By Greg Burns | Senior correspondent
10:48 AM CST, December 8, 2008
Christie Hefner on Monday announced plans to end her 20-year tenure as chief executive of Chicago's Playboy Enterprises,and pursue other work in public-service and non-profit ventures.
The 56-year-old Hefner has guided Playboy through rocky patches since taking over at one of the publishing and entertainment company's lowest points in the 1980s. Since then, Playboy's image has rebounded and her father, founder Hugh Hefner, has reached an unlikely new audience of young women through the cable television show Girls Next Door, which features his three youthful girlfriends.
Yet Playboy has suffered in the economic downturn, as advertising and circulation at its flagship magazine plunged and its adult TV and movie programs lost ground to free content on the Web. Its best-performing unit has been its licensing division, which has put the Playboy logo on apparel, jewelry and entertainment venues such as the the Palms Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
Playboy stock has cratered this year, but Hefner said no one among the company's directors or investors urged her to resign. She intends to remain CEO until Jan. 31 and stay on the company's board until her replacement joins the company, when she will depart.
Playboy director Jerome Kern will serve as interim non-executive chairman while the company searches for Hefner's replacement. Kern, president of Kern Consulting LLC and former CEO of On Command Corp, joined Playboy's board in 2002.
In an interview Monday with Tribune Senior Correspondent Greg Burns, Hefner said she will not seek another chief executive post but instead plans to serve on additional corporate boards and appear more frequently as a speaker and television commentator. She and her husband, former Illinois state Sen. William Marovitz, will remain in Chicago, Hefner said.
She believes the company will keep its headquarters in Chicago as well, she said. Her replacement will be a professional executive from outside the family, she predicted. Hef's teenage sons, Marston and Cooper, are not ready to replace her, she said. "That's a decade away."
In a statement, Hefner's father said: "I asked Christie to step up as president when the company faced serious financial difficulties more than two decades ago. She has worked tirelessly to expand the company's franchise, and, as a result of her efforts, the company today has more consumers and fans than at any time in our history. Of course, as her father, my first priority is Christie's happiness. While I will miss her leadership here, I believe that she will go on to achieve even greater personal success."
An edited transcript follows:
Q When did this come up?
A I've been planning for it for a while. I talked with my dad about this last month in Los Angeles. He was happy for me. You know my dad really believes in pursuing your dreams. It was very personal and very emotional. The board asked if I would stay on until the end of January. I never intended to go into the family business. I've always been drawn to wanting to do something else at some time in my life.
Q What will you be doing?
A I genuinely envision that I will be doing a variety of things. Billy and I don't want to leave Chicago, so this is going to be home. Whatever I do is going to be done from here. I think it's going to be a mix. I think I'm going to find ways to give back both in the nonprofit side and public service. But I also have enjoyed the board work, the TV commentary and the speaking that I've done. I really don't plan to look for a CEO job. Been there, done that.
Q The company recently has had layoffs and cut its DVD unit; is that a factor in your departure?
A I feel very good about the way things have gone. It wouldn't be possible for me to be making this change if the company weren't in real strong shape. We have below-market debt and $25 million in cash. Hef will continue to be responsible for the magazine and be chief creative officer.
Q Is the declining stock price a factor in your decision to leave?
A No. It is indiscriminate, across-the-board market selling in this environment. We are among scores of companies that have stock at a record low. I'm going to remain a major shareholder. I have a lot of confidence that as the economy gets better ... certainly playboy is well positioned.
Q What is the future of your TV and publishing units?
A On TV, we were an early believer in branded television when cable was just gaining traction. We have a very profitable global TV business. Changes in technology there are starting to help us. Publishing is harder. We early on saw the opportunity in online and in mobile. The challenge for the team moving forward will be to continue driving integration between Playboy in print and Playboy online. More content will be delivered online.
Q Will the company move its headquarters out of Chicago to consolidate its operations in Los Angeles or New York?
A There will always be changes given how dynamic the market is. Chicago is the most cost-effective of the three. I haven't heard any plans.
Selasa, 09 Desember 2008
Jennifer Hudson tragedy: William Balfour arrested
Chicago police said today they have arrested William Balfour for the murders of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's family members.
Balfour, 27, has been in custody in Stateville Correctional Center on a violation of parole and was transferred to Chicago police custody after police served a warrant for his arrest Monday. He was then transported to the Wentworth Area, where he will be held pending charges approved by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
At a closed hearing last month, investigators presented evidence that Balfour had a gun matching the weapon used in the Oct. 24 slayings of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia. He was scheduled for another parole violation hearing on Wednesday.
Balfour, 27, has been in custody in Stateville Correctional Center on a violation of parole and was transferred to Chicago police custody after police served a warrant for his arrest Monday. He was then transported to the Wentworth Area, where he will be held pending charges approved by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
At a closed hearing last month, investigators presented evidence that Balfour had a gun matching the weapon used in the Oct. 24 slayings of Hudson's mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew.
Balfour is the estranged husband of Hudson's sister, Julia. He was scheduled for another parole violation hearing on Wednesday.
Barack Obama says he won't smoke cigarettes in the White House
While the burning question of whether he smokes still rages, Barack Obama says he definitely won't be lighting up in the smoke-free White House.
The president-elect addressed the subject during a television interview aired Sunday, acknowledging that he has sneaked a few puffs.
"There are times where I've fallen off the wagon," Obama said on NBC's " Meet the Press."
The does-he-or-doesn't-he question has been the butt of ongoing speculation.
Obama told the Tribune in February 2007 that he had quit at his wife's urging, but his comments this year have been somewhat hazy. He said in February that he was chewing stop-smoking gum Nicorette, in June that it had been months since his last cigarette, and in a November interview with Men's Health magazine that he was indeed smoking again—occasionally.
"But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told the magazine, adding that he sometimes bummed a smoke along the campaign trail.
Obama's comments Sunday didn't really clear the air.
"I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier," the president-to-be said. "And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House."
He said in the White House. That doesn't mean he might not sneak a few drags out in the Rose Garden.
The president-elect addressed the subject during a television interview aired Sunday, acknowledging that he has sneaked a few puffs.
"There are times where I've fallen off the wagon," Obama said on NBC's " Meet the Press."
The does-he-or-doesn't-he question has been the butt of ongoing speculation.
Obama told the Tribune in February 2007 that he had quit at his wife's urging, but his comments this year have been somewhat hazy. He said in February that he was chewing stop-smoking gum Nicorette, in June that it had been months since his last cigarette, and in a November interview with Men's Health magazine that he was indeed smoking again—occasionally.
"But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told the magazine, adding that he sometimes bummed a smoke along the campaign trail.
Obama's comments Sunday didn't really clear the air.
"I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier," the president-to-be said. "And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House."
He said in the White House. That doesn't mean he might not sneak a few drags out in the Rose Garden.
Military jet crash in San Diego kills 3 on ground
By ELLIOT SPAGAT
The Associated Press
Monday, December 8, 2008; 8:23 PM
SAN DIEGO -- A fighter jet returning to a Marine base after a training exercise crashed in flames in a San Diego neighborhood Monday, killing three people on the ground, leaving one missing and destroying two homes.
The pilot of the F/A-18D Hornet jet ejected safely just before the crash around noon at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Explosions rocked a neighborhood of half-million-dollar homes, sending flames and plumes of smoke skyward.
"The house shook; the ground shook. It was like I was frozen in my place," said Steve Krasner, who lives a few blocks from the crash. "It was bigger than any earthquake I ever felt."
Three people were killed in a house where two children, a mother and a grandmother were believed to be at the time of the crash, but fire officials did not immediately know who died. Another person remained missing.
"We just know that four people were inside, and three of them have been accounted for," Fire Department spokesman Maurice Luque said.
The pilot, who ended up hanging by his parachute from a tree in a canyon beneath the neighborhood, was in stable condition at a naval hospital in San Diego, said Miramar spokeswoman 1st Lt. Katheryn Putnam. The pilot was returning from training on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the San Diego coast when the plane went down, she said.
Putnam had no details on a possible cause. Investigators will review information from a flight data recorder, and there was no indication the pilot was using alcohol or drugs, she said.
Firefighters hosed down rubble more than three hours after the crash as white smoke continued to rise from it. Authorities said the smoke was toxic, and about 20 homes were evacuated.
There was little sign of the plane in the smoking ruins, but a piece of cockpit sat on the roof of one home, and a charred jet engine lay on a street near a parked camper. A parachute was visible in the canyon below a row of houses.
The neighborhood in the University City section of San Diego smelled of jet fuel and smoke. Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars choked the streets. A Marine Corps bomb disposal truck was there, although police assured residents there was no ordnance aboard the jet.
Neighbors described chaos after the jet tore into the houses and flames erupted.
"It was pandemonium," said Paulette Glauser, 49, who lived six houses away. "Neighbors were running down toward us in a panic, of course."
The Associated Press
Monday, December 8, 2008; 8:23 PM
SAN DIEGO -- A fighter jet returning to a Marine base after a training exercise crashed in flames in a San Diego neighborhood Monday, killing three people on the ground, leaving one missing and destroying two homes.
The pilot of the F/A-18D Hornet jet ejected safely just before the crash around noon at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Explosions rocked a neighborhood of half-million-dollar homes, sending flames and plumes of smoke skyward.
"The house shook; the ground shook. It was like I was frozen in my place," said Steve Krasner, who lives a few blocks from the crash. "It was bigger than any earthquake I ever felt."
Three people were killed in a house where two children, a mother and a grandmother were believed to be at the time of the crash, but fire officials did not immediately know who died. Another person remained missing.
"We just know that four people were inside, and three of them have been accounted for," Fire Department spokesman Maurice Luque said.
