text:
Compiling Error - Java Beginners
Compiling Error cant able to compile java servlet file in the command prompt? WHY?
but i can compile normal java file
give me answer to fix my problem
CoreJava Project
CoreJava Project Hi Sir,
I need a simple project(using core Java, Swings, JDBC) on core Java... If you have please send to my account
Compiling Error - Java Beginners
Compiling Error cant able to compile java servlet file in the command prompt? WHY?
but i can compile normal java file
give me answer to fix my problem. Hi Friend,
Do you have servlet-api.jar in the lib folder
error while compiling - Java Beginners
error while compiling i am facing problem with compiling and running a simple java program, can any one help me, the error i am getting is javac is not recognised as internal or external command Check if you JAVA_HOME
need help to remove and optimise the code for creating a page
need help to remove and optimise the code for creating a page i have the following code but it has some sorts of error whenever i run the page after validation through javascript it calls for the servlets and then i tried
Error While Compiling - Java Beginners
Error While Compiling Hi All
I Am a beginner and i face the following problem while compiling
can anyone help me.
C:\javatutorial\example> javac HelloWorld.java
'javac' is not recognized as an internal or external
error in compiling j2me apllication - Applet
error in compiling j2me apllication hi,
in my j2me application for video,m getting only the audio.i ll send the code.
package src.video_streaming;
import javax.microedition.media.Manager;
Corejava Interview,Corejava questions,Corejava Interview Questions,Corejava
a method to an interface then
we need to implement this method in all... to construct the objects. However in
few conditions we need to get a class...(String)
returns a Class object reference. Some times we need to get a
Corejava Interview,Corejava questions,Corejava Interview Questions,Corejava
to an interface then
we need to implement this method in all... to construct the objects. However in
few conditions we need to get a class reference... Class.forName(String)
returns a Class object reference. Some times we need to get
Compiling a Servlet - JSP-Servlet
Compiling a Servlet Respected sir,
I just want to know how to compile a servlet coding? I need it in a sequential way so that I can understand it at the very first time as I am new to this technology
remove given error
remove given error class Amol
public static void main(String args[])
D:\ammy>javac Ammy.java
1 error
compiling programme IJVM
compiling programme IJVM I TRY AND COMPILE THE PROGRAMME BELOW BUT HAS ERROR APPEAR ALL THE TIME,,CAN ANYONE CORRECT THE CODE AND WRITE UP THE NEXT METHOD FOR POWER IN THE PROGRAME AS WELL...URGENT
// Program to read two single
CoreJava - Java Beginners
core java an integrated approach I need helpful reference in Core Java an integrated approach
Corejava - Java Interview Questions
Corejava 1. Convert input date format from (dd/mm/yyyy) to (yyyymmdd)
2. Remove a character at a specified position using substring method
3. Tokenize an input string by using both split & StrinTokenizer and store
i have got error while compiling simple tag handler
i have got error while compiling simple tag handler javac.servlet.jsp not found! tell me what are the jar files required to run simple tag handler...;it is : javax.servlet.jsp only but getting error wt is reason
Need to Remove Duplicate Records from Excel Sheet
Need to Remove Duplicate Records from Excel Sheet Need to Remove Duplicate Records from Excel Sheet. I have one excel sheet having two fields... empnum rating (without using sql query have to remove records from excel using java
error while iam compiling iam getting expected error
Compiling and Interpreting Applications in Java
following topics:
Compiling Java Program
Interpreting Java Program...
and then use the command prompt to run the example code.
Compiling Java Program
For compiling Java program, first your code must write the code using text
Need to remove duplicated rows from excel using apache POI API
Need to remove duplicated rows from excel using apache POI API Hi,
Need help from you.
I am able to generate excel sheet with data also... to remove duplicated rows from excel. same as below i need to do by using apache
uiscrollview remove all subviews
uiscrollview remove all subviews Hi,
How to remove all elements from uiscrollview. I need code for uiscrollview remove all subviews.
You can use following code in your program to remove all sub childs
remove element from stack
error message and if not then remove the names from stack until the stack is empty...remove element from stack Hi there
I'm looking around on the internet how to remove names from stack by asking user how many names they want
Remove duplicate values
Remove duplicate values i am trying to insert values into database from excel spreadsheet .am doing it using JDBC.connected both excel and sql....
q1. how can i eliminate duplicate values during insertion? please i need code
this is my program i need to print the series (1+2/12)+(1+2
program not compiling
program not compiling Hello can you help me with this program,I am trying to add a loop at the end of the program but it is not compiling,thank you.
import java.util.*;
import java.text.*;
class HardwareItems
String code
Need to remove duplicate rows from the Excel Sheet using the Apache POI API
Need to remove duplicate rows from the Excel Sheet using the Apache POI API
Hi There,
Is any one aware of java code on how to find the duplicate rows in excel.I am using the Apache POI API to achieve the same have googled
Error in POI - Java Beginners
Error in POI Hi friend,
I am working with Excel using POI API.I need to read an excel file and do some modifications and save this file into different location. Along with this I need to remove the extra sheets which
Corejava Interview,Corejava questions,Corejava Interview Questions,Corejava
NEED A PROG whats the program to add,delete, display elements of an object using collecions. without using linked list
Hi Friend,
System.out.println("Enter the index of element to remove
compiling .class files
compiling .class files how do i compile .class files using eclipse
Photoshop Tutorial : How to remove an object from a picture
How to remove an object from a picture
We are going to learn the method to remove an object
from a picture. If you want to remove an object, which you don't want to like
Compile error - Java Beginners
Compile error I get this error when compiling my program:
java:167... to be thrown
1 error... be the newline
* character '\n', space character '\s', etc. Trim should remove
Need help with this!
Need help with this! Can anyone please help me... the entrys in array score = -1 for later error checking.
for(arrayCounter = 0... to effectivly end the loop with out the need to break it.
for(i=(0); i <
Compiling package in command line
Compiling package in command line Hi friends,
i am totally new to java programming, i am basic learner in java.
My query is, How to compile java... how to compile it.
Thanks & Regards,
Compiling Java
How to remove virtual keypad from apps java
How to remove virtual keypad from apps java I have an galaxy smart s6830 touch Chinese Mobile (240x320) (myriad java platform) (esmertec jbed) and I need to remove keypad from apps . I have put the following into the jar file
corejava - Java Beginners
corejava pass by value semantics Example of pass by value semantics in Core Java. Hi friend,Java passes parameters to methods using pass by value semantics. That is, a copy of the value of each of the specified
process of compiling and running java program
process of compiling and running java program Explain the process of compiling and running java program. Also Explain type casting
PHP Remove Duplicate Values
PHP Array Remove Duplicate Values
In PHP if we need to remove duplicate values then we can use array_unique()
function. The functionality of it is to accept an array and returns another
array without duplicate values.
Friends need a help on ruby..
Friends need a help on ruby.. Friends i need a ruby script... if the script got failed, the html report will have the error message with the line number on which error is there.
If the script is executed successfully than
corejava - Java Beginners
corejava - Java Interview Questions
java program...need help as soon as possible!!! - Java Beginners
java program...need help as soon as possible!!! Modify the Lexer (15.... Include line number information within tokens for subsequent error reporting, etc...)
5. }
If you encounter an error, e.g. you find a "%" on line 7 of the source
Remove history
Remove history how to remove history in struts2 after clicking on logout link
Need some help urgently
Need some help urgently Can someone please help me with this below question. I need to write a class for this.
If you roll Y standard six-sided dice... number of possible combinations.
The actual question got some error. Its
compile error
program with Test.java and try to compile with javac test.java an error like...
public class A
but if i remove public before class then the test.java
still error
second button which i,ve added in ma frame.... plzz smone help me to remove error
compilation error
compilation error Hi my program below is not compiling,when I try to compile it i'm getting the error message "tool completed with exit code 1".The loop has to be at the end of the program can you help me.
need program - Java Beginners
need program I need a java program to get the multiple student name and mark.display the student information by sorting the marks in ascending... ClassCastException("Error");
int studentmarks = ((ShowData) Student).getMarks
JAVA Annotation Error
JAVA Annotation Error while compiling simple java program i get annotation error i.e
class will only be accepted if annotation processing is explicitly requested..how to solve
Need help with my project
Need help with my project Uses a while loop to perform the following steps:
-Prompt the user to input two integers: firstNum and secondNum where... numbers, and if not, provide error feedback and prompt them again.
-Output all
need i need a jsp coding based project plz help me
Error - Struts
How to add dynamically rows into database ?Need help pls
How to add dynamically rows into database ?Need help pls Hi everyone... type="button" value="Remove Row" onclick="removeRow();" />
<label> <...', '', 'sjas') or die(mysqli_connect_error());
$query = "INSERT INTO employee
Code error
While using this it shows error as:
run... is not found. So you need to add the class or .jar file which contains this class
compiling a uploaed java file - JSP-Servlet
compiling a uploaed java file How a uploaded java source file is automatically compiled(i.e converted to .class file) in server using jsp/servlet
Java Programming Need Help ASAP
Java Programming Need Help ASAP You are required to develop..., maths mark, communications mark. You will then need accessor and mutator methods... class that creates an array of Students and handles it. You will need
java runtime error - JDBC
java runtime error when i m running my program by using jdk1.6.0 then it is giving the error of classunsupported major.minor version 50.0.to remove... version error 49.0.so, please suggest how will i compensate this problem
org.hibernate.validator cannot be resolved error
application my application is giving following error:
org.hibernate.validator cannot be resolved error
Program is not compiling due to this error.
How... and Eclipse for developing the application.
This error is due
java - need code - Java Beginners
java - need code i am java developer. i want to remove file from one folder and same file is paste another folder. i need this code. (java) hi,
I am sending you the code which moves the file from one folder
This is what i need - Java Beginners
for this question i need just :
one function can read string like (I like to play football)from a file (e.g,file.txt)then remove the spaces and the white
Need urgent help with C++ errors!
Need urgent help with C++ errors! hi,
i'm new to C++ programming.
this is my code...
i'm using Turbo C++.
It's showing so many errors!..
Compilong XYZ.CPP
Error XYZ.CPP 1: Unable to open include file 'IOSTREAM.H
Remove Extra Space At End
Remove Extra Space At End Remove Extra Space At End
remove parent element JavaScript
remove parent element JavaScript How to remove parent element in JavaScript
Error reporting in PHP
is the easiest way to enable error reporting in PHP based applications? I should be able to easily remove the error reporting code before moving my code...Error reporting in PHP Hi,
I am developing a complex application
run time error
saved your class with HelloWorld.
Check it out. Even then if error occurs, post the error.
