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Ive only owned one tube of lipstick before I bought Naturally Chic and Rose Femme from this line. I always thought lipstick looked ridiculous on me but this has turned me into a convert. Its easy to apply and lasts well, but does become more of a stain than lipstick throughout the day. Rose Femme is that darker browny pink color that I was looking for, since I hate the look of unnatural fuchsia pink lips. I use it on days I actually wear full makeup, and as for Naturally Chic, it really makes me look more put together even with no makeup. I plan to try out Cabaret and Plumrose(?) too
i love this lipstick , Very creamy and long lasting , its vibrant and perfect for wearing out . you def get your moneys worth .
I Own only one shade i do plan on purchasing more just haven't got around to it as yet ,
since there's so much lipsticks i want to try .
i Own the shade " 14 Rose hip "
Its a vibrant bright Hot pink shade .
a lot of people compare this shade to " Mac Yum Yum " But they're not really alike in my opinion " Mac yum yum " is brighter and it has more of a neon Pink undertone . and " Milani rose hip 14 " has more of a Hot pink Purplish Undertone . i still LOVE THIS SHADE i just hate when people say its a dupe of " Mac yum yum " because its NOT .
( here is a link to a close up picture of me wearing this product in " 14 rose Hip "
----------> http://oi58.tinypic.com/s6oeo1.jpg
Overall I love this shade and product i will def repurchase this shade and other shades i think any complexion women can pull " 14 rose hip "by its self or with a Lip Liner .
A year or so back I purchased Milani Color Statement lipstick in "Naturally Chic", #25. It's a nice, peachy-brown creme on me. Unexpectedly, what came to impress me most about Milani Color Statement lipsticks is the staying power. Nowadays many lipsticks wear like lip balm/lipstick crossovers, but this is straight lipstick and it wears like it, too in a refreshingly old school sort of way. I even like the glam gold tubes with the handy color window on the bottom (so much more accurate than a sticker!).
Recently, I purchased this lipstick in "Fruit Punch", #11 and "Sugar Glaze", #39. Fruit Punch is a creme shade of warm rose-coral, a bold shade that may resemble a hot pink on fair skin tones. Sugar Glaze is a peachy nude with a gold shimmer, which will flatter a variety of complexions. With respect to many creme-finish lipsticks, I've noticed wear time is considerably improved over their pearl, frost or satin counterparts, even within the same brand. With Milani, however, the wear-time on Sugar Glaze is just as good as can be found in their creme finishes. While I must admit it was entirely unexpected to encounter a lipstick so waxy in that Sugar Glaze doesn't spread all that easily in spite of the gold shimmer I'll happily live with the waxier feel in exchange for a lipstick that actually stays put!
For all the great things about these lipsticks unusually nice packaging for a drugstore brand and unusually long-wearing shades there is a significant drawback that keeps me from enjoying these lipsticks more often. I am a flavored lip balm fan but in spite of the fact that product fragrances do not typically throw me off the watermelon fragrance to this line of lipsticks is far too strong. Someone else described it as a Jolly Rancher candy sort of smell, and I would agree.
For as much as I like these lipsticks, overall, I really wish Milani would rethink the watermelon scent. Not only is this one of the more over-powering scents I've encountered from a drugstore brand, but given that this brand is geared toward women of color the choice of watermelon strikes me as stereotypical perhaps even offensive. Scent aside, these are great products, fantastic colors and quality formulas. Until Milani rethinks the overpowering fragrance, however, I am tempted to purchase these Color Statement lipsticks only if 1) they are on sale, and 2) I can't locate the color I'm drawn to in another brand. Although it's doubtful I will purchase another Milani lipstick any time soon thanks to the clingy, watermelon scent, I'm rating this 4 lippies because the formulas are first-rate offering better staying power than the likes of L'Oreal and Revlon.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
Umm what the heck, why did it take me so long to try these??!? These are AMAZING. Regardless of the price which is also unbeatable, this is my favorite lipstick formula I have found to date. Some people don't like the fruity scent, but it dissipates really quickly so i don't mind it at all. There's great pigmentation on these, and they feel really moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. I literally can't stop wearing the shade I got (Rose Femme, a pinky-brown-mauve, slightly 90s, slightly MLBB kind of feel) and plan to get many more!! For the price point, you definitely can't do any better than these... and beyond that, these are certainly comparable to many mid-end or even high-end lip products. Love!!!
The color that I have is flamingo pose. The color is very opaque which is the only good side. For some reason milani lipsticks doesn't suit my lips. Couple of years ago I tried on lipstick from Milani and I had this problem. So this time around I exfoliated my lips very well and then tried Flamingo pose, but again my lips began to peel. The scent of the lipstick is very fruity.
I was skeptical that a drugstore lipstick would have the pigmentation that I like in lip color. But this one was a pleasant surprise. It does have a "jolly rancher" smell to it but I notice it fades after a few minutes. The color I bought is Chilled Brandy, a nice frosted plum. The frost/shimmer is fairly subtle but does show dry spots on the lips if you do not use a balm under it and exfoliate well before.
It wears well, I drank coffee and still had a good amount of color/stain left. I just touched it up and it wore for 3-4 hours without needing to touch up again.
Overall I would say if you can get past the smell then give it a try. It is a very nice full coverage, pigmented lipstick.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I live in Australia and am sick of having to spend around $20 just for what is a budget brand lipstick in the USA only to discover that it's rubbish, so I decided to buy up various brands at Cherry Culture and The Beauty Joint after researching swatches online for products we simply don't have here. I thought I'd take a punt on a Milani lipstick as I'm completely sold on their Brandy & All Natural lipliners.
The hold is great (unlike NYX Round Lipsticks which dribble over your lipliner and feather right into the age lines around your mouth) & is pleasantly moisturising, even when blotted down. Forget about Max Factor, Revlon, L'Oreal, Maybelline & the rest: Milani Color Statements leaves them for dead in the longevity, comfort and stayput stakes (even when I've slopped it on at home without using a lipliner!). The Color Statement lipsticks could give HE brands a run for their money...
... But I just can't get past the sickly, strong scent and the flavour from it that permeates my mouth. Considering the fact that I have very dry lips, plus somehow manage to work off lipstick incredibly quickly, I need to be touch up at least every few hours and just end up feeling sick by the end of a working day. I like the quality so much that I've tried to persist with it quite a few times hoping I could get over the taste, especially considering that there are a few more shades I'd LOVE to try out. Sadly, it's just too overwhelming for me to try to ignore. Yes, it does wear off, but by then I'm in need of a touch-up.
The quality and price are unbeatable. There's a selection of shades, tones and finishes enough to find at least two or three favourites for any gal... but only if you aren't sensitive to heavily fragranced lipsticks.
I'm heartbroken. Please, Milani, could you stop trying to cover up any icky natural smells with cheap perfume? I'd be willing to pay you $35 a tube if you'd leave it as it is. Personally, I'd rather a few weird smells over this tacky cover-up any day!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
I am completely floored by the staying ability. I was not expecting such a long wearing lipstick! I purchased these in Flamingo Pose, Uptown Mauve, and Plumrose. Upon initial application, I was immediately aware of the waxy texture. Not to say it's unpleasant - it feels cushy and lush on the lips. The texture also creates a really beautiful sheen and makes the lips look plumped up with high opaque pigment. The scent on this is strong when applying from the tube, but it does not linger. So pleased!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful. Did you? Yes No
So far...I have only tried four of them...and I love some more than others. Still overall I give this line of lipstick 5 stars because I really enjoy most of them! When smelling the lipstick in the tube, the scent is quite strong but I can't smell it at all when I put it on my lips.
Fruit Punch. I love this colorâ¦I think the combination of this lipstick with Macâs Pink Lemonade lipglass is amazing. It has just enough warmth in the lipstick to make it more wearable on my skin tone. The lipstick is creamy with a cream finish. Though these lipsticks donât make my lips peelâ¦I feel much more comfortable wearing these on top of a lipgloss. For this color although lipliner would be nice I donât think itâs absolutely necessary.
Nude Creme: This lipstick is a pinky nude with a cream finish. I would say it has the general color idea as Lâoreal Fairest Nude color. Unfortunately like most nudes, this color doesnât look very appealing on my skintone without some colored lipgloss. The consistency is creamy and applies easily on the lips. I would apply some nude lipliner to fill my whole lips and especially outline the edge so that I get an clean and even opaque nude finish.
Naturally chic: Itâs a cream finish with a nice creamy consistency. This is my everyday color. I top this lipstick with Macâs Lust lipglass and the combination is very work/prof school appropriate. I donât think this lipstick requires lipliner and itâs the most hassle free application because of it. (This may also be because itâs the closest to the color on my own lips). The color applies well with just one or two layers. This is the first color I purchased and because I liked this one so much I ended up getting the other three.
Best Red: Thought itâs a pretty bright red color, this is my least favorite of the bunch. Unlike itâs name, itâs not the best red lipstick I own. Itâs matte with more a stiff texture and thus the color is a bit difficult to apply. Also, if you accidentally get this outside your lips youâre screwed because itâll stain red rather quickly. If you kiss someone the lip color will get all over them and it has a lot of transfer. I would try tissue-paper-blotting technique so it becomes more of a stain. I would also use a lipliner and lip brush to apply this colorâ¦thus making it the more bothersome lipstick to deal with. The formula is the most drying of the bunchâ¦but not to the point of significantly peeling my lips. It just makes the inner part of my lips a little more crackly looking if I donât apply lipgloss with it.
I haven't bought a single one of these that I don't like. I grab these before a lot of my MAC lipsticks. The colors are super pigmented and glide on like a dream. I cant wait to buy Best Red, its always sold out, though! And it smells like Jolly Ranchers which is a huge plus. At less than $4 a pop, I have no complaints.


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My iPo nan is annoyin me
OK, iPod gurus (for I know you're out there), sort this one out.
I load up my iPod nano with songs that have encoded correctly when I play them on my computer.
Bu whe I pla the o th iPo th song cut of jus befor th en - whic i remarkabl annoyin.
This had already been raised before on this blog, here - where Ken wrote Not all but some songs I put on my Ipod (60Gb) don't play all the way through b4 moving on to the next song. Only certain songs, but always the same songs.
