'Tis the Season
With December looming, the holidays are finally upon us. For your favorite kid, check out this year's hottest toys. And for the rest of the family get your shopping done early - and FAST - with a few tips from the Chiff.com staff on gift ideas for fashion and jewelry at the best prices online. With no waiting in line at the mall.
Meanwhile, make plans for the holiday party season by wetting your whistle with wine reviews and how wine is rated by the experts. Or stomp right into learning more about the Wines of France. It all makes for great cocktail party conversation, even for the non-alcohol drinkers among us...
Talkin' Turkey, Mashed Potatoes and Pumpkin Pie
As Thanksgiving 2004 fast approaches most of you are searching the Net for recipes to prepare the annual feast. Help is definitely out there - with pages of instructions on barbecuing, deep frying roasting and more on... how to cook Thanksgiving turkey. You can also take the mystery out of preparing light, fluffy mashed potatoes - to finishing your guests off with applie pie, pumpkin pie or (a polled Chiff Staff favorite) sweet potato pie. If wine is served at your house only on special occasions, check out which wines go better with turkey, along with megapages that take visitors by the hand with instructions on what to do with the turkey leftovers. As your guests nod off, astound them with your expert knowledge of recent Thanksgiving Trivia ... and here's a grab bag of other useless information if the tintillating conversation lags:
Dr. Dre Gets Bad Vibes
Are awards shows the new reality TV? First the Anna Nicole Smith debacle during the American Music Awards. And now this. Seems the 2004 Vibe Awards are about to get more play than ever in its young run. The very first Vibe Award appeared only last year, and was hosted by none other than Queen Latifa. Which gets us to wondering: would her highness have allowed this kind of behavior? "Yo...Sit DOWN."
American Music Awards - Anna Gets Her Groove On
The American Music Awards were aired yesterday and the musical talent and tributes to the top performers and the rapper ODB were well staged...but upstaged by Anna Nicole Smith. The curvy blonde bombshell was supposed to announce rap star Kanye West. Apparently, after a few too many drinks, Anna put on a scene that will probably go down in history alongside Marilyn Monroe's famous scene with the white dress over the subway grate in The Seven Year Itch or her "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" tribute to JFK. Standing behind the podium Anna carressed her curves for a good part of 60 seconds and then asked, "Do you like my body?" The response was definitely positive...
The reponse to the awards themselves was a bit less enthusiastic. We received this email posing the question that many fans are asking:
As a long-time music fan, I have a question.What criteria was used to determine the nominees for the 2004 American MusicAwards??????? Why were Britney Spears and ChristinaAguilara NOT NOMINATED? Both artists have had at least 2 CD's released in 2004. Award Winners had NO RECENT HITS...Wish we had the answer to that!
Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day and Arafat
In the midst of on going hostilities in Iraq and around the world, this holiday is the time to step back and remember those who gave their lives... the soldiers. Veteran's Day and Remembrance Day gives honor to the troops who put themselves in danger to safeguard their society.
The death of Yasser Arafat could be an occasion to remember the soldiers lost in the battles in the Middle East and a renewed hope for peace in the region, but it doesn't appear to be working out that way. The questions about the cause of his death and the arguments about his final resting place seem to be adding to the problem. Even in death, it seems that Arafat will not be able to help the Palestinians to find peace.
