have any sense of irony, then so much for a Republican landslide in November.
Posted in Economics, Environment, USA | 10 Comments | Read More »
Thoughts about Key's Afghan PR Exercise.
Posted on 01:38, May 6th, 2010 by Pablo
I have seen and read the reports of John Key's much anticipated "secret" trip to Afghanistan. I must say that it is one of the more amateurish, cringe worthy attempts at symbolic politics I have seen in a long time–not quite as bad as George W. Bush's "Mission Accomplished" carrier charade, but of the same ilk. Let me explain why.
First, the good part. I think it was entirely sensible for the National spin-meisters and military brass to tie the Afghan detour to the Gallipoli celebration trip. The unfortunate RNZAF chopper accident on ANZAC day forced a change of plans so that the PM could attend the funerals of the ill-fated crew, but that only added to his message of military support and remembrance. As for the greedy economic opportunists who have criticised him for abandoning the arse kissing trade mission to the Arab Gulf Coast, they need to realise that given the circumstances in which the tragedy occurred, Mr. Key had no political option but to return for the funerals. How would it have looked if he choose to continue to brown nose the Arabs while some of the nation's service people were laid to rest? The likes of one Mr. Langely may put personal self-interest before recognition of service, but most Kiwis understand that not only was it politically necessary for Mr. Key to return, it was the right thing to do.
But that is about as good as it gets. Contrary to the fawning editorial opinion of the NZ Herald, Key's tiki tour of Afghanistan showed how out of his league he is on international security affairs.
He started out by mentioning that he was flown by helicopter from his arrival point (presumably Bagram Air Force Base, the site of a notorious US "black" detention centre) to the SAS location. In doing so he managed to convey the message that the most heavily defended areas of Kabul are still too dangerous for Western VIPs to drive through, and that the SAS is not located in Kabul as he claims but is actually based elsewhere. He then pointed out that he used heavily armed motorcades to travel in Bayiman and elsewhere because he and his entourage were "juicy fish" for insurgent targeters.
Well, not quite. In a country that is awash in visits by heavy-hitters from a number of countries, Mr. Key is more like an anchovy. Moreover, heavily weighted Western motorcades involving a half dozen armoured SUVs and armed escort vehicles are not immune to roadside bombs (and I bet he traveled in the third or fourth vehicle). In fact, given that they have to travel on main arteries and disrupt local traffic and pedestrian flows as they do so, convoys such as Mr. Key's actually make for better targets for opportunistic guerrillas deeply embedded in a resentful local population (especially where well-prepared guerillas can deploy efffective IEDs on five minutes notice). If leaving a light footprint is what hearts and minds are partially about, then his mode of land transport was a tactical failure.
Mr. Key prattled on about how he wanted to experience the conditions in which the NZDF operate in that theater. But he choose to spend his evenings at the British embassy. That is a double insult: first to the UN and ISAF patrons of the NZDF mission, which have their own housing compounds or use heavily guarded hotels for visiting VIPs; and secondly to the NZDF itself. Mr. Key could have stayed in officer quarters in any number of bases including at the PRT in Bayiman or the SAS operations centre (which is likely to be on the Afghan military base where its anti-terrorism Crisis Response Unit is headquartered). But instead he choose to take the poncy route and accept accommodation from the colonial master. How quaint of him, and how much it tells us about his sincerity in wanting to understand the conditions that NZ troops face.
Mr. Key managed to offend the Bayiman locals by trying to shake hands with a girl, a cultural taboo in that region. So much for MFAT and NZDF giving him a head's up about local customs, to say nothing of his lack on intuition about the context in which he was operating. For him, ignorance on that occasion turned out not to be bliss. For the NZDF PRT team, this could have been ther moment where 6+ years of good civil-military relations became unstuck. The question begs: would Helen Clark have been so, uh, uninformed? >>Note to Red Alert and The Standard–while I appreciate your views you must not use this post to score political points because to my mind you are little better when it comes to partisan issues such as this>>
In defending their role, Mr. Key said that the SAS had not fired their weapons. This is laughable to the point of tears. The very nature of their "training" mission, as well as the fact that they have participated in at least two well publicised firefights (even if we accept the argument that they did so in "support" roles, which is ludicrous), requires that the SAS employ their weapons, even if merely as covering or suppressing fire for their Afghan comrades.
And yet, the supplicant NZ press uncritically lapped up his patent lie while he hid under the doctrine of plausible deniability (that is, because Mr. Key may have believed the lie to be true because his advisers or the NZDF command told him to take their word at face value and he had no reason to doubt them because he simply does not know better). Here, Mr. Key's ignorance truly is a measure of political insulation, if not bliss.
Mr. Key told this same press that he was "considering" extending the deployments of the Bayiman PRT and SAS past their respective termination dates in September 2010 and March 2011 respectively. This was a forgone conclusion given that the NZDF wanted to do so and given the government's obsession with tying a bilateral US-NZ free trade agreement to its military commitment in Afghanistan as well as the recent military-to-military reapprochment between the two countries. Heck, the foreign press was told before the trip that the extension had already been authorised but Mr. Key played cagey with the NZ press. Could that be because he wants to appear to be considerate of opposition voices in parliament when in fact he is not?
Mr. Key did his usual name-dropping act. He met with Karzai and General McCrystal. He met with local leaders. Although he waxed lyrical about what they had to say, he made no mention of what he had to say to them. Did he tell Karzai that his corruption and the drug-running antics of his cronies would not be tolerated? Did he press Karzai on not back-sliding on human rights, especially for wimin and ethnic minorities? Did he query McCrystal on continued civilian casualties at the hands of ISAF forces, and did he make clear to the General what the NZDF understanding of the rules of engagement are? Nothing of the sort has been mentioned, so for all the NZ public knows he could have been exchanging cricket scores and family photographs with the Big Boys.
And then there was the piece d'resistance: John Key fitted out in a journalist flak jacket and helmet, his blood type outlined like a bulls-eye on his chest, grinning like a kid in a GI Joe costume. Then there were the photos of him acting friendly with the pilots on the RNZAF C-130 and acting pensive on the US Blackhawk 'copter that did the bulk of his tour transfers. Dang. I have no doubt that he needed the body armour when he was not sipping tea with the Poms, but did his minders really think that a photo op in that outfit would come across as warrior-like and decisive? If so, they are clueless because he just looked goofy, somewhat akin to the infamous photo of Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis sitting in a tank turret wearing a helmet in the 1988 US presidential campaign. In both cases the image spells out L-O-O-O-O-O-S-E-R. As for the aircraft photos: staged and contrived from the get-go. He looked like he was on one of those Air NZ tourist charters to the Antartic summer solstice. Another photo op FAIL.
Mind you, the NZDF brass as well as the troops on the ground would have appreciated the gesture, albeit for different reasons. So there was symbolic worth in the venture. It was in its execution where the enterprise failed.