The pilot, who ended up hanging by his parachute from a tree in a canyon beneath the neighborhood, was in stable condition at a naval hospital in San Diego, said Miramar spokeswoman 1st Lt. Katheryn Putnam. The pilot was returning from training on the carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the San Diego coast when the plane went down, she said.
Putnam had no details on a possible cause. Investigators will review information from a flight data recorder, and there was no indication the pilot was using alcohol or drugs, she said.
Firefighters hosed down rubble more than three hours after the crash as white smoke continued to rise from it. Authorities said the smoke was toxic, and about 20 homes were evacuated.
There was little sign of the plane in the smoking ruins, but a piece of cockpit sat on the roof of one home, and a charred jet engine lay on a street near a parked camper. A parachute was visible in the canyon below a row of houses.
The neighborhood in the University City section of San Diego smelled of jet fuel and smoke. Ambulances, fire trucks and police cars choked the streets. A Marine Corps bomb disposal truck was there, although police assured residents there was no ordnance aboard the jet.
Neighbors described chaos after the jet tore into the houses and flames erupted.
"It was pandemonium," said Paulette Glauser, 49, who lived six houses away. "Neighbors were running down toward us in a panic, of course."
Rabu, 03 Desember 2008
10 Worst Holiday Songs
1. Dominick the Donkey, Lou Monte
If we wanted to hear that much braying, we’d sit next to our asthmatic uncle Fred.
2. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Elmo & Patsy
Because Nana’s drinking is no laughing matter.
3. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late), The Chipmunks & David Seville
Regrettably, the Xanax is in our other purse.
4. Jingle Bells, The Singing Dogs
Hmmm, barking dogs. See also: reasons to move.
5. Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano
The only Spanish we retained from high school.
6. I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Tommie Connor
Fanning the fears of infidelity and broken marriages since 1952.
7. Mamacita, Donde Esta Santa Claus?, Augie Rios
Sparking the Santa-ain’t-real conversation in homes all across the country.
8. Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Someone’s gonna yell “like a light bulb!” and think they’re being cute. But they won’t be.
9. Christmas in Hollis, Run-DMC
Santa doesn’t get jacked in the ’hood. How festive.
10.The Christmas Shoes, NewSong
Why would you do this to yourself? Seriously, people take medication to avoid this feeling.
If we wanted to hear that much braying, we’d sit next to our asthmatic uncle Fred.
2. Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer, Elmo & Patsy
Because Nana’s drinking is no laughing matter.
3. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late), The Chipmunks & David Seville
Regrettably, the Xanax is in our other purse.
4. Jingle Bells, The Singing Dogs
Hmmm, barking dogs. See also: reasons to move.
5. Feliz Navidad, Jose Feliciano
The only Spanish we retained from high school.
6. I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Tommie Connor
Fanning the fears of infidelity and broken marriages since 1952.
7. Mamacita, Donde Esta Santa Claus?, Augie Rios
Sparking the Santa-ain’t-real conversation in homes all across the country.
8. Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Someone’s gonna yell “like a light bulb!” and think they’re being cute. But they won’t be.
9. Christmas in Hollis, Run-DMC
Santa doesn’t get jacked in the ’hood. How festive.
10.The Christmas Shoes, NewSong
Why would you do this to yourself? Seriously, people take medication to avoid this feeling.
Too Sexy Too Soon
While it may seem cute when a 5-year-old copies the hip-shaking dance moves she sees on TV, it's also one of the first signs of how the adult concept of "sexiness" is being sold to younger and younger kids today, say Diane E. Levin, Ph.D., and Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D.
In their new book, So Sexy So Soon, the authors explore a culture where grade-schoolers want to dress like go-go dancers, 10-year-old boys have seen Internet porn, and 13-year-olds talk casually about oral sex. Here, Kilbourne discusses how childhood is changing, and what parents can do to protect their kids:
What's different about how little girls are acting and dressing today?
We used to dress up in our mother's clothes. Now little girls are dressing up as sexy teenagers, and there are clothes being marketed to them that look like they are from Victoria's Secret. I see little girls wearing strapless black numbers to the school dance! As a result, girls are getting the message that not only is it important to be pretty but it is also important to be hot and sexy. Research clearly shows that this pressure is damaging to girls' self-esteem.
How does this affect their relationships with boys?
Girls have always gotten the message that it's important to attract boys, but we used to get it a little later, when we were 12 or 13; now they're getting it as early as 6 or 7. Girls in grade school are competing with each other to see who's the hottest, and then boys are learning that's how they should look at girls. It sets up a dynamic that does an enormous amount of harm. Little boys learn to look at girls as objects rather than as friends.
What happens as kids get older?
When a girl has learned early on that what matters most is how sexy she is, then by the time she hits the tween years, the message is already deep in her psyche and it just becomes louder and more harmful. Sex gets speeded up — 12- and 13-year-olds are doing what 16-year-olds used to do, and by the time they're 16, many are already blasé about casual sex. That's when you hear about "friends with benefits" and kids thinking about sex as being separate from a relationship. This not only puts them at physical risk for STDs, unwanted pregnancy, or even date rape, but they also lose the chance to develop the empathy and compassion that are necessary to make intimate relationships work later on.
What can moms do?
When your children are younger, you can limit their exposure to certain media. As kids get older, stay familiar with what they are listening to and watching. Ask them why they like certain songs or clothes so you can open up a dialogue about it. It's so important to start talking to your kids about sexuality and relationships as early as possible, in an age-appropriate way. If they know they can ask you anything and they will not be punished or shamed for it, that will pay off in incredible dividends when they hit their teenage years. When kids feel like they can talk to you, they will.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
In their new book, So Sexy So Soon, the authors explore a culture where grade-schoolers want to dress like go-go dancers, 10-year-old boys have seen Internet porn, and 13-year-olds talk casually about oral sex. Here, Kilbourne discusses how childhood is changing, and what parents can do to protect their kids:
What's different about how little girls are acting and dressing today?
We used to dress up in our mother's clothes. Now little girls are dressing up as sexy teenagers, and there are clothes being marketed to them that look like they are from Victoria's Secret. I see little girls wearing strapless black numbers to the school dance! As a result, girls are getting the message that not only is it important to be pretty but it is also important to be hot and sexy. Research clearly shows that this pressure is damaging to girls' self-esteem.
How does this affect their relationships with boys?
Girls have always gotten the message that it's important to attract boys, but we used to get it a little later, when we were 12 or 13; now they're getting it as early as 6 or 7. Girls in grade school are competing with each other to see who's the hottest, and then boys are learning that's how they should look at girls. It sets up a dynamic that does an enormous amount of harm. Little boys learn to look at girls as objects rather than as friends.
What happens as kids get older?
When a girl has learned early on that what matters most is how sexy she is, then by the time she hits the tween years, the message is already deep in her psyche and it just becomes louder and more harmful. Sex gets speeded up — 12- and 13-year-olds are doing what 16-year-olds used to do, and by the time they're 16, many are already blasé about casual sex. That's when you hear about "friends with benefits" and kids thinking about sex as being separate from a relationship. This not only puts them at physical risk for STDs, unwanted pregnancy, or even date rape, but they also lose the chance to develop the empathy and compassion that are necessary to make intimate relationships work later on.
What can moms do?
When your children are younger, you can limit their exposure to certain media. As kids get older, stay familiar with what they are listening to and watching. Ask them why they like certain songs or clothes so you can open up a dialogue about it. It's so important to start talking to your kids about sexuality and relationships as early as possible, in an age-appropriate way. If they know they can ask you anything and they will not be punished or shamed for it, that will pay off in incredible dividends when they hit their teenage years. When kids feel like they can talk to you, they will.
Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.
TV, Internet Causing Kids Harm: Report
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- There's a strong link between media exposure and childhood obesity, smoking and sexual activity, according to U.S. researchers who reviewed 173 studies on media and health conducted over the past three decades.
According to the review, 80 percent of the studies concluded that higher amounts of television and other media exposure were associated with negative health effects in children and adolescents. The strongest association was between media and obesity. Of the 73 studies that examined media/childhood weight, 86 percent showed a significant association between increased media exposure and obesity.
The findings, by researchers from Yale University School of Medicine, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the California Pacific Medical Center, were released Tuesday by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the impact of media and entertainment on children and families.
"This review is the first-ever comprehensive evaluation of the many ways that media impacts children's physical health," lead researcher Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, of the NIH, said in a news release.
"The results clearly show that there is a strong correlation between media exposure and long-term negative health effects to children. This study provides an important jumping-off point for future research that should explore both the effects of traditional media content and that of digital media -- such as video games, the Internet, and cell phones -- which kids are using today with more frequency," Emanuel said.
He and his colleagues recommend that parents limit their children's exposure to media and make wise, age-appropriate decisions for their children. There should be media literacy programs in schools, the researchers said, and policy makers need to make media education programs a national priority.
"Media is increasingly pervasive in the lives of children and adolescents," James P. Steyer, Common Sense Media founder and CEO, said in a group news release. "Parents and educators must consider the effects of media when they're trying to address issues with their child's health. This report makes is clear that we need a bold new agenda on media and technology use. We hope this report will create a new sense of urgency in that regard."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers advice for raising safe and healthy children.
According to the review, 80 percent of the studies concluded that higher amounts of television and other media exposure were associated with negative health effects in children and adolescents. The strongest association was between media and obesity. Of the 73 studies that examined media/childhood weight, 86 percent showed a significant association between increased media exposure and obesity.
The findings, by researchers from Yale University School of Medicine, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the California Pacific Medical Center, were released Tuesday by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve the impact of media and entertainment on children and families.
"This review is the first-ever comprehensive evaluation of the many ways that media impacts children's physical health," lead researcher Dr. Ezekiel J. Emanuel, of the NIH, said in a news release.
