Helping with Hip-Hop

Big ups to AIM emcee Perseverance who helped raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association by performing Hip-Hop for Charity with other sick emcees at The Berkeley Cafe last Friday. Hip-Hop can not only raise awareness but it can also raise money for campaigns, charities and causes so AIM emcees should try to contribute to such events as much as possible because first and foremost we are activists who are here to establish positive global change.

Thank you Perseverance for setting a great example to other emcees because for the most part Hip-Hop has been made about competition, wealth and fame as opposed to co-operation, altruism and change. The AIM has proven yet again that we will only commit to utilizing Hip-Hop positively not negatively, as we see exploitation and ethical bankruptcy both within the mainstream and the underground. Let's take Hip-Hop out of the hands of the oppressors and put it back into the hands of the oppressed. Moreover don't assume that all 'conscious' or 'underground' emcees are commited to positive change because many of them parrot the same individualism, violence, sexism, racial sterotyping, blind religious fanaticism, homophobia and consumer greed that we see in mainstream rap music. Read between the lyricism because Hip-Hop like everything else needs to be critically analyzed or it will be a problem not a solution. The AIM are the solution and Political Hip-Hop like Street Poetry and Guerrilla Graffiti are just some of our tools for raising awareness. Neverthless Hip-Hop should always be utilized in cohesion with activism because once one has raised awareness about injustice one has to take direct action against it. Essence is revealed through praxis so take AIM if you're hard enough!

Stay Defiant!

~AK47~

The AIM Army are GREPPIN For Justice!

The AIM Army are GREPPIN!

The AIM is proud to be able to offer these Guerrilla Republik UK shirts available exclusively via The AIM. Please order at our online shop in your preferred currency or buy one on the UK leg of Capital-'X' and Jehuniko's I Want Justice Tour (sponsored by The AIM, Guerrilla Republik UK and Real Hip-Hop Forever).

The Anti-Injustice Movement, aka The AIM, Guerrilla Republik UK and Real Hip-Hop Forever presents Capital-'X's I Want Justice Tour in the UK with guest emcees Jehuniko from the US and Brent Lee Regan from the UK, and the legendary DJ Flako from Guatemala. This is the rawest, most brutally honest revolutionary Hip-Hop to explode onto the UK underground. If you want candy rap, or weak and wavering conscious Hip-Hop then this is not for you because this collective of international underground raptivists are nothing short of revolutionaries. If you're down with intelligent lyricism, raw truth and hard-hitting beats then this is a show you can't afford to miss. People are sleeping and this performance is going to make them wake up and smell the thermite.

~AK47~

AIM Takes Part In Global '100 Cities Against Stoning' Events

On Saturday 28th August thousands of campaign groups, activists and ordinary people took to the streets of 111 different cities around the world to protest against the act of stoning, and call for the release of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani and over 50 others currently being held awaiting their sentence of death by stoning.

Please read on for details of the actions taken by AIM members and a few of my favourite highlights from some of the other cities involved.

Glasgow, UK

AIM members AK47, Santa Maria, Lilith, Rainbow Castro and Olive Green plus approx 10 AIM supporters gather almost 500 signatures.

 

Niagara Falls, Canada

AIM member Coffy is invited to speak on behalf of The AIM at the rally.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

AIM member Mother Justice and a local activist take to the streets.

100 Cities Events Highlights

Iranian city of Rahsht takes part in event:

Sakineh's son live on phone to Washington DC protest:

Translation:

“Greetings to everyone who participated in my mom’s demonstration and those who have pictures of her in their hands. I want to say that we love you very much and I am thankful for your kindness and attention. The news that sometime ago was put out by the Human Rights Office of the Judiciary is an absolute lie, and we have noticed that my mom’s file has now been lost. The Islamic Republic has altered the file and they have entered Mr. Kian’s home (my mom’s lawyer) and all of the documents have been taken away, even his laptop and other belongings. And then they went to my mom and by beating her, forced her to say certain things. We want from the whole world to help us in this ordeal. All of those people who are supporting us in Iran, such as Mr. Kian, they are in danger. And once again, I thank everybody.” 

