Selasa, 1 November 2011

The Malaysian Insider :: Food

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The Malaysian Insider :: Food


World Chefs: Cookbook stresses seasonal recipes

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 03:46 AM PDT

Brent Ridge (L) and Josh-Kilmer Purcell, better known as the Beekman Boys, pose with two of their goats in their barn in Sharon Springs in this April 2011 handout. Subjects of cable TV show 'The Fabulous Beekman Boys,' the former Manhattanites turned bucolic when they lost their jobs in the city and turned their weekend getaway, the Beekman 1802 mansion and surroundings, into a working farm and full-time business. – Reuters pic

NEW YORK Nov 1 – Dr Brent Ridge and Josh-Kilmer Purcell, who are better known as the Beekman Boys, have been ceaseless chroniclers of their lifestyle journey from city slickers to organic farmers.

Subjects of cable TV show "The Fabulous Beekman Boys," the former Manhattanites turned bucolic when they lost their jobs in the city and turned their weekend getaway, the Beekman 1802 mansion and surroundings, into a working farm and full-time business.

"The Beekman 1802 Heirloom Cookbook" gathers 110 seasonally-arranged recipes that highlight the heirloom fruits and vegetables grown on their 60-acre goat farm in Sharon, New York.

Ridge, 38, spoke about getting back to the garden, eating seasonally and why he hopes each recipe in the book will engender 100 more.

Q: Why did you write this book?

A: "The initial idea was to collect recipes we would cook after harvesting things from our garden. A lot of the recipes our families had been making for a long time, so we adapted them. That's how the heirloom cookbook came about. In the book we have blank spaces where you can write your own."

Q: How do you define heirloom?

A: "An heirloom variety of anything is something that's never been adulterated. If it's in its pure form, never been genetically modified you can call it heirloom. We grow 110 different varieties heirloom vegetables in our garden, and we raise heirloom pigs and chickens and turkeys. Right now we're growing about 80 per cent of the food we consume."

Q: How would you describe your philosophy of farming?

A: "We are an organically managed farm. The overriding philosophy is the idea of heirloom, things that have intrinsic value, rather than monetary value. That's why we love things that have a story. Our other philosophy is seasonal living. We try to make the most of each season. Once our tomatoes are gone, including what we've canned or frozen, we don't have any tomatoes till spring."

Q: Do you slaughter your farm animals?

A: "Chickens, turkeys and rabbits we do ourselves. For larger animals, cows and pigs, we have someone else. We're not vegetarians. We would rather have an animal we knew was cared for on our plate. When we sit down to have an animal we've raised, we always think about where it came from, which is more than most people can say."

Company's Coming Apple Cake (reprinted from the cookbook)

Any type of apple can be used but Granny Smiths tend to be too dry and McIntoshes break down too much and get mushy.

2 sticks (8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

cup packed dark brown sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 cup buttermilk

2 cups diced (1/2 inch) peeled apple (from 2 to 3 apples)

Nut Crunch Topping

cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoons ground cinnamon

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into bits

cup coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts

For the cake – Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan.

With a mixer, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually beat in the granulated and brown sugars, and beat until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Add the eggs to the butter mixture, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the flour mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Fold in the apples just until combined. Scrape the mixture into the pan.

For the topping – With a pastry blender or two knives used scissors fashion, cut together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter until the mixture resembles fat, coarse crumbs. Stir in the nuts. Scatter the topping over the cake batter in an even layer.

Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. Cool in the pan on a rack. Serve directly from the pan. – Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports

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The Malaysian Insider :: Sports


Under-pressure Ferdinand starts against Galati

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 08:40 AM PDT

MANCHESTER, Nov 1 – Manchester United will turn to Rio Ferdinand to marshal the heart of their defence against Otelul Galati in the absence of suspended Nemanja Vidic, manager Alex Ferguson said on the eve of tomorrow's Champions League match.

Ferdinand, 32 (picture), has found his starting place alongside Vidic increasingly under threat due to injuries and the emergence of youngsters Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling.

"I explained to Rio other day that it's simply we have two young centre halves coming through and I'm very glad to have the four of them and I hope I can keep the four of them for a long time," the manager told a news conference today.

"Rio's almost 33 and he's obviously lost a yard of pace he had five years ago but that doesn't mean he can't tailor his game in a different way – where used to rely on pace he doesn't do that now, he can't do that any more.

