The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME

The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME
Full List
A - F

1. The Abbott and Costello Show
2. ABC's Wide World of Sports
3. Alfred Hitchcock Presents
4. All in the Family
5. An American Family
6. American Idol
7. Arrested Development
8. Battlestar Galactica
9. The Beavis and Butt-Head Show
10. The Bob Newhart Show
11. Brideshead Revisited
12. Buffalo Bill
13. Buffy the Vampire Slayer
14. The Carol Burnett Show
15. The CBS Evening News with Walter Cronkite
16. A Charlie Brown Christmas
17. Cheers
18. The Cosby Show
19. The Daily Show
20. Dallas
21. The Day After
22. Deadwood
23. The Dick Van Dyke Show
24. Dragnet
25. The Ed Sullivan Show
26. The Ernie Kovacs Show
27. Felicity
28. Freaks and Geeks
29. The French Chef
30. Friends

G - M

1. General Hospital
2. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show
3. Gilmore Girls
4. Gunsmoke
5. Hill Street Blues
6. Homicide: Life on the Street
7. The Honeymooners
8. I, Claudius
9. I Love Lucy
10. King of the Hill
11. The Larry Sanders Show
12. Late Night with David Letterman (NBC)
13. Leave It to Beaver
14. Lost
15. Married... With Children
16. Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
17. The Mary Tyler Moore Show
18. M*A*S*H
19. The Monkees
20. Monty Python's Flying Circus
21. Moonlighting
22. MTV 1981-1992
23. My So-Called Life
24. Mystery Science Theater 3000

N - S

1. The Odd Couple
2. The Office [American]
3. The Office [British]
4. The Oprah Winfrey Show
5. Pee Wee's Playhouse
6. Playhouse 90
7. The Price Is Right
8. Prime Suspect
9. The Prisoner
10. The Real World
11. Rocky and His Friends
12. Roots
13. Roseanne
14. Sanford and Son
15. Saturday Night Live
16. Second City Television
17. See It Now
18. Seinfeld
19. Sesame Street
20. Sex and the City
21. The Shield
22. The Simpsons
23. The Singing Detective
24. Six Feet Under
25. 60 Minutes
26. Soap
27. The Sopranos
28. South Park
29. SpongeBob SquarePants
30. SportsCenter
31. Star Trek
32. St. Elsewhere
33. The Super Bowl (and the Ads)
34. Survivor

T - Z

1. Taxi
2. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
3. 24
4. The Twilight Zone
5. Twin Peaks
6. The West Wing
7. What's My Line?
8. WKRP in Cincinnati
9. The Wire
10. Wiseguy
11. The X-Files
12. Your Show of Shows

Times Top 100 Movies ( In Alphabetical Order)

TIMES TOP 100 MOVIES ( IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER)

* A - C
* Aguirre: the Wrath of God (1972)


* The Apu Trilogy (1955, 1956, 1959)


* The Awful Truth (1937)


* Baby Face (1933)


* Bande à part (1964)


* Barry Lyndon (1975)


* Berlin Alexanderplatz (1980)


* Blade Runner (1982)


* Bonnie and Clyde (1967)


* Brazil (1985)


* Bride of Frankenstein (1935)


* Camille (1936)


* Casablanca (1942)


* Charade (1963)


* Children of Paradise (1945)


* Chinatown (1974)


* Chungking Express (1994)


* Citizen Kane (1941)


* City Lights (1931)


* City of God (2002)


* Closely Watched Trains (1966)


* The Crime of Monsieur Lange (1936)


* The Crowd (1928)


* D - F
* Day for Night (1973)


* The Decalogue (1989)


* Detour (1945)


* The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)


* Dodsworth (1936)


* Double Indemnity (1944)


* Dr. Strangelove: or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb (1964)


* Drunken Master II (1994)


* E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)


* 8 1/2 (1963)


* The 400 Blows (1959)


* Farewell My Concubine (1993)


* Finding Nemo (2003)


* The Fly (1986)



* G - J
* The Godfather, Parts I and II (1972, 1974)


* The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (1966)


* Goodfellas (1990)


* A Hard Day's Night (1964)


* His Girl Friday (1940)


* Ikiru (1952)


* In A Lonely Place (1950)


* Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)


* It's A Gift (1934)


* It's A Wonderful Life (1946)


* K - M
* Kandahar (2001)


* Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)


* King Kong (1933)


* The Lady Eve (1941)


* The Last Command (1928)


* Lawrence of Arabia (1962)


* Léolo (1992)


* The Lord of the Rings (2001-03)


* The Man With a Camera (1929)


* The Manchurian Candidate (1962)


* Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)


* Metropolis (1927)


* Miller's Crossing (1990)


* Mon oncle d'Amérique (1980)


* Mouchette (1967)


* N - P
* Nayakan (1987)


* Ninotchka (1939)


* Notorious (1946)


* Olympia, Parts 1 and 2 (1938)


* On the Waterfront (1954)


* Once Upon a Time in the West (1968)


* Out of the Past (1947)


* Persona (1966)


* Pinocchio (1940)


* Psycho (1960)


* Pulp Fiction (1994)


* The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)


* Pyaasa (1957)



* Q - S
* Raging Bull (1980)


* Schindler's List (1993)


* The Searchers (1956)


* Sherlock, Jr. (1924)


* The Shop Around the Corner (1940)


* Singin' in the Rain (1952)


* The Singing Detective (1986)


* Smiles of a Summer Night (1955)


* Some Like It Hot (1959)


* Star Wars (1977)


* A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)


* Sunrise (1927)


* Sweet Smell of Success (1957)


* Swing Time (1936)


* T - Z
* Talk to Her (2002)


* Taxi Driver (1976)


*Tokyo Story (1953)


* A Touch of Zen (1971)


* Ugetsu (1953)


* Ulysses' Gaze (1995)


* Umberto D (1952)


* Unforgiven (1992)


* White Heat (1949)


* Wings of Desire (1987)


* Yojimbo (1961)

___________________________________________________________________

The Man With a Camera (1929)

Directed By: Dziga Vertov
Screenplay: Dziga Vertov

MOVIEW PREVIEW -
The director loved machinery—looms, trolley cars, speeding automobiles. He also loved cinematic tricks—freeze frames, superimpositions, speeded-up action and slo-mo. He put both of his obsessions together in this jazzy, delirious portrait of urban Russia, and his innovative film retains its power to stun and delight 76 years after its release. Technically it is a documentary, but really it is a poetic tribute to modernism's hopeful beginnings.— RICHARD SCHICKEL.

The Real Appeal of Ted Kennedy and the Camelot Clan

The Real Appeal of Ted Kennedy and the Camelot Clan

An Excerpt - By Andy Ostroy - New York City-based political analyst
Posted: August 27, 2009 11:32 AM


In the wake of Sen. Ted Kennedy's death, I think the one thing that unified Americans in their appreciation and affection for the Kennedys and Teddy in particular perhaps was that, after putting aside the family's vast wealth, they lived and died just like the rest of us. And in that lesson is the painful reality that money can't buy love, health or happiness, or prevent unfathomable horror.

To be sure, the Kennedy clan is America's version of royalty, complete with the queen-like figure in the late matriarchal Rose. But just like Great Britain's royal family, this Camelot had more than its fair share of dysfunction and tragedy. The Kennedy Curse, as it's known.

