Conservapedia - User contributions [en]

Julia Gillard

2011-11-16T01:25:03Z

Donald: category

{{PM
|name=Julia Eileen Gillard
|image=
|partner=Tim Mathieson
|party=Australian Labor Party
|dob=29 September
|yob=1961
|age={{age|1961|9|29}}
|birthplace=Barry, Wales
|succ={{Succession
|hdg=Prime Minister
|start-date=23 June
|start-year=2010
|end-date=
|end-year=
|prev=Kevin Rudd
|next=
}}{{Succession
|hdg=Labor Party leader
|start-date=24 June
|start-year=2010
|end-date=
|end-year=
|prev=Kevin Rudd
|next=
}}
}}

'''Julia Gillard''' is the prime minister of [[Australia]] and leader of the [[Australian Labor Party]], having succeeded [[Kevin Rudd]] upon his resignation on June 24, 2010. She previously served as deputy prime minister and Minister for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations in Rudd's cabinet.

Gillard called a Federal election for 21st August 2010 to try and achieve a mandate in her own right. The election was much closer than expected and almost resulted in a hung parlaiment. After three weeks of negotiations she was able to form a government with a majority of 2 seats, making her the first elected female Australian Prime Minister.

Her government is a coalition of seventy-two members of the Australian Labour Party, one Green member and three independants (a total of 76 seats), while the opposition is a coalition of the Liberal Party (44 seats), Liberal-National Queensland (21), the National Party (7), one Country Liberal and one independant.

Gillard's [[liberal]] Labour Party Government is the most unpopular for 15 years, largely due to her misguided attempt at a [[carbon]] tax to combat "[[climate change]]".<ref>http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/8458215/Julia-Gillards-Labor-government-most-unpopular-for-15-years.html</ref>

==References==
<references/>http://www.pm.gov.au/your-pm

[[Category:Australian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gillard, Julia}}

Kim Beazley

2011-11-16T01:24:51Z

Donald: category

'''Kim Christian Beazley''' (born December 14, 1948), son of Kim Edward Beazley, is an [[Australia#System_of_Government|Australian politician]], who was Leader of the [[Australian Labor Party]] from 1996 to 2001 and from 2005 to 2006.

Beazley was a minister under [[Bob Hawke]] from 1983 to 1991 and under [[Paul Keating]] from 1991 to 1996. He was Deputy Prime Minister in 1995-1996. Elected Labor Leader in March 1996, he resigned in November 2001 after losing two federal elections. Beazley took up the reigns of [[Australian Labor Party|ALP]] leadership in early 2005 following the acrimonious resignation of [[Mark Latham]]. Beazley was defeated in a party room vote by [[Kevin Rudd]] in December 2006.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beazley, Kim}}
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

==For further reading==
*[http://www.aph.gov.au/K_Beazley_MP/ Kim Beazley MP - Parliament House web-site]
*[http://www.alp.org.au/people/wa/beazley_kim.php Kim Beazley - Member for Brand]

Kevin Rudd

2011-11-16T01:24:37Z

Donald: category

{{PM
|name=Kevin Michael Rudd
|wife=
|party=Australian Labor Party
|dob=
|yob=
|birthplace=
|succ={{Succession
|hdg=Prime Minister
|start-date=3 December
|start-year=2007
|end-date=24 June
|end-year=2010
|prev=John Howard
|next=Julia Gillard
}}{{Succession
|hdg=Labor Party leader
|start-date=4 December
|start-year=2006
|end-date=24 June
|end-year=2010
|prev=Kim Beazley
|next=Julia Gillard
}}
}}
'''Kevin Rudd''' was the 26th [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]] and leader of the federal [[Parliament of Australia|parliamentary]] wing of the [[Australian Labor Party]] (ALP) between December 2007 and June 2010. At the federal level, the ALP won the 24 November 2007 election after 11 years of [[John Howard]]'s [[Liberal Party of Australia|Liberal]]-[[National Party of Australia|National]] coalition government. Kevin Rudd advocates socialistic policies, such as a multi-billion dollar stimulus package that gave cash handouts to any citizen earning less than $100,000 a year<ref name="stimulus">[http://www.treasurer.gov.au/DisplayDocs.aspx?doc=factsheets/2009/001.htm&pageID=011&min=wms&Year=... Household Stimulus Package Factsheet], accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> and a carbon emissions trading scheme which the government has so far been unable to pass.<ref name="emissions">[http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/kevin-rudd-urges-liberals-to-back-emissions-trading-scheme/story-e6frg6nf-1225793355127 Kevin Rudd urges Liberals to back emissions trading scheme], The Australian, 2 November 2009, accessed 8 November 2009.</ref> Despite this, Australia was one of few Western nations to not record two consecutive quarters of negative growth during the [[recession of 2008]].

==Public Service and Political career==
From 1981-1988 Rudd served in the Department of Foreign Affairs, mostly posted overseas at the Australian embassies in [[Stockholm]], [[Sweden]] and later in [[Beijing]], [[China]].

In 1988, he was appointed Chief of Staff to the Labor Opposition Leader in [[Queensland]], Wayne Goss. When the Labor Party won office in 1989, he became Chief of Staff to the Premier. In 1992, Goss appointed him Director-General of the Office of Cabinet. When the Goss government lost office in 1995, Rudd became a Senior China Consultant in the accounting firm KPMG Australia. He continued in this role while unsuccessfully contesting for election to the federal electorate of Griffith at the 1996 federal election, which he also contested at the 1998 election and won. Rudd served as Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs (2001-2005).

In December 2006, Rudd became Leader of the Opposition after deposing the previous leader of the ALP, [[Kim Beazley]], in a leadership ballot. Since that time, he has enjoyed unprecedented public popularity having campaigned successfully on issues such as the environment and climate change, education and industrial relations policy.

During the 2007 election campaign, Rudd was accused of copying some of his policies (in particular economic policies) from his more conservative predecessor, John Howard, in a bid to win office, believing that the electorate found those policies appealing.

The ALP won the election on 24 November 2007, and Rudd was soon affirmed as the leader of the parliamentary wing and therefore Prime Minister elect. The new federal Cabinet was sworn in by the [[Governor General of Australia]] on 3 December 2007.

==Prime Minister of Australia==

Among Rudd's first acts as Prime Minister was to ratify the [[Kyoto Protocol]], something Howard had refused to do for economic reasons. Additionally, Rudd made a formal parliamentary apology to the "[[Australian Aborigines#Stolen Generation|Stolen Generation]]", a large group of [[indigenous Australians]] who were forcibly removed from their community in the first half of the 20th century. While there is continued dispute among historians over whether the "Stolen Generation" existed, the Opposition gave its support to the apology. Polls taken since the election show the ALP holding a commanding lead in the polls under Rudd's leadership, with Rudd leading opposition leader Brendan Nelson by 70% to 9% in the "preferred Prime Minister" rating (leading the press to dub Nelson as "Mr. Nine Percent").<ref name="ninepercent">[http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/mr-9-nelsons-parlous-poll-position/2008/02/19/1203190750515.html Mr. 9% - Brendan Nelson's parlous poll position] Fairfax Digital, 19 February 2008, accessed 2 March 2008</ref> Rudd reduced a Royal Australian Air Force air hostess to tears in April 2009 when he verbally abused her after losing his temper over an in-flight meal.<ref name="hostess">[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/rudd-serves-up-air-rage-apology/story-0-1225698279332 Kevin Rudd loses temper over in-flight meal], Herald Sun, 2 April 2009, accessed 8 November 2009.</ref>

==Personal life==
Rudd grew up in a house steeped in conservative politics. His father was a dairy farmer on the Sunshine Coast of [[Queensland]], and member of the [[National Party of Australia|Country Party]]. After his father was killed in a car accident, when Rudd was 11 year old, the family was forced to leave the farm. Rudd joined the Labor Party at age 15.

For a time he boarded at Marist College Ashgrove in [[Brisbane, Queensland|Brisbane]]. He was dux of his state high school at Nambour, then went on to study at the [[Australian National University]] in [[Canberra]], the national capital, gaining First Class Honours in Arts (Asian Studies), majoring in [[China|Chinese]] language and history, became proficient in [[Mandarin (language)|Mandarin]], and acquired a Chinese alias, Lù Kèwén (the latter a similar sound to his given name, Kevin.)

Rudd met his future wife, Therese Rein, at a meeting of the Australian [[Student Christian Movement]] while studying at university. He was then attending a [[Uniting Church in Australia|Uniting]] church. They married in 1981 at [[St John]]'s [[Anglican Church]] in Canberra, and have three children.

Rudd has given various speeches about his faith, and quotes the German [[theologian]] and [[martyr]] to the anti-[[Nazi]] cause, [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], as his hero<ref name="light" />.

Rudd has attended the Anglican church with his wife and family, without formally taking up membership<ref name="light">[http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/more-than-just-a-light-on-the-hill/2007/12/21/1198175342004.html More than just a light on the hill], Fairfax Digital, 22 December 2007, accessed 27 December 2007</ref>. He is credited with being an active member of the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship, attending not only lectures but also Bible studies. He is said to carry a Bible when he travels and has stated he is a creationist:<ref name="creation">[http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24260582-911,00.html Why Kevin Rudd believes in God], Adelaide Now, 29 August 2008, accessed 13 December 2009.</ref>

<blockquote>
“For me, it’s ultimately the order of the cosmos or what I describe as the creation.

You can’t simply have, in my own judgment, creation simply being a random event because it is so inherently ordered, and the fact that the natural environment is being ordered where it can properly coexist over time.

If you were simply reducing that to mathematically probabilities I’ve got to say it probably wouldn’t have happened.

So I think there is an intelligent mind at work."
</blockquote>

==References==
<references/>

==External Links==
*[http://www.kevinpm.com.au/ Kevin Rudd's official website]

{{Australian Prime Ministers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rudd, Kevin}}
[[Category:Australian Prime Ministers]]
[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

John Howard

2011-11-16T01:24:02Z

Donald: category

{{PM
|name=John Winston Howard
|image=JohnHoward AU.jpg
|wife=Janette Howard
|party=Liberal Party of Australia
|dob=26 July
|yob=1939
|age={{age|1939|7|26}}
|birthplace=Earlwood, New South Wales
|succ={{Succession
|hdg=Prime Minister
|start-date=11 March
|start-year=1996
|end-date=2 December
|end-year=2007
|prev=Paul Keating
|next=Kevin Rudd
}}{{Succession
|hdg=Liberal Party leader
|start-date=
|start-year=1995
|end-date=
|end-year=2007
|prev=Alexander Downer
|next=Brendan Nelson
}}
}}

'''John Winston Howard''' was the [[Prime Minister]] of [[Australia]], and leader of the ''[[Liberal Party of Australia]]'', from March 1996 to December 2007, making him the second-longest-serving Prime Minister of Australia.

He became Prime Minister when the Liberal Party won a majority in the [[Australia#System_of_Government|House of Representatives]] at the general election in 1996 (in coalition with the smaller National Party), succeeding [[Paul Keating]].

John Howard married Janette Parker in 1971, and they have a daughter and two sons.

== Political life ==
Howard had been a parliamentarian for 22 years before becoming the Prime Minister, and for 21 of those years he was on the front bench, including roles as Treasurer and Opposition Leader.

During his term as Prime Minister, he began privatisation of the national communications provider, [[Telstra]], introduced a 10% [[Goods and services tax]] to replace various other taxes, and brought in new industrial relations laws that alter some protections for employees, particularly those in small businesses. He also tightened [[gun control|controls on firearms]], with widespread public support. Although opposed to the idea, he also introduced a [[referendum]] on Australia becoming a [[republic]], which was defeated.

Howard was very supportive of the war in [[Iraq]], and the Australian government under his leadership was a steadfast supporter of the [[coalition of the willing]], although this also brought much opposition against him from the public and from the Australian media.

==Political controversies==

=== David Hicks ===
The prosecution of terrorist [[David Hicks]] at [[Guantanamo Bay]] was a political issue for Howard.

=== Water rights ===
Other controversies in mid-2007 centred around on issues as the Federal Government's desire to take control of what was originally state rights to decide upon water usage in the Murray-Darling River System, the taking over of direct funding of a state hospital in Tasmania, and stepping in to alleviate problems in some aboriginal communities.

=== Dr. Haneef ===
The arrest and eventual charging of Dr Haneef on suspicion of consorting with terrorists led to the eventual dropping of charges, allowing Dr Haneef to return to his native [[India]]. Questions remained regarding the government's handling of the case, and it was reported in September 2007 that applications from overseas doctors seeking to work in Australia fell 80% in the months since the incident.<ref>http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/21/2040431.htm</ref>

=== 2007 APEC Security ===
John Howard hosted the 2007 [[APEC]] meeting in [[Sydney]]. The security measures that were taken were criticised domestically, and included a 3 mile security fence in Sydney's Central Business District, and a call for Sydneysiders to leave the city over the APEC weekend.

=== 2007 Interest rate rises ===
The decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia to raise interest rates several times during 2007 also caused problems for Howard, who was under fire for advertisements in which he featured in the 2004 election campaign, where it was claimed that his government would keep interest rates at "record lows". He later attempted to disown the advertisements.

The popularity of Howard was at an all-time low after [[Kevin Rudd]] became the opposition leader. The gap in the polls lessened slightly during the second half of 2007, although the ALP enjoyed a winning lead right up to the November 2007 election.

=== Age ===
Howard's age (68 years) during the lead-up to the November 2007 election was said by the Labor Party to be an issue, which in retrospect appears youthful compared to [[US]] [[Republican]] nominee [[John McCain]] who was 72 at the US' [[2008 Presidential Election]].

== Political demise ==

Howard tried to win a fifth term in office at the federal election held on 24 November 2007. He had pledged to resign late into his next term if he was re-elected, and hand over office to his government's Treasurer [[Peter Costello]]. In practice, the choice of successor would be made by a vote of all the Liberal Party's Members of Parliament (MP).

As well as losing the election to the ALP, Howard also lost in his own parliamentary electorate in a very close result against former [[ABC]] journalist, Maxine McKew, who stood against him for the ALP. This made him only the second Prime Minister in Australia's history (after [[Stanley Bruce]]) to lose his seat.

==Post-election statements==
Howard kept quiet after the election loss, until he appeared on 5 March 2008 (reported 6 March in Australia<ref>[http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23329635-12377,00.html Howard breaks silence in US], [[The Australian]], 6 March 2008</ref>) to receive the [[Irving Kristol]] Award from the conservative [[American Enterprise Institute]] at a large black-tie dinner at the [[Hilton]] Hotel in [[Washington DC]]. Howard's two criticisms of the Rudd government were, "I am disappointed that Australia's battle group will be withdrawing from Southern Iraq in June as one of the new Labor government's election commitments... ", and, in criticising the Rudd roll back his Government's industrial relations reforms, said, "... bringing back the old unfair dismissal laws will stifle employment growth amongst small businesses." The black tie event was attended by many US heavyweights, including former [[UN]] ambassador [[John Bolton]], former [[World Bank]] president [[Paul Wolfowitz]], and [[Lynne Cheney]], the wife of Vice-President [[Dick Cheney]] who withdrew at late notice.

== Presidential Medal of Freedom ==
[[Image:JohnHoward MedalOfFreedom.jpg|right|thumb|250px|President George Bush awarding the Medal of Freedom to John Howard]]
On January 13, 2009, Howard received the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] in a [[White House]] ceremony from [[United States]] President [[George W. Bush]]. The medal is America's highest civil award. It is given in recognition of exemplary achievement, and to convey the utmost esteem of the people and the President of the [[United States of America]]. The citation read:
{{cquote|'''''During a career of public service spanning four decades, John Howard has been an unwavering champion of democracy and freedom. As Prime Minister of Australia, he helped deliver unparalleled prosperity to his country's people through staunch adherence to free market principles. Relations between our two countries were never closer than under his stewardship, and after the attacks of September 11, 2001, he worked steadfastly to combat the scourge of terrorism, bring freedom to millions of people, and promote democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The United States honors John Winston Howard for his lifelong efforts to spread hope and freedom throughout the world.'''''}}
{{clear}}

== Sources ==
* National Museum of Australia, [http://www.nma.gov.au/education/school_resources/websites_and_interactives/primeministers/john_howard/ John Howard]

==References==
<references/>

{{Australian Prime Ministers}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Howard, John}}
[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

Pauline Hanson

2011-11-16T01:23:23Z

Donald: category

'''Pauline Hanson''' is an [[Australian]] [[politician]] and former leader of the right-of-centre One Nation party.

Throughout her political career she has endured numerous controversies from the [[media]] and from other politicians. She favours a reduction in [[welfare]] benefits and more restrictive [[immigration]] policies.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanson, Pauline}}
[[Category:Politicians]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Politicians]]

Heavy metal music

2011-10-01T05:23:30Z

Donald: Add tag for possible new article

'''Heavy metal''' is a musical genre that was developed mainly in the United States of America and the United Kingdom, heavy metal is primarily noted for an emphasis on distortion, palm muting, aggressive lyrical content, bass-heavy sounds, as well as the influence of blues scales and classical structures. Heavy Metal has also spawned numerous sub genres which omit or improve upon standard technique, or invent new one altogether, giving heavy metal as a genre an impressive variety of styles and sounds. Heavy metal's origins are both rooted in the cultural upheavals that occurred during the 1960s, such as the conflict in Vietnam and the reevaluation and mass rejection of previous social schema, and the enormous influence of bands such as [[The Jimi Hendrix Experience]], [[Led Zeppelin]], and [[Black Sabbath]] that are regarded as proto-metal as well as hard rock. Other musical influences include psychedelic rock, blues rock, and the still developing progressive rock genre. Though heavy metal initially borrowed heavily from the blues in terms of playing style, this was later largely discarded by future metal acts such as [[Judas Priest]].

The first style of rock which grew from this was distorted [[blues]] sound created by [[San Francisco]] based [[psychedelia]] band, '''Blue Cheer''', whose influence on electric blues bands could be seen from [[Cream (rock band)|Cream]] to [[Jimi Hendrix]] to '''ZZ Top'''. The second style was [[progressive rock]], which in 1968 was led by [[England|English]] band '''King Crimson''', combining jazz, classical, experimental, psychedelic and folk music. The precursor to this sound was [[The Beatles]], arguably the first band to leave the standard rock format, creating longer song structures, many of which were narrative or [[opera|neo-operatic]]. This was the main inspiration for later bands such as '''Camel''', [[Genesis (band)|Genesis]] and [[Yes (band)|Yes]].

By 1969, the influence of these seminal artists had saturated those parts of the public consciousness which were focused on rock music as a developing art form, and contributed to the explosion of hard rock by, for example, [[Led Zeppelin]] and [[Deep Purple]] and the so-called "proto-metal" of '''Black Sabbath'''. This year is now seen as the watershed moment in the development of what soon became heavy metal.

Black Sabbath originally began as an electric blues outfit named "Earth", but after discovering there was already a band using that name, changed to Black Sabbath after the 1964 [[Boris Karloff]] movie of the same name. Developing a new sound that was born both out of a change in attitude and the loss of lead Guitarist Tony Iommi's finger tips, Black Sabbath are largely credited with developing the more heavily distorted and crunchy elements that later became staples of the heavy metal style.

==1970s==
In 1973 the leading exponents of heavy metal were undoubtedly Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, and Black Sabbath, each having a technical prowess and a compositional inventiveness unseen before in mainstream popular music. This era also marked the beginnings of [[Satanism|Satanic]] imagery and of the spectacular, energetic live shows which became a hallmark of later heavy metal spin offs. Led Zeppelin's [[guitar|guitarist]] Jimmy Page had a strong personal fascination with the [[occult]], while many of Black Sabbath's lyrics dealt with it as well. Unlike many future bands, however, Black Sabbath never claimed to be Satanic. Singer Ozzy Osbourne claims that they were actually looking for a way to tap into the success and popularity of the horror genre, where people willingly paid to see a movie or read a novel intended solely to frighten them; to do so, they began to purposely write dark, ominous songs in an attempt to be music's answer to horror films.

Live shows were becoming bigger and more theatrical, notably Led Zeppelin's "rock till you drop" performances lasting two hours, and Alice Cooper's colossal shows following in the American tradition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, promising "The Greatest Show On Earth". Cooper's shows featured [[boa]] constrictors, horrific freak-show mannequins, and dramatic fake-beheading scenes. Other key artists that emerged at this time included High Tide, Black Cat Bones, Black Widow, Uriah Heep, UFO and Blue Oyster Cult, and glam rockers Kiss. Each of the four members of Kiss took the on-stage persona of a cartoon-like character using elaborate face make-up and a science fiction style clothing. Another American band, Aerosmith, took the basic R 'n' B and rock 'n' roll structures of bands such as the Faces and Rolling Stones and transformed them into a new harder form. The late 70s saw a decline in the popularity of heavy metal, as the Punk movement, beginning in 1976, dominated the musical counterculture.

==1980s==
During the early 1970s three British bands were formed that would arguably become the most dramatically influential of the genre during the 1980s: [[Judas Priest]], Motorhead, and [[Iron Maiden]]. The 1980s also gave rise to the American thrash metal movement with notable bands being [[Metallica]], [[Megadeth]], Anthrax, and Slayer. During the 1980s [[Glam Metal]] also became very popular with bands including Twisted Sister, Def Leppard, and [[Stryper]].

