Idle No More.. We come in Peace

Four women who said
We are Idle No More
Awakened the whole world
Simply knocking on the door

We're very scared mothers
Childrens' lives are at stake
Canada will be poisoned
Every river, stream and lake

Come outside and see
Take a really long look
This beauty before you
Will be in a history book

There's no environment protection
The government took that away
It also broke Treaties
That weren't just for display

We're First Nation ladies
Proud of who we are
We forever stand united
Even when distanced from afar

We love our country
As probably you do yours
We are all indigenous
Connected water, shore to shores

The world's in danger
Our lands from here to there
Affects the global future
For our grandchildren to share

To all media people
Start reporting the harsh truth
Outside the lines, perhaps
A job for a real sleuth
 
To all Canadian people
We call you to lead
To all government officials
We will see you concede

Four women once said
We are Idle No More
Began a millions movement
Peacefully knocking at the door

By Lisa A. MacLeod

FaceBook's Exploitation of Amanda Todd

A “cause” is circulating FaceBook. An invitation to join the “Petition: Arrest Cyber Bullies Responsible for Amanda Todd’s Death”. I don’t understand the purpose of the petition and have not yet signed.

 

Amanda was targeted and exploited by a sexual predator - still free and most likely preying on other innocent and vulnerable children. There are a reported 5 million FaceBook users under the age of 10 and FaceBook knows it.

 

I take exception that FaceBook Inc. is allowed to profit from child exploitation, cyber-rape and suicide.

 

Bullying is a traffic driven hot topic. Arresting bullies is not a cause – it’s an outcome.

A petition should not be required to enforce a Child Exploitation and Protection crime. Her tragedy began with a predator using a naked picture of her and then extorting and exploiting her through mass distribution to the world. It has also been reported, this child porn photo was also at some point used as a "profile" picture.

FaceBook Inc. provides a social networking service, an online worldwide neighbourhood. It is a publically traded conglomerate that facilitates relationship building and promotes personal detail sharing among like-minded people, groups and associations.

 

It is a cyber nation and should therefore be governed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child.

 

FaceBook’s metric system of revenue generation is predicated and calculated by notoriety of topic; a rating platform of interest and traffic driven participation of a similar audience. On that basis, FaceBook makes money.

 

FaceBook is profiting off of any and all traffic driven social interaction pertaining to this child’s suicide and in real time without having any responsibility in facilitating the interaction. It appears to me, FaceBook Inc. is an accessory and facilitated these child abuse crimes.

 

What is FaceBook’s Age of Consent?

 

There isn’t one.

 

There are “Terms of Service” which I am sure every 5 million estimated 10 year olds read in entirety and understood. 

Blame Parents, it’s your fault!

Reality Check - if a kid wants a FaceBook account, they will find a way to have a FaceBook account. Parents are not there 24/7 and cannot monitor their childrens' online access and eternal footprint in its entirety - and FaceBook knows this.

 

It is time for FaceBook Inc. to accept culpability.

 

We can demand it. We can demand Child Protection technology be adopted by FaceBook.

If not – in protest, we can mass delete our profiles.
 

Now that petition I would sign.

 

 

 

 

Dear USA: You are acting idiotic

Dear USA:

With all due respect, to each and every one of you as individuals - collectively - you are idiots.

You are.

Your nation is completely falling to pieces... even perhaps irreparable pieces. You are in complete denial. You are willing to sacrifice your innocent children to prove a point and you use the guise of "constitutional rights" to justify homicide - literally.

The fact that someone can buy 6,000 bullets over the internet and delivered to their home or work is stupid - stupid!

Tell me, that is smart. Go ahead.

No actually, stop... because then you sound like an even bigger idiot.

Think of it this way... You travel abroad, you might even simply and easily cross the boarder into my country Canada - you cannot have a gun here or anywhere else for that matter. You travel to foreign countries and you do not have a gun.  You have no idea of any dangers. Yet, within the comfort of your own home; a place where peace and security should be understood, you feel the necessity to have a gun.

Can you understand how backwards that is?

You may also want to consider exploring the novel concept of Homeland Security and how inept and incredibly flawed that system must be. How is it that an excessive amount of arsenal and war armour can be so easily purchased yet not recognizable to authorities?

You should demand more accountability from your media. Piers Morgan and Michael Moore made sense tonight. Anderson Cooper, you are adorable and authentic and honest - but tonight's Ridiculist should have been about how someone is able to buy 6,000 bullets and not some guy tracing a road to look like a penis.

