ONE LAST TIME ON THE BIG SCREEN - AS HEATH LEDGER LEFT THIS MORTAL LIFE TO BE IMMORTAL

Japanese poster of
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Tribute to Heath Ledger

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

2009

This is the final new film that we will get to see Heath in. And he only finished part of the shoot before the tragic night he passed away while trying to get some sleep. Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell share the part of Tony with Heath, which was only done after Heath passed away.

This is the very first film of Heath's that I will ever see on the big screen, as I discovered his work months after he left this mortal life to be immortal.

Below I post two lovely fans' videos paying tribute to Heath and this film.

The film opened in New York City, Los Angeles, Canada and Scandinavia Christmas Day and will open in selected cities nationwide January 8th. It is not showing in the big cinema complexes. But a lot of lesser movies are. What a shame we can't have this film more accessible to the masses.

I have to drive 45 miles to see it in Providence, Rhode Island at the Avon Cinema

But I am grateful that I can see it in my state.

It is already difficult to imagine sitting in the dark theatre for the first time to see Heath in his final performance. So many things will be going through my mind...the story of the film, the story of Heath's emotions while shooting the movie, the sadness that comes from the bond I have developed through watching him in many of his movies on dvd since learning of his talent after he died. And all the wonderful youtube videos of his interviews and premieres.

So long Heath on the big screen. The world of creativity and heart will miss you.



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Uploaded by catiamancini

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Heath Ledger Wizard
Uploaded by jopicca

There is a wonderful website set up to support the release of this film wider than Sony Classics Pictures has plans to do. There is endless information there www.imaginariumofdrparnassus.com

Here is one of many reviews found there:

Source: SciFi Wire

Does Dr. Parnassus honor the late Heath Ledger?

I got to the screening of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus early and had time to grab a drink at a nearby bar. Three, actually. Scotches. I think that was the best possible way to watch Terry Gilliam’s trippy movie. Regardless of alcohol, I have no idea what it was about, but it was fascinating and wonderful.

A traveling street show performs for the locals on a set that evokes Gilliam’s animation style. It’s already a weird contraption, this full-scale sort of pop-up book of a stage, only it’s even weirder to see it out on the city streets. This stage sucks viewers into the mirror, where they go into a CGI world of imagination. Whether CG or real, it’s all magical and all Gilliam.

Dr. Parnassus (Christopher Plummer) and his troupe rescue Tony (Heath Ledger), who is hanging from a bridge, and add him to their act. It seems Dr. P owes a mysterious Mr. Nick (Tom Waits) five souls, which he collects through his Imaginarium show. Now Tony’s taking patrons through the mirror, and on the other side he appears as different actors (Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell).

The idea of different actors taking over Ledger’s role is the least weird part of all this. If there’s a fantasy world, then of course he can appear as a different person in there. It is a seamless transition once Tony steps into the Imaginarium. None of this makes sense anyway, so just go with it. Really, who wouldn’t want to see Depp, Law and Farrell play Heath Ledger? Frankly, I’m impressed that they completed all of Ledger’s “real world” scenes, so at least he’s always Heath there. I didn’t know how much he’d completed before his passing.

Don’t try to understand it. Just look at it. The visuals are so busy you’ll have to pay attention to absorb everything. I have no idea who Dr. Parnassus is or what he wants. I’m sure it’s in there, but only in that buried-metaphor kind of way. What is this relationship with the strange guy they saved from hanging? Who cares? The images inside the Imaginarium are so bizarre it’s just worth experiencing. You’ve got cops dancing on a large tongue, 2-D cutouts spinning and interacting and gritty landscapes cluttered with debris.

Ledger is captivating when he appears. He gives another full-bodied, physical performance. Tony is an unknown, so there’s no baggage or expectations. His actions, his movements, that’s all what Ledger decided he’d be. His successors do a fine job carrying it. You do get to see a whole performance, and that’s worth a lot for the film, too.

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The way Terry Gilliam describes his film:

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is a fantastical morality tale, set in the present-day. It tells the story of Dr. Parnassus and his extraordinary 'Imaginarium', a traveling show where members of the audience get an irresistible opportunity to choose between light and joy or darkness and gloom.

