europe Blog and Journals

WRITTEN BY KHALID AMAYREH

The international community's shaming silence has done nothing to stop the Israeli intentional attempts to kill life in Gaza.

Despite the passage of an entire one year since the cruel Israeli onslaught against the people of the Gaza Strip, the international community has done very little to remedy the effects and after-effects of the Nazi-like Israeli campaign.

Under the rubric of fighting Hamas, the Palestinian Muslim liberation movement, the Israeli army on December 27, 2008, rained bombs, missiles, white phosphorus and other lethal weapons of death down on the civilian population of Gaza.

The result was more than 1,400 Palestinians casualties of mostly innocent civilians, including more than 350 dead children, and more than 5,000 maimed and injured ones.

Moreover, the sustained bombing, which lasted for 21 days, destroyed the bulk of the civilian infrastructure throughout the coastal territory, leaving more than 40,000 homes totally or partially destroyed.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of public buildings, such as mosques and other public facilities were bombed and leveled to the ground.

Israel, a criminal state par excellence, claimed the bombing campaign was aimed at punishing Hamas for firing home-made projectiles on Israeli settlements across the borders.

Kill All Gazans!

The destruction of so many homes has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians homeless.

However, the massive death and destruction inflicted on the totally unprotected Gazan inhabitants showed that Israel wanted to kill as many Gazan civilians as the international community would allow.

Hence, one would not exaggerate a bit or sidestep truth by saying that the main motive behind the virtual Gaza genocide of last year was to satiate Jewish-Zionist thirst for the Palestinian blood.

It was a shameless expression of sadism whereby Israelis drew pleasure from seeing so many Palestinian children and civilians die by bombs and lethal white phosphorus dropped on them from high altitudes.

The destruction of so many homes has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians homeless.

These Palestinians had to be sheltered in insecure and unsafe tents or by clinging to their partially destroyed and highly risky homes.

Israel is vehemently refusing to allow building materials such as lumber, cement, panes, and glass to reach Gaza.

Israeli officials concoct many excuses to justify their manifestly criminal behavior, which is causing immense suffering to innocent civilians, such as claiming that building materials could be used by Hamas to build fortifications.

Indeed, "criminal" is an appropriate description of the Israeli behavior since barring building materials from getting into Gaza reflects callousness, cruelty, and criminality.

The Decapitated "Civilized West"

No matter what Israel does and what crimes it commits, this would not affect Israeli-EU relations.

Now, with the advent of winter, tens of thousands of tormented Gazans are going to suffer and many might get sick and die because of cold weather.

Notwithstanding its Nazi-like criminality, Israel does not alone bear all the blame for the huge shame of exposing the people of Gaza to much suffering and pain.

The "civilized" West, which created Israel by giving European Jews the historical and ancestral homeland of the Palestinian people, is virtually silent in the face of this shame as if the suffering and pain Palestinians have been through were not sufficient.

Indeed, apart from some routine statements by EU officials deploring the humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, European officials who would hasten to invoke "Western civility and enlightenment", are more or less circumspect on the ongoing Gaza nightmare as if they are awaiting to see the people of Gaza slowly dying.

The European Union does give humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. However, the people of Gaza need more than just food. They need to rebuild their homes and lives, and this task cannot be realized without the European Union exerting meaningful pressure on the Zionist regime to allow the entry of building materials into the Strip.

It is difficult to find a single legitimate reason justifying European inaction, which really amounts to a huge betrayal and moral failure.

The European Union has much leverage with Israel. The European Union is Israel's main trading partner, and the Zionist regime has immense interests in maintaining strong ties with European Union and its individual countries.

However, instead of utilizing these factors to convince or even force Israel to allow Gaza to rebuild, EU countries are often busy discussing ways and means to promote their ties with Israel.

The European attitude toward Israel is morally problematic. It shows that Europe is quite helpless in the face of the Israeli arrogance and insolence. In fact, Israel is not only indulging in cruel sadism against a helpless and thoroughly tormented civilian population, but is also killing the two-state solution by continuing to build Jewish-only settlements on the occupied Arab lands.

