Academia should be a bastion of intellectual freedom, but this retraction shows writers are expected to keep the status quo Playwrights who speak out often suffer a backlash. It happened to Harold Pinter in Britain, and the latest example is Tony Kushner in the US . He was supposed to receive an honorary degree from John Jay College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY), but it’s now been vetoed because of a protest from a single trustee who claims that Kushner is anti-Israel. Kushner himself has robustly denied the charge that he ever advocated a boycott of Israel, however critical he may be of Israeli defence policies. It makes you wonder whether any self-respecting intellectual will in future want to accept an honorary degree from a college that seems so ready to stifle open debate. The irony is that Kushner is, among many other things, a profoundly Jewish playwright. He first came to attention with A Bright Room Called Day , which showed a group of friends in Weimar Germany in 1932-33 disintegrating under the pressure of Hitler’s rise to power. And Kushner’s most famous work, Angels in America , pits a conservative Mormon against a liberal Jew, depicts closeted gay McCarthy henchman Roy Cohn as both a political Machiavelli and an incarnation of life force, and rejects stasis in favour of reconciliation, hope and the possibility of change. What is absurd is that Kushner should be penalised at all for speaking out on the subject of modern Israel. But society likes its playwright to know their place. Pinter was constantly mocked in the media for attacking the lies and falsehoods of American foreign policy and its British supporters – until, that is, the invasion of Iraq on dubious legal and moral grounds woke people up to the truth of what he was saying. Like Kushner, Pinter was also highly critical of modern Israel, while affirming its right to exist . The key difference is that Kushner is operating in a society where support for Israeli policy is embedded in the national psyche and where any criticism is tantamount to heresy. I still find the withdrawal of Kushner’s proposed degree deeply depressing. It seems to be based on a totally inaccurate representation of Kushner’s actual views. It denies the fact that a playwright is a citizen as well as an artist and has a perfect right to express an opinion on public issues. Above all, it undermines the idea that, in a nation such as the USA, academia is the last bastion of intellectual freedom. In the end, it simply makes CUNY look puny. Tony Kushner Theatre Harold Pinter Higher education New York Israel United States Michael Billington guardian.co.uk
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Union urges meeting with London Underground after one of two drivers whose sacking sparked planned strikes wins tribunal Tube union chiefs have demanded a meeting with London Underground in an effort to avert strike action after one of two drivers at the centre of an employment row won his claim of unfair dismissal. Eamonn Lynch, a Bakerloo line driver sacked for breaking safety rules, took his case to an employment tribunal, claiming his dismissal was based on his trade union activities. London Underground said on Friday that a meeting with the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union could not be held before the tribunal released its ruling on whether Lynch should be reinstated, expected on 3 June. The first of six planned walkouts, which threaten travel chaos for millions of passengers, is scheduled for 16 May. The RMT has backed the case of the second sacked driver, Arwyn Thomas, who is claiming unfair dismissal after being sacked for “unacceptable and abusive behaviour” towards colleagues. His tribunal result is expected later this month. Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT, said: “We welcome Eamonn’s victory in the tribunal and we are calling for an immediate meeting with London Underground in the light of the ruling that he was unfairly dismissed for his trade union activities. “With the clear parallel with Arywn Thomas’s case, there is now an urgent need for London Underground to meet with the RMT to set out a plan for a return to work that can avoid plunging London into two blocks of strike action that everyone knows will lead to massive disruption. “The tribunal has found in favour of the RMT, justice has been done and now we need to meet with the company to finalise arrangements that can enable us to move forwards as quickly as possible.” An RMT spokesman said: “London Underground has no excuse not to reinstate these two drivers. It will ultimately be a decision for our executive, but if we can get these