D.C’s LAWMAKERS AND CASH BRIBES
“Lawmakers seek cash during key votes” is the top story of the HuffPo today. A good read, raising again the question of is democracy in the law making process always bought?
Every nation has varying degrees of this story. Food for thought.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.25.10~
BARBARA STREISAND AND LEADING DEMOCRATS ON OBAMA SIGNING TAX CUTS BILL
“Well, I think it’s unfair but necessary,” Barbara Sreisand said when asked by Larry King about President Obama signing the tax cut deal (a la mode) as per, a Bush President of the past.
Some on the Hollywood left, said “that’s it. I’m through.” People worry that Obama’s devout entertainment supporters will keep their wallets closed as clearly the President is surrounded by sharks. Others say, give the political scene time and Obama will be able to lead as he’s promised his supporters. Patience is urged.
Streisand to King spent her TV time persuading in a supportive vein of the relatively new President, chatting from history’s notebook pages, reminding King’s audience how both George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan showed that “people admire real strength, even though it is misguided.” Forever a believer, Streisand seemed to applaud Obama’s “open heart” and intelligence, rightly noting why more people had not recognized this man’s tremendous accomplishments to date. Her support for him remains strong.
Mike Medavoy seems done unless Republicans back off. A big financial supporter of Obama, Medovy says: “Nobody wants to be held hostage, and no country should have to pay for hostage takers. While I believe in compromise, I don’t believe in compromise with people who put a gun to your head.”
A good point because seeing Obama with so little movement in the House post midterms doesn’t make for good TV either. I mean, this is not a Western, in reverse. Isn’t the leading man supposed to call the shots. Even in the most loved Westerns of old in Texas, yep, by Hollywood accounts of Western genres ‘rules’ of Texan culture, he is.
QUALITY BUTTER: WASHINGTON’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS DIPLOMATS LIKE PHIL GOFF OF NEW ZEALAND, THEY CALL HIM “HARD-CHARGING”
[Phill Goff is pictured here with Auckland Central political candidate Jacinda Arden]
Guess what? The best cupcakes in the world are made with golden creamy, New Zealand butter.
Better Butter Movement News: Wikileaks documents reveal that America’s top foreign affairs diplomats like New Zealander Phil Goff and his brand and style of political leadership. The leaked cables handed to The Sunday Star Times reveal these views from America about Mr Goff, the leader of the Labor Party of New Zealand:
Mr Goff has military like precision when parachute jumping:
The cable talked of Phil Goff doing a parachute jump from a military plane. As the American report goes, Mr Goff logically debated for the jump over water option because it required less training. The US also liked the way he argued the amount of training down to two hours, proving he is a good time manager and negotiator–while not valuing his own sense of importance over tasks at hand.
Goff is “very focused on the job at hand,” American diplomats found via the wikileaks docs being shared with the world. “This sums up his working style in a nutshell.”
In other Kiwi-American trade deals news: Wikileaks reveals (via silobreaker) that a trading partnership between the US and New Zealand may not be as “El Dorado” lucrative or worth “billions and billions to New Zealand’s commercial sector” as some political leaders have claimed in the past in more recent New Zealand media, that may have given a perception of too high expectations– than these wikileaks US diplomatic communications reveal. 
“DON’T ASK DONT TELL” IS REPEALED IN THE SENATE – 12.18.10
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is repealed in The Senate today (Saturday).
In a statement President Obama said: “I am also absolutely convinced that making this change will only underscore the professionalism# of our troops as the best led and best trained fighting force the world has ever known.”
Republican Senator John McCain who has served in the military said: “Today’s a very sad day.” He blamed elite liberals with no military experience for pushing their social agenda on troops during wartime. ”They will do what is asked of them,” McCain said of service members. “But don’t think there won’t be a great cost.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) saw it differently. “As Barry Goldwater said, ‘You don’t have to be straight to shoot straight,’ ” he said, referring to the late GOP senator from Arizona. And Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore) who stayed in Washington this weekend for the vote despite needing surgery for early-stage prostate cancer, said “I don’t care who you love; if you love this country enough to risk your life for it, you shouldn’t have to hide who you are. You ought to be able to serve.”
Here in West Hollywood as I post this news grey clouds and grey mist have obscured everything along the skyline (unusual for California) and it is raining cats and dogs, heavily. The skies feel like they’re crying.
One in ten of all Americas are registered as being a veteran of war, currently in the USA (30 million plus people). That was Washington News today.
_____
#Professionalism means: “the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person (see Professional). The following of a profession (as athletics) for gain or livelihood.” (more…)
SOME HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT STUFF, POLITICS, ECONOMIC NEWS – FRI 12.17.10
Garrett Hedlund would rather be fat than skinny.
Disney’s Tron: Legacy opens big. IMAX.
