mig007blog

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2007-12-30T01:08:00.001+02:00

* Few Sunday Jokes *

2007-12-30T01:01:00.000+02:00

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HAPPY HOLYDAYS !

2007-12-29T00:27:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-29T00:26:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-29T00:25:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-29T00:09:00.001+02:00

EDITORIAL

2007, the year of Traian Basescu – Ion Spanu – Ziua – read here -
“If we review this year's political events, we can conclude that 2007 was the year of Traian Basescu. The President succeeding in something unbelievable: cause the most numerous and the most spectacular press news”.

POLITICS

Unions ask President Basescu not to promote 2008 budget law – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The leaders of 4 union confederations - Cartel Alpha, the National Union Association, the National Confederation of Free Unions in Romania and the Brotherhood and Confederation of Democratic Unions in Romania - asked the President not to promulgate the law on next year's budget because of lacking the unionists' amendments. The President promised to arrange them a meeting with the government's representatives in January 3 so that they would agree on a solution“.

LATEST

Italy doesn't drop means to expel Romanians – D.E. – Ziua – read here -
“The Italian government passed yesterday a new decree on the expulsion of community citizens for public security reasons and therefore for the sake of preventing terrorism. The decree replaces the measure adopted in November 1 as response to the assassination of Giovanna Reggiani, allegedly a victim of a Romanian-origin immigrant”.

* Happy Holidays ! *

2007-12-28T01:54:00.004+02:00

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2007-12-28T01:52:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-28T01:50:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-28T01:39:00.000+02:00

POLITICS

President Basescu sacks DNA official – D.E.I. – Ziua – read here -
“The President of Romania Traian Basescu signed a decree yesterday to sack Camelia Sutiman, a deputy chief of the Department to Counter Corruption in the DNA (National Anti-Corruption Department)“.

It is more difficult in the EU – Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“More than a half of Romanians think that 2007, the year when Romania joined the EU, was more difficult than 2006. 17% claim the opposite and 17,1% can feel no significant difference in terms of daily life satisfaction in 2007, as compared to 2006”.

ATLE: PSD is first – Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“The fact that the newly made PD-L (Democrat-Liberal Party) lacks notoriety is an advantage to the party headed by Mircea Geoana. According to the opinion poll released yesterday by the ATLE, the PSD (Social-Democrat Party) tops the Romanian electorate's preferences. According to the outcome, the president of the PSD is rated as one of the best politicians in 2007 and many of Romanians questioned opine he will be a PM in 2008”.

* Season Greetings *

2007-12-27T00:46:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-27T00:45:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-27T00:44:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-27T00:29:00.001+02:00

EDITORIAL

Do we want Greater Romania back ? – Cristian Unteanu – Ziua – read here -
“Do they fancy this could be the final consequence of Traian Basescu's intention to denounce the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact in the Romanian Parliament ? If so, which are the possible practical effects of it ?”.

POLITICS

President Basescu avoids appointing Norica Nicolai a minister – D. I. – Ziua – read here -
“Romanian Liberals have confirmed that the President of Romania Traian Basescu wishes to postpone signing the decree to appoint Liberal Norica Nicolai a Justice minister until the new officials of the CSM (Superior Council of Magistracy) are appointed. The head of state fears that the Liberal senator may ruin his deals on the CSM president“.

New Year Message from His Majesty King Mihai – D. I. – Ziua – read here -
“In his New Year message His Majesty King Mihai outlines the need for "consolidated institutions heading the future" in Romania. His Majesty advises politicians to "serve institutions instead of making use of them", although the conclusion is optimistic: "After one year in the European Union, we can say that democracy and liberties have got their own places in Romanian society". He adds that despite things to catch up with in health and education and also in the lives of the elderly Romanians, economy has been developing and separating from the past, just as politics has acquired more dymanism and Romania has now got its representatives to the Parliament of Europe”.

LATEST

Romanians top eBay criminals top – M. B. – Ziua – read here -
“Romania is the main source for online fraud that prevents the US eBay, a virtual bidding site, from working normally. The company has assigned a team of experts to come to Romania and settle the problem in collaboration with local authorities, according to Los Angeles Times”.

Merry X-mas !

2007-12-26T00:20:00.000+02:00

Saint Stephen

2007-12-26T00:01:00.000+02:00

Saint Stephen

Jesus had twelve apostles. An apostle is someone with a special mission, who is sent out to do a special job. Jesus chose His apostles to build His Church. The apostles lived with Jesus, learned from Him and traveled with Him around the countryside as He went from town to town teaching about His Father.

Jesus also had many disciples, people who came to learn from Jesus. The Bible tells us there were 72 disciples.

After Jesus ascended into Heaven, the apostles began to preach to the people themselves, and to start the Catholic church. There was a lot of work to do. People came to them with gifts, others came asking for healing, or food. Soon, the apostles were so busy organizing the people that they had no time to teach them anymore.

So, they asked the disciples to choose seven men to take care of the poor and the organizing. These seven men were the first deacons of the church. The apostles ordained them as deacons by praying and placing their hands on the heads of the deacons.

Saint Stephen was one of the first seven deacons. He began to serve the poor and preach to the people about Jesus. More and more people joined the Christians. The high priests of the temple were jealous of Saint Stephen's successes, and accused him of blasphemy, which means telling lies about God.

They took him in front of a judge, just like they did to Jesus. At the trial, Saint Stephen kept on teaching about Jesus. He told the judges that they were hard-hearted murderers of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When the crowd heard this, everyone became so angry that they stopped the trial, dragged Saint Stephen outside and threw rocks at him.

Saint Stephen forgave the people who were stoning him, and asked God not to punish the people. Then he said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." and died. Saint Stephen was the first Christian martyr, the first person to die because he loved Jesus so much that he wouldn't stop talking about Him.

You could read more about Saint Stephen – here -

I want to wish to All those are named Stephen or one of his derived names my warm and honest, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

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Merry Christmas !

2007-12-25T00:55:00.000+02:00

Christmas & Santa Claus

2007-12-25T00:39:00.000+02:00

Christmas & Santa Claus

Santa Claus as we know him today first emerged when the Dutch settlers came to Manhattan on Christmas day 1624. In Holland, Sinterklaas (Santa Claus) wore a red robe while riding a white horse, and cared a bag of gifts to fill the children's stockings. Christmas Carnivals is here with Santa Claus origin.

The history of Santa Claus explores the past history of the world’s jolliest person. His task is to distribute gifts among Children on the Eve of Christmas. Some are of the belief that he is modeled after an actual Saint while others believe him to be an amalgamation of worldwide traditions. Santa Claus.

Assuming Santa Claus as a counterfeit to Jesus, our Savior might seem weird to many.
Very few of us have lent this a careful thought. Some are of the opinion that, Santa Claus was deliberately posed as a counterfeit to Jesus to malign him and lessen his influence or may be to erase his memories from the minds of posterity.

It is a well-devised plan, a conspiracy to relegate Jesus to the background. It is often presumed that, too many traits of Jesus matches with that of Santa. This can in no way be an accident. Some have gone to the extent of allying Santa with Satan cause Jesus’ end time prophecies went like this: - the hearts of the people would have become extremely cold to Him. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold".

It has been alleged by many that, Santa symbolizes material pleasures. Children are told by their parents to remain good all year round in lieu of the material benefits, which they would be entitled to at the year-end. The eternal Savior nowhere features in the hot favorite list. Are we obsessed with Santa merely for the gifts he delivers at the year-end ? Every thing said and done, it would probably be a gross mistake on our parts to compare a fable or a legend with Jesus, our God. They have their respective domains to rule over. Many of us forget the simple facts that, true! We look forward to Christmas cause Santa would be there, but we would not have had a Christmas without Jesus either.

