“Do not commit the error, common among the young, of assuming that if you cannot save the whole of mankind, you have failed.”
– Jan de Hartog, playwright and novelist (1914-2002)

“The dissenter is every human being at those moments of his life when he resigns momentarily from the herd and thinks for himself.”
– Archibald MacLeish, poet and librarian (1892-1982)

“Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.”
– St. Augustine

“My aim is to agitate & disturb people. I’m not selling bread, I’m selling yeast. “
– Unamuno, wall graffiti from Paris, May 1968

“If only I could so live and so serve the world that after me there should never again be birds in cages. “
– Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen), author (1885-1962)

“Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centres of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
– Robert Kennedy

“Remember that there is a meaning beyond absurdity. Be sure that every little deed counts, that every word has power. Never forget that you can still do your share to redeem the world in spite of all absurdities and frustrations and disappointments.”
– Abraham Joshua Heschel

“Every good and excellent thing in the world stands moment by moment on the razor edge of danger and must be fought for, whether it’s a field, or a home, or a country.”
– Thornton Wilder

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank

“Patience is also a form of action.”
– Auguste Rodin, sculptor (1840-1917)

“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.”
– Edmund Burke, statesman and writer (1729-1797)

From Gloucestershire Echo. 11 July 2007

A Contoversial scheme by artist Damien Hirst to process and store animal bodies at his Cotswold studios has been given the go-ahead by planners in Stroud.The plan, at the former Dudbridge Plastics works factory in Stroud, had attracted opposition from residents, who were concerned about smell, noise and animal rights protests.

The council received 45 letters of objection, with one resident describing the artist’s work as “perverted and grotesque.”

A report to the council pointed out that fears about the building being used to slaughter animals were unfounded. The creatures such as sheep and cows will be delivered to the studio already dead for processing for his art by Mr Hirst (pictured), who owns Toddington Manor, near Tewkesbury .

Members were shown a film of the site. Officers explained how the planned building had been moved slightly further away from homes.

Councillor Barbara Tait said: “This is a wonderful move. It (the building) has been neglected for 10 years.”

Green councillor John Marjoram added that the studios would add “interest” to Stroud.

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Our Comment: I’m not sure who is more of a moron, Hirst or the tosspots that pay through the nose to purchase this crap. In response to Barbara Tait, we could have filled the derelict building with something more useful and productive like ten year old sweatshop workers? This building has become a symbol of exploitation it should be left empty or preferably demolished with all of Hirsts “art” inside.

They dont call em bobbies for no reason

Activists from Gloucestershire Animal Action took a break from constant protests to help flood victims on Royal Well Road on Friday after a storm drain went out of control. Activists spend several hours helping to sandbag the homes and gardens of local residents.Unfortunately we quickly ran out of sandbags but had a large amount of sand still available, so was asked politely if the George Hotel could let us use some pillow cases to fill with sand, the staff member smirked and refused. He was then told that the homes of the elderly were flooding round in the lane and it wouldn’t hurt to give us ten cases to save the homes of local residents we would pay for them if needs be. “Sorry, cant help you.”

After an hour of trying desperately to construct flood defences using any available materials we approached the George again and luckily spoke to a more sympathetic staff member who could obviously see that despite our differences in regards to the Foie Gras demos we were trying to help people who’s lives were going to be turned upside down if we did not hurry. We were given 6 pillow cases which were immediately filled and placed in doorways.

The defences held long enough for a pump to arrive and the lane was drained over a matter of hours.