tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38396320136694258722024-03-13T03:10:12.134-07:00Holes in My SolesA shoemaker's travels around this world and within the Id.Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.comBlogger388125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-48799663505055996092016-07-04T16:11:00.000-07:002021-12-05T22:27:59.706-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A tree should share our destiny<br />
if we would only stop and see<br />
how this world precariously<br />
entrusts us with their care.<br />
<br />
A tree invites to share its shade<br />
and within its sheltered mossy glade<br />
lovers meet, sweetly get laid<br />
and bind their hearts to share.<br />
<br />
But through the ages we cut down<br />
every mighty oak we found<br />
and forests that once did abound<br />
are now dry deserts bare.<br />
<br />
And all the creatures we once heard<br />
insect, mammal, reptile or bird<br />
no sound emitted where they once stirred.<br />
Too late, when we now care.<br />
<br />
For every tree that we have burned<br />
costs us much more than we earned<br />
Hard lessons taught, nothing learned<br />
love is more than lying there.<br />
<br />
A tree should share our destiny,<br />
a seedling planted carefully<br />
protected down the century<br />
provides us with our living air.<br />
<br />
A tree defines our destiny.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-41708090628310085122015-08-01T15:01:00.000-07:002016-06-17T23:22:45.810-07:00For Cecil: Stop Trophy Hunting.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We can feel the heartache<br />
we can feel the lion's pain<br />
we know there's a hunter hanging round<br />
He wants Cecil<br />
to take his mane<br />
can't let that lion get away again<br />
hunter needs a trophy hanging round<br />
<br />
But hunters come<br />
Hunters go<br />
Conservation's their thing you know...<br />
Why aren't lots of wildlife hanging round?<br />
Firing their rifle<br />
Shooting their bow<br />
Taking their trophy any way they know<br />
There ain't too much wildlife hanging round.<br />
<br />
The camera man<br />
He just sees<br />
Just wants to take a picture away from there<br />
He don't need no trophies hanging round<br />
But a hunter has another need<br />
a different song to a deeper greed<br />
just to have their trophy hanging round<br />
<br />
So hunters come<br />
Hunters go<br />
something they don't you to want to know<br />
There ain't too much wildlife hanging round<br />
But since they've come to take a life<br />
words aren't enough<br />
it just ain't right<br />
we won't see our Cecil hanging round.<br />
And we know why no wildlife's hanging round.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-31384472598006405682015-07-31T19:49:00.001-07:002015-07-31T19:49:35.900-07:00Beyond The Sum Of All His Fears.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ2PbtkVffc/UMP_QZLwXFI/AAAAAAAADKk/p6ULbcSELXM/s1600/sos+rhino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ2PbtkVffc/UMP_QZLwXFI/AAAAAAAADKk/p6ULbcSELXM/s640/sos+rhino.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Poached rhino picture courtesy Facebook Rhino groups.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An ageing soldier crying softly, beside a body on the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sheds a tear for his young slain friend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He never thought this would come down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He'd thrown away all his bush gear, camo paint and forage cap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spent his life forgetting firefights in dark shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without a thought that he'd go back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories with no shed tears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Struck with the heart ache of our creations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the invulnerability of our young years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the vat of our maturation brews a spirit of adventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That spills towards our next generation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whom we protect beyond our fears.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young soldier survived the bush war, threw his life into his dreams</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Played a part in the creation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of an Eden ... or so it seems.<br />Raised a calf from its lost mum, fed it every day by hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grew to love his lost young orphan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sanctuary for all became the plan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />It is such a sweet temptation for us to simply turn away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To ignore the wildlife decimation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That supplies the Asian trade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ineptitude of our nations, the impotence of governments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sends a message to all caring people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To care a damn is a piece of shit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Aching heart beside his slain friend, new resolve and a pledge is made</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To seek the killers of his now lost brother</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one he'd raised in his sanctuary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But old soldiers know the danger, the blood and all the fears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never rush to don the camo </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never want to wear the gear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Now there's a deeper call of duty, calling way beyond his fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He heads along the faint new pathway</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracking two legged predators</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeks his quarry in long shadows, where deadly ambushes are laid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amongst flashing memories of firefights<br />A last patrol for his young compadre.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories of old despairs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Struck with the heart ache of our creations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amidst the anger and the tears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A deadly shot strikes its target: he never wanted to kill again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But he'll protect his new generation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond the sum of all his fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Slaap sag, rustig ou grote. Slaap sag."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Rest in peace, old friend. Rest in peace."<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">South African musician, David Easthouse, has adapted the above to his latest music masterpiece. Check it out here-<br /><a href="http://davideasthouse.com/track/831180/beyond-the-sum-of-all-his-fears?autostart=true" target="_blank">David Easthouse- Beyond the sum of all his fears.</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlgs2ARWd8/URDPD5StE9I/AAAAAAAADcc/G6AnWAJOygw/s1600/apu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlgs2ARWd8/URDPD5StE9I/AAAAAAAADcc/G6AnWAJOygw/s640/apu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Garuda, sans-serif; line-height: 18.1875px; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">Members of the Pilanesberg National Park Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) stand guard as conservationists and police investigate the scene of a rhino poaching incident April 19, 2012. — Reuters pic</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
The Rhino poaching war escalates. 668 rhino were slaughtered in 2012 in South Africa. This year is off to an equally depressing start: 393 as at end of April! At this rate, 2015 may see over 1500 killed, and that figure is just for South Africa.<br />
This is extermination of a species.<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDm_5QpaAg/VbwtJ5kANvI/AAAAAAAAD2g/ZREii4rCqqQ/s1600/rhino.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDm_5QpaAg/VbwtJ5kANvI/AAAAAAAAD2g/ZREii4rCqqQ/s320/rhino.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Many reserve owners, who in their youth may have been involved in the wars for independence in Southern Africa, are now - in what should be today's peace - having to take up arms and fight a new battle, this time with the survival of rhino at stake.<br />
<br />
Dreams to create wildlife sanctuaries on their land are being crushed. Lives are being lost. Rhino being driven to extinction to supply Asian demand for rhino horn.<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-92134560103970107682015-04-19T00:44:00.001-07:002015-04-19T00:44:43.950-07:00Rescue Me. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Jan Schnell, a Copenhagen-based musician, asked me to submit a poem suitable for a musicvideo he was creating to contribute to Big Cat Rescue, a non-profit organisation near Tampa, Florida, USA.<br /><br /><br />Rescue Me. Jim McIntosh. 2015.<br clear="none" /><br clear="none" />Tiger, tiger, eyes still gleam</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
in forest shadows of your dreams.</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Alone in truckstop steel-caged lair</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Humans laugh at your blank stare.</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rescue me</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rescue me</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_6821" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Oh, won't you help to rescue me.</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9503"><br class="yiv5719338136" clear="none" />Lion cub: oh, cuddly toy</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33918">Look at how man destroys</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9971">Grow too big to bring us joy</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33919">You'll be sold to macho boys.</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rescue me</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33921">Rescue me</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Oh, won't you help to rescue me.</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<br class="yiv5719338136" clear="none" /></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39959">Lost jungles once in your command</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39957">There's no place left to make a stand</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_40008">Now all are caged throughout the land</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Steel forests locked by human hand</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136"><br class="yiv5719338136" clear="none" /></span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_39902">
<span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_40085" style="font-size: 13px;"></span></span><div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rescue me</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33921">Rescue me</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33922" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Oh, won't you help to rescue me.</span><div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
Rescue me</div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33921">Rescue me</span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317">
<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33922"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Oh, won't you help to rescue me.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The video has gone on to appear on </span></span><a href="http://www.worldtoprated.com/View.aspx?t=Rescue-Me&pid=y6c5bb9d840264edfa12b12ae97c02341" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">World Top Rated</a>.<br /><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">What a great team!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317">
<span class="yiv5719338136"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Click on the video link and enjoy!<br />Music: Niels Ellekrog Weldingh/Jan Schnell</span></span></span></div>
<div class="yiv5719338136" dir="ltr" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_9317">
