Bill O'reilly and "Why conservatives hate leftists?"

Over the past few months, I've watched bawling Bill O'reilly via countless Youtube videos (actually never seen him on TV!) and I have nothing but adoration for his use of theatricality and corrosive criticism to convey his point. The man is absolutely irresistible. I have seen more of him than Letterman, South Park, Movie critic reviews, star interviews, and all that combined. So, am I a fan of Big Billy? Absolutely. But not the kind who leaps on each and every single one of his New York Times bestsellers but the kind who likes audacity of a man to push forward in any circumstances in general.  And that's why he gets paid so much.  I don't appreciate his perceptive all the time but here is this one time (or one of the very few) that I do...

Bill O'reilly is a die hard conservative who proclaims to be an independent when I have yet to see him praise a Democrat  for anything (even for personality!) and ridicule any step taken by any Republican. On his O'reilly factor, Bill invited Monica Novoa, campaign coordinator for Drop the I-word movement, a campaign to ban the usage of the word "illegal" in the description "illegal immigration".  Now, I don't feel sorry for this girl even when I wanted to before I played the video. Here's why... 


Billy was as polite as he has ever been even when he knew the movement was as stupid as it could get.  The fact that some libertines think that the word illegal is unethical, racist, demonizing or evil is absurd but that's beside the point.  I am simply shocked that the most talented speaker this movement could find was this girl.  Bill was more interested in her personal views toward illegal immigration than he was in the movement to begin with, primarily because she had a checkered immigration history. I think this was an opportunity for the girl to stand tall and defend for something more logical (like my personal view suggests support for deferred action by Obama) than Drop the I-word thing.  But she was flabbergasted by the very first question "Did you come here illegally yourself?" which was a tactic of course. But it is past. She is legal now.  I think she should have declared her illegal past and then proceeded to provide her personal views to O'reilly as a reprisal. It would've made for an interesting show at least and earned viewer's respect. All she did was dodge the question that Billy repeatedly posed about her suggestions for illegal immigration by trying to explain her support for Drop the... uh... (the key word being "trying"). Billy, being a veteran, made it absolutely clear that "you are here to talk about what I want to talk about" than some illogical movement. 

Well, earlier I pointed out that Billy was polite to Ms. Novoa but I forgot to mention why.  Well, he didn't have an opposition as he hoped for as he points "you have not even thought this out".  I think Ms. Novoa had no answers to begin with rather than just unwilling to provide them so as not to get O'Reilled!  (For those who are unaware of Billy..start with fucking thing sucks!) 

Deferred Action Process Update June 20, 2012

It is a major step towards the immigration reform that President Obama had promised when he took office to all the young people who were brought into United States on no fault of their own and are living as illegal immigrants since then.  I personally know a boy, currently 18 years old, who was brought into US by crossing the border at age 1 or 2 (with his mom of course!).  So, it is a major relief for such people.

On June 15, 2012, Secretary Napolitano announced this step after the President used his executive powers. We all know what it is about and the official announcement with most of the FAQs is located ON THIS PAGE. This is actually a very informative page for starters. In this post, I'll try to apply some common sense and answer few more questions about this process. Disclaimer: The information in this post is not official and USCIS website is the source to rely on. This is just to present a ballpark. 

Frequently Asked Questions Answered (to the best of my common sense): 

What is the process to obtain work authorization via deferred action? 
It is a two step process to obtain your work authorization. Eligible applicants should apply for deferred action and only if deferred action approval documents are received, applicant should go ahead and request a work permit by filing form-i765 (for employment authorization document or EAD) based on category (c)(14) along with deferred action document and proof of " financial need to work".  There is a good chance that an applicant may be able to apply for deferred action and work permit together (a one step process)  expediting the entire process. 

How long is the entire process of receiving deferred action and EAD (work permit)?  
Generally speaking, work permit via any category takes around 60-90 days to be processed. Add a month or two to work permit processing time and that should be a fair guesstimate for duration of the entire process (Entire process = Deferred Action + Work Permit = 60-90 days + 30-60 days = 90-120 days).

What happens after 2 years? 
After 2 years, the applicant can renew the deferred action (hence work permit and everything else) if the applicant has not committed any crime, or anything else, that would convince USCIS that the applicant is a threat to the US.  If the renewal is rejected, it is natural that the applicant will be placed under removal proceedings.

