Merly Streep: Giving Advice

 

                                          Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is an American actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film. Meryl Streep is one of the best actors of our time.  She has won countless awards and most recently won ‘Best Lead Actress’ in the film "The Iron Lady" at the 84th Academy Awards or ‘The Oscars’.  Meryl Streep has repeatedly succeeded in the highly competitive world of acting.  Let’s get some advice from a woman who has never shied away from a challenge!

Question: With young girls today, young women watching the Oscars, what advice would you give to them if they are thinking about going into filmmaking or acting?

Meryl Streep:  Never give up. Don't give up, don't give up. I mean, many girls around the world live in circumstances that are unimaginably difficult. And it's not, you know, show business is a golf game compared to the way most kids grow up in the world. But I would say never give up. On March 8, 9, and 10, Tina Brown is hosting something called Women in the World in New York, a 3 day symposium bringing activists around the world on behalf of issues concerning women and girls, and it's a great, great thing. Hope you will write about it and go see it. And thank you very much.

Speaking Tip

When giving advice we often use phrases such as:

I suggest you….

If I was/were you, I'd ...

If that happened to me/In that case/If I had that problem, I'd ...

If I were in your shoes, I’d

(see more at English Club Link http://www.englishclub.com/vocabulary/fl-giving-advice.htm)

These styles soften the language.  So why did Meryl Streep use an Imperative form or Command form to give advice to young girls and women? 

“Never give up. Don't give up, don't give up”

Doesn’t it sound a bit too harsh or strong?

Usually in language learning classes we tend to learn the above phrases because they are politer or softer for the listener.   As you know, the Imperative/command form can sound too strong or impolite in many situations. 

Let’s see what is different and how to use this speaking style like Meryl Streep.

Meryl emphasizes her feeling with the command form of the language.  Moreover, she is an award winning ‘pro’ in her area and older than the age group she is talking to.   As a mother talking to her children or giving advice to them, the imperative form of the language is often used.  Also, I might use this form with people I am close to especially in a more emotionally charged situation. 

Examples:

(1)Son: I am going to quit hockey. I hate it.

Mother: Ooh…Don’t give up. You have worked so hard.  Keep on trying!

(2)My friend: I can’t do this anymore.  Everyone laughs at me. 

Me: Don’t stop trying! Who cares what other people think? (rhetorical question usage)

In these cases, it actually sounds like the speaker is more caring than saying: If I were in your shoes or If I were you, I’d… .

Why? 

(1)   The above phrases sounds like you are more distant from the speaker.  However this is also the reason why the If I were you, I’d… can sound softer or nicer to a listener you don’t know so well. 

(2)   The imperative/command form actually creates the sense that the speaker cares about you. Yes, it is direct but command forms are often used amongst good friends or family.

As you can see, the grammar ideas can blur or overlap a bit because of the context.  Here are a few practice situations to try:

(1) Situation: You are at the Oscars and have just won an award!

Question: What advice can you give to aspiring actors?

Your Answer/Idea:  

(2) Situation: Your daughter has been taking piano lesson for 3 years now and is doing well. But today she is really frustrated and wants to quite.  What could you say in this case?

Your Answer/Idea:  

(3) Situation: Your co-worker is angry at the manager’s decision.  Your co-worker is good at their job and usually quite happy. What could you say?

Your Answer/Idea:  

If you are struggling with these situations here are some answer ideas from me.

(1) Situation: You are at the Oscars and have just won an award!

Question: What advice can you give to aspiring actors?

Your Answer/Idea:  Hang in there! Don’t give up! 

(2) Situation: Your daughter has been taking piano lesson for 3 years now and is doing well. But today she is really frustrated and wants to quite.  What could you say in this case?

Your Answer/Idea:  Don’t quite now.  Everyone gets frustrated.  You are doing really well.  Remember when the music from “The Sting” was hard but now it is easy for you.  Keep trying.  You can do it!

(3) Situation: Your co-worker is angry at the manager’s decision and is going to resign.  Your co-worker is usually happy at work and enjoys his job. What could you say?

Your Answer/Idea:  Don’t make a decision now. You are angry.

Take a day to ‘*cool off’ and then let’s talk about it again.  How does that sound?

Expression: '*to cool off '= to become calmer or more reasonable

You are also welcome to send me your answers/ideas or comments at blogalexg@gmail.com I will respond as soon as I can.

Have a good one! Try using this week’s English Tips!  

And as Meryl Streep says: “Never give up. Don't give up, don't give up.”

 Movie trailer she won the Oscar for this year "The Iron Lady"

Alex

Celebrity English

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Happy Blogoversary! (Again? Really?)

Or: My, How Time Flies When You're Busy... Aging. Which I Guess Is What Happens When Time Flies. All of a Sudden You Look Up from Your Blog and You're Like, "Eeeeeek!". And So You Soothe Yourself by Editing Pics of an Ageless Figure Skater Who Actually Seems to Be Glowing Even More in Recent Weeks Than Ever Thanks to His Wonderful Husband, and Then You Write Really Long Dropheads About Said

You have read this article David Ingogly / I didn’t link to last year’s blogoversary cuz it’s kind of an indictment of USFSA and I’m trying to be pleasant at least until they give me a new reason not to be / Johnny Weir / still riveted with the title February 2012. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/02/happy-blogoversary-again-really.html?m=0. Thanks!