In Bradford, England a small protest takes place despite violent EDL protest and heavy police presence:

Glasgow resident Omar Ibrahim was so concerned that the racist and often violent
 EDL would be a poor reflection on what we wished to achieve on this day of action that he had a banner made for Sakineh and travelled to Bradford to demonstrate against stoning and against fascism. His event report is here.
Report from Omar Ibrahim, Bradford, UK
I was part of a small demonstration in Bradford today for the Free Sakineh campaign and against stoning as part of the 100 cities against stoning campaign. The problem was that policing measures on the day, due to an English Defence League (EDL) protest in the city that day.
800 members of the far-right EDL held a demonstration against militant Islam. The problem is their policy on human rights abuses in Islamic countries is that its fine. They believe the problem is the growing muslim population in the UK and they were proven wrong today.
 The EDL had their demonstration and fought police, local people and their own muslims but were ultimately ignorant of one thing that much of Bradford understood. That the stoning and torture of citizens by any state is wrong.
I was going to Bradford to protest the EDL but am a supporter of the campaign and felt it relevant to bring this up in Bradford at the anti-racist demonstrations. I talked to locals, especially muslim youth about the demonstrations and the case. Some knew of the case already and were supporters.
However, most were not willing to have a photo taken with the banner due to the tension in the city on the day. One man volunteered to have a picture taken holding the Free Sakineh banner that I had made in front of the police cordon that impeded our protest.
 We unfurled the banner to cheers and applause from the anti-racist demonstrators. Anti-racists and muslim youth in Bradford know about Sakineh's case.
The campaign against stoning has our support.

One man in Tres Pontas, Minas Gerais, Brazil organises events in 5 towns in his area:

In total 111 cities and towns completed over 114 actions in support of Sakineh and against stoning.

Thank you to ALL who were involved in organising, attending and acting on the protests.

Def Jux, El-P and Camu via Awkword of GYMR

[illustration by Chris Hajny]

The "pioneering NYC underground-rap label" Definitive Jux, its founder, emcee/producer and New York City cultural icon El-P, and his artist and friend, Ohio's late avant-garde emcee/producer Camu Tao, have been in the news a lot more than usual lately. And I think that's a good thing. I grew up going to Fat Beats; I got fucked up and into fights to a hardcore NYC Hip Hop soundtrack composed by Company Flow, The Jugganots, Non Phixion and The Arsonists. If it weren't for these indie legends, there would never have been a Rawkus Records. And without Rawkus, there may never have been a Mos Def and/or Talib Kweli...

Channel 4's 'Slavery Season' (UK Only)

This has been received via an email from antislavery.org and I wanted to share it with you all. I believe that all the programmes will also be available online at channel 4 on demand.

Dear Anti-Slavery supporter, A week of special programming starting Monday 30 August on Channel 4 (UK only) uncovers the dark reality of slavery in Britain today. Dispatches: Britain's Secret Slaves - Monday 30 August, 7.30pmA special documentary investigating the plight of overseas domestic workers in Britain who are kept locked up by their employers and subjected to sexual, physical and psychological abuse. I am Slave - Monday 30 August, 8.30pmWritten and produced by the team who made The Last King of Scotland and inspired by real-life events, I Am Slave is the extraordinary story of one woman's fight for freedom from modern-day slavery in London. A powerful story of imprisonment, cruelty and despair, but also one of hope and humanity, starring Wunmi Mosaku. Hunt for Britain 's Sex Traffickers - starts Tuesday 31 August, 9.00pmThe story of the biggest UK police operation against sex trafficking, following the investigation and eventual sentencing of some of Britain 's most serious sex traffickers. In three parts from Tuesday 31 August to Thursday 2 September. We hope the upcoming programmes inspire you to get involved as we need your help now more then ever to END SLAVERY TODAY. To take action against slavery, please add your voice at www.antislavery.org/campaigns/ Thank you for your ongoing support, Gemma Wolfes Campaigns & Outreach Officer g.wolfes@antislavery.org If you would like to make a donation to support Anti-Slavery International's work please click here

AIM Against Stoning

This Saturday thousands of people in more than 100 cities all around the world will come together against stoning, and The AIM will be among them.

In Glasgow, AIM HQ have organised a rally starting at 2pm and are planning to talk about the reality of stoning, give information and leaflets to passersby and gather signatures so end stoning, save Sakineh, and remove Iran from the UN Commission On The Status Of Women.