The Kennedys are no stranger to alcoholism, drug addiction, DWI's, adultery, cancer, amputations (Ted Jr), stillborn and premature infant death (Arabella, Patrick), plane crashes (Joseph Jr., Kathleen, Ted, John)) accidental death (John Jr), murder (John and Bobby) and scandal (Ted's Mary Jo Kopechne Chappaquiddick drowning; William Smith's Palm Beach rape charge; Michael Skakel's murder conviction). They're a living, breathing soap opera. But America loves a good soap opera.

And all of this melodrama was part of the same initial appeal George W. Bush had with voters. The "he's just like us" factor. It's why people like John McCain, John Kerry and Mitt Romney fail to catch on nationally with voters in the same way. Looking past their vast wealth, there is nothing seemingly humble about their beginnings or the lives that followed. They are largely viewed as privileged, lacking that same connection that the Kennedys made with the common man. Will we ever forget the heartbreaking images of Americans of all ages, religions and races sobbing in grief at the tragic losses of John, Bobby and John Jr. as if these iconic figures were part of their own families?

As the proverb goes, some people are born on 3rd base and think they've hit a triple. The Kennedys always knew they were born there, but never forgot that most everyone else hadn't been. They dedicated their lives to public service, trying to help the little guy reach 3rd even knowing that, no matter how fast he ran, he'd still never hit that triple.

Ted Kennedy's contribution to American culture and society can be seen in virtually every historic issue fought in modern American politics, including health care, social security and medicare, minimum wages, education, immigration, aid for senior citizens, civil rights, voter's rights, women's rights, gay rights and human rights. And he accomplished all this as a gentleman and a respected bi-partisan leader, with civility, grace and humor. A larger-than-life Washington character. Sadly, there's no one to step in and fill his shoes....on either side of the aisle.

Ted Kennedy's legacy, and that of his family, is abundantly clear. But more importantly, so are the many reasons he was loved and cherished by so many as a true national treasure.

RIP, Liberal Lion.
____________________________________________________
Sorensen on Kennedy: The 'Kid Brother' Who Grew Up
By Ted Sorensen Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009 ( Times Excerpt)

When I first met Ted Kennedy 55 years ago, he did not initially seem to be much more than the "kid brother" — fun, funny, friendly, but not a major part of the genial Kennedy dinner-table conversations on policy and politics. When I last met with him, in the summer of 2008, he was the Senate's next-to-eldest statesman convening a breakfast meeting to discuss his plan to establish a research institute or foundation for the scholarly study of the Senate and its role and history in American public life. I took that opportunity to present to him a copy of my new book of memoirs, Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History, with a personal inscription commending him on his accomplishments and predicting more in an even brighter future. In a few days, he graciously replied to my letter and closed with a prediction that an Obama victory would implement my ideals.

The Death of Ted Kennedy: The Brother Who Mattered Most

Going from "kid brother" to senior statesman was an extraordinary journey for Ted Kennedy, matching the similar journeys taken by his brothers John and Robert. All three of the Kennedy brothers who entered our national public life — meaning the three who survived World War II — demonstrated this extraordinary quality of growth, particularly after they arrived in Washington. Too many successful politicians stop growing once they reach there, certain that they already know it all and have completed their growth within the biblical standard of "wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and Man." But not the Kennedys, and certainly not Edward Moore Kennedy. A Harvard education, a University of Virginia law degree, a stint as an assistant district attorney in Boston, a key role in managing Jack's Senate re-election campaign in 1958 and equally key assignments in JFK's successful contest for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1960 and successful race to win the presidency — all contributed to Ted's rise in the esteem of his brothers and their respective staff, including me. Through each of those phases, "Teddy" was growing, maturing, developing, learning and gaining new experience and insights.

Spurred by his father and by his own interests to seek the Senate seat for Massachusetts that JFK had vacated upon entering the White House, Teddy entered a hotly contested Democratic primary in 1962. He was opposed — to President Kennedy's consternation — by Eddie McCormack, the favorite nephew of House Democratic majority leader John McCormack of South Boston. President Kennedy, whose brother Bob was then serving as U.S. Attorney General, was concerned that he would be accused of fostering nepotism and founding a dynasty. He did not wish to add a feud with Eddie's uncle to his already difficult relations with Congress. Nor did he wish to add yet another private disagreement with his beloved father to an already long list. So he publicly vowed that the White House would remain neutral regarding the 1962 Senate Democratic nomination in Massachusetts. But privately he asked RFK and me to fly unannounced to Cape Cod and brief Teddy on the eve of his first televised debate with young McCormack. We did so, in a dining-table session not unlike those I held with JFK to brief him before his first televised debate with Nixon and later to prep him for his biweekly press conferences as President. We found Teddy surprisingly relaxed and informed. He won the debate, the primary and the election, just as he won every race for re-election in the next 47 years.

The pride and joy that all three brothers felt in serving high national office at the same time was cut short by their father's stroke in 1961 and by Jack's assassination in November 1963. Through the difficult years that followed, Teddy's growth continued. Both a plane crash in Massachusetts in 1964 and the ugly automobile accident on Chappaquiddick Island in 1969 almost cost him his life, and the Chappaquiddick incident ultimately ended his bright prospects for still higher office.

And yet Teddy never lost his drive to serve his country and honor his brothers' memory. Bobby's assassination left Teddy in charge of not only the Kennedy legacy, but also the Kennedy family. Already a loving father of his own wonderful children, he took special care to help guide and comfort Jack's and Bobby's survivors.

Throughout it all, his impact as a Senator and a Democratic Party leader continued. He worked well with friends across the aisle, whether the Democrats were in the minority or majority, building relationships with Presidents of both parties, including LBJ (when RFK did not) and Carter (who did not reciprocate). Fellow Senators on more than one occasion have told me that when Ted rose on the Senate floor to speak, members of both parties paid attention whether or not their views were compatible with his, because they knew he had done his homework. He gained a reputation for first-rate staffers, and I can testify to their uniform excellence, including those in his Senate office and on the Senate Judiciary Committee. One example of the latter was Stephen Breyer, now a Justice of the Supreme Court. For years, Ted's aides on media relations, speechwriting and other key assignments continued to love and serve him, and that low turnover guaranteed continued excellence.

He initially focused on domestic policies of particular importance to RFK, including health care, civil rights, immigration, education and other key issues. Always an internationalist who favored legal and diplomatic solutions supported by our allies to resolve global conflicts, he became in later years particularly outspoken against the war in Iraq. He did not shy away from taking the lead on controversial issues in the Senate, even those that were sensitive back home in Massachusetts — including school busing, women's reproductive rights and judicial nominations.

Having sat by his bedside to see him come back from both his near fatal plane crash and automobile accident, I had hoped he would last another generation, dying at some dramatic moment on the Senate floor that he loved.

Several decades ago, John F. Kennedy, as a Senator known for his special interest in history — including the history of the Senate itself — was named to head a special committee to select five Senators whose portraits would hang in the Senate reception room for all to see. "The Famous Five" were to be chosen on the basis of their historic contributions in terms of courage, integrity and substantive activity over a long Senate career. They are now called "the Famous Nine," after two Senate resolutions added four more portraits. There are still two spaces remaining in that room. I can think of no one more deserving of having his portrait placed there now than Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Sorensen was formerly the special counsel and adviser to President John F. Kennedy and is the author of Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History.

Rise of Islamic Law in Malaysia

Aug 27, 2009

Rise of Islamic law in M'sia( Singapore Straits Times Excerpt)


KUALA LUMPUR - THE dramatic case of a Muslim model who faces caning for drinking beer in Malaysia has highlighted concerns Islamic law is on the rise and that the nation's secular status is under threat.

