It is a Vodka advertisement that has recently raised American hackles, prompting the ultimate withdrawal of the advert and an apology from the Vodka Company to boot! If you look at the Yahoo questions on this issue, you will see just how many hackles! Lots of people pissed off enough to say they will boycott the drink until an apology is published etc, etc. The American sensibility is so important that the ad has been pulled and not a trace of it can be found anywhere except a Brisbane news site which is where I got the photo from! The ad, which says “In an Absolut world” goes on to show a map with the entire mid western area of the US including California shown to be part of Mexico.
This incident has brought back into focus some long forgotten bit of history, that states such as Texas and California which are now almost symbolic of the United States of America were actually part of Mexico in the past. In the mid nineteenth century, the United States annexed Texas and thereafter hatched a plan to purchase the areas that form present day California and New Mexico for the sum of $30 million! Such unabashedly imperialistic action would shock the world today. In fact it was just such an attempt at invading and annexing of Kuwait by Iraq that caused the Gulf War. The war that resulted from this annexation was the Mexican War (1846–48). At the end of the war and as a result of a treaty, Mexico ceded to the U.S. nearly all of present New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, California, Texas, and Colorado for princely sum of $15,000,000!
In light of this I don’t think it is unreasonable for many Mexicans to think about these south western American areas as an erstwhile part of Mexico or feel some territorial kinship. Further the Americans are at pains to keep Mexicans out of areas which Mexicans have some reason to believe should have been theirs. And if a company decided to gain some advertising mileage for their product from this historical perception, so be it I say! This commercial meant to target the Mexican consumer audience, and anyone taking umbrage at this I do understand, but have no sympathy for! Take it with a pinch of salt and a dash of humor for heaven’s sake! What do you all think?
Did anyone think such a day would come? Gaming consoles has strictly been kids only territory. I beg your pardon, kids and some adults. But today with the Nintendo Wii all is set to change. Have a look at the attached video.
For the first time in known history a gaming console helps in losing weight then to turn people into (couch) potatoes! I think its one of the best innovations of the technology era! With computers and new gadgetry making people more lethargic this console keeps them physically active.
Tackling obesity, A whole new dimension to keeping fit. I’d have never thought of this, but all those housewife’s who barely get time off to spend on their health, which is a great excuse to get fat for one; instead of spending their afternoons watching soap operas they could play a game of tennis! On the same note all of us who would really like to play some sport but our lifestyles don’t allow it this are quite perfect! Not evening leaving the living room! Burning over half the amount of calories they would burn in a regular game of tennis. Which is great.. You could if you want leave the AC on and not burn any calories, keep the weight you know, one never knows when it could come in handy, if by some chance you need to hibernate for the winter …
Oh come on! I’m only joking, all you people who need to get fit.. Get moving!! Click here for a Wii weight loss study link.
Looking at this console if either you are a youngster or close to the reaper, its all benefits. It’s much cheaper and tiny compared to a home gym, for starters it doesn’t take up a whole room! See that picture for instance, that old lady playing bowling, that photo is from an old age home, fantastic isn’t it? For the youngsters too instead of wasting away in front of a pc or their televisions this is way healthier. If it is for all of them it certainly is for you too!
Today, 7 April is observed the world over as World Health day and this year is the 60th anniversary of WHO or the World health Organization. Every year this day is observed as World health day, and organized around a predetermined theme to raise awareness of key global public health challenges.
For instance the theme in 2005 was “Healthy mothers and children”; the health of the mothers and children of any society is a reflection upon the health of that society. This theme was meant to attract worldwide attention to the issues of malnutrition and poor healthcare access faced by mothers and children around the world. The theme for World Health Day 2007 was international health security. The aim was to urge governments, organizations and businesses to “invest in health, build a safer future”. The theme for this year is “Protecting health from climate change”. This theme was chosen because of the risks that global warming and climate change are posing to personal health.
While World Health Day may not have that much relevance in the developed nations, it has a lot more relevance in the poorer nations, where people struggle to get the most basic health care, including healthcare professionals and medicines. The activities that the WHO undertakes on this day having high-level global debates with a view to improving cross-border cooperation and removing political hindrance to such cooperation. This year World Health Day will consist of a press briefing in Geneva by the WHO Director-General. The global event will be supported by other activities and events in regions, countries and communities around the world.
