EARTH: HOME SWEET HOME

By Gundhramns Hammer
May 19, 2013

Fuente: Institucional.us.es

We are at a crucial point in our history. What each of us humans do from now on will impact the future of planet Earth. We Homo "sapiens" are the ones endangering the Biosphere, the thin layer that separates us from the vastness of the inhospitable outer space.

Atom by atom added together have resulted in each of us, human or nonhuman. Big things are made up of small things. Therefore, each of our decisions counts for the fate of the Earth.

Other non-humans from the lowly bacteria and algae to whales and sequoias are already working towards the maintenance of the Biosphere, for they are the cogs of a complicated mechanism that sustains life on this planet. They teach us how to do it.

Now it's our turn. We already know enough to get to work for the good of everyone on Earth. It's time to get down to work.

We must put aside our grudges and selfishness and look together into infinity without ever losing sight of the ground, always aware that the thread of life of every one of us is not in our hands but in those of their neighbours. If our neighbour is well, so will we. One is all and all is one.

Therefore, we must think globally and act locally. The clock does not stop. It continues ticking away. Meanwhile where have you been? What have you done? What you did, does it add or subtract to the whole?

We leave you with a video to make reflection: 

Estamos en un punto crucial de nuestra historia. Lo que cada uno de nosotros los humanos hagamos de hoy en adelante impactará en el futuro del planeta Tierra. Somos nosotros los Homo "sapiens" los que estamos poniendo en peligro la Biosfera, esa fina capa que nos separa de la inmensidad inhóspita del espacio exterior. 

Atomo a átomo sumados en conjunto han dado origen a cada uno de nosotros, humano o no humano. Lo grande está hecho de lo pequeño. Por lo tanto, cada una de nuestras decisiones cuentan para el destino de la Tierra.

Los demás seres no humanos desde la humilde bacteria y alga hasta la ballena y sequoya ya colaboran lo suyo, ya son dientes de un complicado mecanismo que mantienen la vida sobre el planeta. Ellos nos enseñan cómo hay que hacerlo.

Ahora es nuestro turno. Ya sabemos lo suficiente como para ponernos a trabajar por el bien de todos en la Tierra. Ha llegado la hora de ponernos manos a la obra. 

Debemos dejar de lado nuestras rencillas y egoísmos y mirar juntos hacia el infinito sin jamás perder de vista el suelo, siempre conscientes de que el hilo de la vida de cada uno de nosotros no está en nuestras manos sino en aquellas del vecino. Si nuestro vecino está bien, también lo estaremos nosotros. Uno somos todos y todos somos uno.

Por lo tanto, debemos pensar globalmente y obrar localmente. El reloj del tiempo no para. Sigue su marcha. Mientras tanto ¿dónde has estado? ¿Qué has hecho? Lo que has hecho, ¿le añade al todo o le resta?

 Os dejamos un video para reflexionar:

                                       HOME SWEET HOME/HOGAR DULCE HOGAR

PELEAS DE GALLOS: PATRIMONIO DE LA CRUELDAD

Por Leonora Esquivel
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Pelea de gallos. Fuente: Dogguie

Fuente: Dogguie

Fuente: Dogguie

Fuente: Cuajimalpabeat

Fuente: Cuajimalpabeat

                                               

Los aficionados a la tortura hacia los animales han puesto de moda declarar “Patrimonio cultural” todos aquellos espectáculos que están siendo amenazados por una tendencia de la sociedad de respeto a los animales que intenta abolirlos. El último caso es la aprobación por parte de la Legislatura del Estado de Zacatecas de la Declaratoria de las Peleas de Gallos como Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial.

Luego de que surgieran varias voces a favor y en contra, los Diputados Locales aprobaron la iniciativa por ser considerada una tradición mexicana, “parte de las tradiciones, símbolos, mitos y lenguajes que hay en nuestro estado.” Además se le considera fuente de empleo para muchas personas en diversos municipios. A pesar de que otras voces señalaron que las peleas de este tipo deberían ser prohibidas, por su contenido de violencia y sangre, además del maltrato animal, los integrantes de la Legislatura aprobaron esta declaratoria con 19 votos a favor, 3 en contra y una abstención.

Las peleas más antiguas de las que tenemos noticia ocurrían en Asia hace 2500 años y es posible que mil años antes se hicieran en la India. Posteriormente, esta práctica fue llevada a América por los conquistadores españoles. Se dice que Cortés le presentó una a Moctezuma para impresionarlo.