Our newest supporter Olive Green has painted 2 banners for us to use and we are also looking forward to some great video footage courtesy of a shiny new AIM video camera (well actually it belongs to Lilith but I am pretty sure she'll let us borrow it quite alot lol)

In Niagara Falls, Canada AIM members Coffy and Dee will be attending a rally and will also be representing The AIM as one of the guest speakers. Coffy and Dee are very active in their area and often take part in rallies and protests so we feel there is no one better to to speak on behalf of us all to the people of Niagara.

It was also recently arranged that AIM Puerto Rico will also be on the streets on Saturday taking a stand against stoning. AIM member Mother Justice and a local activist called Ivonne will meet in San Juan and speak to people about stoning. They have posters and other materials and we look forward to seeing some pictures and maybe some video footage of the first ever protest in Puerto Rico with an AIM presence!

Anyone who has some free time on Saturday is encouraged to take part in an event. If there is not one near you it is not too late to organise one. All you need is a petition, maybe some fliers or posters (available here), a picture of Sakineh perhaps, and if you can find anyone willing then someone to do it with you. It doesn't need to be big to make a difference. I have been to rallies with hundreds of people and also protests with just 2. Both work in different ways, but equally. If you want to do something and would like some support to do so then just email us and we'll help out as much as possible.

Artwork © Olive Green. All Rights Reserved.

A Blog About SHAC In Spanish - Un blog acerca de SHAC En español: by Mother Justice

Partiendo de la hipótesis tradicional de que los animales responden de la misma manera que lo hacen los humanos cuando están expuestos a determinados productos, los animales son continuamente utilizados para probar la seguridad y / o eficacia de medicamentos, productos domésticos y de cuidado personal, productos químicos, dispositivos médicos, etc. Sin embargo, los animales no son "gente pequeña", y sus cuerpos suelen responder de manera muy diferente que los humanos. Como resultado, los métodos de prueba de origen animal siguen sin legítimas necesidades humanas, mientras que los nuevos descubrimientos en el campo de las alternativas han conducido a las técnicas nuevas y mejoradas que no involucran a animales vivos.

SHAC ha recibido una serie de documentos filtrados que detalla la compra de cientos de monos de China por Huntingdon Life Sciences entre 2006-2008. Los documentos revelan, una vez más, cómo HLS, Primate Productos Inc, y sus clientes, son directamente responsables por el sufrimiento horrible de monos atados con correas para el comercio internacional de monos esclavos . Los documentos incluyen los contratos, facturas y permisos de importación de pescado y Vida Silvestre. Tienen certificados de sanidad animal expedido por la República Popular de China, las rutas de navegación, hojas de contacto, y varios mensajes de correo electrónico (como la correspondencia de un viaje en Diciembre 2007 a la Florida por tres empleados de HLS para llevar consigo Primate Products Inc. facilty estación de cuarentena y la granja de cría). Sin empresas repugnantes como Primate Productos, Inc., que son un importante eslabón en la cadena de la esclavitud animal y maltrato animal, 10.000 de los silvestres capturados o criados en jaulas, no serían utilizados como meros instrumentos de experimentación para la industria de la vivisección.

Los primates son utilizados en las pruebas de toxicología, en los estudios sobre el SIDA y la hepatitis, en los estudios de la neurología, la conducta y la cognición, en la reproducción, en la genética y en los xenotrasplantes. Son atrapados en el medio silvestre o criados. En los EE.UU. y China, la mayoría de los primates son domésticamente criados, mientras que en Europa la mayoría son criados sin domesticar. Los monos rhesus, macacos, monos ardilla y monos lechuza son los más importados; alrededor de 12.000 a 15.000 monos son importados en los E.U. cada año. En total, alrededor de 70.000 primates se utilizan cada año en los Estados Unidos y la Unión Europea. La mayoría de los primates utilizados son los macacos, pero también se utilizan titís, monos araña, monos ardilla, los babuinos y los chimpancés. En los E.U.; en 2006 hubo 1.133 chimpancés en los centros primates de E.U.

