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THERE’S ONE EASY WAY TO GET THIS SUBSCRIBE TODAY, ONLY $3 PER MONTH DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EVERY WEEK... www.tgifedition.com EDITION ISSN 1172-4153 | Volume 2 | Issue 23 | | 30 January 2009 on the Calls for Fonterra bosses to quit INSIDE By Ian Wishart ous milk out to stores until the balloon went up in and in fact tried to bribe and silence whistleblowers September, after then Prime Minister Helen Clark on Chinese websites as early as May last year. The media have stepped up the pressure on New found out. At the news conference this week, Fonterra execu- Zealand’s largest export earner, by calling tonight As TGIF has previously reported, Sanlu manage- tives described the hectic time they had trying to for Fonterra CEO Andrew Ferrier to “resign”. ment were donkey-deep involved in the poisoning, find out what melamine was. Continue reading And a combination of New Zealand media aggres- siveness and Fonterra management stupidity may tonight have damaged the brand of the big New NZPA/Ross Setford Zealand dairy company. The tussle for the past few months between jour- nalists seeking answers and a company refusing Fire out at Wellington GOODBYE to give them is turning international media atten- DADDY tion away from China’s Sanlu company and onto apartment building Halatau’s farewell Fonterra. Since the milk scandal broke in September, Page 2 Fonterra’s name and brand has largely emerged Wellington, Jan 30 NZPA – A fire at a Wel- unscathed, but ongoing newswire coverage is start- lington apartment complex is out, and fire safety ing to single the New Zealand dairy company out officers are investigating the cause of the blaze. for attention. Windows were blown out of the Gateway com- “Executives at Sanlu, partly owned by New Zea- plex on Maida Vale Road in Roseneath during the land’s Fonterra group, failed to report cases of Chi- fire which began shortly before 5pm. nese children developing kidney stones and other Resident Ross Setford, who lives next door to the complications from drinking milk adulterated with second-floor apartment where the fire began, said melamine for months before the scandal broke in there has been damage to surrounding apartments, September,” reported a US paper carrying Bloomb- including his. erg’s newswire service tonight. He arrived home and heard the fire alarm coming SAMOA’S Part of the reason for the ongoing media cover- from his neighbour’s apartment. SUPERSTAR age has been the inconsistent story the dairy giant The neighbours were not believed to be at Super Bowl hitman has told about its role in the scandal that killed six home. Page 12 babies and injured hundreds of thousands. The fire had blown windows out of the complex When TGIF Edition grilled Fonterra CEO and was “roaring” by the time fire crews arrived. Andrew Ferrier at a news conference in September, The cause of the fire was not yet known. TURTLE he was adamant that no further melamine contami- Seven appliances attended the blaze. POWER nated milk had been produced after August 2, when – NZPA A struggle to live the Sanlu board was advised of the problem. However, the Chinese court hearings this month Page 19 confirmed that Sanlu continued to ship poison- High speed broadband rollout this year Wellington, Jan 30 – Telecom is being praised sale customers. This means that residential custom- pletion of the fibre-to-the-node roll out in 2011. sively installed into all roadside cabinets and local for improving its network and for investing in its ers would have a range of suppliers. VDSL2 broadband plans will most benefit those telephone exchanges in towns and cities with more core home market. “We recognise that Telecom these days is putting who regularly download large files or use their than 500 lines. Telecom said today its new VDSL2 (Very High-Speed its key investments in its core business – a very wel- broadband service for multiple voice, video and In the second quarter of 2009, Telecom will offer Digital Subscriber Line 2) will be offered from fibre-fed come change from the days when major investments other applications. service providers a new, dedicated VDSL2 broad- roadside cabinets and local telephone exchanges. were made in other countries, or adjacent markets, VDSL2 had been tested for several months, said band product initially available in key Auckland VDSL2 was expected to offer download speeds of leaving the core home market to lag behind,” said Telecom wholesale chief executive, Matt Crockett. exchange areas, with roll out to all major cities and up to 50Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps Tuanz chief executive Ernie Newman. “We’re excited to be getting the VDSL2 roll out towns in the third quarter of the year. to customers who live one kilometre or less from an But Tuanz said the goal of having fibre to every underway in key metropolitan centres across New Service providers can then offer VDSL2 broad- exchange or roadside cabinet. customer remained. Zealand. With the fibre-to-the-node programme hot- band plans to their retail customers based on their Tuanz, the Telecommunications Users Associa- Already 57 per cent of New Zealand lines can ting up and shortening copper loop lengths across the needs, and their proximity to the nearest telephone tion, welcomed the announcement of the VDSL2 take advantage of Telecom’s next generation access country it’s the perfect time to deploy VDSL2.” exchange or roadside cabinet. launch and Telecom’s intention to offer it to whole- network and this would grow to 84 percent on com- From March, VDSL2 line cards will be progres- – NZPA

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For more information contact H.E. Perry Ltd.phone: 0800 10 33 88 | email: [email protected] | www.olympus.com NEW ZEALAND  30 January 2009 off BEAT Prince Harry lookalike plagued by girls LONDON, Jan. 30 (UPI) – A 21-year-old man who serves as an impersonator of Prince Harry says he has gone into hiding due to all of the female attention the British royal draws. Elliott Gibson said while he is used to some female attention due to his physical similarities to Prince Harry, he has been overwhelmed with lovelorn girls since the prince’s publicized split from his girlfriend, Chelsy Davy, The Daily Telegraph reported. “People have been staring at me my entire life because of how much I look like Harry – and, as embar- rassing as it is, a lot of girls come up to me to get a picture,” Gibson said. “But the past few days have been like nothing I’ve ever experienced.” The prince and Davy ended their 5-year-relationship this month. Gibson said during a recent London visit he was Halatau Naitoko’s mistaken for Harry once again, but this time he barely partner Stephanie escaped being chased by 50 U.S. teenagers. Cook with their “I seriously thought I might be injured. I couldn’t even daughter at the begin to think what they’d do to me if they caught me,” graveside: NZPA / he told the Telegraph of the Sunday incident. Geoff Dale Goodbye, daddy Auckland, Jan 30 – More than 1000 mourners overshadowed by a dark cloud,” one of the five min- His girlfriend Stephanie Cook and his baby were gathered at Mangere Cemetery today, as Halatau isters officiating at the service told mourners. his dream. He had a loving heart and much compas- Naitoko, the teenager accidentally shot dead by As rain showers broke through the clouds, the sion and hope for the future, the aunt said. police last week, was buried. minister told mourners the blood of an innocent The funeral in Tongan and in English began sev- The mourners gathered for the final part of Mr boy had been shed. eral hours after the first mourners arrived and after Naitoko’s service at the cemetery, where flowers “Let that be a message to the government offi- a 6am prayer session over his open casket. Office workers admit to porn at work were laid on top of his casket by grieving family cials, and dignitaries, Minister of Police and police His mother Ivoni Fuimaono, about to give birth LONDON, Jan. 30 (UPI) – A survey of British office and friends. officers, even to the beloved policeman who fired to her latest child, a son to be named Halatau after workers found 33 percent of respondents admitted to A powerful haka signalled the arrival of the casket that fatal shot.” his dead brother, wept uncontrollably. viewing pornography on their work computers. However, the survey of 400 office workers, carried out by to the cemetery, which was carried on the shoulders The words were met by applause. For Paea Fangu Fangu, Mr Naitoko’s 16-year-old e-mail security provider Proofpoint, found only 7 percent of of Mr Naitoko’s brothers and close family. Mourners were told Mr Naitoko worked hard to brother, it was a day of sadness. those polled said they had been caught viewing inappropri- Earlier this morning, the gentle lilt of traditional help feed his six brothers and three sisters. “I am feeling very sad. I just want to speak to ate materials at work, The Daily Telegraph reported. Tongan hymns floated in the air as hundreds of people The 17-year-old courier driver died last Friday the person that killed my brother and asked him A quarter of those polled said they had mistakenly filed into an open-fronted chapel set up in the back when he was caught in police crossfire during a why he took my brother away from us,” he said as sent an amorous e-mail to a co-worker that was meant garden of Mr Naitoko’s family home in the suburb of motorway chase of an armed man. traditional hymns of farewell were sung. for a significant other and 54 percent said they had acci- Mangere East, where the funeral service was held. He was a loving and devoted father to his two- Mr Naitoko’s body, dressed in white, had been at the dentally used the reply all function on a company wide Many more people sat and stood outside to listen year-old daughter, mourners were told. family home since Sunday night, accompanied around e-mail, mistakenly spreading an inappropriate message. and farewell a much-loved teenager. At the traditional Tongan funeral more than 1000 the clock by family members, relatives and friends. “A real crossover in the digital realm between per- Mourners dressed in black and many wore tradi- mourners, including Police Minister Judith Collins, On the front of the many mourners’ black T-shirts sonal and professional lives means staff are increasingly tional ta’ovala, a woven Tongan flax dress, as they Police Commissioner Howard Broad and numerous was the message: “In loving memory of Halatau relaxed in their use of workplace e-mail and Internet,” said David Stanley, Proofpoint’s managing director for paid their last respects. politicians, were told he was hard-working, loyal, Kianamanu Naitoko. May he rest in peace.” Britain. “Working longer hours and therefore using these The chapel was filled with colourful flowers and faithful, truthful, respectful and a loving child. On the back was a picture of him with the words: technologies more to stay in touch with friends and fam- family sat on flax mats during the service. He was killed in the line of duty as his life was “May he rest in Paradise, 1991-2009.” ily can only heighten the risk.” “The Tongan community in Auckland has been just starting to unfold, an aunt said. – NZPA The survey also suggested 56 percent of office workers have returned to work drunk after visiting a bar during lunchtime and 59 percent have become sick at work due to a hangover. Treasury preferred Labour’s policies Escape attempt stopped by lamp post Wellington, Jan 30 – Treasury has come out mended keeping it. New HASTINGS , New Zealand, Jan. 30 (UPI) – against several of the National Government’s poli- National has also changed Zealand authorities said a lamp post and a pair of handcuffs foiled an escape attempt by two prisoners cies in a briefing paper out today. the last Government’s from a courthouse. It recommended the Government retain Labour’s KiwiSaver scheme, reducing Security staff at Hastings District Court on New Fast Forward Fund and tax credit for research and the minimum contribution to Zealand’s North Island said the two men ran from the development and has suggested reconsidering the 2 percent. courthouse but were stopped when they attempted to timing and size of tax cuts. Treasury said there was no run on either side of a lamp post, apparently forget- The briefing to the new Finance Minister Bill evidence the higher level was ting they were handcuffed together, Britain’s The Daily English was released today. a barrier to people joining Telegraph reported today. The National Government ditched the 15c in the the scheme and said the lower “As they were being led from the Hastings police dollar research and development tax credit and is rate could reduce its value for cells ... they made a bolt for freedom,” Hastings police scrapping the Fast Forward Fund aimed at promot- middle income workers. sergeant Dave Greig said. “They fell over and they were ing research to help food and farming. It also said changes to con- sprayed with pepper spray. But they got up and ran out of the court onto the street, across the road to a car The Labour Government was to invest $700 mil- tribution levels could increase park,” he said. “That’s where they met the pole – it was lion and industries were to match the Government’s uncertainty and damage con- all over, rover.” commitment on an annual basis, bringing the fund, fidence in the scheme. Regan Reti, 20, had been convicted prior to the with interest, to $2 billion over the next 10 to 15 Treasury also did not escape attempt of assault and sentenced to more than years. think the employer tax credit two years in jail. He pleaded guilty to charges of escap- Treasury said the R&D tax credit should be kept should be stopped. ing from custody and a month was added to his prison and evaluated after five years. Another Government plan – to target 40 percent National developed its tax package and if the sentence. It said the policy was likely to be more effective of the Super Fund for investment in New Zealand Government could not find ways to reduce spend- Tiranara White, 21, who was jailed at the courthouse than grants. – was not “the best way to go”, Treasury said. ing it should reconsider the size or timing of the while awaiting trial on charges of stealing a car and “Our judgment is that the overall benefit in terms It said the investment may push out other inves- package. violating his parole conditions, did not enter a plea for the of higher productivity is likely to be greater than tors. As a long term investor it would hold shares It recommended taking the top person tax rate escaping charge. He remains in police custody awaiting a psych evaluation, Greig said. the cost and complexity of tax credits.” for a long time reducing the number of shares that down to 30 percent or lower. Treasury said the Fast Forward Fund was can be freely trading. – NZPA unwieldy but had got industry buy-in and recom- Treasury said forecasts had changed since 30 January 2008 NEW ZEALAND 

FROM FRONT PAGE Cone, citing his responsibility as leader of a com- “Because little was known about melamine, what pany “whose product killed six babies”. Bollard hints at financial it did and how in acted, staff went on a worldwide “Let’s start that call right here,” echoed Tim Watkin. hunt for information as soon as the toxin was Fonterra claims it has minutes proving it told detected, and, while much of this was draft research, Sanlu “zero” melamine was the only acceptable New World Order it was passed on to Sanlu.” level, but given the company’s admission that it That statement should, in normal circumstances, was one of the only food producers in the world that Wellington, Jan 30 – A rally call went up from result in the resignations of Fonterra’s top manage- wasn’t aware of Chinese melamine scandals, the real New Zealand’s central bank today not to be defeat- ment on the grounds of negligence. timeline might be murkier. The sequence might be ist about the major international economic shock That’s because melamine was at the centre of sev- that the Fonterra director on Sanlu’s board handed the country is in the middle of. eral major international food poisoning scandals out over a document on European Union melamine Reserve Bank governor Alan Bollard yesterday of China only a year earlier which Fonterra should concerns, allegedly citing a safety level of 20mg cut the official cash rate (OCR) to a record low of have – as a major food producer – known about, per kilo, but that the “zero” recommendation took 3.5 percent to stimulate the economy. The OCR has and been looking for already. a little longer to filter through while Fonterra did been slashed from 8.25 percent since the middle Although not referring to that specific failure, the homework on the chemical that should have of last year. Newstalk ZB commentators Deborah Hill-Cone been done a year earlier. There was still room to cut the OCR more, Dr and Tim Watkin told host Larry Williams tonight In the US, hundreds of pets died from eating Bollard said today in a speech to the Canterbury Ferrier and Fonterra chairman Henry van der Hey- melamine contaminated petfood. Employers’ Chamber of Commerce. den had destroyed the international reputation of The problem for New Zealand is that weakness in Dr Bollard reiterated that the New Zealand the country’s premium brand. Fonterra at the moment could critically impact our economy was well placed with a well-capitalised “Andrew Ferrier, you should resign”, said Hill- economy, as well as the brand. Back to the front page banking system and a central bank prepared to take further remedial interventions. “Lest there be any doubt, the tool box is by no means empty,” he said. Banks should continue to lend on sound business propositions, he said in a long speech – 17 pages of The central bank would finalise a new policy on single-spaced text. the management of liquidity risk around March. “New Zealand will be better prepared for eco- The policy would reinforce incentives for banks nomic recovery if households, firms and banks do to lengthen the maturity of their funding. not pull down the shutters,” Dr Bollard said after “We will be further advancing our work pro- traversing the causes and responses to the crisis. gramme with our Australian counterparts on He acknowledged the economy was in the middle improving regulation and supervision of banks of a major international shock and that households, with trans-Tasman operations,” he said. firms and banks would naturally be very cautious. New Zealand’s biggest banks are Australian “However, we should also be watchful for the oppor- owned. tunities, and mindful of the risks of defeatism.” “Finally the Reserve Bank is not the only agency Past recoveries occurred suddenly and strongly, with a role to play in stabilising the economy,” he said. and New Zealand needed to remain well-positioned He spoke of the need for targeted regulation and for such a recovery, Dr Bollard said. said New Zealand’s fiscal position is stronger than The international credit crunch had exposed vul- in other countries. Last weekend, nerabilities associated with household and external “It is by no means clear how the international Transport debt, and how this debt was funded. financial system will be organised in the future. The Minister Stephen Prudential policy would continue to put a prior- institutions and tools of financial regulation and Joyce opens toll ity on ensuring banks adequately managed risks supervision may well undergo far-reaching change,” road / NZPA associated with rolling over their debt funding. he said. – NZPA Tunnel ‘a billion dollar black hole’ Wellington, Jan 30 – A call to investigate alter- he didn’t want to see delays. natives to a tunnel system on Auckland’s Waterview Surface options which Mr Banks referred to Connection roading project has come as no surprise would cost less , and the savings could release fund- to Auckland city leaders. ing for other transport projects including rail, road, Transport Minister Stephen Joyce said today he bus, walking or cycling. had asked officials to investigate alternatives to the “But a surface road will also have social and envi- proposed tunnel option for the project, designed to ronmental impacts that might otherwise be avoided complete the city’s Western Ring Route. by the proposed tunnel.” He said the estimated cost of building 3.2km twin Mr Joyce today accused the previous Labour tunnels had increased to about $2.77 billion from Government of raising expectations for various the original $1.89b estimate and the figure equated transport projects without funding them. to about 1.6 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. Labour Party transport spokesman Darren “It’s entirely expected, as this Government finds Hughes said Mr Joyce’s decision was disappoint- itself in a billion dollar black hole with a project ing and that the Government appeared to be dith- that was never funded,” Auckland Mayor John ering. Banks said today. “They want to go back to the drawing board on He said the main thing was that there was no projects that have already had a huge amount of suggestion the project wouldn’t proceed. work done on them.” THE ESSENCE OF DANISH DESIGN IS HIGH DANSKE MØBLER means QUALITY, TIMELESS ELEGANCE, SIMPLICITY, FUNCTIONALITY “I support the proposition that all options need Mr Hughes questioned how the budget blowout AND BEAUTY. to be costed so that we can have value for money,” costs had been calculated. SINCE 1958, THE DANISH HERITAGE OF DANSKE MØBLER he told NZPA. “I’m not sure that the major difference is actu- HAS INSPIRED THE DESIGN DIRECTION OF DANSKE DANISH FURNITURE means MØBLER’S FURNITURE. There were no alternatives to completing the ally the tunnel itself, it’s just that they’ve decided THE ESSENCE LIVES ON IN THE EDEN OUTDOOR COLLECTION, DESIGNED AND CRAFTED TO SUIT THE piece of roading, but alternatives to tunnelling, to calculate it differently...” NEW ZEALAND CLIMATE AND LIFESTYLE. including cut-and-cover or“at-grade” (raised) road- “The costs will just keep going up, they are not A STUNNING COLLECTION OF IMPORTED OUTDOOR ing needed to be explored. going to fall just because officials are looking at it DISTINCTIVE OUTDOOR DESIGN FURNITURE COMPLEMENTS THE NZ MADE EDEN RANGE. Mr Banks said going through residential areas for another three months.” at the expense of homes was an option – albeit not He said exploring options such as going through PROUD TO BE one he was promoting. residential areas was asking for trouble. SHOWROOMS www.danskemobler.co.nz 983 Mt Eden Road 13a Link Drive 501 Ti Rakau Drive 716 Victoria Street 29 Totara Street Changes to the Resource Management Act prom- “Socially and environmentally it would be a Three Kings Wairau Park Botany Town Centre Hamilton Taupo Auckland Auckland Auckland Ph 07 838 2261 Ph 07 378 3156 ised by the National Party were likely to enable cogs very tough option to take and would meet with Ph 09 625 3900 Ph 09 443 3045 Ph 09 274 1998 NATIONWIDE: WHANGAREI Fabers Furnishings TAURANGA Greerton Furnishings GISBORNE Fenns Furniture in the wheel of the project to move more quickly if stiff opposition. NEW PLYMOUTH Cleggs WELLINGTON Heartlands Outdoor Living CHRISTCHURCH McDonald & Hartshorne further consultation was required, Mr Banks said. “You would have to waste more time on litigation NZ Council for Infrastructure Development chief and the objections that would inevitably come from executive Stephen Selwood also said Mr Joyce’s call doing that.” to investigate alternatives was not unreasonable, but – NZPA 98423 Investigate FP Nov08 outdoor.indd 1 9/26/08 12:17:17 PM NEW ZEALAND  30 January 2009 Liquor store four face murder rap Wellington, Jan 30 – Four men charged with the murder of a South Auckland liquor store owner have been committed for trial at the High Court after a depositions hearing in Manukau District Court. Navtej Singh, 30, was shot in June last year while working in his liquor store in Manurewa East. He died the next day. Following a two-week hearing depositions hear- ing, Myron Robert Felise, 21, Tino Faamele Felise, 17, Anitelea Chan Kee, 20, and Jason Naseri, 20, will stand trial for the murder of Mr Singh, Radio New Zealand reported. The four men are also charged with aggravated robbery and armed robbery. Eti Filoa, 23, and Walter McCarthy, 18, face armed robbery charges, and Mefiposeta Chan Kee, 24, is charged with being an accessory after the killing. The court has yet to decide whether Filoa and McCarthy will face murder charges. Chan Kee is charged with disposing of evidence and has been committed to trial. – NZPA NZ dollar weakens further Wellington, Jan 30 – The New Zealand dollar US dollar is firmer against a broad range of curren- was the lowest it has been for six years today as the cies so when Kiwi hit the low the euro was low and US dollar climbed and as Reserve Bank governor the aussie was low too,” she said. Alan Bollard signalled further interest rate cuts. As a result against the Australian dollar the NZ The NZ dollar was US50.89c at 5pm, its lowest since dollar was little changed at A78.99c from A78.66c yes- December 2002. It was US51.95c at 5pm yesterday. terday. Against the euro it was 0.3949 from 0.3972. BNZ Capital currency strategist Danica Hampton It was down against the Japanese yen at 45.48 said comments by both Finance Minister Bill English from 46.19 and lost ground against the British and Dr Bollard knocked the currency today. pound to 35.58p from 36.02p. Dr Bollard said there was room for more interest rate The trade weighted index stood at 51.47 from cuts. He was giving a speech the day after he cut the offi- 51.82 yesterday. The US dollar rose as deepening cial cash rate by 150 basis points to 3.5 percent. The cur- concerns about the global recession prompted inves- rency fell sharply yesterday when the OCR was cut. tors to shed risky assets. “It is also really part of the global backdrop. The – NZPA