==1990s==
The advent of Grunge in the early 90s is seen as the end of Glam Metal dominance. Nirvana's 'Nevermind' caused widespread public interest in alternative forms of music. [[Groove Metal]] became popular with Pantera's 'Cowboys from Hell' and Sepultura's 'Chaos AD'. The normally marginalized sub-genres of metal, that began forming in the early to mid 80s, soon enjoyed much wider exposure. [[Black Metal]], especially in the Scandinavian countries, began to see a huge rise in popularity<ref>fact</ref>. [[Marduk]], [[Mayhem]], and [[Burzum]] were see at the forefront of the early black metal scene, and continued to see popularity due to the controversies that surrounded the bands, such as Marduk's fascination with the Third Reich and anti-christian lyrical content; the murder of Mayhem's lead guitarist Euronymous by Burzum's Varg Vikernes, as well as the lyrical content and album themes of everything post 'Deathcrush'.

==Criticism==

Due to its association with the counter culture movement and the more extreme forms that it has taken over the years, heavy metal has faced criticism from parents groups, school administrators, politicians, music critics, and religious organizations.

A musicologist wrote:

:The development of heavy metal music in the '60s and its continuing popularity through the '70s, '80s, and '90s coincides, for one thing, with the period of the greatest popularity horror films and books have ever known. Both mark a transitional moment in our history: the end of Pax Americana; new economic crises; de-industrialization, the decline of unions and the rise of low-pay service jobs; revelations of corrupt leadership; powerful social movements challenging dominant policies on race, gender, ecology, and consumer rights; new challenges to the stability of social institutions such as the family; and redefinitions of political themes such as freedom. Much of the culture of the past twenty years has functioned to restore the sense of security undermined by these disruptions. Heavy metal, like horror films, has provided ways of producing meaning in an irrational society. <ref>[http://www.superseventies.com/stairway.html Dr. Robert Walser, Professor of Musicology, Dartmouth College] - author of ''Running With the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music''</ref>

==Etymology==
The term was first used in a musical context by [[Canada|Canadian]] rock band '''Steppenwolf''' in their 1968 hit record<ref>Billboard Hot 100 singles chart: highest position #2</ref> ''Born To Be Wild'', which contained the line: "I like smoke and lightning, heavy metal thunder..." The song received worldwide exposure the following year when it was used in the soundtrack of the 1969 [[counterculture]] movie ''[[Easy Rider]]''. However, the phrase "heavy metal" had previously been used in 1962 by [[William Burroughs]] in his novel ''The Soft Machine'',<ref>ISBN-10: 0802133290 ISBN-13: 978-0802133298</ref> which contained a character named "Uranian Willy, the Heavy Metal Kid". In 1964, he used it to describe mass technological destruction to the point of biological toxicity in his novel ''Nova Express''.<ref>ISBN-10: 0802133304 ISBN-13: 978-0802133304 </ref>

==References==
<references/>

==See Also==
[[Black Metal]]

[[Category:Rock & Roll]]

Ubuntu

2011-10-01T05:15:13Z

Donald: More accurate language

Ubuntu is a community-developed, free, [[Linux]]-based operating system. The name, which comes from an [[African]] [[philosophy]], means '[[Humanity]] to others', or 'I am what I am because of who we all are'.
[[Image:Gnomesword large.png|right|thumb|250px|Screenshot of Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition.]]

==Features==
Ubuntu is based on the [[free software|free]] [[Linux]] [[kernel]] and a snapshot of the Debian program tree. It focuses on ease of use.

Ubuntu comes by default with many useful programs, including [[OpenOffice.org|OpenOffice]], [[Bluetooth]], [[Mozilla Firefox]], and (new in version 9.10) [[Ubuntu One]], a free online data backup service. Ubuntu also offers users the Ubuntu Software Center, which allows them to easily download many free programs, ranging from [[solitaire]] games to [[Integrated Development Environments]]. It has an increasing number of device drivers which allow it to run on most computers.
While installing Ubuntu has traditionally required burning the program image to a [[CD-ROM]], a program called [http://wubi-installer.org Wubi] allows people to install it from inside their current operating system, just like a normal program.

Since [[Microsoft Windows]] has the dominant market share, most [[computer virus|computer viruses]] are written for Windows. Therefore, users of [[Linux]] operating systems like Ubuntu have less need for [[antivirus]] software.

==History==
Ubuntu is written by Canonical Ltd., a company owned by [[Mark Shuttleworth]], a South African entrepreneur. The first version, called Warty Warthog<ref>https://wiki.ubuntu.com/WartyWarthog</ref>, was released in October 2004. Since then, Canonical has released a new version of Ubuntu every six months. The current version, Karmic Koala, can be downloaded for free from the Ubuntu website<ref>http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download</ref>.

It is difficult to measure how many people use Ubuntu, because anyone can freely redistribute copies. However, it has become very popular for low-cost [[netbook]] computers.

==Ubuntu Christian Edition==
Ubuntu [[Christian]] Edition, a version of Ubuntu which offers many features for devout Christians. The Christian Edition includes parental controls and a rich selection of [[Bible]] [[software]]. It also comes with office and productivity software, financial management programs, and inspiring Christian artwork.

The standard version uses the [[GNOME Desktop|GNOME desktop]] environment. Other official versions include "Kubuntu", which uses [[KDE]] and "Xubuntu", which uses [[XFCE]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

* [http://www.ubuntu.com/ Official Site]
* [http://ubuntuce.com/ Ubuntu Christian Edition]
* [http://wubi-installer.org/ Wubi installer]

[[Category:Computer Science]] [[Category:Operating Systems]]

Punk

2011-09-29T04:04:35Z

Donald: Fixed link

'''Punk music''', or '''punk rock''', originated in the United States in a club called [[CBGB's]] in [[New York City]] in the mid-1970s with [[Television]] and [[The Ramones]] followed by the still popular [[The Dead Kennedys]]. It was seen as a response to the cultural sterility of [[progressive rock]] and other highly commercialized forms of rock. Although punk had limited popularity in America, it quickly spread to the [[UK]] where bands such as [[The Sex Pistols]], [[Siouxsie and the Banshees]] and [[The Clash]] became massively popular.

==Musicality==
Punk is charactarised by up-tempo arrangements, and seldom employs instruments other than [[guitar]], bass, and drums. By design, the songs are usually structured to be very simplistic, with the 1-4-5 [[chord]] progression being typical. The lyrics, which are almost always written in a 1-1, 2-2 [[rhyme scheme]], can be concerned with any topic, but usually deal with some aspect of youth culture or express some theme of "punk attitude" such as opposition to authority.

==Dancing==
Various methods of dancing to punk rock have emerged, such as skanking, pogo-ing, and slam dancing. Most punk-style dancing is synasthetically expressive of an emotion, rather than a particular representational style, such as a jitterbug. Dancing tends to be individual or communal, seldom couples-oriented.

==Punk Culture==
Punks typically distinguish themselves from others with their unmistakable appearances. This has included things such as Mohawk hairstyles, tight pants, studded leather jackets, bullet belts, combat boots, etc. Clothing and hairstyles vary widely throughout the punk scene, and often particular outfits denote particular strains of punk or core-beliefs. Most true punks however will claim that the punk subculture is more based on the idea of non-conformity.

==Subgenres of punk==
As punk-rock grew in popularity, several subgenres became apparent, some of which represent very fine distinctions (such as anarcho-punk), or small (Muslim punk) or localized (Nardcore) groupings. Some subgeneric names are probably useful, however, or at least well-known. Hardcore punk, usually characterized by fast tempos and a stripped-down/minimalist sound was a staple of West Coast punk during the 1980's, especially in the important Southern California-region and has since spread throughout the world. New Wave, despite being descended of punk, developed its own distinctive sounds and subculture respectively. Forms such as [[Grunge]] and [[Emo|Emotive Hardcore]](both descended of the Post-Hardcore punk movement) each developed largely into their own subcultures respectively in their own right.Among the many punk subgenres, real or imagined, are:

==External Links==
[http://www.punkvoter.com Punkvoter.com]

[[Category:Punk| ]]

User talk:Donald

2011-09-28T06:44:10Z

Donald: Response

{{Welcome|sig= [[User:DanielPulido|DanielPulido]] 15:24, 6 September 2010 (EDT)}}

== Little things ==

Hello!

You seem quite new - thanks for editing. Just a couple of minor conventions to make your pages match (most) other pages on the site:
# In the first sentence, we usually make the thing the article is about bold, by putting it in three single quotes, <nowiki>'''like this'''</nowiki>.
# To make pages easier to find, it's good practice to add a category. For example, I added "<nowiki>[[category:Christian Rock]]</nowiki>" to a page you created earlier about a Christian rock band.

Thanks again!--[[User:CPalmer|CPalmer]] 11:52, 27 September 2011 (EDT)
:Ah yes, I forgot about those things. Thank you. [[User:Donald|Donald]] 02:44, 28 September 2011 (EDT)

Talk:Heavy metal music

2011-09-27T15:43:36Z

Donald: Added missing reference tag. If inappropriate for a talk page, please remove.

== Christianity? ==
I find the statement on Christianity to be rather inaccurate. While I understand this is a conservative encyclopedia, that is no excuse for fallacies. Many metalheads and musicians are openly Christian, such as Dave Mustaine and Dave Ellefson of Megadeth, Jack Owen, and Tom Araya of Slayer. I believe a more accurate statement would be that Anti-Christian sentiments are quite prevalent in extreme metal music. There is also a strong Christian Metal Subgenre, see bands such as As I Lay Dying, Believer, and Stryper. I shall change the statements to be more accurate and less condemning. [[User:Mustaine12390|Mustaine12390]] 16:25, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

I wouldn't even say that Anti-Christian sentiments are quite prevalent at all. I listen to metal music, and sure some of it is about death and killing and things like that, but I wouldn't say it's Anti-Christian. Some metal music includes themes that are similar to many popular songs of other genres, just in a different form. --[[User:ALFa|ALFa]] 16:33, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

That's primarily what I hoped to get across, I suppose the term "present" is more accurate. I consider the music to show, when it discusses Satan, a Christian perception of the being. What I meant to say was that the only genre, to my knowledge, that contains overtly anti-Christian themes would be death metal or black metal, and even there it is somewhat rare. I think many mainstream Christians misconstrue the disrespect for organized religion (i.e, a church, pastors, or priests.) for being Anti-Christian. They are not one in the same, as to not believe in church is not the same as not believing in god. I'll change it to be more accurate.[[User:Mustaine12390|Mustaine12390]] 18:07, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

As a metal fan (who's wearing a Dream Theater shirt right now), I think that the Satan reference was ridiculous. I took it right out. [[User:MountainDew|MountainDew]] 18:08, 20 March 2007 (EDT)
:Agreed, i thought of it as inappropriate as well, but since it referenced it as the opinions of conservatives, I left it. Dream Theater! Another openly Christian metal band (though not in the Christian metal genre). I have a few more changes to make on the article, you left a slight typo! I forgive you! [[User:Mustaine12390|Mustaine12390]] 18:13, 20 March 2007 (EDT)

Actually, creating this article in the way I did was almost a joke; this is indeed a conservative encyclopedia -- so I used those particular statements to be, in a way, on the extreme of what some people might think. Don't take it the wrong way. Plus, the username I chose might have tipped people off: I really don't know much in the way of creating encyclopedia articles, so I left things vague and unopinionated (my opinions, anyway). I am actually a metal fan who laughed at the article, not believing in what I was typing. Then again, some of the more extreme Black metal bands do reference Satan in non-metaphorical terms. But most of those bands are without actual substance and therefore suck. [[User:N00b|N00b]] 09:01, 21 March 2007 (EDT)
:Yes, and I know only two people that worship the devil, as a god, in metal music of any form: Glen Benton, and Oystein Aarseth (Aka Euronymous), both extremists not to be considered the standard of a heavy-metaller.[[User:Mustaine12390|Mustaine12390]] 17:39, 21 March 2007 (EDT)

It's hard to prove that anyone is actually "worshiping Satan". Let's not fall into that trap. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 18:30, 29 December 2007 (EST)

==Link==
Is that parody..? Linking to a cliched, comedic-parody of a heavy metal band in order to illustrate the article? [[Image:User Fox.png]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 19:34, 29 December 2007 (EST)
:I was just about to say the same thing. Spinal tap was a fictionalized parody of a metal band. (And a darn good band, if I do say so myself, and I do). [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 19:37, 29 December 2007 (EST)

::The movie [[Spinal Tap]] was a comedy; I'd like to write about its director, who made a few similar movies like [[A Mighty Wind]] (satirizing folk music performers). --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 20:28, 29 December 2007 (EST)
:::Rob Reiner directed "This Is Spinal Tap", but it was Christopher Guest who directed "A Mighty Wind". Guest wrote/co-wrote both of them though. [[Image:User Fox.png]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 20:34, 29 December 2007 (EST)

::::You are devilishly clever, my friend! ;-) --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 20:48, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:::::Guest is quite an interesting subject for a bio, even without touching on his works - Jewish American British nobleman... Quite a mix. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 20:50, 31 December 2007 (EST)

==Spirituality and etiquette==

Let's tread carefully while describing the delicate issue of [[spirituality]] of metal bands. Some have exploited satanic imagery, to be sure, but their proportion might be less than 99%.

Mass reverts aren't good form. Just change one section at a time, please. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 13:23, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:As someone who is fairly knowledgable about heavy metal, I actually agree with Walker in that I've never heard the term Satan's Fire Metal. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 13:27, 31 December 2007 (EST)

==State of the Article==
In it's current condition this article is a joke to anyone who knows anything about metal. 99.9 percent of bands that have pyrotechnics are not trying to recreate hell. Also "the horns" are more often just a sign for metal and unity amongst metalheads and are not done to look like satan or praise satan. It isn't even limited to metal you will see it at even country and boy band shows or how about a Texas Longhorns football game? The song meanings are ridiculous, Go To Hell is about someone that is damned to hell, it is not promoting satanism. It was written for the Bill and Teds Bogus Journey movie where the charecters go to hell. Take no prisioners is about military warfare. The song references Normandy and Panzers so it was probably inspired by D-Day, it is not promoting violence anymore than Saving Private Ryan. Suicide Sollution is about how abusing drugs and alcohol to solve your problems is a "suicide" sollution. Fade to Black is about losing the will to carry on, and was inspired by the bands equipment being stolen, it can be interpreted as a suicide song but even then how is it glamorized? Also why was the referenced content about Christians in non Christian bands removed? All the unreferenced stuff on this page should be removed before that was.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 13:51, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:The idea of "Christian" metal strikes me as utterly proposterous. Just like the idea of African Klu Klux Klan members or Jewish Nazis is utterly proposterous. Quit trying to make Heavy Metal music into something that it is not. You've made various attempts to censor the material here or downplay Metal's dangerous nature, but it's not going to work. Maybe you'd feel more at home at Wikipedia. Your attempts to disassociate Metal with Satanism are pathetic. That's like saying you're a Ku Klux Klan member but you're not into the whole discrimination thing.. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

::Jose calm down. Metal is a style of music, not a way of thinking. There is absolutely no contridiction with someone using a certain style of music to promote ''any'' message -- good ''or'' bad. You should check out some Christian metal. A youth Christian musical concert (Ichthus) often features metal bands -- one of their tents is dedicated entirely towards "heavier" music. I also personally know the manager of a Christian metal band. He is old friends with my youth pastor at church and I've done some work with him. He is an intense Christian and his music is... well, rather intense. So please take a chill pill and open your mind to other possibilities.
::Think about it this way: even if metal ''were'' "satanist--dominated" (which I don't think it is), wouldn't that therefore be the best place for a Christian band? Jesus hanged out with prostitutes and beggars, remember. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 15:17, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:::There's even Christian rap, which uses the rapid-fire half-spoken style of [[hip hop]] to convey the pro-woman, anti-violence message of Jesus and salvation. My favorite "heavenly metal" group is [[The Ancestors]]. And there's always [[Stryper]] ("by his stripes we were healed"). --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 15:26, 31 December 2007 (EST)

First of all, I do not agree with what any of you have posted. However, perhaps I shall listen to some of this "Christian" metal and "Christian" rap. There might be a small chance that I am wrong. I was wrong about Spinal tap. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:This music.. [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huod7HJe4BM]] It's disgusting. I'm going to have to disagree with all those who support "Christian" metal. This just doesn't sound very Christian to me.. First of all, it's too loud and violent sounding and the screaming sounds very demonic. Even if there are pro-Christian lyrics in the songs it's impossible to tell because the screaming is incomprehensible. The choice of intervals strikes me as interesting.. Very evil sounding. Please listen and tell me what you think.. I really don't get it. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

::It obviously wasn't designed with you in mind. I don't hear anything "evil", except that you automatically associate the genre with evil, which is a circular argument. I don't hear any "evil-sounding intervals" either. Try looking up some lyrics before you base Christianity on how a group decides to play the guitar. Here's one called [http://lyrics.christiansunite.com/lyrics_1134_7.shtml If I Die] by Stryper. ("Living was hard /And loneliness easily justified / Oh, then I found You / Ooh, I suddenly knew / What I wanted to do was to make You satisfied / And not to die for selfish pleasure / But to live with You by my side"). It's not as heavy musically (here's a [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIFOsQd34qE Youtube vid] -- ignore the visuals though), but still considered "metal" I would think.

::I did some searching, and here's the lyrics from one of the songs in the video you found [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=8734]. Check out the description at the bottom: "True hope should only be placed in Christ, and no man. Christ will never fail you...".

::This isn't your mom's Christian music! But that doesn't make it wrong. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 19:00, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:::Would this qualify as metal? I could actually see myself listening to something like this. It's melodic, and the singing is clean and clear. Thanks.. This is inspiring. But I don't think it's heavy metal. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]
::::That's why I found the other lyrics for you. [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=8734 These] are lyrics from that Youtube video you disagreed with. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 19:24, 31 December 2007 (EST)

::::Well Jose all of what you are saying is your own personal opinion. How is it to loud? Any music can be to loud, if that is a problem turn the volume down. Different people have different tastes, just because you don't like a style of music doesn't make it "evil". Besides the bible instructs us to "Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise" (Psalm 33:3). God is infinitely bigger than your music tastes. Also many styles of metal have very easily comprehensable lyrics and so what if they aren't comprehensible? Does that make it wrong? If you don't like it thats fine, but it doesn't give you the right to try and demonize something just because it doesn't appeal to your personal tastes.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 19:14, 31 December 2007 (EST)

I highly doubt Jesus would have "rocked out" to this garbage. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]
:I think if you feel that the music is "garbage" then we should find someone with a more neutral attitude to edit it, no? I'm not saying you shouldn't edit, but I would think hard about if you are the appropriate one. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 19:24, 31 December 2007 (EST)
:How do you know God's musical tastes?--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 19:26, 31 December 2007 (EST)

::God is absolutely Holy, therefore he wouldn't indulge in music with satanic connotation. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]
:::Could you be a little more specific as to what you mean by "satanic connotation".--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 19:39, 31 December 2007 (EST)

::::A lot of heavy metal is inspired by Satan and the occult. This definitely would not cater to God's taste. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]
:::::Jesus hanged (hung? I never get that right) out with sinners, beggars and prostitutes. If this music really is as evil as you say, shouldn't Christians get in there to converted these supposed evildoers? [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 19:48, 31 December 2007 (EST)
:::::Many books are inspired by Satan and the occult, does that mean all books are against God?--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 19:49, 31 December 2007 (EST)

Jesus would have discouraged the prostitutes from whoring themselves and they would have discouraged these bands from playing the music they are playing. He wouldn't encourage more Christians to become prostitutes or play heavy metal. A certain category of books are inspired by satan and the occult and all within that category are against god, just like how heavy metal is a certain genre of music which is against god. Not all music is against god. True heavy metal is. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:Well I guess we know that these artists aren't Jesus himself then. It doesn't mean they aren't Christian, however. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 20:23, 31 December 2007 (EST)

::Jesus hung out with drunks and whores, I guess, him being so tolerant and all. But he also is famous for telling the adulterous woman to "go and sin no more".