Employment Rate On The Rise In Most States
Demi Lovato is a junior Katy Perry?
Why Americans became disillusioned with the war.
University of Maryland say Fox Network viewers know nada about politics.
Strassel on Republican spending.
Amber Rose & Amar‘e Studemire know each other?
Paul Krugman: Wall Street Whitewash
Interview‘s list of Young Hollywood faces 2010.
North Korea Warns South To Stop Drills
Tony Romo & Candice Crawford are engaged.
Madonna says she needs music to sweat to. New album? Yes.
Parenthood casts John Corbett in a cameo role.
Tori Spelling drinks at Mr. Chows Beverly Hills.
Nigeria Drops Charges Against Cheney, Halliburton
Was there any emotion over Scarlett Johansson‘s split with Ryan Reynolds? Possibly.
Opinion: The 111th Congress’s Final Insult
Fox audiences weren’t wild for Colin Hanks.
Film: The Revolution Is Being Shot on Digital Video
Kevin Smith talks Clerks & Silent Bob sequels.
Afghanistan Red Cross sees grim outlook for civilians
Baby Junia Rosa Ruth joins Zach Hanson and Kate Hanson‘s family.
Man gets 7 years for defacing Jewish cemetery
The Jackson children have renovated their dad’s ranch.
Don’t ask, don’t tell goes to a Saturday vote in the Senate.
Richard C. Holbrooke’s last mission
Fifty Cent loans his mug to a music-copyright lawsuit awareness moment.
A judge awards Mel Gibson more parental time with daughter Lucia.
Madoff’s Victims Recover $7.2B In Settlement
Gwenneth Paltrow may join Adam Shankman‘s Rock of Ages musical film.
Rihanna‘s dating status is talked about.
Chloe Sevigny hearts method actor’s therapy.
Sharon Osbourne calls Cheryl Cole Bambi.
Jerry Seinfeld will do one show at UK’s O2 Arena.
Humor: Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie rumors: a Rajasthan wedding? Yoga has saved them from arguing/ vodka. Lol!
Will & Kate‘s wedding: Will the Obama‘s be invited? If so, will they accept?
Bobbi Kristina does her own press.
Santo funeral opens door for Wood’s return
Hot dogs & ice cream are Kim Kardashian‘s NYC weakness.
Kathy Griffin loves being skinny and dissing Taylor Swift.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.17.10~
OBAMA, SIGNS TAX LAW, AMIDST CONFUSION WITH HIS CORE SUPPORTERS
OBAMA NEWS: It comes as no surprise in America that President Barack Obama‘s avid supporters are a bit bruised and confused about what went down over the passing of George W. Bush‘s tax laws under Obama’s presidency.
In one sense for many avid Democrats, the moment in The House where Obama okay-ed the tax bill, did look like a flashback to the past, where “George W was speaking through Obama in The House that day” is how one Democrat friend described watching this unfold on television here in the US. Another Democrat supporter describes the moment as “Obama is an orange, that the Republicans put through the juicer. Greed at work to get more juice, at the expense of America’s national morale.”
I have never been able to look at orange juice quite the same way since. That was a very powerful metaphor shared.
In any event, headlines like: Tax Compromise leaves ardent Obama supporters Disillusioned appear all over the news today.
This article from Sam Graham-Felsen in today’s Washington Post says a lot: “During the battle over tax cuts, Obama’s grassroots network, Organizing for America, was silent. An OFA spokesman said that the network would engage supporters when the time is “ripe.” But many people feel the time is ripe now — that tax cuts for millionaires in the midst of cuts in basic services and a spiraling deficit are unacceptable — and they don’t understand why Obama won’t let them fight.” Sam had been on the campaign with Obama once, blogging about the little peoples stories that Mr Obama was their great signifier of hope and that a change would come that America desperately needed. (more…)
A WIKICOUP? – AUSTRALIA’S JULIA GILLARD HAD MORE AMBITION THEN WE ALL THOUGHT – WIKILEAKS
ATHEIST’S NEWS: Our favorite, demure fiery redhead angel, (not supermodel Miranda Kerr) but Australia’s hot ginge Prime Minister and overt atheist, Julia Gillard is not as innocent or demure as many of us had thought.
In the latest wikileaks cables updates, we discover that Julia had greater ambitions for her fiery red hair colors as red as Ayers Rock, more so than most Welsh girls turned Australian later on in life. These news snippet quotes via The Herald Sun Australia say it all:
“Don Farrell, the right-wing union powerbroker from South Australia, told us Gillard is ‘campaigning for the leadership’ and at this point is the frontrunner to succeed Kevin Rudd, conceding that the Right did not yet have an alternative,” the cable states.
‘The revelation challenges the ALP’s version of events surrounding the leadership challenge – that a reluctant Ms Gillard was drafted by her caucus colleagues at the 11th hour to stand as a candidate against Mr Rudd, whose leadership had become terminal as public support was lost.’
