Ovi magazine; Tuesday December 20th, 2022 – Ovi magazine 18th Birthday

The articles, the opinions, the stories, the poems and the cartoons Ovi magazine covers for Tuesday December 20th, 2022 – Ovi magazine 18th Birthday

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A beacon of light #birthday by Nikos Laios

Today we celebrate the 18th birthday of OVI Magazine, but before we get to the Atlas-like efforts of Thanos at building and carrying this wonderful publication on his shoulders, let’s take a moment to reflect on what OVI Magazine means to both the contributors and the readership, and here I’ll start with my own perspectives as a contributor to OVI Magazine.

I have been writing for OVI Magazine now for just over 8 years, and in that time have contributed my poetry and art, articles, and have also been a part of the OVI philosophy Symposium working alongside the late Professor Emanuel Paparella contributing philosophy articles. For this writer, OVI Magazine has been a labour of love, it has given me a platform for both my poetry and art, thoughts and reflections, and that applies to many of the team here on OVI Magazine.

We live in dark chaotic times, the human species is tearing itself apart competing for shrinking resources while feigning a concern for the state of the ecology of the Earth. But it’s not the Earth that we really care about, but our very own survival. For long after the human species vanishes from this Earth in some future extinction event, the Earth will recover, as it always does. We are nothing but savage soulless monkey-men – a species without souls – no better than the other primates and mammals that populate this planet, and with all due respect to the religions espoused by the Abrahamic faiths, they are nothing but beautiful delusions, and it is through these beautiful delusions that humanity has arrogantly placed itself as the guardian of the Earth and above all life that dwells here. Yet the solution to the Earth’s – and mankind’s problems – lie with man himself.

Continue reading HERE!

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Eighteen years OLD! #birthday by Thanos Kalamidas

When you are young you say things like: the first eighteen years are the difficult ones. But what if these eighteen years are …dog years, alas one hundred and twenty-six years! But here we are not talking about a dog, aren’t we? We are talking about Ovi magazine and life online. So we might as well talk about centuries instead of a dog century.

Ovi magazine is eighteen years old with emphasis on the world old. Old means wisdom and experience but also means tiredness and weariness. Old means that while you will never openly admit it, you have started counting what is left and the world around us changes fast often reminding you that being old might means that you miss something, here and there. And these also applies to the real people, the living and breathing individuals behind the virtual life.

So let’s talk about the past. For eighteen years Ovi stood for democracy, freedom and choices, against any kind of discrimination and prejudice. We fought in every chance Nazism and fascism, racism, xenophobia, homophobia and corruption. We stood by the poor and hungry, we often shown our care for the children and the suffering. And we survived a lot of hits during these years, collective and personal hits.

Continue reading HERE

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AntySaurus Prick 18th #birthday #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

For more Ovi Cartoons, HERE!

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Ovi magazine
We cover every issue!

Ovi magazine; Saturday October 2, 2021

The Ovi magazine issue for Saturday October 2nd, 2021

The Articles:

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A Federation of Malaysian Freight Forwarders (FMFF) letter to the minister of international trade and industry Azmin Ali has highlighted the 51% Bumiputera equity requirement in many types of businesses.

Bumiputera equity rule highlights catastrophe in public policy by Murray Hunter

FMFF president Alvin Chua wrote to seek clarification of required bumiputera equity in freight companies when they seek a renewal of their Customs licences. Chua also requested an extension of time for freight forwarding companies to comply with the finance ministry ruling, due to the delay in receiving any clarification.

The bumiputera equity rules were set down in an old Customs regulation known as Perintah Tetap Kastam, or Customs Order 45, July 1, 2014, stating that companies undertaking Customs forwarding work must have 51% bumiputera equity to be eligible for a licence. This rule was written by a civil servant, and never scrutinised by Parliament.

For more HERE!

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“Cages” #poem by Jan Sand

"There is probably no way to puzzle into that dismay
I must have felt when pulled to the light of day.
Being born, the shocks of light, of sound, necessities to suck in air,
When just moments before, within that soft warm safe lair
All was provided for. Nothing missed, all needs as demanded
Were totally fulfilled in every way, as commanded."

For more HERE!