19th International Competition for Choreographers
Now that the elections are over and the presidents and prime ministers are going back to business as usual, are you tired of the political dancing? Here's a change of pace involving real footwork...The Staatsoper in Hanover, Germany is holding the 19th International Competition for Choreographers during the "Oster -Tanz -Tage" on March, 26th and 27th 2005. The entries are limited to choreographers under the age of 35 and the competition is also open to professionally trained dancers.The prize will be more than public recognition of your genius...1st prize 6.000,– €
2nd prize 3.000,– €
3rd prize 2.000,– €
prize of the critics 1.000,– €
audience prize 1.000,– € If you fit the description, applications are due by the 30th of January, 2005. More information and applications are available at http://www.choreographenwettbewerb.de or email them at info@ballettgesellschaft.de.If dance isn't your favorite form of exercize, try a visit to the Historic Highlights of Germany Christmas Market Calendar. Christmas Markts are a holiday tradition that involve lots of sparkling lights, beautiful decorations, lots of mulled wine and great shopping. If you're planning a trip... these markets are a wonderful destination, but even if you plan on staying warm in your own living room, a virtual tour should do wonders for rekindling the holiday spirit.In preparation for the holidays you may want to get your Advent Calendar ready. If this is a new tradition to you, don't be surprised. Although the Germans brought it with them along with the Christmas tree, advent wreaths and Santa Claus, for some reason Advent Calendars never became as popular. Anyone who grew up with the suspense of opening a door each day in December can tell you that it's a great Christmas tradition for kids. To find out more, just visit Advent Calendars...
Leaders of the House
In the United States, the Silent Majority -- so quiet for the past few decades -- has spoken. What the election pointed out was that people are tired of the poor economy, bad health care and worse schools. They are not happy with being at war, but see no other road to quell the fear of terrorism that has stalked every public gathering since the Twin Towers fell. The vote was not an endorsement of the current administration as much as a cry of , "Enough." The world has become a place where morality is a concept that seems outdated. There is no right or wrong except as defined by the convenience of the moment. Strong religious beliefs seem to be the only defense against the chaos of the world.Of course, the scandal-ridden church establishment - sadly - can no longer claim any high moral ground. However, as citizens turn to their government for spiritual leadership, the implications for democracy are interesting if not profound.Politicians as religious leaders? As the great American humorist, Will Rogers, would say: Whoa.
A Nation Divided Cannot Stand
Jeff Jarvis has a good idea. The post-election peace pledge on his blog is a step in the right (or should it be "the correct") direction:I promise to... Support the President, even if I didn't vote for him..... Criticize the President, even if I did vote for him..... Uphold standards of civilized discourse in blogs and in media while pushing both to be better.... Unite as a nation, putting country over party, even as we work together to make America better. Vice President Cheney's remarks that the President's policies have received a mandate from the American people are not going to make the millions who do not support those policies very happy. Instead of gleefully thumbing their noses at the losers, the Administration might be better served to read the pledge and understand that the country has just gone through a nasty campaign which divided the land. Healing will not be helped by pouring salt in the wounds. If you add together the 48 percent of the Americans -- 55 million strong -- who voted against the current administration and the 30 percent of eligible Americans who didn't vote at all, you get a very formidible number. The race was close in all states. The slim victory that the Bush-Cheney ticket achieved is clearly not a mandate.While it is important to hold to the course that the majority of the voters supported, ignoring many millions of disgruntled Americans is not healthy for the country. There is some cause to hope that along with religious fervor and patriotism the next Bush administration will develop the ability to listen to opposing views without feeling threatened by them. The United States as a country split along religious, class, gender and racial lines is not a pretty picture to think about. If the small majority continues to ignore the voice of the large minority, we will lose the essence of the American dream... If the freedom and democracy that America plans to share with the world doesn't begin at home, how can others embrace it?
Is It Bush?
