Breaking Tweets » Bryan Simpson

TwitPics: Twitter users ‘Remember, remember the 5th of November’

Bryan Simpson — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:34:02 +0000

Twitter users in the United Kingdom and in former British colonies took part in annual festivities on Thursday, November 5 to commemorate Guy Fawkes Night. Usual festivities include fireworks, bonfires, and burning effigies of Guy Fawkes.

Calling for religious toleration, Guy Fawkes and other conspirators on the evening of November 5, 1605 tried to carry out a plot, known as the Gunpowder Plot, to blow up the British Parliament building and kill King James I. Ultimately, the plot was unsuccessful. Fawkes was captured, tried and executed.

Reuters and The New Zealand Herald on Thursday reported that this years Guy Fawkes celebrations were not as popular as they once were, with less people taking part in them.

Here are a sampling of Guy Fawkes Night festivities shown through TwitPics:

“At a guy Fawkes night thing, slightly deafened by fireworks. Hoo!” per @SiHadoc:

“Guy Fawkes Night fireworks! So pretty!” per @Alessandra_Z:

“Guy Fawkes night” per @whaleonland:

“Crieff Guy Fawkes Fireworks celebration was a great family night out.” per @MichelleStewart:

“More fireworks from Guy Fawkes in Clapham.” per @markovich_79:

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Brazilian man surprises family, shows up at own funeral

Bryan Simpson — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:23:55 +0000

BBC News reports that Ademir Jorge Gonclaves,a 59-year-old bricklayer from Brazil surprised his family by showing up to his own funeral alive Monday morning.

Gonclaves had been identified by his family as the victim in a car accident the previous day in Brazil’s southern state of Parana. However, it was later revealed that Gonclaves had spent the previous night drinking ‘pinga’ with friends.

Police even reported that the family had trouble identifying the body due to its disfigurement.

Twitterers were amazed and confused with Gonclaves’ surprising appearance:

juliejohnsson (Chicago, Illinois) Real life or Twilight Zone episode? Brazilian man crashes his own funeral. http://tr.im/Ea9J 04 Nov 2009 from web

vheringer (Vancouver, British Columbia) OMG!!!! I guess it only happens in my home country! Brazilian Ademir Jorge Goncalves Shows Up At Own Funeral — Alive! http://ow.ly/zizd 04 Nov 2009 from HootSuite

AimlesslyAims (Connecticut) I would pee my pants! Seriously. http://bit.ly/mRmOw Huffpost – Brazilian Ademir Jorge Goncalves Shows Up At Own Funeral — Alive 04 Nov 2009 from web

ahulse (Washington D.C.) Wow! lol RT @bbcworld: A Brazilian man surprises his family by turning up at his own funeral, reports say. http://bit.ly/22sywu 04 Nov 2009 from Seesmic

amyj_lew (Chicago, Illinois) RT @bbcworld: A Brazilian man surprises his family by turning up at his own funeral, reports say. http://bit.ly/22sywu WHAT? can u imagine?? 04 Nov 2009 from web

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Death toll high after multiple blasts in Baghdad

Bryan Simpson — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:59:01 +0000

At least 132 people have been killed and 520 injured after two car bombs went off in Iraq’s capital Baghdad on Sunday, reports BBC News and CNN. BBC News reports that it is the worst attack in Iraq since 2007.

CNN adds that the bombs detonated in quick succession near government buildings at 10:30 am.

BBC News reports that Iraqi authorities said the attackers were suicide bombers. After visiting the site of the bombings, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki blamed al-Qaeda and supporters of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

Many Twitterers from around the world expressed their sadness, some calling for peace:

fahademad (Doha, Qatar) Another blast in Baghdad killing no less than 74!! will this act of terrorism stop in Iraq?? God help the people of Iraq 25 Oct 2009 from web

NarahariNayak (Bangalore, India) Saw a snap of the Baghdad suicide bomb. Horrid……its like a mini mushroom cloud……how can you think of bombing innocent people??? 25 Oct 2009 from web

BrownUndrground (Madison, Wisconsin) Oh no. Bomb blast in Baghdad kills over 100. =( Saying a prayer and thankful I live the blessed life I do. 25 Oct 2009 from web

nitinair (Undisclosed) sad..iraq under attack again….ovr 132 killed in 2 bomb blast……. 25 Oct 2009 from web

disenchantedsl (Huddersfield, U.K.) sad that the car bomb in baghdad has killed over 100 people. i really really wish theyd stop with the car and suicide bombs 25 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

One Twitterer shared this observation:

giris (Ghaziabad, India) I rarely hear of Bomb blasts in Iraq these days.. Should I say Thanks #Obama coz.. during Bush.. blast used to be quite common 25 Oct 2009 from mobile web

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Large anti-abortion rally held in Madrid

Bryan Simpson — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 02:05:34 +0000

An estimated one million people took part in an anti-abortion protest in Madrid on Saturday, backed by Roman Catholic Bishops, BBC News reports.

