ATHLETE AND ACTIVIST COLIN KAEPERNICK RECEIVES AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL’S AMBASSADOR OF CONSCIENCE AWARD
The Ambassador of Conscience Award celebrates individuals and groups who have furthered the cause of human rights through acts of conscience, confronting injustice and using their talents to inspire others.
The USA is a country where people can freely disrespect the flag using it as a thong, underwear, condom, disposable plates, bras, napkins, etc. but people got a heart attack just because he kneeled down silently and that is so “disrespectful” to the flag.
Really?
Kneeling down is a form of respect and humbling yourself before someone.
The award was officially presented at a ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 21 April 2018, to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the opening of Amnesty International’s national section in the country.
“The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and exceptional courage, as embodied by Colin Kaepernick. He is an athlete who is now widely recognised for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
“Just like the Ambassadors of Conscience before him, Colin Kaepernick chooses to speak out and inspire others despite the professional and personal risks. When high profile people choose to take a stand for human rights, it emboldens many others in their struggles against injustice.
Colin Kaepernick’s commitment is all the more remarkable because of the alarming levels of vitriol it has attracted from those in power.”
“I would like to thank Amnesty International for the Ambassador of Conscience Award. But in truth, this is an award that I share with all of the countless people throughout the world combating the human rights violations of police officers, and their uses of oppressive and excessive force.
To quote Malcolm X, when he said that he, ‘will join in with anyone – I don’t care what color you are – as long as you want to change this miserable condition that exists on this earth,’ I am here to join with you all in this battle against police violence,” said Colin Kaepernick.
“While taking a knee is a physical display that challenges the merits of who is excluded from the notion of freedom, liberty, and justice for all, the protest is also rooted in a convergence of my moralistic beliefs, and my love for the people.”
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick explained why he sacrificed his career in the NFL to stand against systemic racism as he received Amnesty International’s highest honor.
Amnesty International awarded Colin Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience Award on Saturday, April 21, 2018, for his public protest against racial and social injustice.
“The Ambassador of Conscience award celebrates the spirit of activism and exceptional courage, as embodied by Colin Kaepernick,” Salil Shetty, the human rights group’s secretary-general, said in a statement.
“He is an athlete who is now widely recognized for his activism because of his refusal to ignore or accept racial discrimination.”
The award is Amnesty International’s highest honor, according to its website.
Past winners include Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, U2, Alicia Keys and Ai Weiwei.
Kaepernick was presented with the award at a ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Kaepernick, a former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, became the subject of controversy when he kneeled during the national anthem before several 2016 NFL preseason and regular-season games in protest of police shootings of African-American men and other social injustices faced by black people in the United States.
Amnesty International gives Colin Kaepernick its Ambassador of Conscience Award
~~Published on Apr 21, 2018~~
Colin Kaepernick knew that taking a stand would negatively impact his football career. He did it anyway.
Today’s NFL News
~~Colin Kaepernick wins Amnesty International top award~~
~~Published on Apr 22, 2018~~
Colin Kaepernick, an American football player who in 2016 started kneeling during the national anthem played before matches in protest against police brutality against African Americans, has been awarded the rights group Amnesty International’s top honour.
The former San Francisco 49ers star was handed the Ambassador of Conscience Award at a ceremony on Saturday in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, by one time teammate Eric Reid.
Amnesty says the award recognizes “an inspiring contribution to helping human rights”.
It’s almost going to be one month that Prince, the Purple One, the Artist, crossed the veil into the “other side”.
It seems like a lifetime.
As days have gone by, I keep finding out more information about him. I’ve bought the recent magazines, followed groups on Facebook and read a lot about him.
I’m learning many things that I didn’t know.
I’m realizing more and more that his death is a huge loss to all of those who followed his career, all of those whose lives he touched and for all humans on this Earth.
I found this video through one of the Facebook groups .
It’s not the best quality but, even so, you can’t miss his huge talent.
M’ lord!! He was a dynamo!
This performance is explosive, impressive and mind-blowing.