Another cliffhanger election in the US leaves the impression that President Bush will remain in office for the next four years. Although there is still a very slim chance that the race may go to Kerry, President Bush has let it be known that the White House intends to announce their victory today. While there are still more than a hundred thousand votes to inspect in Ohio, the voters seem to be leaning towards the incumbent.With 100 percent of the votes counted in all 11477 Ohio precincts, George W. Bush has 2,794,346 or 51 percent while the challenger, John F. Kerry received 2,658,125, only 49 percent. The race at this point is so even that the man who wins in Ohio will probably win the election. Polls showed that white men, families with incomes over $100,000 and voters who described themselves as "born again Christians" heavily favored the President while minority voters and Union members tended to vote for the Democratic candidate.The questions now are how long will it take to finalize the results and what can the US and the world expect from a second term of the Bush Presidency. The division in the country that was played up by the candidates during the campaigning will not just disappear when the election is over. The deficit is still record breaking and the American ecomony is still soft.The other far reaching result of yesterday's election was the overwhelming support for a ban on gay marriages. With the religious right a political force of major proportions, will the nation move to make the ban on gay marriage part of the Constitution? Pro-choice activists are also concerned with the outcome. One of the strongest issues of the President's campaign was his anti-abortion stance. Those who voted for President Bush cited moral issues as their biggest concern. Will this Christian conservative wave move into the mainstream? If it does, how blurred can the division between Church and State become before the cornerstones of American freedom start to crumble under the weight of righteousness? Remember that in the history of the US, the religious persecution that early colonists fled in Europe was condoned in the colonies. Many readers are familiar with works such as The Scarlet Letter where poor Hester was shunned and made to wear a scarlet A. The framers of the US Constitution took care to make sure that this would not happen in America. There is a world of difference between leaders who choose ethical solutions to the problems they face and leaders who allow religious doctrines to inform their decisions. Ethical leadership is good for the country, religious leadership leads to theocracies. Take a look at the Middle East to see how the people fare under those governments. Freedom bounded by religious doctrine is an oxymoron.Only one thing is certain. No matter who wins in the final count...the next four years will be interesting.
Is It Kerry?
Late afternoon reports shows a strong early showing for Kerry, prompting blue chip stocks to take a tumble. Also coming down are oil prices in a panic sell-off for fear that a pro-environmental ticket may in time act on its promise to rely on alternatives to foreign oil... Still haven't voted? MyPollingSite.com offers to help you find your polling site in four clicks or less.
Election 2004 - Down to the Wire
If you want to see why everyone is calling it a neck-and-neck horserace, surf on over to Rasmussen Reports for the ultimate November 1 poll showing Bush with 50% and Kerry 48% - right down to the wire and still too close to call.
And for a more detailed look at the passionate divide, check out Watchblog for diverse opinions on issues resulting in one of the most divisive elections in recent memory...
Meanwhile, seems the rest of the world is unanimously divided, as well, against the current administration and waiting with baited breath at the outcome...
More up-to-date coverage (with audio files from National Public Radio) here.
Getting Out the Vote
America goes to the polls today. The shouting is all but done and the November Presidential grudge match is on. Check out the 2004 Election Watch here throughout the day.Meanwhile, some Americans have already come to a decision based on the ferocious spin manufactured by both parties. Emotional manipulation, religious divides, fear mongering and jingoism have replaced rational debate and reasonable behavior in American politics. This year's Election-mania has been a name-calling festival of the highest order. Many voters have come to no decision at all and will make their final decision based on a mental coin toss...when they reach the voting booth. What the two men running for office have let their media wizards manufacture is a race where neither of the candidates seem fit to hold the highest office in a free democracy. Public relations teams have managed to portray both of our possible candidates as weak, deceitful men. But one has to be chosen. One of these wounded campaigners will be left with the job of trying to get the American economy back on track... with trying to make the mess that now exists in Iraq into a war that can end in a peaceful solution (or lessen its costs in terms of lives and money)... with bringing children back into schools where they are safe, and who can expect good teachers to educate them... while dealing with hot button issues such as stem cell research and gay marriage.
As Americans head for the polls today, the hope is that they will not be herded by the Spin Machine. At the end of the day, the man who can put order back where there is chaos now should be the one who is elected. Neither is a knight in shining armor, but the one who wins must be a sane and rational leader who can stop the American people from losing their jobs at home...their lives overseas and their ability to pay for food, shelter and health care. No matter where you stand on political divide today, just remember that the people who really decide elections are those who don't vote.
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