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editorial Maori justice, maybe there is a place The Maori Party this week floated a familiar old Pakeha, Pacific Island and to a lesser extent Asian Does that mean I advocate a completely separate that goes with it. Modern court hearings are too boat – the idea of some kind of marae-based justice who are losing respect for life and property, and Maori justice system? Not for a second. It couldn’t work remote and impersonal to have any “shaming” system. don’t accept the consequences of their actions. at that level. For a start, most Maori are part Pakeha impact these days. A well-to-do society figure Traditionally, the boat sinks without trace, just as Maybe if their peers force them to take some these days anyway, and many who would call them- caught pinching a New Zealand Herald suffers far it always has, under a barrage of political correct- embarrassment on the marae, the message might selves Pakeha have a bit of what my Ngati Whatua more from her crime, than a 20 year old thug caught ness about one law for all. register with a few of them. father-in-law would call “the tar brush” in them. for robbery and given five years. The society figure But I think we’re all being a trifle too reactionary In the old days, we had the stocks, and supplies How would a separate justice system handle cul- faces public shame, the thug is treated like a hero about this. With a little thought, maybe it is time to of over-ripe tomatoes. I never really understood ture straddling cases? It couldn’t. Either the victim, inside. give hapu more of an input into the justice process. why we did away with that particular punishment. or the offender, would potentially feel cheated by So the more thugs who are reminded on the way After all, Maori are heavily over-represented Once upon a time, when people had consciences the process. in that they’re not that crash hot, the better. as clients of the Corrections Department, and as and communities were tighter, people stayed out However, there is a role, after the facts of a case The other benefit of marae justice, after the one- victims. of trouble for fear of the public opprobrium that have been determined in the usual way, for the law-for-all court process has determined guilt, is that The Maori Party concept, that dragging offend- would be heaped upon them. offenders to be forced to front on the marae for a it will return some mana to local Maori leaders. Little ers along to a marae before they’re chucked in the Not all people behaved, of course, but a darn sight tongue-lashing before they are sent off to prison. by little, maybe we can reclaim some ground and clink, might just work. more did than do now. For a start, it would show Maori kids the conse- make a difference ten years from now. We have bred a generation of young people, Maori, Accountability. That’s what justice should be about. quences of bad decisions, and the embarrassment subsCRIBE TO TGIF!

Comment Next time, they come for you By Rod Dreher Today, technology The Dallas Morning News makes a great deal If you gave money to the successful Proposition 8 of personal information campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California, you’d better watch out. Anonymous gay-marriage about each of us publicly activists have mashed up public data with Google available. We therefore mapping technology to create Eightmaps.com, an depend more than ever online map to your home. And it’s perfectly legal. Alarmed Prop 8 backers recently filed a federal on the restraining power lawsuit seeking an injunction against a state law of custom – such as the forcing citizens who give $100 or more to campaigns to disclose their names and addresses. We had all shared sense that people better hope they prevail. have the right to feel “I don’t get the fear,” gay-marriage campaigner Andrew Sullivan disingenuously wrote on his popular safe in their own home – blog. “If Prop 8 supporters truly feel that barring to keep that information equality for gay couples is vital for saving civilization, from misuse shouldn’t they be proud of their financial support?” Oh, please. This is why people are frightened by Eightmaps: •Margie Christofferson, a manager of a popu- More: And when the last law was down, and the lar Hollywood restaurant, did not talk about her Devil turned on you where would you hide, Roper, politics or her religion but quietly gave $100 to the the laws all being flat? ... I give the Devil benefit of Prop 8 campaign. Activists swarmed the restaurant, law for my own safety’s sake. with a mob getting so out of hand that riot police Substitute the phrase “custom” for “law,” and you had to be called. have captured the danger of what the Eightmaps •A man who wrote a letter to the San Francisco people have done. They may believe Prop 8 backers Chronicle supporting Prop 8 soon found that gay are devils, but they ought to give the devils the ben- activists posted to the Web personal information about efit of custom for their own safety’s sake – especially him and, as appalled Chronicle columnist John Diaz given the vulnerability homosexuals have always noted, urged“in ugly language, retribution against the had to gay-bashers. author’s business and its identified clients.” When some techno-savvy barbarians turn this tech- •In Los Angeles and Salt Lake City, someone nique against them, remember Sullivan’s snide brush-off sent mysterious white powder to Mormon temples, to Eightmaps’ potential victims: “Cry me a river.” apparently to protest the Latter-day Saints Church’s supporters’ homes. How safe will gay folks in small play A Man for All Seasons: He’ll regret that one day. We all will. role in passing Prop 8. towns feel if gay bashers are one click away from a Roper: Cut a road through the law to get after Rod Dreher is a Dallas Morning News editorial columnist. Readers •In Fresno, Calif., police said the city’s mayor and map to their house? the Devil? Yes. I’d cut down every law in England may e-mail: [email protected]. a local pastor received death threats over their sup- For that matter, anyone who wants to give money to do that. port for Prop 8. Vandals pelted the pastor’s church to a candidate or cause will wonder if it’s worth with eggs. taking the risk of being eightmapped by radicals. There’s more where this came from. Given what Would you give to the Council on American-Islamic gay-rights fanatics have shown themselves capable Relations, La Raza or Planned Parenthood if you of – did you see the YouTube footage of a furious thought right-wing goons would eightmap you, gay mob chasing a group of Christians out of the Castro as these left-wing goons have eightmapped social district? – who can blame traditional marriage sup- conservatives? Could you afford to put your family porters for being afraid? at risk? In online Eightmaps discussion, gays typically And that’s the only conceivable point of Eight- take the line that anyone who would vote to take maps: to intimidate ordinary people into political away their marriage rights deserves what he gets docility. (Sullivan: “Why should you be able to protect your- Eightmaps is a vicious cultural bellwether. It rips self from the consequences?”). Extremism in the apart a common understanding that makes it pos- defence of gay marriage, therefore, is no vice. Let sible for us to live together in a diverse democracy. this be a lesson about the tolerance those who do Today, technology makes a great deal of personal not support same-sex marriage will receive if it information about each of us publicly available. We becomes legal. therefore depend more than ever on the restraining Eightmaps.commies are so caught up in their own power of custom – such as the shared sense that revenge drama that they don’t understand how this people have the right to feel safe in their own home technique can be used against homosexuals. It won’t – to keep that information from misuse. be long before far-right radicals draw on publicly Recall this memorable exchange between Wil- available data to create an online map to gay-rights liam Roper and Sir Thomas More in Robert Bolt’s ANALYSIS  30 January 2009 Weekend poll crucial test for Iraqi democracy By Leila Fadel Sunni Muslim Arabs and allegations of fraud and produce the changes they seek, they say, they’ll have McClatchy Newspapers intimidation. The country’s provincial councils are no choice but to pick up their weapons again. widely considered to be corrupt parties to the vio- However, if Sunday’s elections produce changes, if BAGHDAD, Iraq – This Sunday, when Iraqis cast lence that engulfed the nation and killed tens of they’re credible, if they’re peaceful, if they pave the their ballots for 14 provincial councils, will be the thousands, and most Iraqis have come to believe way for a successful national election at the end of first real test of Iraq’s American-made democracy. that Islamists exploited their faith and their reli- the year and a drawdown of U.S. troops, Iraqis finally Whether Iraqis reject or accept peaceful transfers gious leaders to dictate whether people should vote would have reason to believe in a democracy that so of power will be the first credible indication of and whom they should elect. far has brought them nothing but devastation. whether departing U.S. troops will leave behind a The country descended into a bloody sectarian war That also would open a window of opportunity democratic Iraq or a failed state. in 2005, 2006 and part of 2007 that included the militias for U.S. troops to depart without shame and to leave Iraqis will vote in 14 of the country’s 18 provinces, affiliated with the most powerful political parties. behind a government that might be capable of fac- and if the elections produce some peaceful and long- Now Iraqis are weary. Electricity, water and other ing Iraq’s many challenges. The danger, of course, awaited shifts in power, it will be the first time that basic services are still scant, and so far, democracy is that the window could be a mirage, that Iraq’s Iraqis will have reason to believe that change can has given them governments composed mostly of competing factions are merely holding their fire come through ballots rather than bullets. former exiles who sat out Saddam Hussein’s brutal- and practicing democracy until the Americans get Since mutinous army officers murdered King ity in cities from London to Tehran. out of the way. Faisal II in 1958, Iraq has seen only a series of Men who once fought against the government of If both elections are failures, it would be devastat- military coups. Modern Iraq’s leaders all came to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and the American ing to Iraqis and Americans. The Obama adminis- power at the point of a gun, including those who military are now among about 14,500 candidates tration, eager to turn its attention to Afghanistan, were carried into office in the wake of the U.S.-led who are competing for seats in the provincial assem- would have to decide whether to stay in Iraq and invasion in 2003. blies. Even some who have no trust in the current try to make a failed system work or to leave behind Elections since then have been stained by vio- government have put away their weapons and are unfulfilled promises and a failed state. lence that kept people from the polls, a boycott by trying their hands at democracy. If their votes don’t Fadel is McClatchy Newspapers’ Baghdad bureau chief.

Walker’s World China’s brave economic face WASHINGTON – China cancelled a scheduled sum- mit with the European Union last year to show its distaste for the decision by French President Nico- las Sarkozy, who then held the rotating presidency of the EU Council, to meet with the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet. This followed an earlier snub of German Chancel- lor Angela Merkel for the same offence the previous year. China’s Foreign Ministry called it a rude inter- ference into China’s internal affairs and strongly hurt the feelings and emotions of the Chinese people, but also gravely harmed China-Germany relations. All, or almost all, is forgiven. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao arrived in Europe Thursday for a visit that Chinese Foreign Ministry officials have described as a Journey of Confidence. He starts at the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering in Davos, Swit- zerland, followed by meetings with Merkel in Berlin, U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown in London, the Spanish government in Madrid and top EU officials in Brussels. Paris remains off limits, and the French are still being punished. Still, the Europeans as a whole are being courted, largely because they now constitute China’s biggest export market, taking in some US$200 billion of Chinese goods, while China buys about $90 billion from the EU in return, almost half of that total from Germany alone. Moreover, the Europeans are now China’s lead- Chinese Premier ing source of Western technology. According to Wen Jiabao official Chinese statistics, as reported by Xinhua, speaks at the World Economic the EU accounted for 40 percent of China’s technol- Forum annual ogy imports last year, which includes licences and meeting, in software as well as high-tech equipment. Europe’s Davos, Switzer- tech exports to China were worth almost $9 billion, land. XINHUA- NOTIMEX compared with $5 billion for Japan and $4 billion for the United States. In short, the Europeans are becoming the goose that lays the golden eggs for China. So the Beijing plunged to zero or less (suggests Morgan Stanley) These are not the news stories that Wen wanted But he does not have much of an answer for the leadership evidently has decided to smooth rela- and 1 percent (suggests Standard Chartered). to read as he arrived in Switzerland for the Davos gloomy news of China’s economic slowdown, except tions, while still demonstrating its need to put the Economist Nouriel Roubini, known as Dr. Doom economic conference. He was hoping to see admir- to point to the US$586 billion stimulus program French in their place. Beijing’s diplomatic signals for his gloomy but accurate forecasts, noted over ing reports of China’s claim to have surpassed his government announced last year and Beijing’s can be very obvious. the weekend that growth in China in the last three Germany as the world’s No. 3 economy, behind the readiness to coordinate recovery strategies with the But something has changed. A year ago, when the months would be close to zero if not negative. Other United States and Japan, with a gross domestic Group of Seven developed economies. financial crisis had just started its long assault on data confirm that China was in a borderline reces- product of $3.5 trillion, compared with Germany’s Wen’s visit will demonstrate China’s confidence in the world’s stock markets, China was the great hope. sion in Q4 and that it may be in an outright recession $3.3 trillion. developing its comprehensive strategic partnership It was fashionable to talk of decoupling, the theory in Q1: production of electricity plunged 7.9 percent If there were going to be any negative headlines, with European countries, said a Foreign Ministry that said China was now able to grow independently in year on year basis. the Chinese leaders expected they would be over briefing. Demand from China and its economic of the export markets of the West. That theory was Other analysts suggest China’s hitherto inex- the usual pressures on China to relax its hard line growth will serve as an impetus for the world econ- wrong. China’s economy is now in serious trouble. haustible appetite for oil shrank by 4 percent in on Tibet and domestic dissidents, or to volunteer omy to recover from the downturn. Wen’s visit will China claims 8 percent growth last year and December and that with its petroleum inventories tougher measures of emissions controls, since China surely enhance the confidence of the international growth of 6.8 percent in the final quarter. That’s only rising sharply, real demand may have been even is now the world’s biggest producer of greenhouse community to jointly address the economic woes in true if the comparison is with the fourth quarter of lower. Only 18 months ago the International Energy gases. Wen had an answer for that: China is currently the spirit of cooperation and coordination. 2007. Compare it with the third quarter of 2008, and Agency predicted China would be buying an extra building more than 20 advanced factories to manu- Only don’t invite the French just yet. it looks to most Western analysts as through growth 500,000 barrels of oil a day this year. facture batteries for non-polluting electric cars. – UPI 30 January 2008 ANALYSIS 