Because they are clueless National PR flacks will congratulate themselves on a job well done in getting their message about the PM out to the masses, and the supplicant invited press will play the role of willful lapdogs by writing positive stories based on National PR releases (in part, because they share the government's contempt for the intelligence of the general population, and in part because they would like to be invited along on other future junkets of this sort). But the cruel truth is that the exercise showed yet again how far out his depth the PM is when confronting the intricacies of even the most rudimentary aspects of foreign affairs. For those with a better sense of judgement, the exercise was embarrassing, not encouraging. Or as Pauly Fuemana would have said, "how bizzare."
Life mimicking art: ask and tell
Posted on 12:21, February 3rd, 2010 by Lew
Following President Obama's undertaking in the State of the Union address, Admiral Michael Mullen (Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff) and Robert Gates (US Secretary of Defense) have recommended an end to the "don't ask, don't tell" policy preventing homosexuals from openly serving in the US military, in testimony to the Senate Armed Forces Committee. While the arguments are not quite the same, the general position and line of rhetoric ("the troops will get over it") was memorably presented a decade ago in The West Wing:
Update: Thanks to Hugh and Pablo (in comments) for correcting me on whose "call" it is.
Posted in An inclusive society, Social change, USA | 10 Comments | Read More »
Legislators versus representatives (or, how Scott Brown is about to get schooled).
Posted on 16:37, January 21st, 2010 by Pablo
Former Cosmopolitan Magazine nude pinup boy Scott Brown's victory in the special election to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat is a body blow to the Democrats and Obama administration, especially with regard to its attempts at healthcare reform. The pundits have already well dissected the reasons for the first GOP senatorial victory in Massachusetts since Edward Brooke's tenure ended in 1979. Voter anger with the Washington "establishment," the role of the Tea party movement, the arrogance and complacency of the Coakley campaign–all of these factors made for a decisive electoral shift that will have significant repercussions outside of the state in which the original tea party took place. That much is clear.
But what have the good people of Massachusetts got for their preference? For one thing, they have a rookie Senator who has no national-level experience at all and just ten years of legislative experience in a very liberal state. Nor does he have any executive experience. In fact, Barack Obama looks like an elder statesman in terms of previous experience when compared to the male model-turned politician. Moreover, Brown has been elected at a time of extraordinary anti-politician and anti-Washington sentiment that, even if born out of the mistakes of commission and omission of the Bush 43 administration, have seemingly been compounded by his successor. This has made for a highly volitile political climate that in turn has made extraordinarily attractive his vague populist appeals as a Washington "outsider," something that traditionally resonates with a disgruntled electorate (and boy, are they disgruntled now!).
Why this matters is because of the arena in which he is about to enter. Much more so than in parliamentary systems (where party discipline and hierarchy often supersede the representational mandate, especially when List MPs are involved), elected officials representing states at the national level in the US Congress fulfill two roles: that of representatives and legislators. On the one hand, they represent the interests of their constituents, be it district (US House of Representatives) or state-wide (US Senate). This role is played up during electoral campaigns (hence Mr. Brown's claim that he is a "Brown Republican" who will independently champion the interests of his state), and is much more important for US House representatives who are elected every two years. Senators, in contrast and by design, elected every six years and representing state-wide interests that can be quite heterogenous and often competing, tend to limit their appeals to the representative role to election season. Either way, that is only half of the equation.
Once in office, US congressmen and women become legislators. That means that they need to engage in the political bargaining and understanding of national-level issues as well as those that most immediately impact their individual constituencies. Sometimes these two levels of engagement–national and local–run against each other. The congressional legislator, by the nature of the US political process, must steer towards compromise rather than principle in most instances given the competing interests at play. Thus the legislator role often is at odds with the representative role, which is part of the reason why the Founding Fathers designed the two-chamber Congress (in order to allow the Senate to overcome the populist tendencies of House members).
This is where Scott Brown is about to be schooled. As a novice Senator he will be at the bottom of the congressional pecking order. His appointment to committees, which is determined by a mix of seniority, trade-offs and patronage, will depend largely on how he "gets along" with his fellow Senators (committee work being the most important aspect of a senator's job, as it is in committee where all bills are first considered). Since his victory is owed more to the tea bag movement and conservative media support rather than than of the GOP bloc in Congress, he is walking into a forum without much political cover. Moreover, he is a moderate Republican (for example, he supports abortion rights) in a party increasingly dominated by non-elected conservative fundamentalists. Sure, he will be lionised by the Republican National Committee and congressional bloc at first. But once the hard work of legislating begins, his representative appeal will have to take a back seat to the back room wheeling and dealing of which legislation is made (recall the old adage that the two things one never wants to see being made is sausage and US legislation). As a minority state senator in a one-party state like Massachusetts he has some notion of what that entails, but if he is to be more than a one-term Senator, he will have to lift his game exponentially given the national stage he is now playing on.
All of which means that his anti-Washington, anti-healthcare appeal, which was essentially a negative campaign about who he was not and what he opposed, now has to be transformed into a practice of pragmatic compromise and centrism unless, of course, he is hoping that GOP majorities will be restored in both Houses in the November 2010 mid-term elections. But even if that occurs, he still has to downplay his representative role in favor of his legislative obligations, at least until he is up for re-election. In a political moment where disenchantment and resentment is rampant throughout the electorate, that may turn out to be far harder than running a dark horse campaign against a lackluster opponent. But if he favours the representative role over the legislator role now that he is in office, he runs the risk of alienating his Senate colleagues and consequently be rendered hopelessly ineffectual in delivering on his promises. Either way, he has his work cut out for him, and his good looks are of no use in that context.
PS: Among many other things I will leave for the moment the conservative movement penchant for photogenic poster people over those with substantive political experience, or the potentially (seemingly counter-intuitive) negative implications this outcome has for any NZ-US trade deal.
Posted in Democracy, Parliament, USA | 28 Comments | Read More »
Blog Link: Disloyal Opposition in the US.
Posted on 13:34, October 27th, 2009 by Pablo
For some time I have watched the opposition to Barack Obama and his administration with growing unease. Having some familiarity with Latin American politics, I began to see parallels between the traditional behavior of conservative Latin American oppositions to Left-leaning democratic governments and that now manifesting itself in the US. I have now pulled my thoughts together into this month's Word from Afar essay over at Scoop. The essay has more of a polemical tone than usual, but that is a reflection of my contempt for, and concern over, such behaviour.
Posted in Democracy, Latin America, Uncategorized, USA | 49 Comments | Read More »


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Are you volunteering to get a free ticket to Disneyland or Walt Disney World?
Written by Robert Niles
With Disney retiring its "get in free on your birthday" promotion, folks are turning their attention to volunteer opportunities to get a free ticket to Disneyland or Walt Disney World.Tweet
The "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" promotion started on Jan. 1, and the promotion's website promptly crumpled under the volume of searches from people looking for qualifying volunteer opportunities. The first one million people who sign up on the Disney website and complete a qualifying volunteer task will get a free one-day, one-park ticket to a U.S. Disney theme park.
