jueves, febrero 21, 2008

Actor Sharif ordered to pay Latino valet $318,190 over altercation - Los Angeles Times

Interesting article about Omar Sharif's hidden prejudices towards Latinos in LA.

See the article from the LA Times below:

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-valet21feb21,0,6317871.story?track=mostviewed-storylevel

Will actor Omar Sharif pay up in dollars or euros?

That's what parking valet Juan Anderson is wondering after the film star was ordered to pay him $318,190 as a result of a 2005 altercation outside a Beverly Hills restaurant.Sharif, best known for his roles in the movies "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Dr. Zhivago," allegedly punched Anderson in the face when the valet refused to accept a 20-euro note as payment for retrieving his Porsche sport utility vehicle at Mastro's Steakhouse.

The actor and a female companion had just finished a $500 dinner at the North Canon Drive restaurant. Anderson, who believed he was not authorized to accept foreign currency, said he was bloodied by the attack.Anderson, 50, alleged that Sharif angrily called him a "stupid Mexican." Anderson is from Guatemala. Sharif, 75, later pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge. In early 2007 he was ordered to pay a $100 fine and attend anger-management classes.

He was also placed on two years' probation by a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge.Anderson sued Sharif for assault and battery, emotional distress and commission of a hate crime. A 2005 state law prohibits racially motivated violence.On Tuesday, Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Joe W. Hilberman awarded Anderson $318,190 in damages. Sharif, who earlier characterized the incident as a parking lot argument, did not appear at the trial.

Actor Sharif ordered to pay valet $318,190 over altercation - Los Angeles Times

miércoles, febrero 13, 2008

Vice President Rice?

I am not the only one thinking about this possibility. A development of this magnatude would clearly shake-up the Democratic party to its core.

Vice President Rice?