"We've all faced that decisive moment in your careers when you realise you have to change your game. I did it myself as a player ... Rio will do the same and he will be fine."

Ferdinand, who played in the 6-1 thumping by Premier League leaders Manchester City at Old Trafford last month, will return to the scene of that drubbing for tomorrow's Group C encounter against the Romanian champions.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley has been ruled out with an ankle injury, joining Smalling and winger Ashley Young on the sidelines.

The English champions are second in the group on five points, two behind Benfica and one ahead of third-placed FC Basel. Galati have yet to get off the mark. – Reuters

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Iranian soccer players suspended over ‘goosing’

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 08:30 AM PDT

TEHRAN, Nov 1 – Iran's football federation has suspended two players from the top team involved in an "inappropriate" goal celebration, the ISNA news agency reported today.

The federation will issue a final verdict next week on Mohammad Nosrati, who appeared to briefly put his hand between the buttocks of Sheys Rezaei as Persepolis players huddled together to celebrate a goal against Damash Gilan in a televised match on Saturday.

The gesture might have caused little comment in the West where fans are used to "laddish" behaviour by soccer stars, but it caused some outrage in the Islamic Republic.

Jalal Yahyazadeh, a cleric and member of parliament, said the "shamelsss act" had "upset, angered and outraged" all sports fans and that the sports minister should be held accountable.

"What happened is absolutely not acceptable because it was a very ugly thing," he was quoted as saying by ISNA.

After the incident made headlines in some international media and with a clip available on the Internet, the federation's media committee met today and "demanded that elements who damaged the country's sporting spirit be dealt with firmly," the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

Soccer is the most popular spectator sport in Iran, although women are barred from attending matches. – Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Features

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Gymnastics rule modern cheerleading

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 07:23 AM PDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneer cheerleaders cheer during the NFL football game between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium, in London, October 23, 2011. – Reuters pic

NEW YORK, Nov 1 – Cartwheels, splits, handsprings and tumbles are all in a day's practice for today's cheerleaders, whose fierce athleticism belies the old stereotype of popular girls waving pom-poms.

Experts say cheerleaders these days are likely to be every bit as fit as the teams they're cheering.

"Cheerleaders are one of the most conditioned athletes that I know. You need to be at a high level in order to do all those stunts and tumbling," said Stacey DelPreore, a New Jersey-based fitness instructor.

DelPreore, who has been a cheerleading coach on the staff of the United Cheerleading Association for 10 years, said gymnastics rule modern cheer routines.

"A long time ago it was more dance-based, and rah-rah, lets cheer on the football team," she said. "But as a lot of tumbling and gymnastics got into cheerleading and stunts became involved, it became more athletic, based more on gymnast-type movements than (on) dance."

More complicated stunts demand greater conditioning, according to DelPreore, whose fitness DVD Train2Cheer, is a high impact cardio, strength and conditioning workout developed specifically for cheerleaders and dancers.

"There's no actual tumbling in it, but the exercises simulate the motions of stunting, tumbling and dancing that pertains to competitive cheerleading," she said, "along with a lot of plyometric (jumping) moves, which help with back jumps and handsprings."

DelPreore said too many youngsters are hurt because they start doing back flips without knowing their bodies.

"A lot of these kids are starting at eight and nine years old. If they're not conditioned properly, there are injuries," she said.

Cross training is also crucial to staying healthy, she said.

Jessica Matthews of the American Council on Exercise said as cheerleading has evolved into its own sport, it's become more important to build conditioning programmes, such as strength, cardio, and flexibility exercises, into the training.

"I feel like you get some of that with cheerleading. But I don't know how structured it's been," said Matthews, an exercise physiologist and former high school cheerleader.

"You might have a cheerleading coach with a background in choreography, but do you have someone with a conditioning background to work with them to avoid injuries?"

Matthews praises cheerleading for providing a great social environment and for getting youngsters active at a time when obesity affects 17 per cent of all children adolescents in the United States, according to government figures.

While athletic prowess is paramount, personality remains part of the skill set.

"You really have to have that spirited energy and to want to be front and centre," Matthews said. "If you're a little more reserved, it might not be for you."

Cheerleading is bigger than it's ever been, according to Matthews and DelPreore, who both began cheering with Pop Warner, a non-profit organisation in the United States that promotes youth football, cheer and dance.