Blessed with the extraordinary gift of guiding the imaginations of others, Doctor Parnassus is cursed with a dark secret. An inveterate gambler, thousands of years ago he made a bet with the devil, Mr. Nick, in which he won immortality. Centuries later, on meeting his one true love, Dr. Parnassus made another deal with the devil, trading his immortality for youth, on condition that when his daughter reached her 16th birthday, she would become the property of Mr Nick.

Valentina is now rapidly approaching this 'coming of age' milestone and Dr. Parnassus is desperate to protect her from her impending fate. Mr. Nick arrives to collect but, always keen to make a bet, renegotiates the wager. Now the winner of Valentina will be determined by whoever seduces the first five souls. Enlisting a series of wild, comical and compelling characters in his journey, Dr. Parnassus promises his daughter's hand in marriage to the man that helps him win.

Directed by Terry Gilliam
122 Minutes
Rated PG-13

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Also, there is a lovely forum to meet other Heathens: Heath Ledger Planet

Light a Candle for Heath

PRECIOUS FOREVER - HEATH LEDGER

Things that last forever.

Ugly words.

Beautiful words.

Ugly deeds.

Beautiful deeds.

Memories.

Some people die, but we just can't believe it.

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A Knight's Tale Premiere
Uploaded by Monicabbm

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Heath touched us and moves us still
Uploaded by Monicabbm

Heath at Lords of Dogtown premiere in Los Angeles



Below is taken from Planet Heath Ledger forum

A comment by one of the members:

I just trotted over to the candle site to light today's candle and as I was writing a message I started crying and sobbing. How could he just stop like that? How could someone so full of life and generosity and wisdom and sweetness just cease to be? I don't cry as much as I used to, but when I do it's still with the same sad puzzlement and loss.

If I were elsewhere I'd apologise for the sudden little outburst but I know everyone here will understand.

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My response

Ahh, M......I want to thank you for letting me know what your signature is about. I have been lighting candles for several things and people. And my first candle that I lit for Heath has burned out, so I just followed your lead and lit another for him just now.

Today, I had my 19 year old neighbor girl help me out and she ended up staying the entire afternoon with me at the coffee house where I was singing...when we returned home her family wasn't home and so I brought her back to the house and we shared a pizza and I introduced her to Heath....first on some of my youtube tributes and then I put in the Sweet Bridget episode of Roar. At first sight of Heath on the tv screen, she said "he is cute! - the one behind." I said, yes he is....then she had to listen to me talk about Heath. Explaining he is gone...what happened...that he is the same one I had just showed her on my The Four Feathers youtube tribute and Ten Things I Hate About You . I told her "Maybe, you would like to go to the movie Dr Parnassus with me". She agreed. She loved Sweet Bridget.

When we had walked in the door this evening, I played back a message on my answer machine - so she and I listened together. It was Richard from Avon Cinema, which I had called a couple of weeks ago now to inquire when exactly The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasssus was coming to Providence, Rhode Island. He called to tell me....it is tentatively scheduled to open January 8, 2010, but told me to "call that week or day of - to see if it does show up".

Just a Heath experience....that I shared with someone who never knew of him...and now she does. I even took her over to the candle page for Darfur I had created....she loved it there.

So, we pass on who we are and share the things and lovely people who touch us. In that way it is a beautiful world.

I just love sharing. And hope you understand the joy that it brings to me to share about Heath, whether it be with Krista, my young neighbor girl, or you at the forum or on my blog, where I so often do.

The following is from we are the masses
Making "King Rat" by Daniel Auber

"When Heath asked me to collaborate on this video I found it more than just a good cause, I was incredibly happy to have that first experience of he and I sitting by a desk and giving life to something together....

...My favourite memory on this video is very far from its shocking and distinctive taste. It's quite cheesy, actually: whilst we spent long days working on the animatic, listening endlessly to interrupted bits of Isaac's haunting and cavernous voice, there was another song being played constantly coming from outside the window.

It wasn't annoying us because its paradisiac nature was having a complementary effect on us. It was Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's version of Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Every time I randomly hear that song, I think of how lucky I was to be over there for a few wonderful weeks."

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Israel Kamakawiwo'Ole 'IZ' Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Uploaded by MicroNik95

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You may know about the lovely threads at Shekar Kapur's blog about Heath...
The Four Feathers Heath_ledger
and
The Four Feathers

This is a comment I left there a while back:

Some are born with a gift to shine a light for the rest of us to touch, connect to and receive their radiant beauty. Heath was one.

