Top 10 List | Top Ten Lists

Would you turn in a family if you had evidence of their involvement in a serious crime? You see people doing this and wonder what you would do. What is the most ethical thing to do? Let’s take a look at decisions 10 people made.

1. Mark Madoff:

Mark Madoff, the eldest son of Bernard Madoff, hanged himself in his Manhattan apartment in December 2011. The date coincided with the second anniversary of Bernie Madoff`s arrest for running a Ponzi scheme which devastated thousands of lives around the world.

Mark Madoff in the weeks leading up to his suicide was in a fragile state of mind. He was said to have expressed resentment toward his father and anxiety regarding a number of lawsuits that were filed against him, his brother and other family members.

It was Mark and his brother who reported their father to the federal authorities on December 11, 2008. This was after their father admitted to having absolutely nothing left and that the whole investment fund was just a Ponzi scheme. Two days before that Bernie Madoff disclosed to his sons his plans to pay out $173 million in bonuses. Nothing made sense.

2. Hector “Junior” Pagan:

Federal agents arrested and charged several members of the Bonanno, including the father of Mob Wives star Renee Graziano. The informant was Graziano’s ex-husband. The family is one of the “Five Families” that dominate organized crime activities in New York City. The founder, Joseph Bonanno, was interestingly enough the first to be kicked off the Commission. The commission keeps order in the Mafia and the family was allegedly dealing heroin.

You can read more here: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/family_epics/bonanno/1.html

3. Melissa Phillips:

This is the toughest decision any mother ever has to make. Melissa Phillips went to clean her son’s room where she noticed a leak. After further examination, Phillips found the body of the neighbour Maddie, who went missing from her home 7 days before. She went across the street to call the police. Joshua Phillips is now serving a life sentence for his crimes. An appeal were made in 2002, but was denied.

Checkout the video: 48 Hours-Joshua Phillips (2006)

4. John Franzese Jr.:

A former Colombo associate-turned paid informant helped convince the courts that his father’s frail state and the use of a wheelchair were deceiving. John Franzese Sr. is a long-time member and the underboss of the Colombo crime family. His is the oldest current member of the American mafia. In 2011, he was sentenced to 8 years in prison for extorting Manhattan strip clubs and pizzerias. The man was dozing off throughout the trial making it look like he is dying.

5. Linda Kasabian:

Charles Manson made an unfortunate call to pick Linda Kasabian to join the group of killers who killed 8 inside the homes of actress Sharon Tate and Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Kasabian did go along, but stood in horror as the murders took places. Escaping from the Manson family, she would later turn in state’s evidence convicting Charles Manson and his crew during the Tate and LaBianca murder trials. It was also her eye-witness testimony that sealed the convictions of those responsible.

People love to talk more than others. Many celebrities have no cue or social skills when they go on their rants. These rants affect others and do not improve on the image of the person. Here are just 10 people who I think have won the shut up award.

1. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:

This man is probably one of the most insane men still living on the face of this earth. He is also one of the most feared with his nuclear program in Iran. One thing that can be said about him is his excessive talks about trying to bring down other people’s beliefs. He’s expressed his opinion about wiping Israel off the map, he’s also tried to get rid of Bush when he was in office. In a speech at the UN headquarters he ranted on about Israel and anti-Semitic and racist comments. The man should be more tolerant of others and should not repress the rights of people inside his country

2. Bobby Brown:

Bobby Brown was one of the brightest R&B Stars in the late 1980s and 1990s. He was popular for his new jacket groove as well as his passion for classic soul, urban synth-funk and hip hop. As things began to slow down, the momentum shifted to Bell Biv Devoe, Johnny Gill and other new faces.

In 1992, he married superstar Whitney Houston. The two would continue to have a 15-year tumultuous and scandal filled marriage. In 1995, Brown was arrested after a fight in a nightclub. In the next months, he was charged with battery after kicking a hotel security guard. He would check himself into the Betty Ford center right after to treat a drug addiction.

