U.S. AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE  

On the United State's crowning of an enlightened statue of civic responsibility and its sumptious Park and human rights and duties lighthouse centers. From dream to reality.

"In Art, we are all One. While in Science, we are divided". Gubernatorial and Ambassador candidate Joubert

 

FEASIBILITY STUDY AND BUSINESS PLAN

 

WHERE COULD THIS STATUE AND ITS PARK TAKE ROOT ?

 

THE "CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY" STATUE COULD BE BUILT ON ALKI ISLAND, SEATTLE HARBOR, OR ON THE OREGON OR CALIFORNIA COAST. TO BE DETERMINED POLITICALLY BY THE PRESIDENT, AN EXPERT PANEL AND DEMOCRATICALLY BY THE PEOPLE.

THIS STATUE SHOULD BE ALIGNED WITH THE STATUE OF LIBERTY ON AMERICA'S EASTERN COAST.

 

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE OF THE RESPONSABILITY STATUE

 

ITS MESSAGE WOULD ECHO WORLD-WIDE. SHIPS, PLANES AND SPACE VEHICLES SHOULD SEE IT FROM AFAR. ALL PEOPLES AND NATIONS OF THE WORLD WOULD HAVE DESIRE TO SEE THIS STATUE IN LIVE.

 

HOW TO DETERMINE THE STATUE'S SUBSTANCE ?

First off, we would need to open to the World a Statue-building Contest or competition thanks to which we would have many thousands of "statue design" proposals. From these, a panel of experts made up of the world's most reknown artists, architects, human rights and duties advocates, sustainability experts and engineers would choose twelve of the best Statues projects portraying the idea of "civic responsibility" and on the best symbols that portray this idea for the entire 21st century.

Thenceforth, the People via internet referendum could give their consent to one of the chosen statues. The process would be a little like chosing the President of the United States, though with less formality and fewer expenses.

 

In the same way that the Statue of Liberté's birth had a difficult beginning, in the same way, the Statue of Responsability will necessitate intensive efforts if we are to build this before it will be too late.

 

THE PROPOSED CRITERIA FOR THE STATUE

1. The Statue should suggest the idea that we have "civic responsiblities" if we want to keep our basic liberties (epitomized via the French gifted Statue of Liberty). From someone, or some symbol that stands for the virtues of "enlightened responsibilities", a few elements of which are: courage, integrity, sustainability, environmental concern, peace keeping, tree planting, healing the diseased, love of freedom, creativity passion for solidarity, etc.

There should be no limits to the "candidates". The statue candidate could be a living plant (like a huge sequoia tree with spiraling staircase and elevators reaching a "top" which would be much more imposing than the Seattle Space Needle), an animal, a human, an inerte object like the Arc de Triomphe.

2. The Statue should be "imposing, awesome, amazing and Spiritually connected", corresponding to our Times,at least twice as tall as this "Christ the Redeemer Rio de Janeiro statue" (which is around 120 feet) and much bigger than the 1887 Statue of Liberty. I would propose at least 300 feet high, which would include the pedestal.

3. The People should be able to visit the inside of this Statue via a spiraling elevator system (to be determined). Its pedestal should be huge, a football stadium would be ideal (and with strawbale and limestone material, not that expensive), or like the Noah Ark boat of Holland, capable of holding huge "human rights and duties" events, art shows, concerts. There should be dozens of halls for human rights and duties projects. These halls would be directly linked to the child object of this project, the dessimination of "human rights and duties lighthouse centers" around the Planet. A huge underground of this complex would saveguard Humanity's knowledge.

4. There should be enough space in the proposed Statue to have an organic juice bar and a plant-based restaurant where visitors can eat organic raw chocolate mousse, the People's freedom mousse. (As opposed to the so called "freedom fries"). There should also be a free "naturopathic screening" center so that all visitors could contribute in being better aware about their health and the simple solutions to a life free of chronic diseases and stress.

5. There ought to be a library and a book store where the People can buy and get educated about our fundament human rights and duties.

6. The Statue could be built with the best hi tech and nano technology available as well as with bio-material.With our technology and energy, this type of Statue could be built from limestone, clay, strawbale, bambou, logs, stones and other material and binders.

7. In association with the best "green" bio-materials and sustainable energy technology (solar panels, wind energy, geo-thermal and wave energies, maybe even some hydrogen, biogas and pedal energies etc).

8. There should be a green, fruit, vegetable, botanical and flower park next to the proposed Statue. This way, the birds can be attracted to this area and make their nests within the the Statue's Structure. And People can learn to take responsibility of their health via botanicals and food.