Styling: Dorian Reeves

tattered shirt - made by Yves St. Bass, checkered shirt: Foosh, tank, pants, sweater + circle scarf - American Apparel, boots - Cougar

photographer - Harvey Miedreich

assistant - Yves St. Bass

stylist - me 

model: Dorian Reeves @ Mode Models

Just wanted to share some pics from a photo shoot I styled, starring the dashing and debonair Dorian Reeves, who is now signed with Soul Artist Management in NYC and Nous Models in L.A.! And psssst, word on the street is that he's single, ladies ; ).

I hope you all had a nice weekend! Despite dropping and breaking my laptop for the third time and getting a flat tire my weekend was pretty good.

Canucks! Make sure to enter my Jason Wu for Target Giveaway here!

You have read this article Harvey Miedreich / Mode Models / Styling with the title February 2012. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/02/styling-dorian-reeves.html?m=0. Thanks!

Matthew Parris – defender of the faith

Which former Conservative MP won an RSPCA medal for saving a dog which had fallen in to the Thames, served as an aide to Margaret Thatcher, holds the record for the fastest marathon by an MP (2:32:57!), drove a Morris Oxford across Africa whilst a teenager, controversially suggested (in jest) stringing piano wire across country lanes to decapitate cyclists, is in a civil partnership with David Cameron’s chief speech writer Julian Glover and is now one of Britain’s most famous political journalists.

The answer, of course, is Matthew Parris.

Parris reacted last week to the recent debate about redefining marriage by suggesting that the word ‘marriage’ should be completely removed from legal language, but it was his comments this week in the Spectator about Christianity that have attracted more attention.

‘As an unbeliever’, he said, ‘I wish to complain on behalf of serious religious belief. Faith is being defended by the wrong people, in the wrong way. As an unbeliever my sympathies are with fundamentalists. They seem to me to represent the source, the roots, the essential energy of their faiths. They go back to basics.’

He laments the decline of true religion: ‘Anglicanism has become bland. Moderate Islam is in theological retreat. And surely it is at the liberal end of Judaism’s spectrum that faith dilutes.’

In words that might even have come from the pen of CS Lewis, he asks of the comfortable faith promulgated by the Church of England:

‘Does it capture what Jesus Christ asks — requires, commands — of His followers?One of the reasons we can be pretty sure Jesus actually existed is that if He had not, the Church would never have invented Him. He stands so passionately, resolutely and inconveniently against everything an established church stands for. Continuity? Tradition? Christ had nothing to do with stability. He came to break up families, to smash routines, to cast aside the human superstructures, to teach abandonment of earthly concerns and a throwing of ourselves upon God’s mercy. Jesus came to challenge precisely what today’s unbelieving believers in belief so prize in what they presume to be faith.’

He then cuts right to the key issue that is ignored by so many contemporary commentators about Christianity.

‘To those who truly believe, the implicit message beneath “never mind if it’s true, religion is good for people” is insulting. To those who really believe, it is because and only because what they believe is true, that it is good. I find David Cameron’s remark that his faith, “like Magic FM in the Chilterns, tends to fade in and out”, baffling. If a faith is true it must have the most profound consequences for a man and for mankind. If I seriously suspected a faith might be true, I would devote the rest of my life to finding out.

As I get older the sharpness of my faculties begins to dull. But what I will not do is sink into a mellow blur of acceptance of the things I railed against in my youth. “Familiar” be damned. “Comforting” be damned. “Useful” be damned. Is it true? — that is the question. It was the question when I was 12 and the question when I was 22. Forty years later it is still the question. It is the only question.’

Just last December, in another piece titled ‘Stand up for your faith: tolerance isn’t enough’(£), he agreed with David Cameron that ‘lively faith in a deity can bring many social and cultural benefits’ but noted that ‘he took care to avoid straying into the question that matters most’.

And what is that? In John Betjeman’s words:

‘And is it true? And is it true, This most tremendous tale of all, Seen in a stained-glass window’s hue, A Baby in an ox’s stall? The Maker of the stars and sea Become a Child on earth for me? And is it true? For if it is ...’

In a 2008 Times article titled, ‘As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God’ he wrote after a return to the Africa of his boyhood that ‘Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem - the crushing passivity of the people’s mindset’.

‘Now a confirmed atheist, I've become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: sharply distinct from the work of secular NGOs, government projects and international aid efforts. These alone will not do. Education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people's hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.

I used to avoid this truth by applauding - as you can - the practical work of mission churches in Africa. It's a pity, I would say, that salvation is part of the package, but Christians black and white, working in Africa, do heal the sick, do teach people to read and write; and only the severest kind of secularist could see a mission hospital or school and say the world would be better without it. I would allow that if faith was needed to motivate missionaries to help, then, fine: but what counted was the help, not the faith.

