Controversies

ObamaCare abortion debate rekindles RomneyCare controversies

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 07:05 GMT

Jules Crittenden calls it Mitt Romney’s health-care problem, and he doesn’t mean a nagging cold. Romney appeared on Fox News Sunday to talk about his new book, but Chris Wallace probed Romney’s response to criticisms mounting over his expansive health-care system in Massachusetts. That plan imposed mandates on businesses and individuals, setting minimum insurance-coverage standards, and subsidies — which looks a lot like the ObamaCare proposal floating in Congress.

The result has been skyrocketing premiums and massive cost overruns, one of the main arguments against the ObamaCare approach:On the surface, it would seem that the abortion coverage in RomneyCare would be the big problem. However, as the Boston Herald reports, Romney had little choice in that provision:

The bigger problem is the enormous cost of RomneyCare. In this interview, Romney said that he didn’t raise taxes to pay for the plan, but the cost overruns will force Massachusetts to either do so now or significantly alter the program:Romney wants to differentiate his approach to that of ObamaCare by noting that his plan was on the state level, not federal.

Small controversies spark Oscar chatter

Tue, 9 Mar 2010 08:44 GMT

From star snubs to angry Japanese fishermen to a "Kanye" moment, for a broadcast panned as dull, Sunday's Academy Awards are sure generating day-after water-cooler chatter. At the top of that chatter is an incident that's being dubbed the "Kanye West moment of the Oscars."

When accepting his award for best documentary short, Roger Ross Williams, a producer and director of Music By Prudence, was interrupted by a woman who awkwardly usurped his speech. Later backstage, the woman identified herself as co-producer Elinor Burkett, and told Salon that Williams improperly "raced up there to accept the award," while his mother blocked the aisle with her cane, trying to keep Burkett off the stage.

Sacha Baron Cohen: Sacha’s Oscar appearance aborted, over fears of controversy!

Sat, 6 Mar 2010 10:21 GMT

Need we scarcely say that all you folks would have been fairly abreast of the controversial and eccentrically funny ways, of popular Comedian Sacha ‘Borat’ Baron Cohen. Indeed, over his fairly eventful career in Showbiz and Entertainment, the popular yet outrageously eccentric Comedian, has not just inspired a heady buzz currency and an impressive fan base, with his popular screen avatars Ali –G, Borat Sagdiyev and Bruno, but has also spawned a fair few controversies with nasty spoofs and crazy stage antics.

And as per the latest reports, it would appear that, in the light of his reputation for generating controversies, the smart talking, thick-mustached Borat has reportedly been dropped from the impending Oscars.

On the evidence of the latest report, carried by NY Breaking News, it is learned that Sacha’s much anticipated on stage spoof act with popular ‘One Night at the Museum’ star Ben Stiller, at the Oscars, has reportedly been aborted, over fears of a controversy.

Oscars thrive on controversy

Thu, 4 Mar 2010 07:20 GMT

Every year before the Academy Awards, a slew of negative press dominates headlines, usually attacking the best-picture front-runners. Last year, best picture winner “Slumdog Millionaire” was accused of child exploitation just days before it took home the golden statue. This year, with the Oscars airing Sunday, front-runners “The Hurt Locker” and “Avatar” are the latest targets of the media’s desperate search for controversy.

At least one relatively substantial piece of news concerns “The Hurt Locker.” Recently, a producer of the film, Nicholas Chartier, was denied an invitation to the Oscars for sending a mass e-mail to voters trying to promote his film. The e-mail requested Academy members vote for his independent film and “not a $500M film,” Chartier said, in a jab against “Avatar.”

The e-mail was so distasteful, it nearly prompted Academy members to take “The Hurt Locker” out of the running for best picture. Fortunately, they settled for simply denying Chartier his invitation. Along with claims of having sleazy, cheating producers, “The Hurt Locker” is also being sued for millions of dollars by Michigan resident Master Sgt. Jeffrey S. Sarver.

American Idol’s Adam Lambert: ‘The kids don’t care about my controversies’

Wed, 3 Mar 2010 07:41 GMT

Adam Lambert has revealed just why he loves his loyal teen fanbase in a recent visit to LA’s Belvedere Middle School. The former American Idol runner up made the trip after his fans had raised more than $290,000 for DonorsChoose.org and the school were able to claim for music supplies for their pupils.