The report even states that in ‘June last year Ms Gillard was trying to knock off Mr Rudd.’
Scandalous! A spokeswoman for Ms Gillard said the Prime Minister would not comment on the confidential cables.
Isn’t it weird that Julia Gillard and Julian Assange share the same first name. Australians have really stepped up to the plate in the limelight hogging stakes on the global stage, so late on in the piece this year. Good on ‘em! I mean even Oprah felt compelled to update her big move from Chicago to California this year/next year by posing in front of Ayers Rock with some of the Aussie red being snapped behind her own mug for good measure, only THIS week.
Who would have foreseen this?! I can’t quite wrap my Maori-Kiwi head around seeing Ms. Gillard as a Queen of Coups, but perhaps she is! We await her official comment on the matter.
[Ms. Gillard is pictured above with Tim Mathieson]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.16.10~
CELEBRITY MUSINGS. POLITICAL MEANDERINGS 12.15.10
Arnold Scwharzenegger inducts filmmaking great, James Cameron into The California Hall of Fame. Clint Eastwood chats to Anne Gust, wife of the current Governor elect Jerry Brown (pics Reuters). Celebrity musings and political meanderings over the last 24 hours look a bit like this today:
Facebook‘s Jesse Eisenberg has no TV and is 100% unaware of pop culture. Refreshing.
Poll: Americans Trust Obama More Than GOP To Guide Country
Christopher Nolan is scouting locations in Asia for The Dark Knight Rises.
Economic Watch: Opposition to Health Law Is Steeped in Tradition
Harry Potter’s Emma Watson is back home for Christmas holidays.
Larry King is calling it quits on his show this Thursday. Epic.
Jerry Brown‘s budget review says California has been living in La La Land.
China’s Wen pushes India’s trade
Are Michael C. Hall & Julia Stiles waggling eachother’s tonsils already?
Usher wants to be the next Michael Jackson. Bold words.
Justin Bieber may cover Vanity Fair February. This kid is so huge right now.
Dreamworks cast Eminem in a boxing film dubbed Southpaw.
Orwell and the Financial Crisis
Nicole Kidman loves nesting and wants more kids.
Natalie Portman talks Swan.
Ireland Approves Massive Bailout Package
Are neighbors Denise Richards and Nikki Sixx an item?
Scotts Vocab: Vocabulinks
Glee‘s Matthew Morrison plans to tour, solo.
Sal Alosi is a football coach in a tight spot today.
Dylan Walsh and wife Joanna Going call it a day.
Senate Passes Obama Tax Cut Compromise Plan
Facebook gift cards offer digital currency for Facebook addicts.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.15.10~
TEN THINGS ON MARK ZUCKERBERG BEING NAMED TIME MAGAZINE’S PERSON OF THE YEAR
Mark Zuckerberg has just been named Time Magazine‘s person of the year, so my Twitter feed tells me, via Time’s twitter feed, via a link to Time’s Stumble Upon account. Boy is Time really working all social media distribution info-sharing services to do a Mark Zuckerberg butter-up job and get in on the Facebook audience bases good books. I kid. Rick Stengel is a good editor for Time, so how can I knock this man.
Here’s ten reason’s based on an essay from Time Magazine’s managing editor Mr. Stengel on why Zuckerberg is tops:
1. Zuckerberg is at the center of connection shifts with people: “The way we connect with one another and with the institutions in our lives is evolving.” Zuckerberg is on it.
2. Many people are wary of politicians due to too many mistakes, that fried the majority. Politicians are seen as greedy sharks, raping the golden goose more often than not these days: “There is an erosion of trust in authority, a decentralizing of power and at the same time, perhaps, a greater faith in one another.” Zuckerberg caught this wave as leaders didn’t catch the trend.
3. Identity and the way identity is shaped and shapes culture has shifted with an acceptance that there is less privacy: “Our sense of identity is more variable, while our sense of privacy is expanding. What was once considered intimate is now shared among millions with a keystroke,” Stengel writes. Zuckerberg made it possible for people to express aspects of personality easier and with an allusion of a certain degree of control. It is an allusion, although the average Facebook user feels ‘safe’ on Facebook’s website, often more safe than what a job situation or politicians are offering them, away from their computers and Facebook accounts. Weird. How much information Facebook sells to governments without people knowing, makes Facebook even more interesting. Zuckerberg at this juncture though is seen as safe by Facebook members.
4. People see him as “The Architect”: “He is both a product of his generation and an architect of it.”–He is leader who gave more to shape his generation than to be shaped by others in it. Or in other words, he went wide and appealed to the little person, to become a cultural hero and leader of the masses he facilitates.