But this doesn't fit the facts. Faith does more than support the missionary; it is also transferred to his flock. This is the effect that matters so immensely, and which I cannot help observing…. We had friends who were missionaries, and as a child I stayed often with them; I also stayed, alone with my little brother, in a traditional rural African village. In the city we had working for us Africans who had converted and were strong believers. The Christians were always different. Far from having cowed or confined its converts, their faith appeared to have liberated and relaxed them. There was a liveliness, a curiosity, an engagement with the world - a directness in their dealings with others - that seemed to be missing in traditional African life. They stood tall….

Whenever we entered a territory worked by missionaries, we had to acknowledge that something changed in the faces of the people we passed and spoke to: something in their eyes, the way they approached you direct, man-to-man, without looking down or away. They had not become more deferential towards strangers - in some ways less so - but more open.’

It makes one wonder why Parris, having these insights, is not yet a Christian. He doesn’t say. I can almost imagine Jesus saying to him, as he did to that wise man who questioned him about the core of morality, ‘You are not far from the Kingdom of God’. But I also sense a bit of the rich young ruler, who was attracted to Christ but went away sad when he was asked to lay aside the most precious thing in his life, leave everything and follow him.

It is of course essential to come to the point where you see that Christianity is true, that Christ really is who he claimed to be, and that finding and following him is what life is all about.

But it is not enough. At that point one must take one’s cross and follow him, with all that that involves.

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"The Most Amazing Skater in the World." Yes. This.

Photo tweeted yesterday by Victor, who also wrote: "At the rink watching @JohnnyGWeir--the most amazing skater in the world--practice. Getting chills, and not from the ice."
With bonus Galina in an awesome coat.

So it's KILLING me not to go to Skate for the Goal, which is a thing that's happening TOMORROW at which Johnny will be appearing—though not skating, as far as I know, but whatever: he'll

You have read this article aaaand we’re having a blizzard here anyway so not a great weekend to travel / Ave Maria / David Ingogly / in my fantasy world every Johnny fan gets to go to every Johnny event plus there’s cookies / Johnny Weir with the title February 2012. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/02/most-amazing-skater-in-world-yes-this.html?m=0. Thanks!

Abortions for sex selection are just the tip of a large iceberg of illegal activity

The Daily Telegraph has tonight named a third facility where staff were secretly filmed authorizing abortions on grounds of sex selection.

The Calthorpe Clinic in Birmingham (pictured), one of Britain’s oldest abortion facilities, is now facing a police investigation after staff were caught falsifying paperwork and a doctor admitted that an abortion he was offering was tantamount to ‘female infanticide’.

Two abortion clinics exposed last night by The Daily Telegraph have already been reported to the police and the General Medical Council (GMC) by Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary.

Consultants working at Pall Mall Medical and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital were secretly recorded offering to conduct abortions because the baby was a particular sex.

The Pall Mall centre in Manchester suspended Prabha Sivaraman, the consultant at the centre of the scandal, and also suspended further abortions.

Mr Lansley has made it clear that abortions carried out on grounds of sex selection are illegal. If it is found, as appears likely, that the doctors involved did actually make false statements on abortion authorisation certificates then they face being prosecuted under the Perjury Act.

If convicted they could face imprisonment. In addition the GMC could strike them off the medical register taking away their right to practise medicine.

It is a common misconception that abortion is legal in Britain. In fact it remains illegal under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and doctors are only exempted from prosecution if they follow a strict set of guidelines as laid down in the Abortion Act 1967.

But the government, the medical profession and the police have consistently turned a blind eye over many years to practice at or beyond the edge of the law.

The present cases raise again the question of just how many illegal abortions are being carried out in Britain.

I have previously argued that the figure is close to 98% of all 200,000 abortions annually in Britain, on the basis that this is the percentage which are being carried out on mental health grounds when there is actually no evidence that continuing with an unplanned pregnancy poses any greater risk to mental health than abortion. This was confirmed in a major study by the Royal College of Psychiatrists last year.

BPAS, one of the country's two major 'abortion providers' just escaped a police investigation when a centre manager at one of their clinics cancelled an abortion for sex selection that other staff at the same centre had authorised.

Thus far BPAS and Marie Stopes International have managed to escape blame. But the rabbit hole may run deep.

In 2007 Dr Vincent Argent, former medical director of BPAS, gave evidence to the House of Commons Science and Technology committee, in which he alleged widespread abuse around signing of the ‘abortion form’ HSA1 that allows an abortion to go ahead.

He said that ‘there are widespread variations in the actual provision of signatures’ and added that he had personally observed ‘the following practices’:

•Signing batches of forms before patients are even seen for consultation
•Signing the forms with no knowledge of the particular patient and without reading the notes
•Signing forms without seeing or examining the patients
•Signing forms after the abortion has been performed
•Faxing the forms to other locations for signature
•Use of signature stamps without any consultation with the doctor

He added that ‘the HSA1 form is often considered to be just an administrative process where doctors make no attempt to form an opinion, in good faith, that the patient fulfils the grounds of section 1’.

The Labour Health Secretary at the time did nothing about these allegations.

Perhaps Mr Lansley will.

