❧❧❧ Whatever you can do or dream, you can BEGIN IT. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Goethe ❧❧❧
❧❧❧ You were born whole, not broken. Sandra Hammel ❧❧❧
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams is coming back to my area Saturday, February 5th, 2011 8:00 p.m. at Common Fence Music at Channing Church 135 Pelham St. Newport, RI 401-683-5085 www.commonfencemusic.org
They are playing in the USA, England and Scotland Check out their calendar at their user-friendly website.
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
Email from my friend, Mohamed Suleiman:
Darfuris in Darfur could hardly believe that AlBashir has a free hand in bombing them, killing them, and displacing them while Washington says almost nothing. Now this Administration is moving to shatter the last pillar of hope for the genocide victims in Darfur: JUSTICE, the ICC??!!
NO, this is too much to bear.
The article he is commenting on here is just below.
UNITED NATIONS — President Obama is setting up the next big clash between America and the International Criminal Court, according to human rights activists who say Washington ’s Sudan envoy undermines the Hague-based world judicial body’s prosecution of President Bashir.
In stark contrast to the Bush administration, which has eyed the ICC’s concept of “international jurisdiction” with much healthy skepticism and declined to join the court, Mr. Obama’s team has sent observers to ICC gatherings and vowed to cooperate with Hague investigators in what is largely seen as an attempt by some of the president’s top jurists to promote full American membership.
At the same time, Mr. Obama’s personal envoy to Sudan , Scott Gration, testifying at the Senate last week, said he is supporting an African Union initiative to create locally-based “truth and reconciliation mechanisms.” Hague watchers fear that such mechanisms will undermine the ICC’s ambitious – and first ever – indictment of a sitting head of state.
Mr. Bashir was indicted in 2008 by the ICC’s prosecutor, Luis Moreno Ocampo, on allegations of war crimes at Darfur . But the leader of South Africa, President Mbeki, who has long complained that the ICC only takes up African cases, responded to the indictment with a counter initiative to set up a “hybrid” body of Sudanese and international jurists who would look into Darfur cases. The African Union embraced Mr. Mbeki’s plan, and announced it would shun the ICC.
Now America is “coming to support Mbeki’s approach, and that’s a change,” the United Nations’ representative in Darfur , Ibrahim Gambari, told me today.
Speaking to the Senate’s foreign relation committee last week, Mr. Gration said that the Obama administration remains supportive of “international efforts” to try genocide suspects. But, he added, America is also pursuing “locally-owned accountability and reconciliation mechanisms in light of the recommendations made by the African Union’s high level panel on Darfur .”
Administration officials deny that Mr. Gration’s testimony represents a policy change, saying that since October 2009, the Obama administration has supported both the international track and the regional approach. When it comes to Darfur , “we are for accountability, period,” a State Department official told me today.
Critics say Mr. Gration’s embrace of the Sudan-based trial process will allow Mr. Bashir to get off the hook. “ Sudan ’s courts are under the thumb of Bashir’s dictatorial regime,” the director of the David S. Wyman Institute for holocaust studies, Rafael Medoff, said in a statement. He has set up “Bashir Watch,” a group tracking the movements of the Sudanese dictator. “If Bashir is tried before a local Sudanese court, there is a real danger he will escape with a slap on the wrist,” Mr. Medoff added. America “has a moral obligation to facilitate Bashir’s arrest and bring him to justice” at Hague.
The Bush administration, which studiously refrained from any hint of support for the ICC, nevertheless declined to block the U.N. Security Council referral to the Hague of Darfur , where Secretary of State Powell has said “genocide” is taking place. Mr. Ocampo then indicted Mr. Bashir, calling on all ICC members to arrest and bring him to justice. But the African Union and the Arab League declined to cooperate, allowing uninterrupted visits by Mr. Bashir to several African and Arab capitals.
In the West, the debate over Mr. Bashir’s prosecution has long pitted human rights advocates against proponents of “real-politik.” Several public clashes erupted even within the Obama administration over Sudan policy, as General Gration advocates a go-easy approach to the Khartoum regime, while a group of hardliners, led by the American envoy here, Susan Rice, demands that Mr. Bashir pay for his crimes.