"The results clearly show that there is a strong correlation between media exposure and long-term negative health effects to children. This study provides an important jumping-off point for future research that should explore both the effects of traditional media content and that of digital media -- such as video games, the Internet, and cell phones -- which kids are using today with more frequency," Emanuel said.
He and his colleagues recommend that parents limit their children's exposure to media and make wise, age-appropriate decisions for their children. There should be media literacy programs in schools, the researchers said, and policy makers need to make media education programs a national priority.
"Media is increasingly pervasive in the lives of children and adolescents," James P. Steyer, Common Sense Media founder and CEO, said in a group news release. "Parents and educators must consider the effects of media when they're trying to address issues with their child's health. This report makes is clear that we need a bold new agenda on media and technology use. We hope this report will create a new sense of urgency in that regard."
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers advice for raising safe and healthy children.
Disciplining Your Child
How do you keep a 1-year-old from heading toward the VCR? What should you do when your preschooler throws a fit? How can you get a teenager to respect your authority?
Lea este articulo en Español.
Whatever the age of your child, it's important to be consistent when it comes to discipline. If you don't stick to the rules and consequences that you set up, your child isn't likely to either.
Here are some ideas about how to vary your approach to discipline to best fit your family.
Ages 0 to 2
Babies and toddlers are naturally curious. So it's wise to eliminate temptations and no-nos — items such as VCRs, stereos, jewelry, and especially cleaning supplies and medications should be kept well out of reach. When your crawling baby or roving toddler heads toward an unacceptable or dangerous play object, calmly say "No" and either remove your child from the area or distract him or her with an appropriate activity.
Timeouts can be effective discipline for toddlers. A child who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told why that behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated timeout area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down (longer timeouts are not effective for toddlers).
It's important to not spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit.
And don't forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. Make sure your behavior is role-model material. You'll make a much stronger impression by putting your own belongings away rather than just issuing orders to your child to pick up toys while your stuff is left strewn around.
Ages 3 to 5
As your child grows and begins to understand the connection between actions and consequences, make sure you start communicating the rules of your family's home. Explain to kids what you expect of them before you punish them for a certain behavior. For instance, the first time your 3-year-old uses crayons to decorate the living room wall, discuss why that's not allowed and what will happen if your child does it again (for instance, your child will have to help clean the wall and will not be able to use the crayons for the rest of the day). If the wall gets decorated again a few days later, issue a reminder that crayons are for paper only and then enforce the consequences.
The earlier that parents establish this kind of "I set the rules and you're expected to listen or accept the consequences" standard, the better for everyone. Although it's sometimes easier for parents to ignore occasional bad behavior or not follow through on some threatened punishment, this sets a bad precedent. Consistency is the key to effective discipline, and it's important for parents to decide together what the rules are and then uphold them.
While you become clear on what behaviors will be punished, don't forget to reward good behaviors. Don't underestimate the positive effect that your praise can have — discipline is not just about punishment but also about recognizing good behavior. For example, saying "I'm proud of you for sharing your toys at playgroup" is usually more effective than punishing a child for the opposite behavior — not sharing. And be specific when doling out praise; don't just say, "Good job!"
If your child continues an unacceptable behavior no matter what you do, try making a chart with a box for each day of the week. Decide how many times your child misbehave before some punishment kicks in or how long the proper behavior must be displayed before it is rewarded. Post the chart on the refrigerator and then track the good and bad behaviors every day. This will give your child (and you) a concrete look at how it's going. Once this begins to work, praise your child for learning to control misbehavior and, especially, for overcoming any stubborn problem.
Timeouts also can work well for kids at this age. Establish a suitable timeout place that's free of distractions and will force your child to think about how he or she has behaved. Remember, getting sent to your room may have meant something in the days before computers, TVs, and video games were stored there. Don't forget to consider the length of time that will best suit your child. Experts say 1 minute for each year of age is a good rule of thumb; others recommend using the timeout until the child is calmed down (to teach self-regulation).
It's important to tell kids what the right thing to do is, not just to say what the wrong thing is. For example, instead of saying "Don't jump on the couch," try "Please sit on the furniture and put your feet on the floor."
Ages 6 to 8
Timeouts and consequences are also effective discipline strategies for this age group.
Again, consistency is crucial, as is follow-through. Make good on any promises of discipline or else you risk undermining your authority. Kids have to believe that you mean what you say. This is not to say you can't give second chances or allow a certain margin of error, but for the most part, you should act on what you say.
Be careful not to make unrealistic threats of punishment ("Slam that door and you'll never watch TV again!") in anger, since not following through could weaken all your threats. If you threaten to turn the car around and go home if the squabbling in the backseat doesn't stop, make sure you do exactly that. The credibility you'll gain with your kids is much more valuable than a lost beach day.
Huge punishments may take away your power as a parent. If you ground your son or daughter for a month, your child may not feel motivated to change behaviors because everything has already been taken away.
Ages 9 to 12
Kids in this age group — just as with all ages — can be disciplined with natural consequences. As they mature and request more independence and responsibility, teaching them to deal with the consequences of their behavior is an effective and appropriate method of discipline.
For example, if your fifth grader's homework isn't done homework before bedtime, should you make him or her stay up to do it or even lend a hand yourself? Probably not — you'll miss an opportunity to teach a key life lesson. If homework is incomplete, your child will go to school the next day without it and suffer the resulting bad grade.
It's natural for parents to want to rescue kids from mistakes, but in the long run they do kids a favor by letting them fail sometimes. Kids see what behaving improperly can mean, and will probably not make those mistakes again. However, if your child does not seem to be learning from natural consequences, you should set up your own consequences to help modify the behavior more effectively.
Ages 13 and Up
By now you've laid the groundwork. Your child knows what's expected and that you mean what you say about the consequences of bad behavior. Don't let down your guard now — discipline is just as important for teens as it is for younger children. Just like the 4-year-old who needs you to set a bedtime and stick to it, your teen needs to know boundaries, too.
Set up rules regarding homework, visits by friends, curfews, and dating and discuss them beforehand with your teenager so there will be no misunderstandings. Your teen will probably complain from time to time, but also will realize that you're in control. Believe it or not, teens still want and need you to set limits and enforce order in their lives, even as you grant them greater freedom and responsibility.
When your teen does break a rule, taking away privileges may seem the best plan of action. While it's fine to take away the car for a week, for example, be sure to also discuss why coming home an hour past curfew is unacceptable and worrisome.
Remember to give a teenager some control over things. Not only will this limit the number of power struggles you have, it will help your teen respect the decisions that you do need to make for him or her. You could allow a younger teen to make decisions concerning school clothes, hair styles, or even the condition of his or her room. As your teen gets older, that realm of control might be extended to include an occasional relaxed curfew.
It's also important to focus on the positives. For example, have your teen earn a later curfew by demonstrating positive behavior instead of setting an earlier curfew as punishment for irresponsible behavior.
Lea este articulo en Español.
Whatever the age of your child, it's important to be consistent when it comes to discipline. If you don't stick to the rules and consequences that you set up, your child isn't likely to either.
Here are some ideas about how to vary your approach to discipline to best fit your family.
Ages 0 to 2
Babies and toddlers are naturally curious. So it's wise to eliminate temptations and no-nos — items such as VCRs, stereos, jewelry, and especially cleaning supplies and medications should be kept well out of reach. When your crawling baby or roving toddler heads toward an unacceptable or dangerous play object, calmly say "No" and either remove your child from the area or distract him or her with an appropriate activity.
Timeouts can be effective discipline for toddlers. A child who has been hitting, biting, or throwing food, for example, should be told why that behavior is unacceptable and taken to a designated timeout area — a kitchen chair or bottom stair — for a minute or two to calm down (longer timeouts are not effective for toddlers).
It's important to not spank, hit, or slap a child of any age. Babies and toddlers are especially unlikely to be able to make any connection between their behavior and physical punishment. They will only feel the pain of the hit.
And don't forget that kids learn by watching adults, particularly their parents. Make sure your behavior is role-model material. You'll make a much stronger impression by putting your own belongings away rather than just issuing orders to your child to pick up toys while your stuff is left strewn around.
Ages 3 to 5
As your child grows and begins to understand the connection between actions and consequences, make sure you start communicating the rules of your family's home. Explain to kids what you expect of them before you punish them for a certain behavior. For instance, the first time your 3-year-old uses crayons to decorate the living room wall, discuss why that's not allowed and what will happen if your child does it again (for instance, your child will have to help clean the wall and will not be able to use the crayons for the rest of the day). If the wall gets decorated again a few days later, issue a reminder that crayons are for paper only and then enforce the consequences.
The earlier that parents establish this kind of "I set the rules and you're expected to listen or accept the consequences" standard, the better for everyone. Although it's sometimes easier for parents to ignore occasional bad behavior or not follow through on some threatened punishment, this sets a bad precedent. Consistency is the key to effective discipline, and it's important for parents to decide together what the rules are and then uphold them.
While you become clear on what behaviors will be punished, don't forget to reward good behaviors. Don't underestimate the positive effect that your praise can have — discipline is not just about punishment but also about recognizing good behavior. For example, saying "I'm proud of you for sharing your toys at playgroup" is usually more effective than punishing a child for the opposite behavior — not sharing. And be specific when doling out praise; don't just say, "Good job!"
If your child continues an unacceptable behavior no matter what you do, try making a chart with a box for each day of the week. Decide how many times your child misbehave before some punishment kicks in or how long the proper behavior must be displayed before it is rewarded. Post the chart on the refrigerator and then track the good and bad behaviors every day. This will give your child (and you) a concrete look at how it's going. Once this begins to work, praise your child for learning to control misbehavior and, especially, for overcoming any stubborn problem.