However he was using Anapod, rather than iTunes. By contrast I'm using iTunes, and an iPod nano (4G). I didn't particularly like his solution (using Ogg Vorbis) though.
So - any suggestions or explanations?
- These posts might be related (the database thinks..):
- Suggestions for CSS welcome (7 July 2004; score: 0%)
- Keep the mice pedalling! (7 July 2004; score: 0%)
- The currency of blogs: pointers (8 July 2004; score: 0%)

subset: commoncrawl


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"Weird Al" Yankovic::Star Plaza Theatre::07/09/10I bought my first "Weird Al" record when I was a wee pup. At a truck stop. Also, it wasn't a record. It was a tape. Great road trip. I told Al this while we were talking on Friday. "I do most of my business at truck stops. It's amazing, so thanks for being part of the demographic."
We ran down to the Star Plaza in Merrillville, Indiana on Friday. There were three of us in the car – myself, our photographer Paul, and one of our Market Development gurus, Dave, who was recruited to do videography. All three of us are fans and all three of us had never seen Al live before. I'm glad I got to go; it was on my "bucket list".
Before you read any further, if you have never seen a Weird Al video you need to do yourself a favor; go to his YouTube page and watch, at the very least, the videos for "Fat", "Smells Like Nirvana", and "Amish Paradise". Then, if you really want to understand how brilliant he can be, go watch the videos for Michael Jackson's "Bad", Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and Coolio's "Amish Paradise". It's worth it.
Now that you've seen or recalled those masterpieces, picture those fantastic costumes on a stage right in front of you. During his performance nearly every satirical song used the outfits from the videos. There were probably a dozen or so costume changes and anyone with theatrical experience could probably appreciate what it would take to get in to this gem…
…Yeah, the fat suit! If I had to guess I'd say that outfit was the most intensive change, though that can be debated. I mean, the guy dressed Amish, DEVO, pimpin', Cobain-y, and like Michael Jackson. Oh, and the Jedi costumes. There were more, too. Al also likes to play with video and interludes during costume changes were handled by his vast repertoire of Al TV footage. Back in the day when MTV actually played music there were whole days when Al TV took over the channel. The passion for re-cutting interviews never died. Again, go to his YouTube channel to scope out the latest of his interviews.
We sat down with Al for about ten minutes prior to the show. He's a fan of his in-ears (some brand-spankin' new PSM900s) and has used Shure all over his stage for years. I'll post the video for everyone as soon as I'm able. In the meantime, check out a few shots from the show!
All photos © Photo Reserve


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In Regards to the Community: LightWalkers are awakened, spiritual Beings and Magical creatures who are pure of heart and walk in Truth.
In Regards to a specific individual … you know who you are… read more below:
I, like many others, know that you are not simply a human, but spirit first and foremost. And because of this, every individual on this earth possess the abilities of the supernatural as well as the tools needed to survive on this earth. According to Sorcha, in its simplest form, the term LightWalker means: Those who walk like Jesus. LightWalkers are individuals who harbor the light or 'embody Christ consciousness' and therefore live in a way that is both true to themselves and that serves for the greater good of our world.
A LightWalker not only accepts who they are in purest form, but know their purpose for being here. They are usually of spiritual nature, guiding and serving in some way. A LightWalker understands, to a great degree, how our world works and the LAW OF SOURCE (GOD).
LightWalkers are higher beings, often referred to as angels and/or other entities of equal or higher order and recognize themselves as such once awakened. Because they have walked this earth many times before, they have evolved to a spiritual level that few can attain in the same period of time. They can relate to many different beliefs and character roles because chances are, given their past lives history; there is little that they have not been through, seen or done before. Not all LightWalkers share the same background and although they have the same ultimate purpose, the path to such purpose differs. Although they possess the ability of the oracle LightWalkers may not openly display such gifts and if they do, only to a select few. Although they are not magicians, they are capable of many extraordinary feats, which may lie dormant until fully awakened.
LightWalkers are not capable of conforming to one set religion, and, in fact, are not religious at all. They are knowledgeable beyond their human years so may come off to others as Spiritualists, Buddhists and other 'light and love' types. LightWalkers answer to but one, and that is Creator/Source/God. However, while on earth, earth rules apply of course. They live normally and believe themselves to be such until it is their time to manifest destiny.
Awakening a Chosen One (LightWalker) literally involves a higher being- sometimes ascended masters-from the higher realm stepping into the world of said chosen one and breaking the illusion (or reality according to whom you speak. Some would say that this world is an illusion and to this I refer) in an effort to make them remember who they are. One cannot know their mission or fulfill it without knowing their truth. Illusions are important to the structure of humankind and this planet so if one is broken know that it is for GREAT, life and world altering reasons. A great change is coming. The end of one lifetime and the beginning of another. It is then that the term "carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders" become real in every sense of the word as their obligation to not only the masses, but also the world begins.
LightWalkers are messengers and are natural communicators whether it be through song, television, written word or other creative outlets. Usually, because earthly pleasures are of no use to them due to the level of ascension they have attained, they will not be materially rich and any riches they acquire they will not keep. Yet they will have everything they could ever need-because of how much they have done for the world in past life and present. And because of how much they have given of themselves (LightWalkers have suffered at one time or another for the people), what little that they actually want, they shall have.
Before a LightWalker will recognize him or herself as such, the people will recognize them first.
Every person, child, animal, insect in this world serves a purpose and therefore is important. LightWalkers are different in that there are no more lessons for them, no more suffering and it is their last lifetime here on earth. They have ascended and now only the message is important.
Being a LightWalker may sound like something beautiful, but the path of such is not for the faint of heart. It is much like every good drama filled supernatural show, except it is happening to you and much bigger than you could have ever imagined. No matter how exciting it sounds, the reason why every one does not experience it is because only those who are truly ready can withstand such knowledge and 'power.'
If you are a LightWalker, somehow you will always know this. But you may not accept it because you do not remember enough to fully understand. You will have supernatural abilities, but they may be buried under all that humanity. You will know how special you are without living it out, yet. You will know that you can do anything, without knowing just how true that is. You will live a normal life. However, it will be filled with many abnormal occurrences. Most LightWalkers live a solitary life even if they have families. They feel different, and it gives a sense of loneliness, this is because they are a bit different. If around other gifted individuals, your power will be felt. And you may deny that you are the source as to which they claim you to be. If around the average person, the energy that person feels with you cannot be put into words. It is often referred to as a light and this light draws them near.
The signs of a LightWalker, as listed above, could be any gifted individual however it goes much deeper and way more personal than what can be written on this page. When it all comes down to it, a LightWalker knows him or herself, but it is the people who will recognize them first.
Written by Aloriah 'Llady Sorcha'
*please credit if you should decide to use any or all of this article*


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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
"Nothing is withholding you from installing those addons too."
Yes, you can do that, but it won't help you to compete unless you also have hours a day to spend at the AH. That is the issue, the AH camping behaviour that these addons encourage and make simple to do.
Pfooti is getting down-rated because, for all his verbiage, his basic argument is that if you don't have that time then tough shit, you don't deserve to sell your stuff.
And the argument that this will cause prices to rise is bullshit, classic FUD being spouted by people afraid of facing more competition and losing their monopolies. Thats a large part of what AH PvP is about, as evidenced many times in this column - driving your more casual competitors out of the market so that you can control the prices. Just as in any real-world market, that's not good for the consumer in the end.
Blizzard obviously sees something wrong with the way things work atm, as pretty much anyone with any sense predicted they would after the QA3 "works-just-like-a-bot-but-isn't-technically-a-bot-under-the current-rules" addon. Now they're taking steps to fix it, and Pfooti doesn't like it, and we don't care.


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EDITORÆS NOTE Ś An occasional look at political claims that take shortcuts with the facts or donÆt tell the full story
WASHINGTON Ś Anyone who paid attention to a hearing in Congress this week knew that the administration had been implored to beef up security at the U.S. Consulate in Libya before the deadly terrorist attack there. But in the vice presidential debate Thursday night, Joe Biden seemed unaware.
ōWe werenÆt told they wanted more security there,ö the vice president asserted flatly. During a night in which Biden and Republican rival Paul Ryan both drifted from the facts on a range of domestic and foreign issues, that was a standout.
A look at some of their claims:
BIDEN: ōWell, we werenÆt told they wanted more security there. We did not know they wanted more security again. And by the way, at the time we were told exactly Ś we said exactly what the intelligence community told us that they knew. That was the assessment. And as the intelligence community changed their view, we made it clear they changed their view.ö
RYAN: ōThere were requests for more security.ö
THE FACTS: Ryan is right, judging by testimony from Obama administration officials at the hearing a day earlier.
Charlene R. Lamb, a deputy assistant secretary for diplomatic security, told lawmakers she refused requests for more security in Benghazi, saying the department wanted to train Libyans to protect the consulate. ōYes, sir, I said personally I would not support it,ö she said.
Eric Nordstrom, who was the top security official in Libya earlier this year, testified he was criticized for seeking more security. He said conversations he had with people in Washington led him to believe that it was ōabundantly clear we were not going to get resources until the aftermath of an incident. How thin does the ice have to get before someone falls through?ö
He said his exasperation reached a point where he told a colleague that ōfor me the Taliban is on the inside of the building.ö
RYAN: ōLook at just the $90 billion in stimulus the vice president was in charge of overseeing Ś this $90 billion in green pork to campaign contributors and special interest groups.ö
THE FACTS: Dismissing an entire package of energy stimulus grants and loans as ōgreen porkö ignores the help that was given to people to make their homes more energy efficient, grants to public entities constructing high speed rail lines and tax credits to manufacturers to install equipment fostering cleaner energy.
To be sure, there were notable failed investments, such as $528 million to the politically connected and now-bankrupt solar power company Solyndra. But RyanÆs claim made it sound like every penny went down the drain.
More broadly, economists are nearly universal in saying President Barack ObamaÆs $800 billion-plus stimulus passed in early 2009 helped create both public-sector and private-sector jobs, even if they fell short of what sponsors had hoped. Douglas Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, estimated the stimulus saved or created more than 3 million jobs.
BIDEN: ōWe went out and rescued General Motors.ö
THE FACTS: Actually, the auto bailout of General Motors and Chrysler began under President George W. Bush. The Obama administration continued and expanded it.
