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Friday, December 28, 2007

Happy Holiday Bitches!



HAiDER would like to take this time to wish everyone a Happy Holidays! With the Holiday season things have been very busy. Causing me to not have time to update the site. But no worries after the holiday season ends, and the new year begins, I will be back up and continuing the bashing of celebrities...there is so much that's happened in the past few months too. See you all in 2008 and be sure to also check my other site http://kingsofsociety.blogspot.com/ this one talks about everything and anything, not restricted to celebrities...enjoy!


Friday, November 16, 2007

DONDA WEST UPDATE!


Out of respect to Mr. Kanye I'm not going to bash his mom for her mistakes. A mistake that cost her, her own life. But I will question her actions.

As more and more information comes out. I can't help but not put the blame entirely on the surgeon. He just did what no other surgeon would. Perform the surgery.


The story is that Donda West saw the surgeon (I don't recall his name) who does work on the TV show Extreme Makeover to get a consultation. Apparently he turned her down because of the risk with her having thyroid or something. So in comes Dr. Jan Adams, who with no questions asked performed the procedures Donda asked for. Two days later, she's dead. Yes, he's partly to blame for her death, but she also has a part in it. If she had done her home work on the infamous Dr. Adams she would have found out about his lawsuits. Particularly of one Lori Ufondu, who sued Dr. Adams for malpractice, leaving surgical gauze in her breast for seven years! But no, I bet Donda was thinking "Great! A brotha gonna do me up." The dude's chop shop is right above a FedEx Kinko's, how credible is that? This can be summed up by the expression "you get what you pay for" and unfortunately for Donda West it cost her her life. She got caught up in her son's success and being thrown into this lifestyle where image is everything, she thought she needed to fix herself. It's a shame and it goes to show that even being a college professor for numerous years and having the higher education she had, the lifestyle still got the best of her...

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

KANYE'S MOM DIES SUDDENLY


Kanye West’s mom, Donda - who died due to complications from surgery over the weekend - was warned not have a tummy tuck and breast reduction because she had a health condition that could cause a heart attack, TMZ.com reported.

The 58-year-old former chairwoman of Chicago State University’s English department died Sunday at Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center in Marina del Rey, Calif., due to “complications from a cosmetic surgical procedure,” her publicist told CNN yesterday.
But spokeswoman Patricia Green later backed off the statement, telling People.com that she never confirmed that Donda West was undergoing a cosmetic procedure. She said she was only forwarding unconfirmed, incomplete information she had received.

Kanye West’s spokesman said the family “asks for privacy during this time of grief.”
Paramedics were called to Donda West’s home Saturday night and she was rushed to the emergency room, TMZ said. Attempts were made to revive her, but she was pronounced dead before 9 p.m.

Click Boston Herald to read full article

HAiDER: HAiDER does know how to respect celebrities when something like this happens, I'm not entirely cold. I can bash them in one article, but I can respect the human side of them as well in another article. It's always devasting losing someone you love very much. To Kanye his mother was the most important person in his life, we can only imagine how lost and uncertain he feels right now. The best goes out to him and his family.

Monday, November 12, 2007

FIRST RUN OF CH T-SHIRTS NOW FOR SALE


BUY CELEBRITYHAIDER.COM T-SHIRT $18

Finally the first run of hopefully many more is now here and on standby for your order. No real shop set up just yet, so if you want to place an order for celebrityhaider.com t-shirt email me @ obeyhaider.com This will be a temporary way in ordering HAiDER products. A full shop will be placed in, once I learn how to set it up.

All Celebrity HAiDER apparel is brought to you by HAiDER clothing.

FABIO VS CLOONEY





George Clooney vs. Fabio: Slap Fight, Clooney Dubbed a "Diva"
By Cyndi JamesNov 7, 2007

What would the odds in Las Vegas be on this slap fight between two Hollywood divas? Reports claim that Hollywood heavyweight and liberal activist George Clooney got into a fight with romance novel coverboy Fabio during dinner at Madeo in West Hollywood on November 2, a report from In Touch Weekly claims. The story is a classic and it is hard to believe that there is no cell phone video of the incident - what were the people thinking that witnessed this?

