Culture on HuffingtonPost.com

Silvia Usuriaga: New Indigenous Reserve Aims To Save A Fading Culture

2012-02-23T12:24:21Z

A bright, cloudless day. A remote village in the heart of a vast Amazon wilderness. The head of his tribe moved to tears -- tears of joy, pride and gratitude.

It was February 4th, 2012, and Romero Ríos Ushiñahua, leader of his people and one of the last members of the Maijuna tribe was witnessing a ceremony to declare the nearly 1-million acre Maijuna Reserve.

I was privileged to be on hand that day, and to see history in the making.

The Maijuna Reserve declaration was the culmination of years of efforts by the Maijuna People, in conjunction with conservationists and the government of Loreto, Peru.

This heroic conservation success happened because the Maijuna People made it happen. They recognized the unbreakable bond between their ancient culture and their natural environment - and acted to preserve both.

Romero Ríos Ushiñahua and the remaining 200 adult members of the Maijuna People approached the group I work for, Nature and Culture International, in a bid to protect their ancestral land.

The result--an astounding new protected area that is 22% bigger than Yosemite National Park--is one of a growing catalog of South American indigenous reserves that aim to conserve the environment, as well as cultural identity.

For many of these native groups, the stakes are extremely high.

While in more industrial parts of the globe, we have the luxury (and, to some extent the misfortune) of living "apart" from "the environment, " native subsistence dwellers of the Amazon Basin make no such imaginary distinction.

A healthy ecosystem is essential to all of our livelihoods, but for indigenous groups, many of whom have suffered slave-like treatment at the hands of (in historical succession) missionaries, robber barons, loggers, miners, industrial farmers and drug gangs, protecting their environment means saving themselves from utter obliteration.

Consider, for example, the story of Amadeo García.

Amadeo lives on the upper reaches of the Tigre River in the northern tip of the Peruvian Amazon, only 150 miles from the new Maijuna Reserve. He speaks the Taushiro language, a tongue that no one else in the world can understand.

You see, Amadeo is the last member of his tribe.

His story epitomizes the tragedy of Amazon indigenous peoples.

For thousands of years Amadeo's people inhabited the forests between the Tigre and Corrientes Rivers. The arrival of loggers was the last of a succession of misfortunes for the Taushiro, who suffered terrible exploitation with the arrival of each new economic boom. Their villages were converted to timber camps and their people conscripted and scattered.

And while the Taushiro still count as one of the 28 remaining indigenous groups in Peru's massive Loreto province (which is nearly the size of California), when Amadeo is gone, so too will go millennia of cultural knowledge, of ancestral wisdom, and of beautiful stories.

The Taushiro will have been extinguished.

But this will not be the fate of another of Loreto's remaining tribes: The Maijuna.

They have developed a long-term conservation plan with Nature and Culture International - making a strong commitment to protecting their forest home, now and in the future. They have taken the first steps toward recovering and preserving their ancient culture, along with the incredible biodiversity of their native lands.

The Maijuna have gone from lamenting their historic decline to enthusiastically controlling their own future.

It is a hopeful sign.

Laura Prudom: 'American Idol' Recap: 14 Members Of The Top 24 Are Revealed (Very Slowly)

2012-02-23T06:53:25Z

Another week, another wholly unnecessary, post-audition audition episode of "American Idol," because the judges are apparently unqualified to accurately measure talent until they've heard a contestant sing at least eight times in four different venues. Everything that was revealed in this episode could've been covered in a five minute montage, but the producers have a two-hour timeslot and they're determined to make you sit through every monotonous minute, gosh darn it!

Since I am not nearly as sadistic as the creators of "American Idol," all you really need to know is included in the handy list of survivors and lucky escapees below. I suggest you save your DVR space and just drop in for the last five minutes of the Feb. 23 episode, when the show will roll out its annual "Ridiculous Dancing Montage" that will remind you of the Top 24 in one manageable, filler-free chunk.