El primer primate transgénico fue producido en 2001, con el desarrollo de un método que podría introducir nuevos genes en un macaco rhesus. Esta tecnología transgénica se está aplicando ahora en la búsqueda de un tratamiento para la enfermedad genética del trastorno de Huntington. Los estudios de primates han sido parte del desarrollo de vacunas contra la poliomielitis, y el desarrollo de la estimulación cerebral profunda. Es el uso actual más intenso no tóxico que se produce en el modelo mono es el SIDA, SIV.

HISTORIA Y ENFERMEDAD HUMANOS -

Ensayos con animales que han fracasado en los pacientes

¿Qué tan útiles han sido los animales en la comprensión y el tratamiento de enfermedades humanas?

Esta pregunta no es tan significativa como mucha gente cree. La cuestión principal es si los experimentos con animales pueden ser útiles en el futuro. La respuesta a esta pregunta es claramente NO, por dos razones.

Uno de ellos es que ahora estamos estudiando la biología con más detalle, a nivel celular. Mientras que los animales tienen cierta similitud en el nivel bruto, el estudio más amplio es, cuanto mayor y más consecuentes de las diferencias.

En segundo lugar, la tecnología disponible que nos permite estudiar la biología humana es tan incisiva que los estudios animales son claramente una mala opción.

Sin embargo, es notable que muchas de las reivindicaciones se hacen falsas sobre el papel de la experimentación con animales que ha jugado en la historia del tratamiento de ciertas enfermedades. Estos son más frecuentes en relación con la diabetes, la fibrosis quística y la enfermedad de Parkinson. Cada caso es un ejemplo de por qué los ensayos con animales no es una opción viable.

SIDA

Un virus humano causante de las muertes de seres humanos. Los experimentos con animales han demostrado que son una pérdida.

La propagación del SIDA es una de las mayores epidemias potenciales que nos pone en peligro. Más de 12 millones de víctimas, de los cuales 2 millones han sido niños, han perdido sus vidas. El VIH y el SIDA, causado por un virus que se enfoca en el mecanismo de defensa del organismo, es otro ámbito en la investigación con animales. Sin embargo, los modelos animales no han logrado replicar el sistema humano, y han sido incapaces de producir ningún avance, mientras que un estudio en humanos y la labor científica ha permitido la comprensión de la enfermedad y los intentos de combatirlo.

Actualmente no se ha descubierto ningún primate que haya sido naturalmente infectado por el VIH. SIV (Simian Virus Immunodefieciency, a diferencia de humanos Immunodefieciency Virus) si han habido infectados, pero el virus es diferente. Y como los estudios en humanos han demostrado, las pequeñas diferencias en la estructura del virus afecta de forma significativa su actividad y amenazas. Se sabe que los viruses son específicos para cada especie. Los cerdos llevan el virus de la gripe del cerdo y no les hace nada, pero los seres humanos pueden morir si se infecta con él. Un niño con sarampión se ve afectado, sin embargo, su perro no está en peligro, teniendo en lugar moquillo canino, un virus que no afectará a los humanos. Y los humanos pueden y mueren de SIDA. Los monos no lo hacen. Aún así se intentó crear un modelo de mono de SIDA humano. VIH se le ha dado a miles de chimpancés sin sida en desarrollo, dando lugar a mayores dosis del virus, todavía no se desarrolla, debido a diferencias en los sistemas inmunes de las dos especies. Una diferencia importante es que los chimpancés tienen una mayor incidencia de las células T asesinas en la sangre en comparación con los seres humanos. También hay menos ayudantes (el objetivo del virus del VIH) por cada mil células asesinas que en humanos. Esta alta incidencia de las células T asesinas proporcionan un alto nivel de resistencia. Los seres humanos producen las células T asesinas, que no existen en los chimpancés. Más anticuerpos defensivos se producen, (y se hayan producido antes) por los linfocitos B en los chimpancés en comparación con los humanos. Mientras que en los humanos el virus VIH se propaga a la saliva, plasma, e incluso el líquido cefalorraquídeo, en los chimpancés es limitado - al parecer exclusivamente - a las células blancas de la sangre. Los humanos infectados con el VIH con frecuencia desarrollan cánceres, infecciones y cambios en el sistema nervioso central, mientras que el chimpancé sólo tiene síntomas similares a la gripe. La investigación se ha extendido a otros monos, sin embargo, su sistema inmunológico es diferente al nuestro. En los gatos, se ha dicho que sufren de un equivalente felino (FIV). Se une a un receptor diferente, se transmite por la saliva no el sexo, e indujo a FIV no se desarrolla en un sistema inmunológico deficiente. Al igual que con todos los experimentos con animales para estudiar enfermedades humanas, la investigación del VIH se ha visto obstaculizada por el doble problema de las diferencias en las enfermedades y las disparidades en la forma en que son tratados por el animal en cuestión. En el caso del VIH, el sistema inmunológico del hombre no es comparable a cualquier otra especie, y el virus al que se compara es disímil.

