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FEBRUARY
2008 |
© brianmay.com |
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THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPANTS |
CONTACT: Brian's mail : Site queries : Business |
Brian
MAY answers letters here - it depends on his commitments at
the time! No promises, but very often your patience will be
appreciated and rewarded! - Sorry we're unable to
help with autographs, demos or passes. |
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Welcome
to BRI'S LETTERS |
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| **Wed 20 Feb 08** Aiva Povelauskaite wrote: Hi Brian, Huge Congratulations on the Victory! Yeah:) That is great news:) Thank you for your soapbox.The picture is fantastic. Are we really that close to the moon?:) it looks like a map:) Amazingly clear.It is the best picture of the moon I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing it with us. Unfortunately tonight here in Galway we are covered in cloud:(it not windy, so probably it will stay this way for the night. Although on the bright side of this if we keep the cloud here perhaps (hopefully) you get the clear sky for the eclipse tonight. Hoping to hear fro you tomorrow:) Have a nice and clear night. Aiva P.S.Congratulations on the 1st place:) --- Brian replied: Thanks Aiva ...that is a great compliment !! Yes ! The Moon is ONLY a quarter of a million miles from us ! Lots of love © brianmay.com |
**Tue 19 Feb 08** Brian, There is hope. LOU, U.S.A http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2008/2008-02-14-091.asp http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2008-02-14-animal-tests_N.htm --- Brian replied: Great News. Thanks for letting me know. I hope it happens quicker than this, though. 10 MILLION animals a year? Criminal. Love © brianmay.com |
**Mon 18 Feb 08** Nick D wrote: Brian Have you ever mentioned phantograms on your site before? I believe they're technically examples of "steroscopic anamorphosis". I've seen anamorphosis before in painting, like Da Vinci and Holbein, but had no idea there was a stereoscopic version as well - the images took my breath away. Extraordinary - the object is raised above the monitor or paper/photo in a way that is often indistinbguishable from having the real object there in front of you. It made me feel like I was looking at a hologram rather than a stereogram. I've only ever seen anaglyph phantograms, so am not sure if there are other varieties. It would be fantastic to be able to free-view one of these, but perhaps it isn't possible technically. Cheers --- Brian replied: Interesting ... thanks! Can you show us an example, Nick? I'm not sure if I know what you mean or not! Ah yes. David Burder makes these. Very nice. What was the question?!!!! Ah yes ... I would think it's quite possible to make this happen with free-viewing pairs ... but the effect will be a little different, because in a free-viewing world you are already detached from the way your eyes usually converge ... I haven't tried it ... but ... let's do it! When I get a moment ... meanwhile I will copy this to the expert ... David Burder. cheers See more on SOAPBOX © brianmay.com |
Sally wrote: Hi Brian,\Well here you go -- an article in today's newspaper. The apology is finally happening. Thought you'd like to see this. Love, Sunday, February 17, 2009 --- Brian replied: Very good. I hope it goes through ... as you know this was one of our dreams ... in walking the trail .... Thanks Sally. Bri © brianmay.com |
Ali wrote: Good Evening Mr.May. I can write you a Letter of 20 page's but don't worry, I will not do it. I want to let you know Friday 29 February next, there will be in The Hague a embassy of SHAME-tour. The beginning is at the embassy of Canada and later on at the embassy of Japan, to protest against the hunting on Whales and the hunting on about 22.000 Dolphins in one Year. I hope there will be many people. When I was talking with my Mother about killing Animals she told me Ghandi has said: the civilsation of a people is measure to the degree of respect with which one handles Animals. And I thought; when the General Essembly of the United Nations was bringing out the universal declaration of Human Rights in 1948, they forgot the Rights of the Animals. Thank you for reading this Letter and thank you for the Stereo's with the nice Crocuses. Mostly it are the little things who make Life pretty. With lovely greatings, Alisa --- Brian replied: Wonderful, Alisa More power to all of you !! Your words are completely correct ... Thanks - I am with you ... With love © brianmay.com |
Dorothy Meadows wrote: Brian, --- Brian replied: Thanks Dorothy ... You probably don't know it, but the cause of the Native Americans has been close to my heart for many years. (See SOAPBOX for rest of reply..) More power to ya ! much love © brianmay.com |
