Friday, January 22, 2010

James Marsters on 'Caprica'


I’d like to add another entry to EW.com’s 12 Reasons We’re Psyched for Caprica list: James Marsters joins the cast on March 5! As previously reported, the Buffy vet plays Barnabus Greely, an enigmatic and dangerous leader in the monotheist world. In other words, he’s Spike minus the fangs — hence the reason I’m psyched.

Caprica premieres tonight at 9 pm/ET on Syfy.

US Faces Down Concerns It's 'Occupying' Haiti

alain joyandet
John Thys, AFP / Getty Images
Alain Joyandet, France's minister for cooperation, was whistled back by others in the government after suggesting the U.S. was out to occupy Haiti.
The first time U.S. Marines landed in Haiti, they stayed nearly 20 years.

It was 1915, and President Woodrow Wilson dispatched 330 Marines to "re-establish peace and order" after the Caribbean nation saw six presidents in four years either killed or forced into exile. The U.S. occupied Haiti until 1934. American troops returned in 1994 in an ultimately abortive attempt by then-President Bill Clinton to reinstall Haiti's exiled president to power.

Now the Marines are back for a very different mission.

Black Hawk helicopters whirred down onto the manicured lawn of Haiti's presidential palace Tuesday, delivering hundreds of U.S. troops who have transformed the National Palace into an earthquake aid depot in the center of Port-au-Prince. About 12,000 American troops are already on the ground or anchored offshore, organizing everything from aid drops to air traffic.

But for some skeptics of American power, the image of U.S. soldiers taking over the wrecked symbol of Haiti's sovereignty conjures less than favorable comparisons to other places where America has used its military might -- Iraq, Afghanistan and the like. France's international cooperation minister, Alain Joyandet, even accused Washington of trying to "occupy" Haiti and urged the United Nations to investigate.

His comments were not without irony. Haiti's particular agony is grounded at least in part in France's own brutal colonization and exploitation of its inhabitants for more than a century, ending in a bloody slave revolt in 1804.

Joyandet complained after a French aid flight carrying a field hospital was turned back from Port-au-Prince's overtaxed airport last week. The angry minister reportedly got into a physical confrontation with the U.S. official in charge of air traffic control. The French plane landed safely the next day.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy intervened quickly, praising Washington's "exceptional mobilization" and "essential role ... on the ground" in Haiti. But the whole row was embarrassing, especially with so many Haitians still suffering.

Other prominent U.S. critics have voiced similar, if predictable, concerns. In his weekly television address, Venezuela's Hugo Chávez accused the U.S. of "occupying Haiti in an undercover manner."

In another incident that illustrates the chaos at Haiti's airport, American forces initially blocked French and Canadian citizens from boarding evacuation flights over the weekend. Their governments complained, and the cordon was lifted.

On the Haitian side, government officials pleaded for U.S. help and throngs of survivors cheered when American helicopters ferried hundreds of soldiers onto the palace grounds. People who have gone eight days without food or water have far more pressing concerns than politics.

"We are happy they are coming, because we have so many problems," hairdresser Fede Felissaint told a Scottish newspaper reporter in Port-au-Prince. He said he did not mind that U.S. troops were taking up positions at the palace.

"If they want, they can stay longer than in 1915," Felissaint said, smiling.

ut American officials say that's not their intention. "There have been some reports and news stories out there that the U.S. is invading Haiti," U.S. Army Col. Gregory Kane told reporters in Port-au-Prince. "We're not invading Haiti. That's ludicrous. This is humanitarian relief."

Officials estimate that the death toll from last week's devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake could reach 200,000. The Red Cross says about 3 million Haitians -- a third of the country's population -- are still in need.

Those trying to help in Haiti are working in tough conditions, and tempers are bound to flare. But there's little reason to question U.S. motives in Haiti. President Obama dispatched Navy ships and U.S. troops because they can mobilize more quickly than private aid groups in times of disaster.

On a weekend visit to Haiti, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the U.S. has no intention of taking power from Haitian officials. "We are working to back them up, but not to supplant them," she said.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who reviewed rules of engagement for U.S. troops in Haiti, said Americans were chiefly involved in distributing relief supplies and wouldn't take on a robust policing role. "Anywhere we deploy our troops, they have the authority and the right to defend themselves," Gates told reporters traveling with him on an official visit to India. But he said troops could also defend others "if they see something happen."

