NOT JUST A NUMBER!!! - New Animation

[Ava]

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow was asked if President Bush had any reaction to the death toll for U.S. troops in Iraq reaching 2,500. Snow responded: "It’s a number." I decided to take a look at the number in the new Peace Takes Courage Animation.

Not Just A Number -
http://www.peacetakescourage.com/number.html

The death toll in the war in Iraq is not just a number. Over 2,500 families have lost U.S. troops to this war. How dare they say those lives lost are just a number?!

[DBoon]

1. "I am not a number. I am a free man"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061287/

[Stargleamer]

55. "You are Number 6. . . "

n/t

[Cha]

68. "You're Not a Number"!

CHRIS REA lyrics - "You're Not A Number"


www.OldieLyrics.com



You can feel your nerve endings
They've been dead before today
You can feel them rising
Feel them rising all the way
You've got grease on your fingers
Oil on your face
Happy completely chasing the pace
Happy to find out even this late

You're not a number

There's a new sense of freedom
Come banging on your door
Deep down inside you
You've seen it all somewhere before
Somewhere in the past
Somewhere in a dream
It's got you completely and you know what it means
Happy to find out even this late

You're not a number

There's a new sense of freedom
Come banging on your door
Deep down inside you
You've seen it all somewhere before
You've got grease on your fingers
Oil on your face
And you're happy completely chasing the pace
Happy to find out even this late

You're not a number


Have you heard Chris Rea? An Awesome English bloke.

[AuntiBush]

2. Keep up the Great work, Ava!

Peace!

[Ava]

9. thanks AuntiBush!

:hi:

[jeff30997]

3. Great work as usual Eva!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Ava]

10. thank you jeff30997!

:pals:

[stellanoir]

4. Great work dear!!!

Do you ever sleep???

[Ava]

8. every now and then!

lol! :hi:

[stellanoir]

17. Phew

:)

[mike_c]

5. Ava-- that was incredibly moving-- thank you....

You have a great talent for creating compelling messages and visual imagery. Thank you for sharing it with us!

[Ava]

6. thanks mike_c!

:pals:

[Quantess]

7. "...the insurgency is in its last throes..." 2003

Said Cheney in 2003

[madokie]

11. Ava you are getting the message out and doing a good job of it

Peace :yourock::hi:

[Ava]

12. thanks madokie!

:pals: :hug:

[Jara sang]

13. I know you have probably heard this a million times, but....

I saw you on CNN and you were awesome!

[Ava]

14. thank you Jara sang!

:pals:

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

49. Make it a million and one!

I couldn't believe the question about "how you knew about the war in Iraq."

You're an incredibly polite young woman, because my answer would be something to the effect of, "I JUST CREATED A WEB-BASED, MULTI-MEDIA PRESENTATION AND YOU'RE ASKING ME IF I CAN READ A FRIGGIN' NEWSPAPER?!"

When you're older, you'll be crotchedy like me. In the meantime, you're making us all very proud.

[Mr_Spock]

15. Great work - we are thinking alike today!

I was listening to Randi Rhodes this afternoon getting justifiably angry about Tony Snow's belligerent comment about how 2500 dead American soldiers was "just a number". It got me pissed and I was imagining a video very much like yours - with American soldiers faces being shown on the screen. I was so pissed I thought that each face should come up with a little vignette of Snow facing the Soldier saying "It's just a number", then another, then another until the viewer couldn't take it anymore. I didn't figure out how to end it, though going infinitely with every soldiers face who died for these a-holes would describe the anger I feel when I think of the crassness & lack of humanity of this awful administration. Anyway, you picked up nicely on this "it's a number" quote - thanks for posting the link to your video. Your work is much appreciated by me and many others here. :D

[swag]

16. That's the best one yet, out of a great batch.

[Triana]

18. LOVE it..passing it on. Also...

..being a big Massive Attack fan, I love the music you chose! This is a very tender piece. Excellent work, Ava.

[Bozita]

19. Whew! ... Absolutely superb!

I'm wondering how to get all 2500+ photos into it.

[hwmnbn]

20. Those words and lies....

that now come back to haunt this administration give a very effective three pronged message. The dead soldiers, the grieving families, and the lies that caused it all are superimposed on one image. That is strong.

Congratulations on another stellar effort. :thumbsup:

[Stargleamer]

21. As usual, awesome video, but I think you have some dates wrong

Ava,

I think you have the date when Cheney made the "last throes" comment wrong (March 16, 2003--seems too early). Also his "greeted as liberators" comment seems to have occurred earlier than the date you give.

[bunkerbuster1]

25. Was going to post that as well.

I'm pretty sure it was a simple transposition--one Cheney quote from '03 should be '05 and vice versa?