5. Facebook is its ‘own nation’ of 1/10th of the World’s Population a part of it. Zuckerberg its President: “A billion new pieces of content are posted on Facebook daily. (more…)
12 OTHER BLOGGERS VOICES – 12.13.10
[Photograph of the Day - Adbusters recreate a United Colors of Beneton Ad via Saskschools Deconstructing Ads Blog]
Horiwood.Com is a WordPress blog, just one of many from bloggers all around the world. Here’s 12 voices (see numbers) who blog and what they are thinking, sensing, sharing or expressing. I like their voices, as they don’t make me feel like a freak because they blog daily too and their opinions are much more thought-through conceptually than most of our stuff I post daily. Respec! Information sharing is all the rage in this day and age. We are what we share, sorta. Hopefully the better stuff–more so than the sketchy stuff.
Some hot potato political topics and world news stories rating in America of interest can be spotted peppered throughout too. Enjoy:
1. My Sister-In-Law is ruining the Economy
Richard Holbrooke Remains In Critical Condition
2. Truancy will kill your dog by Tori Nelson
Armed man takes 15 children hostage at French nursery
3. I’m sick of experts by Laura’s Looking Glass
Report: Netanyahu Does Not Want To Share Jerusalem
4. Transitioning to an Economy of Reuse by T.Caine
“Black Swan” leads Critics’ Choice award nominees
5. Writer’s Reality Check by Kristen Lamb
Suicide Bomb Kills 6 NATO Troops In Afghanistan
6. Christmastime by The Mija Chronicales
A Secretive Banking Elite Rules Trading in Derivatives
7. Reading Resources for Photographers by Kathleen Frank
No Jobs? Young Graduates Make Their Own
8. The Success of the Scientific Method by Katie Bowell
Boehner Talk Skin Tone, Obama and Cries on Camera
9. 2 Bite Pumpkin Pies by LaurelG1
Murdered Alabama children were tortured: documents
10. Metrodome roof collapses; NFL game moved
China’s Army of Graduates Struggles for Jobs
11. Patio Planter Project by Britney Anne
Thomas L. Friedman: Reality Check
12. Controversial comments taken out of context: Foreign Minister Yeo
To give the gift of clean water, click on this face if you care as much for people who don’t have clean drinking water daily just as much as Liu Xiabo was not able to attend his own Nobel Peace Prize Awards concerts celebrations. Human rights is in our hands. Give. Believe. Love.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.13.10~
WIKILEAKS CABLES AND NEW ZEALAND
[Photograph via Lady Summer's Tour of New Zealand]
Many nations have had their Foreign Affairs diplomatic laundry aired via wikileaks regarding dealing with the USA. Via the New Zealand Herald, here’s some links. Hardly riveting news but none-the-less a good insight into how New Zealand and US relations have been seen in the past –and how they are improving in the upcoming future:
17 February 2006
Ambassador Bill McCormick
On possible changes to National Party policy on nuclear arms
Read it here
11 September 2005
Charge D’Affaires David Burnett
In the midst of the 2005 election campaign
Read it here (more…)
GUEST COMMENTARY – GLENN BECK’S TAKE ON JULIAN ASSANGE’S ALLEGED RAPE CASE – 12.8.10
Glenn Beck is yabbering on at Fox News about Julian Assange, Russia and whales, rape allegations. The hate mongerer for Republicans of TV Talk whose gig is the line ‘government is lying,’ Goes Behind The Scenes of upstager, Julian Assange’s Scandals:
Beck Paints a Picture of Fear: I want to ask you, who is the most feared person in the world is right now, feared by people in power, the man behind the WikiLeaks drama being played out in real life. His name is Julian Assange. Business executives, politicians and leaders are scared.
Glenn’s Whale Jokes: “I would guess everyone but Vladimir Putin is scared. The guy stabs whales with like toothpicks and kills them.”
Beck on The Bittersweet Truism’s of ‘forced’ journalism: “The truth shall set you free. But it will make you miserable first. We’re about to hit the misery part. Many people would rather have slave chains to secrecy than endure the misery required to live in the truth. Thus, Assange is positioned against all the fighters straight in the crosshairs.”
Assange’s supporters: Filmmaker Ken Loach, a socialite, Jemima Khan, a journalist, John Pilger are listed as open supporters of “the man dumping national business and personal secrets all over the Internet –is going to be potentially brought down by something he did in secret. Or did he?”
Assange is a paradox like the most famous leaders: “I’m really torn on this story,” confesses Beck. He is exposing the fact that our governments all around the world have been lying to us. It’s been a job we’ve been trying to do but have been pilloried over and over for doing it.”
The Crime Assange is being Tried On: Assange is under investigation for sex by surprise. What’s that? Two allegations, from two different Swedish women. He is a man caught in a crossfire of two lovers. Both accusing him of different tales.