9. There could also be a contest for a corresponding Statue of Civic Responsibility Poem, to be inscribed within the Statue. Such was done with the Statue of Liberty. The evidence below.

" Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The interior of the pedestal contains a bronze plaque inscribed with the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus. It has never been engraved on the exterior of the pedestal however. It should be for the Statue of Civic Responsibility.

 

EXAMPLES OF PAST POPULAR STATUE SUCCESSES AND PROPOSALS OF NEW "SYMBOLS"

1. STATUE OF LIBERTY

The New York Statue of Liberty (1886).

 

CLICK HERE FOR A HISTORY OF THE STATUE OF LIBERTY

 

Statue Christ the Redeemer, 98 feet, Rio de Janeiro, built by French sculptor Paul Landowski (1931), when the US was getting ready for the worse of the financial "Big Crash", CLICK HERE FOR SOME HISTORY OF THIS STATUE OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER

Christ The Redeemer - O Cristo Redentor

Christ, The Redeemer

The statue of Christ, the Redeemer is the main symbol of Rio de Janeiro. The immense Jesus statue is over 70 years old, 30 meters (98 ft.) high and the view from the Corcovado mountain (710m (2,329 ft.)) is one of the most beautiful views on the planet. You can take a comfortable elevator if your feet don't fancy the 220 steps that lead up to the Statue of Christ the Redeemer. The Corcovado mountain is situated on the Carioca Mountain Range and constitutes part of the Tijuca National Park.

THE PROJECT OF THIS STATUE WAS INITIATED BY THE CHURCH IN 1921 VIA AN INTERNATIONAL CONTEST. IT BECAME ONE OF THE WORLD'S SEVENTH "WONDERS". THERE IS NO CREDIBLE REASON WHY WASHINGTONIANS' COULD NOT CREATE THE 8TH IF THEY REALLY WANTED TO. A STATUE OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH WOULD THEN (AND FINALLY) FACE AND COMPLETE THE EAST COAST'S STATUE OF LIBERTY AND USHER IN BY PROCLAMATION A NEW SPIRITUAL AND HOLISTIC CIVILIZATION BASED ON THE VALUES AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS OF THE ACTION PLAN.

 

3. STATUE OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI

 

 

For the history of St Francis, CLICK HERE

 

4. STATUE OF THE SUN GODDESS OF THE ANCIENT EGYPTIANS

Doves have often represented the "mobilizing" energies Peace building, an element of "civic responsibility". A hundred foot tall dove could be placed on an imposing podium, similarly to the Statue of Liberty.

6. STATUE OF AN IMPOSING ANIMAL LIKE A HUGE LION, OVER 150 FEET HIGH.

 

Or the Lion. Many cultures have represented Lions in their political representations, from the ancient Egyptians to the French. The elements of "fire", "courage", "action" (including preventive action to protect the lion den), "Kingdom" (i.e., the lion being known to be the King of the Jungle") and integrity (at least for those not in zoos eating the American standard diet) of civic responsibility are contained in the Lion representation. The only limitation of this candidate is a certain cruelty vis a vis weaker pieces of Life. However, there does exist evidence where Lions, under right conditions, are non violent to humans and even to cows. It is also possible to feed lions vegetarian meals and keep them both healthy and manageable.

Given the power and magic of certain words, we could inscribe on the neck of this proposed Lion-Sphinx the following:

"Those who won our independence (...) believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty". Justice Louis BRANDIES

 

Moreover, President Obama share Napoléon's zodiacal solar sign, Leo. Thus, he may be more amenable to this proposal.

 

7. STATUE OF THE BONOBO

 

The bonobo great ape could be a valid candidate. A 220 feet Bonobo Statue of Civic Responsability on Alki bay in Seattle, or in San Francisco Bay ? I can see it now, holding the a torch made up of bleuberries, nuts and ginger, one of the Bonobo's favorite "superfood".

What "civic responsibility" ingredients do we have in this candidate ? Many. From the element of "health" to holistic medicine, to their effective matriachal structure education and lifestyle. Since the 20th and the 21th centuries have been and will be more and more characterized by diseases, this "mobilizing symbol" could prosper.

"No cancer was observed among diseases of wild apes" (Chultz, 1967)

Unquestionabley, Bonobo research has shown that these Great Apes have mastered the art of healing via a plant-based diet, 80 per cent of which is based on fruits. Bonobos relish ginger too. And occasional live (raw) ants, for their zinc mineral needs.