The downward spiral did not stop there. He wrecked his wife’s car after found speeding in Florida with blood-alcohol levels twice the legal limit. The continuous record of addiction, defying bail continued into the 2000s. Brown served 75 days in jail.

Despite divorcing in 2007, he and Whitney Houston remained friends. One thing I need to cite is his behaviour during her funeral and right after. He reportedly left the funeral because he did not agree with how it was run. He also made a statement blaming Houston for his drug addiction.

3. Roseanne Barr:

Personal laundry should not be put on the internet. This TV star not only mocked the US national anthem, but also accused her parents of abuse in public. In 2006, she traveled to Lebanon to support the country against Israel. Now she has a show called Roseanne’s nuts. My personal opinion is that this publicity stint.

On a different note, who can forget how she treated her husband Tom Arnold. After a disastrous divorce, she wrote him off the show and got him abducted by aliens. Personal laundry should not be made public willingly.

4. Mel Gibson:

This man is a renowned film star, director and producer and a devoted Traditionalist catholic. He has had success in many films, most notably Braveheart and the Patriot. The Patriot, Chicken Run and What Women Want each grossed at over $100 million.

Despite the success, Gibson is known to be a prankster and a racist. He has done shocking things that outrage people. In 1991, he made a derogatory statement on El Pais against homosexuals. His film the Passion of Christ sparked a debate over anti-sematic images. Most of all, he’s been charged with domestic violence and be accused of sexism.

On July 28, 2006, Gibson was stopped for speeding where he was found in possession of alcohol. He told the arresting officer that his life was over and made a comment telling the Jews to f*** off. He blames them for all the wars in the world. His excuse was “a moment of insanity”.

5. Johnny Depp:

He was once quoted as saying “America is like a dumb puppy…a broken toy…Disneyland…You wouldn’t want to live there…” Why is he living there then? Unless he provided with a good reason, he should keep his trap closed.

One thing clear is the fact that celebrities misuse their money. Many of them entrust their accountants to help them. This is the saddest part in the whole thing. They cannot think independently, and blame others when something goes wrong.

I personally cannot stand people who make millions and spend too much of it in one shot. So here is the list, I’ve compiled, of 10 famous people who made more in their lifetime than we will ever make and have filed for Chapter 11.

1. Abraham Lincoln:

Before he was president, Lincoln was experiencing economic problems and money issues. He was forced into bankruptcy in 1833 because of a poorly performing retail business.

2. Willie Nelson:

Nelson is one the most world renowned country singer who sold over 50 million records worldwide. A gambling addiction caused him to become no stranger to debt. In 1997, the government seized his possessions including his gold records, Texas ranch and bank account. He owed a whopping $16.7 million dollars.

3. Toni Braxton:

This R&B singer made it to the top charts with her hits “You’re Makin’ Me High” and “Un-break My Heart”. When she tried to leave LaFace Records in 1998, she sued them. The lawsuit hit her in the behind as LaFace countersued Braxton back. She was forced to file for bankruptcy as a result, but made a comeback in the new millennium. In 2010, after battling lupus she filed for bankruptcy once again. She now owes $50 million.

4. Gary Coleman:

This troubled Diff’rent Strokes star suffered from financial dues as well as health and marital problems. In 1999, he filed for bankruptcy, even though he was making $70,000/per episode, while on Diff’rent Strokes. By 2009, he was $72,000 in debt and accused his adopted parents of robbing him of $1 million.

5. Stephen Baldwin:

In 2009, Baldwin and his wife filed for bankruptcy. They owed $1.2 million in two mortgage loans. Courts also revealed that he owed $70,000 in credit card debt and $1 million+ in taxes.

A death certificate or an obituary is not enough to stifle people’s love for imagination. Some people come up with the best stories and the unsurpassed ideas of how famous people and celebrities never died. Here are just 10 cases where this happened.

