ZZ spot

The moral and legal rights of cetaceans

2011-06-15T10:33:00.000+03:00

Sign the declaration and join a global call to have rights formally declared for cetaceans

Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins

Based on the principle of the equal treatment of all persons;
Recognizing that scientific research gives us deeper insights into the complexities of cetacean minds, societies and cultures;
Noting that the progressive development of international law manifests an entitlement to life by cetaceans;
We affirm that all cetaceans as persons have the right to life, liberty and wellbeing.
We conclude that:

Every individual cetacean has the right to life.
No cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude; be subject to cruel treatment; or be removed from their natural environment.
All cetaceans have the right to freedom of movement and residence within their natural environment.
No cetacean is the property of any State, corporation, human group or individual.
Cetaceans have the right to the protection of their natural environment.
Cetaceans have the right not to be subject to the disruption of their cultures.
The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this Declaration should be protected under international and domestic law.
Cetaceans are entitled to an international order in which these rights, freedoms and norms can be fully realized.
No State, corporation, human group or individual should engage in any activity that undermines these rights, freedoms and norms.
Nothing in this Declaration shall prevent a State from enacting stricter provisions for the protection of cetacean rights.
Agreed, 22nd May 2010, Helsinki, Finland

Please sign the petition to stop killing wild animals for high TV ratings

2011-05-21T20:56:00.001+03:00

Wild animals tortured or killed for TV ratings

2011-05-21T20:55:00.000+03:00

Please sign the petition

Vegan resources

2010-12-16T13:19:00.000+02:00

Many people when understanding the atrocities of humanity on the non-human inhabitants of this planet, including myself, decide to go vegetarian and then vegan. It is not enough to not eat meat. Cows suffer the same if not more when bred in massive dairy farms.

Veganism, or better, compassionate eating, is a concept that will be a focal point for this blog and I will revert to it many times.

As initial homework, I strongly suggest to visit this site http://www.vegansociety.com - a treasure of resources about healthy living, recipies, you name it.

72 ώρες δεν ειναι αρκετες...

2010-12-04T11:18:00.001+02:00

Wall Photos
ΔΙΑΒΑΣΤΕ ΤΟ!!!

Η συγκλονιστική μαρτυρία ενός διευθυντή καταφύγιου εγκατελειμμένων ζώων
Η ζωή του σκύλου ή της γάτας σε καταφύγιο :

Μόνο 72 ώρες τα κρατάνε μήπως υιοθετηθούν.
Μετά τα σκοτώνουν γιατί τα καταφύγια είναι γεμάτα...

"Δεν μπορείτε να κρατήσετε το κατοικίδιό σας ; Αλήθεια ;"

Από έναν διευθυντή καταφύγιου ζώων (οπουδήποτε)
"Save Our Shelter Animals" MuttShack Animal Rescue
Κυριακή, 7 Νοεμβρίου 2010

Σκέφτομαι ότι η κοινωνία μας χρειάζεται μία ισχυρή αφύπνιση . Ως διευθυντής καταφυγίου ζώων , θα μοιραστώ μαζί σας την εικόνα από … μέσα. Πρώτον, όλοι εσείς που πιθανότατα έχετε εγκαταλείψει ένα κατοικίδιο σε καταφύγιο, σκεφτείτε ως άνθρωποι εργαζόμενοι έστω και μία ημέρα στο πίσω μέρος ανθρώπινου καταφύγιου. Αν βλέπατε τη λύπη και τη σύγχυση σε αυτά τα μάτια, θα σταματούσατε να διαφημίζετε τα ζώα στις λίστες και θα ...τα βοηθούσατε να βρουν άμεσα σπίτι.
Το κουταβάκι που μόλις αγοράσατε , θα κατέληγε στο καταφύγιο μου, τη στιγμή που δεν είναι το μικρό χαριτωμένο ζωάκι πλέον. Θα πρέπει να γνωρίζετε ότι υπάρχει πιθανότητα 90% να μην βγει έξω από το καταφύγιο ο σκύλος . Το 25% του συνόλου των σκύλων που εγκαταλείπονται ή που έρχονται ως αδέσποτα, είναι καθαρόαιμα ζώα.
Οι κοινότυπες δικαιολογίες που ακούς είναι «μετακομίζουμε και δεν μπορούμε να πάρουμε το σκύλο/τη γάτα μαζί μας»… Γιατί ; Εκεί που πηγαίνετε δεν … επιτρέπουν ζώα ; Ή λένε «Ο σκύλος έγινε μεγαλύτερος από όσο υπολογίζαμε». Πόσο δηλαδή θα γινόταν ένας γερμανικός ποιμενικός , δεν το ξέρατε ; Ή λένε «Δεν έχουμε τόσο χρόνο για ζώο». Αλήθεια ; Εργάζομαι 10 με 12 ώρες την ημέρα και ακόμη έχω χρόνο για τα 6 σκυλιά μου !
Σκεφτήκατε ότι το ζώο σας μπορεί να μην υιοθετηθεί και πόσο άγχος θα έχει σε ένα καταφύγιο ; Να σας πω λοιπόν, ότι το κατοικίδιο που παρατήσατε εδώ, έχει περιθώριο 72 ώρες για να βρει νέο σπίτι . Μερικές φορές έχει περισσότερο χρόνο , εφόσον το καταφύγιο δεν είναι γεμάτο και καταφέρει να παραμείνει τελείως υγιές. Εάν φτερνιστεί, πεθαίνει.

Το ζώο θα κλειστεί σε ένα μικρό κλουβί, σε ένα δωμάτιο μαζί με άλλα ζώα που κλαίνε ή γαυγίζουν… Θα νοιώσει κατάθλιψη και θα κλαίει συνεχώς για την οικογένεια που το εγκατέλειψε. Εάν το ζώο σας είναι τυχερό, θα υπάρχουν αρκετοί εθελοντές εκείνη την ημέρα να το πάνε μία βόλτα. Εάν δεν υπάρχουν , κανείς δεν θα προσέξει ιδιαίτερα το κατοικίδιο που αφήσατε , εκτός από ένα μπολάκι με φαί που θα έχει κάτω από τα κάγκελα ή την πόρτα. Εάν ο σκύλος σας είναι μεγαλόσωμος ή μαύρος , καλύτερα να είχε πεθάνει παρά που τον παρατήσατε στο καταφύγιο, διότι αυτά τα σκυλιά δεν υιοθετούνται, όσο χαριτωμένα και γλυκά κι αν είναι.
Για να γίνει καλά κατανοητό. Εάν το ζώο δεν υιοθετηθεί σε 72 ώρες και το καταφύγιο είναι γεμάτο, τότε σκοτώνεται. Εάν δεν είναι τόσο γεμάτο και το ζώο είναι καλό και από συμπαθητική ράτσα , μπορεί και να πάρει παράταση αλλά όχι για πολύ. Πολλά σκυλιά μέσα στο κέννελ , μετά από περίπου μια εβδομάδα αναστατώνονται και αμέσως σκοτώνονται , διότι έδειξαν … επιθετικότητα. Ακόμη και τα πιο γλυκά σκυλιά θα αλλάξουν συμπεριφορά μέσα σε αυτό το περιβάλλον. Επίσης τα σκυλιά αποκτούν μολύνσεις εκεί μέσα και τους κάνουν ευθανασία . Το καταφύγιο πληρώνεται για την ευθανασία των ζώων και είναι καλύτερο να παίρνει χρήματα γι αυτό , παρά να πληρώνει χρήματα για κτηνιάτρους.

Όταν πηγαίνουν τα ζώα σας - αυτά που εγκαταλείψατε - για ευθανασία , κουνάνε την ουρά τους χαρούμενα νομίζοντας ότι πηγαίνουν βόλτα Όταν όμως μπουν στο «δωμάτιο» , καθένα από αυτά φρικάρει και τραβιέται πίσω, καθώς μυρίζει το θάνατο από την πόρτα και νοιώθει τις λυπημένες ψυχές που προηγήθηκαν…Είναι παράξενο, αλλά όλα όσα μπαίνουν εκεί μέσα το διαισθάνονται και αντιδρούν έτσι.
Ο σκύλος σας ή η γάτα σας θα κρατηθούν από έναν ή δύο εργάτες , ειδικούς στην ευθανασία (όχι κτηνιάτρους) , οι οποίοι βρίσκουν φλέβα στο μπροστινό τους ποδαράκι , βάζουν την ένεση με το ροζ υγρό και τέλος. Συμβαίνει βέβαια να σπάνε οι βελόνες και να γεμίζει το ποδαράκι τους με αίματα και να ακούς τις κραυγές τους … Δεν κοιμούνται δε αμέσως. Έχουν σπασμούς για λίγο , λαχανιάζουν , αφοδεύουν… Μην ξεχνάτε ότι τα καταφύγια προσπαθούν να κερδίσουν χρήματα για να πληρώσουν τους υπαλλήλους και τον πρόεδρο , οπότε δεν ξοδεύονται φυσικά χρήματα για ηρεμιστικά για τα ζώα που πάνε σε ευθανασία. Απλά μπαίνει το θανατηφόρο φάρμακο στη φλέβα και τα αφήνουμε να υποφέρουν έως ότου πεθάνουν.
Όταν όλα τελειώσουν, τα ζώα σας στοιβάζονται με όλα τα υπόλοιπα που έχουν σκοτώσει σε έναν καταψύκτη . Τι γίνονται μετά ; Τα καίνε ; Πάνε σε ζωοτροφές ; Ή καταλήγουν σε πανεπιστήμια και σχολεία ως πειράματα ; Ποιος ξέρει και ποιος μπορεί να μάθει ; Εντάξει ήταν ένα ζώο και μπορείς να αγοράσεις ένα άλλο. ..
Ελπίζω ότι όλοι όσοι έχουν ακόμη καρδιά που κτυπάει και διάβασαν όλα αυτά , δεν μπορούν να βγάλουν από το μυαλό τους αυτές τις εικόνες. Τα αντιμετωπίζω αυτά καθημερινά. Μισώ τη δουλειά μου και μισώ το ότι υπάρχει αυτή η δουλειά και μισώ το γεγονός ότι πάντα θα υπάρχει, εκτός αν εσείς κάποιοι άνθρωποι αλλάξετε την κατάσταση και αρχίσετε να ενημερώνετε την κοινή γνώμη.
Αυτά τα καταφύγια υπάρχουν , διότι οι άνθρωποι δεν ενδιαφέρονται για τα ζώα πλέον. Τα ζώα δεν προορίζονταν για να είναι «μιας χρήσης» αλλά έτσι αντιμετωπίζονται από ορισμένους σήμερα. Τα καταφύγια είναι ένας εύκολος τρόπος να ξεφορτωθεί κάποιος το κατοικίδιο του , εάν κουράστηκε να το φροντίζει . Τα καταφύγια ζώων και οι οργανώσεις διάσωσης ζώων αποκομίζουν μεγάλο κέρδος από αυτή την κατάσταση.Εννέα με 11 εκατομμύρια ζώα πεθαίνουν κάθε χρόνο μέσα στα καταφύγια και μόνο εσείς μπορείτε να το σταματήσετε αυτό . Ελπίζω να άλλαξα έστω και ενός ανθρώπου το μυαλό και να μην παρατήσει το ζώο του σε καταφύγιο ή να αγοράσει σκύλο . Παρακαλώ μεταδώστε το σε όσους μπορείτε

About Ellie

2010-05-02T14:24:00.003+03:00

About Ellie is a fantastic Iranian movie. Not so much of the subject - some people go on holiday and a girl disappears - but because it unravels the layers of the modern Iranian - and muslim - culture and lifestyle.
We know we are in a poor country - the BMW is an old model and the beach house terrible - yet they find it superb. Already the setting is clear from the start. People only travel in families and people find their bride or groom from friends. Either fixed weddings or people would choose among someone else's choices for them.
If a girl smiled to someone - or worst yet if a girl stayed with someone alone for 5 minutes, even if they had two arms lengths distance between them, they dated!
And someone - a girl that is - can be engaged to a man, only because of the man's wishes, even if she does not want to!
Ok, there are some good things. Women do have the power to chose over their husband - but not for critical decisions- Men would only marry once. They can divorce and marry a second wife but not simultaneously. A woman can be the driving force behind a group. All group decisions are made by voting. No leader assigned! No one is more important than the other. And men would like to please the women and accept their wish. For a holiday resort that is.
But women would cook and service men while they would play. .!!!
Now, the consesus is all good in happy times. When things go wrong, there is still consensus in decision making, but the blame is put elsewhere. It takes only one strong person to admit their wrong doing and that person is a woman and is 'crucified' because she overstepped her boundaries and her freedom that her man allowed her. In fact this makes him so angry - her freedom of speech and action that is - that he actually strikes her.
If you need to understand what is happening inside the closed doors of a muslim household - moderate muslim would be my humble guess - then absolutely watch this movie. Twenty times more powerful than reading 2,000 books on the subject. And overall a very good movie, great acting and directing.

Dubai

2010-05-02T14:00:00.009+03:00

It is absolutely a mystery to me the attractiveness of Dubai to so many people for holidays. For business I totally understand. It is the most western - or rather - not too arab - location in the middle east, where west and east (far east as well) can share the distance and do business.

By not too arab, I did not want to sound cocky but the outer shell of arab culture can be too shocking to western eyes, especially women...well..fashion.
First of all Dubai has absolutely no color. It is fake. It is a city of scyscrapers - some half finished that could be the manifestation of rich arab competitiveness. Not of doing better, but of showing off bigger than the next guy. To my mind I find no other excuse of not keeping any of the color of the magnifiscent and long arab civilization with so much to offer the world in aesthetics and architecture. Would it be a burden to all the western architects that were flown in on a golden flying rug (or lear jet) to build such monumental buildings to give some of the color of this ancient civilization. Dubai looks more like Gotham City and one would expect Batman and the Batmobile to turn the corner than a reminder of the thousand years old descendants of a thousand and one nights people.

There is an 'old Dubai' which is about forty years old, but would rather be the 'poor Dubai' where the indegenous population and workers are housed.
I assure you, the only thing that reminds the visitor that you are in an arab country is the heat and the burkas.

Now, this I can not tolerate. I consider myself a relaxed person when it comes to religion and someone who welcomes differences no matter how big they are. Actually 'live to be different' could be considered my motto. Ask anyone who knows me. On the flipside, I consider myself a deeply liberal person. The theocracy of the arab world shook that liberalism to its core. From one hand, I am damned if I dont accept others no matter how different they are. They have the right to live anyway they want as long as they dont harm others. On the other hand, being a woman, I consider equality as a natural given. Nope. Not in the Arab world. Islam means surrender. Man surrenders to God and Woman to both Man and God who have almost equal power of soveignty over her.

Now I am in rebellion. My inner self is extremely aggravated to watch these poor - in my eyes - women walk a few feet behind their husband, not talk to anyone other than the husband or be talked to - not to be touched by their husband in public and not show anything of their body or face besides the eyeline - it would be impossible for them to walk if they did not. And of course they are covered in black - a sign of modesty and mourning for the loss of innoscent as they are responsible for the world's biggest sin: desire. They being the object of desire for men they are evil. And they have to cleanse their sin by total surrender to God and His intermediary, their father, their older brother, their husband or older son..

Yet, I have to understand that these women are for the most part not forced into that religion. They are born into it and they feel it is the right thing to do. They are proud to wear the burkas, those in Saudi Arabia have no choice they have to. The ones that have a choice and are proud to do so are a mystery to me. Men's outfits on the other hand are crispy white and of course they dont hide the face...
If only they had lost the Crucades....

Please Help MIMA

2010-04-09T15:21:00.003+03:00

Mima, a four-year old beautiful crossbreed dog, was living peacefully in a small town in Bulgaria. Unfortunately, one day she was brutally mutilated by a sub-human who had differences with her owner. This sub-human chopped off all her legs. There is a collective worldwide effort to raise money for Mima's surgery and her prosthetics legs. Please contribute as much as you can...

I am running for animals!

2010-04-08T18:57:00.002+03:00

Mima and the cruelty of Man

2010-04-08T16:47:00.001+03:00

Junior is Back

2010-01-25T12:09:00.002+02:00

All this time that Junior was gone, I had not cried. For some reason I was hoping that this was not the end of him. Until yesterday I saw Grizoulis on his bed like if nothing happened. Like if he had not been away for more than ten days. So after I saw Grizoulis and fed him, I burst into crying as I thought then that Grizoulis is back, Junior isn't this means that he is dead...
So I cried for some time and then when I was exhausted just sat on the sofa and turned on the TV. Five minutes later Klelia was barking and wanted to get out to the garden. I opened the door without looking and sat on the sofa again. Then a miracle happened. I heard a cat miewing with a very low voice - nothing like Patty or Minnie (Yes, I have to tell you about Minnie - or minou, my new pet addition) - it sounded like...Junior I thought. And immediately I turned my head and he was there looking for me and waiting for his food. As if nothing happened. I was so ecstatic, he started purring the moment I called his name in joy and for ten minutes I just held him in my arms and kissed him. I have never seen a cat hungrier. It is as if he had not eaten in days. Well, served him right for leaving his mummy like that.
So, all good, Junior is back and I am not sad anymore

Day 5

2010-01-18T12:49:00.003+02:00

and Junior (and Grizoulis) still gone. Today I talked to some construction workers nearby to check the building in case animals are trapped inside...The guilt is starting to built up. I can't help to think that had I not taken in Aristos making him the third dog, and not punishing Klelia enough for chasing Junior, he would not have gone...
I am hoping he will be waiting for me tonight...

My baby is gone

2010-01-17T22:10:00.004+02:00

My baby cat Junior, is gone since last wednesday night. He never left for that long. I found Junior in early June 05, about two months old, outside my home at the time, in Nea Filothei. His left eye was covered with a thick white layer of something, not sure what it was. He was hardly moving and very small for his age.
I immediately took him to the vet, and he took good care of him, but told me that this cat was not going to make it. But we tried, gave him the medications, had him in a self-made incubator-type box that I created out of a thick moving box placed ontop of a heater for about a month. Every day for two months I was afraid that I would come home and find his tiny little body frozen.
But he wasnt. He and Zizou became best friends. Junior grew up to be a very tall grey tabby, his eye was clean after a year that I had to put ointment on it twice a day but never totally healed. His left eye kept running so he needed some eye drops, but that was it.
In March 2007, just a couple of days before I left for Argentina, Junior stopped eating. Again, rushed him to the doctor and his sugar lever had gone sky high, close to 700 (normal level for cats is about 150)....The vet was my friend and kept him in his clinic for eleven days, treated him and Junior was back to life again.
Since that time, Junior had no problems, medical checks but he was fine. His eye would run but that was it
A healthy lively gorgeous cat. He was the ruler of the neighborhood. Grizoulis, the only bigger cat around, I knew him when he was born, he was raised in my porch but never let me touch him and take him to the vet. However Grizoulis and Junior became best friends and they would sleep very often in their little houses in the terrace looking at each other.
Since Wednesday, both Junior and Grizoulis was gone. Both gorgeous cats.
Junior was one of the tenderest cats I have known, he would purr just by recognizing my shadow and he would be just like cats should be. Tender yet autonomous, walking around yet coming home every night, afraid of people yet extremely protective of his mummy and home. At times I would walk the dogs to the park and he would shadow us, coming with us but afraid of the other dogs just kept to himself on a tree nearby overlooking the dog play in the park
He was not a people cat, but he loved me. He understood I saved his life. I dont think he appreciated so many other cats and dogs in the house, that's why he spent most of his time in the great outdoors. I was always worried about that, but then again, that is what a cat nature is: to hunt outside. His life was five star in terms of cat standards. His presence was always so aristocratic and discreet you could not tell he was in..well, only when he was hungry he could make sure he got noticed.
I am devastated that my gorgeous baby is gone missing. I can only imagine the worst..Tomorrow will be the fifth morning that he is missing...I can only think that I gave him five more years than what fate had stored for him. I can only hope that he did not suffer has he met with his end.
My only consolation would be if he understood how much loved he has been

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' - Times Online

2010-01-04T22:29:00.000+02:00

Scientists say dolphins should be treated as 'non-human persons' - Times Online

Christmas is here again

2009-12-18T14:40:00.006+02:00

Only yesterday I have realized that Chrismas is round the corner. I am not a big fan of holiday fever, I hate the traffic and the crowds and the spending and the hype only to get the downturn of when that is over and receive the credit card bill. I love the lights though. All cities look better and neighborhoods look happier.
Yet, the same problems that haunted each family exist hidden under those lights- sometimes magnified. But we put our best dress and smile on and pretend to forget them. For a short while
I also like playing cards this time of the year. The problem is since I don't play any other time during the year, I usually lose as I am out of practice haha, but still it is fun
What really saddens me around holidays, especially Xmas and New Year that everybody gets high on festivities - especially when kids are involved - is the contrast between those who can celebrate and those who are much less fortunate. I can not really celebrate when I am thinking of all those orphan children or abandoned old people in greek institutions, or those who have lost the loved ones in war.
It is really impossible for me to celebrate and I end up being gloomier than any other time of the year.
My favorite christmas song describes how I feel

Bazaar 2009

2009-12-16T17:48:00.004+02:00

This year the annual bazaar for our SOS ADESPOTA VRILISSION (SOS Vrilissia strays) organization was held last weekend. Not as successful as previous ones as the weather was quite cold, people have less money and everyone is throwing a bazaar...