[npincus]

28. "last throes" - Monday June 20, 2005:

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/30/cheney.iraq/

[Ava]

32. thanks for letting me know!

i got the two mixed up. i'm uploading the edited version now. :hi:

[The Doctor.]

22. My wife had me listening to Massive Attack years ago...

And I never felt the same way about 'Teardrop' as I do now... thanks very much to you.

Darling, you are brilliant.

I have a vast cache of music I may very well be listening to differently now. All the music I listen to has great depth, and I thank you for only adding to that.


- Garth

[orleans]

23. ava, i am so impressed with your videos and your website

i hope you keep this passion you have right now--

what a great idea to put these images with music--it's such a powerful statement

[sandnsea]

24. That was really moving

Your selection of photos and quotes is excellent.

[Skittles]

26. excellent

I have forwarded it to many of my conservative, war-mongering bush-worshiping coworkers

[npincus]

27. it made me cry

Ava, keep it up.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

29. Tissue alert. So heartbreaking and maddening at the same time. Ava, you

are Remarkable.

[druidity33]

30. Love your work...

but i was wondering if you attribute the photographs to the photographers who took them. Have you had to get permission?

[Ava]

31. i don't have to get permission since i don't make a profit

fair use -

[derby378]

33. Hey, Ava - any chance you'll offer a downloadable version?

I'd like to play this video on my laptop for every voter in my precinct as they come to the polls in November. It's sort of a tech response to all the Republican poll passers we have to deal with.

Can I have a downloadable Flash version? Please, please, pretty please with sugar and cinnamon on top?

:loveya:

[Beausoir]

34. Thank you, Ava.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

[SIMPLYB1980]

35. Nice work Ava!

Keep up the fine work you have been doing!
:toast: :yourock:

[mntleo2]

36. I Logged On And Saw Your Great Flick

It was the first thing I saw this morning, and what a powerful thing to wake up to see!

Keep this up Young Lady and you will be considered the new "Girl Wonder" of Flash! That is what they used to call Steven Spielberg when he was young...

I am very proud of you and the work you do. Like my 90 year old friend Nell who is from your state and moved here at the age of 77 to be near her daughters, you Alabamians kick ass when you are on the side of right. Nell marched against the war, she was shunned in her small town when her daughter married a black man and another daughter was gay, yet she stood tall and loved them boldly ~ along with just about everyone else that has come into her life, like me. In her dignified and still-beautiful wake, she charms everyone with her wonderful drawl and leaves others better for having known her.

So you come from a proud and strong people Ava, and you are courageous. I am proud of you!

Love,
Cat In Seattle

[ScreamingMeemie]

37. Beautiful Ava. I think for me, the most heartbreaking sights are of the

children at their parent's funerals... No baby should have to suffer like that. :cry:

[Minnesota_Lib]

38. Once again you awe me, kiddo. Nice job.

[NMMNG]

39. This should get national airtime

And those White House SOBs should see it. "It's a number" indeed. :grr:

[bear425]

40. Wow Ava, you are one talented and driven young woman!

and an inspiration for us, too. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to peace. :hug:

[Chimichurri]

41. Your work never fails to ignite goosebumps and tears -

What an eye you have to pull together a powerful message in such a simple way everyone can understand. You have so much talent for movie making that you can even choose the exact music to parlay your message. Multi-million dollar productions can't bring me to tears like your work does. Every American should experience your clips whatever side of the aisle they belong to. Brilliant, Ava. Brilliant!

Keep up the tremendous work. Our country needs you.

[kcass1954]

42. Ava, you just keep out-doing yourself! And so, I shall do my part to make

sure that others see it. I was just thinking yesterday that it's time to update my email sig-line, so here's the new one. (The word "number" is in blue, and it's a hyperlink to your latest.)


6/21/06 - 2507 - It’s not just a number.

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children. - Jimmy Carter

[otohara]

43. I Can't Wait to See What

college you will attend. You are one smart cookie Ms Ava, your appearance on CNN blew me away. You are light years beyond your young age.

[Jersey Devil]

44. Excellent once again!

Your animations are powerful and I have used them many times as links on my website (including this one).

[Spazito]

45. Your talent and vision continue to keep me in awe!

Another passionate, evocative piece of work, thank you for this.

[nmliberal]

46. It took me awhile to respond; I had to stop crying

My boss at the Boys & Girls Club of Otero County in Alamogordo NM insisted I put up a poster for yourinitial video as she wanted EVERYONE to see it. You continue to create the most incredibly touching 'animations.'