Sadness engulfs me, the more I learned about Prince.
Watch Prince Define Funk In This Outrageous 1987 Concert Film
Back in 1987, Prince put together a concert film to follow his tour entitled Sign ” ☮” the Times, the symbol of peace being a dedication of hope to the depressing state of the world. Originally intended to use footage from a live concert in the Netherlands, the quality was deemed unsatisfactory by Prince and therefore was entirely re-shot at his own Paisley Park Studios.
The album’s music draws on funk, soul, psychedelic pop, and rock music and features keyboardist Boni Boyer, bassist Levi Seacer, Jr., guitarist Miko Weaver, drummer Sheila E., dancer Cat Glover, and former member of The Revolution keyboardist Dr. Fink.
Check out the video for “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night,” featuring an epic drum break and some incomparable dance moves from Prince himself, as well as some astonishing performances from his stellar band.
#LoveWins: Historic Victory for Marriage Equality in Ireland
GLOBAL MOMENTUM
International Progress Toward the Freedom to Marry
“The global momentum for the freedom to marry reflects and reinforces the progress we are making here in the U.S. – and we look now to the Supreme Court to bring our country to national resolution,”
Evan Wolfson said today about historic Ireland marriage vote.
Nineteen countries have approved the freedom to marry for same-sex couples nationwide (Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Argentina, Denmark, France, Brazil, Uruguay, New Zealand, Britain, Luxembourg, Finland and Ireland), while two others have regional or court-directed provisions enabling same-sex couples to share in the freedom to marry (Mexico and the United States).
In Slovenia, Parliament approved a marriage bill in March 2015 and is headed to the president’s desk. Many other countries provide some protections for such couples. As more and more countries and parts of the United States win the freedom to marry, we see that families are helped, and communities and countries made stronger, by protecting all loving committed couples.
a time of balancing – completing old business and welcoming in the New
Why Google has given the shortest day of the year a doodle?
Google has marked the shortest day of the year with an animated Doodle on its homepage.
The Doodle depicts a cartoon Father Christmas helping two children to build a snowman before the children’s mother appears and produces a carrot from her shopping bag to use as the snowman’s nose.
The winter solstice occurs when the sun’s daily maximum elevation in the sky is at its lowest and the North Pole is tilted furthest away from the sun. This results in the least number of daylight hours and the longest night of the year. This astronomical phenomenon occurs in December in the Northern Hemisphere and in June in the Southern Hemisphere.
The event has been marked by many cultures throughout history with festivals, rituals, celebrations and the mating of animals, and even today people gather at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise and sunset. The ancient stones are carefully aligned on a sight-line that points to the winter solstice sunset, and it is thought that this event was actually more important to those who constructed the site than the summer equivalent.
The first wildlife bridges were constructed in France during the 1950’s. European countries including the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and France have been using various crossing structures to reduce the conflict between wildlife and roads for several decades and use a variety of overpasses and underpasses to protect and reestablish wildlife such as: amphibians, badgers, ungulates, invertebrates, and other small mammals.
One of my main core beliefs is that, despite all our differences – physical, genetic, spiritual, emotional – we all belong to the human race. We come from the same Source and are part of this wondrous Universe and Energy System.
My main mantra is that: We ALL are ONE!!
That’s my ending line in every post that I have prepared since I started blogging in February 2013.
A very dear friend had take a “leave of absence” from the blogosphere. Today I was surprised and very happy by his presence here. He’s started writing, blogging and posting. I’m so very happy to see him coming back.
~In his own words~
“When your friends are running
When brothers turn their back
When everything is stunning
You feel just like a wreck ….
However some friends always stay, please don’t think I was talking about you my dear Horty and Patty because as Horty always writes: We are one!”
He used this song in his post and, after asking for his approval, I would like to share it with you.
~~We Are One~~
Ilse DeLange
~~Published on Dec 23, 2012~~
Ilse DeLange is in het Glazen Huis. Dat kan natuurlijk niet zonder zang voorbij gaan. Ze speelde live, met mini orkest, We Are One.
