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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6210
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:40 am: | 
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I know how to spell Namibia because I studied Africa, in college. Every single country in Africa has been colonized at one time or another by a European country, right up until the 1990s.
Is brangelina a mini form of colonization?
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Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2271
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:41 am: |
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but you spelled it wrong  |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2272
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:42 am: |
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oh wait a sec - retract that
I READ it wrong! |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6211
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:46 am: |
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Pippi - You are right - the irony of it is that I typed it too fast and mispelled it anyway - so I fixed it!
 |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6212
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:47 am: |
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Rastro,
Barney doesn't like tattle tales! |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 1914
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:49 am: |
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OK - now I know how to spell that place she had her baby - and I know it's in Africa. See? Angelina is expanding my knowledge of both spelling and geography - what a gal!
Brad was the one who was married and took the vows. Angelina was single and could canoodle with whomever she wants to if they're willing. I think she gets a bad rap, you can't steal a faithful hubby.
Mem, we're going to have to discuss this serious matter further on Friday! |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2273
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:50 am: |
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Phew! I thought I was seeing things!
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 3268
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:53 am: |
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who me?  |
ess
Citizen
Username: Ess
Post Number: 2080
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
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Thread drift:
Incidentally, Dave, there is a Fredonia (one e) in New York. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6213
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:10 pm: |
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Lydia,
You're on! Wait until you hear my very well thought out thesis on how Angelina chose Brad out of the movie star line-up and then how she engineered her seduction of him (like it needed any engineering!). Hmm, someone please cancel my subscription to People, quick!
Self mutilation is a serious illness.
http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/selfinjury.cfm
Anyway, I don't like women who go after other women's husbands. And she is so easy to dislike. I just hope she doesn't age well. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9652
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 12:20 pm: |
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Freedonia: Land of the Spree, and the Home of the Knave |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 404
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 2:29 pm: |
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Dear Lydia:
I am not sure why you would think that people didn't know about Namibia before this stupid Brangelina crap.
Namibia or as it was previously known, South West Africa, was a german colony until South Africa annexed it around WWI. In the 60's SWAPO (South-West Africa People's Organization) started as a guerilla organization and finally established the Independent Republic of Namibia in 1990.
Dear Eliz and AKB:
Yes my statements are based on the black population since they are by far the majority (black 87.5%, white 6%, mixed 6.5%). Namibia is extremely wealthy in minerals but this enriches only a handful of mostly white businessman. Only 3 % of the population work in the mining industry. Most Namibians cannot get a steady job and even if the do with an Aids rate of 21.3% most adults are to sick to work regularly to sustain a family. Almost 50% of Namibians either have to live off or supplement their income with agriculture which is almost impossible in a country with historically long and devastating droughts. Namibia is the home of the Namib Desert on it costal side (incidentally the oldest desert in the world) and the Kalahari on the eastern border. A high per capita GDP, relative to the region, hides the world's worst inequality of income distribution (quote from cia.gov website).
So yes Namibai has beautiful resorts and breathtaking landscape but when you see the busboy in the restaurant remember that you are looking at a person who lives in the top income bracket of the country with an unemplayment rate of 35%. The UNDP's 2005 Human Development Report indicated that 34.9% of the population live on $1 per day and 55.8% live on $2 per day (needless to say this does not pay for daily HIV/Aids treatment).
Here is a link to one of the main papers:
http://www.namibian.com.na/
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eliz
Supporter
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 1489
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 4:25 pm: |
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Yes thanks for the lesson - as I've said I've been there. I've also been involved with development work in the region to increase employment for disadvantaged populations so have a clue or two about how people live.
I don't exactly get why your knickers are in such a twist. Brad and Angelina having their baby there has brought more publicity to Namibia then if they found a cure for cancer (that's our sick culture). It has also brought dollars in to the economy and you do not know what arrangements have been made for them to contribute to any extra costs incurred by police/security etc. The Namibian government seems pretty happy about the whole deal. Say what you will about Angelina but she's done a lot of work and contributed a lot of money around Africa and I'm pretty sure she's not the cause of Namibia's poverty. Why are you so bothered? |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6217
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 4:27 pm: |
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I wish she would donate money to the hurricane katrina disaster. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2359
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 4:44 pm: |
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I have no idea where Namibia is, couldn't point to it on a map, don't know the language, don't know what money they use, don't know their exports, or GDP.