1. Jesus:

Views of Jesus Christ vary amongst different Christian factions. One thing they do agree on is that Jesus Christ was a redeemer and savior. They profess that Jesus is/was the son of God and became a man in incarceration. For them, he resurrected to bodily life, three days after his death. He thus, in their opinion, is not dead.

2. Osama bin Laden:

On May 2, 2011 it was announced that the Al Qaeda leader and perpetrator of 9/11 was killed point blank in a US led operation. For nearly 10 years, bin Laden was America’s most wanted. There was a $25 million reward offered for his capture. Many do not know what to believe. They know that bin Ladin had dummies walking around throughout the Middle East. Reports by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stated that bin Ladin was never killed. Rumours of his impending death due to ill health did lead people on throughout the years following 9/11.

3. Adolf Hitler:

On May 2nd, 1945, it was said that Adolph Hitler committed suicide in his bunker with his girlfriend Eva Braun. Conspiracy theories were ignited recently over the alleged findings of a female skull thought to be Hitler’s for over 6 decades.

4. Tupac Shakur:

A famous rapper and actor, Tupac Shakkur was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada. Rumors began to fluctuate about Shakkur being alive with the release of the first post-hummus record Makaveli: Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory. The album was named after Nicolo Machiavelli, a philosopher who believed that faking one’s death was a good way to fool enemies. With the release of 7 more albums, the rumors of Tupac being alive became even stronger.

5. Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov:

Does anyone know what Anna Anderson, Eugenia Smith, Eleanora Kruger, Natalia Bilikhodze, and Nadezhda Ivanovna Vasilyeva have in common? They all pretended to be the Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov.

Rumours of Anastasia’s survival started when reports read that the Bolshevik soldiers and secret police searched for ‘Anastasia Romanov’. More witnesses also came forward with the claim that they saw a young woman by the name of Anastasia running away in Perm in September of 1918. With the finding of the graves in 1991, the rumors inflated. Two bodies were still missing and unaccounted for. In 1998, the two bodies were finally accounted for; ending any rumors about Anastasia being alive.

As of 2009, there are approximately 33 million people infected by the HIV virus and epidemic. Africa has the highest number given its high poverty rates, little access to health care and its under developing position in the world. Many countries also lack the number of institutions which monitor the spread of HIV. Here is the list of top 10 countries with the most infected by the HIV virus.

1. South Africa:

5.7 million people are infected with the virus in South Africa. The adult prevalence rate is 17.9% according to CIA World Fact Book statistics. In South Africa children are also affected by the virus. 11.2% of HIV occurrences are in children and youth who are under 24 years of age. When you proportion the number of those living with HIV with the total population, it accounts for 11% of the total population.

2. Nigeria:

Out of 155, 215, 573 people living in Nigeria, approximately 3.3 million are affected by the HIV virus. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 3.6% as of 2009. The main cause of HIV occurrences in Nigeria is unprotected sex amongst heterosexuals. Teach sex ed is seen as inappropriate and restrictions on condoms have not been lifted yet. HIV prevention is a goal hard to obtain in this country.

3. India:

Out of 1 billion people living in India, 2.4 million are affected by the HIV virus in India, according to 2009 statistics. The epidemic took a toll on the country in the early 1990s and affects all individuals and not just sex workers. One should note that there is good news in India. 50% of the population is aware of HIV and whether they have it or not.

4. Kenya:

Out of 41, 070, 934 people living in Kenya in 2011, 1.5 million are affected by the HIV virus, making it the 4 largest infection in the world. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 6.3%. The worst cases are seen in children. Only 1 in 3 children get the treatments they need against the virus. The Kenyan government is working hard to combat this epidemic.

5. Mozambique:

About 6% of the Mozambique population and 1.4 million people are affected by the HIV virus as of 2009. The prevalence rate amongst adults is 11.5%. 130,000 of those infected are children.