Timeouts also can work well for kids at this age. Establish a suitable timeout place that's free of distractions and will force your child to think about how he or she has behaved. Remember, getting sent to your room may have meant something in the days before computers, TVs, and video games were stored there. Don't forget to consider the length of time that will best suit your child. Experts say 1 minute for each year of age is a good rule of thumb; others recommend using the timeout until the child is calmed down (to teach self-regulation).
It's important to tell kids what the right thing to do is, not just to say what the wrong thing is. For example, instead of saying "Don't jump on the couch," try "Please sit on the furniture and put your feet on the floor."
Ages 6 to 8
Timeouts and consequences are also effective discipline strategies for this age group.
Again, consistency is crucial, as is follow-through. Make good on any promises of discipline or else you risk undermining your authority. Kids have to believe that you mean what you say. This is not to say you can't give second chances or allow a certain margin of error, but for the most part, you should act on what you say.
Be careful not to make unrealistic threats of punishment ("Slam that door and you'll never watch TV again!") in anger, since not following through could weaken all your threats. If you threaten to turn the car around and go home if the squabbling in the backseat doesn't stop, make sure you do exactly that. The credibility you'll gain with your kids is much more valuable than a lost beach day.
Huge punishments may take away your power as a parent. If you ground your son or daughter for a month, your child may not feel motivated to change behaviors because everything has already been taken away.
Ages 9 to 12
Kids in this age group — just as with all ages — can be disciplined with natural consequences. As they mature and request more independence and responsibility, teaching them to deal with the consequences of their behavior is an effective and appropriate method of discipline.
For example, if your fifth grader's homework isn't done homework before bedtime, should you make him or her stay up to do it or even lend a hand yourself? Probably not — you'll miss an opportunity to teach a key life lesson. If homework is incomplete, your child will go to school the next day without it and suffer the resulting bad grade.
It's natural for parents to want to rescue kids from mistakes, but in the long run they do kids a favor by letting them fail sometimes. Kids see what behaving improperly can mean, and will probably not make those mistakes again. However, if your child does not seem to be learning from natural consequences, you should set up your own consequences to help modify the behavior more effectively.
Ages 13 and Up
By now you've laid the groundwork. Your child knows what's expected and that you mean what you say about the consequences of bad behavior. Don't let down your guard now — discipline is just as important for teens as it is for younger children. Just like the 4-year-old who needs you to set a bedtime and stick to it, your teen needs to know boundaries, too.
Set up rules regarding homework, visits by friends, curfews, and dating and discuss them beforehand with your teenager so there will be no misunderstandings. Your teen will probably complain from time to time, but also will realize that you're in control. Believe it or not, teens still want and need you to set limits and enforce order in their lives, even as you grant them greater freedom and responsibility.
When your teen does break a rule, taking away privileges may seem the best plan of action. While it's fine to take away the car for a week, for example, be sure to also discuss why coming home an hour past curfew is unacceptable and worrisome.
Remember to give a teenager some control over things. Not only will this limit the number of power struggles you have, it will help your teen respect the decisions that you do need to make for him or her. You could allow a younger teen to make decisions concerning school clothes, hair styles, or even the condition of his or her room. As your teen gets older, that realm of control might be extended to include an occasional relaxed curfew.
It's also important to focus on the positives. For example, have your teen earn a later curfew by demonstrating positive behavior instead of setting an earlier curfew as punishment for irresponsible behavior.
Diet's Impact on Fertility
Diet's Impact on Fertility
Five issues that impact your ability to get pregnant.
By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, American Institute for Cancer Research
Karen Collins (c) AICR.org
More than 15 percent of women may have difficulty becoming pregnant at some point during their lifetime. The term infertility is used when pregnancy does not occur after at least one year of trying. Since infertility affects about 7.3 million couples in the U.S., interest is growing in how diet and lifestyle might affect fertility.
About a third of infertility cases are attributed to the male partner, a third to the female and a third to a combination of both partners (or no cause is found). Male infertility is usually attributed to an insufficient healthy sperm count. Women with infertility can trace their issues to a number of different causes: problems with the structure of the uterus, blocked fallopian tubes or, most often, failure to release healthy eggs.
Several diet and lifestyle issues may also have an effect. Here's a list of the most common:
Weight
A woman's weight can affect her fertility. In fact, weight issues account for about 12 percent of all infertility, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Too little body fat reduces estrogen levels so much that the reproductive cycle starts to shut down. Too much body fat raises estrogen levels, acting like birth control pills to suppress ovulation (egg release). Obesity is even linked with decreased success of fertility treatments.
And women aren't the only ones whose fertility is threatened by excess weight. Several studies link excess weight in men with decreased semen and increased production of abnormal sperm. Some researchers suggest that eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, which provide antioxidants to prevent damage to sperm, may protect men's fertility. But overall, research results have been very mixed.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCOS is an endocrine disorder and the most common reason for infertility due to lack of ovulation. In women with the disorder, insulin and reproductive hormones are at abnormal levels, and egg production and menstrual cycles often halt. Besides infertility, PCOS is linked with greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Fortunately, a modest weight loss of about five percent is often enough to normalize hormones and improve fertility. Regular physical activity seems important as well, and a diet that includes more dietary fiber and whole grains may also help.
Anemia
A lack of healthy red blood cells is linked with female infertility, caused by both lack of iron or inadequate vitamin B-12 or folate. Although more research is needed in this area, women can avoid most anemias through a healthy diet. To start, make sure to get enough folate by eating plenty of vegetables, beans and grains–both whole grains and enriched grains. If you don't eat animal products (including dairy) make sure to get adequate vitamin B-12 from fortified foods or supplements.
Diet
Overall balanced eating habits may also help with infertility. One large study involving over 17,000 nurses reported that women who follow healthy eating practices experienced up to 66 percent lower risk of infertility due to ovulation problems. The women who benefitted had a diet high in healthy monounsaturated fat (found in olive oil and nuts, for example), low in trans fat and rich in vegetable-based protein and whole-grain foods. These eating habits may help by promoting normal insulin levels and by providing a variety of antioxidants that could promote and protect pregnancy.
Tobacco
Tobacco use threatens both male and female fertility. It makes a woman's eggs more prone to genetic abnormalities and has been linked with abnormal sperm, decreased sperm and impaired sperm movement. Nicotine and other chemicals can also affect ovulation by decreasing estrogen.
One note of caution: We must be careful when interpreting results from many of these studies, since observational data can only speak to associations between various diet and lifestyle choices and fertility, not causation.
Find more from Karen Collins.
Five issues that impact your ability to get pregnant.
By Karen Collins, MS, RD, CDN, American Institute for Cancer Research
Karen Collins (c) AICR.org
More than 15 percent of women may have difficulty becoming pregnant at some point during their lifetime. The term infertility is used when pregnancy does not occur after at least one year of trying. Since infertility affects about 7.3 million couples in the U.S., interest is growing in how diet and lifestyle might affect fertility.
About a third of infertility cases are attributed to the male partner, a third to the female and a third to a combination of both partners (or no cause is found). Male infertility is usually attributed to an insufficient healthy sperm count. Women with infertility can trace their issues to a number of different causes: problems with the structure of the uterus, blocked fallopian tubes or, most often, failure to release healthy eggs.
Several diet and lifestyle issues may also have an effect. Here's a list of the most common:
Weight
A woman's weight can affect her fertility. In fact, weight issues account for about 12 percent of all infertility, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Too little body fat reduces estrogen levels so much that the reproductive cycle starts to shut down. Too much body fat raises estrogen levels, acting like birth control pills to suppress ovulation (egg release). Obesity is even linked with decreased success of fertility treatments.
And women aren't the only ones whose fertility is threatened by excess weight. Several studies link excess weight in men with decreased semen and increased production of abnormal sperm. Some researchers suggest that eating plenty of vegetables and fruits, which provide antioxidants to prevent damage to sperm, may protect men's fertility. But overall, research results have been very mixed.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
PCOS is an endocrine disorder and the most common reason for infertility due to lack of ovulation. In women with the disorder, insulin and reproductive hormones are at abnormal levels, and egg production and menstrual cycles often halt. Besides infertility, PCOS is linked with greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. Fortunately, a modest weight loss of about five percent is often enough to normalize hormones and improve fertility. Regular physical activity seems important as well, and a diet that includes more dietary fiber and whole grains may also help.
Anemia
A lack of healthy red blood cells is linked with female infertility, caused by both lack of iron or inadequate vitamin B-12 or folate. Although more research is needed in this area, women can avoid most anemias through a healthy diet. To start, make sure to get enough folate by eating plenty of vegetables, beans and grains–both whole grains and enriched grains. If you don't eat animal products (including dairy) make sure to get adequate vitamin B-12 from fortified foods or supplements.
Diet
Overall balanced eating habits may also help with infertility. One large study involving over 17,000 nurses reported that women who follow healthy eating practices experienced up to 66 percent lower risk of infertility due to ovulation problems. The women who benefitted had a diet high in healthy monounsaturated fat (found in olive oil and nuts, for example), low in trans fat and rich in vegetable-based protein and whole-grain foods. These eating habits may help by promoting normal insulin levels and by providing a variety of antioxidants that could promote and protect pregnancy.
Tobacco
Tobacco use threatens both male and female fertility. It makes a woman's eggs more prone to genetic abnormalities and has been linked with abnormal sperm, decreased sperm and impaired sperm movement. Nicotine and other chemicals can also affect ovulation by decreasing estrogen.
One note of caution: We must be careful when interpreting results from many of these studies, since observational data can only speak to associations between various diet and lifestyle choices and fertility, not causation.
Find more from Karen Collins.
Study Warns of Risk From Cardiac Surgery Drug
Another Study Warns of Risk From Cardiac Surgery Drug
Patients given Trasylol have a higher death risk, data review finds
-- Robert Preidt
Patients given Trasylol have a higher death risk, data review finds.