More than 4,000 people have signed up to give blood in Tampa. A Theme Park Insider reader wrote me about an opportunity he found on the Disney site to disassemble Rose Parade floats.
And at least one other business is hopping on Disney's coat-tails. Four of the Best Western hotels around Disneyland, in Anaheim, California, are offering a third night free after a two-night stay to visitors who present a Certificate of Completion from the Disney volunteer effort.
Have you signed up for a volunteer gig yet? Are you planning to? Tell us what you think of the program, in the comments.
Readers' Opinions
From Adam Nodjomian on January 7, 2010 at 12:59 PM
My family has signed up to participate in a pet adoption fair on Sunday in Georgetown. We finally were able to sign up on January 3rd, after trying multiple times on the 1st and 2nd unsuccessively. We will probably vist in the November time frame (before they Early December Deadline).
From Anthony Murphy on January 7, 2010 at 1:05 PM
I am signing up, but donating my ticket!
From 126.96.36.199 on January 7, 2010 at 1:26 PM
My mom, sister, husband and I tried several times the first few days to sign up but were unable to. My husband and I ended up signing up for a different oppurtunity than my mom and sister. Well the organization they signed up with verified the scheduled oppurtunity and ours didnt. I tried to sign up for the same oppurtunity they did but there werent enough spots left. It is the only other oppurtunity we can complete in time to get our vouchers before our early feb trip. Im going to see if I can sign up with the same org under one of their nospecific oppurtunities and see if I can just be verified for the same oppurtunity as my Mom and sister. I am willing to go back and volunteer as much as they need me to after, I want to be an actual help instead of someone who only cares about their ticket. But it would save me alot of money if we could make it work out! Im just frustrated with the system because I tried as soon as midnight on new years and several times a day there afer and by the time the server stopped freezing on me the sooner oppurtunities were all gone. It wasnt my comp either, I was using my brand new laptop we got ourselves for Christmas.
From Beth Olliges on January 7, 2010 at 6:37 PM
I've submitted my name to a local organization through the web site, but haven't yet confirmed a date with them. Here's hoping it all works out!
From 126.96.36.199 on January 7, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Volunteer for a free ticket? With a Seasonal Pass on hand, I'm volunteering for a Special FASTPASS card or just to donate that free ticket!
From 184.108.40.206 on January 8, 2010 at 8:55 AM
I heard you can't donate the ticket, that it is non transferrable. Might want to check that out.
From Crystal A on January 8, 2010 at 11:38 AM
I volunteered myself, my husband and 2 children for an opportunity to read to 2-5 year olds in a town about 30 minutes away from ours. So far the sign up and correspondance from the local orgnization has gone smoothly. There were a few opportunites in our immediate area but none of them accepted children under 14.
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Insider's Pick: You can afford that Walt Disney World family vacation of your dreams. Get started with 102 Ways to Save Money For and At Walt Disney World, a great guide to planning an affordable trip to the Vacation Capital of the World. Why wait? The sooner you start saving, the sooner you and your family will be enjoying your vacation!
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Year 11: The New Deal
May 22nd
The revision notes from the lesson are available as a powerpoint or a NewDeal. The two video clips that we watched are available below:
Remember that the New Deal can be a bit of a scary topic to learn. All of those alphabet agencies, and the different parts of the first and second New Deal can be a bit confusing. However, don't panic too much because the exam questions tend to focus on three main areas:
- what was the New Deal? In particular the 100 days, and a detailed example of an Alphabet Agency
- why was there opposition? Make sure you can explain two different types
- how successful was the New Deal? Make sure you can provide detailed examples for and against
Year 11: The Wall Street Crash
May 20th
Year 11, here is the revision powerpoint notes from the lesson. You can also get them as a pdf. The BBC bitesize video clip is here:
Finally, can you remember all the key words on this picture puzzle and what they have to do with the Wall Street Crash?
Year 11: How far did US society change in the 1920s?
May 15th
In our lesson on Monday, we began to review the ways in which US society changed in the 1920s. We used the picture to the left to remind ourselves of some of the key events. Click on the picture to open it full size, and with the person sitting next to you see what you can remember about each event.
In today's lesson we are going to be revising some of the key information from the powerpoint set of notes. If you haven't got them with you, then you can open an electronic copy.
You should then try to find the following key facts on the notes.
We will then look together at some example exam style source questions. Your answers to these should be returned to me by Monday.
And finally, here is a word shoot out game based on the key facts from today's lesson.
Year 11: Why did the USA boom?
May 8th
Year 11, I was really pleased with the work you did today looking at the example answers to the GCSE exam. The key messages about technique that you identified were spot on:
- Answer the question set
- Attempt every question
- Use details from the sources and own knowledge
If you want to look at it again, here is the exam paper [on the OCR website] and here are the example answers from the boys.
If you want to deepen your understanding about the boom then have a look on the Boom and Bust page.
Why did peace collapse?
May 3rd
Year 11, the final aspect of International Relations for you to revise is the collapse of peace in 1939. The handout from the lesson will really help you answer the practice exam questions. However if you are looking to deepen your understanding it would be worth listening to this podcast about appeasement and this one about Hitler's foreign policy. There are also some useful BBC bitesize videos on this topic, I have put links to them at the bottom of the international relations page.
History revision: Thursday lunch and after-school
RE revision: Monday lunch and after-school
I am also available to provide tutoring at lunchtime or afterschool during the rest of the week. This is particularly useful if a small group of you have missed revision and want to catch up, or feel unsure about something that we have already looked at in lessons.
The second holiday 'boot camp' will be taking place from Monday to Thursday of half term.


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PowerPoint - Oct. 28, 2009
Loving as Jesus loved
October 28, 2009
But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying out after us."
--Matthew 15:23
When the disciples were walking through the city with Jesus one day, a Canaanite woman came clamoring after him yelling, "Have mercy on me! Have mercy on me!"
The disciples saw this woman as an annoyance and someone to avoid, as we see in today's verse, when they basically said, "Jesus, make her go away; she's a crazy lady!"
There's a reason God allows us to see the disciples' bad attitude here. You see, this same attitude can be found in many churches today. Too often, the church doesn't want to be bothered with sinful, desperate people. The church isn't comfortable around the lost. These people have baggage. They can be rough around the edges!
Yet we should never look with condemnation at those who struggle with unhealthy behaviors or bad life decisions. Instead, as Christ-followers, we should bless and encourage those seeking hope and bring them to the feet of our Lord… the same place where we found our own salvation.
Will you be this kind of Christ-follower? Remember the grace you received, and be generous in spirit with those who desperately need his touch.
For more from PowerPoint Ministries and Dr. Jack Graham, please visit www.jackgraham.org
click here to listen to Dr. Graham's daily broadcast on OnePlace.com.