Many Canadians have expatriated to the United States and Europe. Many people are not aware of their inspirations and early life stories. Here are top 10 Canadian Born Celebrities, Canadians are proud to claim as theirs.

1. Celine Dion (Singer):

Born in Quebec, Celine Dion tops the list of Canadians. She is famous for her Titanic soundtrack song “My Heart Will Go On.” She has a stunning voice and a stunning look which people adore.

2. Keanu Reeves (Actor):

Although Reeves was born on September 2, 1964 in Beirut, Lebanon, he moved around a lot. He lived in New York, Australia and in Toronto for quite some time. He mostly grew up in Toronto where he attended 4 high schools, including the Etobicoke School of Arts.

3. Pamela Anderson (Actress/Model):

Many titles suit Anderson. She is most famous for her role as CJ on the TV show Baywatch. Additionally, she is known for her scandalous and trivial relationships with Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. Many, however, forget that she is Canadian and was born in British Columbia. She struck fame during a BC Lions game.

4. Bryan Adams (Singer):

Inspired by the Beatles, Bryan Adams is one of the best singers Canadians should be proud of. He has had numerous successes and won multiple Grammy Awards. He successfully did duets with Celine Dion (another Canadian), Barbara Streisand and Tina Turner.

5. Jim Carrey (Actor):

Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Jim Carrey is one of thing Canadians are proud to have born and bred. When young, Carrey moved to Scarborough, Ontario where he attended Agincourt Collegiate Institute and Northview Heights Secondary School. He proudly talks about his Canadian background, especially in his early stand-up comedy appearances. You can view the clips on Youtube.

Peace is a time of calm and quiet and is free of commotion. Throughout history this term has synonymously been used with a time of no conflict or war. The soaring 20s was one decade in the 20th century which saw tranquility. During the 1920s, industries were booming, life was blossoming, and countries such as Britain, Germany and France were making pacts.

Peace cannot be solely achieved without humanitarian and international support. Various peacemakers have dedicated their life work to assisting nations and countries torn by abuse, war, conflicts, slums and famine. They put their life at risk to help others and establishing equal power relationships through conflict resolution. As such, this article devotes its space to the following top 10 female peacemakers.

1. Louise Fréchette:

Louise Fréchette served as United Nations Deputy Secretary General. She is also known as a Canadian diplomat and public servant for her role as deputy Minister of National Defense between 1995 and 1998. In 1989, she secretly traveled to Cuba to lobby Fidel Castro’s support for the Gulph War. Throughout the 2000s, Fréchette has advanced United Nation peacekeeping efforts by encouraging more women to join and emphasizing United Nation’s zero tolerance for sexual abuse and assault. Most recently in 2006, Fréchette chaired the Nuclear Energy Futures Project. Her aim is to strengthen global governance in the areas of security, safety and nonproliferation.

2. Maria Ida Giguient

Maria Ida Giguient works for the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and has devoted over two decades to bringing peace to Mindanao and East Timor. In her role as the head of the Notre Dame University Peace Education Centre in Cotabato City, she initiated talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and the Moro National Liberation Front faction groups. Furthermore, she succeeded in drafting a peace agenda for Lumad, an indigenous group in Mindanao in 1998. Today she continues her peacemaking and peace building efforts by training various international groups in diminishing violence.

3. Condoleeza Rice:

Condoleeza Rice is an American diplomat and politician. She served as National Security Advisor to George W. Bush between 2001 and 2005 and as United States’ Secretary of State between 2005 and 2009. Throughout her tenure as Secretary of State, Rice focused on transformational diplomacy which sought to expand, build and sustain democratic governments, especially in the Middle East. She most popularly supported Israel in its fight against terrorism during the Lebanon War in 2006 and Gaza Strip War against Hamas terrorism in late 2008/early 2009.