DelPreore said those who have cheered, even quite a long time ago, still thrill to the energy, the music and the choreography.

"I feel like when you're a cheerleader you always have that in you," she said. – Reuters

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Singapore gets world’s first ‘Transformers’ ride

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 05:47 AM PDT

Optimus Prime and Megareon battle at Transformers The Ride. – All Rights Reserved.

HONG KONG, Nov 1 – Universal Studios Singapore is tapping into one of cinema history's most successful franchises for its next big attraction as it continues to stake its claim as one of the city's – and Asia's – premier attractions.

The world's first Transformers The Ride will be unveiled at Universal Studios Singapore from December 3 and will feature "12 scenes, comprising sets blended seamlessly with hyper-realistic 3-D digital media and special effects to bring tactile realism to every moment," according to the theme park's management.

The Transformers movie series has so far picked up an estimated US$3 billion (RM9.36 billion) globally from three episodes and the ride will join the other major attractions at the theme park, including Battlestar Galactica dual roller coasters.

Universal Studios Singapore is part of the city's Resorts World Sentosa complex, which has attracted more than 15 million visitors since opening in January 2010. The complex also features a casino, four hotels and an expansive retail area.

"I am very excited about the debut of this attraction at Universal Studios Singapore," Transformers film director Michael Bay said in statement. "Finally, Transformers fans will not only have the chance to watch the Autobots battle the Deceptions on screen; they'll actually be part of the action."

In the coming weeks, competitions and sneak previews will be posted on the attraction's official blog – http://tftheride.rwsentosablog.com.

The development of Resorts World Sentosa has been one of Singapore's great recent success stories as the city looks to establish itself as one of Asia's top destinations.

The city is this year on target to break all tourism records thanks to the influx of people heading to both RWS and to the Marina Bay Sands resort, which also boasts a casino and extensive entertainment facilities.

International visitor arrivals into the city for the second quarter of 2011 were 3.2 million, according to the Singapore Tourism Board, which represents 14 per cent year-on-year growth.

The STB last week announced that tourists spent an estimated S$5 billion (RM12.35 billion) in the city in the second quarter of 2011, a rise of 18 per cent, year on year. Leading the way were Indonesians (S$677 million), followed by Chinese (S$447 million) and Indians (S$305 million).

Last year Singapore played host to a record 11.6 million visitors, as it tries to pose a challenge to the likes of the Chinese cities of Hong Kong (36 million) and Macau (25 million). – AFP

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The Malaysian Insider :: Books

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Belgian court adviser says Tintin book not racist

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 07:21 PM PDT

Valery De Theux de Meylandt, a Belgian Procureur du Roisaid, said "Tintin in the Congo" is a reflection of author Herge's time. — Reuters file pic

BRUSSELS, Nov 1 — A Belgian judicial adviser has recommended the country's courts reject a legal bid to have a book featuring fictional boy hero Tintin banned for racism, court documents showed.

Valery de Theux de Meylandt, a Belgian Procureur du Roi whose opinion is requested and typically followed by the court, advised judges in a written statement to rule against campaigner Bienvenu Mbutu Mondondo's application to have "Tintin in the Congo" banned for racism.

De Theux de Meylandt said in the document dated Friday and seen by Reuters that Tintin author Georges Remi (better known as Herge) did not intend to incite racial hatred when he depicted his cartoon hero on an adventure in the former Belgian colony in a 1931 work that was updated in 1946.

"The representations (of African people) by Herge are a reflection of his time," de Theux de Meylandt wrote.

Intention is a key criteria in substantiating a charge of racism. The court is expected to deliver a judgement early next year rejecting or accepting Mondondo's argument that the book's depiction of Africans is racist.

"We see in particular that 'Tintin in the Congo' does not put Tintin in a situation where there is competition or confrontation between the young reporter and any black or group of blacks, but pits Tintin against a group of gangsters ... who are white," de Theux de Meylandt also wrote in the statement.

"Tintin in the Congo" was one of a series of comic books about the adventures of a boy journalist and his dog Snowy, which were first published in 1931. Mondondo has taken aim at the modern version of the updated 1946 book.

The court case comes at a time when Tintin's popularity is on a comeback with a new Hollywood film from director Stephen Spielberg about the intrepid Belgian boy journalist on an adventure alongside Snowy, Captain Haddock and Inspector Thompson. — Reuters

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The Malaysian Insider :: Bahasa

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Datuk Nalla dilantik senator, angkat sumpah esok

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 02:26 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Nov ― Presiden Parti Bersatu India Malaysia (MIUP) Datuk K S Nallakaruppan yang juga bekas rakan sukan tenis Ketua Pembangkang Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim dilantik sebagai senator.

