Freitag, 24. Januar 2014

the cigar box

English below the pictrure of the cigar boxDe kast opent het zicht

Op een doosje, het zit nog dicht

Het is al oud, vele jaren

Ooit bevatte het opa's sigaren

Ik hou het houten kistje vast

De koperen sluiting, die nog zo precies past

Een klik en het springt open

Een wereld van verleden komt naar buiten gekropen

Ongekleurd kijk ik vanuit het heden

Terug in mijn eigen verleden

Ik kijk in mijn voorvaders ogen

Iets wat ik, na al die jaren, niet verloochen

Ik kijk naar de foto's in zwart wit

Ik weet een paar van de kleuren waarin het verleden verborgen zit

Een laatste blik op het onbekende gezicht

Voor nu gaat de doos weer dicht

When I open the cupboard and let the sun shine in

I discover the old cigarbox that is stored within

It is many years ago, no doubt

That my grandpa took the last cigar out

I keep the wooden case in my hand

The cupper lock looks like a new brand

One click, it opens itself

A world of the past smiles to myself

Uncolored I look from the present time

Back into the history of mine

I look into my amcestor's eye

It is something that I shall never deny

I look through the pictures, all in black and white

I remember some colors, that are no longer bright

A last view to the man I do not know

I close my past, but I wont let it go

Publishing without permission is not allowed

Blackfish - The true face of Seaworld

I think it is time to say some words about this item.

The fact that a documentary (blackfish) did make such an uproar that a lot of artists refuse to support the 'seaworld' idea any longer did appearantly hurt Seaworld more then they did expect.

The fact that Seaworld is opening an agressive publicity propaganda, without debating, shows the strength of the makers of 'blackfish',
Maybe animals are having fun, being held in (too)small bassins, being 'forced' to do their tricks, no matter what, but if that is so, why cant you then show your truth in a word to word confrontation with your opponents?

As long as people support this kind of money making instititutes, rather then thinking about the life quality of the anmimals, those companies will not stop. The documentary makers should go to schools and instititutes, to show it there. So that a wider audience can see what is realy happening and THEN can decide if they want to go and make an awww and ohhh and a picture of these prisoned animals.

And SeaWorld is doing themselves no favor in ignoring the debate. Why dont they face the truth and try to find better solutions? Why is it better for them to ignore the acusements above showing they realy care for their animals?
It is time to show dynamic attitude. The world is changing, animal care is evoluating and even old and conservative multi nationals should realize that the time is over that they can ignore a better life for the animals that they keep captured. Free them, or change your concept drastically. And most of all, show that you take the growing amount of people that realy do care for animals, serious. Long time investment might work better then short term ignorance

SeaWorld on the Attack but Afraid of Public Debate

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Kristina Pepelko
January 23, 2014 / 9 Comments

ONEGREENPLANETNEWS

Since the release of “Blackfish,” SeaWorld Entertainment Inc. has been trying its very best to counter the facts exposed in the documentary. The company has written letters to film critics, released a statement to CNN prior to the documentary’s screening on the network, taken out ads in newspapers, and also launched a website called “SeaWorld Cares” with an open letter from SeaWorld “animal advocates” detailing how much they do for their orcas.

Being a billion-dollar company, these types of PR stunts were to be expected. However, SeaWorld is at it again, this time with the release of another open letter titled, “Truth about Blackfish.” The letter is accompanied online by two video clips featuring brief interviews with SeaWorld trainers —one with current trainer, Holly Byrd, and another with former trainer, Mark Simmons.

While SeaWorld thinks it’s revealing some new truths about the film, all of their new PR guns are clear indicators that they are avoiding a real debate on the topic and a real look at the true, underlying issue of marine mammal captivity.

“Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite along with the team behind “The Cove” (i.e. Oceanic Preservation Society), wasted no time in responding to SeaWorld, releasing an official statement in response to the company’s new anti-Blackfish campaign yesterday.

In their letter, they address SeaWorld’s false claims yet again and shed a light on the truth. But beyond this, they invite SeaWorld to have an open debate with their teams:

We challenge SeaWorld to debate these issues with our teams in a public forum, which we will be happy to arrange. Throughout the production and theatrical release of “Blackfish,” SeaWorld has refused to directly engage with the film or its points in any public way, despite repeated invitations. Instead of releasing more PR spin, written statements and online critiques (which often allow no comments), we encourage SeaWorld’s leaders to step forward and address these issues openly and honestly in public debate. Let the public hear both sides of the argument (as we have always desired) and draw their own conclusions.

Time will tell if SeaWorld will take Cowperthwaite and the makers of “The Cove” up on the offer, but in the interim, we will surely see more push back from the company.

However, SeaWorld, we regret to inform you that your PR stunts are not going to work. Maybe some will believe the new videos you’ve put out along with your statement, but none of these can erase the cold, hard fact that marine mammals do not belong in captivity, enclosed in concrete pools for the rest of their lives.

To read the full statement from the teams of “The Cove” and “Blackfish,” please click here.