Here it works and showing output. Have you save the file... to compile the code?:
javac HelloWorld.java
Actually if you are compiling the class
java error - Java Beginners
Remove it,
after compile then above lines will shown on command prompt. ... been obsoleted. To get the details of your error, compile your class with Xlint
Need *Help fixing this - Java Beginners
Need *Help fixing this I need to make this program prompt user... and maybe add retrieve function //need help with this one badly. Thanks guys for all...) {
public static void main(String args[]){
//need to add: prompt
remove previous view iphone
remove previous view iphone How to remove previous view in iPhone application on loading a new subview
php remove last character
php remove last character to remove the last character, i used the trim function which is not working
Error with JCombo Box - Java Beginners
Error with JCombo Box when i set JComboBox on Tab then Display Error near addItem method,that is
Identifer Expected,
How I Can remove that Error. Hi Friend,
Please post your code.
Remove multiple elements in arraylist
Remove multiple elements in arraylist how can we remove multiple values in arrayList?
only remove method we used for single remove.but i want to delete multiple value in arrayList
remove special characters iphone
remove special characters iphone remove special characters iphone
Remove special characters iphone from Password
NSString *outputString = [passwordString stringByReplacingOccurrencesOfString:@"%" withString
java error - Java Beginners
java error Hello sir,
on compiling any program from command prompt....
But if I want to run that program the fetches me the following error.
For example... uninstalled jdk and NetBeans and reinstalled them, Then too its the same error
what is the error - Java Beginners
what is the error What is the compile time error that i am getting while compiling the application. Thanks! SOLUTION :- Your program is creating the compile time error such as : - ? CANNOT FIND SYMBOL ? because you
Error In starting Glassfish in Eclipse.
Error In starting Glassfish in Eclipse. Sir,I am new... glassfish in eclise,an error is raised and message is as follws :
"error Launching...\oracle.eclipse.runtime.glassfish184.108.40.206\glassfish3\glassfish"): CreateProcess error=193
Error is: Generated keys not requested.
Error is: Generated keys not requested. Hi,
Following error is coming in my program.
Error is: Generated keys not requested.
You need to specify Statement.RETURNGENERATEDKEYS to Statement.executeUpdate
an error - Java Beginners
detect an error after trying to compile and run them,howevre i can't find out...( x, root );
//Remove from the tree. Nothing is done if x is not found.
public void remove( AnyType x ) {
root = remove( x, root
403 Forbidden error - What is 403 Forbidden error, please explain...
403 Forbidden error - What is 403 Forbidden error, please explain... Can anyone please explain, What is 403 Forbidden error. And how can i remove this error, which is restricting my page from loading it.
compilation error - Java Beginners
when we are compiling this program it is giving an error as integer number is too large.why? and what
error detection - Java Beginners
error detection
Hi Amardeep and all friends out... me an error,of "(" or "[" expected. i tried to change everything i can to repair the error but got stuck. please help me to find out what must i do to repair
Remove Whitespace SQL
Remove Whitespace SQL Hi, can any one please explain how to remove whitespace in sql database.
Using the Trim, we can remove the whitespace from string. For example...
SELECT RTRIM(LastName) + ',' + SPACE(2) + LTRIM
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text:
Avonex intramuscular
What should I know regarding pregnancy, nursing and administering Avonex intramuscular to children or the elderly?
If you are:
FDB Contraindicated or Not Recommended: FDA C;SERIOUS SIDE EFF IN PREG;ABORTIFACIENT IN MONKEYS 2X CUM WEEKLY HUMAN DOSE
Precaution: INSUFFICIENT DATA AVAILABLE
An adult over 60:
Giving Avonex intramuscular to a child under 12:
Warning: NO SAFETY AND EFFICACY. RISK OF DEPRESSION, SUICIDAL IDEATION, PSYCH.RXNS.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
WMI's 'Martifer SGPS S.A. (MAR) : Company Profile and SWOT Analysis' report utilizes a wide range of primary and secondary sources, which are analyzed and presented in a consistent and easily accessible format.
WMI strictly follows a standardized research methodology to ensure high levels of data quality and these characteristics guarantee a unique report.
Examines and identifies key information and issues about 'Martifer SGPS S.A.' for business intelligence requirements.
Studies and presents the company's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities (growth potential) and threats (competition). Strategic and operational business information is objectively reported.
Provides analysis on financial ratios along with a competitor benchmarking section.
The profile also contains information on business operations, company history, major products and services, key employees.
Reasons to Buy
Quickly enhance your understanding of the company.
Gain insight into the marketplace and a better understanding of internal and external factors which could impact the industry.
Recognize potential partnerships and suppliers.
Obtain yearly profitability figures.
Key Highlights
Martifer SGPS, SA (Martifer) offers construction, electricity generation, providing energy equipments, and the production and distribution of renewable energy business. The company is also involved in manufacture of wind towers and related components in the US. Martifer focuses on utilizing renewable sources of energy for generating electricity. It is also involved in construction, production, operation and maintenance of solar energy projects, wind farms, hydro projects and wave energy projects. The company has 16 industrial units across 21 countries including Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Australia, Italy, France, Ireland, Romania, Greece, Belgium, Germany, the US, Poland and Angola. Martifer is headquartered in Oliveira de Frades, Portugal.
Companies Mentioned
Martifer SGPS S.A.
To view the table of contents and know more details please visit Martifer SGPS S.A. (MAR) : Company Profile and SWOT Analysis report.
Debora White
United States
Ph: 888-789-6604


text:
Only 10 more days left of planning until our bike group members meet in Glenwood Springs! Only 10 members will be going, but some of there family members may join us on the rides.
We have 3 "official" rides planned: Day 1 (Aug. 2) we'll ride the Glenwood Springs trail. Day 2 will be the Rio Grande with a stop at Woody Creek Tavern; if we feel ambitious enough and there's time, we may ride to Aspen. Day 3 is a short ride to Carbondale for a stop at the little place we visited last year for muffins and coffee (I'm sorry I don't remember the name, but we loved it so much we're devoting a short ride just to this place!). This year we're staying at Cedar Lodge where one of the members will (coincidently) be attending a large family reunion.
In addition to these rides, there are a few other rides, and maybe some hiking if we can fit it in. The Hanging Lake trail is closed for maintenance part of the summer but (last time I checked) will be open while we are there.
I hope we'll have at least 1 dinner at the Italian Underground, since our group enjoyed it so much last year.
I will post pictures on my Facebook page and share pics here as often as I can.


text:
Create a free account to check out faster, store multiple shipping addresses, view and track your orders in your account, and much more.
Please enter your password to continue.
Using your teeth to open a beer bottle displays your skills and resourcefulness, except that it's almost guaranteed to result in a trip to the dentist. Better to wield a piece of clever craftsmanship like this bottle opener. With a streamlined design, the opener has a built-in magnet that keeps caps from going flying and also lets you affix it to your fridge so it's there when you need it.
It opens bottles, like 20 other things in my kitchen. Fortunately there were some other good items in this months box. If I actually paid $14 for this I would expect my wife to intervene, and no longer allow me financial autonomy. It's a lump of wood with a nail and magnets in it. Not exactly the latest in high tech bottle cap removal....1


text:
Extended Weather forecast overview for the Southeast United States
A waterspout formed on Lake Berryessa on April 27. Charlie Postlethwait captured this footage after severe storms brought a day of unsettled weather to northern California.
A tornado touched down in western Omaha, Nebraska, on April 27. This sped-up footage shows the rotation of a cloud in the area.
A line of thunderstorms put a light show on over the Las Vegas area on April 27. This video shows the lightning show over Paradise, south of Las Vegas.
Extreme meteorologist Reed Timmer reports in Floydada, Texas, with the tornado threat to ramp up as the evening progresses.
Dramatic video of lightning striking a plane flying near London's Heathrow Airport. At least three planes flying over London were hit by lightning on April 27. British Airways said the plane landed safely.
A dust devil whirling through Mauna Kea Beach, Hawaii, on April 27, spins umbrellas in the air and sends beachgoers running for cover.
On April 17, an active region on the sun's right side released a mid-level solar flare. This solar flare caused moderate radio blackouts.
A man was sitting in his back garden in Bayston Hill, Shrewsbury on April 17, when he noticed a bee going in and out of a hole in the house wall. See what happens when he puts a nail in the wall while the bee is inside.
Springtime is primetime for severe weather outbreaks. In 2011, one of the most deadly tornado outbreaks ever recorded in history slammed the U.S. and left people wondering what conditions caused the outbreak.
Severe weather caused damage to several homes in Oklahoma City on the evening of April 26.


text:
Selected Digitial Full-text
See also the Scout Report's many links to full-text personal narratives and diaries covering a wide range of persons and events in U.S. and world history from the 18th-20th century.
- American Civil War: Letters and Diaries (UVA only)Searchable full text database of diaries and letters written by participants in the American Civil War.
- American Memory from the Library of CongressThousand of diaries. Enter search terms in "Search all collections" box on upper right of main screen. Sample terms: diaries women; diaries soldier; diaries travel
- Camping With the Sioux: Fieldwork Diary of Alice Cunningham FletcherFall 1881 diary of an unmarried woman of 43 who went to the Dakota Territory to live with Sioux women and record their way of life. From the Smithsonian Institution.
- Diaries of Jackson Davis 1911 and 1913A Virginia native, throughout his career Davis specialized in Southern education and interracial problems. See also microform version of Davis diaries for 1937-1947 (Micfilm 7542).
- Documenting the American SouthFrom Duke University. A treasury of sources. See the First Person Narratives and Oral Histories
- Early American Imprints 1801-1819 (UVA only)See Autobiogaphies, Diaries, Memoirs, Slave narratives, Travel literature.
- Historic Iowa Children's Diaries Digital CollectionMainly late 19th century diaries of boys and girls (some early 20th century entries). To see transcriptions, in View box (screen left) choose "page and text" from drop-dowm menu and click Go.
- In the First Person: An Index to Letters, Diaries, Oral Histories and Personal Narratives (UVA only)Includes a lot of full-text material. Click on "All Subjects" and the "W" link for material by women.
- Japanese American Relocation Archives (1940s)Scroll down page for links to diaries and and other primary sources including scrapbooks, and oral histories.
- John Quincy Adams Diaries (1779-1848)U.S. President 1825-1828. The diary can be searched by date or by using the detailed timeline. Because there is no transcription of the diary, it is not possible to search the text by keyword.
- Mormon Missionary Diaries (1830s-1960s )Browse by geographical area, diarist, or mission.
- North American Women's Letters and Diaries (UVA only)Searchable full text database of American and Canadian women's letters and diaries written from the colonial period until 1950.
- Pursuit of Adventure: The Fur Trade in Canada and the North West CompanyClick on "Manuscripts", then "Browse by Title" (and use drop-down menu in the browse title search) to find links to journals written by members of the North West Company in the early 19th century.