<span class="yiv5719338136"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">All instruments: Niels Ellekrog Weldingh</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv5719338136"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Lead/backing vocals: Jan Schnell</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="yiv5719338136"><span style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Video mix: Jan Schnell.</span></span></span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LeoDwl65Qmo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LeoDwl65Qmo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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<span class="yiv5719338136" id="yiv5719338136yui_3_16_0_1_1427055727201_33922"><br /><br />This video was created to help promote preserving our wildlife in the wild, but, sadly, many big cats are kept as exotic pets. Big Cat Rescue offers rescued lions, tigers, leopard, etc, a home on 55 acres at their Tampa sanctuary. Donations are welcome.</span></div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-43256311251027915462014-09-19T02:48:00.000-07:002014-09-19T02:48:04.806-07:00Her leaving. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Young warriors never knew why she was leaving<br />
Spring would win its way with Winter's snow<br />
Fire would rejoice, flash across the eucalyptus<br />
And all would be scorched with their burning.<br />
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Reality can't be mended when it's broken<br />
If it catches fire as young dreams are forming<br />
But fire and ice cannot compromise<br />
When young warriors are still learning.<br />
<br />
No one ever knew when she was leaving<br />
Eucalyptus would not grow without bending<br />
Young warriors would fight, fire would play with ice<br />
And no one ever knows a happy ending.<br />
<br />
Tall castles are cold, devoid of feeling<br />
Young warriors seek warmth in their affrays<br />
One battles but is lost, others pay the cost<br />
Eucalyptus struggle, bend, and sway.<br />
<br />
One warrior found Spring upon her leaving<br />
Another used fire to light his way<br />
Ice would entice, and slowly paralyse<br />
But old warriors never blame her for leaving.<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-47642907529855882522014-08-24T14:07:00.000-07:002015-01-12T22:08:56.164-08:00Pit-sawn and Dynamite.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, I'm wearing no shoes, and a knotted red bandanna<br />
my Levi's cut-off, bleached, and frayed at the knees.<br />
This patience rewarded: my frustrations sublimated<br />
for tomorrow we'll aweigh with the morning's silver breeze.<br />
<br />
The Elephant Man's our captain and we know it'll be all right<br />
when we raise our rusty anchor and set sail with the dawn.<br />
We'll seek Portuguese mansions and old slave traders' forts<br />
that still echo desperate cries of the stolen forlorn.<br />
<br />
Our old dhow is defiant and ploughs a southern bearing<br />
the sails they are patched and well-worn at the seams.<br />
Its planking pit-sawn from an old tree we borrowed<br />
and it's caulked with the remnants of old sailors' dreams.<br />
<br />
We're not looking for medals of great honour<br />
don't want deliverance to God's heavenly gates.<br />
All we want is the whale song around us<br />
and to carry their message before it's too late.<br />
<br />
There are no expectations in this battered old suitcase<br />
that has carried my weapons of struggle to the frays.<br />
And we're sailing wild waters on ancient mariners' bearings<br />
where sharks are our companions and fear is no disgrace.<br />
<br />
There's a blonde Amazon goddess who leads me on with kindness<br />
our companions are dolphins swimming Eden's coral reef.<br />
But the concussions are deafening, and there's blood in the water<br />
and they carve up our companions as we drown in our grief.<br />
<br />
<div>
We're not looking for medals of great honour</div>
don't want deliverance to God's heavenly gates<br />
All we want is to stand in defiance<br />
and expose the destruction before it's too late.<br />
<br />
And this message we carry is now in life's little bottles<br />
that we cast upon the internet to float through time and space.<br />
<div>
And all friends and true believers 'like' and 'share' each posted message<br />
and our songs bring us together to watch over this watery place.<br />
<br /></div>
We're not looking for medals of great honour<br />
don't want deliverance to God's heavenly gates.<br />
All we want is the whale song around us<br />
and to carry their message before it's too late.</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-30561745937050673262014-04-26T17:12:00.001-07:002014-04-26T17:12:27.076-07:00A Summer Rose.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A Summer Rose. Jim McIntosh.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1OS_kZDz_U/U02onAFR92I/AAAAAAAADu0/MwihbbKcCTM/s1600/Rose_Stock_by_BreAnn+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K1OS_kZDz_U/U02onAFR92I/AAAAAAAADu0/MwihbbKcCTM/s1600/Rose_Stock_by_BreAnn+(2).jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a><br />
In the blackest vale of sadness<br />
I saw a faded Summer Rose<br />
How it came to be so lonely<br />
no one ever truly knows.<br />
<br />
On the darkest pool of water<br />
its reflection lost its glow<br />
Our hands reached out to comfort<br />
while our tears began to flow.<br />
<br />
How can a flower become so faded?<br />
Could we ever know<br />
how lost a Summer Rose was feeling<br />
that this Rose decided to go?<br />
<br />
While our Summer Rose was fading<br />
our teardrops fell upon the Rose<br />
But whilst they fell like streams of water<br />
our tears could not revive our Rose.<br />
<br />
There is a garden up in Heaven<br />
at the end of life's pathway<br />
where Angels gather all the lonely roses<br />
and place them in a grand bouquet.<br />
<br />
Rest in peace, Summer Rose.<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-21661770237173755712014-04-18T03:07:00.000-07:002014-07-15T17:37:19.079-07:00A Spray of Roses.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdjPK2bxaQU/U1D4PxgRSCI/AAAAAAAADvE/J3LfVo3v1RI/s1600/Rose_Stock_by_BreAnn+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FdjPK2bxaQU/U1D4PxgRSCI/AAAAAAAADvE/J3LfVo3v1RI/s1600/Rose_Stock_by_BreAnn+(2).jpg" height="320" width="251" /></a>Every woman loves to hold a spray of roses<br />
every woman wants to receive them from a man<br />
but there's just a single rose posted on my Facebook wall<br />
and I know there's someone there who understands<br />
<br />
You may have wondered why I post this single rose <br />
you may think it looks so lonely pictured there<br />
but every single rose needs to be enclosed<br />
within a spray of friends who really care.<br />
<br />
Sometimes a man needs to write some poetry<br />
sometimes he needs to get things off his chest<br />
but most of all he needs someone to give him back a rose<br />
to know they understand is what he loves best.<br />
<br />
I think I'll go and plant a rose in our front garden<br />
and every time I see it blooming there<br />
I'll be reminded of the single rose I posted on my Facebook wall<br />
to remember a lost child no longer here.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rest in that peaceful world, Summer Rose.<br />
11/1/1997 - 15/4/2014<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-18534984812202645862014-04-14T17:30:00.000-07:002014-04-14T17:30:39.873-07:00Spanish Dancing.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjvbAksc9BI/U0x8D4gN2mI/AAAAAAAADuk/oc09buNAKzo/s1600/399px-Flamenco_moves_and_dancers'_traditional_costumes,_Spain-2-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjvbAksc9BI/U0x8D4gN2mI/AAAAAAAADuk/oc09buNAKzo/s1600/399px-Flamenco_moves_and_dancers'_traditional_costumes,_Spain-2-2.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a><br />
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Spanish dancing<br />
Captivating dark brown eyes<br />
flirt with me, tempting me<br />
Each step in time, each move with mine<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Gonna dance together<br />
All our lives.<br />
<br />
Lipizzaner horses, greys and whites<br />
Intricate prancing wove a magic night<br />
Vienna waltzing, dresses swirled<br />
Lovers gracefully carouselled<br />
We should have been dancing<br />
We should have been dancing.<br />
<div>
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We danced on Ronda's old castellated wall<br />
hand in hand we walked her canyon tall<br />
Now Andalusia's old bandoleros<br />
forever play flamenco music for us.<br />
Spanish dancing.<br />
Spanish dancing.<br />
Gonna dance together<br />
your eyes to mine.<br />
Hips are moving, baby, light my fire<br />
pump that emotion crazy, lost to desire<br />
Take me up gently, lay me down light<br />
Am I responsible for what happened that night?<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
We'll dance together<br />
all of our life.<br />
<br />
Your heels are stamping out that sexy tattoo<br />
Flaunt your dress, baby, I'm staring at you<br />
Life is the dance, baby - love's pas de deux<br />
I'll die of a broken heart, baby, when you dance on through.<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Life is the dance, baby - love's pas de deux<br />
I'll die of a broken heart, baby, when you dance on through.<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Spanish dancing<br />
Gonna dance together<br />
into our twilight.<br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-89881764338297815322013-09-02T23:24:00.001-07:002015-08-01T22:37:40.121-07:00Uselessness of Honesty...and razor-wire.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LT1A7gMHJ2Q/UiJxek6k9bI/AAAAAAAADsc/klzrxNySyW8/s1600/razorwire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LT1A7gMHJ2Q/UiJxek6k9bI/AAAAAAAADsc/klzrxNySyW8/s640/razorwire.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There's a border so near yet so far.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">In helmets and vests of Kevlar</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">we'll chance the sniper fire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">that ranges along the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Convoyed through the razor-wire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to record this greatest of tragedies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">human pain and injuries</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">silent chemicals beyond the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And knowing the deepest truth,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">no matter whatever we say</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">conflict slashes and cuts both ways</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">just like razor-wire on the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Where the uselessness of honesty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">carries decisions that twist and sway </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to justify the missile fire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">from far beyond the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No matter what we write,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">truth will be twisted by the lies</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">to coil like the razor-wire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">serpents that guard the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To the East the carnival burns</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">like gasoline in flame and fire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">while the West reacts in ire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and remains beyond the borders.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now we stand as witnesses</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and weep as the missiles fire</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">sharing in the travesty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">erupting across the border.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Knowing the uselessness of honesty</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">should we have told some lies?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Should we have let truth die</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">on the razor-wire of the borders?</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuyQmPrwaJ8/UiJzLg_2UnI/AAAAAAAADso/oMZ3B4iJ2v0/s1600/tomahawk-cruise-missile-launches-everett.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cuyQmPrwaJ8/UiJzLg_2UnI/AAAAAAAADso/oMZ3B4iJ2v0/s640/tomahawk-cruise-missile-launches-everett.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-23925619590189222022013-08-08T00:32:00.002-07:002023-09-15T00:40:43.198-07:00There Are Empty Plates...: Biofuel destruction.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There's a hungry lost child<br />
walks a busy Delhi street<br />
family can't afford<br />
another mouth to feed<br />
There's a wrinkled farmer struggling<br />
as he's growing old<br />
can't plough his field<br />
his last donkey's just been sold.<br />
<br />
There're empty plates in the state of Rajasthan today<br />
rice is nice but it's twice the price it was yesterday.<br />
<br />
There's a farmer in a rich place<br />
maize growing tall<br />
gets a call from Obama-<br />
"Need your crop for ethanol."<br />
he can't believe his luck<br />
more green dollar bills<br />
while a family in Rajasthan<br />
they won't eat at all.<br />
<br />
There're empty plates in the state of Rajasthan today.<br />