Ilse Annoeska de Lange is a Dutch country and pop singer, better known as Ilse DeLange (English spelling). As a member of The Common Linnets (together with singer Waylon), she finished second at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014.
~~Biography~~
Ilse Annoeska de Lange was born on May 13, 1977 in Almelo, Netherlands. She started her career at the age of 8 as a lip-synching artist, which won her several contests. De Lange drew greater attention after switching to a live repertoire in both regional and national talent shows in Hilversum (the Dutch city where most TV-programs are recorded). This helped her book some live-performances on national television. She formed a duo with guitarist Joop van Liefland, who introduced her to country music.
This is Angelika, my oldest grand-daughter, you may have seen her here a few times. She is 9 years old.
She loves music, as much as I do. She’s been keeping me up to date with some of the new songs that are coming out. She knows the songs but doesn’t know the performer most of the time. I’ve trying to teach her it’s important to also know who is singing. Very frequently, we use the “Shazam” app to identify the singer/band.
I created this series: Angelika’s Songs to post here the new songs that she teaches me about.
Angelika went on a trip early this week. I spoke with her last night and she’s still listening for songs to educate me about. She gave me two new titles.
Will tell you about this one now.
Timber … Pitbull ft. Ke$ha
“Timber” is a song by American rapper Pitbull featuring American recording artist Kesha. The song was released on October 7, 2013, as the lead single from Pitbull’s extended play (EP) Meltdown. The song was produced by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, and Sermstyle, with additional production by Nick Seeley. The song interpolates “San Francisco Bay” (1979), by Danish harmonica player Lee Oskar of the band War), which was written by Lee Oskar, Keri Oskar, and Greg Errico.
“Timber” features harmonica player Paul Harrington of Rockwall, Texas, who plays through the entire song. He was told to emulate Lee Oskar.
The song peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three consecutive weeks, and has also topped the charts in many other countries, including Canada, where it has stood at number one for eight consecutive weeks, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark.
~~Background and composition~~
Kesha had previously featured Pitbull on remixes of her songs “Tik Tok” and “Crazy Kids“. In an interview in December 2013, Pitbull said that Rihanna was originally meant to be the featured artist on “Timber“, but she had already been asked to be the featured artist on Shakira‘s “Can’t Remember to Forget You” and did not have time to record “Timber“.
“Timber” is a dance-pop song that lasts three minutes and twenty four seconds. It contains country and folk influences. According to the sheet music music published at musicnotes.com, the song is set in common time with moderately fast tempo of 132 beats per minute.
The song is written in the key of G# minor and follows a chord sequence of G#m-B-F#-E. Kesha’s vocals span from G#3 to D#5.
Music video by Pitbull feat. Ke$ha performing Timber.
(C) 2013 RCA Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment
If you notice, when Pitbull dives underwater, you can see this sculpture.
~~Mexico’s underwater museum~~
It’s not just flurries of brightly coloured fish that you’ll spot whilst swimming the warm, turquoise waters off the coast of Cancun.
Just a short kick of the flippers away from Mexico‘s famous diving spot, Manchones Reef, you’ll find a collection of over 400 underwater statues that comprise one of the world’s most unusual museums, the Cancun Underwater Museum.
The waters off the coast of Cancun are some of the best in the world. Jason Decaires Taylor, the artist behind the project, designed the sculptures from ph neutral clay in order to stimulate the growth of coral reef and marine life.
The Normandy invasion began with overnight parachute and glider landings, massive air attacks and naval bombardments. In the early morning, amphibious landings on five beaches codenamed Juno, Gold,Omaha, Utah, and Sword began and during the evening the remaining elements of the parachute divisions landed. Land forces used on D-Day deployed from bases along the south coast of England, the most important of these being Portsmouth.
U.S. soldiers march through Weymouth, Dorset en route to board landing ships for the invasion of France.
Allied forces rehearsed their roles for D-Day months before the invasion. On 28 April 1944, in south Devon on the English coast, 638 U.S. soldiers and sailors were killed when German torpedo boats surprised one of these landing exercises, Exercise Tiger.