By forcefully making the point that some abortions (ie. for sex selection) are illegal he has already opened the question as to where exactly the line should be drawn.

Having started asking questions Mr Lansley may now find it very difficult to stop, because in reality sex selection abortions are actually just the tip of a large iceberg of illegal activity.

In the meantime abortion doctors need to be very careful what they sign.

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CONTEST CLOSED Canadian Giveaway! Jason Wu for Target!

I am soooo excited to announce this giveaway! One of my favorite stores to shop at when I cross the border to the states is Target. I LOVE how they collaborate with different designers (ahem, JASON WU!!) and sell clothing at affordable prices. (My favorite pair of stiletto's are from Target and I paid $20 for them.) So imagine how excited I was when I found out that Canada will be converting 105 Zellers stores across the country into the U.S. retailer starting next year. To celebrate this wonderful news, Target has brought pieces from the coveted Jason Wu for Target collection to Canada for a one-day only pop-up shopping event in Toronto today! So if you live in Toronto you may want to mosey on down to 363 King Street West to shop the coveted collection (which is sold out in the US) and maybe meet Jason Wu himself!

For those of you Canadians who don't live in Toronto (like me), don't fret. Target has teamed up with Marie a la Mode and gifted me a few pieces from the collection and will be gifting one of my lucky readers the exact same items! In addition to the beautiful floral print bag and the adorable cat print scarf (seen above), one lucky reader will also win a Target tote bag designed exclusively for the pop-up store in Toronto and a plush Target Bullseye dog (not pictured.)

Here's how to enter:

1. You must live in Canada. Leave a comment in the comment section below saying you would like to enter the contest and a way to contact you if you win. (1 entry)

For extra entries:

- Follow me via Google Friend Connect and/or Bloglovin' (+ 2 entries)

- 'Like me on Facebook' (+1 entry)

- Follow me on Twitter (+1 entry)

Good Luck! Winner will be chosen randomly in a couple of weeks!

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Undercover investigation shows women are being granted illegal sex-selection abortions in Britain

The Daily Telegraph has tonight published the results of an undercover investigation showing that women are being granted illegal abortions by doctors based on the sex of their unborn baby.

Doctors at British clinics were secretly filmed agreeing to terminate babies purely because they were either male or female. Clinicians admitted they were prepared to falsify paperwork to arrange the abortions even though it is illegal to conduct such ‘sex-selection’ procedures.

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, is reported to have said: ‘I’m extremely concerned to hear about these allegations. Sex selection is illegal and is morally wrong. I’ve asked my officials to investigate this as a matter of urgency.’

Ministers have clearly stated that a decision to abort a foetus on the basis of gender is illegal. Last year, Lord Howe, the health minister, told Parliament: 'It is illegal in Great Britain to abort a foetus based on its sex alone, and we have no evidence that this is happening.'

The British Medical Association warns doctors that foetal sex 'is not one of the criteria for abortion listed in the Abortion Act of 1967' and therefore termination on this ground alone would be outside the scope of the law.

The Daily Telegraph carried out the investigation into sex-selection abortions after concerns were raised that the procedures were becoming increasingly common for cultural and social reasons.

The women accompanying Telegraph reporters to consultations were from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. At each appointment, the pregnant woman explained that she had taken a blood test abroad or had a scan to determine the sex of the baby and wanted a termination because of the gender. Staff at several clinics agreed to arrange abortions for women who said they did not want to continue with their pregnancies because of the sex of their babies.

The Telegraph names some of the consultants and the clinics concerned in the article including Claudine Domoney, who works with Chelsea and Westminster Hospital* and Prabha Sivaraman who works for Pall Mall Medical in Manchester. The latter appears in the film on the Telegraph website.

Sex selection, as outlined above, is not a ground for abortion in Britain. This means that these abortions, if carried out, would have been illegal – ie. ‘unlawful killings’ under the terms of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

If the abortions had been carried out the doctors could then have been the subject of a police investigation.

Of course, as I have previously argued, about 98% of the 200,000 abortions performed in this country are arguably illegal. This is because almost all abortions in Britain are carried out on the grounds that the continuance of the pregnancy constitutes a greater risk to the mental health of the mother than abortion does. But, as confirmed by a major study late last year, there is no evidence that continuing a pregnancy ever poses a greater mental health risk than abortion.

In reality they are being performed for the (illegal) reasons of failed contraception or unwanted pregnancy, effectively on demand.

This means that when two doctors sign forms (as they do over 500 times every day) saying that ‘in good faith’ they believe that having an abortion will lead to better mental health outcomes they are committing a form of perjury under section five of the Perjury Act 1911. And when a third doctor performs the abortion on the strength of that certificate he/she is actually carrying out an ‘unlawful killing’.

In the case in question the doctor filmed for the Telegraph website does appear to be signing an abortion authorisation form. If so then this form could constitute further evidence that might provide the basis for a charge against her under the Perjury Act.

The government and the police have turned a blind eye to gross breaches of the Abortion Act for decades. But the Telegraph's investigation also raises searching questions about the watchdog charged with monitoring abortion facilities, the Care Quality Commission.