The U.K.'s Telegraph newspaper quoted unnamed U.S. soldiers in Port-au-Prince as saying they'd been told to be discreet about how they carry their M-4 assault rifles.

Still, with the U.N. struggling to find staffers buried in the ruins of its collapsed headquarters in Haiti, aid groups have given the U.S. almost unanimous support in leading aid efforts.

"America has both the geographical proximity and resources to lead this relief effort," said Caroline Saunders, director of Jubilee Action, a British charity that's been working in Haiti since 2008. "By using U.S. helicopters, aid is finally beginning to reach the devastated areas of Port-au-Prince, where thousands have been without access to food and water for over a week."

With most aid workers and Haitians lining up behind U.S. leadership, is Joyandet just a lone French official whose nerves got frazzled and misspoke? Or do his comments reveal something deeper about the way the world sees America's military power?

Would he have said the same thing if it had been another country -- say, Germany or Brazil -- organizing air traffic in Port-au-Prince?

Underlying the episode is a tangible sense of hurt pride that France -- Haiti's former colonial master -- is relegated to a secondary role there while U.S. officials take charge. France has long regarded Haiti as part of its own sphere of influence, and French is still the official language there.

Regardless, Joyandet's comments have stoked ire among Americans proud of what their military is doing in Haiti. "One has to wonder if Minister Alain Joyandet perceived the U.S. Army as an occupying force in France in 1944-1945 when it liberated his country," wrote Tim McDonald, a columnist for Indiana's News and Tribune newspapers.

In the end, Sarkozy and other French officials seem to have silenced Joyandet for now, and American officials are defending the role their troops are playing in Haiti. They all seem determined to disprove French philosopher Voltaire's observation that "opinions have caused more ills than the plague or earthquakes on this little globe of ours."

McCain's Wife Poses for Ad Endorsing Gay Marriage




NOH8 Campaign / AP
Cindy McCain poses for an advertisement for NOH8, a gay rights group challenging California's same sex marriage ban.


Cindy McCain, the wife of 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and their daughter Meghan have posed for photos endorsing pro-gay marriage forces in California. Mrs. McCain appears with silver duct tape across her mouth and "NOH8" written on one cheek in a photo posted Wednesday to the Web site of NOH8, a gay rights group opposed to Proposition 8. The ballot measure passed by California voters in 2008 bans same-sex marriage. The McCains' daughter Meghan, who has been outspoken in her support for gay rights, has also endorsed NOH8. She appears with silver duct tape across her mouth and "NOH8" on a cheek in a photo on her Twitter site. Cindy McCain contacted NOH8 and offered to pose for the photo endorsement, the Web site said.

John McCain's office said in a statement that the Arizona senator respects the views of members of his family but remains opposed to gay marriage. "Sen. McCain believes the sanctity of marriage is only defined as between one man and one woman," the statement said. John McCain backed an Arizona ballot measure passed by voters in 2008 that defined marriage as between one man and one woman. The NOH8 Web site praised Cindy McCain's willingness to publicly endorse a cause that is unpopular within the Republican Party. "The McCains are one of the most well-known Republican families in recent history, and for Mrs. McCain to have reached out to us to offer her support truly means a lot," the site says. "Although we had worked with Meghan McCain before and were aware of her own position, we'd never really thought the cause might be something her mother would get behind. We have a huge amount of respect for both of these women for being brave enough to make it known they support equal marriage rights for all Americans." Meghan McCain said Wednesday in a Twitter message linked to her blog: "I couldn't be more proud of my mother for posing for the NOH8 campaign. I think more Republicans need to start taking a stand for equality." Meghan McCain was asked to be the keynote speaker at next month's National Equality Week at George Washington University in Washington for her advocacy, but her appearance has drawn criticism from Republicans on campus, the NOH8 site said. McCain's Senate re-election campaign said Wednesday that his presidential running mate, former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, will come to Arizona to campaign for him in March. Palin has been a vocal opponent of gay marriage.