ŚŚŚ RYAN: ōAnd then they put this new Obamacare board in charge of cutting Medicare each and every year in ways that will lead to denied care for current seniors. This board, by the way, itÆs 15 people, the presidentÆs supposed to appoint them next year. And not one of them even has to have medical training.ö
THE FACTS: Ryan is referring to the Independent Payment Advisory Board, created under ObamaÆs health care overhaul law. It has the power to force cuts in Medicare payments to service providers if costs rise above certain levels and Congress fails to act. But it doesnÆt look like the board will be cutting Medicare ōeach and every year,ö as Ryan asserts. Medicare costs are currently rising modestly and the governmentÆs own experts project the boardÆs intervention will not be needed until 2018 or 2019 at the earliest Ś after Obama leaves office if re-elected to a second term.
BIDEN, when asked who would pay more taxes in ObamaÆs second term: ōPeople making a million dollars or more.ö
THE FACTS: ObamaÆs proposed tax increase reaches farther down the income ladder than millionaires. He wants to roll back Bush-era tax cuts for individuals making more than $200,000 and couples making more than $250,000.
RYAN: ōWe cannot allow Iran to gain a nuclear weapons capability. Now, letÆs take a look at where weÆve gone Ś come from. When Barack Obama was elected, they had enough fissile material Ś nuclear material Ś to make one bomb. Now they have enough for five. TheyÆre racing toward a nuclear weapon. TheyÆre four years closer toward a nuclear weapons capability.ö
THE FACTS: RyanÆs claim is misleading. Iran isnÆt believed to have produced any of the highly enriched uranium needed to produce even one nuclear weapon, let alone five. That point isnÆt even disputed by Israel, whose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored the world at the United Nations last month to create a ōred lineö at enrichment above 20 percent. Iran would have to enrich uranium at much higher levels to produce a weapon. There is intelligence suggesting that Iran has worked on weapon designs, but not that it has developed a delivery system for any potential nuclear warhead.
BIDEN: ōWhat we did is, we saved $716 billion and put it back, applied it to Medicare.ö
THE FACTS: Contrary to BidenÆs assertion, not all the money cut from Medicare is going back into the program in some other way. The administration is cutting $716 billion over 10 years in Medicare payments to providers and using some of the money to improve benefits under the program. But most of the money is being used to expand health care coverage outside of Medicare.
RYAN: ōWhat troubles me more is how this administration has handled all of these issues. Look at what theyÆre doing through Obamacare with respect to assaulting the religious liberties of this country. TheyÆre infringing upon our first freedom, the freedom of religion, by infringing on Catholic charities, Catholic churches, Catholic hospitals.ö
THE FACTS: The requirement under the health care law that most employers cover birth control free of charge to female employees does not apply to churches, houses of worship or other institutions directly involved in propagating a religious faith. It does apply to church-affiliated institutions such as hospitals and charities that serve the general public.
BIDEN: ōRomney said æNo, let Detroit go bankrupt.öÆ
THE FACTS: GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney has gotten endless grief through the campaign for the headline put on a November 2008 opinion essay he wrote for The New York Times. But his point was never that he wanted the auto industry to go down the tubes.
Romney opposed using government money to bail out Chrysler and General Motors, instead favoring privately financed bankruptcy restructuring. His prescription seemed improbable. Automakers were hemorrhaging cash and the banking system was in crisis, so private money wasnÆt available. Without the government money, itÆs likely both companies would have gone out of business. Romney did propose government-guaranteed private loans for both companies after bankruptcy.
RYAN: ōWe should have spoken out right away when the green revolution was up and starting, when the mullahs in Iran were attacking their people. We should not have called Bashar Assad a reformer when he was turning his Russian-provided guns on his own people.ö
THE FACTS: Neither Obama nor anyone else in his administration ever considered the Syrian leader a ōreformer.ö The oft-repeated charge stems from an interview Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gave in March 2011 noting that ōmany of the members of Congress of both parties who have gone to Syria in recent months have said they believe heÆs a reformer.ö She did not endorse that view. The comment was widely perceived to be a knock at senators, such as John Kerry of Massachusetts, who maintained cordial relations with Assad in the months leading up to his crackdown on protesters.
BIDEN: ōIt is the responsibility of the Afghans to take care of their own security ... If the (training) measures the military has taken do not take hold, we will not go on joint patrols. We will not train in the field. WeÆll only train in the Ś in the Army bases that exist there. But we are leaving. We are leaving in 2014. Period.ö
THE FACTS: BidenÆs assertion oversimplifies the process of winding down the Afghan war. Although most U.S. troops will leave by the end of 2014, thousands are likely to stay and continue a U.S. presence for years. There is no telling what fighting they might be drawn into, despite the decision to end the U.S. combat role. Analysts say the U.S. envisions a post-2014 force of as many as 20,000 American troops to continue training the Afghan forces, hunt terrorists and keep watch on Iran and other nations in the region.
RYAN: ōThis one tax would actually tax about 53 percent of small-business income.ö
BIDEN: ōNinety-seven percent of the small businesses in America pay less Ś make less than $250,000.ö
THE FACTS: Both are correct, but incomplete, when sizing up the effect on small business of raising taxes for individuals making more than $200,000 and married couples making more than $250,000, as Obama wants to do. Republicans say that would hit small-business owners who report business income on their individual income tax; Democrats say the overwhelming majority of small businesses would not be affected.
According to a 2010 report by the Joint Committee on Taxation, the official scorekeeper for Congress, about 3 percent of people who report business income would face a tax increase under ObamaÆs plan. That supportÆs BidenÆs point.
The same report says those business owners account for about half of all business income. That supports Ryan.
RYAN: Notes that there have been four rounds of U.N. sanctions on Iran to deter its nuclear program, three during the Bush administration and one under Obama. ōAnd the only reason we got it is because Russia watered it down and prevented the sanctions from hitting the central bank. Mitt Romney proposed these sanctions in 2007. In Congress, IÆve been fighting for these sanctions since 2009. The administration was blocking us every step of the way.ö He also noted the administration has granted 20 waivers to the sanctions.
THE FACTS: The argument that the administration was watering down or delaying sanctions is misleading. For sanctions to work, they need maximum global agreement and cooperation. Russia watered down U.N. sanctions not only under Obama but also under Bush. And itÆs highly unlikely that a Romney administration, particularly led by a candidate who says Russia is the biggest geostrategic threat to the U.S., would be able to get Russia completely on board with what the U.S. wants Ś either on Iran or Syria.
The more absolute U.S. sanctions that Ryan and others have pushed in Congress would have punished U.S. allies, including most countries in Europe as well as Japan and South Korea, along with good friends like India and Singapore Ś without the exemptions that were put in place.
The administration has indeed granted 20 waivers, to countries that made significant reductions in Iranian oil imports. And the sanctions are pinching; Iran has been convulsed over the past week with protests over the collapse of its currency, which most people say is a direct result of the sanctions that the U.S. and others have imposed.
Associated Press writers Bradley Klapper, Tom Raum, Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, Stephen Ohlemacher, Tom Krisher, Brian Bakst and Matthew Lee contributed to this report.


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Very good refrigerator/freezer time suggestions, dough did crack a bit when rolling up but it was workable, and tasty too. Nice holiday recipe, will use it again.
Gingerbread Pinwheels
terrils5 Posted: 12/19/10
Lalena82 Posted: 09/22/13
These were very pretty, but not as flavorful as they could be. Perhaps make sure the spices you use are super fresh!
Daily Specials


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Top 25 Wireless Carriers
The following Top 25 U.S. wireless carriers list was compiled from information supplied by the individual carriers, including subscriber numbers, web sites and each carrier's top 25 major markets. The information is based on carriers' results available as of Sept. 1, 1998. Wireless carriers were ranked according to number of total subscribers as of that date. Carriers with proprietary subscriber information were not included in this ranking. Julie Rietman, International Data Corporation (IDC) senior research analyst, and Callie Pottorf, IDC research analyst, offered their personal analysis of the top 10 carriers' strengths and weaknesses as well as what the future may hold for them.
Industry News
Briefing Room
1. AT&T Wireless Services Subscribers: 9.1 million 2Q98 Revenue: $2.34 billion Major Markets: Atlanta; Baltimore; Boston; Charlotte, NC; Chicago; Cleveland; Dallas/Fort Worth; Denver; Detroit; Jacksonville, FL; Las Vegas; Miami; Minneapolis; New York; Oklahoma City; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City; Seattle; St. Louis; Tampa, FL; Washington Technology: TDMA 1.9GHz and 800MHz Web Site: www.attws.com
Analyst Perspective AT&T Wireless has many advantages over other players, including its strong nationwide brand name, quick roll-out of PCS markets and digital cellular, a large coverage area and long-distance business, and rate plans with free roaming and long distance.
The carrier has opportunities to provide integrated services to high-end corporate users, and to use its vast service offerings (Internet, long distance, cellular/PCS, paging and satellite air-phones) to provide bundled offerings to high-end users.
AT&T will face challenges from the RBOCs because of their strong brand names and their ability to provide strong bundled products. AT&T will need to improve its bundling execution and improve voice quality on all handsets without the new vocoder.
2. AirTouch Subscribers: 7.3 million 2Q98 Revenue: $963 million Major Markets: Atlanta; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Colorado Springs, CO; Columbus, OH; Dayton, OH; Denver, Detroit; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; Phoenix; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City; San Diego; Seattle; St. Paul, MN; Toledo, OH Technology: CDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.airtouch.com
Analyst Perspective Although its brand name is not strong nationwide, AirTouch has the advantage of having a strong brand name in the PacTel region. Other strengths are its ownership in PrimeCo, acquisitions of US West's cellular properties and part ownership in Qualcomm.
The company's weaknesses are its slow roll-out of digital service, its average pricing, its voice quality -- because of the low percentage of subscribers that are digital -- the fact that it is a regional player and its limited ability to bundle.
AirTouch has the opportunity to provide a strong bundled service and use its strong brand name to target high-end users in its own region. It also could be acquired by the merged Bell Atlantic Mobile/GTE, which would consolidate BAM's and AirTouch's holdings in PrimeCo. AirTouch also could be a reseller for other companies wanting to offer bundled products.
