Gingrich

By Al Jazeera Staff in Americas on January 7th, 2012
Republicans in New Hampshire await the debate [GALLO/GETTY]

Follow the latest Republican Party presidential debate in New Hampshire - minute by minute.

10:44 PM: The last question was a softball: Candidates were asked where they'd be if they weren't at the debate.

Perry, a Texan at heart, would "probably be at the shooting range." Paul would be either with his family or "reading an economics textbook." Huntsman'd be on the phone with his sons.

And Gingrich? "I'd be watching a championship college basketball game."

The NCAA championships aren't until April - and Gingrich had to correct himself: "Championship football game."

Santorum and Romney, too, said they'd be watching football.

By Marwan Bishara in Imperium on December 29th, 2011
In an interview Newt Gingrich said the Palestinians were 'invented people' and had a chance to go to many places [EPA]

The film "Mission Impossible 4" opened in US theatre in recent weeks, starring BMW, Apple and Tom Cruise. A two-hour-long commercial on steroids.

If you are unfamiliar with it, Paid Product Placement (PPP) is a big thing in the movie industry.

This is how it works: Hollywood places in its movies certain watches, cars, or a laptop brands; preferably worn by George Clooney, driven by Angelina Jolie, or placed in front of Meg Ryan. In "The Transformers", for example, GM’s Cameros lead with Megan Fox.

PPP is indirect marketing that targets oblivious movie viewers, gender notwithstanding, Catherine Banning or Will Smith could be drinking Pepsi.

The spirit and soul of a movie are sometimes compromised when its script and shooting are shaped by commercial, rather than artistic, considerations.