My late husband lost both of his legs at Chu Lai, Vietnam and commited suicide in July 1998. I see what you are doing as trying to prevent more deaths & disabilities that he & his family have had to experience. I cannot express to you how proud I am of you.

[motocicleta]

47. Thank you, Ava.

[sakabatou]

48. My vid for 2,500

2,500

[lavenderdiva]

52. beautifully done, sakabatou-

thank you for sharing this... what a powerful reminder.

[IndyOp]

57. sakabatou - really incredible - truthtakescourage.com

We need as many voices as we can get to get this message out.

Thank You Ava & Thank You Sakabatou.

[sakabatou]

58. You're welcome

But we're only two people in the sea of political animaters/video editors

[Lost4words]

50. Ava, you are too much, keep up the good work!

Thanks for the link. Your efforts give renewed faith and hope for the future of our country!

May all the good in the universe Bless You.

jim

[Ava]

51. thanks everyone!

:grouphug:

[lavenderdiva]

53. Ava, what an amazing gift and talent you have been given...

and how wonderful to see you using it in such a powerful and beautiful way. Your new animation is as commanding and compelling as your others. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Blessed are the peacemakers. You are blessed, Ava. :pals:

[Uncle Joe]

54. If I remember correctly from my toddler days,

Tony Snow is just a number 2.

Thanks for posting Ava, this is most moving.


Kicked and recommended.


:kick:

[DBoon]

56. Just an idea

stick with the theme of "numbers" in your text.

E.g.:

Number of Nuclear Weapons actually found in Iraq: 0

Number of troops going with body protection armour: x

etc.

I think your video is great - just offering my random opinion

[FairVotes4all]

59. simply great...

You have outdone yourself.

[helderheid]

60. Ava, that is so heartbreaking and beautifully done. Thank you for

honoring our troops who have lost their lives.

Did your TV gig on Scarbouroughhghghg ever air? Is there a link online to it?

[proud patriot]

61. got me again

:cry:

[wizdum]

62. Great job Ava.

Keep up the good work. WOuld you possibly consider doing a flash animation about the voter fraud problem as well (if you have time)? Because if these ultra right wing wackos keep stealing the vote, they'll have a blank check for endless war. The only reason we went to war to begin with is because KKKarl Rove stole the 2000 election from Al Gore (and 2004 from John Kerry). If you could possibly do a video that focuses on the voter fraud issue and then land another interview on CNN, we'd really be cooking with gas.

You're a brave soul Ava. You're in my thoughts and I am sending you positive energy to aid in protecting you against the psychic attacks of the ultra right wing fascist wackos. Nice work.

Peace out,

the wiz

[Major Hogwash]

63. Incredible, just incredible.

You are incredible.

I am totally blown away by your animations.

You are an incredible person, Ava.

I'm so glad you came to DU, so I could meet you and see your work.

By the way, the men and women of the Armed Forces, those who have previously served or who are serving now, in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, served in order to preserve your American way of life.

I know that you already know this, but I just wanted to say it anyway, because I know you have taken a lot of flak for making these animations.

And that includes your right to the freedom of speech, freedom of expression.
How you choose to communicate with other people is your right as an American.

I appreciate everything you have done because it reminds me of why I signed up to serve our country in the first place.

America is a great country.
There are a lot of great people that live here.

And you are one of those great people that makes this country great.

[Amaya]

64. Wow!

So sad :cry:

[Kerrytravelers]

65. Once again, a 15 year old has more common sense and decency than

30% of this country.

Thanks Ava!


kt

[imax2268]

66. You go girl...

very well done...very impressive for someone your age...I wish more people...especially those your age would have as much desire and courage that you do...

WELL DONE...!

[fooj]

67. Keep it up, Ava...

I am soooooo proud of you. You are a real angel.

[JuniperLea]

69. Thank you for all you do, Ava!

I think you are 15 going on 45... it's hard to believe you are so young because your feelings clearly run very deeply.

You've been given a gift and I'm so very happy to see you using it. You will be blessed:)

Ok, off to send your link to friends and family around the world... this needs to be seen!!

[Ava]

70. thanks so much everyone!

:grouphug:

[NanceGreggs]

71. AAA ...

As Always, Ava ...

You remind those of us who are older that we still have miles to go before we can peacefully sleep.

You challenge those who are young to dream of a better world, and to make that dream a reality.

You frame the photographs of all that is wrong, and inspire us to make it right.

You sing us to sleep with haunting lullabies, and lead us to a new sense of awakening.

You are in the thoughts and prayers of many, for what you do and for what you say, but mostly for who you are.

Because you are, as always, Ava.

As always.

Ava.

May peace be with you all the days of your life.

Thank you.