Like every year I brought my pets, three this time with Aristos, but was not able to go inside as dogs were not allowed - a senior member of the town hall would not let us. They made us pay for the space but would not allow the dogs in. In a bazaar of a humane society for dogs!!!

Anyways, because I am against any discrimination especially that targeted to animals or weak parties, I only entered the bazaar space very briefly and was sitting outside with my babies and chatting to other people coming with or without their pets.

I did enjoy myself but the cold would not allow me to stay for a long time

My dogs were very well behaved and everyone was playing with them

Aristos

2009-12-11T11:57:00.006+02:00

A couple of months ago, I got a call in the middle of the night by Anna, a friend of mine asking me if I could go up to Pendeli and rescue from the rain and cold a little dog who was thrown out of a car in the darkness and cold.
I went up there and found this white fluffy all dirty fella who despite his fear waived his tail and me and gave me a lovely dog smile (you know when they are relaxed and breath freely with tongue out; it looks as if they smile)
In the beginning I felt overwhelmed for the third dog that entered my house. Two months later, I can not stop feeling devastated that I found such a good home for him that I have to let him go. His new dad is a network engineer but also a sailor and Aristos will be taking sailing trips along with Goofy the other dog of the new family
Aristos, I named him after Aristotle, had a haircut and did not feel shy like other dogs do, his hairdresser was in love with him, his vet was in love with him, Zizou and Klelia are in love with him, I am in love with him, even Patty and Junior get along with him.
Everybody who sees him tells me that I can not give this dog away, I am eaten away by guilt and by the fact that I feel that I am giving away a family member, but I am convinced that at the end it will be better for the dog. I am away too long, I have now with Aristos five pets and I am afraid that I am start not doing such a great job to each individual one. I think more focused attention is better.
Still, I have the new owner swear to me that he will bringing him on Sundays to the park near my house so that all the kids can play and whenever he goes away and he needs someone to look after him, that he will bring him over.
I have dealt with a lot of dogs over the last five years. None will ever reach the personality quality of Zizou but noone has ever reached that close like Aristos.
Not to mention that he is one of the prettiest dogs I have ever seen.
It will be very hard for me to let him go but I hope that it will turn out to be to the benefit of the dog

Woody works

2009-12-06T09:42:00.002+02:00

Last night, I went to see Woody's new comedy. I have not missed a Woody movie, and some I have seen like 20 times (definitely Annie Hall is one of those movies).
I must say, that I have probably enjoyed this movie more than any other of Woody movies because I could not stop laughing. Also, when I first watched Annie Hall and Manhattan, I was much younger and could not really get all strength of the punchlines the first time round.
Whatever rocks is amazing. I dont want to spill the beans and destroy it for you by narrating the plot, but I must say, that Woody is back!!! Finally- After the last few years of mediocracy compared to his unbelievable genius (with the exception of the role of Maria Tereza that Penelope Cruz gave us last year) hungry Woody's fans got something that was worth waiting.
The movie is filmed again in New York - where they should have a statue of the guy somewhere in a prominent place - the characters are split into categories.
Of course he touches upon his favorite subject - religion and ridicules it, only this time the victim is Catholicism and not Judaism. He also of course explores the power and hypocricies of relationships and how they can turn someone's life around, for the better or the worse and eventually it will set them free. His genius rests not only in punchlines, an unbelievable script and a sarcastic search for the ultimate truth, but also for the contrasts he represents between and within the protagonists. Before and after they let go and accept that life is all about finding whatever works to make us happy after we got rid of all the societal must and should and would and take it as it comes. I adored the scene with the 5th symphony when the mother of Melody enters the room. I think that's when my first tears came out haha
I have to tell you that there were times that I had tears in my eyes from the laughter and the whole theater was shaking.
I will definitely see this one another 19 times. At least

Time and purpose

2009-11-20T13:43:00.002+02:00

Time, or rather the lack of, is probably the most common denominator in any large urban center. Especially in western cultures, although I am sure pedestrians in Tokyo walk as fast as newyorkers.
Time as a concept is cruel. It ages us, it gives us stress, it is found in the roots of most evil dids. That very stress though, caused mainly by the lack of time, it is one of the most necessary evil components of self-worth. Idleness and lazyness is fantastic for the annual two-week holiday, but on a daily basis is probably the most certain path to depression.
It is our busy schedule, our lack of time, the need to have more than 24 hours in a day, that actually gives us worth. Slightly more important than what we actually accomplish. By being busy and thus feeling important we find purpose in life. Whatever the outcome
Think about that for a sec and tell me if I am wrong

November is here

2009-11-11T12:18:00.002+02:00

Actually mid-november, a month or so since my later posting. In the meantime, we had elections, we had a historic win of PASOK, the first positive signs of the new government, my brother's sudden surgery, the opening of Fastrack, the rushing of my aunt at the hospital and her near-death experiences, the saving of Aristo the Griffon, and many other things that I will slowly comment on, given time constraints
In the meantime, enjoy one of my all time favorite songs that I heard again recently and once more made me bow to the genius of the man who created it.

Morrissey - Meat is Murder

2009-10-04T10:43:00.003+03:00

live in NY 2000. Sent by Manos

Meat Is Murder lyrics

Heifer whines could be human cries
Closer comes the screaming knife
This beautiful creature must die
This beautiful creature must die
A death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER
And the flesh you so fancifully fry
Is not succulent, tasty or kind
It's death for no reason
And death for no reason is MURDER
And the calf that you carve with a smile
Is MURDER
And the turkey you festively slice
Is MURDER
Do you know how animals die ?
Kitchen aromas aren't very homely
It's not "comforting", cheery or kind
It's sizzling blood and the unholy stench
Of MURDER
It's not "natural", "normal" or kind
The flesh you so fancifully fry
The meat in your mouth
As you savour the flavour
Of MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
NO, NO, NO, IT'S MURDER
Oh ... and who hears when animals cry?

France Telecom Drama

2009-10-01T08:25:00.002+03:00

It could be a film noir movie, but it is true. 24 suicides in france telecom due to organizational stress in a few months. In 100K employees, the percentage is not much higher than the rest of the country, it is however, scandalous to think that it comes for the same reason and in a short time and due to the new status, that of a private company
Of course the unions and the socialist party went bazurk, rightfully so, and ask for the PDG's head (ceo in french)

It made me think of the stress that many people go under in organizational settings, no less the company that I used to work for a few months after leaving cisco and before engaging in starting my own venture. At the very end it all comes down to really bad top management, lack of consideration of individual rights, self centrism, and total inexistence of motivational leadership.
I can not believe that the FT top management was that much worse than many others, but I do think that the French employees had a shock as I had never before seen elsewhere a two-hour break, a short work week and so many priviledges. However, the change must have been great for those people who left their lives leaving notes behind to their loved ones that they could not have taken it any more

And I who thought I was a tender foot...

I feel for those people and their families, and I join their cry to get the PDG head on a platter

Greek elections 2009

2009-09-24T12:55:00.001+03:00

Never before have I been more bored or uninterested during election time. The good thing is that they have decided, the parties that is, to keep the campaigning on TV mainly and off the streets (thank you LORD!)
The bad thing is that what they say is mainly lies and sci-fi picture scenarios.
No wonder there is a huge percentage of abstinence and my guess is that we will experience a new era in Greek politics. I hope so. Any change will be for the better than the parody we live now.
Let's see..

Meet your meat

2009-09-18T10:00:00.001+03:00

Going green

2009-09-18T09:57:00.002+03:00

I have decided to go vegetarian. It is too soon to tell you the result, yesterday the first non-meat eating day.
The reasons are numerous.
A) MY LOVE FOR ANIMALS
B) ANIMAL FARMS
C) GLOBAL WARMING
D) FITNESS AND HEALTH
E) HUMAN BODY IS BUILT TO EAT VEGGIES

Stop eating meat and the world will be a better place

Companies who use animal testing for cosmetcis

2009-09-17T11:58:00.001+03:00

Animals are held in lousy inhuman conditions, for weeks, months or years and are subjected to painful long experiments.
I am brining this to your attention, in order to avoid using their products. There are many other companies that don't do animal testing; they usually write this on the packaging.

Jeyes
Beiersdorf
Johnson & Johnson
L'Oreal
Lancome
Chanel
Lever
Fabergé
Christion Dior
L'Oreal/Nestlé
Clinique????
Miners Cosmetics
Colgate
Palmolive
PZ Cussons
Coty
Reckitt Benckiser
Ecover
Revlon
Estée Lauder
SC Johnson
FCUK
Unilever
Garnier
Virgin Vie
Givenchy
Yardley
GlaxoSmithKline
Yves Rocher
Helena Rubenstein
Yves Saint Laurent