::My impression of metal is that it invokes a lot of nasty symbols: devils, long tongues, gloomy or morbid lyrics, etc. Within the genre I'm sure there are a handful of Christian groups like [[Stryper]] (which I wrote, hint hint!) who I suppose decided to "move into the neighborhood" and seek converts among metalheads. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 21:17, 31 December 2007 (EST)

==Question==
How does linking to lyrics prove the song is "promoting" satanism.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 21:01, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:It doesn't. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 21:03, 31 December 2007 (EST)

::Funny the Fade to Black reference actually say the opposite of what is stated in the article.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 21:11, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:Clearly you and ''Jose'' disagree on many aspects of this genre of music. I suggest you '''add''' everything you want, while letting him do the same. I'll check back from time to time and see if I can integrate your work and his. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 21:12, 31 December 2007 (EST)

==Stop==
The article has seen plenty of edits going on, with no real improvement to its state. I can see both sides of the argument, but unless Walker and Jose83 can start to learn to work together, then we're just going to end up with a bigger pile of cowcake than when we started. The article is dire right now, and frankly the best thing is for you two to step away from it for a day and work out what you want to say in it, get together your references, then we'll take it from there. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 21:40, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:I was following Ed Poor's instruction from above. I wasn't changing his edits.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 21:41, 31 December 2007 (EST)
::I'm not apportioning any kind of blame. And Ed's advice is good, excepting for the fact that the article is now a scab to both of you and you can't resist picking it. Leave it until tomorrow, it will be unlocked in about 12 hours, and we can try to put together a '''coherent''' article presenting the facts as we know them, instead of a point/counterpoint list of grievances. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 21:44, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:::==Dial-the-Truth-Ministries==
:::The Dial-the-Truth-Ministry is a controversial religious group that is part of King James Only Movement. One of the main goals of the group is to denounce the evil that they believe Christian metal or rock music is. The group believes that any form of music with a beat is evil. <ref>[http://www.av1611.org/ Dial-the-Truth-Ministries]</ref> Ted Kirkpatrick, the drummer for the Christian metal band Tourniquet stated the following about the groups website, ''"This site is so full of inaccuracies, so devoid of sound Biblical principles, and uses such twisted logic, that some have emailed us asking if it was done as a joke."''<ref>http://www.tourniquet.net/faq/</ref>

:::I added the above here since the article is locked so I can move it to the article when it is unlocked.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 21:47, 31 December 2007 (EST)

:... this article needs to be a collaboration, not a rant, from both sides. Content: I'm working on adding some history and the "technicalities" of what HM is ("neutral to the facts"), and then the more controversial aspects can be worked in by you guys. As I said it would be, it's unprotected, but that doesn't mean you should just come along and edit in tiny soundbites. Try to edit cohesively, so that the article doesn't just resemble the transcript of two guys shouting each other down :) [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 08:32, 1 January 2008 (EST)

There needs to be SOME mention of Satanism in the article. Neglecting to do so is just plain irresponsible. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:Try concentrating on an explanation of why some people believe there are Satanic elements in heavy metal. What satanic themes do they find in it? Imagery, lyrics? Be specific and provide references.

:If your work is being reverted, then create a user subpage like [[User:Jose83/metal]]. No one is allowed to edit there but you. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 18:02, 1 January 2008 (EST)

Imagery of certain metal bands definitely attempt to make Satan appear "cool".
*[[http://www.teens411.com/newspics/mudvayne.jpg Mudvayne picture]] The guy actually looks like the Devil!
*[[http://static.metal-archives.com/images/3/9/4/394.jpg Countless]]
*[[http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/de/Iron_Maiden-Dance_of_Death.jpg Iron Maiden]]
*[[http://www.mystrands.com/photos/1/4/5/normal/14556.jpg Covers]]
*[[http://www.av1611.org/rock.html]] And lyrics of many metal songs clearly convey an Anti-Christian/Satanic message.

We need to give an honest depiction of what this music is instead of trying to make it out to be wholesome Christian music like Walker is trying to do. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:You're preaching to the choir. Those are good links. Now do some writing. Don't worry about reverts; Fox and I can resurrect anything that gets killed. (Oops, am I getting arrogant?) --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 18:30, 1 January 2008 (EST)

::Instances of individual Satanic metal bands should only be used to argue against those bands being good, not just the whole genre. Should we argue that all movies of a certain genre are bad just because a few are rated R and point out instances of nudity and profanity in those movies? It's a logical fallacy. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 23:00, 1 January 2008 (EST)

==Suicide==

:suicide is the only way out

Is Ozzy quoting what the lad says to rebut it? Or is he promoting [[suicide]]? Perhaps it is this kind of ambiguity that makes parents and educators worry that metal is bad for kids. It's a far cry from, "Come and play / everything's A-OK" or "I love you / You love me". --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 18:07, 1 January 2008 (EST)

::Is the Scripture that follows promoting suicide? "Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him." (1 Samuel 31:4-5) "But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers." (1 Kings 19:4 ) You have to put that line back into the context of the song, which is quite plainly about alcohol abuse, about how it is nothing glamorous, just a slow suicide for the alcoholic. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 18:25, 1 January 2008 (EST)

Jolly good. So let's point out that '''not all''' references to suicide in heavy metal music are intended to glorify it. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 18:32, 1 January 2008 (EST)

:::Fact is you probaably can't find one example of a band '''glorifying''' suicide. Why would any band glorify suicide? If they are in the buisness of selling albums and filling the seats at concerts why would they want their fans to kill themselves? --[[User:Walker|Walker]] 15:30, 18 January 2008 (EST)

::::The closest I can come to a band ''glorifying'' suicide would be ''Don't Fear the Reaper'' by Blue Oyster Cult. [[User:Boomcoach|Boomcoach]] 15:52, 28 January 2008 (EST)

==Links==
*http://www.thetruthforyouth.com/standard/main.htm - rock music
*http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Rock-n-Roll/satanic_quotes.htm
*http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Rock-n-Roll/nature.htm

== Christian metal is not evil ==

It is preposterous to say that all Christian metal is evil. Every claim is based upon specific instances of evil in secular metal, and thus not a valid comparison. This site defends Christian metal against every argument that groups like Dial-the-Truth can come up with: http://www.mindspring.com/~brucec/craindex.htm [[User:DanH|DanH]] 22:59, 1 January 2008 (EST)

:Yes this is quite obvious and wow that site is wonderful. This site here http://www.metalforjesus.org/friorfoe.html is also pretty good although it doesn't contain nearly as much information. I'd also like to point out that although there are secular acts that promote immorality and blaspheme and stuff like that, many of them do not. First of all just because a song is about something does not mean a band is advocating or promoting it. Oftentimes they are just telling a story for entertainment value and they often use satire. There are many different styles of metal and many of them have totally different common lyrical themes. These links Jose is posting are laughable. I'd also like to know how Jose knows what Satan physically looks like. According to one of the links, apparently when Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden told Hit Parader magazine that, "We can play with conviction every night, because we totally believe in the music we're performing." That means that he is a satanist. Also what does posting links of album covers prove. If you want to find viable criticisms of heavy metal that aren't going to make this article into one of the jokes of conservapedia you might want to stay away from using Terry Watkins as a source.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 22:25, 2 January 2008 (EST)

::So you admit there are many Metal bands to promote immorality and blasphemy.. We have progress! If an Artist makes a song about "Killing 'em all" they don't need to openly promote it as a band to promote it because the song is already out there and young impressionable children are already being brainwashed and programmed. And you can also play dumb and and pretend that the guy from Mudvayne isn't trying to look like Satan but he looks exactly how popular culture has made him out to look like. Iron Maiden heavily relies on demonic images to sell-out concerts and sell albums. This is especially prevelant on their album covers where the marketing of a demon-like mascot is irrefutable. Do you listen to these bands, Walker? -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

Iron Maiden isn't a good influence. They had a song called "Number of the Beast". Nobody's saying that Iron Maiden is a good band. The issue here is Christian metal bands, who tend not to have songs like that. [[User:DanH|DanH]] 23:56, 2 January 2008 (EST)

:Sorry another point I am trying to make is that much of secular metal does not stand as a polar opposite to Christian metal as well--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 00:13, 3 January 2008 (EST)

:I'll concede that Christian Heavy Metal may not be ''evil'', but I think their Artists have selected the wrong medium in which to praise Jesus. I have not made any claims of Christian Metal being evil in the revised article. However, I will not write anything positive about it either. I shall leave that to you, Fox, or Walker. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:I never denied that there weren't bands who did, you made the claim that either most or all bands do, which simply is not true. Also a question, if something is a medium that means it is neither right or wrong, so why is it wrong?--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 00:15, 3 January 2008 (EST)

::A medium is not inherently neutral. All heavy metal is aggressive and violent so it incites aggressive, violent behavior in the listener. My former friend was in a car wreck because the music he was listening to {System of a Down} caused him to drive irresponsibly. Also, just read the news. Riots at heavy metal concerts are the norm. There is no denying that Rock music in general evokes aggressive feelings in the listener. I just don't believe that these feelings should be evoked while praising Jesus. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]
:::Stop making generalizations. [[Image:User Fox.png|10px]] [[User:Fox|Fox]] ([[User talk:Fox|talk]]|[[Special:Contributions/Fox|contribs]]) 14:21, 3 January 2008 (EST)
:::Your friend was in a car wreck because he's a reckless driver. - [[User:JasonAQuest|JasonAQuest]] 23:41, 3 January 2008 (EST)
Yes I admited there are some bands that blaspheme and promote immorality, you can find people that do that in pretty much every area of life so what is your point? That doesn't mean all of it is like that. There is no song called Killing Em All that I know of. I don't like Mudvayne but suppoesadly they are trying to look like aliens from a fictional story that they created and base there albums on. Well if you examine the lyrics of the song "Number of the Beast" which actually opens with a reading from the bible. The song is just a story about a guy who is trying to get away from a satanic cult and ultimately is unable to escape them. Apparently it was based on a nightmare Steve Harris had after seeing one of The Omen movies. Eddie is just a cartoon masscot and he is something different on pretty much every album cover. I've always thought of him as some sort of B horror movie type of zombie rather than a demon and by the logic you present I suppose the New Jersey Devils are also relying on satanism to promote their hockey team and Hot Tamales candies and other various hot sauce companies are doing the same? --[[User:Walker|Walker]] 00:12, 3 January 2008 (EST)

== Article poses as unbiased. ==

I would never expect a true conservative website to be so pro-heavy metal but here we are. The criticism section is laughable because it contains no real criticism at all whatsoever. I took the time to examine previous versions of the article and noticed that there were indeed previous examples of valid criticism, but they were removed by user [[User:Walker|Walker]]. I also noticed that a vast majority of his contributions involve removing criticism from articles of his Heavy Metal heroes. I believe this article should be revamped with some input from people who are willing to voice valid criticisms of the genre. - [[User:Osayat3|Osayat3]]

:Please look at the reason for removing the criticism section before blindly adding it back in yourself (along with removing someone else's unrelated work). Most, if not all, of the references are junk; one actually leads you to a site where you can buy a "research paper" about heavy metal music. Plagiarism sites are not valid citations. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 16:10, 7 February 2008 (EST)

:[[User:Osayat3|Osayat3]], if there are any real valid criticisms out there then find them and add them to the article since you find it to be lacking.--[[User:Walker|Walker]] 16:36, 9 February 2008 (EST)

::Perhaps this site should be renamed Liberalpedia. Too deny that Heavy Metal is influenced by Satanists and Athiests is just downright looney. I cannot believe that blatantly un-christian music can be portrayed positively on a Conservative website. I readded the previous criticism section because it's the true conservative christian thing to do. -- [[User:Osayat3|Osayat3]]

:::This is a conservative ''encyclopedia''. Did you even look at anything Walker or I have said? Better yet, have you looked at the portion you keep adding? Please tell me how [http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/64763.html this] is a reliable source. If heavy metal music is so unilaterally evil, surely you can find some better sources than that. Nobody is saying you can't have a critisism, but it has to follow our rules. If you readd the section again without better sources you will be blocked. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 17:33, 11 February 2008 (EST)

::::Dang! Since when is a particular type of music evil. It's the people behind the music and what they are promoting that can be evil...... not the music itself. [[User:Saksjn|Saksjn]] 21:54, 2 November 2009 (EST)

== We need more ==

There are plenty of web resources we can use, and books too, I have a few of them and plan to add the citations (I know not how to do that yet, however I realize it must be simple.) Right now the article seems to lack much historical description for the genre save what I just added, as well as a description of the music itself aside from commonly held conceptions about what heavy metal is. Certainly we can do better. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:21, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

- Something else to consider: the criticism is not really... criticism, at all. In fact I'm trying to figure out if we need a criticism section at all if what is currently there is the only thing anyone can find. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 16:25, 20 August 2008 (EDT)

== Definite need of a revamp ==
This looks like the kind of article [[Wikipedia]] would have for Heavy Metal. In order to clean this article up, we should start by redoing the criticism section.

http://www.conservapedia.com/User:Jose83/Heavy_Metal_music

I plan on using the above link as a rough guideline for how the article should look.

-- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:This is meant to be an encyclopedia. Having substantive content, as per wikipedia, is not necessarily a bad thing. By all means add info you feel would be censored by wikipedia - but to censor material which has been added without justifiable reasons (such as when material is unable to be backed up by citations) is against Conservapedia's commandments --[[User:J00ni|J00ni]] 10:04, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

:Agreed. The recent additions, while not broadly incorrect or out of place, reek of bias and ignorance. Not to play the authority card, but why not let people who /know/ something about heavy metal edit the article instead? I swear facts actually do help articles. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 14:15, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

:: I figured that there was a difference between this article and Jose's talk page at first glance, but really it's just the same unsourced material from her talk page shoe-horned into this page without any sources whatsoever that actually back up her assertions. Indeed, as a long time Pantera and Megadeth fan, I can say your interpretations of their song lyrics or literal to the point of deception. If Phil and Owns thought suicide was so spectacular in the vein /you/ seem to believe then they would have sliced their own wrists by now. But obviously that is not the case. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 14:57, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

:::I refuse to tolerate your ignorant behavior. If "liberal denial" is the best you can come up with then kindly stop editing this page and let us who know a thing or two about this subject handle it. It's quite obvious that you cannot. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:07, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

:::: Your deception is weak, Jirby. It's obvious to me that you are attempting to hide the harmful effects of Heavy Metal music because you are in denial of them, being a devout follower of the genre. We don't believe in censorship here at Conservapedia and if you want to exhibit more [[Liberal denial]] in the form of Rule #60, maybe you will feel more at home here [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_metal_music]]. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

::::: AAHAHAHAHAHAHAA! I love it. If I argue then I'm in denial. If I don't argue, this article is allowed to exist in it's current deceitful form. Alright now seriously. Either source (which you can't) your assertions or don't expect them to remain in the article for more than five minutes before someone who knows better (me and the other actual CONTRIBUTORS to the article) remove them.

Also, whilst I don't oft go into the personal details of my life, yes I love heavy metal. Big deal. You hate it. Big deal. If you can come up with a sourced, logical position, then I don't care what your personal tastes are, however, right now you're simply directing all of your hate onto a MORALLY NEUTRAL abstraction. As I said. I won't tolerate it. Now source, or delete.

The ball is in your court. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:16, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

Sources will be posted within minutes -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:Excellent. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:25, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

... GnR are not considered heavy metal, first and foremost. Even if they were, riots are not EXPECTED to occur at heavy metal shows any more than with other shows of other musical genres. Also, Heavy Metal is /considered/ anti-christian by some, HENCE THE CRITICISM SECTION. Simply calling it anti-christian because you /perceive/ it to be anti-christian is not encyclopedic.[[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:40, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

Guns N Roses are Heavy Metal and your claim that a riot is as likely to occur at any concert of any musical genre is ridiculous. I've never heard of a full-scale riot breaking out at an Elton John concert. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:Incorrect. GnR is hardrock, you can't argue this/ If you think GnR is typical metal then you're hopelessly ignorant of what most metal sounds like. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 19:43, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

== Request intervention ==

Jose is beginning to annoy me, and I refuse to participate in an edit war with someone who obviously has such a strong anti-metal bent that the article is virtually untouchable by anyone with any sense. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:41, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

::And now she is beginning to vandalize the talk page. See talk page edit history. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:50, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

::: Quit it with the childish name calling. You have been refering to me as a female when I am actual a male in order to annoy me. Stop now. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

:::: Jose is usually a girl's name. My bad. You can take yourself off the cross now. [[User:Jirby|Jirby]] 15:58, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

I have yet to meet a single women in my life that went by "Jose". Jose is typically a man's name, especially with Latinos. -- [[User:Jose83|Jose83]]

Jose83 is a parodist. Check his block log. [[User:HenryS|HenryS]] 20:09, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

Ok, wasn't this solved, like, months ago? The description of "anti-Christian" does not belong in the first sentence of the article; it is not a fact, will never be a fact, and your website reference has no authority. [[User:HelpJazz|Help]][[User talk:HelpJazz|Jazz]] 22:39, 7 September 2008 (EDT)

== Edit Warring over amount of Info ==

===Too little?===
This article fails even to mention doom metal, death metal, melodic death metal, or any modern trends in metal, despite having sections devoted to the 1980s and 1990s, decades notable for far more musical innovation than just groove or black metal. I've stuck some bands in as examples and edit in some more in due course - as it stands I've missed out a lot of stuff. [[User:Twitcher|Twitcher]] 15:56, 12 January 2010 (EST)

I've added the basis of some more extensive descriptions. I've filled in a couple, and will do more, but I am no expert on glam, thrash, stoner, speed and new wave of british heavy metal. Any help would be welcomed. [[User:Twitcher|Twitcher]] 15:56, 12 January 2010 (EST)

===Too much?===

We should not strive to be a compendium of pop-culture cruft. This article is already spinning out of control with its detailed description of marginally talented musical figures, and "Twitcher's" latest round of fanboy edits are hardly in the spirit of serious scholarship. The article should, in a brief and concise way, describe the genre and discuss some of the controversies attached to it from a Christian/conservative POV. No need for a detailed analysis of obscure bands. [[User:AlexWD|AlexWD]] 08:54, 13 January 2010 (EST)

So where's the consistency in naming a few sub-genres and pretending the others don't exist? That doesn't exactly strike me as particularly scholarly. As for 'marginally talented musical figures', please don't be so puerile. Your subjective views on the genre are utterly irrelevant. I think great swathes of what I've tried to document are fairly terrible, but you know what, since this is supposed to be an encyclopedia, the least that can be done is offer some examples of bands that characterise the particular sounds. I'm not sure where the 'fanboy' ad hominem is coming from either - am I a fanboy because I actually know something about the subject? [[User:Twitcher|Twitcher]] 09:37, 13 January 2010 (EST)

===Just right===
Alright guys, here's what we're going to do. We value conciseness here, so my feeling is that AlexWD should have free reign to remove whatever content he feels is excessive.

We also value information, so Twitcher, feel free to create an article on "Heavy metal genres" or something like that, and link to it from this page.

Does this appease everybody? [[User:JacobB|JacobB]] 14:23, 13 January 2010 (EST)

Lol! Not particularly, as it'll end up getting deleted for being too in-depth, I imagine. If I'm going to spend time and effort on this (and considering how broad metal is, it will take me hours at a time), I don't want it summarily reverted because of someone wandering in and being inexperienced. [[User:Twitcher|Twitcher]] 20:58, 13 January 2010 (EST)

==Is heavy metal anti-Christian?==

If we can't collaborate on this issue here, maybe the place to take it is [[Debate:Is heavy metal anti-Christian]].

Meanwhile, let's assemble the evidence for and against the proposition here. Please summarize positions from the threads above.

I'll start: In general heavy metal contains themes which invoke demonic imagery. Bands use makeup and costumes to imitate classical ideas of what devils look like. Lyrics promote themes which go against Christian virtues. While there are some bands which have tried to counter the general trend, their number is insignificant.

Editorial note: Do not make the typical mistake of listing a handful of a typical bands and a comparable number of other bands, and then claiming (or implying) anything about the proportions. --[[User:Ed Poor|Ed Poor]] [[User talk:Ed Poor|Talk]] 07:56, 20 April 2010 (EDT)

==References==
<references/>

Stryper

2011-09-27T15:39:56Z

Donald: New Article

Stryper (Salvation Through Redemption Yielding Peace, Encouragement and Righteousness) <ref>http://www.stryper.com/Band/thestryperstory.htm</ref>is a Christian glam metal band, originally formed in [[California]]. They are known for their use of religious and Christian imagery throughout their performances, and are generally considered one of the first outspokenly Christian metal bands.

==Controversy==
Because of the associations of [[heavy metal]] music with Satanism and the occult, many Christian commentators <ref>http://www.av1611.org/crock.html</ref> have criticized the bands image, finding it incongruous with the message of Christianity. While the band claim to promote Christianity, opinion is varied as to whether they can be considered representative of the Christian community.

==References==
<references/>

Emo

2011-09-27T13:21:43Z

Donald: Reference

'''Emo''' is a form of rock music, currently usually considered a sub-genre of alternative or "indie" rock. It is thought that the term emo derived from the fact that, on occasion, members of a band would become spontaneously and strongly emotional during performances, giving rise to the music term 'Emotional Hardcore'. Emerging in the mid-to-late 1980s as a distinctive form of Hardcore [[punk|punk rock]], the genre has recently gained popularity thanks to bands such as: [[Fall Out Boy]], [[My Chemical Romance]], [[Dashboard Confessional]], [[Taking Back Sunday]], [[Coheed and Cambria]], [[Brand New]], and many others.

==History ==

===Early===

In 1983, the DC [[punk]] scene began to lose popularity and many of the bands of the era had started to break up. In 1984, the band [[Husker Dü]] began the slow start of the early emo movement with the release of their album, [[Zen Arcade]]. The album featured melodic songwriting, intense vocals, and punk style guitars. Soon afterward, bands such as [[Rites Of Spring]] and [[Embrace]] began to perfect the "DC Sound" with their music. Later on, this style of music begins to be referred to as "emo-core". <ref>http://www.fourfa.com Fourfa</ref>

==="Emo"===

In 1997, several new bands inspired by the "emo-core" bands of a few years before began to emerge in several areas around [[North America]]. These bands added their own unique sound to the genre, including softer and sometimes whispered vocals, louder guitars, screaming vocals, and the most recognizable element of the genre, octave chords. The vocal style for this genre could range from normal singing, to screaming and even crying at some parts.