I love The Four Feathers...I just discovered it recently. I am moved by it and specially so by Heath in it.

"...And these for whom life has no repose, live at times in their rare moments of happiness with such strength and indescribable beauty, the spray of their moment's happiness is flung so high and dazzingly over the wide sea of suffering, that the light of it, spreading its radiance, touches others too with its enchantment..." Hemann Hesse STEPPENWOLF I love this quote and use it as a tribute to those like Heath who transcend the average and lift us up where our souls belong.

Some can move us for all time in just moments. Heath is one. In vital ways, he remains with us. A gift from Life and for our souls. Enriched by seeing in him, our own selves. We are all just a part of the whole of Life. Something about what Heath was able to present turned on a vibrancy in our own inner glow and light. He makes me feel more alive still. Sadness is there, too. But death doesn't end our feelings or relationships with those whose mortal bodies no longer inhale and exhale.

We are blessed by having lived when Heath was here.

Thank you, Shekhar for bringing us The Four Feathers. It stays with me. And in this transient world, that is an act of grace. I am grateful for the arts. For in them we humans can radiate and share our best selves.

It is lovely to share here and read the hearts speaking by all who have taken the time to write.

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As you can see, feelings run deep for Heath and how he touches me.

We are given love to give it.

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

For Dad

and

For Heath

For Darfuris

Light a Candle for Dad

Light a Candle for Heath

Light a candle for Darfur

Candles only stay lit for 48 hours. You can light more than one candle at a time. And you may light a candle at any time.

I did. Initials SH
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Cryin' For Me sung by Toby Keith
Uploaded by TobyKeithVEVO

My love

I LIT A CANDLE FOR DARFUR - WON'T YOU JOIN ME? DECEMBER 23, 2009

CANDLE FOR THE DARFURI PEOPLE

SH I light this candle for the people of Darfur. I am with you in your quest for justice. — Sandra Hammel from Aquidneck Island, RI, United States

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December 23, 2009, I lit a candle for the people of Darfur and left the above message

I am hoping you will help me make this a ripple effect for humanity.

The Candle Group initial is: Darfr

The Candle initials are: SH

Please, join me. It costs nothing, but a few moments of your time and thoughtfulness
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Darfr

Simply to view my candle:
http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=Darfr
and click on a candle with the initials SH


I learned of this website from Marian at heathledgerplanet

The website for Candle Lighting: www.gratefulness.org/candles

Thank you.

Candles only stay lit for 48 hours, then you can light another candle. You can also light more than one candle at a time.

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Contact

The Whitehouse

202-456-1111

or

1-800-GENOCIDE

More ways to contact the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

facebook.com/WhiteHouse

twitter.com/whitehouse

Speak Up

You Have A Voice

standnow.org
www.savedarfur.org

www.henryjacksonsociety.org/stories

HEATH LEDGER IN HIS FINAL NEW MOVIE OPENS IN LA, NYC, CANADA AND SCANDINAVIA CHRISTMAS DAY 2009

Heath Ledger and Terry Gilliam

The series of photos are from E1 Entertainment,
the Canadian distributor via the support site for
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

Click any photo to enlarge

Rollingstone Reviews Dr. Parnassus

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
Source: Rollingstone Magazine
By Peter Travers

The above series of photos of
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus are from E1 Entertainment,
the Canadian distributor via the support site for
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
imaginariumofdrparnassus.com

Anything you want to know about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
can be found at this website imaginariumofdrparnassus.com

Especially, go there to read

Resurrecting Heath Ledger’s Final Film (Dr. Parnassus)

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

Source: CBS.com News
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The interview with director Terry Gilliam begins around 8:38 and goes to the end
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Uploaded by AlJazeeraEnglish
This is the best interview I have seen....especially for the clips included in it of the movie.

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Another interview with Terry Gilliam, director of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Uploaded by g4tv.com

If you love Heath - and if you have gotten this far on the post, you probably like Heath immensely, at least - this will warm your heart and rebreak your heart....

Depp, Law, Farrell speak out about their part in 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'

Source: MyCineplex

Posted on Monday, Dec. 21, 2009
by Emma Badame - Cineplex Entertainment

Production on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was halted by the sudden passing of lead actor, Heath Ledger. Shooting continued only when actors Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell signed on to each take on a portion of the remaining film.