Clooney - who at times has been no fan of cameras and the paparazzi apparently even gets upset if people aren’t; taking his photo. Couldn't Fabio beat Clooney into oblivion?

Click National Ledger to read full article...

HAiDER: I don't know who's side to take on this situation? The washed up romance novel cover model or the grade A celebrity asshole? I think I'll take FAGio's side. At least he was kind enough to take out a couple of his fans to dinner. If that holds up. Even then I think I would still take FOBio's side. Cause I just hate Clooney, I can never forgive him for what he did to Batman. F you George!

Sunday, November 11, 2007

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH TAKE THEM AWAY FROM HER


I don't know about the rest of you but I'm tired of reading stories of Britney endangering her kids. Putting them in situations that potentially can be dangerous. Now she can only see her kids with a court appointed monitor and even that has proven to be dangerous. She just ran a freakin red light with the court appointed monitor in the passenger seat. The thing that pisses everyone off the most is that as she's running the red light, she's clearly texting someone! When is the judge going to get? Only allow her supervised visits in a safe and secure place. Do not allow her to take the kids out or sleep over her house. She's clearly a terrible mom, she's got the mentality of a 12 year old. And I know there are even more terrible mothers out there in the world, but she's a celebrity and she's got an image to uphold. She clearly isn't doing that. Take those kids away from her permanently!

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

WHO WILL BE A BETTER MOM?



Hands down I believe JLo will be the better mom, by far. She grew up in a big family, she's very into family. Her sleazy ass husband has like two kids from a previous marriage. Besides she's the more mature one out of the bunch.

Christina Aguilera I think will come in a close second. She seems like the type that would take on the challenge of becoming a parent well.

Nicole Ritchie probably won't even spend all that much time with her kid. She'll want to get back to all the partying and drinking up as soon as she pops out the baby. You're talking about one of the most spoiled brats to ever grow up in Hollywood. She had no sense of responsibility growing up as a kid and she doesn't have none right now. She'll hire someone to watch the baby, Grandpa or something. She'll be like Britney Spears. She'll say she loves her kid more than anything but in reality her kid is just an accessory. Totally irresponsible, let's hope she's not as horrible a mom as Britney Spears is.

Halle Berry...bitch is crazy. She'll probably end up running over her kid and then claim she doesn't remember. Wouldn't trust her for a second with a kid. She's got major issues that all celebrity moms have. Crazy bitches.

Monday, November 5, 2007

KRIS JENNER, CHYNA'S LONG LOST OLDER SISTER?



As I watched a few episodes of the new series Keeping Up With The Kardashian's I couldn't help but wonder who the heck their mom Kris Jenner (left image) reminded me of? Took couple of episodes, but it finally came to me. She looks like she could be related to Chyna (right image) the former WWE wrestler. I just thought it was hilarious and disgusting at the same time. Because Kris is always in the shot always trying to get in front of the camera. The things she does is just really gross, she doesn't get that the show is about Kim, not her worn out a$$. So now that I have infected your mind of the info, I'll leave you to watch the show and every time you see Kris, hopefully you'll be reminded of Chyna.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

PRODUCT OF THE MAFIA



The New York Guido look is back and reinvented for the new generation. Wannabe "wanksta" thug Carmine Gotti ain't gonna intimidate anyone with his looks. In fact the only thing that he has going for him is that he belongs to the Gotti family, even though he doesn't carry the name he's a part of it. His real last name is Agnello, his mom is the true Gotti. I bet you anything the Teflon Don is rolling in his grave seeing his grandson, looking so pretty.

Thrust into the lime light with their show Growing up Gotti, we thought we were going to get a glimpse of what the mafia life is like. Instead we got to see three spoiled brats running around with their over protective mom, spending mafia money for all we know.