The first 14 contestants to make it to the live rounds were:

Jen Hirsch -- The winery worker we first met in Galveston, who was one of many to wow the crowd with a bluesy rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Hollywood.
Creighton Fraker -- Jen's fellow group member, the "starving artist" from New York. His quirky tone won't be everyone's cup of tea, but he's certainly been a standout of the audition rounds.
Joshua Ledet -- A soulful crooner who was basically a non-entity during the initial auditions, but quickly differentiated himself from the masses during Hollywood Week.
Haley Johnson -- This peppy blonde is one of many with a strong voice, but not really enough personality to separate her from the crowd this season. Great belter, though.
Elise Testone -- She nailed "It's A Man's World" for her final performance, and her husky tone and sweet runs should help her progress to the Top 12.
Reed Grimm -- Though he's not a member of the Fantastic Four, he's certainly pulled off several super performances; especially his a cappella-turned-drum performance of "Georgia."
Erika Van Pelt -- One of the strongest female voices in the competition, with a tone eerily reminiscent of Pink, the mobile DJ was an easy yes -- though the judges did say that she didn't do as well as they'd hoped throughout Hollywood and Vegas.
Chelsea Sorrell -- The first of several indistinguishable country crooners; from what I recall, Chelsea was a solid enough singer, but likely to be canon fodder in the live rounds since she hasn't been all that memorable thus far.
Baylie Brown -- Another country girl, with the added cachet of having had far more screen-time than Chelsea, due to the fact that she first auditioned back in Season 6, which is apparently super impressive. She mangled Rascal Flatts' "Here Comes Goodbye" in her final audition, but in spite of that, the judges gave her a pass.
Heejun Han -- Best known for his deadpan zingers and rivalry with Richie "The Cowboy" Law (who was thankfully sent home), long-suffering Heejun has always been one of J.Lo's favorites and acquitted himself beautifully in his final song. His hilarious response to Ryan Seacrest's "What are you sweating?" ("Mostly water") was possibly the high point of the episode. Yes, it was one of those nights.
Jessica Sanchez -- I don't remember this sweet 16-year-old at all, but her final performance of "The Prayer" was beautifully controlled and had a sweet, natural purity that literally gave me chills. She wants to succeed so that she can support her family since they're broke from supporting her musical ambitions. No pressure.
Phillip Phillips -- This season's Casey Abrams, which is only a good thing if you liked last season's Casey Abrams. He's graveled and seems to have a great grasp of who he wants to be as an artist, but I predict he'll be even more divisive than Creighton.
Colton Dixon -- The reluctant brother who hijacked his sister's audition after the judges bullied him into performing. He's still far too affected for me, but he's unique and confident. Plus, he's white, male and can play and instrument, so he'll probably win. He tried to make up for stealing his sister's thunder by dedicating his final song to her, but things got awkward again when she told him to ask the judges to put her through next year. Yeah, that sibling rivalry isn't going away any time soon.
Brielle Von Hugel -- Teen diva with a suffocating stage mom. She performed a mid-tempo version of "Killing Me Softly" for her final audition, which was interesting. I think she thinks she's better than she actually is, not sure she'll make the Top 12.

And, in an attempt to fabricate drama from a completely pedestrian episode, the show ended on a "cliffhanger" with proud daddy Adam Brock left in limbo until the next episode -- though I can't fathom him being sent home, especially after his rousing performance of "Georgia" in Hollywood.

We mostly lost a few faceless nobodies who hadn't been given any exposure during the audition rounds, and I didn't even catch their names, but there were a couple of surprises. The consistently fantastic Lauren Gray was eliminated, despite her commercial-skewing, Kelly Clarkson-meets-Adele sound. She had great range and a lot of personality, so I wouldn't be surprised if she was brought back as a wildcard (or are we not doing that this year?) but it's somewhat baffling that she was let go in the first place. And despite the catchy name, Neco Starr was also sent home, which made more sense since his last performance sounded nasal and whiny.