What are the required supporting documents for the entire process? 

1. Entered US under the age of sixteen: Passport or Birth Certificate from home country AND Educational/medical/financial records that prove applicant's presence in US under the age of 16. If the applicant entered US via a visa (and overstayed), I-94 card is a great proof of entry. 
2. Continuously resided in US for 5 years preceding June 15, 2012: Educational/medical/financial records. Consistent banking activity (such as deposits/withdrawals). It seems as though school transcripts are a very strong proof. 
3. Education: Naturally school transcripts, progress cards, diplomas, ID cards (school includes High School and all other educational institutions claimed to have attended). 
4. Background: Fingerprints are sent to authorities for background check. 
5. Not above the age of 30: Any document (government) that states your date of birth (such as foreign passport, birth certificate, etc.) 

When can I apply? 

USCIS has 60 days from June 15, 2012 to device an organized application process for deferred action. Therefore, the application process must open before August 15, 2012.  Apply as soon as possible to avoid delays. Keep your documents organized and be ready as soon as the application opening date is announced.  Since this is not a law and the next president can very well veto this, applicant should take prompt actions.

How do we prove our presence in US for every single day? 
It is next to impossible for even a citizen (let alone an illegal) to prove his/her presence for each day in the US. Provide the authorities with as many supporting documents as possible and let them be the judge of how credible your claim of continuous presence is.  In other words, no documented proof for few weeks to a month or two between duration of proved presence should be pardoned. However, longer periods with no proof of presence could ring a bell. 

Can I get a green card through this process? 

No this is not possible.  In case the applicant marries a US citizen and is eligible for adjustment of status (under some other provision), it will be dealt independent of this process. 

Is lawyer necessary? 

Lawyer is never necessary in immigration applications but always recommended because of his/her experience. Do your research and select only the authorized attorneys and beware of suspend law offices.

If I meet all eligibility criteria, am I guaranteed a deferred action? 
No. Even if the applicant meets all the criteria, he/she might still be denied any deferred action. Each case is dealt individually, however, if your proofs are well documented, there is no reason for you to be disqualified.

If I don't meet all the eligibility criteria, should I still apply in hopes for a stroke of luck? 
No, there is no luck in this process.  If you don't meet all the criteria, you will NOT qualify for deferred action. To make matters worse, you will be most likely put into removal proceedings (for deportation).  On a related note, in desperation, do not provide false information to authorities. It is known as misrepresentation and it's a felony.

Updated: 7/2/2012

iREVIEW: Vicky Donor

Starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Yami Gautam and Anu Kapoor. Written by Juhi Chaturvedi and directed by Shoojit Sircar. 

With all due honesty I must say I've been pretty fatigued by Bollywood films lately.  Whether it be comedy, romance, action or whatever, Bollywood melodramatics in recent years have generated so much nausea that I don't even remember when was the last time I actually saw a film for more than 20 odd minutes.  Naturally, with that much weathering to my Bollywood bud, I sat down with slight skepticism to see this film.  However, I was very hopeful with Vicky Donor since the topic was fresh and brave and the trailers were equally perky and provocative.

Behold, Vicky Donor is one of the best Bollywood flicks to hit Indian silver screen in recent times! It isn't that Vicky Donor just has a fresher of an idea, a great screenplay or bravura acting performances, but it works mainly because it never tries to be beyond what it is - a Bollywood flick. A lesser screenplay and direction would have completely created a flatter, preaching, Hollywood-ish version of the film. But it combines all the nuances of Indian culture, not just Punjabi but Bengali as well, places it on a brave dish, sprinkles it with sweet emotional condiments and fulfills your appetite at all levels.

If you'd ask me, I'd say Anu Kapoor is the soul of the film. He dons the role of a Punjabi fertility doctor with such ease that you can't get enough of this delicious character.  Same goes for Vicky's grandma followed closely by his mother.  Ayushmann is a great actor, there's no doubt about it and this film gave him ample opportunities to stamp his performance all over it. Yami is as beautiful as an actress can get iced with a naturally guided decent performance.  The most astonishing aspect of the film (after the script of course) is that each and every character in the film (no matter how small of a role it is) is so carefully penned and placed in the script that nobody is forgettable.

