See it, film it change it

I came across the Witness.org site which aims to give a voice to those not usually included in global dialogues by giving access to video and online technologies which allow them to tell their own story.

Here is a great video about how to get started with a video and issues to think about. Click here for a PDF download of the ideas covered.



Click here to see a video offering lots of practical tips on how to use a video camera to its best advantage for those of us unfamiliar with the technology.


Finally here is a video of musician and activist Peter Gabriel at TED Talks sharing his very personal motivation for standing up for human rights with the watchdog group WITNESS and tells stories of citizen journalists in action.

Handbook for bloggers and cyber-dissidents

"Blogs get people excited. Or else they disturb and worry them. Some people distrust them. Others see them as the vanguard of a new information revolution. Because they allow and encourage ordinary people to speak up, they’re tremendous tools of freedom of expression.

Bloggers are often the only real journalists in countries where the mainstream media is censored or under pressure. Only they provide independent news, at the risk of displeasing the government and sometimes courting arrest.

Reporters Without Borders has produced this handbook to help them, with handy tips and technical advice on how to to remain anonymous and to get round censorship, by choosing the most suitable method for each situation. It also explains how to set up and make the most of a blog, to publicise it (getting it picked up efficiently by search-engines) and to establish its credibility through observing basic ethical and journalistic principles."

From the Reporters Without Borders site. To download the handbook in the form of a PDF file click here. If you want to set up your own blog using their blogging platform click here.

Despair, or something like it

Despair, or something like it, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

There is a house by the sea

Workers on the Thessaloniki underground protest death of colleague

The public prosecutor in Thessaloniki is investigating the exact circumstances under which a 50 year old construction worker was killed yesterday and whether the company is liable for prosecution . The accident happened when the arm of a crane used in the construction of the city's underground came loose and struck the employee.

Fellow workers downed tools and gathered outside the ministry of Northern Greece in protest today and in order to bring attention to lax safety standards.

Να πραγματοποιεί προληπτικούς ελέγχους σε εργοτάξια -ιδιαίτερα των μεγάλων έργων- για να διαπιστωθεί εάν τηρούνται τα προβλεπόμενα από τη νομοθεσία μέτρα ασφαλείας των εργαζομένων, καλεί το Σώμα Επιθεώρησης Εργασίας (ΣΕπΕ), ο προϊστάμενος της Εισαγγελίας Πρωτοδικών Θεσσαλονίκης, Δημήτρης Παπαγεωργίου.

Ο κ. Παπαγεωργίου ζητά επίσης από τις αρμόδιες αστυνομικές αρχές -σε συνεργασία με το ΣΕπΕ- να προχωρούν άμεσα στη σύλληψη των υπευθύνων, σε περίπτωση που σημειώνονται θανατηφόρα ή μη εργατικά ατυχήματα.

http://www.tvxs.gr/v4729

To ίντερνετ ρίχνει κυβερνήσεις - the internet topples governments

Photo by Oliristinn

Η πρωθυπουργός της Ισλανδίας ζήτησε από τους διοικητές των τριών μεγαλύτερων τραπεζών της χώρας να παραιτηθούν, προσπαθώντας να αποκαταστήσει στην εμπιστοσύνη στο τρωθέν σύστημα της χώρας.

H νέα πρωθυπουργός ανέλαβε την εξουσία υποσχόμενος να αντιμετωπίσει την χρηματοπιστωτική κρίση που έπληξε τη χώρα, και έριξε την προηγούμενη κυβέρνηση, η οποία υπέστη και ιντερνετικό πόλεμο.

To ξημέρωμα στην Ισλανδία, η ατμόσφαιρα είναι παγωμένη και το σκοτάδι δεν δίνει σιγά σιγά τη θέση του στο φως της ημέρας.

Είναι η ώρα που που οι Ισλανδοί κολυμπούν στα νερά των ιαματικών γεωθερμικών λουτρών.

Μετά το πρωινό κολύμπι απολαμβάνουν τη ραστώνη, και συζητούν για τραπεζίτες και πολιτικούς.

“Έπρεπε να είναι όλοι στη φυλακή, πολλοί άνθρωποι χάνουν τις δουλειές τους, η κρίση είναι μεγάλη, είναι εγκληματίες και κλέφτες”, σχολιάζουν οι πολίτες.

Το σάϊτ Iceland Weather Report, είναι ένα από τα δημοφιλέστερα στη χώρα. Εκεί εκφράζεται ο ωμός θυμός πολλών Ισλανδών.

Οι πολιτικοί προσποιούνται ότι ο διαδικτυακός αυτός τόπος δεν υπάρχει, όμως το 90% των Ισλανδών κάνουν χρήση του διαδικτύου, και εξέφρασαν τις απόψεις τους.