- Radio Diaries: 15 Years of StoriesFrom National Public Radio (NPR). Radio Diaries was a project to work with people to document their own lives for public radio: teenagers, seniors, prison inmates, civil rights diaries and and other diaries from people whose voices are rarely heard.
- Valley of the ShadowDetails life in Augusta County, Va. and Franklin County, Pa. during the Civil War and Reconstruction. Contains letters, diaries, newspapers, speeches, census records and church records.
- Wisconsin Pioneer ExperienceA digital collection of diaries, letters, reminiscences, speeches and other writings of people who settled and built Wisconsin during the 19th century. Includes naratives from an Oneida Indian and a man who helped a slave on the underground railroad.
Ask a Librarian!
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text:
Goshen College named for top radio program
Goshen College was named Radio School of the Year for the third straight time by the Indiana Association of School Broadcasting, as reported on Goshen College's website.
The 24-hour campus radio station, 91.1 The Globe, is run by Goshen students and area volunteers to broadcast music, news, public affairs and sports.
Goshen College broadcast students also won 22 other radio and television awards in the competition, including five first-place honors. To see a full list of winners, you can read more here.


text:
After Ben Nunery's wife Ali passed away from a rare form of lung cancer in 2011, he was faced with life without his wife by his side to help raise their young daughter Olivia. In November, Ben and Olivia decided to move out of their home in the quest for a new life in a new place. But before they did, Ben wanted to say a proper farewell and celebrate their happy memories they had with Ali in the home they shared with her by recreating photos Ben and Ali took on their wedding day.
Ben's photographer was his sister-in-law Melanie. This is what she had to say about this day on her blog:
He asked me to take pictures of him and Olivia in their empty house just like we did on the day he married Ali, 4.5yrs ago. That's right, the time has come for Olivia to have a yard to play in, a bigger house where her toys can have a dedicated place of their own and home in a good school district. On Friday Ben handed over the keys and drove away from the house that holds so many unforgettable memories. The place where you can literally feel my sister's presence the second you step in the door.
The photos of this mother's memory living on with her family have taken the internet by storm and I can completely understand why–they are incredibly touching and heartfelt.
I have yet to experience true loss like this in my life and for that I'm grateful. But I know my time will come at some point because it does for everyone. For now, I experience the grief of others as if through a window. I can see it with my own eyes, the sound is muffled and I can sympathize, but I can't truly know what it feels like until I open the door and walk inside. Meanwhile, I'm encouraged by the strength and resolve of those who have lost their loved ones. It gives me hope that life truly moves forward.
Below are the lovely photos of Ben, Ali and Olivia.
What a comfort to know we have photos to cherish and remember.
Like Pearmama on Facebook. Get social with Denise on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. Read more from Denise at Pearmama.com.
Image source: Melanie Tracy Pace | Loft3 Photography


text:
Yearender: Chinese badminton makes history but overshadowed by match-fixing scandalSouce:Xinhua Publish By Dustin Updated 19/12/2012 3:43 am in Sport / no comments
BEIJING, Dec. 18 — It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
In the year of 2012, the Chinese badminton team won both Thomas & Uber Cups and made a clean sweep of Olympic gold medals for the first time, while their victory seemed to be overshadowed by a match-fixing scandal that rocked the nation.
Chinese head coach Li Yongbo said 2012 was a fruitful year for his team.
"We have better result than before, and we promote the sport worldwide through our efforts, but we also suffered some setbacks," he said.
The badminton powerhouse stamped their authority at the London Olympics, winning all the five gold medals for the first time since the sport was first introduced to the Olympics in 1992.
Lin Dan has done what no other men's singles players have, winning back-to-back Olympic gold medals by taking an ecstatic triumph over Malaysia's Lee Chong Wei in the repeat of Beijing final four years ago.
Lin decided to skip all international events on the rest of 2012 calendar for a half-year rest, and he also held a romantic wedding ceremony with former world top women's player Xie Xingfang in September.
However Lin, dubbed "Super Dan", has denied any plans to retire next year and said he would consider going for a third Olympic title in 2016. Meanwhile, his Malaysian arch rival Lee also doesn't mention any thoughts about hanging up the racket, meaning the duo's rivalry will probably remain the focal point of the sport.
Just like Lin, Chinese veteran partners Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng, silver medalists four years ago, also filled the gap for Chinese badminton as the pair won China the first men's doubles Olympic gold medal.
After 10 years together, they finally captured the Olympic gold medal they had been fighting for for so long.
Women's singles gold medal went to the bright new talent Li Xuerui. The dark horse made her name known after winning the prestigious All England Open this March, and had been on a four-tournament winning streak before coming to London.
The Olympic champion continued her momentum and captured an astonishing eighth title in 2012 after winning the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Superseries Finals. Li recorded 56 wins in 61 matches this year.
Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei won in women's doubles and Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei claimed the mixed doubles.
However China's London sweep was rocked by the biggest scandal to hit the sport in its 20-year Olympic history.
In women's doubles, eight female players, including China's former world No.1 Yu Yang and Wang Xiaoli, were disqualified by the BWF for trying to lose deliberately in the final round of group stage in a bid to secure favorable draw in the knock-out stage.
The defending champion Yu even announced her retirement directly after the scandal, which triggered a heated debate about whether the group play format used in London encouraged game-throwing.
"It was the most unforgettable experience in our life. Such a big setback has made us more mature," said Yu, who resumed playing in October.
Despite their three-month absence from competitive badminton, the world champions have shown great resilience, winning three consecutive tournaments since their comeback.
Four months after the scandal, the BWF decided to improve the Olympic competition format to ensure the match-throwing scandal in the London Olympics will never be repeated.
China's dominance was just as complete in the Thomas & Uber Cups. In May, they got a sweet revenge for their loss two years ago by beating South Korea 3-0.
And they did it again in the Thomas Cup final by cruising past South Korea 3-0 to claim their fifth consecutive Thomas Cup title, a record only Indonesia achieved from 1994 to 2002 in the history of these men's team championships.
Coach Li believed his team could even do better. Heading for the Rio 2016, Li said the Chinese team will not only focus on winning matches, but also take on the responsibility to promote the sport and attract more people to play badminton.


text:
This Ain't Nightline
Ted Koppel's embarrassing debut as a Times columnist.
Think I'm kidding about Koppel's writing? If you have an Amazon account, use the "Koppel Randomizer" to harvest a random page from Off Camera. Send the most banal lines you find to email@example.com. Right now the item to beat was culled by Mark Roh from Page 76 in which Ted's life imitates The Ed Sullivan Show:
Grace Anne and I often analogize our lives to the performance of an acrobat/juggler who keeps twenty or more plates spinning on the tips of an equal number of twelve-foot-long flexible wands.
Andy Gale randomizes to Page 74 where Ted offers this about his struggle with his local Giant supermarket:
You never know how and when you're going to have an impact. Back on January 17 I took note in these pages of the confusing nature of certain Giant ads in the Washington Post, products listed at one price but covering a range of weights.
I discussed the issue with an assistant manager at our local supermarket, and then, a few days later, with the manager. He, it now turns out, raised the issue with Odonna Matthews, the vice president of consumer affairs for Giant Food, Inc. Damned if they haven't changed the ads. They now clearly list the exact weight and price of each product. We'll see how long the changes remain in place. But I'm tickled.
Did Ted read Listen to the Warm before he sat down to compose Page 127, which Robert Ferrigno discovered?
Reality becomes an unwelcome intrusion while you are adrift in Barney's world.
Ferrigno spun the Randomizer a second time and found this stunner about the Koppel family on Page 54:
Our two youngest children, Drew and Tara, are with us for the weekend. Dinner conversation meanders until the subject of last night's TV program ER comes up. None of us has seen it.
Chuck Taylor spots a Kliban kitty moment on Page 126.
Rosafina, now an elderly cat entering her eleventh summer, is making it difficult to work. She keeps trying to walk across the keyboard of my computer, clearly for no other reason than that I do not want her to do so.
John Asalone captures Ted accusing somebody else of banality on Page 23. The nerve!


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TripAdvisor ha otorgado la mención "Certificado de excelencia" al Hôtel Bristol
Dear friends of the Bristol Geneva,
We are very pleased to unveil the new restaurant of the Bristol, completely renovated and renamed "Côté Square" in reference to its exceptional location.
After a full floor-to-ceiling revamp, under a new name, with a new head chef, Côté Square is ready to deliver our guests an outstanding dining experience and consolidate our existing reputation for excellent, simple and fresh food with seasonal and innovative flavours, inspired by local produce.
We look forward to welcoming you to Côté Square.
Tel. +41 (0)22 716 57 58
Current weather
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Source: MeteoSwiss
TripAdvisor ha otorgado la mención "Certificado de excelencia" al Hôtel Bristol


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Brand new on Wianno Avenue - Gorgeous new Cape (under construction) by Peter Bilodeau close to the village and the beach with great curb appeal, and option for additional living space including a fifth bedroom and fifth full bath. Stunning open floor plan with 9'6'' ceilings, gorgeous high-end kitchen with a sunny breakfast area, fabulous Great Room with fireplace, formal dining room or library, first floor master with fireplace and fabulous master bath;and an office; all quality-built with generous allowances and the opportunity to customize. An outstanding value in Wianno.
# of Rooms: 9
# of Bedrooms: 4 *
First Floor Master
# of Full Bathrooms: 4
# of Half Bathrooms: 1
Fireplace(s): 2
Hardwood Flooring
Home Office
Air Conditioning
Single Family Home
Garage Bays: 2
Deck / Patio
Cape Cod
Pitched-Roof Style
Room For Pool


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Celebrity Kids Who Wear CrocsMarisa DeSisto
Liv Tyler 1 of 10Who says Batman can't wear Crocs? Liv Tyler escorts son, Milo, in his best superhero getup to a pal's costume party.
Drea De Matteo 2 of 10You can't miss the bright-pink Crocs Drea De Matteo's daughter, Alabama, is sporting!
Naomi Watts, Sasha 3 of 10Naomi Watts takes a summer stroll with her two boys, Sasha and Samuel, who are decked out in matching Crocs. Cute!
Sharon Stone 4 of 10Check out Sharon Stone's son, Quinn, and his sweet blue Crocs — that ice cream cone looks pretty delectable, too!
David Duchovny 5 of 10David Duchovny's son, Kyd, shows off his yellow Crocs, which match the Malibu sunshine!
Heidi Klum and Kids: Johan, Leni 6 of 10Heidi Klum's trio rocks some Crocs post-karate class. Wonder if Mom also sports the über-comfy shoe when she's not on the runway?
Jennifer Garner 7 of 10We spy a pair of pink Crocs sandals on Jennifer Garner's little cutie-patootie, Violet.
Kate Hudson 8 of 10Ryder's not riding his scooter with his Crocs on, so it's a good thing mom, Kate Hudson, is nearby to give it a little push.