Except for those odd 15-20 minutes when Vicky's marriage hits a rough edge and the film tends to loosen up a little, it is an extremely entertaining fair.  After watching Vicky Donor, I am still hopeful for Bollywood enterprise and the films in future.  This isn't an artsy film by any means. It is funny, emotional, perky, provocative, bold and full of masala.  Films like these please the audience at home and become a proud ambassador of Bollywood in foreign soil. 

Precious Words (Al Pacino)

"I've often said there's two kinds of actors. There's a more gregarious type and the shy type and both go into acting for the reason that they are able to access stuff because they have these big personalities and they are able to get involved in and they open and they do things. And the others go to acting because they can't do that and in acting it allows them that freedom."

Al Pacino (Actor)

What is truly a magic?

"Be so good at something that even if you told me how you do it, I will still not be as good at it as you are." 

Well, I was just watching random Youtube videos when I stumbled upon the episodes of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, a British TV show, that invites guest magicians to let them try their tricks on stage to impress Penn Teller.  I must say my first impressions for Penn and Teller, two Texans and hosts of the show, were that of one of those hosts who know as little about the intricacies of the subject of the show as you and I. But, to my surprise, Penn and Teller turn out to be one of the best magicians (or illusionists and all that) I've ever seen (great judges for the show!).

What impressed me the most is the video I've posted below. It shows how the sleigh of hand is performed exactly. And I've learnt a lot from this one video today. I think it is not just the ability to know something but to actually master that something and be an expert and a sage in that one thing which then becomes conducive to unbelievable results and hence success. Try watching this video where Penn dictates all the steps involved in sleigh of hand as Teller performs. We can try this all day long and we cannot perform this.  You might get lucky at this particular trick but try using this with other props, no chance in hell! My point is... well it's the heading of this post!

iQUOTE

The more religious you get, the bigger hypocrite you become.  

iREVIEW: Snow White and the Huntsman

Starring Charlize Theron, Kristen Stewart, Ian McShane and Chris Hemsworth.  Written by Evan Daugherty et al. Directed by Rupert Sanders. 

I have to admit that it was the uncanny presence of Charlize Theron that made me look forward to this film. And I am sure, I am not the only one.  Given her track record of performances and choices of films over recent years, one can be rest assured that if she signs a film, it has to have at least average content, and nothing less.

To begin with, the film has a very simplistic plot.  Snow White, the last of royal blood left after Ravenna takes over the kingdom by stabbing Snow White's father in his heart, is kept in castle's prison for more than a decade.  One day, she escapes the prison in search of her father's original but unmotivated army.  In her quest, Snow White enters the dreaded dark forests filled with brain twisting hallucinating gases wherein even the horses shy away to enter. The only person, apparently, brave and capable enough to lead Ravenna's dark army into this forest is the drunkard Huntsman. Promised to resurrect his wife if he finds Snow White, Huntsman takes the challenge. Rest, I shall not reveal. But from this point on, Snow White's quest, somehow, continues.

Now the film isn't all action and epic war. Nor is it an eternal love story. It is simply an avenger's saga. The director doesn't bother to add any weight to the love chemistry, nor does he allow ample screen time for motivational war speeches. Basically in such films, the bigger obstacles the avenger has to overcome, the better the drama becomes.  The film succeeds to unfold as time passes and it keeps introducing brand new obstacles to Snow White. However, the story unfolds to such a convenience for our main characters that they hardly seem to be struggling with their supposedly dark times.

Moreover, for some reason, the film seems to be under some stress. One always feels like a bit more could have been added to every scene to take it to the next level.  The dark forest could be darker, that colorful forest could be more charming, the army could be bigger, the speech could be better and so forth.  It feels as if the adventure is choking in a pressure cooker.  And as far as performances are concerned, Charlize and Kristen are good but, dare I say, not great. Chris Hemsworth sounds dolt all throughout. I think Ian McShane's performance would have to be the best of the lot.

Other than this, I really don't have much to write about. I don't see any major lessons, themes or anything of that sort in this film.  The fact that the film keeps unfolding and making us wonder as to what will happen in the next scene makes it an average fair (well, Charlize still keeps the promise!). There are redundant and useless subplots and scenes that fail to create intended emotional response, but every frame is so beautifully placed that we are somewhat mesmerized.  It's not a bad weekend treat.

*** / *****