Tuesday, March 06, 2007
G.I. Joe live action movie planned
Devil's Due now publishes the comic book, taking it over from Marvel (wiki history).
Movies IGN article
A Question of Scale
by Kurt Cobb
The global scale of industrial operations and logistics is heavily dependent of finite fossil fuels. And, the current system has become an engine for successively destroying the sustainability of each locale as that system draws needed resources--water, food, fuel, minerals--from places that still have them to places that have depleted them or have more need of them than they can supply locally or even nationally.
So it follows that the way back to sustainability is to break the stranglehold of the globalized economy on our local economies. Herein lies the problem of scale for organizations seeking to act as midwives in this process. In the United States and probably many other countries serious regulatory and legal obstacles can get in the way of any relocalization project. State and federal rules may frustrate and even prevent wise sustainability practices and rules.
Tin Cheung Dei Gau cf
Another cf:
A Taiwanese cf that's been dubbed:
Other cfs, in Taiwanese:
PLA prepared to invade Taiwan
CHINA – TAIWAN
PLA prepared to invade Taiwan
In response to Taiwanese President Chen’s statements on independence, General Guo, who ranks second to President Hu in military chain of command, says mainland would attack. Foreign Minister Li yesterday branded anyone who wants to split Taipei from Beijing a “criminal.”
Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – China’s armed forces would invade Taiwan should the island proclaim its independence, this according to General Guo Boxiong, State news agency Xinhua reported. General Guo, who ranks second only to President and Armed Forces Chairman Hu Jintao, made these comments during a discussion with military delegates to the National People’s Congress (NPC) currently underway in Beijing.
The People's Liberation Army (PLA) would respond to a declaration of independence and “"effectively perform our glorious mission of safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity in accordance with the will of the motherland and the wishes of the people,” the general said. He urged PLA soldiers and officers to “heighten [their] sense of responsibility and sense of urgency” and make an all-out effort to “get well-prepared for military struggle.”
The general’s comments came in the wake of statements made by Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian who last Sunday said that “Taiwan should be independent” and that it was “a country whose sovereignty lies outside the People's Republic of China.”
China's Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing also responded to President Chen saying that anyone trying to split Taiwan from the mainland was a “criminal” and that China was ready to enforce its “anti-secession law” (which calls for military action in case of Taiwan’s independence).
Similarly, in a speech before the NPC, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated his government’s policy vis-à-vis Taiwan.
“We are resolutely opposed to Taiwan seeking de jure independence” and “all acts seeking independence,” he said. As in the case of Hong Kong, unification will be achieved on the basis of the “policy of ‘one country, two systems’.”
China on Sunday also announced a 17.8 per cent rise in military spending this year to 350 billion yuan but the United States believes the figure to be much higher.
Still, Washington said the mainland represents no military threat to others and has several times reminded Taiwan not to alter the status quo.
“Rhetoric that could raise doubts about these commitments [to the status quo] is unhelpful," State department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Taiwan’s vice president running to be island’s first female president
Taiwan’s vice president running to be island’s first female president
Called “insane” and “scum of the nation” in mainland China, Annette Lu announces her intention to run for president in 2008 but few believe she can win her party’s primaries.
Taipei (AsiaNews) – Taiwan's Vice President Annette Lu, whom the mainland has called "insane" and the “scum of the nation,” said on Tuesday that she was going to run for the presidency in 2008 and become the island's first female president.
Ms Lu, who belongs to President Chen’s Democratic Progressive Party, has however few chances of winning next year's elections. Many doubt she has even enough support to win her party's primary elections—which already includes three other solid candidates.
Moreover, she has repeatedly angered the Beijing government with her support for Taiwanese independence, and tensions with the mainland would probably rise if she were elected. For her “Taiwan is a Pacific country, not an affiliate of China.”
In China she has been called the “scum of the nation” but she has shrugged off the criticism, calling it "silly" and saying it only helps draw more global attention and sympathy to her cause.