Marcia Cross 9 of 10The Desperate Housewife opts to go barefoot while daughter, Eden, sports a pair of blue Crocs. With or without shoes, they both look like they're having a great time!
Jon Gosselin 10 of 10We're not sure why the Gosselin kids are hiding under a towel, but we can still spot a pair of orange Crocs peeking out from underneath!
Article Posted 6 years Ago


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The Internet offers a lot of social attitude or psychological whatsoever test almost in every of its corners, but this one that is (stated to be) based on the works of Hans Eysenck is peculiarly accurate and satisfying. The most convenient part is that it has the consistency and clarity that other tests have failed to serve me so far. And turns out my political profile appears to be showing the same signs that are usually associated with a university professor.
Just How Different the American and the British English Actually Are
I came across a very "interesting" story a few days ago, in which the author—let's just call her Miss Silly—seems disturbingly confident that the only difference between the British English and the American English is the accent. My initial reaction was simply a smirk, but as I went on to read all the stories Miss Silly shares on her blog and the only thing that I can assume after doing so is that Miss Silly must be trapped in a deep deep denial over her regrets and failure in live or that she simply lives in a fantasy world where she is the manifestation of the word "perfect".
As a—self-proclaimed—nice guy, I have only been sharing my thoughts on Miss Silly with certain people. And to my surprise, everyone seems to be getting the same idea just by reading all her stories. On a more extreme note, I think the conversation even reached to the point where the conclusion was that there's a very high probability that she is delusional. Or suicidal. You decide.
As much as I think that it would be a lot more fun to ruthlessly destroy Miss Silly's little fantasy, I am considerably still a decent person; which is why I'm taking this chance to elaborate on something that will be more helpful and informative for my readers (assuming I have any).
So I was tweeting about Miss Silly (on a highly subtle choice of words, of course) and I got several responses that somehow managed to see the better sides of my satire.
My guess is that Miss Silly consumes way too much movies instead of books that can actually enlighten her fantasy world. I seriously have never met anyone who is as obnoxious, as delusional, and—in my own definition—as misguided as her. It's not that I am such an evil arrogant jerk, but Miss Silly is beyond my wildest fantasy of denial. I think she might have some sort of identity issue in the sense that she doesn't feel like she is recognized for her accomplishment (she does have some, though) as much as she wants it to be. But I'm no psychologist, so you can just ignore the assumption.
I don't want to bore you with anymore trashy-talks about Miss Silly, so let's get to the real deal. Is the only difference between the British English (BE) and the American English (AE) is the accent?
The answer is, obviously, no. Big big no. Anyone who is convinced otherwise should really stop for a minute to learn more before making a fool of themselves.
Before I go on, let me make it clear to you that language is not a subject that anyone will be able to fully comprehend. Not even God (if there's any). Grammar can't even explain certain aspects of language, specifically English in this case, mostly because it evolves within an abstract environment. There has never been a universal agreement on whether it should be "there are a lot of things" or "there is a lot of things" simply because everyone defends any which they believe to be true and the logic is often acceptable. I have never liked it to be elaborating on how I understand English as a second language mostly because I don't really understand it as much as people seem to think I do (and I do have some very reasonable reasons to say so).
Image Source: LSIA Lessons
Since I was asked by some followers (on Twitter) to elaborate on how different BE and AE are, I can only provide answers that I know of. I cannot guarantee that this is a complete list of their differences, but I'm pretty sure that it's elaborated enough. I just hope that more people would pay some extra times to at least get their facts straight before publicly embarrassing themselves by saying something in a very convinced manners when they cannot be more wrong.
Image Source: Ones Word Online
I personally mix the usage of both varieties a lot simply because it is painfully excruciating to stick to either one especially when English is not your first language. The least thing I can do is just to acknowledge the differences between them. Please do note that I have tried to make the list as simple as possible to avoid confusion and this is not, again, I repeat, a comprehensive list. I also have to say that most differences between BE and AE are just a matter of what's more common and what's less common rather than what's more correct and what's less correct.
- The spelling differences are the most common ones that often cause confusion.
- Words that end with "-our" (BE) and "-or" (AE). Examples: colour/color, flavour/flavor, rumour/rumor, neighbour/neighbor, humour/humor, honour/honor. Exceptions: contour, velour, paramour, troubadour.
- Words that end with "-re" (BE) and "-er" (AE). Examples: centre/center, fibre/fiber, theatre/theater, calibre/caliber. Exceptions: words that end with "-cre" such as massacre, acre, mediocre.
- Words that end with "-ce" (BE) and "-se" (AE). Examples: advice/advise, device/devise, licence/license, defence/defense, offence/offense, pretence/pretense.
- Words that end with "-ise" (BE) and "-ize" (AE). Examples: organise/organize, recognise/recognize, realise/realize. Exceptions: advise, devise, disguise, exercise, televise, incise. etc.
- Words that end with "-yse" (BE) and "-yze" (AE).Examples: analyse/analyze, hydrolyse/hydrolyze, catalyse/catalyze, paralyse/paralyze.
- Words that end with "-ogue" (BE) and "-og" (AE).Examples: catalogue/catalog, demagogue/demagog, synagogue/synagog, analogue/analog, dialogue/dialog, pedagogue/pedagog, monologue/monolog.
- Words that end with "-ae" or "-oe" (BE) and "-e" (AE). Examples: anaemia/anemia, anaesthesia/anesthesia, encyclopaedia/encyclopedia, leukaemia/leukemia, oesophaus/esophagus, archaelogy/archeology, haemophilia/hemophilia, oestrogen/estrogen, palaentology/paleontology, paediatric/pediatric, etc.
- Doubled consonants are present both in BE and AE. Please refer to this Vivian Cook article for further explanations.
- Dropped "e" are also present both in BE and AE. Please refer to this Pearson Education article for further explanations.
- Different spellings for different meanings, such as: dependant/dependent, enquiry/inquiry, disc/disk, ensure/insure, insurance/assurance, matt/matte, programme/program, tonne/tone (BE/AE).
- Different spellings for different pronunciations, such as: aeroplane/airplane, arse/ass, moustache/mustache, mummy/mommy, whilst/while, pyjamas/pajamas, speciality/specialty (BE/AE).
- Miscellaneous spelling differences, such as vise/vice, annexe/annex, artefact/artifact, grey/gray, liquorice/licorice, omelette/omelet (BE/AE).
- Compounds and hyphens, present in both variants, such as: any more/anymore, for ever/forever, near by/nearby (Please note that every time/everytime is not a case. Every time is the correct spelling whilst everytime is simply a common error.)
- Acronyms and Abbreviations. Examples (BE/AE): Dr/Dr., Ms/Ms., Mrs/Mrs., Jr/Jr., St/St., Ave/Ave.
- Punctuation. Single quatation marks (She is my 'friend with benefits') is more common in BE but double quotation marks (She is my "friend with benefits") is more common in AE.
- In BE, putting an "and" between a set of numbers when spoken is the correct way to say it. In AE, the "and" is considered unnecessary. Therefore, both "two thousand and three" (BE) and "two thousand three" (AE) are correct.
- I was born on 14-09-1992 or "[the] fourteenth of September" (BE). I was born on 09-14-1992 or "September [the] Fourteen" (AE). Some exceptions may happen for certain dates. The independence day of the United States, for example, is widely referred to as the "fourth of July" (BE) instead of "July fourth" (AE). The same thing happens to the September 11 attack, which is generally known as 9/11 or the "September eleventh" (AE) attack worldwide, including in the UK where it should be the "eleventh of September" (BE).
- The 24-hour time format is commonly used in BE, but not in AE where the 12-hour time format is more common.
- The wedding is on 10.15, spoken as "a quarter past ten" (more common in BE) or "a quarter after ten" (more common in AE).
- The Civil Wars are a country-folk duo (BE). The Civil Wars is a country-folk duo (AE).
- I'm not sure how to group the difference between BE and AE when it comes to the past and past principle tenses of certain verbs. To make it easy, here are some examples of which is more common and which is less common on both variants: smelt, leapt, dreamed, leaned, dwelt, knelt, learned (BE) and smelled, leapt, burnt, dreamt, leaned, dwelled, kneeled (AE). The "t" endings were widely used by older American texts, but is now rarely—if not never—used any longer. I would like to emphasize that none forms should be valued as correct or incorrect. Some are just more common than the others, vice versa. Due to the very high complexity, I strongly recommend anyone who is interested to know more about the preference towards regular and/or irregular forms in BE and AE to learn more elsewhere since I am not going to elaborate further. What I mean by this is, for instance, both fit and fitted or lit and lighted are used in AE but in different senses.
- "You have got to go to school" is more common in BE, but not in AE where "You have to go to school" is more common though the use of "got" is also common as an emphasis on the modal of necessity.
- Taylor Swift sings the song "I'd lie" and Trisha Yearwood sings the song "You would've loved me anyway." Shortening "I would" and "would have" are common in the US (AE) but is considered colloquial in the UK though some may be accepted when used in counterfactual conditions like when Florence + the Machine sings "…and would you leave me If I told you what I'd become…" on one of my favorite song from their sophomore album, "No Light, No Light" (BE).
- "She has already gone to the airport" is more common in BE. "She already went to the airport" is more common in AE. It is true, indeed, that the present perfect tense is more preferred in BE while simple past tense is more preferred in AE. Other sentences that comply with this preference: "I have taken the chances and failed" (BE) and "I took the chances and failed" (AE).
- "I shall kill you for badmouthing my mother" or "I shan't steal from anyone" (BE). "I will (am going to) kill you for badmouthing my mother" or "I won't (am not going to) steal from anyone" (AE).
- "I write to my mom" (BE). "I write my mom" (AEl not acceptable in BE). This is a subject of transitivity. Please refer to this Linguistic Mystic article for further explanations.
- "I started to have nightmares since the accident" or "I stopped her from making a fool of herself" (BE). "I started having nightmares since that accident" and "I stopped her making a fool of herself" (AE). This is a subject of complementation. Please refer to this Furman University article for further explanations.
- Now this is a very interesting case for an IR student like me. Anyone who is observant enough should've noticed that the American often use the preposition "of" while the British prefer not to have any prepositions at all when naming their legislative acts or documents. See "The Declaration of Independence of 1776" (AE) and "The 1917 Balfour Declaration" (BE).
- As with dates, AE and BE differ a lot on when to use or when to not use the definite article "the". Please refer to this English Stack Exchange article for further explanations.
- "David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister…" (BE). "Prime Minister Cameron is the UK head of government." (AE)
- Sat is often used to cover all sat, sitting, and seated in BE, but not in AE. "I've been sat here all day" (BE). "I've been sitting here all day" (AE).
