Chinese Get Angrier About Pollution

(Protests over pollution in China are heating up these days, and in Fujian province and elsewhere, the demonstrations are turning violent )------------ China has some of the most polluted cities in the world, a consequence of the country's rapid economic development. More than 320 million people in China drink unsafe water, according to Greenpeace China. The country's Environmental Protection Administration considers 45% of the rivers and waterways it monitors to be unsuitable for human contact, says Greenpeace. Now, after years of silent suffering from the effects of filthy air and dirty water, many Chinese are saying they've had enough. And in some cases, their protests are turning violent. The latest example of anti-pollution anger erupting into protests took place in the southeastern coastal province of Fujian. On Aug. 31 villagers angry about pollution from local factories took to the streets in Fengwei, a town near the city of Quanzhou. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post reported on Sept. 2 that more than 10,000 people clashed with some 2,000 riot police and took two government officials hostage. Inside China, the state-controlled media are reporting sparingly on the violence, with the local Quanzhou Evening News describing efforts by government officials to strengthen communication with local residents—and reporting that the two hostages had been freed. The protesters in Fujian likely have been hearing about anti-pollution events in other parts of the country. "People are increasingly taking their grievances to the streets," says Jamie Choi, a manager with Greenpeace China in Beijing. She says there were 50,000 pollution-related protests in 2005, the last year the government provided statistics, and the actual number now "probably is a lot higher." In one high-profile case last month, villagers in the northern province of Shaanxi targeted a smelting plant accused of contaminating the local water supply with lead. Even the state-controlled media have been reporting on cancer clusters in villages close to heavily polluting factories. Connecting the Dots That means there may be more protests like the one in Fujian. As more people around the country focus on industrial pollution in other parts of China, they're going to ask about the situation in their backyard, says David Zweig, director of the Center on China's Transnational Relations and a professor of political science at Hong Kong University of Science & Technology. "All of a sudden there will be people all over China who will say I smell this crap [from a local factory], and my aunt died," he says. "They will put it together." For the Chinese government, that presents a special challenge. Zweig likens the situation to the one in the Julia Roberts movie about a small California town with a contaminated water supply, except on a China scale. "Imagine 10,000 Erin Brockovich villages," he says. Although demonstrations typically target Chinese factories, the growing concern about pollution could lead to trouble for multinational companies, too. The violence in Fujian, for instance, took place near the city where ExxonMobil (XOM), Saudi Aramco, and China's state-owned oil giant, Sinopec, are building a large refinery complex scheduled to open next year. An ExxonMobil spokesperson in China would not comment, saying only that the protests had nothing to do with the joint venture. A staff member at Sinopec's information office e-mailed BusinessWeek to say "we take many measures during production, so we don't have pollution problems." China's government is aware of the need to crack down on polluters. Officials in large coastal cities such as Guangzhou have promoted greener industries and encouraged factories that cause the worst pollution to move. At the national level, regulators have been targeting some of the worst polluters for years. "Provisions are really quite clear and explicit," says Peter Hills, a professor at the University of Hong Kong and director of the school's Kadoorie Center. The problem is "the implementation of regulations is not always consistent or effective from one province to another or even one municipality to another," he says. In a country going through a rapid economic transformation, China's pollution woes, in part, are the result of "a regulatory system that has been struggling to catch up with this incredible growth." Exploring Legal Channels Even some of the government's toughest critics say there is reason for optimism, though. Han Dongfang, who took part in the 1989 demonstrations that ended with the Tiananmen Square crackdown, is now the director of the Hong Kong-based China Labor Bulletin, a nongovernmental organization that focuses on issues related to worker rights. He says it's understandable people in Fujian and elsewhere have taken to the streets. "Whenever you have anger, you keep quiet, but when you cannot swallow it anymore, the only way to put it out is to explode," he says. Still, Han adds, there are alternatives to violence that have proven to be effective. For instance, he says his NGO recently provided advice to more than 100 construction workers in Shenzhen, across the border from Hong Kong, who argued they suffered from lung disease as a result of exposure to pollutants on the job. Initially the workers got nowhere and staged a sit-in at a government office. Then they filed a lawsuit in local court, and soon officials showed willingness to negotiate about offering them compensation, says Han. Despite the extent of the pollution problems in China, he believes, violent demonstrations may not have to be inevitable. "When people figure out legal terms and start acting using the laws," he says, "it could help to improve the situation and prevent these unnecessary events."