La crítica de la investigación del VIH en los animales ha llegado desde muchos ángulos, e incluso los experimentadores con animales han sido incapaces de negar que es un fracaso. Un director de Yerkes, uno de los centro de primates más grande de investigación estadounidense admitió que "no veo que un convencimiento de que un modelo de cimpancé sea particularmente útil". ACT UP San Francisco, el grupo de presión que luchan por la acción más para combatir el SIDA, reconoce el fracaso de la vivisección en la búsqueda de tratamientos para la infección por el VIH. En 1995 se acordó por consenso para apoyar una prohibición de la investigación basada en animales.

A pesar de estos fracasos, los intereses han hecho dinero de la vivisección y por su continuidad y han logrado desviar sumas colosales de dinero de la investigación en proyectos perpetúa a sí misma en el mejor de los animales que han sido inútiles. Mientras tanto los investigadores clínicos como Claude Reiss y David Ho realizan el trabajo dedicado a hacer incursiones en los tratamientos y es de esperar una vacuna.

Aquí hay varios videos que demuestran el proceso de la vivisección:

Por favor, tómese el tiempo para enviar mensajes a Primates Products, Inc sobre sus relaciones con HLS. Alertas por correo electrónico puede ser muy eficaz si muchas personas lo hacen. Gracias por su continuo apoyo. Hasta que todos sean Libres. Vamos a mostrarles la fuerza de nuestros sentimientos en contra de lo que hacen.

Primate Products, Inc.

PTLC & Equipment Div (HQ).

PO Box 1588Immokalee, FL 34143

ptlcequip@primateproducts.com

Primate Products, Inc.

Live Animal Division

7780 NW 53rd StreetMiami, FL 33166

highlightinglad@primateproducts.com

Primate Products, Inc.

PO Box 620415

Woodside, CA 94062

650-529-0419

650-529-0419

PPI BehavioristStefanie Haba Nelsen

(239)867-2020

(239)867-2020 ext. 2242

(Office) (239)821-9006

(239)821-9006 (Cell) 

Donald A. Bradford, President: DonBradford@primateproducts.com

John P. Resuta, Jr., Operations Manager: JohnResuta@primateproducts.com

Eileen Sylvester, Office Administrator: EileenSylvester@primateproducts.com

Kathleen Turner, DVM: KathleenTurner@primateproducts.com

Stefanie Haba Nelsen, PPI Behaviorist: stefanienelsen@primateproducts.com

Otros enlaces importantes sobre campañas, movimientos y organizaciones para poner un alto a los ensayos en animales son:

Animal Rights Group List Movements, Campaigns & Organizations

♠ EsPerMa (( _♣_ )) SuiCiDa ♠'s MySpace Blog

http://goo.gl/IjZW

Welcome To The Family Rainbow Castro!

By now you should all be aware of The Love Police and the great work done by it's members. Since being introduced to them by Lilith a few months ago we at HQ have been big fans of their work so we were delighted to connect with an active Glasgow member online. One thing led to another as it does in life, and Glasgow AIM met up with Glasgow Love Police for some hippy tea and much chatting. The tea was lovely, the weather pleasant, and the chatting AMAZING!