Moreover, bonobos are genetically closer to Humans than they are to their cousins the Chimps.

AND THEY HAVE TWO CHROMOSOME MORE THAN HUMANS.

48 VERSUS OUR 46.

WHEN NOT HUNTED DOWN BY MAN'S GREED AND CRUELY, THESE BONOBOS TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR HEALTH, FOR THEIR LIFE, FOR THEIR TRIBAL COLLECTIVITY, FOR BIOTOPS AND ECO SYSTEMS, FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS OF THE ERECTED TWO LEGGED BONOBO

For these reasons, I would personally insist that one way or another, we need to insert the Bonobo within the "civic responsibility" complex.

 

9. Statue of the "thinking" Chimpanzee

 

Yes, evidence does suggest that these tool makers can think. Buy they can also be violent, selfish and destructive. As a symbol of civic responsibility ? To be debated

 

 

10. STATUE OF A TREE, LIKE THE SEQUOIA TREE OR THE CACAO TREE (BELOW).

 

 

The cacao tree, whose seeds were once used as a monetary exchange unite and whose fruit represented "Food of God". Tho it would be challenging, it is feasible that a huge space needle like "trunk" could be built with oval conference rooms shaped like cacao beans. But the limitations of this "candidate" would be the connection between this tree and the concept "civic responsibility". Difficult, but not impossible.

 

10. STATUE OF A 300 FEET HUMAN GENOME TOWER  

 

 

Above, the Human DNA double helix.

The sequence of four bases (guanine, adenine, thymine, and cytosine) in the DNA helix determines the specificity of genetic information. The bases face inward from the sugar-phosphate backbone and form pairs with complementary bases on the opposing strand for specific recognition. The arrangement of chemical groups is unique for each base pair, allowing base pairs to be specifically targeted by transcription factors, polymerases, restriction enzymes, and other DNA-binding proteins. The behavior of civic responsibility may have been encoded with our genome.

The problem tho is that after 10,000 years of deviation from our Nature, our genes have lost the "civic responsibility instinct". More on this issue later

 

 

11. Or an a Statue of an inert object, like a Pyramid. But a big one. President Mitterand had built a Pyramid in Paris, not too far from the Louvre. But this piece of art can hardly be seen from Space. The U.S. could build a much more imposing one, ten times to size of the Egyptian pyramids. Build with biomaterial and the People's enthousiasm. Or a Statue analagous to the Eiffle Tower, but much more creative and imposing, twice its size and depth.

12. Or the Statue of a Goddess rooted in the trunk of a huge sequoia tree.

 

Picture pending artistic production

 

CHRISTIAN'S "UP TO NOW" CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY STATUE AND PARK VISION AND PREFERENCE, PENDING FURTHER INSPIRATION AND NEGOCIATIONS

 

FOR THIS CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY STATUE AND PARK PROJECT, I PROPOSE TO BUILD A "COMBINATOIRE" OF SOME OF DIFFERENT SYMBOLS, ALL OF WHICH WOULD SYNERGISTICALLY REPRESENT THE CONCEPT OF "CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY".

THUS, THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES WOULD BE CHOSEN. A DOVE, REPRESENTING THE ELEMENT OF "PEACE AMONG NATIONS" OF THE CIVIC RESPONSABILITY CONCEPT, A LION, REPRESENTING COURAGE, A BONOBO, REPRESENTING THE ELEMENT OF HEALTH AND PLAY, A "Ganesh" like ELEPHANT REPRESENTING THE ELEMENT OF "FORCE" AND INDIAN TRADITION, A SHEEP, REPRESENTING THE SACRIFICIAL ELEMENT OF MANY RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, A CACAO TREE REPRESENTING THE ELEMENTS OF FORTITUDE AND MIND EXPANSION VIA THE DOPAMINE NEURO-TRANSMITTER, THE SPIRALING DNA REPRESENTING THE HUMAN GENOME AND A MISSING LINK, THE SHEEP REPRESENTING THE ELEMENT OF SACRIFICE AND GENTLENESS OF THE RESPONSIBILITY NOTION, FRUITS REPRESENTING "CELESTIAL FOOD", A TREE GODDESS REPRESENTING THE ELEMENT OF MATERNAL PROTECTION OF RESPONSIBLITY AND A LITTLE BOY REPRESENTING HUMAN CIVIC AWARENESS AND ACTIO POPULARIS. (MEANING "HUMANITARIAN INTERVENTION ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE, OF THE COMMON GOOD).