POFYZO PROPOSALS

2009-09-17T11:55:00.000+03:00

ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 1/12
ΠΡ Ο Σ
Τ Α ΠΟ Λ Ι Τ Ι Κ Α ΚΟΜΜΑΤΑ
Κοινοποίηση:
􀀻 ΜΜΕ
􀀻 Φιλοζωικοί Σύλλογοι
Αθήνα, 16 Σεπτεμβρίου 2009
Θέμα: Ολοκληρωμένες Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τα Δικαιώματα των Ζώων
Ενόψει των Βουλευτικών Εκλογών στις 4 Οκτωβρίου 2009
Αγαπητοί Κύριοι & Αγαπητές Κυρίες,
Ο ΠΟ.ΦΥ.ΖΩ είναι ένας σύλλογος που αναγνωρίζει τα δικαιώματα των ζώων, πιστεύει στην
αρμονική συνύπαρξη με αυτά, οραματίζεται μια κοινωνία που δεν θα εκμεταλλεύεται ανθρώπους και
ζώα.
Στο πλαίσιο των επερχόμενων εκλογών, θα θέλαμε να σας παρουσιάσουμε τις προτάσεις μας
σχετικά με τα δικαιώματα των ζώων με την ελπίδα ότι θα τις λάβετε σοβαρά υπόψη σας και ότι θα
βοηθήσετε στην υλοποίησή τους.
Ο φιλόσοφος Tom Regan στην πρόσφατη συνέντευξή του που έδωσε στο περιοδικό «Έψιλον» 15-
16.08.09 δήλωσε: «Η βία που υφίστανται τα ζώα είναι πολύ μεγαλύτερη από αυτή που υφίστανται οι
άνθρωποι. Και είναι απολύτως νόμιμη!». Δεν θα μπορούσαμε να συμφωνήσουμε περισσότερο με αυτή
την άποψη, δεδομένου ότι καθημερινά όλοι εμείς που ασχολούμαστε με την υπεράσπιση και προάσπιση
των δικαιωμάτων των ζώων, ερχόμαστε αντιμέτωποι με μια απίστευτη βία και σκληρότητα απέναντι
σ’αυτά τα πλάσματα που ατυχώς έτυχε να γεννηθούν στον ίδιο πλανήτη με μας.
Σύμφωνα με το 75% των επιστημόνων παγκοσμίως, διανύουμε την έκτη μαζική εξόντωση και
εξάλειψη των ειδών (μέσα στο διάστημα των 4.5 δισεκατομμυρίων ετών της ιστορίας του πλανήτη), που
οφείλεται σχεδόν αποκλειστικά σε ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες όπως είναι ο υπερπληθυσμός, η μόλυνση
του περιβάλλοντος, η άνοδος της θερμοκρασίας της γης κλπ. Πάνω απ’όλα όμως, είναι ο άκρατος
ανθρωποκεντρισμός μας που μας οδήγησε να αδιαφορήσουμε για τη δυστυχία και τον πόνο που
υποβάλουμε εκατομμύρια είδη ζώων, προκειμένου να ικανοποιήσουμε τις κατασκευασμένες και
τεχνητές ανάγκες μας. Έτσι, μετατρέψαμε τα ζώα σε σύγχρονους σκλάβους μας, σε χρηστικά
αντικείμενα και αναλώσιμα αγαθά που με ετσιθελισμό και βία τα θυσιάζουμε για την τροφή μας, το
ντύσιμό μας, την ψυχαγωγία μας, την υγεία και την ευημερία μας και τη διακόσμηση των σπιτιών μας.
Με το όραμα να εξαλείψουμε πλέον τη βία και την εκμετάλλευση σε όλα τα επίπεδα και από τη
ρίζα τους, απευθυνόμαστε σε σας με τις παρακάτω προτάσεις, ελπίζοντας ότι η δικαιοσύνη και η
ανθρωπιά θα θριαμβεύσει μέσα σας και ότι θα υπάρξει ένα γόνιμος διάλογος και μια αποτελεσματική
συνεργασία, ώστε να κάνουμε εφικτό αυτό το όραμα.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 2/12
ΠΡ Ο Τ Α Σ Ε Ι Σ:
ΖΩ Α «ΣΥ Ν Τ Ρ Ο Φ Ι Α Σ» Ι 1
Η εικόνα των εγκαταλελειμμένων, τραυματισμένων και δηλητηριασμένων «αδέσποτων» υποβαθμίζει
σε ύψιστο βαθμό τη χώρα μας αλλά και όλους εμάς ως άτομα. Προτείνουμε:
α. Την τροποποίηση του Ν. 3170/03 και την αυστηρή εφαρμογή του.
β. Την αναπροσαρμογή των ποινών και των προστίμων και τη μετατροπή της κακοποίησης και
θανάτωσης ζώου σε κακούργημα.
γ. Την προστασία και τη φροντίδα των αδέσποτων ζώων από τους δήμους και τις κοινότητες και
εφαρμογή διοικητικών κυρώσεων, όπως τις αναφέρει ο νόμος, όταν δε συμμορφώνονται προς αυτόν.
δ. Την εφαρμογή της υπουργικής απόφασης Νο 280262/03 (αρ. φύλλου 1874) για τους όρους και
τις προϋποθέσεις λειτουργίας των καταφυγίων για τα αδέσποτα.
ε. Τη δημιουργία σταθμών ζώων σε κάθε δήμο, με σκυλόσπιτα και δοχεία φαγητού και νερού.
ζ. Τη δημιουργία Αστυνομίας Ζώων που θα ασχολείται με τις κακοποιήσεις ζώων από δημότες και
τις σχετικές καταγγελίες, έτσι ώστε οι ένοχοι να έρχονται ενώπιον της δικαιοσύνης και να
αποθαρρύνονται οι εν δυνάμει δράστες να προβαίνουν σε κακοποιήσεις και θανατώσεις. Επίσης, η εν
λόγω αστυνομία να μεριμνάει ώστε οι κηδεμόνες ζώων να θεωρούνται υπεύθυνοι για τυχόν ζημιές ή
τραυματισμούς που μπορεί να προκαλέσει το ζώο τους.
η. Τη δημιουργία κρατικών νοσοκομειακών μονάδων ζώων άρτια εξοπλισμένων με όλα τα σύγχρονα
ιατρικά μηχανήματα και με ασθενοφόρα που θα μεταφέρουν τα άρρωστα και τα τραυματισμένα ζώα και
θα περισυλλέγουν τα νεκρά θύματα τροχαίων ατυχημάτων, ώστε να μην πολτοποιούνται στη μέση του
δρόμου και αποσυντίθενται στην άκρη του πεζοδρομίου.
θ. Λόγω των πολλαπλών δηλητηριασμών από φόλα όχι μόνο αδέσποτων σκύλων και γάτων, αλλά
και της άγριας πανίδας, να απαγορευθεί η ευρεία πώληση φυτοφαρμάκων και όλων γενικά των
σκευασμάτων που μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν ως δηλητήρια για τη θανάτωση ζώων. Σε περίπτωση
που είναι απαραίτητη η αγορά τους για επαγγελματικούς λόγους, να δημιουργηθεί μια βάση δεδομένων
όπου θα καταγράφονται τα στοιχεία του αγοραστή.
ι. Την απαγόρευση με την επιβολή υψηλών προστίμων της κακομεταχείρισης των σκύλων που
χρησιμοποιούνται σα σκιάχτρα από τους «ιδιοκτήτες» τους. Το φαινόμενο των σκύλων που είναι όλη
μέρα και όλη νύχτα δεμένα και παρατημένα στον ήλιο και στη βροχή, πεινασμένα και διψασμένα είναι
ντροπή για όλους μας και πολύ περισσότερο για εκείνους που τα υποβάλλουνε στα βασανιστήρια αυτά.
κ. Την έμπρακτη στήριξη και συνεργασία της πολιτείας με τα σωματεία που περιθάλπουν ζώα.
1 Ο χαρακτηρισμός δίνεται αποκλειστικά για τις ανάγκες του κειμένου, αφού ο ΠΟΦΥΖΩ δε δέχεται ότι τα συγκεκριμένα ζώα
υπάρχουν για να μας συντροφεύουν.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 3/12
ΖΩ Α «ΣΥ Ν Τ Ρ Ο Φ Ι Α Σ» Ι Ι
Η πώληση ζώων «συντροφιάς», εξωτικών και/ή άγριων ζώων από καταστήματα και λαϊκές αγορές
χαρακτηρίζεται από άθλιες συνθήκες διαβίωσης που προκαλεί η μαζική εκτροφή τους. Ο συνωστισμός
και εγκλεισμός των ζώων σε κλωβούς τους προκαλεί ασθένειες, μελαγχολία και τρέλα, ενώ συμβάλλει
στο φαινόμενο των αδέσποτων (σκύλοι, φίδια, μαϊμούδες, γκουάνα κλπ.) λόγω εγκατάλειψής τους. Πάνω
από όλα προωθεί την ιδέα του ζώου ως αντικείμενο. Προτείνουμε:
α. Την απαγόρευση πώλησης κάθε είδους ζώου στεριάς, θάλασσας και αέρα από τα ειδικά
καταστήματα Pet Shops) και τις λαϊκές αγορές.
β. Την κατάργηση της εκτροφής κάθε είδους ζώου στεριάς, θάλασσας και αέρα για εμπορικούς
σκοπούς.
γ. Την απαγόρευση της εισαγωγής κάθε είδους ζώου στεριάς, θάλασσας και αέρα για εμπορικούς
σκοπούς.
ΚΥ Ν Ο Μ Α Χ Ι Ε Σ Κ Α Ι ΚΟ ΚΟΡΟΜΑ Χ Ι Ε Σ
Οι κυνομαχίες και κοκορομαχίες με σκοπό τη διασκέδαση και το κέρδος είναι αιμοβόρες και
βάρβαρες. Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Αυστηρότερους νόμους όπως ισχύουν σε πολλά Ευρωπαϊκά κράτη και πολιτείες των ΗΠΑ,
καθώς και αυστηρές ποινές στους διοργανωτές των κυνο-κοκορομαχιών.
ΚΥ Ν Η Γ Ι
Το κυνήγι μέχρι πριν μερικά χρόνια θεωρούνταν «άθλημα», ενώ στις μέρες μας χαρακτηρίζεται ως
«ψυχαγωγική δραστηριότητα» από το σύνολο σχεδόν των κυνηγών. Όμως, σε αυτή την ψυχαγωγία, μόνο
η μία πλευρά ψυχαγωγείται, ήτοι ο κυνηγός, ενώ η άλλη, δηλαδή το ζώο ή το πουλί, θανατώνεται ή
τραυματίζεται θανάσιμα. Θεωρούμε ότι το κυνήγι δεν είναι συμβατό πλέον με τον 21ο αιώνα διότι ως
πράξη βίαιη δεν προάγει ούτε πολιτισμό, ούτε το σεβασμό προς τα άλλα όντα του πλανήτη, αλλά και
τον ίδιο τον άνθρωπο. Αντίθετα, είναι ενάντια σε κάθε ηθικό νόμο και μια καθόλα αντι-οικολογική
πρακτική για τους εξής κυρίως λόγους:
􀂘 Η ψυχρή δολοφονία ζώων βασίζεται στο νόμο του ισχυρού που επιβάλλει βίαια τη δύναμή του
σε ανυπεράσπιστα θύματα. Έτσι καλλιεργεί τη βία ενθαρρύνοντας τα πιο άγρια ένστικτα του ανθρώπου.
Μπορεί κανείς εύκολα να φανταστεί ότι εάν οι κυνηγοί σκοτώνουν με τόση ευκολία ένα πλάσμα που δεν
τους έχει φταίξει σε τίποτα, τι μπορεί να κάνουν στην περίπτωση που έχουν να αντιμετωπίσουν κάποιο
άτομο που με κάποιο τρόπο προκαλέσει το θυμό τους. Και έχουν υπάρξει αρκετές τέτοιες μοιραίες
περιπτώσεις στο παρελθόν.
􀂘 Προκαλεί τη διατάραξη της δυναμικής ισορροπίας των τροφικών αλυσίδων και ως εκ τούτου τον
υπερπληθυσμό διαφόρων ειδών, κυρίως τρωκτικών, και την εξάλειψη εκατοντάδων ειδών πουλιών και
ζώων.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 4/12
􀂘 Προκαλεί σοβαρή αλλοίωση της φυσικής χλωρίδας από τη μόλυνση που επιφέρουν οι δεκάδες
εκατοντάδες τόνοι μολυβιού και πλαστικού που περιέχουν τα κυνηγετικά φυσίγγια, ενώ πολλά υδρόβια
πουλιά παθαίνουν μολυβδίαση.
􀂘 Προκαλεί όχληση σε όλη την πανίδα και επιπλέον οι πυροβολισμοί εμποδίζουν τα
μεταναστευτικά πουλιά να τραφούν αρκετά, ώστε να αποκτήσουν το απαραίτητο λίπος (ενέργεια) που
τους χρειάζεται για το μακρύ ταξίδι τους. Εκατοντάδες από αυτά δεν φτάνουν ποτέ στο τέλος του
ταξιδιού τους.
Δεδομένου ότι πολλοί βιότοποι έχουν καταστραφεί από τις πυρκαγιές, την εκτεταμένη οικιστική
ανάπτυξη, τα δηλητήρια και τα φυτοφάρμακα και πολλές άλλες ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες (π.χ.
αποξηράνσεις λιμνών κλπ.), η ανάγκη προστασίας της πανίδας από το κυνήγι είναι επιτακτική.
Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Την άμεση και οριστική απαγόρευση του κυνηγιού σε όλη την Επικράτεια και την
αντικατάστασή του από άλλες δραστηριότητες φιλικές με τη φύση και τη ζωή, όπως οικοτουρισμός κλπ.
Ψ Α Ρ Ο Κ Υ ΝΗΓ Ι
Για το ψαροκυνήγι ισχύουν οι ίδιοι λόγοι ηθικής που ισχύουν για το κυνήγι. Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Την απαγόρευσή του με αυστηρούς νόμους, διότι δεν κάνουμε καμιά διάκριση για το πληγωμένο
από τα σκάγια ζώο ή το ψάρι που σπαρταρά αγωνιώντας τρυπημένο από το καμάκι, για τη δική μας
διασκέδαση και ψυχαγωγία.
ΓΟΥΝΟΠΟΙ Ι Α
Η αιχμαλωσία, οι απαράδεκτες συνθήκες διαβίωσης και η θανάτωση των γουνοφόρων ζώων για την
παραγωγή γούνας ενός προϊόντος αποκλειστικά και μόνο για τη ματαιοδοξία και το κέρδος,
υποβαθμίζει την κοινωνία μας σε τραγικό βαθμό. Τα γουνοφόρα ζώα εκτρέφονται κάτω από φρικτές
συνθήκες, είναι εγκλωβισμένα σε κλουβιά, εκτεθειμένα σε ακραίες καιρικές συνθήκες, υποφέρουν από
κατάθλιψη και στρες, ενώ παρουσιάζουν εκτός των άλλων ψυχο-νευρωτική, επαναλαμβανόμενη
συμπεριφορά, όπως επιτόπιους βηματισμούς, κύκλους γύρω από τον εαυτό τους, αυτό-ακρωτηριασμό,
ακόμη και κανιβαλισμό. Για να ολοκληρώσουμε την ανατριχιαστική εικόνα, ο θάνατός τους γίνεται με
χτυπήματα με σφυριά και μπαστούνια στο κεφάλι ή τη μουσούδα, πνίξιμο με κρεμάλες ή σε νερό,
ασφυξία με τοξικά αέρια, ηλεκτροπληξία στον πρωκτό, κλωτσιές μέχρι θανάτου στο θώρακα κλπ. για να
μη καταστραφεί η γούνα. Πολλές φορές μάλιστα το ζώο δεν έχει ακόμα πεθάνει κατά τη στιγμή του
γδαρσίματος με αποτέλεσμα να γδέρνεται ζωντανό! Για τη δε παραγωγή μιας μόνο γούνας,
θανατώνονται δεκάδες ζώα.
Το εμπόριο γούνας γνωρίζει την παγκόσμια κατακραυγή και είναι καταδικασμένο πλέον στην
αποτυχία. Η κατανάλωση γούνας περνά έντονη κρίση από τα τέλη της δεκαετίας του 80, λόγω της
αλλαγής στα καταναλωτικά πρότυπα και της οικολογικής εκστρατείας στην Ευρώπη.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 5/12
Προτείνουμε:
α. Το κλείσιμο των εκτροφείων θανάτου και της βιομηχανίας γούνας και την αντικατάστασή της με
ηθικά αποδεκτούς τρόπους ενδυματοποιίας. Μέχρι να ολοκληρωθεί η μετάβαση από τον υπάρχοντα
απάνθρωπα επικερδή τρόπο του κλάδου στον επόμενο, να δοθούν στους επαγγελματίες ικανοποιητικές
επιδοτήσεις και επιχορηγήσεις για να αλλάξουν επαγγελματικό προσανατολισμό.
β. Την προώθηση εναλλακτικών μορφών ανάπτυξης της οικονομίας, όπως για παράδειγμα
οικοτουρισμός, μουσεία γουνοποιίας, κλπ.
ΤΣ Ι Ρ Κ Ο ΜΕ Ζ Ω Α
Η εκμετάλλευση και η άγρια κακοποίηση των ζώων που χρησιμοποιούνται στα τσίρκο προς
διασκέδαση των ανθρώπων, χαρακτηρίζεται παγκοσμίως ως απάνθρωπη και χωρίς κανέναν απολύτως
λόγο ύπαρξης στους σύγχρονους καιρούς. Συγκεκριμένα, τσίρκο σημαίνει:
􀂘 Άθλιες και αφύσικες συνθήκες διαβίωσης, όπως ο συνωστισμός σε κλουβιά, η πλήρης ακινησία, οι
απότομες κλιματικές αλλαγές, η τροφή κακής ποιότητας και όχι καθημερινά που συχνά περιλαμβάνει
και τα αδέσποτα ζώα της περιοχής, οι ξεθεωτικές μεταφορές από το ένα μέρος στο άλλο κλπ. Όλα αυτά
προκαλούν ψυχικές διαταραχές και σωματικές ασθένειες καθώς και το θάνατο των περισσότερων ζώων
που συλλαμβάνονται, είτε κατά τη μεταφορά, είτε κατά τη διάρκεια της εκπαίδευσης και της
αιχμαλωσίας.
􀂘 Βασανιστήρια σα μέθοδοι «εκπαίδευσης», όπως η πείνα, η δίψα και το ανελέητο ξύλο μέχρι
θανάτου, προκειμένου να λυγίσουν τα ζώα στη θέληση των θηριοδαμαστών και να μάθουν τα
εξευτελιστικά και ακατανόητα για τη φύση τους «νούμερά» τους.
􀂘 Έλλειψη κατάλληλης κτηνιατρικής φροντίδας.
􀂘 Απάνθρωπο τέλος για τα ζώα που γερνούν, αρρωσταίνουν ή είναι γενικά ανίκανα να «εργασθούν».
Πωλούνται για πειραματόζωα, εγκαταλείπονται ή εκτελούνται.
􀂘 Διαρκής καταστολή των ζώων και ιδιαίτερα των άγριων με τη χορήγηση ναρκωτικών ουσιών για
έλεγχο και υπακοή.
􀂘 Παράνομος τζίρος από το εμπόριο άγριων ζώων και προϊόντων (τρίτος σε παγκόσμια κλίματα
μετά το εμπόριο ναρκωτικών και όπλων).
Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Την απαγόρευση της εισόδου των τσίρκο που χρησιμοποιούν ζώα με την άμεση ψήφιση του
νομοσχεδίου που έχει κατατεθεί στο Υπουργείο Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης και Τροφίμων από την GAWF
και υποστηρίζεται από τους «Οικολόγους Πράσινους» και όλους τους φιλοζωικούς και οικολογικούς
συλλόγους και που βρίσκεται επί του παρόντος στο νομοπαρασκευαστικό τμήμα της Βουλής.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 6/12
ΈΚ Θ Ε Σ Η ΖΩΩΝ Κ Α Ι ΖΩ Ο Λ Ο ΓΙ Κ Α ΠΑ Ρ Κ Α
Η αρπαγή από το φυσικό τους περιβάλλον και η έκθεση ζώων τα υποβιβάζει στο επίπεδο
αντικειμένου με αποκλειστικό σκοπό τον κορεσμό της αρρωστημένης περιέργειας του κοινού, εφόσον η
θέαση των φυλακισμένων αυτών ζώων σε καμία περίπτωση δε μπορεί να δώσει τη σωστή εικόνα για τη
ζωή τους και τις συνήθειές τους, όπως γίνεται στην περίπτωση ενός ντοκιμαντέρ που γυρίζεται γι’αυτό το
σκοπό και πάντα με τον κατάλληλο σεβασμό προς τα ζώα που παρακολουθούνται. Αντίθετα, το ζώο
στην αιχμαλωσία χάνει την επαφή με τη φύση του, βιώνει απίστευτη μοναξιά, μελαγχολεί και τις
περισσότερες φορές τρελαίνεται. Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Το κλείσιμο όλων των ζωολογικών πάρκων, των δελφινάριων, των ερπετάριων και των ενυδρίων
όπου αιχμαλωτίζονται τα ζώα της στεριάς, της θάλασσας και του αέρα, και την αντικατάστασή τους από
ειδικές γιγαντοοθόνες που θα προβάλουν αντίστοιχα ντοκιμαντέρ για την άγρια ζωή.
Α Γ Ρ Ι Α ΖΩΗ
Η άγρια ζωή της χώρας τείνει προς εξαφάνιση με ταχείς ρυθμούς. Αρκεί να αναφέρουμε ότι από τις
αρκούδες υπολογίζεται ότι υπάρχουν περίπου μόνο 150 σε όλη τη χώρα. Σε αυτό το λυπηρό φαινόμενο,
εκτός από τον χαρακτηρισμό των άγριων ζώων ως «επιβλαβή» που οδήγησε και στο εντατικό κυνήγι
τους, έχουν συμβάλει δραματικά κι άλλες ανθρώπινες δραστηριότητες, όπως η διάνοιξη δρόμων, η
κατασκευή φραγμάτων, η αποξήρανση λιμνών και η εκτροπή ποταμιών, η επέκταση αστικών περιοχών
μετά από πυρκαγιές, η δημιουργία τουριστικών μονάδων, τα διάφορα αθλήματα κλπ. Προτείνουμε:
α. Αυστηρούς νόμους που απαγορεύουν την περαιτέρω εξόντωση της άγριας πανίδας για
οποιοδήποτε λόγο και την ένταξή της σε ειδικά προγράμματα προστασίας.
β. Την απαγόρευση ανθρώπινων δραστηριοτήτων όπως είναι το μοτοκρός ή η διάσχιση με
οχήματα, οι οικιστικές επεκτάσεις και η δημιουργία δρόμων, φραγμάτων, τούνελ κλπ. σε μέρη όπου
υπάρχουν βιότοποι.
γ. Την περίφραξη κεντρικών οδικών αρτηριών και εθνικών οδών που θα αποτρέπουν τα ζώα από τη
διάσχιση δρόμων με κίνδυνο τη ζωή τους, αλλά κι εκείνη των οδηγών.
δ. Τη δημιουργία ειδικών διαβάσεων για τα ζώα, όπως γίνεται στο εξωτερικό.
ΠΕ Ι Ρ Α Μ Α Τ Α Σ Ε Ζ Ω Α
Ο καθηγητής Γ. Χαριτάκης γράφει: «Ο προγραμματισμός καινούριων φαρμακευτικών προϊόντων,
όπως γίνεται σήμερα, μπορεί να περιγραφεί, χωρίς καμιά υπερβολή, ως μια σειρά από προσπάθειες στα
τυφλά, βαδίζοντας στο σκοτάδι. Ένας τεράστιος αριθμός σύνθετων ενώσεων δοκιμάζεται πάνω στα ζώα,
με την ελπίδα ν΄ ανακαλυφθεί κάποια σχέση μεταξύ της δομής των μορίων και της βιολογικής τους
δραστηριότητας. Συχνά, πολλές χιλιάδες σύνθετων ενώσεων πρέπει να δοκιμαστούν πριν να βρεθεί ένα
προϊόν που θεωρείται χρήσιμο. Οποιαδήποτε μέθοδος ικανή να μειώσει αυτό τον αριθμό θα είναι
προτιμητέα και από την επιστημονική πλευρά κι από την εμπορική».
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 7/12
Εκτός αυτού, υπολογίζεται ότι 150.000.000 με 180.000.000 ζώα το χρόνο βασανίζονται
παγκοσμίως, από ερευνητές και επιστήμονες, στα κολαστήρια των πειραματικών εργαστηρίων. Η
συντριπτική πλειοψηφία αυτών των ζώων θανατώνεται μετά από μια σύντομη ζωή μέσα στον τρόμο και
την οδύνη των φριχτών βασανιστηρίων στα οποία υποβάλλονται. Πλήθος σκυλιών, γατιών, πιθήκων,
κουνελιών και ινδικών χοιριδίων τσουρουφλίζονται, δηλητηριάζονται, ακρωτηριάζονται, χειρουργούνται
χωρίς αναισθητικό, παραλύουν, αιμορραγούν, προκειμένου εμείς οι άνθρωποι να έχουμε την υγεία μας
και τη νιότη μας, να ζούμε σε καθαρά και αποστειρωμένα περιβάλλοντα, να οδηγούμε με ασφάλεια, να
πυροβολούμε και να ρίχνουμε βόμβες, να καπνίζουμε κλπ.
Προτείνουμε:
α. Την απαγόρευση χρησιμοποίησης κάθε είδους ζώου σαν πειραματόζωο από τα ελληνικά
ερευνητικά κέντρα (Ε.Ι.Ε., Δημόκριτος, Παστέρ κλπ.), νοσοκομειακά και ακαδημαϊκά ιδρύματα και την
αντικατάστασή τους με εναλλακτικές μεθόδους (προσομοιωτές, υπολογιστές, κυτταρικές καλλιέργειες,
καλλιέργειες οργάνων και χρήση ανθρώπινων ιστών, κβαντιστική, φυσικο-χημικές τεχνικές και
αναλύσεις, μαθηματικά μοντέλα, στατιστικές έρευνες, μαγνητοεγκεφαλογραφία και είδη τομογραφίας,
οπτικοακουστικά συστήματα κλπ.).
β. Πανελλαδική καμπάνια για την ενημέρωση του κοινού σχετικά με τα πειράματα σε ζώα και την
αναζήτηση αγοράς προϊόντων που δε δοκιμάζονται σε ζώα.
γ. Την απαγόρευση εισαγωγής ζώων (π.χ. πιθήκους κλπ.) για πειραματικούς σκοπούς από
ερευνητικά, ακαδημαϊκά ιδρύματα κλπ.
ΙΠΠΟΕΙ ΔΗ
Τα άλογα στον ιππόδρομο είναι τα αθώα θύματα απάτης και τζόγου. Χρησιμοποιούνται 2-4 χρόνια
εντατικά σε σημείο που «καίγονται» από τα πολλά ντοπαρίσματα και τις υψηλές ταχύτητες που
εξαναγκάζονται να τρέξουν. Πολλά από αυτά τραυματίζονται θανάσιμα, ενώ μόλις κριθούν
«ακατάλληλα», σφάζονται για το κρέας τους. Στο μεσοδιάστημα ζουν σε άθλιες συνθήκες διαβίωσης,
ενώ «τρώνε το ξύλο της χρονιάς τους μετά τη διεξαγωγή της ιπποδρομίας, είτε γιατί κέρδισαν την
ιπποδρομία και δεν έπρεπε, είτε γιατί ήρθαν δεύτερ(α), ενώ θα έπρεπε να έρθουν πρώτ(α)».
Επίσης, τα γαϊδουράκια σε πολλά επαρχιακά μέρη υπερφορτώνονται, ανεβαίνοντας και
κατεβαίνοντας όλη μέρα σκαλοπάτια, ενώ όταν δεν είναι πλέον «χρήσιμα» εγκαταλείπονται άρρωστα και
ανήμπορα. Προτείνουμε:
α. Την αντικατάσταση του ιππόδρομου από άλλα τυχερά παιχνίδια που να στοιχηματίζουν σε
αθλήματα τα οποία δεν θα περιλαμβάνουν την εκμετάλλευση και την καταπόνηση κανενός είδους ζώου.
β. Την απαγόρευση της απάνθρωπης εκμετάλλευση των γαϊδουριών και την κακομεταχείρισή τους
με αυστηρούς νόμους, πρόστιμα και κυρώσεις.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 8/12
ΚΤ Η Ν Ο Τ ΡΟΦΙ Α
«Τα περισσότερα ζώα που θανατώνονται, σφάζονται για την τροφή μας. Σύμφωνα με τον
Οργανισμό Τροφίμων και Γεωργίας (Food and Agriculture Organization) των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, οι
άνθρωποι σκοτώνουν περίπου 60 δισεκατομμύρια ζώα κάθε χρόνο, εκτός από τα δισεκατομμύρια
ψαριών και άλλων θαλάσσιων ζώων».
Η κτηνοτροφία αποτελεί σημαντικό παράγοντα εκπομπών αερίων του θερμοκηπίου, κατανάλωσης
ενέργειας, μόλυνσης υδάτων, αποψίλωσης δασών, διάβρωσης εδαφών κλπ. Αντίθετα, η φυτοφαγία είναι
κέλευσμα των καιρών μας και στάση ζωής που συνάδει με την αρχή της αβλάβειας, της προστασίας του
πλανήτη και της υγείας του ανθρώπου. Συγκεκριμένα:
􀂘 Οι συνθήκες διαβίωσης και η διαδικασία σφαγής των ζώων παραγωγής είναι σοκαριστικές. Η όλο
και αυξανόμενη ζήτηση για κρέας και γάλα έχει μετατρέψει την κτηνοτροφία σε βιομηχανία όπου τα
«παραγωγικά» ζώα αντιμετωπίζονται όχι σαν συναισθανόμενα όντα, αλλά όπως το λέει και η λέξη, σα
μηχανές παραγωγής. Το κυνήγι του κέρδους και η στιγμιαία απόλαυση ενός κρεοφαγικού πιάτου δεν
αφήνει τον άνθρωπο να «ακούσει» τα ουρλιαχτά, και να νιώσει τον πόνο των ζώων αυτών.
􀂘 Το 25% του πληθυσμού της γης υποσιτίζεται λόγω κυρίως της χρησιμοποίησης της γης για την
παραγωγή ζωοτροφών και της διατροφής των ζώων με δημητριακά και σόγια, όταν αυτά θα μπορούσαν
να θρέψουν τον υποσιτιζόμενο κόσμο. Για 1 κιλό κρέατος απαιτείται γη που θα μπορούσε να παράξει 6
κιλά δημητριακών, 9 κιλά ρυζιού ή 12 κιλά οσπρίων. Αντίθετα, κάθε φυτοφάγος «απελευθερώνει» κατά
μέσο όρο γη που θα μπορούσε να θρέψει 19 ακόμα ανθρώπους.
􀂘 Τα εκτρεφόμενα ζώα ευθύνονται για το 20% της παγκόσμιας εκπομπής αερίων του θερμοκηπίου,
περισσότερο δηλαδή κι από τις μεταφορές, ενώ η υποβάθμιση του περιβάλλοντος από την εκχέρσωση
για δημιουργία βοσκοτόπων, την υπερβόσκηση, τη μόλυνση του υδροφόρου ορίζοντα και τη διάβρωση
του εδάφους από τα περιττώματα όλων αυτών των ζώων, είναι ραγδαία. Οι δισεκατομμύρια τόνοι
περιττωμάτων που μολύνουν το νερό και τον αέρα δημιουργούν μικρά «αγροτικά» Τσερνομπίλ με
πιθανότητα να συμβεί μια ακόμη πιο εκτεταμένη καταστροφή. Επιπλέον, τα ζωικά απόβλητα των
εκτρεφόμενων ζώων προκαλούν ευτροφισμό στα υδάτινα και θαλάσσια οικοσυστήματα.
􀂘 Στη Δύση, το μισό από το νερό που καταναλώνεται, πηγαίνει στην κτηνοτροφία. Για 1 κιλό
μοσχαρίσιου κρέατος απαιτούνται 22.000 λίτρα νερού και η παραγωγή μόλις 200 γραμμαρίων βοδινού
κρέατος, μπορεί να χρησιμοποιήσει 25.000 λίτρα νερού. Κατ’εκτίμηση του Ινστιτούτου WorldWatch, οι
άνθρωποι μπορούν να βελτιώσουν την κατάσταση του πλανήτη με την απομάκρυνσή τους από την
κατανάλωση ζωικών προϊόντων, που απαιτούν μεγάλες ποσότητες νερού για την παραγωγή τους.
􀂘 Η κρεοφαγία αυξάνει την πιθανότητα εμφάνισης παχυσαρκίας, υπέρτασης, καρδιοπάθειας και
κάποιων μορφών καρκίνου. Αντίθετα, μια φυτοφαγική δίαιτα έχει αναγνωρισθεί ότι συμβάλει στη μείωση
του κινδύνου για ορισμένες παθολογικές καταστάσεις όπως είναι η παχυσαρκία, τα καρδιαγγειακά
νοσήματα, η δυσκοιλιότητα, ο σακχαρώδης διαβήτη τύπου ΙΙ και κάποιοι τύποι καρκίνου.
Εν κατακλείδι, η προώθηση της φυτοφαγίας είναι πια ανάγκη όχι μόνο για τα ζώα, αλλά και γιατί η
κατανάλωση κρέατος οδηγεί στην κατάρρευση του παγκόσμιου συστήματος διατροφής. Με το ρυθμό
που αυξάνεται ο πληθυσμός και την αυξανόμενη κατανάλωση ζωικών τροφών στις αναπτυσσόμενες
χώρες, σε μερικά χρόνια η γη δε θα μπορεί να θρέψει ούτε τους ανθρώπους, ούτε τα δισεκατομμύρια
των εκτρεφόμενων ζώων. Και αυτό δεν είναι σενάριο σε ταινία επιστημονικής φαντασίας, αλλά
πραγματικότητα. Το πρόβλημα είναι ήδη γνωστό, απλά απωθείται.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 9/12
Προτείνουμε:
α. Τη σταθερή μείωση των εκτρεφόμενων ζώων και της κτηνοτροφικής παραγωγής.
β. Αντικίνητρα στους κτηνοτρόφους με τερματισμό των επιχορηγήσεων και ενθάρρυνσή τους να
στραφούν σε γεωργικές και βιολογικές καλλιέργειες με ικανοποιητικές επιδοτήσεις και επιχορηγήσεις.
γ. Την ενίσχυση και προώθηση των φυτικών τροφών και της βιολογικής γεωργίας.
δ. Κρατική πανελλαδική καμπάνια για την ενημέρωση του κοινού όσον αφορά τα οφέλη της φυτικής
διατροφής και την αγορά βιολογικών προϊόντων, ώστε αυτά να καταστούν φθηνότερα για τον τελικό
καταναλωτή.
ε. Την προώθηση της φυτοφαγίας και την επιλογή φυτοφαγικών γευμάτων σε σχολεία.
Τ Α ΨΑ Ρ Ι Α , Η ΘΑ Λ Α Σ Σ Α Κ Α Ι Τ Α Ι Χ ΘΥΗ Ρ Α
Σήμερα, μόνο το 1/100 των θαλάσσιων περιοχών του πλανήτη χαρακτηρίζεται σαν
προστατευόμενο, τη στιγμή που η ζωή στις θάλασσες και τους ωκεανούς αφανίζεται με ταχύ ρυθμό,
εξαιτίας κυρίως των εξής:
􀂘 Η βιομηχανία της αλιείας με τα σύγχρονα αλιευτικά μέσα και την πρακτική της υπεραλίευσης
κοντεύει στην κυριολεξία να αδειάσει τις θάλασσες από την ιχθυοπανίδα. Αρκεί να αναφέρουμε ότι το
2005, η αλιευτική βιομηχανία απέδωσε περίπου 141 εκατομμύρια τόνους ιχθυηρών, ενώ η συνολική
συγκομιδή παραμένει σταθερά στους 70 εκατομμύρια τόνους. Οι επιστήμονες εκτιμούν πως η αλιευτική
βιομηχανία έχει εξολοθρεύσει το 90% των μεγάλων ψαριών των ωκεανών.
􀂘 Σε παγκόσμιο επίπεδο, τα 2/3 των αλιευμάτων μετατρέπονται σε άλευρα, αναμειγνύονται με
σιτηρά για να χρησιμοποιηθούν σαν τροφή των κτηνοτροφικών ζώων και σαν ιχθυέλαια. Επίσης,
χρειάζονται περίπου 50 ψάρια αλιευμένα από τη θάλασσα για να εκτραφεί μόλις ένας σολομός
ιχθυοτροφείου. Τόνοι και τόνοι γαλάζιας φάλαινας μετατράπηκαν σε σκυλοτροφή, ενώ οι αγελάδες
μετατράπηκαν στο χειρότερο θηρευτή ψαριών του πλανήτη, αφού καταναλώνουν περισσότερους τόνους
ψαριών απ’ότι καρχαρίες, τα δελφίνια κι οι φώκιες ολόκληρου του πλανήτη.
􀂘 Οι φάλαινες, τα δελφίνια, οι φώκιες, και γενικά τα μεγάλα κήτη, πεθαίνουν από πείνα μη
βρίσκοντας πλέον τίποτα να φάνε, έστω κι αν κυνηγάνε σε μια περίμετρο πολλών μιλίων καθημερινά.
􀂘 Το φυσικό περιβάλλον της θαλάσσιας ζωής κατάντησε να είναι ο κύριος αποδέκτης των πάσης
φύσεως βιομηχανικών, τοξικών και οικιακών αποβλήτων, καθώς και των βαρέων μετάλλων της «ευγενούς
και φιλικής» προς το περιβάλλον ανθρώπινης δραστηριότητας. Έχει υπολογισθεί ότι εκατοντάδες
χιλιάδες είδη χημικών ουσιών, διαφόρου τοξικότητας, ρυπαίνουν τους ωκεανούς, τις κλειστές θάλασσες
και τις λίμνες του πλανήτη μας. Οι ουσίες αυτές προκαλούν στα ψάρια καρκινώματα, νεοπλάσματα,
φλεγμονές και άλλες ασθένειες.
􀂘 Δεν είναι όμως μόνον όλες αυτές οι τοξικές ουσίες που προαναφέραμε και τα διάφορα μικρόβια
που καταστρέφουν τις θάλασσες μας, αλλά και οι ιχθυοκαλλιέργειες, που συνεχώς επεκτείνονται τα
τελευταία χρόνια επιβαρύνοντας ολοένα και περισσότερο το θαλάσσιο περιβάλλον και την πανίδα του.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 10/12
􀀵 Οι ιχθυοκαλλιέργειες προκαλούν εκτεταμένη ρύπανση των ακτών από τα απόβλητα και τα
περισσεύματα των τροφών, τη χρήση αντιβιοτικών και άλλων χημικών για την αποτροπή ασθενειών. Τα
άτυχα ψάρια είναι υποχρεωμένα να διαβιούν μέσα σ’ένα περιβάλλον γεμάτο από ουσίες που ο ίδιος ο
οργανισμός τους τις αποβάλλει σαν άχρηστες και επιβλαβείς, δηλαδή τα δικά τους λύματα, εκτός
βέβαια των βιομηχανικών αποβλήτων και ανθρώπινων λυμάτων.
􀀵 Στις ιχθυοκαλλιέργειες, τα ψάρια συγκεντρώνονται μέσα σε κλουβιά από δίχτυα, σε κλειστές
κυρίως θάλασσες και σε αφύσικες συνθήκες διαβίωσης. Λόγω του μεγάλου τους αριθμού στα θαλάσσια
αυτά κλουβιά, υποφέρουν και δεν μπορούν να κινηθούν ελεύθερα, με αποτέλεσμα το μυϊκό σύστημα
τους να ατροφεί. Έτσι, επεμβαίνει η επιστήμη αυξάνοντας γενετικά τη μυϊκή μάζα των ψαριών, ώστε
αυτά να αποδίδουν περισσότερο κέρδος.
􀀵 Παρά την αλόγιστη χρήση χημικών και αντιβιοτικών ουσιών, ένα μεγάλο ποσοστό των
εκτρεφόμενων ψαριών πεθαίνουν από μικροβιακές λοιμώξεις των νεφρών, διάφορους καρκίνους,
εξελκώσεις του δέρματος, ενώ οι κατά καιρούς αποδράσεις ιχθύων στα γειτονικά ύδατα, μεταδίδουν στα
ελεύθερα ψάρια ασθένειες και γενετική ρύπανση. Κάτω από αυτές τις συνθήκες, τα πλεονεκτήματα που
διαθέτουν τα ψάρια σαν υγιεινότερη τροφή έναντι του κρέατος, δεν είναι μόνο παρά μια αυταπάτη.
􀀵 Τέλος, κάθε χρόνο μπλέκονται στα δίχτυα των ιχθυοτροφείων εκατοντάδες χιλιάδες μεγάλα
ψάρια, νεροχελώνες, δελφίνια, φώκιες, ακόμα και πουλιά που τα περιτριγυρίζουν για να βρουν τροφή, με
αποτέλεσμα να πεθαίνουν.
Προτείνουμε:
α. Τη δραματική μείωση της κατανάλωσης ιχθυηρών. Τρώγοντας σήμερα μικρότερες ποσότητες
ιχθυηρών βοηθάμε στην ελάττωση της ρύπανσης των υδάτων και τη διάσωση των θαλάσσιων ειδών.
β. Την απαγόρευση των ιχθυοκαλλιεργειών και την ικανοποιητική επιδότηση και επιχορήγηση των
ιχθυοκαλλιεργητών ώστε να στραφούν σε όλου είδους επαγγελματικό κλάδο.
ΠΥ Ρ Κ Α Γ Ι Ε Σ Κ Α Ι Σ Υ Ρ Ρ Ι Κ Ν Ω ΣΗ ΒΙ Ο Τ Ο ΠΩΝ
Οι απανωτές μεγάλες πυρκαγιές της Πελοποννήσου και της Βορειοανατολικής Αττικής είχαν σαν
αποτέλεσμα, εκτός των άλλων, να εξοντωθεί ένα πολύ μεγάλο κομμάτι της πανίδας. Προτείνουμε:
α. Τη συνολική αναδιοργάνωση του συστήματος δασοπροστασίας της χώρας.
β. Τη διαφύλαξη των δασικών εκτάσεων και την απαγόρευση οικιστικών επεκτάσεων σε δασικές
περιοχές.
γ. Την κήρυξη των καμένων δασικών εκτάσεων ως αναδασωτέων.
δ. Την απαγόρευση της ελεύθερης κτηνοτροφίας σε ολόκληρη την Αττική και γενικά σε καμένες
περιοχές.
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 11/12
ΓΕ Ν Ε Τ Ι Κ Α ΤΡΟΠΟΠΟΙΗΜΕΝΕΣ ΚΑ Λ Λ Ι Ε Ρ Γ Ε Ι ΕΣ Κ Α Ι ΦΥ Τ Ο Φ Α ΡΜ Α Κ Α
Η χρήση των γενετικά τροποποιημένων καλλιεργειών, καθώς και των φυτοφαρμάκων, προκαλεί
αλλοίωση και υποβάθμιση της φυσικής χλωρίδας με μη προβλέψιμες συνέπειες τόσο για τον άνθρωπο
όσο και για την πανίδα. Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Την ενίσχυση και προώθηση των καλλιεργειών βιολογικής και παραδοσιακής γεωργίας.
ΖΩ Ο Θ Υ Σ Ι Ε Σ
Οι θυσίες ζώων στο πλαίσιο θρησκευτικών τελετών και παραδόσεων είναι απάνθρωπες και
παρωχημένες. Προτείνουμε:
􀁗 Την απαγόρευση των ζωοθυσιών καθώς και των εθίμων και των παραδόσεων που βασίζονται στη
σφαγή ζώων.
ΠΡΟΩΘΗΣΗ ΤΗΣ ΦΙ Λ Ο Ζ Ω Ι Α Σ Κ Α Ι ΤΗ Σ ΦΥ Σ Ι Ο Λ Α Τ Ρ Ι Α Σ
Για την καλλιέργεια και την εξάπλωση της φυσιολατρίας και της φιλοζωίας και την αναγνώριση των
δικαιωμάτων των ζώων, προτείνουμε:
α. Πανελλήνια κρατική ενημερωτική καμπάνια από το αρμόδιο υπουργείο και την προβολή της από
όλα τα ΜΜΕ, με σκοπό την ενημέρωση και εκπαίδευση του κοινού αναφορικά με τη σωστή στάση και
συμπεριφορά μας απέναντι στα ζώα, καθώς και με τις ποινές, τις κυρώσεις και τα πρόστιμα που ορίζει ο
νόμος σε περιπτώσεις θανάτωσης, κακοποίησης, εγκατάλειψης ζώων κλπ.
β. Την εισαγωγή κύριου εκπαιδευτικού μαθήματος στα σχολεία Πρωτοβάθμιας, Δευτεροβάθμιας
και Τριτοβάθμιας εκπαίδευσης.
Σ Υ Ν Τ Α ΓΜΑ Τ Ι ΚΗ Κ Α Τ Ο Χ Υ ΡΩΣΗ
Στην επόμενη αναθεώρηση του Συντάγματος.
ΖΗΤΑΜΕ ΤΗ ΣΥΝΤΑΓΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΚΑΤΟΧΥΡΩΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΩΝ ΤΩΝ
ΖΩΩΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΗ ΝΟΜΙΚΗ ΤΟΥΣ ΘΩΡΑΚΙΣΗ, σύμφωνα με τα παρακάτω άρθρα της
Διακήρυξης των Δικαιωμάτων των Ζώων. Σημειώνουμε ότι η χώρα μας έχει ήδη υπογράψει τη Συνθήκη
του Άμστερνταμ που αναγνωρίζει ότι τα ζώα είναι συναισθανόμενα όντα.
Άρθρο 1
Όλα τα ζώα γεννιούνται με ίσα δικαιώματα στη ζωή και στη δυνατότητα ύπαρξης.
Άρθρο 2
Ο άνθρωπος οφείλει να σέβεται τη ζωή κάθε ζώου. Ο άνθρωπος ανήκει στο ζωικό βασίλειο και δεν μπορεί να εξοντώνει ή να
εκμεταλλεύεται τα άλλα είδη του ζωικού βασιλείου. Αντίθετα, οφείλει να χρησιμοποιεί τις γνώσεις για το καλό των ζώων.
Κάθε ζώο δικαιούται φροντίδας, προσοχής και προστασίας από τον άνθρωπο.
Άρθρο 3
Κανένα ζώο δεν πρέπει να υποβάλλεται σε κακομεταχείριση ή απάνθρωπη συμπεριφορά...
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ
νομίμως αναγνωρισμένο σωματείο αρ. εγκρ. 2203/95
Αλκιβιάδου 24, 104 39 Αθήνα
Tηλ.‐Fax: 210 88 14 677 , Κινητό: 69 79 31 40 28
AΦΜ 998547376, ΙΕ΄ΑΘΗΝΩΝ
Προτάσεις ΠΟΦΥΖΩ για τις Εκλογές 4.10.2009 12/12
Άρθρο 4
Κάθε ζώο δικαιούται να ζήσει στο φυσικό του χώρο (γη, θάλασσα, αέρας) και να αναπαράγεται σύμφωνα με τους φυσικούς
νόμους. Η στέρηση ελευθερίας του ζώου, ακόμη κι αν γίνεται για μορφωτικούς σκοπούς, είναι αντίθετη προς τη διακήρυξη
δικαιωμάτων αυτού.
􀁗􀁘
Αν τις παραπάνω προτάσεις μας τις θεωρείτε ανέφικτες και ουτοπικές, σας υπενθυμίζουμε ότι πολλά
ανέφικτα του παρελθόντος έγιναν εφικτά, όπως η απελευθέρωση των μαύρων και στη συνέχεια των
γυναικών, αλλά και η απελευθέρωση της ανθρωπότητας από το φασιστικό καρκίνωμα. Επιπλέον, στο νέο
ηθικό μοντέλο που προτείνουμε δεν πρόκειται να βλαφτεί κανένας οικονομικά, πολύ περισσότερο να
πληγεί η οικονομία της χώρας, εφόσον ο κάθε σημερινός επαγγελματίας-εκμεταλλευτής ζώων θα
χρειαστεί να αλλάξει απλώς επαγγελματικό κλάδο. Αυτό δεν είναι κάτι που πρέπει να φοβίζει. Για
παράδειγμα, δεν καταλαβαίνουμε γιατί είναι δύσκολο τα κρεοπωλεία να μετατραπούν σε μανάβικα και
τα εκτροφεία της γούνας σε μουσεία «γκραν γκινιόλ» και άλλα τουριστικά ιδρύματα. Άλλωστε, ας μην
ξεχνάμε ότι η μετάβαση από το ένα καθεστώς στο άλλο, έχει προκαλέσει πολλάκις στην ιστορία της
ανθρωπότητας την αντικατάσταση εκατοντάδων επαγγελμάτων που δεν έχουν λόγο ύπαρξης στη νέα
τάξη πραγμάτων. Το τέλος ενός κύκλου προμηνάει πάντα και την αρχή ενός νέου πιο προσαρμόσιμου,
ευέλικτου και ηθικά αποδεκτού στα νέα δεδομένα.
Το κίνημα των δικαιωμάτων των ζώων έχει αρχίσει να εξαπλώνεται δυναμικά σε παγκόσμια κλίμακα
και με ταχείς ρυθμούς, καθιστώντας πλέον δύσκολη έως και αδύνατη σε πολλές περιπτώσεις την
αγνόηση και παραμέλησή του από την πολιτεία. Λιώνει επιτέλους το κερί από τα αυτιά των πολιτικών
και μας ακούν. Χρειάζεται όμως πολιτική βούληση και σθένος από τη μεριά τους, ώστε η αναγνώριση
των δικαιωμάτων των ζώων να αποτελέσει τη βάση οποιωνδήποτε πολιτικών, κοινωνικών και
οικονομικών αποφάσεων που αφορούν τα ζώα.
Τελειώνοντας, θα θέλαμε να τονίσουμε ότι για ΚΑΝΕΝΑ απολύτως λόγο, δεν έχουμε το δικαίωμα
να ορίζουμε τη ζωή κανενός πλάσματος πλην του εαυτού μας. Ωστόσο, φτάσαμε στον 21ο αιώνα και ο
πολιτισμός μας εξακολουθεί να είναι θηριωδώς άγριος απέναντι στα ζώα. Η επιλογή είναι δική μας:
Θέλουμε να είμαστε πραγματικά πολιτισμένοι ή να παραμείνουμε βάρβαροι;
Ας μην ξεχνάμε, ότι στον κόσμο αυτό ΔΕΝ είμαστε ΜΟΝΟ εμείς, αλλά ΚΑΙ εμείς.
Ο Σύλλογος
ΠΟΛΙΤΕΣ ΓΙΑ ΤΑ ΔΙΚΑΙΩΜΑΤΑ ΤΗΣ ΦΥΣΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΣ ΖΩΗΣ (ΠΟ.ΦΥ.ΖΩ)
Τηλέφωνα Επικοινωνίας:
Ρόζα Μηνακούλη: 210 88 14 677
Μάριζα Χριστοδούλου: 69 79 31 40 28