Changing climates around the world could lead “There’s been a lot of form over substance,” Corker to droughts and other resource shortages, which, in said. turn, will likely spark instability as different groups “I hope we’ll be transparent with the American fight over available water and food, experts say. In people,” said Corker, encouraging policymakers to addition, if higher temperatures cause global sea return any profits made by the sale of carbon emis- levels to rise 39 inches, or 1 metre, as predicted by sions shares to the people. some scientists, 56 million people in 84 develop- “If legislators place a price on carbon, then the ing countries may become refugees, according to White House will be in a position to lead the talks a 2007 study by Susmita Dasgupta, a World Bank for the next international treaty,” Gore said, which scientist. he hopes includes five elements: strong emissions In response to these potential catastrophes, the targets and timetables for industrialized nations world’s leaders plan to meet this December in and lesser but binding commitments for developing Copenhagen, Denmark, to negotiate a replacement countries; the inclusion of measures to limit defor- to the Kyoto Protocol, the current international estation, which contributes 20 percent of annual treaty that requires those who have signed it to global greenhouse gas emissions; compensation limit their emissions to a certain level. Although for carbon sinks, like crops that sequester the gas; the United States signed the agreement, it is the an entity to monitor compliance; and measures to only major industrialized nation that has not rati- ensure developing countries have access to tech- fied it. nologies that help them decrease emissions and “Things will be different this time around,” said adapt to the effects of a changing climate. Committee Chairman John Kerry, D-Mass., who said “The final point is particularly important,” said attendees at the last U.N. climate meeting, held in Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., ranking member of Poznan, Poland, last month, told him they want the the Foreign Relations Committee. Deployment of United States to lead. genetically modified crops, whose DNA has been “They said to us this challenge cannot be solved altered by scientists to increase yields, should be at without the active leadership of the U.S.,” Kerry said the top of the list for adaptation tools, he said. at Thursday’s hearing. “Genetically modified crops have the potential At a time when the economy continues to plum- to improve agricultural productivity in the poorest met, though, free-market economists and others at parts of the world,” he said. home in the United States have raised questions However, EU policies restricting the import of about whether now is the time to invest in mitigating GM foods have discouraged many developing coun- greenhouse gas emissions. tries from adopting the technology. Opponents say “Picking between the two isn’t an option,” Kerry such crops aren’t as safe as the original, and altering said. the DNA harms the food chain. Those who pose this question have it fundamen- “Opposition to GM technologies contributes to tally wrong, he said. “We can’t afford not to address hunger in Africa in the short run and the inability to climate change. It will be far more damaging in adapt to climate change and declining food supplies the long run.” in the future,” Lugar said. “Mitigating climate change will actually boost Whether the EU will relax its anti-GM stance the economy, if it’s done right,” Gore said, by creat- remains to be seen, but it looks likely that the new ing jobs for the development of renewable energy U.S. Congress and administration will take the steps projects, like wind and solar farms, and the construc- outlined by Gore. Gore’s climate plea tion of a new national electricity grid. Because of President Barack Obama’s newly appointed Cab- this, Gore said the first step toward leadership lies inet members – from Energy Secretary Steven Chu By Rosalie Westenskow tions Committee hearing.“This is the one challenge in passing the economic stimulus package – along to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar – have expressed that could potentially end human civilization, and with its investments in green energy – currently in broad support for investments in renewable energy Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is pushing sena- it’s rushing at us with so much speed and force. It’s Congress. The next step is placing a price on carbon, and the establishment of a cap-and-trade system, tors to lead the world as it gears up to negotiate a unprecedented.” either through capping national emissions at a cer- with the ultimate goal of energy independence. new international agreement on climate change Gore listed a litany of climate-change indica- tain level or through a tax. I want to work very hard to get the country this December. tors that already have begun to occur, including If Congress does pass a cap-and-trade program – finally to the point where we can say we’ve become “Our country is the only country in the world that increased melting of the polar ice cap, a significant a system wherein entities would buy and sell shares an energy independent nation, Salazar told report- can really lead the global community, and this is the rise in the number and severity of annual natural to emit carbon – it should learn from the mistakes ers Thursday at a news conference. most serious challenge the world has ever faced,” disasters, and a spike in ocean acidity precipitated of the European Union, which already has one in And that independence, according to Gore, is Gore claimed Thursday at a Senate Foreign Rela- by the water’s absorption of carbon dioxide. place, said Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn. exactly what will enable the United States to lead. Europe needs to give Obama what he wants By Leander Schaerlaeckens troop deployments in Afghanistan and allow for while I was talking on my 5- De Hoop Scheffer also better coordination. year-old NATO mobile, I saw expressed hope that the BRUSSELS – NATO’s European member states “I welcome the intention by the United States to another symbol of progress.” upcoming summit will be used will have to find more creative solutions for meeting send more troops to the mission,” he said of Obama’s But more engagement with not just for self-congratula- operational needs and supporting the United States intention to add 30,000 soldiers to the 62,000-strong Afghanistan’s neighbouring tory statements or as a get-to- in Afghanistan, and Iran will have to be engaged if NATO International Security Assistance Force mis- countries is pivotal. know-you session with a new long-term stability is to be reached in the region, sion in Afghanistan. “It will help us to hold where “We need to stop looking at U.S. president but as a platform said NATO’s chief. we couldn’t until now, block off infiltration, and let Afghanistan as if it were an to modernize NATO. NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer development take root. But I cannot accept that the island,” de Hoop Scheffer said. Through a Declaration on made his first speech since the inauguration of U.S. U.S. has to do all of the extra heavy lifting. Europe, “Afghanistan’s problems can- Alliance Security, de Hoop President Barack Obama at the Security & Defense too, has to step up with more forces, and where that not be solved by, or within, Afghanistan alone, because Scheffer hopes to confirm and expand NATO’s Agenda think tank in Brussels this week. is not forthcoming, then with substantially more on they are not Afghanistan’s problems alone. There is fundamentals and core purpose. De Hoop Scheffer spoke frankly about the need for the civilian side. a regional network of extremists, including, yes, the These expanded goals would include fighting EU members to support the Obama administration “It is not enough to lament helicopter shortfalls Taliban and al-Qa’ida, but also many others, which cyber-terrorism and close cooperation with Rus- in its renewed focus on the war in Afghanistan and in Afghanistan, yet shy away from creative solutions respects borders no more than they respect human sia in combating piracy on common energy-trans- his hopes for the future of the North Atlantic Treaty that could help to overcome these shortfalls,” de Hoop rights and the rule of law. portation routes.“Piracy, long believed to have been Organization ahead of a key summit in Strasbourg, Scheffer said.“At a time when the whole world is fac- “To my mind, we need a discussion that brings eradicated, is back as a major international concern France, and Kehl, Germany, in April and months ing economic hardship, calling for more resources for in all the relevant regional players: Afghanistan, – and in more than just one essential maritime route before his final term comes to an end later this year. security might seem like swimming upstream. But Pakistan, India, China, Russia and, yes, Iran,” he on which our trade and oil and gas supplies depend,” “When Washington calls, Europe should have it remains true that security is the foundation for said.“If you talk about a real regional approach, you he said. “This is not Johnny Depp with a parrot on a unified answer, backed up with the resources to economic confidence. A more innovative approach cannot … (exclude) Iran. If you look at the history his shoulder – this is (rocket-propelled grenade)- match,” de Hoop Scheffer said.“If Europeans expect on how to fund operations is necessary.” of Afghanistan, you see that Afghanistan over the wielding thugs threatening sea lanes on which our that the United States will close Guantanamo, sign De Hoop Scheffer reaffirmed his belief that years has always been the sort of country where energy supplies depend.” up to climate change treaties, accept EU leadership progress is being made in Afghanistan. “I do not other nations played power games. Iran is a factor De Hoop Scheffer further said he hopes NATO on key issues but provide nothing more in return, for share the doom and gloom from which some seem in Afghanistan. I know when I launch a suggestion once again will become, as it was during the Cold example in Afghanistan, than encouragement, they to suffer about this effort,” he said.“I don’t deny the about a regional approach, including Iran, that some War, a platform for allies to conduct political consul- should think again. It simply won’t work like that.” challenges. They are huge. But it has only been eight people might have to swallow once or twice. But I tations to ensure that everyone is on the same page, De Hoop Scheffer reiterated longstanding years since the Taliban was toppled. When I saw an think that at a certain stage we might have to find even on issues not concerning NATO proper. appeals to EU contributors to drop caveats on Afghan fellow pull out his Apple iPhone in Kabul, a formula that includes Iran.” – UPI WORLD  30 January 2009 World government supporters rally at Davos Davos, Switzerland – With the headlines screaming the gloom that economic growth this Blair, who said year will be the worst since World War II, several the “financial leading politicians and business people discussed system has failed” the future of capitalism today, with the word “val- ues” taking centre stage. insisted the free “Capitalism cannot work unless it is based on enterprise system was shared values, and justice,” said former British premier Tony Blair at the World Economic Forum still vital, but pushed annual meeting in Davos. for “globalization Blair, who said the “financial system has failed” based on values insisted the free enterprise system was still vital, but pushed for “globalization based on values.” Indra Nooyi, the chief of Pepsico, the soft drink and snack food manufacturer, stressed that “Capi- talism is good” but that the “notion of the mighty Wallis said he hoped the crisis would change people buck won over morality and ethics,” blaming Wall for the better. Street for damaging Main Street industries. “The question is how will this crisis change us, Looking back at the causes of the crisis, former US change the way we think, make decisions, change president Bill Clinton, in a one-on-one conversation with the habits of the heart, change how we do busi- the Forum’s founder Klaus Schwab, attacked the fiscal ness,” said Wallis, a civil rights activist who is seen as and spending policies of the Bush administration. standing to the left of the mainstream Evangelical “Right now the house is on fire and we need to put movement. it out as quickly as we can,” Clinton said, while back- He echoed, in more spiritual terms, what Stephen ing the new White House under Barack Obama. Green of HSBC had already noted, that“no amount The former president also said that given the inter- of rules can enforce good behaviour” and added that connectivity of the modern world, other countries, “we need to get the value system right.” such as China, would have to buy US debt to help “Without values within companies, regulation it get out of the crisis it started, so that American will not do the job for us,” Green said. consumers could purchase those nations’ exports. But while change was needed, the political and “People will still make money but not like in past business participants warned against protectionism in decade, and that’s a good thing,” he said about the trade and that new regulations“should not stifle entre- post crisis world. He took a theatrical pause, moved his tongue Peres, who rose to political heights in his coun- preneurship, innovation,” according to James Schiro, of Responding to a speech from the previous night around his mouth and added, “I hope it works out try through the Labour party, which he only left in Zurich Financial Services, the insurance group. by the Russian leader the night before, in which he for him.” recent years, abandoned previous ideologies and Blair, sticking in a final word, said the state had a warned against protectionism and excessive state The session on capitalism also included Israeli instead said advances were needed in the sciences, role to play in getting the world out of crisis, but that intervention in the economy, Clinton said he was President Shimon Peres, who pushed for an ideology including alternative energies, and education. it was“not the answer,” putting his faith instead in the “glad to hear Prime Minister Putin has come out which would “create wealth” instead of spreading The focus of the annual meeting was the post- markets, which he was far from ready to eulogize. in favour of free enterprise.” wealth. crisis world and the Liberal American preacher Jim – DPA Oil prices will rise, fast Davos, Switzerland – The drop in the price capacity. I hope price will pick up, to go a little bit of oil is a result of the global economic downturn, higher,” said the head of the oil cartel, noting that at energy chiefs said today, but the fall has been too the next meeting of the group it would not hesitate great and the current amount will not leave produc- to act to boost prices. ing countries with enough capital for investment. With crude rates standing at 42 dollars a barrel, “The price is low because demand has fallen, “Investment is the name of the game,” he empha- because economic growth in most part of the world sized. has stopped,” said Tony Hayward, the head of BP. El-Badri and Hayward said they hoped that the “When economic recovery returns demands will various stimulus packages being introduced around come back very fast,” he added at the World Eco- the world, from China to the US, would create a hike nomic Forum’s session on energy outlook for the in the price of oil. upcoming year. The previous night Russian leader Vladimir Putin He warned that if prices remain low, and pro- said“sharp and unpredictable fluctuations of energy ducing countries do have resources to invest in prices are a colossal destabilising factor in the global increased capacity, the world would run into sup- economy,” and pushed for a“new international legal ply constraints. framework for energy security.” “We are not very happy with 40, even 50” dollars Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Indus- a barrel, said Abdalla Salem el Badri, the secretary tries in India, said at the energy session that there general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting was no end to oil in the next decades, and added Countries (OPEC). that the “bridge to de-carbonized world” must be “We cannot have decent income for our member built in a “sensible way.” countries and at the same time invest for additional – DPA