Today, for the first time, each actor spoke out about the film, their admiration for director Terry Gilliam and actor Heath Ledger, and their devotion to ensuring Ledger’s final performance be shared with audiences and fans alike.

Here’s what they had to say:
Johnny Depp:

“Maestro Gilliam has made a sublime film. Wonderfully enchanting and beautiful, The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus is a uniquely ingenious, captivating creation; by turns wild, thrilling and hilarious in all its crazed, dilapidated majesty. Pure Gilliam magic!!!

It was an honor to represent Heath. He was the only player out there breathing heavy down the back of every established actors neck with a thundering and ungovernable talent that came up on you quick, hissing rather mischievously with that cheeky grin, “hey… get on out of my way boys, I’m coming through…” and does he ever!!! Heath is a marvel, Christopher Plummer beyond anything he’s ever done, Waits as the Devil is a God, Lily Cole and Andrew Garfield, the very foundation, are spectacular, Verne Troyer simply kicks ass and as for my other cohorts, Colin Farrell and Jude Law, they most certainly did Master Ledger very proud, I salute them.

Though the circumstances of my involvement are extremely heart-rending and unbelievably sad, I feel privileged to have been asked aboard to stand in on behalf of dear Heath.”
Jude Law:

“I have always loved Terry Gilliam’s films. Their heart, their soul, their mind, always inventive, touching, funny and relevant.

When I got the call, it was a double tug. I liked Heath very much as a man and admired him as an actor. To help finish his final piece of work was a tribute I felt compelled to make. To help Terry finish his film was an honour paid to a man I adore. I had a great time on the job.

Though we were all there in remembrance, Heath’s heart pushed us with great lightness to the finish.”
Colin Farrell:

“It’s not hard for me to imagine that if I ever look back on the films I’ve been a part of, and the stories I’ve had a hand in telling, one will stand out as so unique an experience, as to be incomparable. This experience was the shooting of The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The reasons for its uniqueness, sadly, are probably obvious to anyone who reads this.

Three of us had been asked to complete a task that had been set in motion by a man we greatly liked and respected as both a person and an artist. Being part of this film was never about filling Heath’s shoes as much as seeing them across the finish line. How I wish he had brought the film to its completion himself. Of course the whole crew felt this way. And the cast that we joined felt it too. It was this spirit of grieving the loss of Heath, that Johnny and Jude and I joined. But there was also a sense of dogged insistence. Insistence that Heath’s last piece of work should not be kept in the shadow of the light of day.

More than anything though – more than the sadness and shock, the vulnerability and un-suredness as to whether it was right to complete the film or not – was an incredible sense of love. A community of people, caterers and actors, electricians and make up artists had been brought together in a recognized sense of love and obligation, for and to, one of cinemas finest actors and most generous of men. It will be this sense of love amidst the sadness I will remember most. Such a gift and an honor, from Heath, to be a part of the trail that he left behind. RIP Heath Ledger x”

About the above article, my comment left at imaginariumofdrparnassus.com...

(the three online names referred to below in my comment had already left comments at the posted article on the support site for imaginariumofdrparnassus.com)

This is the one I have been waiting for…especially watching Jude Law on show after show talking about “Sherlock Holmes” and no question about or mention of “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus”.

Jodelle, I so agree with your statement…if there could ONLY be one gold line in this wonderful piece, that was the vein of gold.

mimiangel, everything you wrote is precious. My heart is heavy, but still I keep reading everything I can….just to feel close to Heath. Just want to walk up to him and hug him back to life. All the love, that Heath brought to life and continues to ignite in our Heath-Hearts is simply other-worldly.

Trekfan, yes, we are so grateful to these three men who brought us the spirit of Heath one more time. “The light of day” is exactly where we are with this movie being completed and thanks to all who worked toward that goal – especially these three gems.

“…Being part of this film was never about filling Heath’s shoes as much as seeing them across the finish line. How I wish he had brought the film to its completion himself…” I love how Colin put this. It is poetic.

Love all around, brought us “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnasssus” – those who love Heath and those who have the spirit of love just like Heath in our hearts.

A warm hug of a salute to Heath in the Great Somewhere.
Thanks for the heart and soul you let us see.