Kartika Sari Dewi Shukarno, 32, was arrested at a hotel nightclub and sentenced to six strokes of the cane last month, in a rare prosecution of religious laws that ban alcohol for Malaysia's majority Muslim Malays.

Her insistence that she was ready to face her punishment and would not appeal threw government and religious authorities into a spin as they attempted to carry out the sentence against a woman for the first time.

As international headlines mounted, and foreign TV crews reported live from her family's home as the mother-of-two was detained ahead of the thrashing, she was abruptly released and the punishment is now on hold indefinitely.

'The overriding view was that the sentence meted out was too harsh and is not commensurate with the offence,' Women's Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said as she announced the religious court would hold a review. 'We are equally concerned not only for Kartika Sari, but also for the fact that this one particular case could have damaged the image of Malaysia in its fair and just implementation of the Syariah law.'

Despite the queasiness in meting out the sentence, in a jail not far from the glittering capital Kuala Lumpur, Malay politicians have long been competing to be seen as more pious than the other.

The dynamic of 'political Islam", which has alarmed Malaysia's minority ethnic Chinese and Indians, has gone into overdrive since 2008 elections that humiliated the long-serving Barisan Nasional coalition.

The United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) which leads the coalition and needs Malays as its bedrock, is being challenged by the conservative Islamic party PAS, a member of the resurgent Pakatan Rakyat opposition.

Azmi Sharom, an associate professor in the law faculty of Universiti Malaya, said that in their eagerness to display their religious credentials, politicians were failing to check the creeping authority of the Syariah courts which operate in a dual-track system with the civil courts.

Syariah courts can prosecute Muslims for certain offences including drinking alcohol and 'proximity' or illicit contact with the opposite sex. While enforcement has been lax in the past, it is now becoming more aggressive, and the scope of the religious courts appears to be expanding.

Mr Azmi said the government, which is keen to preserve Malaysia's reputation as a progressive and moderate Muslim nation, was skirting the issue by urging Kartika to appeal. -- AFP


HOW MUCH SHOULD THE LAW EXTEND TO?

Harussani Zakaria, the mufti for northern Perak state - an Islamic scholar empowered to give rulings on the Syariah - endorsed the push for stricter implementation of Islamic law.

'People will ask, you have this law, why don't you practise it? When we practise it, then the government interrupts the process,' he complained, adding that Kartika should be punished swiftly.

The influential cleric said Malaysia would be better off if all citizens, including non-Muslims, were subject to Islamic law including 'hudud' penalties like stoning adulterers and chopping off thieves' hands.

Zaid Ibrahim, a former cabinet minister in charge of legal affairs who quit last September and later switched to the opposition, said problems can arise if sharia pronouncements conflict with the constitution.

'But which Malay political leaders from either side of the political spectrum dare touch it?' he said. 'So the hardliners can and will always push and push and Malaysia will no longer be a liberal and moderate modern state.'

____________________________________________

Sharia law: A brief introduction

Sharia Law - source and definitions:

The term "Sharia" (a.k.a. Shari'a) literally means "the path to a watering hole." The Guardian newspaper in the UK describes Sharia as: "... a religious code for living, in the same way that the Bible offers a moral system for Christians." 1 It is used to refer both to the Islamic system of law and the totality of the Islamic way of life. Sharia is derived both from:

The teachings of the Qur'an. This is the Muslim holy book, which corresponds to the Jews' Torah and the Christians' Holy Bible. Muslims believe that the Qur'an is the Word of God, as dictated to the prophet Muhammad by the angel Gabriel.
From Sunna, which is referred to as Islamic "Custom or practice; particularly that associated with the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad, comprising his deeds and utterances as recorded in the hadith." The hadith literally means "report" or "narrative".

Sharia law: founders and schools:

Perhaps the two greatest original founders of Sharia law were Malik ibn Anas and Ibn al-Shaf'i. Anas established the Maliki school of jurisprudence. Al-Shaf'i was one of Anas' students; he disagreed with his teacher about the reliability of the hadith. He felt that it was necessary to trace each hadith from the time of Muhammad through its chain of devout Muslims. This concern led to Islamic scholars considering "... which hadith were true and which were not." Needless to say this led to conflicts among scholars as to the proper application of Sharia law.

Ibn al-Shafi'i promoted the use of additional sources for Shari'a law:

The technique of "... reasoning by analogy in order to develop new laws from existing laws." As the culture evolves, new types of problems emerge that need to be dealt with. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) used to prevent the development of a severely defective human embryo is one example.

The technique of accepting the consensus of a Muslim community. The reasoning is that Allah would not allow an entire community to be in error on a basic Islamic principle.

There are four main schools of Sharia law:

Hanbali: This is the most conservative school of Shari'a. It is used in Saudi Arabia and some states in Northern Nigeria.

Hanifi: This is the most liberal school, and is relatively open to modern ideas.

Maliki: This is based on the practices of the people of Medina during Muhammad's lifetime.

Shafi'i: This is a conservative school that emphasizes on the opinions of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad.

What applies within one school of Sharia law does not necessarily apply in the other schools. For example, the Maliki Law School accepts evidence of pregnancy as proof that an unmarried woman has either committed adultery or been raped. The other schools "... do not recognize evidence of pregnancy as proof of Zina [Adultery]."

Recent history:

The Constitutional Rights Foundation notes that:

"In the 19th century, many Muslim countries came under the control or influence of Western colonial powers. As a result, Western-style laws, courts, and punishments began to appear within the Sharia. Some countries like Turkey totally abandoned the Sharia and adopted new law codes based on European systems...Modern legislation along with Muslim legal scholars who are attempting to relate the will of Allah to the 20th century have reopened the door to interpreting the Sharia. This has happened even in highly traditional Saudi Arabia, where Islam began....Since 1980, some countries with fundamentalist Islamic regimes like Iran have attempted to reverse the trend of westernization and return to the classic Sharia."

Within Sharia law, there are a group of "Haram" offenses which carry severe punishments. These include pre-marital sexual intercourse, sex by divorced persons, post-marital sex, adultery, false accusation of unlawful intercourse, drinking alcohol, theft, and highway robbery. Haram sexual offenses can carry a sentence of stoning to death or severe flogging. An eyewitness account of Soraya M, a woman executed by stoning, can be read on an anti-Iranian web site. Caution: do not read this if you have a weak stomach; it is quite graphic.

Sharia law has been adopted in various forms by many countries, ranging from a strict interpretation in Saudi Arabia and northern states of Nigeria, to a relatively liberal interpretation in much of Malaysia.

Sharia law is intended to be only applicable to Muslims. Christians and other non-Muslims are supposed to be exempt from the provisions of the law; this is a provision that is not universally followed..

Obama 's Falling Popularity - An Excerpt

Faith in Obama Drops As Reform Fears Rise - Health-Care Effort Is Major Factor, Poll Finds
By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen - Washington Post Staff Writers ( Friday, August 21, 2009)

Public confidence in President Obama's leadership has declined sharply over the summer, amid intensifying opposition to health-care reform that threatens to undercut his attempt to enact major changes to the system, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.
Among all Americans, 49 percent now express confidence that Obama will make the right decisions for the country, down from 60 percent at the 100-day mark in his presidency. Forty-nine percent now say they think he will be able to spearhead significant improvements in the system, down nearly 20 percentage points from before he took office.

As challenges to Obama's initiatives have mounted over the summer, pessimism in the nation's direction has risen: Fifty-five percent see things as pretty seriously on the wrong track, up from 48 percent in April.

