Another local production

Oh my God~~
Local film production again!!!
Highly interested in all of it.
Well, we as Malaysian should do some part of us in order to support those kind of local film productions.
There is undeniable that some people may think of local film production equals to low quality or even not worth to buy tickets and head out to the cinema and have a view of it.
That is the lamest thing to think of such way!!! You guys know what? A film industry is not an easy way to go through. How many people around us were trying hard in order to become famous. Not famous of their appearance or even their outfits, but is all about their productions.


They have been put so much efforts on it just to hope that others can support or even just kindly comment about that. They feel dissapointed when some of them were saying local production is such like shit production. They feel dispressed when they couldn't even get the supports from the others.

They do not care what have been giving out. They even do not care about how much time have been wasted. They just hope that we as Malaysian are willingly to sacrifice our time and as well as money to buy the tickets in order to support the local film production.

Perhaps there is another hope for all the local directors. They are still believe in what they are seeing right now. They are still believe themselves and thus they know they can even do better than the others.

p/s: This film will be showing up in cinema start from 15th April~~

Local film production

Well, let's talk about some kind of entertainment news that happened around us recently. I found that actually there are lots of genius around us, what I meant is some kind of people who do really spread their intelligence through the right way and as well as through the simple but useful way.

Basically, film production is such as the lamest stuffs which did not recognized by the old generations. They do always think that people who are in charge of this cannot earn any income from that. Well, this was the opinions from our old and past generations.
This is not suitable to apply in our current lives anymore. There is no such thing to comment about the film production whether it makes money or not.

Meanwhile, some people may think that film production is such a great thing which can be shared among their friends. They do have the almost same view points among each others. Therefore, they think that is another way to diccuss about the arts of film production.

Yuhang Ho ---> who was focus at the 9th Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. (2007).
Here are all the awards that he won.
Check it out.

Cinemanila International Film Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2004	Won	Netpac Award	for: Min (2003)
Nantes Three Continents Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2003	Won	Special Jury Award	for: Min (2003)
Pusan International Film Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2004	Won	New Currents Award - Special Mention	for: Sanctuary (2004)
Rotterdam International Film Festival
Year	Result	Award	Category/Recipient(s)
2005	Won	Netpac Award	for: Sanctuary (2004)
		Tiger Award - Special Mention	for: Sanctuary (2004)
	Nominated	Tiger Award	for: Sanctuary (2004)

Before ending up this post, wish to share with you guys the latest film production from the local director ---> Yuhang Ho





p/s: This will be showing up start from 1st April until 7th April at Mid Valley, One Utama and as well as Pavilion.

Obama to sign U.S. healthcare overhaul into law

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will sign into law on Tuesday landmark healthcare legislation, a hard-fought victory that will help shape his legacy and the Democrats' chances of holding power in the U.S. Congress.



U.S. President Barack Obama (L) delivers a statement about the House of Representatives' final passage of health care legislation, as Vice President Joe Biden listens in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 21, 2010. (REUTERS/Jason Reed)

After signing the bill -- designed to revamp the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare industry -- Obama will speak at a ceremony with lawmakers in the culmination of a yearlong push that eroded his popularity.

The Senate is taking up a package of changes this week that the House of Representatives proposed to improve the bill. Republicans say their anger over the bill's passage may make them less likely to work with Democrats on other items such as climate change legislation and immigration reform.

The bill's passage will also free Obama to devote time to other priorities, including pushing for congressional approval of a plan reform and tighten financial regulations.

Aides have described a euphoric atmosphere at the White House after the House on Sunday narrowly approved the healthcare legislation, which analysts had pronounced all but dead only a few weeks earlier.

Obama put his reputation on the line and poured his energy into passing the bill, even delaying a planned trip to Indonesia and Australia.

The overhaul will extend health coverage to 32 million Americans, expand the government health plan for the poor, impose new taxes on the wealthy and bar insurance practices like refusing cover to people with pre-existing medical conditions.

Obama's intense focus on the issue drew criticism from some Democrats who worried healthcare was becoming a distraction from the need to fix the economy and boost jobs.

But with a major accomplishment in hand, Obama will be able to counter critics who have suggested he had little to show for his 14 months in office.

"I have no regrets. Nor do I have any fears about November as a result of this," David Axelrod, a senior adviser to Obama, said on CBS's "The Early Show."

Americans have been lukewarm toward healthcare reform and Republicans hope to capitalize on that in November's congressional elections, in which they hope to overturn or at least reduce Democratic majorities in the Senate and House.

Republicans have vowed to try to repeal the healthcare bill.

"The reality of it is that no one paid attention to the American people for the past year. And the American people have been to the point of outrage on this issue," Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee, said on NBC's "Today Show."

The Republican National Committee is particularly targeting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, credited with shepherding through the bill's passage, in a fund-raising pitch on its website that features an image of her against flames as if she were in an inferno.

The signing ceremonies and a planned trip by Obama to Iowa on Thursday will allow him a chance to celebrate the victory and try to sell Americans on the benefits of the bill.

Thursday's event, in which Obama is not expected to take any questions from the public, is part of what is expected to be a public relations blitz by the president, who has assured lawmakers who backed the bill that he will throw himself into the effort to sell the bill and campaign for them against the expected furious Republican election challenges.