What are the Benefits of the Cash for Clunkers Program?

-Question:-What are the Benefits of the Cash for Clunkers Program?-- Cash for Clunkers is a federal program designed to stimulate U.S. auto sales and help the environment by providing an economic incentive for consumers to replace old, low-mileage vehicles with new, fuel-efficient models that are safer and emit less pollution and fewer greenhouse gases.................. -Answer:-Cash for Clunkers carries a number of potential benefits for a variety of beneficiaries. U.S. automakers benefit, because the program is designed to stimulate the sale of new cars manufactured by U.S. companies..(my view)-feds steal your tax-payers money for their own use.....SO IT'S FUNDED BY ALL THE AMERICAN PEOPLE-NOT THE FEDS) Auto dealers across America also stand to gain from the millions of new car consumers are expected to purchase as a direct result of the Cash for Clunkers program.(my view)-MORE RIPOFFS AND MORE POLLUTION Consumers themselves will benefit by getting a government-funded price break that can help them exchange an old car for a new one that is safer, uses less fuel and costs less to operate.(my view)-THEY ARE GIVING YOU MONEY BACK.....THAT'S ALREADY YOURS,THERE NOT SAFER OR CLEANER.......THAT'S JUST A CON TO GET YOU TO BUY THEIR SHIT,PLUS THEY COST 3 TIMES MORE TO OPERATE) The environment benefits—and so, by extension, we all do—because the Cash for Clunkers program will take up to a million older vehicles off the road and replace them with cleaner, safer and more fuel-efficient cars and trucks that create less pollution and emit fewer greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.(my view)-THIS IS COMPLETE BULLSHIT EXCEPT THIS,cars do"contribute to global warming"SO THIS PROGRAM IS USELESS AND IS DESIGNED TO RIP YOU OFF,STEAL MORE OF YOUR MONEY AND TO CON YOU INTO THINKING......YOUR DOING A GOOD THING) Finally, some supporters of the Cash for Clunkers program say that increasing fuel efficiency on America’s highways will improve energy security for the United States by reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. (my view)-THIS AGAIN IS BULLSHIT...THE BIG CHEESES MADE THIS CON UP(THEY HAVE NO SUPPORTERS)AND YOU USE MORE FUEL(THAT THEY TELL YOU IS CLEAN) BUT IS AS POLLUTANT AS EVER)

Beware Assholes Wearing Uniforms

Jay-Z Plans 9/11 Benefit Gig in NYC

(Hip-hop Man-Whore/kingpin's Madison Square Garden show will raise money for victims' families, set for live TV broadcast)-----------------(yea! like he gives a shit-his profile is dipping thats why he's doing this) Like many born and bred New Yorkers, rap mogul Jay-Z was irrevocably changed by the events of September 11, 2001, and on the tragic day's eighth anniversary, he'll headline a major event to honor the fallen. Set for NYC's Madison Square Garden, the rapper's just-announced 9/11 benefit concert will funnel 100 percent of its proceeds to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund, a non-profit that's already doled out $114 million to the families of first responders from the NYPD, NYFD, Port Authority Police, and emergency medical services who perished in the terrorist attacks. "This charity and concert encompass the true spirit of New York City," Jay-Z said in a statement. "We are asking everyone to 'answer the call' and support and honor the families of those that lost their lives in the line of duty. There was true camaraderie and resiliency that this city showed the world in 2001, and we continue that today by taking care of our own." The show will also celebrate Jay's long-awaited new album, The Blueprint 3, the third entry in the Blueprint trilogy, which will be released the same day. It's the first album to be released under the Roc Nation imprint, the rapper's massive new collaborative enterprise with concert promoter Live Nation (who are also sponsoring the MSG show). Ticket information will be announced soon, but Citi cardholders will have an exclusive first crack at tickets. For those who get shut out of what will undoubtedly be a sold-out show, Fuse will be broadcasting the concert live and commercial-free, and will be featuring Jay-Z programming throughout the following weekend that will support the Benefit Fund (Why now you ask?.....why not years ago?-----------------answer(his profile is dipping thats why he's doing this)