So, the relevance of all this is that The AIM is proud to introduce it's newest member Rainbow Castro! She is a lovely girl and already off taking AIM like she's powered by rocket fuel. Her own work as an activist has led her in many directions in terms of her passions and interests, and her investigative skills are already being taken advantage of. She will be taking part in the Glasgow protest for 100 Cities Of The World Against Stoning this Saturday and will even be providing her very own megaphone (that makes us real protesters now you know). As well as that we will also have our very own banner against stoning made especially for the occasion by a local Glasgow artist known to The AIM as 'Olive Green'. Olive Green is Rainbow Castro's partner as well as an AIM supporter, and now a great friend of us girls here at HQ!

With all the skills and passion Rainbow Castro has HQ have asked her to become a junior HQ coordinator and help out here when she can and we look forward to many afternoons of tea and business at HQ with her! The AIM has been growing so fast in all the right directions that we really feel her help could come at no better time. She also has alot of experience working in the music industry so we'll be making good use of her in that respect as well. But it's not all take take take... Rainbow Castro is very passionate about alot of the things The AIM is so she's looking forward to getting stuck in and doing what she can with an army of AIM soldiers beside her. She is very active in many areas including political activism and animal welfare (her day job is as a Zoo Keeper... how cool is that!). Add to this her passion for music, including Hip-Hop and many other genres, and it should be as clear to you all as it is clear to us that The AIM and Rainbow Castro are just meant to be family!

The Internet: Good vs Evil

I have been saying for SO long that I want to write this blog, so here I am. This rant has been inspired by a great many different situations over the last 18 months that have involved myself, my friends, and sometimes total strangers. But they have all involved the internet. It occurs to me that a great many also involve text messages - typing is overrated. It's good to talk.

Just to be clear, I love the internet. I have been a shameless addict of all things online (well, almost all) for a long time. It's so much fun and so convenient I fear I will never be cured, and that makes me happy. If I can't do it online, I pretty much don't do it. You can be a big or small part of a whole world and you don't even have to get dressed to do it. You can connect with friends, family, strangers, people of similar and opposite interests and opinions. It has opened up a world of opportunities to people that would never  before have had that chance, and it allows the average person to really  get involved and have their say, to share their opinions, push their  idea, give their support and register their opposition. Social networking sites, blogs, online zines, online DIY radio...  there's something for everyone, all available from the safety and  comfort of a persons own home.

And that is part of the problem. There are several problems though so bear with me while I ramble a little on a few of them. This ramble is by no means exhaustive - feel free to add your own in the comments!

The internet can be anonymous. This can be a good thing - internet users in countries such as Iran and China have taken advantage of the possible anonymity of the net in order to share very important messages without compromising their safety. Many bloggers are able to write and post freely from otherwise silenced communities, safe in the knowledge that they cannot be identified. But it is not always a good thing. People can also post deliberately incorrect or misleading information and never to held accountable - the internet rumour mill has reached ridiculous levels, especially around the subject of celebrities. People can be impersonated, can create an identity for themselves in order to infiltrate groups/communities or compromise the safety of people. Examples include government officials trolling YouTube footage of the recent G20 riots in Toronto and of course the biggest fear of all parents - paedophiles pretending to be someone they're not in order to get information about and access to children.

That's not the worst problem though. That word trolling has already come up. For those that are not familiar with the term a troll is basically someone who posts inflammatory, offensive, abusive or provocative comments persistently. Just for the hell of it. Actually not always just for the hell of it. Some of these people are actually a little sick in the head and need some sort of help - except the whole anonymous aspect of the internet allows them to hide from help. So, trolls are really the only thing that spoils my enjoyment of the internet (though not enough to make me consider kicking the habit). I had never really had too many problems with this type of thing before becoming involved in The AIM but we just seem to attract them in swarms. We have come across some really unbelievable people in our time and we've been accused of all sorts by these delusional freaks who know a few big words but not what they mean. Today's idiot has spent a large portion of the last 2 days trying to argue that The AIM is racist, and that no one should fight for anyone's rights except that of their own 'kind'. I would try and explain this persons viewpoint but I still don't understand it except that I know I am against it. I don't like being put in a box, and I am even less impressed when told that I have to watch people in other boxes suffer and I am not allowed to do anything. Fuck that. Excuse my language. (Sorry Mum!)