rice was nice but it's twice the price it was yesterday.<br />
<br />
There's a Greenie sitting in his car<br />
running on biofuel<br />
believes he's doing all he can<br />
to help save this world<br />
but he's burning elephants<br />
orangutan and all<br />
as forests disappear<br />
in the race for biofuel<br />
<br />
There're empty plates....<br />
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Read here please-<br />
<a href="http://climate-connections.org/2013/05/01/g8s-biofuel-use-contributing-to-world-hunger-new-report/">Biofuel use contributing to world hunger report.</a><br />
<a href="https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/mailalert/769/brazil-violence-and-forced-eviction-for-biofuel">Brazil violence and-forced eviction for biofuel</a><br />
<a href="http://news.mongabay.com/2010/0208-amazon_biofuels.html">Amazon rainforest destroyed by biofuels</a><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p28FpQt0KPY/UgND8ov2Y_I/AAAAAAAADsM/CnOVjvv_hU4/s1600/Poverty-in-India.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-p28FpQt0KPY/UgND8ov2Y_I/AAAAAAAADsM/CnOVjvv_hU4/s400/Poverty-in-India.jpg" height="325" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-69462229577770266252013-08-07T19:57:00.001-07:002016-08-26T13:32:48.864-07:00Whale Watching at Kaikoura.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Where mountains in line parade down to the sea,<br />
in blue and white uniforms majestically,<br />
there exists a rich garden of marine fauna and flora:<br />
none ever more so than at Peninsular Kaikoura.<br />
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Off shore, Hikurangi Trench saps deep from the north<br />
and Kaikoura Canyon lies submerged to the south<br />
where the cold Southland Front Current disgorges forth<br />
abundant rich plankton for whales' yawing mouth.<br />
<br />
We all but delivered whales to extinction's door<br />
when we callously engaged in their bloody slaughter,<br />
but enlightenment today brings a sense of their awe<br />
as we voyeuristically hunt them with digital camera.<br />
<br />
I saw Kaikoura town once brought to its knees<br />
with the collapse of the share market in the 1980's.<br />
Stark boarded up store fronts told of grim poverty<br />
but it's amazing how innovation creates prosperity!<br />
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Whale Watch tours started: a dream and a boat.<br />
You ever think they could keep that business afloat?<br />
Now we tourists are the great whale hunters today,<br />
our harpoons are the pictures we capture and haul away.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEnkRYZaG_4/UgMIifPcu7I/AAAAAAAADr8/Fbz8ZikZwVk/s1600/whalewatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEnkRYZaG_4/UgMIifPcu7I/AAAAAAAADr8/Fbz8ZikZwVk/s640/whalewatch.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictures courtesy Kaikoura Ocean Research Institute.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-12335178018132657772013-07-17T20:32:00.000-07:002013-09-02T03:01:11.233-07:00Where the Fairy Tern is winging: Convicts, execution and injustice.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ze_1faW8lck/UQSAbfA0ehI/AAAAAAAADYE/j6iRr_kYVo8/s1600/norfolk+218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ze_1faW8lck/UQSAbfA0ehI/AAAAAAAADYE/j6iRr_kYVo8/s640/norfolk+218.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Old Army Barracks, Kingston. These date from the second penal colony, 1825. Picture Jim McIntosh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much of history's accounts and popular literature perpetuate the myth that Norfolk Island's penal settlements were for the worst type of convict - the recidivist dregs, or the most hardened repeat offender from England's penal colonies in Australia.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recent analysis of actual convict records <b>disproves this popular misconception.</b> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/1331354/1/Worst_Types_Norfolk_Island_2010.pdf">Worst_Types_Norfolk_Island_2010.pdf</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">"<i>The legend tells us that the men detained at Norfolk Island were a particularly dangerous sub-stratum of convicts. Yet the original offence data shows proportionately few explicitly violent crimes. There were thirty cases of murder and manslaughter combined, fewer than twenty rapists, and merely a handful of arsonists and violent thieves. Nearly 70 per cent of offences were non-violent crimes against property, including burglary, picking pockets and highway robbery."</i></span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and -</span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">"<i>Explaining why prisoners were detained at Norfolk Island is one of the trickiest aspects of the second settlement’s history. As already noted, the assumption that Norfolk Island convicts were ‘all, or nearly all’ doubly-convicted capital respites is repeated in virtually every work mentioning the Island, yet it is a great misconception."</i></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most were shipped directly from England to Norfolk Island, via Port Jackson (today's Sydney) or Tasmania's Port Arthur, and few were the repeat offenders from Australian penal colonies </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as popular belief has it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With memories of the Scottish uprising in 1745 still somewhat fresh, rebellion in America a devastating loss and an example of what the masses could achieve, and unrest among the Continent's poor, England's fearful aristocratic ruling class took extreme measures to ensure their continued control over the common person. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sentences were disproportionately long and unjustifiably harsh by any standards today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Overflowing gaols, full floating hulks, and the loss of her American colonies set England seeking new solutions of where to send her potentially rebellious poor, so The First Fleet's 11 ships set sail </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">for Australia's Botany Bay </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">carrying 789 convicts, including 193 convict's wives and their 14 children. 2 ships continued on to Norfolk Island to found the First Penal Settlement there in 1778.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There's an </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">humanity and respect </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that needs to be reconciled to those once imprisoned on Norfolk Island. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We should see them in the light of an oppressed poor within a system that administered harsh 'justice' to ensure the protection of the status of the ruling class. If so, were these convictions fair?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hash brutalisation drives desperate men to desperate ends!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #b6d7a8;">"<i><b>I welcome death as a friend ... I have been treated more like a beast than a man</b></i>." </span>So spoke William Westwood, prior to execution for his part in the convict mutiny on 13th October, 1846. 13 convicts were hanged and denied burial within consecrated grounds and their bodies thrown into a disused pit, now known as Murderer's Mound just outside the cemetery. </span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhB6a0SSTIs/UQSAesyO2RI/AAAAAAAADYM/n8amNRYAOY8/s1600/norfolk+211+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhB6a0SSTIs/UQSAesyO2RI/AAAAAAAADYM/n8amNRYAOY8/s640/norfolk+211+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This is the only marker for those buried in 'Murderers' Mound' in 1846. Picture Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">History's records of an earlier convict uprising show how brutal conditions were:</span><br />
<span style="color: #b6d7a8; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">"Following a convict mutiny in 1834, Father </span><a class="mw-redirect" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Ullathorne" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="William Ullathorne">William Ullathorne</a><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicar_general" style="background-image: none; line-height: 19.200000762939453px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Vicar general">Vicar general</a><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"> of Sydney, visited Norfolk Island to comfort the mutineers due for execution. He found it <i style="font-weight: bold;">“the most heartrending scene that I ever witnessed”. </i>Having the duty of informing the prisoners as to who was reprieved and who was to die, he was shocked to record as<i style="font-weight: bold;"> “a literal fact that each man who heard his reprieve wept bitterly, and that each man who heard of his condemnation to death went down on his knees with dry eyes, and thanked God</i><b>."</b></span><span style="line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.200000762939453px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Norfolk_Island">Wikipedia History of Norfolk Island</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had an hour to sit atop a small rise overlooking the old part of Kingston's cemetery, which has burials from 1778 to the present within the fenced and consecrated ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many visitors could miss the mound just outside the oldest part and close to the surf. Here is the mass grave of 13 convicts, who were denied burial in hallowed ground.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was struck with the deep impression of the sheer unjustified harshness of the social conditions that bound these ordinary men to be caught in a system they had no voice in, the conditions of severe treatment that dehumanised them and drove them to futile mutiny resulting in their punishment of hanging, and the subsequent denial of simple Christian</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> burial and headstone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Above me the island's fairy terns were flying. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What thoughts filled the minds of an exhausted, brutalised convict in chains, as he looked up to see the fairy terns soaring above him? </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJsnbecdJGQ/UPNlAMCBxzI/AAAAAAAADPs/FjAimGTTuhc/s1600/norfolk+229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IJsnbecdJGQ/UPNlAMCBxzI/AAAAAAAADPs/FjAimGTTuhc/s640/norfolk+229.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The fairy tern. Picture by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Where the Fairy Tern is winging: Convicts, mutiny and injustice.</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">There's a grave that lies unmarked beyond consecrated ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Here we lie - the executed: relief we finally have found</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Above, a Fairy Tern is winging: pines swaying stately fro</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Gentle surf is singing where we sleep so long below.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">When I was once a young lad, just barely seventeen</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">To feed my starving family I took the rich man's bread</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But the Peelers captured me, they beat me to my knees</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">The judge cast me down forever; hard labour is what he said.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And these rocks are crushing me</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I'm desperate to be free</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where the Fairy Tern is winging</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">My soul longs there to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our ship sailed out from Plymouth, I could bid not a fond farewell</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Friends and family lost forever, on Norfolk now I dwell</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where rocks are sharp and crushing, these chains still have me bound</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">I have built my own stone prison and all these walls around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">And the cat is flailing me, cutting deep this worn body</span></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But finally we have risen against this harsh brutality</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mutiny may prove futile: no one will weep for me</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">But I will seek my freedom where the Fairy Tern flies free.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Now I welcome this reprieve</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where the rope's awaiting me</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Soon, no chains will hold me captive</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Where the Fairy Tern flies free.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWLtTHMnI7M/UedgNROzexI/AAAAAAAADro/GElxy8x8sII/s1600/norfolk+385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWLtTHMnI7M/UedgNROzexI/AAAAAAAADro/GElxy8x8sII/s400/norfolk+385.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fairy tern spends its breeding season at Norfolk Island laying one egg and raising its chick on a horizontal branch of the stately, and rather grandiose Norfolk Pine. These dainty white sea birds soar above the coastline in great numbers.</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwRVLyZbads/UPc5iCe4psI/AAAAAAAADUg/2LS2GRtY90k/s1600/fader3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wwRVLyZbads/UPc5iCe4psI/AAAAAAAADUg/2LS2GRtY90k/s640/fader3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Pic courtesy http://www.worldheritagenorfolkisland.com/ </td></tr>