- The use of "an" before a word that begins with an unstressed "h" is only common in BE. An hotel, an historical finding, an hallucination, an hilarious joke (BE). A hotel, a historical finding, a hallucination, a hilarious joke (AE).
- "He's so cynical towards my works" (BE) "He's so cynical toward my works (AE). "Towards" is considered more definitive than "toward" in a directional sense.
- BE freely adds the suffix "-er" as in "footballer" while "football player" is more common in AE. If the noun could work as a verb as well, then both AE and BE adds the suffix as in "golfer" (to golf), "shooter" (to shoot), "painter" (to paint), but not in "baseball player" because there is no "to baseball" (verb).
- Unlike AE, BE does not distinguish non-restrictive and restrictive modifiers. "The house which we bought last year was damaged by the tornado" (BE). "The house, which we bought last year, was damaged by the tornado" (AE).
- "No fear" in BE is similar to "No way!" in AE "I don't mind" in BE is similar to "I don't care" in AE. This is a subject of figure of speech. Please refer to this About.com article for further explanations.
- "I am enrolled on the Global Economy class" (BE). "I am enrolled in the Global Economy class" (AE). "Bastian Schweinsteiger plays in Bayern Munich" (BE). "Bastian Schweinsteiger plays on Bayern Munich (AE). "I am affiliated with/to the production company" (BE). "I am affiliated with the production company" or "I am an affiliate of the production company" (AE). These all are the subject of prepositions and adverbs. Please refer to this English Practice article for more examples.
- The River Thames (BE). The Mississippi River (AE).
There are still many other differences between both variants, but I don't feel like listing them all here. It would really take a lot of time to do so and I can only spend so much time focused on one single article.
If you found any mistake or simply want to give a feedback, just leave a comment.■
The 2013 Eurovision in Malmö: Året for det Danske Folk
I have a very broad range of taste in music. I literally listen to anything as long as it does not sound like Rebecca Black or a dying cockroach; which explains why Eurovision is one of those shows I spend every single year waiting for, including this year.
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with this year's 39 entries. At least there was no "Euro Neuro" in Malmö, though I get mad a lot more than last year. Well… let's just say that I don't find Farid Mammadov's silly "Hold Me" or Cezar's "It's My Life"—which sounds like gibberish—are Eurovision materials. Surprisingly, the former song even managed to claim the second spot, which was a total disappointment for me. And let's not forget how Despina Olympiou and Moran Mazor didn't even make it to the final. I was totally outraged.
After all, it does not really matter anymore who I think was the rightful winner. Emmelie de Forest was not my favorite, but I did see her victory coming. "Only Teardrops" is just so Eurovision-esque. Anyway, congratulations, Danske Folk, for winning this year's contest and have fun hosting the show next year.
So, here are my personal rankings of this year's contest.
*My Ranking. (Actual Ranking) "Song Title" by Singer (Country) — Comment*
- (7) "L'essenziale" by Marco Mengoni (Italy) — This song is a perfect ballad to be the ultimate winner of Eurovision. I know this isn't the typical song to win, but it definitely has some magic that makes me keep clicking the play button again and again and again. Just like Nina Zilli last year, Mengoni should've finished better. It really is the best song from the contest this year. Maybe Italy should try sending an English song next year. I am starting to wonder if all Italian singers sang flawlessly. Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini, Marco Borsato, Nina Zilli, Eros Ramazzotti… Damn!
- (23) "L'enfer et Moi" by Amandine Bourgeois (France) — After last year's disappointing result for France with Anggun, I really wish that justice ruled this year. Turned out justice does not belong in Eurovision. The song is a masterpiece and it was a real pleasure to have blues rock had its chance on the show. I guess people would need more time to get used to Bourgeois' striking talent.
- (38) "Aν με θυμάσαι" by Despina Olympiou (Cyprus) — I can't even think of how to begin with this one. This is absolutely one of the best ballads Eurovision has ever had in years. Olympiou's voice is so calming. How she controls her tone is impressive. That it didn't even make the cut for the final was stupid, annoying, idiotic, shocking, and definitely the worst decision made this year.
- (19) "Believe in Me" by Bonnie Tyler (United Kingdom) — I am truly ashamed to admit that I have never heard of this International First Lady of Rock (Wikipedia told me so). I truly am; which is why I thank Eurovision a lot for exposing her strong vocal to me. If it is any consolation, you've gained one more enthusiastic fan despite not winning the contest, Milady.
- (10) "Kedvesem (Zoohacker Remix)" by ByeAlex (Hungary) — It took me quite some times to like the song; mainly because I don't understand Hungarian. But once it got into me, I can't even stop listening to it. Tenth place was a fair result though seeing some songs that ranked above it convinced me that it deserved better.
- (32) "רק בשבילו" by Moran Mazor (Israel) — I have tried to dislike the song for what the Israeli right-wing-dominated government are doing to the people of Palestine. The occupation, the violence, the injustice, the bloodbath, the cruelty, all the bad things they do. But it is a fact that some people in the Jewish nation are braver than most of the country to stand up to their government's cruelty. But then again, I shouldn't refrain from liking Mazor and her amazing talent for what she may or may not have anything to do with. Though I do find the music video a little bit weird and out of place, the song deserved to be in the final. I guess it was not clear for the voters and judges that Eurovision is a song contest, not some sort of camouflaged political stage.
- (14) "You" by Robin Stjernberg (Sweden) — The song is just great. I like it even better than "Euphoria". I guess this is just not the year for a dance song to shine. Stjernberg's rhythmic vocal on the "You" part totally makes the song even more infectious.
- (3) "Gravity" by Злата Огневич (Ukraine) — I was going to put her way up for delivering a very strong vocal performance with a very glorious lyrics, but I can't get over that unnatural sudden move from ballad to mid-tempo at 00:45. It really started as a very great song and then for five to ten seconds, I make these weird expressions. "What the hell just happened!??"
- (31) "Игранка" by Who See (Montenegro) — No matter what people are saying, for me the song is a very daring choice for a Eurovision entry. Dubstep? Seriously? But it works for me. I love the drum and bass and the female vocalist on the chorus. It might have not made the final, but it totally changed how I see the Montenegrin music scene after Rambo Amadeus almost ruined the show last year.
- (1) "Only Teardrops" by Emmelie de Forest (Denmark) — It was rather predictable that this song was going to win. I enjoy the song, but there's something off with the lyrics that I can't quite figure out. At least the silver lining is that had this song not win, Azerbaijan would've won again. I don't know how they manage to be on the top 5 each year (Safura's "Drip Drop" was great, though) but it'd better stop because it's starting to ruin the show for me.
- (4) "I Feed You My Love" by Margaret Berger (Norway) — The song combines electropop and a little bit of alternative rock; which is a great thing. I would prefer the tempo to be a bit faster though. I hope Berger makes some appearance in the international music scene. She really seems like an interesting person.
- (11) "O Mie" by Aliona Moon (Moldova) — The song sounds a lot like some '90s records from Nike Ardilla with the high-pitch but I love the intensity.
- (25) "Constigo Hasta El Final" by El Sueño de Morfeo (Spain) — Well, I do happen to have a thing for folk song. And this is a folk song. A good one, to be specific. It somehow sounds both fun and sad at the same time for me.
- (6) "Alcohol Is Free" by Koza Mostra featuring Agathon Iakovidis (Greece) — I have been really bored with the Greek entries for years now, but this song ended the streak. It didn't really sound that good at first, but I have come to like its comical sense.
- (9) "Birds" by Anouk (Netherlands) — I love her personality on stage and her voice is somewhat quirky for me. Had she brought a song that showcases her talent more with a more climactic performance, she might have been able to do better.
- (30) "You and Me" by Takasa (Switzerland) — I love the sense of folk this song offers. Should I even bother to elaborate on how this song should've made it to the final?
- (15) "Waterfall" by Nodi Tatishvili & Sophie Gelovani (Georgia) — Apparently, Georgia does have some great singers. The song is a strong ballad and I'm glad to see them performed in the final. Fifteenth place was not bad, but they could've finished better had they didn't get to perform second to last.
- (21) "Glorious" by Cascada (Germany) — While it does sound too much "Euphoria"-esque, I beg to differ that the song is a cheap imitation. It might not be the best song I've heard from Cascada (nothing will ever take that distinction from "Everytime We Touch"), but it does make me want to sing-along and feel like dancing. What can I say? The song is infectious and, sure, glorious.
- (20) "Et Uus Saaks Alguse" by Birgit Õigemeel (Estonia) — Birgit is such a sweetheart and she sings like an angel. I'm quite surprised that it ended up on the 20th spot with a saddening 19 points, but it does happen in Eurovision. Sometimes you just wonder how this is a song contest with all the "Since we're neighbor, let's just vote for each other" and lack of transparency.
- (17) "Ég á Líf" by Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson (Iceland) — Iceland has always been the home to some of my most favorite acts in music. Sigur Rós, Of Monsters and Men, Björk, and Rökkurró are only a few to name. And this song kind of let me down.
- (5) "What If" by Дина Гарипова (Russia) — Russia has always appeared on my top 10 favorite each year (except last year's "Party for Everybody" which I just can't afford to like) but this song really sounds like Sarah Connor's "Skin by Skin". Let's just say that I'm not impressed by the same thing twice a lot. Just a little bit more love. Just a little bit more passion. This is how it should begin. Skin on skin.
- (35) "Пред да се Pаздени" by Ezma Redzepova & Lorenzo (Macedonia) — The song might have not made the semifinal cuts, but it was an interesting song to listen to, especially Redzepova's voice.
- (12) "Love Kills" by Roberto Bellarosa (Belgium) — All there is to say is that it's a nice song with a little bit trace of pop punk and it did deserve the 71 points it received, but not more.
- (29) "Само шампиони" by Elitsa Todorova & Stoyan Yankulov (Bulgaria) — Now this is what I call a fun song. The Indian elements of the music totally makes the song sounds better than it could've been without it. Too bad it didn't even make it to the final.
- (28) "Љубав Jе cвуда" by Moje 3 (Serbia) — Serbia has always been one of the strongest contenders since they first competed as a lone nation back in 2007 with Marija Serifovic's Molitva. I guess they didn't see this coming. Maybe they should keep sending ballads over ballads each year. Seems like up-tempo rhythm doesn't fall under their specialties.
- (22) "Something" by Andrius Pojavis (Lithuania) — He sounds a lot like Brandon Flowers. The song lacks a climax, but still enjoyable.
- (18) "Lonely Planet" by Dorians (Armenia) — I like the song because it reminds me of old rock songs from Genesis or Foreigners. I even like it more for the message it delivers. Lonely planet, we have done it, we can save it, we can stop it. I guess it deserved better than 41 points.
- (37) "Here We Go" by PeR (Latvia) — The song does not sound like something the Eurovision voters would favor, but I applaud the duo for bringing beat-box to the contest. It does sound too generic, though.