THE HORIWOOD TOP TEN – TUE 12.7.10
Transparency is like refined gold, it has to be earned, tested with trust. So, I like people who endeavor to display a transparent spirit as leaders who serve the best interests of all, hence this quote running on this blog: ”In my time as Prime Minister I have tried to push for greater transparency, and we are happy to have an independent body overseeing expenses and entitlements for MPs [politicians], says New Zealand’s leader from Wellywood/ Wellington,”John Key 3 News. Information is like water flow. It often doesn’t flow to the right people who need to have it. Knowledge equals power. Africa needs water. What do we do this knowledge?
Transparency is good in any sincere culture but discretion is a part of wisdom too: ‘Do not let the left hand know what the right hand is doing… Be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove… A wise man conceals a matter.’
Often people who expect others to be transparent are not themselves–so good men and naturally transparent people–are forced to be wise and manage their own information about themselves, like a cultural taonga of New Zealand belonging to the collective people of Aotearoa New Zealand. Each nation is a knowledge farm of fruitful minds.
Here in America, today - Shiloh Jolie-Pitt has already worked out what her parents do and wants to follow in their footsteps already as a performer turning out a show. “Shi’Bouncy” couldn’t be happier with her baseball bat and military attire as mother Angelina Jolie, sister Zahara and Maddox go to Lee’s Art Store themselves in Manhattan, New York to shop before they imagine and create as artists. Too cute. This family is on the attack today from haters not in Jolie’s league, or, all of her children either. Love it. Maddox Jolie-Pitt has been a star longer than many people claiming to be celebs today. He was born this way. A star.
Jolie’s statement today could be–Our best art, is serving our children, to be informed by their worldview, creating their art. In any culture, isn’t that always the truth.
Hollywood entertainment and celebrity news on a sad day where the much admired Elizabeth Edwards died, looks like this as voted by you today worldwide. Thanks people.
1. Elizabeth Edwards‘ People Magazine cover
2. Melbourne’s Daniel Assange talks dad’s “audacious awesomeness”
3. Kim Kardashian for W Magazine
4. Gylne Tider‘s weird Let it Be art is tres poignant-o
5. Entitled Chelsea Handler goes gunning for herself and Jennifer Aniston
6. Sataying – Top Chef’s Padma Lakshmi & Caroline Artiss
7. Steph Koutsimanis-Smith enjoys the New Zealand Beach Life
8. Art: Indio Downey buys a John Courage Amber beer poster
9. John Barrowman of Scotland can kinda sing
10. Julian Assange for Time Magazine‘s cover man
[Images courtesy of Gog.Org.NZ and Splash]
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.7.10~
ELIZABETH EDWARDS WAS THE 49th HOTTEST TRENDING STAR IN HOLLYWOOD 2010
“The teacher then moved on and launched into a complicated dissection of an obscure legal code. “I was lost,” Edwards said. The class was silent, when Elizabeth raised her hand. Edwards couldn’t believe she’d been following along: the woman must be a prodigy. “That was about as clear as mud,” she admonished the professor. “Go over it again in plain English.”
“Right then I knew I wanted to marry her,” said Edwards. Newton-Small concludes, I left that night, more impressed with the absent Elizabeth than her husband… Tonight we lost a smart, brave, sassy, woman.”
Writes Time magazine‘s David Von Drehle, “You may not remember, given all that has happened since, but when Elizabeth Edwards arrived on the Washington scene some 10 years ago, she was golden. The capital tends to confuse fame with merit, and so it sucks up to Senators and Cabinet Secretaries and talk-show hosts while politely ignoring their spouses. She was different. You heard that all the time. John Edwards? Yeah — but you’ve got to meet his wife!”
PRESIDENT OBAMA, GEORGE W BUSH TAX CUT EXTENSIONS, AND NOT SO GOLDEN TOO TIGHT STRINGS
Honestly. I feel so sorry for President Obama. I mean, how can you lead effectively and efficiently when you’re so hamstrung by The Washington set up right now?
Anyway, The Washington Post is reporting today: “Although his liberal supporters are furious about the decision, President Obama‘s willingness to extend all of the George W. Bush-era tax cuts is part of what White House officials say is a deliberate strategy: to demonstrate his ability to compromise with Republicans and portray the president as the last reasonable man in a sharply partisan Washington.”
Critics say Obama’s stance is strategic, in an effort to win back the Independent political voters after a heavy midterm elections defeat. Pundits say this now puts Obama at potential odds with his core of Democrat liberal voters, who all feel that Obama’s penchant to compromise, cost him in the midterms.
HEKIA PARATA’S APPOINTMENT AS A CABINET MINISTER OF NEW ZEALAND PARLIAMENT IS CELEBRATED IN HOLLYWOOD – 12.6.10
[Blue Balloons as photographed by MP Katrina Shanks/Michael Woodhouse Media Group]
Hollywood California USA (Monday 6th December 2010)–A toast was raised in Hollywood today at West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont at the announcement that Hekia Parata has been promoted as a Cabinet Minister of New Zealand.
