Thursday, January 21, 2010

Chinese Censors Order Avatar out of Theaters – New Tang Dynasty Television

Chinese Censors Order Avatar out of Theaters – New Tang Dynasty Television

Rather than fix the behavior, shoot the messenger seems to be the policy.

Funny. Most reviews/feedback I have read has compared Avatar to “Dances With Wolves” only set in space.

Apparently, there are numerous guilty consciousnesses (sp?) to go around. Americans feel guilty because of the poor treatment of the Native American populations. Chinese feel guilty because they evict people from land that the government wants to exploit, and bullies and thugs are hired to do the dirty work.

Wonder how the movie fares in Europe…? I bet the British love Avatar because of the memories of Colonialism that the movie must revive!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Can You Spot the Hidden Heart Dangers

 Can You Spot the Hidden Heart Dangers?

 

Ok, the day is late, or early, depending on your perspective, but I want to get this article noted. Once we get past how we need to watch our mouth health, the author notes several heart factors that include considerable geography.

The Fourth (4) Hidden Danger deals with race. Many minority groups have an increased risk of heart disease. Even within race, minority women within certain ethnic groups might have a higher risk than others.

Where you live can have a part in heart disease. Women who live in low-income neighborhoods tend to have a higher incidence of heart disease. People that do not have access to sidewalks, walking trails, or parks tend to have a higher incidence of heart disease. Neighborhoods that do not have amenities to support or encourage active lifestyles tend to have residence that have higher levels of heart disease. Neighborhoods with a cluster of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores also have higher rates of heart disease.

The gender of your doctor may make a difference in whether your risk for heart disease is assessed. Women doctors tend not to consider age.

Finally, what we eat can indicate a risk for heart disease. Fish is a common protein high in omega-3s that help remove blood fat. Tuna, salmon, and mackeral are good sources of protein, have important and sensitive habitats, and in the case of salmon, are potentially being over-fished.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Cove


Ric O’Barry caught the first dolphin used in the 1960’s television show, “Flipper.” He subsequently caught four more to help with the television series. The show was filmed in his front yard essentially, with using dolphins he was responsible for training. The first dolphin died, committed suicide according to Ric. The stress of being held captive was too great. The dolphins were much smarter than we humans give them credit for being. As a result of his years of interaction with dolphins, Ric believed that dolphins were being systematically abused by everyone from the spectators at aquariums, to the institutionalized abuse at the hands of the Japanese.

A very controversial film, as the Japanese fisherman are not portrayed as anything other than abusive murderers, and people that wrangle dolphins for aquariums are nothing more than criminals. In one small town, Taiji, hundreds of dolphins are rounded up for sale abroad, for use in shows like Sea World; are killed as an aquatic pest and a direct competitor to human consumption of sea food; and are also killed for food in Japan.

Whether you agree or not, the film raises some interesting points. The IWC (international whaling commission) controls whaling activities. Since 1986, the IWC has banned whaling and the killing of dolphins. Japan refuses to acknowledge this ban. World fishing stocks are being depleted, and the Japanese argue that this is not due to increased human consumption, but due to increased consumption by dolphins and whales. The Japanese government sanctions the dolphin harvest, which is guarded by local police. Dolphin meat itself has a high amount of mercury, which is incredibly toxic, and is being introduced in the school systems without parent’s knowledge. Japan is also using economic incentives to encourage other countries to support Japan’s efforts to repeal the ban on whaling.

This is a documentary so be prepared for slow moments, disturbing imagery of dead dolphins, dolphins dying, dolphins being cut-up, etc. The movie is not graphic throughout but does have its moments, and has some adult language occasionally. Otherwise, the film is pretty interesting and emotionally evocative.