These questions need answering and I hope that the Telegraph goes about seeking those answers as meticulously and persistently as it sought answers over MPs' expenses. After all that was only about money, but this is a matter of life and death, of babies quite possibly being illegally killed.

In any event doctors working in abortion facilities should be warned that they are being watched very closely. They should be careful what they sign.

(*The Telegraph reported in error that Dr Domoney worked at the 312 Healthwise Clinic in Harley Street. She apparently does not)

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Christchurch earthquake one year on: Lest we forget

Today, 22 February, people across New Zealand have been holding memorial services to remember the 185 people who died in the powerful earthquake in Christchurch a year ago. Two minutes' silence were observed at 12:51 local time - the exact moment the 6.3-magnitude quake struck.

Prime Minister John Key said the tremor had ‘changed everything’, but had not broken the city's spirit.

The quake wrecked central Christchurch, and is considered the country's worst natural disaster in 80 years.

At a ceremony at North Hagley Park in Christchurch, tens of thousands gathered for a solemn and tearful memorial. Family members of the victims were seen joining arms and bowing their heads during the ceremony that included songs and speeches.

Governor General Jerry Mateparae read a message of condolence from Prince Charles, while a video from US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was played. Earlier, a memorial was held in Christchurch's Latimer Square for families of the victims. Children released 185 monarch butterflies at the park in memory of those who died.

Speaking in the city, the prime minister said it had been one of New Zealand's darkest days.

Today, like many other New Zealanders, and especially those of us with a connection to Christchurch, I am reflecting and remembering.

In the days immediately following the quake I was in Nigeria where it was odd to see my birth-city so far away with its ruined buildings and smashed cathedral repeatedly featuring on CNN, BBC World Service and Al Jazeera amidst reports of the evolving situation in Libya and the Middle East.

I didn’t lose any friends or relatives in the quake. One by one they were all found to be alive and well, although all with their own stories of ‘that day’ to tell. I’m not aware even of any that were injured, although there were some very near misses and some, especially Christian medical colleagues, were involved in treating victims, in the rebuilding and in planning the longer term public health strategy.

I guess we all feel it more acutely when it involves the personal and familiar. But amidst the feelings of loss and grief, I have felt proud to be a New Zealander, and proud at the way my nation has responded.

To stand last year with 5,000 Kiwis at the Westminster Cathedral remembrance service in London, was quite special. To be at Twickenham shortly afterwards with my family to see my home team the Canterbury Crusaders, playing here because their home stadium had been destroyed, was a profoundly moving experience. And watching the videos of the Christchurch memorial service, and reading the newspaper clippings sent from home, touched me in a way I had not anticipated nor expected.

I wrote about the memorial services at the time, and subsequently reflected on the loss.

But today, one year on I am left thanking God that, by his mercy and grace, it was not worse than it was and I am reminded of the words of the 46th Psalm.

God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea…
He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.’
The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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New C4EM online petition supports incest, bigamy and marriage of minors. Oops!!!

The Coalition for marriage (C4M) launched an on-line petition two days ago to support the current legal definition of marriage.

In just over 40 hours it has gathered over 25,000 signatures and numbers are continuing to rise rapidly.

It reads as follows:

'I support the legal definition of marriage which is the voluntary union for life of one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others. I oppose any attempt to redefine it.'

Obviously miffed by this the gay rights lobby have been working hard behind the scenes since Monday to produce a similar petition backing same sex marriage.

It has been launched this morning and at the time of writing carries 325 signatures.

It looks almost identical in layout to that of C4M (except in pink!) and is titled the 'Coalition for Equal marriage' abbreviated to C4EM.

The web address is c4em.org.uk

A clever idea? Most definitely!

The only problem is that they have drafted their petition without thinking very carefully about the wording.

It reads as follows:

'I support the right of two people in love to get married, regardless of gender. It's only fair.'

The problem of course is that 'two people in love' covers a whole variety of possible combinations which are excluded by the current legal definition of marriage.

Marriage between close relatives who love each other - otherwise known as 'incest'
Marriage between two people who are already married to other people - aka 'bigamy'
Marriage between minors who love each other - call it what you will

And that's just for starters!

Rather embarrassing especially as a leading journalist on the Telegraph has already put his name down.

Now I'm sure that all of these good people signed this petition 'in good faith' but it shows you just how careful you need to be!

Time for some editing?

I wonder if they will change the wording now that it is launched?

I have saved a copy just in case they do! Should make quite a funny news story!

Some of C4EM's other red-faced (or should I say 'pink-faced) signatories are listed on their site.

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Sarkozy opposes same sex marriage as Cameron backs it

At the same time as David Cameron is actively backing the legalization of same-sex marriage French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, is actively opposing it.

He has explained why in a wide-ranging interview in the leading newspaper Le Figaro.

When asked ‘Do you support gay marriage?’ the French President replied as follows:

‘I'm not in favour of it. I proposed in 2007 civil unions. We have not implemented it because we realized that it was unconstitutional to open this contract only to homosexuals. The civil union would have undermined the institution of marriage. However, I made sure that homosexuals were guaranteed the same benefits in terms of inheritance and taxation as married couples, but as part of the Pacte Civil de Solidarité. In these troubled times when our society needs benchmarks, I do not think we should blur the image of this vital social institution of marriage.’