A CBS News poll found only 29 percent of Americans believe the overhaul will make the system better, while 34 percent said it would make it worse and 28 percent said they were not sure.

The legislation marks the biggest change in the system since the Medicare health program for the elderly was created in 1965 and fulfills a goal that eluded many of Obama's predecessors for a century, most recently including Bill Clinton in 1994.

Republicans have labelled the $940 billion healthcare scheme a government intrusion into the economy and warn it would drive up the budget deficit.

"The reality of it is this is a bad bill," Steele said on CBS.

"I think every effort should be afoot right now to repeal it, to start with something that's centered on those cost centers that are driving the costs of healthcare right now, not this massive overhaul of healthcare."

(Writing by Caren Bohan and Patricia Zengerle; Additional reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Will Dunham)

Copyright © 2010 Reuters

Chong Wei committed to Masters Finals and SEA Games

It will be another major test of world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei’s resolve when he makes the attempts to retain the Super Series Masters Finals title and to win the SEA Games individual gold medal for the first time.

Chong Wei has committed to play in the back-to-back competitions after discussions with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) management on his return from the China Open in Shanghai on Monday.

National singles coach Rashid Sidek said that Chong Wei would travel with the badminton squad to Vientiane for the SEA Games as scheduled on Dec 8 after competing in the Masters Finals in Johor Baru.

Chong Wei had expressed concerns as the SEA Games competitions (Dec 10-17) will be held four days after the completion of the Masters Finals (Dec 2-6). Having recovered fully from a left knee injury recently, Chong Wei feared it would act up again and was in two minds over competing in Laos.

Chong Wei skipped the Opens in Denmark and French Opens last month and made a successful comeback by bagging his first Hong Kong Open title two weeks ago. But he suffered a first-round defeat by Dane Jan Jorgensen in the China Open.

“We discussed with his coach (Misbun Sidek) that he will play in the team and individual events in the SEA Games,” said Rashid.

“He will be okay as he is not carrying any injury. Besides, we will only play our first tie in the team competition on Dec 12 as we have a direct entry into the semi-finals as the top seeds.



“Moreover, the chances are that we need Chong Wei more for the final the following day when we will should be meeting Indonesia.

“It is the individual competition where we hope Chong Wei will secure his first individual SEA Games gold medal as the draw looks good for him,”

Chong Wei should have no problem clearing the first two rounds to reach the semi-finals where he will play against either Simon Santoso of Indonesia or Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand.

If Chong Wei makes the final, he will be up against Vietnamese dangerman Nguyen Tien Minh or top Indonesian Sony Dwi Kuncoro, who has a first-round match against Malaysia’s Mohd Hafiz Hashim.

Chong Wei led Malaysia to claim the team gold medal in the 2005 Manila Games but only managed to win the individual bronze.

Rashid added there is also no choice but for Chong Wei to feature in the Masters Finals to fulfil the obligations to the sponsors and also the home fans.

“We are hosting the tournament and the fans will want to see him in action in Johor Baru,” he added.

Chong Wei is the top men’s singles qualifier for the Masters Finals, which feature eight players.

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Universal Studio Singapore!

Recently there are rumors spreading that there will be a universal studio running in our nearby neighbour Singapore. Well it isn't a rumor after all. Now Universal Studio Singapore is launching with the theme of some characters from Universal Studio. This would be really a good chance to have fun there rather then go to europe countries. There will be 7 theme for the theme park ;firstly is Shrek 4D adventure follow by Madagascar, Jurassic Park, Sci-Fiction, Hollywood, and also Ancient Egypt. Words can't show everything lets take a glance on the video below.

Internet Scam

Are you frustrated and overwhelmed by of all of the scams, spam and other junk you see every day on the Internet and in your email box? Do you know what actually is Internet scam or internet fraud? The term “Internet fraud” generally refers to any type of fraud scheme that uses one or more online services to present fraudulent and solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent transactions or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to others connected with the scheme. It can take place on computer programs such as chat rooms, e-mail, message boards or Web sites.

Email and the Internet is a wonderful resource that has revolutionized the way humans communicate and access information. Scammers regularly use email in attempts to steal money or personal information from unsuspecting victims. There are various categories of internet scams available on Internet. For example, charity scam, purchase scam, lottery scam, love and dating scam, phishing scam, virus scam, job scam, Nigerian scam and even pet scam.

These are some examples of Internet Scam:

Below are descriptions of three of the most common types of email driven scams. First of all, phishing scams is the email that people receive from a bank/online service provider/financial institution that asks you to click a link and visit a website in order to provide personal information. A phishing scam is one in which victims are tricked into providing personal information such as account numbers and passwords to what they believe to be a legitimate company or organization. Next, Nigerian scam is an email/letter/fax that asks for your help to success a large sum if money in a foreign bank account. The message says that you will get a percentage of the funds in exchange for your help. Moreover, lottery scams is an email/letter/fax that claims that you have won a great deal of money in an international lottery even though you have never bought a ticket. The email may claim that your email address was randomly chosen out of a large pool of addresses as a “winning entry”. Such emails are almost certainly fraudulent.