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Nonviolent Action: The Force of the Soul by Rene Wadlow

“2 October is the UN General Assembly-designated Day of Nonviolence chosen as 2 October is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

Mahatma Gandhi, shortly after finishing his legal studies in England, went to South Africa and began working with Indian laborers, victims of discrimination. He looked for a term understandable to a largely English-speaking population to explain his efforts. “Passive resistance” was the most widely used term and had been used by Leo Tolstoy and others. However, Gandhi found the word “passive” misleading. There did exist a Hindu term ahinsa − a meaning non and hinsa, violence. The term was basically unknown among White South Africans, largely uninterested in Indian philosophical thought.”

For more HERE!

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Ephemera 21#20 #cartoon by Thanos Kalamidas

 

Vote Real Finns NOT True Finns

The Finnish women were the first in the world with the right to elect and be elected and that over a century ago at 1906. Just think that the rest of the western world followed as late as 1950s and 1960s. Finland prides to hold the top position in the list of the less corrupted countries globally, to have one of the best education systems, one of the best welfare states and one of the most secure countries all around the world. But the last decade Finland also has a very dark cloud that overshadows the country the last decade and unfortunately has veiled with a very dark shadow today’s national elections.

I have said it a lot of times in the past and unfortunately Finland makes it for one more time timely, tolerance is the weakest part of democracy. Tolerance to everybody even to the ones who fight democracy and bring out the worst part of the human nature; thirst for power under any cost. Covered under the so fashionable lately identity of the Euro-sceptics a party that only by its names betrays its real identity has come the last decade to test the Finnish democracy and her tolerance. The True Finns.

A party that never explains what their name stands for, who the “true Finns” are and what identifies them but the same time vomitingly preaches xenophobia, prejudice and racism. A party that in a manifest a month ago stated that even art and education should be Finnish-centred in a world were Finns have immigrate to every single country; a political party that with populisms drifts a nation into a political abyss. A party than in the parliamentary elections of 2007 got 4.7% threatens today in the year 2011 to get more than 18% in a country where parties get less than 25% maximum and governments are a result of coalitions. A party that chillingly reminds another national-socialist party that combined in the same way left-wing economic policies with extreme conservative social values

Whatever is the percent the True Finns will take by the end of this evening if it is more than 5% it will be a victory for the darkest side of the Finnish democracy and the higher the percent the darkest the future of the country. The worst is that one way or another True Finns have already won from the minute their fear veiled the actions of the whole country. They won the minute the rest of the parties including the so called Finnish Green party had to prove how Finns they are and they won the moment all the parties changed their policies turning and focusing their campaigns to immigration and non-Finns in general. And fear.

You can see the fear when you deal with any kind of state services. You can feel it that …you are not so welcome anymore. The True Finns have spread fear in all the society and this unfortunately is a victory for a party that stands on fear, a party that pumps power from fear. Even the Christian-Democrats in Finland lost their merciful characters and they have become a homophobic and xenophobic cult that declared that only Christian immigrants should be welcome in Finland.

For the next few hours thousands of Finns will stand in front the poll and vote for the next parliament and in extent for their next government. Let’s hope that all these people will feel the responsibility not only for all these things they are proud off but for all these things they want to be proud for and xenophobia and racism I’m sure are not included.

Last not least remember what I wrote a few days ago quoting the German Pastor Martin Niemöller:

First they came for the communists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.

Lech Kaczynski legacy

It is very sad when somebody dies and especially in this tragic way and of course the Polish people have every right to mourn their president but is a tragic death enough to transform somebody into a hero and wipe out his past?

I mean, good old Lech Kaczynski and his brother weren’t exactly the most democratic figures in Poland. And their political rise was owned at first to Lech Walesa and then to their anti-Russian rhetoric. Rhetoric often unreasonable because you cannot blame a nation because a time in history its leaders suppressed your nation. If ii was like that very few nations today would have good relations if any.

And it wasn’t just that, some of the decision the twin brothers did while they were in control in Poland were pretty embarrassing for a modern democracy and especially a democracy that proud to be an EU member. Of course all that not ignoring the fact that the Polish people feel totally numb at the moment and they need some solace!

Olli's interesting and tough challenges!

The Chairman of Nokia and the Shell Corporation, Jorma Ollila says the EU’s newly nominated Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Olli Rehn faces interesting and tough challenges ahead.

And please Mr. Ollila, will you explain what are these tough challenges? The slow motion Mustafa Olli will carry papers from Deutsche Bank to the Bank Nationale de Paris and sometimes some mails from the Lloyd's in London!