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- A new study casts more doubt on the safety of the drug Trasylol (aprotinin), used to limit bleeding in patients undergoing surgery.
Trasylol is already the subject of controversy in the United States, where it was removed from the market in 2007.
In the new study, Canadian and Australian researchers reviewed findings from 49 randomized clinical trials. They concluded that Trasylol posed a higher risk of death for patients than other anti-bleeding drugs, called lysine analogues.
While Trasylol was somewhat more effective at controlling blood loss and transfusions than lysine analogues, its higher risk of death and significantly higher price are deterrents to its use, said the authors. They recommended tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid as alternatives to prevent blood loss during surgery.
"Lysine analogues are almost as effective as aprotinin in controlling blood loss, are cheaper, and appear not to increase mortality," concluded Dr. David Henry and his co-authors of the study, which will be published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The findings were released early in advance of a Health Canada expert advisory panel meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The panel is expected to make a decision about the use of aprotinin.
The review included new information from the Blood Conservation Using Antifibrinolytics in a Randomized Trial (BART) study published by the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year. That study found that patients treated with aprotinin were 53 percent more likely to die than those treated with two similar drugs, Cyklokapron (tranexamic acid) and Amicar (aminocaproic acid). The death rates were 6 percent, 3.9 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
Due to the significant risk of death associated with Trasylol, the BART study was stopped in October 2007, before the schedule completion date.
In November 2007, Trasylol manufacturer Bayer AG suspended the drug's marketing in the United States after the preliminary results from the BART trial were released. Bayer removed all remaining stocks of the drug from the U.S. market earlier this year. However, the German drug maker continues to sell Trasylol in some areas of the world.
Trasylol has been on the market since 1987 and widely used. At the time of the BART study's release, one expert questioned why the truth about the dangers of the drug took so long to come out and how many patients may have died "because of this misadventure in therapeutics?"
"Did the clinical community accept it too readily? Was the manufacturer not willing to do the appropriate trials?" asked Dr. Eric J. Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute and dean of the Scripps School of Medicine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is high on the blame list, Topol told HealthDay.
"The FDA has to be considered part of the problem," he said. "Why weren't trials like this part of the early approval process, rather than getting the data many years later?"
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about coronary artery bypass surgery.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, news release, Dec. 2, 2008
Patients given Trasylol have a higher death risk, data review finds
-- Robert Preidt
Patients given Trasylol have a higher death risk, data review finds.
TUESDAY, Dec. 2 (HealthDay News) -- A new study casts more doubt on the safety of the drug Trasylol (aprotinin), used to limit bleeding in patients undergoing surgery.
Trasylol is already the subject of controversy in the United States, where it was removed from the market in 2007.
In the new study, Canadian and Australian researchers reviewed findings from 49 randomized clinical trials. They concluded that Trasylol posed a higher risk of death for patients than other anti-bleeding drugs, called lysine analogues.
While Trasylol was somewhat more effective at controlling blood loss and transfusions than lysine analogues, its higher risk of death and significantly higher price are deterrents to its use, said the authors. They recommended tranexamic acid or aminocaproic acid as alternatives to prevent blood loss during surgery.
"Lysine analogues are almost as effective as aprotinin in controlling blood loss, are cheaper, and appear not to increase mortality," concluded Dr. David Henry and his co-authors of the study, which will be published in the Jan. 20 issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The findings were released early in advance of a Health Canada expert advisory panel meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The panel is expected to make a decision about the use of aprotinin.
The review included new information from the Blood Conservation Using Antifibrinolytics in a Randomized Trial (BART) study published by the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year. That study found that patients treated with aprotinin were 53 percent more likely to die than those treated with two similar drugs, Cyklokapron (tranexamic acid) and Amicar (aminocaproic acid). The death rates were 6 percent, 3.9 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
Due to the significant risk of death associated with Trasylol, the BART study was stopped in October 2007, before the schedule completion date.
In November 2007, Trasylol manufacturer Bayer AG suspended the drug's marketing in the United States after the preliminary results from the BART trial were released. Bayer removed all remaining stocks of the drug from the U.S. market earlier this year. However, the German drug maker continues to sell Trasylol in some areas of the world.
Trasylol has been on the market since 1987 and widely used. At the time of the BART study's release, one expert questioned why the truth about the dangers of the drug took so long to come out and how many patients may have died "because of this misadventure in therapeutics?"
"Did the clinical community accept it too readily? Was the manufacturer not willing to do the appropriate trials?" asked Dr. Eric J. Topol, director of the Scripps Translational Science Institute and dean of the Scripps School of Medicine.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is high on the blame list, Topol told HealthDay.
"The FDA has to be considered part of the problem," he said. "Why weren't trials like this part of the early approval process, rather than getting the data many years later?"
More information
The U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more about coronary artery bypass surgery.
Canadian Medical Association Journal, news release, Dec. 2, 2008
Senin, 24 November 2008
Aburizal to sue ‘Tempo’ for defamation
Rather than make use of the press law to settle a dispute with Tempo magazine, chief welfare minister Aburizal Bakrie has chosen to file criminal charges against the magazine for allegedly defaming him.
Aburizal, an influential politician and one of the country’s wealthiest people, accused the investigative magazine of “character assassination” by defaming him in a report on the plight of the Bakrie Group’s plummeting shares, published in its Nov. 17-23 edition.
The report described the coordinating minister for the people’s welfare as one of the biggest sponsors of the 2004 presidential campaign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla.
Another offending item was the magazine’s cover, which had the number 666 prominently marked out on the minister’s portrait. The number is considered a negative symbol among certain groups.
“Pak Aburizal insisted on filing a lawsuit against Tempo. Hopefully the report will be filed on Monday next week with the Jakarta Police,” Aburizal’s spokesman Lalu Mara Satriawangsa told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The report, which quoted unnamed sources, claimed Aburizal’s huge contributions to the Yudhoyono-Kalla campaign earned him the post of coordinating minister for the economy.
Aburizal was retained in the Cabinet as coordinating minister for the people’s welfare, despite Yudhoyono’s dismissal of several other ministers for their poor performances, it added.
“Probably because of this (funding), Aburizal was only moved from the post of coordinating minister for the economy to that of coordinating minister for the people’s welfare,” the report, “Who cares about Bakrie”, read.
Mara said the report was very unbalanced and breached the press law by spreading “slanderous news” about Aburizal.
He said the minister refused to use options in the press law to settle the case — including having a rebuttal published in Tempo or reporting the case to the Press Council — because the magazine had clashed with Bakrie Group many times in the past.
“It is unbalanced because so many lines are dedicated to making accusations against Pak Aburizal, and only one paragraph for him. Tempo could have requested an interview. It is necessary to report it to police to teach them a lesson,” Mara said.
Tempo chief editor Toriq Hadad dismissed Aburizal’s claims, saying his magazine had followed all journalistic standards in publishing the report.
“What we reported were the facts. We never meant to expose the negative aspects of anyone, including Pak Aburizal. This is just a regular disagreement between the media and a newsmaker. So we should use the press law and the Press Council to settle the case,” he told the Post.
Toriq said a Tempo reporter had submitted a request for an interview with Aburizal, but had received no reply in time for the press deadline.
University of Indonesia legal expert Rudy Satrio said any dispute over press reports should be solved using the press law rather than the Criminal Code.
“(Aburizal) can file a report with the police if he has a legal basis for that,” he said. “But any good police officer will use the press law as the basis for handling this case.”
Aburizal, an influential politician and one of the country’s wealthiest people, accused the investigative magazine of “character assassination” by defaming him in a report on the plight of the Bakrie Group’s plummeting shares, published in its Nov. 17-23 edition.
The report described the coordinating minister for the people’s welfare as one of the biggest sponsors of the 2004 presidential campaign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Jusuf Kalla.
Another offending item was the magazine’s cover, which had the number 666 prominently marked out on the minister’s portrait. The number is considered a negative symbol among certain groups.
“Pak Aburizal insisted on filing a lawsuit against Tempo. Hopefully the report will be filed on Monday next week with the Jakarta Police,” Aburizal’s spokesman Lalu Mara Satriawangsa told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
The report, which quoted unnamed sources, claimed Aburizal’s huge contributions to the Yudhoyono-Kalla campaign earned him the post of coordinating minister for the economy.
Aburizal was retained in the Cabinet as coordinating minister for the people’s welfare, despite Yudhoyono’s dismissal of several other ministers for their poor performances, it added.
“Probably because of this (funding), Aburizal was only moved from the post of coordinating minister for the economy to that of coordinating minister for the people’s welfare,” the report, “Who cares about Bakrie”, read.
Mara said the report was very unbalanced and breached the press law by spreading “slanderous news” about Aburizal.
He said the minister refused to use options in the press law to settle the case — including having a rebuttal published in Tempo or reporting the case to the Press Council — because the magazine had clashed with Bakrie Group many times in the past.
“It is unbalanced because so many lines are dedicated to making accusations against Pak Aburizal, and only one paragraph for him. Tempo could have requested an interview. It is necessary to report it to police to teach them a lesson,” Mara said.
Tempo chief editor Toriq Hadad dismissed Aburizal’s claims, saying his magazine had followed all journalistic standards in publishing the report.
“What we reported were the facts. We never meant to expose the negative aspects of anyone, including Pak Aburizal. This is just a regular disagreement between the media and a newsmaker. So we should use the press law and the Press Council to settle the case,” he told the Post.
Toriq said a Tempo reporter had submitted a request for an interview with Aburizal, but had received no reply in time for the press deadline.
University of Indonesia legal expert Rudy Satrio said any dispute over press reports should be solved using the press law rather than the Criminal Code.
“(Aburizal) can file a report with the police if he has a legal basis for that,” he said. “But any good police officer will use the press law as the basis for handling this case.”