The favorite children’s icon Santa Claus has emerged after passing through various stages of history. There have been several opinions about the origin of this very dear friend, but can you guess how did we come to know how he looks.

The image of Santa as a jolly and friendly old man, with a small stature but a big heart, emerged through the writings and paintings of the artists during the 1800s. Clement Moore was the first to describe our Father Christmas as the chubby old man, with rosy cheeks, wearing a furry overcoat and hat. Robert Weir, the art teacher, was the first to paint the portrait of Santa Claus in 1837. He made Santa wear a short suit and a stocking hat as he puffs at his long clay pipe. Finally it was in 1863, that we get to see Santa more as a real person through the pictures drawn by Thomas Nast. Through his pictures of Santa’s world, for the first time we got a glimpse of the old man’s magical world. It portrayed him as making toys in his workshop in the North Pole, reading letters from children and making lists of the children for whom he has to take gifts this Christmas. In December 1867, the Godey’s magazine had imprinted a portrait of an old bearded man wearing a long suit. He had a staff in one hand, while with the other hand; he was shown to be holding a doll. However, it was in 1931, that Haddon Sundblom gave the final picture of the stout man with ruddy complexion.

So now you know all about the appearance of the portly bearded man through the various Santa Claus pictures as it has evolved over the years.

For more details on Jesus VS Santa log on to the site – here -

To All visitors of this blog, especially with the occasion of the feast of Christmas, I want to address an warm and honest, MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

My Christmas Present…

2007-12-25T00:12:00.000+02:00

With the occasion of Christmas 2007 Feast I want offer to All visitors of this blog, as a Present from me, a Collection of Traditional English X-Mas Songs interpreted by various artists.

1. Jingle – click here -

2. Jingle bells – click here -

3. Merry little Christmas – click here -

4. Noel – click here -

5. Rudolf – click here -

6. Santa Claus is coming to town – click here -

7. Silent night – click here -

8. We wish you a Merry Christmas – click here -

9. White Christmas – click here -

10. Joy to the world – click here -

11. BONEY M. - When A Child Is Born – click here -

12. Oh Christmas Tree – click here -

13. BRYAN ADAMS - Xmas Time – click here -

14. BONEY M. - Jingle Bells – click here -

15. BRENDA LEE - Rockin Around The Xmas Tree – click here -

16. MAHALIA JACKSON - Silent Night – click here -

17. DOLLY PARTON & KENNY ROGERS – Happy Home With Bells On – click here -

18. BONEY M. - Marys Boy Child – click here -

19. GEORGE MICHAEL - Last Christmas – click here -

20. SHAKIN STEVENS - Merry Xmas – click here -

21. ROSE MARY LLONEY - Jingle Bells – click here -

22. Instrumental - The Christmas Song – click here -

23. BONEY M. - The Christmas – click here -

24. BONEY M. - Feliz Navidad– click here -

NOTE: All those songs aren’t published on this blog for commercial purposes, but to made known our traditions, those of the romanians, to All My blog visitors from Romania and foreing ones. I hope that owners of the copyright for those songs will agree and accept to be posted here only for the time of X-mas Holidays. As result I want to Thank them in advance !

To All visitors of this blog I wish to address, with the occasion of Holly Christmas Feast, an warm and honest: MERRY CHRISTMAS ! and an Happy Christmas Time !!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

2007-12-24T02:58:00.001+02:00

Christmas Eve

2007-12-24T02:42:00.000+02:00

Christmas Eve

All over the World Christmas is celebrated on 25th December in the commemoration of Lord Jesus Christ. A day before Christmas i.e. on 24th December is celebrated the Christmas Eve. This evening has a special significance for Christian people and some people of other religions too all across the globe. Christmas Eve is a time of celebration and merriment. There are many preparations that one has to do before the onset of this gala evening. Decorations, cleaning, food preparations and other types of things need to done before the arrival of the Christmas Eve.
Many people throw parties at their places on the Christmas Eve. These parties are a way to share happiness, joy and delight with people who are close to heart.
These parties are a great way to make oneself refreshed and get respite from the mundane tasks and monotonous daily routines. In the present time, lives of people have become so hectic that sometimes people find ways to get a break from the boring schedules; Christmas holidays are the perfect way to enjoy and forget about the daily tensions.
Are you also planning a party on the Christmas Eve ? If yes then you need to get started with the preparations as soon as possible. Much before the “The Day”, you must be ready with all the ideas for the party. As far as the preparation are concerned, there is a lot to be done for making your Christmas Eve party truly awesome.
Before the much-awaited evening, houses should be thoroughly cleaned, furniture should be properly varnished, outdoors and indoors should be completely lighted and other preparations like this should be done. For people who are planning to organize parties at their houses on the Christmas Eve have much more to do. What makes the Christmas Eve all the more enticing is the decorations that are done to create a festive environment. Besides the decorations, there are many other customs and traditions that make this festival truly special for the people all over the globe.
Christmas Eve has its own charm and charisma that it engulfs most of the people all over the world. Not just houses and shops, churches are also beautifully decorated on the Christmas Eve. Apart from the decorations, some churches also arrange Christmas Carol services.
You could read more about Christmas Eve – here -

To All those who will visit my blog in these days I want to wishing an warm and honest, MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

My Christmas Eve Present…

2007-12-24T02:05:00.000+02:00

With the occasion of Christmas 2007 Feast I want offer to All visitors of this blog, as a Present from Me, a Collection of Romanian-Traditional-folk X-Mas Songs interpreted by one of the most appreciated romanian artist/singer of the genre, STEFAN HRUSCA.

1. Do You accept the Christmas Carol – click here -

2. Wake Up Hosts – click here -

3. What Have You Seen Shepherds – click here -

4. We Wishing, God Christmas Carol – click here -

5. At the Gate of Tzarigrad – click here -

6. Let Us In Into the House, Hostess – click here -

7. Three Magi – click here -

8. When Iisus Was a Little Child – click here -

9. Christians, Today We... – click here -

10. Hollyiest Christmas Evening – click here -

11. Three Shepherds – click here -

12. Between Those Yards – click here -

13. Viflaime, Viflaime (untraductible !) – click here -

14. The Big Holiday is Coming – click here -

15. A Wish – click here -

16. The Heaven and The Earth – click here -

17. Yesterday on Evening Time – click here -

18. Good Think Are U Thinkin’ – click here -

19. Up On the Top of the Mountains – click here -

20. Needle Leaf, Needle Leaf – click here -

21. Apple Flowers – click here -

22. Open the Door, Christian ! – click here -

23. Who Lives in This House – click here -

24. Open the Doors, Nanny – click here -

25. Apple Loranth – click here -

26. Spring Springer – click here -

27. Zaurel de zaurel (untraductible !) – click here -

28. At the break of the Day – click here -

29. Green Vine Leaf, Ivy – click here -

30. Happyiest, Happy – click here -

31. Younger Youngest – click here -

Stefan Hrusca

Stefan Hrusca is a romanian folk singer, who was begin being known to the romanian public especially by the Traditional-folk X-mas Songs interpreted along the times. He was debuted as artist in 1981 at Cenaclul Flacara [A cultural fenomenon started in early ‘70s and the first part of ‘80s, conducted by the poet Adrian Paunescu. The spectacles of this Cenacle was organised, at first, in the location of the Ion Creanga Theater in Bucarest, later being organised a series of tours across the entire country. Between those who was involved in this kind of events was: Mircea Vintila, Doru Stanculescu, Dan Andrei Aldea, Adrian Ivanitchi, Dan Chebac, Valeriu Sterian, Evandro Rosetti, Florian Pittis, Anda Calugareanu, Tatiana Stepa, Vasile Seicaru, Stefan Hrusca]. From 1973 (for the first time) since 1985 (the last time) was organised a total of 1,615 spectacles of music and poetry. Those spectacles was stopped, in 1985, under the official motivation of being dangerous for the public order and security of the participants, [as result of an tragical incident happened on the "Petrolul" Stadium in Ploiesti when, during the spectacle, an number of participants was killed after the crash of a tribune of the Stadium]. Since 1984 Stefan Hrusca was participate, as main artist, to over 1,000 spetacles of the Cenacle. Since the 1991 he was established as immigrant in Toronto, Canada.