Protest for animal abuse this Thursday

2009-09-15T07:42:00.003+03:00

We spoke to POLICE AND ELECTRONIC CRIME PROSECUTION about the guy who cut off his dog's ears. Lawsuit must be filed in police stations and security.

ON THURSDAY 17/09 please all come with us to the Police Department of OMONIA AND Electr. Crime Department (ALEXANDRAS). and bring your IDs with u.

<>

People who do such things must pay otherwise nothing is going to change.

<< PLEASE COME AS MANY AS YOU CAN >>

<>

THE MEETING POINT WILL BE OUT OF THE HALL IN ATHENS (across KOTZIA SQ.) AT 19:00.
WHATEVER INFORMATION YOU CAN FIND (VIDEO, PHOTOS, LINKS) Bring THEM WITH YOU.

PLEASE DO NOT IGNORE THIS EVENT .
WE INVITE YOU TO COME AND TEACH THEM A LESSON AS WELL AS AWAKEN THE POLICE.

<>

<>

TEL. CONTACT: 2109513960

Bookmark this page www.adespoto.gr
This story is on:
http://www.adespoto.gr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=596:-pit-bull-&catid=35:news&Itemid=67;

Remembering ...

2009-09-11T11:47:00.006+03:00

For more info on memorial services you may visit http://www.911-remember.com/

Hugo, you did it again!

2009-09-08T10:03:00.010+03:00

I have to admit. People that stir up the status quo, I kind of like them. Chavez is not a person I particularly like, but I must confess, I do thank him for sparking life into US-LATAM politics. Also I like the fact that he gives the middle finger to Washington, especially its State Department. His energy agreement with Tehran and its controversial leader must chill Washington's spine. I must be clear here, that I don't really like Chavez but I do sympathize with some of his goals, the problems in his nations, plus he has the politician-comedian-star quality that Sarkozi and Berlusconi possess. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, on the other hand is a person that gives me the creeps. In fact, I am afraid of him. I think he is much more evil than Hugo. Hugo is definitely insane, but I would not call him evil. More of a rebel. Sometimes without a cause. Mainly I think he is just really really pissed with the strong bully neighbor from the north - rightfully so if you ask me - and is doing everything in his power to piss them off. I think he is succeeding big time. Just by being arrogant. I also believe that he will have Mahmoud drink wine from his shoe just by being the only one who actually talks to him. Two birds in one stone. Haha!!