Disney Buys Marvel-GREEDY FAT EVIL FUCKERS

(What chief Bob Iger does--and doesn't--get for $4 billion)--- LOS ANGELES -- The Walt Disney Company's announcement today that it will buy Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion caught Hollywood off guard. Marvel, home to such comic book heroes as Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man, just recently embarked on a strategy to produce its own movies instead of just licensing their characters to other studios. The result: last year's Iron Man, which earned $585 million at the worldwide box office on an estimated budget of $140 million. Marvel only had to pay Paramount (the studio that distributed Iron Man) an estimated 10% distribution fee and was able to keep the rest of the profits for itself But it was Iron Man's performance that likely inspired Disney ( DIS - news - people ) Chief Executive Robert Iger to go after Marvel in the first place. Until recently Iron Man had been one of Marvel's lesser-known heroes. But thanks to a smart script and a career-reviving performance by Robert Downey Jr., Iron Man is now one of the hottest franchises in Hollywood, right up there with Batman and Spider-Man. The question is: Was Iron Man a sign of things to come at Marvel or a lucky fluke? Iger is betting Disney's $4 billion on the former. He hopes that with the help of Disney's massive marketing and distribution arms Marvel will be able to turn many more of its lesser-known heroes into bona fide franchises complete with multiple films, videogames, dolls and lunch box tie-ins and spinoff television shows. Iger has to hope Marvel can replicate the success of Iron Man because the comic book company's biggest stars, Spider-Man, X-Men and The Incredible Hulk, are tied up at other studios. News Corp.'s ( NWS - news - people ) Fox Studio has the right to produce X-Men and X-Men spin off movies (like this summer's Wolverine, which grossed $363 million at the worldwide box office) in perpetuity. Sony ( SNE - news - people ) is already developing the next three Spider-Man films and has the right to develop many more into the future. Only Paramount stands to lose out from the deal. The studio has the right to distribute five more of Marvel's films. After that it will likely lose out on the distribution fee it currently collects from Marvel turning Iron Man over to Disney. But is that worth $4 billion? Iger isn't getting Marvel cheap. The price tag accounts for a 30% premium on Marvel's stock price. Iger only paid a 4% premium on Pixar shares when it bought the animation company in 2006 for $7.4 billion when prices were much higher than in today's depressed market. And while Iron Man was a hit, other attempts to exploit lesser-known Marvel heroes haven't performed as well. Daredevil, which Fox released in 2003, earned only $180 million at the worldwide box office. An Elektra spinoff, staring Jennifer Garner, did even worse earning just $57 million. Lionsgate's The Punisher earned $54 million at the box office and its follow-up, last year's Punisher: War Zone, didn't even come close to earning back its estimated $35 million budget. The film brought in just $10 million at theaters. In today's conference call, Disney executives played up the opportunities for Disney to exploit Marvel's characters on the company's new boy-focused cable channel, XD. The station currently airs 20 hours per week of shows based on Marvel characters. Disney is also the best company in the world at merchandising its characters using its television channels around the world to promote everyone from Wall-E to Hannah Montana and sell millions of T-shirts, lunch boxes and toys. And the one thing that gives Disney a fighting chance of turning some of those smaller heroes into big screen superstars is John Lasseter, the chief creative officer at Pixar and Disney. Lasseter has shown an uncanny ability to turn out good, unconventional stories in ways that many studio suits would have rejected. His latest triumph is Up, a cartoon about a crotchety old man who loses his wife and embarks on an adventure with a pudgy boy scout. Analysts predicted the tough-sell premise would hurt at the box office, but the movie has gone on to earn $415 million so far. During today's call Iger said Lasseter had met with Marvel's creative executives and that he expects when they get together once the deal closes at the end of the year, "sparks will fly." For $4 billion, they'd better. But is that worth $4 billion? Iger isn't getting Marvel cheap. The price tag accounts for a 30% premium on Marvel's stock price. Iger only paid a 4% premium on Pixar shares when it bought the animation company in 2006 for $7.4 billion when prices were much higher than in today's depressed market. And while Iron Man was a hit, other attempts to exploit lesser-known Marvel heroes haven't performed as well. Daredevil, which Fox released in 2003, earned only $180 million at the worldwide box office. An Elektra spinoff, staring Jennifer Garner, did even worse earning just $57 million. Lionsgate's The Punisher earned $54 million at the box office and its follow-up, last year's Punisher: War Zone, didn't even come close to earning back its estimated $35 million budget. The film brought in just $10 million at theaters. In today's conference call, Disney executives played up the opportunities for Disney to