And thanks to Terry and each and everyone who took this across the finish line.

We love you. We love Heath.

Hug ~

Sandra form Rhode Island
Proud Member of Team Parnassus
Parnassion Passion

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

opens in select theatres on December 25

and will open nationwide on January 8 ~

"nationwide" does not mean

the same thing as "WIDE" ~ which means everywhere.

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In Rhode Island The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus will be at this theatre

www.avoncinema.com/coming-soon

Can you believe it is not opening WIDE ?

DEMAND IT!

Type in your zip code and skip anything not relevant.

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This is funny....

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Handel's Hallelujah - Well, a version of it
Uploaded by sallymathes

IRRESISTIBLE BEAUTY ON SNOW - TRUE COLORS - EVA CASSDIY

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To see it in a big screen, click the video's tiny rectangle shape - it's the second from the lower right corner.

Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog

One of many views of Sanibel Island's beaches

Someone posted going over Sanibel Island's $6 bridge

Seashells on Sanibel Island

From my youtube sidebar - with some added bits:

Through the night of December 19, through December 20, 2009, we had our first snow storm of the season. It was a doozy, otherwise called a nor'easter.

If you are inspired to come to Rhode Island: www.gonewport.com

My favorite time of the year is May when everything blooms. In my yard it starts with the crocus and just keeps blooming one thing after another. A glorious time of the year. But then, the autumn is also very beautiful....and if you can stand some humidity and heat, the summer is the time for many cultural events. Yes, on Aquidneck Island we have most of our cultural events in the summer. And winter....well, if it weren't for the shoveling, I wouldn't mind it.

This video includes such old movies that they were silent. The years were around 1956 - 1957. The house is where I was born....not in a hospital. The woods across the street from our house - the street where we are pulling the sled is no longer there. Huntington College (now called University) got the land from my dad and made it into a lake. That red sled was painted red by my father and has my name painted on the center slat. I have it in my family room by the Christmas tree. We walked a mile to school, a mile to and from the John Tipton School for lunch and back home again. My dad went to the same elementary school and had the same first grade teacher that I did. It has since been torn down.

I don't expect to get many viewers for this video upload. But it was fun just because I enjoy making videos.

It was a break from the video that is taking a month to make for Darfur.

Have a great Christmas if you celebrate it and, if not, I hope you are healthy and happy. If not, I wish you a better year ahead.

Please, support artists who don't ban use on Youtube.

Cyndi Lauper's True Colors is sung on this video by Eva Cassidy

Lyrics

You with the sad eyes
don't be discouraged
oh I realize
it's hard to take courage
in a world full of people
you can lose sight of it all
and the darkness inside you
can make you fell so small

But I see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow

Show me a smile then
don't be unhappy, can't remember
when I last saw you laughing
if this world makes you crazy
and you've taken all you can bear
you call me up
because you know I'll be there

And I'll see your true colors
shining through
I see your true colors
and that's why I love you
so don't be afraid to let them show
your true colors
true colors are beautiful
like a rainbow.

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Just couldn't resist.

So, since I stayed up, until the sun was irresistible beauty on snow- I have photos here of the nor'easter snow blizzard from 7:30 a.m. and again at 8:00 a.m. of this Monday morning of December 21, 2009 - Winter Solstice.

Winter officially begins on this shortest day of the year - December 21, except on some years when it is on December 22. Solstice means the sun stands still. The winter solstice is the day when the midday sun is at its lowest point above the horizon.

Winter Solstice officially begins at 12:47 pm EST (1747 GMT) when at that exact moment, the earth’s axial tilt puts it the fartherest from the sun.

Today, the shortest day of the year, is followed by the longest night of the year, meaning that it will be getting darker earlier tonight and getting lighter later than normal tomorrow morning.

The days begin getting longer again.

Read more about it:
ww.timeanddate.com/calendar/december-solstice

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My son - fourth year of five year engineering degree in Boston
Christmas break
December 19, 2009

SO I JUST HAD TO POST THIS

I have started work on a book, taken to practicing my piano and singing while getting ready for a performance in January and I have started a large project of digging through a lot of video and pictures to make a Darfur video. So, I have neglected my blog. I have wanted to write here as it brings me pleasure and it has taken discipline not to spend time here. Tonight, as I was also getting back to my free weights I was upstairs on the bench press and in between sets, I was reaching into a shoe box filled with letters from various people from my past. It is part of my research for my book, but it is also just
so
much
fun
to read.