Greece's top 10

2009-09-07T20:44:00.015+03:00

Top 10 things I hate about Greece
No 10: xenophobia
No 9: lack of collectivism in modern greek psyche
No 8: education system, especially higher education
No 7: 'lamogia' and all relevant attitudes
No 6: tolerating an environment-disrespectful behavior
No 5: public sector
No 4: bourtzovlahia (can not be translated and is unique only in Greece, perhaps some balkan countries as well)
No 3: lack of parks in Athens
No 2: treatment of animals especially outside of Athens/Thessaloniki
No 1: lack of accountability in all aspects of Greek life (which results in allowing morons to become MPs even PMs and stay out of jail, giving thus a role model for bad management and putting the bar too low in general)

Top 10 things I love about Greece
No 10: cheap taxi fare
No 9: weather
No 8: most of my family and friends live in greece
No 7: late dinners
No 6: i get to drive everywhere
No 5: greeks of the diaspora and those who have lived abroad
No 4: history and philosophy of ancient greece
No 3: the Acropolis in Athens, Delos, Delphi, Olympia, Epidaurus, Knossos, Vergina
No 2: the sea
No 1: Greek islands holidays

Inglourious Basterds

2009-09-02T13:53:00.012+03:00

By far Tarantino's funniest movie. Although the American filmaker is going from horror to terror and torture scenes are increasing in his movies (don't forget he makes part of the 'hostel' producers team) and Inglorious Basterds does have a lot of scenes that you turn your head away, it is hilarious
Not Jerry Lewis hilarious. More Cohen brothers type hilarious. Brad Pit is super funny. The hillibilly soldier role he plays, he is doing a superb job. His one-liners are inspirational. Oh, let's not forget Pitt's attempt to speak Italian which brings tears. The entire team of his are doing a great job. Especially since their looks don't remind nazi-sculp-takers. They look more like accountants. But they become nazi's worst nightmare. This is part of Tarantino's genius. His genious coupled with his horror kicks gives us Eli Roth in an amazing performance. The actor and producer of Hostel, is a Tarantino buddy and a fellow horror movie fan. He is doing a superb job playing the somewhat deranged American soldier, who kills nazis with his baseball bat. Brutally. He enjoys it. The whole squad does. After all, like Pitt says, it is the only entertainment they can have. Watching nazi's sculls getting smashed...
Christoph Waltz is absolutely fantastic. He plays the super classy nazi officer who speaks four languages and smells jews and finds them, hunts them down, kills them. However, when he sees an opportunity to change sides to his benefit he takes it. Of course not before Aldo the Apachi (Pitt's nickname) marks the nazi cross on his forehead. Waltz's vilain character is outstandingly funny in its evilness.
Waltz is brilliant, the entire cast is, and the scenes are ever so powerful, each of them, all of them.
Perhaps, I would be offended if I were German to portray in such a sarcastic way the germans of the era, but then again, anyone with a decent sense of humor would agree that this is absolutely one of the funniest movies of the season. Of course his portrayal of Americans does not do justice either, equally funny, only that they are on the winning side
At the very end, the movie must fulfill most Jews' fantasy about gathering all top rankng nazis in one closed space and light a fire. Perhaps does not do justice in history, but it must certainly feel good to millions of people.
I guess even modern germans would much rather have it this way after Merkel's speech in Poland this week... Sometimes fiction is much better than the truth..I bet 1000 euros that Merkel would much rather have it done this way if she had a chance to rewrite history!

Had it had less flesh tearing (although the sculp taking mania is part of the hilariousness of the movie) I would give it top marks. But there were many scenes I turned my head away. Therefore I will give it an A-.
Finally Tarantino decides to forget the Bmovie crap (Planet Terror, Death proof) and give us again his unique class we saw in Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction & Kill Bill. Much much funnier this time
Bloody well done!

Wrath of summer sun in California

2009-09-01T09:24:00.010+03:00

The catastrophic fires in California are another reason why I continue to feel devastated for such a long time. After the fires in Athens, now California is burning. The historic Yosemite park is threatened, among other vital spots including Mont Wilson.
Californian residents are living days of hell. Marvellous californian nature and wild life is threatened seriously again.
The greek government will no doubt now say that fires in the summer are an unavoidable part of the scenery. Perhaps. Once they start it is difficult to put them out. In the California fires two brave firemen lost their lives. Fire Captain Tedmund "Ted" Hall was 47 years of age and was a member of the Los Angeles County Fire Department for 26 years and lived in San Bernardino County, California. Firefighter Specialist Arnaldo "Arnie" Quinones was 35 years of Age, and was a member of the Los Angeles County Fire department for 8 years and lived in Palmdale, California.

Besides these two firemen there were three civilians that died but that's only because they did not follow guidelines...yes, they existed. Guidelines I mean.
"There were people that did not listen and there were three people that got burned and got critically injured because they did not listen," said Arnold Schwarzenegger, California's governor.

To the dismay of the greek government, most likely the californian fires did not start from arson. Like the Athens fires.

The californian government and the entire administration knows how to deal with this stuff and is actually doing something more than praying or just expecting firefighters to do the job on their own without any help. Mr Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency in some areas as firemen warned they wouldn't be able to put out the fire for at least a week.

Citizens are better coordinated and informed. Human and animal shelters have been organized. Citizens are asked exactly how they can help.
For example check out this blog:
http://calfire.blogspot.com/
In it you will find links to other incident sites that keep you uptodate with what is going on and directions of what to do if you found an injured human or animal.

Oh, and get this: Most of these initiatives are state organized. State government or the various administrative bodies and departments. For instance, in California a Forrest department actually exists!!!! http://www.fire.ca.gov/
Actually it is called california department of forrestry and fire protection. It is not that in california fires don't get wild. It is that the land is not built afterwards, it is that there is a special force that is protecting the forrests, it is that fire departments, despite the accidents, are more numerous and better equipped within the borders of california...It is that californians feel safer with their government, their forrestry, their country.

I still feel devastated. About the Athens fires, the Californian fires, and most of all the Greek political parties and of course government. Which comes down to the people in Greece that vote for those morons.

Pendeli the day after

2009-08-27T20:10:00.013+03:00

All this week volunteers have tried to go over the burnt land and save any animals that we found that were hurt but alive. Unfortunately most animals we found were dead. Not that many animals were found to be honnest. It is either wild life in Pendeli has long been gone or that the fire ashed most of its victims. We found mainly turtles and a few dogs and cats the first day but the more the days progressed the more we would find dead bodies.
Animals sometimes hide for days at a place of safety and we will be placing food and water all next week till we go a week from friday to search for survivors again.
The sight is heartbreaking...apologies for the shocking pictures.
Today after 5 hours and 20 volunteers we were able to save 5 turtles - one badly burnt - and one lizard. The rest we found dead...in awful state.
The anger slowly kicks in and takes the place of devastation and sorrow. Anger against almost everybody. The arsonists. The construction companies. The people who bought houses up in the mountain. The politicians. Above all against the citizens who continue to vote for personal gain.
Athens as we know it will die. This was the end.

The moral code of animals

2009-08-23T12:51:00.003+03:00

Finally!!! It is proven scientifically that animals think, they have emotions, they sympathize with their fellows, they distinguish right from wrong and they employ fair play in their games.
After years of long research, Marc Becov the professor of Evolutionary Biology of the university of Colorado and his associate biologist Jessica Pierce proved their hypothesis that animals have recognizable emotions and moral intelligence.
They were so amazed with their findings that decided to put them in a book
A young female elephant was falling down after a male pushing her strongly. An older female came to her rescue after chasing the male away. A mouse refused to push the button that would bring him food as he realised that the very same button would create an electroshock for the mouse in the neighboring cell. A young coyote will always use fair game in his play; if not the elders of the community will cast him out. A chimp group punishes everyone who comes late at dinner time as noone can start to eat if the whole group is not present. At a particular experiment, chimps had to put a coin in a slot in order to get their foods. The majority of the subjects found out easily how to do it. There was this new female that didn't. An older more experience male chimp did it for her and gave her the food without attempting to steal it.
Dr. Bekov was so amazed with his experiments that he feels that we should learn from animals and be tought life lessons. There is respect between animals and although they all need to survive, they realize that they have a better chance to survive together and there is a very strong sense of collaboration, teamwork, and rules to be respected. In addition, different societies of the same species have their own rules, just like human societies.
But it is not just the collaboration and teamwork. Between animals there is a lot of love, compassion, empathy, and justice. Animals are smart, emotional, they distinguish right from wrong, they think before they act as they evaluate every situation they find themselves in.
Dr Bekov is already working on his second book: Animal Manifesto out in March 2010
You can obtain a copy of Wild Justice from the University of Chicago Press (http://www.press.uchicago.edu/presssite/metadata.epl?isbn=9780226041667) but only an e-book at this time as there was a huge demand of the book. It is also retailed at amazon.com

Fire day 3

2009-08-23T12:17:00.002+03:00

Today the skies are not orange or grey. They are dark, but you can see the blue
The fires have eaten all the mountain of Penteli, everything that I hold dear as it is part of the place I grew up.
Penteli is hollow due to the wonderful marbles it had since ancient times. The majority of the Parthenon marbles came from Pendeli and Paros.
The mountain also had created many myths, some having some truth since the revolution against the Ottoman Empire about 200 years ago. It was a hiding place for the gorillas against the Turks.
It is a place with rich magnetic ability. On the way to Nea Makri somewhere mid-mountain, there is a location where the road is downhill and then uphill again. What is amazing is if you switch off the engine the car will go backwards uphill. There are some locations on earth that manifest this phenomenon and Pendeli is one of them.
In addition Pendeli has been a place where in the begining of the century, well, last century and up until world war II, people with respiratory diseases would come to get cured due to its wonderful climate. Fresh crispy air moist free.
Pendeli has been burnt down many times. Various locations. In 1998 I remember I was one of the volunteers trying to save what I could only to run with new fire fronts exploding behind me with flames reaching more than 40m. I was trying to free the anmals from the abandoned houses. I was trying to water the roofs. Some was saved
Well, not any more. The entire mountain of Pendeli is now gone. From Marathon to Palea Pendeli
Well, the rocks are still there, they will be there till the end of time. Everything else is gone. Everything that has anything to do with life.
Of course I can not say that I did not expect that. But not this byblical catastrophy. Pendeli should not have been inhabited. Some very old neighborhoods, especially the hospitals and the monasteries have good reason to be there. But all these areas should not exist. Pendeli ought to belong to its forrest, to its rabbits, wolves, foxes, eagles, ducks, wildboar etc. None of that exist now as Man has burned it down so many times.
There is speculation that this fire as well was a result of arson. Well the 85 fires that broke out yesterday. Probably. But then again we live in an area (med basin) that is tortured by fires every august. I remember growing up that there were 'karaoulia' in Pendeli and we used to volunteer. These were fire watch points, usually scouts, volunteers or the army would watch. They would operate 24/7 the summer months. Not since I went to high school have I listened to them being operated. Why?
I don't understand. I don't understand many things. For instance I don't understand why there has been so much talk but no walk about creating fire breaking zones - you know zones of dry land throughout the mountain that would stop the fires from taking over the entire land. I don't understand why we don't use all these soldiers that we have to camp in the forrests. But most importantly I don't understand why we don't have an extremely well organized and state of the art equipped Forrest Rangers whose sole purpose would be to protect our forrests. Well, what is left of them. I certainly don't understand.
I am extremely sad with all these people that have lost their houses, property, animals. I don't understand why they were allowed to buy a house in the forest in the first place. I don't understand what kind of government allows its wealth to be deprived from its country for some small personal gain. Because had such construction had been outlawed and punished - in reality not paper - this catastrophy would not have occured. And I bet anything you would like on this

Fire progression: 6pm

2009-08-22T18:01:00.003+03:00

New fires have been added to the morning one. All of Athens with any tree left is burning...
This is at 6pm. Please note that the sun sets at 8pm..

Fire progression: 12 noon

2009-08-22T12:23:00.005+03:00

You can figure out which way the fire is moving (heavy clouds from northeast)
Note I live about 40km away from the fire front

The fires at 9am. View from my terrace

2009-08-22T12:21:00.003+03:00

East (heavier smoke)
West (clearer sky)

Athens is burning. Again

2009-08-22T10:23:00.003+03:00

Just the other day I was thinking that this year we got away without any fires in the summer. I was really happy but afraid as the summer was not over. During the month of August, the summer wind, known as Meltemi, provide the best condition for a fire to spread.
Unfortunately the last few days we had strong meltemia. This morning I woke up to see my terrace full of ash. The sky was yellow-orange-red toward the east. At the beginning I thought I woke up at some strange moment during sunrise. But the sulfuric smell and the blue sky in the west made me in a few seconds to realize that there was another catastrophy taking place. I shivered. I opened the TV. Nothing yet. Stupid kid shows. After a while there were of course special coverage showing the length and depth of the catastrophy. Toward NE Athens, there was a huge fire killing everything in its passing, a front that was on one side only 5km long! With that wind? I think it is impossible to stop. The good news is that as the day goes on the wind seems to lower its strength.
People are afraid for their lives and properties. I am very much afraid of the impossibility to leave in Athens in the near future. In Cyprus they already import the water they drink and water their plants. I am afraid I will experience that during my lifetime and very soon...

Televised crime on the Amazon

2009-08-12T19:59:00.006+03:00

Usually when a person is asked to leave the police corps due to corrupt behavior, the last thing we would expect is that this person should run for office (or should it be the first ?)
Even so, the likelihood of that person becoming an MP should be given in any decent betting agency 101:1. Well, this is not the case of Mr. Wallace Souza, who not only is a member of Parliament but also a very successful TV host of a program whose legitimate intend is to showcase the crime rate in the jungle city of Manaus where law is hardly enforced. His tv show was gaining in ratings as the crew would be there to film the actual crimes, murders as well, while taking place. The police was becoming suspicious of the camera crews being there before they actually arrived and now there is speculation and accusation of Mr Suza actually ordering the murders to increase the ratings. Mr. Suza is also accused of drug smuggling, among other things.. He, along with his son was arrested but was released due to his parliamentary immunity (at least his son is still in prison)
Of course noone should be guilty unless hard evidence is on the table, but it seems like a pattern of corrupt behavior all over again, only this time the abuse of power is criminal - should of course be proved guilty. Needless to say that the evidence the police found in Mr Souza 's home are overwhelming, but I guess nothing is proven yet (remember O.J.?)
In any case, this story reminded me of an 80's Arnold classic, The Running Man, but I never thought we would come to that. Running Man was a famous TV show (time somewhere in the future) where the last man standing would win a prize. There would be professional hunters making it sure that the contestants would not win. Not sure if art imitates life or the other way around...

SFSU reunion

2009-08-12T16:46:00.008+03:00

Long live facebook! After 15 years, I was able to locate most of my best friends during my MBA year at San Francisco State University and we have all agreed to meet next June for a week of sailing the Greek islands. Sixteen years since we last met all together. Initially the suggestion was NY but we thought that if we wanted to make it summery and warm, we should do the Med. And what better way to experience it than sailing around the islands?
So, sometime next June - hopefully we will all be able to get out of work for a week by then - we will meet in Athens to pay our respects to the Acropolis and then sail away. Where to? Not known yet. Stay tuned
Of all my friends, of course I have kept close contact with Helena over the years,but have not seen the others for a long time. At least 10 years and some 15, since I left beautiful Frisco.
The sail crew will come from all over the world. Helena from Paris, Karine from Monpelieu, Linda from Tel Aviv, Karen from San Francisco, Muriel from Montreal and of course myself from Athens.
A multinational reunion from the coasts of the Pacific to the Mediterranean waters..Pas mal :-)

An atrocious crime that has gone unpunished...how many more similar crimes take place daily and we do nothing?

2009-08-02T17:18:00.003+03:00

People of Kavala, residents and tourists, adults and children, witnessed the most atrocious crime this year.
Someone driving a car at high speed had tied a dog from his leg and only stopped when the dog was definitely tortured to death and threw him in the garbage happy for his deed. The article says that everybody was shouting to him asking him to stop. The police apparently is looking for him. Of all these bystanders nobody managed to get his license plate? And what if the police caught him? You know how much is the fine according to Greek law against animal protection? 400-2000 euros in fine or max 3 months prison. Of course the judge could ask for a higher sentence claiming that he shocked underaged or that his driving was reckless etc.
Torturing a poor animal to death does not, in this country, guarrantee a life sentense as it should. I wish sometimes I was an outlaw. Someone that would take vengence of acts of crimes that go unpunished.
Unfortunately I am not. Nor can I influence policy makers to re-think the law about animals.\

Here is the link of the article, http://www.zougla.gr/page.ashx?pid=2&aid=55855&cid=4
of the flawed greek law http://faethoussa.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%AF%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CE%B6%CF%8E%CE%B1-%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1/
and a beloved Mobby tune that takes new meaning if you watch the clip

Enough with Jacko already

2009-08-02T17:08:00.004+03:00

Unfortunately the sad King of Pop can still not rest in peace. The investigation about the causes of his death is still open. There is speculation that he killed hismelf or that he was a victim of malicious act.
Please! Is it so hard to swallow all the millions of fans that they have played a huge part of his death? A slow death that started about 20 years ago?
Michael Jackson is probably one of the most miserable people that ever lived this earth.
His father ought to be hanged in public no doubt. So should the majority of the rest of his family. And the press. The fans as well. Michael had not produced something of value for at least 10 years. His ghostly white skin with his nose coming on and off should be a ticket to the best possible mental clinic that his money could buy.
But the emptyness of the majority of people that want to feel greater in the presence - even mental - of someone great allowed him to continue to kill himself slowly. He could never be MIchael of the Jackson five or of Thriller or even of Dirty Diana (by that time he was also becoming something of a clown)
His fans now say that he made a breakthrough in music. Well yes, about 30 years ago. What has he done recently? Nothing much because he couldnt. The poor lad could hardly walk or talk or even breath unaided.
Fans should demand that his idol - if they loved him as much as they claimed - should go in a clinic. He should look after himself. Not in the sick way that he thought he did. Instead they let him think it was alright to be abnormal. Or they called him a freak.
Michael needed to be loved in a healthy way. Nobody did that.
So, that investigation in my mind is extremely hypocritical. We all killed Michael. By allowing him to stay out of therapy.
What's worse, is that people still make money out of him. I hope that his soul will eventually rest in peace that he could not find among the living.

Myconos report

2009-07-30T08:53:00.007+03:00

Myconos was as always lovely. A bit too crowded but it is expected this time of year.
Due to strong winds were only able to visit a couple of beaches, and wished I had only stayed in Lia where I stayed the first two days.
Lia is a superb southern beach, without music and people dancing. There is a button on the umbrella calling the waitor (!) which makes moving from the chaiselong unecessary unless if for a dive in the divine green-blue waters
Myconos is a also a gastronomical paradise - a bit expensive of course but if only for three days it is ok. As such we had to try the new Mashuhitsa restaurant (in place of Nobu run by the same people) in Belvedere hotel pool restaurant
Although everyone seemed to be going to Cavo for clubbing, the city's typical bars were also full but not too crowded. The best thing was when Antonis Remos had a concert in Namos, Psarrou beach (my most dreaded myconian place), so about half of the myconian visitors went to listen to him and we were able to have a lovely table on Remezzo's terrace overlooking the port and town. However, it was a bit hard to dance after the nobu dinner and the lovely cocktails they served us, so we only stayed for a while as our digestive function would take the best of us.
And then of course there are the sunsets at little Venice, one of the most photographed places on earth, and for good reason as well.
Some pictures prove the point

Right now back to real life. Well, till next time :-)

POLITICS AND POLITICAL PARTIES IN GREECE

2009-07-30T08:29:00.003+03:00

This is a book directed mainly to academia, but if one is patient enough and has access to the authors to direct questions about the statistical tables or basic principles of politics, it is a superb book
I could not be a prouder sister. My brother Manos was asked to write the first chapter. The book is a compilation of academic articles about the political phenomena in Greece. Manos' article is about old and new dividing structures. By structures he means the social structures as they are depicted in political parties and how these have evolved from traditional ideologies and left-right or center-periphery divide (work-capital in Europe is stronger) to modern political ideologies (economic agenda, ecology, conservativism-social modernization and so on)
The only slight problem is that Manos had struggled with the Greek language a bit and sentences are hefty making it mandatory to be extremely focused when reading it. Definitely not a beach book unless one goes to a quiet beach (Lia :-) and reads through carefully
The way the book is edited, Manos' article sets the framework explaining the political structures and social implications in Greece and providing some contrasts with other European countries. The rest of the articles, very interesting as well, deal with more specific phenomena like the Greek 2007 elections and the submission of duopoly(ND/PASOK) to that of a multi-party parliament(Tsimbras).