- (8) "Tomorrow" by Gianluca Bezzina (Malta) — Hey soul sister, ain't that mister mister on the radio, stereo; the way you move ain't fair you know. Hey soul sister, I don't wanna miss a single thing you do tonight. Well…
- (33) "Mižerja" by Klapa s Mora (Croatia) — The song is weirdly anticlimactic, but it does have some potentials to be more than just decent.
- (36) "Shine" by Natália Kelly (Austria) — Though the lyrics are kind of too generic, Kelly sings it nicely. I'm not sure whether I would have it in the final or not (mostly because it competed on semifinal 1 which was tougher), but I do enjoy the song.
- (16) "Solayoh" by Alyona Lanskaya (Belarus) — It is an interesting song but I feel like I've heard this kind of song like a thousand times or so.
- (39) "Straight into Love" by Hannah (Slovenia) — I'm glad how dubstep has made its way into Eurovision, but Hannah just didn't try hard enough. The song is boring mainly because she keeps screaming straight into looove~ way too much.
- (24) "Marry Me" by Krista Siegfrids (Finland) — I don't really get how this song is a Eurovision material. The genre, the music, the singer, and obviously the lyrics don't work out for me. But it did make this year's show even more intriguing since bubblegum pop doesn't make it to the contest a lot, let alone the final.
- (34) "Identitet" by Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko (Albania) — It is quite an interesting song, but it does not strike me as special as I would love a Eurovision entry to be. And it's hard to enjoy the song with its rock elements that I find a little bit disparate from the lyrics. Unlike Rona Nishliu's "Suus" last year, I don't get how this song represents Albania musically.
- (27) "Crisalide (Vola)" by Valentina Monetta (San Marino) — I was expecting a great song from Monetta. The buzz was making me anxious in addition to her being the top 5 on the official fan-voting prior to the show. But she let me down.
- (26) "Only Love Survives" by Ryan Dolan (Ireland) — This song ends before I even get to enjoy a second of it. Ireland sent the wrong song this year.
- (2) "Hold Me" by Farid Mammadov (Azerbaijan) — Safura, Ell & Nikki, and Sabina Babayeva all make me growing some interest on Azerbaijan music scene, but this Mammadov guy totally killed it. The lyrics sound sooooo generic and he definitely sings like an amateur. Didn't deserve the 2nd place, didn't deserve the final, didn't even deserve to represent the fire nation.
- (13) "It's My Life" by Cezar (Romania) — This is it. Needless to say, the 2013 version of another Rambo Amadeus. Even the dubstep fusion can't help his over-the-head-high-pitch. Listening to him singing for 3 minutes and 2 seconds is an absolute torment. And what's even worse? That the song amazingly advanced to the final and ranked higher than Amandine Bourgeois, Bonnie Tyler, Robin Stjernberg, and pretty much all the 26 better singers and songs. Total madness.
Now please don't start getting mad at me if you feel like you can't agree with my list. Let's just agree to disagree.■
Making Sense of Presstitution: Embedded Journalism during the US 8-Year Invasion in Iraq
In a world where everyone cannot help themselves for being curious of whatever is happening around them, the existence of media is significantly crucial. Not only that people have become more and more dependent for the media to provide them with information from time to time, but also in the sense that media now plays a very pivotal role to shape the public perception of pretty much everything, even during the times of war and conflict. This paper criticizes the involvement of global media through embedded journalism during the United States invasion in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 in order to answer the ultimate question: was the media still telling the truth as it is supposed to or had it become merely a means of propaganda for the military to justify and help them win the war by controlling the public perception?
(Image Source: Zazzle)
The world that we know today is not the world that it was once. Ever since the September 11 tragedy happened back then in 2001, the world has gone through a lot of dramatic changes. With the Al-Qaeda terror group in mind as the perpetrator behind the attack, George Walker Bush—then US president—immediately declared the War on Terror as his boldest yet defining policy for the world, not just the United States. Following his campaign of the War on Terror, Bush created several allegations (Bush 2002) that the Al-Qaeda was receiving assistance from then Iraqi president, Saddam Hussein, to attack the United States while also allegedly conspiring to develop weapons of mass destruction.
Only months following his allegations, Bush took the world by surprise when the United States, under his reign as the commander in chief, invaded Iraq in 19 March 2003. While some people argue that the invasion was merely an act to camouflage its original intentions to occupy and take control of the oil-rich mining fields that Iraq is highly reputable for, some others believe that the invasion was actually the aftermath of Bush' suspicions of the Iraqi involvement on the 9/11 tragedy. Though, as of now, neither the involvement of Iraqi government nor the weapons of mass destruction existence has ever been proven to be true at all.
One way or another, no matter what the true intentions behind the invasion were, the damage was already done. What appears to be even more interesting than the war itself at the moment was how the media responded so enthusiastically to the war, as if they had been waiting for it to happen. It was not until that time that the term "wartime journalism" was widely used and recognized by people all around the world. It was not until that time the media finally had the chance to define what the world was, is, and will be.
During the war in Iraq, it was rather common to see media workers sent to report information directly from the war zone. Journalists competed to acquire information that would get their audience or readers excited the most; hunting for the piece of information that was labeled as exclusive, the first-ever, and revolutionary; for which the global media struggled to keep the balance between their war coverage and censorship (Tuosto 2008, p. 21).
An estimation made by the Committee to Protect Journalists, which aims to defend the rights and safety of journalists worldwide, shows that at least 150 journalists as well as 54 media support workers were killed (Smyth 2013) during the US 8-year invasion in Iraq from March 2003 to December 2011. While this high number of casualties shows one edge of journalism that is not usually seen, it raises a new question: was it so important to gather the news directly from the war zone that, all of the sudden, journalism apparently became one of the most dangerous jobs in the history of mankind?
While there are many ways to see it, there is only one thing that was certain at the moment; that the media needed to revitalize their methods of acquiring information during the times of war to ensure the safety of their journalists and reporters. As it was hard to be granted the access to enter a war zone, the practice of embedded journalism was introduced by the US military to the media; creating a cooperation that has since been dubbed as the media-military relationship.
(Image Source: Tweedie)
Embedded journalism refers to the practice of gathering news and information by media workers who are attached or embedded to military units involved in the invasion. It was reported that at least 775 reporters and photographers were travelling in Iraq as embedded journalists only on the first few days of the invasion (Powell 2004). As part of the arrangement, embedded journalists were obliged not to report information that could compromise the unit position, future missions, classified weapons, and information that can endanger the safety of the military units (Lehrer 2003). To be eligible, all journalists embedded in Iraq were even specially trained—from November 2002, months before the invasion started—in order to make sure that those who were going to report from the war zone would not be a liability for the military units (Borger 2002). Even though it has always been debated by interdisciplinary scholars and experts as highly dangerous for both the journalists and soldiers, embedded journalism has since become a breakthrough in the practice of journalism.
While the media appeared to be very keen to provide people with information from the war zone in Iraq, the naked reality does not necessarily align with such impression. Putting aside the editing process and adjustments—which may cause the news to be misinterpreted or even taken out of context—done by the producers before news is published, the practice of embedded journalism might have caused the media to be no longer reliable as the source of information.
(Image Source: Tabula Plennus)
According to Lieutenant Colonel Rick Long, the former head of media relations for the US Marine Corps, while [the soldiers'] job was to win the war, the embedded journalists are significantly important in order to dominate the information environment (Kahn 2004). This holds true that the value of truth was greatly diminished by media agencies by practicing embedded journalism; in which the military could manipulate and control the certain ways of how the journalists see, report, and interpret events, thus inevitably became part of the military strategy to control the information environment during the invasion.
As the primary source of information, media ought to be impartial and truthful by telling its audience or readers the whole truth of information. The process of acquiring information during the US invasion in Iraq prompted the media workers to be choosing between exclusive information and their safety, which left a hole for the military to utilize the media for their advantages through embedded journalism. While the concept is revolutionary in a way that journalists are kept safe under the supervision of military units they are embedded to, it can be potentially damaging to the very principal purpose of the media, which is to inform people with the truth no matter how it might hurt.
Whether intended or not, embedded journalism during the US invasion in Iraq can be considered as means of political propaganda. While the embedded journalists might have not meant to obscure the truth of the war, it is the military that was being smart by controlling where the journalists go and what they could see. Unfortunately for the journalists, they might not be able to realize how the information they gathered were rather one-sided and appeared to be way too sympathetic for the Americans and less neutral for the rest of the world to see
However, the idea to provide people with information during the times of war is still noble and laudable. If only the restrictions made by the military—that potentially affect the perception of embedded journalists to be partial and misleading—allowed the journalists to still be safe but also impartial in their coverage at the same time, then embedded journalism can ultimately be the golden means of acquiring information from conflict and war zone.■
Borger, Julian (2002) Flabby Journalists Sent to Boot Camp. The Guardian [Accessed 18 April 2013].
Bush, George Walker (2002) President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat. The White House [Accessed 18 April 2013].
Kahn, Jeffery (2004) Postmortem: Iraq War Media Coverage Dazzled but It Also Obscured. UC Berkeley News [Accessed 18/04/2013].
Lehrer, Jim (2003) Pros and Cons of Embedded Journalism. Public Broadcasting Service [Accessed 18 April 2013].
Powell, Bonnie Azab (2004) Reporters, Commentators Visit Berkeley to Conduct In-Depth Postmortem of Iraq War Coverage. UC Berkeley News. [Accessed 18 April /2013].
Smyth, Frank (2013) Iraq War and News Media: A Look inside the Death Toll. Committee to Protect Journalists. [Accessed 17 April 2013].
Tuosto, Kylie (2008) The "Grunt Truth" of Embedded Journalism: The New Media-Military Relationship. Stanford Journal of International Relations, X (1), pp. 20—31.
Foreign Interventions in a Violent Search for a Democratic Middle East
Witnessing what has been going on in at least the last 65 years, it is no surprise that the world seems to think that the Middle East is somehow a lost case of prolonged conflicts and political quarrel. It is as if the Middle Eastern nations were on the brink of failing. And they were. While the instabilities might have been triggered by plenty of reasons, one of the most principal and systemic problem many Middle Eastern nations experience is the authoritarian governance as seen in Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, and many others. Recent events have shown that the Middle Eastern people do not hope for the authoritarian regimes they live under to last forever at all; indicating a quest for democracy through democratization that Francis Fukuyama (Roberts 2008) once said as the ultimate form of human government. This leads well to the question that this paper is trying to address: how have foreign forces intervened the process of democratization and its aftermath in the Middle East?
(Image Source: The Jerusalem Post)
In the wake of the Arab Spring phenomenon—originated in Tunisia with its people pleading for president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to end his authoritarian regime followed by the same case in Egypt, Libya, and now Syria (Hamid 2011)—that has caught international attention, everyone has to refine their assessment towards how democracy and democratization in the Middle East can and may be performed.
