WORLD: Uganda's 'Kill Gays Bill' proposal and S.Africa's 'Corrective Rape' practices
Updated: 12/09 21:29
A new anti-gay law is on the table in Uganda and a practice of what is called “corrective rape” against lesbians is sweeping South Africa, making the continent an emerging hotbed for anti-homosexual action and debate.
First, the proposed law in Uganda threatens years of jail time for being gay or not reporting someone who is. The crime of “aggrevated homosexuality” carries an even heftier penalty: execution.
Interestingly, there is a direct connection between the proposed Ugandan law and American lawmakers. An Evangelical Christian group of American lawmakers known as “The Family” has been supporting the Ugandan push.
Meanwhile in South Africa, a practice known as “corrective rape” has come on the scene in an eruption of violence against lesbians. Supporters of the act interviewed say it is supposed to “teach the lesbians a lesson” and “make them real women.”
Seriously?
In other news, Nigeria has already (quietly) enacted similar legislation.
So what do you think?
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WORLD: PETA's Nude Playboy & Cruxific Ad Angers Catholics 1
Updated: 12/06 16:06| Comments: 1
WORLD: A Big Bad Black Friday Battle
Updated: 11/27 22:49
It’s the biggest shopping day of the year and with optimism for a rebounding economy, Black Friday is under more scrutiny than usual.
Media around the country are expressing hope for Black Friday sales, but disagree about whom the big day depends on: consumers or businesses.
Source: http://www.newsy.com/videos/who_will_make_or_break_black_friday
So how (much) did you spend this Black Friday? Did the Black Friday deals live up to hype or fall short of expectations? Think the big businesses won out, or did diehard bargain hunters have the last laugh?
Tell us!
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SPORTS: Henry's Handball Sends France to World Cup
Updated: 11/22 19:39
In one goal, Thierry Henry propelled France into the World Cup and eliminated the Irish. However, the win and the French superstar have been called into question after replays clearly show that Henry touched the ball with his hand.
The video looks at multiple media sources that cover the various sides and perspectives surrounding this now diplomatic issue, including calls for a rematch by the Irish and even the French themselves, David Beckham's backing of Henry's actions and how the whole situation could have been avoided if FIFA had embraced new technology.
(Source: http://www.newsy.com/videos/france_s_handball_sends_them_to_world_cup)
So what do you think? How should FIFA react? Is Henry a cheater? Should FIFA incorporate play-by-play technology into their referreeing?
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WEIRD: 'Unfriend' : Word of the Year 1
Updated: 11/19 18:06“What word best sums up 2009? How about the word ‘unfriend’, that’s the new Oxford American Dictionary’s 2009 word of the year. Unfriend means, of course, to remove someone as a friend on a social networking web site such as Facebook. Each year, Oxford University Press tracks how the English language is changing and chooses the word that best reflects the mood of the year.”(KCAL)
Other terms considered include ‘netbook’ and ‘sexting’. The Oxford University Press’s decision has sparked a conversation in the media about the English language, and how it has changed in response to the internet’s rising popularity.
CTV News: President of Oxford University Press explains the process of picking the word of the year, and why unfriending deserves the title for 2009.
Urbandictionary.com: Popular user-generated online dictionary has multiple entries defining what it means to ‘unfriend’
ABC News: The term “defriending” is a better fit for the description.
CBS News: Looks at how the Internet, and websites such as Facebook, are changing definitions in the English language.
Source: http://www.newsy.com/videos/unfriend_word_of_the_year
So is it unfriending or defriending? And more importantly, should newfangled Internet-based jargon be entered into conventional dictionaries?
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WORLD: Obama's Afghanistan: Why the Dawdling?
Updated: 11/14 23:50
Obama Goes Back To The Drawing Board on Afghanistan
This week, President Obama met with his National Security Staff for the eighth time to discuss how to move forward in Afghanistan. White House officials say he was not satisfied with any of the four options presented to him, and that the final plan will likely combine the best elements from all the options. As the process drags on, media sources debate about why a decision has not yet been made.
We look at perspectives from FOX News, MSNBC, New York Daily News, The New York Times, CNN, and Indiana’s Post Tribune.
Source:http://www.newsy.com/videos/obama_goes_back_to_drawing_board_on_afghanistan
What do you think? Is Obama playing Carter with the Afghanistan decision or is this waffling around really a sign of some much-needed critical thinking?
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WEIRD: Mickey's Makeover: Meth Mouse Appeal or Major Mistake?
Updated: 11/09 01:48
Mickey Gets a Modern Makeover
Disney's main mouse, Mickey, is about to get a makeover. Disney is reputedly giving its classic mouse a contemporary, darker and leaner look, to be debuted in Wii video game, Epic Mickey.
So why is Disney making the change and what impact could this have on the classic Mickey Mouse?
Media reactions vary:
The Independent: Disney's making the move to appeal to the younger generation.
The PhillipDeFranco Show: This video blogger is excited for what he hopes will be an an angry Mickey on meth.
New York Times: NYT warns, does Disney have New Coke fiasco on their hands?
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WORLD: Lisbon Treaty Ratified: Dawning of A New EU? 1
Updated: 11/04 22:11
Lisbon Treaty Ratified with Czech Signing
The President of the Czech Republic, Vaclav Klaus, finally signed ratification by his country, the last of the 27 European unions to do so. So seven years of debate about reforming the European Union are now ending, and the treaty will be enforced from the 1st of December.
So what does this mean for a now united Europe?
- Eux.tv: President Klaus disapproves of the treaty because it will take away power from the Czech government.
- ITN: Europe Minister Chris Bryant says a united EU will now be able to resolve pressing issues, like climate change.
- BBC Daily Politics: Britain's conservative party disagrees with the treaty because it gives EU more control over asylum and immigration policies.
Watch the video for a multi-perspective look at the issue.
(Source: http://www.newsy.com/videos/lisbon_treaty_ratified_with_czech_signing)
So what effects do you think the Lisbon Treaty will have on the European Union? Will it increase its power by unifying all 27 states, or will it take away too much power from the nations’ individual governments?
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WORLD: 15 Year Old Girl Gang Raped, Bystanders Watch 2
Updated: 11/02 02:36SOURCE: http://www.newsy.com/videos/girl_gang_raped_while_others_watched
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