**Fri 14 Feb 08** Chris wrote: Brian, --- Brian replied: Thanks Chris. I often think about this ... I was going to write a piece about what horrors are going on all around us, yet we don't normally see them ... maybe I will do it. This is a sad story. Awful. I hate Humans. Bri © brianmay.com |
**Fri 14 Feb 08** Russell Green wrote: Dear Brian, As much as I am grateful to you and my fellow fans who have written in raising awareness to the indignity and cruelty that exists in our current food chain, I believe that a more effective way to address these issues would be to adopt a similar approach that Jamie Oliver recently demonstrated by visiting school kitchens and educating the cooks and pupils about a healthier diet. This eduaction process clearly worked with many pupils switching over from an unhealthy "burgers and nuggets" diet to a healthier alternative diet that contained much more vegetables. By educating our children , not only about the content and nutritional value of the food they eat, but also the methods used to produce the food, we could create a major impact on the national - if not global - diet. In recent times legislation has meant that food manufacturers need to display a note of all the ingredients used to produce their product. Sadly though Brian, you were spot on with your comment that this is all about money. We are a fortunate family and can choose to only eat organic vegetables and free-range eggs and meat products. However, many families cannot afford the luxury of this ethical choice. By educating our children of these common barbaric practices we should see an increased demand for more humanely produced food which should then develop competition and drive prices down. Who knows, maybe the politicians will see an opportunity to catch the next generation of voters and introduce legislation that will make it illegal to subject any animal to a cruel life and/or cruel death. Should this miracle ever take place, I will be proud that our children, through eduction rather than conflict, had achieved something that you, I and many others can still only dream of. Kindest regards, --- Brian replied: Thanks Russell. I'd like to 'print' you letter .. is that OK ? ... Cheers © brianmay.com |
**Wed 13 Feb 08** Andre Tonelli wrote: Dear Brian, I'll spare you the long list of compliments, just know that if it weren't for you and Queen, I doubt I'd be enjoying life as much as I do as a musician now. Thank you for everything. After reading your latest SoapBox message, I thought I'd send you some links in case you need to redirect people to them. I think we are so much on the same page with this issue, as with many others, and this in itself is of enormous encouragement in the hope that one day the majority of people will see the world for what it is, and as something we are all responsible for, in a very interconnected manner. I think that anyone who wants to know more about these issues can visit: www.peta.org For vegetarianism, and it's effect on all kinds of world issues that you were talking (from hunger to ozone layer, to global warming): www.goveg.com Others of interest: There's so much horrible yet needed information and media out there, and I think someone with your level of exposure will definitely help make a difference. And also, you are so respected and regarded as a very intelligent man and not just a brain-dead celebrity looking for attention. Also, there are lists of famous vegetarians out there, and I know people are very inspired by those. I don't know how I ended up on most of them, but I have to say it has made me very proud, so forgive my little vegetarian indulgence here :). Certainly your presence there could be inspiring, and I guess that if you discussed the subject more often on your Soapbox those who compile them will quickly take notice. No need to post this on your website as i have no intention of getting my name out through it. Please do post all the links though, as I think it will make a lot more people aware on the issues and on the solutions, which are so within reach of all of us. Thank you so much for reading (it's so hard not to write pages of adulation!!!!) Andre --- Brian replied: That's very kind Andre. I think it would be good for us to have a place on our site where people can follow up links like these ... Many thanks ... and for the compliments too All the very best © brianmay.com |
**Wed 13 Feb 08** Steve wrote: Dear Brian, I thought you might like to see the text of the apology. I feel as an Australian that today we have made a big step in the right direction. Im sure there will be nay-sayers and complainers about this as there always are, but no matter where this leads us, I feel as a human being that our respect for others should shine through first and foremost. This apology for actions committed in Australia in the past as a result of government action – however well-intentioned in many cases – was absolutely necessary. For even though it may have been well-intentioned it was still a great wrong done to many innocent people. In this case I think the text of the apology got it about as right as it could be. I like the fact that the PM apologised on behalf of himself, of the government, of the Parliament and all Australians. Well, I will end it here. Hope you enjoy reading this and participating in some small way in our historic moment and landmark achievement as a nation. Cheers!! We reflect on their past mistreatment. We reflect in particular on the mistreatment of those who were stolen generations - this blemished chapter in our nation's history. The time has now come for the nation to turn a new page in Australia's history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future. We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation. For the future we take heart; resolving that this new page in the history of our great continent can now be written. We today take this first step by acknowledging the past and laying claim