The problem is in USA first, not entirely in India

President Bush accused Indians of being the cause of the food shortage a few months back. Yes, a growing disposable income means a greater demand for a wider range of foods, meat and more processing leading to wastages, but that does not justify the ills at home. The per capita consumption is much higher for Americans, not to mention the amount of energy that goes into producing it: Beef is considered to be a culprit in global warming because much more goes into producing beef than any other type of food.

Which brings me to the photo. Click through for the bigger version and focus on the highlighted area. The photo was taken outside a store in Chapel Hill Mall, Akron.

There is definitely a line between obesity and people splurging on more luxurious foods.

Racism: Lingering and subdued

This picture, which I took in front of a house near the University(of Akron), mirrored the underlying feelings of hate and prejudice some still harbour. It might have been just a prank, but it was not in good taste.

Background: Displaying the Confederate Battle Flag, whose emblem is still used in the official flag of the state of Mississippi, is considered to be siding with racism. The Confederate States of America were the losing side in the American Civil War, fought mainly over slavery.

Now the person who created this sign used duct tape to replicate the X of the Confederate Flag.

Initially I thought it was a neat Obama sign which was vandalised by someone. Note in the photo the sign is slightly bent; later that afternoon when I returned home the sign was straightened. That mean the sign was intentionally made and wasn't an act of mischief. True enough, the next day the sign had disappeared, leaving only the frame: someone didn't like it.

Confirming all of this, a McCain-Palin sign now stands in place of that modified Obama sign.

Now I initially wanted to believe that the person making the Obama sign didn't really mean it. I also thought it was just harmless. But, the first time I saw it, an African American who was walking behind me, shook his head and said, "Man, that is...."

Clearly the US has come a long way from the segregationist policies, so much so that race doesn't seem to be a problem for most for the top job(as of this post, touchwood), but some people still do not want to get over the fact that an African American could be their President. There are videos doing rounds of liberal websites of some openly stating their reservations against 'a black man'.

Analysts impress upon the point that most of the persons with such views are elderly voters in rural pockets. But in my case, this sign was outside a possibly college-going student's house. Maybe it is a personal grudge; a bitter experience; a family view. Whatever it was, it was provocative enough for another person to remove it.

Congrats, Dr. Paul Krugman

Dr. Paul Krugman of Princeton University, columnist of NYTimes, reproduced in The Hindu, won the Nobel Prize in Economics this year. He deserves this very much; his columns provided insightful analysis, usually in (US) politics and economics. Of course, he may have a liberal view point, but nonetheless, he was spot on in dissecting a situation at hand.

I feel sad, though: he was a commentator on Keith Olbermann's Countdown, for political and economic situations. Now that he's won the most coveted prize around, I doubt if he'll ever appear again. I only hope his columns remain the same, unmuddled and thoughtful.

Techradar rewrites my post

Techradar.com has rewritten my article on what will happen to our online life after we are no more. It would be unfair to say they stole it, but the article goes into further detail than I did.
Links:
My post
Techradar's article

Another SNL.. Another nailing by Tina Fey

Golly, the writers are really good, they got a lot of things right about both Biden and Palin. Of course, the onus is on... You know who..... Well, Tina and Biden-impersonator spoke the truth of what actually happens.. And Queen Latifah showed the expressions Ifill should have.

Body of lies: Review

There wasn't a queue for Lions for Lambs, but thank goodness I wasn't any later for this advanced screening: It was a houseful and I was one of the last in line.

----No spoilers ahead----

I wasn't going to write this review until about halfway through the movie, when it got interesting. I almost threw my hands in despair at what I thought was a mediocre movie when DiCaprio offered a swap for his love. But the superb twist saved the day.

Body of Lies is about an increased level of terrorism in the world, mainly UK and Europe, and the US efforts to catch the mastermind. Leonardo DiCaprio is a field agent in Iraq, who subsequently goes to Amman, Dubai, Qatar. Russell Crowe is a nerdy behind-the-scenes bureaucrat in the US who surprises you by turning up in almost all the places mentioned above. Then there is the head of Jordanian intelligence, who, portrayed as a true overlord, like Crowe knows everything that is going on.

On a mission in Iraq DiCaprio helps in identifying a major 'safe house' or meeting place for suspected terrorists in Amman, Jordan, to where he is sent next. The head of Jordanian intelligence does not like anyone lying to him; he wants to be informed of everything, in a true sense of 'partnership'. Crowe however has other ideas and tries to undercut DiCaprio and get the intelligence bypassing the honcho - though by using his men.

Things get fouled; DiCaprio and Crowe hatch a master plan with a fake organisation to capture this terrorist mastermind.

This plan is truly interesting, almost well executed.

As I mentioned, all CIA-terrorist-action movies have some plot or the other involving a love angle, but this one has a subtle twist, so it was something different. The lady is beautiful and light moments ensue in her house.

Well, the climax with the twist tries to prove that trust the honcho had was not let down.

The movie has the same old characteristics of spy movies: The boss says trust noone and let friendly contacts be eliminated; the agent goes around trying to save people and falling in love. I just don't understand why there always needs to be a romantic relationship. Maybe to bring in female viewers. Crowe is shown as a job-engrossed guy who loathes family life.

Islamic terrorism and violence shown are quite gory; DiCaprio's friend's words come back to haunt him: "I don't want to be beheaded on the internet". All throught the movie, interestingly, a view on terrorism from the 'other' side is constantly shown; DiCaprio speaks Arabic and even sports a neat beard. Not to mention everyone's wish to live in the United States. We are also shown an 'insight' into intel surveillance takes place today, what with satellite phones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Overall: a great movie.

My new movie-review markers(better than stars):

1. Will I watch it again? Yes
2. Will I recommend it to others? Definitely yes
3. Watch it as soon as it releases? Worthy of it