On Feb. 23, the 10 remaining members of the Top 24 will be revealed, and thankfully, next week, we can finally get on with the actual singing competition. Were you surprised by any of the judges' decisions?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. Next week, "Idol" will also air on Tuesday (2/28) at 8 p.m. as the semifinalist boys perform.

'The Scream' And Other Shockingly Expensive Works Of Art

2012-02-23T00:15:17Z

With an estimated price tag of more than $80 million, some may gawk right back at Edvard Munch's "The Scream," the iconic painting to be auctioned in May. But based on recent sales, potential buyers are likely anxious to get out their checkbooks.

One of four versions of Norwegian expressionist painter Munch's classic piece of work will soon be auctioned by Sotheby's for an estimated $80 million. It could even fetch double that amount, according to some art experts. Interestingly, this version is the only one not currently owned by a Norwegian museum and instead part of a private collection. The other three versions of "The Scream" have all been stolen and subsequently recovered in recent years.

According to the head of Sotheby's impressionist and modern art department, Simon Shaw, the timing is especially favorable given that next year marks the 150th anniversary of Munch's birth. That said, surpassing the price of some recent sales will be no easy feat.

Just this month it was revealed that the royal family of Qatar completed the most expensive art transaction in history when it bought Paul CÃ©zanne's "The Card Players" for $250 million. Likewise, the record for most expensive auction sale was set in 2010 when Pablo Picasso's "Nude, Green Leaves and Bust" fetched over $106 million at a Christie's auction.

Here are the ten most expensive works of art sold either privately or at auction (h/t AOL Money):

David Casarett, M.D.: Grief Beyond Belief

2012-02-22T23:27:28Z

There are few experiences that are as lonely and isolating as facing the death of a loved one. That sense of loss makes the world around us seem different -- strange and foreign in ways that are difficult to see and impossible to explain to others. The very experience of loss rearranges how we think of ourselves and who we are, and yet the world around us continues as if nothing had happened.

We feel different. In fact, we are different. The loss of someone we love changes us irrevocably.

And it feels like the world should stop and acknowledge that loss. But of course it doesn't. People go to work and school, current events unfold, and email continues to pour in. It can feel like no one else notices, or cares.

That's bad enough, but what Rebecca Hensler discovered after the death of her son in 2009 was much worse. As Kimberly Winston reports in the USA Today, some of the support that Hensler received was worse than no support at all.

Friends and colleagues reassured her that her son was in a better place, for instance. They told her that her son's death was all part of God's plan. And they said they could see her son as an angel.

However well-meaning, those expressions of support did little to relieve Hensler's grief. In fact, they probably caused more harm than help, because Hensler doesn't believe in God. And she had little patience for talk of "God's plan" and angels. She just wanted her son back.
But Hensler found out that she wasn't alone. Last year she started a Facebook page Grief Beyond Belief that quickly struck a chord with non-believers around the world. That page has become a place where people struggling with loss can support each other in ways that don't offer what can be perceived all too easily as false reassurance.

How many people are there like Rebecca Hensler? I'm not sure, but surveys consistently indicate that there are at least 12,000,000 people in the U.S. alone who identify themselves as atheists. More significantly, perhaps, many of these surveys point out that even more -- as many as 30 million -- don't call themselves atheists but neither do they believe in God or a higher power.

For these people -- and I count myself among them -- how is talk of angels and heaven going to lessen the pain that they're feeling? As Hensler and her thousands of Facebook followers will point out, it won't. At best that language is irrelevant. It's just another brick in the isolating wall of grief.

At its worst, though, that talk of heaven and angels can be hurtful. Indeed, some of the most powerful posts tell the story of friends and colleagues and even family members whose goal is less supportive than evangelical. To say to someone, for instance, that their parent's death was attributable to their lack of faith seems impossible to defend.

