Author: Vanessa King

Love Is Stronger Than Pride

- Vanessa King


Japan’s Princess Sayako has recently chosen to wed a non royal ‘commoner’ and has agreed to renounce her title to do it. After saying her farewells to the imperial family, the only daughter of Emperor Akihito abandoned her title as Princess. She is the first to do so in 45 years since her aunt married a non royal in 1960.

In this day and age many formal hiarchies aren’t holding as much power as they used to. For a woman to make a choice to lose her royal status (and royal allowance) for love is not only a very beautiful thing, but a step for woman everywhere who have their fate chosen for them.

The Japanese royal household currently faces a succession crisis, with no male heir produced for 40 years. As a result moves are under way to change the law to let women ascend the throne.
Yay woman power!!!

Protesters Greet Chinese President

- Vanessa King

Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in London this week for a three day visit to have talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair. Upon arrival he ran into hundreds of human rights protesters waving Tibetan flags and Falung Gong supporters who stood in silent protest. Campaigners hoped to send a strong message to the President to encourage him to meet with the Dalai Lama. Whether this actually happens or not it is a message that Tibetan supporters rarely get the chance to relay as the Tibetan flag is banned in China and Tibet. Demonstrations such as these have led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in Tibet where Jintao declared Martial Law over protests by separatists.

Only one protester was apprehended after the prosession had passed. It was a man waving pro-China flag amidst the Tibetan campaigners.

Wild Salmon Find A Voice

- Vanessa King


Well not the salmon themselves per say, but in the hit series Boston Public where over 15 million viewers recently watched an episode which spoke about the issues of salmon farming and its effects on wild salmon populations. Using humour and drama, the hit series had three clear messages including how sea lice from salmon farms are threatening BC’s wild salmon, solutions to the problem and how to learn if you are in fact eating farmed salmon at a restaurant or from a fish market.

From the show…….

Alan Shore: Oh my God. This book! The Stain Upon the Sea. It’s all about these sea lice.
Denny Crane: Interesting.
Alan Shore: They call them cling-ons.
Denny Crane: Did you say Klingons?
Alan Shore: They really could wipe out salmon if something isn’t done.

It’s nice to see television making statements that can help spread awareness on important issues such as these. To learn more about the impacts of salmon farms on the natural environment you can check out this site.

Hello Mars!

- Vanessa King

The planet Mars made it’s closest pass by Earth in 60,000 years in late August this year. The red planet will be taking another close swing by Earth this week-end so those with telescopes might want to take a look. This week-end Mars will be closer to Earth by about 3 times it’s average distance to us.

Mars is the planet in the sky that is most similar to Earth and many scientists believe it is possible that life once flourished there. Many astrologists believe that Mars’ force encourages fierce compassion, aggression, heat, feistiness, courage, and passion, which happen to be some pretty interesting characteristics for days that fall on this years Halloween week-end.

So if you get the chance this week-end maybe you could look up! And fantasize about martians. Who knows. One may even come to your door.

To see more pix of the planet you can go HERE.

Rome Encourages Happy Pets

- Vanessa King

Rome is taking the welfare of pets into serious consideration and has actually banned small fish bowls! The popular round fish bowls have been banned under a new by-law which also stops fish or other animals from being given away as fairground prizes. The bowls apparently do not supply adequate oxygen for fish and can cause them to go blind.
Dog walking is also becoming mandatory for pet owners and dog owners are required to regularly walk their dogs and stop clipping their tails for esthetic reasons.
“It’s good to do whatever we can for our animals who, in exchange for a little love, fill our existence with their attention,” said Monica Cirinna, the councilor behind the by-law.
It’s nice to know that pets out there are getting the rights to live a good quality of life!

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