In general, be wary of unsolicited emails that promise you money, jobs or prizes, ask for donations, propose lucrative business deals, ask you to provide sensitive personal information, ask you to follow a link to a website and log on to an account. If you receive these types of scam emails, it is important that you do not respond to it in any way. The scammers are likely to act upon any response from those they see as potential victims.

There are a lot of international anti-scam website for reporting, sharing and dissemination of scam info which included HotScams, ScamBusters.org, Hoax-Slayer and so on so forth. These websites are dedicated to debunking email hoaxes, thwarting Internet scammers, combating spam and educating web users about email and Internet security issues. It allows Internet users to check the veracity of common email hoaxes and aims to counteract criminal activity by publishing information about common types of Internet scams. Some also includes anti-spam tips, computer and email security information, articles about true email forwards, and much more. Readers can subscribe to these websites for their free weekly newsletter and then explore the site for helpful guidance and advice on how to identify dangerous scams and protect yourself—so you don’t become a cunning scammer’s next victim!

"No Plastic Bag" Campaign

Effective January, 2010, the “No Plastic Bag” day was implemented in Selangor with the aim to encourage further reduction of plastic bag usage across the city. Since then, every Saturday is a plastic bag-free day in Selangor. Saturday is chosen as it will be a very effective day to get the message across to a wider crowd. Besides, customer who insists on plastic bags will have to pay between 10sen to 20sen per bag. Therefore, it is better for the shopper to make a habit of using less plastic bags and bringing own bags when shopping.

This program will help to save Malaysia’s environment by creating awareness among the public on the disadvantages of expansive use of plastic. It reduces and minimizes plastic usage starting from shopping complexes by using recyclable shopping bags. In order to preserve our world heritage, the introduction of this simple gesture definitely makes a better change for Malaysian.

Selangor’s first “No Plastic Bag” day on Jan 2 went by so quietly that many consumers, although applauding the move, many shoppers were caught unaware of the declaration made by the Selangor State government. Following consultation and dialogues with hypermarkets, supermarkets, mini markets, plastic manufacturer and NGOs, the ban on using plastic bag marks the serious commitment towards reducing the use of plastic bags. There are 20 big retailers comprising hypermarkets, supermarkets, pharmacies and convenience stores who are participating during this campaign’s initial stage included Carrefour, Tesco, Giant, Jusco, 7-11 and Ikea.

Actually, some other countries are having their own ruling about the usage of plastics bag. For example, plastic bags are either taxed or require additional charges in places like Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany and Holland. Besides, in October 2001, Taiwan introduced a ban on distribution of free single-use plastic nags by government agencies, schools and the military. China introduced a ban on flimsy plastic bags in June 2008 to reduce “white pollution”- the popular term for plastic bags and Styrofoam packaging. In Denmark, the waste tax is differentiated so that it is most expensive to landfill waste, cheaper to incinerate it and tax exempt to recycle it. It also has “green” taxes on packaging, plastic bags

Since the message of reducing usage of plastic bag is encourage by government, public is making the habit of bringing own bags when shopping. Non woven bag or eco bag has become a prevalent trend nowadays. Various design and functions of eco bag is selling in the market. The photos below are some example of different eco bags.

By practising this program, we can lessen our environmental footprint by minimizing the usage of plastic shopping bags. All of us in this global community must realize the importance of preserving, protecting and promoting a clean and healthy environment not only for the investors, tourists and those who desires for sustainable living, but also for our generation. If everyone does so, our world will become a better, cleaner, safer place for all living things.

reference from: http://www.alantanblog.com/advertisement/let-support-no-plastic-bag-day-campaign.html

Current Issues in Tourism

Aims & Scope

Current Issues in Tourism is a new type of tourism journal which encourages in-depth discussion and critique of key questions within the subject. It offers a readable format for extended peer-reviewed papers and reviews, each followed by informed commentary designed to spark off further reader response and debate. It contains both applied and theoretical work that addresses tourism inquiry and practice. Lively and rigorous, it welcomes contributions from the broad gamut of subjects which make up the stuff of tourism studies.

Current Issues in Tourism is designed to be accessible to both new and experienced researchers and practitioners on a global basis. The principal aims of the journal are to: encourage the full disciplinary and interdisciplinary range of approaches which are available to the study of tourism; bring together researchers from different subject backgrounds for interdisciplinary debate; develop the theoretical base on which the study of tourism is built; provide a basis for the development of critical approaches to the study of tourism; disseminate new approaches, concepts, frameworks and models which may be developed in the study of tourism; promote new research; assist in the creation of new networks of researchers; encourage young researchers.

One of the unique features of the journal is a 6-week response period following publication to allow both postal and e-mail comment on papers (CIT Interactive). Each issue contains at least two extended peer-reviewed papers of between 15,000 and 25,000 words in length. There are also Reports, Rejoinders and Commentary (on both current and past papers) of up to 3000 words, plus book review articles of up to 3000 words. Occasional special symposia issues will also be produced focusing on a special topic.

Refereeing procedures
Every article within the remit of the journal is peer reviewed by a minimum of two experts.

Disclaimer

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in its publications. However, Taylor & Francis and its agents and licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness or suitability for any purpose of the Content and disclaim all such representations and warranties whether express or implied to the maximum extent permitted by law. Any views expressed in this publication are the views of the authors and are not the views of Taylor & Francis.