Best read I had in years and there is definitely not a single sister on this planet that is prouder than I am.
His other articles are for academic journals and I am trying to get my hands on them and he is now starting working on a book.
Now I understand his obsession of researching instead of teaching. Teaching wastes time of his brilliant analysing talent. Yet, people need to learn from geniuses. Manos is one of them

Constitutional right

2009-07-23T09:47:00.004+03:00

I can hardly believe that there is another self respecting nation that will allow such atrocity. I believe that in the Constitution, it is a constitutional right to have freedom of speech. I guess you can say what you want but you can not believe what you want. Greek Orthodox religion is regulated and directed as part of the Ministry of Education!!!! Actually it is called Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs. You will see Greek orthodox priests working as public servants. Oh, BTW, Church is not taxed in Greece but priests are paid by the state. Luvly
Now, in a country that a lot has been said about reforming the educational system, especially the higher education, necessary module to make this southeast European wannabe corner competitive, the State itself is moving backwards. Since when the State imposes on its people the religion to worship? We are still talking here about a country that wants to respect itself as a progressive nation. (Hilarious)
Oh, btw, the typical answers I am getting from the secular part of the ministry is 'we don't know, we can't help you there...hmmmm I don't really know what to tell you...'

I guess I should go to the priests side. Perhaps they can talk to God and answer my questions. Really...Greeks as a people probably deserve the Government they have...including the Religious affairs

BUCKET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

London parks

2009-07-09T09:19:00.018+03:00

London on a sunny day is beautiful. Best to spend the day in the beautiful parks that it has. One of the most important things I am jealous of world capitals is their parks. It reminds me of what we miss in Athens. Well, one of the things that would make Athens a better place to live.

In the loop

2009-07-08T09:53:00.003+03:00

British, no matter what they will do, they will be more alternative. They have deeply embedded in their culture the importance to be self-sarcastic, and if delivered with humor, it is a regarded a quality of high intellect.
In consequence, all British comedies embody at least an element of sarcasm, taking the piss, as a favorite British expression has it
In 'In the Loop', the brilliant team responsible are absolutely taking the piss on big political decisions and, of course, politicians.
It is a hilarious comedy, definitely the best comedy I saw since a Fish Called Wanda. It will make you fall from your seat laughing. Oh, it does require a good ear for british english, especially if no subtitles are on. Definitely a must go, especially if you have had experience living in Britain.

A dog's best friends

2009-06-25T13:37:00.004+03:00

Dogs are said to be a man's best friend. Man is not necessarily the same to the dog. But dogs can have some very good strange friends.
Elvis, the dog lives in Leintal Zoo, in Schwaigern, Germany. His two best friends Panya and Malia love him very much and show him with cuddles and play all day long. Elivs loves the attention and the care of his friends and disregards all the strange looks of Zoo visitors.
Love rules.

Learning from superior beings - video sent by Ceasar

2009-06-16T05:12:00.007+03:00

I have very often referred to animals as superior beings. This reference had nothing to do with me being a weirdo or an eccentric late 30s single tree hugger freak. No. I am a person who loves animals and is equally naive about human kidness. Hense the single status. Well, to cut a real long story short, I have many times referred to the superior beings but rarely explained why. Well the reason is simple. They know how to love, to survive, to care, to nurture, to accept, to change, to move on. If a dog can breastfeed orphan kittens why can not a priviledged human adopt an unpriviledged child? What was the drive so strong to this dog that made her want to keep these babies alive? Why do humans equal their own survival with the destruction of someone else? Would they hurt to breastfeed orphans? Or feed the poor? Or teach them to live? Or cure them? Wouldn't global trade benefit of the hundreds of societies that are sieged by poverty, disease, illiteracy, and eventually gloom? One of the key principles in economics is the only way to make money is to let money flow in the market. Eventually it will come back to you.
Instead then of keeping all these poor nations under global debt by giving them all the more expensive money and letting them suffer under undemocratic governments, feed them, teach them, cloth them, house them, make them feel secure. Then they will be able to consume. At equal grounds. Like you and me. Like all of us. This will probably take place sometime in the following centuries and scarcity of resources will make people work together instead of killing each other. Till then, ponder on the lessons of some who have come to wisdom before our species

Now tell me where you see the human superiority over wild life....

Dog walkers

2009-05-14T09:59:00.005+03:00

A trend that I first saw on the other end of the Atlantic, in Buenos Aires, is that of dog walkers. These are people that take the same dogs each day for walks around Buenos Aires to its numerous parks. After the dogs walk for around a few hours, they are taken to a distinct park area which is designed for dogs toilet. Yes, they have allowed perhaps 1/20th of each park where dogs can go and poo. Then I believe the dog walker will have to collect the poo and throw it to designated bins.
They travel with 10 or at times 20 dogs in such an orderly manner that I was amazed. Sometimes I can not walk in such way my two dogs because one might want to go left and the other right
Well, the way they do it is by having a leader dog, usually is the dog of the dog walker. So when the dog walker wants to give a command to the herd, he only gives it to the dog captain and the captain then with body language I presume, or perhaps some low voice barking involved, is telling the others where to go.
I thought it was brilliant and much much much necessary.
The dogs get to two a 3-4 hour exercise routine during the day and the dog owners don't feel guilty for not having the time to do it. And the dog walker gets to have some money to pay the rent.
At the end all are happY

I also saw this in San Francisco, but the dogs were smaller in numbers, but there was no dog captain there. Also, I have not seen that in San Francisco with large breeds, whereas in Buenos Aires, there were all breeds possible.

In any case, I was happy to see it happening at any place or any variation. At least some humans realize that we can work for animals
The girl in San Francisco, I asked her if all the dogs were hers. She replied: "No, I just work for them".

Brilliant answer!

More Kittens pictures

2009-05-08T20:40:00.002+03:00

kittens update

2009-05-05T17:09:00.007+03:00

They are now at second week of life. They are doing well. I found out there are 3 boys and one girl. The girl, Ginger, was about to die and a few nights ago I had to stay up all night to give her half a ml of milk every fifteen minutes or so - I had to force it down her tiny throat and I was afraid to break her. But she is fine now. They are all doing great and they all start developing their own personalities.
Let me at this moment present you with each one of these wonderful little kittens and will soon post more on them.
The two orange ones are a boy and a girl, so it is Ginger and Fred, the big guy is Rambo - he keeps drinking, and the pretty one is Eros.
Cute names, eh?

Rambo Drinking

Ginger and Fred

I could not manage to get a decent picture of Eros yet, but here he is, the darker one with the rest of them.

In the picture below is Eros, Fred and Rambo

Geodiscrimination

2009-05-01T14:20:00.008+03:00

Having recently quit my job I am enjoying every moment to the fullest. I feel blessed to just google in the middle of the day whatever comes to mind. So, yesterday I was really trying hard to find out what kind of organizations for animal protection exists in Greece - a huge joke, right.
In any case, my search eventually led me to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a US-based charity organization that has recently branched in Europe.
One of the things that PETA preaches (and I am about to try it out) is the vegetarian life style - its benefits to all parties involved: the slimmer and healthier vegetarian human, the greener planet and the alive animal.
On their home page (both US and UK) they have the free vegetarian starter kit

I downloaded and also ordered the hard copy to be mailed over.
Guess what:
I got a message (twice as I thought I was dreaming so I filled the ordering form twice) saying: We are sorry, we can not post to your location, or some BS like that.
Excuse me? I totally agree that I live in a country of barbarians when it comes to animals, but for the love of God, why can the miniscule minority of us who do care about non-human life, be discriminated against?
I really did not expect that and it absolutely raised my eyebrows. Is it a question of a business deal between PETA and the Greek post office?
Is it a question of money? why is it possible to mail to Italy and not Greece? Seriously I have no answer to that.
Yet, it occurs to me that PETA and other organizations like that are doing it all wrong. Being an animal protector in the US is fine, a cause worthy and all that. But why is it not being an animal protector - by vegetarianism in this case - in such a barbaric state such as Greece? I am not saying that there are not appauling cases in California, but they will be the exception. I am afraid animal abuse in Greece is quite common and the country needs desperately such activist groups. The darker we are on this the worst off the animals will be. You see Greek villagers for example, think it is perfectly alright for an animal to spend the entirety of his life tied up in a rope of one meter long without ever getting unleashed. And this is common practice. So PETA you'd better get your act together and not only mail the veg start kit in Greece but also set up your most powerful of branches because the abuse of animals in Greek provinces is a daily and very common occurrence and nobody does anything about it

New kittens on the block

2009-04-24T10:19:00.003+03:00

One of the cutest sights in the world is kittens or puppies when little - by little I mean close to newborn - are searching for the nipple and playing with each other
Two days ago, just before they were euthanized, I 've rescued four little kittens. Gorgeous creatures, two ginger - identical twins, one black/grey, and one grey. They still have the blue in their eyes, they can hardly walk, they are about one week old, but they have different personalities - actually this is how I can tell apart the identical twins.
Zizou and Klelia are extremely curious. Zizou smelled them, realized they are yet again another source of noise, steal of attention from mummy, babies who will tire him with play, so he kind of looked the other way once he realised they were harmless, but another creature that mummy brings home
Klelia was taken by storm. She is looking at them, smelling them, afraid of them, religiously quiet when I feed them; she is I believe overwhelmed by the fact that someone is so little and can not even poo on their own. She is totally fascinated by them.
Patty hates them, as she hates anything or anybody that might cause more exclamation on their beauty than she does, and Junior is being Junior, not really keen in socializing with strangers.
I need to go soon but tales of the new kittens will come soon. Enjoy

The world after financial meltdown

2009-04-10T13:35:00.005+03:00

Months following banking industry's nuclear catastrophy around the world's stock exhanges, the first rays of hope come to light. Wells Fargo announced significant profit, others smaller loss than predicted and although euphoria has not hit wall street yet, there is some elation.
Wells Fargo registered record profits in the midst of the worst economic crisis in banking - probably ever. Stock price went up by 32%. Others followed.
Citi was up 13%
USB 23%
Bank of America 35%
JP Morgan 19%
PNC Financial 20%

There is still speculation if they forecasted accurately bad debt or revenue

Wells Fargo mortgage loans went up. And the cheaper interbanking borrowing after government regulation helped. So it helped the financial aid.

The reasons for this recovery are definitely more complicated than I present here and not the same for all. Whether the sun will shine away the storm and this recovery will be sustainable not sure.

What is clear in my mind is that extreme positions can lead to chaos. So was extreme deregulation I think. Some balance is needed. Even in economics - it is called equilibrium and is usually forgotten - or so it seems.

Christian the Lion

2009-04-10T11:40:00.006+03:00

When I am discust with humans (that happens several times during every day) I turn to the animal world to find consolation and hope. Every day there are remarkable stories that our friends star and remind us all the things that must not be forgotten.
There is one story however, that no matter how many years go by is unique as it talks about what is best both in animals and humans. This is the story of Christian the Lion. I am sure most of you have seen it on you tube or tv news about the story of two friends that back in the late 70s adopted a lion cub and when the lion turned adult and was too dangerous to live with them - or so they thought - they brought their adopted lion pet and freed him in the wild. A year later, they went to visit him, in his new wild habitat, and they had very low expectations of Christian recognizing them and actually would risk him attacking them.
Christian not only recognized them of course, but run to them, held them in his arms, started licking them and introduced to his parents his new girl - a female lion!!!
His 'parents' have not seen him again since, they don't know if Christian is still alive, but they have decided to dedicate their lives in the protection of wild animals.
It is a fantastic story to turn to for inspiration, motivation, hope, courage and all other positive words that exist in any vocabulary.

You can also be inspired here:
http://animal.discovery.com/tv/christian-the-lion/

On diets..

2009-04-10T11:01:00.004+03:00

Bolivia's president Evo Morales is on a hunger strike so that congress will no longer delay the passing of a law allowing elections to be held in December. Of course it is important to note that Bolivian hunger strikers are allowed to drink water and chew on coke leaves. Fact: you don't want food while on cocaine. Of course the damage to the system is probably even bigger but I am sure he is having a better time than other hunger strikers. Actually he kind of jumped to the opportunity. Long live Bolivia with its customs!! LOL

Sad remains of a bright past

2009-04-08T17:27:00.006+03:00

The world with humans in it have witnessed over the centuries the rise and fall of several great civilizations. Greece, Egypt, Rome, China, the Aztec and the Mayas, the US in more modern times. The cultural heritage will never stop insipiring the rest of the world even when the dominance is gone. What is sad is to realize that when there is still modern versions of the glorious past that not only are not glorious but also shameful. I am fundamentaly proud to be Greek - due to the teachings of the great masters. I am ashamed on account of our modern society. But nothing, I repeat nothing, would make me more ashamed to originate from a country that gave the world Luxor and ended up as dark as it is today.
A 17-year old girl at a province outside the delta of Nile, was beaten to death by her 45-year old father because he found out that she had a boyfriend. He could not face his fellow morons at the village cafe and had to kill his daughter to restore his pride. A similar crime occured a year or so ago in a TUrkish village where a father killed by beating to death his 12-year old daughter because she was raped (and of course her tragedy was not important compared to his injured pride). But Turkey has never been a great civilization - only a great empire. And by great I mean its size. Neither crimes are justifiable - both equally appauling. The one in Egypt is a sharper contrast than the one in Turkey due to Egypt's weight in world history and culture
I wonder how the Egyptian elite - and it exists around the world - will come to terms with such a low level of education in the country (that once was the university of the world) and the scary rise of hard core islamism. Sad sad sad

Another inconvenient truth

2009-04-08T13:51:00.005+03:00

With all the talk about financial crisis, wars, elections, and whatever else might occupy the thinker's mind, we kind of forgot that our planet is actually dying.
We, by we I am referring to the human race and mainly to the people of each country - they have the power not the politicians, they elect the politicians, are not doing anything really to stop the destruction of our planet. Already some very intuitive travel agent - from Miami I believe - is selling land on the moon, venus and mars. If I am not mistaken the price of 1sqklm on the moon is approx 30usd.
What we have really not done is reverse the destruction of the planet. Details you can observe in Gore's an unconvienent truth and other documentaries or books or greenpeace leaflets.
The distraction starts from the sea. No matter how cute I believe pollar bears and pandas are, or how gorgeous the tiger is, 90% of species endagered with exstinction live in the sea. Entire habitats have been wiped out. Some varieties of tuna - the med tuna - is close to exctintion as it is a premium sushi delicacy. During the last few days there have been large amounts of big fish (30klg) that are found dead in the Maliakos sea. Although sample water has been extracted for testing no toxic material was found. Of course nothing comfirms that the sample water was taken from teh right spot, or that the natural habitat of those fish in deep sea can still provide the food it takes for them to feed. Perhaps the water is contaminated deeper than where the fish bodies are found.
Given the fact that Greece is gearing up for national elections, I am pretty confident that this incident will be burried in paper work by clerks, officers, ministers that will just care over the next few months to maintain - or win - a spot under the sun.
In the meantime more dead fish bodies will be found and all the more Greece's richness will be robbed.
We have three options: forget about it, cry about it (and then forget about it), or do something about it. Those of us who have ever tried to do something about it can very clearly determine that unless it is tied to national or regional elections and will personally benefit a strong political figure NOTHING will ever be done.
It is another inconvenient truth that us Greeks are trying to forget - or accept it as part of life. Shame

Barack's first Greek job

2009-04-06T13:16:00.005+03:00

The US President decided that during the NATO meeting one of the countries to meet outside of Protocol was dear old small Greece. I am almost certain that our present ruling Government could not believe their good fortune. Clearly, Greece is important strategically due to its position. This is the reason that the EU accepted us in the first place (yes yes, we know about our glorious fathers, we are talking about our moron brothers - that was a surprise).

Obviously several hot topics were discussed, the fight against terror, the economic crisis and of course the US wanted to clearly show that they want us not to honor the agreement with Putin about the gas pipe and rely our energy sources on traditional US media (oil) but most importantly, slam the door in SE Europe - as well as heavyweight Europe - to Russia.

All that understood

What I think have not been picked up and is understated is Dora's personal win.
First of all, New Democracy showed not ready to receive preferential treatment. Then The Obama and Karamanlis exchanged vowes to visit each other. Obama said that they want FYRoM in NATO. So did Hilary a few hours later in a press conference. Only if/when the name issue is resolved and it MUST have a complex name.

Needless to say Dora was ecstatic. On both accounts. After all, it will go down as a personal win. After all, Hillary's stand is a 180 degrees from Bush's last referral to the name. Not to mention Greece's treatment by the US. Whether it is circumstantial or targeted to a specific cause (KEEP RUSSIA OUT) it does not matter. It can all go down as Dora's success. And it most likely will in her party presidential campaign

One thing I know for sure, is that next Greek parliamentary elections will be more fun.

Hachiko square today

2009-04-06T08:18:00.002+03:00

Sent by Manos

The most populated crossing in the world. Shibuya, next to Hachiko square, Tokyo Japan

The story of Hachikō

2009-04-05T17:07:00.007+03:00

Throughout history there are several stories about faithful dogs. In fact there is no other creature that represents the ideal of loyalty better than dogs. From Homer's Argos to our modern day saying 'dog is man's best friend'
The loyalty label was placed on dogs from observation mainly, but there have been throughout time some trully charistmatic four-paws creatures that illustrate the point. I am certain that in dog's universe - just like man's - there are these leadership figures that are so powerful that give dogs their characterisations as loyal friends. These great leaders have left their mark not only in dog's world, but also in our own. A huge mark.
There are so many great dog figures that it would be unjust to talk about all of them at once. I would like to devote separate postings on each one and their story from time to time
Now I would like to dedicate this posting to a female Akita dog who lived in Tokyo in the 1920s and since then there has been a square, a tube stop and two statues named after this remarkable dog. BTW, I am assuming female as all the Japanese names finishing in -ko are girl names.
Manos & Libia told me of Hachiko's story. Living in Tokyo for a year and a half they could not have missed it. They have crossed the tube station several times
So here how the story goes:
In 1924, Hachikō was brought to Tokyo by her owner, Hidesaburō Ueno, a professor in the agriculture department at the University of Tokyo. During his owner's life Hachikō saw him off from the front door and greeted him at the end of the day at the nearby Shibuya Station. Every morning Hachiko would accompany her master at the station and every evening she would wait for him to accompany him home for dinner. The pair continued their daily routine until May 1925, when Professor Ueno didn't return on the usual train one evening. The professor had suffered a stroke at the university that day. He died and never returned to the train station where his friend was waiting.

Hachikō was given away after her master's death, but she routinely escaped, showing up again and again at her old home. After time, Hachikō apparently realized that Professor Ueno no longer lived at the house. So she went to look for her master at the train station where he had accompanied him so many times before. Each day, Hachikō waited for Professor Ueno to return. And each day he didn't see her friend among the commuters at the station.

The permanent fixture at the train station that was Hachikō attracted the attention of other commuters. Many of the people who frequented the Shibuya train station had seen Hachikō and Professor Ueno together each day. Realizing that Hachikō waited in vigil for his dead master, their hearts were touched. They brought Hachikō treats and food to nourish him during his wait.

This continued for 10 years, with Hachikō appearing only in the evening time, precisely when the train was due at the station.

That same year, another of Ueno's former students (who had become something of an expert on the Akita breed) saw the dog at the station and followed him to the Kobayashi home where he learned the history of Hachikō's life. Shortly after this meeting, the former student published a documented census of Akitas in Japan. His research found only 30 purebred Akitas remaining, including Hachikō from Shibuya Station.

Professor Ueno's former student returned frequently to visit the dog and over the years published several articles about Hachikō's remarkable loyalty. In 1932 one of these articles, published in Tokyo's largest newspaper, threw the dog into the national spotlight. Hachikō became a national sensation. Her faithfulness to his master's memory impressed the people of Japan as a spirit of family loyalty all should strive to achieve. Teachers and parents used Hachikō's vigil as an example for children to follow. A well-known Japanese artist rendered a sculpture of the dog, and throughout the country a new awareness of the Akita breed grew.

Hachikō died on March 8, 1935, of filariasis (heartworm). Her stuffed and mounted remains are kept at the National Science Museum of Japan in Ueno, Tokyo

In 1987 a huge japanese blockbuster was released with Hachiko's story and an imaginary re-union with her master after her death.
For the more ..westerner among us, a 2008 film - to be released in August 2009 - starring Richard Gere. The movie is called Hachiko: A Dog's Story and it is about the relationship between the dog and the master.

Born to be a mum

2009-04-01T09:29:00.008+03:00

At times when we are feeling lower than we should, there is nowhere more inspirational to derive a feeling of happiness and a put a smile on our face than the world of animals

Below a fantastic story - sent by George

In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a�man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.

Geoff Grewcock and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.�

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

The dog had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn't matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.�

Geoff Grewcock relates one of the early incidents. "We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them."

"But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

"She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose."

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary's resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.

"They are inseparable," says Geoff Grewcock. "Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It's a real treat to see them."