4. Aung San Suu Kyi

Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese opposition politician and a former General Secretary of the National League for Democracy. In 1988, she supported masses in their strife for democracy and reform after General Ne Win stepped down. When the military Junta stepped in, she continued to fight for human rights and equality. Her core beliefs are rooted in the rule of law, which Burma is lacking. She would have been the new Burmese leader in 1990, if the military junta did not nullify the results and place her under house arrest. In 2010 she was released after 15 years of house arrest.

5. Mother Teresa:

Mother Teresa was the founder of Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta. As a peacemaker, she worked to help the poor, the dying, the sick and the orphaned. She set up schools, orphanages and hospitals to help those who were less fortunate. When she died in 1997, her non profit organization had 300 members and 600+ missionaries in more than 100 countries. Her efforts were visibly seen when she put herself in the middle of gunfire to save 37 children in Beirut in 1982. It is thus not surprising that she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

There are various individuals who have worked hard to attain and maintain tranquility around the world. As of 2010, 98 individuals and 20 organizations have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their honorary efforts. The following 10 male peacemakers deserve recognition as they set an example for us in the contemporary society.

1. Woodrow Wilson

Former President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson made significant efforts to resolve differences between European nations after World War One. He wrote and formulated 14 points, which served to provide a band-aid solution to the events and conflicts that transpired during World War One. In his 14 Points speech, he recognized the right to sovereignty for all nations and created an international governing body that would govern over world conflicts: The League of Nations. The League of Nations was a precursor to the United Nations, which protects all nations from anarchy.

All in all, Woodrow Wilson was successful in bringing peace for 21 years. Conflicting nations such as Germany and France were beginning to shake hands and work on putting past differences. He thus deserves to be recognized.

2. Ramon Delaire:

This Canadian was sent on a United Nations’ peacekeeping mission to Rwanda where Tutsi and Hutus were at war over political power and rights. Various international bodies and nations such as Belgium, the United States and Tanzania tried to broker talks and maintain peace between the two clans. As mounting tensions ensued, various nations pulled out. Romaine Delaire and his small United Nations peacekeeping force stayed. He was the first to witness the extermination of Tutsis and moderate Hutus in Rwanda and wrote a telegram back home to raise awareness. By then extermination was well under way and there was nothing he could do.

3. Craig Kielburger:

When Craig Kielburger was 12 years old, he decided to take on child poverty and child labour laws around the world. He was saddened by the death of Iqbal Masih in Pakistan, who fought against child labour laws. In 1995, Kielburger founded the Free the Children organization with his friends to prevent more untimely deaths. The goal of the organization was to educate others about world poverty and child labour exploitation. The organization successfully launched the Me to We project in the Millennium, which outlined 101 ways we can improve quality of life.

Today, Craig Kielburger is an inspirational speak and leader. Since 1995, he has opened up 300 schools and raised money for textbooks, desks and other supplies for countries torn by war and famine. He serves as an inspiration to all children as he was able to build a legacy which now involves thousands of youths in over 35 countries.

4. Elie Wiesel:

Elie Wiesel is an inspirational speaker and leader who survived the Holocaust. He educates others about the horrors of war. His books give detailed examinations of war like times and conditions. His mission is to help others remember the Holocaust and those who died. In his teachings, he writes that we should not be indifferent as it is a sin. Being indifferent hurts the aggressor more than the victim, especially in wartimes.

5. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tensions between African Americans and white southerners existed for over two centuries. Jim Crow Laws which governed various states between 1876 and 1965 served to separate Blacks from Whites. Each race went to different schools, ate at different restaurants etc. While on buses, African Americans had different sections. If there was no space for white southerners, African Americans had to give up their seat. Martin Luther King, a Christian preacher tried to desegregate society in southern United States. He believed that one day black and white children will walk hand in hand together in a free society. Sadly he was assassinated before he saw peace.

Have you ever wondered what people carry around with them? If ever asked, many would simply respond with the following items wallet, keys and driver’s license. Even though they are correct, you’d be still surprised how many individuals carry with them non-essential and non-urgent items in their purses, pockets or bags. From health and social insurance cards to hand sanitizers to even a stress ball, people are known to carry things they do not really need throughout the day. Surveying 100 people, here are the top 10 items many individuals carry with them, essential and non-essential. Raise your hand if you recognize one or two.