Watch Jack Graham and Powerpoint Ministries Video Online
Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out
Dear Friend,
Do the words rested... peaceful... and refreshed describe you today? Or do the words stressed... rushed... and pressured better describe your way of life?
If you're like most Christians, you'd probably have to admit those last three words more accurately describe your life most of the time!
The good news is that it doesn't have to be this way... even when your life is one big pressure-cooker. And in my new book, Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out, I'll show you why.
Based on the principles from Paul's letter to the Philippians and Psalm 23, Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out will help you find true peace and rest in a world that is anything but peaceful and restful. It's the perfect "pause" button you need!
So please request your copy of Pause: Resting in God Instead of Stressing Out when you give online today! --Jack Graham
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text:
The latest news in the Ruby and Rails communityGot some news to report? Send it in!
The Objectify framework, use rake everywhere, big news from JRuby, some Rails console tips, Jasmine testing knowledge and finally, never get lost again thanks to Sextant.
This episode is sponsored by RailsThemes.com. Curated, well thought-out designs optimized for Rails projects and the gems and frameworks you already use.
Shell Shocked, Factory Girl for frontend tests with Hangar, and upgrading from Rails 3.2 to 4.2
We go Airborne for Ruby 2.1.3 while Eagerly Decorating the skies and Swiftly avoiding the Daemons on this episode of Ruby5.
Start using Fourchette, roll-out features by the instance, read logs with a little help from your friends, run your own bitcoin node, and say hello to byebug!
This episode covers an open source admin framework, the Rails protect from forgery method, fast testing, and a new reactive framework.


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Copyright © 2014 EasyVapors.com.,


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I just thought that Edugeek Users would like to know that Sivadam retired as from last Friday, 7th September.
After 44 Years working in schools (including 29 as a Teacher and 15 as a member of the Support Staff as well as over 30 as Timetabler!) I think it was about time to call it a day, especially as I turned 65 last January!
I have one major regret in leaving at this time! I managed to collect a number of those infernal Green Squares instead of those lovely Red ones that I like so much.
(Never let it be said that Mike Davis was not a helpful soul when he wanted to be! :rolleyes:)
Ah well! I will still be keeping a watching brief on these forums so, who knows, I may be able to redress the balance at some later date!
Thanks to all those many users on Edugeek who have supported my stance over the past few years and I hope you all prosper in the future, SIMS users or not!


text:
I was really craving pasta for dinner tonight! {I haven't had any in forever.} I had a serving of pasta with Alfredo sauce, a salad w/ organic Romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and Wish Bone Italian Salad Spritzers {Only 1 Calorie per spritz & I only had 6!}, and fresh cucumbers with apple cider vinegar.
Ohh…and Raspberry Lemonade water {My new fave Crystal Light flavor mix!}. Delish!
Meatless Monday Dinner: A serving of Eggo Nutri-Grain Low Fat Waffles with Syrup and 2 Scrambled Eggs w/ a side of Strawberries.
I'll probably only eat 1/2 a serving of waffles next time b/c two was one too many for my appetite!
You live & learn.
Spicy Chicken Taco, anyone?!
I'VE COMPLETED JILLIAN MICHAELS RIPPED IN 30 DVD!!! I'm so excited about Weightless Wednesday. I can't wait to figure out how many pounds I've lost since the beginning of my journey!


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A Challenge for all viewers.
- Islamforworld
- uploaded: Nov 9, 2009
- Hits: 63
A Challenge for all viewers. by Baba ali ummahfilm.com
4 comments
Islamforworld November 10, 2009 6:51:15 AM CET
tell me one thing have u read the quran, The Book whihc is claiming too the perfect book why don t u just read it and if you fine imperfectness tell us.islam is spirtual as well as practial, for example in islam every person in this world how saving is more that nisab level have to give 2 and a nalf person of his money in charity now when u apply this rule u can help the poor as well as u will find peace inur heart, do the basic difference between islam adn other elision or other spirits is that islam shows u how to achieve that peace around your enviremnet as well as in ur heart. hope u got my point adn hope u will read the Perfect book of this world, The Holy Quran,reas Quran by your self from the site http://www.quran.com/
Islamforworld November 10, 2009 6:45:58 AM CET
but why u think that there is no God? then who created this Sky without pillars our galaxies and solar system is so much organised how they are operating just by self is it possible?
Flecktarn November 10, 2009 1:47:24 AM CET
heres a challenge take religion out of dtv no gods exsist ,if they did were are they now when the people are suffering
Knownawareness November 9, 2009 2:59:21 PM CET
You make many valid points and bring new light on the subject. This however is still based on a belief of a higher power just like many other stories/beliefs throughout history. I think there is more to this life than praying and helping the poor. I agree we must help the less fortunate but if we throw out religion and spread the wealth and resources no man would ever have to serve another. I just dont believe the that lowering yourself to make sure you pray 5 times a day is what this divine right was meant for. I agree about the fly comment so what is man then meant to become? Surely with all the cosmos that you must believe in too we have some type of universe within us in which to comminicate with the one creator. I believe in the one creator however I dont think that we are meant to serve but instead allow all their freedom I.E not have to pray to a God everyday 5 times, interupt your day this I feel is the re-written imperfect part of Islam. Remember there is always a a Religious Leader. Spirituality?YesReligion?No Thanks


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Braise your way to goodness in this one-pan dish seasoned with two types of mustard and fresh tarragon. The lamb emerges richly flavored and tender after only 30 minutes on the stove.
Cooking Light SEPTEMBER 2006
Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; add lamb, tossing to coat.
Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add lamb mixture, and sauté 4 minutes or until browned. Add onions and carrots; sauté for 4 minutes. Stir in broth and wine. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 7 minutes or until carrots are crisp-tender. Stir in Dijon and tarragon. Increase heat to medium-high; cook, uncovered, 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.
Go to full version of
Mustard and Tarragon Braised Lamb recipe


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Most Voted Titles With Stephen Daldry
- Job Types
- Movies or TV
- Genres
- Keywords
- IMDb Rating
- Instant Watch Options
- In Theaters
- On TV
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1. The Reader (2008)
R | 124 min | Drama, Romance
Post-WWII Germany: Nearly a decade after his affair with an older woman came to a mysterious end, law student Michael Berg re-encounters his former lover as she defends herself in a war-crime trial.
Writers: David Hare, Bernhard Schlink | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes, Bruno Ganz, Jeanette Hain
Votes: 160,773
2. The Hours (2002)
PG-13 | 114 min | Drama
The story of how the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.
Writers: Michael Cunningham, David Hare | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris
Votes: 87,884
3. Billy Elliot (2000)
PG-13 | 110 min | Comedy, Drama, Music
A talented young boy becomes torn between his unexpected love of dance and the disintegration of his family.
Writer: Lee Hall | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Jamie Bell, Julie Walters, Jean Heywood, Jamie Draven
Votes: 84,614
4. Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)
PG-13 | 129 min | Adventure, Drama, Mystery
A nine-year-old amateur inventor, Francophile, and pacifist searches New York City for the lock that matches a mysterious key left behind by his father, who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.
