Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Did Katie Couric go too far interviewing the Edwards?

I came across the controversy about Katie Couric being out of line when interviewing Elizabeth and John Edwards two days after they found out that Elizabeth Edwards' cancer had returned and was incurable but treatable. Here is a link to the MSNBC story on Katie Couric's untimely interview.
After looking at this story and other video clips from the interview on YouTube, I did feel Katie went a bit too far. I agree with the MSNBC anchor that this was bad journalism on Couric's part. She did use the word "Some people" too many times trying to deflect attention away from the point that these are her own questions. People may be curious too know why John Edwards is still on the campaign, but the way those questions were phrased was outright insensitive. And it does feel like Couric is passing judgement on John Edwards for choosing to stay in the campaign.
Some questions like "Are you terrified you might lose your wife" have obvious answers and asking them, according to me is harsh and needless.

Friday, March 23, 2007

India out of Cricket World Cup 2007

(Cartoon by Dr. Sudeep Ross)

So India finally did it, they chucked themselves out of the World Cup even before reaching the second stage of the tournament (unless a miracle - read Bangladesh loses to Bermuda happens). I thought we started off well against Sri Lanka but never used it to our advantage. Ofcourse the batting was horrible. How can a country with the best batting line up on paper never make it work in games? India's exit ends hope of millions of Indian fans for another World Cup.

The saddest part for me is that we never won the World Cup with the World's Best Batsman - Sachin Tendulkar in our team. How is something like this possible? Who knows if he will be around for the next world cup.

I am not sure what the future holds for the Indian team but I can guess lot of angry fans and burning efigies of the players. The indian public does take it a bit too far when they protest and their favorite activity is to burn posters. But for a country where Cricket is religion, I don't see an escape.

Well better luck next time.

Is Sanjaya Malakar bigger than War, Poverty and AIDS

Almost every day now we hear about Sanjaya Malakar, his bad singing, his hair and his luck on American Idol. I have come across several posts, videos related to the so called outrageous idea that he is still in the top ten. One girl has a video on youtube protesting against Sanjaya and claiming to go on a hunger strike and another guy has vowed not to bathe till Sanjaya gets the boot. So I ask these people and all of their kind, is Sanjaya's still being in the competition or worse winning it such a big issue, so as to prompt you to take such extreme steps. I thought the world had bigger problems like the War in Iraq, Extreme Poverty in Africa or AIDs, than a 17 year old kid beating the Idol voting system?
I am an Indian and do have a soft spot for Sanjaya, but I do agree he is not such a good singer and if this is a singing competition, he shouldn't be there. But he does not overshadow my life. Why don't Americans come together for bigger causes, contribute to the problems of the world. I did not hear anybody go on a hunger strike against the War or should I say catastrophe in Iraq. How many of you really know what hunger is? Even I cannot claim I do. Ask the kids in the African nations who do not get one decent slice of bread a day. You take out videos on youtube or protest on myspace, but have you ever wondered how many people in this world know how to read or write, let alone use the internet? Just two days back, I read here that Adult Illiteracy is highest in Washington DC. And I thought, illiteracy was the problem of the so called third world countries.

My biggest disappointment from people in the US is that they do not open their eyes to the world around them. They are so absorbed by trivial things in their own country. They plainly follow their leaders but never question them. You are the country with the biggest eceonomy, you have the power to make a difference and you have a say in how your country runs. Without going over the line, you have the right to question and demand.

So why don't you donate to the ONE Campaign, help somebody read, help in medical causes or simply try and save more 18-20 year olds from dying in the War that started with incorrect information and lies and continues to kill thousands. Leave Sanjaya and such issues merely for entertainment purposes.

Friday, March 16, 2007

Can 2007 make me more active here?

I am back once again after a long hiatus. Sometimes, I just run out of ideas for posts or sometimes I just don't get to sitting down and writing out my thoughts. So let me try once again even though almost three months of 2007 are gone.
After the last Vegas trip which is now almost a year back. we had many more trips and family visits which was a lot of fun. It was a fun year with lots happening at work and home, making new friends, losing old ones and having a cute baby boy come into my husband's family.
Then we made the big move. My husband changed jobs and now we are in a new city with a new life once again. Though it has been three months since we moved to the new place we are still discovering thngs and places. This city is lot bigger than where we last lived so we have lots more to do and lots of variety, not to mention countless indian restuarants, indian movie theatre and huge malls which is what a girl wants ;-)
Hoping the new place inspires me more to write down here.