Two Cuban films: sweet and bittersweet
“Silly Age” is a sweet nostalgic look at 1958 Havana and a family coping with the pending revolutionary changes within their family and society as a whole. The “silly age” referred to is pre-adolescence and follows the coming-of-age of a precocious 10-year-old named Samuel.
WORLD NOTES
South Africa: UN studies state’s role in food security Afghanistan: More U.S. troops, deaths Portugal: Abortion ban on the way out? Paraguay: Popular ferment increasing
Cubas Internet access cramped by U.S. blockade
The U.S. blockade’s effect on Cuba’s access to the Internet was a topic earlier this month as some 1,650 participants from 58 countries participated in Cuba’s 12th Information Technology Fair, held in Havana, Feb. 12-16.
Inequality, poverty threaten democracy, group says
HOUSTON — There’s a new coalition in town. Convened to discuss the devastating impact of President Bush’s budget proposals, the city’s progressive, religious, labor and civil rights organizations and elected officials announced the formation of “Coalition of Working People and the Poor” on Feb. 16.
Latinos lead fight for union at Tyson
The high injury rate at U.S. meatpacking plants is emerging as a big issue in the struggle to unionize that industry. The drive, among a largely Latino immigrant workforce, seeks to reverse the 25-year downward trend in unionization of the meatpacking industry which has been swallowed by monopolies intent on exploiting immigrant labor.
WHATS REALLY GOOD
Last dance for controversial mascot Hardaway gets rejected for trash talking
Texans pushed to accept pollution
Texas utility companies, backed by the governor, want to install 18 more coal-burning plants in Texas. Dr. Robert Gluck, a physician who is also mayor of Arlington, wrote, 'Air pollution is making Texas families sick. More dirty coal plants will mean more asthma, lung disease and premature deaths.'
Texas mayor grapples with racism
HOUSTON — The mayor of Brazoria, a tiny town on the Gulf Coast of Texas, tried to lead the way for the nation in prohibiting the use of the “n-word,” the racist slur directed at African Americans.
Sudan doc rocks reel to real world
In a world with a lot of confusion, the film “God Grew Tired of Us” helps bring our dispirited lives into focus.
A compelling auto industry whodunit: Who Killed the Electric Car?
Mounting air pollution and global warming should have spurred a resurgence of electric-powered vehicles but that hasn’t been the case. Chris Paine’s fascinating documentary “Who Killed the Electric Car?” narrated by actor Martin Sheen shows how big business and the Bush administration have undermined the re-emergence of the electric car