"Μας δίνεται η αίσθηση μιας σιωπηλής επανάστασης, ο κόσμος ζητά ριζικές αλλαγές, οι επιφανειακές διακοσμητικές αλλαγές δεν είναι αρκετές, δεν φτάνει μόνον ένας κυβερνητικός ανασχηματισμός", επισημαίνει η Άλντα Σίγκμουντοτιρ, υπεύθυνη του διαδικτυακού τόπου Iceland Weather Report.

Οι μπλόγκερς υποστήριξαν τις διαδηλώσεις που έγιναν έξω από το κοινοβούλιο της Ισλανδίας, οι πολίτες δεν ικανοποιήθηκαν από την ανατροπή της κυβέρνησης, θεωρούν όλους τους πολιτικούς διεφθαρμένους, και ζητούν νέα πρόσωπα στην κυβέρνηση.

Οι διαμαρτυρίες διαπέρασαν και υπερκέρασαν τις παραδοσιακές πολιτικές δομές, ο αυθόρμητος πολιτικός θυμός των ανθρώπων εξελίχθηκε σε κίνημα που ανέτρεψε την κυβέρνηση, κάτι που οι πολιτικοί απέτυχαν να προβλέψουν.

Χιλιάδες πολίτες μέσω των ίντερνετ καφέ και τις μπλογκόσφαιρας δημοσιοποιούν τις απόψεις τους και την αγανάκτηση τους.

"Οι πολίτες μάθαιναν τα νέα και τις εξελίξεις από άλλους πολίτες, κανείς δεν εμπιστευόταν τις επίσημες πηγές πληροφόρησης, οι πολιτικοί πρέπει να είναι ταπεινοί και να αφουγκράζονται το λαό", τονίζει ο πολιτικός ακτιβιστής, Στάρι Χόκστον.

Η Ισλανδία επικοινωνεί με ολόκληρο τον κόσμο, μέσω διαδικτύου, μια παλιά αποθήκη για ψάρια στεγάζει την ηλεκτρονική βάσει του μεγαλύτερου διαδικτυακού παιχνιδιού στον κόσμο, με 250,000 παίκτες παγκοσμίως, που προσπαθούν να κατακτήσουν ένα τεχνητό σύμπαν.

Στον πραγματικό κόσμο οι πολιτικοί προσπαθούν να ελέγξουν το διαδίκτυο, στην περίπτωση όμως της Ισλανδίας, το διαδίκτυο κέρδισε τους πολιτικούς.

From Skai.gr

And see here for the original BBC video report from Iceland

Iceland's new prime minister Johanna Sigurdardottir has asked the country's three central bank governors to resign in an attempt to restore faith in the country's battered financial system.

The previous government was the first in the world to be brought down by the credit crunch, but it may also have been the first casualty of internet politics.

Brian Hanrahan reports from Reykjavik.

New Model

"Dreamed a dream by the old canal"

Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience

“Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

George Washington

Hanging out with the Thessaloniki Amish

Hanging out with the Thessaloniki Amish, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

The Witness trailer.

Sweet Jane

, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Shooting outside US ambassador's home - Athens

Two shots were fired this morning outside the official residence of American ambassador in Athens. According to local media reports the private security guard assigned to protect the ambassador's home, which is behind the embassy was shot twice by a Greek police officer.

Police spokesperson, Panagiotis Stathis (see here for video) stated that the security guard was leaving the ambassador's home when the officer who was on duty at the entrance to the residence shot at him as he was walking away. As the guard turned round the officer fired once more, hitting him in the throat.

The guard was rushed to hospital where the bullet was removed and the officer placed under arrest. The authorities say that the officer, who joined the force in 1995 has given contradictory explanations as to why the shooting took place.

Ambassador, Daniel Speckhard, who was at home giving a working lunch when the shooting took place was not injured.

The incident couldn't come at a worst time for the Greek police, ELAS already under fire literally and metaphorically since the police shooting of a teenager last December. Yesterday a police station in the Athens suburb of Korydallou was sprayed with bullets by a group claiming to be Revolutionay Struggle (Epanastatikos Agonas), the third such attack in a month. In addition the police leadership came under heavy criticism when riot police tear gassed the leader of the country's main opposition party during a speech to demonstrating farmers.

Top Greek politician tear gassed while giving speech

Giorgos Papandreou - Γιώργος Ανδρέα Παπανδρέου, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

Giorgos Papandreaou, leader of Greece’s opposition in parliament was tear gassed during a speech in the Greek port of Pireaus this morning.Papandreau, head of the PASOK party was addressing protesting farmers from Crete when riot police fired tear gas into the crowds following clashes between a small group of protesters and the police.