WITH THE PEDESTAL, THE STATUE (IN THE FORM OF A PROPOSED HUGE MULTI CHAMBERS DNA SPIRALING GENOME TOWER TALLER THAN THE COMBINED SPACE NEEDLE OF SEATTLE AND EIFFLE TOWER OF PARIS, TALLER THAN THE WORLD TRADE BUILDINGS) WOULD HAVE TO BE IMPOSING, AT LEAST 300 FEET TALL. THE DOVE WOULD BE TWICE THE SIZE OF THE ABOVE EXPOSED STATUE OF LIBERTY HEAD. THE LION, AT LEAST TEN TIMES BIGGER THAN THE LIBERTY STATUE HEAD, MAYBE FIFTY TIMES BIGGER IF THERE ARE ENOUGH FUNDS AND MOTIVATION TO FINANCE THIS PROJECT. BUILT WITH THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF HIGH TECH AND BIO-MATERIAL, THIS 21ST CONSTRUCTION WOULD HELP TO USHER IN THE NEW ERA OF RESPONSIBILITY PRESIDENT OBAMA WELCOMED IN HIS MOST RECENT INAUGURATION SPEECH. THE PROCESS CAN START ONCE THE FIRST ESSENIA ECO-VILLAGE IS ROOTED ON FERTILE GROUNDS.

Above, one of the twelve proposed candidates to become the 21st century symbol of the "Civic Reponsibility Statue"(CRS, for short). In symbiosis with the Lion, would be a huge dove watching over the lion on a no less huge cacao tree branch whose trunk would merge with a Goddess.

The proposed DNA spiraling strand tower would be at least 300 feet high, shaped like a huge Sequoia Tree and reaching the stars for that missing and-or under-developed "responsibility gene". Its underground "root" counterpart should be at least 200 feet deep and full of protection chambers, chambers which contain the most valuable knowledge of Humanity.

On the other side of the lion would be the three magicians each bestowing to the hungry lion and to the starving little boy live and wild Bonobo food. Bleuberries. Rasberries. Bananas. Bleu, red and white, the three colors of the History of human rights and duties struggles. These Evolution magicians could be represented by three prophets known for their effective non violence approach: Boudha, Krishna and Yashua.

THE PROPOSED "MISE EN SCÈNE" DEPICTING A DYNAMIC DISPLAY OF THE NOTION OF "CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY" ITS INTER-PLAYING "ACTORS"

The lion's paws would be ten times bigger than the biggest paws of the ancient Egyptian's Sphinx and would protectively encircle a smiling, but maimed African boy (i.e. leg amputated), which would represent Society's lack of civic responsibility to the Children of the Earth, 25,000 of whom die from easily avoidable caues, each day (see the sides of this webpage and the bottom of this webpage for the details).

This little boy, sculpted in gold, paladium, silver and marble will also be the artistic 21st century representation of the future boy (person) of "civic responsibility". This "male" vision is complementary to the "female" Statue of Liberty vision, it is not discriminatory against little girls because we have the female representation of the Statue of Liberty since at least 1887 and the protective Goddess rooted within the huge cacao tree (A Maya representation of the Divine (for the details, please click this sentence on the History of the raw vegan chocolate mousse and its cacao tree and Mayan Divinity Source).

All of these props would need to be inserted within a huge Park planted with the most medicinal and healthy plants and fruits, so as to suggest, like in Taoist Art, the importance of Nature.

 

 

*****

 

Whatever symbols are ultimately chosen to depict the notion of "Civic Responsibility" it would need to be imposing, awesome, amazing and spiritually and sustainability inspiring. Built from bio-material and high tech material, this DNA Tower (or whatever is picked) should be higher than the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffle Tower combined. In the Statue's pedestal, a great conference hall for human rights and duties events could be constructed.

Planes, Spaces vehicles and Ships should be able to view this symbol from afar. And still feel a sentiment of awe and bewilderment.

Today, with a grandiose and universal "Responsibility" Statue and Park, the best of human endeavors would be enshrined, we, Americans,  the World, this decade could greatly benefit from this timely, inspiring, and universal message of “Civic Responsibility”, a statue which has the potential to become the 8th wonder of the World, to mobilize men and women of good will to  make deserts bloom, sustainable villages sing and holistic health a priority for all.

A powerful "combinatoire" symbol of Democracy, Sustainability, Courage, Peace making, Tree planting, Compassion, Humanity, Play, Duty, Unity and World Peace. Yes, we can.

