I cannot think of a situation more dire than that which is taking place in Syria and affecting Syrian people right now. I’d imagine we’ve all read about, and seen the horrific footage of the most recent spate of chemical attacks and while extremely hard to watch, if you haven’t, I think it important to do so to understand just what the evil in this world is capable of. The Syrian Civil Defense, known as the White Helmets are a group of Syrian rescue workers who risk life and limb to respond to bombings, chemical attacks and any other act of violence against innocent children, women and men, and do so outside of any political or religious framework. Pure humanitarian motivation. I would suggest seeing who they are, and what they do here: www.whitehelmets.org
As of the time of this writing (according to their website), 166 White Helmet volunteers have been killed, and yet they continue to charge into affected areas to help the people, the families, the children who are otherwise helpless.
Politics aside, and regardless of who is responsible for the continued aggression against Syrian civilians, we can at the very least, financially help. We will be donating 10% of all sales of Nauti Straps (find Nauti Straps HERE) to the White Helmets this month, and even if you’re not in the market for a camera strap, even a few dollars can help if you feel so inclined to donate directly. I’ve tried to find worthy causes to support each and every month, and right now, I cannot think of any cause in more immediate need. We may not be able to do much in the grand scheme of things, but this is one way that we’ve decided to try and use our new business to help a little bit.
We will be getting back to our regularly scheduled programing shortly as I have multiple lens reviews and comparison articles in the works.
Thanks all, be well and happy shooting.
Tyson
Tyson Robichaud Photo-blography 
Who is James Le Mesurier?
British Military officer James Le Mesurier
“They are made up of former bakers, builders, taxi drivers, students, teachers, pretty much anything apart from rescue workers,” according to the much repeated phrase used by their British ex-military, USAR (Urban Search & Rescue) trainer, James Le Mesurier who specialises in outsourcing warfare – the kind of private security operations exemplified by the likes of Blackwater (now known as Academi) and DynCorp, and other well-known global suppliers of mercenaries and CIA outreach assassination experts.
“Running operations through Blackwater gave the CIA the power to have people abducted, or killed, with no one in the government being exactly responsible.” ~ The Atlantic, 2012
White Helmets founder Le Mesurier, who graduated from Britain’s elite Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, is said to be an ‘ex’ British military intelligence officer involved in a number of other NATO ‘humanitarian intervention’ theatres of war, including Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq, as well as postings in Lebanon and Palestine. He also boasts a series of high-profile posts at the UN, EU, and UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Not to mention his connections back to the infamous Blackwater (Academi).
http://veryanweston.weebly.com Tel Land – +01707 692420 Mob – +07935 334683 Address: 25 Meadway Welwyn Garden City Herts AL7 4NQ (UK)
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While we’ve read and heard much of the criticism, it doesn’t affect what many of those involved with the White Helmets have done and continue to do for innocents on the ground in Syria. Residing in a country in the western, first world much like us, whose government is directly involved in many evils, shouldn’t entirely discredit our ability to work within that framework in an attempt to do good.
I appreciate the information you’ve provided, and continue to monitor and research many of the claims both for and against different organizations, and if you can provide information about better options to directly aid those on the ground in Syria, we’d love to continue this discussion in that direction as well.
I’ve personally yet to find any direct route that more immediately benefits those on the ground, but would certainly appreciate any more information we can gather.
Thanks Veryan.
Best,
Tyson
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