Discography

· Pray for Parents (1984)
· Wish for the Lovers (1986)
· Wishes I (1990)
· At the End of the World (1993)
· Ziurel de ziurel (1995)
· Foreign Loves (1995)
· Hollyiest Christmas Evening (2001)
· 20 Years (2001)
· Christmas with Hrusca (2001)
· Again White Flowers (2005)
· Special ballads (2007)

NOTE: All those songs aren’t published here on this blog for commercial purposes, but to made known our traditions, those of the romanians, to All My blog visitors from Romania or foreign ones. I hope that owners of the copyright for those songs will agree and accept to be posted here only for the time of X-mas Holidays. As result I want to Thank them in advance !

I wish address to All visitors of My blog, with the occasion of Christmas Eve Feast, an warm and honest: MERRY CHRISTMAS ! and a Happy Christmas Eve !!!

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2007-12-23T00:11:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-23T00:10:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-23T00:08:00.000+02:00

* Sunday Fun *

2007-12-23T00:01:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-22T12:32:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-22T12:31:00.001+02:00

* Saturday Fun *

2007-12-22T12:22:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-21T20:57:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-21T20:55:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-21T20:39:00.000+02:00

Girly glitter comments from www.GirlyTags.com

Today We have not Headlines ! Because all what happens with our media is stupid and boring... Romanian newspapers are full of speculations, manipulatory intentions, diversions and politically partisanship ! So I decided to fake em off today.

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2007-12-20T03:34:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-20T03:33:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-20T03:32:00.000+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-20T03:08:00.000+02:00

POLITICS

Romanian PM would like minister Orban to resign – Adrian Ilie, Cristian Andrei & R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“The Romanian PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu suggested to minister Ludovic Orban last Tuesday that he should resign, governmental sources claim. The latter explain the PM talked to Romania's interior minister Cristian David to learn if the latter official was involved in or knew about the car crash caused by the Liberal transport minister. After yesterday's meeting of government members the Romanian PM made no official statement about minister Orban's situation“.

Moldovan President complains about Romania in Brussels – George Damian – Ziua – read here -
“Some time ago Moldovan authorities prevented official delegations from Romania from reaching Chishinau and yesterday the Communists ruling the latter capital city denied the access of four Romanian journalists to the press conference held by the Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin. Once again did he accuse Romania of refusing to admit the independence and sovereignity of the Moldovan Republic, mentioning he fetched to Brussels a case on the relations between the two states”.

Chishinau's aggresiveness doesn't change Romania's approach – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“The President of Romania Traian Basescu said last Tuesday that he found it hard to understand the attitude of the Communist Party in Chishinau, but he added that the aggressiveness of the Moldovan President, PM and foreign minister wouldn't change Romania's approach to the Moldovan Republic”.

Prodi withdraws anti-Romanian decree – Luminita Pop – Ziua – read here -
“The Prodi Cabinet in Italy provided the official confirmation of the decision to withdraw the decree allowing from the expulsion of community citizens from the Italian territory. Vannino Chiti, the Italian minister for relations with the Parliament, announced it yesterday, adding a new decree was to be expected”.

Smaranda Enache: Basescu is a racist and a sexist – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“Smaranda Enache, a leader of the Pro Europe League, commented yesterday that the President of Romania Traian Basescu proved to have "a disturbing conduct" for European democracy. The Pro Europe League official meant the Romanian President's statements about some journalists, as well as his very aggressive offense of Cristian Parvulescu, a leader of the Pro Democracy Association, and his family”.

LATEST

Cobra's confederacy – D.M.C. – Ziua – read here -
“The scenario on the events of the 1989 Revolution was included in the book titled "Political Power and Social System", authored by Virgil Magureanu, Ion Iliescu, Ioan Mircea Pascu, Vasile Secares and Mihai Draganescu.
Virgil Magureanu, nicknamed the Cobra, recommended to poet Liviu Ioan Stoiciu that he should read this book and not hurry with protests against dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. In October 1989, Liviu Ioan Stoiciu signed together with Dan Petrescu and Doina Cornea the Appeal against the Reelection of Ceausescu in the 14th Congress”.

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2007-12-19T02:49:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-19T02:45:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-19T02:43:00.000+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-19T02:15:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Your Majesty, do you want monarchy or not ? – Cristian Badilita – Ziua – read here -
“It is 2007 and we are wondering pensively: Where is your people, Your Majesty ? And even more pensively: Where is your King, Romanian people ? In case you don't or you do know, in case you remember or you don't want to remember, you have had a King for more than 65 years, a King who intertwined your destiny with Europe's true history several times. It is a King whose ancestor brought you to the civilized world, bestowed independence and even more, dignity, onto you. It is a King whose grandfather made you a whole and whose father elevated your culture, despite all his flaws”.

POLITICS

Budget passing costs 700 million Euro – R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“Radu Berceanu, a senator representing the PD (Democrat Party), accused yesterday that the PNL (National Liberal Party) paid the PSD (Social-Democrat Party) to pass the 2008 budget project: "2,4 billion ROL is the price he PNL paid to the PSD so that the latter would support the state budget for 2008 in the Parliament". He claimed this was why the PDL (Democrat Liberal Party) wouldn't vote for the budget. According to the senator, the PRM ("Greater Romania" Party) and the PC (Conservative Party) too got extra funds for one district each“.

Euro-businessmen – Marian Ghiteanu – Ziua – read here -
“Many of the MEPs to represent Romania in Strasbourg have got very profitable business at home. If the business develops at European level by finding opportunities or new partners, the MEPs from Romania stand a chance to improve personal profit, apart from the considerable wages they will cash as MEPs”.

ZIUA ruins secret business of CSAT – Doru Dragomir – Ziua – read here -
“The ZIUA report titled "Romania's business of the century" published last Tuesday prevented for the time being the making of a secret decision on the new kind of aircraft to be purchased for the Romanian military. In yesterday's meeting of the CSAT (Supreme Council of National Defense), the President of Romania Traian Basescu and PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu didn't agree on the means to purchase the new multirole plane to replace the old Soviet MiG-21”.

LATEST

Golden curbs – Mihnea Talau – Ziua – read here -
“ "I am giving you work and you don't buy from me ?" the mayor reportedly told the city authorities trying to obey the law. The administrator of a company part in the asphalting operation confirmed that he had actually been forced into buying granite curbs imported from China by the Titan Mar. The acquisition was done with no selection of offers, in spite of Ordinance 34/ 2006. Moreover, mayor Videanu sold the curbs for 149 RON per meter, although the current price used by his market opponents was 129 RON”.

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2007-12-18T04:56:00.001+02:00

Tuesday Comments at iLLpic.com

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2007-12-18T04:52:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-18T04:51:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-18T04:33:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Showing off by the Christmas tree – Cristian Unteanu – Ziua – read here -
“The recent episode in Brussels when Romania's representatives showed off for the first time in order to express objections to Kosovo's possible independence raises one question: Who listened to us ?”.

POLITICS

PM proposes Norica Nicolai should be appointed Justice minister – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“The Romanian PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu proposed yesterday that senator Norica Nicolai, a vice president of the PNL (National Liberal Party), should be appointed a Justice minister. The Liberals agreed to the PM's proposal. PNL sources say the only one who voted against it was Dan Radu Rusanu, also a vice president of the PNL“.