I can't tell you.

And also I scanned 234 pictures tonight of Darfur rallies in Washington, D.C. and New York City's Central Park, but also pictures of childhood, family and just people from my past. That also is fun and brings back so many memories that are rich with emotions and heart-felt affection. As my printer has not been working, I had to go to a store to scan them and only stopped because the store was closing.

Oh, and yesterday, I wrote a letter to the President and copied it to the Vice Presdent Biden, Secretary of State Clinton and U.S. Special Envoy Scott Gration. It isn't my best letter, but just felt another letter was needing to be written. It is posted below.

Okay, this is a quick post. I wasn't going to post tonight....it's late and I have to still practice the piano and singing before the typical cookies and milk before getting ready for bed.

But I found this video and had to post it.

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Uploaded by MartinaE26

Support Site for Heath's Final film
www.imaginariumofdrparnassus.com

The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
Coming Soon to Rhode Island
www.avoncinema.com


Okay, so I love this one too....
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Uploaded by buhtichki

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GENOCIDE IS NOT OKAY

NOT IN THE PAST,

NOT NOW,

NOT IN THE FUTURE

SO . . .

USE YOUR VOICE
TO CALL UPON OUR LEADERS
TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY WRONG

Rhode Island

December 17, 2009

Genocide Stops With Us

President Barack Obama

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Obama,

I write to you about a deeply defining issue. Genocide and our response to it as a moral nation who chooses to live by principles.

I believe what we do, as well as what we don’t do, defines who we are individually and as a nation. As you know, the Darfur genocide has been ongoing since March 2003 – seven years March 2010. And yet what have we and the planet’s people and leaders done to end it with any effective results? I believed you would make the difference in this tragedy, that your heart and leadership would move us toward the healing for the Darfuri people. And I have been disheartened by your lack of active, personal engagement. And regretfully, I must say, thoroughly disappointed in our Special Envoy Gration.

Our being silent is used as a tool in the arsenal of Bashir. And Bashir takes the Bush and, now, the Obama administration’s lack of consistent determination to end the atrocities the same as our being silent. It is license for Bashir and his associates to continue business as usual.

Genocide in our time must be noticed, must be reported by our media, must have the leaders of free nations use their political power to end the Darfur genocide and actually put some meaning to the words “Never Again”. Words we love to use at the languishing end of each genocide that this planet has hosted.

There has been no acceptable genocide. Complicity is not a policy. Complicity comes from a lack of will. It comes from an administration that has lost its moral compass.

It comes from a world too wrapped up in its self-importance to stop and contemplate just what human disaster will we condemn, if not genocide.

Choosing to live in a world where it is okay to murder, torture, rape and starve to death a group of human beings truthfully means we live in a world with a moral vacuum.

Just exactly when is genocide not okay with us? Just exactly which ethnic group of people can genocide be used to rid the earth of them and just exactly which group of people can we turn our backs on - and the definition of genocide fits our values?

A moral nation needs to stand up for what is right and know that genocide flourishes when there is no accountability. Stopping genocide is a choice.

What does it say about us if we choose to allow Darfuri families to live this 7th year of genocide as a way of every day life?

Where there is a will there is always a way. Where there is no will there is never a way. One voice won’t stop a genocide, but that is no excuse to be silent. Our political will regarding Darfur has been underwhelming. Almost all of what is written above is from a speech I gave April 28, 2007 in Newport, Rhode Island. Unfortunately, it is just as true and relevant, today.