Advocates of Gay Marriage

There's nothing wrong with homosexuality. One of us, in fact, is gay. We oppose gay marriage, not gay relationships (which are already supported by most of the economic and legal benefits given to common-law couples and should be supported by all).

Most people assume that heterosexuality is a given of nature and thus not vulnerable to cultural change, that nothing will ever discourage straight people from getting together and starting families. But we argue — and this is important — that heterosexual bonding must indeed be deliberately fostered by a distinctive and supportive culture.

Because heterosexual bonding is directly related to both reproduction and survival, and because it involves much more than copulation, all human societies have actively fostered it (although some have also allowed or even encouraged homosexuality in specific circumstances). This is done through culture: rules, customs, laws, symbols, rituals, incentives, rewards, and other public mechanisms. So deeply embedded are these, however, that few people are consciously aware of them.

Much of what is accomplished in animals by nature ("biology," "genetics," or "instinct" ) must be accomplished in humans by culture (all other aspects of human existence, including marriage). If culture were removed, the result wouldn't be a functioning organism whether human or non-human. Apart from any other handicap would be the inability to reproduce successfully. Why? Because mating (sexual intercourse), which really is largely governed by a biological drive, isn't synonymous with the complex behaviours required by family life within a larger human society.

So how could marriage be harmed by adding a few gay couples? A good question, especially when you consider the deplorable state of marriage right now, which has been caused by hedonistic and irresponsible straight people.

Marriage is a complex institution. It must do several things (and, from an anthropological and historical perspective, fostering the emotional gratification of two adults is the least important). It must foster the bonds between men and women for at least three reasons: to encourage the birth and rearing of children (at least to the extent necessary for preserving and fostering society); to provide an appropriate setting for children growing to maturity; and — something usually forgotten — to ensure the co-operation of men and women for the common good. Moreover, it must foster the bonds between men and children, otherwise men would have little incentive to become active participants in family life. Finally, it helps provide men with a healthy masculine identity based on a distinctive, necessary, and publicly valued contribution to society — fatherhood — especially when no other contribution is considered acceptable.

Without public cultural support for a durable relationship binding men, women, and children, marriage would initially be reduced to nothing more than one "lifestyle choice" among many — that is, it could no longer be encouraged in the public square (which is necessary in a secular society). In fact, doing so would be denounced and even challenged in court as discrimination — the undue "privilege" of a "dominant" class, which is a breach of equality as defined by Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. But discrimination in this case should be allowed — and could be under the Charter — in view of the fact that marriage, as a universal institution and the essential cultural complement to biology, is prior to all concepts of law.

In short, redefining marriage would amount to a massive human experiment. Some experiments work, it's true, but others don't. Remember that an earlier experiment, changing the divorce laws, set in motion social forces that would not be evident for forty years. This new experiment would be unprecedented in human history, and yet we haven't taken the time to think carefully about possible consequences. Instead, we've allowed emotion to sweep aside all other considerations.


Marriage a-la-mode

Welcome to "Marriage a-la-mode." The title refers not to marriage with ice cream but to marriage according to whatever the current fashion happens to be and, more specifically, to a series of four satirical paintings produced in the eighteenth century by William Hogarth. Although there is some satire in what follows, our aim is not to lampoon gay people or gay relationships but merely to challenge the claims made by those who advocate gay marriage. And those claims have been very successful, so far, in Canada.

At the moment, three legal rulings are being examined in connection with the possibility of redefining marriage to include gay couples. In Egale v. Canada (3 October 2001), British Columbia's Supreme Court ruled that the current definition of marriage — a union between one man and one woman — should be retained. But in Halpern v. Canada (12 July 2002), Ontario's Superior Court of Justice ruled that this definition infringes on the right of gay people to equality under Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms. And in Hendricks and Le Boeuf v. Canada (18 September 2002), Quebec's Superior Court agreed with Ontario — adding that it would permit gay couples to marry anyway if Parliament refuses to revise the definition within two years. All three provincial judgements have been appealed by the federal government. The appeal in British Columbia has been defeated; those of Quebec and Ontario are still pending. Meanwhile, Parliament has been conducting public hearings across the country. What follows is based on (a) our research, commissioned by Canada's Department of Justice; (b) the affidavit1 based on this research produced for the federal government; and (c) our presentation to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights.2

Our approach has been both comparative (see below) and dialogical. One of us is a man, the other a woman; one is Jewish, the other Gentile; one is gay, the other straight; one specializes in Western civilization, the other in Eastern civilization; and so on. As a result of our collaboration, we have been able to gather a great deal of evidence, both historical and cross-cultural, to support our answers to the claims made by advocates of gay marriage.

The latter make no fewer than twenty of these. Our primary task here is to refute each of them. One reason for organizing the material in this way is that no one else, to our knowledge, has actually done so. Maybe too many people have assumed that there is no need to defend what they take for granted. In other words, they have been complacent. Another reason is to reinforce a claim of our own: that the burden of proof is always on those who want change. Their claims must be evaluated first, not ours. Without some compelling reason for change, after all, why bother? More to the point, in this case, why take the risk of a massive experiment?