Ioan Rus resigns as head of PSD group in Cluj – Cristian Andrei – Ziua – read here -
“The split between the PSD group in Cluj and the PSD president Mircea Geoana is growing more and more obvious after the resignation of Ioan Rus. The insisting reproaches for the group in Cluj, regarding a rather poor score in the Euro-elections, turned Ioan Rus into a target. And he chose resignation in order to stop being the target of criticism from all sides. It is an occult resignation lacking real reasons. After all, he fears the local elections, for polls show the PSD can't reach higher than 9% in the region”.

Foreign minister is for national minorities' self-determination – D.E. – Ziua – read here -
“Those members of the parliamentary committees for foreign affairs who talked to Romania's foreign minister Adrian Cioroianu yesterday say the latter official is for the national minorities' collective rights”.

LATEST

Romania's business of the century – Doru Dragomir – Ziua – read here -
“In today's meeting of the CSAT (Supreme Council for National Defence) a decision will be made on Romania's greatest business. The CSAT is to decide on the means to purchase the new multirole aircraft for the Romanian military. As it is about a strategic programme, the CSAT members will decide whether to buy the 48 aircrafts by international bidding or by direct negotiations. It is to be mentioned that this is the greatest military equipment contract in Romania's history”.

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2007-12-17T02:13:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-17T02:09:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-17T02:07:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-17T01:43:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Strategic project and pragmatic action – Roxana Iordache – Ziua – read here -
“Since December 2004, Romania's international policy has been chaotic, lay, and contradictory. It has also been lacking in initiative and hesitatingly reactive. That is the reason why we've come to be treated as a second hand people and a no brand country”.

POLITICS

Stolojan and Boc stood godfathers for PDL – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The Democrat Liberal Party (PDL) was officially set up last Saturday, when the PD (Democrat Party) and PLD (Liberal Democrat Party) Congresses voted for the change of the PD name into the Democrat Liberal Party and the PLD absorption into the new party. The organizers took great care in not having unpleasant surprises, so that almost nobody growled. That's how the PD members voted the merging protocol even though many of them didn't get to read it“.

Electorate, cautious over PDL – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“PD (Democrat Party) and PLD (Liberal Democrat Party) might have got, separately, 46% of the votes expressed at the next election, according to the latest INSOMAR poll, carried during 6-10 December 2007. However, the potential electorate of PD and PLD are rather cautious over the new PDL (Democrat Liberal Party). Ten per cent out of them explicitly reject the fusion, and 40% still haven't made a clear opinion in this respect”.

PIN has enlarged its central leadership – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“Deputy Cozmin Gusa was reelected the president of PIN (National Initiative Party) last Saturday, within the Extraordinary National Assembly of his political party, with 252 votes "for", 4 votes "against" and 2 abstentions. At the same time, Deputy Lavinia Sandru was elected the vice-president of the party, for a new mandate. The leadership structure of the party was enlarged, as now ten young politicians manage it from the top”.

LATEST

CSAT meeting on relations with the Republic of Moldova – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“Supreme National Defence Council (CSAT) shall meet on Tuesday, 15.00 hrs, to analyze, among others, the situation emerged after the authorities in Chishinau had expelled two Romanian diplomats, says a Mediafax release that quotes official sources. President Basescu has already discussed the case with PM Tariceanu and with the Foreign Affairs minister, Adrian Cioroianu”.

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2007-12-16T01:01:00.000+02:00

Top 10 Scandals of the Year 2007

2007-12-16T00:38:00.000+02:00

#1. Firings Fallout
- It's true that federal appointees serve at the pleasure of the President. But the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys, seven in December 2006, prompted a Congressional investigation and helped lead to the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Critics contend some of the attorneys — six of whom had recently received outstanding job-performance ratings — were fired as retribution for prosecuting Republicans or for failing to prosecute Democrats. In July, President Bush invoked executive privilege and declared that Karl Rove and other aides would not testify on the matter if subpoenaed by Congress. It remains unclear who ordered the firings or why.

#2. Star Athlete Dogged by Animal Cruelty
- Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who was the NFL's first draft pick in 2001, was suspended indefinitely from the league in August after he admitted to funding a dogfighting ring on his property and to being complicit in the killing of at least six dogs using such methods as hanging and drowning. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell freed the Falcons to recover $22 million of Vick's signing bonus, but has yet to decide whether to reinstate him after his incarceration ends. "I'm totally responsible", Vick said at a press conference. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing". On Dec. 10, he was sentenced to 23 months in jail.

#3. Shock Jock Cold-Cocked
- Don Imus is no stranger to racist and sexist humor, but he crossed the line in April when he called Rutgers' mostly black women's basketball team "nappy headed hos". Although he initially dismissed the incident as "some idiot comment meant to be amusing", he soon apologized publicly amid mounting criticism and even met privately with the Rutgers team. But as several advertisers pulled out of deals with his CBS radio show and its MSNBC simulcast, both networks fired him. Imus settled his $40 million wrongful termination suit against CBS in August and in December returned to the air on ABC.

#4. Have TB, Will Travel
- Atlanta attorney Andrew Speaker flew to Europe two days after being diagnosed with drug-resistant tuberculosis. While in Italy, the CDC informed the honeymooner — whose father-in-law is a TB expert at the agency — that he had an extensively drug-resistant strain of the disease and that his name was being placed on a no-fly list. Speaker somehow managed to fly from Prague to Montreal and drive to New York City, where he was placed under federal isolation. A border-patrol agent was fired for failing to detain the newlywed, who was later found to have a more treatable strain of TB than the CDC had believed.

#5. Who's the Daddy ?
- After Anna Nicole Smith — the heavy-set model perhaps best known for marrying a billionaire octogenarian — died in February of an accidental overdose, speculation intensified over who had fathered her baby daughter, Dannielynn, who stands to inherit big bucks if Smith's estate wins a decade-long battle over her late husband's fortune. Although her attorney, Howard K. Stern, was listed as the dad on the birth certificate, several men claimed to be the father. But in April, after a media frenzy that included a judge weeping in court, DNA evidence confirmed that Smith's ex-boyfriend Larry Birkhead had sired the wee lass. Said the proud papa: "I told you so".

#6. The NBA's Dirty Ref
- Blame it on his gambling addiction. Veteran NBA referee Tim Donaghy resigned in July just before word spread that the FBI was investigating him for betting on games — including some he officiated — during the past four years. In August, Donaghy admitted that since December 2006, he had been paid by gambling associates for correctly predicting which team would win a particular game. He also passed along such insider tips as which players were injured. NBA commissioner David Stern called the Donaghy affair "the worst situation" he had experienced in 40 years with the league. Donaghy pleaded guilty and could face up to 25 years in prison.

#7. NASA Love Triangle
- It was definitely the diapers. When Lisa Nowak was arrested in Orlando in February and accused of trying to kidnap a fellow astronaut's girlfriend, police found a steel mallet, knife, latex gloves and rubber tubing in her car, but what vaulted her into the upper stratosphere of infamy was the diapers she reportedly told police she used to reduce the number of pit stops on her 900-mile drive from Houston. (She now denies wearing the diapers). Nowak, who pleaded not guilty, was dismissed from the astronaut corps as was her former paramour. Her trial is ongoing.

#8. A Legacy of Steroids
- For years Marion Jones denied taking performance-enhancing drugs and even went so far as to sue an accuser for defamation. But in October, the track superstar admitted she had lied about her steroid use to federal investigators, the same ones who a month later brought perjury charges against baseball's career home-run leader Barry Bonds. "I have betrayed your trust", Jones said at a press conference. "I have let my country down". She returned the five medals she won in Sydney to the International Olympic Committee, which nullified her results and asked her relay team members to return their medals as well.