Writers: Eric Roth, Jonathan Safran Foer | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Thomas Horn, Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Max von Sydow
Votes: 67,522
5. Deathwatch (2002)
R | 94 min | Drama, Horror, War
In the middle of World War I, nine British soldiers caught behind enemy lines seek refuge in a complex network of German trenches. What they soon discover is that they aren't alone - and it isn't a German soldier that's hunting them down.
Writer: Michael J. Bassett | Director: Michael J. Bassett | Stars: Jamie Bell, Rúaidhrí Conroy, Mike Downey, Laurence Fox
Votes: 8,094
6. Krabat and the Legend of the Satanic Mill (2008)
120 min | Drama, Fantasy, Thriller
A boy learns the black arts from an evil sorcerer.
Writers: Michael Gutmann, Marco Kreuzpaintner, Otfried Preußler | Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner | Stars: David Kross, Christian Redl, Daniel Brühl, Robert Stadlober
Votes: 4,507
7. London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony: Isles of Wonder (2012 TV Movie)
352 min | Sport
Writers: Danny Boyle, Frank Cottrell Boyce | Director: Danny Boyle | Stars: Kenneth Branagh, Queen Elizabeth II, Jacques Rogge, Sebastian Coe
Votes: 1,833
8. Guy X (2005)
R | 101 min | Comedy, War
A black comedy set in 1979, about a soldier mistakenly posted to an Arctic military base.
Writers: Steve Attridge, John Paul Chapple, John Griesemer | Director: Saul Metzstein | Stars: Jason Biggs, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Northam, Sean Tucker
Votes: 1,706
9. The 81st Annual Academy Awards (2009 TV Special)
TV-14 | 210 min
Annual awards presentation honoring the best film achievements of 2008.
Writers: Jon Macks, Jenny Bicks, Bill Condon, John Hoffman, Phil Alden Robinson, Bruce Vilanch, Dan Harmon, Rob Schrab, Ben Schwartz, Joel Stein, Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce, Robert Cohen | Directors: Roger Goodman, Allen P. Haines | Stars: Hugh Jackman, Amy Adams, Jennifer Aniston, Alan Arkin
Votes: 1,663
10. Mickybo and Me (2004)
R | 95 min | Comedy, Drama
The film tells the story of two boys who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with the consequence that they run away to Australia.
Writers: Terry Loane, Owen McCafferty | Director: Terry Loane | Stars: John Joe McNeill, Niall Wright, Julie Walters, Ciarán Hinds
Votes: 1,441
11. The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009 TV Movie)
Writers: Barry Adelman, Ken Shapiro, Jon Macks | Director: Chris Donovan | Stars: Ricky Gervais, Amy Adams, Brooke Adams, Christina Applegate
Votes: 955
12. The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003 TV Special)
210 min
Writers: Hal Kanter, Rita Cash, Buz Kohan, Steve Martin, Beth Armogida, Dave Barry, Dave Boone, Andy Breckman, Jon Macks, Rita Rudner, Bruce Vilanch | Directors: Louis J. Horvitz, Penelope Spheeris | Stars: Steve Martin, Ben Affleck, John Agar, Wayne Allwine
Votes: 812
13. The 73rd Annual Academy Awards (2001 TV Special)
Writer: Jon Macks | Directors: Louis J. Horvitz, Roger Goodman | Stars: Steve Martin, Ben Affleck, Debbie Allen, Joan Allen
Votes: 750
14. Charlie Rose (1991– )
60 min | News, Talk-Show
Stars: Charlie Rose, Mark Halperin, Al Hunt, Thomas Friedman
Votes: 478
15. National Theatre Live (2009– )
Stars: Nick Sampson, Simon Russell Beale, Alex Jennings, Helen Mirren
Votes: 456
16. Cinema16: British Short Films (2003 Video)
203 min
16 short and student films by British directors
Director: Martin Parr | Stars: Stephen Daldry, Simon Ellis, Jonathan Finn, Jim Gillespie
Votes: 414
17. Eight (1998)
13 min | Short
A day in the life of an eight-year-old soccer fan who has to come to terms with living in a strange new town and the loss of his father.
Writer: Tim Clague | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Jack Langan-Evans, Mark E'von, Gina McKee
Votes: 281
18. This Morning (1988– )
120 min | Talk-Show
Presenters Phillip Schofield, Fern Britton and Lorraine Kelly present Britain's number 1 daytime show to bring us the latest entertainment, health, home and garden, fashion and beauty ... See full summary »
Stars: Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby, Ruth Langsford, Fern Britton
Votes: 254
19. CBS News Sunday Morning (1979– )
90 min | News
Stars: Charles Osgood, Conor Knighton, Bill Geist, Martha Teichner
Votes: 240
20. Son of Man (2006)
86 min | Drama
One man's journey of love, deception and betrayal in contemporary South Africa. Based on the New Testament.
Writers: Mark Dornford-May, Andiswa Kedama, Pauline Malefane | Director: Mark Dornford-May | Stars: Andile Kosi, Pauline Malefane, Andries Mbali, Mvuyisi Mjali
Votes: 189
21. Breakfast (2000– )
180 min | Family, News, Talk-Show
Popular morning news programme that covers many news stories from both the UK and from around the world. Other features include a sports round-up, weather reports every thirty minutes and ... See full summary »
Stars: Bill Turnbull, Carol Kirkwood, Charlie Stayt, Sian Williams
Votes: 179
22. London 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony: A Symphony of British Music (2012 TV Movie)
Music, Sport
Director: Kim Gavin | Stars: Ben Ainslie, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ursula Petula Barzey, Beady Eye
Votes: 169
23. Made in Hollywood (2005– )
60 min | Talk-Show
Creator: Cleveland O'Neal III | Stars: Kylie Erica Mar, Julie L. Harkness, Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay, Patrick Stinson
Votes: 137
24. Días de cine (1991– )
60 min | News
Antonio Gasset hosts this show in which recently released movies and DVDs are thoughtfully discussed, in a documentary-like way.
Stars: Antonio Gasset, Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, Henar Álvarez, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón
Votes: 125
25. Sunrise (2003– )
180 min | News, Talk-Show
Morning breakfast show in the tradition of GMA, with news, sport, weather, current affairs and entertainment segments.
Stars: Melissa Doyle, David Koch, Mark Beretta, Natalie Barr
Votes: 121
26. At the Movies (2004– )
30 min | Talk-Show
Following the 18-year success of their reviews on The Movie Show (1986), renowned Australian critics and film supporters David Stratton and Margaret Pomeranz take to a new show, where each ... See full summary »
Stars: David Stratton, Margaret Pomeranz, Judith Lucy, Jason di Rosso
Votes: 109
27. Cinema 3 (1984– )
Stars: Jaume Figueras, Crisol Tuà, Monts Llussà, Àlex Gorina
Votes: 107
28. Nicole Kidman: An American Cinematheque Tribute (2003 TV Movie)
60 min | Documentary
The American Cinematheque brings Nicole Kidman together with her friends, family, and past co-stars to honor her for her contributions to film.
