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Russia's literary light who illuminated dark world of Soviet regime
This is a long and detailed but brilliantly written obituary of the great Russian author who passed away two days ago. It is well worth the read as it describes his life and struggles and extraordinary achievements, and is incalculably better than my own short obituary in the article I posted yesterday at http://current.com/items/89166008_russian_writer_alexan... This is a long and detailed but brilliantly written obituary of the great Russian author who passed away two days ago. It is well wort... more
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Russian writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn had died
Russian writer and dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn died overnight Sunday to Monday, the Itar-Tass news agency said, citing his son Stepan. He was 89.
Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize for literature in 1970 after writing harrowing works about the Soviet Union's system of labour camps. He was expelled from the Soviet Union in 1974.
Since his return to Russia in 1994 he has been critical of the West and of Russia's post-Soviet evolution, calling for a return to traditional moral values.
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Alexander Solzhenitsyn is rightly considered to be one of the greatest Russian writers, on a par with Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky. A tireless dissident under the Soviet rule, he spent many years as a prisoner in the infamous Gulags. He had cancer while he was a prisoner in a Gulag, underwent a primitive operation, and survived. Much of his work was written when he was in the Gulags, writing in a clandestine manner on any surface and bit of paper he could lay his hands on. One can only have the greatest of respects and admiration for this exceptional man, even though one may disagree with some of his positions. When he was finally expelled from the USSR, he went to live in Vermont with his wife and children. After the Soviet Union collapsed, he returned from his exile in the USA to tirelessly work towards restoring dignity to Russia and the Russian people, never mincing his words. May he rest in peace.
I can only recommend all of his books - they have great depth and strength, even in the English translations. "Archipelago Gulag", "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" and "The First Circle" come to mind. Russian writer and dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn died overnight Sunday to Monday, the Itar-Tass news agency said, citing his son St... more -
Former White House spokesman Tony Snow dies
Former White House press secretary Tony Snow -- who once told reporters "I'm a very lucky guy" -- has died at the age of 53 after a second battle with cancer.
Snow, who had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments for a recurrence of the disease, left his White House job September 14, 2007, and joined CNN in April as a conservative commentator.
In parting comments to reporters at his final White House news conference, he said, "I feel great."
He also called the job "the most fun I've ever had."
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More at link.
Although I didn't like the man, a glib liar, I derive no joy from his passing. Cancer is a horrible disease, and 53 is way too young to die. My thoughts are with his family. Former White House press secretary Tony Snow -- who once told reporters "I'm a very lucky guy" -- has died at the age o... more -
Buddy Miles, R.I.P
Buddy Miles, a tremendous drummer, most famously with Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, passed away at his home in Austin, TX. Reports say that he was surrounded by family and friends and passed away quietly. Rest in Peace, Buddy. Buddy Miles, a tremendous drummer, most famously with Hendrix's Band of Gypsys, passed away at his home in Austin, TX. Reports s... more
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Hot Rod King Boyd Coddington Dead at age 63
World renowned tuner and hot rod king Boyd Coddington died at 6:20 am this morning of as-yet-unknown medical causes. - Jalopnik
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Goodbye, Benazir, Rest In Peace
I am deeply saddened by the news of Benazir's assassination. I was introduced to her by the then Ambassador of Iran, in 1972, at a large cocktail party given by her paternal uncle's first cousin, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto, in Karachi, and spent a good forty-five minutes or more discussing with her. She was about eighteen years old at the time, and was a reserved but absolutely brilliant young woman. Shortly after this cocktail party, her father, president Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, took her with him to Simla in India for talks and negotiations with India's prime minister Indira Ghandi, following the 1971-1972 war between the two countries. This was most significant, because Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto recognized his daughter's brilliance and political savvy, and was already grooming her for a brilliant political future.
Since that time, I have followed Benazir's progress and career, and was most impressed by her becoming the very first Asian woman president of the prestigious Oxford Union Debating Society in 1977 - this is a position that one can only attain through one's merits, which reflects Benazir's brilliance.
A great loss for Pakistan, for her family, for her friends, and for all those who, like myself, had the opportunity of meeting this exceptional woman.
May she rest in peace.
The photo is from the talks in Simla, India - left to right: Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, president of Pakistan; Indira Ghandi, prime minister of India, and Benazir Bhutto.