Sarkozy is right!

Legalising same sex marriage is first unnecessary. All the legal rights of marriage are already available to same sex couples through civil partnerships so there is no need to redefine marriage to include them. The President of the Family Division has even described civil partnerships as conferring ‘the benefits of marriage in all but name’. Such a move would also inevitably lead to calls to open civil partnerships to opposite sex couples on the basis of ‘equality’. But marriage and civil partnerships have been designed for two very different types of relationship and should be kept distinct. It is not, and should not, be ‘one size fits all’.

Redefining marriage is also undemocratic. None of the political leaders who are supporting the legalisation of same sex marriage, including Cameron, announced it as a priority in their election manifestos. There is already a huge amount of opposition to the move and pressing ahead with legalisation will lead to considerable dissension and division. Legalising same sex marriage to appease a small minority is wrong and it should not be foisted on the British people without proper consultation about whether rather than how it should be done.

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Same-sex marriage - 24 articles on all aspects of the UK debate

Britain is coming under increasing pressure to legalise same-sex marriage and Prime Minister David Cameron is determined to drive it through.

A consultation on same-sex marriage closed in Scotland in December 2011 and a new consultation is being launched next month in Westminster to consider how (not if!) legalisation should proceed in England and Wales.

Over the last few months I have published 24 articles on all aspects of this debate which are now grouped together on this page to provide a resource for those interested in engaging with the issues and arguments. I have listed them under six headings.

The legalization of same-sex marriage

1.Ten reasons not to legalise same-sex marriage in Britain
Many people, including Christians, are asking ‘why not?’ An outline of the main arguments

2.Marriage – let’s be clear on the biblical and legal definitions – and fight to retain them
A historical and legal guide to what marriage actually is

3.Why legalizing same-sex marriage will weaken marriage as a social institution
David Blankenhorn’s analysis of current scholarship and research

4.Same sex marriage is a legal can of worms
Why changing the law is not at all straight-forward

5.Draft same sex marriage bill abolishes the terms ‘husband and wife’
The real implications of Stonewall’s proposed law reform

The campaign against the redefinition of marriage

6.Coalition for Marriage Launch - Please sign the petition
A brief outline of the England and Wales campaign with links to launch speech and news debate

7.Please support the current definition of marriage in Scotland
Report on the Scottish campaign against the legalisation of same sex marriage

The benefits of marriage for families and society

8.The blessings of marriage
The real benefits of marriage for families and society

9.New study highlights positive benefits of marriage
The findings of a study of over 250 peer-reviewed journal articles

10.Sexual freedom and relationship breakdown cost Britain £100 billion annually
The real economic cost of marriage breakdown to Britain

11.Couples who cohabit before marriage 45 per cent more likely to split up
The cost of family breakdown is now £41.7 billion

Political and Media interests

12.David Cameron owes the public an explanation as to why he thinks legalising same sex marriage is necessary
The question that our Prime Minister is yet to answer

13.David Cameron’s promotion of the gay rights agenda is based on a false presupposition
The Prime Minister’s agenda and fundamental misunderstandings on this issue

14.David Cameron, by his comments about homosexuality, demonstrates that he does not understand what true tolerance actually is
An evaluation of the Prime Minister’s position on this issue

15.Over half of British Christians would not back Tories if they push for same-sex marriage
Why the government is shooting itself in the foot politically

16.BBC uses distortion, hype, exaggeration and selective reporting to promote gay rights agenda
How our national broadcaster takes sides in this debate

17.Legalisation of same-sex marriage – an orchestrated international campaign funded by national governments
The money and the movements behind this social change

Homosexuality and Bisexuality

18.Do you object to being labelled 'homophobic' when you are actually just 'homosceptic'?
Slogans and category errors - How language can create and perpetuate misunderstandings and stifle debate

19.LGBT community and church at sixes and sevens over bisexuality
Why the popular understanding of gay/straight is fatally flawed

20.Peter Tatchell comes clean that homosexuality is neither biologically determined nor fixed
Leading Gay Rights activist puts a common misconception at the heart of the same sex marriage debate to bed

21.Monty Python, the Australian Open and same-sex marriage
The Gay Rights Movement’s 'struggle against reality'

22.Should ‘gay’ Christians be true to their feelings?
The key differences between homosexual feelings, orientation, identity and behaviour

The church and same sex marriage

23.Deep divisions in church over same-sex marriage going into ‘Marriage Week’
How the battle lines have fallen within the Church of England

24.Faith leaders say marriage and religious freedom are intricately linked
The perspective of American Christian leaders

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Coalition for Marriage Launch - Please sign the petition

Don't play politics with marriage

I have signed the Coalition for Marriage petition and Christian Medical Fellowship is supporting the campaign.

