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Scooby Medina: Protectora de Animales Scooby

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Scooby is a leading association dealing with the rescue of Galgos (Spanish Greyhounds) in Spain and the largest shelter in the country for all sorts of animals.


The Facts:


An investigation by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) in 2001 and 2002 proved that tens of thousands of Galgos are bred annually in Spain in the hope of producing the national coursing champion. Medina del Campo is the focal point for those with a coursing interest in Spain. Many galgueros (breeders and owners of Galgos) live in Medina del Campo and its environs.
Prior to 2001 it was an annual tradition for the galgueros to kill their Galgos by hanging them en masse in the pine forests in and around Medina del Campo at the end of the coursing season (January/February). Fermín Pérez and WSPA captured vast photographic evidence and WSPA compiled a report about the treatment of Galgos in Spain.


WSPA discovered dead dogs with nooses around their necks dumped in shallow graves or lying under trees where they had been hung and, on a rubbish tip outside the village of Rueda near Tordesillas, investigators witnessed the gruesome sight of a dead galgo hanging from a willow tree. The skeletal remains of galgos were commonplace as well as evidence of hung dogs being set on fire, with melted nooses hanging above fresh bones and ash on the ground below.
WSPA also learnt how dogs that have raced poorly are typically hung low in a slow death known as 'the piano player' due to the frantic scrabbling of their legs in a vain attempt to touch the ground. Those who have raced well are hung high, resulting in a quicker death. Unwanted galgos may also be stoned, tied up and left to starve, staked in a pond and left to drown or thrown into wells or burned alive.

From about 2001 onwards the galgueros started to bring their unwanted Galgos to the Scooby shelter with the result that on average Scooby houses about 450 dogs, mainly Galgos. Scooby ensures all of the dogs are neutered and receive veterinary attention. Scooby rehomes a limited number of Galgos and some of the mixed breed dogs via small partner organisations in Europe.
http://www.scoobymedina.com/home_en.htm
WARNING! Though this video may not be in english it contains graphic and disturbing images. I still highly recommend you watch it as it will hopefully open your eye to a whole new world.

Reflecting on Avril Lavigne

Friday, March 7, 2008


Throughout our class examination on Avril Lavigne, my views on her and this case of plagiarism and copyright infringement have remained fairly the same throughout our classes’ many discussions. They have, however, expanded knowledge wise and have grown in understanding of the fine details of this case.

Basically, I believe that looking at Avril’s actions and reactions during this case can be boiled down and represented with one word. Responsibility, a key factor that may have very well enabled this case to end quickly, quietly and efficiently. Though there is likely no one evident that we can place sole blame on for the violation, people will naturally base their emotions and opinions off of who and what they know. They know Avril Lavigne, and recognize “Girlfriend” as her song. Therefore, Avril has most likely become the injured party. I don’t necessarily blame the viewers for their accusations however. We’ve discussed in class the possibilities of other cases involving Avril Lavigne and other bands/singers including My Chemical Romance, and Peaches, to whom she admitted to coping their song. I believe a situation like this can be compared to cheating, try it once, you don’t get caught, everything works out perfectly. Cheating as is plagiarism is just too convenient and easy to do, and is in no way the right thing to do. From what our class has learned about this case I see a definite possibly that this song is one of Avril’s repeat offences. This time however, the law caught her. As a role model to many who are years younger, Avril hasn’t been a very good example, and if in fact she hadn’t stole the song intentionally, I believe it is her job as well as her producer’s and writer’s to take responsibility and notice that there is in fact something wrong with what had happened. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, even ones they don’t mean to make, at least own up and recognize that you did in fact slip-up.

In my opinion, the Rubinoo’s has every right to accuse Avril of plagiarism of their song “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”, not only because I agree with all who found obvious similarities between the two songs in the beat, lyrics, tempo etc., but because the Rubinoo’s felt there was a infringement in Avril’s song. They had obviously found similarities and needed justice and credit if she did in fact plagiarize.

Basically, anything was possible in this case. I do believe Avril Lavinge to be guilty of copyright infringement and do believe that she got lucky by getting away with it. I hope that because of this incident she realized that it is possible for you to get caught and she returns to individual and her own creative writing, from her own feelings and soul, the way all music should be.