Ms. Parata becomes Ethnic Affair’s and Women’s Affairs Minister. She also picks up associate minister roles for Accident Compensation Commission, Energy and Resources and for The Community and Voluntary Sector. The latter is a new role and was requested by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Tariana Turia, who said she did not need an associate for disability issues any more.
Prime Minister of New Zealand, last sighted wearing a Muhammad Ali boxing silky robe in a charity auction for burns sufferers, Mr John Key, announced Ms Parata’s appointment at a post Cabinet press conference today, saying he believed she was the most deserving of the position.
“When it comes to Hekia, I think she’s extraordinarily talented,” he said.
At the news Hekia Parata said, “All New Zealanders understand these have been challenging times both domestically, and internationally. The National-led Government continues to face up to those challenges on behalf of all Kiwis. I look forward to doing my part to help all our communities realise the dream of a brighter future.”
“I look forward to getting my feet under the desk and learning all I can about the portfolios the Prime Minister has entrusted me with. I’m excited about the prospect of serving the public of New Zealand in a Ministerial role and the new challenges this will bring.”
Hollywood Maori-Kiwi blogger Sam Cruickshank met with Hollywood friends to toast one glass of Veuve Clicquot in honor of Ms. Parata’s very timely appointment on the global stage of politics. Her leadership will be very welcomed in California, where Maori-Kiwi filmmakers of Ms. Parata’s tribe of Ngati Porou have presented films to the world that have been Oscar nominated twice in Los Angeles cinematic history and body of work to date.
Hekia’s skills in diplomacy are an asset to New Zealand’s growth potential that are key to growing the New Zealand economy in win-win diplomatic partnerships of the future. In particular Parata’s destiny to lead the charge on many human rights issues affecting women on a global stage is something to watch as her international political career unfolds along with her New Zealand cabinet portfolios.
Her capacity of heart is similar to an advocate of oppressed peoples of the world, on the scale of an Angelina Jolie, if Ms. Parata is allowed to and also funded to by the New Zealand people to express that from New Zealand for the world.
Her gifts of noho-puku (EQ) instinctual intelligence and their full and free expression to be vibrant and creative make Ms. Parata exceptionally talented and exciting as a political leader serving New Zealand and The World with her gifts.
She’s known in Hollywood as a global star of politics already.
ENDS
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.5.10~
JOHN KEY STINGS LIKE A MANUKA KING WITH A MUHAMMAD ALI PHOTO SHOOT FOR BURNS SUFFERERS
“I think I look quite good actually,” John Key the well humored Prime Minister of New Zealand reportedly remarked, after modeling an original silk boxing robe signed by American legend of sports and civil rights, Muhammad Ali, purchased by Honey New Zealand for $9,500–provided a photo could be taken of John wearing it.
The son of George Key, Mr Key was raising money for burns sufferers at a Mad Butcher and Suburban Newspapers Community Trust dinner on Friday to raise funds for the National Burn Centre.
Trust chairman Sir Peter Leitch, was delighted with the $219,000 raised. “This is going to allow the centre to get some equipment that is going to make a huge difference to burns sufferers,” he said. Fairfax Media’s Operation Heal text donations was also on the go and other fundraising efforts, and donations from Sunday Star-Times readers helped too.
Sir Peter and Lady Leitch had kicked off the campaign with a $10,000 donation, which was matched by the Hugh Green Foundation and later by the Sir William and Lady Lois Manchester Trust. Nice. Mike Morton, The Mad Butcher’s current owner was present, along with Kerre Woodham who played funny girl MC. Two morning teas with the PM sold at $20k a piece and a pink salmon neck tie he wore to the event for a laugh went for $7k. That’s a fair bit of celebrity heat being generated right there in New Zealand. Good to see.
In Hollywood here’s a manuka honeybee Ali pop cultural tribute to America-New Zealand relations as well as George Burns Hollywood star, Walk of Fame–in the spirit of the PM’s sense of humor and Kiwis generosity of spirit towards others.
Peace.
This story also featured in The Manawatu Standard. Manawatu means “stout hearted” or “to stand tall in heart” in the Maori language of New Zealand. It’s a little bit Mel Gibson Australian-American ‘naughty’ but via Scotland and Hollywood Oscar winning, like the movie Braveheart too. If you’re reading that in Hollywood and are upset that I just wrote Mel Gibson‘s name, grow up, there are no perfect people–just people learning to be better people. In this picture we have a Jewish-Kiwi King wearing an African-American muslim’s champion boxer robe of Ali–whose religious convictions prevented him from fighting at war and who doubled as a civil rights champion in the same manner Nelson Mandela has in the world today also. African-Americans aren’t offended New Zealand’s PM is wearing Ali’s robe and auctioning it off for burns victims. Um, except the one question–how exactly did Mr Key get Ali’s robe? Oops. That’s hysterical.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.5.10~
JULIAN ASSANGE IS FEATURED ON TIME MAGAZINE’S COVER
Amazon and Paypal have dumped Julian Assange –yet Time Magazine features the Wikileaks guy on their cover this week (via Media Bistro).