According to RIA Novosti, protesters were demonstrating against Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero’s plan to relax the country’s existing abortion laws. BBC News adds that the current law only allows abortion in cases of rape, fetal abnormality, and when the women’s physical or psychological health is at risk.

Twitterers in Spain and around the world are commenting on the rally and the issue of abortion:

jstorres2075 (Spain) Going to the prolife rally,lot of people in th bus,firts of it’s kind in Madrid http://myloc.me/14F8E 17 Oct 2009 from UberTwitter

tasos (Greece) Abortion should be legal. “Big anti-abortion rally in Spain” http://tr.im/C8RD 17 Oct 2009 from Tweetie

anastasis (Undisclosed) is europe becoming conservative? the italian parliament said no to protection of gays and lesbians, & spain, 1 million against abortion 17 Oct 2009 from Echofon

spiritheals365 (Undisclosed) Can you imagine an anti-abortion crowd like this in the U.S.? : I can’t. It’s in Spain. The AP repor.. http://bit.ly/gWj90 17 Oct 2009 from twitterfeed

jsalomonsson (Barcelona, Spain) Spain, wake up, it is 2009. Everyone has a right to choose! Anti-abortion rally in Spain http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8311824.stm 17 Oct 2009 from web

steenyweeny (Undisclosed) huge abortion protest in spain: everyone who doesnt have a uterus can immediately piss off and stop telling women what they can and cant do. 17 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

Some Twitterers posted TwitPics of the event.

“Puerta de Alcala a rebosar de gente que no queremos el aborto como solución al embarazo (Puerta de Alcala to the brim with people who do not want abortion as a solution to pregnancy)” per @Kikemb:

“Madrid capital of Life” per @Kikemb:

“SI a la vida, NO al aborto!” per @maribardaji:

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Four dead after plane crash in Manila

Bryan Simpson — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:05:13 +0000

Per BBC News and the Associated Press, a propeller-driven plane crashed Saturday into an abandoned warehouse killing four people in the Philippine capitol of Manila.

AP reports that the plane, a DC-3, departed Manila airport for Puerto Princesa city in Palawan province southwest of Manila. However, the pilot almost immediately after takeoff asked permission to make an emergency landing.

Twitter users from the Philippines expressed their concern; one even recalls possibly seeing the plane prior to crashing:

naga_jolokai (Manila, Philippines) thankful i’m home safe, a plane just recently crashed in las pinas city, a city away from home.. 17 Oct 2009 from web

patrickpineda (Las Piñas City, Philippines) Walked from school to home. It was so traffic due to the plane crash in Villa Fidela. BTW, four are dead. 17 Oct 2009 from web

remsbandiola (Manila) While on my way to Cavite, I saw a shadow of and heard a plane flying in low altitude. when I came to GMA, I found out a DC3 plane crashed. 17 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

JeromeGotangco (Quezon City, Manila) A DC-3 plane crashed in Las Pinas – that’s a very old plane! Why is it still being used during that time? 17 Oct 2009 from web

glennong (Manila, Philippines) oh no! A private plane crashed in an abandoned warehouse in las piñas! 17 Oct 2009 from mobile web

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TwitPics: White House, India commemorate interfaith holiday of Diwali

Bryan Simpson — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:45:59 +0000

Per Agence France-Presse and the Associated Press, U.S. President Barrack Obama Wednesday commemorated Diwali, or “Festival of Lights,” by lighting a candle in the East Room of the White House.

AFP adds that Obama also used the event to sign an executive order setting up a commission, compiled of an eclectic group of government members, to conduct a two-year study of how to assist Asian-Americans.

@djparekh was at the White House for the event and took some TwitPics:

“In the east room of the white house for a signing and Diwali lighting of the candle….incredible.”

“Members of the presidents cabinet…”

“The president speaking on the contributions of asian Americans….”

“Lighting the Diwali candle….”

Diwali, a holiday celebrated across many faiths in India is not officially until Saturday. However, like Obama many Twitterers in India are celebrating the holiday early:

“#Diwali rangoli in our office! Early celebrations!” per @Shakti_Shetty:

“Outside the Isshinryu national H.Q. with the karate kids celebrating Diwali.” per @shihanhussaini

“Bay Decoration in my office as Diwali celebration.” per @NaughtyNaresh:

“Office decorated on Diwali… all thanx to Ruchi and Peeya… more pics to follow” per @sachinbee:

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Obama vows to end ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ policy

Bryan Simpson — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:56:51 +0000

Per BBC News, U.S. President Barack Obama pledged in a speech to the Human Rights Campaign Saturday to end the controversial “don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy.