But there has been a notable increase in optimism about the length of the recession: Half of all Americans expect it to be over within the next 12 months. In February, just 28 percent said the recession would end that rapidly.

Obama's economic stimulus plan has come under attack from Republicans, who say it has failed to bring tangible benefits. But in the poll, almost twice as many say the program has made things better as say it has made things worse (43 percent to 23 percent), with a third saying the plan has had no effect.

The president's overall approval rating stands at 57 percent, 12 points lower than its April peak, as disapproval has ticked up to 40 percent, its highest yet. On specific issues, Obama received more mixed marks. A majority, 53 percent, now disapprove of his handling of the federal budget deficit, and his ratings on health care continue to deteriorate. On the marquee issue of the economy, 52 percent approve of his actions, unchanged from June.

Despite the decline in general confidence in Obama, there is still little competition in the battle for public trust: Just 21 percent say they think congressional Republicans will make the right decisions for the country's future, while 35 percent have confidence in Democrats.

Disapproval of Obama's handling of the health-care issue reached 50 percent in the new poll, the highest of his presidency, and 42 percent of those surveyed say they now "strongly disapprove" of the way he is dealing with his main domestic priority. Views of the president's actions on reform have dropped most sharply among seniors and independents.

The Public Option

The poll was completed just as a new debate about a public health insurance option erupted after administration officials appeared to signal their willingness to jettison the proposal as part of an eventual compromise. White House officials later insisted that there had been no change in their support for the public option as they sought to reassure Democrats furious about what they regarded as an administration cave-in.

In the survey, 52 percent of Americans said they favor the government's creation of a new health insurance plan to compete with private insurers, while 46 percent are opposed. That is a big shift from late June, when 62 percent backed the notion and 33 percent opposed it.

The drop in support for the public option has been particularly steep among political independents, the closely watched group so critical to the Democratic takeover of Congress in 2006 and Obama's victory last year. Two months ago, independents supported the public option by a 2 to 1 ratio. Now, 50 percent are in favor, and 47 percent are opposed.

Seniors have also become decidedly negative toward the proposal: In June, seniors were evenly split on the plan, but now a majority strongly oppose the idea.
The momentum for any reform appears to have slackened as the debate has intensified, with 51 percent now behind the notion that government action is needed to control costs and expand coverage and 46 percent seeing such measures as doing more harm than good. Two months ago, proponents outnumbered opponents by a wide margin.

Obama faces an increasingly polarized environment as he campaigns for his health-care initiatives. Fifty percent of those surveyed say they oppose the set of proposals advanced by the president and congressional Democrats, while 45 percent support them. Intensity is on the side of the detractors: Forty percent of all Americans strongly oppose the plans, while 27 percent are solidly behind them.

Angry protests at some congressional town hall meetings have dominated the news over the August congressional recess. Just over half, 51 percent, of Americans see these demonstrations as "appropriate," while 45 percent call them "inappropriate."

Eighteen percent of those polled say they feel "angry" about the health-care changes that Congress and the Obama administration are proposing. And about as many, 15 percent, say they are "enthusiastic" about them, with the majority almost evenly divided between "satisfied" (32 percent) and "dissatisfied" (31 percent).

Positive feelings about reform drop significantly by age, with 57 percent of seniors holding negative feelings, including 29 percent who say they are outright angry.

Partisan affiliation plays directly into the intensity of feeling: Fifty-one percent of those who describe themselves as strong Republicans say they are angry, while enthusiasm peaks at 40 percent among liberal Democrats.

A Skeptical Public

The lack of energy behind broad change stems in part from widespread skepticism that the proposed overhaul would make things better. Only 19 percent envision the quality of their care improving or their costs going down if the system is changed, and few of those who now carry health insurance (the vast majority of Americans) say they think their coverage or costs would improve. Seniors are more than five times as likely to believe their care will deteriorate under projected modifications than to believe it will improve.

The overall drop in support for government action on health care is notable among political independents, who now divide evenly between whether government reform is even necessary or would do more harm than good. Disapproval of Obama's handling of the reform issue has spiked to 57 percent among independents, a new high, with nearly half giving him strongly negative marks. Nearly six in 10 independents oppose the proposals.

There has also been slippage among independents on broader measures of Obama's presidency. His job approval among independents now stands at 50 percent, the lowest level of his presidency. For the first time, more independents strongly disapprove than strongly approve of how he is doing. His approval among independents is also below 50 percent on the economy, the deficit and taxes.

Before Obama's inauguration, 61 percent of independents expressed confidence in his ability to make the right decisions for the country. That number fell to 52 percent about 100 days into his presidency and now sits at 41 percent. Confidence in his judgment has also slipped substantially among seniors.

Looking ahead to the 2010 midterm elections, half of independents say a congressional candidate's support for the proposed health-care changes will not affect their vote, but among the other half, twice as many say they are less apt to back such a contender than say they would be more likely to vote that way. Seniors tilt even more negatively on the question.

The poll was conducted Aug. 13-17 among a random national sample of 1,001 adults on both conventional and cellular telephones. The margin of sampling error is plus or minus three percentage points.

Polling analyst Jennifer Agiesta contributed to this report.

Protests planned for Hawaii's 50th anniversary – An Excerpt

Protests planned for Hawaii's 50th anniversary – An Excerpt

HONOLULU – Protesters will march the streets and Hawaiian chants will echo from the sprawling lawn of Iolani Palace on Hawaii's 50th anniversary of statehood, as high-minded panelists ponder the islands' future at a daylong conference.

While lacking much in the way of public parties or parades, Hawaii's official statehood day festivities will feature entertainment by local musicians and panel discussions emphasizing tourism's future, alternative energy and Native Hawaiian rights.

About 1,000 demonstrators who would rather see Hawaii's independence restored are expected to rally outside the conference at the Hawaii Convention Center.

"We want to show how U.S. imperialism has spread across the Pacific and across the world," said Lynette Cruz, an organizer of the Hawaiian Independence Action Alliance. "It'll be fun."

The protesters will be allowed inside the convention center lobby, but they can't get into the individual conference rooms without purchasing a $30 ticket.

"We're trying to set a standard that embraces dialogue over physical conflict, and that's the hope for Friday," said Trisha Kehaulani Watson of Honua Consulting, one of the Hawaiian panelists. "We can show people that we can have concerns and be emotional without losing control."

Previous statehood anniversaries haven't always been peaceful.

American-flag-waving Statehood Day celebrants and Hawaiian sovereignty advocates clashed in 2006 at Iolani Palace, the heart of the Hawaiian monarchy where officials declared in 1959 that Hawaii had joined the union. The conflict turned into a shouting match between those trying to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and others who used a public address system to drown them out.

Last year, police arrested 23 members of a Hawaiian pro-sovereignty group that broke into the palace, locked its gates and posted signs that read, "Property of the Kingdom of Hawaiian Trust."

"The state is very cognizant of Hawaiian protests, and I think they don't want to have any bad press," said Dean Saranillio, a student who wrote his dissertation on how statehood came at the expense of Hawaiian self-determination. "There's a very vibrant and vocal Hawaiian community that's well-versed in the history. They know statehood was a product of the overthrow."

The Hawaiian kingdom was overthrown in 1893 when a group of white businessmen forced Queen Liliuokalani to abdicate while U.S. Marines came ashore.

About 94 percent of Hawaii voters supported statehood in 1959, but opponents argue the vote was tainted because the only choice on the ballot was to become a state or remain a territory — independence was not an option.

