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December 23, 2011
well done!
Anti-SOPA advocates and ‘Obama Girl’ creator combat bill through song, boycott
First, SOPA’s opponents tried a visual petition and the catchy slogan “Don’t break the Internet.” Now they’re bringing out the big guns: Viral videos, “Obama Girl’s” songwriter, and a holiday weekend boycott of films by SOPA (Stop Online Piracy) supporters.
Reddit users are encouraging people to stay away from movie theaters this weekend, which is traditionally one of the biggest box-office weekends of the year. The film industry is a big supporter of SOPA, a bill that would empower law enforcement to shut down sites hosting pirated content. Though the bill is targeted at foreign sites, its opponents worry that it could kill some of the most popular sites on the Internet.
Another tactic to combat SOPA is in line with what the Internet does best: Spreading viral videos and catchy tunes. One is by Leah Kauffman, who wrote and sang “I Got a Crush on Obama,” the video that went viral after it was lip-synched to by the woman who became known as “Obama Girl.” Kaufman does her part with “Firewall (Don’t Let Our Government Ruin the Internets),” in which she dances with a man dressed as the Internet and implores him not to put up a firewall, asking “What is this, China?”
Link to Video here
Link to the article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/anti-sopa-advocates-and-obama-girl-creator-combat-bill-through-song-boycott/2011/12/21/gIQA7knb9O_blog.html
Reddit users are encouraging people to stay away from movie theaters this weekend, which is traditionally one of the biggest box-office weekends of the year. The film industry is a big supporter of SOPA, a bill that would empower law enforcement to shut down sites hosting pirated content. Though the bill is targeted at foreign sites, its opponents worry that it could kill some of the most popular sites on the Internet.
Another tactic to combat SOPA is in line with what the Internet does best: Spreading viral videos and catchy tunes. One is by Leah Kauffman, who wrote and sang “I Got a Crush on Obama,” the video that went viral after it was lip-synched to by the woman who became known as “Obama Girl.” Kaufman does her part with “Firewall (Don’t Let Our Government Ruin the Internets),” in which she dances with a man dressed as the Internet and implores him not to put up a firewall, asking “What is this, China?”
Link to Video here
Link to the article
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/arts-post/post/anti-sopa-advocates-and-obama-girl-creator-combat-bill-through-song-boycott/2011/12/21/gIQA7knb9O_blog.html
well done!
December 19, 2011
A trove of newly translated texts from the ancient Middle East are revealing accounts of war, the building of pyramidlike structures called ziggurats and even the people's use of beer tabs at local taverns.
..
..
When a female tavern keeper gives you a beer ...
Apparently, if you have the female keeper put the beer on your tab during the summer, she will have the right to extract a tax from you, of unknown amount, in winter.
"If a female tavern-keeper gives [in] summer one beer-jar to someone on credit its nigdiri-tax will be [...] in win[ter]..." (Translation by Miguel Civil)
The lesson? If you live in ancient Mesopotamia don't put the beer on your tab.
more here
http://news.yahoo.com/ancient-texts-tell-tales-war-bar-tabs-150403211.html
both fascinating and interesting!
Don't ever put beer on your tab if you were in ancient Babylon
Ancient Texts Tell Tales of War, Bar Tabs
A trove of newly translated texts from the ancient Middle East are revealing accounts of war, the building of pyramidlike structures called ziggurats and even the people's use of beer tabs at local taverns.
..
..
When a female tavern keeper gives you a beer ...
Apparently, if you have the female keeper put the beer on your tab during the summer, she will have the right to extract a tax from you, of unknown amount, in winter.
"If a female tavern-keeper gives [in] summer one beer-jar to someone on credit its nigdiri-tax will be [...] in win[ter]..." (Translation by Miguel Civil)
The lesson? If you live in ancient Mesopotamia don't put the beer on your tab.
more here
http://news.yahoo.com/ancient-texts-tell-tales-war-bar-tabs-150403211.html
both fascinating and interesting!
Don't ever put beer on your tab if you were in ancient Babylon
December 14, 2011
December 14, 2011 - 11:33am, by Joshua Kucera
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The gate to the Ayni air base outside Dushanbe: what's going on inside?
India is quietly using the Ayni air base in Tajikistan, hosting a contingent of helicopters and fighter jets in cooperation with Russia, an Indian journalist reports. Saurav Jha, writing in World Politics Review , while the Tajikistan government has denied that it would allow anyone but Russia to use the base, the truth is otherwise
However, an Indian official directly involved in renovating the airfield told World Politics Review that an Indian air force contingent, including Indian Mi-17 helicopters and leased Russian fighter jets, is currently deployed to the base under joint Indo-Tajik control. The Russian equipment will be maintained by Russian contractors, creating “a sort of joint control over these assets.” His comments echo recent reports of negotiations between the three parties for joint use of the base.