Business Insider lists The five things Rick Stengel, Time‘s managing editor discovered Assange thinks when he interviewed him. As quoted from biz insider, they are:
Here are our five favorite quotes from the interview:
- “[T]his sort of nonsense about lives being put in jeopardy is trotted out every time a big military or intelligence organization is exposed by the press.”
- “I just noticed today Iran has agreed to nuclear talks. Maybe that’s coincidence or maybe it’s coming out of this process…” (more…)
PRESIDENT OBAMA FLIES TO AFGHANISTAN
[Dec. 3: Gen. David Petraeus, left greets President Barack Obama 44th President of The United States, and US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry, center, on the President's unannounced arrival to Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan. Image courtesy of Fox News]
After a cut lip in a basketball game, 12 stitches later just before a Wikileaks US foreign affairs tirade, President Barack Obama flew out on Air Force one to be with the American Troops at Bagram Airbase:
Five Things He Spent His Time On:
Affirming the troops labors: “We said we were going to break the Taliban’s momentum and that’s what you’re doing. You’re going on the offense, tired of playing defense, targeting their leaders, pushing them out of their strongholds.”
Dinner with President Karzai cancelled: Plans for a 45 minute dinner did not eventuate due to a dust storm. The 15 minute video conference became a 15 minute phonecall instead–Obama appearing to fall into line with world perception (via wikileaks) of Kazai being a waste of time due to his instability as an ally that US diplomat Karl Eikenberry had defined as ‘erratic’ and ‘unreliable ally.’ (more…)
ARSENIC IS A FRONT PAGE STORY ON THE WASHINGTON POST -12.2.10
When you see the word Arsenic in modern times-you can’t help but associate the term to power and the poisoning of monarchy in world history.
Anyways–it’s on the front page of the Washington Post today. No pun intended, to the name of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange, I’m sure. He’s Australia and they do rare earth minerals just like China does and not arsenic, so it can’t be referring to Julian.
Gosh–what a weird story from the nation’s Captol’s main news paper!
In more up? news–on The Post’s website, WikiLeaks, Internet privacy, Aretha Franklin and LeBron James are all suggested hot topics for DC readers to cut to the chase and zoom in on–for informative reading.
Let’s go Washington! UP!
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.2.10~
LOCATING THE “INFORMATION SHARING BALANCE” – RUSSIA, USA, INTERPOL, AUSTRALIA – WIKI LEAKS NEWS SNIPPETS 12.1.10
“I would very much like to tell Mr. Assange about our dental plan — that is, if he hasn’t already downloaded it”–Interpol’s Chief.
CNN’s WIKILEAKS ROUND UP: State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley called WikiLeaks founder and editor-in-chief Julian Assange an “anarchist.”
Moscow is a ”kleptocracy.” It is “a system in which it appears that almost everyone at every level is involved in some form of corruption or criminal behavior.”–US State Department Doc.
A Russian contact writes “business pays off the bureaucracy and bureaucracy defends business from real competition.”
CENSORSHIP? AMAZON’S WIKILEAKS SERVERS GO OFFLINE
This is an: Espionage and Privacy of The Political System’s Ambassadors Vs Freedom of Speech and Censorship debate post.
Here in America, we live in a capitalist society. That means–make a buck. We also live in a society where politicians want increased information about all American citizens, yet it appears when information about politicians is available for public reading–they don’t like that. It also appears that many in positions of alleged power, protect their own privacy above the privacy of all others–namely the people they are in office to allegedly serve. I’m joking, if you take the wikileaks leaked docs scandal too seriously, it’s just the wrong approach–but the question does need to be asked in America today–What is censorship?
News that Amazon was focred to stop hosting WikiLeaks today due to building political pressure has everyone talking today. The Associated Press reports: “Amazon.com Inc. forced WikiLeaks to stop using the U.S. company’s computers to distribute embarrassing State Department communications and other documents, WikiLeaks said Wednesday. The ouster came after congressional staff had questioned Amazon about its relationship with WikiLeaks, said Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent from Connecticut.
“WikiLeaks confirmed the news hours after The Associated Press reported that Amazon’s servers had stopped hosting WikiLeaks’ site. The site was unavailable for several hours before it moved back to its previous Swedish host, Bahnhof.”