guys back to work we can move on with looking again at these dates for industrial action.” London Underground said it would study the outcome of the employment tribunal judgment and “carefully consider our next steps”. It added in a statement: “Whilst the tribunal has made a finding of unfair dismissal, it has also found that on 9 August 2010 Mr Lynch breached an established and significant safety rule and was in part culpable or blameworthy for his actions.” London Underground urged the RMT to call off the threatened strikes . Its managing director, Mike Brown, said: “As we have always said, disputes involving individuals should be dealt with through the mechanisms established for that purpose. “While that process takes its course, there remains no reason whatsoever for the RMT leadership to seek to disrupt Londoners by threatening strike action.” The first set of strike dates are: • 9.01pm on Monday 16 May to 11.59am on Tuesday 17 May • 12 noon on Wednesday 18 May to 11.59am on Thursday 19 May • 12 noon to 9pm on Friday 20 May The second set of dates are: • 9.01pm on Monday 13 June to 11.59am on Tuesday 14 June • 12 noon on Wednesday 15 June to 11.59am on Thursday 16 June • 12 noon to 9pm on Friday 17 June The move follows a 2-1 vote in favour of industrial action over the sackings by RMT members. They held a 24-hour strike in January over their dismissals and several other stoppages have taken place in recent months. Lynch is the RMT’s health and safety representative for Bakerloo line drivers and Thomas is a longstanding RMT activist. Transport for London (TfL) alleged Lynch breached safety rules while Thomas was abusive towards colleagues. The RMT said Lynch had an “unblemished” 15-year service record while Thomas had been an RMT member for 29 years and both were “clearcut cases of victimisation on the grounds of trade union activity”. Brown said on Wednesday that only 29% of the 1,300 drivers balloted had voted in favour of strike action. “The RMT leadership seems determined to disrupt London and its economy over several days. As ever, London Underground and TfL will work to keep London moving if the strikes go ahead,” he said. Meanwhile, the threat of further disruption to tube travellers grew on Friday when the RMT said it would ballot Jubilee line drivers for industrial action over changes to safety procedures. London Transport Trade unions Bob Crow guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …A toddler died a month shy of his second birthday after a routine circumcision at a Manhattan hospital. Jamaal Coleson Jr.’s uncle accuses Beth Israel Medical Center of botching the operation by giving the boy a general analgesic instead of a local one. Jamaal, who died 10 hours after…
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We’re sure you heard the rumors when hanging out in your ASUS fanboy haunts, wearing your ASUS logo hats and medallions, talking your crazy ASUS lingo with your fellow ASUS scenesters. Or maybe you thought something was up when Amazon sold out immediately. Either way, there has been plenty of chatter in the gadgetsphere as of late about the Eee Pad Transformer. Why is it so hard to find? Are component shortages to blame? Quality control issues? We’ve heard plenty of speculation, and now ASUSTek spokesperson David Chang is weighing in on the matter. According to Netbook News , the company has seen overwhelming demand for the device, and is currently planning to put 100,000 units on the street in May, followed by an additional 200,000-plus in June. “If the demand continues to increase substantially,” said Chan, “then we will have to continue to ramp up production in order to fulfill our customers’ demand.” You know, that’s exactly what we would do if we were in that situation! ASUS: Eee Pad Transformer delays due to demand, not component shortages originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 10:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Government’s advisory committee says it is time to look elsewhere for causes of leukaemia clusters Nuclear power plants have been cleared of causing childhood cancers by experts from the government’s advisory committee, which says experts should now be looking for other reasons, perhaps infections or even viruses, to explain leukaemia clusters in their vicinity. The 14th report (pdf) from COMARE, the committee on medical aspects of radiation in the environment , reviewed again all childhood leukaemia cases reported around 13 nuclear power plants in the UK. It was a response to a request last year from the department of health and devolved authorities as the UK prepares to build the most ambitious new fleet of nuclear