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VanemadUuemad
It's hard to secure unanimity, even on something as simple as the time of day.
Praise to all involved!
Praise to all involved!
0
0Way to go...
Stockholm
Stockholm
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0This is an unequivocal condemnation of Soviet crimes and a powerful endorsement of the true history by a nation that usually shys away from such strong statements. Likely the strongest wording that I’ve ever seen anywhere as in this paragraph:
“20 years after the fall of the totalitarian Communist regimes in Europe, knowledge among Canadians about the totalitarian regimes which terrorised their fellow citizens in Central and Eastern Europe for more than 40 years in the form of systematic and ruthless military, economic and political repression of the people by means of arbitrary executions, mass arrests, deportations, the suppression of free expression, private property and civil society and the destruction of cultural and moral identity and which deprived the vast majority of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe of their basic human rights and dignity, separating them from the democratic world by means of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall, is still alarmingly superficial and inadequate”
“20 years after the fall of the totalitarian Communist regimes in Europe, knowledge among Canadians about the totalitarian regimes which terrorised their fellow citizens in Central and Eastern Europe for more than 40 years in the form of systematic and ruthless military, economic and political repression of the people by means of arbitrary executions, mass arrests, deportations, the suppression of free expression, private property and civil society and the destruction of cultural and moral identity and which deprived the vast majority of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe of their basic human rights and dignity, separating them from the democratic world by means of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall, is still alarmingly superficial and inadequate”
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0An excellent example of how partisan interests are temporarily suspended to achieve a result based on values, not narrow ideological intertests. Moscow take note: This is not the rewriting of history, but rather a confirmation of that with which all in the west have agreed from 1939 on - that the USSR and Germany together and equally caused the Second World War as co-aggressors, that they pursued similar interests, that is, to expand and and hold millions in captivity, to ruthlessly liquidate all perceived to be untrustworthy.
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0The Russian Presidential Commission against the Falsification of History (???????? ??? ?????????? ?????????? ????????? ?? ??????????????? ???????? ????????????? ??????? ? ????? ????????? ??????) was established by decree by Medvedev on the 15th of May 2009.
The Russian Federation is criminalising criticism of the USSR during WWII and offenders face up to 5 years incarceration.
Foreign countries whose officials are found to be guilty of the new crimes will also face sanctions. In addition, Russia reserves the right to expel ambassadors and sever diplomatic relations with offending nations and to impose full transport and communications blockades on them.
This resolution will most certainly be considered a crime by Russia.
Bob Rae and all Members of Parliament and the Government fall within Russia’s claimed jurisdiction as far as the Russian Federation is concerned.
The Russian Federation is criminalising criticism of the USSR during WWII and offenders face up to 5 years incarceration.
Foreign countries whose officials are found to be guilty of the new crimes will also face sanctions. In addition, Russia reserves the right to expel ambassadors and sever diplomatic relations with offending nations and to impose full transport and communications blockades on them.
This resolution will most certainly be considered a crime by Russia.
Bob Rae and all Members of Parliament and the Government fall within Russia’s claimed jurisdiction as far as the Russian Federation is concerned.
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0I would be interested in what awards are attributed to "award winning" film-maker Margus Kolga besides the one he won for a series run and produced by Rogers OMNI free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system?
I am also interested in whether Markus Hess was the sole creator of the concept of Black Ribbon day and its only founder? In order to be historically accurate about these important events, the factual material or the impressions given should be fully spelled out.
I am also interested in whether Markus Hess was the sole creator of the concept of Black Ribbon day and its only founder? In order to be historically accurate about these important events, the factual material or the impressions given should be fully spelled out.
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0There are thousands of Estonians, both emigre and homeland, whose letters to editors have helped to wear down the established Canadian and American resistance to the idea that the Allied World War II history, as it's been propagated and recorded, is not complete and does not respect the memories of a sizable population of Canadians. The final chapter that is now being written spells out the ongoing suffering of those whose lives were trapped in a time warp and imprisoned behind the Curtain. Some of these Estonian and other ethnic writers and lobbyists have been good strategists and their letters have passed the editorial scrutiny of major media and been published beyond just online commentary. They are an important part of this victory of recognition. One person, who we Estonians should never forget is the late Peeter Sepp, a great artist and media genius who created those wonderful T-shirts that crossed the Swastika with the Hammer and Sickle and caused curious Canadians and Americans to ask what the meaning of this was. He worked tirelessly and very effectively to arouse public opinion and awaken drowsy Estonians to the potential they have to change recorded history.