I'm ok with that. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 405
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 5:36 pm: |
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Dear Eliz.. first I did not intend to "teach you a lesson" but brings some facts to the table since statements were made to the effect that it's not so bad over there cause it is.
Secondly I would like to assure you that my knickers are quite fine.
I find it disgusting that a woman who is supposed to be so earthy and generous makes such a public fuss over the delivery of her child. She could have easily delivered anywhere in the world with less fuss then having photographers thrown out of a country by a government because they didn't have written approval from Brangelina to be there. I don't care about who split with whom but this drama she's got going over everything she does is retarded. It's not like she shielded her precious child from photographers..oh no that priviledge was sold to the highest bidder.
Frankly I find it very upsetting that a person like her is able to adopt in the first place and not one but two children. Angelina Jolie is a self-injurer which is a very serious disorder and any normal Joanna Schmo with this illness would be immediately disqualified as an adoptive parent. Frankly I think she would have a fairly hard time here in the US and maybe that is the true reason for her adopting children outside the States.
Yes she has money and yes she has support but so did Joan Crawford. Angelina has shown over and over that she defaults to very extreme behavior when the proverbial "sh*t" hits the fan. Who is going to explain this to Maddox, Zarah and Shiloh should something go wrong. With her mental and emotional issues she does not qualify as an adoptive parent in most countries.
An excerpt from her Biography:
On March 28, 1996 she married British actor Jonny Lee Miller, her co-star in the film Hackers. Jolie attended her wedding in black leather trousers and a white shirt, which had her husband's name painted in her blood on the back. Jolie and Miller subsequently divorced on February 3, 1999. Jolie then married American actor Billy Bob Thornton on May 5, 2000. As a result of their frequent public declarations of passion and gestures of love (most famously wearing one anothers' blood in vials around their necks), their relationship became a favorite topic of the entertainment media. Jolie and Thornton divorced on May 27, 2003.
Plus do you really think that the average Bangelina fan is going to travel to Namibia now? Wait till they see the shots that are recommended by the CDC and I assure you that will take care of any possibly perceived positive tourism boom.
Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications
The following vaccines are recommended for your travel to Southern Africa. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.
Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
Hepatitis B, especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in Southern Africa, including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southern Africa.
Rabies, if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors.
As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria, measles, and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.
Some other facts for people who are interested:
http://www.stephenlewisfoundation.org/news_item.cfm?news=894
But my biggest gripe is exactely what you brought up though. Angelina Jolie delivering her baby there is going to make the average person think that Namibia can't be that bad and the problems are not that serious. Hey the Hollywood cream of the crop has their babies there then why should I donate to the countries orphans of which there are many. It makes Namibia sound like the Cannes of Africa which is extremely counterproductive to any fundraising efforts.
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Carrie Avery
Citizen
Username: Carrie33
Post Number: 1346
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 8:29 pm: |
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Bajou: well said. |
Pippi
Supporter
Username: Pippi
Post Number: 2279
Registered: 8-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 9:40 pm: |
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I just want to comment on one thing:
"I find it disgusting that a woman who is supposed to be so earthy and generous makes such a public fuss over the delivery of her child. She could have easily delivered anywhere in the world with less fuss then having photographers thrown out of a country by a government because they didn't have written approval from Brangelina to be there"
Brangelina didn't make the public fuss, the public made the fuss. There would have been as much ado no matter where she gave birth. That's the nature of how americans view celebrity, particularly this couple. I don't personally understand it, but that's the way it is. |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 9665
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 10:08 pm: |
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Did anyone else enjoy Mr. & Mrs. Smith as much as I did? |
Soparents
Citizen
Username: Soparents
Post Number: 600
Registered: 5-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 31, 2006 - 10:10 pm: |
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I really liked the film!!!
I didn't give two hoots about all the hype around the actors, I just love a good old black comedy.. |
Carrie Avery
Citizen
Username: Carrie33
Post Number: 1348
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 7:33 am: |
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I, too enjoyed their films, I even liked Mission Impossible III, with Cruise- regardless of all the hype that goes into celebrity vanity.