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.�
From left, Toby, a stray Lakeland dog; Bramble, an
orphaned roe deer; Buster,a stray Jack Russell; a
dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine�
�
Doing what she does best, being a mother.

SHAMEFUL GREECE

2009-03-23T17:02:00.002+02:00

http://www.adespoto.gr

Ελλάδα: Διεθνώς ρεζίλι...
Ποια άραγε είναι η στάση των υπουργείων Εξωτερικών και Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης;

Aπό το http://www.adespoto.gr
..
H εταιρεία Inside/out προσφέρει μοναδικές ευκαιρίες ''ουμανοτουριστικών'' ταξιδιών με φιλοζωικούς σκοπούς στην Ελλάδα για να αντιμετωπιστεί η κρίση και στην περιθαλψη των ζώων!
Η ''ουμανοτουριστική" ταξιδιωτική εταιρεία ετοιμάζει ένα ταξίδι περιπέτειας - βοήθειας στα Ιωάννινα για τον Ιούνιο του 2009!
Οι συμμετέχοντες θα βοηθούν,καλυτερεύοντας τις ζωές των αμέτρητων σκύλων & γατών στην Ελλάδα,που παλεύουν να επιζήσουν κάτω από τραγικές και απάνθρωπες συνθήκες και έπειτα θα εξερευνήσουν την χώρα,σε ένα μοναδικό ταξίδι περιπέτειας.
Οι ξένοι πώς καταφέρνουν και εντοπίζουν τα προβλήματα ενώ εμείς αδιαφορούμε;;;
Τα καινοτόμα αυτά ουμανοτουριστικά ταξίδια συνδυάζουν το ουμανιστικό έργο με καθοδηγούμενη περιπέτεια,για να αντιμετωπίσουν τις σοκαριστικές, απάνθρωπες καταστάσεις για τα ζώα στην Ελλάδα!
Σ αυτήν την άγνωστη κρίση, τα σκυλιά και οι γάτες παλεύουν να επιζήσουν σ'ένα περιβάλλον ανεπιθύμητων υπερπληθυσμών, κακοποίησης, κακομεταχείρισης, βιαιότητας, εγκαταλείψεων, δηλητηριασμών,έλλειψης τροφής και απάθειας σε όλη την Ελλάδα, αναφέρει χαρακτηριστικά η εταιρεία! Συνεχίζοντας:
Ο σκοπός...
αυτού του ταξιδιού είναι να βοηθηθεί ένα μικρό ποσοστό εθελοντών ζωόφιλων στην Ελλάδα ώστε να συνεισφέρεται ενημέρωση, φροντίδα και προγράμματα τροφής αλλά και να κερδηθεί μια βαθύτερη εικόνα στην κάθε τοπική περιοχή!
Είναι ένα πραγματικά αξιόλογο πρόγραμμα, αν και μας ρεζιλεύουν για άλλη μια φορά σαν χώρα, αφού αποδεικνύεται το πόσο ανίκανοι είμαστε να ασχοληθούμε και να καταγράψουμε τα προβλήματα του τόπου μας! Τα Ιωάννινα λοιπόν-όπου θυμίζουμε τα 3 τελευταία περιστατικά ΔΗΛΗΤΗΡΙΑΣΜΩΝ με φόλα, αδέσποτων κουταβιών που. .''ενοχλούσαν''- επιλέχθηκαν ως ο προορισμός γιατί πιστεύεται ότι είναι μέρος αληθινά Ελληνικό και το επισκέπτονται πολύ λίγοι τουρίστες από το εξωτερικό. Θεωρείται επίσης μέρος μαζικών δηλητηριασμών των σκύλων & γατών της περιοχής,μια εκ των οποιων μάλιστα,αναφέρει η εταιρεία,προκάλεσε και μια μικρή διαμαρτυρία απο τους ντόπιους. (Ioannina was selected as the destination because it is part of an area which is truly Greek and visited by very few tourists from outside the country. It is also the site of a number of mass poisonings of the area's dog and cat population, one of which recently triggered a small protest from area locals.) ''Αυτό αντιπροσωπεύει μια αξιοσημείωτη αποχώρηση από...προηγούμενες συμπεριφορές των Ελλήνων και υποδεικνύει ότι αυτή η περιοχή είναι έτοιμη για αλλαγή συνείδησης ,που προηγουμένως ήταν αδύνατη'',λέει ενθουσιασμένη η Ζωή Κατσούλος. ''Είναι ο ιδανικός τόπος για το επιμορφωτικό μας έργο.΄΄
Το εντυπωσιακό άρθρο συνεχίζει λέγοντας ότι η συμπεριφορά των Ελλήνων απέναντι στα ζώα υπήρξε επί μακράν ''απαθής'' και ''φοβερά βίαιη''. Ένα από τα πιο αρνητικά θέματα είναι η συστηματική δηλητηρίαση των αδέσποτων ζώων, η οποία μπορεί ορισμένες φορές να οδηγεί και σε θανάτους ζώων που είναι οικόσιτα, επίσης. Η στείρωση είναι σημαντικά υποβαθισμένη και συχνά απορριπτέα και είναι εντυπωσιακή η έλλειψη ενημέρωσης κα υποστήριξης για την ανθρώπινη μεταχείριση και την φροντίδα.Το ανθρωπιστικό μέρος αυτού του ταξιδιού σχεδιάζεται να αντιμετωπίσει αυτά τα προβλήματα.
Άλλα ταξίδια της εταιρείας περιλαμβάνουν την Αφρική (15-29/8/09),με πρόγραμμα δενδροφύτευσης για βιοκαύσιμα μαζί με την φυλή των Μασάι και αναρρίχηση στο Κιλιμάντζαρο,σαφάρι καθώς και την Γκουατεμάλα (Νοέμβριος 2009).
''Αυτό το ταξίδι θα δώσει την ευκαιρία να δουν την Ελληνική κουλτούρα με έναν πιο αυθεντικό,άμεσο τρόπο'', λέει η κ.Κατσούλος.''Ελπίζουμε επίσης ότι θα παρέχει την αναγκαία ευαισθητοποίηση για τα προβλήματα της περίθαλψης των ζώων που υπάρχουν στην Ελλάδα.''
Μπράβο Ελλαδάρα με τις πρωτιές σου ,θα προσθέταμε.. Για όσους δεν μπορούν να συμμετάσχουν στο ταξίδι αλλά θέλουν να βοηθήσουν,υπάρχουν πολλές ευκαιρίες: δωρεές,βοήθεια στην οργάνωση,δωρεές πραγμάτων ή σύνταξη επιστολών διαμαρτυρία προς την Ελληνική κυβέρνηση!!!

Happiest countries in the world

2009-03-22T17:10:00.007+02:00

NEF (New Economy foundation) (http://www.neweconomics.org) an innovative think-tank established in 1986 has produced recently a new index measuring human well being. The HPI or the Happy Planet Index. Below you will find some extract from the HPI site explaining what the index is and how is calculated. The research findings are phenomenal and all conclude to two major conclusions:
a) All countries can do better
b) We have been focusing on the wrong end of the stick

The Happy Planet Index is an innovative new measure that shows the ecological efficiency with which human well-being is delivered.

It is the first ever index to combine environmental impact with human well-being to measure the environmental efficiency with which country by country, people live long and happy lives.

By addressing the relative success or failure of countries in supporting good lives for their citizens, whilst respecting the environmental resource limits upon which our lives depend, the HPI has much to teach us. Analysing its results could help us to move towards a world where we can all live good lives without costing the earth

How it is calculated
The HPI reflects the average years of happy life produced by a given society, nation or group of nations, per unit of planetary resources consumed. Put another way, it represents the efficiency with which countries convert the earth’s finite resources into well-being experienced by their citizens.

The Global HPI incorporates three separate indicators: ecological footprint, life-satisfaction and life expectancy.

Conceptually, it is straight forward and intuitive:

HPI = Life satisfaction x Life expectancy x ß

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ecological Footprint + α

(variables a & b are explained in detail in the HPI report)

On a scale of 0 to 100 for the HPI, we have set a reasonable target for nations to aspire to of 83.5. This is based on attainable levels of life expectancy and well-being and a reasonably sized ecological footprint.

At this point in time, the highest HPI is only 68.2, scored by the Pacific archipelago of Vanuatu. The lowest, and perhaps less surprising than some other results, is Zimbabwe’s at 16.6. No country achieves an overall high score and no country does well on all three indicators. Vanuatu, for example, has only a moderate level of life expectancy at 69 years.

This conclusion is less surprising in the light of our argument that governments have been concentrating on the wrong indicators for too long. If you have the wrong map, you are unlikely to reach your destination.

You can get the map here: http://www.happyplanetindex.org/map.htm - the map is interactive and you can check where your country falls.
The 20 top countries in HPI are:

Rank Country Life Sat Life Exp EF HPI
Reasonable ideal 8.2 82.0 1.5 83.5

1 Vanuatu 7.4 68.6 1.1 68.2
2 Colombia 7.2 72.4 1.3 67.2
3 Costa Rica 7.5 78.2 2.1 66.0
4 Dominica 7.3 75.6 1.8 64.6
5 Panama 7.2 74.8 1.8 63.5
6 Cuba 6.3 77.3 1.4 61.9
7 Honduras 7.2 67.8 1.4 61.8
8 Guatemala 7.0 67.3 1.2 61.7
9 El Salvador 6.6 70.9 1.2 61.7
10 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7.2 71.1 1.7 61.4
11 Saint Lucia 7.0 72.4 1.6 61.3
12 Vietnam 6.1 70.5 0.8 61.2
13 Bhutan 7.6 62.9 1.3 61.1
14 Samoa (Western) 6.9 70.2 1.4 61.0
15 Sri Lanka 6.1 74.0 1.1 60.3
16 Antigua and Barbuda 7.4 73.9 2.3 59.2
17 Philippines 6.4 70.4 1.2 59.2
18 Nicaragua 6.3 69.7 1.1 59.1
19 Kyrgyzstan 6.6 66.8 1.1 59.0
20 Solomon Islands 6.9 62.3 1.0 58.9

Although Vanuatu tops the happiness index, it is ranked 207th out of 233 economies when measured against Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Nef is calling for the adoption of a "global manifesto for a happier planet" that will list ways nations can live within their environmental limits and increase people's quality of life. The recommendations include:

Eradicating extreme poverty and hunger
Recognising the contribution of individuals and unpaid work
Ensuring economic policies stay within environmental limits

The HPI NEF report warns if annual global consumption levels matched the UK's, it would take 3.1 Earths to meet the demand.

After NEF's work was published, Adrian White, an analytic social psychologist at the University of Leicester School of Psychology, analysed the HPI data published by NEF, UNESCO, the CIA, the WHO, the Veenhoven Database, the Latinbarometer, the Afrobarometer, and the UNHDR, to create a global projection of subjective well-being: the first world map of happiness.

According to his work then, the 20 most happy countries in the world are:
1. Denmark
2. Switzerland
3. Austria
4. Iceland
5. The Bahamas
6. Finland
7. Sweden
8. Bhutan
9. Brunei
10. Canada
11. Ireland
12. Luxembourg
13. Costa Rica
14. Malta
15. The Netherlands
16. Antigua and Barbuda
17. Malaysia
18. New Zealand
19. Norway
20. The Seychelles

NB: you can find out more at www.newconomics.org and www.happyplanetindex.org
you can find the actual map here: http://www.happyplanetindex.org/map.htm
To download the HPI report : http://www.neweconomics.org/gen/uploads/dl44k145g5scuy453044gqbu11072006194758.pdf
To read more about Mr White's work you can go here:
http://www.le.ac.uk/users/aw57/world/sample.html

Happy pets

2009-03-22T13:37:00.004+02:00

Guess who is happy that the garden looks and feels like the jungle...

Guess who is happy that we let the dogs out:

Two lovers

2009-03-22T13:08:00.007+02:00

If you want to see how one of the most interesting topics of our times is not given justice, actually is destroyed in a movie, you can check out Two Lovers.
The story of a clinically depressed person who is seeking to get hold of life through begging for the love of an equally pathetic individual - emotionally unavailable (she is also clinged to an emotionally unavailable married guy) and his adventures
Gwyneth Paltrow and Isabella Rosellini were very good and kept to themselves the only thing that can get a positive review in this movie.
The story, the script, the direction, the acting from Phoenix - all it was pathetic. BTW, someone should have told Joaquin that he is not playing a drug addict, but a clinically depressed person. There is a big difference. I guess he must have been too drugged to notice.
Definitely the worst movie that I saw in years
Please, do not go and see it - don't even rent it on DVD

Stray cats

2009-03-22T10:30:00.005+02:00

I believe that the fattest stray cats in the world are the ones lucky to live in my neighborhood. Unfortunately they do not allow me to catch them and provide proper medical care so their life span unfortunately is not higher than three years on average, typical average of a stray animal

However, I must say that they have the fattest bellies that I have ever seen in a stray animal. Not to mention that they all wait for me at night when I come home from work. They wait at the entrance of the building howling impatiently for food and giving me the sad angry look for being late.

In the picture you can see Grizoulis sleeping on his bed at my terrace. He is about 13 months old, and I 've known him since he was a few days old. When he was younger he would let me touch him but not any more. He does play with Zizou and Klelia
I have seen him teach his offsprings to cross the road and beware of cars. His wife is a black/yellow/grey cat and they have two cats - both male I think but I am not sure.
His wife is pregnant again so pretty soon the Grey familly will grow.

Spring is almost here

2009-03-21T18:01:00.012+02:00

In Greece we are almost out of seasons. There is usually one main season, summer and then there is a bit chilly and a bit of cold weather. The winter lasts approximately 2 months and it is mild really, and then we are blessed with about one month of spring before the summer starts. It has always been my favorite period but it never lasts long - not in Athens anyways
There is one infallible symptom that spring is on its way and that is the blossoming of the almond tree. I noticed this year most other flowers have started to blossom as well

The pictures are from the jungle that used to be my garden and needs some grooming - will get it done next weekend hopefully
Till then enjoy some spring essence

Country house for sale

2009-03-10T12:27:00.012+02:00

My family is selling a lovely country house 19klm north of Nemea (100klm from Athens), the land of xynomavro vine variety.
In the ancient times, a Lion was terrorising the city but Hercules killed it. In fact it was the first of his twelve labors http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles/lion.html.

The house is a lovely villa on 650m altitude, with a marvellous view of the valley. The main house and the guest house together make up a surface more than 150 sq meters with a marvellous garden around it.
The main house has two bedrooms, one with ensuite bathroom, large kitchen, dining and living room. The guesthouse is a fully autonomous guesthouse with its own kitchen and bathroom with two single beds-
Other facilities include satellite TV, BBQ outdoor terrace, 2-car garage with roof, airconditioning, fireplace, autonomous heating, and in general everything that is required for a very relaxed stay.
The highlight is a huge oak tree that in the summer provides refreshing shade for after sun afternoons. The sea is half an hour away and there are many different choices at this distance (Nafplio, Xylokastro, Kiato)
The village Bozika where the house is located is only 20 min car drive from other very picturesque villages in the area and lake Stylida where in the summer cultural festivals take place.
In fact the location of the village in Korinthia is considered one of the prettiest landscapes of continental Greece.
Selling price is extremely low regarding property value. Fantastic value for money. If you - or someone you know - are interested please contact me (zeta.tsatsani@gmail.com) and I will let you know more details

Friends

2009-03-09T00:38:00.002+02:00

Klelia's new pics

2009-03-08T23:42:00.002+02:00

Why dog is superior to man

2009-03-08T21:34:00.003+02:00

And it definitely proves that there is intelligence and feelings in animals, two qualities close to extinction in humans

Life without limits

2009-03-08T20:33:00.003+02:00

Everybody at some stage in their life will go through a very bad period where things go really really really bad for them. Sometimes we just give up. Well when we think of Nick Vujicic, a 24-year old australian who was born without limps, and now travels across the world with his team to preach strength, we should really take example. Hallo scriptwriters, if you are looking for a truly unique story, come here:

Slumdog millionaire

2009-03-08T16:07:00.005+02:00

The movie was brilliant. Fullstop. The horror of poverty was depicted so clearly that it was impossible to tolerate. Even as a viewer -let alone a bystander, but that's another story. However, this is not where the movie brilliancy was. Poverty has been shown in many movies many times and if one has to gain top prize for it, this must be the brazilian movie 'The City of God'.
In Slumdog millionaire, the brilliancy had a name. Danny Boyle. What a remarkable work has this man given us!! The story of modern India, this great country with this remarkable culture who suffers its dark side. For poverty is worse when it takes place into the world's most racist environment - the cast society. That part of it, although never directly addressed it was present throughout the movie as an accepted part of life. Every time Jamal answered correctly, the game host would remind him what a low life he is by reminding everybody his low-paying blue collar job. The cast society would not expect a slumdog (a better term would be a teenager from the slums) to know the answers of the game and he was taken to the police for interrogation. That's when the other two stories unfold. That of India's nightmare and of Jamal's destiny to happiness. At the same time relationships unfold and grow and make destiny.
Despite the fact that the film was filmed and the story was all about India, it shouted out besides British humor (the autograph scene) the kingdom's aesthetics. Of the alternative kind. Of the kind of innovation in art that is so expected by Brit artists. Of any art. What Danny Boyle proved is that his art reach is depthless. Of course his entire team of hard working illuminated colleagues who sweat alongside with Danny behind the cameras absolutely must have at least a touch of genius. Yet, it was obvious that the entire movie was the vision of a man who gave part of himself in every aspect of it. Besides direction that was so innovative by going back to basics, so was photography and editing. Every minute in the movie had a cliffhanger, shot from an anortodox angle, and the constantly moving light gave a whole new dimension into every single frame. Let's not forget the music which was more the sound of India if anything else. The colorful light of Bombay darkened and tones narrowed around grey everytime the camera went close to the gloomy life of the protagonists.
It is really amazing what a fraction of the money usually available can produce if given to the hands of an artistic genius who can tell three different stories in one. In a captivating manner as well. Let alone if given to the hands of a team of geniuses. And if these employ all these little 5-year old geniuses. These children who played in the movie - and they were so many of them - were absolutely leaving all of us breathless.
Very powerful movie. Personally I preferred the emotion I got out of Benjamin Button (remember all that crying?), but this movie absolutely was worth its 8 academy awards. Most well deserved!

And the funny version

2009-03-06T13:47:00.002+02:00

What do actors do when they start a singing career?

2009-02-27T14:10:00.002+02:00

They get high

Latest you tube sensation. Awsome. Made in Japan

2009-02-27T14:07:00.002+02:00

Modern unbalance

2009-02-24T13:52:00.003+02:00

By the rate of divorce in corporate settings, I am confident - as if I had a doubt - that sardine life is not good for the spirit. With bad spirit after a long day going home and continue to behave with empathy, courtesy and a genuine care of how did the day go of the once loved one, can be difficult. Hence, there is a high divorce rate - or adultery, as the wedding ring is a surrogate indicator of maturity - in corporate environments. But this is only an indication that something goes wrong. Modern demands of having - whether money or fame - cancel the needs of being. And the turbulence of hard working people private life is only an indication of how unbalanced our modern life is - if there is any private life at all.. We are constantly stressed thin for time, always doing the things we have to do, not necessarily what we want to do, we are becoming masters in compromising. The older we get the higher the compromises. We at some point forget where we started. The greatest danger is when we convince ourselves we chose this life and we like it. And then we drug ourselves with pointless dinners with equally unhappy - yet unaware of their unhappiness - friends. Or home with DVD box sets. And we live the same day over and over and over again. And then on weekends we show off our 4WD in a crowded ski or beach resort (in this case, also the new silicone)
So there is no balance. Achieving one goal to the expense of all others is definitely not a happy life. Achieving all goals and then the world would be filled with Obermans. We are definitely not there yet - at least not as a species.