Writer: Paul Flattery | Director: Michael Dempsey | Stars: Nicole Kidman, Lauren Bacall, Kathy Baker, Robert Benton
Votes: 95
29. Omnibus (1967–2003)
Documentary, Biography
Arts documentary series.Also with concerts and experimental dramatizations.
Stars: David Collings, John Gielgud, André Previn, Stephen Fry
Votes: 88
Omnibus (1967–2003)
The 'Billy Elliot' Boy
50 min | Documentary, Biography
Recording Jamie Bell's progress from unknown schoolboy to award-winning star of "Billy Elliot".
Director: Martyn Hone | Stars: Jamie Bell, Eileen Bell, Russell Crowe, Stephen Daldry
Votes: 73
National Theatre Live (2009– )
The Audience
For Sixty years Elizabeth II has met each of her twelve Prime Ministers in a weekly audience at Buckingham Palace- a meeting like no other in British public life- it is private. Both ... See full summary »
Writer: Peter Morgan | Director: Stephen Daldry | Stars: Helen Mirren, Paul Ritter, Edward Fox, Richard McCabe
Votes: 61
32. Unlocked (2006)
11 min | Short, Drama
A teenage girl has to decide whether or not to donate her hair to charity.
Writers: Peter Duchan, Daryl Wein | Director: Daryl Wein | Stars: Meagan Hooper, Eric Nelsen, Violet O'Neill, Jessica Philbin
Votes: 56
33. 'Billy Elliot': Breaking Free (2001 Video)
23 min | Documentary, Short
Stars: Brent Selzer, Stephen Daldry, Jamie Bell, Julie Walters
Votes: 56
34. Wednesday (2007)
23 min | Short, Drama
Wednesday is the story of a girl and a boy, born on the same day, at the same, in the same hospital, whose paths cross again years later, in the very same place.
Writer: Rob Sorrenti | Director: Rob Sorrenti | Stars: Sinead Matthews, Tom McClane, Ann Emery, David Kennedy
Votes: 55
35. The 63rd Annual Tony Awards (2009 TV Special)
Writers: Dave Boone, Paul Greenberg | Director: Glenn Weiss | Stars: Neil Patrick Harris, Ryan Duncan, David Alvarez, Lucie Arnaz
Votes: 55
36. British Film Forever (2007 TV Mini-Series)
90 min | Documentary, History
Stars: Jessica Hynes, Timothy Spall, Nick Moran, Ronald Neame
Votes: 43
37. Via Dolorosa (2000)
99 min | Drama
Writer: David Hare | Director: John Bailey | Star: David Hare
Votes: 42
38. The Winter Butterfly (2010)
120 min | Drama
The Winter Butterfly is a story about passion and love, depicting Matsunaga a samurai, as a corrupt oppressor rather than a hero. With the emergence of a new system during the Meiji period,... See full summary »
Writer: Marcus Tozini | Director: Marcus Tozini | Stars: Sam Aoyama, Ikuma Isaac Fryman, Sharon Gee, Jet Harp
Votes: 33
39. London 2012 Paralympic Opening Ceremony: Enlightenment (2012 TV Movie)
231 min | Music
Directors: Bradley Hemmings, Jenny Sealey | Stars: Debbie Abbott, Jordan Adams, Ric Adams, Aresh Amo
Votes: 33
40. The Real 'Billy Elliot' Diaries (2005 Video)
20 min | Documentary, Short
Documentary following the actors playing the role of Billy in Billy Elliot the Musical as they prepare for their West End debut.
Director: Rob Sorrenti | Stars: Jimmy Carr, Stephen Daldry, David Furnish, Elton John
Votes: 30
41. Sing Along (2013)
33 min | Short, Comedy, Drama
A sheltered boy with a dream of starring on Broadway survives day-to-day life by imagining the world as a musical.
Writer: Mark Oxman | Director: Mark Oxman | Stars: Myles Erlick, Alice Ripley, Sam Tsui, Heidi Blickenstaff
Votes: 29
+ de cinéma (2001– )
Episode dated 20 March 2002
Documentary, Short, News
Stars: Robert Altman, Orlando Bloom, Sacha Bourdo, Jerry Bruckheimer
Votes: 20
43. + de cinéma (2001– )
30 min | Documentary, Short, News
Stars: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Dolph Lundgren, Benoît Poelvoorde, Robert Altman
Votes: 18
44. The 48th Annual Tony Awards (1994 TV Special)
Writers: Buz Kohan, Gary Smith | Director: Walter C. Miller | Stars: Amy Irving, Anthony Hopkins, George Abbott, Jane Adams
Votes: 17
45. The Evening Standard Theatre Awards 2003 (2003 TV Movie)
Writer: Rory Bremner | Director: Ian Hamilton | Stars: Roger Allam, Richard Attenborough, Helen Baxendale, Peter Bowles
Votes: 14
46. London 2012 Paralympic Closing Ceremony: Festival of Flame (2012 TV Movie)
Director: Kim Gavin | Stars: Shawn Aldin-Burnett, Ursula Petula Barzey, Guy Berryman, Jon Buckland
Votes: 13
47. Movie Connections (2007–2009)
40 min | Documentary
Series looking at the history of favourite films.
Stars: Ashley Jensen, Bill Forsyth, Julie Walters, John Gordon Sinclair
Votes: 12
48. Max Von Sydow: Dialogues with The Renter (2012)
44 min | Documentary
Director: Cedric Brelet von Sydow | Stars: Max von Sydow, Ann Roth, Ivana Primorac, Jerry Popolis
Votes: 8
49. Bourne to Dance (2001 TV Movie)
90 min | Documentary, Music
Choreographer Matthew Bourne takes a personal journey through the history of male dance.
Directors: Matthew Bourne, Ross MacGibbon | Stars: Matthew Bourne, Adam Cooper, Robin Cousins, Stephen Daldry
Votes: 8
50. Greatest Ever Blockbuster Movies (2006 TV Movie)
165 min | Documentary
Stars: Giles Coren, Andrew Adamson, Roger Allers, John Badham
Votes: 8


text:
The most popular movies among NYTimes.com readers.
197 Readers' Reviews
January 1st, 201011:56 am
The most compelling aspects of this film were the cameos of those men and women who had been let go, fired, RIF, et al. Director's call for casting was authentic and relevant.
One of the most objectionable features was the constant product placement for American Airlines, Hertz, Hilton et al.
All lead actors were compelling.
— Fahey, WA
January 1st, 20103:46 pm
The sad part is, this is the best Hollywood can do.