#9. Dog in the Doghouse
- A&E halted production of its hit reality show, Dog the Bounty Hunter, after star Duane "Dog" Chapman was caught repeatedly using a racial slur. According to Chapman's lawyer, Chapman's son sold The National Enquirer a recording of his father telling him to break up with his African-American girlfriend. "It's not because she's black", Chapman had said. "It's because we use the word 'n-----' sometimes here, and I'm not going to take a chance ever in life of losing everything ... because some f------ n----- heard us use the word 'n-----' and turned us in to the Enquirer". Oh, the irony !

#10. High School Nudity
- Disney's High School Musical is a mega-hit among tweens and teens, so its star Vanessa Hudgens was in a bit of a pickle when a nude photo of her hit the Internet in September. In a statement, Hudgens said she felt "embarrassed over the situation" and that she "regrets having ever taken these photos". A Disney Channel spokesperson responded, in a separate statement, by saying, "We hope she's learned a valuable lesson". Despite speculation that the then-18-year-old singer would be dropped from future installments of the High School Musical movies, in November Hudgens said, "we're all on board" for High School Musical 3.

Zangy Comment Graphics
[mig007]

Zangy Comment Graphics

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2007-12-15T02:24:00.000+02:00

Top 10 Quotes of the Year 2007

2007-12-15T01:58:00.000+02:00

#1. "I really am not the kind of guy that sits here and says, 'Oh gosh, I'm worried about my legacy'."
— President GEORGE W. BUSH, when asked about his falling approval numbers and mounting criticism of the Iraq War during an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes (Jan. 14, 2007)

#2. "In Iran, we don't have homosexuals, like in your country".
— MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD, president of Iran, responding to a question about the treatment of gays and lesbians in Iran during a visit to Columbia University in New York City (Sept. 24, 2007)

#3. "This record is not tainted at all. At all. Period".
— San Francisco Giants slugger BARRY BONDS, after breaking Hank Aaron's Major League Baseball all-time home-run record with his 756th career homer amid rampant speculation that he has used steroids. Bonds has always denied that he ever "knowingly" used performance-enhancing substances, but he was indicted in November for allegedly lying to a federal grand jury about using them (Aug. 7, 2007)

#4. "If you didn't like Darfur, you're going to hate Baghdad".
— Gen. DAVID H. PETRAEUS, warning of the consequences of an early troop withdrawal from Iraq (Aug. 14, 2007)

#5. "This is it. This is where it all ends. End of the road. What a life it was. Some life".
— Virginia Tech gunman CHO SEUNG-HUI, in a chilling video he made and sent to NBC News before killing 32 people and committing suicide in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history (Apr. 16, 2007)

#6. "I don't think they're piling on because I'm a woman. I think they're piling on because I'm winning".
— HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, on intensifying criticism by rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination (Nov. 2, 2007)

#7. "The planet is in distress and all of the attention is on Paris Hilton. We have to ask ourselves what is going on here ?"
— AL GORE, in an interview with the British paper The Sun, before adding that he believes in 10 years it will be too late to save the planet (June 18, 2007)

#8. "I spent the better part of the past three months enduring criticism that is normally leveled at some kind of genocidal tyrant".
— RUPERT MURDOCH, News Corp. owner, on the outcry over his purchase of the Wall Street Journal (Aug. 8, 2007)

#9. "Hello, Condoleezza Rice ? You have me to deal with now".
— A MASKED HAMAS GUNMAN, joking into the telephone of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas after taking control of his government compound (June 15, 2007)

#10. "Why don't you just shut up ?"
— KING JUAN CARLOS, of Spain, to Hugo Chávez at a summit in Chile after the Venezuelan President called former Spanish Prime Minister José María Aznar a fascist (Nov. 10, 2007)

[mig007]

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2007-12-14T05:55:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-14T05:53:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-14T05:51:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-14T05:33:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Iuppiter Tonans – Zoe Petre – Ziua – read here -
“I am trying to understand why I am so furious at Mr. Basescu's attack against Mr. Cristian Parvulescu and his family. It is not the first of the kind: Mr. President has often insinuated something fishy about the relatives or friends of his enemies, some complicity he feels tempted to denounce. Part of the same cheap telenovela repertoire is the story with "I trusted him/her, but he/she disappointed me", which we have often heard in relation to Mr. President's terms with the prime minister or with his advisers whom he sacked. I am keeping under control my eagerness to see it truly face the dissatisfaction of the PD (Democrat Party). But the Parvulescu episode still seems to have gone too far...”.

POLITICS

Justice minister's resignation is irrelevant to European Commission – Anca Hriban & Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“Brussels sources reckon Bucharest attention is getting away from the most important objective, that is the fight against corruption, as perceived by the EU eye. There is also the fact that not only EU officials have expressed dissatisfaction in Brussels, but also the now angry officials of member states who have emphasized the need for a fight against Romanian corruption“.

Warnings from Brussels – D.E. – Ziua – read here -
“Romania should take greater efforts to consolidate its administrative capacity, improve macro-economic stability and proceed to a significant cut on excessive bureaucracy so that a better business environment would emerge. This is part of a recent report by the European Commission cited by Rompres. Romania will also have to modernize the labor market in order to catch up and meet the EU standards”.

'Chishinau affair', intelligence challenge for Romania – D.E. – Ziua – read here -
“The expulsion of the two Romanian diplomats uncovers the flaws of Romania's intelligence services. The two Romanian diplomats now undesirable in the Moldovan Republic reached Romania yesterday afternoon, accompanied by several representatives of the Romanian Embassy in the Moldovan Republic”.

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2007-12-13T08:06:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-13T08:05:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-13T08:04:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-13T07:46:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Three years of blah, blah... – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“The conclusions on Traian Basescu's 3-year reign look bad. Not even himself could make a positive account. Did he do this, no matter how disguised did he make his presidency look like, he could only mention his failing projects, which he would blame on the others. The words that describe these 3 years of reign best are the ones in the title. Three years of blah, blah...”.

POLITICS

Constitutional Court: government's uninominal vote law is unconstitutional – Anca Hriban, Ovidiu Banches & Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The Constitutional Court announced yesterday that 3 norms in the uninominal vote law the Romanian government had taken responsibility for in the Parliament were unconstitutional. It is to be reminded that the Constitutional Court expressed view at the Romanian President's request“.

Government promises to obey current real estate prices – Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“Over 500 villas belonging to the RAAPPS (Self-governing Department for Administration of the State Heritage and Protocol) are going to be sold in the coming months. State official promise few of them are to be sold by direct negotiations. If there is no auction held, according to the controversial norms Romanian deputies passed recently, the government promises transparency instead, claiming authorities will take care that the villas should not be underpriced. Those state officials who live in such rented villas at present may not buy the houses by direct negotiations”.

LATEST

US pattern: crash and get away with it – Andrei Ghiciusca – Ziua – read here -
“A Romanian woman is now in a Bucharest hospital because the Tico she was driving got under the wheels of a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by a representative of the United States Secret Service. It happened last Monday night on Aviatorilor Avenue in central Bucharest. According to the US Embassy to Romania, the author of the car crash is a representative of the United States Secret Service for fiscal fraud and cyber criminality”.

Moldovan Republic wages diplomatic war – Victor Roncea – Ziua – read here -
“Chishinau authorities announced yesterday the opening of diplomatic war straight by expelling 2 Romanian diplomats: Vasile Nanea, a cultural councilor for the diplomatic mission, and Laurentiu Pinte, a main secretary. The information has been provided by the ZIUA sources in Chishinau. Given the international practices in force, Romania may take similar measures, which Voronin's Communist may wish”.

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2007-12-12T02:17:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-12T02:16:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-12T02:15:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-12T01:55:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

They are coming to terms – Razvan Savaliuc – Ziua – read here -
“You wouldn't believe it! Last week we were warning that the DNA (National Anti-Corruption Department) started inquiry on the fraud committed in the examination of candidates for positions in the CSM (Superior Council of Magistracy) mostly in order to get even with the CSM and prevent any future attempt to sanction the abuses and incompetence of the DNA. It is the only possible explanation to why the DNA prosecutors announced the press about bribe of 15,000 Euro, still without taking fast action to catch the suspects red-handed, retain them and later on release warrants”.