There are over 30,000 signatures so far – please add yours and encourage others

Marriage is unique

Throughout history and in virtually all human societies marriage has always been the union of a man and a woman. Marriage reflects the complementary natures of men and women. Although death and divorce may prevent it, the evidence shows that children do best with a married mother and a father.

No need to redefine

Civil partnerships already provide all the legal benefits of marriage so there's no need to redefine marriage. It's not discriminatory to support traditional marriage. Same-sex couples may choose to have a civil partnership but no one has the right to redefine marriage for the rest of us.

Profound consequences

If marriage is redefined, those who believe in traditional marriage will be sidelined. People's careers could be harmed, couples seeking to adopt or foster could be excluded, and schools would inevitably have to teach the new definition to children. If marriage is redefined once, what is to stop it being redefined to allow polygamy?

Speak up

People should not feel pressurised to go along with same-sex marriage just because of political correctness. They should be free to express their views. The Government will be launching a public consultation on proposals to redefine marriage. This will provide an opportunity for members of the public to make their views known.

SIGN PETITION HERE

Marriage: ‘the most successful partnership in history’ (Opening Address)

Sky News Debate - Sharon James and Peter Tatchell

Christian Institute Report

Same-sex marriage - 24 articles on all aspects of the UK debate

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Ibiza: Top Celebrity Getaway

Ibiza Inside

Shakira Ibiza Shoot

Leonardo Dicapprio enjoying the warm waters of Ibiza

The Legendary Mediterranean island of Ibiza, welcomes celebrities and international tourists alike.  Whether you want to try out the ‘rock star life style’ or treat your family to a spectacular adventure filled vacation, Ibiza welcomes all! The Lonely Planet Travel guide writes, “Ibiza is the most extreme of the islands, in landscape and visitors” and ranks it as one of the “Top 10 glamorous A-list destinations”

Today we are lucky enough to have the ‘inside track’ from Marisa and Virgil of the “Ibiza Side Community”; a caring, organic group dedicated to the Island of Ibiza.

Marisa and Virgil

Alex Question 1. What do you do? And what is your connection to the island of Ibiza?

We are Marisa and Virgil and we are the founders of the Ibiza Inside Community. We love giving helpful tips on our Blog, Twitter and Facebook pages and we share good music from talented producers and DJs on our Soundcloud group (all Links at the end of the interview). This we do in such a way that a preparation for a holiday, even when you live or work on the charming island, is pretty easy! We believe in the concept that sharing is caring so we provide a free platform for people, businesses and artists so that they can showcase their product or service to the world. Ibiza Inside is dedicated on showing the best of Ibiza in its entirety, so not only the party and the clubbing that the island is best known for. “We want to preserve all the beauty of the island for all generations to come.”  The first time Marisa set foot on the island was about 20 years ago when attending a wedding there. Virgil travelled to Ibiza for his work as a cameraman and photographer. We both fell in love with the island as soon as we arrived there for the first time. The energy and magical spirit of Ibiza caught us both and has never let go.

Question  2. What is your favourite part of Ibiza?

Well that's a very hard question because Ibiza has so many beautiful places. However, if we have to choose, Virgil has to say Cala D'hort and the always magnificent Es Vedra. Marisa on the other hand likes the North of the island: its dreamy countryside, hidden treasures from the early days, beautiful beaches and bays, quiet and rural historic villages with white washed churches, green hills, huge mountains and magical sunsets.

Question 3. Is Ibiza family friendly or is it more suitable for adults?

Ibiza has many faces we always say, and there is a place for everyone, no matter what age, gender or colour of your skin. There are a lot of good family friendly hotels with good programs for kids. There are even some restaurants that have staff that will take care of your children while parents enjoy the sun and food. You can burn the dance floors every night during the summer, but you can relax at the beach or in one of the great spas the island has. You can take a spiritual path doing yoga or have different kinds of massages and healing sessions. If you are an adventurous type, you can go for a ride on a speedboat, do some paragliding, diving or mountain biking and hiking. To sum up: yes we can say for sure that Ibiza is for everybody.

Question 4. What are some of the recreational activities you can do on Ibiza?

As we mentioned in the previous answer, there are a lot of activities that you can do on Ibiza.  Activities are available for any type of person. So, don't hold back, Ibiza has a lot to offer.

Question 5. Are there any special or local food dishes that we should not miss when visiting Ibiza?

You make it really hard on us Alex, because there are so many dishes. Yet, the Paella at Restaurant El Carmen at Cala D'hort beach, the fresh fish on the local beaches and typical Spanish ham with “pan con tomate” are some of our favourites.

Question 6. Spanish is the language of the island, but what other languages/nationalities can we expect to meet on a vacation?

Ibiza is very international. You can find people from all over the world. The beauty of it all is that there are no borders or restrictions on friendships on Ibiza. The moment people are on Ibiza they get along with each other, it really doesn't matter where you're from or which language you speak. Catalan is the language children learn at school.

Question 7. Celebrities flock the Ibiza party scene. Have you seen, met, or worked with any celebrities? If so, who and what was the experience like?