The European Union is actually rewarding the Zionist state by showing that no matter what Israel does and what crimes it commits, this would not affect Israeli-EU relations.

On December 10, as the world celebrates the so-called Human-Rights Day, the people of Gaza stand virtually alone in coping with their suffering.

Arab Regimes Collaborating with Israel

These regime will pay dearly for their betrayal of an Arab-Muslim people that has been standing alone against Zionist expansionism.

Unfortunately, the biggest Arab country, Egypt, could do much to alleviate suffering across the border. Egypt can, at no price and at no risk, allow building materials to reach Gaza, thus thwarting Israel's criminal blackmail.

The Egyptian economy could also benefit from rebuilding Gaza, given the fact that billions of dollars would be spent in the rebuilding process.

However, the autocratic Egyptian leadership refuses to do so, citing unconvincing arguments about "international agreements with Israel" as if these agreements, which have been violated a thousand times by the Zionist regime, were sacred covenants and more important than saving lives.

Other Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, have voiced their willingness to contribute generously to rebuilding Gaza. The King of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz, reportedly pledged a billion dollars to cover the expenses of rebuilding Gaza.

However, it is amply clear that financial generosity alone is not sufficient to overcome the present tragedy.

Saudi Arabia, an important country in the Middle East, could, if it wanted, exert strong pressure on Washington to pressure Israel to allow building materials to reach Gaza.

However, the fact that the Saudis are not exerting such pressure sends another bleak message of betrayal to the people of Gaza.

This impotent Arab attitude toward the Gaza catastrophe is more than a moral failure.

It really borders on outright perfidy. These regimes will pay dearly for their betrayal of an Arab-Muslim people that has been standing, virtually alone, along the first line of defense against Zionist expansionism and belligerency.

Nevertheless, one has to admit that the Saudis and other Arab regimes cannot really be more Palestinian than the Palestinians themselves can. The Palestinian Authority (PA) regime in Ramallah has done very little to help rebuild Gaza.

On the contrary, this regime, which gives the stupid political power struggle with Hamas priority over the Israeli occupation, often seems to be conniving with the Zionist occupiers and the Western powers in perpetuating the present situation for as long as possible in the hope of generating more anger and indignation against Hamas among the people of Gaza.

This is the very regime that claims to be serving the national interests of the Palestinian people.

Well, with leaders like Mahmud Abbas, Salam Fayyad, and Muhammed Dahlan, the Palestinian people certainly need no enemies.

Hey everyone!
We are currently rocking our headlining tour out in Europe- The Commotion Over The Ocean Tour!
The shows have been incredible so far and so has seeing all you awesome BTFizzlers rockin with us! There are more dates to come, so keep it up Europe!
As you all know, we love giving you the inside scoop at the life of BTF every Wednesday while out on tour, but unfortunately due to lack of computer access on this tour, we can't post our wednesday videos!
But don't worry, when we get home, we will be posting the 2 video episodes, on Wednesday Dec 23rd :-).

In the meantime, keep your eyes and ears opened for the "what's left of me" music video finally comin out! Info will be posted very shortly.

Thanks for all your love and support!
Keep spreading the word about BTF and WITNESS. Get da album in stores NOW!
Follow us! Twitter.com/BTFmusic

See you all very soon.
-matt.blessthefall-

Url: http://www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl

EuroSonic Noorderslag is Europe's biggest and most important live music industry conference and showcase festival and following on from the success of artists such as Ida Maria and Casiokids this year's edition will focus on Norway. Taking place in the Netherlands from 14th – 16th January 2010, EuroSonic Noorderslag will transform the city of Groningen into a melting pot of Europe's best new European talent, ready to be discovered by both music lovers as industry professionals.