As a hospice physician, these stories are enough to make me hesitant to raise the question of religion with my patients. Indeed, that territory seems treacherous, and full of hidden hazards. I always want to support my patients and their families in whatever beliefs they have, but I'm afraid to say the wrong thing.

Putting those anxieties aside, though, I do ask my patients about their religious beliefs. For me, though, it's not so much a discussion of religion per se, but a chance for them to put boundaries around their beliefs. It's a chance for them to tell me, if they feel comfortable doing so, that they don't believe in God. More broadly, it's a chance for them to tell me and the other members of the hospice team how we can support them, and what is off limits. In fact, several patients have told me that they don't want to hear anyone talk to them about how their death was part of a larger plan. They just didn't want to hear it from us. So we made sure they didn't.

That can be especially important when a family encompasses a range of religious beliefs. For instance, I took care of an older woman recently who was a confirmed atheist, as was her eldest daughter. But her two sons weren't, and one of them was a Baptist minister who insisted on praying with -- and for -- his mother and the rest of the family.

Fortunately our hospice chaplains are adept at reading these sorts of situations. They have to be, since they provide spiritual support to people with a wide range of beliefs. In that case they were able to broker a compromise that preserved family harmony, but which protected our patient from prayers that she was finding increasingly distracting and intrusive.

It's our chaplains, too, who have helped me to be more comfortable in talking about religion with atheists and believers alike. They're remarkably flexible in adapting to the needs of our patients, whoever they are and whatever they believe. A Baptist who needs to pray? Fine. A Buddhist who needs a clear mind to meditate? OK. For our chaplains, as strange as it may sound, atheism is just another set of beliefs that deserve our respect and support. Just as much respect, in fact, as we give to Baptists or Buddhists. And that's an attitude that I hope Rebecca Hensler's efforts will promote.

WATCH: Is This The World's Biggest Rope Swing?

2012-02-22T23:10:49Z

If heights aren't your thing, than this epic freefall YouTube video is probably not for you.

Devin Graham has created what he calls the world's largest rope swing, which boasts a whopping 130 foot drop, the Sun reports.

Shot over two days in Bootlegger Canyon, Moab Utah, the video features Graham's friends flying through the air, secured only by rock climbing ropes. Some of them don't even wear a helmet.

After investing a couple of hours in the set up of the ropes, the swingers swoop under the Corona Arch, to which the swing is connected by five different anchors.

Since the video hit the web last Wednesday, more than 5 million people have watched it.

In addition, Graham produced a behind the scenes video.

Of course, Graham doesn't just take frightfully amazing shots from dangerous heights.

According to CBS, other videos of his include Christmas Puppies and Smashing Pumpkins.

Tyrese, Martin Luther King: Singer Channels Leader In 'A Dreamer's Dream'

2012-02-22T22:58:58Z

A few years ago, singer-actor Tyrese Gibson was in the running to portray Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in the Lee Daniels-directed movie 'Selma.' When the film was shut down in the pre-production stages, Tyrese threw himself into research on the late civil rights icon, determined to produce an MLK project of his own.

Is LeAnn Rimes Interested In Joining 'X Factor'?

2012-02-22T22:55:21Z

The latest name thrown in the ring for an "X Factor" judges spot: Singer LeAnn Rimes.

Sources say Rimes is interested in joining the Fox reality hit, with one source adding that sheâs met with Factor co-producer FremantleMedia North America about the gig and other opportunities.

Rog Walker: A Boy

2012-02-22T22:48:59Z

Many would agree that a child deserves to see the entire world and to know that he or she can be anything that they want to be. This is what we are taught in elementary school, and yet, the primary options are always limited. Doctor, lawyer, fireman, etc. As we grow and mature, these ideas become so embedded in our minds that we don't pursue life out of a vast understanding of the world's options, but rather out of what is deemed "successful" or "respectable."