Taiwan has been ruled separately from China after the Nationalists lost the civil war and fled the mainland before the victorious Communists in 1949. Beijing has insisted ever since that Taiwan must be reunified to the motherland “by any means.”
Anson Chan’s plans for full democracy
HONG KONG
Anson Chan’s plans for full democracy
Hong Kong’s popular former chief secretary wants to abolish uninominal functional constituencies and regroup them so that they represent broader interests and have a wider electoral base.
Hong Kong (AsiaNews/SCMP) – Anson Chan Fang On-sang, former chief secretary in the last British colonial administration and the first post-reunification government, is proposing that functional constituencies representing business interests and professions, which elect half the legislature, be broadened to make them more representative before their final abolition in 2016. If adopted this would be a first step towards full democracy in the Territory.
In her proposal, functional constituencies would be regrouped ahead of next year’s Legislative Council elections into multi-member constituencies in which legislators elected would represent the interests of not just one, but several, trade and professional groups. This would bridge narrow sectoral interests and make elected representatives accountable to the public rather than to a particular constituency.
She said preparations for change should start immediately.
“If we thought that it was not possible in 2008, then of course we would not put forth this proposal. I do not feel that the chances are low for its implementation because if everybody thought we should start taking a step forward, 2008 is the start,” she is quoted as saying in the South China Morning Post.
Under existing rules, 27 functional constituencies return one member to the Legislative Council—only the labour sector is multi-member, electing three representatives.
Under the proposals, constituencies would be regrouped into 10 multi-member constituencies next year, according to the nature of the groups' business. For example, the current insurance, finance, financial services, and information technology constituencies would become a four-member constituency.
Each voter within any of the sectors could cast one vote, and the four candidates with the most votes would be elected to the Council to represent all four groups.
The danger of any group with a large number of voters dominating those with fewer voters would be offset by broadening of the franchise.
If functional constituency seats cannot be scrapped by 2012, the 10 seats created in 2008 should be grouped into three five-member constituencies—industrial, commercial and financial; the professional sector; and labour, social services and other sectors. The other 15 functional constituency members elected in 2008 would be directly elected.
As an alternative, the current constituencies could be retained but return only 15 members in 2012 and be phased out by 2016.
However, Ma Lik, chairman of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, said that the issue of electoral change in 2007 and 2008 was effectively closed.
“It's impractical to talk about changes in 2008,” he said.
Some Kim Ha Neul vids
Rosehill cf
LG Curair
EtN Interview
Monday, March 05, 2007
Rocking the subprime house of cards
Julian Delasantellis
And...
A healthier - and better armed - China
In an effort to placate the public over rising costs and promote its social-harmony program, China plans to increase government spending sharply on medical care and education. Military spending will also rise by nearly 18%. - Wu Zhong
From Daily Reckoning:
Horrible Economic Death
Bishop Alfeev on Music as Prayer
Bishop Alfeev on Music as Prayer
Interview With Russian Orthodox Composer
ROME, MARCH 5, 2007 ( Zenit.org).- Music in church should be an avenue to deeper prayer, not a distraction, says a Russian Orthodox bishop and composer.
Bishop Hilarion Alfeev of Vienna and Austria is the representative of the Russian Orthodox Church of Moscow to the European Community.
His latest composition, "The Passion According to Matthew," will be performed in Moscow and then in Rome on March 29. The Holy Week concert seeks to promote Christian unity, especially among Catholics and Orthodox.
In this interview with ZENIT, the Lithuania-born Bishop Alfeev discusses his latest composition, the central role of music in the Orthodox liturgy, Christian unity, and some thoughts on Pope Benedict XVI.
Q: When did you receive the inspiration for this musical composition? Why the Passion according to St. Matthew?
Bishop Alfeev: The inspiration came out of the blue as I was driving from Vienna to Budapest on Aug. 19, 2006, the feast of the Holy Transfiguration, according to the Julian calendar.
I suddenly thought that I should write a musical composition on the Passion story and that this music should be based on the Orthodox liturgical texts from the Passion Week.