Much of the lyrics for this genre were somewhat abstract poetry which were often inaudible because of the volume of the instruments. When playing live, many bands would keep their backs to the audience while playing the quiet parts and would jump around and knock things over and scream at the top of their lungs during the loud parts.

There was almost no commercialism at all for this genre as most bands did not make t-shirts and only sold records at their shows.

Most "emo" bands would only be around for a short time. Many bands only released their first records posthumously.

In this decade, with the rise in popularity of such bands as Fall Out Boy. Panic! at the Disco, and My Chemical Romance, emo has become quite mainstream, getting as much radio play (if not more so) than hip-hop and "bubblegum" pop.<ref>http://altmusic.about.com/od/genresstyles/p/emo.htm Altmusic</ref>

==Noteworthy Early Bands==

* [[Husker Dü]]
* [[Rites Of Spring]]
* [[Embrace]]
* [[Dag Nasty]]
* [[Jawbreaker]]
* [[Moss Icon]]
* [[Shotmaker]]
* [[Still Life]]

=="Hardcore Emo"==

"Emo" played harder, faster and louder beginning in the early 1990s with bands such as [[Mohinder]], [[Heroin]], and [[Swing Kids]]. This can be seen as both a return to the original connotations of Emo, and an extension upon current Emo music trends.

==Emo as a sub-culture==

Recently, the term "Emo" has been used to describe people who wear dark clothing, makeup, use eye-liner, and wear tight pants. This modern stereotype also mentions that "emos" are emotional, suicidal, and often associated with [[borderline personality disorder]]. Although originally considered to be an extremely rude and false term, modern society has slowly accepted "emo" term to describe such people.

=References=
<references/>

[[Category:Musical Genres]]

User:Donald

2011-09-27T13:06:51Z

Donald: Adding quote

Welcome to my page

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me - John 14:6 KJV

Kamelot

2011-09-01T16:35:25Z

Donald: typo

'''Kamelot''' is an American [[Power Metal]] group formed in 1991 by Thomas Youngblood and Richard Warner. Four of the band's five members are American, but opera/metal vocalist Roy Kahn, who joined the band in 1998, is of Norwegian birth.

[[Category:Heavy Metal]]

Electro

2011-08-27T17:03:41Z

Donald: numbers

'''Electro''' is [[music]] made entirely of electronically-generated sounds. Typically, composers will use [[computers]] in the creation of this music, although other types of electronic equipment such as [[analog]] [[synthesizers]], which predate modern PCs are also used in electronic music. The BBC Radiophonic Workshop pionered Electro music during the 1950s and 60s, using magnetic tape splices and filtering to produce innovative and - at the time - uniquely-sounding music and sound effects for BBC productions.
[[Category:Musical Genres]]

Black Metal

2011-08-27T17:02:41Z

Donald: added category

'''Black metal''' is an extreme subgenre of [[heavy metal music]]. Most secular black metal bands have satanic and violent lyrics, though some bands do not take use these themes and tend to focus on fantasy subjects instead. Christian Black Metal Bands do not have satanic lyrics, however<ref>http://www.lyricsdir.com/extol-pearl-lyrics.html</ref>. Black metal was first developed by many different bands from across [[Europe]], but was first popularized by the media attention surrounding several [[Norway|Norwegian]] bands and the various murders and arsons their members were involved in in the early 90's. Since then black metal has gained an underground following with fans and bands appearing all over the world. While less common now, the violence and mayhem that marked the early black metal scene persists to this day, with violence, killings, and vandalism inspired by black metal bands occurring sporadically but not infrequently across the globe.

== History ==
The first wave of black metal was started in early 1980s. Bands like Venom, Bathory, Mercyful Fate and Celtic Frost were developing a heavier and more extreme style of heavy metal.<ref name = "dunn" >Dunn, Sam: Metal: A Headbanger's Journey. 2005.</ref> Bands were strongly fascinated by the occult,<ref name = "kahnharris" >Kahn-Harris, Keith: Extreme metal: Music and culture on the edge. Oxford: Berg, 2007. ISBN 1-84520-399-2.</ref> and bands were exercising black magic on the stage.<ref name="murder">Shash Media & Rockwrold TV: [http://www.rockworld.tv/MurderMusicPlayer.html Murder Murder Music – A History Of Black Metal]</ref> For example Mercyful Fate's King Diamond belongs to the [[Church of Satan]] as well as many other black metal musicians. Black metal genre was named by Venom album named ''Black Metal'',<ref name="murder"/> and nowadays Venom and Bathory have maybe the greatest respect in black metal scene by modern black metal bands.<ref name = "kahnharris" />

Second wave of black metal was born mainly in Norway, by bands such as Mayhem, Burzum, Darkthrone and Emperor.<ref name = "dunn" /> Those band styles were even more extreme than first wave and commonly the term "black metal" refers just to the second wave. The crimes associated with black metal were mostly part of the second wave rather than the first wave. Nowadays bands like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth have made black metal almost part of the mainstream.<ref name="dimmu borgir">[http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/jun2007/dimmuborgir.aspx Dimmu Borgir] Decibel Magazine</ref> However, many old school black metallers claim that modern sounding black metal by symphonic and melodic bands (like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth) aren't "true" black metal.<ref name = "amazon" >Haikara, Karl: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/syltguides/fullview/35IDCE6P5JQOZ So you'd like to... Get into true Norwegian Black Metal] amazon.com.</ref> Despite not being considered "extreme" enough by some, those bands are still very dangerous and satanic.

== Sub genres ==

===Blackened Death Metal===
An even more violent style of black metal, which also combines the vividly graphic depictions of killing that characterize the lyrics of the genre known as [[death metal]] with the music of black metal. The style targets [[Christians]], and openly tells its followers to go out, [[torture]], and kill the entire Christian population, as a means of earning favor with [[Satan]].

===National Socialist Black Metal===
National socialist black metal (commonly abbreviated as NSBM), is a style of black metal that replaces the normal Satanic themes with lyrics glorifying [[Nazism]], [[anti-semitism]], [[Aryan]] heritage, [[white nationalism]] and the [[occult]] nature of the [[Third Reich]]. NSBM bands, while often criticising Satanic black metal bands for not focusing on [[race|racial issues]], retain the anti-Christian sentiments of normal black metal bands.

===Pagan Black Metal===
Many black metal bands adopt idealogical tenets of [[Paganism]] as a way of opposing Christianity. Pagan symbols, such as rune script, sunwheels, Celtic crosses, and Thor's hammers frequently adorn pagan black metal bands covers and themes from pre-Christian European mythology permeate their lyrics.

===Christian Black Metal===
Christian black metal (often known as "unblack metal") is a highly controversial style of black metal that contains lyrics which attack Satanic ideology, glorify Christianity and are opposed to [[sin]]. Musically they are similar to secular and Satanic black metal bands. Because of the seeming contradictions between the music and message, Christian black metal is not widely accepted by mainstream Christianity or the black metal scene at large.

==List of Black Metal Bands==
* Abruptum
* Antaeus
* Arkhon Infaustus
* Barathrum
* Bathory
* Beherit
* Bethlehem
* Blut Aus Nord
* Burzum
* Celtic Frost
* Darkthrone
* Dissection
* Dolorian
* Emperor
* Enslaved
* Enthroned
* Forgotten Tomb
* Gorgoroth
* Graveland
* Graveworm
* Hellhammer
* Immortal
* Impaled Nazarene
* Katatonia
* Leviathan
* Lucifugum
* Marduk
* Mayhem
* Mercyful Fate
* Naglfar
* Nargaroth
* Necrophobic
* Negură Bunget
* Nokturnal Mortum
* Nortt
* Old Man's Child
* Sarcófago
* Satanic Warmaster
* Sear Bliss
* Spektr
* Striborg
* Summoning
* Trollech
* Velvet Cacoon
* Watain
* Venom
* Wolves in the Throne Room
* Xasthur

==List of Christian Black Metal Bands==
* Admonish
* Antestor
* Crimson Moonlight
* Drottnar
* Extol (early)
* Fearscape
* Frosthardr
* Frost Like Ashes
* Holy Blood
* Horde
* Kekal
* Lengsel
* Sanctifica
* Slechtvalk
* Vaakevandring

==References==
<references />

[[Category:Heavy Metal]]
[[Category:Musical Genres]]

Glitch (music)

2011-08-27T17:00:48Z

Donald: minor broadening

'''Glitch''' is a genre of experimental [[electronica]] that emerged in the mid to late 1990s. Glitch is characterized by the use of [[sonic artifacts]] that result from malfunctioning digital devices, such as CD skipping, audio bugs, system errors, and digital distortion. In recent times, this has been mixed with more traditional electronic music to give a wide variety of subgenres.

[[category:Musical Genres]]

YouTube

2011-08-27T07:16:13Z

Donald: Formatting

'''YouTube''' is a popular [[Internet]] site that lets people upload videos for the general public to watch. The "YouTube Generation" was named ''[[Time magazine|Time]]'' magazine's ''[[Person of the Year]]'' for 2006.<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1569514,00.html</ref>
In October 2006, Youtube was purchased by [[Google|Google Inc.]]

YouTube [[secular progressive]]s have created a policy to promote [[liberalism]]. That means [[conservative]] causes are scrutinized, penalized and removed. An example would be showing surgical operations but preventing showing abortion videos. YouTube is consistent when removing undercover videos that exposes dishonest counseling practices at [[Planned Parenthood]] [[abortion]] centers. <ref>[http://www.lifenews.com/nat5165.html YouTube Removes New Undercover Video Exposing Planned Parenthood on Abortion] LifeNews.com, June 25, 2009</ref> Also, they are known for censoring videos critical of Barack Obama or ones that show children singing praises of Obama by indoctrination. In addition, videos were censored if they were deemed anti-Islamic. <ref>[http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=22835_Jawa_Report_Video_Censored_by_YouTube&only Jawa Report Video Censored by YouTube, Littlegreenfootbalss.com, October 4, 2006]</ref>

On July 23, 2007, YouTube hosted an interactive debate between the [[Democratic]] candidates in the [[2008 Presidential Election]], in which YouTube users submitted videos of themselves asking questions. A similar debate involving the [[Republican]] candidates occurred on November 28. This led to controversy, as they used a question submitted by [[Keith Kerr]], who has ties to [[Hillary Clinton]]'s campaign.<ref>http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=23698</ref>

Slate states that YouTube may be operating at a loss of nearly half a billion dollars a year. <ref>http://www.slate.com/id/2216162/</ref> Suggesting that it may be a loss leader for parent company Google or perhaps an investment in changing the landscape of information flow in the public. Attempts to reduce the costs and increase profitable content have been met with hostility.

==Controversy==

Controversy arose after people such as [[Michelle Malkin]] claimed that YouTube censored [[conservative]] content, <ref>http://michellemalkin.com/2006/10/04/banned-on-youtube-3/</ref>. This led the creation of a pair of video-sharing websites: [[QubeTV]], an alternative site whose origins are reminiscent of the creation of [[Conservapedia]] by people who believed [[Wikipedia]] to be [[liberal]], and the Christian alternative, [[GodTube]], which has been renamed <ref>[http://mashable.com/2009/03/10/tangle/ GodTube is Born Again as MySpace-Like Tangle] Mashable</ref> "[http://www.tangle.com/ Tangle]".

On August 6, 2007, a group of music publishing companies announced a [[lawsuit]] against YouTube for its hosting of [[copyright]]ed content without providing proper compensation to the copyright holders when the videos containing the content were viewed.<ref>http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070806/ap_on_hi_te/youtube_music_publishers;_ylt=AmjdpxJDZVebD_Qp.hhWImKs0NUE</ref>

In May 2009, a group of users from the website ebaumsworld.com launched an "International Porn Day" raid on YouTube. They managed to upload thousands of explicit videos which were often tagged to show up in searches containing words such as Jonas Brothers, Twilight, Hanna Montana, High School Musical and John McCain. It could take a couple of days for all porn to be removed from the search results, said parent company Google. <ref>[http://news.cnet.com/8301-1009_3-10245847-83.html?tag=newsFeaturedBlogArea.0 YouTube battling 'Porn Day' campaign] CNet News, May 20, 2009</ref> The delay was in part due to the raiders sowing confusion amongst YouTube users by purposely flagging non pornographic videos as containing inappropriate material.

== Christian/Creationist YouTube video evangelism ==

Much of YouTube is vehemently anti-conservative. Over 60% of Christian videos with more than 5,000 views are rated at 2.5 stars or lower. Liberal videos while often being poorly made, are usually rated at least 4 stars. Christian comments on most videos frequently attract insults by atheists. <ref>http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=52405</ref> In order to combat this vicious slander, Conservapedia has started [http://www.youtube.com/user/conservapediavideos its own YouTube channel].
Campus Crusade for Christ International (CCCI) is one of the world's largest evangelism organizations within Christendom and has over 25,000 full time missionaries. In 2006, Alan Beeber of CCCI predicted that [[internet evangelism]] will result in more conversion than all other forms of evangelism for CCCI combined.<ref>http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/pdf/issues/LWP0206.pdf</ref>

YouTube is a popular online video sharing site that provides a method distributing Christian/creationist videos across the world. The YouTube search engine is the second largest search engine in the world.<ref>http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39777-youtube-surpasses-yahoo-as-world%E2%80%99s-2-search-engine</ref>There is a widespread problem with [[Atheistic bullying|atheist cyberbullying]] on YouTube toward [[Christian]] and [[creationism|creationist]] YouTube channels. [[CreationWiki]] has developed a web page entitled [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video Creationist YouTube video] designed to show creationists how to thwart [[atheist bullying|atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies]]. Also, one popular Christian YouTube channel, [[shockofgod]], was shut down several times by atheist cyberbullying through false reports but [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video he was able to thwart their cyberbullying using some effective tactics].<ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U</ref> These false reports are not isolated incidents, many atheists will try this deceitful tactic to block out [[creation science]].

== See Also ==
* [[2008 YouTube presidential debates]]

== References ==
<references/>
{{liberalism}}
[[Category:Google]]
[[Category:Websites]]

Avril Lavigne

2011-08-27T07:10:52Z

Donald: capitalization

'''Avril Lavigne''' (born September 27, 1984) is a popular [[Canada|Canadian]] [[pop music|pop]] singer. She released her first album, ''[[Let Go (album)|Let Go]]'', at the the age of 17. To date, she has released three albums.

The first single off her third album, entitled "Girlfriend," is possibly her biggest hit, gathering over 60 million views on the website [[YouTube]].

The lyrics of many of the songs off her third album has much more adult language than the first two, putting it into the [[adult pop]] genre of music.

In 2006, Avril Lavigne's ballad "Keep Holding On" was used as the main theme song to the hit 'sword and sorcery' fantasy film [[Eragon]].

She also lent her voice to the character Heather the [[Opossum]] in the hit animated film Over The Hedge which also starred Bruce Willis,William Shatner and Steve Carell.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lavigne, Avril}}

[[Category:Women Singers]]

Avril Lavigne

2011-08-27T07:10:27Z

Donald: date added

'''Avril Lavigne''' (born September 27, 1984) is a popular [[Canada|Canadian]] [[pop music|pop]] singer. She released her first album, ''[[Let Go (album)|Let Go]]'', at the the age of 17. To date, she has released three albums.

The first single off her third album, entitled "Girlfriend," is possibly her biggest hit, gathering over 60 million views on the website [[YouTube]].

The lyrics of many of the songs off her third album has much more adult language than the first two, putting it into the [[adult pop]] genre of music.

In 2006, Avril Lavigne's ballad "Keep Holding On" was used as the main theme Song to the hit 'sword and sorcery' fantasy film [[Eragon]].

She also lent her voice to the character Heather the [[Opossum]] in the hit animated film Over The Hedge which also starred Bruce Willis,William Shatner and Steve Carell.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lavigne, Avril}}

[[Category:Women Singers]]

Electronica

2011-08-27T04:28:10Z

Donald: added influence

'''Electronica''' is an [[umbrella term]] for a wide range of [[music|musical styles]] which are either composed or manipulated using either [[analog]] or, more recently, [[digital]] technology. The myriad sub-genres range from minimalist [[ambient]] soundscapes to fast, distorted, percussion-dependent compositions.

Electronica as a genre became widespread in the 1980s due to the increased availability of electronic instruments. Prior to companies such as Yamaha and Roland mass manufacturing affordable [[synthesizer]]s and [[Drum Machine]]s, these were incredibly expensive items limited to the already wealthy, for example the popular [[French]] composer, Jean-Michel Jarre.

Early examples of the genre include New Order and Gary Numan, who draw influence from [[New wave]]. More recent acts that could be described as electronica are Moby, Fischerspooner, and The Chemical Brothers.

[[Category:Musical Genres]]

Rock music

2011-08-27T04:25:26Z

Donald: grammar fix

'''Rock music''' is a style of [[music]] derived from the blues, characterised by a prominent [[drum]] beat in 4:4 time, accompanied by electric bass [[guitar]] providing the harmonic underpinning for the melody of electric guitar and vocals.

[[Elvis Presley]] and [[Buddy Holly]] were early pioneers of Rock in the late 1950s, as were the [[Beatles]] and [[Rolling Stones]] throughout the 1960s. During the later 1960s an experimental type of rock, known as psychedelic rock, became popular. In the 1970s it grew into [[progressive rock]], which removed a lot of the influence that psychoactive drugs had had on psychedelic rock and replaced them with influences from other musical genres such as [[jazz]] and [[classical music|classical]]. Later in the 70s, progressive rock started to decline in popularity, and a new style called [[punk rock]] sought to bury it. In the 80s, [[new wave]] showed up and became popular as well. By the latter half of that decade, [[glam rock]] had stultified into MTV-friendly [[hair metal]], and the stage was set for Nirvana and the Seattle scene, a darker and heavier rock subgenre known as [[grunge]]. By 1994 and the death of [[Kurt Cobain]], grunge had changed into the stable formula of [[alternative rock]] that still survives on the charts today. Traditional rock music is rare in modern times, having been almost entirely replaced by [[alternative rock|alternative]] and [[indie rock]].

== References ==
<references/>

[[Category:Rock Music]]

Indie rock

2011-08-27T04:23:48Z

Donald: category

'''Indie rock''' is a form of [[rock music]] typified as being made by independent bands or people not involved with the mainstream record industry. Though the genre was once a descriptor of a band's label status, it is now more commonly used as a genre describing a style of music that a band plays. It is usually defined by soft guitar rhythms and melodies with minimal drums and often reflective lyrics.

Two particularly influential and popular indie bands are Modest Mouse and [[Death Cab for Cutie]]. These bands however, have gone from truely independent artists to being on major labels, helping promote the shift in meaning of the genre. Many indie bands, such as Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley, write and perform songs that are strongly critical of the United States and [[George W. Bush]]. Bright Eyes' "When the President Talks to God" offers a misguided list of blames that range from drugs to inner city poverty and places the blame on George W. Bush and the Republican Party.

[[category:Musical Genres]]

Indie rock

2011-08-27T04:22:54Z

Donald: typo

Indie rock

2011-08-27T04:22:24Z

Donald: More info

'''Indie rock''' is a form of [[rock music]] typified as being made by independent bands or people not involved with the mainstream record industry. Though the genre was once a descriptor of a band's label status, it is now more commonly used as a genre describing a style of music that a band plays. It is usually defined by soft guitar rhythms and melodies with minimal drums and often reflective lyrics.

Two particularly influential and popular indie bands are Modest Mouse and [[Death Cab for Cutie]]. These bands however, have gone from truely independent artists to being on major labels, helping promote the shift in meaning of the genre. Many indie bands, such as Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley, write and perform songs that are strongly critical of the United States and [[George W. Bush]]. Bright Eye's "When the President Talks to God" offers a misguided list of blames that range from drugs to inner city poverty and places the blame on George W. Bush and the Republican Party.

[[category:musical genres]]

The Decemberists

2011-08-27T04:17:26Z

Donald: Fixed link

'''The Decemberists''' are an immoral, liberal, [[Indie rock]] band from [[Portland]], [[Oregon]]. Their members include Colin Meloy, Chris Funk, Jenny Conlee, Nate Query, and John Moen.<ref>[http://www.decemberists.com/ Decemberists Official Site]</ref> They played a concert for [[Barack Obama]], and endorsed him for the presidency. <ref>[http://elbo.ws/post/1073585/news-conservative-critics-raise-stink-over-decemberistsbarack-obama-rally/]</ref>

They are known for glorifying [[rape]], [[suicide]] (most often by [[drowning]], and some songs simply involve death by drowning, without suicide being involved<ref>[http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858618440/]</ref>), and various other sinful acts in their music; the songs "We Both Go Down Together" (rape and double-suicide)<ref>[http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/We-Both-Go-Down-Together-lyrics-The-Decemberists/390818DB0383F62248256F940029D818]</ref>, "The Landlord's Daughter/You'll Not Feel the Drowning" (rape and apparent [[homicide]] by drowning, in the respective parts of the song<ref>[http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858618544/]</ref>), and the entire story arc of the latest album, "The Hazards of Love," is based around rape, intercourse, homicide, infanticide (although at least the character who so gleefully sings of his childrens' murders is the villain, although lead singer Meloy takes undue joy in the song) and the eventual double-suicide of the main characters by drowning<ref>[http://www.decemberists.com/downloads/Dcmbr_WebPDFBook.pdf]</ref>. Apparently they also suffer from a severe lack of originality, as well as a severe lack of morals.