1. Keys

Whether it is to your house, to your car or to your office, keys are essential part of travelling. Without keys, individuals will be lost. They may be locked out of their house on their way home or out of their office if they are the first to enter. Usually people have a key chain or a necklace with all the essential keys that they take with them wherever they go. This necklace keeps them from losing their valuable items.

2. Wallets and Purses:

Where can anyone go without their wallet or purse? It keeps all the credit cards, money, driver’s license, cosmetics and sometimes cell phones in a safe storage. Many use their wallets and purses to go shopping, buy food or go to a restaurant. Unless people are on an all-inclusive resort in the middle of the Caribbean, they will need money at least once per day.

3. Pen and Paper:

People never know when they will need the following two items. They may receive a call from a client or a doctor, or may meet someone they haven’t seen in years. When digging for things in their pockets or purses they find paper and pen to write things down. Sometimes when individuals cannot find a blank piece of paper, they write on bills and scrap receipts they carry for long periods of time.

4. Cell Phone:

Wherever anyone goes, they need this telecommunication device. Many carry it for business purposes while others use it to keep in touch with family members who are spread out throughout the day. Many people place this device in their pockets, purses or have a small case to attach it to belts. Others attach a handless Bluetooth they use while driving, since it is illegal to talk and drive in various countries such as Canada and United States.

5. Medicine:

Throughout the day many people need to take medicine. If they are not home many people bring with them a small tab or organizer to help them take medicine at the right times. These are one of the most essential items many take whether it is a puffer or a tablet for blood pressure. Without them people could die.

It is always interesting to find about our history. In the past there have been many civilizations that were constructed, that thrived well and later were destructed into ruins. Learning about these civilizations gives us an insight into their way of living, their culture, their architecture, their art and their technological inventions. These civilizations have been mysteries, clues to which are found in the form of ruins throughout the world. They have risen to glory and fallen. It is fascinating to discover these ruins and to learn about their glorious pasts. Given below are the top 10 ancient civilizations along with the mysteries that surround them.

1. Egyptian Treasures in the Grand Canyon

This is regarding many artifacts found in the Grand Canyon which was publicized by the Arizona Gazette in 1909. The truth behind this story is yet to be established, moreover since the site of the excavation was never found again. However some experts did give the article a certain amount of credibility because of the mention of the Smithsonian Institution which had financed the expedition.

2. Location of Atlantis

A very famous island is the Atlantis. It was described by Plato but its location was not mentioned clearly. There is a lot of confusion regarding its exact location. For many the island does not exist at all and others who thought it existed have searched for clues, but to no purpose. There are many places considered as locations of Atlantis like the Bermuda, Antarctica, Mexico, etc. These theories will continue till actual evidences are found.

3. Voyages to Americas

Everyone knows that Colombus discovered America. However the truth is that there have been people visiting this island even before Colombus. Evidence shows that the island had been inhabitated by the natives and has been explored by explorers, much before Colombus set his foot on the American soil. Artifacts, pottery, coins and statues have been found that prove the above mentioned facts. Egyptians, Asians, Hebrews, all have explored the American soil at some time or the other.

4. Mu or Lemuria

This place is a legend. Better known as the lost world, it was considered located in the Pacific Ocean. It was considered to be a beautiful island almost equal to paradise. It is rumored that the island along with its people sank in the ocean some thousands of years ago. Of course, it is still being debated whether such an island did exist at all.

5. Sunken City off Cuba

In the year 2001, ruins were discovered below the ocean waters off Cuba. The ruins were placed in proper patterns which were too good for nature to have placed them. There has been a good deal of investigations happening to find out what are the ruins all about. Is it really a sunken city? Only timely evidence can prove that.