Nallakaruppan yang menubuhkan parti itu selepas keluar Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) empat tahun lalu mengesahkan beliau telah menerima surat pelantikan sebagai anggota Dewan Negara minggu lalu.

Beliau dijadual mengangkat sumpah esok.

"Ya, saya sudah terima surat pelantikan. Angkat sumpah esok," kata beliau ketika dihubungi The Malaysian Insider.

Mengenai reaksinya, Nallakaruppan, 65, berkata, beliau menerimanya sebagai satu penghormatan kepada parti itu.

"Biar saya angkat sumpah dulu, nanti saya akan katakan rancangan saya... masih terlalu awal," kata beliau mengenai isu-isu yang beliau akan bawa kelak.

MIUP memberi sokongan kepada Barisan Nasional pada pilihan raya umum 2008.

Sejak keluar PKR beliau banyak mengeluarkan kenyataan-kenyataan mengkritik parti itu khususnya Anwar.

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Demo Mat Rempit didalangi pembangkang, kata pemimpin PR

Posted: 01 Nov 2011 01:54 AM PDT

KUALA LUMPUR, 1 Nov ― Pemimpin Pakatan Rakyat Pulau Pinang terus mendakwa demonstrasi kira-kira 200 penunggang motosikal di negeri itu semalam didalangi parti pembangkang negeri itu namun tidak dinyatakan secara khusus pihak yang terlibat.

Semalam Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Lim Guan Eng mendakwa Barisan Nasional (BN) terlibat dengan demonstrasi membantah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri Pakatan Rakyat itu namun dinafikan wakil rakyatnya.

Pada sidang media pagi tadi Timbalan Ketua Menteri Pulau Pinang Datuk Mansor Othman berkata demonstrasi itu seolah-olah "dirancang" parti pembangkang dengan menggunakan penunggang motosikal atau "mat rempit" sehingga menyebabkan kesesakan di negeri itu.

"Pelik juga sebab yang pertama kita nampak ia terlalu tersusun dan kita dimaklumkan pemuda dari Balik Pulau dan pelajar kolej pengajian dan bukan mat rempit betul yang terlibat dalam kes ini.

"Yang kedua adalah tuntutan untuk litar lumba motor, kalau nak litar lumba mereka tak perlu buat demonstrasi macam ini dan yang lebih penting lagi sebab yang dimohon bukan litar lumba motor tapi turut dilambangkan di baju yang mereka pakai sebab itu saya kata ia dirancang," katanya.

Jelas beliau, persoalan lain turut timbul berhubung tuntutan itu kerana baju T yang dipakai peserta demonstrasi turut tertera perkataan "Lim Guan Eng Rasis."

"Ada lambang LGE (Lim Guan Eng) rasis, kalau nak mohon tempat lumba motor tak perlu kaitkan dengan rasis, racing (lumba) dan rasis lain...ejaan lain, maknanya pun lain," katanya.

Tambah Mansor, tindakan penunggang motosikal itu sangat berbahaya dan boleh mengundang kebencian dan kemarahan rakyat terutamanya orang bukan Melayu.

"Dalam ini yang lebih penting, ini menunjukkan ketidakmatangan politik dan jika ia melibatkan pembangkan di Pulau Pinang ia adalah ketidakwarasan dan ketidakwajaran pembangkang gunakan isu rasis dan ini cukup membahayakan.

"Ini politik yang cukup bahaya, kalau mainkan isu rasis jika libatkan pembangkang ia akan timbulkan kebencian dan kemarahan orang bukan Melayu," katanya.

Sementara itu exco kerajaan negeri Abdul Malik Kassim berkata keberanian penunggang motosikal mengadakan demonstrasi ini menunjukkan mereka disokong parti pembangkang.

"Yang sangat membimbangkan kerana bagi pengetahuan kita pihak remaja, belia dan golongan mat rempit mana ada dirancang...mereka bukan ada persatuan tapi kali ini dirancang.

"Ini menunjukkan orang dibelakang adalah parti-parti pembangkang yang cuba memporakperandakan Pulau Pinang," katanya.