Adam gave an impressive acoustic performance of his song “Whataya Want From Me” and in an interview afterwards, told CNN that though controversies have courted his career so far, the nations parents care more than his younger fans do. See, that’s the funny thing. None of the kids asked me about controversies, because I don’t think the kids really care. I think it’s the parents that care.

A lot of people were upset over that performance because they were thinking, “Oh, my God, the children!” But what is so funny to me is that by making such a big deal out of it, they drew more attention to it, and the children can see anything they want on the Internet, anyway.

So in actuality in a full-circle way because of their protest, it was probably more visible to the children, because kids, teenagers, tend to look at what they’re not supposed to look at. So I think if it’s a big deal, just sweep it under the rug, like I did. Next! Moving on. Adam has recently revealed that he will be making his American Idol return this season and admitted that he loves comparisons made between him and Lady Gaga.

Controversies have bonded the team, says Rajpal

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:05 GMT

The India hockey team might have been in news for all wrong reasons in the recent past, but captain Rajpal Singh feels the controversies have only helped the team to bond solidly ahead of the World Cup, beginning on Sunday at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

The relaxed Indian captain did not want to dwell on the reasons for the agitated players boycotting the national camp for six days last month in Pune, demanding payment of their match fees, sponsorship money and bonuses. He appeared satisfied that something good had come out of their controversial stand.

"If people want to call it controversy, so be it. But these things have only strengthened the team unity. We feel we are working together more and we are a motivated lot now," Rajpal said. "The morale of the team is high; we just can't wait for the 28th for our opening game against Pakistan. I would like to assure everyone that we will play our hearts out."

Despite controversies, MNIK raked Rs 150 crore in the first week of its release

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:25 GMT

Despite controversies, MNIK raked Rs 150 crore in the first week of its release: Shah Rukh Khan’s movie My Name Is Khan is doing well in the Indian and overseas market as well.Despite Shiv Sena controversy Badshah Khan-Kajol starrer My Name is Khan (MNIK) has raked Rs 150 crore in the first week of its release in both India and abroad.

At the same time, there were minimal theatre occupancy during weekdays, but the movie had done well generating good revenue. Initially released with above 1,300 prints, this film grossed about Rs 90 crore during the opening week itself despite Shiv Sena’s attack on Shah Rukh Khan for his supporting the addition of Pakistani cricketers in IPL-3.

'Why can't hockey produce the buzz as other sports?'

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:54 GMT

We claim hockey is our national game, but cricket still rules our hearts. While many know that the men’s Hockey World Cup 2010 will be held in New Delhi. Surprisingly, there is very little buzz over the matches to be held. It is sad, that the hosting of the World Cup by India could not even match the excitement generated by Hindi movie Chak De.

I would have liked certain controversies which could, in some way help, in providing publicity for the unnoticed event. Given the morale of the Indian team dogged by controversies, we have very little chance of winning the tournament. Is our interest in any game restricted to winning alone? Doesn’t this attitude expose our ignorance and inertia towards our national game?

Shah Rukh Khan removes Lux cozy insignia from Knight Riders pants!!

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:06 GMT

Heard this?? Shah Rukh Khan, the King Khan of bollywood who also own Kolkata Knight Riders team of Indian Premier League (IPL), seems to have learnt his lessons from Shiv Sena-MNIK controversy and ended his endorsement contract with the hosiery major Lux Cozy after opposition in Kolkata.

Earlier, the logo of Lux Cozi was expected to be everywhere on Kolkata Knight Riders’ jerseys, pants, hoardings etc but after the controversy erupted, King Khan decided to play safe and terminated the contract with the brand. In fact, people in Kolkata felt that by entering into a contract with Ashok Todi and Pradip Todi(the owners of Lux Cozy)Shah Rukh Khan was being insensitive to their feelings despite owning the city franchisee in Indian Premier League.

Sahitya Sammelana Ends sans Controversies

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 06:38 GMT

The three-day Kannada literary fest ‘the 76th Akhila Bharata Kannada Sahitya Sammelana’ concluded here on a happy note on Sunday, without any controversies that dogged the earlier Sammelanas. For three days, the sleepy town of Gadag saw Kannada literary stalwarts discuss on various subjects, including Kannada filmdom, federal system, agriculture, women's problems, Karnataka's environment, folklore, and others. The book exhibition at the Sammelana was also a hit, with book lovers thronging nearly 100 book stalls put up at the venue.

Resolutions passed Earlier in the day on Sunday, the Sammelana passed three resolutions. The first one was to pressure the government to provide permanent solution to the flood situation haunting various districts in the State every year.