The challenges facing AirTouch are competition from AT&T and Sprint, price competition from cheaper carriers, and competition from carriers who have rolled out digital services more extensively and who, therefore, provide better voice quality.
3. Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems Subscribers: 6 million 2Q98 Revenue: $911 million Major Markets: Baltimore; Boston; Buffalo, NY; Chicago; Dallas; Kansas City, MO; Rochester, NY; San Antonio; St. Louis; Washington Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.sbc.com
Analyst Perspective Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems' (SBMS) strengths are a relatively strong brand name nationwide and an extremely strong brand name in the Southwestern Bell region. It also has a high percentage of digital cellular subscribers, has lean operations, makes strong margins and has considerably expanded its footprint with its acquisitions of Pac Bell, SNET and planned acquisition of Ameritech.
The company's weaknesses are its expensive pricing and the poor voice quality on all handsets without the new vocoder.
In the future, SBMS has the opportunity to provide a strong bundled service and use its strong brand name to target high-end users in its ever-expanding region. But the carrier will face challenges in competition from AT&T and Sprint as well as price competition from cheaper carriers.
4. Bell Atlantic Mobile Subscribers: 5.7 million 2Q98 Revenue: $869.4 million Major Markets: Albany, NY; Baltimore; Boston; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Concord, NH; Gainesville, GA; Hartford, CT; Manchester, CT; New York; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Providence, RI; Stamford, CT; Washington Technology: CDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.bam.com
Analyst Perspective Bell Atlantic Mobile's key strengths are its relatively strong brand name nationwide and its extremely strong brand name in the Bell Atlantic region. It also has a high percentage of digital cellular subscribers, provides good voice quality, has ownership in PrimeCo and has announced plans to merge with GTE. Furthermore, it is a part owner in Qualcomm, which enables it to get good deals on handsets and ties the company to CDMA.
But the company has expensive pricing and is mainly a regional player.
Another weakness is the company's missed opportunity to acquire SNET, which allowed Southwestern Bell into its own region.
The opportunities ahead for the merged BAM/GTE are to possibly merge with AirTouch and consolidate holdings, including those in PrimeCo.
Like Southwestern Bell, BAM will find tough competition in AT&T and Sprint, with their strong brand names, and price competition from lower-priced players.
5. BellSouth Cellular Subscribers: 5.3 million 2Q98 Revenue: $814 million Major Markets: Atlanta; Baton Rouge, LA; Birmingham, AL; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Greensboro, NC; Honolulu; Houston; Indianapolis; Jackson, MS; Jacksonville, FL; Lexington, KY; Los Angeles; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Miami; Mobile, AL; Nashville, TN; New Orleans; Orlando, FL; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Savannah, GA; Tampa, FL; Tupelo, MS Technology: TDMA 800MHz, GSM 1.9GHz Web Site: www.bscc.com or www.bellsouthmobility.com
Analyst Perspective BellSouth enjoys a relatively strong brand name nationwide and an extremely strong brand name in its region. BellSouth is improving voice quality for its TDMA markets and has strong voice quality for its GSM markets. The carrier has a high percentage of digital cellular customers but also has expensive pricing. Because most of BellSouth's markets use TDMA except for three that use GSM, roaming is impossible.
BellSouth's challenges include competition from AT&T Wireless and Sprint PCS, as well as from carriers with lower prices. In addition, BellSouth is not trying to be a national player, but it will have to compete with those who are.
Opportunities for the carrier include providing a strong bundled service and using its strong brand name to target high-end users in its region, establishing a TDMA overlay of GSM markets to tie all markets together and increase coverage, and meeting its goal of providing for all telecom services in its region.
6. GTE Wireless Subscribers: 4.631 million 2Q98 Revenue: $745 million Major Markets: Austin, TX; Birmingham, AL; Charleston, SC; Chattanooga, TN; Cincinnati; Dayton, OH; Durham, NC; Honolulu; Houston; Indianapolis; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Norfolk, VA; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; Spokane, WA; Tampa, FL; Winston-Salem, NC Technology: CDMA 1.9GHz and 800MHz Web Site: www.gte.com
Analyst Perspective GTE has a widely recognized brand name, but it needs a nationwide presence -- currently its markets are disjointed and spread across the country. GTE has not followed the market yet by introducing a rate plan that includes roaming and/or long distance in the monthly price. This type of pricing plan could attract new customers and could lead to higher usage, resulting in higher ARPU and increased market share. GTE also needs to offer new value-added services to generate new income and attract new subscribers.
7. ALLTEL Subscribers: 3.7 million 2Q98 Revenue: $1.3 billion Major Markets: Albany, GA; Augusta, GA; Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Columbia, SC; Dallas; Durham, NC; Gainesville, FL; Harrisburg, PA; Jacksonville, FL; Las Vegas; Little Rock, AR; Montgomery, AL; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; Santa Fe, NM; Savannah, GA; Springfield, MO; Tallahassee, FL; Toledo, OH Technology: CDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.alltel.com Merged with 360 Communications July 1, 1998.
Analyst Perspective ALLTEL's key strengths are that it can bundle local and wireless services in some markets and that it has recently expanded its footprint through its merger with 3600 Communications. This should enable the company to gain potential cost savings and increase negotiating ability with vendors.
Before ALLTEL can gain considerable market share and move up in the ranking, it needs to educate its prospects and customers about the ALLTEL brand. Initial moves are under way; for instance, it already has changed all of the 360 degrees signs and stores to ALLTEL.
ALLTEL also should revise some of its mediocre rate plans, and offer new and innovative value-added services, to be more competitive with other carriers in the market. AT&T, Sprint and low-rate carriers will continue to threaten ALLTEL's growth.
ALLTEL should continue to merge with other players and bundle services. It should use its new economies of scale to negotiate better deals with vendors and in turn reduce its prices.
8. Ameritech Cellular Services Subscribers: 3.5 million 2Q98 Revenue: proprietary Major Markets: Chicago; Cleveland; Detroit; Indianapolis; St. Louis Technology: CDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.ameritech.com
Analyst Perspective Once the merger with SBC is finalized, Ameritech will be part of one of the largest wireless footprints in the United States.
The carrier's brand equity is low in markets outside of the Ameritech region, and only mediocre within its region. But Ameritech should not spend money improving its brand equity because it is unknown what brand will be used to market services if the merger is completed.
9. Nextel Subscribers: 2.042 million 2Q98 Revenue: $421.4 million Major Markets: Albuquerque, NM; Atlanta; Baton Rouge, LA; Birmingham, AL; Boston; Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Cheyenne, WY; Chicago; Cleveland; Dallas/Fort Worth; Denver; Detroit; Hartford, CT; Indianapolis; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Memphis, TN; Miami; Milwaukee; Minneapolis; New York; Norfolk, VA; Oklahoma City; Orlando, FL; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; St. Louis; Washington/Baltimore Technology: iDEN, SMR Web Site: www.nextel.com
Analyst Perspective Most potential customers do not see the SMR features but instead see Nextel only as a cellular or PCS service. The marketing challenge for Nextel is to ensure that potential and current subscribers realize the value of its unique product offering. The carrier's target customer base is specific SIC codes within the business market. In order to appeal to consumers, it needs to expand its distribution channels, improve coverage, provide a variety of end-user devices and clearly articulate the value of an integrated service offering.
Until Nextel has built out its digital iDEN network sufficiently to meet coverage needs, it would be beneficial to offer a dual-mode handset. However, Nextel is not following this path. It offers only single-mode digital service. In the short term, this policy will limit the subscriber base. But in the long term, provided the digital network is built out quickly and with sufficient coverage, Nextel should be able to compete.
10. United States Cellular Subscribers: 1.922 million 2Q98 Revenue: $26.9 million Major Markets: Corpus Christi, TX; Des Moines, IA: Gainesville, FL; Knoxville, TN; Madison, WI; Manchester, NH; Milwaukee, WI; Tallahassee, FL; Tulsa, OK Technology: CDMA, TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.uscc.com
Analyst Perspective Although United States Cellular rounds out the top 10 U.S. carriers, it does not have much brand equity and is a limited player. Because it serves a few markets in various states, it is a prime carrier to be acquired in order to fill in the missing markets of another, larger carrier.
Although it may not be a major player, United States Cellular is a leader. The carrier received the 1998 Bain Award for Strategy Excellence in the technology and information category, presented by global strategy consulting company Bain & Co.
11. Sprint PCS Subscribers: 1.37 million 2Q98 Revenue: proprietary Major Markets: Birmingham, AL; Dallas/Fort Worth; Denver; Des Moines, IA; Detroit; Fargo, ND; Indianapolis; Kansas City, MO; Little Rock, AR; Louisville, KY; Manchester, NH; Miami; Milwaukee; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Nashville, TN; New Orleans; New York; Oklahoma City; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Pittsburgh; Portland, ME; Portland, OR; Providence, RI; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Francisco; Seattle; St. Louis; Toledo, OH; Tucson, AZ Technology: CDMA 1.9GHz Web Site: www.sprintpcs.com
12. Comcast Cellular Communications Subscribers: 799,000 2Q98 Revenue: $115.9 million Major Markets: Dover, DE; New Brunswick, NJ; Newark, NJ; Philadelphia Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.comcastcellular.com
13. Western Wireless Subscribers: 795,900 2Q98 Revenue: $134.9 million Major Markets: Albuquerque, NM; Boise, ID; Denver; Des Moines, IA; El Paso, TX; Honolulu; Las Cruces, NM; Oklahoma City; Portland, OR; Salt Lake City; Tulsa, OK; Wichita, KS Technology: GSM 1.9GHz Web Site: www.wwireless.com
14. PrimeCo Personal Communications Subscribers: 700,000 2Q98 Revenue: proprietary Major Markets: Austin, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Chicago; Dallas/Fort Worth; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Green Bay/Appleton, WI; Houston; Jacksonville, FL; Janesville/Beloit, WI; Madison, WI; Melbourne, FL; Miami; Milwaukee; Mobile, AL; Technology: CDMA 1.9GHz Web Site: www.primeco.com Joint venture of AirTouch and Bell Atlantic
15. Pacific Bell Wireless Subscribers: 640,000 2Q Revenue: proprietary Major Markets: Las Vegas; Los Angeles, Sacramento, CA; San Diego; San Francisco/Oakland Technology: GSM 1.9GHz Web Site: www.pacbell.com/pcs
16. Vanguard Cellular Subscribers: 625,000 2Q98 Revenue: $101.4 million Major Markets: Allentown, PA; Binghamton, NY; Brunswick, ME; Elmira, NY; Harrisburg, PA; Lancaster, PA; Pittsburgh; Portland, ME; Reading, PA; Rochester, ME; Scranton, PA Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.vcela.com Acquired by AT&T Oct. 5, 1998.