Each year EuroSonic Noorderslag focuses on a particular European country featuring performances by the best artists and dedicating conference topics to its music industry. 2010 will be the year of Norway. With its vibrant music scene, Norway offers a wide variety of the best music, ranging from hard rock to pop, from indie-dance to Norwegian metal. Confirmed artists so far are: Audrey Horne, Bernhoft, Donkeyboy, Monolithic and Rockettothesky.

In addition to the Norwegian focus, over 200 bands from all over Europe are scheduled to play at the event, all hoping to impress the festival promoters and booking agents in the audience. Confirmed acts include; Agent Fresco (IC), Choir of Young Believers (DK), Deolinda (PT), Everything Everything (GB), Go Back To The Zoo (NL), Gösta Berling Saga (SE), Jasper Erkens (BE), Joensuu 1685 (FI), Lee Everton (CH), Lucy Love (DK), Moke (NL), Rigby (NL), Sliimy (FR), So I Watch You From Afar (IR), Svjata Vatra (EE), Tim Knol (NL), Waylon (NL) and Wickeda (BG).
As the exchange and support of new music in Europe is one of the main goals of EuroSonic Noorderslag, the special European Talent Exchange Program (ETEP) was introduced in 2003. Each year ETEP brings together the leading European festivals, radio and other media and stimulates them to ‘exchange' a selection of artists. 2009 set a new record! 214 shows, with 75 European artists from 18 countries performing at 54 ETEP festivals in 20 countries. A grand total of 965 shows by 346 European artists since 2003. More information at www.etep.nl

Acts that have gone onto success and gain numerous festival gigs after performing at EuroSonic Noorderslag include; Blood Red Shoes (GB), Goose (BE), Kaizers Orchestra (NO), Lykke Li (SE), Pete Philly & Perquisite (NL), Seeed (DE), Yelle (FR) with the White Lies (GB) clocking up a massive fifteen bookings from ETEP member festivals.

"We didn't feel any pressure at EuroSonic Noorderslag this year. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what job title each member of the audience has, they are still potential fans and still have the ability to be moved and excited by your music. The whole event is in the beautiful town of Groningen and has a great vibe that comes with all early shows in bands careers. It just so happened that after our show, some of the audience became fans and thus asked us to play on some of the festivals and shows that they book and that was very flattering. From that show we were allowed to discover some beautiful areas of Europe over the summer. Parts of Southern Norway, Sweden and even as far as the Czech Republic and Poland. We feel lucky to have played, and proud we won some new fans." Charles Cave, White Lies (GB)

'EuroSonic Noorderslag is an important event for any band who wants to get gigging in mainland Europe. Tonnes of fun and seriously worthwhile.' James Yuill (GB)

"EuroSonic Noorderslag is one of those weird showcase things you do but feel uncomfortable about because it's crawling with music industry types and not many real people, a bit like SXSW. But much like SXSW, if you do a good job of it, you get some way cool stuff out of it. We found that we got offered a lot of good festival slots and started to sell out our Dutch club shows really quickly after doing it, so I reckon it was worth it. It's also in a really fucking cool town." Blood Red Shoes (GB)

"It's quite simple: we made a car called De Staat, and EuroSonic Noorderslag was our ticket to the freeway. Sure, we've done our share of dirt roads, playing local bars and small festivals. People might have heard of De Staat, but EuroSonic Noorderslag really got the thing moving. After our showcases we started playing clubs, and before we could hear one bird whistle, we were set for the summer. Festivals like Pinkpop, Lowlands, Dour, The Great Escape and Sziget are now gigs we can proudly brag about." De Staat (NL)

For more information, please visit www.eurosonic-noorderslag.nl

I didnt for get about buzznet I just forgot my login information haha! Life has had its ups and downs in the past year!! Can't believe I haven't updated this in a year!! I still work at Sephora!! I have my ups and downs with that place as well. We have a love hate relationship!! lol  Sephora sent me to encore back in July in NYC!! I didnt want to come home!! I love NYC and I want to move there so badly!!  Now Im a color expert at Sephora!! I have been freelancing alot more. I have done some weddings, a photoshoot and a fashion show!! So the make up thing has been going well! :) 

I went to Europe in July!! It was one of the best experiences of my life!! I went for 12 days and went to Italy, France and England! I went parasailing in Nice!! I still can't believe I did it because I am so scared of heights! 