POLITICS

Mircea Geoana wants to buy RAAPPS villa – R.P. & R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“Romanian deputies decided yesterday that the renters of houses belonging to the RAAPPS (Self-governing Department for Administration of the State Heritage and Protocol) might buy the houses by direct negotiations, without needing an auction. What the deputies did was actually dismiss the Romanian President's request to revise the law in order to do away with suspicion about corruption. The majority of MPs from the PSD (Social-Democrat Party), the PNL (National Liberal Party), the PRM ("Greater Romania" Party) and the UDMR (Democrat Union of Magyars in Romania) voted for a normative document to favor those party colleagues living in RAAPPS properties“.

PNL and PSD wanted to cut on President's budget – R.P. – Ziua – read here -
“The members of the PNL (National Liberal Party) and the PSD (Social-Democrat Party) in the Parliament's budget committee tried yesterday to harm the budget for Presidency by voting for a cut of 85 million ROL for 2008”.

Troubled waters in PNL – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“Under the coordination of Ludovic Orban and Crin Antonescu, the "radical" leaders of the PNL (National Liberal Party) will be trying to push things to get senator Norica Nicolai appointed a Romanian Justice minister in the first meeting of the Liberals' Central Political Committee, PNL sources say. It is to be mentioned that neither PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu nor Bogdan Olteanu, a speaker for the Chamber of Deputies, wants the senator to take over the Ministry of Justice”.

LATEST

Berlusconi's piovra – M.G. – Ziua – read here -
“By blackmail and political pressure, the Italian group Finmeccanica, behind which there is Italy's ex PM, sneaked in several strategic activities in Romania”.

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2007-12-11T05:16:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-11T05:14:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-11T05:13:00.000+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-11T04:43:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

National disinterest – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“I don't want to sound apocalyptic. It is not my intention to make Romanians worry more now when the winter holidays is approaching. But I can neither prove irresponsible and ignore the effects of the Kosovo bomb on Romania's vital, long-term interests. A unilateral recognition of this province's independence is growing almost imminent, because of its final split from Serbia and the almost incautious consent the great powers, the European ones included, are getting ready to express, may effect dramatically on the West Balkans, on Europe and on Romania in particular. It is just like Vladimir Putin warned. I am adding another element and I don't fear it is exaggeration: a war close to our borders is a threat. Belgrade may give military response, like they warned, and they may get support from Moscow and other states. Such an evolution could turn Romania into a battlefield. In brief, we are facing a real problem of national interest - a phrase I am not using demagogically, like politicians do - in need of transparty solutions”.

POLITICS

PM wouldn't appoint Liberal Nicolai a Justice minister – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“Sources from the PNL (National Liberal Party) say the PM doesn't want the Liberal senator to head the Ministry of Justice because it would put some more gas on his war with the President of Romania Traian Basescu. Sources comment: "President Traian Basescu would surely refuse and delay his consent to such a proposal. On the other hand, senator Nicolai is a leader who has many a time disagreed with the PM, especially in matters related to the restructuring of the Cabinet" “.

European Commission wants Justice reform to progress – Cristian Andrei & Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“Mark Gray, a spokesman for the European Commission, announced yesterday that the Justice reform, but not the person heading the ministry was important to the EU. He claimed the resignation of the Romanian Justice minister Tudor Chiuariu was a domestic matter and the European Commission might not comment on it”.

Justice minister's resignation in foreign press – L.P. – Ziua – read here -
“While breaking the news yesterday, the BCC mentioned accusations of abuse against the resigning minister. Reuters reminded that ever since September the anti-corruption prosecutors in Romania had been trying to get President Basescu's consent to investigate on young Chiuariu, but their efforts had been prevented by procedure disputes between the Romanian government and Presidency. Some Brussels sources claimed that because of domestic disputes Romania was stepping back instead of making progress to fight against corruption. There is mentioned that minister Chiuariu got hostility from both public opinion and the European Commission when criticizing the activity of anti-corruption prosecutors and trying to dismiss a prosecutor. Reuters also reminded about the latest Amnesty International report rating Romania as the most corrupted EU state. France Press Agency reported on President Basescu's pressure for the Justice minister's resignation, commenting that a criminal inquiry on the official could harm the image of Romanian Justice”.

Democrats pass PD-L Status – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The leaders of the PD (Democrat Party) passed yesterday the project to achieve fusion with the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party), together with the future party's political programme and Status. The PD-L (Democrat Liberal Party) is going to be the name of the political group to be made. The actual fusion is due on Saturday and the interim heads of the PD-L are going to rule till the end of 2009”.

LATEST

Facilities to encourage Romanians in Italy to return – C.S. – Ziua – read here -
“Romanian authorities intend to provide the Romanian workers in Italy with facilities so that they would return to their native country. Authorities are also working on a set of measures to encourage Italian companies employing Romanians to invest in Romania. Ovidiu Silaghi, a Romanian minister for small and medium enterprises, announced it yesterday”.

Authorities caught red-handed – Razvan Savaliuc & Doru Dragomir – Ziua – read here -
“ "Shanghai" Restaurant on Ion Minulescu Street, Bucharest, used to be the cover for a so-called 'massage salon'. Romanian underage kept in cages by two China men would be forced into prostitution. Among the customers there would be investigators pretending not to see the crimes in exchange for the pleasures the women were forced into offering. And some of the investigators would even get bonuses of thousand Euro”.

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2007-12-10T04:25:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-10T04:24:00.000+02:00

PimpingYourSpace.com Rules!

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-10T03:49:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Romanian mess in the Parliament of Europe – Cristian Unteanu – Ziua – read here -
“The evolution of those Romanian political parties affiliated to the EPP is fascinating. They are getting ready to unify those in Brussels, now too rigid in their fuss about doctrines and European political parties! They want to prove able to get those guys caught in the present. Our messy fellows are getting ready to join the EPP this Monday in a genuine structure of absolute sweetness. This is hazy even to those who think of themselves as experts in Romanian matters”.

POLITICS

Justice minister resigns – Anca Hriban – Ziua – read here -
“Romania's Justice minister Tudor Chiuariu announced yesterday that he would resign today, describing his decision as showing "responsibility".
The names most rumored yesterday for possible people to take over the Ministry of Justice were Liberal senator Norica Nicolai and MEP Renate Weber. But senator Nicolai, who had previously expressed the wish to head Romanian Justice, was abroad yesterday. As for the MEP, she denied such a possibility“.

Vasile Puscas: Justice minister resigns because of criticism from EU – Anca Hriban – Ziua – read here -
“According to Social-Democrat deputy Vasile Puscas, the Romanian justice minister Tudor Chiuariu is resigning because of being aware of the Brussels evaluation of Romania, "critical of the way the rule of law works" ”.

Labor minister doesn't resign – Cristian Andrei – Ziua – read here -
“Romania's labor minister Paul Pacuraru informed yesterday that he had no intention to resign and take Justice minister Tudor Chiuariu for example”.

Health minister is thrifty – Gilda Popa – Ziua – read here -
“The Romanian health minister Eugen Nicolaescu has kept it hidden from Romanians that they get medical treatment in EU hospitals. The 5,5 million Euro saved up at the cost of human lives reached the pockets of the clientele in the field”.

Mircea Geoana says PSD won't take over – Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“In his interview to the BBC-Hotnews, the PSD (Social-Democrat Party) president Mircea Geoana announces that he will resign unless his party wins the 2008 elections and he claims that a pre-electoral alliance with the PNL (National Liberal Party) is out of question”.