to a future that embraces all Australians. A future where this Parliament resolves that the injustices of the past must never, never happen again. A future where we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity. A future where we embrace the possibility of new solutions to enduring problems where old approaches have failed. A future based on mutual respect, mutual resolve and mutual responsibility. A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia. --- Brian replied: Great. Thanks ... worth drawing attention to ... Bri © brianmay.com |
**Tue 12 Feb 08** Anthony Fernando wrote: Dear Brian, I thought you might be interested and quite pleased to know that one of the first tasks of the new Labor government in Australia is to issue an apology to the "Stolen Generations" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stolen_Generation), those indigenous Australians who were forcibly removed from their parents by government and church agencies. This practice was still going on as recently as 1969 (officially, although it probably persisted for several years after that). The apology will be issued by the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, on February 13th 2008. Hopefully this will be recognised as a landmark occasion for Aboriginal reconciliation in this country for generations to come. Regards, --- Brian replied: See SOAPBOX © brianmay.com |
**Mon 11 Feb 08** Linda Adams wrote: Dear Brian, Thank you so much for educating me about the whale hunting, and the depressing story of the 400-year old clam. I had thought we were past whaling... silly me, to think humanity had progressed. I'm still a bit devastated about the clam, really. I could go on, but I'll stop. I felt the lines from your new single, "It's hard to believe | The size of the crime," are particularly appropriate here (as they are for the atrocities in Africa). [BTW - what a gorgeous new song! I'm thrilled about the new album. I've said to myself for some time that "Queen + Paul" ought to just get married, have a baby and call yourselves Queen II. :-) ...At least the baby's coming soon - one down, two to go - Grin.] I wanted to share a poem I had published years ago which I felt would resonate with you. [You may reprint it if you wish.] The Last Redwood it grew strong Published in Limestone Circle, Issue #1, I can't begin to express how much the music of Queen means to me, how many tough moments a song has brightened. Bless you for all you do. Linda Adams --- Brian replied: Many thanks, Linda. I agree. In fact I once wrote something very similar. I don't like our race very much ... or even our species! Love © brianmay.com |
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**Mon 11 Feb 08** Elvera wrote: Dear Mister May, I agree with most of your rants with concern to any form of animal abuse but your remarks about “and Veal, from a baby cow which ... you probably don't want to know .../ and we were all denied our dignity, our freedom of movement, and all control over our own destiny? Would you still be smiling, and talking about how lucky cows were?), upset me a little bit, because of the following: I grew up on a farm and next to fruits and vegetables we used to have milk cows. I can still remember that when I was a kid (in the seventies), milking was done by hand and my dad would put these milk cans out on the street to be picked up. At a moment in time he was forced to make a choice to keep on milking cows and invest in an expensive milking machine, or to decide to have other types of cows. The later happened and from than on we had “meat” cows from France, Italy and Belgium. In spring, summer and autumn we kept them in our meadows. And in winter they were put in our nice big stable in which they just walked around (we had no boxes)and only had a little strap around the neck so they would not break out in the night. I think we kept them for about 4 years. Most cows got calves and only the bulls were relatively quickly being brought to the abattoir. I do not deny here that my dad farmed cattle to eventually have their meat sold, but I know for sure that my dad LOVED his cattle and treated them well. It was sometimes hard work but the farm and cattle was his life. Eventually we stopped having cattle because some accidents happened with some cows over the later years, which troubled him so much that he could not cope with it anymore.. As my brother and me had very good grades we both decided not to follow up. I once wanted to become a veterinarian or study biology, but to my BIG regret choose to follow a business career instead. I know that everything we cooked came from our own garden and stable, but at the moment I knew it was one of our own I was the only one who would not eat it. To me the little calves were some kind of house pet and there were two ones which were still tame when they were big. (One was called Queenie by the way). As a kid I used to sit on them like a horse and would sometimes fall asleep next to them in the stable. If you have read ANY of my letters you know that I am an animal lover and do a lot of charity work for several animal organizations (WWF/IFAW/WSPA). I know about the Foie Gras and fast-food battery chickens and other disgusting animal abuse issues because I am also a PETA member. Further I adopted a whale and bear. For the once interested: www.whalecenter.org and www.animalsasia.org. And yes I do eat meat, not much, mostly fish or meat substitutes and if I do, I check it is biologically efficient. If it was up to me than I would not eat it at all as I do not feel the need to eat it, but my man likes having some meat made ready for him. Not that this is an excuse….. Maybe I do not understand you correctly, but am I a hypocrite now? And was my dad a animal abuser/murderer? ps: what about that Serenity Prayer? Regards, --- Brian replied: Thanks for your great letter, Elvera. See SOAPBOX for rest of reply Love © brianmay.com |