Before discussing those arguments, though, we are going to discuss an underlying assumption about heterosexuality (and the underlying problem here is associated with heterosexuality, not homosexuality.) By definition, of course, this assumption is unstated. Even so, the arguments based on it are quickly becoming conventional wisdom in the most influential academic and political circles. Opposing it, therefore, always involves counter-intuitive and "politically incorrect" arguments.


Most people, both gay and straight, assume that heterosexual bonding is a given of nature for straight people. But we argue — and this is a matter of fundamental importance — that it must indeed be deliberately fostered and supported by a distinctive culture. We refer here and elsewhere to "heterosexual bonding," because the word "heterosexuality" could be understood as a reference to mere heterosexual copulation, which is not what concerns us in this essay.

Much of what is accomplished in animals by nature (often known as "biology," "genetics," or "instinct") must be accomplished in humans by culture (which includes not only elite culture and popular culture but all aspects of human existence aside from those that are determined by nature). Although no particular culture is genetically encoded, the ability and need to create culture is genetically encoded. We are equipped and even driven by nature, paradoxically, to be cultural beings. This has made us more flexible than animals, which rely entirely (or almost entirely in the case of a few primate species) on nature. And this, in turn, has greatly facilitated our adaptation to new circumstances or environments and thus fostered human survival. Culture is not a superficial overlay on something more primitive and basic, in short, but a defining and fundamental feature of human existence; if it were somehow removed, the result would not be a functioning organism, whether human or non-human. Apart from any other handicap would be its inability to reproduce successfully. Why? Because mating,4 or copulating, which really is governed by nature, is not synonymous with the complex behaviors required by family life within a larger human society.5 So the sexual behavior involved in marriage is governed not only by nature but also by culture. This explains why it includes both universal features and culturally variable ones. More about that in due course.

All societies have found it necessary to establish norms. We define the latter as cultural ideals6 — models, paradigms, collective preferences — which are supported by rules7) That is because no society can have it all, just as no individual can; every society must make choices. And choosing one thing — one form of behavior, say — inevitably means not choosing others. Because nature itself does not enforce norms, moreover, culture must do so. Every society has found it necessary — whether formally or informally, directly or indirectly — to reward some forms of behavior and either not reward or punish others. These ways of doing so have varied a great deal from one society to another and from one period to another even within the same society. Small-scale societies often rely on group control: Act in this way, and you will be shamed by society; act that way, and you will be honored by society. Large-scale societies usually find it necessary to add individual control: Act this way, and you will be guilty even if not publicly condemned; act that way, and you will be justified even if not publicly acclaimed.

Because the most common sexual tendency for human beings, by far, is heterosexuality (our species reproduces sexually, after all, which has an evolutionary advantage over the asexual reproduction of some other species); because heterosexual bonding is directly related to both reproduction and survival; and because it involves much more than copulation, every human society has had to encourage heterosexual bonding actively (although some have also allowed homosexual bonding, too, in various circumstances). This has always required a massive cultural effort, usually religious,8 involving myths, rituals, symbols, theologies, rewards, privileges, and so on. Heterosexual bonding is always encouraged by a cultural norm, in other words, not merely allowed as one "lifestyle choice" among many. Some norms vary greatly from one society to another, to be sure, but others are universal. Marriage is one of these9 and thus prior to law, which is an important point for judges and legislators to consider.

This means that every society has always maintained the cultural mechanisms that provide public support for heterosexual bonding. These have always been associated with public legitimacy (represented by ancestors, deities, scripture, law, and so forth), public recognition (rituals, witnesses, registrations) and thus public accountability (see below for our definition of universal features). It has always been fostered by inducements, whether social (prestige, say, or political alliances), economic (transfer of property), religious (divine rewards, and so on), or a combination of them. So deeply embedded in consciousness are these that few people are consciously aware of them. The result, in any case, is a "privileged" status for heterosexual bonding. Postmodernists are not wrong in identifying it as such, but they are wrong in assuming that any society can do without it.10

To be more specific, the culture of marriage must encourage at least five things:11 (a) the bonding between men and women12 that ensures their cooperation for the common good,13 (b) the birth14 and rearing of children, at least to the extent necessary for preserving and fostering society, in culturally approved ways; (c) bonding between men and children so that men are likely to become active participants in family life;15 (d) some healthy form of masculine identity (which is based on the need for at least one distinctive, necessary, and publicly valued contribution to society and is especially important today, because the other two cross-cultural definitions of manhood, provider and protector, are no longer distinctive now that women have entered the public realm);16 and (e) the transformation of adolescents into sexually responsible adults — that is, young men and women who are ready for marriage and the beginning of a new cycle.

It should come as no surprise that comparative research on the worldviews of both small-scale societies and those of world religions,17 Western and Eastern, reveals a pattern: Marriage has universal, nearly universal, and variable features.18

Its universal features include the fact that marriage is (a) supported by authority and incentives; (b) recognizes the interdependence of men and women; (c) has a public, or communal, dimension; (d) defines eligible partners; (e) encourages procreation under specific conditions; and (f) provides mutual support not only between men and women but also between them and children.