At sunset Friday, 18 Hawaiians will recite chants in memory of Queen Liliuokalani from the balconies of Iolani Palace, said Kippen de Alba Chu, chairman of the Statehood Commission. He said the chanters and the conference discussions will help set the stage for Hawaii's future.

"The tone is reflective. We're looking back where we came from and looking at our accomplishments, but perhaps also the things we need to do better," he said.

Back at the convention center, Hawaii's commemorative 50th anniversary postage stamp will be unveiled. The stamp, available nationwide Friday, will show a painting of a longboard surfer and two paddlers on an outrigger canoe.

The day's events will end with a '50s-style concert by The Platters, the Coasters and the Drifters.

Other statehood events included a walking tour focused on the overthrow, with costumed guides and role-players along the way; a statehood mosaic unveiled earlier this month at the Honolulu airport with artwork from more than 8,000 students nationwide; TV and radio ads with "50 Voices of Statehood" interviews; and 50 time capsules buried around the state to be opened on the state's 75th anniversary in 2034.

State lawmakers allocated $600,000 for statehood events.
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Hawaii keeps 50th anniversary low key amid cultural concerns
By: MARK NIESSE - Associated Press, August 16, 2009


HONOLULU — Hawaii turns 50 years old as the 50th state Friday, but there will be no grand parades, no dazzling fireworks, no lavish displays of native culture.

Organizers of the observation are not even willing to call it a party. It is simply a "commemoration," one that is sensitive to a painful history of the Hawaiian monarchy's overthrow and unresolved claims of Native Hawaiians.

The main event is a low-key daylong conference reflecting on Hawaii's place in the world. Behind the tourist-friendly tropical images of beaches and sunshine, many remain uncomfortable with the U.S. takeover of the islands and the idea that businesses have exploited Hawaiians' culture.

"Instead of state government having huge parties and fireworks, we're having a convention," said Manu Boyd, cultural director for the Royal Hawaiian Center, a shopping and entertainment area in Waikiki. "That shows the strength and spiritual power of the Hawaiian people, whose shattered world has not yet been addressed."

When statehood came calling in 1959, it ushered in an era of economic prosperity through tourism and the side effects that came with it: resort high rises, more than 500,000 monthly tourists and an emphasis on hokey luaus rather than the authentic host culture.

Sovereignty groups advocating independence from the United States make up a minority, but many residents recognize the long-standing issues associated with the 1893 overthrow of the monarchy, the islands' annexation and past harms to the Native Hawaiian people.

Dodie Brown was a smiling 6-year-old when her father took a picture of her holding a newspaper proclaiming "Statehood!" — an image that traveled around the world.

"It's good that the commemoration is quiet," said Brown, who now works for the city of Honolulu. "Something like this should be done with taste and finesse, in respect to everyone's feelings."

Besides the statehood conference, the Hawaii Statehood Commission has been airing TV and radio ads with "50 Voices of Statehood" interviews, inviting schools to place commemorative items in time capsules, displaying artwork on the meaning of statehood in the Hawaii Convention Center and showing exhibits in state airports. State lawmakers allocated $600,000 for statehood events.

"Out of respect, we decided not to do the parade and the big party," said Kippen de Alba Chu, chairman of the Statehoood Commission. Those kinds of events "would have been a waste of state funds, especially given the economy."

Alaska, by contrast, which joined the union in January, 1959, embraced the 50th anniversary of statehood with concerts, fireworks displays, a prize-winning float in California's Rose Parade and observances throughout the state during the past 12 months. Among the festivities celebrated in a downtown Anchorage festival was the re-enactment of placing the 49th star on the American flag.

Here, even the low-key conference is drawing complaints. Hawaiian sovereignty groups are planning protests outside the convention center Friday, and some say the conference's topics are too focused on tourism, economic development and business opportunities.

One panelist, University of Hawaii Center for Hawaiian Studies professor Jonathan Osorio, said the conference should focus more on Hawaiian culture and history.

"It's a political cop-out because the state doesn't really want to address the legal or political nature of its claim to authority in Hawaii," Osorio said. "It's one of the reasons they have really muted its commemoration."

Nearly 18 years after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor pulled the United States into World War II, Hawaii was admitted into the United States on Aug. 21, 1959.

About 94 percent of island chain's voters supported statehood. Opponents argue that the vote was tainted because the only choice on the ballot was to become a state or remain a territory — independence was not an option.

The Hawaiian kingdom was overthrown in 1893 when a group of white businessmen forced Queen Liliuokalani to abdicate while U.S. Marines came ashore. Hawaii was considered a republic until it became a U.S. territory by a resolution approved by Congress in 1898.

"This newfangled idea of celebrating statehood shows that people don't understand Hawaii's history, or if they do understand, then they're celebrating a lie, a theft, that essentially stole a people's right of self-determination," said Poka Laenui, a Hawaiian and attorney who has worked for independence for more than 30 years.

Along with statehood came striking changes to the islands, as the first commercial jetliner's arrival in Honolulu just a few weeks earlier began the dawn of the tourism era. Today, Hawaii's economy depends on tourism as its primary industry, with nearly 7 million visiting the islands in 2008.

Hawaii's image as a beach paradise captured the imagination of the rest of the world, aided by sometimes irreverent marketing of hula girls, leis or tiki torch-lit hotels.

In recent years, the tourism industry has made strides in ensuring the Hawaiian culture is respected rather than exploited, said Kelii Wilson, Hawaiian cultural coordinator for the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

For example, businesses should ensure that Tahitian dancers aren't called Hawaiian hula dancers, and that Hawaiian words are pronounced and spelled correctly, Wilson said.

"Growing up as a child here in Hawaii, I did see misrepresentations of the culture," she said. "Now we're getting closer to the right place."

One way Hawaiians are moving toward having a voice in their self-determination is through legislation pending in Congress that would treat them similarly to Native American tribes and Alaskan natives.

After a decade of efforts, the measure could pass into law as soon as this year with the support of Hawaii-born President Barack Obama.

America's Best College 2010

America's Best Colleges 2010
Thursday, August 20, 2009provided byUSNews.com
Harvard and Princeton lead the national universities in U.S. News’ 2010 college rankings.

Introduction by Kenneth Terrell
For the second year in a row, Harvard University tops the U.S. News & World Report rankings of America's Best Colleges, but this time it has company. By edging up slightly in the 15 indicators of academic excellence that U.S. News uses to compile the rankings, Princeton University tied Harvard for first place on the list of national universities. Among the liberal arts colleges, Williams College edged out Amherst College. Last year, those two Massachusetts schools tied for first place in that category.

Rankings: National Universities
The new lists mark the 26th edition of U.S. News's annual college rankings. In recent years, Harvard University's sterling academic reputation appears to have been bolstered by the Cambridge, Mass., school's decision in December 2007 to increase significantly the financial aid awards it grants. Students from families that earn less than $60,000 per year don't have to pay any costs to attend, and those from families that earn between $60,000 and $180,000 per year will pay no more than 10 percent of their annual income. For most Harvard students (about 60 percent), these policies add up to a big discount off the elite university's $52,000-per-year sticker price. In another financial aid innovation, Harvard recently announced a program to help its international students secure student loans on their own. Previously, international students could get such loans only with a U.S. resident as a cosigner. Harvard fittingly also claims first place on the U.S. News list of schools that offer the best financial aid.
For Princeton, the No. 1 ranking means a return to the top after slipping to second place last year. The New Jersey college is kicking off several new initiatives this school year. In the fall, 20 entering freshmen will spend their first year of college overseas doing community service work in Peru, Ghana, Serbia, or India. It's a test to see how "gap years" or "bridge years," in which high school graduates do a year of travel and work before starting their freshman year of college, should be integrated into the university's overall program of study. In years to come, as many as 100 first-year students each fall could enroll in the program. Princeton is also one of six universities participating in the test-drive of how Amazon's electronic book, the Kindle, can be used in college classrooms. Students and faculty in select courses will use the devices as textbooks.