The Associated Press adds that Obama also vowed to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which denies same-sex marriage. Obama gave no timetable to end the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Twitterers were pleased to hear Obama’s pledge, while many still thought his pledge took too long:

youdomytodo (Lynchburg, Virginia) Our President has vowed to end dont ask dont tell AND to repeal DOMA! This is a day of HOPE for sure!! 11 Oct 2009 from web

TheNavyBear (Nashville, Tennessee) OMG! What a great day for America! Obama pledged to abolish “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and “Defense In Marriage” act! 11 Oct 2009 from web

m_herman (Silicon Valley/San Francisco, California) Love that Obama is banning ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ military policy: http://bit.ly/2dHRp 11 Oct 2009 from web

eliza_writes (Undisclosed) Oh! Obama’s going to end Don’t Ask Don’t Tell! http://bit.ly/IvSJK This is awesome. 11 Oct 2009 from Brizzly

danpcurran (Washington D.C.) Change I can believe in. RT @huffingtonpost Obama Says He Will End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Policy http://bit.ly/PJrSB 11 Oct 2009 from txt

Many more Twitterers remind us that just because Obama made the pledge doesn’t mean the policy has actually been repealed:

wcruz73 (Los Angeles, California) “I will end Don’t ask Dont Tell. That is my commitment to you.” POTUS Obama – Now let’s hold him to it! 11 Oct 2009 from Tweetie

SundevilSal (Arizona) @WestWingReport I will end “Dont Ask, Dont Tell” Prez Obama just promised but why doesnt he just sign an executive order today? 11 Oct 2009 from web in reply to WestWingReport

dptalks (Undisclosed) Pres Obama brought tears to is all with his promise to end Dont Ask Dont Tell. Pass ENDA and repeal DOMA 11 Oct 2009 from Echofon

brainnfun (Washington D.C.) @HomoPolitico he will end don’t ask dont tell, but he won’t do it by himself, we have to do it, and ask him to join us. 11 Oct 2009 from web in reply to HomoPolitico

Some even expressed their doubt regarding Obama’s pledge, and their concern for other issues:

smashedthehomie (Undisclosed) How committed can Obama really be to gay rights if he doesn’t support gay marriage? I don’t want some separate but equal civil union shit. 11 Oct 2009 from Echofon

SouljahSingh (Toronto, Canada) President Obama abolishes “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”. Pfft… like that’s gonna change anything within the Military circle… 11 Oct 2009 from TweetDeck

rushlimbang (Undisclosed) When will Obama and Congress end “Don’t ask, don’t tell” regarding the Healthcare bill? 11 Oct 2009 from web

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NASA rocket set to strike moon

Bryan Simpson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 23:55:57 +0000

Per VOA News, NASA is set to impact the moon with a rocket in search of water, hoping to speed up future space exploration.

VOA News reports that the rocket is attached to a satellite that will detach prior to impact and take pictures to see if the spraying lunar dirt contains water.

NASA adds that the ‘LCROSS’ impact will occur Fri. Oct. 09 at 7:31 a.m. EDT with a live broadcast shown on www.nasa.gov/ntv. In addition, LCROSS can be tracked on its own Twitter page.

Twitterers all over the world use the impact to display a mix of reactions and comments.

Some Twitterers were intrigued and amazed:

AnnieM11 (Lisboa, Portugal) Awesome!!! RT @AnnCurry Whoa. Nasa will fire a lunar rocket at the moon 7am edt tomorrow to gather data on water. It will be live on tv. 08 Oct 2009 from web

billg (Dallas, Texas) Watch NASA bomb the moon online http://bit.ly/FT4dh This could be very cool 08 Oct 2009 from Power Twitter

MrSmartAlec (Salt Lake City, Utah) NASA is going to deliberately crash a rocket into the moon tomorrow for a test to see if there is water there. Interesting stuff. 08 Oct 2009 from txt

Others were upset, worried and confused:

stkxppro (United States) NASA is going to hit the moon with a rocket? What. Great idea to waste money. 07 Oct 2009 from txt

erintdickerson (Minnesota) RT @mashable Watch NASA’s Exploding Moon Rocket Live on NASA TV http://bit.ly/30koIc –> I really hope this doesn’t backfire. 08 Oct 2009 from web

mzzzlink (Florida) NASA launched a rocket to the moon that will crash into it tomorrow morning creating a six mile high explosion. On Purpose! I’m livid!!!! 08 Oct 2009 from Echofon

skigarmisch (Louisiana) NASA is sending a rocket to “whack the moon?!” Sounds kinda scary 2me! http://bit.ly/PA0kr #sgp #nasa #boom 08 Oct 2009 from Tweetree