Semalam polis menahan lima individu kerana menyertai demonstrasi di Pulau Pinang bagi membantah pentadbiran kerajaan negeri pimpinan Lim.

Seramai 200 penunggang motosikal memulakan demonstrasi dengan melalui Jalan Penang sebelum ke Komtar dan Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN).

Mereka juga memasang kain rentang yang meminta pembinaan litar lumba untuk anak muda berlumba motorsikal serta memakai baju T yang tertulis "Selamatkan Pulau Pinang, LGE Rasis."

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The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion

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A Bridge too far for Terry’s antics

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 04:59 PM PDT

NOV 1 — It is my fervent wish that Fabio Capello does the right thing between now and next May (when he makes his final pick for the England squad to play in Euro2012) and relegates two central defenders, who are definitely past their sell-by date now let alone seven months from today.

Last week, I gave my honest assessment of Rio Ferdinand in the humiliating 1-6 defeat that his Manchester United suffered at Old Trafford to local rivals Manchester City.

Now, it seems like home grounds are more convenient for some players to face a total collapse rather than away.

John Terry had already experienced egg on his face in the past due to his indiscretion with regards to one Bridge (Wayne, the team-mate that is), and on Saturday, falling on the pitch at the other Bridge (Stamford, the stadium), while chasing a back pass from Florent Malouda, was the ultimate embarrassment for a one-time stalwart of the Chelsea and England line-up. 

If "Go Rio Go" was the clarion call last week, it is even more apt for the Blues captain, sung to the famous chorus by Chuck Berry, "Go John T Go!"

It is no small matter that I am talking about here. When the rich and well-stocked Chelsea team can end up letting in five goals at home – something which has not happened in more than a decade – responsibility has to fall on the captain's shoulders.

Leading from the back against a rampant Arsenal side, with Robin Van Persie in scintillating form, Terry failed in his duties as an experienced defender, centreback and most especially, captain.

The slip-up chasing a poor back pass was just a mirror of his form recently, not to mention his other trouble with the authorities over an alleged racist remark against fellow Englishman, Anton Ferdinand.

It was a nothing ball that could and should have been dealt with easily by millionaire professionals, but there was a lack of focus that was easily punished by Van Persie.

That lackadaisical attitude also contributed to some of the most horrible defending I have ever seen displayed at Stamford Bridge in the top tier of league football.

Chelsea just forgot how to defend. There was little cover, if any, on their right, allowing the Gunner's left back Andre Santos to launch attack after attack from that side of the pitch.

Santos, who had a poor first half, was able to move forward with ease (with added support on the left wing from the brilliant Gervinho) and score a crucial equalising goal to bring Arsenal level 2-2 within five minutes of the restart, after going down 2-1 just a minute before half-time.

Despite conceding that third goal to Juan Mata's brilliant shot from distance – after Theo Walcott's remarkable goal gave them the lead for the first time in the game – Arsenal smelled blood and persevered, applying the hammer blow with two more brilliant strikes from Van Persie.

That third goal for the now-flying Dutchman was also one of many spectacular goal strikes at the weekend. I dare say that goalkeepers had little, if any, chance of stopping those shots.

Arsenal is a different team altogether from that which had a very dismal start to the season.

Based on what I have seen of them in their past two matches, it's pretty obvious that the Gunners have improved by leaps and bounds.

The ball moves quicker from player to player despite there being less "one-touch passing" and there is also more precision in their passes and naturally, in the shots as well.

And now on to last week's train wreck, Manchester United. Their recovery was complete early on at Goodison Park against an unlucky Everton but, more importantly, I mark the return of Tom Cleverly as having the most telling impact on Saturday.

Cleverly lives up to his name more than many people realise. He shows a lot of maturity with his vision, range of passing, link-up play and mobility. I would go so far as to say that he is the best all-round midfielder in the English Premier League currently.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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What next for Occupy Wall Street?

Posted: 31 Oct 2011 04:54 PM PDT

NOV 1 — A newly-erected watchtower, surveillance cameras, police units huddled in tight  discussion and more than a dozen manned NYPD vehicles parked in an orderly yet menacing line overlooking the northern boundary of occupied Zuccotti Park.

The scene caught me by surprise; NYPD occupying Occupy Wall Street?

Only two weeks earlier, there was but a handful of bemused police officers; some unable to resist a smile at the more flamboyant placard-waving occupiers. Two off-duty NYPD officers were even reported to have joined the movement.