Normalmente se lleva a cabo en una arena o palenque. Para que un ave se declare ganadora debe dejar a su adversario inhabilitado para seguir peleando. En algunos casos hay gallos con “poca casta” que huyen de la pelea al estar heridos en cuyo caso pierden el combate o la pelea. En la mayoría de los casos se realizan apuestas sobre el resultado de la contienda, lo cual le añade a este evento el alcoholismo de sus participantes y por lo general, la portación de armas. Mucho se ha dicho también de que son sitios de lavado de dinero procedente de fuentes ilícitas.

En algunas regiones los gallos son equipados con espolones artificiales de plástico, carey, hueso de pescado, acero, etc. que permiten que las aves puedan herir a su oponente más fácilmente que con sus espolones naturales. En otras variaciones los espolones naturales son cubiertos con una envoltura de tela o cuero para prolongar el combate. Otra modalidad de arma en la pelea de gallos es la utilización de navajas en las patas del animal con medidas y formas variables (desde 1/4 pulgada hasta 4 pulgadas). En algunos de los países donde se llevan a cabo peleas con navajas usan veneno (lo cual es totalmente ilegal) para acabar más rápidamente con el rival. Es fácil notar que un gallo fue envenenado ya que la parte de abajo del gallo se pone verde o azul, se debilita y es casi imposible salvarlo debido a los golpes que recibe y al veneno.

Las peleas se practican en Guatemala, Estados Unidos, México, Nicaragua, Honduras, Perú y Filipinas.

Como en el caso de la tauromaquia, los motivos que exponen sus defensores son la tradición, la cultura, la economía de quienes trabajan en torno a eso. Todo puede ser refutado con argumentos sólidos, como el que algo sea una tradición no justifica per se que se siga manteniendo, la cultura cambia con el tiempo y se adapta a nuevas tendencias, las cuales cada vez más incluyen el respeto a otros seres sintientes. La cultura no está por encima de la ética. El narcotráfico, la venta de armas y la trata de personas también son negocios que mantienen muchas familias, no por ello los vamos a permitir. Siempre hay opciones lícitas para ganarse la vida. Es cuestionable hacerlo a costa de la vida de otros.

Quienes han asistido a corridas de toros han expresado su desagrado por las peleas de gallos considerándolas “salvajes y sanguinarias”. Moralmente no hay diferencia alguna: la especie no es un atenuante a la hora de causar sufrimiento innecesario, pero esta comparación nos hace pensar en la gravedad del asunto. Tal vez seamos más propensos a atacar la tauromaquia porque nos resulta impresionante ver a un animal de casi 500 kilos vomitando sangre y siendo atravesado por banderillas, puntas y espada durante 20 minutos. Nos sentimos más próximos a un bovino que a un ave. La mirada frontal tiende a generar más empatía. Sin embargo, el dolor por el que pasan las aves durante una pelea, y su muerte, prácticamente desangrados por las navajas del “oponente”, no son tema menor.

Estos espectáculos son presenciados por niños, a quienes incluso se les entrena como galleros y en un futuro continuarán con este negocio de sangre.

¿Qué beneficio obtienen los legisladores que votaron a favor de la declaratoria de las peleas de gallos como patrimonio inmateria de Zacatecas? Mantener el ciclo de violencia, legalizarlo, legitimarlo.

Cuando en el mundo la tendencia es implementar una educación más respetuosa con el medio ambiente y sus demás habitantes, en México retrocedemos. Un gobierno que permite que se sigan maltratando animales como espectáculo tiene no sólo una limitada sensibilidad, sino una nula visión de hacia dónde debemos avanzar para frenar de raiz el problema de la violencia.

Si para ti las peleas de gallos no deberían ser patrimonio cultural de México, firma la siguiente petición

http://www.change.org/es/peticiones/yo-no-reconozco-las-peleas-de-gallos-como-mi-patrimonio-cultural#share y expresa tu descontento al Gobernador Miguel Alonso Reyes http://zacatecas.gob.mx/

Fuente: elmercuriodigital.es

Link: 

http://www.elmercuriodigital.net/2013/03/mexico-peleas-de-gallos-patrimonio-de.html

SRISAYAM: ELEPHANT PAINTING SELF PORTRAIT

Elephants are other nations on planet Earth. Therefore, they are sovereign. They are also our brethren. Let us give elephants all our love and respect.

Srisayam is a genius elephant at the Thaielephant Conservation Center, Thailand.