This kid needs a beat down, along with his two other siblings. In fact New York is filled with these Italian pretty boy Guido's that need serious beat downs. Them and those Dominican pretty boys who listen to that awful music called Raggaeton. I love raggae, but this raggaeton crap is giving raggae a bad name. Affiliating their style of crap music with the name raggae, is wrong...okay that was a bit off subject, but yea you get the point.

Monday, October 29, 2007

ART IN A MINUTE

This guy Eivind is one of the best pencil artist's I've ever seen. And for those of you that know me personally, you know I've seen a lot of artist in my time. Check out this clip of Eivind drawing one of the hottest import to ever come out of Brazil, Adriana Lima.

Also check out Eivind's website at www.drawing-studio.net

Sunday, October 28, 2007

GHOST VIDEO

In the spirit of Halloween I wanted to share this video of some ghostly clips. A few look obviously fake, but there are a few towards the end that give you a little uneasy feeling. Which is great considering it's Halloween season. So the question I leave you with is. Do you believe in ghosts? Enjoy!



GHOSTS SPIRITS AND DEMONS EXPOSED - More amazing videos are a click away

Thursday, October 25, 2007

SELFISH CUNT AWARD GOES TO...BRITNEY SPEARS!


The pathetic thing is that on youtube people wrote comments about how they felt sad/bad for her. How she's hounded all the time, and this and that. There are some dumbasses in this world but none top the cake like Britney Spears fans. I think her totally fan base has an IQ of 65. How could you feel sorry for someone that clearly doesn't give a rats ass about anyone else but herself, let alone her children. She's a selfish spoiled little dumb southern slut. She is what she is a dumb whore. Usually the bad parent is always the dad, but in her case she's the worst mom next to Anna Nicole Smith. She killed her son and then killed herself. She was a fat dumb southern slut. I can only hope for the same outcome for Britney, minus the killing of her sons. She should just off herself. One less useless person taking up precious oxygen.

She digusts me and I just can't comprehend why no one else feels the same way. I know horny fat middle aged country white men whack off to her constantly, they love that southern dirty whore type. Reminds them of their first cousin or sister. Normal guys should find her repulsive. I guess I'm the only normal guy here.

Britney's comeback will end when her album drops in stores. The next day she will be forgotten. A monkey's got more talent than her.

A PRINCESS REMEMBERED



A decade ago this year (August 31st to be exact) the worlds most beautiful princess passed away. But the questions remains, was she killed or was it merely an accident as the reports claim? The conspiracy theorists have taken this tragedy to town and not to mention Dodi's father Al Fayed has joined in on the conspiracy theories.

The simple answer is that Dodi's driver was drunk out of his mind and hopped up on prescription pills and simply lost control of the car and crashed.

But the more elaborate story would be that the British government sent the MI-6 (equivalent to the US governments most dangerous special forces group otherwise known as "The Unit")to kill her.

Al Fayed claims so, because she was pregnant with Dodi's child and was going to marry him. Which he feels doesn't sit well with the British Government. Their beloved Princess to bare the child of a Muslim man? Not on their watch.

My take, sure they had her killed. If she voiced concern to close friends that her life was in jeopardy and that she felt that the British government wanted her dead, than it must be true. She's been around politics since her marriage to Prince Charles in the 80's. She knows secrets that no one should know, so she would have grown a sense of how they felt and what they were thinking. And why would key people, like the famed photographer that took a picture of Princess Diana looking like she had a bulge in her tummy end up dead three months after the crash, on an apparent accident. If this was the work of a group like MI-6 they can assassinate anyone and make it look like an accident. It's not beyond their capabilities. In fact it's there job to make it look like something it's not. So yes I believe she was terminated and Prince Charles had/has knowledge of it. The question is, how will the boys react once they've found the truth?

No one can take back a beautiful Princess lost and no one can solve a conspiracy so deep. It's a sad tragedy, that should have never happened.


Pictures of the crashed Mercedes
I know, I know I'm not hating on the subject. I just can't, she's one of the rare celebrities that deserves respect.