reactors in Europe . Not only did the committee find no increase in cases linked to emissions, but it also found similar numbers of leukaemia in proximity to sites that had been considered for nuclear power plants, but where building did not take place. There were 20 cases of leukaemia in a child under five within a five-kilometre radius of one of the 13 power plants and 430 cases within 25 kikometres. There were 26 cases within five kilometres of one of the seven potential sites and 492 within 25 kilometres. Prof Alex Elliott, chair of COMARE, said it was time to look elsewhere for causes. “We should be keeping a watching brief but we think we should be looking at other places,” he said. There are other theories about the possible causes of cancer near power plants. Socioeconomic links have been established – the young children who develop leukaemia are more likely to be from higher socio-economic groups, which are a larger proportion of the staff working in nuclear installations. Childhood cancer is also less likely in over-populated areas, which is where the UK tends to site its power stations. Among the other possible explanations are the infection hypothesis of Leo Kinlan, which suggests that the cancers are triggered by the arrival of a group of people to work in the plant and their families carrying microorganisms from other parts of the country. A new unpublished US study has suggested a virus may be to blame. The COMARE report will be a blow to the Heysham Anti-Nuclear Alliance, which in March launched a legally aided action against the government’s nuclear expansion programme . Their case centres on a German study, which COMARE was specifically asked to review. The Kinderkrebs in der Umgebung von Kernkraftwerken (KIIK) study found a link between leukemia clusters and German power plants. But COMARE says KIIK was heavily influenced by cancer cases diagnosed between 1980 and 1990 and did not take fully into account later years when the risk was lower. KIIK was a case control study, not a geographical study of the sort COMARE undertakes, said Elliott. Nuclear power Health Cancer Children Sarah Boseley guardian.co.uk
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• Spaniard’s family releases a statement on his website • Ballesteros had surgery on a brain tumour in 2008 The family of the golfing legend Seve Ballesteros has reported a “severe deterioration” in the 54-year-old’s health in his continuing battle against cancer. Ballesteros has been receiving medical treatment since 2008, when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Since then, the five-times major winner has undergone four operations and chemotherapy. The family’s statement, issued on Friday via Ballesteros’s website , said: “The family of Seve Ballesteros can report a severe deterioration in his neurological condition. The family will provide information on his state of health when more news becomes available.” Ballesteros, who announced his retirement from golf in 2007, collapsed at Madrid airport in October 2008 and two days later came confirmation that he had a brain tumour. He underwent an initial 12-hour operation, but further surgery was necessary before he was well enough to return home and begin chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment. “I am very motivated and working hard, although I am aware that my recovery will be slow and therefore I need to be patient and have a lot of determination,” he said at the time. “For these reasons I am following strictly all the instructions that the doctors are giving me. Besides, the physiotherapists are doing a great job on me and I feel better every day.” After a second course of chemotherapy at Madrid’s La Paz hospital in February 2009 he said on his website: “The results of the check-up were really positive, better even than the first ones.” In December 2009 he appeared on television to receive the BBC’s lifetime achievement award at the Sports Personality of the Year event. He won the Open three times, the Masters twice and played an inspirational role in the Ryder Cup, helping Europe to lift the trophy in 1985, 1987, 1989 and 1995 before captaining them to another victory at Valderrama two years later. Ballesteros turned professional in 1974 at the age of 16 and made his first huge impact two years later by finishing second in the Open alongside Jack Nicklaus at Royal Birkdale. His first major title came in the 1979 Open at Royal Lytham; he then became Masters champion in 1980 and 1983 and lifted the Claret Jug again at St Andrews in 1984 – perhaps his greatest moment – and back at Lytham in 1988. After a total of 87 tournament wins, his retirement came following