I'm going to call it a night though!! Have to be up early in the am for work! I will try to remember to update this thing!! :)

Escape The Fate To Headline European Shows This Winter
New explosive single ’10 Miles Wide’ set for release on November 30th featuring Buckcherry vocalist Josh Todd

Escape The Fate have announced a series of headline dates during December.

Tickets for all shows go on sale August 11th 2009 at 8AM! Make sure you get tickets early, as they will sell out fast!!!

The full list of dates are as follows.
8-Dec-09 Hamburg @ Molotow, Germany
9-Dec-09 Berlin @ Magnet , Germany
10-Dec-09 Cologne @ Underground, Germany
11-Dec-09 Münster @ Sputnikhalle (small room), Germany 
Tickets available at http://www.eventim.de
13-Dec-09 Amsterdam @ Melkweg (Oude Zaal), The Netherlands 
Tickets available at http://www.melkweg.nl
14-Dec-09 Paris @ Elysee Montmartre, France 
Tickets available at http://www.fnacspectacles.com http://www.digitick.com

The notorious Las Vegas rock group have released their sophomore album “This War Is Ours” via Epitaph Records on October 20th, fronted by their hyper-talented singer Craig Mabbit.

The December dates, also coinciding with Escape The Fate’s new single ’10 Miles Wide’ which features (both on the track and in the video) Buckcherry vocalist Josh Todd, follow UK shows with Hollywood Undead earlier in the month and will shock and rock Europe to its core.

Escape The Fate are Craig Mabbitt – Vocals, Max Green – Bass, Monte Money – Guitar, Robert Ortiz – Drums.

“This War is Ours” is a resounding victory – Kerrang! UK

"This war is Ours” as good as never before – Uncle Sally*s Germany

“This War Is Ours” best of 2008 new rock – Rock One France

“This War Is Ours” the record you keep spinning over and over – Aardschok Netherlands

For More Information:
www.Epitaph.com
www.Myspace.com/escapethefate

July, 7, 2009

7/7/09

Hello all....................it's been awhile....so much has happened since i left the world and went into spiritual solitude @ hare krishna. to my shock when i left the temple last week, i heard on the radio about M.J. just as the thunderous heart wrenching news was unfolding!

yes, i am a crazed fan and bit of an eccentric person so i haven't been able to post here and really collect any thoughts....but i felt an overwhelming need to express how much i loved & still LOVE this talented, 'GENIUS" sweet awesome spirit of a man. On this day...

Update: I flew out to his childhood home last week Gary, Indiana and taken some pics that i'll show latter, much to tell but gotta go & watch the memorial.