Oscars

2009-02-23T12:45:00.002+02:00

I am gutted that Benjamin Button did not win best movie - or at least adapted screenplay. I mean how better can a story get????
On the ohter end, I have not seen Slumdog Millionaire but...anyways promise to see it
Of course I was happy that Heith received the post mortem oscar, that was given - I mean his performance is one of the best ever in any role. The sad thing is that he is not there and I don't think that he will ever stop being missed
Penelope rightfully got the oscar, Kate most probably (have not seen the reader but she was brilliant in revolutionary road). Sean not sure about his oscar as I have not seen the movie, but what a brilliant actor he is - we dont need an academy award to tell us that.
However, if I had to give my own oscar for most captivating cinematographic experience, I would gladly give it to 24!! (my home theater makes it cinema-like)

Congrats to all :-)

The curious case of Benjamin Button

2009-02-22T16:29:00.003+02:00

Ever since Tender is the Night, which was the first Fitzerald book I have read, I knew that the guy was a genius and he immediately became one of my favorite authors ever. I shamefully admit that the fact that he had written Benjamin Button escaped me. Only when the end titles fell on screen and his name appeared it hit me. Of course!!! It had to be him that wrote this book which a team of people with extraordinary talent took to heart and produced the masterpiece that Elena and I watched last night. So brilliant that I feel way above my league here. Sometimes people in the presence of great talent feel particularly small. This is how I felt last night. Elated as well. I have to add that both Elena and myself kept crying for at least the last twenty minutes. And not that silent sobbing. I don't think a movie had touched me so much since the 'Dead poets society' which I had watched seven times in one month about eighteen years ago.
The three hours of the movie did not bother me at all. After all, it is hard to fit eighty years, two world wars, the loneliness of seamen, the emotional and intellectual growing of the protagonists, and the modern history from glory to gloom of one of the world's most culturally interesting cities, in three hours. The superb acting of the entire cast, the craftmanship of the photography director, the costumes, and the gentlemanship of the director gave justice to Fitzerald's original story. And what an originality did the story nurtured...A guy is born old and the older he gets the younger he looks. How many times have we wished that this happened to us? How many times have the old told the young 'Oh I wish i had your age with my experience.." Difficult to count, ain't it? Fitzerald's story reminds us once more to be careful what we wish for.
The strange story of Benjamin Button deals with a lot more than the actual strange story. It is a story of absolute love. The love of M. Gateau for his son who creates a clock that makes time go backwards. The love of Benjamin's mother who just before she dies saves his life - it was latent that the father at the moment of birth had every intention to kill the child. Instead he leaves it at the door of another loving woman, Queenie. Queenie gives all her love to Benjamin and she teaches him how to love equally strong. Benjamin's love for Daisy, Daisy's love for Benjamin and her daughter, and so on
Everything that has happened in this movie is out of love or lack of it.
The fingerprints of the modern protagonists are all over the movie. Julia Osmond, the daughter, Caroline, was a young beauty in Legends of the Fall, a movie with Brad Pitt a few years back. She looks much older now and he much younger. Katrina is present along with the imminent catastrophy of New Orleans, the city where Brad Pitt has made home for his family after the hurricane. Kate Blanchett is as Benjamin refers to her in his diary, the most beautiful woman in the world, who then calls Benjamin (Brad) perfect from her hospital bed in Paris after her accident. This was a moment of loud laughter in the theater, since she included the thoughts of the entire female audience world wide.
There is also a lot of hope in the movie. Caroline stayed with her dying mother in the hospital withpout worry, hoping that the hurricane will pass. The sunrises that Benjamin would take his people is also a great symbol of hope. But of all the symbolisms, the colibri was for me the most powerful as in this movie it symbolized infinity due to the orbit of its flying wings. The infinity of power of love and hope. Hope for reaching out a dream. Even if Elizabeth crossed the channel at 63. Her message of hope was clear.
I know that a lot of people loved this movie and there were others who did not like it. People whose' opinion I respect hated Pitt's performance and the length of the film. I think Pitt was loyal to Fitzerald's portraying of male characters - low key, intelligent, private, loyal, but somehow they can end up self destructive or self loathing. It is the women characters that are flamboyant and colorful and in a way direct the fate of the men who love them. In my view, the strongest character was that of Queenie whose love for an outcast was so strong that reversed his fate. And Daisy of course, whose beauty was second to none and her love for Benjamin lasted her entire life - without her knowing it for a great part of it.
It was an absolutely great movie and although I have not seen 'Slumdog Millionaire' I would have it as a winner tonight. For one thing I don't see it easily to have a better story to tell.
I give it top marks and I will definitely watch it over and over and over again.

Sadness and Hope

2009-02-17T13:29:00.002+02:00

http://www.contra.gr/Soccer/Hellas/Superleague/AEK/230911.html

Shame and prejudice

2009-02-08T05:16:00.004+02:00

The last 2 years that I moved back in Vrilissia I have been buying my pet supplies from a particular old and outdated pet shop simply because the lady that run has dedicated her life in helping stray animals. In late 2008 she retired. The shop is now run by the owner. Not an animal lover as the retired lady but out of habit i kept going there. A few days ago when I went for my weekly shopping she asked me if I knew someone to run the shop in the afternoons so she does not have to do it. I told her I knew someone that I could recommend on her competence, loyalty and morality. She was excited. Really? Who is she? I told her my cleaning lady, a very sweet 23-year old albanian girl. Then the oh so shameful happened: She frawned. And gave a really ugly grimace originating from her prejudice against immigrants, especially albanians. That of discust and dismissing it without even blinking. I was so ashamed. To be of the same nationality as she was..
Needless to say, she will not be having my custom again. Prejudice walls will not fall if all of us do not make it our own purpose.

The problem of overdelivering

2009-02-02T16:16:00.004+02:00

When I had my first official performance appraisal as an employee, I was already 29 years old! I had to go to the UK for me to work with people who engage in what is widely known as an appraisal review. I did not think much of it back then, I thought it was a waste of time. After all, how dared anyone criticised the quality of my work? After all, I am perfect!!!!!!
I always gave people what they asked me and in most jobs I held I would give them more than they asked me. During my consulting years, I would spend days and nights awake to make sure to meet that deadline without charging the extra time to the company and hence to the customer.
At my first official performance appraisal, I was in for a big surprise. There it was in bold letter, my first official negative criticism. I overdeliver. When I first read it, I thought it was a mistake. Of course there were about 10 strong points for me and 3 negative. The other two were behavioral characteristics, mainly related to stress. For many years though I could not understand whY the overdelivery was under the negative part. I thought that the guy - my manager - just had to write something down.

Eight years later, I understand why overdelivery is a major drawback. First, you don't get to bill the customer for extra work. Major problem in any business. It is like giving away things for free.
It is ok to lure the customer but for a paying project it definitely is not. Then, everything we give loses their true value. If for instance we pay 100 euros and we expect to have a two-person meal with one bottle of wine, and for 100 euros we get the meal, the wine but also the theater tickets, the next time we will have to pay for the theater, that will not go down quietly. Hence problems occur

Overdelivery also means when someone is giving away things the other one did not ask. At least not in the quantity - or quality - that they are given. Or the timing. Everybody wants to have clean running water off their tap. They want to be able to consume that water whenever they are thirsty. They don't want the water to run all the time off their tap.
If there is running water twenty four/seven, chances are the appartment at some point will flood. Not to mention a huge bill and a very bad environmental practice.

It took me many years to understand and realize why it was wrong, and why it is even worse to expect the other to deliver - let alone the over part - in relationships. It is like taking people for granted, them or their wishes.

Setting the frame straight in a human relationship is as important as keeping ourselves within the scope of comissioned work. In both cases people will have to know what to expect and we must not go beyond or below expectations because the balance will be lost. Once the balance is lost it will be very hard to restore.

For this reason I have found that it is important to have a 'contract' to establish the roles and the expectations in a relationship straight from the start. Unfortunately, I have failed to do that outside of a work setting, but I am trying. It is true that for one thing feelings are harder to control than deliverables, but expectations should not be that more different to manage than any contractual obligations if addressed explicitly and agreed by both parties.

Just a bit of food for thought.

Sometimes, less is so much more.

Fab Jill saves the night

2009-01-23T16:15:00.010+02:00

I understand that Michelle dresses down in order for the voters not to believe that the Obamas' wallet is fashion deep, but then again so does Barack. Only that he is classy and she is far from it. Thank God that Jill Biden has much better fashion sense.
And this has nothing to do about triviality of fashion. It has to do with aesthetics. Jill not only has good taste - marrying Biden proves the point as he is the best groomed politician and a very classy gentleman - but her choice of her sensual red gown was a clear political choice. The gown was created by Libanese designer Reem Acra. Michelle can definitely do better than what she does. Classy does not mean expensive. It can mean beautiful, smart, sensual and as Jill dared us, political. As far as to what the political message was, I leave it to you to connect the dots :-)

Once a wolf always a wolf

2009-01-20T10:13:00.002+02:00

Microsoft is again the buzzword of european anti-trust courts. They are now including internet explorer as a bundle for their windows software.
This is how they became so big. I understand anti-trust laws etc etc
So what? They will pay the fine. And will continue business as usual. After all, it is the law of the sea: big fish eats small fish.
BTW, I use mozilla, even though my laptop is operating in a microsoft windows environment and internet explorer was offered there. So what? I downloaded mozilla and off I go. So, the truth actually is that Microsoft did not deprive me - the consumer - the choice. Even though I am not a big fan of the software house, I find all these law suits a bit useless and pointless.
I would be more interested to have someone come up with a more reliable operating system than windows (well linux is) that is equally user friendly (well linux isn't) and they could bundle armagedon if they liked..

Heineken's version of Sex and the City

2009-01-15T10:06:00.001+02:00

my 2008 top ten worst experiences

2009-01-13T13:55:00.004+02:00

1. Amy's death
2. Dad's heart problems & hospitalization
3. my family's economic problems
4. Aunt Mary's hospital flirt
5. Fires in Athens
6. Dimitri's car crash
7. Animal abuse
8. Greek government performance
9. Chinese occupation in Thibet not abolished
10. Zimbambwe's continuous amputation

my 2008 top ten best experiences

2009-01-13T13:03:00.014+02:00

1. Zizou & Klelia's negative Kalaa-zar test, Oct

2. AEK - OLYMPIAKOS 4-0

3. Athens 10k parallel race to the Athens Classic Marathon, Nov 9

4. Obama acceptance speech, Denver Nov 4

5. Madonna Sticky and Sweet concert, Athens OAKA stadium Sep 27

6. Photographic tours of Paris & San Francisco, 2nd & 4th weeks of Aug

7. John Digweed performance, Cavo Paradiso, Myconos Jul 30

8. Heath Ledger's Joker performance in Batman, the Dark Knight

9. Obama's president elect speech, Chicago, Nov 11

10. Myconos holidays Jul30 - Aug 4

Greeks' comfort zone

2009-01-12T13:37:00.008+02:00

The Greek flag is white and blue to represent the sea waves and the foam. The five horizontal blue stripes represent the five seas. The cross is the reference to the orthodox religion that Greeks are baptized into since early age*
This trivia piece of information only to elaborate the point that Greece is a naval country and its people have close connections to the sea.

Now take a mental tour away from Athens, fly over the Balkans or Northern Italy and reach Switzerland. The heart of Europe, a beautiful, rich, mainly mountainous country. Dominated by the Swiss alps. None other alpine village - or small town - is as famous as Gstaad. Probably not famous as a ski resort - French, Italian, Austrian or other swiss towns are more famous about their pists. Gstaad is famous about the rich and famous, its cosmopolitan atmosphere and the luxurious chalets. People do ski there and I would expect to have the highest concentration in the world of chanel ski sets (yes, the fashion house does design skis and ski uniforms) but skiing seems not to be the favorite passtime

I would also expect that Greeks would make up of a high proportion of the population of Gstaad. I would also expect to hang out with each other. What I would not expect is that the 'greek hanging out place' in Gstaad would be called 'The Gstaad Yaught Club'**. Talk about comfort zone.....Unlike most other yaught clubs that exist in the world though, no sailing boats are to be seen anywhere near it..You can check it out here: http://www.gstaadyachtclub.com/

NB: *(about the non-separation of state and church I will revert to a different posting - too big of a topic to discuss here)
**I swear of not making it up. I have been informed by a Gstaad permanent resident (half greek).

My first vinyl album

2009-01-07T12:12:00.003+02:00

I think I was about eleven or twelve when I bought myself, with my own pocket money, my first vinyl album. Yes, back then the delivery mechanism for music was the LP - or the single - in black round vinyl disks.
I actually went with my brother - the two of us - to shop. Alone. For the first time in our lives. I had no idea back then that the title song of the album that I had bought would be one of the most classic of all the one time classic songs. Unfortunately so.
The year was somewhere in the early eighties. The group was Human League. The song was Lebanon (Top3 in UK charts the first week of release despite boycotting from UK radio at the time and with no MTV to broadcast; this tells you something about the song)

Great song, gloomy topic, still relevant, geography slightly different. All great art is always relevant. Unfortunately in this case, this is a great work of art that I would have loved to put in some old drawer and never listen to again. I have bought many LPs, and CDs later on. I think the lyrics of this songs are the ones that I will never forget. Unfortunately!

Does Christianity live in a shopping mall?

2008-12-30T13:05:00.005+02:00

Christmas is in our religion (by 'our' I mean all the different flavors of Christianity) the day that Jesus was born in a very humble shack, in a stable actually, warmed by the breath of the animals, lighted by the star, and showered by the magicians presents. All in modesty, humbleness, religious ecstasy, family love, quietness, with the bright light of a solitary star intruding the darkness of the night.
Now tell me, where do all these Christmasy symbols find their place in 'our' Christmas? I would think that the Japanese celebrating their fashion-victimness with yet another shopping spree, labeling it 'Christmas shopping' is alright. After all, they are not Christian.
Yet for us, Christians, the period around Christmas holidays, is usually the period where most depression attacks are registered and would not be surprised if it was the time where most suicides are recorded in Norway.
The spirit of Christmas commands from us all to be jolly, happy, surrounded by at least three kids that will open their presents on christmas day, an extended family where there are at least 4-5 couples with 4-5 offsprings each, mothers-in-law are not ball breakers, a chalet up on the mountain with a huge fireplace, a golden retriever that will sit quietly by the fireplace the entire evening (next to it without suffocating) and its sole movement will be to occasionally lick someone or wave the tail (the rest of the time it does not move, does not dirt, does not shed). In addition, there is a huge 4x4 SUV in the chalet garage, everybody is a wonderful skier and nobody gets chopped lips and face from the freaking cold.

I think this type of Christmas exists only in commercials. The depressions hit because we mistake the 'commercial type-Christmas' with 'commercial Christmas'. Unfortunately, most recently we can not have the money to buy the presents. And lately the kids are asking play station III or super nintendos - not just a fire brigade or a doll from Santa.

The problem is that at times like this, where Santa has run out of money, it is depressing to make a kid sad. A present needs to be bought. At all costs. Or the parents need to spill the beans: Santa is not real!!! (I think that revelation alone explains the anger of 15-year old Athenians...)

The conclusion is that on a period of financial crisis, Christmas period is harsh on most people. Harsh because most of us will fail to deliver as our role promises. Or at least the delivery will not be as great as it was previous years. Because there is so deeply routed in our westernized soul that we can get by our wrongdoings all year long as long as we deliver our Santa promise. Hence the real legacy of Christmas is lost and misunderstood.

In order for one to be happy, one must have a 4-member family, a mountain house, an SUV, a six digit bank account, patience in light installation and holiday decoration, shouting wealth, exhibition, festive spirit, hedonism etc. None of these qualities have anything to do with Christmas. On the contrary, Christmas, the birth of Christ, was the promise of a hope that God would liberate humans from all these musts and should dos, all these societal directives that all they serve for is to discriminate against the poor, the single and the different. Jesus was born for all, quietly, in his small shack, warmed by the breath of moving animals and showered by the symbolic gifts of the three magicians that came to pay their respects.

No SUVs, no trees, no golden lights, no santas, no fireplace, no fiestas.

My question now is: Why on earth do all these new shopping malls mushroom up in the period that most people get depressed when passing in front of a shop? Christmas is deprived of the true miracle of Genesis and the hope that His birth represented. The devil is taking over. Unlike what most people think, modern devil is disguised in small square plastic cards, especially active in large, bright, luxurious, plentiful, colorful, christmas decorated, over-advertised, window-lacking shopping malls.

PS: Frankly, thinking about it, X-mas is more a single than a family holiday (single folks flats do not have the sparkle, ribbons, trees, lights, etc of family homes during xmas)

Die Welle

2008-12-17T11:20:00.008+02:00

Absolutely worth seeing especially if you want to understand how strong is the psychology of the masses and how easy some uncomprehensible social phenomena can be explained. Out of nothing a human wave can drown us all, especially those who started it.
The references to Nazi Germany is of course unavoided and necessary to show the heavy historical burden on the otherwise revolutionary, modern, artistic and visionary German youth.
Unlike the French 'Entre les Murs' (see previous posting), Die Welle is telling a story, it is not a dramatized documentary, it is fiction that dramatizes a national nightmare in a classroom. The operative question being: Can we have fascism again?
Brilliant movie, the best I have seen this season so far, a MUST SEE.
Excellent direction and a very promising young cast. The professor is wonderful
Without any hesitation, 5 out of 5

NB: The movie is inspired by a real school experiement in California in 67 and based on a novel by Tod Strasser

Body of lies

2008-11-29T13:11:00.006+02:00

A Ridley Scott movie is always an interesting film to watch. Middle eastern troubles, the remote big brother watching the moves of field agents, people getting killed, the good arabs, the bad arabs and the good americans with their nasty habbits.

Overall a good action movie, deals with the ugliness of the war on terror, how the americans, how the arabs that fight and how the arabs that just happened to be born there see it and try to survive
I really enjoyed the movie. Great casting, great directing, great story. Absolutely worth watching in a theater
What is interesting though is that in all hollywood-produced spy movies, the good arab always looks more european. Funny, ain't it?

Felicitations Martine

2008-11-26T11:29:00.006+02:00

On Friday, November 21st, the French socialist party voted for their new first secretary. Martin Aubrey led Segolene Royale by 42 votes. Sego contested the results and there was a second round of votes. Aubrey won. For a second time on Nov 25th, the party's vote to become its leader. Martine Aubrey elue la Premiere Secretaire du Partie Socialiste.
The two women do not get along, not on a personal nor an ideological level, and there have been worries in French left for a party split. (Does that ring a bell???) Segolene appeared on a video to tell her voters that she will come back stronger at the next elections and that she does not plan to quit the left.
Segolene with her ex-partner where the royal couple, the Douglases, of the French left. Things have not turned particularly swell for them since the announcement of their split and the rise of Nicolas.

French socialist voters are split, like their party. Some adore Segolene, some don't even want to see her face on a picture. The truth is that Segolene has a very strong personality - love and hate are the two sides of the same coin. Martine, on the other hand, has an extremely impressive resume, as she is the architect of France's revolutionary 35-hour week, a true solialist. She is also sort of socialist royalty, as she comes from a political family: her father is the architect of Europe 92, Jacques Delors. She is currently the mayor of Lille France's ugliest city, and she is apparently doing a very good job.

Congrats Martine, beating such a worthy opponent makes the win even higher.

France needs to become more competitive without losing its socialist character - mind you France's right is probably far more left than the Democrats. (How right is the Left and how left is the Right, is a different topic alltogether).

The fact that there are for the first time two women candidates to lead France's socialists is also another remarkable progress of our times.

A Parisian monodose

2008-11-24T11:37:00.009+02:00

You probably know the cosmetics samples. Now called 'monodose' A single dose. Well, this is exactly how it felt last weekend. A monodose of Paris. With the econonomic crisis and the intense competition of airlines, the trully successful ones have some supreme offers for European cities from Athens, so I took advantage of Aegean's offer to Paris.
It was a very quick visit to Paris, lunch and coffee in 1er arrondisement with Helena, a bit of shopping, and then home to play with Chiara Zeta and relax. Sunday after breakfast and a stroll around the neighborhood, off to the airport!
Chiara is now walking!!!! She is very vocal, but not able to speak yet, although she seems to understand everything and she starts developing her own judgement, at least she has mastered 'no' :-))
Watching a kid grow, one realises how fast time goes by. Besides the joy that a child brings to its parents and rest of family - provided the child is physically and mentally healthy - the child enriches adults lives in so many different ways.
Firstly, a child needs will fill in every inch of leisure time of the parents, leaving very little room to any thoughts about the vanity of life or other similar grand thoughts..

Even though we all know that there is a cycle in life, somehow watching a kid grow, we tend to forget all that and think that life is forever, as we focus on the now and future plans go as far in the future as next weekend.
Life as we knew it bc (before child) changes. FULLSTOP. Now the adult becomes a caretaker of someone else, and thus needs to care about his or her own self in order to make sure that someone will always be there for the child. Hence, the adult matures. What is greater than just watching the kid grow, is watching its parents grow as well. By growing, I mean maturing, become more accepting, finding solutions instead of problems and overall happier. This is the only way to reach equilibrium in life and most probably discover its true meaning as parenting a child means that we discover the world all over again.

On a different note, that trip also reminded me - as if I had forgotten - how beautiful Paris is. With the sun or snow, Paris remains one of the loveliest, most elegant and most indulging places a person can spend a saturday afternoon.

Bobos finds a family

2008-11-24T11:29:00.005+02:00

Great news: Bobos, found a new family
He will be taken there this afternoon and hopefully will get along with this new parents and sister (there is a female griffon in the house as well)
It is always great to see them get to new homes. Now we'll just have to rescue the next stray. There are hundreds of them and every day we keep finding a new one
Each one that finds a home is a wonderfully happy event. Each one we lose is a terrible tragedy.
I am happy Bobos belonged to the first category. For such a little creature would not be able to survive without a family. In a few days he will also get rid of his elisabetian outfit..

When you want something very much the universe will make it happen

2008-11-21T10:02:00.002+02:00

And so Ducan came back. Now, universe please make Original disappear!!! Thank you