MTV’s ‘Jersey Shore’ Ronnie Still On Hook for Knockout…’Jersey’ Knockout Victim..One Huge Racist


Ronnie from “Jersey Shore” went on a radio show and proclaimed that his sucker punch case had been officially dismissed — unfortunately for him, someone’s info is waaaayyy off. It’s all over an incident featured on the MTV reality show — where Ronnie was arrested after bragging about knocking out some guy in “one shot.” Yesterday, Ronnie and GF Sammi “Sweetheart” were on B100 in Davenport, Iowa, where they said, “The case is dismissed, all the charges were dropped.” For the Full Story and Victims RACIST comments... VIDEO also...http://ctpatriot1970.wordpress.com/2010/01/21/mtvs-jersey-shore-ronnie-still-on-...

The guy Ronnie cold-cocked on “Jersey Shore” has unleashed a hateful, n-word riddled statement on his Facebook page — verbally attacking the Black MTV security guards he fought on last week’s episode.

Stephen Izzo — the guy who got his ass kicked — took to the Internet after the episode aired … and typed the following disgusting tirade:

“lets get something straight what u didnt see is i never fought ronnie i was fighting…those N**GER bouncers when that bitch ran over and snuck me..then got stomped out by those 3 n**gers as he ran away.”

Izzo also uses several other slurs in various updates to his profile, including the word “mulian” … which is a misspelled racist Italian-American term for Black people.

'90210' co-star Rob Estes to quit show

The CW has confirmed multiple online reports that Rob Estes, who plays Harry Wilson on90210, is quitting the two-year-old series. “This is Rob’s last season on 90210,” according to a statement from The CW. “He’s a talented actor and we couldn’t have asked for a better Harry Wilson. But if fans tune in, they’ll understand why Rob’s character is leaving.”

The actor is reportedly leaving over compensation issues. He released this statement today: “This is my final season on 90210 and I wish the show, cast and crew nothing but the best. I am looking forward to spending time with my kids and exploring other opportunities.”

Though its become a critical hit under executive producer Rebecca Kirchner, 90210 is struggling in the ratings. The show is only averaging 2.08 million viewers, down 18% from last year. It’s currently the CW’s seventh most popular show, behind America’s Next Top Model, Vampire Diaries, and Smallville, among others.

Internet Not Just for Nameless Attacks -- Apologies Also Abound


Whether deserved or not, the Internet receives a significant amount of criticism because of the ubiquity of snarky, rude, and vitriolic miscreants who delight in anonymously antagonizing people. The prevalence of such activity has given rise to the Net Commandments, and has even inspired a comprehensive categorization of message board flamers.

Lost amid all that bloggery bravado and insulting Internet behavior, though, has been the proliferation of a different type of online interaction: the overdue apology. According to the Wall Street Journal, an increasing amount of people are using the Internet to rectify previous wrongs, and are sometimes apologizing for missteps that occurred decades ago. The Journal spoke with cousins, departed lovers, siblings, and classmates who all logged on, located their one-time objects of scorn, and lamented the occurrences that may have helped drive them apart.

Those past wrongs range from rude comments to a wedding invitation omission, from the tormenting of a younger sister to classroom bullying. In some interactions, the victim didn't even remember the transgression, but the apology still served to lessen the burden of the wrongdoer. In other cases, the recipient of the apology was moved to tears.

In one specific incident, Jane Angelich felt the need to rectify "the meanest thing" she ever did, so, after tracking down her cousin online, she apologized for telling him to "drop dead,"in 1961. (That is the "meanest thing?" Wow. Way to make us feel absolutely loathsome). She told the Journal that she sought solace after almost 50 years because "When something is nagging at you for 48-years, you need to clear it up."

Certain people will dismiss these cyber apologies as being less than heartfelt, but the mere presence of such activity should be celebrated. People often decry the Internet's supposed role in creating distance between people and inspiring a lack of humanity and compassion, but this trend demonstrates the opposite. Some recipients of the apologies may refuse to accept them, but just trying to make restitution can help the apologizing person cope with their own misdeeds. And, while the Journal praises reaching out to people, it still wisely recommends a personal approach once you've tracked down your former enemy: call them on the phone.

If you sometimes stare at the ceiling late at night, wondering if your cross words still haunt a former acquaintance or friend (and, really, who doesn't?), there are, of course, Web sites that can help ease the apology process. Have you apologized (or received an apology) over the Web? Let us know in comments