There is no need to declare the contributions of Eastern European and Baltic emigre in the above "Black Ribbon" article as if the major theme needs an excuse. The theme is legitimate-- namely, that Canada, as a democratic and egalitarian - minded country, needs to recognize how the war affected all Canadians - including those whose lives or family histories did not share the Allied experience of the war, yet nevertheless reflected struggle, heroic acts and extreme tragedy in the name of freedom and democracy. We have always respected Red Poppy day, and we humbly offer our Black Ribbon day towards completing the picture.
Mare Tiido
There is no need to declare the contributions of Eastern European and Baltic emigre in the above "Black Ribbon" article as if the major theme needs an excuse. The theme is legitimate-- namely, that Canada, as a democratic and egalitarian - minded country, needs to recognize how the war affected all Canadians - including those whose lives or family histories did not share the Allied experience of the war, yet nevertheless reflected struggle, heroic acts and extreme tragedy in the name of freedom and democracy. We have always respected Red Poppy day, and we humbly offer our Black Ribbon day towards completing the picture.
Mare Tiido
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Vince Reed (20:25)
Yes Mare (with an accent on the "e"), The House of Commons should have specifically named you in the resolution as a contributor. Those idiots! Shame that those darn MPs didn't recognize your compelling expose (also with an accent on the last "e") on Wasaga Beach cottagers which made major waves back in the 80's: http://www.webcompose.ca/mareb...
I felt a chill go up my spine when I read:
"Last summer a pre-1973 car parade commemorated the bygone era of The Main Drag."
Sweet heart, with words like those it's no wonder the Berlin Wall fell!
Don't let the man get you down! And keep up the stellar work!
P.S. cute cat!
I felt a chill go up my spine when I read:
"Last summer a pre-1973 car parade commemorated the bygone era of The Main Drag."
Sweet heart, with words like those it's no wonder the Berlin Wall fell!
Don't let the man get you down! And keep up the stellar work!
P.S. cute cat!
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0Dear Ms. Britton (or Tiido):
I would encourage you to read the wording of the resolution. When drafting it, I made every effort to acknowledge the contribution of our communities, not only to the “Black Ribbon Day” cause, but also those that our forefathers made towards building the Canada we know today. Unfortunately, there just isn’t the room in a resolution to name all of the people who made contributions as they would likely pack an entire book. As a youth growing up in this community, my peers and I were fortunate to have strong role models and leaders to look up to: Laas Leivat, Markus Hess, Endel Ruberg, Edgar Marten, Reet Sehr, Avo Kittask, Heino Jõe, Ilmar Külvet, Andres Taul - among many, many others. The resolution, in part, honours the commitment and contributions of all of them – and indeed, each and every one of us – over the past 60 years.
Secondly, the resolution was aimed at acknowledging the suffering of our parents and grandparents and the reasons why they were forced to flee their homes to find refuge here in Canada. It does so by unequivocally condemning the crimes of the Soviet regime and putting on notice those whose goal it is to revise and falsify the truth about Stalin’s barbarism and tyranny by stating clearly that Canada will, without exception, recognize the true version of the history of our people. This is very significant, as our country is now the first to make such a strong statement outside of Europe – thanks to all of us.
Finally, the passage of the resolution through the bureaucratic and politically hazardous maze of Parliament Hill was not quite as simple as some may otherwise incorrectly assume. A resolution that is as politically charged (with potentially devastating international ramifications) as this one needs a strong captain who is morally committed to its purpose. We found such a leader in Bob Rae. A son of Lithuania, whose family directly experienced the Soviet terror, he understood the need for such a resolution and worked tirelessly and selflessly to negotiate and overcome partisan political barriers that were erected to dilute the wording of the declaration. After months of discussions –and some arm twisting of some unlikely partisans – the motion was introduced and passed –to everyone’s surprise- unanimously. The resolution was universally praised by all sides of The House and by pundits of all political colours and stripes: a truly remarkable feat that, in the words of one renowned Conservative pundit, must be recognized not only for its historically significant content but also because of the broad consensus that the resolution created in an otherwise toxic partisan environment.