There are some interesting initiatives planned for different part of the world for today. This one really brought a smile to my lips: Mumbai in India will observe today as “No Honking” day. Anyone who has actually been to Mumbai will understand the requirement for such a curious observance. Other agencies have planned walks to highlight the benefits of walking to health. Such group walks organized can increase awareness that walking reduces the risk of heart disease, increases circulation, aids weight loss and generally improves all round fitness levels. Numerous studies have shown that just a 30 minute daily walk is enough to make a significant improvement in health!
Health care agencies can take this opportunity to strengthen existing public health approaches to control disease and protect health, anticipate effects and detect them early and inform the public.
What we as individuals can do to mark world health day is to become aware of what it is about our lifestyles that is harming the environment and we can then endeavor to protect our children’s futures by creating a healthier environment by making appropriate changes. So let us all take the opportunity this World Health Day, to make a difference to the environment and consequently our health. Have a hale and hearty World Health Day everyone!
I remember going to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj some years ago (the Namgyal monastery, where the Dalai Lama is based, is there). At the time, China had just won the contract to host the Olympics and even then the Tibetians were circulating flyers telling everyone to boycott those Olympics and other Chinese products etc. I remember thinking at the time, that this is not much of a protest or struggle, ensconced safely in India hundreds of kilometers from their actual homeland. Ever since India offered the Tibetians and their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama a safe haven in Dharamshala, Tibetians moved to India in their thousands and settled here, continuing to wage their agitation against Chinese oppression from afar. I had thought to myself they are living a comfortable enough life here in India, not really putting them in the line of fire, so do they really deserve support?
In a word, Yes! The fact is that they have been agitating for many years and not only have their pleas fallen on deaf years thru the years; the Chinese have been oppressive and unconcerned and have presented a false picture to the world. A recent media event organized in Lhasa (capital of Tibet) was a disaster from China’s point of view. Wailing, protesting monks (who China would not have wanted anywhere near the cameras) could be seen telling the world of their woes and this blew the lid off China’s pretenses.
The Tibetians have been suppressed and denied basic rights such as religious freedom under Chinese occupation and these factors are only now coming to the fore with the Tibetian call to the world to boycott the Olympics and to support their struggle against Chinese oppression. Tibetians who have been able to escape continue to live in India or elsewhere, unable to return to their homeland because of this. In this article the Dalai Lama appealed to the world community to “please help” resolve the crisis in his homeland. He was so disturbed by some of the protesters turning violent that threatened to resign as the religious and spiritual head of the Tibetian people.
World leaders, including George Bush have been urging China to hold talks and have a dialogue with the Tibetian people. The reason why I think that Tibet deserves support is the imperious and impervious manner in which China has behaved in this issue, by refusing to even hold talks or negotiate. The Dalai Lama has said that he would like to “remind the Chinese that in order to be respected hosts of the Games human rights in Tibet must improve” I agree with this, do you? What are your thoughts?
evawhite on April 11th, 2008
For instance the theme in 2005 was “Healthy mothers and children”; the health of the mothers and children of any society is a reflection upon the health of that society. This theme was meant to attract worldwide attention to the issues of malnutrition and poor healthcare access faced by mothers and children around the world. The theme for World Health Day 2007 was international health security. The aim was to urge governments, organizations and businesses to “invest in health, build a safer future”. The theme for this year is “Protecting health from climate change”. This theme was chosen because of the risks that global warming and climate change are posing to personal health.
Health care agencies can take this opportunity to strengthen existing public health approaches to control disease and protect health, anticipate effects and detect them early and inform the public.
I remember going to Dharamshala and Mcleodganj some years ago (the Namgyal monastery, where the Dalai Lama is based, is there). At the time, China had just won the contract to host the Olympics and even then the Tibetians were circulating flyers telling everyone to boycott those Olympics and other Chinese products etc. I remember thinking at the time, that this is not much of a protest or struggle, ensconced safely in India hundreds of kilometers from their actual homeland. Ever since India offered the Tibetians and their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama a safe haven in Dharamshala, Tibetians moved to India in their thousands and settled here, continuing to wage their agitation against Chinese oppression from afar. I had thought to myself they are living a comfortable enough life here in India, not really putting them in the line of fire, so do they really deserve support?
The Tibetians have been suppressed and denied basic rights such as religious freedom under Chinese occupation and these factors are only now coming to the fore with the Tibetian call to the world to boycott the Olympics and to support their struggle against Chinese oppression. Tibetians who have been able to escape continue to live in India or elsewhere, unable to return to their homeland because of this. In this article the Dalai Lama appealed to the world community to “please help” resolve the crisis in his homeland. He was so disturbed by some of the protesters turning violent that threatened to resign as the religious and spiritual head of the Tibetian people.