When asked whether he felt his music could corrupt those who listened to by glorifying rape, homicide and suicide, leader singer Colin Meloy said that he "didn't care".

===Decemberists Songs with Potentially Negative Influences===
*Mariner's Revenge Song: Glorifies obsessive revenge and murder.
*July, July: Encourages fleeting entanglement over true romance.
*Legionnaire's Lament: Encourages alcoholism.
*We Both Go Down Together: Encourages rape against a unrequited love.
*O Valencia!: Pro-gang message.
*Yankee Bayonet: Glorifies the Confederate cause in the [[American Civil War]].
*Infanta: Pro-monarchist message.
*Eli, the Barrow Boy: An anti-Christian and possibly Wiccan image of life after death.
*The Rake's Song: Tells a story of a young widower who kills his children because he doesn't feel like being a parent anymore.
*The Crane Wife: Bestiality.
*This Is Why We Fight: Supports anarchy and lawlessness.
*Los Angeles I'm Yours: Colin confesses his love for a Godless city.
*Valerie Plame and The Bangman's Gambit: Support espionage and treason against the United States of America.
*Days of Elaine: A woman reveals to her own son that he is a mistake and she would rather go back to being a wandering gypsy than continue being a parent.

{{Liberalism}}
<references/>

[[Category:Bands|Decemberists, The]]

Kevin Rudd

2011-04-09T03:37:54Z

Donald: Made information more current

Experimental film

2011-01-17T16:16:19Z

Donald: Definition update

An '''experimental film''' is a film that does not conform to traditional cinematographic and filmic conventions, and instead explores new ideas or areas.

Some of these films are very mild, using occasional surreal imagery and/or visual metaphors. However, many of these films are intended to be shocking and horrific. If examined with a socially conservative eye, the films may seem like exploitation. This is not the intent of this author, nor of the original work, though aesthetic and social schema, which define works as pornographic and obscene have been purposefully co-opted, exploited, and subsequently rejected by these films.

These films are open to a multitude of interpretations.

==Some Famous Examples of Experimental Films==

''[[Un chien andalou]]'' (1929) - One of the most famous, and earliest examples of surrealism in film. It is a plotless film, which consists of several seemingly random images. Some of these images include a close-up of a woman's eye being slashed open with a razor; a man dragging a piano, two bishops, and a pair of rotting donkeys across a room; ants swarming around a hole in a man's palm; and sundry severed limbs and gratuitous slayings. The "eyeball" scene is one of the most famous (and notorious) scenes in the history of cinema. It still has the power to shock and provoke. This film is not recommended for children.

''[[Meshes of the Afternoon]]'' (1943) - A very famous film, which resembles a dream. Most often described as a "trance film" or a "dream film," ''Meshes'' derives its power from increasingly charged imagery that turns ordinary household props into signs of sexual desire and self-annihilation, while discordant editing and double exposures literally fracture Deren into several selves. The film is poetic, rather than narrative. The film's narrative is circular, and repeats a number of psychologically symbolic images, including a flower on a long driveway, a key falling, a door unlocked, a knife in a loaf of bread, a mysterious Grim Reaper-like cloaked figure with a mirror for a face, a phone off the hook, and an ocean. This film is okay for older children.

''[[El Topo]]'' (1970) - An incredibly violent Mexican film about a black-clad gunfighter and his quest for enlightenment. The film features heavy doses of Christian symbolism and Eastern philosophy. In fact, many people have called it a "religious film". The film has lots of bizarre and surreal imagery, and loads of over-the-top violence. This film is not recommended for children.

''[[Eraserhead]]'' (1977) - Another famous film, which is "a dream of dark and troubling things" (according to David Lynch, the director). The plot concerns Henry Spencer, a man living in an unnamed industrial wasteland. Upon learning that a past romance has resulted in an impending pregnancy, Henry agrees to wed mother-to-be Mary and moves her into his tiny, squalid flat. Their baby is born hideously mutated, a strange, reptilian creature whose piercing cries never cease. Mary soon flees in horror and disgust, leaving Henry to fall prey to the seduction of the girl across the hall. Some say the film portrays a [[pro-life]] message. The baby seems to be fractured and damaged. To date, David Lynch has refused to say a word about the film in any kind of public forum, preferring that viewers make up their own minds about what it all means. The only comment he’s made is on the 2000 DVD release of the film. He states that no one has come close to the true meaning of the film. This film is not recommended for children.

[[Category: Cinema]]
[[Category: Movies]]

Marlon Brando

2011-01-17T16:13:19Z

Donald: Ref tag

[[File:Waterf2.jpg|thumb|400px]]

'''Marlon Brando, Jr.''' (b. April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska; d. July 1, 2004, in Los Angeles) was an American actor who was featured in some of the most well-known [[Hollywood]] films of the second half of the twentieth century. Brando's idiosyncratic use of [[Constantin Stanislavski]]'s "emotional memory" technique of acting had a profound influence on his generation of actors as well as subsequent ones. [[Elia Kazan]] said Brando challenged "the whole system of politeness and good nature and good ethics and everything else."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2005/may/14/film Mad about the boy ] - [[Germaine Greer]] in ''The Guardian'' 14 May 2005</ref>

Brando began his acting career in the theater, debuting on [[Broadway]] in 1944 in ''I Remember Mama''. Three years later his performance as Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway production of [[Tennessee Williams]]' ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' and in the film version of the play (1951) catapulted the young actor to stardom and acclaim, including an [[Academy Award]] nomination for Best Actor.

Other notable films starring Brando include
*''Viva Zapata!'' (1952) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Julius Caesar'' (1953) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''The Wild One'' (1953)
*''[[On the Waterfront]]'' (1954) – Academy Award, Best Actor
::Brando plays Terry Malloy, who under the inspiration of a Catholic priest (Father Barry, played by [[Karl Malden]]), becomes a Christ-like figure. Betrayed by his brother and almost killed by the gang, he finds the strength to overcome and redeem his people from the slavery to the mobsters who run the waterfront. In stunning contrast to the liberals who kept silent about the Communist subversion in Hollywood, the film portrays the informer as the hero; liberal Hollywood never forgave director [[Elia Kazan]] for his stunning film.
*''Guys and Dolls'' (1955)
*''Sayonara'' (1957) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1962)
*''The Godfather'' (1972) - Academy Award, Best Actor
*''Last Tango in Paris'' (1972) - Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Apocalypse Now'' (1979)
*''A Dry White Season'' (1989) - Academy Award nomination, Best Supporting Actor
*''The Freshman'' (1990).

==References==
<references/>

===External links===
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000008/ "Marlon Brando"] at IMDB.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brando, Marlon}}

[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Hollywood]]

Experimental film

2011-01-17T16:13:05Z

Donald: Brief info on importance of Un chien adalo

An '''experimental film''' is a film that uses strange and/or [[surrealism|surreal]] imagery.

Some of these films are very mild, using occasional surreal imagery and/or visual metaphors.

Sometimes, these films are shocking and horrific. If examined with a socially conservative eye, the films may seem like exploitation. This is not the intent of this author, nor of the original work, though aesthetic and social schema, which define works as pornographic and obscene have been purposefully co-opted, exploited, and subsequently rejected by these films.

These films are open to a multitude of interpretations.

==Some Famous Examples of Experimental Films==

''[[Un chien andalou]]'' (1929) - One of the most famous, and earliest examples of surrealism in film. It is a plotless film, which consists of several seemingly random images. Some of these images include a close-up of a woman's eye being slashed open with a razor; a man dragging a piano, two bishops, and a pair of rotting donkeys across a room; ants swarming around a hole in a man's palm; and sundry severed limbs and gratuitous slayings. The "eyeball" scene is one of the most famous (and notorious) scenes in the history of cinema. It still has the power to shock and provoke. This film is not recommended for children.

''[[Meshes of the Afternoon]]'' (1943) - A very famous film, which resembles a dream. Most often described as a "trance film" or a "dream film," ''Meshes'' derives its power from increasingly charged imagery that turns ordinary household props into signs of sexual desire and self-annihilation, while discordant editing and double exposures literally fracture Deren into several selves. The film is poetic, rather than narrative. The film's narrative is circular, and repeats a number of psychologically symbolic images, including a flower on a long driveway, a key falling, a door unlocked, a knife in a loaf of bread, a mysterious Grim Reaper-like cloaked figure with a mirror for a face, a phone off the hook, and an ocean. This film is okay for older children.

''[[El Topo]]'' (1970) - An incredibly violent Mexican film about a black-clad gunfighter and his quest for enlightenment. The film features heavy doses of Christian symbolism and Eastern philosophy. In fact, many people have called it a "religious film". The film has lots of bizarre and surreal imagery, and loads of over-the-top violence. This film is not recommended for children.

''[[Eraserhead]]'' (1977) - Another famous film, which is "a dream of dark and troubling things" (according to David Lynch, the director). The plot concerns Henry Spencer, a man living in an unnamed industrial wasteland. Upon learning that a past romance has resulted in an impending pregnancy, Henry agrees to wed mother-to-be Mary and moves her into his tiny, squalid flat. Their baby is born hideously mutated, a strange, reptilian creature whose piercing cries never cease. Mary soon flees in horror and disgust, leaving Henry to fall prey to the seduction of the girl across the hall. Some say the film portrays a [[pro-life]] message. The baby seems to be fractured and damaged. To date, David Lynch has refused to say a word about the film in any kind of public forum, preferring that viewers make up their own minds about what it all means. The only comment he’s made is on the 2000 DVD release of the film. He states that no one has come close to the true meaning of the film. This film is not recommended for children.

[[Category: Cinema]]
[[Category: Movies]]

James Cameron

2010-11-18T05:18:59Z

Donald: References

'''James Cameron''' is an Academy award-winning movie director from Kapuskasing, Ontario, Canada. He has written and directed many immensely popular films, including:
*''[[The Terminator]]''
*''[[Alien]]''
*''[[Aliens]]''
*''[[The Abyss]]''
*''[[True Lies]]''
*''[[Titanic (1997 film)|Titanic]]''
*''[[Avatar]]''

Collectively, his films have grossed over $6 billion worldwide<ref>http://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/world/</ref> and he ranks as one of the highest-grossing directors of all time. His 1997 film ''Titanic'' was the highest-grossing movie of all time, until he broke his own record with the 2010 film ''Avatar.''

Since directing ''Titanic,'' Cameron has become an avid underwater filmographer. He also created the 2001 documentary ''Titanic: Ghosts of the Abyss,'' which used underwater cameras to explore the wreck of [[RMS Titanic]].

In 2007, Cameron put together a documentary claiming an [[ossuary]] in the [[Holy Land]] could contain the bones of [[Jesus Christ]]. The work is considered to be more hype than reality.<ref>http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/02/25/tomb_arc.html?category=archaeology&guid=20070225073000 Discovery Channel News</ref>

In 2010, Cameron challenged [[global warming]] "deniers" to a public debate, but canceled at the last minute. <ref>http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/08/23/filmmaker-james-cameron-backs-out-global-warming-debate-he-organized</ref> <ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/26/cold-feet-on-global-warming/</ref>

== References ==
<references/>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cameron, James}}

[[Category:Cinema]]
[[Category: Directors]]

Bertolt Brecht

2010-11-16T03:08:53Z

Donald: link

'''Bertolt Brecht''' (b. '''Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht''', February 10, 1898; d. August 14, 1956) was a [[Germany|German]] [[Marxist]] [[poet]], [[playwright]] and [[theater]] [[director]]. He is known for his development of his own form of theater, known as [[Epic Theater]]. In this, he attempted to alienate an audience from their emotions and the illusion of theater, in order to focus on the political commentary dialectically portrayed in his work. This resulted in Brecht becoming a forerunner in the 'theatricalization' of the theater, and a primary advocate of non-illusionary theater throughout his life.<ref name=Mumford>Mumford, Meg (2009), ‘''Bertolt Brecht''’, Routledge, Taylor Francis Group, Oxon.</ref>

His influence can be seen in almost all forms of modern theater, notably, [[Theater of Cruelty]], and [[post-dramatic theater]].

==References==
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=Mumford>Mumford, Meg (2009), ‘''Bertolt Brecht''’, Routledge, Taylor Francis Group, Oxon.</ref>
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brecht, Bertolt}}
[[Category:Playwrights]]
[[Category:Poets]]

==Links==
*[http://kirjasto.sci.fi/brecht.htm mini-bio]

Drama

2010-11-13T04:04:49Z

Donald: defining

'''Drama''' is an [[art]] form with an exceptionally long provenance, dating to the early years of the Western tradition, in which [[Actor|actors]] portray the acts or lives of real or fictional persons in a manner meant to display the moral quandaries faced by the characters in the performance, and the difficult scenarios they face. In this sense, drama is an overarching genre of performance art.

Although the art form may have originated before this date, the birth of drama is most often associated with [[Greek]] civilization, and playwrights such as [[Euripides]]. The most famous avatar of the [[English]]-language tradition of drama is, of course, [[William Shakespeare]], whose skill with the language, combined with his enduring treatment of basic themes of human emotion, have won him universal acclaim. His masterworks include ''[[Romeo and Juliet]]'', ''[[Othello]]'', and ''[[Macbeth]]''.

Drama was traditionally divided into two forms: [[Comedy]] and [[Tragedy]], representing the two extremes of the genre.

[[category:entertainment]]

Jeremy Gable

2010-11-10T11:57:29Z

Donald: added category

'''Jeremy Joseph Gable''' (born May 10, 1982)<ref name=IMDB>{{cite web
|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1056878/bio |title=Jeremy Gable - Biography
|publisher=The Internet Movie Database |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref> is a liberal American [[playwright]] living in [[Philadelphia]].<ref name=JGB>{{cite web
|url=http://www.jeremygable.com/bio.htm |title=Jeremy Gable - BIO
|publisher=Jeremy Gable |accessdate=2009-08-13}}</ref>

Gable was born in Lakenheath, [[Suffolk]], England.<ref name=IMDB/> He grew up in Post Falls, Idaho.<ref name=JGB/> He is best known for plays ''American Way'', which attacks President [[George W. Bush]]'s administration post-[[September 11, 2001 attacks|9/11]] policies via [[metaphor]],<ref name=latimes01>{{cite web
|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/08/entertainment/et-stage8?pg=1
|title=Buffoon takes it over the top
|work=Los Angeles Times
|publisher=Los Angeles Times Media Group |page=1-2 |date=8 October 2004
|accessdate=2009-07-05 |last=Heffley |first=Lynne }}</ref> and the [[Flying Spaghetti Monster]] plays, which were covered by the official Flying Spaghetti Monster website and are seen to make a [[mockery]] of Christian values and entertainment<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.venganza.org/2006/11/30/holiday-pageant/ |title=The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant
|publisher=Bobby Henderson |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.venganza.org/2008/11/27/holy-mug-of-grog/ |title=Flying Spaghetti Monster: The Holy Mug Of Grog
|publisher=Bobby Henderson |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>. He is also the creator of ''140: A Twitter Performance'', the first documented full-length fully-original [[Twitter]] play.<ref name=ocreg01>{{cite web
|url=http://headlines.ocregister.com/entertainment/twitter-30407-characters-play.html
|title=Arts & Entertainment: Play unfolding on Twitter over 60 days
|date=14 June 2009
|work=Orange County Register
|publisher=Orange County Register Communications
|accessdate=2009-07-06 |last=Hodgkins |first=Paul}}</ref> His work has been seen in [[Orange County, California|Orange County]], [[Los Angeles]], [[Washington, D.C.]] and Spokane.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/2006-08-03/culture/the-summer-jeremy-gable-took-over-oc-theater/
|title=Orange County Arts - The Summer Jeremy Gable Took Over OC Theater - page 1
|work= OC Weekly |publisher=Village Voice Media
|date=3 August 2006 |accessdate=2009-07-06 |last=Beers |first=Joel}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.goldstar.com/events/washington-dc/the-flying-spaghetti-monster-holiday-pageant.html
|title=The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant: A Religious Satire
|publisher=Goldstar Events |accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref><ref name=SSR>{{cite web
|url=http://www.spokesmanreview.com/pf.asp?date=060701&ID=s974264&cat=
|title=Playwrights Forum Festival kicks off Friday
|publisher=Spokesmanreview.com |date=7 June 2001 |accessdate=2009-07-06 |last=Kershner
|first=Jim }}</ref>

Gable served as Artistic Director of the Hunger Artists Theatre Company from December 2006 to April 2009<ref name=IMDB/> where he directed the Orange County premieres of [[Sarah Kane|Sarah Kane's]] ''4.48 Psychosis'', which depicts self harm and [[suicide]],<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.com/448.htm |title=4.48 Psychosis by Sarah Kane
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref> and Bryony Lavery's ''Frozen'', which sympathizes with a child-killer.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.com/frozen.htm |title=Frozen by Bryony Lavery
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-06}}</ref> He was named "one of Orange County's most genuinely innovative theatrical minds" by ''OC Weekly'' and called "one of O.C.'s more fertile theatrical minds" by ''The Orange County Register''.<ref name=ocreg01/><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.ocweekly.com/2007-06-28/culture/not-quite-by-the-b-chner
|title=Orange County Arts - Not Quite By the Buchner
|work=OC Weekly |date=28 June 2007 |publisher=Village Voice Media
|accessdate=2009-07-06 |last=Beers |first=Joel}}</ref>

== Produced Works ==
* ''Tetromino Song'' (2009)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hungerartists.com/bc3.htm |title=Beyond Convention III |publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-11-06}}</ref>
* ''140: A Twitter Performance'' (2009)<ref name=ocreg01/>
* ''Flying Spaghetti Monster: The Holy Mug Of Grog'' (2008)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/fsmthmog.htm |title=Flying Spaghetti Monster: The Holy Mug Of Grog by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''Garbage Strike'' (2007) <ref name=OWO>{{cite web
|url=http://www.originalworksonline.com/qandp.html |title=Quick & Painless Vol. II
|publisher=Original Works Publishing |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref><ref name=OWS>{{cite web
|url=http://www.originalworksonline.com/quickpain-vol2-b.htm |title=Quick & Painless Vol. II Script
|publisher=Original Works Publishing |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''A Dollar-Fifty'' (2007) <ref name=OWO/><ref name=OWS/>
* ''Re: Woyzeck'' (2007)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/rewoyzeck.htm |title=Re: Woyzeck by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant'' (2006)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/fsm.htm |title=The Flying Spaghetti Monster Holiday Pageant by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''The Ouroboros Line'' (2006)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/24hour2.htm |title=24 Hour Theater 5
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theater Company |accessdate=2009-07-13}}</ref>
* ''Giant Green Lizard! The Musical'' (2006)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.mavericktheater.com/html/gizzard.html |title=Giant Green Lizard! The Musical by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Maverick Theater |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''Madame George'' (2006)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/24hour4.htm |title=24 Hour Theater 4
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theater Company |accessdate=2009-07-13}}</ref>
* ''Weapons of Ass Destruction'' (2005)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/24hour3.htm |title=24 Hour Theater 3
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theater Company |accessdate=2009-07-13}}</ref>
* ''Marat.Sade'' (adaptation, 2005)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.com/marat.htm |title=Marat.Sade, adaptation by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''Slurp!'' (2004)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.hungerartists.net/24hour2.htm |title=24 Hour Theater 2
|publisher=Hunger Artists Theater Company |accessdate=2009-07-13}}</ref>
* ''American Way'' (2004)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.mavericktheater.com/html/american_way.html |title=Giant Green Lizard! The Musical by Jeremy Gable
|publisher=Maverick Theater |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.originalworksonline.com/americanway2.htm |title=American Way Script
|publisher=Original Works Publishing |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.backstage.com/bso/esearch/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003155830
|title=American Way
|work=BackStage West
|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |page=1 |date=22 September 2006
|accessdate=2009-07-06 |last=Marchese |first=Eric }}</ref>
* ''Algor Mortis'' (2002)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.youngplaywrights.com/html/winners.htm |title=Young Playwrights Festival Winners
|publisher=Blank Theatre Company |accessdate=2009-07-12}}</ref>
* ''A Mile A Minute'' (2001)<ref name=SSR/>
* ''The Bench'' (1999)<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SR&p_theme=sr&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAF49198CC09434&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
|title=Play Station < Spokane Civic Theatre Hosts Its 16th Straight Playwrights Forum Festival
|work=The Spokesman-Review
|publisher=The Spokesman-Review |date=3 June 1999
|accessdate=2009-07-17 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://www.jeremygable.com Jeremy Gable's Official Website]

[[Category:Playwrights]]

Jeremy Gable

2010-11-10T11:47:54Z

Donald: Linking

Dramaturgy

2010-11-09T03:35:19Z

Donald: Info on topic

Dramaturgy is a branch of academia and theatrical art that refers to the theoretical consideration, study, interpretation and criticism of [[theater]]. A person who studies or works in the field of Dramaturgy is known a dramaturge or dramaturg.<ref>http://language.home.sprynet.com/theatdex/whaturgy.htm "Dramaturgy" and "Dramaturgs": What Is (Are) They?</ref>

==Famous Dramaturgs==
* [[Bertolt Brecht]]
* Lynn Thomas<ref>Chemers, M 2010, Ghost Light: An Introductory Handbook for Dramaturgy, SIU Press</ref>

==References==
<references/>

Erwin Piscator

2010-11-09T03:26:49Z

Donald: Typo fix

'''Erwin Friedrich Maximilian Piscator''' (December 17, 1893] – March 30, 1966) was a German [[Communist]] theater director and producer.<ref>"Piscator, Erwin." Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge, volume 15, copyright 1991. Grolier Inc.</ref><ref name="natreview">[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YTUzYmJhMGQ5Y2UxOWUzNDUyNWUwODJiOTEzYjY4NzI= ''[[National Review]]'' Online, "Moscow’s Assault on the Vatican:The KGB made corrupting the Church a priority," Ion Mihai Pacepa, January 25, 2007]</ref>

In 1928 he produced an adaptation of the [[Czechoslovakia|Czech]] [[novel]] ''[[The Good Soldier Schweik]]''. He was described by former Romanian Lt. General Ion Mihai Pacepa as being, "a devoted Communist who had a longstanding relationship with Moscow."<ref name="natreview" /> He had founded the Proletarian Theater in Berlin in 1929.<ref name="natreview" />

According to Pacepa when Hitler came to power he sought political asylum in the Soviet Union.<ref name="natreview" /> In 1937, he married dancer Maria Ley in Paris. Famous German theater practioner, and once Piscator's own [[Dramaturgy|dramaturge]], [[Bertolt Brecht]] attended their wedding.