Paper pushing is something good old slow motion Olli knows well how to do so no worries Mr. Ollila!

The Ovi magazine today!

The Parthenon Sculptures and the Acropolis museum by Thanos Kalamidas
Parthenon is a global monument and a symbol of western civilization. Parthenon stands in the middle of Athens, the city that took its name from the goodness protector of culture and education for 24 centuries. It will always be there, incised in the minds

Does Race Have Anything To Do With IQ? by Dr. Habib Siddiqui
Remember the colonial days when vast territories of Asia, Africa and Latin America were under white's rule? The failure of the non-Whites to resist European colonization and plunder of their territories automatically relegated them to a lower human
"The Rhyme of the Drunken Mariners" by Andrew Farley
"Children and lunatics cut the Gordian knot which the poet spends his life patiently trying to untie." - Jean Cocteau

Insert Brain Here: Copycat Killing by Paul Woods
Paul Woods is a Cartoonist and Illustrator. His series of cartoons is entitled "Insert Brain Here"...

Child labour in ... Ovi Times

Ovi today

Stop Child Labour by Thanos Kalamidas
We have created stereotypes and prejudices even when it comes to child labour, conveniently putting them working in far away Asian countries and questionable African states. We conveniently miss the child next door, yes in our wonderful world.

Child Labour in ...pictures by Thanos Kalamidas
Sometimes the picture is more dramatic than ...million of words. In the case of Child labour pictures can be ...traumatic!

"The Inner Works of Strahan" by David Barger
"Poetry is not a civilizer, rather the reverse, for great poetry appeals to the most primitive instincts." - Robinson Jeffers

Greek report by Euro Reporter
The Euro-reporter travels today to Greece with news for the Acropolis museum and immigrants issues

Ovi today

The Power of Apology by Leah Sellers
Just think, a Leader who Understands the importance of taking the Time and Effort to Explain himself - his Intentions - and the Direction he is attempting to move our Great Nation, the United States of America (and the rest of the World) toward.

The abstinence vote by Thanos Kalamidas
Some thoughts for the abstinence vote and the reaction it caused from politicians and the media in ...Greek

Latvian report by Euro Reporter
Expensive apartments and an airline that sells tickets in Euros the latest Euro-report from Latvia

2nd Opinion #31/09 by Thanos K & Asa B
Seriously, I think you'll need a second opinion after this.

The Ovi magazine today!

New Reign of Terror by David Sparenberg
The bullet from the terrorist gun, manufactured anywhere in the industrial world, has your name on it. Sometime during your life time, it may end your life.
But ...seriously Europe by Thanos Kalamidas
A selection of ...European news due to the Euro-election day, collected together in only the way that Mr Kalamidas can achieve.

He says ... by Thanos Kalamidas
Ovi Times are going to be full page today with some thoughts on what and who says what for the Euro-elections

Lift Spirits #18 by Thanos K & Asa B
Lift doors slide open, you enter, press the button and then face that awkward proximity to a stranger... perhaps this will lift your spirit.

The Chinese sex revolution

China is building what is billed as its first sex theme park, aimed at improving both the sex education and the sex life of its visitors.

Due to open in Chongqing in October, Love Land will include displays of giant genitalia, naked bodies and an exhibition on the history of sex. The park will also offer sex technique workshops and safe-sex methods. Among the attractions is a giant rotating statue of the lower part of a nearly naked woman.

From the red book to the …red lights!!! The new culture revolution!!!

Kuwait votes for first female MPs

Kuwait has elected its first female MPs following the oil-rich country's third general election in three years.

US-educated Aseel al-Awadhi and Rola Dashti were among winners in the third district, official results declared. The 10 leading candidates from each of Kuwait's five electoral districts are elected to the 50-seat parliament. The emir dissolved the previous parliament in March because it wanted to question his nephew, the prime minister, about alleged corruption.

Amazing that something like that becomes news which apparently proves what a lot been saying for so long, that the situation regarding equality, tolerance and human rights is really bad, unacceptable bad , especially between proud allies and democracy is just a far away dream in a lot of parts of this world.

The Ovi magazine today

Christian Extremists Within the U.S. Military - Myth or Reality? by Dr. Habib Siddiqui
When President George W. Bush called his war on terrorism a "crusade", very few Muslims doubted his evil intention. In the face of strong condemnation at home and abroad, he quickly apologized.

