REMEMBERING 2013

As we say goodbye to 2013 – I would like to reflect on the stories that I find to be the most inspirational and personal to me.

Saying goodbye to Iringa, Toka and Thika – TORONTO ZOO ELEPHANTS

There has been much controversy surrounding the Toronto Zoo elephant program but it was a controversy that ended with a positive outcome for Iringa, Toka and Thika – the three elephants that have been relocated to PAWS, I 35-hectare sanctuary located in Sand Andreas, California.  The sanctuary has been divided in half to accommodate the African elephants before they are integrated with the other three that are already residing there. 

Bob Barker – who has been pivotal in this relocation, was present when the elephants arrived and indicated that it was about time that the elephants were relocated.  “I have never met with so much acrimony as we did in Toronto,” he said.  “And why I don’t know.”  Bob Barker covered the cost of the move and relocation of the elephants. 

Iringa and Toka, youngsters spared from a deadly cull in Mozambique – arrived at the zoo in 1974, the year it opened.  Thika was born in Toronto and has never known life outside of the Toronto Zoo’s one-hectare zoo.

The elephants will now live on rolling grassland with trees, meadows, lakes a walnut orchard, three heated barns and a Jacuzzi. 

Here is the video of Iringa, Toka and Thika’s arrival:

Iringa, Toka and Thika – the morning after their arrival:

It costs about $70,000+/yr to care for an elephant – PAWS welcomes any donations to ensure their well-being.  To make a donation, please visit the PAWS website at:  http://www.pawsweb.org/donate_online.html

FREEDOM for the ARCTIC 30

Greed speaks loudly when peaceful activists are threatened to be jailed for defending the Arctic waters and wildlife from oil drilling and greedy oil companies.  The 30 activists and crew members of the Arctic Sunrise, were illegally removed from the Arctic waters and their ship (at gunpoint) – for defending the Arctic waters.  Many people supported these brave men and women – government officials from many of the countries the detainees were from spoke out against Russia and demanded their freedom.  As a Canadian – I am ashamed of our government for not getting involved or even making a statement on behalf of the Canadians who were illegally detained in Russia.   Stephen Harper – the Conservative Prime Minister of Canadian supports BIG OIL and has recently announced that it would submit a claim for 1.7 million km of the Arctic seabed, including the North Pole.  The Canadian Alberta tar sands is an environmental nightmare – imagine the damage that will be done if the Conservative and Harper Government are allowed this claim?

The real criminals are not the Arctic 30 – it is those policy makers that ensure that the big oil companies get what they want.  The Arctic 30 should be deemed heroes for protecting our waters and our environment from those the real criminals who have no regard for wildlife and the environment.

The 28 activists and two freelance journalists, including Canadians Ruzycki and Paul, who were illegally detained by Russian forces on board the Arctic Sunrise on September 19th were granted presidential pardon on December 18th after spending more than two months in prison.

http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/recent/Canadian-Greenpeace-activists-held-in-Russia-for-three-months-arrive-home/

http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/Blog/the-true-north-melting-and-oily/blog/47719/

To ensure that Greenpeace continues to protect our planet – please visit their website for past victories and current battles:  http://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/  The link will also allow you to make any donation.

The passing of Nelson Mandela

“I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

There is nothing more than I can say about a man whose legacy speaks volumes.  Nelson Mandela was a pivotal force for equality, compassion and love not only in South Africa, but around the world.  His legacy will live on!

Please read his bio as posted on the Nelson Mandela Foundation website:  http://www.nelsonmandela.org/content/page/biography

PETA’s ACTIVISM in 2013

Here are PETA’s 11 Most Important Animal Rights Videos of 2013 *** Please note:  Some of these videos are graphic and will require you to sign into your account to view the video.  In my opinion – if it is too violent to watch – It is too violent to buy or eat!!!

For more information regarding PETA’s activism or to make a donation to PETA – please visit their website:  http://www.peta.org/#/

BRIDEGROOM – A story about LOVE

Watching this documentary put many things in perspective for me.  Some of us should really be thankful for living in a country where all are treated equally under the law.  This is one reason why so many in the LGBTQ community are fighting for equal rights and protections under the law in the United States and around the world.

If we really make it a point to treat others the same way we want to be treated – we can make so many positive things happen for ourselves, for each other, for our environment, for animals and for the planet.  It is time to break the mold of what you believe to be true – think outside the box and enlighten yourself.  Once you are free from what you believe MUST be the truth – then amazing things will happen and have happened.  Don’t let yourself be the obstacle from what good you can contribute.  Let 2014 be the year you create a life that is authentic, compassionate and loving.

