Netanyahu sworn in as Israeli PM

According to Al Jazeera...

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/03/2009331203050922203.html

Binyamin Netanyahu has been sworn in as Israel's new prime minister after parliament approved the broad coalition he had assembled during weeks of wrangling.

The Knesset voted 69-45 for the new government includes Likud, the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu, left-leaning Labor, ultra-Orthodox Shas, and the Jewish Home party.

Netanyahu returns to the prime minister's post he held between 1996 and 1999.

Addressing the Knesset before a six-hour debate on the new government, he said that his government would be open to peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

"I say to the Palestinian leadership, if you truly want peace, peace can be obtained. With the Palestinian Authority, we will seek peace along three tracks - economic, security and political," Netanyahu said.

Palestinian statehood

Netanyahu made no specific mention, however, of Palestinian statehood, an important Palestinian demand that is supported by the US and other parties involved in mediating between the two sides.

"Under the final accord, the Palestinians will have all the rights to govern themselves except those that can put in danger the security and existence of the state of Israel," he said.

Netanyahu also said that he wanted "full peace" with all Arab nations, praising Islam as a rich religion, but he attacked Iran and "radical Islam" as threats to Israel's security.

"Extremist Islam does not only threaten us, but it threatens us first and foremost ... Its goal is to erase the state of Israel from the face of the earth," he said.

The Palestinian Authority described Netanyahu's remarks as "not encouraging".

"The American administration should pressure the Netanyahu government to stick to the fundamentals of the peace process, in other words land for peace," said Nabil Abu Rudeina, spokesman for Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president.

Stability fears

The vote in the Knesset exposed the fragility of Israel's 32nd cabinet, which with 30 ministers is one of its largest ever, as five members of Labor, which has joined the coalition, refused to take part.

Likud is known for its hard line on security issues and conservative economic philosophy, while Labor's approach is relatively moderate and left-leaning.

Yisrael Beiteinu's policies are regarded as far to the right of even Likud and the appointment of Avigdor Lieberman, its leader, has proved particularly controversial.

"Its a right-wing government, its a very controversial government, but it can make decisions," Alon Liel, a former Israeli diplomat, told Al Jazeera.

Netanyahu officially replaces Ehud Olmert, who stepped down amid multiple corruption investigations, on Wednesday.

Speaking on Tuesday, Olmert ended his term with an emotional defence of his premiership, acknowledging that he had mistakes but saying that there had also been successes.

"I accept with love the criticism of the government. I am proud of the government's achievements, which are many, and I am sorry for my mistakes and they are not few," he said.

Bail Out the People - Not the Banks

http://www.bailoutpeople.org/

Dirty Pretty

http://dirtyprettyshow.blogspot.com/

Dirty | Pretty, an exhibition of photography by thirteen Los Angeles photographers opens at the Julia Dean Gallery on March 21st and runs through May 22nd. The photographers were challenged to explore the idea of beauty and filth in a city obsessed with those concepts.

As observers of culture, these Los Angeles photographers interpret a society that has become infatuated with pretty (artifice and plastic surgery encouraged) and the various types of dirt (scandals, sex, and plain old dirt). Each photographer - and viewer - brings their own subjective perception to those themes and their junction, dichotomy or conflict.

Dirty | Pretty includes a variety of photographic media – Chromogenic prints, traditional silver prints and Giclée prints. The artists in the show have had solo and group shows. Their works have been published by SilverShotz, Shots Magazine, Ag Magazine, Light Leaks, CMYK Magazine, Lens Culture, F-Stop, File Magazine and JPG Magazine.

Artists: Eric Bickford, Maura Brennan, Phil Condit, Marian Crostic, Sylvia Denlinger, Erich Hoeber, Robby Larson, Pieter Lessing, Liv Naesheim, Angela Palmieri, Shelby Ring, Aline Smithson, and Lee Tonks.

Bukowski Fest @ Elephant Space Theater

“Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live” -Charles Bukowski

Saturday Mar 28
08:00 PM
Price: $10
Elephant Space Theater
6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038

This celebration of Charles Bukowski's work and life features a screening of Taylor Hackford's 1973 documentary, "Bukowski," followed by readings from people who personally knew Bukowski, including former paramour Linda King. Following that, other artists will read their poetry and display art inspired by Bukowski.