What has been happening since January 2011 shall not be seen as merely another case of third-world struggle. It is instead a notably important events that might affect the way people see how important democracy is and how democratization can be both violent and nonviolent, especially in the Middle East. Even the nonconservatives (Hamid 2011) have admitted that the democratization might happen for generations for the Middle East, despite their traditional standing that opposes the notion of democratic revolution.
Understanding the democratization in the Middle East can not be done by studying the patterns of such events elsewhere. While it usually emerges as the aftermath of chronic political failure or failing economics, the Middle East does not necessarily align with this generalization as a whole. While the governments may appear to be authoritarian, the Arab Spring-affected nations have been known for their tendency toward democratic culture, which is more of an impossible mission to accomplish.
The involvement of foreign nations as well have affected democratization in the Middle East. The United States, for instance, has been significantly involved in various acts of "democratization" for the past decade, even more after the September 11 tragedy occured back in 2001. By 2009, the level of annual US democracy aid in the Middle East was more than the total amount spent between 1991 to 2001 (Hamid 2011).
While the United States prefer to call their assistance as democracy aid, it is not necessarily meant to promote democracy in all the good ways. Their democracy aid has been known as demanding in a way that the nations where they are involved in the democratization process are then left with a new government that seems to be a potential allies for the US in the Middle East, often dubbed as the "puppet government."
To put it based on the evidence found along the way, democratization in the Middle East can be seen both defensive but managed at the same time. Instead of establishing democracy, the process of democratization—with foreign forces like the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) armies involved—somehow appear to rather prevent democracy from taking control than to legitimize its emergence.
(Image Source: Martin Kramer)
How I came to such manner of thinking might be seen as circumstantial but can be rational at the same time. At the early stage, democratization in the Middle East is initiated by the lower to middle class of the society. At the second stage, the urge of establishing democracy clashes with the reigning authoritarian—if not dictatorial—that wish to keep their power for probably decades or even centuries. At the final stage, how the process went define what the result will be. In some cases, people revolution has prevailed, as seen in Tunisia and Egypt. In other cases, the government managed to contain the revolution and gain even more power than before the idea of democratization was unveiled.
Along the way during these three stages of democratization, several external factors play the role of interference. Foreign interventions are one of the most common extra actors, as seen in the involvement of NATO armies in Libya. But sometimes it happen to be more subtle, through the power of media and propaganda, for once, in a form of embedded journalism or even partial news making, prompting false assumptions to be made by the spectators all around the world.
For foreign forces to interfere in the Middle East democratization has always been explained and elaborated as merely a mission of humanity for democracy and freedom out of concern and the dream to establish a perfect democratic world. But that is not the real case at all. Not even remotely. At least not in all cases.
(Image Source: Norwegian Regjeringen)
The United States, as the power player with a long history of intervention in the Middle East region, may often be seen as a very generous nation with a big concern for the whole world to be freed from any forms of restrictions through democratization. The truth is that by being involved in the process, the United States—sometimes joined by its allies—gain much more power along the way on their involvement. In certain cases, it is even possible for them to be in control of deciding who should be governing and how the newborn democracy in the Middle Eastern nations should be run, thus putting them as an invisible power that simply takes down the authoritarian government to then replace it with a "democracy puppet" while they are the ones that call shot and make decisions for the wounded nations. In other words, democratization in the Middle East can be used by foreign nations—most of which happen to be the United States and/or its allies—as a deception to gain control over the region and possibly over its resources and fortune.■
Hamid, Shadi (2011) The Struggle for Middle East Democracy: Why the Arab Street Finally Revolted. The Cairo Review of Global Affairs [Accessed 10/03/2013].
Roberts, Alasdair S. (2008) Empowerment or Discipline? Two Logics of Governmental Reform. Social Science Research Network [Accessed 22/04/2013].
On the 2015 Forthcoming ASEAN Political-Security Community
As the regional organization where emerging forces of today's economics belong to, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surely has several advantages to establish itself as a major power player in the global system. By maintaining its regional order, ASEAN member-states may be hoping to sustain the stability that they have succeeded to achieve for the past decade. The problem is, while it comes off as a strong economic force when combined, ASEAN does not prove to be as strong from a political-security point of view. Obviously, this has raised certain questions whether ASEAN is actually a solid organization rather than just merely a group of nations that come together by being close to each other geographically.
(Image Source: ASEAN Political-Security Community)
While ASEAN member states may not be necessarily facing the financial crisis that has been dragging several developed and powerful countries into misery, it does not mean that ASEAN is in no crisis at all. With only two years—or less—left before the 2015 due of the establishment of ASEAN Community, there has been no significant progress that the regional leaders have yet to enforce. Hoping to integrate the regional power into one strong entity, the idea of ASEAN Community incorporates the concepts of political-security, economic, and cultural communities.
Seeing how the political dynamics in Southeast Asia has been going on recently, it is crystal clear that there are at least four political-security issues that ASEAN regional leaders critically need to address above all else: human rights violation, corruption, terrorism, and territorial disputes.
It is saddening to say that ASEAN is no stranger to human rights violation. Who has not heard of the cruelty of Pol-Pot regime in Cambodia? Who has not heard of the depressing times Suharto had caused Indonesia for his repressive 32-year regime? Ultimately, who has not heard of the hard times that the people of Rohingya have to go through in their own homeland, Myanmar?
As if humanitarian violation is not enough, this regional is also known for its high rate of corruption, most notably Indonesia and the Philippines. Likewise, the threats of terrorism acts keep growing on various locations with the South China Sea dispute coming back into international attention after decades of a calm settlement.
Knowing how ASEAN has been facing all sorts of challenges then and now, it is quite underwhelming that in reality, nothing has been done either to prevent or to resolve any of them. As an organization that exists beyond state borders, ASEAN was established under a set of norms. The first and, probably, the most principal one is that its members are to refrain from the use of force to resolve interstate disputes (Archarya 2001, p. 48). The other principal one is that all members shall refrain from interfering with any national matters of other members, including violation of human rights (Archarya 2001, p. 58).
(Image Sources: Change.Org)
Promoting political-security integration in the regional is a bold move for any regional organization, and the fact that ASEAN is willing to try should be appreciated. The framework of ASEAN Political-Security Community, as inscribed in its blueprint, is to "ensure the people and member states of ASEAN live in peace with one another and with the world at large in a just, democratic, and harmonious environment" (Brata 2013).
While the purpose of establishing ASEAN Political-Security Community is laudable, there have been some doubts whether the 2015 due is feasible or not. Even ASEAN's newly appointed secretary general, Le Luong Minh, expressed his concern (Brata 2013) towards the slow progress of the ASEAN Community preparation.
From a political-security point of view, what is missing from ASEAN is the presence of a strong set of law and rules. With its doctrine or principle of non-interference, any member states are obliged to refrain themselves from interfering with others' domestic matters regardless of the situation. Of course, this is highly problematic, but beyond it lies the image of ASEAN as a regional organization with no authority to actually coordinate, monitor, direct, and enact the policies, programs, or activities within its territory; things that the Secretariat does not appear to be capable of doing.
Apart from it, ASEAN is also missing a piece of a judicial body as the highest decision-making or deadlock breaker. ASEAN has always been known for its persistence to base any decisions taken as an organization unanimously. Not only that this has been proven to be inefficient, it has caused several cases to be left behind without any closure at all now and then. This is basically why the existence of a judicial authority is essential for the ASEAN Political-Security Community to work as it is intended to.
(Image Sources: Change.Org)
To establish good governance in the entire region by strengthening democracy with a set of law that protects the fundamental rights of the people is essential in order for the ASEAN Political-Security Community to work out. For this purpose, ASEAN should also consider adopting conventions on anticorruption, good governance, dispute settlement, human rights, and so on. To do so, ASEAN should probably take a second look as well on how their definitions and interpretations of "sovereignty," "non-interference," and "regional integration" definitely need some reconsideration or even, if necessary, redefinitions.■
Archarya, Amitav (2001) Constructing a Security Community in Southeast Asia: ASEAN and the Problem of Regional Order. London and New York: Routledge.
Brata, Roby Arya (2013) Building the ASEAN Political-Security Community. The Jakarta Post [Accessed 16 April 2013].
Overdosis Informasi, New Media, dan Budaya Latah dalam Politik Nasional
Indonesia boleh jadi sudah merdeka selama lebih dari 67 tahun, namun mengisi dan memaknai kemerdekaan jauh lebih sulit daripada sekadar memerolehnya. Mengisi kemerdekaan bukan hanya dilakukan dengan memeringati hari kemerdekaan, mengenang jasa para pahlawan, ataupun mempelajari sejarah bangsa melalui bangku pendidikan. Mengisi kemerdekaan hendaknya dimaknai melalui partisipasi aktif dalam mewujudkan cita-cita dan tujuan bangsa dengan tetap berhaluan pada Pancasila sebagai ideologi negara.
Dengan total populasi yang mencapai 237,641,326 jiwa (Badan Pusat Statistik 2010), di mana sekitar 32.80% di antaranya tergolong usia remaja (Badan Pusat Statistik 2011), Indonesia tentu berpotensi untuk terus berkembang menjadi bangsa yang besar melalui suatu proses pendewasaan politik terutama bagi generasi muda Sayangnya, banyak di antara kaum remaja di Indonesia yang belum memiliki idealisme sehingga mudah dipengaruhi oleh kepentingan-kepentingan yang berkembang di dalam masyarakat.
Salah satu faktor yang seringkali menjadi dilema bagi proses pendewasaan politik di Indonesia adalah kebebasan informasi yang mencuat bersamaan dengan dimulainya era reformasi. Tak pelak, semenjak itu, pertumbuhan industri media terus tak terelakkan. Setidaknya, saat ini, terdapat 829 media cetak, 11 stasiun televisi nasional, 17 stasiun televisi satelit, dan 1,188 stasiun radio (Irianto 2011) yang aktif beroperasi di Indonesia.
Banyaknya media massa yang menyediakan informasi tentunya baik bagi proses pendewasaan politik. Ketersediaan beragam sumber informasi membuat masyarakat lebih well-informed sehingga keputusan dan tindakan politik yang diambil pun didasarkan pada pertimbangan yang matang. Akan tetapi, ditambah dengan perkembangan new media, hal ini juga bisa menjadi bumerang karena masyarakat terekspos pada informasi yang tidak selalu benar dan objektif; terlebih lagi dengan keberadaan budaya latah yang kental di dalam masyarakat, terutama kaum remaja.