On my journey, I never realized I was lost (at least not until I actually found myself). I was fortunate enough to discover a truth that remains hidden from most people for their entire lives. My identity and purpose exist in something present in this world, something that may not have been presented to me by my parents, teachers, or peers. I can be spiritually and practically fulfilled living from inward choice rather than a societal determination of success.

Don't buy the hype and don't sell it either. There is an entire world out there and it is up to you to connect with it and decide for yourself what works for you.

Don't buy the hype..
A Boy: A Speaking Pixels Photo Story
Experience the original spread: http://speakingpixels.com/boy

PHOTOS: AP Photographer Documents Daily Life In Pakistan

2012-02-22T22:40:01Z

Associated Press chief photographer in Pakistan Muhammed Muheisen documents daily life on the outskirts of Islamabad.

To see more great photography visit HuffPost Exposure.

Holly Cara Price: Dion DiMucci in Conversation With Steven Van Zandt at the 92nd Street Y

2012-02-22T22:31:17Z

Just imagine you're sitting in your own living room and it's nice and cozy and quiet, and across from you in two comfy chairs are Dion DiMucci and Steven Van Zandt talking, for 90 minutes, about Dion's long and amazing career. That's what it felt like last Sunday night at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, as Van Zandt engaged DiMucci in conversation about everything from the songs that excited him on the radio as a child, to the time that Jerry Lieber called him "the best white blues singer he had ever heard." This remarkable evening was part of the 92Y's lecture series and is yet another reason why, if you have some spare cash lying around, you should put it into an envelope and send it their way. It bears mentioning also that there is no better person to interview a bonafide legend like Dion; no one who is more erudite and savvy on the history of rock and roll and all its many iterations than Steven Van Zandt, who for years has hosted the weekly radio show Little Steven's Underground Garage -- as well as helming two channels on SiriusXM, Outlaw Country and Underground Garage.

Van Zandt began the evening with an introduction to Dion, who, he said, created the Italian-American New York/New Jersey attitude. "And where would Rock & Roll be without that?" he asked, grinning. The two first met when Steven, a hired hand with the Dovells at the time, came to Vegas on the oldies circuit, where Dion was playing in 1973. The theatre manager took Van Zandt on a tour and they came upon Dion noodling around on the guitar, by himself, playing a Robert Johnson tune. Thus began a long friendship.

DiMucci grew up in the Bronx, where he first heard Hank Williams and thrilled to country music and blues, as well as doo wop. Talking about those early days, the excitement in his voice last night was palpable -- as fresh as if it were just yesterday he first heard those songs. Dion, as so many others, tried to imitate what he heard on the radio, and music became a lifeline to get out of the neighborhood. "A lot of guys didn't make it out of the neighborhood," he said. "But I found music and it was a bit of salvation for me."

In 1957 he got together with three neighborhood friends to form Dion and the Belmonts. Dion still remembers the exact moment they first did "I Wonder Why" (their first hit) in his house; how great it sounded; the four-part harmonies. For a few years they had a steady string of hits and Dion was the first rock and roll artist signed to Columbia Records. They landed a place on the Winter Dance Party tour with Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. Holly, at the time, was just 22 years old and on top of the world -- tremendously successful in the brand new genre of rock and roll music.

Dion was very nearly one of the passengers on the small plane that crashed with Buddy Holly, Valens, and the Big Bopper aboard from Clear Lake, Iowa in February 1959. They had to share the cost of chartering the plane and when DiMucci (aged 19 at the time) found that his share was $36, he opted out. That was the exact amount his parents paid for rent every month. He just could not spend that kind of money on a plane flight, even one that cut down many hours of traveling icy roads in a bus to a two-hour airplane ride. The rest, of course, is history. No one survived the crash.