G*d Bless to all,

~ farah

Against the Reintroduction of Race Laws in Europe

To European democratic public opinion and the press that keeps it informed

Events in Italy have always – for better or worse – had an extraordinary influence on the whole of European society, from the Italian Renaissance to Fascism.
But, all too often, Europe has not become aware of these events in time.
There is currently a great deal of attention in major European newspapers on some aspects of the crisis that has engulfed our country. But we believe that it is our duty – the duty of all those living in Italy – to inform European public opinion on other alarming aspects that have not elicited such interest, such as the draft legislation proposed by the Italian Government, called the “Security Decree”. If it is not prevented, this legislation runs the risk of disfiguring the image of Europe and dealing a severe setback to human rights worldwide.
The Berlusconi Government, using security as a pretext, has imposed on our Parliament – over which it has total control – the adoption of laws discriminating against immigrants, laws the likes of which we had not seen in this country since the passing of the Fascist Race Laws.
The victim of the discrimination has changed: it is no longer the Jews but the undocumented migrant population, hundreds of thousands of people. But the discriminating measures have not changed: if passed, these new laws may, for example, forbid mixed marriages.
Such a prohibition would prevent a person from exercising a fundamental right, the right to marry without constraints of an ethnic or religious nature. The victims of discrimination would be denied this right simply on the basis of their nationality. Not to mention the fact that Italians would equally be denied their right to marry the person of their choice.
Another norm contained in the decree – even more abusive of human rights and dignity – is the prohibition for foreign women lacking permits (an administrative offence) to recognize their children at birth. Thus, the children born to “undocumented” foreign women, by virtue of a political decision by a temporary majority, shall be for their entire lives the children of unknown parents, they may be removed from their own mothers at birth and placed under the care of the State.
Not even Fascism had gone that far! The Race Laws introduced by the Regime in 1938 did not subtract children from their Jewish mothers, nor did they induce the mothers to abort rather than have their children confiscated by the State.
We would not be addressing European public opinion if the gravity of these measures were not such that it transcends national boundaries, calling for a reaction by all those who believe in our shared humanity. Europe cannot accept that one of its founding members regresses to primitive levels of social organization, contradicting international law and the very principles upon which the European political union is based.
It is in the interest of all of us that this not happen. It would dishonour us all.
European democratic public opinion must become aware of the disease ravaging Italy and act swiftly so that it does not spread further.
We are confident that each one of you will choose an effective way to demonstrate your opposition.

Roma, June, the 29th 2009

Andrea Camilleri, Antonio Tabucchi, Dacia Maraini, Dario Fo, Franca Rame, Moni Ovadia, Maurizio Scaparro, Gianni Amelio

Ville dosen't even know that he is a Sagittarius lol, as it says in my Zodiac book. If you were born on the first or the last of the date range for your zodiac sign. The sun moves from one sign to the next at silghtly different times each year, so you may in fact belong in the perous or the subsequent sign. And I also looked on http://www.paulsadowski.com/BirthData.asp and on there it say:

22 November 1976

Your date of conception was on or about 1 March 1976 which was a Monday.

You were born on a Monday
under the astrological sign Sagittarius.
Your Life path number is 11.

Your fortune cookie reads:
The greatest gift is love.

Life Path Compatibility:
You are most compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 2, 4, 8, 11 & 22.
You should get along well with those with the Life Path numbers 3 & 6.
You may or may not get along well with those with the Life Path number 9.
You are least compatible with those with the Life Path numbers 1, 5 & 7.

The Julian calendar date of your birth is 2443104.5.
The golden number for 1976 is 1.
The epact number for 1976 is -1.
The year 1976 was a leap year.

Your birthday falls into the Chinese year beginning 1/31/1976 and ending 2/17/1977.
You were born in the Chinese year of the Dragon.

Your Native American Zodiac sign is Snake; your plant is Thistle.

You were born in the Egyptian month of Tyby, the first month of the season of Poret (Emergence - Fertile soil).

Your date of birth on the Hebrew calendar is 29 Heshvan 5737.
Or if you were born after sundown then the date is 1 Kislev 5737.

The Mayan Calendar long count date of your birthday is 12.18.3.7.0 which is
12 baktun 18 katun 3 tun 7 uinal 0 kin

The Hijra (Islamic Calendar) date of your birth is Monday, 30 Dhi'l-Qa'dih 1396 (1396-11-30).

The date of Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 18 April 1976.
The date of Orthodox Easter on your birth year was Sunday, 25 April 1976.
The date of Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent) on your birth year was Wednesday 3 March 1976.
The date of Whitsun (Pentecost Sunday) in the year of your birth was Sunday 6 June 1976.
The date of Whisuntide in the year of your birth was Sunday 13 June 1976.
The date of Rosh Hashanah in the year of your birth was Saturday, 25 September 1976.
The date of Passover in the year of your birth was Thursday, 15 April 1976.
The date of Mardi Gras on your birth year was Tuesday 2 March 1976.
 
As of 6/29/2009 12:49:46 AM EDT
You are 32 years old.
You are 391 months old.
You are 1,701 weeks old.
You are 11,907 days old.
You are 285,768 hours old.
You are 17,146,129 minutes old.
You are 1,028,767,786 seconds old.

