Dear reader,
I am an underwater cameraman currently working from the island of Palau in the western Pacific. I am sure as you are all aware of the plight faced by the worlds shark populations with regards to their decimation due mainly to satisfy the needs of the Asian shark finning fisheries. So wouldn't it come as a complete shock and outrage when a company that continually bombards us with an image of caring and appreciation for the natural world and its fragility should openly advertise their willingness to sell the disgusting broth known as Shark Fin Soup!!
And who is that company? None other than ................ DISNEY!!
Don't you just find this totally disgusting!!!!!!
Please pass this message on to all of your friends and anyone else you know who cares. I for one will be boycotting any and all products from this corporation until this is stopped. I strongly urge you to do the same.
Thanks,
Mark Thorpe.
Underwater Cameraman
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Disneyland weddings for the young and wealthy
Source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GE18Ak03.html
Date: May 18, 2005
Reported by: Sylvia Hui (sylvia.hui@singtaonewscorp.com)
Hong Kong couples who want to live out their fantasies can do so at Hong Kong Disneyland - for a hefty price. Starting today, couples can book Chinese banquet-style wedding receptions with a Mickey Mouse touch at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel from HK$11,457 a table, Hong Kong Disneyland executives announced Tuesday. More than 1,000 inquiries, most coming from couples in the territory, have already been received. Those on the waiting list will have priority. "We are targeting Hong Kong couples mostly, but later we could consider bringing in couples from the mainland and Southeast Asia,'' said Roy Hardy, vice president of the theme park's marketing and sales. The hefty price tag comprises a food charge of HK$8,888 for a 12-person table, beverages and a 10 percent service charge, which is on a par with banquet rates at the luxury Peninsula Hotel and pricier when compared with other top hotels in the territory. The cheapest banquet packages at the Island Shangri-la Hotel, for example, come at HK$7,388 per table exclusive of beverages and service charge, while the Mandarin Oriental charges HK$6,688 for the same. The most expensive banquet package Disneyland offers is a steep HK$15,857 per table, inclusive of beverages, service charge and six tickets to the theme park. The menus feature traditional Chinese banquet delicacies such as roast suckling pig, shark's fin soup and sliced abalone. Other than the basics, packages come with multi-tiered wedding cakes, Disney-themed background music and a one night's stay at the Disneyland Hotel. Appearances by Mickey and friends are charged separately. "These packages are unique to Hong Kong because they blend Chinese and Western culture,'' said Don Robinson, Hong Kong Disneyland group managing director. He said the prices are competitive and are no different from price ranges at other Disney parks. Disneyland could not provide a minimum overall charge estimate for their wedding services nor when the first fairytale weddings could take place, only saying that its smallest function room can hold 10 tables and its biggest Cinderella ballroom can hold a maximum of 50 tables. "We cannot provide a minimum cost because we will customize the experience with individual couples,'' Hardy said. He said weddings cannot be held on September 12, the park's opening day, but services should be available on weekends and most weekdays. Responding to whether Disneyland would work with outside wedding planners in anticipation of amendments to the Marriage Ordinance, which will lift restrictions on the time and place for celebrating marriages, Robinson said the theme park would respond to the law changes. "The price is pretty expensive, on par with five-star hotels and close to rates at six-star hotels,'' said wedding planner Au Wai-fong. "But we've received quite a few inquiries, including some from the mainland and Korea.'' Isis Chan, who is planning for a wedding, said the packages are too pricey "No one has been there yet and it's hard to tell if it's worth the price.''.
Disney's "Environmentality" Page: http://corporate.disney.go.com/environment...tal_policy.html