In the months leading up to the invasion, the Allied forces conducted a deception operation, Operation Fortitude, aimed at misleading the Germans with respect to the date and place of the invasion.
There were several leaks prior to or on D-Day. Through the Cicero affair, the Germans obtained documents containing references to Overlord, but these documents lacked all detail. Double Cross agents, such as the Spaniard Joan Pujol (code named Garbo), played an important role in convincing the German High Command that Normandy was at best a diversionary attack. U.S. Major General Henry Miller, chief supply officer of the US 9th Air Force, during a party at Claridge’s Hotel in London complained to guests of the supply problems he was having but that after the invasion, which he told them would be before 15 June, supply would be easier. After being told, Eisenhower reduced Miller to lieutenant colonel [Associated Press, June 10, 1944] and sent him back to the U.S. where he retired. Another such leak was General Charles de Gaulle‘s radio message after D-Day. He, unlike all the other leaders, stated that this invasion was the real invasion. This had the potential to ruin the Allied deceptions Fortitude North and Fortitude South. For example, Gen. Eisenhower referred to the landings as the initial invasion.
I have had cats all my life. I know how painful the scratches from those claws can be. I know how destructive they can be on furniture, clothes and any object that would serve as a scratching post. However, never once did I consider the practice of “declawing” even though I didn’t know what it entailed.
For some reason, I never considered that option. I was talking to an animal activist about the dear cat that I have now. She really really pesky and gets into plenty of trouble. Hence the name: Double Trouble.
The kids call her “Kitty“.
However, now that I’ve researched, I know that this would be something I wouldn’t do to any cat.
“DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT…. keep your hands of the mittens of your kittens.”
~~Double Trouble~~
Onychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to surgically remove an animal’s claws by means of the amputation of all or part of the distal phalanges, or end bones, of the animal’s toes. Because the claw develops from germinal tissue within the third phalanx, amputation of the bone is necessary to fully remove the claw. The terms “onychectomy” (origin: Greek ὄνυξ onycho, nail + ἐκτομή ektome, excision) and “declawing” imply mere claw removal, but a more appropriate description would be phalangectomy, excision of toe bone.
Although common in North America,declawing is considered an act of animal cruelty in many countries (see “Declawing practices” below).
A lot of people take the idea of declawing their cat too lightly. Many do not understand what declawing is, thinking that it is some form of simply clipping the cat’s claws.
Too frequently, vets and clinic staff deliberately misinform and mislead clients into believing that declawing removes only the claws in the hopes that clients are left with the impression that the procedure is a “minor” surgery that doesn’t involve amputation of the end of the toe, ligaments and tendons.
In fact, this is a mutilating surgery that is banned in some countries due to its abusive and inhumane nature. These countries include, but are not limited to England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Ireland, Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.
~~8 Reasons Why You Should Never Declaw Your Cats~~
Many people falsely assume that declawing is just like trimming your nails or getting a manicure. In reality, it is a painful and permanently crippling procedure.
The following are eight reasons why you should never declaw your feline friend
Ouch!
Cats scratch to exercise and enjoy themselves, maintain the condition of their nails, and stretch their muscles.
While we hope that your cat remains safely indoors at all times, if he or she were ever to get outside without claws, your cat would be far more vulnerable to predators and abusers.
Many people think that declawed cats are safer around babies, but in fact, the lack of claws makes many cats feel so insecure that they tend to bite more often as a means of self-protection.
Cats are in pain when they awake from the surgery, and the pain continues afterward. Nails can grow back inside the paw, causing extreme pain that you can’t see.
Without claws, even house-trained cats might start “doing their business” outside the litter-box in an attempt to mark their territory.
Our toes are crucial to our balance, and it’s no different for cats! Because of impaired balance after the procedure, declawed cats have to relearn how to walk, much as a person would after losing his or her toes.