You can learn more and purchase these unique paintings at http://www.ExoticWorldGifts.com

TWISTS AND TURNS IN THE HUMAN EQUATION: BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN

By Hugo M. G. von Österreich und von Toskana

May 10, 2013

Source: Wirgilio

The human equation (HE) has too many [-], [-], [-], [-] within a large set of [-]s in a world dominated by tonnes of [-]ⁿ, and as a result we live in an ocean of negativity with a few good oases here and there. 

The bad outweighs the good most of the times, otherwise we would not have wars or starving people around (Video 1). There would not be any humans or non human animals suffering and going through hell on planet Earth (Video 2). 

                                           Video 1. Millions of South African starving.

                                                Video 2. Dark side of egg production.

Here is an example of [-] in the HE (Video 3), rhinoceros mutilation:

Source: YouTube
View original

This footage shows a rhino from an Eastern Cape private game reserve which had its horn hacked off while it was still alive. Vets and wildlife managers tried in vain to save its life but the wounds were too severe and it had to be put down. Help the Wilderness Foundation fight this tragedy by signing the petition: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/fo...

                                                        Video 3. Rhinoceros mutilation.

But we can change the HE. We need more [+]s, and more [+]s, and more [+]s to tip the balance towards the good, and we all know by now how to do that. 

And we must. It is something that cannot wait any longer. Each of us must do some deep soul searching and act afterwards with a little or a lot of [+]s to make this world a very positive place for everyone.

Here is an example of [+] in the HE (Video 4): 

                               Video 4. Amazing Chinese women fighting against dog meat industry.

¿And where are we now? The truth is that we have made a mess out of the only planet we have. That is a fact.  

For instance, marine pollution is a big problem everywhere now. It is an example of [-] in the HE (Video 5):

                                                    Video 5. Marine pollution.

We are now in a ecological cul-de-sac. We must incorporate our HE into Nature´s equation, and obey her laws, otherwise there is no future for humankind.

There are many twists and turns in the human equation which in the end turn out to work against Nature´s grain (Video 6) and is  not [+] in the best interests for everyone on spaceship Earth.

                                               Video 6. The story of stuff.

The human equation is in our hands. Let us give the world the brightest beam of light we have got within ourselves. All of us can shine like bright stars if we choose to do so.

 

References

Klaus V. (2007). Blue Planet in Green Shackles: What is Endangered: Climate or Freedom? Competitive Enterprise Institute, Washington, DC, USA. 100p.

 

McCarthy D. (2004). Saving the Planet Without Costing the Earth: 500 Simple Steps to a Greener Lifestyle. Fusion Press, London, UK. 238 p.

Miyazaki N., Adeel Z. & Ohwada K. (Eds.) (2005). Mankind and the Oceans. United Nations University Press, United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan. 225 p. 

Sanchez P., Swaminathan M. S., Dobie P. & Yuksel N. (2005). Halving Hunger: It Can Be Done. UN Millenium Project Task Force on Hunger 2005. Earthscan, London, UK. 245 p. 

Steffen W., Sanderson A., Tyson P. D., Jäger J., Matson P. A., More III B., Oldfield F., Richardson K., Schellnhuber H. J., Turner II B. I. & Wasson R. J. (2005). Global Change and the Earth System: A Planet Under Pressure. The IGBP Series. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany. 336 p.

´t Sas-Rolfes M. (2012). The Rhino Poaching Crisis: A Market Analysis. Rhino Resource Center, Utrecht, The Netherlands. 18 p. 

Woodward J. (2009). Planet Earth: One Million Things. DK Publishing, New York, NY, USA. 130 p.

NOAH´S ARK: HUMANS ARE EARTHPECKERS

By Gundhramns Hammer
May 8, 2013


                          Who is the real woodpecker on Noah´s Ark?

Source: Inútil manual

Take a very good look at the cartoon above. Now tell me who is really doing all of the nasty drilling to Mother Nature?

We are not woodpeckers. It is obvious. 

But we certainly are damn good earthpeckers. We are damaging Spaceship Earth. 

                           MAN´S EARTHPECKERING: TAR SANDS IN ALBERTA, CANADA

And when we are nasty, we are evil.


                                                          CHICKS GROUND UP ALIVE!

And when we are good, we can be almost angels.



                                                 THE ORPHANAGE FOR BABY ELEPHANTS

So, this is our dilemma. 


We already know a lot about the workings of Earth´s ecology to keep it healthy. We can be sensitive and sensible enough not to allow the evil that has practically taken over our world. 

We´d better quit talking nonsense and get busy doing something to tip the balance towards the good side. 