I did not agree with part of the statement:"... she could have easily delivered anywhere in the world with less fuss"
How much less fuss can you get somewhere else as compared to being in "Namabia" ? Even if they found a way to deliver on another planet they would have to deal with some notoriaty. The way of the world. lol |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1700
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 8:48 am: |
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I find it disgusting that a woman who is supposed to be so earthy and generous makes such a public fuss over the delivery of her child.
WRONG. Blame the media for that one. They would've hunted her down wherever she went to have this baby. I just don't understand the NEGATIVITY for someone who IS doing humanitarian work helping the unfortunate.
Here are some POSITIVES of the humanitarian work Jolie has DONE.
***********************
"Jolie has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees since 2001, and she frequently travels to countries in order to draw attention to the plight of people in developing countries. In 2003, she published Notes from My Travels, a collection of journal entries that chronicled her early work with the U.N..
In a January 2005 interview with Reuters, Jolie criticised fellow actors and actresses for not being committed enough in helping others, and stated that she gives one-third of her income to charitable institutions. On October 12, 2005, Jolie was awarded the Global Humanitarian Award by the UNA-USA.
Though even outgoing Secretary-General Kofi Annan publicly praises Jolie — who has visited at least 15 war-torn and impoverished countries, drawing attention to humanitarian crises in places such as Darfur, Sudan; Chad; and Pakistan — charity and celebrity can be an awkward mix.
"It's clearly a two-way street," one U.N. worker said. "But we vet our people pretty well, and Angelina really does her work."
Another person familiar with her efforts says it's rare, even for a goodwill ambassador, to spend a month in a refugee camp, as Jolie has. Her extensive travels are logged in Jolie's "Notes from My Travels," a book that Jane Goodall hails.
"Angelina is living proof of the power we all have — every one of us — to make a difference," Goodall said. "I was deeply moved by her descriptions of individual refugees struggling to live with dignity and hope, and found her personal commitment to be an inspiration."
Angelina also announced her plan to support the WHO's Pediatric HIV/AIDS Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and pledged an initial grant.
mem,
She did help to raise money for Katrina victims. She also sent letters to the US government, urging authorities to increase the efforts over the disaster left by Katrina.
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mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6219
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 10:16 am: |
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Hi Phenix,
Jolie has a brilliant publicist, though I think she honestly cares about her causes as well. I really liked that she adopted her first two kids, and I hope she keeps her mental and emotional problems under control for them. But does she know there are over 100,000 foster kids in the US, waiting in various "homes" for someone to adopt them?
Hurricane katrina has caused a situation in her own country not unlike all those third world countries she so likes to help.
She should have had her baby in New Orleans. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 409
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 5:06 pm: |
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Darn MEM ...what a great idea. They could have used the money and it would have helped to bring Katrina issues back into the media.
But frankly who cares about it anyway....we might as well start a thread on Paris Hilton.. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 6232
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, June 1, 2006 - 5:27 pm: |
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PS - Jolie's publicist is supposedly her mom. |
Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1702
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 9:09 am: |
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Bajou,
Hurricane Katrina has BEEN on the news everyday if your watching Brian Williams on NBC News. EVERYDAY since the hurricane, Williams has done a segment on Katrina. Also, Anderson Cooper has kept Katrina on the forefront.
Did you see the 2 hour special he had on yesterday (CNN)?
I'm not about to KNOCK someone doing humanitarian good for nations without a voice. Africa, Hati and third world nations does NOT get the exposure, or voice as does our rich and media hungry nation… the United States. They don't have the VOICE to give them the help and exposure of THEIR plight.
Sure we have our problems right here in the US, the difference is we HAVE the means to CORRECT, whether its financial or govermental, they don't. I'm sure various celebrities and sport figures have their OWN causes and charities they support whether its here in the US or abroad.
I just don't believe in criticizing a person who is giving their humaitarian efforts and financial support to help others who ARE unfortunate. If Angelina wants to help children in poverty stricken nations without a voice… MORE POWER TO HER!
BTW… All that money raised for the City of New Orleans to rebuild, whats up with that? Brian Williams did a piece 2 days ago showing no changes in NO. 