“Oh, bummer!” age in October to rescue the financial industry from collapse. About half of the money has already been Greedy bankers pinged by Pres. given out to banks. Citigroup, which received a 45-billion-dollar bail- Washington – US President Barack Obama has firms received 18.4 billion dollars in cash bonuses out from the government in November, was forced slammed Wall Street bankers for awarding them- in 2008. The amount marked a 44-per-cent drop this week to cancel its order of a new corporate selves nearly US$20 billion in bonuses last year as from 2007, yet it was still the sixth-largest bonus jet after the Treasury Department threatened to the US economy suffers through its worst recession year on record. withdraw the funds. in decades. “Part of what we’re going to need is for folks on Wall “We shouldn’t have to do that because they Obama called it the “height of irresponsibility” Street who are asking for help to show some restraint should know better. And we will continue to send and “shameful” that financial institutions would and show some discipline and show some sense of that message loud and clear,” Obama said. issue large bonuses and severance packages to their responsibility,” Obama said at the White House, after a Obama’s administration is expected to unveil a employees as they pleaded for taxpayer funds to meeting with Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. series of new plans to stabilize the financial industry keep the industry alive. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said it was unclear next week. The Wall Street Journal today reported He was reacting to a report by the New York State whether any of the bonuses came from taxpayer those plans could cost as much as 2 trillion dollars. comptroller yesterday that employees of Wall Street funds. Congress approved a 700-billion-dollar pack- – DPA 30 January 2008 WORLD  Guantanamo judge defies Obama Washington – A military judge in Gutananamo not thwart the ongoing evaluation of the Guan- within a year and has assembled a committee to Bay has denied a request by the Obama administra- tanamo cases. “Not at all,” he said. review what could be done with the remaining 245 tion to suspend the proceedings against a Yemeni Shortly after taking office January 20, Obama detainees and how to proceed with those who can suspected of plotting the October 2000 attack on ordered prosecutors to seek four-month suspensions be charged with crimes. Obama is seeking possible the USS Cole. of the proceedings, which were quickly granted in alternatives to the controversial military tribunals The Washington Post reported online that the Army other cases. But Pohl ruled that moving forward with set up by predecessor George W Bush. judge, Colonel James Pohl, found the reasoning to sus- the hearing for Abd al Rahim al-Nashiri would not A judge last week agreed to suspend the cases pend the proceedings for 120 days “unpersuasive.” interfere with Obama’s review, the Post reported. against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged Pohl’s decision places a glitch in President Barack Obama could respond by ordering the charges mastermind of the September, 11, 2001 terrorist Obama’s plans to seek delays in the 21 cases before against al-Nashiri withdrawn. Al-Nashiri is sched- attacks, and four co-defendants. The case against military tribunals at Guantanamo so the files can be uled to be arraigned February 9 on charges of plot- Canadian citizen Omar Kadr, accused of killing a reviewed and as Obama weighs options for closing the ting the suicide attack in the Gulf of Aden that US soldier in Afghanistan when he was 15 years old, notorious prison camp and for trying detainees. killed 17 US sailors. was also suspended. White House Robert Gibbs said the ruling would Obama has ordered the closure of Guantanamo – DPA Swayze slams false reports Los Angeles – A representative for actor Patrick Swayze has today denied widespread reports that the actor had halted treatment for pancreatic can- cer after doctors told him there was nothing more to be done. “The reports are not true. Patrick is continuing his treatment,” Annett Wolf, a spokeswoman for the actor told People magazine. Swayze, 56, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last March and was in hospital earlier this month after contracting pneumonia. The actor has vowed to fight his cancer, telling People recently, “I am alive and plan on continuing to stay that way.” But according to the widespread reports in gossip magazines and websites, he had retreated to his Los Angeles ranch after doctors told him they had no chance of beating the spread of cancer in his body. According to Star magazine, Swayze’s mother, Patsy, has asked for people to pray for her son. “Pray for Patrick. I know he has a lot of fans out there thinking about him, and we all appreciate that,” she was quoted as saying. Let them eat cake –DPA Paris – French teachers, postal employees, train “There is a general disdain because it is impossible conductors and other workers from the public and to have discussions with the government,” Pons said. private sectors stayed away from their jobs overnight The FSU trade union said that more than 60 per cent in a one-day general strike that disrupted transpor- of all primary and secondary schoolteachers took part tation and shut schools across the country. in the strike. The government’s figures were lower. In addition, unions said that more than 2.5 mil- In addition, public transport in 77 cities across lion people marched through the streets in some 195 France was disrupted to varying degrees on Thurs- cities and towns to express their displeasure with day, after employees of the state-owned SNCF rail the economic policies of President Nicolas Sarkozy network kicked off the strike. and his government. The CGT union said 41 per cent of railway Police put the number of demonstrators at employees were striking. The SNCF said about half slightly more than 1 million. of all scheduled high-speed TGV and regional trains Whatever the numbers were, the important fact were in operation. was that bankers and other private sector employees In the greater Paris area, more than half of sched- marched shoulder to shoulder with teachers, post- uled trains linking the capital with its suburbs were men and other workers from the public sector in a not in service overnight, while an average of about rare show of solidarity. one of two scheduled metro trains were running in “We workers are asked to do more and more while the city, the RATP transport system said. most of the cake goes to the executives,” said Pascal However, there was little of the usual strike-day Guinet, a 42-year-old employee for the car maker chaos because many employees stayed away from Renault, who was demonstrating in Paris. their jobs, either out of sympathy for the strike or “Workers are put under pressure.... There are to avoid spending long hours in transit. people who want to sell their homes because they In the southern city of Marseille, however, no have no idea what will happen.” metro trains were operating. Major trade unions called the strike to demand The head of the CFDT trade union, Francois more job security, additional state aid to small Chereque, called the day’s street protests“the largest and middle-sized companies threatened by the workers’ demonstration in France in 20 years.” economic crisis and a halt to parts of Sarkozy’s Organizers said that up to 300,000 people economic reforms. marched through the streets of Marseille and Paris, According to Julien Pons, a 28-year-old teacher while 50,000 protested in Lyon and 35,000 in Lille. also protesting in Paris, “The government wants to As usual, police estimates were much lower. impose the logic of the private sector on the public The extent of the strikes and the number of pro- sector. So I am striking to protest the privatization testers in the streets are already being analyzed, of the public sector, stagnating salaries and the gov- as they represent an important test of strength ernment’s plans to cut jobs.” between unions and Sarkozy. Education Minister Xavier Darcos is planning Union leaders have said that a successful strike to slash 13,500 jobs from the French education sys- day will embolden them to increase the pressure on tem in 2009, a measure that unions say will severely the government through more job actions. impair the quality of education. – DPA WORLD 10 30 January 2009 Pot calls kettle black Brussels – Just weeks after introducing protec- But alarm bells have rung in Europe over the bill’s sion – the EU’s executive – to comment on the act tionist agriculture subsidies for own their farm- plans to extend the so-called“Buy American” provi- as a whole, since it had not yet become law. ers, European Union officials are warning the sion, originally enacted in 1933, to ban foreign-made “Before we have the final shape of that particu- United States will not get away with expanding its iron and steel from most of the new infrastructure lar bill it would be premature to take a stance on “Buy American” economic rescue plan. projects. it,” he said. “The one thing we can be absolutely certain about The legislation now moves to the US Senate and The US and the EU are one another’s main trad- is that if a bill is passed which prohibits the sale or the Buy American provisions could yet be scrapped. ing partners, with trade flows topping 1.7 billion purchase of European goods on American terri- But a version of the text due to be discussed by the euros (US$2.25 billion) a day, according to com- tory, that is not something we will stand idly by and Senate next week goes further, barring all foreign- mission figures. ignore,” European Commission trade spokesman made goods from being used in all stimulus-funded However, they have regularly clashed over ques- Peter Power told journalists in Brussels. initiatives. tions of trade barriers, with a string of cases pending On Thursday, the US House of Representatives US President Barack Obama, who has made the in the World Trade Organization on issues ranging approved an 819-billion-dollar stimulus package stimulus bill a cornerstone of his economic plans, has from a European ban on hormone-treated beef to designed to jolt the country’s economy out of its not commented specifically on the Buy American US anti-dumping tariffs on French uranium. worst recession since World War II. provisions. But he has said that its focus must be According to the commission, the original Buy The package calls for investments in infrastruc- on creating more than 3 million jobs in the United American act affected around 35 billion dollars’ ture, renewable energy, health, education and other States. worth of federal contracts in 2005. sectors, together with sweeping tax cuts. Power said that it was too early for the commis- – DPA Positive business news Children killed San Francisco – Leading ping offers, including Amazon in police chase online retailer Amazon.com Prime,” Jeff Bezos, founder and defied the poor economy in the chief executive of Amazon. Los Angeles – Three boys, aged 14, 11 and 6, died fourth quarter, today posting a com, said in a statement. Thursday night when they fled from police in a car 9 per cent rise in profits and an The earnings report sent chase that reached speeds of over 145 kilometres per 18 per cent spike in sales. Amazon shares up 12 per cent hour, the Los Angeles Times reported today. The Seattle, Washing- to 56.70 dollars in after-hours The car, which was being driven by the 14-year-old, ton-based company earned trading. ran several red lights on the streets of Fontana, some US$225 million in the quar- Looking ahead, Amazon 80 kilometres east of Los Angeles, before the driver lost ter, or 52 cents a share, up from 207 million dollars said it expects first-quarter revenue in the range control and flipped over a garden wall. The driver and the a year earlier. of 4.52 billion dollars to 4.92 billion dollars, again 11-year-old front passenger were ejected from the car Revenue, in what the company had earlier above Wall Street’s expectation for sales of 4.54 bil- and died instantly. The 6-year-old boy was wearing a seat described as its “best ever holiday season,” was $6.7 lion dollars. belt in the back seat and died later at a hospital. billion, easily surpassing Wall Street’s estimates of The boost in Amazon’s performance came in con- The incident started when a California Highway $6.44 billion in sales. Amazon said sales would have trast to the earnings of Internet auctioneer eBay, Patrol officer pulled over the Nissan Maxima for grown 24 per cent if not for an unfavourable cur- which last week posted lower fourth- quarter sales running a red light on a Fontana street just before 9 rency exchange rate. and offered a weaker-than-expected outlook for pm Wednesday, but the driver sped off as the officer “We remain relentlessly focused on serving cus- the first quarter. walked toward the car, the report said. File tomers with low prices, great selection and free ship- – DPA – DPA NZ$ now legal tender in Zimbabwe Johannesburg/Harare – President Robert be charged in foreign currency. Mugabe’s government has declared all foreign cur- In an attempt to still growing industrial unrest rencies to be legal tender, alongside the near-worth- in the civil service, Chinamasa said government less Zimbabwe currency, legalising the domination of employees would continue to be paid in Zimbabwe hard currency in the country’s collapsed economy. dollars, but would also receive a monthly allowance The regime also introduced a wide range of eco- in US dollar terms – but paid in vouchers. nomic reforms in an attempt to revitalise the cri- He said the vouchers were “an interim arrange- sis-stricken economy, where economists can only ment” and would be phased out gradually and guess at the rate of hyperinflation, where the pro- replaced with foreign cash“in line with the improve- ductive sector has foundered and the infrastructure ment in foreign currency inflows.” is crumbling. The budget’s estimates of state expenditure were Acting-finance minister Patrick Chinamasa said given in Zimbabwe dollars, US dollars and South as he delivered the national budget – delayed by two African Rand. When he detailed government expend- months while the country’s two main political rivals iture for last year, MPs laughed as he gave figures in argued over the implementation of a transitional thousands of quintillions of Zimbabwe dollars. power-sharing agreement – that“it requires a para- He also announced that price controls – regarded digm shift in terms of acknowledging the reality as one of the main reasons for the rapid accelera- that we cannot eat what we do not have.” tion in the collapse of the economy last year – were

With the US dollar worth about 20 trillion Zimba- scrapped with immediate effect, because of their For more information on the new Cayenne Diesel contact your Offi cial Porsche Centre or visit www.porsche.co.nz bwe dollars, and prices changing often several times “unintended consequences” of putting companies in a day, Zimbabwean businesses have increasingly out of business, creating massive shortages and Different fuel. Same spirit. resorted to charging in US dollars, South African boosting hyperinflation. Rand, Euros and Botswana Pula. Chinamasa also announced the end of a monop- The government late last year licensed hard currency oly on the country’s grain trade by a state-owned The new Cayenne Diesel. shops but individuals were still being arrested and pros- company – which is seen as one of the main causes ecuted for dealing and possessing foreign currency. of decades of low grain production – and said with “Government is allowing the use of multiple for- immediate effect milling companies could trade eign currencies for business transactions, alongside openly with farmers. the Zimbabwe dollar,” Chinamasa said to roars of The controversial role of the central bank, with approval in the house of assembly. a declared policy of printing vast quantities of The stock exchange would be allowed to deal money and continually bailing out the govern- GILTRAP PRESTIGE Auckland Ph 09 92 00 911 CONTINENTAL CAR SERVICES Auckland Ph 09 52 68 991 ARMSTRONG PRESTIGE Wellington Ph 04 38 48 779 in any currencies, and insurance companies, local ment as it overspent, would “concentrate on its ARCHIBALDS Christchurch Ph 03 37 75 200 authorities, state-owned utilities and high schools mandated policy by ensuring the stability of the SOUTHERN EUROPEAN Dunedin Ph 03 45 61 010

would be allowed to charge in both Zimbabwe and financial sector.” MAG12883/IM hard currencies, he said. A range of taxes would also – DPA 12882 EM Investigate Mag.indd 1 12/8/08 10:55:55 AM Process CyanProcess MagentaProcess YellowProcess Black 30 January 2008 SPORT 11 Daniel rates limping Aussie ‘lions’ By Mark Geenty of NZPA – obviously his last over went for a little bit – but he The tourists went through a torrid three-hour ses- bowled well and he comes into play,” Vettori said. sion on Wednesday to acclimatise, but Moles warned CHAPPELL-HADLEE HISTORY Sydney, Jan 30 – Captain Daniel Vettori sees a “Even Perth, by all accounts it turns a little bit it would get no easier with 35degC forecast for Perth two-spin option and a batting elevation for Kyle and sits in the wicket so we’ll look at that. on Sunday. Sydney, Jan 30 NZPA – History of the Chappell- Mills as New Zealand’s best chance of upsetting “Kyle Mills at seven hopefully works for and Vice-captain Brendon McCullum was Moles’ Hadlee Trophy cricket series between New Zealand and Australia after their Canberra cricketing jitters. offers us a bit more balance with a full-strength other concern despite his fighting 114 off 130 balls Australia. Depending on the pitch at Perth’s WACA ground bowling lineup.” in Canberra. He would undergo intensive treatment for Sunday night’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener, Senior paceman Mills conceded 36 off eight on his hip flexor strain to try to pass him fit to keep Played 11, NZ won 5, Aust won 5, no-result 1. Vettori wants to bowl alongside offspinner Jeetan wicketless overs in Canberra but he was the most wicket, otherwise backup Gareth Hopkins would 2004-05: Patel and promote the big-hitting Mills to the key economical quick, with Iain O’Brien taking an come in to the top-six and either Neil Broom or NZ (247-6) won by 4 wickets, Melbourne allrounder’s spot at No 7. expensive one for 48 off eight as he eyes just his Elliott would be in danger. Aust (261-7) won by 17 runs, Sydney While it thins the batting, Vettori said it was the second one-day international, and allrounder Grant Vettori was also irked not to get a win in Canberra, (game three in Brisbane abandoned) best solution to the balance headache in the crucial Elliott conceding 32 off five. both for the side’s confidence and momentum. They 2005-06: absence of allrounder Jacob Oram, as they look to Coach Moles was unimpressed by a “sub-par lost their opening tour match against New South Wales Aust (252-8) won by 147 runs, Auckland play five frontline bowlers. performance” by the bowlers and fielders, which last November before a heavy 0-2 test series defeat. Aust (322-5) won by 2 runs, Wellington Bowling was the main focus as the tourists flew to included at least three dropped catches. “Winning is such an important thing when you NZ (332-8) won by 2 wickets, Christchurch Perth today, with Vettori and coach Andy Moles both “It’s a bit of a wakeup call more than anything else. come to Australia. If you get off to a good start then 2006-07: fuming that they couldn’t defend 271 for five against We know we’re in for a tough tour, and we’ve spoken you can ride it the whole time,” Vettori said. NZ (149-0) won by 10 wickets, Wellington Justin Langer’s Prime Minister’s 11 in Canberra. about it. It’s disappointing we didn’t show a little bit “We wanted to win to go to Perth with a little bit NZ (340-5) won by 5 wickets, Auckland They lost by six wickets with 13 balls to spare. more fight in the field, collectively, and it’s disappoint- of confidence, we didn’t get that so we’re going to NZ (350-9) won by 1 wicket, Hamilton Vettori said young paceman Tim Southee would ing that they need a wakeup call,” Moles said. have to manufacture that with our planning and 2007-08: return after being rested yesterday, while Patel “We’re looking forward to getting to Perth and our preparation.” Aust (255-3) won by 7 wickets, Adelaide deserved his chance after taking two for 51 off showing some spirit.” The final analysis on their opponents would start Aust (282-6) won by 114 runs, Hobart 10 including a gem to remove test hopeful Phillip Moles offered some excuse for the lethargic first- as soon as they landed in Perth, with the hotel tel- (game two in Sydney, no-result). Hughes. up effort due to the heat, with temperatures climb- evisions tuned to Australia’s fifth and final one day – NZPA “I was really pleased with how Jeetan bowled ing to 37degC at a sweltering Manuka Oval. international against South Africa at the WACA. Shield series nears climax By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA “It’s a reflection on the qualify of surfaces we’ve ferent people have stepped up to the plate at differ- figure that has been eclipsed by six Northern bats- been playing on, which has been excellent every- ent times,” Bradburn said. men. Wellington, Jan 30 – The toss looms as crucial where. “Everyone has worked hard and we haven’t relied “Without a doubt, Otago have relied heavily on when a State Shield one-day cricket competition “And I’ve certainly noticed a big change in how solely on one or two matchwinners. the season Craig is having and also Neil and Bren- that has been dominated by chasing teams reaches our first class cricketers go about chasing totals. “This week we’ve tried to keep the lid on the pot so don have chipped in,” Bradburn said. its climax in Hamilton tomorrow. “Six or seven years when I was playing, the skills the boys don’t get too overawed by the occasion.” “They’re lost a big chunk of their runs but none- Top qualifiers Northern Districts will start as of chasing were nowhere near as high.” Spinner Bruce Martin returns after two weeks theless they’ll be a huge force on Saturday. favourites for the final against defending champions Bradburn said Twenty20 cricket’s growing influ- sidelined with a knee injury while Bradburn hopes “They’re reigning champions so they know how Otago, whose batting ranks have been plundered by ence meant batsmen were no longer fearful of letting seamers Brent Arnel and Joseph Yovich continue to win finals and they’ve got a bowling attack full the New Zealand selectors. a required run rate creep up to eight or 10 an over. impressive seasons in the absence of new interna- of firepower.” However, the odds could swing if Otago win the And the advent of power plays also meant bats- tional paceman Trent Boult. Left-arm pace man Neil Wagner tops the State toss and, almost certainly, choose to bowl first at men were thinking more about where their“hitting Yovich took three wickets in both matches Shield lists for wickets and bowling averages, with Seddon Park. zones” lay and making best use of them. against Otago this season, both achieved by bat- 23 at 16.2. Of the 29 games completed this summer, 23 have Captain James Marshall has won the toss in ting second. They won by nine wickets at Alexandra Experienced seamer Warren McSkimming is sec- been won by the side batting second, a record which Northern’s last seven games and if that continues a month ago and by three wickets in Whangarei ond for both average (17.6) and economy rate (3.82), is reflected in the fortunes of both finalists. he is sure to insert the visitors, even though those two weeks later. headed only by teammate Dimitri Mascarenhas Northern have only batted first twice and have tactics backfired for the first time in their narrow Bradburn agreed Otago presented a greater (3.45) in the latter category. lost both of them while they have won seven from loss to Canterbury at Hamilton last Sunday – a threat with the ball than the bat now that the The Otago attack shredded Canterbury for 86 in eight when chasing. All of Otago’s four losses have match that yielded 543 runs. southerners’ captain and prodigious runscorer Craig Wednesday’s semifinal in Christchurch, in the proc- come when they’ve set a target. Northern came up five runs short despite red-hot Cumming has been called into the New Zealand ess sheltering their inexperienced batting lineup. The statistics are no surprise to Northern coach wicketkeeper Peter McGlashan and rising talent team as injury cover. Averaging more than 70 this Victory for Northern tomorrow would be their Grant Bradburn. Kane Williamson both scoring centuries and com- summer, he joins provincial teammates Neil Broom first one-day title since 2004-05 and their fifth in “It’s what we do best and chasing seems to be the piling a New Zealand domestic record sixth-wicket and Brendon McCullum in Australia. 14 years. preferred approach right throughout the country,” stand of 192. It leaves Greg Todd as Otago’s leading runscorer Otago, who ended a 20-year drought last year, are Bradburn told NZPA. “The pleasing thing for us this year is is that dif- in action tomorrow with 224 runs this season – a seeking their third title. Team NZ make winning start