More than 2000 farmers arrived from the Greek island yesterday along with hundreds of tractors in order to march on parliament in protest against the present conservative government’s agricultural policies. However, authorities refused to allow the march which led to use of clashes and two arrests. Although the blockade of the country’s main highways by farmers has eased off over the last day Greece’s land crossings with neighbouring Bulgaria are still closed to most traffic.

Framers responded to yesterday's scenes of violence between farmers and police near Athens by blockading roads in Crete's main cities and occupying government buildings. In addition another 100 farmers and tractors arrived in Pireaus this morning to support those already present.

In common with many other European countries, Greece has experienced a wave of rioting and often violent demonstrations over the last two months as people unhappy with the government’s handling of major issues took to the streets.

Athens, Riga, Paris, Reykjavik and other capitals have been the scenes of sometimes unprecedented clashes between disgruntled citizens and police.

To see video of the event from tvxs.gr clickr here.

Greek farmers in clashes with riot police

Violent clashes between farmers and riot police followed the Greek authorities to prevent 2000 protesters from Crete from leaving the port city of Pireaus to demonstrate outside the parliament in Athens. Tear gas and pepper spray were used against protesting farmers in the docks.

Like other farmers who have blocked road junctions across the country and still are preventing traffic from entering or leaving Greece's land borders Cretan farmers are seeking government assurances that the island's producers will be included in 500 million Euro agricultural aid package. However, despite negotiations between officials from the ministry of agriculture and farmers representatives no agreement has been reached and protesters have decided not to return to Crete.

Scenes of violent clashes also enraged farmers in Crete itself and many have vowed to sail to Athens to aid their follow farmers. In addition the Greek Union of Merchant Ship Engineers has said that it will strike if riot police units are not wihdrawn from the port according to Greek media sources.

Live Station

Screened realities, originally uploaded by Teacher Dude's BBQ.

One of the most useful applications I've came across recently is Live Station. After you've downloaded their programme (about 15mb) you can watch TV on your computer from all over the world as CNN, BBC and over 2000 other stations can be found. There are versions for Windows, Mac and Linux.

A great resource for anyone wanting to practice their English and of course for anyone who wants to get a wider view of world events.

Day of the Triffids

Once again I went back to my new favourite site, Flash-candy.com in order to see the 1962 Brit sci-fi classic, Day of The Triffids. I think I saw this when I was young but thankfully couldn't remember how it eneded so keeping me in suspence. The strangest thing was a feeling of deja vu as I kept on saying but I've seen this somewhere else. Then it hit me that much of the plot and imagery was re-cycled in 28 Days Later, Danny Boyles London based zombie thriller. Streets devoid of life, a few scattered survivors, even the upturned red double decker bus are to be found in both films.

However, as Day of the Triffid is a very English sci-fi movie even the the mass blinding of virtually every person in London doesn't lead to mass panic or despair. Indeed, people manage to say please and thank you after every polite request to the few sighted people left.

"Oh dear, we seem to be in a bit of a pickle, what with the collapse of civilsation as we know it and our imminent demise due to starvation. Darn it. Now who wants a cuppa?"

Click here to see full movie online.

Actually, both movies were extra scary as they take place in, what to me at least. is a very familiar background. Instead of monsters tearing up New York or aliens menacing LA the idea that terrible things can happen in seemingly dull British suburban street seemed to add to the believability.



Even the movements of the blinded survivors of the meteor shower seemed to anticipate the zombie movies from later in the sixties and beyond. Apparently the BBC is making a new TV series based on John Wydham's book so expect to see Day of the Triffids once again hit the headlines.

Actually, I think a Greek version set in Athens would be super scary as well. I was wondering why no one has thought of it. Still, as the price of film making and special effects drops even further I wouldn't be surprised to see something coming out via the internet in the near future.

The Creature from the Planet that Time Forgot

When I was younger, that is before the dawn of time when dinosaurs and Christian fundamentalists roamed the Earth I just loved the old 50's science fiction movies they'd show on TV. Flying saucers, mutant monsters and heroes with jaws of granite and nerves of steel fought to the death in order to make sure my Thursday evenings remained the highlight of my week.

So, imagine my joy when I found a site where I could see online some of the films that I enjoyed so much when I was a kid. Classics such as Forbidden Planet with its ethereal monster and amazing robot.



Click here to see the whole movie at Flash-candy.com.

Also I was drawn to the story behind This Island Earth when top human scientists are whisked off to Metaluna to save their civilisation from the Zagons (no kidding).




Click here to see the whole movie at Flash-candy.com.

I hope you enjoy watching these again as much as I did. Cheap special effects, stilted dialogue and acting so wooden you can hear it creak, kids today don't know what they are missing.