Benazir Bhutto's profile: http://middleeast.about.com/od/pakistan/p/me071110a.htm
See also: http://www.oxford-union.org/ I am deeply saddened by the news of Benazir's assassination. I was introduced to her by the then Ambassador of Iran, in 1972, at ... more -
Jazz Piano Genius, Oscar Peterson Dies
Leader of one of the greatest jazz trios passes..
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Goodbye, Oscar, Rest In Peace, And Thanks For The Wonderful Music
Oscar Peterson passed away today - a great loss. He was one of the greatest pianists of all time.
In this video, Oscar plays with Joe Pass, one of the greatest jazz guitarists of all times who passed away in 1994. The title of the song is Soft Winds Oscar Peterson passed away today - a great loss. He was one of the greatest pianists of all time. ... more -
Julia Carson (D) IN passes away, she will be missed
She was an enigmatic public figure who will be missed by many in Indianapolis. She opposed the Iraq War, helped allocate funds for an important resource hotline for battered women, and was noted by many for her biting wit. She was 69 years old. Her health had been an issue during the campaign but doctors only recently discovered both her cancer and its terminal nature. A special runoff election will be held no earlier than sixty days from now to replace her for the final year of her term. She was an enigmatic public figure who will be missed by many in Indianapolis. She opposed the Iraq War, helped allocate funds for an ... more
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Sinatra Gets a Stamp
Ol Blue Eyes can now do stamps his way to. The US Postal Service has just unveiled a commemorative stamp of Frank Sinatra.
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Indie Heat 43rd Episode ( Aswan K. Watson )
This Episode is hosted by Sope of Indie Heat Video Magazine and dedicated to his brother Aswan K. Watson who died due to police brutality. This Episode is hosted by Sope of Indie Heat Video Magazine and dedicated to his brother Aswan K. Watson who died due to police brutal... more
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Maurice Béjart has just passed away
Maurice was a close friend of my uncle's, and came to visit him in Switzerland in 1974. He had then recently converted to Sufism and was most enthusiastic about it. I was greatly impressed by his powerful and demonstrative (to say the least) personality - a personality which irritated my very square and conservative aunt to the greatest degree, especially as she didn't know the difference between mainstream Islam and the very tolerant, open, and mystic Sufism. Adieu, Maurice, rest in peace. Maurice was a close friend of my uncle's, and came to visit him in Switzerland in 1974. He had then recently converted to Sufism ... more
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Breaking News: Kanye Wests Mother Dies Suddenly...
Dr. Donda West, Kanye Wests mother, suddenly died last night, individuals close to the MC confirmed. The cause of death was not released immediately, but she was reportedly in the Los Angeles area when she died. Early reports suggest Dr. West's death may have been the result of some form of surgical procedure. Those reports have not been confirmed. She was 58 years old. representative for the rapper told AllHipHop.com, "The family respectfully asks for privacy during this time of grief." Kanye West chronicled his mothers life in "Hey Mama," a song from his album Late Registration. Dr. Donda West, Kanye Wests mother, suddenly died last night, individuals close to the MC confirmed. The cause of death was not relea... more
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Retro: Mailer and McLuhan
In honour of Norman Mailer who has just passed away, I post this most excellent video of Norman Mailer and Marshall McLuhan in which they expound on violence, alienation and the electronic envelope. The clash of two great minds. (1968). In honour of Norman Mailer who has just passed away, I post this most excellent video of Norman Mailer and Marshall McLuhan in which t... more
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R.I.P. Norman Mailer
Norman Mailer, an American journalist, novelist and playwright among other professions, died today in New York City. He wrote The Naked and the Dead, considered by some to be one of the best novels ever written. He was one of the founding publishers of the Village Voice and also ran for Mayor of New York. Rest In Peace. Norman Mailer, an American journalist, novelist and playwright among other professions, died today in New York City. He wrote The Nake... more
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Man killed in wood-chipper accident
Really? I thought this only happened in cheap horror flicks and bad student films?
The Anaheim resident was working with a tree-trimming crew in Tustin. He was throwing branches into the machine one moment, authorities say, and then suddenly 'he was gone.' Really? I thought this only happened in cheap horror flicks and bad student films? ... more
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