Monday, October 22, 2007

THE MIGHTY RUBIK'S CUBE

I don't think I'd ever be able to solve one of these damn rubik's cube. But mark my words I will give it all I've got. I'm gonna purchase one and solve it. And I will document everything from the moment I take it out of the package. Yea whatever right? But anyhow now to our clip of the day. This dude solves the rubiks cube in 10.56 seconds. The only thing I'm wondering is you'll notice in the beginning it looks like he's setting up the cube, I dunno I had the volume off when I watched it. But check it out it's still pretty amazing.


Sunday, October 21, 2007

LITTLE MISS VIXEN




HAiDER:
Let's just expose her for what she really is. A wild child (aka slut), who's a drink and a snort away from being a Lindsey Lohan or Paris Hilton. Just goes to show that what you see on television isn't real at all. The wholesome rep that you see on TV, was nothing but another Hollywood deception. She's just as wild as any Hollywood slut.

If she'd come out being who she really was, than all this wouldn't have generated a big storm. It would have been brushed off as another day in the life of Vanessa Hudgens. Party girl, loose girl, etc. But nope she had to try and pull off the "I'm just a sweet little angel" act. I can't wait til the next set of pics or maybe a video will leak out. I willing to bet that's her next thing. I don't doubt that she already has a sex tape sitting in her room, waiting to be leaked out. Eventually it'll happen and when it does, I'll be there to scoop it up and show it to the world.


TI: MORE THAN A RAPSTAR


According to the Feds, T.I,, whose real name is Clifford Harris, was busted after they learned one of his bodyguards was allegedly trying to purchase machine guns for the musician. Authorities say the bodyguard admitted to purchasing about nine firearms for T.I. in the past and about 17 firearms for other people in the musician's posse on previous occasions. The bodyguard claims the rapper gave him cash to purchase the guns, because T.I., as a convicted felon, was not able to legally buy firearms. The bodyguard was arrested last week trying to buy several guns. After his arrest, the bodyguard agreed to cooperate with authorities -- that cooperation led to today's arrest.

Click here to read the complete statement from the Department of Justice.






Friday, October 19, 2007

TWO COREY'S MAKE A WRONG

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

TYLER PERRY'S PUT ON BLAST


HAiDER:
Tyler Perry's this, Tyler Perry's that. Fuck Tyler Perry! I am sick and tired of hearing that name. Over the last year or so his name is on everything. He's the hottest thing in the entertainment business. He's released a handful of movies the past year. Movies that probably aren't worth a damn to watch. I don't give a damn about Madea's Family Reunion or Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Movies that won't win jack at any awards and it's not cause he's black, it's cause his movies are whack! He's just so over saturated in right now that it makes me want to puke. He's like Michael Vick the football player (not Michael Vick the dog killer) overrated. Someone make this guy disappear. But first make Britney disappear, cause I'm way tired of seeing her skank ass on the tabloids.

VIDEO CLIP OF THE YEAR

I know I've been posting up a lot of videos lately but this one takes the cake. You have to check this out. I don't know what this is, if it's a real casting for a kung fu comedy flick or what. But these guys are hilarious. Especially the black dude with the nunchucks. Enjoy the laughs...

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

LOOSING HER HOT STATUS


HAiDER:
How can you go from one of the hottest chicks in Hollywood to one of the skinniest chicks in Somalia. I've heard of the expression you start to look like your dog, but not you start to look like the Somalian kid you're trying to help. I mean this is Calista Flockhart status. No man finds a super skinny hot. Like no woman finds a skinny bone jones man hot. Gotta have some meat on ya. Eat a burrito, have some pasta, hell eat Filippino food for a month it'll put some wait on you. Better yet have some Pho'. But come on 98lbs is an unhealthy weight for any adult woman. How would she be able to withstand a Brad Pitt bang, being so skinny? He'll break her in two.

Monday, October 15, 2007

A PLUG FOR THE FELLAS

A plug to the fellas at http://www.4ako.com/

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

My two business partners Ariel and Arbel.

Get your printing needs and graphics designed by these guys.