years of battling arthritic back and knee problems. He was planning a farewell appearance for British fans at last year’s Open at St Andrews – not in the main event, but in the four-hole Champions’ Challenge – but was not well enough to travel. Only last month Phil Mickelson decided on a Spanish menu for the champions’ dinner at the Masters in Augusta in honour of Ballesteros. Seve Ballesteros Golf Ewan Murray guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …JOHN Travolta believes his religion will save Lindsay Lohan and her career! Travolta,who is a devout Scientologist has reportedly introduced Lindsay Lohan to his and Tom Cruise’s religion-Scientology. The 57-year-old actor suggested Lohan to give the sci-fi cult a try to help her get her life and career back on track. It is believed that John Travolta Introduces Scientology To Lindsay Lohan is a post from: Daily World Buzz
Continue reading …The power struggle between Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is getting more intense—and a lot weirder. Several people close to Ahmadinejad and his chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, have been arrested in recent days and charged with being magicians and summoning genies, reports…
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West Side Story Remix rihanna & Jay-z run this town(London) *NEW 2011* Chris Brown Ft. Big Sean & Lazey – Got Damn Rumors : JAY-Z ADDRESSES THE ILLUMINATI RUMORS AGAIN! JAY-Z GOT NO HELP FROM THE ILLUMINATI! Maybe Sky magazine is a lil’ behind on their info, but they talked to Jay-Z about the never-ending rumor that he is into the Illuminati. “I may sound a little arrogant but I just think people … Jay-Z Talks Illuminati Rumors, “Watch The Throne” Delays | Urban … Rap heavyweight Jay-Z recently did an interview with Delta Sky magazine where he discussed rumors of ties with the illuminati and the delay of his highly anticipated collaborative album with Kanye West. Back in January, both Jay and … Jay Z Covers Sky, Addresses Illuminati | Pop Culture Fix | Your … jay_sky. The next time you are a Delta flight, check out the latest issue of Sky magazine, featuring Jay Z . In the interview Jay talks about everything from a new label to Broadway, and addresses those pesky Illuminati rumors and the … Aloe Blacc – 99 Problems ( Jay-Z cover) | Doobybrain.com Aloe Blacc – 99 Problems ( Jay-Z cover). May 5, 2011 @ 11:42 pm. Listen to this. Seriously, listen to this! Thanks Jeff! Share this: Email · Facebook · Reddit · Digg · StumbleUpon · 911 call about train hitting a Ferrari … Syllables Eminem Ft Jay Z , 50 Cent, Dr Dre, Cashis & Stat Quo … Eminem Ft. Jay-Z , 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, Cashis & Stat Quo– Syllables It’s not about lyrics anymore, it’s about a hot beat and a catchy hook Eminem If we gotta dumb down our style and ABC it then so be it cause nowadays these kids, … joshuabrendan says: RT @jon_avila : Ok so I heard Bruno Mars is currently in the studio making a song with Jay-z ,Beyonce and Swiss Beats.oh my!
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THE BEAVER HD Movie part 5/7 PopWrap On Tap 5.06.2011 Your Weekend Movie – May 6th The Beaver and Hobo with a Shotgun – Reason Magazine The Beaver . It’s not often that a popular actor sunk in disgrace and surrounded by media and movie-biz hostility can mount a comeback. Fatty Arbuckle—who was famously railroaded—never managed it; and Jeffrey Jones probably never will. … Can ` The Beaver ' help mend Mel Gibson's career? (AP) | The … And yet Mel Gibson is back this week in the dark comedy “ The Beaver ,” directed by and co-starring his longtime friend Jodie Foster, as a man who falls into such a deep depression, he can only communicate with the outside world through a … Download The Beaver Movie | AllRent Directory This is the time when you can directly Download The Beaver movie using Internet, Just simply Pay a little and Download DVD online of The Beaver .Easy to use, it. Review: The Beaver | People's Critic: Film Reviews – seattlepi.com Review: The Beaver . The question I’ve been asked most about The Beaver – Is it a drama or is it a comedy? The answer is neither. Walter Black (Mel Gibson) is losing control of his life and his sanity. After a failed suicide attempt, … Past The Popcorn » The Beaver In an alternate universe, The Beaver would be anticipated as the reunion of stars Mel Gibson and Jodie Foster, seventeen years after they co-starred in the western comedy Maverick. It may even have been anticipated as Foster’s third … Kcnut says: @blackbeltncrazy and you say my project ideas aren't good the beaver really
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