PDL hymn composed by a Liberal – Cristian Andrei – Ziua – read here -
“The representatives of the PD (Democrat Party) and the PLD (Liberal Democrat Party) are working hard on the making of the new party, estimating that it will be officially registered next March after the two parties proceed to fusion. The PDL (Democrat Liberal Party) to emerge will be defined as a people's party to express and support Democrat, Liberal and Christian-Democrat values. Their central headquarters will continue to be the building in Aleea Modrogan, Bucharest”.

LATEST

Terrorist caught in Bucharest – A.G. – Ziua – read here -
“Last weekend Romanian authorities arrested on the "Henri Coanda" International Airport, Bucharest, a Turkish citizen searched by the Interpol for terrorism”.

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* Sunday Jokes *

2007-12-09T03:16:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-08T05:51:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-08T05:48:00.002+02:00

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2007-12-08T05:48:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-08T05:33:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Serbia, small nations' bad luck – George Damian – Ziua – read here -
“In the early 21st century, things are again hot in the Balkans, just as they were in the early 20th century. Russia is sending the military fleet to the Mediterranean, the NATO is announcing it is ready to send more troops to Kosovo. The US-EU-Russia trio for Kosovo is forwarding the report 3 days before due so that those who will get it will have time to ruminate in the weekend. Russia is getting ready to annul the effects of the Treaty on the Conventional Forces in Europe, in order to add some more troops in Transdniestria, if the case, or in any other region needed more military troops. The EU is once again divided, although facing a crucial test in the old continent's heart. Serbia is firm on the territorial integrity principle, announcing it will make use of any diplomatic means to oppose Kosovo's independence. The separatist regions in the ex Soviet Union, as well as those in old Europe, are ready to proclaim their independence taking Kosovo for an example”.

POLITICS

Complicity and blackmail – Adrian Ilie & Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“The President of Romania Traian Basescu is assailing the Tariceanu Cabinet again and he is also targeting the APD (Pro Democracy Association). Before setting out for Lisbon's EU-Africa reunion yesterday evening, he uncovered one more unconstitutional trifle in the uninominal vote law the government had taken responsibility for, concluding that the APD and the Cabinet had collaborated for cheating on Romanians“.

Some more time for ex Romanian President Ion Iliescu – Bogdan Galca & Cristian Andrei – Ziua – read here -
“The Romanian general attorney Laura Codruta Kovesi announced yesterday the decision to deny the solution that charges should be pressed against the ex Romanian President Ion Iliescu in the criminal case concerning the coal miners' attacks in 1990. The general attorney mentioned this case was strictly on the events occurred in June 13, 1990”.

PRM wants Funar dismissed – R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“Gheorghe Funar, a senator representing the PRM ("Greater Romania" Party), announced that next week there would follow initiatives meant to dismiss the President of Romania Traian Basescu, accused of high treason. The PRM is going to summon both Parliament Chambers to common session”.

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2007-12-07T06:55:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-07T06:54:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-07T06:53:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-07T06:35:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

The cheat – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“The PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party) is an artificial party established when Traian Basescu ordered so because of getting into overt conflict with the Liberals. It was a group meant to split the PNL (National Liberal Party) and leave Calin Popescu-Tariceanu without supporters, a commando for punishment. Had it succeeded, the PLD would have no longer needed fusion with anyone. It is no wonder that the leaders of this political hybrid insisted in all their statements on the idea that they represented the true liberalism in Romania, that the others, that is the group around Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, were deviant and made a pact with the devil. Traian Basescu and his political group identified the devil with the PSD (Social-Democrat Party), the party those in power struggled to demonize”.

POLITICS

Romanian President appreciates Constitutional Court's help – Anca Hriban – Ziua – read here -
“Yesterday the President of Romania Traian Basescu expressed appreciation for the Constitutional Court's support to prevent government and Parliament members from passing laws disregarding the Constitution“.

Justice minister thinks about resigning – Anca Hriban – Ziua – read here -
“The President of Romania Traian Basescu accused Liberal Bogdan Olteanu, a speaker for the Chamber of Deputies, of preventing "The Official Monitor" from publishing the Constitutional Court's decision on the dismemberment of the Cotroceni Commission, thus putting at a standstill a decision of the Romanian President's concerning former and present ministers authorities asked for permission to investigate on”.

LATEST

Barnacle environment – M.T. – Ziua – read here -
“When heading the Ministry of Environment, Sulfina Barbu and Silvian Ionescu plotted an affair to deprive the state budget of billions”.

Romania is the most corrupted EU state – D.E. – Ziua – read here -
“Almost a year after joining the EU, Romania is the most corrupted member state, according to the Global Corruption Barometer for 2007, authored by Transparency International”.

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2007-12-06T01:48:00.001+02:00

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2007-12-06T01:47:00.001+02:00