Ms. Britton, I hope this helps to clarify some misconceptions about this effort.
And by the way, in answer to your first question, my projects have won 2 CEMA awards, a New York Festival award for best Historical documentary and one – which I take most pride in- from Estdocs.
M. Kolga
I would encourage you to read the wording of the resolution. When drafting it, I made every effort to acknowledge the contribution of our communities, not only to the “Black Ribbon Day” cause, but also those that our forefathers made towards building the Canada we know today. Unfortunately, there just isn’t the room in a resolution to name all of the people who made contributions as they would likely pack an entire book. As a youth growing up in this community, my peers and I were fortunate to have strong role models and leaders to look up to: Laas Leivat, Markus Hess, Endel Ruberg, Edgar Marten, Reet Sehr, Avo Kittask, Heino Jõe, Ilmar Külvet, Andres Taul - among many, many others. The resolution, in part, honours the commitment and contributions of all of them – and indeed, each and every one of us – over the past 60 years.
Secondly, the resolution was aimed at acknowledging the suffering of our parents and grandparents and the reasons why they were forced to flee their homes to find refuge here in Canada. It does so by unequivocally condemning the crimes of the Soviet regime and putting on notice those whose goal it is to revise and falsify the truth about Stalin’s barbarism and tyranny by stating clearly that Canada will, without exception, recognize the true version of the history of our people. This is very significant, as our country is now the first to make such a strong statement outside of Europe – thanks to all of us.
Finally, the passage of the resolution through the bureaucratic and politically hazardous maze of Parliament Hill was not quite as simple as some may otherwise incorrectly assume. A resolution that is as politically charged (with potentially devastating international ramifications) as this one needs a strong captain who is morally committed to its purpose. We found such a leader in Bob Rae. A son of Lithuania, whose family directly experienced the Soviet terror, he understood the need for such a resolution and worked tirelessly and selflessly to negotiate and overcome partisan political barriers that were erected to dilute the wording of the declaration. After months of discussions –and some arm twisting of some unlikely partisans – the motion was introduced and passed –to everyone’s surprise- unanimously. The resolution was universally praised by all sides of The House and by pundits of all political colours and stripes: a truly remarkable feat that, in the words of one renowned Conservative pundit, must be recognized not only for its historically significant content but also because of the broad consensus that the resolution created in an otherwise toxic partisan environment.
Ms. Britton, I hope this helps to clarify some misconceptions about this effort.
And by the way, in answer to your first question, my projects have won 2 CEMA awards, a New York Festival award for best Historical documentary and one – which I take most pride in- from Estdocs.
M. Kolga
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Take That Backman (08:25)
I am glad you enjoyed my Wasaga Beach story! You probably missed the Toronto Star Insight piece that gave the first reasonably accurate historic perspective in the Canadian dailies on the then breaking Russian minorities issue - also on the old website you diligently discovered..
This brings me to a sore point -- how little we Estonian activists really know each other, preferring to remain locked in tight circles or choose anonymity as our soap box.
As a media strategist, outside of academia, I like to support those who are supporting good causes in the only way I can - by writing. If I write something about Dr. Birute Galdikas, as a Lithuanian Canadian for the cover of Education Today, I am helping our efforts, as it puts Baltic people with a conscience in a good light and it forces Canadians to recognize those among them who are struggling to save the planet.
Hired to generate media coverage on behalf of Croatia during the Yugoslav wars, a senior CBC- TV news editor called me to thank me for using proactive strategies that allowed him to give Croatian Canadians fair coverage , as many press releases (especially from ethnic communities) are unusable as they would require the media to break their own rules. In doing this I was supporting democracy -- in keeping with Estonian interests too.
The Estonians whose names crop up repeatedly in our community tend to ignore the broader Canadian and world communities, and as such misinterpret the actions of others and fail to support Estonians who sorely need their support and a sense of belonging to their roots.
I was particularly struck by this lapse in awareness when working on the OMNI-TV Telepeegel series. I was occasionally derided by Estonians who had no idea of the scale of the professional achievements of high-profile Estonians amongst them. They didn't know each other. Point in case: Tõnu Altosaar with whom I filmed a walk through the fabulous Brookfield Place (formerly BCE) as its Chief Architect. ("Oh, he's just one of the partners" was one team-mate's comment.) Non-Estonian colleagues spotted him on that show. Later he was interviewed in English. He is a senior partner of Bregman + Hammond, renown for landmark projects the world over.