A tale of the Tantulars, Rivsi
The Tantular family first entered the banking business when communism was still on the prowl in Indonesia. In 1965, Hashim Tantular formed Bank Central Dagang (BCD), which eventually folded in 1998.
In 1989, Hashim transformed his money changer business Century Intervest Corporation into Bank CIC, which was controlled by Hindarto Tantular and later Robert Tantular.
A Washington University graduate, Robert resigned from CIC's management in 2000 but remained a dominant influence at the bank. He still has a 9 percent stake in Century via PT Century Mega Investindo following the bank's merger and probably also owns public shares in the bank.
Robert, who failed a central bank "fit and proper" test in 1999, was summoned by the Corruption Eradication Commission in 2006 as witness in the Unibank bond fiasco.
Also prominent figures at Bank Century are Rafat Ali Rivsi and Hesham Alwarraq, representing shareholder in the bank First Gulf Asia Holding, formerly Bahama-based Chinkara Capital.
First Gulf had a 65 percent stake in Bank Pikko, a 55 percent stake in Danpac and a 16 percent stake in CIC before the three banks merged in 2004.
Rivsi is a British national holding a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Essex. He is also chairman and CEO of Bermuda-based Tembusu Investment Holding.
First Gulf is also said to have a link with one of the country's most noted clerics, Panji Gumilang, who runs the exclusive Al-Zaitun boarding school in Indramayu, West Java. (dis/hwa)
In 1989, Hashim transformed his money changer business Century Intervest Corporation into Bank CIC, which was controlled by Hindarto Tantular and later Robert Tantular.
A Washington University graduate, Robert resigned from CIC's management in 2000 but remained a dominant influence at the bank. He still has a 9 percent stake in Century via PT Century Mega Investindo following the bank's merger and probably also owns public shares in the bank.
Robert, who failed a central bank "fit and proper" test in 1999, was summoned by the Corruption Eradication Commission in 2006 as witness in the Unibank bond fiasco.
Also prominent figures at Bank Century are Rafat Ali Rivsi and Hesham Alwarraq, representing shareholder in the bank First Gulf Asia Holding, formerly Bahama-based Chinkara Capital.
First Gulf had a 65 percent stake in Bank Pikko, a 55 percent stake in Danpac and a 16 percent stake in CIC before the three banks merged in 2004.
Rivsi is a British national holding a bachelor's degree in chemistry from the University of Essex. He is also chairman and CEO of Bermuda-based Tembusu Investment Holding.
First Gulf is also said to have a link with one of the country's most noted clerics, Panji Gumilang, who runs the exclusive Al-Zaitun boarding school in Indramayu, West Java. (dis/hwa)
Kamis, 20 November 2008
Sins of a Solar Empire Version 1.1 Now Available
Stardock announced a huge free update for Sins of a Solar Empire today, the award-winning title from developer Ironclad Games. Additionally, fans that pre-order the expansion will be included in the upcoming beta for "Entrenchment". Fans can pre-order the expansion at www.impulsedriven.com.
Highlights from the 1.1 change log include:
� Alloy Networking Technology -- allows for seamless multiplayer without needing to deal with port forwarding or other router settings
� Major upgrade to the graphics engine for better performance on all systems
� Updated/improved graphics (textures, new models, explosions and more)
� Mini-Underground Window – allows you to buy/sell resources and make pirate bids on the main gameplay screen
� Improved game balance
� Improved AI
* Bug fixes and much more
The entire change log can be viewed here: http://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/329902.
For more information about Stardock or the pre-order, please visit www.impulsedriven.com or www.stardock.com.
About Stardock
Stardock is one of the world's leading developers and publishers of PC games and desktop software. Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, the highest rated and best selling PC strategy game of 2008 as well as the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series. Its desktop software includes Object Desktop, WindowBlinds, and a host of other programs for customizing the Windows experience. Learn more about Stardock by visiting www.stardock.com.
Highlights from the 1.1 change log include:
� Alloy Networking Technology -- allows for seamless multiplayer without needing to deal with port forwarding or other router settings
� Major upgrade to the graphics engine for better performance on all systems
� Updated/improved graphics (textures, new models, explosions and more)
� Mini-Underground Window – allows you to buy/sell resources and make pirate bids on the main gameplay screen
� Improved game balance
� Improved AI
* Bug fixes and much more
The entire change log can be viewed here: http://forums.sinsofasolarempire.com/329902.
For more information about Stardock or the pre-order, please visit www.impulsedriven.com or www.stardock.com.
About Stardock
Stardock is one of the world's leading developers and publishers of PC games and desktop software. Its PC games include Sins of a Solar Empire, the highest rated and best selling PC strategy game of 2008 as well as the critically acclaimed Galactic Civilizations series. Its desktop software includes Object Desktop, WindowBlinds, and a host of other programs for customizing the Windows experience. Learn more about Stardock by visiting www.stardock.com.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Launches
Turbine, Inc. announced today that The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria is now available for purchase across North America and Europe. Mines of Moria expands the award-winning online world of Middle-earth and allows players to explore the ancient underground cities of the dwarves, battle epic characters in the depths, face off with the Watcher, be a part of the fateful release of Durin's Bane and more! In addition to extending the challenge to new heights, Mines of Moria will introduce two new classes, ten additional levels, hundreds of new quests, and the highly anticipated Legendary Item system.
"The Lord of the Rings Online has established itself as one of the world's premium MMOs for successfully integrating story into a game that features innovative and entertaining advancement through an immersive and breathtaking world," said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "Mines of Moria will raise the bar with the introduction of Legendary Items, a massive new system that will let players advance unique and powerful weapons and items that grow in might alongside their hero. These unique and powerful weapons will be by our players' sides to aid in the challenging adventures that await them as we continue to journey through Middle-earth through the next several volumes of the game in years to come."
Some of the new features in the Mines of Moria expansion include*:
* Forge Legendary Items! – The Mines of Moria introduces Turbine's revolutionary new item advancement system to LOTRO. Players can now forge unique weapons and class-related equipment and evolve them to build a legacy the likes of Bilbo's Sting and Gandalf's Glamdring. These legendary weapons grow in power along with the player through their adventures and are customized by advancing the item's virtues, adding runic legacies and modifying its title.
* Speak Friend, and Enter – Moria, called Khazad-d�m by the dwarves, was their capital and the grandest of cities. This enormous underground world in north-western Middle-earth comprises an immense network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls beneath the Misty Mountains and represent one of the largest and most dangerous online underground environments ever created. Starting today players can journey through hundreds of new adventures and battle goblin hordes and the Nameless of the Deep in the ancient city underground which has served as the foundation for the modern-day dungeon-crawling adventures.
* The Epic Story Continues! — The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria begins Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online storyline. Players will experience six new books rich with new characters and content and face the fiery wrath of Durin's Bane, battle the Watcher, bring aid to the Lady Galadriel and more.
* Increased Level Cap — Players can now advance their characters up to level 60, opening access to a wealth of new traits, virtues, skills and class quests. The crafting system also now offers a new Tier and gives players the ability to join crafting guilds to create even more powerful items.
* Discover Two New Classes — The Rune-keeper and the Warden, the first new classes to be introduced since the launch of the game, offer players the opportunity to create all-new characters and experience LOTRO in exciting new ways.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition, which includes the original game, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and Mines of Moria (Volume II) is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector's Edition is also now available for purchase at major retailers and includes all of the content of the Complete Edition as well as certain unique digital and physical items for collectors. A third option for existing LOTRO subscribers is The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion, available online at www.lotro.com. For more information on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is the premier creator, operator and publisher of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America and was recently chosen by AlwaysOn as one of the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies, a power list of the top private emerging technology companies in digital entertainment and media. Turbine has created some of the world's most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Asheron's Call. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien's works for more than 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
"The Lord of the Rings Online has established itself as one of the world's premium MMOs for successfully integrating story into a game that features innovative and entertaining advancement through an immersive and breathtaking world," said Jeffrey Steefel, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. "Mines of Moria will raise the bar with the introduction of Legendary Items, a massive new system that will let players advance unique and powerful weapons and items that grow in might alongside their hero. These unique and powerful weapons will be by our players' sides to aid in the challenging adventures that await them as we continue to journey through Middle-earth through the next several volumes of the game in years to come."
Some of the new features in the Mines of Moria expansion include*:
* Forge Legendary Items! – The Mines of Moria introduces Turbine's revolutionary new item advancement system to LOTRO. Players can now forge unique weapons and class-related equipment and evolve them to build a legacy the likes of Bilbo's Sting and Gandalf's Glamdring. These legendary weapons grow in power along with the player through their adventures and are customized by advancing the item's virtues, adding runic legacies and modifying its title.
* Speak Friend, and Enter – Moria, called Khazad-d�m by the dwarves, was their capital and the grandest of cities. This enormous underground world in north-western Middle-earth comprises an immense network of tunnels, chambers, mines and huge halls beneath the Misty Mountains and represent one of the largest and most dangerous online underground environments ever created. Starting today players can journey through hundreds of new adventures and battle goblin hordes and the Nameless of the Deep in the ancient city underground which has served as the foundation for the modern-day dungeon-crawling adventures.
* The Epic Story Continues! — The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria begins Volume II of The Lord of the Rings Online storyline. Players will experience six new books rich with new characters and content and face the fiery wrath of Durin's Bane, battle the Watcher, bring aid to the Lady Galadriel and more.
* Increased Level Cap — Players can now advance their characters up to level 60, opening access to a wealth of new traits, virtues, skills and class quests. The crafting system also now offers a new Tier and gives players the ability to join crafting guilds to create even more powerful items.
* Discover Two New Classes — The Rune-keeper and the Warden, the first new classes to be introduced since the launch of the game, offer players the opportunity to create all-new characters and experience LOTRO in exciting new ways.