Celebrities who share your birthday:Scarlett Johansson (1984) Scott Robinson (1979) Mariel Hemingway (1961)
Jamie Lee Curtis (1958) Billie Jean King (1943) Robert Vaughn (1932)
Rodney Dangerfield (1921) Benjamin Britten (1913) Hoagy Carmichael (1899)
Charles de Gaulle (1890) Abigail Adams (1744)


Top songs of 1976Tonight's the Night by Rod Stewart Silly Love Songs by Wings
Don't Go Breaking My Heart by Elton John & Kiki Dee Disco Lady by Johnnie Taylor
Play The Funky Music by Wild Cherry December, 1963 (Oh What a Night) by Four Seasons
50 Ways to Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon Kiss and Say Goodbye by Manhattans
If You Leave Me Now by Chicago Love Hangover by Diana Ross


Your age is the equivalent of a dog that is 4.66027397260274 years old. (You're still chasing cats!)

Your lucky day is Thursday.
Your lucky number is 3.
Your ruling planet(s) is Jupiter & Neptune.
Your lucky dates are 3rd, 12th, 21st, 30th.
Your opposition sign is Gemini.
Your opposition number(s) is 5.

Today is not one of your lucky days!

There are 146 days till your next birthday
on which your cake will have 33 candles.

Those 33 candles produce 33 BTUs,
or 8,316 calories of heat (that's only 8.3160 food Calories!) .
You can boil 3.77 US ounces of water with that many candles.  

In 1976 there were approximately 3.1 million births in the US.
In 1976 the US population was approximately 203,302,031 people, 57.4 persons per square mile.
In 1976 in the US there were approximately 2,152,662 marriages (10.1%) and 1,036,000 divorces (4.9%)
In 1976 in the US there were approximately 1,921,000 deaths (9.5 per 1000)
In the US a new person is born approximately every 8 seconds.
In the US one person dies approximately every 12 seconds.

In 1976 the population of Australia was approximately 14,110,107.
In 1976 there were approximately 227,810 births in Australia.
In 1976 in Australia there were approximately 109,973 marriages and 63,230 divorces.
In 1976 in Australia there were approximately 112,662 deaths.

Your birth flower is CHRYSANTHEMUM

Your birthstone is Citrine

The Mystical properties of Citrine
Citrine is said to help one connect with Spirit.
Some lists consider these stones to be your birthstone. (Birthstone lists come from Jewelers, Tibet, Ayurvedic Indian medicine, and other sources)
Yellow Topaz, Pearl, Diamond

Your birth tree is
Ash Tree, the Ambition

Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trustworthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very serious.

There are 179 days till Christmas 2009!
There are 192 days till Orthodox Christmas!

The moon's phase on the day you were
born was new.

Comment: more info on the Mr. Ville Valo that we love. and yes I'm a Zodiac freak. Go on this web site

http://www.paulsadowski.com/BirthData.asp and you can find this infomation for your bithday.

new journal. new beginngings.

Becoming european in 3 weeks! i've been waiting for this day since i was middle school! plenty of pictures are being taken! i can't wait for all the cool art museums and the london eye!!

i applied to starbucks, maybe i'll get hired. i'm so sick of my current job.

peacelove
yvonne

We have just announced our first European/UK tour, so get your tickets quick before they're sold out.

Tickets will go on sale May 15th!

-asd

11/4 - Berlin, Germany @ Magnet
11/6 - Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
11/7 - Amsterdam, Holland @ Melkweg Sugar Factory
11/8 - Cologne, Germany @ Luxor
11/9 - Brussels, Belgium @ AB Club
11/10 - Paris, France @ Nouveau Casino
11/11 - London, England @ Barfly
11/12 - Birmingham, England @ Bar Academy
11/13 - Manchester, England @ Roadhouse
11/14 - Leeds, England @ Cockpit
11/15 - Glasgow, Scotland @ Cathouse