Its nearly universal features are: (a) an emphasis on durable relationships between parents; (b) mutual affection and companionship; (c) family (or political) alliances; and (d) reciprocity between young and old. Most large-scale societies have encouraged durable relationships between biological parents and children at least until the latter reach maturity. That is because of the long time it takes infants to mature; cooperation is necessary to ensure their survival. Most societies have recognized that mutual affection and companionship, moreover, facilitate bonding between men and women. Some have recognized that these are fragile bonds have preferred arranged marriages (although they usually encourage affection and companionship as well).

These universal and nearly universal features assume the distinctive (but not necessarily innate) contributions of both sexes, transmit knowledge from one generation to another, and create not only "vertical" links between the generations but also "horizontal" ones between allied families or communities.

As for the many variable features of marriage, these include endogamy (marrying within a group) or exogamy (marrying outside it); marrying up in status or marrying down); arranged marriage or chosen; dowry (from the bride's family) or bride price (goods given or services performed by the groom); sexual equality or hierarchy; many children or few; extended family or nuclear; residence with the bride's family, with the groom's, or neither; divorce allowed or prohibited; and so on. Alternatives to marriage are celebrated in some societies (as in the case of celibate monks, for instance, or shamans) and tolerated in others (such as single people or gay couples) but only when the larger society is in no danger of failing to reproduce itself.

From one perspective, variables make any definition distinctive. From another perspective, however, they create a problem. Focusing on the definition of marriage in any one society makes it hard to know which aspects are distinctive or local and which are universal or nearly universal. Patterns emerge only when many societies are compared. When only one society is considered, in other words, the variables can mask the universals.19 We can detect universals only by using cross-cultural and historical methods.20 From these perspectives, as we say, patterns do emerge. This makes it easier to see the universal and nearly universal features of marriage.

It could be argued that focusing on these features would lead to the methodological problem of "essentialism." But that is a false problem for three reasons. First, there really is an empirical basis for the existence of these features. Second, using inductive reason to discern patterns is a fundamental characteristic of scholarship. And third, any phenomenon so common as to be universal or nearly universal surely reveals something basic in the human condition.

This is not to say, however, that every society does so effectively. Our ideal is hardly the current status quo, in which marriage has been reduced by irresponsible straight people to the proverbial "piece of paper" at worst and pure sentimentality at best. For evidence of the latter, just take a cursory glance at such massively popular shows as The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Joe Millionaire. Participants, who hope to marry as a result of appearing on the show, seldom talk about anything more serious than how they like to spend their free time, whether to reveal their feelings, or, occasionally, how many children they would like to have; they never ask prospective husbands or wives about political beliefs, say, or communal affiliations. For them, courtship and marriage, like the show itself, are forms of entertainment. Careful attention to sets — lavish hotel suites, exotic locales, and dozens of candles everywhere — creates the "romantic" ambience of a soap opera. Although ritualistic aspects remain — the most obvious being when a young man kneels as he proposes marriage — many of these are anachronistic, to say the least. This nonsense is manufactured and sold primarily by and for straight people, not gay people.

Given the prevalent but misleading assumptions, ones that underlie all of the claims made by advocates of gay marriage, it is clear to us, we repeat, that this public debate is really about heterosexual bonding. There is nothing wrong with the homosexual bonding. There is something wrong, something perverse, with the idea that any society can endure without offering public support or even preferential treatment to heterosexual bonding.

We turn now to the twenty most common claims, most of them closely interrelated, that are made by advocates of gay marriage.

Are you a vegetarian?

Do you know what vegetarianism trend is? Do you notice and wonder why people are talking about being a vegetarian in these recent years? Vegetarianism is more popular than ever before and it is continuing to gow at an astonishing rate. In fact, during the last ten years the number of vegetarians in the UK has more than doubled. Based on Wikipedia, vegetarianism is the practice of following a plant-based diet including fruits, vegetables, cereal grains, nuts, and seeds with or without dairy products and eggs. A vegetarian does not eat meat, including red meat, fish, poultry, game, crustacean, shellfish and product of animal slaughter.

Readers, u may ignore my following words, but watch this video! It brings out the fact and the reason what I suppose to say in this post. It may be horrible, terrible, and cruel for some of you, but this is the truth!!! Nobody can deny it.

"Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955) - Physicist and Theorist

I agree with this quote seriously after I done my little research on the reason of why people willing to become a vegetarian. People become vegetarians for different reasons. Some choose the vegetarians way of life based on health related motives, others become vegetarians out of silent protest against the suffering and mistreatment of animals in slaughterhouses, while still others shun meat for spiritual reasons.

Generally, I found out three simple reasons of why we should pratice vegetarianism, which are for the animals, for our earth and for our health. First of all, vegetarian avoid the food which is obtained by killing animals. Life on the farm isn't what it used to be as you can see from the video above. Today the majority of farmed animals are confined to the point that they can barely move, denied veterinary care, mutilated without painkillers and finally slaughtered - often while fully conscious. Sickness and disease run rampat in these squalid living conditions in an attempt to minimize costs. Most people would never dream of cramming up to 11 egg-laying hens into a file drawer-sized cage, ripping the testicles out of a screaming baby piglet, or cutting the throat of a cow as she stares back at you with her big brown eyes. We can save their life! The average vegetarian spares the lives of over 50 animals each year. That adds up to thousands during a lifetime.