The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Complete Edition, which includes the original game, The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (Volume I), all content updates released since launch, and Mines of Moria (Volume II) is now available for purchase at major retailers across North America. The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Collector's Edition is also now available for purchase at major retailers and includes all of the content of the Complete Edition as well as certain unique digital and physical items for collectors. A third option for existing LOTRO subscribers is The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria Digital Expansion, available online at www.lotro.com. For more information on The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria, please visit www.lotro.com/moria.
About Turbine
Turbine, Inc. is the premier creator, operator and publisher of massive, persistent online worlds that foster powerful social gaming communities. Turbine is one of the largest privately-held online gaming studios in North America and was recently chosen by AlwaysOn as one of the OnHollywood 100 Top Private Companies, a power list of the top private emerging technology companies in digital entertainment and media. Turbine has created some of the world's most popular and award-winning online games, including The Lord of the Rings Online, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Asheron's Call. For more information on Turbine, its products and services please visit www.turbine.com.
About Tolkien Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Tolkien Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in J.R.R. Tolkien's literary works The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tolkien Enterprises has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on Tolkien's works for more than 30 years. Its headquarters are in Berkeley, California, and its website may be found at www.tolkien-ent.com.
Young mother kills her own baby
JAKARTA: A young mother killed her four-month-old baby boy with insecticide in an empty house in Griya Karawaci housing complex in Curug district, Tangerang regency, on Tuesday evening.
After forcing her baby boy Raihan Azka Syarief to drink insecticide, the mother, Neni Sriana, 37, also tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists and drinking the same liquid.
The murder was first discovered when Neni's landlord, Sulasmi, 41, became suspicious.
"Neni came to me carrying her baby, asking to borrow a mat in the empty house next to my house," Sulasmi said. Neni then went to the empty house in a hurry.
Sulasmi said Neni's behavior was strange that day, so she asked her neighbors to join her to check on Neni in the empty house.
While trying to see inside the empty house, Neni emerged, crying for help and asking them to take her baby to the nearest clinic.
Afterwards, Neni proceeded to cut her wrists with a piece of sharp glass and drank insecticide in front of her confused neighbors.
The wounded mother was taken to Al-Qadr hospital for treatment, but her baby, whose skin had turned blue, died.
After forcing her baby boy Raihan Azka Syarief to drink insecticide, the mother, Neni Sriana, 37, also tried to kill herself by cutting her wrists and drinking the same liquid.
The murder was first discovered when Neni's landlord, Sulasmi, 41, became suspicious.
"Neni came to me carrying her baby, asking to borrow a mat in the empty house next to my house," Sulasmi said. Neni then went to the empty house in a hurry.
Sulasmi said Neni's behavior was strange that day, so she asked her neighbors to join her to check on Neni in the empty house.
While trying to see inside the empty house, Neni emerged, crying for help and asking them to take her baby to the nearest clinic.
Afterwards, Neni proceeded to cut her wrists with a piece of sharp glass and drank insecticide in front of her confused neighbors.
The wounded mother was taken to Al-Qadr hospital for treatment, but her baby, whose skin had turned blue, died.
A sculptor's 'black dreams' of an anti-porn nation
Sex and the human body in its naked form have become major concerns among Indonesia's predominantly Muslim population in the post-Soeharto era that is often hailed as an era of freedom.
In recent years, there has been an urge to control "unbridled" sexuality at all cost, even though this means traversing the limits of the public and the private, the secular and the religious.
Through his artworks which are on display at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center's Galeri Cipta II, from Nov. 12 to 20, sculptor Ibnu Nurwanto aims to break the politico-religious discourse on sexuality by disturbingly exposing a center of sexuality: the phallus.
Yang Mulia (Your Highness) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 26 cm X 23 cm, thickness 44 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)Yang Mulia (Your Highness) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 26 cm X 23 cm, thickness 44 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)
Yang Mulia (Your Highness) -- a wooden sculpture of a phallus -- is his critique of Indonesian politics.
"Whatever they (politicians) do, whatever they say," he remarks bluntly, "it all, eventually, is a matter of gratifying their penises."
His work is perhaps proof that you do not have to be a Freudian to regard the phallus as the unconscious actor that forms human behavior.
As a virtual anti-intellectual artist, his Freudian remark did not come from subtle discussions with Lacanian academics, nor was it a result of an extensive reading of psychoanalytical literature.
It came from his silent confrontation with Indonesian realities -- the sex scandals involving parliamentarians and their supposedly angelic determination to pass the controversial pornography bill into law.
Yang Mulia, a figure of a male waist with an erect penis, emblematically poses a ticklish question to those who support the pornography bill: Are we controlling sexuality, or being controlled by it?
Many artists have long been infatuated by human bodies and the idea of making phallic sculptures is, of course, far from a novelty.
Ancient societies, which regarded the male genitalia as a symbol of procreative power, also used phallic sculpture in sacred ceremonies and rites.
But the presence of a phallic figure in public display in Indonesia today is indeed worth special attention.
The exhibition is among the first art events that esthetically, and in a challenging manner, showcase sculptures of naked female bodies and genitals after the House approval of the pornography bill last month.
Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 34 cm X 11 cm, thickness 48 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 34 cm X 11 cm, thickness 48 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)
As if pairing the brown phallus, Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful), made from a yellowish wood from the jackfruit tree and resembling female thighs and a vagina, is also displayed in the exhibition. The figure is more simple than Yang Mulia, but is equally striking.
Asked whether he was afraid of being criminally charged by displaying "pornographic" art, Ibnu said he would never, not even slightly, be deterred by the law.
Born in Yogyakarta in 1957, the eccentric artist is one of only a handful of Indonesian artists who have the talent and willingness to labor with three dimensional artwork -- arguably the most difficult artform, combining resourceful artistic imagination and prodigious craftsmanship.
"He is still consistent with three-dimensional art, while many contemporary artists have been drawn to combining different media in their work," said art critic Sri Wahyu Wahono who has known Ibnu since they were students at Jakarta Art Institute (formerly LPKJ).
Most of Ibnu's works are figurative and abstract sculptures, and touch social issues, especially poverty and the subjugation of women.
His sculptures resembling naked female bodies are mostly incomplete, mutilated or deformed, such as Si Narsis (The Narcissist) and Wanita Tangerang (Tangerang Woman), which is his critique of sharia-inspired bylaws in the regions.
He has also crafted complete female bodies, one of which is Perempuan dengan Topeng Babi (A Woman in a Pig Mask). To Indonesian Muslims, a pig is the symbol of the haram (forbidden).
Ibnu uses male figures to represent the cruelty of urban society, depicted as indifferent to the presence of the poor. His works, Urban and Buruh Tua (Old Laborer), resemble malnourished men in rags.
Ibnu's abstract works, such as Ruang Waktu (Space and Time) and Menari (Dancing), are philosophically more subtle both in form and meaning, revealing his exceptional mastery of his material.
Having been exposed to continual bad news in the media, ranging from sex and graft scandals to the global financial downturn, Ibnu says he is more than anxious and pessimistic about the future of Indonesia.
"I am scared because I know the predicament is real."
He thus decided to title the exhibition "Black Dream", which may refer to different kinds of dreams; his own dreams as an artist, the dreams of the poor or the dreams of corrupt leaders who will do anything to materialize their worldly dreams.
Art, indeed, has its own language in depicting such a complex nation as Indonesia
In recent years, there has been an urge to control "unbridled" sexuality at all cost, even though this means traversing the limits of the public and the private, the secular and the religious.
Through his artworks which are on display at Taman Ismail Marzuki arts center's Galeri Cipta II, from Nov. 12 to 20, sculptor Ibnu Nurwanto aims to break the politico-religious discourse on sexuality by disturbingly exposing a center of sexuality: the phallus.
Yang Mulia (Your Highness) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 26 cm X 23 cm, thickness 44 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)Yang Mulia (Your Highness) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 26 cm X 23 cm, thickness 44 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)
Yang Mulia (Your Highness) -- a wooden sculpture of a phallus -- is his critique of Indonesian politics.
"Whatever they (politicians) do, whatever they say," he remarks bluntly, "it all, eventually, is a matter of gratifying their penises."
His work is perhaps proof that you do not have to be a Freudian to regard the phallus as the unconscious actor that forms human behavior.
As a virtual anti-intellectual artist, his Freudian remark did not come from subtle discussions with Lacanian academics, nor was it a result of an extensive reading of psychoanalytical literature.
It came from his silent confrontation with Indonesian realities -- the sex scandals involving parliamentarians and their supposedly angelic determination to pass the controversial pornography bill into law.
Yang Mulia, a figure of a male waist with an erect penis, emblematically poses a ticklish question to those who support the pornography bill: Are we controlling sexuality, or being controlled by it?
Many artists have long been infatuated by human bodies and the idea of making phallic sculptures is, of course, far from a novelty.
Ancient societies, which regarded the male genitalia as a symbol of procreative power, also used phallic sculpture in sacred ceremonies and rites.
But the presence of a phallic figure in public display in Indonesia today is indeed worth special attention.
The exhibition is among the first art events that esthetically, and in a challenging manner, showcase sculptures of naked female bodies and genitals after the House approval of the pornography bill last month.
Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 34 cm X 11 cm, thickness 48 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful) by Ibnu Nurwanto, jackfruit wood, width 34 cm X 11 cm, thickness 48 cm (2006). (JP/Ary Hermawan)
As if pairing the brown phallus, Yang Terindah (The Most Beautiful), made from a yellowish wood from the jackfruit tree and resembling female thighs and a vagina, is also displayed in the exhibition. The figure is more simple than Yang Mulia, but is equally striking.
Asked whether he was afraid of being criminally charged by displaying "pornographic" art, Ibnu said he would never, not even slightly, be deterred by the law.