Altidude (Virginia) why is NASA going to shoot a missile @ the moon? I mean if they think there’s water there why not send one of those cool toys have to DIG!! 08 Oct 2009 from web

useifnot (Undisclosed) So if NASA can land on the moon, why would they need to bomb the moon to collect the samples? 08 Oct 2009 from web

Even Stephen Colbert had something to say:

StephenAtHome nasa’s bombing the moon. finally, retribution for all those years of moonings 08 Oct 2009 from web

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TwitPics: Typhoon Melor hits Japan

Bryan Simpson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:03:40 +0000

The Associated Press reports that typhoon Melor struck Japan’s main island of Honshu Thursday, damaging buildings, disrupting businesses, and delaying flights and train service.

BBC News adds that one person is reported dead and more than 20 are reported injured.

Twitterers in Japan have been posting TwitPics of the typhoon and its aftermath. Some even mentioned and showed how much conditions improved afterwards:

“The typhoon is approaching to Aquapolis of Kobe Now.” per @yfvelocity:

“The typhoon today.” per @e2gma:

“Tokyo train torpor thanks to typhoon” per @ingulsrud:

“The street outside my apartment. Water past my ankles. Not raining right now tho, and barely windy. Pussy typhoon! #typhoon18 #melor” per @mullenkedheim:

“Stuck in totsuka now. Kind of beautiful day in the end. Typhoon turned into just wind. have a look:” per @zan_chan:

“What a beautiful day 2 hours after the typhoon. Heading for lunch now.” per @jecjec81:

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Influential Argentine singer Mercedes Sosa dead at 74

Bryan Simpson — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 01:47:07 +0000

Argentine folk singer Mercedes Sosa, known as “the voice of Latin America,” has died Sunday at age 74 due to kidney problems.

BBC News reports Sosa was known for supporting the poor and fighting for political change. The Associated Press adds that she recorded more than 70 albums, including three that won Latin Grammy Awards for the Best Folk album in 2000, 2003 and 2006.

After news of Sosa’s death was released, the city of Buenos Aires suspended all artistic activities on Sunday, according to the Associated Press.

Twitterers in Argentina and all over South America commented on the passing of their “voice,” including Colombia native Shakira:

shakira (Bahamas) Mercedes Sosa nos mostró que la canción puede ser una enseñanza – http://bit.ly/BJ9Rr – ShakiraHQ (Mercedes Sosa showed us that the song can be a teaching) 04 Oct 2009 from web

fercool4 (Asunción, Paraguay) mercedes sosa idolaaaaa….te extrañaremos!!!! (mercedes sosa idolaaaaa …. miss you!!)04 Oct 2009 from web

mikeila__ (Argentina) Mercedes Sosa R.I.P Argentina love u! peace and support for her family 04 Oct 2009 from web

teozambarda (Santa Cruz do Sul, Brazil) Grande perda na música latina. Vai com Deus Mercedes Sosa (Great loss in Latin music. Go with God Mercedes Sosa) 04 Oct 2009 from web

oobsessed (Uruguay) Sé que Mercedes Sosa no fue de mi país, pero.. ella comenzó cantando aquí en Uruguay. Q.E.P.D! (Mercedes Sosa know that was not my country, but .. She first sang here in Uruguay. Q.E.P.D!)04 Oct 2009 from web

Unregaloparami (Buenos Aires, Argentina) Mercedes Sosa: La Cantora de todos: “Yo creo que no hace falta hablar de ella porque ella es la mejor cantante .. http://bit.ly/qMZeu (Mercedes Sosa: The Singer of all: “I think there’s no need to talk about her because she is the best singer ..)04 Oct 2009 from twitterfeed

pedrinhocandido (São José dos Campos, Brazil) Nossa representante da América Latina nos deixou. Adeus, Mercedes Sosa http://bit.ly/18YUP0 (Our representative in Latin America has left us. Goodbye, Mercedes Sosa)04 Oct 2009 from web

valu5 (Argentina) MERCEDES SOSA,q en paz dscanses,se fue una grand d la música, smpre viviras en nstros corazons alegrandons c ts preciosas mlodias yunica voz (MERCEDES SOSA, q dscanses alone, it was a grand d music, will live in smpre c ts nstros corazons alegrandons precious mlodias yunica vo) 04 Oct 2009 from web

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