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<div>
Someday, justice may be served and those buried in that mass grave be accorded a Christian blessing in consecrated ground. Maybe the fenceline be adjusted to bring them within the company of their companions.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9HGSCKi9-Y/Uede25pM5II/AAAAAAAADrU/DyM3B2yW01Q/s1600/norfolk+214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X9HGSCKi9-Y/Uede25pM5II/AAAAAAAADrU/DyM3B2yW01Q/s640/norfolk+214.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Murderer's Mound is in the centre of the pic on the left side of the cemetery fence and marked by the little signboard at the gateway.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />Perhaps a Christian blessing of Murderers' Mound is long overdue?</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwdfNcs5VKE/UedghE2ovbI/AAAAAAAADrs/g3C-kZcozaM/s1600/norfolk+384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IwdfNcs5VKE/UedghE2ovbI/AAAAAAAADrs/g3C-kZcozaM/s640/norfolk+384.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a re-vised version of my article that was first posted here- <a href="http://www.aroundtheworldineightyyears.com/norfolk-island/">Around the world in eighty years.com/norfolk-island/</a></span></div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-56873370469448894842013-07-09T15:09:00.001-07:002023-09-15T00:49:26.607-07:00Waltzing in Vienna: The imagined newly-independent traveller's lament.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I want to dance a Strauss waltz in Vienna<br />
An der Schonen Blauen Donau<br />
but the band I can't hear,<br />
and I'm stuck right where<br />
I can't take a step without you.<br />
<br />
I could climb the Eiffel Tower in Paris<br />
way up top to admire the view<br />
but I'd be so scared<br />
'cause it would be weird<br />
to look down so far without you.<br />
<br />
I would go climb high mountains in South America<br />
or hike solo to Machu Pichu<br />
but I'd trip and fall<br />
no trouble at all<br />
if I could not lean upon you.<br />
<br />
I could drive a rental car to the Highlands<br />
sample a dram of single malt, or two<br />
but whisky gets me frisky<br />
and then I'd get tipsy<br />
and cry in my drink over you.<br />
<br />
I should safari in wildest Tanzania<br />
for the migration of zebra and gnu<br />
but that bull elephant<br />
would make me mess my pants<br />
and there's no-one would wash them but you.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
I can dream of going walkabout in Australia<br />
and sunset gazing upon Uluru<br />
but the Dreamtime is mine<br />
for this little rhyme<br />
and I would only be dreaming of you.<br />
<br />
So I can go for a camel ride in Morocco<br />
and solo trekking in Sierra Leone<br />
I can do all I want<br />
and be independent<br />
but I can't dance a Strauss waltz without you.<br />
<br />
Nope, we haven't split up. We're tight. <br />
The above comes about because on the train ride last month from Frankfurt to Rudesheim, a very historic and beautiful city on the Rhine River, we passed the time talking about some of our travels to exotic places. And I thanked my wife for being a great travel partner. Times and places would not have been as enjoyable, nor would we have gone to so many destinations had we not spurred each other on.<br />
So I scribbled a few verses on a German Language newspaper shanghaied from the seat opposite and had Kay chuckling while reading my trite poem.<br />
<br />
I don't ever want to dance a Strauss waltz alone.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLHgQDBb-bc/Udx-wY_S2DI/AAAAAAAADp8/QljZ_JCdqDU/s1600/Bruge+685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uLHgQDBb-bc/Udx-wY_S2DI/AAAAAAAADp8/QljZ_JCdqDU/s640/Bruge+685.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudeshiem.</td></tr>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-62728493983188539172013-07-06T16:04:00.000-07:002015-07-29T02:57:18.843-07:00Say A Prayer For The Rhino.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsZQz-j-d60/UddaUtpd7RI/AAAAAAAADps/XuGDoyqh2Rs/s1600/164728_131215833611472_100903643309358_195729_5455578_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SsZQz-j-d60/UddaUtpd7RI/AAAAAAAADps/XuGDoyqh2Rs/s640/164728_131215833611472_100903643309358_195729_5455578_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Ayesha Cantor.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Say a prayer for the rhino: it's coming again,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
evil is stalking, seeking its prey.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Full moon silhouette giving her away.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Say a prayer for the rhino that she may evade.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With the night so long and the moon so bright</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she's aware of the sounds, footsteps so light.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She senses a demon stalking her ground</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
closing so slowly, there's danger inbound.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hide the horn, burying her face.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Look around: there's no hiding place!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where is little one?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scared, running around,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taps against belly once mum is found.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fright, the scurry, the loudness, the sound!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run baby, run!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make your feet pound the ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
So she'll bolt and she'll plunge in a headlong charge</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
at the upright two-legged predators at large.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And in the moment of loss and the panic of flight</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acacia will break, more sounds in the night.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fright empowered feet imprinting the clay,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
each small step gives her path away</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
for the evil following her with its gun sight this night</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
may bring to an end this rhino's might.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Where is little one?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Scared, running around,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taps against belly once mum is found.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The fright, the scurry, the loudness, the sound!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Run baby, run!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Make your feet pound the ground.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
As the Roller bird ceases singing its song</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and the Ox-pecker flies screeching alarm</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
he binds himself to his mother's speed</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
as she seeks the cover they desperately need.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
They've gone into the shadows,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they've gone into the night,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
avoiding the expanse of the open savanna</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
they find cover and silence their fright.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Say a prayer for the rhino:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
alive...for one more night.</div>
<br />
<b>Written in collaboration with Guy P Murdock, </b>a friend on Facebook.<br />
You'll find the above also published on <a href="http://fightforrhinos.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/say-a-prayer-for-the-rhino/">Fight For Rhinos </a><br />
<br />
We were both intent on using our skills to highlight the appalling decimation of rhinoceros numbers because of escalating poaching. Poaching of rhino in Africa and Asia threatens to exceed 1,000 this year. 476 kills so far in South Africa alone.<br />
My contributions of verses 1, 3 and 5 are inspired by Leonard Cohen's song "Ballad of a runaway horse", brilliantly covered by Emmylou Harris. I loved how the lyrics described the scene so imaginatively, and so that style I have tried to emulate hoping to paint a picture of the bush scene.<br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-85772163700709846302013-04-17T14:06:00.000-07:002016-04-17T14:03:51.973-07:00The Dragon at the Red Heart: Oh Africa, Beware!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIu97WtjbJg/UW8L7ZVrdpI/AAAAAAAADl4/_b68acMR8Eg/s1600/mongolia+109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hIu97WtjbJg/UW8L7ZVrdpI/AAAAAAAADl4/_b68acMR8Eg/s640/mongolia+109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
Oh, the Eastern Dragon seduced us<br />
Sucked us in and coiled around<br />
We accepted the inducements<br />
While the Dragon drew us down<br />
Now ivory and horn is ripped away<br />
And all our earth stripped back to clay<br />
Where once the Red Heart beat the strongest<br />
Now all our country shredded bare<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
<br />
The Dragon subtly beguiled us<br />
Treasures plenty spread around<br />
But only for our leaders<br />
To ensure their eyes turned to the ground<br />
While ivory and horn is ripped away<br />
And all our earth stripped back to clay<br />
Where once the Red Heart beat the strongest<br />
Now all the country shredded bare<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
<br />
When this land has long since lost its glory<br />
In all of this tragic false ballet<br />
And wild beasts are mere children's story<br />
Will we remember what we sold away?<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Oh Africa, beware.<br />
<br />
The Eastern Dragon's thirst cannot be slaked<br />
Its talons clutch our beating Red Heart<br />
And now to tear this beast out from our breast<br />
We'll only tear ourselves apart.<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Where? Where do we go from here?<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
Oh Africa, beware!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-71740075711836260512013-02-11T16:07:00.004-08:002013-02-12T11:15:04.538-08:00There Lies a Mortally Wounded Tui.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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This post was written last year, but out of respect for abuse-survivors involved in a sad case in our community, it was not published then. </div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRjeSfRbkUA/UMmZNKQySVI/AAAAAAAADNQ/_WRBkgoCQUs/s1600/tui+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="514" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TRjeSfRbkUA/UMmZNKQySVI/AAAAAAAADNQ/_WRBkgoCQUs/s640/tui+sculpture.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Tui sculpture picture www.stuff.co nz</td></tr>