The U.S. News & World Report rankings measure up to 15 indicators of academic performance for each college and university. Quantitative data that assess a college's performance in areas such as graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, financial resources, student selectivity, and alumni giving account for 75 percent of a college's score. The other 25 percent is based on a peer assessment survey the magazine sends to top officials at each school asking them to rate the other colleges in their category. Each year, the ranking methodology is reassessed to stay current with developments in higher education. For example, in recent years, U.S. News has incorporated more data about the proportion of low-income students that a school enrolls into its ranking measurements just as most selective colleges have made efforts to recruit more disadvantaged students.

These periodic methodology adjustments make flat year-to-year comparisons of a school's U.S. News ranking somewhat misleading. Nevertheless, alumni tend to take note of which schools have gained an edge on their academic rivals. That might be harder to do this year because of the number of ties on the list. In addition to the Princeton-Harvard tie for first in the national universities list, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology tied with its West Coast rival, the California Institute of Technology, for fourth place. And college football fans should note that the University of Florida and the University of Texas–Austin—both contending for the top spot in the preseason gridiron rankings—are also locked in a tie on the U.S. News academic rankings in the 47th slot.

1. Harvard University (tie)
City: Cambridge, MA
Total Enrollment: 19,230
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $37,012

1. Princeton University (tie)
City: Princeton, NJ
Total Enrollment: 7,497

3. Yale University
City: New Haven, CT
Total Enrollment: 11,446
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $36,500

4. California Institute of Technology (tie)
City: Pasadena, CA
Total Enrollment: 2,126
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $34,584



4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (tie)
City: Cambridge, MA
Total Enrollment: 10,299
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $37,782


4. Stanford University (tie)
City: Stanford, CA
Total Enrollment: 17,833
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $37,881


4. University of Pennsylvania (tie)
City: Philadelphia, PA
Total Enrollment: 19,018
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,970


8. Columbia University (tie)
City: New York, NY
Total Enrollment: 23,196
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $41,316

8. University of Chicago (tie)
City: Chicago, IL
Total Enrollment: 12,386
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $39,381

10. Duke University
City: Durham, NC
Total Enrollment: 14,060
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,975

11. Dartmouth College
City: Hanover, NH
Total Enrollment: 5,848
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,679


12. Northwestern University (tie)
City: Evanston, IL
Total Enrollment: 18,431
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,461


12. Washington University in St. Louis (tie)
City: St. Louis, MO
Total Enrollment: 13,338
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,864


14. Johns Hopkins University
City: Baltimore, MD
Total Enrollment: 19,858
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $39,150


15. Cornell University
City: Ithaca, NY
Total Enrollment: 20,273
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $37,954


16. Brown University
City: Providence, RI
Total Enrollment: 8,318
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,848

17. Emory University (tie)
City: Atlanta, GA
Total Enrollment: 12,755
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,036

17. Rice University (tie)
City: Houston, TX
Total Enrollment: 5,456
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $31,248



17. Vanderbilt University (tie)
City: Nashville, TN
Total Enrollment: 12,093
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,579

20. University of Notre Dame
City: Notre Dame, IN
Total Enrollment: 11,731
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $38,477


21. University of California--Berkeley
City: Berkeley, CA
Total Enrollment: 35,409
2009-2010 In-state: $8,352; Out-of-state: $30,022


22. Carnegie Mellon University
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Total Enrollment: 11,064
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $39,833


23. Georgetown University
City: Washington, DC
Total Enrollment: 15,318
2009-2010 Tuition and Fees: $39,212

24. University of California--Los Angeles (tie)
City: Los Angeles, CA
Total Enrollment: 39,650
2009-2010 In-state: $8,228; Out-of-state: $29,897


24. University of Virginia (tie)
City: Charlottesville, VA
Total Enrollment: 24,541
2009-2010 In-state: $9,870; Out-of-state: $31,870

Ramadan

The magnificent interior dome of Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta
Photo credit : Oxymanus

The holy month of Ramadan enjoys a special importance in the Islamic calendar. As the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "It is Allah's Own month." It is the chief of all months and the most glorious one. As we already know, 'Fasting' is one of the important pillars of Islam and it is the very month of Ramadan during which fasting has been made obligatory for all adults and sane Muslims. By fasting during Ramadan, a Muslim besides discharging an obligation imposed upon him by Allah (SWT), becomes entitled to great reward in the Hereafter. On the other hand, any lapse in the matter amounts to a great sin. Fasting is an article of worship, the knowledge about the performance or otherwise whereof rests only with Allah (SWT) and the person concerned. Hence, it is Allah alone who will reward that person for it, on the Day of Judgment.

The blessings of Ramadan are not limited to fasting alone, because the performance of all sorts of worship and good deeds during this month is also a source of great Divine favor. The revelation of the Holy Qur'an commenced during this very month and it is therefore the duty of every Muslim to read and try to understand the meaning of the Holy Qur'an and thereby gain an insight into the Divine secrets enshrined therein. It brings peace and illumination to the mind and imparts purity to the soul.

Ramadan is the month of fasting, intensive prayer, sacrifice and Divine worship. Throughout this month a devout Muslim fasts during the day in the true sense of the word, that is, he had merely denies himself food and water, but as explained by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.), exercises strict control over his tongue, eyes, ears, thoughts and deeds and does everything possible to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT).

Devout supplications to Allah (SWT) and repentance of one's sins during Ramadan are the sources of Divine blessings and mercy. Some nights, among the last ten nights of Ramadan, are called the 'Nights of Glory' (Laylatul Qadr). These are the 19th, 21st, and 23rd nights. Muslims keep awake during these nights and offer special prayers. Even among these nights, the 23rd enjoys excellence over all the others. It is accompanied by great blessings, and he usually grants the supplications made to Allah (SWT) during this night.

The holy month of Ramadan, besides being the month of worship and Divine blessings, carries a historical importance as well. As already mentioned above, the revelations of the Holy Qur'an commenced in this month. The epoch-making 'Battle of Badr' and the 'Conquest of Mecca' also took place during the holy month of Ramadan.

"Ramadan", according to some traditions is one of Allah's names. This is why we can not say Ramadan without making it clear that we are talking about the month, and therefore we should always say the month of Ramadan. The Commander of the faithful Ali ibn Abi Taleb (A.S.) said: Do not say Ramadan, but say the month of Ramadan. For you do not know what Ramadan is. This same meaning was referred to by the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) in his speech during Shaaban: The month of Allah coming ....
Let us:

1. Learn Islam with ambition,
2. Observe Islam with sincerity,
3. Practice Islam with discipline (Sunnah),
4. Spread Islam with truth and kindness.

Mohammed : Whosoever recites only one 'Ayat' in Holy Ramadan, he will be awarded as if he had recited the full Qur'an, in other months. Holy Prophet Mohammed (S.A.W.)
Quran : Everything has a spring and the spring of the Qur'an is the Holy Month of Ramadan. Imam Baqer (A.S.)
Feast : Today (Day of feast of fast-breaking) is the feast of those whose fasts are accepted and their sorbs are favored by God, and any day in which you do not commit a sin, is the day of feast. Imam Ali (A.S.)
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Fasting is an ancient and universal practice. The Romans, the Babylonians, the Cynic, Stoic, Pythagorean and Neo-Platonist philosophers commended fasting. The followers of Hinduism, Jainism, Confucianism, and Zoroastrianism practice it. The Jews observe an annual fasting on the day of atonement in commemoration of the descent of Moses from Sinai after spending forty days of fasting in order to be able to receive revelation. Jesus observed fasting for forty days in the desert and commanded his followers to fast. In brief, the practice of fasting has been common in one form or the other in all human societies.