Secondly, becoming vegetarian is one of the most important and effective actions you can take to ease the strain on our Earth's limited resources, protect the planet from pollution, prevent global warming, amd save countless species from extinction. The way that we breed animals for food is a threat to the planet. It pollutes our environment while consuming huge amounts of water, grain, petroleum, pesticides and drugs The results are disastrous. The environment would also benefit from the change in diet.

Thirdly, vegetarian diets offer a number of nutritional benefits, including lower levels of saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein, as well as higher levels of carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, potassium, folate, and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and phytochemicals. Vegetarians have been reported to have lower body mass indices than disease; vegetarians also show lower blood cholesterol levels; lower blood pressure; and lower rates of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and prostate and colon cancer. All these are good for our own health.

For those new to vegetarianism, this post will hopefully prove to be fruithful and thought-provoking, providing you with lots of valuable information that you will be able to benefit from time and time again.

Everytime we eat, we are making a powerful choice that has profound consequences on the lives of animals. At each meal, we make a decision between supporting cruelty or living compassionately. Fortunately, each one of us has the power to help end this suffering by simply choosing to eat vegetarian.

Here are some extra links that I think are quite useful. Have a look if you are interested.
http://www.vegsoc.org/news/2000/21cv/introduction.html
http://www.syl.com/hb/vegetariantrendsincludethedevelopmentofminorvegetariantypes.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Benefits-and-Advantages-of-Vegetarianism&id=442194
http://www.chooseveg.com/animal-cruelty.asp

Let's GO GREEN today!

Today, it seems like everyone's going green!

Climate changes is in the news. We heard a lot of news about global warming, rising sea levels, decrease snow cover in Northern Hemisphere, and increase in the frequency of extreme whether events in the recent year.We can even notice and observe it by ourself in daily life. I bet you ever complaining that why the weather is so hot since February until today!It is so happening and represent one of the greatest environment, social and economics treat facing the planet.

What can we do or in a serious tone, what should we do to stop all these environment impacts?

GO GREEN is the prevalent issues during these few years. Here are some ideas sharing on how to go green and save green at home and at work from Worldwatch Institute. I found out that the list of 10 ways to go green are very useful. We can live lightly in the Earth and save money at the same time.

Here we go!

1. Save energy to save money

• Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
• Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.

2. Save water to save money

• Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
• Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.

3. Less gas = more money

• Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.

4. Eat Smart

• If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
• Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.

5. Skipped the bottled water

• Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
• Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.

6. Think before you buy

• Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
• When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.

7. Borrow instead of buying

• Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
• Share power tools and other appliances.

8. Buy Smart

• Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
• Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently

9. Keep electronics out of the trash

• Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
• Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.

10. Make your own cleaning supplies

• Make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
• Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

I love our planet, I like my life. It is our responsible to take action to make our lives better. Just keep reading for 10 simple things we can do today to help reduce environment effect, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.

Let's practice and used to it in our daily life! :)

Environment- Air Pollutions

Air Pollution is not a new topic. It is a problem that we have noticed since the industrial revolution, when trees, houses and cars were covered in soot from the factories. People demanded change then, just as they are demanding it now. With all the talk of acid rain, global warming and ozone depletion it seems hopeless, but it isn't. Everyone can make a difference.

Acid Rain is the term given to any precipitation that is above normal acidity, this includes snow and fog. The acidity or causticity of a solution is measured in pH. A neutral pH is 7, acidic is lower then 7 and a base is greater than 7. The normal pH of rainwater is 5.5 (slightly acidic). In Scotland on April 20, 1974 the rain measured 2.4 and in West Virginia in 1978 the rain had a pH of 2.0! This was in the 70's and air pollution since then hasn't gotten any better. This very highly acidic rain kills plants and animals and destroys buildings.

Acid rain occurs when the moisture in the air mixes with Carbon, Nitrogen, and Sulphur gases. These gases are released into the air by the burning of fossil fuels (natural gas, coal and oil). The primary source of the gases comes from electric companies that burn coal.
Damage caused by acid rain is tremendous. The acid in the rain bonds with the minerals in the soil, tying them up so that plants can not use them. The plant becomes mineral deficient and weak. The rain also kills the plant's leaves, further weakening it and making the plant more susceptible to fungus and other diseases. This is a major agricultural problem.

The rain effects lakes, rivers and the animals living within them. The plants in the lakes and rivers are killed in the same way as land plants. The fish and other animals are left with no food. The animals that do survive are killed from the metals being drawn into the water from the soil, when the acid bonds to them.

Many architectural structures are destroyed from the acid rain. Most of the cement used to make our buildings. are made from lime which is very reactive with acid. You can see the effects of this weathering if you look at old gravestones or statues. The words etched in some of the gravestones can barely be read anymore because they are so worn away. Weathering is a natural process. Rain is normally slightly acidic but because of air pollution and the higher acidity of the rain, the process is sped up greatly.


Industry is looking for solutions to the air pollution problem. The best solution would be to stop burning fossil fuels all together but at this time we have no other alternatives. Scientists are trying ways to cut down on pollution. One way is to wash the coal before they burn it. Washing it takes off most of the sulphur but not all of it. The rest would have to be removed chemically but this process is still being researched. The problem with this is what to do with all the excess sulphur. Another solution is to clean the smoke before it is released into the air. Many filters have been installed in smoke stacks but again this solution is not 100% effective.