Piscator and Ley went to the [[United States]] in 1939. He became director of the [[Dramatic Workshop]], which he founded at the [[New School University|New School for Social Research]] in [[New York City]] (1940). Among Piscator's students at the Dramatic Workshop were [[Marlon Brando]], [[Tony Curtis]], [[Judith Malina]], [[Walter Matthau]], [[Harry Belafonte]] and [[Tennessee Williams]].

Until her death in 1999, Ley lived in New York while Piscator had to return to West Germany in 1951. Piscator was appointed manager and director of the Freie Volksbühne in West-Berlin in 1962. He produced the [[K.G.B.]] backed play [[The Deputy]] by [[Rolf Hochhuth]] which was part of the [[Soviet]] plan to defame and smear [[Pope Pius XII]] as a Nazi collaborator.<ref name="natreview" />

==References==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references/>
</div>

{{DEFAULTSORT:Piscator, Erwin}}

[[category:Theater]]

Eminem

2010-11-09T03:22:14Z

Donald: Newest album added

'''Eminem''' is the stage name of popular rapper '''Marshall Bruce Mathers III'''. Born October 17, 1972 (age {{age|1972|10|17}}), Mathers grew up in Warren, [[Michigan]]. He is a critically-acclaimed [[musician]]<ref>[http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1596451/20081007/eminem.jhtml]</ref>, and has received eleven [[Grammy Award]]s in addition to a singular [[Academy Award]].

He is known for his [[rap]] music, which includes frequent usage of [[profanity]], drug references, and sexual content. His lyrics are commonly praised for their varied and humorous subject matter, complex rhyme schemes, usage of multisyllabic rhymes, complex rhythms, and syncopation <ref>''How to Rap'', Guerilla Black</ref>, but are also criticized by [[conservatives]], [[liberals]], and [[feminists]] as [[violent]], [[homophobia|homophobic]], and [[misogyny|misogynistic]]. However, he shared the stage with the openly bisexual [[Elton John]] at the 2001 Grammy Awards, in what was described as "the hug heard round the world" by ''Entertainment Weekly''.<ref>[http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/293601]</ref>

==Personal Life==
Mathers' personal life is well known because of his public persona and a frequent topic in his music, most notably his relationship with Kimberly Anne Scott. The couple met in high school, and began a troubled relationship in 1989. The two married in 1999, but divorced two years later<ref>[http://marriage.about.com/od/entertainmen1/p/eminem.htm About.com marriage profile]</ref>. Subsequently, Mathers recorded several violent songs, including ''Kim'', and'' '97 Bonnie & Clyde'', with lyrics about murdering Kim. However, Mathers has stated that his music was a form of artistic release and was not to be taken literally. The two reconciled and remarried in 2006, but filed for divorce again less than three months later.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6195977.stm BBC News, Eminem divorces for second time]</ref> Mathers also has shared custody of Hailie Jade Scott, his biological daughter, and Alaina, whom he adopted from Kim Scott's sister.
==Albums==
* 1999: The Slim Shady LP
* 2000: The Marshall Mathers LP
* 2002: The Eminem Show
* 2002: 8 Mile Soundtrack
* 2004: Encore
* 2005: Curtain Call: The Hits
* 2006: Eminem Presents the Re-Up
* 2009: Relapse
* 2010: Recovery

==Films==
* 2000: Da Hip Hop Witch (Cameo-Performance)
* 2001: The Wash (Chris)
* 2002: [[8 Mile]] (Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith)
* 2008: Have Gun — Will Travel (Paladin)

==Awards==
===Academy Awards===
* 2003 - Best Original song, "Lose Yourself" from [[8 Mile]]

===Golden Globe Nomination===
* 2003 - Best Original Song in a Motion Picture, "Lose Yourself" from [[8 Mile]]

===Grammy Awards===
* 2000 - Best rap solo performance for "My Name Is" from The Slim Shady LP
* 2000 - Best rap album for The Slim Shady LP
* 2001 - Best rap solo performance for "The Real Slim Shady" from The Marshall Mathers LP
* 2001 - Best rap performance by a duo or group (with [[Dr. Dre]]) for "Forgot About Dre" from Dr Dre 2001
* 2001 - Best rap album for The Marshall Mathers LP
* 2003 - Best short form music video, for "Without Me" from The Eminem Show
* 2003 - Best rap album for The Eminem Show
* 2004 - Best male rap solo performance for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile O.S.T.
* 2004 - Best rap song for "Lose Yourself" from the 8 Mile O.S.T.

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Rappers]]
[[Category:Actors]]

Australia

2010-11-09T00:59:15Z

Donald: edit to more updated data

{{Country
|name =''Commonwealth of Australia''
|map =Australia rel 1999.jpg
|map2 =Australia location.png
|flag =Flag of Australia.png
|arms =Australia coat-of-arms.jpg
|capital =Canberra
|capital-raw =
|government =Constitutional monarchy
|government-raw =
|language =English
|king =
|queen =Elizabeth II
|monarch-raw =
|president =
|president-raw =
|chancellor =
|chancellor-raw =
|pm =Julia Gillard
|pm-raw =
|area =2,988,888 sq mi
|pop =21.8 million
|pop-basis =2009
|gdp =A$1.17 trillion
|gdp-year =2009
|gdp-pc =A$36,000
|currency =Australian dollar
|idd =
|tld =
}}
The [[Commonwealth]] of Australia is an independent nation that occupies the continent of Australia, with its west coast on the [[Indian Ocean]], east coast on the [[Pacific Ocean]] facing [[New Zealand]], southern coast on the [[Southern Ocean]] facing [[Antarctica]], and northern coast bordering [[Indonesia]] and [[Papua New Guinea]]. Australia is considered geographically as part of [[Oceania]], but has been establishing its place politically and commercially in [[Southeast Asia]].

==Geography==
Australia is the only country to occupy an entire continent<ref>This refers just to the Australian mainland. Some authorities now include [[Papua New Guinea]], [[New Zealand]], and various other [[Pacific Ocean]] islands in the continent of "Oceania". See [http://worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/au.htm WorldAtlas.com].</ref>, the smallest of the planet's seven continents.<ref>Some people count six, combining North and South America or Europe and Asia. See [http://worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/contnent.htm WorldAtlas.com].</ref>
It is 2,400 miles, (3,860 km) from east to west and 2,000 miles (3,220 km) from north to south, and covers an area of 2,967,877 sq miles (7,686,810 sq km). The Australian coastline is 22,812 miles long (36,735 kilometers), roughly the size as the mainland 48 states of the USA.

====The States and Territories of Australia====
Australia has six states and two internal territories. The states are:
* [[New South Wales]]
* [[Victoria]]
* [[Queensland]]
* [[Western Australia]]
* [[South Australia]]
* [[Tasmania]]
The internal territories are:
* The [[Northern Territory]] (responsible government since 1978)
* [[Australian Capital Territory]] (responsible government since 1988) which is the location of Australia's capital city, [[Canberra]].
External territories include:
* [[Christmas Island]]
* [[Norfolk Island]]
* [[Australian Antarctic Territory]]

====Low density====
80% of Australia's population, of just over 20,000,000 people, live on the coast line. It is one of the world's most sparsely populated countries (2.7 people per square kilometre)<ref>[http://www.abs.gov.au ABS]</ref>. Water is scarce and some cities have some form of water restrictions in place.

====Weather====
Weather extremes are common in Australia with temperatures sometimes measured into the high 40s Celsius (45 degrees Celsius = 113 degrees Fahrenheit). The city of Darwin was heavily damaged by Cyclone Tracy on Dec. 25, 1974, killing 66 people, and destroying 80% of the buildings. Darwin's utilities were knocked out and 35,000 people were evacuated.

Bush fires often ravage the southern states - one of the worst occurring on Ash Wednesday in 1983 when over 2,000 homes were destroyed and over 70 people lost their lives in Victoria and South Australia. In 2009 severe fires hit much of Victoria, worsened by hot dry winds and a severe drought.

====Flora and fauna====
Australia is noted for its unique biodiversity. Many animals are found only in Australia, the most well known examples are the group of marsupials ([[kangaroo]]s, [[wombat]]s, [[wallaby|wallabies]] and [[koala]]s), and the only two [[monotremes]], the [[platypus]] and the [[echidna]]. Examples of plants that are native to Australia are the [[banksia]], [[yellow wattle]] and [[gum tree]].

Current evolutionary studies indicate that Australia's unique wildlife is the result of Australia becoming an island, being cut off from the Asian land bridge between 40,000 and 250,000 years ago on the [[Uniformitarianism (science)|uniformitarian timescale]].

==People==
===Demographics===
Although Australia has scarcely more than three people per square kilometer, it is one of the world's most urbanized countries. Less than 2.5% of the population lives in remote or very remote areas.
*Population (2010 est.): 22.27 million. <ref>http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/3101.0 Australian Bureau of Statistics</ref>
*Annual population growth rate: 1.7%.
*Ethnic groups: European 92%, Asian 6%, Aboriginal 2%.
*Religions (2006): Catholic 26%, Anglican 19%, other Christian 19%, other non-Christian 1%, Buddhist 2.1%, Islam 1.7%, no religion 19%, and not stated 12%.
*Languages: English.
*Education: Years compulsory--to age 16 in all states and territories except New South Wales and the Northern Territory where it is 15, and Western Australia where it is 17. Literacy--over 99%.
*Health: Infant mortality rate--4.7/1,000. Life expectancy--males 78 yrs., females 83 yrs.
*Work force (10.8 million): Agriculture--3.3%; mining--1.5%; manufacturing--9.8%; retail trade--11.3%; public administration, defense, and safety--6%; construction--9.2%

===Aborigines and Torres Straits Islanders===
Australia's indigenous inhabitants, a hunting-gathering people collectively referred to today as Aborigines and Torres Straits Islanders, arrived more than 40,000 years ago. Although their technical culture remained static--depending on wood, bone, and stone tools and weapons--their spiritual and social life was highly complex. Most spoke several languages, and confederacies sometimes linked widely scattered tribal groups. Indigenous population density ranged from one person per square mile along the coasts to one person per 35 square miles in the arid interior. When Captain James Cook claimed Australia for Great Britain in 1770, the native population is estimated to have numbered between 318,000 and 750,000 in as many as 500 tribes speaking many different languages. In 2006 the indigenous population was approximately 517,200, representing about 2.5% of the population. Since the end of World War II, the government and the public have made efforts to be more responsive to aboriginal rights and needs, most recently with Prime Minister Rudd's historic apology to the indigenous people in February 2008.

===Immigrants===
Immigration has been vital to Australia's development since the beginning of European settlement in 1788. For generations, most settlers came from the British Isles, and the people of Australia are still predominantly of British or Irish origin, with a culture and outlook similar to those of Americans. A "White Australia" policy operated from 1901 to the 1960s; it encouraged immigration by Europeans and blocked almost all other immigration.

The Chinese who arrived in the late 19th century to work in the gold mines left voluntarily or were expelled. Likewise most of the "Kanakas" --Polynesians--who came to work in the sugar fields were expatriated after 1901. Many Germans settled in South Australia, but those without Australian citizenship were put in camps during World War I and most were sent back to Germany after the war.

===Recent trends===
Since the end of World War II, Australia's population has more than doubled.

Non British/Irish immigration has increased significantly since World War II through an extensive, planned immigration program. Since 1945 around 6.6 million migrants have settled in Australia, including 690,000 refugee and humanitarian entrants. About 80% have remained; 24%--almost one in four--of Australians are foreign-born. Britain, Ireland, Italy, Greece, New Zealand, and the former Yugoslavia were the largest sources of post-war immigration, but New Zealand is closing on Britain as the largest source country for permanent migrants to Australia.

The barriers against Asians fell in the 1970s and thousands of immigrants from the Chinese diaspora resettled in Australia. Immigrants from India and the Philippines were numerous as well.

====Refugees====
Australia's humanitarian and refugee program of about 13,000 per year is in addition to other immigration programs. In recent years, refugees from Africa, the Middle East, and Southwest Asia have comprised the largest element in Australia's refugee program.

====Religion====
Australia is a [[secular]] nation, in that it has no established religion associated with the Government.

According to the 2006 census, 64% of citizens consider themselves to be Christian, including 26% Roman Catholic, 19% Anglican, and 19% other Christian. Buddhists constitute 2.1% of the population, Muslims 1.7%, Hindus 0.7%, Jews 0.4%, and all others professing a religion 0.5%. Of Australia's 21 million people, about 1.5 million attend weekly religious services <ref>[http://www.ncls.org.au/default.aspx?docid=2250&track=82083| National Church Life Survey 2004]; U.S. State Department, "International Religious Freedom Report 2008" [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108400.htm online]</ref>.

In 1911, during the first census, 96% identified themselves as Christian. In recent decades traditional Christian denominations have seen their total number and proportion of affiliates stagnate or decrease significantly, although from 2001 to 2006, the total number of Pentecostal and charismatic Christians increased by 12.9%. Over the past decade, increased immigration from Southeast Asia and the Middle East considerably expanded the numbers of citizens who identify themselves as Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims, and increased the ethnic diversity of existing Christian denominations. Between 2001 and 2006, the numbers increased for Buddhists by 17% (to 418,000), Muslims by 21% (to 340,393), Jews by 6% (to 89,000), and Hindus by 55% (to 148,131). In 2006 approximately 18.7% of citizens considered themselves to have no religion, up from 17% in 2001, and 11.2% made no statement regarding religious affiliation. According to a 2002 survey, 23% of adults had participated in church or religious activities during the previous 3 months.

The Australian public school system is "free, secular and compulsory" with the secular meaning without favour to any particular religion - most primary schools, however, do offer some form of non-compulsory religious education according to the parents' wishes. The state systems of a number of states offer studies in religion at the senior level.

There is a large Catholic school system in Australia with most parishes having their own primary school and many hundreds of Catholic high schools across the country. There are also a large number of independent schools founded by various religions or denominations of the Christian faith - some hold that religious background to be more important than others. All schools, state or religious, receive government funding, as funding is provided for every student that is an Australian resident.

At the time of European settlement, aboriginal inhabitants followed religions that were animistic, involving belief in spirits behind the forces of nature and the influence of ancestral spirit beings. According to the 2006 census, 5,206 persons, or less than 0.03% of respondents, reported practicing aboriginal traditional religions, down from 5,244 in 2001. The 2006 census reported that almost 64% of Aborigines identify themselves as Christian and 20% listed no religion.

====Culture====
[[Image:Sidney opera house.jpg|thumb|right|200px|The Sydney Opera House, an iconic symbol of the nation]]
Much of Australia's culture is derived from European roots, but distinctive Australian features have evolved from the environment, [[Indigenous Australians|Aboriginal]] culture, and the influence of Australia's neighbors. The vigor and originality of the arts in Australia--film, opera, music, painting, theater, dance, and crafts--have achieved international recognition.

Australian actors and comedians such as Nicole Kidman, Rachel Griffiths, Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Paul Hogan, Hugh Jackman, the late Heath Ledger, and Dame Edna Everage (Barry Humphries) have achieved enormous popularity in the United States. Directors such as Peter Weir, Philip Noyes, and Russell Mulcahy, the conductor Sir Charles Mackerras, and singers and musicians such as Olivia Newton-John, Men At Work, The Wiggles, AC/DC, Dame Joan Sutherland, Dame Nellie Melba, and Kylie Minogue are well known.

Australian artists with international reputations include Sidney Nolan, Russell Drysdale, Pro Hart, and Arthur Boyd. Writers who have achieved world recognition include Thomas Keneally, Colleen McCullough, Nevil Shute, Morris West, Jill Ker Conway, Peter Carey, Robert Hughes, Germaine Greer, and Nobel Prize winner Patrick White.

====Sports====
Australia is known as a sporting nation with success worldwide in [[swimming]], [[tennis]], [[rugby union]], [[cricket]], [[netball]],and [[basketball]]. Australians are very keen horse racers with the Melbourne Cup <ref>[http://www.melbournecup.com.au| Melbourne Cup]</ref> attracting up to 120,000 spectators at Flemington Race Course on the first Tuesday in November. There is a public holiday for the cup race in Melbourne, while the remainder of the country virtually pauses during the running.

Unique to Australia is a game known as [[Australian rules football]] or Aussie Rules, which is played on a [[cricket]] oval in winter. Australian rules football is the sport most attended in the states of [[Victoria]], [[South Australia]] and [[Western Australia]], and most attended overall in Australia; in 2006 2.5 million people had attended at least one Aussie Rules game in the preceding 12 months.[http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/ProductsbyCatalogue/1F8FAC9C2C7B1623CA2568A900139417?OpenDocument] Australian Rules Football was written by persons educated at the [[Rugby School]] in England and [[Cambridge University]] before the organisation of uniform football codes. It is not as popular in [[New South Wales]] and [[Queensland]] although premiership teams are based in these two states.

The other national football code is [[rugby league]]. Rugby league football is the most attended sport in New South Wales and Queensland with its premier club competition being the [[National Rugby League]].

====Tourism====
Most tourists visit places such as Sydney Harbour, Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Central Australia and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland. Other favourite destinations are the wine making areas of South Australia and northern Victoria, the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, the natural wonders of Tasmania and the huge outback expanses of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Some cattle stations in Australia rival Texas in size and the distance between towns in some areas is enormous.

==Government==
Australia became a federated nation on January 1, 1901 under the [[Constitution of Australia]], and all former British colonies became states. The parliament met in Melbourne until the infrastructure was built for the capital city, [[Canberra]].

Australia has a [[Parliament|parliamentary system]] of government based on the British system with a [[bicameral]] system meeting as the [[Parliament of Australia]], consisting of the [[Australian House of Representatives]] and the [[Australian Senate]]. Each state and territory also has its own parliament.

The two other branches of government under the Constitution are the Executive ([[Governor-General of Australia]] taking advice from the Ministers) and the [[High Court of Australia]].

Australia is a democracy which has allowed men of European descent to vote since federation, with women gaining the vote in 1902 and Aboriginal men and women gaining suffrage in 1962. Voting is compulsory for all citizens who are 18 years old and over (with a few exceptions.)

Australia's Head of Government is the [[Prime Minister of Australia]]. In June 2010, [[Julia Gillard]] became the first female Prime Minister after she defeated Rudd in a partyroom leadership challenge.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gillard ousts Rudd in bloodless coup |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/06/24/2935500.htm|accessdate=24 June 2010|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|date=24 June 2010}}</ref>

The Head of State is [[Queen Elizabeth II]], the Queen of Australia (who is the same person, but a different title, as the Queen of Great Britain.) Under the Constitution, and in practice, the authority of the Head of State is vested in the [[Governor-General of Australia]], currently Quentin Bryce AC, Previously Governor of [[Queensland]], who assents to acts of parliament, is the Commander in Chief of the military forces, and appoints all Ministers of the Government; all these various powers are normally exercised on advice from the Prime Minister.

The Government of Australia is exercised, day-to-day, by the Ministers through their various Departments of State.

====Voting====
{{main|Voting in Australia}}

Australia has [[preferential voting]], and voting is compulsory for adults (18 years and over), unless they have been deemed unfit to vote, either by mental illness or conviction for serious offences. Preferential voting encourages a multiplicity of parties and independent candidates, and counting the votes and allocating preferences can take some time where the results are close.