 

BRIEF FEASIBILITY STUDY AND BUSINESS PLAN

 

Pending a showing of interest by the Obama Administration, I will only briefly outline some elements of a feasibility study and business plan on this project.

A. Funding. Below, the projected needs.

1. 250 million dollars participation in "backtaxes" from the billionaires and multiple millionaires who have made last year 18 billions dollars on just "bonuses" (See footnote A below). With taxpayer's subsidies and assistance. If this back tax is not acceptable to Congress, than we can propose a progressive tax of 2 percent of the revenue of all multi millionaires and billionaires and a 1 percent tax on speculation. These two taxes can be called the "Civic responsibility building tax".

2. 5 million euros from France. The next U.S ambassador to France could politely discuss with the French President and the French People the possibilities of reducing the French military budget and France's vast nuclear civil park in favor of the building of this Civic Responsability Park and or Statue. The past generosity of the French People in the financing of the Statue of Liberty in a good indicator of success.

3. 5 million euros from the other 26 Nations of Europe. We will have to have a serious discussion with the European Parliament on this issue.

4. 2 million dollars from other sources (Asian, Mid East etc).

B. The Costs would involve the following:

1. Buying land, building three holistic health sustainable eco villages which would start the building process of the Central Statue and its props.See that related project via link. And two human rights and duties lighthouse centers, one in France and the other in the U.S. to begin.

2. Purchasing hi tech and bio materials.

3. Funds of artists, engineers and builders.

C. The costs would be reduced thanks to tax breaks, tax credits, volunteering and donations.

 

ARE THERE ANY FINANCE POSSIBILITIES IN PRESIDENT OBAMA'S AGENDA PROMISES ?

 

With French and European finances on the construction of this project and its concomitant three holistic health sustainable eco villages, American finances could derive from the one billion dollars Obama proposed budget on strenghtening communities to help low income Americans meet their basic needs and dignity.

" Obama and Biden will invest $1 billion over five years in transitional jobs and career pathway programs that implement proven methods of helping low-income Americans succeed in the workforce. (...) Obama and Biden will create a program to directly engage disadvantaged youth in energy efficiency opportunities to strengthen their communities, while also providing them with practical skills in this important high-growth career field." (The President's agenda).

And not only "yes we can" but "yes we are" happy to see that the President's Father came from such a small traditional village. In Kenya.

" As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born:  know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more." President Obama (Inauguration, Jan 20th, 2009).

 

WHAT ANTICIPATED RESULTS FROM THIS "CIVIC RESPONSIBLITY STATUE PARK" PROJECT ?

 

Could this project, once built, pay for itself in the long run ? What "dividends" ?

In addition to generating millions of dollars each year from tourism, conferences and sales, this project would especially help to shine the light of our internationally recognized human rights and duties to the World. And help feed the "human rights and duties lighthouse centers" in the world, which would build the Peace and Prosperity among all Nations, via education, art, sustainability, legal protection and promotion, tree planting, public health seminars etc.

In terms of the long term effects, the results would be huge. For example, this project could significantly contribute to reverse the present health or sickness expenses of the Government. Presently one of seven of our dollars goes into the health system. With proper education, thanks to the pedagogical effects of this Statue and Park and its Lighthouse centers, we could save hundreds of billions of dollars just on this aspect.

With the "bonus" of generating "joie de vie" energy among the People, chronic stress - a multi billion dollars waste, (and gain for the pharmaceuticals and billionnaires) would meaningfully diminish.

This project would also help to "jump start" the ailing economy. Much more efficient than jump starting the economy with wars, bubble financing and vanity shopping, as have done our leaders during the recession of the 1930s and president Richard Nixon thereafter.

I will develop and prove these aspects later when and if i receive an acknowledgement of interest from the Government.

 

REFERENCES

 

Footnote A. "McCaskill, a close ally of Obama who represents Missouri, announced her legislation a day after the president said he was outraged by a report of some $18 billion in Wall Street bonuses being paid while taxpayer money was being used to shore up the crumbling financial system". NewsDaily (Jan. 31, 2009). This by the way is one reasons why President Obama put a cap of 500,000 dollars salary.

 

 

This webpage and project under construction.

 

" And looking about on them with anger, being grieved for the blindness of their hearts” (St. Mark 3:5). And with righteous anger and zeal, Christ threw the moneychangers out of the temple: “And when He was entered into the temple, He began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the chairs of them that sold doves (…). And he taught, saying to them: Is it not written, My house shall be called a house of prayer to all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves.” (St. Mark 11:15,17) CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON "RIGHTEOUS" ANGER AS THERAPY.