What if his name was Mohammed instead of James? Then it would be labelled terrorism. How would politicians and media alike be addressing the tragedy in Aurora if Mohammed did it?

You need to think about that.

The one thing many other countries around the world have always admired is the pride and patriotism you show for your country and the potential that democratic independence can provide. Now, that pride has been replaced with ego, veiled as patriotism and it is really sad.

Rights now means ego and independence means control.  Independence fueled through rights versus control fueled through ego. That is a homemade bomb and that is your biggest terrorist threat.

I will not pretend to know the answer. I do not actually think there is one. I think you will fail - and then rise again but nevertheless, fail, destroy yourselves and graduate from the school of hard knocks.

I need to do what I need to do to protect my own country, as are others - all over the world. That is because we acknowledge what you refuse to even speak about. We see it - you do not. Therefore, you are a threat to me and the safety of my family and I refuse to enable your ego.

Your "rights" are idiotic - devoid of common sense, with all due respect.


Sincerely,
Lisa

Canadian Poverty: An open question to Prime Minister Stephen Harper

You're at G8, enjoying Camp David...
the United Nations has internationally blasted Canada
as "self-righteous" about poverty & hunger

NOW would be a good time!

Orginally asked (posted) April 18th, 2012


Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper:

Why is Canada the only country part of the G8 that does not have a "National Poverty Reduction Strategy"?!

Thank you in advance for your prompt reply.


Respectfully,

Lisa A. MacLeod
Canadian Citizen

As of April 27th, 2012 - Still no answer.

Look Good in All You Do

Over the past couple weeks, Fluid Hair Salon has come under a firestorm of criticism and threats due to their choice of visual images manifested for an ad campaign entitled, “Look Good in All You Do.”

Two young ladies, the owner Sarah Cameron (25 years) and her friend, acting as creative consultant, Tiffany Jackson (27 years) have posted statements on the salon’s blog to clarify their intent and try and bring some sense of calm back into their lives. Tiffany’s mother has also posted a statement, which in itself indicates exactly how young these ladies are simply as business professionals. The salon has since been vandalized and Sarah, herself has been warned by police about her safety and to not be alone.

“Hate begets hate; violence begets violence; toughness begets a greater toughness. We must meet the forces of hate with the power of love... Our aim must never be to defeat or humiliate (the white man), but to win his friendship and understanding.”

“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral, begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy. Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it. Through violence you murder the hater, but you do not murder hate. … Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” (Rev. Dr. M.L. King, Jr (1929 – 1968))

A decade ago, 15 and 17 respectively, these lades were both impressionable teenagers. Tiffany disclosed she endured 4 years of abuse at about this same time and is a survivor of domestic violence. Part of the Y generation, or more correctly, the Y-Not Generation, they watched along with the rest of us the transition from “that can only happens in the movies” to... "No, it can happen."

Society must acknowledge that this generation has not yet had the life experiences to temper the acceptable and the unacceptable. They have been born into and/or grown up with terrorism and war. What used to be an R-rated game monitored by parents is now actually broadcast live 24/7. The unreal - is now real.

It appears this generation is immune to what is offensive and what is not. It is no longer a judgement issue or a moral issue - it is a life experience issue and the individual’s perspective thereof. Fashion, art or any other form of creative expression is deemed through emotions - a catalytic medium for an individual’s perspective reflected and thus subjectively felt by the targeted audience.

To Sarah and Tiffany, if you sincerely wanted to bring awareness to Domestic Violence as you claim, the woman in the photo would be standing - portraying strength; not sitting submissively with a gaunt, terrified look. The man would be in handcuffs with an equally coiffed police officer dragging him away.

That image is one of empowerment. That image is one of strength and that image is one warning anyone who exerts force over another will be arrested. That image is also one this author has personally never ever seen reflected in advertising. (hint, hint)

Ask yourself, Y-Not?

Look good in all you do.

Art & Domestic Violence: Marketing 101

Following in the hailstorm of controversy and media attention Sarah Cameron of Fluid Hair Salon, Tyler Shields and Glee actress, Heather Morris are the latest members of Gen-Y to utilize the “image” of a Domestic Violence Victim for their expressions of art.

Understandably, Mr. Shields has and always will be a perpetrator of controversy. It maximizes profit. The lure of violence and ‘sexy’women, portrayed under the guise of art is fast becoming a useful and instantaneous global advertising technique.