Saint Nicholas

2007-12-06T01:34:00.000+02:00

Saint Nicholas
The character of Santa Claus is copied from the life of a real person, a saint named Saint Nicholas. The name 'Saint Nicholas' even sounds like 'San-ta claus,' especially in the Dutch language. The Dutch veneration of 'Sinter Klaus' was brought to North America with the Dutch settlers and eventually became the story of Santa Claus that everyone knows.
Saint Nicholas, like St. Wenceslaus and St. Lucy, was a saint. He was the bishop of a city named Myra in Turkey in the early part of the fourth century. His feast day is December 6th because he died on December 6 or 7 in the middle of the fourth century. Feast days celebrate the entry of the saint's soul into Heaven.
The most famous story told about St. Nicholas has to do with three young sisters who were very poor. Their parents were so poor that they did not have enough money for the daughters to get married. Every young girl needed money to pay for the wedding and to set up house for themselves.
Nicholas heard about this family and wanted to help them, but he did not want anyone to know that he was the one who was helping them.
The story is told in a few different ways. In one version, he climbed up on their roof three nights in a row and threw gold coins down their chimney so that they would land in the girls' stockings, which had been hung by the fire to dry. After two of his daughters had been able to marry because of the money mysteriously appearing in their stockings, the father was determined to find out who was helping them, so he hid behind the chimney the next night. Along came Bishop Nicholas with another bag of money.
When he was discovered, he asked the father not to tell anyone else, but the father wanted everyone to know what a good and generous man the Bishop Nicholas was, so he told everyone he knew. That is how we have the story and the tradition of stocking full of gifts today.
St. Nicholas' Day
St. Nicholas, whose feast day is December 6, is the patron of seafarers, scholars, bankers, pawnbrokers, jurists, brewers, coopers, travelers, perfumers, unmarried girls, brides, and - robbers. But most of all, he is the very special saint of children. Devotion to St. Nicholas is found in every European country. He is pictured in the old world as an ascetic-looking bishop, with white beard, red robes, mitre, and crozier but since crossing the ocean he has turned into a fat, jolly, red-nosed gentleman in a snowsuit and red cap. In Holland and Germany he was portrayed traveling on a white horse, while in other areas on foot or by goat or on a donkey. In the old country he comes on the evening before his feast day (December 6) accompanied by the "Krampus" an ugly, chain-rattling little devil, who has to deal with children who have been naughty. St. Nicholas is much too kind to do the punishing and scolding himself.
History and legend are intertwined in the story of Nicholas's life, but we do know that he really lived in the fourth century, that he was the holy bishop of Myra (now in Turkey) and has been widely honored as a saint since the sixth century. No less than 21 "miracles" have been attributed to him. He became known for his holiness, zeal, and astonishing miracles. Nicholas was quite young when his parents died of the plague leaving him the sole heir of their vast possessions. He determined to devote his inheritance to works of charity.
A most popular legend concerns the three unwed daughters of an impoverished nobleman who lived in a small town on the coast of Turkey. The maidens could not attract husbands because their father could not afford to provide dowries for them. So late one night the holy Nicholas dropped a small bag of gold in the maidens' window so that the eldest girl could be married. Some time later he dropped in a second bag of gold, then a third. On one of the nights, the gold landed in a stocking hung up to dry, and the tradition of leaving gifts in stockings was born. The nobleman had become so poor that he had contemplated allowing his daughters to become sold into prostitution until they were rescued by St. Nicholas. Nicholas was thereafter honored as patron saint of unwed maidens. Thus, God rewarded St. Nicholas and gave him permission to walk the streets on the eve of his feast, bringing gifts to all good children. This particular story was told for so many generations until the theme of the three bags of gold, or gold balls was adopted as a symbol by bankers and moneylenders.
Nicholas, the young man, is credited with having studied at Alexandria, Egypt, then an important center of learning. On one of his voyages there he is said to have saved the life of a sailor who fell from the ship's rigging in a storm. He then became the patron saint of sailors. He miraculously rescued some young boys from a vat of brine thereby becoming the patron of schoolboys.
While visiting the Turkish town of Myra, he entered the local church to give thanks for a safe voyage. He did not know that the elders of the church had lost their leader and could not agree on a successor. According to the legend they had been counseled in a dream to choose the next person named Nicholas (which means "victory" in Greek) who visited the church. So it was that Nicholas became known as Bishop of Myra, worker of miracles and benefactor of the poor.
He destroyed pagan temples, forced a governor, Eustathius, to admit he had been bribed to condemn three innocent men to death (Nicholas saved them), and appeared in a dream to Emperor Constantine to tell the Emperor that three imperial officers condemned to death at Constantinople were innocent (Constantine freed them the next morning). While he was Bishop of Myra, a terrible famine afflicted the country. Full of compassion for his people, the Bishop not only obtained a miraculous supply of bread for the multitude, but visited every part of his vast diocese in order to acquaint himself with the condition of all his people. There is a charming custom of planting "wheat candles" on the first Sunday of Advent to light on the Feast of St. Nicholas. Wheat seeds are planted in a tub of soil along with a tall white taper candle. On St. Nicholas Feast Day, the candle is lit. The growth of the wheat towards the light of the candle also symbolizes our growth towards Jesus, the light of the world.
In 1087 a shipload of Italian sailors rescued (or stole) the bones of St. Nicholas and took them to Bari, Italy. A pilgrimage church was erected on the site so that Crusaders could pray on their way to or from the Holy Land. At his shrine in Bari, a sweet smell is often reported. He is the patron of Russia, Greece, Apulia, Sicily, and Lorraine.
Through the centuries he has been one of the most popular saints. More than 1200 churches were dedicated in his honor (nearly four hundred churches were dedicated in England alone); and he is said to have been represented by Christian artists more frequently than any saint except our Lady.
Good little children traditionally received a visit from their patron bearing gifts of candies, cookies, apples, nuts. In some places, the children put their shoes on the window sill on the eve of St. Nicholas' Day and find them filled with candies, cookies, oranges, and dried fruit the next morning. In Holland, the gifts were left in the children's wooden shoes. In convent boarding schools, the young women students would leave their stockings at the door of their respective abbesses' rooms, with notes recommending themselves to the generosity of St. Nicholas - the forerunners of letters to Santa Claus. The next morning the abbesses would summon their charges and show them their stockings filled - supposedly by St. Nicholas - with sweetmeats. Even today, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany and some other European countries maintain the annual tradition of gift giving on December 5 or 6. Naughty children were warned with a willow switch, or received pieces of coal.
Before the Reformation it was common throughout England to elect a boy bishop on St. Nicholas' Day. He would exercise jurisdiction until Innocents' or Childermas Day (Dec. 28) and was entitled to a monument and burial as a bishop if he died during his tenure. At least one King of England heard the mass celebrated by a boy bishop. After the Protestant Reformation in Northern Germany, St. Nicholas was replaced by the Krist Kindl, the Christ Child. It should be noted though, that the figure of Santa Claus is really a non-Christian one and is based on the Germanic god Thor who rode on a chariot drawn by goats named Cracker and Cruncher.
You could read more about Saint Nicholas – here -

To All Those are named Nicholaas or one of his derived names I want to wish an warm and honest, HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!

Zangy Comment Graphics
[mig007]

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2007-12-06T01:32:00.000+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-06T01:15:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

Presidential party is up Mircea Geoana – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“At least there has been one leader of the PD (Democrat Party) to admit it in the open that the new group to be made when the PD and the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party) join each other is a presidential party. Such a decision to give up rhetoric is benefic, for it is more honest to call things by their own names”.

POLITICS

Democrats reticent to new party's name – Adrian Ilie & Cristian Andrei – Ziua – read here -
“Theoretically, in their talks with the representatives of the PLD (Liberal Democrat Party), the members of the PD (Democrat Party) may do away with the Liberal party label. But there is little time left for it, since the process preceding the two parties' fusion must be over by the end of the year. But the Liberal-Democrats voted for the new name, the PDL (Democrat Liberal Party), as Theodor Stolojan persuaded them into thinking the unification would do them good. And the congress on it is due in December 15“.

Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu appointed SIE chief – R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“Yesterday the Romanian MPs validated Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu as new chief of the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Department in Romania), due to 295 favorable polls”.

PM Tariceanu lobbies for Romanian workers in London – Ovidiu Banches – Ziua – read here -
“The Romanian PM Calin Popescu-Tariceanu paid a 1-day visit to London and yesterday he lobbied for Romanian workers in front of the British Parliament. According to sources from Romania's delegation, the PM emphasized how important it was to relax restrictions against Romanians on the British labor force market”.

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Laszlo Tokes talked to President Basescu – Anca Hriban – Ziua – read here -
“In his meeting with the President of Romania Traian Basescu yesterday, the MEP Laszlo Tokes managed to get the President's support so that he would join the EPP group”.

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2007-12-05T01:36:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-05T01:35:00.000+02:00

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2007-12-05T01:34:00.001+02:00

* DAILY NEWS *

2007-12-05T01:18:00.000+02:00

EDITORIAL

The new party – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“Many are wondering why the announcement on the fusion of the PD (Democrat Party) and the PLD (Liberal Democrat Party) was so hasty. Just a few days ago all the information from within the parties was showing no progress. The main obstacle was some PD leaders' belief that by joining Stolojan's people they would be at disadvantage. But the secret of such a surprise is rather easy to decipher. Traian Basescu suffered a humiliating defeat because of the referendum failure. Both press and civil society representatives would have continued to tackle all the sides of it. And in order to diminish his defeat, turned into an electoral bleeding, Traian Basescu needed a new target for public attention. This is a common trick in politics. When one wants talk about an issue to stop, one makes another issue. This is why the few leaders decided the two parties' fusion almost on the spot, to obey the order from the undemocratic boss”.

POLITICS

Democrats snarl at their master – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The fusion President Basescu forced the PD (Democrat Party) and the PLD (Liberal Democrat Party) into making is already effecting in the dissatisfaction both parties feel, especially that it is a small number of party heads who negotiate on it. Some Democrats are irritated because the PLD may get more than the case and also because the word "Liberal" is now part of the new party's name: the PDL (Democrat Liberal Party). On the other hand, PLD member Valeriu Stoica claims the officials of the new party will be elected in 2009“.

Mihai Razvan Ungureanu likely to become SIE chief – R.I.P. – Ziua – read here -
“The parliamentary committee for defense and the committee in charge of checking on the activity of the SIE (Foreign Intelligence Service) consented yesterday to the Romanian President's proposal that Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu should be appointed a SIE chief”.

LATEST

Christmas tree cheat – M.T. – Ziua – read here -
“100,000 Bucharest inhabitants crowded to see mayor Videanu's great lie. But the metal monster is not the highest in Europe, as the mayor boasted”.

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2007-12-04T06:38:00.000+02:00