Mr. Gration nevertheless has raised Khartoum government’s ire when he recently suggested an American support for establishing an independent state in the oil-rich south of Sudan , where a referendum on secession is scheduled for January.
The south Sudan independence movement commands a sizable majority in the largely Christian and Animist region. If the south splits from the country, the war in Darfur, which is in the west of Sudan , may escalate anew as the locals demand independence as well. Fearing the loss of oil revenues, Mr. Bashir’s government has warned a split could lead to horrible bloodshed.
Washington is talking now about a “peaceful divorce” between the south and Khartoum , Sudan ’s ambassador here, Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem Mohamad, told me today. America should instead discourage secession and “avoid sending mixed signals,” he said.
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams Call to the Mystic Uploaded by Slambovia Purchase their music and find other great information at their website: www.slambovia.com
* Sudanese journalists protest against arrests, censorship
KHARTOUM, May 20 (Reuters) - Darfur rebels fought government troops on Thursday in the east of the troubled region, the latest in a wave of clashes which has seen hopes of reviving a faltering peace process fade away.
President Omar Hassan al-Bashir's counter-insurgency campaign in Sudan's west sparked one of the world's worst humanitarian crises and earned him an arrest warrant for war crimes from the International Criminal Court.
Darfur rebel divisions and clashes have been the main obstacles to Qatar-hosted peace talks. The militarily powerful rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) has warned it would attack the government "anywhere" after suspending its participation in the talks, citing bombardment of its areas.
"Yesterday (Wednesday) JEM went into Um Sa'ouna village and began to use the civilians as human shields," Sudan's army spokesman said. "We have surrounded the roads leading out of the village and have heavy clashes with anyone who comes out," he said, adding the standoff was ongoing.
The spokesman said the army was not fighting inside Um Sa'ouna village in the east of South Darfur state, because it was worried about civilian casualties.
JEM said the army had been routed. "Their troops fled to Ed-Daeen and She'aria," said JEM commander Suleiman Sandal, referring to two nearby towns. He said JEM had lost four soldiers and had killed more than 200 government soldiers.
There was no independent version of events.
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JOURNALISTS DELIVER MESSAGE
Also on Thursday, about 50 Sudanese journalists delivered a memorandum to government authorities condemning the closure, seizure of assets and the arrest of four employees of the opposition al-Rai al-Shaab paper in a midnight raid on Saturday.
Sudanese authorities also censored two papers on Wednesday night, which the journalists criticised as a step backwards in developing democracy.
One security source said the papers had been inciting people against the state.
Sudan held its first open elections in 24 years in April, and lifted direct censorship of the papers last year.
But journalists said restrictions continued in other ways like withdrawing government company advertising revenues, essential for papers to survive.
"This means papers are forced to self censor and that is more dangerous than the direct censorship," said Yasir Haroun from the English-language Sudan Tribune daily.
The Ajras al-Huriya daily is also facing five court cases raised by the police, army and security forces.
The journalists said if their four colleagues from al-Rai al-Shaab were not charged or released they would begin regular protests and lobbying against the authorities.
Al-Rai al-Shaab is the mouthpiece of opposition Islamist Hassan al-Turabi's Popular Congress Party. Turabi was also arrested on Saturday but the party said none of the five has been charged yet.
Call to the Mystic We built our fires and we gathered We built our altars and we prayed We shed a tear for what we longed for And we cried out to be saved 'Cause in our minds we could remember Something that we no longer had And in our hearts a burning ember What did we lose that made us so sad?