====Terms====
A Member of Parliament in the House of Representatives is elected for a maximum of three years, but the timing of elections is decided by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/par3cha1.htm |title=Parliament of Australia: Senate: Constitution - Chapter 1 Part III |accessdate=2010-10-13}}</ref> A Member of Parliament in the Senate is typically elected for six years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/general/constitution/par2cha1.htm |title=Parliament of Australia: Senate: Constitution - Chapter 1 Part II |accessdate=2010-10-13}}</ref> The Prime Minister is normally a member of the House of Representatives, and the tenure is not limited by statute. Ministers may continue to serve for up to three months when not a Member or Senator, but must in that time be elected in order to continue. ([[John Gorton]] was a Senator when appointed leader of his party after the death of his predecessor. He immediately resigned from the Senate and stood for election to the House of Representatives, while remaining Prime Minister throughout.)

====Parliamentary political parties====
Currently, the main political parties in Australia are:
* [[Australian Greens]]
* [[Australian Labor Party]]
* [[Family First Party]]
* [[Liberal Party of Australia]]
* [[National Party of Australia]]
* One Nation Party

Despite the US connotation associated with the name, the Liberal Party is conservative in political stance. Robert Menzies helped found the Liberal Party in 1944 and was the Prime Minister from 1939 until 1941 and then again from 1949 until 1966.<ref> [http://www.liberals.net/liberalpartyhistory.htm History of the Liberal Party in Australia]</ref> The term "liberal" refers to the party's predominantly-[[free market|free-market]] approach to [[economics|economic management]].

The party currently in power is the [[Australian Labor Party]]. The Labor Party is also in government in all of the states and territories. The Prime Minister is Julia Gillard.

Conservative Queensland polititian and businesswoman, Pauline Hanson formed the One Nation party to give a conservative voice to voters that were not being effectivly represented by the major partys. One Nation has held seats in both the Federal Senate and Lower House, and have been the subject of ridicule by left-leaning media commentators.

Though the Labor party is "social democratic" and the Liberals are "liberal conservatives", some of the smaller parties are more left leaning or more conservative than Labor and Liberal respectively.

''See also a [[list of Prime Ministers of Australia]].''

The Prime Minister of Australia is the most senior elected person in the country. The role is normally filled by the parliamentary leader of the party which forms the government.

===Principal Government Officials===
*Governor General--Quentin Bryce
*Prime Minister--Julia Gillard
*Deputy Prime Minister--Wayne Swan
*Treasurer--Wayne Swan
*Foreign Minister--Kevin Rudd
*Defense Minister--Stephen Smith
*Trade Minister--Craig Emerson

===Political Conditions===
Three political parties dominate the center of the Australian political spectrum. The Liberal Party (LP), nominally representing urban business interests, and its smaller coalition partner, The Nationals, nominally representing rural interests, are the more conservative parties. The Australian Labor Party (ALP) nominally represents workers, trade unions, and left-of-center groups. While the ALP, founded by labor unions, traditionally had been moderately socialist in its policies and approaches to social issues, today it is best described as a social democratic party. All political groups are tied by tradition to welfare programs. Over the last decade, Australia has increased welfare payments to families while imposing obligations on those receiving unemployment benefits and disability pensions. There is strong bipartisan sentiment on many international issues, including Australia's commitment to its alliance with the United States.

The ALP, under the leadership of Kevin Rudd, defeated the Liberal/National coalition, led by then-Prime Minister John Howard, in the November 24, 2007 election. The ALP now holds 83 seats in the House of Representatives, against 64 for the Liberal/National coalition, and 3 independents. The composition of the Senate is 37 seats for the coalition, 32 for the ALP, five seats for the Greens, one for Family First, and one independent.

Rudd and the ALP won the election with a message promising "new leadership" after 11 years of the Howard government. Rudd portrayed himself as an "economic conservative," while criticizing unpopular Howard government policies on workplace relations reform, climate change, and the war on Iraq. The Rudd government ratified the Kyoto Protocol and is working with the international community on combating climate change. It is undoing some labor market reforms instituted by the Howard government, such as statutory individual contracts. The Australian government's foreign policy shows strong continuity with that of its predecessors, stressing relations with four key countries: the United States, Japan, China, and Indonesia. The Rudd government strongly supports U.S. engagement in the Asia-Pacific region and increased Australia’s troop contribution in Afghanistan. It withdrew Australia's combat troops from Iraq in 2008; it intends to end its military mission in Iraq on July 31, 2009.

Australia has been an active participant in international affairs since federation in 1901, and Australian forces have fought beside the United States and other Allies in every significant conflict since World War I. On January 8, 1940, the governments of the United States and Australia announced the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. In 1944, Australia concluded an agreement with New Zealand dealing with the security, welfare, and advancement of the people of the independent territories of the Pacific (the ANZAC pact). After World War II, Australia played a role in the Far Eastern Commission in Japan and supported Indonesian independence during that country's revolt against the Dutch. Australia was one of the founding members of the United Nations, the South Pacific Commission, and the Colombo Plan. In addition to contributing to UN forces in Korea--it was the first country to announce it would do so after the United States--Australia sent troops to assist in putting down the 1948-1960 communist revolt in Malaya and later to combat the 1963-1965 Indonesian-supported invasion of Sarawak. The United States, Australia, and New Zealand signed the ANZUS Treaty in 1951, which remains Australia's pre-eminent formal security treaty alliance. Australia sent troops to assist South Vietnamese and U.S. forces in Vietnam, and joined coalition forces in the Persian Gulf conflict in 1991, in Afghanistan in 2001, and in Iraq in 2003.

Australia has been active in the Australia-New Zealand-U.K. agreement and the Five-Power Defense Arrangements--successive arrangements with Britain and New Zealand to ensure the security of Singapore and Malaysia.

One of the drafters of the UN Charter, Australia has given firm support to the United Nations and its specialized agencies. It was last a member of the Security Council in 1985-86, a member of the Economic and Social Council for 1986-89, and a member of the UN Human Rights Commission for 1994-96 and 2003-2005. Australia recently declared its intention to seek a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2013-2014. Australia takes a prominent part in many other UN activities, including peacekeeping, nonproliferation and disarmament negotiations, and narcotics control. Australia also is active in meetings of the Commonwealth Regional Heads of Government and the Pacific Islands Forum, and has been a leader in the Cairns Group--countries pressing for agricultural trade reform in World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations--and in founding the APEC forum. In 2002, Australia joined the International Criminal Court.

Australia has devoted particular attention to relations between developed and developing nations, with emphasis on the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the island states of the South Pacific. Australia is an active participant in the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), which promotes regional cooperation on security issues, and has been a member of the East Asia Summit since its inauguration in 2005. In September 1999, acting under a UN Security Council mandate, Australia led an international coalition to restore order in East Timor upon Indonesia's withdrawal from that territory. In 2006, Australia participated in an international peacekeeping operation in Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor). Australia led a regional mission to restore law and order in Solomon Islands in 2003 and again in 2006. Australia is part of the Asia Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, which also includes the United States.

The government is committed to increasing official development assistance to 0.5% of gross national income by 2015-2016. Australia budgeted A$3.79 billion (U.S. $3.03 billion) for FY 2008-2009 and has budgeted A$3.82 billion (U.S. $3.05 billion) for FY 2009-2010. The Australian aid program is currently concentrated in Southeast Asia (Papua New Guinea and Indonesia are the largest recipients) and the Pacific Islands. Selected aid flows are allocated to Africa, South Asia, and reconstruction in Afghanistan and Iraq. Contributions to multilateral organizations and other expenses account for about one-third of the foreign assistance budget.

===ANZUS and Defense===
The Australia, New Zealand, United States (ANZUS) security treaty was concluded at San Francisco on September 1, 1951, and entered into force on April 29, 1952. The treaty bound the signatories to recognize that an armed attack in the Pacific area on any of them would endanger the peace and safety of the others. It committed them to consult in the event of a threat and, in the event of attack, to meet the common danger in accordance with their respective constitutional processes. The three nations also pledged to maintain and develop individual and collective capabilities to resist attack.

In 1984, the nature of the ANZUS alliance changed after the Government of New Zealand refused access to its ports by nuclear-weapons-capable and nuclear-powered ships of the U.S. Navy. The United States suspended defense obligations to New Zealand, and annual bilateral meetings between the U.S. Secretary of State and the Australian Foreign Minister replaced annual meetings of the ANZUS Council of Foreign Ministers. The first bilateral meeting was held in Canberra in 1985. At the second, in San Francisco in 1986, the United States and Australia announced that the United States was suspending its treaty security obligations to New Zealand pending the restoration of port access. Since 1985, U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense and the Australian Foreign and Defense Ministers have held 20 Australia-U.S. Ministerial consultations (AUSMIN), alternating between Australia and the United States. The next AUSMIN is scheduled to take place in Australia in 2010.

The U.S.-Australia alliance under the ANZUS Treaty remains in full force. AUSMIN meetings are supplemented by consultations between the U.S. Combatant Commander, Pacific and the Australian Chief of Defense Force. There also are regular civilian and military consultations between the two governments at lower levels.

ANZUS has no integrated defense structure or dedicated forces. However, in fulfillment of ANZUS obligations, Australia and the United States conduct a variety of joint activities. These include military exercises ranging from naval and landing exercises at the task-group level to battalion-level special forces training to numerous smaller-scale exercises, assigning officers to each other's armed services, and standardizing, where possible, equipment and operational doctrine. The two countries also operate joint defense facilities in Australia.

Following the terrorist attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001, then-Prime Minister Howard and U.S. President George W. Bush jointly invoked the ANZUS Treaty for the first time on September 14, 2001. Australia was one of the earliest participants in Operation Enduring Freedom. Australian Defense Forces participated in coalition military action against Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Australian combat forces began their withdrawal from Iraq in mid-2008 and forces are to be fully removed by July 2009. Australia has approximately 1,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan and also provides significant development and capacity building assistance to the country. Based on growing defense commitments, Australia decided to increase the Australian Army from 26,000 to 30,000 over the next several years. This will enable the reestablishment of two infantry battalions, as well as enabling troops, such as a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) unit.

The Australian Government has stated its intention to maintain its investment in future capability of the Australian Defense Force (ADF). To do so, the government has committed to a 3% annual growth in real defense funding through 2018--and 2.2% annual real growth beyond--to ensure the ADF can continue to meet capability and interoperability goals. The Australian Defense Force numbers about 54,000 active duty personnel, with planned increases to 57,000 within the next decade. The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) front-line fleet currently includes 12 frigates, including 4 of the Adelaide class and 8 Australian-built ANZAC class. In August 2004, Australia selected the Aegis Combat Control System for its three air warfare destroyers (AWD), which will start coming into service in 2014. The F/A-18 fighter, built in Australia under license from the U.S. manufacturer, is the principal combat aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force, backed by the U.S.-built F-111 strike aircraft. In October 2002, Australia became a Level III partner in the U.S.-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Additionally, the Australian Government signed the JSF Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development MOU in 2006. Australia is projected to buy up to 100 JSF aircraft with deliveries starting in 2013 and running through 2020. The F-111 strike aircraft are scheduled to exit service by 2010 and will be replaced by 24 McDonnell Douglas F/A-18F Super Hornet fighters as an interim strike capability with deliveries commencing in 2010. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) took delivery of the last aircraft in its buy of 4 Lockheed C-17 strategic airlift aircraft in 2008. In addition, Boeing will provide the Commonwealth of Australia's RAAF with an Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system based on the Next-Generation 737-700 aircraft as the airborne platform. Recent U.S. sales to the Australian Army include the M1A1 AIM tank, as well as Hellfire and JAVELIN munitions. Future opportunities include CH-47 helicopter replacements, navy helicopter replacements, light and medium cargo aircraft replacements and artillery systems.

In May 2009, the Australian Government released its Defense White Paper, outlining Australia’s long-term strategic outlook. In addition to buying the JSF aircraft, the White Paper proposes to double Australia’s submarine fleet to 12, replace the ANZAC class frigates, and replace the army’s armored personnel carriers.

==Economy==

For more see: [[Australian economy]]

Since the 1980s, Australia has undertaken significant structural reform of its economy and has transformed itself from an inward-looking, highly protected, and regulated marketplace to an open, internationally competitive, export-oriented economy. Key economic reforms included unilaterally reducing high tariffs and other protective barriers to free trade, floating the Australian dollar, deregulating the financial services sector, including liberalizing access for foreign banks, increasing flexibility in the labor market, reducing duplication and increasing efficiency between the federal and state branches of government, privatizing many government-owned monopolies, and reforming the taxation system, including introducing a broad-based Goods and Services Tax (GST) and large reductions in income tax rates.

Australia enjoys a higher standard of living than any G7 country other than the United States. Australia's economic standing in the world is a result of a commitment to best-practice macroeconomic policy settings, including the delegation of the conduct of monetary policy to the independent Reserve Bank of Australia, and a broad acceptance of prudent fiscal policy where the government aims for fiscal balance over the economic cycle. Largely due to the fall in revenue as a result of the global economic downturn, net government debt is projected to reach about A$188 billion (U.S. $150.4 billion) in four years. The previous government, drawing from budget surpluses, created the “Future Fund” to provide for future liabilities resulting from the retirement of civil servants. The Government of Australia is predicting negative 0.5% growth in the 2009-2010 fiscal year; the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicted growth to be negative 1.4% for 2009.

Over 2008, unemployment has risen to around 5.5% from 4.2%, and the labor market participation has remained at around 65%. Both the federal and state governments have recognized the need to invest heavily in water, transport, ports, telecommunications, and education infrastructure to expand Australia's supply capacity. The largest river system in Australia, the Murray-Darling, and related coastal lakes and wetlands in South Australia are critically threatened and the government has developed a plan to improve irrigation infrastructure and efficiency and buy back unused water allocations along the river.
*GDP (2009-2010 estimate): A$1.17 trillion (U.S. $893.6 billion).
*Inflation rate (year to March 2009): 2.5% per annum.
*Reserve Bank official interest rate (May 2009): 3.00%.
*Trade: Exports ($178.9 billion, 2008 estimate)--coal, iron ore, gold, meat, wool, alumina, wheat, machinery and transport equipment. Major markets--Japan, China, South Korea, U.S. ($10.7 billion), and New Zealand. Imports ($187.2 billion, 2008 estimate)--machinery and transport equipment, computers and office machines, telecommunication equipment and parts; crude oil and petroleum products. Major suppliers--China, United States ($23.96 billion), Japan, Singapore, and Germany.
*Exchange rate (2009): U.S. $1 = A$1.25.

====Energy====
Australia is rich in natural resources with significant petroleum, natural gas and coal reserves. Australia’s energy consumption is dominated by coal, which fuels most of the country’s power generation. Petroleum accounts for a large share of energy consumption, but due to declining output, Australia is facing a growing dependence on petroleum imports. Over the past two decades, Australia has steadily consumed increasing amounts of natural gas, which is likely to continue over the medium term.<ref> See Energy Information Administration, "Australia" (2009) [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/Australia/Background.html online]</ref>

Australia is one of the four countries (along with Norway, Canada and Mexico) belonging to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that is a significant net energy exporter. Australia is the world’s largest coal exporter and is the fifth largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Australia’s prospects for expanding energy exports in the future are promising as Asian demand for both coal and LNG rises. However, Australia can expect increasing export competition from China (coal) and Indonesia (coal and LNG).

In July 2005, the Australian government formed the Australian Energy Regulator (AER). The AER is responsible for economic regulation in Australian energy markets. In addition, the AER promotes investment in the energy sector to ensure supply security, while monitoring prices faced by end users. In 2006, Australia’s 13 government bodies transferred energy regulation responsibility to the AER. The AER is seeking $23 billion in infrastructure investments over the next 15 years.

====Comparing Australian and U.S. Economic and Health statistics====
Whilst the Australian society is similar in many aspects to those of the U.S., a comparison of key economic (in $U.S.) and health indicators highlights some interesting fundamental differences:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! !!Australia!!U.S.
|-
| '''GDP Per Capita'''
| $32,900.00
| $43,500.00
|-
| '''Budget Deficit/Surplus''' Per capita
| $444.00 surplus. Australia has had budget surpluses every year since 2001
| $841.00 deficit
|-
| '''Public Debt'''
| 14.1% of GDP
| 64.7% of GDP
|-
| '''Military Expenditure'''
| 2.5 % of GDP
| 4.06% of GDP
|-
| '''Life Expectancy at Birth''' (combined male and female)
| 80.5 years
| 77.85 years
|-
| '''Infant Mortality Rates''' deaths/1,000 live births
| 4.63
| 6.43
|-
| '''HIV/AIDS Prevalence Rates'''
| 0.1% of population
| 0.6% of population
|}
Australia has a universal health scheme and significant subsidies on most prescription medications.

== History==
''see main article [[History of Australia]]''

Australia was uninhabited until stone-culture peoples arrived, perhaps by boat across the waters separating the island from the Indonesia archipelago more than 40,000 years ago. Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, and English explorers observed the island before 1770, when Captain Cook explored the east coast and claimed it for Great Britain.

On January 26, 1788 (now celebrated as Australia Day), the so-called '''First Fleet''' landed at Sydney and the Colony of New South Wales was established. Many, but by no means all, of the first settlers were convicts, some condemned for offenses that today would often be thought trivial. From the mid-19th century convict transportation to Australia significantly declined; the last ship to arrive was in 1868. Many officers of the Royal Navy received grants and established large farms and ranches. Ranchers who used government lands for their herds of sheep were informally called "squatters"; despite the term, most were wealthy. The discovery of gold in 1851 led to increased immigration, wealth, and trade. A third of the new arrivals were Irish Catholics, and there emerged a political and cultural tension between them and the Protestant British.

The six colonies that became the states of the Australian Commonwealth were established in the following order: New South Wales, 1788; Tasmania, 1825; Western Australia, 1829; South Australia, 1836; Victoria, 1851; and Queensland, 1859. Settlement preceded these dates in most cases.

Negotiations between Australians and the government in London led Parliament to create the '''Commonwealth of Australia''' in 1900, effective January 1, 1901.

Australia came of age in World War I, when it supported the British war effort, and imprisoned German citizens living their. he great defeat at Gallipoli focused Australia's herois self image.

In May 1927, the seat of government was transferred to Canberra, a planned city designed by American Walter Burley Griffin. Australia passed the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act on October 9, 1942 (with effect as of September 3, 1939), which officially established Australia's complete autonomy in both internal and external affairs and formalized a situation that had existed for years.<ref> The Australia Act (effective March 3, 1986) eliminated almost all remaining vestiges of British legal authority, including the ability to appeal to the British Privy Council.</ref>

In World War II Australia again rallied to the British cause, but were left practically undefended when at fall of Singapore in 1942 the Japanese captured much of the Australian army. The rest of the army was rushed back from the Middle East to defend against a possible Japanese invasion. Britain was no help, so Australia turned, permanently, to the United States for its defense.

In practice the monarch is only symbolic--a symbol especially of ties to the [[british Empire]] that the Irish and new immigrants are unwilling to continue. In 1998,republicans were given a free hand to choose the form of republic they wanted. This was put to a referendum in 1999, and enjoyed strong support among the politicans and in the mainstream media. But a campaign led by a group, [http://www.norepublic.com.au Australians for Constitutional Monarchy ] resulted in the defeat of the referendum in all states and 72% of electorates. Republicans remain unable to agree on how to replace the present system--whether with a powerful elected president responsible directly to the people, or with a weak president chosen by the government (as in Germany), the model which was rejected in 1999 because of distrust of politicians.

== See also ==
* [[Australian dollar]]
* [[Currency#Australia|Currency: Australia]]

==Bibliography==

===References===
* Bambrick, Susan ed. ''The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Australia'' (1994)
* Davison, Graeme, John Hirst, and Stuart Macintyre, eds. ''The Oxford Companion to Australian History'' (2001) online at many academic libraries; also [http://www.amazon.com/Oxford-Companion-Australian-History/dp/019551503X/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1209696680&sr=8-6 excerpt and text search]
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[[File:Aussie1.jpg|thumb|280px]]
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===International Relations and Military===
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===Culture and society===
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* McAllister, Ian, Steve Dowrick, Riaz Hassan; ''The Cambridge Handbook of the Social Sciences in Australia'' Cambridge University Press, 2003 [http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=108131347 online edition]
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* ''The Oxford Literary History of Australia.''
* Samuels, Selina, ed. ''Australian Writers, 1915-50.'' (2002). 510 pp.
* Sayers, Andrew. ''Australian Art'' (2001) [http://www.amazon.com/Australian-Art-Oxford-History/dp/0192842145/ref=sr_1_7/103-4827826-5463040?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1193540375&sr=1-7 excerpt and text search]
* Webby, Elizabeth, ed. ''The Cambridge Companion to Australian Literature'' (2006)
* Wannan, Bill. ''A Dictionary of Australian Folklore: Lore, Legends, Myths and Traditions'' (1988)

==Primary sources==
* [http://samizdat.stores.yahoo.net/auslitandhis.html Australia: Literature and History 136 e-books]

==External links==
* [http://www.fed.gov.au Australian Government portal]
* [http://www.aph.gov.au Australian Parliament House (Reps & Senate) portal]
* [http://www.gg.gov.au Governor-General of Australia]
*[http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/oceania.htm Australia and Oceania]
* [http://www.norepublic.com.au Australians for Constitutional Monarchy]
* [http://www.crownedrepublic.com.au The Crowned Republic ]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

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!colspan=2 style="width: 100%; text-align: center; background-color: #000088; color: white; "|'''Copyright Details'''
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|style=" background-color: none;"| Some of the text for this article is in the [[Public Domain]] in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code
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|style="background-color: none;border-top: 2px solid black"| File available from the {{{1|[[United States Federal Government]] [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2698.htm]}}}.
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[[Category:Oceanian Countries]]
[[Category:Continents]]
[[Category:Australia]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]
[[Category:British Empire]]
[[Category:Bibliographies]]

Tim Burton

2010-11-09T00:45:33Z

Donald: linking

'''Tim Burton''' (born in [[Long Beach|Long Beach, California]], 1958) is an internationally renowned [[film]] [[director]] and [[Animation|animator]]. His films such as ''Beetlejuice,'' ''[[Batman (film, 1989)|Batman]],'' ''Batman Returns,'' ''Edward Scissorhands,'' ''Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'' and ''Alice in Wonderland'' have a surreal and dark atmosphere. He has only been nominated for one [[Academy Award]] for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.