10 Helsinginkatu: Chapter 28 by Thanos Kalamidas
While at 'Baker's' I tried to write down some of my thoughts about the whole thing but nothing could come in mind, it was the blood ring there and it was the alcohol abuse, it was Leena who, for a reason I could not understand, wanted me to accept Juha

Insert Brain Here: Drinking Problem by Paul Woods
Paul Woods is a Cartoonist and Illustrator. His series of cartoons is entitled "Insert Brain Here"...

"Remorse" by Pamela Hunt
"Like a piece of ice on a hot stove the poem must ride on its own melting." - Robert Frost

Aide resigns over NY plane scare

A senior White House aide has quit over his role in a presidential plane's low-level fly-past that caused panic among New York office workers.

The White House said President Barack Obama had accepted the resignation of military office director Louis Caldera. The photo opportunity fly-past prompted the evacuation of a number of offices. Correspondents say it revived memories of the September 2001 attacks in which hijackers flew planes into the World Trade Center towers. The half-hour fly-past by a presidential jet and a fighter plane escort on April 27 did not involve Mr. Obama.

He’s definitely going to fly low from now on!

Ovi today

A Europe in question by Thanos Kalamidas
Only weeks before the European Elections, when European citizens elect their representatives into the common parliament, Europe celebrates Europe Day. This is a day that reminds all Europeans of the fundamental principles of the European Union...

European elections: the no-debate by Newropeans-Magazine
Citizens are called to join discussion forums, debates, rallies, to blog, to chat, to twitter, to shout "can you hear me Europe", even to send your message in the space, to address MEPs, which is I confess the same as to shout or to send your message...

Euro-report by Euro Reporter
For the Europe day, euro-reporter turns just European with news from all around Europe.

Life Undercover #7/09 by Thanos K & Asa B
A glimpse into the life of one man who lays in bed talking to God; maybe one day he will get an answer, but we doubt it.

NATO to begin Georgia exercises

NATO is to start a series of military exercises in Georgia, a day after the government thwarted an attempt by its own soldiers to stage a mutiny.

Soldiers from 18 countries are taking part in the drills at a Georgian army base close to the capital, Tbilisi. But Russia has said the exercises amount to a provocation. They come just nine months after Russia's short war with Georgia and are taking place close to areas where Russian troops are stationed.

Are Georgian’s try to find another change to play their games with Russia again using NATO this time?

Ovi magazine, today

"Boyfriend..." by Pamela Hunt
"The poet sees things as they look. Is this having a faculty the less? or a sense the more?" - Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare

Wheels on the bike go round and round 3: Training by Mike Jennett
People who live in Florida have no idea what hills are. Tired and sweaty, after 43 miles of what locals amusingly call the Florida Alps, it became obvious just how much the first two weeks of the tour will hurt.

A Greek president in Helsinki (In Greek) by Thanos Kalamidas
Τελικά ποιός κυβερνάει αυτή τη χώρα; Θυμάται

For the Moment: Swine Flew by Patrick McWade
Patrick McWade shares his cartoon...

Ovi today

The British Museum: Just do it by Asa Butcher
In the very first issue of Ovi magazine I wrote a letter to Thanos in our now-defunct 2Dear ..." column asking about the situation regarding the Parthenon Marbles, commonly referred to as the Elgin Marbles.

Greece from abroad by Thanos Kalamidas
Some thoughts of a Greek living in Finland on the occasion of the Greek President, Karolos Papoulias', visit to the country of no corruption!

Migration in Greece - An open wound (in Greek) by Dimitra Karantzeni
Κοινωνική καταπίεση. Πολιτική εκμετάλλευση.

Greek Report by Euro Reporter
The Greek President is visiting Finland and Ovi's Euro-reporter visits Greece.

Karolos Papoulias by The Ovi Team
A short biographic information for the President of the Greek Republic Karolos Papoulias

Father opposes Madonna adoption

The man believed to be the father of the Malawian child who pop star Madonna wants to adopt has said that he opposes the move.

James Kambewa told a US TV station that he would be able to look after four year-old Chifundo "Mercy" James, even though he had never met her.

He said that he wanted the little girl to be raised "as a Malawian".
The trash musician, material girl finds the real world!!!

Farmer may have given swine flu to pigs

The farmer "may have exposed swine on the farm to an influenza virus," said Dr. Brian Evans of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

"We have determined that the virus H1N1, found in these pigs, is the virus which is being tracked in the human population," he added.