I will leave you with a video and song that was released in December of 2012 – “Clown” by Emeli Sandé, enjoy and HAPPY NEW YEAR – much health, happiness and love to all of you!

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!

WAKE UP! WE NEED A REVOLUTION!

Are we tired yet?  Are we going to continue to keep walking around with no regard for what is taking place on this planet?  Corporations are raping the earth of its natural resources, governments are siding with big corporations, citizens around the world are being bullied not to speak out, we are constantly being poisoned by GMO’s (genetically modified organisms), food that lacks proper nutrition, fluoride in our water, and pesticides in our food.  We are brainwashed by media to do and believe everything they say.  We are held hostage by the automobile and oil industry so that we can’t move forward with cars that will only save people money and decrease our carbon footprint.  Finally, we are drugged and kept in a haze by big pharmaceutical companies that make you believe that their drugs are the only things keeping you alive and well when they are only keeping your mind cloudy and in a constant state of haze.

Corporations raping the earth of its natural resources/governments siding with big corporations 

On September 18th, the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise was involved in a peaceful protest at Gazprom’s Prirazlomnaya platform, which is expected to become the first to produce oil from ice filled Arctic seas.  Over a day later, the Russian Coast Guard boarded the ship and seized the crew at gunpoint. The ship was then towed to the port of Murmansk.  The crew of the Arctic Sunrise were held without charge during this time.  28 Greenpeace International activists, as well as a freelance videographer and a freelance photographer, have now been charged with piracy and hooliganism, charges which carry a maximum sentence of 15 and 7 years, respectively.

Why have world governments not acted to ensure the freedom of these heroes?  Why are they allowing Russia to continue to hold these peaceful protestors for defending and protecting our planet yet, allow the corporations free reign over water and land that requires protection?  The reason – big corporations and governments are working together to ensure the right governments are being elected so that legislation is created to allow these companies to do whatever/wherever they please.

Here is a timeline of what happened in the Arctic and to the peaceful protestors to the current timeline, speak out and let your voice be heard:  http://www.greenpeace.org/international/en/news/features/From-peaceful-action-to-dramatic-seizure-a-timeline-of-events-since-the-Arctic-Sunrise-took-action-September-18-CET/

A massive oil pipeline project threatens the very heart of the Great Bear. It will destroy the cultural, ecological, and economic values of this region and it is a big step back from the hard work done to manage and safeguard this global treasure.

How do we continue to allow oil companies to build pipelines that could potentially create more environmental disasters – haven’t we seen enough?  It is time for the people to demand action and legislation for sustainable energy.  We must end the ‘old school’ mentality and belief that dirty oil is the only way.  It isn’t.  Here is what ‘dirty oil’ is creating:

CANADA’s SHAME:

Citizens around the world are being bullied not to speak out

New York City – September 2011

Egypt – August 2013

Toronto (G20) – 2010

Istanbul, Turkey – 2013

We are constantly being poisoned by GMO’s (genetically modified organisms), food that lacks proper nutrition, fluoride in our water, and pesticides in our food

Brainwashed by media/media control

We are held hostage by the automobile and oil industry so that we can’t move forward with cars that will only save people money and decrease our carbon footprint

We are drugged and kept in a haze by big pharmaceutical companies that make you believe that their drugs are the only things keeping you alive and well when they are only keeping your mind cloudy and in a constant state of haze

The war on the middle classed and poor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsDYAtKlsT4

It seems to me that we are not proactive in our approach to any ‘hot button’ topics.  Instead of arguing why ‘solar power’ isn’t going to work – why not test the theory that it may.  Instead of allowing criminals to continue to rob citizens of the world from their hard-earned money – why not penalize them and throw them in jail for their crimes?  Instead of allowing BIG OIL to suck all of the oil from every inch of the planet – why not trust the brilliance of those who know that other and more sustainable energy is the way to go?  We need to be proactive about our health too and stop relying on BIG PHARMA to heal us from psychological diseases such anxiety, depression and ADHD because the PHARMA drugs are only masking the issue.

WE NEED A REVOLUTION – of love and compassion.  WE NEED TO WAKE-UP and stop being slaves to governments and corporations that only have their best interests at hand.

Together, we can make the world a more positive one!