17. CenturyTel (formerly CelluNet) Subscribers: 583,929 2Q98 Revenue: $104.9 million Major Markets: Brownsville, TX; Eau Claire, WI; Grand Rapids, MI; Gulfport, MS; Harlingen, TX; Jackson, MS; Lansing, MI; Monroe, LA; Oshkosh, WI; Pine Bluff, AR; Shreveport, LA; Texarkana, AR Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.centurytel.com
18. SNET Mobility Subscribers: 474,000 2Q98 Revenue: $66.1 million Major Markets: Bridgeport, CT; Greenfield, MA; Hartford, CT; New Haven, CT; Newport, RI; Pittsfield, MA; Providence, RI; Springfield, MA; Warwick, RI Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.snet.com SBC merger finalized Oct. 26, 1998.
19. Price Communications Subscribers: 384,000 Revenue: $100 million Major Markets: Augusta, GA; Columbus, GA; Montgomery, AL; Panama City, FL; Savannah, GA Technology: TDMA 800MHz Web Site: none
20. Frontier Cellular Subscribers: 375,000 2Q98 Revenue: proprietary Major Markets: Buffalo, NY; Rochester, NY; Syracuse, NY Technology: CDMA 800MHz Web Site: www.frontiercorp.com
21. Centennial Wireless Subscribers: 354,634 2Q98 Revenue: $143.8 million Major Markets: Battle Creek, MI; Beaumont, TX; Defiance, OH; Fort Wayne, IN; Kalamazoo, MI; Lafayette, LA; Portage, MI; Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands; South Bend, IN Technology: TDMA (domestic), CDMA (Puerto Rico) 800MHz, 1.9GHz Web Site: www.centennialcom.com
22. CommNet Cellular Subscribers: 320,476 2Q98 Revenue: $41.8 million Major Markets: Billings, MT; Bismarck, ND; Buffalo, WY; Burlington, CO; Cedar City, UT; Farmington, NM; Helena, MT; Missoula, MT; Montpelier, ID; Pueblo, CO; Sioux City, IA; Sioux Falls, SD Technology: AMPS 800MHz Web Site: www.commnetcellular.com
23. Omnipoint Communications Subscribers: 255,000 2Q98 Revenue: $42.2 million Major Markets: Albany; Allentown, PA; Bethlehem, PA; Boston; Detroit; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Indianapolis; Miami; New York; Palm Beach, FL; Philadelphia; Providence, RI; Scranton; Syracuse, NY; Wilkes-Barre, PA; Wilmington, DE Technology: GSM 1.9GHz Web Site: www.omnipoint.com
24. Aerial Communications Subscribers: 204,000 2Q98 Revenue: $36.7 million Major Markets: Columbus, OH; Duluth, MN; Houston; Kansas City, MO; Minneapolis; Orlando, FL; Pittsburgh; St. Paul, MN; St. Petersburg, FL; Tampa, FL Technology: GSM 1.9GHz Web site: www.aerial1.com
25. Powertel Subscribers: 200,000 2Q98 Revenue: $35.7 million Major Markets: Athens, GA; Atlanta, Augusta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Chattanooga, TN; Columbus, GA; Jackson, KY; Jacksonville, KY; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Louisville, KY; Macon, GA; Memphis, TN; Nashville, TN; Savannah, GA Technology: GSM 1.9GHz Web Site: www.powertel.com
The gap between the large and small cellular/PCS carriers is growing. One of the factors that may widen the gap even farther is the trend toward offering rate plans with no long-distance and no roaming charges. These plans include those recently introduced by AT&T Wireless, Bell Atlantic Mobile and Sprint PCS.
With these types of plans being offered, smaller carriers are at a competitive disadvantage because they offer service in fewer markets and therefore have to pay roaming fees more often than their larger competitors. Also, carriers that do not have long-distance networks are at a competitive disadvantage.
Ultimately, as competition continues to increase, IDC expects to see many of the smaller carriers driven out of the market or acquired, and many of the larger carriers increasing in size and in power.
Analysts' recommendations to buy, sell or hold the stock of a wireless company can have a dramatic effect on the company's market capitalization and shareholder value. Because analysts' decisions have this impact on the companies they follow, it is important to consider a company's reputation on Wall Street before evaluating its track record or prospects for the future.
A gap often exists between a company's performance and how it is perceived on Wall Street. Those wireless companies that successfully communicate their market vision and business strategy to analysts are most likely to reap the benefits of positive publicity later on. The net result? A greater chance of appearing on next year's top 10 list of wireless service providers.
Although financial information offers insight into a company's bottom line, many analysts want information beyond quarterly earning reports and company press releases when evaluating a company's long-term outlook. They urge wireless companies to send more material detailing their performance in non-financial areas -- criteria that often indicate a wireless company's ability to provide shareholder value.
CDB Research & Consulting conducted interviews with financial analysts and academics to identify the non-financial criteria they feel are critical to judging a company's ability to provide this value. Mentioned time and again were the ability to avoid regulatory problems; brandequity of the company and its products; customer satisfaction and loyalty; concern for and relations with employees; the ability to increase productivity; the ability to increase revenue; the ability to reduce costs; and R&D, intellectual capital and ability to innovate.
Most non-financial factors are not changed easily during a financial quarter. These factors can be altered, but only through a concerted effort by management to dedicate itself to real change on the things that matter the most to the long-term viability of the company.
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text:
How Volunia looks like
I got in.
This is the home page:
The bar you see on the upper end of the screen follows you during your visit to the search results.
And this is the Map:
It gives you an overview of the actual contents of the place you're at.
Just like a real online map, you can zoom in and out to see more or less detail.
The Media button allows you to browse the multimedia contents of the site you're visiting.
For instance, I loaded National Geographic's website, and then chose to see the pictures:
For each site you can see who's been there and who's there now.
And then comes what is supposed to be Volunia's strength: the social.
You can see who's been on a given website and who's there now. You can chat with them, and even request friendships, specifying if you are actual friends or just have a common interest (which is the default option).
You can leave messages:
And of course share the current page:
I don't have the time to write more.
I think these guys are on to something.
Sure, there UI is a bit too cluttered, and they use iframes (but they probably have their own reasons for doing it).
But it looks good to me.
More on Volunia as soon as I have the chance to dick around with it a little more.


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Movie News
Ozymandias reports from Dublin with some HARRY POTTER news
Father Geek here with a report on that wildly popular HARRY POTTER from ol' Ozymandias on the Emerald Isle. All I know is people who love Harry Potter love Harry Potter not some rewrite of Harry Potter, Chris had better beware changing the character...
Hey Father Geek,
My man with his ear to the ground in the UK Tommy Q has passed this one on to me today - Film Unlimited (hyperlink to http://www.filmunlimited.co.uk/News_Story/Exclusive/0,4029,341750,00.html ) seems to be suggesting that Columbus is doing a u-turn on the whole Brits Vs Americans debate over the nationality of the lad who should eventually play Harry Potter... This one will rumble and rumble on:
Following the extraordinary scenes that greeted the publication of the fourth Harry Potter book, the Goblet of Fire, this weekend, a fresh row has broken out over the casting of the trainee wizard in the movie of the first book: The Sorcerer's Stone.
British casting executive Susie Figgis has been scouring Britain for the right young actor to play JK Rowling's hero and is understood to have come up with ten possibilities. Top of her list was thought to be Durham-born Jamie Bell who makes his big-screen debut in the autumn, alongside Julie Walters in Dancer.
However, according to Annanova, director Christopher Columbus is less than impressed with the choices of actor on offer. The Home Alone and Mrs Doubtfire henchman has even consulted American casting expert Janet Hirshenson over the problem, leaving Figgis exasperated
It is thought that the main area of contention is that Columbus now wants to place an American boy in the part of Potter, despite his claims in March this year that: "It's essential to find a British boy to play Harry."
JK Rowling has specifically said that she wants a British child to play the role, and this row echoes earlier problems in the film's production when Steven Spielberg, who was originally lined up to direct the film, walked away from the project after disputes over the casting of Harry.
According to an insider: "Where does Columbus go from here? Back to America to probably cast the boy he had in mind in the first place. The whole business has become totally political... Since Renee Zellweger got the Bridget Jones part in Bridget Jones's Diary, the feeling is that Americans are much more acceptable than they used to be in very British style roles."
Top British actors such as Dame Maggie Smith, Amanda Burton and Robbie Coltrane are rumoured to be interested in supporting roles in the movie which is due to go into production in the autumn in the UK.
Penthouse Suite, Ozymandias Towers, Dublin, Ireland.
Mail me at MY BRAND NEW ADDRESS:
Readers Talkbackcomments powered by Disqus
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July 12, 2000, 12:58 a.m. CST
who gives a rats ass?
by Al Mariachi
Who cares if the boy is British, American or whatever, as long as he can play the damn role. That's why they're called ACTORS. Why not look for a british boy whose real name is Harry Potter in order not to make it too hard for him. Geez...
July 12, 2000, 1:05 a.m. CST
It's all about talent!
by Sal*Paradise
Just find an American kid who can speak in a haughty British accent and be done with it. They have English actors coming over here speaking in an American accent (Claire Forlani), so why not the other way? I mean, is it so important so as to lose Spielberg over it?
July 12, 2000, 1:35 a.m. CST
Harry Potter casting...
by 237
If anyone has anybody has any information on where or how the will be casting for this role I would like to hear it.. I think my younger brother would be perfect.. And to take up more space-I can't believe I'm third. I'm out...
July 12, 2000, 1:57 a.m. CST
Yes... it is about talent.
by Original Evil
Its just a pity that American actors just don't have any. How dare anyone even consider an American for this role. Harry is British (subtle) not American (overt). Your average american actor has to spell everything out, nothing is left to the imagination. No wonder European films are so much better.