Painter, the late Ants Vomm had his career undermined through a lack of awareness by his own beloved Estonians. Yet his mid-career works have been avidly collected by the time-honoured Canadian critic Kay Kritzwizer.
Peeter Sepp was possibly the best known Estonian in Canada in the wake of his OAC directorial years and notoriously popular Public Works projects. So often I've heard from non Estos: "Oh, you knew Peeter Sepp? Wow." Yet, I discovered resistance (and ridicule) too when proposing a profile of Peeter for Estonian viewers. This all suggests to me that community-activist Estos should partake of the wider community more to get a needed perspective. We are often too boastful, yet ironically not proud enough of our fellow Estonians' contributions to the wider world.
These are old examples. There are many current ones. One more point of PR. Deriding fellow Estonians doesn't really make us look that good to the non-Estonians who are reading these pages. This is the internet. You question my credibility on the basis of one specified point -- the spelling of my name. As an anonymous poster you start with zero credibility. Where are your articles and what political efforts have you made to help in this matter? You see how that works?
This brings me to a sore point -- how little we Estonian activists really know each other, preferring to remain locked in tight circles or choose anonymity as our soap box.
As a media strategist, outside of academia, I like to support those who are supporting good causes in the only way I can - by writing. If I write something about Dr. Birute Galdikas, as a Lithuanian Canadian for the cover of Education Today, I am helping our efforts, as it puts Baltic people with a conscience in a good light and it forces Canadians to recognize those among them who are struggling to save the planet.
Hired to generate media coverage on behalf of Croatia during the Yugoslav wars, a senior CBC- TV news editor called me to thank me for using proactive strategies that allowed him to give Croatian Canadians fair coverage , as many press releases (especially from ethnic communities) are unusable as they would require the media to break their own rules. In doing this I was supporting democracy -- in keeping with Estonian interests too.
The Estonians whose names crop up repeatedly in our community tend to ignore the broader Canadian and world communities, and as such misinterpret the actions of others and fail to support Estonians who sorely need their support and a sense of belonging to their roots.
I was particularly struck by this lapse in awareness when working on the OMNI-TV Telepeegel series. I was occasionally derided by Estonians who had no idea of the scale of the professional achievements of high-profile Estonians amongst them. They didn't know each other. Point in case: Tõnu Altosaar with whom I filmed a walk through the fabulous Brookfield Place (formerly BCE) as its Chief Architect. ("Oh, he's just one of the partners" was one team-mate's comment.) Non-Estonian colleagues spotted him on that show. Later he was interviewed in English. He is a senior partner of Bregman + Hammond, renown for landmark projects the world over.
Painter, the late Ants Vomm had his career undermined through a lack of awareness by his own beloved Estonians. Yet his mid-career works have been avidly collected by the time-honoured Canadian critic Kay Kritzwizer.
Peeter Sepp was possibly the best known Estonian in Canada in the wake of his OAC directorial years and notoriously popular Public Works projects. So often I've heard from non Estos: "Oh, you knew Peeter Sepp? Wow." Yet, I discovered resistance (and ridicule) too when proposing a profile of Peeter for Estonian viewers. This all suggests to me that community-activist Estos should partake of the wider community more to get a needed perspective. We are often too boastful, yet ironically not proud enough of our fellow Estonians' contributions to the wider world.
These are old examples. There are many current ones. One more point of PR. Deriding fellow Estonians doesn't really make us look that good to the non-Estonians who are reading these pages. This is the internet. You question my credibility on the basis of one specified point -- the spelling of my name. As an anonymous poster you start with zero credibility. Where are your articles and what political efforts have you made to help in this matter? You see how that works?
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Vince Reed (20:25), Mare Tiido (21:31)
Hi Margus
I just saw the notation about the "same IP address" etc. about my post and someone else's . There are indeed 3 different sets of tenants who use the same wireless in the building I live in -- yes, all of them interested in the post communist world, one of them a film-maker.
M. T.
I just saw the notation about the "same IP address" etc. about my post and someone else's . There are indeed 3 different sets of tenants who use the same wireless in the building I live in -- yes, all of them interested in the post communist world, one of them a film-maker.