By Robert Lowe of NZPA NZL92, but not enough to prevent them from being crossed in front. Overall, they did a good job back on the water tomorrow. from start to finish and it was the correct NZPA Auckland, Jan 30 – Team New Zealand made There wasn’t the same drama in Team NZ’s race result.” a winning start to yachting’s Louis Vuitton Pacific with Damiani, sailed in American syndicate Oracle’s Tomorrow, Team NZ face Oracle in the big- Series off Auckland, getting rid of some opening boats in winds of 12 to 18 knots and a strong current. gest match-up of the regatta’s first round- day nerves as they beat Damiani Italia without Skipper Dean Barker and his crew won the start, robin, which runs through until the end of too many alarms. getting the favoured right-hand side of the line. Tu esday. But the fledgling Greek Challenge, skippered They were never headed on the way to a 22-second That clash will pit Barker against compa- by New Zealander Gavin Brady, had a forgettable victory, although the Italians got a windshift on the triot Russell Coutts, who were the respective introduction to the regatta, which is being raced in second beat to close to a boat length, before Team NZ skippers when Team NZ lost the America’s America’s Cup yachts. opened out the margin again on the run home. Cup to Alinghi in 2003. They went down to cup holders Alinghi by two Barker was pleased to get back into racing mode In other races today, Britain’s Team Origin minutes two seconds in a contest in which the crews again. ended up easy winners over Italian rivals were sailing two Team NZ boats. “It’s good to get rid of a few nerves,” he said. Luna Rossa. Rather than getting no points, like the other race “When you finally get into the racing, the first day Origin, skippered by three-time Olympic losers, the Greek Challenge were docked a point that is really hard. You know you’re reasonably prepared gold medallist and former Team NZ member left them at the foot of the table on minus one. but there’s always things you can’t control.” Ben Ainslie, led from start to finish. With regatta organisers wary of the disruption Damiani skipper Vasco Vascotto drew confidence Luna Ross made a fight of it on the second that would be caused by losing any of the four boats from the way his largely new crew had been able to windward leg, getting a windshift to close to provided, the Greeks were penalised for causing hang in after losing the start. within a couple of boat lengths. “hard contact” after a collision in the pre-start “What is really nice is that we stayed in the match But Origin won the ensuing tacking duel and cleared cate making a good start, but being hit by a penalty manoeuvres. against what I think is the best crew in the fleet,” away on the run home, crossing 1min 5sec clear. at the first rounding of the top mark. Team NZ operations manager Kevin Shoebridge he said. In the regatta’s opening race, France’s K-Chal- Oracle and South Africa’s Team Shosholoza had said there had been damage to both NZL84 and “We had a shift on the second beat but they just lenge downed Team China, with the Chinese syndi- byes. SPORT 12 30 January 2009 Super bowl special preview

Samoa’s super bowl superstar: Troy Polamalu ICON

By Joe Posnanski defensive success; the Steelers’ ability to find defen- McClatchy Newspapers sive players has been remarkable. But Polamalu is the constant, the passion behind it all, the ferocious TAMPA, Fla. – The young man speaks softly, so hitter who makes it treacherous for receivers to run softly you would not be able to hear him without the over the middle, the quick thinker who gets quarter- microphone that someone adjusts in front of him. backs to second-guess themselves, the big-play guy The young man likes to plant flowers; he finds peace who scored a touchdown in the AFC championship when he’s digging in the dirt. The young man likes to game against Baltimore. play the piano; the music grants him a few moments He plays with a force of will. People often ask him of tranquillity. He reads the Bible often. why he is so different on the field compared with off. The young man is at the heart of a story he never It just seems impossible that this quiet young man thinks about. was the same guy who in the AFC championship Here’s the story: On April 26, 2003, the Kansas game leaped over the offensive line and pulled the City Chiefs had the 16th pick in the NFL draft. The quarterback down by Chiefs had just finished one of the oddest seasons in his neck. the history of professional football. They had led the But he doesn’t see the ICON NFL in scoring – the whole NFL. They had scored difference. He thinks the 121 more points than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, question is flawed. “I’m who won the Super Bowl. They had scored more very passionate with points than the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Tex- my wife and my family,” ans combined. That’s not all. They had lost only two he says. “To me, football fumbles the whole season. That’s an NFL record. is no different. If it was How many victories would you expect from a ballet, it would be the team that scores more points than any other team same thing.” and loses just two fumbles? Well, the Chiefs did He smiles: “It’s just not win that many. They won eight games and lost that football is a contact eight games. No team has ever done so little with sport. The difference so much. between a big hitter How did the Chiefs pull that off? Easy. They and a hitter is that a big played terrible defence all year long. The Chiefs’ hitter, if you tell him to offense scored 38 in New England; the defence hit a brick wall, he goes gave up 41. The offense scored 34 at San Diego; the through it. A hitter, he defence gave up 35. The Chiefs lost 37-34 to Denver just brushes against it.” at home and 39-32 up in Seattle. There were no mys- teries. The Chiefs had to improve that defence. ARIZONA CARDINALS So there they were with the 16th pick in the NFL PITTSBURGH STEELERS draft. And Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson Football basics So you’re not a football junkie, but you’re going to Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 and his coach Dick Vermeil looked closely at the watch the Super Bowl anyway. Here’s a look at who’s Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida board – and they simply did not see a defensive running around and what they’re trying to do: player worth taking in that spot. Not one. “I would have gone defence,” Vermeil said afterward. “Yeah. OFFENSE DEFENSE But I understand the process.” Controls the movement Tries to stop the offense from So when the Pittsburgh Steelers called and said of the ball, attempts to score with scoring by tackling offensive they wanted to trade up into the Chiefs’ slot – the either touchdowns or field goals players or causing them to lose control of the ball (called 1. Quarterback Steelers had the 29th pick overall – well, the Chiefs turnovers) were thrilled. They could trade down and get a lit- Team leader; high profile, initiates most plays 8. Defensive ends tle bit extra for the effort. They happily made the Two; line up on the defensive line; trade. And with the Steelers’ pick, they took run- 2. Center responsible for containing the ning back Larry Johnson, who has had his great Lines up over ball in the outside running game and rushing center of the offensive line; the quarterback; a successful rush moments and his awful moments but, of course, snaps ball to quarterback to results in a sack does not play defence. begin most plays 9 9. Defensive tackle The Steelers, using the Chiefs’ pick, selected the 3. Guards One or two; line up on the quiet young man who was behind the microphone. Two; line up on each side defensive line; responsible for The quiet young man, of course, is Steelers safety of the center stopping the offensive charge Troy Polamalu, the Samoan who might be the best 4. Tackles 4 10. Linebackers defensive player in the NFL. Two; line up outside the guards Line up 2 to 3 yards in back of the You can always look back in the draft and find tackles and ends; responsible for 5. Wide receivers stopping the run and covering mistakes, of course. Still, it’s hard to understand Line up 10 to 15 yards wide receivers on passing plays; why the Chiefs, who were in such desperate need of of the offensive line; receive occasionally rush the quarterback passes thrown by quarterback a big-play defender, missed Polamalu. He wasn’t 11. Cornerbacks exactly a hidden talent. He was a big-play defensive 6. Running backs Usually two; line up opposite back at Southern California – an All-American, the Line up behind quarterback in the wide receivers; responsible for covering receivers and providing team MVP one year and so on. He was, the scouts backfield; run with ball, block and receive passes from quarterback THE PLAYERS support in stopping the running said, the best safety coming out of college, the big- game 11 per team on the gest hitter, the most ferocious force. And, of course, 7. Tight end field at one time 12. Safeties his intangibles – what NFL scouts call things like Lines up just outside the tackle Usually two; line up 8 to 10 yards Kicker attitude, leadership, intelligence, focus – were off Punter from line of scrimmage; responsible for providing support the charts. Everyone who was ever around Troy SPECIAL TEAMS in pass coverage Polamalu loved the guy. Responsible for kicking a THE GAME The Steelers’ leadership saw that clearly. Polamalu ball or returning a kicked was the one player in the draft who they had to ball from the other team • Field-goal attempt Try to score 3 points by kicking the have. That’s why they traded up. They were scared • Kick returns After a kick or ball between the uprights to death of missing out on him. punt, receiving team tries to catch the ball and advance it And since Polamalu became a starter for Pitts- • Extra points Points after • Goal Gain possession as far as possible toward the • Time Four touchdown; one point for of the ball, run or pass it burgh in 2004, the Steelers have led the NFL in opposite end zone • Organization Each 15-minute kicking the ball between to the end zone to score defence three times. They have given up, on average team has offensive quarters, with a • Kickoffs Start the game, uprights; two points for running a touchdown (6 points); and defensive 12-minute over those five years, just a shade more than 16 the second half and play or passing into endzone team with most points players, as well as halftime*; each points per game. They have made the playoffs four after scores wins • Punt Offensive team tries to pin the ball specialists who kick team gets three times. This is their second Super Bowl. Polamalu © 2009 MCT in defensive team’s end of the field timeouts per half has made the Pro Bowl every year. Source: National Football League Graphic: Tim Goheen and Lee Hulteng *Halftime during Super Bowl 30 minutes Of course, Polamalu is only a part of the Steelers’ 30 January 2008 WEEKEND 13

tv & Film

Valkryie 0Cast: Tom Cruise, Tom Wilkinson, Kenneth Branagh, Terence Stamp 0Director: Bryan Singer 0Length: 120 minutes 0Rated: M ( for offensive language & sexual references )

The idea of Tom Cruise wearing an eye patch and a Nazi costume sounds like someone’s idea of a bad Halloween party joke. But one of the many surprises of the new thriller Valkyrie is that it allows the actor, whose off-screen persona tends to overshadow his on-screen efforts, to disappear a bit inside the kind of old-fashioned theatrical get-up that Laurence Olivier might have exploited to the hilt. Cruise doesn’t quite have the gravitas to pull off this very tricky part – a German officer during World War II who leads a plot to overthrow Hitler – but he also doesn’t try to hog the spotlight or oversell the audience on his charm, the way he has in a number of recent efforts, like Tropic Thunder and Lions for Lambs. He blends into an excellently cast ensemble; and he modulates his performance to the tense, low-boil rhythms of the storytelling. The actor plays Col. Claus von Stauffenberg, a real-life figure who was maimed and partly blinded in Tunisia in 1943. Upon his return to Germany, his disillusionment with Nazism became so pronounced that he joined forces with a number of members of the underground resistance – played here by the likes of Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Terence Stamp – to fashion an elaborate plot that will use Hitler’s reserve army to turn against the rest of the army and take control of Berlin. The only wrinkle: In order for the plot to succeed, Hitler must be assassinated. For its first 45 minutes, Valkyrie (the title refers to Hitler’s con- tingency plan in the event of a coup – a plan that Stauffenberg and company try to manipulate to their own benefit) is a bit of slog. Screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexan- der introduce the major players and try to keep us abreast of everyone’s shifting alliances. (Tom Wilkinson and Eddie Izzard play generals who alternately support the conspiracists and betray them.) But unless you have an advanced degree in European history, you’re likely to find yourself a bit lost. Gran Torino Big Three looked at competitors from Japan with Walt begins spending time with his new neighbours, Stick with it. Because even if you never fully understand 0Cast: Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, disdain for their fussy quality control and wimpy warming to them. He takes timid Thao under his wing everything that’s going on in Valkyrie, the movie reveals itself Ahney Her efficiency. We built things for ourselves, even if they and enjoys bantering with Sue, who bats away Walt’s to be a taut, gripping procedural – not to mention a strangely 0Director: Clint Eastwood were engineered for obsolescence. As Archie and racist epithets with spunk and sass. Then they are poignant portrait of a madly quixotic group of men who refuse 0Length: 117 minutes Edith Bunker used to sing, “Those were the days.” forced into a confrontation that puts to the test Walt’s to go down without a fight. 0Rated: R16 (for violence & offensive In Gran Torino, Walt sits on his porch with his dog history of violence, his newfound sense of loyalty to his Director Bryan Singer (who also collaborated with McQuarrie language) and a cooler of beer, glaring at a changed world. He neighbours and his sense of moral responsibility. on The Usual Suspects) takes an unfussy, just-the-facts-ma’am doesn’t like the Hmong immigrants who have moved Eastwood directs the film with his usual solid, no- approach – so that when his familiar stylistic flourishes do in. Perhaps they remind him of his wartime experiences, fuss craftsmanship, sketching the characters eco- occasionally emerge, they take your breath away. (Watch out Harry Callahan would respect Walt Kowalski. Both where he won a Silver Star nomically, cranking up the for a stunningly beautiful shot of an out-of-focus Carice van men look at life through eyes narrowed in suspicion, for battlefield actions that Like many late- dramatic urgency and also Houten, who plays Stauffenberg’s wife, running back into focus both know their way around firearms, and both take still haunt him half a cen- tossing off good laughs. The in order to kiss her husband goodbye.) The last section of the no lip from punks. In fact, if Dirty Harry were an tury after the fact. Like period Eastwood script, by Nick Schenk, film is mesmerizing, especially if you don’t already know the auto worker in Detroit rather than a cop in San many late-period East- characters, Walt is a appears to be moving down real-life history of the coup attempt (and provided you don’t Francisco, he might have wound up just like Walt, wood characters, Walt is critique of the violent the formula assembly line mind the filmmakers stretching the truth a little for the sake of living out his widowed retirement years in a meticu- a critique of the violent to a predictable conclusion, good melodrama). lously maintained home, watching the neighbour- characters Eastwood characters Eastwood but there are twists in store. And while Cruise never fully captures what makes his tor- hood decay around him and snarling at the local played in the 1960s – the played in the 1960s – the Eastwood has no patience tured character tick, the movie ultimately functions as an intrigu- Asian street gangs, “Get off of my lawn.” Man With No Name with for easy conventions. The ing metaphor for the star’s place in the Hollywood cosmos: Walt is the latest character in Clint Eastwood’s second thoughts. He has Man With No Name with stunning payoff is one of Stauffenberg – much like the actor playing him – is a man portrait gallery, a flinty, unapologetically racist traded blood for blood in second thoughts those inspirations that feels so used to being in control of things that, when all starts to fall Korean War vet who is not afraid to brandish his the past, although he has inevitable in retrospect but apart and his acolytes begin to turn against him, he takes it as Army-issue M-1 Garand rifle or Colt .45 when the misgivings about what he has done. completely fresh and unexpected in the moment. If a personal affront. He keeps on fighting, too, determined to situation requires it. He enters Gran Torino as an Slowly, unwillingly, Walt is drawn into the life of you see it coming, your vision is better than mine. reclaim his place at the top, even as all evidence would suggest antihero, rasping profanities at his thoughtless adult the family next door when teenage Thao (Bee Vang) Eastwood’s second film this year is a compelling that his future is doomed. children, his parish priest, his Hmong neighbours and his older sister Sue (Ahney Her) run afoul of study of anger and violence and the guilt and shame In the end, Cruise’s presence helps transform this history and the modern world in general. local hoodlums. Walt stands up for Sue in a sidewalk that shadow them. He has sat high in the saddle for lesson into a very unique cautionary tale: It’s the tragedy of a He’s defined by the ‘72 Ford coupe he helped build confrontation, facing off against a gang of young decades, but rarely has he ridden so tall as in the man whose hubris was inextricable from his glory. and keeps in immaculate repair in his garage. The thugs and staring them down with sheer ice-cold driver’s seat of Gran Torino. Watch the trailer Gran Torino is no classic, but it’s a sweet metaphor, bravado. He straightens out Thao when the kid is Watch the trailer – By Christopher Kelly representing a time when America was on top. The pressured by gangbangers to steal Walt’s car. – By Colin Covert REVIEWS 14 30 January 2009