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This steel artwork once graced our Paraparaumu Beach gateway. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There lies a mortally wounded tui</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and we consigned it to dark obscurity.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Society laid the blame on its shimmering frame</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>now lying in the dark we can't see.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>In the sunlight our tui would sing.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Did you appreciate the song it would bring?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A tui needs to fly, just like you and I</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we all need sunshine on our wings.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There lies a mortally wounded tui</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and its fallen from grace from that tree.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>It doesn't deserve to be an abuse casualty</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>it just wanted to sing and be free.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Broken glass can cut deep and hard</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>and it can leave us so badly scarred.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>A wound cannot heal if fragments we still feel,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>we need to dig out all the shards.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There lies a mortally wounded tui</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>now it lies there where no-one can see.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Pierced by arrows of blame, burnt by our shame,</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>will it rise like a Phoenix from the flame?</i></span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vht2oZbY9lk/Tu7yLovkFDI/AAAAAAAACE4/BJNR3uXT1kY/s1600/NewZealandTuiOnFlax_brightcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="552" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Vht2oZbY9lk/Tu7yLovkFDI/AAAAAAAACE4/BJNR3uXT1kY/s640/NewZealandTuiOnFlax_brightcrop.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;">Tui picture ex Wikipedia.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The above steel sculpture, commissioned by Kapiti Coast District Council at a $20,000 cost to ratepayers, now lies rusting away in our KCDC storage sheds, if not already despatched to the scrap metal dealers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">A renowned steel-art sculptor created the stylised Tui in flight, and it was installed on public display in our community. Subsequently, the shocking and tragic case, reported here- <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/kapiti/7187367/Second-sex-offender-sculpture-to-be-removed">Second-sex-offender-sculpture-to-be-removed</a>, resulted in the Council removing this magnificent public work of art.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally we should be mindful of the victims' feelings in this situation, such a crime being of the worst, with consequences far-reaching and devastating for victim and family.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="font-size: large;">Council's decision to tear it down was based on it being seen as a constant reminder to the victims. Much argument was made for it to be temporarily removed out of respect, but apparently it has gone permanently.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe it has been mortally wounded?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Should we tear down, destroy, or burn art when we find that the artist is guilty of great crime</u>? </span></b><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The artistic quality of the artwork stands on its own merit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Tui bird it represents is beautiful, probably our favourite native bird, and certainly should not be tainted by this crime.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">I was hoping for an outcome where the tui could be adopted as a symbol for all programs against child abuse, meaning all physical abuse, not just sexual. There's a need for all these crimes to be brought out into the open, and fly in the face of society, and not be concealed for whatever reason.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>The victims should not carry the shame. </b>They should be encouraged to speak out, and shame the perpetrators. Victim and family should feel safe in our community to speak out. </span><span style="font-size: large;">The cloak of anonymity should be denied the offenders.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Our iconic Tui bird is itself a survivor of all the abuse thrown at it over the past 200 years of colonisation, with the degradation of its home environment and being preyed upon by introduced predators. And yet, it is making a comeback as a songbird in our forests. It is resurgent and triumphing over adversity, adapting to our suburbs as we realise the importance of planting nectar-producing trees and flaxes. Without those, there are no Tuis. The Tui represents our enlightenment these days about healthy eco-systems.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Maybe, in an enlightened society, it could have been a more positive outcome for the tui sculpture to have been<b> <u>re-dedicated to all survivors,</u> </b>and placed on public display again, as a way of having a permanent reminder that <b>survivors will sing, and </b><b>predators will be exposed?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3hOsNtGhuQ/URhPbmk6gPI/AAAAAAAADeU/dMy9Awegwqw/s1600/Tui_on_flax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_3hOsNtGhuQ/URhPbmk6gPI/AAAAAAAADeU/dMy9Awegwqw/s640/Tui_on_flax.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13.333333969116211px;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em style="background-color: #cd8552; color: #f5e9cb; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"> Tui on flax, or harakeke, by </em><em style="background-color: #cd8552; color: #f5e9cb; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Matt Binns</em></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Sadly, the tui statue disappears into the darkness, and predators still stalk our children.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Dark Shadow.</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>There's a dark shadow walking</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>in the brightest light of day.</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>The blackest figure stalking</i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">it's stealing innocence away. </span></i><br />
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How do we expose this unseen beast</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">from its secret camouflage?</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Perhaps on the day those silent screams</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>become brave cries of loud outrage.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There's a dark shadow preying</span></i></div>
</div>
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">on the innocence of our young kin.</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>You can't block its entrance</i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>it's already there within. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>For those it attempts to envelop</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i></i></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">with its snuffing cloak of guilt and shame,</span></i></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>stand up and throw it off.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reach out: re-ignite that brilliant flame.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a footnote to this story of child abuse in our community-</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reports and many letters to the editors of our local newspapers discussed the case. I had this very short verse to one editor published.</span><br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perhaps the tui should have stayed in our
midst</span></span></i><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>A constant reminder of all our children at
risk</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>And as the sun strikes this tui and its plumage
glows</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>Its beauty can forever remind and reveal</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><i>The loss of innocence an adult may steal.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I subsequently received an email from a person involved with one of the families concerned, and was very touched by this person's comments.<br />"....</span>, <b>that the small time you took (if it was you) to write such a heartfelt letter,
really touched us, all of us."</b><br />
and "..<b>.but your few words spoke to me more than any other. Thank you so much, I didn't
know where or how to start my new life, but now I do. From the ashes of the old
comes a new flame. Thank you</b>."<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The last line of "Dark Shadow" poem above was written for that person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sometimes poetry speaks volumes more than is written.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-46266945998921145542013-02-07T10:34:00.000-08:002015-07-31T19:40:42.838-07:00Beyond the sum of all his fears: The Rhino War.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ2PbtkVffc/UMP_QZLwXFI/AAAAAAAADKk/p6ULbcSELXM/s1600/sos+rhino.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SQ2PbtkVffc/UMP_QZLwXFI/AAAAAAAADKk/p6ULbcSELXM/s640/sos+rhino.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poached rhino picture courtesy Facebook Rhino groups.</td></tr>
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<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An ageing soldier crying softly, beside a body on the ground</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sheds a tear for his young slain friend</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He never thought this would come down.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He'd thrown away all his bush gear, camo paint and forage cap</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spent his life forgetting firefights in dark shadows</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Without a thought that he'd go back.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories with no shed tears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Struck with the heart ache of our creations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the invulnerability of our young years</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the vat of our maturation brews a spirit of adventure</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That spills towards our next generation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whom we protect beyond our fears.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The young soldier survived the bush war, threw his life into his dreams</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Played a part in the creation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of an Eden ... or so it seems.<br />Raised a calf from its lost mum, fed it every day by hand</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grew to love his lost young orphan</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sanctuary for all became the plan.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
It is such a sweet temptation for us to simply turn away</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To ignore the wildlife decimation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That supplies the Asian trade.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ineptitude of our nations, the impotence of governments</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sends a message to all caring people</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To care a damn is a piece of shit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Aching heart beside his slain friend, new resolve and a pledge is made</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To seek the killers of his now lost brother</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The one he'd raised in his sanctuary</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But old soldiers know the danger, the blood and all the fears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never rush to don the camo </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never want to wear the gear.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Now there's a deeper call of duty, calling way beyond his fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He heads along the faint new pathway</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tracking two legged predators</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seeks his quarry in long shadows, where deadly ambushes are laid</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amongst flashing memories of firefights<br />A last patrol for his young compadre.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
Life has dreams from hard foundations, memories of old despairs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Struck with the heart ache of our creations</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amidst the anger and the tears</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A deadly shot strikes its target: he never wanted to kill again</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But he'll protect his new generation</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beyond the sum of all his fears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Slaap sag, rustig ou grote. Slaap sag."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Rest in peace, old friend. Rest in peace."<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">South African musician, David Easthouse, has adapted the above to his latest music masterpiece. Check it out here-<br /><a href="http://davideasthouse.com/track/831180/beyond-the-sum-of-all-his-fears?autostart=true" target="_blank">David Easthouse- Beyond the sum of all his fears.</a></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlgs2ARWd8/URDPD5StE9I/AAAAAAAADcc/G6AnWAJOygw/s1600/apu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MFlgs2ARWd8/URDPD5StE9I/AAAAAAAADcc/G6AnWAJOygw/s640/apu.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Garuda, sans-serif; line-height: 18.1875px; text-align: start; word-spacing: 1px;"><span style="color: #fff2cc; font-size: x-small;">Members of the Pilanesberg National Park Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) stand guard as conservationists and police investigate the scene of a rhino poaching incident April 19, 2012. — Reuters pic</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />
The Rhino poaching war escalates. 668 rhino were slaughtered in 2012 in South Africa. This year is off to an equally depressing start: 393 as at end of April! At this rate, 2015 may see over 1500 killed, and that figure is just for South Africa.<br />This is extermination of a species.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDm_5QpaAg/VbwtJ5kANvI/AAAAAAAAD2g/ZREii4rCqqQ/s1600/rhino.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="233" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwDm_5QpaAg/VbwtJ5kANvI/AAAAAAAAD2g/ZREii4rCqqQ/s320/rhino.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many reserve owners, who in their youth may have been involved in the wars for independence in Southern Africa, are now - in what should be today's peace - having to take up arms and fight a new battle, this time with the survival of rhino at stake.<br />
<br />
Dreams to create wildlife sanctuaries on their land are being crushed. Lives are being lost. Rhino being driven to extinction to supply Asian demand for rhino horn.<br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-48780731519913910482013-02-04T23:58:00.000-08:002013-12-18T19:33:05.104-08:00Nature's Symphony.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIU3dFLForI/URC4J1XgXQI/AAAAAAAADbM/-rWzbz5UkCo/s1600/DSC02711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uIU3dFLForI/URC4J1XgXQI/AAAAAAAADbM/-rWzbz5UkCo/s640/DSC02711.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practising my yodelling at Lake Grassmere, Lakes District, UK. </td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: left;">
Nature's Symphony.</h2>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a song flows through the mountains</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a rhythm in every stream</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a tune that soars with the eagles</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Over every prairie green.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">In frozen wastes rhythms vibrate</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">When crystals ring in high frequency</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And in desert sands wind's whispering hand</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Creates soft notes of harmony.</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>While some ignore or will not listen</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Or just hear cacophony</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">There are those who'll join in chorus</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">And sing Nature's Symphony.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">There's a song flows through the mountains</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">There's a rhythm in every stream</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Will you join in Nature's chorus</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Or will you chant her requiem?</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's rhythm as seas crash and thunder</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As waves break upon rocky shores</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Falling leaves of Autumn rustle</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a song in there and more.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>When a robin sings with pleasure</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>His song as Spring bursts forth</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Released from chill grasp of Winter</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Daffodils will trumpet their worth.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>For those who enjoy Earth's treasures</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a song that you will hear</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>You'll do your part to share your heart</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And spread her music everywhere.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Can you hear sweet Nature singing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Her symphony so clear and strong?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Some will never hear her singing</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>While others gently sing along.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a song flows through the mountains</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a rhythm in every stream</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Will you join in Nature's chorus</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Or will you chant her requiem?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a song flows through the mountains</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There's a rhythm in every stream</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I will join you in the chorus</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'll not sing her requiem.</i></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eCzwYdxBOo/URC5SQ6UjdI/AAAAAAAADbY/mjn2Xrd6Ozw/s1600/Pencarrow+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9eCzwYdxBOo/URC5SQ6UjdI/AAAAAAAADbY/mjn2Xrd6Ozw/s640/Pencarrow+010.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Harbour looking from track between Eastbourne and Pencarrow. By Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-44309143517380918932013-02-03T12:02:00.000-08:002013-09-04T20:26:37.141-07:00The Cage: Carole's song.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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How far are you prepared to go to achieve rights for all animals?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9rj2YPyD_0/UQ7AluBP0oI/AAAAAAAADac/jZewPKFHfpo/s1600/caged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M9rj2YPyD_0/UQ7AluBP0oI/AAAAAAAADac/jZewPKFHfpo/s640/caged.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When you read your local paper to see what's going down<br />
entertainment notice, a circus come to town<br />
frustration gets you checking out<br />
eyes calling to your soul<br />
animals in their confining cage<br />
you see their despair<br />
you feel the rage!<br />
<br />
As you're sitting in the restaurant, feeling all done in<br />
long day of animal rights demonstration<br />
you read it on the menu<br />
up top of the page<br />
shark fin soup chef special<br />
feel the despair<br />
feel the rage!<br />
<br />
It's coming round again,<br />
all the rage<br />
you're going down again<br />
the rampage<br />
of your soul again<br />
lost in despair<br />
that there's no justice<br />
anywhere.<br />
<br />
And you're sweating through 6 miles, feeling almost beat<br />
looking for respite from all your heart breaking<br />
you see a fur coat walking on<br />
the wrong two kind of feet<br />
you hit her with that red spray can<br />
use your despair<br />
use your rage!<br />
<br />
Then you get to score a seat at the latest fashion release<br />
watching them all clapping the skeletons up on stage<br />
you see her come out strutting<br />
wearing all that exotic skin<br />
so you jump up on the catwalk<br />
she feels your despair<br />
she feels your rage.<br />
<br />
It's coming round again,<br />
all the rage<br />
The judge is looking down again<br />
your rampage<br />
for animal rights again<br />
lost in despair<br />
that there's no justice<br />
anywhere.<br />
<br />
<br />
You see it on your Facebook wall, another rhino down<br />
the photos get to be too much, so many going round<br />
but you'll rampage again<br />
for their pain<br />
there's no justice anywhere<br />
so don't despair<br />
but keep the rage!<br />
<br />
<br />
When the bars are shadow patterning across your pasty face<br />
you're feeling low and frightened at this restricted space<br />
you knew the choice would bring some pain<br />
it ain't so easy, this Vegan way,<br />
but you'll do it all again<br />
use your despair<br />
to fuel your rage.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWPh4Dv1W2Q/UQ7ApRHB2oI/AAAAAAAADak/ERD74IuUjJA/s1600/jail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWPh4Dv1W2Q/UQ7ApRHB2oI/AAAAAAAADak/ERD74IuUjJA/s400/jail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-77138758183501860562013-01-31T00:01:00.002-08:002013-02-09T12:54:47.321-08:00The Smell of Affection: Wet dogs and my neighbourhood.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6suVUgDs1k/UQoeC96wPdI/AAAAAAAADY8/US_dxGlLVa8/s1600/flax+371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-s6suVUgDs1k/UQoeC96wPdI/AAAAAAAADY8/US_dxGlLVa8/s640/flax+371.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kapiti Island lies off our beach. Picture by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">That smell is in the air again, s</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">weet and greenstalkish, the residue of the usual neighbours' Saturday afternoon </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 26.666667938232422px;">subjugation</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> of </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">Nature, </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">with scything line trimmers and charging </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 24px;">raucous</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"> mowers.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">Selonie is cooking curry. That cloying, pungent sweetness spelling the worst of gas attacks in trench warfare. I look forward to her morning cup of aromatic Gujarati chai though.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Ray's beheaded his </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">captive </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">golden-tressed damsels of racked roses, their glorious crowns no longer complimenting his terracotta-tiled keep. The best sight and perfumes are last month's siege.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Rudayna, at Unit 10, has already prepared her week's </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Weightwatchers</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> salad in bulk. That sugary-acid smell of </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">pickled</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;"> cucumbers hits me. 10 jars covered her table last time I collected the rent.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">No 7 is well camouflaged behind rampant 'camo' gear of purple Ake-ake and variegated green and yellow Lemon-wood. I crush a tender leaf and draw in deeply.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">5</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> has trimmed his ranks of eucalypt soldiers to attention. Those volatile oils offer a ketonic nasal assault, clearing any remnant unseen lurkers in my olfactory bunkers.</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Lorna, at 3, has tied back her </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">sweet smelling </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">carnations</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">, and put her </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">hollyhocks</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">to the stake. Rampant in colours of white, reds and purples and heady in perfume. Just a whiff gets to me.</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">Joe is having fresh-picked tomatoes for evening salad. Chives and mint scents waft out his door. I'd add basil and half a chopped chili.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P4wjIGYjmw/URa3d80lpcI/AAAAAAAADds/HQqAC7L4SL0/s1600/beach+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="371" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P4wjIGYjmw/URa3d80lpcI/AAAAAAAADds/HQqAC7L4SL0/s640/beach+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">We reach the beach, </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">no exhaust fumes, </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">it's clear of day-invaders with </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">just locals on R and R. Who wouldn't be, on such a glorious Summer's early evening? Ambushed by pungent smokey-lamb mixed with garlic and rosemary nostril openers, the </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">barbecue</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> is so entrapping. Kids charge from their beach landing-craft in waves, as mum yells like a Beachmaster "It's ready!"