The title, "The Passion According to Matthew," also came immediately and I had no doubt that I should use St. Matthew's account of the Passion. By choosing this title I also wanted to declare my indebtedness to J.S. Bach, whose music has always been for me a source of deepest inspiration.
In Budapest, I celebrated the service dedicated to St. Stephen of Hungary on Aug. 20, and on Aug. 21, I drove back to Vienna. As I was driving, the first melodies began to come, and I began to record them in my memory. As soon as I arrived, I started to put them on paper. I then worked very hard for about three weeks.
I canceled one or two international trips, I almost did not respond to phone calls and e-mails, and I could not sleep during nights, because melodies continued to come to my mind even at 3 in the morning.
On Sept. 10, the main bulk of work was finished. I left music aside for a couple of months, and then returned to it again in order to make sufficient revisions and to compose new movements instead of some of the original ones which I decided to remove.
In my composition, the Orthodox understanding of the Passion story is reflected. It differs from the understanding that is characteristic of Western religious art, where accent is often laid on Christ's humanity rather than on his divinity.
Orthodox tradition avoids naturalism in depicting the Passions: On the Orthodox icon of crucifixion, Jesus is depicted dead, not in agony, and his death on the cross is contemplated not as a moment of horror, but as a moment of glory.
The same attitude is reflected in the Orthodox liturgical texts. Moreover, almost every time when these texts mention the Passion, they also mention the Resurrection.
Being based on the Orthodox liturgical texts and inspired by the Orthodox singing, my music is as much about despair as about hope; as much about suffering as about redemption; as much about death as about resurrection.
Q: Why will the concert be presented in Rome after presenting it in Moscow?
Bishop Alfeev: This was not my idea: It came from the chief conductor of the Choir of the State Tretyakov Gallery, Alexei Puzakov. He was the first musician who heard my music as I was composing it -- I played it to him from Vienna, and he listened through telephone receiver.
He suggested that it should be performed not only in Moscow, but also in Rome, since the Passion Week and Easter coincide this year for Catholics and Orthodox.
In November I showed the score to Vladimir Fedoseev, and he very kindly agreed to conduct the performance. The dates for both concerts were chosen by Fedoseev: These were, in fact, the only dates available for the Grand Symphony Orchestra during this year.
Q: If you meet the Pope, what will you say to him?
Bishop Alfeev: I would say to him that, in my view, the time has come for a much closer collaboration between the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches.
I do not believe that the restoration of full Eucharistic communion between East and West after almost a millennium of separation is something that is going to happen in the foreseeable future and I do not think that the theological problems that exist between us could be easily solved by the Joint Theological Commission.
But it seems to me that we should not wait until all the problems are solved and full harmony is achieved. It may never happen.
We must begin a much closer collaboration here and now, without any further delays. The challenges we are facing in Europe and elsewhere, such as relativism, militant secularism, radical Islam, are those we could and should address together.
I was deeply satisfied when I read Cardinal Ratzinger's speech during the conclave in which he declared war on relativism. I also noted that in his Regensburg lecture he went beyond the limits of political correctness because he felt that the issue he was addressing was important. The reaction that followed only confirmed that he had touched the heart of the matter.
Traditional Christianity nowadays needs to be defended from both the external challenges I mentioned, and the internal challenge of growing liberalization of doctrine and morality within some Protestant communities. I feel, and I often say openly that ecumenical relations with the Protestant world become ever more problematic and ever less hopeful.
The gap between traditional and liberal versions of Christianity is widening, and it is mostly Catholics and Orthodox -- including non-Chalcedonian Churches -- who stay on the traditional side, while many Protestant communities adopt liberal standards.
We, Catholics and Orthodox, are allies, not rivals. The sooner we come to understand it, the better.
Such understanding also implies that every form of proselytism should be excluded from our everyday missionary practice. We have a common mission, and we must work together in order to bring Christ to people.