Image source: woolennium / Flickr

Montag, 20. Januar 2014

Huge climate decision in 48 hours

I am aware that not many shall read this in time. But I post this anyway, so that we later can look back to what we did ignore. People seem more intrested in blaming others for their mistakes, then taking action by themselves.

Dear friends,

In 48 hours, Europe will decide how much to cut the pollution that is causing the climate crisis. If they set weak goals, we are in trouble, but if Europe is bold, then mega polluters, like China and the US, could follow. This is the first battle to save our planet and EU President Barroso holds the key. Send him an urgent message now:

We are facing the biggest planetary crisis of our time. Unless we act now coral reefs will be gone forever, polar bears will only be in zoos, and our kids will live in a flooded and scorched mess of a planet. It is a terrible, real, and dangerous possibility.

But we created climate change, and if we act now, there is another future, where people flourish and our cherished animals, lands and oceans are safe. In 48 hours, Europe will be the first region to announce its cuts to the pollution causing this crisis. If they set weak goals, we are in trouble, but if they are bold, then mega polluters, like China and the US, will be pressured to follow.

Shockingly, with just days to go, European officials are caving to the oil and coal industry's demands to keep contaminating. It's up to us to change the stakes before it is too late -- let's all send a message now to the EU President Barroso and demand he puts our planet before the profits of a few. Click below to send an urgent message:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_eu_climate_legacy_d/?bIiqNab&v=34479

The EU is setting its climate policy until 2030. Experts and scientists are clear that if Europe decides on a strong set of goals that reduce pollution by half, improve energy efficiency, and trigger a clean energy revolution this would be enough to get other countries to sign up to a global climate deal in Paris next year. They say that is our last chance to save the planet.

The stakes are so high that it feels insane that officials would not do everything in their power to act, but the dirty energy industry has a strong hold on our politicians and their lobbying is threatening to push Europe into a dangerously low ambition.

Insiders tell us that the European Commission President Barroso will have the last word. He does not want big political fights as he’s reaching the end of his term in office, but he does want to leave behind a legacy that will propel him into another big global appointment. Let's tell him that what he does now will make or break his and the rest of the world's future! Send him a message now:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/save_eu_climate_legacy_d/?bIiqNab&v=34479

Last year was another bumper year for extreme weather -- new highs, new lows, everything was off the charts. And already in 2014 we’ve had record floods, a polar vortex, and extreme heat. We’re running out of time. Our voices have been a wake up call to climate officials for years, now its up to us to urgently remind the Europeans of their responsibility to act to save the world.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Meredith, Iain, Julien, Ricken, Lisa, Christoph and the entire Avaaz team

MORE INFORMATION:

EU Commission split over 2030 climate targets (Responding to climate change)
http://www.rtcc.org/2014/01/11/eu-commission-split-over-2030-climate-targets/

Barrroso climate heroes (European Union Press Release)
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_SPEECH-13-86_en.htm

EU commissioners clash over 2030 climate goals (The Guardian)
http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jan/10/eu-commissioners-2030-climate-goals

Parliament, Commission set for clash over 2030 clean energy goals (Euractiv)
http://www.euractiv.com/energy/parliament-commission-set-clash-news-532682

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Sonntag, 5. Januar 2014

we're not gonna take it

So, there is still a long way to go before the world will accept that everyone is equal.

The bad thing in this is that many people shall bow for the wishes of the lobby groups that want this stuff banned.
The good thing is that there are many ways to still be able to post this.

We are not going to take this kind of bans. And if Facebook is banning me for posting it.. I whall gladly return and repost it!

NO KISSING ALLOWED

Facebook Just Banned Users For Posting This “Offensive” Photo Of Two Men Kissing

Like fellow media giants Google and YouTube, Facebook is once again enforcing an anti-gay double-standard. According to admins operating the Have A Gay Day page, over 100 contributors have been blocked from logging in and banned from posting photos for up to 30 days because an “offensive” image depicting two men kissing was posted last night. It “violates community standards.”

In a statement released following the incident, Have A Gay Day says “the only thing visible was lips touching,” and the photo has been posted numerous times in the past without issue. The caption ironically reads “Did this picture offend you? Did you ever think, maybe your opinion is offensive?”

This isn’t the first time that the morality robot policing gay content on Facebook has blocked LGBTs for the most unoffensive things. Earlier this year, the site attempted to shut down advocacy group Gay Marriage USA’s page for posting another “offensive” photo of an interracial couple, and struck again in October when this photo of gay men kissing was just too much to handle.

In all these cases, Facebook is quick to remind everyone that the company itself does not ban/block users for posting photos that violate Facebook’s “policies and community standards,” but operates a dangerous algorithm that allows hateful users to “report” the photo as “offensive,” effectively shutting down the accounts of LGBTs with blatant homophobia.

Facebook will most likely reinstate the posting privileges of Have A Gay Day users once they catch wind of the situation, but how many more times do we have to go through this song and dance before this “progressive” company takes banning rights out of the hands of users?

Full story here: http://www.queerty.com/facebook-just-banned-106-users-for-posting-this-offensive-photo-of-two-men-kissing-20131228/#ixzz2pYrNN0N8

Donnerstag, 2. Januar 2014

Hello 2014

“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.”

~ Neil Gaiman

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