Support Hallmark against AFA Bigotry

The loony religious right are at it again... This time it's partnership cards and this time it's personal. Personal relationships.

The America Family Association (AFA), founded by Donald E. Wildmon, seem hell bent on boycotting any and all businesses which demonstrate sensitivity or accommodation toward same-sex relationships.
The AFA's latest "action alert" targets Hallmark and their range of same-sex wedding cards.

According to the AFA, "Hallmark pushes same-sex marriage" and requests that you "Ask them to stop promoting a lifestyle that is not only unhealthy, but is also illegal in 48 states."

It gets better...
"We've all given or received Hallmark Cards – remember their slogan – "when you care enough to send the very best." But promoting same-sex marriage for profit is not the very best for families or our nation. Hallmark is a private company obviously driven by greed. Let them know you do not appreciate Hallmark promoting a lifestyle which is illegal in 48 states. American Greeting Cards, Hallmark's competitor, does not offer same-sex marriage cards."

Now we don't much care whether Hallmark sell same-sex greeting cards or not. But what we're not indifferent to is the bigoted interference from a right-wing religious group attempting to force its values on others.

The AFA request that you email Donald J. Hall, Chairman of Hallmark Cards, and tell him "to stop promoting a lifestyle that is not only unhealthy, but is also illegal in 48 states". May we suggest that you use the AFA's online form and tell Donald J. Hall what you think of the AFA and their attempts to influence the lawful activity of their business?

These are the wedding card images from Hallmark which "Push same-sex marriage". What do you think?













































Read: AFA Action Alert
Cool Cards: Gay Cards

Greeting Cards for Creative Problem Solving

Think greeting cards, think creatively! That seems to be the message from Arthur B. Van Gundy in his book: Techniques of Structured Problem Solving. A set book used in an Open University, Creativity, Innovation and Change course, it describes a method of creative problem solving using greeting cards...

"Prior to introducing a group to a problem the Greeting card method invites the group to create their own stimulating problem solving environment. A sense of comradeship is thus introduced and a feeling of ownership and involvement in the problem solving is experienced. This technique was created by James Pickens in 1981 and described by Arthur Van Gundy in the first edition of his book, Techniques of Structured Problem Solving.

Developing the environment

1. The supervisor encourages the participants to produce some motivational objects that will be of use in problem solving.
2. Split the main group into sub-groups of 4-5 individuals equipped with paste, scissors, magazines, illustrated catalogues, thick A3 or A4 paper, and felt-tipped pens.
3. Members of the sub-group browse their catalogues and magazines, cutting out at least 10 pictures of interest and relevance.
4. Together or individually the sub-group member create several greetings cards (or ‘stimulus cards’) sticking pictures, collage-style on A3 or A4 sheets that are folded thus that they function as greetings cards. They then add their own ‘greetings-card’ style message.
5. Each sub-group displays their greeting cards to other sub-groups.

Using it in problem-solving

1. A problem is put on view and deliberated by the sub-group members.
2. Participants use the images on their cards to generate ideas to decipher the problem
3. Time permitting, each sub-group passes its cards to the next sub-group and repeats step 2. This can be done several times if necessary.
4. All the ideas are gathered and appraised in any appropriate way.
5. It is essential participants are not aware the nature of the problem prior to the problem solving session. If participants feel uneasy about the ‘childish’ activity of making greetings cards, portray it as ‘assembling stimulus objects’."

Source: Mycoted

If you've used this technique, let us know how it went..!

Smilers - Personalised Postage Stamps

Smilers - Your image next to a Stamp!

A delightful idea from Royal Mail - personalised postage stamps!

Smilers Customised Stamps allow you to add a personal touch to your mail by combining Royal Mail stamps with a photograph of your choice - the perfect complement to invitations, birthday greetings and letters.

Pick your favourite photo and turn it into a Smilers® stamp. Choose from one of 16 stamp designs and give your mail that personal touch.

Source: Royal Mail Smilers

Get Well Cards - Hazard Alert !

'Ban' on greeting cards at Frenchay Hospital:

"Nurses have told elderly patients not to put up 'get well soon' cards on a ward at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, UK.

John Nickolls sent his aunt Edna a card to cheer her up after she fell at her home.

But when he visited her on ward 107 she told him she had sent the card home because she was forbidden from putting it up beside her bed.

Mr Nickolls, who lives in Brislington, said during a previous visit he had been told he could not take flowers on to the ward.
A spokesman for the hospital said there was no blanket ban on cards or flowers, but flowers were discouraged because they could clutter lockers and hamper cleaning. They are banned in intensive care and wards where there is electrical equipment at patients' bedsides.
He said senior nurses would ask for cards to be moved if they were taking up too much space.

Mr Nickolls, 73, noticed there were no cards on the ward during his visit, which “stunned him”. He said: “We wanted to cheer her up and there aren't many things you can give to someone who is ill.“I thought it was taking away something very important from someone who wasn't very well.

“If I was on a ward, I'd like to receive cards.

“Frenchay is a wonderful hospital but it seems a shame people can't receive cards or flowers.

“They could maybe put the cards and flowers in an area away from the beds.”

Mr Nickolls, a retired fundraiser, said when his aunt was first in hospital he took some flowers in but a senior nurse stopped him and explained plants were banned “for health and danger reasons”.

He said: “We had never heard of this before and can only assume it is due to any bugs in the flowers or vases being knocked over.

“We asked if they could be left in a dayroom or nurses' quarters but this was also rejected, and they wouldn't dispose of them so the alternative was to bin them or bring them home.” "

Source: This is Bristol