Mike Stilkey has been selected as one of five artists for the exhibition side of this occasion...Very cool. I will be there, hope you can make it...

Transcendent Man: A Documentary On the Life and Times of Ray Kurzweil

Director Barry Ptolemy traveled to five countries and followed Ray Kurzweil for two years, documenting Kurzweil's journey to bring the ideas from his best-selling book The Singularity is Near to a world audience. Ptolemy expertly explores the social and philosophical implications of the transformative changes that Kurzweil predicts and their intertwined promise and peril, in dialogues with world leaders such as Colin Powell; technologists Hugo de Garis, Peter Diamandis, Kevin Warwick, and Dean Kamen; journalists Kevin Kelly and Tom Abate; and luminary Stevie Wonder. Award-winning American composer Philip Glass composed the original theme music, which mirrors the depth and intensity of the film.

The movie trailer can be seen at http://www.transcendentman.com/

Tribeca is one of the four leading film festivals in the world. Only 24 movies (12 documentaries and 12 narrative movies) are selected to premiere and compete at Tribeca, out of more than 2,200 movies submitted for consideration. Transcendent Man was one of only two documentaries discussed by the New York Times in its coverage of the upcoming Tribeca festival.

The world premiere will be on Saturday evening, April 25 at 8 pm. The Tuesday, April 28 screening will be followed by a unique Tribeca event: a panel discussion with Director Barry Ptolemy and Ray Kurzweil, moderated by NPR and ABC correspondent Robert Krulwich.

If you would like to be informed when and where tickets are available, please sign up at http://transcendentman.com/moreinfo.php

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING TIMES:
WORLD PREMIERE

Saturday, April 25, 8:00 pm: School of Visual Arts, 333 West 23rd Street , New York , NY 10011
Sunday, April 26, 4:45 pm: AMC Village VII, 66 Third Avenue , New York , NY 10003

Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 pm: School of Visual Arts, 333 West 23rd Street , New York , NY 10011

Friday, May 1, 5:00 pm: AMC Village VII, 66 Third Avenue , New York , NY 10003

Currently, Tribeca is selling tickets to the full festival. Tickets for individual movies such as Transcendent Man will be on sale April 20. Here are the details:

2009 On Sale Dates
Monday, March 9. 2009

369

3: The Divided, Triangle, Multiples, The Holy Trinity, Faith, Hope and Charity, Expression, Speech, Wit, Society, Art, Culture, Sensuality, Sorrow, Immaturity, Passion, Air, Surprise, Spontaneity, Change, Sex

6: The Protector, Provider, Healer, Nurturing, Children, Empathy, Intuition, Sympathy, Quality, Sustenance, Love of Community, Unconditional love, Circulation, Economy, Agriculture, Charity, Balance, Grace, Evolution, Simplicity, Sorcery.

9: The Humanitarian, Religious, Charitable, Philanthropic, Duty, Calling, Mission, Obligations, Hardship, The Higher Self, Spirit Guides, Mysticism, Faith, Angel on Earth, Faith in Mankind, Optimist, Suffering, Self-sacrifice, Karma, Enlightenment, Divine Wisdom.

369

3, 6, 9 the goose drank wine the monkey chewd the tabacco on the street car line and the line broke and the monkey got chocked and they all went to heaven in a lil row boat clap clap

Lady and gentlemen am about to make you feel alright I've got the beat to move your feet plus I know just what you like, your hotter then a pepper
1, 2 stepper baby that is a shame you gota keep it moving gotta keep it movin cause baby your off the chain

[Bridge:]
Now let me see you like a hanky panky am a turn around girl gonna do let me lay you down there are a couple of games I like to play by the time I do this is what ya'll day

[Chorus:]
3, 6, 9 the goose drank wine the monkey chewd the tabacco on the street car line and the line broke and the monkey got chocked and they all went to heaven in a lil roow boat clap clap [x2]

If you got a problem I don't wanna hear it just let it go all my lady's on the beat let me see you drop it to the floor

Fella's tkae a look around lady's are soo finee is goin down so get on up now act like your second on line

[Bridge]

[Chorus x2]

Actn like a rattle the way she movin faster then go slow like a dolla so maybe me n her can get to chewn like taboacco this old fashion talk but my thing is rather dather and plus I got my swagga like a pistol seen me everywhere but because I be on my gizzle that mean am on my grind all the time no matter how little her name is call me up meet you in a lil bit
So am tryn to see if she can clap clap