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Check out more fun images @ http://www.askfunny.com/

HAiDER comments: So that's where these Emo queers got the idea from. I hate seening these little skinny ass punks walking around with thier super tight jeans on, rocking some stupid ass hairdo, and all chained out. It's like a gay version of punk/goth. I'm seriously going to deck one of them in the face one of these days. They annoy the hell out of me. Them and hippies aka tree huggers.

VIDEO OF THE WEEK...LAST WEEK

HAiDER:
This jackass deserved a broken toe and the loss of some teeth. I would have done the same dam thing to this little prick. If Bonaduce gets shit for this than this country is really fucked up. Cause that little prick attacked Bonaduce. As crazy as Bonaduce is, I stand by him on this incident.
Fuck Johnny Fairplay, someone should of whacked hin on survivor. Come on they were on an island, I'm sure there were plenty of places to dump a body.









Video shared to us by http://www.deadquail.com/

Sunday, October 14, 2007

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

I don't know were to even begin explaining this clip. Just see for yourself.

or go to youtube.com and watch it from there

http://youtube.com/watch?v=z6JCCayPG7k







Video of the week is brought to you by http://www.deadquail.com/

TRUMP IS A CHUMP


HAiDER:
This guy is a total joke. If you're falling for his gimmick that he's this big time business man. He ain't sh#t. He isn't even a self made millionaire. His father started the business and he just took over. In the mid to late 90's he almost went bankrupt, but he struck pay dirt when he decided to brand his name. And then came the reality show, where you can become Trumps apprentice aka "Coffee Boy". Trump is no better than Diddy. They sell out their name and act like they are the most successful business men in the US.

All the new building Trump says he's erecting aren't really his. Companies paid to use his name on their building to attract business. I'm sure they gave him free reign on designing the building and even allowed his company to over see operations, but in reality the building belongs to the corporations that paid for it.

I'm willing to bet Trump is nothing but a chump. Had to do it, I've been waiting this whole time to write that out. Trump is not the American dream, and either is Diddy.

Not only that, but he's a sorry excuse for a father. He won't even spend quality time with his new born. Especially when the baby is sick, he'll demand for the baby not get near him. He won't change diapers, I bet he couldn't last 10 minutes alone with the kid. Sorry a$$ excuse for a man.

All and all this guy is a sell out. He'd sell out his kids to be famous. He only cares to be famous and would do anything to stay that way.

ASIAN TOP CHEF


HAiDER:
I've been watching the Top Chef since it's second season, it's just wrapped up it's third season and in each season I believe it's been a male dominated winners circle. But this third season it's been really special, for the Asian community. The show featured a very talented and confident chef by the name of Hung Huynh. Who dominated every week with his perfectly executed meals. He didn't win a lot of challenges but was the only one that the judges could count on week after week to deliver an excellent meal. Why he didn't win every challenge is unknown to me. But he did win the grand prize at the end. And I don't think that sat well with American public.

They wanted the all American girl Casey to win. Who I thought was the most knowledgable but clearly not most technical chef out there. She didn't deserve to win. During the final show a poll went out to see who America wanted to win. I believe it was something like 58% of America wanted Casey to win, 25% wanted Dale to win, and only 17% wanted Hung to win. Luckily the decision isn't left out for the American public to decide, because we all know how dumb the public is when it comes to voting...Bush...enuff said.


As big of an a$$hole Hung was, he was clearly the best chef of this season. Chalk one up for the Asian brother!

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN



Freddie Bean
Celebrity HAiDER staff writer

That's right, he did it again. Become the number one suspect in a crime. You'd think after pulling off the most obvious murder in history and getting acquitted for it you'd just lay low and stay away from the headlines. Try to leave a normal life. No, not Mr. Center of attention here. He wants to be in the limelight constantly and the only way he can is to break the law. Or stir up controversy, like publishing a book entitled If I Did It. He's just rubbing it in every one's face now. He knows he can't be tried for her murder again, double jeopardy sees to that.