**Mon 11 Feb 08** Andre Tonelli wrote: Dear Brian, I'll spare you the long list of compliments, just know that if it weren't for you and Queen, I doubt I'd be enjoying life as much as I do as a musician now. Thank you for everything. After reading your latest SoapBox message, I thought I'd send you some links in case you need to redirect people to them. I think we are so much on the same page with this issue, as with many others, and this in itself is of enormous encouragement in the hope that one day the majority of people will see the world for what it is, and as something we are all responsible for, in a very interconnected manner. I think that anyone who wants to know more about these issues can visit: www.peta.org For vegetarianism, and it's effect on all kinds of world issues that you were talking (from hunger to ozone layer, to global warming): www.goveg.com Others of interest: There's so much horrible yet needed information and media out there, and I think someone with your level of exposure will definitely help make a difference. And also, you are so respected and regarded as a very intelligent man and not just a brain-dead celebrity looking for attention. Also, there are lists of famous vegetarians out there, and I know people are very inspired by those. I don't know how I ended up on most of them, but I have to say it has made me very proud, so forgive my little vegetarian indulgence here :). Certainly your presence there could be inspiring, and I guess that if you discussed the subject more often on your Soapbox those who compile them will quickly take notice. No need to post this on your website as i have no intention of getting my name out through it. Please do post all the links though, as I think it will make a lot more people aware on the issues and on the solutions, which are so within reach of all of us. Thank you so much for reading (it's so hard not to write pages of adulation!!!!) Andre --- Brian replied: That's very kind Andre. I think it would be good for us to have a place on our site where people can follow up links like these ... Many thanks ... and for the compliments too. All the very best © brianmay.com |
**Mon 11 Feb 08** Rob Chiles wrote: First of all let me say Brian, I love my new BHM guitar. For a tall guy with big hands, I finally have a guitar I can play! The neck is absolutely perfect. Of course, the first ten minutes I had it, I didnt realize the bottom switches were the phase switches. Once I got that straightened out, everything made sense! And, I continue to be amazed at the range of sounds. Even if you are a "Queen hater" this guitar of yours is a true marvel and a breath of fresh air with all the "ubiquitousness" out there. I dont have to buy a Rickenbacker, Telecaster, Strat, or Les Paul anymore - I have them all and more!!! --- Brian replied Thanks Rob. Glad you like it, Rob. Take Care See reply on SOAPBOX © brianmay.com |
| **Mon 11 Feb 08** Christine Rains wrote: Hi Brian,
Good book to read: "The Tripod Trilogy" by John Christopher. In his story, humans get put into a human zoo. It's an interesting parallel to the human behaviour towards animals. Just that it puts a horrid image on the poor aliens (who would be treated like animals, no matter what their intentions would be....). --- Brian replied: Thanks Christine ... we WILL make a difference, won't we?! B © brianmay.com |
**Mon 11 Feb 08** Haruka wrote: Dear Brian, I am a Japanese whale lover. I didn't know about the survey about whaling in Japan, and I was very surprised that so many people support whaling. I don't understand why they do because eating whales is not popular in Japan. Whale meat is sometimes served for lunch to elementary school children, and I heard that some gourmet people like to eat the root of a whale's tail, but most shops and restaurants in Japan don't sell whale meat. I doubt that people who said they support whaling actually like to eat whales. I think the reason they supported the whaling is that they were asked if they supported whaling for "scientific research". Probably they thought whaling was necessary for us to learn about and control marine resources. As you said before, this whaling issue is not widely reported in Japan. And people approved of eating whales because they didn't know what it was like and they thought it was the same as eating cows and pigs(again, exactly as you say ).Even if it is the same, I think we should not kill whales that not so many people want to eat. I really hope that more people in Japan will be like you, and that Japan will stop whaling as soon as possible. Lots of love, --- Brian replied: Thank you for your kind note, Haruka. It is important to me to have your letter and point of view as a Japanese person and not to have to just rely on what we are fed by the press and media. Thanks again and take care out there. love © brianmay.com |
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