Jalen Matney (right), 19, recently left his job at Disney World Orlando to participate in the Occupy Wall Street movement. He was arrested last week during a march and sports cuts around his wrists where the plastic cuffs had been fastened too tightly. — Picture by Helen Hickey

I was due to meet Giles Clarke, 46, a British documentarian who, through his intriguing images and daily reports posted on Facebook, has captured the essence of not just Occupy Wall Street, but the sister movements in Washington, Boston, London and Berlin.

In Panini Cafe, on the park's perimeter, he introduced me to Peter Harris, 40, an IT whiz and photojournalist from Boston. Together they have been covering Occupy Wall Street since it started on September 17.

Sporting a rugged crop of stubble and an "Occupy London Stock Exchange" T-shirt, Clarke explained: "You can't put a finger on it until you come down to Liberty Plaza (Zuccotti Park). I saw my first march through Wall Street to Union Square on Day 2 of the movement and I was fascinated by it."  

"It is the spark that America needed...," Clarke enthused. He firmly believes we are witnessing history unfold. Given more than 43 per cent of Americans are supportive of the movement (according to a recent New York Times poll) and the ignition of anti-austerity occupations in more than 80 countries (from Occupy Antarctica to the recent Occupy Brighton, UK) I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's right.

And what did they think of the NYPD's involvement to date?

"Peter and I were privy to some terrible police behaviour in the early days." Day 3 was the worst. Harris, who had spent the night working on live streaming video coverage of all anti-austerity movements across the world (check out GlobalRevolution.TV), explained how police tried to remove tarps erected in the park to cover protestors' personal effects from the rain, arguing they constituted an "illegal structure."

Zuccotti Park's battlefront of manned NYPD vehicles and security cameras complete with a four-metre high police watchtower erected on its north-west perimeter. – Picture by Helen Hickey

"Protestors were shouting questions at the police who were in turn pulling on the tarps they were standing on, and then Captain Winski — commanding officer of the 1st precinct which covers the park — seemed to just lose it and grabbed the closest protestor to hand, a kid half his size, and smashed his head down on the ground," Harris said. The boy had done nothing wrong. "All they were interested in was getting people into the back of the wagon," Clarke added.

The seemingly provocative "strutting of police" during the otherwise peaceful Wall Street marches concerned Clarke too: it led to a pervading sense of "them and us". A far cry from the camaraderie displayed between the police and protestors he noticed in London.

More restraint has been shown since — no doubt helped along by NYPD officer Anthony Bologna's rap on the knuckles for his infamous pepper spray incident.

The police do walk an onerous line between keeping public order and allowing freedom of speech and peaceful assembly as enshrined in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. But is finding the right balance that difficult?

Only days after our meeting, scenes from Oakland, California made international headlines.  

Tuesday's police clashes with Occupy Oakland protestors resulted in more than 100 arrests and left a 24-year old protestor with a fractured skull after being hit in the head by a police projectile. Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran, was participating in a march to demonstrate against the closure of the two Oakland camps.

One of the protestors arrested by the NY police... such arrests have become increasingly frequent. – Picture by Giles Clarke

Clarke called me Wednesday evening to advise that tensions in Liberty Plaza were "running high." Occupy Wall Street was planning a march at 9pm "in a show of solidarity with Oakland against 'police brutality.'"

He was anxious for me to know that "the protestors' intention is not to incite the police but to continue to peacefully occupy."

Harris and Clarke — who has lived in the States for 16 years (six in NYC) — are doing their best to avoid being arrested. More than 2,500 occupiers have been arrested across America since the movement's inception.

Wrapped in tarps like burritos, protestors survived nights of heavy rain last week. The movement's organisers New York City General Assembly handed out thermals and warm blankets in anticipation of the snow forecast for this past weekend. Nightly general assemblies plan more marches for Halloween and to Central Park on 11.11.11.

Clarke believes the NYPD will attempt to evacuate Occupy Wall Street — the nucleus of all global movements — but they won't want the stink of another Oakland in NYC. There are rumours of attempts to change the bylaws governing the use of privately-owned Zuccotti Park which would jeopardise the occupation.

The police involvement is bound "to get worse" in the days ahead Harris suspects.

I learnt of his arrest Thursday morning, his camera and memory cards confiscated — handed to the FBI — pending a court appearance in December.

* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.

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