Our task is not to convert the Orthodox to Catholicism, or Catholics to Orthodoxy, but to convert nonbelievers into faith, non-Christians into Christianity.
Q: What role does music have in your personal prayer life?
Bishop Alfeev: Music plays a very important role in the Orthodox liturgy. As a bishop I celebrate liturgy every Sunday and on all feast days. The quality of the choir and the repertoire that it chooses is something of importance for me.
Being formed as a musician from my very early years, I cannot completely dissociate myself from music when it is sung in the church, and even as I am reading liturgical prayers, I continue to hear the singing.
Last summer I composed "The Divine Liturgy" and "The All-Night Vigil" for the choir a cappella. My main aim was to write such music that would not distract from prayer either for me or my parishioners.
Singing in the church should be oriented towards prayer and should not be turned into a concert, as often happens.
The best examples of a truly prayerful singing could be found in Russian Znamenny chant, an equivalent of the Western Gregorian chant. This unison chant is simple, but it is meaningful and moving.
For more on Znamenny chant, see this post on Valaam Monastery.
Plus:
Russian Znamenny Chant
OrthodoxWiki entry
Chants of the Russian Middle Ages
Church of the Nativity
Orthodox Choral and Sacred Music Resources
Early Christian Liturgics
Russian Orthodox Old Believers
More from Valaam
Frequently asked questions about Byzantine Chant
OCA - Liturgical Music Downloads
Pdf files:
THE ZNAMENNY CHANT OF THE RUSSIAN CHURCH Part II By ALFRED J. SWAN
MUSIC OF THE EASTERN CHURCHES
RUSSIAN LITURGICAL MUSIC AND ITS RELATION TO TWENTIETH-CENTURY IDEALS
JSTOR: The Znamenny Chant of the Russian Church--Part I
Angie Chiu videos, pt 1
Angie Chiu – White Snake
Some scenes from The Bund set to some more recent song
White Snake's Love Story
The Reincarnated Princess MV
MV for that Qian Long series
She turned 50 not too long ago...
Greeting for NY's I think...
September 11, 2006
A clip of her singing
Haha... that song brings back memories... I know someone who tried to sing it to me once...
Al-Qaeda's Resurgence
AL-QAEDA'S RESURGENCE, Part 1
Ready to take on the world
AL-QAEDA'S RESURGENCE, Part 2
Looking for a new home in Iraq
Benedict XVI Pays Tribute to Paul VI
Benedict XVI Pays Tribute to Paul VI
Says He Was a Prudent Helmsman
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 5, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI paid tribute to Pope Paul VI, saying he was a protagonist in a difficult historical period.
The Holy Father said this on Saturday, when receiving members of the Paul VI Institute, a Brescia, Italy-based organization which collects documentation and promotes the thought of Giovanni Battista Montini, who was Bishop of Rome from 1963 to 1978.
Benedict XVI mentioned some personal memories of this Pope, who appointed him archbishop of Munich in March 1977 and elevated him to cardinal three months later.
"He was called by divine providence to pilot Peter's boat during a historical period characterized by many challenges and problems," Benedict XVI said.
Paul VI was the first modern Pope to journey to the Holy Land, on the occasion of the historic meeting with Patriarch Athenagoras I in Jerusalem in January 1964, nine centuries after the schism between the Churches of the East and West.
That visit "had a clear symbolic meaning" and "indicated to the Church that the path of its mission consists in reiterating the footsteps of Christ," the German Pope said in his tribute.
He added: "The secret of the pastoral action carried out by Paul VI with tireless dedication, adopting on occasions difficult and unpopular decisions," lies in his love of Christ and his total dedication to Jesus, as well as in "a missionary tension nourished by the sincere desire for dialogue with humanity."
In the period after the Second Vatican Council, which Paul VI closed, he "did not let himself be conditioned by misunderstandings and criticisms, though at times he had to endure suffering and violent attacks," Benedict XVI said, "but in all circumstances he was a firm and prudent helmsman of Peter's boat."