exploit Marvel's characters on the company's new boy-focused cable channel, XD. The station currently airs 20 hours per week of shows based on Marvel characters. Disney is also the best company in the world at merchandising its characters using its television channels around the world to promote everyone from Wall-E to Hannah Montana and sell millions of T-shirts, lunch boxes and toys. And the one thing that gives Disney a fighting chance of turning some of those smaller heroes into big screen superstars is John Lasseter, the chief creative officer at Pixar and Disney. Lasseter has shown an uncanny ability to turn out good, unconventional stories in ways that many studio suits would have rejected. His latest triumph is Up, a cartoon about a crotchety old man who loses his wife and embarks on an adventure with a pudgy boy scout. Analysts predicted the tough-sell premise would hurt at the box office, but the movie has gone on to earn $415 million so far. During today's call Iger said Lasseter had met with Marvel's creative executives and that he expects when they get together once the deal closes at the end of the year, "sparks will fly." For $4 billion, they'd better. But is that worth $4 billion? Iger isn't getting Marvel cheap. The price tag accounts for a 30% premium on Marvel's stock price. Iger only paid a 4% premium on Pixar shares when it bought the animation company in 2006 for $7.4 billion when prices were much higher than in today's depressed market. And while Iron Man was a hit, other attempts to exploit lesser-known Marvel heroes haven't performed as well. Daredevil, which Fox released in 2003, earned only $180 million at the worldwide box office. An Elektra spinoff, staring Jennifer Garner, did even worse earning just $57 million. Lionsgate's The Punisher earned $54 million at the box office and its follow-up, last year's Punisher: War Zone, didn't even come close to earning back its estimated $35 million budget. The film brought in just $10 million at theaters. In today's conference call, Disney executives played up the opportunities for Disney to exploit Marvel's characters on the company's new boy-focused cable channel, XD. The station currently airs 20 hours per week of shows based on Marvel characters. Disney is also the best company in the world at merchandising its characters using its television channels around the world to promote everyone from Wall-E to Hannah Montana and sell millions of T-shirts, lunch boxes and toys. And the one thing that gives Disney a fighting chance of turning some of those smaller heroes into big screen superstars is John Lasseter, the chief creative officer at Pixar and Disney. Lasseter has shown an uncanny ability to turn out good, unconventional stories in ways that many studio suits would have rejected. His latest triumph is Up, a cartoon about a crotchety old man who loses his wife and embarks on an adventure with a pudgy boy scout. Analysts predicted the tough-sell premise would hurt at the box office, but the movie has gone on to earn $415 million so far. During today's call Iger said Lasseter had met with Marvel's creative executives and that he expects when they get together once the deal closes at the end of the year, "sparks will fly." For $4 billion, they'd better. But is that worth $4 billion? Iger isn't getting Marvel cheap. The price tag accounts for a 30% premium on Marvel's stock price. Iger only paid a 4% premium on Pixar shares when it bought the animation company in 2006 for $7.4 billion when prices were much higher than in today's depressed market. And while Iron Man was a hit, other attempts to exploit lesser-known Marvel heroes haven't performed as well. Daredevil, which Fox released in 2003, earned only $180 million at the worldwide box office. An Elektra spinoff, staring Jennifer Garner, did even worse earning just $57 million. Lionsgate's The Punisher earned $54 million at the box office and its follow-up, last year's Punisher: War Zone, didn't even come close to earning back its estimated $35 million budget. The film brought in just $10 million at theaters. In today's conference call, Disney executives played up the opportunities for Disney to exploit Marvel's characters on the company's new boy-focused cable channel, XD. The station currently airs 20 hours per week of shows based on Marvel characters. Disney is also the best company in the world at merchandising its characters using its television channels around the world to promote everyone from Wall-E to Hannah Montana and sell millions of T-shirts, lunch boxes and toys. And the one thing that gives Disney a fighting chance of turning some of those smaller heroes into big screen superstars is John Lasseter, the chief creative officer at Pixar and Disney. Lasseter has shown an uncanny ability to turn out good, unconventional stories in ways that many studio suits would have rejected. His latest triumph is Up, a cartoon about a crotchety old man who loses his wife and embarks on an adventure with a pudgy boy scout. Analysts predicted the tough-sell premise would hurt at the box office, but the movie has gone on to earn $415 million so far. During today's call Iger said Lasseter had met with Marvel's creative executives and that he expects when they get together once the deal closes at the end of the year, "sparks will fly." For $4 billion, they'd better.