— Saranack, Brooklyn
January 2nd, 201011:09 am
I'm not a George Clooney fan, in my opinion every movie he has been in was mediocre, but was surprised by this film. Actually, he doesn't really act because every line is said with the exact same enthusiasm and tone; I guess he is a "method actor". Actually, every movie he acts in has much the same tone in his voice.
In such terrible times we have today this plot definitely is not a movie for a person just laid off or nearing the inevitable end. There were people being fired who were loyal and capable employees for 10-25 years and just got kicked to the curb with the corporation feeling high on how easy it was to accomplish, more money in their pocket.
The wedding event should have been replaced as it was not plausible for a woman to get the whole weekend off with kids and family at home.
The ending was a switcher as here we had the woman flicking off the man like lint.
— QueenClark, Miami
January 2nd, 201011:10 am
I am willing to bet that those who liked this film are Baby Boomers, and those who did not are younger. Most of the audience I saw this film with were older than my husand and I, and laughed through much of the film. Maybe you just have to be older than 23 to "get" this movie. And being here in Michigan, we certainly "get" the despair of losing a job. My husband and I thought the ending was a bit weak, but did not otherwise ruin a good movie. I especially like the casting of the family members at the wedding...they all looked like real people, not Hollywood types,. I loved the tiny diamond engagement ring...very very realistic here in the Midwest, especially for a younger couple. Anna Kendrick is an amazing actress, I look forward to seeing her in future movies.
— Boo, East Lansing Michigan
January 2nd, 201011:10 am
To J. C. Adams, all I can say is that you have to be kidding when you said: "There wasn't enough development of the real world aspects of what this outplacement function can do to help the terminated employee move on as successfully as possible."
Outplacement services are provided to make the firing corporation pretend like they are doing the right thing. As to providing aid to the fired workers, these companies are a joke (as anyone who has been fired knows). There are a lot of good volunteer organizations out there that help people through the tough times, but don't insult our intelligence that "outplacement" has ever provided anything but the bare minimum of assistance.
Good movie, by the way.
— Richard B., Carmel
January 2nd, 201011:10 am
Comedy? Comedy? Who's trying to pull our collective legs. It's a tragedy, period. A "Debbie Downer". Clooney is gorgeous though.
— Muh, dallas
January 2nd, 201011:11 am
Both my 20 year old daughter and I thought the movie dragged quite a bit at the beginning.
Clooney reminds us that some good looking actors and actresses can simply play the same character movie after movie and get paid for it. They have no depth or breadth. Clooney seems to be one of them.
I couldn't really understand what the film was trying to get at. The protagonist's revelation that actual intimacy was an important emotional element in a fulfilling human existence?
If he hadn't understood this all of his life, why was that? And how could a couple of rolls in the hay with the hot Alex character somehow make him realize this?
In the end, the film fell flat, even though there were some scenes that were interesting and engaging.
— adirondax, Mid-state NY
January 2nd, 201011:11 am
I often feel that Manohla Dargis is the only mainstream critic that voices a contemporary, thinking feminist's (male or female) point of view.
Also, I love that I get more than a thumbs up or down when I read an NYT review. NYT does not rate out of 4 or 5 stars for good reason--movies deserve credit for their complexity.
(Anyway, I echo "Up There" from pavlov65: IT IS LABELED AS A CRITIC'S PICK. Of course she thinks it is worth seeing.)
— A.S., New York, NY
January 2nd, 201011:12 am
For once I can agree almost wholeheartedly with the media film critics! "Up in the Air" is a profound examination not just of today's modern economy, but of contemporary American society. We live in an era in which we no longer live in tribes, in which we no longer live in the same place all our lives, and in which families are small and spread over long geographical distances. We no longer live in "built in" communities, and this creates a dilemma for many of us, i.e., whom can we trust and whom can we feel close to? "Up in the Air" is an allegory about modern society in America and to a certain extent in the West, and George Clooney is cast as an everyman who realizes that close personal relationships are not easy in the modern world. Vera Farmiga is not a conventionally beautiful leading lady, and as such, is perfectly cast. If Julia Roberts had played the role of Alex, the audience would dismiss the character as a spoiled, attractive woman who is used to getting her own way. Farmiga as Alex takes on symbolic meaning. Alex is not just an individual, but a product of our atomized society. "Up in the Air" is cynical, and I think an older generation in particular may find this cynicism to be off putting. But with a little thought, I think most viewers will find the film to have a strong ring of authenticity and realism.
— unpaidpundit, Rochester, NY
January 3rd, 201011:29 am
This movie had many nice moments, and many good ironic plays on people and organizations. Unfortunately, in the end it felt contrived and somewhat predictable.
Can't George Clooney land any parts where he plays a different personality?
— BostonTrim, Cambridge MA
January 3rd, 201011:29 am
I usually like movies that get good reviews, but this ranks with "Rainman" and "Forest Gump" as one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen. Clooney is perfect, but while it does seem to capture the times in which we live, I was underwhelmed.
— georgiaguy8, Atlanta, GA
January 3rd, 201011:30 am
I'm shocked by the critical acclaim this movie has received. Forget about the illusions to a life in the air, unattached except to the travel and its accoutrements. He is, in reality, a dissociated man, immune to the misery his job creates. And yet, once he is reached emotionally by his assistant who isn't detached and his girl friend, he (guess what) falls in love, That love affair is also unreal; their time at the wedding is too intense for the committment his partner later claims. Go see a foreign film instead.
— mollyny8, pleasantville, ny
January 3rd, 20108:21 pm
My only regret after seeing this movie was sitting through (how long was it?...two hours, two days?) Sherlock Holmes. As films go, they don't get much better. Or, in the case of the latter, worse.
— Tim Smith, Mansfield, Ohio
January 3rd, 20109:46 pm
I don't know that I've seen a better movie this year. Clooney is excellent as a "road warrior" who makes his living firing people for corporations whose executives lack the guts to do it themselves. He has a supplemental gig as a motivational lecturer who argues that our commitments and earthly possessions weigh us down unnecessarily. I found Clooney's transformation by movie's end to someone longing for his own place to belong completely convincing. His vulnerability invests a level of tragedy to his realization, and ours, that the classic American dream - a family and home - is not achievable for him.
— Barry Rosen, Plymouth Meeting, PA
January 4th, 20108:49 pm
What a great movie Mr. Reitman and his actors delivered. It is such a mirror reflection of the Modern Societies in the Western Culture. Mr. Reitman really dared a reflection on the purpose of Life, and did quite a good job. His movie is so dense and layered.
I was interested in the part of the "Miles award card" that G. Clooney's character is trying to get. I kind of saw in that the race for the trophy, it is just a race, there is no point to it, accumulating miles for the sake of accumulating miles, for in the end get the same "Thank you for your loyalty" and a behavior he did not expect (even though he had rehearsed that moment several times).
Then I was also interested in the subject of growing up. Is growing up to have a clear life goal, to know what you want, to know to take decision or maybe face reality and go live with it so that we give a meaning to Life. In which case we are dealing with the opposite of Juno who was forced into adulthood and live with the consequences of her actions way early.