The Paul VI Institute arose in 1979. In addition to archives, it has a 30,000-volume library, including 10,000 books from Paul VI's personal library.
I know some who would disagree with the Holy Father's assessment of Paul VI. Not only that, but as Cardinal Ratzinger he had some words about the implementation of liturgical reform and the promulgation of the new missal. Can he really say that the new missal was a prudent act? So, which assessment do we accept? Fortunately the Holy Father is not a postulator of the cause for canonization for Pope Paul VI.
It's unfortunate when the shepherds of the Church must say something other than what they may actually think, in order to be "tactful"--this is a false form of tactfulness and actually is known by another name. The Church needs to stop imitating academia and contemporary politicians; before it was a John Paul II Cultural Center, now it's the Paul VI institute... I don't doubt that Fr. Fessio has something in mind to honor Benedict XVI.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
"Men civilize men"
On the Transfiguration
"To Pray Is Not to Evade Reality"
VATICAN CITY, MARCH 4, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI delivered today before reciting the midday Angelus with several thousand people gathered in St. Peter's Square.
* * *
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
On this Second Sunday of Lent, the Evangelist Luke underlines that Jesus went up the mountain "to pray" (9:28) together with the apostles Peter, James and John and, "as he was praying" (9:29) the luminous mystery of his transfiguration took place.
For the three apostles, to go up on the mountain meant to be involved in Jesus' prayer, who often withdrew to pray, especially at dawn or after sundown, and sometimes during the whole night. However, on that occasion alone, on the mountain, he wished to manifest to his friends the interior light that invaded him when he prayed: His face -- we read in the Gospel -- his countenance was altered and his raiment became dazzling, reflecting the splendor of the divine person of the Incarnate Word (cf. Luke 9:29).
There is another detail in St. Luke's narrative which is worth underlining: It indicates the object of Jesus' conversation with Moses and Elijah, who appeared next to him when transfigured. The Evangelist narrates that they "spoke of his departure (in Greek, 'exodos'), which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem" (9:31).
Therefore, Jesus listens to the Law and the prophets that speak to him of his death and resurrection. In his intimate dialogue with his Father, he does not leave history, he does not flee from the mission for which he came into the world, though he knows that to attain glory he will have to go through the cross. What is more, Christ enters this mission more profoundly, adhering with all his being to the will of the Father, and he shows us that true prayer consists precisely in uniting our will to the Father's.
Therefore, for a Christian to pray is not to evade reality and the responsibilities it entails, but to assume them to the end, trusting in the faithful and inexhaustible love of the Lord. For this reason, the proof of the Transfiguration is, paradoxically, the agony in Gethsemane (cf. Luke 22:39-46). Given the imminence of the passion, Jesus experiences mortal anguish and entrusts himself to the divine will; at that moment his prayer is a pledge of salvation for us all. Christ, in fact, would implore the heavenly Father to "save him from death" and, as the author of the Letter to the Hebrews writes, "he was heard for his godly fear" (5:7). The Resurrection is proof that he was heard.
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Prayer is not something accessory, it is not "optional," but rather a question of life or death. Only one who prays, that is, who entrusts himself to God with filial love, can enter into eternal life, which is God himself. During this season of Lent, let us pray to Mary, mother of the Incarnate Word and teacher of the spiritual life, to teach us to pray as her Son did so that our life is transformed by the light of his presence.
[Translation by ZENIT]
[After praying the Angelus, the Pope greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors gathered for the "Angelus" prayer, including the group from Saint Brigid's parish in Killester, Dublin. Today's Gospel invites us to ponder the mystery of Christ's Transfiguration, to acknowledge him as the Incarnate Son of God, and to follow him along the way that leads to the saving mystery of his Cross and Resurrection. During this Lenten season, may you grow closer to the Lord in prayer, and may he shed the light of his countenance upon you and your families!
© Copyright 2007 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
Last chance to see Mr. Hogwood for a while...

If I am able to return to California, that is...