On twitter Wikileaks tweeted their response in the form of: “WikiLeaks servers at Amazon ousted. Free speech the land of the free–fine our $ are now spent to employ people in Europe.
They also tweeted: “If Amazon are so uncomfortable with the first amendment, they should get out of the business of selling books.”
Good points raised all round. What is censorship and what is freedom of speech? are always questions I raise and ask on this blog. And isn’t this a case of politicians respecting their own privacy more than the privacy and freedom of speech of the very people who pay them and elect them to serve?
Amazon must be gutted at the loss of revenue with a hot potato topic like the wikileaks scandal at the minute. Oh well, there’s always being patient waiting for eBook sales to pick up as a sweetener for the Book Distribution giant company.
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA. 12.1.10~
RIHANNA, JULIAN ASSANGE, BARONESS SCOTLAND, “INFORMATION SHARING, OVERSHARING” AND “ESPIONAGE” VS “FREE SPEECH”–AS HOT BUZZ WORDS FROM AMERICA AND THE UK
celebrity buzzwords: Julian Assange Vs Angelina Jolie, now Vs Rihanna.
As humans, as people–we look over the fence at our neighbors, in a game of keeping up with the Joneses. The fear of being left behind, or missing out–is the basis of spying–be that polite, or secretive in the form of Espionage.
In fact, there is no trend-setting ability of leaders (fashions mimic others by spying), without observing what peers are doing, than advancing new or similar forms and better ways of doing things.
But when does research–verge into Espionage? Where is that line? Or does it not exist anymore in an age of new technology? The WikiLeaks case gives us all time to discuss that–on Facebook, a community far bigger than WikiLeaks, holding more information about individuals, than WikiLeaks ever could claim to hold.
Julian Assange of Wikileaks is the pin up boy of “Common Similarities between the US and the UK” that still exist today. Will this one man’s fate be decided by a US/ UK jury? His crime? He is a spy of spies because he owned IT that could track others spying tendencies in an obsessively voyeuristic political digital age–where most people don’t even watch politicians in the world, at all. Only other politicians do? Julian shared these politicians favorite (digital) media to read with other media. Anyway,
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Espionage is defined as being: ”the practice of spying or using spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government or a competing company.” The origins of espionage is French, as in:
“French espionnage, from Middle French, from espionner to spy, from espion spy, from Old Italian spione, from spia, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German spehōn to spy. First Known Use: 1793.”
We are also encouraged to look at the word “spy” as in: “to watch secretly, usually for hostile purposes; and, to catch sight of or, SEE. Spying is the active activity of espionage. Who really, has time to do that? No one whose creative that’s for sure, only people copy, others creativity. (I’m a blogger, so at times I can be accused of that. Just saying).
The Espionage Act: According to the UK Guardian: “The US Espionage Act is a little-used law dating from 1911 – the same year as the UK’s Official Secrets Act, with which it has much in common.”
The current law can be used to prosecute those who leak and publish classified information that creates a national security risk. The law’s purpose is to tackle espionage. It has never been used on foreign press or any media organization before.
[Image of Rihanna via Trend Hairstyle. Angelia Jolie stars as a Spy in The Tourist above, after starring as an assassin who spied on her husband in Mr & Mrs Smith, and an accused spy in Salt. In fact playing spies is kind of a hot celebrity topic when you consider Jolie's film career.]
ENTERTAINMENT WRAP UP AND SOME NEWS – SUN 12.19.10
Tron: Legacy earns $43.6 million at the box office to be #1.
You too can watch a total lunar eclipse, early Tuesday.
Shakira teams up with Dora The Explorer to debut a childrens book.
And the rich get richer–Los Angeles Times story.
Taylor Momsen shares Sarah Palin‘s knowledge of geography.
Chinese women can play good chess
Johnny Depp is sighted backstage at a Justin Bieber concert.
Immigrants in the US and The Dream Act
Angelina Jolie gifts Brad Pitt a “family-rock” ring for his 47th birthday.
Mitch O’donell news–Omnibus spending tale.
Saturday Night Live spoofs the Kardashian sisters.
Cancer-causing metal found in Chicago-area tap water
Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron remain besties.
Lady Gaga can’t perform in Paris, France due to crew arrests. Or, a pop star’s day off. Lol!
U.S. Senate OKs Illinois’ first Asian-American federal judge
Burlesque has a Golden Globes controversy on their hands.
Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds may have done lunch in NYC.
Best TV actor at Golden Globes is dubbed the mostly contested category this year.
Arizona and Nevada sue Bank of America over loan modifications–Why only two States?
Of course, President Obama has almost ‘job approval’ from Republicans–4% margin. :)
Christmas stocking stuffers for the pop cultural addict–Washington Post
iPads Arrive at Delta Gates at Kennedy
~Posted by Horiwood.Com, Hollywood California USA.12.19.10~
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