Nearly two dozen countries — including Australia, England, and Japan — ban or severely restrict declawing surgeries. And many veterinarians in the United States refuse to perform the procedure.
~~What You Can Do Instead~~
Trim your cat’s nails regularly. When the cat is relaxed and unafraid, gently press on his or her toes until the claws extend. Use a pair of nail clippers, and cut only the tip of the nail, taking care not to damage the vein, or “quick.” The nail hook is what tears upholstery, so removing it virtually eliminates the potential for damage. Buy multiple scratching posts. Ideally, you should have two or more scratching posts in your home. Make sure that they’re sturdy and tall enough to allow your cat to stretch (3 feet or taller). Soft, fluffy carpeted posts won’t fulfill your cat’s clawing needs, so look for rougher posts. Teach your cat where to scratch and where not to scratch. Encourage your cat to use the scratching posts by sprinkling catnip on the posts once a week. Discourage your cat from scratching furniture by using a loud, firm voice whenever he or she starts to scratch—cats don’t like loud noises! Never use physical force. Instead, you might try using a squirt gun full of lukewarm water directed at your cat’s back.
Laws and policies governing onychectomy vary around the world. For example, many European countries prohibit or significantly restrict the practice, as do Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Turkey. It is banned in at least 22 countries. The list below gives an overview of the situation in different parts of the world.
~~Australia~~~
In Australia, declawing has never been common, and for all practical purpose, does not exist. Nationwide legislation was recently enacted that prohibits the declawing of cats except for medical need of the cat. The Australian Veterinary Association’s policy states: “Surgical alteration to the natural state of an animal is acceptable only if it is necessary for the health and welfare of the animal concerned. Performance of any surgical procedure for other than legitimate medical reasons is unacceptable.”
~~Brazil~~
In Brazil, declawing is not allowed by the Federal Council of Veterinary Medicine. [34]
~~Israel~~
In Israel, the Knesset Education Committee voted unanimously to send a bill banning the declawing of cats not for medical reasons. The bill has passed second and third readings on November 28, 2011, effectively making declawing a criminal offense with penalty of 1 year in prison or a fine of 75,000 Shekels.
~~Europe~~
In many European countries the practice is forbidden either under the terms of the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals or under Local Animal Abuse Laws, unless there it is for “veterinary medical reasons or for the benefit of any particular animal.” Some European countries go further, such as Finland, Estonia,[37] the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, where declawing cats for non-medical reasons is always illegal under their laws against cruelty to animals.
~~Austria~~
In Austria, the Federal Act on the Protection of Animals, in Section 7, states, surgical procedures “carried out for other than therapeutic or diagnostic purposes…are prohibited, in particular…declawing.”[
~~United Kingdom~~
In the United Kingdom, declawing was outlawed by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which explicitly prohibited “interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal, otherwise than for the purposes of its medical treatment.” Even before the 2006 Act, however, declawing was extremely uncommon, to the extent that most people had never seen a declawed cat. The procedure was considered cruel by almost all British vets, who refused to perform it except on medical grounds. The Guide to Professional Conduct of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons stated that declawing was “only acceptable where, in the opinion of the veterinary surgeon, injury to the animal is likely to occur during normal activity. It is not acceptable if carried out for the convenience of the owner … the removal of claws, particularly those which are weight bearing, to preclude damage to furnishings is not acceptable.”
~~United States~~
Declawing is legal in most U.S. jurisdictions. It is estimated that 25% of owned cats in the United States are declawed (Patronek 2001).
~~Declawing: Jackson Galaxy Just Says No!~~
~~Published on Jan 6, 2014~~
Is declawing bad for cats? You bet it is! Jackson Galaxy sets the record straight in today’s episode of Cat Mojo.
Welcome to Cat Mojo! Each week Jackson will share his thoughts on everything from cat-related issues like declawing and squirt gun diplomacy to his craziest behind the scene stories as a cat behaviorist. Come join the feline frenzy, feel the mojo, share your love of cats and delve deep into the mind of Jackson Galaxy. We are all #TeamCatMojo!
It Is What It Is 