Another major environmental problem caused by air pollution is global warming or the "greenhouse effect". The greenhouse effect is caused by solar energy being trapped by CO2, Methane, Ozone (O3), Nitrous gas, and Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that are in the air. The solar energy comes into the atmosphere as light, it hits the Earth, looses some of its energy and becomes heat. Because the heat does not have as much energy it can not penetrate back through the blanket of gases. The Earth has a natural greenhouse effect caused by the CO2 in the atmosphere. If we didn't have this natural greenhouse effect, the Earth would be too cold to live on. We have increased this effect through the release of all the gases I have mentioned above.

CO2 is released into the air from factories and from the exhausts of cars. Some of this CO2 in the atmosphere is used when the plants make their food but with many of our forests being cut down it makes our problems worse. CFCs are released into the air from aerosol cans. They are also used in air conditioners and refrigerators and leak from these places. Ozone is created when the sunlight strikes nitrogen oxide from car exhaust and the oxygen from it bonds with oxygen gas. Ozone is a very toxic gas and is good at filtering out UV light in the stratosphere but is bad for us when it is in the lower atmosphere.

Some people may wonder why global warming is bad. Who wouldn't want summer year around? The reason it is bad is because it wouldn't stop at a comfortable warm all year around. The winters would be warm and the summers would be unbearably hot! Some scientists believe that if the trend continues and becomes worse, we will have to abandon the southern areas and keep moving north to escape the heat. Many places will become dry arid dessert. This great warming also brings up the idea of what will happen to all the ice at the poles? With the temperature rising, the ice will melt and sea levels will rise significantly. Most of our costal land is only a few feet above sea level. A rise would flood all of it including most of the state of Florida!

The average yearly temperature has been going up by .5 degrees Celsius. This is much lower than what scientists have predicted and some say that this proves there is no such thing as global warming. The reason for this is that the air pollution surrounding the earth is having two effects. One is the warming and the trapping of the heat in the atmosphere and the other is keeping the heat out. Most of the sunlight is getting in and once it is in it stays in but the pollution is also acting like a shield and deflecting some of the light so it never enters the atmosphere. The prevailing trend, although, will be a warming because not enough light will be deflected.

We can slow down the greenhouse and maybe even stop it by slowing down and stopping the release of the greenhouse gases. One of the ways this is being done is by putting the catalytic converter on cars. The device goes on the exhaust pipe of the car and reduces the amount of CO2 that is released into the atmosphere. Another way is to control the use of CFCs. Aerosol cans are supposed to be banned by the year 2000 and they are working on new coolants for refrigerators and air conditioners. We can also slow down the rate of deforestation and plant more trees.

The last major environmental problem caused by air pollution is ozone depletion. As mentioned before ozone is three oxygen molecules (O3). It is concentrated in the stratosphere about 20-25 km above the earth's surface. Ozone is what protects us from shriveling up under the sun's powerful rays. It blocks out the harmful ultraviolet (UV) light which causes skin cancer. Two major holes have been discovered in the ozone layer: a large one above the south pole and a smaller one above the north pole. These two areas have absolutely no protection from UV light.

CFCs, as mentioned before, are commonly used in aerosol cans, air conditioners, and refrigerators. They do not break down in the lower atmosphere and are carried up into the stratosphere. Ozone is a very unstable molecule and reacts readily with the Chlorine in the CFC compound. When a CFC compound is hit by ultraviolet radiation it frees one of the chlorine atoms. The chlorine reacts with one of the oxygen atoms in an ozone compound forming a chlorine monoxide and oxygen gas (O2). A second reaction then releases the chlorine again so it can react with another ozone molecule. The two poles are where these gases collect because of wind currents and this is why the two holes in the ozone are located there. Another pollutant that is destroying the ozone is Nitrous gas. It is released from jet engine's exhaust. The high flying jets put the pollutants right where they need to be to cause the destruction.

Some of the solutions to help slow the depletion is to use hydro- fluorocarbons (HFCs) instead of CFCs, cutting down on the use of CFCs, and using alternative jet fuel which doesn't release Nitrous gas. Ozone is constantly being created. The reason we have a problem is that it is being destroyed at a much faster rate then it is replenishing itself. All we need to do is slow down the emission of these gases. This will give the ozone time to repair itself. Then we need to keep the emissions low so that this problem will not reoccur.

These problems may seem serious and they are but for right now they are not irreversible. We can do some everyday things that will help the environment. Make sure that you only have lights on in the room you are in. If you turn lights off as you leave a room and don't leave every light in the house on, less electricity has to be produced at Detroit Edison, that means less coal will be burned and less CO2 and the other gases will be produced and released into the air. Another easy way to help is to plant a tree in your yard or to get involved in a tree planting program. Buy pump bottles instead of aerosol cans or you can car pool to school or work. There is no reason why you should have to drive alone when you know about 10 people who are going to the same place you are every single day. Drive slower, this may seem like an odd one but the faster you go the faster your engine works, the more fuel it uses and the more gases that are being put into the air. Just by driving the speed limit or five under you can help to save the environment.