Before the advent of Islam, fasting was resorted to by way of repentance or penance, or as a mark of mourning, or to celebrate some particular occasion, or to ward off an apprehended danger, or to control a prevailing epidemic, or to gratify and please a deity or to put pressure to achieve a certain desire end. The form of fasting also differed. For example, Jews ate only once in twenty-four hours. Among Hindus, the restriction applies only to cereals whereas eating of fruits or taking of liquids during fasting is not prohibited. In fact, in ancient faiths and creeds, the objects of fasting were very limited, the intention generally being self-mortification, asceticism, or the satisfaction of some of some superstitious urge.

Originally, in Arabic the word 'as-Sawm' (Sawm) meant 'al-Imsak', that is, to abstain totally from any act including eating, drinking, walking, speaking, etc. Thus, the Arabs used to refer to a horse refusing to run or to be fed, as 'Saum', that is, fasting. As is clear, the word 'Sawm' is ancient and was used in a different context by the Arabs before Islam. Then, however it did not have the specific meaning given to it by Islam as a term denoting a certain religious obligation. As an Islamic term, it means to refrain intentionally from what breaks fasting.

To a Muslim, Ramadan fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking but carries the added significance of worship, psychological comfort, morality and legislation. It is neither the irrational motionless 'Imsak' of pre-Islamic Arabs nor the mere abstaining from eating and drinking, but is, in fact, the building of one's character, control over desires, and an inspiration towards social and scientific creativity.

God has commanded this sanctified duty and enjoined it on the Muslims, as He had enjoined it on the believing nations before. He assigned the blessed month, the month of Ramadan, for every adult and healthy Muslim as a period of fasting. This sacred ordinance was prescribed by God, for all believers and revealed in the preceding month of Shaaban, nearly a year and a half after the Hijra (the Prophet's auspicious migration from Mecca to Medina [in 622 BC] which marks the start of the Islamic calendar).

Gradually, God revealed numerous other verses about the month of Ramadan and the rules of fasting. In light of these divine injunctions, the Prophet (S.A.W.) expounded the merits of fasting, its significance, regulations, effects, benefits and great reward. Hence, fasting is one of the pillars of Islam and a religious duty for all those who believe in monotheism, and consequently, whoever denies it is an unbeliever.

It is an apparent sign of obedience, submission and servitude to God, the Exalted. By fasting, a Muslim expresses his submission to Allah's command, his response to His will, and control over his own desires and wishes at the God's behest.

In the holy month of Ramadan, a Muslim's abstaining from food, drink, sexual intercourse, etc., during the prescribed hours is the very manifestation of obedience to the Creator's will. This self-deprivation represents a state of self-control and of overcoming carnal pleasure, desire, and enjoyment, for the blissful love of God, His proximity, and the eagerness to desires. It is a triumph of pristine love over one's pleasures for the eternal ones promised by God, the Almighty. This response to the Divine commandments represents and incarnates true servitude and is a brilliant display of spirit, intellect and decisive willpower.

By fasting, a person keeps himself from the pleasures of life, with no preventive or hindering factor, except that of obeying God and showing genuine devotion to His commands. Traditions (ahadith) succinctly explain this fact: "A fasting person is in a state of worship, even when (asleep) in bed, except when he backbites another Muslim." (Al-Kafi, al- Kulayni, "The Book of Fasting" 3rd Edition, vol.4, p.190) "... Every breath you take is (has the reward of) Tasbih (praise to Allah) and your sleep is worship..." (Uyun al-Akhbar al-Rida - the Prophet's sermon).

In a moving speech, the Prophet of Allah described the believing soul that fasts for love of Allah out of truthfulness and sincerity, and thus the whole day becomes an alter of worship, and each and every activity of the fasting body, provided it abstains from loathsome acts, is nothing but worship embodied.


A fasting person is in a state of worship, even when (asleep) in bed, except when he backbites another Muslim. : -- The Prophet of Islam
The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) described the sleep of a fasting Muslim, even the very breathing, as acts of worship, because they emanate from a body regarded as being in a state of continual worship through abstaining from tasting delicious and lawful things, solely out of obedience to the Creator. He Himself extols fasting and attributes as a special blessing for mankind as is clear from a 'Hadith-e-Qudsi': The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) said: "God, the Exalted says: 'Fasting is (exclusively) for Me and I will reward it." Ali ibn Musa al-Rida (A.S.), the Eighth Imam quoted his ancestor the Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) on the chain of authority of his noble forefathers: "O people, any body who in this month (Ramadan) cultivates good manners, will walk over the 'Sira' (Paradise's bridge) on the Day when feet will tend to slip...." ('Uyun al­Akhbar, al-Rida - Prophet's sermon).

The practices of Islamic fasting are designed to divert human mind towards righteousness through a process of self-denials. Fasting constitutes a process of self-purification, self-righteousness, and spiritual development of one self.

Fasting in Islam is not prescribed to cause undue hardship. The Divine principle, as specified in the Holy Quran: (On no soul does God place a burden greater than it can bear...) (2:286).

Accordingly, although there can be no laxity in so far as the obligation of fasting is concerned, there are facilities provided for one who may be sick or on a journey. The Holy Quran says: (...But if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (of fasting should be made up) by days later. God intends every facility for you; He does not want to put you to difficulties ...) (2:185).
When we observe Fasting, here is something that happens:

1. I feel hungry -> My mind says "I am Fasting" suddenly I REMEMBER MY LORD because I am Fasting for Him!
2. I feel thirsty -> My mind says "I am Fasting" suddenly I REMEMBER MY LORD.
3. I think something NEGATIVE my mind says "I am Fasting" suddenly I REMEMBER MY LORD because I am Fasting for Him!
4. Fasting helps us to become 'Conscious of God', He is watching us! Beware!

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Ramadan Fasting and the purification (cleansing) of souls:

The Holy Quran refers to two features of fasting in Ramadan: mental and practical. These are like the wings of a bird on which man flies through the heavenly space of spirituality in the month of Ramadan.

The Holy Quran says: "Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Holy Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)." (2:185)

This means that in the month of Ramadan, one should get to know the Holy Quran better and, through the clearance of guidance, take a broader view of the right and wrong of life. The Holy Quran says: "O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil)." (2:183)

Here the Holy Quran emphasizes piety; that means fighting against and having victory over the false deity of the soul. Imam Ali (as) said: "The bravest are those who gain victory over the false deity of their souls." (Safinatul-Bihar; vol.1, P.689).

In the Holy month of Ramadan, human beings are the guests of God; therefore they have to be eligible for His divine honor. The Holy Quran says: "We purified him so that he could be saved." (91:9) Also the Holy Quran says: "We created man of the best stature. Then We reduced him to the lowest degree." (95:4-5)

God has given man the power and insight to choose his course in life. God has also given man the attribute of knowledge in an abstract form. This is the divine trust that man has assumed. The Holy Quran says: "Surely We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to be unfaithful to it and feared from it, and man has turned unfaithful to it; surely he is unjust, ignorant." (33:72) Satan, who symbolizes the wrong and animal dimensions of man, refused out of arrogance to prostrate before Adam and was cast out of Paradise. So, in order to retaliate, he has been tempting man ever since. For salvation, man needs the purification of his soul in addition to knowledge and insight. Such purification is obtained by having heartfelt faith in God. Man's soul should enjoin him unto good, not unto evil.