He is married to English actress [[Helena Bonham Carter]].

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burton, Tim}}
[[Category: Directors]]
[[Category: Animators]]

Alfred Hitchcock

2010-11-09T00:40:26Z

Donald: Created links

'''Alfred Hitchcock''' (1899-1980) was a [[British]] [[film]] [[director]] known as 'the Master of Suspense' for his prolific output of popular, yet critically well-received, thrillers. He made more than fifty feature-length films, including ''The 39 Steps'', ''Rebecca'', ''Dial M for Murder'', ''Rear Window'', ''[[Vertigo_(film, 1958)|Vertigo]]'', ''North by Northwest'', ''Psycho'' and ''[[The Birds (film, 1963)|The Birds]]''.

==Links==
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000033/ Alfred Hitchcock] at the Internet Movie Database

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hitchcock, Alfred}}
[[Category:Cinema]]
[[Category:Directors]]

Director

2010-11-08T02:18:33Z

Donald: Broadened the article

A '''director''' is the person in charge of a performance event; shaping the overall meaning, intention and structure of a performance. They are most commonly found in [[theater]], [[television]] and [[film]]. In film making, the director is the person who guides the actors and decides how scenes will be shot. Famous film directors include [[Steven Spielberg]] and [[Alfred Hitchcock]].

[[Category: Movies]]
[[Category: Theater]]

Marlon Brando

2010-11-07T00:03:42Z

Donald: linking issue solved

[[File:Waterf2.jpg|thumb|400px]]

'''Marlon Brando, Jr.''' (b. April 3, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska; d. July 1, 2004, in Los Angeles) was an American actor who was featured in some of the most well-known [[Hollywood]] films of the second half of the twentieth century. Brando's idiosyncratic use of [[Constantin Stanislavski]]'s "emotional memory" technique of acting had a profound influence on his generation of actors as well as subsequent ones. [[Elia Kazan]] said Brando challenged "the whole system of politeness and good nature and good ethics and everything else."<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2005/may/14/film Mad about the boy ] - [[Germaine Greer]] in ''The Guardian'' 14 May 2005</ref>

Brando began his acting career in the theater, debuting on [[Broadway]] in 1944 in ''I Remember Mama''. Three years later his performance as Stanley Kowalski in the Broadway production of [[Tennessee Williams]]' ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' and in the film version of the play (1951) catapulted the young actor to stardom and acclaim, including an [[Academy Award]] nomination for Best Actor.

Other notable films starring Brando include
*''Viva Zapata!'' (1952) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Julius Caesar'' (1953) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''The Wild One'' (1953)
*''[[On the Waterfront]]'' (1954) – Academy Award, Best Actor
::Brando plays Terry Malloy, who under the inspiration of a Catholic priest (Father Barry, played by [[Karl Malden]]), becomes a Christ-like figure. Betrayed by his brother and almost killed by the gang, he finds the strength to overcome and redeem his people from the slavery to the mobsters who run the waterfront. In stunning contrast to the liberals who kept silent about the Communist subversion in Hollywood, the film portrays the informer as the hero; liberal Hollywood never forgave director [[Elia Kazan]] for his stunning film.
*''Guys and Dolls'' (1955)
*''Sayonara'' (1957) – Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1962)
*''The Godfather'' (1972) - Academy Award, Best Actor
*''Last Tango in Paris'' (1972) - Academy Award nomination, Best Actor
*''Apocalypse Now'' (1979)
*''A Dry White Season'' (1989) - Academy Award nomination, Best Supporting Actor
*''The Freshman'' (1990).

===External links===
*[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000008/ "Marlon Brando"] at IMDB.com

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brando, Marlon}}

[[Category:Actors]]
[[Category:Hollywood]]

Constantin Stanislavski

2010-11-06T03:22:15Z

Donald: Basic Info

Constantin Stanislavski (17 January 1863 – 7 August 1938) was a [[Russia|Russian]] [[dramatist]] and [[Director|director]], best known for his work on [[Stanislavski's system]] of actor training.

==Influence==
His system has gone on to be one of the most recognised acting techniques today, with actor's such as [[Al Pacino]], [[Johnny Depp]], and [[Dustin Hoffman]] as notable users.

Anton Chekhov

2010-11-06T03:14:04Z

Donald: Info about his theatrical contribution

'''Anton Pavlovich Chekhov''' (1860-1904), was a [[Russian]] [[drama]]tist and [[short story]] [[author]].

==Career==

He studied at the [[Moscow]] University qualifying as a doctor in 1884. He started as a writer with short stories (writing fifty in all) and sketches while a student.

He is most known for his plays, but these did not first appear until the last years of the nineteenth century. The most famous of these include [[The Cherry Orchid]], [[Uncle Vanya]], and [[The Three Sisters]].<ref>Chekhov, Anton 2001, ''Chekhov: the major plays'', Penguin</ref> Chekhov is also noted for his influence on [[Naturalism]], having been one of the primary playwrights performed by The Moscow Art Theatre and [[Constantin Stanislavski]].

==References==
<references/>

== See Also ==
*[[Chekhov's gun]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chekhov, Anton}}
[[category:Authors]]
[[category:Playwrights]]

A Streetcar Named Desire

2010-11-06T03:00:01Z

Donald: added category

'''A Streetcar Named Desire''' (1947) is one of the most well known plays by American liberal playwright [[Tennessee Williams]]. It is the story of Stanley and Stella Kowalski, a couple in New Orleans, at the time of the arrival of Stella's sister Blanche DuBois. The play depicts the conflict between Blanche and Stanley, and her eventual downfall into madness.<ref>http://www.bookrags.com/notes/snd/SUM.html</ref> It was later remade into a film in 1951, starring [[Marlon Brando]].

== References==
<references/>

[[Category: Plays]]

Performance

2010-11-05T03:31:51Z

Donald: Grammar

Performance refers to a broad range of art forms that are played out in front of an audience. This may includes [[Theater|theater]], [[Music|music]], [[Dance|dance]] and some forms of [[Art|art]]. <ref>[http://www.ibookdb.net/isbn/0415458560], Fischer-Lichte, Erika 2008, ''The transformative power of performance: a new aesthetics'', Taylor & Francis</ref>

==History==
Early examples of performance can be seen in the plays of the Ancient Greeks, which were performed as a celebration and a ritual for the Gods.

==References==
<references/>

Performance

2010-11-05T03:31:24Z

Donald: Basic start to the article. Will need to be expanded however.

Performance refers to a broad range of art forms that are played out in front of an audience. This may includes [[Theater|theater]], [[Music|music]], [[Dance|dance]] and some forms of [[Art|art]]. <ref>[http://www.ibookdb.net/isbn/0415458560], Fischer-Lichte, Erika 2008, ''The transformative power of performance: a new aesthetics'', Taylor & Francis</ref>

==History==
Early examples of performance seen in the plays of the Ancient Greeks, which were performed as a celebration and a ritual for the Gods.

==References==
<references/>

Theater

2010-11-05T03:15:14Z

Donald: Changes to early Greek theater and what defines theater

[[Image:Boston theatre.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Interior of the B.F. Keith Memorial Theatre, Boston. Opened in 1928]]
{{etymology|From French "''théâtre''", from [[Greek]] "theatron", ''θέατρον'' a public spectacle or venue for such spectacle.}}
'''Theater''' or '''theatre''' is a form of [[Performance|performance]] and [[Literature|literary]] [[art]] in which a person or group of persons act out stories that may be fictional or factual, for the entertainment, instruction, indoctrination, or [[Propaganda|propagandization]] of other people.

A '''theater''' (or '''theatre''') is also the venue in which theater is performed.

Classically, the term ''theater'' refers to actors performing on a stage in the physical presence of their viewers. This is the view most commonly held in the industry today. It also includes a variety of forms that use [[music]] and/or [[dance]] to tell a story, and other forms that include no dialogue at all and/or involve one or more performers using gestures to enact issues, themes, or emotions. More broadly, theater includes any form of acting-out, whether one does it "live," in a [[motion picture]], or on [[television]].

== History of Theater ==
=== Greece and Greco-Macedonian Civilizations ===
The first instances of theater gave the term its name. It involved actors performing on a stage in the well of a half-circle arena (the ''theatron''). The usual subject matter in the Greek theater involved the Greek pantheon and various heroic and military stories of the ancient Hellenic civilizations prior to the [[First Olympiad]]. Besides the paying of homage to pagan gods, the classic Greek plays quite often treated sensitive subjects--famously including incest, adultery, rape and murder--in a mature and forthright manner. Greek plays came primarily in threa types: Tragedy, Comedy, and Satyr. The most well known Greek plays were tragedies, involving characters who came to bad ends, usually by displaying excessive pride and trying to outdo the gods or thwart prophecy.

The people of [[Israel]] received their first exposure to theater with the conquest of restored Israel by [[Alexander the Great]] and their subsequent subjection to the [[Seleucid Empire]]. The leaders of that empire sought to expose their subjects to all things [[Greece|Greek]], a process called "Hellenization" (from the Greek name for the country of Greece, ''Hellas''). The Jews were scandalized and, with the ouster of the forces of [[Antiochus IV Epiphanes]] by [[Judas the Maccabee]], were determined never to partake of theater or any other Greek thing ever again.

=== Rome ===
[[Image:Theatrical Scenery.jpg|thumb|Theatrical Scenery, Herculaneum.]]
When [[Rome]] finally conquered Greece, the Romans quickly learned the Greek language and copied many Greek art forms, including theater. The difference was that Roman theater placed less emphasis on religion and more on spectacle and excitement. Roman audiences jaded quickly, however, and often expressed their frustration and impatience with rude, insensitive, and frankly loutish behavior. Roman plays tended to be comedies, though many Roman plays had military themes.

Roman gamesmasters--chiefly the plebeian and curule ''aediles'' (magistrates in charge of public works)--elevated theater to a high art. In addition to the poetic narratives that had characterized Greek theater, Rome introduced athletic competition, especially that famous genre called ''[[gladiator]]ial combat'' (from the [[Latin]] ''[[gladius]]'' a short double-edged sword) in which two men would fight duels with military weapons. At first these duels were mock duels. Then, beginning with the Imperial period, these duels became actual duels to the death, usually between slaves, condemned criminals, and/or prisoners of war.<ref name=MoR>See [[Colleen McCullough]]'s ''Masters of Rome'' series of historical novels, and especially their glossaries, that specifically address the subject of pre-Imperial gladiators.</ref> [[Emperor]]s after [[Augustus]] added combat between man and beast--and most famously, Emperor [[Nero]] publicly executed his enemies, especially [[Christianity|Christians]], by releasing carnivorous animals to eat them before a large audience.

{{Clear}}

=== Medieval and Renaissance Europe ===
[[Image:Foliou.jpg|right|thumb|Portrait of William Shakespeare on the cover of the First Folio (1623), the first collected edition of his plays]]

When Rome fell, theater was out of fashion, primarily because humans abandoned cities and were organized on farms and in villages. With the re-establishment of law and order, dwelling in cities became safe again. Theater came back with the cities.

At first, under Roman Catholic dominance, theater consisted of liturgical drama. Eventually, however, theater returned to its secular roots--and by the time of William Shakespeare, the subject matter in theater was, more often than not, vulgar and even obscene. Puritans and other religious leaders objected vehemently to theater--and not merely to its content but to the behavior of many theater attendees. The [[Puritan]] cleric [[Thomas White]] famously said,<blockquote>The cause of plagues is sin, if you look to it well, and the causes of sin are plays; therefore the causes of plagues are plays.<ref name=White>Quoted in [http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,821039-2,00.html "In Fair Verona"], ''Time'', December 20, 1954; retrieved on April 6, 2007 from the ''Time'' on-line archive</ref></blockquote>
That the [[Black Death]] had broken out a scant century before he made that statement was regarded as no coincidence. Yet the theater was part of a trend that could not be stopped.

One remarkable consequence of the continued religious opposition to theater was that women could not appear in plays. This did not, however, mean that scripts never featured female characters. Instead, prepubescent boys played those parts, with often shocking realism.

=== Regency, Victorian, and Edwardian Theater ===
During the nineteenth century, theater became more refined, especially as women began to act in plays. This was especially true during the Victorian era, an era given to ostentatious display in visual art and architecture but also to scrupulous modesty in fashion and deportment. This era is also called the "neoclassical" era of theater.

=== Post-Edwardian Theater ===
[[Image:Theater dance.jpg|right|200px]]
After the death of King Edward VII of [[United Kingdom|Great Britain]], a general coarsening of society set in. [[Motion picture]]s, a new medium, began to compete with the traditional stage, but the general principles were the same: theater is theater, whatever the medium. Theater both reflected and accelerated this coarsening. This was far more true of film than of the live stage. Performers on the live stage tended to restrain themselves, out of their own sense of modesty and also of consideration for the sensitivity of the general public to acts depicted by actual persons in the physical presence of others. These considerations operated less obviously in film, and so motion pictures began to feature increasingly sinful plots, and also the sort of spectacle of which Nero would have been proud.

Motion pictures were a [[United States]] invention and were primarily, though not solely, a United States product. Therefore anything that happened in or to "the movies" in the United States affected motion-picture projects throughout the world, ''except'' in certain totalitarian nation-states. In those states--chiefly Nazi [[Germany]] and the [[Union of Soviet Socialist Republics]]--motion pictures were purely a tool of [[propaganda]] in support of the ruling regime or its ideals.

In 1930, the trade association of motion-picture producers in the United States established the [[Motion Picture Production Code]], in an effort to convince the viewing public that they were sensitive to their concerns. For about four years, they honored this code more in the breach than otherwise. But then former United States Postmaster General [[William Hays]] became President of the Motion Picture Production and Distribution Association, and in that capacity he made sure that the Production Code Administration, or "[[Hays office]]", would enforce the code in fact, rather than with lip service only.

The contrast between "pre-Code" and "post-Code" films was striking. With Hays' trusted friends in charge, salacious plots, plot themes, and plot devices were strictly forbidden--as was the use of obscene language, or any violation of the Third Commandment. No character could commit a criminal act and escape punishment for that act--not even if it were an act of understandable (by human ways of thinking) vengeance. Neither could any character disrobe on camera, nor commit adultery or fornication with impunity.

"Nature abhors a vacuum," and so motion-picture projects came to emphasize non-salacious themes. During this era, most actors in motion pictures transferred to that medium from the stage--and since motion-picture technology was relatively primitive, special effects were necessarily limited. And so the "talent" for acting took precedence over superficial appearance and "set pieces." Plot themes tended to emphasize the sort of human drama requiring responsible decision and action. In addition, this era saw a return of liturgical drama, especially in motion pictures. With the entry of the United States into the [[Second World War]], another theme became prominent: duty, honor, and the often severe demands that these two ideals required of people, men and women both.

=== Further Decline and Coarsening ===
Victory in the Second World War brought with it a rush to mutual indulgence, and theater in all its media--stage, film, and a third medium, [[television]], again both reflected and accelerated this trend. The Motion Picture Production Code came under intense pressure--and finally, with the release of a truly shocking film involving adultery, embezzlement, invasion of feminine privacy, and murder (the last staged with almost nauseating realism), the Code was doomed. It was abandoned completely in 1968. With this abandonment came an abandonment, for many decades, of liturgical drama in favor of stories designed merely to excite, scare, or titillate--and often to propagandize.

Television's moral restraints survived somewhat longer--for though the Hays Office was now disbanded, the US [[Federal Communications Commission]] imposed strict rules on what could, or could not, be shown in a medium that was, after all, transmitted directly into people's homes at a time when minor children might be watching. Thus for two decades, motion pictures had one set of standards, and television had another--though as television turned increasingly to action, adventure, and crime drama, writers found ways to introduce salacious elements that a child might not recognize as such, though an adult would.

With the coming of Community Antenna Television came the notion of ''voluntary subscription'' to certain packages, called ''channels'', of television content. Here the FCC made a critical decision: ''to allow the content of a subscribed channel to be far more obviously salacious than before,'' so long as one had to subscribe to that channel, ''and pay an extra fee to receive it.'' The FCC might have thought that non-subscribed, "broadcast" channels might remain non-salacious, but this hope proved false. Today, on nearly any channel, a viewer might tune in a spectacle at least as shocking, and with just as much appeal to prurient interest, as an attendee of the ancient Greek theater in the days of Antiochus IV Epiphanes might have enjoyed.

The traditional stage is far less well attended than it once was. It, too, has reverted to its perhaps original form, and often is a venue for experiments in forms of acting that severely test a viewer's capacity for ''suspension of disbelief'', a conscious act often critical to a viewer's appreciation of theater in any medium.

=='''Post-War Theater Continuation'''==

While there was a physical decline in theater attendance, theater as an art form experienced rebirth. As a counter to naturalism and realism of the early 20th century, war time and post war practitioners focused on the 'theatricalization' of the stage. This can primarily be attributed to the work of [[Bertolt Brecht]] and his [[Epic Theater]], which attempted to defamiliarise the audience by removing habitual illusionary techniques. Audiences would be able to see the theater at work, with no attempt being made to hide the elements of production. It was also part of Brecht’s vision that, in following the path of his ‘enlightened’ predecessors Diderot and Lessing, the theater should be ‘a place of entertainment and instruction’. <ref> Brecht, Bertolt (1940), ‘On Experimental Theatre’, pp. 130-135
</ref> Brecht’s theater attempted to find a position between entertainment through suspension of disbelief, and encouraging thought through alienating his audience from being swept up in their emotions.

[[Naturalism]] still had a place in the western theatrical canon, with American playwrights such as [[Eugene O'Neill]], [[Arthur Miller]], and [[Tennessee Williams]] writing realistic scripts throughout the 1950’s, and for the latter two, beyond. Many of the plays released during this period have become American classics, including ''[[Long Day’s Journey Into The Night]]'', ''[[Death of a Salesman]]'', and ''[[A Streetcar Named Desire]]'' respectively.

Drawing upon the surrealist movement, the ‘theatricalization’ of the stage by Brecht, and the rejection of naturalism, the absurdist school of thought became an important part of modern theater. In the [[Theater of the Absurd]], the most well know play is Samuel Beckett’s ''[[Waiting For Godot]]''. As evidenced by Godot, plots in absurdist theater are often circular, with inane dialogue. The lives of the characters (often atheist) are usually portrayed as meaningless, often because they cannot find or understand God. <ref> Fortier, Mark (2002), ‘Theory/Theater: An Introduction’, 2nd Ed, Routledge, Oxon.</ref>The influence of Beckett, and indeed the entire school of though can be seen in the works of contemporary practitioners David Mamet and Suzan-Lori Parks.

Inspired by the works of Brecht, and performance art, [[post-dramatic theater]] emerged in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Post-dramatic theater does not usually focus on a script or characterization, instead opting to focus on the aesthetics of a performance, and the interaction between text, performer and space. <ref> Fischer-Lichte, Erika (2002), History of European Drama and Theatre, Routledge, London. </ref>Post-dramatic theater can be seen as reintroducing the spectacle back into theater. As with most avant-garde work, it tends to have a liberal bias, and often focus on immoral themes such as abortion (as seen in the works of Heiner Muller) or drug use (as seen in the works of the Wooster Group).

== American playwrights ==

Some important American playwrights include:

*[[Tennessee Williams]]

*[[Arthur Miller]]

*[[Sam Shepherd]]

*[[Tony Kushner]]

*[[Neil Simon]]

*[[Eugene O'Neill]]

==See Also==

*[[Noh theater]]
*[[Kabuki]]

== References Cited ==
<references/>

== External Links ==
*[http://theater.nytimes.com/pages/theater/index.html Theater] The New York Times.

[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Sociology]]
[[Category:Literature]]
[[Category:Theater]]
[[Category:Featured articles]]

A Streetcar Named Desire

2010-11-04T15:42:17Z

Donald: Basic Information to start the article. Will need to be expanded