M. T.
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Vince Reed (20:25), Mare Tiido (21:31), Mare Tiido (13:56), Mare (15:37)
So who is Vince Reed. Mare?
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0Why ask me? I don't know who you are either ADS and I don't need to know. The anonymous club has zero credibility.
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Vince Reed (20:25), Mare Tiido (21:31), Mare Tiido (13:56), Mare (15:37), Mare (17:41)
Maret, since Vince's e-mail came from the same IP address as your posts did, I submit Vince is you. You posted it as a provocation. And a very unsophisticated one too.
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: ADS (22:07)
And of course, Maret, your credibility is enormous, just enormous!
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0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: ADS (22:07), ADS (15:40)
I agree with all your points Margus. To name the people who made a contribution would "pack" more than "an entire book" as you put it.
Documenting the names of the people who did the legwork for this Day of Remembrance (and gave the project its start) goes without saying. Documentation is a part of historical record.
As for you and your team-mate's efforts, my PR and media experience, which has involved working with committees of high-powered people, has made me familiar with the socio-political sensitivities and bureaucratic trials involved in completing a project that has relevance to an entire society. I personally am grateful, as are so many others to you and all the people you mentioned.
My remarks were simply those of a tireless media strategist -- an attempt in this case to remind people of how important their two-cents worth can be -- and also to capsulize the concept of our entitlement to this day of remembrance.
On a related note, it strikes me as miraculous that historical repair has advanced to this point. I say hooray for all those of so many different backgrounds and vantage points who helped advance this cause . I mentioned Peeter because his T-shirts were brilliantly designed both artistically and in terms of PR strategy. They attracted wide scale attention around the world, as they presented something exotically novel -- something that drove many to do research and scratch their heads, as it was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the missing chunks of World War II history went. Now this history is everywhere, at least in the American media which I follow closely.
If the rest of the world becomes fully educated about World War II and its aftermath, then affluent Russians who go West to get an education, and fashionable Russians abroad will be struck by how odd it is that their version of history is so different. Eventually something's got to give in their unnecessarily doctored history. Generations of Germans have wrestled with the horrors of history and guilt and have resurfaced no worse for the wear. Why can't Russians. Without their acknowledgment and a vigilant West, it could all be repeated in one form or another.
And by the way, I am aware of your films (!?). They have been very important in raising awareness among Canadians of history and the sad memories that so many Canadians have lived with all these years, denied the right to be heard.
And Jõudu tööle Margus!
Documenting the names of the people who did the legwork for this Day of Remembrance (and gave the project its start) goes without saying. Documentation is a part of historical record.
As for you and your team-mate's efforts, my PR and media experience, which has involved working with committees of high-powered people, has made me familiar with the socio-political sensitivities and bureaucratic trials involved in completing a project that has relevance to an entire society. I personally am grateful, as are so many others to you and all the people you mentioned.
My remarks were simply those of a tireless media strategist -- an attempt in this case to remind people of how important their two-cents worth can be -- and also to capsulize the concept of our entitlement to this day of remembrance.
On a related note, it strikes me as miraculous that historical repair has advanced to this point. I say hooray for all those of so many different backgrounds and vantage points who helped advance this cause . I mentioned Peeter because his T-shirts were brilliantly designed both artistically and in terms of PR strategy. They attracted wide scale attention around the world, as they presented something exotically novel -- something that drove many to do research and scratch their heads, as it was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the missing chunks of World War II history went. Now this history is everywhere, at least in the American media which I follow closely.
If the rest of the world becomes fully educated about World War II and its aftermath, then affluent Russians who go West to get an education, and fashionable Russians abroad will be struck by how odd it is that their version of history is so different. Eventually something's got to give in their unnecessarily doctored history. Generations of Germans have wrestled with the horrors of history and guilt and have resurfaced no worse for the wear. Why can't Russians. Without their acknowledgment and a vigilant West, it could all be repeated in one form or another.
And by the way, I am aware of your films (!?). They have been very important in raising awareness among Canadians of history and the sad memories that so many Canadians have lived with all these years, denied the right to be heard.
And Jõudu tööle Margus!
0
0Samalt IP numbrilt on siin varem kommenteerinud: Vince Reed (20:25), Mare Tiido (21:31), Mare Tiido (13:56)
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