Today Mr. Christopher Hogwood (big photo), conductor laureate for the Handel and Haydn Society, conducted the ensemble in a performance of Haydn and Mozart. I was able to get a rush ticket (sold 3 hours before the performance) for $9--I thought it was $10. The concert was well-attended, but there were still plenty of seats in the back. I can't remember the last H&H concert I attended; it must have been at least a year and half since I've been to one.

Before getting the ticket I went to St. Clement's Eucharistic Shrine (under the care of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary) for liturgy. The homily and music could have been worse (and it is worse at other parishes in Boston). There were a lot of young people in attendance at the 11 A.M. Mass; I don't know if they are Berklee students, or BU students, or young professionals.
Most of the Berklee students have the grunge/slacker look, and I don't find it becoming or attractive. It's unfortunate--it gives me a bad impression, and reinforces the stereotype that they think music is so important in comparison to other things (while maintaining a leftist view of politics and of the world). Perhaps Asian students might be an exception (there are some foreign students), but there are plenty who dress like their American peers--I've seen some Japanese guys who have dressed like that. The Korean (and Japanese?) women usually dress better.

For lunch I dropped by Bombay Cafe--it may be the last time I go there for a while. Tandoori chicken is ok, but I got tired of it fast--I'm not sure if it is the tandoori itself, or just Bombay Cafe. Anyway, all that chicken made me reconsider getting fried chicken for dinner. (But after 4 or 5 hours I had forgotten my aversion to chicken.)


After lunch I walked up the street to take a peek inside St. Cecilia Church. Nothing really to look at, on the inside, as far as I'm concerned.


Then I walked by Christian Science Plaza, the Mary Baker Eddy Library and the First Church of Christ, Scientist (Church of Christ Scientist Worldwide). It's unbelievable that they could get all this money to build these buildings (after all, how many practicing Christian Scientists are there these days), but then again it's New England. I remember passing through here once with EJK, she was impressed by the buildings...
I would have taken a picture of the reflection pool if there was water in it.
A shot of the Prudential Building and the southwest corner of the Prudential Center.
Horticultural Hall
Symphony Hall:


I once again fell asleep during parts of the concert, blah; I tried to take a nap before the concert started, but no luck. I don't know what it is, the seats? If I could get up in the middle of the concert and do something to keep myself awake, I would, but I'm sure the other patrons wouldn't appreciate the distraction. Gotta do some wind sprints...


After the concert Mr. Hogwood and several of the soloists gathered for an informal Q&A session with those who stayed behind to listen. I enjoyed this very much, and Mr. Hogwood's voice wasn't what I expected, but still what one expects of an English accent. I was going to ask him to sign my program, but he had to leave and the ushers were trying to get people leave the building, since the time for H&H was up. (Speaking of ushers, the red-haired usher is still at Symphony Hall--I don't know if she volunteers at any of the other venues.) One of the audience members commented that he didn't like the first half of the program--he said it was "artificial" or "fake Mozart"--Mr. Hogwood had made an arrangement of Fantasy for Mechanical Organ, K. 608 for orchestra. He mentioned that as the piece was originally written for a machine, it required more than what human performers could give. Apparently while his work was written primarily for human performers, Mozart's mind was such that he had complicated "musical ideas" that could be executed only by machines, and therefore would not normally find expression. Ah... the genius of Mozart.
I tried to find Popeye's in Kenmore Square, 645 Beacon St., but I don't think it has been built yet--unless it's on the other side of Commonwealth Avenue, but I doubt it. My guess is that it should be across the street from Barnes and Noble, but there is nothing there right now, since the MBTA is renovating Kenmore Station. I decided to skip the backup plan (going to KFC), and just come home...
A shot of Kenmore Square and the Citgo sign:
Comptroller Says Medicare Program Endangers Financial Stability
Comptroller Says Medicare Program Endangers Financial Stability
America's Red Ink
The Office of the Comptroller General
wiki for David M. Walker
an older article: Comptroller Says Medicare Program Endangers Financial Stability