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Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 414
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 1:21 pm: |
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Dear Phoenix:
Darn you can get pissed over a celebrity. I don't like her .. that's all.
New Orleans is a different topic though. I can get heated on that because it is for very good reason very near and dear to me. I don't care if there are two shows daily showing a few clips and we think for a moment "Oh dear how terrible". The reality is that most of New Orleans and surrounding parishes are still without power, telephone, daily fresh water and food supplies. The hospitals are not fully prepared for another hit and the city will drown again but this time a Hurricane 2 will do.
The insurance companies are not paying in time to get the homes fixed up for the next season and sleazy contractors have flocked to a city where people who did get some money are ready to prepay 70% just to start the work. The government dispensed funds to homeowners but unfortunately like in most cities the people who live in the poorest areas do not own but rent and therefore got nothing. The local government is corrupt and most people had to live through the winter without heat (and yes you need heat in New Orleans in the winter) and are facing a summer without running water and electricity.
Oh I am aware of the plight in other cities, countries, nations and you write further: I'm not about to KNOCK someone doing humanitarian good for nations without a voice. Africa, Haiti and third world nations does NOT get the exposure, or voice as does our rich and media hungry nation… the United States. They don't have the VOICE to give them the help and exposure of THEIR plight."
Angelina Jolie is a celeb that was chosen by the UN to represent. She is not Mother Teresa or millions of real humanitarians who work every day around the world in places that none of us would set foot in but also including our good ole USA. Don't tell me about voices being heard...I was in New Orleans for rescue and let me tell you the voices were loud and clear and SCREAMING out of the top of their lungs BUT HEARD my friend HEARD they were not. As a green card holder who has lived in this country for 19 years I do believe you are required to help your neighbor first and to put everything else aside to help your fellow countrymen. I also firmly believe it's time to stop and butt in everywhere, to try to fix a world that does not want our constant interference and concentrate on the needs of our people. BASIC needs of Americans (NO MATTER WHAT COLOR, RACE, RELIGION) that are not being met.
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Phenixrising
Citizen
Username: Phenixrising
Post Number: 1707
Registered: 9-2004
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 3:36 pm: |
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Dear Bajou,
I am VERY aware of what is happening in New Orleans I was there right before Katrina struck and saw how some of the "have not" folks lived near the area that was heavily destroyed by Katrina. What I found sickening was seeing those Casinos (which was suppose to bring in income to the city), and then seeing the living conditions of folks not living far from the French Quarters & those casinos.
Crime, corruption & poverty seem to be the theme there and now the destruction & desertion of the population. They are STILL finding bodies (or whats left of) in homes and buried under heaps.
Myself, I believe in helping out at home first. My family have donated clothes and money to the Katrina effort, however, what others do with their time and humanitarian needs, is their business. Should we fault Wyclef Jean was his humanitarian efforts in Hati?
BTW…Angelina is NO Mother Theresa. |
Bajou
Citizen
Username: Bajou
Post Number: 427
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Friday, June 2, 2006 - 4:13 pm: |
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Dear Phoenix:
So we agree on this anyway. I spent three weeks searching the areas you speak of after Katrina and even though I was there for animal rescue you end up helping anybody and everybody you can. The casinos suck but what I found even more upsetting are all the "efin" Oil companies. All of the big refineries of the big oil companies are down there and they should be supporting the communities that are hosting them and they are not. How about all the big shots there donate their bonus to relief efforts or give up a small margin of the major revenue increase since oil prices skyrocketed. These ba*tards could have rebuild and refinanced the whole coast by now.
I had chemical burns on my legs from the dust since all the chemical factories that support the refineries flooded. Believe you me the worst is still to come when the effects of the mixed chemicals show their true damage. The people were swimming in that soup and my boots that were made for rescue efforts literally just fell apart after 2 weeks.
It is a disgrace that this could have happened in America.
Hope to chat with you soon phoenix and have a great weekend.
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K_soze
Citizen
Username: K_soze
Post Number: 290
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 12:18 am: |
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Didn't get a chance to read all the posts but who really gives a •••• anyway? |
combustion
Citizen
Username: Spontaneous
Post Number: 69
Registered: 4-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 12:19 am: |
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Reminds me of the Pantene commercial. "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful." |
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