To make acceptable by the masses, this marketing strategy is best utilized if the person of controversy feigns shock at the backlash, quickly apologizes and then pledges to donate money to a Domestic Violence-type cause.

Pictures of women with bruised and bloody eyes has become predictable– media commenting on pictures of women with bruised and bloody eyes black is equally predictable - and at this point – simply boring.

Like children seeking attention... if the positive is not forthcoming, children utilize negative.

Like parents teaching respect... let’s no longer give it to them.

Following the backlash from domestic violence advocates:

1. Cameron and Shields feigned shock yet simultaneously acknowledged indifference;
2. Both deployed the typical non-apology of“I don`t regret the image but I regret if anyone might be offended” and;
3. Both predictably pledging to donate to a Domestic Violence organization.

Cameron, Shields/Morris and their supporters maintain society is too sensitive and they are not responsible for someone’s interpretation of “art”. Heather Morris of Glee has remained noticeably silent.

It isn’t art to victims of domestic violence. It is a photo; it is a picture – a mirror image of themselves, a reflection of pain, humiliation and suffering. No one is being too sensitive, they are reliving trauma. PTSD is prevalent among victims of domestic violence but statistics may never reveal the true and accurate extent and depth of this debilitating disease.

If a victim of 9/11 was portrayed – jumping from a window in fear - would that be ok? It’s been 10 years; people must be over it by now?

Cameron chose to beautify domestic violence to advertise her hairdressing skills, Shields/Morris chose to sell pictures of a “bruised-up Barbie” (doll) and the media chose to give them the controversy they heartlessly inspired to achieve. It’s Marketing 101 - Cause and Effect, in which an action or event will produce a certain response to the action in the form of another event. It’s also Parenting 101.

Like children seeking attention... if the positive is not forthcoming, children utilize negative.

Like parents teaching respect... collectively, let’s no longer give it to them.



(Original post, 09.2011 www.HepOpenPandorasBox.blogspot.com)

Obama Gets It - When will Prime Minister Stephen Harper?!

Official Presidential Proclamation, December 28th, 2011

Presidential Proclamation -- National Stalking Awareness Month, 2012

By Newsroom America Feeds at 28 Dec 14:40

Release Time:

For Immediate Release


BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

In our schools and in our neighborhoods, at home and in workplaces across our Nation, stalking endangers the physical and emotional well being of millions of American men and women every year. Too often, stalking goes unreported and unaddressed, and we must take action against this unacceptable abuse. This month, we stand with all those who have been affected by stalking and strengthen our resolve to prevent this crime before it occurs.

Stalkers inspire fear through intimidation, explicit or implied threats, and nonconsensual communication often by telephone, text message, or email that can cause severe emotional and physical distress. Many victims suffer anxiety attacks, feelings of anger or helplessness, and depression. Fearing for their safety, some are forced to relocate or change jobs to protect themselves. And, tragically, stalking can be a precursor to more violent offenses, including sexual assault and homicide. The consequences of this crime are real, and they take a profound and ongoing toll on men, women, teens, and children across our country.

Despite the dangerous reality of stalking, public awareness and legal responses to this crime remain limited. New data show that one in six women and one in 19 men have experienced stalking that caused them to be very fearful or feel that they or someone close to them were in immediate physical danger. Among men and women alike, victims are most commonly stalked by current or former intimate partners, and young adults are at the highest risk for stalking victimization. Though stalking can occur in any community, shame, fear of retribution, or concerns that they will not be supported lead many victims to forego reporting the crime to the police. As we strive to reverse this trend, we must do more to promote public awareness and support for survivors of stalking.

My Administration is working to advance protection and services for stalking victims, empower survivors to break the cycle of abuse, and bring an end to violence against women and men. With unprecedented coordination between Federal agencies, we are promoting new tools to decrease the incidence of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and we are taking action to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. To reinforce these efforts, advocates, law enforcement officials, and others who work with victims must continue to improve their capacity to respond with swift and comprehensive action. From raising awareness to pursuing criminal justice, all of us have a role to play in stopping this senseless and harmful behavior.

This month, let us come together to prevent abuse, violence, and harassment in all their forms and renew our commitment to bring care and support to those in need.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 2012 as National Stalking Awareness Month.

I call on all Americans to learn to recognize the signs of stalking, acknowledge stalking as a serious crime, and urge those impacted not to be afraid to speak out or ask for help. Let us also resolve to support victims and survivors, and to create communities that are secure and supportive for all Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-sixth.

BARACK OBAMA