THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
MONDAY FEBRUARY 23, 2009
NEWS
9A
ACADEMY AWARDS
'Slumdog Millionaire,' Penn, Winslet take top awards
Presenters offer tributes to nominees instead of usual film clips
BY DAVID GERMAIN
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — "Slumdog Millionaire" took the best-picture
Academy Award and seven other Oscars on Sunday, director for Danny Boyle, whose ghetto-to-glory story paralleled the film's unlikely rise to Hollywood's summit.
The other top winners:
nations, its eight wins including adapted screenplay, cinematography, editing and both music Oscars (score and song).
"Just to say to Mumbai, all of you who helped us make the film and all of those who didn't, thank you very much."
"Just to sav to N
Kate Winslet, best actress for the Holocaust-themed drama "The Reader"; Sean Penn, best actor for the title role of "Milk"; Heath Ledger, supporting actor for "The Dark Knight"; and Penelope Cruz, supporting actress for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona."
DANNY BOYLE
Director
British director Danny Boyle is congratulated after winning the Oscar for best director for his work on "Slumdog Millionaire" during the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
ay to Mumbai, all of you who helped us make the film and all of those of you who didn't, thank you very much. You dwarf even this guy." Boyle said, holding up his directing Oscar.
A story of hope amid squailor in Mumbai, India, "Slumdog Millionaire" came in with 10 nomi-
The film follows the travails and triumphs of lamel, an orphan who artfully
dodges a criminal gang that mutilates children to make them more pitiable beggars. Jamal witnesses his mother's violent death, endures police torture and struggles with betrayal by his brother, while single-mindedly hoping to reunite with the lost love of his childhood.
answers that made him a champion on India's version of "Who wants to Be a Millionaire."
Fate rewards Jamal, whose story unfolds through flashbacks as he recalls how he came to know the
ASSOCIATED PRESS
As he took the stage to accept his prize for playing slain gay rights pioneer Harvey Milk, Penn gleefully told the crowd. "You commite, homo-living sons of guns."
He followed with condemnation of anti-gay protesters who demonstrated near the Oscar site and comments about California's recent vote to ban gay marriage.
For his demented reinvention of Batman villain the joker, Ledger became only the second actor ever to win posthumously, his triumph coming exactly 13 months after his death from an accidental overdose of prescription drugs.
His Oscar for the Warner Bros. blockbuster was accepted by Ledger's parents and sister on behalf of the actor's 3-year-old daughter, Matilda.
The epic love story "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," which led with 13 nominations, had three wins.
"The Dark Knight" had a second win, for sound editing.
"Man on Wire," James Marsh's examination of tight-rope walker Philippe Petit's dazzling stroll between the towers of the World
It was a much different style for the Oscars as each past recipient offered personal tributes to one of the nominees, without clips of the
Trade Center in 1974, was chosen as best documentary.
After last year's Oscars delivered their worst TV ratings ever, producers this time aimed to live up the show with some surprises and new ways of presenting awards.
nominated performances.
MILITARY
Army charity stockpiling millions
BY JEFF DONN Associated Press
FORT BLISS, Texas — As soldiers stream home from Iraq and Afghanistan, the biggest charity inside the U.S. military has been stockpiling tens of millions of dollars meant to help put returning fighters back on their feet, an Associated Press investigation shows.
Between 2003 and 2007 — as many military families dealt with long war deployments and increased numbers of home foreclosures — Army Emergency Relief grew into a $345 million behemoth. During those years, the charity packed away $117 million into its own reserves while spending just $64 million on direct aid, according to an AP analysis of its tax records.
Tax-exempt and legally separate from the military, AER projects a facade of independence but really operates under close Army control. The massive nonprofit — funded predominantly by troops — allows superiors to squeeze soldiers for contributions; forces struggling soldiers to repay loans — sometimes delaying transfers and promotions — and too often violates its own rules by rewarding donors, such as giving free passes from physical training, the AP found.
Founded in 1942, AER eases cash emergencies of active-duty soldiers and retirees and provides college scholarships for their families, its emergency aid covers mortgage payments and food, car repairs, medical bills, travel to family funerals, and the like.
Instead of giving money away, though, the Army charity lent out 91 percent of its
Instead of giving money away, the Army charity lent out 91 percent of its emergency aid from 2003-2007.
of their own resources into aid than reserves. The Air Force charity kept $24 million in reserves while dispensing $56 million in total
emergency aid during the period 2003-2007. For accounting purposes, the loans, dispensed interest free, are counted as expenses only when they are not paid back
During that same five-year period, the smaller Navy and Air Force charities both put far more
aid, which includes grants, scholarships and loans not repaid. The Navy charity put $32 million into reserves and gave out $49 million in total aid.
AER executives defend their operation, insisting they need to keep sizable
reserves to be ready for future catastrophes.
"Look at the stock market," said retired Col. Dennis Spiegel, AER's deputy director for administration. Without the large reserve, he added, "Wed be in very serious trouble."
While independent on paper, Army Emergency Relief is housed, staffed and controlled by the U.S. Army.
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That's not illegal per se. Marcus Owens, former head of IRS charity oversight, said charities like AER can legally partner closely with a government agency.
But smaller civilian charities for service members and veterans say they are swamped by the desperate needs of recent years, with requests far outstripping ability to respond.
Army Community Services financial educator Yolanda Davis, center, talks with Pvt. Terrence Nicholas and his wife, Erika Nicholas, during a briefing about financial services Sept. 3, 2018, at Fort Blais, Texas. Erika Nicholas is holding daughter Ania Nicholas, 4.