Up in the Air is a brilliant movie that deals with sensitive subject in a time when we are forced to look to what matters into our own lives.
— AS-, New York, NY
January 4th, 20108:54 pm
I think I felt this movie long after I viewed it. It had several life themes that all of us deal with daily. Some folks seem to have problems with product placement, George Clooney being the main role etc. I prefer to sit back and digest the concept, the story as it unfolds, so I didn't allow those minutiae to create obstacles for me. As echoed in other comments this is about choices people make and their consequences played out. The only ones without this particular choice are the terminated workers. It did not have a tidy ending and it illustrated how "classes" bump up against each other and what people come away with when that happens. Those wanting George Clooney to play something different or deeper or whatever are the same group that wanted Gable to do Parnell and we all know how that turned out, so fahgedaboudit!!
— Starr, Oregon
January 4th, 20109:04 pm
On it's face UITA is a well written, directed and acted movie with both funny and poignant moments. But, I left the movie feeling a bit manipulated because of one fatal flaw. The movie's non-stop free advertising (American Airlines, Hilton and Hertz did not pay for product placement) to corporations who are some of the biggest downsizers of late. So what message are we left with: laying people off while CEOs make millions in bonuses isn't so bad if you do it in a nice, face-to-face way and give them a nice, hopeful pep-talk. Kind of sickening to watch people's heart-wrenching stories of losing their jobs while at the same time giving us a warm and fuzzy image to a corporation like American Airlines whose top managers gave themselves tens of millions of dollars in bonuses while at the same time shedding thousands of jobs in the 2000s. Twisted.
— Zach, Portland, OR
January 5th, 20103:08 am
I loved this movie. It fills every niche and glitch that I believe exist in the real world. Yes, there really are experience- deprived wunderkinder like Natalie out there, and females like Alex who want it all and get it too,as well as men like Ryan Bingham who are always running,not so much from anything, as to something that keeps eluding them. Another city, another hotel,who can say,it might just be at the next check in counter.
Reading the reviews illustrates what some have always knows about the film arts. What you think you see is what you get. See nothing, get nothing. Pity.
— Lola, Canada
January 5th, 20108:33 pm
what garbage! filled from beginning to end with movie cliche's. Clooney and Farmiga are great actors (though Clooney's showing his age: chicken neck), but the movie was dull as dirt. It was not funny at all, not a single thing is even close to funny. And despite Clooney's best efforts, you simply can't care about his character. Practically every actor in the movie is a great actor, and it is well shot, but it still sucks. Just goes to show you - Aristotle was right, the story is everything. Without a good story, you've got nothing. nothing. nothing.
— movie reviewer, toronto
January 6th, 20108:48 pm
What a refreshing change. I saw it before taking a red eye from SF to NYC and I actually looked forward to flying. But as a movie it has one of the best recognition scenes you'll see in film. Casting Anna Kendrick from Twilight was brilliant.
January 8th, 20109:23 am
Great acting cannot save any film when the story line is so trivial and so contrived. A completely underwhelming film on every level. If George Clooney were not starring in this film, I suspect that the reviews would have been far less laudatory. Typical Hollywood dreck, and in some ways more offensive, because it has pretensions to being "culturally" relevant.
— PB, East Hampton, NY
January 9th, 201011:08 am
I just saw the movie and although it had fewer laughs than I expected, I still feel I was not let down by this movie. It could be that Clooney's character is a bit of a saint. He is not small-minded. He tries to do a good job and soften the blow. His one indulgence is his goal to have a top frequent flier miles number, somewhat pathetic really. He is not a narcissist. His somewhat bereft bedroom at home tells you that. He doesn't want attachments, but who is happy in this movie? Not the people who have them.
SPOILER alert// At the end the people canned seem to be more at peace with the change in their lives. I won't tell more, but everybody sort of gets what they want. Ryan gets to fly again. So maybe this is actually a happy ending? I am still thinking about it.
-It is as if the movie is a sieve, and as much meaning as there was at the beginning, was poured through it, and is the same at the end.
Clooney is excellent in his role and all the supporting cast is great too; especially his assistant.
— reader, Sacramento, CA
January 9th, 201011:13 am
Great acting by the leads. Nice story relevant to current times. Great character depth. Loved it!
— Vineet, Mumbai
January 10th, 201011:33 am
I got alot out this movie. Every character in the movie is confused. From the young protege to Ryan and his in the skies girlfriend. Up in the air reminds me of a modern day "The Graduate". Real people, real situations, real decisions on lifestyle and discrepencies of feelings emotions, loyalty etc. As I was exiting the theatre, many people had wanted a happy ending..I kept seeing Dustin Hoffman and Katherines Rosses faces on the bus..as Ryan Bingham stares at the airport departure board.
This is better than a good movie..this is a great movie that plays the script of life as it really is..for most of us.
— tarathecat, Long Island NY
January 10th, 201011:39 am
Watching this film was like trying to have sex with a blow-up doll - why bother...
— Jake Gittes, Los Angeles, California


text:
User Reviews & Ratings - Trilipix oral
Read user comments about the side effects, benefits, and effectiveness of Trilipix oral.
Overall User Ratings191 Total User Reviews
User Reviews
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User Reviews
Reviewer: 55-64 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)
Ease of Use
After 4 months of treatment I was up almost every night with lower back, leg, hip and muscle pain. Also, I developed colon problems and GERD. I would not take the medication again, but am aware of the dangers of high cholesterol and triglycerides. I'm currently trying red yeast rice to help with the condition.
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Reviewer: back2basics, 65-74 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)
Ease of Use
I have been on assorted statins which resulted in high liver enzymes. started on trilipix about 6 months ago, now I have cysts on my thyroid, kidney & liver as well as the aches , pains & dizziness. I also now have gall stones! This drug also does not prevent you from having a heart attack or stroke!! Very dangerous, should definately be off the market!! wish I had read the reviews befor ... Show Full Comment
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Reviewer: patient, 75 or over Male on Treatment for 1 to less than 2 years (Patient)
Ease of Use
Have been taking trilipix and lovaza,one capsule each together once a day for over a year but developed severe itching over entire body.Stopped taking both drugs and the itching left after about a week,and hesitant about resuming the medicine since it produced only moderate results with my triglycerides and cholesterol.
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Reviewer: Ron, 55-64 Male on Treatment for 6 months to less than 1 year (Patient)
Ease of Use
I m somewhat o k with the medications but they easy to take, but the muscle pain and cramping, are hard to deal with, it makes me cut back on the days i take them
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Reviewer: Not worth the pain, 45-54 Female on Treatment for 1 to 6 months (Patient)
Ease of Use
I was on a very low dosage of Trilipix for the first month. I had no symptoms of any kind, so my physician increased the dosage last week. I have been on the increased dosage for 6 days now and the muscle pain in my legs and lower back is intolerable. I threw the medicine away.
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