music

“Is it always this damn cold in Minnesota?” Holly asked. “No,” Bunn replied. “It gets a lot colder.” On Jan. 31, the tour made its second-longest haul – 590 km from Fort Dodge, Iowa, to Duluth. Bob Dylan, then a high schooler from Hibbing, Minn., has told the story of making eye contact with Holly. “He was great. He was incredible. I mean, I’ll never forget the image of seeing Buddy Holly up on the band- stand,” he told Rolling Stone magazine in 1984. The Duluth show ran until about 11 p.m. The balky bus had been kept in the Armoury basement to stay warm. Tour members packed up and headed into the brutally cold night. Tommy Allsup, the Crickets’ lead guitar, has vivid memories of that next unscheduled stop. “We had started up this incline, it was snowing real bad, and the bus just started going slower and slower, and the lights got dimmer and dimmer, and all of a sudden the bus stopped,” Allsup recalls.“The driver said, ‘The bus is frozen.’ ... It was so cold, and we were just sitting there right in the middle of the road. Everybody started thinking we were about to freeze to death.” Dion’s Belmonts started lighting newspapers to generate some warmth. Holly drummer Carl Bunch was in pain and having difficulty moving his legs. All- sup looked at Bunch’s feet; they had turned brown. Suddenly they saw headlights in the distance. A sheriff’s deputy, alerted by a passing trucker, sized up the dire situation and got four cars to take the musicians to Hurley. He also got Bunch to the hos- pital, where the drummer would learn two days later about the plane crash. Gene Calvetti, now 85, towed the bus to his dad’s garage. He recalls arriving at the scene to find the guys“complaining about the cold and scared of bears.” He also remembers the bus engine “was shot.” The musicians ended up at the Club Carnival in Hurley to get something to eat. Some went to a hotel to get a short night’s rest. The next day, they As Holly fans headed to Green Bay by train and Greyhound bus; from around the the Appleton show was cancelled. world converge Monday, Feb. 2, was supposed to be an off-day. But on Iowa’s Surf at the last minute, Clear Lake was booked. So it was Ballroom to remember back on the bus for the 575 km trip. his death in a Cold wasn’t the only discomfort. plane crash 50 “We tried to hang our wrinkled suits in the aisle, years ago, the and after a while, it got kind of ripe in there. We little-known story of the bus smelled like goats,” Jennings wrote. breakdown and But the awful conditions also sparked camarade- the rest of the rie, story-telling and jamming on the bus. gruelling tour is Dion described in his autobiography how he and worth telling to understand why Holly huddled under blankets. “Through the dark Holly chartered hours while we waited for something to happen, we the airplane at would tell each other stories. Him, about Lubbock. Mason City two Me, about the Bronx. I could always get a laugh out nights later. of him – soft and low like his drawl.” John Mueller, who plays Holly in a travelling road show called“Winter Dance Party,” has a unique insight into what the ‘50s performers endured. In The day before the music died 1999, Mueller and the other musicians tried to replicate the ‘59 tour, performing at all the origi- By Pamela Huey a plane crash 50 years ago, the little-known story of “It was so cold on the bus that we’d have to wear nal venues – but travelling in warm, comfortable Star Tribune the bus breakdown and the rest of the gruelling tour all our clothes, coats and everything. ... I couldn’t minivans. “By the time we got to Clear Lake, I had is worth telling to understand why Holly chartered believe how cold it was,” wrote Jennings, who played lost my voice, I had lost about 10 to 15 pounds, I DULUTHa, Minnesota. – The rickety old bus the airplane at Mason City two nights later. bass for Holly on the tour. The original Crickets were was just physically exhausted, as was everybody pulled out of the Duluth Armoury late on Saturday, One of the nation’s most famous rock ‘n’ roll stars, back in Texas. in the group,” he said. Jan. 31, 1959, and headed across St. Louis Bay into Holly had reluctantly signed onto the tour because General Artists Corp. had organized the tour with Holly historian Griggs thinks the Wisconsin the frigid Wisconsin night. he needed the money. But after 11 days of touring, no thought to geographic sanity. bus breakdown was the last straw: “Buddy had his On board were some exhausted and stinky rock ‘n’ he was tired – tired of the endless miles on frozen “They didn’t care,” says Holly historian Bill mind made up then. He thought, ‘I don’t want to go rollers and their harried manager. The Winter Dance buses, tired of performing in dirty clothes, tired of Griggs. “It was like they threw darts at a map.” another 400 miles on this bus.’” Party tour had just finished its ninth gig in as many bickering with his manager in Clovis, New Mexico, Griggs estimates they had five different buses As every Holly aficionado knows, Allsup and Jen- days and was headed for two shows that Sunday. and tired of sleeping sitting up. before driving into Clear Lake – “reconditioned nings were supposed to be on the plane. But they But as the temperature plunged to around 30C By all accounts, the rockers gave a rousing per- school buses, not good enough for school kids.” gave up their seats to Valens (who won a coin toss below zero and the wind howled, fate intervened. The formance in Clear Lake on Feb. 2, 1959. But rather The tour started in Milwaukee on Friday, Jan. 23. It with Allsup) and the Bopper (who was sick). southbound bus creaked to a stop as it struggled up than ride that cold bus 500 km to Moorhead, Holly, J.P. then zig-zagged across Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. When Buddy learned that Jennings’ seat had gone an incline on Hwy. 51 about 16 km south of Hurley. (the Big Bopper) Richardson and Valens climbed into There were no roadies to set up and pack up, and only to the Bopper, he approached his bass player, who Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, Ritchie Valens, Way- a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza that crashed icy two-lane highways to get from town to town. was haunted for years by their next exchange. lon Jennings, Dion and the others were stranded into a cornfield in a snowstorm just after take-off. At the Jan. 27 show at the Fiesta Ballroom in “Well,” Holly said with a grin.“I hope your damned on a remote highway in the northern Wisconsin The story is legend – made more famous by Don Montevideo in western Minnesota, young fans excit- bus freezes up again.” forest. They huddled under blankets and burned McLean’s ‘70s song “American Pie.” Not so well edly crowded the stage. All the shows were drawing “Well, I hope your ol’ plane crashes,” Jennings newspapers to try to stay warm. Buddy’s drummer known is what some call the “Tour From Hell.” large, enthusiastic crowds. responded. nursed painful frostbitten feet. The midwinter tour was particularly difficult for Bob Bunn, who played with a local band called Holly headed for the plane, and the bus headed It was the night the music almost died. Texans Holly and his reconstituted Crickets, and the Rockin’ Rebels, wanted Holly to sign his guitar. for Moorhead. As Holly fans from around the world converge for Valens, a Southern California boy who hadn’t After the show, he drove to the Highway Cafe, where Watch Buddy Holly perform Peggy Sue live on Iowa’s Surf Ballroom to remember his death in taken a winter coat. the singers had gone to eat. Bunn greeted Holly. Watch Weezer’s tribute to Buddy Holly

30 January 2008 REVIEWS 15

NEW CD RELEASES books

Animal Collective 0Merriweather Post Pavilion 0Domino

It’s the dead of win- ter, less than month into 2009, but the Baltimore-Brooklyn indie art-pop duo Animal Collective has already released the best summertime song of the year. OK, that’s a ridiculous thing to say, but “Summertime Clothes,” the swirling, chiming, slamming, off-kilter love song that’s a high point of “Merriweather Post Pavilion,” is ridiculously good. (The album, by the way, is named for a storied Maryland amphitheater.) This is the ninth album by the duo of Avey Tare (Dave Portner) and Panda Bear (Noah Lennox), Three French memoirs, dices and shortcomings, as when she meets an The brief, tormented and it’s the best – and rarest – kind of breakthrough American woman: “... though I despised simplistic in that it keeps the band’s trademark laptop-gener- all wonderful anti-Americanism, I thought that to forbid myself life of Edgar Allan Poe ated weirdness intact while surrounding gurgling from hating this girl because she was American experiments like“Bluish” with delectable melodies, Tokyo Fiancee would in fact constitute an unspeakable form of Poe: A Life Cut Short and bringing off Beach Boys-suffused exotica such 0By Amelie Nothomb, translated by simplistic anti-Americanism: I indulged, therefore, 0By Peter Ackroyd as “Brother Sport” with a mischievous wink and a Alison Anderson in pure and simple loathing.” 0Nan A. Talese/Doubleday ($21.95) warm heart. 0Europa (US$11.70 via Amazon) True, in Japan (where Nothomb was born) she – Dan DeLuca gets engaged against her will and must break it off Nearly 160 years after his miserable life ended, and return to Belgium. Yet this is hardly tragic – it Edgar Allan Poe’s imagination is still beating strong Pat Dinizio The Mystery Guest was all a mistake from the start. beneath the floorboards of American culture. The 0Pat Dinizio/Buddy Holly 0By Gregoire Bouillier, translated by One of the smartest, happiest, most hopeful pas- NFL’s Baltimore Ravens are named for his naysay- 0Koch Records Lorin Stein; sages I’ve read recently is Nothomb’s graceful dis- ing bird, and an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants 0Farrar, Straus & Giroux (US$10.36 via cussion of what she felt for her Japanese boyfriend, paid homage to his Tell-Tale Heart. Amazon) Rinri. She decides it’s not ai (love) but koi (finding Poe was a literary writer ne plus ultra, a hero to On Feb. 3, it will be 50 someone to your liking). While love is destructive, Verlaine and Baudelaire, an avatar to Romantics, years since the “day koi is wonderful:“I was always overjoyed to see him. Symbolists and Surrealists. the music died,” when The Possession I felt friendship for him, and tenderness. But when But he is also a giant precursor to today’s genre the airplane carrying 0By Annie Ernaux, translated by he wasn’t there, I did not miss him.” And that, she writing: the acknowledged father of the detective Buddy Holly, the Big Anna Moschovakis thinks, is fabulous:“koi was ravishing, so light, fluid, story, thanks to his story The Murders in the Rue Bopper and Ritchie 0Seven Stories (US$9.56 via Amazon) fresh and devoid of seriousness. Koi was elegant, Morgue; the godfather of American horror writing Valens fatally crashed playful, funny, civilized.” and filmmaking (take a bow, Vincent Price); and a in Clear Lake, Iowa. Behold three French memoirs. Short, read-them-on- I’m excited about encountering Nothomb. She kindly uncle to science-fiction tradition, thanks Among the count- the-train affairs. All three also are quite wonderful, finds everything fascinating, and she takes us along to his hoax stories and his influence on H.G. Wells less musicians influenced by Holly’s music is Smith- indicating current directions in literature written an electric current of perception. and Jules Verne. ereens frontman Pat Dinizio, who revisits some in French. And two have a virtue we don’t always All three books ride a current very strong at the He was also an orphan, a West Point dropout, an favourites here. associate with that literature: humor! moment. What to call it? Emotional memoir? Expe- alcoholic and a mopey, touchy, quarrelsome hot- It’s not a Gary Busey imitation job. Instead, To be sure, French memoirist Annie Ernaux’s riential novel? Authors seek to blur borders between head. Dinizio builds the arrangements around a bass- The Possession is serious, both right-now and in a memoir (“true stories of what happened to me”) The masterful English biographer and novel- guitar-drums band and lots of strings. traditional French-modern vein. But The Mystery and imaginative literature (making the truth into ist Peter Ackroyd strives to make sense of both The combination shines on the opening “Words Guest by Algerian-born (now Parisian) Gregoire “something else,” whatever that may be). Authors Poe’s great work and sad existence in this succinct of Love,” with the string ensemble, twangy guitar Bouillier is a postmodern smilefest. And – discov- are exploring ways to tell tales from their own lives addition to his “Brief Lives” series. Ackroyd also and light percussion melding into something that’s ery! – Belgian writer Nothomb’s Tokyo Fiancee is through imagination, not through facile truth fic- acknowledges that some Poe conundrums will never sweet and catchy. thoroughly delightful, a true find, an open-hearted tion distinctions. be solved, including how he came to be found dazed Even for those familiar with Holly’s music, the comic romp. Ernaux does this by taking her experience – of and incoherent in a Baltimore tavern at the end revelation is how powerful these simple songs Literature in French is full of comic masters, from losing her lover to another woman, with whom she of his life. remain. Rabelais to Moliere to Voltaire and so on. But Camus becomes obsessed – absolutely, existentially, seri- Poe’s father abandoned him, and his mother died That’s apparent, even in the moments when the and Sartre weren’t real laughmeisters, and the post- ously. Her quest is to be exact, formulate apercus in of tuberculosis when he was two. Ackroyd quotes a strings sound ponderous, such as the heavy-handed modernists (until now, at least) haven’t exactly set the French tradition, encapsulate her agony and prescient couplet Poe wrote as a youth: “I could not “Peggy Sue.” Mostly, however, Dinizio’s tribute is a the house roaring. ordeal in polished sentences. The result is a prose love except where Death/Was mingling his with good one. So it’s great to find oneself sniggering at the sad- both distanced and passionate: “That ... he would Beauty’s breath.” – Jim Abbott sack protagonist self-portrait in The Mystery Guest choose a woman of forty-seven was intolerable to He married a young cousin, Virginia Clemm, as he tries and fails to make sense of, well, anything me. I saw in this choice the clear proof that he had and often lived with her and her mother, Maria, The Bird And The Bee in his life. There’s an old girlfriend, a party, a bottle of loved me not as the singular being I’d believed I was moving from house to boarding house to city as 0Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future champagne – each one, together and apart, bamboo- in his eyes. ... I realized that I was an interchange- their poverty and his heavy drinking ebbed and 0Blue Note Records zles him. It’s an associational, thinking-to-himself able part in a series.” flowed. book, but at a certain magical point you find you It’s compelling; I can’t say it’s totally without In a time when prestigious English writing could have been smiling for about an hour. self-pity, because self-pity is part of the tale and it be appropriated here without fee or copyright con- If you put a hip- At the very end, he lets us know that sometimes would have been a lie to leave it out. The real drama, cern, Poe “was one of the first truly professional hop beat to Natalie it’s fun to be clueless: “ ... I burst out laughing. I however, the true theatre, is the writer’s fierce search writers in American literary history, but he was in Merchant’s music, saw stars, and it felt as though I was the one who’d for the sum of her obsession. a marketplace where no one came to buy,” Ackroyd it might come close been granted a special dispensation. And I no longer Or you could laugh. Bouillier’s self-hero learns writes. to The Bird and the knew what to think. It was all beyond me.” that one of the scriptwriters for the film Die Hard Poe also hurt himself professionally and person- Bee, the LA duo of That feeling – that everything is always beyond has been hired to help the U.S. Army create war ally with intemperate letters and articles. “He was singer Inara George us – permeates The Mystery Guest. He both knows strategy: “(I)f I understood correctly, fiction was like a cuttlefish floundering in its own ink,” Ackroyd and keyboardist Greg and doesn’t know that the joke – tonight, next year, being called to the official aid and reinforcement says. Kurstin. forever – is always on him. And that’s both a pain and rescue of real life, as if real life weren’t always Yet as messy as he made his life, he crafted one The 14 songs on “Ray Guns Are Not Just the and a laugh. fiction in the first place.” mesmerizing piece after another, including his sig- Future” floats like a feather in the breeze, brushing Nothomb laughs a great deal in her memoir novel, Bouillier’s flummoxed humility, Ernaux’s austere nature poem The Raven, the terrifying The Fall of against tropical breezes and kitschy but fun retro infectiously. But helplessness is not the theme. Her clarity, and Nothomb’s irrepressible glee (even when the House of Usher and the gorgeous sound-poem excursions. “Diamond Dave,” an ode to David Lee protagonist-self is a woman who believes she can do it nearly gets her killed) – these suggest much that The Bells. Roth, is a captivating organ-powered lounge tune. anything, whose alter ego is Zarathustra, who climbs can happen in a short book, and much that’s hap- To paraphrase Ackroyd, the orphan found his true There’s similar good humour throughout. Just mountains at Mach speed and conquers Japanese pening right now in literature written in French. family after he died, in the enduring respect of other add martini and enjoy. language and culture with kooky aplomb. It’s pretty great. writers, especially in England and France. – Jim Abbott You have to love her openness about her preju- – By John Timpane – By Jim Higgins HEALTH 16 30 January 2009 Plastic toxin lingers in body By Susanne Rust and Meg Kissinger that at extremely low levels – parts per billion or diabetes and heart disease, even at chemical-makers or others with a financial stake even parts per trillion – it can cross the placenta and very low levels. It has also been in BPA. A study released this week finds that bisphenol A, a alter the mammary gland of the developing fetus, found to interfere with chemo- The FDA safety assessment relied on two chemical widely used to make plastic and suspected increasing breast cancer risk later in life.” therapy in breast cancer patients. studies, both paid for by chemical-makers, and of causing cancer, stays in the body much longer BPA, used to make baby bottles, dental sealants, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ignored hundreds of independent studies that than previously thought. food storage containers and thousands of other had 10 household products tested found the chemical to cause harm in laboratory The findings are significant because the longer household products, was found in 93 percent of and found toxic levels of BPA leach- animals. the chemical lingers in the body, the greater chance people tested. ing from all of them. The FDA’s own science advisory board it has of doing harm, scientists say. The new study, conducted by Richard Stahlhut at Canada declared BPA to be a has recommended that the FDA recon- Researchers from the University of Rochester the University of Rochester, used data on humans toxin and banned its use in baby sider its ruling. FDA administrators have in New York also say the chemical may get into the collected by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and bottles last year. In the United promised to study the matter further body from sources such as plastic water pipes or Prevention. Researchers looked at urine samples of States, 14 states are considering simi- but so far have stood by their assessment. dust from carbonless paper and not only from food 1,469 U.S. adults. They compared the levels of BPA lar action. Stahlhut’s study is likely to reignite concerns containers that leach the chemical when heated. based on how long the subjects had fasted. Federal regulators have been divided on the issue. about the chemical’s safety. The study results, published Thursday in Envi- The American Chemistry Council, which repre- A group of scientists from the National Toxicol- “This is bound to shake things up,” Stahlhut said. ronmental Health Perspectives, have sparked a sents makers of BPA, maintains that the chemical ogy Program expressed some concern last year “It is saying that our risk assessments are wrong. flurry of concern and renewed calls for regulation. is safe for all uses. Steven Hentges, spokesman for about the chemical for infants and children. But Things we thought we knew aren’t necessarily so.” “The study reinforces the urgent need for stricter the trade group, dismissed the study as inherently the Food and Drug Administration has said BPA The research indicates for the first time that peo- government oversight and regulation of this limited. is safe for all use. ple are either constantly being bombarded with extremely toxic chemical,” said Janet Nudelman, “The authors’ conclusions are, at best, specula- The newspaper found federal regulators favoured bisphenol A from non-food sources, such as receipts director of program and policy at the Breast Cancer tion,” Hentges said.“Low levels of BPA found in the industry-financed studies in their assessments. and plastic water piping, or they are storing the Fund, a health advocacy group.“It adds to what we data are not a risk to human health.” Entire sections of the FDA’s assessment contained chemical in fat cells, unable to get rid of it as quickly already know about BPA, a chemical so powerful BPA has been linked to spikes in breast cancer, identical language to reports written on behalf of as scientists have believed.