So we called to the Mystic to keep our dreams alive Yeah we called to the Mystic For reasons to survive For reasons to survive
And we would gaze at night in wonder At beauty we could not reflect So to the moon and to the thunder Our simple shrines we would erect We built our temples and religions But where have they all led us now To greater walls and more division Our symbols turned to golden cows
So we called to the Mystic to keep our dreams alive Yeah we called to the Mystic For reasons to survive For reasons to survive
And where are You mysterious maker? In outer realms or deep inside? And is this asker just a taker? Are we the reason that You hide? Is it we can't see You in temples That are not made of brick and stone? Is it when You appear we fear You? Is that why we're so all alone? There are so many many questions There are so many many ways Oh make us stupid make us simple And come back to us in these days
Yeah we call to the Mystic to keep our dreams alive Yeah we call to the Mystic For reasons to survive For reasons to survive
Oh we call to the Mystic to keep our dreams alive Yeah we called to the Mystic For reasons to survive For reasons to survive
............................................................ Uploaded by ilovemylifesblog
Comment on this video's youtube page from my friend Johanna:
Thanks Sandra, for this lovely and funny video! What a lot of work to do the cuts, I know this very well. But I have to agree with your line:
"I don't know how to plan my life. But I do know that the only things that overflow in my heart are when I create. Its in the expression of what I feel, of what I am, that makes me whole. Brings me joy. Peace. Livens me up." It sure was a lot of fun for you to create this - and it is a lot of fun to watch it ! And I really love the music!! :)
Hugs, Johanna
You are so right with your words, Sandra - and if I could express myself better, I would say the same, but I'm sure, you know what I mean to say :)
I hope it is okay for you that I put a quote from you on my website ("me") - because you described so perfectly your feeling about to plan your life and about to create. You have described me too. I love this line, and it is so true. Thank you again for being in my life and always thank you for your wonderful words!
Love, Johanna
Johanna is an artistic, creative and gifted video maker. Here is a link to one Here is her Youtube channel: jopicca Comments that I wrote to Johanna at the above video's youtube page:
Johanna ~
We are one in the spirit of creating.And regarding Heath.Like souls.I thought of you while seeing the end coming of this work-of-the-heart.And in my heart, I dedicate this to you especially.Knowing we share an appreciation of beauty and the knowledge that expressing it in our ways~ is comforting and blooms gratitude. The joy born ofcreating proves life asks us to live our talents.And when we answer "yes" it is then we feel full. I continue to draw inspiration and awe from Heath's spirit. I so wish him the completeness and fullness of spirit there where he flys above this plane.
Of course, anyone who loves Heath is an impetus to post our little heart gems.And on the canvas of life and our hearts, we find what is needed to express ourselves and find the stimulation for our impulses to create.It is lovely.So, too, this is for anyone who shares our love for the lovely in our human spirit, for Heath, and what makes us whole.And the fun of being a “kid” of the heart and playful is WONDERful.
I love scoring life with music….picking out the music.And Circus of Dreams made this a dream to do – giving me their blessing.Much appreciation to you, Johanna for your understanding and sharing of who you are.
Some touch us in brief or remote encounters and the blessings last a lifetime.
Heath Ledger was one. Thank you.
One day Matilda Rose Ledger will surely see the breadth of the love for her father. And may she know this love never goes away, but continues to ripple out in the universe reaching out with love toward all that is good.
Heath was such a joy to work with while making this video I smiled at him and laughed right along with him.
Looking at his beautiful face and smile is still a best thing in life for me. I love him more after working on this. Throw your best energy out to the universe and see what comes back.
I don't know how to plan my life. But I do know that the only things that overflow in my heart are when I create. It's in the expression of what I feel, of what I am, that makes me whole. Brings me joy. Peace. Livens me up.
At Portsmouth, Rhode Island's Common Fence Music Hall February 13, 2010 Joziah Longo, the leader of the Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams gave me enthusiastic permission to use the bands music with my Youtube videos
I always encourage viewers to buy the music I use in my videos.
And this is especially true for the Slambovian Circus of Dreams.
Songs Desire Better Life Alice in Space Heath Ledger sings Can't Take My Eyes Off You Slambovian Band Members Joziah Longo Tink Lloyd Sharkey Mc Ewen Tony Zuzulo Orien Longo
Check out the bands schedule, get the lyrics and buy the bands music at www.slambovia.com
Available at Itunes, too
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........................................ Radio Slambovia provides multiple free player embed codes at www.slambovia.com/radiofree Above is one example and below is another ...............................................