I have been a citizen active in the genocide prevention issue since 2004, when I read much about our country’s awful response to the 100 day genocide in Rwanda. I have written letters to my Presidents, lobbied in person repeatedly with my U.S. Senators Chafee, Reed, Whitehouse, Representative Patrick Kennedy, worked for Rhode Island’s divestment, divested my own money, delivered petitions to Fidelity Investment Company in Smithfield, Rhode Island, organized walks for Darfur, given speeches at three rallies, many churches, minister organizations, at my public library, speak to people in stores and on the street about Darfur, spoken up when the easier thing to do is be quiet, organized the Rhode Island Torch Relay and Ceremony at the RI Capital as a part of a global effort, organized other events in Rhode Island as a part of the Global Days for Darfur, such as Quiet Riot for Darfur, Newport Darfur Walk and Gathering, volunteered in Washington, D.C. rally where you, yourself spoke, volunteered at the rally in Central Park in New York City, attended STAND’s conference in Washington, D.C, participated in a conference in D.C. with Save Darfur, STAND, and the Genocide Intervention Network, participate in national conference calls continually, sign petitions to numerous people, including Special Envoy Gration, post consistently on my on own blog, make youtube videos about Darfur, written and had published many letters to the editor, regarding genocide and the lack of media attention to it. These are just some of the things that I personally have done. Without pay.

I believe this issue and our standing by says in a core way who we are, whether we fall on the side of accomplishing nothing to make a change about it or whether we succeed with our efforts and voices.

I receive daily updates about Darfur. Do you? I talk with a Darfuri who lives in the USA because he has seen many of his family members die at the hands of the Sudanese government supported genocide. He has contacts in Darfur and reports daily on his blog. His name is Mohamed Suleiman and he recently responded to my requests of help to make a youtube video, which I am working on currently. One of my questions was what is needed today for the Darfuris and the following is his answer.

DARFUR - WHAT IS NEEDED NOW in 2009

1) Justice now. This is a paramount demand for the Darfuris, a society torn apart by atrocities and genocide.

To date (after 7 years of atrocities) not a single perpetrator is arrested or stood trial in the International Criminal Court.

2) The Government of Sudan is intending to dismantle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps before the national elections in April 2010 - all under the disguise of the program, Voluntary Return. Leaders in the Darfuris refugee camps are intimidated, detained, and assassinated by the Sudanese Governments' Security Agents, in order to force the IDPs to desert the camps.

3) 2010 Elections in Darfur are not welcomed. This is stated by many leaders of the refugees. They (the refugees and their leaders) believe that elections under the current situation would be a sham only to legitimize the rule of Al-Bashir and his ruling Party, the National Congress Party (NCP).

4) Still the humanitarian aid is not to the level of providing decent living conditions in many refugee camps.

I hope that you will actually receive this letter and take to heart the passion many of us share about ending and preventing genocide.

I have already received three copies of the Darfur response letter that you send to people like me. Now, I would like to see you get personally engaged in this issue.

What will be the Obama administration’s legacy about genocide?

Thank you very much for your attention to this deeply defining issue.

Sincerely yours,

Sandra Hammel

Use Your Voice to Save Darfur Rhode Island

Founder, Director since 2004

CC: Vice President Joseph Biden

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

US Special Envoy to Sudan Scott Gration

Contact

The Whitehouse

202-456-1111

or

1-800-GENOCIDE

More ways to contact the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

facebook.com/WhiteHouse

twitter.com/whitehouse

Speak Up

You Have A Voice

standnow.org
www.savedarfur.org

www.henryjacksonsociety.org/stories

PRESIDENT OBAMA Re DARFUR: NO SUBSTITUTE FOR JUSTICE - لا بديل للعدالة

Feel like screaming

......................................................

......................................................
Where are these people now?

They talked good when they weren't in the position to do anything, now that they are, we have "remnants" of who they used to be.

DARFUR - WHAT IS NEEDED NOW

1) Justice now. This is a paramount demand for the Darfuris, a society torn apart by atrocities and genocide.

To date (after 7 years of atrocities) not a single perpetrator is arrested or stood trial in the International Criminal Court.

2) The Government of Sudan is intending to dismantle the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps before the national elections in April 2010 - all under the disguise of the program, Voluntary Return. Leaders in the Darfuris refugee camps are intimidated, detained, and assassinated by the Sudanese Governments' Security Agents, in order to force the IDPs to desert the camps.

3) 2010 Elections in Darfur are not welcomed. This is stated by many leaders of the refugees. They (the refugees and their leaders) believe that elections under current situation would be a sham only to legitimize the rule of AlBashir and his ruling Party, the National Congress Party (NCP).

4) Still the humanitarian aid is not to the level of providing decent living conditions in many refugee camps.

.....................................................

Act on Darfur: Who Are You? from stopgenocidenow on Vimeo.