And then there were eight The second live octuplets born in U.S. history were delivered to a California woman in her 30th week of pregnancy. Types of multiple births Octuplets can be fraternal siblings or a combination of fraternal and identical siblings Fraternal Identical Sperm Sperm Sperm

Egg Egg Egg Ovary releases more than one egg Single egg released, fertilized in one month; each fertilized by by sperm; for unknown reason, separate sperm; can be the result the embryo splits of fertility drugs, which stimulate Share one placenta; usually Health of democracy the release of eggs have separate amniotic sacs Have separate placentas, amniotic sacs Fetuses in question usually Vienna – After a study found one fifth of Austria’s poison” society, said parliamentarian Gerald Grosz Risks to preemies delivered by Islamic religious education teachers to have anti- of the Alliance for the Future of Austria. cesarean sRetinas develop section democratic views, politicians are voicing concerns, and But other political parties, such as the conserva- abnormally far-right parties are calling for drastic measures. tive People’s Party and the left-leaning Greens, also sBlood vessels Survival rates In a dissertation project on Islamic religious edu- voiced concerns. bleed easily By weeks cation in Austria, 21.9 per cent of surveyed teachers “We need a discussion that will hopefully be con- of gestation said they were opposed to democracy because it is ducted in a fair manner,” an Islamic community sDigestive system (full term is 40) at odds with Islam. spokeswoman told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa. unable to handle food Some 27 cent opposed the Universal Declaration Carla Amina Baghajati stressed that politics was sLungs lack small air 90% of Human Rights for the same reason, said Mouha- not part of Islamic religious education and that her sacs and chemical that 60% nad Khorchide, the study’s author and a religious community had already embarked on improving keeps them open 32% education researcher at the University of Vienna. quality controls for its teachers. 8% © 2009 MCT “I think this gives cause for concern,” Khorchide The Austrian Islamic Community represents Source: March of Dimes, American College said in a telephone interview. some 400,000 Muslims living in the country. Many of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Under 23 24 28 23 The dissertation, which is to be published in the of them have their roots in Turkey or the former coming weeks in Germany, was made public this Yugoslavia. week by the Vienna weekly Der Falter. Khorchide said that the Muslim community The Education Ministry reacted swiftly, demand- should do more to improve the education of its ing that the Muslim community’s teaching inspec- teachers, 37 per cent of whom have neither theo- Birth of octuplets no tors by February 12 should explain “how the goals logical nor education training, despite teaching in of the community’s Islamic education and its public schools. compliance with the goals of civic education ... are For his study, Khorchide interviewed 199 teach- cheap medical affair safeguarded.” ers. He found older teachers and those with Arabic The inspectors supervise Austria’s 350 to 400 rather than Turkish origins more likely to voice A woman in Bellflower, Calif., is likely facing more son, the mother’s care will probably be a bargain.” Islamic religious educators. anti-democratic views. than US$200,000 in medical bills after giving birth The delivery costs for a normal full-term preg- Staying true to their anti-Islamic stance, Austria’s Austrian authorities leave it to the Muslim com- to eight babies, a medical official says. nancy can reach up to $25,000 depending on birth- far-right parties showed less patience or rhetorical munity to decide who can teach religion to the coun- Steven M. Donn, who heads up the University of ing methods. The costs for pre-term births typically restraint. try’s 47,000 Muslim students. Michigan Health System’s Division of Neonatal- surpass average birthing costs. “Religious education teachers who take pride in “It would be totally wrong if the discussion would Perinatal Medicine, said the unidentified parents of Donn said the additional precautions taken for their radical position must be immediately deported, continue in this direction,” Khorchide said in reac- the recently delivered octuplets likely accumulated the octuplets’ birth likely increased the base finan- as they are not compatible with our set of values,” tion to the rightist’s statements. “We should ask quite a hospital bill, ABC News said. cial tally for eight pre-term births. said Monika Muehlwerth, education spokeswoman ourselves what we can do for youths, in terms of an “You can think of it as an eightfold increase on a sin- “For reasons we don’t completely understand, of Austria’s Freedom Party. integrated society.” gleton birth,” Donn said in regards to the octuplets’ birth, risks with multi-fetal deliveries are greater than Radical Islamists should not be allowed to“slowly – DPA specific details of which were not reported. “By compari- (normal births),” he told ABC News. 30 January 2008 SCIENCE & TECH 17 Slow river currents can generate power cutting By Tina Lam harm the environment. lar to currents. As the water flow hits the cylinders, Detroit Free Press VIVACE means“lively” on a musical score, but in it creates vortices that cause the cylinders to move this case is an acronym standing for Vortex-Induced up and down. That energy drives generators to make edge DETROIT – In the eerie green glow of flashing lasers Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy. electricity, which goes through cables to the electri- in a darkened University of Michigan lab, a cylin- Bernitsas said he is thinking small so far, but cal grid on land. The size, number and placement of Scientists discover honey bees can count CANBERRA, Australia, Jan. 30 (UPI) – Australian and der on springs moves methodically up and down someday an array of 1,000 cylinders offshore could the cylinders depends on the body of water. German scientists say they have discovered honey bees can in a giant tank as water flows over it, simulating produce the same energy as a large nuclear plant. A In the Detroit River, he plans 21 cylinders, each tell the difference between different numbers at a glance. a stream. smaller grouping, as big around as a running track about 10 inches in diameter and 16 feet long, sus- The researchers, led by Professor Shaowu Zhang of the Whirligigs of illuminated particles form as the and as tall as a two-story building, could power pended in frames mid river on the U.S. side, which Australian National University and Professors Hans Gross water pours over and under the cylinder in rhyth- 1,000 homes. will create 3 kilowatts of energy around the clock and Juergen Tautz of Wurzburg University in Germany, mic patterns. He came up with the idea four years ago and is to power lights on the dock. showed bees can discriminate between patterns contain- It looks simple, but it’s revolutionary. This is developing it with a team of more than 30 students This electricity is clean, infinitely renewable – “as long ing two and three dots. With a bit of schooling, bees can VIVACE, a device to harness energy in slow-mov- and researchers for commercial use. He patented it as the sun, the Earth and the moon move as they do now,” learn to tell the difference between three and four dots. ing water currents across the globe and turn it into and started a company that hopes to manufacture he jokes – and doesn’t harm the environment. However, the researchers said the honeybees couldn’t electricity. it in Michigan in a few years. The cylinders will be far enough apart that fish reliably tell the difference between four dots and five or six. VIVACE, which mimics the way fish swim in cur- In a stream, small eddies, or vortices, are created can swim through them and deep enough to avoid Zhang said the findings demonstrate bees can count up to four landmarks on their way from their hive to a food rents, is to debut next year in the Detroit River, above and below an object the current hits. These ships, boats and fishing lines. source. “This new research shows they can tell the differ- powering the light for a new wharf between Hart vortices alternate, creating an up and down lift. “It’s a really creative project,” said John Kerr, ence between different numbers – even when we change Plaza and the Renaissance Center. For example, a moored boat will bob up and director of economic development for the Detroit/ the pattern, shape or the colour of the dots,” he added. “Everybody is excited by this,” said Mike Ber- down, and a stick caught underwater in a stream Wayne County Port Authority. The study is detailed in the on-line journal PLoS One. nitsas, director of the Marine Renewable Energy will quiver. Vortices in the air make your car antenna VIVACE’s electricity will be cheaper to produce Laboratory at the University of Michigan and shake if you drive fast. than solar or wind energy – at 5.5 cents per kilowatt Study: Brain chemical blocks weight gain inventor of the device. In air or water, the vibrations can be dangerous hour – and cheaper than coal plants if controlling DALLAS, Jan. 30 (UPI) – U.S. medical scientists say It’s one of a handful of new techniques – the first if not controlled. their carbon emissions is accounted for, he said, they’ve discovered increased levels of a natural brain in more than 100 years – to use water to create clean, Bernitsas, 57, has worked for two decades on ways because the devices are simple and require little chemical can block weight gain. The researchers at the renewable energy. Since late November, the device to control these vibrations on offshore oil rigs. maintenance. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre found has been filmed by Canada’s Discovery Channel and “He was famous for how to kill vortex-induced The cylinders should go into the Detroit River mice with increased levels of the chemical orexin don’t gain weight when fed a high-fat diet. The chemical works discussed in science blogs, journals and the British vibrations,” said U-M doctoral student Jim Chang, within 12 to 14 months, followed by further testing. by increasing the body’s sensitivity to the so-called Sunday Telegraph. who works on VIVACE. “Now he’ll be known for Bernitsas said he can’t jump up and down until weight-loss hormone leptin, the researchers said. Unlike water-driven mills, turbines or dams, using them.” then, since challenges remain. Professor Masashi Yanagisawa, senior author of the VIVACE doesn’t require fast-moving water – most What Bernitsas envisions is groups of cylinders in “Once it’s in the Detroit River, I’ll be screaming, study, said finding a way to boost the orexin system streams on the globe are slow-moving – and doesn’t frames on the ocean bed or in streams, perpendicu- ‘Eureka!’ “ he said. might prove useful as a therapy against obesity. “Obese people are not deficient in leptin,” Yanagisawa said. “They have tons of leptin floating around. The problem is that their brain isn’t very sensitive to it.” The researchers said they increased the levels of orexin US military finally go online in mice by either genetic engineering or by administer- ing the hormone into the brain. When the mice were fed a healthy diet, the increased levels of orexin made little WASHINGTON – New software being tested by U.S. to reduce that infrastructure to one box, one wire; Department of Energy, said the technology on difference in their weights, the scientists said. But when Central Command would enable military computers hence the name. which the new software was based had been certi- the mice were fed a high-fat diet, the high-orexin mice for the first time ever to be connected at the same “Eliminating the requirement for physical sepa- fied by the National Security Agency. remained lean while the normal animals became obese. time to both classified and unclassified networks ration will give us the ability to reduce our desktop “The fact that the NSA has given this certifica- The research appears in the January issue of the – including the public Internet. infrastructure,” said Jones.“It will be more efficient; tion to Integrity and its software after, as I under- journal Cell Metabolism. Officials say the technology, if it proves secure, it will save us money.” stand it, a very intensive, exhaustive two-plus years could save more than $200 million for CENTCOM “Instead of having four computers for a user, you of analysis … that speaks volumes for its reliability NASA seeks moon lander concepts and eliminate the need to use workarounds like only need one, you only need one wire,” he contin- and security. HOUSTON, Jan. 30 (UPI) – The U.S. space agency says thumb drives to move data between networks at dif- ued. “When we are deploying forward, it reduces This operating system is revolutionary, he con- it has issued a request for proposals for concept definition ferent levels of classification – which can facilitate our (air-)lift (requirements), it reduces our power cluded. The technology is revolutionary.” and requirements analysis for the Altair lunar lander. the spread of viruses and other malware, and which requirements, it reduces our staff costs.” The key to Integrity’s game-changing charac- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Constellation Program will use Altair to land four may have led to this week’s security scare in New Jones said a back-of-the-envelope business case ter, said Jones, is known as the separation kernel, a astronauts on the moon. The lunar lander will provide the Zealand. A USB drive containing sensitive Pentagon analysis he had developed showed the new tech- piece of software guaranteed to keep the different astronauts with life support and a base for week-long data was found in that country after being bought nology could save potentially in excess of US$230 networks separate … all the way from the unclas- initial surface explorations of the moon, NASA said. from an Oklahoma store over the internet. million over a three-year rollout period. sified to the top-secret level. Altair also will also take the crew back to the orbiting This new software linkage has been called the In addition to being expensive, Jones said, the The software, Liacko explained, creates “what spacecraft that will return them to Earth. Holy Grail, Elwood Bud Jones, a program manager requirement for physical separation is inefficient we call security domains … in essence virtual The concept contracts will provide resources to for multinational information sharing at CENT- and encourages the use of potentially dangerous machines or virtual servers … each one of them conduct NASA-directed engineering tasks in support COM, told United Press International. workarounds. “Military officials would develop is impregnable. Even viruses that operate at the of evaluating vehicle conceptual designs, maturing the Jones said CENTCOM is engaged in a piloting plans or information on the U.S.-only networks, very deepest level of the operating system cannot vehicle design and reviewing the products for system and testing process called a Joint Capabilities Tech- but if they want to share it (with foreign partners) get around the new software, he said. requirements reviews and system definition reviews, nology Demonstration Project, code-named One … they have to use a thumb drive or Flash drive to “We sit literally on the bare metal … on the NASA said, noting it anticipates making multiple awards as a result of its concept solicitation. Box, One Wire, or OB1, which would end after three move it over to the coalition networks,” he said. microprocessor. What we create is a secure platform, Proposals are due to NASA’s Johnson Space Center years with the rollout of the software throughout “Likewise, if information comes in on (one of) the and on top of that platform you can run Windows in Houston by 2 p.m. CST on Feb. 27. The selections CENTCOM. coalition network(s) and they want to share it with or Linux … inside of a securely separated domain, will be made this spring. “Currently, the 14 different computer networks people who don’t have access to those networks, where … your top-secret or confidential corporate More information about the request for proposals is that CENTCOM uses in its operations have to be they have to move it up to the classified network,” data … can be protected and cannot be accessed by available at http://procurement.jsc.nasa.gov/Altair physically separate,” said Michael Liacko, executive Jones continued. an intruder from any one of the other domains.” vice president for business strategy at Integrity “With access to multiple networks from a single Specialists at the NSA tested the system for three Study: Gold hardens in intense heat Global Security, the company that makes the new box, They can create information where it needs to years, said Liacko.“We had to give source codes and TORONTO, Jan. 30 (UPI) – University of Toronto software. be shared, rather than creating it someplace (else) blueprints to the NSA, and they began a multiyear scientists say they have discovered gold becomes harder “The way they are separating different networks and then trying to move it.” process of doing mathematic and physical penetra- when subjected to intense heat. (at different levels of classification) … is to literally Last year the U.S. military banned the use of tion testing. … They were not able to penetrate it.” “It is counter-intuitive, but the gold got harder instead of softer,” said physics Professor R.J. Dwayne Miller. have a physically separate connection, a separate removable media like thumb and Flash drives after The technology would already be used in embed- “Can you imagine a blacksmith heating up gold to pound wire and a separate computer,” he told UPI. a worm spread on such devices infected CENTCOM ded software in new U.S. military aircraft, said it thinner, only to find it got harder? But we heated the “We have many networks that we operate on,” computers. Jones, “the F-22 and the F-35 have this software gold at terrific heating rates – greater than 1 billion mil- explained Jones,“including U.S. networks at various Through a Flash drive, a worm or a virus is intro- on board, but now the new product, and its use in lion degrees per second – that approach the tempera- levels of classification, secret, top-secret and so on, duced, said Liacko, “and moving data physically the OB1 project, also has to be certified. ture of the interior of stars.” and separate networks for each of the coalitions that like that opens up the door, and once the door is “The technology is developed to the point where Miller explained the gold was heated at rates too fast CENTCOM is part of in Iraq and Afghanistan. open, it can propagate and the whole network can we actually have a working model, he said.“We have for the electrons absorbing the light energy to collide “As a result, you can have a lot of computers sit- be compromised. Integrity stops that.” to go through a process of getting that certified … with surrounding atoms and lose energy. This means ting around your desk, and it’s not very efficient for Retired U.S. Air Force Gen. Eugene Habiger, a so we can actually put (those networks) on the same the electrons are on average further away from the sharing information,” he said, adding, “A lot of users member of the company’s advisory board, is blunter. box … on the same wire. atomic nucleus and there is less screening of the positive have two, three, four, even five computers sitting “Had this operating system been used within the “We will probably not put it on our active net- nuclear charge by these heated electrons. The bonds between atoms actually got stronger. around their desk, and we have to use a switch box systems (that were compromised by the worm), this works until we get the certification, he said, adding, The findings appeared online in the Jan. 22 edition of to switch from network to network, and we can’t use would not have happened.” The purpose of that is to ensure that the software the journal Science. multiple networks at a single time. OB1 allows us Habiger, a former head of cybersecurity at the really does what it says it can.” NEWSFOCUS 18 30 January 2009 Reforming Islam: on the front line By Kim Barker Chicago Tribune