July 12, 2000, 2:05 a.m. CST
Original Evil
by Toby O Notoby
Want to piss this guy off? Don't respond to his post, he's a troll - fuck him. As for Harry The Movie, you're guaranteed one of the biggest openings in movie history even if you show a blank screen for three hours. Get the right actor, that's all that matters.
July 12, 2000, 2:13 a.m. CST
The kid needs to be British
by tbrosz
In my opinion, Columbus is looking to launch another MacCaulay Culkin to make some Big Bucks here in the U.S., and sees Harry Potter as a solid-gold way to launch him. Obviously, some British kid would be no good for Home Alone Ad Nauseum. I can see no other plausible explanation--I find it extremely hard to believe that there is no acceptable child actor in the whole of the British Isles (the casting director who quit claimed to have brought forward "thousands" of boys). Political is the word, all right. Why is this important? It is very hard for an actor, particularly a child, to pull off an authentic accent. Since I am American, I can catch this problem only when some low-end British actor is trying to sound "American." Most of them do it by trying to sound vaguely Texan. It sounds very bad. Obviously, the same must be true of some American kid trying to pull off a British accent--it would sound very sour to people in England. Anyone remember Dick Van Dyke in "Mary Poppins?" And he was really trying his damndest! Granted there are professionals who can pull this off. Most are experienced, adult actors. The first movie I remember seeing Bob Hoskins in was "Roger Rabbit." Later, I was thunderstruck to hear his natural British voice. Mel Gibson has done a damn good job of squashing his Aussie accent, but it still leaks out once in a while. I think Columbus is really asking for it if he doesn't go with the original plan. I know I'm going to be pissed if he casts an American. The Harry Potter franchise is a delicate one. I have heard kids who don't think it ought to be made into a movie at all! Columbus can always find the New MacCaulay on his own time.
July 12, 2000, 3:16 a.m. CST
Susan Figgis
by Meat Takeshi
According to www.empireonline.co.uk Susan Figgis left the production on or about the 7th of July. Quote on their site from the Daily Mail "I feel I have done my absolute best to find a child and during our search we've met some great kids. Ultimately, it's the director's point of view and vision".
July 12, 2000, 3:18 a.m. CST
The voice of compromise -
by Znosaro
I say, pick a overweight, middle age french chick to play the part. Everybody hates them and vice-versa, so it would work astoundingly well as a compromise. Just piss everybody off and call it a day, because in the end, who the heck cares? Really?
July 12, 2000, 3:30 a.m. CST
Harry Is British for fuck's sake.....
by Splinter
Christ almighty, you Americans....First, the title is changed from Philosopher's Stone to Sorceror's Stone because...er....'Philosopher' might be confusing to your average American kid...now the fucking Yanks want Harry to be American. Must you fuck EVERYTHING up? I'm Irish and rooting for the British isn't my usual bent, but I love the books and anyone with ANY fucking sense could see that casting an American in the title role would change the tone on a fundamental level. Things Columbus and his cronies should avoid doing? CHANGING ANYTHING ABOUT THE FUCKING BOOK. Period. I can see Hollywood fucking this one up. HARRY IS BRITISH! CAST A BRITISH KID!! JESUS!!
July 12, 2000, 4:11 a.m. CST
Yes Splinter, we must fuck everything up...
by Toby O Notoby
Look, if they were moving the whole thing to LA and making him a plucky tow-headed farm boy, you'd have a complaint. They're looking for an actor, any actor, to play a British kid. What's the big deal? It happens all the time - Kiwis play Spanish gladiators, Brits play American WASPs. They doing what any movie should do, trying to get the best actor for the part. They started in England and, for reasons unbeknownst to us, couldn't find anyone so they're widening the search. Happened once on a movie called Gone With The Wind, as I recall...
July 12, 2000, 4:30 a.m. CST
by Splinter
Probably came on a little 'strong'...don't get me wrong - I'm not anti-Yank, I'm just anti-ANY YANKS IN HARRY POTTER! Yes, a Kiwi played a Spanish Gladiator mate..but nobody had ever heard of Maximus before! It was a blank canvas! Harry Potter has sold over 30 Million copies in 3 years! He is an established character and must be played by a British actor! The fact is, and you HAVE to admit this...Americans cannot do accents (bar a FEW exceptions) - your accent is just too strong. Are you honestly telling me there isn't one actor in the entire country of England who isn't suitable?? I read an article at Popcron that claims Warner Brothers want 'a more American Flavour' in the films. THERE IS NOTHING AMERICAN ABOUT THE BOOKS! NOTHING! The are the best-selling books in history. In HISTORY. And Hollywood wants to change them. Its fucking laughable mate. Laughable. And TYPICAL of the American 'We are the centre of the known world' Hollywood mentality. As I said in my previous post, I'm Irish - so this isn't a 'patriotic' thing. I just love the books and am intelligent enough to realise that casting ANY Americans in the books would be incredibly stupid and ill-judged. Christ Alimighty, Rowling HERSELF is screaming from the rooftops that Harry has to British. Are they going to IGNORE her? The author who has crafted these books? Its common sense. Do you think the millions of American kids who are loving these books with all their hearts are thinking 'Man, it would be soooo much better if Harry was American?' Bollox. There is a glut of acting talent in Britain. For Columbus to be (apparently) refusing to call any British kids back for second auditions is just fucking jingoistic Yank crap. And of course, you won every battle in both World Wars. Every one. Can you in any way see beyond your nationality and see my point?
July 12, 2000, 5:06 a.m. CST
by s. guttenberg II
British kid, incredible personality. Perfect. He is young but then to de-age Harry by a couple of years is no great hassle, besides, if the film is to be a franchise the younger Harry is to begin with, the better, as by the third book you'd be looking to change the actor (kids age very quickly remember!). Anyway, I say SCOTT CHISHOLM is HARRY POTTER. If they cast Harry as an American boy and use excuses like "it'll make him be even more of an outsider - it'll be great!" then I will refuse to watch it! Just for once Hollywood, expand your imagination just a tiny bit and imagine that American kids will identify with a British kid in the lead role. You've insulted us with films like U-571 & Saving Private Ryan by trying to show kids that the American's won the 2nd world war and that the Brits all stayed in their bomb shelters so for once, leave it alone and cast a Brit... SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM
July 12, 2000, 5:06 a.m. CST
by Toby O Notoby
Americans can't do accents? Renee Zelleweger fooled a British PR company for an entire month undercover. If they find a kid who can do the same, why not use him? As for claims of making it 'more American' I totally agree, it's a dumb fucking idea. Look, you're in a unique position of having a movie that's guaranteed - GUARANTEED - to open at number one and stay there for weeks. There's no reason to change anything. I said so in the my first post to you. They cast a British actress as Scarlett O'Hare - arguablly the most American female role of the last century - without making the movie any more British. There's no reason they can't cast someone who isn't from the UK and lose its unique Englishness. Is there an English actor that is suitable? Definitely. Should we be aiming above 'suitable'? Definitely. As for seeing beyond my nationality, you're the one who brought up some BS about WWII. Can you see beyond your knee-reaction and admit that they should cast the best actor for the part, be he American, British, or for all I fucking care, white Jamacian? (Ps. If it helps in an olive branch kinda way, I'm living with an Irish girl.)
July 12, 2000, 5:27 a.m. CST
by Splinter
No it doesn't help, you Yank asshole!! Heh heh. Kidding. Sorry Toby, I am desperatley trying to keep from hopping on a plane flying over to ring Columbus' neck (For Stepmom, if nothing else)...I see your point, but I still think you're missing mine. The idea that there isn't ONE excellent British choice for Harry is absurd - the point I was trying to make is that Columbus doesn't WANT a British boy. He WANTS Harry to be played by an American, and THAT is what I'm annoyed about. It is fucking ludicrous mate. The world is run by incredibly stupid people. And Hollywood is the fucking moron capital of the world. When I said American's can't do accents, I did say a FEW could - Paltrow's English accent is superb, Streep could be from anywhere, and yes, apparently Zelleweger's is top notch. But THINK about the amount of fucking WOEFUL attempts, as against the good ones. I'd say 90 - 10 in favour of the awful ones. Anyway, fuck it - there's nothing I can do about it, so its pretty pointless to be pissing and moaning to you! - but mark my words, if an American is cast as Harry, there will be fucking UPROAR. From all over the world. Warner Brothers know this. But they're going to do it anyway. Thats what I mean by stupid.
July 12, 2000, 7:20 a.m. CST
by s. guttenberg II
Just a reminder...cast SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM SCOTT CHISHOLM
July 12, 2000, 7:36 a.m. CST
Harry Potter casting
by Fi.
Sorry guys, but the kid MUST be British - no two-ways about it. I maintain that Scott Chisholm would be too young (good, though he is). J.K Rowling has stuck to her principles all along in wanting a British boy for the part - SHE wrote the books NOT Chris Columbus!! If Columbus walks out on the project over this - GOOD!! a lot of fans will breathe a sigh of relief - perhaps WB should replace Columbus with a British director.....for example...I dunno......Ridley Scott?
July 12, 2000, 7:43 a.m. CST
Just let it be a good harry
by squidink
SO disagree with Total evil person. Having met with a lot of the kids doing the casting rounds in the U.K., I can tell you that overt aint just an American habit. If WB can find a natural kind with the wit and sympathy that Harry needs ANYWHERE then they should say hell to it and cast them! Remember, there are voice coaches...
July 12, 2000, 7:47 a.m. CST
Righty-o, guv'nor...
by Blabbermouse
And I was so relieved when 'he who must not be named' (namely S.Spielberg) decided not to direct the movie - Harry (P, not K) was spared being served up with Stevie's usual tons of gooey, manipulative shmaltz, accompanied by a typical button-pushing John Williams score ('Now you will feel AWE! Now you will feel HUMOR! Now you will feel POIGNANT!...')- whew! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ But now it looks like C.Columbus is going down the same road. He probably wants to cast some name-recognizable sit-com kid star, as if a film based on a Harry Potter book, at this point in time (I waited on a midnight line for TWO HOURS to pick up my copy of the new book Fri night) NEEDS a lure to bring an audience in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My free advice (all the studio execs are lined up outside my door with bags of money, so you're getting a break here, Chris): pick the best actor you can find, even if unknown, & preferably a British kid so he won't have to WASTE ANY TIME TRYING TO LEARN THE ACCENT!!! God, I hope they don't ruin this one...