The Holy Quran says: "And I do not declare myself free, most surely (man's) self is wont to command (him to do) evil, except such as my Lord has had mercy on, surely my Lord is Forgiving, Merciful." (12:53)

Man should not be a prisoner of his soul enjoining himself unto evil. Imam Khomeini (r.a.) said that if man wanted to attain human perfection, he should avoid worldly pleasures and strive to get nearer to God. The Holy Quran says:"It is He who has placed you as viceroys of the earth....". Then how can man, as a viceroy of God, be without the divine attributes of his Lord?" A true man of faith has kindled the fire of faith within him, and fasting is something that enhances his faith. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: "Fasting is prescribed for man to purify his soul." In Ramadan, the month of fasting, you become the guest of God. Do praise Him with devotion. God will answer all your prayers in this month. Fasting is the glad tidings of God's all-embracing mercy.

Imam Ali (as) asked Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) on the last Friday of the month of Sha'ban: "What is the best thing to do in Ramadan?" The Prophet answered: "The best thing is to avoid committing sins." (Yun al-Akhbar ar-Ridha, vol.1). It is also stated that eating and drinking alone do not cause refraining from fasting. It should be known that refraining from everything that causes man to part from God is also counted.

Fasting has many advantages. God calls man to His feast while he is hungry, so then man can best appreciate the value of His bounties.

The Objectives of Ramadan Fasting:

a) To get rid of bad habits: Ramadan Fasting demands the strict and solid resolution to submit oneself to a special diet which, often corrects habits, harmful to the health, that we may get into, during the running year, thus to comply with a severely regulated diet and some bad habits, as a self-willed sacrifice. This is why we notice that the Holy Quran mentions patience, tolerance, will, and perseverance as being synonyms of fasting.

b) To suffer hunger thus feel the difficult life of the poor: This endurance provokes in ourselves the feeling of association with their sorrows and deprivations. This feeling, so humane and compassionate, is much more expressive than a whole series of well-prepared speeches or well-organized public demonstrations. The rich people who never experience deprivation, discover, through fasting, the hardship imposed on needy people. Then, their hearts become more tractable, and their hands, will exercise generosity and charity towards the needy.

c) To Appreciate God's beyond measure donations: The daylight is never enough estimated unless we endure the night darkness. Also we cannot know the real value of happiness until we lose it. So when we fast, we suffer hunger, thirst and deprivation of so many other leisure's we used to enjoy before fasting. Then, we effectively evaluate the life comforts Mighty God has gifted us with.

d) To discover the sanitary advantages: Dr. Alexis Karlil, in his book... says: The exaggerated variety of our meals, their excessive quantities and assortments, make the alimentary regulating in the human life become ineffective. With the legislation of Fasting by all religions the humanity has known to attract notice to thousands, even millions of human beings who never know satiety. Moreover, fasting activates the blood circulation and purifies heart and soul. Besides, the modern medicine has proved that fasting is a remedy for diseases that affect the man of this century because of overeating and the variety of canned food. In this case, fasting is as being a treatment, and even a preventive at the same time.

e) Recalling of evident return to God: In fact, Ramadan fasting is a stage where the human being is the closest to God. The fasting period, Ramadan is a time when one submits to spiritual and social changes.

f) One acquires loyalty, honesty and sincerity to God, by fasting: Ramadan fasting is a confidential act which occurs between the human being and his Creator. This act must be impregnated with full sincerity and the deepest loyalty. Now in case fasting loses its honesty, it becomes a hypocrisy.

g) Regulating habit: By Ramadan fasting, we acquire the habit of punctuality. We breakfast at fixed time, and we abstain from eating and drinking at a strict and special time. Moreover, becoming accustomed to regulations leads to the respect of time, of word and promise, and so one becomes trustworthy, well estimated, able to carry out one's responsibilities, and to fulfill one's social duties.

h) Spreading assistance and mutual help in the society: Ramadan fasting inspires love and tightens links among the family members who live the whole fasting period in the same routine which approaches them to God. Habits change automatically during the period, and the family members meet in the evenings to say prayers appropriated to this holy occasion. The morals and fruitful consequences of fasting extend to the vast society, where collaboration between its members, and decent behavior are demonstrated. Charity and mutual help occupy a remarkable place, and brotherhood and equality triumph, which that is, the most human acts and the holiest purpose of the fasting.

Ramadan FastingSpirit of Ramadan Fasting:

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint." Holy Quran (2:183)

Fast like a living thing, have a body and a soul. The required abstinence from food, water, sexual relations etc, is the body of the fast: "piety" is its soul. If we are not striving to refine our character by fast, our fast will be a body without soul. Fast cleanses our body from impurities. Likewise, it must purify our hearts and minds from all impure thoughts improper desires and undisciplined sensations.

Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) saw a woman, who was fasting on that day (not in Ramadan), abusing her girl-servant. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) admonished her and told her to break her fast. The woman protested: "But I am fasting today". Holy Prophet Muhammad (saww) said: "But was not your fast broken by the abuses you were hurling upon that poor girl?"

Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has said, "Your fast day should not be like other ordinary days. When you fast, all your sense - eyes, ears, tongue, hands and feet - must fast with you."

How?

Eyes: Keep your eyes off unlawful things and objects; spend this most precious gift of God in good cause and pious acts and read Holy Quran and Du'as.

Ears: Abstain from hearing unlawful gossip, lies, false statements, music and obscene topics. Pay your attention towards sermons and topics of learning etc.

Tongue: Do not tell lies or useless tales; do not spread rumours or, damaging gossips about other persons; keep aloof from falsity. Use the power of speech in spreading the word of God; in creating goodwill in the society.

Hand: Do not inflict injury upon others by your actions; instead strive to help them as far as you can.

Feet: Do not go towards forbidden places, like bars and cinemas. Do not run between people creating strife. Go towards those places, where God is remembered; and your movements should be to bring people together.

And above all, your heart and mind must be with you in fasting. Because fast in its real sense, will not be complete unless your thoughts, your emotions, your actions - in short, all aspects of our life - become pure, clean and free from blemish.

World's Largest Cruise Ship

GENESIS
Price Tag: $1.2 billion
Completion Date: 2009
Total Length: 1180 feet
Passengers: 6400

In the cruise ship industry, the battle for bragging rights has turned into a QE2-size slugfest. In 2003, Cunard stole the crown for world’s largest cruise ship when it launched the 151,410-ton Queen Mary 2; three years later Royal Caribbean topped it with the 154,000-ton Freedom of the Seas. Now, Royal Caribbean is set to raise the stakes yet again with the 220,000-ton Genesis, slated to launch in 2009 from a shipyard in Turku, Finland. (A second Genesis will launch a year later.) Why is bigger better? “Having more real estate, we can provide more deck area,” says Royal Caribbean’s Harri Kulovaara. “That means more entertainment options and better amenities.”

Make no mistake, Genesis will be no lumbering behemoth. The ship’s three main propellers will swivel 360 degrees on independent bearings. All will be driven by electric motors powered by the ship’s central bank of six diesel generators, and steered by an integrated navigation and control system. From the bridge, the captain will be able to move the ship in any direction — forward, backward, sideways — with the flick of a joystick. No tugboats required.