This and other amazing stories poured out of Dion on Sunday, he calls himself quite accurately the "Forrest Gump" of rock and roll. The conversation was punctuated every so often by a verse or two or three from either one of his own songs or a song beloved by him. He left the Belmonts as he wasn't interested in the direction they were going, left Columbia Records, went into a folk-rock period, hung out in the Village with denizens like John Sebastian, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee. There was a very dark time, with drugs, that his wife was instrumental in bringing him through to the other side. There was "Abraham, Martin and John" in 1968.

Over the years, many people -- including John Hammond in 1961 -- told Dion he had a "flair" for the blues and should pursue recording in this genre. But t wasn't until years later that he took their advice. His new album, out this week, is Tank Full of Blues. "When I found music -- it was like a handle to life to me," he told the rapt audience at 92Y. The evening ended with Dion performing a song from the new album called "Holly Brown" accompanied by Van Zandt on guitar.

Movie Theater Showing 'Shame' Dubbed 'Den Of Sin'

2012-02-22T22:31:15Z

An NC-17 rating is often the kiss of death for a movie, but one South Carolina theater is seeing boffo business for "Shame" after fliers that condemn the film started popping up around town. The fliers dub the Nickelodeon theater a "den of shame" and caution people not to see the movie, which features ample sex scenes and full-frontal nudity from lead Michael Fassbender. The 75-seat art-house theater (no relation to the kid-friendly network) has seen business go up since the flier controversy.

Two locals interviewed by WLTX Channel 19 admitted the negative ad, which warns that the film will "offend your sensibilities," only made them want to see the movie more. Since the flier lists the exact address and dates the film is playing and is posted right outside the "den of sin" in question, could it be the Nickelodeon itself is behind the campaign? See the video above and decide for yourself.

[via Movieline]

Jennifer Boyd-Einstein and Paula Mangin: Punk'd

2012-02-22T22:28:38Z

At 71 years old, Vivienne Westwood is a badass. The original Punk.

Her first collection to hit the catwalk was "Pirates" in 1981; crazy to think she was already 40 when she made her debut on the international fashion stage. She had been an integral part of the punk scene in London with boyfriend/collaborator Malcolm McLaren, who managed the Sex Pistols. Now she was part of the fashion scene. Forever.

She's a rebel that has always done things her own way, but backs it up by creating iconic pieces that stand the test of time. There's a reason why museum exhibitions showcase her work. If the MET features the Kardashian line in a 2030 exhibit, you best believe hidden cameras will be rolling for the resurrection of Punk'd. Or I'll barf in my Anglomania bag.

One of my first eBay purchases was a pair of her Pirate Boots, which she has reissued and can be found here. I cried when I opened the box. They go with nothing and everything. I also just scored these Vivienne Westwood crazy sack boots here; I can't wait to rescue them from the cobbler, where they are awaiting rubber reinforced soles. Maybe the big bags on my feet will detract from the big bags under my eyes.

I idolize her. Years ago, when I took the hardest class of my life, CDFP (cut/drape/flat/pattern) at the San Francisco Academy of Art, we all had to choose a dress-form with which to display our finished assignments. Of course I chose Vivienne Westwood. She would recoil at the crap I hung and draped on that dress form, most of it resembling punk by accident due to the the slashes and liberal use of safety pins. Bad sewing is not cool.

Her Fall 2012 collection, which just debuted during London Fashion Week, was a study in why I love her: the asymmetric jackets and hems, the pinstripes, the nipped-in waists, the t-shirts and plaids. Below are drawings of some of my favorite looks, while the complete collection is here:

So while trends and designers come and go, Vivienne Westwood is here to stay. As the Sex Pistols sang, "God save the Queen."...Amen.

All illustrations by Paula.

Sharon Blames ITV For Adele's Middle Finger Debacle

2012-02-22T21:58:28Z

Tuesday night at the Brit Awards, singing sensation Adele flipped the middle finger after host James Corden cut her off in the middle of her acceptance speech for British album of the year. Wednesday on "The Talk," (weekdays on CBS) Sharon Osbourne, who hosted the Brit Awards ceremony in 2008, provided some context on the incident.

