Gaza During and After - "My message to the American people..."

"Gaza During and After" is a documentary by my colleague Tarek when he was working as a journalist.

In 2008, he produced a documentary showcasing the Palestinians daily life, suffering and resilience during the Israeli siege. Using internationally banned weapons, they targeted social infrastructure to destroy livelihoods so that the Palestinians do not have a source of income, trade or a way to live. The documentary takes us through Palestinian lives that the Western media rarely shows. Scroll to the bottom to watch the documentary.

"They shot her even though she was the one
 carrying the white flag, the flag of peace"

Palestinians wants peace and is asking for global support to achieve it

"We want these pictures to reach the European and American people so that they can see. Let the American people see what is happening to the Palestinian people... enough, enough destruction, let us live!"  

"He wants the American people to know that they are unknowingly contributing to the predicament of the Palestinian people"

America, being the largest supporter of arms deal to Israel, is being blamed. They believe if citizens in America sees what is happening here, they will push their government to stop supplying arms to Israel. However, this is happening because "they see the events in our region through the perspective of Israeli media." And this perspective is of "Americans Jews portray[ing] Israel as a last line of defense against another Holocaust and paint its actions as purely defensive." (American Aljazeera, 2015)

Furthermore, as of late (2010 onwards), Canada's actions has been supplying Israel with arms as well, with the Harper government ramping up his war machine to create a more militant Canada on the world stage. Canada's reputation as a peace keeper, recognized by a Nobel Peace prize to Lester B. Pearson in 1957 for creating the UN Peacekeepers, is being demolished by the Canadian conservative government. This documentary is as much for Canadians, Europeans and other countries supporting Israel as it is for Americans. Read more about Canada's involvement with Israel.

I do not condone violence from either side, but Israel is literally shooting fish (Palestinians) in a barrel with superior firepower and support. That crime against humanity is what needs to be known. Once its known, there can be more global pressure to force governments to stop supplying arms and begin the process of reconciliation.

Mad Max: Feminism Road

Let's be frank. I'm a guy. When I heard Mad Max was coming out and saw the trailer for it, there was no way I was going to not see this movie; especially in pursuit of Imax 3D, because let's face it, if this movie was made to be visually appealing as a priority, you don't want to skimp on the cinematic. Suddenly Facebook feed was littered with pro fesminist Mad Max. 


It started with the tumblr blog. I rolled my eyes on the pro feminist Mad Max "hey girl" memes on "Hey Girl" tumblr. Point taken. Women are strong and this movie supports it, not that I was thinking that at all watching the movie, nor any gender equality statements for that matter. However, when I read the article produced by CNN about men's rights activists boycotting Mad Max, they made men look really bad. The opening paragaph writes

 "A well-known "men's right activist" blog is calling for the boycott of the postapocalyptic film"Mad Max: Fury Road" for being a "feminist piece of propoganda posing as a guy flick." 

Quick search on Google pulled up the full piece titled: Why you should not go see Mad Max: Feminism Road written by Aaron Clarey. Eye balls are rolling around all over. And so are the rhetorical questions:

A quick whip around Quebec Maritime

Old Spaghetti house in Rimouski

After breaking my ankle, my anticipated trip of spending 4 nights in the back country of Jacques Cartier National Park just north of Quebec city fell through. Instead, I chose to hobble around the Gaspesie cap of Maritime Quebec, an area I haven't visited since I was in my single digit years. However, a lifetime ago, I was also a tour guide to Quebec City for middle school students, before I moved to Korea. The city and I have history together. This could be a suggested itinerary for those looking for a short trip to Quebec. Using my aeroplan miles, I was able to score a 2 for 1 flight out to Quebec city and back. 

Light house with flying butress

The morning we landed, we picked up the rental car and charged our way out to Rimouski with previous plans of camping also at Parc National du Bic. However, we ended up staying at Motel au Soleil Couchant. In the morning, we went to do a quick peek at the historical site of Pointe au Pere, where one of six light house with flying buttresses still stand today. The St. Lawrence River defined what Canada become through out history as it is the gateway into as far as the prairies. Control over this waterway during the colonial years meant the control over the rest of the continent. It allowed large amounts of support, troops, settlers and otherwise to enter into the interior of North America. These light houses light the way through the treacherous shallows of the river.