India, Tajikistan and Russia are in negotiations on the joint use of the Ayni Air Base, close to the Tajik capital Dushanbe which is set to acquire strategic significance after US withdrawal from Afghanistan, sources said...
When asked if India was a partner in the use of the base, Antony(India's Defense Minister) merely described Ayni as the best air base in entire Central Asia.
more here
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64694
I find this news Quite Significant.
It seems to me that Russia, India and the other Central Asian nations have taken for granted that the NATO forces will pull up the stakes and leave in the near future...leaving the Afghan Government facing an ever belligerent Taliban and its backers.
The stakes are high for the Russia, Central Asian countries and India. If Afghanistan falls to the Taliban again, it would be used as a base of Operations against these countries by terrorists.(As was the case before 911). Russia would loath to see the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in its neighboring Central Asian countries. Apparently these countries seem to have buckled in for a the long haul in Afghanistan..albeit probably in a less overt manner(compared to the current NATO presence)
Some important points to note
1 Russia/CA/India countries have direct supply routes to Afghanistan through Russia/Tajikistan and other central Asian nations...no need to supply through Pakistan
2 A secondary route through Iran is being built by India.
This was low key thus escaped MSM attention. Already a 130 Mile long Highways/Railways connecting Mineral rich regions of Afghanistan with Iranian border has been complete by the Indian Army Engineers. Iran on its end will build one from It's Chabahar port to link up with the India's Afghan Highway. Afghanistan, being a landlocked country was till now dependent on trading with the rest of the world through Pakistan, its hostile neighbor...which will change when this highway/railroad becomes operational next year.
more details of the Highway here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2238645
[IMG]
[/IMG]
3 The Ayni airbase is near the Afghn border, and puts all of Afghanistan within an hour's flight time.
4 The Farkour Airbase, another base where Indian fighters are being based is literally 1 mile from the Afghan border.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
5 Russia and India helped the Northern Alliance survive the Taliban years (till 911) and to this day train hundreds of ANA (Afghan national army) officers in their military academies. Hamid kharzai and many of the top leaders lived in India during the Taliban years...thus both countries now have very close ties.
My conclusion?
Be prepared to see those three countries backing the Afghan Army with supplies training and heavy air support against its war with the Taliban after the departure of NATO. At stake here is not only the stability and survival of Afghanistan/central Asian countries...but also the Trillions worth of resources. Expect to see this coalition muscle out any Chinese attempt to gain a foothold in this region in a post NATO era.
India(With Russian support) Reportedly Basing Helicopters, Fighter Jets In Tajikistan
India Reportedly Basing Helicopters, Fighter Jets In TajikistanDecember 14, 2011 - 11:33am, by Joshua Kucera
[IMG]
[/IMG]
The gate to the Ayni air base outside Dushanbe: what's going on inside?
India is quietly using the Ayni air base in Tajikistan, hosting a contingent of helicopters and fighter jets in cooperation with Russia, an Indian journalist reports. Saurav Jha, writing in World Politics Review , while the Tajikistan government has denied that it would allow anyone but Russia to use the base, the truth is otherwise
However, an Indian official directly involved in renovating the airfield told World Politics Review that an Indian air force contingent, including Indian Mi-17 helicopters and leased Russian fighter jets, is currently deployed to the base under joint Indo-Tajik control. The Russian equipment will be maintained by Russian contractors, creating “a sort of joint control over these assets.” His comments echo recent reports of negotiations between the three parties for joint use of the base.
India, Tajikistan and Russia are in negotiations on the joint use of the Ayni Air Base, close to the Tajik capital Dushanbe which is set to acquire strategic significance after US withdrawal from Afghanistan, sources said...
When asked if India was a partner in the use of the base, Antony(India's Defense Minister) merely described Ayni as the best air base in entire Central Asia.
more here
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/64694
I find this news Quite Significant.
It seems to me that Russia, India and the other Central Asian nations have taken for granted that the NATO forces will pull up the stakes and leave in the near future...leaving the Afghan Government facing an ever belligerent Taliban and its backers.
The stakes are high for the Russia, Central Asian countries and India. If Afghanistan falls to the Taliban again, it would be used as a base of Operations against these countries by terrorists.(As was the case before 911). Russia would loath to see the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in its neighboring Central Asian countries. Apparently these countries seem to have buckled in for a the long haul in Afghanistan..albeit probably in a less overt manner(compared to the current NATO presence)
Some important points to note
1 Russia/CA/India countries have direct supply routes to Afghanistan through Russia/Tajikistan and other central Asian nations...no need to supply through Pakistan
2 A secondary route through Iran is being built by India.
This was low key thus escaped MSM attention. Already a 130 Mile long Highways/Railways connecting Mineral rich regions of Afghanistan with Iranian border has been complete by the Indian Army Engineers. Iran on its end will build one from It's Chabahar port to link up with the India's Afghan Highway. Afghanistan, being a landlocked country was till now dependent on trading with the rest of the world through Pakistan, its hostile neighbor...which will change when this highway/railroad becomes operational next year.
more details of the Highway here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x2238645
[IMG]
[/IMG]
3 The Ayni airbase is near the Afghn border, and puts all of Afghanistan within an hour's flight time.
4 The Farkour Airbase, another base where Indian fighters are being based is literally 1 mile from the Afghan border.
[IMG]
[/IMG]
5 Russia and India helped the Northern Alliance survive the Taliban years (till 911) and to this day train hundreds of ANA (Afghan national army) officers in their military academies. Hamid kharzai and many of the top leaders lived in India during the Taliban years...thus both countries now have very close ties.