Good for everyone on Noah´s Ark: Spaceship Earth.

Are we not sapiens? Let us give some credit to this.
  

ONKALO: FINLAND´S UNDERGROUND MAZE TO STORE NUCLEAR WASTE

By Gundhramns Hammer

May 8, 2013

Entrance to Onkalo underground nuclear waste repository, Finland. Source: Google imágenes

The alarm clock goes off in the morning. Once... Twice... Thrice...  and finally you mean and mad scream to the top of your lungs fuck off!! but still managed to reach out and push the off button down so hard that you almost smashed the poor thing.

You are so upset and about to blow up because you must get up and go to work. You leave one reality and enter another one, except that in your dreams you can at least twist off the head of your boss.  

Work... A sophisticated way of saying hunting. Or why not call it modern slavery, after all that is what it is.

At the bathroom, behaving like a zombie, you pick up the electric toothbrush, turn it on and start cleaning up your set of teeth that keep the dentist around the corner rich.

You have been doing this for the last 25 years and have never given any thought as to where the power to run your gadget comes from. Besides you could care less where this juice came from.

In a city with a million inhabitants, imagine all of them using electric toothbrushes year round. And to this add up all of the other gadgets that need this type of juice to run, plus the cars, cellular phones, computers.... the list goes on and on and soon it becomes a net within a net of nets. 

Lots of powered wires in the city and one branches off and hooks up into the guts of your house.

If your city is one of those where electricity is generated by nuclear plants, you already or at least should know that they produce tonnes of radioactive waste. 

And what do they do with it? The nuclear waste could end up in Somalia´s coast or somewhere in Africa, trafficked by obscures routes usually in the hands of the mafia. Or it could be used for weapons.

Some nuclear plants take the waste and put it in special containers and hide it in underground facilities, with a few or lots of barrels dump in the ocean here and there.

Do you remember the Chernobyl disaster? How about the recent Fukushima nuclear disaster? Nuclear waste is nasty stuff and last for thousands of years.  

Radioactivity cannot be seen but it surely kills. It is deadly crap!

Now is it worth having electricity from nuclear plants to run our stupid gadgets at home meanwhile we shit all over with radioactivity the environment? 

I tell you we humans are really damned crazy. We are totally insane!!

And you do not believe me, let us watch the following documentary (Video 1) which shows what Finland is doing to put away all of its nuclear waste. Finland is building an underground nuclear waste repository so huge that the Egyptian pyramids could fit in more than 20 times. It is called Onkalo (Finnish, hidden) and is supposed to last 100.000 years! And keep in mind that Onkalo is just one of the many mazes of tunnels that the Finnish Government is planning to build to store this radioactive shit. 

Are we not damned crazy?

Now let us get to it:

  

Source: The Video Project

View original 

The world's nuclear power plants have generated an estimated 300,000 tons of high-level radioactive waste that must be safely stored for 100,000 years or more. Every year, they generate another 12,000 metric tons of high-level waste.

Into Eternity is the first feature documentary to explore the mind-boggling scientific and philosophical questions long-term nuclear waste storage poses. 

Structured as a message to future generations, the film focuses on the Onkalo underground waste repository now under construction in Finland. Onkalo is a gigantic network of tunnels being carved out of bedrock that will start receiving Finland's nuclear waste in 2020. Once the repository is full, in about 100 years, it will be closed and hopefully remain sealed for at least 100,000 years.

Into Eternity takes viewers deep into the Onkalo facility as it is being constructed and asks Onkalo representatives, scientists, theologians and others to address fundamental but challenging questions.

How can our civilization know what the world will be like in 100,000 years? The first modern homo sapiens appeared about that long ago and no human structure has survived more than 5000 years. How can we anticipate climate and geologic changes that far in the future? What will life on our planet be like then? How do we warn distant generations of the deadly waste our civilization left behind? What languages or signs will they understand? How do we prevent them from thinking they have located the pyramids of our time or some other treasures?

With its stark, stylistic approach, Into Eternity not only raises questions about the possibility of long-term nuclear waste storage, but also invites reflection on the limits of science and human knowledge, along with our responsibility to future generations.

                                                        ENGLISH/BULGARIAN SUBTITLES

                                                                 Video 1.  Into Eternity.

References

Hamblin J. D. (2008). Poison the Well: Radioactive Waste in the Oceans at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. 311 p.

Ojovan M. I. & Lee W. E. (2005). An Introduction to Nuclear Waste Immobilisation. Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 315 p.