July 12, 2000, 7:54 a.m. CST
...and don't forget CHICKEN RUN!
by Blabbermouse
Left this out of my just-posted 'Righty-o guv'nor' comments: One of the great things about Nick Park's "Chicken Run" is that it's the real deal accent-wise. They didn't try to turn it into some generic (i.e., North American) poultry farm, or get a bunch of Hollywood voice actors (with all due respect to that wonderful bunch of throats) pull their brit accents out of their sock drawers. "C.R." was placed firmly on British ground by British filmmakers, which gave it a 'realness' that was no small boost in making its fantasy world seem real -- and it certainly doesn't seem to have hurt the film at the box office ONE LITTLE BIT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ In hindsight, the solution probably would've been for JK Rowling to sell the film rights to a British studio, & then let those guys get a ton of $$$ from Hollywood in exchange for US distribution to have the budget to do the picture right.
July 12, 2000, 7:59 a.m. CST
Harry Potter casting
by Yakov
First of all, to our esteemed European friends so bent out of shape about this: please try to avoid the America-bashing. Just because Hollywood is full of dumbasses doesn't mean we all think "America is the center of the known universe and we're better than everyone else". I certainly don't want to be lumped in with anyone in Hollywood. I haven't read the books (yet), but I have to tell you, I think it's bullshit for Chris Columbus to refuse casting a British boy in the title role. Doing so is a horrible mistake for all the reasons so many others have made throughout this talkback. If you want to call Columbus a stupid fuck, that's all to the good, but try to remember we're not all like that!
July 12, 2000, 8 a.m. CST
HP casting
by Muss
How did Columbus get the gig in the first place - all his films are ladled with a horrible sugary, sickly sweet Hollywood tack. There have been some excellent kids films in recent years that haven't gone the cheesy Home Alone/Mrs Doubtfire route: Little Princess, Babe, Fly Away Home are all fine examples of intelligent kid's flicks regardless of nationality. I mean it would be great to really go to town and be experimental with the material - I'd love to see what Terry Gilliam would do with HP, but obviously that just ain't an option with the amount of money at stake. Splinter is right when he says that Columbus doesn't even want a British actor for the part - it wouldn't suit his directing style. So I propose: forget the casting issues, fire Columbus - I guarantee that the film will stink with him at the helm.
July 12, 2000, 8:52 a.m. CST
by carroll
This is the first story that i saw Amanda Burton's name attached to. is it possible that she is being considered for Prof. McGonagall and Maggie Smith would play one of the other older teachers? Or is Amanda Burton tapped to play his aunt?
July 12, 2000, 9:20 a.m. CST
if the bitch wants final say, then the bitch should direct it
by Mean Ween
i'm glad spielberg walked away. a director directs. the director should have final say. pay rl stien or dh lipshits or whatever the fuck her abbreviated name is and let her walk to the bank. does it really fucking matter where the actor was born? if the kid can act, whoever the kid is, does it matter? if it does, then drop it, let a brit production co fund it with a brit director and all brit actors and gk chesterton or dh lawrence or tk hoffnagle sit over the director's shoulder and whisper directions in his ear. i'll catch it on pbs. cheerio
July 12, 2000, 9:26 a.m. CST
Hey Splinter, we Yanks don't have an "America is the centre of t
by SDG
We spell it "center." :-) (P.S. An advance flame to anyone who uses this post as a jumping-off point for renewing pointless and stupid cross-pond hostilities: ya mudda wears army boots!)
July 12, 2000, 9:55 a.m. CST
Cast Harry right the first time
by MarkAndrew
You only get one chance to make a casting choice of this magnitude. I feel, as do the majority of fans I belive, that only a British actor can do justice to the part. No matter how good a child actor may be with accents (some DO have a knack with them) there would be cultural nuances that would be missing. You pay a Casting Director for a reason, listen to her.
July 12, 2000, 10:35 a.m. CST
ummm.. america is the center of the world. sorry
by lobolyman
of those 30 million books sold, how many were purchased by americans??? umm 28 million. This story is a fantasy and could have taken place in wisconson or south africa or anywhere. While reading it, I didn't have Harry and friends speaking with a silly british accent, so I could care less if in the movie he does. Get off your high british fox-hunting horses and realize that without america, your beloved Harry Potter would not be a movie. And by the way, I am really pissed that in Chicken Run, the "American" rooster was played by an aussie. boo hoo hoo.
July 12, 2000, 10:36 a.m. CST
by Mockingbird Girl
First of all, why don't we give the hostile nationalistic fervor a rest? Hollywood producers have always been a bunch of money-fixated idiots who care more about opening-weekend grosses than producing quality material... but they do not represent all Americans, just as football hooligans do not represent all Brits. Similarly, the "Americanization" of the Harry Potter books in their U.S. release was not something that consumers got a vote on, and we could surely have done without it. Finally, as regards casting the film, I think I would be happiest if they scrapped the whole venture. Readers have been quite happy using their imaginations to set the scene, and I see no reason, apart from old-fashioned greed, for Hollywood to step in and "interpret" the books for us.
July 12, 2000, 11:48 a.m. CST
Why aren't the BRITS making the movie?
by Dr. Channard
Is the British film industry in such bad shape they can't bring themselves to do this thing? If the author sold the rights to Hollywood, any finger-pointing after this stink-bomb gets released should be directed at *her*. Yeah, I'd expect this to be a cross between "Home Alone" and "ET", i.e., violently cute, and what the hell else is new? When do the friggin' action figures come out, anyway?
July 12, 2000, 12:19 p.m. CST
Mike Myers to play Harry Potter...
by Syd Mead
Heeeeeeeeeey Baby !!! He'll put the "Ho" in Hogwarts. But don't be lookin' at his bum....ya bum looker. That's enough gov'ner... and see ya later Mr. Columbus, quit now while your still a working director. --Syd.
July 12, 2000, 12:26 p.m. CST
Drop the nationalism. It's ugly.
by X-P.A.
I think Harry Potter has to be a British boy simply so the accent isn
July 12, 2000, 12:46 p.m. CST
if I was casting director
by Everett Robert
and I'm not but if I was...I would make Harry British, but I would make MAYBE the Weaslys American...or maybe Harmony....becasue of the books popularity around the world we need a diverse cast, maybe Rowling wrote it with distinctly british people in mind but it has expanded beyond britan and the movie needs to reflect that...it needs to show that Hogwarts is a world wide school with children from all areas in it. Hell there's like only one black kid in the Potter books, what's that mean huh?
July 12, 2000, 12:55 p.m. CST
If they get an American, I won't go to see it.
by RevSam
Harry has to be played by a Brit, damn it! I don't like the idea of the book beeing turned into a movie in the first place (Its much cooler in my head then it could ever be on the screen). Argh. Stupid America. Canada would never pull shit like this.
July 12, 2000, 12:58 p.m. CST
Animate Harry Potter!
by MangusX
Please, they need to animate this movie! I honestly don't think that any location on earth could truthfully represent Hogwarts as it is described in the book. If this is a franchise, your going to have to churn out a movie each year to keep up with the aging of the actor, losing time to do all the special effects the film truly deserves. This could be the WB animated movie that works! I donno- mabey I just like cartoons
July 12, 2000, 1:05 p.m. CST
Animate Harry Potter!
by MangusX
There is honestly no way that the Harry Potter books could translated into a live-action movie. If this is going to be a franchise, they would have to churn out a movie each year,to keep up with the aging of the kid actor,leaving no time for the special effects that would truely be needed for the film. Too bad WB has it out for animation, this would be one that could've accually worked.
July 12, 2000, 1:07 p.m. CST
If the get an American, and you don't see it...
by Mean Ween
no one will give a shit. Why? because it will STILL MAKE MONEY!!! That's the bottom line.
July 12, 2000, 1:19 p.m. CST
Rosie O'Donnell
by BlakeP
To the guy who mentioned Rosie O'Donnell earlier -- I actually read somewhere (and GOD I hope this is just a BS Internet rumor) that she's been mentioned to play Mrs. Weasley. I will now pause so that you can scream in agony: ......................................... Okay, that should be long enough. Don't wanna futz up the page or anything... Besides not looking the part and not being old enough, NO amount of hair dye and makeup will give her the ability to act worth a crap. As for the kid -- frankly, I couldn't care less where the actor playing Harry is FROM as long as he can do a passable British accent. And for Heaven's sake -- isn't there some way we can break into Columbus' house and brainwash him into not making this (or any other movie)? EVER? I just keep having this horrible nightmare where Harry is running around like a moron bashing Professor Snape in the face with a paint can...
July 12, 2000, 1:30 p.m. CST
God, I wish this were 14 years ago...
by Sabrina
...and Christian Bale could've played Harry. Although -- come to think of it, that's probably why Spielberg bailed -- the last time he worked with a gifted English boy, his film (Empire of the Sun) was a hideous failure. At any rate, of course Columbus and Co. are going to screw up Harry -- this has been the trajectory ever since Bloomsbury changed the name from "HP & the Philosopher's Stone" to "Sorcerer's Stone" for Americans who are too stupid to know what a philosopher's stone is. This means that all the wonderful Britishisms are going to be excised from the story as well (by the way, anyone who doesn't hear Harry's North London accent when reading the books is a complete moron) -- I guess Harry will be a Laker fan and Quidditch will end up being like hockey played on broomsticks. A shame. BTW, I'm American, and I think all this stinks.
July 12, 2000, 1:43 p.m. CST
He is British, Period!!!!
by LeoBluhm
Harry Potter is completely British. Anyone who argues otherwise should be subjected to the cries of a Mandrake. READ THE BOOK, for fuck's sake. Not only is the humor purely British, but the way people interact with each other is as well. I can't express how distraught I am over this latest turn of events. The best thing to do would be to organize a letter writing campaign to Warner Bros. INSISTING that the actor playing Harry be from the UK!!! They want a succesful movie? They should make it a successfully faithful adaptation. To do otherwise is not only an insult to the author and the book itself, but to the legions of fans who have a right to watch Harry as he was meant to be portrayed, by a British boy! Yes, take it away from Columbus if that will give us a British Harry. If he thinks he should be American, he has no right directing this film. And finally, to all the Americans who are fighting with the people from the U.K. - Get Over It! We are not the center of the world and never will be with that kind of attitude. If you are a true fan of this book you'll insist on it being an all-British cast. Maybe you're all just jealous because the U.K. fans got their hands on the new book 5 hours before we did.