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Stop Genocide Now

Use Your Voice for Justice for Darfur

GENOCIDE WILL STOP WITH US

"The Most Important Office is That of Private Citizen"
Louis D. Brandeis

Where Is THIS Man?
"The United States has a moral obligation anytime you see humanitarian catastrophes..We can't say 'never again' and then allow it to happen again and as President of the United States I don't intend to abandon people or turn a blind eye to slaughter.” BARACK OBAMA


Dear President Obama - A Letter Sent March 12, 2009

This is the response from my letter of March 12, 2009, which I received July 10, 2009 (actually I received this same letter from President Obama a total of three times for the seven or so letters I sent him about Darfur):

Dear Sandra Hammel:

Thank you for your letter urging action to end the genocide in Darfur. I share your outrage over the hundreds of thousands of lives lost, and the suffering of millions more. It has gone on for far too long. Bringing relief to the battered region of Darfur is a top priority for my Administration.

As President, I will build on America's efforts that I previously championed in the Senate. I led in calling for the joint African Union/United Nations peacekeeping force now on the ground, and insisted on comprehensive sanctions against the Khartoum government. Going forward, my Administration will continue this work with
unstinting resolve to end the genocide.

In my discussions with other nations, I will work to ensure that tough sanctions on the Khartoum government continue as a part of a growing global effort involving our allies, interested countries, and other multilateral institutions. It is equally critical that we focus on the civilians who are in dire need of life-saving assistance. I will work with Congress to provide necessary humanitarian aid because America must lead with our words and our actions.

Thank you again for expressing your concern about this human catastrophe we are working hard to address. It is very encouraging to hear from Americans like you who act not on self-interest, but on a moral imperative. Our action and leadership will demonstrate who we are as a Nation and as a people.

Sincerely,

Barack Obama

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Mead

Obama, Gration, Bashir and You - Enough of the Nonsensical Handling of Darfur Issues

Just exactly when is genocide NOT OKAY with us?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENOCIDE IS NOT OKAY

NOT IN THE PAST,

NOT NOW,

NOT IN THE FUTURE

SO . . .

USE YOUR VOICE
TO CALL UPON OUR LEADERS
TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY WRONG

Contact

The Whitehouse

202-456-1111

or better yet call

1-800-GENOCIDE

which will give you talking points

before connecting you to your

President, Senators, or Representative

More ways to contact the President:

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address

Phone Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

facebook.com/WhiteHouse

twitter.com/whitehouse

Speak Up

You Have A Voice

standnow.org
www.savedarfur.org

while we wait sudan

darfur daily

www.henryjacksonsociety.org/stories

or, Start a Petition

From a speech I gave
when George Bush was our President...

...still relevant today

...when Barack Obama is President

Darfur

Our being silent is used as a tool in the arsenal of Bashir.

Genocide in our time

MUST Be Noticed,

Must be Reported by our media,

Must have the leaders of free nations use their political clout

To End the Darfur Genocide

And actually put some meaning to the words

Never Again

Words we love to use

At the languishing end of each genocide that this planet has hosted.

There has been no acceptable genocide.

Complicity is not a policy.

Complicity comes from a lack of will.

It comes from an administration that has lost its moral compass.

It comes from a world too wrapped up in its self-importance to stop and contemplate

just what human disaster will we condemn, if not genocide.

Choosing to live in a world where it is okay to murder, torture, rape and starve to death a group of human beings truthfully

means we live in a world with a moral vacuum.

Just exactly when is genocide not okay with us?

Just exactly which ethnic group of people can genocide be used to rid the earth of them

and just exactly which group of people can we turn our backs on and the definition of genocide fits our values?

A Moral Nation Needs to Stand Up for Right

And Know that Genocide flourishes when there is no accountability.

Stopping Genocide is a Choice.

What does it say about us If We Choose to Allow Darfuri families to live this 5th (March 2010 will be 7 years) year of genocide as a way of every day life?

Where there is a Will there is Always a Way

Where there is No Will there is Never a Way

One voice won’t stop a genocide, but that is no excuse to be silent.

Speech given April 28, 2007 in Newport, Rhode Island.

The entire speech can be found at

Why-is-genocide-okay-with-us?


Two more blog posts of mine about Darfur:

Where-there-is-a-will-there-is-always-a-way

I-want-Senator-Barack-Obama-to-show-up-as-President