</span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Sand, gritty and chafing in </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">sandalled</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">water-softened </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">feet. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Tua Tua and Pipi shells crunching, fragments flicked up and catching between straps, daggering tender skin.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">Wave-scalloped, rippled sand patches, and we are walking like giants flattening Namibia's desert dunes. It's a gentle violence though.</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Seagulls wheeling, and squealing their alarm above terriers, boxers and mutts chasing nothing in frenzied, unleashed excitement</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> managing to avoid the dive-bombing Stukas' aim. </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Wet dogs sure smell. How come they always want to jump up on you when they're wet? Or shake the water off and give you a car-wash? Our Lilly is particularly pongy now. </span></span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Salt, seaweed, and decomposing wave-ground detritus aromas mixing like the best Islay single malt nose. The 10 year old </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif; line-height: 1.5;"><span style="line-height: 26.666667938232422px;">Laphroaig, Geoff and I broached last night, will be a consummate pleasure of truce talks after our evening </span><span style="line-height: 26.65625px;">reconnaissance</span><span style="line-height: 26.666667938232422px;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 26.666667938232422px;">We return through reserve land smothered in blackberry and fennel</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">: nothing nicer for apple pie. Blood-red stained hand releases a clutch of juicy Rubus blasted with the overpowering </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">concentrated-coriander </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">smell of </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">squashed vegetable-stinkbug. I wonder if they could flavour Chinese dishes?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">In our street, that lingering tangy, sweet cut-grass smell still permeates the evening </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">air, surrounding our patrol's end. It signals the end of conflict now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">It's the smell of love, or the sweet scented signal of caring, the aroma of pride that neighbours have for our </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">beach side</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> community. You hear it first, you see it and then you can smell it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">I surrender to </span><span style="line-height: 1.5;">the smell of affection.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">For Lilly. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZECMENauS70/UQod59dTY0I/AAAAAAAADY0/KM_DJyISybA/s640/spring+025.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our street. Raumati South, New Zealand. Picture by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; line-height: 1.5;">This little story has sat in unfinished files for too long. I had always wanted to write about our walks, with our dog Lilly, around our </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">neighbourhood. The evening walks along our beach have always been a simple but immensely enjoyable pleasure for us, more so with a big, smelly mutt for a great </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">enthusiastic</span><span style="line-height: 1.5;"> companion. </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">Last Monday on a writing forum, another author posted a topic which spurred me to reply, and I then felt compelled to complete this. I finished it last Tuesday, and uploaded </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 40px;">it </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 1.5;">to my writing course blogsite. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5;">That night Lilly died suddenly. After our glorious evening walk she suffered a twisted stomach, and a late night rush to a vet failed to stop her demise.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Bitstream Charter, serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">The loss makes you realise how much your life can revolve</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">around a dog. That smell of </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 23.99305534362793px;">wet dog </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Bitstream Charter', serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">is very sadly missed.</span><br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-75560072895666103772013-01-18T14:56:00.000-08:002018-11-22T10:43:36.305-08:00Rivers and bridges: knowledge and understanding.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZF0QT-5i8I/UPcEdB921gI/AAAAAAAADSs/P-BFpa48-VM/s1600/safari3+chobe+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZF0QT-5i8I/UPcEdB921gI/AAAAAAAADSs/P-BFpa48-VM/s640/safari3+chobe+173.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Chobe waterfront, Botswana. Picture by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>There are these rivers that flow wide between us.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>There are these oceans of knowledge unknown.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>If we could converse would you join with us</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>replanting the damaging seeds you have sown?</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj5wQPQT-88/UPhXtrXXa5I/AAAAAAAADVI/KX8lw2birJI/s1600/saved-british-charity-workers-arrived-just-time-save-this-pair-orangut-_t33h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj5wQPQT-88/UPhXtrXXa5I/AAAAAAAADVI/KX8lw2birJI/s640/saved-british-charity-workers-arrived-just-time-save-this-pair-orangut-_t33h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An orangutan mother comforts her baby, dazed at the loss of her jungle homeland, destroyed for palm oil plantations.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>It could start as a trickle, like a mountain stream flowing</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>until understanding is falling like Spring's gentle rain.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>There may be chasms and canyons between us</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>but knowledge spills over like waterfalls of champagne.</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYqvbEfVcBA/UPc04XxOpTI/AAAAAAAADT0/t6nLehI2my0/s1600/norfolk+400.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HYqvbEfVcBA/UPc04XxOpTI/AAAAAAAADT0/t6nLehI2my0/s640/norfolk+400.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> The whaling industry nearly wiped out many whale species. Picture courtesy Norfolk Museum.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>It could start when these rivers have bridges across them</i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">and torrents of knowledge flow to the </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">sea.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">When you bridge this water we'll show you the </span></span><span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 17.98611068725586px;">ocean</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , "verdana" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"><i>of blood from the slaughter of the disappeared species.</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz5yUnGv1EI/UPnI6msH-gI/AAAAAAAADVw/5ymQId149hs/s1600/orang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bz5yUnGv1EI/UPnI6msH-gI/AAAAAAAADVw/5ymQId149hs/s640/orang.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Research advances into unlocking the secrets of animal communication. Some researches say within 5 years we will talk with elephants. When we finally do, will we be able to accept what they will tell us? </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>If we could build bridges and walk this land together</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>we'll show you where beauty and rhythm abounds.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>And across these wide rivers, across these wild seas</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>there'll be no more conflict between man and us beasts.</i></span><br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-26816424108089849382013-01-14T01:14:00.003-08:002015-03-13T02:05:18.971-07:00They killed them all- <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xqv90RU5GE/UKNM--YXAPI/AAAAAAAAC2I/izu8zkIV0SM/s1600/ivory-carving-car_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xqv90RU5GE/UKNM--YXAPI/AAAAAAAAC2I/izu8zkIV0SM/s640/ivory-carving-car_48.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">How many elephants died so a rich jerk could swank around in this ivory covered car?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They shot them all- the elephant.</i></span><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0Xqv90RU5GE/UKNM--YXAPI/AAAAAAAAC2I/izu8zkIV0SM/s1600/ivory-carving-car_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>How could we be so ignorant?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Just for trinkets of ivory</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>we destroyed a whole specie.</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO_X45qfFE/UKNNVitVKfI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/AC3x2NU_Ens/s1600/chad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XPO_X45qfFE/UKNNVitVKfI/AAAAAAAAC2Q/AC3x2NU_Ens/s640/chad2.jpg" height="416" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephants in Chad are being wiped out so their ivory can fund weapons. Picture courtesy SOS Elephants of Chad.</td></tr>
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<i>They killed them all- the mighty lion</i><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>so their <a href="http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2012/08/asia-goes-wild-for-lion-bone-wine">bones could rot in wine.</a></i><i></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>What a weird Asian belief </i></span><br />
<i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">rotting bones can bring relief?</span></i><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;">They shot them all- the tall giraffe</span></i><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>bows and arrows while they laugh</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>macho pics decorate Facebook walls</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>while trophy heads adorn their walls.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">They killed them all- the proud leopard</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>It wasn't all so really hard</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Just a poacher's wire snare</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>and a gin-trap hidden there.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>They shot them all - the rhinoceros</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>now there is no more for us</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>to admire- now we mourn</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>all because of their bloody horn!</i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcUINeNulOw/ULh4wPHrzxI/AAAAAAAADCs/1bDpQdggg74/s1600/dead+rhino1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HcUINeNulOw/ULh4wPHrzxI/AAAAAAAADCs/1bDpQdggg74/s640/dead+rhino1.jpg" height="406" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">Photo courtesy Facebook rhino groups.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">So they killed them all- the Big Five </span><span style="font-size: large;">( and a few more...)</span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>now no more are alive</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>They followed the examples set</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>of leaders plundering our natural assets!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>So we now ask the President</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>why would anyone frequent</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>Africa so empty and bare</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>with no more Big Five living there?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>We wrote them all- the letters sent</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>to the esteemed President</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>We begged his intervention for</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-large;"><i>how could he completely ignore?</i></span><br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-14406109355636277042012-12-11T00:28:00.002-08:002012-12-11T11:05:03.001-08:00Special report: Elephant poaching for ivory.