Instead of the more traditional awards show play-off music, the Brit Awards tasks the host with letting winners know when their speeches have run over time, Osbourne explained. "I hosted that show about four years ago, and you've got three different producers in your ear ... They send you up there and say, 'Whatever you do, get the mic, tell them to stop, that's it.' ... So I understand her frustration ... When I hosted it, they didn't tell the artists, because they didn't want to say who's won, so they don't prep them."

Osbourne had some harsh words for ITV, the network who televised the ceremony. "It's the network. They don't care. They're English. They've got a stick up their bum," she quipped. "If it had been me, I would have said, 'You tell her, I am not telling her."

Even this year's host Corden seemed to share Osbourne's sentiments. In an interview with ITV2 after the show, he said, "I don't understand quite why I was made to [cut her short]... I was having the best night of my life and then I had to cut Adele off before she's even had a chance to say, 'Thank you.' She's the biggest star in the world. I don't understand what happened, but I'm upset about it."

TV Replay scours the vast television landscape to find the most interesting, amusing, and, on a good day, amazing moments, and delivers them right to your browser.

Aretha Franklin: This Is No Reflection On Whitney's Upbringing

2012-02-22T21:49:28Z

NEW YORK — Aretha Franklin says Cissy Houston raised her daughter Whitney Houston well – and that an interview where Franklin said parents need to make sure children "leave home prepared" was taken out of context.

Franklin released a statement Wednesday, four days after Houston's funeral. She was expected to sing at the funeral in Newark, N.J., Houston's hometown, but bowed out because of leg spams she said she suffered after a concert at Radio City Music Hall the night before. She performed again at Radio City the night of Houston's funeral, and paid tribute to Houston as "a very fine young lady."

In an interview about Houston on NBC's "Today" show last week, Al Roker asked Franklin about Houston's superstardom.

Franklin said: "I think parents have to really talk to their children before they leave home ... (that they) leave home prepared, really. She left home with all the right things."

After Franklin didn't attend the funeral, there were some reports that Houston's mother was upset over Franklin's comments and that Franklin was uninvited, a charge Franklin denies.

"Cissy Houston and I have been longtime friends for almost 50 years.Â I have four invitations and parking passes that were sent to me for the funeral," Franklin said. "Cissy does not need ridiculous speculation and neither do I – particularly at this time."Â

Franklin also said her full statement – "This is no reflection on Cissy or Nippy's upbringing," using a nickname for Houston – wasn't aired (a request for comment wasn't immediately returned by the "Today" show).

"Knowing Cissy as wellÂ as I do, I know Whitney left home right and properly.Â I was generalizing and it was a well-intended statement for any young adult coming into the music industry," she said.Â "I was notÂ speaking of anyone specifically.Â "

Houston had fought substance abuse for years. She was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Feb. 11, the day before the Grammy Awards. A cause of death has yet to be determined.

Nekesa Mumbi Moody is the AP's music editor. Follow her at http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi

Watch Jean Dujardin In 1998 French Television Series 'Farce Attaque'

2012-02-22T21:27:03Z

Honestly, I don't really know what's going on in this clip (two years of French classes: money well spent) other than that Jean Dujardin, your likely future Best Actor winner, is running through the jungle like he's Rambo. I'm starting to get the impression that Dujardin may have been holding out when he did that Funny or Die parody of all of the action movies that he was now being offered.

The 1998 clip, from a French television series called "Farce Attaque," shows Dujardin in predicaments ranging from being whipped while tied to a tree to, well, yes, something involving a fart joke. Enjoy, America.

Mike Ryan is the senior writer for Moviefone. He has written for Wired Magazine, VanityFair.com, GQ.com, New York Magazine and Movieline. He likes Star Wars a lot. You can contact Mike Ryan directly on Twitter