My conclusion?
Be prepared to see those three countries backing the Afghan Army with supplies training and heavy air support against its war with the Taliban after the departure of NATO. At stake here is not only the stability and survival of Afghanistan/central Asian countries...but also the Trillions worth of resources. Expect to see this coalition muscle out any Chinese attempt to gain a foothold in this region in a post NATO era.
December 14, 2011
The Greendale School District removed a popular Hindu devotional song after a parent complained about religious lyrics in the song.
Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, which was going to be sung in the original language, was pulled from the yearly holiday concert at all the elementary levels. The song was made popular by Gandhi when he and his followers sang it during the Salt March to Dandi.
Anna Madden, a school district representative, said a parent or two complained and felt offended about a religious saying in the song.
This year's holiday concert has a multicultural theme, Madden said. Other multicultural songs included are Feliz Navidad, a Kwanza song and the Hebrew song Hava Nagila.
more here
http://greendale.patch.com/articles/greendale-school-district-pulls-hindu-song-from-holiday-concert-after-parent-complains
Apparently some parents contacted the school district to complain about the fact that a Hindu song was included in a Multicultural/multireligious event(lol). They also threatened to have their kid "sit out" during the song. The management of the school decided to cancel the song as they did not want any kid to feel left out.
I'm speechless.
I guess its A-ok to cancel the Hindu song cos we Hindus do not go around calling for boycotts.We don't bother making an issue out of such events on the local media either. Imagine if some other religion's song was pulled. CNN would have a field day.
BTW the irony of ironies is that this song was used by Gandhi and his followers as one to unite people of various faiths. The Lyrics of the song state that Be it "Rama & Sita" or "God' or "Allah" they are all one and the same.
Transliteration (ITRANS):
raghupati raaghav raajaaraam,
patit paavan siitaram
siitaaraam, siitaram,
bhaj pyaare tu siitaram
Iishvar Allaah tero naam,
sab ko sanmati de bhagavaan
Translation:
Chief of the house of Raghu, Lord Rama,
Uplifters of those who have fallen, Sita and Rama
Sita and Rama, Sita and Rama,
O beloved, praise Sita and Rama,
God and Allah are your names,
Bless everyone with this wisdom, Lord.
Greendale School District Pulls Hindu Song from Holiday Concert After Parent Complains
The Greendale School District removed a popular Hindu devotional song after a parent complained about religious lyrics in the song.
Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram, which was going to be sung in the original language, was pulled from the yearly holiday concert at all the elementary levels. The song was made popular by Gandhi when he and his followers sang it during the Salt March to Dandi.
Anna Madden, a school district representative, said a parent or two complained and felt offended about a religious saying in the song.
This year's holiday concert has a multicultural theme, Madden said. Other multicultural songs included are Feliz Navidad, a Kwanza song and the Hebrew song Hava Nagila.
more here
http://greendale.patch.com/articles/greendale-school-district-pulls-hindu-song-from-holiday-concert-after-parent-complains
Apparently some parents contacted the school district to complain about the fact that a Hindu song was included in a Multicultural/multireligious event(lol). They also threatened to have their kid "sit out" during the song. The management of the school decided to cancel the song as they did not want any kid to feel left out.
I'm speechless.
I guess its A-ok to cancel the Hindu song cos we Hindus do not go around calling for boycotts.We don't bother making an issue out of such events on the local media either. Imagine if some other religion's song was pulled. CNN would have a field day.
BTW the irony of ironies is that this song was used by Gandhi and his followers as one to unite people of various faiths. The Lyrics of the song state that Be it "Rama & Sita" or "God' or "Allah" they are all one and the same.
Transliteration (ITRANS):
raghupati raaghav raajaaraam,
patit paavan siitaram
siitaaraam, siitaram,
bhaj pyaare tu siitaram
Iishvar Allaah tero naam,
sab ko sanmati de bhagavaan
Translation:
Chief of the house of Raghu, Lord Rama,
Uplifters of those who have fallen, Sita and Rama
Sita and Rama, Sita and Rama,
O beloved, praise Sita and Rama,
God and Allah are your names,
Bless everyone with this wisdom, Lord.
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