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Jim McIntosh.</td></tr>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-size: large;">The poaching of Africa's elephants and rhino is escalating at an alarming rate. 624 rhino have been killed in South Africa to date this year, up from 488 last year. These figures show a massive increase since 2007 when 13 were killed.<br />The demand for ivory in Asia is insatiable. Charlie Warren has authorised my sharing of his report backgrounding elephant poaching. Sad to see these magnificent animals being killed for chopsticks, personal seals and ivory carving, especially when modern materials can be substituted.<br /><br /><br />AFRICA’S ELEPHANT & THEIR ALARMING RATE OF DECLINE DUE TO POACHING<br />(Thank you to those who helped with the info/articles on the Pachyderms and what they are currently facing due to Chinese fueled poaching)<br /><br />Elephants are intelligent, social & affectionate animals that live in FAMILY herds and Mourn their dead… it is sad to see them staring silently at the remains of those family members who had died or been killed… poachers are known to lie in ambush waiting for those who they had not killed; to return to the poached elephant to pay their last respects and then open fire on them with automatic weapons and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG 7’s) of Russian and Chinese origin, this way they wipe the whole heard from day old babies to the most senior Matriarch….<br /><br />DEMAND FOR THE ELEPHANT TUSK<br /><br />The demand for Elephant Tusks has been created by China… and the Elephant population is being decimated at an alarming rate, tens of thousands of them being killed at an enormously alarming rate, China does not worry about Africa, it’s inhabitants and even less so their animal heritage… all they want to do is rape Africa of everything that they can make money on… Forests are being depleted all over Zimbabwe and Mozambique will wake up too late when the chinese leave … and they will because there will be nothing left there…<br /><br />In Kinshasa (DRC), poached IVORY (and usually poached by that countries troops) is openly on sale in unregulated markets, these markets are patronized and encouraged heavily by chinese consumers of poached ivory, and another point of glaring alarm of this fueled poaching by China is the fact that 90% of ALL those arrested for elephant poaching at the Kenyan International Airport … ARE CHINESE!!!<br /><br />In November 2012 5 tons of illegal elephant tusks were recovered when they were discovered at the port of entry in Hong Kong … to give you an idea of how many Elephant that were massacred for these tusks… use the following equation… 3.81 tons of elephant tusks is equivalent to 500 POACHED ELEPHANTS! These were shipped to Hong Kong under the guise of Sunflower seeds… a few days later another 3.8 tons of Elephant tusks were uncovered imported under the guise of PLASTIC SCRAP AND BEANS….<br />A week prior to the discovery of the 5 tons of tusks … 1000 Elephant tusks were intercepted en route to CHINA… this is another 500 Elephants that had been poached…<br /><br />An estimated 50,000 Elephants were poached for their Tusks in 2011 alone… and in another incident in Manhattan, New York a ton of CARVED IVORY was seized by the law enforcement agencies there … and yes it had been sent from CHINA…<br /><br />Just imagine the fear and total panic there was AMONG THE ELEPHANT HERDS, when Cameroonian poachers opened fire and killed 650 elephants in their OWN NATIONAL PARK…!!!! An absolute disgrace to humanity these people are and even more so by China that encourages this sadistic slaughter for their GREED…<br /><br />And above all … the gestation period for an Elephant is 22 MONTHS (640 days) that is nearly TWO YEARS for them to produce a baby… they can NEVER recover from this slaughter and unscrupulous poaching for the EAST…<br /><br />The Chinese sell these TUSKS/IVORY in China at the going rate of US$900.00 per Kilogam (2,2lb).<br /><br /><br />HOW THE ELEPHANTS ARE POACHED<br /><br />This is done in an extremely macabre and sadistic way, it varies from country to country but the methods are extremely cruel and inhumane… in Mozambique (when they still had elephant herds) the poachers use to dig huge pits (holes) and then drive the elephant into them… then they would place large old trees and firewood on top of them and set fire to the wood and burn them to death, there was no way an elephant could get out of these holes, the fear, pain and agony for them is excruciating and indescribable… and now what they do … they chase OUR South African Elephant herds into Mozambique where our govt in their absolute “wisdom” tore down the fence along the Mozambique border and called it the Trans Frontier Park… Our Rhino are also being poached this way … there is much to say about this … you ask why don’t we send our troops to stop the poachers (of both Elephant and Rhino)… that I am afraid can only be answered by the Dept Of Environmental Affairs … but all you will get is the deafening silence from them and the rest of the SA govt…<br /><br />In Southern Chad & North Cameroon they use Automatic rifles and Machine guns; such as the AK 47 and the RPD, AND OF COURSE SATTELLITE PHONES …supplied one way or the other by China… in one instance they went on a killing frenzy there and killed over 650 Elephants, every animal in every herd… by the way …they also used RPG7’s (Rocket Propelled Grenades… and hacked the Tusks out of their heads while they were dying an agonizing death…) where did this happen… IT HAPPENED IN THEIR NATIONAL PARK!!!<br /><br />The Congolese Military are the worst culprits in the Elephant poaching, followed close behind by Uganda, South Sudan and Cameroon… they are basically all involved one way or another… very few of them stay out of the poaching because of their weak and corrupt govts… and incidentally… the pre independence SADF were also involved in the poaching of 1000’s of Elephant and Rhino in Angola for the horn and Tusks… read more of these mind blowing facts in the book “KILLING FOR PROFIT” by Julian Rademeyer.<br /><br />GENERAL<br /><br />In the rest of AFRICA we are losing between 80 -100 elephants daily due to poaching of these majestic animals, Mozambique cannot be included here as they have killed off ALL their Elephant Rhino and most other Wildlife… and whatever was poached was sold off to the Chinese… so it is my guess that when they have stripped the forests of Mozambique and all their ocean fish… it will be a kick in the arse for them (Mozambique) and the chinese will move onto the next country to rape and pillage… which one you ask… YEP… YOU GUESSED IT… SOUTH AFRICA!!!<br /><br />Immigration have already admitted that they cannot cope in South Africa with the major influx of Chinese… I heard this with my own ears in court at one poaching trial…<br /><br />Officials in the “know” have claimed that is no major problem with elephant poaching… hmmm … I think they forgot to add …YET…! Anyone with the tiniest iota of logic, will see that this is going to become a MAJOR problem in the not too distant future… especially when the rest of Africa’s elephant have been decimated to extinction… AND THE Chinese then look South… to our country… SOUTH AFRICA!<br /><br />Kruger Park have already made illusions (on the quiet) to the threat of Elephant poaching on the horizon… my question is why is this NOT being made public… we know that elephant are already being poached there…<br /><br />Tom Milliken (Leader of the Elephant &Rhino Program) TRAFFIC; has stated that the African Elephant are facing the most serious crises since international commercial trade in Ivory was prohibited under CITES IN 1989!<br /><br />Other experts say that poaching is due to the presence of organized crime primarily led by Asian crime syndicates… many of us KNOW THIS IS THE PROBLEM… !<br />But what is this govt doing about it and what have they done about the severe Rhino poaching problem?<br /><br />Countries to the North of us are using honest soldiers in support of their Game Rangers and Scouts… and this is making a small difference, but over there … they shoot poachers on site… not like here where poachers are treated with kid gloves, as well as their Asian masters…<br /><br />If the South African govt does not wake up soon to what IS on the horizon for our Rhino, Elephant and the rest of our wildlife heritage…. South Africa’s tears for this destruction will be made of BLOOD....CW</span></span></h5>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5W2BzSurI48/UMbtq65-GcI/AAAAAAAADMU/J2IiN9aflXw/s1600/ivory-carving-car_48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5W2BzSurI48/UMbtq65-GcI/AAAAAAAADMU/J2IiN9aflXw/s640/ivory-carving-car_48.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="line-height: 1.38;"><span style="color: #f3f3f3;">A car covered with carved ivory. How many elephants died for this?</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture courtesy SOS Elephants of Chad.</td></tr>
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3839632013669425872.post-54618708997799945492012-12-06T19:15:00.000-08:002016-05-03T20:52:13.521-07:00My home has become your deckchair. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sISaQyzQieU/UMFImwKn1aI/AAAAAAAADJQ/b4vPbtOw-J0/s1600/saved-british-charity-workers-arrived-just-time-save-this-pair-orangut-_t33h.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sISaQyzQieU/UMFImwKn1aI/AAAAAAAADJQ/b4vPbtOw-J0/s640/saved-british-charity-workers-arrived-just-time-save-this-pair-orangut-_t33h.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This mother clings on to her baby as she surveys the destruction of her forest home, cleared for palm oil plantations and timber for export.</td></tr>
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What's it like to enjoy the sunshine while you sit in your Kwila chair?<br />
Do you ever see our faces reflected in your glass of chardonnay?<br />
All the hungry and the homeless who are no longer here<br />
in the freedom of our homeland.<br />
Do you even care?<br />
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Have you ever seen my homeland of forest reaching clear?<br />
Have you ever thought my home has now become your chair?<br />
Your comforts steal my shelter<br />
Your ignorance takes my life.<br />
If you steal our wilderness we will not survive.<br />
My child is going hungry, I cannot provide.<br />
Will you look into our faces?<br />
We are terrified<br />
by the chainsaws and the bulldozers that destroy our life<br />
while you enjoy reclining on your deck of Balau tree<br />
Just chew another mouthful of palm oil-laden sweet<br />
You're chewing up my homeland<br />
we lie here in defeat.<br />
Your hunger for your comforts creates such deep turmoil<br />
The destruction of my homeland<br />
all for your palm oil.<br />
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Have you ever seen my homeland of sunshine dappled vines?<br />
How the trees soar way above and brush against blue skies?<br />
If you could see my homeland you would wonder why<br />
You chainsaw out its beating lungs<br />
and you destroy our lives<br />
Do you hate your concrete life so much you cannot abide<br />
the beauty of my homeland is better than where you live?<br />
Must my homeland be erased so you can believe and live your lie?<br />
All the hungry and the homeless<br />
who no longer are here<br />
Have you ever thought my home has now become your chair?<br />
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Deforestation continues to cause the decimation of habitat for Orang utan throughout Indonesia. Now found only in remaining wilderness in Borneo and Sumatra, these primates are fast being pushed to extinction as world demand for palm oil soars. Huge areas of jungle are cleared for the expanding plantations. Timber of Kwila and Balau is logged, shipped to China where it is turned into cheap outdoor furniture for primarily Australian and New Zealand recreational use- outdoor tables and chairs, and decking. Timber products carrying a 'Sustainable sourced' certificate is of dubious origin. Much illegally logged timber is fraudulently re-certified as sustainably sourced and then channelled into legal markets.<br />
Any purchase of Kwila or Balau timber products, or consuming foodstuffs containing palm oil fuels the destruction of rainforests and hastens the extinction of orang utans.<br />
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Check all product ingredients. Buy timber from sustainable plantation forests, not of tropical origin.<br />
Consuming these products is consuming their homelands.<br />
Petition to sign-<br />
<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/68/help-stop-the-use-of-palm-oil/">The petition site.com help-stop-the-use-of-palm-oil/</a><br />
and<br />
<a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/680/376/235/">The petition site takeaction</a><br />
Pictures from-<br />
<a href="http://news.asiantown.net/r/22707/Indonesian-men-on-trial-for-slaughtering-primates-for-pest-control-at-palm-oil-plantation">slaughtering-primates-for-pest-control-at-palm-oil-plantation</a><br />
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Jimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07618511960243841803noreply@blogger.com3