Now he's back in the legal system, this time for robbery. Basically someone supposedly stole a bunch of OJ's personal items a few years ago. And he recently found out who and confronted him and ended up taking his stuff back. But of course he couldn't do it in a civilized way, he had to do it his own way. And that would be with brute force, intimidation, and a hand gun.
To top it off, it was all recorded on a digital audio recorder. Basically burying himself and securing that he will get jail time.


People were throwing around numbers like 20-30 years. He won't see more than 3 years. I'd say if convicted he'll be sentenced to 3 years and get off within a year or less for good behavior, time served and/or overcrowding. Because he's a celebrity figure he won't be doing any hard time.


It's a shame how messed up our justice system is.

Monday, September 24, 2007

VIDEO OF THE WEEK

No introduction needed...

http://www.maniacworld.com/near-miss-in-iraq.html


HAiDER adds: Damn! This is probably just look at another typical day for our soldiers in Iraq. The sh*t they have to go through over there. It's f-cupping nuts. I say send Bush and his family over there along with his administration and their families and fight their own oil war in Iraq. And focus our troops on destroying Bin Laden and his organization. There u go my little war rant for the week.






Video of the week is brought to you by http://www.deadquail.com/

Sunday, September 23, 2007

CROCKER UPDATE!

Update on Britney Spears fan/youtube success story Chris Crocker (stage name). Apparently he now has a development deal in the works with a studio to do a show entitled "Complaining with Chris Crocker". Apparently Crocker has been making video blogs for a good part of a year, and only when he released the Britney video that he hit youtube stardom. Raking in 8 million youtube clicks. Not to mention appearing on TV and Radio shows.

From the seeing clips of his video blogs, he's up there with the ever so flamboyant Bobby Trendy. I mean there is definitely nothing wrong with being gay, but do you really have to be so outragesly flamboyant? It's beyond annoying. But it's a good formula for hollywood entertainment. Enuff said, wasting to much time on a 15min of fame whore.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

SMEARS GETS SPEARS BANNED


September 18, 2007 - 9:56AM
Britney Spears has been banned from an exclusive Los Angeles hotel after shocking guests by "smearing food all over her face".

Troubled mother-of-two Britney can never check into the Chateau Marmont again after diners in the hotel restaurant were appalled by her animalistic table manners.

A "source" told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "The diners were disgusted. You wouldn't expect that from a teenager in a fast food joint. Royalty have dined in this restaurant. Her behaviour was totally unacceptable."

However, it wasn't just Britney's eating habits that led to the ban being enforced by the hotel - which is a favourite haunt of Lindsay Lohan, Sienna Miller and Britney's ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake.

According to an insider, the Gimme More singer has been "acting weird" for months, and bosses decided to impose the severe punishment before things got out of control.

The source added: "Staff at the Chateau have been told she is not welcome.

"She constantly looked out of it when she came in, and guests began to make noises. The hotel acted before she made a huge scene."

The ban is the latest in a string of setbacks to Britney's highly-anticipated career comeback, which began with her widely panned performance at the MTV Video Music Awards earlier this month.


Read full article click here



HAiDER adds: The chick is clearly insane, she's crazy and needs to be put to down. She's a danger to her kids and a danger to all young kids out there. Her celebrity popularity can influence kids out there to act and do dangerous things. And when they do and are called on it, they'll just say "Well Britney does it." She's a terrible roll model and should not be in the lime light. But she's a money maker for the entertainment business. And you know who controls the entertainment business, money hungry...Jesus killers. I really hope her world crashes so hard and she ends up in an institute.

Friday, September 14, 2007

KATHY GRIFFIN HURTS JESUS' FEELINGS


Excerpt from FOXnews article


In her speech, Griffin said that "a lot of people come up here and thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus."
She went on to hold up her Emmy, make an off-color remark about Christ and proclaim (suck it Jesus), "This award is my god now!"