LAHORE, Pakistan – The Islamists lost their grip on Pakistan’s largest college campus for the first time in decades last year. Then the violence started. Their decline had been obvious. Shops at the Uni- versity of the Punjab began selling Coca-Cola, which had been banned by the Islamist students because it was an American product. Cable television, seen as immoral by the fundamentalist group, was installed inside college dormitories. Girls and boys sat together, after years of forced segregation. For the university administration and many stu- dents, the push back against the youth wing of fun- damentalist party Jamaat-e-Islami was essential for the future of the school and the country’s fight against extremism. But the resulting clashes here last month show how serious the fight over Islam is in this volatile nation. In many ways, the battle at Punjab’s university is a microcosm of the larger battle in the country, especially with the government facing pressure to rein in Islamist militant groups after one of them was implicated by India and its Western allies in the deadly terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November. For years, the militant groups have been sup- ported directly or indirectly by the country’s power- ful intelligence agencies and army command, and it’s unclear how much the civilian government can do – or has the will to do. “We are sitting here in a campus which is going to define the future of Pakistan,” said Muhammad Naeem Khan, the registrar of the school of 30,000 students, in a recent interview.“Here is where we will win the war on terror. Here is where we will win the war for democracy.” The rise of the Islamist youth group, called Islami Jamiat Talaba, over the past 30 years illustrates how forces once supported by the Pakistani establish- ment can be difficult to stop. In 1984, President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq, a right-wing military ruler known for spreading Islamic fervour, banned student political groups. In University of the Punjab, the only major group left was IJT, which defined itself as a religious party. Ul-Haq’s government, busy helping the U.S. fight the Soviet occupation in Afghanistan, allowed IJT to spread. Afghan jihad leaders such as Gulbuddin Hekmatyar – now listed as a terrorist by the U.S. – spoke at University of the Punjab. Some students left to fight in Afghanistan. Although the ban on student groups was briefly lifted in the 1990s, former President Pervez Mush- arraf, the military ruler who seized power in 1999, reinstated it. In the years that followed, IJT played a similar role to that of its parent group, Jamaat-e- Islami, supporting Musharraf even while pretending not to, analysts say. But Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s oldest religious group – at times because they were afraid. Over the decades, with no organized opposition, political party, also had links to militants. In 1989, it The group even made money from the university, helped form a militant group to fight in India-con- setting up a book fair and banning American sodas the Islamist group became so entrenched in the trolled Kashmir at the prodding of Pakistan’s most in favour of Pakistani-made Shandy cola, which university that former members became teachers powerful spy agency, analysts say. In 2003, Khalid paid the group a commission, university administra- Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of the tors said. The group’s leaders denied this. and now run the teacher’s association on campus. Sept. 11 attacks in the U.S., was arrested in the house “This university for a long time has been the They forced the university to hire supporters as of a Jamaat-e-Islami member. goose that laid golden eggs for these people,” said Here in Lahore, leaders of the Islamic youth Mujahid Kamran, named university vice chancel- drivers, gardeners and guards. Member students group say they are not violent. They say that they lor a year ago. took over university offices and used them to preach have no problem with Coke and no problem with In his new job, Kamran wanted the Islamist male and female students talking to each other. group to obey the rules. So he paved the way for “We have an ideology, and everybody (at the Coca-Cola’s return. He closed the school rather than A leader of the liberal student group was then charged. The liberal youth group’s leaders say they university) is with us,” said Qaisar Sharif, 27, who allow the book fair – and then he held a univer- beaten up in the middle of the night. And in the have been threatened to withdraw their cases is charge of the group on campus. “The ideology sity-sponsored book fair. He cleared out university early hours of Dec. 3, after hours of protests by both against the Islamists. is of Islam, and to help the students be together, offices that the group had taken over. student groups and a fist fight, Islamist youths broke The liberal youth group’s leaders also blame the uni- without any division.” The new civilian government, elected last Febru- into dorm 16 and shot two liberal students, wound- versity for encouraging them to recruit and rally against Over the decades, with no organized opposition, ary, again lifted the ban on student unions. A loose ing both, police said. the Islamists but doing nothing to protect them. the Islamist group became so entrenched in the uni- group of liberal students, the United Students Mazhar Qayyum, 24, a law student, was in the hos- Some moderate teachers, weary of a long fight versity that former members became teachers and Federation, started recruiting and eventually took pital for more than two weeks after being shot in the against the Islamist group, worried that the recent now run the teacher’s association on campus. They control of dorms 15 and 16. left thigh and hit over the head with a metal rod. He changes were only cosmetic. forced the university to hire supporters as drivers, But there were ominous signs. In September, a has left the university and is now recovering at home. “It’s like dispersing little mosquitoes when you put gardeners and guards. Member students took over suitcase of rusted Kalashnikovs, grenades and bul- “I am very much fearful about my life,” Qayyum said. a mosquito coil in the room,” said Shaista Sirajuddin, university offices and used them to preach, teachers lets was unearthed near the Islamist youth group’s “Not only my life, but my family, my friends.” head of the English department. “When the coil is and administrators said. headquarters, Kamran said. The next day, another Although police initially held one Islamist youth gone, they come right back. ... It’s not a question of University administrators did little against the gun was found. group member in the shooting, no one has yet been could they come back. They will come back.” 30 January 2008 TRAVEL 19 Tamarindo, a fragile balance The turtle tour started at 6:30 p.m., shortly after I overheard this conversation between two elderly sunset. The group gathered at a shack by the shore American men at the table behind me, pertaining just a 20-minute walk from the busiest part of the to the same topic: city; this is the gateway to Parque Nacional Marino The first man said, “More taxes will kill the munic- Las Baulas de Guanacaste – Leatherback National ipality. What happens to the jobs of the maids and Park. We loaded into long wooden launches and gardeners?” motored across the mouth of the Tamarindo estuary The other man replied, “I’m happy to be in the to get to the beach on the other side. idiot faction. ... I don’t mind more restaurants and The leatherback is the biggest turtle in the world, I don’t mind more people. But more people means and the most endangered of the sea turtles. Our lead more (expletive for human waste). And what are you guide, Miguel Mora, said Baulas was established in going to do with the (expletive)?” 1990 to preserve their nesting area. At that time, Good question. about 1,400 turtles came ashore to lay eggs; last Mora told us some things as we walked. One of year, 73 were spotted, he said. Human predation, them is that the life of the leatherback, outside of its incidental death in commercial fishing operations, nesting practices, is largely a mystery. He said leath- habitat loss and light pollution that interferes with erbacks are thought to live on jellyfish, mainly. That hatchlings all take a toll. the males never come back to shore after hatching. Mora told us that cameras, with or without flash, The turtles can dive to as deep as 1,200 metres and were forbidden; flashes disorient the turtles. stay underwater an hour. From October through February, the turtles He said that a variety of limits had been put on will lay eggs as many as eight times, he said. That construction in Tamarindo, partly to protect the assumes that the conditions are right. The turtles turtles from artificial lights that disorient hatch- – extremely vulnerable on land – dig a large hole lings and partly to preserve the environment. But for their bodies, then carve out a smaller nest for he said those regulations had been ignored, pointing the eggs with their hind legs. to brightly lit high-rise condos that far exceed the The process is fragile, Mora said. The sand has to zoning laws. be wet enough to hold its shape – if the sand is too “You will see signs and petitions all over town dry, the nest keeps collapsing, and the turtle will protesting those buildings and what’s going on,” he abandon the attempt. “It hasn’t rained much,” he said.“Costa Ricans don’t like to argue, but when we said. “The conditions are rough for the nest.” get together, it counts, because we vote.” By Chris Welsch they’re visiting. They need guides, they need food, I was on the pay phone in the town square in Our long walk came to an end when we spotted Star Tribune (Minneapolis) they need places to stay. In interior towns such as the morning, talking with my wife, when the drug the turtle, flinging loose sand away from her blue- Monteverde, small family-run hotels and cafes are dealer approached. “Something for your brain?” he black body in the moonlight. Mora split the group TAMARINDO, Costa Rica – I was on my back in the norm. The money brought by tourists stays in asked in English. into three sets of 10, and each of us had a chance to the sand staring at the sky, listening to the waves the communities. “I’m on the phone, and my brain is fine, thanks,” see the turtle from a few feet away. collapse lazily onto the Pacific shore of Costa Rica. Tamarindo is another story. Thirty years ago, it I said. A set of rough tracks from the sea led to her nesting I’d been waiting for turtles for three hours. was a quiet fishing village. Now it’s a booming tour- It was the fifth time I’d been approached by drug site; it must have been a severe labour dragging nearly The half moon edged the passing clouds with ist town with malls, fast-food franchises and urban dealers in central Tamarindo, and I hadn’t been in 300kg of bulk 100 metres under the burden of gravity. silver filigree. problems. The traffic was backed up 3km outside the town a full day. I could hear her breathing, heavy and hoarse. Our guide kept looking at his watch. For him, city limits when I arrived.“It gets worse every year,” I picked up a copy of the English-language paper Seven longitudinal ridges gave her carapace a this was work. He’d spent more than 100 nights in groused my driver. “It didn’t used to be like this.” of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, theBeach Times, and beautiful, symmetrical form, which also happens a row waiting for leatherback turtles at the Baulas The town is a 3km strip of businesses along the headed to Walter’s Place, an open-sided restaurant to be aquadynamic. Her awkward flailing on land National Park ranger station. It was mid-February shore, with condos and hotels rapidly colonizing the a few steps from the shore, for breakfast. The lead said nothing of the grace with which she could fly and this was the second-to-last turtle tour of the green hills beyond the beach. It was a swelteringly story, about wrangling over taxes to build a new underwater, where she would be weightless. season. “I think we’re going to call it, guys,” he said hot noontime; clouds of dust from road construction sewage plant, contained this gem: “In Tamarindo, For an hour, we took turns watching. The sides at about 11 p.m. to the group of 30 sleepy tourists. hung in the humid air. I checked into the massive one of the most popular beach towns in the (Gua- of the nest kept collapsing; she moved to a new site, “No turtles tonight.” Tamarindo Diria Resort, which occupies the central nacaste) province, hotel reservations were cancelled which also collapsed, and then she slowly, awkwardly So, we began the hourlong walk back to the con- swath of the town’s broad, beautiful beach. A bored and the community expressed outrage after water returned to the sea. I felt defeated on her behalf. All dos, hotels and vacation homes that make up the clerk sealed a neon green plastic band on my wrist tests last year found extremely elevated levels of that work for nothing. jumble of civilization known as Tamarindo. After – similar to an I.D. bracelet given at a hospital – and fecal matter in 13 streams feeding the internation- Someone asked Mora what she’d do. “Maybe she about 10 minutes, the guide’s radio squawked with a handed me my room keys. ally famous beach.” goes back to Ecuador, maybe she comes back to try message from the rangers: A turtle had come ashore “Have a nice stay.” As I reconsidered the idea of going surfing later, again tomorrow night. I don’t know,” he said. five kilometres up the coast. “We go back, guys,” the guide said. So we turned heel and with renewed vigour headed north in the soft sand. The leatherback turtle, which can weigh 900kg IF YOU GO and be up to 3 metres long, had come from as far as TAMARINDO Tamarindo is like Cancun, Acapulco or 10,000 km away to lay her eggs – swimming perhaps any one of dozens of tropical destinations that started out all the way from the Galapagos. The leatherback is as nothing more than a village on a pretty beach. part of a turtle family that survived the extinction Unlike Cancun or Acapulco, there’s still a fight going on of the dinosaurs. They’ve been around for 100 mil- over its soul. Should Tamarindo, a town of about 2,000 lion years, and there are only a few thousand left people, become a major resort destination or try to retain in the world. its small-town charm? Rapid condo development has out- To forgo a little sleep, to walk a few hours in paced infrastructure, leading to wastewater contamination the sand – small sacrifices to make to meet such that affects Tamarindo’s most important asset for tourism: its a traveller. broad, beautiful beach. The Tamarindo News (www.tama- I did not go to Tamarindo because of the leather- rindonews.com) and the Beach Times (www.thebeachtimes. backs; when I’d made my plans, I had no idea they com) cover the continuing story; the letters to the editor in laid eggs on the beach just north of town. I went to both papers feature the arguments of locals over what to Tamarindo for the simple reason that it’s the nearest do. The choices aren’t easy. resort town to the international airport at Liberia, For tourists, Tamarindo remains an appealing destination, where, until last year, Northwest Airlines had sent especially for surfers and sun worshipers, turtle fans and a planeload of tourists on a direct flight every Sat- bird watchers. You can help preserve the nature of the urday during the winter vacation season. area by choosing small, locally owned hotels and bed- I spent four days in Costa Rica’s interior, exploring The town is a and-breakfasts and not staying at the big hotels (they’re the cloud forest and watching the Arenal volcano not as interesting or even necessarily as comfortable, as I rumble and spit fire. And then I went to Tamarindo to 3km strip of found out in Tamarindo). enjoy the beach for a few days before flying home. businesses along the WHERE TO STAY Were I to do it over, I’d stay at Costa Rica’s national parks and preserves are Cabinas Marielos (www.cabinasmarieloscr.com), a comfort- often cited as sterling examples of what responsible shore, with condos able, affordable hotel with a shared kitchen and a beautiful tourism can be. Regulated eco-tourism provides an and hotels rapidly garden; it’s right across the street from the beach. Doubles incentive to preserve wild habitat. It brings tour- are about US$35 a night with air conditioning and $25 ists who stay for a few days or a week or more, and colonizing the green a night without it. who want to learn about the people and the place hills beyond the beach NZ CLASSIC 20 30 January 2009 Volcanic fury Acclaimed science fiction writer Jules Verne didn’t just writeAround the World in 80 Days, he also wrote an epic about New Zealand and Australia called In Search of the Castaways, pub- lished in 1867. If you missed the previous instalment of this serial, you can download it here.

All the savages had risen, howling under the pain inflicted by the burning lava, which was bubbling and foaming in the midst of their camp. Soon they Those whom the liquid fire had not touched fled to the surrounding perceived hills; then turned, and gazed in terror at this fearful phenomenon, this the shadowy volcano in which the anger of their deity would swallow up the profane intruders on the sacred mountain. Now and then, when the roar of the outline of the eruption became less violent, their cry was heard: wood showing “Taboo! taboo! taboo!” An enormous quantity of vapours, heated stones and lava was escap- faintly through ing by this crater of Maunganamu. It was not a mere geyser like those the darkness. A that girdle round Mount Hecla, in Iceland, it was itself a Hecla. All this few steps more volcanic commotion was confined till then in the envelope of the cone, because the safety valve of Tongariro was enough for its expansion; and they were but when this new issue was afforded, it rushed forth fiercely, and by hid from sight in the laws of equilibrium, the other eruptions in the island must on that night have lost their usual intensity. the thick foliage An hour after this volcano burst upon the world, broad streams of the trees of lava were running down its sides. Legions of rats came out of their holes, and fled from the scene. All night long, and fanned by the tempest in the upper sky, the crater never ceased to pour forth its torrents with a violence that alarmed Glenarvan. The eruption was breaking away the edges of the opening. the Taupo valleys, not a fire indicated the presence of the Maoris at to Maunganamu, but to the mountain system of the eastern side of The prisoners. hidden behind the enclosure of stakes, watched the the base. The road was free. Lake Taupo, so that they had not only pistol shots, but hand-to-hand fearful progress of the phenomenon. At nine o’clock, the night being unusually dark, Glenarvan gave fighting to fear. For ten minutes, the little band ascended by insensible Morning came. The fury of the volcano had not slackened. Thick the order to start. His companions and he, armed and equipped at degrees toward the higher table-land. John could not discern the dark yellowish fumes were mixed with the flames; the lava torrents wound the expense of Kara-Tete, began cautiously to descend the slopes of wood, but he knew it ought to be within two hundred feet. Suddenly their serpentine course in every direction. Maunganamu, John Mangles and Wilson leading the way, eyes and he stopped; almost retreated. He fancied he heard something in the Glenarvan watched with a beating heart, looking from all the inter- ears on the alert. They stopped at the slightest sound, they started darkness; his stoppage interrupted the march of those behind. stices of the palisaded enclosure, and observed the movements in the at every passing cloud. They slid rather than walked down the spur, He remained motionless long enough to alarm his companions. They native camp. that their figures might be lost in the dark mass of the mountain. At waited with unspeakable anxiety, wondering if they were doomed to The Maoris had fled to the neighbouring ledges, out of the reach two hundred feet below the summit, John Mangles and his sailors retrace their steps, and return to the summit of Maunganamu. of the volcano. Some corpses which lay at the foot of the cone, were reached the dangerous ridge that had been so obstinately defended by But John, finding that the noise was not repeated, resumed the ascent charred by the fire. Further off toward the “pah,” the lava had reached the natives. If by ill luck the Maoris, more cunning than the fugitives, of the narrow path of the ridge. Soon they perceived the shadowy outline a group of twenty huts, which were still smoking. The Maoris, forming had only pretended to retreat; if they were not really duped by the of the wood showing faintly through the darkness. A few steps more and here and there groups, contemplated the canopied summit of Maun- volcanic phenomenon, this was the spot where their presence would they were hid from sight in the thick foliage of the trees. ganamu with religious awe. be betrayed. Glenarvan could not Kai-Koumou approached in the midst of his warriors, and Glena- but shudder, in spite of his confi- rvan recognized him. The chief advanced to the foot of the hill, on the dence, and in spite of the jokes side untouched by the lava, but he did not ascend the first ledge. of Paganel. The fate of the whole Standing there, with his arms stretched out like an exorciser, he party would hang in the balance made some grimaces, whose meaning was obvious to the prisoners. for the ten minutes required to As Paganel had foreseen, Kai-Koumou launched on the avenging pass along that ridge. He felt the mountain a more rigorous taboo. beating of Lady Helena’s heart, Soon after the natives left their positions and followed the winding as she clung to his arm. paths that led toward the pah. He had no thought of turn- “They are going!” exclaimed Glenarvan.“They have left their posts! ing back. Neither had John. The God be praised! Our stratagem has succeeded! My dear Lady Helena, young captain, followed closely by my brave friends, we are all dead and buried! But this evening when the whole party, and protected by night comes, we shall rise and leave our tomb, and fly these barbarous the intense darkness, crept along tribes!” the ridge, stopping when some It would be difficult to conceive of the joy that pervaded the urupa. loose stone rolled to the bot- Hope had regained the mastery in all hearts. The intrepid travellers tom. If the savages were still in forgot the past, forgot the future, to enjoy the present delight! And yet the ambush below, these unusual the task before them was not an easy one--to gain some European sounds might provoke from both outpost in the midst of this unknown country. But Kai-Koumou once sides a dangerous fusillade. off their track, they thought themselves safe from all the savages in But speed was impossible in their New Zealand. serpent-like progress down this A whole day had to elapse before they could make a start, and they sloping crest. When John Mangles employed it in arranging a plan of flight. Paganel had treasured up his had reached the lowest point, he map of New Zealand, and on it could trace out the best roads. was scarcely twenty-five feet from After discussion, the fugitives resolved to make for the Bay of the plateau, where the natives were Plenty, towards the east. The region was unknown, but apparently encamped the night before, and desert. The travellers, who from their past experience, had learned to then the ridge rose again pretty make light of physical difficulties, feared nothing but meeting Maoris. steeply toward a wood for about a At any cost they wanted to avoid them and gain the east coast, where quarter of a mile. the missionaries had several stations. That part of the country had All this lower part was crossed hitherto escaped the horrors of war, and the natives were not in the without molestation, and they habit of scouring the country. commenced the ascent in silence. As to the distance that separated Lake Taupo from the Bay of Plenty, The clump of bush was invisible, they calculated it about a hundred miles. Ten days’ march at ten miles though they knew it was there, Mollies Invites You to a Distinctive Dining Experience a day, could be done, not without fatigue, but none of the party gave and but for the possibility of an Nestled in St Mary's Bay, the “Dining Room” at Mollies is now open to the public for a relaxed, gourmet dining experience. With elegant cuisine and a selection of the finest wines, the a la carte that a thought. If they could only reach the mission stations they ambush, Glenarvan counted on and degustation menus feature the best of local produce, prepared by Mollies talented and could rest there while waiting for a favourable opportunity to get to being safe when the party arrived creative young team of Kiwi chefs. Auckland, for that was the point they desired to reach. at that point. But he observed Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner are available and reservations are recommended. This question settled, they resumed their watch of the native pro- that after this point, they were ceedings, and continued so doing till evening fell. Not a solitary native no longer protected by the taboo. 6 Tweed St, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland Phone: (09) 376 3489 Email: [email protected] www.mollies.co.nz remained at the foot of the mountain, and when darkness set in over The ascending ridge belonged not