Ibiza always has attracted the rich and famous from many countries. Until this day we have not met many celebrities except for some of the big DJs, some singers and bands like Groove Armada and Jamiroquai. It also happened that we found only out the next day that we met them, when we saw their picture in the local newspaper. We found out that we had great fun with a very famous Spanish television host and a Spanish actress. We guessed that it was strange that lots of people wanted to take a picture with these two in every place we went to. That is really Ibiza; you never know what the island will present to you.

Question 8. Also the Ibiza music scene is famous, can you elaborate on that? Why do you think Ibiza is a special place for music?

You can say that Ibiza is famous for the music and the superstar DJs that are performing in the dance temples of today. It is incredible to see what music does to people. It gives them freedom, a sense that they are alive and they can escape their troubles for a little while. We feel that it is not just the music that makes Ibiza so special. It is the energy that the island has, and which you can only experience when you put your feet on its soil.  It's a combination of the open minded people and of course the producers’, dancers’ and event organizers’ creativity. All those elements combined make Ibiza the party capital of the world. It is an experience that you simply have to feel and witness yourself.

Alex:

Well, And a ‘Big THANK YOU’ to our new friends Marisa and Virgil of the Ibiza Side Community! We look forward to your future postings and creations!

For more rich, organic information and postings

                                                  ~please go to~

Ibiza inside blog  http://ibizainside.com/blog/home/travelinfo/

Ibiza inside website http://ibizainside.com/front_content.php?idart=2444

Ibiza inside face book http://www.facebook.com/Ibizainside

Ibiza inside soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/ibiza-inside-1

Ibiza Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/IbizaInside

Video

Lonely planet Link

Top 10 glamorous A-list destinations

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/spain/ibiza/travel-tips-and-articles/69836

Language Learning Section: from the Celebrity English Interview featuring   Virgil and Marisa of “Ibiza side community”

Some Common Conversation Vocabulary

1. From the Introduction

the inside track = 

a position that gives you an advantage over other people

2. From Answer # 2

on the other hand = 

something that you say when you are speaking about two different facts or two opposite ways of thinking about a situation

3. From Answer # 3

for sure =

absolutely

adventurous type =

a person who seeks adventure

4. From Answer # 4

to hold back one’s self =

to restrain yourself; to keep part of yourself back

5. From Question # 7

to flock to something/someone  =

large groups of people going to a location/person like a ‘flock’ (=group) of birds

6. From Answer # 8

open minded people =

receptive to new/different ideas; willing to consider different ideas or opinions

Common Conversation Styles:  Finding out about interesting vacation places. 

(Note: Adapted for conversation practice)

Instructions:  Change Ibiza with a place you know and fill in the blanks with your own ideas. If it is difficult go back and see how ‘Virgil and Marisa’ answered.  Also there are Example suggestions below.

Question # 2. What is your favorite part of Ibiza?

Well that's a very hard question because Ibiza has so many beautiful places. However, if we have to choose, I like __________ and __________.  On the other hand s/he likes __________.

Question # 3. Is Ibiza family friendly or is it more for adults?

Ibiza has many faces we always say, and there is a place for everyone, no matter what age, gender or colour of your skin. There are a lot of good __________.

Question # 4. What are some recreational past times on Ibiza?

There are a lot of activities that you can do on Ibiza.  Activities are available for any type of person.  There is __________________________________.

Question # 5. Are there any special or local food dishes that we should not miss when visiting Ibiza?

Example Suggestions

Question # 2. What is your favorite part of Hawaii?

Well that's a very hard question because Hawaii has so many beautiful places. However, if we have to choose, I like Waikiki and Downtown Honolulu and China Town.  On the other hand s/he likes the untouched tranquility of Lanai.

Question # 3. Is Hawaii family friendly or is it more for adults?

Hawaii has many faces we always say, and there is a place for everyone, no matter what age, gender or colour of your skin. There are a lot of good things to see and do.  It usually takes more than one trip.

Question # 4. What are some recreational past times on Hawaii?

There are a lot of activities that you can do on Hawaii.  Activities are available for any type of person.  There is golfing and sunbathing of course.  Also there are lots of hiking paths for various levels of fitness.  And for the more adventurous type person there is volcano climbing or underwater shark feeding. 

Question # 5. Are there any special or local food dishes that we should not miss when visiting Hawaii?

You make it really hard on us Alex, because there are so many dishes. Yet, the Mahi Mahi is one of my favorites. I could eat it everyday.

See you next week! And until then here is some music from

Alex

Celebrity English

http://celebrityenglish-alex.blogspot.com/

http://www.myspace.com/browse/people#!/573390781

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002654569713

https://twitter.com/CelebEnglish

http://www.youtube.com/user/blogalexg

http://www.linkedin.com/profile/edit?trk=hb_tab_pro_top

You have read this article Alex / beaches / Celebrity English / Groove Armada / Ibiza / Ibizai Side / Interview / island / Jamiroquai / Leonardo Dicaprio / life style / Marisa / Mediterranean / photo / Shakira / Top Celebrity Getaway / Virgil with the title February 2012. You can bookmark this page URL https://celebrityunitedking.blogspot.com/2012/02/ibiza-top-celebrity-getaway.html?m=0. Thanks!