Read full article click on FOXnews.com


HAiDER says: There actually was a lot more to her speech that the FOXnews article didn't mention. Howard Stern today played the entire speech on his satellite radio show. I personally thought the speech was hilarious. She's a comedian and she made a joke and it was funny. Was it racist? NO! and anyone who believes it was is a freaking religious dumtard (I made that word up, I'm claiming that word). I think it's racist for people to thank god on stage. People are saying it's worse than saying the "N" word. Okay so if I start a joke with "Three NIGGERS were walking down the street..." I guess I'm okay. I'm getting a headache from all this religion crap. Get with the program people religion kills (and molests), that's a fact. I think the "N" word should be taken out of speech altogether and the same should go for starting acceptance speeches with "First of all I want to thank god/Jesus..." I'm tired of that opener, it's so common with the black folk. They should be thanking the Jews who run the entertainment business. It's plain and simple, it's her American right to say what she wants, that's the beauty of freedom of speech. That's why I can say what I want. That's what blogging is all about.

NEW MILLENNIUM IN ETHIOPIA 7 YEARS LATE


New millennium in Ethiopia TheStar.com - News - New millennium in Ethiopia

13-month calendar finally flips to year 2000 and, amid celebrations, PM foresees `glorious new page'


September 13, 2007
Katie Nguyen
Barry Malone
REUTERS NEWS AGENCY


ADDIS ABABA–Seven years after the rest of the world, Ethiopia entered the 21st century yesterday with parties, prayers and gestures of political reconciliation.


Tens of thousands of revellers packed Addis Ababa's main square for festivities overnight that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said should mark the vast Horn of Africa nation's renaissance.


Ethiopia follows a calendar, long abandoned by the West, that squeezes 13 months into every year.


Meles said the occasion heralded a "glorious new page" in the history of a country that, from the 1980s, became internationally synonymous with hunger and conflict.


"A thousand years from now, when Ethiopians gather to welcome the fourth millennium, they shall say the eve of the third millennium was the beginning of the end of the dark ages in Ethiopia," he said.


"They shall say that the eve of the third millennium was the beginning of the Ethiopian renaissance."


Whistles, car horns and sirens shook the air at midnight.

At dawn, worshippers wrapped in traditional white robes flocked to church, crossing paths with partygoers returning from a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.


"I've come for God's blessing," said Michele Fantaye, smearing ash on his forehead. "I hope the next 1,000 years will deliver peace and unity."


Banging drums, Orthodox Christian priests sang of the importance of the occasion in Ethiopia's ancient Ge'ez language in churches choked with incense.


As home to the 3-million-year-old "Lucy" skeleton, Ethiopia and its 81 million people claim to live in the cradle of humanity, the birthplace of coffee and the only African nation not to be colonized.


But "the darkness of poverty and backwardness" had dimmed Ethiopia's proud reputation, Meles said. "We cannot but feel deeply insulted that at the dawn of the new millennium ours is one of the poorest countries in the world," he said.


He was speaking at a new exhibition hall where U.S. hip-hop act Black Eyed Peas performed for dignitaries and the capital's elite.


Many stayed away from the official event, regarded by critics as a government project. They preferred to party for free in sports fields rather than pay $170 – two months' wage for many – to rub shoulders with the wealthy.

Some in Addis Ababa, an opposition stronghold, were angry at the government's campaign to clear the streets of thousands of beggars, and at the spiralling cost of food for the millennium.

"I don't think much will change," said resident Belai Kassa. "Most of us will stay poor." (HAiDER Comment: At least the guys being realistic)


Most Ethiopians spent a rainy New Year's Day with their families. Sweeping away ashes of bonfires lit the night before, many held a day's fasting to be broken today by a meal of njera, spongy Ethiopian bread, and roasted goat.


A host of millennium events were delayed or dropped because of security concerns in Ethiopia which is embroiled in Somalia's conflict, locked in a bitter border row with Eritrea, and fighting separatist rebels in its Ogaden region.


Criticized internationally for an opposition crackdown after disputed 2005 elections, the government released nearly 18,000 prisoners this week. There were 230 political prisoners, including 35 Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) rebels.

HAiDER Says: Get with the times, that was so 7 years ago. When only a small groug hated America (Bin Ladin).


"Article was shared to HAiDER by Deadquail .com"