Born in Yogyakarta in 1957, the eccentric artist is one of only a handful of Indonesian artists who have the talent and willingness to labor with three dimensional artwork -- arguably the most difficult artform, combining resourceful artistic imagination and prodigious craftsmanship.
"He is still consistent with three-dimensional art, while many contemporary artists have been drawn to combining different media in their work," said art critic Sri Wahyu Wahono who has known Ibnu since they were students at Jakarta Art Institute (formerly LPKJ).
Most of Ibnu's works are figurative and abstract sculptures, and touch social issues, especially poverty and the subjugation of women.
His sculptures resembling naked female bodies are mostly incomplete, mutilated or deformed, such as Si Narsis (The Narcissist) and Wanita Tangerang (Tangerang Woman), which is his critique of sharia-inspired bylaws in the regions.
He has also crafted complete female bodies, one of which is Perempuan dengan Topeng Babi (A Woman in a Pig Mask). To Indonesian Muslims, a pig is the symbol of the haram (forbidden).
Ibnu uses male figures to represent the cruelty of urban society, depicted as indifferent to the presence of the poor. His works, Urban and Buruh Tua (Old Laborer), resemble malnourished men in rags.
Ibnu's abstract works, such as Ruang Waktu (Space and Time) and Menari (Dancing), are philosophically more subtle both in form and meaning, revealing his exceptional mastery of his material.
Having been exposed to continual bad news in the media, ranging from sex and graft scandals to the global financial downturn, Ibnu says he is more than anxious and pessimistic about the future of Indonesia.
"I am scared because I know the predicament is real."
He thus decided to title the exhibition "Black Dream", which may refer to different kinds of dreams; his own dreams as an artist, the dreams of the poor or the dreams of corrupt leaders who will do anything to materialize their worldly dreams.
Art, indeed, has its own language in depicting such a complex nation as Indonesia
Rano Karno hospitalized for dengue
JAKARTA: Actor-turned-politician Rano Karno was being treated in hospital Monday for dengue and typhoid.
Rano, who is the deputy regent of Tangerang, was diagnosed with dengue and typhoid on Saturday morning at Puri Cinere Hospital in South Jakarta.
“I felt ill for two days. When I came here for a check up, I was advised to stay in hospital for treatment,” Rano was quoted as saying by Okezone.com on Sunday.
Rano said he had visited areas in Tangerang recently where he might have caused the illness.
“Tangerang is one of the most infected areas for dengue. I might have to take a rest for a while because even on the weekend I didn’t stop working,” said the 48-year-old, who gained popularity through the TV soap Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.
“My body temperature is high and my blood pressure is also getting lower,” explained the man who won the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) award for Best Actor through his role in Taksi in 1991.
A hospital spokesperson said Rano, who has acted in more than 70 movies since his debut in Malin Kundang in 1971, would remain at the hospital for five more days.
Rano Karno and running mate Ismet Iskandar were elected as Tangerang’s deputy regent and regent respectively earlier this year.
Rano, who is the deputy regent of Tangerang, was diagnosed with dengue and typhoid on Saturday morning at Puri Cinere Hospital in South Jakarta.
“I felt ill for two days. When I came here for a check up, I was advised to stay in hospital for treatment,” Rano was quoted as saying by Okezone.com on Sunday.
Rano said he had visited areas in Tangerang recently where he might have caused the illness.
“Tangerang is one of the most infected areas for dengue. I might have to take a rest for a while because even on the weekend I didn’t stop working,” said the 48-year-old, who gained popularity through the TV soap Si Doel Anak Sekolahan.
“My body temperature is high and my blood pressure is also getting lower,” explained the man who won the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI) award for Best Actor through his role in Taksi in 1991.
A hospital spokesperson said Rano, who has acted in more than 70 movies since his debut in Malin Kundang in 1971, would remain at the hospital for five more days.
Rano Karno and running mate Ismet Iskandar were elected as Tangerang’s deputy regent and regent respectively earlier this year.
Dewi 'Dee' files for divorce
JAKARTA: Dewi "Dee" Lestari, the author of popular sci-fi novel trilogy Supernova , has filed for divorce against R&B singer Marcell Siahaan at the Bale Bandung District Court, Antara reported.
The first trial, which commenced Tuesday, came after Dewi filed for divorce on June 27 citing irreconcilable differences.
"It is now in the process of mediation," presiding judge Eka Kartika said.
Dewi was a member of the former pop group Rida Sita Dewi before turning to literature. Her first novel, Supernova Satu: Ksatria, Putri dan Bintang Jatuh (Supernova One: A Knight, a Princess and a Shooting Star), which was translated into English and published in 2002, was nominated for a Katulistiwa Literary Award.
She married popular singer Marcell Siahaan in 2003 and gave birth a son, Keenan Sidharta, in 2004
The first trial, which commenced Tuesday, came after Dewi filed for divorce on June 27 citing irreconcilable differences.
"It is now in the process of mediation," presiding judge Eka Kartika said.
Dewi was a member of the former pop group Rida Sita Dewi before turning to literature. Her first novel, Supernova Satu: Ksatria, Putri dan Bintang Jatuh (Supernova One: A Knight, a Princess and a Shooting Star), which was translated into English and published in 2002, was nominated for a Katulistiwa Literary Award.
She married popular singer Marcell Siahaan in 2003 and gave birth a son, Keenan Sidharta, in 2004
Tora’s wife files for divorce
JAKARTA: Although his wife has filed for divorce, actor and comedian Tora Sudiro is optimistic the lawsuit could end in a re-conciliation.
“We are still in the mediation process, we are trying to be together again. As to whether we will divorce or not, we will talk about it,” Tora was quoted as saying by okezone.com after the first court hearing at the Depok Religious Court on Wednesday.
Tora, who won a Citra award for best actor at the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), said, however, that divorce might turn out to be the best solution.
“We are looking for the best solution through these hearings,” said the 35-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Taura Danang Sudiro.
Tora’s wife, Anggraini Kadiman, also confirmed the possibility of a reconciliation. “We are still looking at that possibility,” said the woman who has two children with Tora.
A second hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24, with mediation as the agenda.
“We are still in the mediation process, we are trying to be together again. As to whether we will divorce or not, we will talk about it,” Tora was quoted as saying by okezone.com after the first court hearing at the Depok Religious Court on Wednesday.
Tora, who won a Citra award for best actor at the 2004 Indonesian Film Festival (FFI), said, however, that divorce might turn out to be the best solution.
“We are looking for the best solution through these hearings,” said the 35-year-old entertainer, whose real name is Taura Danang Sudiro.
Tora’s wife, Anggraini Kadiman, also confirmed the possibility of a reconciliation. “We are still looking at that possibility,” said the woman who has two children with Tora.
A second hearing is scheduled for Nov. 24, with mediation as the agenda.
Forum: Condom Week
In regards to your article titled "Condom Week sets sights on youths" I ask that you please ask the National AIDS Commission secretary Nafsiah Mboi to confirm her statistics. She is quoted as saying that "over fifty percent of our youths below the age of 30 are already infected with sexually transmitted diseases". This seems ridiculously high!
Also your article says that "Nafsiah called on all those under the age of 40 to abstain from free sex and drugs, to be loyal to one partner, and if they still chose to have sex, to take precautions by using a condom."
Does this mean that those of us over 40 are encouraged and free to use drugs and engage in condomless free sex behind our partners backs?
BIMA
Jakarta
Bombers' bodies -- Nov. 09, Online
Under most circumstances I wouldn't be comfortable with the use of the death penalty. I'm pleased the death penalty was abolished in my home country, for example, and I wish it could be abolished here. But that is not possible.
If life imprisonment meant keeping the bombers in isolation in maximum security facilities then I'd rather they got life. The reality in Indonesia is that the bombers have had ready access to the mass media throughout their sentence and have been in regular contact with all their old associates.
Executing them was the only way to prevent further loss of life due to their continued activities as terrorists. True, they couldn't actually plant any bombs themselves while in custody, but due to the state of the Indonesian prisons they were able to do virtually anything they wished -- short of that.
They were free to spread their version of "jihad" and to encourage and support other terrorists. Lessons must be learned by the prison authorities.
DAVID
Jakarta
Families of some victims have been quite vocal in opposing this so I think that's a nonargument. I agree that this has simply made them martyrs and sadly, will not provide a happy future. The craziest have a cause celebre now and it can only get worse. I pray I'm wrong.
ALAN
Jakarta
Also your article says that "Nafsiah called on all those under the age of 40 to abstain from free sex and drugs, to be loyal to one partner, and if they still chose to have sex, to take precautions by using a condom."
Does this mean that those of us over 40 are encouraged and free to use drugs and engage in condomless free sex behind our partners backs?
BIMA
Jakarta
Bombers' bodies -- Nov. 09, Online
Under most circumstances I wouldn't be comfortable with the use of the death penalty. I'm pleased the death penalty was abolished in my home country, for example, and I wish it could be abolished here. But that is not possible.
If life imprisonment meant keeping the bombers in isolation in maximum security facilities then I'd rather they got life. The reality in Indonesia is that the bombers have had ready access to the mass media throughout their sentence and have been in regular contact with all their old associates.
Executing them was the only way to prevent further loss of life due to their continued activities as terrorists. True, they couldn't actually plant any bombs themselves while in custody, but due to the state of the Indonesian prisons they were able to do virtually anything they wished -- short of that.
They were free to spread their version of "jihad" and to encourage and support other terrorists. Lessons must be learned by the prison authorities.
DAVID
Jakarta
Families of some victims have been quite vocal in opposing this so I think that's a nonargument. I agree that this has simply made them martyrs and sadly, will not provide a happy future. The craziest have a cause celebre now and it can only get worse. I pray I'm wrong.
ALAN
Jakarta
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