Message #1
For me, shows like today....on girls, women, rape, the Darfur genocide...are some of few types of topics that I feel the Oprah show does the best and are the most helpful for us to make the world a better place. So, a big heartfelt "Thank You!!"
As someone who has worked as one of those "grass roots" community organizers to end the Darfur genocide - since 2004, I agree with Nicholas D. Kristof and his wife, Sheryl WuDunn, that the media and our world's free nations' leaders have failed in bringing attention and focusing on such vital human disaster stories.
If we had the Darfur story in our faces more consistently - maybe it wouldn't be so easy for our leaders to put it on the back burner of priorities. They simply won't act unless we - the people - say to them loudly, clearly and consistently that Genocide Will Stop With Us. Allowing genocide is a defining issue and I don't want to be defined by allowing the perpetrators to go on doing their crimes without accountability by us, humans who claim we have high values.
So, again “Thank You” for this vital and needed show.
S Hammel
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Uploaded by girleffect
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Uploaded by girleffect
Message #2
Besides types of shows like today’s which bring much-needed attention to worldwide discrimination of women, rape as a weapon of war, the nearly 7 year genocide on the Darfuri people, etc., I especially am grateful for shows that are positive and show human nature at its best in simply illuminating ways. I will never forget the young beautiful woman who was disfurgured, is cared for by her father, from South America, I believe and only allows herself a daily brief "feeling sorry" for herself. She is the most memorable guest for me personally. I will miss Oprah show contributions like these when the show ends. How sad for us, for women, girls and the world. BUT I am grateful for all that you have done and continue to do to make the world a better place.
"The hair show" for me was interesting, but not so important at the end of the day. I am 60, white and never colored my hair. And luckily still have my natural hair color. Red.
Okay this next one.... somewhat contradicts the thoughts above, but I had no room to explain myself in the character-limited space on Oprah's website. I wanted to add the following as a preface to this next comment that I left:
Having said that I especially like the shows that bring attention to issues that are much neglected by the media...I have a request about something not so important at the end of the day....Please, consider doing a show on Heath ....Ledger, that is.
Message #3
There are a lot (Johanna's Channel) of us around the world who mysteriously find ourselves with a bond to the late actor Heath Ledger. And for many of us, we found his work after he died January 22, 2008. We meet at youtube on our little video tributes to Heath, at director Shekhar Kapur's blog posts about Heath (Mr.Kapur directed Heath in the WONDERful, overlooked movie The Four Feathers). We become friends, share emails that are very soulful, family photos - friends from countries where we resort to google translator to be able to pour out our hearts in native languages. It is a wondefrul experience meeting "spiritual soul mates" from around the planet and share our feelings that only we can say to another "Heathen". Thus, Heath Ledger, the actor, continues to inspire by his work that is still with us. Though he is gone, he remainis the catalyst for these connections.
His final movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is opening in Europe in different countries ongoing. We may ONLY see it in the USA in NYC and LA.There is a support site where we hope to spread the word that we want to see it in our local theatres. It is our last chance to see Heath after the Joker role in The Dark Knight.
All you have to do is type in Heath Ledger at youtube and
feel the love we have. We are not crazy, just connected by what we see in Heath’s humanity. As I put on one of my latest tributes - DON'T POSTPONE JOY ~ CELEBRATING HEATH - at my youtube channel: "We never forget those who put us in touch with our own soul."
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Help us get The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus in our local theatres in the USA. It is our last chance to see Heath on screen in a new film. Don't let us be left out. Go to this link to DEMAND IT: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
From the Support site for The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus:
From the Support site for The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus:
Tuesday, December 01st, 2009 | Author: Administrator
There will be an important Dr. Parnassus fan brainstorming chat in our chatroom this Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 10 a.m. Los Angeles Time and 6:00 p.m. London Time. Even if Dr. Parnassus has played in your country, please, it is important that you attend this chat if you can. You can find the time in your country that the chat will take place here at the WORLD CLOCK. We have tried to choose a time that will work for as many countries as possible.
Please be there, you won’t be sorry. There’s much to be shared with you about the film and what’s what with it.
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By clicking on the post title, it will take you to a wonderful article about the making of King Rat - a video about saving the whales which was conceived and created by Heath.
By clicking on the post title, it will take you to a wonderful article about the making of King Rat - a video about saving the whales which was conceived and created by Heath.
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This was on Oprah today:
Sudan Tribune: Peace mediator calls for truce in Darfur. The Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur peace process urged today all the parties to the six-year conflict to agree to a cessation of hostilities and to work for the improvement of security on the ground. Mr Djibrill Bassole, briefed on Monday the United Nation Security Council about the state of the "Darfur peace process and the Doha peace talks, as well as the short and medium term vision of the Mediation." The Joint African Union United Nations Chief Mediator for Darfur, in his update about the peace process to the 15 members of the UN Security Council, urged the Sudanese government and rebel groups to engage a cessation of hostilities in order to build confidence between the warring parties but also to improve the security and the humanitarian situations. Bassole stressed in his remarks that the current lack of confidence between the parties "makes for slow progress in the peace talks and for an end to military hostilities."
Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Land Rights Confusion Hinders Darfur IDP Returns. As pressure mounts to send IDPs home, little is being said about the crucial issue of land rights. IDPs would like to leave the camps and return to their former villages, once the situation improves, but fear that they no longer have land to go back to. Nor are they confident the government will ensure they return safely or protect them once they return. The dispute over land rights in Darfur has long fanned the flames of the conflict, which broke out in 2003, and many observers are baffled by the international community's apparent reluctance to do anything to address the problem. Since land ownership is such an integral part of the conflict in Darfur, many believe that, unless steps are taken to address the problem, it will be difficult to achieve a lasting peace in the region.
This was on Oprah today:
CHANGE STARTS WITH A GIRL
http://www.youtube.com/girleffect
The Girl Effect
http://www.girleffect.org
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http://www.youtube.com/girleffect
The Girl Effect
http://www.girleffect.org
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Darfur In the News
Reuters: Millions Could Miss Sudan Elections-Observers. Millions of voters could be left out of Sudan's first elections in 24 years because of a failure of authorities to persuade more people to register for the poll, international observers said on Tuesday. The Carter Centre urged Sudan's National Elections Commission (NEC) to increase publicity and funding for teams signing up voters across Africa's largest country, saying current figures showed most states might miss registration targets. It said there were concerns over the turnout for registration in western Darfur territory as well as the east, south and the central Kordofan regions. Registration was due to end after a 30-day period on November 30 but was extended for one week following concerns about low turnout and public awareness. The presence of government intelligence agents at registration centres in Darfur might intimidate voters there, it said.
Reuters: U.S. Blasts Sudan Over Darfur Peacekeeper Harassment. The U.S. envoy to the United Nations sharply criticized Khartoum Monday over a U.N. report that accused the Sudanese army of harassing and threatening international peacekeepers in Darfur. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his latest report on the U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur, known as UNAMID, that limits on the freedom of movement of UNAMID personnel violated an agreement with Khartoum on their deployment and made it difficult to protect civilians. "The United States is particularly concerned about ... the secretary-general's report of some 42 instances in which UNAMID personnel and patrols have been denied freedom of movement and access," U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice told reporters after a meeting of the Security Council on Sudan. "It impedes UNAMID's ability to protect civilians and do its vital work. It is utterly unacceptable, as are the threats by the government of Sudan against UNAMID."
Sudan Tribune: Peace mediator calls for truce in Darfur. The Joint Chief Mediator for Darfur peace process urged today all the parties to the six-year conflict to agree to a cessation of hostilities and to work for the improvement of security on the ground. Mr Djibrill Bassole, briefed on Monday the United Nation Security Council about the state of the "Darfur peace process and the Doha peace talks, as well as the short and medium term vision of the Mediation." The Joint African Union United Nations Chief Mediator for Darfur, in his update about the peace process to the 15 members of the UN Security Council, urged the Sudanese government and rebel groups to engage a cessation of hostilities in order to build confidence between the warring parties but also to improve the security and the humanitarian situations. Bassole stressed in his remarks that the current lack of confidence between the parties "makes for slow progress in the peace talks and for an end to military hostilities."
Institute for War and Peace Reporting: Land Rights Confusion Hinders Darfur IDP Returns. As pressure mounts to send IDPs home, little is being said about the crucial issue of land rights. IDPs would like to leave the camps and return to their former villages, once the situation improves, but fear that they no longer have land to go back to. Nor are they confident the government will ensure they return safely or protect them once they return. The dispute over land rights in Darfur has long fanned the flames of the conflict, which broke out in 2003, and many observers are baffled by the international community's apparent reluctance to do anything to address the problem. Since land ownership is such an integral part of the conflict in Darfur, many believe that, unless steps are taken to address the problem, it will be difficult to achieve a lasting peace in the region.
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GENOCIDE IS NOT OKAY
USE YOUR VOICE
TO CALL UPON OUR LEADERS
TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT
ABOUT SOMETHING THAT IS VERY WRONG
standnow.org
www.savedarfur.org
whilewewaitsudan.blogspot.com
www.henryjacksonsociety.org/stories
Sandra, I felt completely portrayed in your words! Not only the love that unites us around Heath, as in what he brought to my life, you and Johanna: you two are beautiful souls.
ReplyDeleteI was also portrayed by the use of the translator of google, I use daily, without which I no longer live!
Love you both,
Carla
Hi Carla,
ReplyDeleteI always love it when you leave a comment here. Thank you for your understanding my thoughts.
The internet is a wonderful medium for us to meet and share our lives.
And for those of us brave enough to venture into opening up our souls, we find friendships and multiplying blessings.
Hug,
Sandra