The ghosts Americana have all gathered here today To dream their dreams together and to try and find a way To get the hope we used to have to come back into play Oh desire, oh desire come again
There's giants roaming in our streets the workers fear their din They swing their heavy bottom lines they threaten life and limb They kill their loyal labor slaves at some financial whim Oh desire, oh desire come again Oh desire, oh desire come again
There's terrorizing strangers knocking downstairs at our door They threaten everything we know to even some vague score Where they began and where well end its hard to say no more Oh desire, oh desire come again Oh desire, oh desire come again
Whoa light of love what can you send Whoa light of love we need a friend Sometimes fear that its the end|
A land of milk and honey, a land where there's no fear That's built on love not money oh how can we bring it here A land that is for everyone lets wipe away each tear Oh desire oh desire come again
Oh desire, oh desire come again Oh desire, oh desire, come and bring your holy fire Oh desire, oh desire come again.
Facebook video uploading
facebook upload of this video. I have found facebook to have wonderful visual clarity of the video uploads but the lips are not in snyc. Same upload I use at Youtube, where the lips are as I synced them.
The opening video shot is at Third Beach five minutes from my house. The waves at the end were shot in 2009 at Ruggles Avenue here in Newport, Rhode Island. Surfers love this Atlantic Ocean spot. The camera is not high definition.
This video was especially difficult to make. Most difficult was editing the deleted scenes that needed days of editing. It was necessary to separate every one or two seconds to get the English and the French divided. And even then the audio didn't line up at all. A second of audio could be missing easily because the audio for the English would overlap and be in the French second or two and vice versa, at best. That is the reason for the words sounding mispronounced, while in the movie, they were really pronounced correctly. The audio had to be extracted twice for the second car outtake scene. It was perfect, then it wasn't. Sometimes, it is just a mystery and you keep trying. Syncing the lips with Heaths song, Cant Take My Eyes Off You was a challenge. I am crossing my fingers that Youtube allows Heaths song from the movie. I did the best that I could and then some. I included a cut with the English and French still entwined, as well. I thought it was fun to watch. The yellow and white lettering are used respectively for the English and the French.
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts in his third round match against John Isner of the USA during the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica on May 13, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe
Mytwitter We can use our voices to prevent and end violence and genocide: iosudan.net
Apologies
The font is varied on this page and I apologize it is such a visual mess. However, I am tired due to staying up all night last night with no sleep at all. But I saw the end to this multiple days project of the video posted above and I wanted to finish it. And I am behind on posting for Rafa's tournament in Madrid, so this will have to do.
And the quickest way to post this was to copy and past texts, which always makes the texts come out this way. A visual mess.
I love my life. I love where I live. And I am passionate about my passions. I love to dance. Necessary to live: music, piano, singing, writing, acting, painting.
I have been fighting for and supporting the arts all my adult life. Since 2004, I have been working with other activists to end the Darfur genocide.
I have traveled to Europe many times since my early twenties. Places I have been: many USA states including Hawaii, Montreal, Canada, Barbados, France, Spain, Luxembourg, England, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Greece and Germany - and have wonderful memories.
My last trip was in May - June 2013 to Spain.
I would like to travel to Europe and Kyoto, Japan.
I love the southwest where I have visited Hopi, Navajo, Zia and San Idlefonso potters.
Life is exciting and I intend to live it full-out to the end.
B.S. and M.M., both in music
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Khartoum, Sudan Stop Genocide Time
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Spain Time
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Melbourne Time
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Hawaii Time
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RAFA NADAL -BRING BACK LONG PANTS - SLEEVELESS TOPS
Double Click on Videos to Enlarge
Darfur - The Abandoned Genocide - a video by Sandra Hammel
Want to help? Call 1~800~GENOCIDE
"May I Suggest" by Susan Werner
Satchita - Playing for Change
Stand By Me ~ Playing for Change
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Genocide is not only a word,
it is crying of the whole human race.
There is nothing redeeming about being silent
when speaking up is the humane thing to do.
The honor and integrity of the human race is at stake.
I hope it is okay for you that I put a quote from you on my website ("me") - because you described so perfectly your feeling about to plan your life and about to create. You have described me too. I love this line, and it is so true. Thank you again for being in my life and always thank you for your wonderful words!
Love, Johanna