I could go on about the trolls all day but there's more to this rant than just them. Maybe someday they'll get a blog all of their own. They do make me kinda mad though so maybe not. Anyway.... next. Trolls are idiots, but there also exists a similar breed which carries out the same actions as troll except out of spite. The thing with the internet is that you can say something (often without thinking it through) from your comfy wee sofa or wherever and completely forget that the person you are aiming your comments at is in fact a PERSON. Not a machine, or a company, or an answering machine. An actual person, with feelings. Probably the full range of feelings. People online will say things over the internet that they would NEVER say to a persons face, or even on the phone. The internet does not stop you being accountable for what you say, and it does not excuse rude behaviour.

Rude behaviour such as SHOUTING VIA THE KEYBOARD IN ORDER TO GET YOUR POINT ACROSS. I hate that. No one likes to be yelled at, and again most people would not be so aggressive with a person to their face. So why is it acceptable online? Well, in my sincere opinion... it isn't. Aggression and intimidation online is as unacceptable as it is offline. The difference is that most people really are civilised enough to control themselves in person, but many of these so called civilised people find it perfectly OK to jump onto a computer and start abusing people. It's not big and it's not clever.

There is also the thing about deleting people. This really only applies to social networking sites such as Facebook etc. I had an experience recently that I won't go into where there was some tension between myself and some people close to me, and as a result some people not at all involved just went ahead and deleted me from their accounts. No message, no explanation, no conversation. Just 'delete'. Deleting people on soc/net sites has become like a form of emotional bitch slapping. People use it out of spite and manipulation and the ideas of talking things over, of staying out of someone else's business, of having some decency and giving a damn about someone else's feelings... all gone. The internet has made everyone disposable and replaceable. If you cannot see the hurt look on someone's face when they discover you no longer wish to be associated with them, then why should you care?

Hmmm.... really? This is what we've come to? In my experience, both from what I have seen and from what I have had done to me, yes. This is what we've come to. That's not to say I have never deleted anybody. I have deleted, and in fact blocked a few people. Mostly trolls. I have though had to delete a few people that I wish I hadn't, but never out of spite, and never happily or without thought.

I am kinda bored of the sound of my own ramble now so I guess I will end soon. It sounds like the internet is evil - but I do actually believe it is good. Some of it's users I am less sure about. To summarise - my tips for being a good internet user:

• Treat people as you would face to face. You may be in front of a machine, but it is not a machine that will read whatever you type
• Avoid switching to capitals when you are in a heated debate or discussion. Everyone knows that it's the same as shouting and that's just rude
• Don't just delete people for no reason. It's not a power trip.
• Don't make yourself out to be someone your not. Just cos it's possible to lie online, doesn't mean you should
• Don't point out all the small errors in grammar and spelling when people post things - you don't know what their circumstances are, and no one likes a smart ass
• Don't belittle people, resort to name calling etc. Play nice or piss off!
• As google would say... "Don't be evil"

Some 'Crushing' News

At The AIM we have recently decided to lend our support to a site called stopcrush.org. It is a site dedicated to banning the practise of 'crushing'. For those that don't know (as I didn't until recently) this is where a small animal (often a kitten) is filmed being burnt, cut, beaten and tortured. In all cases the frightened, bleeding, hurt little animal is crushed by a woman in high heels. It is sold as a fetish film and has recently been deemed LEGAL in the US by the Supreme Court under free speech laws. Never mind the insane and needless cruelty to these animals!? And clearly no one that was concerned that it has been PROVEN that those with a history of cruelty toward animals often go on to commit violence against people!?

There are videos available to watch but I don't have the heart to do so - I am just not strong enough to endure seeing it. It has been a long time since I thought my life was worth more than an animals, but even if I did think that, it is quite something else altogether to want to inflict this kind of pain and torture on animals, and another thing again to get some kind of sexual kick from it.

The people at stopcrush are doing a great job but they need our help. This is not only an issue in the US, this happens all over the world, and it must be stopped! If you find it as disgusting as I do then please support them. You can sign up the their facebook page, place a banner or graphic on your blog or website, carry out their 'action alerts' and for those in the US you can also contact your state representative and try and get his/her support to have the bill, you can sign a petition and most importantly, you can tell all of your friends about this and how they can help.

I hope that some of you will take action to end this practise. In the hopes of that I leave you with a picture of my baby, and a message from the team at stopcrush.

Please help The AIM crush animal abusers!