Independent women let me see you clap clap
Playa's in the building let me see you clap clap
Came to get it started let me see you clap clap
Came to have a party let me see you clap clap

369 by Buzzcocks

I guess it's not my lucky day today oh well
You've been good to me
You make me feel so happy
Can't believe that I deserve it though

Love's more than the silly games you play oh no
Play it casually
No need to get a sweat on
At least not at the moment so

369 all the time
What's the meaning in the number
Somebody tell me
369 through my mind
All I'm getting is a number
Somebody help me please

Take this bitter cup away from me oh oh
It takes two you know
So if you're feeling lonely
Why not start a conversation no no

Another bitter twist of irony ho ho
Not that easily
My heart is on the warpath
I don't need a reservation

369 all the time
What's the meaning in the number
Somebody tell me
369 through my mind
All I'm getting is a number
Somebody help me

369 so sublime
All I'm getting is a number
Somebody tell me
369 for the sixth time
What's this with that number
Somebody help me

Now that you know you have no one
But yourself to blame
No matter which way you look at it
It still looks the same

[Solo]

I guess it's not my lucky day today oh well
You've been good to me
You make me feel so happy
Can't believe that I deserve it though

The Life You Can Save: Acting Now To End World Poverty by Peter Singer

http://www.amazon.com/Life-You-Can-Save-Poverty/dp/1400067103

“Part plea, part manifesto, part handbook, this short and surprisingly compelling book sets out to answer two difficult questions: why people in affluent countries should donate money to fight global poverty and how much each should give. . . . Singer doesn’t ask readers to choose between asceticism and self-indulgence; his solution can be found in the middle, and it is reasonable and rewarding for all.”
–Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“If you think you can’t afford to give money to the needy, I urge you to read this book. If you think you’re already giving enough, and to the right places, still I urge you to read this book. In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer makes a strong case–logical and factual, but also emotional–for why each of us should be doing more for the world’s impoverished. This book will challenge you to be a better person.”
–Holden Karnofsky, co-founder, GiveWell

“In The Life You Can Save, Peter Singer challenges each of us to ask: Am I willing to make poverty history? Skillfully weaving together parable, philosophy, and hard statistics, he tackles the most familiar moral, ethical, and ideological obstacles to building a global culture of philanthropy, and sets the bar for how we as citizens might do our part to empower the world’s poor.”

The Count and the Comrade

Film
Monday, March 9th 2009, 7:00pm
Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, 5750 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90036
German with english subtitles
Info: +1 323 5253388

Documentary by Ilona Ziok, 72 min., D 2009, Music: Manuel Göttsching, Workers’ songs: Hans Eisler, Bertold Brecht, Paul Dessau...
United in their resistance to Hitler, two seemingly incompatible men illuminate a turbulent era of German history: Count Carl-Hans von Hardenberg, one of the rebellious officers behind “Operation Valkyrie”, and the fervent communist Fritz Perlitz.

With the release of “Valkyrie”, a worldwide audience is learning more about the failed July 20, 1944 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. But the German army officers around Stauffenberg were not the only group of Germans to offer up resistance.

“The Count and the Comrade” portrays two men from two opposed groups: The Prussian monarchist Count Carl-Hans von Hardenberg and the anti-fascist Fritz Perlitz.
Two men separated by class and wealth but united in their stance against the evil of Nazism, the aristocratic landowner and the proletarian worker are both fighting for a better Germany, albeit with contrary visions of its future.
When both find themselves imprisoned in the Sachsenhausen concentration camp, they encounter each other as human beings, two minds from diametrically opposed ends of the social spectrum meet, resulting in an extraordinary dialogue and an unlikely friendship.

Liberated in 1945, Perlitz and Hardenberg re-emerge on opposite sides of the new political divide.
Whereas Perlitz is appointed a First Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party (SED), with the mandate to build a socialist system in his district of the GDR—which happens to include the Hardenberg estate—, and is involved in the (spectacular) renaming of Neuhardenberg into Marxwalde, Hardenberg is expropriated and forced to emigrate to West Germany.
While Hardenberg is in the West, dreaming of his home, it seems as though Perlitz is the winner in this ideological altercation. In 1989, the tables turn once again.

The filmmaker Ilona Ziok will be present and available for a Q&A after the screening.