July 12, 2000, 2:17 p.m. CST
Dear England
by James Law
Go fix me a sandwich. Love, James here in the U.S. (That wasn't blatant, unnecessary, nationalistic sentiment, was it?) REALLY??? My bad.
July 12, 2000, 2:26 p.m. CST
Lemony Snickett
by raindog5
Though I like the Harry Potter book, I think a greater series of books has been overlooked. It is call "A Series Of Unfortunate Events," by Lemony Snicket. The artwork, layout, cost, and the stories themselves definately make them an incredible package. I wish i could find people who've read them.
July 12, 2000, 2:35 p.m. CST
Everybody calm down...please!
by Roosterbooster
If you want to be at each other's throats see the talkback for "The Patriot", some of it has to be seen to be believed for its idiotic viciousness. I'm neutral in this debate (Canadian) but HP really is 100% British in every respect, New World accents would just sound wrong in this context. If you find a non-British kid who can pass as British then fine, cast him. Just remember Anakin Skywalker that's all I'm saying. I'm not trying to wind Americans up but I mean come on, why must everything be Americanised? It seems that Hollywood wants to claim everything good in the world for the US.
July 12, 2000, 2:43 p.m. CST
Why everything has to be Americanized
by lobolyman
July 12, 2000, 2:46 p.m. CST
Why everything has to be Americanized part 2
by lobolyman
errr sorry. Now that I have fouled up a post, it is going to be pretty hard to convince people of american superiority. Oh well. I agree with the posts that have Harry Potter be animated. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Of course I still don't care if Harry speaks british. By the way, what was wrong with Dick VanDykes british accent.
July 12, 2000, 7:41 p.m. CST
by Weasel
As a proud American who has fallen under the spell of the Harry Potter books, let me cast an emphatic vote for an all-British cast. There is simply no reason whatsoever to have a single Yank actor in this production. As much as I love my country and countrymen, the entire Harry Potter world from Privet Street to Hogwarts is British to the core - enjoyably so, I might add! I take issue with fellow posters who insist that HP is no longer overtly English, but some some sort of generic "everyman." If anyone seriously believes that, they must not be reading the books very closely. Also, fellow geeks, is there anyone out there who knows why Ms. Rowling sold out to the studios? Seriously, we now live in an age where no one should be a naif when it comes to selling a literary property to the movies. Everybody gets sodomized when they deal with the devil and, apparently, the beloved Ms. Rowling is no exception to that rule. Man, Chris Columbus and the studios are going to utterly destroy a wonderful series if they stay the course on this one! One last thing for our UK brothers and sisters across the pond: do you have any idea how grateful we are to you for your courage during the Second World War? I just wanted to add a humble thanks to your fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers who, as younger men, held the line against Nazi aggression in '39 and '40 while the rest of the world slept. You folks are great. I'm grateful for you!
July 12, 2000, 8:04 p.m. CST
Anyone remember Paul Terry?
by Tommy Pickles
I think JK is just afraid of HP becoming "Head of the Class" with wizards, and with Chris Colombus directing, I would be too. By the way, Paul Terry was the kid in James and the Giant Peach.
July 12, 2000, 11:01 p.m. CST
What's good for the goose....
by Jonathan Harker
If some of you Americans feel that it would be no big deal for an American child to play Harry Potter, I'd love to see your reaction if some British director fucked up some of your well loved characters. Wouldn't it be interesting to see the reaction if they made another version of "Tom Sawyer" and cast a young actor from, let's say...Iraq? I bet you wouldn't like that, would you? Or what if they made a film about Abraham Lincoln and cast an hispanic actor? I'd love to see the reaction to that one. So, I guess the message is that though there may be many fine young American actors, just as there are fine hispanic actors, sometimes to be true to the source, you must cast accordingly. In this case, the message is clear. Keep Harry Potter British--both the actor and the setting. And whatever you do, don't cast Rosie O'Donnell at all. That would be inhuman.
July 13, 2000, 12:06 a.m. CST
Home Alone!!???
by jbreen
The problem with this whole business seems to be 'if Colombus wants to do this does this mean he is willing and wanting to fuck with the books?'. Or is this simply a case of no joy in the UK, let's look further afield? Does it mean that he wants an American kid accent intact? Or any old kid as long as they are good and can do a fine Brit accent? We don't really know. However it strikes me as odd that the man who cast that horrible Macauley Culkin should give himself any credit for recognising what makes a good child actor. Eh?
July 13, 2000, 3:15 a.m. CST
Harry Potter is British, but they better pick an American for Sp
by axelfoley
I think this debate is so fucking pointless it's not even funny. You know something? Off the mark, remember those rumors that of all people JUDE LAW was rumored to play Spider-Man? How about Ewan McGregor. Yeah, that's what I thought. In fact, his name's been tossed around for a while. Nothing personally against him, it's just that Spider-Man's an American pop culture icon. He's internationally known and revered, but he's American. I don't care how good an actor Jude Law really is, the fact that Hollywood wanted him to play a 17 year old kid while he's pushing 30 is very frustrating. This Harry Potter debate gets me heated. Just to clear things up, an American for Spider-Man. I just wanted to get one thing straight with all those talk backers who were actually estactic about the possibility of Law donning the tights when that rumor hit this site. All of yous were wrong. He's a very good actor, but be it he is British. Spider-Man's an American. Harry Potter is British. Two way street here.
July 13, 2000, 10 a.m. CST
Columbus Will Cast Some Overly Cute, Unrealistic, Bad Child Acto
by Buzz Maverik
J.K. would have been much better off with Spielberg. Does anybody think that if it would have been Columbus directing E.T. back in the early 80s, he would have hired Henry Thomas, Robert McNaughton or even Drew Barrymore?Way too much like real kids. He goes in for the Jane Withers, Mickey Rooney type of child actor, very 30s, very Hollywood, very awful.
July 13, 2000, 11:32 a.m. CST
Why the %#@* is Chris Columbus Directing This?
by MrSpook
I can see it "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - a one-way trip to wackiness directed by Chris Columbus, director of Mrs. Doubtfire and Home Alone." I'm having my doubts as to whether this one will be worth it. I love the books, but I don't think that Columbus will do the story justice. My choice of director would have to be the great... Terry Gilliam Think about it. Gilliam's eye for odd detail and love of unusual sets would be perfect for Hogwart's. Plus, he'd really be really good at getting the whole undercurrent of darkness that creeps just below the surface of the books. -Spooky
July 13, 2000, 1:42 p.m. CST
If you're not convinced Harry must sound british...
by maelav
Listen to one of the books on tape (actually, check them out anyway, they're really cool). The one character I can picture as american: Gilderoy Lockhart (picture Greg Kinnear in Mystery Men).
July 13, 2000, 5:02 p.m. CST
As long as the movie is good...
by Jubieloo
While I would hate to have some American kid doing a terrible British accent (or not even bothering to use one), I dont care too much bout who plays Harry as long as they can act. MY main concern is that they are gonna totally fuck up the story!!! I thought the movie "Matilda" was a travesty...I mean, they didnt even make it TAKE PLACE in England!! As long as Rowling doesnt mind, i dont see why we should...but thats just my opinion, i could be wrong.
July 14, 2000, 1:12 a.m. CST
The TalkDroid Just Wanted the World To Know That He Has Never Re
by TalkDroid
NO!!! I have never read a Harry Potter book(gasps from the assembled fanboys!!!). Dammit why would I want to !?! I watched M*A*S*H for ELEVEN years!!! Why do I need to read his memoirs?!? The TalkDroid has(sort of?)communicated.
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Portable Barrier, Paint Booth, Standard Zippers, Pair
Not Yet Reviewed
Part Number: ZIW-AZ2 More Detail...
Estimated Ship Date: Today
Portable Barrier, Paint Booth, Heavy Duty Zippers, Pair
Part Number: ZIW-HDAZ2 More Detail...
Estimated Ship Date: Today
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M. Margaret McKeown -- 1999 Outstanding Alumna
Bachelor of Arts - 1972 - International Affairs and Spanish
In 1998, President Clinton appointed and the U.S. Senate confirmed M. Margaret McKeown to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. She graduated from UW in 1972 with a B.A. in international affairs and Spanish. She earned her J.D. from Georgetown Law Center in 1975. Before joining the bench, the Casper native was a partner in the Seattle, Wash., and Washington, D.C., offices of the Perkins Coie law firm. The Seattle-King County Bar Association named her Outstanding Lawyer of the Year, and she appears on the National Law Journal list of the "50 Most Influential Women Lawyers." She was a White House Fellow and a Japan Society Leadership Fellow. McKeown serves on the executive committee of the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, is a fellow of the American Bar Foundation and a member of the American Law Institute. She served on the Ninth Circuit Gender Bias Task Force and in the American Bar Association House of Delegates. She was an officer of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington and Washington Women Lawyers. She is an author in the treatise Business and Commercial Litigation in Federal Courts and many computer and trade secrets publications. She served on the national board of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. and the exe-cutive committees of the Corporate Council for the Arts and the Washington Council on International Trade. She is on the White House Fellows Foun-dation's and the YMCA of Greater Seattle's boards of directors. She is married to Peter F. Cowhey, a University of California at San Diego political science professor. Their daughter is named Megan.


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My 10 yr old loves it! ! Fits perfect...
Sizing was correct.
We love these great quality suits. My daughter swims 4 days a week and we will not buy her suits anywhere else for practices. They hold up well.
Great product, very confortable to wear.
Love the way it feels great on sizing.
Love it as a practice suit. So far, so good.
I bought this suit to teach lessons in daily and within a month it had faded from the dark blue to a gray blue. I returned it for a new one and the same thing happened and the elasticity wore out within a short time frame. I liked the style, fit and color until it started to fade.
I like the price. The size is perfect for me also.
Really cute suit and true to size. My daughter wears the suit for swim practice. She says that she doubts it will last very long (not an endurance fabric), and it is a little loose, but very comfortable. Would definitely purchase again.
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