Revolusi Informasi di Era New Media
Dalam studi media dan komunikasi, perkembangan teknologi informasi menjadi faktor pendorong yang sangat signifikan. Apabila dulu komunikasi menuntut interaksi langsung di antara manusia atau harus melalui media yang tidak efisien, saat ini komunikasi telah menjadi jauh lebih mudah; terutama dengan dikembangkannya teknologi internet, yang bukan hanya memengaruhi proses komunikasi di dalam masyarakat, namun juga proses penyebaran informasi.
(Sumber Gambar: Fred Cavazza)
Tren yang ada di dalam masyarakat menunjukkan bahwa media massa saat ini berkembang sangat pesat melalui platform internet. Hampir seluruh media cetak, televisi, radio, maupun bentuk-bentuk media konvensional lainnya memiliki situs internet tersendiri di mana masyarakat dapat mengakses konten informasi yang ditawarkan dengan menggunakan peralatan seperti komputer maupun telepon genggam. Bahkan dalam beberapa tahun terakhir, akses terhadap informasi menjadi semakin mudah dan praktis dengan hadirnya teknologi telepon pintar (smartphone) serta komputer tablet.
Kemajuan pesat dalam bidang teknologi perangkat keras, perangkat lunak, dan internet ini membuat informasi berkembang sangat cepat di dalam masyarakat. Dengah globalisasi yang semakin menyemukan jarak-jarak geografis, peristiwa yang terjadi di kota London, Inggris, misalnya, bisa diketahui oleh orang yang tinggal di Canberra, Australia, hanya dalam hitungan detik.
Fenomena rapid flow of information ini sekiranya terjadi berkat kemunculan bentuk-bentuk media baru atau new media. Di samping situs-situs internet dari media massa, informasi juga dapat diperoleh melalui komunikasi yang semakin intens di antara masyarakat sendiri melalui hadirnya social network atau jejaring sosial. Melalui jejaring sosial, siapapun dapat menyebarkan informasi yang bisa diakses oleh banyak orang tanpa perlu melalui proses validasi sebagaimana umumnya menjadi kewajiban bagi media massa. Bentuknya yang beragam, mulai dari situs pertemanan 'Facebook' hingga layanan microblogging 'Twitter', membuat jejaring sosial menjadi primadona baru dalam berkomunikasi.
Di Indonesia sendiri, pada tahun 2012, tercatat setidaknya ada 55 juta atau 22,1% penduduk mengakses internet secara teratur; bahkan tak sedikit di antaranya mengaku kecanduan terhadap layanan jejaring sosial (Tempo 2013, h. 12). Dengan dinamika politik yang kian hari semakin nyata dampaknya bagi masyarakat, keberadaan new media yang dapat diakses dengan begitu mudah tentunya berpengaruh secara signifikan terhadap proses pendewasaan politik di Indonesia; terlebih lagi dengan banyaknya tokoh dan pejabat publik yang ikut memanfaatkan new media ini sebagai alat berkomunikasi.
(Sumber Gambar: Young Digital Lab)
Peran jejaring sosial sebagai new media dalam peristiwa politik dapat terlihat secara signifikan dalam fenomena Arab Spring; di mana kaum muda di berbagai negara Afrika Utara dan Timur Tengah menginisiasi revolusi melalui komunikasi di layanan microblogging 'Twiiter. Pun di Indonesia sendiri, jejaring sosial telah menjelma pilihan utama bagi masyarakat dalam berkomunikasi dan memeroleh informasi terkait current affairs yang terjadi di sekitarnya.
Budaya Latah dan Kedewasaan Berpolitik
Perkembangan new media membuka keran arus informasi yang sulit dibendung. Siapapun—tanpa dibatasi oleh intelektualitas, status sosial, profesi, ataupun indikator-indikator lainnya—dapat menyebarkan informasi baik secara sengaja maupun tidak. Meskipun memungkinkan bagi lebih banyak perspektif untuk berkembang, hal ini turut menimbulkan kekhawatiran akan terbentuknya persepsi yang keliru dalam memahami peristiwa atau isu yang berkembang.
Bahwasanya kaum remaja saat ini jauh lebih kritis dalam menanggapi dinamika politik bukanlah sekadar opini kosong belaka. Di samping karena pembangunan yang kian pesat, arus informasi yang bebas (free flow of information) yang menjadi salah satu pilar utama proses reformasi pemerintahan turut berandil dalam membangun kekritisan kaum remaja. Sayangnya, kekritisan ini rentan disetir oleh kepentingan-kepentingan tertentu dikarenakan oleh kebingungan yang muncul akibat terlalu banyak informas yang diterima.
Di dalam masyarakat Indonesia sendiri, cenderung berkembang budaya latah di mana masyarakat dengan mudah mengamini atau mengiyakan apa saja yang diterima sebagai informasi dari sumber yang belum tentu memiliki kredibilitas. Dengan kondisi perpolitikan nasional yang saat ini begitu ramai dengan penyelewengan kekuasaan oleh pejabat publik bahkan juga oleh penegak hukum, tentunya kepercayaan masyarakat terhadap pemerintah mengalami degradasi yang begitu drastis; terlebih dengan keberadaan new media yang membuat kaum remaja menjadi rentan terhadap informasi yang tidak akurat, penuh pretensi dan subjektivitas, serta sarat kepentingan.
Budaya latah di dalam masyarakat juga mengancam proses pendewasaan politik di Indonesia karena cenderung membuat kaum remaja kehilangan kepercayaan atau confidence terhadap negaranya sendiri; memicu kemunculan skeptisisme, sehinngga bukan tidak mungkin menjadi alasan bagi masyarakat untuk memilih bersikap 'masa bodoh' terhadap dinamika politik.
Peran remaja dalam proses pendewasaan politik di Indonesia bukan hanya sekadar sebagai penonton semata. Meskipun sulit untuk dapat secara langsung terlibat dalam proses pembuatan dan perumusan kebijakan (policy making), kaum remaja memiliki peran yang sangat signifikan dalam memengaruhi serta mengawasi kebijakan yang dibuat dan diterapkan oleh pemerintah.
(Sumber Gambar: Free the Animal)
Melalui keberadaan media massa dalam jumlah besar serta perkembangan new media di sekitarnya, kaum remaja memiliki kesempatan untuk memiliki peran yang krusial dalam proses pendewasaan politik. Kaum remaja, saat ini, bisa dengan mudah menyampaikan pendapat maupun kritikannya terhadap kebijakan pemerintah melalui wadah new media, terutama jejaring sosial. Selain menjadi bentuk perwujudan kesadaran (awareness) terhadap isu yang berkembang, hal ini juga membuat kaum remaja secara aktif terlibat dalam proses pendidikan politik bagi masyarakat dengan melakukan penyebaran informasi.
Interaksi yang begitu tinggi di dalam masyarakat melalui sarana new media ini bahkan telah menjelma sebagai indikator tersendiri bagi para pelaku politik praktis, misalnya melalui penghitungan share of exposure (pembicaraan di dalam masyarakat) dan share of awareness (kesadaran masyarakat) untuk memahami perkembangan suatu isu di dalam masyarakat
Sayangnya, tidak keseluruhan proses ini menimbulkan efek yang positif. Ragam new media yang bisa diakses oleh siapapun tanpa terkecuali membuat peluang berkembangnya persepsi yang keliru dalam meahami situasi menjadi semakin besar. Berbeda dengan ketika informasi muncul hanya dari sumber-sumber tertentu yang kredibel, saat ini informasi tidak bisa lagi dimonopoli oleh pihak-pihak tertentu. Setiap orang bisa jadi memiliki pemahaman berbeda terhadap satu isu yang sama akibat ketersediaan informasi yang tak terbatas.
Kondisi seperti ini tentunya tidak sehat bagi proses pendewasaan politik di Indonesia. Pun budaya latah yang kental di dalam masyarakat hanya membuat masalah ini semakin pelik dan kompleks, terutama dengan kondisi kaum remaja pada umumnya yang belum memiliki pendirian politik sehingga dapat dengan mudah terpengaruh oleh informasi yang berkembang di dalam masyarakat.
Kaum remaja, sebagai generasi yang kelak akan menjadi pemimpin bangsa, sudah semestinya diberikan keleluasaan untuk membicarakan serta mengkritisi setiap fenomena politik yang terjadi. Meskipun begitu, bukan berarti kaum remaja dapat seenaknya menyebarkan informasi yang tendensius di dalam masyarakat. Kaum remaja haruslah menjadi aktor yang bertanggungjawab dalam keterlibatannya sebagai bagian dari masyarakat, karena politik tidaklah seharusnya menjadi topik pembicaraan bagi orang dewasa saja; terlebih di era new media yang memungkinkan penyebaran informasi seluas-luasnya.
Perkembangan new media ikut memengaruhi arus informasi. Dipicu oleh globalisasi dan perkembangan teknologi informasi yang begitu pesat, keberadaan new media membuat masyarakat bisa mengakses informasi dengan mudah dan cepat, meskipun tetap dituntut untuk bersikap kritis dalam menerimanya karena tidak semua informasi berhasil merepresentasikan situasi dan kondisi yang sebenarnya.
Lebih dari itu, keberadaan new media terbukti membuat banyak isu, yang sebenarnya tidak perlu menjadi topik pembicaraan, mencuat ke permukaan akibat latah yang sudah membudaya sehingga masyarakat mudah diprovokasi. Saat ini saja, misalnya, banyak masyarakat, terutama kaum remaja, memilih jejaring sosial sebagai sumber informasi utamanya meskipun sepenuhnya sadar akan ketiadaan jaminan akurasi dari informasi yang diperoleh. Meskipun begitu, budaya latah tetap memiliki peranan penting dalam proses pembentukan persepsi dan opini terhadap isu serta peristiwa yang berkembang di dalam masyarakat Indonesia.
(Sumber Gambar: David E. Benjamin)
Laiknya dosis atau takaran dalam mengonsumsi obat, kaum remaja mestilah kritis dalam menerima informasi yang berkembang, terutama di era new media di mana akses terhadap informasi tidak lagi mengenal batas. Penerimaan informasi yang di luar batas hanya akan berakibat pada terjadinya 'overdosis' informasi; menimbulkan kebingungan dalam mengambil sikap dan keputusan politik. Oleh karena itulah, perlu ditekankan bahwa tanpa idealisme serta kematangan dalam memahami fenomena yang terjadi, kaum remaja dapat dengan mudah disulap menjadi boneka politik yang sarat kepentingan bagi pihak-pihak yang kepentingannya selalu sarat akan muatan-muatan politis.■
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—— (2011) Persentase Penduduk Berumur 10 Tahun ke Atas menurut Provinsi, Jenis Kelamin, dan Status Perkawinan 2009—2011. Badan Pusat Statistik [Diakses 26 Maret 2013].
Irianto, Agus Maladi (2011) Media dan Realitas. Universitas Diponegoro [Diakses 26 Maret 2013].
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